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Cortg

Cortg

Joined June 2016

So many books, so little time
review
Cortg
The Black Bird Oracle | Deborah Harkness
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I‘m so happy DH continued the All Souls series! Matthew and Diana are back and this book revolves around Diana‘s higher power, her father‘s family (the Proctor‘s) and where the twins stand with their powers. I loved all the new Proctor characters, the ghosts, the Salem stories etc! This book made a blah week so much better! *I had to use my Bodleian Library bookmark for this one 😀

Texreader Im looking forward to this and was so happy too that she‘s continuing the story 3d
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3d
Bec_lectic Book+hammock+dog= Perfection 3d
Cortg @Bec_lectic Pretty much! I was recovering from nose surgery and this really was pretty perfect ❤️ 2d
28 likes4 comments
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Panpan

This was recommended to me by a colleague and though I do enjoy weird books from time to time, I just couldn‘t get into this one. It was like Beauty and the beast but the beast was a worm like monster disguised as a human who falls in love with a human whose awful family is hunting the monster. It just wasn‘t for me.

Cortg @dabbe So true! 😂 5d
28 likes2 comments
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We Could Be So Good | Cat Sebastian
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I really enjoyed this historical fiction romance story between news reporter Nick and newspaper owner‘s son Andy. The story did a great job of depicting NYC in the 1950‘s for gay couples.

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The Covenant of Water | Abraham Verghese
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This is a slow burn of a read. I loved the story and the characters and this was probably the best ending to a book I‘ve ever read. *I took my kindle on a backpacking trip in Wyoming and my son snapped a picture of me reading by the water ❤️

Ruthiella If you hadn‘t indicated that you were in the picture, I would‘ve missed it! You almost blend in to the scenery! 😅 2w
Cortg @Ruthiella Thanks for taking a second look! 😊 1w
38 likes2 comments
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The Measure | Nikki Erlick
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This was an interesting concept for a book. It made me think about life and living and it has some great discussion topics for a book club. My big question is what happens with life insurance after the strings are released? If you have a short one, can you sign up for insurance knowing you don‘t have long to live and how does insurance companies respond. That‘s my big question.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I wondered the same! 2w
Cortg @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m so glad I wasn‘t the only one! 😂 2w
36 likes1 stack add2 comments
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The Fireman | Joe Hill
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I really enjoyed this story! I could see some inspiration from The Stand, HP‘s the phoenix, Fahrenheit 451 etc. Basically a mushroom spore sickens people and causes them to burn up so the world is in the midst of an apocalypse. A group of sick people find themselves at a summer camp turned commune of sorts but when a division occurs, survival is amped up. I loved that Martha Quinn keeps their hopes up 😂

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Kantika: A Novel | Elizabeth Graver
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I finished this one last week for book club but forgot to take a picture and write a review! Overall, this was a great read. The author researched and interviewed her Jewish family heritage, shared pictures, but published it as fiction. There were a few odd parts where a story either started or ended abruptly, but I learned some things and enjoyed the strong female role models that were highlighted.

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Rouge | Mona Awad
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Mehso-so

This one caught my attention for the first half as I was curious and intrigued as to where the story was going, until it began to drag, only to finish with an underwhelming ending. It‘s a weird one, but after reading Bunny, I knew I was in for something strange.

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I adored Curtis‘s stories of growing up Chinese in Detroit in the 70‘s and 80‘s. He shares stories about being one of 6 kids, helping out in his family‘s Chinese restaurant and his coming to terms with being gay. Just delightful. Also, Chin reads his memoir which is an added bonus.

26 likes1 stack add
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A.J Jacobs is a delight to read. I loved his Year of Living Biblically and was thrilled he wrote about the Constitution. It made me chuckle and it made me think. My book club chose this as our November read and I plan to do a reread with a physical copy the next go round and maybe even bake an election cake to share 😊The audio I just finished was read by Jacobs.

