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mabell

mabell

Joined April 2016

Nothing is more delectable than an English country house murder mystery. 👶&🐶mom ❤️: ☕️🍷🧀❄️ https://graymyrtle.com/book-blog
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mabell
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Next up! Thanks, Sarah!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on this one. Mine were mixed! 2w
33 likes1 comment
review
mabell
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Pickpick

Such a fun tale! As an ardent reader of Heyer Regency romances, this was a perfect fit! It is quite a tangled tale with duels, impersonators, and a complex family tree. 😄 Oh, and lovely friends!

I will definitely look for more Joan Aikens! Any recommendations for particular titles?

TheAromaofBooks Aiken is a weirdly hit or miss author for me. For instance, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is one of my all-time favorite books - but the rest of the series got progressively weirder and creepier. She wrote several Austen sequels that I have enjoyed but not loved, as well. 2w
mabell @TheAromaofBooks What a crazy coincidence! I just saw the Wolves of Willoughyb Chase secondhand yesterday! I saw the author and thought Ooohh, great timing! Then I read the summary, and I thought it seemed too dark for me. 😬 I should have just picked it up in case! 2w
TheAromaofBooks It is a little dark for a children's book, but SO good. But I probably wouldn't chose it for one of our “lighthearted“ reads 😂 2w
31 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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mabell
House Without a Key | Earl Derr Biggers
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Also, I wanted to highlight how beautifully you wrapped the gifts! Your creative folding and tucking in the bookmarks was fabulous! You aren‘t allowed to deprecate your wrapping skills anymore! 🤣🤣

Gissy I watched some videos to do this, something different and not too complicated 😄 1mo
mabell @Gissy It looks fabulous! Watching videos is such a great idea! I‘ll have to look up some! 1mo
Gissy @mabell That one is very easy🤗 1mo
26 likes3 comments
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mabell
Thursday Murder Club | Richard Osman
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Gisela, what a sweet and thoughtful package! Your gifts for Sophie were so cute! Such a pretty outfit, and she‘ll love being wrapped in the cozy robe after bath time! The envelope you made was so pretty, and I loved how you personalized it! I‘m saving it for her baby book! The fuzzy socks and mug set are perfect gifts for mama, as are the great bookmarks! I am so excited for all the books!! ⬇️

mabell I have wanted to join all the cool kids who read and loved the Thursday Murder Club, and I have always been curious to read one of the Charlie Chan books. I can‘t believe you found it! Thank you so much for everything, I love it all! 1mo
Gissy I‘m glad you liked it. Books were intended to be your birthday gift😳😱but then I had some situations with some books. Maybe because BookDepository was facing problems already? Who knows! What it is important is that the gifts arrived, a combination of birthday and celebration of Sophie arrival 💖 I need to send some cookies to say congratulations to the papa, Chris, congratulations to him too😄I‘m so happy for both of you. A big hug my friend❤️🥰 1mo
mabell @Gissy It‘s perfect! Celebrates her birthday and mine! ❤️🎂🥳 Chris says thank you for the congratulations! He is a proud papa 😄 Thank you so much for everything 🥰🥰 (edited) 1mo
36 likes3 comments
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mabell
Toll-Gate | Georgette Heyer
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Such a fun adventure, just as fun on rereading! Quite a different set of characters and situation than you usually find in a Heyer. I hope you all enjoy it! I‘ll get it on its way to you, Chrissy!

julieclair I'm chuckling at the cover. Seems like almost every book I've been reading has a horse involved. Wonder if it's some sort of sign, lol. 🐎 2mo
mabell @julieclair Ha that‘s funny! A sign the Kentucky Derby is coming up? 😆 2mo
julieclair @mabell Maybe it's a sign I should place a bet on the Derby. If there's a horse named Toll Gate, or Heyer, I'll know it's a sure winner! 😂 2mo
See All 8 Comments
mabell @julieclair If there is, let me know! I‘m definitely putting money on it too! 🤣 2mo
CarolynM Stacking because I need to keep expanding my Heyer reading🙂 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I'm excited about this one!! 2mo
mabell @CarolynM It‘s a bit different type of storyline, but quite fun and filled with classic Heyer wit! 2mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks I can‘t wait to see what you think! (In 2-3 months 😂) 2mo
30 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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mabell
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They‘ve arrived! Thanks, Sarah!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 2mo
Aimeesue Aiken AND Delafield! What a treat! 2mo
mabell @Aimeesue Aiken is completely new to me! I‘m looking forward to diving in! 😄 2mo
Aimeesue @mabell I‘ve not read any of her adult books, but her children‘s books are fabulous. I sill have my original copy of Arabel‘s Raven from my childhood. 🥰 2mo
mabell @Aimeesue Oh that sounds like fun! I‘ll have to keep an eye out for her children‘s books! 2mo
31 likes5 comments
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mabell
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Pickpick

I read this in one day! (A few weeks ago, I‘m pokey on my review 🙃)
I loved the beginning half, and enjoyed the whole book! The Marquis as a fatherly figure stole my heart ❤️ I loved Frederica, too, though I got rather put out with her in the latter portion with her uncomprehending treatment of Charis.

