#JolabokaflodSwap post 2 of 2! I literally smiled so hard when I unwrapped my official Jolabokaflod book!! It just seems so perfect for Christmas Eve!! I am going to start it tonight when I‘m done cooking. This is perfect Kate and I got all my favorite Milka chocolates!! I already bit into the white chocolate lol it‘s delicious!! Merry Christmas for those who celebrate it! Happy Holidays! #Jolabokaflod Thank you Michelle for hosting this!!

Omg thank you Kate for the extra book!! I started the audio and LOVED Butter so I really wanted a physical copy and now I will restart it from the beginning lol. Also, the snow people are cute okay!! 😆 And this card is BEAUTIFUL front and back!! Post 1 of 2. #Jolabokaflod #JolabokaflodSwap

Katey I am so spoiled!! The socks are so soft and I love the candy canes and antler ornament! I needed more tabs and Tate‘s GF cookies are my FAVE! I had no idea peppermint and cherry kisses existed!? I had one of each and they‘re DELICIOUS I am obsessed! The crystals are gorgeous. I love the Ex Hex series, this Yuletide wedding theme may be my next read! I knew from the first line in a sample that I wanted the tagged book.😅 #WinterWitchSwap #WWS

Received my #JolabokaflodSwap package today! So excited! Thank you Kate! #Jolabokaflod

#JolabokaflodSwap and #NaughtyListHolidaySwap packages are on their way Priority Mail for delivery between Thursday and Saturday (maybe sooner) and I received my #NLHS all the way from Alaska! Thanks Andrew (I‘m assuming after snooping at posts lol) I‘m super excited!! Thank you all for hosting!!!

#UnpopularOpinion incoming.🥲Such a great premise but the choice to use the FMC‘s journal as the main POV did not work for me. The entries were too detailed and nonsensical for a survival story, all tell no show, and I felt the characters were unrealistic. Kate was whiny and incompetent yet overly critical and personally, the audio made that annoyance worse lol. (For her, the other performances were good.) Off to find more Bigfoot horror!

Holiday cheer! My #WinterWitchSwap is here lol! Thank youuuu @bumpinthenight now I have to act like a well-behaved child and not open it early! 😅 #WWS

No pic of the box because I was super rushed and forgot, but my #WWS package was sent off today to you Ashley! Scheduled for delivery on Friday. The second part being direct shipped was updated today to Saturday delivery. I may have also used MWS hashtag on the box in my rush smh lol. Thank you for hosting!! #WinterWitchSwap

A novella I might re-read this time every year. An excellent reminder that unchecked power and injustice targets the most vulnerable in society, and only a few quiet heroes tend to decide not to look away. This was a top choice on my #AuldLangSpine2026 list. #AuldLangSpine #DashingThruDecember #Green

I am determined to actually read and/or listen to A Christmas Carol during December this year! I tell myself I‘ll do this every year and then I‘m sad when I don‘t lol.

#DashingThruDecember #Carols

How am I supposed to read my book? 🤔🫠😅🤷🏽‍♀️ #catsoflitsy #aardvarkbookclub #aardvark

I am super late! @Eggs thanks for the tag!! And similarly, I want to get into more graphic novels. Although I didn‘t read comics growing up, I have seen some very interesting graphic novels that people seem to love! Also reading the tagged book about the comic book publishing industry piqued my interest.

I also want to read more literary gothic and literary horror novels, as well as more classics.
#SundayFunday

Cozy and heartwarming, even emotional at times. Uncle Satoru loved deeply and fiercely and was my favorite character. The first half focuses on how living in a dreamy used bookstore district in Tokyo helps the MC heal.

The second half focuses on Takako‘s aunt and why she left Uncle Satoru with no explanation years ago, which was a bit more tedious and somber, dealing with family grief. The ending is warm and comforting. I will read Book 2!

Thanks to @vivastory I read this bizarre, lovely, whimsical novella (audio highly recommended!). I‘m impressed that such a short, surreal book contained this lush, evocative world with characters I actually cared about. Playful tone, communal customs, and quiet acceptance of iDEATH's strange, functional utopia (color-changing sun, pleasant people-eating tigers) was surprisingly wholesome? And it feels fresh, despite being written 60 years ago.👇🏽

Thanks for the tag, Sherri!

I think 3 things I do well are:

1. Critical analysis - I‘m naturally curious and also like to come from a factual perspective (with empathy)

2. Being a confidant - I‘ve noticed that people seem drawn to me to vent or seek advice, or just a relatable convo.

3. Presenting - natural and learned, because it used to terrify me! Still does, but I practiced controlling my nerves and tend to do really well.

