Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

MOVIES/TELEVISION

The Staircase Limited Series

It was recently announced that Colin Firth would be staring in an HBO limited series detailing the murder of Kathleen Peterson. He would, of course, be playing her husband Michael. Deadline just recently announced that the role of Kathleen will be portrayed by Toni Collette. This is shaping up to be a very well casted project and I cannot wait to see the first footage/photos. 

Halston Limited Series

Ewan McGregor looks fantastic in this and I cannot wait to binge watch it on May 14th. This seems like the perfect fit for Ryan Murphy and his team so I am excited to see what they do with this.

A trailer hasn't been released just yet but I am anticipating one any day. This image is enough to get me excited though.

OTHER

Badlands: Hollywood podcast 

I listen to every other podcast that Jake Brennan has created so far and I was especially excited to hear that he would be tackling Hollywood next. This trailer has me very excited for this to release and I think it, along with the new season of You Must Remember This, will be a great kick off to summer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jake Brennan (@disgracelandpod)

This is supposed to dive into Marilyn Monroe, River Phoenix, and Natalie Wood just to name a few. I anticipate watching lots of classic Hollywood movies this summer as well.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

The Other Mrs Miller by Allison Dickson

 

The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson

Release Date - July 16, 2019 

Publisher Website - Penguin Random House Canada
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 343 pages
My Rating - 4/5

**borrowed from library**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Two women are watching each other.

Phoebe Miller isn't sure when the rusty car started showing up in the cul-de-sac she calls home, or why its driver would be spying on her. What could be interesting about an unhappy housewife who drowns her sorrows in ice cream and wine and barely leaves her house?

Only one knows why.

When a new family moves in across the street--the exuberant Vicki, who just might become the gossipy best friend Phoebe's always wanted, and her handsome college-bound son, Jake, who offers companionship of a different variety--Phoebe finds her dull routine infused with the excitement she's been missing. But with her head turned she's no longer focused on the woman in the car. And she really should be...

An addictive domestic thriller for fans of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Couple Next Door, The Other Mrs. Miller serves up a delicious brew of dark secrets and stunning plot twists that will keep you captivated until the very last page.

Mysteries and thrillers are the sort of reads that are usually best enjoyed by knowing as little as possible going in. They work because of the twists and turns that the story takes readers on. The Other Mrs. Miller is exactly this kind of book. The less you know the better when it comes to this domestic thriller.

This book is both familiar feeling and offers just enough to make it feel uniquely its own. Fans of the genre will find recognizable tropes within this story which is part of the fun of reading any thriller. The atmosphere and writing help create a campy, fun tone which allows for this to be a compulsively readable book.

Phoebe, one of the Mrs. Millers from the title, is cut from a very familiar cloth - an unhappy housewife with a drinking problem and too many secrets. She manages to feel like a long time friend in her familiarity but one that can still surprise you. It should not be a surprise that she is a hot mess but it works for both the character and the story. When a new neighbour, Vicki, enters the picture things get even more interesting and twisty. I enjoyed all of the characters in this in some manner or another. It's key for the characters to match the tone of the book. They need to feel like they are part of the world that is being created and the author has definitely captured that here.

There is, like with most thrillers, a bit of suspension of disbelief that needs to happen for you to become fully immersed in the story. Allow yourself to be taken on the ride the story wants to take you on and you will be entertained. It is the type of book that begs to be enjoyed with a glass (or two) of wine.

The second half of the book, for me, was not as strong as the first. I flew through the first part of the book but I felt the second half felt longer thanks to the pacing of the second half.

The Other Mrs. Miller is one of those thrillers that is also fun to read. A book that leads readers to unexpected places and entertains along the way. If you love reading unputdownable thrillers I suggest giving this one a try. 

Cover Re-Reveal - Retrace by Sigal Ehrlich

Retrace, a standalone contemporary romance by Sigal Ehrlich, has a brand-new look! Check out this emotionally beautiful romance and grab your copy today!

