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Arvena

Arvena

Joined January 2018

Reading is my superpower :)
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The Lost Sisters by Holly Black
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Iron King by Julie Kagawa
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Arvena
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Mehso-so

Rich country‘s food culture, a lot of descriptions of local ingredients and blends of flavours. The “mystery“ aspect wasn't developed, but was heartwarming and cosy.

AnnCrystal 💕😸😻💝. 2d
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2d
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Arvena
The Beast and the Bethany | Jack Meggitt-Phillips
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Pickpick

The storyline was compelling and imaginative, the illustrations were wonderful.

TracyReadsBooks Love this series! 5d
50 likes1 comment
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Arvena
Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros
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Pickpick

It felt like the story was lacking originality and wasn‘t very memorable but it was interesting and enjoyable.

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Arvena
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#AugustWrapUp #AugustReads 2024

Total books read: 8
physical book(s): 3
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 4
Female Author(s): 7/8
New Author(s): Rufi Thorpe, Kayvion Lewis, Mantas Adomenas, Holly Black
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/3

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Arvena
Expiration Dates | Rebecca Serle
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Mehso-so

I think I liked it - the premise was interesting, but felt undeveloped. The story had emotional pull, but the conclusion of the book was weird. Magical realism was very down to earth, but reasoning was vague.

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Arvena
Such Charming Liars | Karen M. Mcmanus
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Pickpick

YA mystery queen McManus is back - she didn‘t disappoint! The story is well-plotted, twisty and there's a lot of action. It's an entertaining read.

58 likes1 stack add
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Arvena
The Cruel Prince | Holly Black
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Pickpick

The story-line was quite tragic and emotionally harrowing - so much cruelty. The characters were annoying and morally grey.
It was good, but it wasn't astonishing or mind-blowing.

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Arvena
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Panpan

I wanted to quit this book so many time... Couldn't understand why was is written? There were a few original thoughts about literature and writing, about maternity, about Church and St. Mary, but on the whole - it was boring and nonsensical, repetitive and not funny. This just wasn't for me...

Prairiegirl_reading I‘ve seen so many positive reviews but I‘m leary of this one. I appreciate this review. Sorry it didn‘t work for you. 1mo
dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
BkClubCare Oh no! I just dropped this off with my mom!!! 😟 1mo
52 likes3 comments
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Arvena
Moneta & labirintas | Mantas Adomėnas
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Pickpick

Non-traditional (of an unclear genre, multifaceted) book - lots of philosophizing, existential reflections, pompously described historical moments and conspiracy theories, etc.
The story is told engagingly, expressively, but there's too many digressions into memories and side stories - it feels like it's overdone.

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Arvena
2084 | Unė Kaunaitė
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Pickpick

Lithuanian dystopia!
The idea of the story is good, but it was very slowly... Maybe because of too many topics covered, maybe because of the lack of persuasiveness and originality... But it was an interesting story

Dilara What language did you read this in? Your review isn't 100% positive, but I am interested. Unfortunately, it looks like none of Unė Kaunaitė's books are available in a language I can read (English or French)...
Edited: On second thought, Litsy's description for the book is in English, so it's got to be available in that language. I'll look again.
(edited) 2w
Arvena @Dilara it's written in my native language (Lithuanian) and it's not translated into English (yet) :) 2w
Dilara @Arvena Keeping my fingers crossed for a translation, then 😁 2w
50 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Arvena
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Mehso-so

Rather entertaining second chance romance, but it felt unevolved, the chemistry between the characters seemed unconvincing, but not a bad book :)

66 likes1 stack add
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Arvena
Thieves' Gambit | Kayvion Lewis
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Pickpick

I liked the idea of the book and engaging writing (making you eager to see where it was headed). It was a story full of action and quite a bit of disbelief (some plot points felt too convenient) :)

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Arvena
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#JulyWrapUp #JulyReads 2024

Total books read: 5
physical book(s): 2
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 2
Female Author(s): 4/5
New Author(s): Leslie Wolfe, Anthony Horowitz
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/0

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Arvena
Magpie Murders | Anthony Horowitz
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It's a classic murder mystery. A story within a story. Both are brilliantly plotted with crafty twists and captivating characters. Truly enjoyable!

AnnCrystal I believe that I caught the British TV drama version of this...oh, too good 📚🎬☺️👍💝. 2mo
58 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Arvena
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Mehso-so

It' a sad and touching story of grief.
Hypocrisy and selfishness in Katy's behavior, her treatment of everyone around her was annoying but the magical plot twist was entertaining.

