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Jess861

Jess861

Joined June 2019

Mom-Wife-Dog Lover-Slow Reader-Cold Tea and Coffee Drinks...little time to read but sneak it in where I can.
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Jess861
Kerry Folk Tales | Luke Eastwood, Gary Branigan
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We went over to my parents for Thanksgiving today and they had some books they brought back from their trip to Ireland. Sounds like they found some neat local bookstores while they were there. These were three books by Irish authors that were recommended to them. Interested to read about some Irish folk tales...I'm sure they have some great ones!

#Ireland

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Jess861
Oh, Canada! | Per-Henrik Grth
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Looking to see if there would be any interest in a bookclub or buddyread around Canadian Fiction for the year of 2025. I'm thinking a monthly or bi-monthly book to read at your own pace with some discussion at the end of the month. If anyone is interested, just comment below :).

#OhCanada #BuddyRead #BookClub #2025 #Interest

@LitsyEvents

lauraisntwilder Oh, that could be interesting! 1mo
Jess861 @lauraisntwilder Thanks! There are so many great Canadian books to explore! 1mo
KathyWheeler My parents are Canadian and most of my extended family is. We are some of the few family members in the US. I‘d love to know more about Canadian literature. 1mo
See All 19 Comments
Ruthiella Yes please! If possible, I‘d prefer bimonthly, just to keep the various group reads under control. 1mo
CarolynM I‘d be interested in joining in, although every month might be beyond me. 1mo
Jess861 @KathyWheeler that would be great if you decide to join in! 1mo
Jess861 @Ruthiella Awesome! I do think bi-monthly will end up working better since there are so many group read options that people are a part of! 1mo
Jess861 @CarolynM Great if you are able to join! I am leaning more towards bi-monthly and of course you can participate as your able or feel like it. It'll be pretty easy going 🙂 1mo
LapReader I‘m in. 1mo
Jess861 @LapReader Great to have you join :). 1mo
kwmg40 I‘d like to join, and bimonthly would work well for me. 1mo
Jess861 @kwmg40 Great! I think I can confirm it will be bimonthly at this point as that is what most are leaning towards. 1mo
Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40

I think there is enough interest to go ahead on a bimonthly basis starting in January 😊. I'm going to add you to the tag list as you all showed interest but if you don't want to be please let me know. In mid to end November I think I'll put up a vote (2 or 3 books) on what we'd like to read first. I'd love to start with an Indigenous author and already have many ideas!
1mo
CarolynM Great! I have very little knowledge of Canadian literature so I‘m happy to go along with whatever titles you suggest. Looking forward to it 😀 1mo
lauraisntwilder Sounds great! 1mo
KathyWheeler @Jess861 Sounds great! 1mo
kwmg40 Looking forward to this! Being a Canadian, I have read a lot of Canadian books but I'm always happy to reread worthy books and also hope to discover some new authors. 1mo
Readergrrl I‘m interested, for sure! Part-time Canadian here; spend my summers with family in the Maritimes! 1mo
Jess861 @Readergrrl I'll add you to the tag list 🙂 1mo
34 likes19 comments
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Jess861
Son of a Trickster | Eden Robinson
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While I dream of reading all four books rolled in #CastTheDie - I know that, that is completely unrealistic for me. So I decided to grab my lucky book roll from the library and read that next. I've been reading mixed reviews on this book so I wonder what I'll think of it. I know it will be heavy but I'm also hoping the Indigenous folklore ties in well.

#Canadian #Indigenous #ChillyReading #AutumnReading #CozyBlanket @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Amazing! 1mo
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Jess861
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Pickpick

This book follows the lives of three women in a small coastal Ireland town, Ardglas. It follows their broken lives in the year or two before Ireland legalizes divorce. I didn't realize that divorce wasn't legal in Ireland until 1996! Not the typical book I'd pick up - but it was beautifully written and a fairly easy and quick read. The families in this town lead sad lives and I was quickly drawn in by the descriptive writing. I enjoyed this book.

50 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
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Want to finish this book and return to the library before I get into my October reads. Autumn weather is my favourite time to read outside - so I'm in the backyard bundled up in a sweater and warm coat getting some reading in. Hoping to get an hour or two in tonight.

#LibraryBook #AutumnWeather #WarmCoat #SweaterWeather #CoolEvening

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Jess861
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OK @BookishMadHatter - I'm not really sure how you know me so well?! Salty treats are my jam and these pretzels are beyond addictive - and you picked out my favourite flavour! Also, peach tea - another favourite of mine! The bookmarks, stickers, bag, notepad, ear warmer (our 4 yo has already taken it as hers) - you are too generous!

