Weekly Wrap Up – March 16 – 22

Good news and bad news folks…. let’s start with the bad news and get that out of the way first. I finally had a breakdown. Knew it was coming. My anxiety has weirdly handled this whole virus and quarantine thing really well! I was prepared to spend time at home with the kids, I got out all the games and puzzles, went grocery shopping and started to fill the freezer with cooked meals…. things were great actually!! Then Thursday it all came to a crashing halt as my anxiety kicked in and I felt like I had an elephant sitting on my chest. The enormity and severity of the situation that the world is in finally hit me. I cried, worried, and could barely breathe. It finally became too much to handle and I lost it. This virus is scary shit! I’m worried about my family’s health as many of them are at high risk. And I’m worried about our finances as things have changed drastically this week. But this is all out of our control right now and I need to accept that. I can only do the best I can with what we have and stick together with my family. We will get through this. It won’t be easy. There’s going to be more struggles and more tears. But we WILL get through this.

And now for the good news! My reading mojo is back!!! I’ve decided that now is the time that I need books more than anything. I need their comfort! I need the escape! And in a time where I need to find as much joy as possible in my own home, books are everything right now! I’ve promised myself that I won’t waste this time i’ve been given. More time at home means more time to read! I used to waste so much time watching YouTube and playing games on my phone when I should have been reading. I still do those things but only in moderation. I don’t want to look back at this whole quarantine situation and think of all the books I COULD have read! Besides, when we can finally get out of the house, reading will become more difficult and I won’t want to sit on the couch with a book. Wow…… that was a really long intro…… I’ll shut up now and get to the books!

BOOKS I FINISHED THIS WEEK:

THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune <—– click for full review. This book was a really interesting experience! I was a little bored while reading it. The pace was dreadfully slow and I kept wondering when the book would be over. Then, when I finished the most perfect ending, I fell even more in love with the book and appreciated the slow and steady pace and the time that was given to the characters! This was really good! I rated it 4 stars

I also finished GRIN AND BEARD IT by Penny Reid…… didn’t think this was possible but I loved it way more than the first book!!! Jethro and Sienna were the perfect couple! They’re both so funny, sassy, sexy, confident, and everything in between. This is the book that helped me out of my anxiety this week. I’ve been on such a romance kick lately! Having something light and funny to take my mind off things is just what I need. Book 3 features Cleatus which might be my favourite Winston brother! I CAN’T WAIT! Full review of this one to come soon.

BOOKS I’M CURRENTLY READING:

I am SO close to finishing THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin! I have very mixed feelings about it at the moment. Some things I love and some things I don’t like. I have a feeling that my review isn’t going to make any sense at all…… The first 150 pages were a bit of a chore. And then, all of a sudden, I was invested but still had lingering negative feelings about the first part of the book. I don’t think I’ll really know what I think until it’s over.

Once i’m done that one I’m FINALLY getting to CRESCENT CITY by Sarah J Maas! I’ve been dying to read it since it was released but had 2 ARC’s to finish first. I absolutely ADORE SJM and her writing always finds a way to make me forget my struggles and just focus on the world. I have a feeling I’ll fly right through!

OTHER BOOKISH NEWS:

TOP 5 TUESDAY:

This was the third instalment in the Authors from A-Z series which featured the letters K, L, M, N, O. Even though the world is struggling with this virus (if I don’t say the name then it won’t be as stressful, right?) I’m still busy with our businesses. Commenting and updating on time has been a bit of a struggle and I am SO sorry! Changes are made daily and keeping up with it is hard. I’m trying my best. This weeks authors are the letters P, Q, R, S, and T.

Wow! I actually remained coherent and calm enough to form a post! I’m surprised actually! I have no idea what this week is going to hold. Probably more changes and restrictions….. oh and more stress and anxiety. LOTS OF STRESS actually. I’ve got a lot of reading and blog posts planned but I also have two kids home all day, financial shit to deal with, hours of paperwork to fill out, and a whole lot more. I plan to vent on twitter so if you want to keep up with my slow and steady descent into madness, follow me there! I hope you are all safe and well and getting in lots of reading time!

Until next time, happy reading!