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KarenJMcLean

KarenJMcLean

Joined October 2016

I write. I read. I teach. I craft. Should have been a librarian. Henry David Thoreau is my unwitting 200-year-old dead boyfriend. I like naps. 🇨🇦
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KarenJMcLean
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I have a degree in English literature. I started reading at age four, and I can read like nobody‘s business. I read fast, and I glean all of the important literary symbolism and information as I speed through the pages. I am Queen Reader.

How, in the name of all that is holy, am I only 34% of the way through this book after all the time I‘ve put into it?!

26 likes3 stack adds
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KarenJMcLean
The Silent Patient | Alex Michaelides
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Pickpick

I read this book yesterday. Yes, the whole thing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Partial blurb from Indigo:

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman's act of violence against her husband-and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.

TheLudicReader I love how books impact readers differently. While I certainly turned the pages, I thought it was a lot of fuss for not much pay off. 😀I was definitely in the minority, though. 4y
KarenJMcLean We are usually in sync, but occasionally we differ. I guess that just proves that readers really do bring the other half of the story. 🙂 4y
18 likes2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
A Man Called Ove | Fredrik Backman
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KarenJMcLean
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Beginning an online 12-week book study with a small group of creative women. Working on getting back to my creative Self.

Cinfhen Sounds great 👍🏻 4y
12 likes1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
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Next up on my reading list ... I hope this is less of a slog.

melissajayne It is. 4y
14 likes1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
Women Talking: A Novel | Miriam Toews
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I have been reading this book for an eternity. I was intrigued by the premise, and I wanted to love it. I agree with the many who say it‘s “an important book,” but I ... just ... can‘t ... get ... through ... it.

BarbaraBB I know what you mean... 😬 4y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
Women Talking: A Novel | Miriam Toews
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I am struggling with this book. I want to be gripped by it, but I‘m just not. Too many characters, maybe, to actually connect with any of them. I don‘t know. Not giving up yet, but it‘s not making me want to keep reading.

BarbaraBB I felt the same 5y
16 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
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Pickpick

I can‘t say enough good things about this book, and I can‘t say much without fear of spoiling it. But I absolutely LOVED it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

30 likes1 stack add
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KarenJMcLean
Testaments | Margaret Atwood
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I have never bought a Margaret Atwood hardcover in my life — even as a Canadian Literature university student. But THIS needs to be read as soon as humanly possible.

23 likes1 stack add
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KarenJMcLean
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Finally!

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KarenJMcLean
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I wasn‘t able to read them before our country‘s annual battle of the books, but after religiously watching the debates last week, I can‘t wait to dive in!

MayJasper Sounds fascinating. What is the annual battle of the books? 4y
KarenJMcLean It‘s called Canada Reads and it‘s done by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (AKA CBC). 4y
12 likes2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
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Inspired by the rugs of Laura Kenney and my longtime fascination with Maud‘s story, I ordered this biography through interlibrary loan. Tickled pink to see the library who sent it! #proudalumna #acadiauniversity #classof1993

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KarenJMcLean
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Pickpick

This was a phenomenal and almost unbearable book. I can understand why it‘s so polarizing. There is a lot of cringe-worthy and downright terrifying material in here. It‘s not for the faint of heart. But it‘s worth it.

I loved the character of Turtle. Not the cussing, hateful, misogynistic young girl who knows and trusts nothing but what her father has been “teaching” her for years — but who she discovers inside herself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

MMFinck I‘m 3/4 way thru, and it is a chore to keep going. It is bc of reviews like yours that I haven‘t DNRd. The faith I won‘t regret it. Thanks. (edited) 5y
KarenJMcLean @MMFinck I understand. 5y
22 likes2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
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Started reading this last night, after reading about it on @TheLudicReader ‘s blog. The contrast between the beautiful descriptive writing and the gritty material is fascinating.

TheLudicReader This book will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. 5y
KarenJMcLean @TheLudicReader — Part of me is a little afraid of that! 5y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
Big Little Lies | Liane Moriarty
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Pickpick

This book took a little while to gain speed for me, but started to pick up about halfway through. By the time I was three-quarters through, I knew I wouldn‘t sleep until I finished it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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KarenJMcLean
Big Little Lies | Liane Moriarty
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Next up on my night-reading agenda...

After reading PACHINKO, I wanted to read something very different. I think this will do nicely.

