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MicheleinPhilly

MicheleinPhilly

Joined August 2016

Bookworm. City girl. Pickles' mom. Occasional cranky ass. Couch panini. Librarian.
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Mehso-so

I absolutely loved Miracle Creek so this was definitely a “sophomore slump” for me. While I appreciated the care she took in portraying Angelman Syndrome families, I think centering the novel from Mia‘s perspective was a mistake. I wanted insight into John and Hannah‘s thoughts too. The footnotes were a distraction.

squirrelbrain I really felt that the footnotes were a distraction too, particularly on audio. I didn‘t know when Mia had actually finished waffling on! 4d
BarbaraBB I skipped the footnotes 🤦🏻‍♀️ @squirrelbrain 4d
Caroline2 Argh that‘s disappointing! 🙄 3d
Cathythoughts I preferred Miracle Creek. I enjoyed this one too though. 2d
49 likes4 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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He gets it.

squirrelbrain ❤️ 3w
Ruthiella 👍👍👍 3w
LeahBergen Yes! 👏 3w
49 likes3 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Desperately trying to get into something ANYTHING but I fear I‘m too distracted for this. Maybe I‘m just distracted by the tacos. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Jess Yum. Tacos. Good luck with that one. It was also on my list for this month and for some reason I read around it but never picked it up. 3w
vivastory My local B & N is really pushing this book 3w
LeahBergen Mmm…tacos 3w
See All 7 Comments
Captivatedbybooks Chelly!!! When the weather gets better we need to do the long awaited bookstore crawl 🤣🤣 3w
squirrelbrain It‘s not the right book if you‘re feeling distracted, I don‘t think. 3w
Tamra Tacos = distraction 3w
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I couldn‘t get into this one… 3w
57 likes7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Homebodies: A Novel | Tembe Denton-Hurst
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Pickpick

I wish this had received more attention when it was published last year. While I still found myself exceedingly frustrated by the MC, there was a lot of heart and humor here. But damn, you 20-somethings make piss poor decisions. 😜 A soft pick.

squirrelbrain Not one that I‘ve heard of…. 🤷‍♀️ 1mo
Megabooks I felt like I should've liked this but ended up bailing on both audio and print. Hmmmm... 1mo
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Heads up US-based #LitsyTOB24 procrastinators like me! #KindleDailyDeal

TrishB This isn‘t even available on kindle here. 1mo
squirrelbrain Yay! I really liked this one. 1mo
Librarybelle Oh! This is good to know! I‘m not reading with the group, but it sounds so interesting from all of the posts I‘ve seen about it. 1mo
Megabooks Thanks for sharing! 1mo
36 likes4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Prima Facie | Suzie Miller
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Pickpick

I read this novelization of Suzie Miller‘s 1 woman show in a single sitting yesterday. Intense doesn‘t even begin to describe it. I was fortunate to have seen the play on Broadway and this expands on that, giving larger roles to Tessa‘s mum, brother, friends and co-workers. But this is still very much Tessa‘s story. Her heartbreak, fear, and RAGE are palpable. Highly recommended but please tread carefully.

squirrelbrain Just started it…. Only read first chapter though and, of course, not having seen the play I don‘t know the story. (I deliberately haven‘t looked up any spoilers) 1mo
The_Book_Ninja Saw the play in London with Jodi Comer. She was superb 1mo
MicheleinPhilly @The_Book_Ninja I was completely gobsmacked by her performance. 1mo
Kitta I saw this on Broadway with Jodie Comer! It was incredible. So hard hitting. 1mo
47 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

A true crime fictionalization that rather snuck up on me. I knew nothing about the case itself (and recommend going in blind) but the care with which Kyriacou drew these characters was really something. It‘s a gripping page-turner but it‘s also just a really lovely character study and a damning indictment of the British justice system. 👍🏼

squirrelbrain Such a good book - and definitely don‘t try to read about the real-life case beforehand. 1mo
TrishB I enjoyed this one too 👍🏻 1mo
LeahBergen Stacked! And I know nothing about this case, so 👍 1mo
46 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Day | Michael Cunningham
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Pickpick

I read The Hours at a very formative time in my life and it moved and changed me profoundly. I‘ve been sort of chasing that high with Cunningham ever since. And finally here, 20 years later, he has done it again. Devastatingly good.

