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LizzyM

LizzyM

Joined May 2016

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LizzyM
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Looking for recommendations! I have had so much trouble getting into audiobooks, especially fiction. This is the first one that I have truly enjoyed - I love it! I chose it because I had heard so many good things on Litsy even though it is a bit outside of my normal reading comfort zone. I‘m trying to keep up the good audiobook vibes - anyone have a suggestion for where to go from here?

jenniferw88 Tony Robinson's narration of the Discworld novels - admittedly they are abridged versions of the books but the narration is great! 6y
Beckys_Books Strange the Dreamer Is fantastic. 6y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LizzyM
Dying: A Memoir | Cory Taylor
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Pickpick

It‘s an icy, blustery day out there and the kids are home after school was cancelled. A perfect day for staying cozy and reading by the fire. I finished this powerful memoir this morning, and wow, does it pack a punch. Beautiful and moving writing, and another exceptional memoir on death and dying to add to others I have read recently.

Cinfhen That cover is stunning 6y
RebelReader I love birds so the cover makes me happy 😊 6y
LizzyM @cinfen @RebelReader So beautiful! And no dust jacket which I absolutely love! 6y
33 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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LizzyM
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The writing is so beautiful it makes my heart hurt.

I wish I could do nothing but read this book, but life interferes unfortunately 😢

RebelReader This was one of my favorites last year, but it didn't get as much love as it deserved! 😍😍 6y
19 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LizzyM
The Ninth Hour | Alice McDermott
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Pickpick

Finally finished this quiet and beautiful book this morning before my cookie making marathon begins. It took me waaaaaay longer than it should have because my darn life kept interfering. But the writing speaks for itself - despite its quiet pace, the book is hard to put down. A lovely read.

Penny_LiteraryHoarders I have this one! I want to read this soon. 6y
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LizzyM
A Little Life: A Novel | Hanya Yanagihara
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Latest book haul from my local indie Rainy Day Books. A pretty random assortment which is always the best IMO:)

I won‘t lie, “A Little Life” intimidates the sh!t out of me. But my favorite bookseller convinced me to give it a try after I told her how much I loved “The Heart‘s Invisible Furies.” Fingers crossed!

Note: I can never resist Austen and Sherlock fanfic! It‘s my kryptonite!

TrishB It‘s emotional investment- but worth it. 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I loved Hearts waaay more than A Little Life (not to be discouraging !!). Hearts is hard to beat! (edited) 6y
HeatherBookNerd A Little Life is an emotionally demanding read, but one of my favorite books of all time. I was completely consumed by it. 6y
29 likes3 comments
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Not quite as good as The Beekeeper‘s Apprentice (which I adored) but still very enjoyable. One of the subplots seemed a bit unnecessarily out there, but luckily it was a minor part.
I‘ve read the first two book of the series within two weeks, and it is highly unusual for me to read sequential books in a series so quickly. Mary Russell is a great character!💪
Side note: This edition has several editing errors which drove me crazy.😡

18 likes1 stack add
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Got up early and finished it this morning. So wonderful. Cyril is an unforgettable character, and I love him to pieces. How the author took me from crying to laughing over and over and over so beautifully I will never know, though I'm guessing talent and an amazing writing ability has something to do with it.

Thanks @Liberty and #botm, because I never would have found it without you. I have already told so many people about this book, too.

Reviewsbylola So so unbelievably fantastic. 7y
29 likes1 comment
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Completely and utterly charming and heartwarming. Catnip for the booklover - books, a bookstore and all the warm and fuzzies. Enough said.

