pickIncredible writing, incredible story, and especially incredible audio narration! Gripped me from start to finish. Many people feel it doesn‘t go far enough, but I disagree—I think its strength IS how close to our reality it is. By giving just a HINT of dystopia while mostly resembling our world (and voyeuristic, consumerism reality tv as it exists now), the messages hit that much harder. Restrained AND brimming with tension in all the right ways.
pickDevoured this! Wow. Now I need all my friends to read it so I can unpack all of the major philosophical points! This was a perfect blend of thought-provoking, let-me-chew-on-this and easeful, getting-lost-in-a-good-book vibes. It‘s such a big concept (a world of immortality) but Shusterman has an answer for everything. I loved the characters and I‘m so excited to see where the series takes them!
pickThis book captivated my heart and soul. And the ILLUSTRATIONS!!! Jaw-droppingly stunning. Every book needs illustrations like these!! Found family, early 1900s New York, queer romance, merpeople, the music of the sea… this story had it all! 🌊🎨🗽🎡🧜♂️ Characters leapt off the page, the romance was larger-than-life, and the writing itself was so poetic and grounded at the same time. Please read it!!!! It will become your most treasured book 🥹
pickPure delight! I was in love with Nate Bargatze already, but this made it even more clear why he is such a gem. And for someone who joked a lot about not being a reader and not writing a “real” book, he is legit a great author! ❤️
so-soYou know the saying, “show, don‘t tell” in writing class? IMO, this book was “no show, ALL tell.” The plot felt lacking and the way in which characters were revealed was really unsatisfying to me. It would‘ve been a pan except that the audio was read beautifully and the ending was far more interesting than the rest of the book. Still, sadly I wouldn‘t recommend. Even tho I love flowery descriptions of the sea, they weren‘t enough to redeem it.
so-soOkay, this is my least favorite of her books but Emily Henry still ALWAYS makes me cry at the end!
pickFantastic! Started on audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator, then finished in print. The MC is deeply flawed but she knows it, and that makes her story all the more fun. The thriller part was also so well done and had my heart RACING in the last chapters. Highly recommend!!
so-so(Photo is Hating Game but review is for tagged book, ISRGOWH)
The main PRO of this book: it‘s set in Bath! I went there last summer, so reliving it was dreamy ❤️
Other than that, I was disappointed after loving The Good Part. Premise made it sound like the MC would consider multiple men, but it was VERY obvious from day 1 who the main love interest was. What ensued was a lot of “he‘s perfect, let me invent bogus obstacles,” and I‘m not about that.
pickA friend whose book recs I always trust gave me this, and she was right once again. It‘s a very realistic portrayal of couples, friends, and families who find themselves politically divided.
At first I couldn‘t stand most of the characters, and I couldn‘t envision a happy ending for any of them. But luckily I stuck with it—the action picks up and the end was very well done.
pickThe beginning was gripping. The middle dragged a lot for me, and the MCs felt too slow on the uptake. But the last 2 hours were gripping again and I was on the edge of my seat. I thought I had it figured out but was totally surprised! This was my first by McAllister so I‘d totally read more in the future.
Also, LOVED the narrator. Thanks @LiteraryinPA for the rec!!
I read so many books this month, but Wedding People was still the winner! Some of the others might pop up in the bonus spaces ☺️
I had fun making this bracket template - feel free to use if you like it!
pickThis novella broke my heart and mended it, back & forth, to & fro. Language as vivid, poetic, and shimmering as the river itself. It‘s a fantasy based on a murder ballad, grounded in nature and the bond of two sisters. I don‘t like murder ballads, but I did love this.
Gem Carmella is a stunning narrator. Since this book is so much about music, audio is the way to go. However, you‘ll miss the illustrations.
Thanks to libro.fm for early access!
pickWhat an enlightening, poignant, layered memoir! I enjoyed every step of it and learned a lot. Ever since reading True Biz and watching CODA, I‘ve craved more stories about experiences within Deaf communities. This was even more than I expected, because it‘s also just so well-written (with flashbacks and family stories interwoven), which is never a given for a celebrity‘s story. For sure want to check out Nyle‘s suggested resources!
pickThis book was EVERYTHING!! 😍😍😭😍😍
At times darkly hilarious, witty and biting, at times heartfelt and piercing, in either case this writing was so hard-hitting and cut deep into my thoughts and my soul. It was simultaneously a genius universal social commentary and an intimate portrait of these very unique characters. I was cheering them on!!
