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Andrea4
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Ok down to last 2hrs (more or less) if audio and holy, narrator shift! That was jarring.
I'm really not sure how I feel about this besides highly confused as to what is happening. 😂
I'm sure on our walk anyone who was looking at my face as they passed was amused.

Eggs Great photo 🩷🩷 7d
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 7d
Megabooks Cute!! 7d
Gissy Lovely photo😍♥️♥️♥️ 6d
23 likes4 comments
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

I seem to have ended up on a (maybe) short term BIPOC dark- fiction/horror binge.
This anthology compared to others I've read probably contained more stories I really enjoyed or loved than not.
A worthwhile anthology to read- its horrors are of the kind that make your whole body cringe, flinch, viscerally react and make you wish you could turn back the clock, help undo what cannot be undone.

review
Andrea4
Rachel's Holiday | Marian Keyes
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Pickpick

Between a pick and so-so for me, or 3 stars. Not my favourite Keyes, for sure (but I will continue the series haha).
I found Rachel hard to tolerate; for most of the book I wanted to smack her across the face (a reaction not relegated only her).
But obviously I liked it enough to keep reading.

review
Andrea4
The Between: Novel, A | Tananarive Due
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this- it felt like a very quick, urgent read. To me this is more “horrifying“ than “horror“, does that make sense to anyone but me? Haha
I didn't feel chills or get creeped out or scared as some horror books can do to me but the concept was certainly horrifying and intriguing.
I loved Sue's prologue and I look forward to reading more of her works.

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Andrea4
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Just taking 15m of baby dude's nap time to do more herb related reading but not directly school related 🤪 This is actually a surprisingly short (sweetly so for me) book by just one of the many important herbalists today. I'm loving the illustrations.
And just found out vanilla beans take about as long to mature as the human gestational period. Weird.

review
Andrea4
Little Monsters | Adrienne Brodeur
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Pickpick

Sucked me in & i finished it quick. Others call it a family melodrama/dysfunctional family. I'm going to say it takes “dysfunctional“ one step further & maybe a TW for some is in order though doing so also would spoil part of the book (though pretty early on it seemed obvious, but maybe that's me with the experiences I've had). In any case, this book (esp if you're a woman, I want to say) will have you wanting to throw some punches.

AmyG I am going to call it dysfunctional but I really liked it. Those are my favorites-the dysfunctional family. 1mo
Andrea4 @AmyG agreed. Often when people ask what I like to read I say “thriller, supernatural or psychological especially, some horror, oh and f*cked up *ahem* dysfunctional families. Lol 1mo
AmyG @Andrea4 Ha, what does that say about US? 🤣 1mo
Andrea4 @AmyG haha oh I know! Here's to catharsis 🤪 1mo
24 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
Andrea4
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Mehso-so

If we're being honest, it was a little too “sweet“. This is a book where very few characters say something straightforwardly without euphemism and I get that this is in part to reflect the Georgian way but it also comes across as the author's reluctance. It all ties up too neatly to; I would think with such revelations there would be more emotions.

review
Andrea4
In a Holidaze | Christina Lauren
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Pickpick

Who doesn't love a good Groundhog day trope?!
Again, romance not generally my thing but I love Christmas! And maybe I'm “softening up“ as of late.
But in any case, this was fun!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww so cute ❤️ 2mo
Gissy Look who is in the photo! 👶🏻❤️❤️❤️Looks so happy! 🥰 2mo
AmyG Adorable! (edited) 2mo
27 likes3 comments
review
Andrea4
Three Holidays and a Wedding | Marissa Stapley, Uzma Jalaluddin
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Pickpick

Loved this!!! It would not have been my go to being in large part a romance but the holiday bent drew me in and I'm so glad it did! So cute!
I really wanted the movies mentioned to be real too!!

