I'm taking a break from listening to Don Quixote during my commute.. and I started listening to Jaws! 🦈

Thoroughly enjoying it, though I have to remind myself this was written in the 70's because his references to costs and what seemed expensive back then.... man, I WISH. Imagine making 8k a YEAR and still being able to afford a house and support a stay at home mom/wife and child. Yeah... right. Not in this economy!!

#currentlyreading

I gave this a chance
Cliché hetero romance
Not my cup of tea

Not my normal genre, but the cover drew me in.. was not a fan of the audiobook narrator, (🤠🙄) but I shallowly bypassed that to give the author a chance.. because I think she's cute 🫣😅
All in all, it's not bad, but I don't plan to continue/read the rest of the series.
#haikureview #romance #fantasy

The irony.. ?

I've been slowly reading this graphic along with the book. It's a nice way to recap via illustrations. It is wild to me that the most memorable part of Don Quixote (based on comments and discussions I've seen so far) are the windmill "giants" in the first 10% of the book.That just tells me most people never read the whole thing, because it's completely irrelevant in the grand scheme of this tome.

#casuallyqueer quips in #classics

"Black history is Black horror."

I honestly have nothing else to say.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don't have children myself, but I find myself relating and understanding quite a few quotes in this chapter.

I can't even imagine the anxiety. I already have it bad enough. If I had a child, it would be tenfold.

#currentlyreading #relatable

"Having a child, I thought, was something you should actively want, crave even. It was not an adventure for the ambivalent or passionless."

Just found out Spotify Premium includes an audiobook version of A Little Life! Seeing as I have 4 days to read 600+ pages before my book is due, this will allow me to continue reading at my own pace 😊

#audiobooks
#currentlyreading

#mangaweekly

I've been lazy about posting all I've been reading each week, but I've been keeping up with it.
Finished up Blood on the Tracks series. I'm sad, but man, that was a psychological ride.
Apothecary Diaries continues to be a favorite. I've even started watching the anime 🤓
Also pic'd are a couple one shots, 2 from a series I'm continuing (To Your Eternity/Yakuza & Stray) and a new one from a genre I don't normally read (Case Closed).

When you finally find that long-awaited TBR at the library, only to realize 2 people placed a hold on it right after you the very same day - so now you have to binge read an 800+ page novel 🫠

#currentlyreading #libraryhaul #bubblebathbooks

"Surely, love was not a thing that always left?"

Oh, to be young, naive, and 15 again. (Or maybe I'm just jaded).?
Part 2 - Chapter 3 of this book...
SLAPPED and ATTACKED.

So far, a good one. ~40% in.

Playing catch up. Last week's #mangaweekly

Contined on with The Apothecary Diaries 3, and read a couple yaoi (BL) one shots. I tagged my favorite read of the three. Thought the yaoi might be mainly smut, but was pleasantly surprised to find they had more substance than predicted. Well... the one I tagged did. 🤷🏽

This is a shocking improvement for how many books I usually have checked out at a time. 😆

#libraryhaul #tbr

You will get the chills
You will want to throw this book
Pure cringe-fueled madness

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And I can't get enough! Stopped by the biblioteca to grab Part 1 (The Mall), which isn't required to read in order, but I probs would have figured things out faster if I had. Haven't read a cringe-fueled-throw-across-the-room-rub-my-face-in-horror book in a while. This did the trick. If this was a movie, I'd be hiding under a blanket half the time.

Saturday shenanigans. So far so good. I'm listening to an audiobook version while I stitch. 🪡

#LitsyCrafters #currentlyreading

#mangaweekly

I started The Apothecary Diaries last week, and I'm currently on vol. 2... LOVE IT. These are a few others I nabbed from the library as well. Will probably spend a good chunk of my day tomorrow reading them.
A not pictured shout out to, SHADOWS HOUSE by Somato because that started getting Really good in volume 4, and I'm also watching the anime.. however, I'm reading the series illegally on the internet, so shhhhhhh 🤫

Alone in the wild
A woman finds her true self
Makes me want to hike
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Also, the most meaningful/relatable quote I found in the book:

"That's what fathers do if they don't heal their wounds. They wound their children in the same place."