EvieBee Gah! I wish my library would hurry the processing of this one along. I can't wait to read it! 7y
LizzyM @EvieBee I was super excited when my hold came through...started it immediately:) one of those books that just makes you feel good. Wished I lived there haha. 7y
31 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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LizzyM
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#20factsaboutme
1. I am 38
2. I have been married 14 years
3. My husband and I are both physicians
4. I am a pathologist
5. But I am in the middle of a year off
6. Because we have 2 kids and we were too crazy busy and
7. We are trying to have the right priorities in life.
8. Top priority=our family
9. Our kids: 5 y/o girl and 3 y/o boy
10. Our little boy is about to kill us and makes me drink too much
11. So I never have enough time to read

LizzyM 12. I also love to exercise. Mostly running and Crossfit. 13. I live in KC, MO. 14. So we are thankfully very close to all of our extended family in MO. 15. Including my sister and favorite Litten @Beckys_Books 16. Because I grew up on a farm in Northern MO. 17. I abhor all social media other than Litsy and GR, 18. Especially Twitter. 19. I am trying to learn to play golf 20. And I am So. Bad. (edited) 7y
32 likes1 comment
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LizzyM
Untitled | Unknown
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1. Liberty @ BookRiot
2. Not really. Lots of lists on GR, Litsy, and paper but often my next book doesn't come from any of them!
3. Physical and ebook
4. No
5. No 😢
6. I can't remember!
7. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
8. The Power of the Dog (thanks, sis)
9. I don't have one - my recs always change depending on the person, season, etc
10. Family, Friends, and Books (but not always in that order)
#TBRBoost

Beckys_Books You are welcome! 7y
21 likes1 comment
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LizzyM
Binti: Home | Nnedi Okorafor
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I'm supposed to go to a big neighborhood bash tonight, but all I want to do is stay home and read! 😭#introvertproblems

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LizzyM
Dawn Patrol | Don Winslow
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Pickpick

How have I not heard more about this author? And how can it be that I am just now reading one of his books? This one is my first by Don Winslow, but it definitely won't be my last. So good. Great characters, great action, just great story telling.

Beckys_Books The Power of the Dog is also very good! 7y
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Beautiful, poetic, dreamy memoir. I found it so inciteful and thought provoking, but I admit that may be due to the fact that I am relatively close to her in age and have been married for 14 years... 4.5⭐️

mcipher I'm in my fourteenth year of marriage, too! Feels so crazy long. 😝 7y
LizzyM @mcipher I know!! And yet at the same time it seems like it has flown by in the blink of an eye! 7y
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LizzyM
Moon Over the Mediterranean | Sheri Cobb South
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Pickpick

Fast, entertaining, and easy to read romantic suspense story that I flew through in one day. The setting and scenery played almost as much a part of the story as the MC. Despite the fact that the plot is slightly predictable and the ending is slightly rushed, I still enjoyed it for what it is - fun escapist mind candy. I couldn't read many of these without getting bored but I do love one now and then as a change of pace! 3⭐️

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LizzyM
Moon Over the Mediterranean | Sheri Cobb South
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One advantage of a Kindle - you can read even while eating a messy pita. You only need one clean knuckle to turn the page😜.

I just started the book, and I bought it after seeing it referenced in an Inbox/Outbox article on BookRiot. I needed some easy entertainment and so far so good!

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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Beautiful writing with interesting locales and a completely foreign subject (surfing) made this memoir a fabulous read for me. One of my favorite books this year despite the fact that I rarely ever see the ocean and the closest I usually get to a body of water is the pond behind our house (see pic above). The author has had an amazing life and damn can he write! 5⭐️

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LizzyM
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It's a quote of a quote😜but still lovely. Beautiful writing in this memoir so far.

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LizzyM
Serenity: Those Left Behind | Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews
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Pickpick

I am still upset about Firefly. So every now and then I watch the movie or binge watch episodes. But tonight I am going for the graphic novel. While listening to Halsey. Not a bad way to end the day, if I do say so myself.

KCorter Ugh. I too am still so bitter about Firefly. Want to know who are "those left behind"? The fans. We have been left behind. ? 7y
Laura317 Always happens to the best shows! 😭 7y
21 likes2 comments
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LizzyM
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This book is a surprising delight to me, especially as I was born and raised in Missouri as landlocked as it gets. The writing is wonderful and I find all the discourse on surfing to be fascinating and completely foreign. I hope it keeps up, as this could be one of my favorite books so far this year if it does!

