I am looking forward to the #MarvellousMay #Readathon starting tomorrow. I hope to read the four books shown above. Thank you @Andrew65 for hosting!

This book deals with economic class disparities, racism, and homophobia. I think that's the real reason why it was banned in certain school systems. There is no pedophilia as some parents have argued, but yell that loud enough and it will upset everyone.

I liked the book. It reminded me of "Shameless" but with less addiction.

This is a sappy romance which isn't to my usual taste but there is some really good queer and non binary representation in this story and I could appreciate it for its geeky cuteness.

I came away from this book with the impression that I would like Leah Remini. "Belief and faith are great, but very few people have been led astray by thinking for themselves." I have to admire a person who came to that conclusion after having been indoctrinated into a religious cult as a child and for thirty years thereafter. People have no idea the kind of fortitude it takes to leave, let alone speak out publicly. She deserves credit.

I appreciated this book for its normalizing the difficulties of living with chronic illness. There aren't enough books out there that do this and this book addresses these issues perfectly. The storyline and the romance was a little too wholesome for my taste, but I am not a huge fan of the genre in general, so please don't make a decision solely based in my review.

This was a good psychological suspense novel with intriguing twins that I really felt for. It covered addiction, fame, mind control, and manipulation. I liked the cult aspect because I have read a lot of non fiction and it lined up with the information I had.

I adored this book because it was so much geeky fun and Scalzi's humor doesn't disappoint. I would not have thought of the logistics involved in getting two Godzillas to procreate, now I won't be able to get that out of my head. Thanks.

#20in4 #Readathon 2nd book completed @Andrew65

#20in4 #Readathon 1st book complete @Andrew65

This was a dark, thought-provoking dystopian novel. The children are jaded, the adults fail to adapt, and the world is wrecked by climate change. So basically, it was pretty realistic. I won't say it was an enjoyable read, but I appreciated it for the keen insight and depressing humor.

I'm hoping to finish up 2 books for April and start on 2 more for the #20in4 #Readathon this weekend. I'll try to hit 20 hours. Thank you for hosting @Andrew65 !

This was a slow burn mystery at first, but I was really into it towards the end. I did not see that ending coming. I liked the women. The story was interesting.

The female lead had more depth in my imagination than she did in the pages of this novella. The Wikipedia pages I pulled up when I Googled "Chappaquiddick incident" were more riveting than the book. However, it did spark my interest in the real case and I think it was brave of the author to write this obviously fictionalized story while Ted Kennedy was still alive.

I stayed up late to finish this book. It was great! I loved learning more about Indigenous culture in the Sault Sainte Marie area while engaging in a good thriller with captivating characters.

Favorite quote: " We love imperfect people. We can love them and not condone their actions and beliefs."
This has been a hard lesson for me to learn as an adult.

My completed stats for the #AwesomeApril #Readathon . I read three books and made good headway on three more. I hated the Waco book, but all of the others more than made up for it. I had a great time! Thank you for hosting @Andrew65 ! 🥰

It's impossible not to love these aunties running around fighting evil with the Komodo dragons on their heads! The book plays out like a sitcom and it is adorable and hilarious. You have to read the first book in order to get it, but neither will disappoint. The story is far fetched, but if you have an eccentric family that you love, you will relate.

#AwesomeApril #Readathon @Andrew65 book 3 complete

This book wasn't planned, but I needed a light and funny palate cleanser after some serious books and Finlay Donovan fit the bill. It did not disappoint and I feel better.

This Sleeping Beauty retelling had its slow moments, but it was quite creative and fun and the fabulous ending more than made up for it. I am looking forward to the second book of the duology which comes out in May.

#AwesomeApril #Readathon @Andrew65
Book 2 complete

TW: I hated it so much I'm afraid to review it publicly. One word: complicit.

#AwesomeApril #readathon
@Andrew65
1st book read

Looking forward to the #AwesomeApril #Readathon this week. Thank you for hosting @Andrew65 ! My lofty goal is to read these four books. I've been distracted lately with an injured pup, so we'll see.

I didn't buy it, the plot was too far fetched for me. It seemed liked it was written in a rush. Also, the main character jumped to poorly realized psychoanalytical conclusions for the reader. I found her unsympathetic and unbelievable.

I think it's funny people are so angry about a small part of this book. It's like they took it as a personal affront. It was a good book. It dragged a little in the middle, but it really picked up at the end. The author is free to write what she wants and readers can like the story or not. There is no need to attack her personally. It's fiction!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book has many different elements packed into one little novel. It has time travel and racism, humor and coming-of-age. There are hysterical images I can't get out of my head. The main character is so endearing and the others are unique and memorable. It is unlike anything else I've read.

I read my three books for the #MarvellousMarch #Readathon this week and they were all excellent. I am also halfway through Long Division. I am pleased with my progress.

Thank you @Andrew65 for hosting!

#MarvellousMarch #Readathon
3rd book read @Andrew65

Just finished my reread in preparation for Moon Witch, Spider King. It is a crazy story within crazy stories and it is one of my favorites. It is modeled after very violent mythology and not for the faint of heart, but I fell in love with the insane characters and I'm eager to start the second book.

#MarvellousMarch #Readathon
Book2 @Andrew65

The imagery conjured up by this author's world building is fantastic. The characters stick with you because they are complex. It's great for fantasy lovers and romance fans. I recommend the audiobook narrated by Steve West-- it's fantastic!

