When We Were Vikings | 
My first #book2book exchange arrived today. Thank you @Melmar and thanks @KateReadsYA for organizing!
#Two4Tuesday (on Wednesday) @TheSpineView
Tagged by @egg and @dabbe
1. Where to start. Many of the things that should be taught at home (personal hygiene, respect, work ethic etc) are now, apparently, part of our domain. I think everyone should be required to take a cooking/nutrition class, $ management, and how to ferret out fake news.
2. Tagged book is sooooo good with a beautiful main character and wonderful supporting characters.
Here are my choices for #LMPBC #GroupB! Let me know what sticks out to you/what you‘ve read already! 😀
The ones with the stickers were the books I read and loved from my #auldlangsyne list
Will be reading the Stanley Tucci book next!
Thanks for a great match! @monalyisha @JenReadsAlot
pickAnother great book choice for #auldlangsyne from @JenReadsAlot
Such a great story - ending made me cry this morning!
@monalyisha
Finished Lessons In Chemistry and really liked it - starting the tagged book next #auldlangspine @Jenreads
And need to squeeze in Woods in Winter for #lmpbc #groupw
Plus I have a 14 day ebook loan for the huntress - now if only I didn‘t have any other responsibilities but to read!
This one had been on my radar for a while. It made me laugh, and made me so anxious for Zelda (check CWs if you need). I loved all the parts of Zelda‘s life: the community center and the library, and the array of characters in her life. Using Vikings as a touchstone throughout the story was interesting and gave continuity. A book with so much heart, though tough to read at times - enter the story with the courage of a Viking 🗡 #NYWD
📚Hoping to finish When We Were Vikings
📚When We Spoke in Tongues
📚Dune
pickGreat book to end 2021 with! Zelda has a deep love for all things Viking, an older brother who does anything necessary to keep her safe, and a quest to be able to become a hero able to help him. You know you are invested when you have to put the book down because you are so worried about what is going to happen next.
Finally done with being productive for the day and ready to settle down with my most important decision of the day, my #lastfirst selections. Decided to end 2021 with one my Christmas gifts and start 2022 with a book that I have been hoping to get to for months.
What a fabulous package Jee! Everything I need for For a cozy holiday -two books that look amazing, tea, soft book socks that I will be putting in on shortly, chocolates that did not survive long enough to be photographed, and a lovely bookmark. Thank you so much my friend!
pickZelda is twenty-one-year-old who is obsessed with Vikings. She lives with her older brother, Gert. Their parents are dead and Zelda has diminished mental capacity due to fetal alcohol syndrome. Gert will do ANYTHING to protect and support her. This book is full of memorable, unforgettable characters. It‘s both heart-wrenching and humorous. I love Zelda who definitely has a Viking spirit.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pickAugust‘s #bookspin and it was a winner. Zelda lives with her older brother Gert. She has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and is fascinated by Vikings. Gert tries his best to look after her, but he has his own demons. This book is funny, violent, and empowering. Zelda is an amazing creation and I dare you not to fall in love with her. @TheAromaofBooks
1. I can often see a twist coming a mile away, and I love it when a writer can legit surprise me.
2. I am notorious for abandoning series, but I did finish and ❤️ Patrick Ness‘s Chaos Walking series.
3. I shamelessly love bad boy/good girl, forbidden love, and angst in stories.
4. Summer holidays and being able to return to a job I love.
@Eggs
pickI loved this book. The main character, Zelda, has FASD and is Viking-obsessed and lives with her brother, Gert. Gert is involved in some shady deals which end up impacting Zelda's life, and she has to become a true Viking warrior herself.
pickThis ended up being quite the beautiful coming of age tale. Zelda: Lover of all things Viking is a twenty one year old girl on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum is our protagonist finding her way in the world with the help of her brother and her friends. She encounters some terrible villains but it is quite the journey she goes on. Some strong emotions along with some very heart warming moments.
#doublespin ✔️
When you‘re children say “Get outta here and read your book!” I consider that a #parentingwin!
How is -0 a thing??? Seems like the universe is telling me to stay home and read my #doublespin
pick⭐⭐⭐⭐
I generally avoid coming of age stories, but this one called to me. I loved the character Zelda, and her story was a unique one. I have a feeling I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
My #audiostitching progress on this one that I've been working on (off and on) since around April.
+271 #wintergames #merryreaders @Clwojick
35/40 #crushtherush and #readyourway @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView #christmasspirit
Just selected this ebook as my free gift from Simon & Schuster's holiday newsletter! Has anyone read it?
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I thought a lot of this story was great, but there were a lot of parts that made me uncomfortable. It‘s really hard to describe how I truly feel... sorry for the super vague and strange review!
pickThis book features Zelda who has delays due to fetal alcohol syndrome but she is brave and loyal and is an inspiring protagonist. This book had a couple slow spots but I loved the ending. Well conceived story!
so-soI finished this one up today. It had it's moments, but I can't say that it made a lasting impression. Going with 3 stars. I do like the redesigned cover though. 🤷♀️
#bookspinbingo #goodreadsgiveaway @TheAromaofBooks
Up next chosen by the Spin The Wheel app. This was a Goodreads Giveaway win for me and I'm told it's pretty good. I guess we'll see. #bookspinbingo #goodreadsgiveaway
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have to admit, even though the plot was a common one with a few adjustments I rather liked it. It was written very well and even though this book is written from Zelda‘s perspective, it seems almost like her brother wrote the book as a whole as an homage to her. I would #recommend this book. #litsy #vikings
pickI loved this book. Zelda is a fantastic character. She‘s on the fetal alcohol syndrome chart and it has not slowed her down. She needs routine but learns to trust herself, she can‘t lie and when she is asked to lie she spills it anyway. And the big part of Zelda I love is her love of Vikings and how that love has made her strong. Great as an audiobook.
pickFor a book that is so heartbreaking, I laughed an awful lot. This isn't my typical kind of book but you can't help but adore Zelda for her love of Vikings, her determination to make her life legendary, and her use of the word "powerful".
