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lauraisntwilder

lauraisntwilder

Joined October 2016

Favorite authors: Per Petterson, Lorrie Moore, Hiromi Kawakami. Favorite genres: Literary fiction, mysteries.
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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We've somehow made it to April and I probably won't get a bingo this month either! 😆 My #bookspin is What the Chickadee Knows, which is fitting for poetry month. And my #doublespin is the next Trixie Belden for #bobwhitebuddies. I might have that backwards, actually, but I'll read them both anyway! Thanks, as always, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 7h
12 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Mehso-so

Who were the kids in this book? Because they didn't act at all like the Bob-Whites from the first 10 books. Trixie was persistent to the point of being annoying. Their poor uncle! He didn't get to see them much in Iowa (& Trixie almost drowned) & they aren't paying any attention to him in Missouri either (& Trixie almost drowned). I hadn't realized that Kathryn Kenny was a pen name, but it's pretty obvious to me now. #bobwhitebuddies

Sparklemn Great review! 😂 Trixie Troublemaker (edited) 16h
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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I don't think I've ever come across the name Glendenning before, but here it is in the last book I read and the book I'm reading now. Weird.

BookmarkTavern I recognize that Trixie Belden book! I just finished it! (edited) 17h
Ruthiella Bizarre coincidence! 🤯 16h
lauraisntwilder @BookmarkTavern Yep! I just posted my review, too. 16h
16 likes3 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz | Lyman Frank Baum
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Mehso-so

My favorite part of this one was Eureka the kitten, but she did make me wonder why Toto didn't talk. I thought it was hilarious that Dorothy meets up with the wizard and they don't catch up on what's happened since they last saw each other until they've escaped death, what? 3 times? #BeyondtheYellowBrickRoad

BookmarkTavern Eureka is so fun. She‘s just a little chaos kitten, trying to create drama. 😂 1d
lauraisntwilder @BookmarkTavern Ha! Yes, chaos kitten is the perfect term! 19h
18 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
The Girl Sleuth | Bobbie Ann Mason
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Pickpick

It's interesting that the Melanie Rehak book (which is great!) has almost the same title and is the same color as the original, 1975 edition of this Bobbie Ann Mason book. Mason's book covers lots of sleuths, not just Nancy, and has Mason's personal commentary. I love Bobbie Ann Mason and her thoughts on the Bobbseys, Cherry Ames, Trixie Belden, and others were entertaining. I think I'd like to try a Judy Bolton, but probably not a Vicki Barr.

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here's my #bookspinbingo list for April, which I wrote with pen for some reason, like an April Fool's joke on myself. 😜 @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 20h
13 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I can't believe I didn't get a bingo! 😆 I got so close! This has been a great reading month for me. Creation Lake, How to Build a Boat (my #doublespin), A Forty Year Kiss (my #bookspin), and The Girl Sleuth were especially good. I'll get my list for April (and a few catch-up reviews) posted tomorrow. Thanks, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fabulous month!! 23h
16 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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I took an impromptu trip to New Orleans to hear Michael Lewis, Casey Cep, Sarah Vowell, and W. Kamau Bell in conversation with David Shipley. Looking forward to reading this!

tpixie Amazing! I love New Orleans! What a great reason to go! 📗📗📗 4d
28 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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Panpan

I'm going to an IRL book club meeting for this book soon. My 1st time at a book club in almost 7 years (since I sold my bookstore) & the 1st time I'll be at a book club & not leading the meeting. I really wish I'd liked the book more! The 1st part was like Cherry Ames Goes to Vietnam, then there were far too many romances & the plot twists...good lord. I felt like it went on far too long. And what's with the cover art cribbing from Miss Saigon?

Chelsea.Poole We just discussed this at my book club on Monday and I felt the same way! Could have gone without all the romance as well. 7d
lauraisntwilder @Chelsea.Poole The more I think about it, the more I dislike it. I've just downgraded it from so-so to pan. 🫤 6d
31 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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My spring cards are officially in the mail! I included stickers from this National Park themed sticker book, and they vary drastically. Most of you will get flowers and birds, but one lucky duck will get the bison sticker! #springcardswap

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 2w
julieclair How fun! 2w
29 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
A Forty Year Kiss | Nickolas Butler
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Pickpick

I don't think this is Butler's best, but it's still a pick for me. His characters are always so real and his books are never even slightly pretentious. (Not that I don't like pretentious novels, of course. I often do.) I think my criticism of this one is that there were a few too many plot points and not enough character development. Having said that, I read it incredibly quickly (for me! I'm slow!) and found it engaging.

lauraisntwilder This was my #bookspin for March. 2w
30 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
How to Build a Boat | Elaine Feeney
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Pickpick

Elaine Feeney is now an automatic buy for me. I loved her first novel, As You Were, and I loved this one, too. (I'm not sure how to preorder her new book, since I can only find info on a UK edition?) I felt equally invested in Jamie, Tess, and Tadhg. I found myself rooting for each of them in different ways. I can see myself rereading this one at some point.

lauraisntwilder Forgot to mention, this was my #doublespin! 2w
27 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

This was my first time reading Rachel Kushner. How have I missed her? I loved it. It made me want to watch documentaries about human evolution and cave paintings. I'm not surprised at all to find out Kushner has a book of essays. That's being added to the wishlist now!

