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AliD73

AliD73

Joined July 2019

Proud book addict since childhood. I read a wide variety of genres, everything from sci-fi/fantasy to romance to literary fiction and classics.
blurb
AliD73
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I‘m starting this tonight. I‘ve never read anything by Marie Benedict before, but I‘ve been told she‘s an excellent writer. As an Agatha Christie fan, I‘m looking forward to this.

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AliD73
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Pickpick

I‘m not going to recap the plot because this is a classic and even those who haven‘t read it are at least somewhat aware of/familiar with it. I‘ll just say that I read this book many years ago and I still remember every plot point and every twist and turn because it‘s literally that memorable. Agatha Christie remains the queen of mystery decades after her death. A brilliant, classic, memorable, expertly crafted novel!

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AliD73
One Hundred Years of Solitude | Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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Revisiting another favorite. This book is a masterpiece.

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AliD73
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Revisiting one of my favorites today.

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AliD73
The Men | Sandra Newman
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Bailedbailed

Tired transphobic/homophobic clichés, ridiculous plot, and gratuitous violence in a novel that reads like it was hastily scribbled on a McDonald‘s napkin by a middle school student who‘s trying to pull up their failing grade in English by trying to impress their teacher with a thin veneer of pseudo intellectualism that just comes across as being laughable. I wish I could unread this. The instructions on my box of Tampax has more literary merit.

Chrissyreadit Your review! I literally pictured someone choosing between the book and tampon instructions 🤣 2y
AliD73 @Chrissyreadit I recommend the tampon instructions over this book. The quality of the writing is better and it will be a much more enriching and entertaining experience overall. 😀 2y
Chrissyreadit 😆🙌 2y
3 likes3 comments
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AliD73
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Pickpick

This novel, inspired by the true story of a plague stricken English village in the 1660s, is told from the perspective of a maid named Anna Frith. Superstitions and accusations run rampant as one person after another becomes ill and the death count rises. It‘s well written and researched, but it has an unexpected ending that‘s rather abrupt and puzzling. The ending doesn‘t ruin the story, though; it‘s well worth reading. Highly recommended.

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AliD73
Cell - Stephen King | Stephen King
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Mehso-so

There were too many unresolved subplots and too many things were left unexplained. I also didn‘t like the ending. The pace of the story was good, and the tension and sense of danger kept things interesting. This definitely isn‘t one of his best works, though.

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AliD73
Under the Dome | King, Stephen
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Mehso-so

I loved it up until the ending. The ending was disappointing to me. It felt rushed and half baked, like he just got tired of writing and said, “Oh, screw it.” Will I keep reading his books? Absolutely. I wouldn‘t put up with this from any other author, but Stephen King is the exception. I‘ve been reading his books since I was eleven years old, and I doubt I‘ll stop now.

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AliD73
Manhunt | Gretchen Felker-Martin
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Bailedbailed

Interesting premise, and I like that trans and non-binary characters take center stage. I couldn‘t finish it, though. The gore was too much for me, and there was some brutal sexual violence that didn‘t do anything to further the story; it came across as being gratuitous. I found it disturbing. Some of the characters seemed underdeveloped as well. If none of this bothers you, give this book a chance; you‘ll probably like it. It just wasn‘t for me.

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AliD73
The Handmaid's Tale | Margaret Atwood
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Pickpick

It took me a while to read this because it was so intense and dark, I had to take several breaks from it. I‘m glad I read it, though. It‘s brilliantly written; Margaret Atwood draws the reader in from page one. This book made me wonder if something like this could really happen. It isn‘t so far fetched. Don‘t read this at a time when you‘re stressed, anxious, angry, or feeling sad; this is not a relaxing or uplifting story. Highly recommended.

StaceGhost What a fantastic cover 2y
AliD73 @StaceGhost It‘s from The Folio Society. All their editions are beautiful. 2y
StaceGhost @AliD73 I feel like I should‘ve known lol I love all their editions too 2y
See All 8 Comments
CuriousG I have this Folio Society edition too! 2y
AliD73 @StaceGhost Me too. I buy as many of their editions as I can. They are a bit pricey, but worth every penny. 2y
AliD73 @CuriousG it really is such a beautiful edition, isn‘t it? I‘ve been buying books from the Folio Society for years. 2y
CuriousG @AliD73 It is my first Folio Society book (gift from my husband), but I have SO many on my list of ones I want! 2y
AliD73 @CuriousG Me too! They just released an edition of The Bell Jar that I want, and I want their edition of The Color Purple too. 2y
24 likes8 comments
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AliD73
THE HANDMAID'S TALE | MARGARET ARWOOD
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My beautiful Folio Society edition of The Handmaid‘s Tale. I‘m reading it now, and I‘m blown away! Why did it take me so long to get around to reading this?