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LizzyM
Devils in Daylight | Junichiro Tanizaki
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Pickpick

Spontaneous pick from the library shelf... The writing was very quietly eerie and atmospheric; I can definitely see how this story has been compared to the works of Poe. It's not even 90 pages but it still to me several days to read it (which says more about my life than the book) as the first half seemed slower. Not for everyone but still enjoyable for the right readers. (And the title could probably sometimes apply to the owner of those toes😉)

readinginthedark 😂Kids! 7y
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LizzyM
Sense and Sensibility | Joanna Trollope
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Now this is what I call a perfect Sunday afternoon.

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LizzyM
Alex and Eliza: A Love Story | Melissa de la Cruz
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Pickpick

Cute story of Alexander and Eliza Hamilton's courtship during the Revolutionary War. Easy, fast and fun read that is exactly what it seems. No surprises here but a solid story if you are in the mood for a sweet young adult-ish historical novel.

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LizzyM
Alex and Eliza: A Love Story | Melissa de la Cruz
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Friday night.💕🍺📚

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LizzyM
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Pickpick

It's been a real s$&t-show 💩of a day and finally having 20 minutes of quiet to sit down and finish this well-written narrative nonfiction book saved it for me. Amazing story and fascinating history, especially if you have an interest in NASA / space exploration or just science in general. Completely awe-inspiring!

Beckys_Books Oh, no! Hope everything is ok! 7y
23 likes1 comment
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LizzyM
Aquarium | David Vann
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Big day with the kids including the aquarium. Now that we are finally home, I can't bring myself to throw away our tickets. Why, you ask? Not for a scrapbook (haha, what is that?) , but rather because they would make excellent book marks. I never use "real" book marks - only ephemera like this. I'm not alone, right?

LizzyM And don't mind my dirty thumbnail...I have been doing a lot of gardening lately. I swear. 7y
ChrisM Same!! Was just thinking that I miss the old, printed boarding passes that left you with the perfect bookmark for your in flight reads 7y
18 likes2 comments
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LizzyM
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I had a bit of trouble deciding on my next book. When that happens I usually turn to non-fiction. And who can resist a book about travel to the moon? For some reason, summer puts me in the mood for books about space - maybe all those warm summer nights when you can look at the moon and stars?

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LizzyM
Human Acts | Han Kang
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Pickpick

Finally managed to catch a few quiet moments and finish the last 15 pages of my book (it only took me ALL day). Heavy hitting stuff but oh so beautifully written. I knew nothing of this period in South Korea's history...so tragic😢

emilyhaldi I bought this recently and dying to get to it! Fascinated by Korean history! 7y
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LizzyM
Borne: A Novel | Jeff VanderMeer
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Because, you know, I have an addiction to books and my library and also because I can't seem to stop accumulating books, I came home with these three today. All of which I really want to read and for which I will probably have zero time! *sigh* #booknerdproblems 🙄

LiteraryinLawrence They are all very elegant covers! 7y
Beckys_Books Loved The Nest! 7y
28 likes2 comments
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LizzyM
Human Acts | Han Kang
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Guys, it's a gorgeous morning out there, and I have a good (if gut-punching) book going. If it weren't for all the pesky work I need to get done today, life would be pretty perfect😜

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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Very enjoyable adventure tale that is told through a series of stories set across the world. While there is a overarching set of characters and plot, the narrative arc jumps back and forth through time with many storylines. I had a great time reading this RLS fanfic:)

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LizzyM
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Very sad to hear that Brian Doyle has died. He is the author of the book I just started. It's early to tell much about it yet, but I am optimistic as I loved "The Plover" which he wrote a few years ago. ?So sad we have lost his voice.

