Christen Krumm

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What I Read in October

what i read

Ah. Fall is here. For whatever reason—call it the cooler air, the kids being back in school, the rushing to meet “books-read” deadline, my reading uptake increases. Lots of books read (or finished) in October

A Torch Against the Night | Sabaa Tahir: This is the second book Sabaa’s series and it was so so good. I’m really looking forward to book three. Should you read it? Yes, but only after reading book one or it really won’t make any sense at all.

Across the Universe | Beth Revis: The premise of this one was what would happen if a (space) ship was fueled by lies? And what would happen when those lies were found out? I was in the mood to read a sci-fi book (and half way doing “research” for an upcoming project) and this one came recommended by GoodReads. It was a pretty good read. It did remind me a little of the movie The Passengers (which came out after this book), so if you liked that movie, you’d probably really like this book.

The Glass Castle | Jeanette Walls: This was September’s book club read (yes, and I finished in October). It was heartbreakingly beautiful. I’m not really much one for non-fiction (or memoirs) but I will always read a book by Jeanette Walls. Do note that if you pick this one up, there may be some trigger scenes for the sensitive reader, and there is strong language throughout.

Solo | Kwame Alexander: I have never found “the” audiobook. You know the one, the one that you would listen to over and over again. Well, Solo changed that for me. This is going down in my book as the best audiobook ever. I picked it out and downloaded in on my Hoopla app on a day I was needing to get through housework and packing for a weekend trip. And it didn’t disappoint. Not only is it a great story, but, as music is a big part of this book, songs were sung throughout (now, where can I get the Solo album?) I’ve heard great things about the physical book as well, but I very highly recommend the audiobook.

Steelheart | Brandon Sanderson: This was a book that I accidentally picked up. I was in the midst of reading three other books and was needing something “fun” and different then what I was reading. The Steelheart e-book was available on my OverDrive app so I downloaded it—and then couldn’t put it down. Basically this is the story asking the question what if superheroes (or those with super powers) were the bad guys? Very entertaining. If you’re needing something a little different and a whole lot of fun (and action packed) you should def pick up Steelheart.

My Lady Jane | Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows: I downloaded the audiobook from OverDrive after Everyday Reading raved about it being her all time favorite audiobook. I do have to agree it was so so good. I’m really looking forward to the second book out next year!

Daring to Hope | Katie Davis Majors: This was amazing. You can read all my thoughts on this one here, but the short of it is—yes, you should/need to read this book.

Deadly Proof | Rachel Dylan: This one was slightly disappointing. It was an entertaining read, but the characters weren’t up to what I thought they should be—a longer review will be forthcoming on this one! If you’re into legal thrillers you’d love this story!

 

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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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