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blurb
youneverarrived
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The book I have wanted to read for years and I‘m glad this is giving me the incentive to get to it 💙

The song I first discovered through a cover version by Laura Marling (which is brilliant also) but I do prefer this original #titlesandtunes

BarbaraBB I am curious about the book since you and @batsy are choosing it! The song seems perfect too, glad to add it to our playlist 💃 5d
Cinfhen I‘m loving these picks!! 💙🩵 5d
merelybookish That was going to be my song as well! And same story...heard Marling's version but prefer the original! 3d
youneverarrived @merelybookish ah wow no way! Great minds…💙 2d
31 likes4 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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Little Sunday afternoon book & beer while one kid naps and the other is painting. The book is one I‘ve been reading very slowly, trying to take it all in - loving it 🤍

review
youneverarrived
Birnam Wood | Eleanor Catton
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Pickpick

Forgot to take a photo of this one before it went back to the library but wow what a ride - it started off fairly slow as we‘re introduced to the characters and then it went somewhere I wasn‘t expecting. I would have loved to have discussed this one with #camplitsy as there‘s a lot to it. Really enjoyed it.

Suet624 I was disappointed with the ending. 2w
squirrelbrain Ah, it‘s a shame you couldn‘t read it for #camplitsy - we had some great discussions. It‘s one of my favourites of the year. 2w
youneverarrived @Suet624 I read it a while ago and actually forgot how it ended - but I googled it and yeah, I was disappointed with it too - probably why I forgot 😆 2w
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I bet! All my holds seemed to come in a few weeks after the camp litsy books had been read 😐 2w
54 likes4 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

One of those ‘can‘t put it down‘ sort of books - you have to find out what‘s going to happen next. I feel like it could have easily slipped into melodrama with all that goes on (it‘s a lot darker than I anticipated) but it didn‘t. It shows how deep rooted family trauma is. It‘ll definitely make my list of favourites for the year although I will say the ending knocked me 😕

Tagging @andrew61 as I know you were interested in reading this one.

andrew61 Thanks Katie, I've just put a reservation in for it at the library. Looking forward to trying 2w
andrew61 It .👍 2w
Ruthiella I‘m also stacking and putting on a library hold. I‘m intrigued. 2w
See All 7 Comments
squirrelbrain I *hated* the ending of this one! 2w
youneverarrived @andrew61 look forward to seeing what you think of it 2w
youneverarrived @Ruthiella I hope you like it! 2w
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I did not expect or want it to end that way 😢 2w
49 likes3 stack adds7 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

Gilroy moves to London in the 1950s to become a teacher & this book details the highs & lows that came with that. The dialogue of the children in her classrooms is written as they speak & its so vivid. There‘s such a warmth to her & the ambition & passion she had for teaching is inspiring. From not being able to get a job in teaching to becoming Londons first black headteacher - just brilliant, I‘d highly recommend. #nonfiction2023 (black sheep)

Megabooks Sounds interesting! 3w
Itchyfeetreader This is 💯my kind of book. Stacking with thanks (edited) 3w
squirrelbrain I‘ve looked at this one a few times but never bought…. Stacking. 3w
See All 6 Comments
youneverarrived @Megabooks it really was! 2w
youneverarrived @Itchyfeetreader I hope you like it as much as me 😁 2w
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I think you‘d enjoy it 😁 2w
51 likes5 stack adds6 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Palace of the Drowned | Christine Mangan
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This book was a random pick in Waterstones a little while ago, not seen any reviews on it so hoping it‘s a good one. And this song and album by Marina just has a whole #dramaqueen vibe 👸 #titlesandtunes

Cinfhen Can‘t wait to hear about this book! 3w
Cinfhen Not familiar with the song but it looks like a perfect fit 😍 3w
39 likes2 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

Oh I loved this 🖤 it took me right into New York. Every single story was good and so interesting to see the similarities between the authors reasons for moving to NY (mostly to be a writer) & their reasons for leaving (mostly because they outgrew it or it became too expensive). As a collection it works absolutely perfectly 👌 #nonfiction2023 (Goodbye Earl) #titlesandtunes #theworldismyoyster

Graywacke Sounds fantastic 3w
youneverarrived @Graywacke it really is! 3w
Cinfhen Love the bookmark 😍book sounds fantastic! 3w
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BarbaraBB What a great review. It sounds fab 3w
squirrelbrain I read this years ago. Your review makes me want to read it again! 3w
Graywacke @Cinfhen i just noticed the bookmark. Yeah, small life goal, get a Strand bookmark from the store itself… 3w
Cinfhen Worthy goal @Graywacke !!! 3w
Amiable @Graywacke I have a bookmark from the Strand that I can send to you. :) Unless your goal is to get one in person? 2w
Graywacke @Amiable that‘s crazy nice of you. Of course, i do want get one actually from the store itself, the visiting of the store being the important part. Thank you though! 2w
51 likes4 stack adds9 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Summertime | Raffaella Barker
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#top10summer2023reads

