I’ve always been the type to obsess, but I obsess in seasons. All I want to think, read, listen, or talk of in a certain season will be one thing, and then the next month I’m all a-rage over another and the first thing is forgotten. I still care about them, but I forget until I am reminded of them.

If that made any sense at all…

Last month I was obsessed with 1930s-1950s films, and as soon as I watch another I’ll be head over heels back in again. But right now my obsession is history. I’ve been thinking a lot about various historical occurances and how people have such a skewed view on them because they don’t have all the info. A ten-inch section in a textbook doesn’t cover it all. Furthermore, one single textbook will be biased. It’s incredibly important to read various POVs and to read the perspective of the people of the era as well as our own looking back.

I won’t climb higher the soapbox—although I WILL write a post on this someday!!—but right now I’ve been reading a lot of 1870s-1920s books lately, books written about that time during that time. I’ve always been fascinated with “contemporary to their time” books, and as I’ve immersed myself in this genre, I’ve come to notice something that I always knew, but realized with greater force than ever. Human problems come back in circles. Nothing is ever different.

A large complaint between 1890 and 1910, for example, was that people were obsessed with staying abreast or getting ahead of others, piling up debt and working themselves sick in the rat race for money in order to gather possessions and advantages. The cost of living soared to the point where young folks couldn’t afford to marry or if they could afford that, they couldn’t afford children. People refused to bear children, or if they did, handed them over to nurses and schools to raise. Many other people chose to take animals in the place of children, with the mentality that it is better not to bring children into the world unless you can offer them the very best, and that animals were less responsibility. Topics such as health issues caused by drinking and smoking, lack of exercise, and bad diets; education; immigration; lack of modesty and morals; marriage and divorce; lack of religion; and overall commercialism were loudly lectured upon, as well as the need to return to farming and “the simple life.” These are all points loudly bewailed in the year of grace two thousand and twenty-two!

If you are interested in reading more books that focus on contemporary issues in the 19th and 20th centuries, keep an eye out on the blog, because I will be sharing a list soon. ;) In the meantime, I hope I haven’t bored you to death, and here’s a fun, simple little tag to make up if I have!

(thanks for the tag, Anna!)

-RULES-

1. Include these points in your post
2. Answer the questions below
3. Thank the person who nominated you- insert whomever tagged you
4. Nominate however many bloggers you’d like!
5. Include the above image
6. Have fun (and yes, this is a rule!)

~Pie or cake?

I like cake, but I’d take pie over cake almost any day. I love piecrust and sugary fruit is always a plus. ;) My family makes crustless Swedish apple pie, which is good, but I always get so excited when we buy pies because THEY HAVE PIECRUST AND I LOVE PIECRUST, DUDE!!

~Hot Cocoa or Coffee?

Neither. *hides* I hate coffee. I’m intolerant to cocoa. Tea is gross. I don’t like hot drinks. I'm not a fan of drinks in general though. Every so often I’m in the iced lemonade or slushy mood, but usually I like plain water.

(Although I had an iced coffee once and I could become addicted to that thing easily…)

~Favorite Disney Princess (yes, this is a question)?

I never watched the Disney Princesses or read much about them. I used to think Aurora was the prettiest because I was obsessed with blonde hair as a kid. Now, I think Belle is the prettiest. I’d think Cinderella was prettiest but her hairstyle isn’t my fav. Storywise, Sleeping Beauty’s story appeals most to me and I’m eager to make a nonmagical retelling :)

As for the Disney princes—Philip is my favourite character wise but Prince Charming is the handsomest. He’s also the stupidest. Belle’s dude was the ugliest—Eric is a close runner-up though. *shrugs*

~ Breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

I don’t eat breakfast, but I love the traditional breakfast foods like sausage, bacon, eggs, ham, hashbrowns, potato wedges, etc. I like good substantial savoury food, and that’s usually lunch for us. But I don’t really care about the time—I just care about the meal. So... I don’t know? Is that an answer?

~ What is your least favorite movie character?

I don’t watch a lot of films

That used to be true.

