My next audiobook. This one gets mixed reviews. So far, I‘m enjoying it. ❤️📚
My next audiobook. This one gets mixed reviews. So far, I‘m enjoying it. ❤️📚
This one wasn‘t for me. Told in a meandering way between the present and the past, when a person from her past is brought up in conversation, Rachel remembers her formative years in her early 20s. I found Rachel to be insufferable. The decisions she made, the lack of any personal responsibility for her own situation, her deception…it was all too over the top. I kept listening to see how it would all end, and that was unsatisfying, too. ⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
Fantastic read! This was my book club‘s choice and my #bookspin for March. Told in a dual timeline between current day and the late 1700s, with three narrators (one present and two past), this story has twists and turns and a puzzle to solve. Caroline discovers a vial that takes her on a historical journey to uncover an apothecary‘s secrets. Strong female characters, self discovery and mystery, woven together into a fast paced novel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Started this on audio today. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I‘m about 30% in, and I don‘t really like any of the characters. 🤷♀️ I am going to keep going because I don‘t hate it, but I already know this one won‘t be a 4⭐️ or 5⭐️ read. ❤️📚
What a fun romp this was! High fantasy meets cozy, with a little romance. Viv is an Orc who is done with the bounty life and is looking to settle down. She wants to open a coffee shop - the first one in the city of Thune. She meets a quirky, lovable cast of characters along the way. Funny, hopeful, sweet. This is fantastic on audio - Travis Baldree is a voice talent turned author and voices his own book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
#freebiefriday #litsylove
Favorite chunkster….I love a good chunkster! Favorites include the Outlander series, Paradise…probably my most recent favorite chunkster read was Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrel. It was about 1,000 pages, a book club pick, and I didn‘t expect to like it. I ended up loving it! ❤️📚
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude
#freebiefriday #litsylove
It is hard to choose just one, but my favorite female author might be Sarah Addison Allen. I‘ve read almost every one of her books and have loved all of them. Tagging my favorite. ❤️📚
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TieDyeDude @Read4life
I started this one on audio a couple of days ago. I got attached to the characters in the prequel, so I‘m hoping I didn‘t ruin my experience with this book by reading that one first. This one takes place several decades later. It‘s fun so far and the narration is excellent. The author is a voice talent and lends his voice to his own work with these books. ❤️📚🎧
Started this one tonight. It is my Book Club‘s current pick. It hooked me right away, and seems like it will be a fast read. ❤️📚
This one is not for me. I gave it 20% - 173 pages and I just can‘t. On to the rest of my mountainous TBR. This one is headed for my friend‘s Little Free Library. ❤️📚 #hailthebail
#Bookspinbingo for March! The Lost Apothecary is my Book Club book! So excited that it's also the #bookspin! With the #doublespin and two free spaces in the same row, maybe I will actually get a Bingo. I think it's possible! I finished a book for a FREE space last night, and It Didn't Start With You is a short, non-fiction/self help - although my aunt, who lent me the book, said there's lots of work involved while reading. Let's Go! ❤️📚
I‘m really struggling with this one…I‘m on page 173, which is 20% in (820 page book). The main character has aged from 4 to 8 years old. There‘s a lot of sexual content; way more than is okay with a main character that‘s only 8. I‘m grossed out. I really don‘t want to read this 8 year old‘s thoughts about what his body does, much less his actions. Those who have read this book, tell me, is it worth it to continue? 😒
What an entertaining, lively, cozy, sweet, fun read! I had not heard of “cozy fantasy” before listening to the Reading Glasses podcast, where host Mallory has talked about her love of the book Legends & Lattes often. This is the prequel and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the quirky characters and even got choked up a little at the end. I‘m listening to Legends & Lattes next, but suggest starting with that one as it was pub‘d first. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
March #bookspin list. Let's Go! ❤️📚
I read six books in February, but didn't form a bingo. 🤦♀️🤷♀️ Maybe I will choose the books I read more wisely this month. That #bookspinbingo is so elusive for me.
