The Sunday Post #5: Setting Boundaries

This week I worked on setting boundaries around my reading and blogging. As much as I love both, I was not leaving enough time to do all the other things I enjoy. Sometimes setting boundaries with yourself can be as hard as setting boundaries with others.

This week, I finished up another hand-clapping, jump-up-and-down, ‘I just can’t function’ romance. Which, of course, makes it hard to stick with the personal boundaries but I managed. Reluctantly.


Ten Books Assigned in School: Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em: Reflections on books assigned in schools, from classics I would prefer to skip to those I love. I included a few nonfiction leadership titles to mix it up.

See more Top Ten Tuesday Posts

With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin: With All Her Heart follows painfully shy Elijah Miller and Bonnie Yoder, a young woman who co-owns a handmade gift store. Bonnie, who has spinal muscular atrophy, helps Elijah feel comfortable, and their relationship unfolds slowly as they navigate personal struggles. The story, enhanced by Bonnie’s mother, Jocelyn, shines with themes of disabilities, childhood friendships, and second chances.

See more reviews

The Sunday Post #4: Drum Sounds and Books that Make You Go Oooh: I decided to rename the Circle Letter as The Sunday Post for all my blogger friends out there. Since I am limiting the amount of time I spend during the week, I thought it would make it easier to find my posts in cases where I don’t get to yours until later.


Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Ten Ways My Reading Has Changed Over Time: I think the title is pretty self-explanatory. But if you want a little more info, some of the discussion revolves around time, attention span, authors, publishers, and genres.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Book Review: Fa-La-La-La Faking It by Teri Wilson: Oh…my….gosh! So good! When I reached the hand-clapping, jump-up-and-down part, I went to the computer and typed out some thoughts so I could send everyone all the good vibes. I can’t wait for you to see this.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

The Sunday Post: this is the only blog post that I send out via email. If you want to make sue you see what is going on with the blog, especially if you don’t have the WordPress reader, then be sure to subscribe.

Note: link(s) will not work until publication day at 5:00 am. I just don’t feel like coming back and adding the links later.


I’m so excited! I was selected as a JustReads reviewer for A Guardian Till Christmas. By now you have probably figured out that I’m crazy about the Harlequin Love Inspired imprint so I have high hopes for this one. And, in case you’re wondering, no, I don’t get tired of Christmas romances.


10.22.24
🩷️ ️Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by KathrynSpringer Review Order
🩷Fa-La-La-La Faking It by Teri Wilson Review this week! Order
🩷Hunted for the Holidays by Deena Alexander Upcoming Review! Order
🩷A Convenient Christmas Wife by Rebecca Kertz Order

See more upcoming releases-


Last, now, and next reads?
Do you have to set limitations on
reading time for yourself?

Thank you to the following bloggers for their excellent link-ups!
Caffeinated Reviewer hosts The Sunday Post and Readerbuzz hosts Sunday Salon.


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  1. Lola Avatar

    Setting boundaries whether with others or yourself is definitely hard. That’s great you had such an awesome romance read this week. I usually read at set times during the day and while they aren’t hard boundaries, I usually don’t really read much outside of those.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Work sort of forces me to read at certain times. But on the weekends I just read whenever I feel like it.

      Like

  2. Tammy Avatar

    Balancing everything in life is so hard, good luck with it!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. shanaqui Avatar

    Balancing that kind of thing can be so tricky — good luck! I wish I was finding a little more time for reading and blogging… but it is what it is, heh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I really do wish I had more time as well but I’ll feel unbalanced if I let blogging and reading take over everything I do.

      Like

  4. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard Avatar

    I hear you on the boundaries. I can spend way too much time blogging and reading blogs, or just scrolling on my phone, and not leave myself time for reading, spinning and knitting,home projects, and everyday tasks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yes, I need more knitting time as well! I don’t spin but happily purchase yarns from those that do.

      Like

  5. joyweesemoll Avatar
    joyweesemoll

    Balancing priorities is such a challenge. Then, as soon as I get it right, something changes, and I have to do it all over again. I’m working on accepting that as part of life and telling myself to be grateful because it makes life exciting!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yes, it is hard. You reminded me of something I read in the past, unfortunately I can’t remember the author or book, but they said that there is no such thing as work/life balance. That is because balance assumes two things are equal and that will never happen in real life. Sometimes family comes first and you may need to push aside things at work and sometimes things at work are a priority and you may need to push things aside at home like a date night or going out, etc. It’s always a pendulum and you have to be able to move back and forth to take care of the things that matter at the time.

