Favorites of 2020

I don’t normally do a top anything list, but I saw a few floating around and decided to go ahead and shout out some of my favorite things during this crazy year.

Favorite Books of 2020

These are in no particular order and there are a few that aren’t pictured that I still want to mention because they were favorites, I just don’t happen to own them. 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Verity by Colleen Hoover 

Too Late by Colleen Hoover (not pictured)

Heartstopper, Vol 1-3 by Alice Oseman

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryan Greenwood (not pictured)

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon (not pictured)

Favorite Movies and Shows of 2020

So these are the new movies and shows that I loved this year that were new releases. There's a ton more I could add to this list that were new to me but that would make this list way too long. 

Favorite Songs of 2020

 I didn't really listen to a lot of newer music this year. Except for Taylor Swift. We were blessed with two albums this year and there are a few songs that I was really obsessed with, as you can tell. But I honestly spent a lot of my time listening to Lo-Fi music while around the house and I can't imagine listening to anything else now when I need music but don't really want songs. Also, I listened to a lot of old favorites. 

That's it for my favorite stuff of the year. It was a difficult year and I spent my time rewatching a lot of things that brought my comfort. Listening to songs that made me happy. But not finding new things as much. So I hope you liked this post and here's hoping to a better 2021. 
xoxo

Audiobook Blitz | Dirty Deeds by Nicole James

Today I am excited to be taking part in the Dirty Deeds Audio Blitz. The Devil Kings MC Series by Nicole James delivers romance, suspense, and characters you’ll root for. Check out the audio narrated by Ryan West & Virginia Rose, then enter to win a signed copy of the book!

Dirty Deeds by Nicole James

Audible | Amazon

Kara Harbinger’s only crime is having a court judge for a father, one who just happens to be presiding over the criminal case of the president of the Devil Kings MC. The DKs are about to use the biggest Achilles’ heel he’s got to bend him to their will, to buy his decision, to buy his very soul.

Reno: I want nothing to do with this job, but I can’t get out of it. As a member of the Devil Kings MC, my life is a violent existence hinged on loyalty to the oath I took: Devil Kings before all else. I’m the club’s muscle, the brother they give the vicious, vile jobs, the dirty deeds. When it comes to my club, I do whatever they ask, whatever they need. 

Then I see Kara, all sweet and innocent with her soulful eyes and sexy body. She’s a bright light in my dark existence. In her eyes, I see an escape from the brutal life I’ve lived for so long, a life void of feelings, emotions, and light. She gives me the faith to believe I can have more, to believe I can have everything.

What do I do when my VP wants her taken as leverage to use against her father? What do I do when one look at Kara threatens everything I thought I held dear? What do I do if they want me to put a gun to her head and end her life? I’ll have to convince her to trust me if I have any hope of getting us both out of this alive.

Kara: He’s the only one who can save me. I’m not supposed to want a man like Reno. He’s dangerous – a lawless, badass, alpha biker. I know I should be afraid, but the way he looks at me, with hunger in his eyes makes me want to become his.

I believed the lies he told me. I thought he was a good guy. But when he takes me hostage, everything I thought about him is turned on its head. Now he expects me to trust him, even as he holds me captive. How can I trust a man whose loyalty is to his club, a club that wants me dead?

Grab your copy: Audible | Amazon | Apple

caffeinatedpr · Dirty Deeds by Nicole James

About the Author

Nicole James is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who loves writing about hot alpha men who’ll do anything for the women they love! Her stories are filled with struggle, conflict and real human emotion. She is the author of the Evil Dead MC series, the Brothers Ink Tattoo series, The Devil Kings MC series, and more. Join her mailing list to be the first to receive cover reveals, release information, giveaways and more!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon

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Life lately.

Hi, it’s been a while. I basically went back to work and really didn’t have time for much else for a while because it took me a while to transition back into working and regular schedules and dealing with pandemic life outside of my home. It’s been stressful, but also, I’ve been healthy and safe. There was a while there were I got a cold and freaked out, but I was fine. Now the holidays have passed and we’re on the verge of a new year, so I decided it was time for an update to the blog. 

I’ve been reading. Not very much, but about as much as I expected I would be reading now that I’m back at work full time. I’ve enjoyed quite a few books, but noticed lately that I’ve gotten so much pickier with my reading. I’ve never been one to rate a good amount of books 5-stars, but this last year, I’ve definitely been more critical with the books I read. Also, I’ve done a lot of purging of books because I realized that there’s no point in having books collect dust if I’m never going to read them. I’ve had books sitting on my shelves for years and now it’s time to get them out into the world for others to enjoy. It could be in part with my decision to live a more minimal lifestyle, but that’s a topic for another day. What else is new? I’m engaged and back to being quarantined for two weeks. I know, both great news and not so much.

We got engaged back in September and I’ve been overwhelmed with planning, but also doing pretty great with getting important things done and out of the way. Most of the stuff I have to do from now until our wedding is mostly DIY things that my mom, fiancé, and friends will help me with.