I’m not sure if I can point out my least favourite of all time? I mean, I hate most villains… The only one I can think of right now is the Grinch. I hated the Grinch as a film character because he was so abusive to Max. I love the book though.

~What is your favorite animal?

okAY.

Every baby animal is adorable—well, after it’s been alive for like 3 days. Dogs are usually pretty cute. Horses are gorgeous though. Dolphins are magestic. Whales are fascinating. Sharks and snakes are the most morbidly fascinating. Birds are often lovely. Foxes are stunning.

I don’t know. I can’t pick one. Oh—elephants. Elephants are adorable. And amazing.

~Square windows or round windows?

Round windows are just so alluring and beautiful and cute. Square windows can be cool though. It all depends on window placements. A window can be very suggestive of beauty and wonder and escape if its in the right place…

I actually have very deep feelings on window placements. I just haven’t figured how to express them yet. I’ll let you know when I do.

~Who’s cuter: Grogu (Baby Yoda) from The Mandalorian or Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon?

I don’t know HTTYD so I don’t know about Toothless. I also haven’t watched Mandalorian or any Star Wars stuff but I have seen Baby Yoda around and he is KEW-YUTE! I don’t know why because he should be gross and ugly but he’s adorbs. So yeah. I love Baby Yoda somehow.

~Favorite Music Artist?

I hate this question because I don’t have an answer. I love lots of music and have many artists I love. I really like Acapeldridge and Abigail Miller and Songs & Everlasting Joy. I’m also very particular to choirs like the Westminster Abbey Choir or Kings’ College Choir. Libera also has some amazing stuff but I don’t like all their things.

That’s enough answers, isn't it?

~Ice Cream or Dole Whip?

What under the canopy is Dole Whip?? And why would you eat that when you could have ice cream?!

Somebody answer. Actually, answer all the questions. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these Qs.

{ Recent Blog Posts }

|| November 2022 Wrap-Up

|| I PUBLISHED A STORY!! // Seize the Night Book Release

|| December Eve Blog Party Day 1

|| December Eve Blog Party Day 2

|| The Give Thanks for Books Tag

|| Are the High Places Removed?

|| Heretics & Lords: An Author Interview With D.J. Speckhals

|| 15+ Books to Read if You Are Writing WWI Fiction

|| Lest We Forget

|| October 2022 Wrap-Up

|| What’s Your WIP? Blog Tag

{ Recent Reviews }

|| “The Masquerade” by Olivia Lynn Jarmusch

|| “Brothers-in-Arms” by Jack Lewis Baillot

|| “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom

|| “Across all Borders” by Anna Grace

|| “The Singing Tree” by Kate Seredy

|| “The Lord of Luserna” by D.J. Speckhals

|| “A Question of Honor” by Jesseca Wheaton

|| “A Question of Courage” by Jesseca Wheaton

|| “A Question of Loyalty” by Jesseca Wheaton

|| “Listen for the Singing” by Jean Little

|| “The Crush” by Allyson Kennedy

|| “The Fall” by Allyson Kennedy

|| “Lighten Our Darkness” by Sarah Beth Brazytis

|| “Beneath His Silence” by Hannah Linder

|| “A Love So Sweet” by Hannah Wright

|| “Emotional Connection” by Marisa Phillips

|| “Back to Me” by Michaela Bush

+ many others to be found at Old-Fashioned Book Love.

{ Book Spotlight }

Private Matthew Petticrew arrives in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, an arrival which a war-weary France desperately hopes will help to end the turmoil. Having faced unthinkable things on the front, he is captivated by the sound of a lullaby, sung by a voice so pure he knows he must have imagined it. But rumors sweep through the trenches like wildfire, dubbing the voice “The Angel of Argonne,” a mysterious presence who leaves behind wreaths on unmarked graves and footprints in the war-pocked soil. 

Raised wild in the depths of the Forest of Argonne, France, Mireilles finds her world rocked when war comes crashing into the idyllic home she has always known, taking much from her. When Matthew discovers Mireilles, three things are clear: She is alone in the world, she cannot stay, and he and his two unlikely companions might be the only ones who can get her to safety.

