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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Not a book I would pick, as I already know a fair amount about checklists and how impactful they can be. But I‘m checking out the book club at the local library and this is the next read. The writing is so good that it really kept me engaged, so bravo to Gawande!

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Hooked_on_books
Crochet Toybox | Katharine Marsh (Editor)
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I meant to post yesterday but forgot. 😬 I‘ve been crocheting lately and love my little cow! I got the pattern from the tagged book.

#ShowandTellTuesday

TheBookHippie Love love!!! 6h
Deblovestoread Adorable! 6h
Eggbeater Omg it's so cute! This made me smile. 6h
See All 10 Comments
AmyG I love it! (edited) 6h
Bookish_Thoughts ❤️❤️ 6h
sherrisilvera Love❣️❣️ 5h
dabbe AD😍RABLE! 💛🤎🧡 4h
ShelleyBooksie Adorable 3h
Prairiegirl_reading That is sooo cute!! 1h
Dilara 🐮 💛So adorable! 30m
25 likes10 comments
blurb
Hooked_on_books
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Littens! We are good to have so many unread books! Woohoo!! 🥳

https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/do-i-own-too-many-books/

GingerAntics I have felt this deep in my soul all along. I am so glad to have confirmation. It‘s science (or something). It cannot be refuted. 24h
Caroline2 Thanks for sharing. ❤️ 19h
dabbe 🧡🤎💛 11h
33 likes3 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Their Eyes Were Watching God | Zora Neale Hurston
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Pickpick

I‘m so glad I finally read this—it‘s brilliant! Hurston is clearly an incredible writer, and the audio reader (Ruby Dee) is absolutely fantastic. It made me sad while listening to this that as a kid they had me read crap like The Old Man and the Sea in school and we should‘ve been reading this.

TheBookHippie One of my fav all time books and I did read it in school first. 1d
CaitlinR Such a great book! About time for me to read it again. Thanks for the reminder. 1d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie That‘s wonderful! I did read some good ones, but the Old Man sticks out as the worst I was required to read. I‘m still bitter almost 40‘years later. 😂 1d
See All 6 Comments
TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books I‘m bitter about Moby Dick and Tom Sawyer… 1d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie I tried to read Moby Dick on my own and didn‘t make it very far, so I understand why! 1d
lil1inblue @Hooked_on_books 😂 I, too, loathed Old Man. 🙃 12h
43 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

In this clear-eyed book, Beinart addresses Jewish people who continue to support the war in Gaza and enumerates through data and the breaking down of straw man arguments why they should not. This is by no means a screed and he is firm in his support for all Jewish people. I worry that this won‘t move the right people (I‘m not Jewish and already agree with him), but I very much hope it does.

Cuilin His interview on the daily show was compelling. 1d
TheBookHippie The hostages need to come home. Gaza needs to be freed. Hamas needs to end. People need to stop saying the Jews are______ that‘s like saying all Americans are responsible for actions Trump takes and does. People in Isreal have protested every day like people here protest every day. The children are OURS all of them. Israel & Palestine want to be free. Bibi & Trump are evil. Hamas is evil. I have had to make IG & here private bc every day ⬇️ 1d
TheBookHippie Free Palestine is in my comments. I cannot free Palestine anymore than I can take Jewish blood out of my DNA. War is horrific. White men in power trying to avoid prison need to shoulder the blame. That‘s my two cents. Calling for the death of Jews all over the world is horrific too. (edited) 1d
See All 9 Comments
TheBookHippie To be clear I‘ve supported WORLD KITCHEN for Gaza since the beginning. I support Hadassah and I support the families of hostages. Women & children are always the chattel of war. It‘s horrific. 1d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie This book agrees with everything you‘ve said. The author is Jewish and condemns the actions on Oct 7 as well as Hamas and wants the hostages home (as do I). He also condemns the wholesale slaughter of Palestinians. This book is very clear about supporting the Jewish people but not murdering others. I think you‘d find a lot in it to agree with. Unfortunately, our culture is driven by media and social media that encourages outrage ⬇️ 1d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie and black and white thinking, when instead we should be looking for common ground and nuance. And that is what this book contains: nuance. You shouldn‘t be being harassed online. No one should. We should all be able to talk to one another and share our viewpoints without condemnation. I think Litsy is often a space where that happens and can happen, which is a good thing. 1d
TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books Nuance is the word. It‘s better to keep us divided for the powers that be and people fail to see it. The hate on both sides is horrific and evil. 1d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie I could not have said it better! I can only hope more people start to understand that. 1d
48 likes4 stack adds9 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