20 likes1 comment
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Another successful installment in the Max Tudor cozy mystery series. I think it is a bit stronger than the most recent couple of books. Thoroughly enjoyable for those who like this type of mystery novel. And I think I need me some Max Tudor IRL. Haha

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LizzyM
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Yes I am totally letting my kids watch their iPads so I can sit by our front window, read the newest installment in a charming cozy mystery series, drink my cold brew, and keep any eye on the dogs so they don't make a break for it. Anything to get a few pages in...

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LizzyM
Evensong | Kate Southwood
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Pickpick

Beautifully written, quiet, and contemplative novel that really grabbed hold of my heart. It a thoughtful slow-paced book about a woman at the end of her life looking back at her choices and mistakes, but despite that I simply could not put it down.

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LizzyM
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This book has been lauded by the authors of several other personal investing books I have read including John Bogle. Warren Buffett is also a huge fan. I'm a 100 pages in and it's good stuff. Not easy going for those without an interest but it is a book I already consider well worth the effort! We all need to know how to manage our money! (Off my soapbox now)

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LizzyM
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Currently reading. Yes, I am that desperate. And this is also part of the reason why I haven't been posting lately😵😴 Who knew one can read over six hundred large pages with small font on the subject of your kid's sleep. Take Home message: everything we have done thus far has been wrong, and we are in the process of permanently screwing up our kid. Yay.

britt_brooke Getting baby's sleep figured out can be tough. Good luck! 7y
Books88 Oh sheesh. We are still combating the sleep issue 3 years later. I am tired lol. 7y
Christine Aww, hang in there!! 😴 7y
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Beckys_Books Good luck! Let me know how it goes. 7y
LizzyM @britt_brooke @AJBowers @christine Overdue follow up: Well, the sleep book helped, I have to admit. Sleeping through the night! Victory! 7y
britt_brooke @LizzyM Yay!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 7y
Christine Hooray!! 😴 7y
25 likes1 stack add7 comments
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LizzyM
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Reviewsbylola Hahahahaha I have a few "will never read". ? At least I've come to terms with it. 7y
26 likes1 comment
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Well that was a fun and funny, if slightly mind blowing, book. I am very glad I finally got around to reading it as I was thoroughly entertained. And now I think I will have to try some of Scalzi's other books.

Lindy I recommend 7y
LizzyM @Lindy Thanks for the rec! I'll check it out:) 7y
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

This book took me a surprisingly long time to read for some reason and is somewhere between a "pick" and "so-so." I wasn't expecting the tone to be so conversational and comedic, so perhaps I was just caught off-guard. The topic is one I find fascinating, and the content is interesting, just perhaps not as informative as I thought it would be. The illustrations were delightful though!

LizzyM You'd think I would have caught on to its overt comedic tone by the blurb on the front with the words "hysterically funny"... 7y
Megabooks I enjoyed the amusing tone. I didn't expect it either! 7y
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LizzyM
Dracula (Revised) | Bram Stoker
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Pickpick

This book is an unusual one for me, but I very much enjoyed it. Chilling, suspenseful, and atmospheric without being gory. My 5 year old is fascinated and keeps asking questions about it - I have been trying to answer but she says "that sounds like a terrible book"...so I guess I am failing miserably. But still, good fun!

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LizzyM
Dracula (Revised) | Bram Stoker
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This has been a weird reading year - almost all nonfiction (very unlike me!) and now this one. I don't read horror and I don't read many classics, but for whatever reason this book is scratching my itch right now. I am just going with it...

Louise And that's a really dark read! 7y
LizzyM @Louise yep it was so dark! But I really enjoyed it. I find I can handle horror better (I am a big scaredy cat) if it isn't explicit and gory. 7y
Louise @LizzyM Yes, Dracula's horror is more about atmosphere and suggestion. Sometimes I think what's left to the imagination can be far more frightening than what's actually written on the page! 😳 7y
30 likes3 comments
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Finished up and enjoyed both these nonfiction books in the last two days. "The Case Against Sugar" I actually consumed in the audiobook form - the first audiobook I have managed to complete this year and it completely terrified me. And "Books For Living" was so insightful and thoughtful - I love Will Schwalbe's writing.