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
Gissy So cute! Adorable!❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
22 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

Finally got around to reading these!
Like many short story collections, I liked some, loved some, and others were meh. It is YA but still, I could connect or find the charm. Maybe it was the magic of Christmas 🎄🎁

monkeygirlsmama Such a sweet picture. 2mo
Gissy Cute!! Am I reading your review or admiring the baby?😂😂😂 2mo
Andrea4 @Gissy I know, it's a trap! Hahaha 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Andrea4 @monkeygirlsmama thank you ❤️ 2mo
Gissy @Andrea4 But he has grown so fast and he is so adorable! How are you doing in these new stages as a mom. Every stage is so beautiful 🥰We have seen a couple of babies here growing up over the years and it has been a wonderful experience to see how they change and become young readers📚❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
Andrea4 @Gissy it's the hardest, most rewarding thing I've ever done. It's an odd mix of extremes- feeling like minutes just draaaaag and yet I've blinked and 10m has gone, feel lonely but also never alone, constantly 'doing' and yet never feel like I've done enough, also and sometimes most starkly, I can go from super confident to utterly unsure of myself. But he amazes me and nothing changes that ❤️❤️ 2mo
24 likes6 comments
review
Andrea4
Remarkably Bright Creatures | Shelby Van Pelt
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Pickpick

Wow ok, I don't know what happened to my litsy but my last post was 4m ago and after that I couldn't get the app to load properly, find the app to reinstall, nor get my password reset. Somehow by luck I remembered the password and I'm back in on browser version at least. Anyway, hello again, this book was amazing (I know, I'm late to that game). And my own “remarkably bright creature“ is growing rapidly!

Librarybelle Welcome back! Adorable photo! 2mo
Gissy Yes, growing fast❤️❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
28 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
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Mehso-so

Finished this on my first solo road trip with my little superhero.
I found this to be a promising start, a very slow middle, and an unexpected, heart wrenching ending.

Gissy He has gown 🥰❤️❤️❤️ 5mo
Andrea4 @Gissy very much so! 5mo
23 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
The Long Weekend | Gilly Macmillan
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Mehso-so

Started in hardcopy and then switched to audio to finish. I think it was easier to speed through in audio but harder to keep track of which character was speaking. It was a promising start, if not dramatic, but parts of the plot deemed wholly unnecessary while others were too far fetched? Maybe it was just a case of too much going on. And then it seemed to be wrapped up rather quickly, unsatisfyingly so.

dabbe Awwwww! 🤩🤩🤩 6mo
Gissy 😍❤️❤️❤️ 6mo
27 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
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Mehso-so

Photo is from March 2022 when I had picked this book back up AGAIN. I finished it FINALLY with the help of the audio.
This book was really all over the place for me. I wanted to love it but can't. It's very fever dream like. Jumpy and for its length that's hard. I enjoyed the audio but both that and the book had its drawbacks for getting into the story. Also the MANY casual references, to rape bothered me. This is def a person by person book.

blurb
Andrea4
Dearly: New Poems | Margaret Atwood
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When your nails match your book 😍

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 7mo
Gissy Yes! Love that color💛💛💛👌 7mo
Andrea4 @Gissy thanks, me too! Haven't done yellow before but seemed quite seasonal-it's called Corn butter! 7mo
28 likes3 comments
review
Andrea4
The Paying Guests | Sarah Waters
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Panpan

Ok this is gonna be longer than usual.
No, I did not enjoy this- not the first half in print or the 2nd in audio but audio allowed me to sprint to the finish line.
Started end of summer last year roughly, seemed promising enough but after almost 300pp of the same BS i was BORED. THE TEDIUM. maybe this trope works for others but OMG there is only so much of this "hidden romance" I can take especially when I don't like either MC very much.??

