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youneverarrived

youneverarrived

Joined August 2016

review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

This was definitely a book of two halves but in the best way - I loved how the two parts focused on the different perspectives from Lotto & Mathilde and the things they keep hidden, didn‘t know about each other and their feelings about their marriage. I thought it was such a brilliant character driven novel despite the fact the protagonists weren‘t always likeable.

Caroline2 I‘ve had this one on my shelf for agesssss. Sounds like I need to move it up the pile. 👍 6d
youneverarrived @Caroline2 same - it had been on my shelves for ages. I‘m glad I finally got to it although it‘s a slower sort of read and seems to be a love it or hate it sort of book. I hope you‘re in the love it camp if you do get to it 😁 6d
Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻 I loved this one 👍🏻❤️ 5d
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts she‘s such a great writer 🩷 2d
43 likes4 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
The Bound | Whitley Bay, Tyneside, United Kingdom (Bookstore)
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Went to this wonderfully curated bookshop while I was on holiday and chose these two books. They had a great selection of The School of Life books (which @squirrelbrain introduced me to 😘). Next time I‘m in Whitley Bay I‘ll be visiting again 😁

Amor4Libros My Husband is such a crazy book, enjoy it! 1w
sarahbarnes Agreed - My Husband is wild! 1w
LeahBergen Nice! I‘ve been wanting to read My Husband, too. 1w
See All 8 Comments
squirrelbrain Ooh, that sounds a nice bookshop! ❤️ 1w
youneverarrived @Amor4Libros @sarahbarnes usually if I buy a book it doesn‘t get read straight away (I‘m sure yous can relate 😆) but after your comments I think I might start it after I‘ve finished my current read 🤍 1w
youneverarrived @LeahBergen it sounds great doesn‘t it? 😁 1w
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain it was just lovely ♥️ 1w
Amor4Libros @youneverarrived Can‘t wait to see what you think! 🤗 1w
46 likes8 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Apeirogon: A Novel | Colum McCann
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After a week of feeling rubbish we decided to book a last minute weekend away. So nice reading in bed while it‘s raining outside (and the kids are playing with their Nana) 🩷

I‘m making my way through this slowly but steadily - those small chapters sure pack a punch. I am loving the writing. Feels like a timely read.

TrishB Hope you have a lovely break ♥️ and get some nice reading done! 1w
squirrelbrain Shame about the weather - good excuse to read though! 1w
Tamra This is such an awesome “novel.” I hope it‘s a good distraction for your recovery. (edited) 1w
See All 9 Comments
batsy Enjoy your break and your reading and family time 💕 1w
Megabooks I'm glad you got to get away, even with the weather! 1w
youneverarrived @TrishB thank you, it‘s been lovely - you know when you just need to get away 💕 1w
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I wanted to be near the seaside but we lasted all of 10 minutes on the beach yesterday 😂 still so nice though, just to have a break away 💕 1w
youneverarrived @Tamra I‘m enjoying it a lot - if that‘s the right word - it‘s a powerful read 1w
56 likes9 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Apeirogon: A Novel | Colum McCann
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I‘ve had either a stomach bug or food poisoning so I‘ve not read this month (just listened to an audiobook now & again). Still don‘t feel 100% but hoping I‘ll get to read some of the tagged book today, which is from Febs #tbrtarot & #readyourkindle

These are what came up for me this month on kindle - think I‘ll aim for just reading one (Everyone In this Room Will Someday be Dead) as I‘ve still got a chunk left of the tagged book to get through

Graywacke Goodness, hope you‘re feeling better! 2w
JessClark78 Hope you feel better soon. 2w
Librarybelle Hope you feel better soon! 2w
See All 15 Comments
TheSpineView Oh my...feel better! 🥺🤒❤️‍🩹 2w
Amiable Ugh, that stinks! Hugs and wishes for a speedy recovery. 2w
AmyG Hope you feel better soon! 2w
CBee I hope you feel better super soon ♥️ 2w
dabbe Hope you‘re on the mend soon. 💚💙💚 2w
quietlycuriouskate Oh, that's rough! Hope you are better soon. 2w
Cathythoughts I hope you feel better. There‘s a lot of that around this year. 2w
andrew61 Get better soon Katie 2w
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts there does seem to be doesn‘t there 😩 thank you 🩷 2w
Reggie Oof hope you feel better. 2w
youneverarrived @Reggie thank you I‘m feeling a lot better 🩷 (edited) 1w
39 likes15 comments
review
youneverarrived
Finding Me: A Memoir | Viola Davis
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Pickpick

