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Sarahreadstoomuch

Sarahreadstoomuch

Joined February 2016

Assistant Director of a Public Library; sometimes I review books for Library Journal.
review
Sarahreadstoomuch
Greta and Valdin | Rebecca Reilly
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Pickpick

Omg this is such a wonderful treat of a book! Such lovely characters… it centers in the titular siblings, and extends outward to include their complicated family dynamics, their partners/ex-partners, and the life challenges they face: relationships, finances, racism, mental health, etc. I want them to adopt me.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Spoiler Alert | Olivia Dade
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Pickpick

Reading the print was fine, but I had to switch quickly away from the audio. It was too confusing and it hates the narrators voice for Marcus on the audio. Better experience in print, though as I don‘t read fanfic, a lot was probably lost on me. I liked the emotional development of the relationship.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

I‘m really enjoying this series! Totally outlandish, and so fun. This time, Finlay‘s trying to keep her ex-husband from being murdered, figure out what‘s going on with Vero, and digs a little deeper into her feelings toward Officer Nick and Law Student Julian.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Bailedbailed

I was interested in this as a concept, but it is not working for me.

dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 1w
Sarahreadstoomuch @dabbe 😂thank you! Love that sentiment & hashtag!!! 1w
17 likes2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Bookshops & Bonedust | Travis Baldree
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Mehso-so

Ok, I‘m going to have the #unpopular opinion here, but I thought this story was way too slow. I liked the characters, the beachy small town setting, even the premise. But it was just a little *too* cozy for me, and I liked the first book much better.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

Eh, not really for me (but finished for book group). I don‘t know any of these people, except Truman Capote but never knew all that much about him. Now I really don‘t. But this book was very confusing on audio, especially at first, and I didn‘t really like the casual changing of POV. Also, is the point to feel bad for rich people? Or at least for the nice one who ended up sick? #bookspin book at least!

27 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I can‘t believe it‘s March tomorrow!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3w
13 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Laughter: A Novel | SONORA. JHA
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Pickpick

Holy crap. This narrator is right up there with Humbert Humbert. I could feel my face screw itself up in disgust at something he said. Truly vile. And that‘s what made it such a compelling book to take in. I canNOT wait for book group!

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Martyr!: A novel | Kaveh Akbar
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Pickpick

This was an incredible listen. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, and the narration for this is audiobook was spot on. #bookspinbingo #bingo

Chelsea.Poole I loved it too! 3w
sarahbarnes I‘m really curious about this one! 3w
22 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Luck and Last Resorts | Sarah Grunder Ruiz
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this…. But not as much as the 1st and 3 rd books in the series. It just seemed a bit dragged out. But I‘m all caught up now, so if a 4th comes next year - I‘m ready!

23 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
A Mirror Mended | Alix E. Harrow
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Fun Snow White retelling in which every character (except the Huntsmen) are female. An enjoyable ride, very meta at times…. Good audio narration.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Business or Pleasure | Rachel Lynn Solomon
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So this was a bit spicier than I expected, (which I‘m okay with-not a complaint) and a fun romance between a writer who had terrible sex with a one night stand… only to be hired to ghostwrite his memoir. While working on the book, she agrees to help him learn how to be a better partner physically. Of course they catch feelings and it‘s complicated and messy and worth it.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Lawn Boy | Jonathan Evison
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This has been on my radar a bit, and the audio was available on Libby at just the right time. As for the story…. It‘s pretty character driven, about Mike, a half Latino guy in his early 20s, trying to catch a break while also figuring things a#out about himself, his goals, and his sexuality. Overall, it was alright - the narrator eventually grew on me, but it‘s a shame it gets challenged in high schools for what it is.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

I am not great with poetry, but always want to do better. I saw this on the New cart at work and grabbed it. It‘s set up separated into Volumes, and each poem is a Track, complete with an outro - to help provide context and discussion on themes, structure, etc to help folks like me get the most out of the piece. Each poem reflects on an aspect of Black culture, history, life. And while some hit me harder than others, I‘m glad I read them all.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships | Sarah Grunder Ruiz
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I basically read this entire book today…. So many tears, smiles, and heartwarming moments. This slow-burn romance also deals with quite a bit of tragedy and grief which I didn‘t expect. Really looking forward to reading the next book (and not only because I‘ve already accidentally read the third book!)

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Bailedbailed

Eh, this just isn‘t hitting me right. Feels like mostly complaining and not humor…. But I‘ve liked some of his stand up so this may just not be the medium for me

TieDyeDude He tends to be pretty hit or miss for me with his stand-up... 1mo
Sarahreadstoomuch @TieDyeDude I can see that. Haven‘t seen many specials tbh, so that makes sense to me 1mo
22 likes2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
We Are Okay | Nina LaCour
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Pickpick

Wow. This book has been on my shelf forever, and has has shown up on my #bookspinbingo lists for at least the past year. So why did I wait? This was a beautiful exploration of grief, loss, betrayal.. and of slowly working your way back, of letting go of the dark and lonely feelings. Beautiful.

