Thank you all for the positive feedback and support on my new blog. I was feeling the love with all the comments and texts that came my way after the first edition dropped. Creating this content has brought me such JOY (my 2024 OLW) that I'm hoping to continue it each month.

As I send this out on February 29th, I am excited for this extra bonus day of the month. I have planned the day to do some extra reading, writing, and reflecting. How will you be spending your bonus day?

Enjoy! 📚☕

💗Dawn

February was another great month of reading for me. I decided to continue to delve into some backlist reads, read books from my own shelves, and read books that were recommended to me by others. Instead of jumping into reading all the shiny new releases. I even returned back to one of my favorite tried and true genres, psychological thrillers.

As a reminder, if you click on each book cover, it will take you directly to the Bookshop.org link to purchase the book. The "Exception to the Rule" was my Amazon First Reads Free February pick of the month. You can learn more about how to read this for free in the "Reading Tip" section below

Each month, I am hoping to review one bonus book that will not appear on my regular Instagram reviews. This month, is a book from the same author, Clare Pooley, as one of my new books I reviewed this month.

This book was recommended to me by a bookish friend because of my love of pilates, traveling, and stories with revenge. This book had all that and more! I enjoyed this book filled with satire on all the ridiculous health fads and crazes out there. The main character, Janey, is told to take a break from her job and to lose weight before returning. During her time off, she finds out what really matters in life, staying true to yourself. If you like books that are funny, filled with satire, and make you reflect on your own health choices, then this book is for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩on the devour scale.

Are you looking for a cute short novella that takes place on Valentine's Day? Well, look no further because this is just the one. Find out what happens when one typo on an e-mail connects a girl and boy by chance one Valentine's Day. The first half of the book is told via e-mail messages as they learn more about each other each Valentine's day to follow. At only 100 pages,I highly recommend this Amazon Original. I give it ❤️❤️❤️❤️ on the dawndevoursbook scale. (Read Reading Tip below to learn more about getting FREE books with an Amazon Prime membership.)

It’s been a hot minute since I read a pulse-pounding psychological thriller and this one did not disappoint! The unique structure of this book really pulls you in as alternating chapters are told by three characters; the serial killer’s daughter, his girlfriend, and his one victim that becomes the quiet tenant. If you like books that are filled with suspense, tension, and female strength, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the dawndevoursbooks rating scale.

Every now and then, I like to throw a self-help/personal development book in the mix. I enjoyed reading this one in small doses as I sipped my morning coffee. I liked how the author wrote the book with short chapters and provided reflection questions with writing prompts thorough out.

Choose Wonder Over Worry shares the most important lesson of all: Don't die with your gifts still inside. There's a gift inside of you that deserves to see the light of day, and "choosing wonder over worry" is a mindset, practice, and compass to unlock the gift that only you can give. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.

This was the perfect book to end my February reading. The prologue and epilogue center around Leap Day, it’s a romance story, and there’s some Black History tied in. Set in Harlem NY, Ricki Wilde is determined to leave behind her family in Atlanta and open her own flower shop. Once there, she keeps encountering a handsome mysterious man who will sweep her off her feet. If you like books with magical realism elements, heavy romance, and bits of history mixed in, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the dawndevoursbooks scale.

Are you looking for your next escapist read? I devoured this one in 6 days due to the characters feeling like my new best friends. Iona is a middle aged women that takes the train daily to work. One of her rules for commuting is "Never talk to strangers on the train". But, after one scary incident happens, a chain reaction is set off, and a diverse group of people discover that talking to strangers can teach you quite a bit about the world around you and even more about yourself. If you like books that alternate characters each chapter, make you laugh out loud at parts, and are full of heart, then this book is for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the dawndevoursbooks scale.

This book was in my Top 10 books of 2022. My online bookclub read it in April of that year and I still recommend it as one my favorites.

Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist and septuagenarian believes that most people aren't really honest with one another. But what if they were? And so he writes--in a plain, green journal--the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local café. It's run by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica, who furtively adds her own entry and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. Before long, the others who find the green notebook add the truths about their own deepest selves--and soon find each other In Real Life at Monica's Café.

