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451Degrees

451Degrees

Joined June 2016

Never ending TBR stack❤️📚 resident death and dying book specialist💀
review
451Degrees
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Pickpick

There‘s A LOT going on in this book… almost a little too much to keep track of what‘s going on. But the ending was quite the surprise and I‘m still very impressed with this series!

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451Degrees
Starter Villain | John Scalzi
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Mehso-so

Charlie finds himself in dire need of a miracle on his last $100 and aspirations to buy a pub. Little does he know he is about to be thrust into the playground of trillionaires with villainous tendencies after his uncle leaves him heir to his companies. With a volcanic lair and spy cats this book throws ya for a loop! I really enjoyed the second half of the book however the first half felt a bit draggy. Loved Hera the spy cat!

30 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
Thunderhead (Reprint) | Neal Shusterman
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Pickpick

This series is really quite fascinating… I‘m so glad I have picked it up! Citra, a Junior Scythe, has spent her first year gleaning with as much compassion as she can. Rowan takes on the robe of a Scythe, even though he was not chosen to be one, and sets out to kill Scythes who use their powerful position to further their own ambitions. And the Thunder Head, an AI program, begins to question itself about if taking care of humans is a good idea.

TheBookKeepers I quite enjoyed this series too!! 2w
451Degrees @TheBookKeepers it had quite the twist at the end! Will be interesting to see where it goes🫣 2w
TheBookKeepers YES! 😊 enjoy! Hahaha it‘s a ride 2w
DogMomIrene When I finished this series, I missed it so much. Then Shusterman published Gleanings, which I loved. Now I feel like Oliver asking for more😂 but really🤞🏼 2w
451Degrees @DogMomIrene I‘m sure once I get the Gleanings I will be feeling the same way! Good to know that one is worth the read as well! 2w
25 likes1 stack add5 comments
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451Degrees
Tuesdays with Morrie | Mitch Albom
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Pickpick

A story of living a life to its fullest with love and compassion, even while dying. Author Mitch Albom‘s life takes an unexpected turn when he finds out his favorite college professor is dying of ALS. What was initially a singular visit turns into weekly flights from Detroit to Boston to capture his old professor‘s last lecture on life🤍.

36 likes2 stack adds
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451Degrees
After You: A Novel | Jojo Moyes
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Bailedbailed

Alright I‘m throwing the towel in on this one only because I don‘t want it to ruin my opinion of the first book. The characters both old and new are on my nerves and I‘m sure if I gave them the time they will all come around to their senses. However I‘m quite unhappy reading it and no longer wish to continue. Gave it about 1/3 of the book.

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451Degrees
Me Before You | Jojo Moyes
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Pickpick

Not your typical romance especially in today‘s standards but intimate nonetheless. A reread for me but a book that I hold near to my heart. Hopefully have enough bravery to continue with the series to see where Louisa‘s life goes!

If you‘re looking for a book to make you cry here it is🎁📖🥲

marleed I loved this series! 3w
451Degrees @marleed I‘m reading the second one now and am a bit apprehensive 😅 hoping it gets better🙈 3w
24 likes2 comments
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451Degrees
Scythe | Neal Shusterman
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Pickpick

I was apprehensive about this one since it is considered YA, but was so surprised not only by the story itself but that this is considered YA😅 In a society where disease is eradicated, people can be brought back to life, and one can “turn a corner” if you get too old, death is no longer an everyday fear. With overpopulation an obvious issue, the society introduces Scythes, people trained in taking lives or as the society calls it “gleaning”.

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451Degrees
Remarkably Bright Creatures | Shelby Van Pelt
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Pickpick

A story of loss and finding one‘s way as shown from the perspective of 70 year old Tova, 30 year old Cameron, and a 4 year old octopus named Marcellus. I had high expectations for this book and I must admit it fell a little short mostly because I couldn‘t stand one of the characters and was begging for more interaction with Marcellus😆 pictured is my remarkably maybe not the brightest creature Finan😍

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451Degrees
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Mehso-so

I know this looks very bad… and in some ways it very much was 😅 I would not consider this a guide for those who are actively grieving. The author is a comedian and this book is VERY tongue in cheek throughout its‘ entirety. The author herself even admits the advice given is terrible and sometimes even illegal. However… everyone grieves in their own way and this was the way this person went through her fathers death of cancer. No judgements here.