Ruthiella I love Kushner. I‘ve not read her essay collection yet, but I loved all her novels. Even her debut, which is probably the most conventional in its presentation. 3w
TheBookHippie I love her writing. 3w
31 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I think I liked this better the first time I read it, 2 years ago. I still like it because there's something about LMM's writing that always appeals to me. But, this time Ellen West being a terrible sister and the way she talks to her cat irritated me. And then there was Mr. Meredith, who kept wishing a woman would come along and do all his work for him. 🙄

BarbaraJean Uggghh, Mr. Meredith bothered me so much more this time around!! 3w
lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean I honestly don't think I noticed him much last time I read it. This time, I kept wanting someone to tell him he was being a horrible father. Rachel Lynde would have! 3w
BarbaraJean Miss Cornelia does!! And then he goes and gets lost in German theology and forgets. 🙄 2w
lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean She does, finally, but it comes SO late in the book. 2w
30 likes4 comments
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lauraisntwilder
The Marshland Mystery | Kathryn Kenny
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I finished these at the beginning of March. Ozma of Oz starts off pretty unhinged, but end up being a more coherent story that Marvelous Land of Oz. This Trixie book was one of my favorites so far. I like that these feel like mysteries a kid could actually solve. This one also included a long-past tragedy and tumbled down mansion, so it was checking all the boxes for this Kate Morton reader. #bobwhitebuddies #BeyondtheYellowBrickRoad

BookmarkTavern What a gorgeous edition of Oz! 🤩🤩 3w
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I've been out of town at a film festival and didn't read a word yesterday, so March is off to a great start! 😂 My #bookspin for March is A Forty Year Kiss and my #doublespin is How to Build a Boat. (Thanks, Sarah! Hope your move is going well! @TheAromaofBooks ) #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! We are getting there 😂 1mo
21 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I got a lot read in February, but I would've gotten a bingo if the month was about two days longer! 😆 #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fantastic month!! 1mo
20 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here's my #bookspin list for March! ☘️ @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1mo
18 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
A Rebel in Gaza | Slim Nassib, Asmaa Al-Ghoul
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Pickpick

It was interesting to learn about everyday life in Gaza. This was written several years ago, so it doesn't cover anything recent. I It was part political, social history and part memoir, but it's so short it doesn't cover either aspect as much as I would've liked. Still glad I read it though.

Jess861 I've never heard of this book but it sounds very interesting - stacked! 1mo
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this first Cherry Ames book (my #bookspin for Feb). I don't think it's a coincidence that the doll Molly McIntire gets for Christmas in the, now out of print, "Molly's Surprise" has dark hair and rosy cheeks.

bookandbedandtea I had a couple Cherry Ames books in my youth, and I recall liking them, but I don't think I had the first in the series. I need to check the shelves of books I've kept from my childhood! 1mo
25 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Pachinko | Min Jin Lee
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Pickpick

I know I'm late to the party with this one, but, wow, it really lives up to the hype! I can definitely see myself rereading it someday.

Leftcoastzen I remember it was really good ! Glad you enjoyed it ! 1mo
BarbaraJean I haven't read this one yet, either--it's been on my list for ages! 1mo
Jess861 Been a while but I remember loving this book! 1mo
39 likes3 comments
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lauraisntwilder
The Adventures of China Iron | Gabriela Cabezn Cmara, Fiona J. Mackintosh
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Pickpick

I'm sure this would have resonated a little more if I was more familiar with the Argentinian epic of Martin Fierro than just what I got from Wikipedia, but I think it stands on it's own very well. China Iron, or whatever name they're using at the time, is wonderful character. We're there for their coming of age and sexual awakening against the backdrop of the pampas.

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lauraisntwilder
The Burrow | Melanie Cheng
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Pickpick

I just about read this in one sitting. Jin, Amy, daughter Lucie, & grandmother Pauline are all dealing with a grief that's unrelated to but coincides with the 2020 COVID lockdown. Jin brings home a new pet rabbit as the novel opens, which had been much discussed. Pauline gets 10yo Lucie interested in Watership Down, which is maybe not the best book for a girl with already dark thoughts. I loved the characters and how real their relationships felt.

