Struggling to make sense of the sudden death of a friend, someone with children and so much good left to do in this world. A memory popped up from a book I read several years ago, and can't help but be drawn in to the struggle described in it as the "intolerable grief of being alive", and how true that must feel for my friend's family right now. The price of love is inevitably a broken heart, and yet it is worth the pain to love...

I've been trying to go slowly with this one and just read one story a week, but it is getting harder to do. If you like bizarre, almost magical, yet a feeling that is melancholy and somehow almost hopeful, this short story collection will likely be for you. I still have a ways to go to finish, but I am absolutely loving it so far!

Seven Fallen Feathers was a very difficult book to read, yet so very important. The same can be said for this one so far. I am one essay in and have a heavy heart, yet am continuing to learn, which is the most important thing.

I'm in a bit of a reading slump in that I don't have the ability to concentrate for long, however my goal for the Choose Your Own Goals Readathon is to finish the tagged book, and get started on one of the new ones I have recently purchased. I also would like to listen to audiobooks at least 15-30 minutes each day.
#marvelousmarch #marvellousmarch # readathon #chooseyourowngoals @Andrew65

#LitsyLoveReadathon continues...

I have moved on to A Pattern Language for a bit. Celebrating 5 years of #LitsyLove (although my involvement does not go back that far) is such a good excuse to break out one of the books I've been meaning to tackle more thoroughly.
@LitsyLove @StayCurious @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Continuing the #LitsyLoveReadathon in celebration of #LitsyLove being 5 years old. Got started with about 15 pages of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Will get to A Pattern Language later today, but first heading out for some time with my two favourite guys (partner and 🐕).
@LitsyLove @StayCurious @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

So it's been 5 years of #LitsyLove (although not that long for me) and I'm celebrating this weekend with the #LitsyLoveReadathon and setting my own goals, albeit small ones. Goals in comments ⤵️
@LitsyLove

"It would seem as if all the unwanted children would stick together and be one against the things that were against them. But not so. They hated each other as much as the teacher hated them." p. 150

"They learned no compassion from their own anguish. Thus their suffering was wasted." p. 159

(As a teacher, reading the descriptions in this novel of how casual the adults were about judging/mistreating children is just a series of gut punches ?)

1. Very much depends on my mood, however I can say that people throwing cigarette butts on the ground is bound to boil my blood pretty much any day.
2. It's a tie. An overly Pollyanna-ish outlook, or being overly reliant on another character to be "complete". (Don't get me wrong, I love my partner & would struggle immensely if I lost him, but I'm not an incomplete human without him; life is just better with him here)
#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

UPDATE: Clearly I did an old one, but it was at least the 1st time I've done it 😆
1 - difficult to say for sure, but could be Stephen King, Toni Morrison, or Octavia Butler. Louise Erdrich, John Steinbeck, and John Irving are up there too.
2 - in a comfy chair by a campfire or next to the lake
3 - usually no because work interferes, but occasionally yes.
@Eggs #wondrouswednesday

I'm clearly *very* late with this post, but thank you Litsy friends. These last 6 months have been terribly exhausting and your kindness has always made me smile when I need it most. @lovesbooks87 @BookwormAHN @Librarybelle

I usually purchase from my local indie bookshop but noticed that the paperback version was 33% off on Amazon.ca this week so finally ordered it. I've been wanting to purchase this one since it came out and somehow never got around to it.❤️📚

Taking advantage of the time between arrival and forced bedtime at my sleep study, to come back to this book. I chip away at it a chapter or two at a time, and then set it aside for many months. I do like it, for some reason just can't take it all in at once.

I realize this sounds hokey but I'm giving this one a shot. Usually I would have taken a hard pass as at a glance it comes off as 'you too can be superman and conquer life to be better than all the chumps around you!'...but I heard it highly recommended on a podcast I love & am willing to be open minded given I feel so drained of every last ounce of energy that my will to do anything beyond survive is nonexistent. Continued in comments..

"As she read, at peace with the world and happy as only a little girl could be with a fine book and a little bowl of candy, and all alone in the house, the leaf shadows shifted and the afternoon passed."

Had a New Years party with my God-children tonight, but was sure they would be in bed early enough that I could read myself into 2023...it's 12:40 and I'm just sitting down with my book now. Their parents may not be thrilled with me, but I caved and figured now they have something to brag to their friends about. Guessing most 7 year olds didn't see midnight. Lol

Received this super special book made just for me by my 6 year old nephew, Harry Potter: Monsters On The Loose. He even put an author's photo on the back 😍😍😍 Such a special 🎁. Don't fear though, Harry saves the day by putting his wand up the monster's nose and then casting a spell 😄

The extra snow and closed roads over Christmas provided a great opportunity to read more than usual. Between my usual slow reading pace & the fact that I am trying to savor this one & take it in slowly, I'm still chipping away. Being able to curl up with this cozy blanket I was just gifted & this perfect #jolabokaflodswap book is living the life I dream of for months leading up to Christmas holidays! Thanks again @ReadingRachael - perfect choice!