Andrea4 AND when it is written so...romantically? And what takes place is very lackluster. Waters tried to build suspense around something that just doesn't cut it. And it isn't until the halfway mark that the climax happens at which point, I thought, ok, I'll continue B/c SOMETHING IS HAPPENING, but OMG even that got drawn out for another 300pp and I was bored stiff. The MC talked about being bored by fear, well, I was bored by the sheer rumination👇🏽 9mo
Andrea4 Of the same damn things! Where was the editor, I ask you?! Why did no one say to Waters that every movement, every spoken thing didn't need a simile or metaphor to accompany it? And the ending...really, you had me read ALL of that for THAT ending. I should not have started this book at all. 9mo
MrsMalaprop Oh dear. I‘ve had this one on my #tbr shelf for years, having loved Fingersmith & Tipping the Velvet. It my stay on the shelf a bit longer… 9mo
See All 6 Comments
Andrea4 @MrsMalaprop well it seems others have enjoyed it! It's unfortunate that this is my first Waters because it does NOT make me want to try anything else of hers. It was gifted to me though as well, I'm not sure if I would have picked it up. But it promised secrets, mystery, gripping suspense...just promises. 9mo
MrsMalaprop I‘ve read quite a few of hers and have found they range from excellent to blah. 9mo
Andrea4 @MrsMalaprop that must make it difficult to gauge the next one... 9mo
15 likes6 comments
blurb
Andrea4
Helpline | Katherine Collette
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Hey Litsy pals, I need some help!
I'm looking to get some local moms together in my area for a book club and I'm trying to think of some good beach reads that are not too cliche romance-y but are entertaining and maybe also on the shorter side, because we are all new moms so who has time? Hahaha!
Any suggestions are highly appreciated! Also doesn't have to be the "typical" beach read- we're all pretty open.

Soubhiville Maybe this? Not romancy per se, somewhat beachy… 9mo
Andrea4 @Soubhiville on the possible list! It has some really good reviews, doesn't it? Thank you! 9mo
LiteraryinLawrence Maybe the new book The Wishing Game? It‘s a fun short read with a theme of new motherhood? 9mo
Soubhiville Oooo, if you want a motherhood/ parenthood theme, I loved this! I don‘t remember anything beachy about it but it was great: 9mo
20 likes4 comments
review
Andrea4
The Monster of Elendhaven | Jennifer Giesbrecht
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Bailedbailed

1/2 way thru this short novel & bailing B/c: 1) I'm bored. 2) I do not care at all about these characters. 3) probably b/c the author spends more time romanticizing the horror rather than developing character, backstory, or plot. 4) the "Monster's" verbiage really strikes discordant at times and totally takes me out of the experience.
Thank you, bye, next.

(Ethan turned 3mo recently.)

Gissy Happy 3 months Ethan🥰🥳❤️❤️❤️ 9mo
Andrea4 @Gissy thank you!!☺️ 9mo
19 likes2 comments
blurb
Andrea4
The Monster of Elendhaven | Jennifer Giesbrecht
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So as it turns out, the two books I picked up from the library today, simply because of the fact that they are both on my TBR and the only ones that we're both available today at my local branch, are by two Canadian authors.
Woo!

review
Andrea4
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Panpan

I found this at random in the library (book not the baby ?) and was super excited because I had no idea it existed. Well, I was fine without it in my life. Really these stories added nothing to the understanding of the house nor did they provide that much background "colour"- could the third even be considered a story?

dabbe Sweet dreams, little one! 💙😴💚 9mo
Gissy Beautiful, sweet photo👶🏻❤️❤️❤️ 9mo
25 likes2 comments
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Andrea4
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Pickpick

lover of tarot? grab this book. I'm pretty sure nowhere else is there such a vast collection of correspondences for tarot. Great for quick referencing, diving further into certain areas, & practice reading with various correspondences in mind. While the subject matter may seem obtuse, Susie writes in such a way that makes it accessible and welcoming- she truly embodies the magician by bringing the esoteric "down to earth" for the rest of us ;)

21 likes1 stack add
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

Are you interested in tarot at all? Then 100% you need to read this book (and buy it if you can). This is no joke. Better yet, trial run reading the book by listening to The Fortunes Wheelhouse podcast which is how Susie and Mel ended up writing this book. It contains so much wisdom and knowledge about both the RWS and Thoth decks and if you want to go further down and rabbit hole, it offers a great jumping off point with bibliography.

blurb
Andrea4
Foul is Fair | Hannah Capin
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Well this starts out subtle...LOL
I admit though, this book may be too much for me to handle but I'm going to try. At the very least, I love the concept of revenge. Oh yes, yes I do.