My absolute favourites were I am, I am, I am and August Blue. Thanks for the tag @BarbaraBB 💛

Not sure who has done this/been tagged already but would love to see yours @andrew61 @squirrelbrain @merelybookish @batsy @Amiable

squirrelbrain Great choices! August Blue and Birnam Wood would have been on my list too, but I read them too early! 😜 4w
Cinfhen Some really good books that have caught my eye😍thanks so much for sharing 4w
Itchyfeetreader I loved this when i read it last year and some of your other picks loom great 4w
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BarbaraBB Thanks for sharing yours. I am intrigued now by the ones I haven‘t read yet. 4w
batsy Great picks! I loved Bunny and Birnam Wood and Bandit Queens is likely to be in mine, as well. 4w
youneverarrived @batsy Bunny was so strange but brilliantly so! 4w
merelybookish You have great taste! 😄I loved a lot of these books too. That Maggie O'Farrell book is an all-time fave!! 4w
45 likes8 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

Alfie is well and truly in the ‘why?‘ ‘what for?‘ stage 😅 so I thought I‘d listen to this which I bought on audible a while back. It was a great listen; informative, accessible and with a wide range of topics like climate change, gender, death etc. I‘ll probably listen to certain parts again when those questions/issues arise. #nonfiction2023 (so what?)

batsy Oh, Alfie. So cute 😁 1mo
youneverarrived @batsy he is growing so fast but he‘s at a lovely age now, so inquisitive 🤍 1mo
48 likes2 comments
review
youneverarrived
August Blue: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

I love how Levy can write sentences that can be read one way, or another - and how a lot of meaning can be packed into one. This was such a dreamy, atmospheric book with great characters and places. I would reread it 💙 #tbrtarot

CBee Awesome 👏🏻 1mo
39 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
youneverarrived
Sorrow and Bliss | Meg Mason
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Pickpick

Only just reviewing this from last months #tbrtarot. It took a little while for me to get into but then once I did I was thinking of the characters even when I wasn‘t reading it. I really liked it overall but it irrationally annoyed me that the illness was made up 🤷‍♀️

CBee I liked this one but agree with you about the illness - I didn‘t like that we never knew what it was exactly! 1mo
youneverarrived @CBee yeah I thought maybe it would be revealed to us later in the book but then it never was and the author said it was not a specific illness 🤷‍♀️ 1mo
CBee @youneverarrived I know, I thought that was strange. Still gave it a pick though! 1mo
41 likes3 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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Love starting a new book 😁

andrew61 Not read liz nugent but heard good things so will be interested to see your verdict. 1mo
youneverarrived @andrew61 I‘ll let you know 😁 this is my first by her 1mo
38 likes2 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Mehso-so

There‘s a great review on the Guardian that sums up how I feel about this book. Junger makes some valid points about veterans, lack of community and PTSD but it felt like he was romanticising war and disaster. #nonfiction2023 (same love)

review
youneverarrived
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Mehso-so

I wanted more about the ancient cultures and less on how she put that knowledge/her experiences in Mexico, Canada & Tanzania into practice with her own child (although I understand why she wrote it that way). Lots of tips on how to make parenting easier/more enjoyable - some I agree with & already do and some that didn‘t sit right with me. #nonfiction2023 (true colours)

(Naomi pretending to be on the phone using a spade 😆)

sarahbarnes Babies pretending to be on the phone is literally one of my favorite things. 2mo
youneverarrived @sarahbarnes I love how they use anything 😂 2mo
squirrelbrain Aw, cutie! 🥰 2mo
See All 8 Comments
quietlycuriouskate My little one had that very same clam-shell over 20 years ago! 2mo
dabbe Excellent imagination, Naomi! 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain her personality is really coming through now ❤️ 2mo
youneverarrived @quietlycuriouskate it must be becoming a childhood classic 😆 2mo
youneverarrived @dabbe ❤️❤️ 2mo
54 likes1 stack add8 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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My plan was to read a story a day during August (there‘s 28 stories) but I‘m a bit behind so going to try and catch up while Alfie is out with grandparents for the day & Naomi has a long nap 🤞#titlesandtunes

review
youneverarrived
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Mehso-so

The writing and the concept are lovely but I didn‘t really get much from it - it didn‘t make me want to go and find enchantment nor did I live it vicariously through the author. There‘s four sections Earth, Air, Water & Fire and sometimes it felt like she was writing just for the sake of fitting into one of those prompts. I loved Wintering & the sort of meandering of that but it didn‘t quite work for me here. #nonfiction2023 (purple rain)

kaysworld1 I found this one hard to get into when I put it down I have no urge to pick it up again like other book's. 2mo
JamieArc I kind of agree with you 😕. It didn‘t fill me with the enchantment I was wanting nor inspire me to find it. 2mo
youneverarrived @kaysworld1 I know exactly what you mean. 2mo
youneverarrived @JamieArc it was pretty disappointing in that way - it‘s an ok book but I don‘t feel like it lived up to its premise 2mo
41 likes4 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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I loved visiting America / NY back in 2019 and #theworldismyoyster made me think of that trip so going with this book I bought at the Strand (short stories by writers who left NY) and the song paired well - probably my favourite Simon & Garfunkel album. #titlesandtunes

