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monalyisha

Joined January 2017

Head in the clouds, book in my hand, coffee in an I.V. ☁️📖☕️ (R.I. 🌊)

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The Rachel Incident: A novel by Caroline O'Donoghue

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Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton

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The Rachel Incident: A novel | Caroline O'Donoghue

The author of my book looks like a combination between Taylor Swift and Kirstie Alley.

Am I right or am I right?

CBee Omg. You‘re spot on. And I liked this book a lot 😊 (edited) 2d

monalyisha @CBee Thank you for recognizing my genius. 😉 I‘m only about 20 pages in and I was dreading reading it for some reason (it‘s a book club pick) but I‘m *really* enjoying the MC‘s voice! Happy to have my assumptions proven wrong! 2d

AmyG Ha, right? 2d

See All 11 Comments

Ruthiella Your genius is unmatched! And I also loved this book. It felt very real about being in one‘s twenties and figuring stuff out. 2d

tournevis I see it! 2d

BekaReid Oh wow. I do see it. Also, I really enjoyed this book! 2d

CBee @monalyisha I felt the same when I started - silly assumptions! Ended up really loving it. And what @Ruthiella said - your genius is unmatched 😘 2d

BarbaraBB You are so right! 2d

LeeRHarry I‘m reading the tagged by them atm! And definitely! 😊

[tagged book]

2d

monalyisha @LeeRHarry Ohhh, interesting! My coworker really liked that one but I didn‘t put 2 & 2 together that it was the same author. Such different genres! 2d

Yenya1954 Yes, that‘s exactly what I thought too! 13h

50 likes11 comments

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Dog Days: Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Jeff Kinney

The dog, as I got ready to go to work.

Hope your Christmas Eve morning is as cozy as Jett‘s! 🎄 Next year, I‘m asking Santa to make me a dog…

The.Great.Catsby Hahahaha, now THAT would be a dream come true! 🐾🎄 2d

Amiable That is the very picture of contentment right there 😄 2d

Ruthiella ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 2d

See All 6 Comments

BookwormAHN So cute 💗 2d

AnnCrystal 🤩🐾🐕🐾💝. 2d

dabbe 🖤🐾🤍 2d

54 likes6 comments

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Werewolf: The True Story of an Extraordinary Police Dog | David Hedges

Last and… very possibly least (🙈): the haul of books I bought for my stepdad. These are a joint Christmas & retirement gift.

This past week, he worked his last day as a homicide detective. About a year ago, he read his first book since… probably middle school! It was a James Patterson, which he enjoyed but he complained about the formula. So, I got him Suspect by Robert Crais, about an LAPD officer & his K-9 partner; he told me HE CRIED!👇🏻

monalyisha I‘ve been chasing that high ever since! We‘ve tried some other things but nothing he‘s been as moved by. It‘s tricky because it‘s 100% not my genre but I‘m determined to make a reader of him yet. This is the latest batch. Wish us both luck! 2d

AnnCrystal Congratulations on your stepdad's retirement 👏🏼🥳👍🏼📚❤️🇺🇲🤍🕵️‍♂️💙. I'm not great with crime and detective fiction, but I have been wanting to read those Longmire books by Craig Johnson. The TV series was really good 📺💫📚😉👍🏼. 2d

ShelleyBooksie Thank you for this post! These are my fav type of books and I had not heard of these ones! I also really enjoyed Suspect by Robert Crais. Your step-dad may also enjoy Paul Doiron's fiction series about a Maine Game Warden. The first book is called The Poachers Son. 2d

See All 7 Comments

monalyisha @ShelleyBooksie Thank you for the rec! We‘ve got family in Maine; the connection is a good sign! Plus, my stepdad‘s name is Mike. 😉 2d

monalyisha @ShelleyBooksie I should clarify that I deemed this selection “possibly least” because I doubt my reader‘s advisory skills for this genre… not because of the genre itself! So, I cannot vouch for the quality. Here‘s hoping! 🤞🏻 2d

Bookzombie I enjoy the Longmire series, so does my father-in-law. I would suggest Michael Connelly also. Tagged is the first one. Even though I haven‘t read them all,I personally don‘t think his are formulaic. It‘s a long running series and he has other series that are tied in. I‘m going to check out Crais as I hadn‘t heard of him.

[tagged book]

The Black Echo: A Novel

2d

monalyisha Thanks, @Bookzombie! Always helpful to have first-hand recommendations! 2d

38 likes7 comments

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Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees | Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Books for moms!

Bite by Bite is going to both my mom & my MIL this Christmas.

My mom recently told me that she finally started Wintering, which I think I gifted her two years ago, and she can‘t put it down! Not to pat myself on the back but… okay, okay. I‘m patting myself on the back. She doesn‘t often make time for reading, so I‘m thrilled. I hope this one‘s a win, too!🤞🏻

TheBookHippie ♥️ 2d

Bookzombie Yay! I‘m always so tickled if a book recommendation or gift is a hit. 2d

42 likes2 comments

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Aaaarrgghh! Spider! | Lydia Monks

More books for tiny tots!

My nephews, 2 & 4, are getting (mostly) bug books. If I can‘t fully conquer my own fear, I can at least inoculate the next generation. 😅

Books are being paired with some Lakeshore Learning toys, including an updated version of one of those old school viewmasters! They can click between 35 different photos of insects and spiders. 🕷️🐛🦋

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Boo-La-La Witch Spa | Samantha Berger

Which books did you buy as gifts this holiday season?

I went with a witchy theme for my 5-year-old niece. The inspiration was a Witch‘s Apothecary Potion Kit that I found on Etsy; it incorporates STEM, sensory play, and social emotional learning. It comes with rhyming spell cards (for things like kindness & courage), and a slew of special, bottled ingredients. I also got us “matching” hagstone/fairy-stone necklaces.

Wrapped & ready! ✨🎄🔮

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Werewolves of London | Angie Fox

Whether I'm drinking wine by the fire, cocktails on the porch, beer on a boat, coffee on the couch, or piña coladas at Trader Vic's, I love to consume! Tastes & flavors are one way to experience the world. Some of my favorite beverages (alcoholic & non) are listed below. @Billypar, I'd be happy to take a cup of kindness with you for #AuldLangSpine!

coffee (a splash of milk, no sugar)
seltzer (esp. Polar)
red wine
tequila
mezcal
cider
... & more!

