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Jessicav

Jessicav

Joined April 2016

Find me on YouTube at JessicaReadsThings
review
Jessicav
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Pickpick

Do I recommend a 500+ page war novel for a readathon? Not particularly. But this was excellent and is generally recommended if you somehow missed it when it took over the fiction charts back in 2014. #24in48 continues! On to print book 3.

Tomigirl44 I loved this book! I listened to it on audio but also have a hardcover; I want to read it to enjoy the parts I missed since I don‘t listen to audio well - it‘s so beautifully poetic. 6y
Jessicav @Tomigirl44 yeah I was surprised at the style and composition actually. I went into it with few expectations beyond the bestseller status and I loved the super short and impactful chapters. 6y
20 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Jessicav
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Making a push for the end of this one as I enter my eleventh hour of reading! I‘ve reset myself - did a tidy of my space, broke out the Coke Zero, started some essential oils in the diffuser, ate dinner, and now have music on. HERE. WE. GO. #24in48 @24in48

Eyelit You got this! 6y
17 likes1 comment
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Jessicav
The Queen of the Tearling | Johansen, Erika
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It‘s nearly 5:30 AM and I am AWAKE! Starting the #24in48 readathon with audio while the sun comes up. Oh. And coffee. Much coffee

14 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
Raven Stratagem | Yoon Ha Lee
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Gosh I haven‘t posted on here in forever! I‘m participating in the #24in48 readathon this weekend and the rain has just started!! Now let‘s see if I can catch the official start before falling asleep... here is my final TBR minus audiobooks and If you‘re interested, I made a video about it on my YouTube channel. Link in my bio 😊. Happy reading everyone!

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Jessicav
Warlight: A novel | Michael Ondaatje
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Helloooooo my pretty....

16 likes3 stack adds
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Jessicav
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This is my third book of the day and I‘m loving it already. This is exactly the kind of book about race I‘ve been wanting to read, shifting toe focus from America to the UK. The writing is excellent and can we take a moment for this cover. Love love love.

23 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
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#NextUp for me. I‘m hoping this will be a quick read actually, and very well-written.

16 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
Bullet Journal | Bujo International
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Not really books, but book adjacent. On Saturday mornings, I love grabbing my coffee and coming back to my room to read for an hour and then starting in on my planning for weekend tasks and the week ahead. It‘s so relaxing and as an added bonus, makes me a more productive and happy person.

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Jessicav
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Okay, so I didn‘t know what to expect when @Liberty said that her half of this weeks #AllTheBooks episode made her sound like the great and powerful Oz, but I WAS NOT READY. This has made my day! Everyone. Go check this podcast out because it‘s awesome always, but especially for this magic.

LauraBeth 😹😹 oh this made me laugh! 6y
Liberty Thank you. I was so upset - yesterday was the worst- but everyone has been so kind about it. 😘 6y
Jessicav @Liberty If there‘s an option to have it always like this, I would vote for that! It seriously made my day. You guys are the best. 6y
LauraBeth I‘d still listen to your book reviews even if you did it through a tin can and a string while in Antarctica @Liberty 😻 6y
14 likes4 comments
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Jessicav
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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I am finishing this today! I promise! I read the first part of this a month or so ago and just switched to other things but now I‘m racing through it today. Such a fantastic sense of time and place, which is something I‘ve noticed Toibin consistently does really well.

Tav Nice pic 6y
Jessicav @Tav thanks! 6y
16 likes2 comments
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Jessicav
Red Clocks: A Novel | Leni Zumas
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Well this isn‘t what I was expecting somehow, but it great listening on audio. I‘m excited to see how the story progresses.

