I loved the setting and the dual time lines, but the story fell a little flat for me. I liked how it ended up all coming together so probably a little better than just okay…say 3.5 stars ⭐️. Read for #literarycrew and it got me a #bookspinbingo in May, so there‘s that!

If it wasn‘t for the last minute, nothing would get done. June #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

A mid century folk rock feminist icon story and throw in a bit of love story. Was just the slump buster I needed! A great read ❤️💙

This one was middle of the road for me. I really like they way Moyes writes complex characters, but in this circumstance I found myself not liking our two female leads. Made it hard to enjoy. Some of the supporting cast was quite enjoyable. The story was interesting enough to keep me going but ultimately forgettable.

Another solid read from Stacey Lee. Mercy is a teenage Chinese American in San Francisco in 1906. She is a wonderful character, bold, caring, and unwilling to accept the status quo. When she wants something she works to get it, no matter the odds. Things don‘t always workout, but she perseveres. A good YA read that touches on real life experiences and emotions. Read for #sundaybuddyread

I can‘t tell specifically what it was about this one but just not a fan. I like the concept, but ultimately the main character wasn‘t very likeable and a lot of the events can be solved by communicating. Possibly didn‘t live up to the hype I guess but also not for me. #doublespin for May

“In a very tall tree sits a girl.”

#firstlinefridays

#bookspin & #doublespin for May. After watching Peter Pan & Wendy over the weekend (which I would recommend) I‘m especially excited about the doublespin!

April was a bit of a bust reading wise for me. I have much higher hopes for May. #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

Before #sundaybuddyread and @TheBookHippie I had never heard of Adrienne Rich. She led an impactful and fascinating life. My struggles with this read had everything to do with how it was written and some of the choices made by the author of what to include (which included some opinions that felt unnecessary). I think this could have benefit from a solid edit. I hate that it takes away from the story of her life which I did enjoy.

A privileged white male is accused of rape, guilty or not? Told from the perspective of his adopted sister who has secrets of her own. While I appreciate the story trying to be told, not one character is likeable and made for a rough read.

Happy April! #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

A story of secrets, of identity, of heritage, and of love. Thoroughly enjoyed. Read for #literarycrew

We re-enter the world of Nina Hill but from a different perspective. Laura, decides to make a change in her life and moves across the country to attend grad school. The friends she makes helps her to find herself while recovering from a trauma. It‘s much more lighthearted than I‘m making it sound, but also delves into the seriousness of life and the problems we all deal with. Quite enjoyed this world and was happy to go back. #sundaybuddyread

“He should have know it would come to this.”

#firstlinefridays #literarycrew

Library hold picked up today, already enjoying it.

There really is something about his character‘s and their stories that really just sit with you. Even when you think you‘re not being affected, and then at the most random moments you find yourself thinking about them. Another beautifully told story about humans. #doublespin for March
Also: am struggling to see how Tom Hanks could pull this one off, after reading this I don‘t know if I really want to see that movie ❤️

#readingbracket2023 January‘s book is tagged and still going strong!

My #bookspin #doublespin and #bookspinbingo for March. Keeping the last 4 open as going to a book swap with my friend so gives me the chance to read some of those as well.

Was this story incredibly graphic and violent: yes. Was it a beautiful look at grief and complicated human emotion: also yes. The story of two men brought together by the death of their sons and the trail they blaze seeking justice. Started off slow but the second half is where this one shined for me. And importantly: MY FIRST EVER #BOOKSPINBINGO!!!! 🥳🥳🥳

You follow Mary, one of Doro‘s children, as she comes through her transition into a telepath. But she is not just any telepath, a telepath that can link with others like her and make them stronger and capable of living together. Will this new found ability create a new stronger race that can overcome Doro? It‘s a fast paced read that really packs a lot of story. Works as a standalone but I think it works even better having read Wild Seed.

I‘m not terribly certain what I listened to, maybe audio isn‘t the preferred format, but this one wasn‘t for me. At times beautiful language and definitely food for thought which will probably make it a good discussion piece for #literarycrew.

Just when you think you‘ve aged out of coming of age stories, you read one that hits you at your core. Emma Saylor, raised by her dad. Her mom had struggled with addiction eventually succumbing to it. She never knew much about her mom except the lake. Her dad eventually remarries and after some unexpected changes in plan Emma Saylor goes to the lake to spend the summer. There she learns about her mom and ultimately herself.

A fast paced thriller mixed with suburban drama. This was an easy read and full of twists and turns but ultimately hated the ending. While I would recommend for anyone who likes thrillers and for the most part had fun reading, it ended up being a bit of a let down and a weird epilogue. Hence middle of the road for me. #bookspin for January

101 days of school, too cute not to share with my book friends 🖤🤍🖤🤍

My favorite read of January. I‘m telling everyone to read this one! #2023readingbracket

Did much better in January than expected, thanks a lot to doing more audiobooks. Don‘t know if it‘ll be the same in February as mostly physical books on this list…but we‘ll still have fun trying! #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

Loving this new cover. My favorite of her historical fiction ghost stories. From St James IG ⬇️

You follow the life of Esme Nichols which in essence mirrors the publication of the Oxford English Dictionary. Esme starts gathering words that don‘t seemingly make it in. The author is looking at the gender and social bias reasons for this. The story itself was fine, the afterward was the most interesting part for me. Picked up because of #literarycrew Did the audiobook and enjoyed the narration.

