I think that all 3 of my kids have read & loved this book (my oldest is 19). My 8 year old still thinks this is the best story. Poor Oscar the wiener dog just wants to have a spooky Halloween costume but instead he‘s a “wiener-dog.” #scarathon #BatBrigade

This is one of daughter‘s absolute favorite Halloween books. Cute story about a ghost that is kind, gentle, & doesn‘t want to be scary. #scarathon #BatBrigade

#scarathon photo challenge: skeleton (yes, we have a unicorn skeleton, it even lights up & makes noise) #BatBrigade

September 2023 #bookspin bingo board. I read 10 books: 5 audiobooks, 4 physical books off my shelf, & I Kindle book. 2 bingo‘s for the month

Jasper Rabbit books are a favorite with my 8 year old. We read these tonight. We have a huge stack of Halloween books so I‘m going to post a few every day. We read Halloween books every night for the month of October (my daughter is obsessed with Halloween books). #scarathon #BatBrigade 🦇 #batsignal

Photo challenge: Black…one of my new Halloween decorations (ignore the colorful Legos in the background). #scarathon #BatBrigade 🦇 #batsignal

I started this last month for #shesaid & finally finished. I shouldn‘t be by now but yet again astounded by the impact of racism in America. McGhee highlights the various areas that racism impacts programs & policies. People in America will go against their best interest if they think someone else is getting ahead. It‘s always mind boggling to me how far the hand of racism still has a hold on so many people in America (although most people would

This ended up being my #BookedInTime selection for this month. The story is based on Berest‘s family during WWII. Some of the details have been changed but for the most part she chronicles what her family‘s experience was like as a Jewish family living in France during WWII. She also highlights the impact of trauma on families & how far reaching the impact can be. It‘s a pick for me, it was long but flew by for me . #bookspin

I listened to this one over audio & loved the narration. I resonated with Thomas on the whole subject of getting older & the direction that your life is going. I loved his insights. Some were hilarious: his trip to the ER & some were touching: the cemetery. He also discusses his move to a very red neighborhood with his husband during the pandemic. Definitely need to read/listen to his other book. #bookspin #nonfictionbingo prompt:same love

This one is a low pick for me. It‘s a good primer for someone that‘s newly diagnosed & wants a crash course about ADHD by the OGs of ADHD. With that being said my biggest hang up is the discussions of brain balance centers. I know some people have found them as a source of help. But they are extraordinarily expensive & it‘s based on pseudoscience. Give me some peer reviewed data & ok. That‘s just my personal hang up as a social scientist. Overall

Fall bucket list (10 pts). I‘m sure there will be more stuff we do but I haven‘t started making plans for next month. It‘s also been raining a lot on Boston lately, so it‘s hard to plan outdoors stuff. Happy Fall! #scarathon #BatBrigade 🦇#batsignal

October 2023 #bookspin bingo list/TBR list for the month(20 pts). I don‘t really like horror or scary books but I‘ve found some books that are relatable to spooky season. #Scarathon #BatBrigade 🦇#batsignal

October watchlist-20 pts. I don‘t really like scary movies but my kids love watching Halloween movies all month long. #Scarathon #BatBrigade 🦇#batsignal

I loved this one but I also love Desmond‘s work. As a person that is interested in social policy & social justice the book all resonates & makes sense to me. America, generally, as a society that believes in meritocracy & doesn‘t want to examine why people remain in persistent poverty. I understand that things like institutional racism plays a large role in poverty. Some people may find discussions like this offensive or put them on the defense

I have not read many of Patchett‘s books so I don‘t have a great knowledge of her books. I did adore this one probably because of Meryl Streep‘s narration. The story takes place during the pandemic lockdown where the Nelson family is staying & working on the family‘s cherry farm. Lara shares the stories of her early acting career & life with her 3 young adult daughters. All stories they are familiar with but now revisiting them as adults

It wasn‘t a very well planned layout but it works. Finally filled in the back of my iPad cover which acts as my kindle

I loved this one. I listened to it over audio, highly recommend. I also adore Michael Urie, so I loved his narration. I did not realize that Jackie was an editor in real life. The story is about an author, James, working with his editor, Jackie, on his first book. James is delving into the relationship with his mom. There was so much brought up: life in the 1990s as a gay man, toxic masculinity, parents coming to terms with who you are. #bookspin

This book explores the use of eugenics in NC through a fictional character. Eugenics was unfortunately a practice that was used in NC until the 1970s. The state has since set up a fund to pay victims for what they had to endure. In the story Leah‘s father passes away suddenly (her mom died when she was born). The story takes place in the 1930s & there are definite distinctions between classes. As well as Leah growing up near the beach to moving to

Audiobooks are the key to putting Lego sets together. I love Hocus Pocus, so I of course had to get it to add to our Halloween decorations