About Retrace: The new Nia is a different person. She’s not afraid to make new friends, show her light-hearted side, and get serious about her job, or at least that’s how she sells herself to the world. Nia believes putting distance between herself and home will help her run away from her past. Former FBI agent Reeves Mitchell, sinfully attractive and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Nia needs to help her forget what she’s left behind. In contention with his own past, Reeves spends his nights bartending and his days as a private agent dealing with matters in the grey area of the law. A chaotic, sensual encounter leads to the perfect pact that will keep them safe: no commitment, just friendship…with benefits. But nothing in life is risk-free. When suppressed emotions emerge, a seemingly impossible decision has to be made. Do they fight their growing feelings or retrace their lives back to where wounded hearts can be broken once more?

   

Download today!

Amazon | Apple Books | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

Add to Goodreads

GIVEAWAY!

Enter for your chance to win 1 of 20 ebook copies of RETRACE or a $25 Starbucks Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Sigal Ehrlich is a bestselling author of refreshing, fun, and sweet romance books. She loves books, cold weather, and the occasional bubbly drink. Living as an expat for most of her life, Sigal has been lucky enough to visit many exotic places and meet some unique people from all corners of the world, while experiencing the sweet triumphs and travails of trying to acclimate to new "homes." Currently, Sigal calls the Czech Republic home where she lives with her husband and three kids. Connect with Sigal!

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter

#PopCultureResolution - Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Director: James Whale

Length: 71 minutes

Cast: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke

Release Date: November 21, 1931

Synopsis: An obsessed scientist creates a living being from body parts, not realizing it has a madman's brain.

***********************************************

The 1931 version of Frankenstein is considered a classic. One of the great older films whose influence is felt on so many modern films. It was one that I had long wanted to see and experience for myself. It ended up being a short (just over an hour) watch that shows exactly why Boris Karloff's performance is still so revered.

The movie opening with a fun little warning about the movie you are about to watch was a delightful touch. Also fun was the secrecy of who was portraying the monster.

The question mark made me giggle. Don't worry - Boris Karloff gets his due at the end of the movie. 

There are movies that become ingrained in popular culture with iconic moments that are familiar to a even those who have never seen the movie in question. This works as both a positive and a negative. It helps create cultural moments that we all share in but it can create almost an uncanny valley sensation if you come to the source material late. This is, for me, true with Frankenstein. The iconic scene in which Victor Frankenstein brings his monster to life (and it's iconic 'it's alive' dialogue) felt familiar to me. It created a strange sense of deja vu and perhaps weakened that moment for me. It is by no means the film's fault but something that coloured the lens in which I viewed the movie through.

There is a lot of pathos in the character of the monster. He did not ask to be thrust into what he experiences when he is brought to life. You can see the confusion, pain, and hurt that he feels. This is mostly thanks to Boris Karloff expressive eyes. He does so much with very few words. Any sympathy felt by the watcher is due to Karloff's skill and the physicality he brings to the role.

There is a case to be made for Victor being the absolute worst and this movie did not change my mind. The wise notion of just because you can does not mean you should applies here and Victor's arrogance is the crux of this entire situation. 

This movie is definitely a product of its time but there are some excellent performances, and beautiful shots to be found in this influential horror classic. Did I find it scary? A little, but not in the way I expect others did. I was not scared of the monster but rather humans thirst for knowledge and the dark places that could lead to in some circumstances. 

Waiting On Wednesday ... Animal

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Animal by Lisa Taddeo

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Honestly, sometimes I think it’s the only recourse. Killing men in times like these .

Joan has spent a lifetime enduring the cruel acts of men. But when one of them commits a shocking act of violence in front of her, she flees New York City in search of Alice, the only person alive who can help her make sense of her past. In the sweltering hills above Los Angeles, Joan unravels the horrific event she witnessed as a child—that has haunted her every waking moment—while forging the power to finally strike back.

Here is the electrifying debut novel from Lisa Taddeo, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller and international phenomenon Three Women, which was named to more than thirty best-of-the-year lists and hailed as “a dazzling achievement” (Los Angeles Times) and “a heartbreaking, gripping, astonishing masterpiece” (Esquire). Animal is a depiction of female rage at its rawest, and a visceral exploration of the fallout from a male-dominated society. With writing that scorches and mesmerizes, Taddeo illustrates one woman’s exhilarating transformation from prey into predator.

