Loving this one!!! You were right @jenniferw88 it‘s riveting!!!! I love the antics of Lev Wood and his buddy Boston
#ReadingAfrica22 So far I‘ve visited #Rwanda #Tanzania and #Uganda
Best type of travelogue - an adventurer who never complains or passes judgment

This is Mama Fina, the Ugandan witch doctor, Florence a baby vervet he rescues and a picture of Lake Victoria- the believed source of the Nile.

After traveling with Levison through the Arabian Desert, I‘m super psyched to be Walking The Nile with him for #ReadingAfrica22 😊

Really glad I chose this for #FoodAndLit - a look at what life was like for a family of 9 sisters / 2 brothers as their lives changed drastically once the Taliban enter #Afghanistan 💔Especially poignant as now they are back in power😡 interesting article https://theweek.com/afghanistan-war/1013344/this-is-life-in-afghanistan-since-th...

I don‘t do well with allegories and this book was so short I didn‘t have time to connect to Samuel, a lighthouse keeper living alone on an isolated island with his memories & demons. Set in an unnamed African country, a body washes ashore surprising Samuel when he discovers the body is still breathing. I wanted to like this book but honestly I was bored. #NetGalley #ARC

Thanks to #pop22 I picked up this audio from #Hoopla about Tiger Woods and was quite riveted!! It covers Tiger‘s early rise to golf stardom as well as his father‘s humble beginnings & drive to see his son succeed. Starting with Tiger‘s infamous accident on Thanksgiving 2009 & ending with his public apology in January of 2010 this book has right amount of scandal and fact. I‘d like to learn more as this book is somewhat outdated. #TigerInTitle

In typical fashion, I‘ve forgone my #WeeklyForecast and started an audio for #FoodAndLit - #Afghanistan

I‘m in the middle of 3 books…I‘m loving the Tiger Woods unauthorized story (it‘s pretty scandalous😅) enjoying my IRL bookclub pick - Cult of We (Adam Neumann is really unhinged) I‘m struggling with my #NauticalNovel #Booked22 - it‘s a slough but I see/ think there‘s potential so I‘m sticking with it.
Two #ARCs for #NetGalley and one for #ReadingAfrica22

A wonderful title for a book that really is full of sorrow and moments of bliss. Martha, a woman nearing 40 has lived her entire life with an unnamed, undiagnosed mental illness that not only effects her life but everyone in her life..from her parents, sister, lovers, husband, aunt, uncle , cousins & acquaintances. I laughed out loud several times as Martha is sharp, witty, insightful, self aware & snarky. But there‘s a lot of pain too. 👇🏼

I LOVED almost EVERY BOOK this week…standouts were Tell Me, Bread the Devil Kneads, Rob Lowe & Latecomer. Sorrow & Word were both very good only Dark Circles & Happy At Any Cost left me unhappy 😜

Thought I‘d read another from the #WomansPrizeForFiction22 #Shortlist
I‘ve heard lots of good things

Shortlisted for the 2022 #WomansPrizeForFiction and maybe my front runner…..
Alethea Lopez is living in Trinidad , nearing forty & trying to survive the daily grind of past traumas & her current situation - an abusive relationship with a once famous local boy band member. Written in Creole, this story weaves all the colors, tones, flavors of the Caribbean. When Alethea‘s past collides with her present new opportunities arise for sorrow & hope.

“The history of slavery is the history of the United States” but sadly most of us have been given a whitewashed education. So Clint Smith gives us the history lesson we all should of been taught. By visiting several historical sites linked to the Civil War, we first get the “official “guided tour version & then Smith respectfully & insightfully poses his own questions & observations. Very well done. A bit repetitive but that‘s the point.

Just the title of the novel is enough to get my vote for 2022 #WomansFictionPrize but I‘m pleased to say the writing, story, characterization are equally fantastic!! I‘m about 40% in and I can‘t put the book down!!!! I wish this was available on audio, as I‘d love to hear the book spoken in its native tone.

My #BookSpin for May
From @MallenNC #NYWD list….I still have a few more to read….

While I have much respect and admiration for Tony Hsieh the founder of shoe giant Zappos and was deeply saddened to learn about his untimely death,I found this book disappointing. It lacked depth and read very flat ( that could be due to the reader, very monotone). Somewhat ironic for a man who valued happiness above all else Tony seemed to always be chasing it, looking for more. It‘s true…Money can‘t buy happiness.

Starting this NF audio recommended by @Megabooks
The mysterious death of CEO and founder of Zappos
#Scribd
Going for my first #Bingo @TheAromaofBooks
My three bails last week are pretty darn helpful 😂😂

I just loved this refreshing, honest, heartwarming memoir by Rob Lowe. As a true #EightiesGirl I enjoyed looking back at some of the most iconic movies & actors from my younger days. Rob Lowe is such a genuine good guy, his charm really comes through. I‘m definitely going to listen to his follow up book. I highly recommend the audio version….If any of my #Pop22 Crew needs a book for #SetInThe80s this memoir would be perfect 🥰

Listening to this fantastic memoir from Rob Lowe. After he references the 1989 Oscar debacle, I had to go watch the opening number on YouTube. I didn‘t think it was that bad…it was funny as hell. I‘m loving this memoir & all the 80‘s nostalgia.
Here‘s the clip in case you want to watch Rob Lowe & Snow White dance, sing & flirt 😂 https://youtu.be/9mronRVvdmw

I wish I could remember who posted this book on their #Top21of21 list / it‘s REALLY GOOD!! Rob Lowe is adorable, self deprecating and super entertaining. Im loving hearing about his early years in Hollywood/ Malibu. #HooplaAudio

Without a doubt the best book/audiobook I‘ve read in 2022. A tender hearted emotionally complex story of a mother and son burdened with hidden desires and long held secrets. Stunning writing and sharp observations raise the level from ordinary to extraordinary. I still can‘t believe this was a debut. It completely blew me away and the narration was outstanding.

More of a slow burn mystery than action packed thriller - this book is available today!! When a celebrity is sent to a wellness retreat to regain her zen, she finds herself caught up in a local mystery surrounding the disappearances & deaths of several young women. Using IG, podcasts and Reddit threads this book feels very current. A slightly imperfect story but a fun choice for reading at the beach, park or pool. #BorrowNotBuy

This book is breaking my heart 😭😭

Simply amazing…audio is perfection ♥️tender hearted family drama
Mother & son, each holding unto deep-held secrets

Spent the morning at the hair salon trying to get I;to this #ARC #NetGalley

I think this might work better in audio

A temperamental starlet is sent to a wellness retreat to “re-focus” but instead of finding her zen she‘s thrust into a mystery involving the deaths of several young women. I like that twin sister Ava from Caine Dolan-Leach‘s debut Dead Letters is her enlightened sidekick.

#AvailableTomorrow #NewReleaseTuesday

#NetGalley #ARC #Audio ♥️🎧 This book covers all the messy, complicated, dysfunctional ways families & siblings hurt each other but also reminds us “so life goes”….I LOVED being immersed in the thorny branches of the Oppenheimer clan but TIGHTER editing was very much needed!!! This would have been 5 stars but I spent way too much tangled in unnecessary prose. The audio narration by Julia Whelan was outstanding 🙌🏻‼️♥️

OMG 😱 #MicDrop 🎤‼️ WOWZA!!! Did not see that twist coming!!!! This book/ audio is SO GOOD but unnecessarily overwritten. 100 pages could easily have been removed and Im only at 74% completed. Excited to listen to the final 25%!!! #ARC #NetGalley

#CampTOB22 #SummerCampSuggestions2022

I‘ve read one but I think it‘ll make for good discussion - the others I‘m curious about and I might have an #ARC or two 😉

I‘m curious to see what the final list will look like 🤩

Thanks for encouraging us to post our ideas @BarbaraBB #CampDirectorExtraordinaire xxx

Let‘s see if I stay on track…
Dark Circles is an #ARC publishing this Tuesday, so I probably should work on reading that one🤓

After 3 bails yesterday, I finally settled in with a wonderful audio #ARC ~ I‘m hooked!! Another #MessyFamilyDrama set in #NYC revolving around a prominent Jewish family, The Oppenheimer‘s. I‘m just LOVING EVERYTHING about this clever slow paced but brilliantly written story. It reminds me in some ways of CrossRoads by Franzen but I‘m just more engaged with this book.

This is a case of don‘t judge a book by it‘s cover - I had such high hopes but this book did not deliver. A family member poisons all 300 guests at a family gathering and we‘re meant to discover why. The why was so inadequate and then the “shocking” ending made no sense. NOPE 👎🏼 BIG DISAPPOINTMENT 😖

Besides my three bails today, I had a great reading week!!
I read 4 ARCs - 2 I loved Yerba Buena & Elektra - the other two were good #BorrowNotBuy (Fowler & Weiner)
I really enjoyed Black Mamba Boy and the Majesties was disappointing 🙄

Three bails ….I can‘t seem to settle on a book today 🤷🏼‍♀️

My daughter bought this because #CoverCrush and titillating blurb…. After 20 pages she bailed!! I‘m at 40 pages and slightly more intrigued. The cover really is stunning!!