28 likes1 stack add
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lauraisntwilder
Belle Greene | Alexandra Lapierre
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Bailedbailed

I didn't dislike this book. The premise is fascinating, actually, and I expected to be enthralled, but I was not. I kept putting it down and having no interest in picking it back up. Today I've decided not to try anymore and donate my copy. Was it better in French? Because this English version felt like it needed a better editor.

SamAnne @TheBookHippie I‘m stacking that! Was introduced to her story in Timothy Egan‘s Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher about the photographer Edward Curtis. 1mo
lauraisntwilder @TheBookHippie Thank you! She seems so interesting, but this just dragged for me. Adding this bio to the stack. 1mo
TheBookHippie @SamAnne AH! I‘m a long time lover of The Morgan Library and museum. They have an exhibit currently https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene 1mo
32 likes4 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

This is a short look into what life was like just before the turn of the century in a coastal community in Maine. The sketches of different characters and the friendships the narrator cultivates during her stay in the small town were sweet without being overly sentimental.

Soscha I so want to read this one! 2mo
34 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Excuse me, sir? Who would ever think that would come in handy? 😆

swynn It's for those days when you just can't get rid of a bomb. https://youtu.be/IIPZROBiNik?si=X_UiDuD6P8O7pBnw
2mo
Librarybelle I thought that was hilarious! 2mo
Ruthiella @swynn That clip! 😂😂😂 2mo
See All 7 Comments
CogsOfEncouragement I laughed too. 2mo
Bookwormjillk I laughed at this too. Nancy and her dad knowing how to do everything. 2mo
MariaW Superman and Supergirl. 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ 1mo
31 likes7 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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My husband is out of town, but that's okay -- I opened all my Litsy Valentines this evening. I love how different they all are! Happy reading, Litsy friends! I hope my silly dinosaur cards made their way to you. #ValentineCardSwap 💖❤️💝💘

dabbe 🩶🩷🩶 2mo
LiseWorks Yes I got mine yesterday ❤️ 2mo
KadaGul I thought your dinosaur card was adorable 😍😍😊 1mo
23 likes3 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I'm a sucker for a time travel story anyway, but it was so fun for the characters of Tatami Galaxy to be involved. I wouldn't call this a sequel, just another story with the same characters. I do think you should read this one second though, so you catch all the references.

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lauraisntwilder
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Wow. The first pick for the #OhCanada #BuddyRead was intense. I loved this story of an Ojibway boy falling in love with hockey, but that's only part of the book. Saul's story is heartbreaking and moving. I can only imagine the continued lasting effects of the so-called "residential schools."

DogMomIrene The writing was so beautiful! I cried at the end. What a freaking journey to even get to the tip of healing. 2mo
lauraisntwilder @DogMomIrene I cried, too! It was such a good book. 2mo
Jess861 Definitely a journey and an intense book! Such an important part of Canadian history. Glad you enjoyed it! 1mo
27 likes3 comments
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I put together my February #bookspinbingo board this morning, but I forgot to post it! My #bookspin is the first Cherry Ames book and my #doublespin is the next Nancy Drew, which I'm reading for #NancyDrewBR. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 2mo
TiredLibrarian Wow; haven't thought about the Cherry Ames books in years! I had a set that was handed down from an older neighbor. I remember liking them. My mother was a nurse so she was very happy I was reading them! 2mo
24 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I read 12 books in January, but didn't get a bingo because Belle Greene is soo long! I'm hoping to finish it in February. 🤞I finished my #bookspin and #doublespin though and enjoyed them both. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fantastic month!! 2mo
16 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

The last book I finished in January was this bio of the women behind Nancy Drew. I remember selling this book when it first came out and women were crazy about it. It lived up to the hype! It was a fascinating look at the creation of Nancy Drew and the way the world changed for women (or didn't) from the 1930's to the early 2000's.

TheBookHippie I preferred this to Nancy Drew books 😂 2mo
25 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
The Marvelous Land of Oz | Lyman Frank Baum
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Pickpick

Book 2 is a low pick for me. It has a lot of plot, but it had an aimless feeling to it. I did like the new characters though. #BeyondtheYellowBrickRoad

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I finished two books today that I haven't posted yet, but I wanted to get my February #bookspin list up before the month rolls over. Thanks, Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2mo
17 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
Anne's House of Dreams | Lucy Maud Montgomery
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Mehso-so

This was a reread for #kindredspiritsbuddyread. When I read through the series in 2023, I went in the order the books take place. In publication order, this one joins up with the others a little better. However, I still had the same overall feeling as before. I miss the Avonlea characters and I miss the more determined Anne. The "Dick Moore" storyline makes me uncomfortable. Gilbert and Anne take a backseat to Jim and Cornelia. Just don't love it.

