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JamieArc

JamieArc

Joined June 2017

Bibliophile / Francophile / tea / tiny things / coziness / www.goodreads.com/user/show/5733517-jamie-archer / StoryGraph: jamielit
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JamieArc
When in Rome: A Novel | Liam Callanan
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I was doing so good on minimizing my book buying this year, but post vacation blues had me bringing this stack home. Hooked is a #BlameItOnLitsy choice (thanks @swishandflick ), two magazines in prep for a kitchen reno, Oh Reader is a lovely bookish magazine, and the tagged has a lot of elements that draw me (mostly nuns!).

JamieArc @monalyisha I think the tagged is something you would pick up! 4d
JamieArc @jlhammar The tagged sounds like a fun nun-lit read. 4d
jlhammar Yes, I actually had that in mind for a possible choice for next year #NunLitQuarterly! But maybe we won't be able to wait that long to read it. Sounds excellent. 3d
38 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
JamieArc
Black Cake | Charmaine Wilkerson
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Pickpick

Set on an unnamed Caribbean island, this story came alive to me as I read it while in St. Lucia and could imagine it here. The short chapters and constantly changing story worked for me. I almost couldn‘t put it down. This story is about so many things, and a lot was packed in to the last 50+ pages. Some editing could have been done. Overall, I really enjoyed being with each of the characters and learning how the story unfolded. #LiteraryCrew

sarahbarnes Beautiful pic! 1w
AmyG Lovely photo! (edited) 1w
Librarybelle Gorgeous photo! 1w
TheLudicReader This is my current read. 1w
54 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
JamieArc
Do I Know You? | Emily Wibberley
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A couple go away for their 5 year anniversary, trying to find what their relationship lost. Circumstances allow them to pretend they are meeting for the first time. I really enjoyed this fresh take on a romance about a couple who is already married. It was fun while also showcasing some honest things about imperfect marriages. Read while on my own 5 year anniversary trip to St. Lucia, with the BEST reading view from our room.

Suet624 That‘s quite the spot! 2w
jlhammar What a view! 2w
See All 6 Comments
julieclair The Pitons! What a gorgeous view! 2w
JamieArc @julieclair Yes! We have the most spectacular view of the Pitons! You‘ve vacationed here? 1w
julieclair We have been to St. Lucia a couple of times on cruises, so just one day at a time. We have never spent a week there, but would love to. My son and future daughter-in-law are going there for their honeymoon in May! 🏝️🌴💖 1w
48 likes1 stack add6 comments
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JamieArc
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I decided to tempt myself during #buyless2023 with a stroll through Barnes and Noble and was SO tempted by the tagged book. The left is the hardcover under the dust jacket and the right is the endpapers. Putting it on my list of really want, even if it‘s getting mixed reviews.

tpixie Oh man I did not look under the cover!!! that is gorgeous! But I plan on doing the audio. I was wishing that the cover with those flowers were not in the picture frame & that the whole thing would‘ve been those flowers. This illustrated cover an inside flap makes up for it! I love that the hard cover is decorated!! that‘s usually why I like paperbacks cause you take the cover off the book and then it‘s ugly hard back! (edited) 2w
JamieArc @tpixie I‘ve started making a habit of looking under the cover just in case, and it definitely paid off with this one! The publisher went above and beyond making this one beautiful. 2w
tpixie @JamieArc great idea! Yes they did! Lol maybe I do need to by it! Her first cover was gorgeous, but I don‘t think they made the book itself pretty. 2w
47 likes3 comments
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JamieArc
Untitled | Untitled
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Tonight‘s moon has put a spell on me, forcing me to put on my cozy clothes, pour a cup of hot tea, and figure out which gothic novel to spend the night with.

jlhammar Oooh, that is entrancing. Lovely pic. 3w
dabbe Breathtaking. 💕 3w
Ruthiella Beautiful photo! 😍 3w
See All 9 Comments
Gissy Lovely picture!!! And that character is so cute
🐶 🐾 🐾♥️♥️♥️
3w
BarbaraBB Gorgeous photo 😍 3w
erzascarletbookgasm Beautiful! 🌝 3w
batsy Love the photo! 3w
Cathythoughts Beautiful 3w
AmyG That is a beautiful photo. (edited) 3w
77 likes9 comments
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JamieArc
Untitled | Untitled
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1. Leggings, chunky cozy socks, t-shirt with my favorite cardigan, and my favorite knit hat which feels like a hug for my head ?
2. Hmm. 4? Middlemarch, Démon Copperhead, an audiobook, and a book about weight lifting (a brand new hobby I never thought I would get into but is doing amazing things for my mental health).
#Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView Thanks for playing 💙📖📘📚 3w
33 likes1 comment
review
JamieArc
The Good Earth | Pearl Sydenstricker Buck
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Did you know that The Good Earth is first in a trilogy? I didn‘t until I was searching for the #Booked2023 prompt. But this had been on my TBR since visiting one of her homes 20+ years ago. The story of the farmer Wang and how his life plays out over a lifetime was surprisingly hard to put down. While some aspects were hard to read, I really enjoyed this and am glad to FINALLY have read it.

