Three Weeks Later...

Considering I've been away for only about 3 weeks this time, I might make this a regular thing; one blog update every few weeks instead of trying to force something weekly or bi-weekly. It feels a lot more natural, and I’d rather show up with something real than rush to fill space... which is something I've done before with my blog actually.

I've been able to maintain a natural routine recently. However, I'm still working to get into a manageable gym routine, but my allergies this season have been so severe that I haven't even been able to make it to the gym. Only about once a week does the pollen let me go into the gym without almost killing me.

Regardless, I'm still working on eating well, and that's the biggest piece of the battle. I don't think I've mentioned this, but due to the recent stress within the past year, I've put on about 20lbs—not in a good way. I've never had to lose weight before—contrarily, I've had trouble gaining healthy weight for years. To be real with you all, I think that's one of the many reasons that I haven't been active on social media. I can visually see the weight gain.

Everyone has their insecurities, and this is one of mine.

Reading Recommendations

I didn’t expect this, but I’ve been on a bit of a reading streak lately, and I don't want it to stop. I feel like I did when I finally got back into reading in late-2022/early-2023.

I’ve been leaning into a mix of darker fiction and mythology-heavy nonfiction, which has been a really interesting balance. There’s something about switching between those two that keeps things from feeling repetitive. Not to mention, I've always loved a good nonfiction piece.

If you are looking for a mythology-heavy dark nonfiction book, check out my two recent nonfiction reads: Mysterious Celtic Mythology in American Folklore by Bob Curran and Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology by Adrienne Mayor.

If you are looking for something dark in the fiction world, both related to romance, check out my other two recent reads this week: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by LJ Smith and Dark Paradise by Jillian Elizabeth (however, I don't believe the latter is available anymore, unless Jillian recently put it back as available on Amazon or KU).

As stated above, I finished the first book in The Vampire Diaries series by LJ Smith, which I’ve always wanted to read. I went into it with the same mindset I had with Twilight: watch the live adaptation, read the book, then decide which is best. And honestly, even seeing the TV show first, the book still wins. It always does. I actually didn't even finish the TV show; it really started to lose me at the 3rd season. The 4th season? Forget about it—I didn't even try to get through it.

But if you have anything that blends folklore, mythology, or darker themes, I’m very open to recommendations.

Current Reads

Right now, I'm juggling two books, both in totally different realms. Literally, the only thing these two have in common is that they are both fiction: Tek War by William Shatner and Unwrapped by Them by Eva Ashwood.

Tek War is a sci-fi book that takes place in a futuristic version of Earth, where our main character, Jack Cardigan, has been released from the "Freezer" early, as he was framed for selling a popular addiction, though not exactly a "drug," called Tek.

Unwrapped by Them is a holiday romance, which includes why choose (MFMM), forced proximity, boss, and ex-boyfriend's brother tropes.