GidgetsTreasures75 I adored The Hours. One of my favorites of all time. 2mo
squirrelbrain I definitely need to read this now. 2mo
Ruthiella You are so right about how a first book from an author can eclipse all subsequent efforts! I‘m glad lightning struck twice. ⚡️ 2mo
See All 9 Comments
LiteraryinLawrence I am so glad to hear this! The Hours was an important book for me too and I haven‘t loved any of his others nearly as much. This one is on my shelf! 2mo
AvidReader25 I loved The Hours, but haven‘t loved any of his others in the same way. I‘ll have to check this one out! 2mo
TrishB Looking forward to it 😁 2mo
Tamra I‘m glad you found it again! 2mo
BarbaraBB I have always looked for a Cunningham to match The Hours as well. And I enjoyed Days but The Hours still is my favorite (edited) 2mo
ClairesReads Oh this is so good to hear- I feel exactly the same about The Hours and just recently got a copy of this. 2w
54 likes5 stack adds9 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Erasure: A Novel | Percival Everett
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Pickpick

Why Percival Everett is not one of the biggest names in literature is beyond me. The man is a genius and I‘m basing that on the TWO books I‘ve read. I‘m thrilled that I have such an extensive backlist to savor. No one does satire better.

Tamra I agree! He‘s amazing - so creative and doesn‘t condescend to readers. And satire is so difficult to pull off! (edited) 2mo
batsy Agreed! And I've only read two as well (not this one, though). 2mo
TrishB I‘m only on one but have one ready on my kindle! 2mo
See All 18 Comments
BarbaraBB Completely agree! Each book I‘ve read has been fantastic! 2mo
Ruthiella I think his next one, James, is going to probably catapult him up where he belongs, but for sure he was a best kept secret for decades it seems. I only was exposed to him because of the ToB in 2017 with 2mo
squirrelbrain I‘m only on one as well, @TrishB but I‘m listening to Huck Finn on audio so that I can read James pretty soon. I‘m going to keep an eye out for offers on Erasure due to American Fiction (the film). Or I might just buy it anyway! 🤣 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I think it‘s 2.99 right now. 2mo
squirrelbrain Ha! I was looking at buying the paperback but then noticed the Kindle Deal, so I may have bought it… @TrishB - you may wish to buy it too… 2mo
TrishB I have done @squirrelbrain 😁👍🏻 2mo
DHill I felt the same after I read The Trees! 2mo
lynneamch Oooh! Thanks! New author for me. I'm going to start with this one I can get on audio with Libby 2mo
sarahbarnes Agreed. This one is on my TBR. 2mo
SamAnne Completely agree. I‘ve read The Trees and Telephone. This is next up. 2mo
Hooked_on_books I‘m just starting this one and I completely agree! The Trees was my first from him and it knocked my socks off. Erasure will be my 5th of his and I‘ve acquired several more. I read this one last year and loved it: 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @Hooked_on_books I just bought that one! 2mo
vivastory I've also only read two books by him (The Trees & Telephone) & feel exactly the same way. Did you see the adaptation? 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @vivastory Not yet. Really looking forward to it though. 2mo
vivastory It's funny because recently I have had adaptation fatigue, but am very intrigued by both American Fiction & Poor Things 2mo
63 likes7 stack adds18 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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The first book from Gillian Flynn‘s imprint? And it‘s about a queer, tattooed, chain-smoking nun?

SOLD!

TrishB What‘s not to like! 2mo
LiteraryinLawrence Whoa, this wasn‘t on my radar at all and sounds great! 2mo
jlhammar I‘m planning to read this in June. Looking forward to it! The second in the series will be out in March 2mo
See All 6 Comments
marleed I really liked this book and will continue with the series! 2mo
Caroline2 Ohhh 😮 2mo
Caroline2 Meh it‘s not on special here. 🙄 but I‘ve added it to my tbr list. Thanks for the heads up! 👍 2mo
39 likes3 stack adds6 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Sugar, Baby | Celine Saintclare
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Pickpick

I went into this with mild trepidation as I haven‘t really been getting along with novels about 20-somethings lately. But I needn‘t have worried. This is a confident and compelling debut that sheds light on “sugar babies” and the world they inhabit. Saintclare weaves race, class, and religion into the narrative in a totally organic and compelling way. Nice pick @AardvarkBookClub !

AardvarkBookClub 💜💜💜💜💜 2mo
squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 2mo
LiteraryinLawrence Hi Michele! This is a weird question, but could I pick your brain some time about Philly‘s bookstores? I‘m actually planning to open an indie bookstore, and I‘m trying to find the right SE PA location. Is there any place that has a cool Main Street and doesn‘t already have a bookstore? Any ideas are welcome! Thanks so much. 2mo
67 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

After reading 2 books that shattered me back-to-back, I knew I needed a frothy and fun palate cleanser. Abbi Waxman always fits that bill. And bonus: Nina Hill appears in this one too!

squirrelbrain Sometimes a bit of fluff is just what you need! 2mo
54 likes1 comment
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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review
MicheleinPhilly
All the Little Bird-Hearts | Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
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Pickpick

Thus far 2024 has been the year of reading emotionally devastating books. I don‘t know if it was the title that had me expecting something else, but this is one that will stay with me for a very long time. Just exquisite.

