My Life
This past month has been crazy with coronavirus and quarantine. While I’ve enjoyed playing with my puppy and spending more quality time with family, I’ve missed going out and spending time with friends. I haven’t read or blogged much because my heart hasn’t been in it. But I’m working through it step by step.
For more about my March, you can read my March mid-monthly rewind, in which I shared about hosting a Japanese table at an international food festival, Half Price Books hopping with a friend, and other happenings.
What I Watched:
- Fellowship of the Ring: I felt inspired to rewatch this classic because I wrote a paper on a book about Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.
- Creed: A rewatch in preparation for Creed 2, which my family plans to watch soonish.
- The Last Kingdom season 3: This Netflix show is amazing. My favorite part of the show through this seasons has been its portrayal of the complex relationship between Uhtred and Alfred, but it also has politics and war, treachery and romance.
Writing Goals
I wrote a profile and a short story for class. I had actually been working on a different short story for the whole of March; but I couldn’t get a good feel for the story, and it got harder as I fell into a depressed state. I read through some of my high school works in search of inspiration, and I found it. I wrote a story inspired by childhood adventures with my brother. It needs some revisions, but I’m happy with how it turned out.
Favorite Reads
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen: In a kingdom on the brink of civil war, orphaned Sage must learn to play the prince, or die. Layers of treachery and deceit unfold until Sage uncovers the most dangerous truth of all.
I reread The False Prince in preparation for an author interview with Jennifer A. Nielsen. This book establishes Nielsen’s author voice and her skill for slowly unraveling lies to reveal the truth. I also enjoy how she balances hope and despair, good and evil, to get readers thinking about the morality of the characters’ actions.
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter: A young, gift-less man fixated on revenge sets out to become the greatest swordsman to ever liveโand kill the three who betrayed him.
I read The Rage of Dragons for my book club’s March pick. While the book takes its time building Tau’s world, it quickly picks up the pace after about 100 pages, and it’s worth the wait. Tau’s descent into anger and hatred is believable. I’m curious how his exploitation of the magic system will continue to affect him going forward and whether the tenuous friendships he’s formed will be enough to keep him grounded. More thoughts to come.
On the Blog
Features & Discussions
Discussion Guide: Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
10 Fantasy Books to Read This Spring
Can a Book Have Too Many Points of View?
12 Signs to Identify a Bibliophile
March Reviews
Loveboat, Taipei (Loveboat, Taipei #1) by Abigail Hing Wen
I fell behind on reviews in March because of midterms. I’m now in final papers and exams season (that extended spring break catapulted me from one exam season into another!), so I’ll postpone some reviews until then. But I hope to share reviews of some of my favorite reads with you soon!
2020 Challenges Progress
In March, I read 9 books, which places me at 26 books towards my goal of 100 books in 2020.
Discussions: 6/11 (Creative Conversationalist)
I wrote 3 discussion post in March. This puts me on track for my goal of 11-20 discussion posts.
Best Books I Read In 2019: Patterns & Aging Out
Starting a Book Club & Legacies Discussion Guide
How I Organize My E-Reader
10 Fantasy Books to Read This Spring
Can a Book Have Too Many Points of View?
12 Signs to Identify a Bibliophile
Audiobooks: 0/5 (Weekend Warrior)
I’m probably going to drop this challenge. I listen to audiobooks in the car. Now that I’m stuck at home for quarantine, I’d rather read than listen to a book.
Other Ongoing Challenges:
Library Love: 3/36 (Overdrive Junkie)
Modern Mrs. Darcy: 4/10
r/Fantasy Bingo 2020: 0/20
Puppy Shenanigans
My puppy makes the funniest poses. Help me write a caption for this photo!
Let’s Chat
๐ How was your March?
๐ What are you currently reading?
๐ถ Help me write a caption for the photo of my puppy!
Danielle Hammelef says
Caption for your cute pup pic: “This is the low-impact version of the downward dog.” I know we all miss being able to go out and see others. I never thought I’d miss picking out my own produce and having another person pick it out have been hot or miss with my grocery pickups. It took me a month before I scored toilet paper and disinfecting wipes. Best to you for the rest of April!
Crystal (Kester) says
Haha…that’s a fun caption. Yes, the life changes have been weird. We had the same predicament with toilet paper; it’s such a hot commodity!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I love that you were inspired by your childhood for your story! The book that I’m on submission with now was inspired in part by backyard games my friends and I used to play. ๐
Crystal (Kester) says
Thanks, Nicole. That’s cool to learn! I hope I get a chance to read your novel someday.
Sam@wlabb says
Looks like the pup is doing some yoga. I only really get wound up the one day a week I go out. My state is second to NY for number infected, so they are tightening down at the markets. Armed police, masks, and long lines now await me each week. Good times (not really) Hang in there!
Crystal (Kester) says
She does. Wow, that’s intimidating, but it’s great that your state’s taking precautions. Stay safe!
Ethan says
It has definitely been a strange time. At first, the time at home was a real luxury, but after 4 weeks I’m starting to get a bit stir crazy. I definitely wouldn’t mind going back to work!
Crystal (Kester) says
I think many of us will be happy to return to a normal schedule after this!