Cinfhen What lovely choices ! Sounds perfect 💜Thanks for joining us 😁 2mo
squirrelbrain I‘ve read the book - loved it! (And I love your music choice too) ❤️ 2mo
andrew61 Great choice. Love New York and book looks really good. 2mo
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BarbaraBB Well chosen ! 2mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain glad to hear you liked the book I‘m looking forward to reading it! 2mo
youneverarrived @andrew61 I would love to go back some day! 2mo
47 likes7 comments
review
youneverarrived
The Girls: A Novel | Emma Cline
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Pickpick

I‘m conflicted on this one because I really liked the writing and I LOVED the atmosphere, the 60s vibe and the way Cline wrote Evie - I don‘t know if I‘ve read a more spot on depiction of a teenage girl and all the feelings, longings etc that come with that. However, because it‘s based quite closely on the Manson cult and murders I had that in my head as I was reading it so I knew where it was going..

youneverarrived and it didn‘t feel creative at all in that way - & I know historical fiction can be based on crimes and these things are obviously written about but it didn‘t sit quite right with me in this novel 🤔 #titlesandtunes (edited) 2mo
Cinfhen I enjoyed this book, I thought it was a fun exploration of the Manson girls but I know many including @BarbaraBB did not care for this book. You make a good point about the lack of creativity or the predictability of the story. 2mo
BarbaraBB Yes, that lack of creativity bothered me very much. I was super underwhelmed by this book but I am glad it‘s still a pick for you! 2mo
Ruthiella Yes! I loved this book because she so perfectly captured how I felt at 14. I (luckily) didn‘t join a cult… 2mo
youneverarrived @Ruthiella same for me! My teenage self could definitely relate. 2mo
51 likes5 comments
review
youneverarrived
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

A really modern book in the things it speaks about - social media, cancel culture etc. - it made me question/think about all those things. Every character was unlikeable and conflicted in one way or another but it was so, so readable; I didn‘t want to stop reading it.

squirrelbrain Great review! 💛 2mo
Knitmaths So agree with your review! I talked about this at my book chat group, said you wouldn‘t like any of the characters but won‘t want to stop reading…. some members need to like their characters! 2mo
youneverarrived @Knitmaths yeah I get that! Unlikeable characters have never bothered me, sometimes they add to/make a book. 2mo
67 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
youneverarrived
I Am, I Am, I Am | Maggie O'Farrell
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Pickpick

I love this book so much. The last story (Daughter) gave me goosebumps. Such a strong, courageous woman and a brilliant writer. It will stay with me. #authoramonth

Soubhiville I‘m looking forward to this one! 2mo
youneverarrived @Soubhiville it‘s so good ♥️ 2mo
59 likes4 stack adds2 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Midyear Report | University of Texas at Austin. Bureau of Economic Geology
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This was fun to think about 🤍 #midyearbookfreakout

1. Three Women
2. Haven‘t read any
3. August Blue
4. The Fraud
5. A Wizard of Earthsea
6. Thunderstruck
7. Mary Lawson
8. Elizabeth Zott
9. None although Heaven was really hard hitting
10. The Bandit Queens
11. Bear Woman
12. All the ones I‘ve got pencilled in for challenges

Klou Awesome!! Who is Three Women by? 3mo
youneverarrived @Klou it‘s by Lisa Taddeo 3mo
Reggie Maggie, Lina, and Sloan…❤️ 3mo
youneverarrived @Reggie ❤️❤️❤️ 3mo
41 likes5 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Panpan

I found this reallly boring. Fantasy isn‘t something I generally read and it‘s YA to boot so I‘m not the intended audience but it was so slow yet packed with adventure and it all just felt meh. I tried to get invested in it and I (skimread) to the end but would have bailed if it wasn‘t for #authoramonth.

