My goals for January:
🔖Finish the 3 books I started in 2024
📚Read 3 others that finish the 52 Books Challenge from 2024
🗓Get a jump start on the last 60 books I need to read on order to finish #192025 by year's end
📘Participate in both #sundaybuddyread & #foodandlit
📖 Get at least one dang Bingo this year!

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

The sixth in A Series of Unfortunate Events was my favorite of the series and of June. I love quirky villains. The ones so damn weird, they really should be incompetent but somehow prove to get in the way of our protagonists anyway. Tim Curry's performance of Esme Squalor only enhanced her ridiculous trend following. "Children, here are some things you should know. Dark is in. Light is out. Stairs are in. Elevators are out. ⬇️

At least one of my 2024 goals has been achieved. ✅️
I set out to read all 13 books of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I moved to audio on book 5 and was rewarded with Tim Curry narration beginning with book 6, The Ersatz Elevator. It proved to be my favorite, with Curry's performance of Esme Squalor and her obsession with trends that are in and things that are out. Overall, the series was a pick, but I didn't love it.⬇️

May was another month of less than exciting books, so I pulled my 2nd favorite of December. Octogenarian Etta decides to walk from Saskatchewan to the Atlantic Ocean, leaving her husband Otto behind. He's been overseas for war and understands that she needs this experience. Their neighbor Russell is concerned, both by Etta's decision to leave and by Otto's indifference. Along the way, Etta picks up an unexpected companion in James.

Now that the hectic holiday is over, I am playing catch up on some bookish items.
So far:
January: The Honeymoon Crashers was a cute rom-com

February: LVOE is a collection of short poems. Very quotable. It's rare that I enjoy poetry, so I thought this earned a spot.

March: Everyone is Watching wasn't great but an entertaining glimpse at a live-stream competition where 5 people find out how far they'll go to win $10M.
⬇️

Since I didn't read many books last month, I only had to fill in a few selections for December. I'm still late. 😆 #StoryOfMyLife
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

The #20in4 Readathon his at a challenging time. I have a bit of a Friendsgiving later tonight and a birthday get together tomorrow with my brother & his family. I'm keeping my goals simple. Finish Red Rabbit (about 30 pages left) and see how far I can get with this one. This one covers Canada for #foodandlit and the #52books Palindrome on cover prompt.
@Andrew65 andrew65

I still have a few of the previous months' selections unfinished, but here I am, being hopeful that I'm getting through more in November. As I get closer to finishing the #52Books prompts for 2024, I'm looking to make more progress on the #192025 challenge. I still have 14 months, but it's looking like it might become the 192026 challenge. 🤣
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

My super late October Bookspin list, with help from my guy to make sure that previous BS/DS titles I included aren't the selected numbers this month. I'm hoping to finish the 52 Books challenge, so I didn't want to include a bunch of superfluous books so I could focus on these.

@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

I'm on a work trip in Mansfield, MA and found a cute bookshop in nearby Plainville, An Unlikely Story. I have to acknowledge bookseller Cassie. A quite a few of her recs made me laugh. Though I didn't buy this book, it was my favorite blurb. I took pictures of her notes to order a few more at a later date through Bookshop or Libro to support the store. I'll definitely return on my next trip up here to see what else Cassie recommends.

My favorite villains are charismatic & troubled with a hint of funny, not necessarily EVIL.

The absolute worst listed: Cruella De Vil. How do you not like dogs?

Honorable Mention on the list: Man

Honorable Mention not on the list: Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves ("You. 9:30. You. 9:45. Bring a friend")

Surprising Omission: Pennywise - people hate clowns for a reason

#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe

Let's see if I can get around to September's picks in a timely manner.
All Quiet is for the #192025 challenge that may turn into the #192026 challenge if I don't get my shit together.
Summer Heat was supposed to be July's #foodandlit read for Turkey.
No, I'm not behind...

#bookspinbingo #bookspin #doublespin

I don't have kids, nor am I a teacher.
I prefer tank tops to hoodies and sandals to boots.
Margaritas are better than pumpkin spice.
My #bookspinbingo list for September is celebrating the last remaining weeks of calendar summer.