I really loved this, especially as an audiobook. I loved the idea of your community/library being a place for everyone. There are a lot of big topics brought up throughout the story: mental illness, aging, loss of a spouse, racism, loneliness. It is all woven together so beautifully. Now I need to read the books on the list. #bookspin book

I grew up watching Michael J Fox on Family Ties & of course most of his movies (all 3 of my kids love Back to the Future). My husband & I recently watched his movie, Still, on Apple. This book is very similar to the movie as he discusses his initial symptoms & diagnosis. He wrote this book a few years after his diagnosis. He talks about his childhood & early years becoming an actor. Through his diagnosis he‘s become a fierce advocate for funding

September 2023 #bookspin bingo board. I am just continuing to leave my board fairly open with audio books & trying to continue to read books off my physical TBR shelves. Since I‘m still pretty indecisive about what I want to read but this system has been working for me.

August 2023 #bookspin bingo board: 1 bingo. Read 3 books from my TBR bookshelf (started 2 other books from my shelf but didn‘t finish, try & finish next month). Listened to 8 audiobooks

August 2023 #bookspin bingo board: 1 bingo. Read 3 books from my TBR bookshelf (started 2 other books from my shelf but didn‘t finish, try & finish next month). Listened to 8 audiobooks

Last August #bookspin book review. I listened to this one over audio, it was long, 15 hours. At first I was a little unsure especially as Toby was exploring his new found freedom. I felt bad for Toby for most of it & was irritated with Rachel. But the last 2-3 hours of the book was just, wow. Maybe it resonated with me as a mom in her mid 40s & still figuring out my life. As a woman born into 2nd wave feminism as I was told I could do anything

My first BA is in History with a minor in Art History. My favorite classes were Italian Renaissance History & Italian Renaissance art. Alas I did not pursue a career in history or art but I still love to read historical fiction (& nonfiction books). I remember that we discussed the Medici family at length & was fascinated by the family. I liked the book, some parts dragged a little for me. Overall I liked the glimpse into what Lucrezia‘s

I‘m a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell & his books. I enjoy his insights & connections he makes to different experiences to psychology or educational based theories. This book explores people that are considered underdogs in our society & how they can overcome their obstacles. Although some people still have many other obstacles in place that can make success difficult, some people can find advantages in their perceived disadvantages. The book explores

The story spans from 1919 through WWII. The story focuses around Cristabel growing up lonely & isolated after her mother died. She was raised by nannies & other members of her fathers household staff. The family lives on an estate in England. Since Cristabel was left alone she became an avid reader & loved to create stories to pass her time. It was an interesting story that spanned Cristabel‘s childhood through her becoming a spy during WWII.

The audiobook was read by Ephron. The book resonated with me as a woman in her mid 40s. I‘m a very low key, low maintenance person but as I get older I start to fall into the pitfalls of worrying over my neck (luckily still in good shape), wrinkles, & so on. Some of the book is a little dated. Overall I enjoyed it & it was a quick listen. #bookspin bingo

My daughter insisted on wearing her axolotl shirt for the first day. Yesterday at the teacher meet & greet we ran into the school librarian. My daughter was telling her all about budding obsessions with axolotls. (Her school has an axolotl in the library). The librarian told her how cool. Then she told her that she‘s going to find time for her to come & help her feed the axolotl. Needless to say she was over the moon.

I have always been fascinated by the Vanderbilt family. I loved listening to Anderson Cooper narration of his family. Katherine Howe did extensive research on his family to help him craft this story. There is so much more but it is still fascinating to learn about how such a rich family could lose it all. There were some parts that were a little slow but with so much to cover what might seem excessive helps to fully tell the history of this family

Ever since we moved to MA last year I have become more & more interested in MA history. This book follows the story of 3 women living through the 1846 fire on Nantucket Island. Although it‘s a fictional story there are elements are based on true events. In MA black citizens sued the state in the 1840s to receive an education without segregation. Many women had husbands that were whaling captains & were gone for years at a time. This fire was not

The Great British Baking Show is my relaxation/comfort show (besides Friends). This was like a super condensed version of the show with 6 contestants & people leaving after 1 day. It was a good audiobook listen, with each character being narrated by a different person. I enjoyed the storyline, nothing groundbreaking but a fun listen. #bookspin book

Four retiring female assassins for a secret organization set off on a retirement cruise as a gift from their organization. Only to find out that they are being targeted themselves. It was a good listen over audio. The very end of the book was a little cryptic. I might need to find a physical copy to reread the end. Otherwise an enjoyable read. #bookspin book

It was a fun book to listen to while walking. Noni Blake writes up list of past missed hook ups. There‘s several awkward sex scenes but some funny moments. I do like Noni‘s idea of a pleasure list. Finding joy in things that bring you joy. Joy for yourself & no one else. #bookspin book