This book immediately caught my attention with the line about the character transforming from prey into predator. This is most likely going to be an intense reading experience and I am always here for that.

This one seems to look at female rage, and has the potential to be really interesting and it definitely seems like a good beach read for those wanting something a little different.

Expected release date - June 8, 2021

Secret Movie Club: Movie #6 and 7

It is time for my last Secret Movie Club update! I am going to talk about the last two movies and give my overall thoughts about the program.

The sixth selection was The Courier. A movie that fictionalizes the story of Greville Wynne, a man recruited by MI6 to help transport intelligence during the Cold War.

This is a fairly standard movie of this genre. Benedict Cumberbatch is given a chance to flex his acting skills in the latter half of the movie and he does a fairly solid job as an 'every man' thrust into being a spy.

I am not sure how accurate this movie is since I did not know anything about Mr Wynne and his time with MI6 but I anticipate a few people wanting to fall down the rabbit hole to get more details after watching this.

If you enjoy spy movies I think this will definitely be for you. If that type of movie is not your thing I would recommend skipping it.

You can check out this movie in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The seventh movie selection was Together Together. A heartwarming, sweet story about a man who wants to become a father and the woman who agrees to be his surrogate.

The friendship that develops between these two characters is the heart of this movie. There is something joyful and uplifting about it and it is funnier than I expected. 

There is great chemistry between the two leads and it makes the movie that much more enjoyable.

You can check out Together Together in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Now that the event is over I am definitely going to miss it. I had a fantastic time attempting to guess the movies from the clues that were provided (I was usually wrong) and there was something nice about having a surprise to look forward to during this time.

This event is typically an in person event held in Toronto. I would have never been able to take part if it had not gone virtual this year out of necessity. It may have been one of the few good things given to me in a pandemic that took away so much. 

It would be hard to pick a favourite out of the seven movies I watched as I liked various things about each of them. There are some that I liked more than others and I would say that both Minari and Together Together are are the top of my list.

I would take part again if there was a virtual option offered for the 2021-2022 season. It is a fun way to be exposed to movies you may not have watched on your own.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

BOOKS

Cover for Here's To Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (goodreads)

Many of us read and love What If It's Us and were thrilled when it was announced that a sequel would be released. The cover was just revealed and it is perfect.

It compliments the other cover and I love the colours used in this one. Here is hoping that this book doesn't break our hearts. 

Announcement for Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

After reading the synopsis of this book it should come as no surprise that I immediately wanted to read this. 

It mixes my love of romcoms with my fascination with true crime. I am very excited to see the cover for this one! Berkley has been releasing a some stellar romance books and I am happy to see this continue. 

MOVIES/TELEVISION

Zola Movie Trailer

I am probably the last person to watch this trailer or even hear about the origins of this movie, but I am now pretty interested in seeing it.

This movie is based on a Twitter thread that went viral and apparently many of the lines you hear in the trailer are right from the Twitter thread. I have heard from people who got to see an early screening that Colman Domingo is very good in this and I've liked Riley Keough in everything I've seen her in. Excited to check it out. Seems like a fun movie to go to with friends and grab some drinks after.. 

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

A Better Bad Idea by Laurie Devore

A Better Bad Idea by Laurie Devore

Release Date - March 16, 2021 

Publisher Website - Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 352 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5

**received for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Laurie Devore's new YA novel is a searing look at a forgotten girl who has no good choices left, but one better bad idea . . .

Evelyn Peters is desperate. Desperate for a way out of McNair Falls, the dying southern town that’s held her captive since the day she was born. Desperate to protect her little sister from her mother’s terrifying and abusive boyfriend. And desperate to connect with anyone, even fallen golden boy Ashton Harper, longtime boyfriend of the girl Evelyn can never stop thinking about ― beautiful, volatile, tragically dead Reid Brewer.

Until a single night sends Evelyn and Ashton on a collision course that starts something neither of them can stop. With one struck match, their whole world goes up in flames. The only thing left to do is run―but leaving McNair Falls isn’t as easy as just putting distance between here and there and some secrets refuse to stay left behind.

A reckoning is coming . . . and not everyone is getting out alive.

