Monthly Wrap-Ups

2020 Yearly Wrap-Up

We made it you guys. The hellish year that was 2020 has finally come to an end. This year has been tough and there is so much uncertainty about the future still out there, but even amongst all the crap that was thrown at us, there was still plenty of joy, new ways of connection, and love, and for that I will be forever grateful. I am doing my best to embrace change and push forward, even though it can be so difficult to do, and am hopeful that 2021 will be a kinder year to us all.


Books Read: 72

Pages Read: 27,509


5 Star Reads: 20


4 Star Reads: 32


3 Star Reads: 14


2 Star Reads: 6


Challenge Updates

Goodreads Challenge: 72 out of 100

I once again was not able to hit my Goodreads goal, but I was closer than last year and read so many books that I loved. I’m ready to try again in 2021!

Classics Club Challenge: 10 of 50

Y’all, I suck at this challenge hahaha. I only read 2 classics this year, but to be fair, one of them was Anna Karenina which is a beast. I’m running out of time with only 2 more years left…. at one time this challenge sounded so doable, but now with how little I’ve done in 3 years it seems a lot harder. I’m gonna really try to read more this next year.

Beat the Backlist Challenge: 35 of 50

I actually did ok on this one! I would have read more had I not been trying to keep up with ARCs and new releases.


Here is to a resilient and joyful new year! We got this! ❤

Book Reviews · Broadway Book Chat · Monthly Wrap-Ups · Reading Challenges

April 2020 Wrap-Up

MonthlyWrap - Up

Hi everybody!  Well, the world is still topsy turvy, and we’re all still in hermit mode.  With the future so uncertain it can be hard to stay positive, but I am so lucky to be surrounded by the best people.  I am incredibly thankful for the technology that lets us feel closer to our people in this crazy time.  I’ve begun a new online D & D campaign with my crew, had too many virtual happy hours to count, and today I even got to be there for one of my best friend’s weddings virtually!  One day this will all be behind us, but for now I am feeling so grateful for all of the people I love and cannot wait until I can squeeze them all again.  I’ve gotten some good reading done thanks to the 2020 Magical Readathon, and I really fell in love with some of these stories.  I’m sending happy and healthy vibes to all of you and hoping we’ll be on the other side of this mess soon! ❤

IMG_5692


Books Read:

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★

Among Shadows by Nina Walker ★★★★

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton ★★★★★ BOOK HANGOVER

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger ★★★★

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke ★★★★

Insurgent by Veronica Roth ★★★

My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong ★★

Songs of Love and War by Santa Montefiore ★★★★★ BOOK HANGOVER


Favorite Book of the Month:

I can’t pick.  I loved them both so much.


Currently Reading:

41068252


Challenge Updates:

Goodreads Challenge: 29 of 30

Classics Club Challenge: 9 of 50

Beat the Backlist: 18 of 50

2020 Magical Readathon OWLS: 7 out of 7 (COMPLETED)


Broadway Book Chat: Ahren Victory from Cats

April Reviews

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. MaasThe Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke

April Posts

2020 Magical Readathon: O.W.L.’sCleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #22The Stay at Home Book TagTop 10 Tuesday: Books I Enjoyed But Rarely Talk AboutTop 10 Tuesday: Books I Wish I Had Read As A Child2020 Magical Readathon: O.W.L.’s Update

 

Monthly Wrap-Ups

March 2020 Wrap-Up

MonthlyWrap - Up

Well, this month has taken quite an unexpected turn with the world wide quarantine.  I made my way out of NYC and back to Wisconsin to be with my family for the next…. who knows how long.  I am so happy that I get to spend this time with my favorite people in my favorite place.  It’s a crazy time for everyone, but I hope you are all able to make the best of it and stay well and safe.  I surprisingly haven’t been able to read as much as you’d expect, but I did FINALLY finish Anna Karenina, which was a big accomplishment for me and took up most of my reading time for a while.  I also fell behind on a few posts in the craziness, so thank you for bearing with me.  We’ve been doing a lot of puzzles, playing a million games of Settlers of Catan, filming audition videos, and watching a lot of movies.  Here’s to hoping that I’ll be able to get some more reading in this month and that we’ll all come out of this quarantine stronger and that we’re able to get back to the real world soon!! ❤


Books Read:

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon ★★★★

Anna K by Jenny Lee ★★★★

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon ★★★

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy ★★★★

Divergent by Veronica Roth ★★★★


Favorite Book of the Month:

42119168._SY475_


Currently Reading:


Challenge Updates

Goodreads Challenge: 21 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 9 of 50

Beat the Backlist: 13 of 50


March Reviews

Anna K.: A Love Story by Jenny LeeAnna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

March Posts

Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #21Top 10 Tuesday: Spring 2020 TBRThe Perfect Book Tag • Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Dystopian Heroes


Monthly Wrap-Ups

February 2020 Wrap-Up

MonthlyWrap - Up

Well, this month just flew by, huh? We’re coming into Spring and I cannot wait for the weather to start warming up.  It has been a fairly hectic month for me, as I started a new job, am in the deep end of audition season, and am still trying to have a social life and read as much as I can.  Audiobooks have definitely helped and I am so happy to have found that I enjoy them.  I’m sure March will be just as crazy, if not crazier, than February and I am ready to meet it head-on!

