March's #sundaybuddyread book is on sale for Kindle today. I'm ready!

@TheBookHippie

I started doing the 2021 version of this challenge in June and am close to finishing. The 2022 challenge prompts have been released, just in case you need another challenge to keep you motivated in the new year. There's no Litsy host that I'm aware of, so I'm tagging entries with #52books because I'm lazy. Now if the Popsugar Reading Challenge would drop, I could start planning another year of books!

Thanks for the tag @TheAromaofBooks

1. I'm due to revisit the only Indigo Bookstore in the US. It's so close but only get there 1 or 2 times a year. Also, I'd happily check all of these off my list. Only been to The Strand, so far.
https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/best-bookstores-around-the-world/
2. Sometimes but I usually see where the stacks take me.
Want to play?@The_Penniless_Author @bthegood @Gissy

#two4tuesday @thespineview

Two hours in and I'm not really sure what's going on yet? Is my attention wandering or is this by design? It's rated highly by my fellow Littens so I'm hoping it's going to start making sense soon. 🤞

Consider time-travel. Do you view it as dangerous to the future and fear changing history, and possibly even your future? Perhaps you think about it more frivolously and want to experience a large event. Do you wish you could go back and take a different life path? Regardless of what you imagine, are you imagining the possibility of that trip being physically dangerous and life-threatening? Likely not, but that's what Butler has done here, ⬇️

In anticipation of tomorrow's new round of #bookspinbingo here is my list with a side of a great view. I wish I was traveling! @TheAromaofBooks

What better way to start November than finally sharing my bingo-less September Bingo board! Maybe 2022 wil being more timely posts.
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

For the #FairyTaleReadingChallenge in September I found a webpage that had various versions of the story and, wow, these old stories were dark! It's been a good, long while since I heard the story so I couldn't remember much more than the main premise. I leave you with a related comic that made me laugh away the horror.
@CharityAnn and the final September #BookSpinBingo square @TheAromaofBooks #LittensDressedInBlood @MidnightBookGirl

I tried to consider a variety of geographic locations. I could be swayed to change my mind, but here are my #foodandlit 2022 Nominations, some with explanations why.

Botswana
Chechia
Chile - Got drunk on Chilean tequila once
Cuba - My guy's heritage
Greece
Iceland
Iran
Japan - Bestie from there
Kenya
New Zealand
Singapore - Friend lived there a few years
Tunisia - My cousin-in-law is from here

@Butterfinger @Texreader @Catsandbooks

My second book for Guatemala was also a collection of stories, this time with a (fictionalized?) version of the author as the main character. It begins with Halfon as a jaded literature professor who sees promise in one of his students, Juan, who suddenly drops out. Juan is also removed from the registry and Halfon sets off to find him. He tells us about his grandfather and the "phone number" tattooed on his arm. ⬇️

A low pick for this collection of interconnected stories set in rural Guatemala, all giving a glimpse into the life around Don Henrik. The poverty, crime and corruption gaining a foothold in Guatemala isn't isolated to the big cities and the characters here feel the effects of these issues. It was an interesting but short look at the lives of everyday people. It should be no surprise to you that my favorite was⬇️

I've been in Ocean City, MD for a few days with my friend. We both brought books and only read about 30 pages each. The ocean and food were too enticing.

Thanks for the tag @SeaToSkyes It's #wondrouswednesday on Thursday!

✏Like a hopes/dreams/daily recap? No.
Like a reading journal? Also no.
I kind of track my planning & challenges and I haven't fully kept up with all that either. 🤦‍♀️
📖 Not really. Finished 3 books, 2 in progress, and pausing another. Compared to 2019 & earlier, it's good progress. 😆
🚗 A mini road trip with my friend to Ocean City MD early next week.

@Eggs

I'm 55% through this and other than a few scenes, I'm bored. Pushing through this one for you @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm so we can discuss it.

Currently reading for #LittensDressedInBlood and #screamathon @MidnightBookGirl @4thhouseontheleft

Since I've been perpetually behind for about 4 months now, let's call this #motivationalmonday on Tuesday.

#ThinkPositiveBePositive @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
And I'm pretty sure I owe @Andrew65 & @hannah-leeloo one of these, too. 💛🧡❤

Guatemala has been described as "The Land of Eternal Spring." This name comes from the tapestry-like countryside, the year-round, springlike, moderate climate, & the vibrant colors of Mayan weaving. ??Guatemala City has little for the tourist to see & is best used as a transportation hub to visit Antigua, Panajachel, Tikal, & Lake Atitlan instead.??Guatemala is the largest & most populous Central American country.?? Spanish adventurer ⬇️

Yet again, #two4tuesday on Wednesday 🤦‍♀️Thanks @katy4peas

Hidden Figures🎧 and These Violent Delights 📖

I like that HF is a true story about black women but the sameness of their individual stories makes it a bit tedious to listen to.
TVD has a few gory scenes with a monster, but otherwise it's feeling a bit long winded. I'm barely 25% through it though so my opinion could change.

