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Reading Roundup // 03

May 21, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Reading Roundup // 03

I have a couple of books that I’m almost finished with and I’m excited to talk about soon, but for today I wanted to talk about these three.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks. This is the first book in the Syrena trilogy. I read this a few years ago and since I’d like to finish the series this year I decided to “reread” this through an audiobook. What I remember most about this novel is how shocking one of the opening events was and it shocked me again now. I enjoyed the novel, though. This novel is about eighteen-year-old Emma who is surprised when she runs into Galen–the boy she met on a beach shortly before a tragedy strikes–in her class, and learns that she has a special gift that will help Galen. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I really enjoyed reading this again because I was able to see all of the signs leading up to the end. I was fascinated by the world of the Syrena, although I wouldn’t want to live in that society. I’m also excited to see how things will change throughout the series. The ending was perfect; it was enough of a cliffhanger that I immediately opened the next book as soon as the audiobook ended, but not enough of a cliffhanger that I would have wanted to throw the book across the room if I had to wait a year to read book two.

Smitten Book Club by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter and Diann Hunt. This is a series of novellas that take place a town called Smitten and follow the lives of four of the members of a book club. I don’t know exactly how I feel about this book. I didn’t realize it was Christian fiction when I picked it up and while I’m Christian, I don’t like to read Christian fiction. I’d rather read a Bible study or the Bible. My favorite novella was the first (written by Colleen Coble). I felt it was the most realistic. My second favorite was the last one by Diann Hunt. I thought that each of these stories could have been better if they had been a full-length novel instead of a novella, because things moved fast and sometimes I wondered how we moved from point A to point B so quickly. If you like quick reads that you can get through in an afternoon, romances and Christian fiction, this is a book that you should look at. Apparently this is the third “Smitten” book. I don’t think you need to read the other two before you read this one. I didn’t and I don’t feel like I missed anything.

Of Triton by Anna Banks is book two in the Syrena trilogy. I won’t say too much about this one, since it’s a follow-up, but it continues right where book one left off and I must say that I actually enjoyed this one more than Of Poseidon. Usually the second book of a trilogy is my least favorite, so that surprised me. This one had a lot of action, but also some sadness that I wasn’t expecting and was really… well, sad… about. I loved all of the scenes that took place in the water and really felt like we got to learn more about the Syrena society. This one didn’t end on a cliffhanger, but I’m looking forward to finishing the trilogy soon.

What have you been reading lately?

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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