Librarybelle

I think we all need a laugh, and this one hit me. Found on social media.

Yesterday, not very far from me, 3 officers were killed and 2 wounded while trying to serve a warrant. It even made national news. The details slowly leaking out are absolutely scary.

Such dark times. I‘ll be here with my cats and my house (not apartment) filled with books. And I‘ll manage! 😂 #NotBookRelated

Bookwormjillk Scary times indeed. And yes, this is my dream! 12h

rubyslippersreads Living the dream! 😸 12h

Luke-XVX All jokes aside, I‘m glad you‘re ok 11h

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Librarybelle I love living this dream, @Bookwormjillk @rubyslippersreads ! 11h

AmyG A girl can dream. 11h

Librarybelle Thanks, @Luke-XVX . It took place about a half hour driving distance away from my house, so my area did not have to shelter in place, but still a little too close for comfort. 11h

Librarybelle @AmyG It‘s a lovely dream! 11h

dabbe You found a way through this trauma. Glad you're safe and with your boys. And yes, the pic is 😂💜😂! 10h

Luke-XVX Yeah I can imagine 10h

Librarybelle Thanks, @dabbe ! 6h

CoverToCoverGirl I‘m so sorry that this has happened, especially so close to home. It‘s a truly horrific act of violence. Sadly it‘s become an almost daily occurrence in the US. Hug your fur babies and curl up with a good book and leave the world behind for a few precious hours. 💙 3h

Librarybelle Thanks, @CoverToCoverGirl ! 38m

Bette Frankly, these days, often it‘s only my cats and my books that keep me happy. So bring it, I guess.🤣 30m

41 likes13 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 24: The Clue in the Old Album | Carolyn Keene

What could the clue in the old album mean?!?

October‘s #NancyDrewBR title is the 24th in the series…hard to believe we are up to 24! Discussion on October 15th.

All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.

rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 1d

BarkingMadRead Can‘t wait!! 1d

Ruthiella I‘m still reading this month‘s book! 😂 I need to get my holds in earlier. Looking forward to what Nancy and crew get up to next. 1d

See All 7 Comments

Bookwormjillk I missed the last one but am recommitting for this one. 19h

Librarybelle Yay, @BarkingMadRead ! 16h

Librarybelle @Ruthiella 😂 16h

Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk Hooray! 16h

37 likes7 comments

Librarybelle

The Tuscan Sister: A Gripping and Heartbreaking Page-turner Packed with Family Secrets | Daniela Sacerdoti

so-so

At times over dramatic and at other times so many obstacles thrown into the narratives, this first in a projected quartet was just okay for me. I was also a little confused why the voice of a secondary character became a point of view for just a few chapters. Perhaps this is just not the book for me!

54 likes

Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

With the #192025 challenge drawing to a close, it‘s time to think about #192030 challenge—read one book originally published for each year from 1920 to 2030, starting January 1st and running through 2030.

The only rule is to select a book by original publication! You can make the challenge fit your needs in other way, including different authors, genres, or fiction or nonfiction.

Tagging those who initially expressed interest! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

mabell, BarbaraJean, Amiable, Suet624, llwheeler, Bookwormjillk, Mollyanna

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ Please let me know if you would like to be added to the tag list. This time, unlike the last challenge, I‘ll post a semiannual check in to remind to update your records for reading and for sharing with others in the group. I‘ll also tag everyone when the form is available on StoryGraph (and StoryGraph will tell you the original pub year for a book) and when the challenge officially begins. All are welcome! 3d

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 3d

Bookwormjillk A little scary to be joining a challenge that ends after my youngest graduates high school but I‘m in! 3d

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Deblovestoread Welp, I am not going to finish #192025 by the end of the year but finishing it and this one in 4 years seems doable, right? Count me in 😀 3d

Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk It is so hard to believe that 2030 isn‘t really that far away! 3d

dabbe Please add me! I'd love to try this. I'm planning on rearranging my clubs and cutting down, but this one sounds like a really good way to get some actual books off the shelf! Thanks for hosting! 🖤🤍🖤 3d

Librarybelle @Deblovestoread I probably won‘t finish either, but I have high hopes for #192030 ! 😂 3d

Librarybelle Sounds great, @dabbe ! I have a shelf of golden crime novels that would work perfectly! 3d

mabell Thanks you! Looking forward to checking off more boxes! 3d

Librarybelle Yay, @mabell ! 3d

Gissy 🙋🏽‍♀️Let‘s see if I will still be here or if I have to participate as a ghost👻I know..morbid me 😂Halloween is almost here 🤣 3d

Amiable @Deblovestoread I‘m not going to finish, either! I was kinda hoping that we could reset the #192025 challenge and extend the end date a couple…10..years so I can complete it. 😄 3d

Librarybelle Oh my, @Gissy ! 😂 Let‘s hope we‘re all around or else ghosts reading! 3d

Librarybelle @Amiable 😂 Clean slate starting in January! 3d

Suet624 I‘m scared. I‘ve always been tempted by this challenge, but then I just know I‘m gonna feel like I‘m under pressure. Silly, I know. (edited) 3d

Librarybelle @Suet624 That‘s understandable. I am disappointed I won‘t finish #192025 , but I‘m also amazed by the authors I met that I would not have without this challenge. 3d

Daisey I have considered joining the original randomly but really didn‘t want to in the middle, so I think I need to join the new one. No idea how close to finishing I‘ll actually get, but why not add another checklist? Please add me to the tag list. 3d

BarbaraJean Please add me! I‘m 16 books away from finishing #192025 and oddly enough, the idea of starting #192030 is helping! I was hoping to use more books from my shelves, but I have several harder reads left… with a new challenge, I feel more free to swap those out for quicker reads and save the harder ones for next year 😆 3d

Librarybelle Yay, @Daisey ! 3d

Librarybelle @BarbaraJean It is comforting, isn‘t it? I feel the same way! 3d

Mollyanna Looking forward to this! I‘ve got a bunch of old paperbacks that this should take off my shelves. 😊 3d

Librarybelle That‘s great, @Mollyanna ! 3d

Read4life Can you add me please? 2d

llwheeler Yay! Looking forward to it 2d

kwmg40 Please add me to the tag list! I'm not quite done my #192025 challenge yet but I only have 22 left so should be able to finish it early next year if not end of this year. 2d

Librarybelle Of course, @Read4life @kwmg40 ! 2d

Librarybelle @llwheeler 😁 2d

triplem80 I'm intrigued...please add me! 2d

Librarybelle Yay, @triplem80 ! 2d

AnneCecilie Please add me to the tag list. I‘ve really enjoyed the one we‘re doing now 1d

TheBookHippie Yay! I just finished the last one! Terrible about posting! I‘ll do better 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️😩 (edited) 1d