A journey like no other. A heart wrenching yet hopeful story of young Jama, a boy from Yemen, who travels across Africa and Asia with nothing more than dreams, determination and the goal to find his father. What makes this book even more special, the events of WWII are on the periphery of the story leading to a fascinating background. Stunning narration #Hoopla #ReadingAfrica22 I‘m using for #Eritrea and #Djibouti

This book is heart wrenching- so bleak, yet you can‘t stop rooting/ hoping/ praying for young Jama - a Somalian boy searching for his father who he believes is a soldier fighting in Sudan. This works for many African countries so far - #Djibouti #Eritrea #Somalia #Sudan #ReadingAfrica22 #OutstandingAudio 🎧❤️🙌🏻

#NetGalley #Audio #ARC Another messy family drama - this started at rough for me but I ended up really enjoying. Three sisters are left a summer cottage in Maine, where their mother wants them to visit one last time before she requires them to sell the home. Of course each sister and their dying mother is holding unto secrets, regrets and disappointments. Wonderful narration held my interest and kept me listening. Needed tighter editing!

#UpNext #ReadingAfrica22 I think @Andrew65 said it works for #Eritrea so I‘m hoping 🤞🏽I‘m very curious to learn about Eritrea 🇪🇷

#AudioBaking I‘m enjoying parts of this book BUT it feels SO long….I feel like most books I‘ve read recently need tighter editing (IMO) #ARC #Audio #NetGalley - I do love the cover art

Jennifer Weiner, the Queen of Summer Sizzle is back with another messy family drama. And boy, is this one packed with secrets!! If you‘re looking for a summer escape this book is perfect, if you‘re looking for a realistic story this is a #BorrowNotBuy #NetGalley #AvailableMay10 #ReleasesTuesday

I haven‘t made a Bingo board in several months @TheAromaofBooks but there‘s 31 days in May, so why not?!!? #BookSpinBingo
My goal is to complete two bingo‘s 😁🎉

Friendly Reminder 🧡
Our #SummerHeat buddy read is just a few weeks away!! If you need to reserve the book or order a copy, now‘s the time!! We‘ll be discussing Seven Days In June the weekend of June 17-19.
More details to follow 🍒☀️🕶🍹🏝
If you‘d like to join us please comment below ⬇️
Looking forward to some #FunInTheSun
Love your hosts @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB

Once again my iPad is out of battery life so I‘m “forced” to pick up my Kindle. Reading the newest novel from #SummerQueen #BeachReadWriter Jennifer Weiner 💜#ARC #NetGalley #DoubleSpin

#ARC #Audio #NetGalley #SapphicNovel
A beautiful, mesmerizing story of Sara & Emilie - each harboring pain, loss, regret and family secrets.
Both looking to unburden their past, both too afraid to let go.
I LOVED this book 💜
Audio narration was excellent 🎧🙌🏻

#UpNext #ARC #Audio #NetGalley #FamilyDrama

One of the perks of volunteering at the charity bookshop is getting first picks on the new donations!! I was excited to see this beauty yesterday🥰It was on the International Booker LongList & it seemed to be well regarded. Apparently it‘s based on a true story -

Woohoo 🎉 Thanks for hosting @TheAromaofBooks
Here‘s my May #BookSpin #DoubleSpin
I love this day each month 😁💕

LOVING this - audio is 🫶🏼#NetGalley

Audio #Arc #NetGalley #AvailableMay3 #Tuesday Outstanding audio production 🙌🏻While it‘s titled Elektra, this is VERY MUCH Clytemnestra‘s story too. Three female protagonists, each in distinct and passionate narration share the years before, during & after the Trojan War. While I am familiar with parts of the tale, this book has captured parts I was not intimate with. Five stars and all the love for this #GreekReTelling

It‘s May!!! Yay!!!
Focus this week is on #ARCs and reading the #WomansPrizeShortList22
I‘m at 60% with Elektra - audio production is outstanding- good storytelling but if you‘re already familiar with Greek mythology there really isn‘t anything new being added.

#ReadingBracket2022 designed by @chasjjlee
This is so fun…but hard to choose
Check out @chasjjlee feed for the bracket template 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