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TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks

Joined May 2019

review
TheAromaofBooks
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Mehso-so

This book gets full marks for being absolutely lovely, with tons of beautiful photographs. However, while the theme was good, the material was very repetitive. They gave the steps for planning a garden (found in virtually any gardening book: hardscape, focal points, anchor plants, filler plants, groundcover), then said, “you can replace any of your regular plants with edible plants!!“ and then covered the same steps for your front yard, back yard⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) and containers, so they ended up saying the same things a lot. There were a few interesting ideas, but these authors are also from SoCal, so while they threw out some little possibilities for those of us who live where the land freezes half the year, it definitely felt like the focus was on people who can garden pretty much year round. A nice book to page through, but it didn't really bring anything unique to the table for me. 15h
51 likes2 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

A soft pick for the first #BakerStreetIrregulars buddy read. I liked the concept and the characters, but the pacing was all over the place. This definitely had “first book in a series“ vibes (hopefully it is!!), with a lot of character introductions. So many different mysteries meant that some things felt glossed over in the end. However, all in all a fun read, and I would definitely pick up a sequel.

dabbe I'm halfway through and agree with you 💯! 11h
BookishMadHatter This is the first Patterson book that's interested me in forever. The concept is making me curious 9h
53 likes3 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Secret of the Mansion | Julie Campbell
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I may regret this, because obviously I don't have enough buddy reads going on 😂, but is anyone interested in reading the Trixie Belden books with me? I'm thinking very similar to the Nancy Drew readalong - one book a month with a few discussion posts? Since we read ND in the first half of the month and discuss on the 15th, I'm thinking Trixie in the second half and discuss on the 30th?

If yes, start this month or in April?

@LitsyEvents

Nebklvr I think i only have one. I loved Trixie Belden (edited) 21h
bookandbedandtea I thought I had a few of these but I just checked and they're Dana Girls books. This group read sounds fun but I think I'll skip it for now. 17h
BookmarkTavern Oh that would be so fun! I‘m in! 10h
43 likes3 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Robe | Lloyd C. Douglas
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I'm not sure how many of you will be interested in April's #RandomClassic as it does center around Christianity, although I'm not sure I would exactly call it a religious book. Historical fiction published in 1942, this book topped the best seller list for months. The main story is about one of the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus and his journey, but there are a lot of other threads woven in. If anyone wants to read along, let me know!!

CatLass007 I really would like to read this one but there‘s a months long wait at my library. 21h
BarkingMadRead I got it, we will see how long I last 🤣 it sounds interesting though! 21h
See All 13 Comments
TheBookHippie I put it on hold will see how long I last 🙃 21h
TheAromaofBooks @CatLass007 - Oh bummer!! It's an older book so it's very inexpensive on Kindle if that's an option for you. 21h
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead - I read it way back in the mists of time, like maybe in high school, and actually remember it being rather adventurous, kind of romantic in the old-school sense of the word haha But the chapters are looonnnngg!!!! 21h
CatLass007 I can‘t read ebooks because of eye strain. I wanted to listen to the audiobook but that‘s the one with the months-long wait. @TheAromaofBooks (edited) 21h
julieclair I‘m hoping to read it. April is shaping up to be a crazy month for me. 20h
Crazeedi I read way back when, it was so good 19h
Librarybelle I‘ll pass on this one - have not read the book, but I‘ve seen the movie! The Sister who taught my Latin classes in high school was all about Hollywood films like this. 😂 I am planning to come back for May‘s book! 18h
Lcsmcat I‘m not sure if I‘ll get to this one or not, but tag me and I‘ll follow along if I can. 16h
Bklover I don‘t think I‘ll make it for The Robe, but I‘d like to reread East of Eden with you all!❤️ 14h
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead @julieclair @Lcsmcat @TheBookHippie - I have all of you down for April's tag list, but as always, no hard feelings if you decide it's not for you after you start 😂 35m
46 likes1 stack add13 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

This #RandomClassic gets a soft pick from me. I actually loved Evelina and enjoyed much of the writing, but some of the scenes where we had to listen to obnoxious people being obnoxious just went on wayyyy too long. Still, parts were quite funny and overall this one was a lot of fun.

Thank you all for reading along with me!!

Librarybelle 😁❤️ I loved it! It was nice to go to over the top silly while also reading #TheBros . 21h
TheBookHippie I enjoyed this. I finished it up this weekend on audio while cooking. 🙃 21h
See All 6 Comments
Kitta Where are the books in the background from 😍 19h
TheAromaofBooks @Kitta - Those are Chiltern editions. Aren't they gorgeous?? They have gilt-edges, too! 😍 16h
rubyslippersreads I‘m still reading and enjoying. I‘ll post my thoughts when I‘m done. 9h
65 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Clouds of Witness | Dorothy L. Sayers
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Pickpick

When I was ambivalent towards the first Lord Peter book, I had SO many people tell me that the series gets better as it goes along, so I've had the second book sitting about for quite some time waiting for me to pick it up. I did enjoy this one more (and found Lord Peter less annoying), but I also thought the mystery was a little weak. Still, I'll get around to book 3 one of these days. Soft pick.

TheSpineView Great job!🤩📖📚 6d
Yuki_Onna Wow! 🤩 6d
Librarybelle I love that cover! 6d
BarbaraJean The series does indeed get better as it progresses! Books 4 and 5 are where it really hits its stride, I think. I keep slotting these into my #192025 list! 6d
68 likes5 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

Wow, reading the GR synopsis made me realize that my 1931 edition is LITERALLY an entirely different story from the later version! Maybe that's because this one didn't have a super cohesive mystery. It's mostly Nancy and her friends riding around mountains getting almost eaten by wild animals 😂 I was cracking up at the way some of the situations resolved themselves at the end (wife of husband with amnesia perfectly happy he's coming home with a ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) random little girl he adopted who is also an heiress and is going to have no complications or difficulty establishing who she is and I guess they'll just hand over the kid and all her money to this couple?!?!!? LOL)

BUT it's still great fun, even if I apparently missed out on a great phantom horse mystery in the later edition!!

@Librarybelle
(edited) 6d
TheSpineView Awesome! 6d
See All 6 Comments
Librarybelle That sounds so different from the 1960s version! 😮 6d
bookandbedandtea I've been thinking the same thing! Others have mentioned aspects of the story that bear no relation to what I'm reading! I'm hoping to finish this today and then read the 60s version real quick. 🤞🏻 @Librarybelle 6d
BarkingMadRead Oh wow! I have the 60s version, that‘s crazy! 6d
68 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
American Royals IV: Reign | Katharine McGee
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Pickpick

So in the end, the first book was my favorite of the four, but this was still a satisfying conclusion. There was one plot gimmick that mildly annoyed me (see spoiler), but these books are so ridiculous that I just kept rolling with it haha 100% absurd, shallow melodrama that I totally was into 😂

TheAromaofBooks Having Beatrice wake up with amnesia meant that we literally just had her redo all the growth she had already experienced in the first three books, except compressed into one book. It just felt like McGee had run out of ways to make Bea's life complicated, so she had her start over. I actually would have been totally happy with this book being Bea and Teddy working together happily! 6d
TheSpineView Fantastic! 6d
Yuki_Onna Woohoo (to speak with your words 😉😎)! Also, #coverlove 6d
60 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
American Royals III: Rivals | Katharine McGee
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Pickpick

Soft pick for the third book in the series. This one got really repetitive to me (like I get it, being a not-white person dating white royalty is super tough, do we have to mention it in EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER??), although I did like the direction some of the drama went. So trashy, but I still am totally into it haha

TheSpineView Well done! 6d
Yuki_Onna You're crushing it!!! 👏🤩 6d
marleed I love these covers. I read/liked the first book in this series but have yet to find the round tuit for the 2nd book! 6d
TheAromaofBooks @marleed - I enjoyed all four and felt like they overall had a good arc, but they also did get a little repetitive. I found them bizarrely addictive 😂 6d
60 likes5 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Dean's Watch | Elizabeth Goudge
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Pickpick

I've had mixed results with Goudge's books, but this one was a win for me. She tends to write books that are more like interconnected character sketches for the first half of the story, so it's a slow start. But she also writes compellingly realistic and relatable people. Religion plays a big part here, but her characters don't use it as a crutch or a bandaid or an excuse. ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) She also writes about struggling with depression (at a time when that “wasn't a thing“) in a way that just kind of rips your heart out, in a good way lol And when one of the characters dies in the end, it doesn't feel remotely gimmicky or manipulative, but a genuine reflection on that also being a part of life.