BarbaraBB So glad you feel this way too. I loved it, though my heart broke for Sunday 💝 2mo
Amor4Libros Loved this one, too!! ❤️ 2mo
squirrelbrain Gorgeous book - one of my favourites of last year, and my top Booker read, but 😭😭😭 2mo
Suet624 I still feel for Sunday. 2mo
Rissreads Yes I think I will be thinking about this one for a long time too. 2mo
76 likes6 stack adds5 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

I wanted to ease into 2024 with something warm and familiar. As always, Osman did not disappoint but he also stuck a knife in my heart and twisted it a few times for good measure.

Aims42 Someone was definitely chopping onions at my house while I read this 🤨😪😭🧅🔪 It was such a great book though! 2mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
62 likes2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Run Time | Catherine Ryan Howard
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Pickpick

It‘s been a minute since I‘ve had the time and mental wherewithal to do a single sitting read. This isn‘t great literature but was sufficiently creepy and fast-paced to keep me glued to the screen today. Thankful I finished it before sunset. 👍🏼

BarbaraBB She‘s a great writer of pageturners indeed! 3mo
squirrelbrain I‘ve only read one book by this author, but found it a good ‘pageturner‘. 3mo
LeahBergen I‘ve liked a couple of her books. 👍 3mo
TrishB Some creepy turns in this one 👍🏻 3mo
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Tom Lake: A Novel | Ann Patchett
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Pickpick

Does anyone write about marriage and family better? I had to set this aside over Christmas as I needed total silence and full immersion. While it isn‘t my favorite of hers, her mind is a marvel. 👍🏼

BarbaraBB Great review and photo. 3mo
TrishB Agree ❤️ 3mo
squirrelbrain Yummy! 😋 3mo
See All 6 Comments
sarahbarnes Curious which books of hers you really like - I‘ve actually never read her and get mixed reviews on where to start. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @sarahbarnes My favorites have been Commonwealth and The Dutch House. I have a few more I still haven‘t read though. I liked Bel Canto but HATED the ending. I didn‘t really get on with State of Wonder but I‘m definitely in the minority on that. 3mo
sarahbarnes Very helpful! I definitely want to read something of hers one of these days - thanks for the recs. 3mo
66 likes6 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Merry Christmas, Litsy fam!

Bookzombie Merry Christmas! That‘s a great reading spot! 3mo
LiteraryinLawrence To you too! 3mo
AmyG Merry Christmas 🎄 3mo
See All 11 Comments
Ruthiella Merry Christmas! 🎄 3mo
Jess Merry Christmas to you too! 3mo
JenReadsAlot Merry Christmas 🎄 3mo
squirrelbrain So cosy! ❤️ 3mo
Leftcoastzen Merry Christmas 🎄 3mo
Mimi28 Merry Christmas 🎁🎄❤️ 3mo
CarolynM Merry Christmas 🎄🎅🤶 3mo
batsy Merry Christmas! 🎄 3mo
51 likes11 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Other Half | Charlotte Vassell
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Pickpick

This was great fun. Exactly the type of witty, twisty, satirical brain candy I needed to get through the slog this week. And now, freedom!

BarbaraBB This is one I would have loved to read this last week too 😂 3mo
63 likes6 stack adds1 comment
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

This was fun to dip into over the course of the week BUT at about 2/3 of the way through, she completely abandons the Christmas theme. The stories were still enjoyable, it just seemed odd. Still a pick as she is a master.

45 likes1 stack add
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
The Other Half | Charlotte Vassell
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This seems like just the type of fun, snarky, “rich people behaving badly” novel I need in my life right now. #bookmail

vivastory I love Aardvark 3mo
LeahBergen It sounds good! 3mo
AardvarkBookClub Oh it‘s an “eat the rich” crime caper that spares no punches! 💸👊 3mo
See All 8 Comments
Prairiegirl_reading @AardvarkBookClub I had this on my list and I couldn‘t quite figure out why but now I know!! Thanks for this! 👍🏼 3mo
Caroline2 I‘ve just bought this in my kindle too. It sounds like fun! 🤩 3mo
TrishB I have this on the pile 👍🏻 one of our alumni! 3mo
53 likes8 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Cosby is an auto-buy author for me. His writing is just so assured and propulsive and damn near cinematic. I loved every page. Just *chef‘s kiss*

