W-E-L-L … H-E-L-L-O!

It’s been a very long time now, so I’m definitely overdue with a  #WednesdayShuffle!!!

THIS. YEAR. HAS. BEEN. QUITE. THE. DOOZY!

I know that we’re all in the same boat with all the hits that just keep coming this year. As if all of that wasn’t enough, my mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer in February and my husband’s plant closed a few months ago. I’m usually one to focus on the bright side of life, but needless to say, everything’s taken quite a toll and once again, left me at a loss for words.

Let’s put it this way, no news is really not good news with me!

But that’s okay because we all need a little (or big) break sometimes to reflect and pull ourselves back together, right?

We’ve now moved our daughter back to college for the fall semester, and my son started back to school this past week. My Daisy Guy is about to start a new job, and while my mother is still incredibly sick, she’s fighting like a champ against the chemicals that will hopefully keep her cancer at bay. At the end of the day, I appreciate how very blessed we are, and hopefully, I’m not speaking too soon here, but I’m thinking things might possibly be getting back to normal-ish???

And on that note… The other day I was reading some of my reviews from a few years ago which reminded me of all the enthusiasm that I used to have for books. I loved reading and writing reviews back then, and while I didn’t have many followers or friends in Bloglandia at the time yet, I was clearly just happy doing it for myself. Heck, I even started a book back then that maybe someday I’ll even finish, but regardless, reflecting back actually inspired me to try and find that ‘self’ that I once knew again… I’ve kind of missed her!

Books have definitely provided a much-needed escape for me this year, so I’ve actually been reading quite a bit. It’s pretty hard to wow me these days, but I have found some new books and authors to be excited about. I’ve still been hanging out over on the Big IG these past few months, but I’ve also missed talking books here on the blog and all of the wonderful friends and conversations that this wonderful blogging community offers. So, my goal is to get caught up and share these with you, follow up on your posts, and see how you’re all doing as well.

Let’s see how it goes!

BACK TO THE BOOKS!

I just finished up the audiobook of The Switch by Beth O’ Leary and also listened to The Flatshare earlier in the year. These were such enjoyable reads, and O’Leary’s quickly become an author that I won’t pass up. I’m also really looking forward to her next book, The Road Trip, which is releasing next year!

I started the audiobook of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall the other night, and Luc and Oliver already have me laughing and excited to keep listening at every chance!

I’m also currently reading The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker, who is yet another new author to me this year. I really fell in love with her characters and storytelling in The Simple Wild and Wild at Heart a few months back and also discovered that she writes under the pen name Nina West for her erotic romances as well. I had read and loved West’s Wolf Hotel Series years ago, so if you’re looking for a really good and steamy read, you need to meet Henry Wolf for sure!

Is this post long or what?!?!

We’ll get into some music and who knows what else on my next #WednesdayShuffle. Drop me a line in the comments and tell me how you’re doing and what’s the news with you!

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