This was every bit as good as I thought it would be 🖤 I absolutely love her on How to Get Away with Murder and the little insights into how she wanted to play that character were great. I was gripped by her story and how she told it. Inspiring, vulnerable and raw. #nonfiction2024 (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings)

review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I always get stumped trying to review books I like the most 🤷‍♀️ but I loved this one - the imagery, the writing, the plot, the way it unfolds, Lucrezia ♥️ and the ending is one I won‘t forget (it was perfect for the book).

Amiable I just finished this one over the weekend -- I also loved it! 3w
Crazeedi I've read a different book on this woman, definitely want to read!! 3w
julesG It's weird, isn't it? I can rant about bad books, but don't know what to say about the ones I love. 3w
See All 10 Comments
andrew61 It's our reading group book for March so I'll be starting it this week. Glad you gave it a good review. 3w
youneverarrived @Amiable she‘s such a good writer! 3w
youneverarrived @Crazeedi I‘d recommend it 😁 3w
youneverarrived @julesG exactly! I don‘t know why that is 🤷‍♀️ 3w
youneverarrived @andrew61 let me know what you think! It should make a great discussion 👍 3w
Cathythoughts I loved this book too ❤️ 2w
60 likes10 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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I‘ve only read Matrix by Groff (loved it!) but this feels so different. It‘s a slow read but I‘m really enjoying it. Almost at the second half which I‘ve heard changes things up a bit.

Ruthiella The second half will make you rethink the first half. I‘m glad I stuck it out, because I‘d had more than enough of Lotto! 4w
LeahBergen I liked this one, too! 4w
squirrelbrain Yes, the second half is 🤯 4w
See All 7 Comments
Megabooks The second half is like a totally different book! 4w
youneverarrived @Ruthiella I‘m definitely at that point with Lotto 🙈 4w
youneverarrived @LeahBergen love her writing! 4w
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain @Megabooks I‘m really intrigued! 4w
45 likes7 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Untitled | Unknown
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I‘m still very much on a Laura Marling kick but another rediscovery recently of this song and Painter (Valentine) which is on the same single. I used to listen to them a lot so it‘s nice to hear them again 🩷 #tuesdaytunes

https://open.spotify.com/album/7tSZJFwUYyXYOcoLiKCj0J?si=JTax_TSbQ7qFOqVufXXYkw

BarbaraBB Oh yes, Låpsley! Brings back memories! 4w
TieDyeDude Thanks for the recommendation! 4w
See All 6 Comments
vivastory This was new to me. Added to my library. Loved it 4w
youneverarrived So glad you like it @vivastory 4w
39 likes6 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

“Insipid/idealistic portrayals of motherhood made me less interested in it as a young person. I thought it was boring when it‘s one of the most extreme socio-political experiences I have ever been through.”

All the stars for this book ✨ becoming a mother changes us physically and mentally and Jones details this using research from neuroscience, existential therapy, ecology, sociology etc. as well as drawing from her own experiences.

