Christen Krumm

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Summer Book Report

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I had every intention of doing a monthly summer book report, but the summer was way busy and I unofficially took time off from the blog … I ended up on a little bit of a reading binge (I’m going to chock it up to husband working a couple of 3rd shifts as well as summer reading challenge put on by @Lunasluckymoon on Instagram). Did you read this summer? What were your favorite reads?

Note: This post does contain affiliate links.

A Painted Summer | Amy Matayo

Loved this novella. It’s short, so I read it super fast. It’s about a former homeschooler (so, I could totally relate). I fell for the hero super fast. Overall a cute read definitely worth reading if you are in the mood for something light and happy.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things | Jenny Lawson

When your brother-in-law randomly calls in the middle of the day and tells you that you have to read this book, you request from your library and read it as fast as you can. Multiple times I was laughing out loud (at so many inappropriate things). This book was super entertaining.

After You | Jojo Moyes

This is the second book in the Me Before You series. I remember reading the first book because there was so much controversy surrounding it. The second book was just ok. I still love Jojo’s writing, this story was just … okay. I am looking forward to the third book, Still Me, which I have heard is a lot better than this one.

A Wrinkle in Time | Madeleine L’Engle

E and I read this one together before we watched the movie. It was my first read (I know, I know). I went back and forth between “this is so weird” and “this is so good”. For the most part, I loved it. I love the messages weaved throughout. E and I both decided that we loved the book better than the movie. I so loved the messages in the movie, but the book was definitely better.

The Royal We | Heather Cocks

I’ll admit. I have been bit with the “royal” bug. I love seeing everything Meghan Markle. I grabbed this book (based loosely off of Kate and William’s story). It took me forever to get through this book (I felt like it was really long — I think it covered six years?) It was good, but not going down in my “most favorite book ever”.

Death in the Floating City | Tasha Alexander

I will always be a fan of the Lady Emily mysteries. This was the seventh one and still just as enjoyable as the first.

Meghan: A Hollywood Princess | Andrew Morton

Maybe I am a little obsessed with all things England and princess right now. I loved Meghan on Suits and now love her as the new princess.

Brazen | Penelope Bagieu

This was a super fun one. A graphic novel of such telling quick stories of women who changed history. <3

The Anomaly | Michael Rutger

I didn’t like this one as much as I thought I was going to. It was my Book of the Month club pick and pitched as X-Files meets Indiana Jones. It was entertaining enough to keep me reading. At about chapter 35, the pace finally got going for a bang of an ending.

Gone Rogue: Wires and Nerve #2 | Marissa Meyer

I will always and forever love Marissa Meyer. This graphic novel series continuing the Lunar Chronicles series is golden.

Unbreakable | Sara Ella

This was the final book in the Unblemished series. It’s a little bittersweet. I was there at the series beginning and this was a great ending to the entire thing.

The Truth Between Us | Tammy L. Gray

This was another fun, quick read. More on the chick lit side, but if you’re looking for something easy (while good) this would be your pick! You can see a full review on it here.

When Through Deep Waters | Rachelle Dekker

Rachelle Dekker is another one of those authors that I just love everything they write. When Through Deep Waters was a lot different from her first series, but I still loved it. You can see a full review on it here.

Song of a Captive Bird | Jasim Darznik

This one isn’t something I’d normally pick up, but at the recommendation from a friend requested it from the library and then promptly devoured it. This is one of the main reasons I love recommendations — they lead you to read something in a genre you wouldn’t normally read, and you’ll end up discovering new favorites.

The Bone Season | Samantha Shannon

This one I found on Instagram (via a late night scroll and discovering the author). She’s British and described this as dystopian — I was sold. It was a little different then what I generally enjoy, but oh my sweet goodness did I love love love this book. I hear there is a read-a-long going on for this series and we’re reading book two this month — can’t wait to dive in!

My Plain Jane

The Jane series. Sigh. These are such great books. My Plain Jane is the second book in the series but is completely stand alone. Jane Eyre meets Ghostbusters — pure perfection.

Bolivar | Sean Rubin

This was a graphic novel I picked up in the children’s section of my library. I loved it. Apparently, there is a movie coming out based on the book — I’m so there

The Opposite of Loneliness | Marina Keegan

I’m finding that I super loving books of essays. This one was written by a Yale graduate who died a few days after graduating. Her family, friends, and professors gathered all her writings and put them in this book. I loved each short story and essay — I kinda wish there were more. Definitely worth a read!

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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

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Podcaster @themarginswriting | Author of It Happened at Christmas & a YA Murder Mystery releasing with HaperCollins Blink Summer 2027

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Want to read Project Grinch first? 

While I don’t have a lot to tell you about the storyline, the general idea is if the Grinch and Buddy the Elf were stuck on a roadtrip together at Christmas time (the Grinch is female in this story!) 

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Project Grinch commencing! I’m really excited Project Grinch commencing! 

I’m really excited to bring you this story — yes, I’ve been talking about it for years and this is the year it is finally happening!!
That was twelve years ago... and I almost listened That was twelve years ago... and I almost listened. 

I’m really glad I didn’t. To be honest, this person wasn’t wrong. At the time I wasn’t very good at writing. It was early on in my career. Hearing that I should give up was a punch to my gut and I had two choices. 

I could listen, and not write ever again.

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I chose to get better. I still don’t think I’ve “arrived” but I am a lot better than I was then. 

So this is me telling you — don’t ever stop dreaming, don’t ever stop learning, and don’t take bad advice. 

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I’ve been talking about this one for a minute and the time to get it done is now. ❤️ Do you know which story I’m working on next?
I’ve tried reading through my manuscript on my c I’ve tried reading through my manuscript on my computer… tried on my kindle (but reading a PDF on my kindle is stupid) nothing was working. So, we’re down to the last 100 pages (and consequently the ones with the most changes) so I relented and printed everything off so I can read a physical copy! 🎉 here we go. Let’s finishing this thing!
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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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