A Better Bad Idea focuses on three complex, messy teenagers who get caught up in a destructive whirlwind. It focuses on two girls just trying to survive their small town by grabbing on to whatever seems like a lifeline. It looks at the different ways their story could end and it makes no apologies for who these girls are or the choices they make.

The prose in this book is fantastic. The writing is always strong in books by this author and fans of her previous work will undoubtedly love this one as well. Characterization is where the writing really shines with them becoming vivid, fully realized characters. It really is the strongest element of the story and why readers will connect with thr story.

Laurie Devore has become known for her female characters and how she allows them to be flawed and unapologetic. Evelyn is no exception to this. A girl who society let fall unnoticed and who reacts as a result. She is the type of character whose actions the reader may not agree with. They may not be able to see her choices as choices they would make. They will, however, be able to understand her and therefore her actions. It is easy to see things through her perspective because she is such a well constructed character. She is messy and makes mistakes but she still matters and the writing ensures the reader sees this and the character.

This book is told via dual narration with Evelyn and Reid's point of views being told in alternate chapters. We know how Reid's story ends pretty much immediately and it is not a happy ending. The book barrels towards Reid's demise and the reveal of Evelyn’s fate with both an increased tension and resignation. There is some catharsis wrapped in there but it is a harrowing path to get there. Reid has her own flaws and makes her own mistakes but I think her and Evelyn’s stories compliment and contrast each other in interesting ways that bring out the themes of the book and highlight the fact that these girls have fallen through the cracks and make desperate choices while trying to find what they think will be their salvation. 

This book deals with some hard topics like toxic relationships, domestic violence, alcoholism, and more. It goes without saying that it could be triggering for some readers so pick this one up with care. There is a lot of thought provoking questions this book is asking and so I definitely think it is worth the read for those who are able.

A story of two young girls. One already dead and the other trying to survive. It's another intensely readable novel from Laurie Devore that asks us to see girls like Evelyn and Reid. See them and understand them - flaws and all.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

BOOKS

Cover for The Righteous by Renee Ahdieh (goodreads)

The third book in Renee's vampire series has had its cover revealed and it is just as pretty as the other covers for this series. I love the green colour against the black. It makes it really pop.

These books are such fun reads and I am even more excited to get my copy of this one now.

MOVIES/TELEVISION

American Horror Story Season 10 Announcement

I am very excited about the next season of American Horror Story and Ryan Murphy recently revealed the theme/title for the tenth season. 

#AHSDoubleFeature#AHS10 #AHS @AHSFX @FXNetworks pic.twitter.com/Mo0JAM4HmH

— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) March 19, 2021

It's called Double Feature and it means that we're getting TWO seasons this year. It's inspired by the old drive in double features that were extremely popular. One of the seasons will revolve around the sea, and the other will take place on land as per the teaser. It was also revealed that we'll have different casts for each so plenty of fan favourites will be back.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Summer Reading

Spring is here and before you know it summer will be here and with it summer reading. Summer always brings to mind good books read by the pool or at the beach. Lazy afternoons reading in the park. It is the time of year that everyone seems to be reading the latest thriller, or catching up on some romance novels from their reading list.

I always look forward to the summer months and the books I get to read. Autumn is my favourite season but there is something about the summer reading season.

To help you plan your own summer reading lists I thought I would share the books I hope to read this summer.

1. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I have read two Taylor Jenkins Reid's books and they have made her an author whose work I will immediately buy. I am very excited about her upcoming release that follows a group of siblings during the summer party they are hosting. I expect family drama and secrets which makes for a perfect summer time read.

2. Survive The Night by Riley Sager

Thrillers are always popular but they seem even more so during the summer. There is typically a big release that everyone has in their beach bag. My thriller read for the summer is Riley Sager's Survive The Night. A college student finds a ride using a ride share board at her school and may have inadvertently gotten into a car with a serial killer.

3. Animal by Lissa Taddeo

The early reviews for this one have piqued my interest and have definitely made me want to pick it up this summer. It sounds brutal, thought provoking, and memorable. It revolves around a woman who 'is tired of being prey so she turns into a predator' which is all I needed to know to become interested.