youneverarrived I‘m using this for #nonfiction2024 Looking for Alaska (“there is no other time in a human‘s life course that entails such dramatic change, other than adolescence”.) (edited) 1mo
squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 1mo
52 likes4 stack adds3 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Untitled | Unknown
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One of the songs from this album came on when I was listening to a playlist the other week and it‘s like rediscovering an old favourite as it‘s been years since I‘ve listened to it & I‘d forgotten how much I love it 🖤 favourites - Hope in The Air, Blackberry Stone, Made by Maid #tuesdaytunes

https://open.spotify.com/album/7x98osNfh0aUookqE7MMQ1?si=BVL-joT1T02fEHVOLv7euA

merelybookish I love her and this album! 1mo
zezeki I loved this album, it's been a while since I've listened to it. 1mo
BarbaraBB I don‘t know this album. Will change that 😀 1mo
See All 12 Comments
Billypar Laura Marling is amazing - I love everything she does. 1mo
youneverarrived @merelybookish she‘s amazing ♥️ 1mo
youneverarrived @zezeki I hadn‘t listened to it for years so it‘s been great to rediscover it. 1mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB it‘s such a cohesive album! 1mo
youneverarrived @Billypar she is 🤍 I need to listen to more of her recent stuff. 1mo
TheKidUpstairs Such a beautiful album, haven't listened to her in forever - thanks for the reminder! 1mo
TieDyeDude Thanks for the recommendation! 1mo
youneverarrived @TheKidUpstairs it really is! It‘s lovely listening to her music again after such a long time. 1mo
38 likes12 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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Although #auldlangspine was one sided for me I‘m still glad I signed up as this was on my tbr and my match‘s list so it‘s given me the push to read it, and I‘m loving it! Flying through it.

rockpools I‘ve heard such wonderful things about Maggie O‘Farrell (and of course never read her!). Glad you‘re enjoying it. 1mo
monalyisha What a lovely photo! I need to get to this one. I absolutely loved Hamnet. 1mo
squirrelbrain I loved this too. ❤️ 1mo
See All 9 Comments
Chelsea.Poole I love this book!! 1mo
youneverarrived @rockpools she is a brilliant writer 🤍 I read her memoir last year and it was one of my favourite reads. 1mo
youneverarrived @monalyisha Hamnet is on my list to read 🤍 (edited) 1mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain @Chelsea.Poole I finished it last night and I‘m in full agreement with you both - loved it ♥️ 1mo
rockpools @youneverarrived Sorry for being dozy - which was her memoir? 1mo
55 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
youneverarrived
You Be Mother | Meg Mason
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Pickpick

I liked this book about Abi, who becomes pregnant at a young age and moves to Australia to be with her boyfriend (who is actually infuriating for most of the book but realistically written), and who is befriended by Phil, an older woman, and a lovely but complex friendship ensues. It dragged on a bit in places and the ending was very neatly tied up but a charming read all the same.

This was my #tbrtarot from last month @CBee

CBee Awesome! I really liked Sorrow and Bliss. 1mo
BarbaraBB Echoing @CBee ! 1mo
squirrelbrain Not as good as Sorrow and Bliss (which is a hard act to follow!) but I really liked it too. 1mo
See All 7 Comments
youneverarrived @CBee @BarbaraBB they‘re quite different but both very character driven; she writes characters so well! 1mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain Sorrow and Bliss felt more of a ‘complete‘ novel - this was a bit more meandering I think, although I still slightly liked it better 1mo
BarbaraBB Thanks, I am excited to read this one too! 1mo
CBee @BarbaraBB ♥️♥️ 1mo
62 likes3 stack adds7 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Untitled | Untitled
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My list for #readyourkindle 🤍

CBee Looks great! I loved #1 and #10! 1mo
45 likes1 comment
review
youneverarrived
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Bailedbailed

I haven‘t heard from my #auldlangspine match at all so I don‘t feel so bad bailing on this. It‘s a long-ish audiobook at 13 hours and I gave it 2 but it felt like a chore. Too overwritten for my taste and I didn‘t connect with the characters or story. It has got some good reviews on here and maybe better in print, but not for me.

monalyisha I‘m sorry to hear that! Never feel bad bailing — & I wish you had more (or any!) engagement this month. I appreciate your participatory efforts! 2mo
Reggie I never do this challenge because I would put on my Devil ears and make a list of nothing but the scariest of horror books. There is always worse…..(rubs hands together and laughs evilly.) 😜 2mo
youneverarrived @monalyisha I had two great matches in previous years so I‘ll just count those as a win 💕 2mo
youneverarrived @Reggie 🤣🤣 horror is one genre I couldn‘t read 🙈 2mo
45 likes4 comments
review
youneverarrived
WAKE | Shelley Burr
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Pickpick

