My #jolabokaflodswap package arrived today! @MaleficentBookDragon

@sprainedbrain @Chrissyreadit my #WinterSolsticeSwap package was put in the mail yesterday! @MaleficentBookDragon my #JolabokaflodSwap package went out today!

#WSS @sprainedbrain @Chrissyreadit @Amandajoy My #WinterSolsticeSwap has arrived!

#DoubleSpin this month was one that's been on my tbr shelf a very long time. The first half was fun to read with lively characters and a Gatsby-esque parade of parties, alcohol, and careless behavior. The second half, though, turned it into a story with depth and heart. I love a book that examines the definition of a life well-lived. @TheAromaofBooks

This book was charming little read for the Christmas season. Family, colorful neighbors, and a lovely old bookstore are the center of this story about love and the power of books to connect people. 🎄📚

I knew from the first chapter that I was going to adore Count Alexander Rostov! I don't know how Towles makes 462-page book feel so expansive when it all takes place within the walls of a single building, but he does. The characters are endearing, and the humor is smart and often unexpected. This is my 2nd Towles, having read and loved Rules of Civility. I am officially a fan. This was my November #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

Wow! I was less than 20 pages in when I knew I needed to savor all 487 pages of this beautiful book. I haven't loved a book like this in a long time. It's magical and lovely, and I'm going to have massive book hangover from this one ❤📚 This was my #AuthorAMonth pick for November, and I adored it! @Soubhiville

There are so many great swaps right now! I've signed up for 3 😯. Other great ones are out there, but I'm putting on the brakes 😂. Tonight is your last chance to sign up for @sprainedbrain and @Chrissyreadit 's #WinterSolsticeSwap! You have until Nov 18th for @MaleficentBookDragon 's #Jolabokaflodswap. And you have until November 14th for @candority 's #Bestof2021Swap. Visit their pages to sign up! And thank you each one of you for hosting!

This was a nice surprise! It was an impulse buy at a discount book store. I hadn't heard much about it, but it was cheap and sounded intriguing. I enjoyed it so much! I've not had great luck with recent books, so maybe this was a case of "right book, right time." It was just what I was looking for. Incredibly readable with some lovely aphorisms throughout ❤.

I really wanted to like this one, but struggled through the entire book. Definitely one I should have abandoned instead of finishing 😔.

I'm a little irrationally excited about this month's bookspin 😆. These 2 have been on my shelf for quite a while and I've wanted to pick them up SO many times, but my tbr piles are SO big, and my reading challenges and book club selections usually take priority. Now, they are up! Woo hoo!

This was fantastic! It was close to a 5-star read for me, but I still trying to decide how I feel about the ending 🤔. Regardless, it packed an emotional punch for me!

Not as good as Dare to Lead, but still a worthwhile read with some valuable insights. I find Brene' Brown's work really grounding for me.

This was a tough one. It has been on my tbr for years, so I'm glad #LMPBC got me to finally read it. I'm struggling to review it, though. I have many conflicting emotions about the story that I will need to sort through.
This is my last read in round 12. Thanks @Mynameisacolour @LiteraryinLawrence and @Hestapleton for a some great, diverse choices! I can't wait to get mine back and read your thoughts! Heather, the package is going out tomorrow 🙂

Hannah, both books arrived over the weekend! I've made it through Dunbar - what an interesting take on Shakespeare's King Lear! I'm only somewhat familiar with the play, but this retelling had all the classic Shakespearean elements. Thanks for choosing this one, Allison. Heather, I'll try to get it in the mail tomorrow. #LMPBC #groupV @Mynameisacolour @LiteraryinLawrence @Hestapleton

This was a good book and there were parts I loved, but it didn't measure up to the other two books I've read by the author. I loved The Nightingale and The Great Alone, so I had big expectations for this one. It just didn't seem as well written. Much of the dialogue felt inauthentic, and there was too much tell and not enough show. I felt the author didn't trust me to draw conclusions. This was my #Doublespin for October. @TheAromaofBooks

A stop at Half-Price Books after my niece's wedding weekend resulted in this stack 📚. The bottom one is an illustrated edition of Jane Eyre to add to my collection 😍.