BarkingMadRead Ohhhh this is so cool! I‘m in!! 1d

Kitta Oh so cool, I‘m in! 1d

Maggie4483 I‘m in! Since I‘m failing miserably at #192025, I‘m eager for a chance for redemption! 1d

Librarybelle Hooray, @AnneCecilie @TheBookHippie @BarkingMadRead @Kitta @Maggie4483 ! 1d

Lizpixie I‘ll give it a try! Hopefully it‘ll help keep my #bookslumpitis at bay! 19h

Librarybelle I hope so, @Lizpixie ! 16h

julieclair Yay! I‘m in! I‘m only 65% done with #192025, but I‘m enjoying it. Starting with a clean slate will be fun! 10h

tdrosebud I'm in. Seeing this post made me aware that the #192025 is ending but I don't think I'm anywhere close to finishing. Oh well, I'll see where I'm at at the end of the year and then join the new. 9h

Librarybelle Yay, @julieclair @tdrosebud ! 6h

55 likes40 comments

Librarybelle

Ragtime: A Novel | E.L. Doctorow

We‘re two weeks away from the next #LiteraryCrew discussion! Discussion on the 30th.

As we prepare for our next discussion, start thinking about titles for next year. I‘ll post a Google form soon to submit suggestions for our voting round. Everyone came with a great list of titles this year; can‘t wait to see next year‘s suggestions!

mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf

Cuilin Have my library copy but haven‘t opened it yet! 3d

Sargar114 Wasn‘t able to get this one. Happy reading everyone! 1d

41 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

The Mystery of the Blue Train (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

We‘re less than two weeks away from our next #ChristiesCapers discussion! To anyone who has started it, how is it going? #AgathaChristieClubR3

janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill

Aims42 I have it on my Kindle to read so I‘m at Step 1 😆 3d

Cuilin I read it, so ready!!!! 3d

kspenmoll I have read it! 3d

37 likes3 comments

Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

It‘s been a day…month…year! Today is Zeke‘s 14th Gotcha Anniversary but it was unexpectedly spent with the roofers deciding to do my roof today (I knew they were coming this week, but not TODAY) which meant a day of noise and hiding (cats hid, I hovered especially by Xander who cannot have too many scares due to his heart).

A bright spot was my #SundayBuddyRead envelope in my mailbox. I‘m looking forward to another year of good reading!! ❤️ Yay!!

TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 3d

kspenmoll 💜💙🩵 3d

55 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

pick

Ghosts, pirates, a bad-smelling perfume, an abandoned home, and a missing Carson Drew. Sounds like a case for Nancy! A fun read with Nancy and her friends. I commented earlier on the abruptness of Ned‘s arrival. And hooray for Bess for showing she can be extra strong in a difficult situation! #NancyDrewBR

61 likes

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

Better late than never! It‘s been a morning here. Zeke has been unwell the last couple of days, and then the roofers came without notice to replace my roof today. Yay for a non-leaky roof, but I was not prepared for the minimal notice I received about them coming today (and neither were the cats). My apologies.

I have 6 questions posted as spoilers for our discussion. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR .

CogsOfEncouragement Ahhh! Thanks for hosting this in-it-for-the long-haul BR. There will be days like this, and I appreciate that you still came through with your posts for our discussion. I respect you for taking care of what you needed to, and still managed to get the posts up. This positive interaction about books is valuable, and it matters. Thank you again for your role as host. ✌🏻♥️📚 4d

Ruthiella Hope Zeke feels better soon. ❤️ New roof is so loud and disruptive, but much appreciated when it rains! I can only pick up my hold today. I will have to catch up today and tomorrow. 😅 4d

bookandbedandtea Thank you for carrying on with this despite the obstacles. I'm sorry Zeke has been unwell again. Poor little kitty. New roofs are a good thing but definitely disruptive! We had a terrible hailstorm last spring and every house in the neighborhood, including ours, has gotten a new roof. I'm very fortunate that I work from home, but some days the noise has been a challenge. 3d

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Librarybelle Thanks so much, @CogsOfEncouragement @Ruthiella @bookandbedandtea ! Zeke ate something he should not have the end of last week but he also stopped eating the food that really helps his belly. So, I‘m not sure it‘s a reaction to eating something he can no longer tolerate, the new food he cannot tolerate, a combo, or simply a bad spell with his cancer. He does want yummies, so that‘s good at least! 😂 3d

DGRachel I hope Zeke feels better soon! 3d

Roary47 Thank you for still posting! I hope Zeke feels better soon and you enjoy your new roof repairs. 💛 3d

Librarybelle Thank you, @DGRachel and @Roary47 ! 3d

35 likes7 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

This post contains spoilers

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6. I think young me would have been terrified for Nancy and her friends in a cave that floods during high tide! Adult me knows they're going to get out, but young me probably would have had nightmares!

The perfume that acted as poison was a good touch, in my opinion. And thankfully, no exploding oranges.

What did you think of Nancy's adventures in this one? #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead Caves full of water? Hard pass 4d

CogsOfEncouragement Yeah, the girls' faith in their own swimming ability in open water was really something. Probably not what Carson means when he tells them to be careful.

The part w/Carson missing, & ND being warned twice that he wasn't really at that motel, and don't fall into the trap, had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't know what to think! I was fearful of a #nancynogginknockout for sure. And then he disappeared from the room he was just in. Very fun.

3d

bookandbedandtea The flooding cave was really scary! The noxious fumes were an interesting factor. I wonder why the effect lasted so long with Mr Drew? 3d

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MariaW @bookandbedandtea I think because the hotel clerk Slocum was part of the gang and Madame came and went as she liked. 3d

MariaW How come there was no kidnapping (of Nancy or a minor character) this time? 😜 Again, the cave posed the only real danger this time and it a very likely one and very believable. Waves can be pretty dangerous and this was definitely made clear. 🌊🌊🌊 (edited) 3d

DGRachel The cave and flash floods were terrifying. The rest was pretty tame. I didn‘t mind the lack of oranges, but I think I prefer a little more life-or-death shenanigans. 😂 3d

kwmg40 I found the cave scenes scary. However, the part I found most tense was when Carson was missing. He is not usually the one who needs rescuing, so I found that situation interesting. 3d

Roary47 It was a very good story this time. Nancy did get knocked out I thought with the gas. Even though the doctor basically just got there I was still surprised no one contacted her sooner. Wasn‘t he gone for a couple of days? 3d

10 likes8 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

This post contains spoilers

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5. Before we go to the adventures and dangers, we have to talk about the side characters! Bess and her determination to get George out of the water was amazing! Go Bess!

I felt bad for everyone who had been swindled by the villains and hope that restitution comes to them (I finished this really late last night and cannot remember if Carson found all of the stolen money).

I also missed Hannah in this one! #NancyDrewBR

bookandbedandtea I loved how Bess rescued George- and the boat! The doctor was really creepy, I thought, for someone who wasn't a bad guy. I agree about missing Hannah; I always like having her around. 4d

CogsOfEncouragement Yes, Bess can be brave when necessary and we love her for it.

