Four books for each colour for #priderec2025 and even some spaces left!
Yes, I did add Loveless to hot pink because we're living in a world where sex is everywhere and asexuals are either forgotten or laughed about (lately also by Her Who Shall Not Be Named)

@PuddleJumper

Dear #QueerBC 🌈

Have you all been reading something by Zen Cho? We will be discussing your choice(s) at the end of the month. Questions will be posted around June 30th. You can participate as you like; post your review, discuss the questions etc. etc.
Looking forward to reading all your thoughts about your books.
If you want to be added or removed contact @Puddlejumper

Taking a break from Züri Pride. Writing haikus.

Waiting with Blåhaj
For a good friend to arrive
Then Pride continues

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

Happy #5JoysFriday 💛💛💛

My feelings are all over the place. Here are the good ones:

1. FemStrike in our home town (Kudos to whoever got up that statue and put that poster there) 💪💜
2. Beautiful hike with a dear friend ⛰️
3. Doggo walks 🐶
4. First time eating at Five Guys 🍟
5. Found a hint at The Chase, which is basically a hunt for who will play in the Swiss National Soccer Team in this European Championship ⚽

@DebinHawaii

When this book was published a couple of years ago, I knew it wasn't the time for me to read it. Especially, since I know the author and she's just such a lovely person. So I waited for the right moment and it has finally come.

It's a historical biography of Alma, the author's grandmother. The book is filled with details and I know from Parolini herself how much time she spent into research. ⬇

My current tasks do not trigger dopamine 🫣 And I think I just flexed English spelling? 🙈

Can't start work right now
Struggeling with dopamine
Energy Drinks help

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

When I heard that this book features a FMC who's asexual, I wanted to read it. Aces are still a widely ignored group, so I was happy to find out that we'll get more rep. I could relate to Melodea quite a bit, but sadly the whole book lacked depth. And/or was badly executed. There were so many topics the author talked about, but nothing was fleshed out. Except the drama with the Melodea and Lorne.

A book I wouldn't have read without #QueerBC and it's a soft pick. The characters were interesting enough, but I've lost track of who's who at some point. I did like the nun a lot though. Sadly, I don't think this will stay with me for a longer period. I can't even remember the title right 😅

@PuddleJumper

This was so good! Right up my alley. Which means it's not for everyone. It's a dark satire about everyday racism, about Swiss lifestyle and how we trap ourselves in things we don't actually want. Osagiobare is direct, she can be mean, but in a very dry way. I think some readers will have a problem with seeing themselves in the mirror the author is using here.

#roll100 @PuddleJumper

#mondaymood
@Deblovestoread

Trees are whispering
The mountains solitude
I'm longing for home

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

It's Sunday evening and I made it in time! It's getting a bit messy, but that's how it is with me. This week's #priderec2025

@PuddleJumper

Rather rough haiku today 😎💜

Men of quality do
Not fear our equality
Fem Streik Juni 25

(Feminist Strike June 25)

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

What else should I write about? 😸

Laundry day today
Up, up and down, down I go
While cats are watching

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

Happy #5JoysFriday 💛💛💛

Here are this week's joys (nr. 6 would be that the pain is gone)

1. Walking my dad's doggo 🐶
2. Getting random calls from my dad who's in Africa right now 🔥
3. More doggo walking 🐶🐶
4. A great night out with @VaniBarelyReads 💖
5. Reading really great books 📚

@DebinHawaii

I do like this as some kind of 21st century diary.

No post yesterday
Even though I wanted to
My body was Pain

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

This really helps putting my feelings into words.

A Long Day Is Done
I Have Reached My Daily Goals
Brain Fog Sets In Now

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

(This is maybe going to be a long post)

This is totally a #blameitonlitsy - it just kept on appearing and appearing and appearing in my feed. So who am I to fight Reading Destiny? And yes, it was a good thing to listen to it. RD knows what I need.

