I was not sure what to expect, but I was wildly surprised at how much I liked this book. This was a collection of essays, almost like a memoir. Vonnegut wrote this in 2004-2005, and his criticism on politics, art, technology, sex, and America are very relevant today. His thoughts on the Bush administration made me wish that we could go back to those times before our current administration. What would Vonnegut think of Trump?
⬇️

Here's my list for September!
#BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

August had a few disappointing books for me, but there were a couple of gems. The tagged book was my favorite of the month.

#bookbracket @Catsandbooks

It has been a while since I've done a challenge, so let's go!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfs7yHyeyWN9K9pSE-dbPvoNTyyJ9RJVSoKDzbd...

#hauntedshelf @PuddleJumper

I break up my reads into two parts on #bookspinbingo to encourage me to finish them, and it works! I almost got a full board!

@TheAromaofBooks

Thank you, Mariner, for the advance copy.

This book followed five women over two decades (though it heavily focused on Desiree and Danielle). We got to see how they grew into women and how their friendships evolved.

It was a bit slow for me but I highly enjoyed the various mentioned places in California that I've been to.

After 7 years, I finally have my library!

Este libro tiene diferentes leyendas de Bolivia. Las historias eran entretenidas y era obvio que el autor tenía pasión sobre estas leyendas. El audiolibro no fue la mejor producción, pero aún así tenía su encanto.
3⭐️

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks
#bolivia

English⬇️

This was fun, light read. It took inspiration from the Cyrano story, which I enjoyed. I enjoyed the characters and I especially enjoyed reading about places I've been.

#littensloveromance #bookspinbingo

I went into this book blind, and I was not expecting this kind of story.

An alternative universe where women lose their rights and Black people are enslaved. We follow the story of Solenne, a young Black girl, who was assigned to a government official as a concubine. It was hard to read how young she was on how Bastien, the official, manipulated her. Solenne tried to gain her freedom and tried to find her voice in the oppressive world. ⬇️

I tried to like this book more, but in the end, I didn't really care much for it. The drama of people trying to social climb and betraying one another did not attract me. I was not fond of the characters, though the setting was interesting. And the ending was kind of a letdown for me. If this was not a buddy read, I would have DNFed the book a while ago.

We escaped this 95+ degree weather to a river in the mountains. My Hoopla app did not work so audiobook it was!

Boy, this book is sure dated. As an educator, I am glad that we have come a long way from the type of bullying that happened in the book. Well, at least in the schools around my area have made progressed. The meaness of the young characters didn't surprised me, but the behavior of the adults at the school did. It was a decent read. Not my favorite of Judy Blumes, though.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

Ummmm...I was really close in DNFing this book, but I was curious to see if the MC would find closure and/or made some growth. Did she? I'm not so sure.

I did appreciate how the book touched on topics regarding sexuality (especially as we age), motherhood, gender, menopause, postpartum/trauma, and identity. However, I was not expecting to read how horny the MC was or about all her masturbation and sex escapades. ⬇️

So excited for Blood of My Blood!

I thought this was a sweet and charming story. The relationship between Carl and the young girl reminded me of the old man and kid in Up. I really enjoyed how these two developed a unique friendship and how they tried to understand the book costumers more.

4⭐️
#BookspinBingo

3.75⭐️
I was really looking forward to this book. It is not my favorite of Cosby's but it was still a wild ride. The underground world and learning the truth about Roman's mom kept me hooked. I also wanted to know what was going to happen to him and his siblings as things kept escalating. However, I felt frustrated with Roman and I wanted to shake him at the end.

#camplitsy25 #bookspinbingo

Attended my first Silent Book Club and I had a lot of fun! I see myself attending many future meet ups.

My #bookspinbingo for August 2025. I really like breaking up my reads into 2 parts for each category.

@TheAromaofBooks

Book shopping was so much fun at BBBC's summer camp. We were able to walk away with 10+ free books. It was so hard only picking out 11 books knowing that I would have to put everything in my carry-on luggage.

My reads for July. By breaking up my reads into parts, I am able to get some bingos. 😊

#BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I was not sure what to expect, so I was splendidly surprised how hooked I was. Annie was 37 weeks pregnant and, unfortunately, goes through a natural disaster. As she described her journey in trying to get to her husband, I kept wondering what I would do if I were in the same situation. I really should have an emergency plan, just in case.

#camplitsy25 #bookspinbingo

This was my first Virginia Woolf book and I liked it. Though this was published in 1929, I feel that much of Woolf's arguments are true today. She described women in fiction, such as writers and women mentioned in literature. Woolf pretty much uses various examples as to why women need money and a room of their own in order to write.

4⭐️

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

I was hoping to like this more since it's a treasure hunting book but I found myself constantly getting lost with the storyline. So much was happening at once that I did not have enough time to process it. I found myself going back to relisten. I felt like the fast pace would work better as a movie.

2 ⭐️

Setting: Peru

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks

In Maine, so of course I had to stop by the Stephen King house. 😊

I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended the Bad Bitch Book Club Summer Camp in Maine. It was an amazing experience with wonderful people. I still need to grow in my area of social anxiety, but I am proud of myself for taking the step of meeting new people.