review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

When Baby Dude refuses to be happy until he can sleep on you, you are forced to read 😂
A great origin story full of very fun characters, though TBH kind of wanted to slap Faith, haha. IYKYK.
You're going to want to read if you're a fan of Practical Magic or just witch families. That said, I did feel it was a little lengthy due to some passages that drew me out of the story and into historical commentary, IMHO.

dabbe Awwww. He knows where he is most comfy! 💙💚💙 9mo
Andrea4 @dabbe seems like he does! My arm may be sore but I don't really mind 💗 9mo
dabbe @Andrea4 Think of it like a workout; your arm is building some major Mommie-muscle! 🤩🤗😍 9mo
Gissy Those precious moments❤️❤️❤️ You look so great and happy👌 (edited) 9mo
Andrea4 @dabbe mommy- muscle indeed! And the weight just keeps on getting bigger 😂. @Gissy thank you! I am very happy! 9mo
26 likes5 comments
blurb
Andrea4
Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer
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This started out quite strong for me and the last essay or two (?) Have seemed quite dull in comparison and a bit repetitive. I like the beginning because of the discussion of a gift economy/reciprocity. I ❤️the indigenous lore & science but her waxing poetic is too much at times . Also there is a heavy focus on mothers and while I appreciate and understand the sentiment, she seems to be adding an extra burden on women (maybe this time changes?).

review
Andrea4
The Paper Palace: A Novel | Miranda Cowley Heller
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Pickpick

TW for sexual assault (children). Multiple generations and families of dysfunction, secrets, sadness, and in the end love. I truly love these kinds of stories. Why? Because they are far more real (imo) than happy, go-lucky romances etc. A paper cut is not realistically the worst thing that happens in someone's life so why do I want to read a story like that? Life is complicated, tragic, full of hard, impossible choices and yet...love. ❤️

dabbe Oh, my Lord, this photo is so precious!!! 💙💚💙 10mo
Andrea4 @dabbe 🥰 he was my little cheering squad while I was working out this morning! 10mo
dabbe @Andrea4 What a happy little man! He obviously ADORES his mamma!
🤩😍🤗
10mo
Gissy So cute and looks so Happy! , adorable! ❤️❤️❤️ 10mo
36 likes4 comments
blurb
Andrea4
The Paper Palace: A Novel | Miranda Cowley Heller
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Nap trapped = lots of reading. Little dude decided yesterday and today that he won't sleep unless I'm there and, more importantly, nursing him. (& if he falls asleep, how dare mom cover herself in case he needs it 15, 20, 30min later 😜).
Thank god tho for this beautiful sweetness b/c WOW was I highly unprepared for this book! Maybe i should have looked closer at reviews? But I am enjoying it, even if it's heartbreaking & pushes where it hurts.

Chelsea.Poole Sweet babe 🥰 10mo
AmyG Just precious. 10mo
marleed Oh so sweet! 10mo
See All 7 Comments
BarbaraBB Super cute 🥰 10mo
Gissy Aw! So adorable! Who is cuddle whom?☺️(I hope I translated this correctly😳😂) 10mo
Andrea4 @Gissy haha, I understand you! And good question😉🤭🥰 10mo
36 likes7 comments
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Andrea4
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Pickpick

Little dude was two months yesterday! And doesn't he look so happy about being put into a greasy pizza box again for another photo shoot? ?
I read this many nights at bedtime and nursing stints throughout the nights and it kept me thoroughly engaged. Based on a true case from the late 1800s where a ghost "gave testimony" at her killer's trial, McCrumb does an amazing job at bringing all these various characters into real life??