A decent written thriller/mystery. It took a little while for me to get into and the ending felt a bit rushed but I liked the characters, especially Lane, and their ambiguities. A low pick. #auldlangspine

monalyisha Love the cover and envy your drink! 2mo
youneverarrived @monalyisha it is a lovely cover 💕 2mo
47 likes2 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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Took Alfie to the library cafe for some lunch after nursery and picked up a few books #libraryhaul

review
youneverarrived
The Woman in Me | Britney Spears
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Pickpick

This was just really sad. For her family to treat her the way they did! Just kept thinking how different things could have been for her had she had a supportive family. She was in such a vulnerable place and had no-one on her side. Misogyny abounds. I‘d definitely recommend going the audio route with this. #nonfiction2024 (the handmaid‘s tale)

squirrelbrain It‘s really sad isn‘t it? 2mo
TheBookHippie Broke my heart. 2mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain that was the overwhelming feeling 😔 2mo
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
youneverarrived
Foster | Claire Keegan
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Pickpick

This was my first book of 2024! Although I‘m just getting around to reviewing. I do like a good novella. The author does a brilliant job of portraying the young protagonists feelings whilst showing us the adults lives and character traits through her. It‘s a soft pick as I didn‘t LOVE it and don‘t think it will stick with me although I appreciate the talent of her writing.

review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I found this really eye opening and fascinating - particularly the bits about food regulation (or lack of), how and why UPF is so addictive, how some ingredients in UPF are made and what goes on without our conscious awareness really as we eat. The author states his intention in writing the book was so people can have knowledge and awareness and make their own informed decisions about what to eat. My other half is glad I‘ve finished reading it 🤣

Bookwormjillk I was trying to read this during lunch today but had to put it away for another time. 2mo
BarbaraBB Curious about this one. I always think I know it all already but I probably don‘t 😀 2mo
batsy Was just reading an article that said the plastic nanoparticles from bottled drinking water can cross the blood brain barrier and now I'm like I don't want to know anything more about the things we eat and drink 😩 2mo
See All 8 Comments
youneverarrived @Bookwormjillk not a book you can read and eat at the same time 🙈 2mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB it‘s made me want to learn even more. It‘s got mixed reviews on here but I got a lot out of it! 2mo
youneverarrived @batsy 😧😧 I know what you mean! I always just think how did we even get to this point? I home cook quite a bit but this book has definitely urged me to do more. 2mo
youneverarrived Forgot to tag #DiseaseoftheMonthBookClub - I‘m using the public health practices prompt for this book @Amiable (edited) 2mo
Amiable @youneverarrived oh, yay!! So happy you are excited about the challenge! I‘m working my way through a book on reconstructive surgery during WWI for the surgical procedure prompt. 2mo
65 likes2 stack adds8 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Refusing Heaven | Jack Gilbert
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Every time the kids take books off my shelves it‘s always the poetry books so I‘m taking it as a sign to actually read them. I‘m going to read one a day. ‘A Brief for the Defense‘ is the first poem- so good! 🖤

rockpools Sounds fantastic. Happy New Year, Katie! 2mo
48 likes1 comment
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youneverarrived
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Reading this book the other day and my partner says he knows when I‘m REALLY liking a book as I “find every minute of the day to read it - even if it‘s 1 minute. Talk about it …. A effin lot. Talk about it and tell me I should read it, or read a paragraph or a sentence. ALOT.” 😂

It‘s such a fascinating and absorbing read - learning a lot from it!

BarbaraBB An important subject too! 2mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB absolutely! I‘m learning so much it‘s really eye opening. 2mo
58 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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youneverarrived
Stats: Modeling the World | David E. Bock, Paul F. Velleman, Richard D. De Veaux
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I always set my reading goal low so I don‘t have to really think about meeting it. Read so many good books last year 💕

BarbaraBB Great stats! And such recognizable moods 😃 3mo
TieDyeDude 💪🎉 3mo
46 likes2 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Three Women | Lisa Taddeo
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#readingbracket2023 my best book of 2023 was Three Women - I loved the audio and will definitely re-listen at some point.