The books are such an autumn vibe - I'm so excited to dive into these! Strong women characters always win with me!

Jess861 #fffs #FallingForFallSwap

Thank you so much @Avanders & @Chrissyreadit for hosting this wonderful event!!

2mo
BookishMadHatter So happy you (and your tiny human) liked it. Happy fall 2mo
Avanders 🤩🤩🍁👏🏼🍂♥️😘 2mo
Jess861 @BookishMadHatter Thanks! Our 8 yo has also stolen one of the bookmarks, lol! (edited) 2mo
Chrissyreadit 🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡 2mo
41 likes5 comments
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Jess861
Untitled | Untitled
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Ahhhh - look what arrived today!! So excited to open this October 1st!! Thank you so much @BookishMadHatter - I love all the autumn stickers around the box!!

#FFFS #FallingForFallSwap @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

BookishMadHatter Yay, so glad it made it in time! Hope you enjoy, and at least you only have to wait a few days to open lol 2mo
Avanders 👏🏼👏🏼🍁🍎🍂 2mo
36 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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The boy has joined Cubs which runs for an hour and a half. This means an hour or so of reading time. Not sure the light will hold out too much longer though. I'm excited to dive into this book - set in Ireland during the 90s. Can't believe the 90s is now historical!!

#LibraryBook #Ireland #90s #Women #Divorce

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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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Delivery Notice left for the #FFFS package I sent. Hope it's not a pain to get! Should I tag the recipient?

@Avanders @Chrissyreadit

Avanders I‘d give it a day or 2 — don‘t worry yet 😉 2mo
Jess861 @Avanders - Fair enough - I also forgot to write my handle on the box, so I\'m winning everywhere, haha. 2mo
Avanders lol it happens 😂☺️ 2mo
Avanders Looks like it‘s been resolved… 😎 2mo
25 likes4 comments
review
Jess861
Canary Girls: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

A story about women from different classes who come together to help their country through WWI. Also a story about how women's football really started to gain some ground. I thoroughly enjoyed this book although it probably could have been a bit shorter. These women gave just as much as the men did during WWI and it is unfourtunate that women had to fight to regain the progress they made after the war. Author's note at the end dives into that.

44 likes2 comments
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Jess861
Son of a Trickster | Eden Robinson
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My #CastTheDie picks. It is somewhat of a mix-mash of a list but I feel it has a lot of magical realism in it. I couldn't decide on a lucky book, so I rolled some dice, lol. It came up with lucky number 13 - so, Son of a Trickster will be my lucky book for this list!

@PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Even more dice rolling! 2mo
Jess861 @PuddleJumper I roll dice for everything...I'm such a bad decision maker 😆 2mo
29 likes2 comments
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Jess861
Untitled | Unknown
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Sending this package out tomorrow. I didn't feel like blurring out the name and address so I took this awful picture instead 😄!

#FFFS #FallingForFallSwap @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

Avanders 👏🏼👏🏼🍁🍎🍂 2mo
37 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Canary Girls: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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So happy I was able to check this book out from the library again so I can finish it! The Canary Girls have such an interesting history - not only their work but the story of the women and football is also quite interesting.

#Women #WWI #Football #CanaryGirls #Library

49 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
Dinomighty! | Doug Paleo
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They let me browse all the books while they hunkered down with their books on the side of the aisle. Love that this is what a trip to the bookstore looks like now!

#RaisingReaders #EarlyReaders #Grade3 #DinoMighty #DogMan #Kindergarten #PawPatrol #PeteTheCat

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
48 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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I'm having all the feels about autumn being just around the corner so I thought it would be fun to do a little Autumn Mood Board for the #FallingForFallSwap #fffs . This is what autumn looks like for me!

@Avanders @Chrissyreadit

dabbe 🩶🧡🩶 3mo
Chrissyreadit I love it!! 3mo
Avanders Oooh perfect!! 🍁♥️🍂 3mo
44 likes3 comments
review
Jess861
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Mehso-so

This is a story about the people who live in the neighborhood of Chicken Hill outside of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It is a book that slowly introduces you to each character but never dives too deeply into their story. The beginning and the end of the book were enjoyable but the middle felt too drawn out. There is a bit of a story but this book mainly focuses on getting to know the people of Chicken Hill. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either.

monkeygirlsmama I pretty much agree with you on this one. 3mo
52 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jess861
No Title | None
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So excited to sign up for the #FallingForFallSwap. Can't believe it is almost autumn already but I'm so ready for the cooler weather and everything fall!! Thank you so much to the hosts of this awesome swap!