As for being quarantined...one of my coworkers was exposed. Actually, a few of them were. We were not sure if we would shut down but because of the circumstances, we had to. Being so close to the holidays definitely made the decision more stressful and now we’re waiting for testing results, etc., but we’ve had several positive confirmed cases which just makes it more stressful for everyone. 

But the silver lining is, I have some time to blog. It’s always something that helps me get through some tough times and just another hobby I go back and forth with. So for now, I’m back. Expect some content until I fall off the blogoverse again. 

a quiet reading vlog

This past week, I decided to upload a YouTube video after taking a long break. I decided earlier this year to stop creating content because I really wasn't feeling it anymore, but for the past few weeks, I wanted to try something a little different. So I went ahead and recorded a quiet reading vlog.


I really liked this idea and while my channel is still a work in progress, I think this will be a new direction I am going to try. So I wanted to share my new video with y'all and hope that I can grow my channel a little more this year.

Life Lately

I went back to work full-time two weeks ago (ish) and I am still adjusting to a more regular routine. I was off work since March 13th (first day of quarantine for LA County) and worked from home, but wasn't doing that much. I became accustomed to sleeping in a bit and having time to clean, read, workout, etc. It was stressful but it was also, kind of nice. My boyfriend and I were both home all the time, and it was surprising that we ended up actually having really nice days together. I've seen a lot of memes and such about couples being together now and how it's not ideal, but I really liked being home with him every day. I miss that, now that I am back at work.

And I am also very tired most days.

It's crazy how quickly your body adjusts to a more sedentary lifestyle because now that I work 7 hours every day, I come home exhausted. I guess running around after toddlers is quite different than being in a classroom of infants also but that's what I have to do as we slowly normalize. I've tried to keep up with my reading and am participating in Bookopoly, an event over on my book club, but I can tell that my reading pace is already slowing down. I don't have more than an hour or so a day to listen to audiobooks now and I've struggled to get through any physical books these last few months. So I don't know how much reading or even updating (weekly) I'll be doing now that things are changing.

I just wanted to share a quick update, since it'd been a few days since I last updated. I was doing so well too. I am going to try to keep it up!

Book Haul #2

I mentioned in my Monthly Rewind that in May I finally signed up for Book of the Month, and I ended up choosing two books. I also got quite a few ARC's this month as well and also got to swap with a few people in my book club. So here's my haul:

Swapped 

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You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds 

Purchased

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

For review

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Surrendering to Him by Hope Jones (Pub. date: March 5th, 2020)
Girl Long Gone by Danielle M. Haas (Pub. date: May 25, 2020)
Fractures by Alice Reeds (Pub. date: June 1st, 2020)
This Eternity of Masks and Shadows by Karsten Knight (Pub. date: June 2nd, 2020)
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee (Pub. date: July 14th, 2020)
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin (Pub. date: August 4th, 2020)
Memorial by Bryan Washington (Pub. date: October 6th, 2020)
The Push by Ashley Audrain (Pub. date: Jan 5th, 2021)

Monthly Rewind | May 2020

It's been a crazy month. I know there are a lot of sad + important things happening in the world right now, but this place is my little escape from reality, so I am going to focus on different things instead.

5 Good Things in May

  

1// I really got back to blogging: I wasn't sure if it would really happen, but I wanted to give my blog another shot because after a couple of years of taking breaks and attempting to come back, I realized I really want to share my thoughts on books + other things on the blog.

2// I went out for a hike: the weekend before last, I finally went out for a hike. most parks and hiking trails had been closed because of the quarantine, but they recently opened a few back up so my aunt and cousin and I decided to go out for a hike. it was a bit strenuous but a lot of fun. i can't wait to get back to more normal activities like that.

3// I got a Nintendo switch + animal crossing: I am not even sure if it happened in May but its worth sharing that I jumped on the Switch wagon and got myself Animal Crossing, which I am obsessed with at the moment. it's a lot of fun and it really helps with distracting myself when i really need it.

4// I got my first BOTM box: I'd been dying to sign up for book of the month for a while and finally decided to go ahead and do it this time. I got two books and for June I already picked out three...so I am not sure how good of an idea this actually was. 

5// I did a lot of reading: my reading has definitely improved since I have been staying at home, but -starting today (June 1st) I am back at work full-time. I am just hoping I will able to keep up the momentum of my reading going for the rest of the year LOL

Favorite Book of the Month

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

I read a lot of good books in May but I have to say, reading a historical romance again did it for me. It made me so happy to reading a good romance again, and I was just so happy while reading this one. I can't stress enough how much I loved this. 

Books Read:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

If It Bleeds by Stephen King

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

June TBR

I am trying to keep my TBR for June as open as possible because of Bookopoly, an event that takes place over on my book club. I do have a few books picked out though for other things, and I am hoping to be able to fit those in the prompts that I might roll during this event. So as of now, I don't really have a set TBR, and I will leave it at that...