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AliD73
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Bailedbailed

It started out well, but it quickly went downhill. There were too many unnecessary characters, too many underdeveloped characters, and too many childish shenanigans. It felt like a YA book trying to pass itself off as deep, thought provoking literary fiction. While I enjoyed the relationship between Emmett and Billy, they weren‘t enough to keep me reading until the end. Also, Duchess and Woolly were unlikeable. For me, this one was a hard pass.

annahenke Interesting. I‘m really enjoying A Gentleman in Moscow by the same author and actually received both as a birthday gift. Curious to see how they differ in style. Wonder if I‘ll feel the same! 2y
AliD73 @annahenke A lot of people are giving this book great reviews, so maybe you‘ll like it. Most of the people who dislike this book but who have read A Gentleman in Moscow seem to agree that the former is better. 2y
TheSpineView I was not a fan either. Sigh... 2y
AliD73 @TheSpineView A lot of people are giving this book good reviews, but I just don‘t see the appeal. That‘s OK, though. Not everyone will like the same things. It‘s good to know I‘m not the only one who didn‘t like it. (edited) 2y
8 likes4 comments
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AliD73
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Pickpick

I‘m not sure I can find the words to adequately describe how much I love this book and the effect it had on me. Parts of it made me laugh, parts of it made me cry, and parts of it made me question things I have been taught all my life about gender and relationships. I‘m glad I read this. In addition to being absorbed in and entertained by the story, I learned a lot. This novel is going to stay with me. Moving, thought provoking, outstanding!

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AliD73
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Pickpick

This was such a unique story. I enjoyed it so much, I read it in two days. I won‘t bother recapping the plot because it‘s been heavily publicized and promoted by numerous outlets, but I‘ll just say this book has earned the accolades it has received. Sarah Penner illustrated quite well the lack of options women had in the eighteenth century by contrasting the lives of the characters in 1791 with the life of Caroline in the present day.

PiperH I want this one!! It looks good 😊 2y
AliD73 @PiperH You should read it! You‘d love it! 2y
PiperH I will look for it. See if I can find it. 2y
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AliD73 @PiperH Let me know what you think of it if you read it. It‘s a unique story. 2y
PiperH I will 2y
AliD73 @PiperH 👍 2y
7 likes1 stack add6 comments
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AliD73
Matrix | Lauren Groff
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Bailedbailed

Such a disappointment. I wanted to like this book. I like Groff‘s use of language, but this book was terrible. I felt like the author couldn‘t decide if she wanted this to be historical fiction or outright fantasy. It was so unbelievable and historically inaccurate that it was ludicrous. I don‘t want to post spoilers, but about 2/3 of the way through the book the story becomes ridiculous. I couldn‘t suspend disbelief enough to finish this.

AliD73 I want to add to my review that I understand the genre of fantasy, and I have enjoyed such novels many times over the years. The author of this novel, however, seemed to me to be unable to decide if she wanted this to be fantasy or historical fiction. Even with fantasy, the author must inspire the reader to suspend disbelief enough to believe the fantastical elements of the story. Groff failed to do that. The story just didn‘t work; It was silly. (edited) 2y
BarbaraBB I know what you mean 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
AliD73 @BarbaraBB Thank you. This book seems to be universally loved; I‘m definitely in the minority regarding my opinion of it. It‘s good to know there are other readers who agree with me. 2y
TrishB I don‘t think there‘s anything wrong with having a different opinion to the majority 🤷‍♀️ that‘s why we all read. I like reading different opinions. It‘s happened to me many times. 2y
AliD73 @TrishB Thank you, I agree. 2y
8 likes5 comments
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AliD73
The World Played Chess | Robert Dugoni
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Bailedbailed

This book didn‘t live up to the hype for me. I wanted to like it, but it was a disappointment. I didn‘t like any of the characters and I found the parts about his summer job working on a construction site to be boring. The parts of the book that were actually set in Vietnam were interesting, but they just weren‘t enough to keep me reading. The book would‘ve been much better if it had been set in Vietnam entirely. I tried, but I gave up.

