Life Updates and Recent Fantasy Reads – A Recap of February 2024

Hey, fellow book lovers! It’s been a while, but I’m back with a brand new video, and today we have a lot to catch up on. Life has been a whirlwind lately, and while I haven’t been able to film, I’ve been doing a ton of reading. So, let’s dive right into some exciting life updates and the fantastic fantasy books I’ve recently devoured.

Life Updates

Before we get into the bookish goodness, I want to share some life updates with you all. As many of you know, I’m Jesse, the face behind “The Bookish Mom” YouTube channel. Life has been a bit chaotic lately, with my two kids heavily involved in sports, music, and all the activities that come with it. Balancing it all with my full-time job and my husband’s automotive shop has been quite the adventure. But, despite the hustle and bustle, I’m thrilled to be back on YouTube, sharing my bookish passion with all of you.

Oh, and we’ve added a new member to our family! Meet Nami, our adorable Katula rescue mix. After the loss of our beloved 15-year-old pit mix, Lily, we took a year to heal and decided it was time to welcome Nami into our lives. She’s an absolute sweetheart; you can expect to see her occasionally popping up in my videos.

Recent Fantasy Reads

Now, onto the main event—my recent fantasy book adventures. I’ve been on an audiobook journey lately, allowing me to consume even more books while juggling a busy schedule. Let’s dive into some of the fantastic reads I’ve tackled:

1. “The Adventures of Amina Al-Sarifi” was a delightful surprise with a unique twist—our protagonist is a mother. I loved this fresh perspective in fantasy, and it’s set in the same world as the Devabad series.
2. “The Fourth Wing“: While I caved into the hype, it was a decent read with intriguing dragons and a somewhat satisfying romance.
3. “The Love Hypothesis“: Stepping outside my comfort zone, I enjoyed this contemporary romance with a dash of science. It was a quick, fun read.
4. “City of Nightmares“: This one was almost a DNF but interested me. It explores a world where people transform into their nightmares when they dream, leading to some chilling events.
5. “The Bone Smith” As a fan of the “Crown of Feathers” series, I couldn’t resist this YA fantasy filled with necromantic magic and intriguing characters.
6. “The Crown of Ember” and “The Bitter Kingdom”: These older YA fantasies provided a fun adventure with a unique magic system and a strong female lead.
7. “The Institute” by Stephen King: My first foray into King’s work was a hit. This one is more fantasy than horror and follows telepathic children navigating a sinister institute.
8. “Mexican Gothic“: While it was a bit outside my comfort zone, this Gothic horror novel had its moments, though the trippy elements didn’t quite resonate with me.

You can see the rest of my recent fantasy reads in the video above!

Phew! That’s a lot of reading, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the fantastic books I’ve delved into lately. I promise to be more consistent in 2024, and I’ve got some exciting content lined up for all of you. Stay tuned for more bookish adventures, reviews, and channel updates. Thanks for sticking with me, and until next time, happy reading!