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?

Little Free Library in Whittier, Alaska

I've been in Alaska these past few days, and I'm loving it!

Pic: Portage Pass Overlook

I was skeptical at first since this a genre I don't particularly enjoy. Boy, I was wrong!

I highly enjoyed this book. It was fun and heartwarming. I chuckled at the funny parts and teared up for the MC's love his wife. Who would have thought I would enjoy a military sci-fi book?

4⭐️
#authoramonth @Soubhiville #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Ummm...I'm trying to make sense of what I just listened to. Maybe it would have made more sense if I read a physical copy? It makes one question what is real. This could have been clever but it just left me scratching my head. Not my cup of tea.

#camplitsy25 #bookspinbingo

Summer break!!!!!!!

This was the year of IEPs. As an Education Specialist for the RSP program, I conduct at least 40 IEPs in a school year. This year topped it off: 52 IEPs. And many of them were high profiles with lawyers. So yes, I am sooooo happy and thrilled to have held my last one today for the school year. 🙌
Bring on summer!

And that, my friends, is the end!
I loved and hated Nesta (for now). I wanted to throttle her so many times, but I enjoyed her character growth. And the ending, *tear*. I am really happy with how it ended.
4 ⭐️
#BookspinBingo #buddyread

Here's my list for June.
#BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I saw American Fiction when it came out and I enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading this book.
Monk is an author who is struggling to publish a successful book. He keeps being told that his writing is not "black enough." Along with family drama, the story takes a pause for Monk's satirical book.

I understood the intent of Monk's book but I felt that it shouldn't have been a major chunk of the book.
#authoramonth25 @Soubhiville

This was a light read with a happy ending. It made me happy. 😊

The tagged book is perhaps the longest I've read. The copy I have is over 1400 pages.

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

Best friends turned to lovers...
I was hoping to like this more, but it was an ok story. There were some sweet moments in the book and I felt for the main character as she battled with her health. This read too much of a YA for me, other than the spicy parts. There were times I wanted to shake the MC as she kept pushing the guy away. 3⭐️

Mamá Ramona ❤️
A woman who had to adapt from riches to poor and had to sacrifice and humble herself to feed her children. ❤️

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

It was not my favorite from the series, but it was nice to listen to what the characters did after the war with Hybern. There was character growth and plot development for the next book.

At first, I was going to say Harry Potter, but then I remembered all the wonderful dishes Tita made in Like Water for Chocolate. 🤤

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

I had a really slow reading month for April, but here's my bracket so far.

#bookbracket @Catsandbooks

"For Colin Firth
You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends."

??
#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

So many unexpected things happened. The battle, the twists, and the character growth! I highly enjoyed it! And yes, I like Nesta now. I can't wait to read her book.

#buddyread #ACOWAR

Ooh I want to participate in this year's #camplitsy25 ! Please add me to the list.
Here are my nominations:
1. Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
2. Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
3. The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
4. O Sinners! By Nicole Cuffy

@squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB

Visited a new-to-me Gastropub and they were having Lord of the Rings theme cocktails and food. It was a cool bar (a little pricey, though) with lots of tabletop board games. My husband and I will be visiting again.

Heartbound Book Shop in Anaheim, California, is my new favorite indie bookstore!

It's a romance bookstore and it has an awesome selection of books! They also have constant events, which are so fun to participate in.

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

Ended my Spring Break with Harry Potter 🤗

Oh, the drama! Katarina and Heath are so toxic yet so perfect for each other. But all of the back and forth and petty fighting did irritate me. And then all of that for that type of ending? Yeah...

Don't get me wrong, the audiobook was a fantastic production. I loved the documentary feel of it. I was just not satisfied with the ending.

3.5 ⭐️

I haven't watched many of the films listed but my top three are:

Fiddler on the Roof
E.T.
The Color Purple

#ThreeListThursday #TLT @dabbe

Aww! My husband and I really enjoyed this book! We listened to the audiobook and enjoyed all the things that reminded of us. We love to travel and hike. Our favorite places were mentioned and we enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters. It was also emotional with Carla's dad as he went through dementia. It broke our heart. 4.5 ⭐️

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks #ireland

This book! I was not expecting the feels!
I loved Rhys so much in this one that I can't wait to read the 3rd book.

Hammock reading on a crisp morning ❤️

The book was getting too good to only read 3 chapters a day. I'll try not to spoil it for those doing the buddy read.

A used bookstore tucked away in a corner amongst some shops in Big Bear. I almost missed it!

Better late then never: Week found this restaurant in Big Bear that served food from Nepal. And omg! The Mo-mos (dumplings) were freaking amazing!

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks

Much needed getaway to Big Bear 💗

Started on the tagged book today and went to our favorite Irish pub. We had Irish whiskey, Irish beer, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie.

#foodandlit2025 @Texreader @Catsandbooks #ireland

I love supporting my favorite small, romance bookstore, Heartbound Book Shop. ❤️ I wonder what I got?

Met this sweet local romantasy author, Madeleine Eliot, at a brewery. I got her dual book set on sirens. I'm looking forward to reading these!
*author is not on the data catalog