#MarvellousMarch #Readathon
1st book read @Andrew65

I thought this science fiction/ thriller was brilliant because the main character was so complex and everyone's motives were so questionable. The acknowledgements at the end of the book that explained the story's origins were heartbreaking.

I'm hoping to read these three books for the #MarvellousMarch #Readathon this week. Two are long so I don't know if I'll finish in time. @Andrew65

I loved this book because I didn't expect to actually like the vicar so much. The characters were all such surprises. I guessed one thing and it threw me off from figuring anything else out. The ending was convoluted, but great. It was a 5 star thriller because it was such a quick, engrossing read and I didn't want it to end.

I really enjoyed this body-positive YA burlesque tale. I was cheering for the main character throughout. It did wrap up a little too neatly and quickly for reality, but I can forgive it because it was such a sweet story.

I love any book that teaches me how to swear in French. Putain de merde! That was an excellent ending. I did not see all of the big twists coming and these characters were certifiable. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

February was a slow reading month for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Real Life

⭐⭐⭐⭐
True Crime Story
An Impossible Impostor
A Shadow in the Ember
The Crown of Gilded Bones
The Poison Thread

⭐⭐⭐
The Silence
The Empath Survival Guide

I didn't get many hours in for the #20in4 #Readathon this month because I had things going on, but I did manage to finish one book and I had a good time. Thank you for hosting @Andrew65 !

I liked how the main character slowly revealed her personality and her trauma. It made an outrageous story very believable. The ending had quite a twist! I would recommend this book if you like mystery/ thrillers.

#20in4 #Readathon

I love delving into the world of the unorthodox Victorian, crime-solving Veronica Speedwell. She is so clever and adventurous and independent. This book revisits her past for some good twists and eyebrow raising surprises.

@Andrew65

Joining in the #20in4 #Readathon I have a house guest so I'm not sure how much reading I will get done, but I am looking forward to trying. I am re-reading Black Leopard Red Wolf in preparation for the sequel.

Thanks @Andrew65 for hosting!

Maybe this book is brilliant and it is just over my head. For an apocalyptic story it is really boring, possibly because we've already been there. No need to get philosophical about it-- we just hoarded the toilet paper. I guess it was supposed to leave you feeling detached?

This is a crime novel written in interview format in which the author actually inserts himself as a fictional character. It was cleverly done and fun to piece together. The characters seemed very realistic.

This book was an emotionally intense read. I've rarely ever felt so deeply for a character in my reading experience as I did for Wallace. The world is not worthy of him. Trigger warnings for everything. The injustice, the microagressions, the flat-out abuse, and he just carries on. His friends are all ignorant. It made me think.

It's not the author's fault I am a born skeptic. I buy that I am extra sensitive and I pick up others' emotions around me, but I'm not sure how I feel about the explanation as to why. It made me feel less alone, but when we get into magic gemstones and communicating with the dead, you lose my atheist butt. I need a bit more practical solutions for coping with extra sensitivity. I will have to meditate on this awhile.

I enjoyed getting the background information on the gods' history from the Blood and Ash series. At first it seemed a little repetitive of that series, but then it grew into its own story and drew my attention.

This macabre tale with its quirky Victorian characters had an ending I really appreciated. I've always felt there was power in working with one's hands.

I'm really into this series, the endIng of this third book was epic. I am enjoying watching Poppy grow into her power. I can't wait for the 4th book.

These were my January books.

Under the Whispering Door and At Night All Blood is Black were both ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ books.

The Chosen and the Beautiful was ⭐⭐⭐ with potential

Within These Wicked Walls was a ⭐⭐ not for me

The rest were all solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is sweet and funny, poignant and sentimental. It makes you feel good about the process of death, grief, and loss, whether or not that is really realistic. I loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's an addictive story. I need to know what happens next. I needed something that wasn't stressful to take my mind off of the world.

#WeekendReading @Andrew65

I'm reading Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune, getting ready to start This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno, and in the middle of the Kingdom of Flesh and Fire audio by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Happy reading, everybody! 🥳

3rd book read for the #JoyousJanuary #readathon @Andrew65

This book examines the science involved in solving human and wildlife issues. Throughout it, the author has a wry sense if humor. It is not for the faint of heart. There is graphic detail about animal attacks as well as brutal pest control methods. Entertaining facts abound with interesting conclusions and solutions.

2nd book finished for #JoyousJanuary #readathon @Andrew65

This book is entertaining and fun and a great escape and I need more of it.

This is a translated book about a High School philosophy teacher in France who gets a job moonlighting as an exotic dancer. It is engaging and body-positive. It shows how dancing can boost self-esteem and strengthen relationships with other women. It also illustrates the drudgery and unfairness sometimes associated with teaching positions. I got a lot out of it, even if I found it depressing at times.

1st book read
#JoyousJanuary
@Andrew65

I am reading No Touching by Ketty Rouf translated by Tina Kover for one book club, Fuzz by Mary Roach on hardback for another, and listening to From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout just for fun on audio.

I am enjoying all of them so far. #WeekendReading

@Andrew65

This is my stack for the #JoyousJanuary #Readathon. I hope to at least complete 4 of these books by the time the readathon is finished. Looking forward to it! Thank you for hosting @Andrew65