Almost three months later, the stay at home life is still going strong for this blogger. I’ve been home since the second week of March, having finished my last undergraduate semester online and since then, working remotely from home and taking remote grad school courses. Although I have started to venture into the world more with each month – picture socially distant walks and outdoor hang-outs with friends- I admit that one silver lining to having less travel time and more home time is all the added reading time.

Alexandria of Reading by Starlight tagged me to do the Stuck at Home Book Tag, created by Ellen of allonsythornraxx. 

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently re-reading Attachments by Rainbow Rowell and reading Kathryn Ormsbee’s The Sullivan Sisters for review.

What’s your favorite ‘can’t-leave-the-house’ activity?

Besides reading, I have been doing a lot of binge-watching (PSA to leave me some TV/movie recs in the comments). Stalking the ‘Latest’ page on Netflix has become a new hobby for me. My favorite shows have been:

• Workin’ Moms (Netflix)
• Beauty and the Baker (the Israeli version on Amazon Prime)
• Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
• You (Netflix)
• Selling Sunset (Netflix) 
• Schitt’s Creek (PopTV/Neftlix)
• Below Deck (Bravo)
• Outdaughtered (TLC) 
• The Morning Show (Apple TV) 
• The Mandalorian (Disney+)
• Ben Platt Live from Radio City (Netflix)

A book you’ve been meaning to read for forever

The Serpent King by Jeff Zenter has been on my TBR for forever and a half (okay, three years). There’s a little more pressure because I own a physical copy, but I am hoping to get to it this summer. 

An intimidating book on your TBR

I haven’t officially added it to my TBR on Goodreads, but after reorganizing my family’s bookshelves, I think I made the decision to read, or at at least attempt, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. 

Top 3 priority books on your TBR

Somewhat unfortunately at the moment, my priority TBR books are based on the physical books on my shelves. I’m still being quite stubborn about fully committing to e-books and have been more frequently treating myself to ordering a paperback or four. More than likely (in the event that my library may or may not open for curbside pickup), three books I’ll be picking up in June are:

The Play (Briar U #3) by Elle Kennedy – I’m so proud of myself (in a weird thank you for saving this physical book way) for not having read The Play yet, but I know I’ll more than likely be ordering The Dare as soon as I finish. 

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle – Almost every book that I’ve purchased over the past three months has been contemporary romance. I really can’t be without my 2020 contemporary romances for too long, which of course includes You Deserve Each Other. 

Slay by Brittney Morris – I’ve read so many great reviews of Slay, specifically for its exploration of black identity.

Recommend a short book

I consider short books to be 300 pages or less. One book I wish received more attention is My Real Name is Hanna, a historical fiction read inspired by a family who was forced to take refuge in the forests and caves of Ukraine during the Holocaust.

Recommend a long book

I’m trying to stay away from the hype for recommendations’ sake, but I can’t help but think of a certain adult fantasy that just came out from a YA fantasy fave – House of Blood and Earth by Sarah J. Maas- or Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House. While beach reads do make for the best pool reads, I actually read Ninth House and another longer read, Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer, while floating around the pool. 

Something you’d love to do while stuck at home

I think I’ve cycled and am still cycling through a lot of hobbies already. Baking, journaling, puzzles, coloring, webinars, reorganizing my bedroom, and making a podcast are all included. I’ll probably get into baking again at some point – I have a few more bread and dessert recipes I’d like to try. Half Baked Harvest is my go-to for baking inspiration. 

What do you plan on reading next?

I plan on diving into my ARC of 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon! I was fortunate enough to receive an e-ARC in March, but decided to hold on off on reading it until rivetedlit.com released Sandhya Menon’s novella, Love at First Fight. You don’t need to read the novella before 10 Things I Hate About Pinky, it’s just a reading quirk of mine. The amazing publicity team at Simon & Schuster once again made my life by sending me a physical ARC of the book! I know I’ll have this book finished by Sunday because I won’t be able to let go of Pinky & Samir.

What books are on your priority TBR? What books or TV shows have you been loving lately? Share in the comments!