4. The House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden

My true crime pick for the summer will also ensure I am ready for the film version when it releases in the fall. High fashion, a murder, and plenty of scandal will surely make this a page turner that is perfect for the beach.

5. Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney

I have heard nothing but excellent things about Sally Rooney's books and have decided that this summer should be when I finally pick up one of them. This one is being adapted as a television show and is about a group of four friends and their relationships and interactions with one another. 

6. If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy 

This sounds like it is going to be such a cute read. It is a contemporary Cinderella retelling that is the start of a new series from Disney. It seems like a perfect candidate to read while enjoying a Pina Colada (or beverage of your choice).

7. Beach Read by Emily Henry

The title says it all. This one has been highly recommended to me and I think this summer is the perfect time to finally read it. Its plot revolves around two writers who challenge each other to a competition in order to help each other out of their writer's block.

8. Fable by Adrienne Young 

This young adult fantasy novel comes highly recommend to me and the synopsis definitely intrigues me. It seems like it will have a lot of danger, intrigue, and some romance.

There are some of the books I hope to get to.this summer. What are some books on your own summer reading list? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting On Wednesday ... White Smoke

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is White Smoke by Tiffany D Jackson

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!

Marigold is running from ghosts. The phantoms of her old life keep haunting her, but a move with her newly blended family from their small California beach town to the embattled Midwestern city of Cedarville might be the fresh start she needs. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper.

The renovated picture-perfect home on Maple Street, sitting between dilapidated houses, surrounded by wary neighbors has its . . . secrets. That’s only half the problem: household items vanish, doors open on their own, lights turn off, shadows walk past rooms, voices can be heard in the walls, and there’s a foul smell seeping through the vents only Mari seems to notice. Worse: Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants Mari gone.

But “running from ghosts” is just a metaphor, right?

As the house closes in, Mari learns that the danger isn’t limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks.

Spooky reads are always best read in the fall. White Smoke's release date ensures that many of us will be reading this right in the midst of the spookiest season.

This has been pitched as a haunted house story meets Get Out and that instantly sold me on reading this. I wanted to read it even more after the amazing cover was revealed.

The Sept release date may seem far off but it will be here before we know it. 

Expected release date - September 14, 2021

Written in the Stars by Alexandra Bellefleur

Written in the Stars by Alexandra Bellefleur

Release date - November 10, 2020

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy

Pages - 384 pages

My Rating - 3.5/5

**borrowed from the library**

Twelve Books/Twelve Friends Selection

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

With nods to Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice, a charming #ownvoices queer rom-com debut about a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Year’s Eve—with results not even the stars could predict!

After a disastrous blind date, Darcy Lowell is desperate to stop her well-meaning brother from playing matchmaker ever again. Love—and the inevitable heartbreak—is the last thing she wants. So she fibs and says her latest set up was a success. Darcy doesn’t expect her lie to bite her in the ass.

Elle Jones, one of the astrologers behind the popular Twitter account, Oh My Stars, dreams of finding her soul mate. But she knows it is most assuredly not Darcy... a no-nonsense stick-in-the-mud, who is way too analytical, punctual, and skeptical for someone as free-spirited as Elle. When Darcy’s brother—and Elle's new business partner—expresses how happy he is that they hit it off, Elle is baffled. Was Darcy on the same date? Because... awkward.

When Darcy begs Elle to play along, she agrees to pretend they’re dating to save face. But with a few conditions: Darcy must help Elle navigate her own overbearing family over the holidays and their arrangement expires on New Year’s Eve. The last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship.

But maybe opposites can attract when true love is written in the stars? 

The notion of 'opposites attract' is a popular trope in romance novels. Characters finding themselves attracted to someone widely different from themselves is a trope that I enjoy when done well. It is used to fun effect in Written In The Stars when the free-spirited Elle and the more reserved Darcy fall for each other.

Elle believes in astrology. Darcy doesn't. Elle wants to fall in love. Darcy definitely doesn't. This story plays up the opposites between the romantic pairing while also celebrating their differences. These two are perfect for each other because of what they bring out in one another. They challenge, and support the other in various ways that make their romance work.

