Some may say that #IReadThisTooYoung 🗡️🔍 #RiotGrams

https://www.instagram.com/p/By5_z6nJmp9sQBfHRvRKjQHfWH4QneB7e4HFKE0/

What a pleasant surprise from not my usual cup of tea!!!! I really enjoyed this. Funny, hot, sweet, heartbreaking (for a small portion)—just fun.

Fine premise. So very repetitive, with over-the-top flowery/fussy description. I'm glad I got to read it soon after publication so I didn't have the letdown of it hogging a hold spot for long. I won't recommend it; but I won't discourage it either, if you have your heart set on reading it.

I wish there had been a trigger warning. So, see mine in the spoiler comment below. I'm bailing at 42% (over 7 hours in!!!). I only gave it this much time because Weiner is one of my faves (at least In Her Shoes is). In addition to being traumatized, I was pretty seriously bored before this point—it's a bit tedious.

OMG—I‘m about 40% in and I wish somebody (anybody? everybody?) had put a trigger warning on this for sexual assault/abuse. I‘m seriously considering bailing. Is there really any good reason for me to continue? I‘m also fairly bored. So, there we are—bored and traumatized. I think I‘ll at least take a break from it while hoping to hear from others who have finished it whether it‘s worth the slog & trauma.

I finished my summer reading requirements in the wee hours of the 7th day (a week ago yesterday), but I missed my regular library visit last week (out of town for Number One Son's spectacular wedding). Today, I collected my T-shirt. 📚💙😎

This was compared to a couple other books, at least one of which I didn't like. I was frustrated with some of Andrew's behaviors, but not so much that I wanted to bail. I liked the relationships between Andrew and the girls and Andrew and his online buds the most. I also liked the event at the end. You'll know it when you get to it. 😉

I liked it. It's all about the characters/relationships. Somewhat reminiscent of Terry McMillan's and Fannie Flagg's work.

I finished my first summer reading log at 1-something this morning! Woo hoo! I'll go get my T-shirt prize this week.

We started reading this together in the car today on our way to Number One Son's wedding rehearsal (DH's first time reading; my second). We're taking next week off for staycation, so we should have plenty of co-reading time. Number Two Son is two to the right of his brother (dark hair, blue shirt).

I didn't have sticky flags handy most of the time I was reading. I may have to buy my own copy and read it again soon. Quite a few of her reading habits match mine or at least resonate. Delightful little collection of essays! [I stayed up too late last night—just one more essay....]

Bailing at 25% 2:41:32—boring! Wish it hadn't hogged a hold spot for so long. Oh, well.

This is my neighborhood book club's June pick. I don't think it's an improvement on the original.

[In case you're keeping track, my online book club's June pick is Anne Tyler's Clock Dance. Funny!]

Occasionally laugh-out-loud funny; occasionally cringe-worthy. I wouldn't recommend it, but it was entertaining enough as I didn't have any expectations about it.

I've been looking forward to this for ages. It was a little too frenetic/insubstantial for me right now. Real life is so crazy-busy at the moment, I don't need that in my entertainment, too. Right now, I just need nice/fluffy/kind/easy/pleasant/light. It reminded me a bit of the frenetic The Everything Box, by Richard Kadrey [maybe also of The Long Earth, by Terry Pratchett (but not as good)]. The cover is pretty, though. 😉

In my previous post you saw the signed edition of The Poisonwood Bible that is part of my anniversary gift. Tagging it in a separate blurb gives me a chance to share some photos with you from our 30 years of marriage so far. One of our friends joked w/DH today that he never has to worry about the traditional anniv gifts—paper always works for me! 📚 Number One Son is getting married Saturday. Our joy is multiplying. Can't wait!

