Leah, I love everything about this #LitsyRecipeSwap #recipeswap package!!! The recipe cards are perfect - I love the old-timey design! The recipe sounds deliiiiiish. Will have to make them soon!! That bookmark is absolutely perfect - it makes me so happy! And the book looks so good - I can‘t wait to read it! Buggy also loves his sticker boom gift and we both loved the candies! Thank you!! 🥰♥️😘🧁

Thank you for hosting this fun swap Suzanne! ♥️

🙀🥹🥰I love this cozy smorey spring camping box, Chelle!! Thank you!!! I am speechless at all the cozies.. & I don‘t have a single one!! The coffees, cocoa, & caramel will all go to excellent use.. in my belly. Everything is so thoughtful- the soap & wax melts smell amazing, the buttons & magnets are perfect, & the bracelet is such a nice reminder 🥰🥰. Also, that mug??? I‘ve been waaaaanting it, but couldn‘t buy it for myself. Thank you!!!♥️♥️♥️

♥️♥️♥️ Once again, Gissy, you‘ve sent such a thoughtful package!! I love all the Mother‘s day/self-care stuff, and you were so generous to include things for little bubba — he ripped that toy open and played with it immediately 🥰🥰 The candle & coffee both smell so good, and the cookies are a special treat! I‘m also super geeked to get this book!! 😄 (and also the #cbbc #coffeebeanbookclub book, of course 😁) Thank you!! ♥️♥️♥️

Just really needing this moment of peace and quiet. Not even sure I‘m going to keep reading the book tonight (which is so good so far… and maybe hits a little too close to home at moments 🫢), or just enjoy the moment. 🌑🌙✨🌄🌌

Overdue for an update!
Tagged: Really impressive. See @Marchpane ‘s review on Goodreads 😉🌟🌟🌟🌟
🧙🏽‍♀️: good, quick, fun, tho not quite “as advertised.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭕️🌈: blech #unpopularopinion ⭐️⭐️
🇫🇷🏢: loved the audio version! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reading: Wandering 🐺 (great so far)
Listening: Ministry 🕋 (intriguing!)

Won: another Reese book! 🤩♥️ Her YA/Pick for May

Received: #LitsyRecipeSwap package from Canada! 🥰💌 Thank you @LeahBergen ! ♥️

When you bet &… WIN!

I was fairly confident that the #FantasticStrangelingsBookClub pick for May would be The Hacienda, but I didn‘t know. For some reason she‘s been announcing late in the month lately…

I‘d prefer to give an independent bookseller my $$ for the monthly book, but sometimes I “have to” pick my #BOTM first & it ends up being the same. So I “bet” this month, chose my BOTM, & held off on Hacienda… Voilà! It paid off. ???♥️

🤯🤩🤯🤩🤯🤩🤯🤩🤯

#BOTM #BookoftheMonth

I‘m so glad I finally read this. A nice, hearty 4.5 🌟s. It‘s immersive, but not dry; has great world-building, but still good action/movement; and is thought-provoking, but fun. Book 2 is already awaiting a hopefully-soon read!

In other news…📰

* Sent the recipe portion of #LitsyRecipeSwap today! @BennettBookworm 🥣🍫🥮💌

* And I finally made it to the PO to send you Nightbooks @KateReadsYA !! It‘s coming media mail, but expected on Monday!

On this episode of #shelfie … my home-office desk, w built-in bookshelves 😍😍😍 Plus 2 more bookshelves to the left of my home-office desk (2 shelves omitted bc they‘re full of junk that we‘re still dealing with 😜)

#Illshowyoumineifyoushowmeyours

book updates:
Read 🍯 Roasted on audio ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A fine continuation, but I guess I think the “romance” drags & resolves in a weird way.

Evil🤰🏽was a fun, quick surprise (audio).
🌟🌟🌟🌟

And my # came up for the Paris Apt. Great so far!

And thx to a generous surprise from @mklong , I got Jade City (per @GrilledCheeseSamurai Rec) & Trees, 1 of 5 I‘m recommending to my #reallifebookclub for May (it‘s my turn :))(others tagged in comments, fyi :)).

