Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

A Sunday Afternoon Reading Crawl

The idea of a reading crawl did not come to us naturally. We saw a Reel on Instagram almost a year ago at this point, and we all squealed with excitement at the idea of doing our own reading crawl. It took us a long time to get our act together to make this happen, choose the spots, and pick a date, but we finally made it happen. In the end, there were three of us on the reading crawl, and it might have been one of my favorite days in a long, long time!

We started our day with breakfast at Central Diner St. Pete, apparently touted as “best breakfast in St. Pete.” Unfortunately, I’m going to call bullshit on that one. I ordered an egg sandwich on a bagel and my food was so bland. The bagel was just a plain bagel, and it tasted a little stale. I was pretty disappointed, but hey, you can’t win ’em all! At least I had great company and we chit-chatted for about an hour, catching up on life and discussing the books we brought and our plans for the reading crawl.

Then, it was time for our first stop!

Stop #1: The Book Lounge

We got to The Book Lounge a few minutes before they opened, which meant we got a prime reading spot on a set of couches. We ordered coffee (I ordered an iced vanilla latte and got a blueberry muffin since my breakfast did not tide me over), and once our drinks arrived, I set a timer for an hour, and we settled in to read!

Our books were The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas (Lynn), How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (Kim), and The Love Haters by Katherine Center (me). My final tally at the end of this reading stop was 70 pages!

Once our timer was up, we strolled around the bookstore for a bit but… and I know this is going to come as a shock… I didn’t really find any books I wanted to buy. BLASPHEMY! My friends didn’t find anything, either, so we left empty-handed.

Stop #2: Book + Bottle

Originally, we weren’t going to go to Book + Bottle because they were having a wine event. However, at closer inspection, we discovered the event was outside, which meant the inside was free rein for us! We walked the short distance to Book + Bottle, found a spot inside, and ordered waters. Lynn ordered wine and also some crackers and hummus for our table. (The hummus was incredible!) I tried to order some macarons for us, but they were sold out. Wah!

We settled at a table and set another hour-long timer. Lynn and I continued reading our books while Kim opted to continue with another book she had been reading. (Actually, Kim brought two books and we played a fun game where Lynn or I would reach into her tote and pluck out the first thing our hands touched! For me, it was How to Read a Book and for Lynn, it was Kim’s Kindle. Ha!) So Kim settled in with Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman. (We’re reading the first book in the series, Dungeon Crawler Carl, for book club this month! Kim zoomed through the first book and is already on the second one.)

It was another solid reading hour for me! I got through another 70 pages, and was fully immersed in this fun romance. Katherine Center is more miss than hit for me these days, but I’m glad I’m giving this one a try because it’s so good. (I’m picturing the LOML, David Corenswet, as hunky Hutch, and that’s making this romance even better for me.)

Also, there was the cutest service dog hanging out next to us. Look at that grin!

After our reading time, we strolled through the bookstore. Book + Bottle has a very curated selection (maybe 8-10 bookshelves total?), but I almost always find a gem in the stacks. This time around, I picked up a book that I’ve never heard of but with a title and a cover like this, how could I resist?!

Stop #3: Black Crow Coffee

(I need you guys to know that I had “live” turned on for these photos and they do NOT disappoint.)

Our final stop of the day was Tombolo Books and Black Crow Coffee (Jenny – is this sounding familiar to you? Ha!). Getting there was a nightmare because downtown parking on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon was atrocious. I did two loops, paralleled parked LIKE A BOSS in one space, then decided that space might not be a place I could park, and as I was trying to get out, I almost got T-boned by a bus that came zooming by. Good times! I eventually had some parking spot serendipity, as I turned on one road just as someone was pulling out of a space. Hooray!

We strolled around Tombolo for a bit, and I got the DELIGHT OF MY LIFE when I found out that Caro Claire Burke of Yesteryear and Diabolical Lies fame is coming to my city in May! AHHHHH! I couldn’t sign up for the event fast enough, and my book event pal, Lynn, was also free that night! I’m trying to figure out how much I should fangirl all over her when I see her. I literally did a happy dance in the bookstore when I found out!

Anyway, after my moment of delight, I calmed down enough to check out their stacks and found two books that had to come home with me: one from a fave romance author that has a cover to die for and the other from a cult classic in our blogging community that is finally in paperback. Afterwards, we headed next door to Black Crow Coffee for the third and final stop on our reading crawl.