#LMPBC #GroupH

AlaMich Fun cover! 2mo
TheAromaofBooks I loved this one!! 2mo
mabell @AlaMich They came out with a few of these, and they are all so pretty! 2mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Another great one! Such a fun family ❤️ 2mo
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mabell
Delicious Monsters | Liselle Sambury
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I‘m sorry it has taken me so long to post this @LibrarianRyan ! Another unbirthday gift has arrived - and it has a very striking cover!!
Thank you so much for your generous birthday-sharing! ❤️

LibrarianRyan yeahhh. See I am not any better at responding. I hope you like it. I can not wait to read it.! 2mo
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mabell
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Chrissy, I love the surprise package for Baby! How fun! I know Sophie will enjoy splashing the pages of her bath book and will love reading (and gumming) her new books! Those are so cool! Thank you so much! ❤️

Chrissyreadit So glad they look like fine! And so excited for you! 2mo
Chrissyreadit Love her name ❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit Thank you! We spent all 9 months deciding 🤣 2mo
26 likes3 comments
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mabell
Hello Baby! | Mem Fox
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This sweet little peanut arrived early! Needless to say, we are blissful, exhausted, bewildered, and completely smitten 🥰🥰

SheReadsAndWrites Congratulations! 💖 2mo
mabell @SheReadsAndWrites Thank you! ❤️ 2mo
Chrissyreadit ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
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Texreader Oh my goodness—what a cutie! Beyond words. Congratulations and many hugs all around. 2mo
Clwojick Congrats! 2mo
ju.ca.no Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈 🥰 2mo
LeahBergen Oooohhh, she‘s beautiful!! Congratulations! ❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
batsy Congratulations! 😍❤️ 2mo
Bookwormjillk Congratulations ❤️ 2mo
Librarybelle Congratulations! 2mo
CarolynM So adorable🥰 Congratulations ❤️ 2mo
Itchyfeetreader Many many congrats ! 2mo
SamAnne Congratulations! 2mo
MaureenMc Congratulations! She‘s beautiful! ❤️ 2mo
Tamra So cute! Congrats! 2mo
BookwormM Congratulations 🥳 2mo
Aimeesue Yay! New babies are the best! Congrats! ❤️ 2mo
Gissy Congratulations! I didn‘t know you were expecting a baby😳🤦🏽‍♀️ but never is too late! Adorable! 💖😍🥰 2mo
staci.reads What a beauty! Congratulations! ❤️👶🍼 2mo
mabell @BookwormM @Aimeesue @staci.reads Thank you so much! ❤️ 2mo
mabell @Gissy Surprise! 😆 I was fairly quiet about expecting! Then, all of a sudden she‘s here! 😂🥰❤️ 2mo
Gissy @mabell Adorable! So welcome to the world Sophie 💖 2mo
Bookzombie Congratulations! She is beautiful! 2mo
mabell @Gissy She says thank you! My mom has been telling me it‘s a wonderful world full of books 😄❤️📚 2mo
mabell @Bookzombie Thank you so much! 😊💕 2mo
40 likes26 comments
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mabell
Bachelors Anonymous | P G Wodehouse
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Sorry for the delay, friends! Here are a few ideas for our next round of happy books!

I‘ve read Toll-Gate, but I thought it would be fun to see what everyone else thought about it (especially all the slang!)

Provincial Lady in London wasn‘t like the first book, but her experiences/thoughts on America may be entertaining 😄

See All 9 Comments
Chrissyreadit My choices are Bachelors Anonymous and The Toll Gate 3mo
julieclair These all sound good, but my top two choices are The Toll Gate and Bachelors Anonymous. 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Oh these all sound fantastic!! I'm good with any of them!! 3mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Great! I‘ll go with The Toll Gate, then. I‘m excited to see what you all think! 3mo
TheAromaofBooks That may actually be one of the few Heyer books I haven't read yet!! 3mo
julieclair Yay! Looking forward to reading it. 😃 3mo
32 likes9 comments
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mabell
Catt Out of the Bag | Clifford Witting
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Pickpick

I almost saved this one for next Christmas - the plot being the disappearance of one of group of charity carolers - but I‘m glad I went ahead and read it now.

I loved the English country setting and the tongue-in-cheek humor. The mystery waned a bit for me. I was drawn more the by author‘s prose and the characters, and I would absolutely like to read another by this author. Did I mention he was quite funny?

#1939 for #192025

Librarybelle Stacking! 3mo
tpixie @Sills you love Christmas-Themed books! 3mo
Tamra Stacked! 3mo
See All 10 Comments
LeahBergen I love this cover! 😍 3mo
batsy Great cover! Another to add to the list 😁 3mo
mabell @tpixie @Librarybelle @Tamra @LeahBergen @batsy It‘s always fun to pick up an unknown golden age mystery and enjoy it - especially if it has such a striking cover! 😄 3mo
mabell @Gissy I forgot to mention - thank you so much for sending this one to me! ❤️ 3mo
tpixie @mabell @Gissy the cover is gorgeous! (edited) 3mo
Gissy @mabell I forgot but I‘m glad this was a winner😆We never know what is going to be our last impression with books. Well, this is now in my wish list🤗I think I will be in this world forever because I continue adding books to that list😳😂😂😂 3mo
mabell @Gissy With books, it‘s the more the merrier! 🤣😄 3mo
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mabell
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I really can‘t think of a better way to start the day…

Chocolate cake and milk ✔️
Coffee ✔️
Calvin and Hobbes ❤️

IndoorDame That book brings back memories!!! 3mo
batsy Perfect!! 3mo
inthegreensandblues Love x4! 😍 3mo
mabell @IndoorDame @batsy @inthegreensandblues It‘s been a while since I‘ve picked up a Calvin & Hobbes, and it was just as fun as ever! Plus cake 😆 3mo
Gissy 😋 3mo
33 likes5 comments
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mabell
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I kept forgetting to say this arrived!

I‘ll finish reading and have it on its way to you early next week @Bookwormjillk !