The older people being taken advantage of sadly read like true crime. In the closing of the story, we are told that “Nancy and her friends were happy when they learned that Harry Tyrox...together with his New York accomplice, still possessed most of the money he had fleeced from innocent victims. ...who had bought the worthless stock would recover a sizeable amount of the cash... 3d

MariaW I thought A.H. behave very suspiciously as well. I mean, how could you leave the girls stranded, even if you have an important appointment? Then send somebody else at least. And Ned seems to turn out a skills wizard like Nancy (golfing tapdancer) and Carson (picking locks, using dynamite) as well, together they make a good superhero squad: He came back from South America (what did he do there???) to sell insurance… 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ 3d

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DGRachel I found both the doctor and AH to be suspicious, so I was really surprised neither of them turned out to be in cahoots with the bad guys, but AH‘s behavior was abhorrent. I think what I love most about Bess is that she is brave in her own way. Nancy, and even George to a lesser extent, is reckless. Bess is rarely reckless, but is always there to help and save her friends. 3d

kwmg40 I too liked Bess's contributions to this story. Because we know her to be less adventurous than Nancy and George, her bravery is even more admirable. 3d

Roary47 I agree about Bess being brave when she is the more reserved one. I also thought the doctor and AH were fishy. 3d

9 likes6 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

This post contains spoilers

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4. Let's look at the story line now. I've seen some in the group comment on this story line seems more plausible, and I agree. We'll talk about the dangers and the adventures in a later question.

Abandoned homes. Haunted caves. Shysters peddling Mon Coeur. It was interesting to me how all of these elements were tied up in the end. #NancyDrewBR

CogsOfEncouragement There is a store in La Jolla, California that has 145 steps down to a sea cave and I kept thinking about that. Plausible.

I was puzzled how that locals didn't understand the tides, and that was the only time the cave had water powerfully flooding from it. Good thing Nancy came along to explain.

Ned was more his “do as Nancy says“ self and I was happy to see it. 4d

MariaW I agree with @CogsOfEncouragement. How can experienced fishermen that have been living in the area for long not have known this? The cave somehow reminded me of The Goonies, even though tgere was no pirate treasure in the end. 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ And whole storyline around Mon Ceur seemed plausible as well. Who hasn‘t bought a cheap bottle of a brand perfume on holiday before and ended up with water that smelked slightly the same? Some goes for the (edited) 3d

MariaW fraud. Happens all the time, still today, see the Wirecard scandal. (edited) 3d

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DGRachel Nothing seemed really outlandish in this one, but I too am confused about the tides. For an area where fishing is such a big deal, how has no one put the tides and the cave flood together? Also, this is another thing that bothers me about Nancy taking the bell. It‘s been sounding as an unintentional warning. Why would you remove a safety warning?? 3d

kwmg40 I definitely found this story more plausible than most of the earlier books. 3d

Roary47 Like everyone, I also thought it was more believable. Is this the second time that Bess bought perfume that wasn‘t what it was originally stated to be? The tides thing was strange for a fishing village. 3d

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

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3. One thing that struck me with this was the various foods served at the cafe. Food plays a big role throughout the series, as we've commented on in the past, but this time really stood out for me. Fish pudding and salmon meringue especially.

Has anyone ever tried these? I'm including a recipe for fish pudding. I lead a fairly sheltered food life, so I was not aware of either dish prior to this book! #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle https://www.tastinghistory.com/recipes/fishpudding 4d

BarkingMadRead Salmon meringue 🤮🤮 4d

bookandbedandtea That recipe sounds every bit as gross as I'd imagine fish pudding to be 🤢 4d

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CogsOfEncouragement I'm not a big fan of seafood so these do not appeal to me. I had never heard of either thing and they stood out to me too. 4d

MariaW I like seafood, but not the dishes mentioned in the book, except for the lobster. And with the puddings I always have to keep in mind that they can be savoury as well. In Germany a Pudding is always a sweet dessert. 🍮🍮🍮 (edited) 3d

DGRachel I don‘t like or eat a lot of seafood and neither fish pudding or salmon meringue sound like anything I even want to see, let alone smell or taste. 🤢 Are savory puddings a thing outside of the UK? I see them on British Bake Off, but as an American, I‘m with @MariaW in having always thought of puddings as sweet desserts. 🤔 3d

kwmg40 I love fish and seafood, and the fish pudding sounds great! I love eggs too, but TBH salmon meringue sounds like a weird combination to me. 3d

10 likes7 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

This post contains spoilers

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2. Nancy, in part, is on the case of the tolling bell in the haunted cave. We hear discussion about the Paul Revere bells, which are indeed noteworthy.

Had you heard of Revere bells? Link in the comments to a Wikipedia post about them for a little background information. #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revere_bells 4d

bookandbedandtea That article was really interesting. This is just the kind of little tidbit I like to learn while I'm reading. 😊 4d

CogsOfEncouragement I didn't remember that about Paul Revere, but I'm sure I knew at one time. I toured his home in Boston during a walking tour twenty some years ago. Ah, the things we learn and then forget. 4d

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MariaW I didn‘t know about them, but the article was quite interesting. I am definitely learning a lot abot US history and inheritance through the ND novels. When Nancy kept the small Revere bell in the end, I couldn‘t help but wonder if she alreay has got an extra room, like a cabinet, where she keeps all the stuff she has been given as a reward at tge end of each book. Does she stroll along the shelves touching them in memory of her cases? 🤔 (edited) 3d

DGRachel I didn‘t know about the Revere bells either. @MariaW I can just picture Nancy as an older woman wandering a hallway of display cases with all her mementos! I did think it was a little weird that she just decided she was going to keep it. The “I deserve a reward and I choose this one” felt a little out of character. 3d

MariaW @DGRachel I felt so too. Without asking, very selfish, even though she knows A.H. hunts for them all over the US. 3d

Roary47 I didn‘t know about the bells before this. Thank you for the article. 3d

kwmg40 I didn't know much about these bells. Thanks for sharing the article. 3d

10 likes8 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

This post contains spoilers

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1. Nancy and her friends are on vacay! But, with a little bit of work and sleuthing thrown in. The 1946 and the 1973 versions are pretty similar--the 1946 version is titled “The Mystery or the Tolling Bell“ versus the 1973 version that is just “Mystery of the Tolling Bell.“

What did you think of this story overall? How does it compare to the prior 22 books? #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead I read this earlier in the year, so I don‘t remember every detail, but i did enjoy it 4d

CogsOfEncouragement I liked this one. I know this isn't fair to say, because ND came first, but it seemed very Scooby Doo with these meddling kids interfering with bad guys in disguises. I was also amused in Chapter V when Nancy feels that elves had cast a spell over her. That seemed so different from any of the other books before this one. I always appreciate a unique idea. 4d

bookandbedandtea @CogsOfEncouragement Now that you mention it, the bad guys did seem like something out of Scooby Do 🤔😂 4d

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MariaW I like the story because there weren‘t two different cases that were intertwined weirdly, it felt more like one case with different aspects. Or maybe I‘ve become accustomed to the ND narrative. 🤔 In general, the storylines did make sense and this didn‘t happened thst oftrn so far. 😜 3d

DGRachel @CogsOfEncouragement That line about her meddling was my favorite part! 😂 3d

Roary47 I enjoyed this one. 3d

kwmg40 I thought this one was pretty good -- seemed much more believable than the previous ones. 3d

9 likes7 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

“At the steering wheel was Ned Nickerson, a friend of Nancy‘s who was staying nearby to sell insurance to parents of two college friends.”