While my husband is outside snowblowing trails for our dog, I'm yet again curled up inside reading. (There were banks 8-10 inches higher than our Berner's back so he kept getting stuck 😄) 3 full days with all roads/highways closed, and even now on the 4th day some are still closed and travel is not recommended. This is the most reading time and least pressure I've felt over Christmas is a long time. Very thankful for a working snowblower though!

Could not be more excited about the #jolabokaflodswap. Thank you so very much Rachael! This is the one book that I had decided if it didn't magically get chosen out of my giant TBR, I would buy myself in the new year, so I can't wait to curl up in my blanket. Plus the chocolate & gorgeous metal bookmarks! There is so much snow that the roads have all been closed, so no pressure to go away tonight.
@ReadingRachael @MaleficentBookDragon

My beautiful snow baby absolutely *LOVES* this blizzard. I don't mind the snow, but I'm happy to sit inside tonight in front of the fireplace with my chai and rereading parts of Wintering ❄️📚❄️

#jolabokaflod package has arrived...can't wait until the 24th to relax and enjoy some reading and chocolate!
I had my husband look to make sure things were wrapped so I didn't accidentally spoil the surprise...super cute wrapping!! 😊
#jolabokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon

According to the tracking, my #jolabokaflodswap package has arrived at its destination! @MaleficentBookDragon

I had heard just enough to know The Library at Mount Char would be a weird, dark, trip into a bizarre world, and it certainly was that. There is absolutely no way to try and sum this one up. Although nothing like Geek Love, I still felt some serious Geek Love vibes, and I totally loved it! Not sure what that says about me though 🤔 Makes me want to light up my creepy beeswax Medusa candle and start on my next book, Moon of the Crusted Snow.

I didn't get a pic of it at the post office, but #jolabokaflodswap package went out today! Should arrive by the end of the week 😊 #jolabokaflod @MaleficentBookDragon

Didn't get a whole lot done this weekend beyond lesson planning, but did manage to sneak in enough time to get my winter gnomes out (this is Hilde) and pick up a copy of The Song of the Cell. I can't wait to read this, although I suspect I won't have the available brainspace until July 😕

I could not be more excited - my signed copies of The Sparrow and Children of God have arrived!!! Of course, this is the one time my dog Meelo wouldn't pose. Oh well, it's maybe better I don't let him near my good copies. He'll just have to pose with the ones that are dog eared and falling apart from use #marydoriarussell #meelo

Only 1 kid came to the door tonight, but had 4 on Saturday @ least. Now settled in for creepy nighttime read by flashlight

@ShelleyBooksie sent me this *AMAZING* Haunted Hallow Swap package! The bookmarks and everything in the notepad holder are gorgeous. I'm so glad the card is in there saying who created it so I can check out more from them. And the book/ereader sleeve! 😍 Books also seem like my kind of disturbing read, now to decide which to read first. Is it wrong to enjoy a snack while reading The Hunger? 🤔
@wanderinglynn #HHS #hauntedhallow #hauntedhallowswap

Work is insane in ways I can't cope with right now, so digging into everything familiar...same old reading chair, nothing but re-reads, and same cute pup next to me. He's even named Meelo after a character in The Sparrow and this novel. I hate feeling so overwhelmed, but at least I can read without taking in any more new information

A quick #thisorthat for a cold autumn day - going to light some candles and curl up with a book again now 😊

@wanderinglynn #HHS package arrived today - can't wait for opening day!!

@ShelleyBooksie - the 'Boo!' and stickers totally made my day 👻🎃

#hauntedhallowswap package is boxed and going out the door! Try to ignore the fact that it is in a massage gun box (massage gun not included) 😄 #HHS
@wanderinglynn

#HauntedHallowSwap #HHS #HHS22
👻
Thanksgiving (but just because I get to go camping 🏕)
Scary Maze
Scary costume
🌽 Maze
🥧 always, *always* pie
Make (assuming I had time)
Get a treat; give a trick 😄 (but follow w/giving treat)
Drink one if I can choose what it does!
Neither. A series of mini-binges.
@wanderinglynn

