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MicheleinPhilly

MicheleinPhilly

Joined August 2016

Bookworm. City girl. Pickles' mom. Occasional cranky ass. Couch panini. Librarian.
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 👍🏻 4d
Suet624 Sounds yummy. 4d
sarahbarnes Great review. Sounds really interesting. 4d
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Cursed Bread: A Novel | Sophie Mackintosh
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Mehso-so

This had its moments but ultimately was too 🦇💩for my tastes.

squirrelbrain Love the 🦇 💩! 🤣 And, yes, it was a bit! 1w
jlhammar 😂 😂 😂 1w
sarahbarnes 😂 I ended up taking this one back to the library without reading it. 1w
59 likes4 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Monday morning mopes.

batsy 😍😍 2w
JenReadsAlot I feel that.... 2w
Cinfhen Hahaha 2w
See All 13 Comments
AlaMich How can she be mopey? She has ALL the cushions! 2w
AmyG Awwwwww 2w
TrishB Same Pickles, same. 2w
jlhammar Love it! She is so adorable. 2w
squirrelbrain Aw, I took a similar picture of Henry this morning, on his first day ‘back at work‘ after his holidays! 2w
dabbe Da Precious Pickles! You know how to use a couch, sweetie! 💙🐾💚 2w
LeahBergen Ennui. 😆 2w
AvidReader25 Pickles gets it. 2w
sarahbarnes This is basically me every Monday. 2w
Tamra Pickles & I would get along quite nicely every morning. 🥱 2w
62 likes13 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Devil Rides Out | Paul O'Grady
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Pickpick

I had only somewhat recently been introduced to Paul O‘Grady when we started watching For the Love of Dogs. We quickly fell in love with Paul, his quick wit, and his love and adoration for rescue pups. I was heartbroken when he passed and dear Helen sent this to me as a pick-me-up. It did the trick! ❤️

DivineDiana I had not heard of him or the series, but now I want to explore both! 🙂 2w
TrishB Love Paul ❤️ we all had a little cry when he died. 2w
MicheleinPhilly @DivineDiana Some seasons are available on BritBox and some are available on Amazon‘s FreeVee. 2w
See All 7 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB We‘ve been rationing episodes of the final series as we don‘t want it to end. ☹️ 2w
TrishB 😢 an amazing man. 2w
squirrelbrain Glad you liked it. 😘 2w
DivineDiana Thank you, Michele! I will see what I can find! 2w
57 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Quietly Hostile | Samantha Irby
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Pickpick

I adore Samantha Irby so so very much. She is one of the few authors that consistently make me laugh out loud. This was the perfect accompaniment to a trash work week. 👍🏼

TrishB Bye to the trash work week! (I hear you..) 2w
squirrelbrain I have this as an ARC, but based on what Holly @Hooked_on_books said I‘m going to listen to it on audio instead so just bought it with an Audible credit. 2w
Andrea313 Ugh, sorry for the terrible week, but Samantha Irby is a perfect antidote! 2w
See All 9 Comments
AlaMich I received my copy yesterday. I love her so much! 2w
AlaMich @squirrelbrain Her books are definitely worth the audio!! 2w
Hooked_on_books I love her! @squirrelbrain you won‘t be sorry! 2w
Megabooks Agree! 2w
Megabooks Good choice @squirrelbrain !! 2w
Suet624 Sorry about your work week. 2w
65 likes9 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Factory Girls | Michelle Gallen
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Pickpick

I pretty much loved this one. Anyone who dreamed of growing up and getting away will relate to Maeve. And as someone who was roughly the same age as these girls in the mid-90s but was woefully misinformed about the Troubles, I appreciated “experiencing it” through their perspective.

LeahBergen I thoroughly enjoyed this one, too. 3w
jlhammar Yes, great read! Glad you enjoyed. 3w
70 likes2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Death of a Bookseller | Alice Slater
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Pickpick

I had a hard time putting this one down. A delightfully quirky cast of characters and 2 rather maddening MCs, it was creepy without being scary.

TrishB Oh I nearly brought this on Friday. Sighs, that means I now have to buy it 😁 3w
TrishB And it‘s now 99p on kindle 😁 woohoo! 3w
batsy Oh, nice! I've had my eye on this. 3w
See All 9 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Excellent! 3w
squirrelbrain Ooh thank you @TrishB 😁 3w
Ruthiella I‘ve got this out from the library now! Looking forward to getting stuck in. 😀 3w
LeahBergen I need it! 👍 3w
jlhammar Yay, can't wait to read this! 3w
68 likes6 stack adds9 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Fire Rush | Jacqueline Crooks
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Attention Brits! Kindle Daily Deal!