#majicmonday

Putting together my #AuldLangSpine list I realized I have several unrated books. Let‘s start with this gem! Every single story resonated with me somehow.

A snapshot of the lives of 9 women, all with some connection to the stereotypical southern Black church. Many depicted the expectation of denial of desire and pervasive hypocrisy, but the core was mother-daughter relationships and adults failing their children (Peach Cobbler). A GEM! Cont.👇🏽

A pan for me simply because I had no idea what was going on! 🙃🥲 The plot was hard to follow and the characters felt distant. This is an unpopular opinion though. I‘m honestly happy so many others loved it! 2⭐️s maybe? How do I even rate this lol.

Hey so I apologize for literally everything I just said about my cat and his attitude lololol because LOOK at him being the sweetest boy!! 🥹 Of course RIGHT AFTER I say he‘s not affectionate. 🤣🤣 He curled up and started napping on my youngest‘s jacket. That‘s his little friend. 😊

#ARichLife #Warmth

My perpetually pissed off buddy lol. 🛫 I give him love and affection as he demands, he gives me 5 second cuddles and purrs when he feels like it, then spicy attitude. 🤣🥲

#ARichLife #Affection

What happens when vengefulness begets exposure to the vilest depths of human nature?

This was a gut-punch of a #YA book! Harrowing, shockingly violent account of the worst atrocities committed by humans against each other. We follow 11 year-old Kofi‘s life in his Asante village (now Ghana) during 1860. A violent but mutual competition between Upper and Lower Kwanta leads to unspeakable horrors when something goes terribly wrong. Great audio! 4⭐️s

Last week was my mom‘s birthday and my oldest was inducted into the National Honor Society!

#ARichLife #Family #Blessings

Sometimes doom scrolling Facebook produces some interesting facts lol. Utqiaġvik, Alaska will be in a state of twilight and darkness until the end of January. I don‘t think I could ever get used to that!

#ARichLife #Twilight

I found this book on Pango for $1 plus shipping! Getting it for my youngest, it‘s so cute! I love teaching children to be thankful for the small things in life. As I get older, it‘s really some of the little things that bring me the most joy.

#ARichLife #Grateful #childrensbooks

This has been on my TBR forever and it‘s just so right up my alley I‘ve gotta get to it either by the end of the year of beginning of 2026! I mean I just know “Arcadia Gardens” must be creepy and diabolical from the description on page 2 of the HOA only allowing colors like Purity, Innocence, and Mother‘s Milk to be painted lmao.

Non-book related, HEB had the BEST (Envy) apples this year!! Yum😋

#ARichLife #Apples

I could tell very early on the writing was simply not for me. It was so repetitive in telling about rot and decay to create a spooky atmosphere, but it was too much and just didn‘t work for me.

“Hazelthorn has barely dragged its decayed corpse into the 21st century…”

“Beyond it, the inky dark of the hallway stretches like a diseased throat…”

“The dark stares back, mouth wet.”🤔

“His stomach is full of curdled cream and rotted violet stems…”

Well, I see where the so-so consensus comes from lol. This was okay. I loved the Galveston setting, the storm, sunken ship growing mangrove trees. I enjoyed our intro to Ruby and the Christabel crew. Some creepy horror elements with the birds early on. But the witch storyline and lore was unbelievable with too many plot holes. The characters became ridiculous and the witches were weirdly inept. A 4-5⭐️ premise but lacking in execution. 2.5⭐️s

Playing catch-up on November‘s #ARichLife! The October #Harvest moon was a supermoon last month and looked similar to the Beaver supermoon of this week (pictured here over Texas skies). They were both so big and golden! 🌕🤩

The gold matches part of the cover of my current audiobook. This is different but fun so far! Set in the Galveston area during a severe storm, on a sunken ship with a mangrove forest, an infant being hidden and witches!

Anyone watched The Red King? It‘s rare that I get to watch a show, and even when I have the chance I normally opt for a book. But this intrigued me and I added AMC onto Prime Video to watch it (smh streaming woes🙄). Anywho, I binged it! Haven‘t binged a show since You. I wish it was a book! Themes of occult tradition, folklore, the human psyche, and what justice looks like. Book and watchlist recs similar to this are welcomed!!

Thanks for the tag Sherri! I think my future self will be proud I took the job I did after being affected by a very unexpected and distressing mass layoff from my previous company. My current role is challenging, in a completely different industry, and has a demanding learning curve, but I‘m making great progress and honestly it‘s a fantastic opportunity! I‘m glad I didn‘t let fear talk me out of it.