AmyG Agree! 3mo
Megabooks 💯💯💯 3mo
Suet624 Agree 3mo
See All 10 Comments
Tamra Very cinematic! 3mo
Hooked_on_books The man is a fricking genius. I love his books! 3mo
batsy Nice! I've yet to read him. And this book is on so many year-end lists so I'm keen to get to it. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @batsy You must rectify that! 3mo
TrishB He‘s very good to follow on Twitter/x whatever too. Very humble. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB I‘ll take your word for it. I gave up on that shitshow YEARS ago. 3mo
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly I still follow the book and footie people 😁 3mo
54 likes10 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Ugh!: A Bug! | Ned Crowley
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Suet624 Darn it! That stinks. 3mo
See All 26 Comments
squirrelbrain That‘s *really* bad. I‘d read nearly half of the long list, but only 6 of these, and hibernated a further 3 because I didn‘t love them. There‘s not a single book on there that I loved and plenty that most Littens have really disliked. Meh - I don‘t think I‘ll bother with the shortlist. 3mo
kwmg40 Oh no! I haven‘t looked at the list yet but heading over there now with some trepidation. 3mo
RebelReader I may try a couple of these, but I definitely will not be completing it. Oh well, I‘m still gonna read a couple from the long list too just because! 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3mo
Hooked_on_books Jesus, what in the hell are they thinking?!? This thing is a mess! Although I‘m kind of delighted to see Boys Weekend on there. 3mo
Deblovestoread Well that‘s disappointing. 🙁 3mo
BkClubCare Yeehaw, what a wild list IMHO 3mo
Bookwormjillk Cold People? Really? 3mo
jlhammar Interesting…I‘ve only read the McBride and Aoyama so far (enjoyed both). I have a feeling I might not get on with several of these. I hate that cover of Big Swiss so much that I‘ve been avoiding it. I‘ll probably give as many of these a shot as I can over the next 2+ months (depends on library availability for some), but will not hesitate to bail if I‘m not feeling it. 3mo
Jas16 This is really disappointing. I definitely won‘t be a completionist this year 3mo
Ruthiella I will give them all a go if available from the library, but I agree. There are a lot listed where my Litsy and Goodreads friends were meh or negative about them. 3mo
Megabooks Yikes!! 3mo
Megabooks @squirrelbrain I hate not to be a completist, but I have no desire to read Brainwyrms after your review, and you probably don‘t want to read Cold People after mine! 😂😂 3mo
sarahbarnes Interesting. Most of the books I either liked or want to read off the long list aren‘t on here. 3mo
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books I‘m very excited to get to Boys Weekend! 3mo
squirrelbrain No, I‘m not completing the list this year either @Jas16 @Megabooks 🤷‍♀️ 3mo
BarbaraBB I am shocked.. Most of them I really don‘t want to read and the three I did read I didn‘t enjoy that much. So what now? 3mo
kwmg40 I'll read some of the books on the list but definitely won't be a completist this year. Actually, I've never completed the list but I usually put in a good effort. Not this year. 3mo
ImperfectCJ Wow, there is little overlap between the ones I am excited about from the long list and this short list. I'm going to have to think carefully about whether I want to be a short list completist this year or not. 3mo
Chelsea.Poole 🙈 “ugh” is right! 3mo
Addison_Reads I'm just going to keep reading as many on the long list as I can, but this short list just doesn't really impress me. 3mo
cariashley Oof I‘m still digesting! I‘d read barely any of the long list and only had a few of the shortlist books on my radar. Really not sure how to proceed! (edited) 3mo
Well-ReadNeck Humph. I don‘t mind a weird book or two, but I feel like there are just too many on this list and just for shock value. Of the longlist books that I haven‘t read, it‘s uncanny how many chosen were at/toward the bottom of my “want to read/interested to read list” Bummer. 3mo
batsy I've barely read most of the longlist books yet, but I did enjoy Big Swiss and I thought The Guest was interesting. But other than that I'm with @sarahbarnes these were not quite the books I was drawn to from the longlist and don't know if I'll read much of the shortlist. 3mo
37 likes26 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Idlewild | James Frankie Thomas
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Pickpick

I did NOT expect to enjoy this as much as I did seeing as I‘m almost 30 years out of high school. But I found it to be really witty and touching. My only quibble was wanting to spend more time with Fay and Nell in adulthood. #TOB24

Ruthiella This one is sounding more and more like a must read, regardless of whether it makes the shortlist or not! 4mo
See All 7 Comments
TrishB On my after Christmas buy list! 4mo
squirrelbrain Yay - I‘m glad you liked it too! Always a worry when you rave-review something first, in case everyone else hates it! 😮‍💨 4mo
BarbaraBB I have purchased a copy after @squirrelbrain ‘s review. Glad you loved it too. 4mo
BkClubCare 😎 4mo
59 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Little mac ‘n cheese before diving back into the TOB longlist. It‘s so wonderful to have such a reliable friend. I hope Angela writes this series forever. ❤️

review
MicheleinPhilly
Wellness | Nathan Hill
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Pickpick

WOW. I don‘t have many words other than tremendous and extraordinary. One of the most authentic and affecting portraits of intimacy I‘ve ever read. #TOB24

