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Aftertaste is a literary feast, feeding the imagination and soul, lingering on the palate. I loved how unique and creative it is. I adored the clever wordplay. I salivated over the food writing. The NYC setting is palpable and the characters are to die for. It made me teary, it made me hungry, it made me wonder. What if you could share a meal with a lost loved one? What is the cost of holding on too tightly? #BOTM

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This was a fun and quick read that touches on the impact of Taylor Swift‘s music (so far) on a micro and macro level. It kind of jumps all around and I didn‘t always fully agree with the author‘s song interpretations/opinions (although that‘s the beauty of art). I did also learn some new things. It was especially satisfying to listen to this in celebration of Taylor gaining ownership of all of her masters! 🎧

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This book felt overly long for me and sometimes came across as preachy, but I liked the author‘s exploration of the Shakespeare authorship question. I appreciate when historical fiction highlights women in history who we might not know about otherwise. 🎧

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I was really invested in this at the beginning - it reminded me of Yellowface - but my interest fizzled toward the end as it spiraled out of control. The narration was great! 🎧

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This book has a lot going for it; I can see why it‘s marketed as the latest Swedish literary phenomenon and I think it will shine as a TV series. There is some beautiful writing, the characters really pop, and the social commentary hits. There were some things that didn‘t fully work for me, but I‘m glad I read it.

I am in the mood for a summery read for June! The cover is so pretty, too! #BOTM

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4.25 stars. I love when #BOTM introduces me to a unique book that I may not have picked up otherwise. This is intoxicating and incendiary, capturing the intensity and impulsivity of youth. Séverine is a bright spark - a truly compelling and distinctive character who leaves an impression. What a ride!

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Julia Whelan‘s narration is really what made this story come alive for me; it would have felt slower if I had read it in print. A lot of hardship and trauma without much nuance. 🎧

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2.75 stars. I was drawn to this book because it was set in Athens, Greece. The prose was introspective and meandering, sometimes lovely, but it felt like it held me at an emotional distance.

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Fredrik Backman writes with an explosion of emotion, belief, tenderness, and connection from the first page to the last. How hard can your heart beat? It‘s an ode to art and friendship; a true love story. Read it, cherish it. 🩵

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4.25 stars. A lushly drawn and spellbinding dark fairytale. I‘m so impressed by how seamlessly elements of “The Little Mermaid”, “Cinderella”, and French folklore were woven together, all while creating a wholly new story that felt unique and fresh. Allow it to sweep you out to sea with a fair breeze and a path of stars…. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub

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It doesn‘t happen often, but sometimes you know a book will claim its space on your favorites shelf within the first chapter. Annie Hartnett writes with the most exquisite blend of funny and sad, whimsy and warmth, tragedy and hope. The characters fully come to life with her storytelling. I loved the audiobook format, which was perfectly narrated. 🎧

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3.25 stars. Undoubtedly creative, this is mostly a fun read. Certain aspects of this series are intriguing and unique, while others could use more development and finesse.

Love the colors in my May #BOTM box!

I already read “The Love Haters”, but I gave my giveaway away and want a copy for my shelf 😊

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If you want a book that will make you laugh, cry, and remember our shared humanity, (and especially if you work/have worked in an office setting), look no further than this sparkling gem! I chose it on a whim and was so pleasantly surprised by how much I adored it. Think Eleanor Oliphant x Fredrik Backman x The Office. Striking and dynamic characters, a unique and engaging storyline, and just so much heart! 🎧

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It‘s easy to get lost in an Abby Jimenez book; I really enjoy her writing. This seems like a story that a lot of people will be able to relate to, but with such a focus on the familial situations, to me it felt like it lacked a little bit of chemistry between the couple. Of course it was moving, though, and made me tear up! 🎧

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A gruesome ghost story with something very real to say. Gripping from the first chapter, the horror aspects sincerely scared me at times, but the sharp social commentary, infusion of Chinese culture, and layers of emotion are what made it the most impactful. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub

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Atmospheric and moody like the sea, but felt slow and surface-level. The audiobook narration was great. Emilia Hart‘s books do have beautiful covers! 🎧

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This was a fine story, it just didn‘t really end up being my cup of tea. #reesesbookclub 🎧

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Want your next favorite rom com? This is your girl! It has an amazing Alaskan setting, sizzling chemistry, and allllll the feels! I‘ll admit Margot‘s attitude was a little off-putting at first, but of course she has soft layers under her prickly armor. The lightheartedness was balanced out by real emotion, and I was just as moved by the familial storylines as the romantic love. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub

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Jesse Q. Sutanto sure knows how to write from the heart! This is comfort in a book, although there is a sinister undercurrent to the mystery. It feels like Vera could burst off the page and into your own house, armed with freshly-brewed tea and home-cooked food that‘s been prepared with love and served with a side of judgement. I really hope the ending is setting up a third book!

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I know it‘s not the best sign when I keep bumping up the playback speed because I‘m ready for the audiobook to be over. I couldn‘t really connect to these characters for some reason, but I liked the Italian atmosphere and was curious enough about the resolution not to bail. The ending was twisty! 🎧

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One thread of this story goes from the past to the present, and the other from present to past; the effect is like a beautiful tapestry, where all moments of time are woven together. It made me cry more than any book has for quite awhile. Full of longing, full of life, full of love. #BOTM

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An introspective wandering through the woods. I found myself rewinding at times just so I could luxuriate in beautiful sentences. The characters were magnetic, enhanced by the multicast audiobook narration. 🎧

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This series provides a springboard for dissecting the intersection of self-realization, sensuality, marriage, and motherhood. Loved the ending - bring on book 3!

Stocking up on my #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub books for April! 😍

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It‘s a special concoction when a book can make you both laugh and tear up. This reminded me of the movie “Date Night”, and also, weirdly, of the Mercy Watson children‘s book series? (Something about the tone - although that‘s probably just a “me” thing since my daughter and I are currently on a kick with those books! 😂) ⬇️

April #BOTM picks are up! I‘m going with this one! 💚

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Swapping the sea for dreamy botanicals, hidden passageways, poisonous gardens, and a mysterious mansion, this second book in the “Sisters of the Salt” series is all about the gothic mood and vibes. It feels like the ideal ghost story for the spring season. The pacing in the middle felt a bit slow, but that spine-tingling ending… chef‘s kiss!

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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I didn‘t know all of the music and this wasn‘t my era, but I still loved the passion of the lyrical analysis and could relate to the emotional connection to songs. I think my favorite parts were the sparks of Percy and Joe‘s creative collaborations. ⬇️

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How could I resist when I came across this action rom com that‘s kind of like a grown-up twist on “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”? I was in the mood for a lighter read, and although I didn‘t completely fall in love, it fit the bill. 🎧

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The reading experience of this book was completely engrossing and absolutely chilling. The epitome of “unputdownable”. It appeals to the head (interrogating the allure of true crime and the double-edged sword of the online sleuthing community) and the heart (it‘s equally a moving investigation of grief and the compulsion to doggedly search for sometimes unknowable answers). ⬇️

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I‘m willing to bet you haven‘t read a story where a complicated FMC befriends a sentient blob before! As expected, this was a quirky read, but it didn‘t fully land for me. The audiobook narration brought out Vi‘s dry wit. 🎧

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Entertaining and heartfelt! I‘ve been a fan of Chelsea Handler for a long time, and her evolution has been such a joy. In this book, she shares how she is working hard to be the woman she dreamed she would become when she was a little girl. Are you on track to become the person you‘ve always longed to be? She seems to only be getting more authentic, thoughtful, confident, generous, and wise with time. 🎧

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This book beautifully exposes the expansiveness of love, etching itself right into the heart. How we can choose to add to destruction or choose to care for one another. How it‘s worth the fight because sometimes things can survive despite all odds. How loss is a painful reality, but we keep loving anyway. How love doesn‘t dissolve with the body - it carries on. #BOTM

