I've just begun this one and am really enjoying it!

I'm so happy to be back at the d&d table. I'm playing a harengon ranger. A harengon is basically a rabbit person. I have a bit more painting to do on her, but I'm excited she gets to be active again.

Today is the anniversary of Jane Austen's death. She was only 41 years old. I'm celebrating her with a watch party and with some reading. The BBC 2008 version of Sense and Sensibility was the first up. I love the casting and scenery.

I'm a huge fan of the movie Matilda. So much so that this teapot is the same as one seen in the movie. I really enjoyed this book. Her struggles with anxiety, ocd and growing up in Hollywood's eye was like a minefield. And her mom's death. She managed to navigate her hardships, with the right help, and come out the other side. A big feat for so many young actors. She narrates the audiobook version, but the physical one has photos. I bought both.

This is a 2nd book of a duology. It is also more of the story of a happy ending than a traditional romance. Lots of found family, as well as planning for a future. There are some spicy bits as well. The author uses Harry Styles as the template for Harrison for those who are fans. The MC is also a 40 year old woman, which is a refreshing change. Of course, there is a HEA. Solid writing. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a happy escape.

One of the characters I played in a d&d campaign was a young Rhinofolk barbarian who read and collected romance novels. Of course, this one was a favorite. It actually wasn't written back then. It had just been a mention in an online game I watched, but Critical Role made it happen. This is actually the cover on the backside of the other cover. Which I think is quite ingenious. How fun that a book was created based on just a mention.

Yay! Now I can call myself a gymnast. 😂

I loved this so much I will probably be recommending it a LOT! The audiobook narrator was also fantastic. This blends Chinese history and mythology with mecha science fiction. There are parts that did feel a little spoon-fed, but it didn't interfere with the story for me. The worldbuilding was just incredible. There were a lot of edge of my seat moments, which honestly, I don't always like. They worked in this, however. TW right at front of book.

I started both of these last night. I just think they go together.

"The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison." What an absolute jerk Mr. Collins is.

A recent thrifted find. We have some great second-hand bookstore options where I live. Unsure when I'll get to it, but I do love old fantasy and sci-fi books. Written by a woman is a bonus for me.

My next buddy read. It was recommended by my daughter, and I'm reading it with my son.

I just started this audiobook, and I'm already hooked.

I really enjoyed this. She really knows how to tell a story, and her worldbuilding is always well done. I loved all of the underlying commentary regarding capitalism, colonization, and climate change. Though it wasn't really hidden at all. I liked this much more than Remote Control, but less than the Binti series. She is now an autobuy author for me.

Some recently painted miniatures I did for some kids I played d&d with. I'm also giving them the tagged book since I have an extra copy. Left to right a Kenku, a Changling and a Grung. The kids chose all the colors used.

This was beautifully written. I love the sea and am fascinated by the creatures it holds. This is part education about some of them and part memoir of the author. Their observations are scientific and philosophical, and they offer a look at the connections in our world. It is also about what changes us as individuals and how we deal with them. I enjoyed this book very much and would read more by the author.

I found a new cover for my favorite book collection. Aside from non-english versions, I only need one more to say I have them all. At least, that I know of.

How sad that this is the world we live in now.

I don't know why I waited so long to read this. It has fantastic worldbuilding and a wonderful multi-layered story. I loved the eclectic cast of characters. The author does a great job making you care for all of them. Even the jerks. I laughed and cried. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. (The audiobook narrator was perfect.)

I loved this. It does jump around in timelines and characters, so I did have to make myself a cheatsheet in the beginning. Whenever I thought I knew something, it took a turn. I did finally get one thing right near the end. I loved the writing. I was also glad that the ending didn't leave questions unanswered. Funny enough, I watched the TV series another of her books, Long Bright River, was made into. This was a buddy read with my son.

Last night I reached the letter from Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth explaining things. It is 11 pages! Bliss.

I adore moss. If I could have my whole lawn as moss I would. Fortunately, I do have quite a bit on part of our property. Looking forward to reading this one.

My daughter's wedding yesterday was absolutely wonderful. The rain held off until after the ceremony, and the fog made it look ethereal. She married a wonderful man, who we all love, and we couldn't be happier for them both. 🍾🥂

I finished this recently on audiobook. Loved it. I will be listening to more of the series whenever I need a pick me up. Though I also find it weird that animals fighting would feel charming to me.

I've just begun the audiobook for this and am already thoroughly enjoying it. (Support your favorite indie bookstore, or indie bookstores in general, and use Libro.fm instead of the zon.)

I got a gift card unexpectedly today and immediately knew what to spend it on. It's a total gimmick, of course, but I don't even care.

