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lauraisntwilder

lauraisntwilder

Joined October 2016

Favorite authors: Per Petterson, Lorrie Moore, Hiromi Kawakami. Favorite genres: Literary fiction, mysteries.
review
lauraisntwilder
Chronicles of Avonlea | L M Montgomery
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Pickpick

Going in, I knew this was just a short story collection with Anne Shirley basically forced in here and there. While, yes, that's true, the Anne bits are relatively unobtrusive. Several of the stories were sweet, like "Old Lady Lloyd" and "Each in His Own Tongue," and several had classic LMM tropes like a quarreling couple, a man hater, and old maid sisters. I enjoyed it!

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lauraisntwilder
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Panpan

I didn't like this one, but this was the line that made me want to pitch it across the room. This poor kid is being taught "correct grammar," but "it is me" isn't incorrect, it's just informal. Poor Rishi spent almost as much time in Nancy's trunk as he did safe in her house. No one seemed worried enough about him, certainly not enough to keep him safe.

Librarybelle This one was really bad! 4d
dabbe 🎯! I've been wondering what to write; you nailed it! Excellent review! 4d
19 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Long Way from Verona | Jane Gardam
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This was the #EuropaCollective pick for September, which I've finally read. I ended up liking it, but I can understand why not everyone did. Jessica isn't terribly likeable at the beginning and the plot doesn't seem to go anywhere. But, it started working for me around the time of the house party. Jessica changes and matures. This won't be a favorite, but I enjoyed it. (The book for December has been shipped, so maybe I'll read that one on time!)

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lauraisntwilder
I Hear You're Rich | Diane Williams
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Panpan

Maybe flash fiction just isn't my thing? These were so short and yet, somehow, they couldn't hold my attention. I literally read the whole book this morning and not a single story stuck with me through listening to my son talk about video games for 10 minutes after I finished it and before posting this review. I couldn't tell you anything about it. (But apparently my kid is almost done getting the sword he wants in Armored Core.)

tpixie 😂 1w
22 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Single, Carefree, Mellow | Katherine Heiny
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Mehso-so

The writing in these stories is great and reminds me of Lorrie Moore. However, I typically like the main characters of Moore's stories and I didn't like any of these women. They collectively seemed to think being fat or enjoying "mom" activities were the most horrifying traits a woman could have. I couldn't relate to them.

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here we go for November, if you can believe it. 2025 is coming for us like the baddie in a slasher movie. My #bookspin for this month is Under the Eye of the Big Bird. My #doublespin is Kehua!, which was one of my spins last year and I didn't even start it. Thanks, as always, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3w
tpixie Fun seeing Trixie Belton and Cherry Ames! The one with braids sticking up I thought might be Pippi Longstocking, but wasn‘t! 🦋 1w
20 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
The House of the Seven Gables | Ryan Conary, David Moffat, Everett Philbrook, House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association
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Mehso-so

I ended up switching to the audio because, as I've described in other posts, October was A LOT and I had zero focus. I listened while I did a jigsaw puzzle, which I think improves any book. I didn't dislike it, but it seemed to be all atmosphere and no plot.

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lauraisntwilder
Marmee: A Novel | Sarah Miller
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I loved this. My sister has had metastatic breast cancer for 3+ years and had a not-so-great scan this month. I was definitely in the mood for sisterhood. I loved the life that Miller imagined for Margaret in and around the storyline of Little Women, adding in some of the truth of the time period (slavery, war, poverty, infant mortality, etc). Made me want to read an Alcott bio.

My October #bookspin. @TheAromaofBooks

kspenmoll I just loved this too! 3w
Jas16 Keeping you and your sister in my thoughts. 3w
lauraisntwilder @Jas16 Thank you! ❤️ She's lucky to live near Vanderbilt University and it's many clinical trials. 3w
TheAromaofBooks Lovely review!! Praying for you sister 💕 3w
lauraisntwilder @TheAromaofBooks Thank you! ❤️ 3w
17 likes5 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

Catching up on posting what I read in October...
I read through a lot of this on Indigenous Peoples' Day. I read several lines (and sometimes whole poems) aloud whenever my family was in the room with me.