IMG_5265

Books Read:

Dark Secret by Danielle Rose ★★

The June Boys by Court Stevens ★★★

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales ★★★★★

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman ★★★

Def Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★★

Reveal Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★★

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner ★★★


Favorite Book of the Month:

38898560._SY475_


Currently Reading:


Challenge Updates:

Goodreads Challenge: 16 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 8 of 50

Beat The Backlist: 9 of 50


February Reviews

Dark Secret by Danielle RoseOnly Mostly Devastated by Sophie GonzalesThe June Boys by Court Stevens

February Posts

Top 10 Tuesday: Books On My TBR I Predict Will Be 5 Star ReadsCleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #20Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Contemporary RomancesThe Wanderlust Book TagTop 10 Tuesday: Last 10 Books That Gave Me A Book HangoverTop 10 Tuesday: Characters I’d Follow On Social Media • Prediction Book Tag


 

Monthly Wrap-Ups

2019 Bookish Overview

Reading in the Wings

Happy New Year lovely readers! I cannot believe that we’re about to be in the year 2020! 2019 was one of the most challenging and rewarding years of my life.  I lived my oldest dream, playing Bombalurina, in the National Tour of Cats, explored most of North America and it’s many bookstores, dealt with and recovered from an injury, and moved back to NYC.  It has definitely been an adjustment getting back to NYC life, and I’ve felt like I’ve been in a weird in-between place since leaving tour.  I am so ready to feel a fresh start in 2020 and I am so excited to see what this new year will hold!

IMG_4965


Books Read: 68

Pages Read: 26,406


5 Star Reads: 27


4 Star Reads: 20


3 Star Reads: 13


2 Star Reads: 7


1 Star Reads: 1

48768


Challenge Updates:

Goodreads Challenge: 68 of 100

Unfortunately, I didn’t make my Goodreads Goal this year, but I’m chalking that up to trying to soak up every minute and experience on the road and also not having to ride the subway for at least 2 hours every day haha

Classics Club Challenge: 8 of 50

Ok. I only read 3 for this one this year….. For some reason, this one is just hard for me to make a dent in.  It is always hard to start reading a classic for me because I am not always in the mood, but I usually end up loving them.  I am really feeling motivated to read more classics in 2020.  My ambitious goal is to try to get through 1 every month… We’ll see how that goes.


Cheers to an amazing new year and all of the adventures that 2020 will bring! ❤

Monthly Wrap-Ups

March 2019 Wrap-Up

MonthlyWrap - Up

What a month! I spent most of March in Los Angeles, and spent the last week here in Seattle, which I have fallen in love with.  I have been to so many amazing book stores (and coffee shops) this month, and my heart is so happy.  Unfortunately, my suitcases have no more room for all the books I have acquired, so I will be putting myself on a book buying ban for April.  In terms of blogging, I have been slacking lately.  It really is a lot harder to blog consistently on tour than I had expected, but I’m doing my best.  April brings me to 5 new cities, and I can’t wait to explore while I read along the way.

IMG_2305.JPG

Books Read:

The Dating Game by Kiley Roache★★★

The Wicked King by Holly Black ★★★★★

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan ★★★

Lovestruck by Kate Watson ★★★★


Favorite Book of the Month:

26032887


Bookstores Visited:

The Last Book Store — Los Angeles, CA

BLMF Literary Saloon — Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

Lion Heart Book Store — Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

Lamplight Books — Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

The Elliott Bay Book Company — Seattle, WA

Barnes and Noble — Seattle, WA


Currently Reading:

432394


Challenge Updates:

Goodreads Challenge: 14 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 5 of 50


Broadway Book Chat: Liz Schmitz


March Reviews

• The Dating Game by Kiley RoacheThe Wicked King by Holly Black Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

March Posts

Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #9 • Top 10 Tuesday: Standalone Books That Need a Sequel • Last 10 Books Tag • Top 10 Tuesday: My Spring TBR •


Monthly Wrap-Ups

January 2019 Wrap-Up

MonthlyWrap - Up

January was a crazy whirl-wind of getting Cats up and running! I didn’t have much time to read or blog as I was in rehearsal non-stop and I missed a few posts, but the show is finally open and we have begun touring the country!  I managed to get in a few books while soaking my sore muscles in the bath, and found some amazing bookstores in our first city, Providence, RI.  I can’t wait to see the stores all over the country! 🙂

15E56231-47D9-487A-80CF-BDD2F9F81337.JPG


Books Read:

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry★★★★

Furyborn by Claire Legrand★★★

Dark of the West by Joanna Hathaway★★★

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han★★


Favorite Book of the Month:

15749186


Currently Reading:

2170979


Challenges:

Goodreads Challenge: 4 of 100

Classics Club Challenge: 4 of 50- I swear I WILL make progress on this one this year!


Broadway Book Chat: Kaylee Olson

50532353_2205418253029747_3112606526473240576_n


January Reviews

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann• ARC Review: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry • ARC Review: Dark of the West by Joanna Hathaway

January Posts

Top 10 Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2019Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #7 • Top 10 Tuesday: Authors I Found in 2018 • Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read in 2018 • Top 10 Tuesday: 10 Most Recent Additions to My To-Read List •

 

Monthly Wrap-Ups

2018 Bookish Wrap-Up

MonthlyWrap - Up

2018 was a great year for me!  I read more than I ever have and also had some incredible experiences that created life-long memories.  I finished out the year with one of my childhood dreams coming true, rehearsing and getting ready to leave for the National Tour of Cats the Musical in one of my dream roles.  I will be blogging for most of next year from the road, and will hopefully pick up even more amazing moments and stories to share.  I could not be more grateful for everything this year has brought me, and I am so excited for what 2019 has in store!

IMG_1140


Books Read: 79

Pages Read: 29,041


5 Star Reads


4 Star Reads


3 Star Reads


2 Star Reads


1 Star Reads


Challenge Updates

Goodreads Challenge: 79 of 50

A to Z Challenge: 17 of 26

Classics Club Challenge: 5 of 50


 

Here’s to an amazing 2019! Happy reading bookworms! ❤