Nickinpa I‘m reading this one too. 6y
Jessicav @Nickinpa In print or audio? I‘m still going with the audio and am really liking it. I find it so easy to not put on an audiobook so I can tell when it‘s going well because I have it running whenever possible! 6y
Nickinpa I‘m reading the ebook but audio is a good idea. I‘ve heard rave reviews. Audio is a good idea. 6y
See All 6 Comments
Nickinpa There is an 8 week wait at my library for the audio though! 6y
Jessicav @Nickinpa oh dear. That‘s not ideal. I do our ebook buying for the library so I knew it was coming. #perks. 6y
Nickinpa @Jessicav Lucky you! 6y
18 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Jessicav
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#LibraryHaul for today. It helps use the library regularly when it‘s also your place of employment... 😍

19 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
The Unquiet Dead: A Novel | Ausma Zehanat Khan

I think this series was recommended on...the All The Books podcast? I think? It sounded great so I‘m giving it a go.

10 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
Go Tell It on the Mountain | James A Baldwin
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This book is just.. amazing. It‘s my first James Baldwin, and I know I‘m long overdue for reading his work. But I am blown away by the writing and the characters... why did I wait so long?!

JazzFeathers I bought this book sometime back too. Moving it up my TBR 😆 6y
Nickinpa I just re-read Giovanni‘s Room after many years and it was still amazing! 6y
Jessicav @Nickinpa I was going to start with that one, but it wasn‘t available at the time from the library. But I think it‘s next up for me, Baldwin-wise. 6y
Jessicav @JazzFeathers I definitely recommend it. I‘m still thinking about it. 6y
13 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Jessicav
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Here we go! Still trying to finish the day strong. #keepcalmreadathon

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Jessicav
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There are so many great lines in this book, and this is just the latest to have made me chuckle. Brown has a real way with dialogue. And world building. And shocking his readers. And emotions. And well... everything. He‘s the real deal. #keepcalmreadathong

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Jessicav
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I decided to throw myself a readathon to help alleviate some of the anxiety I have about unread books. I‘m starting the #keepcalmreadathon a little early because I‘m at home, and I‘m excited to dig in with Iron Gold!

UrsulaMonarch What a great idea! 6y
9 likes1 comment
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Jessicav
A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America | T. Christian Miller, Ken Armstrong
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Well this is just gripping so far. Multiple timelines, history of the victims as well as the rapist, and just written with gravitas and flare somehow.

8 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
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This short story collection has been on my TBR since it was published. Finally going in!

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Jessicav
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So looking forward to this.

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Jessicav
The Story of Egypt | Joann Fletcher
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Finally getting my #NonFictionNovember on. I love Ancient Egypt so I‘m hoping this is a readable narrative account of a couple thousand years of history.

saresmoore I‘ll be interested in your review of this one. 6y
Jessicav @saresmoore I will try to remember to post a review, but so far I can report good things. I love the chapter length. Not super short but definitely not long. I‘m up to the first intermediary period and the writing is good. 6y
saresmoore Sounds good to me! Thank you. 6y
14 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Jessicav
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Book 4 that I've started today. It's been a great day so far despite the constant headache. I know this one is going to be hard, but also hopefully great.

cariashley That‘s precisely how I‘d describe this book. 6y
Jessicav @cariashley well that's good to know! I bought it as soon as it came out, but just never got around to it! 6y
12 likes2 comments
review
Jessicav
The Queen of the Tearling | Johansen, Erika
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Pickpick

I have finally finished a book! This was GREAT. I will be starting book two soon, but also want to try to stick to my TBR. Quick break to cut into my newly baked loaf of sourdough and then time to start a new book! #readathon

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Jessicav
The Queen of the Tearling | Johansen, Erika
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Had to take a break but am back and aiming for a 2 hour block of solid reading time. I'm trying to vlog as well, but Charlie is having none of it. #readathon.

