Not my favorite from the author. The foreshadowing was heavy handed so there were few true surprises. It kept my attention (which is an accomplishment as of late) but just not up to par with Paris‘ other books. Not to mention the offensive psychology info…

Already off to a good start with #BookSpinBingo, moving on to my second pick (tagged book). Sager's novels are often 'meh' for me but I can also never resist the hype.

2021 was a year of highs and lows. Being a therapist in a pandemic is ROUGH. Yet we bought a house, a goal I had for a decade. Last year, I focused on giving myself grace and those things I truly enjoy, allowing myself to do them if I felt like it... and not do them if I didn't. That often meant more Netflix and much less reading. After a year of rest, I'm excited to get back into it, balancing more “growth“ with “grace“. #BookSpinBingo

🤞🏻for a solid month of reading in March. Starting off with the tagged book. It's a long(ish) one but already grabbing my attention!

#BookSpinBingo

Starting my month off with the tagged book. February wasn't a great month for me so hopefully March goes a bit more as planned 🤞🏻

#BookSpinBingo

Really not sure if it was the timing or the book. I loved the style and the characters were funny and witty while talking about “deep” topics. But for whatever reason, I just wasn‘t compelled to pick this up and it took me 2 weeks to read.

I wanted to love this since I was pulled into the writing right away. But it was just a bit too YA with a solid dose of misogyny. It would have been much better with college-age characters.

Starting the month off with a “Been There Done That“ Novelogue pick. Maybe eventually I will actually be productive enough to post my actual paper spread instead of a digital one 😂

#BookSpinBingo

Scored my first bingo in January!

#BookSpinBingo

Kicking the month of February off with the tagged book, for my “Been There Done That“ poster.

I have some ambitious fitness goals for the month but am on track with my yearly yoga goal so don't want to settle just for that one.

#BFC21

Great to see the beginning story of some of the characters from THUG but this one didn't resonate quite as much with me. There were some notable lines but the themes just weren't as pronounced or thought provoking.

#ATY2021

Loved the lyrical nature of Bennett's writing and the themes found throughout the book related to racial identity and passage of time. Definitely adding more from the author to my TBR.

#ATY2021

I'm hoping to still finish out a few books in January but am excited to start off with a new month for #BookSpinBingo. The tagged book has managed to move through multiple lists and has been on my TBR for years, so it will definitely be a priority in February.

A book that really brought me back to my teen years and perfectly fills the ATY prompt: a book that reminded me of summer. Loved the ending and the relationships developed.

#aty2021

* Picture from Google

I have to steal from Popsugar on this one because their blurb sums it up perfectly: equal parts compelling and creepy. I did find the two perspectives a bit too similar, causing me to lose track of which events happened in which time period.

#aty2019 #bookspinbingo

You had me at hello, Simone.

Lighthearted, entertaining read with some deeper elements. I loved the notes between Tiffy and Leon but his language was a bit inconsistent and prevented me from getting into the flow of his voice.

#ATY2021 #BookSpinBingo

I got my physical bujo spread done a bit late this time so I‘m already on to my second book. Better late than never!

.... and I misspelled my title. That‘s what I get for multitasking during a work meeting.

#bookspinbingo #bujo #bulletjournal

Oh, Sadie. Surprisingly deep for a YA read that got me pensive by the end. This ending is a bit controversial but I think it‘s fitting for the final themes, as much as I hate to admit it.

#ATY2021 #illustratedcover

*Image from Google

Ready with my #BookSpinBingo card for January. Starting with the tagged book for “A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list (#ATY2021)“, using “A book with an illustrated cover“. I tried the audio of it in 2020 and while the format fit the book well, I can never seem to get into audiobooks. So I'm re-attempting with an ebook version.

Excited to get started with my 2021 Goals!

My husband gifted me a very fun poster for Christmas, with 100 epic books to read. I'm hoping to check off some of those this year and also complete the Around the Year 2021 challenge. And of course, I want to finally score a bingo for #BookSpinBingo

For fitness, I am participating in Adriene's 30 Day Yoga Journey and my Noom goal is to be down to about 170 pounds.

#ATY2021 #BFC21

December was a very successful reading month for me but I was one short of a Bingo. Ugh! Here's hoping for 2021.

Tagged book was my favorite of the month and definitely in my top 10 for the year.

#BookSpinBingo

❤️❤️❤️❤️💔❤️❤️❤️❤️

Fantastic. I loved Queenie so much and her low self-esteem broke my heart. The micro-aggressions throughout were enough to make me squirm and/or rage. It depicts therapy in a very realistic light while also recognizing cultural influence.