#LMPBC

Bookwormjillk Thanks!! 4mo
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mabell
A Hat Full of Sky | Terry Pratchett
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Eeek! I am so excited for this one @LibrarianRyan ! I love that you choose it! 💜🖤💜🖤

Thank you so much! 🎉

LibrarianRyan yeah. One more book from BN will be there at the end of the month. 4mo
mabell @LibrarianRyan 🥰🥰 4mo
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mabell
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Ooof, this was not what I was expecting! I‘ll refrain from reviewing, so it will be fresh for you @Chrissyreadit 😄

I‘ll have it in the mail to you Monday!

#LMPBC #GroupH

TheAromaofBooks I had extremely mixed feelings about this one! 😂 4mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Umm yeah 😆🤣 4mo
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mabell @julieclair This has been an interesting round! 😆 4mo
TheAromaofBooks I was wondering if you ladies would be interested in doing another round, following the #LMPBC schedule (so the new round would start in March), but we would just agree to do it instead of creating an official LMPBC group, where someone may sneak in and take one of our spots 😂 Let me know what you think - no hard feelings if no, I'll just create the group on LMPBC if we don't all want to go again!! @julieclair @Chrissyreadit 4mo
Chrissyreadit Yes!!! I‘m lOVING this genre 4mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @Chrissyreadit Definitely - love this group! ❤️ 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! I was thinking that we could just keep going in our same order if that works. We can be in touch later this month to pick our books?? @Chrissyreadit @julieclair 4mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Sounds good to me! I‘ll have to do some thinking - I had easy pick this round 😆 4mo
TheAromaofBooks I know, I think I might send around The Five-Minute Marriage by Joan Aiken this time around. I haven't read it in a long time, but I think it's one we would all really enjoy!! 4mo
julieclair Sounds good! And The Five-Minute Marriage Sounds Fun. 😃 @TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit (edited) 4mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks That does sound fun! 4mo
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mabell
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Pickpick

A vibrant, lovely book about culture, food, and family. It features a selection of fulfilled women sharing what is special to them and how they describe their place in the world.
I saved quite a few recipes to try - they are all very approachable!

#LMPBC #GroupK

It will be on its it‘s way to you @Bookwormjillk !

Bookwormjillk Looking forward to it! 4mo
Bookwormjillk I got this. Can‘t wait to get started. 4mo
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mabell
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It‘s here @TheAromaofBooks ! And the Reese‘s isn‘t going to make it to the next stop 🤣

#LMPBC #GroupH

TheAromaofBooks LOL That part is a special treat just for you. 😂 Some things just can't be passed on! 4mo
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mabell
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Pickpick

And continuing the book fair finds…

My mom surprised me with this little book! ??❤️ By the cover, we both expected recommendations for restaurants and cafes, but it is actually a description of each of the must-try foods you would find in Paris - e.g. pain suisse, aligot, salade chèvre chaud. A nice overview of what you may find in a patisserie, bistro, or fromagerie. ???

Chrissyreadit It looks like it‘s just right for you! 4mo
julieclair Oh my! Can I make it my life‘s mission to eat every item mentioned in the book… in Paris? 🇫🇷 4mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit Isn‘t it? Food + Paris! 😄😄 4mo
mabell @julieclair I don‘t see anything wrong with that as a mission! 👏😆❤️🇫🇷 4mo
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mabell
Babar's French Lessons | Laurent de Brunhoff
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Pickpick

Reading one of my book sale finds 😊

The layout is so cute, and the French phrases inserted well. (No pronunciation guidance though 😆)🐘❤️🇫🇷

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mabell
Untitled | Untitled
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A book sale next week in #STL ! My mom is going to drive down for it, and she loves collecting books even more than I do. There will be a lot of book buying in our near future 😆📚👍

https://jccstl.com/programs/used-book-sale/

Have you been to this one @MaureenMc ?

tpixie Fun! 4mo
MaureenMc @mabell I have! (We‘re members of the J, actually.) It‘s not as big as some others in town, but I always find good stuff there. 4mo
LeahBergen Fun! 👏👏 4mo
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hes7 Ooh, I went to the sale they had at the end of summer and found a whole bagful of books. I‘ll have to see if I can make it over for the $5 day. Hope you get some good finds whenever you go! 4mo
mabell @tpixie @LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to it! I haven‘t been to a book sale in ages! 4mo
tpixie 🥳📚🥳 4mo
mabell @MaureenMc Oh cool! This will be my first time there! The only other sale I‘ve been to here is the one that was at Macys West County (Great River?). I was a regular there, but I haven‘t been for years. 4mo
mabell @hes7 The $5 day caught my eye, but my mom said, “Let‘s go Sunday!” So that‘s that 😆 If you‘re able to make it, good luck on the hunt! 4mo
37 likes8 comments
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mabell
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Pickpick

This book is so stinkin‘ adorable! A humorous how-to guide on choosing and bringing home a monster and caring for it. A creative premise and cute illustrations!

“Share activities with your monster. After all, he is almost like one of the family. In fact he‘s probably better than some of the family. He will like to watch horrible, mean, nasty shows on television. Let him watch the news.” 🤣

45 likes1 stack add
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mabell
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It‘s arrived! Thanks @Amandajoy !

This a gorgeous book - I‘m looking forward to it!

