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Djspens

Djspens

Joined January 2018

Empty-nester and Gramma who has rediscovered her love of reading and buying books! #bookhoarder
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The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon
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White Teeth by Zadie Smith
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Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
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Djspens
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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This is my first order since we‘ve moved! Oh how I‘ve missed cheap book orders from #betterworldbooks! Building #grammaslibrary one(?) book at a time!

Suet624 So fun!!! 2mo
29 likes1 comment
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Djspens
Carnegie's Maid: A Novel | Marie Benedict
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I found this story very compelling. Andrew Carnegie was a ruthless industrialist turned philanthropist, giving away his fortune, promoting self-education by building libraries. Yet no one knows what caused the change in him. The author took from her own immigrant ancestors and added Clara Kelley to the story, an immigrant with a story of her own. She became Mrs. Carnegie‘s lady‘s maid, but did she also bring about this change to Andrew?

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Djspens
Beyond Ivy Walls | Rachel Fordham
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Picked up my next read! The story takes place in my hometown, Monticello, Iowa. The east coast author having done research from the Monticello Express archives, my family‘s long time owned local newspaper and talking to a local descendant of the Hoag duster factory, a main part in the story. Anxious to go to the author reading next week!

24 likes2 stack adds
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Djspens
First Lie Wins: A Novel | Ashley Elston
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars for the entertainment. A quick and easy cat and mouse read. This was the author‘s first in this genre, I hope she continues writing thrillers!

Pageturner1 oh that face 😁🥰 3mo
26 likes1 comment
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Djspens
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Pickpick

An entertaining whodunnit that kept me guessing til the end. A little corny but a quick, easy read. This is the author‘s debut novel, she‘s written several YA books. I would read more from this author!

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Djspens
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Pickpick

Shiloh says this was a good one!! Loved the narrators on the audio ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #dogsoflitsy #grammaslibrary #bookphotography #theberrypickers

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Djspens
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ love, friendship, despair and gaming. This book reminded me a lot of A Little Life, filled with complicated characters, engaging storylines but took me awhile to get through. #grammaslibrary

jewright I liked this book! 7mo
43 likes1 comment
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Djspens
Everyone Is Watching | Heather Gudenkauf
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ after enjoying her last book, I had high hopes for this one. It was a quick read, but I was disappointed in the simplicity of the story.

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Djspens
Everyone Is Watching | Heather Gudenkauf
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Today‘s book mail! Happy pub day! Always happy to support an Iowa author 😃

ShelleyBooksie Adorable book model! 2mo
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Djspens
Crow Mary: A Novel | Kathleen Grissom
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A cold snowy morning to finish this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ historical fiction! Based on the true life of Crow Mary, as she marries Abe Farwell, a fur trader, and the life they lived in Canada and back to her Crow land and family in the late 1800s. Such a well written story depicting yet another part of our history that makes me shake my head…. #bookphotography #grammaslibrary #kathleengrissom #litsy #crowmary

34 likes1 stack add
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Djspens
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about 1500‘s China. The story is fiction but the main character, Yunxian, authored a book in the 1500‘s documenting her treatment of patients.

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Djspens
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kristin Hannah‘s newest historical fiction does not disappoint!

Captivatedbybooks Oh my womb!!!! Who is that cutie furface?! 😍 9mo
Djspens @Captivatedbybooks that‘s my little 14 year old buddy Shiloh 🐶 9mo
MemoirsForMe Cutest photo of Shiloh! ❤️ 9mo
Teresereading I loved it 9mo
Traci1 Aww, Shiloh is adorable 9mo
43 likes5 comments
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Djspens
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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Excited to start Kristin Hannah‘s new book, in between commercials 😉😊🏈 #Superbowl

Brooke_H I‘m enjoying it so far. 9mo
marleed Kanzazzzz City! 9mo
Djspens I didn‘t get much reading done lol it was a great game! 9mo
42 likes3 comments
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Djspens
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 June is jealous of Athena‘s literary success so when Athena dies in a freak accident, June decides to take Athena‘s notes and publish them as her own. This story kept my interest but seemed to fall flat towards the end. My daughters tell me I‘m either too picky or possibly have ADD🤷🏼‍♀️ Let me know what you think of the book!! #dogsoflisty #truckreading #travelreading #grammaslibrary

