Christen E. Krumm

Reader | Writer | Serious Coffee Drinker

  • Christen E. Krumm
  • Home
  • About
  • Notebook Musings
  • Books
  • Podcast

Book Report: September

img_4260

Last month, finally being able to send off my manuscript to my awesome Beta team, I read all the books (you know, the ones that I’ve been in the middle of for like 3 months? Yeah, those). Also, limiting your television time, and reading in the early morning and before bed really does something for your reading count too.

Crazy in Alabama | Mark Childress: I’m not even going to try to explain this book (it will make me sound crazy). What I will say is this is my Grandmother’s favorite book, and she told me about it (and that I had to read it) the day my Grandfather died (and no one else she knew would read it, so naturally I did). While this is two stories weaved into one, I found the black/white racial issues very interesting. I really loved To Kill a Mockingbird, and this story had similar aspects that reminded me of that. (and on the TKAM note, this book is in no way as clean as Harper Lee’s classic)

Wonder Women | Sam Maggs: This is a super fun book. This book covers women from all times and all ages who did something to change history (the catch? You have probably, maybe, only heard about one or two of these fabulous women).  Maggs writes in such a way that makes history interesting (think she could maybe write a history book for the schools? Kids might actually like learning about history!) She is funny, while still being authoritative on her subjects. She has even peeked my interest into digging more into the lives of these fabulous trailblazers. (I do have a full review coming on Luxury Reading on this one later this month).

Iron to Iron | Ryan Graudin: This is a quick novella that takes place prior to Wolf by Wolf (but, I think I would read Wolf by Wolf first) and in the POV of Luka. I was ready for some more Ryan, and can’t wait for the release of book 2 (Blood for Blood). Iron by Iron is def a good read. It has all that I love about Ryan crammed into one mini book.

The Wrath and the Dawn | Renee Ahdieh: I was super interest in this book because it’s a slight retelling (which I love retellings of old books and stories). Jury is still for me on this one. While the story was good and the secrets intriguing, I’m trying to decide if I want to figure it all out in book two. Part of the problem was I wasn’t thrilled with the audiobook, and I listened to a majority of this on audio. Once I was able to snag a book, I was more into it. Note: the cover on Renee’s book are gorgeous.

A Time to Speak | Nadine Brandes: This is another one I raved about this month. The final book comes out tomorrow and oh good grief I can’t wait to get my hands on this one! I love endings that leave you hanging, and A Time to Speak did that!! Love it! (also, don’t miss Nadine’s upcoming Facebook party on Tuesday!! Lots of prizes to give away and fun stuff happening!)

The Little Prince | Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: This was Elsie and my read this month. She was obsessed with the Little Prince after seeing the Netflix movie. She had her favorite parts (the fox), but this one was a little slow for me. I did love the ending and had to fight from tearing up.

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast | Laura Vanderkam: I rave about this book here, but cliff notes—you need to get and read this book (or grab it on audio it’s cheaper than a cup of coffee, and only a little over an hour, you can listen fairly quickly).

You can see what I’m currently reading here. I’m currently listening to The Program on audiobook during my morning runs.

What are you reading this month?

><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Planning some great things coming up on the email list! Exclusive giveaways, announcements, crazy funness. Make sure you sign up now, so you don’t miss any of the goodness! (First Newsletter + exclusive newsletter giveaway is going out on Monday!!)

Spread the love

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
«
»

books 2

Comments

  1. Elena W says

    October 24, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    I love The Little Prince! I need to check out the Netflix film! I read it first in French in highschool during French class and then re-read it in English with my younger sister so its a favorite of hers as well.

    Here are my Sept reads: https://elle-alice.blogspot.ca/2016/09/september-book-reviews.html

    Reply
    • Christen says

      January 31, 2017 at 8:30 am

      The Netflix is a little bit different than the book (isn’t the film always that way?) But we still enjoyed it.

      xo,
      CK

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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

Connect with me

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Currently Reading

Search

Life on the Gram

Christen Krumm

christenkrumm

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

Oh. Neely and her books. She might get this little Oh. Neely and her books. She might get this little tidbit from me <3 I do love my books. 

Atlas of Neely Spencer chapter one is now up on Substack — read and subscribe for frees!
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!
Atlas of Neely Spencer chapter two sneak peek! I d Atlas of Neely Spencer chapter two sneak peek! I don’t know if this quote will make the final cut, but oooooh this scene. (I know the teasing is mean. It’s coming soon. I promise.)
I’ve been a literary agent assistant (with Mary I’ve been a literary agent assistant (with Mary DeMuth Literary) for a few years now, and I’ve read a lot (a lot) of queries. I’ve picked up a thing or two and wanted to share them here...

