pickJune's reads
- #14books14weeks hot summer and red white and royal blue
- #riseupreads lavash at first sight
August 2025 Theme: Trans Fantasy
Please vote for what book we will read in August
https://forms.gle/Jm6U9F2nViaGoGAT7
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
Rise up Reads- reading marginalized voices 🔥✊🏼 If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Reminder for #riseupreads July 2025
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Content warnings: ableism, grief, pandemic, chronic illness, mental illness, racism, death, medical trauma, sexual assault, rape, suicide
#RiseUpReads
Armenian food
Have you had any of these or other Armenian food?
pick#RiseUpReads
What did y'all think of this one?
I enjoyed the look into Armenian culture and all the delicious food.
(I apologize for the late posting, I've been dealing with some chronic illness issues lately, which has been affecting my mental health as well)
#FoodandLit July 2025 Peru 🇵🇪
To participate read a book that takes place in the country or is by an author from the country. Also enjoy food from the country. Share your experience with the tag #FoodandLit & tag @Catsandbooks & @Texreader
If you're not currently tagged in #FoodandLit news & would like to be, let me know.
#RiseUpReads July 2025
The Future is Disabled - Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
#5JoysFriday
1. This week Will and I celebrated our 8 yr wedding anniversary! 💖
2. He got me a bronze bookmark
3. Delicious meals multiple times this week
4. Zola resting her head on her pillow
5. Talking to my niece
pickMay's Reads!
My favorites:
Iron Widow - all the feminine rage 🔥 Chinese fantasy with robots
Time and time again - queer ya time loop romance with disability rep 🏳️🌈💕
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris - historical romance with strong female characters, 🇩🇴Dominican FMC, Scottish MMC
#riseupreads
#RiseUpReads July 2025 Theme: Disability Non-fiction
Please vote for what book we will read in July!
https://forms.gle/SrrhkbZzWxRkQgSP6
Rise up Reads- reading marginalized voices 🔥✊🏼 If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
#RiseUpReads June 2025
Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Voskuni
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Content Warnings: homophobia, sexual content, emotional abuse, religious bigotry, genocide, alcohol content, body shaming
Story was an ode to K-dramas
Rise and popularity of K-dramas
Have you seen any? The only one I've seen that is close is XO, Kitty on Netflix
#riseupreads
Top right is more artwork from the FairyLoot special edition
Did you have this author's note in the version you read?
Loved all the Korean mythological creatures
https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-myths/
https://warsandhistory.com/korean-mythology/
#riseupreads
pick#RiseUpReads May
Overall thoughts? Any favorite parts?
I loved the banter between Seokga and Hani! Definitely looking forward to the sequel!
Above is artwork from the FairyLoot special edition
#FoodandLit June 2025 Greenland 🇬🇱
To participate read a book that takes place in the country or is by an author from the country. Also enjoy food from the country. Share your experience with the tag #FoodandLit & tag @Catsandbooks & @Texreader
If you're not currently tagged in #FoodandLit news & would like to be, let me know.
#5JoysFriday
1. My boys love to cuddle ❤️
2. My daily smoothie, so refreshing as the days heat up
3. Talking to my niece
4. Reading late at night when everything is quiet
5. Will 💜
#RiseUpReads June 2025
Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni
Content Warnings: homophobia, sexual content, emotional abuse, religious bigotry, genocide, alcohol content, body shaming
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
#5JoysFriday
1. Saw the Thunderbolts/ New Avengers. It had really great depression rep. I've been having a hard time with my depression lately so I felt really seen. (The reason I haven't been super active on here)
2. I planted strawberries and snap peas
3. Finally got a membership to Costco
4. Rainbow drink from my local cafe
5. Croissants
🩵My April Reads🩵
June 2025 theme: Sapphic Romance
Please vote for what book we will read in June
https://forms.gle/4CuWphtQmMn2DfYq7
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion on Litsy at the end of the month.
Rise up Reads- reading marginalized voices 🔥✊🏼 If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
#RiseUpReads May 2025
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Content warnings: Death, violence, murder, gore, war, sexual content, blood
Mental health matters
“The only way out is through…”
My dad committed suicide when I was 10. I've had depression and anxiety my whole life. I take antidepressants. I've done therapy multiple times in my life. I believe it's important to discuss mental health and reduce the stigma around mental illnesses. If anyone is ever struggling I am always here to talk. Please reach out!
Resources below
#riseupreads
Folklore and fairytale references
Sorrow‘s garden
Whimsy and Faerry‘s journey through the forest
#riseupreads
pickI really enjoyed this fantasy told in verse about depression, trauma, and the journey to heal.
For me I noticed that they finally could heal when the truth was revealed and everyone started communicating with each other. While the truth isn't always accessible, communication and talking through things instead ignoring or trying to forget about them is necessary to work through issues.
#riseupreads
#FoodandLit May 2025 Bangladesh 🇧🇩
To participate read a book that takes place in the country or is by an author from the country. Also enjoy food from the country. Share your experience with the tag #FoodandLit & tag @Catsandbooks & @Texreader
If you're not currently tagged in #FoodandLit news & would like to be, let me know.