TrishB Bah, from the corner who brought the hard back already. 3w
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB That happens to me ALL THE TIME! 3w
RaeLovesToRead Purchased! 😊 3w
TrishB Yep! Could probably predict next weeks 99p offers. 3w
41 likes5 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
At the Table | Claire Powell
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Pickpick

I adored this! Follows a messy ass family over the course of a year. It has heart and humor and was 100% in my wheelhouse. 👍🏼

Tamra Messy is fun sometimes! 4w
dabbe That needs to be a hashtag: #messyass 🤣💚🤗 4w
BarbaraBB I enjoyed this one a lot too! (edited) 4w
Suet624 That book cover is so me. 3w
56 likes3 stack adds4 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Chain-Gang All-Stars: A Novel | Adjei-Brenyah, Nana K
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#bookmail may not make Pickles happy, but it makes me ecstatic!

AmyG Please let us know what you think of this one. 4w
BarbaraBB Super interested in this one! 4w
squirrelbrain Yay! I‘m so excited for this one! 4w
TrishB This looks great. Think US cover nicer than U.K. for a change! 4w
55 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

This novel is, to put it mildly, A LOT. It is a love story, yes but it is also a maddening, frustrating, heartbreaking tale of addiction. There were multiple moments where I wanted to throttle both Charlie and Leah but ultimately I wished them well.

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 1mo
squirrelbrain Oooh, stacked! 1mo
60 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

I should know better by now to trust book marketers to stretch the truth but by marketing this as a thriller, I think they have done the author and readers a disservice. This is more of a family portrait than anything truly suspenseful. However, I was touched by the honesty and authenticity Jiménez presented and will be on the lookout for future writing.

TrishB Great cover ♥️ 1mo
59 likes1 comment
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Untitled | Untitled
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squirrelbrain Ooh, read some of those and want to read ALL of the others! I also see some #camplitsy23 nominees on there too…. 😁 1mo
AmyG I love your stack of books! @squirrelbrain Yes….3 of my picks on there. (edited) 1mo
jlhammar Good work! That‘s a nice-looking stack. 1mo
Soubhiville Yay! Great haul! 1mo
Suet624 What a fantastic haul!! Enjoy. 4w
74 likes5 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Romantic Comedy | Curtis Sittenfeld
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Mehso-so

I think this suffered a bit from unfortunate timing. I don‘t typically read romance and I JUST read another “Hollywood adjacent falls for huge superstar” novel except that one featured lesbians. There was nothing inherently wrong with this, I just didn‘t think it was anything special. At least it was a #BorrowNotBuy.

63 likes1 stack add
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader
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Need to make this official before I‘m paralyzed by anxiety. 🤣 #CampLitsy23

Chelsea.Poole I've had my eye on Chrysalis and Juno! 1mo
BarbaraBB Drive me crazy. I don't know any of those. My TBR is exploding 🙈 1mo
squirrelbrain Me too! @BarbaraBB I was waiting for your list, @micheleinphilly, for precisely this reason; I knew you‘d come up with some goodies that I‘d never heard of. (edited) 1mo
See All 9 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I was purposely trying to come up with some picks that I hadn‘t seen mentioned yet. My bank account is going to be SO MAD when this longlist gets released. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1mo
Megabooks I knew you‘d bring the 🔥! I almost picked up The Unfortunates at the library this week. Great choices! 1mo
TrishB I can‘t wait to go through everyone‘s tomorrow 😁 loving the posts! 1mo
Cinfhen I almost posted the Shulman and Juno sounds great! 1mo
Ruthiella Great list! I‘ve long wanted to read something from Ivy Pochada! 1mo
Suet624 😂😂😂 1mo
63 likes9 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Paris Apartment | Lucy Foley
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Mehso-so

This started out promisingly but then devolved into utter stupidity and nonsense.

JenReadsAlot Omg so well said 😂 2mo
TrishB Won‘t be bothering with that one! 2mo
dabbe I love when I also am advised what NOT to read. #lifeisshort #onlytimeforthebestbooks 💚 2mo
BarbaraBB Always glad when I don‘t have to read a book. 2mo
CarolynM I hate it when that happens😒 2mo
57 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Death of a Bookseller | Alice Slater
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#Bookmail is best mail!

LeahBergen I want to read the tagged title. 👍 2mo
AardvarkBookClub Happy reading from the whole Aardvark team! ☺️🤗 2mo
TrishB Look great 😁 2mo
LoverOfLearning 🌳Oh that green cover is awesome! My favorite color is green. 🐛 1mo
61 likes4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Fiery, feminist revenge stories are ALSO my jam. This #womensprize nominee definitely snuck up on me. I was not expecting the level of humor found in this nor the very sobering examination of religious and caste discrimination. Although I‘ve only read a handful from the longlist, I think this one could be a sleeper hit. Loved it.

