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Hooked_on_books
The Secrets We Kept | Lara Prescott
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Pickpick

This one has been staring at me from my shelves for several years and I finally read it! I really enjoyed the Cold War setting as well as the dual storylines in both the US and Russia. I did find it a little uneven, dragging in places, so it‘s a low pick for me. And look at the pretty surprise under the jacket!

Cinfhen Oh wow!! That earns an extra star!!!! I actually really liked this one 7h
Soubhiville I love when you find a surprise under the jacket or inside the book- fancy endpapers, a pretty book cover, great maps, unexpected pictures. They all make a book a bit more special. 🙂 5h
34 likes2 comments
blurb
Hooked_on_books
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My #aardvark pick this month. I think the selection of books and book types is good, but I‘m a little perplexed at the decision to choose 4 books that are already published before the picks dropped, @AardvarkBookClub . I‘ve already read one, am reading another, and have a third on hold, all from my library. One of those I would have added to my box if it hadn‘t pub‘ed yet. 🤷🏼‍♀️

vlwelser I felt the same. I'm already reading The Chateau. I might actually skip. And I feel bad doing that. 17h
Hooked_on_books @vlwelser I actually considered skipping, too. This pick is a bit of a risk for me, since it advertises itself as a romance, which I don‘t like, but the synopsis makes it seems like fun. But if I can already get the book elsewhere, I wonder what the point is. 17h
30 likes2 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Bailedbailed

This one just isn‘t grabbing me, so I‘m out. I think this is me, though, not the book.

review
Hooked_on_books
Chain-Gang All-Stars: A Novel | Adjei-Brenyah, Nana K
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Pickpick

Brutal, wholly engrossing, and with compelling characters and story, this no holds barred critique of the prison system and, frankly, white supremacy is one of the best books I‘ve ever read. It absolutely took my breath away.

MicheleinPhilly WOW! High praise! I‘m looking forward to this one. 1d
Cinfhen I bailed on audio but I did buy the book! So im hoping it works better for me in print 🙏🏼 1d
TNbookworm I loved this book! I am currently reading Friday Black and enjoying it as well. 18h
Hooked_on_books @TNbookworm The funny thing is, I tried Friday Black years ago and bailed on it. I guess his short fiction doesn‘t work as well for me. But I‘m so glad I went for this book anyway. It‘s just tremendous. 18h
54 likes4 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Dogged Pursuit | Lee Charles Kelley
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Panpan

The dog stuff is cute, but otherwise this book is terrible. I will never read this author again.

AmyG Your dog looks so sweet. ❤️ 1d
46 likes1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
The Guest: A Novel | Emma Cline
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Panpan

This book is actively bad. Paper thin plot with a one-dimensional character. I typically enjoy an unlikable character when they inform the story or you come to understand why they are who they are. There‘s none of that here. This feels like a self-centered writer believing their own press and failing to deliver because they can.

BarbaraBB Paper thin plot. I think I used similar words for 2d
SamAnne A friend just gave me the same review of it. Will skip. 1d
Megabooks Yes! I was hopeful because I enjoyed her short stories, but I have the audiobook on now, and it‘s truly terrible! 20h
See All 6 Comments
Megabooks Her blurbs are more interesting than the books! 20h
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB @SamAnne @Megabooks I really feel like if she wasn‘t this celebrated literary figure and this was her first book, she never would have found a publisher for this. It‘s really that bad. I liked but didn‘t love The Girls, but didn‘t think it came anywhere close to living up to its hype. 19h
Megabooks The Girls was okay the good side of okay for me (like 3⭐️), but I really enjoyed Daddy (short stories), so I was hopeful that she‘d progressed as a writer since Girls, and I‘d enjoy this more. It is truly a slog to get through. And I‘m doing audio and have it way sped up! 🙄 19h
41 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

The best memoirs open a door into a different world, teaching the reader about a different kind of life while showing a shared humanity and relatability. That‘s what this book does. It‘s absolutely phenomenal. I‘m so glad it was chosen for #camplitsy23, as I‘m not sure I would have read it otherwise, and I‘m better for having done so.

