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Chelsea.Poole

Chelsea.Poole

Joined December 2016

Librarian📚 Audiobook at all times. Nature writing, essays, memoirs, literary fiction are my favorite genres 🌻
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Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann
review
Chelsea.Poole
Parable of the Sower | Octavia E Butler
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A beloved post-apocalyptic novel set in 2024-27 America, one where the water is scarce and society as we know it has collapsed. It‘s such a trip reading this during the time it is set, knowing it was written over 30 years ago, and realizing how much Butler got right.
These novels always make me wonder how I‘d cope in a fight for survival during a new world order. Not well, I‘m thinking! Loved the connection to nature and “Acorn”—love that name!

dabbe Love the needlework! 🤩🤩🤩 1d
sarahbarnes I haven‘t ever read this - it does seem like a good time. 1d
AnnCrystal 👏🏼🤩🧵🪡💝. 24h
See All 6 Comments
Chelsea.Poole @dabbe @AnnCrystal My great-grandmother made it! ♥️ 21h
AnnCrystal @Chelsea.Poole Wow, that's amazing 💝💝💝. 16h
dabbe @Chelsea.Poole #priceless 🩵💙🩵 14h
70 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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It‘s #TransVisibility Day and I listened to the utter delight that is Dylan Mulvaney. She chronicles her time after the Bud Light incident and her journey to become who she was meant to be all along. Dylan came out to her mother at 4 as trans but has only recently transitioned. Her strength and bravery to share her story in order to help others is inspiring. Her upbeat tone and cute stories were entertaining and I could have listened to many more!

67 likes2 stack adds
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Chelsea.Poole
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“Everybody dies, everything ends—but not now. Not now.”

This book covers the end of the world as we know it, or at least the end of humanity, and how that may come to pass. Chapters feature ways we‘ll go out like pandemics, nuclear weapons, climate change, overpopulation, war, cosmic events and more. Far from depressing, this was a fun look at the way humans have thought about the end of times over many years, through books, movies, etc.

AmyG Sounds fun 😳🤣 2d
JenniferEgnor I was thinking about checking out this book when I saw it… 2d
Chelsea.Poole @amyg ok, maybe the “fun” in my review wasn‘t the right word 😂 2d
Gissy Sounds so interesting 👍Stacked! 2d
67 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Raising Hare: A Memoir | Chloe Dalton
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I loved Dalton‘s memoir of her time with a hare. I loved her respect for the wild creature and her earnest determination to both accommodate the hare in her home but keep herself at a distance in order to build trust. I loved the relationship between wild creature and human—something that‘s been written about often in memoirs at the present (Me and Alfie, etc). I‘m not sure this will win the Women‘s Prize (NF), but I wouldn‘t be sad if it did.

ChaoticMissAdventures I think it is going to be between this and the Heart. Both are so well loved. 4d
75 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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This book was tragic, graphic, and triggering on many levels. And the pace was slow…which is not a complaint, that‘s the family‘s lived experience (waiting over 25 years to find justice) which definitely came through in the text. Kathy Sue Engle, the author‘s mother, was brutally murdered after she was taken by two men from a mall in Oklahoma when Kristine was just 11. Growing up without a mother after losing her in the most painful way.

Aims42 Great review! I love your daffodils too 😍💛 7d
dabbe Daffies! My favorite flower! 🌼🌼🌼 7d
Lesliereadsalot Such a powerful book. I don‘t know how she found the words to describe her life. 7d
Cathythoughts Great review . I‘m a bit afraid of it , but stacking 👍🏻 6d
86 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
The Searcher | Tana French
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I can see why Tana French has a dedicated following; this book is so good! Read this for the excellent setting and character development, and though there‘s plenty happening, it‘s not as fast-paced and plot-focused as many mysteries are. Cal is an American cop who relocated to Ireland after disillusionment with his life and job. He is busy with physical labor, renovating a cottage when a local kid shows up and a mystery unfolds. Lots of townsfolk.

