A decade after WWI and Maisie is still coming to terms with her grief as she investigates the "Retreat" where disfigured soldiers go missing. The emotions run deeper than other historical cozies which I like, but the conclusion leaves me unfulfilled.

#SeriesLove2026 @Susanita @TheEllieMo
#LitsyAtoZ Letter M @Texreader

Gold vs. Silver
Mousy vs. Vivacious
Floating vs. Making waves
Pride vs. Humility
Several lessons in this new-to-me #SeriesLove2026 @Susanita @TheEllieMo #LitsyAtoZ LetterT @Texreader

This book is full of short stories (written in both English and Spanish-what a wonderful resource for our EL students) of people living in a community as seen through the eyes of a young boy.Garcia demonstrates empathy toward the hardworking neighbors and lessons learned by sharing the trials.For example, there is a town drunkwhom mothers attempt to keep their children from his vulgarity,but the drunk's vulnerability is clearly seen. #LibraryThing

Another reflection of 2025 - I learned I enjoy historical mystery cozies. The Charlotte Holmes series is a hit and miss for me. I like the heists when everyone is in one place, but the last book, till Thomas publishes more, had the players all over the place. It exhausted me as much as Lord Ashcroft when he stays up all night. Disregard my negativity, I cannot wait for the next one. #SeriesLove2026 @Susanita @TheEllieMo

I discovered several new favorite authors in 2025, but no one surpassed Pierce Brown. Science Fiction is my least favorite genre, and yet I listened to Red Rising 3 times last year. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Brown.

Cambodia has a violent history. I don't know anything about it, but Khmer Rouge sounds familiar. A lot of the books on @Texreader StoryGraph list is about the refugee camps, human trafficking, and child soldiers.

There is one that is identified as funny - The Dark Traveler.

LGBTQ+ Ma and Me

I will tag in comments. I hope this helps to find a book to fit you.

#Foodandlit @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

My last day of teaching was December 19th. Besides my students, I loved searching for great literature to inspire; I'm already missing it. I can't enjoy my retirement because I am mourning my job. Not depressed, just sad.

For #Foodandlit #Cambodia would some of you like to read and discuss at the end of the month? It's very heavy - middle grades.

@Texreader @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

I was completely mesmerized. A tough read. Violent jealousy and inhumane, unnatural obsession toward a mother from three different people. You have to read to discover whose obsession was the most harmful.

I have been all over Italy in 2025 for #Foodandlit This was the most disturbing, but it was written by a celebrated Italian author. @Texreader

I was delighted by this read. Miracles create more miracles. A year of seasons were beautifully described in a small sugaring community in Pennsylvania. I loved each character, truly ached for the father who was dealing with wartime experiences. I'm glad this is my first 5 🌟 read of 2026. #ChildrensClassicRead2025 How in the world do you find these precious books @TheBookHippie

So thrilled to have participated in this challenge.

#ChunksterChallenge2025 @Amiable

I read several #BitsyChunkster but the two I enjoyed the most were The Lincoln Highway (Towles) and The Valley of Horses (Auel).

#ChunksterPetite Zorro (Allende)
#Chunkster The Priory of the Orange Tree (Shannon)
#ColossalChunkster Shogun

Brotherly love.
Sacrificial love.
Romantic love.
Forgiveness
Unforgiving
Whew Whee!!! I adored this book. Ox and Joe may be my all time favorite couple. Especially for 2025. #QueerBC @PuddleJumper This promises to be an amazing series.

More world development was needed to keep me engaged. Young adult fantasy is one of my favorite genres and I was having trouble. I would have loved for Silvera to explain the different phoenixes and the history. I don't think I will continue the series. #QueerBC @PuddleJumper

Thank you, so much, @BookNAround Such an awesome way to spend tonight. I have not heard of Tony's, but I appreciate the message of fairtrade sourcing and the mission to end exploitation in the cocoa industry.

#jolobokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon thank you.