Soubhiville Wasn‘t this great? I really enjoyed it. 2d
TrishB Looking forward to this one and I don‘t usually read memoirs! 2d
Megabooks This was excellent! I can‘t wait to discuss. 2d
See All 7 Comments
Hooked_on_books @Soubhiville I love how much I learned about Islam and how she related her own life to the Quran stories, something that never occurred to me. The stories are so similar to the Christian stories. I wish more people were open to understanding that. 2d
Hooked_on_books @TrishB I‘m a little plus/minus on memoirs, but this one‘s really worth it! 2d
ErikasMindfulShelf Loved it! 2d
BarbaraBB Great review. Looking forward to it 2d
54 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Fractal Noise | Christopher Paolini
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Pickpick

A group finds an anomaly on a planet that could only have originated from intelligence, sparking a debate on what to do next. This is a taut, claustrophobic story made even more compelling by the audio (which uses sound effects to excellent effect, and I usually don‘t like them in audiobooks). I didn‘t want to stop listening. I‘ve heard of Paolini but never read him before but would definitely read him again.

TheSpineView Sounds good. Stacked 3d
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Ruthy Ramirez disappears at 13, but 10 years later, her sisters believe she has resurfaced on a trashy reality TV show. While following their efforts to reach to this woman, we also see the lived experiences of the women in the family—sisters and mother. I really enjoyed this.

Cinfhen Im thinking this might be good on audio 5d
squirrelbrain Sounds great - stacked. 5d
Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen I think if done right it would be great on audio, but I looked and the author reads it, which can really go either way. 4d
Cinfhen Ugh/ agreed / I‘ll have to sample first 4d
57 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

Oh man, this one is painful. I LOVED Real Life and Filthy Animals, so I was SO excited for this one. But it just never grabbed me. I even restarted it after listening to the first third then setting it aside for a few days. I feel like there are moments of brilliance, but it‘s a bit flat overall.

BarbaraBB That is disappointing! I felt the same about the other two books so have been excited for this one. I will temper my expectations! 5d
Cinfhen Thanks for sharing - I think I‘ll definitely wait and not rush to read this one now. 5d
squirrelbrain I was struggling with this and only read the first few pages. I thought it was because my digital ARC was a bit of a mess, with hyphens in the wrong places but now I‘m not so sure…. 5d
See All 6 Comments
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain Sadly I‘m pretty sure it‘s the book. I think I remember him on a podcast saying much of this was written before Real Life, so I‘m thinking he reworked some stuff he already had and it just didn‘t work so well. 4d
Megabooks Oh dear! Just picked this up from the library. Kinda glad I canceled my pre-order. 2d
Hooked_on_books @Megabooks I‘ll be interested to see what you think. I‘m not sorry I paid for this, since I really believe in the author, but definitely bummed about the book. 2d
56 likes6 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I heard Klune on a podcast mentioning this book is darker than Cerulean Sea or Whispering Door, and he‘s not kidding! I‘m glad I knew that going in. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this story and the sociopathic robot nurse is one of the best characters I‘ve ever read—I loved her!

TrishB I‘ll remember that! It‘s on the pile. 6d
61 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
The New Life | Tom Crewe
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Bailedbailed

I tried, but I just cannot get into this. The writing isn‘t interesting me at all—it feels bloated and as though it‘s spinning in circles, with no plot and no character development. I‘m out.

Julsmarshall Sweet pup! Looks like one of mine 😍 6d
43 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

In 1811, the Richmond Theater burned to the ground during a performance, killing 72 people. We see this event and it‘s immediate aftermath through the eyes of 4 characters. I found this book engrossing and propulsive. I just loved it. Also, be sure to read the author‘s note at the end where she details the fact in the fiction.

jlhammar Yay! Really looking forward to this one! 1w
63 likes5 stack adds1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I didn‘t know a whole lot about butterflies, but now know some interesting facts and a couple of mind blowing ones (structural color—wow!). Really interesting, accessible read with a gorgeous cover. #NaturaLitsy

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Hooked_on_books
Spare | Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex
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Pickpick

I have a lot of empathy for Harry. In a world where his family is constantly hounded by the press yet often unwilling to respond to media stories, his choice to tell his own story is understandable. There‘s definitely some spin visible in places, but I‘m pretty sure we all do that. Glad I listened to it, but given how petty William comes across as, by opinion of him is diminishing.