#GroupK #LMPBC

Tamra This is a wonderful book! 4mo
Bookwormjillk Looks good! 4mo
mabell @Tamra @Bookwormjillk Just flipping through - the photography is fabulous, and I‘m excited about the recipes! 4mo
Amandajoy Yay! 4mo
Maria514626 Can‘t wait to get that one! 4mo
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mabell
Untitled | Untitled
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Thank you for the package, Chrissy! The tea smells yummy! And it‘s caffeine free! 👍 You are so thoughtful!! ❤️❤️

DogMomIrene The packaging for the tea is so pretty! 4mo
mabell @DogMomIrene It is! And even through the bags it smells delicious and wintery 🫖❄️ 4mo
38 likes2 comments
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mabell
Murder After Christmas | Rupert Latimer
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Last week I wrapped up my annual Christmas reread of Envious Casca and moved on to my (now) annual reread of Murder After Christmas. As this is just the second time around, I‘m only slightly less lost than the first time. 😂 The humor is delightfully irreverent!

LeahBergen I am going to have to buy a copy of the tagged book for next Christmas, I see. 😄 5mo
mabell @LeahBergen Absolutely! It is delightfully original 😊 5mo
Aims42 I totally see myself doing an annual reread of the tagged book too 😁 I enjoyed it, but I was also a bit lost at times that I think a second time would really help 5mo
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Aimeesue I liked this one a lot - can see that a reread would be helpful. Really fun though a bit dizzying. Ho Ho Ho! 5mo
batsy I just read the Latimer for the first time last year and loved it! I'd love to revisit it again this year (and yes, hopefully be less lost 😂) 4mo
mabell @Aims42 I‘m only a smidge less lost 😆 But it is fun to try to match up the clues hidden along the way to the solution! 4mo
mabell @Aimeesue Dizzying is the perfect word! It‘s great fun, but difficult at times to stay abreast! It‘s an “enjoy the ride” type of book 😄 4mo
mabell @batsy I loved it too! I‘m disappointed there aren‘t any other mysteries available by Latimer/Mills because his style is so much fun! I‘m still fuzzy on how most of it comes together, but I have had a couple of “Aha!” moments. 😄 4mo
CarolynM I enjoyed the Heyer so the tagged book must be one for the TBR😆 Stacked. 4mo
mabell @CarolynM It is quite fun and very different! It‘s definitely worth a read! 4mo
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mabell
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Pickpick

Not chockfull of Yuletide cheer! It was rather unsettling and darker than I expected. This book wouldn‘t encourage me to read others in the series. Fortunately, I am a devoted fan of Joan Hess‘ Claire Malloy - an intrepid bookseller with a quick wit and sharp sense of humor, so I still overall enjoyed it.

When Peter pokes fun at Claire‘s predictability, she tries to be unpredictable by accepting a unique invitation ⬇️

mabell - to observe a small, mismatched group of druids & Wicca celebrate the Winter Solstice. One of the leaders is inexplicably late… (edited) 5mo
See All 13 Comments
Librarybelle This is a series I‘ve yet to read! 5mo
mabell @Librarybelle It tends toward the wacky 😄 My favorite is Mummy Dearest - a terrific mystery, and all the better because it takes place in Egypt and I love ancient Egyptian history! 5mo
Clwojick This one looks fun! ❤️ 5mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Also, if you like Egypt and mysteries... have you read the Amelia Peabody series? 5mo
mabell @Clwojick I liked it - but not good bedtime reading 🤣 5mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Yes, but just the first one! It was excellent. Even though I have almost all of them on my shelves 🙄, I haven‘t read further. It‘s one of those series I just don‘t think about getting to! 5mo
CarolynM @mabell I encourage you to get Amelia off the shelf & start reading. They get better & better for quite a while before tailing off. Joan Hess was a close friend of Elizabeth Peters & I believe they shared a similar sense of humour. JH completed the Amelia book that EP was working on when she died. I‘ve never gotten around to JH‘s books, so I‘m going to take my own advice & get on to it, starting with Mummy Dearest since you‘re recommending it 😆 4mo
TheAromaofBooks I'm with @CarolynM - the Amelia books are just delightful. Like all long series, there are some that are better than others, but overall I just love the characters so much. She actually has characters age and grow throughout, and the setting is so realistic that after I finished that series, I was reading a nonfiction book about Egyptian archeology and kept half-expecting their names to crop up 😂 (edited) 4mo
mabell @CarolynM I knew that their names both appeared on one of the last books - makes sense it was a posthumous completion. They obviously had a shared love of Egyptology! I‘m sure I have the second one in the Amelia Peabody, so I‘ll pull it out to remind me to get to it soon! Mummy Dearest is fairly late in the series, but I don‘t think it would be a problem to start there. Plus it‘s my favorite 🤷‍♀️😆 4mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks That‘s high praise! I know I would enjoy them too! Looking back, I think the reason I didn‘t jump right into the next one was that I was on the edge on my seat for most of Crocodile on the Sandbank! In case the Curse of the Pharaohs was equally suspenseful/intense (for me), I had to be ready 🤣 4mo
37 likes13 comments
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mabell
Last Respects | Catherine Aird
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Pickpick

One thing I like about the Sloan and Crosby series is how Aird gently educates the reader on a different topic in each book. This one incorporates the waters near and of the sea, the people who live on them, and the constabulary‘s place there.

A body found floating on the sea near the mouth of the river was not as simple a case as originally thought - as Dr. Dabbe‘s post-mortem (and entertaining insights) discover.