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Erasure: A Novel | Percival Everett
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My NYT Best 100 Books of the Century reads. There are quite a few on the list I have no interest in. 😂 The tagged book is my favorite.

StaceGhost I just ordered Erasure! The movie is so good 2mo
Cortg @StaceGhost Yay! The movie was good, but the book?! Possibly one of my favorite reads of all time 😍 2mo
StaceGhost @Cortg that‘s so good to hear! The movie was assigned for a class I took this summer and I only just found out there was a book, too! We had a lot of reading so I think the professor didn‘t want to distract us lol 2mo
39 likes3 comments
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I adored this story. Three generations of Vietnamese women whose stories intertwine; telling the tales of immigration, relationships, motherhood, regrets, secrets, love, loss, healing and moving forward. I loved that the Banyan House tied them together and I enjoyed hearing Minh‘s voice after her death.

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The Unsettled: A novel | Ayana Mathis
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This one was an okay read for me. I felt it didn‘t really stand out and a few parts just kinda skipped ahead leaving a bit of a hole in the story, unless my mind wandered, which very well could have been the case. 😂
The grandmother‘s story just kinda felt there. Ava made so many terrible decisions. Cass is an ass but I had all the feels for poor Toussant stuck in the middle at a young age trying to process life.

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It‘s been a slow start this year but I finally got my kayak on the water and enjoyed a lovely sunset paddle for dinner with some friends ❤️

Read4life Beautiful picture! 💙💙💙 2mo
Cortg @Read4life Thanks 😊 2mo
28 likes2 comments
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1960‘s. This is the story of a couple that flees America to seek asylum in Ghana. It quickly turns into a cat & mouse chase, love triangle, crime story. This wasn‘t a favorite but crime stories aren‘t usually my jam.

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I really loved everything about this story. I loved Julia and her fiery personality. There are a lot of big coming of age topics topped off by being the child of undocumented immigrants that occur throughout and seeing Julia learn and grow from them was great. I think a lot of high schoolers can take a lot away from this one.

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Berry Pickers | Amanda Peters
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This was such a great summer read and a debut novel to boot! The story is told from two points of view, Ruthie/Norma and her brother Joe, from a Mi‘kmaq family in Nova Scotia. During the summers, the family relocates to Maine for the blueberry picking season. When Ruthie is four, she is stolen and raised by an affluent couple. I loved how well I got to know both Norma and Joe and the writing is quite beautiful. This book needs more readers!

LiteraryinPA I‘m planning to start this soon! Thanks for the awesome review! 3mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one!! 💜 3mo
Cortg @LiteraryinLawrence I hope you enjoy it 😊 3mo
Cortg @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Glad you loved it too! 3mo
31 likes4 comments
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#WhatsNewWednesday I‘ve been feeling old at work lately; so many new, young staff now! During dinner my daughter told me my playlist sounds like Marshall‘s music! 😩

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Feeling the same! 3mo
Bookwormjillk Not old, vintage 😁 3mo
Read4life I go with ‘classic‘!! 💙 3mo
24 likes3 comments
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I also finished this audiobook on my drive. I was familiar with 4 of the 13 trials. The book makes its way through history. A little dry but informative. Many people seem to not care much for the final trial with Stormy Daniels but I liked hearing about how the topic of witches has evolved and how it‘s perceived on multiple sides/views of today‘s culture.

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The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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My daughter and I listened to this on a roadtrip. She had not read the first one and was still able to follow along just fine with a quick summery. Not sure I loved it as much as the original but it was still a delightful read.

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My sister and I helped our nephew lay out some plans for his future to include registering for community college and money investments. We‘re all super excited. Fingers crossed he follows through now 🤞🏼#WhatsNewWednesday

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James: A Novel | Percival Everett
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This is excellent! I‘ve read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn multiple times as kid and need to do a reread now. I loved the story from Jim‘s POV and Everett‘s twist on his education. So, so good!

