Book haul from an art museum book sale benefiting the SF public library 😄- for any Bay Area peeps, it‘s going on at SFMoMA tomorrow as well!!

“The heart is built of starlight
And time.
A pinprick of longing lost in the dark.
An unbroken chord linking the Infinite to the Infinite.”

Unexpectedly really enjoyed this read. Bought via a Kindle $1.99 sale. Went in thinking it would be cute and light. Ended up reminding me a lot of Howls Moving Castle, which I adore. I could totally see this being made into a Studio Ghibli animation. Full of magic, dark twists and bittersweet moments.

“And rooms are filled with roses!” Another art museum, another children‘s art book purchase ? this time we saw René Magritte at the SFMOMA. Seriously, where were these kind of board books when I was a kid?!

“Cleverness is a quality a man likes to have in his wife as long as she is some distance away from him.”

Quick, unique, attention keeping read. Story alternates between Penelope‘s POV and the 12 maids represented using a mixture of different writing styles (poetry, interviews, even court case transcripts.) True Atwood fashion: exposing sexism and manipulation of women. If you enjoyed Circe/the Odyssey this is a great addition to that theme!

“Cross a magical bridge to a place beyond...”

I love taking my son to museums and stumbled upon this “A Picnic with Monet” board book after taking him to an art exhibit. Started collecting these at each exhibit we went to and then found the rest at book stores. Great way to expose kiddos to art - perfect because they are board books and tell a fun/simple story through the images.

#boardbooks

“There's poetry in it, in that poetry can be raw, and cruel, and strange...”

Enjoyed this series. The world building was interesting, though I would have loved to see more of the other planets. Really enjoyed the Ogra aspects. Visible energy, super human powers, oracles, and change ups I didn‘t see coming all were captivating. It seemed like Roth was experimenting with writing style which was a little distracting but overall kept my interest.

Sounds about right for the perfect long weekend 😊🍷📚🍇🎻

My husband wanted to read a book together, and his favorite author is Michael Crichton - so we picked Sphere.

Not my usual read but loved it. Science, fantasy, adrenaline. Really enjoy how Crichton writes too, gets exactly what he needs to across without overdoing it on the details.

Also perfect for #worldwaterweek

Thinking “The Penelopiad” will be an interesting read after “Circe.” Time to see things from Penelope‘s side. Fully expecting Margaret Atwood‘s signature mental and physical oppression of the female.

Photo is my own 💙 #worldwaterweek

Finally reading the sequel to Carve the Mark - I actually enjoyed the first book (contrary to popular opinion) but not sure about the second book. All the switching from characters and first to third person is a little much. Oh well, ferry rides are great reading time! #worldwaterweek

It‘s World Water Week! 💦 my son loves this book, the illustrations are bright and happy, all about Mother Earth. Even though he doesn‘t really understand it yet, I‘m trying to raise a little human that gives a sh*t about the planet. Bonus, you can buy temp tattoos of the animal illustrations from this book at Tattly. 🐙

“After that, we were like flies stuck in honey, alive but not really living.”

Torn on this one. History side important and insane part of WWII not often discussed. I enjoyed how the author presented story. Well documented. Fiction parts frustrated me a little and I‘m not sure I finished this with all the closure I‘d like. Highly recommend reading authors notes at the end. Heartbreaking moments that stayed with me well after finishing chapters.

I think if I was ever talented enough to write poetry, I‘d have to find a way to illuminate it like this collection. What I would do to own something this gorgeous... even more eye catching in person 😍

Wishing you a whimsical weekend ✨

Anyone read this one? It came in my monthly box subscription (The Enchantment Box, theme this month was mythological mermaids 😍) and I haven‘t heard of it. First book in the series that seems to be a darker spin on The Little Mermaid.

Hoping it‘s a good one!!🧜🏼‍♀️🧜🏽‍♂️

“We are surrounded by miracles, but we have to recognize them; otherwise there is no life.”

Meditative and insightful, read this years ago and come back to it once and a while to refresh. Great way to practice awareness in the present. My favorite topics are: recognizing the presence of others, deep listening, and caring for your pain.

We can all get in our heads - it helps to remember to embrace the beautiful things too, no matter how small. ✨

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”

Wishing you all a happy Monday and a wonderful week of many literary lives and journeys 😊😊

“I had been loyal to nothing except the language of flowers. If I started lying about it, there would be nothing in my life that was beautiful or true.”

Bought flowers today and this book always comes to mind. Since reading, I‘ve never looked at flowers the same way.

Mixed reviews from others, but I enjoyed the journey of the story. Not a “fun and feel good” kind of read - this one is heavy with some rough topics. Beautiful symbolism throughout.

“For the ones who dream of stranger worlds”

My favorite things: London, 19th century, talented/mysterious lead character, and of course magic.

Easy, enjoyable read. My first V. E. Schwab book and it didn‘t disappoint. Four parallel worlds where magic is a living thing - either ravaged, suppressed, embraced or forgotten. No YA love triangles (yet) just interesting character/story development. Last quarter dragged a bit but ending was on point.

Posting this one for all the Malaprops lovers who recommended I check out this bookstore in Asheville ☺️ loved their blind date display 😍 had my whole family wandering around picking out books 😂 👍🏻

(Side note - I actually want to read the tagged R. L. Stine book now. Goosebumps was my childhood...)

Behind every great man there is an even greater woman.

Truly made me stop and think. Jefferson through the eyes of his daughter/biggest champion, Patsy. All the accomplishments and flaws of the Jefferson family are laid bare. Convincing look into the contradictory mind of an 18th century woman.

Sally Hemings is interwoven as a graceful mistress (although not sure how one can be a mistress when enslaved.) Most painful aspect to me.

Enlightening.

Made it to Asheville, North Carolina and had to share this with my fellow Littens - the coolest bookstore ever 😍 champagne bar and book exchange/used book store. Battery Park Book Exchange. Highly recommend checking this place out if you come this way. Currently settling in with a glass of vino tinto and a charcuterie board in the “civil war” section.

Finally have a little time to myself during this family road trip through Virginia - perfect setting to read about one of the most famous Virginia families in history.

Going through ups and downs with this book - seeing a lot of negative aspects to Jefferson (battling with the historian in me that is in awe of Jefferson as a revolutionary) about 30% in and story is starting to grab my attention.

And we‘re off. Hopefully packed enough books to keep this one entertained. Loves anything with tabs or touch things these days. This one is perfect with bold colors and pop open windows.

Heading off for two week east coast visit and deep cleaning before I leave - hate coming home to messy house - thought I‘d share this DIY cleaning book I ❤️.

#HowToTuesday

Anyone else into making cleaning supplies? Artificial fragrances give me mad headaches and these “recipes” are safe for babies/pets. Basically vinegar, essential oils, alcohol and water.

Only critique: it should say “toxin” free, not chemical free. Everything is a chemical.

Currently working my way through the “Plantagenets” but my fascination with this powerful English dynasty began with “Katherine.”

In my top three favorite books of all time.

Adult historical fiction. Love story with everything that could happen in the medieval world all mixed together. War, passion, plague, revolts. The historical figures in this story set the stage for some of the biggest events in British history as well as the royal lineage.

Happy Monday! - wishing you all a wonderful week and cheers to believing in the impossible 🌞🍄

I could quote this book for days...❤️

(I‘m also going through a flamingo phase right now...🤷🏼‍♀️)

Weekend coming to a close and so is my time with “And I Darken.” I can understand the fan love for this one, but never found myself rushing back to it. Maybe next books in series get better, but not inspired to try.

Likes:
Story idea, female Vlad the Impaler? Yes please!
First few chapters = amazing
Different vibe from typical YA

Dislikes:
Story seemed to go on repeat, dragged on, then got interesting right at the end
Never connected w/Lada

It takes a lot for a book to completely surprise me and this one definitely did. Throw back to Chaucer‘s “Canterbury Tales” - a band of travelers in 1300s England trying to escape the plague, each character with their own secrets and story to tell. It‘s dark and addicting. Insightful look at the lives and conditions of middle age England. The conclusion blew my mind.

1. Lol...brownies. Or chocolate coconut macaroons 🍫🥥
2. Usually no
3. 😒 yes
4. Podcasts, but really want to try some audio books

#friyayintro

Glad to see push back on this idea. I use all types of methods for my book hoarding, but libraries are where I learned to ❤️ reading. Open access to knowledge is a foundation of society.

The OP argued we spend too much money in US on taxes for libraries. Of all the things that‘s what he wants to cut? The outrage to this article gives me hope for humanity

https://qz.com/1334123/forbes-deleted-an-op-ed-arguing-that-amazon-should-replac...

1. Currently rearranging to be by time period written ⏳
2. Depends on what the reader is into - my vote would be classics like The Divine Comedy, The Odyssey - Agee with @Erofan dictionary is crucial!
3. I do for sure
4. Yes, mainly at library book sales. I‘ve picked up several Jane Austen copies as they have so much cover variation. I also splurge on the new illustrated version of Harry Potter series, slowly collecting
#onlyreadersunderstand

Didn‘t expect to buy a book at an art exhibit - but when you fall for cover art, you fall for cover art.

Also, the inside of this book is stunning. History in words and paintings of the artist movement to Romanticism in the late 1800s.

Also! hair goals.

#covermademedoit #coffeetablegoals

Really trying to get into this one... started reading it when I saw people give the latest release in the series high marks. Plus, series binge possibility.

I love the idea of a female Dracula - even as a student of history I think it‘s a great twist to the legend. It reads well, but having trouble connecting with Lada.

I just want to give Radu a hug the whole time.

Is this a “get through the first book the rest are awesome” kind of series??

With an 11 month old, I spend half my “book browsing” time looking for new stories to read with him. (Patiently waiting to introduce Harry Potter...sigh)

This is by far his favorite - it‘s funny and different and reads out loud gorgeously. Illustrations are captivating and colorful. No fear of monsters in this house! Just daddy and son monsters on a walk through the swamp 😄

Any other Litten parents out there?
#childrenbooks #booksandbabies

Stumbled upon this fun bookstore/bar in Haight Ashbury (The Bindery). Books are organized by year written. Have now decided I‘ll be cataloging my own library the same way in the future. Life goals = massive room in house for personal library. 😜 The written word is a powerful and time surpassing thing.

What a beautiful experience of a read. Starting this book was like a happy dose of nostalgia. #Circe on top of #DaulairesBookofGreekMyths
*Enthralled with the ups and downs of Circe‘s immortal life
*Even though this story is interwoven tales of mythology, the characters took on a feel of reality
*Exceptional job showing the interworking of an immortals mind through several different major and minor Greek gods

You‘ll easily fall deep into “Circe”