Seriously?!? Can I roll my eyes that Ned happens to be in the same small town as Nancy and her friends??? It was lovely when he was in South America and not brooding over Nancy‘s mystery-loving personality. 😂

#NancyDrewBR

MariaW 🙄🙄🙄 4d

bookandbedandtea I like Ned (which is perhaps leftover impressions from my childhood) but I thought the way he showed up here was really abrupt. I wish his expected presence had been mentioned while the girls drove to the town. 4d

Librarybelle @bookandbedandtea It was really abrupt. I too wish everyone knew he was coming. 4d

36 likes3 comments

Librarybelle

The Executioners Three | Susan Dennard

I picked this up from the library today—it sounds so good—and notice the end paper and the message on the page edges. I already have very high hopes for this one. Now, just to find the time to actually read it…😂

Soubhiville Pretty! 1w

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Librarybelle

Copper Beach | Jayne Ann Krentz

pick

It was enjoyable to visit an older title by Krentz. The hours flew by quickly for this audio. Paranormal energy, books that give off special vibes—definitely a good distraction listen.

48 likes

Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

Xander approves of September‘s #BookSpinBingo list! #Xander #CatsOfLitsy

TheAromaofBooks

Leftcoastzen Yay ,Xander !😻 2w

Ruthiella He‘s also color coordinated with fall colors! 😻😻😻 2w

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2w

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Captivatedbybooks Xanderr!!!! So cute ❣️ 2w

Librarybelle @Leftcoastzen @Ruthiella @Captivatedbybooks 😁❤️ 2w

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2w

kspenmoll Xander‘s lovely ginger enhances the leaves! 1w

Librarybelle @kspenmoll 😁❤️ 1w

MemoirsForMe 😻😻😻 6d

72 likes9 comments

Librarybelle

The Mystery of the Blue Train: Hercule Poirot Investigates | Agatha Christie

The September #ChristiesCapers is the sixth book featuring Hercule Poirot. Let‘s hop on the blue train and solve the mystery using our little gray cells.

Discussion on September 28th. All are welcome! Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list. #AgathaChristieClubR3

Cuilin I‘ve already started. 😊 2w

Sparklemn I may be able to join you. I‘ll see how my next week goes. 2w

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 2w

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Librarybelle @Cuilin 😁 2w

Librarybelle That‘s great, @Sparklemn ! Would you like to be tagged for just this book or included for the whole readalong? 2w

Librarybelle Thanks, @Liz_M ! 2w

JenlovesJT47 My sister brought me a copy of this in French, excited for a reread! 2w

Librarybelle That‘s so cool, @JenlovesJT47 ! 2w

BookNook Got onto this bandwagon late. I've enjoyed many of ACs mysteries over the past many years and it will be interesting to go through them in order of publication as I can squeeze them in between my other stacked books. I love the way she has of “tickling the little grey cells“. 2w

Librarybelle That‘s wonderful, @BookNook ! Some in the group are squeezing in the books as well. 2w

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Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

We‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion! What special talent will Nancy show off this time??? Can she discover the mystery of the tolling bell? Discussion on the 15th!

Ruthiella Thanks for the reminder! 😊 2w

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Librarybelle

Ragtime: A Novel | E.L. Doctorow

Named by the Modern Library as one of the top 100 published of all time, Ragtime is the #LiteraryCrew ‘s selection for September.

We‘re a low key #BuddyRead . Read at your own pace throughout the month. I‘ll post periodic check-ins. Discussion on the 30th!

All are welcome to join. If you would like to be added/removed from the tag list, let me know!

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 3w

kspenmoll I plan to join in. 3w

Librarybelle Yay, @kspenmoll ! 3w

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Jerdencon Just requested it from the library… should have it soon and hope to join 3w

Sace I‘ll dust off my copy and get started tomorrow! 3w

Librarybelle Yay, @Jerdencon @Sace ! 3w

julieclair Looking forward to this! 2w

CSeydel Oh man, this one has been on my list for years! I never manage to plan my timing well enough to join these 2w

Librarybelle Me too, @julieclair ! 2w

Librarybelle @CSeydel I hope you‘re able to join us! 2w

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Librarybelle

Murder at the Spring Ball | Benedict Brown

so-so

I really enjoyed a different series by this author and though to try this. It was okay…parts of the story are slow going, and I was not very engaged with 16 year old Christopher as the narrator. The reveal is interesting, but not quite enough to move this up from a so-so. I do recommend a tissue nearby for the author‘s note—it‘s very moving.

Leniverse That was pretty much my experience with the book as well. Maybe I should give that other series a try! What's it called? 3w

Librarybelle @Leniverse It‘s this one. I‘ve only read the first so far:

Murder at Everham Hall: A completely addictive 1920s cozy mystery

Leniverse Thanks! 3w

51 likes3 comments

Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

It‘s time for our #ChristiesCapers discussion! I have five questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags.

Next month is another Poirot novel; this time, we‘re traveling on the Blue Train! Official post tomorrow! #AgathaChristieClubR3

Aims42 Can‘t wait for next month‘s read 🤗 3w

Librarybelle @Aims42 I think it‘s better than this month‘s book! 3w

Aims42 @Librarybelle Wahoo! 🥳 3w

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Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

This post contains spoilers

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5. The ending...Poirot faking his own death to unmask the rest of the Numbers! We of course know that Poirot cannot possibly die at the end of this book, but imagine being a reader in 1927. Would you believe that Poirot was dead?