TrishB On my pile to get to this week 👍🏻 2mo
jlhammar Awesome! Hoping to get started on this later today. 2mo
squirrelbrain This is near the top of my #womensprize shortlist! (edited) 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Hooked_on_books I listened to this one a while back and had no real expectations for it, so it snuck up on me, too. It‘s so good! 2mo
TheKidUpstairs This was going to be my next longlist read, but then my hold for Demon Copperhead came in so I have to get through that before it's due! 2mo
kspenmoll Can‘t wait to read this! (edited) 2mo
70 likes2 stack adds6 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Can someone please bring me my book? I‘m being held hostage.

Clwojick 😂😂😂 2mo
batsy Awww! 🥰 2mo
Erinreadsthebooks You have an important job, and it‘s looks like you‘re doing that job very well! 😂❤️🐶 2mo
See All 10 Comments
Ruthiella 😂😂😂 2mo
squirrelbrain ❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
LeahBergen 😆😆 2mo
Leftcoastzen She‘s running the show!😂 2mo
Bette 🤣 2mo
dabbe She's waiting for the movie to start! Where's da popcorn, Mom? 💚🐾💚 2mo
youneverarrived 😂😂 2mo
69 likes10 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

What do you do when you can‘t seem to focus? #StartASeries and read the first 3 entries back-to-back-to-back, of course. It‘s not insta-love like it was with Helen Grace or Jessica Daniels or Kim Stone, but obviously I still find Kay Hunter compelling.

TrishB Kay is a slow grower but I‘m loving her now. A different kettle of fish to our other queens. 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Definitely. But it‘s always good to have a bad ass lady detective in my back pocket for those pesky Monday through Fridays. 2mo
TrishB Exactly! 2mo
44 likes5 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
For Her Consideration | Amy Spalding
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Pickpick

I don‘t typically read romance but this was exactly the sort of sweet, sexy, Sapphic brain candy I needed. A touch of Notting Hill without the insta-love and a wonderfully drawn friend group and badass Aunt Lorna, this just made me smile. 👍🏼

review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Dysfunctional family stories are also my jam and oh boy, did this one deliver. I was completely mesmerized from start to finish. Just loved it.

AmyG Oooooo they are my jam too. Stacked. 2mo
CBee @AmyG I stacked this too (no surprise there) based on a review from @TrishB 😊 It doesn‘t seem to be easy to find here though! 2mo
TrishB @AmyG @CBee a really good read 👍🏻 2mo
See All 8 Comments
Cinfhen Ohhhh! #YesPlease and tagging @KarenUK because she loves #MessyFamilies too 🫶🏼 2mo
Cinfhen Bought it just now xx thanks for posting & sharing 2mo
KarenUK I just bought this! @Cinfhen you definitely know my taste! 😂 2mo
Cinfhen That‘s hilarious @KarenUK 👯‍♀️ 2mo
BarbaraBB I had it stacked already. Sounds like my kinda book 2mo
54 likes4 stack adds8 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Weyward: A Novel | Emilia Hart
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#KindleDailyDeal for the Brits! 99p each.

TrishB Oh bugger, if only I didn‘t have the hardback!! 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB I almost bought the hardcover because I loved the colors. This will do. 2mo
RaeLovesToRead Gahhhh... I have both of these in hardback. On the other hand, the edges are lush, so I suppose I regret nothing 😋 2mo
See All 7 Comments
squirrelbrain I loved Weyward, and I did see The Cloisters was on offer this morning, but I decided to resist. I‘m still deciding… 🤣 2mo
Hooked_on_books How are you able to access the British deals? Are you able to beam yourself over there just to book shop? Oh gosh, that‘d be amazing! 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @Hooked_on_books It‘s a bit complicated but in a nutshell, it involves using my employer‘s London address for a separate account. 😬 2mo
Hooked_on_books Ah, not as exciting as beaming over, but excellently sneaky! 2mo
41 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Skye Falling: A Novel | Mia McKenzie
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Pickpick

This week was “messy queer women in Philly” week for me, I guess. Skye has a metric fuck ton of baggage. How she attempts to sort through that while also navigating a relationship with the 12 year old product of her previous egg donation was warm and witty. I really liked it.

squirrelbrain I can see you, Pickles! ❤️ 2mo
TrishB Sounds good 👍🏻 2mo
BookNAround I have this one perched somewhere in my tbr next piles (which to be honest, have gotten so out of control that even if I drop everything else, I‘d probably take a year to get through). 2mo
45 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Messy women are my jam. In fiction, not in real life. Keep your messy behind far away, please and thank you. I don‘t think the Mrs. Dalloway comparison is apt as this novel spends way more time flashing back than it does at said dinner party. But we had a very lively discussion about it at book club and while everyone liked it, we just wanted 50 more pages. Still I could relate to a lot of the mess. Mega bonus points for being set in Philly.

squirrelbrain Great review! 2mo
45 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
MicheleinPhilly
Children of Paradise | Camilla Grudova
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Pickpick