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451Degrees
Julia | Sandra Newman
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Mehso-so

A retelling of the original 1984 told from Julia‘s POV. I wish I would have reread the original before getting into this one just to see the character‘s lives intertwining as the story goes along. Definitely was similar to 1984 in its mind twisting and often conflicting stories with the characters. Although I‘m happy to have read it, it certainly wasn‘t a favorite as the story ran in circles and I find it to not need to be almost 400 pages long.

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451Degrees
When the Moon Hatched | Sarah A Parker
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Pickpick

Raeve works as an assassin to the revolutionary group against the current king. When she gets caught she is sent to be executed only to find herself being whisked away in the mouth of a dragon. She only has vengeance on her mind after losing one close to her but her savior is determined to bring up past memories she‘s buried deep within herself. Such an amazing book! If you like big books and the genre just do yourself a favor k?😉

31 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
Oathbringer | Brandon Sanderson
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Mehso-so

I love Sanderson‘s work but I feel like I‘m really struggling with The Stormlight Archives… these books are a huge undertaking and have serious pacing problems for how long they are. I feel like I can zone out for ten minutes and not really miss anything important which is hard to swallow. Unsure if I will continue on with this series.

26 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao
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Mehso-so

Pacific Rim meets futuristic China, giant robot like structures are run by a male and female team with high qi, problem is most females end up dying after battles due to the male draining her life force. Zetian is determined to redeem her sister when the male pilot outright kills her. She is ready to die for it but is she willing to survive? LOVED the concept. DID NOT like the writing style. Won‘t be continuing the series

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451Degrees
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Mehso-so

Patricia and her book club love reading murder mysteries and horror books. But her community starts to question that choice when she starts being suspicious of their new neighbor James Harris around the town‘s children. Stretched over three years of turmoil, accusations, Patricia is faced with keeping the peace or losing the life she‘s build. Definitely one to read if this is your genre but not my cup of tea

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451Degrees
Moonbound: A Novel | Robin Sloan
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Pickpick

A novel set 11,000 years into the future, Ariel a young boy is destined for great things. But when he finds a sword and a sentient chronicler that makes his mind her new home in an ancient cavern, the wizard of the village goes into a rampage. To understand what he was destined for and to save his brother, Ariel sets out on a quest which leads him to robots, beavers that ride moths, and a diety you can only speak to at the bottom of a well. Wacky!

29 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
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Mehso-so

A guide on how to function as an adult on topics from finances, weddings, and etiquette all with a hint of humor. Did I buy this book because the cover was pretty and it has pictures? Absolutely. Did I find it helpful or useful? To an extent yes! I felt like it was geared towards a younger audience and one who lived in bigger cities (the author lives in NYC) but was a fun read nonetheless.

29 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening | Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham
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Bailedbailed

Am I missing something with this book??😅 it reads so much like a YA with some pretty non YA subject matter… such a weird and ick combination I couldn‘t do it.

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451Degrees
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Mehso-so

I have mixed feelings on this one. The beginning of the read seems utterly disjointed that I was getting disheartened trying to figure out where it was going… near the end connections started forming to some degree which were delightful to behold. But I‘m still left wondering why some stories were told on this book and what did they contribute to the overall novel??

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451Degrees
Calamity | Brandon Sanderson
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Pickpick

When one of their own turns evil, the Reckoners have no choice but to try to save Ildithia, formerly Atlanta, from their former leader. The team sets out to not kill Limelight but to save him from his own powers and bring their friend back to them but Limelight has a plan of his own in place and Calamity, the red star in the sky that brought the Epic powers to Earth, is involved. Great end to the series, fun read as usual!

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451Degrees
A Little Life: A Novel | Hanya Yanagihara
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Panpan

I wish I even knew where I could start to review this book. I wish also that I could say that the 800 pages of pure horror and depression that this book is were worth reading. But in all honesty I wish I hadn‘t read it. The trigger warning list that this book contains is a mile long and unspeakably awful. The book is well written but past that I‘m so glad it‘s over.

