Riley and I highly recommend Jennifer Weiner‘s latest. Her work just keeps getting better and better. This novel takes place in my home state of Michigan. The little details there initially brought me in, but the stories of Jo and Bettie were compelling. This book spoke to me so much as a newly single mom of teenage girls. Weiner nailed the MI and the mom details. It also spoke to the pain and injustice in the US from the 60s through today.

I love it when my hometown is mentioned in a book! This story is set in Detroit and I love all of the references to the Detroit Tigers, too.

Last weekend I went to the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville. I went to a panel where Greer Macallister speak. I just had to read it. While I wouldn‘t consider it a thriller as it was billed, I enjoyed the book and would most definitely recommend it. Who wouldn‘t be interested in a book where the narrator gets herself admitted to an asylum to save her sister?

This book is amazing. I‘m so glad it attracted my attention.

Praise the Lord!!! I‘ve been dying to find out what happens next! #cormoranstrike

Praise the Lord!!! I‘ve been dying to find out what happens next! #cormoranstrike

This really caught my eye this morning now that I‘m listening to The Music Shop. I normally wouldn‘t be drawn to something like this, but I‘m intrigued.

Well, after 33 audiobooks since October 15, a second full time job, my role as Audie Awards judge is complete! Hallelujah! How do I celebrate? By listening to another audiobook. 😂 I had been saying I would take a long break, bu I love them too much. #obsessed #audiobooklover #audiobooksforever

Thank you so much to @Cupofjo for these fantastic #SecretSanta gifts for the #litsygoespostalOG exchange. While I can do without mention of the Buckeyes 😂, this suits me from head to toe. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and resolves to love the shit out of yourself in 2018.

It‘s been a while since I‘ve posted here. Life (work) has gotten in the way of my reading. I haven‘t finished book in print since mid September. I‘ve continued to listen to audiobooks, but I‘ve really been blah. Then I found out something awesome: I‘m an Audies judge! This is quite an honor. The one downside is that I can‘t share the category or audiobooks I‘m judging. Still, I‘m happy to be a part of this event. Like Frazier, I‘m listening. 🙂

I'm so glad to be listening to this right now. I'm developing a bit of a cold and good fiction narrated by Joshilyn Jackson is sure to take my mind of the growing misery in my head. This book and this cold is going to hit hard.

Thanks for your help. I'm off to spend some time with Timothy Wilde.

I can't decide what to read next. Historical fiction, a book in one of my favorite series, or Oscar Wao? Can you help a girl out on a Saturday night?

After a slow first half, I really enjoyed this audiobook. In the end, this did for me what Life After Life did not. Peter Kenny did a great job with voices and tone. I'll look to pick more of his audiobooks down the road.

It took me a while to get into this one, but I'm addicted now. Peter Kenny is a great narrator. Just a little over an hour left and I can't wait to find out what happens.

I have left this book at work since Monday and the only thing I care about is the bookmark I'll need when I start something new. No surer sign needed to bail than that.

While I enjoyed Clare Corbett and Emilia Fox's performances (especially teenage Bella), this book was just okay for me. Jessie was annoying for the most part. The would have enjoyed this more if it simply told the story of the Wilde sisters alone.

The end of summer means it's time for autumn leaves. No better time to read this book. #backtoschool

This book was so, so good. I loved every bit of each character's journeys. If you enjoy character driven novels, be sure to pick this one up. Now I need to find some more Ayelet Waksman novels. Her writing is beautiful.

The weather is gorgeous today, so I started this audiobook and took a 4 mile hike. So far it's interesting, but not necessarily great. Early days yet, though. I do enjoy both Clare Corbett and Emilia Fox's narration.

In the end, I enjoyed this book. The last six hours of the audiobook were compulsive for me. I just found the story too long. There were enough surprises without the need, I feel, for the side story with the detective. I don't know how memorable this will be for me.

The narrator's, while not great, got the job done. I wouldn't not listen to them again. I also wouldn't seek out listening to them again.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the idea of a new generation of detectives in the Holmes & Watson families and the increased tension they have at boarding school. I get how you can be furious and frustrated with someone and then have your heart melt when you're reminded of who they are to you. It's been a rough few months for me and Emma, but catching her like this (on a bale of hay no less - yikes!) makes me happy to be her Mom. She's worth it all.

I've really dug into this book over the past couple of days. Its fascinating. This paragraph questioning the concept that God doesn't give you more than you can handle has made me think all morning. This may not be the most uplifting read for a long holiday weekend, but I'm constantly drawn to it, so I'll take it.

Well, I was going to read Red Hook Road, but A Study in Charlotte sidetracked me. I wish this shy poet from my ❤️ Michigan was a main character. #PureMichigan

Today I started this audiobook. I'm definitely in the mood for a British mystery/thriller. Fingers crossed that it doesn't disappoint.

Okay for free. Peter Hermann did an okay job narrating. It fit the book. Not a huge Patterson fan, but it was an easy book that required little of me. Sometimes you need that.

Just okay for me. It was too long with Crusoe's rambling about mundane things. Passages about "savages," slaves, and women made parts are well out of place today. It was nice to listen with Simon Vance, but even he couldn't make this one magical.

I know my Grandma loved this book. Perhaps I would have if enjoyed it more if I was younger.