Soubhiville Hopefully next month will be better. 3mo
youneverarrived @Soubhiville I like Maggie O‘Farrell so I‘m sure it will be 😁 3mo
vivastory 💚❤️NYRB Classics 3mo
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vivastory Sorry to hear that this Le Guin didn't work for you. I haven't read it. I did thoroughly enjoy 3mo
dabbe I bailed even though it WAS #AuthoraMonth! 🤣🤣🤣 3mo
Deblovestoread I bailed, too. #AllHailtheBail so you are not alone! @dabbe 3mo
dabbe @vivastory Now that's one I didn't try. I'll giver it ago by the end of this year. Thanks! 🤩😊🤗 3mo
vivastory @dabbe I'll be curious to see what you think! It's a short one, too, but it sticks with you. 3mo
batsy We did a Litsy group read years ago (time flies!) and it was a pick for me, but I get what you mean. It's the kind of book that I wish I had read when I was younger because the YA-ish elements haven't aged well. 3mo
youneverarrived @vivastory that one does actually sound good! I‘m not a big reader of the genre in general but sometimes I‘m pleasantly surprised - this just wasn‘t for me 3mo
youneverarrived @dabbe @Deblovestoread haha you both made the better choice 3mo
youneverarrived @batsy yeah there just wasn‘t any connection between the book and me (although I tried), the YA elements of it were definitely a part of that. Saying that, I can still see why it‘s deemed a classic. 3mo
45 likes12 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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I had to google rock and roll books 😆 and this one that‘s been on my shelves for a while came up on a few lists so obvious choice! And the song was the first one I thought of - love the whole album 🎶 #titlesandtunes

Cinfhen The Girls is a GREAT choice! Hope you enjoy the book 😄🩷 3mo
squirrelbrain Ooh, good choice for the book! 3mo
BarbaraBB Lykke Li 🖤🖤🖤 (edited) 3mo
See All 10 Comments
youneverarrived @Cinfhen thanks! I‘m glad it‘s given me the push to read it 😁 3mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain one of those books I‘ve never felt called to read although I‘ve had it for a while, so glad for this prompt for the push to finally get to it! (edited) 3mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB love her ♥️ 3mo
BarbaraBB She‘s great. I am wondering if you‘ll love the book too. I didn‘t 😉 but it definitely fits the prompt! 3mo
batsy I love Lykke Li! Fun choice and great book choice, too. I've been eyeing it since reading Cline's latest, The Guest. 3mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB ohh I‘m intrigued now - we have similar taste in books so we shall see 😁 3mo
youneverarrived @batsy I Never Learn is one of my all time favourite albums 🖤 I haven‘t read The Guest but if I like this I‘ll most likely read that one too. 3mo
43 likes10 comments
review
youneverarrived
Thunderstruck | Erik Larson
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Pickpick

Kept forgetting to post this for last months #authoramonth but what an intriguing read! Non fiction at its best for me; I loved all the historical detail so you can imagine just how things would have been. I‘m with the majority of people in finding the Marconi bits less compelling than the Crippen but brilliantly done in bringing them together. #nonfiction2023 (rolling in the deep)

emz711 How cute is that reader? Which is it? 3mo
Cathythoughts Sounds great ! Stacked. 3mo
Amiable Oh, that‘s a great one for this prompt! I love seeing how creative people are getting with the prompts this year. 🙂 3mo
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youneverarrived @emz711 it‘s just a paperwhite 😁 3mo
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts hope you like it if you get to it! 💕 3mo
youneverarrived @Amiable I love seeing what people choose! I‘ve planned my books out just stuck on 3 of the prompts 🤔 3mo
Amiable @youneverarrived Which ones are you stuck on? I have 4 more to read and then I‘ve filled the card. 3mo
Amiable I lied —I have 5 more (forgot about the Free space! 😀) 3mo
youneverarrived @Amiable almost complete 😁 I‘ve still got 10 to go. I‘m stuck on Just a girl, Running up that hill and All about that bass 3mo
49 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

You can tell this took a lot from the author to write - in her prologue she asks that no judgement be made against her, instead she wants the reader to see how coercive control happens. She tells of her experience of being in an abusive and controlling relationship; how it started out, how it got worse gradually & her way out. Amidst this she also writes of bullying/control in the workplace that got her fired. A very open and honest book.

CBee 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3mo
squirrelbrain Great review. Sounds like a tough read / listen. 3mo
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds good, even if hard. 3mo
Megabooks Great review!! 3mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it was tough to listen to 😔 3mo
youneverarrived @Megabooks thank you! 🤍 3mo
44 likes7 comments
review
youneverarrived
Silent Scream | Angela Marsons
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Pickpick

Definitely fits the #guiltypleasure prompt for me - I flew through it. I really liked Kim & Bryant and it was well paced with enough twists to keep me guessing and turning the pages. I‘ll be reading more in the series for sure. #titlesandtunes #joysofjune

squirrelbrain Do you read on Kindle, Katie, I can‘t remember? If so, they‘re often 99p. In fact , a Kindle box set of books 4-6 is 99p now, so might be worth getting. They get better and better as you get to know the characters. 4mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I do! I actually prefer reading this type of book on kindle. What a deal! Just bought 😁 thank you 😘 4mo
squirrelbrain I prefer them on Kindle too, for some reason…. Now you just need 2 and 3, although Qa.99 isn‘t bad, they will be cheaper at some time. 4mo
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Cinfhen Your drink is actually holding all of my current attention - ahhhh it looks so refreshing 4mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I‘ll keep an eye out for them at 99p 😁 4mo
youneverarrived @Cinfhen ah it was lush and definitely needed 🥵 4mo
Andrew65 Theses are brilliant books, one of my favourite series. I think she now has a contract to write 22 books in the series. Well done 👏👏👏 3mo
youneverarrived @Andrew65 wow so many 😁 I‘m definitely planning on reading more I‘ve heard it just gets better too. 3mo
Andrew65 @youneverarrived It definitely does. 3mo
51 likes9 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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Not book related but I have a 1 year old 🥺♥️

