pickThe first half of this book dragged a bit, and I agreed with previous reviews I‘ve read. The second half was much better, more horror-like and gruesome, and kept a more fast paced. The ending was a bit of an eye roll, but it‘s still a 4-star read for me. I listened to the audio that features a multicast narration, and I think that made the book more enjoyable. #192030 #2025 #52BookClub26 #CharacterWithASecretIdentity
It‘s been months since I listed any joys, but even in my time of grief, I have so much to be thankful for:
1. Vladimir, Sebastian, and Xander, who have helped me so much since the end of December. Recent pics!
2. Ken Burns‘ American Revolution. So good (I‘m on Episode 2)
3. Littens—so many of you have reached out. I feel so much support. Thank you! ❤️
4. Blue Diamond Almonds and More collection—yummy!
5. Chocolate
#5JoysFriday
You can tell how much my life was upside down in December—I never created a graphic for the #NancyDrewBR January discussion! And, we‘re a few days away from it. Thanks to those who have been posting about reading for the 15th.
Discussion on January 15th. Personally, I think this older cover is less creepy than the revised edition cover. 🤷🏻♀️
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, KT1432, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze
I am really late posting this, but thanks to those in this year‘s #LiteraryCrew group who have posted about this month‘s selection!
Radar Girls was a top vote selection for our group, and judging by the positive marks so far, it‘s a good choice!
Discussion on January 31st. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.
melissajayne, tpixie, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, Jennifer3, IMASLOWREADER, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Teresereading, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, SamAnne, Jess861, Roary47, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas
#ChristiesCapers update: I hope it‘s okay if we push back our discussion of Mr. Quin until our regularly scheduled January date. It moves our timeline just a smidge, but we can visit the world of Miss Marple for February.
I‘ve just started to read a bit more again, and the last time I read this collection was 2019. I definitely need to refresh my mind! Thanks for your patience on this. I‘m taking things one day at a time. #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, PatriciaU, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos
#Vladimir and I are attempting to catch up on this week‘s #SundayBuddyRead reading schedule.
That is, if I don‘t fall asleep because he‘s so warm and is gently purring. #CatsOfLitsy
I start every year by making this my first read for the year. Normally I finish it in a couple of hours, but this year is different. I‘ve not read a book in weeks, including audiobooks, so it‘s an accomplishment to complete this little jewel of a book.
Grief is hard; we all know that. I‘m adjusting to suddenly having so much time on my hands. I had limited downtime, especially with the extensive caregiving needs the last 2 weeks of December. ⬇️⬇️
Today starts the new #192030 challenge!
Thanks to everyone who participated in #192025 . It was so much fun that I brought it back. The only rule is to read one book originally published each year, from 1920 to 2030.
Feel free to use the official hashtag. I also hashtag the pub year on Litsy in case anyone wants inspiration.
Link to the Storygraph tracker is below.
If you wish to be added/removed from the tag list, let me know!
mabell, Maggie4483, Daisey, Kitta, BarkingMadRead, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, Amiable, Lizpixie, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick, Suet624, jenniferw88, llwheeler, Deblovestoread, thebacklistbook, triplem80, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, Sace, KT1432, kwmg40, Mollyanna, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair, AllDebooks, AnishaInkspill, jmgwis, rebcamuse#LiteraryCrew : I‘m going to postpone our discussion until next week. Zeke is crossing the rainbow bridge tomorrow, and I just cannot think of discussions. I‘m so sorry. I‘ll let everyone know when I have the questions ready.
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
#ChristiesCapers : We should have our discussion for this month‘s book on Sunday. But it probably will not happen. I‘m so sorry. Zeke is living his final days; his cancer spread, has become more aggressive, and he‘s too weak for chemo. Either he spends several days in a hospital getting strength enough to take chemo that may or may not work, or I give him all of the love I can and say goodbye soon. I chose the latter.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, PatriciaU, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos
So sorry for the late posts of questions, everyone!
Today has been rough. Zeke‘s lab work came back showing very bad liver values, and he‘s now booked for tests later this week. That is, if he survives until then. Thank you for the kind words about Zeke!
Anyhow, there are 5 posts as spoilers that can be found on the book‘s feed, my feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR . Next month, we learn about The Secret of the Wooden Lady!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, KT1432, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze
5. Think of the danger episodes (why Nancy thinks hunting down a guy in the dark in a forested area is a good idea, I‘m not sure! 😂)
Any stand out episodes? #NancyDrewBR
4. Any thoughts on the side characters in this installment? I loved how Nancy stumbles upon an acquaintance of Hannah and who happens to be the owner of said leaning chimney! #NancyDrewBR
3. The rest of these questions will be really vague as I have not finished the story! But, please comment away!
Nancy is in search of missing pottery from a local shop and, in connection, a leaning chimney (which I kept thinking of the leaning tower of Pisa for some reason…).