#ispybingo #fog/mist

julieclair Ooohhh... I've never heard of this series. But the cover alone makes me want to read this book! Added to stack. 👍📚 5mo
mabell @julieclair I really enjoy this series! Classic British cozies, with a unique writing style. The first was written in 1966, and the most recent in 2019 - the author is in her 90s! 5mo
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julieclair Oh wow... 1966 to 2019! That's amazing. So glad you posted about this book, and introduced me to this series! 5mo
mabell @julieclair Yay! I hope you like it! 5mo
TheAromaofBooks I'm with @julieclair - I've never heard of this series and it sounds so fun!! 5mo
Librarybelle I didn‘t realize the series spanned so many years! 5mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks I really enjoy it! But also British cozies are my jam 🤣 5mo
mabell @Librarybelle I know! It will be interesting to see how it evolves with time. I‘m just up to 1982, so only 15ish years from the beginning and this one didn‘t feel any more “modern.” (Which is a good thing!) 5mo
31 likes1 stack add9 comments
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mabell
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I keep forgetting to say it arrived! Thanks, Sarah!

And I love the bookmark idea, Julie! Thank you! ❤️📚

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit I‘m sorry I don‘t have this on its way to you yet! For such a short book, it‘s taking me quite a while to get through it 😆 4mo
31 likes3 comments
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mabell
The Cat Who Went Bananas | Lilian Jackson Braun
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Pickpick

Revisiting this one, I promptly remembered it wasn‘t one of favorites. However, it was interesting to listen again, knowing the outcome. Paraphrasing Polly‘s remark, “There is some good in the worst of us, and some bad in the best of us.” There is little black and white in this story, which I appreciated more this time around.

sarahbellum Love The Cat Who series 😻 5mo
mabell @sarahbellum I do too! And, George Guidall‘s perfect narration makes the stories and characters come to life 😊 5mo
32 likes2 comments
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mabell
The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell | Lilian Jackson Braun
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Pickpick

Rounding up a so-so, this penultimate installment in the Cat Who series contains a year of surprises, which is capped off with a “bombshell.” In the plus column, reference is made to Jerome K Jerome and 3 Men in a Boat, which I loved and will have to reread soon. In the minus column, Braun rather summarily does away with long standing characters, inexplicably with very little ceremony.

#2006 for #192025

Librarybelle I read one of the older books in this series many years ago…I should probably try this series again at some point. A modern classic series! 5mo
mabell @Librarybelle I‘d say my favorites are from the middle of the series. They really are modern classics! 5mo
31 likes2 comments
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mabell
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Today‘s find! I‘m intrigued 😄😹

“Now, I can‘t vouch for the authenticity of this newly found document, but I can say that Alexander has done a fine job … allowing the cat‘s (and her own) sense of humor to have full run.” - New York Times Book Review

LeahBergen Ohh, I loved this one but it kind of broke my heart. 😆 5mo
mabell @LeahBergen Oh my, I‘m glad you said that! In that case, I don‘t think it‘s for me 😅 5mo
LeahBergen It‘s not horribly gut wrenching or anything (no animal abuse, etc) but (*spoiler alert*) that one word in the title kind of gives it away. 😆 5mo
mabell @LeahBergen Yes, I noticed that! I didn‘t until after you mentioned it, then I reread the title and thought “oh I missed that keyword” 😬😆 5mo
30 likes4 comments
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mabell
Death in Midwinter | John Buxton Hilton
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Pickpick

A pick because I got sucked in - I just about bailed immediately, as I could tell it wasn‘t a mystery to my taste. In spite of that, the story became a page turner. Inspector Kenworthy, quick and insightful, was also brusque and made questionable decisions. He made me uncomfortable, at the same time, I knew he would bring home the bacon. Probably my last Kenworthy, but still a good mystery.

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mabell
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Pickpick

Bell and I enjoyed a little quiet girl time while I finished my #LMPBC book this afternoon. ❤️

A fun, goofy mess, of course! To preserve your sanity, steer clear of Blandings and its inmates 🤣 Freddie and Uncle Gally steal the show!

#GroupH

LeahBergen Sweet girl! 🥰 5mo
Chrissyreadit 🤍🤍🤍🤍 5mo
julieclair So sweet! 5mo
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Chrissyreadit @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks @mabell I‘m still reading but hope to be done by Wednesday. 5mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I just finished Darling Buds of May yesterday, but probably won't get to the post office until Wednesday since they're closed tomorrow. @Chrissyreadit @julieclair 5mo
Aimeesue PiG Hooooooey! I adore Blandings. AND Uncle Freddie! What a sweet puppy. ❤️ 5mo
mabell @LeahBergen @Chrissyreadit @julieclair She is my sweetheart ❤️ and she can pass out like a pro 😆 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit I‘ll get this one in the mail to you soon! 5mo
mabell @Aimeesue Ha I forgot about the pig call one! I listened to it, so it was quite clear in my mind 🤣 Bell says hi! ❤️🐶 5mo
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Trying to finish Frederica by Wednesday, so I can get it mailed by a reasonable date. 🤞December vanished in a snap! 🤪 @Chrissyreadit @mabell 5mo
TheAromaofBooks @julieclair - no worries!! December flew by!! 5mo
TheAromaofBooks @julieclair - Yay!! I also mailed Darling Buds of May to @mabell yesterday!! @Chrissyreadit 5mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @Chrissyreadit Great! Looking forward to getting started on the next one 😊 5mo
32 likes1 stack add15 comments
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mabell
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mabell
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Season‘s Readings! ❄️🎄🔪☠️

Maria514626 Love the juxtaposition between a beautiful setting and a murder mystery! 5mo
mabell @Maria514626 Incongruous, yet oddly fitting? 🤷‍♀️😂 5mo
Avanders What a gorgeous view!! 🤩 5mo
mabell @Avanders My parents‘ house is so cozy! Especially at Christmas and in snow ❤️ 5mo
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mabell
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Chrissy, what a fabulous surprise! Thank you so much!