#fffs #autumn @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

Chrissyreadit 💛🧡💛 3mo
Avanders Thanks for reposting!! 🍁🍂🧡🍎🍃🎃 3mo
27 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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Spent the evening reading this book with a bowl of cheddar cheese. I'm about half way through and it is enjoyable enough so far. I can see why some felt like there are too many characters and some shallow storylines. But so far I'm enjoying getting to know the community as well as their sense of community and how they pull together. I'm hoping the book doesn't feel like it's dragging on for the last half.

#BookAndSnack #Cheese #Community

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Jess861
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Well, it looks like I have to start a new book since I had to return the one I was in the middle of reading. Going to start this one tonight because I've had so little time to read and I'm craving a couple hours of book time. Another library book so I better find enough time to finish it, 😄! I've seen mixed reviews on this one so I'm curious to see if I will enjoy it.

ReadingisMyPassion I thought it started out good but then fell flat. Just my opinion. 3mo
45 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Canary Girls: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Well, between a new job and the kids I've had very little time for reading. I went to renew Canary Girls from our library since I'm only part way through (although it's quite good) but someone had reserved it so I couldn't renew. I have to say it's the first time I haven't been able to renew a book since we don't live in a large city. So now I'm going to have to wait until it comes back to finish the book!

#BookedInTime #WWI @Cuilin

Cuilin Oh no. Hope you get it back soon. 🤞 4mo
38 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Canary Girls: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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A case of lice in our household slowed my reading down this past weekend but I'm still hoping to finish the tagged book this week. I'm close to half way through and enjoying it so far. The writing doesn't draw you in as much as some of the recent books I've read but it is still well written. I'm really loving the storylines.

#CanaryGirls #WWI #England #WomenBehindTheWar #Football #LibraryBook

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Jess861
Canary Girls: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Going to spend some time this weekend reading the tagged book. Figured I'd start it off with my favourite summer drink, dragonfruit tea. I'm hoping to learn a bit about the impact women had on WWI with this book.

#DragonfruitTea #LibraryBook #WWI #England

Cuilin Enjoy both tea and book, looking forward to hearing about this one. 4mo
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jess861
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Stopped by the library while I was waiting for one of our kiddos. A nice variety of books so I'm excited to start reading. I'll be starting with Canary Girls for #bookedintime .

#LibraryBooks

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Jess861
The Ghost Woods | C.J. Cooke
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Pickpick

A slow paced, atmospheric book about unwed mothers, queerness and feminism in the 1960s time frame of Scotland (although more about atmosphere). This is also mixed in with folklore which is well backed up by science (mushrooms everywhere). I enjoyed the book for a cottage read - there was nothing too surprising in this book and it was somewhat predictable but it was still a nice atmospheric read.

*There are trigger warnings in this book*

50 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
The Ghost Woods | C.J. Cooke
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The sun came out and we spent the majority of the day in the water. We've finished dinner and the kiddos are tired out now so now I get some mom time with a cold beer and a book. The book is pretty slow paced so far, but that is kind of nice for cottage reading.

#CottageReading #ColdBeer #EnjoyingTheView #MomTime

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 😍 4mo
AllDebooks 💚 Sounds like a perfect day 💚 4mo
Aims42 Gorgeous picture 😍 Sounds like a very fun day! 4mo
60 likes3 comments
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Jess861
The Ghost Woods | C.J. Cooke
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Another rainy morning at the cottage so we are stuck inside until it (hopefully) clears this afternoon. Our time at the cottage is quickly running out and I'll miss being able to get this much reading time in!! I'm looking forward to reading a bit of forest mystery while up at the cottage.

#RainyMorning #Cottage #LakeSideReading #Forest #Scotland

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Jess861
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

I despise the main character in this book (and that is probably an understatement) but the fact that the author could make me despise a character so much speaks to the writing. You are pulled into the story from the first page, and although you know it's only going to get worse, you can't put the book down. While I understand where the ending comes from, I think there could have been a better ending for the character.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville I was a bit disappointed with the ending too. 4mo
63 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jess861
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Rainy day at the cottage today so there will be reading, board games and colouring with the kiddos today. Going to jump in on #AuthorAMonth with the tagged book. While I saw this book pop up everywhere for a few months, I have no idea what it is about...which is kind of fun sometimes!