Lesliereadsalot I love her books! 7d
Ruthiella I really like her too. But definitely not fast paced. 7d
88 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Dan Slepian is passionate about his work with wrongfully convicted prisoners. This book focuses on JJ, an inmate in Sing Sing, the original “big house” in NY. Slepian is a Dateline producer (love that show!) and through his work has met and advocated for men who have been wronged by the American justice system. Maddening! And definitely a worthwhile read.

squirrelbrain Great review! Stacking. 1w
BooksandCoffee4Me Just finished reading Just Mercy because the incarcerated guys I volunteer tutor read it for a criminal justice course as part of their AA degree program. We‘ve had some interesting discussions and I‘ve learned much about our system. Becoming an activist now that I‘m retired! 1w
73 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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I‘m a sucker for a memoir so this #wpnf25 long listed title (as of today, a short listed title!) was definitely going to be something I‘d read. And while I did like this, I‘m confused about what makes it stand out among other memoirs to make the list. Last year‘s How to Say Babylon was evident in its exceptionality. Maybe one of the judges is a huge fan…? Speaking of the short list I‘ve got 2 more to read: Agent Zo and Wild Sea.

Amor4Libros I need to listen to this audiobook. And How to Say Babylon lives rent-free in my brain! 1w
Chelsea.Poole @Amor4Libros so good! Those sentences and her strength, I just love it! 1w
squirrelbrain Yes, I loved listening to this but didn‘t think it should make the shortlist, for the same reasoning as you - why so special? And I thought Babylon was fantastic. 1w
TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain I agree it's not as exceptional as Babylon, and I don't think it will win, but I felt this one was quite timely and in its own way it's quite a political choice. Her life celebrates creation, joy, love, culture, and especially the power of diversity and inclusion, and I found such inspiring examples of community building - all important reminders in an age of erasure by the powers that be (and powers that want to be) (edited) 6d
youneverarrived @TheKidUpstairs you said that so well 🩷 I feel the same about it but wouldn‘t have been able to put it so articulate! I found it really inspiring - I love her energy. 6d
79 likes5 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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Mehso-so

Mixed feelings on The Women:
Pro- readable, I learned a bit about the Vietnam War, book club attendees love Kristin Hannah, lots to discuss
Con- melodramatic, over-the-top/too much happens to one individual
So, in all, a mixed bag. I see why Hannah is so popular and I honestly don‘t dislike it, but she‘s not an author I would pick up on my own. Spoiler in comments ⬇️

Chelsea.Poole I‘m sorry, but I feel soo yuck about the fact that Frankie (MC)‘s love interest named his daughter after her?!?! I‘m sorry WHAT 1w
tpixie I got frustrated with the recurrent dead man is suddenly alive! Not Once, but twice? That seemed a little lazy. 1w
Chelsea.Poole @tpixie same, same! 1w
See All 11 Comments
Lesliereadsalot I‘m with you on this one. 1w
AmyG @tpixie Exactly. Tied up in an unbelievable way. I only really enjoyed when she was in Vietnam. After she came home…not so much. 1w
tpixie @AmyG yes! I enjoyed the Vietnam part as well. (edited) 1w
tpixie @Chelsea.Poole @AmyG @Lesliereadsalot I did find it fascinating and frustrating how even veterans that were treated by the nurses would say there were no women in Vietnam! 1w
Chelsea.Poole @tpixie @AmyG @Lesliereadsalot Our book club read this one and it brought out a great discussion! It was also interesting how many WW2 books we‘ve read (so many!!) vs books about the Vietnam war —just this one! Maybe it‘ll be written about more as time passes. 1w
tpixie @Chelsea.Poole yes! 🙌 1w
Singout I don‘t know much about the Vietnam War either: a recommended book from last year if you haven‘t read it is The Mountains Sing. 1w
BookNAround I thought I was the only one who thought this was ultimately meh. So glad to see I have company! 7d
81 likes11 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Loved this story. Human connection through water. Told through 3 perspectives, set on the banks of the River Thames and the Tigris in 2014, 2018 and 1840 (and a bit beyond). My favorite character was King Arthur of the Sewers and Slums. Not one I‘ll soon forget!