Because I so, so needed that book. It's short and easy to read, and it has to be. It's written for people in very dark places and those often don't have the strength and energy to read big books. ⬇

#haikuhive

@itchyfeetreader
@kristy_k
@debinhawaii
@mimi28
@thebookhippie
@jenlovesjt47
@reggie
@vivastory
@eggs
@jdiehr
@thespineview
@cbee
@lil1inblue
@julieclair
@anncrystal
@bellabella
@booksandcoffee4me
@dabbe

This is the song I also posted in my #MondayMoods board yesterday. It's Hostage by TX2 and it's full of anger and power. Even though they're not trans (but do have queer members) they speak up for trans rights and this song is their hymn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRELqKofxpk&ab_channel=TX2-Topic

They can try to erase us
They feed lies to the nameless
It's so fucked up how they portray us
I'm exhausted, living like a hostage

(no, I did not have any pears around)

So. This book. I'm lacking the words to describe what it did with me. To me. It totally drenched me, it drowned me, it spit me out. It took my heart and ate it. How am I possibly going to describe this feeling? I simply can't. Impossible. And maybe that's okay. Because sometimes we don't need words, we just need to feel.

Instead of writing reviews, I'm doing other stuff. Like doing a little thing for #MondayMood
I try not to close my eyes, but sometimes I also need to distract myself.

@Deblovestoread

So, the #haikuhive got me into these things 🙈 If it's okay, I would like to join you officially.

Blue lovely skies
Surrounded by green mountains
Just the dog and me

@dabbe

I can't really join #haikuhive because I won't be able to do this every day, but your beautiful posts and this amazing day just sparkled my inspiration 💖
(and I don't even know if I'm doing this right)

@dabbe

Wow. Yeah. That's me. Still.

Translation: How to become a Lesbian in 10 steps 😄

I love that title. It's more for people who are starting to question heteronormativity, but don't know where to start. I've been through most of the steps already, but it was still fun to listen to Morel deconstructing heterosexuality as the only real thing in life. Even though the author is very inclusive, she does miss out on asexual realities. Because there are asexual lesibans, too.

Library holds came in! 🎉

#roll100 books: here we are!! Read us now, the library needs us back!
#BookSpinBingo books: We're the books that have been sitting on your shelves for ages, read us! It's not our fault that we're all chunksters!

That's why I hardly will get a #bookspinbingo this month 😅🤣

@TheAromaofBooks @PuddleJumper

Happy #5JoysFriday 💛💛💛

My joys this week:

1) a lovely trip with @VaniBarelyReads with a little shopping and an awesome dinner 🌸
2) bringing my dad to the station for his long needed vacation ☀️
3) the kids of my cousin who are absolutely adorable 🥰
4) Tiny car family has grown again! 🚗
5) I have a lot of overtime, so I'm only working 3 days right now 😎

@DebinHawaii

I did struggle with this in the beginning. Too much fatphobia and other jokes on marginalised people. But the more the story progressed, the better it got. It's a funny sci-fi adventure (even though TW animal death) and I really got to like Trish. She doesn't act like a 30 year old, but more like an older teen, but who knows how 30 year olds act many centuries into the future? There are many open questions, which hopefully will be answered soon.

Just got a Mail from BookFinity. Did I do a bookish quiz? Yes. Did I sign up for book recommendations? Also yes. Am I a rainbow woke? You bet.

https://bookfinity.com/

Even though I did prefer the first book, I still really enjoyed reading this second part. Sometimes we do need a world where we know that everything will turn out okay. Dylan Drakes knows that as well, and therefore provides us with cute and spicy books.
The spicy scenes were a bit over the top for me. But at least I got something to chuckle about.

This was one of my #roll100 picks in... April, I think? My library decided to get one copy and I was happy that I've been able to read this book. It was better than expected. It's YA but so, so good. I expected the story to go a certain way - but it didn't! Anna Dimitrova has a strong and very clear message and I would love that school in the DACH region would read this with their students. All the stars.

@PuddleJumper

Does not suffer from the second volume slump many trilogies do. I was hooked again from chapter one and loved how the characters developed and grew. There are also some important political messages to be found, but only if you're aware of it. As a youth I would have just read it as a good fantasy novel, but as a grown-up I saw a lot more in this story.