Incidentally, critics do say that this aspect was a good Poirot move...the book is not great, but at least there is a glimmer of the real Poirot in this move. #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Cuilin Yeah, I probably would‘ve believed that. Christie was killing of Poirot but I liked that part of the story. I‘m not sure about the twin aspect though. 3w

MallenNC I would have believed it back then and been surprised, I think. The twin bother trick was a little less believable though. 3w

dabbe Christie plays a masterful trick not just on the characters, but on her entire audience. She exploits the absolute trust the reader has in the narrator (Hastings) and the unspoken rules of the detective genre, only to shatter them in a spectacular and joyful reversal. For a few brief, heartbreaking chapters, the world would have genuinely believed the little Belgian detective was gone. Or would they? #sherlockinthefinalproblem

3w

BarbaraJean I didn't believe it for the obvious reason that I've read later books, but I also didn't really believe it in the context. I don't trust the “twin“ trope! I don't know how much of my disbelief is based on that and how much is based on my previously-formed opinion of Hastings' gullibility, though! 1w

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Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

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4. Let's think about the characters beyond Poirot. We have Hastings back in this novel, and we fall into the conspiracy rabbit hole with this group of individuals who wish to control the world. Any thoughts on the Numbers? Any other characters worthy of discussion? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

OutsmartYourShelf Hastings didn't irritate me as much as usual in this one. 3w

MallenNC I was somewhat interested in the female scientist in the Big Four. She was unusual as a villain 3w

willaful @MallenNC yeah, a bit less of a type than the others. 3w

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dabbe To me, Madame Olivier is perhaps the most chilling member, representing the corruption of knowledge and intellect. Science, which should be used for human betterment, is in her hands a tool for destruction. Her development of powerful explosives and deadly radium-based weapons prefigures the real-world anxieties of the nuclear age. She symbolizes the danger of scientific advancement without ethical constraints. 3w

BarbaraJean I agree with @MallenNC & @dabbe for sure--Madame Olivier was fascinating. I would have liked to see more of her. The foreshadowing there of science/tech advancement with no regard for ethics feels pretty contemporary to me, especially in the realm of warfare/AI/privacy/etc. I'd read a whole book with Madame Olivier as the main/only villain. (I don't know that I'd want Christie to write it, though...) I could have done without the other Numbers! 1w

dabbe @BarbaraJean Agree 💯!!! 7d

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Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

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3. Poirot the action hero?!? Poirot's portrayal in this novel differs a bit from our prior reads. We still see Poirot putting together the pieces to the international crime cartel, but it just feels...well, different. Think back to our prior Poirot reads. Compare and contrast Poirot's methods in The Big Four versus his prior cases. Can the Poirot we know really be an action hero??? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Cuilin Yeah, Poirot and action doesn‘t really fit for me. It was all a bit farcical. 3w

OutsmartYourShelf I really can't picture the famously rotund Poirot climbing down the ivy on the side of a house! 😂 3w

MallenNC The “action” definitely felt out of character to me. 3w

willaful @OutsmartYourShelf lol! 3w

BarbaraJean Yes to everyone's no! Poirot was badly cast in this role 😂 1w

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Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

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2. The Big Four was actually a number of short stories thrown together into a novel. The stories first appeared in 1924 as a serial in magazines. In 1926 Christie decided to adapt the short stories into The Big Four. Critics cite the mishmash of stories, somewhat quickly put together to try and present a full length novel. Do you agree? Would this book have worked better as a collection of short stories? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Cuilin She probably should‘ve left them as short stories. Mark Gatis did a pretty good job of rewriting it for the BBC adaptation. 3w

OutsmartYourShelf Maybe, as it seemed a bit of a jumble. 3w

MallenNC I think this explains a lot of repetitive story in this book. It kept feeling like it had come to a conclusion and then a similar situation would happen again 3w

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willaful It doesn't work IMO. The standard type Christie stories and the framing narrative really clash. 3w

Aims42 This makes sense!! I kept wondering how many concussions Hastings could endure 😳🫣 3w

BarbaraJean This makes so much sense!! It felt really cobbled together and now I know why. Honestly Poirot felt shoehorned in--like I said below, it doesn't feel like a Poirot book. I couldn't reconcile the character with the series of events. I haven't really been a fan of the Poirot short stories I've read, so I don't know that I'd like it better in that form! 1w

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Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

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1. The Big Four did not receive many positive reviews upon its publication in 1927; in fact, Christie called it “that rotten book,“ and critics rate it as one of their least favorite works by Christie.

What was your impression of this novel? How does it compare to other Poirot novels we read? If this was your first time ever reading a Christie mystery, would you pick up another one? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Cuilin Luckily it wasn‘t my first Christie!! I didn‘t hate it. I liked the pace. It just got too much towards the end. 3w

OutsmartYourShelf It was kind of odd compared to the other Poirot books in terms of pace & plot etc. 3w

kelli7990 I didn‘t care for this book as much as her other books I‘ve read. 3w

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MallenNC I did not like it either. It didn‘t feel like a detective mystery to me but more like a comic book character. 3w

willaful I think it's one of her worst, though more readable than some of her last books. 3w

dabbe I read it as seeing an artist who was still testing her craft, trying to see which genre fitted best and which genre she kicked ass at. IMHO, spy novels weren't it. 3w

Aims42 Not a pick for me 👎🙈🙉🙊 3w

TheAromaofBooks I don't mind her over-the-top spy tales, but the pacing of this one feels comparatively slow. It covers months of time with not a lot happening. I don't hate it, but it's not a favorite. 3w

BarbaraJean I‘m SUPER late to the party here! I skipped this book while reading Poirot because I‘d seen it was so badly reviewed. If it was my first by Christie, I probably wouldn‘t pick up another. I thought it was pretty poor, and it doesn‘t feel like a Poirot book at all. I‘m with @dabbe, it feels like she was trying out various tropes to see what worked for her. This didn't (& she seems to realize it!). I do love knowing she called it “that rotten book“!! 1w

dabbe @BarbaraJean I love what she thought of her own book, too! 💜🧡🤎 1w

6 likes10 comments

Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

It‘s time for our #LiteraryCrew discussion! I have 7 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags.

I realized I never posted the graphic for next month‘s Ragtime, so I will get that posted today.

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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7. O'Connor mentions a few islands that inspired this story, including St. Kilda. To get a perspective of the islands and the harshness of life, not to mention the village remains, I have a Mirror article link in the comments. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/uk-ireland/uk-ghost-island-been-abandoned-313514... 3w

mcctrish Wow!!! 3w

Sargar114 That authors note was fascinating! 3w

Cuilin Oh wow thanks for sharing. I find this fascinating as someone who grew up in Ireland and would visit the smaller islands and you would see deserted villages etc and now I see TikTok‘s of people visiting them. I often wonder what the island‘s ancestors would make of that. 3w

julieclair So interesting! 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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6. We have to talk about the whale! Do you think the whale was a good omen or a bad omen? O'Connor uses the arrival and departure of the whale's remains as an arc for the story. Why do you think she did this? What does the whale symbolize? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

TEArificbooks I think it was a bad omen. It demonstrates another thing that the researchers took from the island. They can‘t let anything just go. They have to take from it and profit. The what symbolizes the changes that are coming, the changes in the main character but also the modernization coming and the changes we don‘t see in the book. The changes the war will bring. And symbolizes the loss of the way of life, the population leaving and modern influences 3w

mcctrish A bad omen absolutely 3w

Cuilin I think the whale symbolises the island and its precarious existence maybe some catalyst for change. There‘s a beginning and an end. The whale comes, the islanders interact with it, some mainlanders come and take from it and then all is left are the bones and then the skull is used in a celebration. 3w

julieclair I think the whale represents the islanders themselves. Both are tied to the sea, but the sea returns them to the land. Birds and other predators pick away at the whale, just like civilization is slowly influencing the islanders. The whale being removed may indicate the eventual evacuation of the island. But I love that the skull becomes part of their celebration, indicating that the old traditions may not entirely disappear. 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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5. How do you think Edward and Joan's work will affect the island? We already know that the “writings“ they did reflect a different perspective of the island and the community?