Billypar Nice variety of beverages! I used to think I didn't like tequila until I tried Patron and had the epiphany that maybe everyone has in their 30s: college introduces you to the worst version of every type of liquor, so best not to draw conclusions. And btw,I love the Halloween costume concept - amazing! 🇬🇧🐺🍹😅 3d

monalyisha @Billypar Halloween? 3d

monalyisha @Billypar (jk 😜) 3d

monalyisha @Billypar Anything you especially love that we may or may not have in common? Happy to do a symbolic & literal “cheers!” as I begin reading. 3d

Billypar My favorite drink is beer and specifically IPA, which I kind of hate because it's such a cliché, but I can't deny it. There are others too - coffee, wine, and whiskey mostly. I will absolutely raise a glass when we break into our lists - we're not far off now! 🍻 2d

50 likes5 comments

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See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love | Valarie Kaur

Officially pausing my reading of this, with apologies to @Christine 💓. I *loved* the little bit that I listened to… but I‘ve been taken over entirely by birthday playlist mania. It‘s *impossible* to winnow down 4 decades of music into 3 hours. But do it, I must. For now, I‘ll be painstakingly trying to decide which Beck tracks to cut (can‘t I keep them all?). Eventually, I do plan to get back to this! Quadragenarian‘s honor. ✌🏻

CarolynM It was a bit longer than 3 hours, but taking 2 songs from each year created a pretty great playlist for my husband‘s 40th that we still listen to to 21 years later🤣 Good luck! 3d

Billypar Will we get to see the final product in a future #TuesdayTunes ? 🎶 3d

monalyisha @Billypar If I ever finish... absolutely! 😅 3d

Christine OMG, zero apologies needed (under any circumstances, but especially due to such a cool project - love that!!). And Valarie will always be there for you. 🩷 3d

53 likes4 comments

review

A December to Remember | Jenny Bayliss

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Sweet story about 3 very different half-sisters who shared their summers with their dad, a quixotic vagabond with a curio shop, who excelled at creating magic wherever he went — & wooing women. When he dies, the estranged adult sisters come together to fulfill his final wishes, including the reinstatement of the town‘s solstice festival. Everyone grows closer & grows up. It‘s a feel-good story, perfect for this time of year.

*Caveats below…👇🏻

monalyisha 1/1: Sometimes, the characters came across as very young and immature… (perimenopausal) adults and children alike, though none more-so than Verity, who was meant to be 10-years-old but who read MUCH younger. Admittedly, being in the presence of siblings can do that to you! Still, I enjoyed this. I don‘t think of myself as a seasonal reader, so it was a nice surprise to be as charmed as I was by all the mistletoe and merriment. 3d

JamieArc This was on my December list but will not get to it. Until I do, your review is sufficient 😊 3d

AnnCrystal 💕🐕💝. 3d

Leftcoastzen 🐶👋👏 3d

61 likes1 stack add4 comments

blurb

Just Say No! (Revised) | Omar Tyree

No thanks, Penguin! 😂

Readergrrl 🤣🤣🤣 6d

Karisa 🤣🤣🤣 6d

tournevis 🤣🤣🤣 6d

See All 6 Comments

quietlycuriouskate I hope they kept the receipt! 6d

AnnCrystal 😳😂😵‍💫🤣. 6d

LeafingThroughLife 🤣🤣🤣 6d

63 likes6 comments

review

The Girl Who Speaks Bear | Sophie Anderson

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I‘m ending my time hosting our kids‘ fantasy book club at the library & this was the final selection. I‘m happy to report that my favorite attendee — who‘d previously had ZERO time for books not written by Rick Riordan — *loved* it. I dug it, too.

Inspired by Russian folklore. Prevalent themes: respect for nature, found family, strength in community, power of stories. Baba Yaga‘s house was hands-down (chicken-feet-down) my favorite character.

monalyisha *Note: Some of the end details, re: the fire, felt rushed. I believe it‘s best for its intended audience (sweet, didactic) but it was also a genuine pleasure to read. 1w

59 likes3 stack adds1 comment

review

Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon: From the Japanese bestselling author of Lonely Castle in the Mirror | Mizuki Tsujimura

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The “go-between“ performs a service, setting up meetings between the living and the dead. The dead must wait for someone to request them; they can agree to or deny the meeting - and they can only see one living person for the length of a full-moon night before they disappear. The living can only see one person who has passed - ever. Once their chance is used, it's gone. The go-between we meet is, unexpectedly, a teenage boy. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/1: The stories are linked vignettes. Sweet, wise, and melancholy...but not a new favorite or anything. Would make a great, episodic TV show! 1w

66 likes1 comment

review

Small Things Like These | Claire Keegan

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I loved Foster. And I‘ve been waiting so long to read this one, (rightly) advised that its spirit would be most effective near Christmas… but I think I had too much time to build it up. And I think I lack the essential background knowledge of the greater Christmas text tradition that it joins.

It reminds me of Thoreau‘s, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” The MC refuses to regret forever his quiet inaction. He leaves his warm house. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: He goes for a walk. And he ends up changed — or maybe, his essential nature is polished, revealed, and fulfilled. It‘s the opposite of what often happens to people over time. His core is illuminated rather than buried. 2w

monalyisha 2/2: It‘s a powerful sketch about how to combat shame with small, kind, and intimately brave acts. And about how goodness has a profound effect, which dominoes… even if it takes time. But be prepared for brevity. It‘s a piece that is meant to stand in for the whole. Necessarily, much remains untold. 2w

JuniperWilde I love this author. Never a wasted word. 2w

66 likes2 stack adds3 comments

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Journal of a Solitude | May Sarton

“The big question…is how to hope and what to hope *for.* We are citizens of a corrupt country, of a corrupt vision. There is such a sense of death and of being buried under the weight…How to… get hold of the essential… and above all, how to recognize the essential.”

