A Kernel of Nonsense

I started the month with the flu! I haven’t had the flu in literal years. I can’t even remember the last time I had it. I was down for about a week. I had every symptom it seemed except for a fever, even some that I’ve never experienced before. Skin sensitivity?! Shaving was not fun. Luckily it didn’t exacerbate my asthma because I know it would have been unbearable. I can’t even remember if I attempted to read. I am unfortunately one of those people who cannot read when I am ill. I only got to five books this month, but considering I was down for the count, that’s still pretty good. I do have one other complaint about March and that was the weather. It was really depressing closing out winter with an 100° heatwave. It was not cold enough this winter and going almost a whole year without cold weather is weary indeed. I just keep thinking are we really going to have to wait until November for cool weather again? Excuse me while I weep. Little heads up, I am planning a tiny hiatus in April (probably starting this weekend). I don’t think I will make an announcement because I have some stuff to take care of and it’s going to occupy my brain space, so consider this my announcement. I should be back mid-April.

Favorite Book in March:

I put Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning off because I am a fool. It contained all the things I loved about their writing, it’s dark, moody, sad and infinitely beautiful. I am kind of mad at myself for not being able to articulate just how much it made me feel in my review. It just does not do it justice. Whenever my review does go up, know that I actually loved it more than I could convey. Cover linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book received less than three stars from me this month.

Other Books I Read This Month:

(Covers linked to Goodreads.)

•Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
•Soulstar by C.L. Polk
•Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
•Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Reviews Posted:

Notable Blog Posts:

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring 2026 Releases to Be Excited For – A few spring releases I’ve got my eye on. I added a few thanks to everyone’s lists as well.

Top Ten Tuesday: Fantasy Books That Feel Like Fairy Tales – Loved sharing some of my favorite kinds of fantasy books. I love to be swept away into whimsy.

Reading Challenges 2026: First Quarter Check-In – Not much of an update, but one I am celebrating nonetheless.

What I Watched/Am Watching:

Bridgerton, Season 4, Part 1 & 2 – I just went ahead and binged this whole season in March. Is it binging if there are only 8 episodes? Sophie made an incredible female lead for this season. I really loved how strong-willed and assertive she was, despite her station. I absolutely did cry while watching that episode. I don’t recommend crying before bed. A stuffy nose makes it hard to sleep. The queen kind of pissed me off this season though. Anyone else? Looking forward to season 5. Loved seeing Francesca get so rattled around Michaela. She’s always so composed. Heard there will be a time jump? I try to stay away from spoilers.

Boyfriend on Demand – I binged this K-drama this month. Surprised how much I enjoyed this one. The premise felt a little too close to what reality might become though. I appreciated the female lead having to deal with her past relationship before moving on. This wasn’t just some happy, low-stakes story. She really was struggling with finding closure and fearing abandonment.

Exhuma (2024) – What an incredible movie. I’ve been meaning to watch this Korean horror movie for some time. I really loved exploring these old traditions, hauntings, and possessions. It made me crave more horror with non-western religions taking the reigns. I really loved the unconventional team that is assembled in this one as well (couldn’t find gif with all four).

April Releases I’m Excited For:

How’s the weather where you are? Did you binge watch any shows in March? What April release are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments and be sure to leave a link to your own wrap-up post, so I can visit!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original blog meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and is currently being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is “Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book.” Oooh, this is a fun topic, I feel like buzzwords that have piqued my interest have changed over the years, but there are still some that are so “me” that I still gravitate to those types of books. Appreciate any recommendations in the comments! Covers are linked to Goodreads.

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1. Slow-Burn Romance – I am forever a fan of the slow-burn. I want to be in a little bit of agony as I read a love story. A little torture is exactly what I’m looking for. I like seeing a relationship progress slowly. It just feels more earned in the end.

2. Found Family – A classic trope. I love when characters on the fringes of society find a hope in one another.

3. Historical horror – I’ve been thinking recently of all the historical horror I have read and though I am not particularly drawn to historical fiction, when you combine it with horror, I sit up.

4. Fairytale fantasy – I recently did a list of favorite fantasy books that feel like fairytales (check it out here). I find these kinds of stories to be oh so charming.

5. Demons – Call it morbid curiosity, but I have always found creepy stories of demons to be both incredibly unnerving and also incredibly intriguing. Demons have got to be evil though. I’m not looking for heart of gold demons, I’m looking for demons out for hearts.

6. Horror witchcraft – I have loved witches since I was a little girl dressing up as one for various Halloweens. My love for horror makes me particularly intrigued by the darker facet of witches and witchcraft. Throw in a little bit of power corrupting and you’ve got me.

7. Fake dating – It’s cliche, it’s predictable, but it is so much fun nonetheless. *insert image of me kicking my feet while reading*

8. Jane Austen retellings – I have yet to grow tired of picking up the occasional Jane Austen retelling, though I will say that I am more interested in retellings by authors of color. Still not enough.

9. Sibling focused – I feel like kids books are more likely to feature siblings, so I am always on the lookout for adult novels (particularly horror) that focus on siblings. I feel like brother-sister relationships in particular are not very common.

10. Comp my favorite movies – I am forever looking for books that make me feel the way Practical Magic, The Craft, Roman Holiday, The Descent, 30 Days of Night, Pacific Rim make me feel. These aren’t even necessarily my all-time favorite movies, but they give off a certain vibe that I long to find in written form.

Are you a fan of any of these tropes/subgenres/buzzwords? Give me your recs! Let me know in the comments and be sure to leave me a link to your own TTT post, so I can visit!