Hooked_on_books I loved this, too. I thought the way she brought it all together in the end was just brilliant. It kinda gave me goosebumps. 1w
AnnCrystal 😍💝. 1w
91 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Enter Ghost | Isabella Hammad
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Mehso-so

I was into this audio at the beginning but I found it to drag on the middle—so much so that I found myself skipping and I NEVER do that. I could have missed something vital, so take this with a grain of salt. I know theater doesn‘t work for me in literature so it‘s my fault. I loved the MC‘s backstory and the set up: Sonia returns to her home to discover so much has changed: grandparents have passed, houses sold. Timely: Palestinian experiences.

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Chelsea.Poole
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The review backlog continues. The Echoes pulled at my heartstrings but didn‘t destroy me like I was prepared for..after reading reviews (and the blurb!) I was hesitant to pick it up for fear of being too sad, but I found plenty of moments of levity here. 3 timelines, 2 settings: different perspectives and locations. Max is still lingering after his death, watching Hannah in the London apartment they shared. Hannah remembers her past in Australia.

sarahbarnes I‘ve avoided this for the reasons you described. Good to know it wasn‘t too much for you. 2w
79 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
Man o' War | Cory McCarthy
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Partially set in my neck of the woods, this YA/new adult novel is from the perspective of a HS swimmer who joins the Ohio University college team. OU is in the next county over so that was one of the reasons I picked this up—I loved seeing the college life/town so accurately represented on the page! This is a book about finding oneself, in many ways, but mostly focused on gender identity. Good on audio!

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Chelsea.Poole
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Rained out of a soccer game, waiting it out in the car — never sad about some downtime that I can spend reading 🌧️

Lesliereadsalot Such a good book. 3w
75 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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Another hit from the #wpnf25 longlist that I would have missed! Wistrich has collected cases involving women who have been convicted of crimes, or victims—some cases both. This is a call to action for change. I thought this was great.

Hooked_on_books I just finished this last night and it blew my socks off. This is such a strong longlist! 3w
Chelsea.Poole @Hooked_on_books I agree on both points! Really enjoying making my way through this list. I‘m currently on my 7th from the list 3w
Hooked_on_books That‘s the only one for me that‘s been a dud so far, but I‘m not a fan of childhood memoir, and she spends a lot of time on her childhood, so I‘m just the wrong reader for that one. I‘ve checked off 10 so far, 6 to go! 3w
73 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

Kari Ferrell was known as the Hipster Grifter in NYC after articles published gave her this moniker after the discovery of some of her scams around 2009. In her new memoir, she recounts the scams she ran on friends and family, from elementary school in Utah (after being adopted from Soith Korea), through young adulthood in Brooklyn. Terrell‘s scams targeted those closest to her. Though I typically love to read about scams, this missed the mark.

Suet624 A scammer just trying to scam you with a so-so book? (edited) 3w
fredthemoose I‘m in the middle of this and feel the same way! A list of crimes just isn‘t that compelling. I think it‘s going to be a bail for me. (edited) 3w
Chelsea.Poole @Suet624 right??! It‘s like I should have seen this coming 😝 3w
Chelsea.Poole @fredthemoose it really doesn‘t get any better! 3w
66 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Conclave | Robert Harris
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Mehso-so

I had higher hopes. Interesting beginning, but I found the middle to drag. But that ENDING! Worth it for the end alone, which totally took me by surprise. Now I want to watch the movie.

Bookwormjillk I watched the movie last weekend, but haven't read the book. It was worth watching I think. 3w
Bookwormjillk I watched the movie last weekend, but haven't read the book. It was worth watching I think. 3w
Lesliereadsalot The movie is excellent! 3w
vivastory I've been wanting to watch the movie but definitely want to read it first. I don't know if this is still the case but at one point, Harris & Hornby were brothers-in-law 3w
Tamra I loved the movie more than the book. 😄 3w
71 likes5 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
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#WPNF25 longlist
This was a fascinating read about a period of human history I knew little about, the Viking age. I appreciate the way this was organized; chapters were focused on universal human experiences such as “love”, “play”, “beginnings” and “endings”. I found it fascinating to learn how anthropologists have learned about the people living during this time period using artifacts found in bogs, drawings, bones, burials, and more.

