This is a fun read about a human who wants to be an adventurer in a modern fantasy world. Her couch crasher‘s boyfriend steals a magical item from the mob and the friends and a co-worker get together to stop disaster. Fun art, light humor, and a good take on how a modern fantasy work could work. 3/5 stars, enjoy if you liked Bright but want a humorous version

This is such a well written series! Wonderful character development, fantastic balancing of complex story lines, and a mystery that I couldn‘t figure out right away. Love it! Charlotte Holmes agrees to help Mrs. Watson help a former lover who is being black mailed. Espionage ensues, blackmail, art, and betrayal abound. 4.5/5 stars

Thanks @Jee_HookedOnBookz for the tag!
1) dead- Sei Shounagon ; Alive- Tamara Pierce (I‘ve actually interviewed her before, but would love to chat as an adult)
2) I want to ask Sei about her life and how she feels about her work. I want to ask Pierce about why she chooses to write only YA and if she would ever write for adults
3) roughly 900
4) @ScientistSam @Mitch @Oblomov26

This is a cute young YA GN, the twists where obvious, but the characters where sweet and the world was interesting. There‘s a connected world where luck and misfortune are created, and when a step on a crack breaks her mothers back, it‘s up to Alex to travel the rainbow and get her luck back. 3/5 stars read if you enjoy world building and don‘t need to think too hard

Very well written and offers some good & some important insights. Interesting to learn that most white people aren‘t generally taught about race but rather learn it through socialization. As a child of mixed race, my father spent a lot of time teaching us about race in the USA, so it helped me understand why white ppl react they way they do. I wish there was more help for readers about how to get past pain/fear/embarrassment and be helpful

This passage speaks to my daily life. I often don‘t confront white ppl about their instances of racism and supporting a racist system. I generally think it‘s because I look white and when I do this I have to 1. Confront them, 2. Deal with their (negative) reaction 3. Fight with them about my “right” to speak to this issue 4. Fight with them about how their denial of my race and experiences is a form of racism and so on. So this passage spoke to me

This is awful awful awful. The queen must debase herself in order to be worthy of a man, that‘s pretty much the entire story. Diosamnete falls in love with a “good” king at first sight, and declares she isn‘t worthy of him. She wanders, get assaulted, kills ppl, and finds a temple. Once she‘s been raped by a monkey, borne money children, and then rapped by the temple destroyers, she starts to rebuild the temple and is proven worthy. 🤮🤬 0/5 stars

This is an interesting manga about a freshman who befriends a girl with crippling social anxiety. I liked how the author had scenes from Komi‘s point of view as well as Tadano‘s point of view. This is a fun book for high schoolers and I‘m happy to have a recommendation for students with social anxiety ready to go. 3/5 stars

This book started strong, got bogged down in the middle and fizzled at the end. It felt like the author starts with a history of cloth and ends with commentary on sports. I wanted more about the history and development of synthetic fibers and less than on random history of specific products. I give this a 2/5 stars

This collection was not as good as the first collection, but it has some good story lines. Still shows how awful humans are, but less focused on the abuse that the human deal to the animals and more on the general evil of humanity. Some set ups for future plots and answering some previous plots. GREAT art! Enjoy this if you like spooky stories and light horror. Avoid if animal abuse if a trigger

I loved this audio book so much! I‘m not generally a fan of Sanderson, but this book was SO well written! It avoided a lot of the tropes and plots holes of teen fiction, had great character development, an interesting and flushed out story, and it did NOT end on a cliffhanger! The reader was great, the MC , call sign Spin, was a great character who was a strong independent woman who learned key life lessons with humor if not grace. 5/5 stars

This book needed a lot of work, there where many random plot points, a lot of things where not ever explained and a lot of stuff should have been more explored. I did not hate the ending, but it was kind of random. I think the author took that old advice to just write anything to keep the story flowing a bit too far. Review continued in comments, spoilers! Overall, 2/5 stars, read if you want to finish the series, but be prepared for randomness.

Ugh. This became a slog through irritating flashbacks and random plot twists. Parts of it where really good and well written but parts of it are just a big What? The flashbacks are also very much a scary near future, which I did NOT appreciate having sprung on me. Also; I really didn‘t care for William Tear, who seems like a creepy cult leader and history shows that cult leaders are bad news for women 2.5/5 stars

This is a fun Indiana Jones meets Hitchhikers with a pretty awesome female MC and her cool best friend side kick. I loved the questions of self awareness and the question of fate vs free will. This is a fun and interesting read, I highly recommend it if you enjoy philosophical reads but enjoy adventure and kick ass women characters. 4/5 stars

I tired to read this, but I just couldn‘t. Way too sexist.

I can read again! Yay! I am so thankful that my surgery went well and I apologize for all the unanswered #litsylove mail. I will get through it soon!
This book reimagines a more realistic version of Romeo and Juliet, which is sad and dark, but luckily not as tragic all around. The first part of the book is boring, builds on a previous series, but once that‘s done, it‘s a great read! Spies, feuds, hidden agendas, this has it all

My audio book adventures continue. I enjoyed this book, and enjoyed the dramatization of the novel. I‘ve tried to read it several times but could never get through it, but finally completed it! And I can totally see how Clueless is a modern version now. I recommend the audible version for others like me who couldn‘t get into the written book.

