Today, I’m sharing my most popular posts for the season of Winter 2020/2021. In order to schedule posts ahead, I have decided to define the season by months rather than dates, so these posts were published on or between December 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021.
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10. Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog by Dave Barry Review
There’s a laugh on every page, even when the author touches on that difficult time his family went through. If you’re a big reader like I am, you probably will love hearing about the really bad rock band Dave Barry is in with a number of other authors including Stephen King. The book is only 240 pages long and didn’t take me much over three hours to listen to. Overall, this is a funny, heartwarming book that I think any dog lover will enjoy, and I give it 4 stars out of 5!
9. The Minuteman by Greg Donahue Review
This audiobook manages to get in a ton of information in under two hours. I was seriously amazed by how much detail made it into that time span.
8. Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books of 2020
This week’s theme is my favorite books of 2020. I decided to go with my favorite reads this year overall, not just books that were published in 2020. I did not count rereads, and also included one picture book, because I read so many excellent ones this year and this one made the Top 10 for me. I attempted to rank from 10 to 1, though it was a tough call.
7. 2021 AtoZ Reading Challenge
As a book blogger, I love reading challenges. They make my job – reading books – even easier. I have seen the AtoZ Reading Challenge, founded by Crystal and Megan at bookstacksngoldenmoms.com. This is their fourth annual year hosting this challenge. I have decided to participate in 2021.
6. I Read Bridgerton So You Don’t Have To
I’m a huge romance fan, especially of historicals, so when I heard about Bridgerton, the Netflix show, I absolutely had to read the books first. If you want to know what might happen in future seasons and what’s different about the show than the books, then you’ve come to the right place. I read the Bridgertons series so you don’t have to – but if you love historical romance, you should!
5. Book Subscription Boxes for The Entire Family
If you’re on my blog, you know I’m obsessed with reading, and I really hope that you are spending some of the extra time at home curled up with a book or ereader. Why not add a little fun to your reading experience with a bookish subscription box? This little treat yo’self could be just the thing to get you out of quarantine depression.
4. My FAVORITE Underrated Historical Romance Series
Who loves a good bodice ripper? There’s something steamy about people living in an era full of taboos flirting, stealing longing glances, and finally getting it on – at least, to me there is. I’m absolutely obsessed with historical romances.
3. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn Review
What I really liked about this book is that Colin and Penelope don’t have to work hard for their Happily Ever After. They have been friends for years, and Penelope always has loved Colin. Finally, Colin has grown up enough to see her the same way, and it isn’t long before they get married. The rest of the book deals with them helping one another through two struggles. Penelope faces the potential unearthing of a major secret of hers that could lead to scandal. Colin deals with his insecurities in that he wants to leave a legacy, and feels unsure about doing so through his major skill, writing. Colin is a little unreasonable dealing with Penelope’s struggle at times, but it all ties back to his own jealousy/insecurity. Because I’m used to reading romances about two people pining for one another and taking ages to be happily in a relationship, it was refreshing to read a book where two people got together, then worked hard to help one another succeed in life.
2. 18 Romance Tropes I Never Want to Read Again
Let’s be real – it’s romance! Of course I want my main characters to fall in love. I really enjoy scenes were characters admit their love to one another and then finally have their passionate love scene. However, when it’s the other way around, I’m on the fence. Having sex, realistically, does not always lead to falling in love. I think it sends the wrong message to younger readers, too. I worry it will make someone think they have to have sex for someone to love them.
1. An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn Review
While I liked Benedict’s book so much, my hopes for the show are different. I really, really want a queer love story for show Benedict. If this boy doesn’t kiss another man in Season 2, I’ll riot. Personally, I find television Benedict much more interesting than I did in the books, and I wish we had seen more of his relationship with Eloise, for example, in Quinn’s version. Read my full thoughts on the differences between the books and the Netflix show here.
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