One of my favorite bookstores in Chicago is Women and Children First. If you visit, stop by. They have the best selection of feminist, activist, LGBTQ books, for kids & adults. My kids have gone to Story time with Drag Queens there. And they have some amazing authors & artists come through. I love Ani DiFranco‘s music so I am beyond excited to hear her talk about her life and work! I had no idea she was coming out with a memoir! Anyone else a fan?

This book is so big, it is a book haul all by itself!! #ilovebigbooksandicannotlie

I went to the book launch party for Lucy Knisley‘s new book today. She made stickers and activity books! She was also doing quick sketch portraits for everyone. The line was long and after waiting for over an hour, I had to get my kids dinner so we left. Kind of bummed but I‘m happy to see her so well loved in Chicago. It was fun to see “Pal” in person. I wanted to take a picture of him reading with my kids but thought that might be creepy. 😆

This is the message from the author in Goodreads.

Beautiful cover.
848 pages.
Maps!

I hit preorder so fast.

I met Deray when he came to Chicago last year. The event started with a man shouting that he was a fraud and other horrible things. I was shaken. But Deray stood on stage, calm and quiet. As if he had been through this before. As if he had been through much worse. Which he has. When the man was removed, everyone started breathing again and Deray started talking about the work. The book is great but don‘t just read it. Work. #blacklivesmatter

Look what came today!!
I‘m always up for a challenge, especially if it has to do with reading. 😋 But I fell in love with this journal when I read the intro:
“...Read Harder isn‘t about reading a bigger number of books or reading more difficult ones...It‘s about reading with purpose and intention.” 🙌

Starting this tonight. I can‘t wait to see and hear him in person. #blacklivesmatter #saytheirnames #podsavethepeople

This was a slow start but once I got into it, I LOVED it.

How is a person supposed to work when Netgalley gives you this?? 😆 #manicmonday

This book is dark and twisty in a way that I love but I still had to finish it in the sunlight with a gin and tonic. V.E. Schwab really *knows* her characters. She takes you deep into their motivations, their reasoning, why they are a hero in their own mind. Somehow she takes a couple of narcissistic psychopaths and turns them into villains you can‘t stop reading about. I can‘t wait for the sequel!!

I tried. I really did. But I‘m so bored!! I‘ve been listening to the audiobook and the narrator does a great job but the characters are not funny to me. Maybe it‘s because I‘m not a reality tv person? I don‘t follow fashion or care about what rich people are doing. I just don‘t understand why Nick would fall for Rachel. I don‘t find her interesting at all. But I will watch the movie because I love all the actors and it‘s an ALL ASIAN CAST. 😆

FINALLY!! 😆

#preorder #jkrowling #tbr #fallreads #theanticipationiskillingme #mustreadbooks

This is such a sweet sweet book. It‘s not at all a traditional love story and I mean that IN THE BEST WAY. It‘s about being true to yourself and waiting to find someone who understands and loves you for you. 💖

I always bring something to read while I wait for the fireworks to start. Do you? 😄🍻🎇🇺🇸

It‘s finally available for preorder!! I‘m so excited! I love all of Lucy Knisley‘s work. She‘s a local author so I‘ve seen her a few times at my fav bookstore. And once met her adorable son (who‘s conception and birth are the subject of this book) in person and very awkwardly told her how cute he was and I follow her on Instagram. 😬

I‘m officially out of my reading slump. I couldn‘t read for almost 6 months after my dad passed away. And then it was slow. It felt forced but I kept trying. Going to Book Expo got me excited about books again. And now, this book! I‘m in love with Naomi Novik‘s writing! I have a suitcase full of new books but I can‘t put this down!! I can‘t post about my book haul until I finish this.

This was one of my favorite books last year. So excited that I got to finally meet Thi and get a signed book. #bookexpoamerica #bea2018

If you‘re at Book Expo, stop by!! My best friend is signing her book. #bea2018 #bookexpoamerica

I love my public library. Yesterday I just wandered around to see what‘s new and saw this year‘s celebrated culture. (My city highlights a different one every year.) I immediately picked up this book and signed up for the author visit. #everyoneiswelcomehere

Hello everyone!
I‘ve been gone a while. After my dad passed away, I just couldn‘t read. It was hard to socialize, even on Litsy. But last week, I went on a short trip for work and my hotel had a beautiful outdoor deck and free happy hour. ☺️ I read an entire book in 2 days. So I‘m hoping I‘m back. I really want to see what I‘ve missed, what you all are reading, and what‘s new!

I‘ve been away for a couple weeks because my father had been struggling with illness and then suddenly made a turn for the worse. I couldn‘t read.

My beloved father passed away Saturday. I forgot I had preordered this audiobook. I think it‘s just what I need right now. Biden talks about losing people he loves, grieving, moving on. My heart is broken but I‘m hoping that knowing someone else has survived this pain will help me get through it. 💔

I GOT TO SHAKE HER HAND TODAY! 😭
And I got to thank her in person for all her hard work and perseverance.

I don‘t know how I‘ll get anything else done today.

