#autobuy Carolyn Slaughter. First book I read by her was The Banquet, probably 35 years ago, & thus began my ❤️ affair. I bought the paperback 1st & the hardcover years later at The Strand for $2. My favourite book of hers is Relations. The only 2 I haven‘t read yet are A Black Englishman and Dresden, Tennessee. She‘s the only author I have ever written to, and she replied. 2 handwritten pages. Share your auto buy authors & tag me!

I thought I would start a little series of posts about authors whose books are an automatic buy for me. I discovered Helen Dunmore years ago. The tagged book was the first of her books I read, and I fell in love. A Spell of Winter is my favourite. Of the pile pictured, I have yet to read Mourning Ruby and House of Orphans, which I just picked up a couple weeks ago. Please share your fave author piles #autobuy & please tag me so I can see.

Very exciting to meet Lauren B Davis today. She wrote one of my favourite books, Our Daily Bread, and kindly tweeted in real time with my book club as we discussed it.

Mixed feelings about this generally well-reviewed novel about a couple of Dutch brothers, Serge, who is running to be Prime Minister, and Paul, a school teacher, and their wives. Over several courses at a fancy restaurant, Paul unravels the story of his acrimonious relationship with Serge, and also unspools the story of why they are gathered on this night. No question, it would make a great book club pick. Anyone seen the movie?

Man it‘s hard to find a thrilling thriller. This one started off well enough, but the characters became more grating and unbelievable as the story moved along...and the resolution was ridiculous. Anybody read anything in this genre that actually lives up to its hype or premise?

#sorrynotsorry because, to be fair, I will never be sorry about spending $ on books.

I need a distraction from marking truly heinous grade 10 compositions.

1. New Brunswick, Canada
2. 58
3. I‘d rather buy books than pretty much anything else, and as I buy for me and for my classroom library, 2 x the fun. I definitely spend $ I shouldn‘t.
4. Divorced for a decade.
5. She
6. I went to a talk many years ago and heard the term “ludic reader.” It‘s a person who reads for pleasure, & that is me. I‘ve been The Ludic Reader ever since

Three teenagers discover that they are siblings in this fantastic, award winning YA novel. Joaquin, Grace, and Maya negotiate their own lives and pasts and then the additional impact of finding out they have each other, too. #allthefeels

My book club discussed this book tonight. First question: Is this a Booker prize winning book? All seven of us said no. I read it immediately following The Handmaid‘s Tale and this felt like fan fiction. I am not a huge Atwood fan to begin with, but this just didn‘t impress me. Am I alone?

Super excited to pick up this book tonight. Students love her novels and so do I.

So my book club chose The Testaments as our next read...but I had not yet read The Handmaid‘s Tale 🙄
I know, I am a lame Canadian and an even lamer feminist.

#sorrynotsorry. That sign is like crack to a book lover.

Day 7. #7days7covers #covercrush
Thanks @Tiffiney for inviting me to play.

Dear 6. #7days7covers #covercrush

#sorrynotsorry Took advantage of Indigo‘s 30% off for teachers weekend. Because of course I did. All for my classroom.

Day 5. #7days7covers #covercrush

Day 4. #7days7covers #covercrush

Day 3. #7days7covers #covercrush

#7days7covers #covercrush Day 2
Tag. You‘re it.

I was tagged by @Tiffiney to play #7covers7days. The only rule is to post book covers without comment, which is so hard to do because I want to tell you about the books. 😕 Alas, I am not allowed. If you haven‘t participated in this, please jump on the wagon.

#sorrynotsorry
I am back to my book buying ways. Canadian littens of a certain age will recognize the author of the tagged book as the lead singer of April Wine...mega band of the 70s (although perhaps only in Canada.)

It‘s been an age, Littens. I went back to my classroom on the 26th, and I haven‘t been reading at all. Life, she has been busy. I had to move my daughter from one apt to another over the long weekend. (And that was an adventure, let me tell you. They upgraded (not) my 15‘ Uhaul to a 26‘ Uhaul. 😬) Crazy hurricane weekend here in the Maritimes. And I am frantically reading the tagged book which must be finished for Thursday. 😲

I purchased these for my classroom library three years ago. Besides the tagged book, I‘ve read the The Dogs, Rooms & The Dead House. Cool idea, @Lcsmcat #bookhaulchallenge

I didn't hate Don't You Forget About Me, but I didn't love it either. Georgina and Lucas are reunited 12 years after high school when Georgina gets a job at Lucas's pub. They were in love back in the day - now it appears he doesn't remember Georgina. Or does he? My review caused quite a stir on Twitter. I didn't think it was all that harsh. https://theludicreader.com/2019/08/15/dont-you-forget-about-me-mhairi-mcfarlane/

#teachersoflitsy just a little back-to-school reading. I finished the tagged book a few days ago. Miller is singing to the choir with that one. Anyone else prepping to go back to class?