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I'm not ready for November, but here's my #bookspin list anyway! Thanks, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
11 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I didn't read nearly as many books this month as I'd planned. To be honest though, I'm surprised I read as many as I did. I work in royalties and October is when all Jan-June payments come in, leaving me pretty wiped out at the end of the day. I either couldn't focus or fell asleep. And we went to New Orleans for a weekend, too, in the middle of the month. So, yeah, I'm pleased with 6 books! 😜 @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fantastic month!! 3w
13 likes1 comment
review
lauraisntwilder
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Panpan

If this had been the first Nancy Drew I read, I'm not sure I would've tried another one. The mystery feels so pointless. Random dangerous things keep happening, with no effect on the plot, so it's just, "Oh no! But it's fine!" The villain is straight out of Scooby Doo. There's an unnecessary side plot where a boy has a crush on Nancy and she seems, at worst, mildly inconvenienced by it. Oh, and Nancy digs up a baby's grave. Hard pass on all that.

Librarybelle This one is definitely not the greatest 1mo
18 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Elizabeth and Her German Garden | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Mehso-so

I don't think any of us reading this for #kindredspiritsbuddyread loved it. It was fine, I guess? I don't understand why she married that man; he seemed like such a boring, misogynistic grump. I read The Enchanted April seven years ago and I remember that I liked it, but it didn't stick with me. I doubt this one will either. This was my #doublespin for October. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Sammmmmeeee 😂 Also, I literally couldn't tell if her husband really felt the way he was saying, or if he was winding up the guest they kept teasing??? There were several scenes where they were messing with that poor girl and I literally couldn't tell what was supposed to be sarcastic and what was serious. I get that she was annoying, but it seemed like they were so mean to her! 1mo
20 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
To Love and Be Wise | Josephine Tey
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I forgot to post about this one, which I read last weekend. This is probably my favorite Tey I've read so far. At one point, I thought I'd figured out the twist, but I was wrong and it took a totally different turn. (I hate this cover, but it was from a library book sale, so it was super cheap.)

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here's my #bookspinbingo board for October. Happy October, everyone! 😁 My #bookspin is Marmee. My #doublespin is Elizabeth and Her German Garden, which is also the current pick for #kindredspiritsbuddyread. Looks like a good month! Thank you, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! I just started Elizabeth and Her German Garden yesterday! 2mo
14 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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With no time to spare, here's my #bookspinbingo list for October! @TheAromaofBooks

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here's my completed #bookspinbingo board for September. I have a feeling I forgot to tag my #bookspin and #doublespin when I posted reviews. 😬 Sorry, Sarah! And thank you! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fabulous month!!! 2mo
11 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

There are a lot more books in this series, but this is the last one by original author Julie Campbell. The Bob-Whites meet some new kids at the end of this one and we get a very quick version of the highlights of the series so far. It felt like a nice send off for and from Campbell. #bobwhitebuddies

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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I don't know if this was legitimately better than the last one or if I was simply glad to be back at Coopers Chase. This one did feel especially poignant though and I'm realizing I need to reread them all.

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lauraisntwilder
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Flavia de Luce is growing up. What enjoyed most about this newest installment was the moments when Flavia was dealing with occupying the space between child and adult.

rubyslippersreads I need to catch up on the series before I read the new one. 2mo
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Mehso-so

From what I've seen, this is a comfort read for a lot of people, so I'm very glad that it exists. To me, it seemed like a lot of world building, but it didn't go anywhere. It's the first in a series though, so maybe things that started in this one will be picked up later? Top marks for diversity and inclusivity!

monalyisha I didn‘t love this, either…which made my utter & complete adoration for her Monk & Robot books such a pleasant surprise! 2mo
lauraisntwilder @monalyisha Oh, good to know! 2mo
Ruthiella Her other books don‘t really take what was established in the first book much further. I love them and do find them comforting, but I get that they don‘t work for everyone. (edited) 2mo
21 likes3 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

This is another book I read while traveling, but I finished it yesterday at home. This was a departure for me, since I don't usually read anything that would be classified as romance. I enjoyed it though. It was fun.

