Christen Krumm

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Book Report February

And just like that … we’re on the last day of February. The past two weeks have felt like their own month (am I the only one?) February, for me, was filled with lots of words — both the reading kind and the writing kind. While there are still days of sitting on the couch and watching a Netflix show with my husband, there isn’t much binge watching going on personally (I blame it on the writing deadline).

I’m a little ashamed to admit, but, with the exception of one, all the books in the picture above are ones I’m currently somewhere in the middle of. That’s about the level of my brain crazy right now.

So what did I read in February? (and when I say read I totally mean finished, because so many of these were not actually started in February).

Circe | Madeline Miller — Circe was a recommendation from a friend. It has been sitting on my shelf for way too long, so I finally picked it up — and listened to it on Overdrive. I’m not sure this one was one of my favorites. While I did enjoy hearing a few names that I knew, I don’t really think mythology is a genre I really enjoy (which I say that and then I’ll read like twelve different books based on mythology and love them … the same thing happened with fantasy).

Swing | Kwame Alexander — Last year, Kwame Alexander’s Solo was one of my absolute favorite audiobooks (still is). I was super excited to dive into Swing, and of course, I had to listen to the audiobook. I think one of my favorite things about Alexander’s audiobooks is the fact he reads them himself — his voice is so enjoyable to listen to! Swing is definitely one that I would recommend (especially on audiobook).

Story Trumps Structure | Steven James — Guys, it literally took me a year to get through this book. That shouldn’t reflect the gems that I gleaned from Story Trumps Structure. If you are a writer, I would recommend this one. It was a good one (and honestly not as long as you would think since it took me a year to read).

All Your Perfects | Colleen Hoover — I have been told forever that I need to read Colleen Hoover, and I can see why. All Your Perfects sucked me in and didn’t let me go until I read the last page. There is lots of adult content in this one, so just be aware if you pick this one up.

A Circle of Quiet | Madeleine L’Engle — Last year I read A Wrinkle in Time out loud to E, but A Circle of Quiet is the book that made me fall in love with L’Engle. I found myself nodding and agreeing and feeling right where L’Engle was in her writing journey in much of this book. So loved this one, and can’t wait to read more of her non-fiction.

Castle on the Rise | Kristy Cambron — I will always love Kristy Cambron’s books. You can see my full review on this one here.

Girl, Wash Your Face | Rachel Hollis — I loved this book (I feel like a broken record this month). I loved the in-your-face, get-it-done tone Rachel has. If you haven’t read this book yet, I would say you need to read it now! Super excited for her next book coming out (and yes, I’ve already pre-ordered).

The Water Cure | Sophie Macintosh — This was this month’s book club pick. I still can’t decide if I really like it or not. I’m looking forward to discussing it at the next book club meeting.

What was your favorite read this month?

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christen e krumm | author | blogger | coffee addictI'm Christen. I'm a reader, writer, and I seriously love coffee.

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Christen Krumm

christenkrumm

Podcaster @exploringtheblankpagepodcast | Author of On the Golden Cliffs & It Happened at Christmas & Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage

I'm excited to join in the cover reveal for Karabo I'm excited to join in the cover reveal for Karabos by @lyndseylewellen, releasing from @enclavepublishing  in October 2026! The first book in The Timebound Duology, a YA fantasy, is available to preorder in hardcover today.

This is one of my most anticipated reads for 2026! 

Book Blurb: When sixteen-year-old homeschooled entomologist Winslet Nubek enters the elite, insect-hunting Tournament of Scarabs to save her family from ruin, she expects danger and magic bugs. Not time travel. Paired with a resentful cartographer, Rafe, who doubts her every move, Winslet accidentally triggers a forbidden time scarab and launches them both into volatile jumps through an ancient world.

As they struggle to hide their condition and stay in the competition, their time slips reveal buried truths about the scarabs—and the lies their glittering society is built on. With sinister forces closing in, Winslet and Rafe must capture legendary insects and expose the truth before the past bleeds into the present and destroys them both.
Everything I got written (or didn’t) this week! Everything I got written (or didn’t) this week!
I know you know … I know you know …
A Saturday in the life of an author on deadline. A Saturday in the life of an author on deadline. 