TrishB Getting some great reviews 👍🏻 4mo
See All 14 Comments
RebelReader I might have try this one again, I just couldn‘t get into it, 4mo
Ruthiella So pleased to hear all the positive reviews about this title. It‘s definitely one I will read whether it makes the shortlist or not. 4mo
AmyG I need to get to this one! 4mo
Suet624 I'm so glad you like this one. I can't wait to finally get to it. His previous book lives on in my memories. 4mo
squirrelbrain I‘m so glad you loved it! And hey Pickles! (Even though you‘ve turned your back on me!) 4mo
Well-ReadNeck I LOVED his earlier novel, The Nix, and am so excited to read this one!!! 4mo
BarbaraBB I am so looking forward to this one too! 4mo
Megabooks Agree! Glad you loved it, too!! 4mo
BkClubCare This better make the short list!! I own it which means I keep pushing it aside for the short 7-day holds from the library 😩😁 4mo
batsy Sounds good! I've put it on hold. 4mo
sarahbarnes Looking forward to this one. 4mo
70 likes2 stack adds14 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
How to Build a Boat | Elaine Feeney
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Pickpick

This was a very tender story of family and community that didn‘t veer too far into the overly mawkish and sentimental as I feared it would. Feeney‘s background as a poet is very apparent in certain bits as some of the language was really breathtaking. Funnily enough, my least favorite bits were the ones in which they actually built the boat. 😂

TrishB I‘m not overly keen on boats in books! 4mo
squirrelbrain I agree - I found the boat bits a little boring, but otherwise really liked it. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Other than the boat bits, I did like it a lot. 4mo
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I just went to look on kindle to see how much it is…..yes, I brought it on 24 August. Well then. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB 🤣🤣🤣 That‘s probably when I bought it. #99pQueens 👑 4mo
56 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Nyrb Classics 10th Anniversary Complete Collection | Various, RANDOM HOUSE INC, New York Review Book
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Anyone else take advantage of the recent #NYRB sale? #bookmail #bookhaul

TrishB Ohhh shiny new books and Pickles 🐶♥️ 4mo
Tamra Oooooo 😍 4mo
Liz_M 🎶 One of those books is taller than the others 🎶 4mo
See All 13 Comments
batsy Pickles ❤️ 4mo
dabbe Hello there, Precious Pickles! 🖤🐾🖤 4mo
jlhammar I was very tempted! I haven‘t read many of the books I got during last year‘s sale so thought I‘d better not. I have The Door and Loved and Missed waiting on my shelves. I‘d love to get to both in 2024. 4mo
squirrelbrain Pickles says ‘I don‘t think you needed any new books, Momma!‘ 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain Like any of us do??? 4mo
squirrelbrain Henry said the exact same thing to me earlier, when I had 4 books delivered! 🤣 4mo
BarbaraBB So jealous! The sale doesn‘t work for me with all these shipping costs. I loved The Door and In a Lonely Place 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraBB Sigh…Remember when Book Depository made all of our dreams come true?? 😩 4mo
Graywacke Those books look so good together. Great picture. 4mo
Suet624 I missed the sale??? !!! Shoot. Beautiful photo that I'm just a little bit jealous of. 4mo
61 likes13 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Woman in Me | Britney Spears
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Pickpick

Gosh, this just made me tremendously sad. The level of abuse she has suffered at the hands of literally every single person in her life is just heartbreaking. I wish her peace.

Ruthiella Pickles looks like she also empathizes! ❤️🐶 4mo
squirrelbrain It made me sad for her too. 4mo
72 likes2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Had lunch with a friend on Friday and was running through the list of books I‘ve borrowed from her but haven‘t read yet. Today, little Miss Sass here let me know what she thinks about that. That‘s literally my friend‘s stack of books.

AmyG Ha! 4mo
Magpiegem Oh she is gorgeous! Look at that furrowed brow! 😍 4mo
Suet624 That's an amazing stack of books. You're a lucky girl. Does it feel daunting though? 4mo
See All 15 Comments
TieDyeDude So much sass 😅 4mo
squirrelbrain Perplexed Pickles is so cute! 4mo
LeahBergen She‘s ratting you out 😆 4mo
Librarybelle Love it! 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 It‘s only the 4 on the floor that are hers. We won‘t talk about my “owned but unread” books. 😉 4mo
DGRachel Love the judgy forehead wrinkles! 4mo
Suet624 Oh! Well that‘s a bit more manageable. I have tall stacks like that too. No shame! 4mo
dabbe It's a not-too pleased Pickles! 🖤🐾🖤 4mo
Leftcoastzen Pickles always makes my day! Cuteness 4mo
Ruthiella Aw Pickles! ❤️🐶 4mo
julesG You have a well-read friend. 😁 Hello Pickles 👋🏻 4mo
Amiable Just here advocating for a support group for those of us with overly large “owned but unread” stacks/bookshelves/entire rooms. 😬 4mo
56 likes15 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Some nights just call for tacos and a book before the main event at 8:07.