JenReadsAlot That face 😍 9mo
Leftcoastzen 🐶awww! 9mo
PurpleyPumpkin I wasn‘t wowed by this one either. I enjoyed it but it didn‘t live up to all the hype for me. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 9mo
45 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Djspens
The September House | Carissa Orlando
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Margaret loves her new “old” Victorian house. So much so that when September rolls around and the walls bleed, the “pranksters” roam the house (just be careful Elias doesn‘t get his teeth in you), and the local priest attempts an exorcism, just follow the rules and you‘ll get through it. I enjoyed the author‘s writing style, and there was some humor thrown in. The build up towards the end was a little long, but I was satisfied with the ending. 4⭐️

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Djspens
Haunting Adeline | H. D. Carlton
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Mehso-so

This series could‘ve easily been one (shorter) book and I might‘ve rated it higher. It‘s dark, disgusting, spicy and gory, with all the trigger warnings. Glad I read it but definitely glad I‘m done. Do I recommend it? lol I‘m still not sure….

TorieStorieS Look at those sweet eyes!! 10mo
ElizaMarie Such a photogenic little pup! 10mo
jamield1911 Agree that the Cat and Mouse Duet could have both been shorter. I found Hunting Adeline a little TOO dark in parts but I think Satan's Affair was my fave! 10mo
HaleyAdene I only read the first book because it wasn't my cup of tea, however, HOW DARE this author/publisher make the third book a different cover? I know it's more of a prequel, but that is cruel to the people who loved the series lol 6d
33 likes4 comments
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Djspens
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Pickpick

I love S.A. Cosby‘s storytelling and this one is no exception! His books are great to listen to, too 🎧

AmyG They are. I listened to this one and it was excellent. 10mo
CoffeeNBooks What a cutie! 🐶 10mo
Sparklemn Love the pillow and the pup! 10mo
57 likes3 comments
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Djspens
Haunting Adeline | H. D. Carlton
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I‘ve had this book on my radar for a while, I love a good “dark and disturbing” book but I‘m not a fan of romance. Then my 1st grade teacher daughter read it, liked it, told me I shouldn‘t read it, “too explicit” she said. I instantly bought it and now am loving it!

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Djspens
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ this was an entertaining, though pretty unbelievable, story. But that ending…. So many eye rolls, went from a 4 star to 3 for me 🙄🙄🙄 #fluff

Jgacreations Oh good it‘s not just me! 10mo
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Djspens
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Pickpick

A book about me?? lol ok, maybe not…. However, I did enjoy the book and how everything tied together at the end. Kept me wanting to read more to see what happens.

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Djspens
A Light in the Attic | Shel Silverstein
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Merry Christmas to my little free library! Donated by my friends at book club 😃 #grammaslibrary #prettybooks

TheBookHippie How lovely! 11mo
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Djspens
The Word Collector | Peter H. Reynolds
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My father passed away this fall and this was a gift from our employees. My husband and I, along with my brother continue to run the weekly newspaper that my dad had worked at since he was 16. We bought it from him 20 years ago but he maintained an “office” in our building until his death at 85. Newspaper, ink and words were in his blood ❤️💔 I can‘t wait to see and read this on our town‘s story walk.

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Djspens
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Pickpick

Put this one on your Christmas list! Beautifully told story, these characters will stick with me for awhile.

ShelleyBooksie Adorable doggo ♡♡ 11mo
AmyG So cute! 11mo
35 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Djspens
It's Christmastime! | Bernd Penners
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My favorite tree, in my favorite room, my “library”! 🎄🎅🏼

Texreader Love it!!! 12mo
julesG 😍😍 11mo
42 likes2 comments
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🥰 this sweatshirt came today from 3 of my little grandkids for my birthday 🥰 my DIL is so thoughtful. And I‘m really enjoying this book!!

AmyG Perfect gift! 12mo
ravenlee 😍 12mo
37 likes2 comments
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Djspens
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I doubt she knows as many words at Six-Thirty but she makes a cute book model! I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Yes, there were a few eye roll moments but I found it had a great message and was entertaining!

