March has been a bit of a slow month on the blog because of midterm prep. My spring break got extended, so I’m taking this week to catch up on some reading and writing. The downside is that I need to continue reviewing for midterms, which were supposed to take place this week, but I’m trying to look on the bright side: I’ll be better prepared for finals.
I admire everyone who can put on a yukata by themselves. Last year, one of my friends bought me a yukata. A couple weeks ago, I finally got a chance to wear it (see photo below). Even after another friend showed me how to put it on, I needed her assistance securing the yukata and wrapping the obi around myself. Wearing a yukata gave me appreciation for the people who came up with the design and the means of securing it on a person. Hopefully, I’ll get more chances to wear my yukata, so I can gain experience wearing it.
My friends and I hosted a Japanese table at our school’s international food festival. I learned how to make mochi and serve it three different ways, including a savory option (which I hadn’t known existed), where we dipped it in soy sauce and rolled it in seaweed. The mochi was so popular that we ran out of side dishes. As a result, we created a fourth option: mochi with green tea ice cream.
Here’s a mochi recipe if you’re interested in trying to make it yourself. We served the anko (sweet red bean paste) and green tea ice cream on the side.
My friend Roxanne from Coffin Table Reviews and I went Half Price Books hopping last week. I found a couple of Animorphs books, which leaves me eight books from completing my Animorphs collection. My other favorite finds were Golden Fool and Assassin’s Fate. I love Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderling books! Each time I read a series set in this realm, I end up binge reading it within days.
What I’m Reading
Last week, I read The False Prince and The Traitor’s Game, the first books in Jennifer A. Nielsen’s Ascendence series and The Traitor’s Game series. This week, I’m continuing my binge read of these series with books 2 and 3. I’m also in the process of reading The Rage of Dragons, which is my book club’s March pick.
On the Blog
Mysteries, Magic, and Heists: Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
Lessons from Asian #OwnVoices Literature & Behind the Scenes of Student Life
Around the Blogosphere
- Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea shares why she recommends 3-star reads.
- Chana @ Paper Procrastinators confesses what she really means when she says “I’ve been meaning to read that.” (I can relate!)
- The creatives behind “Toss a coin to your Witcher!” reveal the process of bringing the song to life.
- Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction discusses all those deleted drafts.
- The Orangutan Librarian asks how historically accurate historical fiction needs to be.
Puppy Shenanigans
Let’s Chat
Tell me about your March: What’s happening in your life? What are you currently reading? What are some of your favorite blog posts / discussions from the blogosphere?
Chana @ Paper Procrastinators says
Thank you for sharing my post Crystal!! And yesss, I fully support this Jennifer A. Neilson binge, I loved the Ascendance Trilogy, though The False Prince will always be my favorite. I’ve actually never tried mochi before, maybe I’ll try to make some while cooped up at home!
Crystal (Kester) says
My pleasure, Chana! I’ve been loving my Jennifer A. Nielsen binge. The False Prince has a special place in my heart because it introduces one of my favorite literary characters. I’m thrilled that Jared’s adventures will continue in The Captured Kingdom! I hope that you enjoy mochi when you get the chance to try it out! š
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
How fun that your mochi was such a success! And it was a wonderful reason to wear your yukata—hopefully you’ll get more of a chance to practice,
Thanks for sharing my post, and I love the new header, by the way!!
Crystal (Kester) says
Thanks, Nicole! A friend painted the header art for my blog!
caitlin @ caitlin althea says
Thank you for featuring my post here, Crystal! And congrats on your table being a hit! I love mochi a lot, and I would loved to try yours! I’m also curious to see what you think about Rage of Dragons, because I’ve heard good things about it.
I hope you’re having a wonderful March!
Crystal (Kester) says
My pleasure, Caitlin! Thanks so much! March has been crazy, but I’ve had the opportunity read a lot. I hope you’re having a wonderful March too!
ShootingStarsMag says
That’s awesome your Japanese table was such a hit! And yay for Half Price Books shopping. I hope you can find the rest of the Animorphs books you need. My March has been okay so far – a lot of anxiety about the coronavirus – not really for me, but for people like my mom who are high risk. Plus, lots of places closing and events cancelled so it’s a lot.
-Lauren
Crystal (Kester) says
Thanks so much, Lauren! My mom’s really worried about the coronavirus. My dad is more at risk because of medical conditions, but he can’t work from home.