Highly recommended, especially if you've ever clung to faith in a dark time.
6d
TheAromaofBooks “Why should we always want a light? [God] chose darkness for us, darkness of the womb & of the stable, darkness in the garden, darkness on the cross and in the grave. Why do I demand certainty? That is not faith. Why do I want to understand? How can I understand this great web of sin and ugliness and love and suffering and joy and life and death when I don't understand the little tangle of good and evil that is myself? I've enough to understand.“ 6d
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraJean Ohhhhh, I need to read this. It‘s been on my list for so long! It sounds so good, and I‘ve heard it‘s set in (or that the setting is based on) the cathedral town I lived in as a child. This cover most definitely features that cathedral! 6d
willaful I don't think I ever encountered this one. 6d
TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean - It's a very quiet story. I didn't love it as much as The Scent of Water, which lowkey changed my life, but I still found this one to be so beautiful. Some of her books I've been quite ambivalent towards, but then I read one like this and it just hits a chord for me. 6d
63 likes1 stack add6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru ch 13) Sorry I have kind of fallen off the face of the earth with this readalong!! Okay, so I literally had to do some research on the Jacobites and that whole deal. Stevenson has a much higher opinion of my historical knowledge than I deserve 😂

While this story is perfectly fine, I'm not in love with it or anything. But I can definitely see it appealing to its target audience with gold! Danger! Shipwrecks! Sword fights!

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) Part of my problem is this book seems kind of aimless?? Like David just rolling along from one adventure to the next and I'm not sure where he even WANTS to go haha

Any thoughts?

@BarkingMadRead @CatLass007 @ChelseaM6010 @julieclair @Lcsmcat @Read4life
6d
Lcsmcat It is a bit Boy‘s Life, isn‘t it? And I had a hard time with the battle scene. First, that one man and a boy could hold off the whole crew, and second that he wasn‘t more traumatized by it. 6d
ChelseaM6010 I Agree with @Lcsmcat about the battle scene. (edited) 5d
julieclair I think he doesn‘t know where he wants to go. He‘s been kidnapped and is just taking each day as it comes. I agree about the battle scene. It was so weird that it didn‘t seem to bother him at all, and in fact was even proud of what he‘d done. 4d
55 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
This post contains spoilers
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(thru 3.15) - Things have been a lil crazy around here and I haven't been posting much!! I'm still really enjoying this one, although honestly this book kind of stresses me out since E seems to have a real knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person!

So what do we think about this mysterious girl who is E's father's daughter - do you think she's an imposter??? Is that why E's father was so cruelly dismissive ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) in the letter he wrote???

Also not completely sure how I feel about E's engagement to Lord O. I'm a little surprised that he was willing to propose to someone with basically no status/money.

@AnneCecilie @BarkingMadRead @CatLass007 @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @Daisey @Deblovestoread @janeycanuck @julieclair @Librarybelle @rubyslippersreads @TheBookHippie
6d
BarkingMadRead That really shocked me! Where did this other daughter come from?!? 6d
Librarybelle It makes you wonder about the girl‘s origin story… 6d
See All 10 Comments
Clare-Dragonfly I hope we find out about the other daughter! I‘m getting a little bored with E and her constant dithering and willingness to completely change what she‘s doing based on what someone else says… I must still be a little behind as she hasn‘t gotten engaged to Lord O but it‘s hardly a surprise 😂 6d
AnneCecilie I‘ve fallen a little behind so no engagement yet, but I wonder what her adoptive father wrote to suddenly make Evelina keep her distance to Lord O. I hope we get an answer to that 5d
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead @Librarybelle @Clare-Dragonfly - I also couldn't believe that this means E is the sister of M-what's-his-name who almost killed himself. That also seems like quite the twist. How many times has E's dad pretended to marry (or actually gone through the ceremony) and then abandoned them!? 5d
TheAromaofBooks @AnneCecilie - I had trouble with that as well. Was he just warning her that she was falling in love but Lord O probably would never love her back, so she needed to guard her heart?? That was all I could come up with. I found Mr. V's letter very vague! 5d
Clare-Dragonfly @AnneCecilie I thought we had the whole letter—he basically just says “I didn‘t warn you about falling in love and I should have, now keep away from Lord O” and she does it without question. That‘s what is irritating me! 5d
TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly - I guess what confused me was he doesn't really say why?? Like why isn't she allowed to fall in love with Lord O/why is Mr. V so convinced that Lord O could never fall in love with her back? @AnneCecilie 5d
AnneCecilie @TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly Is because because of her family situation? I also wondered if it was something about Lord O since his sister and her friends (his friends?) doesn‘t treat her well. Does Lord O know something the others don‘t? 5d
18 likes10 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru ch5) Well, I think we may be closing in on the kidnapping part of our story!! What's up with David's uncle? That almost-murder scene was actually a little terrifying!!!!

#RandomClassics
@BarkingMadRead @CatLass007 @ChelseaM6010 @julieclair @Lcsmcat @Read4life

BarkingMadRead This guy is messed up! How terrifying! 2w
Lcsmcat I don‘t get why he stays! I‘d have left the first morning. 2w
Read4life I think @BarkingMadRead & @Lcsmcat have summed it up perfectly. 2w
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
This post contains spoilers
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(thru 3.1) Well! There is just no way that Lord O wrote that dreadful letter. Poor Evelina, despite all the time she's spent with her horrid relatives and acquaintances who all prank one another, she still can't imagine someone doing something like that. Really it's just a question of which one of those dreadful people wrote it! But in the meantime - it's hard to see her suffer! I AM a bit curious as to what will happen when she comes face to ⬇

BarkingMadRead I felt the same way, it just doesn‘t sound like him to do that! Poor Evelina! I wonder if he did get her note, I don‘t think so! 2w
AnneCecilie I think someone got hold of Evelina‘s note, and that Lord Orville never saw it. I‘m guessing it‘s one/ more of her relatives. Curious to find out who. (edited) 2w
See All 6 Comments
Librarybelle It‘s been awhile since I read this the first time, and I completely forgot about the note! 😂 I‘m fairly sure he did not write that. I blame her cousins…ugh! 2w
Clare-Dragonfly Oh gosh, I didn‘t even think of that! It only seemed a little overreaching to me 😂 but yeah… it was probably young Brangston or whatever his name is. He seems like the type to pull a prank, and he knew about Evelina just missing Lord Orville—he might have stuck around long enough to see that she sent him a letter. 2w
rubyslippersreads As far as who really sent the note, my money is on Sir Clement. 2w
20 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Woohoo!! BookSpin and DoubleSpin in the same column with two free spaces!?!? I seriously did NOT plan this! I actually drew the BS and DS numbers AFTER I made the bingo card 😂 But hopefully this spiffy set up will give everyone a lil boost!!! Can't wait to see all of your cards!!

Regular info below ⬇

TheAromaofBooks Here's the #BookSpinBingo card! First, I put our official numbers (12 & 9) back in the mix. Then I drew them all out & wrote them down as I went, meaning the official numbers are just mixed into the card with the rest! As you can see, 21-25 are both labeled with their numbers & also as free spaces, so you can use them to match however you wrote your list. To score a bingo, just read books (in any order) that are in any row or column!! MORE INFO ⬇ 2w
TheAromaofBooks 1 - I don't tag anyone on this post except for @LitsyEvents but anyone is welcome to play along!!
2 - Remember – NO PRESSURE!!!! If this starts to stress you out, just take that page right out of your journal and pretend it never existed!! This challenge is to encourage you to read, not to make you feel like reading is a chore!!!
3 - FREE SPACES can be filled with any book that is NOT already on your list!! ⬇
2w
TheAromaofBooks 4 & final - As a reminder, only the “official” BookSpin/DoubleSpin numbers will count towards giveaway entries. I don‘t want the giveaway to be stacked against people who aren‘t able to read lots of books each month. So basically there is still a maximum of 2 entries possible per month no matter how many books you read from your list. This bingo card is just for fun & glory! 😁

Thanks for playing & happy reading!!!
2w
See All 11 Comments
DGRachel I love when the book spin gods smile on the bingo card. 😂 Free spins are easy for me to fill. Now I just have to make sure I actually read both my book spin and double spin this month. 😳 2w
Julsmarshall Oooh! How fun! 2w
claudiuo Woohoo! Thank you! 2w
CoffeeNBooks Thank you! 2w
Read-y_Picker I am getting a bingo this month I swear! 2w
Bookwormjillk Woohoo! 2w
willaful @Read-y_Picker You can do it! I believe in you! 😇 2w
bthegood Thank you!! 2w
77 likes11 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Spinning in Time | Joselyn Ignacio
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Good morning, everyone! The moment you have all been waiting for!! Our official #BookSpin number is TWO! Our official #DoubleSpin number is SEVENTEEN!! I have thoroughly enjoyed looking at everyone‘s lists & am really looking forward to seeing your reviews!!

My next post will be the #BookSpinBingo card. I am NOT tagging anyone on that post!! If you want to bingo, please just check my profile for the card. This saves me having to double tag ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont‘d) everyone/keep track of who wants to bingo and who doesn‘t!!