This was my second VE Schwab, and while I wasn't as taken with it as I was with Addie LaRue, I really enjoyed it. It reads a lot like young adult lit, which is not a complaint, I love YA. It reminded me a lot of The Red Queen series or The Six of Crows. This was my pick for October's #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Feeling sad about this one. I loved the first book and recommend it frequently. This one, though - man, what a slogfest 😔. At least I can cross it off my tbr list. It was my October #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

My #bluebox arrived today! I am super excited for both of these 😍 #BOTM

#BOTM said "slow build," and they weren't kidding. It took me a while to get into, but it was absolutely worth it! It's the heartbreaking story of logging towns in the Pacific Northwest during the 70s as they come to realize and question the effects of herbicides on their health. Industry & environmentalists clash over the fate of the redwoods, but mostly it's about the hardworking families who just want to make a better life. I was transported.

The #shesaid choice this month is a powerful, dense piece of history. Audre Lorde's collection of essays give us a snapshot of some of the discussions around gender, race, identity, and politics as the 70s transitioned into the 80s. Her voice and her message are still too relevant to today's world, reminding us how much work we have left to do. @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

My daughters and I hit the bookstore after watching my son's rugby game! Only two are mine 📚. I love that my kids are readers 🥰 📖

This was a fun read. There isn't a lot of plot, but there's tons of romance and lots of historical context. Romances are really hit and miss with me, but I thought these characters were well developed and the chemistry was really believable. It's a Pick for me!

Loved the 2nd book in The Fifth Season trilogy, maybe even more than the first! The story is so complex that it doesn't allow for casual reading, but it's so worth it! This was my September #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

This book was relentlessly dark, violent, and hopeless. I am somewhere between a Pick and a So-So. I struggled to feel anything other than horror as I read. And maybe that was the point.

Wow. Powerful and heartbreaking, this story takes place in France during WWII, following multiple characters' attempts to survive. I am so glad that is the book I chose for #authoramonth. I wasn't very impressed when I read Practical Magic last year and probably wouldn't have picked up another Hoffman book, but for her being this month's author. This book was incredible. It's going to stick with me. @Soubhiville

Had the most amazing experience this weekend! I wandered into a new indie bookstore in the East Village of Des Moines. It's charming, welcoming, & has the best selection. And it wasn't until I was checking out that I realized it is owned by one of my former English students! 😯 It was so good to catch up and see what an amazing store she has and the ways she is creating community around books 📚 😍 Visit Storyhouse Bookpub if you're in the area!

I enjoyed every minute of this book! Great historical fiction about WWII code breakers that ties in historical figures and events seamlessly. Great mystery, romance, and adventure all in one!

I enjoyed this look at language and gender issues. The author used a lighthearted, flippant tone, and made me chuckle at times, but her tone shouldn't diminish the importance of these discussions. Our beliefs and values often inform our word choice, but just as often, the words that become mainstream inform our beliefs and values. #SheSaid

The last 4 chapters redeemed the book. I didn't expect it to be predominantly a retelling of the textbook histories of previous fascist or fascist-leaning world leaders. I expected references and comparisons, but not so much pure historical narrative. The last 1/4 of the book was the discussion I came here for - modern fascism and how we recognize and understand it. Madame Secretary's perspective is invaluable. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

I remember liking Persuasion the first time I read it, but oh my goodness, I loved it even more this time ❤ I can't believe the #pemberlittens have finished our last novel 😢 Thanks @sprainedbrain for the idea and for leading us through the slow reads!