My 2nd (big 😁) #speculativespringswap #sss pkg— WOW @BookwormAHN !! Thank you so much!!! You picked perfect books, I‘m so excited to try the journal, those peeps are 🔥, the coffee smells delish, the candles are all sooo perfect, that little NB is so cute & I 💖 those pens, the crystal soap is soo cool!, & the coaster is exactly perfect for me🤩🤩. Also you wrapped everything beautifully & I love those keys!! Thank you sooo much!!🔮🧬♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Opening the first of my #speculativespringswap #sss packages…

Ooooh thank you @shortsarahrose !!! This book sounds sooo interesting and I can‘t wait to read it… and all that yummy English breakfast tea!!! 🤩🤩🤩 And I love the beautiful card you sent too! Did you paint that? Thank you!!! 🔮🦠🧬🧞♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Read:
Rabbits: not perfect, but perfectly enjoyable.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nightbooks: a dark Grimm retelling, wonderful for middle grade. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reading:
The Rook: still intrigued… hoping for quicker movement soon..
No one is Talking: still kind of bored, waiting for the shift.

Acquired: Under Lock & Skeleton Key and Post-Traumatic. Anyone read these?

Happy Easter weekend!!
💛🤍💗🐥🐰💗🤍💛

@Gissy !! What a wonderful, thoughtful, and generous #cbbc #coffeebeanbookclub package! Thank you!! ♥️♥️♥️ Buggy loved the snoopy book, chocolates (he refused to share the caramel chocolate 😂), and sheep kit — I think his creation is adorable (picture insert) 😁🤩 And I **love** the mug, candle, garden tools, and coffee (‘mmm), and those guava cookies were so good!! 🤤🤤🤤 Thank you for my Easter fun!! 🐰💗🤍💗🐰

These are the 3 books I‘m reading right now…

I‘m enjoying Rabbits immensely, and am about 2/3 done. It‘s an audio book, and I also give kudos to the narrator!

I‘m finally reading the Rook… it was recommended to me so long ago. I‘m also loving this so far.

And then there was the Lockwood. I‘m just… first, I feel like it‘s false advertising, though I haven‘t finished it so maybe “it‘s getting there.” (The rest below👇🏽) #RealLifeBookGroup

(2nd post) … but seriously look at that candle! And it smells so good. And that book sleeve!! 🤩🤩 Also, the moon-phase barrette and constellation brooch are sooo cool! I love it all and am so blessed to have such a thoughtful and generous friend. Thank you!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Bugga‘s home with a ..bug (minor stomach bug). Seemed the perfect day to open this amazing package from Chrissy — omg thank you so much for this truly special package!! Every single thing in here was so thoughtful and perfect. These books are perfect, the chocolates are deeeelish, the candle 🫢🥹, I‘m so excited to try the shower goods - I love the way that whipped stuff looks and I‘ve been wanting to try forever! … have to make a 2nd post…

I… didn‘t love the tagged. It was interesting, but it all just felt a little anti-climactic to me. I didn‘t particularly feel attached to anyone, but I felt there was potential. Idk. State of mind? 🤷🏽‍♀️ ⭐️⭐️💫

The Good Turn, however, I thought was brilliant. Best of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reading the Lockwood for #RealLifeBookGroup… and listening to rabbits 🐇🐇🐇 Intrigued!

Y‘all … we‘re almost there! But I haven‘t heard from everyone… if you‘re tagged, ***please let me know ASAP when you sent your #SpeculativeSpringSwap #sss package!*** (If you did already tell me or tag me, my apologies for missing it! It‘s been a busy month… but please *do* tell me again!)

Also, received my pkg from @BookwormAHN yesterday! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Can‘t wait til open day 😁😁

… I guess she‘s my new favorite author?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Update! Picked these 2 for #BOTM #BookoftheMonth - so exited!

Finally finished Dune (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) & now I can go watch the movie! Also finally finished the tagged — heavy on the history and super-character-building. I really enjoyed it but it‘s a slooooooow burn. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Also finally read The Invisible Library! Intrigued and will proceed w the series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Am now listening to Good Turn (I 💗 this series) and reading Cold Cases. Loving so far!

Finished the cozy; lovely, as expected ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Then proceeded to read the tagged book, Lucky, in an evening! It‘s been a while since I‘ve been able to do that, even with a shorter book like this! I enjoyed it - obviously a quick read… and sweet in some maybe predictable ways… and hard in some maybe predictable ways. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

And we had snow & fog this morning! Of course the pics never do it any justice, but I always try! ❄️🌫❄️

Received this gorgeous #FantasticStrangelings book, set in Trinidad, which is where my mom was from - so excited to read this! ♥️

Also picked up this cozy to pass some time 🔪📚☕️

And look at that gorgeous weather for my day off tomorrow! #pluviophile

And buggy has recently gotten obsessed w those Moomin books… extra cute bc we have a lot of the older-reader books from when Mark was a kid. 🥰🥰

