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LilMamaMastro

LilMamaMastro

Joined July 2016

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The Standard Grand by Jay Baron Nicorvo
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1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
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Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
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LilMamaMastro
Oryx and Crake | Margaret Atwood
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My husband & I are in Myrtle Beach for his son's (University of Oregon) ultimate frisbee tournament. My mission yesterday was a run to the liquor store. It took QUITE a bit longer than expected due to the store next door. ? I came away with 3 new Margaret Atwoods. Oh yeah, & "refreshments". ?

TheLondonBookworm Ultimate frisbee? That sounds amazing!! Also yay Atwood 😍😍 7y
Marchpane Pizza, booze and books in one spot? I'd never need to shop anywhere else! 7y
25 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
Celine: A novel | Peter Heller
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Ey-yuh.

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LilMamaMastro
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I made this necklace for my step-son's fiancé using shells from Charleston, SC where she was born. This was my 1st foray into acrylic; my stuff has been exclusively sterling silver. I may play around with book-related jewelry using acrylic......thoughts?

DeborahSmall Do you have a website? It's stunning 7y
Libby1 This is so beautiful. 7y
15 likes3 comments
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LilMamaMastro
1Q84 | Haruki Murakami
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My Monday includes a 3-hour infusion (snarl😖) so I'm going to begin reading a doorstop otherwise known as 1Q84. I firmly believe Murakami can improve most unpleasant situations. 💆

22 likes1 stack add
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LilMamaMastro
Kindred | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

Yep, I very much enjoyed the premise of this book and the book overall. At the beginning, I felt like everything was a bit simplified. I also felt like over the course of the visits we should have learned "why" (not the PURPOSE, which we know) she started going. Make sense? This was also a short, easy read and I liked the relationships of the characters. I ended the book thinking this could have been longer & more intricate. #Letter K #LitsyA-Z

23 likes1 stack add
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LilMamaMastro
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Pickpick

I was captivated by this story and as always, by David Mitchell's writing. This book will not be for everyone but it was a page-turner and the characters will stay with me for a long time. The story of clashing cultures, greed, power & evil, love & loyalty, and life & death is set in Nagasaki at the close of the 18th century and it is spectacular. If historical fiction written by a master is your thing, you will love this, too. #LetterT #LitsyA-Z

Bookdodger Your description is perfect. I loved this book! 7y
23 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
Gilead | Marilynne Robinson
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I continue to nibble on this book. The writing is just SO lovely but, for me, it is just not a gulp-it-down book. Enjoying this morning with Gilead and Lavender Earl Grey.

readinginthedark Ooh, what brand of tea is that? Sounds delicious! 7y
LilMamaMastro @readinginthedark This particular one is from englishteastore.com and was a gift. It is the Versailles Lavender Earl Grey loose leaf and it is particularly delicious. I've had some lovely lavender Earl Grey though from Twinings or even store brand. Lavender Earl Grey had become a favorite! Hope you try some! 7y
readinginthedark @LilMamaMastro Definitely! Black tea + lavender = perfection! 7y
20 likes3 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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Reading distraction: She decided to do the full round of personal grooming here on my book. You cannot tear your eyes away no matter what. This is social day for my new bees 🐝💕

rubyslippersreads "Hi, honey!" ???? 7y
Alfoster Once again, so cool! 7y
21 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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I was so distraught about my husband golfing all day that I had to have a Bloody Mary. In the hot tub. With a book. 😢🤣

PurpleyPumpkin Sounds like a perfect plan!👌🏽 7y
Beckys_Books Sooooo jealous 7y
25 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
The Bees: A Novel | Laline Paull
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The "Before" pic ?Bee Day? selfie. My bees are now installed & no one needs to see my sweaty "After" pic!! Yea ????! ? Time to chill with a book after a productive day! ??????

Alfoster Yay!👏👏👏 7y
13 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
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Pickpick

This is a very quick, easy read about a hedge fund manager who goes to Somaliland to start what turns out to be a very successful school. The writing that is simple and straightforward tells a story of perseverance & frankly, chutzpah on the part of Mr. Starr. I absolutely loved the stories of the individual students; the circumstances they overcame to even go to school, let alone excel, were hard to fathom. Inspirational! #LetterI #LitsyA-Z

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LilMamaMastro
Mystic River | Dennis Lehane
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Any Dennis Lehane readers/fans out there? I've never read him but I recognize a couple of the titles. I couldn't resist buying 5 of the same author in great condition at a thrift store (that I stalk for books every Tues.) $2.50 total seemed like the right price to take a chance. 😉

PurpleyPumpkin Wow, great deal!👍🏽 7y
15 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
The Power | Naomi Alderman
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Pickpick