BarbaraBB Happy new year Katie 🤍 3mo
38 likes1 comment
blurb
youneverarrived
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Very much on a non-fiction kick at the minute. Bought these two in the Waterstones sale as a little present to myself 😁

41 likes1 stack add
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I‘m glad this book exists and I hope it gets to be widely read. Sarah writes about childism with knowledge & passion but it‘s a very accessible read. Why are children still treated so poorly despite increasing research into child development etc? There‘s chapters on neoliberalism & how this impacts the school system, politics, reasons why people choose to ignore childism, discipline & lots more. It made me mad reading it but also more informed.

youneverarrived #nonfiction2023 Running Up That Hill 3mo
43 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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youneverarrived
Non-Fiction | Wendy Wren
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#nonfiction2023 I‘m chuffed I almost completed the board 😆 so many good books here. Looking forward to next year‘s challenge!

💛 Big Yellow Taxi - Cribsheet
📔 ‘Free Space‘ - Intimations
🍎 Strange Fruit - Three Women
🙏 Livin‘ on a Prayer - Hold on to Your Kids
💭 Imagine - A Year of Living Simply
🦠 Toxic - The Trauma Cleaner
💪 I Will Survive - What Have I Done?
😊 Good as Hell - Good Inside
🌈 True Colours - Hunt, Gather, Parent

youneverarrived 🗯️ Bad Reputation - The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
🧟‍♂️ Zombie - The Ballast Seed
🌊 Rolling in the Deep - Thunderstruck
😟 Master of Puppets - Look What You Made Me Do
🏫 Haper Valley P.T.A - Hysterical
♥️ Same Love - Tribe
☔️ Purple Rain - Enchantment
🤷‍♀️ So What? - But Why?
(edited) 3mo
youneverarrived 🐑 Black Sheep - Black Teacher
👋 Goodbye Earl - Goodbye to All That
⚔️ Killing in the Name - The Myth of Normal
👀 I Still Haven‘t Found What I‘m Looking For - Man‘s Search for Meaning
🎶 All About that Bass - Unfollow
🏃‍♀️ Running Up That Hill - Because I Said So
3mo
Nameera Hello guys! Excited to know how your mental health is, and your ability to understand other person's point of view and also whether imagination is productive?Click on the link below and give your mail id in the feedback line so that I can send your result to you.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8dX_2Udab9QKk4CXiI0CeScJNjf-HWh1gTYH8...
1w
36 likes3 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Untitled | Untitled
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My brilliant list for #auldlangspine from @LapReader 💕
The Marriage Portrait & Weyward were on my tbr and the rest all sound great! These four are available at the library so I‘ve put reservations on them 😁
The Lost Flowers I‘ll listen to on Spotify but The Angry Women‘s Choir doesn‘t seem to be easily available here in the UK - I‘ll keep an eye out for it though!

squirrelbrain A great list! 3mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I‘m looking forward to reading them! 3mo
49 likes2 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
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Happy Christmas! 🎄🎅
The two books I really wanted 🥰

quietlycuriouskate Happy Christmas! 3mo
Tamra Europa! 3mo
squirrelbrain I got the Europa a few weeks ago but haven‘t read it yet - it sounds fab! Hope you‘ve had a great day! 3mo
LeahBergen Happy Christmas! 🎄🎄 3mo
44 likes4 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I found this a really compelling listen. The way she writes with such fondness & love for her family despite all their awful beliefs & her own conflicting views shone through - the passage about her Grandad near the end & the way she writes about her Mother you could tell were heartfelt. I preferred the latter half of the book when she starts to view her upbringing & the church differently but a great listen. #nonfiction2023 All About that Bass

54 likes3 stack adds
review
youneverarrived
Man's Search for Meaning | Viktor E Frankl
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Pickpick