10.07 AM - arrive at the coffee shop (where I actually got a parking spot AND a seat at my favorite table!) 

11.08 AM - finally get some coffee. The line was long and I kept waiting for it to get shorter.

1.56 PM - trying not to panic because there’s still so much I want to get done and the coffee shop closing in a little over an hour.

2.53 PM - closing time. Time to pack up and leave. I’m also getting hungry, so place a Chick-fil-A order.

3.26 PM - lunch acquired. 

3.48 PM - it just so happens that the Chick-fil-A shares a parking lot with a Barnes and Noble. I think some wandering must be had (and I somehow walked out without buying anything!) 

5.01 PM - home again home again. A little reading in the office before dinner.
Y’all I have my edits back for the M*rder Myster Y’all I have my edits back for the M*rder Mystery (🎉), and I still don’t know where this Neely Spencer chapter is going (you know, the one I said I was going to post last week... or was it the week before?)

Instead of promising x number of chapters this month (and the next month), I’m going to promise that I’ll post the chapters as soon as I’m finished writing them. This means, there could be 4 chapters, or there could be 1 chapter (I’m shooting for the 4 ...) The M*rder Mystery has to be my main priority right now, but I’m hoping that I’ll have time for the whimsy (Neely Spencer is the whimsy). Because we call need a little more whimsy in our lives, right? 

Sorry to disappoint anyone — I’m writing as fast as I can. Thank you so much for sticking with me! You guys are the best! And if you haven’t started reading Atlas of Neely Spencer, now is the perfect time to get caught up!
I love connecting with readers and writers online. I love connecting with readers and writers online.

Here is everywhere you can find me. A follow is only a click away!

The best way to follow is my newsletter — let’s be honest, social media is a fickle thing and it can go down or crash at any moment, so if you for sure don’t want to miss anything, make sure to get on the list!

So glad you’re here!
Stuff I’ve written … Stuff I’ve written …
Hi! I’ve gotten some new followers whilst on my Hi! I’ve gotten some new followers whilst on my unintentional social media break, so time for a little updated about me! 

Instagram is my favorite + I’m so glad you’re here!
Chapters 14 AND 15 of Neely Spencer dropped this m Chapters 14 AND 15 of Neely Spencer dropped this morning! 

Can’t wait to hear what you think!!
I’m just going to leave this here… I’m just going to leave this here…
Emilie and Christen chat what they are working on, Emilie and Christen chat what they are working on, what they are reading,  and what’s coming up for the podcast
Chapter twelve has dropped. #neelyspencer Chapter twelve has dropped. #neelyspencer
A little birdie told me we’re getting more Neely A little birdie told me we’re getting more Neely Spencer chapters!
Chicken prints in the snow are my favorite. Chicken prints in the snow are my favorite.
Typewriter is out … you know what that means… Typewriter is out … you know what that means…
We will see who makes it out alive … We will see who makes it out alive …
I mean … maybe, but let’s not get too crazy. I mean … maybe, but let’s not get too crazy. 

Have you made goals (writing or otherwise) for this year?! Let me hear! I wanna cheer you on!
New day, sameish view, same coffee shop. New day, sameish view, same coffee shop.
At my favorite place, writing this book that only At my favorite place, writing this book that only wants to be written when I’m not at home.
Merry Christmas from Neely Spencer. Head over to S Merry Christmas from Neely Spencer. Head over to Substack if you want to see a special message about Neely Spencer (and I share some goodies too!!) 

#serialfiction
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Things of Note

Unless otherwise stated, all words and photos on this blog are my own. Sometimes I use affiliate links for products in posts as well as on my other social media sites. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites." Occasionally I receive books or products free of charge. This will be clearly noted and please know that when I am writing about something the words and opinions expressed are always my own. Thank you so much for reading.

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