Go Phils! ⚾️

Aims42 Love watching Schwarber! Miss being able to watch him with the Cubs, but he seems to have flourished on the Phillies 😃 5mo
MicheleinPhilly @Aims42 He‘s one of my favorites! 5mo
Aims42 @MicheleinPhilly 😍😍😍 5mo
See All 15 Comments
Captivatedbybooks LET‘S GO PHILLIES!!!!! ❣️❣️❣️ 5mo
Librarybelle The Phillies better win!! 5mo
MicheleinPhilly @Captivatedbybooks @Librarybelle These 8:00 games are killing me. I am too old for this shit! 5mo
squirrelbrain Did you win?! Be interested to hear what you think of the book; I didn‘t love it. 😬 5mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain We did! 🎉 I‘m liking but not loving it. I think I‘m just getting too old to enjoy these “angsty 20-somethings communicate badly” novels. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5mo
squirrelbrain Yes, that‘s exactly what it is! I read this one not long after, which was fabulous. 5mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I have that one too! (Of course I do. 😬) 5mo
Captivatedbybooks @MicheleinPhilly Agreed!!!! Im at work on my 3rd cup of coffee still with one eye open 5mo
MicheleinPhilly @Captivatedbybooks I‘m barely awake. Counting down the minutes until lunch so I can take a damn nap. 5mo
LeahBergen Happy Birthday, darlin‘!! 🦂🦂🦂 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen Thanks love! 😘 4mo
55 likes15 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Hello Beautiful | Ann Napolitano
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Pickpick

My favorite book of the year so far. Full stop. ❤️

Amiable Oh, I just nabbed this one from a library book sale for $2. Will have to push it to the top of my TBR. 5mo
TrishB That‘s a great recommendation! Been waiting for it to appear on offer. 5mo
MallenNC I loved this one too. 5mo
See All 7 Comments
squirrelbrain I loved this one too! ❤️ 5mo
kspenmoll Ow I must read it! 5mo
Megabooks Loved this too! 💕💕 5mo
Suet624 Glad to find it at the library today! 5mo
56 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Learned by Heart | Emma Donoghue
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Pickpick

I am an unabashed Emma Donoghue fangirl and when I heard that she was returning to her sapphic roots, I was even more excited for this. Donoghue‘s prodigious research coupled with her beautiful, creative mind is such a marvelous combination. Like others, I wish there had been more about how we got from there to here, but for me it was because I wanted another 200 pages of this heart-wrenching love story.

squirrelbrain I agree - there was a bit of a gap in there. 5mo
sarahbarnes Oh I must read this. 5mo
59 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
The Binding Room: A Novel | Nadine Matheson
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First weekend of fall vibes.

Soubhiville Ssshhhh, Pickles is sleeping! 💕 6mo
Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 6mo
squirrelbrain Aw, Pickles! ❤️❤️❤️ 6mo
See All 9 Comments
Leftcoastzen Yay,Pickles!👏👍❤️ 6mo
LeahBergen Hello, sweet Pickles! Johnny is loving the fall weather, too. 😘 6mo
dabbe Hello there, Precious Pickles! 🖤🐾 6mo
TrishB ♥️❤️🐶 6mo
RaeLovesToRead Pickles!!!! 🫂🫂🫂 6mo
Suet624 ❤️❤️❤️ 5mo
67 likes9 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Swimming Pool | Louise Candlish
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Mehso-so

This one was FAR less successful. At times I found myself shouting, “Just tell us what happened at the pool already!” And one of the “twists” was snort worthy. I am a fan of Candlish but this wasn‘t one of her better efforts.

TrishB Won‘t be rushing to read it! 8mo
Centique Hey Michele 👋 hope everyting is ok in your world and you are on holiday or something. Sending you hugs if the world is being less than kind at the moment 💕💕 7mo
BarbaraBB Thanks for voting for #CampLitsy23 Michele. I‘ve been thinking about you a lot and wish you all the strength to deal with reality. I noticed on IG you and your wife have lots of friends. I hope they give you the support and consolation you need. Please know that we‘re here for you too - as best as we can. ❤️ 7mo
See All 6 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraBB Thank you, Barbara. I do have a great support system and they have been holding me up this month. Some days are ok, some days are absolutely horrible. I‘m just trying to give myself the grace to feel what I feel and not put too many expectations on myself. Thank you for reaching out. ❤️ 7mo
Suet624 I think of you every day and send so much love your way. I'm so sorry for all you're going through. 6mo
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 Thank you, Sue. ❤️ 6mo
51 likes6 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Trespasses | Louise Kennedy
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Pickpick