bibliothecarivs I heard part of this interview with the author on my local public radio station a few days ago. I need to finish it. https://radiowest.kuer.org/show/radiowest/2025-02-25/the-hidden-histories-of-the... 1mo
squirrelbrain I started this but it didn‘t grab me. I barely read any, though, and your review makes me want to try again. 🤔 1mo
TheKidUpstairs Did you do audio? I started this as a physical book, but like @squirrelbrain it wasn't grabbing me right off the bat so I picked up something else. But I'm on hold for the audio so I'm thinking I'll try again to listen to it. 4w
Chelsea.Poole @TheKidUpstairs yes, I listened to this one and I really enjoyed it. I can see that the physical book would be more difficult to get into. 4w
81 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
February | Ellen Jackson
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February 25 wrap up
I‘ve been on a roll, carrying my momentum from January into February. The entire bottom line (minus the first: Supercommunicators) were graphic novels/photo book, a format I‘m loving these days.
Second row: the only fiction titles!
Favorites:
By the Fire We Carry
I‘m laughing because I‘m crying
Isola
Y2K

sarahbarnes Wow! 👏 1mo
BarbaraBB Impressive! 1mo
Gissy Amazing🤩📚🎉👏👏👏👏I wish every month I could read more books, be a faster reader. But no...it is not happening, keep trying☺️ 1mo
76 likes3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

Another fine enough listen; this one is a true crime story from Australia…and the title pretty much sums it up! Apparently this is a sensational case everyone knows about there, though it was new to me, as an American. The author speaks to the listener as if we already know what happened so the very beginning of the book pretty much gives up all the events in the first couple of sentences. Well reported court case of a disgusting crime.

79 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

This is the first read from our new thriller book club at the library. I thought it was pretty entertaining and the motivations of the “bad guys” made sense. Set in a fictional apartment building in NYC, the “new couple” find themselves in the middle of several mysterious events. There‘s murder and greed, relationship dynamics, new money, questionable neighbors, tarot readings, and sightings. It has it all. Ok, as an escape read.

ShelleyBooksie Look at those pretty sharpies!! 1mo
BarbaraBB @DebinHawaii You could add this one to your cover collection! 1mo
DebinHawaii @BarbaraBB Right? The bright-color handwritten font is pretty popular for thrillers! 😆 1mo
78 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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The characters were believable, the setting was great, plus there‘s a plot. This could very well be classified as a thriller but has interesting and original use of devices to propel the story. In this case, an old-money family becomes involved with a tech start up, which brings up moral conundrums about the use of technology. Not too tech-focused but mostly involved with the perspectives of a pair of friends turned sisters-in-law. Good audio!

89 likes2 stack adds
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Chelsea.Poole
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Very difficult subject matter. Brittany Means lived through a tumultuous childhood only to find herself in an increasingly dangerous relationship as she came of age. The abuse described in this book is horrific and mostly occurs when Means is a child. I have a hard time recommending this as it‘s just so brutal.

Amor4Libros I might regret this…Stacked! (edited) 1mo
82 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
49 Days | Agnes Lee
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Another moving graphic novel, but this one is fiction. I went in not knowing much about this book and that is definitely the way to experience this one. The illustrations are simple, yet beautiful and the story is moving. I learned about another culture and I was moved to tears. So good!!

65 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
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A collection of pieces about crimes: these articles go far beyond the typical, salacious facts of murders. These pieces focus on the societal implications of crimes such as the racism that led to the Asian spa shooting, the lack of prosecution of the despicable behavior of the elite, the unforgivable injustice of those sitting behind bars for crimes they did not commit, lynching in the Deep South. Amanda Knox on her treatment in the media. Good!

squirrelbrain Sounds fascinating- stacking! 1mo
68 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
Three Days in June | Anne Tyler
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What could be a saccharine tale in the hands of another author turned into a character study full of wit and quiet wisdom from the pen of Anne Tyler. The premise doesn‘t appeal to me: divorced parents are forced together during three days in June for the wedding of their daughter. But I loved it! Tyler has a way of elevating the mundane into meaningful and potent observations of human nature. I need to read the backlist. Also recommend: duck lamp!