TheLudicReader She is such a beautiful writer. 1mo
Sarahreadstoomuch @TheLudicReader she really is. I need to read more of her books! 1mo
25 likes2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Good second book - but def read the first one first, and not only because it‘s better. This is good - action packed and fast moving,,, but a little too much set up and unnecessary gimmicky tries for humor at the start. The ‘Great Game‘ doesn‘t even start until halfway, and then gets rushed to the finish. But I don‘t think a kid reader will mind any of the things that bothered me. Like at all

TheBookHippie I loved the first one!!! Haven‘t gotten to this yet. 1mo
28 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Recitatif | Toni Morrison
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Brilliant. Morrison‘s only short story is about two girls, one black and one white. Race is important to their story, but Morrison wrote without giving any context as to which is which, leaving the reader to wonder, guess, or make peace with not knowing while also thinking about why they want to know. Does it matter? Do you feel differently about either? What exactly are the “clues” you‘re looking for? Zadie Smith‘s intro is not to be missed.

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 1mo
lil1inblue Wow. This is intriguing. I am going to have to read! 1mo
TieDyeDude Put on hold 😁 1mo
27 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Decent debut historical mystery set in colonial Fiji dealing with the complicated and corrupted indentured servant system where European land owners used Indian indentured servants in their plantations in Fiji. The investigation is lead by an Indian Sikh and explores (maybe not enough) of his feelings in this environment and the inherent racism. Not perfect, but series has promise. #bookspinbingo #bookspin 😊

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 1mo
23 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Paris Apartment | Lucy Foley
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Pretty good thriller/mystery set in an old ornate apartment building in Paris. Big twists to the story, some of it I had guessed very early on, others I hadn‘t. Cleverly structured, and I‘m sure the book group will have a lot to say.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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Here‘s my list for February! January has worked out pretty well, reading wise. Looking forward to the next month! #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2mo
24 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Last Call at the Local | Sarah Grunder Ruiz
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Pickpick

Listened to this on a whim and glad I did! It‘s about an American musician traveling Europe, playing music for a living. She lands in a small town in Ireland and everything is stolen. She meets the owner of a pub, who hires her to help revitalize said pub & bring in more customers. The blurb told be she had ADHD, but I was blown away by the realistic exploration of his OCD. I‘m thinking I‘ll read more by the author tbh, as I quite liked this

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Check & Mate | Ali Hazelwood
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This was fun! Quick romance set in the world of chess, but layered with so much more. #bookspinbingo #bingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Now You See Us | Balli Kaur Jaswal
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I liked this way more than I expected! This is the story of three Filipina women working as maids in Singapore. It showcases and explores the different ways (mostly, but not all terrible), the varying situations in the Philippines that made them pursue this work in a different country, the the friendship and solidarity they find in each other and their community of workers.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Wedding Song | Naguib Mahfouz
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This has been on my shelf forever… and while it took a few pages (I had to reread the first 5 pages) to get a handle on the writing style, and then it blew me away. I could almost feel this story settling over me like a blanket while reading. Set in Cairo, this tells a story in 4 different perspectives.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Straightforward advice on how to develop good habits and break bad ones. This complements other books I have read- including just about anything by Brene Brown and Unwinding Anxiety. I‘m not sure it adds anything to the topic, u less of course you just starting to think about this- then it‘s a very good introduction.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

This was alright. I liked the banter… an early scene in a bar involving a “glass eye” had me in tears laughing…. But there‘s a lot in here about grieving, guilt, and forgiveness. Almost 4 star read, but not quite. #bookspinbingo #bookspin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2mo
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

I just love Nick & Charlie.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Iron Flame | Rebecca Yarros
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Woah. So much happens in this book… much of it pretty intense. But there is still the spiciness, the banter that makes me chuckle, and the friendship bonds I cheer for. I know I maybe should read this more critically, but I‘m fully invested in this world and that definitely sways my opinion. Love it.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Emotionally difficult read, but an important story based in fact surrounding terrible practices by government medical programs in “helping” poor black women in the south in the 1970s. Investigations that came from this case expanded victims to include women of Latin descent. The authors note includes examples of this practice still happening today.

27 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Lights | Brenna Thummler
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Pickpick

This was a sweet ending to this trilogy. It did take a beat to find its way, but I‘m so happy to have gotten this closure for Wendell, Marjorie and Eliza.

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Wintergames | Litsy Litsy
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Didn‘t do quite as well during the second half of December, but still ended up with 5,261 points. That makes my grand total of points for #wintergames team #restinggrinchface: 12,228!
Thanks for all the fun, and for being a great captain @Julsmarshall !!

