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Jess861

Jess861

Joined June 2019

Mom-Wife-Dog Lover-Slow Reader-Cold Tea and Coffee Drinks...little time to read but sneak it in where I can.
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Jess861
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A beautiful evening to sit in the backyard with a good book. Reading while listening to nature and sipping on a lemonade after the kids are in bed. Should be a nice, relaxing evening.

#SummerReading #BackyardReading #OutdoorReading #Lemonade, #FamilySecrets

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Jess861
Redwall (Redwall, #1) | Brian Jacques
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When I can't decide what to read next, I like to visit my old friends of Redwall Country. The amount of time I spent in this world when I was younger! Of course I must have a snack while I read any of the series since the food/drink descriptions will keep your mouth watering. And finally - outdoor reading weather!

#Series #BookOne #OutdoorReading #Popcorn

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Jess861
Burial Rites | Hannah Kent
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Pickpick

Based on a true story - Agnes Magnúsdóttir is charged with murder and forced to live on a farm in Northern Iceland while she awaits her execution. It is a slow-paced, atmospherically written and the perfect book to read in the winter. There are a lot characters throughout the book so it isn't an easy book to put down for a while and pick back up. Reading the Q&A with the author at the end of book really shows you where her writing style came from.

51 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
Burial Rites | Hannah Kent
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We went from winter to false summer overnight. So I took advantage of the weather and got some reading in. We will start spring weather this week. Trying to get out of what seems to be an annual reading slump in March/April. Such a beautiful day for reading.

thegreensofa Someone is being chased by a prehistoric monster in the background! Be careful! 🫢🦕 2mo
LiteraryinLawrence … But seriously, what IS that?? 2mo
Jess861 @thegreensofa @LiteraryinLawrence - he was able to keep us all safe from the Indominous Rex 😜 2mo
57 likes3 comments
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Jess861
Burial Rites | Hannah Kent
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Inspired by @ShyBookOwl I've decided to munch on some popcorn while I start the tagged book. You don't find too many fiction books based in Iceland so I'm quite excited to dig into this one.

#PopcornAndBook #Iceland

KarenUK One of my all time favorites. So heartbreaking and beautifully written. 3mo
ShyBookOwl 🎉🍿 I've actually been wanting to read a book set in Iceland! 3mo
49 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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Pickpick

Finished reading this book to our six year old and it was a hit. A perfect early chapter book while he transitions into chapter books. There were enough pictures to keep him engaged but not so many that he could figure out the whole story through them. He isn't a kid who loves reading so the fact that this book captures his attention is great for us! Hopefully he can read them himself one day. We've already started book number 2.

#RaisingReaders

TheKidUpstairs My 7 year old LOVES this series. He mostly likes NF, fact based stuff, this is the first fiction series to really capture his imagination. 3mo
Jess861 @TheKidUpstairs Sounds exactly like our guy! He loves non-fiction and this is really the only fiction series (or even book) he's been interested in. 3mo
Tamra My kids loved this series and when I showed the pic to my 15 year old he smiled. 😁 3mo
See All 7 Comments
Jess861 @Tamra Oh that makes my heart melt! 3mo
Tamra @Jess861 funny thing is they have really never cared for fantasy type books/stories, but they definitely enjoyed this series. We read it aloud for a number of years. 3mo
Jess861 @Tamra Although it is fantasy - I feel like most kids fiction is. I think it's more just a start in fiction with the early chapter books. 3mo
JohnLAndBenji This reminded me of a children‘s book that I loved, it‘s Dragon rider by Cornelia Funke. I only read the first book in the series, but to this day I vaguely remember enjoying it back then, so your kid might like it. (edited) 3mo
41 likes7 comments
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Jess861
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Pickpick

A bit slower paced compared to most books I read - but I quite enjoyed this book. Any time the book was getting a bit too slow it seemed to pick up. The plot twist wasn't surprising to me but well written and still enjoyable. This book is full of strong women. It touches on many issues; pauper auctions, women's rights and the suffragette movement being the main ones. Three important issues that all should be educated on.

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 3mo
Librarybelle I‘m not familiar with this one! Sounds very interesting! 3mo
47 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Jess861
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I've come down with a nasty cold so I'm going to start part III this evening in bed with a nice hot cup of tea. Even if I wasn't sick this is the best way to spend a Friday evening! Some relaxing down time after a hectic week at work. Also - why do so many books no longer have a table of contents? I love having a table of contents.