From my reading this morning. I‘m checking in. There was a shooting at Brown University last night. My husband‘s charity cover show in PVD was canceled. He made it home safely. ❤️‍🩹

Amiable It‘s so mind-numbingly sad and heartbreaking.. Today is 13 years since the Sandy Hook shootings and we‘re still doing nothing as a country to prevent this. 2w

monalyisha @Amiable I agree whole (and broken) heartedly. 2w

AnnCrystal This normalcy of violence is unexceptionable 😢💝🫂💝. 2w

See All 15 Comments

monalyisha @Amiable One of our senators (Tiara Mack, who is a shining gem) wrote about it in her newsletter today. Like me, she was also thinking about the kids who are calling and texting about their grief today instead of setting up dates with their friends to frolic in the snow. This might be the first snowfall for some of them, who came to New England for school from faraway climes, and now the magic will always be linked to tragedy. It‘s so wrong. 2w

AmyG At this point if you vote for the party that doesn‘t care….you support this. It‘s unconscionable. 2w

JenReadsAlot Just heartbreaking yet again... 2w

kspenmoll It‘s horrific. All of it. Our nation‘s inability to understand it is guns that are killing our children. 2w

dabbe And if I see or hear one more politician say “Our prayers are with“ .... I'll frickin' go ballistic. We don't need your prayers. We need gun laws, you idiots. And now a shooting in Australia as well. I just can't anymore. 💔 2w

CBee No words here - just profound sadness. Very glad your husband made it home safely 💚 2w

Amiable @monalyisha I saw an interview with the Brown student who also witnessed the shooting at Parkland. She‘s 20 years old and has now survived not one but TWO school shootings. WTF are we doing?? 2w

monalyisha @Amiable How do you get over that sense that you are not safe — and that nobody cares? 2w

ncsufoxes My son is at URI. He was studying in the library when they announced what was happening at Brown (since it isn‘t really that far away). He packed up & went to his dorm. He said that he felt safer in his dorm. The sad realization is that said to me “if the gunman in an off chance came here I‘d rather be in my dorm.” Isn‘t a sad statement that our kids have to plan escape routes & where the safest place is? Instead of fully focusing on studying. 2w

ncsufoxes He also pointed out that URI posts their exam schedules online & he wondered if they do the same thing at Brown. It‘s just so sad, frustrating, & horrific every time it happens. He‘s 6-7 hours away from us & I worry constantly about something like this happening. 2w

ncsufoxes @Amiable my son went through a school lock down when he was in high school. A student brought a screwdriver to school & tried to harm himself. That was scary to be texts from the school for the duration of the incident as they kept updating us what was happening. They treated the lock down like an active shooter. I‘m sure that incident plays back in my son‘s mind at a moment like yesterday. 2w

monalyisha @ncsufoxes That must be scary, to have him far from you. 💓 2w

51 likes15 comments

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Will There Ever Be Another You | Patricia Lockwood

“I was holding more hands than I had.”

Maybe this is a sign that the vignette-y, trippy nonsense of this book has crawled its way into my skull and settled there…but the above statement feels like THE way to live your life. It‘s more than a wacky sentence; it‘s a whole ethos.

Ever feel like you needed 4 more hands? Reach out and grab some.

monalyisha 📸: handfasting ceremony at my wedding. 2w

AnnCrystal 🤩💝😍. 2w

Thatbooknerd Husband and I were handfasted too…October 2009! 2w

monalyisha @Thatbooknerd That‘s awesome! That‘s the year we met, actually. 😍 2w

49 likes4 comments

review

Will There Ever Be Another You | Patricia Lockwood

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Despite loving Lockwood‘s memoir, Priestdaddy (one of my favorite books), I was wildly unprepared for this “novel.” I had no idea what it was! And you should absolutely know before committing yourself. Or you might end up committing yourself. 🫠

It‘s pure, stream-of-consciousness auto”fiction,” written from within the author‘s fevered brain as she suffers from Long Covid. Sometimes, she‘s also on mushrooms. It‘s as disorienting as it sounds!👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: If you‘re going to immerse yourself inside of someone‘s fractured brainspace for 250 pages, you need to love their writing — and maybe even like them as a person — to survive. Because *your* brain is going to be like a duck‘s little legs, paddling like crazy under the surface. If you don‘t love the water, get out before you get in! 2w

monalyisha 2/2: Fortunately, I love Lockwood (and the water). So, although I‘m tired, it was worth the effort. I‘ve come up with a litmus test for whether you‘ll enjoy this book. Ready? Okay. Do you think the following sentence (penned after the author‘s/narrator‘s cat has eaten a psychedelic skink & vomited on her notebook) is funny &/or profound?:

“A little wisdom rose to me: There is always some puke on the text.” If yes, sally forth. But bring a towel. 2w

TheBookHippie It was a loathe or love at the book talk I witnessed while working at the library 🤷🏻‍♀️🙃 they were quite loud in their opinions 🤣 2w

monalyisha @TheBookHippie Oh, I bet! Even having the background knowledge I did, I was stubbornly resistant to the form at first. I called it “uneven.” But by the end, I was a convert. Some of it just washed over me & I had to let it go/be without fully grasping it. But it‘s amazing — the nonsense things that are in your own mind that you can *MAKE* make sense to other people. What a beautiful phenomenon, the ability to share your weirdness through language. 2w

57 likes1 stack add4 comments

quote

Will There Ever Be Another You | Patricia Lockwood

“…[She] pulls [his] hands away from his face so that the shame can run out of him and rejoin the natural blushes of the world: sunrise, sunset, fruit, flowers. No shame, no shame, I said to myself, pink peaches.”

ChaoticMissAdventures Gorgeous! 2w

48 likes1 stack add1 comment

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Christmas with Anne: And Other Holiday Stories | L. M. Montgomery

Finally got our tree up today! The dog is clearly bothered by the change in his environment. He‘s so high-strung.