Reviewsbylola Charlie definitely looks over it. 😂😂 6y
13 likes1 comment
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Jessicav
Smarter Faster Better | Charles Duhigg
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HERE WE GO! #readathon

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Jessicav
The Surgeon | Tess Gerritsen
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I'm starting a new series. Who's read this? I hope I like it!!

review
Jessicav
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Pickpick

For some strange reason, I was skeptical going into this. It can be hard, I think, to really make an alternate Victorian London with magic and a kickass heroine work. It can come off as trying too hard and sort of lame. This was not that. This was EXCELLENT. I'll be picking up book 2 as soon as possible. Highly recommended YA fantasy.

17 likes1 stack add
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Jessicav
Milk and Honey | Rupi Kaur
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Y'all. This book.

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Jessicav
Origin | Dan Brown
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AWW YISS. First on the holds list.

JoeStalksBeck Yes! It‘s so good! 7y
11 likes1 comment
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Jessicav
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Hi Litsy friends. I started a new thing! I've been wanting to start a YouTube channel for a while now and I finally thought what the hell. If you're interested, I'd love for you to take a peek at first 2 videos. It's terrifying, but it would be if someone (read: ANYONE) watched them! Find me at JessicaReadsThings.

Mdargusch I will definitely check it out! Good luck. 👍🏼 7y
Jessicav @Mdargusch Thank you! 7y
15 likes2 comments
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Jessicav
Magpie Murders | Anthony Horowitz
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I have SUCH a craving for mysteries. I'm starting with this, but recommendations please! I'd prefer nothing too cozy, but am looking more for a thriller or psychological story element. Strong characters are a must. I already read Tana French, Robert Galbraith... what are your favourites?

Jess7 Amy Gentry, Gilly Macmillan, Mary Kubica, Kate Morton, Gillian Flynn, lisa lutz (The Passenger) 7y
mrozzz This is the best place to start! Kathy Reichs is pretty good and I haven't read Louise Penny but I hear good things about her too. 7y
18 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Jessicav
Strange Library | Haruki Murakami
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Almost a year ago, I posted a picture of the room that would become my library. Now, with a new coat of paint, new flooring, and new furniture, its coming along. This is about a third of the shelving that will get installed. I am a BILLY professional at this point.

saresmoore I really think “BILLY Professional” should go on the résumé next to typing speed and computer proficiencies. (edited) 7y
Jessicav @saresmoore RIGHT?! And I'm a librarian so some of these skills are definitely transferrable. 7y
BarbaraBB It looks great. Keep us posted when you‘ve ‘billied‘ the other 2/3 😀 7y
16 likes3 comments
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Jessicav
Stay With Me | Ayobami Adebayo
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Just finished Cuz and just started Stay With Me. Im already super hooked on the latter and can't imagine that I won't love this.

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Jessicav
What Happened | Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Literally as soon as the bookstore opened.

vivastory She's going to be on Rachel Maddow on Thursday night 7y
Jess7 💙💙 7y
Jessicav UPDATE: first tears shed on page 23. And I'm not even American! I'm thinking back to the day after the election and the outpouring on Litsy of grief and fear and shock and sadness. This book is going to be a wild ride. 7y
See All 6 Comments
JaimeDawn I have already cried some as well. 7y
RebL Same here! 7y
Jess7 Heads up: #HRC will be speaking live on CSPAN beginning at 7 pm EST about the 2016 presidential race and her book #WhatHappened 7y
24 likes6 comments
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Jessicav
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Finally reading this. Had a digital galley ages ago, then got this signed copy at ALA Annual, and now that it's actually out, I'm FINALLY reading it. As expected, it's great so far.

Reviewsbylola I didn't like her last book but I'm really enjoying this one! 7y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jessicav
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The first, but certainly not last, political book of my week off. I love stuff like this.

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Jessicav
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Okay @Liberty, I hear you! Rainy Sunday read while my LIBRARY (!!!) continues to be renovated.

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Jessicav
Home Fire: A Novel | Kamila Shamsie
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Pickpick

Loved loved loved loved loved this. Might be my favourite #manbooker longlisted title so far. A story about race, family bonds, community, nationalism, and sacrifice. A modern retelling of Antigone done so so well. Highly recommended.

