Did all of my Holiday cards today, including all my #litsycardswap + my non-Litsy cards, along with my Christmas legos that conveniently arrived yesterday.
🎄💚❤️🎅🏼🤶🏻💚❤️💚🎁🕯💚❤️🎄
pickA cute fake boyfriend romance. I haven‘t read any others in this series but I might have to pick one up.
December #roaringwolf red & green on cover
pickCouldn‘t find it in the database.
A fun second chance romance.
December #roaringwolf Holiday Diversity - they celebrate Christmas & Winter Solstice
pickAll the feels. A beautiful story about believing & healing & love and a little Christmas magic. I binged it & stayed up past my bedtime to finish it. 💚❤️🎄
December #roaringwolf Snow Day prompt
#decemberchill Day 1
I like a variety. According to my Spotify 2021 wrapup, I listened to 26,426 minutes comprised of 41 genres & 550 artists. I played my 2021 fave song 193 times. 😆
Some of my fave relaxing playlists:
Classical Essentials: https://spoti.fi/3I9dLXo
My Jazz playlist: https://spoti.fi/3oiSsL5
Disney faves: https://spoti.fi/3DdLb3y
My holiday playlist: https://spoti.fi/3rtpt9u
pickThis is actually book 1 of the Mistletoe Romance. (There‘s Something About Merry is book 2, but I read it first.)
I didn‘t like this one as much as Merry & Clark‘s story but it‘s still a sweet friends-to-lovers holiday romance.
HoliDate prompt for December #RoaringWolf
pickI couldn‘t find this book in the database. 🤷🏼♀️
This is a super cute, sweet holiday romance and a great read to kick-off the holiday season. Merry & Clark felt real and relatable. The narrators, C.J. Bloom & Lee Samuels, did a fabulous dual-narration job.
#two4tuesday
1. The lights, the smell of evergreens, and Hallmark Christmas movies
2. 🤷🏼♀️ I don‘t have a set TBR for December. I just checked out the tagged from the library. And I aim to read at least 5 books this month to get to 150 for the year.
Thanks for the tag Lisa!
Have you played? @damselsgotballs @Allylu @Yuki_Onna @Leftcoastzen
Team #BFC21 - Month 12 is HERE!
Dec can be a challenging month for many of us for many reasons. I encourage everyone to include a self-care goal.
And remember if you are feeling alone, lost, or just need someone to talk to, use the #HolidayHugs hashtag.
My Dec #BFC goals:
* walk 3 mi at least 21 days
* meditate & yoga 21 days
* write every day
* get at least 1 bingo on one of the reading challenges
I was going to resist all the cyber Monday deals. I failed. 😆 4 from the Audible sale & 5 from the Libro.fm sale.
The 3 on the right I‘ve read before but wanted to listen to the audio version.
pickI hate to write this but I just didn't find this book quite as funny or engaging as her previous books. I applaud her for being open & honest about her struggles with mental illness & other health issues. But these essays didn't seem to flow as well & felt almost disjointed at times, which made me think that this book was more of a lift for her to finish.
But I still gave it a pick because she gives a voice to all of us who feel broken at times.
My #JolabokaflodSwap is on its way! 🎉📦📫
To be safe, I shipped direct to @catiewithac
Catie - sorry to spoil the surprise, but I wanted to let you know to expect 2 packages from me: one with the book from Bookshop and one with chocolate.
I had an amazing weekend in Kyoto. So many things to see. I saw 7 out of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. I‘ll definitely visit again.
I‘m glad that by whatever miracle Kyoto was not bombed during WWII. All this history and beauty is so incredible.
For those interest in the old capital of Japan, I‘ve tagged one & will tag some others in the comments.
Kyoto Day 2 - if you get a chance to visit, I highly recommend it. So many amazing sites. So many photos. And I ate what I‘m calling Thanksgiving-on-a-stick: a sweet potato, carrots, & pumpkin kakiage (a type of tempura).
I took lots of notes and will be writing it all up and posting it on my blog after I get back to Okinawa.
The holidays are tough for many of us for many reasons. If you are alone or feel alone, if you are struggling, if you just need someone to listen, please use the #HolidayHugs hashtag.
We are here for you.
#holidayhugs #litsylove #community
AmyG, Seekingtardis, Bookwormjillk, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, jessinikkip, AvidlyAlexis, Professional_Book_Dragon
#wondrouswednesday
1. It‘s hard to only pick 3, but the first 3 I think of are Neil Gaiman, Patricia Briggs, & Robin Hobb
2. Inigo Montoya, Veruca Salt, Holly Golightly, Sherlock Holmes, Ramona Qumby, Victor Frankenstein, Tristram Shandy
3. Tagged
Thanks for the tag Sherri! 🥰
Today, I arrived on mainland Japan for a mini vacation in Kyoto. If you saw the movie adaptation of the tagged, then these are the Torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine that young Chiyo runs through.