The Authenticity Project's cast of characters--including Hazard, the charming addict who makes a vow to get sober; Alice, the fabulous mommy Instagrammer whose real life is a lot less perfect than it looks online; and their other new friends--is by turns quirky and funny, heartbreakingly sad and painfully true-to-life. It's a story about being brave and putting your real self forward--and finding out that it's not as scary as it seems. In fact, it looks a lot like happiness.

The Authenticity Project is just the tonic for our times that readers are clamoring for--and one they will take to their hearts and read with unabashed pleasure. It's also currently only $1.99 as an Amazon Kindle purchase. (Click on book picture for link) I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale .

If you have Amazon Prime, did you know you can select a FREE Kindle book each month with your prime membership? I have the Kindle App on my iPhone and I always make sure I have books loaded on it. When ever I am stuck waiting in the doctor's office, on a trip, eating lunch, or waiting in line somewhere, I have a book ready for me on my app to read. Wondering where I get my books? On Amazon Prime First Reads, see link below to read more about it.

Amazon First Reads is a program that offers customers early access to new books across popular genres.

• Every month customers can choose one of the Kindle books selected by our editors for $1.99, or FREE for Prime members.
• Amazon First Reads Kindle books can be read on any compatible Kindle device or free Kindle reading app and become part of customers’ permanent libraries.
• Joining is free with no purchase obligation. By joining, you receive a monthly e-mail announcing new Amazon First Reads picks. You can unsubscribe from the monthly e-mail at any time by visiting Amazon Delivers E-mail Subscriptions in Your Account.
• See article linked below to learn even more about Amazon Prime Reading.

This month was a pretty good tv month for me. I relied back on an old favorite, Queer Eye, and found a new series, Derry Girls to watch while on the tread mill.

I know this is an older series but so worth the watch. This was my treadmill show during the month of February. Amid the political conflict of Northern Ireland in the 1990s, five high school students square off with the universal challenges of being a teenager.Each episode is about 25 minutes long and there are only six episodes per season. Unfortunately, the show ended after three seasons but the three seasons are packed with goodness and laughs. Watch trailer here

Queer Eye is one show that my husband and I have watched every episode together. The style experts forge relationships with men and women who often have different beliefs from them, leading to moments of social commentary interspersed with style advice. Advising people in need of lifestyle makeovers are food and wine specialist Antoni Porowski, interior designer Bobby Berk, grooming consultant Jonathan Van Ness, fashion designer Tan France and culture expert Karamo Brown. I encourage you to watch any episode whether it's a backlist find or from the new season, I don't think you will be disappointed. Watch the Trailer for Season 8.

This was an intense six-episode series that I watched this month on Amazon Prime. Without giving too much away, here's the blurb from Amazon. "Set against the complex tapestry of Hong Kong residents, EXPATS depicts a multifaceted group of women after a single encounter sets off a chain of life-altering events that leaves everyone navigating the intricate balance between blame and accountability." Watch trailer of the Expats here.

It's been a couple of years now that I learned about book podcasts. Although, I can't seem to be able to listen to audio books, I can focus when listening to podcasts. I have my list of favorites that I like to spread across my week, depending on when they air new episodes. I enjoy popping in my air pods and listening while I am getting ready in the morning, cleaning up around the house, or driving in the car. In this section, each month, I will share with you some of my favorites that have held up over time.

A conversational podcast about books and more from two Midwest mood readers who are easily distracted by new releases.I love listening to Tina and Renee discuss their latest reads and what they are "loving lately" each Tuesday. They share a great variety of books and I feel like I am listening in on two of my friends share book recommendations. I also enjoy the beginning of each episode where they share one thing they are loving lately, which is usually not book related. This could be shows they are watching, makeup they are buying, or products they have bought (usually on Amazon) that they have found useful. (Apple podcast link available by clicking on the picture.)