My Francophile self is quite excited for Bringing Up Bebe - which looks very entertaining. 🍼🇫🇷 And I‘m so happy to have a new Christmas read for this season! I love those covers! 😍

Thank you for thinking of me!! ❤️❤️❤️

PathfinderNicole Every time I see the word bébé I think of Moira Rose ? 5mo
Chrissyreadit I hope you have a great holiday! And the books are fun 😘🤍❄️🤍 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit They are! Thank you so much! Merry Christmas! 🎄❤️ 5mo
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mabell
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Well, it‘s taken me all year, but I finally have a #litsycrafters project! December is baking theme, and they are my favorite projects because you eat it at the end 😄

My husband, Chris, graduated with his MBA yesterday! 🎉🎉🎉

This was the celebratory cake - Coconut Cream Cake 🍰 from the Heaven on Seven cookbook.

MaureenMc Amazing! 🤩 And congrats to your husband! 5mo
LeahBergen Congratulations to your husband! What a beautiful cake. 5mo
Bklover Congratulations to Chris!! That cake is beautiful!! 5mo
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Texreader Amazing! 5mo
Catsandbooks Gorgeous cake!! And congrats to Chris! Wonderful way to celebrate! 🎉💕 5mo
Daisey That cake looks amazing! 5mo
mabell @MaureenMc @LeahBergen @Bklover @Catsandbooks Thank you so much! The cake took on a life of its own 😆And Chris appreciated the well wishes! 😊 ❤️ 5mo
mabell @Texreader @Daisey Thanks! It was fun to make! 5mo
Gissy So pretty and sounds and looks delicious🍰😋Congratulations to your husband! 🎉🎊 5mo
Maria514626 That is gorgeous! And congratulations to your husband! 5mo
mabell @Gissy @Maria514626 Thank you! I‘m very proud of him ❤️ And fortunately the cake was edible 🤣 5mo
Avanders Congratulations to your husband and what a beautiful cake!! ♥️♥️ 5mo
mabell @Avanders Thank you so much! (I saved a secret piece in the freezer 😆) (edited) 5mo
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mabell
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Thank you for my Christmas Card @CrowCAH !
I hope you have a lovely Christmas, Cynthia! 🎄❤️🎄

CrowCAH Woohoo 🎉 it arrived! Thanks ☺️ You, too, hope there‘s lots of books 📚 underneath the tree 🎄!!!! 5mo
mabell @CrowCAH I do too! 📚🎄📚🎄📚😂 5mo
27 likes2 comments
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mabell
Hot Chocolate | Michael Turback
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1. Hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows! I really enjoy peppermint mochas, also, but it isn‘t long into the season before I get peppermint overload 😆

2. Every song on the Home Alone soundtrack 🎄

#Two4Tuesday

Thanks for the tag @julieclair !

TheSpineView I have never had home made marshmallows. Thanks for playing! 6mo
mabell @TheSpineView They are yummy! Very different from store bought! 6mo
Gissy Yes! I forgot that one💚❤️💚❤️ 6mo
mabell @Gissy Very festive! ❤️💚🎄 6mo
20 likes4 comments
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mabell
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Mehso-so

I‘m afraid I was rather disappointed in this “magical memoir.” Phyllis Sandeman wrote of her life growing up in a stately country house, in a family of distinguished lineage. Her story is focused on one year‘s Christmas celebration, but it encompasses much more of the general life on the estate - both gentry and servant. The latter, along with the somewhat dispirited foreshadowing of the future, is why I was disenchanted with the book. ⬇️

mabell It had its moments, but overall, I found it to be not quite the charming Christmas story I was hoping for.

#1952 for #192025
#bookspinbingo
6mo
Librarybelle I love your photo! ❤️ 6mo
mabell @Librarybelle Thank you! 6mo
TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 6mo
mabell Thanks @TheAromaofBooks ! ❤️ 6mo
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mabell
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Pickpick

A fun book to dip into, with recipes and little descriptions of the history of certain Christmas customs, such as the popularization of the Christmas tree in England and the origin of Boxing Day.

You also get a tantalizing description of the luxurious celebrations at the Ritz. I‘m planning a trip and saving my pennies 🤣

☕️: Christmas Cookie Latte

LeahBergen Lovely! 😍 6mo
MaureenMc This sounds fun! 6mo
mabell @LeahBergen @MaureenMc It‘s a cute book, with lots of interesting tidbits! Though I‘m not sure about some of the recipes, such as “raised game pie” 😆 6mo
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mabell
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Bailedbailed

Mark Twain is hilarious - his dry wit is top notch. However, I enjoy his travel accounts, maybe not his fiction.

I read the titular story and didn‘t find it funny at all (I also didn‘t appreciate the way the animals were treated.) I skimmed the second story, The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg, as I wasn‘t enjoying it either. I guess the satire is the joke, but I miss his usual humorous, trenchant remarks. I gave the rest of the stories a miss.

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mabell
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Mehso-so

I think I was expecting a very different type of tale, so my dissatisfaction is likely more my fault than the story‘s (especially since everyone seems to love it!)

