What I’m Reading: Vol. 122.

Hello, my darlings!

Look at me, posting several times in a month! It’s so nice to be getting back into the swing of things a bit. But remember that if you miss me between blog posts, you can always find me on Instagram or over at Instore Magazine.

Last week’s post was especially exciting because I had the great pleasure of covering the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards Editor’s Day event in Texas. If you’re keeping track at home: yes, this was my very first jewelry trip in four years, the first time I’ve traveled for business since my chronic illness became serious.

It was very different from how I used to travel – I needed wheelchair assistance at the airport, several spinal braces, a recovery infusion in my hotel room, and physical therapy prep before and recovery after – but I did it and I’m so happy I went! It was all possible thanks to the lovely Mr. DitL, my amazing husband, who came along to help out.

If things keep going well with PT and the pandemic doesn’t get any worse, I hope to attend more jewelry events in 2023. And stay tuned for Part 2 of my AGTA post coming soon!

I hope that you’ve had a chance to enjoy some beautiful fall weather before winter sets in. It’s already pretty cold here and now that daylight savings time has limited our daylight hours, all I want to do is curl up in a pile of blankets and read. Which is an activity I enjoy, so really things aren’t too bad.

Happy almost Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! I know that I’m looking forward to spending time with family this week and enjoying some top notch side dishes (turkey is fine, but I’m in it for the sides).

xoxo,
Becky

What I’m reading

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim. This YA fantasy is the first in a series that is described as “Project Runway meets Mulan.” It is beautifully written and creative, with a mythical feel that is one of my favorite flavors of book to read. I enjoyed it, but I must say that there were one or two moments that reminded me so much of either Project Runway or Mulan that it took me out of the story a little bit. However, those scenes were relatively early on and not significant parts of the overall plot. I wish the references had been toned down just a little, but I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA Fantasy and I look forward to reading the sequels.

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade. This is the latest book in a series that’s absolutely one of my favorite Contemporary Romance releases from the past few years. Like all books in this series, the main characters are actors on a popular fictional tv show based on ancient Greek mythology. The two are drawn to each other from the beginning, but they try to keep things professional since they’re filming on an isolated island together for years. Heehee. #onlyoneisland

All of the books in this series are strongly body positive, with at least one fat main character in each love story. And I don’t mean that one of them has “a cute little belly” or sheepishly admits that they “could lose a few pounds” but finds a partner who will overlook their flaws, I mean that these are fat characters who accept themselves just living their lives, falling in love and having great sex with partners who adore them exactly the way that they are.

The books are amazing and important and if you appreciate love stories, or fanfiction, or body positivity you should read them immediately. Please note: when I say this is a Romance, I do mean the kind with sex in it.

Internets

When Your Mother Is a Ghost Hunter: On the hunt with TikTok star Brittany Broski and her mother Heather Long, lead investigator of the Texas Ghost Gals.

My Modern House: life in a mid-century masterpiece with Monica and Simon Siegel. This house is incredible.

How to Bury an Entire Museum.

Princess Diana’s Iconic Sapphire Engagement Ring Has a Somewhat Controversial History:
It’s very different from other royal rings (and not because of its design).

Discover Whitby Jet on the Art of Mourning.

How Witches Cast Their Spell on Art History: From Remedios Varo to Francisco de Goya, artists have long turned to witchcraft as subject matter.

When a Bible’s Not a Bible: There’s no evidence at all that a small, engraved, gold bead found in Yorkshire is intended to represent a Bible. This article focuses on the question of what this bead is meant to represent, but the artefact itself is incredible – a tiny 15th century bead shaped like an open book.

Back to the party: the Duchess of Devonshire’s Costume Ball 1897.

Book images via UnSplash. This post contains affiliate links.

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