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451Degrees
Firefight | Brandon Sanderson
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Pickpick

The Reckoners are brought to Babylon Restored, formerly New York City, to bring down Regalia, an Epic who has been sending cronies to Newcago to destroy the Reckoner team. David is on his search for Megan, a former team member lost in the battle of Newcago and finds himself in many tricky situations with his team and fighting the Epics who are hell bent on destroying the city.

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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Mika is a part of a secret group of witches that meet on a limited basis so that their power isn‘t shown to humans. However Mika is drawn to a *Witch Wanted* message which has her eventually teaching three young witches how to control their magic. Very cute book and the narrator was amazing! Was wanting a little more magic involvement throughout the book but was a fun read nonetheless!

42 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
Steelheart | Brandon Sanderson
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Pickpick

It‘s the year of Brandon Sanderson for me😅 this is technically a reread but loved the writing and storyline. David enlists The Reckoners to help him dispatch Steelheart, the Epic who took over Chicago and remade it with night and steel.

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451Degrees
Two Twisted Crowns | Rachel Gillig
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Pickpick

Time is of the essence to collect all of the Providence Cards to heal Blunder of the mist and infection. But Elspeth, the Nightmare, and her companions face obstacles at every turn. Such a good duology! Was so happy I picked these up. For anyone who likes a fantasy novel with a different take on magic and a short series!

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451Degrees
One Dark Window | Rachel Gillig
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Pickpick

Such a cool take on a fantasy novel and magic! Was so pleased with this one! The land is plagued with a cursed mist and a magic infection in the city of Blunder. The only acceptable magic is the use of the Providence Cards which can give the user dexterity to mind reading to time travel. The city can be freed from plague and mist if all the cards are united but this hasn‘t happened in over four hundred years…

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451Degrees
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror | Carissa Broadbent
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Pickpick

Sylina is charged by her order to become the seer for the vampire conquering their lands in order to dispatch him. After uncovering truths of both her organization and Atrius, the vampire, she is torn between following her goddess or the man she‘s come to know as more than a cold blooded conqueror. Loved this novella! Really liking this author and her characters!

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451Degrees
S. | J J Abrams
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Panpan

The COOLEST of concepts. The execution made me want to cry I was so frustrated with the lack of sense this book had. A book within a book including notes and inserts to help along the mystery of the author of the fake book Ship of Theseus

Clare-Dragonfly Glad it‘s not just me 😅 I thought I just didn‘t have enough patience with it. 5mo
PurpleyPumpkin Ugh so disappointing! I have this one on my shelves and was looking forward to it. Oh well. ☹️ 5mo
451Degrees @Clare-Dragonfly ok I thought that was me too!! I was like I have to be reading this wrong I‘m just so frustrated with it😫 5mo
451Degrees @PurpleyPumpkin I think if you‘re looking for a different reading experience that it‘s worth giving it a shot! But I did not favor either of the stories unfortunately 😢 5mo
26 likes4 comments
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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Oraya and Raihn become bonded in surprising circumstances that has Oraya questioning all of her decisions during the Kejari trials from the first book. Raihn who is now King of the Nightborn vampires struggles to hold his position with even his allies questioning his ability to lead. Will Oraya and Raihn find the common ground they held during the trials to achieve the kingdom they so desperately desire🤷🏻‍♀️

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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Author Erica Buist unexpectedly loses her father in law which prompts an in depth research project into the worlds death festivals. From Mexico to Japan, she visits seven different festivals in hopes of coming to terms with her loved one‘s passing and the realization we‘re all gonna end up there ourselves. Loved reading about the different cultures celebrations🖤

35 likes3 stack adds
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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Based on the true story of Polish born Auschwitz survivors Lale and Gita. Starting from when Lale first arrived to the camp and became the Tätowierer or tattooist of all the prisoners that entered the camp. This is where he met Gita a young woman whom he vows to marry and have a life with once they leave the camp. Filled with harrowing encounters along with the small joys the prisoners experience it‘s certainly a tough read.