Highly recommend, with *heavy, sexual content

Suspenseful with some wonderfully creepy bits. Just the right number of red herrings to keep you guessing. #aty2020

I always am motivated and inspired when a year comes to end, with excitement at setting intentions and reflecting on growth. This is at a whole new level now and I cannot wait to leave 2020 behind.

This year, I will be focusing on getting as caught up as possible with Around the Year, completing some of the books on the “Been There Done That“ Novelogue that my husband gifted me, and staying ahead of the Rainbow Covers.

#ATY2021 #BookSpinBingo

Suspenseful and thrilling from the very start. It felt at times that the author was adding content simply for the shock value but one scene in particular definitely got me ugly crying.

Kept me guessing until the end but lacked a bit of the “heart“ that makes me truly engrossed and attached to the characters.

The concept is thought-provoking with a ton of potential. In the end, the author could have done better with fleshing it out, including the supernatural elements and “feeling”.

Seemingly simple literary story with a lot of depth, commentary, and meaning.

Starting out with the tagged book for #bookspinbingo. I dedicated a few of my freebies to cover colors so I can finish off my Rainbow Cover Colors for 2020.

#bujo #bulletjournal #bookspinbingo

Ready to go with my #BookSpinBingo list for December! I've managed to get into a good reading groove so that combined with #stayathome and the weather, I am hopeful for the month's goals.

I came much closer to a Bingo this time around, especially if I count my DNF read. I knew including Sadie would be a bit dangerous since I take forever with books on audio.

#BookSpinBingo

The story succeeds as a true mystery/thriller since it keeps you questioning the narrator all the way through to the end. But I just can't get fully on board with the way it depicts mental health, especially the involuntary inpatient process.

#ATY2017 #unreliablenarrator

Image from Google

Wonderful, yet heartbreaking, story about personal growth and defining love

#ATY2020

Phew. This one got me in all the feels. It‘s definitely not the novel that I expected but I literally couldn‘t put it down and finished it in close to one sitting.

This is one of those novels that you just can‘t decide: is it simple or complex? Regardless, I enjoyed the storyline and themes. Perfect for a quick read-a-thon pick.

As you get older, you spend more time reflecting on those times that have shaped you. Those distinct moments in time to which, for good or for bad, your mind continually returns. This novel resonates with me due one such moment. Line by line the author proves how incredibly talented she is.

Loved the unique format and wish it would have been in there a bit more. Entertaining and a genuine “whodunit?”

And.... take two. I had to redo my board this time since a lot of the holds from the library are coming through slower than I anticipated. But it's a nice refresh in time for the #ATY2020 read-a-thon this week!

#BookSpinBingo

Fresh storyline in a familiar trope (woman returns after a long-ago murder). The writer creates a flawed, yet likable, main character and draws on the emotions up until the very end.

Off to a good start! Hypothesis: I read books much faster on my kindle 🤔

This one kept my attention and had consistent action. The reveal was a bit ‘meh‘ but at least closed all the boxes.

#BookSpinBingo

Next up: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Excited to put together the #BookSpinBingo card for November! Im finishing up the tagged book and am hopeful that the fall-winter weather will make for a good reading month 🤞🏻

November's #BookSpinBingo list

I wasn‘t as successful in October as I would have hoped. But I'm trying to pressure myself a little less and allow myself to just be okay with what I am enjoying in the moment.

#mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #tbr

I‘m not watching this one again. But would recommend it if you are able to stomach extreme horror movies.

Both the movie and the recommended book are rather long but with worthwhile themes and imagery that you are unlikely to forget.

#horrorseason

Equally unrelenting and suspenseful

I have a bit of a task ahead of me, in order to finish all the listed movies before the 31st but #heregoesnothing

#horrorseason

The 2003 remake is one of my favorite horror movies and that is partially due to the amazing final girl. The book features another strong female character and is equally suspenseful.

#horrorseason

The beauty of both stories is in the simplicity and build up of tension. Neither are particularly action packed but get under your skin and have earned their place in the horror classics.

#horrorseason

Considering the popularity of the zombie genre, I‘m a bit surprised that I haven‘t read more books. But of course had to choose one of the classics.

#horrorseason

#BuddyRead for #TeamSlaughter is done for 175 total points!

Next up: Sadie on Audio and The Testaments in print

Another 17 points for my Netflix time - The Conjuring, The Descent, Haunting of Bly Manor, American Murder, I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark, The Confession Killer, Ghost Adventures

#scarathlon2020