I started reading on Nov 5. Each letter or essay had to be analyzed carefully before moving to the next. As an Algerian born Frenchman, he fought for equality in his homeland, he fought for humanity, but was forced into exile. He stated how the indigenous Algerians fought for France during WW II so they should not be abandoned. He stood up for the minute communities and their differences, and how the new government should reflect the differences.

What a great read! It's based on true events about a free community around Hendersonville, about an hour away from my home.

#JolabokaflodSwap @MaleficentBookDragon @BookNAround thank you, Kristen I cannot wait till it can be opened.

It had a touch of Kipling's influence. I thought so, anyway. I enjoyed it, but it didn't give me the warmth of The Railway Children. Thanks for choosing these books for us, @TheBookHippie #ChildrensClassicRead2025

Spent the day in NYC. My youngest daughter loved the Eloise stories. I always said she was just as active as Eloise. Our highlight today was seeing Eloise at the Plaza.

I was thinking about Appalachian, southern Appalachian, food. Show of hands - How many of you have eaten cornbread in milk?

Here is a Southern Living article to explain. https://www.southernliving.com/food/bread/cornbread-and-milk
#Foodandlit @Texreader @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Catsandbooks it's hard to not tag you.

I can understand why diehard fans annotate and analyze this series. I don't know what Maas is best at creating: characterization, world building, or storytelling. It is so fantastically addictive. Thank you @StayCurious for leading our group ##LitsylovesSJM

Contrariness is a value I embrace when it is to help another human being. I may have to purchase as gifts.

I do not like this book, but do not be confused by my rating. I don't like the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, Coraline by Gaiman, and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, but I do recognize good chilling novels for young adults hankering for thrills.

#QueerBC @PuddleJumper

I thought the concept was brilliant and original. Without giving anything away, I found myself wanting to save the characters. No, go left, don't call....

The paranoia was intense. I assume immigrants, whether Albanian or Guatemalan, live with daily paranoia. I don't assume, I know. They have to keep a low-key profile ALL the time. Who is safe? Who will help? The exhaustion.

After I post, I plan to look at other reviews.

I'm thrilled to be back with @texreader and hate that @Catsandbooks is leaving. I am also frightened. To be fully transparent, I abandoned these ladies when I fell into a huge depression that took me years to recover. Basically, I couldn't read. My mind just couldn't do it, and I left Litsy. No books, why Litsy? Again, I was not myself. I'm in a good place, my children are not being threatened, and I am enjoying lit again. Here's to rdg and eating

So sad it is over. It dragged in some places, but when it came to angst and action. Wow!!!!!

The book centers on a 17 year old girl who loses her virginity to her teacher. I was really hesitant, but I wanted a Samoan author. The blurb was worse. Incest. But, it turned out that they were not genetically related but from the same community, which explains some Samoan culture. They don't marry within the same "family". It turned out to be quite lovely. During pauses of sex, the teacher continued to enlighten her by discussing the history.

Parks spent the entire book comparing the ups and downs of train travel to meditation. And, it worked. I wouldn't mind reading my book on a train and observing people, humanity at its worst (hustling/body odors) and its best (sharing food and stories).

#Italy #FoodandLit @Catsandbooks @Texreader

#TodayILearned #NonfictionNovember @Bookwormjillk

I don't believe I just learned it, but it had reopened my eyes.

I had to listen once again because I was lost with Golden Son. I'm glad I did. This may be the book I can't live without. The craziest thing is that it is sci-fi, my absolute least favorite genre. #SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

I don't think I have read anything as perfect as this duology. I love misty mornings, but will be wary of them for a while. The Nightmare. ❤️?❤️?Reminds me so much of Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon a Time.

There is one Providence card that "the gang" has to find in the mist in order to save the town. Gothic atmosphere. Just perfect. #SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

I doubt I will get a bingo, but I have had fun.

I do like romance. Although, every book I read isn't one. In Skyshade, Isla loves both kings, Oro and Grimshaw. Oro and Grim despise each other, but they have to work together in Book 3 of the series.