@TheSpineView

❄9 Spring Set in a country where UN Peacekeepers are: I Am Malala

🌞13 Summer Color in title: The House in the Cerulean Sea
🌞15 Summer Appalachian Noir: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
🌞17 Summer Under 150 pages: The Fire Next Time

🍁19 Fall Characters are frenemies: The Hunting Party
🍁24 Fall #BlackJack21 Club/Diamond/Heart/Spade in title: The Joy Luck Club

Ladies I'm behind on reviews but will do them over the next couple of days.

Sometimes I read or watch something about a really tight-knit group of friends and I wish I had that. Then I read something like The Hunting Party and I think "Nah, I'm good, thanks". This novel is a very slow burn on the murder-y bits, but quick to show how these 14-year old friendships have devolved into cattiness, resentment & hate. Nine friends are at a Lodge in the Scottish Highlands for an annual New Year Holiday & early on someone dies. ⬇️

Getting my October #bookspinbingo list in at the last minute, as usual. At least I'm consistent. 😁

@TheAromaofBooks

Now and then, this girl needs a smutty palate cleanser and, as long as I don't think about it too much, this quick novella hit the spot.
Gracie is tired of a lackluster love life. While she's lamenting her recent dud of a boyfriend to her friend Shelley, their friend Luke overhears Gracie's confessions and is turned on. He asks her on a date and he proceeds to rock her world. Things progressed a bit too quickly and there was some unnecessary⬇️

I was rather underwhelmed by this chunkster. On audio, the narrator does a fine enough job of giving a unique voice to the different characters, but at 17 hours, I need more than one voice. Our protagonist is told that there will be a murder every night, and he will embody a different person each day to solve the crime. If he succeeds, he "gets out". Parts of this are too long and repetitive. Most of the people embodied are generic stereotypes ⬇️

It's #two4tuesday on Wednesday! Thanks @hannah-leeloo

1. Sadly, I'm not. Life has been hectic and I didn't want to commit to it since I've been reading fewer books and posting/tracking a lot less.

2. Tagged! I picked it up last year and it got pushed aside. Also Hidden Bodies if the library hold comes in.

@TheSpineView

I knew the ending thanks to the movie, but this was still an intriguing listen. While some of Hercule Poirot's suspicions and connections seem a bit far-fetched, I was still interested in the unraveling of this mystery. Trying to keep track of all the characters and the content of their interrogations by Poirot was a difficult task, but once I decided to just go along for the ride, it was more enjoyable. This was another audiobook and ⬇️

My dear Littens, I may be ostracized for this but...

The movie is better.

This audiobook felt like a slog of summary and not much actually happening. I didn't feel the familial comfort and closeness in the book that I got from the movie. And I literally have only seen the movie once about 10 years ago. That was enough. There really wasn't much magic or intrigue and I don't think I care enough to read the prequel or sequel. ⬇️

I have finally completed my favorite task of the month... creating my bingo board.

#bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks

Thanks for the tag @hannah-leeloo

Tagged - I need some smut after my current audiobook.

Granny Smith Apples

La Cuidad de Vapor by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Belly laughs & silliness with friends.

Play along if you haven't done so yet.

#wondrouswednesday @eggs

Today's #LittensDressedInBlood prompt is #Ghostbusters and this was the first book that came to mind.

Sarah takes a job helping ghost hunter Alistair remove the spirit of servant girl Maddy Clare from the barn where she committed suicide. Simone St James does creepy very well.

@MidnightBookGirl

How about a happy little reminder to kick off your Friday/weekend?!

#thinkpositivebepositive @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

How about a 90s themed #bookspin and #bookspinbingo board for September?!

@TheAromaofBooks

I haven't actually reviewed a book in two months but I'm still here, chugging along. 🚂

I've been absolute shit at the food portion of the #foodandlit challenge, but I'm coming in strong for our ninth month! Guatemala, here I come! 🤣

@butterfinger @Texreader @Catsandbooks

My library is likely being knocked down & rebuilt in the next year so I thought I'd feature it while I can.

Six stacks that are essentially my bedside table

No candle to share as I'm more of a twinkle lights gal when I read.

#LittensDressedInBlood #MrszpeacockInTheLibraryWithACandlestick
@MidnightBookGirl

My #LittensDressedInBlood entry for the 24th...
Jawbreaker: a jaw dropping twist

This one was pretty good. A fast moving classic and great for this time of year.

@MidnightBookGirl

I've been a terrible #LittensDressedInBlood participant this week but I think I can get caught up.

The Call of Fall...
To me, autumn means school. NJ doesn't start until September. Fresh school supplies, new outfits, football, marching band, the promise of new adventures, entrance into secret societies, and long hours in a dark library. Here's a stack of some #DarkAcademia books to celebrate the coming season. @MidnightBookGirl

Need book 4 in a series for November's #authoramonth Carlos Ruiz Zafon? In the US it's on sale for Kindle today.

