The Sunday Post #22: The One with All the Paperbacks

I hit a pretty high count of paperback books this week. Some were from giveaway wins and others were from publishers or authors. I love getting book mail! I find it very exciting. In other exciting news, Google is finally registering my website and acknowledging that I get more than zero pageviews. According to my Jetpack stat’s I’m officially at 800 average pageviews since I started my blog. I know some of this is better suited for my February wrap-up but I am too excited not to announce it.

I didn’t get as much done with reading as I had hoped. I finished When Stars Light the Sky as I write this, I’m about halfway through The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry . I should finish with Natalie sometime tomorrow and pick up Small Town Harmony so I can polish that off before my review is due. After that, I’m reaching for An Overdue Match. I’m going to once again try for more books than my average in a week. We’ll see if the extra day off helps.


The Sunday Post #21: Overbooked: Overbooked & Loving It! I’ve officially stacked my TBR pile so high that I might need a ladder to get through it—seriously, I’m booked through April! Between my beloved Amish romances, swoon-worthy historicals, and must-read contemporaries, my reading list is packed. Knitting is on hold (for now), but I’m happily devouring these stories. Grab a cozy spot, and let’s talk books, giveaways, and exciting new releases! Which one would you start with first?

-See More Sunday Posts-

10 Romantic Books to Warm Your Heart for Valentine’s Day. Looking for the perfect romantic read to set the mood for Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re a fan of swoon-worthy slow burns, heartwarming second chances, or charming opposites-attract love stories, this list has something for you! Using a fun Valentine’s Day theme, I’ve curated a selection of books that have been sitting on my Kindle—each tied to a special word of love. From small-town romance to Regency matchmaking, these heartwarming tales are sure to bring a smile to your face. Ready to fall in love with a new book? Let’s dive in!

See More Top Ten Tuesday Posts

January 2025 Wrap-Up: January flew by, and somehow, I’m just now getting my wrap-up… well, wrapped up! This month was packed with page-turners, a surprising DNF moment (or two), and some big shifts in my Bookstagram journey. Plus, I hit a new milestone in blog pageviews—hello, progress! But was it all smooth sailing? Not quite. A little knitting, a lot of reading, and a few unexpected twists made for an interesting start to 2025. Ready to dive in and see what made the cut? Let’s go!

-See More Wrap Ups-

Right Before Their Eyes by Carrie Walker: Book Spotlight & Giveaway. A house fire, a life-changing decision, and a desperate search for belonging—Clare, Mason, and Lucia’s lives are about to collide in ways they never expected. Will they recognize the love and hope that’s been right before their eyes all along? PLUS, don’t miss the giveaway! 🎉 Two winners will receive a print copy of Right Before Their Eyes AND a $20 Amazon gift card! GIVEAWAY OPEN through February 18, 2025.

-See More Book Spotlights-

Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go To Funerals by Sharon Mondragon: Book Review & Giveaway. Small-town gossip, meddling grandmas, and a mystery wrapped in funeral condolence cards—what more could you ask for? In Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals by Sharon Mondragon, bedridden but feisty Mary Ruth McCready is on a mission to help her grieving best friend, and she’s dragging her granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth along for the ride! Get ready for charm, humor, and a dash of Southern sass—and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy and a $25 Amazon gift card! GIVEAWAY OPEN through February 19, 2025.

-See More Giveaways-


  • Five Nonfiction Books That Changed Me
  • The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle: Book Review & Giveaway
  • Romance Book Reviews: February 2025 Edition
  • The Sunday Post