This isn't my genre of choice but if Margaret Atwood recommends (& mentors?), I'm going to read it! It certainly was a page turner & thought provoking. I think women would be surprised at the nasty, & usually attributable to men, things we would do if we had "the power". #LetterP #LitsyA-Z

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LilMamaMastro
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Pickpick

Only just the most delightful book I have read in a long time!💗💗💗 It is a rare thing to already know that I will reread a book. (My husband said he was very happy to see my constant grin while reading this after tears from my last few selections.) I cannot over-recommend this book! #LetterG #LitsyA-Z

Reviewsbylola My husband loves when I get animated over books too. This was a great one! 7y
hollytucker Ok I've has this on my shelf for a month....time to crack it open! 7y
tracyrowanreads I am SO with you on this. I listened to the audio book dirt, then got the e-book, and finally gave the hardcover to myself for my birthday. 7y
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tracyrowanreads First. Fat phone fingers LOL 7y
LilMamaMastro @tracyrowanreads HaHa! I've also fallen victim to FPF (many a time)!🖐 7y
22 likes6 comments
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LilMamaMastro
Homegoing: A novel | Yaa Gyasi
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Pickpick

My beautiful cover is a bit worse for the wear after beach reading but I'll at least always know why. I loved this book as much as anyone but I had to learn not to be too invested in any one person/chapter. I was not always successful at this & was left wanting. I was disappointed for each person's story to end; in some cases though, I guess it was a blessing that a particular heartbreak wasn't extended. Beautiful debut! #LetterH #LitsyA-Z

Merethebookgal I felt the same way! 7y
22 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
Mischling: A novel | Affinity Konar
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Mehso-so

Just back from 2 weeks in Aruba so I have several reviews to write. BUT, since there is NO CRYING ON THE BEACH, I did not finish this until I got home. This is a very hard read & not pleasant in any, way, shape, or form. The subject matter is brutal & I kept asking why I was torturing myself by reading it. The answer? Sometimes you must force yourself to acknowledge atrocities to honor those against whom they were committed. #LetterM #LitsyA-Z

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LilMamaMastro
Panpan

I didn't even want to review this because I did not feel like this was a book for grown-ups. I'm not really sure who IS the target audience. I listened to this while I worked in my studio which is a sure sign of a not very engaging book (normally can't be creative & also be fully invested in a book.) The premise wasn't bad, but the story-telling was a little superficial.

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LilMamaMastro
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Pickpick

I finished this about a week ago & can now say, Haruki Murakami, where have you been all my life?! It's so dreamy that I had to live with it awhile. Thanks to Litsy since this would have never been on my radar otherwise. I just loved every element of the story & even the parts that were so obviously missing.

katedensen Welcome to #MurakamiMadness! Just be careful you don't read too many of his books in a row--he reuses so many of the same themes and motifs (hence the existence of Haruki Murakami bingo), that they'll all start to blend together. 7y
Eliza-beta Such an amazing book 7y
LilMamaMastro Thanks @katedensen for the heads-up; reading this one just made me want to go on a Murakami binge but I can see what you mean. I was going to take 1Q84 with me on vacation next week but I was vacillating anyway. I'll give that one a few books in between. Happy to be on board with #MurakamiMadness! 7y
16 likes1 stack add3 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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As I saw my husband off to work, he said "I need a haircut. What if you go to the bookstore while I get a haircut then I'll take you out for sushi?" ???

Mccall0113 Does he have a brother?!? 7y
JoeStalksBeck Yup ! He's a keeper!!! 7y
readinginthedark 😯🎉 7y
22 likes3 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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It would have been a fantastic rainy day to participate in #24in48 but I had to Sister March here in SC!!☮️❤🌈👨‍👩‍👧‍👧👩‍👩‍👧‍👧✊️✊🏾 Now off to a birthday party. Oh but how I wish I was in this setting!! (I LOVE this pic!) Read on, Love on, Littens!!!

Libby1 7y
26 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
Morte | Robert Repino
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Mehso-so

Hmmmm. This wasn't my book. It was a departure for me, to be sure. I didn't hate it (I love the name of the book) and I didn't hate the insect/animal-rise-up-against-humans premise but I just was never really engaged. It was a chore for me to finish though I'm sure some will find this outrageous story in their wheelhouse. #LetterM #LitsyA-Z

8little_paws I loved the first chapter of this book in particular. It was like a free standing short story 7y
14 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
Elegance of the Hedgehog | Muriel Barbery
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Pickpick

I implore you to get past the naval-gazing & the I'm-SO-smart malarkey that is the first 1/3 of this book. Surrender to the idea of a fairytale. The beauty of the prose is so worth it! This book made me laugh & cry while enchanting me with the beauty of an exquisitely turned phrase. #LetterE #ListsyA-Z