This book was epic. It's mystery, adventure, tragedy, crime, romance, and coming-of-age all rolled into a story overflowing with culture and tradition of Michigan's UP Native American tribes. The reverence with which the mc describes and adheres to the traditions and beliefs of her culture is beautiful, even as she is balancing her two identities. I loved everything about this story! ❤

My haul from River Lights Bookstore in Dubuque 📚😍 Two are gifts, the rest are mine.
Did I just post a couple weeks ago about buying fewer books and using the library more 🤔 Yes, yes I did 🤷‍♀️

If you are ever in Dubuque, Iowa, take the time to stop at River Lights Bookstore! It is a beautiful shop in a beautiful old building. The selection isn't huge, but it's very well curated, and the staff is fantastic! They talk books, make recommendations, and are super friendly! They have lots of fun book merchandise too - plus comfy leather seats and a rolling shelf ladder 😍. This just might be my favorite book store I've been to!

I love every last thing Adichie writes - she's truly gifted. This one was super personal as she lost her father during the Covid lockdown and turned her grief into this short book that packs an emotional punch. 😢 I can't wait for her to publish another novel.

@Hestapleton Thanks for choosing this amazing book for your #LMPBC selection! This is a powerful book with gorgeous writing. I was blown away by how smart and vulnerable the writing is. I loved it, and I loved reading your thoughts on it!
Sending it your way soon @Mynameisacolour ! @LiteraryinLawrence #groupv

Beautiful story about 3 generations of women navigating secrets, history, family, and complicated mother/daughter relationships. It's been many years since I've read a novel but Amy Tan, but she definitely has a specific niche. Enjoyed this one for #authoramonth @Soubhiville

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me. This book is tragic, and somber, yet beautiful and somehow hopeful as well. The story had drama, a slow reveal of the mc's backstory, and a cast of compelling characters that I grew to love. McDonaghy spins words and sentences artfully, creating beautiful prose. I can't wait to see what this author does after this impressive debut!

Today, I went to our public library for the first time in years. I used to take my kids there all the time, but it's been probably 5 years. I have no idea why I stopped going and started buying books instead, but it's gotten out of hand. I got a new library card, checked out 5 books, and donated to become a Friend of the Library. Did I also buy 2 books from the used book shop for $1 and $2? Yes, I did 🤷‍♀️ #betterhabits #supportyourpubliclibrary.

I can't believe we are starting the final novel tomorrow 😯. I have truly enjoyed rereading them all in this slow-paced format with the #pemberlittens. Can't wait to dive into Persusion! It will be only my 2nd time with this one. @sprainedbrain

Another fantastic, thought-provoking book that I probably wouldn't have picked up if not for the #shesaid reading challenge. The author covered a wide array of areas where the female data gap has far-reaching and long-lasting effects. Excellent book! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Nope.

I devoured this book! One of the most entertaining, addictive books I've read this year! I found Daisy Jones and the Six just meh. This one I adore!

This was between a So-So and a Pick for me. Parts of the writing were beautiful, but it just didn't keep me engaged. The time jumps were abrupt and the plot was a little all over the place, with characters coming and going. I also felt many characters were underdeveloped...Ba Giang and Vinh for example. Good moments, but overall, ok.

I loved everything about this one! I may even have liked it better than Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star. It was a beautiful story #YAL

Such a delightful book! Funny and poignant. Great summer read!

Read my first Baldwin novel for #AuthorAMonth. I've read a few short stories & essays previously. It was fantastic - powerful and moving. His writing is so distinctive, almost lyrical and stream-of-consciousness at times. The only thing that bothered me as a reader was writing from a female point of view, some of the thoughts he attributed to Tish & other women didn't feel "true." Especially some of their thoughts about the men. ⬇️ @Soubhiville

This is a charming story! It has a mix of a little romance, mystery, and ghosts, and some really lovable characters. ♥ This was my July #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks Another book that sat on my tbr pile for far too long!

My book haul from Chicago 🙂. Finally got a copy of Invisible Women, so I can get started on July's #SheSaid selection, and I found a great hardcover version of Sister Outsider, so I'm ready for September, too!