Mollyanna Happy Birthday little one! 🎂🎈 4mo
Leftcoastzen Oh my gosh! What a cutie! Time to celebrate!🎂👏 4mo
batsy Look at that smile 🥰 Happy 1st birthday to your little one 🎉🎈 4mo
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Cinfhen Awwww! She‘s adorable ☺️ Happy first birthday 🥳🥳🥳 4mo
rockpools Happy Birthday 🥳 🎈❤️ 4mo
AmyG She is the cutest! Happy Birthday! 🎂 4mo
squirrelbrain Aw she‘s SO cute! Happy Birthday! 🥰 4mo
BarbaraBB Time flies! She‘s a cute little lady 😍 4mo
andrew61 She is lovely, Katie. Enjoy a special day. 4mo
TrishB Happy birthday 🎉🎉 4mo
Tamra 🎉🎉Happy Birthday! 4mo
Graywacke Such a picture of happiness! Love it. Happy Birthday little miss. 4mo
Megabooks Happy birthday N!! 🎉🎉💜 4mo
marleed Oh Happy Birthday! 4mo
julesG Happy Birthday, happy birthday girl! 🎉🎂🎁🎈 4mo
youneverarrived @batsy she‘s the happiest baby 🥰 thank you ♥️ 4mo
youneverarrived Thank you @andrew61 we spent the day at Chester Zoo as Naomi loves animals 🥰 4mo
andrew61 @youneverarrived, that's lovely katie, I've not been in years, but do remember when the girls were little, there was a Christmas evening trail with a santa there, which they loved. Though not sure any of us have recovered from the bat room! You have some great trips ahead! 3mo
youneverarrived @andrew61 aw I bet that was magical. 🤣 the bat room I avoided haha. I‘m looking forward to taking them lots of places 🥰 3mo
vivastory 💙 3mo
Centique Look at that gorgeous smile! A belated happy birthday ❤️🎈🎁 3mo
youneverarrived @Centique thank you 🥰🥰 3mo
BiblioLitten Ahhhdorable 😍😍🥰 3mo
58 likes24 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
June | Lori Copeland
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A bit late in posting but my goals for #joysofjune are to finish Silent Scream, Bunny (on kindle), Look What You Made Me Do (on audible) and to make a good start on A Wizard of Earthsea ♥️

TrishB Good plan 👍🏻 4mo
Andrew65 Hope you have a great Readathon. 4mo
44 likes3 comments
review
youneverarrived
Hysterical: A Memoir | Elissa Bassist
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Mehso-so

I thought this was going to be a memoir about how the author had undiagnosed pain & the way women‘s medical issues aren‘t always taken seriously but that was a very small part of the book; she uses that as an opening to call out the way she (and other women) was taught over and over to diminish her voice, be less emotional etc. I didn‘t love the way it was written but it was well informed and researched. #nonfiction2023 (Harper Valley P.T.A)

50 likes1 stack add
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I wasn‘t expecting to like this one as much as I did. I LOVED the humour - for a book with serious and dark topics it had me laughing out loud - it‘s got the perfect balance between dark and light. The friendship between the women was written so well too. The first discussion made me think about the book differently - a great book to discuss. #camplitsy23

squirrelbrain Glad you enjoyed it so much! Looking forward to the discussions again this weekend. 4mo
BarbaraBB It was such an unexpectedly good book. And the discussion brought it to a next level for me. 4mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB same for me. 4mo
Megabooks Great review!! 4mo
52 likes5 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Small Pleasures | The School Of Life
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Thank you so much for this Helen 😘 how perfect is this card! 😍 I stacked the book after the post by @BarbaraBB so thankful that you bought it for me 🤍 I‘ll have to check out the bookshop next time I‘m in Leeds it sounds fab.

JamieArc That card 😍😍 4mo
JamieArc And happy birthday! May there be many great books for you in the coming year 🎉🎉 4mo
squirrelbrain You‘re welcome Katie! I hope you‘re having a lovely day! 😘 (And, yes, I couldn‘t believe it when I saw the card - perfect!) 4mo
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batsy Happy birthday! Lovely present ❤️ 4mo
andrew61 Happy birthday, enjoy your day. 4mo
TheNeverendingTBR I hope you've been having a lovely day, Katie. All the best! 😊✨️ 4mo
BarbaraBB Happy birthday Katie! I hope you‘ll like the book 🩷 4mo
TrishB Happy birthday 🎉🎉 4mo
Cathythoughts Happy Birthday Katie ❤️ 🎉 4mo
youneverarrived @JamieArc I know I love it 😍 thank you 🤍 4mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thank you it‘s been the best day ♥️ 4mo
Chelsea.Poole Happy birthday! What a nice gift 😊 4mo
youneverarrived @Chelsea.Poole thank you ♥️ 4mo
DivineDiana Belated but sincere birthday wishes! May you read many fabulous books this year! 🥳📚 4mo
youneverarrived @DivineDiana thank you ♥️ 4mo
45 likes16 comments
review
youneverarrived
A Town Called Solace | Mary Lawson
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Pickpick