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KarenJMcLean
Pachinko | Min Jin Lee
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Mehso-so

This book frustrated the dickens out of me. (No pun intended.) It‘s really too much story for one book; a trilogy would have been better. While I enjoyed parts of it, there were many things that drove me crazy. For example, every time I would start to connect to the story, BAM! It would fast-forward ten years. Seeing the Korean-Japanese issues through this book was interesting, though, and the only reason I kept going to the end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

MrBook Great review! 5y
Cinfhen Excellent review! I remember feeling frustrated too!! I felt like the first half was much stronger and the ending felt rushed. But still a fascinating story 5y
24 likes2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
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Pickpick

This was an incredible story. The fact that these were actual living, breathing people who survived such unfashionable horrors makes it all the more gripping. Lale will stay with me for a long time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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KarenJMcLean
Tattooist of Auschwitz | Heather Morris
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Just beginning this book.

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KarenJMcLean
Vile Bodies | Evelyn Waugh
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Panpan

I hated this book. I did force myself to finish it because I will wind up discussing it at a future book club meeting, but aside from the occasional chuckle, it was torture. My biggest regret? Since I bought a digital copy, it means I can‘t set the “Vile Book” on fire. ⭐️⭐️

MayJasper Wow. Must be bad. 4y
MayJasper Actually, I couldn't get on with Brideshead Revisited. I disliked most of the characters. 4y
17 likes2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
The Golden Tower (Magisterium #5) | Cassandra Clare, Holly Black
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Pickpick

Tonight my tutoring student and I finished reading THE GOLDEN TOWER, and with it we completed the Magisterium series. It was a satisfying ending.

We enjoyed the series very much, and are hoping to see these characters again in a future series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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KarenJMcLean
Vile Bodies | Evelyn Waugh
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Currently reading. It was suggested as the “book after next” for one of my book clubs, and I had some open time in my reading plans, so I thought, “Why not?”

Well, I‘m bored. I like satire, but in small doses (short stories, articles, etc.). The huge cast of characters and constantly switching scenes makes it impossible for me to connect with anybody enough to make me want to keep reading.

I probably won‘t bail, but this is a rough go.

KarenJMcLean Makes me feel like an English major all over again — and not in a good way. 5y
15 likes1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
Broken Girls | Simone St James
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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KarenJMcLean
Broken Girls | Simone St James
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Starting this as my “night-reading” book.

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KarenJMcLean
The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas
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Just starting this book today. It is the next selection for one of my book clubs, The Succulent Bookworms.

MayJasper Ha ha, loving your book group's title! 4y
KarenJMcLean @MayJasper The group is as wonderful as its name! 4y
19 likes2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
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Started reading this last night. Had to put it down at 2 AM with 59% read. I‘m a zombie today, and the only reason I‘m not reading it right now is because I‘m too tired to focus on the words! The narrative style is a bit jumpy, but you get used to it quickly, and it works!

julesG Why did I just read "Camp Pottermore"??? ? 5y
KarenJMcLean @julesG I keep calling it Camp Nevermore. I think I‘ve got Poe on the brain. 5y
julesG Better Poe than poo. 😝 5y
14 likes4 comments
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KarenJMcLean
Less: A Novel | Andrew Sean Greer
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What I‘m reading this weekend.

dynagrrl I‘m reading this, too! It‘s in my kindle so I am reading mostly on my commute. Really enjoyable! 5y
KarenJMcLean @dynagrrl It didn‘t really speak to me, but I‘m glad you‘re enjoying it! 5y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
Between Shades of Gray | Ruta Sepetys
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Pickpick

How could I not know of these events in history? HOW?!

This book is being read by my tutoring student‘s grade nine class. I am glad. Not only is it an important book, but it is excellent, and perfect for early forays into literary analysis.

I‘m glad to have read this one and grateful to have had it cross my path. Even if I‘m lying here equal parts devastated and angry.

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KarenJMcLean
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Pickpick

Excellent book! I read it in less than 24 hours and was surprised numerous times by the plot. Highly recommend.

15 likes1 stack add
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KarenJMcLean
The Flame | Leonard Cohen
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Hello, old friend.

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KarenJMcLean
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Picked up this book this afternoon. It has been on my list for some time. Today seemed like the right one. Enjoying it so far.

20 likes1 stack add
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KarenJMcLean
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When your book club host really gets into it and bakes messages inside mini baguettes!

knittedgnome How fun is that!! 6y
25 likes1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
Walden Pond: A History | W Barksdale Maynard
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Happiness is finding out a coveted book has come in to your local bookstore — one you desperately wanted but forgot you‘d ordered!

JoScho Yay!!! 6y
31 likes1 comment
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KarenJMcLean
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Immersing myself in Walden Pond one way or another.