I aspire to be this good of a writer 🥹
And once again, Helen Laser on audio was sensational👏🏻👏🏻
pickA delightful, beautifully-illustrated graphic novel about middle schoolers being sent to save the day in outer space as NASA interns! Outlandish? Yes. Fun and heartwarming? Also yes!! And written by IRL astronaut Leland Melvin!
pickWOAH NELLY!! This was an intricately-woven mystery that had me guessing til the very end. Really satisfying and really clever. The author set a hard task for herself with bouncing back and forth amongst sooo many timelines, but it totally worked. The hype is real!!!
bailedI wanted to love this, and it started out SO strong! Normally the issue I find with audiobooks is I like the story but not the voices—this was the opposite! I am in AWE of the talented voice actors but the story has really fizzled out for me, and/or doesn‘t have a clear plot. Maybe a problem of too many shifting perspectives? #allhailthebail
pickI smiled like a Cheshire Cat while listening to this whole audiobook—and I loved to hate this deliciously devilish MC.
There was a twist later on that made her almost sympathetic, but still, she‘s a horrible horrible person.
It was a fascinating dive into the publishing world. And the narration (Helen Laser) was SO clutch!
Thank you @Itchyfeetreader @monalyisha for #AuldLangSpine and lighting a fire under me to FINALLY read this one!!
pickFANTASTIC, in every sense of the word, because it‘s a delightful read and also a totally wild fantasy. What seems like a ridiculous/cheesy premise is actually handled with such care and depth and complexity. This is really a story of grief, family, friendship, and finding the will to keep living in a chaotic world…and it‘s also a romcom starring a golem. Please read it!!
Happy Pub Day to Brewed with Love by my FRIEND, Shelly Page!!! Just went to a stellar book event for the launch at Books of Wonder in NYC. I‘m so happy for her!! This YA queer romantasy is sure to delight!!
🧚🏿🧚🏾♀️🧚🏿♂️☕️🔮💕🧙🏾♀️🪴
pick#AuldLangSpine @Itchyfeetreader @monalyisha What a unique and hard-to-describe novel. Thank you so much for this rec! It was at times dreamlike and untethered, à la This is How You Lose the Time War (one of my favorites). And yet at other times it had a plot that was crystal clear. Sometimes piercing sorrow, sometimes laugh-out-loud humor, sometimes steamyyy sexual tension. Also fascinating and different to read a book set over many centuries…
I loved doing this bracket! It‘s so fun to reflect, but it‘s so hard to pick a favorite. My top SIX reads this year were:
🏡Family Family
🐕The Eyes and the Impossible
🤫First Lie Wins
☕️The Briar Club
🛩️Here One Moment
🦜How to Read a Book
#readingbracket2024
@CSeydel
Last three prompts of the year for the NEWTS Harry Potter Flourish and Blotts Reading Challenge!I enjoy matching books to prompts just for fun.
🦎Devil‘s Snare: deadly fun/risky situation - We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
🦎Whomping Willow: hard-hitting - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
🦎Giant Wars: includes a war- The Huntress by Kate Quinn
I think I happily bailed on 10-15 books in 2024—a record high! I actually set it as a goal this year—to feel more comfortable not finishing books I wasn‘t enjoying—and I very much succeeded in that goal 🏆
pickI‘ll be recommending this now to every person I see for at least the next entire calendar year 😭❤️🥹
Such gorgeous writing, in that refreshing takes-your-breath-away sense, and such a unique story full of humans trying their best against all odds. Found family, hearts broken and mended, and the power of books… My friend lent this to me, and WOW am I grateful.
Happy #jolabokaflod to one and all!!
Thank you SO much for these glorious gifts, @Soubhiville !!! I‘m so excited for this book and loved Cousens in the past- and Reese‘s are my faaaave! And this beautiful bookmark is such a kind bonus gift!! 🥹🥹🥹 Wishing you a warm, wonderful, bookish holiday season!!
@MaleficentBookDragon Thank you times a zillion for organizing this event again! Such a highlight of the year! 😍#jolabokaflodswap
My bff got me a personalized embosser for my books as a birthday present! 😱😱It‘s so fun and easy and beautiful! Excuse me while I go emboss every single book I own and make lots of “ ‘boss lady” puns…..
Yayyyy! Thank you @Soubhiville ! So excited to open—and look at this precious paper!!
@MaleficentBookDragon
#Jolabokaflod
My library holds came in so fast! And I‘ll listen to Herc on audiobook. Already excited for January!! #AuldLangSpine
@Itchyfeetreader @monalyisha
I am SO excited for my #AuldLangSpine list from @Itchyfeetreader !! Thank you so much!! The 5 pictured ones are what I plan to start with! So many cool titles that I‘ve either been wanting to read or haven‘t heard of yet! I LOVE mythology, too. And we both like Kate Quinn! :)
HUGE thank you to @monalyisha for being matchmaker extraordinaire!!
Thank you @monalyisha for running #AuldLangSpine again this year! It‘s such a fun event where you share your list of favorite reads from this year with your match and you read at least one book from each other‘s lists. I‘ve discovered some epic books from this event over the years!! Tagging one of my fave reads of this year—and because Litsy is such a special family!