Suet624 💕💕💕 3w

dabbe 🖤🐾🤍 3w

LeahBergen 😆😆 3w

See All 9 Comments

Leftcoastzen 👏🐶 3w

AnnCrystal 🤩🎄💚🤍❤️💕🐕💝. 3w

AmyG How pretty! 3w

Gissy 🎄😍💚❤️💚❤️ 3w

Bookzombie So pretty! Love the books and bunny slippers ornaments. 2w

monalyisha Thanks @AmyG! And good eye, @Bookzombie! 🐇 2w

70 likes9 comments

review

Drowned Country | Emily Tesh

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Apparently, I have a thing for second books in fantasy novella series that (purportedly…barely) feature vampires. I was quickly reminded of the second book in Seanan McGuire‘s Wayward Children series, Down Among the Sticks & Bones. I liked that one better than the series opener, Every Heart a Doorway, & I liked this one better than the first in this duology, Silver in the Wood. I think this may be an unpopular opinion but it‘s one I stand by! 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/1: The setting, a seaside town with the looming ruins of an ancient abbey, may‘ve also had something to do with my favorable rating. Or maybe a lifetime of Buffy adoration has simply ruined me. 3w

Soubhiville I loved this duology, discovered through #NewYearWhoDat 😁 3w

monalyisha @Soubhiville So very glad I changed that name. 😅 3w

53 likes3 stack adds3 comments

quote

Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World | Anthony Doerr

I don‘t know how many of you saw the moon earlier, but WOW! It had me texting my friends, “Beauty emergency!” a la Maggie Smith. One of them responded, “The moon was beautiful last night, too.” I don‘t know if she meant it to be an enthusiastic confirmation of my awe or flippant disinterest — but it reminded me of this quote by Anthony Doerr, which I love.

Anyway, the moon. 🌖 Hope some of you caught it!

willaful It *was* beautiful last night! 😁 3w

monalyisha @willaful And every. Let‘s cause some pandemonium. 😜 3w

Chelsea.Poole The cold moon. I made moon water 🌕 3w

See All 9 Comments

TheBookHippie The cold moon! I‘ve taken so many pictures! 3w

AnnCrystal 💖🌜🌝🌛💖. 3w

Soubhiville Yes, great quote! I live in a beautiful mountain setting, and try to remember to actually see them when I‘m driving around. Taking the time to notice is great gratitude practice! 🩷 3w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Love the idea of moon water. So easy! 3w

monalyisha @Soubhiville Same...except switch out the mountains for the ocean! I grew up just one state over (MA) but we were centrally-located and if we wanted to go to the beach, it was about an hour-and-a-half drive. When I moved to RI, I vowed I'd never “get used to it“ and take the easy ocean access for granted. I've been true to my promise! 3w

TheKidUpstairs I love those moments when something you see everyday: the moon, a tree, a lake, whatever, just stops you in your tracks. The local First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island, shared a "learn Anishinaabemowin" post about this week's full moon, it is called Manidoon Giizis or Little Spirit Moon. 3w

43 likes9 comments

blurb

'Twas the Night Before Christmas | Clement Clarke Moore

What. A. Long. Day.

The library took part in our town‘s Holiday Festival today. I led two “Ring-a-Ling Read-Aloud” storytimes (with a jingle bell jam sesh at each) and then stayed after the library closed (upon request) to do an interactive read-aloud of The Night Before Christmas (which I 100% kept calling The Nightmare Before Christmas 💀), prior to other staff reading A Christmas Carol. There were scavenger hunts & spiced cider. I‘m knackered!

monalyisha Even better, one of my coworkers excitedly announced to someone that there‘d be “spiced spiders!” I died. 😂 We‘re all a little mad/secretly goth here. 🖤 3w

Chelsea.Poole Sounds exhausting but oh so festive. 3w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Bingo on both counts! I was mentally unprepared. It was frigid today, so I expected most people to stay home. They did not. In a BIG way. 😅. But people were in good spirits! It was uplifting, honestly, which feels rare these days. I‘ll take it! 3w

AnnCrystal Sounds like a long, yet Festive day 🥳💚🤍❤️. 3w

56 likes4 comments

review

Love and Trouble: Memoirs of a Former Wild Girl | Claire Dederer

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I love Claire Dederer. She‘s cool but open, and therefore vulnerable: eminently likable and unlikable at the same time, needing to be seen and validated. Even when she‘s not like you (see: her entire edgy adolescence), that need and that combination of liking her and not liking her at the same time is so familiar; it‘s very much how you feel about yourself — or how *I* feel about *myself,* anyway — which makes her likable all over again. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: I always forget, until I‘m partway through one of her books and am reminded, that she‘s the sister of Dave Dederer, guitarist and founding member of The Presidents of the USA, which, again, is cool, cool, cool. Despite that, she comes to the conclusion that, “Everything good in life might actually be nerdly.” You feel for her, and you judge her, and it‘s all so shamefully recognizable yet foreign, which is perfect. 3w

monalyisha 2/2: Should I be concerned that I‘m a month away from turning 40 and that I seem to be gravitating toward these “midlife reckoning” books (the updated subtitle of this memoir)? Maybe. It remains to be seen.

Note: the one “nerdly” thing that Dederer does in this book, more than once (!), that is objectively not good — is to use the word “lovah” (and, I am sad to report, “laydeez”). No, thank you. 3w

Chelsea.Poole If this book is half as entertaining as your review I should read it. 3w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole I‘d try Monsters first and see if she strikes the right chord with you. I can imagine her vibe might be a little grating — or even infuriating! — if she‘s not for you. But I think she‘s rad.

[tagged book]

Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma

3w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Just checked in on more recent reviews of Monsters and was reminded that you read & appreciated it! I shouldn‘t have doubted. 😉 3w

50 likes1 stack add5 comments

blurb

Me | Elton John

#AuldLangSpine
About Me

1. I‘m Alyisha. My name is a mash-up of my grandmother‘s name, Alice, & my mom‘s name, Patricia. There‘s no accounting for the strange spelling.

2. I live in Rhode Island, the Ocean State. Aside from the whole winter thing (brrr), it‘s perfect for me because I love the sea. I can jump on my bike & be at the beach in about 20 minutes.

3. I work as a Children‘s Librarian in an historical library with actual gargoyles.👇🏻

tagged users icon

monalyisha 4. I was the proud bun-mom of a rabbit-daughter for nearly 12 years. Moxie Crimefighter was my furry little soulmate.