#poignant #haikureview #memoir #nonfiction

The most wild thing about this book is that I'm reading something I actually own 😅

#onmyshelf #dinosaurtbr #finallyreadingthis #nonfiction

WROOOOONGGGGGGG.

I'd probably be less offended by the inaccuracy of this statement if I didn't grow up in a household where Barry White (the Actual lyricist of the song) was played on a regular basis. But I did. So I am. 🤷🏾

This could be an intentional error portraying the ignorance of the character in play.. but to me, it comes across moreso as lazy research.

#cringe #currentlyreading

#mangaweekly

Cute little story about a man who loves baking. He makes tasty (yet healthy) baked treats for his partner while simultaneously freaking out about judgment from others on whether or not they know about his sexuality. I will continue this series. It's cute and also insightful as to how homosexuality is viewed in Japanese society. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bundled in a blanket and ready for my next read. Literally only grabbed this book because of the title. I am also a Rebecca who can not stand being called Becky. 😅 I just prefer Becca instead of my full name. So far, it's ok. It seems a little over the top stereotype-y with both of the MCs, but I'm less than 100 pages in, so I shall reserve my final judgment for the end. 🧑🏾‍⚖️

#currentlyreading #realisticfiction

When the nail polish matches your personality 💅🏽

I have never been more excited to read anything, EVER!! I came across this randomly on Scribd/Everand as an ebook. Once I read the first couple of pages and saw the artwork, I knew I had to find a physical copy ASAP. MelCat for the win. 💪🏽

Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to tie up my laces and embark on this journey. 👟

Gonna aim to read at least one manga volume a week as one of my (many) #2024readinggoals. Cheers to a new hashtag #mangaweekly and what I've chosen for Week 2.

#manga

Dying girl shows boy
How it feels to truly live
You might cry... I did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#mangaweekly #sliceoflife #manga #haikureview

"His sallow brown face was covered with a kinky black beard that looked like a map of England."

O..k? ?

I've been spending the past few days binge reading and wrapping up current books so I can start the New Year with some fresh reads! The only one I'm taking with me into 2024 is Don Quixote. It's a CHONK that I'm savoring slowly. Less than 100 pages left of Other Terrors, and I'll have exceeded my goal of 150 books read for the year with 156!

Feeling attacked but also so SEEN reading this anthology of short comics about trans and nonbinary identity. 5 wholesome queer stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#queerreads #genderidentity #selflove #comics

"All my life I had to fight."

Playing catch up with #TheColorPurple this week. I've never actually read this classic, but I have seen the movie from the 80s, so I kinda know what to expect. My heart goes out for poor Celie and her life - which was sadly more of a reality than we think back then.

#purplereadalong #historicalfiction #bannedbooks

Trying out a new cozy because I just finished Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldtree, and it made feel so warm and snuggly... I need more please. 🥰
A Spell of Murder seems to be about a wannabe witch with 3 cats - but her cats are the actual ones with powers, not her. I don't think she knows this though, so adventures ensue. 😂

I also feel this will be a nice palate cleanser in between chapters of The Color Purple because, GD, that's intense.

Flying through this book as fast as I flew through this puzzle. I don't care what people say about Freida. Her books (and characters lol) may be basic, but her fast-paced stories have a way of reeling me in. I can't seem to put any of her books down once I start.

This one is a psych ward thriller 🤹‍♀️

Less than 20 minutes left in this book and nothing remotely thrilling nor "haunting" has even happened... ??

I'm just reading about people being paranoid, insecure, and mostly obnoxious. But I oddly still find this interesting ?

Casually reading 3 copies of Don Quixote nbd 🤣
I have an audiobook from Hoopla as well but I'm finding it easier to digest in print.