My #BookSpin is a #blameitonlitsy - you all just kept on talking about it. Is that FOMO - Bookish edition?
Volume 4 of the Lady Astronaut series is my #DoubleSpin 💖

@TheAromaOfBooks

#TuesdayTunes @TieDyeDude

I think it's Tuesday today? Not sure... Whatever, here's a song for you. Or for me.

People like us we've gotta stick together
Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever
Here's to the damned to the lost and forgotten
It's hard to get high when you're living on the bottom
We are all misfits living in a world on fire
Sing it for the people like us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbMz_aBlMU&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
My plan for #PrideRec2025 is to add a book to each colour every week this June. If I'm able to stick to it - that we will see.

@PuddleJumper

This time just a little bit behind with my reviews and that's ok. I'll get there, like I do each and every month 🤣

#bookofthemonth #botm

Happy #5JoysFriday 💛💛💛

My joys this week:
1. Started to cook for the cats when I got the time, and the noises they make while eating are so rewarding.
2. I've been on a bicycle again! And then it was this monster I had to drive. I did not crash!
3. Lovely family dinner with @VaniBarelyReads
4. We sold some of our marvel comics and handed them over to someone who truly enjoys them.
5. Teeny Tiny R2-D2

@DebinHawaii

I think some books just work better for me in audio form. This one for example. I enjoyed the third part way more than the previous ones, and I guess it's because I listened to it instead of reading the paper book.
It's a good conclusion of the trilogy. It hurts a little, but this never was a series about the easy parts of life. It was about hurt, loss and grief. So this is an ending I can fully accept the way it is.

And here we go again! Happy Pride Month! 🌈

@TheAromaOfBooks #BookSpinBingo

Even though I'm going to finish at least two more books this month, they're not on this list. So I'll post it the way it is. I didn't get a #BookSpinBingo but at least I managed to read both of my Spins. It was a good reading month, even though I had a little slump every now and then.

@TheAromaOfBooks

This was by far the best book of the series! Even a tiny bit better than Bullet Train. The other books only play a small part here, so if you've read BT, you can go ahead and read this one. Seriously, I loved it. Once again, we're reading about murderers, and keep on thinking “Well, they're actually quite nice“. Because they somehow are. I loved Koko-san and Soda and of course Nanao. And Blanket and Pillow. See what I mean?!

Happy #5JoysFriday 💛💛💛

1. Watching the ESC 🎶
2. IDAHOBIT event in my city 🏳️‍🌈
3. The cats got their summer haircut and charmed their hairdresser 😸
4. @VaniBarelyReads took me out for a very tasty dinner 💖
5. Once again on the road with my dad ❤️

@DebinHawaii

Wow, wow, wow. I was looking forward reading this book with #StarWarsBuddyRead, but mostly thought it was going to be a nice adventure with young Obi-Wan. Well, I got this, obviously, but so, so much more! The way White portraits this troubled Padawan was so relatable, I was thrown back into my own teen years. I connected on a whole new level with Obi-Wan.

@BookwormAHN

Lia Wälti is the captain of Switzerland's National Women's Football team and this is the story of her early years. It only tells about her childhood, while I was hoping to also see her later years. But since it's a children's book and made for informing young players about the world of women's soccer, it's perfect the way it is.

Looking very much forward to my second and third #roll100 picks. “Alma's Rome“ is a very well researched HF by a local author. “Becoming a Lesbian in 10 steps“ is already a promising title for a book and “Daily Soap“ is one of the first novels with an AfroSwiss perspective. Obviously, I have to wait a rather long time until my library hold will arrive.

@PuddleJumper

❤️‍🩹🌍✊

I not only enjoy reading Warhammer 40K, I also watch and sometimes play it (virtual). When Spotify noticed a pattern, it thought I might enjoy Grimdark Tavern who makes music inspired by Warhammer 40K. And yeah, I do. Quite a lot.

“Cadia stands“ even managed to steal Nemo's crown as my Nr. 1 song. Even though Cadia falls (not a spoiler), the song lets me feel empowered during this time. Cadia stands as a human planet alone against the Warp ⬇

Well, I thought I might as well join in on #MondayMood
I de-TERF'ed my bookshelves. No Terfs on my Turf.

@Deblovestoread