A book I‘ve wanted to read for a long time and I‘m glad it came up for me at this time as I‘m not sure I would have fully appreciated it had I read it when I was younger. Very well written, concise but powerful. A classic for good reason. It will stick with me. #nonfiction2023 - I Still Haven‘t Found What I‘m Looking For

Graywacke Oh, terrific to see this show up. I‘ve wanted to read this for years, but i‘m a touch intimidated. 3mo
youneverarrived @Graywacke I know what you mean! It‘s absolutely worth the read though. 3mo
52 likes2 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I‘m a firm believer in the mind/body being connected and how trauma can live within us and effect us physically as well as emotionally so this book resonated with me. The chapters on child development, addiction, politics and our modern capitalist society were especially interesting for me. #nonfiction2023 - Killing in the Name

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Stacking! Sound interesting 3mo
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
youneverarrived
Post-Traumatic | Chantal Johnson
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Pickpick

This will be a memorable read for me. A lot of scenes that stood out (karaoke & court especially). It felt real & raw. The abuse the protagonist has been put through by family isn‘t detailed instead we have glimpses, her viewpoint & her ways of being with other people (pretending for the other person/being someone she thought they would want) which I thought was done perfectly. Loved it.

squirrelbrain Sounds really interesting - stacked. 3mo
44 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

If you like psychology and slower paced thrillers you‘ll probably enjoy this. Very focused in therapy, psychological insights, motherhood and trauma which really worked for me. I couldn‘t put it down. Only slight is I did have to suspend belief with the twist at the end - the author wanted the characters motivation and behaviour to be believable but it didn‘t ring quite true for me.

44 likes1 stack add
review
youneverarrived
Romantic Comedy | Curtis Sittenfeld
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Pickpick

Surprised myself with how much I liked this book. I found it really sweet but in the best way. The SNL type setting was interesting and vivid and the character development was great - the chemistry between the characters was written well too. Enjoyable read 💕 #tbrtarot

CBee I enjoyed this too! 4mo
BarbaraBB I am with you! I enjoyed this so much 💕💕 4mo
Suet624 I had the same feelings that you did about this book. Surprised how much I liked it. 3mo
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
Evil Games | Angela Marsons
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Every time I‘ve gone to post this I‘ve been distracted but I received your postcard & book the other day Helen, thanks so much 😘 I‘ve no doubt I will be hooked on these books too 😁

squirrelbrain Glad it arrived OK and I‘m sure you will get obsessed! 4mo
TrishB Enjoy 👍🏻 4mo
youneverarrived Thanks @TrishB 💕 4mo
46 likes3 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

A fascinating listen about our ancient ancestors and what their burial sites can tell us about how they lived etc. I‘ve been listening to it since August (takes me so long to get through audiobooks 😬) but it was so interesting I always knew where I‘d left off even if I hadn‘t listened for a while. Very well written and narrated.

50 likes1 stack add
blurb
youneverarrived
Romantic Comedy | Curtis Sittenfeld
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Hairdressers is always reading time for me 😁

I love a book that has a strong setting. Enjoying it so far!

squirrelbrain Have a lovely chill-out! I didn‘t expect to like this book as much as I did. 4mo
BarbaraBB I hope you had a good time. I think that book is a perfect companion 💕 4mo
LeahBergen Enjoy your quiet time! 4mo
See All 6 Comments
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thank you! I feel the same about it. 4mo
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB I did ♥️ and definitely! 4mo
youneverarrived Thanks @LeahBergen nice to have a day for myself 💕 4mo
51 likes6 comments
review
youneverarrived
Amazing Grace Adams | Fran Littlewood
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Pickpick

A low pick. I feel like there was a bit too much going on, the ‘reveal‘ near the end sort of threw me and it got a touch monotonous in the middle. I really loved the ending and the beginning though and the relationships between all of the characters especially that between Grace and her daughter. Also liked the way it portrayed how chance encounters and decisions can make/change your life.

squirrelbrain Great review! Definitely sounds like a #borrownotbuy. 4mo
TrishB I think I got for 99p so sounds fine 👍🏻 4mo
youneverarrived @TrishB ah perfect! 😁 4mo
59 likes4 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Bailedbailed