5. We adopted our dog, Jett (named after Joan Jett), a little over a year ago. His ears are nearly as soft as a rabbit‘s and he is the absolute BEST snuggler. 3w

monalyisha 6. My husband, Adam, & I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary this year. I‘m fully aware that I listed him *after* my rabbit & my dog and I have no regrets. 😅 He‘s got a Rasputin beard, is a photographer by trade, and plays in two bands (drums & bass; garage rock & punk rock).

7. I‘m a Capricorn (sun), Aries (moon), Sagittarius (rising)…and exactly *none* of that feels right to me. 😅 3w

monalyisha 8. Sometimes, I tap dance.

9. I wish I could eat Indian food for every meal— with either hermits or tiramisu for dessert.

10. Speaking of hermits, I‘m an introvert in an extroverted job. I do ebullient goofiness pretty well…but I crave silence and solitude in a big way (which is part of why I think I love being in and under the water so much). 3w

See All 21 Comments

BkClubCare Aw! I love Rhode Island. Now in KS, I totally miss the library systems of New England. I wish I hadn‘t let my EGRI membership lapse. #sigh 3w

Billypar That picture is amazing 😆 I was wondering about your name - is it pronounced like the originals that inspired it: e.g., Al-isha? I'm also a Capricorn (I don't know the moon or rising signs though) and also an extroverted introvert of sorts. And I love garage and punk rock, so Adam's band sounds right up my alley (if he's ever touring near Montclair, NJ there's a great small basement venue called The Meatlocker I'd recommend). 3w

Billypar Jett is a great name for a dog - very close to one of our cat's names, who I'll introduce in my post. I've got to visit RI one day - must be gorgeous with the easy beach access. I had to Google what a hermit dessert was, but sounds delicious 😋 3w

AnnCrystal 👏🏼☺️💝💝💝. 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Thanks, @Billypar. I wanted to pick a photo that shows me in my best light. 😅 My name‘s got a long “e” sound - like Alicia or Alysha, just with some bonus nonsense vowels. The full story is that my mom had me when she was 19, which I‘m sure affected her judgment. 😆 She wanted the “y” OR the “i” but couldn‘t decide which. She fell asleep and it was printed on the birth certificate with both. 🙈 She‘s apologized to me my whole life! 3w

monalyisha @Billypar I like it, though (most of the time). It‘s the only part of my name I haven‘t considered changing. It‘s a great barometer for how closely folks are paying attention and how much they care about or are interested in me. If they take the time to spell my name right? Good things are coming. ✨ 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Jett‘s name was inspired by the song “Bad Reputation.” He was returned to the shelter twice before we brought him home. He‘s really such a sweet, well-behaved, dream of a dog. He just needed time & a little bit of patience. But the two families that brought him home first were swayed by his good looks & didn‘t consider other factors (kids, who jumped on him while he was sleeping on his first day) and another dog (who wasn‘t keen on him). 3w

monalyisha @Billypar He‘s great with my niece (who‘s 5) and he has a bunch of dog friends. I think he‘s happy being the only dependent, though! I checked with Adam to see if his band‘s played the Meatlocker (they‘ve toured a bunch, at home & even abroad — Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland — so there was a possibility!) but no dice. Looks cool, though! Totally a place they *would* play. 3w

monalyisha @Billypar I‘ll link you to some songs, just in case you‘re interested. The more punky (touring) band is Math the Band (though they‘re going through kind of a fallow period, members are dealing with some moves & some mental health stuff). My personal favorite is Voice but it‘s way calmer than a lot of their other stuff, which trends toward the frenetic: https://open.spotify.com/track/1UsSgh6ASZjIJhZdeBzEuH?si=mQX7dN0gRpm6wrwl9DzXyg 3w

monalyisha @billypar And their two most popular songs (largely because the first was featured in the movie Velocipastor?! 😂 🦖🙏🏻 ) are Four to Six, and Didn‘t Have Time to Think. 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Four to Six: https://open.spotify.com/track/0WJ1XF6JNYGWKcf3xtWQKd?si=g1LuD1R3R1CMPfS0ZdQE3g 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Didn‘t Have Time to Think: https://open.spotify.com/track/2J4Koqe0KERlbfGA9Ykfwj?si=tQVXDbiLTDiReNukB5sKTA 3w

monalyisha @Billypar The other band, Eric and the Nothing, which is sort-of vaguely rockabilly-inspired garage rock, is much more of a hometown thing. My favorite of theirs is City. https://open.spotify.com/track/1bFcAlew7s5TIz3x28Nf0y?si=nGjBdEtCT8GSdQEXjH67kA 3w

monalyisha @Billypar If you visit Rhode Island, I‘d be happy to show you my favorite bookstores! 🤓 Obviously, the warmer months are a better bet. Looking forward to learning more about you, too! 3w

Billypar In my mind, the whole name issue is 100% worth it for that story alone, not to mention the function you said of it serving as a 'no green m&ms in the tour rider' sort of function. And speaking of tours, I'll ask you to pass along the standard music fan message to Adam: 'Plll 3w

Billypar Whoops - didn't realize it published my interrupted draft reply, lol. That last part was going to read: 'Play Montclair!' 3w

Billypar Those songs are awesome - thanks for sending! Very different sounds for each band but both are right in my wheelhouse. 3w

Billypar And regarding Jett - it's a good thing you didn't give a damn about his bad reputation: those kinds of success stories are amazing 😊 3w

64 likes21 comments

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Brutes: A Novel | Dizz Tate

My eyes are always bigger than my free time for #AuldLangSpine. There‘s *no way* I‘ll get to all of these…but hey, girl can dream.

Mrs. Dalloway would be a reread. 60 Songs will be my audiobook. @Billypar did you listen to his podcast? I‘m wondering how much of the content is repeated. My favorite episode was probably the one about Mazzy Star & slowcore. So dreamy!

My plan is to put all of these on hold and then mood read at will. ✨ Perfection.