We ordered coffee (decaf for the normal people, but I drank a full caffeinated peppermint mocha at 3pm and slept like a baby that night) and then found a secluded spot to do more reading. Kim had to leave about 15 minutes after we sat down, but Lynn and I managed to sneak in another 20 minutes of reading time before the coffee shop closed. My final tally for the day was 180 pages—I think I could have finished The Love Haters if I had a full hour-long session! It’s under 300 pages (bless you, Katherine Center) and I was zipping through the pages!

Final Thoughts

This was my ideal day, I think, and it made me so excited for my upcoming solo reading retreat! I get to do this for two-and-a-half days straight in just a few days. AHHH! We have plans to do this reading crawl quarterly, and switch up our locations every time. There are so many great bookstores and coffee shops and other places to visit in our area, and it’s a great way to support our local businesses, too. We’re considering jumping over to Tampa for our next reading crawl.

I had the best time, and it was a great mix of being social and being quiet and sucked into my book. We started around 10 a.m. with breakfast and I didn’t leave downtown until 4 p.m.! That’s a long day, especially moving around so much, but I truly didn’t feel exhausted at the end of it. I think that’s because a) I didn’t have to be “on” the whole time and b) I got to interact with so many bookish places and people, which is always my happy place.

I can’t wait for our next reading crawl!

Does a reading crawl like this sound exciting or exhausting to you?!

Categories: Books

March Reading Wrap-Up

Books Read

(3/6) The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2013) – a surprisingly heartwarming book about two girls who find their parents dead and bury them in their backyard

(3/10) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (★★☆☆☆ 1/2 – print, library, 2010) – this novel just wasn’t for me, but I can understand why the sparse writing and original plot work for some people

(3/12) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2019) – a reread about the son of the U.S. president and the prince of England falling in love

(3/15) Vera Wong’s Guide for Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2025) – a super fun mystery (second in the series) about a very nosy teashop owner who is trying to solve a mysterious death

(3/16) Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson (not rated – print, giveaway, 2026) – what a delight to read a book written by someone I know – so much fun

(3/18) What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – this book made me fall in love with Amsterdam, and I love the themes of self-discovery and standing on your own two feet

(3/24) Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa (★★★★★ – audiobook, Spotify, 2022) – an incredibly important book about the effects of systemic racism on the health and well-being of people of color

(3/25) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2022) – the sweetest magical story about a witch who is hired to help three young witches understand their power

(3/27) Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – a sprawling novel about two people who meet in Shanghai in their youth and reconnect in their seventies

(3/31) Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2024) – a sweet, heartwarming novel about a 77-year-old woman who is cast on a baking show and the secret that threatens to be exposed

(3/31) Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (★★★☆☆ – e-book, Libby, 2025) – second-chance romance and enemies-to-lovers collide in this romance that takes place on a movie set

(3/31) Unmissing by Minka Kent (★★★☆☆ – print, Amazon, 2025) – a winding psychological suspense novel about a woman who is found alive after 10 years and tries to integrate back into her husband’s life, who has since moved on

Book Stats

  • # of books read: 12
  • # of pages read: 4,179 pages
  • Genre breakdown: fiction (4), romance (3), mystery/thriller (2), science fiction/fantasy (2), nonfiction (1)
  • Format breakdown: print (7), audiobook (4), and ebook (1)
  • Fastest read: The Death of Bees and Unmissing (4 days)
  • Slowest read: Red, White & Royal Blue (13 days)
  • Star average: 3.9

Superlatives

  • The best book I read in March: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
  • My favorite romance in March: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
  • The book I thought I would love more than I did: Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
  • The book with the best narrator: The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell
  • The book I was most excited to read: Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson

Reading Miscellaneous

Unread Shelf Project | March prompt: A book with a one-word title: I went with Homeseeking, which I bought at The Book Lounge during my bookstore spree with Jenny in January. I didn’t love it, but I’m glad I read it, if that makes sense. (Books it beat out: Yellowface, Sipsworth, and Penitence.)

Where I traveled this month: In the United States, I visited California, Washington DC, and Oregon. I also traveled to Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. I spent some time in moody Edinburgh, Scotland, snowy Calgary, and beautiful Amsterdam. And, as always, I visited many places throughout the UK.

DNFs: I had zero DNFs in March!

Something I learned from my reading: I learned about the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s, which is something that was never covered in my history classes. I don’t feel as if I got enough historical context in Homeseeking about this conflict, though, and I’m eager to learn more!

