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The Fated Sky
The Fated Sky: A Lady Astronaut Novel | Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal continues the grand sweep of alternate history begun in The Calculating Stars, The Fated Sky looks forward to 1961, when mankind is well-established on the moon and looking forward to its next step: journeying to, and eventually colonizing, Mars. Of course the noted Lady Astronaut Elma York would like to go, but theres a lot riding on whoever the International Aerospace Coalition decides to send on this historicbut potentially very dangerousmission? Could Elma really leave behind her husband and the chance to start a family to spend several years traveling to Mars? And with the Civil Rights movement taking hold all over Earth, will the astronaut pool ever be allowed to catch up, and will these brave men and women of all races be treated equitably when they get there? This gripping look at the real conflicts behind a fantastical space race will put a new spin on our visions of what might have been. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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Jas16
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Pickpick

In an alternative 1961, Elma is tired of feeling like a bus driver piloting back and forth from the moon when the opportunity to be a part of the the mission to Mars comes up. Years away from her husband confined in a cramped quarters with difficult astronauts and life threatening events while dealing with sexism and racism cannot extinguish the thrill of exploration for Elma and made for a captivating read for me. Even better than the first book.

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TheSpineView
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Eggs 🧡🖤🧡 10mo
Whollybologna I swear I thought this said Farted 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ 10mo
MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Whollybologna 😂😂😂❤️🙌 10mo
TheSpineView @Whollybologna 🤣🤣🤣 10mo
54 likes4 comments
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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

I don‘t think it‘s possible to love this series more 🪐🚀⭐️🌖

Sleepswithbooks I thought this was the “Farted” sky and they 12 year old boy in me giggled. 1y
ShelleyBooksie I thought the same @Sleepswithbooks 1y
38 likes2 comments
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LibraryCin
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Pickpick

I liked this better than the first one. It‘s been a while since I read the first, but I think there were some parts where I was bored, I lost interest. That did not happen at all in this one. I liked (most of) the characters and even the ones I didn‘t like made for an interesting story. There is also a lot of prejudices, racism, and sexism, along with a lot of conflict, but it‘s a tight space shared for a long time. I really liked this one

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nocto
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Pickpick

This was my #bookspin for April. I was really looking forward to it having really enjoyed the first in the series, and it did not disappoint. Fab account of Elma‘s journey to found a colony on Mars in an alternative version 1960s in which Earth is growing uninhabitable.

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underground_bks
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Pickpick

Continuing the rise of Elma York, Lady Astronaut, The Fated Sky finds our heroine bussing colonists round the International Aerospace Coalition‘s lunar colony, but humanity can‘t stop at the moon if they‘re going to get off a doomed planet. When Elma joins the first exploratory mission to Mars, she must navigate not only the stars but sexism and racism, tragedy and treachery, to forge a future for humanity.

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llwheeler
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How is it September?

Anyway, got very close to a bingo for August despite only reading 5 books from my list (and of course none of them were my #BookSpin or #doublespin).

September list is ready to go! Thanks as always for hosting @TheAromaofBooks!

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swynn
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Pickpick

Second in Kowal's alt-history series “Lady Astronaut,“ in which a meteor strike forces earlier and more diverse development of the space program. This one covers the first crewed mission to Mars. I love the space-nerdery in this series, and the author's detailed attention to her premise.

swynn It's been awhile since I read the first book, so for anyone who has read the series: is there a reason why, when Elma recites primes, she omits 19? 3y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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julesG
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Pickpick

Full review: https://scepticalreading.com/2021/06/astronettes-lady-astronauts-astronauts/

The audiobook is read by the author. Perfect!

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julesG
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Pickpick

I love it when a work of fiction has a bibliography list. Shows how much effort and research the author put into their work.

Immersion reading - ebook+audiobook was great. MRK narrates the audiobook herself and she's doing an excellent job.

2nd book in the Lady Astronaut series.

TheBookHippie It‘s a favorite for me too! 3y
GingerAntics 💙💙💙 3y
61 likes2 comments
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julesG
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"Do you remember where you were when the Friendship probe reached Mars?"

Tried to keep this snippet spoiler free. The tagged book is the sequel to The Calculating Stars. I splurged on the #audiobook in addition to the eBook because it's read by the author herself and she does an excellent job.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
#JoysOfJune #readathon @Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds good. 3y
51 likes1 comment
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xicanti
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Holiday Mondays call for a mid-afternoon book & beer. I‘m enjoying THE FATED SKY as of 25%, but I haven‘t found it as instantly gripping as THE CALCULATING STARS.

Traci1 Is that a tablet cover? It's so pretty. 😍 3y
xicanti @Traci1 it is! I was lucky to find it at the thrift store a while back. 3y
46 likes2 comments
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xicanti
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New book for Victoria Day! I‘m hoping to make a good dent in it.