Whew, 18 hours of listening, long but kept my interest. I‘m not sure if I feel more empathetic towards the royals or feel put off by their sense of entitlement, a little of both. I couldn‘t imagine their life in this bubble of being raised to be a figurehead but also as an American still don‘t understand why/how the monarch still exists. I do find the royals fascinating (I‘m obsessed with Queen Victoria). #bookspin book

August 2023 bookspin bingo board. I am trying to finish up my #14books challenge for the last month of summer. I also am undecided of books so I still live my TBR & audiobook list open. Too many books that I want to read

July 2023 Bingo board: 3 bingos. For the month I listened to 7 audiobooks, read 7 books from my TBR: 3 were nonfiction & 4 were fiction. Probably my best month of reading ever. Favorite books of the month: Salyut, Enchantment, & Neurotribes

When something is for free it‘s usually too good to be true as Moore discovered. Moore was given a “free house” by a group in Detroit that was promoting free houses for writes. She was one of four people given a house. Moore realizes close to 2 years in that the organization is mismanaged & there are several issues that take years to fix. It was an interesting book & I enjoyed her retelling of her experiences. Her writing style was a little hard

I love Katherine May‘s books/ her writing style. As few have mentioned & agree that Wintering is still my favorite by her. There is something so peaceful & calming about her writing. It was what I definitely needed at this moment. If your a fan of her writing then it might be for you. If you‘ve never read her work before start with Wintering first. Can‘t wait for her next book. #bookspin book #14books14weeks (book 6/14)

I did end up listening to this one on audio but I‘ve also had a copy sitting on my shelf for a while. I ended up reading this one for #BookedInTime. It was an interesting story based on a true account of the plague hitting a small village in England. The book discussed a lot of what was happening & changing at the time with religion, fear of witches, understanding of disease. #bookspin book

I‘ve had this one on my TBR shelf for a while. Happy that I finally picked it up. I loved the story of Alex & Henry. It really does pose an interesting thought of what a Royal family would do if someone in line for the throne was LBGTQ+, since it‘s all about bloodlines & pedigree with them. I love that McQuiston was writing this at a time when there was so much upheaval for so many people, a different story, a more inclusive story. #bookspin book

Time to finish up all my reviews from the past month. Picture is from our last night at the beach in NC (Oak Island). We saw a sea turtle coming onto to shore to lay her eggs. She got spooked since there were too many people on the beach & went back into the ocean. It was still so amazing to see such a large creature so close. Pic is of her tracks after she went back to the ocean

I took this photo when we were at the beach in NC at the beginning of the month. Everyone in my house loves video games but me (I get headaches from virtual reality or even 3-D). I liked the story, felt that some parts dragged & it probably took me longer to get through. I can see why it got the hype but not my favorite book I‘ve read this year. #bookspin book #14books14weeks (book 5/14).

Listened to this one over audio. I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand it‘s a really interesting story about a woman struggling through grad school. Eleanor is struggling with her research & after her mom passes away a lot of her past trauma of her childhood resurfaces. She is the product of immigrant parents that came from Taiwan with nothing. Eleanor was pushed hard especially since her older sister disappeared. I don‘t know if I didn‘t

This was a quick, fun audio book to listen to. I liked the cast of characters. There were some laugh out loud moments throughout the story. It made me want to learn more about tea. It was a fun cozy mystery. Vera was such a fun character, someone you‘d definitely love to have as a houseguest (especially with all the amazing food she makes). #bookspin book

So many feelings after finishing this one. The story centers around a young person that wants to transition during the 1990s in Canada. It talks about the difficulties of getting doctors & other professionals to understand what this means to them. The hoops that they & their mom have to endure seem endless & frustrating. The heart of the story to me is who decides what is right for an individual. How are we to understand what others are enduring

I listened to this one over audio. Overall I liked the book. It does have multiple storylines & characters to keep up with. But what I thought was a fun lighthearted story (also I grew up in New Jersey so I know nothing about supper clubs, although I‘m interested in learning more), took a dark turn. I wish there was a trigger warning since I‘d lived through the experience (I‘ll put below). I‘d become invested in the story & wanted to finish it.

Listened to this one over audio. There is definitely a lot of characters to keep up with (disadvantage of audio). Overall it was a good story & surprised me at the end (I don‘t read a lot of mysteries so it doesn‘t take too much to surprise me). #bookspin book

I‘ve had this chunkster sitting my shelves for a while. I‘m so happy I finally decided to take the time to read it. It was a well researched book about the history of Autism from before the days of Asperger & Kanner that identified Autism (although their initial guidelines have changed significantly). The book also has discussed the change of how Autism has been perceived by professionals, parents & now self advocates. Autism was first identified