I‘m not making a concerted effort to read the #WomensPrize longlist because the road to hell is paved with good intentions and all that jazz, but I am happy I scooped this one up for 99p. It‘s a bit strange and the characters are a lot quirky, but it really worked for me. Right book, right time.

squirrelbrain I liked this but didn‘t love it - a bit *too* weird for me. 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I‘ve been in a weird head space lately so it worked for me in a way I suspect it wouldn‘t at another time. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
TrishB You‘re firing off these reviews 😁 I got this one for 99p too. I shall probably read in 3 years. 2mo
sarahbarnes I looked for this one at the library because it sounds intriguing-maybe I‘ll have to look for a deal like this so I can read it. 2mo
44 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Mehso-so

Meh. I didn‘t find this twisty or suspenseful at all. The good news is that by the time the series premieres on Apple TV next month, I will have forgotten everything about it.

AvidReader25 I thought this one was meh as well, but I might have liked it better without the hype. 🤷‍♀️ 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @AvidReader25 I wasn‘t even going to read it but then I saw a trailer for the show and my friend owns it so…🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
45 likes2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Cold. Pouring rain. Just generally gross. I‘ve made my plan for the day.

Ruthiella Excellent way to spend a rainy Saturday! 👍📚 2mo
TrishB Sounds like a plan 👍🏻 2mo
squirrelbrain Ugh! It s a bit rubbish here too - showery rain and cold. I‘ve been working but just settling down now with my books. 2mo
Susanita I was supposed to go on a hike today, but it was canceled! I‘m off to the mall instead. 😄 2mo
48 likes4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

I have no idea what compelled me to purchase this and read it immediately (perhaps a craving for breakfast?). Cloake travels the UK via bicycle to discover what constitutes a “proper” breakfast. This was easy to dip into first thing in the morning and last thing at night and for the record, hot sauce is the answer to her question. Non-meat eaters should steer clear.

RaeLovesToRead Maybe it's the UK calling to you....😁 Have you thought about joining the Gladstone's trip? I'm sure you'll be able to find a greasy Full English somewhere in the vicinity.... (Although the closet I've come this month is microwaveable haggis with ketchup) 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @RaeLovesToRead 🤢 I hope you were desperate. I have been talking to Helen about it. I have to investigate how much of a hassle it would be for me to get there. We used to have daily, direct flights to Manchester but Covid ruined that. 😒 2mo
RaeLovesToRead Aww, well would be awesome if you could make it, but I've never left Europe so I'm not much help when it comes to travel 😅 Still need to make my catsoflitsy tour of the US happen! Just need to find a) a ton of money, and b) a willing chauffeur! 2mo
See All 10 Comments
Susanita You have to come so I won‘t be the token American 🤩 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @Susanita Do you fly into London when you go? I typically try to book straight shot flights as I hate layovers. 2mo
Susanita I plan to fly into London and spend a day or two in Bath first. Last year I tried to connect to Manchester, and it was a complete cluster cuss. 2mo
RaeLovesToRead You can get from London to Manchester fairly easily by train too! 2mo
squirrelbrain Have you read her croissant one? I loved it! 2mo
squirrelbrain Do Aer Lingus fly to Philly? You could fly via Dublin if they do - might be easier than London. 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I have not but I may have to check it out! Aer Lingus does fly direct to Dublin from Philly so I may explore that option. 2mo
50 likes10 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Sarah Vaughn‘s books are great for my my Monday-Friday brain. Compelling legal thrillers with a pinch of politics.

JillR I really enjoyed this one, I need to check out her other books 2mo
MicheleinPhilly @JillR The only other one I‘ve read is Anatomy of a Scandal. Really enjoyed that one too. 2mo
45 likes2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Shaking like a leaf because the wind is howling. She‘s afraid of the wind.

THE.

WIND.

AmyG Oh no. I wish I could give her a hug. 3mo
TheSpineView Poor baby! 3mo
BarbaraBB She really looks scared 😟 3mo
See All 15 Comments
squirrelbrain Poor Pickles! Henry sends hugs and sloppy kisses. 3mo
Tamra 😌 Each has his/her quirks. One of ours freaked out every time I coughed. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraBB Our bins in the back keep getting blown around and banging. She is not a happy camper. 3mo
BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly I can imagine and I feel for her. Luckily she‘s got you ❤️ 3mo
Picking_Books Such a cutie! Also sounds a lot like my dog 😂 3mo
Aimeesue Poor doggo! Wind is SCARY! 🌬 3mo
BittersweetBooks I hate the wind too 🤣 3mo
dabbe That's because Pickles is well-educated. She knows about a YA book titled NO PROMISES IN THE WIND by Irene Hunt. Perspicacious Pickles! 💜 P.S. Our German Shepherd Sally felt the same way. 😂 💕 (edited) 3mo
LeahBergen 😆😆 Johnny was just barking at the wind last night! 3mo
batsy Aww, poor baby! Big hug for Pickles ❤️ 3mo
RaeLovesToRead This is a "plz change the weather, hooman" face. Pets called Pickles do this well ? 3mo
BookNAround Poor sweet scaredy baby! 3mo
55 likes15 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Aesthetica | Allie Rowbottom
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Pickpick

A light pick. I absolutely LOATHE influencers and everything they stand for so I had to sort of hold my nose a bit with this. Maybe we could pass out copies to young‘uns whose life goal it is to set social media on fire? I was hoping for just a bit more “oomph” but the issues she raises are sadly all too timely.

