Alice is an ordinary kid growing into an ordinary young adult until her world begins to shift during her first year of college. The failings of a healthcare system that waits until you are a danger to yourself or others to act and the struggles a person deals with when their own brain lies to them are well represented. I didn‘t love it but think it was well done. And I hate the cover.

#TOB26

#WinterNatureCardSwap cards are arriving brightening each day. Thank you @CrowCAH @WildAlaskaBibliophile @BarkingMadRead @BookwormAHN

#JolabokaflodSwap started its journey today to the east today. Due to arrive the 15th. @MaleficentBookDragon Wishing you a happy holiday Chelle.

#MondayMood

#WeeklyForecast

Have Sonia and Sonny cued up for a listening opportunity. Will likely finish Death and make progress in Red Sky today now that chores are done. I‘m liking the tagged so far for #TOB2026. Caught up with buddy reads.

#BookReport

Three very different books read this week. A friend asked me to read Awake. I went in not knowing very much and thought it was going to lean in a way I wouldn‘t like but thankfully it didn‘t so I didn‘t hate it. Really enjoyed the tagged and Nightmare was ok.

#GoodNewsSunday

Releasing Tuesday The Bird Watcher.

In news Amanda Gorman is UNICEF‘s newest ambassador. Pictured is part of the poem she wrote for the occasion.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR5QBFRktXR/?igsh=MTVvc21kNTlqbGV5OQ==

Link is to her reading the whole poem. She is amazing.

#5JoysFriday on Saturday

1) #WinterNatureCardSwap cards were mailed Thursday @TheBookHippie
2) Shardlake goodies from @dabbe Really enjoyed this series and reading along with the group. A highlight of the year.
3) Christmas mail and goodies from lovely friends.❤️ @AmyG @TheLudicReader
4) Picking out new flooring! We might have restoration done before Christmas 🤞🏼
5) I have been picking up a book rather than my IPad more often. Goodbye funk!

Definitely outside my wheelhouse but fun. A little too 🌶️ for my taste. And you know it not really your thing when you finish and you are hung up on a quick reference to an unnamed Christmas movie about a father trying to buy a gift to make up for not being around the rest of the year and wondering if it‘s The Man in the Santa Claus Suit that you remember from way back when and that it had Bert Convy in it and down that rabbit hole you go.

#TOBLonglist

I was going to start with the 4 I own but then library holds started popping up. I really enjoyed this story of a Nigerian family and the curse that rules the lives of the women. At times I did say “just talk about it” out loud but otherwise I was all in. 4 🌟

#WeeklyForecast

@Read4life

#AuldLangSpine

I love my list! @ncsufoxes I hope to read off it all year but will start with the ones I already own pictured at the top. The two at the right and left are new to me and the bottom are three that I am going to prioritize from the rest. The dots are those I‘ve read and loved.

@monalyisha

#MondayMood

To all Littens: Just because the Dept of Education said it doesn‘t make it so. The cruelty is mind boggling. DO NOT LET THEM DIMINISH YOU AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

OK back to coffee

For those looking for non romcom winter reads this short story might fit the bill. This edition is releasing Tuesday.

This article from Publisher‘s Weekly gave me hope about the importance of libraries and access to all the books happening on a local level across the nation.

#GoodNewsSunday

#WeeklyForecast

I hope to finish the tagged book today. I expected to hate it and I don‘t, so that‘s good. The Simpson mystery isn‘t grabbing me like her others but will give it a few more pages. A little progress on JAB.

Last Christmas my brother and I challenged each other to finish one book of the other‘s choice by this Christmas. The Lynch is that book which I tried to read a while ago. What misery! And I‘m only thru part 1. I will finish⬇️

#BookReport

Finished 3 memoirs this week. Each well written. I am broken hearted that Virginia didn‘t live to see her book published and the impact it is making. All of those girls and women deserve justice and peace. I wish I believed they would get those things.

I finished 12 books this month, 6 nonfiction of which 5 were memoirs and 1 WWII history. I feel like I am gaining some reading momentum finally.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! The day started cold and grey but the rain stopped at some point while I was cleaning for tomorrow. Had to run to the store because I forgot bananas for the fruit salad and caught the amazing sunset.

#BeautyBreak. @ImperfectCJ

#MondayMood

In short, resistance and coffee with time to reboot.

Happy Monday! Feel free to join in.

#WeeklyForecast

Just a few chapters in on the tagged. A BFF asked me to read Awake so we can discuss. I am going in with low expectations. Switching to print on the Giuffre and maybe alternate with the Austen when a break is necessary.