Billypar 60 Songs was the only one of these I listened to on audio, and it was actually my introduction to the podcast. I've listened to a few episodes since (though not the Mazzy Star one, so will have to check that out), but I can't say how much he recycled. And then that in turn introduced me to the Bandsplain podcast with Yasi Salek, and my Spotify Wrapped just informed me that it was my most listened to podcast of the year. 3w

monalyisha Note: It seems like a bunch of the content will be the same (sometimes verbatim). I think that‘s probably okay, though? I didn‘t listen to every episode. And my memory is terrible, anyway. 😅 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Oh! We commented at the same time. 👯‍♀️ I‘m gonna give it a shot, anyhow! 3w

See All 15 Comments

Billypar I think I'm going for a similar strategy with your list - I have a few definites, but a lot of contenders. You chose all three that were selections from my IRL book club this year: Pew, Lucy, and Brutes. I'm new to in-person book clubs and thought it would mean reading a bunch of books I don't like, but the facilitator and I are definitely on the same page - so many good ones. 3w

Billypar Oh ok, got it. That makes sense - kind of a lovingly curated version of the podcast. Yeah, when I accidentally listen to any podcast episode twice, I usually remember maybe 2 things on average. 3w

julesG Longlist sounds very posh. 😁 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Sounds like a great book club! How‘d you find it? 3w

Billypar It's at my local bookstore: the facilitator and some of the attendees are booksellers there. It's got several clubs, this one is called Thought Daughter: https://www.watchungbooksellers.com/events/book-clubs 3w

monalyisha @Billypar “Undiscovered books under 300 pages” sounds pretty ideal. Nice. My IRL Book Club (friends from college; we‘re scattered across the country & meet online as a way to keep in touch and stay connected) is voting on titles for next year. First round of voting revealed only 4 titles we all agreed on. 😅 It‘s a work in progress! 3w

Billypar Well, 4 books is a start 😄 That's a great way to stay connected though. Book clubs are funny things. The facilitator of mine said she started it because she was tired of joining clubs where the books she loved were always the ones that the rest of the group hated. 3w

AmyG The Safekeep is so good. 3w

KT1432 @Billypar I‘m glad you posted the book club link! I live no where close so can‘t join but I will be following that page to see what you all are reading because the Thought Daughter club is right up my alley from looking at the current and previous picks! 3w

Billypar @KT1432 I'll let them know they now have a wider audience 😀 The first one I joined for was The Children's Bible, but the group originally caught my eye because I loved Freshwater and several from Oyeyemi (though I haven't read Opposite House yet). I think the leader must think I'm nice and say I like everything, but they're truly just great picks. 3w

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Billypar Hey fellow NJ dweller! Thanks for sharing the book club. I live in Union and will be working from home full time next year. I've been considering options to get me out of the apartment. 3w

Billypar @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick That's great! They take a month off in December and should post the January selection on their site, probably by early January, if not sooner. It's a small group, and they're very friendly. Hope you can check it out! 3w

55 likes15 comments

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The Ten Year Affair | Erin Somers

I just tagged my previous post as #ReadingBracket2025, even though it contained nary a hint of a reading bracket. Ummm… more coffee required?

Anyway, back on track here! The Ten Year Affair snagged the November spot. Unless something comes crashing into my life in December with unbridled love (which Journal of a Solitude may do!), it‘s likely to be a Fiction vs. Nonfiction showdown at the end of the year (Giving Up the Ghost v. Death Valley).

tagged users icon

CSeydel Nice bracket! 3w

52 likes1 comment

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The Ghost Orchard | Helen Humphreys

I had a great reading month! Two of these made my #AuldLangSpine list (Women & Other Monsters, which most of my IRL book club was disappointed in, so…caution), & The Ten Year Affair. Thematically, 10 Year & All 4s are very similar…but I preferred 10 Year, which is far less experimental (which I suppose makes it more “boring”), but still very funny!

If I‘d had room, I would‘ve added The Ghost Orchard to my list, too. So good.

monalyisha On a tangentially-related note, I won‘t be running the kids‘ fantasy book club at the library in the New Year, so I won‘t have the juv titles mucking up my stats and graphics. 😅 Aesthetically, it‘s been driving me nuts! 🙈 Lost Evangeline was 100% for me, though. I love children‘s literature; I just don‘t always love choosing titles for myself that are intended to appeal greatly to a wide range of 10-year-olds. 3w

shortsarahrose I loved Women and Other Monsters but definitely understand why not everyone would like it. The combo of cultural criticism and memoir is just a form that works well for me! 3w

monalyisha #AWreads2025 3w

59 likes1 stack add3 comments

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Pew | Catherine Lacey

My fabulous #AuldLangSpine list from @Billypar — submitted mostly without comment for the time being. Obviously, I love it! I‘ve read a few…but many weren‘t even on my radar (which is exactly how I like it). I‘ll post about my pretty little plans sometime soon.

Thanks, Vinny! I‘m looking forward to January! 🖤

Chelsea.Poole Great list! #8 rearranged my thoughts one to ponder over for sure! 3w

Billypar I just finished adding your selections to a new ALSpine Libby shelf - excited to get started! I hope you enjoy what you pick up. I loved your All Fours review, btw. I think I was reading that novel like a romantic comedy/drama via the Twilight Zone, so I went with a lot of the ridiculousness, but there is no excusing the line you quoted, which I somehow did not remember 😅 3w

Billypar Yeah, it did that to mine too @Chelsea.Poole ! 3w

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monalyisha @Billypar I love the comparison to the Twilight Zone. I'm trying to imagine what (truly small) changes could be made to turn it into an episode. I think, despite the lack of consummation, it would have to end with her hotel room becoming a TRUE nest. Like, there'd be a bloody egg sitting like a jewel atop her goddamn pink coverlet. (edited) 3w

Billypar @monalyisha Yes! That is too perfect (and she did love talking about that coverlet, right?). I think in this version, Rod Serling walks out, and he's got the line about the future reaching back in time to cup your balls 🫠 3w

monalyisha @Billypar I cackled. 😂 3w

TheBookHippie Number two is one of my all time favorite books. 3w

vivastory I have many of these on my TBR, but the, 3 I read are fantastic::5, 10, 17...& I'm nearly done with 11 which is also excellent 3w

monalyisha @vivastory 5 (Pew, tagged) might be the title I'm looking forward to the most. 11 (Mrs. Dalloway) is one that I've read...but I'm actually considering a reread! It's been a good 15+ years, I recently scored a beautiful used copy at a local shop, and I still think of that first line (about buying the flowers herself) often. Miley Cyrus' single might've had a lot to do with that in the past couple of years, tbh. 😅 But it was true before then, too! 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Apparently, you & I were the exact right people to be having that Twilight Zone discussion. When I tried to recreate it for my friends at our book club meeting tonight, they all just stared at me blankly. 🫥 Insert meme of Homer disappearing into the shrubbery here. 2w

