1. After almost three weeks down a cell phone...finally back into Litsy action ? 2. After a long year of huge reading disappointments...this was such a breath of fresh air ?

This has solidified McQuiston as a must-buy for me. I loved how a whole spectrum of queerness was touched on throughout this beautifully diverse cast of characters. The "fantastical" element was just enough to make this sparkle without being gimmicky. Love, love, love ❤️

Alright, guys...my #wintersolsticeswap package is out the door for Sat delivery!

Sadly, I don't have a photo to share. My wallet with my phone and ID got misplaced with someone else's stuff at a work conference last week...it's hard to upload photos with no phone! PS, for anyone in the US wondering what it's like to navigate both the Atlanta and Philly airports with neither of these items...no, it's not fun!!

It's finally opening day!! Thank you @Marmie7 for my #basicwitchswap package! The wrapping was so cute, I tried to save the ribbon (of course we all know that's always a lost cause 😂) Hope you like everything in your box, too!!!

Thank you @sprainedbrain and @mklong for hosting--this was the first swap I've ever participated in, and i had a blast! Can't wait for the next one 🧙‍♀️

Happy Halloween, and Blessed Samhain to all my fellow Witchy Littens!

#BOTM was kinda blah this month ☹ it doesn't help that I'm in such a reading funk right now, and usually spooky season is my favorite for reading. I wasn't even excited to check the picks today, ugh do I hate slumps!!!

Between finishing my 2 books, 1 audiobook, and a few spooky shows/movies, I've got 40 points for #teamhendrix this past week! This is a lot for me, and I'm hoping I can keep it going strong! #scarathlon2021 @StayCurious

Got my package today @Marmie7 🤗 I can't wait to open it up!!! The suspense is gonna kill me..... so excited for the end of the month! @sprainedbrain #basicwitchswap

This had so much potential...here is one of the few instances where the book needed to be longer. If it had more details and character development, this light read could have been a great slow-burn small-town mystery. The story was interesting, but it could have been much more captivating. Not the best #botm pick for me personally, but I'd recommend this author for those who don't like dark thrillers but want something "edgier" than a cozy!

I may be a bit behind in my reading....but we just finished our 3-day binge of Midnight Mass, and I just remembered this counts towards #scarathlon2021 😊 this will be 35 points for #teamhendrix counting all 7 episodes...yay! @StayCurious

Thank God for some GREAT picks this month. I was getting worried about the possibility that #botm was deliberately making the highly-anticipated reads add-ons instesd of main picks to generate more $$...though with The Ex Hex and Harlem Shuffle, I'm so glad I was proved wrong. So excited for this month's box!!!

May not be the most impressive TBR in terms of quantity, but my goal is to get in at least 1 a week during #scarathlon2021 😊 #teamhendrix

I also may take a trip to the library to see what other creepy reads I can add. I'm a mood reader, so we'll see how closely I stick to to this plan! @StayCurious

3.5⭐

I enjoyed this, though maybe not as much as I anticipated. I was hoping there would be more magical elements to the story, but regardless the plot/mystery was intriguing. Overall this was really impressive for a debut, and I would read more books by this author! #botm

And with that, my first ever Litsy Swap package is in the mail! Hope my match loves their box as much as I loved prepping it 🤗 Mailed this super early because I'm getting married Saturday, and wanted to make sure this didn't fall off my radar!

This was fun, can't wait to participate in other swaps! #basicwitchswap @sprainedbrain @mklong

Ugh, what a letdown...this is the first time in a while I had no interest in any of the #botm picks. With all the huge releases coming out this month (the new Colson Whitehead, Anthony Doerr, and Liane Moriarty) I was really surprised that I didn't recognize any of these titles. I'll wait for some reviews and see what others think of these...

So excited to be participating this year!!!! I've seen the posts over the past few years, and this swap always looks like so much fun 😊🐱 #basicwitchswap

Thank you @mklong and @sprainedbrain for hosting!

I can't give this a pick, because it really wasn't for me...but that twist at the end made my jaw drop, so I guess this gets points for shock value ? Usually I'm one to guess the ending.

Overall, I did like this better than The Silent Patient. The plot was certainly "fun," and I think that's what I needed right now. I probably wouldn't reccomend this, and that's ok...we all need books that give us pure entertainment, if nothing else ? #botm

YES!!!!!! So happy to see this as a pick--Migrations made me cry last year, and this has great reviews so far. So glad I held off on my preorder! #botm

Ugh, another one bites the dust 😪 Seriously, what's up with all my hyped-up 2021 reads?

Normally I love this author, but this one felt so....tame? Meh? Flat? Light? Her books usually have some bite to them, but this felt so watered-down, like it was written for a more mainstream audience instead of horror fans. The story wasn't even that compelling, and the writing was so different than her other books. Hoping her next one isn't like this!

