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eraderneely

eraderneely

Joined April 2017

Leeds, UK // yoga enthusiast // travel lover
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eraderneely
Demon Copperhead: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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Very important poll:
Do you use this expression - Holy Roller - and if so, where did you grow up?
I really thought this was specific just to my childhood, and was gobsmacked to find it in a Women‘s Prize winning novel.

Chrissyreadit it was commonly used for people who used a specific way of worship- i think Born Again Christian‘s - 2mo
vivastory I grew up in the midwest. It was a very common expression (along with “bible thumper“). I don't hear the latter too often anymore, but holy roller is not uncommon even in metropolitan KC 2mo
MelAnn In the Texas Panhandle growing up I heard this expression a lot. 2mo
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CatLass007 I grew up in West Virginia. My Dad used the expression to describe overly religious people. If you‘ve ever read the book MASH, Duke used the term to describe one of the chaplains they‘d dubbed “Shakin‘ Sammy.” 2mo
JamieArc Yes, definitely. Growing up in evangelical churches, this was a term heard frequently enough. 2mo
JamieArc One of the things I liked about this book were very specific cultural references. Among them, the trend to do a zig zag part for girls in the 90s. That one hit home 😂 2mo
eraderneely @Chrissyreadit @vivastory @MelAnn @CatLass007 @JamieArc thanks for giving me more context. So interesting to learn that this expression is from a wider area than just WV. 2mo
Reggie I grew up in Southeasten New Mexico and I remember hearing it growing up. 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes… Mississippi. There is a bowling alley named “Holy Rollers.” 2mo
20 likes9 comments
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eraderneely
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Just starting…

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eraderneely
Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma | Claire Dederer
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Mehso-so

I don‘t know if I wanted the author to give me answers (like she herself wants at the start of the book) but I found this unsatisfying. It looks at all sorts of ways that artists are monsters as are we the audience. But in the end it feels a little like she equates child rape to mild neglect as being equally bad…
I wish it had explored the idea more - what our options/approaches might be.

eraderneely I wanted more how to think about the problem than just stories of how everyone‘s a monster. 7mo
TrishB I nearly got this at the weekend - it doesn‘t sound very satisfying! 7mo
eraderneely @TrishB others on Litsy have really enjoyed it, so it could just be me. You could flip to a middle chapter to see if it‘s a good fit. 7mo
21 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Kuang is absolutely brilliant.

I am so uncomfortable and I keep cringing and want to shout “stop making bad choices!!” even though the inciting incident is stealing her dead acquaintance‘s manuscript so really what do I expect.

Sorry #CampLitsy23 I‘m definitely going to read ahead. I tried to wait!

rockpools 😂 I love your reaction! Just started this last night - think it‘s going to be a fast read. 9mo
TrishB Yeah, I read in one go too! 9mo
julesG Read it in one go, too. 9mo
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squirrelbrain Naughty! 🤣 9mo
AmyG I am definitely reading ahead. Loving this book. 9mo
Megabooks Understandable! I‘m really enjoying it too! 9mo
yourfavouritemixtape I am at the point now where I should stop for the discussion… but I can‘t just stop now! : D 9mo
eraderneely @TrishB @julesG I don‘t read fast enough to read anything in one go, but I‘m going to finish it in under a (working) week, which is my equivalent 😂 9mo
eraderneely @squirrelbrain I‘m gonna get sent home from camp early! 9mo
eraderneely @AmyG @Megabooks I‘m glad it‘s such a hit with everyone!! 9mo
eraderneely @yourfavouritemixtape you can get told off with me! 9mo
eraderneely @rockpools glad you‘re enjoying it too!! 9mo
31 likes12 comments
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eraderneely
Chain-Gang All-Stars: A Novel | Adjei-Brenyah, Nana K
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Mehso-so

This story was so brutal. I really had to gear myself up to pick it back up again each time, but wanted to see where the story went. It felt very disjointed at the start with multiple POV, but all wound together by the end. Good metaphor but very violent.

squirrelbrain I‘ve hibernated this one for now - I too got got confused by the different threads of the story. 9mo
22 likes1 comment
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eraderneely
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Traveling by myself for the first time in 4 years…🥰

julesG Enjoy! 9mo
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Just started this for #CampLitsy23 and it‘s already coming with the zingers! If you can‘t laugh at this, then you aren‘t parenting right.