Cinfhen I re-read this when my son was in HS and I COMPLETELY fell in love 🥰 I went on to read book two but it wasn‘t as good. I should probably read the final book - thanks for the reminder 😁 3w
JamieArc @Cinfhen I was tempted to read the next book because I liked this so much but I so too many reviews that said the same thing - the second just wasn‘t as good. 3w
Tamra I really loved this novel and have read it twice. 💜 3w
See All 7 Comments
vivastory I had no idea that this was part of a trilogy! 3w
JamieArc @Tamra I was surprised by how much I liked it! I really should stop putting off reading books being I‘m intimidated by them or think they will be hard to get through! 3w
JamieArc @vivastory Welcome to now knowing this is a trilogy 😂 Unfortunately, while this book has stellar reviews, the other two do not. 3w
Tamra @JamieArc definitely! At the very worst you might bail, which is no biggie. 😉 (edited) 3w
50 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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JamieArc
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Catie, dear friend, thank you so much for thinking of me and sending this hug in a box. I may have shed a few tears when I realized what it was. It‘s been difficult trying to figure out how to navigate feelings that come up when I wasn‘t one directly impacted. Did you specifically choose green-colored things? You are one of the most generous and thoughtful people I know. Thank you 🙏🏼 💚 Lastly, I‘m intrigued by this mug!

catiewithac I‘m glad you liked it. I did choose green on purpose! 💚🤍💚🤍💚 4w
47 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
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The tagged is February‘s favorite. So far, @monalyisha ‘s #AuldLangSpine list is winning with TWO monthly favorites! I loved both so much that I cannot currently choose which wins.
#readingbracket2023

monalyisha Love to see this! What a tough call…it‘s hard when they‘re such totally different books/genres! 1mo
JamieArc @monalyisha Exactly! 1mo
monalyisha @JamieArc That‘s how I felt about the books from your list when I first found this template. I was like, “How could I possibly choose between Saltus and Thank You for Listening? I‘m not doing this.” 😅🙈 1mo
JamieArc @monalyisha 🤣🤣. You feel my pain! 1mo
36 likes4 comments
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JamieArc
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1. The tagged was my favorite February book, and will make the favorites of 2023 list.
2. St. Lucia! A week of total downtime with beautiful views. I‘m currently carefully curating my vacation reading stack.
#Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView I love the islands! Hope you have a fabulous trip! Thanks for playing 1mo
JamieArc @TheSpineView Thank you! 1mo
27 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
Do I Know You? | Emily Wibberley
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March‘s #Bookspin list, featuring mostly books that would be good vacation reads for our upcoming trip to St. Lucia (pictured in background). And then there‘s Middlemarch, which I‘m thoroughly enjoying reading with #PemberLittens and need a little boost to not get too far behind 😂

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Enjoy your trip!!! 1mo
31 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
Libertie: A Novel | Kaitlyn Greenidge
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I was one of many Littens who came home to a surprise book and note. It‘s been a rough week and a half, so this gesture is so much appreciated. Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️
#LitsyLove

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 1mo
49 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
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I was going to save this one for fall but I‘m so glad I didn‘t. It was exactly the comforting hot cup of tea I needed. This was almost the perfect book for me. British found family is my fave genre. A great cast of characters. Cold hearts that soften. Tea, house by the sea, bountiful witchiness… I need more exactly like this. And the UK cover is 😍. Another 5⭐️ home run for #AuldLangSpine

IndoorDame Ooh, I hadn‘t seen the UK cover before. Definitely prettier! 1mo
monalyisha I‘m glad you felt the same way I did! It was like the author climbed inside my brain and heart and rummaged around before writing. It felt so tailor-made! Does that mean we‘re basic? 😜 1mo
JamieArc @monalyisha I‘m okay being basic once in a while for things I really love, and if this is one, then, I guess 😆😆 1mo
JamieArc Forgot to add that this completes February #Bookspin Woohoo! 2/2 1mo
52 likes4 stack adds4 comments
review
JamieArc
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Read for #Booked2023: Book described by words twist, stretch, balance. 1918: 4 sisters start a Vaudeville act to provide for their family. This was a fun historical fiction that included some interesting points in history that had me doing some research. The author was inspired to write this after learning her great-grandfather had a Vaudeville act. Also, aren‘t these endpapers gorgeous? 😍

Cinfhen Endpapers are STUNNING!!! Cool choice for prompt 🧘‍♀️ 1mo
Cathythoughts Yes ! Those endpapers are really nice 💫 1mo
43 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
Untitled | Unknown
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If you‘ve seen the news of the shooting at Michigan State University, that is where I work. It was a long night worrying and not being able to tear my eyes from the news. I‘m grateful that Mondays are not my late nights at work. It‘s a strange juxtaposition to have so many celebrate love on Valentine‘s Day while this community is grieving and in shock. Hold us in the light 🕯️