#MajicMonday

Enjoyed this overall. I love how SMG weaves in Aztec history from pre-colonial Mexico City. It took me down many rabbit holes. This neon noir has vampire gang wars, human narco wars, a whole lot of bloodshed, plus a dash of romance. I get why Atl was how she was, but Domingo was a sweetheart and deserved better lol. The ending was a bit rushed and kind of sad. I‘d welcome a sequel! 3.5⭐️s #HauntedShelf #BlackCatCrew #Phantasmal #BookRecommendation

My #HauntedShelf points wrap-up! Due to foreseen and unforeseen circumstances lol I didn‘t get as much reading done in the second half of the month, hence my points went down from the first half. First half: 1,267. Second half: 897. Total: 2,164. Thank you @PuddleJumper for hosting and @BookwormAHN for leading #BlackCatCrew! This made my October so much fun!

#MWS part 2 the tea lights smell SO GOOD!! I already used the Divination candle before a meeting today while working from home and it went really well! The spices and herbs?! Smell DELICIOUS!! I am using them when I make soup this week for sure! And the bath soak I can just smell the relaxing chamomile. I will be taking a nice bath tonight as it was a long night of trick or treating lol. This was so thoughtful, thank you!! #MWS #ModernWitchSwap

Chrissy!! This package is AMAZING thank you so much!! I need two posts to properly gush lol!! I am so excited about the Hoodoo tarot deck with the workbook to help me learn! And can‘t wait to dive into Jambalaya which was highly recommended to me by a friend! The pumpkin spice coffee bean bark is something I‘ve never had and is DELICIOUS!! I will be buying more! And I needed more chime candles!! #MWS #ModernWitchSwap

#HauntedShelf cover #ScavengerHunt for #Possessive and #HauntsAndHexes #Devilish. This seems intriguing!

#BlackCatCrew

I really need to try some space horror! #HauntsAndHexes #Chilling

#HauntedShelf cover #ScavengerHunt for #Atmosphere #BlackCatCrew

I really like both of these covers! I see this was a Pick for @Reggie so I‘m even more excited to read it! Witchy historical gothic horror set in the Philippines.

#HauntedShelf cover #ScavengerHunt #Monster and #HauntsAndHexes #Spell

#BlackCatCrew

I‘ve had this on my TBR for a long time. Middle grade but I hear it‘s actually scary! #HauntsAndHexes #Scarecrow and #HauntedShelf cover #ScavengerHunt for #Tree

#BlackCatCrew

Last push for #HauntedShelf and trying to catch up on some #HauntsAndHexes prompts. This one is H&H for #Potion and HS cover #ScavengerHunt for #cozy. The cover is so cute omg lol. #BlackCatCrew

Omg @Captivatedbybooks I LOVE my goodies!! I‘m excited about your suggestion. YA horror set in Puerto Rico with mysterious murders sounds fantastic! The Red Knot from my TBR seems great for the coming season. Isolated Alaskan island, cults, and murder! My favorite candies Sour Patch Kids and Almond Joy plus Popsicle sour candy which I‘ve never seen before! I LOVE the book sleeve, the spider and stickers are so CUTE!! #AHRS2025 #AllHallowsReadSwap

My #AHRS2025 package arrived! Thank you @Captivatedbybooks ! #AllHallowsReadSwap

Another book I wouldn‘t have known existed if I wasn‘t searching for prompts! My #NonFictionNovember TBR is already full!

A study of enslaved women‘s stories using lethal force as a form of resistance and justice.

#HauntsAndHexes for literal real life #Nightmare #HauntedShelf Cover #ScavengerHunt for #Broody #BlackCatCrew #Nonfiction

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess

Thank you Chrissy! I got my package today, although I‘m not sure if it‘s for #MWS or #AHRS2025 lol.

As a spooky connoisseur, this quiz humbled me lol. 6?! If it was spooky books owned and unread or have been on your TBR for years I‘d have a top score.😄 So I‘ll be the person to list 3 I think were missed.

•Justice for The Push! Lol it‘s a perfect creepy bad seed concept
•The Weight of Blood is a great Carrie retelling
•NOS4A2 - Christmas themed but absolutely belongs
•Honorable mention: The Grip of It is CREEPY!

#threelistthursday #tlt link ⬇️

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess

#HSCluedo
10pts per question/answer
10pts per guess
25pts for correct guess