I love a quiet, small town, character driven novel to get lost in and this was really nicely written. I liked the way the past/back story unfolded, the ending, the different points of view and the relationship between Clara and Liam. Will definitely read more Lawson at some point 💕

jlhammar Loved this book. Hoping to get to this one soon 4mo
Tamra I‘m in love with her writing. 😍 4mo
Amiable @Tamra Another Lawson fan is born! Love to see these posts. 🙂 4mo
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Tamra @Amiable yay!!! 👏🏾 Perhaps the collective psychic energy will spur Lawson to write faster. 😉 4mo
Amiable @Tamra Ha ha, right? It hasn‘t worked on George R.R. Martin, so hopefully the universe is focused on Mary Lawson instead! I‘d rather read her books, anyway. 😀 4mo
TrishB She is such a wonderful writer ♥️ 4mo
squirrelbrain I loved this one too! 4mo
Cathythoughts Loved this too ❤️ 4mo
youneverarrived @Tamra @Amiable haha glad to be part of that collective. Looking forward to reading more by her ♥️ 4mo
youneverarrived @TrishB @squirrelbrain @Cathythoughts I‘m in good company in loving it then 🤍 (edited) 4mo
youneverarrived @jlhammar ohh her debut. It sounds intriguing! 4mo
TrishB Sadly I‘ve now read them all! Crow Lake is currently on 99p offer on kindle though 😁 4mo
youneverarrived @TrishB bought! Thanks 😁 4mo
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youneverarrived
Guilty Pleasure | Kevin Dickson, Jack Ketsoyan
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It‘s not that often I read a crime thriller but if I‘m just wanting a page turner it‘s generally my go to, always feels like a #guiltypleasure.

I was 7 when the Spice Girls came out and I was obsessed with them (I had a fancy dress Spice Girls party - included pictures of the cake and me as Baby Spice 😆) pure nostalgia and an absolute guilty pleasure 🤩 #titlesandtunes

Cinfhen My daughter had a Spice Girl party theme too when she was 7! She still LOVES them and she‘s 30 now😂 4mo
Cinfhen I also have several spy/ crime series/thrillers that are my go to #GuiltyPleasure - I‘m planning on reading 4mo
Reggie You totally look like a baby Baby Spice. Very awesome! 4mo
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BarbaraBB @Reggie is right, you do look like Baby Spice!! No guilty pleasure playlist without the Spice Girls, glad you added them! And thrillers are my guilty pleasure as well 4mo
youneverarrived @Cinfhen no way she had a Spice Girls party too! 😃 I‘m 34 this year and still regularly listen to them 😆 hope you like your book choice! 4mo
youneverarrived @Reggie aw thanks. Geri was my fave but my Mam convinced me to be Baby spice 😂 4mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB I‘m looking forward to the playlist! @squirrelbrain recommended this series (edited) 4mo
squirrelbrain Ha! I was going to use the most recent book in this series for my choice, but I just read it in May instead! 🤷‍♀️ 4mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain 😂 great minds! My library hold came in for this last week so I thought perfect timing for the prompt 4mo
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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

Adding to the chorus in loving this. Very readable with a brilliant protagonist- how could you not admire Elizabeth Zott! I‘m reading a couple of books at the moment that make me think although we‘ve come a long way from this era, not far enough.

squirrelbrain Great review! 🧪 4mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Didn‘t you love Six-thirty?! 💙 4mo
65 likes4 comments
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youneverarrived
The Memory Police | Yōko Ogawa
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Pickpick

I love that this book brought up questions but didn‘t provide answers; it‘s been a while since I‘ve read a book that allows a lot of room for interpretation and it had me thinking even long after I‘d finished it. I liked the writing, the characters, the atmosphere - glad to have finally read it! #titlesandtunes #islandvibe

Cinfhen Agreed, this was a memorable book 🫶🏼 4mo
BarbaraBB Happy you found a reason to read it in #IslandVibe! It‘s such a good read! 4mo
TrishB I read this one too for island- I thought it was great. 4mo
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youneverarrived
Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir
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Mehso-so

Not my typical genre so probably a me problem over the book but I drifted too much while listening to this. There were times I almost bailed but some chapters ended in a way I had to keep on which I‘m glad I did as it was a good listen overall - it just took me a while to get past the first person narrative; I felt like I was being taught which sometimes took me out of the story. I loved Rocky and the ending was really good.