Andrea4 She clearly did a ton of research to paint the most accurate portrait of everyone and then of course took her fictional liberties to make you wonder about the veracity of the story. Not fast paced, not a typical ghost story, not even a typical murder mystery- this feels beautifully unique and just as intriguing. 10mo
Eggs Sweet babe💯🥰 10mo
Andrea4 @Eggs thank you, I agree 🥰🥰🥰 10mo
27 likes3 comments
blurb
Andrea4
Untitled | Untitled
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Thanks for the tag @Eggs
I'd LOVE to own a bookshop and I'd love for it to have both have new and used with a special children's sections because I adore kids books oh & a good occult/tarot section!
There just has to be music but definitely low and chill, no words (too distracting from reading).
A downtown location in an old building or an older home would be the best locales and a small little coffee/pastry nook would be a must! 👇🏽

Andrea4 What else would I sell? Probably some local artisan stuff- mugs/locally roasted coffees/ teas by the coffee nook, jewelry, some magical tools, etc. And what would I call it?? Omgoodness, I have no idea! @llwheeler @FantasyChick @BookishTrish tag you're it! 10mo
Eggs Love your ideas 👍🏼💡👏🏻 10mo
llwheeler This sounds amazing 10mo
See All 6 Comments
Andrea4 @llwheeler we should do it! Lol 10mo
llwheeler Lol I was gonna say, I think there's a parallel universe where we have this 10mo
Andrea4 @llwheeler 🥰 also I'm seeing a craft corner opening up in the children's section lol 10mo
23 likes6 comments
review
Andrea4
Mrs. God: A Novel | Peter Straub
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Panpan

So I should have bailed toward the beginning when the main character just screamed older, bitter, white, cis man wants to whine about his terrible life and all the bad things that have happened to him and how he *deserves* so much better/more. But I hoped the plot would turn it around. IT DID NOT. This is NOT horrifying, except for just how terrible and fever-dream like this unexplained/unresolved plot becomes. It's annoying, at best.

Andrea4 Should totally have looked at the rating on Litsy but I just grabbed it at the library at random 10mo
26 likes1 comment
review
Andrea4
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Mehso-so

I am a huge fan of RQ so rating this a So-So hurts me. But what can I say? The story just didn't really make sense (not did I care that much). I recognize I had a huge break between reading all the vol's but my opinion seems to be backed by others. The plot line took a turn that many seemed was way too difficult to follow. The ending suggested this wasn't The End but nothing has materialized yet. (Pic: 2 books from lib, finally got physical card!)

Gissy ❤️❤️❤️ 11mo
29 likes1 comment
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

Forgot to review this one.
I found this one highly enjoyable! I did not see the first big "twist" coming nor could I have predicted the ending. But as the handy in-book therapist tells us is just that- we can't begin to imagine what's coming.
There was so much love between so many of these characters and yet also distrust- a complex story that also touches on our conceptions of female beauty etc.
Don't ignore the author's acknowledgements!

Gissy Adorable!🥰❤️❤️❤️ 11mo
Andrea4 @Gissy 💗 11mo
27 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

It's been a loooooooong break from the RQ & tbh I don't fully remember all that's going on, which might be good given what others have said. Bonus, I can't remember what the previous artwork looked like exactly so I'm happy with this vol's artwork lol.
I miss Vi & Dave & think this storyline was a little drawn out for the eventual punchline but I love this series so I forgive. Also I find Betty's arc a little...odd?
*Pic: dude's first time in crib

tpixie dude is adorable 🥰 🩵🥰 11mo
AmyG So very cute! 11mo
23 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
Lumberjanes: To The Max Vol. 5 | Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Gus Allen, ND Stevenson
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Pickpick

More gratuitous baby shots. 😂🥰
I have found graphic novels to be nice in this newborn phase. Easy to pick up and put down as needed, short bites that you can generally get through or read more of if there is time, and don't seem to tax the mom-brain quite as much as just a straight page of letters, haha.*bonus: when little dude gets a wee bigger, bright, bold images I can share with him!

It goes without saying I recommend LJ always.