Life has been kicking my butt lately but I‘ve still managed to read a smidge. I absolutely loved this. The love story was definitely the weakest element for me. The true highlight was Kennedy‘s wonderfully evocative portrait of a time, place, and community. Thanks again, Helen! 😘

squirrelbrain Glad you enjoyed it, and great review! 😘 8mo
TrishB Agree totally- loved this one and definitely not just for the love story! 8mo
Suet624 This was a favorite of mine, definitely. 7mo
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

What a gloriously entertaining trainwreck! June is truly a delusional nutter. I didn‘t know whether to laugh or cringe at her antics. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can‘t wait to discuss it further this weekend. #CampLitsy23

BarbaraBB Me too! So glad with this years books for #CampLitsy! 8mo
squirrelbrain I‘m looking forward to the discussion too! 8mo
Kitta I‘m about halfway through because I started it yesterday but I‘ll finished tonight or tomorrow morning so I can join in for the #camplitsy23 chat!! 8mo
67 likes3 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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No understanding of the concept of “personal space.” 🤦🏻‍♀️

BarbaraBB Never mind 🥰 8mo
CBee Hi Pickles! She‘s just so pretty 😍 8mo
Soubhiville She‘s just the cutest. 💕 I‘d share space with her. 8mo
See All 19 Comments
IndoorDame Aww 🥰🥰🥰 8mo
JenReadsAlot So cute! 8mo
AmyG Omg how cute. ❤️ 8mo
sarahbarnes But why would you want “personal space”? 8mo
dabbe Photo contest winner here! Hello, Precious Pickles! 🐾🖤🐾 8mo
batsy Look at that face! 😍 The jury has decided that personal space is overrated 😆 8mo
squirrelbrain Aw! Henry sends Pickles a ‘boop‘! 8mo
Tamra 😘 8mo
Ruthiella ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 8mo
LeahBergen I know the feeling. 😆 8mo
Bette ❤️🐶 8mo
Jess_Read_This I see the theory “If I Fits I Sits” is present in your house too! 😂 8mo
gossamerchild oh hello there! 😍 8mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen Yes, but I‘m guessing Johnny Bergen doesn‘t weigh 50 pounds! 8mo
Amiable Well, HELLO there! 8mo
Suet624 Hahaha. 8mo
71 likes19 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
More Than You'll Ever Know | Katie Gutierrez
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Pickpick

I quite enjoyed this story of “woman leads a double life with 2 families and 1 husband ends up dead” as I don‘t think women are traditionally portrayed as doing something so conniving and manipulative. It‘s always dudes. This isn‘t a thriller though - it is a very complex character portrait of Lore, the aforementioned bigamist, and Cassie, the true crime writer in search of the truth. Another fun summer read.

squirrelbrain Sounds good - stacked! Hi Pickles! 👋 🐶 8mo
dabbe Look at dat sweet, sleepy pup! 💙💚💙 8mo
TrishB Awww look at Pickles 🐶♥️ I‘m missing Sansa! 8mo
See All 7 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain @TrishB I can‘t wait for J to arrive back home soon. She has been up my butt for 2 straight weeks. 8mo
squirrelbrain Poor Pickles! She‘s missing her! 😢 8mo
TrishB Awww! We‘re going home today- son has been looking after Sansa and I can‘t wait to see her. He probably feels like you. 8mo
Reggie Omg, in a short story I read from a recent book this woman has work in Mexico and a brother and a mother in Chicago. She suddenly dies and years later the brother discovers she had a lover in Mexico and goes to visit him only to find out she had a child she never told her brother and mother about. And the author just straight up says, men do it all the time. And I gave it to her but had a real hard time believing it. Lol 8mo
61 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

I have been slumping hard core over the last few weeks and wanted something on the frothy side to try to snap out of it. This fit the bill perfectly. It almost read as satire at times because the characters were so over the top awful but it was a fun read for a summer‘s day.

squirrelbrain Great review - I liked it, but it was over hyped as being ‘literary‘, which it clearly isn‘t! 9mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain Oh gosh no. That‘s totally a result of her real life job feeding into the hype machine. It won‘t be winning any awards but it will probably get made into a television series. 9mo
61 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Birnam Wood | Eleanor Catton
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Pickpick