What’s Coming Up in April

Want to know what I’m bringing on my reading retreat? Sure you do! I’m packing a wide selection so I have plenty to choose from:

  • Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – This book is getting so much buzz! I already love Caro from her podcast, Diabolical Lies, and this book sounds insanely good. It’s definitely at the top of my list!
  • First-Time Caller by BK Borison – I loved my first BK Borison book, and I have heard so many rave reviews about this romance. I can’t wait to read it!
  • The Appeal by Janice Hallett – I bought this book in London, and it’s been sitting on my shelf, just waiting for the right time to be read.
  • Wild Side by Elsie Silver – Another romance from a fave author! She hasn’t let me down yet, so I hope the same holds true for the third book in her Rose Hill series.
  • Kin by Tayari Jones – Another super buzzy book that I’m looking forward to reading. I’m worried it might be a bit too literary for my tastes, but I’m going to give it a try.

What was the best book you read in March?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (4.6.26)

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Fantasy • 2022

Short synopsis: A lonely witch who secretly posts fake spell videos online is summoned to a mysterious house to teach three young witches to control their magic.

This book was adorable in every sense of the word. I loved the magical world that Mandanna created. It felt like sinking into the softest sweatshirt–cozy, warm, and comfortable. Mika, the witch at the center of the story, is full of life and incredibly easy to root for. As an orphan raised without the community she longs for, she’s spent most of her life following strict rules meant to keep witches hidden and separate. It’s led to a lonely existence for Mika until she is summoned to Nowhere House and meets an unforgettable cast of characters. Every character in this novel is fully formed and so precious to me. The children are delightful, and I just adored the the found-family dynamics. As a bonus, there is a romance woven into the story like a small gift tucked between the pages. I adored this book, and it’s already a strong contender for one of my favorite reads of the year. (Recommendation source: IRL friend, Lynn)

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Historical Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: An epic and intimate tale of one couple across sixty years as world events pull them together and apart, illuminating the Chinese diaspora and exploring what it means to find home far from your homeland.

This is a tough one for me to review because it’s a book so many people love, and I went in expecting to feel the same way. I’m usually a big fan of historical fiction, especially stories that immerse me in a time and place I don’t know much about, but this one just didn’t land for me emotionally. While the writing is beautiful, I never felt particularly compelled to pick it up and found myself struggling to connect with the characters. The shifting timelines were occasionally confusing, and the present-day chapters felt somewhat unnecessary to the overall story. Ultimately, it just felt like a bit of a slog to get through. I can absolutely see why this book resonates with so many readers, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2024

Short synopsis: After nearly sixty years of marriage, Jenny Quinn takes a chance and tries out for Britain Bakes. She’s surprised to be cast, only to find that the pressures of the show stir long-buried memories and a decades-old secret that could unravel her marriage.

This novel had all the ingredients (see what I did there?) of something I should love—reality TV, an adorable older protagonist, and a touch of found family—but it ultimately left me a bit bored. The story jumps back and forth in time, which was particularly confusing on audiobook; for the first 15% or so, I genuinely thought there were two different protagonists—a young baker named Jenny and then Mrs. Quinn—when in fact they were the same person, just sixty years apart. I struggled to fully buy the central premise of Jenny keeping such a massive secret from her husband for SIXTY years, as it didn’t quite align with how her character was portrayed. That said, I loved the behind-the-scenes look at reality TV and especially the tender relationship between Jenny and her husband. What I loved most was the portrait of a marriage that has endured for sixty years, full of quiet support and deep love, and the unsettling question that runs beneath it all: how does one of them go on when the other is gone? While it’s not a book I’d rush to recommend, it makes for a light, cozy palate cleanser filled with plenty of delicious baking scenes.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.30.26)

Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson

Print • Owned (giveaway) • Contemporary Fiction • 2026

Short synopsis: After decades devoted to motherhood and work, Michelle decides to enter the dating world and finds unexpected love—but as secrets surface and family tensions rise, she must confront her past to decide whether she can truly move forward.

Our friend wrote a whole-ass book!! It was such a joy to step into Michelle’s life. I was especially touched by the relationship between her and her teenage daughter, Livvy, which felt incredibly real to me. I loved their bond, and Nicole captured the nuances of the mother/daughter dynamic so well. (It reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my mom when I was a teenager. At once, I wanted her close, and within a split second, I could lash out at her for the most inane reason. Ahh, teenagers!)