I use the same tag list for the entire year, so if you would like to be added or removed, please just let me know. It takes me a while to tag everyone (there are over 200 of you!!!) so I will add “FINISHED” to the last tag batch so you know whether or not I missed you. If I did, it was completely inadvertent. Sometimes I just spell someone‘s username wrong. ⬇
2w
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) As always, the link to the masterpost about how this challenge works can be found on my profile or here - https://thearomaofbooks.wordpress.com/bookspin-bookspinbingo-litsy-challenge/ - and the link to the Google Form where you can track your reads for the end-of-the-year-giveaway can be found here - https://forms.gle/4kTBMWAsCa9Cvmqs6

Thanks for playing, everyone!! Please know that I read EVERY comment on this post but don't always ⬇
2w
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) have time to reply to them all!! Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and for making this challenge SO much fun!!

I'm going to post the Bingo board, and then come back and start the tag list on this post. Happy reading!!!
2w
See All 31 Comments
Librarybelle Hooray!! Looks like mine are Immortal in Death and a library book. 2w
Allydanielle88 My tbr list is going to be a little late. Im having an emergency with my cat so it might be a few days. 2w
JackOBotts Yay! Both numbers will make a serious dent in my “catching up”! 🙌🏼📚 2w
AmyG I will be reading a Goodreads win. 2w
GinaKButler My bookspin is last month‘s doublespin, which I hadn‘t finished! #winning? 😂 2w
claudiuo I was looking forward to the numbers. I will read a SciFi and a Mystery. Thank you so much! 2w
CoffeeNBooks Yay! Happy Saturday! 2w
TheBookgeekFrau Yay!!! 2w
CBee Mine are both #readyourkindle picks - woot! 2w
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick It'll be 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster & Wild Women and the Blues fur me! 2w
bookandbedandtea Yay! Thanks Sarah! 😊 2w
dabbe Thanks for all of your hard work, Sarah! 💚💙💚 2w
UwannaPublishme Yay! 2 memoirs for me! Thanks, Sarah, for making the 2nd of every month so much fun! 🤗 2w
CSeydel Thanks for doing this! Mine are Akata Witch and The Professor & the Madman 2w
robinb Looks like a good reading month for me. 😉 All That Really Matters and Fellowship Point. 😊 Thanks Sarah! 2w
Karons1 Thank you ☺️ again Sarah and happy 😃 reading 📖 x x x 2w
Crazeedi I'm so behind! I made 45 bookmarks and appointments and a day trip! I'll post my books!! Thanks!! 2w
113 likes31 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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ch 1 - David is off to make his fortune!! Or maybe find out he has one when he meets his rich... relative?? I quite loved his sweet neighbor sending him off with three gifts (round, square, cubical haha) However, I'm seeming to find mixed results when I try to see if you can actually make Lily of the Valley tea, so maybe hold off on using that as a cure-all!

Looking forward to seeing where this adventures leads!!

#RandomClassic

BarkingMadRead He didn‘t seem too interested in it 🤣 (edited) 3w
julieclair Seems like Lily of the valley has a lot of benefits, but can also be poisonous and can cause heart problems. Think I‘ll steer clear, lol! 2w
52 likes3 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
American Royals | Katherine McGee
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Pickpick

What's going on. I should have hated this book, and instead I totally ate it up and can't wait until I get my hands on the second book 😂 This is absolutely ridiculous stuff, with shallow, vapid characters, so-so writing, a paper-thin plot, and 100% soap opera level drama on every page. LOVED IT 😆

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#BacklistReadathon
#TPRC - The Double R @Yuki_Onna

slategreyskies Love your review! That cracked me up! Glad you enjoyed it! 📚💕 3w
Mollyanna Sometimes you just need a book like that… 🤣 3w
Bookwormjillk Completely stupid and I loved the whole series 3w
bookandbedandtea You made me laugh! Amazing review!! 😂 3w
Yuki_Onna How cool! 🤣🩷 3w
61 likes5 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

Am I the only one reading this series who finds Laurence to be an insufferable twat? He literally refused to perform genocide at the end of the last book, and spends this entire book moping about it/sighing that he deserves to be killed for treason. To me, if you believe that what you did was right, then just blindly accepting the punishment for it makes no sense. Still an enjoyable read, but I'm here for Temeraire, not Eeyore-Laurence 😂

TheSpineView Fabulous! 3w
Clare-Dragonfly I haven‘t gotten this far but Temeraire (and all the other dragons) is definitely much more of a draw than Laurence 😂 3w
See All 6 Comments
RamsFan1963 I never finished the series for that reason. Loved the dragons, loathed the humans 3w
TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly @RamsFan1963 - Like I kind of get it, but at the same time... it just feels like Laurence wants to be a martyr to his country all the time 🙄 3w
SonjaBolon Laurence is a product of his time and culture so I give him that. I‘m there for Temeraire and learning about how humans and dragons coexist in different parts of the world! Japanese and South American dragons were both very different from each other as were their relationships with the humans. Africa surprised me in a good way! The whole series has turned my perception about us humans on its head! Naomi is good at helping us imagine anew! 1w
52 likes6 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

Not the tagged book, but by the same author. This horse story has languished on my shelves for decades, and I'm not sure why I've never read it. Published (and set) during the Korean War, a young man leaves for the armed forces. His younger brother, who has a club foot and is ineligible to fight, stays behind and raises the colt they're convinced can be a champion harness racer. While fairly typical horse book fare, I still really enjoyed this ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) this one and was rooting for Star the whole way.

#Roll100 @PuddleJumper
#100YearsofBooks
#ReadtheUSA2024 - Florida
#BookChain
#BookSpinBingo
3w
48 likes1 comment
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Panpan

I complained about this book at length on Goodreads, and on my blog. Short version: Emma Gatewood was amazing. Ben Montgomery's writing sucked, and the entire rhythm of this book made no sense. What I actually need are Emma's diaries.

#BookSpin - February
#ReadtheUSA2024 - Maine
#GottaCatchEmAll - Nature Featured Prominently @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo

Librarybelle Thank you!!! I completely agree with you on this, and honestly, people thought I was horrible for not thinking it the best book in the world. 3w
TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - He just sounded so condescending and smug the entire time. I hated the parts where he talked about “following in her footsteps“ and all about HIS feelings blah blah blah. Like I care haha It just felt like he didn't actually like or respect Gatewood and was just here to make a buck on her accomplishments. And I couldn't stand the way he handled the sections about her husband abusing her - the way he would always end it on a ⬇ 3w
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) “cliffhanger“ - like “her husband beat her ten times that month“ CUT SCENE - Now we're in Maine, back on the hike! Ugh. He also had unlimited access to her diaries, and barely quotes them at all?? The format jumping all over the place in time was hard to follow and didn't really make sense. I just. Ugh. It made me mad because I am genuinely interested in Gatewood as a person - I'm from Ohio and have hiked the Buckeye Trail section ⬇ 3w
See All 8 Comments
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) named for her many times. There was a lot of potential here, but his sneering attitude just grated on me on every page. /end rant 😂 3w
Lcsmcat Good to know. I‘m interested in her, but maybe I‘ll look for another source. 3w
Librarybelle I was on a committee with individuals who thought his work was so good, and I was just flummoxed. I kept thinking I must be missing something - the writing was not engaging, & you bring up several of the points I thought. I also saw a shift in the writing style where I felt he almost went a little over the top with “fanboying” and the tone went very weird. Not a chronicle, per se, but something else. I‘m glad to find someone else who found issue! 3w
ImperfectCJ Just popping in to say that I'm really enjoying reading this exchange. I haven't read this book, but it sounds like it hits one of my pet peeves---an author who centers their own experience while they're supposedly writing someone else's story. I will have to hike the Buckeye Trail section named for Gatewood next time I'm in the heart of it all. 3w
dabbe #fanofthepan! 💚💙💚 3w
47 likes8 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Celine: A novel | Peter Heller
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Pickpick

I had some trouble rating this book because the book itself can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be. It‘s also not exactly a novel, but somewhere in between. A novel with some thriller aspects. A slow-paced suspense with a lot of backstory. A spy story not about the spy at all. A missing person case with a long explanation as to why the detective takes on missing person cases. Something like that. The point is, I really enjoyed it. But⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) I'm also not sure exactly why 😂

Great #LMPBC pick @bookandbedandtea !! @Jerdencon @robinb
#ReadtheUSA2024 - Wyoming
#WickedWords - Couple @AsYouWish
#100YearsofBooks (2017)
#BookSpinBingo
3w
Susanita My book club liked it more than I did, but I want to try the Dusty Miller sundae. 3w
bookandbedandtea I like your analysis, Sarah. I can't properly describe the book, and couldn't nail down a genre for it, but I really enjoyed it. 🤷‍♀️ 3w
robinb I enjoyed it as well, but it was definitely different. And I get what you say about the genre thing. At times it felt like a cozy, at times a book more about the mysterious Celine than a thriller/mystery. Celine was the focus, all else took a backseat. 😂 3w
51 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Escape Into the Night | Lois Walfrid Johnson
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Pickpick