While this book has hands down the best title of the year, the title implies a cheekiness or lightness the book lacks, so I think it does it a disservice. It‘s an exploration of two highly visible trans women who don‘t “pass,” their relationship, and the hate they receive. And all around how shitty and judgmental people can be. It‘s not a perfect book, but I‘m glad it exists. Low pick for me.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1d
42 likes1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
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Bailedbailed

This one just isn‘t working for me. I‘m not a fan of the writing or the structure, which frequently flips into memoir after a very short snippet of science.

44 likes1 comment
blurb
Hooked_on_books
Earth | John Boyne
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I know Boyne is well liked, but apparently he‘s as bad as JKR and I thought people might want to know.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/aug/11/polari-prize-nominees-and-judges-w...

mcctrish This came up in my feed too 2d
Prairiegirl_reading This is so disappointing. 😞 2d
EKonrad Oof. So disappointing. 😢 2d
See All 21 Comments
TheBookHippie I knew this. Also he‘s hugely antisemitic… covered in writing so you feel bad for the non Jewish person in his writing… hugely problematic. It is disappointing as I loved some of his books… there have been articles before about him. Not this huge however. 😵‍💫 2d
lil1inblue Ugh. Gross. The statement from Polari gave me so much ick. 2d
TrishB I‘ve been following this on Twitter….its been known for a while, sadly. 2d
BarbaraBB Wow this is new to me. 2d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie @TrishB My guess is this story hasn‘t been as big as JKR because he lacks her level of fame. But it makes me glad I‘ve never read any of his books. I for sure won‘t now. 2d
TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books I loved The Hearts invisible Furies by him … then I read quotes from him on how there were good Nazis 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫. 2d
marleed Oh dang. I‘ve loved his books but have now dropped him from my auto read authors. 2d
AmyG NOOOOOOOO. Goddammit. @TheBookHippie WTF? (edited) 2d
lil1inblue @TheBookHippie What the what now? 😵 2d
TheBookHippie @AmyG yup even got into a war of words with THE Auschwitz Memorial and others …. @lil1inblue (edited) 2d
Deblovestoread So incredibly disappointing! I don‘t know why I expect better from authors but I do. (edited) 2d
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie Sure, all those good Nazis! What were the rest of us thinking? 😵‍💫 2d
peaKnit @AmyG I think you were reading my mind with your comment. WTF indeed! 💩 2d
CarolynM Seems a bizarre decision by Polari. I didn‘t know Boyne was problematic but I didn‘t much like the only one of his books I‘ve read so I wasn‘t planning on reading any more anyway. 2d
Amiable DAMN. I love(d) Boyne‘s books. I‘d heard none of this. It feels like a kick in the stomach. 2d
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie sounds like an author to avoid. 2d
AmyG @Amiable Same. 😢 2d
janeycanuck I heard rumblings about this a few years after The Heart‘s Invisible Furies came out but nothing definitive. How disappointing that he‘s still on this train. 2d
36 likes21 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This is an interesting look at how the earth is alive and shaped by the organisms upon and within it, and not just us. It‘s a narrative story but also filled with fascinating facts—there are bacteria far below the earth‘s surface, a single elephant print can sometimes hold 50 gallons of water, etc. I really enjoyed it.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2d
49 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This book was published in 2017 as a direct response to and rebuke of 🍊1. Now we‘re here again but it‘s even worse, making this book more relevant still. The key is: if enough of us fight against this crap, we‘ll protect our democracy. So, please read it and whatever way you choose, STAND FAST AND FIGHT!