Quixotic goals while reading Quixote

#Classics #ReadUntilYouGoInsane #QuixoteQuote

Only cool kids read at the bar 🍺

#BooksandBrews

Nabbed this from the biblioteca yesterday so I could join in the #ChildrensClassicRead2023 challenge. Haven't read Nancy Drew in over 20 years. Looking forward to some good old-fashioned nostalgia. 🕵🏼‍♀️

#NancyDrew #MysteriousMysteries

Over here chuckling because for some reason, Philip K Dick thought in 2021 we would have flying cars and androids that look so much like humans you can't discern between the two, but we're still using a freaking PHONE BOOTH to make calls outside of home or work. 🤣

#sciencefiction #classics #ThatDidntAgeWell

A story about
Family. Not broken, but
Completely shattered

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thought I'd take a break from all the horror/scary stories I've been reading all month, but tbh this was a horror in itself. In a fucked-up-family-omg-I-can't-believe-people-out-there-actually-have-these-experiences-and-survive-then-have-to-cope-and-no-wonder-people-get-addicted-to-shit sorta way. This had my attention.

#haikureview

Lol and only 1 is on my shelf of books I own. The rest are from the library 🤣

Maybe I'll get through a good chunk of these before the year is up.

Maybe not. Either way, these books are my focus... for now 🙃

Going on a Joe Hill deep dive. So far, I've only begun the Locke & Key series, but I'm looking forward to starting, Heart-Shaped Box this weekend.

#horror #thriller #joehill

I came across so many great quotes while reading this book. Here are a few of my favorites.

No haiku review for this one as I can't even fathom trying to describe this book in less than 20 words, but it's definitely at the top of my reading list this year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I also just reached my yearly goodreads goal of 120 books!! I've never read this many in a year before, and I'm still going strong! 🎉

⬆️This entire passage⬆️

One of my best friends recommended me this book saying I'd love it so much and she obviously knows me better than I thought because I am loving and relating to so much in a bi/racial/sexual sort of way and I just 😭 am grateful to have friends that know me and love me as I am

"When you're given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn't give things. You take things."

OMG. I am vicariously indulging in every sip of Evelyn Hugo's life tea (so far). I love this relatable(ish) content. Less than 50 pages to go. Let's find out why she really is the monster she claims to be ?
#queerreads #bisexual #biracial #acceptance

Since today is Friday the 13th AND it's October, I'm taking a break from the book I started yesterday and listening to a spooky story while I work instead. Let's hope it lives up to the hype. First time reading this author.

#ghoststory #hauntedhouse #spookbook

Actual footage of me throwing a book across the room after I finish it because.. WTF even was that??? Started off so strong, then just... died. Repetitive and annoying - halfway through. Then I just really wanted to know what a Tunneler was.. (didn't get a full description until about 80% in).. and it was not worth the wait! Pretty much hated Gyre at the end... but I think I hated the love trope more because given the circumstances... HOW?? ⭐️⭐️

Imagine being in an underground cavern on another planet completely alone, while one singular person with questionable goals and morals is responsible for a large portion of your survival.. Welcome to... The Luminous Dead 💡👻💡

But also 🍄🌌🧑🏾‍🚀👽💀🪱 because idk wtf is going on yet

A young well to do
Not given mush room for choice
Upholds her morels

?????????????

Yoo, this was so fun!!! And grotesque! And creepy! Thoroughly enjoyed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Favorite quote: "We thoughts monsters and ghosts were found in books. But they're real, you know."
#haikureview

ADHD hyper focus mode today - worked on this for ~10 hours while finishing up Mexican Gothic and starting back up with Ghost Summer. I'm in the mood for some spooky/creepy/horror/thrillers. Throw some recs my way if you've got any! 👻👀
#LitsyCrafters

Had to read the second book to find out who all the characters in the corners were! This was such a fun, high fantasy.

Spoiler alert- there was a weird sex scene in this one that threw me off guard since the first book had a very smol amount of romance, but it ended up being integral to the story so I got over it lol. I was listening while working, dropping off invoices, trying to keep a straight face like 👁🫦👁

"Such power. Yet we seem to only destroy."

This is a pretty good series.
I really enjoyed the Monsters vs Humans trope - it got me thinking a Lot about who the Real monsters in this story were because, well, humans can be a bit of a monstrosity themselves. There are good and bad monsters, good and bad humans - main point being, we shouldn't lump a species into a one package assumption. Especially if said species has conscienceness and choice.

It's October 3rd 💓

One new - one used. Bookstore finds while driving through Lansing, MI. #deadtimestories #wayfarerbooks 😊
Let's see if I get to these in the next 6 years. 😅