On a bigger scale, how will World War II affect the community? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

TEArificbooks I think their research will be presented to the world somehow and it will intrigue people. Maybe a slight increase in tourism. But then the government would interfere and decide to evacuate the island. I think that it is possible more of the men would sign up and die in the war reducing the population more and allowing the government to justify evacuation. Another possibility is occupation, many islands were taking over during the war. 3w

mcctrish @TEArificbooks yes ( nothing good) 3w

Sargar114 @TEArificbooks exactly! 3w

Cuilin Probably nothing. The “rape and Pillage” aspect form J&E was to write a novel as propaganda to promote a certain Britishness, hardworking, handcrafting, and connection to old traditions. That‘s the only use they had for the island. They came, they saw, they romantic it and used it as propaganda. 3w

julieclair I don‘t think the book would impact the island much at all, but I do think the war would have a big effect. The loss of several men, or even just their protracted absence, would have a severe negative effect on the already struggling economy. Eventual evacuation by the government seems likely. 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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4. Edward and Joan arrive on the island to write a book, allegedly. Did you opinion of Edward and Joan change throughout the novel? Why do you think they came to the island, chose this island? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

TEArificbooks I think they came to the island to see if the people were truly as untouched from the modern world. They thought it was remarkable that the islanders knew about the modern world but keep to the old ways. When it wasn‘t as they aspected they made stuff up, which did change my opinion of them. And then they used her for her language, her body, and her handicrafts. They were not nice people. It was all for personal gain not just curiosity. 3w

mcctrish I think Joan and Edward had saviour complexes. Initially I thought they were coming to legitimately document how the islanders lived and were able to maintain some traditions longer than the mainland and some specific to them but then I realized they were scam artists 3w

Sargar114 Agree, they seemed at first interested and curious but by the end just seemed like bad people and wrote the story that fit their narrative instead of the one they actually found. 3w

Cuilin I think Joan definitely had a nationalistic agenda. She was one of Mosley‘s, a fascist politician in the 1930s in Britain with an attitude of keep Britain British and we all know where that attitude leads to. She wanted to document and romanticise the community to promote “Real Britain”. 3w

julieclair I was so disappointed in Edward and Joan. At first I thought they were truly invested in academic research, but as the book progressed it became apparent that they were only “users” promoting their own agenda. 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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3. Let's talk about the islanders (we'll save Edward and Joan for our next question). What were your impressions of Monad? Of Llinos? Of the community? Why do you think those still living on the island chose to stay? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

TEArificbooks I think the ones that stayed saw the beauty in the place or out of family obligations. 3w

mcctrish I‘m reading some Jenny Colgan books set on an island now and they stay for similar reasons - pride, connections, family and they can‘t imagine living somewhere else 3w

Cuilin Why leave? Better the devil you know than the devil you don‘t. I think they took pride in their work and their lifestyle. Their traditions were incredibly important to them. 3w

julieclair I agree, @Cuilin . The letter from Llew after he moved to the mainland indicated that - finding factory work was not as easy as promised, and he ended up enlisting. 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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2. For me, the setting was a powerful aspect of the novel--I could feel the dampness mentioned throughout the novel. How did the setting contribute to the storytelling? Could this story be set in a different location or time? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

TEArificbooks The setting was a character in itself, influencing the characters lives in profound ways. It would have been a different books set somewhere else. It might still work on an island of the coast of Scandinavia or Iceland. But definitely not a tropical island, different vibes. 3w

mcctrish I agree with @TEArificbooks the setting was a character - I really like a book set that way 3w

Sargar114 It seemed it could be anywhere that is isolated. Agree not tropical though. 3w

Cuilin I think the location of the island was important. The knowledge that it was only 5 miles from the mainland, it was on the West Coast and war was coming all added to the atmosphere on the island. 3w

julieclair I, too, agree with @TEArificbooks that the setting was a character. And it was important that it was an island - not easily accessible from the mainland, but not inaccessible either. The isolation was important. Greenland would work as a similar setting, I believe. Maya be also the Shetland Islands or Faroe Islands. (edited) 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

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1. Overall, what did you think of the novel? Think about the flow of the story and O'Connor's use of vignettes to power the narration. Did this style work? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

TEArificbooks I loved the style. It was like we were getting snap shots of her life. And I think the writing style added to the story and helped to create its moodiness. 3w

mcctrish I listened to this and I loved how it unfolded - sometimes like a normal narrative, sometimes like a radio play 3w

Sargar114 I usually like that style. Like @mcctrish I did audio, and it definitely broke up the story and could tell the difference when you got those glimpses 3w

Cuilin I read it and loved the sparse style. I liked the small tableaux segments. 3w

julieclair I loved the book, and the style worked well for interweaving the various elements. The traditional island way of life with its superstitions and folkways, but also the work Joan and Edward were doing, and their subtle feelings of superiority to the “quaint” islanders. 2w

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Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

pick

I devoured this book! O‘Connor writes a descriptive and cautionary tale of declining island life on a fictitious island off the coast of Britain in 1938. Does a deceased whale washed up on shore bring good or bad tidings? Manod, the MC, narrates a few months of life on the island, when the whale and soon after two British strangers arrive. Beautifully written. #LiteraryCrew

#Xander #CatsOfLitsy

melissajayne I‘m about a 1/3 of the way through the book and I am really enjoying it 3w

Librarybelle @melissajayne That‘s great! 3w

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Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

#NotBookRelated , but I have some positive news to share. And, let‘s face it, we all need some good news at this point! Don‘t get me started…😡

Zeke had his follow up appointment with the specialist today, and the specialist is pleased with his progress, his weight gain, and his overall physical health. We‘re waiting for blood test results to make sure his body is responding well to the chemo.

