January Check-In

We're already a week into February somehow, but today I'll be sharing a quick check-in from the month of January! For the most part, it was a pretty normal, unremarkable month. I didn't go on any trips or have any major projects at home, so I got to rest and relax after a crazy 2024. Here are a few highlights:

- I did a trail race that started at Occoneechee race track, went through greenways to Occoneechee Mountain, ran to the top of the mountain and back to the track. It was such a fun race and I did way better than I expected!

- I played a lot of tennis and joined a gym. Last year (and honestly every year since 2020) I felt kind of in a rut physically. I like having a routine and having a regular workout plan, so I'm really happy to have a place to go again. My gym has a pool, tennis courts, racket ball, classes, and all the machines you need. It's a community center so it's not super fancy, but the price is right and I'm really enjoying it! I'm also loving getting into tennis and want to join a club later this year.

- We had a snow storm in Raleigh for the first time since 2022! It was very short lived until it all melted, but it was still fun while it lasted.

- My neighborhood had a progressive dinner party (each course is hosted by a different neighbor). We did this last year for the first time and it was so fun so it's our new tradition! Highly recommend.

- I went to a book event for Onyx Storm. Rebecca Yarros seems like such a fun, cool person so I loved hearing more about her writing process and some behind the scenes scoop of the Fourth Wing universe.

Speaking of books, here is a quick review of the books I read in January!

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore - 3 stars - Cute and cozy romance set in a small town around Christmas time. This is part of a series and they're great, quick and easy reads.

The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul - 3 stars - I listened to this on audio and was read by RuPaul - who I LOVE - but sadly I did not love the book. I don't know what I expected but I wanted more from this, instead of just detailing all the partying and drugs that RuPaul did and all the people he met up with. Wasn't my favorite but I did love hearing him read it.

One Star Romance by Laura Hankin - 5 stars - LOVED!!! This was such a fun way to tell a romance, but I think the main story was more about a friendship changing through seasons of life. It was amazing and I absolutely loved it (even if I kind of hated the main character??)

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio - 2 stars - This was a book club pick and was just not for me. It was set at a university with the most dramatic, chaotic group of actors that lived and breathed Shakespeare. Just not my vibe but I did enjoy the audio of this a lot because the narrator really acted every single line and made it more real.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - 4.5 stars - This was on everyone's "best of" list for 2024 and now I get it. This was set in a summer camp in the 70s where a camper goes missing. Only thing is- her brother went missing from the same camp a decade ago. What is going on?! I couldn't put this down because I just wanted to know what would happen.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman - 3 stars - Definitely recommend the audio of this as well- the author reads it and is a British actress so her voice is extremely soothing and makes it a very easy listening. The story is also captivating and you want to know what's happening. The only downside was the premise of the blackmail happening - nothing seemed realistic to me and I couldn't really get over that.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer - 3 stars - I love the concept of this book, that it started as a thread on Reddit's No Sleep subreddit and got expanded to a full novel. It got a little too scary for me at the end so to be honest I gave it up and read a synopsis. Apparently a show or movie is coming out based on this, so I can't wait to see that (if I can deal with the scariness!)

Finally, a quick check in of my 2025 goals! I checked off my first item- trying out acupuncture. I had such an amazing session and can't wait to go back for my next one. If you've tried it as well I'd love to hear your thoughts!