If you are interested in joining, here's the insta link:

https://www.instagram.com/badbitchbookclub?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

My book haul from BBBC Summer Camp. The top book was my book swap choice. The rest were complimentary books from our book camp. Who doesn't love free books?

Book swap. Can you guess which book I got?

Reading some Virginia Woolf as I wait for my connecting flight.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

I'm on my way to Maine for book camp! Yup, book camp for Bad Bitches Book Club. I'm so excited!

Inheritance games? Yes, please. I liked the whole idea of the MC going back home to her estranged family to play the game her father left behind. Unfortunately, the games were kind of tamed. I think I was expecting more of the games, which disappointed me a bit. However, it was a pretty decent read.

3.5 ⭐️

#BookspinBingo #bookgroup

This was an okay book. It had an interesting take on vampires, which I liked. I didn't feel the MC as much nor Blade. It was a quick read, but I don't think I'm going to continue with the series.

#BookspinBingo #littensloveromance

I enjoyed this book. This was a coming of age story set during the Oregon Trail time. I highly enjoyed Sam's and Andy's relationship. They were two strangers, one trying to run away while the other searched for her brother, who quickly became close like sisters. Tjere were fun parts and nail bitting moments. I especially enjoyed the group of boys they joined during their journey to the West.
4 ⭐️

#BookspinBingo #sundaybuddyread

3.5 ⭐️
This book was eye-opening. I learned about some of the hardships that trans people go through in trying to come out. I can not begin to imagine the constant struggle in trying to be your true self while many refuse to accept who you are.

I did not feel any attachment to any of the characters, but I did empathize with their pain. I understood Erika's confusion and Abigail's anger. They had each other for support. ⬇️

I highly enjoyed this classic. I hope to re-read it soon.

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

We had some Peruvian food today at one of our favorite restaurants. My husband had the Saltado de Mariscos (top), I had the ceviche mixto (bottom left), and we shared the platanos frito (bottom right). It was all delicious!

#peru #foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks

Oh my goodness, this book! 😢
I was not sure what to expect; I definitely did not expect for me to yell and cry throughout the book. It gutted me!

Frankie is my new favorite character. I absolutely loved her strength, loyalty, and growth. I wanted to hug her and say thank you for her service. She deserved better.

My heart goes out to all of the men and women who served during the Vietnam War.
5⭐️

#BookspinBingo #clubread

This was an incredible story-within-a-story book with sci-fi elements. I was highly invested in Zelu's story in finding her identity and freedom within her Nigerian traditional family. The family drama and trauma were understandable to her character. Then there was Zelu's sci-fi creation story: though it was fictional, it was filled with political commentary. I give this 4 ⭐️

#camplitsy25 #bookspinbingo

Read this one with my husband. It was a re-read for me but the first for him. There was a lot of world building and Little plot. Not my favorite of the series but still enjoyable.

3.5 ⭐️
#BookspinBingo

Went to my favorite romance bookstore, Heartbound Books, and bought these three books. I am so in love with the edge-page art on the tagged book.

I did not expect John Scalzi's book to be my favorite for June. I need to read more of his books.

#bookbracket @Catsandbooks

Here goes July!
@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

I got one bingo! Woot! I usually don't read enough make bingo. Melt by Robbi McCoy was my Book Spin. It was an ok book.

#BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

This was so much fun! It had adventure, treasure hunting, humor, and romance. I highly enjoy these types of books!

4⭐️
#BookspinBingo #tbr

Okay, this is cheating. Greenland food mostly focuses on whale and seal meat, but I don't see myself eating that during my lifetime.

I just came back from Alaska and had Arctic food like salmon, chowder, and crab. This counts, right? 😅

*background: Aialik Glacier

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks

The romance was lukewarm. In fact, I didn't care much about Kelly and Jordan's relationship. I found the brief history on Greenland and the melting of the glaciers more fascinating. I also wanted to hear more about Pippa's Viking heritage. This would have worked better as a historical fiction book instead of a romance book.
3.5 ⭐️

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks
#BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

What an interesting concept: What if historical figures come back and live amongst us? Harriet Tubman is back and wants to tell her story through songs. Darnell is in charge of making this into reality. We get to learn Harriet's experiences and understand why Darnell's career went into shambles. The audio ends with two songs, which were awesome!
4⭐️

#BookspinBingo

Well, I was not expecting that ending. This was a mixture of thriller/mystery story with a story about grief. The whole time I tried to guess what terrible thing happened in the island, and my guesses were incorrect. I felt for the family but I did not care for the affair that the 2 main adults got into. However, I was eager to find out how it was going to end.

4⭐️

#buddyread #camplitsy25 #bookspinbingo

This was okay...I enjoyed Alex but not Violet as much. Violet needed to shut up a few times, IMO. Some of the sexy stuff was good, but it got old pretty quick.

#buddyread #bookspinbingo #littensloveromance

I visited the Alaska Native Heritage Center and got this lovely book. Has anyone read it?