      Like

  6. Jamie @ The Fantasy Princess Avatar

    I sometimes don’t have enough time to visit blogs every week. But I do try to work in time for getting posts scheduled. Hope you have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I try to find time for both but I realized after the first few blog hops that I’m at a season of life where I’m not going to be able to visit everyone. I do always get to everyone who visits me.

      Like

  7. Emily Jane Avatar

    I find setting boundaries hard, especially when Blog Tours come up!

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog 

    My post:  

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I haven’t done a blog tour yet. I’ll see how that goes when I get my first one,

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Emily Jane Avatar

        They are so exciting! I still love taking part in them 4 years on!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Jannin Chou (The Booknerd Dragon) Avatar

    Great post!

    I’m curious what the romance book was that left you in a “can’t function” state though. Sweat grinning

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It was Fa-La-La-La Faking it. I was just so incredibly happy and excited reading it, I had to put it down. Too many emotions!!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction Avatar

    Fitting everything in can sometimes feel like an impossible task. I’m the opposite, though – I used to spend SO much time on blogging, but now it’s gotten harder and harder to keep up with it with all of my other priorities. I hope you find just the right balance for you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thanks! I think if I keep to three posts for a while that will work. Maybe, eventually I’ll learn to read or write faster. I would prefer to let the other priorities take precedence like you do and just remember this is just a fun hobby.

      Like

  10. WordsAndPeace Avatar

    Oh wow, a lots of Christmas titles already!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yep! And I can keep reading them. 😊 I love Christmas stories and movies!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Rachel @Waves of Fiction Avatar
    Rachel @Waves of Fiction

    It is important to set boundaries. Blogging can take a lot of time! Love the cover to Fa La La La Faking It. I’ll have to check it out!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It does take a lot of time which is why I took a 10 year hiatus from it. I’m hoping to keep everything in check this time. The book is great! I can’t recommend it enough!

      Like

  12. yvonne473 Avatar

    I really need to set boundaries, too. My problem is that I never stick to any plan. I’ll keep trying though.

    All of your books look so good especially the Christmas ones. Enjoy!

    Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It’s only been one week of boundaries so we’ll see how this works over time. I don’t set any limitations for the weekend so that helps.

      I’m loving all my Christmas reads!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    Congratulations on being selected as a reviewer for A Guardian Till Christmas. That should be fun.

    It’s hard for me to set boundaries when it comes to reading and blogging!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you! Yes, it’s hard but I feel less stressed during the week.

      Like

  14. Northwoman Avatar

    I never thought about setting limits. I read when I can squeeze it into the things I must do. I pair listening to audio with a lot of chores and that has expanded my reading time.

    Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I suppose I really do need to give audio a try but I’m afraid I won’t be able to focus on it.

      Like

  15. mjeanpike Avatar

    I will set less boundaries for my reading time now that it gets dark earlier. Since I don’t go much of anywhere after dark (except on my late nights at work) I can read an extra hour or so guilt free!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      That’s a good point about it getting darker earlier. I know I’ll read more as it gets further into winter but I still have to put some limits on myself. I need to get up and exercise more. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  16. buffywnabe Avatar

    Fa La La La Faking It does sound really good! I’ll have to add it to my TBR. I love books like that! I’ve got to set boundaries on the time I spend on games on my phone. It means I don’t watch the tv shows I want or read as much at times as I usually do. Hope you have a good week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I think you’ll really enjoy the book! My husband enjoys games but no matter how much I talk to him about it, he’s unwilling to cut down his time with them. Have a wonderful week!

      Like

  17. Cindy Davis Avatar

    I clicked on Ten Ways My Reading has changed over time and I got an error message. Hope you have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yes, sorry. My disclaimer is apparently too small. That post won’t be up until Tuesday so the link won’t work until then. Have a great week!

      Like

  18. Jodie | That Happy Reader Avatar

    Your enthusiasm for Teri Wilson’s book is wonderful! I can’t wait to read your review. Have a lovely week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      If you like romance, I hope you’ll give the book a read. I hope your week is wonderful.

      Like

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Welcome to Carla’s Book Crush where I share my favorite clean, Christian reads. I review everything from Amish and historical romance to suspense, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and the occasional devotional. If it has heart, hope, and a message that points back to Christ, it’s probably on my shelf. I also love chatting with authors and featuring interviews that give you a peek behind the pages. Whether you’re looking for a new release, a cozy weekend read, or just something uplifting and well-written, you’re in the right place. Clean stories. Encouraging faith. Books worth reading.