I finally found earbuds I don't hate. Bluetooth, over the ear and they have control buttons on them. Also, I highly recommend this in audiobook form. The author reads it, and there is a cast as well. I read another one of the series years ago and enjoyed it tremendously. This is the first book of the series and I am loving it.

I'm actually behind in reading the series. That isn't stopping me from buying them as the new ones get released, however.

Bookmail! Chiltern doesn't have these two, (yet?) so I ordered the Cranford Collection versions. Both were published after her death. I think they are also unfinished, but don't quote me on that. Possibly just the stories in the Lady Susan book.

"and Marianne, who had the knack of finding her way in every house to the library, however it might be avoided by the family in general, soon procured herself a book."

Blackberry iced tea enjoyed with a newly begun book. I'm already loving it.

So many people have said this would be a challenging read. It really isn't, though. It is a bunch of short stories that comprise the lore behind the world that Professor Tolkien created. I found it very entertaining. I highly recommend the audiobook version with Andy Serkis. He does a great job narrating it.

Just reading with a Regency vibe tonight. YouTube really does have everything. I'm halfway through. Damn that Willoughby! IYKYK

I've decided to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth (which is in December) by reading all of her works in order of publication. After that, I will read her other lesser known works as well. And then I have some other books about her. If I finish all of those, I have some P&P reimaginations on my shelves too. I'm lucky to have a set of these beautiful Chiltern Austen books. They even have attached ribbon bookmarks. Wish me luck!

Reading outside has begun! Kiki likes it when I hang in the yard with her. It turns out my favorite black tea is also great iced.

Who else shopped to support their favorite indie bookstore yesterday? Libro.fm for audiobooks and bookshop for shipped books are also great ways to support them. And if cost is a factor, Thriftbooks, eBay, PangoBooks, and Goodwill are also great alternatives to supporting amazon. (Bitch was a free arc.)

This book was SO FREAKING GOOD!! I loved the story, but it was honestly the writing that made this for me. Not only will I be looking to read more by this author, but I'm afraid it will leave me with a book hangover that causes a slump. There were also some historical facts at the end that just added to the vibe. Oh, and make sure to look for the last chapter that comes after the author notes at the end.

Thrifted finds from goodwill today. I am a fan of their senior discount. I need more Terry Pratchett in my life.

Happy World Book Day! I actually finished a book today due to lucky timing. Even though I have the physical copy, I actually listened to this one on librofm. I couldn't resist since Tom Baker was the narrator. He was the 4th Dr. on the series and my first doctor. The story was solid and very much fit his zany vibe. There is an extra interview with Tom at the end of the physical copy, as well as the history of how the story came about.

"That's how the history of Starling House feels to me now, like a story told so many times the truth is obscured, caught only in slantwise glimpses. Maybe that's how every history is."

This book has me in a choke hold! I'm only halfway through, and I have realized that I might need to read everything this author has ever written!!

This is a bit of a side quest off the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series. Overall it does have the same vibe and I'm glad I read it. My only complaint is about how a sexual relationship was portrayed. Douglas Adams came up with the bones of the story but asked his friend Terry Jones to write the book because he was working on the computer game version. Terry Jones is a member of Monty Python. He also wrote the 80's movie Labyrinth.

My son picked this for our buddy read. I don't read many mysteries, but this looks good. A 13 year old child goes missing from a summer camp. 14 years prior, their sibling also went missing. (Though not from the camp.) So far I'm really enjoying this.

First published in 1993, this feels so prophetic that it's terrifying. It is a brutal read at times. Trigger warning for anything bad you can think of that humans might do to each other. Though it is a dark look at possibilities, it does end with some hope. I found the new religion part fascinating. Change is the only consistent thing in life, after all. (This cover art doesn't actually relate to the story. I wish I could ask the publisher why.)

I visited a new used bookstore in my area today, and this is what I bought. I'm seriously considering joining my state's chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America. It just seems like it might be fun.

"Moral: The weak can overcome the strong if the weak persist. Persisting isn't always safe, but it is often necessary."

I really loved this. It was an interesting look at memory and what we can see more clearly with the benefit of hindsight. It was also about personal responsibilities and perceptions of them. I loved the octopus content because they are facinating. There are a lot of flashbacks as the story is told. The ending answered some of the questions about what happened next but not all of them. Interestingly the author started this before the 2020 pandemic.

I am a sucker for a great cover. Old fantasy and sci-fi books have some of the best artwork. The story looks good, too.

I am taking my time and enjoying this. It is a side story to Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker series. (That he came up with and wrote the outline for.) I only learned about its existence very recently. Of course I immediately found a copy on eBay to purchase. Terry Jones is a member of Monty Python for those that don't already know.