Friday I plan on going to the Gion section of Kyoto, which is where a lot of the book is based and is one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan.
#two4tuesday
1. Nope. I‘m headed to Kyoto for a mini-vacation! First real vacation in nearly 2 years.
2. Leftovers 😆
Thanks for the tag Lisa!
Who hasn‘t played?
I don‘t have an ending, or enough of a middle. I need to do a ton of editing. Maybe go back and outline. Flesh out characters. Work on the world building. Redraft several sections.
But right now I am celebrating because I hit 50000 words! 🍾🥂 🎉 Huzzah! 🎉
#NaNoWriMo2021 #NaNoWriMo
Calling all crafters! Do you enjoy crafting? Any kind of craft? 🖌🖍🖼🪡🧵🧶🪢
@Catsandbooks & @curiouserandcurioser will be hosting #LitsyCrafters starting in January.
Check out their original post for more.
#weekendreads
1. Broken by Jenny Lawson & Moonology by Yasmin Boland. I‘m still waiting on my library audiobook holds.
2. Pumpkin pie! 😋
3. Tagged!
Have you played? @TheRiehlDeal @TheSpineView @Crazeedi @AlaMich @ozma.of.oz @CindyMyLifeIsLit
I love when you take the dust jacket off and the cover has a little something special.
🤫 And I am totally *not* reading at work 🙅🏼♀️ on a Friday afternoon when my boss isn‘t here. Nope, not at all. I would *never* do that. Never. 😆
so-soOn the one hand, I did learn some things about Arnold. On the other, I don‘t think there was really enough for a stand alone book. I felt many scenes were unnecessarily expanded just to fill pages.
Also warning for sensitive readers (like me), some of the battle scenes have rather graphic descriptions.
I also learned that apparently “YA history” is now a genre. 🤷🏼♀️
Book 2 for #NFNovember
Book 6 for #NovelNovember 🎉
Holiday Card Swap hosted by @LibrarianRyan is open!
This is a super low key - you‘re only sending holiday cards. 💌 Open internationally.
See Ryan‘s page for the sign-up link
Super excited! 🎉 I loved both Nanette and Douglas. Such an amazing writer and comedian. Although bookshop.org is not yet showing it available for pre-order.
And as an aside, I‘ve never seen a comma used in that date format (Day Month Year) before. I only use a comma when writing the date as March 22, 2022 (Month Day Year). Has anyone else seen a comma in this date format?
#thoughtfulthursday
📚 I really haven‘t read many books with unreliable narrators as those books usually aren‘t my genre
📚 magnetic bookmarks & book sleeves
📚 one of several fave series
Thanks for the tag @TheRiehlDeal @TheSpineView
Tagging some of my new followers! 👋🏻 Take a screen shot & post your answers! @EvieBee @Moll @PageShifter @FreyaBWilson @hollyvoncount
#NaNoWriMo day 18: I hit 40k words tonight 🎉
Over 80% of the way to 50k. Huzzah!
If I only knew where this story was going, what the big conflict scene is to be, and how it will all end, I‘d be in great shape. 🤣🤣🤣
pickA wonderful guide to magical writing or “word witchery.” Whether or not you identify as a witch, whether or not you identify as a writer, Lisa provides guidance for all who seek find their own voice.
This is not a linear read but one you go through at random. Picking sections that fit where you are today. The book is nicely laid out and is accented with drawings, colors, quotes and poems. I will definitely be using this book regularly.
so-soWhile the synopsis was intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. One of main aspects that drew me to this book was the fact that Greta is a physician for the underworld. Some of the scenes I liked best were when she cares for Varney, sees to the ghoullet, & discusses an upcoming foot-bone replacement surgery for a mummy. Those were the parts I wanted more of & yet her practice (despite the title) is not even a subplot.
👇🏻
#wondrouswednesday
1. The evening sky earlier this week.
2. Nothing unusual has happened. But it was wonderful to finally get my hands on book 3 of the Hell‘s Library trilogy. Now if Rothfuss would just publish book 3 of the Kingkiller Chronicle, that‘s really be wonderful.
3. Great friends & cheerful co-workers
Spread the word! @LitsyEvents is live!
Have an event? Share it with @LitsyEvents
Want to know what‘s happening? Check out @LitsyEvents
panA quick guide (only 52 pages & lots of white space) that covers the basic plot points on how she thinks the pre-writing process will help you write a better book. No new information & the info just wasn‘t that great.
She uses one of her own books as an example but calls it one title in one chapter but another title in a different chapter, which makes me question the value of her advice. (And neither title is listed on her GR.)