Bklover I liked this one better than her newer one, Expiration Dates. If you read it you‘ll have to let me know if your thoughts. (edited) 2mo
67 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Arvena
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Mehso-so

The story was quite good - it maintains soap opera features, poor decisions, but there were quite a few eye roll galore and cringe moments. I didn‘t dislike the book :)

BkClubCare One of my bookclubs selected this one but I just can‘t 😬 I read the “prequel” and it isn‘t my kind of story. Oh well 2mo
56 likes1 comment
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Arvena
The Midnight Feast | Lucy Foley
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Pickpick

Brilliant plot, dramatic characters, engaging writing and multi-layered story. I am a big fan of Lucy Foley books :)

75 likes1 stack add
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Arvena
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Mehso-so

Not a bad book, but it was sad and ugly. Although the premise was promising, but the writing felt drawn out and repetitive. The ending was not satisfying. And why do all the characters had to be so unlikeable?..

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#JuneWrapUp #JuneReads 2024

Total books read: 4
physical book(s): 1
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 2
Female Author(s): 3/4
New Author(s): Eshkol Nevo
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/0

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Arvena
Not in Love | Ali Hazelwood
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Mehso-so

Usually Ali Hazelwood books/characters are snarky, smart and steamy with a lot of fun banter. This story was not like that...

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Just for the Summer | Abby Jimenez
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Mehso-so

The entire story revolved around trauma. So much sabotage and instantaneity.
I wouldn't say there's a lot summer vibes...

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Arvena
Three Floors Up | Eshkol Nevo
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Mehso-so

Evocatively and calculatingly told, the writing in here is sublime. Slow-revealing storylines were interesting, but too many questions were left unanswered...

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Arvena
The Paradise Problem | Christina Lauren
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Pickpick

It's a fake dating with rich people family drama and unrealistic rom-com story :)
It's a well-balanced story that leaves you smiling. Perfect summer vibes :)

73 likes3 stack adds
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Arvena
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#MayWrapUp #MayReads 2024

Total books read: 6
physical book(s): 2
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 3
Female Author(s): 5/6
New Author(s): Sara Nisha Adams and Sōsuke Natsukawa
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/0

Sace What did you think of Sosuke Natsuwaka? I‘m assuming that‘s The Cat Who Saved Books. I enjoyed that one. 3mo
67 likes1 comment
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Arvena
Seven Year Slip | Ashley Poston
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Mehso-so

Sad, bitter-sweet and touching.
Well done magical realism and interesting premise, but there was a lot of repetition and this novel wanted to be so many things.
It‘s a story about finding yourself and pursuing happiness. I liked the thought of the change of people over the course of their lives and how you can't hold on to someone for who they were in the past for who they are now.

59 likes1 stack add
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The Reading List: A Novel | Sara Nisha Adams
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Mehso-so

It‘s a book about books, reading and libraries.
Sad at times, at times boring.
The story dragged on, was predictable... The pacing, the ending, writing style - I didn't enjoy... But the premise is amazing.

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Darling Girls: A Novel | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

Masterfully written story with compelling plot and stunning twists and turns. Plenty of sorrowful topics, but the book is great.

LiteraryinPA What a cool cover! I read this and liked it but it had a much more traditional cover. 4mo
68 likes1 comment
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Arvena
The Cat That Saved Books | SOSUKE. NATSUKAWA
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Mehso-so

A book about the love of reading and the love of books ;) The cover is charming and the premise is great! But for my taste - too much philosophy and predictability. Reading this book felt like something was lacking and quite boring...

IuliaC 😻❤️ 4mo
ShelleyBooksie Who is this adorable kitty? 4mo
AnnCrystal 💕😻💝. 4mo
63 likes4 comments
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Arvena
Funny Story | Emily Henry
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Pickpick

Not so funny Funny Story :) It is a good, descent read, but I wouldn't call it rom-com.

willaful The publishing industry really pushes the “rom-com“ image lately; it does a disservice to a lot of authors. 4mo
67 likes1 comment
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Yours Truly | Abby Jimenez
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Mehso-so

So much miscommunication.. Whole story felt unconvincing.

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Arvena
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#AprilWrapUp #AprilReads 2024

Total books read: 7
physical book(s): 3
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 3
Female Author(s): 6/7
New Author(s): Rebecca Ross, Hiro Arikawa, Meg Wolitzer and John Marrs
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/0

Gissy Great📚📚📚😍👏👏👏 5mo
55 likes1 comment
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Ruthless Vows | Rebecca Ross
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Pickpick

This was a lot more war-plot focused and more sadness packed, but the characters were well crafted, the writing was engaging.
A great sequel and conclusion to the story :)

angieinwonderland Just about to start this on the heels of finishing Divine Rivals. Thanks for confirming the ongoing agony. 4mo
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Arvena
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Pickpick

This book was good. Bittersweet, emotional, endearing and sad. Loved the sarcastic cat narration.

