This was between a pick and so-so for me. There was non-stop action, but I figured out the mystery relatively early in the book. With that being said, there were lots of great twists before you reach end ⭐️⭐️1/2 #AxeTheStacks

Thanks for the tag @Crazeedi 😘 🌸 I desperately wanted to be a truck driver! I still love the smell of diesel fuel! 🛻 🌸🌸 I usually get up immediately, but if my blankets are especially snuggly.... 🌸🌸 Be the Change You Wish to See in the World 🌸🌸🌸 Blue! Come and play @Leftcoastzen , @NeedsMoreBooks , @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm , @Trashcanman

Thanks @TheSpineView and for the tag - I‘m just a bit behind this week! 💜 Broken in the Best Possible Way by Jenny Lawson. 💜💜 This is a hard one because there are so many I like! But today I will say Unicorns because I‘m reading unicorn books to my nieces this week!

I discovered this great site the other day! Go on to the website and click to help provide books to children in need. There are many sites tied to greater good(e.g. breast cancer funding for mammograms, animal shelter support, donations related to Autism research.) I‘ve set this as my home page so I can click everyday!

Another great conversation at the LA Festival of books! I didn‘t realize that Kristin Hannah had family on the Canadian prairies- love her even more now! I‘d also never heard of “How Much of These Hills is Gold”,” but loved what C. Pam Zhang shared so am excited to add her to my shelf!

🇨🇦 The world has so many beautiful sights, but my happy place is on the plains of Saskatchewan. I now live in California, but home will always be the Great Plains if Canada. 🇨🇦 My favourite sounds are thunder (big in Saskatchewan) and the crunch of snow under your boots. 🇨🇦 Currently my part of California is overcast and 55 F (13 C). Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView

This was a brilliant collection of short stories that has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. These very sharp stories are exactly what you need if you crave the unexpected. Exquisitely written with a great economy of words, each story was brilliantly executed. Even when I thought “What did I just read?”, I loved it! Can hardly wait to read more from Davies!

Such a beautiful, tender book that allows us to understand the world through the lens of a unique narrator. This was the first Ishiguro I‘ve read and was completely enthralled by it. He has the ability to paint vivid pictures in very simplistic prose. Gorgeously written and such a treat to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #AxeTheStacks

Absolutely loved the Fiction Makes the World Go Round conversation at the LA Festival of Books. These authors provided great insights about character development in their books and talked about inspirations for the stories. Great panel and I can hardly wait to read each of the books!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is important to recognize that people from different racial, cultural, socioeconomic, political, and religious backgrounds can find common ground. Kindness, respect, and a genuine desire to help is what brings the characters in these books together. I didn‘t agree with some of the tenets of the authors, but they left me feeling hopeful about the ability for us to start healing the deep wounds of racism and hate. #AxeTheStacks

Spent a great hour yesterday afternoon listening to these amazing authors in conversation at the LA Times Book Festival. I‘m sad I couldn‘t be there is person, but am so grateful I was able to appreciate the magic of zoom. Normally I try to avoid lots of screen time during the weekend, but this was worth every single second!! Can hardly wait to read both of these!

This is an audacious, fantastic, & completely unsettling book that everyone should read! The author has a singular voice that tells a wholly unique story in both prose and poetry. It took me a few pages to love this style, but by page 30 she had me!!! Such a refreshing and unexpected ride! If I could give it six stars, I‘d ask for seven! Thanks to @Lindy for writing the review that pointed me in this direction! #AxeTheStacks

McLain creates yet another strong, independent, fearless woman who forged her way in a world where women were expected to play a very different role. Set in the 1920s in Kenya, Beryl Markyam, a record setting aviator, is caught in a love triangle with Dennis Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen (Out of Africa.) I don‘t usually read this type of book but McLain is just such a good writer I couldn‘t resist! #AxeTheStacks

Simply amazing! Need I say more? Can hardly wait to hear more from this astounding woman! #AxeTheStacks

This was an interesting mystery about the intertwined lives of three characters. The author very successfully let each of these charters narrate their own stories. An interesting plot with a slight nod to the tension of Gone Girl. A good, quick read that is a nice mental escape. #AxeTheStacks

I am a huge Frida fan and was really excited about reading this book. While there were some interesting anecdotes about Friday‘s life, there were too many moments when the author simply speculated about Frida‘s actions. Maybe it was because I was expecting a different kind of book, but this left me a little flat. On the upside it is very well written and the author presented the info in an engaging manner, but it just wasn‘t for me. #AxeTheStacks

Thanks for the tag @Crazeedi 🌸Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 🌸🌸 Yucaipa, California, USA 🌸🌸🌸Sadly, I am an only child 🌸🌸🌸🌸 Crosspatch the Lion ( I still have it!) Come and play with us @Texreader @Nute @kaysworld1

One more shout out for the LA Festival of Books! The poets they have invited look amazing and the sessions are FREE!!! So impressed they are doing a children‘s stage. A great way to introduce the sumptuousness of language to little ones!

