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Shadow Scale
Shadow Scale: A Companion to Seraphina | Rachel Hartman
Seraphina took the literary world by storm with 8 starred reviews and numerous Best of lists. At last, her eagerly awaited sequel has arrivedand with it comes an epic battle between humans and dragons. The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herselffor she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways. As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into peoples minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means shes held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny? Praise for Seraphina: A New York Times Bestseller An Indie Bestseller Winner of the William C. Morris Debut Award Winner of the Cybil Award for Teen Fantasy and Science Fiction An Amazon Top 20 Teen Book of the Year A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Library Journal Best Young Adult Literature for Adults Selection A Booklist Editors Choice An ABA New Voices Pick A Publishers Weekly Flying Start Author An ALA-ALSC Notable Childrens Book An ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults Book Recipient of 8 Starred Reviews Beautifully written, well-rounded characters, and some of the most interesting dragons Ive read in fantasy for a long while. An impressive debut novel; I cant wait to see what Rachel Hartman writes next. Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon A novel that will appeal to both fans of Christopher Paolinis Eragon series and Robin McKinleys The Hero and the Crown. Entertainment Weekly
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Cintia J
Panpan
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Fortifiedbybooks
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I'm going to try out the #BookSpin reading challenge. All of the books I've listed qualify for #COYER, another reading challenge I've joined for 2024 so I figured I would use the notebook function in my new Kindle Scribe.

@TheAromaofBooks please add me! 😁

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Glad to have you along!! 3mo
11 likes1 comment
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hissingpotatoes
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Mehso-so

2.5/5⭐ A large portion of the middle could have been cut out because it killed any sense of momentum & progress. The reader was bludgeoned in the face with the themes. Seraphina often seemed to be a spectator rather than an active character. The ending concluded via deus ex machina & included a lot of sudden, overpowered mechanics. The whole plot with Jannoula stretched out & felt over the top. Overall the book suffered from a lack of focus.

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BarbaraJean
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Pickpick

I‘ve seen several reviews that said this was a letdown after Seraphina—I understand why, but it was still a pick for me. Seraphina is traveling during much of the narrative, isolated from most of the characters we grew to love in the first book, and often thwarted in accomplishing her mission. But I appreciated the way the narrative gradually fills in the history of half-dragons, and Seraphina‘s growth as a character was wonderfully done. ⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) I had a couple quibbles with the ending, but overall: 4 out of 5 dragons from me. 🐉🐉🐉🐉 This was my September #DoubleSpin. @TheAromaofBooks (edited) 1y
Cheshirecat913 I loved the first book. I still think this one was a pick because I love her world and the idea she came up with for being half dragons. However it just didn't quite hit the same, but at the same time getting to meet everyone was quite fun. 1y
BarbaraJean @Cheshirecat913 Exactly—this one really did have a different feel from the first one. But I still really liked it, getting to see more of the world and meeting all the ityasaari! 1y
31 likes3 comments
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BarbaraJean
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Yikes, but also 😂

I can‘t get over “Sitting smugly upon a disbelieving bottom” 🤣

27 likes1 stack add
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Branwen
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Happy Friday! 🎉🎊🎉🎊 I hope everyone has nice long weekends ahead of them! Starting today I am off for four days so I am super excited about that! I foresee lots of reading in the days to come! 😋📚💕

LOOK AT THIS GORGEOUS CROCHET DRAGON ONE OF MY FRIENDS AT WORK GIFTED TO ME! 😱😍🐉🐲 I decided to name him Mirgalad, which means jewel of the trees in Elvish! I have such kind and wonderful friends! ❤️

Thank you so much, @glowyone

RaeLovesToRead Wow! Mirgalad is amazing 💕💕 2y
Julsmarshall Amazing! 2y
Chelsea.Poole Cute! 2y
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GingerAntics Love Mirgalad!!! 🧡🧡🧡 I hope you enjoy your looong weekend of reading. 2y
erzascarletbookgasm That‘s so cute! 🐉 Enjoy your weekend! 2y
54 likes6 comments
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underground_bks
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Pickpick

I know this sequel to Seraphina gets mixed reviews but I loved it! I think I was just happy to spend time in Goredd (and beyond!) with all our half-dragon, human, and dragon friends. The expansion of the world-building and the drawing together of all disparate details from the first book were so interesting and satisfying to me. I‘m relieved there are two more books that take place in Goredd so I can go back right away, even if not with Phina!