Jari-chan I'm sure she knows all the right words 😉❤️🐶 12mo
JenReadsAlot Adorable! 12mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one! Especially six-thirty 🐶 12mo
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ShelleyBooksie What a total cutie ♡♡ 12mo
AmyG Awww what a cute photo! 12mo
rubyslippersreads She looks like a mini Six-Thirty. 11mo
55 likes6 comments
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Djspens
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I really enjoyed this one! I read a lot of historical fiction but this is the first I‘ve read about the leprosy colonies. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TheSpineView Gorgeous model! ❤️🐾 12mo
FlowerFairy Oh that sweet little face! 🥰 12mo
Bklover Omg I was looking at reviews for this book and came across yours. That is the cutest photo of the cutest punkin pie!!! ❤️❤️❤️ 10mo
Djspens @Bklover hehe thank you 😊 10mo
48 likes4 comments
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Djspens
Bright Young Women | Jessica (Author) Knoll
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I really enjoyed this book! Fiction intertwined with true crime. The story is told from 2 women‘s perspective, 1 was a serial killer survivor, the other an eventual victim. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Djspens
Wrong Place, Wrong Time | Gillian McAllister
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I love a good time travel story and this one did not disappoint! How far (back in time) will a mother go to keep her son from committing murder??

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Djspens
Amalie | E J Wood
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the main character is fiction but the events and characters are real. Following WW2, Amalie wants revenge.

Megabooks Great picture!! 13mo
Sleepswithbooks @Djspens - I thought “Amelie” was the precious dog‘s name at first! My dogs always wanted revenge when I had them pose for pictures 😂 (edited) 13mo
27 likes2 comments
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Djspens
The Measure | Nikki Erlick
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Panpan

I listened to this one, it was just so-so for me. The concept and message were interesting, the writing could‘ve been better. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Djspens
The Spite House: A Novel | Johnny Compton
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⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 this was a good pick for an eery October read. The ending left too many questions but overall I enjoyed it! My little friend here may or may not have snuck out of the pages 👻

tpixie Yikes! 🧟‍♀️ 👻 🎃 13mo
ShelleyBooksie Your friend is terrifying 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😱😱😱 13mo
Gissy Love your little friend, spooky ☺️ 11mo
IMASLOWREADER great photo 😂 9mo
33 likes5 comments
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Djspens
Homegoing: A novel | Yaa Gyasi
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Pickpick

10/10 and all the stars 🌟 for this one! Beautifully written story of eighteenth century half sisters, one sold into slavery, one living in the castle. Follow their stories for 8 generations of family history.

Soubhiville What a little cutie! 14mo
ShelleyBooksie Is that a little smile? So cute!!! 14mo
ErikasMindfulShelf One of my all time favorites! 14mo
43 likes3 comments
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Djspens
Demon Copperhead: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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Pickpick

Such a good book! Barbara Kingsolver is a beautiful storyteller. I‘ll be thinking of Damon for a long time.

ShelleyBooksie Awesome pic. I love the little smile. 1y
Reagan That little face ❤️ 1y
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Djspens
A Court of Mist and Fury | Perfection Learning Corporation
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Raise your hand if you loved A Court of Mist and Fury! Feyre‘s story in the land of Fae continues. An engaging story, a little predictable, but still enjoyable. I‘m ready to start #3 to see where we go from here.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I caved and bought the first one! 2y
Velvetfur Aaww look at that cutie little pup! 💜 2y
brittanyreads 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ I'm in the middle of book 3 now. So, so good 2y
Ravenpuff ACOMF is by far my favorite. 2y
Pageturner1 i haven‘t read any of her books yet but was at the bookstore the other day and was going to by one of her series but didn‘t. i am still thinking of doing so. 2y
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Djspens
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Loved it! Fantasy is not my genre but I loved this! I can‘t wait to continue the series in the world of Fae. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slajaunie It‘s a great series. 2y
annahenke One of my favorites 2y
54 likes2 comments
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Djspens
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Reading time while my dad gets chemo. I‘m about halfway through book 1. Enjoying it but I hear book 2 is even better so I‘m anxious to get to it.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I keep talking myself out of this one 🤷🏻‍♀️ prayers for your dad 🙏🏻💙 2y
brittanyreads Book 2 is so amazing. I just read it. Could easily be my favorite of the whole year 2y
Djspens @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks lol I was the same!! My daughter is not into fantasy genre at all but highly recommended it! I just hate the thought of committing to so many books in a series, there‘s so many books I have to put off til I finish! And thanks 🙏🏻 2y
Scochrane26 I‘m reading while waiting for my parents at the doctor‘s office. 2y
Djspens @Scochrane26 lol seems to be a good place to read. 2y
24 likes5 comments
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Djspens
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Pickpick

A fun, easy read about 1870s seances and a murder mystery. The Lost Apothecary is my favorite of Sarah Penner, but this was an entertaining read/listen.