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  • I won Engaging Emma and Madly Yours on an Instagram giveaway hosted by Elle. I already own and have read Madly Yours and I’ll be posting the review this week. Other goodies in the win included a DKNY blanket, Wendy Bellissimo candle, bookmarks and more.
  • Until the Blue Mist Fades is another giveaway win hosted by the author. The prizes in this included  a rather roomy and pretty book sleeve, silver plated charm, gel markers, a tiny tin, colorful rubber bands, and more. You can see all of the goodies for both wins on Bookstagram. It also had a coloring book which is a book by definition so I’m counting it.
  • Welcome to the Honey B&B by Melody Carlson came in from Revell Fiction. This is for a Bookstagram tour in March.
  • The Farmer’s Marriage Bargain by Heidi Main came in from the author. She has a cute sticker on my copy that says “Autographed Copy”. I so adore my Love Inspired books! There is also a bookmark. This is for another March Bookstagram tour.
  • Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals (not pictured) came in from the publisher. They had a glitch with their printer and since they didn’t know who had “bad” copies and who had good copies, they sent everyone a second copy. Now I need to decide what to do with the two duplicates.

That’s a total of seven (7) paperbacks in one week! I’m on cloud nine!


I still haven’t gotten back to my knitting but I have a three day weekend so if I get caught up on reading and blogging, I’ll pick up my needles. I need to rip back about two rows on my blanket because I somehow picked up a stitch the last time I had this in my hands and it will bug me. The proof that it will bug me, I know this without leaving myself a note, reminder, or counting the stitches again. This information will just languish in my head until I fix the issue.

And, if that’s not enough, Premier Basix Chenille launched some new colors yesterday. Some very Spring worthy multi colors and some bright colors as well. I’ve included two of my favorite new colors above. Honestly, I don’t knit with chunky yarns much but should I decide to go the crochet route for my next blanket, I think chunky will serve me better. I’ve tried crocheting with worsted a couple of times and it just not work out. I think that’s why I said I’m ready to throw in the towel on crochet for the time being.


Tell me something good.

Thank you to the following bloggers for their excellent link-ups!
Caffeinated Reviewer hosts The Sunday Post, Readerbuzz hosts Sunday Salon, and Reading Reality who hosts Stacking the Shelves.


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  1. Rissi Avatar

    Congrats on your views! That’s always exciting. I hope you continue to grow and enjoy blogging. :) Sarah’s book looks so cute! One I think I had on preorder so I’ll have to make time to read it.

    Like

  2. Jen at Introverted Reader Avatar

    Congratulations on getting Google sorted out and 800 page views! That purple multi-color yarn is gorgeous. Happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I love all things purple! It really makes it hard for me to resist a purchase.

      Like

  3. henatayeb Avatar

    So many nice books Happy Reading.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. shanaqui Avatar

    Hope you enjoy the well-stacked TBR! Sounds awesome, honestly.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. oliviabeck1 Avatar
    oliviabeck1

    Your reading world is moving right along. I’m looking forward to your post 10 Nonfiction Books That Changed Me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I changed it to five nonfiction. The others I picked up from my stack, I didn’t remember quite as well so I felt they really didn’t impact me.

      Like

  6. Marg Avatar

    Yay to reaching blog goals! Well done!

    Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      You too, Marg!

      Like

  7. Vicki Avatar

    You sure did get some great wins! I love the colors of the yarn.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      They were fun wins! I really love the Spring vibes on the yarn.

      Like

  8. Haze Avatar

    Oooh, seeing the yarn on your page got me all excited! I just ordered a new batch of yarn yesterday and I’m so excited for them to arrive in a week or so! So impatiently waiting!! I’ve been crocheting a while but I still consider myself a beginner so there’s still a lot I’m learning. I hope you end up with some really great projects for your yarn!

    Haze
    https://thebookhaze.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yarn is other mail I get excited about! I really can’t crochet, I’ve made one headband. I struggle so much with crochet. Knitting is easier for me.

      Like

  9. the bookworm Avatar

    Congrats on the pageviews and Google! Your blog is great so I’m not surprised. I don’t think I’ve ever used premier yarns before, I don’t usually use chunky yarn often but I have used it a few times. Those spring colors are beautiful so I won’t look further or I’ll be tempted to start yarn shopping lol. Enjoy your books and the extra day off!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you so much for the nice compliment. I totally understand about being tempted by pretty yarn!