AmyG How sweet! 11mo
Soubhiville Oh, my heart! 11mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww ❤️ 11mo
dabbe Pure bliss. 💙💚💙 11mo
Gissy Awww, lovely photo😍❤️ 11mo
26 likes5 comments
review
Andrea4
Daisy Darker | Alice Feeney
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Pickpick

Sunbathing has taken on a whole new level 🥰
Finished today and I quite enjoyed this one. Dysfunctional family ✅ atmospheric location ✅ murder ✅ creepy rhymes ✅
I saw one twist coming but that final one was a surprise; maybe it allows for too much but for a book taking a spin on an AC novel, I'll allow it.

dabbe Sweetie snuggle time. 💙💚💙 11mo
Gissy Adorable ❤️❤️❤️ 11mo
23 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
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Mehso-so

I'm not sure where the days or weeks have gone.
I'm not sure I entirely remember this book ?? ok, so I do remember most of it. It was OK. Good enough for entertaining me on walks and while babe was sleeping. However, no one seems particularly like a "good" person in this story so I really didn't care about any of them and tbh the MC seemed the most grating to me.

readingjedi My heart is melting - my daughter used to sleep in exactly the same position. 11mo
Andrea4 @readingjedi just liked little monkeys🐒🥰 11mo
dabbe Life doesn't get much better than that picture. 🤩🤩🤩 11mo
See All 8 Comments
Andrea4 @dabbe agreed! 11mo
Kimberlone Agreed this book was very meh…looks like you had a good reading partner though! 11mo
Gissy 🥰❤️❤️❤️ 11mo
Andrea4 @Kimberlone strong, silent type ...as long as I'm holding him 😉 11mo
marleed Baby Frog Legs - the best! 11mo
30 likes8 comments
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

I was able to finish the last hour of this audio shortly after this little dude joined the world! Ethan surprised us a week early so he didn't give me a chance to finish the book before!
An entertaining read that has a few twists and turns- it's funny though, I didn't really like any of the characters, none of them seemed particularly "good" or anyone I feel empathy towards.

AmyG He is beautiful ❤️ 11mo
charl08 😍 11mo
BkClubCare Congratulations 🎉 11mo
See All 18 Comments
Andrea4 @AmyG he is, isn't he? 🥰😍🥰😍 11mo
Andrea4 @BkClubCare thank you! 11mo
julesG Congratulations! 11mo
SamAnne Congratulations!! 11mo
Cinfhen Congrats 🎊He‘s adorable 🥰 11mo
TrishB Congrats 🎉🎉 very cute 🥰 11mo
TheBookHippie Awe!!!!! So sweet! 11mo
BarbaraBB So cute! Congratulations 🤍 11mo
Gissy Adorable! Congratulations! ❤️ 11mo
dabbe Absolutely adorable! 💜💜💜 11mo
Tamra Congrats!! 💙💙 11mo
marleed Ohh, welcome to the world Ethan! You are beautiful. I hope your life is filled with banned books! Even better -that there will no longer be such a thing as banning books! 11mo
ShelleyBooksie Congratulations!! 11mo
30 likes18 comments
review
Andrea4
Gallant | V E Schwab
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Pickpick

Finished this audio while helping to scrap the paint off the nursery floor. Today we are finishing it and I'm so happy. 38.5 weeks and my body is rebelling by swelling so this is not an easy task. (Any tips? Happy to hear!)
This book was so Gaiman-esque that I would have assumed that's who the author was had I not known. So if you're a fan of that fantasy/supernatural/gothic style, queue it up!
Also, mute heroine was great!

23 likes1 stack add
review
Andrea4
The Outsider | Stephen King
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Pickpick

Nursery has colour!
Also what a book to binge listen to when you're 37weeks preggo 😜
While a twisted crime against a child (that is described) it is not overly dwelled upon in miniscule details meaning you can (probably) get past that.
Such a King novel so obviously Terry *can't* have done it, or consciously? Or...??? Read on!