LaraReads Yes, girl! Sardonic all the way through, and I‘m here for it! Loved this one! 10mo
33 likes1 comment
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Yup, loving this misadventure story

squirrelbrain I have this reserved on BorrowBox and it‘ll come to me mid-June I think - it‘s (digital) print though, not audio. Do you think I need audio? 10mo
eraderneely @squirrelbrain I like to always have an audiobook to hand for doing jobs and going on walks and this has been very good on audio. But I think it would be great in (digital) print too. 10mo
eraderneely So if you‘re looking for an audiobook, yes, do it. But if you just want to read it, either way will work. 10mo
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Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader
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Nominations for #CampLitsy23
Maybe if I get the timing just right I can join 1 or 2 of these this year!

BarbaraBB Thanks for nominating! Such good ones 🤍 11mo
squirrelbrain Great choices - I really want to read The Met one! 11mo
Chelsea.Poole I like your choices! I have Bandit Queens on hold and I want to read Birnam Wood and Yellowface. 😊 11mo
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Cinfhen Lots of awesome suggestions 🤓 11mo
Megabooks Very curious about the Rushdie! Great choices! 11mo
Ruthiella I definitely considered Bandit Queens for my list and definitely want to read it, whether it makes the cut or not! 👍 11mo
25 likes6 comments
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eraderneely
Age of Vice: A Novel | Deepti Kapoor
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Pickpick

Liked, didn‘t love. On to the next!

Beatlefan129 I love your amaryllis 🌺 12mo
eraderneely @Beatlefan129 thanks! It was a Christmas gift from our neighbor to our kids. They‘re loving it! 12mo
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eraderneely
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Pickpick

To me the perfect balance of smart, thoughtful person does a thing and tells you about it, and memoir/reflection on life, family, the world, etc. With good history bits mixed it. And a good length.

Megabooks Agreed! 13mo
13 likes1 comment
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eraderneely
Exiles | Jane Harper
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Pickpick

Normally I end a good thriller feeling exhilarated, but I just feel very, very sad. I‘m sure I‘m relating too much to the mum-of-a-new-baby aspect but I‘m excessively sad for Kim.
Whole book a pick for me though! Just need a fluffy thriller to pick me up.

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Hold finally came in and it‘s goooood!

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squirrelbrain You‘re welcome Emily! 1y
rockpools Happy New Year, Emily! 1y
youneverarrived Hope you had a lovely Christmas 💕 1y
19 likes3 comments
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eraderneely
Our Missing Hearts | Celeste Ng
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Pickpick

Probably my last read of the year. Happy end of reading year to you all!

squirrelbrain I have this on my physical TBR shelf…. Enjoy! 1y
26 likes1 comment
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eraderneely
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Travel day(s) completed. Back from the US into a very foggy and atmospheric Leeds. Not as much reading as I would have liked because baby likes to grab wires and kindles. Oh well, one day…

eraderneely Thanks for the birthday cards @kaysworld1 and @squirrelbrain !! 1y
squirrelbrain You‘re welcome! Hope you had a good trip! 1y
21 likes2 comments
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Memphis | Tara M Stringfellow
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Finally getting to this one, in snatched moments of grandparent-childcare. Not sure what I was expecting, but interesting so far.

kaysworld1 I hope you got your card and have had a great birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 1y
eraderneely @kaysworld1 I‘ve been in the States for Thanksgiving, but I look forward to seeing it when I get home tomorrow! 1y
kaysworld1 @eraderneely OMG that sound amazing I hope you enjoyed yourself and ate loads of food xx 1y
22 likes3 comments
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Loving this book so much! It gets right to the heart of what it feels like to get interested in vegetable gardening. And the writing is lovely.

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My partner just called me from the indie bookshop in our neighborhood to ask if I needed the new Richard Osman book. He was chatting to the owner and was worried they‘d sell out before I got a copy. So sweet 🥰 but I‘m happily waiting on the audio from the library because the audio is sooo good.

Ruthiella What a great guy! 😃 2y
AmyG Oh boy! I didn‘t realize it was coming so soon! 2y
marleed I preordered a physical copy and I‘m 5th in line for the library audio. So I‘ll be reading in stereo! 2y
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eraderneely @Ruthiella yeah 🥰 2y
eraderneely @AmyG I‘m so excited! 2y
eraderneely @marleed that‘s the perfect way to read! 2y
Smrloomis That is SO thoughtful!!! I got a copy but haven‘t read that much yet 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1y
17 likes7 comments
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The Appeal | JANICE. HALLETT
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Help fellow Littens! I‘m reading this for book club and I really need to know if Poppy dies. If so, I need to be forewarned.