Caitlin Doughty!! She has traveled the world to study death culture and to try to understand why Americans are so removed from it. Some of the customs & rituals she talked about yesterday are beautiful & respectful of life even in death. She talked about how this is a feminist issue, which I hadn‘t thought of before. She‘s funny & thoughtful and she challenges our culture‘s views on death but with compassion. I‘m kind of obsessed with her. ☠️❤️☠️

Good morning from my little monsters!
It‘s so early but I can‘t resist when they ask me to read to them. 😄 I love the middle grade Wonder book so I was excited to see a picture book I could share with my kids. They pointed out the things that are different about Auggie but then we pointed out the things that are the same. I love that his differences aren‘t portrayed as a disability. And most importantly, his message to be kind. #raisingreaders

I‘ll go to bed early I said.
Just one more chapter I said.
These essays are short.
Just one more.
Two hours later...

Gut punches like this are keeping me awake and reading.

For my birthday, my husband got me the Apple AirPods and it‘s changed my life!! I didn‘t think I needed them but now that I‘ve been using them for a couple days, I can‘t imagine audiobooks without them! They pair when I open the case, pause automatically when I take one out and the case doubles as a charger so I can listen all day. AND to go with the headphones, he got me 12 AUDIBLE CREDITS! I‘m giddy trying to decide which audiobooks are worthy!!

This book is adorable! It‘s their first graphic novel. We‘ve already read it 3 times today. And they know I post about my favorite books so they said “Mommy! Take a picture!!” How could I say no? 😆 #raisingreaders

Speaking of Audible and audiobooks, I just started this and it‘s FANTASTIC. Full cast, creepy music, and sound effects!! Perfect for getting you into the Halloween spirit!

(Litsy doesn‘t have the book listed. Probably because it‘s an Audible exclusive. The next audiobook is available now too!)

These are part of Audible‘s 2-for-1 sale. Should I go for it? I would love to hear your thoughts on the book/series and/or the audiobooks!

Waiting at the terminal for my flight home. I don‘t enjoy flying so I‘m hoping a little apple pie and this book will ease my anxiety.

I had to see what an Amazon bookstore looked like and I had no intention of buying anything but this book called to me! I couldn‘t resist the kitty cuteness!!

If you're ever in NYC and you love beautiful independent bookstores, stop by Rizzoli's.

The reading room at New York Public Library.
This photo doesn't do it justice. I could read in here everyday. 😍

Finally finished this on my flight to NYC! I love how Kings develop characters. What would the world be like if all the women in the world fell asleep? What would men do? This is a fun read (if you like this genre 😄) but it also gives you pause. It's especially relevant today with so much news about violence against women. I recommend the book but I don't recommend reading it before bed.

I can never move away from this area because we have an amazing organization that brings in the most sought after writers, educators, thinkers. And the events are FREE. I had the privilege of hearing this man speak tonight. The people around me agreed that we could have listened to him talk all night. But he's right: we need MORE voices like his. He shouldn't have to represent. #blacklivesmatter #weneeddiversebooks

My baby girl is now a proud patron of our local library!! She was skipping around, too excited to walk. But when it came time to check out her books, she followed my directions carefully and did it all by herself!! I'm thrilled that this was as exciting for her as it was for me. But it's another sign that she's growing up way too fast. 😆😭😂
#raisingreaders
#librarylove

Attended an awesome panel of nasty women tonight!! Sarah Hollenbeck, Megan Stielstra, Kate Harding, Samhita Mukhopadhyay, and the incomparable Samantha Irby. I laughed, I cried, I laughed so hard I cried. I might have to stay up late to start this book.

I'm taking this as a sign that I need to start this series. 😆

It's only $2.99 for today so get yours if you haven't already!

Reading to get ready for Ta-Nehisi's visit next week.

How did I not know about this until now?? Friendship to the max!! 🙆🏻

Happy Friday everyone! Don't you love it when you're the first one to get to check out a new book? 😆

Just about halfway through. I've been staying up too late all week just to read/listen to "one more chapter". I'm exhausted but I really can't put this down!

I'm ready to get into it, be uncomfortable, and learn to be better.

(The bunny is for short mental breaks of cuteness.)

In all the madness, all the horrible heartbreaking disasters, and barrage of bad news, there is this. My daughter's joy when I get her a new book. She can't read yet but she has some sight words under her belt. And she gets so excited when she learns a new one. This is a cute series that she carries with her everyday. We were running late but I couldn't be mad at her. I have no words for how happy it makes me that she loves books. #raisingreaders

I would love to go to France. The food, the wine, the view. More importantly, ever since I heard about Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare and Company bookstore, I've wanted to go to Paris. I flipped through this book today and it's now at the top of my wish list.
#uncannyoctober #nfaboutacountryyoudliketovisit
@RealLifeReading

Ahhhhh!!
My friend and I got tickets and I'm quietly freaking out at work. 😆

Woke up way too early and to the news of what happened in Las Vegas. 💔

Quick cup of coffee and a quick comfort read before I have to wake the kids up to get ready for school. They'll get extra hugs today. I hope the world is a better place when they're older.

I love it when my library gets new ebooks and eAudiobooks as soon as they come out. Probably not the best book to start before bed but 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Happy October! This might be my favorite month. I love the cooler weather, warm drinks, and comfy clothing. Not to mention, it's also my birthday month. ☺️ Fortunately, there are a lot of good reads being published in October. These are the books at the top of my wish list! #uncannyOctober #Octobermostanticipated @RealLifeReading