Tig Notaro takes us through the hardest year of her life. First bronchitis and a sinus infection lead to a deadly bacteria infection. While she‘s recovering, her mom suddenly dies. She goes through a mutually agreed upon break-up. Then she‘s diagnosed with breast cancer and goes through a bilateral mastectomy. At times funny, Notaro‘s book is an account of tremendous loss, but also tremendous strength. 4/5 ⭐️ #queerbooks

This book is kind of hard to rate... I didn‘t love the main character, but didn‘t hate her. She talked so negatively about herself that it was a little annoying, and that aspect of her character didn‘t really evolve, but wasn‘t brought up anymore. I really liked her family and support network. Overall 3.5/5 ⭐️

This was an okay YA #queerbooks . When Rukhsana‘s parents find her kissing her girlfriend, they take her to Bangladesh to set her on the “right path.” The ending was tied together quickly. It was a decent listen, but I wouldn‘t strongly recommend reading it.

I almost bailed twice, but 1.5 hours away from the end it was hard to just give up. The first 30% of the book was cute and fluffy, but then the author tried introducing what should have been two concepts to explore outside of the romance, and then she poorly executed all of the plots she had created. Sana was way too whiny, even by YA standards. Poorly executed storyline + whiny annoying protagonist = 2⭐️ review

I finished listening to this on my way to work. It was okay. Definitely could have been shorter. I didn‘t see the ending coming, but it still fell flat. It‘s my third mystery genre audiobook in a row; I think I need to switch genres for my next listen.

Sarah‘s out of town with friends tonight, so I am having a beer, playing with fire, and listening to an audiobook. This is the relaxing end to a crappy week that I really needed.

I made a mistake... I only brought one book with me to get my oil changed. It‘s never taken this long. I‘m not sure how I‘m going to entertain myself now. This was a great book to read as an introduction to the horror, haunted house genre! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished this book on my drive home today. Lie to Me is really predictable. I purposefully do not try guessing the plot twists, because I enjoy experiencing the surprise of the reveals. So if I can guess it without trying, you know it‘s very predictable. But, it was an entertaining listen. I‘m planning to listen to the follow up book, Tear Me Apart.

There‘s a decent chance I might regret reading this book, considering that I‘m a huge baby when it comes to horror. But it‘s been on my TBR for a while, and I‘m too intrigued to walk away. Plus, it seems like a very fitting October read. 👻

I finished Bringing Down the Duke last night, which meant that I completed my reading challenge! I‘ve read 65 books this year :) 👊🏼📚

I finally finished this audiobook today. I really hoped this would be a great read. But oh. my. god Arthur is soooo annoying. He‘s melodramatic, immature, self-centered, and whiny. There were so many “problems” in their relationship that weren‘t actually problems at all. I get that YA novels can be immature, but this was a little too petty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘m hoping that this month‘s pick is better than the last... I‘ve heard good things about Bringing Down the Duke. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I‘m in a terrible reading slump right now. I‘m still reading, but everything I read I dislike. With this book I can‘t tell how much of it is slump related and how much is book related. Maggie‘s story hit too close to home. And I decided to call it quits after Taddeo says that Sloane “gave herself an eating disorder.” One does not give oneself a mental illness. Maybe I‘m overreacting, but I found that statement so insensitive.

Book mail is the best mail! Not only did my #botm choice come this week, but I also got a prize from the last #24in48 readathon. Thank you so much to everyone who does @24in48 I love my new tote bag!

I have been thinking for a few days about how to review this book. I can‘t fully explain why I really, really disliked Tomboy. It reads as a boring story about one person‘s friendships throughout her life. Her gender identity journey definitely takes the backseat in this book... that is about her gender identity. So much of this book is about Liz working through not being a boy, but not being a girl. Except, she does know she‘s a girl. Cont‘d👇🏼

“To borrow a metaphor from the kitchen sink... children form strong opinions easily. They soak up information from their parents, school, and the media and repeat it back to the world. So when you don‘t look or act like what everyone is told is the norm, you get proverbially barfed on a lot.”
This is so, so relatable.

This book is so hard to review. When Carol was nice, I loved her; when Carol was cruel, she was an ass. Ultimately, I wish the book was from Carol‘s perspective. She was going through so much and I think her heartache and falling in love would have made for a better book. Also, I couldn‘t stop picturing Carol as Cate Blanchett, whom I adore. 3.5/5 ⭐️

About 100 pages in and I really like this book. Finally sitting down to relax. It‘s been a rough week for our dog. Trying to figure out how to manage his seizures. A queer book and episodes of Friends should help.

The character development is what really drives this plot. The narration style was different, told from the perspective of women in the church, following the story of three teenagers. This book included several hard topics (suicide, molestation, domestic violence), which I wasn‘t expecting; but they were handled well. Overall, an enjoyable read 3.5/5 ⭐️

Final time for #24in48 I was hoping for 10 hours, but life kind of got in the way. Hopefully next time I won‘t have so many unexpected obligations pop up. All in all, it was a fun weekend :)

Taking a quick break from reading for #24in48 . My eyes need a rest. I‘ve read one novel and three graphic novels so far. After my break I‘ll start this one. I‘m definitely ready for a snack break.

I don‘t have a lot of book merch, but I love the few things that I have 😍 #24in48

Cup of coffee in Harry Potter mug ✔️
Current read ✔️
Next read as a palate cleanser ✔️
House to myself ✔️

All ready for day two of #24in48 📚☕️📚

Today was so busy I was trying to read in between errands and social obligations. But I managed to squeeze in almost 3 hours. Less than I anticipated, but I don‘t have plans for tomorrow and I hope to keep it that way. #24in48

About to start the timer for #24in48 I‘ll have to stop for a few hours to work on all of the revision my thesis advisor gave me yesterday. Terrible timing 😩 but for now, I read!