MinnieTimperley No she doesn't. 2y
eraderneely @MinnieTimperley thank you! When it comes to kids, I need to get my head in the right place. 2y
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The benefits of waking up early to feed the baby

emz711 And if the baby goes back to sleep 😅😴 2y
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My Dad and I are having an inadvertent book club at the beach. Every time we talk about what we‘ve read so far we say “me too!!!” It‘s delightful.

Chelsea.Poole Gorgeous photo! And how nice to have a dad who is a fellow reader ♥️ 2y
squirrelbrain Lovely pic! ❤️ 2y
17 likes2 comments
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eraderneely
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Mehso-so

It was OK. I flip-flopped between enjoying the ridiculous, exaggerated elements and being annoyed with them. I mostly found the story fun, but then I would get tired of her “sciencey” talk.
Ultimately, I didn‘t really care what happened next. *shrug*

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Book Lovers | Emily Henry
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In the US for the first time in years. I‘m loving the heat!

TrishB Enjoy 😁 2y
TrishB But I‘m not sure what you mean- we have a heat wave 😂 2y
julesG Enjoy! 2y
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julesG @TrishB Maybe they left before the temperatures started climbing? 2y
TrishB @julesG and it will be ‘normal‘ again before they come back! 2y
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Enjoying this so far. I‘m learning more details of the British in India, which I‘m largely unfamiliar with. I‘m especially enjoying the chapter I‘m reading right now about how the empire has influenced both the number of immigrants to GB from the former empire, but also Britons‘ propensity for travel and living abroad themselves.

eraderneely This is also reinforcing how I feel about the terms “expat” and “immigrant”. I make an active effort to refer to myself as an immigrant, because that‘s what I am and I shouldn‘t have different status because of my race or the country I moved from. 2y
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Nope! I‘m out!

I can‘t be reading about dying kids right now. I don‘t need to be crying into my breakfast cereal.

I‘ll try to catch #camplitsy later if any of my other holds come in on time.

Megabooks I get it. It‘s a very dark book and isn‘t right for everyone. I hope you join us for True Biz later this month! 2y
squirrelbrain It‘s a tough one, Emily. I don‘t blame you for bailing. 2y
julesG Thanks for the TW. 2y
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eraderneely @julesG I knew the book was about a plague, but this story really focuses on the kids and their parents and it was too much 2y
eraderneely @squirrelbrain I may get back my ability to read this sort of thing one day, but not while my kids are so tiny 2y
eraderneely @Megabooks I don‘t know if my hold on True Biz will come in on time to join everyone, but I‘ll comment later if it doesn‘t 2y
julesG I know what you mean. I'm going to approach with caution. 2y
alisiakae I appreciate the content warning. I will definitely proceed with caution, I feel somewhat the same. 2y
eraderneely @4thhouseontheleft glad I could help 2y
22 likes9 comments
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eraderneely
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Starting this for #camplitsy !!!

I‘m terrible at scheduled reading, so we‘ll see how I get on. But if I do manage to read a few of the books this summer it will be great to have folks to discuss them with!

TrishB Enjoy 😁 2y
BarbaraBB Lots to discuss Saturday I think! 2y
18 likes2 comments
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Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? | Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
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Both kids still asleep!

The tone of this is more fun than I was expecting. Exactly what I need after Sarah Moss.

rockpools Perfect! Enjoy 😊 2y
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The Fell | SARAH. MOSS
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Soaking up the baby cuddles because one day soon he‘s not going to nap on me anymore.

Sarah Moss as always creates a sense of dread. I‘m enjoying this one and a lot of the commentary on different reactions to the pandemic/lockdowns, but it may be just a bit too soon. I‘m not sure if I might have enjoyed it more with a little more distance.

squirrelbrain Aw, cutie! ❤️ 2y
TrishB Lovely pic ❤️ I enjoyed the read, but yes may be a bit too soon! 2y
Megabooks 💜💜💜 2y
marleed I love this pic! Enjoy this time - they really are 5-star days! 2y
23 likes4 comments
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Mouth to Mouth: A Novel | Antoine Wilson
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Mehso-so

I liked but didn‘t love this book. I was interested as I read, but there wasn‘t really much of a point.