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KarenJMcLean
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It came today! It came today! Yay! Yay! It came today! 😃

#walden #waldenpond #guidetowaldenpond #waldenwoodsproject #robertthorson

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KarenJMcLean
Little Lies | Heather Gudenkauf
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I was all set to start to read _Lullabies for Little Criminals_ when I discovered I hadn‘t loaded it to my Kobo ereader from Overdrive.

This novella (and its sequel, _Little Mercies_) have been sitting waiting on the Kobo for months (years?). So I decided to start reading this tonight instead. I have loved previous Heather Gudenkauf books, and expect to love this one too.

19 likes1 stack add
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KarenJMcLean
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When I signed up for the @LitsyBuddyRead , my biggest worry was that I would get behind. Instead, I wound up devouring the whole thing in two sittings! Oops. 😉#pacingfail

JoScho It is a good one 6y
Mitch Oops! 6y
MissAimz_55 Yah I tried to stay on schedule, nope I finished it last night. It was sooo good 6y
24 likes3 comments
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KarenJMcLean
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Starting this book — my first #LitsyBuddyRead — tonight!

Karkar It is so good! I read it so fast ! 6y
KarenJMcLean @Karkar — I‘m trying not to, but it‘s hard! 6y
20 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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KarenJMcLean
Slammerkin | Emma Donoghue
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Mehso-so

I read this book for one of my book clubs, and I finished it with an hour or so to spare.

Some aspects of the book were really well done. The settings of 18th century London and Monmouth were vividly (at times a little too vividly) portrayed. It was clearly well-researched AND well-drawn for the reader.

As for the characters and plot ... I got to the end and asked myself, “What was the point?” No character growth. No lessons learned.

Meh.

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KarenJMcLean
Slammerkin | Emma Donoghue
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Currently reading this for tomorrow night‘s book club. I can‘t decide if I like it or not.

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KarenJMcLean
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Tonight I am settling in to read this true crime story from my hometown, a double-murder that happened more than a hundred years ago. The Maggie Vail story is one of the saddest chapters in our local history, and I am intrigued to learn about it in more detail.

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KarenJMcLean
The Bronze Key (The Magisterium, Book 3) | Cassandra Clare, Holly Black
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Began reading this with my youngest tutoring student today. We are enjoying the series immensely.

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KarenJMcLean
A Wrinkle in Time | Madeleine L'Engle
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Bailedbailed

I have been meaning to get back to the Bionic Book Club for months, but was dismayed to see this month‘s choice.

I hated this book when I had to read it in grade 8; I thought giving it another go might make a difference. Nope! I was reading Shakespeare on my own in grade 8; this novel was too young for me then. It‘s definitely too young for me now.

I know this is a beloved classic for many. I am not among them, I‘m afraid. Did not finish.

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KarenJMcLean
Destination Simple | Brooke McAlary
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I had an appointment in a different city from my own today, so naturally I had to check out their Chapters bookstore. (Never met a bookstore I didn‘t like!)

I have been looking for this book for a while, so I was excited to see two on the shelf. Now there is just one.

29 likes5 stack adds
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KarenJMcLean
A Wrinkle in Time | Madeleine L'Engle
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I started rereading this today, since one of my book clubs will be discussing it on Thursday night.

The first and only time I read it was in my grade eight English class, and I hated it then. I couldn‘t remember anything about it, or even why I hated it, until today. I find Meg, the protagonist, extremely irritating.

Here‘s hoping it gets better. At least it will be a quick read.

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KarenJMcLean
The Copper Gauntlet | Cassandra Clare, Holly Black
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Reading this book (the second in the Magisterium series) with my 13-year-old tutoring student. We are really enjoying it!

23 likes1 stack add
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KarenJMcLean
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Pickpick

Don‘t let the small size of this book fool you. ASTROPHYSICS FOR PEOPLE IN A HURRY is not “Astrophysics for Dummies.”

Unless you have a solid background in astrophysics, do not try to read this book “in a hurry.” It contains and explains so much mind-blowing information that it simply can‘t be absorbed quickly. Savour it. Read a chapter a day, with pause for thought.

Engaging, entertaining, enlightening. Tyson at his best.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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KarenJMcLean
Untitled | Unknown
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KarenJMcLean
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KarenJMcLean
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And now for something completely different ...

Looking forward to reading this, as Neil deGrasse Tyson is someone I respect and from whom I enjoy learning (even if I am still in the “Pluto is a Planet” camp). 😉

Wife Of course Pluto is a planet! 😉 6y
KarenJMcLean @Wife - I know, right? 😉 6y
24 likes2 comments