Desha Love your books in the background!! Are any of them by Easton Press? ❤️❤️❤️📚 7y
LilMamaMastro @Desha I am blessed to own many Easton & Franklin beauties! Sometimes I just stand in my library & marvel at their loveliness. I am not worthy💕 7y
Reviewsbylola I adored this book so much! 7y
Desha @LilMamaMastro So true! I do the same with my Easton Press books...just stare, jaw dropping, at their beauty! 😜☺️😍❤️ I have about 40 out of the 100 Great Classics Series and I love love love them. When I was a high school teacher I kept them in my bookshelf with some other personal items...every time parents came in they said it looked like a lawyers office lol! I LOVE your bookshelves!!❤️❤️❤️📚📚📚☺️ (edited) 7y
LilMamaMastro @Reviewsbylola Oh! Me, too. I'm a bit dismayed that I think I will end up counting it as one of my favorites. I wish I read (understood, spoke) French so that I could read the original. 7y
25 likes1 stack add5 comments
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LilMamaMastro
The Nightingale | Kristin Hannah
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Mehso-so

I read a disproportionate number of books relating to WWII & this is just not one of my favorites. This is not to say that I wasn't crying at certain points as I never cease to be appalled at the atrocities of war (no matter how much I read about it.) I did not particularly enjoy the first half of the book but it improved subsequently.This book will appeal to many. I felt like certain major events were written insubstantially. #LetterN #LitsyA-Z

Reviewsbylola I felt the same way initially but all of a sudden, it took a turn for me and I really enjoyed it. 7y
22 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
The Welsh Girl | Peter Ho Davies
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Pickpick

As WWII stories go, this was far less intense than the majority. It is set in a time & place that is not the norm for most Historical fiction relating to WWII. I had trouble getting into this initially but persevered and ended up enjoying it overall. It was a bit disjointed but it is a lighter WWII read with lovely prose. #LetterW #LitsyA-Z

BookishMarginalia 👍🏼 7y
24 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
The Welsh Girl | Peter Ho Davies
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He had wounded her, she thinks, and not a small wound, the drops of blood in her drawers, but something deeper and stranger. What a wound it is that stops you bleeding.

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LilMamaMastro
A Fine Balance | Rohinton Mistry
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Pickpick

I've had this book on my shelf for quite a while &, knowing a bit about it, only just now got up the courage to read. And boy, did it gut me as expected. For me, this was not a story that caused tears but a deep-down-in-your-soul gutting. Illustrating the cruelty & inequity of life that few of us can ever begin to image without a work like this, it is beautifully written, totally consuming and painful.

Mackypup I absolutely agree. I read this a few years ago, and it's one of those stories that stays with you. Excellent review! 7y
20 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
The Waste Land | Thomas Stearns Eliot
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Happy New Year, fellow Littens!! #2017

Marchpane Love the quote! Happy New Year 🍾🥂🎉🎉🎉 7y
Natalia Happy New Year🎊🎊🎊 7y
22 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
The Snow Child | Eowyn Ivey
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Pickpick

This was the best audiobook I've listened to yet. Having such a beautiful, fable-based story read to me was quite a treat!

litsybookclub Litsy Book Club will be discussing this book live this Sunday at 5pm ET. There will also be online discussions May 22 - 26. We'd love to have you join us! 7y
26 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
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Well. I've not heard anything like this. Ever. Certainly not recently. 😑😞

Arcana Sadly, I've heard this several times this year. From unexpected sources. 😢 7y
LilMamaMastro @Arcana Right?! And this setting is 1976. You'd think we'd have grown out of it by 2016 but I think it's worse than ever 😞 7y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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What's left of my 3 Birthday/Thanksgiving bouquets (minus the roses taken out for drying) in my Read More Books mason........To be enjoyed by no one while I travel. Sigh. Listening to a childhood fav while I pack.

MrBook Awww. Happy belated birthday! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
LilMamaMastro @MrBook Thanks! ☺️ 7y
Desha Beautiful flowers! I love keeping fresh flowers when I can! 💖💕💖 7y
21 likes1 stack add3 comments
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LilMamaMastro
Kids of Appetite | David Arnold
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When you find out that you'll unexpectedly be out of town for 2 weeks & the first thing you do is choose your books to pack......

TheCanuckReader Is there any other way to pack? 7y
Desha Can't wait to read Lucky Boy ☺️ 7y
20 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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I think we all agree on this.

PurpleyPumpkin TRUTH!👊🏼 7y
25 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
Here Comes the Sun | Nicole Dennis-Benn
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"No one mourned the loss of the women's lives, but instead rejoiced in the good judgments of Karma. For what can women who refuse the loving of men expect?"

