First off, can you believe it's already the 48th week of the year? I am blown away by how this year has simultaneously flown by and dragged on. It is insane.

Anyway, this week's reading list is pretty easy because kiddo has been home for the past week and half on quarantine. He's okay, but a kiddo in his class tested positive for Covid, so my poor little boog was stuck inside with me for ten days before we could get a negative test on him. Having a high-needs, bored preschooler underfoot has been death on my productivity. Including my reading. But I do have three books I plan on finishing by week end (and two more I may binge on Thanksgiving).

First up is Newsletter Ninja, which I'm reading because my newsletter frankly sucks. Also, I try to read at least one craft/business book a month to make sure I'm constantly growing, so this book is checking that box for me. I love Tammi's style, and have laughed out loud at several moments, which makes reading a book about an admittedly dry subject that much easier. I plan on finishing this book tonight, actually, so be looking for my review on Goodreads!

Next is the second book in the Big Sky Cowboy series: Her Comeback. Technically I'm reading this series out of order because I am one of Lola's lucky ARC readers, so I read the first and third books in this series already. I missed this one because I've been wrestling the draft of The Return to Halfpoint the week it came out. But I'm catching up now and I cannot wait to see Bill fall under the spell of his country goddess. If you haven't read Lola West, you should know her books are stupidly beautiful. Like, low-angst, but just enough conflict and emotion that you cry your eyes out anyway. I just love her work.

Lastly, and unfortunately, least, I am trying my darndest to finish Protecting You by Claire Kingsley. It was the chosen book of the month for my Indie Romance Book Club, and it's just not my cup of tea. Which is funny because it has all the things I love: quirky characters, strong family elements, a small town... it should be a no-brainer 1-day read for me. But it's not. I think it's because the characters are so young! I mean, still in college, living at home on break young. And now that I'm approaching my mid-thirties, I just can't with that shit. I mean, I lived it. I breathed it. And I don't want to be reminded of the stupid love decisions we make at that age.

Still, I have a good three-quarters of the book left to read (which is how you know it's not going well), and several people in IRBC loved the book enough to go on and read the rest of the series this month, so there is hope. It's slim, but it's there. So wish me luck because I'm going to have to go live and discuss this puppy in a handful of days. And it is never fun to do a live on a book I didn't really enjoy...

What are you reading this week? Any recs for me?