This is one of the best modern books I have ever read, as well as one of the best war books. It is amazing. <3 The writing voice was PHENOMENAL, the characters were hilarious and so alive, and the way the story was woven together was honestly stunning. It was so well done. And then the message, guys!! The message!! I can not wait to reread this next year. <3 Read my 8/10 hearts review here.

{ Film Spotlight }

When a young secretary alerts police about two shady characters on her train, they discover the men have kidnapped her employer’s blind daughter. The father is convinced to reluctantly cooperate with police. But the ringleader will do anything to get his money and keep his freedom...

I watched this film on the recommendation of a good friend and it’s one of my favourites so far! Great aesthetic—unique plot—thread of romance—awesome characters… super fun. Find my review here.

{ Fun Links }

~ I stumbled across these lists of cheap ‘life hack’ products and am actually quite interested in several of these products! Here’s a list of 43 Little But Impactful Life Upgrades That Don't Cost Much Money and another of 29 Things From Amazon Canada That I Refuse To Believe I Do Not Need. Disclaimer: I don’t remember if there was any language or objectionable content in these lists, so view with discretion.

~ In case anyone is interested: ARC OPPORTUNITY ROUND-UP!

1. Cheyenne van Langevelde is offering review copies of both her books: Between Two Worlds (click the titles for the Goodreads links) and Dìlseachd - A Stolen Crown. I haven’t read the first one but the second is 8/10 hearts, SUPER AWESOME (here’s my review). Contact Cheyenne via her Instagram but you can probably also do it via her blog.
2. Michaela Bush is offering review copies of her new duology: Back to Me (my review here) and Between Us (my review here). Both are 5 stars reads for me. Contact Michaela via Instagram or her blog.
3. Kellyn Roth is offering review copies of her short story The Knights of Pearlbelle Park. The whole series has been 5-star reads for me so far. It can be read as a standalone but it’s best if you read the first 2 books (The Dressmaker’s Secret & Ivy Introspective). Apply here.
4. Morgan Giesbrecht is looking for review readers & a launch team for her debut novel The Lies We Live. It’s another 5-star read for me! All info + application form here. 
5. Grace A. Johnson and the other writers of the Tell Me You Love Me anthology are offering ARCs as well. I haven’t read it yet but I know some of the authors on the team and am eager to read the stories. Find the info + application form here.

{ Freebie }

“It’s the darkest just before dawn.”

Agent Leeam Walker walks in darkness. He is imprisoned in his surroundings, held captive by circumstances. Questions haunt him, but he has no answers. Uncertainty shrouds his path. Is there yet any hope before him?

Criminal Hugo Maldonaldo is sinking. His safeguards are gone, and he is falling deeper and deeper into filth. Sin and evil piles up on his hands. He is broken, despairing, and alone. There is no hope, no future, for him.

Officer Matthew Randall awaits a dream. For over thirty years he has waited, yet every day comes the reminder that this desire is unfulfilled. He has failed; he has not yet been enough to earn this privilege. Now he begins to lose hope he ever will. 

Christmas Eve is a radically different day for each of these three men. Leeam struggles to care for his dependant little brother while battling the corporation of criminals overtaking his land. Hugo strives to forget memories and conscience while trying to hold out against the evilness around him. Matt goes to bring joy to abandoned children while longing desperately for a baby to call his own. As the hours pass, each battles guilt, loss, and hopelessness. Will any of them find some light in the darkness this night?

It was an impulse decision, but I am planning to release my Christmas novella prequel to The Colour Red this December. AKA, the 25th. But for all my lovely newsletter subscribers, here’s a long promised and long delayed freebie. :) I hope you enjoy. No review necessary, but if you care to, that would be a great Christmas present for me. <3 Here’s the Goodreads link and the download link. I hope you enjoy :)

P.S. FAQ—this has been edited but if you find any typos, don’t ever hesitate to send them to me ;)

Merry Christmas, everyone! <3