LeahBergen It looks like someone is thinking, “less reading and more dog parks, if you don‘t mind”. 😆 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen Actually the dishwasher had just switched cycles and startled her. 🙄 3mo
LeahBergen Johnny jumps at his own farts. I‘m sure they‘d both do well in the wild. 3mo
See All 13 Comments
squirrelbrain Lol @ both of you (and your daft doggies!) 🤣❤️ 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen She does that too! This morning she farted, jumped off the couch, and ran away. Like she could escape it. 3mo
LeahBergen @MicheleinPhilly Leaving you to take the blame. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen I just laugh at her. 3mo
Suet624 @LeahBergen the idea that you both have dogs that are scared of their farts cracks me up. 3mo
LeahBergen @Suet624 We‘re proud mothers. 😉 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 They both have neurotic Scorpios as mothers. Are you surprised? 😉 @LeahBergen 3mo
LeahBergen Oh, that‘s true! 😮😆 3mo
54 likes13 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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Thank you, thank you, thank you, Helen, for turning my Monday morning frown upside down. What a lovely surprise. 🤗😘 (And no, I have not made the bed this morning. I‘m an adult, thank you very much.)

squirrelbrain Hooray - I‘d given that one up for dead! It‘s taken nearly 2 months due to the cyber-attack on Royal Mail. 🤷‍♀️ 3mo
squirrelbrain @Megabooks - I posted Grown Ups to you on the same day so you just never know…. 🤞😁 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I noted the mailing date was 9 January. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thanks again! 3mo
See All 6 Comments
vivastory Lol, for years & years I made my bed every single morning. No matter what. The past few months I've just been like...ehh screw it 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @vivastory I‘m pretty good about it but on Monday mornings, all bets are off. I can‘t be bothered. 3mo
Megabooks @squirrelbrain 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 it probably has to go through a bunch of nodes to get to my small town but I‘m hopeful!! 3mo
53 likes6 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Endpapers | Jennifer Savran Kelly
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Mehso-so

This wasn‘t bad but I felt like the author tried to do too much. There were so many disparate parts and I don‘t think she weaved them together successfully. The timeline didn‘t work for me either as it felt way too “of the moment.” I just couldn‘t see much of this journey happening 20 years ago. 👵🏼

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 3mo
62 likes1 comment
review
MicheleinPhilly
Migrations: A Novel | Charlotte McConaghy
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Pickpick

Just absolutely gorgeous. I don‘t typically connect with dystopian stories unless the world the author has built is one that seems not terribly far from our current state and this totally fit the bill. Wonderfully evocative and atmospheric. I just loved it.

Suet624 I agree completely. After I finished it I purchased 3 copies to hand to friends. So good. 3mo
TrishB Loved this one too ♥️ 3mo
TheLudicReader I loved this too, and it was my book club pick for last year. I won the prize for book members enjoyed reading….least! Can you believe that? 3mo
See All 6 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @TheLudicReader Well that just seems nuts. I have book club tonight and I will be very curious to hear what certain folks thought of it. Some of their tastes can be a bit…eccentric. 3mo
BarbaraBB I loved this one so much. Now you should read 3mo
BiblioLitten One of my favourites! ❤️ 3mo
56 likes6 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Migrations: A Novel | Charlotte McConaghy
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Breakfast and book club book. I‘m enjoying this one immensely.

sarahbarnes I loved this book. 3mo
squirrelbrain Such a good book! ❤️ 3mo
TrishB I loved this one ♥️ and breakfast looks good! 3mo
BarbaraBB One of my all time favorites. So good and heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹 3mo
71 likes4 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
False Witness | Karin Slaughter
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Pickpick

I had taken a break from Karin Slaughter because the Will Trent series was driving me bonkers - the new show didn‘t help matters either. So I decided to pick up one of her stand-alones that has been hanging out in #TheVault. I don‘t think any other author writing today gets me ripping through 500 page books quite like she does. She really is a master. 👍🏼

LeahBergen *boop* 3mo
RaeLovesToRead Hi Philly Pickles!!! 🐶💕 3mo
TrishB Love Slaughter ♥️ hi 👋 Pickles 3mo
See All 7 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen @RaeLovesToRead @TrishB Hi Johnny, Hi Nottingham Pickles, Hi Sansa! 😘 3mo
dabbe Perky Pickles! ❣️🐾❣️ 3mo
Leftcoastzen Love the concept #TheVault !Pickles ! Adorable as usual. 3mo
batsy Pickles approves? 😁 3mo
69 likes7 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
I'm Glad My Mom Died | Jennette McCurdy
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Pickpick

