I‘m rereading this old favorite via audio. It‘s such a good narration. I‘m hoping to finish my reread and then read Dracula by Brad Stoker for the first time - like a buddy read.

So I went into this hesitant given all the hype. And in the end I finished it. Enjoyed it enough. This is exactly the kind of book I like. Magic, mortals, fae, world in danger. It‘s way up my alley. However, it did feel kind of more of the same-like a b version of an SJM book. In the end, I like candy. But does it challenge me to think? No. Wish this surprised me more and the romance felt more genuine.

I finally gave into the hype and decided to give this a try. I like it, in particular the pacing and general vibe. It‘s giving early SJ Maas for sure. I‘m intrigued. Eager to see where it goes. I‘m about 40% through!

Starting this one! Gotta be honest, I love the originals in this series. But these later additions (like published way later) haven‘t been as much my vibe. We‘ll see if that‘s the case for this one too. I still love the world and want to finish the story. But “Graceling” was definitely on another level!

So I‘ve been a fan of Julia Whalen‘s work as a narrator for a long time. This first romance written by her was such a fun play on romance, the audiobook world, and the tropes we know and love. The banter was my favorite part. Everything felt funny and genuine. Loved it!

I started this a while ago, and I‘m doing that thing where I try to finish all my books in progress. Always a mammoth task! This is an installment of a historical mystery series I‘ve really enjoyed over the years by Anna Lee Huber. I will say, per usual, I enjoyed the slow burn early books more. These are mysteries but also the love story of the two main characters. Now they‘re together it‘s a bit less compelling. Still very good!

I so admire Amor Towles books. I began this one blind. Short stories aren‘t a form I‘m particularly fond of. But I was enchanted by the beautiful, smart writing and willing to give it a go. I am very glad I did. All the stories connected to bring a fascinating cast of characters together as the key players in a blackmail and murder scheme involving old Hollywood. A fascinating period and place in time - I was engrossed.

So I am a Kate Morton faithful and always will be. However, this was an odd one and probably my least favorite by her. The writing is amazing in parts but I felt it was much slower to develop and the various stories seemed quite disjointed until the very end. While I wanted to know what happened, the bringing together of the storylines in the end just wasn‘t satisfying enough to resolve the confusion I felt for the duration.

I do love a good memoir, and this is a classic for a reason. Recounting how Julia Child wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking with co-authors and its successive volumes while in France due to her husband‘s political position. I became enamored with the vitality with which she describes not only food but everyday encounters with people and life in France. Love it.

My joys:

1. Finished “Enchantment” - tagged. Such exquisite writing and a beautiful reminder to notice wonder in your every day.

2. I got a new job! I‘ve been working as a marketing copywriter for 15 years - most recently at John Deere. I recently go head hunted by Bobcat and cannot wait to start! Gonna be amazing.

3. The sun this morning!

4. Made pasta!

5. Watched “No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski” - highly recommend!

This book expresses everything I‘ve been feeling lately. About finding wonder, whimsy, and magic in everyday life. Highly recommend.

Wow, I‘m cruising through my TBR list in 2025. This is book 19 so far! As an avid historical romance fan, I‘m no stranger to Eloisa James. This is from her backlist. Really enjoying it so far! #romance

This is such a wistful, whimsical ride. Magical and so atmospheric of a place. Very intriguing!

A romance novel by my favorite audiobook narrator? Sign me up. Thank you, Libby!

I‘ve been somewhat disillusioned as my life has run its course. It is the way of things, I suppose. Bad things happen, and we lose our way. But this book feels the way church used to feel for me. Like I‘m singing along to a favorite worship song, eyes closed, surrounded by a community in which I belong. Lights low, emotions high. It feels like coming home. It‘s a small glimpse of eternity, a little embrace of heaven. My heart echoes with it.

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

1. I feel purpose in being a loving and supportive friend to those I love.

2. I find joy in the quiet moments. A beautiful turn of a phrase, the sunlight peeking through the trees outside my window. A truly delicious meal.

3. My favorite book of August by far was The Women by Kristin Hannah. It was a very emotional read for me with great writing and a fierce depth. Overall incredibly moving.

Join the fun!

What a joy to do a full reread of this series before I get into the newly released “Murtagh”. Such a childhood favorite and holds up well! #reread #audio

Great prompt for #threelistthursday @dabbe 📚

1. The Lincoln Highway
2. Harry Potter series
3. Eragon series

I‘m rereading this series in prep for the new book just released from the World of Eragon: Murtagh. I absolutely adored these books when I first read them years ago and they hold up well in rereading. They are sort of Tolkien-light, but as long as you aren‘t a snob that‘s not a bad thing. I highly recommend the audiobooks narrated by Gerard Doyle. He does a magnificent job portraying these characters.

Wow. I put off reading this for a while, because I was not sure if it would live up to the hype x but I was way wrong. This was riveting, sexy, and so much fun! Dragons, magic, romance, and war. A great mix in my book. The writing is propulsive and I literally could not put this down. When I finally made time to focus on it, I read this almost in one sitting - staying up until 3am. Reading experiences like that are a treat! What a gift!

Fascinating and remarkably human. I am such a fan of Kate Quinn‘s novels, and this was no exception. I will say this was more raw and visceral than some of her other works, but that‘s not a bad thing. While this spy story is thrilling, it feels incredibly real. The characters were amazing in this - such great development of even the smallest parts. I appreciate that. And the story was unputdownable. Highly recommend this book and this author. ✍️

Definitely not the most I‘ve ever read but really enjoyed the year overall.

