A young woman is sent by a publisher to basically nanny an eccentric writer's son while she writes a book. The kid is quirky, to put it mildly. I didn't like Mimi at all. She was so mean to Alice. This book didn't give me that "can't-wait-to-read-more" feeling, but it was a good read. Found on #scribd. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Audio, found on #hoopla. The story of a 10 yr old girl making it through the 18 mos after her mother died. The level of maturity was a little unrealistic, but I always have that issue with child POVs. I really disliked her sister and didn't love how her storyline ended up. The ending was a bit sad. But overall, it wasn't a bad read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was a Kindle freebie I got years ago, and finally got around to. It's fiction about a relatively young woman (mid-50s) who gets Alzheimers. She is a writer and poet, so interspersed in her narrative are letters she has written to her children over the years. This book is heart-breaking, but so beautifully written. I would love to read more by this author, but apparently she has not written another. I recommend this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unpopular opinion, but I found this incredibly depressing! It was one horrible thing after another: cheating spouses, eating disorders, man shot accidentally, wife left at altar, strokes, spouses dying, babies dying in the womb . . . ugh! So depressing. I didn't like Olive either; she just rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't mind the format of the book (short stories that intermingle), but I didn't love Strout's writing style. No more Strout for me.

Currently reading.

Olive Kitteridge on my tablet (nighttime)
All the Dancing Birds on my Kindle (daytime)
Rabbit Cake on audio
One and Only Bob reading aloud to my daughters (10 & 12)

Found my first bookish t-shirt at a thrift shop yesterday for 99 cents! 😊 My kids totally didn't get it, lol!

Did you hear about this? How awful! I live on library ebooks and until now I have been able to read new releases the day they are published (The Institute and The Dutch House, most recently). The wait times on Overdrive are already bad - now they're going to be horrific. Really despicable, McMillan! 😠 Link to sign a petition in the comments. #mcmillan #overdrive #wplc #ebooksforall

That moment when a book character has your same birthday. 😁

I ❤ summer! I spent 3 hrs reading in my backyard pool. Put my Kindle in a ziploc bag just in case! 🙂

Who cares about food and wine pairings? Much more important is that your book and your wine pair well! 😊

Wine + fire + new book = 😊

Help a mama out! I don't read to my kids at bedtime as much in the summer bc they stay up later playing outside. But I still want to have something on hand when the opportunity arises. I thought short stories would be better than a novel since there might be gaps of time in between readings. If you or your kids have enjoyed any short story collections, please share them with me.

Sneaking in some backyard reading before I have to go make dinner.

My 11 yr old couldn't stop reading her social studies book after homework time, so she took it to bed with her. 😄 She was reading the Declaration of Independence out loud when I snapped this pic. I think I've got a little history buff on my hands. #bedtimereading

This weekend we went around our city and stocked several Little Free Libraries with 3 large boxes of kids' books that my girls have outgrown. It was so much fun! Hardly any of the LFLs had any kind of kids' books, so I'm glad we could fill that void. #littlefreelibrary

At my library, this was listed as "juvenile fiction". I would NOT consider it that. There are some adult themes throughout that I had to edit as I read aloud to my 8 & 11 yr olds. Also lots of swearing. I would have bailed at the beginning, but they liked the story and begged me to continue. I only agreed bc it was fairly short. This should be considered YA, not juvenile. Thank goodness I didn't recommend this to my 11 yr old to read on her own!

#litsywalkers It was too nice to sit inside today (especially since we're supposed to get 8" of snow tomorrow ????), so I walked to the library to pick up a book for my daughter. 3 miles roundtrip. Bernadette's crazy antic kept me company. #audiowalk

I had headphones on, but you can't see them through all the hair. 😄 Learning about Sally Field's troubled relationship with Burt Reynolds while walking at one of my favorite places. 🎧 #litsywalkers

My cat, Peatie. She is turning 15 next week!
#nationalpetday #catsoflitsy

Listened to Sally Field as I walked to and from the dentist today. I'm so grateful for this warm, sunny day, especially since it is supposed to snow all day tomorrow. 😭 #litsywalkers

I'm next in line, but I really want to start this tonight! I hardly ever buy books (❤ my library!), but am strongly considering just buying it on Kindle tonight. Should I?

So, apparently Netgalley *really* wants me to read this book, because it downloaded to my tablet 12 times! Weird!

