The Sunday Post for January 15, 2023

Hello, Lovelies, and Happy Sunday! I hope you’re all doing fantastic!

I started the New Year with strep throat and a sinus infection and because that wasn’t enough, I ended up with the flu, so it’s been fun. Between feeling poorly and the meds, I slept for most of the last two weeks. I’m finally starting to feel better although I still have a slightly scratchy throat and I just feel drained, so I’ve been taking it easy and drinking lots of hot tea with lemon and honey, while curled up in my comfy reading chair.

Here’s what I’ve read in the last two weeks.

 

City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita (print, read the review HERE)—a good start to what I’m hoping will be a series.

The Push by Ashley Audrain (print, review to come)—this is the first book I read from my list of 23 Books in 2023 and, honestly, it was twisted and draining.

The Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste (audiobook) —review will be up Monday. This is a story about Lucy (from Dracula) and Bertha (from Jane Eyre) in the late 1960’s during the Summer of Love. Yeah, I have no idea, either, and I’ve read the book.

Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn (e-arc)—review will be up Tuesday. This was such a fun, witchy romance!

 

Here’s What I’m Currently Reading

Solace House by Joy Ellis (audiobook)—this is the 9th book in the Jackman and Evans series and it’s going really well so far. The team is getting ready to look into a case from 20 years ago, which could possibly be tied to an estate that has a horrible history. I love this series but I don’t always get on with the books but I can usually tell from the start which way it will go and I have a feeling this one might be one of the better books.

The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges (e-arc)—this one’s out at the end of the month and it’s a bit different as it centers on this magical dollhouse that this woman inherited from her step-grandmother when she was a kid. This one feels like it’s going to be a whimsical read with a touch of heaviness thrown in here and there.

Amy Robsart: A Life and Its End by Christine Hartweg (nonfiction)—I’m reading this for an upcoming project, and it’s super short (144 pages), so I should have it finished today.

 

What’s up next?

Oddly enough, I’m actually ahead with the arcs that I needed to read for the next few months so I’m trying to figure out what books I want to read next. I have an unsolicited review book that just came in as well as four others that I’ve picked out. The books look like they’re all going to be on the heavier side—and I’ve been reading a lot of heavy books—so I might end up picking two from the list and then going with a romance or cozy mystery just to lighten my reading.

I received The Villa by Rachel Hawkins for review and I’m kind of intrigued by what the end of the synopsis says:

Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the infamous summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle—the birthplace of Frankenstein—Rachel Hawkins’s The Villa invites you into its deadly legacy.

As a Fleetwood Mac fan and someone that’s always been intrigued by that summer with Byron, I’m wondering how that’s all going to play into this book.

Then I have The Cloisters by Katy Hays (love this cover), which is on my January TBR list, I’m just not sure when I want to start it.

In The Night Wood by Dale Bailey is a book that I picked up randomly from Waterstones it looks intriguing and it’s short.

The cover of the Curse Of The Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke makes me want to read, and it has an Indiana Jones vibe that’s mixed with a Celtic legend but it’s YA and I’m not sure how I’ll get along with YA. I can’t remember where this book came from, maybe an unsolicited review book or it came in a book box I received for review.

The last book I’m considering reading this week is Winter Water by Susanne Jansson. This is supposed to be January’s pick for the book club I’m in although I’m not 100% sure we’re actually going to have a meeting as it’s been dwindling off for the last 6 months.

Books Gifted or Purchased

I received two book and three cute bookmarks for Jolabokaflod and the books look like they’re going to be amazing.

The White Hare by Jane Johnson gives me Susanna Kearsley vibes and The Lady Of The Ravens by Joanna Hickson has been on my TBR.

I purchased Spare by Prince Harry. I have no idea what I’m in for with this book but I’m eager to read it. Although I watched their Netflix docuseries and it was a bit cringe worthy and I have no idea what they were truly hoping to accomplish. I do want to read this book before the end of the month but I think I’m going to buddy read it with my mum (I’m just waiting for her to let me know when she gets her copy) so we can chat about it over our weekly tea and chat sessions.

 

Here’s what I’ve been watching…

 

Glass Onion—the soundtrack was great, the movie was just okay. I preferred Knives Out.

Miss Scarlet and the Duke Season 2—one of my favorite cozy mystery/detective shows.

The Pale Blue Eye—honestly, I feel asleep through the majority of this and have no desire to re-watch.

All Creatures Great and Small—season 3 just came on and I’ve been loving it. 

What I’ve been loving for the past two weeks…the feeling poorly edition.

 

The Unhide Marshmallow Blanket—I’ve basically spent the last two weeks curled up in my cozy reading chair (or in bed) and huddled under this blanket. This is the coziest, softest, warmest blanket that I’ve ever used and, no matter how many times I wash it (hang dry), it still stays soft. I have four them (cream, silver, charcoal, rose) and I could not recommend them enough.  

 

Candy Cane Kisses Body Lotion from Goose Creek—the combination of peppermint and spearmint has been so soothing. It’s really helped with my congestion. I don’t know if this is still available on their website, but I pick up a few bottles when they release their Winter scents and save them for when I’m feeling poorly.

 

Cuccio Somatology Yohahhh! Cooling Spot Therapy—this is a temple rub and it’s really helped with my headaches.

 

Rebels Refinery Hand Sanitizer—this doesn’t dry my hands out, it contains peppermint essential oil, and it’s refillable.

 

PopMask Self-Warming Eye Mask—these have been amazing at relieving my headaches and sinus pressure. These do warm up better than other brands I’ve tried and while they say they’re 30 minute masks, they stay warm for quite a bit longer.  I’ve been switching between the Calm (chamomile scented) and Starry Eyes (fragrance free). I highly recommend these.

 

Sweater Weather Candle from Bath and Body Works—this is one of my favorite scented candles and the eucalyptus and juniper is the perfect combo for when you’re under the weather. I love this scent so much I buy both the single wicks and the three wicks by the case.

 

Hello Bello Immunity Vitamins—if you’re like me and your body rejects most vitamins, give this brand a try. They are the only ones that I found that doesn’t make me ill or cause a migraine flair up.

 

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm (grapefruit)—this has been the only daytime lip balm that’s been soothing my dried out lips, also it’s in a tube so I can just squeeze some out on my finger rather than just applying directly on my lips.

 

Plum Color Affair Nail Polish in Moonlit—if you’re looking for a nail polish that lasts through a million hand washings and copious amounts of sanitizer, then this is the polish for you. I’ve had this on for 4 days and it still looks like I just applied it.

 

Daily Matcha Premium Stone Japanese Stone Ground Matcha Tea Powder from Republic of Tea—if you’re a matcha drinker, this has been the best one that I’ve found.

 

Taylors of Harrogate Lemon & Orange Black Tea—this is one of my favorite teas for when I’m under the weather. It’s great on its own but it really sooths my throat when I pop in a lemon slice and a drizzle of honey.

 

Summer and Rose Robe—I didn’t get a pic because both of mine are in the wash but this is the comfiest and warmest robe that I’ve ever owned. I’ve been living in mine for two weeks with no complaints. Just like the blanket, they stay so soft even after they’re washed a million times and they have pockets and a hood. I have one in cream and one in silver.

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.