Tag: reading

fall

Why Reading Comfort Books Matters

Elizabeth Yuen

Confession time: when I hit a reading slump, I always go back to my comfort books. For me, that means revisiting Twilight, Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series, or Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR. There’s something about familiar characters and worlds that feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket on a cool autumn night.

Why Comfort Reads Work

Comfort reads remind us why we fell in love with reading in the first place. They’re familiar, cozy, and reliable when our reading rhythm falters. They help ease us back into stories without pressure.

Balancing Comfort With New Discoveries

This fall, I’ve been challenging myself to balance comfort reads with new-to-me books using the Autumn Reading List insert. On one hand, my favorites recharge me. On the other, new seasonal picks (like The Society of Irregular Witches or Hour of the Pumpkin Queen) add excitement and discovery.

How It Helps My Writing

As a writer, comfort reads give me reassurance while new reads spark inspiration. Together, they keep my creative well full.

✨ Takeaway: Don’t feel guilty about re-reading your favorites. They’re not a “waste of time”—they’re fuel for your imagination and soul.

👉 What’s your ultimate comfort read when you’re in a slump?

Uncategorized

Book-Themed Workouts for Readers and Writers: Staying Fit in Your Favorite Fictional World

Elizabeth Yuen

Workouts inspired by books are trending. Now, this trend isn’t exactly the most recent, but I’ve noticed it popping up across social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Anywhere from running to Mordor to the Nesta Archeron 10K step challenge, bookish workouts are taking the internet by storm.

And I am so here for it.

In this post, I’ll share creative, book-inspired workouts that allow you to stay fit while channeling the energy of your favorite characters and stories. Whether you’re a fan of epic fantasy quests, dystopian thrillers, or cozy magical realms, there’s a workout here that will get your heart racing and your mind buzzing with creative energy.

1. Running to Mordor: A Lord of the Rings Cardio Adventure

Ever wondered how far Frodo and Sam actually walked to Mordor? Well, it’s about 1,779 miles from Hobbiton to Mount Doom, and now you can tackle this epic distance at your own pace! This workout is perfect for runners, walkers, or even treadmill enthusiasts who want to add a bit of adventure to their cardio routine.

How it works:

  • Track your distance with a fitness app (like Strava) and aim to walk or run the full distance over time.
  • Break the journey into manageable segments—like walking to Bree or crossing the Dead Marshes—and reward yourself at each milestone (a cup of tea in the Shire, anyone?).
  • You can even gather a “Fellowship” of friends or fellow writers to join you on this epic quest!

Bonus: Listen to the “Lord of the Rings” audiobook or soundtrack while you exercise to truly immerse yourself in Middle-earth!

2. The Hunger Games Survival Circuit

In the world of The Hunger Games, survival is key, and that means staying physically fit and ready for anything. This workout focuses on agility, strength, and endurance, just like Katniss would need in the arena.

How it works:

  • Archery lunges: Stand in a lunge position as if pulling back a bow. Do 10 reps on each side to strengthen your legs and core.
  • Tree-climbing squats: Katniss spent a lot of time climbing trees—replicate that strength with 3 sets of 15 squats to build powerful legs.
  • Agility jumps: Practice dodging fireballs or leaping over logs with side-to-side agility jumps. Jump back and forth for 30 seconds, rest, and repeat for 3 rounds.
  • Sprint like you’re being chased: Finish with 3 rounds of 20-second sprints, followed by 40 seconds of walking, to mimic running for your life!

3. The Nesta Archeron 10K Step Challenge (From A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Inspired by Nesta Archeron’s daily stair-climbing challenge in A Court of Silver Flames, this workout will get your legs burning and your steps in. Challenge yourself to hit 10,000 steps a day or add stair-climbing into your routine for a serious leg workout.

How it works:

  • Find a set of stairs (or use a stair machine) and aim to climb them for 20 minutes. Alternatively, set a daily goal of 10,000 steps if you prefer walking.
  • For an extra challenge, add in weighted stair climbs: carry light dumbbells or even your favorite book (as a symbolic weight) as you climb.