Cheshirecat913 I really loved Seraphina. I liked this second one too. I didn't realize there were more books set in that world. Most go off and investigate. Cheers! 2y
underground_bks @Cheshirecat913 yes! They follow Seraphina‘s half-sister Tess! 2y
27 likes2 comments
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beeweird
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Mehso-so

I love the world Hartman built for this series - but there was A LOT of politics going on that amounted to plot clutter. Unlike with Seraphina, I could guess big plot points and was frustrated that the main character couldn't see what I saw (for like 400 pages!). A little disappointed in the ending. Still a fun read. 3.5 stars.

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beeweird
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Reading between playtime with the new puppy. ❤

TrishB Aww 🐶❤️ 3y
9 likes1 comment
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Fantasy_bookworm
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY!!! Major spoils in comments, minor ones here

This book is so so so good. Seraphina‘s mental and emotional journey, the mild love story somehow perfectly intertwined with the fantasy elements... if I don‘t see at least one stack add on this post, y‘all missing out.

The conflict with Jannoula is so well-written and heartbreaking. And don‘t even get me STARTED on the LGBTQ+ representation.

Fantasy_bookworm The story was a bit slow sometimes but the overall plot was just so captivating. And Abdo!!! Oh my god, I loved Abdo.
The twists never stopped coming. I love the idea of the mind-fire connections and I don‘t even have words to describe how good the end was. I never saw it coming that Glisselda loved Phina but now I think about it it makes so much sense. I really felt like I was right there in the story, and isn‘t that the best thing about books?
3y
2 likes1 comment
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Bookbinger
Mehso-so

Still a well done tale but definitely not as good as the first one. I feel like Seraphina got the short end of the stick at the end of it all.

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Cheshirecat913
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Pickpick

I was slightly apprehensive going into this sequel of Seraphina because of the reviews I read, but overall I really liked it. I love the author's take on dragons and half-dragons and the world she built.

17 likes1 stack add
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Sweetkokoro
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Day 9 #blue
I have a lot of blue colored books, but I thought one book would be nice. I really love this cover, the detail in the city and the font used for the title are just so catching. And the shade of blue is really pretty. I still have yet to read it but I will soon enough haha.
#colormepretty

wanderinglynn That is a lovely cover! And I like the background—a great composition. 👍🏻 5y
Sweetkokoro @wanderinglynn Thank you so much 🥰 5y
22 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Mccartershanon
Bailedbailed

DNF At 60%
I just couldn‘t keep going, this book is way too boring and I have know idea what‘s going on

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aa_guer2021
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Pickpick

Having read the other reviews of this book on LITSY before completing it, I was expecting to be disappointed. Thankfully, although I agree that it was slightly bunched together in terms of the plot line, it was still a satisfying conclusion to the tale. There was character development, there was drama, there was a lot of imagination, and there was a twist to the love triangle. #recentlyread #nospoilers #youngadult #fantasyfiction #dragons ❤️🖤🐉

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Karisa
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Bailedbailed

Sometimes you've just got to look your book in the eye and say, "It's not you. It's me. I know you are going to find someone else who gives you the love you deserve, but I think we're going to have to break up." ?‍♀️

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SW-T
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Pickpick

Seraphina grew a lot and faced what seemed to be an undefeatable foe. The love triangle had an interesting conclusion, though it wasn‘t the usual traditional happily ever after. Overall a good sequel.

8 likes1 stack add
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Cheshirecat913
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A few books I picked up this weekend for bargain price. #sisforseptember #stack
@CaliforniaCay

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chexala
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"A single action could derive from many motivations. I should never assume."

An overdue bit of advice that Seraphina is finally starting to learn, (but which is good for all of us to remember.)

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Kaseybjohn
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Pickpick

SO GOOD. I really like this series. It can be a little long in the tooth, but the characters are lovable enough to get through it. I am still surprised it is JUV. I had to look up some of the words and I‘m 31.

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dreamsleepread
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Bailedbailed

After such a long time of trying and trying again to read and finish Shadow Scale. I've decided to DNF it... As much as I loved Seraphina this one just wasn't for me. It was so full of details and information and there things happening from all sides. I couldn't concentrate and I just couldn't immerse into the story.
Do you DNF books? If you do, do you ever feel guilty? Because i do.

#bookish #bibliophile #bookreview #books #review #dnf

tessavi I used to feel bad not finishing a book. Now I realize there are so many good books out there that I will never get to read, so forcing myself to finish something I don't enjoy is a waste of time. 6y
dreamsleepread @tessavi that's such a good point. I shall remember that whenever I feel guilty! 6y
tessavi 😊✌️ 6y
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Aurys Hey, a fellow guilty reader! :) I always feel terrible putting down a book, which is probably why the only time I DNF a book is when I start having to force myself to read it. When reading the book isn‘t fun anymore, that‘s when you know it‘s time to stop! 6y
dreamsleepread @Aurys And that was exactly what I was feeling when I dropped it. It just felt more like a chore than actually reading a book so I knew I had to drop it. 😔 6y
Aurys @dreamsleepread Oh no, that‘s the worst feeling. I dropped a book recently too because of the same feeling :( At least now you can start a better book :) (edited) 6y
6 likes6 comments
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KaraDunn
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Pickpick

So glad we got to find out more about Jannoula in this super satisfying sequel. What a terrifying villain!