Between a pick and a so-so. The audiobook was top notch with a full cast, but it was missing the freshness of the first installment. Also, I was not prepared for the set of characters/side stories to be as heavily influenced by the original book as they were. I spent alot of time googling recaps, which is never something I appreciate with sequels 🤨. But otherwise, this was enjoyable and I'm looking forward to the next in this series!!

1. My dad had a meeting in the WTC on 9/11, and due to a last-minute mixup with the room they had to leave and reconvene their conference at a hotel. Towers came down shortly after. He never called us (why would he?) and I ended up going home with a school admin that day. I was in 2nd grade and still get chills.
2. Used to be the library until I moved and found a lovely indie store I love supporting!
3. The Hobbit!

#wonderouswednesday @eggs

Practical Magic meets Cold Sassy Tree 😊

Geez, it's been forever since my last post--reading slumps are the worst 😓 But nothing like a nice light read to ease back into my summer book goals!

I tried this last year and put it down. So glad I gave it another go! It's very light on the magical realism (I almost wish it leaned more into the fantastical elements) but overall this was a breezy and heartfelt read that anyone could enjoy. 3.5⭐

Really taking a risk with this one. I wasn't a fan of the Silent Patient, but am willing to give this author another go. I also am getting The Secret History vibes with this--another book I had high hopes for but ultimately lost my interest with its length. Maybe this one will work for me!

On another note--kind of surprised the new Riley Sagar wasn't a pick this month 🤔 #botm

This was the perfect read for a cold, rainy, peaceful Memorial Day weekend at the shore.

I just adore Shea Ernshaw's writing--atmosphereic, poetic, and revealing only just enough. I can look past the insta-love and other tropes, because the Ernshaw's writing alone is enough to drag me in. This is what I like to see in my YA!

Not quite 5 stars like Winterwood, but a solid 4.5 for me ⭐

So far, 2021 has been a year of failed high hopes...here's yet one off my "most anticipated" list that was a huge letdown ?

For me, this was an example of a "slow burn" that was NOT done right. The the plot was way too boring and the atmosphere was not well developed--not a good mix. I did like the characters, but they couldn't redeem this for me. I normally love Jane Harper's books, but this wasn't worth it.

Probably going to be a skip this month--though How Lucky and the tagged sound like things I could enjoy. Going to take advantage of my lukewarm feelings to forgo a pick and get ahead on my backlog this month 👍 #botm

Finally starting the second installment of this trilogy! I loved The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter a few years back, but seeing 700+ pages just makes me so nervous ? I'm trying to get over my fear of "big books," and it's time to stop putting this off!

Not bad, but not overly compelling, either. This was a nice, easy palate cleanser to gobble up over the course of a couple days. I did think this was one of the more "original" domestic thrillers I've read recently, and I have to give the author credit.

A few TWs below in the comments, but otherwise I personally didn't think this was too heavy. It may be a good choice for those who like the thrills, but not the chills! #botm

Every written word had something to add to this quiet meditation on trauma and self-worth. I can't help but draw the comparisons to We Are Okay--similar in tone, unique in story, but exactly what I would expect from Nina LaCour, who is slowly becoming near and dear to my heart with her beautiful books.

Nearly flawless, 5 easy stars for me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Maybe the fear doesn't ever actually go away. Maybe we have to keep on working. We thought it would be simple, but it isn't. We thought we could be finished, but maybe...maybe we'll never be entirely finished." ??

Has anyone heard anything about the picks for this month? Can honestly say I had none of these on my radar...which may be a good thing! I love when #botm encourages me to try something new!

Ooof. This was painful.

The dual narrative/timeline did NOTHING for this--there was no "mystery" at all, as the reader already knows what's going on before the present-day narrator catches on. At the same time, the story about Nella was way underdeveloped, and the present-day drama was extremely off-putting. Aside, there was way too much telling, not enough showing.

This was a highly anticipated read for me, but was a total miss ? #botm

Pretty easy pick for me! Was hoping The Lost Apothecary would have been a pick 👍 what did everyone else choose? #botm

This was such a strong collection--though, I'm in the minority here by saying that the title story was my least favorite. As much as I love Holly, I wasn't a fan of Mr. Mercedes and the subsequent books, including The Outsider. "Rat" is def a new favorite for me.

Over the past few weeks I've implemented a pre-work morning reading routine--getting up a little earlier to start my day off slowly has been a great mental health booster for me!

This was the pick for my book club (temporarily virtual) and once I got used to the writing style, I flew through it! I thought the (debut, I think??) author kept the tone approachable while tackling some very heavy topics (there are a few TWs in this)!

PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one drooling over this news today!! I've (no joke) been waiting and hoping for this since..I guess I can't say "my whole life," but I'll go with it!

Now have to plan a whole reread this year! Will also have to rewatch the original, lovely animated adaptation...I really hope that this director does my favorite childhood series justice!!

A huge "nope" for me, which is a shame since I LOVED Sadie. It's only February and I'm pretty sure this will be getting the 2021 "Worst Protagonist" award--on top of the weird time jumps, non-existant motivations, and lack of mystery. I agree with several reviews saying this should have been much, much longer, as the plot could have easily worked with more world-building and development. Instead, this felt completely unfinished and disjointed.

Loving this series on audio--I have The Good Turn next in line!

Not quite as good as the first one (some of the characters' decisions really annoyed me) but overal a strong listen with an engaging storyline. Hoping to keep the ball rolling with the third installment!

Finished this over the weekend, but am just now finding the words to say 😥

What a beautiful meditation on generational trauma, and the power we have to reclaim--not merely retell-- the stories that frame us in society. Heartwrenching, but peaceful and gentle...Hobson's writing is spellbinding without being dense. An easy 5 stars for me, and a lovely start to 2021! #botm

So much for "shipping delays..." I think this is the quickest my box has ever come! Planning on diving right into The Removed tomorrow, unless my mood tells me otherwise ? #botm #bookmail

I literally SCREAMED when I saw The Removed as a #botm pick. So many good choices this month, but keeping my box limited and waiting for reviews may be a good move on my end...I usually do Jane Harper's books on audio anyway, but may add The Push or The Prophets in the future!

LOVED this on audio! This was an audible freebie I downloaded on a whim.

I totally agree with the comparisons to Tana French, and I actually think this series is a great alternative to those who struggle with the DMS books and French's standalones. Seems like McTiernan traded French's world building and atmosphere for a faster pace and more action. Both are great storytellers overall, and this was a win!

"My life has been a migration without a destination, and that in itself is senseless. I leave for no reason, just to be moving, and it breaks my heart a thousand times...it's a relief to at least have a purpose. I wonder what it will feel like to stop."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How can something be so bleak, yet at the same time allow that faintest glimmer of hope? My emotions are all over the place, and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be feeling ?

Ugh, so frustrated with my #unpopular opinion. On one hand, I so appreciate the honest discussions regarding the countless traumas of sexual assault. On the other, I found the writing to be sloppy (So...many...repeat...words...), the plot had holes, and for a podcast-based narrative, the audiobook wasn't impressive.
Yet, this story is important--so important, and society needs to hear it. And for that alone, I give the author full kudos.

Probably skipping this month since my TBR is out of control, but I'm so happy to see The Office of Historical Corrections as a pick! I'm a sucker for short story collections, and I've heard nothing but great reviews...might snag it up in a future box! #botm

DNF-ing at page 65. I can already tell this isn't going to have the world-building I need in my fantasy reads, which I honestly should have known based on the page count. No hard feelings on this though, as I have plenty of bookish friends who I know will devour this!

Does anyone know any other Mayan-centered books (fantasies or otherwise) that I could try? Though this one isn't working for me, I'd love to check out something similar! #botm

With all the election stress going on in the US, I probably should have picked a different day to take a #TBR inventory 😪 42 unread books ( if I counted right, of course!) plus 1 #botm on the way...anyone else ever feel smothered by their stacks? 😜

First year "offically" doing Nano...because, why not? It's 2020 ? Let's see how far I get before going crazy... good luck to all who are participating!

Feel free to add me as a buddy! #NaNoWriMo #Nano2020

FINALLY getting my last set of points logged....I've totally been hoarding these over the past few weeks, so want to make sure they are posted 😊 1,197 points for #teamslaughter for this check in. I had so much fun during this month, and I was happy to be able to participate! Hoping this last bit of points helps our team a bit for #scarathalon 🐱👻 #thrilloween #gothtober @Clwojick

Another impressive #scarathalon read! For my tastes, this was the perfect horror book up until the last 100 pages--folky and atmospheric with slow, gradual reveals that keep things mysterious until necessary. I wasn't a fan of the conclusion, but still worthy of a strong pick since I'm so picky with this genre! #thrilloween #gothtober @Clwojick

Love some early reading before work! Perfectly atmospheric, a great pick for someone looking for a non-creepy fall read. It's a slow-burn with engaging storytelling, perhaps a little anti-climatic at times (though for this story, I think this worked beautifully). This also seemed less heavy than French's other books, both in subject matter and density. Plus, it falls under our #scarathalon #teamslaughter theme! #gothtober #thrilloween @Clwojick