I wouldn‘t know who this chick is if she walked up and punched me in the face but everyone else is reading this so I thought “Why not?” This was absolutely brutal. I hope she continues to get the support she needs. Flew through this yesterday and all I could think was, “Honey, I‘m glad your mom died too.” 😱

jlhammar Awesome review! I wasn‘t sure if I wanted to try this or not, but now I think I might. 3mo
squirrelbrain Yes, I had no idea who she is either, but this was powerful. Great review! I‘d highly recommend this too @jlhammar 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @jlhammar Yes, I would absolutely recommend you check it out! @squirrelbrain I *FINALLY* have my first 5 🌟 read of 2023! That took forever. 3mo
See All 10 Comments
squirrelbrain Hooray - at last! 🎉🎉🎉 3mo
JenReadsAlot I'm reading this right now too because of all the reviews....also wouldn't know her. 3mo
TNbookworm Great review! 3mo
Litlady Killer (no pun intended) review! At the B&N where I work our shelf talker says just that! LMAO!! 🤣😆 3mo
batsy Nice review! I'm keen to read this, too. 3mo
Centique Perfect review 🙌 I was totally gobsmacked by this. 3mo
Suet624 Haha. Great review. I didn‘t know of her either. At the risk of alienating Mormons, this is not the first time I‘ve read about a messed up Mormon mom. 3mo
67 likes10 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The New Life | Tom Crewe
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Pickpick

I think I admired this more than I enjoyed it. It‘s a rather “quiet” novel and I had to be in a VERY particular headspace to pick it up. The author is undeniably talented and committed to his research. I think I‘ll be mulling over this one for quite some time.

squirrelbrain Great review! 3mo
TrishB Lovely review! It‘s on my maybe list. 3mo
62 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Big Swiss: A Novel | Jen Beagin
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Pickpick

Utterly bizarre but eminently readable.

AlaMich That cover…not sure what to make of it. 3mo
Suet624 That cover scares me. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @AlaMich @Suet624 It‘s not a favorite. 3mo
See All 15 Comments
squirrelbrain This is apparently a ‘potential‘ for the Women‘s Prize longlist, so is on my radar. But, that cover. 😬 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain Maybe the British cover is better? 🤔 3mo
squirrelbrain It‘s a cute cartoon-y couple of dogs - completely different! 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain It definitely tracks with the story, but I still find that odd. 3mo
TrishB The blurb says full of bees?! Do bees feature? I‘m very scared of bees. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB They do. There is a massive hive. No one gets chased or stung though. 3mo
TrishB I can‘t read or see pictures of them without feeling sick so I‘ll pass (also applies to wasps). 3mo
Megabooks I‘m excited to get this from the library…in three months. 😔 3mo
swishandflick @Megabooks I think this is a match for the first Aardvark clue! 3mo
Megabooks @swishandflick yes! I can see that! 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @swishandflick @Megabooks Oh, that‘s definitely what it is. 3mo
sarahbarnes This one is on my list. 3mo
56 likes2 stack adds15 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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6 years ago today we adopted this nugget. She was such a teeny tiny little thing. Now she‘s our little tank. 🥰

squirrelbrain Aw, happy gotcha day Pickles! ❤️❤️❤️ Such a lucky pup! (edited) 4mo
batsy Sweet girl ❤️ 4mo
TrishB Gorgeous girlie 🐶♥️ have fun. 4mo
See All 17 Comments
jlhammar She is so darned cute. Love your Pickles pics! 4mo
Ruthiella ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 4mo
dabbe Peter Piper picked a peck of peppered ... wait for it ... PICKLES! That adorable face! Want to kiss! ❣️🐾❣️ 4mo
LeahBergen Baby Pickles! 😫 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen We saw her photos online but when her fosters brought her over we were like, “OMG! She‘s so tiny!” 😭 4mo
Soubhiville She‘s just so impossibly cute! 🥰 4mo
RaeLovesToRead Awwww 💕 4mo
Tamra CUTE! 4mo
Hooked_on_books Aw, what a special day! 🐶💜 4mo
Megabooks Happy gotcha day Pickles!! 💜💜 4mo
Chelsea.Poole She‘s adorable!! 4mo
Suet624 6 years!! Seriously? Seems like yesterday. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 Right??? It‘s nuts how time flies. 3mo
Suet624 It‘s honestly kind of blowing my mind. 😂😂 3mo
61 likes17 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Finding Me: A Memoir | Viola Davis
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Pickpick

What a marvel she is! Not simply because she is one of the greatest actors of my lifetime, but because this little girl endured decades of racism, domestic violence, sexual assault, extreme poverty, addiction, etc. in her family and not only survived, she is thriving. My only quibble is I would have liked more meat on her most recent successes but that wasn‘t really the point of this. Brava, Queen!