Megabooks You had me at Antigone! 7y
24 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Jessicav
Arcadia: A novel | Iain Pears
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Next up for my afternoon reading.

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Jessicav
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On this holiday Monday, I've decided to challenge myself to a readathon. I've finished one book, and am now going to start this classic. It's been on my list for years and I recently found this lovely Pocket Penguin edition.

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Jessicav
Jackaby | William Ritter
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Mehso-so

I like my Sherlock retellings to just be up front about what they're doing. This wasn't trying very hard to cover it up, but it was just a little too thinly veiled for my taste. A very quick and straightforward YA mystery with fairly obvious plot points. I would considering continuing on with the series if I was in the mood for a light afternoon read - not rushing into anything though.

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Jessicav
Lincoln in the Bardo | George Saunders
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We are ready, sir; are angry, are capable, our hopes are coiled up so tight as to be deadly, or holy; turn us loose, sir, let us at it, let us show what we can do.

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Jessicav
Lincoln in the Bardo | George Saunders
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What I mean to say is, we had been considerable. Had been loved. Not lonely, not lost, not freakish, but wise, each in his or her own way. (Finally reading Lincoln in the Bardo...)

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Jessicav
Jackaby | William Ritter
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I am off until next Friday suddenly, and I'm starting things off with this series. It's marketed as Sherlock meets Doctor Who or Buffy, so I think I'm all in?

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Jessicav
Say Hello! | Rachel Isadora
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1. Rural Ontario, about an hour west of Toronto, in my bed, with my dog. 2. American War likely, though I've had a really great reading year. Fact of a Body and Hunger also come to mind. 3. I don't do TBRs! 4. Anything Terry Brooks. 5. Likely LOTR. They crushed it. 6. The fall is packed with things I can't pick just one. Celeste Ng, Brene Brown, Dan Brown, John Green, Tom Hanks.. and thats just looking at my NetGalley approved titles.

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Jessicav
Pachinko | Min Jin Lee
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Ok. Ok. What's next? I've been waiting to read this... for no reason. I think maybe the length was putting me off at the time. But I'm here now and so so ready for this.

Lacythebookworm It's great! And it goes quickly! 7y
Jessicav @Lacythebookworm Yes it's very readable! First chapter done, loving it. 7y
Reviewsbylola So good! 7y
LauraBeth ❤️ this book! 7y
16 likes4 comments
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Jessicav
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Next up! I think I'm finally in the mood for some short stories and I've never read Adam Johnson before. I have high hopes!

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Jessicav
Fingersmith | Sarah Waters
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I'm making progress on this, but feel the need to just focus myself and dedicate a couple of hours to getting some pages read. With my favourite album to listen to with British books.

PeedieBookBug I really struggled with this book to begin with, but then the twist at the end of the first section kept me going... 7y
Jessicav @PeedieBookBug That was my exact experience! 7y
10 likes2 comments
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Jessicav
Fingersmith | Sarah Waters
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Do you ever have books that while you're reading, you're loving, but you don't feel any urge to pick it up if you're not already in it? This is that book. Im dangerously close to breaking my reading streak, but I don't want to set this aside for fear of not finishing it ever. What do I do?!

swishandflick How far along are you? I'd recommend sticking with this one, it's got some killer twists 🙌🏽 7y
Jessicav @swishandflick The gentleman has just left the house to go back to London, and a plot is afoot for the women to...rendezvous with him. It's definitely picking up! 7y
14 likes2 comments
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Jessicav
Grant | Ron Chernow
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Home sick today and this beast is calling out to me. I got it signed by Mr. Chernow at ALA Annual in June, but I have to say, getting it home along with a few other galleys (I really restrained myself) my clothes and other personal stuff, and an award we won (squee!), was a REAL STRUGGLE that involved a sprint through the airport. You try sprinting with this thing. I challenge you to look majestic doing it.