48 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
Chlorine | Jade Song
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Pickpick

I‘ve been dragging my feet on writing my review on this because I‘m not really sure what happens in it. That being said, I really enjoyed this in all its weirdness and found it really engrossing. And it has the funniest tampon scene I‘ve ever read. But I‘m going to guess it won‘t be for everyone.

squirrelbrain Now I‘m intrigued…. But maybe too scared to read it! 🤣 1w
Megabooks I‘ve been considering this when I see it at the library. I think I‘ll try it! 2d
51 likes2 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Biography of X: A Novel | Catherine Lacey
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Pickpick

I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, Lacey has created a dystopia that is such a fantastic social commentary on our current moment that I want to shout it to the stars. On the other hand, she has made the character of X so extra that she speeds right past believability into eye rolling territory. I‘ll give it a pick for the brilliance of the dystopia, but it‘s a low pick.

squirrelbrain Interesting review…😁 I just borrowed this from the library. 1w
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain I can‘t wait to see what you think of it! 1w
Centique I loved the dystopia also and was driven along by curiosity but felt quite disengaged from the characters - your point about X being so extra makes sense, that was probably why. 1w
Hooked_on_books @Centique No one is that many things or that good at basically everything they try. When someone challenged her to write a novel in a super short period of time and she did and was lauded for the book by critics but with no writing history, that‘s when the tide started to turn for me. 1w
57 likes4 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
The Survivalists | Kashana Cauley
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Mehso-so

Aretha, a law associate at a huge NYC firm, meets Aaron and they really click. When Aretha decides to move in, she has to contend with his survivalist roommates. What a great premise, but this book doesn‘t deliver. The prose is bloated with lots of tell instead of show. There are some flashes of social commentary in here that could‘ve been great, but it‘s just not well fleshed out.

ShelleyBooksie Sweet dog ♡ 1w
65 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I feel I can count on Barry to be wild, wacky, and funny, and he certainly didn‘t let me down with his latest novel. Some craziness in the Everglades with a little skewering of social media thrown in to boot. I loved it!

vivastory Do you have a favorite Barry? I've been meaning to give him a try. 6d
Hooked_on_books @vivastory There‘s plenty of his I haven‘t read, but one that sticks in my mind was coauthored by him and is absolute ludicrous fun: 5d
vivastory Thanks for the recommendation! 5d
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Trespasses | Louise Kennedy
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Mehso-so

Everyone raves about this book, but it didn‘t quite work for me. I thought the setting of Belfast and the background of the troubles was done really well, but I was never grabbed by the central storyline, which made the whole book fall flat.

Tamra Shoot. That‘s okay, so many more to read! 2w
60 likes1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Two storylines unravel side by side, following Lexie and Elina as they move through various major events in their lives. I thought I knew how the stories related, but I gradually understood it was different than I thought. After I got into both stories, I really enjoyed this.

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one too 👍🏻❤️ 2w
Deblovestoread Glad to see this as I have it earmarked for #AuthorAMonth in July 😊 2w
TrishB I enjoyed this one 👍🏻 2w
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB You really can‘t go wrong with her! 2w
sarahbarnes I loved the books I've read by her and this one is on my list. Glad to see you enjoyed it! 2w
Megabooks Exactly how I felt! 2d
57 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

An interesting look at the rise of the KKK and how one grand dragon, a violent misogynist, was ultimately brought to justice. I felt this was a tiny bit too long and gave too much time to this horrible man, but it‘s an interesting read. And an important one, too, given the too many parallels to our current moment.

bio_chem06 I just read this too! 2w
Suet624 Definitely want to read this. 2w
65 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Death of a Bookseller | Alice Slater
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Pickpick

This engrossing story follows two booksellers in the same orbit as changes are happening at the bookshop. Slater injects fantastic nuance into these characters, making you question who you should be rooting for. I thought this was superbly crafted and can‘t believe it‘s a debut.

53 likes5 stack adds
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Hooked_on_books
No Two Persons: A Novel | Erica Bauermeister
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Pickpick

This interestingly structured book starts with a woman writing her tragedy into a novel. This book in the book is then the thread that connects the rest of the story, as we see how it touches the lives of different people. It‘s a really lovely tribute to the written word, though I finished it a week ago and I already feel it isn‘t going to stick with me.

Soubhiville I‘m looking forward to this. I‘ve enjoyed all her other books that I‘ve read. I still have several weeks to wait for my library hold. It sounds good! 2w
Reecaspieces I loved this book! It has some beautiful phrasing and it is made for the reader. 2w
52 likes2 comments
blurb
Hooked_on_books
Chain-Gang All-Stars: A Novel | Adjei-Brenyah, Nana K
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Very excited that my #aardvark box has arrived. I‘m thrilled about both of these choices, for very different reasons!