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LizzyM
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Aaaaaahhhhh...Friday night.

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LizzyM
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So apparently my fiction reader is broken as I am on an unprecedented nonfiction binge. I loved "The End of Your Life Book Club" so much and this book is living up to my expectations so far. Lovely and charming and thoughtful essays on books and reading. My TBR is exploding...not that I needed any help in that direction!

Beckys_Books What haooened to your thumb? It looks like you have a boo boo. 7y
LizzyM I burned it on an iron - which is exactly why I try to never use it ha! @Beckys_Books 7y
Beckys_Books Ouch! 7y
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LizzyM
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Listening to this on audio, and I made some progress on it yesterday while, ironically, making a double layer chocolate cake. The narrator's voice is a bit monotonous but the argument is compelling (and depressing for this sugar addict). Scary stuff unfortunately.

Megabooks Confession: just ate 3 cookies! 😳 7y
LizzyM And I just had a slice of chocolate cake😜 @Ebooksandcooks 7y
SaraFair I have been off of sugar and doing low carbs since August. Too many diabetics in my family and heart disease. Let me just tell you it was ( still is) so hard for this sugar addict too. But I have lost 20 lbs and no more aches and pains! 7y
LizzyM @SaraFair I have been trying with moderate success to cut down too (chocolate cake aside). This book is certainly helping - given your story I think you would find it very informative. Great job and so glad you are feeling better! 7y
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LizzyM
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Pickpick

Whew! I finally finished this book with a mix of audio and physical book. It is certainly dense and time consuming, but I also found it a fascinating story. I think anyone who has any interest in technology, the digital age, or science would probably enjoy it. And it was well written and researched!

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LizzyM
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I really want to snuggle up by the fire and try to finish this book. I am so close... But what I am going to do is go outside and exercise. *sigh* It is hard to be responsible.

LizzyM So so hard😬 (edited) 7y
20 likes2 comments
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LizzyM
Closed and Common Orbit | Becky Chambers
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Pickpick

I love the Wayfarer world. We don't see many of the characters from the prior book, and I am not quite sure it lived all the way up to "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" (which I LOVED). However, the story is compelling and sufficiently different that the need for direct comparison is mostly avoided. The world building is great and the underlying themes remain the same. Good comfort reading for these times.

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LizzyM
The Book of Joy | Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu
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Picked this up from the library today and just in time. I think I need to turn off the news alerts on my phone. Every alert just keeps getting worse, and it's about to give me a nervous breakdown.

BookishMarginalia I agree. Just saw the ban on refugees and immigrants from 7 Muslim countries. (Insert hyperventilating here) 7y
LizzyM @BookishMarginalia yep, me too. That latest bit of goodness is exactly what prompted this post. I swear I am now having a near visceral reaction every time my phone beeps. The next four years might give me ptsd. 7y
BookishMarginalia I know exactly what you mean. 💜💜💜 7y
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Christine Yes. And this book will help!! ❤ 7y
Notafraidofwords I keep refreshing to see if the world is ending 7y
Beckys_Books I really enjoyed this book. Hope you like it! 7y
23 likes6 comments
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LizzyM
Island of Glass | Nora Roberts
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Pickpick

An entertaining conclusion to the trilogy, though my least favorite of the three. The two main characters didn't seem as well developed to me. However, the story was still satisfying if slightly predictable. This was exactly what I needed right now - a fast paced romance to break up all the nonfiction I have been reading lately. Nora Roberts always comes through for me.

Lauren_reading That is the joy of Nora Roberts for me - great story that feels good! 7y
LizzyM @LaurenReads Totally agree! I can't help it, I read romance for that exact reason. And I don't like too much angst. I need emotional certainty😜in my romance, and I can rely on her for a well written story to boot. 7y
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