What This Week: April 3
How is it April already? It feels like yesterday we were taking down the Christmas tree, now we are headed into Quarter 2 of 2023! Suddenly, our trip to Europe is days away instead of weeks/months, and I’m so excited I can barely focus at work or on the blog. Our itinerary is almost complete, save a few last-minute tours and restaurant reservations. If you have any suggestions for good places to eat in Paris or London then be sure to leave me a recommendation in the comments! Otherwise, please enjoy the latest edition of What This Week: April 3!
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What This Week: Reading
I’m aboard the struggle bus trying to get through one of my advanced reader copies right now, though I’m determined to finish and not DNF the book. I’ll withhold the name for now just in case I end up enjoying it, but it’s safe to say it hits a bit too close to home for me to see the book for what it is: fiction. Having said that, I’ve been making headway with the great ARC adventure that has been 2023 so far. I signed up for over 30 NetGalley ARCs in December and have regretted it ever since!
Enough whining about the free books I get to read! Right now I’m working on the brand new book from Rachel Beanland, The House is on Fire. Based on a true story, the book tells the story of four people whose lives were turned upside down by the Richmond Theater fire in 1811. Every one raves over Beanland’s writing, so I’m eager to see what the hype is all about. The book publishes this week, so be sure to snag a copy!
I’m also listening to a copy of The Disenchantment, a sapphic novel about two French noblewomen who fall in love. The synopsis promises murder is afoot and lots of drama ensues following said murder, so I’m eager to get to the good part. I just started the audiobook, but it’s promising so far. I may switch between the physical and audio just to help keep the momentum going; it’s a thick book! This one publishes in May, so stay tuned for my review!
And because I haven’t read any BOTM books in a while, I decided to pick up my copy of Queen of Thieves. The promise of a female-led gang of thieves in post-WWII London was too strong to resist! I’m a sucker for a strong female character, even a morally grey one. I’m enjoying the first-person narration and the author’s writing style, which leads me to believe it will be a quick read.
featured books
What This Week: Watching
Y’all! I was so excited about the brand-new PBS drama, Marie Antoinette, which aired in the US for the first time on March 19. For some reason it’s unwatchable on our television; the resolution is awful no matter what setting I select. I’ve since discovered that it looks great on my laptop, but I don’t typically watch shows on my computer, so not sure how long it will take me to screen all the episodes.
The good news is that the show is SUMPTUOUS! Decadent costumes, luscious lighting, and tons of period details are just a few of the things that drew me to this retelling of the famous French queen. Hopefully, it looks better on your television than on mine, but, if not, know that it’s very watchable (maybe too watchable) on smaller screens. After all, what better way is there to brush up on my Versailles history before our visit in a few weeks?
bookshelf tour
My shelves are starting to look a little out of hand, don’t you think?! Be sure to follow me on BookTok if you haven’t already. I share very different bookish content on TT, something I enjoy very much!
@shesbecomingbookish A little BookShelf Tour in honor of Shelfie Sunday! See any books you love? #bookshelftour #shelfiesunday #booksoftiktok #booklover ♬ Stolen Dance (Instrumental) – Milky Chance
current obsession
This song is the ultimate earworm! I heard a rumor there may be a tour…*screaming crying*
IRL book friends!
I have been looking for a book club for a while, so when I was invited to join the SoCal Story Swappers I jumped at the chance. This weekend was my first ever IRL book club, and it’s safe to say I’m hooked!!!
What This Week: Wearing
I’m SO over the high-waist jeans trend. Seriously, y’all. I’m done. I have the tiniest torso ever, so high-waist jeans look ridiculous on me. They literally come up to my boobs! And I’ve got a bit too much jiggle in my middle to sport low-waist jeans, which leaves me sorting through the proverbial haystack for a good pair of mid-rise jeans. I found a few on Oliver Logan, but I still need another pair for our trip. And since skinny jeans are dead, I’m specifically looking for a relaxed, wide-leg look. I tried on MANY pairs this past weekend at Nordstrom and Madewell, not finding any that fit me well. Finally, I decided to give Old Navy a try, and wouldn’t you know, the darn things fit perfectly!
So, I’m now the proud owner of this pair of mid-rise wide-leg 90s jeans from Old Navy. The color isn’t my favorite, but they fit me perfectly! I’ve already ordered the ripped-leg version just to have another color option. They remind of me of my favorite 90s jeans that fit my tiny torso and square hips/thighs like men’s jeans. If that sounds like the fit you need then I highly recommend these! The legs are wide but not as wide as those JNCOs we used to wear! 🙂
Before You Go
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