This was my first Agatha Christie novel and I was not disappointed. The writing is very well structured and easy to read and the characters, while slightly racist in descriptions sometimes, are really well written. 3.5/5 I‘m so glad I read it, I can see why she‘s the queen of mystery.

While obviously a first novel, this is the book #GRRM should read! It shows historical “realities” without glorifying rape and torture. Finally, a book about men and women in power, their political intrigue, and the consequences of personal vendettas on a nation where women can and will use their limited power for themselves and their families. 4/5 stars, read if you like #GoT, but demand less rape. Set in Ancient Rome with gods granted magic.

Since my surgery makes it really hard for me to read and view screens, I‘ve been enjoying audiobooks. This is a great series and this last book was really well done, the performance was excellent and the story is both endearing, uplifting, and satisfying. Threadbare is a wise bear and with his friends and family at his side, he will defeat the mad king, return the kingdom to its rightful state, and banish the Daemons. 4.5/5 stars

This is a GN that doesn‘t believe in subtlety, which doesn‘t subtract from the story (black male admitted to all white magic school, must fight evil white head masters and students) but does make me think it would be better for younger audiences and read before a good history lesson on racism in America. I enjoyed the art and the pacing, but am not tempted to read the rest of the series. A good antidote to Harry Potter.

This is a fun, and twisty but not in a gross way, exciting tale of deception and myth. Great hints of Greek and Roman history and mythology, a complicated political situation, and great character development. 4/5 stars! A thief is taken from prison to steal a mythical gods given stone to cement a marriage for a king and a queen. Betrayal, hidden identities, and the intervention of the gods lead to unexpected story

This is a well written and entertaining look at death, written by a mortician and based on questions children have asked her. It‘s fun to read about the small details one doesn‘t always think about and the answer is that your cat would prefer your lips and/or fingers and toes. 3.5/5 a fun read, written in vignettes and not something I recommend reading while eating

Such a fun and engaging story! The characters are so well done and the author is hilarious. Wonderful voice reading, and so good that I‘ve bought the kindle versions and the audio versions! An adorable teddy bear just wants to save his friends from a (possibly mad) king and some demons and enjoys various adventures with class MMOG and RPG roles, puns and world building. 5/5 stars

This is beautifully illustrated and has good background information that answers questions that the first collection left open. It doesn‘t pull on my emotional heart strings as much as the first one, but in a way that‘s good. I don‘t like crying much. I think it‘s a bit more filler foe the series than stand alone, but definitely worth the read. 3.5/5 stars, read if you enjoy animal heroes and light horror. Note: NO graphic pet deaths.

A relaxing day (finally!) and I get to spend some time reading. This book has a lot of fun facts and good humor. I‘m glad I got a copy 😄

This prequel was written for an older child audience, which I quite like, and maintains the adorable art and light life lessons. I am sad there wasn‘t as much concentration on the tea dragons, but meeting a humanoid dragon was a fun alternative. I don‘t love this book as much as I loves the first one, but I did enjoy it more as a graphic novel. 3/5 stars

Publishers at ALA Annual, 1 of the biggest Library conferences in the 🌎, love to give out ARC. As a #medlib I don‘t normally go; but this year I presented, and I had to show how good I was about not taking a ton of the free books. I got some books 4 me, some 4 work, and some 4 the kids in my life. Husband was actually cool w/ me filling our bags w/ books 😄 sorry #litsylove members 4 slow responses, but home now and will write back

The narration of this book is fantastic! I love the MC, Threadbare, who is an animated toy Golem, given a soul on accident. He‘s sweet, innocent, and just wants to be with his family. The story is really fun, some great puns, a fun RPG concept, and unique world building. I highly recommend. 4/5 stars, read if you enjoy humorous fantasy and the Toy Story movies

Offers some interesting history, but meander & author put in a lot of descriptive extra that I don‘t like. The “triumph” of the new and radically intolerant religion and the joyfully savaging of those who are different from themselves is well documented. As is their perverse satisfaction in their own self harm and the systematic destruction of ppl, art, & knowledge. A terrifying reflection on what is currently happening in the world 3/5 stars

I bought this audiobook and I‘m in love. The story is interesting, the narrator is hilarious and Threadbare is a great character. I can‘t wait to finish listening!

This is a sweet and fun read, although it is mostly focused on Kimi and her search for happiness/a career and NOT on her relationship with her Japanese grandparents like the review said. Besides some major plot issues (not everyone in Japan speaks English and how could a CA native not know about fashion industry as a viable career?) its a fun read and makes me want to go back to Kyoto. 3.5/5 read if you like rom-coms that aren‘t ridiculous

When I read this book it is both painful and delightful. I have struggled for years to accept that my Obaasan will never be an Obaasan like Kimi‘s Obaasan, and that I need to love her and be thankful for the love she can give. I read this and it delights me because it reminds me of Japan and my time there, but it makes me hurt and that‘s ok because it will also make me grow

I really enjoyed this book, it kept me interested and the characters, while not my favorite people, where well written and believable. I liked the world building and I‘m excited to read more, but not in an all out rush.