36 likes2 stack adds
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#WhatsNewWednesday I‘m late to the game this week! My daughter and I celebrated #21 with a NYC weekend getaway and were fortunate to see TWO books to musicals! 🎭

tpixie This is amazing 🤩 What a great celebration 🎉 3mo
Sace Sounds delightful! 3mo
Read4life Wonderful update. Thanks for sharing 💙 3mo
Leftcoastzen So cool! 3mo
27 likes4 comments
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How to Say Babylon | Safiya Sinclair
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This is a beautifully written memoir! I started reading the physical copy and immediately picked up a cadence, not realizing at first that Sinclair is a poet. I was recommended the audio as she reads the words herself and I ended up switching back and forth because her words are brilliant and I loved both reading the words and listening. I learned a lot about the Rastafarian lifestyle and beliefs and look forward to my book discussion tonight!

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My library branch partnered with the SCA and had a Renaissance Faire for our summer reading kickoff on Saturday. It was one of the best events we‘ve had and so much fun! I really do have a great job 😊
#WhatsNewWednesday

tpixie This is amazing!!! 🤩 3mo
Read4life Fantastic! 💙💙💙 3mo
kspenmoll What fun! 3mo
30 likes3 comments
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Wandering Stars | Tommy Orange
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I really enjoy Orange‘s writing style and storytelling. This prequel/sequel ties in Orville‘s family lineage dating back to the late 1800‘s as we learn about each generation‘s story. We are then brought into the more present time as we learn about Orville and his family after the powwow. So much to think about after closing this book. ❤️

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This book talks about America‘s low income & poverty housing in Milwaukee, WI. Desmond did such a thorough research, he moved into these housing areas to get to know both the tenants and landlords called ethnology (new vocabulary for me.) He shares stories of the people who have been or continue to get evicted from their homes; the how and the why and also the side of the landlords. It‘s really sad all around and reminds me how fortunate I am.

Aimeesue I agree. This was a very sad book. 3mo
35 likes1 comment
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Long Way Down | Jason Reynolds
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This is a reread after seeing the musical. My first read was the original when it was first published. This go round I picked up the graphic novel version which I preferred. The illustrations really added to the story and because the book was written in verse, I think all the wording was kept rather than simplified as is often the case with graphic novels?! ❤️
PS The musical was awesome!

Daisey I thought the original was great, and I need to pick up the graphic novel. 3mo
29 likes1 comment
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Got a mini vacay in with the fam. We rode roller coasters, played mini golf, lounged poolside, fine dined and played games. We also met up w/ my daughter‘s childhood bestie for some shopping. Kid #1 is now on the road cross country for a year+ of adventures. My heart is full ❤️ #WhatsNewWednesday

Smrloomis Awesome!! What a cute bunch. Love the pink hair! 4mo
Cortg @Smrloomis Thanks! That‘s the bestie whose favorite color is PINK 😂 4mo
Read4life Sounds like an amazing time! 🤓 4mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds awesome!! 👏🏻 3mo
32 likes4 comments
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Long Way Down | Jason Reynolds
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Caught up with Jason Reynold‘s talk at the Olney Theatre from last night over my morning coffee while on vacay. I can‘t wait to see this show next weekend ❤️ ❤️❤️

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Dear Wendy | Ann Zhao
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I‘m not the intended reader for this one, but it takes place at Wellesley College and I wanted to get a glimpse into campus life from a recent grad. Dear Wendy is one of many instagram pages on campus. A second page, Dear Wanda, pops up causing some feuding. It‘s also about friendship and sexual identity. I did recommend it to a colleague starting a queer book club because, though kinda overdone, it opens a lot of positive LGBTQIA+ discussions.