I originally read these back in the early 90s when they were being published and I was close to the same age as the middle grade protagonists. Libby has been living with her aunt and uncle since her mother passed away, but now her dad, a steamboat captain on the Mississippi in 1857, thinks she is old enough to come live with him again. Libby learns about the evils of slavery (a topic she's never thought deeply about) and finds out that the cabin ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) boy is a conductor for the Underground Railroad. This is the first book in the series - they'll spend the books helping a young slave their age rescue his mother and siblings from slavery, all while eluding his exceptionally evil owner. While not groundbreaking, these are good “starter“ books to introduce some concepts. I remember enjoying them as a kid, although they're pretty predictable as an adult haha Soft pick. 3w
TheSpineView Well done! 3w
sblbooks This looks good! You should join us for #middlegrademarch. 2w
49 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Magic Strikes | Ilona Andrews
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Pickpick

I'm enjoying these way too much haha Fun concept, engaging characters, and secondary characters that I remember from book to book.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#100YearsofBooks
#GottaCatchEmAll - Set Someplace You Don't Live @PuddleJumper

TheSpineView Fantastic! 3w
40 likes1 comment
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TheAromaofBooks
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Panpan

I'm a sucker for kids' books from the 50s and 60s, but this one was a dud. I don't mind a young character being kind of not-smart/ignorant so that the reader can learn alongside of them, but the girl in this book was so stupid that I worried for her overall survival into adulthood. I think it was supposed to be funny? But it was just annoying lol

#Roll100 @PuddleJumper
#100YearsofBooks
#BookSpinBingo

dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 3w
44 likes1 comment
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TheAromaofBooks
This post contains spoilers
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(thru 2.20) Whew! A lot has been happening both in my life and in Evelina's!!!

First off, I'm so mad that her grandma can just swoop in and lug her off to London against her will! That feels so ridiculous, but it's also so telling of how little agency women - especially young ones - had at the time. I'm impressed buy how E is maturing and starting to get better at standing up for herself. Her cousins are so dreadful! And Mr. Smith! Sheesh. ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) Then this whole secondary plot with the young fellow who almost killed himself! Today's chapter was his explanatory letter to E - am I reading this right; he fell in love with his half-sister?! Talk about some drama!

E only has two weeks left to suffer through London, but I have this sneaking feeling that her grandma is still going to find a way to get her to France to confront E's douchey dad.
3w
BarkingMadRead That was so irritating, I am NOT a fan of gramma, she annoys me! 3w
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Librarybelle It is incredible how horrid these people are. You‘re so right that it shows Evelina has no agency of her own to have to go with her grandmother, against her will, and hang out with the cousins. Ugh! Poor Evelina. 3w
rubyslippersreads I‘m thinking this book must have been quite shocking when it was published, what with the whole accidental incest thing and all. 😳 (edited) 2w
TheAromaofBooks @rubyslippersreads - Right?! I thought the almost-suicide was already pretty edgy, then when we found out the details... !!!!!! 2w
18 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Sorry, this book title cracked me up 😂 Forget the lottery, friends - come play March Madness AKA #BookSpin with me next month instead!!

If you'd like to play along, now is the time to be getting your list together!! I can't believe that we're almost done with February already!

Link to How This Challenge Works (can also always be found in my profile) - https://thearomaofbooks.wordpress.com/bookspin-bookspinbingo-litsy-challenge/

⬇ ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) Remember, every Spin you read counts as en entry for my end-of-the-year giveaway!! But ONLY if you track it!! Here's the link - https://forms.gle/Cb63LhTodq5CoRhHA - you can track as you go through the year, or all post them all at once in December, whatever works for you!!

Thanks so much for reading along with me. As always, let me know if you have any questions. I'll be back next Saturday with the picks and a fresh bingo board!!
3w
See All 36 Comments
DGRachel How can it already be time for the March list? 😭😭😭 3w
Librarybelle Hooray! I have to think about my list! 3w
Elizabeth2 Gah! Is it time already. 😂 3w
TheSpineView I'm ready! ❤️📖📚 3w
Lcsmcat I‘ll get my list together! 3w
BarkingMadRead I made my list yesterday!! 3w
CoffeeNBooks I was just getting ready to post my list this morning! 3w
BookmarkTavern Yay! I just started thinking about this yesterday! 3w
Bookwormjillk Lol love that book title. At least I won‘t lose money on #Bookspin 3w
vonnie862 It's madness all right. I'll get my list together. 3w
kelli7990 I want to play next month. I need to make a list and my Bingo board. 3w
JackOBotts I was thinking about this when I woke up this morning! 🤣📚 3w
bookandbedandtea I'm pretty sure my list is ready 🧡 3w
Deblovestoread Woo hoo! Will get my list posted before the 2nd. 💜 3w
BeeCurious Yay! 👍 I posted my list yesterday. 🙂📚 3w
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I started thinking about it yesterday. One of the library books I was going to snag suddenly has a 7 person wait list! Whoops! Time to pivot & plan ahead. 3w
willaful @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'm afraid that's going to happen to me as well. I pre-emptively put holds on the book but it might be wishful thinking. 3w
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @willaful I am trying to read more from what I own, but for a challenge, there's a K-Pop prompt that I most definitely don't own. I think the library highlighted the book and it suddenly has a list. I have time to get to it, but it just won't be during South Korea month with Food & Lit. I need to look ahead for a few others now. 3w
PuddleJumper Where did February go?!? 3w
Bookzombie I was just thinking about this yesterday. I can‘t believe it‘s nearly March. 3w
jessicamichelle This month flew by! 3w
Crazeedi My list is posted early for a change!! 3w
RainyDayReading How is it already almost March!!! 3w
SpookyMazeOfBooks I'm in for March 3w
114 likes36 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Last Word: A Novel | Taylor Adams
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Hey friends, here are a few options... I have roughly half a million more, so if none of these suit, I'll post another batch 😂 Let me know what you think!! #LMPBC
@Jerdencon @robinb @bookandbedandtea

bookandbedandtea I've read The Writing Retreat but the others sound good. 3w
Jerdencon All sound good - but if I had to pick one I‘d say I have some questions for you. (edited) 3w
robinb I am good with any of these! 👍 Do you have a preference, Sarah? 3w
See All 8 Comments
TheAromaofBooks I say let's go with I Have Some Questions for You, since @Jerdencon is the only one who expressed a preference 😂 These are ALL on my TBR, so I'm excited to tackle any of them!! @robinb @bookandbedandtea 3w
TheAromaofBooks @Jerdencon @robinb @bookandbedandtea - Okay, so I have us down for Paula - Murder on the Tracks; Robin - The Recovery Agent; and Denise - Fragile. Does that sound right? Also, do we want to mail in the order we signed up this time (Sarah>Paula>Denise>Robin) or the our original order (Sarah>Paula>Robin>Denise)? 3w
bookandbedandtea Our books all sound good. I vote for mailing in our original order. 3w
Jerdencon Looks good! I‘m good with the original order too. 3w
robinb Original order works for me! 👍 3w
44 likes8 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Family Upstairs | Lisa Jewell
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Pickpick

Okay, last review for this morning. Another mixed-feelings read. I did like this one, although it's more “can't look away from the upcoming train wreck“ than it is thriller. There were a few things that just didn't jive for me. But the pacing was good - Jewell has a definite knack for making me think I should read just another chapter... or five. However, I'm not sure I'll pick up the sequel.

#Roll100 @PuddleJumper
#BookChain
#BookSpinBingo

Librarybelle On my to read list! 4w
See All 9 Comments
TheLudicReader The sequel is garbage. You won‘t be missing anything if you don‘t read it, especially since you didn‘t love this one. 4w
TheAromaofBooks @TheLudicReader - That's what I gathered from other reviews - worth reading if you thought this book was really great, maybe not so much if you felt ambivalent towards this one. And since I'm in the latter category... I just went and found some spoilers instead 😂 3w
TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - Do you have a copy? I'd love to send you mine if you don't!! 3w
TheLudicReader I actually loved this one @TheAromaofBooks and the sequel was a big disappointment. 3w
Librarybelle I do have a copy! I think I heard her talk about it virtually and bought it from the bookstore sponsoring the talk. Thanks for the offer! 3w
MatchlessMarie Awesome! I started this one last year I think but it‘s in what I call library purgatory now 😂 might need to return to the train wreck at some point this year lol 3w
77 likes9 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Magic Burns | Ilona Andrews
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Pickpick

I enjoyed the second book even more than the first. I'm getting better at skimming over the gory bits 😂 Basically, I love every character in this series. Even the sketchy ones. The concept for this world is so creative and engaging.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#100YearsofBooks (2008)
#GottaCatchEmAll - Woman in Charge @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo

TheSpineView Awesome! 4w
LiseWorks Great series 4w
ravenlee I recently started a reread using the Graphic Audio of the first book, and it‘s so fun! I was so excited to find it on Hoopla. 4w
54 likes3 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
The Mystery at Lilac Inn | Carolyn Keene
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Pickpick

Nancy Drew, Girl Wonder, can do it all!! Even scuba dive!! 😂 Guys, I love these books. Rereading them has been FABULOUS. Thank you for hosting @Librarybelle !!!