TheBookHippie 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🎯 3d
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3d
Suet624 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3d
See All 6 Comments
AmyG ✊🏻 3d
Leftcoastzen Essential book 3d
Chrissyreadit 100% 🙌🙌🙌🙌 3d
44 likes6 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I really liked Penner‘s first book then strongly disliked her second, so I didn‘t know whether to try this or not. Ultimately, the cover pulled me in and I ended up really enjoying it. It has two timelines, and I found the each equally engaging with good characters. It gives me hope for her future books!

squirrelbrain Bindi looks like she wants to be off and running! 4d
BarbaraBB Great photo 😍 4d
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain She so does! In the winter or spring when no one is around, I can let her, but there‘s just too many people now. She‘d try to run up and play with every dog and would fully ignore me (and she‘s fast), so I just can‘t let her. She loves our walks regardless, so at least there‘s that. 4d
See All 7 Comments
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB Thank you! I loved the clouds today. 4d
Amiable Bindi! 😍 4d
squirrelbrain Yes, Henry goes ‘selectively Deaf‘ when he‘s on a beach! 4d
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3d
54 likes7 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This is the story of Ona Judge, a woman enslaved by our first president (alongside A LOT of others) who found her way to freedom and stayed free for the rest of her life. Not only is it well written with a superb audio reader (💙 Robin Miles!), it emphasizes some of our history that certain people would rather we not know. I can‘t think of a better reason to read it right now.

lil1inblue This was a really good read. It's been a while since I read it, but the fact that Washington once sold an enslaved person "for a quantity of wine" has stuck with me. 4d
lil1inblue I read this children's book with it for a reading challenge. She based it on this book. I found the art so intriguing. 4d
Bookish_Thoughts I have this on my Kindle! 4d
See All 6 Comments
Hooked_on_books @lil1inblue I‘ll have to check that one out! 4d
Pedrocamacho I really enjoyed this book! 4d
squirrelbrain Stacking! 4d
50 likes6 stack adds6 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

During one of Capri‘s true crime San Fran tours, a participant sees a woman being attacked. But when the police arrive, nothing is amiss. Capri can‘t let it go and starts investigating, and pretty soon someone turns up dead. This is a really well constructed mystery with fun characters and interesting info about SF. I really enjoyed it!

Leftcoastzen Looks like a beautiful spot for a walk 5d
45 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
O Caledonia | Elspeth Barker
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Pickpick

I‘m usually not a fan of child protagonists, so I wasn‘t sure how I‘d respond to this. I ended up really liking Janet, no doubt because she has a healthy slug of Ramona Quimby in her, and I really related to Ramona as a kid. We know at the start she has a tragic fate, which tinges the whole story, but she‘s such an exuberant presence, it was still a bit of a shock at the end.

54 likes2 stack adds
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Hooked_on_books
People Like Us | Jason Mott
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Pickpick

People Like Us is such a sly book. A sequel to Hell of a Book (though each can be read without the other, it‘s a laugh out loud funny ride that made me do just that several times. But then the sobering ending makes you realize that all along you‘ve been reading a book with weighty topics like gun violence, racism, suicide, and a place you are from making you feel like you don‘t belong. Really well done.

BarbaraBB I enjoyed his other ook so am stacking this one! 5d
squirrelbrain This has just come in at the library for me. I know you said it didn‘t matter, but *should* I read Hell of a Book first, do you think? 5d
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain I really don‘t think it‘s necessary to do so, though it is really good, so I don‘t think you‘ll be sorry you read it. You could always read them out of order; I don‘t think they would give you any issues. 5d
48 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
March: Book One | Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell, John Lewis
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Pickpick

My local bookstore is doing summer reading bingo and Read a Graphic Novel is one of the prompts. I‘m so glad I chose this one. Remembering the story of John Lewis and others who marched with him is more vital than ever and hopefully inspiring for fighting the current ongoing and escalating injustices. I‘m not proud of my country now, but I‘m proud to be from the same country as John Lewis.

