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Best Book in March

April 4, 2013August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment

I don’t know what it was about March, but after two months of the longest reading slump ever, I couldn’t get enough of books. I regularly sat down and read a book in one evening (or two, at the most).

THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER by Megan Shepherd is by far the best book that I read in March. It’s the one that has lingered in my mind ever since I finished the novel.

THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER is based on THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU by H.G. Wells. It’s the story of Juliet Moreau, who works as a maid and tries to forget about the scandal that destroyed her family years earlier. When she discovers that her father is alive and continuing the work he started in  England on a private island, she decides to go to the island and find out for herself if the rumors are true and if her father truly is a madman. She travels to the island with Montgomery, her father’s assistant, and Edward, a castaway that they find floating in the ocean during their journey. Once she reaches the island, she discovers that the rumors were true and her father has been performing experiments on animals to make them speak and act like humans. But one of his creations is killing the inhabitants of the island and Juliet decides that she has to put an end to her father’s experiments.

I don’t even know where to start with this novel. The opening pages sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down until I had finished the book. (Of course, I had to put it down for work, but outside of work my Kindle was in my hands at all times from start to finish.) This is a Gothic novel and Shepherd crafted a story that fits into that genre perfectly. From the start I knew that I would like Juliet; she’s a very strong female character and I appreciated that. Parts of the novel were disturbing, but I also think that they were supposed to be and helped form a complete picture of what was taking place. My heart was racing throughout the novel as I read on to find out what was going to happen next and I didn’t figure out the ending until shortly before it all played out. I saw that the next book in the trilogy is based on THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE so I think I have an idea of what might take place in the next book and I am really excited for it.

Right after I thought of this book as my best book in March, the following books came to mind, so I thought they all deserved a mention:

  • CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers. My heart went out to Parker because even though she isn’t the most likable of characters on the surface, she acted the way that she did because she thought that it’s what she deserved, and that’s a lot for a teenage girl to take on. I had an idea about where this novel would go just by reading the synopsis and I was wrong (and hoping that I would be). My theory was debunked pretty early on so I spent the rest of the novel trying to figure out what actually happened and by the end I was mostly right (though it did take me some time to come up with an idea). This is the second book by Courtney Summers that I have read and I’m excited to take a look at the other two.
  • HYSTERIA by Megan Miranda. As soon as I read the synopsis of this novel, I knew that I had to read it. It did not disappoint! Things happened slower than I expected them to, but I enjoyed the ride. It also built up the suspense for me as I tried to figure out what was going to happen. As soon as I finished, I purchased Miranda’s debut novel and I’m hoping to dig into that soon.
  • THE PAINTED GIRLS by Cathy Marie Buchanan. I love the ballerina paintings by Degas so when I saw that this book is a fictional account of one of his models, I had to read it. Interestingly enough, while I greatly enjoyed the storyline that involved Degas, it was the storyline of the second sister that I enjoyed the most. (That’s not to say that I wasn’t frustrated with the character at times, but I was drawn into her story.) This was a slower read for me, but I loved it and plan to read Buchanan’s debut novel in the near future, too
What was your best book in March?
About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily “I love you’s” are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
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