tpixie What a great space! I love the pop of color and what great bookshelves and a beautiful wood floor!! Lol 😂 you are brave reading, Stephen King while pregnant!! Congrats on your pregnancy. My daughter is also at 38 weeks and counting down!! 12mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty 😍 12mo
Andrea4 @tpixie thanks! We built those shelves- better use of space than dead attic space for sure and I've got a bunch of books just waiting to be shelves!!! I really love the colour- way more vibrant IRL. Congrats to your daughter, her and I must have a very close due date! 12mo
See All 7 Comments
Andrea4 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank you! Can't wait for it to be all done! 12mo
tpixie @Andrea4 Great building of shelves!!! bookshelves are always a great use of space! Yes, esp with the slanted roof. Your child will love the space! 12mo
Andrea4 @tpixie ☺️☺️ 12mo
Gissy 😍👌 12mo
22 likes7 comments
review
Andrea4
The It Girl | Ruth Ware
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Pickpick

Definitely kept me entertained while post-partum meal prepping and doing my long walks into work! I kept guessing as Ware kept the plot twisting with everyone seeming plausibly culpable at some point.
Being 36 weeks now I definitely related to some of the pregnancy woes and highs and I found it added something extra- although at times certain aspects seemed a little stretched (tho each pregnancy is different 🤷🏽‍♀️).

AmyG You look great! All the best. And I enjoyed this book. I was so convinced it was one person for most of the book until proven wrong. 13mo
marleed You look so good. Any day now! My grand twins were born at 36.3 and neither needed a stint in NICU. 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You look great!! ❤️ 13mo
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Andrea4 @AmyG oh thank you! And yes, for the most part I thought it was one person but then Ware made a couple others sound plausible. I will say I didn't see the end coming (well until I did hahah) 13mo
Andrea4 @marleed thank you! Could be, although statistically I have a good month still and fingers crossed this holds true! I'm glad your grand twins came out so healthy! This is the most important factor after all- I hope their mom is taking care of herself! 13mo
Gissy You look beautiful ♥️ 13mo
Andrea4 @Gissy thank you ☺️ 13mo
tpixie Cute baby bump and mom! 🥳 12mo
26 likes9 comments
review
Andrea4
Winter Solstice | Rosamunde Pilcher
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Pickpick

Well it suddenly became winter here again recently and our kitchen got a much needed (literal) whitewash because it was a terrible orange that we decided we couldn't live with for the next few years. So splash on the paint!
This was a cute story, predictable and probably unlikely in many of the outcomes but perfect for a cozy, wintery read and full of loveable characters.

tpixie You are nesting!!! 12mo
22 likes1 comment
review
Andrea4
A Thousand Ships | Natalie Haynes
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Pickpick

Finished this a bit ago, but life's been busy (not for the dog lol) and I think the reviews are pretty unanimous!
My faves were Penelope and well, the muse.

ShelleyBooksie Sweet pic 13mo
Andrea4 @ShelleyBooksie yea, he was keeping me company the other weekend when I got some kind of stomach bug and passed out on the couch 13mo
30 likes2 comments
review
Andrea4
The Wife Upstairs: A Novel | Freida McFadden
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Mehso-so

So torn with this one because I did finish it and pretty quickly but I also found it maddeningly naive. Or should I say a couple of the characters? There was a twist toward the end that I felt was going to explain/justify that impression and then boom another twist and I was left still unsatisfied.
Also, I find it SUCH a stretch to have a (modern day) character who won't swear. To the extent they say "fiddlesticks". it's just not believable.??

Andrea4 A Shirley Temple. The closest thing I've had to a cocktail in 8 months and also the closest thing to summer 😂😂 14mo
24 likes1 comment
review
Andrea4
The Hacienda | Isabel Caas
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this Mexican gothic story inspired by (?) Rebecca.
If you enjoy any kind of "Rebecca-esque" stories I would highly suggest this. The narration was great too. The only part I probably found unnecessary was the extra romance line. But for a debut novel, I think this is impressive.
Oh, if you aren't a fan of the supernatural kind of story line, maybe give it a pass.
(The look you get when you cuddle for 2min and then go back to work.)

