Another great Emily Henry romance. I‘ve noticed she usually writes about grief for a parent (I‘ve read 4/6 of her books). I really loved the characters in this one, she‘s good at writing banter between the love interests. Was a little annoyed with the barrier to a happy ending—it seemed easily solvable. Fun & steamy, but I like that she always has depth to the plot & characters.

We picked this for my church book club because 1)it‘s shorter than Becoming 2) we are trying to find books every generation can like. This memoir was good on audio because Jenna & Barbara narrate. Not political, so even if you didn‘t like the policies of either Bush, you can still enjoy the personal stories.

It‘s fitting that I finished this story about a mother on Mother‘s Day. I enjoyed this imagining of Agnes & William Shakespeare‘s life, but I knew it would be sad since you know going in they will lose their son. Most of you all have read this already.

Having a hard time finding audiobooks that hold my interest lately. I enjoyed parts of this book, but I felt like a lot of it was filler. The last 45 min was unnecessary, imo. I think the author was giving historical context, but she wrote a lot about other events besides what the title implies. Prob not enough info for a whole book about the mothers, but those are the parts I enjoyed. Giving it a pick because I did like it until the conclusion.

Last minute #bookspin list. I‘m going on a 12 day trip to California this month, so I‘ve already planned a couple of books to take, plus my kindle.

I‘m a little biased on this one since I know the author, but I think it‘s a fun debut novel. K-Hill (nickname) was a summer staff at my church camp at least one year, & there was a funny reference to camp in the book. Not a perfect rom-com, but I liked the characters, the puns, & the plot. This is more a ya romance since MCs are 18.
I went to her signing event & was excited that so many people attended. Most were friends & family.

I appreciated this book because the MCs are middle-aged, & they have good banter. Not much sexual tension/angst, which was fine with me in this story, they just progress from friends to more. This is my #doublespin for April.

1. Most of the time, yes. Not when it‘s a loss of a major character.
2. Tagged
3. Agatha Christie, almost never guess her endings
#sundayfunday @ozma.of.oz

This a good sequel, & I‘m glad there will be another one. The plot is a mystery and romance. Feminist characters and a story that doesn‘t make you think too much. And Ludwig the grumpy cat is back! Just what I needed.

Still haven‘t been reading much lately, but I still want to do #bookspin. I‘ll eventually get to all my bookspin books. Hers my list for April—it cut off 1 The Bookshop Of Second Chances & 20 Firekeeper‘s Daughter. @TheAromaofBooks

Loving my new mug. Brought it to work today, too bad I can‘t read while I have my hot chocolate. Pawley‘s Studios made it.

I‘ve been listening to the Miss Marple mysteries lately. Love Miss Marple, started the last one this week. I liked all 4 of these.

Sorry, not book related. Haven‘t read much since January except audiobooks because of these 2 projects. Finally finished the animal one for a co-worker‘s baby tonight. Made the mandala for my office but haven‘t found a frame yet. Now I can get back to reading. #litsycrafters

This is the latest I‘ve ever posted my #bookspin list, but I finally got it done. Been cross stitching a lot, & I didn‘t read anything on my list for January—oops! #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Really enjoyed this novella & happy that it will be a series. Sleeping Beauty, feminism, diverse characters, strong women—love it.

I‘m so excited that this book is already listed on Litsy! Just wanted to suggest a book for this spring for the romance readers. I haven‘t seen KHill in several years, but she was a summer staff at my camp during college, & she‘s so much fun. I had no idea she wrote a book until I saw this on fb last night. Haven‘t read the book but definitely going to get a copy & support her. I‘m fortunate to have a camp family full of many amazing people.

This was cute, a sequel to 10 Blind Dates. YA, a little romance, friendships, life lessons. I wanted more of the huge family interactions that were in the first one. An enjoyable audio that doesn‘t use much brain power.