Karisa Adorable lamp! 😊 1mo
squirrelbrain Love the lamp! I wonder if the book will be on the WP longlist? 1mo
youneverarrived The lamp - my daughter would love that lol. I need to check if my library has this book. 1mo
See All 8 Comments
AmyG I just got this and am so happy to hear you liked it. 1mo
Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain I have noticed this mentioned in several prediction videos. Of course, I‘d be happy if it made the list! I can never predict these things, lol 1mo
Chelsea.Poole @amyg I hope you‘ll like it as much as I did. 1mo
Chelsea.Poole @youneverarrived @Karisa they are perfect to read by! I got each of my kids one for Christmas with the secret plan to steal them for reading purposes occasionally 😉 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain I'm thinking we'll see either Tyler or Strout on the list this year 1mo
80 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Somna: A Bedtime Story | Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay
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A new graphic novel added to a library in our consortium…sure I‘ll give it a try. The hold comes in and woah, no clue what this was about or the graphic (erotic!) content. This is a witch-burning, demon nightmare/crossover into real life full of sex, murder, sinning and judgement in 1600s England. I appreciated the use of two styles of illustrations, from the two creators. It really added dimension to the work.

69 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
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I popped into the bookstore while my oldest son was with his tutor. This book jumped out at me and reminded me to check it out at the library. I did read the first few pages there. Is that stealing? I‘m not a bookstore person, at the library, this is encouraged!

thecheckoutstack Definitely not stealing 😀😂 1mo
Chelsea.Poole @thecheckoutstack 😉 I never buy anything (I‘m always just going to borrow it from our library) and I get in my head about it lol. They‘re in a college town and seem to be doing very well, based on the amount of sales happening during my 45 minutes there so I felt ok about just hanging out 😊 1mo
Lesliereadsalot I‘m the same way. My library will order anything if they don‘t have it so I only buy books for my Kindle if I‘m going on a trip. I love bookstores and I feel free to read anything when I‘m in one. Not stealing! 1mo
kspenmoll My experience in bookstores is that they really don‘t mind that you‘re sitting there reading or looking at book. often it‘s OK. I even take pictures sometimes of books so that I can get them at the library! I might buy 1 book to be supportive, esp if it‘s an Indie store. 1mo
88 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

A memoir of journalist Emily Witt‘s trips and wild parties often with her love interest/object of obsession Andrew. She describes a few experiences that I found interesting (Ayahuasca, specifically) but mostly it‘s a repetitive journal of the hard partying scene in nyc. The second half of the book included some more of her experiences covering stories for various publications. Less than impressed with this.

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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Totally unexpected how dark this would get! I read this just knowing Sarah Moss as a British literary fiction author (I‘ve only read Ghost Wall but need to change that!) with no idea what this would be about. From an unhappy childhood with “the jumbly girl” and “the owl”, her parents, to lifelong mental struggles, this was dark but so worthwhile. She wrestles with her own thoughts throughout, “that‘s not how it happened you stupid girl!” More⬇️

Chelsea.Poole Constantly doubting herself and her memories of her past. Which is what I would assume many authors of memoirs may struggle with—I know I find myself questioning my own memories. But this is done in the voice of her mother in Moss‘s head—critical, dismissive, and without care or love. Just horrible parents, but *they* thought highly of themselves, of course. Dark but excellent. 1mo
sarahbarnes Wow, I didn‘t know she had a memoir. I want to read this. 1mo
squirrelbrain Great review! I tried this on audio but it didn‘t work for me. I thought it might be on the WP long list but I‘ll still get to it in print at some point. 1mo
youneverarrived Fab review! I‘ve put this on ‘hold‘ while I focus on women‘s prize books but I was really, really liking it. She‘s an amazing writer. 1mo
94 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

I fell into the hype with this. Mostly it‘s what I already knew: find common ground, make connections with people rather than talking “at” them, practice active listening.
I think I mistakenly assumed this would help me crawl out of my introvert shell, but no book is likely to work that miracle! Not a bad book, and definitely one many people should read to help to understand each other better. We need more of that these days.