This was a truly engaging, twisty, and surprising mystery. I was able to predict the ending at about the half way point, but the journey to that ending was surprising. I loved that the story was told from the perspective of four different characters- a great way to move the plot forward that keeps you guessing! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻1/2 #AxeTheStacks

A well written book with an interesting premise for a murder mystery. The story starts when a young girls‘ family vanishes from her life and then fast forwards 25 years to the anniversary of the disappearance. There are some good twists to the story and the ending is a nice surprise! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 #AxeTheStacks

An absolutely beautiful book about friendship. My best friend for literally all of my life sent this to me a couple of months ago. We have had a tough year in terms of losing people to Covid, so she got this very special book for me. Such a great story. The pictures are of us through our life together. #AxeTheStacks

I was just bemoaning the fact that the LA book festival would not be held again this year because of COVID-19, but was delighted to discover that they are doing their festival on line. There are tons of free events and you get to watch them from the comfort of your own home. Just thought I‘d share!#LaBookFest2021

This was such a spectacular way to spend a Friday afternoon! It was an amazing reading/discussion/living with my people. Jenny Lawson attacks the issue of mental health in such a funny, honest, and brutal manner. Having lived With a major depressive disorder for most of my adult life, it was amazing to be with my tribe and this amazing author. I loved this book! #AxeTheStacks

I am really behind on posting anything, so I‘m going all the way back to Easter. This is what was in my basket on Easter morning! The bunny knows me well.🐰

Thanks @Enchanted_Bibliophile for this great question! When I need to feel empowered Gloria Gaynor‘s “I will Survive” is one of my go to songs! There‘s nothing like singing it at the top of my lungs! What do you like to listen to @rather_be_reading @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm and @Ruthiella ?

Thanks to both @TheSpineView and @Eggs for the tags! 🎧 I don‘t listen and read at the same time. I like creating my own voices for characters! 🎧 I like to listen to books during my commute or when I‘m seeing, cooking, or knitting. Lets me get more things done while not cutting down on book time! Tage @Nute @NeedsMoreBooks and @Prairiegirl_reading

An old favorite that I have wanted to reread for a long time, it‘s has been on my TBR for ages. It‘s a fairly predictable love story, but it is written with Montgomery‘s gentle style. Kilmeny is not Anne or Emily, But a rather traditional figure who waits to be rescued by the man she loves. I read this when I 12 and thought it was magical. Now, not so much but still a lovely trip down memory lane. #AxeTheStacks

This is an eloquent and deceptively simple collection of stories but this talented author. The characters are ordinary people caught in snippets of their ordinary lives. The prose is unfussy and voice of each character clear. I am disappointed in myself for letting this astounding collection sit unread on my shelf for such a long time. #AxeTheStacksApril⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

This book got off to a slow start but the depth of the storyline and the delicacy of the writing won me over by midpoint. The story presents an all too plausible picture of slavery and the horrors faced by a fiercely independent woman forced to live under the tyranny of an unjust society. A great debut for this author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 #AxeTheStacksApril

A book that celebrates the search for belonging and self as well as family and displacement. The use of an earthquake as a metaphor for the challenges faced by the author worked well and provided a great framework for the events of her life. I‘m looking forward to reading more by this talented author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #AxeTheStacksApril

I am absolutely abysmal at reading challenges. My tastes wander and I tend to be impulsive in my choices. However, I am ready to take on the #AxeTheStacks challenge! Thanks for offering this great challenge @howjessicareads and thanks to @kaysworld1 for pointing me in its direction!

Learning to love and care for yourself can be a challenging journey. I watched my Mum deny herself the things she wanted because “someday” she would take the time to practice self-care. She was always busy taking care of others and put herself last. I wish she‘d been able to read this book. It is funny, insightful, and brutally honest. So, Today I‘m going to buy myself some “lilies,” whatever they may be! 🌸🌸 #AxeTheStacksApril

Calling all poetry lovers! A university close to where I live is offering this zoom event. If you‘re interested in registering, go to scrippscollege.edu and scroll down to the Events link. I‘ve gone to several of their virtual events and they are usually very good!