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lauraisntwilder
The Story Girl | Lucy Maud Montgomery
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I finished this while traveling and forgot to post about it. I enjoyed this, LMM'S favorite of her own books. It all takes place over one summer, when the cousins on the King farm are all together, at the edge of childhood. It feels like LMM crammed all her best memories into it.

BarbaraJean I\'m glad you enjoyed it! It\'s not my favorite of hers, but I do enjoy its idyllic (and funny) picture of childhood. (And I love your LMM shelf in the background!!) 2mo
20 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
The Strand on Columbus Avenue | New York, NY (Bookstore)
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The tagged location isn't the one I visited, but you get the idea! I'm so proud of myself for not buying anything I wasn't specifically trying to find. I didn't browse. I looked for specific authors, got what I didn't have, and got out of there before I lost my will power.

dabbe The dream store I want to visit! I admire your restraint! 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
23 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Argosy Books | New York, NY (Bookstore)
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I hadn't visited Argosy before. It wasn't what I was expecting, but I did find these two hardcovers in decent shape in the basement.

sarahbarnes Funny - I bought a used copy of Birds of America in NYC this summer, at The Strand. 😁 2mo
22 likes1 comment
review
lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I'm in New York City for a few days for work, and finished this tonight in my hotel room. I felt like the writing was choppy starting out. Carson Drew basically says, "Go to this cabin and solve the mystery. Take Bess and George." And then we're off to the races with just about everybody but Bess getting a concussion at some point! It was a fun read, once they left River Heights.

dabbe Really no Carson or Hannah in this one! 🤩 2mo
Librarybelle I agree about the choppiness! 2mo
22 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Kilmeny of the Orchard | Lucy Maud Montgomery
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Mehso-so

Well, at least it was short. 🤷‍♀️

BarbaraJean 😂😂 2mo
15 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

LMM's early 30s, despite literary success and fame, seemed to have more than her fair share of sadness. Depression and loneliness were ever present in the winter months, with just her elderly grandmother for company. But when she's happy, if she's spending those happy moments writing, her words are effervescent and full of the beauty of the natural world. #kindredspiritsbuddyread

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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I just finished the second Dalton book and it was wonderful. I actually teared up twice during the last 60 pages. I'm so glad a third book is in the works.

jlhammar Looking forward to this. Great to hear about a third book! 3mo
BarbaraBB Oh wow, that‘s good to know. I really want to read the sequel too! 3mo
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I finished this over the long weekend. It's my favorite of the series so far. I thought the setup, the beginning section before Morse shows up, worked well in this one and made me care more about the resolution. It was twisty turny and I had no idea who the culprit would be.

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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September is here! Here's my #bookspinbingo board. My #bookspin is the next #bobwhitebuddies Trixie Belden book, The Mystery in Arizona. My #doublespin is Elizabeth and Her German Garden, which is one of this month's selections for #kindredspiritsbuddyread. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 3mo
20 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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No bingo for August, but it was a good month! I got caught up on my #bookspin and #doublespin books from July, too. Looking forward to seeing how September will come together. Thanks, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fantastic month!!! 3mo
12 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here's my #bookspin list for September. I would love it if I could read part of these outside, in temps under 90! 🤞

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! For real, August was a hot one around here!! 3mo
18 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
The Faces | Tove Ditlevsen
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This was a gripping story and surprisingly dense considering the length.

It seems ironic that the American editions of Ditlevsen's books all have her face on them, since she seems to have not been terribly impressed by her own appearance.

This was my #bookspin for July, a month late. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
23 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Mehso-so

This was well researched and had some interesting moments, but overall it wasn't great. It was repetitive and didn't spend much time on analysis.

This was my #doublespin for July, finished a month late. 😉 @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3mo
18 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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I saw Halley's Comet when it last passed by Earth, when I was 4 years old. One set of those "eyes now unborn" were mine. ??