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The Other Black Girl | Zakiya Dalila Harris
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Mehso-so

I loved the setting of this book and would love more books from this author in the publishing world.
For me, the global conspiracy bit didn‘t work. I would rather it had been just Nella competing with Hazel who is potentially malicious.
This is the second book this year that I think is trying to do too much, especially to be thriller-y. I don‘t know if that‘s just me, but I just want more of these characters living their lives not more “plot”.

squirrelbrain Great review! My thoughts exactly - the larger story was just a bit ‘off‘ for me. 2y
SomedayAlmost I hear you. I went into it having heard it was a real thriller, so I actually expected more conspiracy or a murder earlier in the book (quicker pacing). It reminded me a little bit of The Stepford Wives-and I wondered if the book should have been marketed differently? 2y
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eraderneely
Wahala: A Novel | Nikki May
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed that this was a story about women in their thirties with grownup problems, but a close friendship. I also loved learning more about Nigerian culture and food.
I think the manipulative Isobel angle was unnecessary and that believing her over their oldest friends was out of character. Would have much preferred a story about women making bad choices but their solid friendship getting them through.

squirrelbrain Great review - stacked! How are you doing? 😘 2y
eraderneely @squirrelbrain thanks! Doing well but very busy. I am getting some more time to read while stuck under a baby though! 2y
squirrelbrain That‘s good! And how is baby doing? 2y
eraderneely @squirrelbrain he‘s enduring a lot of enthusiastic affection from big sister 😂 2y
squirrelbrain Aw, poor little chap! I bet she‘s loving it though! 🤣 2y
24 likes5 comments
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Wahala: A Novel | Nikki May
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My partner invented Cafe Puzzles, where our dining table turns into a cafe on Saturday mornings and everyone reads. The toddler loves it. Genius!

julesG I'm going to steal the idea. Please thank N from me. 2y
eraderneely @julesG will do! 2y
youneverarrived Love this idea! 2y
Linsy Sounds so fun! 2y
23 likes4 comments
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Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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I‘m such a sucker for book suggestions from my local bookshop. I‘ve bought half a dozen books after seeing them on their Instagram in the last year. Looking forward to this one!

squirrelbrain I‘m intrigued about this one too…. 2y
Aims42 Great looking book & latte, yum!! 😄☕️📖 2y
eraderneely @squirrelbrain if I ever find the time to finish it, I‘ll let you know how it is 2y
eraderneely @Aims42 thanks! 2y
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eraderneely
The Guide: A novel | Peter Heller
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this. Nice balance of literary description and thrilling plot. Read in 2 days, which is very rare for me.

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Thank you @squirrelbrain !
I‘m going to spend all day debating what to use the notebook for 😂

squirrelbrain Hope you‘re having a lovely day! Loving that you‘re covered in bows - did your daughter do that?! Is she old enough to understand this year? 😘 2y
Cathythoughts Lovely! And gorgeous picture ❤️ 2y
eraderneely @squirrelbrain she did do that. And made sure to add one for baby brother. She‘s loving Christmas this year, especially as her grandparents are here! 2y
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squirrelbrain Oh a little boy, how lovely! And it must be so nice for her to have grandparents there too, and for you after all this time. 😘 2y
julesG Congratulations! 🎊 2y
eraderneely @julesG thanks! 2y
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Celebrating Jolabokaflod. But my father-in-law doesn‘t really understand the silent component of family reading time. 🙄

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The Christmas Card | Dilly Court
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Finally on holiday! And I have a minute to get on Litsy!
Thank you for the lovely cards @jenniferw88 @kaysworld1 @youneverarrived @Cathythoughts @kathedron @squirrelbrain @TrishB
They brighten up the hall so much!

kaysworld1 Merry Christmas hun xxxx 2y
squirrelbrain They look lovely all together! Happy Holidays! 🎄 2y
youneverarrived Happy Holidays 😁 have a lovely Christmas 😘 2y
Cathythoughts Happy Christmas 🎄❤️ 2y
19 likes4 comments
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Harlem Shuffle: A Novel | Colson Whitehead
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Bit of family reading time this morning

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Christmas Card | Nuala MacCall
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Thank you for the lovely Christmas cards Emma @Oryx and Rachel @rockpools
First ones to our house and they‘ve really brightened up the hall!

rockpools Merry Christmas Emily - yours just arrived this morning 🎄 Thank you! 2y
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ITS MY BIRTHDAY | Liesbet Slegers
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Thank you for the lovely gifts and cards @rockpools @Caroline2 @squirrelbrain and @kaysworld1 !
It‘s especially thoughtful considering how absent I have been from Litsy lately. It‘s wonderful to know that this lovely community is still thriving.
My husband was being sweet and opened all my Amazon stuff so he could hide anything birthday related. Unfortunately that means I have no idea who The Housekeeper is from! Come forward so I can thank you!