ShyBookOwl ❤️ I'm so sorry this ever happens 1mo
MallenNC I am so sorry. Take care of your heart/spirit as best you can. I also work at a college and the Michigan State community remains on my mind. ♥️ 1mo
AmyG I am happy to read you are safe. What a horror. The entire state of Michigan is in my thoughts today. 😢 1mo
See All 32 Comments
OriginalCyn620 I am so sorry. Glad you are safe. You all are in my thoughts. ❤️ 1mo
jlhammar Oh my, I hadn‘t heard about this yet. Scary and heartbreaking. So glad you are safe. 1mo
fredamans 🙏 🙏 🙏 1mo
mdemanatee Sending you all love and light. So glad you are safe and so angry and sad for all that weren‘t. 1mo
IndoorDame 💔🙏🕯️ 1mo
Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 1mo
SamAnne I‘m so sorry. You and your community are in my thoughts. 1mo
Julsmarshall I am so sorry, my thoughts are with you! 1mo
Cathythoughts Thinking of you ❤️ 1mo
Jas16 Sending you so much love. 1mo
squirrelbrain So sorry - sending love to all. 1mo
batsy That must be so difficult. Sending lots of ❤️ 1mo
zezeki Sending all the love 💕 1mo
Deblovestoread Glad you are safe. Sending light and love to you and your community. 1mo
Angeles ❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1mo
Ruthiella ❤️❤️❤️ 1mo
BarbaraBB Oh no. That is horrible. You must be devastated. Sending love and light to you and the community 🤍 1mo
Read4life I‘m so thankful to hear you‘re ok. Sending love & light to your whole MSU family & the community at large. Hearing the recounts from students & staff are heartbreaking. 🕯️❤️ 1mo
dabbe Thankful that you're okay. My family and my husband and his family are from MI, and I lived on MSU's gorgeous campus one summer while taking classes. I can't imagine what the community is feeling, especially when you work/go to school there. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and heart and hoping (again) for the government to finally act and DO SOMETHING that actually makes a difference and turns the violent tide. 💔 1mo
CarolynM How awful. Hugs. 1mo
Megabooks Sending hugs and love to you and the MSU community. 💕 1mo
sarahbarnes 💔💔💔 1mo
JamieArc @MallenNC Working at a school/university/college setting, it always felt like it was a matter of time before something happened. Our community is a bit wrecked, especially since some of our students experienced a high school mass shooting 1-2 years ago. Thanks for your thoughts 💚🤍 1mo
monalyisha Oh my gosh! I‘m so sorry I missed this — and for everything about it. Thinking of you and yours. 1mo
Bookwomble I hope you're coping ok, Jamie 💚🤍 1mo
JamieArc @monalyisha @Bookwomble Thank you ❤️ 1mo
56 likes32 comments
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JamieArc
Untitled | Unknown
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I‘m craving long periods of reading, so the #FabulousFebruary readathon sounds very appealing. My reading goals are:
📙 Catch up on Middlemarch
📕Finish The stumbling Turner Sisters
📘Finish one other book
📗Make significant progress on another book

Andrew65 Great to have you with us, good luck 😁 2mo
37 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
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Tonight‘s Silent Book Club meeting featured Middlemarch, The Tumbling Turner Sisters (for Booked2023), and a delicious spiked chai tea.

BarkingMadRead That copy of Middlemarch though 😍😍 2mo
JamieArc @BarkingMadRead Isn‘t it a beauty? It does make reading it much more fun. The page edges are yellow too! 💛 2mo
5feet.of.fury Oooh yum! 2mo
51 likes3 comments
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JamieArc
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With renewed commitment and having finished January‘s #Bookspin pick, I‘m excited to see what February brings.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2mo
JamieArc BS 10, DS 20 2mo
33 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
You Better Be Lightning | Andrea Gibson
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I often have the reading version of “my eyes are bigger than my stomach,” so I didn‘t read near as many as I had wanted, but I‘m really happy with what I did read (and look forward to finishing the #ALS list throughout the year!). The tagged was a standout. Keegan‘s work settles deep in my heart. And Wayward, I have a lot of thinking to do about. I really enjoyed getting to know you @monalyisha and reading your faves of 2022. Thanks for hosting ⬇️