#HauntedHallowSwap #HHS #HHS22
Halloween vibes collage 3/3
This one is just for fun. Where I went to high school has a family that does The Skeltons of Vivian Line each year. There is a new skeleton display daily in the 2 weeks leading up to Halloween (some years a whole month!) I don't live in the area and have to follow them online now, but this was my fav one last year. @skeletons_of_vivian_line on Instagram
@wanderinglynn

#HauntedHallowSwap #HHS #HHS22
Halloween vibes 2/3
Fall vibes involve straight up scary but also general creepy w/ a bit of psychological thriller. Some favourite fall movies are: House of 1000 Corpses (trilogy), The Descent, The Shining & Beetlejuice. Just getting into the show Severance and love it. Oddly, I found Blair Witch Project very unscary/boring. Loved the tagged novel. I like most candy/chocolate, pictured are some favs
@wanderinglynn

#HauntedHollowSwap #HHS #HHS22 Q No.3
Halloween vibes collage 1/3

Although I don't necessarily go all out with decorations (Sept/Oct are just crazy busy at work most years), my vibe is definitely a dark one. I generally do not have the cute decor or costumes, unless of course the event has to do with young kids. All of these candles are ones a friend of mine makes and I would actually have in my home.
@wanderinglynn

#HauntedHallowSwap Q no. 2
#HHS #HHS22

1. Definitely a huge timberwolf!
2. Not Halloween related, but fav creepy book is Geek Love. House of Leaves was also interesting
3. None...eyes glued to the screen the whole time. Then completely incapable of sleeping for days.
4. Old classics, either Monster Mash or Purple People Eater
5. Beetlejuice or House of a Thousand Corpses (although neither are specific to Halloween)
@wanderinglynn

So excited for the #HHS22 - bring on the spookiness! 👻 #HHS @wanderinglynn

Tomorrow is my oldest brother's 46th birthday; the day after that is exactly 10 years since he died suddenly. Since that day two cousins (also just in their 30s) and a nephew have also moved on from their physical time on earth. So many people have had their lives upended in different ways, but continue to love these people and carry them with us.
I have reread this book a few times & always connect with the practical 'this shit hurts' approach.

Despite the title saying practical, past experiences had me thinking it would be more philosophical, but much of it was very practically based in supporting a dying person. I'm not currently in this situation, but glad I read it now with a clear head & can keep as reference material. Now to sit down with my husband & make clear death plans. I thought I had a clear idea & people around me would know my thoughts/intentions...(continued in comments)

1. Beloved (honourable mention to comic Bitch Planet)
2. Butler, Octavia E. (HM - Ray Bradbury)
3. Better Off Ted (true TV gem)
4. Tie b/w Blue Oyster Cult, The Beatles, & Beastie Boys (HM - Billie Eilish & Billy Idol)
5. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse (HM - Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer by Old Crow Medicine Show)
#manicmonday #LetterB @CBee
These may, or may not, be representative, but it's what is coming to mind atm 🤷‍♀️

Still chipping away at this one. I really am loving it but it isn't one I can rush through.

"Embarrassment, as it turns out, is more powerful than information. And shame is the enemy of truth."

I don't think I will ever get sick of this cover - it is just gorgeous 😍 I find myself taking my time reading this one because I don't want to be done. Sure it will look good displayed cover forward in my barrister bookcase, but I don't exactly sit and stare at that so I'd rather have it with me for a bit longer. Am I the only one who does this sometimes?

#bookhaul for today. Not a huge stack, but a great Maya Angelou find. I've read several Lisa Genova novels so have high hopes for this one too, and Family Trust just seemed like a good concept. The blurb saying it's like a mash-up between The Nest and Crazy Rich Asians had me completely sold!

Coffee on the porch this morning while starting this book. I never would have picked it up if Jeff from Book Riot hadn't sold the idea so well on the podcast...and I am so into it!

Reading on the dock for the evening. Perfection. Hope everyone's weekend has been a good one!

Not my usual genre of choice, but my husband bought this for me. Overall an enjoyable read & I'm giving it a pick. I would prefer to have a book that focuses on the expectations & dangers of being a woman, to actually be written by a woman. Feels squicky to have a man explaining our experiences to us. That being said, he did a decent job & must have had a good team of editors/actually listened to the women around him. Content Warning in comments.

1. Yes!
2. Overdue, Well Read Black Girl, Levar Burton Reads, and several Book Riot ones (The Podcast, For Real, and Get Booked)
3. Good question 🤔 It probably would be mostly me reviewing books exclusively by how they made me feel, rather than what happened in them. I 100% connect through emotion vs plot/theme/picturing in my head.
@ozma.of.oz #sundayfunday