February RWLB

 

February is a very cold month so you might think I wouldn't like it. But February has Valentine's Day and my birthday so as long as the amount of chocolate I get outweighs the amount of snow on the ground WE GOOD.

Here are the things I'm reading, watching, listening to, and buying this month:

Reading

I heard about Yinka, Where is Your Huzband from Annie on From the Front Porch. She said it is a great February rom-com in the style of Bridget Jones's Diary but cleaner because the protagonist is a Christian...but not an obnoxious Christain...it's just part of her life. 

Ummmmmmm, yes, please! I love that comp and I love rom-coms. And as a Christian, I find Christians in popular novels to be annoying or so over the top sweet you get a cavity. So far, the portrayal of Christianity in this book has been honest and real, and totally refreshing. I'm loving it so far. Yinka is definitely someone to root for!

When I read Cloud Cuckoo Land last month (was it only last month????) I completely fell in love with Anthony Doerr. His writing style captivated my mind and I knew I had to consume everything he's ever written. People are always astonished when I tell them I haven't read All the Light We Cannot See so I figured I'd start there. Plus, there is a Netflix series coming out soon. 

Doerr is not disappointing me with this novel. I want to be reading it all the time and am finding myself thoroughly annoyed with all other responsibilities that keep me from this book. This might be the mark of all the best stories. 

Watching

I'll be honest...I haven't been watching much. A few Psych reruns and Endeavor. Life has been busy and my free time is usually spent reading a book. #nerd 

I am looking forward to going to see a movie this weekend. We're currently debating between Dog and Death on the Nile. It feels like such a treat to sit in a theater again!

Listening to

This month I've been listening to the audiobook of Beartown by Fredrik Backman. I think I may have stumbled onto something I love. 

Listening to fiction on audio is hard for me. My brain wanders while worlds are built and characters are introduced. But listening to a book I've already read in print is like engraving it on my psyche. Just like any reread, I already know the characters and plotlines so I can consider the artistry of the author. But with audiobooks, you get a performance that supercharges the interactions and makes the world real. 

This will not be my last reread on audio. I love being transported to the days of being a child with a book in my lap and a tape in the cassette player telling me to turn the page with a bright ding sound while I soaked up the spoken words, written words, and pictures, a truly multi-sensory experience.

Buying

For my birthday we hosted a 90's themed party. It was so fun. We asked everyone to dress up in an outfit from the 90's as a way to add to the celebration. 

We scoured the internet and came up with costumes for all six of us...my husband and I were grunge rockers, my daughters were Rachel from Friends, Cher from Clueless, and Harry from Dumb and Dumber, and my son was Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber. I've been buying Nirvana tee shirts, yellow plaid skirts, overalls, and orange and powder blue top hats among other things and it has been a delight. 

If you're feeling down, I highly recommend dressing up in themed outfits and dancing and eating cake. It's almost impossible to be sad when you're doing these things. 

What are you reading, watching, listening to, or buying this month? Let me know in the comments!