      Like

  10. yvonne473 Avatar

    Nice book haul. Getting book mail is always fun. Enjoy your books. I hope you have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      You too, Yvonne!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Emily Jane Avatar

    Wow so many books. I love book mail too. I haven’t had any in a while, not that I need it!

    Enjoy all your books!

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog 

    My post:  

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I don’t know that I need the mail either but I so enjoy it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Emily Jane Avatar

        😂 there is something magical about it 😊

        Like

  12. BooksofMyHeart Avatar

    I’m knitting while I watch tv with my daughter after dinner and that is working out well. It’s less time reading at bedtime though so I don’t know that we will continue quite so heavily after our Acorn subscription ends with February. But we always watch a bit while I am preparing dinner.

    Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      If my husband is watching something that I want to watch, I knit. However, if I don’t want to watch it, I read. Acorn looks like a good tv subscription.

      Like

  13. Cindy Davis Avatar

    I would happily take a copy of Grandma Ruth off your hands, LOL! Seriously though, you could donate it to a free library, or if you have a friend who lives near you that you think might enjoy it, pass it on. I am a little more than halfway through with Small Town Harmony. I am currently so mad at Martha/Morgan (you will understand the name thing when you read it). I tried to nap but couldn’t stop thinking about the book, LOL! It is good.

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Cindy, if you want the book, email me your address. I’ll happily send it to you. We don’t have any free libraries around here but I do donate to my local library. They are free to shelve it or save it for the annual book sale. I read Small Town Harmony in one day! So good! I get why you would be mad at Martha/Morgan.

      Like

      1. Cindy Davis Avatar

        Oh wow, thank you!!

        Like

        1. Carla Bruns Avatar

          Hi, Cindy! I didn’t send the book yet. I will forward it to sure get it out this Saturday! ☺️

          Like

          1. Cindy Davis Avatar

            No worries! It’s not like I don’t have anything to read, LOL!

            Like

  14. Liz Dexter Avatar

    That’s a nice lot of wins! I’m waiting for two review books and a parcel of books for me plus some for a friend’s birthday to come, our post is a bit hit-and-miss so they could all arrive on the same day or spread out! Exciting times …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      That is exciting!

      Like

  15. Samantha @WLABB Avatar

    Book mail is exciting. I don’t read physical books, but I am thrilled when I get widgets in my email. That yarn is really lovely and congratulations on your page views.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Honestly, I enjoy all mail (except junk). It’s just not used that much anymore so it’s always exciting.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. buffywnabe Avatar

    Yay for winning paperbacks! Now, I might have bought about 7 paperbacks at the book show a week ago, lol. I need to figure out how to see page views on my blog. I can never figure any of that stuff out. Hope you have a good week and enjoy your new books!

    https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/02/16/weekly-wrap-up-211-february-16th-2025/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Lisa, if you’re on WordPress install Jetpack to see page views. The other option is to install Google analytics.

      Like

  17. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    I love getting book mail. It sounds like you letter carrier was busy!

    Enjoy your three day weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Very! I’ve not received that many book packages in one week before.

      Like

  18. shelleyrae @ Book'd Out Avatar

    Book mail is always a thrill, enjoy your new reads!

    And congrats on your page view count!

    Wishing you a happy reading week

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you, Shelley!

      Like

  19. Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life Avatar

    You have such an engaging and entertaining writing style! I find myself smiling as I read your posts. :) Enjoy your reading!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you, Erin. That is a very sweet and thoughtful comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. mjeanpike Avatar

    What lovely yarn colors. Those will make beautiful blankets. I find myself reading fewer and fewer paperbacks anymore. When I go to the book sales, I gravitate toward the hard covers, something about the heft of a hardcover book in my hands… And then there are all the lovely ebooks waiting on my Kindle, lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I do own some hardback books but they tend to be nonfiction. I’ve always been a paperback reader. I do agree that the weight and heft of a book can feel comforting. My favorite though is new book smell!

      Like

  21. Carla Avatar

    Knitting and listening to an audiobook would be perfect, Carla. I hope you enjoy all your new additions.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you, Carla!

      Liked by 1 person

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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.