I really enjoyed this super fast read. I have read some reviews about … perspective, and I don‘t think I agree. Having a little familiarity with what is in here (personally, not academically), I actually thought it was done quite well, and compassionately. But, as they say, different strokes for different folks. 🤷🏽‍♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Also finished the Penny. I‘m sad, but it was well done. And I need to get the next! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#mood #Barnesyoueviltemptress #yesIboughtthem

1st, thank you Chelle for another wonderful surprise! I loved the last McMahon I read, & can‘t wait to read this!!♥️♥️♥️

2nd, bugga was sick yesterday. Clearly.😐😜

3rd, the tagged. So not what I was expecting! Funny. Heartfelt. Perfect for book group! #RLBookGroup

Also finished 2 other cozies: a visit to the 80s & a visit to a gothic castle! 4 & 3⭐️

& listening to this Penny - not 🌲🌲🌲, but still good & reading the Maid - so good so far!😲

🥰🥰🥰 #CoffeeBeanBookClub #cbbc arrived yesterday - thank you so much @Gissy for this perfect March package!! The coffees smell glorious, & the candle‘s scent is so fresh - I love it! The mug is adorable, & buggy tore into his awesome crafty present - so thoughtful! Oh, and those sweets — my sisters were here when this arrived and *we* tore into those immediately! So good!! Thank you!
🙏🏽🥰♥️♥️♥️♥️😘🙏🏽

Awww thank you Chelle!! This looks like the perfect little pick-me-up and escape… to be read with tea of course! 🥰♥️😘

#Bookreport 🤓

Ran out of my audio loan for Dune. Am ~3/4 done & eager to finish! I have ~5 wks til the hold comes through…. So I may buy used to finish before then 😜 Have the Penny to tide me over!

Finished Winter Counts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Intense… didn‘t love the first half, but dark though it was, it ended well.

A Declaration is still a lot… ready to move on & had to pick up something lighter…

So picked up the tagged - pulled me in immediately☺️🌈🌳

Just in case anyone wasn‘t aware that Brandon Sanderson is self-publishing 4 novels he secretly wrote over the past 2 years via Kickstarter… 😳🤭🤯

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsteel/surprise-four-secret-novels-by-...

Real excited for this month… It took me a month to change my mind about Vladimir. 😏 And otherwise, just so happy with the more-options situation!
📚📚#Bookhaul #BOTM #BookoftheMonth📚📚

Ooooooh guys, I won *FIVE* Christie books from Reese‘s Book Club!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 so excited. #ReesesBookClub

Also, @LibrarianRyan I received your card!! Thank you for the card, the stickers (2 missing from pic 😜), and for organizing the card swap! ♥️♥️

Ooph. I set a lower goal for 2022 to give myself space to read longer/denser books & boy howdy! I found myself in Dune (audio) & Magicians, both of which are really good, but long *&* dense.. when the last #LMPBC book for #round13 came. I picked that up for a little mental break. But, erm, it‘s intense & dark &… welp. I just need to finish one & pick up a cozy mystery! 🤓🤓

PS. Potential job opp dropped in lap: prayers & happy thoughts welcome!

More lovely Litsy valentines bringing joy throughout the week. Thank you all and Happy Valentine‘s Day!
💝💘💝💘💝

#ValentineCardSwap #VCS

Hey all - I‘m just helping to spread the word on #LMPBC (Litsy Mark-up Postal Book Club) - it looks like there are just a few spots left!

It starts on March 1st.

Details and sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080444AEAD2CA0FF2-litsy14

When you fill out the comments, it is a good idea to mention what types of books you like to read. That way, people who like the same genre can try to be in the same group. Reserve your spot now!

Matches Sent for #SpeculativeSpringSwap #SSS.

Please check your emails - including your Spam box! - and let me know ASAP if you have/have not received your match.

Yay!

Open Date: Sunday, April 17, 2022

My #BOTM #BookoftheMonth for February (A River Enchanted); the #FantasticStrangelings selection on its way as we “speak” (Circus of Wonders); and the result of a no-reason-but-stress-relief gift card from my sister (the other 2, including the tagged, which I‘ve had my eye on since Jenny Lawson read it 😜).

Also, I know #sss people are waiting for matches..they‘re all done, I just got stuck trying to figure out a new mail merge program… soon…😘😘

I‘m so happy you organized this #ValentineCardSwap #VCS @LibrarianRyan , and I‘m so happy I signed up for it! These cards have been much-needed little rays of sunshine this past week 💝💝💝💝💝

💖 Thank you all! 💖

After a brutal week in February, I caved and opened my gift from @AmyG early — Thank you Amy!!! I‘m so excited for this book and I love the stickers, magnet, and chocolates! And I‘m so grateful for your thoughtful and generous spirit ♥️♥️♥️

I also finished these 2 books this week:

Elevation: surprisingly not (elevated 😜), but still a super fast & entertaining read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Light: heavy and light and wonderful, as usual.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Last day to sign up for #SpeculativeSpringSwap #SSS !!!