AmyG She is wonderful. I follow her on IG and her posts are so uplifting. 4mo
squirrelbrain Sounds amazing - I think I need to read this. 4mo
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 4mo
See All 8 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @AmyG I love her IG! 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain You should! She is remarkable. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Thanks love! Happy Friday! 😘 4mo
Suet624 It‘s amazing what people go through and still manage to grow and succeed. I‘m afraid I would curl into a ball and stay in bed for years. 4mo
Amiable I saw her story on a recent episode of “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Louis Gates Jr. and it made me love her even more. 4mo
74 likes1 stack add8 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
Finding Me: A Memoir | Viola Davis
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I guess I‘m reading this next! #EGOT 👑

TrishB I feel I should get to! 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB I started it last night and read a good chunk this morning before I even got out of bed. She is such a remarkable woman who has endured SO MUCH trauma. I just adore her. 4mo
TrishB I will get there ♥️ 4mo
69 likes3 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Mercy Street | Jennifer Haigh
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Pickpick

I love Jennifer Haigh. She manages to center her stories around timely social issues and imbues her characters with such humanity. While this wasn‘t my favorite of hers, I did unfortunately recognize so many of the tactics of the anti-abortion protesters. We used to live in an apartment next door to Planned Parenthood and these gross old men would stand outside every Wednesday morning and harass EVERYONE reserving their most vile tactics for…

MicheleinPhilly the people attempting to enter the clinic. It was a disgusting thing to witness and I‘m proud to say that I got Philly on them MANY times. Anywho, I do think this would have benefitted from being longer as I wanted to spend more time with Claudia and less with Victor. 4mo
Amiable As someone who has been volunteering as a patient escort at a local Planned Parenthood clinic for the past 5 years, I applaud your actions. I wish more supporters would go Philly on all of the gross old men who make up 90% of the protesters outside the clinics. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @Amiable Good for you! Thank you for your service! 👊🏼 4mo
See All 12 Comments
AlaMich “Going Philly” on someone makes me think of Melissa from Abbott Elementary. I have never been to Philadelphia but Melissa helps me picture what going Philly must look like. 😂 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @AlaMich 🎯 I recently took a “Which Abbott Elementary Character Are You?” quiz and got Melissa. 😂 4mo
AlaMich @MicheleinPhilly That‘s awesome! I love her! 4mo
TrishB We have similar on campus…. 4mo
LeahBergen What‘s Little Miss Neighbourhood Watch up to? 😆 4mo
SamAnne @MicheleinPhilly @Amiable I used to volunteer as a clinic escort as well. It got rough sometimes! Great news in my city—-Planned Parenthood sued the “church” harassing patients and they have to fork over close to a million dollars in fines and legal fees. About damn time! 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen She was fuming over being deceived by the sunshine. She thought it would be pleasant outside. NOPE! 🥶 4mo
Amiable @SamAnne Excellent! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4mo
Suet624 @SamAnne that‘s fantastic! 3mo
62 likes1 stack add12 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Desert Star | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Bosch and Ballard never let me down. I won‘t say much more because I‘m not a spoiling asshole, but this one left me a little verklempt.

Leftcoastzen 👏 4mo
TrishB The end of this one is 😱🥲 4mo
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
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‘Sup Litsy?

DGRachel Happy Saturday! 🐶 4mo
swishandflick Sup pickles! 4mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww Pickles 💙 🐶 4mo
See All 13 Comments
Soubhiville Pickles! Hope you‘re having a great day. 💕 4mo
CBee HI PICKLES 😘😘😘 4mo
RaeLovesToRead 'Sup PicklesinPhilly? 🥰 4mo
squirrelbrain Hey Pickles! 👋❤️ 4mo
Prairiegirl_reading 🥰🥰🥰 4mo
DivineDiana Such an endearing face! ❤️ 4mo
AvidReader25 Hey sweet Pickles! 4mo
dabbe Dat face! Da Pickles-meister! ❣️🐾❣️ 4mo
batsy How's it going, Pickles? ❤️ 4mo
LeahBergen Hey, Pickles! 😘😘 4mo
70 likes13 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

I think that I am just destined to not really love any of the #TOB2023 shortlist with a couple of exceptions. This was a really heart-wrenching portrait of grief but for so much of it, it read like really simplistic YA. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I did “like” it but I am again perplexed by the panel‘s choices.

