I went into the library to pick up READY OR NOT (my penultimate book for #AuldLangSpine 2025!), but of course I couldn‘t resist this anthology of urban poetry from Africa off the New Stuff stand.
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I went into the library to pick up READY OR NOT (my penultimate book for #AuldLangSpine 2025!), but of course I couldn‘t resist this anthology of urban poetry from Africa off the New Stuff stand.
pickThis landed on my radar thanks to @Singout ‘s #AuldLangSpine list and how thankful I am! I normally avoid short stories (because “give me more!” or “what was that?”). BUT! These stories are fully realized and effective in storytelling. Haunting and often full of magical realism heightening everyday emotions: sibling jealousy, a teen being bullied, neglected stepdaughter (Cinderella!), divorce. Centers women & lgbtq+ experiences. Excellent!
so-so#UnpopularOpinion
I appreciated what the author is trying to do here but for me she wasn‘t successful. I didn‘t buy the central relationship - there was too little to show how they came to care for one another. It‘s a trope I rarely enjoy or find convincing so maybe it‘s just me. The writing is good and the background story is really important. I‘m extra critical when I think a book could be truly great but misses the mark, so only a so-so.
First time getting a skip the line notification from Libby. This was on my #AuldLangSpine list and I have had it on hold since January. Yes, January. I realize I could have started it anytime via KU but Troy Duran is worth the wait 😍 🎧
#bookspinbingo May was all about baseball but I did manage to read a bunch! Came close to clearing the board save for 2 and I‘m currently reading Chrysalis. Knocked a another off the #auldlangspine list:
All that‘s left unsaid, Chrysalis nearly
listened to several that have been lingering on my tbr for years:
Eileen, We Are Called to Rise, The Hidden Life of Trees.
A great reading month! 2 duds: the Megan Miranda and the William Kent Krueger
pickLoving the series so far. The first in this series was an #AuldLangSpine pick. I knew I was in trouble when I got to the end credits and heard “and was produced in the year 2024”. 🫢😅 I don‘t typically find series while they are ongoing and was already ready to add book 3 to my TBR for March but it won‘t be here till August 🥲🎻
At least August is closer now than when I wrote this in February 🤷🏻♀️ #LitsyAtoZ #LetterM
pickI started reading this when the daffodils were out then misplaced the book! I ended up listening to the rest on audio before finally finding it again this week. An #auldlangspine pick from @Singout about a Vietnamese family in Australian whose perfect son (high school age) is murdered. Their grown daughter, Ky, returns home to investigate. Though this is a propulsive plot point, the author is more concerned with showing the immigrant experience.
pickFun and quick read about the guys who made watching arguments entertaining. 👍🏼 I always enjoyed “Siskel & Ebert” — they were smart, sharp and opinionated. In this bio Siskel comes across as a jerk, though. 👎🏼 The “pranks” he played on Ebert behind the scenes weren‘t very funny — it sounds more like bullying to me. 😖 Thanks to @JoeMo and #AuldLangSpine for putting this one on my radar!
pickI love a good road lit novel. My college English capstone course was solely road lit and I loved it. This small book took me back to that course, referencing others in the genre. Witty and reflective, a young man drives across the US thinking about his life, as one does. The format and book as an object were really interesting too. Another one that wouldn‘t have been on my radar if not for #AuldLangSpine