#BookAndTea #FridayEvening #BookInBed

Tamra Tea, books, resting is the only decent part of having a cold. Take care! 3mo
Jess861 @Tamra Thank you! And I completely agree. 3mo
Dragon Hope you feel better soon 💐💚🐉 3mo
Jess861 @Dragon Thank you! 3mo
45 likes4 comments
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Jess861
Little Comet | Igloobooks
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Mehso-so

While we loved Little Sunflower, Little Acorn and Little Snowflake - Little Comet fell short for us. The others are quite educational as you learn about the life cycle of the sunflower, acorn and snowflake. It didn't feel that there was as much learning in this book but you do get to zoom through space as a comet and learn the planets on the way. Our three year old clearly enjoys the illustrations!

#RaisingReaders #Comet #Space #Educational

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Jess861
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It was a blustery day today which gives me all the reading feels! After some morning reading we took the kiddos skating and sledding (holiday that by some miracle my husband had off work) - and then it was time to start the tagged book. I'm a sucker for maps so this book started off well in my mind. Going to read a bit more now that the kiddos are asleep.

#BlusteryDay #HolidayReading #Canada #Map #MapsInBooks #ReadingTheAmericas2023

52 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
Carrie Soto Is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid
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Pickpick

This book is character driven and while it seems many did not like Carrie Soto - I actually quite enjoyed her character. Soto is flawed in many ways but that is what makes this book such an enjoyable read. Would she have been as flawed if she had both parents growing up? Would she have had the same chance to grow if her father hadn't trained her the way he did? Is it so wrong to be so straight forward and cut through all the bull? A pick for me.

ATB Loved this book and Carrie. I love this kind of intensity in an athlete. 3mo
Jess861 @ATB Completely agree! 3mo
62 likes3 comments
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Jess861
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Nothing makes me happier than this picture. He wanted to get under the blanket with me and 'read' next to me. He is 6 and reading is not his strongest subject in school. At least he was flipping through the pictures and reading the odd word as he went through the book. He has only brought non-fiction books home from our local library and his school library - so nice to see him enjoying some fiction.

#RaisingReaders #ComicBook #MomAndSonReading

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Jess861
Carrie Soto Is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid
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Starting the day with a book and another #AuthorAMonth read. In the past few years I've discovered that I enjoy watching the odd game of Tennis so I'm intrigued by this book.

#MorningReading #BlanketAndBook #CozyReading #Tennis

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Jess861
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Pickpick

I honestly didn't know if I'd enjoy this book - but I'm happy to say I did. The story flowed well and it kept the pages turning. The characters were well rounded which I always love. It also highlighted my distaste for Hollywood and the culture that surrounds it - everything I think Hollywood is comes to life in this book. I will definitely read more books by this author.

#AuthorAMonth #BookSpin @Soubhiville @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3mo
59 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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I spent the evening helping our 6 year old fill out 20 valentines cards and filling out another 25 cards for our 3 year old. So I've decided I'm going to end the evening by starting The Gullible Mick Riva section of the tagged book while drinking a delicious apple crumble porter. I'm enjoying the book more than I thought I would.

#BookAndBeer #CurrentlyReading #Porter #EveningReading

xicanti Ooh, that beer sounds delicious. (edited) 4mo
Jess861 @xicanti I'm excited to report that it actually tastes a bit like apple crumble and I really enjoyed the drink! 3mo
53 likes2 comments
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Jess861
The Ways We Hide: A Novel | Kristina Mcmorris
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Haven't done much reading the last couple of weeks but got a book haul today from our local bookstore. Picked up a book for myself and three for the little guy. He is starting to get into longer stories so we are going to give these a try at bedtime reading.

#BookHaul #LocalBookStore #IndieBookStore #RaisingReaders

Tamra My kids loved the Dragon Masters series! 4mo
Jess861 @Tamra He asked that we start with that book so we read chapter 1 tonight. I hope he likes it! 4mo
Johanna414 I‘ve read the first 6 or 7 Dragon Masters books with my kids and they LOVE them! 3mo
43 likes3 comments
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Jess861
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I decided to start with #AuthorAMonth this February. Enjoyed a greek salad, ginger ale and the beginnings of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo on my lunch at work today. Not very far into it yet but it is a pleasant read so far. I'm not a big fan of Hollywood so I'm curious to see to what extent I'll enjoy this book.