I’ll be honest: I was nervous about the dating plot (so many writers do not understand the true nuances of online dating), but it turned out to be a delight and definitely made me laugh out loud at times. More than anything, I’m just in awe of Nicole for writing and completing a novel and for creating characters that feel so true to life. There’s something really special about seeing someone you know bring a story like this into the world!

(Note: I’m choosing not to rate this one since the author is a personal friend.)

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (romance bookstore) • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: Dani, a directionless thirty-something, takes a leap of faith when she accepts a job in Amsterdam. There, she reunites with her ex, enters a marriage of convenience for a visa, and starts to discover herself.

This romance has a pretty silly premise (Dani marrying her ex, Wouter, so he can inherit his family’s canal house), but I was able to push past the absurdity to enjoy the story for what it is—the uncertainty of being in your thirties and not knowing what you’re supposed to do with your life. Solomon brings Amsterdam to life in such a beautiful way (she genuinely made me want to book a trip immediately!). I loved watching Dani fall for the city at the same time she’s falling back in love with her high school boyfriend. It’s a sweet, charming read. Nothing groundbreaking, but an enjoyable escape.

Open-door romance – I’d give this one 3.5 chili peppers!

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Spotify • Nonfiction • 2022

Short synopsis: In Under the Skin, Linda Villarosa exposes how systemic racism—embedded in medicine, environmental policy, and everyday life—drives stark health disparities that cause Black Americans to suffer worse outcomes and shorter lives than their white counterparts.

This book is a masterpiece. Each chapter explores a different system that shapes our lives, revealing how Black people continue to suffer under systemic racism. Villarosa pairs rigorous research with powerful personal stories—from a woman whose pregnancy nearly ended in tragedy because doctors dismissed her concerns to a family grappling with a son’s addiction and its ripple effects. The result is an impactful book that shines a clear light on the profound health consequences of racism and racist policies. A must-read for anyone on an antiracism journey. (Recommendation source: Lisa.)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (3.23.26)

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (★★☆☆☆ 1/2)

Print • Library • Science Fiction • 2010

Short summary: At 31, Kathy reconnects with childhood friends Ruth and Tommy and reflects on their sheltered upbringing at Hailsham, gradually confronting the disturbing truth about their past and the purpose of their lives.

I picked up this book after hearing it recommended on the Zero to Well Read podcast, where one host said it was the one book she wished everyone would read from all the books they discussed in 2025. I’ll be honest: it didn’t fully land for me. I considered abandoning it after 50 pages, but kept going because I wanted to understand the hype. I can see why people love this book so much. After finishing the book, I listened to the Zero to Well Read episode where they discussed Never Let Me Go, and it definitely gave me a different appreciation for what Ishiguro did. I just found the novel to be very slow and deeply sad. I prefer books with more plot, and this one leans heavily on character and atmosphere. It won’t be making my favorites list, but I’m still glad I finally read it.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Contemporary Romance • 2019

Short summary: The son of the first female U.S. president is forced to stage a fake friendship with his rival, Prince Henry of England, to avoid a political scandal—only for their relationship to turn real and threaten both a reelection campaign and international diplomacy.

This is one of my all-time favorite romances, and I hadn’t reread it since my first read in 2019. Thankfully, it holds up, and I’d still consider it an all-time favorite! I love Alex and Henry so, so much. Their banter is perfect, their rapport is so fun, and their love story is genuinely sweet in a way that still gives me heart eyes. I also love how beautifully queer this story is—Alex and Henry are supported by their parents without it being treated like a scandal, just two people who deserve to be loved and happy. And I, once again, appreciated reading an alternate reality where the U.S. elected its first female president instead of a reality TV star, which somehow feels even more poignant in these dark times. This romance is funny, heartfelt, and I want the best for Alex and Henry always.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Mystery • 2025

Short synopsis: When a mysterious influencer’s unidentifiable body surfaces, meddlesome teashop owner Vera Wong eagerly dives into the case to cure her growing boredom with a murder-free life.

This is the second book in the Vera Wong series, and I’m not tired of Vera’s schtick yet! I adore this meddlesome woman and her insistence on feeding everyone she loves. In this story, we’re introduced to a new cast of characters pulled into Vera’s orbit by way of a new murder investigation, and there is just something about Vera that brings people together. She can be exhausting at times, but ultimately, her heart is always in the right place. She truly wants the best for those around her! While this mystery didn’t feel quite as high-stakes as the first, I still loved being back in Vera’s teahouse and following along as she pieced everything together. These books are best on audio, so I highly recommend that format!

What are you reading?