My two favorite books were Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Both new authors to me and just blown away! In third place was Kate Quinn‘s historical novels in general. I fell in love with them this year.

Cheers to more reading adventures in 2024. I‘ve set a goal of 100 books this year!

This was such a delight to reread in anticipation of the new Inheritance Cycle book Murtagh. Can‘t believe how well it holds up!

1. Yes, I had a goal to reach 100 books and I‘m ninety percent there.
2. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn - tagged
3. The Fourth wing

#wintergames #teamreindeergames loved this collection of Christmas novellas from some of my favorite historical romance authors.

26 pts

#wintergames #teamreindeergames finished this children‘s classic for the umpteenth time - I always read it around Christmas!

26 pts.

#wintergames #teamreindeergames 6 pts

A cute royal romance - completely ridiculous but loveable. On Prime.

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessclark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @staycurious @Bluebird

#wintergames #teamreindeergames #dailyphotochallenge #angel

Here is my favorite angel - I‘ve had her since I was young. I still put her on my tree every year even though she‘s tiny!

#wintergames #teamreindeergames I watched one of my favorites - the pilot episode of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman last night. So heartwarming. 6 pts.

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessclark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @staycurious @bluebird

On A Night Like This by Liz Maverick. I liked this short audio novella - a cute Hanukkah romance. #wintergames #teamreindeergames 25 pts

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessclark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @staycurious @bluebird

#wintergames #teamreindeergames week 1 game - 430 pts! Had fun brainstorming these on scratch paper and then making it pretty! WOW, I know a lot of holiday words! Haha

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessclark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @staycurious @bluebird

#wintergames #teamreindeergames 5 points for a holiday movie! This was cute. “A Bride For Christmas” - sweet and kinda sappy. Great for dog lovers. Found on Amazon prime.

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessclark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @staycurious @bluebird

#wintergames #teamreindeergames 25 points for a holiday read! Love this children‘s classic - so funny and really enjoyed the short narration on this audiobook.

#teamreindeergames #wintergames
1. Cozy up with a book under a blanket
2. Romance
3. hot apple cider
4. Movie: White Christmas; Book: A Christmas Carol
5. immersing myself in holiday cheer. I feel like the last few years I haven‘t really embraced Christmas as I‘m single and live alone. I‘m hoping this will help!

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessclark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @staycurious @Bluebird

#wintergames #reindeergames here is my December TBR! Excited to do a lot of reading this holiday!

@liseworks @kezzlou85 @jessxlark78 @karons1 @toriestories @matchlessmarie @aperfectmjk @clwojick @StayCurious

Started this one awhile ago and gonna try to finish today! #novelnovember @Andrew65

Started and finished on Saturday during the #novelnovember readathon. Love Sarah Maclean and haven‘t read her in awhile. This was great!

#novelnovember @Andrew65 my first book I‘m working on for the readathon.

#novelnovember @Andrew65 I‘m joining this readathon to try to finish some of the books I have started and meet my reading goal for the end of the year! Let‘s go!

Happy Halloween from Glinda the Good Witch of Oz and my good friend Frankenstein‘s monster. #happyhalloween #literarycostumes

My favorite book this October was The Huntress by Kate Quinn. I adored this story.

I did have plans for Halloween but had to cancel as I‘m sick as a dog. Extra tea and blankets for me.

When you read a book as a child and love it, reading it again is like coming home to old friends. Returning to this beloved kids series in anticipation of the new (surprise!) book in the series coming next week about Murtagh. Can‘t believe there‘s going to be a new book after all this time. Feels so cozy to be in this world again. 🫶

This was published last March and I remember being intrigued. I finally got around to reading it and I‘m absolutely gripped! An academic mystery featuring maps that can take you to hidden places - only contained in the map itself but made real when you possess said map. I love the family secrets elements as well. This is one that many on litsy will love. Can‘t wait to see how it ends. #recommdended

1. The Huntress by Kate Quinn - I used to love WWII historical fiction but haven‘t read an adjacent one in a while. This was stunning.

2. I‘m excited for spooky book season and my annual Harry Potter reread. Give me all the witchy vibes!!

@TheSpineView

The Messengers by Lindsay Joelle - Not in Database (Audible Original)

This was a great novella. Interesting sci fi concept and performed beautifully by a full cast.

Second book finished for the September readathon.
@TheSpineView #summerendreadathon

I‘m joining the readathon! This September, my goal is to read 10 books from my TBR of owned books.

First book read: Caffeine by Michael Pollan

This was an interesting short essay like book. Not blown away but pretty cool.

Just starting this audiobook and it‘s fascinating. I‘m loving the different points of view - can‘t wait to see how they all integrate together!

Such a sweet children‘s classic. I highly recommend this audio version pictured from Audible. The production was wonderful and can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike!

Wow, this was amazing! I loved the unique range of emotions in this book. It was funny, quirky, and very touching. Great character development and such a wonderful story arc. Definitely a five star read and can‘t wait to see what‘s next from this author!

First goal achieved: finished for the #magnificentmay readathon

@Andrew65

I‘m joining the #magnificentmay readathon beginning today! My goals for the next nine days are:

📚 finish Lessons in Chemistry (loving this one!)
📚 read 5 other books
📚 keep track of hours for fun

Cheers @Andrew65 🙃