Thank you so much @JenlovesJT47 for the wonderful package! You are so kind and generous and I really appreciate it! And the Akita coloring book is AMAZING thank you so much! And thank you @PagesByTheWater for organizing the #graphicnovelsandmangaswap

I thought this would be funnier than it was. It was ok, not great. I always thought the goosebumps book with the gnomes looked super scary so I thought this would be fun to read. Not so much. I think the concept is great, but poorly executed

I enjoyed this audiobook. It had some problems, particularly with some of the Asian characters, but it was a fun book to listen too and had an interesting world. In a world where super humans have been around for the last 50 years or so, the US government has outsourced protection to super hero corporations. Andrea applies to work for one and much humor ensues and she learns her new job and her company prepares for an alien invasion

This is one of my favorite series. I listen to the audio books and I love it each time. Bekka is one of my favorite characters. She‘s smart, tough, while she knows the world is bad, she still tries to be good and do good. No one I‘ve read can write strong, kick ass women like Tamora Pierce. And her animal side kicks are awesome too.

Thanks @SamHeartCoffee for the tag! 1. Cheese, although I can‘t eat too much of it, so I try to stick to pistachios 2. Jewelry, I love jewelry, fine jewelry, although I don‘t wear a lot of gold. 3. Star Trek TNG and DS9, 4. P&P or John Wick depending on my mood 5. Purple 6. Tea 7. going to the beach with my dogs 8. @bookishbibliophile @ScientistSam

This is between a so-so and a pan for me. I did finish it, but skipped over huge chunks of it. The sexism really bothered me. The writing is easy to read and I appreciate that the author is writing a world of Gifts where there are no rules; at least that the MC can find. Clare can see and help ghosts move on, but only for a certain time period. She‘s hired to lay a ghost who ends up being a murder victim with ties to the present.

This is a short and sweet book, but the ending was very frustrating. I felt like a lot of space and time where wasted on the Simon Snow stuff when I really want to get more about Cath. I think the author started some good story lines and then just lost them. I would feel better about this book of there was a second one out and it flushed out the story. 2/5

OMG thank you so much @Avanders I‘m so excited for this book, my cool new cards and my reading log. Thanks for the selection of teas (perfect for work!) and my yummy chocolate! I HAVE to know, where did you get the Lisa Frank stickers??

After traumatic events, I just need to read a story with characters who do good and are good even when bad things happen. This is a good series for that. My poor baby was attacked by off leash dogs last night. After spending half the night at the emergency vet, I am thankful his eye was not severely damaged and that everything else will heal. I don‘t even have the energy to be angry at the asshole with offleash dogs right now

I really enjoyed this book, and I love that it has so many story options. Ive read through three story lines so far and have been enjoying myself the entire way. I enjoyed that my first storyline i feel in love with an adventurous lady and we led a gang of female pirates to discover a lost temple in Egypt. It‘s fun and I can‘t wait to read through the other options! 3/5 stars

While the MC is not my favorite, the descriptions of the life style in this book are some of my favorite. I get frustrated that the MC is so naive and full of herself, but I appreciate that the author lets her be that way and acknowledges it. A fun and relaxing retelling of sleeping beauty set in the early Edwardian period in England. 3.5/5, fun to read, good descriptions of fashion, industry, and psychological treatment of the era.

This is such a sweet book, I actually hugged it when I finished. It‘s perfect to read as I drink lots of tea to help with this awful cold. All kinds of diverse characters, beautiful art, and a lovely story about appreciating the time and effort for craftsmanship. Reminds me of all the lessons my father taught me that he learned growing up in Japan surrounded by masters of various crafts. I love this book and a copy will go to every kid I know.

I wanted more about the social history of alcoholism, this is a history of American attempts to cure/treat alcoholism. I did learn that Native Americans where the first Americans to come up with treatment (and be successful for a large group of ppl), that sharing stories has been used since the founding to help others, and that high quality research has shown that TSP, CBT, and MET, are all equally effective. 2/5 stars. Needs more citations

It‘s interesting, but since my grad degree is in information science, and I‘m familiar w/ most of the topics discussed, a lot of it wasn‘t very surprising or new to me. I think the author was really trying too hard with the whole WMD, but I appreciated how she made things accessible and easy to read. I think the main takeaway is that algorithms are only as good as their creators and need constant updates and oversight. 2/5 stars

This book is so good, but also very very sad. I didn‘t like that the book was parallel to the events on etched in bone but not lake silence, but I am hopeful that there will be more books in this area. The aspects of western fiction are interesting but not my favorite. 4/5 stars. It‘s a good read and I will read it again, but not as often as the other books in this series.

I liked the world, but the main character was just too disjointed. She was kind of stupid and more than a little foolish and would know she was doing something stupid and do it anyway with an internal monologue that did not really explain why. The world and the magic where interesting but with a lame MC, I just couldn‘t get into it. 1/5 stars. Maybe read this if you like Twilight but want something more female centered.