#LitsySwap #LitsyHappenings

Sign-up by Fri Feb 11, 2022
Matches sent by Sun Feb 13, 2022
Ship-by final date March 31, 2022
Open date: Sun April 17, 2022

https://forms.gle/pqbpPYaL67zbtRVw8

Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView ! 😘😘

💖 I always prefer books. But if you wanna throw a little candy or pretty flowers in there, I won‘t complain 😁

💖 I loved the tagged book…

Round 5 has begun!! OMG @Gissy what a wonderful & generous kickoff package for #CoffeeBeanBookClub #cbbc !! And Welcome!! ☕️📖♥️ The coffee smells delish, buggy & I ate the chocolate immediately, & I‘m floored by all the lovely valentine‘s extras - candle, mug, socks, & book sleeve!! 😍🥰😍 THANK YOU!! 💖💖💖

And of course, I feel like even more of a schlub for behind just a *smidge* behind in sending mine - it‘ll go tmrw! It‘s coming… Chrissy!

🥺😖😫 I‘m sad this book is over and frustrated I have to wait until next year for the conclusion!! I know some have said this is the weakest in the series so far… idk maybe it is, but I loved it anyway! I listened to this on audio and the reader is, once again, phenomenal. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Also received a surprise package from @AmyG and almost didn‘t see this little instruction on the back! 🤭 Thank you! You‘re so sweet!! 💘💘💘💘💘

All around the US & over a year, this book has traveled to friends - & I welcome it home at the end of round 4 of #CoffeeBeanBookClub #cbbc

Thank you Nicole for all the extra goodies!!! ♥️♥️ Buggy & I have already dipped into the cookies & chocolate 😁, the coffee smells divine & will be perfect with the syrup!! 🤤🤤 And that cocoa ornament is so cute! Can‘t wait to drink it ☕️☺️

Thank you again for the whole year too & for hosting!!
♥️☕️♥️📖♥️

I had some store credit at my favorite local bookstore (tagged), so after a long snow day ❄️💨❄️ involving frozen pipes and car repairs, I treated myself with this hearty stack 😁📚🎁 #bookhaul

Also, reading the Declaration of the Rights of Magicians (an involved and rather serious novel) and almost done listening to Cytonic (3rd in the Skyward series). Can‘t believe the 4th doesn‘t come out until 2023! 🥺🥺🥺

2 more swaps! See @sprainedbrain & @Chrissyreadit for #springequinoxswap
See @ShelleyBooksie & @DinoMom for #litsylovesanimalsswap

& I‘ve read 3 more books! The tagged was quick, creepy, wicked, & even a little surprising. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pride.. is a YA retelling w a 17-year-old protagonist pursuing a legal career… I liked it more than I expected! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

And Spells & Caramels — not terribly original or surprising, but thoroughly enjoyed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yay!!! @LibrarianRyan is hosting a Valentine‘s Day card swap!! #ValentineCardSwap #VCS

Just send a card, nothing else. ☺️

Head over to her page for info, to sign up, etc.

💖🤍💗🤍💘🤍💝🤍💖🤍💗🤍💘🤍💝
💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌

Ok we‘re going to go ahead with this! #SpeculativeSpringSwap #SSS #LitsySwap #LitsyHappenings

I‘m stretching out the timeline a bit though :)

Sign-up by Fri Feb 11, 2022
Matches sent by Sun Feb 13, 2022
Ship-by final date March 31, 2022
Open date: Sun April 17, 2022

Tagging some folks who might be interested. Of course, feel free to pass it on! Also, no pressure!!

https://forms.gle/pqbpPYaL67zbtRVw8

Ok.. Ruby was not quite what it purports to be. But what turned out to be a series of *very* well-done short stories is unsettling & weird & intriguing &, yes, connected by a string… even if at times that string is a bit frayed. Overall, definitely glad I found this book while browsing a bookstore!
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Also finished #LMPBC book & will send tmrw or this weekend! @carlthecattt

And picked up this odd little creepy novella 👯‍♀️🤲🏽😳

Last few days to vote in the final round of the #LitsyAwards !! See @LibrarianRyan ‘s posts for more info… or just go vote!

https://forms.gle/28YQmbUpDY1HD7if6