March Book Blanket Update

This month's blanket update is going to be short and sweet as I only read 4 books this month! After I'd finished my first book of the month - A Man Called Ove - I think I was in a bit of a slump. I just couldn't get into any book no matter what I tried. I'd read a page or two and decide I wasn't in the mood for them. This went on for about a week and a half.

I also had a really busy month work wise so I didn't have quite as much free time as I've had in previous months. That being said 4 books is still a great amount. really just reading one book a month should be applauded after all it's not a race!

Books Read:

My short little round up for March:

• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - 4 stars (Kindle)

• Flawless (Chestnut Springs 1) by Elsie Silver - 3.5 stars (Physical & Kindle)

• Infinite Receiving by Suzy Ashworth - 3 stars (Kindle)

• Heartless (Chestnut Springs 2) by Elsie Silver - 4 stars (Physical & Kindle)

Again this month was very Kindle heavy and that's largely because the time I did spend reading was when getting baby to sleep either at nap time or bed time and so it's just more convenient.

The two Elsie Sliver books, which I adore by the way, I have both as physical copies and on my Kindle via Kindle Unlimited. I took the plunge this month and signed up to KU as they were offering a 2 months free trial and so far I'm really enjoying it. There's definitely plenty to choose from! If you would like to try a 30 day free trial of Kindle Unlimited you can do so here https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-dbs/hz/signup?tag=bramblesandhart-21 [affiliate link]

So for both Flawless and Heartless I would flit between the book and my Kindle and it definitely helped me to get through the books quicker. Especially Flawless as I did find that dipped a little towards the middle and it felt like there was not much going on. Thankfully it did pick up and I ended up really enjoying it.

Favourite Read:

My favourite read from this month's selection was Heartless (Chestnut Springs 2) by Elsie Silver. Cade is such a moody, scowling babe! I loved the development of his relationship with Willa who is the fiesty, fun firecracker I only wish I had the confidence to be! Also, I feel I'm definitely showing my age that the male character I find the most attractive is Harvey - the dad! Oh lordy!

This is such a cute little series (I'm currently onto book 3). They're sweet, a little spicy and just easy going reads. Just what I needed to get out of my little slump. I definitely recommend them if small town vibe romances are something you enjoy. I believe there are currently 5 'Chestnut Springs' books and whilst they are a series with the same characters cropping up throughout, each book could be read as a standalone. The books each focus on a different relationship. Book 1 is Summer and Rhett, book 2 Cade and Willa and book 3 is Jasper and Sloane. All interlinked but all separate in their own way.

They are all available on KU and the physical books are super cheap on Amazon and also in The Works which is where I picked up my copies in the 3 for £6 deal!.

The Squares

I am definitely going to begin joining the squares together as there are now 17 of them! That's 15 books read so far this year plus the 2 DNFs. I did lay them all out on the table to try and work out how wide the blanket should be and it's already starting to look like a really pretty blanket! I'm going for 8 squares wide under the assumption that if I keep reading as I am doing I could read 80 books this year!

Clearly my favourite rating to give a book is 4 stars as the dark sage square crops up the most. I almost only have one 5 star read so far this year but I have a feeling that may change in April!

I'm actually impressed with myself for keeping up with this project, I really wasn't sure that I would. I'm finding it quite motivating to sit and work up my granny squares at the end of each month and see just how much I have read.

I used to be such an avid reader and then there was a period of about 6 years (so since having children) where I just didn't read at all. I'd see books and think 'oh I'd really like to read that' but I. never did. It feels so good to be back doing something that brings me so much joy. Reading is time that I take out for me, where I escape into my own little world for a while and it's truly magical.

I'll see you back here next month for April's book blanket update!

Remember, if you're doing a Book Blanket too then use the hashtags #BookBlanket2024 and #BramblesandHartReads so that I can follow along.

Shelley x