ImperfectCJ I agree about the romance piece. It felt unnecessary and not really true to the time period or the characters. 14mo
Andrea4 @ImperfectCJ right? It felt forced, not entirely but it feels like something an editor said had to be in there to make it more "marketable" or something. 14mo
ImperfectCJ @Andrea4 Precisely my thought! It was out of place enough that I was like, did Cañas put this in here or was it recommended by the publisher? 🤨 14mo
Andrea4 @ImperfectCJ I wonder about how much authorial choice there is especially for a debut... 14mo
19 likes4 comments
review
Andrea4
The Book of Cold Cases | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

I think I enjoyed this book more in the beginning and middle than the end. I don't want to spoil how it turns out so I can't say much really.
Also, not going to lie, the fact that the main character was still so affected by her trauma just didn't seem very believable- it seemed more as if it were plot convenient.
And yes, gratuitous maternity shot. 🥰

AmyG When are you due? How exciting! 1y
Andrea4 @AmyG we're supposed to meet this guy around April 5th. 💙💙 My birthday is on the 8th so we'll see what happens! 1y
AmyG Wishing you all the best. Post baby pics when he arrives! ❤️ (and what a lovely photo) (edited) 1y
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Andrea4 @AmyG thank you! He's our first so it's sure to be a wild ride! I most definitely will post pics of him when he comes. 1y
SamAnne Congrats! Great photo! 1y
Andrea4 @SamAnne thank you!! 1y
Gissy Beautiful photo!😍❤️👌 1y
IuliaC Lovely photo! Congrats! 1y
Andrea4 @Gissy thank you, it's currently one of my faves 💙 1y
Andrea4 @IuliaC thanks so much! 1y
27 likes10 comments
review
Andrea4
Sing, Unburied, Sing | Jesmyn Ward
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Pickpick

Another that I had to stick with past the first 30m or so to get pulled in (and also shifting perspectives). This is some great poetic writing! And while I appreciate the reviews that it is sad, I see a hope here and the story of the inevitable return that everyone will make. Waters to waters.

review
Andrea4
The Push | Ashley Audrain
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Pickpick

(enjoy this photo of a dog who didn't care that laundry fell on top of him)
It took me 20-30 min of audio to get into this. I almost gave up. I think b/c of shifting perspectives and times but after the beginning it became clearer and pulled me in.
Definitely worth it.
I don't know about others but that ending did not surprise me.

IndianBookworm Even I want surprised with the ending. Nonetheless, the book was great! 11mo
23 likes1 comment
review
Andrea4
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I don't normally "do" self help books. But it was my therapist who suggested this one for me because this one is about taking actionable steps in pursuit of loving yourself. It doesn't just say "you gotta love yourself". I have actively implemented many of the tools she provides and have found a marked improvement in my mood, the way I treat myself, how I talk to myself and view myself & it's helped me through the bodily changes of pregnancy. ⬇️

Andrea4 I'm getting the "second" or follow up book by my therapist tomorrow called The Completionist Book and I'm really interested to see where this all takes me. 1y
julesG Looking good momma! 1y
Andrea4 @julesG thank you! Feeling pretty good...if every day a little bigger 🤪🥰 1y
Gissy So pretty! 👌Enjoy your pregnancy🤗❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1y
Andrea4 @Gissy thank you! I'm definitely trying! 1y
26 likes5 comments
review
Andrea4
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Pickpick

Finished this one up before Christmas festivities and honestly must have read the description wrong because I thought it was a cozy murder mystery, haha. It is NOT BUT it is good. And I thought it was just going to be light and fluffy but it got me in the feels. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones and the fact that there was pregnancy in the book.... Who knows?

Gissy Lovely photo! 💞 1y
Andrea4 @Gissy thank you! 1y
wanderinglynn Great photo! 1y
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Andrea4 @wanderinglynn thanks 🥰 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Congratulations 🎈🎉🎊 ❤️ 1y
marleed Cutest little baby bump ever! 1y
Andrea4 @marleed thank you☺️ @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thanks! 1y
29 likes7 comments
review
Andrea4
Cruel Winter | Sheila Connolly
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Mehso-so

All the set up of an interesting novel and yet it kind of fell flat. Once it finally got around to the main heart of the story it was interesting enough but I found that were to many inner monologues and expositions in general. The characters came off a little 2D as well.

Gissy 🐶❤️❤️❤️ 1y
30 likes1 comment