Hello, friends. How are you? Are you safe? Are you healthy? I would love to hear from you in the comments, but more than that I encourage you to reach out to your friends and neighbors, check in with them and make sure they're doing okay and not feeling totally isolated. Even if we're social distancing, we can still be there for each other via technology!

So, quick update in my corner of the world (Utah, USA). We are practicing social distancing, restaurants no longer offer dine-in, and toilet paper is nowhere to be found on the shelves. My brother and his fiancée have adjusted wedding plans (again) so (fingers crossed!) they're getting married tomorrow. And that is some wonderful, beautiful news. Also, my family still followed what we could of our St. Patrick's Day traditions yesterday, and that was wonderful!

Today is officially one week since the pandemic was officially declared. Life has changed dramatically for so many around the world. And to top it all off, an earthquake struck near Salt Lake City this morning, so that was a fun way to wake up.

I was like:

Each day feels a little more like we're living the prequel to a dystopian novel, but we're in this together and I have full confidence that we will get through this! Especially if we're looking out for each other and keeping a sense of humor.

So. Take care of each other and take care of yourself! It is SO important that we practice self-care, even if it is in small and simple ways. I really liked this list, but do what will most help you! https://wholefully.com/self-care-ideas/

Also, if you have kids in the home, remember that this is a scary time for them, too. Here are some ideas from the Child Mind Institute on helping kids through this time: https://childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%20Parents%20Guide%20to%20Problem%20Behavior&utm_campaign=Weekly-03-16-20

Lots of love to you all! Stay safe!!!

Today's From My Library post is about "Letters to the Lost" by Brigid Kemmerer

Here is the lovely cover and official blurb from Goodreads:

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope. Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past. When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

This book grabbed my attention and refused to let go. I am not always a big fan of YA contemporary, mostly because I'm picky with my drama and I generally prefer a story with a magical element. But this story felt classic. Timeless. I loved it.

I love to wander cemeteries. There is a unique peace I feel in those quiet spaces, and I like the history as well as seeing the items family members choose to leave by the headstones. When I vacation, I like to stop at as many cemeteries as possible.

I am weird.

I've learned to embrace it.

Anyway, the idea of a relationship starting on the premise of exchanging letters at a cemetery was fascinating to me., so I snatched this book up. I immediately liked that these two characters are able to communicate the deep, dark, horrible, gut-wrenching things in their lives without actually even coming face to face. And while I guessed some of the twists, I enjoyed every moment of the journey.

Declan was my favorite character, and I loved his best friend--who actually has a book of his own :) Declan is the bad-boy, tough-guy that everyone in school is afraid of and all the teachers are wary of. He just felt very real to me, and even when I didn't agree with his actions, I understood them. Trauma is very real, and Declan responded accordingly. Juliet also felt real and I loved watching the relationship between her and her father change throughout the book. Also, the progression of Declan and Juliet's relationship made total sense--especially the pacing.

I love books that remind me we are all people and we all have struggles and pain. We should not judge others. We should show kindness and understanding to those around us, because we never know what they're going through. And I love the reminder that even small kindnesses can go a long way. This book did that for me.

I like to give include a little bit about the content, just so you as the reader can decide if a book is right for you. This one includes some language, smoking, talk about drinking, death, and some heavy themes and topics--including, obviously, death of loved ones. That being said, I thought things were handled very well by the author and the ending of the book left me feeling joy and peace.

Dealing with grief and the trauma of our past is a very personal thing, but this book was a good reminder to me that we all have people around us who can help us heal and grow in spite of the hard things life throws at us. ​

In case you missed it, last week the cover and blurb for Royal Decoy released on Singing Librarian Books (thanks, Sydney!!).

I wanted to do a quick post myself to share the gorgeous cover (designed by the multi-talented K. M. Frost) and the blurb:

A SERVANT blackmailed into becoming a princess’s decoy.
A BODYGUARD determined to keep her alive.

A PRINCE forced to execute his father’s brutal laws.
A PRISONER used to keep him compliant.

A WORLD on the brink of war.

In one horrible night, Clare goes from kitchen maid to royal decoy. She has three months to become the princess's perfect double so she can ensure her betrothal to an enemy prince. Desperate to survive, Clare throws herself into self-defense training, taught by her distractingly attractive bodyguard. The danger increases when a ruthless assassin begins stalking her, intent on ending the tenuous peace.

Across the northern mountains, Prince Grayson is his father’s ultimate weapon. He carries out the king’s harsh orders because the one person he cares about is his father’s prisoner. Grayson's silent obedience is tested when his father plans to exploit the marriage alliance between two of their greatest enemies. If Grayson submits, the blood of thousands will spill. If he resists, the girl who means everything to him will die.

The fate of Eyrinthia hangs in the balance. Some want peace. Some want war. All will be thrown into chaos.