eraderneely Rachel, thank you especially for sending something I could read with my daughter. Let‘s be honest, that‘s the majority of the reading time I‘m going to get! 2y
kaysworld1 Happy birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 2y
rockpools 🥰 Happy Birthday Emily! 📚🥳🎊🎂Housekeeper may have been me too - I loved Memory Police, but haven‘t read this one. And we all need more Julian and Nana in our lives! Hope you‘re all doing well x 2y
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squirrelbrain Hope you have a lovely day! 😘🥳😘🥳 2y
eraderneely @kaysworld1 thank you!! 2y
eraderneely @rockpools thank you!!! Yes to all the Julian and Nana! 2y
eraderneely I hope you all have a lovely time this weekend! 2y
TrishB Happy birthday 🎉🎉 2y
Cathythoughts Happy Birthday 🥳 2y
Caroline2 Happy birthday 🥳 📚 🎂 2y
23 likes11 comments
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eraderneely
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I‘m finding the “how to parent without exacerbating gender stereotypes” parts of this book good, but lots of the rest of it is crap. And it‘s not at all trans-inclusive.
I am very good at math! I love math. And spreadsheets. And engineering.
Let‘s bet Dr Spears Brown. I‘ll take all your money!

Oryx I loved maths in school - the satisfaction of solving a problem and knowing it was right - lovely! Although I've forgotten everything I ever knew about differentiating and cos and sins and tans... 2y
eraderneely @Oryx yes! The knowing that it was right, the lack of ambiguity, is what I love. 2y
TrishB My daughter is very proud to call herself a woman in STEM 😁 or a steminist! 2y
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BookNAround Huh. I don‘t like math but entirely chalking it up to nurture rather than nature is pretty reductive and false, IMO. Also, my daughter (getting a Masters in Architecture) called the other day to tell me she got a 95 on her engineering midterm. So she not only likes math, she‘s damn good at it too. 2y
Caroline2 @TrishB a steminist!!! I love that! 😀 2y
TrishB @Caroline2 she has a badge with it on 😁 2y
rockpools It‘s a good job she doesn‘t know us. Might lose a fair bit of money there! Hello Emily 😊 2y
kaysworld1 @eraderneely Hi hun I was just checking you got your birthday card alright xx 2y
eraderneely @kaysworld1 probably! My husband has been squirreling away all my cards and things and not letting me open anything yet. I‘ll be sure to post once I do though! 2y
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What Could Be Saved: A Novel | Liese O'Halloran Schwarz
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Pickpick

I read this on my kindle during a lot of insomnia spells.

I generally liked this book, but it ran way too long for me. Between a pick and a so-so.

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Harlem Shuffle: A Novel | Colson Whitehead
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First physical book I‘ve bought myself all year. So excited to dive in!

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Play Time | Julia Donaldson
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Reading Den!!!
All my childhood dreams come true 😁

EadieB Very cute! 3y
Traci1 That's awesome! 3y
TrishB Aww lovely ♥️ 3y
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squirrelbrain So cute! Can I play in your den too?! 3y
marleed Ohhh cute! 3y
rockpools Awwww! 3y
eraderneely @squirrelbrain all are welcome! Although we may need one of those magical tents that are bigger on the inside than on the outside 3y
26 likes7 comments
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eraderneely
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Really enjoying this so far. Especially at the beach!

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Arsenic and Adobo | Mia P. Manansala
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Pickpick

A funny foodie cozy mystery.
I liked the characters and LOVED the food. I did, however, find the dialogue stilted and the characters‘ reactions to the murders a bit bizarre. I‘m hoping it‘s just the author finding her stride, because I plan to read the next one!

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eraderneely
The Guncle | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

Probably my favorite book of the year so far.

TrishB Did you buy on kindle? I can only find a kindle unlimited version. 3y
eraderneely @TrishB I had it out from the library. Maybe it‘s not available in the UK yet? 3y
TrishB Doh, didn‘t think of that! I can get hardback for (d5 from BD but I think I will just wait ? 3y
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eraderneely @TrishB It will be a joy whenever you do get to read it 3y
rockpools I keep seeing such wonderful reviews for this one! 3y
squirrelbrain I don‘t think it‘s out properly in the UK yet @TrishB - I‘m desperate to read it so thought I‘d use an Audible credit, but it‘s not on there yet either…. 3y
TrishB @squirrelbrain thanks Helen ?? weird that you can get on kindle unlimited if you have! I will wait as I‘m not paying (d5! 3y
27 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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eraderneely
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I really enjoyed this as a slow burn romance between best friends (my favorite kind!) but then in the last 10% it did that stupid thing of creating drama just to have a grand romantic gesture afterward - I really could have done without that. Still lovely though ❤️

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