IuliaC 😻🩷 5mo
IuliaC I love this photo! And the book is good too 👍 5mo
AmyG Beautiful photo! 5mo
See All 8 Comments
RaeLovesToRead 😻😻😻 5mo
AnnCrystal 😘💕😻💝. 5mo
UwannaPublishme Great pic! Great book! 😻🙌🏻 5mo
Yuki_Onna Your cat 😍 How precious!!! Loved this book - I bawled my eyes out so many times. 5mo
Smrloomis 😍😍😍 4mo
62 likes8 comments
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Arvena
Divine Rivals | Rebecca Ross
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Pickpick

The plot, the family drama, the war, the myths, the rivalry turning to love - engaging and well-written. And the ending! So, into the sequel :)

maich Beautiful cover and amazing story❤️ 5mo
67 likes1 comment
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Arvena
Wife | Meg Wolitzer
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Panpan

I was so disappointed after all the praises to this book. Totally mediocre and wearying book about practically nothing. Characters were unlikable people, their behavior was stupid and incomprehensible...

64 likes2 stack adds
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Mehso-so

There was a lot going on! A book within a book, lots of secrets and quite interesting story line, but the story was unrealistic and at times cringe-worthy. Everything felt forced.

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The One | John Marrs
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Pickpick

It was't quite what I expected, but it was an original modern story. It was crazy, dark, ridiculous and twisty. I really didn‘t like all the characters, but the story was (mildly) compelling :)

Cathythoughts I just finished it too. I thought it was good , compelling. 5mo
BarbaraBB Me too! 5mo
BkClubCare Fascinating cover art 5mo
51 likes3 comments
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Arvena
Happily Never After | Lynn Painter
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Pickpick

The chemistry between main characters was fantastic. The banter was funny. Snarky and breezy writing. It was not as perfect as Better than the Movies, but it was a good rom-com 😄

julieclair Sounds fun! Added to my stack. 5mo
CaramelLunacy I loved Better Than the Movies, so am hoping to pick this one up 5mo
68 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Arvena
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#MarchWrapUp #MarchReads 2024

Total books read: 4
physical book(s): 1
e-book(s): 1
audiobook(s): 2
Female Author(s): 4/4
New Author(s): Abby Jimenez, Ashley Elston and Sariah Wilson
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 0/0

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Arvena
First Lie Wins: A Novel | Ashley Elston
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Pickpick

Gripping, twisty and entertaining. Brilliant storytelling. Clever and scheming characters. Well worth a read or listen!

57 likes1 stack add
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Arvena
Part of Your World | Abby Jimenez
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Mehso-so

This was my first read from Abby Jimenez and I sadly, I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. So cheesy. And most of the characters annoyed me.

Rachel.Rencher This is my least favorite of years. I read Happily Ever After Playlist first which is actually book 2 and it's SO good. 6mo
49 likes1 comment
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Arvena
Bride | Ali Hazelwood
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Mehso-so

The story felt cliché and formulaic, characters' names - terrible. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't like it also :)

mcctrish I‘m getting it from the library for this reason, I can‘t not read it but I don‘t have to buy it 6mo
RobES Completely agree 💯 5mo
52 likes2 comments
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The Exception to the Rule | Christina Lauren
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Pickpick

Fun and cute set of novellas :)

charl08 Yes! I skipped the royal one, as not my jam, but loved the others. 6mo
Mshookquilts I‘ve only read the 1st one so far, but it was fun. 6mo
56 likes2 comments
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Arvena
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#FebruaryWrapUp #FebruaryReads 2024

Total books read: 6
physical book(s): 1
e-book(s): 2
audiobook(s): 3
Female Author(s): 5/6
New Author(s): Rebbeca F. Kuang, Shauna Robinson, Sarah Morgenthaler and Ben Guterson
Non-Fic/Memoirs: 0
MG/YA: 1/1

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Arvena
Winterhouse | Ben Guterson
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Pickpick

Interesting story, smart characters, whimsical surroundings and beautiful cover. What an enjoyable middle grade mystery set in a very atmospheric hotel!

Karisimo this author has new one out this month that also looks to have a fabulous setting! 7mo
52 likes1 comment
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Arvena
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Mehso-so

A book about flaws of twitter discourse and publishing industry. It's different and bizarre. For something being called as one of the best books of 2023 - I had really high expectations, but maybe too high :)

50 likes1 stack add
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Arvena
The Mystery Guest | Nita Prose
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Pickpick

Cosy and lightheaded murder mystery with satisfying ending :)

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Mehso-so

A small town story about a reluctant reader discovering a world of books :) It wasn't amazing, but the book was light-hearted and easy read :)

Crazeedi How are you? I hope your year is going well! 7mo
59 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Arvena
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Catalina and Aaron :)

#SundayFunday
@BookmarkTavern

BookmarkTavern I haven‘t heard of this book! Thanks for posting! 7mo
46 likes1 comment
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Arvena
The Tourist Attraction | Sarah Morgenthaler
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Panpan

I found this book boring and dragging... A lot of cringy moments and clichés🤦I just did not like this author's sense of humour 🤷