What I really love about these posts is that I get to share my life in a way that includes the things that I’ve been feeling and what I’ve been doing, like reading, watching, etc. It’s fun for me to do, especially because I often don’t include things about my personal life in my regular blog posts. I hope you guys are enjoying them! I prefer these to my monthly favorites.
This post contains affiliate links. Additionally, I received one of the books I read this month in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Kate the (Almost) Great!
Currently, I’m …
reading … A King’s Ransom, A Column of Fire, My Husband: The Extraordinary History of Nicholas Brome, A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain – I got lots of reading done this month! First, I finished A King’s Ransom. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t able to get through it the first two times I tried to read it, but this time it clicked, and I devoured it. It’s about King Richard the Lionheart of England and the end of his reign, including when he was captured by the Holy Roman Emperor on his way home from crusade. It’s super interesting and well-written! I also continued listening to A Column of Fire on Audible. Because I’m still healing from surgery, I’m not taking public transportation or walking around the city, which was the primary time that I listen to audiobooks, so it’s taking me a while to get through. But this book is so good! It takes place in Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and focused on the religious battles in England and France and their effect on everyday people. It’s the third in Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series, but you don’t need to read the others to read this one.
I also sped through My Husband, which is the (relatively) true story of Nicholas Brome told by his third wife and widow. He was born into the Wars of the Roses and lived through the beginning of Henry VIII’s reign, and while he was definitely a member of the upper middle class, he wasn’t a member of the aristocracy. I’ve read a lot about the Tudors and the Wars of the Roses, but it was super interesting to read about these things from the perspective of a (close to) everyday person and not a royal. I really enjoyed it! And finally, I’m reading a biography of King Edward I of England – me? Read a lot about English royalty? I don’t know what you’re talking about. – who was the king in Braveheart. He had a huge impact on Britain as we know it, so it’s really interesting. If you’re a medieval and/or English royal nerd like me, check it out!
Follow me on Goodreads | 2018 Recent Reads: January-March
feeling … excited about my new job, frustrated with my slow surgery recovery, happy for family time, and sad that my rheumatologist is leaving – I have a job! I’ll be starting within a few weeks, and I’ll be doing editing and proofreading (and more) for an education non-profit. I’m really looking forward to it. But I’m also feeling frustrated because I want my ankle to feel better than it does. That’s not to say that I’m healing way too slow; this surgery just has a long recovery. But I want to be walking easily right now and that’s just not happening. Plus, my rheumatologist is moving. He’s the one who diagnosed me and got me through college and beyond. I adore him. But he wants to work closer to where he lives, which is understandable. On the plus side, I’ve had a lot of family time this month, which is lovely. One of my cousins graduated from college, so one of my grandmothers came to town and stayed with us. The weekend after that, I graduated, so both of my grandmothers came and stayed with us. And the weekend after that (this past one), I went to Maine and got to hang out with my grandparents and my uncle’s family. Lots of family time!
watching … Ali Wong’s new special, John Mulaney’s new special, CSI, Riverdale, Supernatural, Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Since I’m still recovering from surgery, I spent a lot of time on the couch this month. I really enjoyed Ali Wong and John Mulaney’s new specials. They’re both hilarious! I also finished the seasons of Supernatural and Brooklyn Nine-Nine and loved them. And most nights, I watch CSI.
hoping for … fast ankle recovery and an enjoyable summer – Like I said, my recovery has been slow. I’m hoping that, now that I’m through the worst of it, it’ll go a bit faster, but I have no idea if that’s realistic or not. I should be out of my walking cast by the end of June, and then I should start physical therapy, but it will take another 1-3 months for the fusion to finish. Regardless of my ankle, though, I hope to have a fun summer!
listening to … my new M3 playlist, the new Brothers Osborne album, and my working playlist – I really like the Brothers Osborne, and they have a new album out! It’s so good. I’ve also been listening to my working playlist, per usual, which is my 8 hour playlist! I update it regularly, so follow it. Oh, and I have another playlist! I’ve finally started writing M3, my third novel, and I made a playlist for it.
thankful for … a great medical team, my wonderful family, being able to attend graduation, and my new job – While I might be healing slowly, I’m still healing and feeling as good as possible, which is due to my medical team. I’m so grateful for them. And 2018 has really made me thankful for my family, as I’ve been so reliant on them after surgery. But even as I heal slowly, I’m moving in the right direction. I was able to attend my graduation and now I’m able to work!
enjoying … my new blog series about history, writing M3, and crossword puzzles – A week or so again, I mentioned on my Twitter that I might start doing a blog series filled with the fun facts I think of or learn. And I got several comments that people would read it! The first one went up yesterday. I’m not really going to promote the series because it’s just for fun and to save my family from my fun facts, but I hope you guys enjoy it. I’ve also been really into crossword puzzles in the last few months. I started doing the People one every week, and then wanted to do them more than once a week, so I downloaded the Crosswords app on my phone. It gives you 3 crosswords a day (one easy, one medium, and one hard) and it’s free! Sometimes, I do the USA Today daily one, too. And, to my happiness, I’ve begun writing M3. I’m in the very beginning of it, but I’m hoping to get one draft done by the end of the year. It’s so fun, especially because it’s a contemporary fantasy novel, which is something I haven’t done before.
wearing … light makeup, pretty shorts, and a walking cast – As it gets warmer, I’m wearing lighter and lighter makeup. I’m a Mainer; my family has lived there for centuries, and my body is evolutionarily designed for cold winters. It does not like summer! So I’m wearing less makeup now and it’s lighter. I’m also very much into pretty shorts for the summer. Last month, I got these ones from J. Crew in Jade, and they’re so comfortable. I also have these from Lilly Pulitzer in a slightly different pattern, and they’re some of my favorites. And, of course, I’m in a walking cast. It’s not the best, but at least I’m putting weight on it!
looking forward to … my birthday on June 5, my sister and other family being in town this weekend for my cousin’s high school graduation, starting my job, healing more, and being more mobile – I’m so looking forward to saying goodbye to 26. 26 was a rough year that included joint surgeries, hospitalizations, and more. I usually look forward to my birthday (a day about me that I don’t have to feel selfish about!), but I’m especially looking forward to it this year. And we have another family event this weekend, which includes my sister coming back to Boston for the first time since she moved to NYC at the beginning of May.
26 Things about Me Because I’m 26 Today
What have you been reading, watching, listening to, and hoping for?
Like this post? Share it and check out these:
What I Wish I Knew When I Graduated from College, 20+ Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Books To Escape With, My Sister Dressed Me for a Week, The Best Fair Skin Makeup
Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
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