I am a total Buffy geek, so even though I stopped reading post-series comics years ago, I had to pick this one up because it starts at the beginning with Buffy in (slightly AU) high school. Makes me want to write fanfic and dig out all my memorabilia. B/A forever.

Next up, I‘m going to re-read one of my all time favourite books...which I first read probably 45 years ago. Yikes.

Easy-to-read tale about a psychotherapist who wants to help an artist who has killed her husband. There‘s no question she did it, but no one knows why she did it, and in the six years since she hasn‘t said a single word. Flat characterization is probably my major gripe with this book, but I am probably in the minority. Also, not-a-big-deal twist.

Added three new Thomas H. Cooks to my collection. Looking forward to reading them. #sorrynotsorry

This is a beautiful book for anyone who knows that books and reading are the gifts that just keep giving. I believe all readers should have this book in their collection. My full review can be found at theludicreader.com

Any other Veronica Mars fans out there? A friend from the Buffy fandom recommended I give this show a go and I‘ve watched the first three seasons and the movie over the last couple weeks. I am three episodes into season 4 and I just had run out and get these books. I haven‘t been this obsessed since my BtVS days. #Logan&Veronica4eva

Not quite the emotional gutpunch her first novel Everything I Never Told You was, Ng‘s second novel is still a well-written page-turner that does a deep dive into the relationship between mothers and their children. Loved it. Read my full review at theludicreader.com

Currently reading this beauty. A love letter...well a lot of love letters... to reading.

Currently reading and drinking tea out of my new kitty mug. Another perfect summer day.

I finished this book in an afternoon. It‘s a common sense guide to figuring out what to do when you‘re not sure you are doing what you want to be doing. I love Debbie Travis. She seems like someone you could have a glass of Prosecco and a good natter with....and you actually can do that at her Tuscan villa.

Took the road less traveled on the way home (aka got off the four-lane highway), and the old way took us past Sheree Fitch's book store, which is in the middle of nowhere. How exciting that the author herself was there. My kids LOVED her books when they were kids, and I loved reading them. Such an unexpected treat.

First time visiting Woozles, Canada's oldest children's bookstore. The tagged book was my purchase. #halifax

I have been wanting to read this for a while and finally picked it up while visiting my daughter in Halifax. #shoplocal

Can‘t say I loved the central characters of Wolitzer‘s novel about what it means to be a woman. The most interesting character arc in the novel actually belonged to a guy. Go figure. Full review at theludicreader.com

Photo credit: chaluk
Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians.

Summer has officially started for me and the first order of business is to finish these two books. #happysigh

Just got home from school on this rainy Friday afternoon (only two more days before the official start of summer vacay). Time to open my West Coast #summersantagoespostal box compliments of @melissajayne . Your box was a total delight. Thank you. And thanks to @BookishMarginalia for organizing.

From the West Coast all the way to the East Coast (well, almost), your #summersantagoespostal package has arrived safe and sound @melissajayne
Looking forward to the 21st!

My #SummerSantaGoesPostal is on its way. Luckily it doesn‘t have too far to go. @BookishMarginalia thanks for organizing this great event.

Currently reading.

Not a run-of-the-mill thriller, this novel concerns a high school English teacher, Vera Lundy, who is fascinated by serial killers and a talented but quirky student in one of her classes, Jensen Willard. When another student turns up dead, and Jensen goes missing, Vera‘s life is turned upside down. Readable, suspenseful, and surprising.

So, this book...I guess I can see why everyone thinks it‘s so good. Louise is the nanny to Myriam and Paul‘s two young children in Paris. She plays games, cooks amazing meals, keeps the apartment spotless, but there is also something...off ...about her. Not in the same way as if this had been written as a North American thriller, though. (If that makes sense.) This slim novel is going for something more and it was just okay for me.

Thanks to @FantasyChick forthe tag. Sorry I am a day late replying.

1. Some days....nothing.
2. Cleaning the cat litter. But I love my kitty.
3. People ...even though I probably took them for granted. I miss them now.
4. Waitress.
5. My mom always told me when I had to make a difficult decision to weigh the pros and cons.

Tagging some newbies to my Litsy space: @TheCuriousHousecat , @I_Like_Big_Books , @Aseleener

So, it‘s May 15, but feels more like Feb 15. Brrrr.🥶
I finished A Gentleman in Moscow. 🤨
I am hoping my new book won‘t put me to sleep.😴
Only 16 class days before exams start. 🥳