#RainyDay #Cottage #LakeSideReading

Aims42 I agree, it is a fun change of pace going into books blindly 😄👍 No expectations to fight against (edited) 4mo
Jess861 @Aims42 I agree! The book is good so far, but definitely wasn't what I was expecting 😅 4mo
51 likes2 comments
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Jess861
The Black Crescent | Jane Johnson
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Pickpick

This book is wonderfully written. While the plot is predictable, it is the themes and history that is more important. The descriptions of the rural and city landscapes, food, culture, heritage and folklore transport you right into Morocco during the time they are fighting for their independence from the French. A great introduction (fictionally) to the fight for Moroccan independence. Jane Johnson is quickly becoming one of my top authors.

51 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
The Black Crescent | Jane Johnson
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Kicking off the week at the cottage with the remainder of this book. I'm quite enjoying it so far and it has me craving Moroccan food! There is nothing I love better than reading with a lake view.

#Morocco #Independence #CottageReading #LakeSideReading #LibraryBook

dabbe The cottage looks lovely. 💙💚💙 4mo
Aims42 Love this view! 😍😍😍 4mo
48 likes2 comments
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Jess861
The Black Crescent | Jane Johnson
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Long weekend reading in the backyard. I don't think I've ever read a book set in Morocco so I'm excited to learn a bit about the countries landscapes and culture. I just hope I have time to finish the book as it needs to go back to the library soon.

#Morocco #Independence #LibraryBook #LongWeekend

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Jess861
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Pickpick

This book was a great read. A tremendous story about two girls who lose their family and the fight to find them again. It occurs during the Dust Bowl. I think this story would have been great even without the present time chapters but the last few present time chapters really tie well into the story and I can see why she had them. But her past time chapters were wonderful and could have carried the story.

#BookedInTime #AmericanDustBowl @Cuilin

Deblovestoread Stacking! I‘m really struggling with my choice so might need to move on from 5mo
Cuilin ✅🎉🤩 5mo
Cuilin @Deblovestoread I DNF‘d mine. I think I‘ll try an audiobook 5mo
See All 6 Comments
Deblovestoread @Cuilin That book made me ugly cry. Have tissues at the ready. 5mo
Cuilin @Deblovestoread thank you. Good to know. 5mo
Jess861 @Cuilin @Deblovestoread - this book will give you a few cries too. 5mo
47 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Jess861
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Spending my work lunch snacking on some cheese and continuing The Dust Bowl Orphans. I'm about half way theough and enjoying it so far. I'm enjoying the chapters during the dust bowl much more than the present day chapters. I don't feel like the past-present chapters are always necessary.

#BookedInTime #DustBowl #Orphans #SmokedCheddarCheese #ColdBrew #LunchReading

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Jess861
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Had an appointment in the city - so I had to stop at the bookstore. Grabbed The Dust Bowl Orphans for #bookedintime and I'm going to give it a start while I munch on lunch.

#AmericanDustBowl #LunchRead #Lemonade

@Cuilin

Cuilin This has lots of great reviews. I hope you enjoy it. 5mo
39 likes1 comment
review
Jess861
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Pickpick

I managed to finish the book yesterday and it was a solid pick for me. A few brutal scenes at the beginning but then it became more of a story about a princess. I had no idea about Queen Victoria's Goddaughter so it was an interesting story to learn about. It follows Aina throughout her entire life and while her life wasn't overly exciting after the beginning it is still a decent read. A strong and brave woman!

#Africa #London #Royalty #Victorian

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Jess861
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The new way I treat myself to an evening of reading - specialty cheese, crackers and a juice or tea. Tonight it is guava juice, garlic crackers and roasted garlic and herbs cheddar cheese. I'm hoping that the kids don't wake up so that I can finish this book tonight.

#GarlicAndHerbCheese #Guavajuice #GarlicCrackers #EveningReading

Bookwomble Looks like you're settling in for a cosy evening 😊 6mo
Tamra Nice! 6mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 6mo
Jess861 @Bookwomble It was absolutely wonderful! 6mo
48 likes4 comments
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Jess861
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Been slowly making my way through this book while enjoying some beautiful weather. I'm enjoying the book so far. A few brutal scenes in the beginning that were hard to read but necessary to the story (in my opinion). I'm curious to see how it will end.

#HistoricalFiction #DragonfruitTea #Outside #Africa #England #Royalty

40 likes1 stack add
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Jess861
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He worked so hard to get to this point and we are beyond proud. He has read two Narwhal and Jelly as well as most of the first The Bad Guys: Episode 1 in the last few days. He even wanted to sit in my reading chair since he was reading “real“ books on his own 😆....this is a proud mama moment!!