Megabooks Agree. Plus it was just too dang long. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ 4mo
Suet624 Which books did you like on the list? 4mo
See All 15 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 Thus far Nightcrawling and The Violin Conspiracy. I haven‘t actively disliked anything, I‘ve just been expecting more. 4mo
RebelReader This is my first year reading this list, but haven‘t really been super impressed so far. I have a few to go yet so maybe there‘s a gem in there. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @Megabooks The length didn‘t bother me - it didn‘t feel that long to me. I think I just need to take a break from TOB books for a bit. I still haven‘t had a 5 star read yet this year and it is PISSING ME OFF. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @RebelReader I own 4 more and there are a handful I know I‘m skipping but I‘ve been disappointed so far. 4mo
Suet624 I hear ya. I‘ve even skipped reading some of the list which is unlike me. 4mo
Deblovestoread @RebelReader This my first year too and I‘ve been underwhelmed to say the least. Hoping the ones I have left give me something to cheer about. 4mo
squirrelbrain Another meh one. I think I‘m skipping this one as it‘s not cheap over here and I‘ll be annoyed if it‘s rubbish. 4mo
Ruthiella I‘m only half way through the shortlist, and while I‘ve enjoyed many, only The Rabbit Hutch has made me sit up and take notice. Still, it keeps me reading books and genres I might not otherwise read. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @Ruthiella That‘s probably the book I‘m most looking forward to! 4mo
Ruthiella @MicheleinPhilly I don‘t want your expectations to be too high! 😅 It has is flaws but I found the writing to be engaging. 4mo
Hooked_on_books I felt the YA in this, too. I have 2 left to read of the shortlist and am very underwhelmed. 4mo
sarahbarnes This one is on my pile and reviews haven‘t inspired me to read it. 4mo
76 likes15 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Mouth to Mouth: A Novel | Antoine Wilson
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Mehso-so

Meh. This was…okay. The airport conceit was completely unnecessary. I‘m rather perplexed as to why this made the shortlist. It wasn‘t bad, it just wasn‘t fantastic or terribly memorable. #TOB2023 @Ruthiella @Cinfhen @Suet624 @sarahbarnes @thebluestocking @Mindyrecycles @vivastory @kwmg40 @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB @amyrabbitt @MicheleinPhilly @Hooked_on_books @cariashley @batsy @Chelsea.Poole @Addison_Reads @RebelReader

Ruthiella I‘m right there in the middle with you on this one! 4mo
Suet624 There was an interesting discussion about this way back when on one of the posts. It made me question some things about the story itself. Maybe those discussions will take place again when the TOB judges discuss it. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 At the very least, I‘m hoping the judges indicate what they saw in this! 4mo
See All 10 Comments
batsy I agree! Felt like I was missing something... 4mo
squirrelbrain I quite liked this, but I‘m not sure it was ‘enough‘ of anything to make the shortlist. 4mo
BarbaraBB I liked it a lot although the airport setting didn‘t add to the story indeed. But he needed someone to talk to for a longer time. 4mo
RebelReader I really liked this one. I didn‘t mind the airport concept because it‘s a place you could run into someone and there‘s nothing to do but talk, unless you‘re a reader. 🤣🤣 The best thing about the #tob is all the diverse opinions. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @RebelReader If someone tried to yack my ear off in an airport like this, I‘d be screaming back through security. “Change my flight! NOW!” 4mo
RebelReader @MicheleinPhilly 🤣🤣🤣🤣 4mo
Cinfhen 💯!!! It was #GoodNotGreat 4mo
56 likes10 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Cherry Robbers | Sarai Walker
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Pickpick

This is my local indie‘s book club pick for this month. While I loved the author‘s Dietland, I didn‘t go into this with sky high expectations because I saw it characterized as witchy, magical, fairy tale-ish, etc. none of which is my jam. It has serious Gothic undertones but was remarkably accessible. It had a slightly similar vibe to The Change for me which I loved. Very atmospheric but NOT a horror novel at all. Stupid book marketing. 👍🏼

rockpools Oh, silly book marketing people! It‘s almost like it would help to read the book before they market it 🤷🏻‍♀️. I‘m curious about this one - Dietland was all sorts of memorable... 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @rockpools It is seriously ridiculous. 4mo
56 likes4 stack adds2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
Want You Dead | Peter James
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Mehso-so

All my brain has been able to handle this week and it was not a favorite. The action seemed really gratuitous (which I recognize is ironic given the shit I read) but this was really over the top. Also, Peter James is obviously a horny old man. Dude, write to Playboy or something. 😖

TrishB I must have read it, but can‘t remember a single thing about it. 4mo
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Bryce Laurent stalks and tortures his ex throughout pretty much the entirety of the book. Grace finally marries Cleo and Sandy shows up at the church but doesn‘t reveal herself. LOTS of talk of hard cocks and being inside of women and just general porny type stuff. 🙄 4mo
TrishB Can‘t imagine why I‘ve forgotten it. 4mo
Centique I really want to use “Dude, write to Playboy” in my real life. 😂 Perfect sentiment 🙌 4mo
47 likes4 comments