@thearomaofbooks

Emily was ready to spend the summer with her best friend Sloane, but when summer came, Sloane and her family disappeared without a trace. Just when Emily thinks all hope is lost, she receives a list in the mail from Sloane - thirteen things Emily likely wouldn't do without Sloane's prompting. If she completes the list, will she find Sloane?
Overall, this was a cute and tame book about older teenagers. Emily's parents are preoccupied ⬇️

#5JoysFriday on Saturday

1. Grandma is out of the hospital but now in a rehab facility to help with her knees.
2. The bittersweet joy of finally finishing The Labyrinth of the Spirits.
3. This goat in a pool float is one of the that appeared on my Facebook feed this week.
4. The "Here's Negan" episode of The Walking Dead was amazing and reminded me just how freaking handsome he is. Jeffrey Dean Morgan? More like Jeffrey DREAM Morgan! ?
⬇️

I loved this. This book brings together all the different threads from the other books in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books quartet & introduces a few new faces. It took me months to read it, a little at a time, but it also allowed me to savor it. I highlighted so many more of Fermin's words of wisdom & wacky comments on life. My only regret is that I can't read the series for the first time again. If I ever get with amnesia, show me this! 😉

1. The pride I saw in Gus Walz cheering for his father at the DNC.

2. Three colleagues mentioned that my high energy when I joined Teams calls gave them an energy boost.

3. Seeing grandma. She's in the hospital right now, but it's always great to see one of my first best friends.

4. Video of a Colin Farrell interview about his special needs son for People

5. The Walking Dead - catching up on season 10 & I'm still Team Negan. #HotTake

🐶Potato the dog tries swimming (IG: canineantics)

📱Texts with one of my long-time BFFs

🏥 My longtime boss had his final cancer treatment today, and the doctor is confident in his recovery

💩Though it's a frustrating reason for the call, a colleague & I are reminded that teamwork makes the shitshow tolerable

2-for-1: Reconnected with a work acquaintance 🤝 I haven't seen since Covid at a networking event held at Bolero Snort Brewery 🍻.

I went to Maryland for work & found a Wonder Book location right near my hotel. Over that weekend, I took my parents to visit another location in Frederick. Lots of used books. I preferred the Gaitherburg spot because it just felt a little more like uncovering treasure, like The Book Loft. I recommend a visit if you're in the area. There was a good amount of international books represented - awesome for #foodandlit if you especially like NF.

August's list is finally ready! I still need to pin down my Hemingway selection and a fiction book for Jamaica, but I'm ready to see where the bookspin selections take me this month. Since I'm reading less, I've decided to focus on the 52 Books challenge, and if they hit a prompt in other challenges, so be it.

@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

Well, July was a summer crazy month at work thanks to all of the obstacles that come with a new system. I feel like I've hardly been reading, but to my surprise, I read a little bit each day of the tagged book. I don't even know if I've ever scored myself a perfect week, let alone 4 plus change to make for a perfect month. I'm still not done with this chunkster, but it's CRZ, so I'm happy to slowly go along with the story and take it all in.

After a few long weeks at work and a small meltdown lamenting my lack of reading time lately (partly because my cutie pie dog barks at me when we're alone), my guy suggests a trip to B&N to browse. Yes, the answer is more books on my TBR that I'm not reading! 😂 I was really good at showing restraint until I wasn't. Once you pick up one book, you're already going to wait in line to pay, so you might as well grab two more, am I right?

I'm a week behind, but let's see if the universe will let me catch up quickly.

#sundaybuddyread @TheBookHippie

I"ve seen 34 of 80 movies. It's possible I watched a few others so many years ago that I don't even remember.
1. The Patriot
2. A League of Their Own (Have you ever really paid attention to Jon Lovitz's scenes?! Hilarious!)
3. Armageddon
4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Wanna play along? https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-movies-to-watch-this-4th-of-july-weekend

#TLT #threelistthursday @dabbe

I didn't peek!
I very well might wish I had, who knows?! 😂

Alright, July. Let's do this! The second half of the year might have more reading time in store for me. 🤞

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

I've read books 1-7 so far for my #anunfortunatereadalong but haven't posted anything. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I shared the first two books with the 10 year old girl across the hall. I left a post-it on their door asking if she enjoyed the first two and would like the next 5. This little lady will let me know! 🤣

Admittedly, I'm not very kid friendly, but this girl is delightfully weird, a reader, and her excitement about things is contagious.

Late last year, I entered to win a galley of this book. About 6 months later, I received the link to read it! I have a few others I need to get to, but I'm excited to read this one.

Excuse me while I rearrange my TBR yet again! 🤣

I have 4 friends playing pickleball in the park. Until I'm needed to give someone a break, I'll be in my hammock chair reading on my phone. Fingers crossed, I can finish the first week's section today.