#LearningToRead #KidsBooks #TheBadGuys #NarwhalAndJelly #GraphicNovels #Animals #Comics

Leftcoastzen That‘s wonderful! So cute! 7mo
tpixie Amazing!!! Warms our hearts!🩵📚🩵 7mo
Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 7mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 7mo
youneverarrived 🩵🩵 7mo
45 likes5 comments
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Jess861
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Randomly picked up this book from the library the other day and I finally have some time tonight to start it. Can't wait to spend the evening reading as it's been too long!!

#LibraryBook

46 likes1 stack add
review
Jess861
Norse Mythology | Neil Gaiman
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Bailedbailed

I tried very hard to get into this book, but I just couldn't. I realized when I picked it up it is short stories and I've never been able to get into short stories. I'm quite interested in learning about Norse Mythology, but the short story format just didn't work for me. I'm sure it is a great book, and this is a me problem! It was time for me to bail as I wasn't getting any reading done. I'll probably try to come back to it at some point.

dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 No problem with you at all! I prefer mythology in a novel format myself, and I'm so glad some are finally coming out (like Madeline Miller's CIRCE). The short stories can be quite dry, can't they? Life's too short, and there are too many other great books out there! 8mo
Smarkies I didn't realise this was short stories... those are not my preferred format either... 😞 8mo
44 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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Will our 7 year old be scared if I start reading Goosebumps to him? He insists he won't be, but I also don't want him to be up with nightmares! He isn't a strong reader so we are always excited when there are books he wants to either read or have us read to him! I think he's only excited because I read these books as a kid though.

#Goosebumps #KidsReading

Dilara So, did you read them to him? How did it go? 9mo
Jess861 @Dilara He is absolutely loving this book. We are almost done and have already purchased book 2. I think we officially have a Goosebumps fan! 9mo
Dilara @Jess861 😁 👍 9mo
37 likes3 comments
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Jess861
Norse Mythology | Neil Gaiman
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I'm really not finding much time to read because I've been so busy with work lately. Hope I get more than a few pages in before I fall asleep tonight 😆! I'm really looking forward to this book and I'm hoping it can transport me to a different world.

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Jess861
Norse Mythology | Neil Gaiman
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Second #bookspin of 2024! #13 has been chosen which means I'll be reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. I'm really excited to read another book by Neil Gaiman as I enjoyed The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Thank you @thearomaofbooks for another spin!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 10mo
38 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Untitled | Untitled
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My bookspin for February. Same as January except I replaced pick 6 since I read the spin in January.

#bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 10mo
28 likes1 comment
review
Jess861
Closer by Sea | Perry Chafe
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Pickpick

I picked up this book from the library having never heard of it, and I quite enjoyed it. Spend the summer in a small fishing village with a group of boys while they try to solve a mystery while growing up before us. A great look into the cod fishing industry on the east coast of Canada and the struggles it and the families that worked it suffered. A quick read and a good coming of age story.

#Readathon #ReadAway2024 #EastCoast #Fishing

38 likes2 comments
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Jess861
Closer by Sea | Perry Chafe
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While our eldest took his drama class I popped into the library and checked out this book. Our library had a flood so the entire fiction floor has been closed for a while. There are only a few shelves to browse on the upper floor (or you reserve ahead of time from their entire collection). I know nothing about it so hopefully I like it. Popcorn and a book for me tonight!

#LibraryBook #Popcorn #Canada

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Jess861
Mossflower | Brian Jacques
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Some Sunday afternoon reading in my pyjamas. The Redwall series was one of my favourites as a kid and I'm enjoying re-reading some of the books. Mossflower is the second book in the series if you are reading them in publication order.

#Childhoodfavourite #RedwallSeries #Rereading #MiddleGrade

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Jess861
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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We are in the middle of a cold and windy snowstorm - so I'm going to get some reading in for #JoyousJanuary . I am currently re-reading Mossflower from the Redwall series and hoping I can put a good dent in it this week.

Thank you to @Andrew65 for hosting!

review
Jess861
The War Pianist | Mandy Robotham
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Pickpick

This book is an excellent read. It is well written and a good pace. It keeps you turning the pages with a plot that wants you to keep reading more. To read and learn about the resistance in the Netherlands and how much the Dutch people risked their lives and sacrificed is a part of WWII that I didn't know much about. The characters are well developed and you want to know what is going to happen next to them. This is a strong pick for me.

47 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Jess861
The War Pianist | Mandy Robotham
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I am enjoying the evening with some jazz music and a good book. This dual story book is about two women in different countries during WWII. I'm glad it isn't a past-present book. It is a good pace so far and well written. I'm enjoying discovering how some of the characters are connected, it is well done by the author. I've also learned that a war pianist is a radio operator!

#JazzMusic #WWII #London #Amsterdam #RadioOperator

33 likes1 stack add