#readharder #bookwithamaincharacterorprotagonistwithadisability @bookriot #pop20 #bookwithagreatfirstline #booked2020 #makesyoulol @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
“Deeds and actions are what will make a person great and legendary.”
LOVE THIS!
“The Viking my brother got me for my birthday was tall and had muscles.”
A quirky start to this one, haha. #firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl
Probably my last hoorah for #bookspinbingo but if I don‘t finish it this weekend (which is likely), it‘ll give me a jump on September‘s board! @TheAromaofBooks
I won another Goodreads Giveaway!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗
#goodreadsgiveaway #winner
pickIt‘s been compared to The Silver Linings Playbook, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, & Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. That‘ll give you a fair idea of the kind of feel-good story this is, told in first person by a disadvantaged person overcoming great odds. Zelda didn‘t quite seem believable as a person with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but it‘s still a pretty good story. Full review link in comments. #CanadianAuthor #shadowgiller
Serendipity, again! Concurrent books with similar premise: in both, after a mother dies of cancer, a sibling is left to care for a sister with cognitive disability.
pickPoint of view of Zelda, a young adult who has fetal alcohol syndrome. She's had a rough life but she makes the best of her situation. Zelda considers herself to be a Viking and has others in her tribe who support her, especially her brother Gert, who is well-intentioned, but doesn't always make the best decisions. This is a quirky book with some heavy topics that are presented through Zelda's perspective. Similar to "The Reckless Oath We Made".
pickThis book was amazing, fell in love with the cover. Then in love with the story. Zelda has FAS, she lives with her brother. He is trying his best, but doesn't make the best life choices. Zelda begins a life quest and becomes the warrior goddess she was always meant to be. Tragic, heartwarming, and bold. ♥️
pickLiked it! Honest story about living with FAS and navigating respect and responsibility. Also local author!
pickA gut wrencher, for sure. Zelda is born on the fetal alcohol spectrum and after her mother passes away from cancer, her older brother Gert tries to make a life for them both. He's not real great at making good choices but he does his best. A roller coaster ride of self discovery and trying to be independent, and a Viking warrior, when life tries to prove you wrong. Not for the easily triggered, either. This was tough. #nutsinmay
#quarantinereads
This book has my emotions swinging wildly but this bit of encouragement spoke to me. 💜
Finished off another book! It feels very satisfying to finally finish books you've been halfway through for weeks. #readathon @DeweysReadathon
Opening survey! @DeweysReadathon
1. Nashville, TN
2. I'm so excited to be participating in the #readathon today! I haven't been reading much over the past month so I'm looking forward to finishing some of the many books I'm halfway through. Jane Austen is at the top, though!
3. Pizza delivery
4. I love Eurovision and hamsters
5. I'm going to concentrate on reading! Fewer breaks, fewer challenges. I want to get lost in a book.
pickDespite dealing with some dark themes (TWs violence, abuse, and rape), this is a surprisingly charming and endearing novel from debut author Andrew David MacDonald. He tells this story tenderly, without making Zelda, the protagonist, a spectacle or an object of pity. A must-read if you're in the mood for an uplifting story about what to do when life deals you a rotten hand. Extended review: http://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/new-releases/
pickA quirky coming of age story of Zelda, a girl on the spectrum who tries to live her life the viking way. This has made it to one of my favorite reads for this year. On a side note - I will be keeping an eye out for a viking stripper who can also make balloon animals. 😝
#disabilityread #arrcreads #botm
pickI really love finding a great book with an amazing storyline and this has that and more. This makes you think and appreciate authors with the ability to put words to paper. I highly recommend this and hope everyone gets a chance to read this beautiful story. 🙌🏽📖😋
My #bookspin pick for the month! If I have time I'll read a #doublespin as well, but I won't set myself up for failure this early. :) @TheAromaofBooks
pickTold from the viewpoint of Zelda, a high functioning 21 yr old who was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. She lives with her older brother Gert, who tries to provide Zelda with a good home but doesn‘t always make the best decisions. While it isn‘t always an easy listen/read, I walked away very satisfied with the outcome. Book 23/100
Now onto a lighter book and another square. #booksandyarn
so-soThis was a BOTM pick for me and I went in cold. While the main story and Zelda‘s narration made the book captivating, the very long dive into Zelda and her boyfriend Marxie planning to have sex really threw the story off for me. Nothing wrong with sex talk in books, but it goes on for SEVERAL chapters and the main story takes a backseat. Having a narrator with fetal alcohol syndrome was a good choice though and Zelda is a character.