#GingerAle #GreekSalad #LunchtimeReading #Hollywood

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Jess861
Four Souls | Louise Erdrich
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Pickpick

It was a quick read and beautifully written. The story of Fleur Pillager (told from her sister in laws point of view) and her need for revenge - as well as Nanapush and Margaret's 'love' story (more comedic). All the characters are well fleshed out and I can only imagine what reading the whole series would add to this book. The way revenge was handled throughout the book and the way it ends is magnificent. I absolutely loved this book.

44 likes3 comments
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Jess861
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Pickpick

Who doesn't love this book? Our 3 year old decided this was the book she was going to bring to preschool this past week for family literacy day - and I may have been more excited than she was. A fun rhyming book about Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and all the other dogs around town.

#RaisingReaders #ToddlerBook #PictureBook #Rhyming

kezzlou85 Oh I loved this when I was young and both my girls did as well. 4mo
CarolynM ❤️ Happy memories 🥰 Have you seen the animations? Completely adorable. (edited) 4mo
Jess861 @CarolynM I have not - I'll have to look them up! 4mo
47 likes3 comments
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Jess861
Travels of Babar | Jean de Brunhoff
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I'm just so excited that this little bookstore is still around. It isn't often you find a bookstore mainly dedicated to children and teenagers but Livres Babar has managed to stick around! My parents would take us every time we visited my aunt and uncle and I'd usually come out with a stack of 5-10 books! Livres Babar is located in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada.

Congratulations @BennettBookworm on reaching 20K - and thank you for the #20kgiveaway

tpixie Oh how wonderful! I‘ll put it on my list of bookstores around the world. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, there‘s a Curious George Bookstore- owned by the authors ( at least originally). 4mo
Jess861 @tpixie Thank you!! I'll absolutely have to check this out if we are ever in or near Cambridge, Massachusetts! 4mo
tpixie @Jess861 🌺🌺🌺 4mo
BennettBookworm Thanks for sharing! And as a French speaker this especially intrigues me! 4mo
40 likes4 comments
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Jess861
Four Souls | Louise Erdrich
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Picked this book up from the library for my #AuthorAMonth read. I didn't realize her books were so intertwined so hopefully this is a good read as a stand alone. It's going to be a perfect evening with a book, a blanket and a tea!

#HistoricalFiction #Tea #LondonTea

bnp This is the first of Erdrich's books I read, and I wanted more when I was done. 4mo
Jess861 @bnp I agree - I absolutely loved it and want to read the whole series now! 4mo
40 likes2 comments
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Jess861
MR Men | Roger Hargreaves
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When the littles are sick you pull out all your Mr. Men and Little Miss. books to enjoy. I think we ended up reading most of the series today. We're only missing a few and oddly enough they were my favourites as a child...must have seen better days with how much I read them. Our 6 year old loves them and our 3 year old thinks all of them are hers! Mr. Tickle is a household favourite. Here we read Mr. Nervous.

#KidsBooks #MrMen #LittleMiss

youneverarrived My little boy loves these too ❤️ 4mo
Jess861 @youneverarrived - such a great little series of books! Can't believe they are still making them. 4mo
43 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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Mehso-so

I couldn't decide how I should rate this book. While the author does a great job of mixing a memoir with the science and culture of the Eel - some sections fell flat for me. With so little known about the Eel it felt like some of the book was just filler. I was particularly fascinated to learn about the culture of Eel fishing and the history behind it. It is also quite amazing how elusive the Eel has managed to be throughout history.

47 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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My new tradition is to make myself a lunch for work so I can sit in my office during lunch and take 30 minutes to read. So far, so good! Going to get in a few pages of this fascinating book on Eels today.

#Naturalitsy #Eels #Nonfiction #LunchTimeReading

AllDebooks Nice bit of self care going on there. I love it. Enjoy! 😀 4mo
Jess861 @AllDebooks I mean I make our eldest his lunch for school every day so I'm not sure why I'm so lazy when it comes to my lunch 😆 4mo
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Jess861
Yellow Wife: A Novel | Sadeqa Johnson
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Pickpick

Another historical fiction book that is so hard to read and digest but also so important. The story of a young slave girl in the South who must adapt to becoming a yellow wife while she does everything to protect her loved ones. The writing and the story wouldn't allow you to put the book down and it is extremely well researched. You can't help but connect with the characters. I can't fathom how humans are able to treat other humans in such a way.

Librarybelle This is on my to read list! 5mo
Jess861 @Librarybelle Such a good book but definitely have to be prepared for the content. Multiple really hard parts in this one! 5mo
58 likes3 comments
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Jess861
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Went to the library with the little guy this evening and picked out some books. He was able to get a couple of books on prehistoric ice age animals (he was been bugging us to learn more about them), his favourite - a Komodo Dragon and an animal battle book.