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kwmg40
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Pickpick

I loved this second book in the Lady Astronaut series. It's in the style of the old-fashioned space-travel adventure but explores issues important to us today.

Current total for the #20in4 readathon: 9 hours and 50 minutes
@Andrew65 @DieAReader #ShutdownRound3

DieAReader 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
Andrew65 Sounds great 👏👏👏 3y
32 likes2 comments
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Jari-chan
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Pickpick

What a great sequel! I think I enjoyed it even more than the first book,because we're already familiar with the characters. Especially, the relationship between Elma and Parker is greatly written. And again, Kowal addresses problems that are now as actual as they were in the 60ties.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo
#SeriesRead2021 @TheSpineView
#SeriesBingo @AkashaVampie

TheSpineView I loved this whole series! The last book was fantastic! 3y
Jari-chan @TheSpineView That's great to hear! Can't wait to read the other books as well! 3y
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Jari-chan
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Since seem no treats from #Vietnam available (apart from fish sauce and beer) in Switzerland, I decided to drink my coffee vietnamese style now and added condensed milk instead of sweetener 😁 Ice cubed for the iced version are in the making 😋

#FoodandLit
@Texreader @Butterfinger

Texreader Oh where in Switzerland are you? My mom and I visited years ago to find her grandparents‘ hometown, then traveled around the country. I‘m 1/4 Swiss! 3y
Jari-chan @Texreader Really, what a surprise! I live in Grisons. Where are your mothers grandparents from? And where did xou travel to? 3y
Liz_M I love vietnamese coffee, followed closely by cuban cafe con leche 😁 3y
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Jari-chan @Liz_M Still have to try the cuban one 🤩 3y
Texreader @Jari-chan I used to know all the places by heart but I‘m having to check my database here in my dottering old age. My family, the Wernlis, were from Thalheim. We found cousins there and a lovely time visiting. I‘m looking at maps now to give you an idea of where all we went. 3y
Texreader For the life of me I can‘t find the adorable town we stayed in while we visited Thalheim. From there we traveled to Chur, then Locarno, Zermatt, Lucerne, then back to Zurich. It was an amazing trip. 3y
Texreader It was the week before 9/11 and we flew through Newark home. I had worked a number of summers near NYC so I remember showing mom the twin towers as we were so close to them. It was my last time to see that landmark. 😢 3y
Jari-chan @Texreader I googled Thalheim and it looks like a beautiful and cozy place! I live and work in Chur, so you've actually visited my home! That's so great to hear! Hope you liked it 😄
At least you got a last glance at the towers. Feel hugged if you need to ❤
3y
Texreader @Jari-chan It‘s such a small world! We loved Chur and I will remember it always!! 3y
Jari-chan @Texreader It really is a small world! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed our small town 🥰 3y
34 likes10 comments
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BookNAround
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I figure I should at least try starting my #doublespin book in the month in which it was picked! Gatsby is sinking into the couch cushions beside me. 😂

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TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

I loved the second installment in the Lady Astronaut series, and will definitely be checking out the third!

I do, however, roll my eyes pretty hard at every mention of her husband's "rocket" being "ready for launch." Such entendres are WAY overused, and incredibly corny.

54 likes1 comment
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Pedrocamacho
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Pickpick

Initially, the characters felt a little flat. However, that improved throughout. Also, the story of the transit to Mars was fun to read. Fun read overall.

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Mitch
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Thanks for the tag @MoonWitch94 😘

1- Intergalactic
2- oh yes - one pre order from Amazon and two from my local indie

If it‘s still Tuesday where you are consider yourself tagged!
#Two4Tuesday

MoonWitch94 You‘re welcome! This book looks really good; are you enjoying it? 4y
Mitch @MoonWitch94 mmm .... it‘s book 2 of a series and book 1 was much better ! 4y
TheSpineView I agree with your assessment of the series. I thought book 2 got better at the end. I just got book 3 to read. Thanks for playing! 4y
55 likes3 comments
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Mitch
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed book 1 in this series. This instalment (book2) felt a little clumsy and, for me, it lacked the drama and nuanced cultural context that made the first book so good. I really liked the juxtaposition of the chapter intros - snippets of news from earth, with the state of play on the voyage to Mars. And it was a good bit of escapist reading - perfect for this point in time.

75 likes2 stack adds
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Mitch
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Reading on the bench...... being in the sun makes every feel more achievable 🤞🏼

70 likes1 stack add
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Mitch
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Just catching up @JaneyWaneyB !
1- My husband‘s smile when he sees there are Jaffa Cakes in the biscuit tin!
2- You can‘t beat belting it out to a bit of Dolly Parton!
3- Homemade fruit cake - made with lots of Christmas left over dried ingredients!

