I like a good tale told with dragons. The romantic elements reminded me of Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you like her, you will probably like this book.

I absolutely adored this unique, somewhat dark but sweet, fairytale. The grumpy, possessed hen was my favorite. I don't think this book could have been written any better. The author's imagination is fantastic.

This plot was too over-the-top. The author couldn't quite make it work. The characters were emotionally immature and annoying, and I did not like that I did not like them. There were snippets that I enjoyed that had literary potential, but they didn't transition smoothly. I liked the idea, I thought it would be fun, but I kind of wish I'd skipped this one.

4th book read for #MagnificentMay
@Andrew65

It was really fun to see the author weave all these creative threads together. This mystery was written uniquely and with great humor, but it was still a tribute to classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie.

#MagnificentMay
@Andrew65

It kept me interested, but there were a few problematic issues:

The press can not go after a minor so publicly without facing repercussions.

The characters in this book were either evil or all good. In real life, people who do good things can be racist also.

The MC is a white girl when the book is supposed to be about a murdered Black girl.

My goal was to finish it, and I did. Tomorrow, I will read 100 pgs.

#MagnificentMay
@Andrew65

#MagnificentMay
@Andrew65

My goal for today was to read 100 pages of this book, and I achieved it right before bed. It was in a spot where I didn't want to put it down, but sleep is not overrated when you are middle-aged. My goal for tomorrow is to finish the book.

#MagnificentMay #Readathon
Thanks @Andrew65

I've been in a reading slump this year and have had trouble with motivation. So, my goal is to pick a goal each day for the duration of the readathon and post if I achieved it.

My goal for May 6th is to read 100 pages of The Black Queen. I will worry about tomorrow when it comes.

TJ. Klune writes comforting bedtime stories for adults. This story is a sentimental AI fairy tale. It is punctuated with silly and cute robot banter. The book also not so subtley points out that sexuality exists on a spectrum, which I think even most grown people don't realize. It brings up many life philosophies to ponder while remaining humorous and poignant. Things that are real can make choices.

I could gush over the book for paragraphs!

The magical realism aspect of this book really worked to bring the story together. It made me think about generational trauma and possible healing. The characters were unforgettable.

I liked this spooky, Sci fi thriller. I listened to the audio, and it was definitely intense and suspenseful. The main character's angst was a bit overwritten, but overall, I liked her.

I loved the haunting imagery I got from this Gothic tale. It made my imagination run wild with ghouls.

I'm a little late jumping in on the #JoyousJanuary Readathon, but I am really far behind on my reading for the month. I need this! My goal is to read at least 4 books.

@Andrew65

I enjoyed revisiting these characters solving a cold case in London. I was proven right about the nature of one character. The mystery is exceptional in this one.

I'm glad her mom died, too, after reading this book. She never would have been free. It takes courage to write like this. Jennette McCurdy is at the beginning stage of her healing. I'd love to see her write a book 10 years from now about how she's progressed. I hope she continues writing. I had no idea who she was before I read this, but I wish her the best.
TW: child abuse, eating disorder

My neighbor got me this pillow for Christmas. It is customized to look like me and has my name on it. She knows me well. I was touched.

This book wasn't too scary for a book marketed as a horror novel, but it was really good. I appreciated the main character's struggles in recovery. The ending got me. I would recommend it if you like a good ghost story.

Horror is the only kind of Christmas book I like. This is a humorous homage to the 80s horror genre. It is very funny and clever. I really felt like I was in 1986.

This was the first book that S.A. Cosby ever wrote, but it is just out for publication now. While it doesn't compare to the amazing Razorblade Tears, I could not put it down. The book is violent and the themes are disturbing, but the main character, who works at a funeral home, is endearing. There is humor interspersed throughout the book that makes it palatable. It is a great debut that is not technically a debut.

I thoroughly enjoyed this escapist vampire soap opera. It didn't have the ending I would have picked, but I was really engrossed in the story so I had to give it four stars.

This was quite a harrowing story. It was told very well, although I do wonder how how all of that dialogue could have been verifiable fact.

This mystery/thriller was riveting throughout. I was really attached to the reporter. The ending was excellent. I highly recommend it.

I didn't enjoy this installment of the Flesh and Fire series as much as I did the first novel. It was long and drawn out without much plot movement. Of course, I am hooked enough to want to read the third book when it comes out, because #2 ends with a cliffhanger.

Carmen Maria Machdo is brave for putting her story of queer domestic abuse out there for the world to read, and brave for bringing the subject into the light. It took me a minute to understand her writing style, but once I got accustomed to it, I really felt transported into her life.

Unpopular opinion. I didn't like this book and I can't say why without giving the whole thing away.

Meh. I read it for book club and I'm not sure my rating is fair, dying kids and existentialism just isn't my thing.

This horror story takes place in a New York psychiatric facility in 2011. The setting was detailed remarkably well and the characters were the kind that stick with you because they seem so real. The horror was more in the system than the supernatural aspect.

This book was an interesting homage to Stephen King's Carrie because it tackled overt racism. It was done well, and just like I'm the original story, the biggest horror isn't in the gore. I thought it did the original justice and had merit all on its own.