Julsmarshall Whoohoo! Great work! And you are so welcome! 3mo
AmandaBlaze Great job! 3mo
10 likes3 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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In all the New Years busyness, I nearly forgot to post my January list! This year, it m focusing more on library books and getting rid of (slowly) my physical TBR Books.. so I may have to also think a little harder about creating these lists. It will be good for me to be a little more intentional!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
13 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Panpan

Eh…. Well, I finished this on audio while jigsaw puzzling but I can‘t say much great about it. It‘s mostly meh. The MC is annoying and apparently I one in this book - whether they own hotels or a flower farm - thinks twice about money. I don‘t think my book group is going to like it at all, but I hope we can find enough to discuss!

21 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
We Are Not Strangers | Josh Tuininga
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Beautiful historical graphic novel telling the story of how different communities tried to help the Japanese Americans in Seattle during WWII… when many were sent to internment camps. In this story, based on local oral history, looks at how a Jewish man helped save the home and business of his Japanese American friend. #wintergames #restinggrinchface

13 likes2 stack adds
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Our Little Secret | Emily Carrington
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This is a tough graphic memoir in which the author recounts being groomed, sexually assaulted and raped by a friend of her father‘s when she was 15. He was 40. It then moves through her attempts at justice and closure. She is failed time and time again by people who should have had her back. I feel the power in her sharing her story. #wintergames #tbrread #bookspinbingo #bingo #restinggrinchface

22 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Mehso-so

Just finished the team read for #wintergames It was alright, reminded me too much of other books/movies, which - yes, of course, that happens with tried and true tropes…. But it distracted me. #restinggrinchface

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Christmas Eve tradition- It‘s a Wonderful Life. And one of my favorite parts - Mary, the old maid, is horrifyingly closing up the library! But this, for the first time, we watching the colorful version. #wintergames #restinggrinchface

Tamra Us too! 💜 3mo
15 likes2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros
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Sooo…. I couldn‘t stay away. I haven‘t been sucked into a world like that in a very long time! It was a bit predictable (except for the very end !!) and I felt the influence of fantasy series I‘d loved before…. But the chemistry between these characters… honestly all of the characters were incredible! Looking forward to the next book! #wintergames #restinggrinchface #impulseread ok, back to the team read now!

21 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Literally pulling myself away from The Fourth Wing to start the #teamread in #wintergames! The dragons will have to wait until I can listen in the car tomorrow. #RestingGrinchFace

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Wintergames | Litsy Litsy
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Alright, team #RestingGrinchFace, my total for the first half is: 6,967 points!!! #wintergames

Julsmarshall Whoohoo! 3mo
11 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Haven‘t seen this Christmas movie in a long time! #wintergames #restinggrinchface

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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Such a fun, spicy and sweet holiday story! It digs into the meaning of family and growing up and living on your own terms. The middle part kind of dragged and felt a little off, but that made the ending so much better. #wintergames #restinggrinchface #somanywordsearchwords

18 likes1 stack add
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Quick little Poirot story set at Christmas in the English countryside. #wintergames #restinggrinchface

dabbe I just love this story! 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
Sarahreadstoomuch @dabbe it was so fun! 3mo
dabbe @Sarahreadstoomuch 💙❄️💙 3mo
17 likes3 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Love Actually | Pearson Education
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I love this movie and the way the stories intertwine. Another holiday staple. #wintergames #restinggrinchface

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Elf | Kim Smith
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Totally watched this recently…. It‘s a holiday movie staple! #elf #wintergames #restinggrinchface

rachaich The best!!! 3mo
Julsmarshall So good! 3mo
AmyG I watch it every year. 3mo
AllDebooks FFF Firm family fave ❤️ 3mo
21 likes4 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

I didn‘t mean to read this next, but…. Well, I did it anyway and have no regrets. A thoughtful Christmas novella that highlights how the holiday can be difficult, but with the right people around you and with the right support- you can make it through. But hanging with a puppy doesn‘t hurt either! #wintergames #restinggrinchface

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Sarahreadstoomuch
High Tide Murder | Emily George
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Second in the Cannabis Cafe cozy mystery series…. Publishes in February. #wintergames but with a surfing competition 🤪 #restinggrinchface

AmyG Ha, perfect title. 3mo
dabbe Hello there, snuggly pup! 🖤🐾🖤 3mo
17 likes2 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Calypso | David Sedaris
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It‘s been a hot minute since I‘ve read/listened to David Sedaris…. There was one several years ago that I DNF‘d and never looked back, until now. This was good…. A little sad, a little thoughtful about life and getting older… and a little funny in parts too (of course). I especially liked the live recordings. Hopefully I can catch his next tour! #wintergames #impulseread #restinggrinchface