HAPPY #BOOKSPIN DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!

I am hype about the picks every month and this is no exception. While I still have a bit of a backlog I'm hoping I can get to these in a timely fashion because I've heard great things about both.

Testing out our new yard umbrella with Rolo while reading. Seems to be working out perfectly so far.

I have a little downtime today at work so I decided to finally start this one.

I am in no way prepared for it to almost be the November #BookSpin draw but here we are. New to the list this month are the tagged and The Prey of Gods. Still slowly working on my backlist as well. I think next year I need to put more audio titles on my list so that I actually get through them in a timely fashion.

This was an interesting look at content production as well as a coming of age story. At times it was hard to remember that Margo is only 20 during the story. It also has this weird meta thread about authors, POV and messaging. But for the most part the characters were fun and humor was mixed with the dark.

This was absolutely delightful and just as much fun as the first one. Towards the end though it did seem to follow the outline of the first one a bit too close though.

I‘ve got a cat in the window next to me and a dog on my lap so it‘s time to go deeper into my book!

This was a humorous and sometimes poignant look at what it means to be human. Lots of discussion on mental health, love, and the beauty of humanity. I've never been one to enjoy most poetry but this made me want to seek out the complete work of Emily Dickinson.

I had a really good time with this because heists in space but also this has some flaws so it's not really perfect. Would I go on another adventure with the cast in this world yes but I'd hope for a little more depth than this provided.

Decided to take a reading break while at Disney. When I wasn‘t looking all the Halloween lights came on!

I was kind of leery going into this because in book one none of the characters were capable of making good decisions BUT this one there was actual growth! One character I absolutely hated in book one became a character I thought really well of by the end of this one.

Absolutely loved my time back in this world with these characters. But, I will say this book does have some flaws and one of them is that the conflict/villains are too cartoon-like. Sometimes though it's nice to just read something with found family and acceptance despite the flaws.

I was perfectly happy reading inside but Rolo demanded we sit in the yard.

HAPPY #BOOKSPIN DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!

Honestly the second of the month is my favorite day because I love finding out what the latest bookspin picks are. My picks this month are the tagged and Stranger in a Strange Land which should be interesting. I'm also working on the backlist for the year because I'm a little bit (a lot) behind lol. TOaFK really stalled me but I press on!

This was absolutely delightful. Honestly Cooper's Chase is retirement goals. I can only hope I end up with a group of similar friends at that age. I liked that there was a nice mix of both humor and seriousness

I think I did pretty well this month. I absolutely devoured The Protectorate Series. I also finished a book I've been working on since February lol. #SeptemberWrapUp

Decided to read at the beach for my birthday. The best part is that it was free because of the library‘s state park pass check out.

Decided to decompress from work today by reading in the backyard with Rolo.

I can't believe it's already time for October's #BookSpin list! I'm making progress on my backlist but I really need to get in gear. New to the list this month is the tagged and Stranger in a Strange Land. I'm starting to put more kindle books on the list which is hard to know how chonky they are.

This was an interesting take on a world where the supernatural exists and I liked the idea that someone‘s element could be the sun. My problem with this is that it felt like pieces were missing. Idk if it was just my copy but I felt like I was struggling to get the idea of some things through context.

Had a lot of fun with this and the entire trilogy in general. The twists and turns kind of reminded me of classic soap operas in the best way.

Fast paced sequel that didn't detract from the first installment. Definitely more of a found family vibe in this than the previous. Only flaw is it has a similarly upbrupt ending as the first.

I absolutely loved this and found it very hard to stop listening once I'd finished my daily commute. Sanda is very much a kickass heroine and I am very glad to have read the beginning of her epic journey. This also has lots of good, non gimmicky representation. I've immediately borrowed the second installment!

Arthur's story is very much not my thing and probably why it took me from February until now to finish. That being said, there are hints of humor and philosophical topics that lend it merit. Just be warned there is some pretty tough animal cruelty in the second segment.

I don't know what i was expecting but it wasn't this. But definitely in a good way! Evelyn was flawed but she owned her flaws and I couldn't help but love her for that.

Happy #BookSpin Day to all who celebrate! I know that the numbers were technically drawn yesterday but the second will always be the day to celebrate for me lol. My bookspin is the tagged and my doublespin is Nightwatch. I'm excited for both of these but definitely had to do a double take as they were both new to the list with that statistically crazy draw this month.