TiredLibrarian I have a library hold on this one. Looks fun, like vintage Elmore Leonard. 2w
ChaoticMissAdventures I got to read an arc of the tagged and it is by far my favorite book of this year!! Nana is coming to my local bookstore this Sunday and even though I pre-ordered it from Blackstone my copy isn't going to get here in time so I might just have to buy a second. 2w
AmyG I look forward to what you think of the tagged book. A friend loved it. 2w
lele1432 We are box twins!! I can‘t wait to get mine in a couple of days! 2w
54 likes4 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Quietly Hostile | Samantha Irby
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Pickpick

The only thing I love more than a new Samantha Irby book is Sam herself reading it to me on audio. I just loved this. Lots of snort laughing plus appreciation that she‘s so willing to share the parts of herself most people wouldn‘t. And the way she would rewrite old Sex and the City episodes is a hoot!

ShyBookOwl Great title! 2w
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
quote
Hooked_on_books
Quietly Hostile | Samantha Irby
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Pretty sure this is my favorite quote in the whole book, though there‘s lots of competition. I think other childless by choice folks like myself will appreciate this one. 😂

Aims42 A childless by choice Litten here 🙋‍♀️ I want to print this out and use it as a business card whenever someone asks if there are any kids at home 🤣 2w
Hooked_on_books @Aims42 If you actually do that, you‘ll be my hero! 😆 2w
Aims42 @Hooked_on_books 🤣🤣🤣 2w
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jlhammar 😂 Love it. 2w
SamAnne Hah! Childless by choice too….for my potential children‘s sake and mine! Not my path. 2w
BarbaraBB 🤣🤣 2w
AmyG Ha! My daughter would love this. 2w
squirrelbrain Perfect! Can‘t wait to get to this book! 2w
Zoes_Human Right?! Also, they're just so fucking loud. 2w
Hooked_on_books @Zoes_Human An excellent point! 2w
JoyBlue I have children (now adults), and I still think this is hilarious! 2w
44 likes11 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

The second book in Blake‘s next gen Buffy series is a great follow up! It‘s not quite as good as book 1, but still for sure a solid pick. Many demons known from the show pop up in this one, which is fun. She does a good combination of resolving certain story lines and giving hints to what‘s coming. I can‘t wait for the next book!

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I love a good shipwreck or mutiny story, and this has both! Grann is such a great writer and crafts a great narrative story here that‘s completely engrossing. And as far as the audio, I need only say two words: Dion. Graham. 🤩

Aimeesue I heard the NYT interview with Grann a couple weeks ago - sounded really interesting! I‘m looking foreword to it. 2w
Christine Ooh, I had not yet noticed Dion as narrator! ❤️ 2w
JamieArc I‘m listening to The Nineties and I *dont* get Why Dion Graham is only narrating the chapter titles and footnotes. Excited to listen to this one! 2w
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Hooked_on_books @JamieArc I know! It‘s criminal what they did with him on that book! I would frankly listen to him read the phone book. 2w
Hooked_on_books @Christine He makes everything better! 2w
bio_chem06 I can‘t wait to start this one, this week! 2w
Megabooks This was great!! Nice review! 2w
62 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

I saw this at the library and thought it might be fun but it ended up a bit meh. But then, it‘s a book about dating in your 20s by an author self-described as “on the wrong side of 25,” so this reader on the wrong side of 45 might not be the right audience.

5feet.of.fury 🤣🤣 yeah all set with 25 being “over the hill” haha 2w
63 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
What Lies in the Woods | Kate Alice Marshall
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Pickpick

The man convicted of nearly killing Naomi when she was 11 has died, prompting her to go back home. But she starts to wonder if he was really her almost murderer. This mystery takes off from there on a very satisfying ride. I was able to guess some twists but not others. Engrossing read!

jlhammar I still need to get to this one. Glad to hear it's good! 3w
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
Suburban Hell | Maureen Kilmer
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Mehso-so

Most of this is a fun, silly, horror-lite story of a dark force arising in a suburb, which I enjoyed. But I was really bothered by the insidious thread through the book of judging women‘s bodies and choices. It‘s layered in there as though this is a perfectly normal and acceptable way to look at women, and that‘s so bad. I just can‘t give this book a pick for that reason.

42 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
The Dog of the North: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

Penny is at loose ends when her husband leaves her and her whole life blows up. She ends up following the wind a bit in a madcap adventure involving some very interesting people. This is whimsical and funny to balance the sad parts, but it‘s also a bit uneven in the writing, starting oddly flat and not so much ending as just stopping. Low pick for me.

squirrelbrain I didn‘t love this one either - I‘m not sure what it was trying to be or say. (edited) 3w
Megabooks I was curious about this but my library doesn‘t have it. I‘ll probably skip if it‘s not an enthusiastic pick for you or @squirrelbrain 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2w
Hooked_on_books @Megabooks I feel like if this had been reworked, it could‘ve been great. But instead it‘s a bit of a missed opportunity. You‘re not missing out by skipping it. 2w
43 likes3 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Black Butterflies | Priscilla Morris
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Pickpick

This tour de force novel sets you down with Zora in Sarajevo, as war slowly descends and siege sets in. It‘s visceral, stark, harrowing. A tremendous book that I did not want to put down. This will be one of my top books of the year, without question.

squirrelbrain I agree - one of my top books of the year too. 3w
Tamra Me too, and to think it‘s a debut! 😳 3w
Cinfhen Ohhhhhh, I‘m so excited for my copy to arrive 🥰 3w
See All 8 Comments
Cathythoughts I loved it too♥️ 3w
Hooked_on_books @Tamra Isn‘t that incredible? She‘s the real deal! 3w
Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen I was waiting for it so impatiently! I‘m glad I took advantage of ordering from BD one last time to get it. 3w
jlhammar I‘m so glad you got this one! They really need to publish this here in the US. I thought it was fantastic and very deserving of its spot on the #WomensPrize shortlist. 3w
Hooked_on_books @jlhammar I cannot believe there‘s no US pub date thus far! Are they insane?!? They need to get on it. 3w
62 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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Hooked_on_books
The Nigerwife: A Novel | Vanessa Walters
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Pickpick

Nicole goes missing and her aunt travels from the UK to Nigeria to try to find out more, discovering that Nicole‘s husband and his family don‘t seem to care very much that she‘s gone. Dual timelines show Nicole in the past and her aunt searching for answers and illustrating the social structures in Lagos. This didn‘t grab me immediately, but I gradually became fully invested.

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Hooked_on_books
Camp Zero | Michelle Min Sterling
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Mehso-so

While I enjoyed reading this book, I found it mildly disappointing. It was easy to predict where it was going and how the storylines would intersect. I also feel like the author was trying to end it with a bang, but it fell flat for me.

54 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
Romantic Comedy | Curtis Sittenfeld
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Mehso-so

I like Sittenfeld but rom-coms aren‘t my jam, so I figured this would be a mixed bag for me and it was. I did find parts of it quite funny, but I find the genre predictable in ways that don‘t work for me, and that was true here. I wouldn‘t have picked this up if not for Camp Litsy, but at least I didn‘t hate it!

SamAnne I think I will have the same experience. I might skip it. 3w
ImperfectCJ I'm not super excited about this one for #camplitsy23 because I'm not generally a fan of Sittenfeld or of rom-coms. But I sort of thought, maybe if the two are combined I'll like the result? 3w
TrishB I don‘t think I‘ll read this one unless a #99p offer comes up! 3w
See All 7 Comments
Ruthiella I like a romcom on film a lot more than in print… 3w
BarbaraBB I am glad it is an August Camp read, I‘ll be holidaying then and I think it will be a perfect beach read! 3w
batsy I really liked Prep but I read it a long time ago, and I didn't get on with Eligible at all. I'm hoping this one is fun but I'll manage my expectations! 3w
Megabooks This was a low pick for me. I liked the SNL parts she drew in and Kristen Seih is now one of my favorite narrators! 2w
58 likes7 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
You Know Her: A Novel | Meagan Jennett
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Pickpick

In You Know Her, we get the side by side stories of a murderer and a burgeoning detective, both dealing with the depths of misogyny in a rural Virginia town. The murderer‘s reasons for killing (we learn this and her identity early) are frighteningly relatable. I liked how chilling this was. Very good thriller.

50 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Anna works housekeeping on weekends at the hotel attached to her rez‘s casino and is a high schooler during the week. But then things change a bit when she‘s asked to do some special jobs at work and continue to keep her head down. This is a little slow to start, but a good exploration of the exploitation of Native women and girls as well as a conversation about gender fluidity. This is an adult novel, not YA, and it‘s quite good.

paper.reveries Definitely adding to my TBR! 4w
58 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

In 1986, two people in the Seattle area died of cyanide poisoning. This book shows what happened along with the eventual trial of the person charged with the murders. The story here is super interesting, but the writing in the first third or so is convoluted and poor. It evens out later, but as this is a reissue, I think it should have been reworked. Ultimately, I was really captured by it, so low pick for me.