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#ISpyBingo - Flowers, Blonde
#FourFoursin24 - Floral Laurel @lauredhel
#GottaCatchEmAll - Flowers @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo

65 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Upgrade: A Novel | Blake Crouch
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Pickpick

I had mixed feelings about this one. Overall, it was engaging and interesting, but the pacing felt off sometimes. I also didn't care for the ending exactly (spoiler below). The author also seemed to feel like he had to mention that climate change is killing everyone on basically every page. Okay, I get it already. Sheesh. Still a fun thriller and I can see myself trying Crouch again sometime. Soft pick.

TheAromaofBooks Literally the entire book is telling us about how genetic engineering is sketchy and has unintended results, yet his solution was... genetic engineering?! Releasing a “virus“ out into the world without telling anyone or giving them option?? “it's a good virus that makes everyone a better person!!!“ ... a good option you've known about for like 2 seconds have no idea what the long-term results are?? It just felt SO hypocritical! 4w
Zuhkeeyah @TheAromaofBooks I had a similar issue with the ending. After decrying all the manipulation mankind is doing…he goes and does he same. It was still a fun read though. 4w
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julieclair Yay! Glad you have read it, and are now sending out into the world to find a new owner. 😆 4w
bookandbedandtea I had the exact same thoughts at the end! How hypocritical and irresponsible! 3w
MatchlessMarie 💯❤️ 3w
64 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Past Perfect Life | Elizabeth Eulberg
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Pickpick

Sometimes the problem with a book is your expectations going into it. The blurb made this book sound thriller-y. It's not. Ally DOES find out that her whole past is different from what she thought, but we know right away why, who, and how. This is really a book about her adjusting to that and working through the complications of knowing she's been lied to for so long. I liked Ally and felt like she was realistic. Her mom, however. Oof. Soft pick.

51 likes1 comment
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TheAromaofBooks
The Elusive Pimpernel | Baroness Orczy
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Pickpick

I'm slowly making my way through all the Pimpernel books in chronological order. They're definitely rather same-y, which is why they're fun to read about once every couple of months 😂 This one was a little slow on action and a little long on everyone contemplating potential action, but I still enjoy the absolutely ridiculous melodrama. Published 1908. If you're looking for some fist-shaking villains and a hero who would rather die with honor ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) than live without it!!!! - then you should check out this series. Definitely start with the original, though.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#WickedWords - Letters @AsYouWish
#GottaCatchEmAll - Set During a War @PuddleJumper
4w
TheSpineView Fantastic! 4w
bookandbedandtea I looove the original book (for the melodrama!) but have never read any of the rest of the series; you're inspiring me to seek them out. 3w
TheAromaofBooks @bookandbedandtea - They are definitely similar in vibe. I've been reading them in chronological rather than published order, so I've already read Sir Percy Leads the Band, I Will Repay (which didn't seem to have as much Pimpernel??), and The League of the Pimpernel (short stories). They can be a little repetitive, so I'm spreading them out. 😂 3w
49 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Wolf Gone Wild | Juliette Cross
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Pickpick

100% stacked this book originally because of that fabulous cover. Gifted to me back in 2022 for a Swoonathon Swap by @Nessavamusic it only took me two years to read it, so not bad! 😂 I really liked the characters and world-building in this one, the group of badass magical sisters - great fun. I did read the next few books in the series, but didn't like them quite as well. It felt like they got more focused on the spice and less focused on ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) on story. Plus, I believe demons are real and evil, so whenever paranormal world-building decides to throw in “demons are actually sweet and misunderstood“... I'm pretty much out lol

But this first book was just great fun if you're looking for sexy paranormal nonsense.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#ReadtheUSA2024 - Louisiana
#ISpyBingo - Moon, Paw Prints, Cat
#GottaCatchEmAll - Guilty Pleasure @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo
4w
TheSpineView Fabulous! 4w
Traci1 Love that cover 4w
Nessavamusic A very fun book. So glad you enjoyed it @TheAromaofBooks ! 3w
60 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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I'm going on a bit of a review binge this morning. Sorry for the spam! 😂

I read this series back in 2019-2020, and loved every page of every book, so I'm rereading them!! My original review of this book said that it was like being wrapped in a loaf of warm, homemade bread, which is kind of a mixed metaphor, but you get my point. It's cozy, wholesome, and delicious. I think this book is practically perfect. All the stars.

51 likes2 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Across the Miles | Lucy Maud Montgomery
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Well, the time has come - #LMPBC is going to be retired! 😢 I'll miss this, but everything has its season. I've created a group for mystery/thrillers, there are other options also open, and plenty of slots if you want to create your own group as well, so check out the sign-up sheet and come read along!!

bit.ly/3wioA8a

Thank you so much for hosting @suvata !!

Clare-Dragonfly Oh, no! Now I‘ll never live my dream of having True Crime (on the) Group W (bench) 😔😂 4w
Bookwormjillk @Clare-Dragonfly lol 4w
TheAromaofBooks @bookandbedandtea @robinb @Jerdencon - Yay!!! I'm so excited to be reading with you all again!! I'll have to rummage about for some choices for the next round. I enjoyed all our picks this past round - I'm halfway through Celine and LOVING it!! 4w
bookandbedandtea @TheAromaofBooks @robinb @Jerdencon I'm so glad we're going to be reading together again! I'm going to come up with some ideas this weekend. 4w
43 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
This post contains spoilers
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(thru 2.5) My word, Book 2 has started with quite the swirl of events!

First off, I literally can't get my head around Captain Mirvan. Is this man insane?! What is his deal!?!? What a psychopath! There's just no other word for someone who delights in tormenting someone else like this. Ugh.

Today's letters were also quite the bombardment of emotion. That letter from E's father was - whew. Cold.

What do you think of Mr. Villars? His letters ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) present him as a kindly old gentleman, wanting the best for E, but Madame Duval and E's father do seem united in their portrayal of him as a bad guy - although I'm not sure exactly why?? Because he took in E's mother when she had been abandoned by them both???

I'm enjoying the actual story of this book, but laboring through the passages of teasing and torturing Madame Duval I find very wearing.
1mo
BarkingMadRead My copy isn‘t separated into books. The pages also aren‘t numbered 🤣 anyway….. this thing with the Captain is super disturbing! I‘m thinking the Rev is a nice old man and the other two don‘t like him because he knows their truth. Just a theory, though! 1mo
See All 12 Comments
Librarybelle Captain Mirvan is horrible! I think there is nothing wrong with Villars…the others are stirring up trouble, not wishing to admit any wrongdoing on their part all of those years ago. 1mo
AnneCecilie I have no words for the Captain, how could he not only put Madame Duval through that, but also Evelina. And what about the man that claims to be courting? @BarkingMadRead same. So I‘m interested in seeing how my reading goes with just the chapters to guide me. @Librarybelle I think you‘re on to something, I have a feeling we don‘t know the entire truth about what happened in the past 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly I agree with everyone else! And my copy doesn‘t have chapters either so I don‘t know how behind I am 😅 Sir Clement is such a creep! I‘m glad Mrs. Mirvan warned Evelina against asking him for a favor. He would have tried to wrangle much more out of her than she wanted to give. 4w
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead @Librarybelle @AnneCecilie @Clare-Dragonfly - So are your letters not labeled at all??? My book isn't divided into chapters, but each letter is labeled “Letter One“ “Letter Two“ etc. And then then book is divided into three parts. Now I feel bad for creating a schedule apparently no one can follow but me 😂 4w
Librarybelle Mine are labeled by letter! Isn‘t that funny how the editions are different? But, your schedule corresponds to my edition, at least. 4w
BarkingMadRead Mine are labeled by letter but there are no parts. It is all just one long group of letters. It‘s also got no printing on the spine and no page numbers. Definitely low class 🤣🤣🤣 4w
AnneCecilie The letters are numbered, but there‘s no volumes. So I try to remember how many letters to read 4w
Clare-Dragonfly Mine are labeled with Roman numerals, but the book isn‘t divided into parts. The brusque letter from Dad is letter XXXV. I‘m using Serial Reader so I‘m just reading along with its schedule now! 4w
rubyslippersreads Mr. Villars seems almost too good to be true. Captain Mirvan is a jerk. 2w
18 likes12 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