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AliD73
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Pickpick

Love, loss, and healing. I thought this would be a fun, lighthearted fantasy novel, but it was so much more. This was surprisingly deep, meaningful, and thought provoking. This is such a beautiful story, especially for anyone who has ever lost someone they loved and believes in or hopes for life after death. You‘ll laugh, you‘ll cry, and you‘ll believe in the power of people to change for the better. I can‘t recommend this enough. Read this book.

PiperH My favorite book!!!!😊 2y
AliD73 @PiperH Mine too! Seriously, I cried at the end! 2y
PiperH I did too!!! 2y
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AliD73 @PiperH I hope someone makes it into a movie! 2y
PiperH Me too! I would definitely watch it!😊 2y
AliD73 @PiperH Yes, I‘d like to see a sequel too! Turn it into a series. He‘s such a good writer! 2y
PiperH Yes! Hope he comes out with more books!😊 2y
PiperH I‘m looking for some good mysteries. Do you read mysteries? 2y
AliD73 @PiperH Yes, I read mysteries. I love anything by Agatha Christie. Also, check out Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay and Thursday Night Murder Club by Richard Osman. 2y
PiperH Great 😊 I will check those out. I love cozy mysteries. I‘m reading Murder On Cape Cod by Maddie Day. Really good. 2y
AliD73 @PiperH I think you‘ll like them. I love cozy mysteries too. I‘ll check that out. That‘s one I haven‘t read. 2y
PiperH Ok thanks 😊 2y
AliD73 @PiperH You‘re welcome! Let me know how you like them. 😀 2y
PiperH I will 😊 2y
AliD73 @PiperH 😀 2y
10 likes15 comments
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AliD73
Butterfly Swords | Jeannie Lin
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Pickpick

This was a refreshing change of pace. Set during China‘s Tang Dynasty in 758 CE, this was the most unique historical romance I‘ve ever read. A strong warrior princess heroine made this an enjoyable read. I learned a bit about China‘s history from this book, which added to the enjoyment. Good storyline, interesting characters, fascinating history, and plenty of cultural information make this highly recommended.

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AliD73
The Wise Woman: A Novel | Philippa Gregory
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Pickpick

This is one of Philippa Gregory‘s lesser known books, and that‘s a shame. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It has an unconventional protagonist and an unconventional ending. Set in Tudor England, this tells the story of Alys, an old lord‘s scribe. Although she‘s the protagonist, Alys can easily be considered evil; she has no problem lying, scheming, seducing, and using the dark arts to get what she wants. This is a unique novel. Highly recommended.

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AliD73
Hour of the Witch | Chris Bohjalian
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My current read. I‘m enjoying it so far. Intense, atmospheric.

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AliD73
At Love's Command | Karen Witemeyer
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Bailedbailed

Do you enjoy historically inaccurate, racist depictions of white people murdering American Indians in the Old West? Do you feel bad for the big white man hero when he tries to help a Lakota woman but she‘s just so racist she won‘t accept his help while he and his friends are slaughtering her people? (It‘s OK, though, because the white man feels bad about the genocide he committed!) Well praise the Lord and pass the ammo, this is the book for you!

AliD73 This is the perfect book for white racist Americans who have deluded themselves into believing that they are Christians. If you are a real Christian or if you are anything other than white, you will see this book for the offensive, inaccurate piece of pseudo-Christian garbage it actually is. (edited) 3y
Ericalambbrown I volunteer for our friends of the library group in a small rural southern Missouri town. Every stinking time I work I get someone asking for “Christian cowboy/pioneer romance” or “Amish romance” which is apparently a thing. It‘s a wee bonkers. 😂 3y
AliD73 @Ericalambbrown I find it offensive that this particular book is marketed as being Christian. It is historically inaccurate, racist, and to say it is poorly written would be putting it mildly. I rarely say this about a book, but this book is total garbage and there‘s no resemblance whatsoever to real Christianity. This book is a perfect example of why I hardly ever read any book with the label “Christian” although I‘m a Christian. 3y
See All 6 Comments
Ericalambbrown @AliD73 I have found that to be true if most fiction marketed as Christian. And I agree - it is very offensive. 3y
AliD73 @Ericalambbrown Me too. Unfortunately, the majority of Christian fiction is targeted at a specific demographic of extreme right wing, racist, sexist, xenophobic, and anti-LGBT pseudo-Christians who have distorted the real Gospel message. (edited) 3y
Ericalambbrown @AliD73 ‼️‼️‼️‼️ 3y
3 likes6 comments
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AliD73
Dead Until Dark | Harris Charlaine
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Bailedbailed

I wanted to like this book so much, I really did. I loved the TV series, and I‘m looking forward to the reboot. I had to bail on this, though. I just didn‘t like it. Personally, I just didn‘t think it was very well written; it couldn‘t hold my attention. I kept comparing it to the TV series, and it just didn‘t measure up. To each their own. I‘ll be rewatching the series instead of reading the books. Can‘t wait for the reboot series!