My very clever lobster 🦞 gave me these treasures today to celebrate our 30th anniversary! 30 years sounds like a really long time; but it hasn't felt like it. We're ready for the next 30 years! 💙 🧡

Classics and emerging classics in #picturebooks #RiotGrams

“What are you thinking?“ Matt said. “You look thinky.“

🤔 😂

Not bad/not great earns a so-so from me. The characters are certainly flawed (being generous here). Overall, the book wasn't as funny as I needed it to be in terms of either the book's events or providing a fun escape from reality. 😉

Reasons to love June:

1️⃣ Wedding anniversary 💙🧡

2️⃣ Number One Son's wedding

3️⃣ Summer Reading at the Palatine Public Library

4️⃣ #riotgrams

#BooksAndSocks

May reading recap: 23 (not including bailed: 2)

*4-star or 5-star reads (in order of reading)*

Speaking from Among the Bones, Alan Bradley

Bellwether, Connie Willis

Jennifer Government, Max Berry (reread)

A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver
, Mark Shriver

The Tale Teller, Anne Hillerman

The library was *hoppin'* during the Summer Reading kick-off! We entered a raffle for park district experiences, picked up pins & genre rubber ducks (DH let me pick both of ours—I picked mystery & sci-fi), made post-it dispensers, and picked up registration scratch-off cards/coupons (neither won prizes). We got to chat with several staff members—always a treat. Finally, I snagged my neighborhood book club's June pick (tagged) in the book nook!

June 1 is one of my favorite days of the year—Summer Reading starts at the library! By 12:13 this morning, I had registered online. [I might have done it sooner, but I was busy logging my last book read in May, which I finished just before midnight.] Anyway, I posted this screenshot on my library trustee Facebook page before 😴; I‘ll drop in to the celebration at main library this afternoon. Happy Summer Reading, dear Littens!

Hillerman writes consistently good mysteries, with strong character and plot development. I'm glad she so capably picked up and continued the series after her dad's death.

DH was shocked to get home from last night's hockey game at nearly 1 am this morning to find me still working on my jigsaw puzzle and reading with my ears [and I didn't stop until well after he went to bed]. Before he left for tonight's game, he asked "What are you doing tonight?" I just held up my book. Follow-up question (with judgy tone): "Until what time?" Hey—I'm already in bed! That's promising, right? ?

I read this largely while working on my latest jigsaw puzzle. The combo allowed me to stay up waaaaaaaay too late! Some repetition and a fairly obvious twist. Satisfied with the way it ended.

I have the great honor and joy of volunteering for Save the Children Action Network, of which Mark Shriver is CEO. I thoroughly appreciated that Mark shared so deeply his relationship with his dad, what he learned from him, and his own feelings about leadership and parenting in light of those lessons.

We ordered this signed first edition because I didn't want to wait until I *might* have a chance to get a signature the next time I'm in DC.

I bailed at 21% / 3:08:47. Dislike all of the characters. Bored with every story line.

I've had this on my TBR for quite a while, but wasn't in a rush to read it until it became the pick of my online book club. I'll be moderating discussion in June.

I've read two other Tyler works, at least one of which I rated highly. Clock Dance was fine. Yes, I said it—it was fine. It was average. It was fairly nondescript.

I came across this signed first edition at Half Price Books this weekend—seemed like a sign. I may return it.

This installment was a bit of a letdown after the book 5 cliffhanger. Nonetheless, Flavia is always at least a little bit fun. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes now that Flavia is off to boarding school.

Oh, no—I read the wrong book! When I came across/bailed on another of Creech's books last week, I thought I remembered *loving* one of her books that I had read with one of my boys. I searched our book logs, and thought it was Walk Two Moons. Nope. It was Hope Was Here, by Joan Bauer. Back to WTM: I *did* read this with Number One Son many moons ago. I can only assume that I was just as bored with it then, and that I quickly put it out of my mind.

I was *really* worried about reading this—people seem to love it or hate it. I didn't feel that strongly about it one way or another. I definitely could have done without Mark; probably could have done without Ollie. All in all, not particularly enjoyable, deep, enlightening, touching, or anything else one might expect from a dysfunctional family at a major life event. It makes me want to watch Table 19 again, though.

I was morbidly curious about whether the story could be redeemed, so I stuck with it. I oughtn't make that mistake again. My friends and I weren‘t even remotely so shallow and immature at Sasha‘s age and neither are my younger son and his friends, who are now roughly/were recently her age. Ick!

I considered bailing *really* early on because of the huge astrology angle. Despite that, it wasn't a bad story. It reminded me a bit of “Love Actually“ or “New Year's Eve,“ in that there were a bunch of characters with various cross stories. If you *are* an astrology fan, or if you think you can ignore that aspect, and you'd like a fluffy beach read, give this a try.