While not a perfect book, this one still packs a punch over 150 years later. As a story, there are times where the narrative bogs down a little while Stowe allows her characters to converse/debate about different aspects of the slavery system. There are a few too many coincidences, especially at the very end. And obviously there are aspects, even from Stowe's forward-thinking-for-her-time perspective that still don't sit right with modern readers⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont‘d) But the flip side of that is a gripping tale, showing many of the layers and complexities of slavery, all while following the fortunes of a man trying his hardest to live his life as a good man and a good Christian. Stowe is biased, but up front about those biases: she believes slavery to be evil on every level; she‘s strongly religious; and she sees no possibility of Christians being able to Biblically justify the system. ⬇ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) That‘s the whole reason she wrote her book, and she methodically addresses many of the defenses given for slavery at the time by providing examples of the inherent evils of the system, appealing to the shared humanity between us all. This book had me in tears more than once. A beautiful, heartwrenching story that, despite so much sadness and despair, still managed to leave me feeling hopeful and inspired. ⬇ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) For those of you who have been reading along with me, how did you feel about the ending? Any final thoughts to share? I was intrigued to read about how so many of Stowe‘s stories were based on real life, including Eliza‘s dash across the ice floes! Thank you all so much for reading this with me. It was wonderful to revisit this one after so many years, and hearing all of your thoughts really enriched the experience for me. ❤ 1mo
See All 23 Comments
Librarybelle Well said! There‘s so much to unpack in this one. I think too, out of so many books published in that time, this is still being published and discussed. That‘s a testament to its staying power. 1mo
Librarybelle And the ending…I think she had in mind to end it the way she did, just to show the degrees of slavery but also the evidence of hope and how some born in a slave society could potentially change their minds. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - I completely agree!! I actually think George Shelby's decision to free everyone worked well with his character and was a natural development. The coincidences that had me a little side eyes were more that Cassy happens to be Eliza's mother and the woman on the boat happens to be (slave) George's sister and George S, who happens to know where everyone is, happens to be on the same boat haha But it worked for tying everything up. 1mo
BarkingMadRead There were far too many coincidences in the end, and I‘m not mad about it. This was heartbreaking, and I couldn‘t put it down 1mo
Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks Yes! It was like she had to add some sort of coincidental HEA ending after the tragic death of Tom. 1mo
CogsOfEncouragement Reading with a Christian point of view, since she was a Christian author, I thought she made Uncle Tom a missionary at both places he was sold to. Tom went to death in peace knowing he was a good and faithful servant. George showing up in time to say goodbye and bury him was a blessing for such a servant. Cassy was also a Christian (who has a prodigal son arc due to her horrific abuse) & is blessed with freedom/reunion to her family. I feel Stowe 1mo
CogsOfEncouragement made her black characters more human to readers that needed convincing by giving them a happy conclusion in which to take action. They deeply loved and cared for their family. They were forgiving. They sought out education. They looked for ways to help others. They chose where to live based on serving others. 1mo
TheBookHippie @TheAromaofBooks I had problems with the religiosity, naive at times on her part- in my opinion, but I understand why she wrote this way and the end was tidy- if you‘re searching for hope and trying to show it -this was the only way to end the story. She wrote the right book for the right time. To get people to think. It was good to reread this. I thank you for pushing us. I‘d not remembered much of it from college. 1mo
mrp27 Thank you for hosting! I failed to keep up with a chapter a day but this finally got me to pick up the book. I do hope to finish it. 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly @Librarybelle Yes! I felt like I could accept the coincidences because they sort of balanced out the coincidental deaths 😆 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly I was really glad to see George in the end really doing the right thing and freeing his slaves. It feels sort of selfish to want to see that, though—wanting to see a decent white person after all those awful ones (there were the Quakers who helped Eliza and George, but they felt far away by that point). 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - I was so glad that Cassy was able to find some closure and healing at the end. It can never erase the horrific injustice and abuse she suffered, but she did find peace eventually. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie - I definitely think that Stowe was especially angered by complacency and hypocrisy she saw in churches/Christians around her, at a time when most people attended church, even if it was just socially. So for her this was a twofold challenge: she shows them an exemplary example of Christianity - except he is a slave, not a white man - and then shows them repeatedly that the evils of slavery can NOT be brought into harmony with true ⬇ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) Christian beliefs. In some ways, it's a narrow audience window, but I think that it is an audience that was much wider at the time she was writing. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly - I think she was once again emphasizing that even one person can make a difference, a start, in turning the tide. So it's definitely both an encouragement and once again a challenge. 1mo
TheBookHippie @TheAromaofBooks I agree. It‘s of the time. 1mo
UwannaPublishme Harriet once said, “There is more done with pens than with swords.” I love this quote because her words sure did shake up the world then. And she‘s still shaking us awake! Her writing style was over the top and a little too tidy at times, but she did what she needed to do so her voice would be heard. I applaud her for standing strong in her convictions. Thanks Sarah for hosting this buddy read and everyone for sharing all your thoughts. 1mo
UwannaPublishme It was a much richer and deeper reading experience for me. And I can finally take this classic off my TBR list. 😊 1mo
ChelseaM6010 Well said + thank you for hosting! 🙂 4w
72 likes23 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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March's #RandomClassic is Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. I've never read this one, but I'm anticipating something similar to his other novels - quite a lot of rollicking adventures meant to appeal to young lads in the 1880s, with a splash of history thrown in. There are 30 chapters, so we'll read a chapter a day starting March 1 and actually finish by the end of the month for once!!

Let me know if you're interested in reading this one!!

BarkingMadRead I‘m in! 1mo
CatLass007 Please include me. 1mo
See All 19 Comments
Librarybelle I think I‘m going to pass on the next two months, but will be back in May! 1mo
Lcsmcat Count me in please. 1mo
TheBookHippie I‘m out for March! See you in April! 1mo
Read4life I‘m in. It‘s time to give it another shot! 1mo
Crazeedi The Robe is such a great book I read in 6th grade, the librarian let me read from the teachers library 1mo
julieclair I‘m in! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @Crazeedi - I read it many years ago and remember loving it. It's been on my reread list for quite some time, so I was excited when it came up on the draw haha it's not for everyone, but I remember finding it gripping. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead @CatLass007 @julieclair @Lcsmcat @Read4life - Woohoo, have you all down for Kidnapped in March!! 1mo
Crazeedi @TheAromaofBooks it wouldn't be for everyone, but it was so good for an 11 year old girl! 1mo
ChelseaM6010 I‘m in for March! 4w
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead @CatLass007 @julieclair @Lcsmcat @Read4life @ChelseaM6010 - Okay, so now I'm a little paranoid since I found out my copy of Evelina isn't labeled/divided the same as other editions - does EVERYONE have 30 chapters in their copy of Kidnapped?? 😂 4w
BarkingMadRead I will check 🤣 4w
Lcsmcat @TheAromaofBooks Mine has 30 chapters. 4w
Read4life Mine has 30. 4w
BarkingMadRead Mine has 30…. 4w
julieclair There are 30 chapters in my Serial Reader version, spread out over 34 “issues”. But the chapters are clearly marked, so it will be easy for me to just read one whole chapter per day. 4w
61 likes1 stack add19 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru Letter 1.31) - And so ends Volume 1!! I've overall enjoyed this book, but the passages where Evelina is recounting arguments between the Captain and Madame Duval tend to wear on me. They're both SO dreadful. But I'm definitely interested to see where this story goes next!!

Tomorrow and Friday are catch-up days for anyone who may be behind. Letter 2.1 is very short, and 2.2 rather long, so I combined them both across two days ⬇

Librarybelle Yay!! It‘s fun revisiting this one! 1mo
janeycanuck The audio I have doesn‘t number the letters AND the chapters break randomly so I‘m flying by the seat of my pants. I think I‘m close to the end of volume 1, I‘m quite enjoying it! 1mo
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AnneCecilie I‘m enjoying myself and interested in seeing where this is going. But the men and Mrs Duval are pushing my patience at times. 1mo
Daisey So, I read the first few days and then completely got behind! I‘m trying to finish another book before it returns to the library so I can focus on catching up with this one this weekend. 1mo
rubyslippersreads I‘m happy to have a couple of catch-up days. 1mo
ChelseaM6010 I‘ve fallen so far behind on this one! Life + illness got in the way of it. Will do my best to catch up 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly I‘m a little behind (Serial Reader had me a little ahead at first so I held back, but I guess I shouldn‘t have) so glad for the catch-up days! I agree regarding the Captain and Mrs. Duval… 1mo
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TheAromaofBooks
Together We Burn | Isabel Ibaez
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Mehso-so

This one was a disappointment. Look at that gorgeous cover!! The premise sounded so interesting - an AU Spain where people fight dragons instead of bulls. But the pacing was just terrible and the world-building scattered. I clocked the villain the second he appeared. I dragged myself through this one, hoping that it was going to get better, and it just never did. I've enjoyed other books by this author, but this one didn't click for me.