JamieArc SUCH A GREAT LITSY EVENT. (Caps intended 😆) 2mo
monalyisha Ha! Thanks for the message — and for the caps! I‘m just so glad my recs hit their mark. It‘s such a good feeling when someone loves the same words as you. Happy February (& beyond)! 2mo
37 likes2 comments
review
JamieArc
Wayward | Dana Spiotta
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Wayward felt like a snapshot of 2016. I didn‘t necessarily want to go back to those days - they give me anxiety 🙃. I finished this last night, and it‘s going to take time to process before adequately reviewing. It poked at uncomfortable points - who I am and who I will be as a white woman, mother/daughter relationships, etc. Lily‘s home felt like respite for me as a reader, as it was for Sam and Ally. I‘ll be thinking about this for a while. #ALS

monalyisha Yes! It was definitely a literary experience. “Uncomfortable” is a good word. Thanks for reminding me about Lily‘s house, which was the opposite of “uncomfortable.” ❤️‍🩹 2mo
SamAnne Loved this one. Yes, an uncomfortable read. (edited) 2mo
JamieArc I forgot to add that this completes January‘s #bookspin pick! 2mo
39 likes1 stack add3 comments
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JamieArc
Foster | Claire Keegan
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Keegan‘s books are different than any I have read. They contain multitudes: small but mighty, dealing with hard issues but somehow leave me feeling calm and peaceful. Characters who are every day people but have such depth to them. They are stories that stick with me. Foster is no different. I also appreciate some of her male characters - they aren‘t perfect but they are good. I hope there are many more small books to add to my Keegan collection.

JamieArc #ALS #AuldLangSpine @monalyisha I‘m so glad we traded Keegan books on our lists ❤️ 2mo
monalyisha I‘m happy this was a satisfying second read from her oeuvre! I haven‘t gotten to yours yet but still plan to. So much more goodness to come, I‘m sure! Thanks again for being my partner! 2mo
41 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
You Better Be Lightning | Andrea Gibson
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I loved seeing everyone‘s brackets come along last year so I decided to play along this year. The tagged is January‘s favorite. It‘s very possible I would never have read this if not for #AuldLangSpine. I think it will go quite the distance for the year. Thanks to @chasjjlee for creating the bracket!

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JamieArc
Untitled | Unknown
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“Meet the 2023 Canada Reads Contenders.”
This is my first time hearing of this.
Canadian Littens, is this something you follow at all?
Link for more: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/meet-the-canada-reads-2023-contenders-1.671...

merelybookish I follow a bit in that I'm curious about the books selected and which one wins. I've never watched any of the actual debates. 2mo
Karisa Wow! Not Canadian, but I love this idea. People being passionate about books is always awesome! I noticed Station 11 made it this year for them—fantastic book! 2mo
JamieArc @merelybookish @Karisa The people chosen to do the debate is interesting to me. I liked watching Matea Roach on Jeopardy. 2mo
43 likes3 comments
review
JamieArc
You Better Be Lightning | Andrea Gibson
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I always WANT to read more poetry but am afraid I‘ll have to think too hard and the meaning will go over my head. I‘m so glad I picked this up first for #AuldLangeSpine. It hit me in the feels so many times. It‘s meaning was evident - it demanded me to think about it but in a deeply reflective way. Each poem was great, but some caught my breath, some made me sob, and some felt uncomfortable because they were way too personal. (Cont ⬇️)

JamieArc Gibson has a gift for intimately speaking of the ways in which we are human, and they have a gift for humanizing “others” - those who are different in political/moral beliefs or those who have deeply hurt us. I will definitely be reading more of Gibson. I am positive this will make my top of 2023 list. 2mo
JamieArc I must have run into the work of Gibson before but didn‘t know it. When I asked the poets in my life, including my sister-in-law who does spoken word poetry, if they knew of Gibson, everyone I asked gushed about them. 2mo
JamieArc @monalyisha I did look them up on YouTube, but most was recent and it‘s hard to see/hear about cancer. Thanks for putting Gibson on my radar 🙏🏼⚡️ 2mo
See All 6 Comments
monalyisha I‘m so happy you loved this! Gibson‘s work is so wonderfully open, I can‘t imagine not feeling welcomed by it (as long as you‘re open, too!). 2mo
monalyisha I‘m also thrilled to see the hearty handful of shelf adds at the bottom of your review! 💯🙌🏻 2mo
JamieArc @monalyisha I hadn‘t noticed all the stack adds! Happy to see that too! #ALS keeps on giving 🙌🏼 2mo
55 likes6 stack adds6 comments
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JamieArc
Middlemarch | George Elliot
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A great #LitsyMail day! Thank you, Christine! The birthday card is beautiful and will become a great bookmark 😊. And oh my gosh!!! THANK YOU for sending the Middlemarch character list! I was so excited to see it. I‘m going to keep it tucked in my book. Thanks for thing of me ❤️