Bonus: As you climb, channel Nesta’s fierce determination and use this time to mentally work through your next story plotline!

4. The Hogwarts House Workout

For Harry Potter fans, you can infuse a little magic into your fitness routine by channeling the Hogwarts spirit. Each House has unique traits, and this workout is designed to help you embrace the strengths of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin.

How it works:

  • Gryffindor courage: 3 rounds of 10 burpees to build explosive power and bravery.
  • Hufflepuff endurance: Hold a 1-minute plank to work on persistence and core strength.
  • Ravenclaw wisdom: Stretch for 10 minutes at the end of your workout—yoga or deep stretches—to focus on mindfulness and flexibility.
  • Slytherin ambition: Finish with 3 sets of 15 push-ups to build upper-body strength and determination.

Bonus: Keep track of your progress and reward yourself with a “House Cup” (a cozy cup of tea or coffee) after each successful workout session!

5. The Dauntless Training Regimen (From Divergent)

In Divergent, Dauntless initiates undergo intense physical training to test their bravery and strength. This high-intensity workout will have you feeling like a true Dauntless member, ready to leap from trains and face your fears.

How it works:

  • Box jumps or step-ups: 3 sets of 10, mimicking the leap from a moving train.
  • Push-ups: 3 sets of 15 to build upper body strength like a true Dauntless fighter.
  • Tire flips or kettlebell swings: Channel Dauntless grit with 3 sets of 10 reps to build full-body power.
  • Fear simulation runs: End with a 20-minute interval run, alternating between 1 minute of sprinting and 1 minute of walking to simulate the adrenaline rush of facing your greatest fear.

Want a more in-depth plan? Check this out.

6. The Jane Austen Stroll: A Regency-Era Walk

If intense workouts aren’t your style, take a leaf out of Jane Austen’s novels and enjoy a daily stroll through your neighborhood or a nearby park. Walking is a great way to stay active while reflecting on your latest writing project or mentally crafting the perfect scene.

How it works:

  • Aim for a 30- to 60-minute walk each day. During your walk, clear your mind and let the peaceful pace help you untangle plot points or character arcs.
  • Take a notebook or use a voice recording app to capture any sudden bursts of inspiration during your stroll.

7. The “Writing Sprint” Workout

Combine writing sprints with quick bursts of exercise to get the best of both worlds. Write for 20 minutes, then do a quick 5-minute workout to re-energize before diving back into your story.

Workout intervals:

  • 20-minute writing sprint
  • 5-minute workout: 10 squats, 10 push-ups, and a 30-second plank
  • Repeat for 3 or 4 rounds to stay productive and active!

Final Thoughts

Book-themed workouts are a fun, creative way to merge fitness with your love of reading and writing. Not only do they help you stay healthy, but they also keep your imagination alive by immersing you in your favorite fictional worlds. Next time you feel stuck at your desk or need a boost of inspiration, why not take a cue from Frodo, Katniss, or Harry and get moving?

So, lace up your running shoes, grab your water bottle (or your magic wand), and start sweating your way through the stories you love!

romance

“The Jane Austen Book Club” Romance Book Review

elizabethannebritton

Five women and one man create a Jane Austen book club where they pour over her works. During the six months it takes to read all of Austen’s books, each of the club members faces challenges and excitement in their day-to-day lives. Marriages are put to the test, love affairs take flight, and love happens. In this book, Karen Joy Fowler takes her readers into the world of these six people and shows the ups and downs of modern relationships.

Okay. Here’s my honest opinion: I couldn’t stand this book. giphy

The book was written like an old maid was at the typewriter with some dusty parchment and typing with one finger at a time. It was as if Fowler was trying to imitate Jane Austen’s timeless narration style and completely failed in her attempt to do so.