PuddleJumper Aww that sucks 1mo
peanutnine That's a bummer. It definitely has an interesting premise 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @PuddleJumper @peanutnine - I will say this book has received many positive reviews, so maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace for it!! 1mo
62 likes4 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
This post contains spoilers
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(thru ch41) Wow. I just. I'm so glad George made it in time to say his goodbyes, but what a heartbreaking ending for Uncle Tom! As a Christian, I can't tell you how inspiring Tom's faith truly is.

I originally read this book back in high school. Over the years, I've heard the term “Uncle Tom“ used derisively to basically describe people willing to pander, especially in situations where race dynamics are in play. I didn't remember Tom as a weak ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) character at all, but figured maybe I just wasn't remembering him clearly, or that my (white) teenage brain didn't register his true attitude. During this reread, though, I've been puzzled. I don't think Tom comes across as weak or pandering ever. He stands strong for his beliefs, and times that he “knuckles under“ to his owners are virtually all to protect someone else, like his acceptance of being sold away from his family at the ⬇ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) beginning of the book.

So it was with interest that I read this interview from NPR. It's from back in 2008, but I was genuinely intrigued to see this perspective, how Uncle Tom's story and character were basically stolen and twisted during a time when if someone wanted to make a play out of a book, they could do it without permission or approval from the author. ⬇
1mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) How horrible must it have been for Stowe to see her hero so misrepresented?? Let me know your thoughts - https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93059468

Only a few chapters left. Isn't Cassy's plan absurdly clever? It would take some serious nerve to do what she's doing!
1mo
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Librarybelle It was definitely twisted and misrepresented in some circles. What a powerful political piece! 1mo
Deblovestoread An interesting article. I knew there was some negative connotation attached to the novel but not the particulars. While I struggle with my faith or lack thereof, I admired Tom so much. His quiet strength to do the right thing always. I saw no weakness just surety in his belief of a better place. 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly I had been wondering about the “Uncle Tom” term, too—the character doesn‘t seem to fit it at all, though it upsets me that he says all he wanted at the end of his life was to see George, though he left a wife and children and is not reunited with him in life. Thanks for sharing the NPR piece—I‘ll listen to it soon. 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly Cassy is a stone cold badass! I love her! 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly Having listened to the NPR piece, it seems like the plays just took the Uncle Tom name and created a whole different character?! No wonder he has such a bad reputation. 1mo
UwannaPublishme Tom‘s unwavering faith and his loyalty to help protect Cassy and Emmeline amid all that senseless brutality moved me beyond words. Hard to believe and utterly appalling and heartbreaking that underhanded marketing and greed robbed Tom (and Harriet) of his true nature and character. Ugh… 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly - I think for Tom, seeing George meant that his family hadn't forgotten him or their promises to him, and that is why it meant so much, not necessarily that he cared more about George than his wife and children or that he wouldn't have preferred to see them. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle @Deblovestoread @Clare-Dragonfly @UwannaPublishme - I was just so intrigued by that article! Another case of the book being better than the movie/play 😂 But it seriously did explain to me why Uncle Tom has become such a derivative term, when the original character is actually the exact opposite of weak and pandering. He's a powerful character in this book at a time when basically no one would have expected a black person to have ⬇ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) what were considered to be “white“ traits - noble, self-sacrificing, heroic, protective, etc. 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly @TheAromaofBooks That‘s a good point—I‘ll try to think of it that way! I do hope we get to find out how his family fares in the end. 1mo
14 likes13 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
Uncle Tom's Cabin (Enriched Classic) | Harriet Beecher Stowe
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(thru ch37) - I'm SO glad we finally got to see what happened with George and Eliza!! In a way it was a little anticlimactic after all the action from earlier, but I was glad to see things go smoothly.
⬇ ⬇

TheAromaofBooks “What is freedom to a nation, but freedom to the individuals in it?... To your fathers, freedom was the right of a nation to be a nation. To [George], it is the right of a man to be a man & not a brute; the right to call the wife of his bosom his wife, & to protect her from lawless violence; the right to protect & educate his child; the right to have a home of his own, a religion of his own, a character of his own, unsubject to the will of another 1mo
TheBookHippie Exactly. And WHEW. 1mo
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BarbaraJean Yesterday I saw that today‘s chapter went back to the George and Eliza storyline, and I HAD to read it then! Such a relief after the turns the rest of the book has taken!! 1mo
CogsOfEncouragement I wondered how it was decided to place this chapter here. It certainly doesn‘t fit in the timeline. Was it to give us a break from the despair for a moment? 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean - SUCH a relief. It makes me want to do some more reading about what happened with slaves who made it to Canada. Were there groups of people there willing to help them get on their feet? Where did they stay? After the war, did any of them come back to the States? I don't really know much about that part of history. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - It did feel a little random. I get the impression that Stowe is getting ready to ramp up to a big conclusion, so I guess she wanted to tuck this in where it wouldn't disrupt the flow of the final chapters. But it also felt like we could have had this chapter much earlier, before multiple years had passed in the Uncle Tom timeline. 1mo
UwannaPublishme After those harrowing chapters with Tom, I was relieved to finally learn about Eliza and George too. WHEW is right! 1mo
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru Letter 16) Oh my WORD, what is WITH Captain Mirvan?! I can hardly believe how dreadful and rude he is! Reading these last couple of letters has been torturous for my secondhand embarrassment! 😂 If I had been Mrs. M. I would NOT have rushed up to London to see this guy!!

I'm a little perplexed by what Madam Duval hopes to gain. I'm assuming money, somehow??

Librarybelle The Captain is such comedy fodder! I cannot believe that someone of his rank would behave in such a way publicly, yet Burney must be making some sort of point with it. As for Willoughby…OMG! The guy is just too much, and my creep vibes go off every time he gets near Evelina. 1mo
Clare-Dragonfly Goodness gracious, what a jerk! And the French stranger was such a jerk back to him that I guessed a few pages early what her name might be 😂 Maybe she really feels bad about how she neglected her daughter and is hoping to make up for it? Or is hoping for the appearance of making up for it… 1mo
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BarkingMadRead Yikes, he‘s a disaster! 1mo
TheBookHippie 😵‍💫 I keep saying it wouldn‘t be written IF it wasn‘t true of someone the writer witnessed- which is probably so 😵‍💫 YIKES. 1mo
AnneCecilie There‘s several terrible characters here, the Captain, Willoughby and the French guy. My first thought when I saw the name Willoughby was that‘s a character in Sense and Sensibility too, wonder if Austen was inspired? 1mo
55 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Friends, I have searched for literal years for a tool that would let me organize and track my ridiculously huge personal library. This app is AMAZING. It does everything I want and more!! I bragged about it at length (with screenshots) on my recent blog post - https://thearomaofbooks.wordpress.com/2024/02/06/random-post-the-bookshelf-app/ - Just in case any of you are looking for something similar. I've entered over 500 books so far. And while ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) there is a paid Pro upgrade, everything I need is available in the Free version. I can't recommend it highly enough!! 1mo
Meshell1313 Sounds amazing!!! 1mo
monkeygirlsmama Must check this out! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 1mo
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CoffeeNBooks Looks great! Thanks for sharing this!! 1mo
mjtwo Had a quick glance and I agree with your assessment - this seems to be perfect for cataloguing home libraries. I also like to keep track of why I bought a book (ie Booker longlist, NYT, recommendation) and the tag system is perfect. 1mo
mabell This sounds fabulous! (I have a few Robin Kanes too 😄) 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @mjtwo - It's just such a user-friendly option that still lets me enter a lot of random details that I want to know. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @mabell - Of course you do 😂 I think there were only six, so I have all of them. They aren't exactly AMAZING, but I was sooo drawn to the horses when I was growing up, and for some reason I just love the artwork on those covers, so I'll never get rid of them haha 1mo
bookandbedandtea Thanks for the recommendation. I've been wanting a way to organize my huge kindle library and have been wishing for a tagging system (why can't Amazon build that in?? 😫) and this sounds great! 1mo
CatLass007 I found an app called iCollect. It allows me to catalog my books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl. I got rid of my 8-tracks years ago, but somewhere I still have a large collection of The Capitol Steps audio cassettes. At this time I am deaccessioning my library because I downsized to a house of my own instead of my parents‘ house, where I lived and cared for them. I‘m keeping what I would call coffee table books, graphic novels, crochet and other (cont)⬇️ 1mo
CatLass007 craft books. There still are some books that are not available in audio format with which I don‘t want to part. 1mo
CatLass007 Thanks for sharing! I plan to check it out to see if it does more than the app I‘m using. 1mo
CatLass007 I have 332 books already catalogued in the app I use. I really need to get more unpacking done so I can add the rest. I have made a small dent in my CDs and DVDs as well. I think I‘m going to think about the app you posted about but I probably will not switch. I was noticing that I had downloaded a number of apps to catalog books and did some experimenting to see which I preferred. This was several years ago. (edited) 1mo
Karkar Libib also is a good app and I have all our books movies and cds in it. We have over 2000 in it so far. If those would like to try it. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @bookandbedandtea - Amazon's lack of Kindle organization is just sooo stressful to me! I know you can sort them into folders, but that's time consuming and clunky. I'm working on my physical books first, but I'm really excited about adding my Kindle books, too. I'm hoping to eventually be using this database to pull books for challenge prompts and the like, so that should make the Kindle books more a part of system!! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @CatLass007 @Karkar - There are so many different options out there, so it's always exciting when you find the one that “clicks“ and fits your situation the best!! 1mo
jessicamichelle I‘ve used Calibre for many years and I love it. 💜 Just sharing another alternative. There‘s a slight learning curve, but it‘s the most versatile one I‘ve found. (it‘s for personal computers, but there are companion mobile apps that can sync to it). (edited) 1mo
UwannaPublishme Great info. Gotta check this out! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @jessicamichelle - Oooo thanks for the info! I'm always interested in options that I can work with on my computer - I'm much better with an actual keyboard than I am with my phone! 😂 1mo
IndoorDame This looks great! It does seem excessive to add a 3rd book cataloging apps, plus Litsy and ALL my reading apps, but they all do something different 😂 I‘m definitely going to try this out! It looks perfect! And I really don‘t have anything that does this, so I‘m constantly trying to shelf read my own house to figure out if I own something which makes me feel ridiculous 1mo
73 likes20 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru Letter 13) Okay, honestly this book has been pretty adorable so far. While Evelina is borderline-annoyingly young, she still seems genuinely sweet. I was about ready to throttle that obnoxious jerk who kept following her around at the assembly! Oh my WORD!