Considering I had a lot going on last month I'm proud of what I managed to read in August. I'm still getting most of my reading done using audio on my commute but reading is reading right? I think my favorite read of the month was the tagged.

I can't believe it's nearly time for the next #bookspin draw! Super excited to see what will be picked. New to the list this month are the tagged and Sunshine. I've been trying to list books that are on other challenges and I've hit the limit of physical books meeting both criteria so I've added my first ebook to the list this month. Should be interesting.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The worldbuilding is weird in a good way. But the ending was a mess and it could have used a little bit more editing. Recommend the audio as well.

This was fun. It's been ages since I've read The Goose Girl so I'm fuzzy on the bits of retelling other than the horse is named Falada lol. I wouldn't say it's her best work but it was a quick and entertaining read if you like horror tinged with a bit of regency romance.

This was interesting in that it wasn't something I was quite in the mood for but my Libby hold came in and I gave it a go. Definitely an interesting experience knowing the gothic formula and seeing how the author was playing with it.

I'd definitely say this was on the border between low pick and so-so mainly because none of the characters were able to make sound decisions. I got so much second hand embarrassment because everything they chose was not good. The only real character to root for is the stupid ship but even she had bad reasoning.

I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. This was a discussion of cognitive theory and sentience as it relates to the human condition disguised as a first contact novel with vampires?!

Happy #BookSpin Day to all who celebrate!

I'm excited about this month's picks. My bookspin is Terra Nullius and doublespin is the tagged. Still working on previous picks as well.

I can't believe it's already time for August #BookSpin lists! New the the list this month is the tagged and Amatka. Looking forward to what the draw is.

If you would have told me I'd enjoy a book dealing heavily with organized religion and philosophies of mankind's destructive nature I'd probably not believe you but for some reason this worked for me. This had a lot more humor than I'd expected and even though most of it was sort of a downer there were moments of hope. It still feels relevant today despite being written in the late 50s

I read this for the book club I lead at work and was fascinated by Belle's life. I think the most interesting part about her though was her determined effort to erase her personal life from posterity. My only real hesitation about this is that in the notes at the end the authors stated how they did take some liberties with known fact. It's all well and good to use artistic license when there are gaps in the historical record but not when you know.

This was a fun adventure movie style rom com. I found the two leads to be likeable and the relationship conflict believable.

A little bittersweet as it's Alex's last adventure but I feel satisfied with the conclusion. Normally I'm not a fan of long drawn out battle scenes and this book is essentially one long battle but it kind of worked?

Great set up for the finale. We see the aftermath of Alex finally getting of the fence and choosing a side. I'm so curious what the last book will hold!

I loved this new series by the author of the Alex Verus novels. We have a talented but untrained magician learning more about the powerful players in the magical world. We learn along with Stephen how the magic works and the injustices of the magical world. I will say I could very much have done without the trauma to a beloved pet though.

It was billed to be funny like the tv show Superstore but it made me feel more sad than I wanted. I did skim the ending to see what happened but just couldn't get past how depressing it seemed. Also there was a weird sort of POV shifting with the narration.

Taking advantage of a brief respite from the heat to do some porch/sideyard reading. Rolo approves.

I really enjoyed this. Definitely twisty but not too gimmicky sci fi. I loved Cara as a narrator and her journey was fun to watch. I liked that she was a survivor but the interesting part for me was watching her definition of survival change.

Nicole Lewis is quickly becoming one of my favorite audionarrators.

I can't believe it's almost July and time for a new draw! New to the #BookSpin list this month are the tagged and Severance. Fingers crossed no more chunkster draws so I can finally catch up!

I really enjoyed this. It starts out with three very disparate POVs and then comes together nicely about half way in.

I loved this trilogy and I feel like this concluding volume ended in a way that made sense but boy am I salty about my fave lol. I think it's worse that I respect the ending despite my fave getting shafted. I'd still recommend this though because I was thoroughly entertained by the world and the characters.

Definitely one of the weaker installments in the series but I always enjoy my time in this world with these characters. Rather than a defeat something out of a world mythos plot this dealt with a quasi locked room mystery and a coyote plot.

Trying to get through my work read while the dog enjoys his yard time.

#BookReport
I have been in a bit of a slump and not able to focus on reading things for challenges so I've been getting back into the St. Mary's books and binging through those. So it's been a productive reading week just not challenge wise.

#WeeklyForecast
Goal this week is to make big progress in Sea of Tranquility as I need to read it for work.