BarbaraBB Great photo. What town is it? 4mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB it‘s York where I live 💕 4mo
BarbaraBB That‘s so beautiful! 4mo
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squirrelbrain Never seen York so quiet! ❤️ 4mo
batsy It's a lovely street! And now I want some fish and chips 😁 4mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain this is what it was like during lockdown 4mo
youneverarrived @batsy whenever I walk past this street the smell always makes me crave them 😆 4mo
60 likes7 comments
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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

Rosie becomes pregnant with her second child not long after having her first and starts to suffer with depression; she discovers the gallery at Kew Gardens by Marianne North (a Victorian botanical artist) and from there finds a new love of plants. Through horticultural therapy, visiting parks & gardens in London & growing plants she finds a way through. I‘m simplifying it here but it was a really lovely, inspiring read. #tbrtarot #magnificentmay

youneverarrived #nonfiction2023 (Zombie) (edited) 5mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 5mo
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youneverarrived
The It Girl | Ruth Ware
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Pickpick

Memorable? Probably not. A decent thriller that keeps you turning the pages? Definitely. I really liked the setting of Oxford, the cast of characters and the way it went back and forth between before/after. I feel like the author did try a bit too hard to make one of the characters a red herring (which I 100% fell for so…😂) but without giving too much away it seemed like they had a personality change near the end of the book.

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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

My partner is glad I‘m finished this so I‘m not constantly telling him things about dinosaurs 😂 five star read for me - so readable, engaging and fascinating! It‘s a linear narrative from when the dinosaurs first arrived to their extinction. I learned a lot. #nonfiction2023 (bad reputation) #magnificentmay

TrishB My daughter (now 21) still constantly tells us about dinosaurs. The family calendar in the kitchen is dinosaurs! I think she has this book- scared to ask in case she starts telling me about it 😁😁 5mo
youneverarrived @TrishB 😂😂 love that. Waiting on the day one of mine likes dinosaurs 😆 5mo
Andrew65 Sounds brilliant. Well done 👏👏👏 5mo
youneverarrived @Andrew65 thanks! 😀 5mo
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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I read this a few weeks ago but the characters are still vivid in my mind. It‘s a very character driven book which I like. Cleo and Frank stay in a relationship that isn‘t healthy for either of them; it reminded me of the song Foundations by Kate Nash but more grown up and darker 😆 It felt like every word was written with precision and intent, and there‘s humour in it too. Really enjoyed it.

Itchyfeetreader Awesome review - am intrigued and stacking 5mo
squirrelbrain I liked this one too! 5mo
CarolynM I have this on my shelf. Your review encourages me to bump it up the priority list🙂 5mo
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Cathythoughts Nice review 👍🏻 Good to hear , it‘s on my kindle. 5mo
youneverarrived @Itchyfeetreader hope you like it too if you read it! 5mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I didn‘t go in with high expectations after reading some reviews but I thought it was fab 5mo
youneverarrived @CarolynM ohh I hope you like it when you do get to it ❤️ 5mo
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts it‘s a good one if you‘re in the mood for a character driven novel! 5mo
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youneverarrived
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Goals for #magnificentmay

🌱 Finish The Ballast Seed
🦕 Finish The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
🛸 Listen to 4 chapters of Project Hail Mary
👮‍♀️ Read The Memory Police

TrishB Good luck 👍🏻 5mo
Cathythoughts I hope you get time to read 🤞🏻♥️ your hands are full 💕💙 5mo
youneverarrived @TrishB thanks 💕 5mo
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thanks! ❤️ I mostly spend my evenings reading when they‘ve gone to bed 😁 5mo
BiblioLitten Such a serene picture 🩵💚 5mo
47 likes5 comments
review
youneverarrived
The Beautiful Ones | Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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Mehso-so

The reader is privy to things the characters aren‘t so most of this book I spent willing the characters to do or see things differently. I liked Antonia but Pere annoyed me for the most part and Valerie was awful! The setting and the magical realism part of it I liked but overall not for me.

Cathythoughts I tried Mexican Gothic, and like that the setting was lovely, but the story and writing weren‘t for me. I hope you love your next one 👍🏻❤️ 5mo
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thank you! 💕 I have Mexican Gothic on audible but won‘t be in a rush to read it. 5mo
Megabooks I just don‘t think she‘s an author I enjoy. Great review! 5mo
youneverarrived @Megabooks I get the feeling she‘s not for me either. Her covers are always lovely though! 5mo
46 likes4 comments
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youneverarrived
Heaven | Mieko Kawakami
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Pickpick

This was really hard to read at times, not just the brutal scenes but the overall tone of it - I want to say ‘sad‘ tone but that doesn‘t do it justice. A pick because I liked the writing and the philosophical aspect of it but I found it unsettling to read. #tbrtarot