It's a funny thing about getting new clothes that you love. They make you feel good in your skin as it is. Then, you find yourself wanting to take better care of yourself. True, you don't want stress eat your way out of them, but that's not really it. You're excited by your life instead of burdened by it. You want to fuel your body accordingly. You want to move in your body accordingly. Listening to Simon Vance is an added benefit. #ILoveDia&Co

I saw a Facebook post about this book, remembered that I've owned it for awhile, and decided to make it my next read. I'm only 30 pages in, but I love Waldman's writing. I'm thankful for Facebook prompts.

I really, really enjoyed this one. It was a sassy, cozy mystery. That was exactly what was called for following the events in Charlottesville last weekend. Books really are my rock during stormy times. I can't wait to see what Veronica and Stoker get up to next. January isn't too far away. 🙂

When my grandmother passed away, she left her family her life story. I had the honor of typing the story for the rest of the family. In her life story, she included her favorite books from childhood. Robinson Crusoe was one of them. I picked it as my next audiobook. This wasn't a difficult choice with Simon Vance, my absolutely favorite narrator at the helm. Let's see what getting stranded on a desert island is like. It may not be that bad.

I loved this novella! Michael C. Hall was phenomenal as narrator. I was more than impressed with his work. Truman Capote impressed me as well. I'd only previously read In Cold Blood. It was great. I wasn't sure how he'd translate to fiction. Now I'll have to watch the movie this weekend. I've heard there are differences. I'll be curious to see what they are. Good stuff!

My last audiobook dragged, so I'm hoping this three hour listen will serve as a pick me up. I've never read this novella or saw the movie, so I'm curious.

Some of these A List Audible titles are not great. Not all Hollywood actors have what it takes to narrate. For $1.95, I took a chance. Let's hope that Michael C. Hall knocks it out the park.

Today was my daughters' first day of school. I can no longer deny that I am the mother of a high schooler. To celebrate, I finished this audiobook. It was just okay for me. Not bad, not that great. If there was a rating between Pick and So-So, I would have chosen that.

From an audiobook perspective, I enjoyed Saskia Maarlaveld's narration. When the change in perspective changed quickly, there was a little more of a blur. I'd listen to her again.

I cleaned my room, drove the girls around to horse lessons, and have worked on my laundry. I've listened all along. There are still two and a half hours left. Sigh. I'm ready to move on.

The next time I reach for WWII fiction, please slap my hand. I need a good, long break from it.

My #5bands have mostly been in my heart for a very long time. I've seen Toad three times, Tori Amos, R.E.M., and U2 twice, and the Decemberists once. All beautiful memories. Their music brings me joy and peace. Today in particular, "This is Why We Fight" is keeping me going.

@miralunasbooknook

The mail today reminds me of the real Charlottesville. The place of language, learning, and diversity. It is not a place of ugly, hate filled violence. I have walked the UVA campus and the mall many times without fear. That these beautiful places have been sullied by bigotry, white supremacy, and violence is heartbreaking. Charlottesville deserves better than this. Our children deserve better than this. Our country is better than this.

Since my current audiobook isn't all that compelling, I'm treating myself to something really fun in print. I love Veronica Speedwell. She's spunky and she plays by her own rules. I especially love how she gets under Stoker's skin. This will be fun.

I don't know why I do this to myself. I'm burned out on WWII era novels. Then a new big novel comes out and I think, "Maybe this will be different." This one also has a WWI storyline, so that will add another element, right? There's nothing wrong with this book (at the 60% mark), but I don't ever want to pick it back up and start listening, either. Not DNFing yet, though.

Narrator Saskia Maarlaveld is doing a great job. At least she's a pleasure.

This book was a slow read for me. Then, toward the end, it just got weird. While far from the worst book I've ever read, it's not making me jump to read anything else by Sadie Jones. Not my cup of tea.

Tonight, with more than a few tears, I finished Les Misérables. What a beautiful, beautiful book. Jean Valjean will forever be in my heart. I'm so glad that I finally met him. Victor Hugo, thank you.

#LesMisLovesCompany was one of the best reading decisions I've ever made.

And so it begins. This morning I'm starting to read the last section for #LesMisLovesCompany. I'm excited and a little sad. I don't think I'm going to want it to end. I've really enjoyed having this book and its characters with me for the past six months.

This audiobook was recommended to me by @BethFishReads a while ago (and probably more than once). Probably more than once. I'm finally listening. It takes place on death row and I think I'm going to really enjoy it. Jim Frangione is a very engaging narrator.

This is the latest book to call to me from my book shelf. I'm hoping a bit of Downton era soap opera will be just the thing to finish out the month of July.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Jenna Lamia was expertly cast. This story was funny and touching. Polly was a fun character and I was very much touched by her love for Willow. I'm so glad I picked this one up on a whim.

This book was just okay for me. I couldn't believe that Homes's dads would just let this trip happen and it never clicked for me afterwards. I'm glad it's over.

I'm not so glad my love affair with Bookout is over. When I finished my book I noticed that only one book of my current reads was showing, not all three. 8 months of stats gone. I tried closing the app. Nothing changed. I deleted & redownloaded. It's as if I never used it. Sad. 😫😫😫

Here's Allison after completing the ribbon race. And the sun is starting to go down. Yes!!!

Regardless of the heat index being over 100 (hell is too nice a word to describe it), it's time for the horse show this afternoon/evening. Emma is in her element. I brought this book to read between events, but it's not very good. I'm not buying the premise at all. Instead I'll just enjoy watching my girls loving life.

When it gets hot outside, I seem to turn to Southern Fiction. My next audiobook is The Book of Polly narrated by the fabtabulous Jenna Lamia. She's the one of my favorite narrators.