Amiable Looks great —stacking! 7d
49 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

This is a perfectly fine but not exceptional thriller until something happens which hasn‘t been developed at all and it was just impossible for me to buy. Unfortunately, it‘s the hinge for the rest of the book, so it‘s a meh for me. I did like the ending, though.

45 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

An interesting take on the divorce novel. Here, a woman learns her husband has been having an affair (and is leaving her) immediately before learning she has breast cancer. So, she names her tumor after the other woman, as you do. It‘s threaded with humor and abounding with metaphors. I liked but didn‘t love it.

CBee I felt the same! Liked, not loved. Would‘ve enjoyed more of the Chinese mythology, I loved those parts. 1w
57 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

In the 1970s, the ruling junta in Argentina disappeared thousands of people, including pregnant women. It became clear that they waited for those women to give birth before murdering them and giving their babies to other families. This is the story of the group of grandmothers who tirelessly sought out their grandchildren for decades. I thought the first part was poorly organized, but then it smooths out and is very good.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

A young witch, Lydia, learns about a powerful dark grimoire that a coven helping Hitler hopes to find. Lydia knows if they find it, the war, and likely the world, is lost, so she goes in search of it herself. This is an absolutely smashing debut: engrossing story, very well crafted, and utterly unputdownable. I just loved it!

LeeRHarry Ooh I like the sound of this one! 😊 1w
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1w
49 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Here‘s my books for August #ReadYourEbooks. Let‘s see how I do this month! 🤞🏼

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Hooked_on_books
Roll the Dice | Wayne Avrashow
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I meant to post this a couple days ago but forgot. I didn‘t manage to read any of the July books, so let‘s see if I do better in August! #roll100

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 1w
36 likes1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This outstanding book chronicles the life and work of Roxie Laybourne, a woman who was just trying to do work she loved. She had a knack for taxidermy and was hired by the Smithsonian (unpaid for a while, of course) and found she was especially good at birds. This segued into her pioneering a way to ID bird species from airplane bird strikes. I can‘t emphasize how good this book is—amazing woman with fantastic writing.

MallenNC I just got this book. Roxie Laybourne is an alumna of the college where I work, so the author let us know it was coming out. I‘m glad more people will be aware of her through this book. 1w
Hooked_on_books @MallenNC What a cool connection! I love seeing people who have really made a mark being elevated, especially women and people of color who were often treated so badly. And the author is a white guy! Which is very cool, as he clearly has a deep respect for Roxie. 1w
MallenNC @Hooked_on_books Yes, I connected with him to do a story on the book, and it was clear he was a big fan of Roxie. Here‘s the story I did: https://www.meredith.edu/news/new-book-focuses-on-trailblazing-meredith-alumna/ 1w
Hooked_on_books @MallenNC Great article! And bravo to your archivist for going above and beyond to help him get the book to happen! 1w
46 likes4 stack adds4 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This is an interesting book about how internet language has jumped into and shaped our daily lives even offline, but also how algorithms have impacted that by amplifying certain things. The author is well positioned to discuss this as an influencer and content creator who has also done his research, but he‘s also an undergrad who keeps referring to himself as a “linguist,” which I find premature.

45 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
Small Memories | Jos� Saramago
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Pickpick

I‘m not usually a fan of childhood memoir, but I enjoyed this look back at Saramago‘s young years. Around 100 years ago in Portugal is so different from my own experience, and he tells vignettes, giving an overall impression rather than a straightforward recounting. His writing is just so good that I was carried along.