Ericalambbrown You know, I don‘t think I‘d have liked this even if I‘d not seen the series. I was kinda amazed these have been so popular supposedly. The characters just felt wooden to me. 3y
AliD73 @Ericalambbrown I agree. The characters just came across as two dimensional to me. I found Sookie and Bill to be unlikable and uninteresting, which totally took me by surprise. Sookie in particular just seemed shallow and not too intelligent to me. In this case, the TV series was better than the book. 3y
Ericalambbrown @AliD73 Right? It was almost as she were written to be a simpleton or special needs in some way. I looked to see what happens in book two to decide if I wanted to give it a go on the off chance it got better. I guess Lafeyette Reynolds if killed straight out the gate in that book do I was like “I‘m out!” 😂 3y
AliD73 @Ericalambbrown I know, right? LOL. I kept asking myself if Charlaine Harris deliberately wrote Sookie to be a moron or if that was just an accident resulting from her poor writing. It‘s rare that a movie or TV series is better than the book it is based on, but this is definitely one of those cases. (edited) 3y
9 likes4 comments
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AliD73
Cilka's Journey | Heather Morris
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Pickpick

This is the sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and what a sequel it is! Well written and beautifully crafted by an author who apparently cares about her subject. Cilka was an amazingly strong person. This was a difficult novel to read because of what Cilka went through, but it‘s worth the time and effort. Cilka was a perfect example of the triumph of the human spirit. I highly recommend this. TW: rape, violence, mental/verbal/physical abuse.

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AliD73
Cilka's Journey | Heather Morris
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My current read. Heavy, but well written. Cilka Klein was brave and strong.

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AliD73
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Pickpick

This is the memoir of Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian woman who hid Jews during World War II with the help of her family. The Nazis ultimately discovered what they were doing and sent them and their father to concentration camps. She was an amazing woman who survived and went on to devote her life to philanthropic work and Holocaust education after the war. She also forgave those who betrayed, imprisoned, and tormented her. Powerful story!

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AliD73
Book Thief | Markus Zusak
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AliD73
The Witch of Blackbird Pond | Elizabeth George Speare
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Pickpick

I read this book when I was 12 years old, and I still remember it. This is considered to be a children‘s/middle grade novel, but adults can enjoy it too. This is considered to be a classic for a reason. This tells the story of Kit, an outcast girl in Puritan Connecticut who befriends an outcast old woman who is suspected of being a witch. The hatred and violence that masquerade as Christianity in this novel is astounding. The more things change…..

GondorGirl I was obsessed with books about outcasts as a kid and remember reading this one several times. I'd forgotten all about it until your post... 3y
AliD73 @GondorGirl it‘s such a good book. It deserves classic status. 3y
9 likes2 comments
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I love the overall message of this novel.

BookishMarginalia Especially appropriate right now 3y
AliD73 @BookishMarginalia Yes, it is. 3y
18 likes3 comments
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AliD73
East of Eden | John Steinbeck
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AliD73
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Pickpick

I love this book! It features a gay romance, chosen/found family, fantasy creatures, and an uplifting story in which the characters fight to be together. To me, it feels like a gay themed “Harry Potter” with elements of “1984.” (That‘s a good thing.) It‘s categorized as a novel for adults, but I think older children and teenagers could read it as well. In general, it‘s a sweet, uplifting, entertaining story. I‘ve found a new favorite author. A+!

Curiouser_and_curiouser I love your review! Ive always been in two minds to read this book. Your review is the best I've ever read! You've certainly convinced me 😁😍 3y
AliD73 @Curiouser_and_curiouser Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 3y
21 likes2 comments
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AliD73
Last Night in Nuuk | Niviaq Korneliussen
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Bailedbailed

This book has received global praise and I wanted to like it, but I just didn‘t. The rambling, stream of consciousness style of writing just wasn‘t for me. Personally, I found it to be a mess. The novel was originally written in Greenlandic, so maybe it loses something in the translation; I don‘t know. Disappointing, because a novel from an emerging Greenlandic lesbian writer sounds intriguing. If stream of consciousness appeals to you, read it.