87 likes2 stack adds
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Chelsea.Poole
The Night Guest | Hildur Knutsdottir
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Pickpick

I forgot to review this. I listened to the audiobook mostly, but needed the physical book to read the ending to find out what I missed/misunderstood listening. But guess what? I still have no clue what actually happened at the end. I don‘t need a neat and tidy ending but I also don‘t love it when I feel like I‘ve missed something. This seems to be purposeful. Still, I enjoyed this propulsive and quick read. I was anxious throughout!

AudiobookingWithLeah Yeah, I think I relistened to the end twice. It was definitely disappointing. 1mo
88 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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It‘s obvious Yang put time into getting to know the 4 women featured in this book. Her care of the topic and them is evident. However, as a listener of the audiobook I became confused about the 4 different stories as we shifted from one to another. The beginning grabbed me, as did the realities of women‘s experiences in China. Focusing on the work (or lack thereof) for Chinese women and the struggle of the laborers/inequality of classes. #WPNF25

TheKidUpstairs I've got this one out from the library, I think it'll be next for me after I finish 1mo
91 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
Three Days in June | Anne Tyler
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Today is a federal holiday, so I‘m taking the day to rest and read. Here‘s the short stack, plus listening to Sarah Moss‘s memoir “My Good Bright Wolf”.
Banana oatmeal cookies are baking in the oven, there‘s snow outside, the coffee is strong, and the fire is burning.

FashionableObserver Ummm…I‘m heading over for a cookie! LOL! Seriously though, enjoy your day off! ♥️🍪📚 1mo
TheBookHippie Zen. 1mo
Ruthiella Sounds like a perfect plan. ☺️ 1mo
squirrelbrain Lovely! ❤️ 1mo
youneverarrived Sounds lovely! 1mo
90 likes5 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Again, a famous person‘s memoir that I read without having any idea who the author was prior to reading the book. Neko Case is a singer-songwriter whose early life was defined by her mother‘s lies and raised by her distant father. Obviously, this would have hit harder had I known the artist but I still enjoyed the listen. Some unbelievable choices made by her mother! I‘m going to seek out her songs.

AmyG She is very good. My favorite album of hers is Fox Confessor Brings the Flood 1mo
kspenmoll She is a wonderful musician! I did mot know she had a memoir out. 1mo
Chelsea.Poole @amyg @kspenmoll thanks! I‘m looking forward to listening! 1mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian I love Neko Case and am looking forward to this memoir! I love Fox Confessor Brings the Flood too, as well as her album after that, Middle Cyclone 1mo
86 likes4 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
What Moves the Dead | T. Kingfisher
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Mehso-so

I don‘t know why I read books that I know aren‘t for me. In this case, it was because it‘s a read-alike for the HBO show The Last of Us (loved and can‘t wait for season 2 in April!). The mushroom/mycelium content was cool but I‘m just not into horror and fantasy. A retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher, but nothing really grabbed me. Read this for the atmosphere but not plot/character.

review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

A polar vortex is about to hit the Midwest, just in time for a 91 year old matriarch to fall, requiring her daughter to come care for her from London. The use of the snow storm to represent dementia (from the older mother) and hazy memories (from her daughter) is striking. The two struggle as they navigate hosital/rehab/care facilities and insurance. Family drama is touched upon. I loved this graphic novel memoir! Keep them coming!

mcctrish This sounds good 2mo
sarahbarnes Great review! Sounds intriguing. Love that Poppi flavor, too. 😁 1mo
96 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
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“I wrote this book because I believe the American people need to understand that the legacy of colonization is not just a problem for Indigenous peoples but a problem for our democracy.
And, selfishly, I wrote this book because the story lived in my body and I needed it to come out.”