Trying to finish up my book while being warmed by a cuddly kitty and a cozy fireplace on this subzero evening. #catsoflitsy

The best way to spend a snow day Saturday. ❤ #catsoflitsy

Husband is out of town, so it's just kitty cuddles and my book tonight. ❤ #catsoflitsy

IRL book club meeting tonight and the book is Anne of Green Gables. I am taking flourless chocolate cake as a nod to Anne making a cake and forgetting the flour. And I found currant wine, which is what her friend Diana accidentally got drunk on. 😊

Shout out to all my fellow Wisconsinites! The WPLC tops the list of most checkouts on Overdrive with over 5 million. Wow! I definitely contributed to this. 😁 I add it up every year, and in 2018 my library saved me $1,025, almost all of it digital. #lovemylibrary #librarylove

Had to go to a Christmas party today, and my 10 yr old daughter insisted on bringing her book. And she actually read it during the party. #raisingbooknerds

Last night was my IRL book club meeting and since this month marks our 5th year, I made a birthday cake. My mom happened to have a book-shaped cake pan (so random!), so I had to use it. 😁 I am not much of a cake decorator; this was the best I could do. Looking forward to another 5 years of reading classics with my friends. ❤

Day 30 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: self-love. You gotta do what you gotta do to get through the holiday season, kwim? #gratitude30

Day 29 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: creativity. I am not a creative person. The only area I can be somewhat creative in is food. I love creating my own recipes and finding fun ways to pair different flavors and textures. I made this recently for lunch: roasted butternut squash, chorizo, and goat cheese. I love the combo of the sweetness of the squash, the spiciness of the chorizo, and the creaminess of the goat cheese. #gratitude30

Day 28 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: work. I'm very grateful for my job as my church's secretary and bookkeeper. It's part-time and flexible so I can always be there for my kids when they need me. I love working with my husband (the pastor). And mostly I'm glad I am able to serve our congregation in a helpful way. #gratitude30

Day 27 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: luxury. I couldn't think of a single luxurious thing to photograph today, so I thought I'd have to skip this one. But I came across this quote while reading Anne of Green Gables to my daughters at bedtime. How perfect! #gratitude30

Day 26 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: time. My favorite clock. #gratitude30

Day 25 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: comfort. Today I am grateful for fuzzy socks and my fireplace while a blizzard rages outside. #gratitude30

Day 24 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: knowledge. I know it's old school, but I love to read the newspaper. My local newspaper is not great, but it is pretty much the only way to stay knowledgeable about what's going on in my city. I have to read when I eat, so the paper is a constant presence on my kitchen table. #gratitude30

Day 23 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: scent. I appreciate being able to smell each spice, herb, and blend while shopping for spices. How else do you know what it's going to taste like? I love The Spice House's Old World Milwaukee location. (Photo courtesy @thespicehouse on IG ) #gratitude30

Day 22 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: family. I'm very grateful to be spending Thanksgiving with my grandparents. ❤ #gratitude30

Day 21 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: technology. My favorite technology is ebooks and digital audiobooks. Being able to download a book instantly without leaving home has allowed me to read so much more than before. #gratitude30

I don't understand the love for this. Honestly, I thought the girl was just psycho. I was mistakenly told that the play was the original format, so I read that (audio), not realizing it was abridged from the original novel. I most likely would have enjoyed the novel more. This version is actually an audio recording of a live performance of the play.

Day 20 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: friendship. #gratitude30

Day 19 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: beauty. I'm very grateful for these two beauties. My daughters, Carolena and Eva. #gratitude30

Day 18 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: food. I'm very grateful for food! Here is some Roasted Bacon-Wrapped Chicken and Brussels Sprouts I made recently. I post recipes on IG: @lowcarblesa Sharing food pics and recipes makes me happy. #gratitude30

Day 17 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: weather. I am not a fan, but I'm grateful that my kids enjoy the snowy weather. It started way too early this year! Pic taken on Nov. 9th. #gratitude30

Day 16 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: novelty. Here are a couple of novelty items I couldn't resist while I was back-to-school shopping for my kids. A teeny tiny clipboard and flamingo bookmarks. Pen included so you can see just how small the clipboard is. 😁 #gratitude30

I really enjoyed this. The writing is just superb. I loved it. I did audio and the male narrator was fantastic too. This story could have been quite boring, but the author really drags you into the characters' minds. Going the #epistolary route during the incarceration worked really well.

Day 15 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: clothing. I am certainly no fashionista, but clothes shopping and deciding what to wear is so much more fun since losing 94 lbs. I am really grateful for thrift shops. Probably 90% of my wardrobe is secondhand and I get many compliments on my finds. Whenever I find myself down a size, I re-donate whatever has gotten too big and it's a fun adventure looking for new stuff. 😊 #gratitude30 #nsv

Day 14 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: routine. Routine is very important to me; I can hardly function without it. Planning out my family's dinners each week is my biggest sanity-saver. Each Sunday afternoon I plan the meals, print out new recipes, and make my grocery list, then I shop on Monday morning and I'm all set for the week. #gratitude30

Day 13 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: art. My daughters' creations are my favorite art. They do some really amazing things at school! I have a whole gallery of it in my basement. 😁 (Wish I could share multiple images in one post like IG!) This one was made by my now 10 yr old when she was in 2nd grade. #gratitude30

Day 12 of the 30 Days of Gratitude photo challenge: wisdom. I do not consider myself a wise person, but a couple of years ago I decided to increase my general knowledge by resolving to read one nonfiction book a month. I have stuck to it and have really learned a lot. Here are a few that I have read and learned from this year. #gratitude30