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Deborah42
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Pickpick

Sequel to Seraphina in which she tries to gather the other human/dragon hybrids to defend Goredd against treasonous dragons. Gorgeous writing and stellar worldbuilding.

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lilredhen
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I said I wasn't going to check anything out today because I still have a pile of books from last time, buuuut... then I saw this. #mustreadsequels

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Paty1

So difficult to find it in English in Spain!!? 😢 If I dont get it by September Ill read it in Spanish.

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katetbh
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It seems pretty slow so far. Hoping it picks up before it expires on my OverDrive account.

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The.Intentional.Reader
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Absolutely beautiful covers! Love the look of these

12 likes1 stack add
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
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Pickpick

I love the world building & the characters in this series! Definitely the freshest European-rooted fantasy I've read in a long time. Hartman's use of philosophy & music is really great. That said, I did feel like the pacing of this one needed some work. It was definitely too long (I don't think I felt this way just because I was reading it for #Readathon). The climax was too drawn out, with far too little happening for far too long. #LitsyAtoZ #S

21 likes1 stack add
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
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"Some days I told my heart to wait, just wait, because the sunset would teach me again that my pain was nothing compared with the eternal, circling sky." #Readathon Hour 8!

tjramsey75 That book looks like a serious commitment! 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @tjramsey75 yeah, it's 600 pages long!! 7y
25 likes2 comments
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
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I'm wondering if I should have picked a shorter book for my second read of the #Readathon, as it's a bit discouraging to have read 200 pages and not even be half way through! That said, I am really enjoying the story. I think Seraphina is such an interesting character, with the strengths and flaws of both dragons and humans. #Deweys24HourReadathon

ReadingEnvy Can you rotate to something else or are you a book monogamist? 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @ReadingEnvy Hmm, not normally but I do like the satisfaction of finishing whole books for the #Readathon! But maybe switching to a comic for a while might be good. 7y
20 likes2 comments
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
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Classic fantasy journey through strange lands, searching for Seraphina's long-lost half-human, half-dragon kin. I've been a bit distracted this last while but am doubling down to concentrate now! #Readathon #YA #Fantasy

TirzahPrice I really liked this one and there's a little bit of a reveal at the end that I really liked, but I'm mad it didn't come sooner in the book. You'll know it when you see it. 😉 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @TirzahPrice Ooh, I am intrigued!! 7y
22 likes2 comments
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elemenopew
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I feel you, Orma. We all do.

#currentlyreading #shadowscale

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Jesskathkarl
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

Loved this book, but I'm too much of a sap to truly like the ending of the love triangle! Ugh. At least the author left it happy and hinted at further happiness for the characters!

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kimberly.burke
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I listened to both Seraphina and Shadow Scale this year and then immediately implored @courtneybee to follow suit so we could discuss, because there were so many awesome elements.

I thought Hartman handled the #lovetriangle situation quite well. It's not the main focus of either book, but it's sweet and a little heartbreaking and unique, especially the conclusion. I'm not a big fan of love triangles, but I approve of this one.

#feistyfeb

7 likes1 stack add
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Bookgoil
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Pickpick

An amazing sequel - full of intrigue, captivating characters and a world with dragons, danger and best of all friendship. Love these books!

21 likes1 stack add
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Bookgoil
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Making progress on Shadow Scale and loving it! Hoping to finish before #24in48 this weekend!

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Bookgoil
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It's rainy here and I just made hot cocoa and am now settling into this awesome book.

MrBook 😳 I want-I want-I want!!!! 🤤 7y
22 likes1 comment
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Bookgoil
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Finally starting Shadow Scale and enjoying some tea this morning. Nice to wake up and know you have some time to yourself!

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Nancethepants
Pickpick

This should have been two books. Other than that, it was a pretty epic adventure with a diverse cast of heroes and the kind of love story we don't often see represented in literature, period. I love this world, and I hope Hartman revisits it. (With fewer chapters and more books next time.) We need more Orma!

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llwheeler
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Finished Seraphina on Thursday, so this morning I'm curling up with tea and Shadow Scale. Don't have anywhere to go today so I might not move for a while...