Littens, it‘s been exhausting! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

ShelleyBooksie *hugs* 3w

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ I hardly sleep through the night anymore to feed Zeke and the others when Zeke is hungry. I have a list of when to give Zeke what meds—it‘s not a lot of meds, but his chemo is every other day, and others are twice a day. There are days my emotions get the better of me and I‘m a wreck. My reading time, when I can actually sit and read and not clean kitty items has dropped extremely. I‘ve got other things too that just make things crazy. ⬇️⬇️ 3w

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️But, Zeke is doing well. The specialist told me I‘m doing a good job at keeping Zeke going, and he‘s responding physically in the best possible way, with either a stable outcome of his cancer or possibly a reverse. Thanks for the continued well wishes and support! ❤️ 3w

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Librarybelle Thank you, @ShelleyBooksie ! I still owe you a letter. I think we all lost access to the LitsyLove address list…do you have the same address? 3w

Luke-XVX Fingers crossed. Tell Zeke I said hi 3w

Librarybelle Thanks, @Luke-XVX ! Will do! 3w

RaeLovesToRead Zeke is lucky to have you 🫂 Glad he's doing so well ❤️🤞🏻 3w

Bookwormjillk That‘s wonderful news! 3w

LiteraryinPA You‘re doing an amazing job for Zeke, wow. 💗 Taking care of pets through illness is so exhausting emotionally, physically, etc. but it‘s wonderful that he‘s responding well. 3w

Amiable 😻😻 ❤️ 3w

Aims42 This is great news, thank you for sharing it 😻 Give Zeke a nose boop and a hug for me! 3w

Tamra 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 3w

TheBookHippie Sending love! I think of you all often!!! 3w

Lcsmcat Hugs to you and Zeke. ❤️ 3w

Librarybelle Thank you so much! @RaeLovesToRead @Bookwormjillk @LiteraryinPA @Amiable @Aims42 @Tamra @TheBookHippie @Lcsmcat 3w

Deblovestoread So glad to hear how well Zeke is doing. Sending hugs and hope you are getting some naptime to offset the bumpy nights. 3w

JenReadsAlot So glad to hear this! Hugs to you both from Frankie and I 💕 3w

Eggbeater You're a loving and dedicated fur-mama. That is wonderful news. I hope you can take some time for you. 3w

Mimi28 You‘re a great cat mom 🫶🏽🩷😊 3w

Librarybelle Thank you so much! @Deblovestoread @JenReadsAlot @Eggbeater @Mimi28 ! 3w

kspenmoll Oh i am so happy for you- mostly for Zeke! Poe & Em send love 😻😻 3w

Bookwomble ❤️‍🩹🐈‍⬛❤️‍🩹 3w

Ruthiella Aw! Great news! 😻 3w

Librarybelle Thank you so much! @kspenmoll @Bookwomble @Ruthiella 3w

mabell Yay!! That‘s wonderful! ❤️ 3w

DGRachel Yay! 🥳🥳 Great news! 3w

Bette He‘s beautiful, glad he‘s feeling better! 🙏 I like good news, thanks. 3w

Roary47 Yay! 🎉 3w

Librarybelle Thank you so much! @mabell @DGRachel @Bette @Roary47 3w

lil1inblue 🎉😻😻😻🎉 3w

Librarybelle Thank you, @lil1inblue ! 3w

shortsarahrose So glad to hear Zeke is doing well! Hoping you can find some time to care for yourself, too 💚 3w

Reggie I‘m so happy for you and Zeke! 3w

Sparklemn Great news! 3w

BarbaraBB Happy for you both 🤍 3w

MemoirsForMe Thank you for sharing this great news about Zeke! So sorry it‘s taking so much out of you. You are the most caring and loving cat mama. I‘m sure your boys appreciate you. And so do we! ❤️🙏🏻❤️ 3w

Librarybelle Thank you so much! @shortsarahrose @Reggie @Sparklemn @BarbaraBB @MemoirsForMe 3w

77 likes37 comments

Librarybelle

A Killer Getaway: A Novel | Sienna Sharpe

pan

Oof. I had high expectations for this one—female serial killer who chooses a victim while she works at a beach resort every July—but it fell flat. The writing never fully engaged me, and it took a really, really long time before MC Lily acknowledges what she does every summer (if you did not read the cover nor any book summaries, you‘d be very confused with the aside comments she makes up until this point). There are other things that confuse ⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ …me too, but they are kinda sorta spoilerish. I was happy when the audio was finished, though the ending was much better than the beginning. The epilogue, however, was very eye rolling. Lily is an LGBTQ+ character, so there are elements of diversity in this. There are a couple steamy scenes in this one, and triggers for body shaming, suicide, and violence. This has received a lot of positive reviews, so I have an #UnpopularOpinion 4w

Hooked_on_books Well, that‘s a bummer. Sounds like a fun premise, but based on what you‘ve said, I suspect I‘d feel the same as you. 3w

Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books I had high hopes, but it just fizzled for me. 3w

64 likes3 comments

Librarybelle

Under Lock & Skeleton Key: A Secret Staircase Mystery | Gigi Pandian

so-so

I liked but didn‘t love this one. A cast of diverse characters set in a world of magicians and illusionists, this mystery also features secret rooms and stairs and misdirection. The story had a bit of repetition to it, but it sets up well for Tempest to continue solving mysteries. I love Grandpa Ash! I‘ll read the second one, eventually. #Zeke #CatsOfLitsy

56 likes

Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

A little late reporting back but this past weekend‘s #NetGalleyReadathon helped me organize my “to do” list for #NetGalley and focus on my next plan of attack.

I did not submit any reviews on NetGalley, but I identified 7 books I need to review and will hopefully trickle them into the system before our next readathon.

I have 17 in progress books! Yikes! But, now I have a list and can determine which to finish reading. Life always seems to ⬇️⬇️⬇️

AllDebooks

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ get in the way, and since I‘m not the biggest ebook fan, I tend to forget I started a book. But, the list will hopefully help me dwindle that down a bit without starting more. 😂 I identified one book that I had as book an audio and a print but read the audio, so I could submit the “will not review” for the print version. And, of course I requested more books, because why not?!? 1mo

AllDebooks 😅 exactly, why not? 😅 1mo

Soscha I had to give up my NetGalley. Too many requests, too stressful. This is why I only check out children‘s titles from the library. 1mo

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Librarybelle Good strategy, @Soscha ! 1mo

LiteraryinPA I couldn‘t get traction on NetGalley because I wasn‘t reliably reading and reviewing. But it‘s such a cool program if it works for you! 1mo

Librarybelle It helped that I used to have librarian status on it, so I still have so many auto approved books. That‘s wonderful, but also my need to read list just keeps growing! It‘s a bit addictive to request. 😂 @LiteraryinPA 1mo

40 likes6 comments

Librarybelle

Whale Fall | Elizabeth O'Connor

We are a little less than 1.5 weeks away from our next #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I‘ve seen some positive reviews already from group members, so I hope this sparks some great discussion on the 31st.

As a heads up, our next book is Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. I‘ll post the official graphic either today or tomorrow, when I have a free moment and remember (!), but wanted to make sure everyone was aware now.