I think younger me would have liked this but I‘m really not in the mood for this sort of philosophical read so I‘m bailing and probably won‘t go back to it. #titlesandtunes

charl08 Sorry about the book - but lovely looking shelf of NYRBs 😍 4mo
youneverarrived @charl08 love NYRB - and read most of these with our old book club on here 🥰 4mo
44 likes2 comments
review
youneverarrived
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Pickpick

Fern Brady is diagnosed with autism as an adult & this memoir details her childhood & young adult years as someone with autism but undiagnosed - she was treated by her parents, school & people in authority as someone who was just badly behaved. Although she related to a lot of the characteristics & said to health professionals she thought she was autistic it was ignored. I loved the insight, the humour & the little bits of research & statistics.

review
youneverarrived
Palace of the Drowned | Christine Mangan
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Mehso-so

This didn‘t really work for me although there were elements I liked - the setting of Venice and the Gothic novel tones. Mostly though I was left wondering what the point of it all was. It didn‘t feel that suspenseful, the ending fell flat and it‘s one of those where you wish the characters would just communicate! Definitely a good book for the #titlesandtunes #dramaqueen though 👑

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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 💃 6mo
Cinfhen I‘m loving these picks!! 💙🩵 6mo
merelybookish That was going to be my song as well! And same story...heard Marling's version but prefer the original! 6mo
youneverarrived @merelybookish ah wow no way! Great minds…💙 6mo
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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. 6mo
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. 6mo
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 😆 6mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I bet! All my holds seemed to come in a few weeks after the camp litsy books had been read 😐 6mo
57 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 6mo
andrew61 It .👍 6mo
Ruthiella I‘m also stacking and putting on a library hold. I‘m intrigued. 6mo
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squirrelbrain I *hated* the ending of this one! 6mo
youneverarrived @andrew61 look forward to seeing what you think of it 6mo
youneverarrived @Ruthiella I hope you like it! 6mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I did not expect or want it to end that way 😢 6mo
50 likes2 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! 6mo
Itchyfeetreader This is 💯my kind of book. Stacking with thanks (edited) 6mo
squirrelbrain I‘ve looked at this one a few times but never bought…. Stacking. 6mo
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youneverarrived @Megabooks it really was! 6mo
youneverarrived @Itchyfeetreader I hope you like it as much as me 😁 6mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I think you‘d enjoy it 😁 6mo
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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! 6mo
Cinfhen Not familiar with the song but it looks like a perfect fit 😍 6mo
40 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 6mo
youneverarrived @Graywacke it really is! 6mo
Cinfhen Love the bookmark 😍book sounds fantastic! 6mo
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BarbaraBB What a great review. It sounds fab 6mo
squirrelbrain I read this years ago. Your review makes me want to read it again! 6mo
Graywacke @Cinfhen i just noticed the bookmark. Yeah, small life goal, get a Strand bookmark from the store itself… 6mo
Cinfhen Worthy goal @Graywacke !!! 6mo
Amiable @Graywacke I have a bookmark from the Strand that I can send to you. :) Unless your goal is to get one in person? 6mo
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! 6mo
54 likes4 stack adds9 comments
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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! 😜 6mo
Cinfhen Some really good books that have caught my eye😍thanks so much for sharing 6mo
Itchyfeetreader I loved this when i read it last year and some of your other picks loom great 6mo
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BarbaraBB Thanks for sharing yours. I am intrigued now by the ones I haven‘t read yet. 6mo
batsy Great picks! I loved Bunny and Birnam Wood and Bandit Queens is likely to be in mine, as well. 6mo
youneverarrived @batsy Bunny was so strange but brilliantly so! 6mo
merelybookish You have great taste! 😄I loved a lot of these books too. That Maggie O'Farrell book is an all-time fave!! 6mo
46 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 😁 7mo
youneverarrived @batsy he is growing so fast but he‘s at a lovely age now, so inquisitive 🤍 7mo
49 likes2 comments