31 likes1 stack add
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My son finished his college classes! He‘s off to Wyoming for an internship and other adventures for the next 14 months or so. I‘ve been tasked as primary caregiver for Sir Wiggles, his banana ball python. I‘m learning. 😬 #WhatsNewWednesday

julieclair You are a brave mama! But I must say Sir Wiggles is pretty cute. 🙂 4mo
Tamra 😅 I don‘t envy you, but I do your son! I love the landscapes of WY. 4mo
hannah-leeloo Gorgeous python, I love the banana morph 4mo
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dabbe 😱😱😱 4mo
Cortg @julieclair He is pretty cute. Super chill, too 😊 4mo
Cortg @Tamra Yeah, he‘s doing his thing. He‘ll be an outback ranger for a nat‘l forest! I look forward to living vicariously through him 😂 4mo
Cortg @hannah-leeloo Thanks! 4mo
29 likes7 comments
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My Effin' Life | Geddy Lee
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Hubby‘s favorite band is Rush. We had a couple of roadtrips together recently and listened to Geddy‘s book. He read it himself, which was nice. I enjoyed his stories and how close the band is/was with each other. It was a bit long but otherwise a good read. I enjoyed the stories of his earlier years best.

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Brought my girl home after moving her out of her dorm, surgery, and her followup after an orbital floor fracture. I‘m happy to have her home for the summer. Fingers crossed her double vision clears up ❤️

Mimi28 Hope your daughter feels better soon and you are okay too 🫶🏽🙏🏽🩷😊😉🌸 4mo
dabbe Sending good thoughts your way. 💙🩵💙 4mo
Crazeedi Many prayers for complete recovery ❤️ 4mo
Read4life I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery. Having our college kids home for the summer is so wonderful! 4mo
29 likes4 comments
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This was a great young adult read about the case Juliana vs The United States. Twenty-one children got together from different parts of the country and sued the gov‘t over climate change. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 and, I believe, is still ongoing. Holding the government(s) accountable for their participation in global warming and hearing the children speak about their future and their expectations makes for a powerful read. ❤️

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Bride | Ali Hazelwood
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I enjoyed Hazelwood‘s vampire/werewolf world and appreciate the mystery she added. I‘ve read 1 of her 3 Love Hypothesis books and 1 of her 3 STEMinist novellas. If this one continues, I‘ll probably stick to just this one out of repetitiveness, even though it was a fun read.

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Untitled | Unknown
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I‘m fairly new to using a sewing machine, but thanks to some amazing coworkers, I‘m learning. Last week I made an up-cycled bag to carry my book and a few odds and ends for a trip this week. It‘s been so convenient and my new favorite thing! #WhatsNewWednesday

TieDyeDude That's great that you found support in your new crafting! Great project. 4mo
Read4life Looks wonderful! 4mo
Ruthiella Nice work! 🤩 4mo
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So awesome ❤️ 4mo
julieclair Wow! Love this! 👍 4mo
22 likes6 comments
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This is a heavy read. It‘s deep. It‘s complex. The characters, the issues, the world. It‘s scary because it‘s not far from current issues and the brink we are living with climate change and covid. I‘ll be thinking about this one for some time. There‘s so much to take in and absorb. It‘s interesting that Butler‘s ideas of the world in the 90‘s are not too far off from what we are living in ‘24. Exaggerated, but not by much.

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Long Way Down | Jason Reynolds
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I am so freaking excited about this debut musical! I purchased tickets for the end of the month. Eeek! 🤗

ChaoticMissAdventures Ohh my goodness! You will have to let us know how it is. The book is so amazing and a great set up for a play. 4mo
24 likes1 comment
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After listening to this book last week, my library copy hold came in. I like seeing the pictures after listening and after flipping through the physical copy, I kinda wish I read it rather than listened in this case 😂

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The Art Thief | Michael Finkel
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This is kind of a fascinating true crime story of art thief Stephane Breitweiser. The amount of art he stole in less than a decade is unbelievable and he kept it all in the attic of his house. The audio was about 6 hours long and is my May book club‘s choice 😊

mcctrish This book blew my mind 5mo
Cortg @mcctrish Right?! It‘ll be a fun book club discussion for sure. 5mo
32 likes2 comments
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My son is planning a thru-hike next summer on this trail and I‘ve taken a few backpacking adventures on the Appalachian Trail so I enjoyed learning about the Pacific Crest Trail and search & rescue. My son is looking at National Park and/or Forest careers and possibly search & rescue so it was a great way to explore what a career like this would look like. My heart breaks for the families of the missing.