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Prepare for your next book hangover! I was so wrapped up in this I was looking for excuses to keep listening. It has all the ingredients for a hit - a love triangle, a murder trial, an atmospheric setting, a show stopping ending. What I think elevates it, though, is the emotional depth and moral ambiguity. “Broken Country” offers fertile ground for discussion! 🎧 #reesesbookclub

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I had fun with this romantasy duology! Rune and Gideon have great chemistry. It felt a little repetitive at times; I think the story could have been tightened up and could have gone deeper, but it is enjoyable for what it is! 🎧

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The four foundational reforms Haidt proposes in this book are no smartphones before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and far more unsupervised play and childhood independence. The book itself isn‘t without its flaws, but the subject matter provides great food for thought and is certainly worth our society‘s continued collective consideration.

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A meditation on the randomness of the wheel of fortune, a portrait of the lasting impacts of female friendship, a lion‘s roar for women‘s rights amidst political turmoil. The enticing Iranian food descriptions also really brought the story to life as a sensory experience. Immersive and illuminating! 🎧

⭐️⭐️💫

A quick read that held my attention and was moving at times, but the writing style wasn‘t my favorite. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub

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I had a book of a collection of fairytales when I was younger, and one of my favorite stories in that book was “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” - it‘s the only place I had ever come across that story until now. This was a mesmerizing, horror-tinged recreation of that fairytale; I was fully transported into the pages. I‘ve fallen in love with Erin A. Craig‘s atmospheric storytelling!

I‘ve been looking forward to the tagged March #BOTM selection! I‘ve really enjoyed her previous books.

I hadn‘t heard of my add on before, but I thought it seemed like a fun read to balance out some of the more intense books I‘ve read lately.

“The God of the Woods” was one of my favorite reads last year, but I had listened to the audiobook, so I‘m happy to have a physical copy! Especially with the pretty sprayed edges ☺️

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Oh, man… Undoubtedly an unforgettable read showcasing the beauty and brutality of the Alaskan wilderness. It certainly left its mark on me, but it hurts. I preferred “The Snow Child” by this author. #BOTM

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A harrowing tale of survival, all the more affecting since it‘s a fictional account of real events. It‘s striking that Marguerite wasn‘t exactly safe as a woman in her time even when she wasn‘t stranded on a remote island. I thought the time on the island was the most gripping. 🎧 #reesesbookclub

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This book was an unexpected, glittering treasure in the dark. It felt unique and fresh to me, with captivating characters, stunning imagery, and imaginative world-building. It was a bedtime story whispered into my ear, keeping me reading late into the night, contemplating this spellbinding fairytale of life and death. I was entranced the entire way through.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Action, adventure, sci-fi, romance… there‘s a little bit for everyone with this! The strength of this book for me was in the found family element - the main characters‘ love for each other tugged at my heartstrings. It‘s not my favorite book from this author, but I still had a good time. #BOTM

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was often an uncomfortable read, but also a valuable one; I imagine it will stick with me. I couldn‘t help but get a little teary at the end. It felt realistic and raw while also honoring the resilience of the human spirit. 🎧

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I appreciated the author‘s note, which illuminated the true events and people that inspired this book. I‘m glad it will help Martha Ballard to be remembered, even if a lot was reimagined. It didn‘t always feel authentic to the time period for me, and there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I also had expected the murder mystery element to be more prominent. Still, there were moments when I was lost in the story! 🎧

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Damn it if this didn‘t warm my heart! Buckle up for a romantic adventure with brave rescuers, vibrant retirees, a sweet dog, and lots of Floridian flair. Some parts are maybe a bit over-the-top, but it was also an escape in the best way. The author‘s note about how reading love stories is profound - not frivolous - also really spoke to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I enjoyed this! It was cute how each chapter paid homage to/poked fun at a different romance trope. I felt a little annoyed by the third-act breakup, but that‘s what the romance formula calls for! #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub