12 Books of Christmas Challenge 2022

 

It's that time of year again when I want to read and watch all the cheesy Christmas books and movies, and what better way to hold myself accountable than bringing back the 12 Books of Christmas Challenge (#12BooksofXmas). Not that this challenge has ever managed to actually hold me accountable before, but third (fourth?) times the charm, right? 

Because of the fact that I felt like my life was falling apart for a while there, I'm behind on getting this going, but honestly I'm okay with that. Especially since the spirit of this challenge is to let anyone participate who wants to, regardless of their level of commitment. Obviously I'm still aiming for 12 books myself, but several of them are going to be children's books I managed to snag as read now books recently on Netgalley (because that's going to help me boost my Netgalley rating like I want to as well, so two birds with one stone kind of thing). 

Without further ado, here are the books I'm currently hoping to read for this challenge. 

Genre: Romance

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Genre: Romance

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Genre: Children's (3-7)

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Genre: Children's (4-8)

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Genre: Romance

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Genre: Romance

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Genre: Children's (6 and up)

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Genre: Children's (3-7?)

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Genre: Romance

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Genre: Historical Romance

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Genre: Children's (3-7)

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Genre: Children's 3-7

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Genre: Historical Romance

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I realize that's 13 books, but I noticed one that I'd gotten as a read now on Netgalley after already scrolling my Kindle library for adult holiday books, and figured featuring a baker's dozen wouldn't hurt. Especially since I'm not likely to stick to half this list anyway when it comes down to actually reading books. 

But considering the number of children's books and novellas I've got featured here, I might actually achieve my Santa Status this year! - Katie 

Review: Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: April 27, 2021

Pages: 336

Marcie Latimer longs to run away from Someday Valley—especially since her ex-boyfriend spun a web of lies that almost led to tragedy in neighboring Honey Creek. Little wonder so many locals have turned their backs on her. But not Brand Rodgers. The quiet cowboy comes to listen every time she sings at Bandit’s Bar, offering a glimpse of safety and calm that Marcie’s rarely known.

After Texas Ranger Colby McBride saved Honey Creek’s mayor, Piper Mackenzie, from a fire, she claimed him with a kiss. That was five months ago, and Colby still isn’t sure where they’re headed. Piper loves her town—but does she love Colby? And is he even ready for what comes next?

Pecos Smith, Honey Creek’s emergency dispatcher, is grateful to have a new bride he adores and a baby on the way—even if one vital piece of the puzzle is missing. But as trouble comes stalking through the valley, lives will cross surprising paths. And Marcie, who’s always felt that a forever love was out of reach, might discover that Someday is the perfect place to find it . . . 

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program. This is my honest review.

Reading Picnic in Someday Valley was like reading a soap opera. The story rotated  through perspectives and relationships, always leaving me hanging wanting just a little bit more from the current perspective. A part of me would have preferred fewer perspectives and relationships so I could get more in depth with them, but the lives are so intertwined in this small valley that I would've been missing information had the story been told that way.

I felt more strongly about some of the relationships than others, and one of them ended very up in the air when the book was over. That upsets me a bit, but I'm sure I'll be able to see more of them in the next book, at least I hope so.

Overall I give this book 3.79 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Jodi Thomas is a certified marriage and family counselor, a fifth generation Texan, a Texas Tech graduate, and writer-in-residence at West Texas A&M University. She lives in Amarillo, Texas.

Review: Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

Genre: Historical Romance

Published: May 28, 2019

Pages: 373

Valinda Lacey's mission in the steamy heart of New Orleans is to help the newly emancipated community survive and flourish. But soon she discovers that here, freedom can also mean danger. When thugs destroy the school she has set up and then target her, Valinda runs for her life—and straight into the arms of Captain Drake LeVeq.

As an architect from an old New Orleans family, Drake has a deeply personal interest in rebuilding the city. Raised by strong women, he recognizes Valinda's determination. And he can't stop admiring—or wanting—her. But when Valinda's father demands she return home to marry a man she doesn't love, her daring rebellion draws Drake into an irresistible intrigue.

"Pirate wives are allowed to do that."

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program. This is my honest review. 

I've been on a bit of a romance kick lately and feel almost like I'm flying through them. I'm not, but it feels that way because I went so long without reading. But they are typically light reading and helping me get back into my love of reading that I lost there for a while, so definitely worth it. 

This was another predictable romance read, but I was still rooting for Valinda to get with Drake, in spite of all the things that should be keeping them apart. There was a twist that I did not see coming and it left me feeling pleasantly surprised.

