My Week in books and tea 3.16.19

I’m feeling unhinged by my lack of reading time this week, or should I say progress with books from last week. How did I manage to start 2 more books and finish (audio is a life saver) but didn’t make much progress with my current reads from last week? I blame it on that hour I lost in the morning because of Daylight Savings Time. I love the extra daylight in the evening but it hasn’t translated into extra reading time in the evening, probably because I’m too sleepy when I get home.

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What I finished reading this week

Stand by Your Truth: And Then Run for Your Life! by Rickey Smiley (click link for my review).

A long time fan of comedian and syndicated radio personality, Rickey Smiley, when I saw this book at the library I jumped at the opportunity to read it. Especially since he narrates the book himself. Smiley’s approach to life reflects his southern values and beliefs as instilled in him by his grandparents, his mother, and his family oriented community.

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Victoria by Daisy Goodwin was an enjoyable historical fiction account about Alexandrina Victoria, who becomes queen of England at eighteen, when her uncle dies.

Although she’s young, she’s no pushover. She’s determined to chart a path of her own making with no interference from her mother or Sir John, her mother’s advisor, a man Victoria detest. I enjoyed this one very much but felt like this were just getting good by the time it ended. But I guess the book is a good introduction before watching the PBS Masterpiece show. Guess I’ll have to watch it to find out more.

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What I have been drinking

☕ The Cup: Peppermint Tea | 🍃 Tea Type: Herbal | From: Harney & Sons

There is something soothing and very relaxing about a cup of peppermint tea. Sometimes it feels like a hug from a loved one, expectant and familiar, nurturing and relaxing. This is hands down the best peppermint tea on record for me to date.

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☕ The Cup: Pomegranate Oolong | 🍃 Tea Type: Oolong | From: Harney & Sons

When the weather warms up, I start to crave a bit of fruit in my tea. Or maybe it’s the signs of spring, the blooming trees and the bright flowers, the longer days. This oolong infused with pomegranate leaves is a wonderful ode to spring although pomegranate season is from October through February. Who knew? The tea makes me happy. If you aren’t a fan of oolong I think this is a lovely introduction to this type of tea.

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☕ The Cup: Pina Colada | 🍃 Tea Type: Rooibos | From: Simple Loose Leaf (courtesy of a tea friend)

Rooibos is one of my go to teas in the evening and this rooibos blend with coconut, vanilla and pineapple is a little tropical. Sipping and allowing the liquid to rest on my palate while breathing through my nose before swallowing brings the pineapple to life. The coconut spoke up just a bit when I had a gluten free coconut cookie I dipped into the tea a time or two.

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What I’m Currently Reading

I haven’t finished any of the books I told you about last week! It’s been one of those weeks and I blame it on the time change. Since I planned to participate in a readalong discussion of Cane by Jean Toomer on Instagram (bookstagram) at the end of the month along with a discussion on the blog with Melanie @ Grab the Lapels, I will start another book this week!

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What I’m Planning

So last week I mentioned I’m going to plan a tea party but more than likely it won’t be for a few weeks and since spring official starts March 20, I’m going to need to rethink the tea menu I had planned.

But this week I have been giving some thought to a self imposed 30 day tea challenge. What would that be? Can I, the moody tea drinker, start a tea rotation of the same 3 teas morning, noon, and evening until my inventory of those are diminished? How many teas could I finish in one month with this approach? How long would I make it without being in the mood for a favorite? Is this even possible?

I’d like to discuss the idea of hosting some classics readalongs or buddy reads here on the blog. After a great discussion of Roots over the last 6 weeks, I’d be happy to do this again and have others join. Some potentials classics I’d like to read are here but I’m open to suggestions. Please leave me some comments of classics you’d be interested in reading.