It's so pretty!!!!

This should not be happening. And, all I hear is, "teachers should be carrying." What if the teacher is unstable like the one I reported for saying she would shoot them all. Still teaching, by the way. This is what sent me in the depression spiral 2 years ago. I can't go back. I should be grateful it's a false alarm. I am grateful, but mad. I am so angry.

Friends - stop and pray, send positive energy. Our local high school is on lock down. Rumors of active shooter. Nothing confirmed. Every mother's and teacher's nightmare. I don't have one there, but I do have past students. Mcdowell

Rebecca Yarros is a brilliant creator. 2nd Read

Starting now for #sharreadathon @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#ChunksterChallenge2025 #bitsychunkster @amiable

I think, with some rewriting, the book could be stellar. It is written through the eyes of Wyatt Earp's girlfriend, Josephine Marcus. It goes from silliness to expository from chapter to chapter. I enjoyed the nonfiction parts more than the supposed dialogue and action.

The writing reminded me of Paulo Coehlo. Very philosophical.

The sport of girls' boxing is compared to multiple aspects of life: dreams, quirks, visions, ways of thinking, and futures. Each girl is different, but all 8 girls are the same - with the same wants and fears and strengths.

I'm glad I read it.

I think I will read the tagged in honor of @sharread

A Gentleman in Moscow was one of the last books that she posted and enjoyed.

I will also devote my time in the land of Fourth Wing this week.

#sharreadathon @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I lost my receipt for tomorrow night's release party. I won't be able to go because I can't drive yet, but still.

I think this describes all of Marie Lu's works. She is an autobuy for me.

#SundayFunDay @BookmarkTavern

The planning of the actual rescue mission of the prisoner of war camp was thoroughly and meticulously researched from several primary sources. A must-read for those who want to know more about World War II in the Pacific.

Many trigger warnings -violence, massacre, torture, starvation.

Very memorable moment was during the rescue - the POWs were so traumatized that they had to be persuaded to leave. It broke my heart.

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

I remember as a child and seeing The Earth's Children everywhere. I knew just by looking at the covers that they were going to be great reads. I just forgot about them. Thank goodness they are in my universe again. In fact, I can't wait to finish reading the series just to start again. This one, in particular, is the best at survival in the wild - the Ice Age wild.
#ChunksterChallenge2025 #bitsychunkster @Amiable
#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

1 Playing in the snow with my youngest daughter. .
2. Stopped taking pain medicine, including Tylenol PM.
3. Won at a 2048 game (match numbers till you get to 2048 - took me 4 weeks)
4. Started my knitting again.
5. The new season of All Creatures Great and Small started.

#5joysFriday @DebinHawaii

@JacqMac @DaveGreen7777 you're it

She was dead.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Not plot-driven. Not character-driven. Pure lust-driven.

Having been spoiled by Maas and Yarrow, it just doesn't come to their standards. I also thought it was too much like Cassandra Clare.

I did enjoy Trink (a Brownie - hadn't read about them since my Girl Scout days) and the setting-New Orleans. I want to visit NO for my 50th this year. It really did add to the atmosphere.

##FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

SCORE!!!!!!!

Did anyone watch Masters of the Air - Tom Hanks and Steve Spielberg miniseries of "The Bloody Hundredth"? My favorite part was in the last episode when they did not fill the plane with bombs but food parcels for the Dutch even though there were still Nazis in the Netherlands. After they made the drop off, they saw tulips formed in the words, "Thanks, Yanks." It still fills me with tears.

It took me 4 months to finish. It is an affront to my beloved childhood books. I can understand Maguire's need to explain evilness in some people. But, I don't understand his theory. Is he saying revenge is the cause of evil or how they were raised? I didn't have any sympathy for Elphaba, except when she was a baby and a child. I have read Glinda was the villain, but she is barely in the last half. Glinda is hated because of the shoes. SHOES!!!