My #doublespin for February. This chunkster will have to push into my March reading. 😉❤️📚 #clearmyshelves2024
This is a dark story about sexual abuse. Kaeleigh & Raeanne are twins from a prominent family. The secrets in this family run deep. The twins are the victims of their parent‘s abuse and neglect. How does a 16 year old girl cope with so much trauma in her life? Ellen Hopkins uses verse powerfully to tell their story. Fast paced and disturbing, this book will stay with you. Check trigger warnings - there are many. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
I may have just figured out something about this book. 🤔🧐 Will have to keep reading to find out if I‘m right. About 25% in - it‘s dark and gritty, and full of potential triggers, but I love the way the author uses the verse. When the chapters change from one twin‘s perspective to the other, there are matching words on the opposing pages separated from the rest of the verse. So creative. It must have taken so much time and thought. ❤️📚
Started this one on audio this morning. Another podcast recommendation, sort of. The sequel to this book, Legends and Lattes, was recommended on one of my favorite bookish podcasts “Reading Glasses.” If I recall, they said you didn‘t have to read this first, but I‘m weird about reading series books in order, even if they can be standalone. 🤷♀️❤️📚🎧
I listened to this on audio. The narrator was fantastic. The book - not for me. #unpopularopinion It was fast paced, but the voice is so incredibly unlikable. I understand that this is the point, but it just wasn‘t for me. It is also a scathing look at the publishing industry. It hits you so hard over the head making its point, it wasn‘t enjoyable or funny. It was a truly interesting idea for a story, that just didn‘t work for me. ⭐️.5 /5 ❤️📚
This novel opens with 3 women, all stood up by the same man. Told from their perspectives in dedicated chapters, this is a story of love, friendship, self love, loss and personal growth. I almost gave up on this because it dabbled in infidelity. If you find yourself in that place, just stick it out and trust the author to tell the story and bring it to a satisfying conclusion. It‘s creative and has more depth than the cover alludes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 ❤️📚
This year, I‘m trying something new by having a physical/e-book and an audiobook going at the same time. I‘ve heard this one is good on audio. A few weeks ago, I placed a hold through Libby on the audiobook from the library, but there was a 12 week wait. Today, I thought I‘d check Hoopla and it was there! Downloaded it and started it today! ❤️📚🎧
Reading a rom-com I picked up from the library this week. Ready for something light after my last read. I‘ve never read Beth O‘Leary before, but have heard her mentioned on a couple of bookish podcasts I listen to. ❤️📚
A beautifully written story about Count Alexander Rostov and his quiet, but full, life under house arrest at a hotel in Moscow. It‘s about making the most from your circumstances, finding purpose, found family. This novel is quiet, but full of lovable characters. The slow pace was hard for me. My rating is not a reflection of the book, but of where this book came to me in my reading life. I highly recommend it, and am glad I read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 ❤️📚
Picked up my mug for completing my local library‘s Winter Reading Program, and a few books, because they have those and I can‘t resist. I might have a problem. 😉❤️📚 #library #libraryprogram #librarybooks
This is the 2nd book in the China Thrillers series. There have been a series of related gruesome murders that the main characters, a Chinese police detective and an American pathologist, need to solve. Not as good as the first, this is still a solid mystery, if a bit predictable. There is a lot of ancient Chinese history here that did not particularly interest me - it might interest some, but it just wasn‘t my cup of tea. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
Thank you @EadieB for the surprise Valentine‘s #bookmail! You are always so thoughtful and generous with your book mail! 💕❤️💕 So excited to add these to my shelves! #bookmailisthebestmail
Just started this one on audio. It‘s the second book in the China Thrillers series by Peter May. ❤️📚
Kala is told both in the past - the story of 6 teenagers coming of age when one of them goes missing, and the present the POV of 3 of these friends as they grapple with the past and uncover the secrets of the small Irish town where they grew up. It is intense, very dark, but beautifully written. Slow at first, it then had me on the edge of my seat as the mystery is unraveled. The ending was not entirely satisfying. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 /5 ❤️📚 …more⬇️
Wow! I‘m about 80% through this audiobook. It‘s very dark, and I‘m on the edge of my seat! Lots of trigger warnings for this one, so make sure you seek those out if you have subjects you don‘t want to come across in your reading. A few are posted in the first comment. They are spoilers, so only look if you have triggers. ❤️📚
February #Bookspin List! I love how this list takes some of the guesswork out of what I am reading next, so it isn't so overwhelming to pick my next read. ❤️📚 My goal this year is to #clearmyshelves2024, so all but three of these are on my bookshelf. The three that are not physical books that I own, will be audiobook listens from the library. Let's Go!
This thriller has a slow start and initially unlikable characters, but gives way to a good mystery. The character development along the way begins to make the characters more likable. This is the first book in a series with a Chinese police detective and an American pathologist. Peter May has researched extensively to write this series based in China. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 #clearmyshelves2024 #serieslove2024
This is my #bookspin for January.
Listening to this on audio as I clean today. I‘m embracing audiobooks more this year, in an attempt to get more reading in on my busier days. A group of friends, now in their 30s, grappling with the aftermath of one of their group going missing when they were teens and a town that‘s full of its own secrets. I heard the audio of this book was a good one with 3 narrators, and beautiful Irish brogue and proper place name pronunciation a plus!