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lauraisntwilder
The Happy Valley Mystery | Kathryn Kenny
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Pickpick

What an ending! I kept wondering why the kids were in a boat on the cover. Then, once they were in the boat, I practically held my breath for the rest of the book! #bobwhitebuddies

23 likes1 stack add
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lauraisntwilder
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😂 I hope she took it out when she played!!

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lauraisntwilder
The Watchman and Other Poems | Lucy Maud Montgomery
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Panpan

These poems weren't in the style of poetry I enjoy. Even still, they weren't great. I would find myself caught up in the rhythm and realize I had no idea what the poem was saying. Too often the meter seemed to dictate the diction, so you end up with "comrade" when "friend" would be more appropriate. She must've used the word "elfin" 30 times in 157 pages. Also, "wold" was a favorite. But, the kicker was "clomb" from the POV of a captured lion.

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lauraisntwilder
Kehua! | Fay Weldon
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Bailedbailed

It took me forever to get into this and when I finally did, it got weird...in a bad way. And then I found out the author made some awful comments about trans people. So, yeah, I'm bailing.

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lauraisntwilder
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We're very close to the airport here in Mobile, AL, which reported 7.5" of snow. 130-year-old records were broken yesterday. This morning it's 15° but "feels like" 3°.

Chelsea.Poole Cutie cardinal ♥️ 2mo
TheBookHippie Wow! 2mo
TheSpineView Beautiful! 2mo
See All 6 Comments
dabbe ❄️🩵❄️ 2mo
Sleepswithbooks Pretty!! 2mo
BarbaraBB That‘s cold!!! But such a gorgeous photo! 2mo
25 likes6 comments
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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I love Ellen Gilchrist. I can't even explain why. Her characters are so flawed and I don't think I'd ever want to have a conversation with any of them. Well, not from this book anyway. I get completely invested though.

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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I fell behind in reading this with #kindredspiritsbuddyread last year, but I caught up this month by reading a few pages every morning. This is the third volume of LMM's journals and I've found them all so interesting. I especially like reading a little a day. It has made LMM feel like a companion.

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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

I just realized I didn't post about this. I can't believe we've read 15 of these already. I feel like we just started. Nancy continues to be perfect, which is sometimes a little dull, but ultimately I love her. She didn't get knocked out in this one, but she did fall through a bridge in a rainstorm! #NancyDrewBR

Librarybelle It‘s hard to believe we‘ve read 15! 3mo
21 likes1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
The Lagos Wife | Vanessa Walters
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Pickpick

This ending, oh my goodness. 😳

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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

Reread for #kindredspiritsbuddyread. The first Anne book (Green Gables) is my favorite, but this is an easy 2nd. I was behind on reading LMM's journals, so was reading these concurrently and that definitely added to the fun. There was at least one instance where I read the real life inspiration shortly before it showed up in the novel. It's amazing how sweet and happy the novel turned out when LMM was so worried by WWI while writing it.

kspenmoll Love your cups/saucers! 3mo
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lauraisntwilder
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This isn't book related, but I have to share my newest obsession. I got a birdfeeder with a camera for Christmas. So far, it has "caught" 14 different species. Here are a few of my favorite pictures so far.

mcctrish How awesome 3mo
Ruthiella Beautiful! 😍 3mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
See All 6 Comments
Jess861 Oh I absolutely love this! I hope you post more of these 😊 3mo
kspenmoll Wow! I love this! I miss bird feeders. We cannot have them because the bears come to feed on the seed.🙁 3mo
Erinreadsthebooks Love!!!!! 3mo
34 likes6 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Good Reasons to Die | Morgan Audic and Sam Taylor
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Pickpick

I was completely enthralled by this book about a murder in the abandoned city of Pripyat, near Chernobyl. The mystery was solid, the pacing was good, and the setting was equal parts horrifying and fascinating.

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lauraisntwilder
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I'm catching up on LMM's journals and am also reading Anne of the Island, both for #kindredspiritsbuddyread. Today, I happened to read this same phrase in both books! Maud gave Anne her own dislike of change, definitely.

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lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

First book of 2025 and my #bookspin for January. This poetry collection went well with my New Year's mood of slowing down after the crush of December. I'm in no hurry to take down my tree.

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lauraisntwilder
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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My #bookspinbingo card for January is ready to go! My #bookspin is Girl Sleuth and my #doublespin is Eye of the Beholder, a poetry collection I read most of yesterday. Thank you, Sarah!! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 3mo
22 likes1 comment