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Hooked_on_books
Flux | Jinwoo Chong
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Mehso-so

This book was a little disappointing. There are multiple storylines that do ultimately come together at the end, but I think it was overly ambitious and a bit messy. I was only really pulled in by one of the storylines and another is a bad ripoff of Interior Chinatown, a far superior book. I nearly bailed. I think Chong has a lot of talent, but this needed more work.

BarbaraBB That‘s a bummer. I had high expectations of it. 4w
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB Who knows, it may work for you in a way it didn‘t for me. If you have a borrow not buy option, I think that would be a great way to go! 4w
BarbaraBB Thanks, I‘ll remember that! 4w
Megabooks Another one my library doesn‘t have. On the fence still…maybe in paperback. 🤔🤔 2w
Hooked_on_books @Megabooks I‘m interested to see how others respond to it. I‘ll be curious to know what you think if you end up reading it. 2w
47 likes5 comments
blurb
Hooked_on_books
In Search of Lost Time | Marcel Proust
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My only interest in the coronation was to look at some of the pictures of attendees and I spotted this superior book game from the crown princess of Greece (who looks just thrilled to be attending!). I knew Littens would appreciate this! 😂

RaeLovesToRead Wow. I think that's a clutch bag 😲😲😲 4w
Hooked_on_books @RaeLovesToRead I think it is, too. I just love how en pointe the title is. 😬 4w
vlwelser I love that it matches her outfit colors. And obviously the title. 4w
See All 7 Comments
Karisa 😍 4w
Christine 🤣💙 4w
merelybookish Awesome! 4w
batsy Very cool clutch and super on point, lol. She is exuding big "I'd rather be home reading" energy indeed. 4w
67 likes7 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Wilding | Isabella Tree
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Pickpick

Wilding tells the story of a couple‘s decision to rewild their enormous 3500 acre property rather than continue intensive farming. It‘s quite interesting to follow how they went about this and why certain decisions were made as well as the early results. However, the book does bog down a bit in a few places and the author leans a bit too heavily into confirmation bias.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This book looks at the Romanov story by focusing on the 4 daughters. We get a look at their gilded cage and an idea of their personalities, as well as a bit about Alexandra. Engaging writing that I really enjoyed. This pulls from their letters and writings as well as other sources.

LeahBergen I have this waiting on my shelves. 👍 4w
TrishB I enjoyed this one 👍🏻 4w
MaureenMc I enjoyed this one, too. I‘m fascinated by all things Romanov. 4w
Christine I‘ve wanted to try this one! Your review has me stacking. 4w
51 likes1 stack add4 comments
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No Strangers Here | Carlene O'Connor
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Pickpick

A prominent man in Dingle is murdered, prompting veterinarian Dimpna Wilde to return home, as her parents have been implicated. This is a well-plotted mystery with lots of characters and potential suspects. I really enjoyed it and am happy to have discovered this new to me author! (Plus, what a gorgeous cover!)

ShelleyBooksie Adorable dog! 4w
51 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Wedded Wife looks at marriage and it‘s history from a female, feminist, and often queer standpoint, from proposals to weddings to divorce and more. I found this book engaging and interesting. I definitely learned a few things. Publishes later this month.

HeatherBookNerd Awesome cover 1mo
53 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I‘ve been dragging my feet on my review, as I‘m not sure what to say about this one. I enjoyed reading it, but I feel like it was a little too subtle. The structure is interesting, employing the second person effectively, but it lacked the punch I was expecting. Between pick and so-so.

48 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

Ivy has been working hard to get by when she answers a mysterious summons to a solicitor‘s office and discovers she is the heir to a great house in Yorkshire. She discovers there a tremendous library but quickly finds odd things happening. Great premise, but it sadly doesn‘t deliver. I wish this had been reworked a bit and that the author hadn‘t relied on very obviously keeping things from the reader/protagonist.

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Community Board | Tara Conklin
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Pickpick

If there‘s something that I love to read, it‘s a societal critique that really sees who people are. Conklin does that here in a hilarious fashion, skewering the ridiculousness that can be a middle class suburb. I absolutely loved this!

BarbaraBB Sounds good to me too! 1mo
britt_brooke Really enjoyed this one! 1mo
55 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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The Caretakers | Amanda Bestor-Siegal
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Pickpick

At the very start, a child is dead and an au pair accused. While that central mystery frames the story, it‘s ultimately not needed, as this is an exploration of women in the community, be they mothers, daughters, or au pairs, and their lives of quiet desperation. I ultimately liked this, though the end was a bit weak. If you need to like characters, this is not the book for you. A low pick for me because of the weak ending.