Tagging you just in case @Soubhiville #aamcrz

It's a good thing @TheBookHippie posted the 2022 #sundaybuddyread list already. I snagged our June read for $2.99 on my Kindle.

Since I've been tearing through audiobooks lately, I have a collage instead of an actual stack for the #LittensDressedInBlood festivities. I've already gotten through a few hours of You and it's deliciously creepy & entertaining. I'm optimistic that I'll continue through the series.

@MidnightBookGirl

It's #two4tuesday on Wednesday, thanks @Andrew65

1. Not often but some. It's usually a romance book when I do.

2. Camilla Isley has some funny & sexy rom-coms. My favorite so far is tagged.

@TheSpineView

This wasn't on my radar but it sounded interesting. I really wanted to join the #thatsclassic crew on this but after slogging through 12% for a week, I bailed. I may try again in the future to see if it goes different, but the stream of consciousness style just felt like I was listening to that rambling stranger at a party.

@Annie1215
July #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Work has been challenging so I am 1.5 months behind on sharing What I Learned about Russia.

Most Russian foods don't have preservatives so they shop a few times a week for freshness.?? Personal space is very small. There is no equivalent to the word "privacy" in Russian. Phrases closely related translate to "necessity of a private space" or "solitude/seclusion".??In 2006, the publishing business in Russia became the 4th largest in the world.

That's a wrap at Camp Happy Glampers! Less reading than planned, but I listened to I Am Malala, swapped Exit West for smut on audio & halfway finished that, plus 7 chapters of Silence For the Dead.

The week I spent at sleepaway camp when I was 13 had a dirty version of If I Had A Hammer that was damn fun, if only I could remember it.

Glamping Inspiration: https://www.oyster.com/articles/glamping-spots-for-people-who-do-not-like-campin...

I had an action packed final two days at #LitsySummerCamp so I got behind.

I'm not big on eating outdoors but I always make an exception for s'mores! I like a large marshmallow as they flatten and get super gooey... they're the star of my show. I've actually made them in the microwave in a jam and it's fun to watch them plump up really big. The little things amuse me. I can get burgers & hot dogs anywhere, but not s'mores.

@ImperfectCJ

I think these books are the only ones I've read relating to walking... it's a good thing I liked them! Also, he's Watson on a hike a couple months ago through South Mountain Reserve. It was muddy but breezy and he LOVED it.
#LitsySummerCamp @ImperfectCJ

I finally finished August's bingo board. I'm hoping to get at least half of these boxes completed. #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Thanks for the tag @Kdgordon88

1. After 5 years at 48 books, I cautiously bumped it up to 60 thanks to Covid. I'm now listening to my 91st book.
2. Ideally 8 audiobooks & 4 physical books.
3. Reassurance. I'm having trouble finding business for one of my hotels & the reassurance that it's historically been difficult to get anything not convention-based was a welcome relief.

Play if you haven't already!

#wondrouswednesday @eggs

My favorite character, Fermin Romero de Torres, would likely be teaching the younger campers about survival skills and then charming the opposing team in a game of capture the flag so they let their guard down & his teammates can swoop in to snatch that flag.

#LitsySummerCamp @ImperfectCJ

It's Arts & Crafts Day at #LitsySummerCamp

I used to crank out friendship bracelets super fast, in different patterns like this. I used to draw but lost it growing up. I used to draw bedrooms for some strange reason 😂 but I bought this book to try getting into it with animals.

I also enjoy computer graphics and would also like to try my hand at designing things to use online & print for crafts like bookmarks.
@ImperfectCJ

As promised, July's books read (& not yet reviewed) are represented by some of my favorite Mets past & present. One bingo!

Row 1: Daniel Murphy, Joe Smith, Jacob DeGrom, Justin Turner, & David Wright
Row 2: James McCann, Dillon Gee, Omir Santos, & a DNF by Braves player & Mets respecting Chipper Jones
Row 3: #57 on the field but #1 in my heart Johan Santana & Angel Pagan
Row 4: Kirk Nieuwenhuis
Row 5: "Big Sexy" Bartolo Colon & Wilmer Flores

Day 2 at #LitsySummerCamp was pretty but this work elective kept me inside more than I would have preferred. I slept OK but after 5.5 hours in the car yesterday my back hurt. At lunch, I did a few laps around the property to stretch then sat on this bench looking at the Hackensack River listening to the tagged book.

@ImperfectCJ

Beach theme for August #bookspinbingo since this might be the closest I get to the sand this year.

Late to post this but I remain unspoiled to the August numbers. As a safety precaution, I ordered them by length of title. 🤣🤣🤣 I tossed in a few light reads. I haven't loved most of my recent books so I may need a few rom-com/smutty palate cleansers.

@TheAromaofBooks