ChaoticMissAdventures I have not read this one but I absolutely love Jose Saramago. Brilliant writer. 2w
Hooked_on_books @ChaoticMissAdventures I‘ve only read a few of his but definitely want to read more. The first I read from him is Blindness, which blew my socks off. I want to read anything that came out of that brain! 2w
ChaoticMissAdventures @Hooked_on_books so good!! I have not read all of his (I think I have 3 to go) but this one is my favorite 2w
Hooked_on_books @ChaoticMissAdventures One of the few that I‘ve read! It‘s so good! 2w
46 likes4 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one went a little off the rails for me. It lacked balance, with too many preposterous things piled on and not enough about the polar bear research, which was terrific when it was present. I‘m sure I‘ll continue the series, but I‘ll take my time getting to the next book.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I finished this one up on today‘s #audiowalk. It explores the pop culture effort over the past 30‘years or so to undermine women and girls, encouraging self-hatred and internalized misogyny. I found myself nodding along to a LOT of it.

Leftcoastzen Looks interesting!👏🐶 2w
squirrelbrain Stacking! 2w
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Part of the University of Alberta lecture series, this slim volume sees Eden Robinson exploring a bit of her family and Haisla heritage. Unsurprisingly, her prose is magnetic and I was drawn right in. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer.

BarbaraBB I‘m glad to see you still have a fence! Beautiful photo 😍 2w
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB Actually, we don‘t! That‘s a railing. But it‘s a 3 acre property backing onto park land, so it‘s like we blend right into the wilderness. No fence needed! Bindi loves it, but we always supervise her outside as there are a lot of local coyotes and elk. 2w
BarbaraBB That sounds amazing and such a huge property seems almost impossible in a small country like mine 🥰 2w
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB I bet! It feels small to us after the 15 acre farm, but most of this we don‘t have to manage. It‘s all mature trees, so it‘s like living in a forest. It used to be my in-laws‘ house and my husband was very insistent on buying it from them when they moved to Montana. Now I know why! 2w
40 likes4 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

The central premise of this book is good: focus your diet on plant-based, whole foods and stop focusing on individual nutrients. But much of the book contradicts itself, making it rather muddled. It‘s also dated (particularly in the bit about alcohol). I do think this book was ahead of its time back in 2008.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Lexie works as a matchmaker, her specialty, psychopaths. What could possibly go wrong? I was drawn to this book by the title/cover and it has a bit of a rocky start, but then became the fun, zany, slightly off the rails read I was hoping for.

Soubhiville 😆 looks like it might be a wild ride! 2w
RaeLovesToRead Never heard of this one... sounds interesting 😅 2w
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Here‘s my #ReadYourEbooks list for August. I read one of the picked books for July and was going to wait until the eleventh hour to post this, lest I read another, but realistically, that won‘t be happening. Can‘t wait for the spins!

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Hooked_on_books
Arcadia | Lauren Groff
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Mehso-so

I really struggled with this book that explores the life of a person from childhood into middle age. He lives on a commune as a kid and it goes from there. I found some of his adult years engaging and there‘s one paragraph in the book that should be taught in craft classes, but I barely hung on to even get to that point. #ReadYourEbooks

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Hooked_on_books
Six Truths and a Lie | Ream Shukairy
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Pickpick

An explosion happens at an LA beach July 4 celebration near where a Muslim teen group is celebrating the holiday. Six of the teens are accused, and the book clearly shows how the media and “justice” system can work hard to demonize certain people, whether evidence exists or not. I have a few quibbles but found this very powerful overall.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This book looks at Native American boarding schools in the US. Most compellingly, it follows the reverberations of trauma from these schools through families, including the author‘s own. I‘m horrified that these things happened, but so glad these stories are being told so that we can look them in the eye. We‘ll be a better country if we do.