Thanks for the #thoughtfulthursday prompt @MoonWitch94 ! 🤓 I should read outside but my comfy inside chair calls my name as soon as I pick up a book! 🤓I‘m not doing any challenges because right now life is challenging enough! Come and join the fun @readordierachel , @Branwen , and @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego

A little late (as always) but enthusiastic non-the-less!! 🌸 Miriam and Laila in A Thousand Splendid Suns, Nel and Sula in Sula; Lily and Snow Flower in Snow Flower and the secret fan. 🌸 I always have multiple books on the go 🌸 London. Thanks for the game @Eggs ! Come and play @kaysworld1 , @Kappadeemom , and @DinoMom

Happy Unbirthday @Lizpixie 🥳 What a great idea for a giveaway!! Here are my entries: 70‘s - The Bluest Eye; 80‘s - The Colour Purple and Hand Maid‘s Tale; 90s - Into Thin Air; 00‘s The Book Thief; 10‘s - Americana and Nickel Boys. #lizpixie50thUnbirthdayGiveaway

I found Hyacinth Hippo today and had to share. When I was seven I desperately wanted to be a ballerina for Halloween. I lived in Saskatchewan where it is very cold and snowy in October. My Mum let me go as a ballerina but I had to wear my tutu, tights, and leotard over my snowsuit. I looked just like Hyacinth. Massive costume fail that year! 🩰 Just thought I‘d share!

This was a deeply moving story about Japanese “war brides” told in a pluralized first person narrative. The agony of their arduous journeys from Japan to the U.S. were described in a heart breaking, almost poetic manner. Their great expectations were shattered as they lived in silent submissiveness based on tradition but exploited by the British realities of their new lives. Heartbreaking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A beautiful book driven by richly written characters. It is so easy to get lost in these pages as Chiyo beguiles the reader as she was trained to beguile rich and powerful men. It always amazes me that a male writer could write so compelling from the perspective of a young woman and capture her inner voice so accurately. A beautiful read - thank goodness for spring break and having the time to reread this treasure! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Best Mother-in-law ever! After I was married 25 years ago, my mother-in-law and I were out shopping & saw this beautiful figurine. At the time, I commented that if we ever had children I would love to have something like this to mark their birth. Well, we didn‘t have children but this is what showed up on my last birthday. My mother-in-law has remembered all of these years how special this was and she found one for me. She is amazing! ❤️

Thanks @Kshakal for the tag! 🐶 yes. When I drive to work my commute is about a four hour long round trip. Audiobooks are what keep me going on the freeways of Los Angeles. So much nicer to get lost in a story then to pay attention to the people who are yelling at you!🐶🐶 I love to listen to classical music or music for meditation. Come and join the fun @KatieDid927 , @Babs_book_obsession , @HardcoverHarlot , and @joyofbooks 😃

“Sometimes I‘m convinced that the world wants to shut me up, that I‘m better off holding myself into a million little pieces.” This is a beautiful coming of age story of Julia, who is the perfect protagonist for this story. She is strong, curious, hopeful, and not afraid to dream. I enjoyed every word! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a sad, tender, beautiful, and hopeful book. This was written with such gentleness about relationships that develop during a turbulent time in the history of the world. The time line moves between the 1940s and current day life of the MC, Henry, and his life as an Asian-American during the time of Japanese internment. I was thoroughly captivated by the story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#windsofmarch #blossoms. l‘m not sure what the tags are for and what game I‘m participating in, but I have two trees in my front yard that are blooming like crazy so I decided to share! Spring is so amazing!

Thanks to @Enchanted_Bibliophile for the tag!! 🌸 Crocuses! When I lived in Canada, one of my favorite springtime moments was watching the crocuses pop up from beneath the snow. A definite sign spring was right around the corner.🌸 No, it just gives me more places to read! Join the game @Nute , @Curiouser_and_curiouser , @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm , and @NeedsMoreBooks 🌸

When I first read this bookI had difficulty connecting to the concept of left neglect & the impact it would have on someone‘s life. Then my Mum (pic) had a stroke that left her with left neglect. As I reread this book today I was struck with the painstaking detail Genova uses to describe this truly debilitating disorder. I was also struck by how accurately she described the pain this disorder brings to patients & families alike. Just brilliant! ❤️

This book was built on a great premise but overall the story was just not that interesting. This is “book one” in a series, and it felt as if the author spent more time introducing characters than developing the plot. Even the end, which was really surprising (and I loved) was just a cliffhanger for another book. If the story had been more plot driven I would definitely be on the lookout for future books in the series. But after this..Meh 🤷🏻‍♀️

I enjoyed this book on many different levels. The title was just too much fun - I had to buy it based solely on the title! It was really interesting to read about how women living in a patriarchal society find small ways to express personal freedoms in their lives. An interesting study of the roles of men and women living in a traditionally male dominated society. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @Mitch for the wonderful SpringSwap gifts!! The books are divine and each are being placed at the top of m TBR! The cards, the bags, and the chocolates are wonderful!! I haven‘t had Maltesers for years and don‘t plan on sharing a single one with my husband! This was such a lovely box of joy to open today and I thank you for your kindness and generosity! ❤️💕❤️ Thank you!

Such a wonderful splash of springtime glory!! Thank you @Mitch !! I can hardly wait for the opening to begin! 🌸🌻🌸