Sunday Evening With Brock

Join me as I recap my week and share mini book reviews

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a lovely Valentines Day weekend, even if you’re single—like me. Over the weekend I decided that I want to try something new and start posting wrap-ups of my week. So I’m thinking: weekly wrap ups posted every (ish) Sunday. and then my normal Wednesday slot will remain book marketing, publishing industry, general queer lifestyle tomfoolery posts. So here’s my recap for Feb 9-today

Moving My Body

A few years ago while I was working at Cornell University Press one of my colleagues and friends turned me onto cycling and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I hadn’t found a good spot since moving to Durham but Revel, which recently opened downtown, is definitely my new favorite spot. I did a spin class with two of my friends (This was Dawson’s first—and in his words “probably last”—class!) We did accidentally have him come to a power45 class which is more intense than a usual class—whoops.

I also ran 7 miles on the treadmill. In the summer I run WAY more than this because I run outside but in the winter months I find it so hard to put the miles in because I’m a baby and refuse to run outside if it’s under 50 degrees.

Single On Valentine’s Day

This Valentines Day I took myself on a little brunch date. Guglhupf is my favorite brunch spot in Durham and it’s not just because my favorite bookstore is right in front of it (which I did pop into of course). Their food is “where German traditions meet Southern hospitality” and they have a gorgeous outdoor seating area. The vibes truly are immaculate. I had a mimosa and a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese croissant that was DIVINE.

I love doing things alone and Valentines day is the perfect excuse to treat yourself. After brunch and book shopping I ran some errands, grabbed a crispy diet coke from Mcdonalds and went home read for a little and then had some pasta and wine while I watched The Kardashians. The perfect Valentines Day for me.

Check out my reel on Instagram where I filmed a little vlog/recap.

Mini Reviews of Books Finished this Week

Cinder House by Freya Marske: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

This one was a slog for me. Giving it a three out of five just because the concept was really cool. It’s a Cinderella retelling where Cinderella is a ghost bound to her house.

The Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

I was immediately captivated by the world and magic system here and was genuinely gripped by the plot. Honestly couldn’t put it down. The MC’s aren’t Queer but it’s set in a Queer normative world.

Keep an eye out for more in depth reviews on my Instagram and Tiktok.

Currently Reading

Atomic Habits by James Clear: I’ve been loving this and it’s genuinely making me think about my habits and healthy changes I can make to better my lifestyle and meet my goals.

In The Middle of A Better World: Poems by Grant Chemidlin: Grant was kind enough to send me his recently released book of poems and they are SO GAY and I’m eating them up.

Honor & Heresey by Max Francis: Reading an ARC. This comes out in April and when I tell you I’ve literally been waiting for this book for yearssss.

Okie, thanks for joining me for this little Sunday recap. I’m really planning to make this a weekly thing. I want to get in the habit of writing more and flexing those muscles. I hope your Sunday evening is restful and restorative and you’re getting ready for the week ahead.

Brock