AmyG Awwww too cute! 2y
RedxoHearts So cute! 2y
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Djspens
Exiles | Christina Baker Kline
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Loved this one! 5⭐️This historical fiction story takes place in 1840, telling the story of two women on a convict boat from England to Australia, sentenced to hard labor for minor crimes and a young aboriginal girl sent to the Governor‘s house to add to their “collection” of oddities. What they endure is unimaginable and it‘s definitely a sad tale but it‘s also a story of endurance and perseverance and shows the strength that women can carry

tpixie Loved this book!! Precious puppy 🐶 #dogsoflitsy 2y
tpixie The author made a bold, quite unexpected move with a main character in the middle of the book! I was so surprised! It worked though! 2y
Djspens @tpixie Yes! For awhile I kept waiting for her to pop back in but then sadly realized that‘s probably how life actually was back then and that made me appreciate the story even more! 2y
tpixie @Djspens yes!! 2y
41 likes4 comments
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Djspens
Saint X | Alexis Schaitkin
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one, it was not what I expected. Alison is on a tropical vacation with her family and goes missing their last night on Saint X. Her body is discovered a couple of days later. The suspects are cleared and cause of death is undetermined . Years later her younger sister, Claire, is living in New York and happens to get into the taxi driven by one of the suspects. This book was so much more than just your average whodunit.

BethM 😍 2y
42 likes1 comment
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Djspens
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I highly recommend this book! A very captivating historical fiction story about slavery, friendship and family.

Crazeedi Yes an excellent read! 2y
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Djspens
Woom | Duncan Ralston
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Panpan

I love a good disturbing book but this.. this was beyond…. Just nasty… do not be intrigued and add it to your tbr.. don‘t waste your time…

Prairiegirl_reading Bonus points for the dog though!! 😍 2y
Djspens Lol I hate to be totally negative in my review 2y
janeycanuck Whoa, I don‘t think I‘ve seen a book with such a low rating on Litsy. Please excuse me, I need to go add this to my Do Not Ever Read list. 2y
BookMaven9 I dove into this “head first” wink 😉 wink, to explore extreme horror/splatter punk genre due to all the controversy lately, but yea, it‘s definitely not for me. It‘s a niche genre for sure. First and last one. 1y
38 likes4 comments
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Djspens
All This Could Be Yours | Jami Attenberg
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Victor is a bad man; a criminal real estate developer, abuser and just a lousy person. He‘s also just had a heart attack and is laying on his death bed. The book tells how his wife, adult children and granddaughters have lived their lives amidst the family drama and how they handle Victor‘s end of life. This is a well written story, but I was ready for it to be over about 2/3 in. I‘d give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

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Djspens
All This Could Be Yours | Jami Attenberg
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Not sure this is the best book for me to be reading as I sit with my elderly dad during his chemo treatment. No sympathy for Victor, he should‘ve treated his family better. (But I am enjoying the book)

Bookwomble Love to you and your dad 💖 2y
Djspens Thank you 🙏🏻 2y
36 likes2 comments
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Djspens
The Winter People: A Novel | Jennifer McMahon
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this creepy read!

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Djspens
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An engrossing read about decisions to be made in a pre- apocalyptic world. Eric, Andrew and their daughter Wen are faced with decisions and questions on what and who to believe. Are the voices in their heads real or is this just a home invasion gone bad? Dark reads are my genre and this fits right in. I would‘ve liked to know a little more with the ending, but it‘s probably better left to the reader‘s own imagination. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ericarobynreads I need to read this one before I go see the movie! 🤘 2y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Djspens
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Pickpick

This is a well written psychological thriller. Paris is found covered in blood, holding the weapon that killed her husband. But being accused of his murder isn‘t the only problem she has, her past is coming back to haunt her. There‘s a lot going on in this story, towards the end it gets to be a bit much, hence the 4 stars, instead of 5. But overall, an engrossing read.

ShelleyBooksie Adorable dog. 2y
BookwormM Cute little fluff ball ❤️❤️ 2y
39 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Djspens
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Pickpick

This is a story of Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie and Maisie, taken as children from their homes and put in a remote residential school for indigenous children. They suffer sexual, mental and physical abuse at the hands of their “teachers”. Life once they leave or escape from the Mission home is tough as well. This book shares their interlacing stories for the next few decades. A well written, sad story.

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Djspens
Resin | Ane Riel
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Pickpick

I‘m always a little nervous recommending books to my daughters, hoping they‘ll love them as much as I did. Happy to report, my daughter nailed this review! I apologize for the f-bomb….

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Djspens
Resin | Ane Riel
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This was so good! Well written, extremely sad and disturbing, a perfect combination!

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