Ik it's not Friday, but it's still a good day to share joy. Happy Easter Litsy family! 🐰🩷
1. I've been in a baking mood lately. Making muffins cookies, and brioche from scratch!
2. I made brioche for the first time and it turned out delicious! This is the first time I've made bread without the aid of a bread maker and it's actually turned out. I'm so proud of myself!
⬇️
#RiseUpReads May 2025
This was close, but the winner is - The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Content warnings: Death, violence, murder, gore, war, sexual content, blood
#5JoysFriday
1. Watching Abbott Elementary on repeat
2. Listening to the new Lady Gaga album on a loop
3. New sneakers
4. Cotton candy grapes
5. Will and the furbabies 🩵
Oh and I forgot Cory Booker! ✊🏼🔥❤️
My March reads! 💚
My favorite was A Sky beyond the storm. I absolutely love the Ember in the Ashes series, it's one of my favorites. I also loved the Lovelight Farms series, especially the final one, Business Casual.
May 2025 Theme: AAPI Fantasy
Please vote for what book we will read in May
https://forms.gle/osQxuy3hz75Q2tAm9
Rise up Reads- reading marginalized voices 🔥✊🏼 If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Reminder for #riseupreads April
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
LaKota people
Indigenous people abused, killed, moved out of their land
#riseupreads
A few of the women talked about
#riseupreads
so-soI just thought this was OK. I thought it focused too much on white groups, but what did everyone else think?
#riseupreads
#FoodandLit April Rwanda 🇷🇼
To participate read a book that takes place in the country or is by an author from the country. Also enjoy food from the country. Share your experience with the tag #FoodandLit & tag @Catsandbooks & @Texreader
If you're not currently tagged in #FoodandLit news & would like to be, let me know.
pick4.5/5 ⭐️ Loved this romance set at an Irish Pub. Excellent ADHD and OCD rep too.
I made Irish soda bread and shepherd's pie for St. Patrick's Day. Delicious and comforting! 🇮🇪🍀
#FoodandLit
My results from the Feminist Perspectives Test
Thank you to @TheBookHippie for sharing this!
If anyone else would like to take the test -> https://www.idrlabs.com/feminist-perspectives-historical/test.php
#riseupreads
1. My boys, Zeke and Link, cuddling!
2. Rewatching New Girl
3. Spring is blooming 🌸
4. Dr. Pepper
5. Will 🩵
#5JoysFriday
Happy International Women's Day ✊🏼🔥💖
📸 from courtneyahndesign on Instagram
#RiseUpReads April 2025
We are all so good at smiling by Amber Mcbride
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Content warnings: mental illness, suicide, grief, panic attacked, bullying, racism, death, self harm
#5JoysFriday
1. My husband still has his job. He's a fed and every day when he comes home we say "live to fight another day"
2. A mockingbird came by me and was singing
3. Link helped me at my desk ?
4. Celebrated my husband's birthday
5. Pizza ?
April 2025 Theme: Mental Illness Rep
Please vote for what book we will read in April
https://forms.gle/YN2j1dcxPzpt5tgZA
Rise up Reads- reading marginalized voices 🔥✊🏼 If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Reminder for the March #riseupreads book
Brave Hearted: The Women of the American West by Katie Hickman
Read at your own pace. There will be a discussion posted on Litsy at the end of the month.
Please tag me in your posts & use #riseupreads
If you're not currently tagged & would like to be, let me know.
Strong black woman stereotype
Soft black girl
There's strength in being vulnerable, in taking care of yourself
https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/15/black-women-soft-life/
https://cupcakesandcashmere.com/uncategorized/the-softness-of-black-women
Top right art is from special edition of the book
#riseupreads
Housing crisis in USA
Not having a stable home growing up affects Amerie‘s life now
Wanting to feel safe and secure
Data on black home ownership https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/state-housing-black-america-report...
Homelessness and minority groups https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/what-causes-homelessness/ine...
Bottom left art is from special edition of the book
#riseupreads
Sickle cell disease affects more black and brown people
Amerie‘s mom is living with this invisible illness
Healthcare system in our country is biased and broken
Basic info on sickle cell https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/symptoms-cause...
Video discussing SCD from a Boston news source, it's long but a great discussion from experts https://youtu.be/xehrvNMSD4E?si=OV_3xaDmPXXqjBPd
#riseupreads
pickI really enjoyed this book! I love a fake dating trope. I liked the banter between Amerie's and Vincent. The friendships and family dynamics were great too and felt real.
My favorite/least liked scenes are in the comments ⬇️
#riseupreads
#FoodandLit March 2025 Ireland 🇮🇪
To participate read a book that takes place in the country or is by an author from the country. Also enjoy food from the country. Share your experience with the tag #FoodandLit & tag @Catsandbooks & @Texreader
Storygraph link https://tinyurl.com/c4yrw569
If you're not currently tagged in #FoodandLit news & would like to be, let me know.
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