BarbaraBB I totally agree, such an uncomfortable read, but so well written! 5mo
CBee 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5mo
batsy Nice review! A pick for me as well but yes, both philosophical and deeply unsettling. 5mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB @batsy I‘m glad it was just a short read! 5mo
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youneverarrived
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My picks for #titlesandtunes. Book and song are opposite vibes ha but I‘ve loved this song since I was a teen (it was on the Smallville soundtrack which I listened to on repeat) and the book is on my shelves so looking forward to reading it! #islandvibe

Cinfhen Fantastic ♥️🎧🎶📚 5mo
Cinfhen I enjoyed both the book and I love this song too 😁 5mo
squirrelbrain Great choices! 5mo
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BarbaraBB The book is good and I don‘t know the song but will listen to it on our playlist! 5mo
youneverarrived @Cinfhen it‘s a good one 🎵 5mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB glad to hear it‘s good! Excited to see other people‘s choices too. 5mo
44 likes7 comments
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youneverarrived
In the Clearing | Robert Dugoni
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Pickpick

I‘m not much of series reader but I do like this one for when I want to read something that I can just get lost in, where I don‘t have to think too much. Always a good plot, writing and characters. Definitely read more of it when I‘m in the mood for this sort of read.

squirrelbrain I enjoyed this series too. Have you read any of the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons? They‘re even better, and I don‘t do series either! 5mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I haven‘t, but one of the prompts for a challenge I‘m doing is to read a first book in a series so I‘ll try that one! 5mo
squirrelbrain They‘re often 99p on Kindle and totally worth it. I‘ve just got book 18 on #netgalley! 5mo
48 likes3 comments
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youneverarrived
Sam Read Bookseller | Grasmere, Cumbria, United Kingdom (Bookstore)
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Did a little detour to Grasmere on our way home and popped into the bookshop. I liked the cover and title of this one and it sounds intriguing.

squirrelbrain Ooh the book sounds good - and I love that gingerbread! 5mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain amazing isn‘t it! Main reason we did a detour there 😆 5mo
42 likes2 comments
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youneverarrived
Fred's Ambleside Bookshop | Ambleside, Cumbria, United Kingdom (Bookstore)
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No holiday is complete without a visit to a bookshop. I picked this one after all the great reviews on here.

sarahbarnes That little hand! 🥰 5mo
erzascarletbookgasm I recently got myself a copy too! And oooh that little hand 🩷 5mo
gossamerchild Best photo bomb ever ❤️❤️❤️ 5mo
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vlwelser 😍 that little hand! But also that book is awesome. I'm glad it's getting so much love. 5mo
squirrelbrain Cute little fingers! I‘m hoping to get to this book on holiday in a couple of weeks. 5mo
Leftcoastzen Awww ! Great photo 5mo
LeahBergen Aww! 🥰🥰 5mo
Cathythoughts The book looks good. As for those baby fingers 🥰🥰🥰 love. 5mo
Aimeesue Fabulous shot! 5mo
youneverarrived @vlwelser I‘m going to have to read it soon 😁 5mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain ohh where are you off to? 5mo
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts it gets a lot of love on here 💕 5mo
squirrelbrain Not far - just up near Staithes for a week in the campervan. Hope you‘re having a good time. 5mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain sounds lovely 🥰 thank you it‘s been a lush week. 5mo
48 likes16 comments
review
youneverarrived
Unsheltered: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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Pickpick

Probably my least favourite Kingsolver I‘ve read but I still enjoyed it & the more I think on it the more I want to recommend it. I liked the characters, past and present, and the parallels between them. When there‘s duel timelines sometimes I‘m more invested in one than the other but in this I liked them both equally - there‘s a good balance and I appreciated the themes and debates that ran through them.

LeahBergen Ooo, what‘s that building in the background? 5mo
youneverarrived It‘s Wray Castle @LeahBergen 5mo
LeahBergen It‘s beautiful! I‘m off to Google… 😆 5mo
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squirrelbrain I thought it was Wray - love it round there! 5mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain we spent the morning there 🥰 5mo
BarbaraBB What a beautiful castle! 5mo
Blueberry LOL, probably the only Kingsolver I have liked. 5mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB isn‘t it 😍 5mo
58 likes9 comments
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youneverarrived
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On our way to the Lake District 💚 hoping the kids have a decent nap so I can read this most of the way 😆

squirrelbrain Have a great trip! 5mo
49 likes2 comments
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youneverarrived
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Mehso-so

I understand why the title is what it is but I feel a bit misled - would have liked a bit more on the trauma cleaning. However, Sandra is quite a complex person who has been through a lot of trauma herself and it made for a difficult but interesting listen. I admired her resilience. The author really idolises Sandra so it‘s quite a biased picture of her life I think! #nonfiction2023 - Toxic

BarbaraBB I know what you mean, the trauma cleaning was the most interesting part of the book! 5mo
Megabooks It definitely is more of a memoir. 5mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB yeah I would have loved more of that! 5mo
youneverarrived @Megabooks probably my bad for not reading too much about it before reading! 5mo
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