Over the past few years, I've started to buy books here and there... and they just keep piling up. I've also got a pretty large photo album of books that I've screen shot for my to read list. Thus, one of my big 2026 personal goals was to start reading more.
Back in January, I purchased 'Secret Nights and Northern Lights' while at the bookstore at the Logan airport bookstore on our way out to Disneyland. I won't lie, the cover was what first drew me in, but the storyline also looked fun. It was a romance, and the book cover reminded me of a Hallmark movie- so I figured that I might enjoy it.
While I didn't get to read it during our Disneyland trip, I did read it right when Eliot and I returned home. My Mom had to have surgery the day after we got back, so I ended up reading at least half the book in the hospital waiting room. At that point, I was fully invested and completely sucked in, so I finished the book the following day. And I loved it so much that I promptly read it again right after the first time.
After that, I knew I needed to read more. I'm not really even sure why I haven't been... because I love reading. I think the biggest problem I'm facing is that I need to get back into the habit of allowing myself the time to relax and read. But I'm finding that I need to rest more due to my endometriosis... and reading is the perfect way to lay down and relax when I need some rest but don't want to take a nap.
Yesterday marked four weeks since I finally picked up my next book. I'd purchased the books in the Dream Harbor series last year. But I told myself I wasn't going to read them until they were "seasonally appropriate". So I pulled out my copy of 'The Pumpkin Spice Cafe' in October... and I devoured that first book of the series in three days.
The following day, I started reading the second book in the Dream Harbor series, 'The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore' and I finished it yesterday after three and a half weeks. Reading the second book took much longer- not because it wasn't as addictive, but mostly because I was busy preparing for our WDW trip, and then taking our trip. I read a little on the plane ride down to Florida. After that, I literally only had three chapters left, so I assumed I would finish it... but then I was too exhausted after a day at the parks to read. So yesterday, I finally picked it up again and finished it.
There are currently six books released in the Dream Harbor series. I have the next one, 'The Christmas Tree Farm' and book five, 'The Gingerbread Bakery'. I still need to buy book four 'The Strawberry Patch Pancake House' and book six, 'The Daisy Chain Flower Shop'. Then book seven, 'The Apple Pie Ice Cream Parlor' comes out in 2027.
I've really enjoyed them so far! They take place in a cozy, small, coastal New England town and the stories about it's residents are all connected to each other. And since it's now the holiday season, it's the perfect time to start reading about a Christmas tree farm... 🎄 Although at this point, I'll probably forgo my seasonal idea after book three and finish all of the books in this series. Besides, I have plenty of other seasonal books I can read next year! And the Dream Harbor series was a great place to start because so far I've loved them- and they have been the perfect cozy fall books… 🍂🍁🎃 ☕️ 🍂🍁
So as of right now, I’ve only read three books in 2026, but that’s three more books than I read last year. 📚 It might not seem like a lot, but this feels like major progress for me... because I am working on creating a habit and allowing myself the time to do it. 💖
If anyone needs me... I'll probably be reading about a Christmas Tree Farm. 🎄
🎶 With a dreamy far-off look, and her nose stuck in a book... ✨📖✨