I feel like I was less invested in this story than some of the others I've read lately, but I think that's because it's set during the reconstruction era and Libertie was set during the Civil War and reconstruction era, so they felt somewhat connected in my head, especially because I read them fairly close together. Although logical me knows they're not really connected, emotional me was not able to keep them separated.

In spite of that, I give this book four out of five stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Beverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2018 Michigan Author Award by the Michigan Library Association, the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for historical romance. She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured in both the documentary Love Between the Covers and on CBS Sunday Morning. Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. If you would like to be notified when Beverly Jenkins has new releases, events, and other news, sign up for her newsletter at www.beverlyjenkins.net

Life Update!

 I feel like I've written more of these posts than review posts lately, and I haven't even written many of them. But I once again want to get back into my blogging and that includes a bit on an update about what's been going on with me.

About a year ago I started getting really overwhelmed with work and life. I was sliding into depression and letting everyone down, which was making the depression worse. I was burnt out from working all the time, and reading was part of that burn out. I had to start cutting some things out, so I stopped checking my email and mostly stopped entering Goodreads giveaways. But that wasn't enough.

At the beginning of the year I completely stopped reading. I wanted to want to read, but I just couldn't bring myself to get into any books. Instead I got real good at doom scrolling TikTok to try and decompress when I wasn't at work. 

I started going to therapy in July and quickly realized that all of the reasons I had for staying at my job were weak, and staying there was not in my best interested. I spent about two months unemployed, until I was emotionally in a better place. I still had some bad days because our finances were tight with me not working and that made me feel guilty, but I was trying to change careers because I knew I couldn't keep working in food service. I was killing myself for someone else's profits and they didn't even appreciate my sacrifice. On top of that, I needed a job with stable hours that would allow me to be home with my family in the evening and on weekends. I really think that finally being home to cook for my family and spend time with them really helped with the improvement of my emotional state. 

About a month ago I got a new job as a receptionist for an engineering firm and so far it's going great. It's a pay cut from the previous job, but offers better benefits. I get an hour break every day with ZERO expectation of having to do anything work related. I get off work on time, and even if there is still work to be done at that point, it's just work for the next day. I can leave five minutes early if everything is done, and not get griped at for it. But best of all, I have the energy to cook supper and do dishes most nights when I get home. And I've had the energy to do other housework on the weekends when I'm off work. So all in all, the career change has been super worth it. 

This also means that I should be able to get back into blogging somewhat regularly, at least after I get my house completely sorted out again. Three years of neglect has me halfway to being a candidate for an episode of Hoarders (that's a bit of an exaggeration, but mostly because my husband is a much better housewife than I've ever been). I've been doing a bit of long overdue deep cleaning and organizing and working on getting my books all put back in my office since our bonus daughter moved out, almost a year ago. Once those things are done, I hope I'll feel like I have more time to dedicate to blogging so I can participate in weekly memes again and post more regular reviews. I also have a goal to get my Netgalley feedback percentage up to 25% before the end of the year. I have a plan to accomplish it, but be prepared to see a LOT of short reviews for children's books in the near future. 

So that's where I'm at right now. With luck, I'll get consistent at this blogging thing again. But for now, I have kids books to read :) - Katie

*Review* Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: March 30, 2021

Pages: 332

Coming of age in a free Black community in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson is all too aware that her mother, a physician, has a vision for their future together: Libertie is to go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to be independent? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her light-skinned mother, she will not be able to pass for white. When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises a better life on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come.
 
Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States, critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author Kaitlyn Greenidge returns with an unforgettable and immersive novel that will resonate with readers eager to understand our present through a deep, moving, and lyrical dive into our past.

“We have to plan for the worst of what white folks do. Because they always choose the worst.”

"Womanhood is nothing but tears and sorrow." 

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program. This is my honest review. 

Before I started blogging, I had made it a habit to pick three books from my shelves that appealed to me at that time, asking my Facebook friends to choose which one I should read. I decided to return to that recently since I went about three quarters of a year without reading a single book and I have so many, and this was the first book picked, by a single friend. Unlike in the past, I did not manage to read this book straight through without picking up another book to read. In fact, I read two other books before I was able to finish this one, but that was because this subject matter was rather heavy, and I was needing something a bit more light-hearted. 

This story was not easy for me to relate to, but that's not surprising. I have no experience living in a world that hates my very existence, but I trust that Ms. Greenidge provided as accurate a representation as can be achieved in historical fiction. There really isn't much else I feel I can say about the book without going into too much detail and potentially revealing spoilers, so I'll just leave it at this. 