What did you think of the mystery? Good plot line or mediocre plot line? #NancyDrewBR
2. Now that we have lots of pottery thoughts in our minds, let‘s dive into the story. Can you believe it is book 26?!?
What did you think of this installment? We‘ll dive into characters and danger/action episodes in subsequent questions, but what are your overall impressions with this book? How does it compare/contrast with prior entries? #NancyDrewBR
1. It‘s time for another #NancyDrewBR discussion! This time, Nancy is learning all about Chinese pottery.
To get us into the right mindset, visit the link in the comments to learn the history of Asian pottery.
I will post the #NancyDrewBR questions hopefully some point today…Zeke had a very bad weekend, and I‘m waiting for the specialist to get back in touch with me. It‘s been a very terrible weekend, and I fear I won‘t have him for much longer.
So sorry! I will post as soon as I can.
pickWhen I saw this on Libby, I was expecting a thriller. It‘s not—it‘s a much lighter offering by McFadden set in a hospital. Doctor Jane is a new doctor and seems a bit over her head. But, she finds ways to cope, including hanging with a handsome surgeon. This was hilarious in parts. I really enjoyed it and have already checked out the follow up to this.
#NotBookRelated
Sharing because so many of you are kindly following this saga:
Zeke had his recent check up with the internal medicine specialist today, and it‘s not the best of news. He slowed down on food consumption around the time I picked up a part time temp job outside the home. By the middle of November, he was barely eating. Thanksgiving was horrible, to say the least, trying to coax him to eat more. We had to drop chemo,… ⬇️
so-soI think I‘m on the minority of this one, but in some aspects, the storyline just seemed too out there, with twists that just did not jibe for me. Over halfway through the book, the narrative goes into a completely different direction, and I just was not buying the reason. There‘s violence in this thriller—TW for sexual abuse and graphic violence. I did enjoy the audio of this.
Maybe I‘ll try another by Donlea at some point, but I won‘t rush.
My #AuldLangSpine list from @Jerdencon contains some great reads! I also enjoyed First Lie Wins, but I have not read the others on the list. I own a few, so they will be easy to access. I think, though, I‘m going to start with Sandwich; I‘ve wanted to read that, had it out from the library, and then I ran out of time to read it. Great list!
Thanks for hosting, @monalyisha ! #AuldLangSpine2026
Are we ready for more #ChristiesCapers short stories? This 1930 collection features Mr. Quin.
Discussion for this next Christie read will take place December 28th. All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.
In the coming days, I‘ll post the 2026 list! #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos
#LiteraryCrew ‘s last book for 2025 is Toibin‘s Brooklyn.
Discussion on December 31st. Read at your own pace. I‘ll post periodic check-ins throughout the month. All are welcome to join. Let me know if you wish to be tagged.
Don‘t forget to see the list for 2026! If you have not signed up for 2026 yet and wish to be added to the tag list, let me know!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
I‘m happy to share next year‘s #LiteraryCrew ‘s reading list! Roughly 20 Littens voted on the list of titles, which is an amazing number.
The clear top votes went to Passing and Radar Girls. Passing technically had the most votes, but I think it‘s a good book to read for Black History Month.
Tagging those who recorded on the ballot they wish to be tagged. If you would like to be included on the tag list, please let me know! All are welcome!
melissajayne, tpixie, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, Jennifer3, IMASLOWREADER, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Teresereading, Sace, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, SamAnne, Roary47, julieclair, AllDebooks
pickLily‘s world turns upside down when she declares a Picasso in the Tate Gallery to be a forgery. The novel then becomes a bit of a caper as Lily has to deal with the fallout of her remark plus navigate family issues.
I found this to be a fun historical fiction novel with lots of art references. There are also underlying issues involving guilt and neglect plus ramifications of WWII and the impact on the art world (this book is set in the 1970s).
Hey #LiteraryCrew ! It‘s time to discuss this month‘s book. I have 8 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
We conclude the year with Colm Toibin‘s Brooklyn. Official post tomorrow, and I hope to have the results from voting ready by then to also announce next year‘s titles!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
It‘s time for our #ChristiesCapers discussion! There are questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags.
Next month, we learn about The Mysterious Mr. Quin! Official post tomorrow (hopefully). #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, peanutnine, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos8. The Leftovers was made into a series on HBO in the mid-2010s. Have you seen it? If so, what are your thoughts on it? How does it compare to the novel?
IMDB link to the series information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/
#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. This is a deep novel that explores ideas of faith/spirituality, grief/loss, and moving forward, among other themes. Perrotta participated in an interview where he discussed these themes in part; the book itself was written after his father passed away.
Link to interview: https://theabsolutemag.com/14442/books/novelist-tom-perrotta-on-the-leftovers-an...