#two4tuesday
1. Yes, I hit my yearly GR reading goal at the end of August. 🎉
2. All of them! 😆 But really, I want to finish my October-December #bookspin & #doublespin picks
Thanks for the tag @TheRiehlDeal @TheSpineView
Have you played? @DGRachel @robinb @Ruthiella @kplovesbooks @SusanLee @Kenyazero @kspenmoll
panEven though the synopsis sounded fun, the title made me hesitant. I should have gone with my first instinct as this book fell flat for me.
I think the main problem is this book wants to be like a Charley Davidson or Mercy Thompson (i.e., smart, funny, clever paranormal urban fantasy) but it fails. Plus I can‘t stand insta-loves and there‘s no real chemistry between Luke & Callie.
I will not be reading the next book.
Book 3 for #NovelNovember
Well my To Read shelf just got exponentially larger! 😆
Voting is now open for Round 1 of the 2021 GR Choice Awards.
This year, only 2 rounds (Final Round opens on 30 Nov) and no write-ins.
pickI can‘t imagine a more perfect ending and I can‘t really put into words how much I love this imaginative, incredible trilogy.
Photo from my #audiowalk this evening
Book 2 for #NovelNovember
And I hit 36k words tonight! My story is coming along. #NaNoWriMo
Out of the mouth of babes.
#needmorebooks
#sundayfunday
1. Sadly not right now.
2. One that invites good discussion.
3. Debate because in my experience, when everyone agrees, the conversation quickly leaves books & goes to other topics.
pickThis is a pick because I do love the character and I‘m a huge fan of Darynda Jones.
That being said, there was a lot, almost too much, going on in this book. A couple of story lines were too quickly and neatly tied up. And unfortunately a lot of the mystery was predictable. But even so, I will pre-order the 3d book.
Book 1 for #NovelNovember
Plus I listened to another hour+ of The God of Lost Words and made it to over 33k for #NaNoWriMo 🎉
A Very Merry Bingo hosted by @Jadams1776 is back! 🎉🎄🎅🏼🎁🤶🏻🎄🎉
Go to Jessi‘s post for the sign-up link!
#weekendreads
1. The tagged (audio), Strange Practice, & A Good Day for Chardonnay
2. Archive of the Forgotten (I re-listened to books 1 & 2 before starting the tagged)
3. Yes! 3 audiobooks (one of which estimated 2 weeks but that was 3 weeks ago) & 3 physical books
Who hasn‘t played? Consider yourself tagged! 🔖
Day 1 of #NovelNovember was busy. I got my miles in before it rained, got my hair cut, made progress on the tagged (approx 30% done), read another couple chapters of Strange Practice + got 2 more bingos for #NaNoBingo21 🎉
And despite the fact that (1) my story has taken a life of its own, (2) my story is somewhat disjointed & chaotic, and (3) I‘ve already made notes on how I want to edit it, I did hit 30000 words today 🤷🏼♀️🤣
#NaNoWriMo
‼️ For everyone participating in a winter swap, Pirate Ship‘s established ship by dates for the holidays. ‼️
For more details:
https://support.pirateship.com/en/articles/5705290-2021-holiday-shipping-deadlin...
Tagging the hosts of #LittleChristmasSwap, #JolabokaflodSwap, and #WinterSolsticeSwap
Feel free to share!
w00t! 🎉 I hit 25k words today! I‘m over halfway! 🎉
Plus I got a bingo on #NaNoBingo21! And since one of the prompts was #nanoselfie, I thought I‘d share it here.
Thanks Charity for creating this NaNo Bingo board—it‘s rather motivating & a lot of fun to use.
#NaNoWriMo #NaNoWriMo2021 #NaNoWriMo21
#NovelNovember readathon starts Saturday! 🎉
My goals:
📖 Finish the 3 books I‘m currently reading
📚 Start (& maybe finish) my #bookspin book
Thanks @Andrew65 for hosting! 🧡
#thoughtfulthursday
📖 tagged, A Good Day for Chardonnay, & The Archive of the Forgotten
🍁 getting caught in the rain & that NaNoWriMo is going really well
📚 books with basic spelling errors and misprints
Thanks for the tag Danielle! Have you played? @TheSpineView @Crazeedi @AlaMich @persephone1408 @wideeyedreader @Twainy
#wondeouswednesday
1. Space, specifically The Milliways & the Restaurant at the End of the Universe (tagged)
2. Holidays & 4-day weekends
Thanks for the tag Lisa & Sherri! 🥰
#two4tuesday
1. I‘d just like to go to any bookstore that has books in English. While I like living in Japan, I don‘t read Japanese and so i haven‘t been to a bookstore in nearly two years.
2. Sometimes I have a specific book to buy. Sometime I just go to browse.
Thanks for the tag Gayla & Lisa! 🥰
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}