I believe I will stick to The Night Before Christmas for my Santa fix. 😆

#bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Baum is just... a bit of an odd author to me 😂 6mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks I‘m glad you said that! Because that is sure how I felt! I went back and read reviews, and I‘m thinking I must really have missed the boat on this 🤣 6mo
TheAromaofBooks I have only tried an Oz book and that was enough for me to realize that this guy is not for me haha 6mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Likewise! 😆😆 6mo
26 likes4 comments
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mabell
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Pickpick

Still enjoyed the wit, but I didn‘t find it quite as sparkling as the first. The financial indiscretions continue 😆😆

It should almost be to you @Chrissyreadit , it went out a few days ago. 😄

#LMPBC #GroupH

Photo of my shelf copy because I forgot to take a photo before I sent it 🤦‍♀️

Chrissyreadit The book pouch was for you 😆 I will send it back…. 6mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit How sweet, thank you! I thought it was a traveling book pouch 😆😄 6mo
mabell I just realized I forgot to tag you! @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks 6mo
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TheAromaofBooks Looking forward to this one, although the financial indiscretions sometimes stress me out 😂 6mo
Chrissyreadit @mabell @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks I‘m struggling to engage and find myself skimming- so it‘s still not done. I‘m not sure why but it doesn‘t feel as “charming” and full disclosure- I‘ve been not feeling well since Friday so could be related to that. I can try one mor time or just mail tomorrow. I‘m so sorry! Thoughts? 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit No problem at all! These are supposed to be happy, and if this one isn‘t making you happy, no need to keep reading! 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit I do agree with your assessment that it doesn‘t feel as charming. Not quite as fun as the first. 5mo
julieclair @Chrissyreadit I'm next in line, & I'm out of town until Sunday, so there's no pressure to mail it right away. So if you want to try again, that's totally fine. On the other hand, if you want to just DNF it & be done, I totally get that too. Whatever feels right to you. As @mabell says, these are meant to be happy reads! 😉 Sorry you are feeling poorly. Hope you get over it quickly. So many germs floating around these days. 🤢😝 @TheAromaofBooks 5mo
TheAromaofBooks Thanks for keeping me in the loop!! While I try to read the books in a timely manner, I'm not super stressed about this group because I know you are all reliable enough to pass them on as soon as you can!!! @julieclair didn't get to finish Frederica and I feel bad, because Julie you could have kept it longer if you needed to!!!! @Chrissyreadit 5mo
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks No worries! I knew we were heading out of town (we're on a cruise) and there was no way I'd get it finished. It's back on my TBR, and I'll catch up with it at some point. I just love reading with you all... our little group is thoughtful and kind. 💙@chrissyreadit @mabell 5mo
24 likes10 comments
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mabell
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I keep forgetting to post - these arrived @TheAromaofBooks ! Thanks! ❤️📚

#LMPBC

julieclair That cover! We know there are hijinks ahead. 😆 @Chrissyreadit @TheAromaofBooks 6mo
mabell @julieclair Oh for sure! 6mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! @julieclair - I got your book yesterday, too!! @Chrissyreadit 6mo
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Yay! Enjoy! 🌸😃🌸 6mo
23 likes4 comments
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mabell
Spinning | Tillie Walden
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So many books that I would like to get to in December! (And ironically December is a frantically fun month with no time to read 🤣)

#bookspin

Gissy With many “murders”😂 6mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 6mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Thank you for doing it! ❤️ 6mo
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mabell @Gissy I know! A little embarrassing 😳😳🤣🤣 6mo
CaramelLunacy Love the title of God Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen! 6mo
mabell @CaramelLunacy Perfect for a cozy, isn‘t it? 😄 6mo
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mabell
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Pickpick

Well, my choice didn‘t go as planned #GroupK ! I think this is between a pick and a so-so. The explanations and instructions are extensive (overwhelmingly so at times), and the recipes are varied applications of the wild yeast (sourdough) type. However, at this time, I can call it an epic fail for me 😆 This was my first foray into sourdough, and admittedly, it isn‘t a type of bread I prefer, but I was excited to try out the process. ⬇️

mabell My culture started off strong (using freshly picked grapes!), but when I started the starter feeding process it seemed to get weaker. Two weeks in, my attempt at using it in dough (shown in the tub) didn‘t even inch above the line I made to mark the rising. Poop. ⬇️ 6mo
mabell So, I put a sample of my starter in the fridge to save for a future revisit, and I chose another bread book for immediate gratification. 😄 Beard on Bread is one I‘ve always wanted to get to, so I dabbled in that for the rest of my month. Sorry for the delay, and I‘m sending them both on to you @Bookwormjillk Feel free to use one or the other or both! ⬇️ 6mo
mabell I‘m hoping someone will have more success with sourdough than I did, but in any case, at least enjoy a month of bread making! 🥖❤️ #LMPBC 6mo
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Bookwormjillk Sorry it didn‘t work out! I‘ll give it a try. 6mo
Gissy In my case, I always blame the book😜I‘m not a good cook and I can‘t follow cook instruction😳I will keep trying though🤷🏽‍♀️ 6mo
mabell @Bookwormjillk I‘m looking forward too seeing what you think and how it goes! 6mo
mabell @Gissy Good idea - blame the book! 🤣 I‘m a good-ish cook, but my problem if something has to be *exactly* right, then it probably won‘t turn out. Things seem to just happen when I‘m in the kitchen 😂 Good job to keep trying! If you don‘t dislike cooking, then it‘s a good idea to keep at it! 6mo
Maria514626 I‘m with you on the perfection thing. And I have a complicated relationship with yeast. Basically I‘m afraid of it. 😆😆😆 6mo
Gissy @mabell I have a friend that is amazing to see her baking. Everything must be in the exact measure, place, procedure as the recipe indicates. I baked some cookies with her and part of the ingredients went to the trash, who didn‘t follow the instructions?😳🙋🏽‍♀️🙁but then we did it again and everything was in perfect universal order🙌 6mo
mabell @Maria514626 Then I am definitely in the right group! 🤣 6mo
mabell @Gissy That‘s nice you have a friend to help and bake with! (And hopefully she sends goodies your way 😄) Baking is so exact! Definitely trickier to get right than cooking. 6mo
Bookwormjillk I got these books last night. Can't wait to dive in! 6mo
21 likes13 comments
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mabell
Cranberry Thanksgiving | Wende Devlin
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Pickpick

I‘m so happy to have my sweet girl with me on this Thanksgiving! She‘s enjoying the fire at Gigi and Papa‘s house, and I‘m enjoying a reread of one of my favorites. This is such a terrific story and the illustrations are amazing. I appreciated them even more this time around. I also now have to try Grandmother‘s Famous Cranberry Bread - with light raisins - a unique twist!