I‘m behind on reviews, but I listened to this NF book a couple of weeks ago. Bragg narrates, & I loved listening to his Deep South accent. This was my intro to Bragg—I didn‘t know his work until I read a book in tribute to Pat Conroy. Think this is a collection of a lot of his articles. Melancholy at times, it‘s enjoyable to hear about his family history & experience with the South.

1. Still reading the tagged, but I haven‘t read much so far this weekend. I‘ve been cross stitching instead.
2. We have been waiting for snow, was supposed to start this morning, but just started a couple of hours ago. It rained first, glad I have tomorrow off.
3. Griffin helps keep me warm, plus my throw quilt.
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

I always enjoy Judy Greer when I see her in a movie or show. In this memoir, she has 3 sections that cover her childhood, career, & personal life. I found it witty and interesting. She doesn‘t go into details about her past movies or co-stars, if you‘re expecting that.

1. Started Where I Come From (Rick Bragg) on audio today. Trying to finish The God of Lost Words this weekend.
2. As usual, read the books I own. Participating in my library‘s book challenge.
3. Taste (Stanley Tucci)
@rachelsbrittain #weekendreads

This week has been so busy at work, then today was nuts (see earlier post). I had forgotten about the #littlechristmasswap until I saw other posts. I‘m really excited to get chocolate I‘ve been enjoying most this season & hot chocolate mix. The 2 books are great—I can‘t get the tagged on audio at the library, so I‘m happy to have a copy. Thank you, Ashley! @EclecticBookLover @bookish_wookish

Finished this afternoon in what turned out to be a nightmare trip home. Left work early, with my afternoon clients changed to telehealth, because it was snowing (total about 6 in). 4 hrs to drive about 40 miles because of traffic. Northerners will laugh at us here in Ky.
I really liked this on audio, but I will need to find the physical book if I want to try the recipes. So much amazing food. Really enjoyed the fresh spin on a celebrity memoir.

I‘ve been so lazy today, I started a book & made my #bookspin list but haven‘t done much else. #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks January 2022

I love this series, so of course, I read the 6th one when it was published in November. Love Charlotte Holmes & her found family, the mysteries, & the bit of romance. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

Both of these are favorites of this year. I read the tagged in September & Under the Whispering Door in October. Both so great for different reasons. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

I have listened to this all week & decided it‘s a perfect book for my commute. Witty, light-hearted, & fun, I was able to laugh before & after work. I definitely won‘t ever participate in stand-up comedy or improv but enjoyed hearing about Pan‘s experience. I related so much to her. I‘ve been looking forward all day to introverting tomorrow. Pan is a good narrator. #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames @Clwojick 16pts

Looking back at August 2021. #12booksof2021 It was so hard to choose a favorite because I read some excellent books. Obviously, Empire of Pain was amazing, but for fun, I loved the tagged. It was unexpected, & I can‘t wait for a sequel. Also, I loved The Guncle. @Andrew65

Didn‘t read that many books in June/July so doing these together. My favorite in June was A Thousand Ships & the best in July is My Antonia. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

Going with 2 favorite books for May 2021. Caste was educational, well-written, & an important book. Everyone should read it. But, for a fun book, I love PWMOV. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

1. So far, I have enjoyed The Ex Hex the most.
2. Hoping that my epic trip to LA/Anaheim in May doesn‘t get cancelled.
#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

Even though this memoir is not the happiest, it is my favorite book of April 2021. A beautiful, sad, thoughtful memoir. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

I read a lot of books last March, but my favorite was the tagged. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

This is my favorite book of #February & very close to my fave of the year. #2ndbookof2021 #12booksof2021 @Andrew65
Blooms is a local author who wrote a unique debut novel. She uses magical realism to explain the effects of trauma in the story of a young girl growing up in a poor family (assuming in Appalachia). Can‘t wait for Blooms‘ 2nd book this February.

From the books I read in January 2021, this was my favorite. #12booksof2021 #1stbookof2021 #january @Andrew65
Come join in, post your favorite of each month during the next week.