Cinfhen Happy birthday 🎉 2mo
TheBookHippie YAY!!! Happy Birthday!! Enjoy!! I use the list everyday!!! LOL. 2mo
Cathythoughts Happy Birthday 🥳 2mo
Amiable Happy birthday! 🎂🎊🎉 2mo
46 likes4 comments
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JamieArc
Middlemarch | George Eliot
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Today‘s reading of Middlemarch is a little slow going. Whether it is the book itself or this adorable distraction in need of pets, one will never know… #chapteraday #pemberlittens #dogsoflitsy

squirrelbrain Aw, such a cutie! ❤️ 2mo
dabbe What a cuddler! That Face! That paw! ❣️🐾❣️ 2mo
Ruthiella ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 2mo
See All 10 Comments
TrishB Aww 🐶♥️ 2mo
Tamra Cutie! 2mo
ravenlee I somehow got like five chapters behind 😬 without realizing it. Apparently I just…stopped reading it every day or two. I‘m trying to catch up today between kitchen projects, and every time I sit down the cat sits either on the book or on my face. #petsagainstmiddlemarch 2mo
JamieArc @ravenlee I got a few chapters behind too… was trying to read a chapter a night. So yes, trying to catch up and your hashtag is spot on 😂 2mo
JamieArc @squirrelbrain @dabbe @Ruthiella @TrishB @Tamra Adorable and so demanding for pets! It‘s hard to resist 😂 2mo
Tamra @JamieArc indeed it is! 2mo
batsy Awww how adorable!! Lots of boops ❤️ 2mo
66 likes10 comments
review
JamieArc
Christmas by the Book | Anne Marie Ryan
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Another of the too-many-holiday books started that I‘m so glad I finished. I‘m a sucker for communities that come together. Books about books don‘t always do it for me, but this one did. And set in a cute British village? Holiday perfection. I may or may not have cried oceans of good tears through the last 40 pages…

57 likes2 stack adds
review
JamieArc
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Pickpick

I‘m so glad I followed through and finished the holiday books I started. This one was particularly timely as it‘s set where I normally go for my birthday, but was unable to this year. It was good to at least be there in fiction 😊. This is over-the-top Michigan fiction, but it was refreshing to read a holiday story that wasn‘t strictly romance. I look forward to more of Shipman‘s books next holiday season. #mittenlitten

DocBrown Whereabouts in the Mitten? 2mo
JamieArc @DocBrown This book takes place in the Traverse City area. I‘m further south in the Lansing area. (edited) 2mo
57 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
Wayward | Dana Spiotta
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Starting this #ALS read tonight. This paragraph is the whole first page, and I‘m intrigued.

merelybookish I loved this book! 2mo
SamAnne I loved this one too! 2mo
43 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
Untitled | Unknown
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I just learned that one of the paintings (Novel Reader, pictured here which I badly want a print of for my future library) of the Van Gogh exhibit in Detroit is alleged to be stolen. For more, read the article. Curious to learn how this plays out. https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/arts/2023/01/11/van-gogh-painting-laws...

JamieArc @catiewithac You may be interested in this 2mo
CBee So beautiful! 2mo
DivineDiana Oh my! 2mo
See All 7 Comments
catiewithac His 3 sunflowers painting has only been shown in one public exhibit. It‘s been in private collections since. 🌻 2mo
JamieArc @catiewithac I was wondering about that - I thought it curious that the exhibit didn‘t include it. There‘s another that I love that wasn‘t included either. I have a lot of reading to do on the subject 😊 2mo
JamieArc @catiewithac Will do! I already stacked others by this author that you posted about. 2mo
51 likes7 comments
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JamieArc
Untitled | Unknown
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I spent the day at the Detroit Institute of Art at the Van Gogh exhibit. One of the joys was seeing his paintings of women reading/with books. I somehow hadn‘t seen them before, and didn‘t know how much books influenced his painting. The exhibit had me going through your posts @catiewithac to stack all the books on Van Gogh you‘ve read 🎨🖼️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
Soubhiville That‘s cool, I don‘t think I‘ve seen those either. 2mo
DivineDiana I never saw this one, and I do have a soft spot for women portrayed with books. ❤️ 2mo
See All 8 Comments
Jas16 I went to this exhibit a couple of months ago when visiting family and loved it so much. 2mo
catiewithac I really wish I lived closer! Glad you had fun! 2mo
JamieArc @Soubhiville There were so many that I had not seen. His range of styles is impressive. 2mo
JamieArc @DivineDiana There were a few of women reading. I just posted about a different one, alleged to be stolen! 2mo
JamieArc @Jas16 @catiewithac It really was an impressive exhibit. 2mo
60 likes8 comments
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JamieArc
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Thank you for all of the birthday wishes, here on Litsy as well as those who sent cards. I felt celebrated and love being a part of this community ❤️. I turned a new decade and it‘s hard to believe I‘ve been on this earth so many years, but I will have lots of time to contemplate that under sunnier skies when I do the real celebrating in March 🌞🌄🏝️. I have high hopes for 2023, including being a great reading year!

merelybookish Happy belated birthday! 😃 2mo
quietjenn Happy birthday! 2mo
BarbaraBB Happy birthday 🎂 2mo
erzascarletbookgasm Happy birthday 🥳 2mo
43 likes5 comments
quote
JamieArc
Middlemarch | George Eliot
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“…correct English is the slang of prigs who wrote history and essays.” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. I‘ve been trying to get away from my own snobbish need for correct grammar, or “proper” English and doing a lot of thinking about the cultural implications of talking about proper English grammar, so I love this quote. #PemberLittens #chapteraday

TheBookHippie My favourite section today!!! 2mo
60 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
Middlemarch | George Eliot
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“…correct English is the slang of prigs who write history and essays.” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. I‘ve been trying to get away from the need for “proper” grammar and the cultural implications when we talk about proper grammar, so I love this quote. #PemberLittens #chapteraday

Bklover I agree- loved this! 2mo
34 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
You Better Be Lightning | Andrea Gibson
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Oh holy f***. My husband and I were having a conversation tonight about feeling like it‘s time to start saying no to some things that are good for the greater good so we have some more time for the things that strengthen our souls and bring us joy. And doing it without feeling guilt. And then I read this, about sometimes making a decision that rubs up against our values for humanity. Choosing one love over another. It made my eyes leak. A lot 😭

JamieArc So glad this was on your list, @monalyisha I can‘t imagine it won‘t make my top of the year. #ALS #AuldLangSpine 3mo
monalyisha This was probably one of my favorite poems in the whole collection! It‘s so honest. 3mo
63 likes2 comments
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JamieArc
Middlemarch | George Eliot
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I‘m so glad I joined the #PemberLittens #chapteraday read of Middlemarch. I‘m having much more fun with it as a buddy read, reading people‘s comments and hashtags of course 😂 I‘m also enjoying the nightly ritual of reading a chapter.

Also, thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks for the birthday card and bookmark! I‘m so glad to have a #LitsyLove bookmark!

Graciouswarriorprincess I love that bookmark!! I need one! 😊 3mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re welcome!! Hoping to get some made soon with our logo 📚❤️ 3mo
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JamieArc
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Thank you for the birthday package @catiewithac ! The wrapping paper was so fun 🤩 The book sounds really interesting - I like learning about niche trades, hobbies, etc. Thanks for thinking of me for my birthday - I value our Litsy friendship ❤️
#LitsyLove

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome gifts!! Happy early birthday 🥳 🎊🎉🎈 3mo
Ruthiella Happy Birthday! 🥳🥳🥳 3mo
catiewithac I just love that gnome magnet! Happy birthday! 3mo
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JamieArc
Wayward | Dana Spiotta
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My #Bookspin and #DoubleSpin books are two that I want to read very soon, so I‘m excited for these picks!

SamAnne I loved Wayward. Hope you do too! 3mo
Megabooks Two great books! 3mo
JamieArc @SamAnne I‘m trying not to get my hopes up to high! 3mo
JamieArc @Megabooks I think I have a great reading month ahead of me. 3mo
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JamieArc
Flying Solo: A Novel | Linda Holmes
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One of my goals this year is to do better reading my #Bookspin books. January‘s list, and once again, I wish I could read them ALL this month.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I just bought #10 as if I need another book!! First book purchase of 2023! 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
JamieArc Note to self: BS 17, DS 7 3mo
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JamieArc
You Better Be Lightning | Andrea Gibson
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#AuldLangSpine is off to a promising start with this one. The first poem, “Acceptance Speech After Setting the World Record in Goosebumps” took my breath away, made me think “This is how I want my year to be” and yes, gave me goosebumps, and maybe even tears. I can‘t remember the last time I‘ve been moved by poetry ❤️

We rang in the new year with our favorite local Blake‘s Triple Jam Hard Cider. Happy New Year to you, @monalyisha

monalyisha What a cozy scene! Regrettably, I have to finish my book club book before I can jump in and get started on your list…but it won‘t be more than a day or two. I‘ll post my stack of physical books tomorrow! I think I should be ready for a sip or two of cider on the morrow, too. 😉 Happy New Year, Jamie! I‘m so glad the poems are making such a good first impression. ✨ 3mo
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JamieArc
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#PemberLittens #chapteraday #buddyread
Finally sitting down for some reading time. When I saw this quote on the back of the book, I knew I needed this edition. It‘s similar to how I try to live my own life. ❤️

Librariana It's a beautiful sentiment! 🥰 3mo
BarkingMadRead Ohhhhh I love this copy! So pretty! 3mo
merelybookish I hope you enjoy! 3mo
TheBookHippie Oh this is pretty!! 3mo
rubyslippersreads Quite different from this quote from Pride & Prejudice: “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” 3mo
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JamieArc
hello! hello! | Matthew Cordell
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#AllAboutMe #AuldLangSpine
-I don‘t have a lot of favorites, but Over the Rhine is definitively my favorite music group, and Waking Ned Devine is my favorite movie. Pictured is the scene at the very end when Old Lang Syne is playing 🍻
-Ladybird “Birdie” Sanders is our pandemic pup. We got her from a rescue. She is a pointer, and super quirky. She doesn‘t like when I read as she requires both hands for pets.
⬇️⬇️

JamieArc I have lived in many cool places and done some amazing things. Among them, I lived in Haiti for six months, walked the Camino de Santiago, and really loved living in Tucson. 3mo
JamieArc I am a Francophile. I lived and studied in France. I currently teach French for adults and it‘s SO MUCH FUN! 3mo
JamieArc I love Lake Michigan, even in winter. Every year for my birthday, on January 7, I go away up north to a place on the lake to some solitude. 3mo
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JamieArc I left conservative Christianity many years ago and became a Quaker. This means I like silence and social justice, but have always had a fascination with nuns, so I‘m very excited about doing the #nunlit buddy read this year. (edited) 3mo
Suet624 Silence, social justice and nuns. Same here. ❤ 3mo
Amiable I love all of this! 3mo
quirkyreader I love that you posted a photo of the meeting house 🌻 3mo
kspenmoll Beautiful photos- and love all that you shared about yourself. What an adventure your life has been so far! 3mo
monalyisha I‘ve never seen Waking Ned Divine or listened to Over the Rhine. It sounds like I‘ve got some homework to do! Your pup‘s adorable, I‘m jealous of your travels, and your spiritual journey is definitely of interest. I hope to do some spiritual soul-searching myself this year. 💓 Thanks for sharing! 3mo
monalyisha Oh, our birthdays are pretty close, too! Mine is coming up on January 17th. I usually have a quiet birthday but this year we‘re seeing one of our favorite comedians do stand-up. Have you ever seen Joe Pera Talks With You? It‘s so gosh-darn wholesome. 3mo
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JamieArc
Untitled | Unknown
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#AllAboutMe for #AuldLangSpine
I may be late to the game, but I still wanted to play. In 2022, I reverted to a lot of nostalgic listens (Tom Waits, Alanis Morissette, music from City of Angels, and the Raising Sand Album - especially since they released a new one together).
Laura Mvula and Paris Jackson provided some chill backdrop music.
I am a recent convert to Brandi Carlisle after loving The Highwomen album.

JamieArc I grew up on Bonnie Raitt (I even thought we were related because my mom and 5 aunts loved her and bear resemblance to her), so it was a bucket list item to see her in concert this year. She is a badass sexy musician. 3mo
JamieArc Lastly, Maddie Zahm is a recent discovery. She writes about what it is like to leave conservative religion, in a way that felt like it was speaking to my own experience. 3mo
Suet624 Brandi can quite often give me goosebumps. An amazing voice. (edited) 3mo
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JamieArc @Suet624 Me too! 3mo
dabbe Give me anything with Robert Plant, and I'm there! Sigh ... 3mo
monalyisha @dabbe YES. 👯‍♀️ 2mo
monalyisha @JamieArc Alanis is a go-to for shared car rides when traveling with my husband. His musical interests tend to be *far* more punk than mine. And punk‘s not known for honeyed voices, gorgeous lyrics, or quiet contemplation (all things I love). So, we‘ve got to be particular when choosing tunes. But Jagged Little Pill? HELL YEAH. We both know all of the words and joyfully belt them out together - every time. 😉 2mo
monalyisha @JamieArc Also, there was a time, circa 5th grade, when “Uninvited” was my absolute favorite song. The drama! 2mo
JamieArc @monalyisha My husband can‘t listen to Uninvited because of the drama but that‘s exactly why I love it 😂. I took a lot of early pandemic walks with it on repeat. 2mo
monalyisha @JamieArc I‘m actually not sure what Adam thinks of Uninvited! I‘ll have to put it on when we‘re on our way to get massages this afternoon. 😆 I will say, though, that as a guy who used to be in a metal band, avoiding a song due to drama would be massively hypocritical for him! So, I think we‘re safe on that front. 😅 2mo
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Untitled | Unknown
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1 While driving to my father-in-law‘s house on Christmas Day, when the traffic light turned green, the red stayed on. How very Christmas appropriate. Thankfully, it only stayed both colors during a green light, so not as dangerous as during a red light. I had never seen this happen before.
2 We will spend a quiet, cozy day inside. Making ourselves a yummy dinner, reading, puzzles, etc.
#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Great pic❤️💚! Happy New Year 🎆 3mo
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JamieArc
Christmas by the Book | Anne Marie Ryan
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Time to get our Jolabokaflod on! All set with warm beverages, chocolate, books, and mood lighting. Happy holidays to all. Wishes for a peace and love-filled holiday!

BarbaraBB Such a beautiful tree 🤍 3mo
Cathythoughts Love the tree ! ♥️🎄 3mo
batsy So lovely! 3mo
JamieArc @BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts @batsy Thanks! This is the first holiday season in our house so everything is a work in progress, but it is lovely to have in the background while reading! 3mo
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JamieArc
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Thank you @PatriciaU for my #JolabokaflodSwap package! And an extra thank you for the surprise extra book! I‘m doing a #NunLit buddy read in 2023 so Illuminations will be a great companion read and glad to know you really liked it! Happy Jolabokaflod and happy reading!