AnnCrystal “the story lived in my body and I needed it to come out“ 👏📚💝. 2mo
Librarybelle I think this one was well done. 2mo
charl08 I just copied this quote and then scrolled down to see you were ahead of me. So powerful. 1mo
79 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Heartbreaking, maddening, unbelievable what the white man has perpetrated against the Native American people. This should be required reading, in order to understand the systematic way people were removed from land, the way entire ways of life have been destroyed. This begins with a crime and a legal battle over tribal lands and jurisdiction which I felt was a great way to introduce the many and varied ways tribes have been denied rights.

squirrelbrain Great review! I (almost) started this earlier today. Had to stop after the prologue to go do something else. 🤨 2mo
Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain it‘s so good, feels like it‘ll be hard to top, for me. 2mo
See All 10 Comments
squirrelbrain I‘ve thought that about all 3 I‘ve read so far…. 🤷‍♀️ Which is fabulous, really, that we get to benefit from such great books. 2mo
Suet624 I haven‘t read this one, but I‘ve read so many heartbreaking stories over the last 50 years of how we‘ve screwed Native Americans that I‘m not sure I can read another. But the more reviews I read of it I may just have to. 2mo
WildAlaskaBibliophile Have you read Killers of the Flower Moon? This true story is also heartbreaking, maddening, and unbelievable. 2mo
AnnCrystal
Difficult History 😢📚💔❤️‍🩹💝.
2mo
AnnCrystal @WildAlaskaBibliophile that story was crazy, a masterpiece, yet absolutely scary crazy. I kept checking if it was indeed nonfiction! 2mo
TheKidUpstairs My audio hold on this just came in, started it on my walk to work today! 1mo
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review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Another graphic novel memoir, which I‘m realizing is my new genre sweet-spot. I loved the way Maurice brought the reader through his childhood, enjoying time with his mother, a looming presence in his life, then coming of age through middle age. The use of color is masterful here. I am also here to explore therapy with my characters so this just ticked alllll the boxes. Deals with sexual repression, Christian conservative family, set in Toronto.

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review
Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

I‘m a sucker for books about con artists. However, when a book is authored by the con artist it makes me wonder how much is true. Tanya is persuasive and well spoken and shares many of her crimes. I guess I have no choice but to take her at world that this is all what really happened. Shares her early days of going after what she wants—Michael Jackson! and later details of prison life, relationships and of course financial crimes.

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Chelsea.Poole
Three Days in June | Anne Tyler
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A Spool of Blue Thread made me a fan. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant was brilliant. So when Anne Tyler publishes a new book, I read it! Hopefully I‘ll get started this weekend.

TiredLibrarian I'm waiting for my library hold on this one - looking forward to it! 2mo
Cathythoughts Nice picture ❤️ 2mo
MemoirsForMe Yay Anne Tyler! 🙌🏻 Ladder of Years made me a fan. Hope my library hold comes thru soon. 2mo
youneverarrived Ohh I didn‘t know she had a new book out 😍 2mo
78 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

I was braced for some tragic and painful writing, which there is some of that, but I was impressed by Youngmi‘s ability to package it all up in a straightforward, and at times even sarcastic tone. She covers her years spent in Korea and growing up her parents‘ home. Then struggles in the US dabbling in substance use which never stuck, then her relationship with Danny, of Mission Chinese and their son‘s birth. Family bonds - culture - I LOVED this!

CBee Sounds great!! 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures This was one I was eyeing for the Women's Prize, I have it on my TBR anyways glad to hear you liked it! 2mo
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review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

What do the living owe the dead? How do we deal with victims of mass killings? Families need closure and people deserve to be buried/put to rest with their names in places their loved ones can visit. We are human because we have rituals to honor the dead. All of these topics come up while Hagerty describes her profession of handling bones in Argentina, uncovering mass graves of victims of the genocide there. Sobering work but important.

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review
Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

I loved the perspective of a 102 year old doctor who‘s focused on treating the whole person. Here, she focuses on what matters most in life, essentially how to be happy/content even when facing challenges like grief, illness, the breakdown of a marriage (drags her ex husband and I‘m here for it). I listened to the audio which featured a few clips from Gladys. The main problem for me was the “heal your cancerous tumor by fasting” vibes. Like what?

JenniferEgnor You might be interested in this podcast. The last sentence you gave here gave me those kind of vibes…they talk about this kind of thing on the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conspirituality/id1515827446 (edited) 2mo
Chelsea.Poole @JenniferEgnor definitely interested! I am on hold for the audio of that podcast, with the same name. I really wish I made more time to listen to podcasts, but I‘m always listening to books instead. Have you listened to the podcast? 2mo
JenniferEgnor @Chelsea.Poole yes, all the time! 2mo
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Chelsea.Poole
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#WomensPrizeNonfiction25 longlist

I am so pleased the Women‘s Prize has included nonfiction in their awards. I may be more excited about this than the fiction 🤫 This second year is quite the list! I‘ve only read two:
Autocracy Inc
Why Fish Don‘t Exist

I already had By the Fire We Carry checked out so it‘ll be my first read of the others. Looking forward to several here! A few aren‘t published in the US yet.

Chelsea.Poole #wpnf25 is better lol 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Why Fish Don't Exist is the only one I have read, thought I do have Autocracy, Inc on hold at the library now and I am exited for it. I am surprised by fish? Maybe it is just out now in the UK, but it was published here in 2020 and I just sort of thought it was okay. Did you enjoy it? 2mo
youneverarrived I‘m more excited about it too! Did you like Why Fish Don‘t Exist? It sounds really interesting but it‘s one of the few that I can‘t get at the library or on audio so I‘d have to buy it 🤔 2mo
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squirrelbrain Yes @ChaoticMissAdventures - Fish is only just out in the UK. Same with Tracker - @LeeRHarry told us that it was published 7/8 years ago in Australia! 2mo
squirrelbrain Yesterday, I wasn‘t going to read this list - I was going to concentrate on the Fiction list. I now have a spreadsheet and (almost) all of the books either borrowed or reserved. 🤪 2mo
Suet624 @squirrelbrain that‘s really impressive! 2mo
Chelsea.Poole @ChaoticMissAdventures Autocracy is a very timely read 😳 2mo
Chelsea.Poole @ChaoticMissAdventures @youneverarrived it was so long ago, I had to go back to see what I said about Fish…turns out I liked it! Lol I do remember rearranging my way of thinking about the way we organize animals/the world around us. I don‘t remember anything about the man she focuses on! But I liked the parts about her own life, and, as a memoir reader, that makes sense. 2mo
Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain there‘s just something about a list!! I feel that! 2mo
squirrelbrain @suet624 - not impressive, just a bit nuts! 🤪 2mo
86 likes10 comments
review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

If you enjoyed The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman, this is the logical next book to read. It‘s difficult not to compare the two, but they are very different books. I really liked both! This one is much more conversational, and features many asides about the author‘s personal experiences. Shade is the same age as me, so this book just HIT! I loved revisiting many moments in the 2000s: teen stars, rap, politics, 9/11, financial crisis, etc.

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review
Chelsea.Poole
The Erratics | Vicki Laveau-Harvie
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Pickpick

Vicki and her sister are estranged from their parents, living an isolated existence in Canada. Finally, after years of shutting everyone out, EMS arrived on the scene when her mother had a fall. The daughters enter their parents‘ lives again and discover some disturbing stories about what‘s been going on: their mother (difficult, ill)has been controlling their father. The memoir takes place in the fallout: in the hospital, caring for their father.

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review
Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

The subtitle says it all: lots about food (love that!) and feminism (same!). I don‘t know Geraldine DeRuiter outside of this audiobook but I found her delivery and take on a wide variety of topics relatable (hello, anxiety!). I chuckled several times and loved the takedown of the fancy dining scene where they don‘t actually give you food! Apparently she went viral for her blog post about Mario Batali and his horrible cinnamon rolls and behavior.

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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

I‘m firmly rooted in the book world, so I often discover media, people, and content via book deals. Here‘s another delightful read from an entertaining host of a podcast, with the same title as the book. Laci Mosley is also an actor and comedian. Had no clue, but I enjoyed her take on the fact that most things in life are a “scam” and we should run scams too! Lighthearted but with some depth. I am a new fan!

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