#GoodNewsSunday

A couple of books releasing Tuesday. Racial Fictions sounds like a necessary read and The Memory Gardener like a nice escape.

It is hard some weeks to find even a nugget of good news in the world of book bans etc. In Missouri school employees are now free from the threat of prosecution.

Sorry about missing last week. I was visiting my dad and the day got away from me.

Happy Sunday.

#BookReport

I picked up the tagged book after reading an interview she did. I am glad I read it but reviewing it would be impossible. The other finish this week was a balm of romantic nonsense to counteract the deep theme of the other. I am caught up on all my buddy reads but decided Grapes is too much for now. Still no progress on JA‘s bookshelf.

#BookReport

Although I‘m not sticking to daily reading I am caught up on both annual reads. I‘m am going to bail on The Grapes of Wrath. Will read Part IV of Life with Picasso tonight for tomorrow‘s discussion.

Both finishes this week were feel good reads. I had intended to listen to and hopefully finish Nobody‘s Girl but found listening to it too emotional. Ordered a print copy to continue this week. No progress on the Austen.

I woke up to good news this morning. The Supreme Court has declined to hear Kim whatshername petition to end marriage equality. While I don‘t believe it is the last we will hear of this effort I am glad they sent her packing.

The rest is same 💩 different day.

#MondayMood

Today is Merry Pippin‘s one year gotcha day anniversary. He is inquisitive, mischievous and a love bug. His energy level is ADHD on steroids. He keeps me on my toes but is the best lap dog. He is a very good boy and boy has he helped me when this shit show starts feeling too heavy. As my husband says “he was meant to be here.”.

#WeeklyForecast

I am about halfway through the tagged book. This series is always a fun romp and is great to pair with other harder reads. The Austen will help with that, too as I‘m starting Nobody‘s Girl today. I imagine tears will be involved.

Thanks to Melani of the We Do Not Care Club Menopause in all its fazes seems to be a hot topic for many. The tagged book is being released in January and looks like it may be helpful.

Three communities in the west passed their library levy‘s in last week‘s election which is always good news.

#GoodNewsSunday. Have some good news, bookish or not? Share it and tag me if you like.

#ChunksterChallenge2025

It may be the only challenge I finish this year but it‘s a good one. Mostly thanks to @dabbe and the Shardlake buddy read and @BarbaraJean for the tagged buddy read.

@Amiable

#WeeklyFavorite

Trying to get back into a few Litsy things. This book gets favorite spot because I finished!

@Read4life

#BookReport

Finally finished Kristen Lavransdatter! It was slow going as my attention span this year has mostly been that of a gnat but I enjoyed it. Also enjoyed Josephine Baker‘s memoir. What an incredibly fascinating woman!

The format of What We Knew was interesting. The individual sections held my interest more than the rest but that is me not the book.

Caught up on buddy reads except the Picasso which I will read today.

@Gissy

The universe works in mysterious ways. I very much needed a pick me up and your package with your Summer and Fall card swap cards and goodies delivered. Thank you for the notes, all the goodies and the smiles. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@TheBookHippie

#MondayMood

Also, if you tell me you will arrive around noon on Monday and then call at 8 saying you want to come now before I have had coffee the answer will always be NO!

#WeeklyForecast

I had gotten behind in my buddy reads again so decided it was time to catch up and start the new ones on time. Hoping doing a #WeeklyForecast will keep me motivated.

I am almost at the finish line with the tagged and What We Knew. Next audio will be Nobody‘s Girl. Not sure what my next ebook will be. Just started the Austen for #NonfictionNovember and will start Persuasion soon.

🤞🏼 I can stay on task 😂

#GoodNewsSunday

Lots of books releasing Tuesday. These 3 caught my eye. I‘m especially interested in Don‘t Stop.

And a new Dr. Seuss book was discovered “Sing the 50 United States”

#5JoysFriday

1) The overwhelming response my community has given to the call to feed children due to SNAP being cancelled.
2) Fused glass ornament class with my daughter.
3) #AllHallowsReadSwap
4) #ModernWitchSwap
5) Pippin has been to daycare every day this week. He comes home tired, has dinner and we spend the evening snuggled up with the heated throw.

@DebinHawaii

@KadaGul I love everything in my #MWS box! From the wrapping and fantastic book choices to all the goodies and the card with the great quote. Thank you so much, Sumera, for the joy this gift brought. It is all lovely and so appreciated.