#Romantics @ChaptersofChaos

Tagging @kristi_k @Cupcake12

This book is definitely not one of my faves in this series. The mystery was not intriguing. Miss Charlotte and Lord Ingram got closer, which I liked, but overall, I fell asleep each time I tried reading. You picked the music. #SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

Isla is the storm. You have to read the entirety to see if she destroys or saves the world while Oro and Grim do everything in their power to get to her while the storm sends unbelievably strong creatures and demons. Why can't stubborn girls just ask for help? Onto the finale. Croatoan ##SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

I'm shocked that I enjoyed this as much as I did. There were places where I giggled. It was truly funny. The serious parts were written without banter. Touching, charming, a good read. I only chose it for the prompt. I would never have picked it up on my own. Good gravy, I love reading challenges. Seven sins in title ##SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

Do you know they are filming Jimmy Stewart's biopic? Do you know how excited this reader is?
Do you further know my username is from Jimmy's favorite candy bar?
They are currently filming in West Cork, Ireland.

NEXT NOVEMBER, PEOPLE!!!!!!!

Thank you, @Jas16 for sending me book mail. I can't wait to read it.

I have always enjoyed Shirley Jackson's writing, and this is no exception. I like the fact that she researched and created a nonfiction work for children about this sad period of American history. Jackson wrote that if the girls had been disciplined, it wouldn't have gotten as bad as it did. I agree, not with corporal punishment, mind you, but something.
#ChildrensClassicRead2025 @TheBookHippie
#SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

#SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf Will you choose my next book?

A competition turns into a happily ever after. I enjoyed it, but I wished for less predictability. #QueerBC @PuddleJumper #SPNBOOKBINGO2025 #ghosts @OutsmartYourShelf

I devoured this series. I have learned so much about 1920s India from reading about a female barrister. Women issues, which are worldwide, but seems so much worse in these books because of the different traditions. In this book, women healthcare, or the lack of it, is brought to the front. It's cleverly written. The way that Perveen handles herself in a man's world is brilliantly constructed. And, I have to wait till April for the next one.

A charming cozy. T queen asks Georgie to spy on the infamous Ms. Simpson, while a childhood friend attempts to kill her. I think I will continue with the series.

I know how to play now. LOL!!!! #SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf this one has several Halloween colors on its cover.

I'm going to miss Jack's adventures. The last book I started in September. I'm glad that @OutsmartYourShelf is flexible with #SPNBookBingo2025. This might be reaching, but ...you can't ignore the number.

This woman can write. She doesn't shy from the ugliness of war, famine, struggles. There were times I drowned in the way she described life. Just beautiful and pure. I will definitely read her novels. There beginning of the Revolution was clearly started by #MenofLetters @OutsmartYourShelf #FoodandLit @texreader @Catsandbooks

I am so glad this book landed on my radar. I learned so much. Very emotional read. The amount of determination and courage to research the Home Army women fascinated me. A hero. @OutsmartYourShelf #Research

I will not doubt the spiritualism of the Indigenous Peoples. I devoured this book this weekend. A little girl is sent to an insane asylum because she communicates with animals. The inhumanity. I just can't explain how devastated I feel.

#SPNBOOKBINGO2025 @OutsmartYourShelf

Prose is my refuge, but my poetic breath is inextricably, intimately linked to the Nicaraguan landscape.

#FoodandLit @texreader @catsandbooks

This book is beautiful!!!

Way out of my comfort zone!!!!! Sexual adventures galore!!!! Learned a few things in my old age.

I loved this book. A very serious topic ( what does a 25 year old do when told she has inherited the gene that causes breast cancer?), but had funny moments throughout the journey.

I would have missed out of a great book if not for #QueerBC @PuddleJumper

#TurnthePage 3 out of 5 @Bookwormjillk

I hadn't known that I needed a collection of novellas in my life.

#TurnthePage @Bookwormjillk 2 out of 5
#LitsylovesSJM @StayCurious

I really can't explain how I feel. Slow beginning, but when the siege began- BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! I couldn't keep up. Ready for the finale. #TurnthePage @Bookwormjillk 1 out of 5.

If I can finish 5 of my current reads, I'll be happy. #TurnthePage @Bookwormjillk Thanks for doing this.