Not book related but I guarantee this podcast has something for everyone. In The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel gets more personal than ever, welcoming you into her life and taking you behind the scenes in real time. Every episode is packed with deeply relatable topics, tactical advice, hilarious screwups, compelling conversations, and the tools and inspiration you need to create a better life. (Apple podcast link available by clicking on the picture.)

This month, I have been learning about Feng Shui. I became interested in learning more about this after I attended a luncheon with my mom that featured guest speaker Dennis Fairchild. Dennis is an author, tarot card reader, and Feng Shui specialist that resides in Michigan. Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shway") is an ancient global philosophy that is a melange of ecology, folk lore, natural living, decor, astrology, spirituality, and affirmation. Like in the Laws of Attraction’s “what you think, you attract” credo, Feng Shui believes that what we think about and surround ourselves with affects our prosperity too.

With February being the month of the Chinese New Year, and 2024 being the month of the Dragon, Dennis spoke about how Feng Shui can guide you to having a prosperous year. He spoke of "9" being the lucky number this year, and recommended getting rid of 9 things in 2024. This purge will help you get rid of things that weigh you down and open up new opportunities. . See the article linked below to read some other things you can do around your house to bring in luck and prosperity. Excuse me now while I go tidy up my entry way.

This month, I have also been learning about Restorative Reading. I've been learning what restorative reading entails and how I can bring it to my own life. So far, I've learned that restorative reading is a particular kind of reading that soothes the body, sparks the mind and connects readers together in meaningful communities to make life better. Read on to learn more about how you can join me with a self-paced workshop I am doing.

I have been working my way through Stephanie Affinito's Reading Restoratively workshop. In this self-paced journey I am learning how to make my life even better through reading. This workshop is mainly asynchronous in format with a few synchronous sessions sprinkled in. Do you want to join me? Here's the link to find out more about how you can join. Restorative Reading Self-Paced Workshop Info. Also, click on the picture below to read an article that Stephanie wrote about Restorative Reading.

I am LOVING that my niece is a self-published author and wrote her first picture book. #proudauntie. It’s a delightfully lovable story about a young boy who is eager to make friends on his first day of Kindergarten, only to find out that his ‘happy hands’ make that more challenging than he thought.

Marisa was a guest on the KidLit Love podcast, talking to Stephanie Affinito, about her inspiration for the book and how she went about getting it out into the world. Here's the link to preorder a copy. https://marisaquinn.com/products/happy-hands-presale

Do you live in Michigan? Looking for something fun to do on Sunday, March 3rd. Come out to Leon & Lulu's in Clawson, MI to meet my niece , Marisa, and buy her picture book. Check out the link below to see all the other Michigan authors that will be at the event.

I am loving this new journal app put out by Apple last month. It mysteriously appeared with one of my updates, so of course I had to check it out. What I LOVE about it! It gives you prompts and reflection questions that might spark an interest for you to write about. It takes your personal photos and events you attended and creates a space to write about them. I also love that it uses face recognition to get into the app and sends notifications as reminders to write. If you are looking for an easy fast way to start journaling, I encourage you to check this app out.

Would you like to be part of my Reading Club? We meet every other month to share books we have been reading and talk about a bookish topic. If interested, DM me or send me an email and I will add you to the list. I will send the Teams Link in early March for our next meeting.

Here's what to expect...

Bring any book to share using this format.

Recap - Give a brief summary of the book you are sharing.

Rate - This can be stars, hearts, numbers, my devour scale, etc...

Recommend- What kind of reader would you recommend this book to?

Read Alike- Any other books that are similar or that you could pair with this book as a book flight.

Purpose: Share books and make some new bookish friends.

Norms: Here to have fun, be open minded, and share air time.

What have you been devouring lately? Care to share? Let me know in the comments or e-mail me at dawnnacker@wowway.com with your reading, watching, listening, and learning finds of the month. You just might see them featured in a future blog post. Do you want to make sure you receive this monthly blog via email? DM me and let me know to add you to the email list. Want to see my book reviews in real time, be sure to follow me here at https://www.instagram.com/dawndevoursbooks/