I read 32. A lot came from my childhood. A few from reading for Battle of the Books. And, I love children's lit. A few that are memorable, besides the tagged,are Kira-Kira, Bud, Not Buddy, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Excellent literature. So many I still need to read.

#TLT @dabbe

@CoffeeK8 @megnews

What a reminder in this day and hour!!!

I just love Ayla.

What's for dinner? Stamppot - it makes me think of the Netherlands impoverished version of pinto beans here in southern Appalachian. .

#FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

I love a good animal book from a writer who loves animals. Read in honor of the new season of All Creatures Great and Small. Each story is remembered lovingly or harrowingly by the patient's distinct personality and the ornery personality of some owners. This set of memories is focused on the new medical technology in veterinary practices after WWII. The funniest story is about AI (artificial insemination).

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

1 I embrace the cold.

2 Tagged- read with a book group.
#TwoforTuesday @TheSpineView
@TheAromaofBooks

Thank you @wanderinglynn for celebrating your birthday with us.

#49bdaygiveaway

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader
Completely heartbreaking. Generational and cyclic drug abuse, feelings of inadequacy, early parental deaths. It just breaks your heart to learn about Lisa Marie's troubles and how she tried so hard to become a better, hands-on parent.

You have to appreciate someone who becomes vulnerable by allowing scrutiny and criticism from fans and the press when all their lives they tried to stay away from the limelight.

This was my first completed book of 2025. I wanted to read it because Nicola Coughlan is rumored to play the author.

At first you can tell Ms. Monaghan is not a professional writer. But, it doesn't matter. That's the point. She is not a writer, she's a mom. She's a mother who has to creep her way into SYRIA on the precipice of the war to RESCUE her baby from a very abusive man. I was sobbing.

#SundayFunDay @BookmarkTavern

Am I the only sentient being in the universe who vehemently dislikes this book?

I first bought it, with glee, 20 years ago. I didn't get through Part 1 before I donated it to the county library.

When I heard about Broadway, in disbelief, I thought it won't last. Never went to see the show, but my devotion to Jonathan Bailey, I started reading again before I saw the movie. Loved the movie so I can't wait to see it on stage. WHAT AM I MISSING?⏬️

Next....

My neurological/spinal problems didn't surface until I tried to dance to Austin Butler's Elvis. I was swinging my arms to Suspicious Minds and thought that doesn't feel right. That was in April. The dance caused a pinched nerve. The MRI proved how long I was dealing with arthritis and myelopathy. So, I will always be grateful for Elvis and his music.

The tender love story between Achilles and Patroclus was inspiring and lovely. At times, I found myself thinking these things really happened, as if it was written as historical fiction. Did Thetis, Apollo, and Artemis really involve themselves in everyday lives? Then, my conscious mind returned to reality. I completely forgot that they were characters of Homer. That is powerful writing.
Ms. Miller, hurry and get better.
#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

Her writing is exquisite.

Next listen-

2024 National Book Award

Told from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave, from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (learn from my mistakes - NO NEED TO READ TO PREPARE). Would anyone like to do a buddy read? Very informal - just read and share thoughts of each chapter. No time table. Could take all year or a week.

I can understand the appeal to little boys in the 19th century, but the language made me violently ill. I can't stand the racism. People are going to say that's the way of the times. My stance remains that it is the way of our times now when we should always be mindful and be on our guard towards ignorance.

The only reason I wanted to read it is so I can read James from Percival Evererett.

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

My father was a king and the son of kings.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

1 - Being back on Litsy
2 - I am healing quite nicely. I have feeling back in my fingers. Still losing my balance, but it will get better.
3 - SNOW!!! Although I can't feel too joyful because a lot of my neighbors are still in tents from the hurricane. Campers are coming every day.
4 - going to the library for the first time in ages
5 - played catan with my teenager last night.
@DebinHawaii #5joysFriday @TrishB

My heart is hurting for Los Angeles. I thought living through Helene was awful, but the black and ashes are horrific. Paris Hilton's video made me sob. California Littens, let us know how you are and how we can support you.