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AliD73
Pagan Babies | Greg Johnson
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Pickpick

This book is only in print as an e-book today, but used copies can be found in paperback and hardback. It tells the story of Clifford, who is gay and raised Catholic, and Janice, his straight best friend. This book tells their story from their first meeting in third grade in Catholic school in the 1960s to the early 1990s. Religion, sexuality, love, loss, and the bounds of friendship are explored in this novel. The AIDS crisis is also featured.

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AliD73
Drawing Blood | Poppy Z. Brite
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Pickpick

A haunted house, a murder/suicide, time travel, an alternate dimension, an FBI manhunt, and a gay romance makes this an interesting read. I can always count on Poppy Z. Brite to be delightfully and entertainingly weird. I particularly liked the supporting character Eddy, who I think deserves her own novel. As with all of Poppy Z. Brite‘s novels, this is filled with sex, violence, and alienated characters living on the fringe of society. Unique.

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AliD73
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one. This is the first book of a four volume series. This tells the story of Annice, who renounces her royal heritage in order to become a bard with the ability to summon spirits from all four elements (“quarters”). To the dismay of her female lover, she becomes pregnant and has to go on the run as an outlaw when she rescues the father of her unborn child from execution. Excellent LGBT themed fantasy novel with great world building.

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Giovanni's Room | James Baldwin
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AliD73
Bingo | Rita Mae Brown
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Pickpick

There were some elements of this story I didn‘t care for, but overall I enjoyed this book. This is the second book in the Runnymede series, and it takes place seven years after the first volume. In this book, self-identified, out lesbian Nickel Smith is doing her best to keep an eye on her quarrelsome aunt and mother while embarking on an affair with a married man that rocks the town once her fellow residents find out. Interesting but flawed.

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AliD73
Venus Envy | Rita Mae Brown
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Pickpick

Mary “Frazier” Armstrong is a successful art gallery owner in Charlottesville,VA who writes letters to all her family and friends in which she outs herself as a lesbian after receiving a terminal lung cancer diagnosis. She‘ll be dead by the time they read the letters, she figures. But, surprise! She‘s misdiagnosed and she‘s going to live! Hilarious, heartfelt, and heart wrenching as she deals with the fallout. I loved this one. Highly recommended.

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AliD73
Jane Eyre | Charlotte Bront
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AliD73
Red, White & Royal Blue | Casey McQuiston
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Pickpick

This is the story of Alex, the son of the American President and Henry, a Prince of The United Kingdom. Once adversaries, the fallout from an international incident requires them to spend a lot of time together and they end up falling in love. This is a well written and entertaining novel. There were several times I laughed out loud while reading this, and I thought the ending was perfect. I hope there will be a sequel someday. Highly recommended!

Piper I absolutely loved it!!😀 3y
AliD73 @Piper Me too! It was one of the best romance novels I‘ve ever read! I hope there‘s a sequel, maybe one where June is the main character and Alex and Henry are supporting characters. 3y
15 likes2 comments
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AliD73
Lost Souls | Poppy Brite
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Pickpick

This book takes me back to my Goth youth when I dressed in black, wore ankh necklaces, and smoked clove cigarettes like there was no tomorrow. This book, initially published in the early 1990s, has a strong Goth feel. Homicidal vampires, a bisexual artist heroine in mortal danger, and a gay male love story add up to an entertaining read. This book is much tamer and less explicit than “Exquisite Corpse,” but still has some sex and violence.

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AliD73
Exquisite Corpse | Poppy Z. Brite
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Pickpick

I don‘t read much horror, but this novel by trans male author Poppy Z. Brite is brilliantly written. This is a gay themed novel based on Jeffrey Dahmer and Dennis Nilsen. I don‘t want to spoil anything, but this will stay with you. This tells the story of gay men Tran, Jay, Andrew, and Lucas as their lives become entwined and caught up in a web of lies, sex, and murder. TRIGGER WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT. This book has been banned many times.

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AliD73
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Pickpick

In her second memoir, Janet Mock tells the story of her 20s, a time in her life that was a period of intense change and growth for her. She fills in some gaps from her previous memoir while also going beyond the first book by telling of some experiences she had after that volume ended. This book allows the reader to get to know her much better. Ms. Mock has been to hell and back and has overcome much; she has my respect. TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE.

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