Those who are fans of the fake to real dating trope will enjoy this book in particular. Their fake dating leads to some real sparks. Those wanting a romance filled with sexy moments, grand gestures, and sweetness will absolutely swoon for the romance in these pages. The romance is one of the elements that worked the most for me. The disastrous first meeting through to the final moments all serve to build the relationship between the characters. It made me connect with thre story even if other elements did not.

The writing style took a bit for me to get into but once I was invested I found myself flying through the pages. I would definitely pick up another book by this author and am looking forward to the companion novel to this one. The side characters, like any good book with a companion novel, were endearing enough that I want to continue to follow their various stories. Elle's roommate, in particular, needs to have her own book. 

Those with an interest in astrology will delight in all of the inclusions within this book. Elle's interest (and job) ensures that it is wound into the story in an effortless and fun way. 

The ending, for me, felt rushed compared with the rest of the book. I think it needed something at the end to close out the story in a way that made it feel more whole. It felt abrupt and I just wanted a little more from it.

I think many will find this sweet romance enjoyable. It has plenty of the ingredients that make this genre so appealing. It may not linger with the reader long after they finish but it is one of those books that will deliver on the promise made in the synopsis and provides you with exactly what you need it to.

Month TBR and Wrap Up

April is here! It means I get to celebrate another pandemic birthday and eat Easter chocolate. I also hope to read more books than I did in March because I really didn't have the energy to focus much at all this past month.

Before sharing what I hope to read this month I have to recap March first.

The books that were on my list are:

Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics (goodreads)

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (goodreads)

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (goodreads)

Plus I had some ebooks on my list:

City of Villains by Estelle Laure (goodreads)

A Better Bad Idea by Laurie Devore (goodreads)

Here is what I managed to read in March:

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis (goodreads)

A Better Bad Idea by Laurie Devore (goodreads)

Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics (goodreads)

It was a bad reading month all around. I only managed to read three books. I did however enjoy all three of them immensely in different ways. 

My #PopCultureResolution book for March was When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. The movie was The Stepfather. I reviewed the movie if you are interested in checking that out. I, obviously, did not get to the book, so I'll attempt to double up this month.

Here is what I hope to read in April:

Marriage For One by Ella Maise (goodreads)

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (goodreads)

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (goodreads)

I also have some ebooks I am hoping to get to:

Written in The Stars by Alexandra Bellefleur (goodreads)

Kate In Waiting by Becky Albertalli (goodreads)

The Other Mrs Miller by Allison M Dickson (goodreads)

My #PopCultureResolution picks for this month are The Other Mrs Miller by Allison M Dickson and Frankenstein. Very intrigued to finally see Frankenstein after hearing about it during the incredible Bela and Boris season of You Must Remember This.

Next up is an update on my two reading challenges:

April's pick for my '12 friends, 12 books' reading challenge is Marriage For One. I am excited to get to read this one because it's come highly recommended by both the person who recommended it and others. I am also reading Written In The Stars this month (I am almost done in fact) so I can get ahead on my other challenges (and it came in early at the library).

The book for March, Mouthful of Forevers, ended up being one I absolutely loved. The poetry was beautiful and has made me curious enough to check out more.

Jan - The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Kelly)

Feb - The Birthday List by Deveny Perry (Emilie)

Mar - Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics (Ciara)

April - Marriage for One by Ella Maise (Katie)

May - Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur (Christy)

June -  The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M Danforth (Christa)

July - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Jess)

August -  The Grace Year by Kim Leggitt (Christa)

Sept - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Meaghan)

Oct -   Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston (Katrina)

Nov - Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott (Kim)

Dec - Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney (Julia)

As for the reading challenge inspired by The Bachelor I have had no updates. I'll hopefully have some next month when I can cross both Marriage for One and Kate In Waiting off the list!

1. Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

2. If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

3. Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

4. Further to Fall by Catherine Cowles

5. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

6. Isn't it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

7. My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

8. Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

9. Marriage for One by Ella Maise

10. Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks by Nathan Burgoine

11. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

12. Open Book by Jessica Simpson

13. Isn't it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

What books are you reading this month? Have you read any of the ones on my list? If so, let me know what you thought in the comments.