Billypar @monalyisha Oh no! Sorry to lead you astray, lol. I've used the Twilight Zone comparison for books that literally remind me of the show or have a weird twist. This is more of a spiritual link maybe, at least without your egg-laying climax 😄 2w

50 likes11 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

One (?) more Muppets-related post…

ALL #AuldLangSpine2026 lists have hopped, crawled, meandered, and/or flown their way to their intended recipients. Check your email! 🙃

Yenya1954 Thank you!! I‘m looking forward to reading from my list in January. 3w

Chelsea.Poole Gee, you‘re fast! Hopping/slithering/crawling on my eight legs to find my list now. 3w

Ruthiella You can never have too much Muppet content, in my opinion. 😊 3w

julesG Thank you!!! 3w

59 likes4 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

That‘s it. The end. I knew I‘d catch up!

All matches have been posted — the lovers, the dreamers, & me. It‘s time for me to get some beauty sleep. Admit it: I‘ve looked better.

Thanks for following along and for all of the kind comments! I‘ve been passing them on to Dave (my sweet friend behind the camera) & they‘ve been filling *my* heart, too.

Lists will begin arriving tomorrow afternoon. 🌈📝

Happy #AuldLangSpine2026!

CSeydel 👏👏👏 3w

willaful Congratulations! 3w

Soubhiville Yay! 3w

See All 13 Comments

Amiable Great job, Muppets! Now it‘s time to relax and enjoy the music of Emmett Otter‘s Jug Band. 😀 3w

TheKidUpstairs Amazing work once again, you are a Rockstar! 3w

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I gave your buddy a follow. Such fantastic photos! 3w

Chelsea.Poole You‘re the best!! 3w

Chrissyreadit you are amazing!!! i‘m so happy to be back in this activity ❤️😘❤️😘❤️ 3w

monalyisha Hi, buddies! Still waiting on confirmation from just a few of you. I know it's a busy time of year...but don't keep your match waiting! Check your email. 😊 @KadaGul @Hotpock3tt @Singout @LiteraryinPA Hope you all have a relaxing and festive Sunday! 3w

LiteraryinPA @monalyisha I‘ll make my post tonight! Thanks! 3w

monalyisha @LiteraryinPA Perfect. Thanks! 🥳 3w

Singout Sorry! Tomorrow! It‘s been a super-busy week. 3w

monalyisha @Singout No worries! Just checking in. 3w

52 likes13 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Hi, @Billypar !
You‘ve been matched…with me! 🥳

Your official reading list will be hopping into your inbox within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Billypar Awesome - can't wait to see your list! And on a sidenote, your posts reminded me that I wanted to read that Muppets in Moscow book, so I just placed a hold for that one 🙂 3w

monalyisha @Billypar Good news! I wrote a *very* detailed review after reading Muppets in Moscow two years ago! My memory is such that I would never have remembered all of that now. 🙈 Although, the balloon storyline did stick with me (you‘ll know when you get to it). Excited for your list! 3w

Billypar Oh that's perfect - I'll look out for it once I finish 🎈🎈 3w

38 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @BarbaraJean & @PurpleyPumpkin ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

DebinHawaii This photo! 💙💙💙 3w

BarbaraJean Yaaaay! Thank you! @PurpleyPumpkin - I'm so excited to see your list! 3w

PurpleyPumpkin Woohoo!🥳 Thanks for matching us up @monalyisha! Very much looking forward to this! Glad we‘ve been paired @BarbaraJean, looking forward to seeing your list too!☺️ 3w

37 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Jerdencon & @Librarybelle ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Librarybelle Yay, Denise! So glad to be matched with a fellow #LiteraryCrew member!! @Jerdencon 3w

Jerdencon @Librarybelle yay! Looking forward to seeing your list! 3w

Jerdencon Thanks @monalyisha and beautiful pic! 3w

monalyisha @Jerdencon This is one of my favorites this year! I always feel compelled to choose a particularly lovely photo when faced with the “belle” part of @Librarybelle ‘s name! 😉 3w

37 likes4 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Amiable & @fredthemoose ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be taking the road less traveled (via email) within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Amiable Hooray! I‘m so excited, @fredthemoose ! Thank you, @monalyisha ! I love this photo, too. 😍 3w

fredthemoose Oh, hooray! Great match, @monalyisha ! @Amiable I actually just started When the Sea Came Alive on your recommendation! 3w

JenReadsAlot I will be watching for both of your lists @Amiable @fredthemoose for nonfiction recommendations! 3w

Amiable @fredthemoose I actually haven‘t read that yet —I bought it recently because I love Graff! I‘m currently reading his latest one:

[tagged book]

The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb

3w

fredthemoose @JenReadsAlot I‘ll be watching yours as well!! 3w

32 likes5 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @peaKnit & @Yenya1954 ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be scampering its way to your inbox within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

peaKnit Thank you! I appreciate your time and care. I am looking forward to some new suggestions! 3w

33 likes1 comment

blurb

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Deblovestoread & @ncsufoxes ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Deblovestoread Yay! Very excited for this match. Thanks for all your work! Love all the pics, too. 3w

ncsufoxes So exciting! Thank you for doing all this work. 3w

Amiable Great match! I‘d love to see both if your lists, too @Deblovestoread and @ncsufoxes 3w

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ncsufoxes @Amiable I didn‘t join last year because life was too chaotic. But I would always look at everyone‘s list to see what other people are reading. 3w

Amiable @ncsufoxes Deb was my ALS match a couple of years ago —she‘s got great lists! 🙂 3w