I was able to pick up a book for #naturalitsy and #AutherAMonth . I'm excited to dig into these books!

#LibraryHaul #NonFiction #KidsBooks

Soubhiville Nice! 5mo
AllDebooks Nice haul 👌 5mo
51 likes2 comments
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Jess861
The Secret Messenger | Mandy Robotham
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Mehso-so

Spent the morning of New Years Day finishing up the tagged book. The book was well written but it was only so-so for me. I did get to learn a bit about the Italian Resistance during WWII which was interesting. It didn't feel like it needed the character in present time trying to figure out her families history - the book would have read well without it.

#JumpStart2023 #Readathon #WWII #Italy

@Clwojick @Lizpixie

Clwojick Great job! ❤️ 5mo
49 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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Here is my January 2023 bookspin list. Hopefully I actually get to reading the chosen book in January!

#BookSpin

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 5mo
38 likes1 comment
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Jess861
The Secret Messenger | Mandy Robotham
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Finally some time to read as my husband has an evening shift today. Going to sit down with The Secret Messenger and some delicious London Breakfast tea. It isn't a bad book but man am I struggling to get through this book. Can't wait to be spending this morning with a book and tea on this snowy day!

#LondonBreakfast #Tea #CurrentlyReading #BookAndTea #MorningReading #SnowyDay

Jess861 My kids have let me read like 5 pages 🤣 5mo
42 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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Pickpick

We read this book tonight and our six year old quite enjoyed it. A fish who breaks an object and becomes frustrated and angry as the day goes on. With the help of his friends he learns that counting and using his words to express his emotions will gradually calm him down.

Loved how he gradually instead of instantly came down from his emotions. Great book to show our guy that it's ok to experience these emotions and how to come down from them.

40 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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These are the kids book hauls for Christmas this year. On the left are the books our almost 3 year old received and on the right our just turned 6 year old.

Our 6 year old is way more into non-fiction so the bottom two books are fact books on dinosaurs and space. He's also had a lot of trouble in the transition to grade one so we got him some books about emotions.

Our 3 year old just loves to always have a book.

#KidsBooks #BookHaul #Presents

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Jess861
Jump Start! | David Herzog
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I am in horrible need of a jump start to my reading. I'm determined to get back to reading one or two books a month (about all I have time for). May this kick me off in the right direction!

- Please, please, please finish The Secret Messenger so I can move on
- Bookspin Book
- Finish Yellow Wife (started on Christmas Eve)

#JumpStart2023 #ReadingGoals #Motivation #Readathon

Thank you @Clwojick and @Lizpixie for hosting.

Clwojick Great goals! Happy to have you with us! 5mo
33 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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This was my Christmas book haul from family this year. Pretty good haul if I may say so myself. I usually only get books and a jigsaw puzzle as that's all I really want if they insist on getting me something. Hopefully I find the time to read some of them this year.

#ChristmasBookHaul #BookHaul #Presents #2022

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Jess861
Yellow Wife: A Novel | Sadeqa Johnson
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Wow - thank you so much for such a thoughtful #JolabokaflodSwap ! It means the world to me that you went out of your way to find some nut free chocolate - and you can bet I'll be using the business card to order from the shop! Also - chocolate pretzels 😍!! I can't thank you enough @CuriousG - you've been more than kind with your package! I can't wait to dive into this book!

And thank you for organizing @MaleficentBookDragon 🙂

CuriousG I may have also got myself a bag of pretzels to test them out...so good! I know how tough allergies can make things so wanted to be sure you could actually enjoy what I sent. Happy reading! 5mo
Jess861 @CuriousG I'm going to munch on the pretzels while we wrap the kiddos presents when they're asleep! 5mo
54 likes2 comments
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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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#JolabokaflodSwap is going out just as I received my package! I believe it should arrive by end of week.

@MaleficentBookDragon

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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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Really trying to push myself to find more time to read as we head into the last month of 2022. Hopefully I can finish my current read this month and kick December off with whatever book gets picked.

Thanks for hosting #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 6mo
49 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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About time I get back into reading again - I miss it and need to find time for it! I would love to get through The Secret Messenger during this readathon.

#Readathon #NovelNovember @Andrew65

Andrew65 I‘m always in a better place when I am reading. Good luck 😁 6mo
31 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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So excited to sign up for this swap. We love to do this with our kids every Christmas Eve and I can't wait to enjoy this with a fellow Litsy member as well! This is such an amazing tradition!