What an adventure! ❤️📚 A middle aged, female, foul-mouthed pirate, who is a Mom and also kicks ass? Yes, please! This epic novel has magic, demons, otherworldly creatures, peril, found family, and SO much imagination! The conclusion is utterly satisfying, but also leaves the door wide open for more adventure. Do yourself a favor and listen to this on audio. The narration is fantastic and it absolutely added to the experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 /5 ❤️📚
I am thankful that @EadieB introduced me to Peter May. I thoroughly enjoyed the Lewis trilogy by him. Eadie sent me several of his books and this one has been on my shelf for a bit and is my #bookspin for January. #clearmyshelvesin2024 ❤️📚
Listening to this one on audio. Covid has hit our house and I‘m the only one left standing. This has kept me entertained while I‘m washing, and disinfecting, making homemade soup, and delivering meals and drinks to my 4 patients. Really enjoying the adventure and humor so far! ❤️📚
This is the first book in a cozy mystery series featuring Shannon Hammer, owner of a home remodeling company in the small coastal California town of Lighthouse Cove. People keep turning up dead, and Shannon is at the center of it all. An easy read and really enjoyable. A little side maybe-romance happening, a fun cast of characters. I‘m looking forward to more in the series, and I‘ve been told this one is a Hallmark movie. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
#bookspinbingo for January. #bookspin is The Firemaker by Peter May and #doublespin is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I‘m currently reading A High-End Finish (started on January 1), so maybe a shot at a bingo with the double spin? Let‘s go!
January #bookspin list time! I‘m excited to rejoin this challenge this year as I challenge myself to #clearmyshelvesin2024 and concentrate on reading books I own. ❤️📚 Let‘s go! Thanks to @TheAromaofBooks for taking the time each month to offer up this fun reading activity! 😙
This was a Christmas gift from my youngest son (almost 17). He went online, plugged in some keywords he thought would interest me (including books that have been made into Hallmark movies) and picked this book. It‘s a series, so he made sure it was the first one. He was so excited to tell me about how he chose it and that I can watch the movie when I‘m done reading it, and that touched me so very much. 🥰 ❤️📚
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh was exactly what I needed to get through a busy week. It was light and fun, but also kept me wanting to come back for more. I couldn‘t wait to pick my Kindle back up and join Andrew and Molly again on their Christmas travel adventure. Friends to lovers, so cute, so sweet, just a little spice, escapism reading. And missing the elements of most romance books that bug me. Last book of 2023! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚
Next on my plate…I‘m such a mood reader and I‘m in the mood for a light holiday book! I referenced a few bookish podcasts I listen to and took a recommendation from Literally Reading. Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh was on their 12 Romcoms of Christmas list and this one is on Kindle Unlimited. Winning! ❤️📚
In 2023, I joined @Andrew65 and @TheSpineView for the #SeriesLove2023 challenge. I read 24 books from series that I had either already started or wanted to read! 58.5% of my reading! I‘m really glad I joined the challenge and I have no regrets, but nearly all of those books came from the library. That meant I didn‘t read as many books from my shelves. So, I am challenging myself to #clearmyshelvesin2024 and read more books that I already own. ❤️📚
This book by Peggy Rowe, Mike Rowe‘s mother, contains short stories and inspiration on continuing to follow your passion no matter the age. Peggy Rowe, America‘s Grandmother, is a humorist, an inspiration, a local (to me) celebrity and a national treasure. Two time NYT Best Selling author at the age of 80! All because she never gave up doing what she loved. I believe she‘s working on her next book - stories from “the home.” ❤️📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This 4th book in the Aurora Teagarden series was a bit disappointing. Most of the book is about Roe‘s adjustment to being married and renovating her new home - The Julius House. There is a side plot line that ends up not going anywhere - I can only assume it will be used in future books. The mystery doesn‘t really begin until more than half of the book is over, and it was predictable and somewhat unreaelistic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚 #serieslove2023
The 4th Dresden Files book is fast paced and full of action. Harry is charged with discovering who has killed the Summer Knight. The action in this novel is non-stop. We get to meet up again with some favorites from past books, as well as new allies. A satisfying addition to the series. The faerie politics was a bit much for me, and with the fast pace I had difficulty keeping up with the complicated plot scheme. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 ❤️📚 #serieslove2023
Stormy day today with heavy rain that may come with flash flooding, high winds and may end with snow. We just had a huge flash in our backyard and then a heart stopping boom of thunder. This is where I‘ll be for the day! ❤️📚⛈️
Reading the 4th book in the Dresden Files series for #serieslove2023. ❤️📚
This is the third and final book in the Prince Edward Island series by Liz Johnson. The series focuses on 3 brothers, with each one getting their own story. This 3rd book is about the youngest brother, Levi. These books are Christian romance, but light on the religion. Sweet, light, predictable…much like a Hallmark movie. The characters are lovable, even if the plot is predictable. This book wraps the series well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️📚 #serieslove2023