#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Discuss the ending of the book. What do you think happens to the main characters after the book is over? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. How would you describe the relationship between Laurie and Meg? Did you find what happens to them believable? What about the relationship between Kevin and Nora? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Why do you think Laurie Garvey joins the Guilty Remnant? Once there, why do you think she stays? What sort of benefits might a cult-like community offer to people reeling from an event like the Sudden Departure? What about the Healing Hug Movement led by Holy Wayne? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Jill Garvey thinks it‘s easy “to romanticize the missing, to pretend that they were better than they really were.” Is this true? How do the main characters in The Leftovers view their friends and relatives who have disappeared? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. The Leftovers is set in an idyllic American suburbia—with adult softball teams, a strong school system, and beautiful leafy neighborhoods. Why do you think the author set this novel –and his other novels--in such a place? Is there something especially pleasant or idyllic about the suburbs? Or is that just a myth? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. om Perrotta‘s The Leftovers focuses on life after a mysterious mass disappearance that may or may not have been the Rapture. How do the various characters feel about being “left behind?” Which character's view of the Sudden Departure makes most sense to you? ~from Book Movement discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. Let's now turn our attention to the mysteries themselves. Did you have a favorite mystery from the collection? A least favorite? Any aspects of the mysteries that stood out for you that you wish to discuss? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
4. Tommy and Tuppence running a “pretend“ detective agency! This is the theme that carries us through the mysteries. What did you think of the detective agency and the ploys they would use in the office to make potential clients feel like it was an extremely busy detective agency? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
3. As many of us mentioned in our reviews this month, this is just a fun book to read--light, comical, and a fast read of individual mysteries tied together by the detective agency. Let's first talk about the parodies. Christie adds elements of well-known detectives in 1929, including Poirot, comically acknowledging catchphrases, mannerisms, foibles, etc.
Who did you spot mentioned? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
2. We know several years have passed since we last solved mysteries with Tommy and Tuppence. Think about their portrayal in The Secret Adversary; what of their characters have stayed the same? What has changed? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
1. This is our second book featuring Tommy and Tuppence. Overall, what did you think of this collection of stories? How does it compare to the first book, The Secret Adversary? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
pickOMG…I finished a print book! You know life is a bit complicated when it takes nearly 2 weeks to finish a book I could normally get done in an afternoon!
I‘m all about the spookiness in this book, and it feels like the storyline/mystery is a bit more complicated than others. Jewelry thievery that leads to a money swindle and a haunted mansion—this was a fun Nancy Drew. #NancyDrewBR
I‘ve registered! Thank goodness I read so much at the start of the year that I could easily find titles (the last few months, my reading has really tanked).
Thanks for hosting again, @monalyisha ! #AuldLangSpine
so-soI think I went into this one with extremely high expectations (I LOVED Lula Dean‘s Little Library of Banned Books) and found myself disappointed. I‘m all about witchy premises and powerful women, but the ending felt rushed, anticlimactic, and almost kind of a let down (without giving away anything). The story slowly unfolds, and the reader encounters many women in the same family and their stories to fight for justice and/or succumb to male…⬇️⬇️⬇️
We‘re going to become pottery experts thanks to next month‘s #NancyDrewBR !
Discussion on December 15th. All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze
Voting is now open for #LiteraryCrew 's 2026 selections!
https://forms.gle/m7A8a3VvqrNkBaQG8
If you are interested in being tagged for the 2026 discussions, please include your Litsy handle on the form.
Lots of great titles from a variety of genres were suggested for next year, so I cannot wait to see how voting goes!
Tagging those who participated in at least one #LiteraryCrew discussion in case you are interested in next year's choices!
mcctrish, DebinHawaii, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, BethM, Deblovestoread, Teresereading, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, Sparklemn, julieclair, AllDebooks, willaful, IriDas, AnishaInkspill, Lkempf
It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion! I have 6 questions posted as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Next month, we learn about The Clue of the Leaning Chimney which involves thievery and missing pottery experts.
BarkingMadRead, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, Laughterhp, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, TheAromaofBooks, Roary47, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze6. We talked about the mysteries, but let's talk about the adventures. Haunted houses and quicksand come to mind! Any thoughts on these? #NancyDrewBR
5. We meet up again with Togo briefly! I had to look when we last saw the dog, and it seems Togo was mentioned in The Whispering Statue book (book 14). Kind of odd we have not seen him since then.
Besides the furry character, any thoughts on the characters in this book? I did not that Bess was referred to as “plump“ a few times. #NancyDrewBR
4. Please tell me none of you have also invested in Three Branch Ranch!
There seem to be a lot of aspects that tie together in this one, especially with the “haunted“ abandoned house, the leaving of messages in the woods, and the trance-like state of Lola. What did you think of the mysteries in this one? #NancyDrewBR
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}