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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Oraya was taken in as an adopted daughter by the Nightborn Vampire King. A once in every one hundred year trial gives her the opportunity to step into power without being changed into a vampire. She has to survive four months in the Moon Palace with all other contestants out for her blood, literally. This was a pleasant surprise and I really liked the story. Closest thing I‘ve found to ACOTAR vibes!

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451Degrees
The Arctic Fury | Greer Macallister
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Pickpick

Lady Franklin enlists Western guide Virginia Reeves to take an expedition of women to find her husband‘s ships lost in the Arctic. Little does Virginia know after she returns she‘ll be put on trial for murder. This was a great read that bounced between the expedition and the present day courthouse proceedings which made for a cool perspective. It was missing a little something to push it into the 5⭐️ read but would definitely recommend!

39 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
Avalon Tower | C N Crawford, Alex Rivers
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Mehso-so

Nia is whisked away from her French vacation to join the spy academy for Demi-fae at Avalon Tower. She finds she has a rare gift among the Demi-fae which allows them to pass into the Vale to spy on the Fae who hold the world in their grasp. I can see where this book could get good… however I can‘t get past the mediocre writing and every other paragraph including “chiseled abs” and “luscious lips” 🙄

32 likes1 comment
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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Sebastian is a journalist who is no stranger to danger. He‘s taken enemy fire in Afghanistan and had a near drowning while surfing. But only after a burst pancreatic aneurysm resulting in emergency surgery does he begin to really wonder what happens to us after we die. He takes a deep dive into what it means to be alive from a physics standpoint but also finding across religions and cultures people experience similar things while dying.

29 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Klara, an artificial friend, is chosen by the young girl Josie to be her companion. Klara soon learns the ins and outs of Josie's life especially since she is often ill. Being solar powered herself Klara enlists the sun's help to heal Josie. A tricky read as this is set in the perspective of the AF so you are learning what things are and her interpretation of events instead of them being literally drawn out for you which I liked.

36 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
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Mehso-so

Told from the perspective of three women: Cassandra, Princess of Troy, Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon and Elektra daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. Starting from the genesis of the Trojan War, the ten years during and several years after it ends it's a story of grief and redemption. As this was set from the womens' perspective it was a newer outlook on some classic stories.

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451Degrees
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Panpan

I seriously have no idea why this book is so popular. If you‘re looking for a watered down version of Hunger Games with little plot past a love triangle, look no further… Paedyn is pulled fron the slums to fight in the Trials amongst Elites. Little do they know she is Ordinary, possessing no magic or power which is sentenced by death. The book picked up towards the end but the 90% slog to get there is not worth it.

Clare-Dragonfly Sometimes I wish there were a way in Litsy to mark a book as “don‘t even try to read this.” I suppose I could make a tag for it in StoryGraph 🤔 6mo
451Degrees @Clare-Dragonfly right?! I think if people are interested it‘s like of course try it but the whole time I‘m reading this I was thinking it‘s just a knock off Hunger Games😰 6mo
dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 5mo
26 likes3 comments
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451Degrees
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Pickpick

The book follows three students who have found themselves at McMasters Conservatory for the Applies Arts which is a university to teach people how to effectively “delete” people then closes out with each students “thesis project” which is how well they murdered their target. This was a well thought out original idea for a novel and it is humorous as well to lighten up the mood of planning someone‘s ultimate demise. Highly recommend!

39 likes2 stack adds
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451Degrees
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Mehso-so

A story of the UK figuring out how to time travel, they decide to bring to modern times people from different centuries and have them assimilate to our culture. I liked the idea of this story and even liked a lot of the time traveler‘s characters, except the main character who‘s POV we are in for most of the book…The audiobook narration was a bit disjointed sometimes at the beginning but was well rounded by the end.

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451Degrees
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Pickpick

I liked this read and if people have been eyeing it I would certainly give it a read! However I felt a lack of depth in both characters and storyline. There‘s a lot of hints to a broader backstory to a lot of the characters that I felt maybe wasn‘t fully explored that left me a bit wanting.