When I first read this 11 years ago, I was using a book app that suddenly disappeared, along with most of my data. I remembered really liking it; but, anymore, that makes me apprehensive about rereading [my tastes have changed, understandably, through the years]. Luckily, I really liked it this time, too! This particular dystopia isn't triggering me as much as many of my old faves do now that we're living them. Whew—dodged a bullet there!

This could have been a much better book had been significantly shorter (better edited and focused). Paris story line was largely unnecessary. I didn't form a strong interest in any of the characters, save Nora, who was incidental (especially if the Paris story line was cut). Possibly, I could have mustered up more interest in Yale, had the book been focused on his story line (set in the mid- to late-80s, on the AIDS crisis in Chicago).

Well, shoot—I finished that in less than a day! It's completely not what I expected from science fiction. It's really more fiction about scientists, with humor, social commentary, a little romance, and a lot of silliness mixed in. Anyway, I was quite delighted! This was a great companion to driving, doing chores, and working on a jigsaw puzzle. I completely forgot all my cares for a few hours.

I was delighted to hear/meet Cokie Roberts in DC in April. Her keynote was smart and funny. So, this signed first edition was an obvious choice of Mother's Day present for me from Number One Son (an excellent gift-giver in his own right, though this pick was facilitated by Dad). Sadly, I found this book incredibly dull.

For better or worse, Hubby has discovered Alabama Booksmith and has gone on a spree. See comments for more.

If I wasn't of a certain age & experience, I might be more impressed. If this is your first habits book and/or you're young/inexperienced, you may really enjoy it! I read this for one of my book discussion groups. I wouldn't recommend it, particularly; but, it was approachable/quick enough that I'm not salty about it taking up my time. I do have to say that I went for a walk both days I was reading it, so it was at least momentarily effective. 😂

This was a decent enough fluffy read. It was mildly amusing. I'm not the type to worry about keeping up with the Joneses. Would I appreciate the book more if I were?

Pictured is my newest orchid—a thank-you from Number One Son and
Almost-Daughter-In-Law for co-hosting their couple shower on Saturday. 💝

I thought the premise of two authors (exes) co-writing a mystery (she writes odd chapters; he writes evens) was interesting. Unfortunately, I thought the execution fell *way* short. Maybe it wasn't the resulting story that fell short, so much as the weird “Notes“ sections between chapters (and sometimes comments within chapters), which amounted to passive-aggressive bickering. This was probably meant to be funny. It was really just grating.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but, overall, I liked it. Good character development. I'll probably try the second in the series. [Trigger warning: There is violence toward humans and animals.]

Really interesting. I think Melinda and I could be friends. We're on the same page about several advocacy issues and what the benefits are of various programs. So much good to families and societies can be done when women are given resources, autonomy, and equality—no matter the specific event/location/circumstances.

A good-but-not-great read—I may adjust my attitude a bit when I review the almost-20 bookmarks I made for myself.

My ears really perked up toward the end, when he was discussing a study involving a 6-month-old girl named Nora. I'm almost positive that he's referring to a study that I just saw in the upcoming documentary “No Small Matter,“ about the importance of high-quality early childhood education experiences. I love it when that happens! 😃

I'm a Flavia fan, woefully behind in the series (this is the 5th of 10 books published so far). I had non-spoiler advance warning from a Goodreads reviewer that there was quite the cliffhanger. Was there ever! I might have to read the next installment sooner than I would normally!

Don't ask me—I didn't have any of the typical reactions to this story.

"But Charlotte," said Wilbur, "I'm not terrific."

"That doesn't make a particle of difference," replied Charlotte. "Not a particle. People believe almost anything they see in print." [89]

"People believe almost anything they see in print." Isn't that the frightening truth?!

"Can I have a pig, too, Pop?" asked Avery.

"No, I only distribute pigs to early risers," said Mr. Arable. "Fern was up at daylight, trying to rid the world of injustice. As a result, she now has a pig. A small one, to be sure, but nevertheless a pig. It just shows what can happen if a person gets out of bed promptly. [5]

To Fern: You go, girl! I like to rid the world of injustice, too! ??

"That‘s how it was back then. I was just supposed to be the inspiration for some man‘s great idea. Well, fuck that. That‘s why I started writing my own stuff."