Deblovestoread Looking forward to all the lists. Amy and @thewallflower0707 have me leaning in to more NF which has been amazing! @Amiable. That being said this has been in off reading year for me which made it a little hard to curate a list. I hope there is something on it the peaks your interest Jessica. 3w

32 likes6 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Karisa & @JamieArc ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Karisa Awesome! Thanks, @monalyisha and hello, @JamieArc! 😊 3w

JamieArc Wow! That was fast! What a great surprise to see when I opened Litsy 😊. Hi @Karisa Looking forward to reading from your list! 3w

32 likes2 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Born.A.Reader & @Itchyfeetreader ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Born.A.Reader @monalyisha Thank you so much! I can't wait to see your list and find some new favorite reads! @Itchyfeetreader 3w

Itchyfeetreader Amazing thank you @monalyisha I am always in awe of your work on this. @Born.A.Reader hope you enjoy and looking forward to seeing what you have recommended ! 3w

30 likes2 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Singout & @jenniferw88 ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Singout Thank you so much: looking forward to see what @jenniferw88 has picked! And tell David Taberner that‘s a fabulous shot of one of my favorite birds! 3w

jenniferw88 Thanks so much! Echoing @Singout - can't wait to see what's on the list! If you want a preview, Sarah, some (but not all) are on my #readingbracket2025 post 🤣 3w

32 likes2 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Sharpeipup & @kspenmoll ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be waddling its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

blurb

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @CBee & @TheKidUpstairs ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

TheKidUpstairs Yay! Hi @CBee 👋 I'm very excited to read some of your 2025 faves to kick off the New Year. And thanks again @monalyisha for all the work you put into this every year, it's my favourite Litsy thing 🤩🎉 3w

CBee @TheKidUpstairs oh my gosh yay!!! We have such similar tastes and I hoped I‘d be matched with you eventually! Very excited 😊 Thanks, @monalyisha 💚💚 3w

TheKidUpstairs @CBee yes! I was browsing through your page last night, and kept saying "yes, that WAS such a good book!" Can't wait to see what made your list. When I looked back, I realized I had quite a good year for books, there were 4 or 5 extras that could have made it on my list. And, as usually happens, the books I finished just after submitting my list were all top notch as well. So if you find you've read a lot of the ones on my list, there are backups! 3w

CBee @TheKidUpstairs I have extras too! I‘ve been lucky to have a few great reading years and it‘s been difficult to narrow it down to 20 😅 Looking at your page I already found at least 3-4 from my list that I know you‘ve read - and maybe vice versa. Can‘t wait to see what‘s in store 💚 3w

31 likes4 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Chelsea.Poole & @CarolynM ! You are rekindling your match from years past! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Chelsea.Poole Real jazzed to be matched with @CarolynM — who‘s Litsy feed I just stalked 😉 Can‘t wait to see your list! And thank you @monalyisha for this pairing and every one of these nature photos from your friend. Please tell him how enjoyable these are, absolutely fabulous shots. 3w

TheKidUpstairs What a great match! You both have excellent lists heading your way, I'm sure! 3w

CarolynM This looks like a great match up! I‘ve just seen your list @Chelsea.Poole A couple of titles that are already on my TBR, but lots of new to me titles too. I‘m excited to get started on it in the new year 😊 Thanks again Alyisha! 3w

31 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @LiteraryinPA & @Mollyanna ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Mollyanna Very excited! Thanks for organizing this wonderful event. 3w

LiteraryinPA Yay, I‘m so excited!! 3w

30 likes2 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Sapphire & @Lesliereadsalot ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be hopping its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Sapphire Thank you @monalyisha! 4w

Lesliereadsalot Yes many thanks! 4w

Lesliereadsalot @Sapphire Excited to get your list! Plus you‘re a Europa follower! 4w

See All 6 Comments

Sapphire @Lesliereadsalot Same! Yes, love Europa and have a collection of paperback titles. I love the covers and paper quality as well as the works they publish. 3w

Sapphire @Lesliereadsalot are you reading with #europacollective or do you have another connection to the publisher? 3w

Lesliereadsalot @Sapphire I‘ve always found the Europa books to be interesting even when I didn‘t love them. I started reading with #EuropaCollective and then when the host stepped down was happy to resurrect it with @BarbaraBB They have some really great authors there! 3w

41 likes6 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Texreader & @LeafingThroughLife ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be unfurling in your inboxes within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

LeafingThroughLife Yay! Looking forward to seeing what I get to read next year @Texreader ! 😁 4w

Texreader @LeafingThroughLife Yay!!!!! This is so awesome! 4w

37 likes2 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

I must PAWS here!

I have to go to work…rude! We‘re officially halfway through #AuldLangSpine2026 match announcements.

I‘ll pick it up again tonight. *Small* chance I might bang some out during my dinner break. 😉

julesG 😁 4w

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 4w

AnnCrystal 💕🐕‍🦺🐾💝. 4w

50 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @willaful & @shortsarahrose ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

shortsarahrose Yay! The best news on a Monday morning! Thanks for your hard work! Looking forward to seeing your list @willaful 4w

willaful @shortsarahrose me too, yours! 4w

willaful @shortsarahrose Looking at your currently reading list, I think your list will probably suit me just fine. 😁 4w

39 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @CSeydel & @sebrittainclark ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be coming down the pipe (via email) within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

CSeydel Thank you so much for doing this! 4w

CSeydel And - beautiful photo, as usual! 4w

sebrittainclark Yay! 4w

40 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Soubhiville & @rachelsbrittain ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Soubhiville Yay! Hi Rachel! I‘m so excited to share some reading with you! @rachelsbrittain Thank you @monalyisha ! Your hard work is very appreciated. I can‘t wait to plan my January reading. 4w

rachelsbrittain So excited to be paired up @Soubhiville ! Can't wait to see my reading list. Thanks for all your hard work on this @monalyisha ! 3w

40 likes2 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @BarkingMadRead & @Erinreadsthebooks ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be barking its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

BarkingMadRead Yayyyyyy a new book friend!! 4w

Chelsea.Poole What a great shot!! 🦦 4w

Karisa Wow! Loving these photos! So much talent 😊 4w

38 likes3 comments

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Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Laughterhp & @Chrissyreadit ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026