Skip to main content

Palate Cleansers

small plate of lime sorbet on top of larger blue plate with a lime wedge and a metal spoon

Partially inspired by summer and partially because I like eating, I was thinking about the role of palate cleansers between courses of food, notably sorbet. I really enjoy the reset that the palate cleansers provide, allowing for a richer sense of taste to come with the next dish.

In terms of reading, I admit that I have had a lot of ARCs to read this year. I've read close to 30 ARCs so far and have another 20 or so to go. I'm by no means complaining as I really enjoy reading; however, I can attest to a bit of fatigue from trying to get in as much reading as possible to meet release deadlines. It doesn't quite feel like work yet, but I will admit that when the ARCs are back-to-back, it can be a little hard to continually be motivated.

As a result, I've been looking forward to setting aside a month to take a break from ARC commitments and to just enjoy whatever titles come my way and to make more of a dent in my TBR pile. While I will continue to try to meet a few upcoming deadlines and receive ARCs I've been waiting for, I want to take a break and see what books strike my mood in the moment. August will be a nice breather as I hope to finally make my way through the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer!

In between a few ARCs right now, I've also resorted to some guilty pleasures to keep the momentum going, which have included some historical novellas. These have been fun bites of sorbet, and a great way to escape being sick this summer. I have a soft spot for novellas as they're a nice way to feel accomplished, but also lovely for becoming acquainted with authors' writing styles. I'm hopeful that these little spurts will help me reach the finish line for some upcoming books!

I wonder if anyone else treats guilty pleasure reading the same way that I do 😄

(To be clear, I'm not saying that ARCs require a cleansing experience afterwards. Just that a little variety makes the full reading experience even better!)

Comments

  1. I am probably doing the Restful August challenge already. Not sure if this is considered a reading slump but I’ve been reading novellas for two straight weeks or shorter books (less than 200 pages) it’s kinda weird but I’m loving being able to read more than one book a week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's wonderful! Novellas have kept me going as well :) It is a nice sense of accomplishment, and it feels less daunting. I hope you're enjoying your restful summer reading!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Her Off-Limits Charity Date - Unexpected Dates #3

Happy release day to the third book in the Unexpected Dates series ! Her Off-Limits Charity Date  by Liwen Y. Ho  is a perfect book for summer, and involves a soft-hearted zombie actor with a penchant for cooking. Now who doesn't want to learn more about a man who can do both?! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis The one man I’m falling for is the one man I absolutely shouldn’t want. As a professional event planner, I’m used to managing chaos. My own love life, however, is another story. Especially after I meet my brother’s new brother-in-law and discover he looks like he walked straight out of a romance novel. Tall? Check. Piercing blue eyes? Check. Broody enough to make my heart do inconvenient things? Double check. Unfortunately, Zane Beckett also happens to be a famous actor. And our first meeting gets off to a rocky start when he finds out I’ve never seen any of his movi...

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available or you don't qualify for one 😊 List last updated: June 4, 2026 Christian Publishers 10ofThose Availability: US, Canada, and UK residents Format: Only books published by 10ofThose qualify for review requests so as to avoid impeding with other Christian book review programs Genre: Christian non-fiction, children's books Email for availability and eligibilit...

Review: Shattered - Vanished #2

This is not a light read, but it's one that is captivating and thought-provoking as we see the world descend into further wickedness and lawlessness. Shattered by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O'Neal is the second book in the Vanished series , and it contains just as much action as the first book, with even more chilling developments for the characters. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of death, violence, and desecration Book Synopsis In the gripping sequel to Vanished, a global power rises, and the ancient prophecies of the Antichrist are set in motion. Two years have passed since millions across the globe disappeared in a heartbeat including John "Haggs" Haggerty's own family. Haggs, a military expert in pandemics, warned his agency of growing patterns in deadly epidemics and other threats to security. Then the ...