Thank you Ashley for hosting!

#ModernWitchSwap

Christine! I am so happy about your book choices! I can‘t wait to dive in. And ecstatic about the Brach‘s candy corn! I have refrained from buying any in the hopes it would arrive via a swap. Not only do I LOVE it, my husband is not a fan, so I don‘t have to share. I might share a bit of the yummy chocolate bar. Thank you so much for the above and beyond box. 🧡🖤🧡. @TheBookHippie

Love this swap! Thanks for hosting @MaleficentBookDragon

#WeirdWordWednesday

Probably a good thing I am home alone this morning!

@CBee

https://youtu.be/tkYzhHbgdOk?si=gJCEbcQ1RhYixOKc

#TuesdayTunes.

This is how I like my AI …. This is Kelly Boesch.

Watching her videos is very calming.

@TieDyeDude

#MondayMood

A little bit of this and that. Jump in and share your mood, whatever it may be, in whatever way suits you. It is proving to be a small but helpful way to start my week.

#GoodNewsSunday

A couple of books releasing Tuesday. I enjoyed The Once and Future Witches by Harrow. This one sounds good. Also, NF about the Girl Scouts.

I am here for high school students organizing a banned book club. I hope there are more of them out there finding ways to read all the things.

Picked up 2 Amazon boxes from the post office for #AllHallowReadSwap. Thank you to my match. Super excited for opening day. @MaleficentBookDragon

And I finished my 100 voting reminder cards ready for tomorrow‘s designated mailing date. It was my first time. It felt good to spend time doing a positive action rather than scrolling gloom and doom.

Historical fiction of Anne Frank‘s life in Amsterdam to the day they went into hiding. Short and great on audio I was near tears many times. It is impossible not to recognize the parallels from the dehumanizing of Jews at the hands of the Nazi regime to what is happening today in the US at the hands of our current administration.

#Magic!onday

I won‘t win the farthest travel distance so am jumping on the time travel train.

Here is the book proof for our travel back to Hitler and fascism. I‘m only part way into it but the parallels are there for all to see and understand if you‘d only care enough to open your eyes a bit to the relentless propaganda.

#BeautyBreak

Blue jay found a perfect spot to survey his world.

@ImperfectCJ

#MondayMood #SecondEdition

I spent a lot of scrolling time last week which created too much to share in one post. I‘ll stop now.

#MondayMood

I am bone weary tired of our government‘s lies, evasions, distractions, inhumanity, etc. it is a daily assault on our mental health and well being. However, I will not give up using my voice to denounce them at every opportunity.

Saying I‘m looking forward to reading Virginia‘s book sounds wrong. I think it will be an uncomfortable read but she deserves our attention as do ALL survivors of abuse.

#GoodNewsSunday

Releasing the 21st is a debut author‘s poetry collection. Some may have seen her poems on IG. I‘ve been leaning into a bit more poetry lately.

From Publishers Weekly a couple of articles. One Lego is getting into publishing and Jumpstart partnering with Little Free Library for early literacy in preschoolers. I think you can access the articles on their website. If not, let me know.

Also, thank you for showing up yesterday! ❤️

#TuesdayTunes

Yesterday started out gloomy and then the wind picked up and washed it away. Today is a perfect fall day.

I love Vivaldi‘s Four Seasons and learned he wrote sonnets for each season at a candlelight performance a couple of years ago.

Here is Autumn: https://youtu.be/UIdwCrfDNjU?si=QrP8lmLBVBdn3b_B.

Along with Van Gogh‘s Harvest at La Crau with Montmajour in the Background.

@TieDyeDude

#majicmonday

Contrary to what the federal government would have you believe Portland is not on fire nor is it war ravaged. I appreciate the approach the protestors are taking. I appreciate our Governor‘s response to the federal government wanting to stir up trouble to continue their plan to lead us into chaos. I don‘t live in Portland but it is my city. Keep it up Portland, you are doing great. Also, F*UK ICE.

#MondayMood

It is rainy and gloomy today so my mood is a little down in the dumps. After coffee I have to get my act together and go into the office for a bit to deal with last minute tax filer returns. What‘s your mood today?

I almost forgot to post this week‘s #GoodNewsSunday

For the memoir lover this sounds like it might be a joyful read. I‘ve only read one of her books, The Library Book. Are there others I should read?

I love this news about Bob Ross paintings. Public television is so important. What a fantastic way to continue his legacy.