This one‘s hard to rate. It was so well written and the complexity of lies and details was impressive. But it‘s hype worked against itself. I kept waiting for a bigger twist and consequently underplayed the twists that came. I think if I had read it when it first came out, the ending would have been more chilling. Still, the writing and plot nuances were greatly executed.

I was so tempted by this 3D puzzle of a snitch. If only it wasn‘t $40. 😩

Somehow, I haven‘t read this book until now, being several years late to the party. Somehow, I have managed to avoid all spoilers on this book. I know. How is that possible? I don‘t know how it ends or what the big twist is—all I know is it‘s a good one.

This book was adorable, predictable, uplifting, saccharine, and exactly what I wanted out of a book at this exact moment. The dialogue and character development was great. There are some aspects of the plot that were resolved too quickly for real life but I appreciate what the author was doing. My only complaint is the very last sentence. It comes across as trying too hard, it feels trite, and doesn‘t fit with the overall narrative style.

I agreed to pick my aunt up from the airport, but her flight was delayed until 1 am. Looks like I‘ll be reading for a while... loving this book so far. Leila knows she likes girls and she‘s not ready to tell anyone. Which is fine. Because she doesn‘t have a crush at school...until a new student transfers to Armstead Academy.

I was on the fence about Sager‘s book. But I loved Last Time I Lied, so I had a hard time resisting this one. I‘m really excited for Three Women!

Red, White, & Royal Blue will certainly be one of my favorite books this year. This one gets all the pride flags. I loved all the characters, especially Henry. Would definitely recommend this book. It will be a good escape into a more politically inclusive world as we begin these presidential debates. Pictures here are some other queer books in my library 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Does anyone have recommendations for places to visit while we‘re hiking through Mt Zion and Bryce Canyon? I think we‘re spending one day in Bryce and two in Zion. Any good bookstores? Breweries? Restaurants?

Given the state of my overall mental health and mid-thesis anxieties, these are probably not the best book choices, let alone best book combo. But... this is what my weekend looks like. I‘m definitely reading Feminasty because of @Riveted_Reader_Melissa posts! ☺️

I think someone forgot that they borrowed this book from a library. Does this irritate anyone else?

Have you ever read a book that was only okay, but for what it was, it‘s good? That‘s how I feel about this one... I was hoping for more depth to the topics, but a compilation of comics might not be the best format for the depth I was wanting. Still, the information is well presented and digestible. This weekend was made better by the taste testing day we had, which hosted a few recommendations made by @Jilly6183

Starting this comic series and playing The Office in the background. I‘m quite excited for a quiet night at home.

@Jilly6183 I just got your second package. Thank you so much for everything. I love all of it! The bookmark is amazing! 😍 you have been so generous! Thank you for hosting #bbsredacted It‘s been so much fun swapping books with you ☺️

Just had dinner with our neighbor and now I‘m about to settle in with a new book and this delicious cider, on @Jilly6183 recommendation. 😍

This seems like a fitting audiobook to listen to, considering that I‘m building a bookshelf while I listen. It‘s a perfect pairing and a great book so far.

Advice appreciated: I am rearranging my shelves and am trying to decide if my LGBTQ+ books should be mixed in with all my other books (which are separated by genre) or if they should be in their own group. Thoughts?

Jill, everything is perfect! I love all of it 😍 the books are so great, I‘m trying to focus on female-written books this year. I love the socks and stickers too. Of course, Linus (shamelessly) felt the need to help open my goodies... he doesn‘t even look sorry about it. Don‘t worry, I read the note before he decided to “help” 🙄 @Jilly6183 thank you for everything 💜 #bbsredacted

@Jilly6183 I don‘t have a picture of the box, since I had you ship it to my mother-in-law‘s house. (The person who delivers my mail leaves packages on the sidewalk of this busy street we live on that has lots of foot traffic, so....) but your #bbsredacted package did arrive! Here‘s a picture of my grandma‘s flower in lieu of a picture of the box :)

The university‘s women‘s studies program is hosting a book club reading of this book. I decided to join because the idea of this book is just so interesting. Manne tackles topics such as distinguishing misogyny from sexism, the backlash against “bad women” and the rewarding of “good women,” and arguing that misogyny is about policing and controlling women. I‘ll keep you posted as I read through this tough, but necessary, book! ✊🏼

This month‘s #botm choice was a no brainer. I loved, loved, loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I can‘t wait to read this one. I‘m sure it will be just as amazing.

Next up! I‘ve been reading so many thrillers and mysteries later that this will either be a refreshing change of pace or slightly jarring. Either way, I‘m excited to see what all the hype is about!

I‘m happy to say that I‘ve finally finished my Harry Potter inspired tattoo! I might add more details in later, but for now, this is it. One day I will have a full book-inspired sleeve. 😍

My wife is finally home from her conference, the house is clean, I‘m all settled in with puppy cuddles and starting a new book. Happy Sunday everyone!

I saw @Librarybelle posted that it‘s Love Your Pet Day, so I thought I would share too. Julep is the black Aussiedoodle and Linus is the white Australian Shepard. We just got Linus three weeks ago, so we‘re all adjusting to our new addition. They both make great reading buddies. They nap, I read 💜

This book is fun and sweet. I would highly recommend the audio format.... I only read the print version, but it‘s writing style lends itself more to audio. It‘s not a celebrity tell-all. But, if you want to know what a couple cool people named Megan and Nick think about religion, art, music, family, fashion, and more—this is the book for you.