Christen Krumm

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Book Report January and February

Book Report

I missed my January book report, and February has been a sad month for reading books (I’m blaming it on the hustle—and the fact that I’m currently in the middle of seven different books).

January Reads

Emergency | Neil Strauss: I read this book on a recommendation from my brother. I love Neil’s approach—he’s a journalist who immerses himself into whatever he’s writing about—is what first drew me to this book. Writing about a pick up artist, he becomes a pick up artist. Writing about surviving the end of the world as we know it? He becomes a survivalist. Emergency wasn’t all what I expected. I expect more “in the wild” research, however, much of the book was about him trying to figure out how to get dual citizenship. While it wasn’t what I expected, I did still enjoy Neil’s voice.

The Princess Diarist | Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia was always one of my favorites. I was heartbroken with the rest of the world when she passed (and then her mother—loved her mother too). The Princess Diarist was just ok. Many times I had to re-read sentences trying to figure out what Carrie was trying to say, but I did enjoy getting inside her head for a little bit.

Passenger | Alexandra Bracken: Alexandra is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. I loved Passenger (time travel *swoon*). I had to binge read, so I could read book two for a review. If you’re a fan of time travel, adventure, and good story, you’ll love Passenger.

February Reads

Schoolhouse Mystery | Gertrude Chandler Warner: This was the boys’ read this month. Any boxcar children mystery takes me back to my childhood. I love introducing them to my kids! The boys really enjoyed this one, and we can’t wait to read more in the series!

A Fatal Grace | Louis Penny: I am so loving the Inspector Gamache series! Book two didn’t quite grab me the way book one did, but love the characters just the same. I hear they only keep getting better!! Can’t wait to read book three!

Uninvited | Lysa TerKeurst: You, Guys. This book. I wasn’t going to read it because I didn’t think I needed it, but oh man. This one hit me hard so close to home. Super loved it. Read it. Even if you think you don’t need it.

I’d love to see what you’re reading—or hear your recommendations on what I should read next! You can follow along with what I’m currently reading on GoodReads, and what I have read on Instagram #ChristenReads

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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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