- Do your research: before you query an agent, make sure they are representing what you are trying to query. It wastes everyone’s time if you query hoping to change an agent’s mind on a genre (a lot of time it’s not that we don’t want to sell what you’re offering, it’s that we don’t have the contacts to do so.)

- Don’t send via your phone: I mean, I guess you could query from your phone, but you’d better make sure that email is formatted within an inch of its life, and you haven’t left anything out. Take your time and make sure you are hurriedly jumping into something (that leaves a really bad first impression — you don’t want that.) 

- Do format your email: Please, for the love of mac and cheese, do NOT send one terribly long run-together paragraph. Give me some white space. My eyes thank you

- No complaining about the standards + guidelines: Don’t complain in your query about the standards and guidelines set up by the agent you are querying. If you have a problem with them, just don’t query that agent.

Let me know if these tips were helpful! And be sure to follow along for more tips like these!
Good morning, Creatives. Smile the Monday away! Good morning, Creatives. Smile the Monday away!
Working on chapter two now, but while you’re wai Working on chapter two now, but while you’re waiting ... be sure to read chapter one! 

On Substack for frees now!
Let’s be honest — she could still probably use Let’s be honest — she could still probably use a hug, but I’m sure Hank is all too willing to help out with that. 

This is such a fun trend. Have you read Hank + Murphy’s story. You should. It’s one of my favorites (if I do say so myself.)
Just a wild Tuesday night. Get caught up with Ne Just a wild Tuesday night. 

Get caught up with Neely Spencer - free now on Substack!
What's coming up in 2025! Here is it! Everything What's coming up in 2025! 

Here is it! Everything I (hopefully) am releasing in 2025! I wanted to share this here, so you can have what's coming on your radar. 

Disclaimer: While I would LOVE to make sure all of these get released this year, sometimes life happens. Make sure you are signed up for my newsletter to get all the updates. And make sure you're following the Neely Spencer project on Substack, so you don't miss any chapter releases!
Good morning, Creatives. It’s a new week which Good morning, Creatives. It’s a  new week which mean it’s time for new goals. Happy Monday!
I’m so ridiculously excited about this project! I’m so ridiculously excited about this project! 

Chapter one is up now - I’m working on getting chapter two written!
I’m releasing Atlas of Neely Spencer chapter by I’m releasing Atlas of Neely Spencer chapter by chapter on Substack (for free — unless you decide to fund the project!)

While I don’t have the project completely plotted out, it has me all up in my feels. I can’t wait to introduce you to some of the characters that are coming up. I promise a slow burn romance, feisty and strong female lead (you can already see that in chapter one), forced proximity, all the banter, adventure, and a talking cat (named Sanderson... oh he’s one of my favorites.) 

You can follow along on Substack — chapter one is up now!
Hello! I’ve been slowly getting more followers o Hello! I’ve been slowly getting more followers over the past couple of months, so I thought it was time for a little updated about me post and what you can expect in my little corner of the inter webs. (Have I ever actually posted one of these? I don’t think so... so here we go!) 

Instagram is my favorite. I’m so glad you’re here!
That’s a wrap. 💃 April you were a good one. That’s a wrap. 💃 April you were a good one.
The inspiration post for Neely Spencer is now up o The inspiration post for Neely Spencer is now up on Substack. 

(Neely Spencer being the story I’m releasing serially on Substack.) 

I’ll be back next week (hopefully) with chapter two of the story!
What did you read this month? What did you read this month?
Good morning, #creatives. Stop waiting for someday Good morning, #creatives. Stop waiting for someday!
First decent coffee of the week (on the way out of First decent coffee of the week (on the way out of town). Note to self. When going to an air bnb, remember to pack coffee because air bnbs don’t have lobbies with coffee and the beach isn’t known for their coffee…
Seems like a good day to read on the beach. Seems like a good day to read on the beach.
So . . .I'm doing a Substack-y thing. Neely Spen So . . .I'm doing a Substack-y thing. 

Neely Spencer is my "lets-bring-the-fun-back-to-this-writing-thing" project, and I'm absolutely smitten with her.

If you want to support the project by following along, I'd love to have you!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

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.

Copyright © 2025 · Christen Krumm by SA Designs

 

Loading Comments...