I signed up for #jolabokaflodswap2024 and so can you! The most anticipated swap of the year 😄
@MaleficentBookDragon
pickGreat fun! If you love the Thursday Murder Club series, you‘ll find new characters to love here with Osman‘s trademark wit and whimsy. Some parts were a touch slow for me but mostly I found myself eager to keep riding the subway so I could continue the audiobook (which is saying a lot for me, lol) ☺️
pickCouldn‘t put it down! This was the only Quinn I hadn‘t read for some reason, and it was just as perfect as her other 20th c. heroine stories. Brilliantly complex characters and satisfying moral clarity. Beautiful use of switching timelines and perspectives, to a cinematic effect. Her writing is like honey—a smooth and delicious read.
Obsessed so far! Can‘t stop listening! I‘m about 1/3 through and so happy to be back in Osman‘s (albeit new) world. SO glad I decided to do audiobook rather than wait for the library hold list—the narrator is epic.
Reading challenge update!
🦎Wingardium Leviosa: includes a flight - The Most Likely Club by Friedland
🦎Accio: a book you have to get your hands on- Briar Club
🦎The Grim: related to an omen- Here One Moment
🦎Harry Potter: a book that mentions him- The Guncle Abroad
🦎Arthur Weasley: rules are bent - Eight Detectives
🦎Draught of Peace: peace is restored - The Rom-commers
🦎McGonagall: has a matriarch - the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers
so-soHard to compare to the first Guncle book because that one was so refreshing and beautiful and this was more a rehashing of everything, walking through the same exact emotional speeches…but I still mostly enjoyed the ride. I don‘t want to be overly critical because I think it‘s hard to measure up to #1.
pickAs Anne Lamott aptly said in her cover review, “You don‘t know how she‘ll land it, and then she DOES!” I was nervous this book would be too depressing or grim, but I should‘ve just trusted in Moriarty‘s consistent genius. This book is not only an absolute master class in gripping and witty writing, it‘s a story that is truly life-affirming and heartwarming. Trust me, it‘ll surprise you!!
bailedHow do you deal when a book “ruins” the plot on the book jacket blurb, and then you‘re just waiting what feels like forever to get the characters up to speed?? For me, it‘s a bail, sadly. I really enjoyed the audiobook narrator and the writing style, but I hate when I‘m just sitting there thinking the characters are so ignorant to what I knew before cracking open the book.
Have you ever felt that way?? It happens to me a lot!
so-soI don‘t think I can forgive Charlie for all the times he was SO cruel and horrible and immature. And Emma for all the times she was SUCH a moron. But…I also really liked it? I mean, I certainly sobbed and laughed and swooned as if I liked it, so…
pickWhat‘s stronger than a Pick?? I think this is my fave Kate Quinn so far, and that‘s saying a LOT. She‘s a genius. How‘d she write SO MANY POVs and make them ALL equally compelling & distinct & heart-wrenching? I ❤️ the recipes, the jam-packed history, the personification of the house, and the twists upon twists!
When women come together, stand up for what‘s right, and look out for each other, anything is possible! 🥹❤️❤️
TW: so much domestic abuse
17 pages in and already smiling ear to ear. Kate Quinn is such a brilliant writerrrrrr
🦎Hippogriff: a book you flew through - Expiration Dates
🦎Repairo: repaired relationship -Love Lettering
🦎Dementors: includes a kiss- Funny Story
🦎Hogwarts, a History: includes history - The Phoenix Crown
🦎Switching Spell: read in print & audio - First Lie Wins
🦎Rubber Ducky: makes me nostalgic - Sunny Side Up
🦎Parseltongue: fictional language - The Tainted Cup
(Faves of this batch are pictured!)
pickThis. Was. FLAWLESS! Started audio, hated the narration, couldn‘t stop listening, then scored a hard copy for the end 😂 OMG. I loved this for the same reasons I loved Sign Here, even tho they‘re so different:
🤫Genre bending—not just a psych thriller
🤫Made me go wait WHAT?! Multiple times
🤫The way the author uses flashbacks & doles out info at just the right moment—genius
🤫Flawed people, yet totally makes you believe in the goodness of people
EXCITING NEWS!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Stay tuned for more details on location! It‘s going to be epic and I‘m so pumped for her 🥰🥰🥰@LiteraryinLawrence
so-soThis was a cool concept (murder mystery short stories that follow a mathematical formula and are woven together into a larger narrative)…but it was just too much to keep track of and care about 😂 I think it was trying to accomplish too too much instead of being one solid story, so by the end we didn‘t care as much as we should‘ve? Also the reviews on the book jacket way oversold it. Interesting, though, and I definitely wanted to keep reading!
pickCouldn‘t put it down! Kate Quinn is the master of fast-paced historical fiction with badass women, and this co-authored book with Janie Chang is no exception!!