I caught a glimpse of the heading for tomorrow's letter, though, and it doesn't look like Evelina is heading back to the country as soon as she hoped!!

Clare-Dragonfly I am enjoying this so far, though it feels very slow! I like Evelina‘s naïveté and how she is able to laugh—she makes a good narrator for those of us who are similarly unfamiliar with the social rules of her place and time. (edited) 1mo
TheBookHippie It is sweet, but I‘m enjoying it quite a bit! 1mo
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Deblovestoread I'm liking it so far. All the rules that were in place at that time would be hard to navigate exorbitant if you didn't have a clue. 1mo
rubyslippersreads I‘m really enjoying this. But does anyone else see Berry Hill and read it as Beverly Hills? 🤣 1mo
BarkingMadRead That guy at the assemble was so obnoxious and she is so sweet! 1mo
57 likes6 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru ch34) Honestly, I don't even have words for the direction this story has taken. The story Cassy told today was just heartbreaking. A “quadroon“, as I'm sure you all know, is a (now obsolete/offensive) term for someone who was 3/4 white and 1/4 black, but that 1/4 was all that mattered. And we knew what was going to happen to poor Emmeline but the dark hints we're getting - and she's only 15...!!!!

I so admire Uncle Tom for his strength and⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) his faith. He's literally willing to be martyred for his beliefs. Beyond the story of the evils of slavery, Uncle Tom's faith in the face of indescribable pain and injustice is both inspiring and somewhat daunting - my life is about 5000 times easier, but I seem to find plenty to whine about!

I'm so eager to find out how this story ends (not confident it's going to be happy), and are we EVER going to hear about what happened with ⬇
1mo
BarkingMadRead I miss George and Eliza! I have hopes for Legree, none of them good for him 🤣 1mo
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CogsOfEncouragement Hard reading about a (based on truth) character that used up people and didn‘t care because he could just buy more. I was thinking about George and Eliza too, and figured if we don‘t hear about them again, we are to assume they got to freedom. I understand Stowe would not want to give any more clues about the underground railroad than she maybe already did. 1mo
Deblovestoread Tom is so strong in his faith when he has every reason not to be. 1mo
BarbaraJean I don‘t know what I expected about where this story would go—but I didn‘t expect it would get so dark. I think the early sections with George and Eliza made me think it would be more of an inspiring escape story—wishful thinking on my part, no doubt! I see why Stowe had to show the despair that is narrated here, but even Tom desperately, barely hanging on to his faith is absolutely heartbreaking. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead - Why can't HE die young and unexpectedly!? 😂 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - You know, I hadn't really thought about the fact that the Underground Railroad was actually operating when Stowe wrote her book (even though it's kind of obvious haha) That's a great point!! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @Deblovestoread - There have been so many good passages in this book about faith and suffering and their ability to coexist. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean - I think Stowe has done such an amazing job taking the reader through different aspects of slavery/slave owners. Despite the titular character, it feels like this story has been more about women/mothers. I wonder if she anticipated more women reading her book than men, since a woman was writing it? 1mo
BarkingMadRead @CogsOfEncouragement so true! It was nice to see it in action in a book of that time, regardless. I wish it wasn‘t such a small part of it, but it makes sense as well 1mo
BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks She really has. I‘m impressed at all the perspectives on slavery she includes, so naturally—and she absolutely takes down each one. I do think she had a woman reader in mind (especially given her direct address to mothers in one of the early chapters). The story largely follows Tom, but he encounters so many women/mothers along the way. I wonder if there will be more significance to the “cabin” or if we will ever get back to it! 1mo
47 likes12 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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(thru letter 3) Well, we're off to an intriguing start. I had to pay close attention to get some of these people sorted - at first I didn't realize that Madame Duval was the grandmother and I got confused 😂 But now we have the tragic background squared away. Somehow, I don't think Mr. V is going to let his ward head off to London, no matter who asks!

How do you all feel about these opening letters?

Clare-Dragonfly I had to reread parts of the first two letters to get all the people straight! I think I‘m following now though. And I can only assume that Madame Duval‘s granddaughter, who is Rev. Villars‘s ward, is the titular Evelina since no one has used her name yet… (edited) 2mo
TheBookHippie Book just arrived!! Catching up today. 2mo
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Librarybelle We‘re setting the scene! And yes, @Clare-Dragonfly , you‘re correct! 2mo
AnneCecilie I feel like I just landed in the middle of the action and I‘m trying to figure it out. 2mo
rubyslippersreads @AnneCecilie I read somewhere that it gets more interesting when you get to Evelina‘s letters. So I think, like @Librarybelle said, these preliminary letters are to set the scene. 1mo
AnneCecilie @rubyslippersreads I think so too, and get some backstory 1mo
47 likes1 stack add7 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I tried to use this pink marker, but my lighting was weird. Ah well 😂 I can't decide if I like it better when the free spaces are scattered or together. BS and DS are in the same row, though, so that's always fun!!! Can't wait to see everyone's boards!! ⬇

TheAromaofBooks Here's the #BookSpinBingo card! First, I put our official numbers (13 & 2) back in the mix. Then I drew them all out & wrote them down as I went, meaning the official numbers are just mixed into the card with the rest! As you can see, 21-25 are both labeled with their numbers & also as free spaces, so you can use them to match however you wrote your list. To score a bingo, just read books (in any order) that are in any row or column!! MORE INFO ⬇ 2mo
TheAromaofBooks 1 - I don't tag anyone on this post except for @LitsyEvents but anyone is welcome to play along!!
2 - Remember – NO PRESSURE!!!! If this starts to stress you out, just take that page right out of your journal and pretend it never existed!! This challenge is to encourage you to read, not to make you feel like reading is a chore!!!
3 - FREE SPACES can be filled with any book that is NOT already on your list!! ⬇
2mo
TheAromaofBooks 4 & final - As a reminder, only the “official” BookSpin/DoubleSpin numbers will count towards giveaway entries. I don‘t want the giveaway to be stacked against people who aren‘t able to read lots of books each month. So basically there is still a maximum of 2 entries possible per month no matter how many books you read from your list. This bingo card is just for fun & glory! 😁

Thanks for playing & happy reading!!!
2mo
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GinaKButler Thank you so much for hosting, Sarah! 2mo
ShananigansReads Fun fact: three of the FREE spaces are in the same place they were last year. 2mo
TheAromaofBooks @ShananigansReads - Seriously?? That's so hilarious. I promise I really do pull them out at random 😂 2mo
ShananigansReads @TheAromaofBooks I only notice because I use the same boards every year and just update them. It doesn‘t happen often but it really happened this time. 😂 2mo
IndoorDame Random question. I‘m trying your #bookchain challenge for the first time… I‘m wondering if I use an audiobook for #7 do I just look up the page number in the print equivalent to move onto #8 (which is fewer pages than last book) or do I need to wait until an appropriate print book comes along for #7 (which is about publication year)? 2mo
CoffeeNBooks Thank you so much for doing this! Happy February reading! 2mo
TheAromaofBooks @IndoorDame - Honestly, there are no hard and fast rules for that challenge, since it's just for fun. So I would do whichever one you feel like fits your situation better/is easiest, because those both sound like valid options to me!! 2mo
IndoorDame @TheAromaofBooks cool, thanks!!! 2mo
Karons1 Hooray 🙌🏻 thank you 🤩 reading 📖 time 🕰️ 🤓😍🥰😘 1mo
82 likes12 comments