Norman is a Ky author & longtime professor. This is the 1st book I‘ve read of his, & I didn‘t love it. Most of the stories are very short, & I couldn‘t get into them, they‘re not fleshed out. He uses some different styles & there‘s a few good stories. He uses his character, Wilgus, as a stand-in for a lot of his own family history. TW for animal killings (farm life). This is my #bookspin for Dec. @TheAromaofBooks 16pts #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick

Listened to Sarah McBride‘s story all week. I had put this on my tbr a long time ago because I want to continue being educated about transgender issues. I think the first part dealing with her transition is very useful to parents/transgender children (and me as a therapist). The middle part about the loss of her husband was so sad. Of course, I had research her on wiki & found out she‘s now the 1st openly transgender state senator in the US. 👇

My #littlechristmasswap package came today. I love this swap because it‘s after the excitement of Christmas.

@AmyK1 Amy, I‘m so excited about this book & chocolate! I adore the cover & have wanted to read it for awhile. If only Reese wouldn‘t ruin artwork with her self-promotion. I‘ve been obsessed this year with peppermint chocolate, glad you added to my addiction.😂 Thank you!! #jolabokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon —Thanks for hosting, I love this swap each year.

This was a cute rom-com set in Alaska, the 2nd book in the Moose Springs series. Lana is part of an extremely wealthy family company but really wants a place she belongs. Rick owns the pool hall & thinks he‘s not good enough for her. There‘s an adorable hedgehog & other animals. Now I‘ll have to go back & read the 1st book—those characters are often in this one, too. 26pts #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick #wintergames

Also on the bottom of my tbr, I should have listened to this when it was published instead of now. The so-so rating isn‘t because the essays aren‘t well-written, but because they‘re outdated at this point. There‘s valuable info & issues we still need to be fighting for, but the focus is on the aftermath of the 2016 election, rehashing a lot we have already been through. I was tired of it by the end. #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick #wintergames 16pts

I‘ve been starting at the bottom of my tbr list—some books have been on there too long. A short audiobook, this was pretty good if you want to understand autism better. #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick #wintergames 16 pts

Forgot to post yesterday, but I sent out both my Christmas swaps. @Julsmarshall #jolabokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon Should be there Saturday.
@jdiehr #littlechristmasswap Should be there Monday @bookish_wookish

I know this is not book related & is depressing, but I‘m sure many of you have seen the news about the tornado that hit several states this weekend. It hit western Kentucky really hard, leveling one whole town, killing at least 80, and destroying a lot in other cities, too. My bff‘s family has been affected, but fortunately, they‘re all safe. People can‘t find their cars, people are finding pics & random belongings up to 150 miles away. 👇

Finally got this one from the library & loved it! I may end up buying it because I would reread it—maybe during the Halloween season. Only thing that bugged me was toward the end—the fact that they live in different locations is not an insurmountable problem. But, romance books often rely on lack of communication. Lots of witchy fun though. #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick 16pts #wintergames

This has been on my Litsy tbr for a long time. Written 20 yrs ago but sadly, still very relevant today. Not much I didn‘t already know, but it was interesting to hear about the author‘s experiences in the low wage jobs. Definitely some white privilege. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 16 pts #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames @Clwojick

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/09/1062752439/the-met-will-strip-the-sackler-familys...

Good news! If you haven‘t read this book, you should.

@AmyK1 Finally noticed my package this morning & saved it from more rain. Excited to open it! #jolabokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon

Finished our team read. I was planning to read this story this month, so it‘s perfect that it‘s our team read. Really like the characters, found family, the romance of the MCs, so I was able to deal with the Groundhog Day plot. I always like Christina Lauren books. #mistletoemaniacs #wntergames @Clwojick 51 pts

I got this book at the Ky Book Fair but didn‘t realize it was aimed at elementary/MG kids. Still enjoyed learning about women in Ky that have worked for communities & social justice. Some were familiar. All stories have a portrait by artists of all different ages. Top right is bell hooks, an author many of you have read. This would be a great book for teachers—they have a website with material. 16 pts #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick