"Oh, the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful. Since we've no place to go. Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow." ❄️❄️❄️ Now that I am semi-retired, I can appreciate the words to this song. 😉 I also have time to do things that I only dreamed about crossing off my bucket list. One thing being, creating a monthly blog, where I can expand on my dawn devours books reviews. It's here, I hope to let you know not only what I've been devouring in my reading, but also in my watching, listening, and loving in my life. I hope you find some inspiration in this first edition and please feel free to pass it along to friends and family.

Stay Warm & Cozy Up with a Good Book or Two! 📚☕

💗Dawn

January was a great month of reading for me. I decided 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 found this worked out perfectly for me. I even ended up with three 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 reads this month!

If you follow me on Instagram, @dawndevoursbooks, then you most likely have read my book reviews below. I thought I'd also add them to my monthly blog, just in case you aren't on social media or want to find them all in one place. Side note: If you click on each book cover, it will take you directly to the Bookshop.org link to purchase the book.

Each month, I am hoping to review one bonus book that will not appear on my regular Instagram reviews. This month is a backlist gem from 2017.

A great book to finish on New Year’s Day. Mabel’s husband passes unexpectedly and she finds a slip of paper from him “Find D”. This sets her off looking for her friend Dot that she’s been estranged from for over 60 years. If you like books about friendship, second chances, and following your heart, then this book is for you. I devoured this one in 5 days and gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the dawn devours books rating scale. Do have the hoopla app? If yes, you can find this book there FREE in both audiobook and Ebook format.

I not only devoured this book but I literally hugged it at the end. All the Lonely People will give you ALL the feels. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will root for Hubert til the end. If you like books with alternating timelines, complex characters, and that fill your heart with hope, then this book is for you. I easily gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the dawn devours books rating scale.

This was such a delightful read that I devoured it in 3 days. What if you could just skip ahead to the good part of your life? That’s what Lucy wishes for when she stumbles upon a Time Machine. She skips from being twenty-six to forty-two, where she wakes up a wife, mom, and CEO of a company. Along the ride with her, you will lol one minute and cry the next, as you learn about all the parts she’s skipped. If you like witty, time-slip stories, that leave you thinking about your own life decisions, then this is a book for you. I easily gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩on the devour scale.

Ever read a book that still stays with you, even years later? This is the book that did that for me. Although it's a chunky boy at 582 pages, I remember devouring this one in 2017. Cyril Avery is born out of wedlock to a teenage girl in a rural Irish community. He is adopted by an eccentric Dublin couple. Throughout the novel, we learn all about Cyril's life through past and present time lines, as he struggles to figure out his true identity. If you like books that will make you laugh and cry, all while reminding you of the redemptive power of the human spirt, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale .

Wonder how I keep track of all the books I read? Try a reading journal/tracker. I particularly like "My Reading Life: A Book Journal" by Anne Bogel. For each entry, it has places for dates read, favorite quotes, and summary of book. It even holds up to 100 book entries.

I am not a huge television watcher, but I do try and watch a show here and there with my husband. I also find watching TV, while on the treadmill, keeps me accountable and wanting to come back sooner than later to workout.

I love trying to solve a good mystery filled with twists and turns.. Harlan Coben doesn't disappoint with this suspenseful Netflix adaptation of his book, Fool Me Once. When ex-soldier Maya sees her murdered husband on a secret nanny cam, she uncovers a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the past. This was one I enjoyed watching with my husband, as we shared our thoughts as to "whodunit" after each show. I dare you to just watch one of the eight episodes at a time. Binge worthy for sure!!! Don't believe me? Watch the trailer here.

True confession! I am all thumbs in the kitchen but I LOVE watching cooking competition shows. I watched this 10 episode series walking on the treadmill. It motivated me to want to come back each day to see who was eliminated next. I enjoyed watching how the returning bakers got better and better each week and I couldn't believe the desserts made in the finale. I even took away some great baking tips. Although, I doubt I will ever use them. 😂 Watch the trailer here

I devour all things Stephanie Afinito! I found her literacy coaching content on-line during the pandemic and I am so happy that she's branched off into sharing her love for reading and writing through her two podcasts. I listen to her Get Lit(erate) podcast every Tuesday, where she shares author visits, books related around a theme, or writing/notebooking tips. On Fridays, I listen to her newer podcast, KidLit Love. Even if you aren't an educator, I encourage you to give it a listen. I've found myself really enjoying the stories of the authors she has hosted each week. You can also find her here at https://www.alitlife.com/.

I'm a a book-loving, notebook-hoarding reader and writer on a mission to change lives one book and one notebook at a time. On this podcast, we explore the power of bookology and leading literate lives. We talk all things books and reading AND notebooks and writing mixed in with mindful practices and creativity to create lives we love. Get Lit(erate) Podcast link

This podcast celebrates all things children's literature for the adult reading to their inner child AND connecting the young readers in their lives with books. KidLit Love Podcast Link

I've practiced yoga off and on for years. I find it's a great way to stay flexible, reduce stress, and improve your balance. One yoga instructor, I particularly enjoy following, is Yoga with Adriene . She has her own channel on YouTube. I also enjoy guest appearances by her dog, Benji.. She is generous to put out a free calendar each month where each day builds upon the previous practices. This January, her 30-Day theme was "FLOW". Thinking of giving yoga a try? I encourage you to begin with this flow practice. I've been learning some new ways to flow with my practice this past month and am feeling the benefits of a regular yoga practice

https://youtu.be/0et6I930LaU?si=T6xmfCJji0vDDd2R

I am loving putting on a cozy ASMR room while I am reading or working on my computer. Displaying one on my extra monitor or on the television gives it just the right amount of size and background noise. There are plenty to choose from free on YouTube with some having nature sounds ,while others have music. I've linked two winter ones below, if you'd like to give it a try. Feeling the winter blahs, try putting on a spring or beach ASMR to put you in the mood for sun and warmer weather.

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. Want to see my book reviews in real time, be sure to follow me here at https://www.instagram.com/dawndevoursbooks/