Aimeesue That was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. Mr. Whiskers! ❤️ 6mo
mabell Yes! Who smelled not of lavender, but of seaweed and clams 😄 6mo
Gissy 🐶💖💫 6mo
mabell @Gissy She is my sweetheart! ❤️🐶 6mo
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mabell
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Pickpick

Absolutely delightful! Venetia is one of my favorite Heyer heroines - they are always uniquely unconventional, but she was exceptional! Good thing she was of strong character, because she had to endure some infuriating people!

What a great choice, Chrissy! Such a fun round #LMPBC #GroupL !

#1958 for #192025

Chrissyreadit Yay!!! 7mo
Librarybelle I should read some of my Heyer for the challenge! 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I just finished Regency Buck this morning. Is it okay if I go ahead and read Full Moon and send them both together in a week or so? 7mo
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mabell @Librarybelle They cover lots of years! 7mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Absolutely, and there is no rush at all! 7mo
batsy I loved this! So delightful. 7mo
mabell @batsy I‘m so glad this was one of group‘s picks! I think I read the last 2/3 in one sitting 😆 7mo
rubyslippersreads I need to read more Heyer. I love the ones I‘ve read so far. 7mo
mabell @rubyslippersreads Always enjoyable! Though they do tend to derail my plans for the day, as I just have to keep reading 🤣 7mo
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mabell
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Reading my last British cozy, I thought the Village Fete could be a dangerous place to be - turns out I was right! There is even a mention of the fortune teller‘s tent! 😳

LeahBergen “like The Hunger Games, but dangerous”. 🤣 7mo
Gissy Your birthday box is so late😳Like last year this time, B&N sent me today a notification that one book cannot be shipped to PR. I think they think I live in the middle of nowhere🤔I submitted another order with another book. I checked your tbr but local bookstores didn‘t have those titles. I always buy something for me to get excited when the box arrives😜this time last book in a cozy mystery series I started with #CBBC 🧡 7mo
batsy That quote 😂 @LeahBergen 7mo
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mabell @LeahBergen @batsy I was thinking so much about the fete and fortune teller‘s tent, I didn‘t catch the last sentence - that‘s terrific 😂😂 7mo
mabell @Gissy You‘re so sweet! I‘m pretty sure you don‘t live in the middle of nowhere 🤣 Though I had a tough time convincing the post office that was your address! 😂😂 I‘m sorry my TBR is so slim! I‘m afraid I‘m too picky (and I own a lot of books!) 😅 What is the series that you got the last book in? A great idea to add a little something in the box! 😄 7mo
Gissy @mabell Our local bookstores have limited selection. That happens to me all the time, no worries, I have to buy many titles online. But I always go first to those local stores just to be sure they don‘t have the title because I want to support them as independent bookstores. Sometimes I make my order through them but it takes longer to receive the book. But with every box I send is an excuse to visit the bookstore which is something I love🧡 7mo
mabell @Gissy I understand! I like to support the independent bookstores, too. Especially since you can browse (and impulse buy 😆) Do you have bookstores nearby where you live? 7mo
Gissy @mabell Yes, I have three and there others in Río Piedras but is more college books and I don‘t visit that area much. I usually goes to BookmarkPR, Casa Norberto in Plaza Las America (they have limited English editions) and one in Old San Juan (limited English editions). There is another one near my home but every time I tried to visit it is closed😳I think they have more books in Spanish. 7mo
mabell @Gissy I didn‘t even think about the dual languages! That would make it even more difficult to book shop! On the other hand, it‘s nice you have both fairly accessible. It isn‘t very easy to find a selection of Spanish books here. 7mo
Gissy @mabell I‘m surprise that the bookstore located in Old San Juan has more book in Spanish than in English since it is a place visited by tourists🤷🏽‍♀️But they have amazing book selection in Spanish. I made another order because again B&an canceled another book, definitely I‘m in the middle of nowhere. Maybe are the titles. I think some comes from sellers outside US. But you have great mystery series in your tbr. Some of them are new to me. ⬇️ 7mo
Gissy I‘m adding those titles to my tbr☺️Looking forward to your comments about those books🤗 7mo
mabell @Gissy oh no! Another book canceled?!? That just doesn‘t make sense! I‘m sorry it‘s been such a hassle! But I am so excited - it‘s such fun looking forward to receiving packages 😊 You know me and my mysteries! 🤣 My favorite genre! It‘s funny though, because my opinion is often different from others on them. Like many people say “And then there were none” is their favorite Agatha Christie, and that one is one of my *least* favorite 🤷‍♀️ 7mo
tpixie That page is frightening! Or is it funny?! Creepy! 😀😅🥹 6mo
tpixie @LeahBergen yes! That‘s funny 😄 6mo
mabell @tpixie The whole book is pretty creepy/disturbing 😆😆 6mo
tpixie @mabell 😀🥹😅🤩 6mo
31 likes16 comments