I get it: the women of the book club are in their 30’s to 60’s and that type of writing voice is what Fowler was trying for. Someone seasoned and wise…But, quite frankly, the tone just annoyed me until no end. It was condescending, old, and outdated. Like moldy, yellowed lace from a wooden trunk in a dusty attic. Ick.

And what was with her using the words “we” and “us” all the time? None of the six people were our narrators. None of them. Instead of reading a hard copy, I listened to the audio version of the book, so when Fowler used “we” and “us,” I had to look up who, exactly, was narrating the story. Turns out, it was just her narrator’s voice.

It made me feel like one of those men in that old children’s book, “Six Foolish Fishermen.”

Essentially, the six fishermen count everyone at the end of the day to make sure everyone is safe. Well, each time they count and re-count, they forget to count themselves, so they assume there are only five people there instead of six, and therefore: someone must have drowned.

That feeling of annoyance and foolishness at the fact that they forget to count themselves is exactly how I felt every time Fowler used the words “us” or “we.” As I read, I kept thinking to myself, “Who is ‘us’ or ‘we?'” and “Am I forgetting someone in the book club?”

In addition to this poor choice of writing style, the story itself was severely lacking. Since there were six people to follow, I found it difficult to invest in any of the characters. None of them were developed properly and each was more and more dislikable as the story went on.

The question I now ask myself is this: how was this a New York Times bestseller?

Young Adult

“The Glittering Court” Young Adult Book Review

elizabethannebritton

A countess of Osfrid is torn between duty and destiny when she is presented with an opportunity to escape for the wild and untamed land called Adoria. Stealing the identity of one of her servants in order to flee from an arranged marriage, Adelaide joins the Glittering Court.

The Glittering Court is where young women of impoverished backgrounds come to transform into ladies who are eager for wealthy marriages in Adoria. Adelaide, having grown up as a countess, struggles to hide her identity from her new friends, Tamsin and Mira.

The only one who knows her true identity is Cedric Thorn, son of the owner of the Glittering Court. Things get complicated when both Cedric and Adelaide acknowledge thepexels-photo-235909 forbidden love growing between them, and a powerful governor wants Adelaide for his own. In this young adult tale of love and identity, Adelaide and Cedric fight against all odds to be together.

“The Glittering Court” is a fantastic start to a trilogy about all three of the girls we come to know and love: Adelaide, Tamsin, and Mira. The first book, “The Glittering Court” focuses entirely on Adelaide’s journey as she leaves the familiarity and comforts of high society to pretending she is an impoverished girl and working hard to get by in a world that thinks nothing of her.

The book is by Richelle Mead, author of “The Vampire Academy,” and her writing skills show in this fantasy book. She takes the reader to a new world where women are considered inferior to men and do not have a say in their own destiny. Mead creates a sense of desperation and need to escape in not only her main character, Adelaide, but the reader as well.

heart-2945406_960_720Imagine being one of the descendants of a man who helped found Osfrid, getting a strong title from being a descendant of that man, but then being unable to act alone with that title. That title brings in suitors with wealth and ability to make change in Osfrid and in Adoria. That title also brings powerlessness to Adelaide. With everyone watching her every move, Adelaide is unable to become an independent woman with her own thoughts and opinions. This is the power struggle that Adelaide faces on a regular basis. It is a juxtaposition to have such power while being completely powerless to change her own destiny until the opportunity of “The Glittering Court” presents itself.

Toward the end of the book, the writing purposefully becomes vague when referencing Tamsin and Mira’s fates. The ending relies wholly upon the reader turning to the second and third books in this trilogy to find out more specifics about characters being introduced last second in “The Glittering Court.” For this reason, the argument can be made that this book is an excellent start to the trilogy, but it is not a well-written stand alone book.

That being said, if you’re into young adult fiction series, I strongly recommend picking up a copy for yourself. The writing talent that Richelle Mead shows in the first of the trilogy is exemplary and gripping.

I fully intend to read the other two books. Keep a look out for my reviews for those books as well!