4 likes1 stack add
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obviateit
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Mehso-so

📷cred: Paul Hogie- Manarola, Italy

I picked this 📷because it's very similar to how I pictured part of Seraphina's world. There is beautiful world-building in this book, and the characters are richly developed. It also fits nicely with #weneeddiversebooks . However, there was an idea that would be incredibly damaging to young abuse survivors, and I can't get past it. I don't want to say more because #spoilers, but I'll put it in a comment.

obviateit Near the end, the main character states more than once that she is partly responsible for the brokenness of her abuser and that that is part of the reason the abuser goes on to abuse others. She also feels that she can't help but try to fix that brokenness and save the abuser. Not okay for any book to propagate that idea as the right way to feel, but especially for #YA books, I think. 7y
obviateit ^Is that comment still blacked out as a spoiler? I tapped it to give it a quick proofread but it's not going back to blacked out for me, so I want to make sure it still is for everyone else. 😬 7y
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obviateit Thank you, @BookishMarginalia ! 😊 7y
Minervasbutler I live just a few miles from Manarola! 7y
DeborahSmall I totally agree! That is a book I would've thrown across the room. Thanks for review 💞 7y
obviateit @Minervasbutler , that is amazing! You're lucky to live near such beauty! 7y
obviateit @DeborahSmall I almost did, a few times! ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
30 likes8 comments
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obviateit
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Currently reading while my guys play Star Wars Disney Infinity. Confession: sometimes I'm torn between reading my book and wanting a turn to play or watching them play! 🙊 Do any other reader-gamers have this struggle, or am I just a terrible book lover? 😂 [I played 2 hours of Zelda with the big kid today because he was brave at the dentist, so I've already had plenty of screen time. I also really love watching them play. 😍]

JDHawkins I am constantly torn between wanting to read and wanting to play Pokemon Sun or Dragon Age! 7y
DragonSadhana I LOVE video games! I feel guilty when I play them, which I never do with a book... So books usually win. 7y
Seekingtardis Video games are like air at my house so we buy games that are one player (most of the time) so that while one is playing the others have to read 😱 it the way to get my son to read for school, and a way that I don't feel guilty for playing while he reads 😜 7y
obviateit @JDHawkins @DragonSadhana @Seekingtardis Oh, it's so good to know I'm not alone! 😊😊😊 7y
24 likes1 stack add4 comments
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
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Thinking about my reading challenge that I'm planning for next year, reading only books I already own (and haven't read yet). I own a lot of really awesome books. I can't believe I haven't read read the sequel to Seraphina by Rachel Hartman yet!! #Shelfie

Lindy I spy Kiss of the Fur Queen. So much ❤️❤️❤️! 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Lindy Yes, so many hearts!! That one I've read, obviously. 7y
9 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bevin
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When your library hold list explodes all at once 😳📚 #gonnaneedmorethanthreeweekshere

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obviateit
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I incorporated #herebedragons into my #bulletjournal , and I'm starting Shadow Scale this week! How serendipitous! Also, appendages are probably my least favorite thing to draw. 🖐🏼😬#photoadayNov16 #day12

P. S. - I hope everyone is doing well! ❤️

Inked.and.nerdy Soooo envious. I wish I could do this but I am not artistic enough to do a bullet journal 😩 7y
saresmoore It's beautiful! @Inked.and.nerdy My #bujo is strictly for the bullets with the occasional not-very-good doodle. I just really dig lists and "planning" without obligations, so bullet journaling is awesome for me. Just write "I will not compare myself to strangers on the Internet" on page one and it can become whatever you need it to be! :) 7y
Reviewsbylola Very cool! 🐲 7y
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beaniebankbeth That is some skill. Amazing! 7y
UwannaPublishme So creative and beautiful! 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
obviateit Oh, goodness! Thanks, everyone! *blush* I was nervous about posting it, especially since I know there are actual professional artists here. ☺️ @Inked.and.nerdy @saresmoore @Reviewsbylola @beaniebankbeth @UwannaPublishme 7y
obviateit @Inked.and.nerdy , I'm with @saresmoore . I struggle a LOT with feeling like I'm not good enough, or that strangers are so much better! I have to keep reminding myself that I do it because it brings me joy. I wasn't sure how this would turn out until it was finished. My plan was to tear it out and throw it away if it was terrible, and I was still feeling hyper critical of myself as I posted it. The amazing encouragement helps a bunch though! 7y
Ellsbeth I have a dragon on my November page too! It is the little stick-like dragon you see with some Tolkien things. Your dragon looks great! I love seeing bullet journals on Litsy. Thanks for sharing. 7y
obviateit @Ellsbeth That's awesome! And thank you! I'm starting to love connecting my bullet journal to books. It makes me feel so much more creative! 7y
45 likes9 comments