#thoughtfulthursday

eraderneely Dolly Parton and the biscuit tin, that sounds like a cheerful day! 4y
JaneyWaneyB Full moon, half moon, total eclipse 😂😂 4y
MoonWitch94 Dolly Parton is so fun! Thanks for playing 💜💗 4y
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Mitch
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#ispy with my little eye a book with an orange cover! @Chrissyreadit ( and now I‘ve taken it from my shelf I think I‘ll read it - I was feeling indecisive so thanks for helping!)
Can you find a green cover @JaneyWaneyB @AmyG @squirrelbrain @MoonWitch94

squirrelbrain Thanks for the tag! 🏃‍♀️ dashes off to inspect bookshelves.... 4y
Chrissyreadit Ohhh! @Avanders have you read this series? Alternative earth in space! 4y
AmyG Oh, I have a book that is green! 4y
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MoonWitch94 Thanks for the tag 💗 Now it‘s off to my bookshelf/ebook library 📚 😂 4y
JaneyWaneyB Yes I do and a recently read book too 😊 4y
Avanders @Chrissyreadit no, but now I have to!! 4y
77 likes6 comments
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Mindelan
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one, but with a spoiler caveat I‘ll put in the comments. This book is mainly in space, in contrast to the first, and mostly chronicles the long journey to Mars. It‘s stretches of day-to-day life and interpersonal drama (the racism and sexism does not get left behind) punctuated by unexpected SPACE DANGER. I missed the community of women Elma had in the first book, but overall I still enjoyed it.

Mindelan So, Mary Robinette did do a “bury your gays,” which was not great. She did kill 2 other characters but we‘ve only gotten 2 queer characters in the whole series. Maybe as we get more into colony culture/farther away from earth in the 50s she‘ll introduce more that get to live? I hope so. 4y
7 likes1 comment
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Mindelan
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Onwards, immediately to the sequel. I am destroyed with migraine hangover fatigue and not going to be doing much today. Time to do some #audiogaming and fill out my pokédex. Any other pokémon fans out there? I think my botanist brain likes collecting and categorizing things. Hoping if I rest this morning I can do some cleaning and plant care later. Very glad I stumbled on this series just when I needed an incentive to rest and not overdo it.

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TheSpineView
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Pickpick

Loved the 2nd book as much as the first. Elma York now sets her sights on Mars. Compelling story and the cast of characters are spectacular. Not to heavy on the science, so if you are not a fan of Sci-Fi you will enjoy. 5 ⭐ Read my full review on my blog at www.thespineview.com

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HeyT
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Pickpick

This was so good and I'm very glad it was my #BookSpin for this month. I didn't expect to finish it quite so soon but it was so good I kept coming back to it. I love Elma and all her hard work to be the best at what she does. The relationships between Elma and her crew as well as her husband are so belivable and kept me going to see what would happen next. I'm sad I put this off for so long because it was so good.
#BuriedAliveChallenge

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo! Glad you enjoyed your pick!! 4y
9 likes1 comment
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HeyT
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Same cat different book. Callie wanted in on the #BookSpin action. Reading my number 12 The Fated Sky. #CatsOfLitsy

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HeyT
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#BookReport
Unexpectedly had two last minute finishes with Ten Thousand Doors of January followed immediately by How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse. Earlier in the week I finished off the first cycle of the Chronicles of Amber with The Courts of Chaos as well as my library hold for The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday.

#WeeklyForecast
Nothing too ambitious I want to make a dent in Crown of Swords but am also excited to start The Fated Sky.

7 likes1 stack add
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Schlinkles
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On to something I will hopefully enjoy more than Joyce...although the bar is set pretty low.

47 likes1 stack add
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Bowietrek
Pickpick

The Lady Astronaut series, book 2. Preparations for a trip to Mars. Well written, fascinating alternate history of a group of astronauts and their trip to Mars. Warning, detailed description of being ill in zero gravity. Be prepared. Great series so far. Looking forward to the next one.