🤯🤯🤯 I think I liked this more than most as I found it really compelling throughout. I‘ll save further commentary for the weekend. #camplitsy23

squirrelbrain Not more than me, as it‘s one of my favourites of the year! But I get what you‘re saying; reviews have been really mixed. 9mo
BarbaraBB Like @squirrelbrain I loved it too. So glad you did as well 🤍 9mo
Cathythoughts Compelling!! Me too 👍🏻 9mo
See All 9 Comments
Jess I‘m with you, Michelle. So good. Have a little book hangover from this one. Looking forward to the discussion. 9mo
Hooked_on_books I found it compelling all the way through as well. And I loved the ending! But it‘s also one of those books that I could see why people wouldn‘t like it. Which of course makes it just that much more interesting. Catton clearly wrote the book she wanted to write, not worrying about reader response, and I love that. 9mo
TheKidUpstairs I'm firmly in the "loved it" camp. I can get why it didn't work for some, but I just loved the over the top Shakespearean tragedy of it all. Unlikable characters making increasingly bad decisions, written really well? I'm so in. 9mo
SamAnne One of my best reads of the year. I will be rereading this one. 9mo
sarahbarnes Loved this one too. 9mo
Suet624 I just didn‘t like the ending. 9mo
60 likes9 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Guest: A Novel | Emma Cline
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Mehso-so

I read most of this in a single sitting yesterday and was loving it for the most part. And then, that ending. 🙄 It felt like she just lost interest in the story and abruptly ended it. So frustrating and disappointing.

Cinfhen Yea. The ending was LAZY 9mo
squirrelbrain I agree - the book was OK, but the ending was rubbish. 9mo
59 likes2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Pageboy: A Memoir | Elliot Page
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Pickpick

What a raw and emotional read. I‘ve been a big fan of Elliot‘s since Juno and while it was difficult to read about his journey to self love and acceptance, there were so many elements I could relate to re: his sexuality. I give him massive props for putting himself out there in such a vulnerable way and I wish him nothing but peace and joy.

SamAnne There was a good interview on Fresh Air with him last week. 9mo
Suet624 Juno. ❤️ 9mo
68 likes2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Celebrants | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved everything about this. Rowley writes fully lived in characters that feel like they are a part of your world. There were laughs, there were tears, there was a lot of sober contemplation that really pierced my heart. Just wonderful.

squirrelbrain Yay! So glad you loved it! 9mo
BennettBookworm Omg didn‘t know he had a new book!!! So excited!! 9mo
Suet624 I‘m really glad he‘s getting so many props for his books. 9mo
66 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Angela however, never lets me down. Thank goodness she writes so quickly as that cliffhanger has me a bit 😬. 🤞🏼for another installment this year!

58 likes1 stack add
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Mehso-so

I loved The Great Believers so to say I was looking forward to this is a massive understatement. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. I didn‘t dislike it, I just wish it had been tightened up a bit. It seemed to go on FOREVER and she wasted too much time on tangents that brought nothing to the central arc. I‘m glad this was a #BorrowNotBuy.

Christine Same here re: Great Believers, and I DNFed this about 20% in. 😕 9mo
Bklover Good to know! 😊 9mo
squirrelbrain My thoughts too! 9mo
sarahbarnes This is disappointing to hear - I was looking forward to this one. 9mo
65 likes4 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Heads up, Brits! #KindleDailyDeal

squirrelbrain Was just about to post this! And, yes, I already bought it too. 😁 9mo
TrishB Thank you 👍🏻 not had chance to look today! 9mo
RaeLovesToRead Woo! BRITSY! Are you Gladstoning this year, Michele? 9mo
MicheleinPhilly @RaeLovesToRead Sadly I can‘t make it this year. Too much stuff going on. 😕 9mo
44 likes4 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
The Guest: A Novel | Emma Cline
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Holy fast shipping! #bookmail

Soubhiville Wow! That‘s crazy fast! 10mo
DGRachel Wow! It‘s supposed to be another week before I get mine, according to the email I received. 😩 Can‘t be too upset since we all know it will probably sit on a shelf for at least 6 months before I crack it open. 😂😂😂 10mo
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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This just made me laugh out loud. When I lived in Los Angeles, my mother did the exact same thing. 😂

RowReads1 My Grandpa would call every time there was an earthquake anywhere in California. 😆 10mo
Soubhiville Ha! Flooding or tornado in Texas, my mom and aunt call. Gotta love your older family members! 10mo
MicheleinPhilly @RowReads1 @Soubhiville Me every time: “Do you know how big this state is???” She also had a tendency to call me at 7 a.m. on Sundays. When I would answer the phone in a sleep fog, she would say: “Michele, it‘s 10:00, why are you still sleeping???” I‘d remind her of the time difference and she‘d say: “Oh that‘s right, I forgot” and then just launch into a conversation anyway. 🙄 10mo
53 likes3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Fire Rush | Jacqueline Crooks
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Pickpick

WOW. This was really something special. There were times where I felt like I wasn‘t getting along with it because it made me so uncomfortable. But then I would allow myself to sink back into the musical language and be swept away. A really unique reading experience. 👍🏼

TrishB Need to get to this one 👍🏻 10mo
Suet624 Sounds yummy. 10mo
sarahbarnes Great review. Sounds really interesting. 10mo
63 likes1 stack add3 comments