This may be one of the most incredible stories I‘ve read…and it‘s based on real events. I feel like everyone should read this as it displays the best of humanity when humans are being the worst. You will experience all the emotions but come away in awe of this family and what they‘ve experienced.

Was it smart to stay up late to finish this in one sitting? No
Was it worth it? Absolutely
Everything you want in a St James story in a delicious little morsel! Bravo!
#sundaybuddyread

What a fun and interesting read. The story of 4 women and the “mafia-adjacent” family that brought them together. This needs to be made into a tv show! #sundaybuddyread

Listened to this one for #literarycrew. Quite a beautiful, epic, and sometimes sad story of Mailin, her son Renshu (Henry), and his daughter Lily and their lives. I‘ll admit it took me a while to get engaged in it but that was more likely because I was listening while working and not because of the story itself. This tale spans the three generations from China in the 30s to America in the 90s. I really loved the bond between mother and son.

Last of 2022: Upgrade - Blake Crouch
First of 2023: Tagged (started in 2022 but first finished) 🙂
Would recommend both!!!
#lastfirst

What a story! The fictionalized version of historical figure, Mila Pavlichenko, a female Russian sniper during WWII who logged over 300 kills. This one was tough to put down. I especially enjoyed her interactions with Eleanor Roosevelt. I did a combo of audio and e-book (due to library availability) and I think I preferred the audio version as it was much easier to immerse myself in the story. Highly recommend! Read for #literarycrew

And the winner is…Tagged! Thank you to @Librarybelle and #literarycrew for introducing me to it! Thank you also to @chasjjlee for putting together #2022readingbracket

A fun and easy way to keep track of favorites throughout the year!

No world record, but not bad. My goal was 36 (3 a month) which I was really trying to push to 40…so not quite there. Maybe next year.

New Year Reading List (pretty similar to the old years but adding some Xmas presents). Still have yet to achieve the ever elusive bingo, but I enjoy trying. #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

Terrible writing aside…my 2023 reading groups and TBR tackler pages in my #bulletjournal

Bad News: Sick Kiddo and not feeling so hot myself
Good News: gave me some time to finish my #bookspin for December

Humanity is on the brink of extinction but genetic engineering is a possibility. Could it result in creating the perfect human to save the species? At what cost? While not my favorite from Crouch, still very good. Had to skim through some of the science details, but ultimately would recommend if you‘re a fan of his other work.

The final #bookspin, #doublespin, #bookspinbingo of 2022! Still have yet to actually achieve a bingo but I have fun trying! Last month was the closest I got. Thanks @TheAromaofBooks 💙❤️💜

This was a surprisingly quick read and appropriate for the season considering it is about one of the first settlers of the new world. Told from multiple points of views with the two prominent perspectives being the governors wife and a woman from the opposite side of the social standings of this society. I really enjoyed these unconventional views on a story that you feel like you thought you knew. Really enjoyed the authors note as well.

This was a bit of a disappointment considering is was a top 5 of BOTM last year. The concept was great but seemed to fail in execution (kind of ironic considering the subject matter). Dual time lines and the historic stories were farm more interesting. I didn‘t really care for the present day main character or really any of her choices and it wrapped up a little too neatly considering the events of the book. The cover however is gorgeous!

Such a fascinating read. A look at some of the women that worked for the iconic airline Pan Am. In learning some of their stories you learn a lot about the history of the world and travel as well as the women‘s rights movement in the mid century. If you‘re looking for an interesting non-fiction, this would be a good one to pick up! Read for #sundaybuddyread

I didn‘t want to like this book considering the hateful thoughts of one of the authors. But it was received in a book swap from a friend, so I read it. Did we need another HP story, probably not, but we have one. I love this universe and it‘s characters and I‘m a sucker for alternate realities. (It was also nice to get a bit of redemption for Draco Malfoy). So here we are.

It‘s been decades since I‘ve read one of these and figured it‘d be fun for Halloween…and it was! What a fantastic introduction to horror. Just spooky enough.

I just love this world and would spend all the time in it! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

This was a #bookspin or #doublespin for me earlier this year but snuggling with one of my 6 yo right now so not getting my notebook to find out which one 😁

This months #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo
How are we already almost done with this year???

Starting this one for #sundaybuddyread

💜

A unique look at YA fantasy. Witches are sorted by the seasons and the type of power they have. Clara is a once in a generation witch called an Ever, someone who encompasses the powers of all the seasons. She is working to control this strong but dangerous power that has already affected her loved ones to try and help the world fight climate change. It gets quite angsty, but if you can put up with that, it‘s a worthwhile read. #sundaybuddyread