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BarbaraJean
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#BFCR4 Week 1 check-in! This was an inauspicious start to the challenge, since I was fighting a cold. I had such low energy—I only managed 2 walks & didn‘t make it to the gym. And I counted a lot of herbal tea as water intake! I did complete the tagged book & also realized that it‘s okay to give myself credit for things I‘m already doing (i.e. the herbal tea!) instead of always trying to add on more to do. #runningonreading #bookfitnesschallenge

wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌 A great first week especially considering you're fighting a cold. I hope you're feeling better. And, yes, it's definitely okay to give yourself credit for things you're already doing. 4y
hermyknee That‘s awesome. Listening to your body is also super important ♥️ 4y
30 likes2 comments
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BarbaraJean
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I started this last night, and two pet peeves from the first book reared their heads rather quickly: a rocket-launch double entendre (my pet peeve) on the third page, and a martini reference (my husband‘s pet peeve) on the fourth page. 😬 I wonder if keeping a running tally of these (or playing a drinking game) might be in order? 😂

valeriegeary Drinking game... Definitely🍸 4y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ralexist
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Pickpick

In book 2 of The Lady Astronaut series Elma York, our MC, finds herself on the inaugural launch team after a last-minute switch in personnel. The book spends about half the time leading up to the launch deciding who goes and who stays, all while dealing with race relations and gender roles applicative to the 1960s. The other half is spent on the actual launch and travel to Mars. Lots of delving into character relationships. Highly recommended!

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NotCool
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Pickpick

The Lady Astronaut goes to Mars. This book gives readers a chance not to loathe Parker, the sexist but skilled pilot from the . As the climate continues changing the question of who is going to benefit from the very expensive space program and who will be left behind comes up.

10 likes1 stack add
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slightlyfoxed
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1. Tagged book + The Emperor‘s Edge by Lindsay Buroker + about to start Samantha Irby‘s Meaty on audio.
2. The rest of the Emperor‘s Edge series 🤷🏼‍♀️.
3. I‘ve forced The Calculating Stars and The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle on anyone who will listen.
#WeekendReads

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Lexicon1982
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Pickpick

Is it possible for the second book to be even better than the first? Yes...Yes it is!
Listened as an audiobook and the narrator did a great job making you feel like you were actually in space with the crew! enjoyable to see the dynamic develop between Elma and Parker
A fast paced space odyssey that if you liked The Calculating Stars you will love The Fated Sky!
5 stars!

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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

Another great book in the Lady Astronaut series! Much higher stakes now that they're headed for Mars. I love the atmosphere of the early space program and the character development as the series has progressed. Looking forward to more!

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ShyBookOwl
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"My mother once told me that an apology wasn't about being right or wrong, but showing that the relationship was more important than the problem."

That's a great #lessons
#springintoreading

@vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

53 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Deifio
Pickpick

Good read!

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ShyBookOwl
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Audiobook and crochet... and discount Easter chocolate, of course.

The Fated Sky... I'm actually enjoying this sequel more than the first book so far.

Making a tote so I have a place to stick all the bookish enamel pins I will inevitably end up buying 🤷🏽‍♀️

BibliOphelia I envy your skill! One can never have too many totes, especially cute ones like this! 5y
ShyBookOwl @BibliOphelia Thank you 😊 it's just lots of practice 😉 5y
82 likes1 stack add2 comments
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trigeekgirl

Normal people wonder if they‘re packing enough underwear for a long flight and long trip. I worry about whether I‘m packing enough books. Fortunately, they‘re ebooks, so I‘ll just check out lots and if I don‘t finish them all? Better than running out!

16 likes1 stack add
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ssravp
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Pickpick

Another home run. This is such an outstanding series!

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silentrequiem
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I've shared this before on Litsy but it's too good not to share again. Mary Robinette was having so much fun talking yarn and crochet with me she misspelled her own name.

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Expandingbookshelf
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Pickpick

You know that feeling when you open a book at night and you just KNOW you are going to be up way too late, swearing you‘ll put it down after just one more chapter? And you know you‘re going to be sorry when you have to get up for work, but you still can‘t stop reading? That‘s what the Lady Astronaut series does to me.

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EliNeedsMoreShelves
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Pickpick

I continue to be amazed that this author gets so little recognition - all her novels are fantastic, and yet it seems that a large chunk of the reading world hasn't heard of her!
This series (beginning with The Calculating Stars, and continuing with this volume) is a fascinating alternate history in which the world is forced to colonize space. Elma is a brilliant mathematician who has to (surprise) prove her worth to the dudes. Highly recommended.

18 likes1 stack add
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SarahSaysRead
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Pickpick

I love this series, and just happily learned that there will be more in come but not until 2020. You can read the first book as a standalone if you want, but this sequel is just as delightful. Elma and her astronaut friends are still facing sexism and racism, but still strive forward with the goal of getting to space to save humanity. 💖🚀💖🚀💖

#ladiesgetshitdone #scifi #space #inclusive #awesomeauthors #extinctionevent #lovethis

EliNeedsMoreShelves I love this series! It deserves a lot more coverage. One of my favorites this year. 5y
SarahSaysRead @EliNeedsMoreShelves Agreed! I'm surprised it's not more popular. 5y
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
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silentrequiem
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When cover designers do cool things with spines in a series. 😍

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silentrequiem
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When the author is so into talking about yarn and crocheting with you that she misspells her own name... Ha. I love her. #Bubonicon