Texreader Excellent review. I agree. 6mo
451Degrees @Texreader thank you!🥰 it‘s probably my favorite of hers I‘ve read so far but still missin a little somthin 6mo
44 likes2 comments
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451Degrees
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Pickpick

Author Mary Roach does a deep dive into the “careers” of human and animal cadavers. Ranging from the obvious medical anatomy cadavers for education to crash testing cars and planes for safety to organ and tissue donation, Roach really went out of her way to find both modern and medieval knowledge on how societies have used the bodies of the dead to help the living. Roach writes with an edge of humor to soften the blow of a couple of topics here.

44 likes3 stack adds
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451Degrees
Tress of the Emerald Sea | Brandon Sanderson
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Pickpick

This was an absolute delight of a read! I would even go as far as to say it was right silly at times😆 Tress sets out on a dangerous voyage on the spore seas to find her love, Charlie. From pirate ships, to dangerous water activated spores to a wish granting dragon the book is not short on adventure!

36 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
The Cruel Prince | Holly Black
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Mehso-so

Jude along with her sisters are taken from the mortal world and raised in Faerie, exposed to magic and mystical creatures. After a coronation gone wrong Jude is forced to work with her arch nemesis Cardan to save the world she‘s grown to love. Not a spectacular read. Didn‘t knock the socks off but kept my attention. Not sure I‘ll continue with the series but might get a wild hair for it.

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451Degrees
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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Pickpick

A read dedicated to telling the story of the often forgotten female nurses that served in Vietnam. 21 year old Frankie is determined to serve the US as a nurse during the Vietnam War. What follows is a decade of growth, loss, grief, and crawling back from falling to rock bottom. The storyline had me smiling and cheering to raging and overwhelmed especially reading about the treatment of Vietnam veterans both men and women when they returned home.

34 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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Ok things are happening that I would like to be happening at the end of the book… WHY IS THERE SO MUCH BOOK LEFT😱😭

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451Degrees
The Lady Rogue | Jenn Bennett
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Panpan

The Fox family and Huxley Gallagher find themselves on a whirlwind adventure tracking down the infamous ring of Vlad the Impaler. This book was not a good read. The plot points were weak and the relationship the author was trying to portray was awkward and cringey. With that being said I was curious how it ended and wasn‘t all that surprised when the ending also wasn‘t that great.

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451Degrees
Edgedancer | Brandon Sanderson
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Mehso-so

Probably an unpopular opinion but I wasn‘t super jazzed about this read. I really liked Lift for the one chapter in Words of Radiance and it‘s not to say I don‘t like the character now but I it didn‘t enjoy a whole book where I felt the character did only a minor bit of development and the rest was just kinda fluff. I‘m sure I‘ll feel differently when I read the next book as many say this is an important read for the rest of the series

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451Degrees
Words of Radiance | Brandon Sanderson
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Pickpick

A continuation of the Stormlight Archives following four to five main characters with occasional short entries of other character spread out in the book. There‘s so much going on in these books that it‘s hard to summarize… yet at the same time it feels like not much has happened either??🙈 I am enjoying reading these but the books are a huge commitment both time and memory wise. Magic, sword fighting, and adventure!

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451Degrees
The Measure | Nikki Erlick
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Pickpick

Life is completely normal for the world until a day when all adults receive a box. In the box is a string, all are different lengths for each person depending on how long you‘re going to live. The book goes through a handful of different characters stories whether they have a long string or a short string or even some that don‘t open the box at all. Was a great read but still left me pondering some at the end!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This sounds similar to 8mo
451Degrees @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks sounds very much like it! Except everyone in the world knows their life span! 8mo
43 likes2 comments
review
451Degrees
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Pickpick

A most excellent read based on the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, famed WWII Russian sniper with over 300 confirmed kills. Mila‘s life goes from quiet scholar, to the front lines of Odessa, all the way to a press tour in America to bolster US and Soviet relations during the war. Very much enjoyed this read from both a historical aspect and the liberties the author took fictionally.

Readergrrl Book sounds exciting, but your cat is stealing the show! What a beauty!! 8mo
AmyG Yes, a really beauty! 😻 8mo
Kappadeemom Beautiful kitty! 8mo
43 likes2 stack adds3 comments