Desha Hmmm...this is on my TBR pile 😳 7y
18 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
A Dirty Job: A Novel | Christopher Moore
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Pickpick

I've had this on my shelf for a good while. I was in the beginning of reading Here Comes The Sun when the week started to go downhill -you know what I mean - and I just needed something lighter. Well, this book was certainly the ticket! Fast, funny read! I laughed out loud a lot!! Nothing like Christopher Moore's irreverence to take your mind off the world for a bit.

Kleonard Loved this book and I adore Christopher Moore. ❤️ 7y
LilMamaMastro @Kleonard Like Bear? 😂 7y
17 likes2 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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Has anyone tried this cookbook? It seems like one I'd love to just read. I'm too old for cookbooks as I have just cooked by the seat of my pants for so many years - old dog, new tricks & all that. #cookbooklove

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LilMamaMastro
The Patriots: A Novel | Sana Krasikov
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Made my husband biscuits & gravy before he ran off to golf. "Why, Darling, of course I don't mind if you golf this morning", I say with book behind my back as I shove him out the door. ? (Like he doesn't know exactly what I'll be doing!)

Desha Haha awesome!!😂😍📚📚📚📚📚📚 7y
22 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
Commonwealth | Ann Patchett
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Boots 😃

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LilMamaMastro
The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern
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Pickpick

MAGICAL!🎩❤️

Eyelit ❤️ the night circus! 7y
16 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
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Anxiously awaiting trick-or-treaters!

Desha What a cutie! ❤️🐾🐾❤️ 7y
16 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
May I Bring a Friend? | Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
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OK, so I dress my lion for holidays🦁😬 This year for Halloween, something about him was nagging the back of my mind. I finally realized it was because of this book I used to read my sons when they were young. ☺️

rubyslippersreads Best picture ever! 😸 7y
13 likes1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
The Crimson Labyrinth | Yusuke Kishi, Masami Isetani, Camellia Nieh
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LilMamaMastro
The Violet Fairy Book | Lang, Andrew
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Oh! I want to be the Book Fairy for Halloween!! 😍👻☠️🕷🕸🎃🍬

Alfoster This is adorable!!❤️❤️ 7y
readinginthedark 👏🏻🎉❤️❤️❤️ 7y
Eyelit So cute! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Beckys_Books What a clever idea! 7y
BooksForYears Mentally storing the Literary Fairy idea away for next year! 7y
Desha So cute! ❤️ 7y
33 likes1 stack add6 comments
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LilMamaMastro
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EAP has LONG been a favorite of mine! This book is a monster 👹 #AllHallowsRead ☠️🎃🕷👻

readinginthedark But so worth the tackling! ❤️ 7y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
Weaveworld | Clive Barker
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I've never been a real reader of Horror but I love me some Clive Barker. This is one that has stuck with me for years; I've looked at rugs very differently since. #AllHallowsRead

Maude I know what you mean, I forget a lot of books after I read them but even though it's been about 10yrs I remember this one :) 7y
20 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LilMamaMastro
The Patriots: A Novel | Sana Krasikov
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I was in my studio all morning completing an order & emerged to find book mail!!! I think it's a sign when the jewelry you just made matches one of the books..... 💗📚💗

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LilMamaMastro
The Wild Girl | Kate Forsyth
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Pickpick

I'm giving this book an overall Pick. Depending upon the place in the book, that would not necessarily be the case. I almost bailed at the beginning when it was reading like a bodice-ripping romance. That passed but other times I was convinced the book would be So-So because of consistency. As a big fan of historical fiction, I realized at the end that I enjoyed the book as a whole. Trigger warning for sexual & physical abuse.

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LilMamaMastro
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Pickpick

I was a bit reluctant to read this so soon after Life After Life but I'm happy to say that they were quite different in tone & content. I was sucked in from the start & it only got more suspenseful as I read on. It was intelligently written & consequently thought provoking. For me, the science & technology, in addition to how these affect conflicts, politics & environment, prompts me to think beyond these pages and this story.

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LilMamaMastro
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Just saw my husband off to golf so I get to crawl back in bed to read!! Oh, the yummy-ness!!

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LilMamaMastro
White Teeth | Zadie Smith
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Oh you big beautiful library sale! I would have more books but......I probably wasn't the most welcome person in the crowded, skinny aisles since I went to the sale AFTER the gym and yoga 😝😬

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LilMamaMastro
Clifford's First Halloween | Norman Bridwell
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#GiveaScaryBook This one's off to my grandson who's not quite ready for anything scary (4mos.)

readinginthedark Great choice! 7y
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