And thank you to @MaleficentBookDragon for hosting this beloved swap!
#Jolabokaflod

jlhammar Wonderful! I loved Illuminations and look forward to our #NunLitQuarterly group read of the Christmas. 3mo
batsy That's a perfect #nunlit package 😍 3mo
Kristin_Reads How great!! 3mo
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JamieArc
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I couldn‘t be reading a more relevant book right now as the snow is falling in Michigan and we wait to see how bad it actually gets…. Looking forward to being snowed in the next couple of days ❄️❄️❄️

TheBookHippie Same!!! 👋🏼 3mo
mcctrish Just waiting for my youngest to make it home on the train tomorrow but otherwise let the weather weather all it wants ( I‘m in southern Ontario) 3mo
JamieArc @TheBookHippie I know you are getting it way worse than I am with the Lake Effect! I Hope you have all you need to spend some cozy time inside! 3mo
JamieArc @mcctrish Good luck to your son! 3mo
TheBookHippie @JamieArc can‘t see across the street 🤣❄️🥶 we‘re getting hammered! ❄️❄️❄️❄️ 3mo
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JamieArc
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Some photos inspired by beverages, and a way to get to know me:
Top left: The only time I have ever liked beer was ice cold right after a week-long trek through the Sonoran desert
Top Right: Even though I don‘t like beer, I loved having a sip of Guinness in the oldest pub in Belfast, Ireland (I‘m in middle)
Middle left: we aren‘t big drinkers, but do enjoy a fancy cocktail at a cool jazz club in Ann Arbor once in a while
#AuldLangSpine
(Cont. ⬇️)

JamieArc Middle center: I do like hard cider! This was my friend while we were in Spain, after she had learned the *right* way to pour a hard cider. 3mo
JamieArc Middle right: While walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, there was a wine fountain. A FREE WINE FOUNTAIN FOR ALL!!! And it‘s live-streamed so you can watch people partake 😂 3mo
JamieArc Lower left: When I think glass in hand, I think about our sunset toast, the evening of our wedding. 3mo
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JamieArc Lower right: A new bookstore/wine bar/coffee shop opened a year ago and they create the yummiest seasonal drinks! I particularly liked the rum-spiked hot cider! 3mo
JamieArc In conclusion (haha), I‘m open to whatever you want to toast with! I like trying new things, but don‘t have a strong list of go-tos. In the winter, I tend to enjoy some Bailey‘s or Fireball in hot chocolate, but suggest away for something fun to toast too! 3mo
monalyisha I love that middle shot — the long pour! And the sunset toast photo is glorious; my husband is a wedding photographer so I see a lot of them but I‘m always moved by a candid group shot where everyone in it looks just so full of joy. 💓 3mo
monalyisha Question (which relates to your “in conclusion” hot cocoa message): do you like spicy? Once upon a time, we were VERY keen on Tequila Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate (which was just hot cocoa + jalapeño tequila). 3mo
monalyisha Also, jealous of your Camino trip! I‘d love to learn more about your experience! 3mo
monalyisha Remind me of where you are geographically? We have a cidery right next to us and I wonder how much it‘d be to ship you a bottle… 🤔 3mo
sarahbarnes A wine fountain??!! This sounds like my dream. Also, do you live in A2? I lived there for a minute! 3mo
JamieArc @monalyisha I can do medium spicy but not too much. Camino = once in a lifetime experience. Highly recommend. And I‘m in Michigan. 3mo
JamieArc @sarahbarnes I live in Lansing, where there isn‘t too much to do, so we go to Ann Arbor every few months for a date night. 3mo
monalyisha @JamieArc Hmmm… how about we just keep it simple and each acquire and toast with our favorite local hard cider? 3mo
JamieArc @monalyisha Sounds great! Thanks for being decisive, as I am not 😂 3mo
monalyisha @JamieArc Secretly, I just really want to try out that pour. 😅 3mo
JamieArc @monalyisha YES! It‘s been a while since I did a pour like that! 3mo
monalyisha @JamieArc Perfect. I think we‘ve got our photo op. 😅 3mo
JamieArc @monalyisha Why yes we do! If only videos were allowed 😆 3mo
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JamieArc
Where it Rains in Color | Denise Crittendon
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Just stumbled upon an article featuring this afrofuturistic beauty, written by a Detroit native. Saving for #Booked2023

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/12/19/novel-by-detroi...

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JamieArc
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Thank you for the Christmas goody package, @catiewithac ! You always put books on my radar that I wouldn‘t have found otherwise. The Michigan pin/patch are so pretty 😍 Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season!

catiewithac I totally stole and stacked Muppets in Moscow from you!! Happy holidays!! 🎄 3mo
jlhammar Yay! Hope you enjoy Muppets as much as I did- so funny and fascinating! 3mo
JamieArc @catiewithac I was thinking I stacked it from you. Very much seems like something you would read. But now I remember it was @jlhammar Looking forward to it! 3mo
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