CBee Holly, aren‘t you in Hawaii? Just seeing the earthquake news and tsunami warnings. Stay safe if so! ♥️ 2w
Hooked_on_books @CBee Thanks! I‘m actually on the Oregon coast now, another area at risk, but my house is up a hill, so we‘ll be just fine. But I appreciate you thinking of me. ☺️ 2w
CBee @Hooked_on_books phew 😅 2w
50 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
The Babysitter Lives | Stephen Graham Jones
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Pickpick

Charlotte‘s an excellent student but her family doesn‘t have much money, so getting a babysitting job at a new house is a boon, even if it‘s right before Halloween. The kids seem to be able to navigate the house in a strange way, but that‘s just kids, right? No. No, it‘s not. And it gets brutal. I enjoyed this one but have some questions about the ending.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I really liked Ardern‘s approach when she was in office, so I was so happy to see she‘d written a memoir. I enjoyed this, though I did wish it was a little meatier in places, as I‘d like to know even more. But I‘m glad she shared her life so far with us and I‘m glad I read it.

squirrelbrain I just borrowed this on audio so I‘m glad to hear you enjoyed it. 2w
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain The best part is, she reads it herself. Memoir on audio is always best in the author‘s own voice. 2w
LeeRHarry I‘d like to get to this one after I have read her biography that has sat on my shelf for ages. I find it interesting that different friends I know in NZ really didn‘t rate her at all whilst everyone I know here in Aus did. (edited) 2w
47 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

In 1973, Brits Maralyn and Maurice decided to sail to New Zealand. But between South America and the Galapagos, a whale sank their boat, casting them adrift for 4 months before being rescued. Seems like it would be fascinating, but I found the book a bit too thin. It feels like an opportunity squandered.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Rose Valland fought to be in the art world in the 1930s and of course wasn‘t taken seriously as a woman. She then found herself serving as curator at a Paris museum when WWII erupted. This is her story and how she gathered info on where the Nazis were sending artworks right under their noses. It‘s a terrific read and I‘m so glad I now know her story.

TrishB This sounds good 👍🏻 3w
Aims42 Well this sounds amazing! Stacked! 📚 3w
55 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
The Housemaid | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

I approached this with a bit of a jaundiced eye since I know my opinion of many other TikTok famous books. It didn‘t blow my socks off, but I did end up enjoying it. I would read McFadden again.

Rachel.Rencher I'm going to read one of hers soon for the same reason. 3w
ChaoticMissAdventures Good to know! My hair lady is obsessed with her and I have not been able to make myself pick one up. 3w
Librarybelle I agree. I‘m not on TikTok, but the hype was so big. I liked this one and will read another at some point. 3w
47 likes3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Indo-European is the language group spoken by far more people than any other. Proto looks back at how this came to be, exploring both linguistics and genetics. Really interesting and dense in the best way, as it packs so much in, all while being a good read. I may have to listen again to pick more of it up!

AlaMich This is on my list, and I heard the author interviewed as well. It sounds super interesting! 3w
LeeRHarry Just requested from the library. 😊 3w
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Black trans artist and activist Tourmaline tells the story of the life of pioneering trans activist Marsha P Johnson, including her role in the Stonewall riot. It‘s a lovely book and the author‘s love and respect for her subject really shines through. It‘s good to see examples of LGBT+ historical figures for clear proof that they‘ve always been here.

49 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Morrison‘s final novel looks at race and colorism and doesn‘t hold back. The audio is read by her, which in some ways is a gift (though I think a seasoned audio reader would have given a better performance). The Stacks podcast will be having an episode discussing this next week, which I‘m really looking forward to—there‘s a lot here.

59 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Mehso-so

I‘ve liked a lot of Lepore‘s work but I struggled with this one. I think the issue is that, as she herself mentions, the historical record on Jane Franklin, Ben‘s sister, is just rather thin. It just ended up not holding my interest.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Sera is the most powerful witch in ages, but loses much of her magic after doing a spell she didn‘t know was restricted. Thus starts this story that is largely charming. I do wish the focus was more fully on the magic bits and less on the love interest, but that‘s just my preference.

44 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

While I anxiously await the next Murderbot installment (there‘s going to be one, right?!?), I enjoyed this new short story, which fits in at 2.5 in the series. Murderbot isn‘t in this one, but we do get a little time with ART, here called Perihelion.

julesG Yes, there's going to be one. I asked Martha a couple of months ago and she said it's probably coming next year. 3w
Hooked_on_books @julesG That‘s great news!! 🥳 Thank you for telling me. ☺️ 3w
Soubhiville I just finished watching the series. While I wish the actor chosen had been androgynous, otherwise I don‘t have any complaints. 3w
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julesG @Soubhiville haven't watched yet, but agree that the actor should have been more androgynous 3w
Hooked_on_books @Soubhiville @julesG I haven‘t seen the series but agree about the androgyny. I‘ve always pictured Murderbot as more female, really (maybe because I see myself in them 😆) and I even find it jarring that the audiobooks are read in a male voice. 3w
julesG Same!! 3w
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Small Things Like These | Claire Keegan
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Pickpick

I‘ve been meaning to read this one for a while and @Soubhiville ‘s review finally prompted me to do so. It‘s a slim volume that is doing a lot of work, and the Catholic Church definitely doesn‘t come away looking great. I‘m glad I finally read it.

Soubhiville She‘s a great storyteller. 3w
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w
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Woodworking | Emily St James
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Pickpick

I fully intended to save the second half of this for later in the week, just before our next #CampLitsy25 discussion, but I just couldn‘t wait. I LOVED this! St James does a beautiful job of showing the reader that there are many ways to be trans. This is such a stunning debut. It has earned the rare privilege of being included in my permanent collection.

squirrelbrain So good, isn‘t it?! 🩷 3w
BarbaraBB A debut? Until you mentioned this I mixed up the author with Emily St John Mandel 🤷🏻‍♀️ (I was surprised how much she knew about transition 🤦🏻‍♀️). Thank you for educating me 😘 (edited) 3w
Bookwormjillk Same story. I was going to wait but then it was done. 3w
Reggie @BarbaraBB for a hot minute I thought they were the same author, too. 3w
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Panpan

While it‘s an interesting hypothesis that lead exposure could have played a role in the behavior of serial killers in the PNW, Fraser offers zero evidence to support this and ignores some available information that could refute it. As a look at some history and people from the area, this has some interesting bits, but as a scientific proposal it‘s deeply flawed.

LeahBergen Oh, too bad. I was looking at this one. 4w
Amiable I‘m reading this right now and thinking, “if there are smelters in Philly too, why are all the serial killers in PNW?” It‘s not what I expected, either. 4w
Hooked_on_books @Amiable It‘s so disappointing. She picked her conclusion without support and desperately tried to write toward it and it just didn‘t work. At one point she mentions she didn‘t do well in science in school. Yeah, I can tell. 3w
Amiable @Hooked_on_books I‘m confused by the random historical and personal facts that are sprinkled throughout as well. I‘m reading the part where her neighbor‘s brother is killed in Vietnam and wondering what that has to do with Ted Bundy‘s possible lead poisoning? 🤔 3w
Hooked_on_books @Amiable Yes! The structure is so odd. She also seems to toggle back and forth between the smelting industry info and the various killers, but doesn‘t really connect them. 3w
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Mehso-so

I loved Interior Chinatown and figured I‘d go back to this earlier book from Yu. It‘s a fun concept and it‘s clear to see it came from the same brain as IC, but it doesn‘t quite come together. There are some great parts, but really the most interesting thing was to see his growth.

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El Dorado Drive | Megan Abbott
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Pickpick

Three striving sisters in Grosse Pointe get involved in a pyramid scheme, and we see each of their efforts to stay afloat or get ahead (though really the book focuses on 2 of them). And then there‘s a pesky murder to contend with as well. This book had a lot to say about capitalism and greed. It was good, but not my favorite of Abbott‘s.

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