Overall I give Libertie 4 out of 5 stars and would definitely recommend it. - Katie 

Amazon

Kaitlyn Greenidge's debut novel, We Love You, Charlie Freeman, was one of the New York Times Critics’ Top 10 Books of 2016 and a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. She is a contributing writer for the New York Times and the features director at Harper's Bazaar, and her writing has also appeared in Vogue, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere. She is the recipient of a Hodder Fellowship from Princeton University's Lewis Center for the Arts, as well as fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Whiting Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Substack, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Greenidge lives in Massachusetts. Her second novel, Libertie, is available now.

Vunella Shampoo and Conditioner Bar Review

 

I should have reviewed Vunella shampoo and conditioner bars like a year ago. But I didn't want to because they made me mad. To start with, I ordered them at the same time as I ordered the Earthling Co bars, but it took my first shipment months to arrive (whereas the Earthling Co bars got here in like a week). I was honestly two days away from reporting it as fraud to PayPal (which is how I paid for them) when they finally arrived on my doorstep. And even after they arrived I was still tempted to report it as fraud, because one of my shampoo bars was missing from my order (I didn't, because I'd received most of my order and that would've been dishonest). I had expected them much sooner you see, because they were on SALE when I bought them. But I've been paying attention to the Vunella site since then, and their stuff is ALWAYS on sale. The sales are a gimmick so you'll think you're getting a bargain, but it's really just the price of their bars. But the gimmick worked on me because I chose them as one of my first orders BECAUSE of the sale. Long story not so short, I wanted to hate these shampoo and conditioner bars. 

But I didn't. In fact, except for the fact that I absolutely love, love, love the lilac scent of my Viori bars, these are my favorite shampoo and conditioner bars that I've used so far. They lather quickly, and leave my hair feeling more full than I ever remember it being in my life. And when I'm not going to the gym and using the pool every day, I can easily go three days without washing my hair, and it will only just start to look greasy (and that's with wearing a hat, oftentimes in a hot kitchen, for "8" hours a day). I am legitimately mad because of how much I like these bars. 

I like them so much, in fact, that I ordered from them again (even though I still have a list somewhere, although I'm not sure where somewhere is right now, of other companies to order from and test out) because they caught me with another sale gimmick. Each bar was like $8, and that's honestly the cheapest I've found, and I know these bars work well with my hair. I'm also going through my shampoo and conditioner bars more quickly because I am going to the gym and using the pool most days so my hair needs to be washed more often. And I'm happy to report that this order arrived within like a week of me placing it. 

So it is against my better judgement that I highly recommend these bars if you're looking to jump on the shampoo bar bandwagon. They are affordable and the best I've used so far for keeping my hair moisturized and healthy. - Katie 

Major Life Update

 Guess who's back, back again. Katie's back, tell some friends. Okay, two years ago I wrote a post about being back, and I've not posted much since, so let's try this again shall we. Let's start with a life update. Towards the end of 2021, I slid into depression. I started feeling overwhelmed by everything in my life, so I started cutting things out. I stopped checking my email (I've got like 3 months worth of emails I need to sort through now, most of them junk), stopped getting on Facebook, basically stopped doing everything that wasn't work or family related (I even stopped entering Goodreads giveaways), and I really cut back on the family related stuff too. There was even one day at work where I could not for the life of me put a smile on my face (I spent most of my day crying in fact), which is not helpful when you work in food service and guests expect you to smile. When I started to come back from the depression, I joined a gym and signed up for personal training, which may be helping the depression because exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy (and happy people don't kill their husbands, they just don't). I've lost some weight, and I was starting to see some improvement in my physical strength. Then I took vacation for the holidays so we could visit my in-laws in Illinois/Wisconsin/Iowa, and I caught Covid.

After spending 10 days doing literally nothing because I couldn't be on my feet for more than five minutes without being extremely winded and needing to use my inhaler, I've lost some of my gains. And I can't even just jump right back into workouts like I was doing before to get back there. Fortunately for me, my personal trainer had Covid just before I started working with him, so once I told him that I just had it, he's been very understanding of my current limitations. But I'm currently frustrated with the situation. 

The last thing I did to free myself up is quit every single book that was on my Goodreads currently reading shelf (all 20+ of them). They are all back on my to-read shelf, because I might still want to read them, but honestly that number was overwhelming too. I'd like to say that I'm going to never have more than four books on my currently reading shelf from here on out, but I know that's an unrealistic promise for me to make. 

Now I just want to be more active here on the blog, but I still need to figure out what that's going to look like for me. I'd like to participate in weekly memes again, but I don't have a lot of time to visit other blogs, so I'm not sure if that's for me anymore. I will return to reviewing the books I read, with the exception of the books I proofread (those will just be spotlight posts). And I may try to post some more frequent life updates, and reviews of other products as well. 

But if you've stuck with this post this far, please leave me a comment that I can write on a sticky note for my office wall. It needs an update. - Katie