Thank you so much for hosting #JolabokaflodSwap @MaleficentBookDragon

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Jess861
The Secret Messenger | Mandy Robotham
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It is time to start another historical fiction book - this time we are in Venice during WWII. I'm interested to see where this book goes as I haven't found many books that explore Italy during WWII. We have some perfect reading weather where we live with some cool autumn air.

#LongWeekendReading #HistoricalFiction #Italy #Venice #EarlyAutumnReading

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Jess861
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Stopped at the bookstore and a store to buy some Autumn candles after the little guys swim class today. I haven't heard too much on any of these books and I picked them up based on the back cover blurbs. Seems like they are three very different books. Autumn is not only my favourite season but also my favourite time of the year to read! I know we're still in August - but come on Autumn!!

#AutumnReading #Candles #Leaves #HoneycrispApple

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I agree!! 🤎🧡🍁 9mo
44 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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Pickpick

This is the fictional story of Ana, the wife of Jesus. She is intelligent, strong, bold and brave - and I instantly fell in love with her. To be a woman in that time would have taken a strong soul. Kidd writes with a beautiful descriptive style throughout the book. The characters, even the minor ones, are well fleshed out and you feel as you are there with them. Side note: I also want to learn more about how ink was made in the time period.

47 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
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Our family vacation continues and the kiddos are down for a nap after our family outing. Now some time to continue reading The Book Of Longings with some strawberry tea. I'm almost a quarter the way through and I'm enjoying thr book so far. I've grown quite fond of the main character!

#ColdTea #Strawberry #VacationReading #MainCharacterLove

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Jess861
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Picked this book up on a whim. I hadn't heard of it but it peaked my interest while I was browsing at the bookstore. Going to start it while I sip on my dragonfruit tea.

#ColdTea #Dragonfruit #VacationReading

fredamans Love me a dragon drink! 😋 9mo
Jess861 @fredamans and with the coconut milk 😋😋 9mo
fredamans @Jess861 Soooo good! 9mo
43 likes3 comments
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Jess861
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Starting this chunkster with my first outdoor read of 2022. It's a beautiful Spring evening where we are. Also enjoying a drink while I dive into the book.

#Chunkster #ChunksterChallenge2022 #ReadingOutside #BookAndDrink

@Amiable

Amiable Yay! Happy reading! 13mo
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jess861
The Last Beekeeper | Siya Turabi
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Stopped in at our local book shop today and picked up these two books. I thought another Kristin Harmel book would be a good pick since I loved her last one. Hadn't heard of The Last Beekeeper but thought I'd give it a shot. It's a very small book shop so choices are somewhat limited.

#TBR #ShopLocal #LocalBookStore #SupportLocal #HistoricalFiction

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Jess861
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Pickpick

A story about a woman who grows up in the forest and uses her knowledge to help some of the Jewish refugees fleeing the war. It is well written, well researched and a different take on WWII. It's a book you won't want to put down even if parts are hard to read. A story that shows us that goodness that can come out of the darkest of places.

#AwesomeApril #Readathon #WWII #Forest #HistoricalFiction

@Andrew65

Bec_lectic Sounds like a good one!! 14mo
Jess861 @Bec_lectic - I really is, it's ended up in my favourite pile! 14mo
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 14mo
61 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Jess861
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I seem to be speeding through this book. I'm really enjoying the book and don't want to put it down. Can't wait to see what the last third brings.

#AwesomeApril #Readathon

BookBosomed1 Oh, this is on my TBR shelf. 14mo
48 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Things Fall Apart | Chinua Achebe
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#aestheticallymatched

The picture on the left reminds me of colonialism which is a large theme in this book. The picture on the right represents many of the toxic ways of living that many turn a blind eye too within the book.

@Clwojick

Clwojick Great matches! ❤️❤️ 14mo
34 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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Hoping to really dive into some reading with this readathon!

📕Finish The Forest of Vanishing Stars.
📘Start on my chunkster for the year - The Evening and the Morning.
📙Get back into reading daily even if I only have time for a page or two.

Thank you so much for hosting @Andrew65! These readathons are always fun!

#AwesomeApril #Readathon #Chunkster #ChunksterChallenge2022 #ReadMore

Andrew65 Good luck and hope you enjoy it 😊👍 14mo
38 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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Starting The Forest Of Vanishing Stars on this rainy evening. Perfect way to end the day!

#RainyReading #Fiction #WWII #Forest