Sargar114 I‘ve started the audiobook version. Not sure how I feel yet, but it‘ll be quick I imagine 1mo

Librarybelle @Sargar114 🤞 1mo

julieclair Starting this one tonight! And I'm excited about Ragtime. It's been on my TBR for years. 4w

Librarybelle Yay, @julieclair ! 4w

45 likes4 comments

Librarybelle

The Big Four | Agatha Christie

We‘re a little less than 1.5 weeks away from our next #ChristiesCapers discussion!

This will be the third time reading this one for me, and I fully admit it‘s not a favorite of mine. I‘ve seen posts already that others may agree; the discussion will be interesting!

See you August 31st! #AgathaChristieClubR3

LiteraryinPA This is one of the few Agathas that I‘ve only read once. But everything is better when you discuss it with Littens! 1mo

Librarybelle It definitely is, @LiteraryinPA ! 1mo

MallenNC This is my first time reading it and I doubt I‘ll ever read it again. But I am looking forward to the discussion 4w

Librarybelle @MallenNC This seems to be the group‘s consensus. Should be an interesting discussion! 4w

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Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

A huge thank you to Cuilin and Denise for not only hosting #NoPlaceLikeHolmes but also for the surprise goodies for participating in the group‘s discussions. I love everything, and I‘ve yet to read Moriarty, so this is perfect.

It was so odd to not have a Holmes story this past weekend! 😂

Your kindness is so appreciated, and thank you again for all of the work of hosting and posting!

Cuilin, dabbe

Cuilin You‘re so welcome, I agree about not having a Holmes story this weekend. I mentioned it to my husband because it felt so strange. Thank you for all your participation. What a fun ride, now onto the pastiches!!! 1mo

dabbe YAY! I missed Sherlock this weekend, too! I'm working on the pastiche rollout and will get out the wee gifts to the Sherlockians who signed up soon! 🧡💜💛 1mo

50 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Everyone Is Watching | Heather Gudenkauf

pick

This is like watching a train wreck involving a bunch of shady people—a real show that pits 5 people against each other, but a really sick, twisted reality show with people who have done some pretty bad things in their past. I gasped a couple of times while listening to this, and I just had to keep listening. A bit banana pants, but it also shows how bloodthirsty people can be. I‘ll have to check out more by Gudenkauf; good distraction listen.

Reggie Bad people behaving badly. Reality show. Stacked. 1mo

Librarybelle @Reggie It‘s a very interesting read! 1mo

52 likes2 stack adds2 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 23: Mystery of the Tolling Bell | Carolyn Keene

September‘s #NancyDrewBR takes us away from River Heights and into another mystery that includes the kidnapping of Carson Drew! Oh my!

Discussion on September 15th. All are welcome to join. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 1mo

BarkingMadRead I read this earlier in the year, I‘m definitely in to discuss! 1mo

Librarybelle Yay, @BarkingMadRead ! 1mo

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Ruthiella Let‘s find out for whom the bell tolls! 😅 1mo

Librarybelle @Ruthiella 😂 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella 🤣 1mo

43 likes6 comments

Librarybelle

Untitled | Unknown

Better late than never! My weekend goals for the #NetGalley #Readathon #NGG .

I will probably not make it to actually completing a book this weekend, but my account and pending reviews definitely need a thorough examination and update. I think I owe at least 4 reviews to NetGalley of books I completed the last few months, but I always find others that I read and forgot I also got from NetGalley (I have way too many books to read in my account).

AllDebooks

AllDebooks Great goals. Good luck. x 1mo

Librarybelle Thanks, @AllDebooks ! 1mo

47 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

Let‘s discuss Heath Castle and a missing heiress! I have five questions posted as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR .

Next month, Nancy has to uncover The Mystery of the Tolling Bell, which now makes me think of Hemingway and For Whom the Bell Tolls. 😂

Official post tomorrow!

DGRachel I totally forgot that the 15th was today and didn‘t get this read over the weekend. I did start it last night but I am only 1/4 done. 😭😭 1mo

dabbe Thank you! 💛🤎🧡 1mo

Ruthiella I also need to start reading this. Time slipped up on me! 1mo

42 likes3 comments

Librarybelle

Nancy Drew 22: The Clue in the Crumbling Wall | Carolyn Keene

This post contains spoilers

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5. A Chaucer reference! Nancy makes note that she learned to read Middle English, as she read Chaucer. I was amazed at this.

The other quirky element I wanted to mention was Salty, who I dearly wish we see again, and his clam song. I think I actually giggled when I read his lyrics. Something about a door-to-door clam salesman does make me wonder about product safety...

Were there any elements that surprised you or made you giggle? #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk The Chaucer thing definitely made me laugh. 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement This might not be exactly what you are looking for, but the “lucky we wore jeans” is really something. The Hardy Boys get to wear pants for every adventure. Nancy, George, and Bess are usually doing all this in skirts, hosiery, and possibly kitten heels. 1mo

BarkingMadRead I loved Salty! I also loved the secret clue in the castle, very creative! 1mo

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dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement #truth! 😂🎯😂 1mo

dabbe As someone who taught a few of the CANTERBURY TALES to my sophomore honors students, not ONE of them became an avid reader of Middle English, so I really had to suspend my disbelief on that one.

The fake Juliana is exposed because her feet are too big, like Cinderella's stepsisters. Nancy literally stares at the woman‘s shoes to solve the case: no DNA tests, just “Nope, those feet are definitely not ballet material!“ 😂 1mo

DGRachel I‘d forgotten about the jeans conversation, but I did laugh at that. I just remember thinking “of course she translates Middle English” 🙄. Random side note, for one of the requirements for my English Lit degree I had to choose between Shakespeare Studies or an entire semester spent reading Chaucer in Middle English. I chose Shakespeare and have never regretted that decision. 😂 1mo

DGRachel @Librarybelle product safety! 😂😂 1mo

DebinHawaii Yes, I worried about the safety of eating those mollusks quite a lot even while appreciating Salty. And of course Nancy studies Middle English! (Do you think she can tap dance it out too?) 🤪 1mo

kwmg40 Nancy knowing how to read Middle English did seem amazing. That girl can do anything! 1mo

Librarybelle OMG, @DebinHawaii ! She might be able to—such a talented girl is our Nancy! 😂 I forgot about the jeans observation, @CogsOfEncouragement , but you‘re right! I‘m all for trying Chaucer in Middle English, but probably not when I was 18. 😂 @Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead @dabbe @DGRachel @kwmg40 1mo

Ruthiella Nancy knowing enough Middle English to translate sure made me laugh! 😂 1mo

MariaW I took an Old English class once at university, even got the dictionary and everything- still I am not fluent. 🤦‍♀️ And Bess just had to put her head over the wall and the dogs would start barking, she definitely must be a cat person. 😂 3w

Librarybelle @MariaW 😂 That‘s so funny! 3w

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Joined September 2016