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@DebinHawaii It‘s been a good week ❤️ The tagged book is my current audiobook. @Graciouswarriorprincess Share your positives! #5JoysFriday

DebinHawaii What a lovely joy list! 💛💛💛 I love time in an arboretum-it‘s good for the soul. Thank you for sharing the joy! 🤗 5mo
24 likes1 comment
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The Hacienda | Isabel Caas
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This was an excellent haunted house story taking place during the Mexican Revolution. This definitely has Rebecca and Mexican Gothic vibes with a priest bringing me back to an all time favorite, The Thorn Birds, though a witch. What can I say, I was addicted.

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Parable of the Sower | Octavia E. Butler
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Glad I took an extra “just in case” book with me on my travels. It‘ll come in handy with an unexpected extended stay.

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Horrorstor: A Novel | Grady Hendrix
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This book was a hoot! I thoroughly enjoyed it but so curious to see how my bookclub will receive it. I‘ll think of this story on every future Ikea visit.

DGRachel It took me years to be able to set foot in an IKEA and I‘ve only done it once since reading this book. I nearly had a panic attack going through there. 😂😂 5mo
Cortg @DGRachel Oh no! I kinda feel like I should visit one in the next week or so to get it over with 😂 5mo
40 likes2 comments
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Horrorstor: A Novel | Grady Hendrix
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Glad I grabbed my book when I headed out for lunch because my kid landed herself in the ER and I‘ll be here for a few hours. 😬
I‘m grateful I‘m in town for her but sad she won‘t be able to perform in her musical this evening with a concussion

Eggs Oh no 😬 I hope she feels better soon ♥️♥️ 5mo
RaeLovesToRead Hope she is OK 💕 Enjoy zombie IKEA xx 5mo
TheBookgeekFrau Hope she's ok! 🙏🏼💕 5mo
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh no!! I hope she feels better soon ❤️‍🩹 5mo
Cortg @Eggs @RaeLovesToRead @TheBookgeekFrau @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thanks for the well wishes! We‘re still here and she‘s in good spirits with a broken cheekbone. Waiting on a 2nd cat scan 😬 I‘m so thankful I was in town this weekend. 5mo
Eggs @Cortg Oh ouch 🤕 sending hug and prayer🙏🏻 5mo
34 likes6 comments
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Heathers the Musical | Kevin Murphy, Laurence O'Keefe
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Hanging in Boston this week to watch my daughter perform as Veronica Sawyer in the Heather‘s musical. The live performance will be new to me. I also get to hang with my parents, hubby and some friends in the area ❤️ @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude

Read4life Have a wonderful time! 💙💙 5mo
17 likes1 comment
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The Sentence | Louise Erdrich
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I‘ve been wanting to read Louise Erdrich for a while now and I went into this blind. It took a bit to sort out who/what the story was about but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. Might be worth a reread in 10-20 years to relive 2019/2020. I currently have 2 books going with ghosts involved in the plot which is quite unusual for me 👻

Tamra I‘m ready for a reread of this one! 5mo
Cortg @Tamra Go for it! It‘s def a reread-able book! 5mo
35 likes2 comments
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Erasure: A Novel | Percival Everett
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This book, IMO, is perfect! 10/10. Definitely going to make an effort to read more of Everett‘s writing and I‘m going to try to watch American Fiction tonight. *It‘s not “new” just a newly purchased library copy 😉

Avanders Just bought this this weekend! 5mo
Cortg @Avanders Good choice! I hope you enjoy it! 5mo
42 likes2 comments