BarbaraJean That entry gives you chills a bit, doesn‘t it?! I remember seeing it in 1986 as well—I was 7! 3mo
lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean Yes! I sent this picture to my sister, who is 5 years older than me and read all of the Anne books when she was young. I said, "She's talking about us!" 3mo
16 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Mystery Off Glen Road | Julie Campbell
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Mehso-so

I forgot to post about Trixie last month, but I thought book 4 was pretty good. I can't quite say the same for book 5. I'm honestly surprised they didn't edit the language for this 2009 edition. How many times did Brian and Mart call Trixie a lazy sq***? Too many! The mystery wasn't especially great (or existent?) in this one either.

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lauraisntwilder
Last Seen Wearing | Colin Dexter
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Book 2 of the Inspector Morse series. There were so many possible outcomes here, even Morse was confused!

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lauraisntwilder
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I finished both of these this week and thought they looked so pretty together. I reread AoA for #kindredspiritsbuddyread. I had been saving what I thought was the last Flavia de Luce book and then discovered yesterday that another one comes out next month! 🩷 I enjoyed this one and Dogger's increased role.

lauraisntwilder Forgot to mention, Flavia was my #bookspin for August. 3mo
26 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Just stunning. I am stunned. I loved it all the way through, but the end of the third novella was wonderful. I will definitely be continuing my quest to find and read all of Ellen Gilchrist's books.

lauraisntwilder I forgot to mention this was my #doublespin for August. 3mo
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

Nancy Drew #10! I liked this one a lot. Helen came back, but we still got Ned, George, and Bess -- and Bess was so brave! Nancy is apparently an expert diver, so add that to her list of skills. She got knocked out at least once. The last 40 pages were so fun. Loved the illustration of her hiding under a bed. That dog!!

Librarybelle This was a good one! 3mo
21 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Anne of Green Gables | L.M. Montgomery
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The last quarter of this book makes me want to cry straight through. Firstly, my son will be 15 next month and this quote was a gut punch. More than that though, it gives me a homesick feeling for something that is intangible and yet unquestionably gone.

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here's my #bookspinbingo board for August. My #bookspin is The Golden Tresses of the Dead (the last Flavia de Luce novel). My #doublespin is I Cannot Get You Close Enough. Thank you, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fabulous!! 4mo
18 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I was all over the place in July. I read multiple books I didn't expect to read...and didn't read my #bookspin or #doublespin. I am not a summer person, yall. 😜 @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fantastic month!!! 4mo
20 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I'm behind on posting about what I've read and I've been basically absent from my buddy reads, BUT the kid goes back to school next week and I think August will be quieter. Here's my #bookspin list. 🤞@TheAromaofBooks

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lauraisntwilder
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🐯 Nancy is much more physical when Bess isn't around to calm her down, I guess!

Librarybelle Good point! 4mo
Ruthiella Or the ghost writer had just visited the zoo? 🤪🐅🐆 4mo
21 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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I didn't even like all 9 of the ones I've read. Not a fan of the list, in general. Obviously, I've only read a small portion, so I can't say they aren't good books, but I don't think multiple books from the same series should've been included (even if the whole Neapolitan series is amazing). No Lorrie Moore, Per Petterson, Mieko Kawakami, or Lauren Groff?

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lauraisntwilder
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The third time was the charm! One order got lost in the mail and the second never shipped, but I finally got a copy. I'll try to get caught up for next weekend. #kindredspiritsbuddyread @BarbaraJean

BarbaraJean Yaaaaay!!! 🎉 I'm glad you finally got hold of a copy! 4mo
21 likes1 comment
review
lauraisntwilder
Toska | Alina Pleskova
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Every time I read a poetry collection I ask myself why I don't read more poetry. There were so many good lines here that I read over again.

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lauraisntwilder
A Perfect Cemetery | Federico Falco
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I haven't read much literature from South America and I need to remedy that. I started this short story collection from Argentina while I was traveling home from NYC last week. A couple of the stories could be considered novellas, but I've never known the rules for that, if there are any. The characters were artfully rendered. I'd like to read more by Falco, but I think this is all that's been translated to English so far.

28 likes1 stack add