I listened to this one on Libro.fm for a book club and Kenneth Branagh does a great job with all of the different accents. I recommend this version and I don't think it's available on Audible. It starts out slow, but it picks up and the ending is phenomenal.

This series is such a delightful treat. I plowed right through it. The third book is outlandish and witty and introduces some memorable new characters. The audiobook narration is excellent and there's a cute interview with the author at the end. I highly recommend this whole series thus far if you like mysteries and British humor. I'm cheering on elderly protagonists!

I appreciate what I think this novel was trying to do, which was to point out the absurd pressure on women to procreate. However, parts of this book were so over-the-top ridiculous and disturbing at the same time, that I couldn't rate it higher. Nice try though. The topic of motherhood can certainly be horrific.

This second book in the Thursday Murder Club series is even funnier than the first. The book is really cleverly put together. I could not stop reading. The audio for this is great, too.

Here's my total for the #20in4 readathon. I didn't make 20 hours, but I did read all three of the books I was hoping to. I had a great Halloween reading witchy books and passing out candy to kids. Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 , you are the best!

3rd book read for the #20in4 readathon
@Andrew65

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book made me feel connected to a community that I've never really felt a part of before. I learned about my own internalized ableism, which I didn't even know was a thing, and my eyes have been opened more to the needs of others. This was really helpful in just liberation and claiming space. I will do better because of this book.

2nd book read for the #20in4 readathon
@Andrew65

This third book is pretty much smut, but it is enjoyable smut. The sister was by far the most interesting and evolved character. I'd like to see a book about her. There are some loose ends. And fair warning, this is not YA. Some parents may not want their teenagers reading it, so kids may have to keep it well hidden.

1st book read for the #20in4 readathon.

This was a re-read for me. It is the perfect Halloween read. I love the personal growth of the main character so much. It's spooky and snarky and weird and perfect.

@Andrew65

Here is my stack for the October #20in4 #readathon . I hope to finish at least 2 of these books and successfully record my time.

Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 !

Really, this is trash. I don't know why I can't stop reading this series. Also, it has really heteronormative views on what the definition of "IS" is.

Anyway, so if you like trash, it's really quite addictive. I had to give it 4 stars and get the next book to my shame.?

I read five books for the #OutstandingOctober #Readathon and got more than one third of the way through the last one. I am happy with my results. The Change and The Thursday Murder Club we're both five star reads.

Thank you so much for hosting @Andrew65 , you are the best!

This was a delightful, classic British murder mystery with elderly sleuths at the helm. It would make the perfect PBS series. I appreciated the laughs, like the elderly take on Tinder and Grindr. I am not far behind them! I thought the characters were excellent and the plot twists were cleverly orchestrated.

5th book read for #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

The actions of the characters didn't always make sense to me, but I was entertained and I kept wanting to find out what happened next. It's not high brow, but I immediately started the second book, so that says something.

4th book read for #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

This is one of the best books I've read this year! Power to menopausal women everywhere! It's a murder mystery and a fantasy and vindication. It is the perfect book for where I am at in my life today. Women who reach their full magical potential in their late forties.

3rd book read for #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

It held my interest and the writing style was unique, but I had a hard time not judging the author. I don't understand why he's not in jail for prior knowledge of certain crimes, including child trafficking. He also referred to the overdose death of a friend as "whoopsie." I understand that when you are in the midst of active addiction, morals get blurred, but he showed no remorse.
2nd book read for #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

1st book read for the #OutstandingOctober readathon @Andrew65

This book didn't hold my interest as much as the Violent Ends Duology. I was bored and confused much of the time. It could just be me. I've never read As You Like It. I wasn't entertained until the end.

I want to read these books for my goal in the #OutstandingOctober readathon. A few of them I have already started.I am looking forward to it. I am way behind this month.

@Andrew65

This series kept me guessing and is just a lot of fun. It takes work to follow, but it's totally worth it. I had strong opinions about the characters. I was satisfied with the conclusion.

This is probably the only book I'll have finished for #20in4 , but it is a big one. I love a good book with a lovable dog as a central character. This really felt like two different books. One of a boy taking care of an injured, old codger, and then it turns into a dark otherworldly adventure. I had to pause to make the transition, but once I did I was enveloped by the characters.

@Andrew65

One discrepancy noted below 👇

Here's my stack for the #20in4 #Readathon. I hope I'll read at least 15 hours and finish the Stephen King book. I'm hoping to make a fair dent in the other two.

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 !

That ending was insane! Now I have to read the third book. Well played. If you like monsters and magic, you'll probably have a good time with this. It is very creative, angsty, and action packed.

I finished three books for the #SuperSeptember readathon and made a big dent in two more. I really enjoyed all of them. Thanks @Andrew65 for hosting!

I was surprisingly engrossed in the tennis for someone who knew little about the game. I liked that Carrie was unapologetically driven to win. It's not seen as proper for women, therefore she was known as The Bitch. Really, this was a feel good book.

#SuperSeptember book 3 @Andrew65