I read 47. As an elementary teacher who loves books, I am so tickled for Out of My Mind and Brown Girl Dreaming. My childhood was centered on the series - Mary Poppins, Little House, Anne of Green Gables, and Wizard of Oz. These are still my comfort reads. It's my connection to my grandmother. I was disappointed by not seeing The Borrowers (beloved series) or Christopher Paul Walker (one of my current faves) #TLT @dabbe Tagging @Chrissyreadit

This was my first comfort book. I think I was 6 at the time in 1981. I carried it with me, even took it to my Girl Scouts camping trip and kept it under my head at night. Thanks, Mr. Yarrow for my initial foray into fantasy as escapism. Without his song, I wouldn't have had my book.

I have not been on Litsy in a few years. But, I am post spinal surgery so what should I do, but read and return to the community that I adored, adored me, and then I abandoned. I just found myself at a place where I couldn't read. I'm going to have to thank Fourth Wing and ACOTAR for the past few months.

My next read - The Song of Achilles.

Thank you so much Karen @Texreader I have been wanting to read this for a long time. I try to read books that have been awarded O'Dell and Newbery. I appreciate you so much and your support. I know it took me a long time to open, but I needed to get out of the depression. You were right, I was also grieving an end of a friendship. Thank you for understanding me.

How fascinating!!! The books I decided to read next are very similar in theme. Two books of a person of Color who has a decision to make - to be someone they're not to get what they humanely deserve or to stay true to their heritage and family history.

Even though, this is a somber book about the violence of Colombia, I LOLed at "as confused as Adam on Mother's Day." I'm so blessed to live near so many great restaurants. Tropical Grill in Spruce Pine served me with grilled chorizo sausage and fried bread. So incredibly good. #FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

I feel lost and overwhelmed right now. I just finished school to a bad year. I had to file a report on a colleague who I thought was a good friend. She was my 11year old's teacher. She looked right at me and said, if she had a gun, she would kill them all. Then Uvalde happened four days later and I am having trouble separating the two. My heart hurts for Texas and I just can't get back to normal because of what my "friend" said. So many lives. And

This series was my first foray into fantasy with fantastic characters. I love revisiting the adventures. My favorite will always be Pip/Ozma. #ChildrenClassics2022 @TheBookHippie

Listened to it because it was easily available. For anyone who likes pop culture mixed with an intergalactic insurance agent, this audio is for you. It would have been an easy pick if Jimmy Stewart had been mentioned.

WHAT A TREASURE!!!! Chinese and Korean heritages are highlighted in this story set during the western expansion of US. Very rare. I know of only Laurence Yep for middle grade, but Park wanted to confront the absence and hatred of other cultures in the Little House books. #TeachEmpathyThroughLiterature #MiddleGradeMay @megnews

Another add to my class. Set in North Carolina during the Trail of Tears. It describes how the Real People were placed in pens like animals. I would suggest this to anyone who wants to encourage and develop empathy. #MiddleGradeMay @megnews

I was looking for a strong gothic tale and I found it. Were the body snatchers aliens, medicine, or imagination? I still don't know. Love a good ambiguous ending.

You get to know the histories of the characters and then... A horrific ending. Horrific. I thought it was brilliant how we see the violence that is still high in our indigenous communities.

A very challenging read. The book opens when a nervous Tarana Burke does not want #metoo to go viral. She had worked so incredibly hard to incorporate it into the Black community where women are statistically abused. She realizes that it is time to increase the range of her community. It covers her abuse and her humility when she fails a young girl's need to share. Every one should read this. Burke even makes a powerful plea for men to stand up.

Have I mentioned how much I love the #FairytaleReadingChallenge and how much I love this book. #Mulan was March, but I wanted to drag this book for a long time. The battle scenes were perfect. The characters were brilliant in tricking the villain. Loved this book. @Charityann