Disclaimer: The hand & phone pictured is not real. I needed the phone to take the picture. I did NOT bring my Kindle because I'm an idiot.

@dabbe I went through the list rather quickly, but work got in the way of me sharing.

I've seen 68 of the 100 movies, and these are my Top 5:

Porky's (watched way too young and still going)
Look Who's Talking
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Twins
The Goonies

They're all so quotable. I was born in 1979, so I leaned more to the comedies than those with a more serious tone.
#TLT #threelistthursday

Coming in late with my list, but I've got loads of restraint and haven't peeked at the numbers. I might wish I did. Who knows?! 🤣 May was quite possibly my worst reading month in years, but I'm optimistic that June can't get any worse.

#bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

I'm ready for book four of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, but I'm also not ready to read Carlos Ruiz Zafon's final novel. After this, all I'll have left to explore for the first time is a collection of short stories set in this world and one more unrelated YA book.
Traveling solo to San Antonio, TX for work while nursing the tail end of a cold is a great time to make some headway.
#foodandlit #spain

I have practiced great restraint and didn't peek at the May numbers. I present you my list for May shown here over a photo of the mountains in Sedona, AZ, at sunset from my vacation.

MAY the odds be ever in our favor.
@TheAromaofBooks

I am on a MUCH needed vacation in Arizona. We spent a couple of days visiting Flagstaff & Sedona. We visited this delightful shop in Flagstaff. I have too many books (I know, I know, but I truly have too many), so I treated myself to some cards & postcards to send out some Litsy Love instead. They feature lots of staff picks, some local artist gifts, and a few store specific tote bags. I recommend popping in if you find yourself in town.

March was not a successful reading month. Fingers crossed that April is a bit better. I'm planning a vacation to Arizona at the end of the month, but we are more Urban Explorers than Relax with a Good Book people.

Photo from IG @der__tho
@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

Hot Damn! It's been a crazy 10 days, and I'm glad that things look to get back to a normal level of busy. This one went from a being a 2 month hold earlier this week to ready now just this morning.

I'm kicking off #MarvellousMarch with a lofty goal to finish:
1. Y/N 📖
2. 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster 📖
3. Korea Overview 📖
4. The Miserable Mill 📖
5. 30% of Wandering Stars 🎧
6. 75% of Wild Women and the Blues 🎧

@Andrew65

These are the ones that come to mind.

1. Ring Shout (I think it qualifies)
2. The Tell-Tale Heart
3. A Christmas Carol

#TLT #ThreeListThursday @dabbe

Solo work travel means long hours doing sales calls & staff training by day and paperwork & responding to emails by night. However, the time saved by not cooking, cleaning up, and hanging out with the dog & my guy means I get to read in bed! I'm starting this one tonight.

What's new, you ask? Watson's age! This little guy turned 9 years old today.

I'm either rather boring or an international spy who can't share any fun details about my life lately. I'll let you all decide which one you think it is. 😉

#whatsnewwednesday #litsylove @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TieDyeDude @Read4life

I started this #ARC last night that I won. It's due to come out at the end of the month, so no time better than the present to read it.

It's a bummer when you don't get a proper cover page in the e-ARC for posting. I had to superimpose a picture over my screen to make it look good! 😄

I'm excited to read both of this month's selections. I am taking a work trip next week so these may be coming asking for the ride.

8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster is for #foodandlit

Wild Women and the Blues has been patiently waiting for me for about 2 years now and fulfills at least one reading challenge prompt.

I skipped about 3 months' worth of #BOTM offerings. The March offerings sounded good, a new Simone St James is huge YES, and they gave me a free book. I may have gone a little overboard, but c'est la vie!

The #20in4 #FabulousFebruary readathon was a success thanks to a bit of a stomach bug.

New Zealand Overview: final 25%
The Heart Principle: final 50%
Lucky Leap Day: first 50%
The Wide Window: read
LVOE: read

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65
I was able to finish almost everything I wanted to.

Some vintage vibes for my March #BookSpin list.
@TheAromaofBooks

I watched the Nicolas Cage movie Mandy a few weeks ago while slightly buzzed on gummies. I think I'm still being influenced by the colors and cinematography.

I'm starting this one today for #foodandlit #NewZealand
A bit of an unconventional pick, but my library doesn't have much to choose from right now.

I probably won't be ready for tomorrow's #sundaybuddyread discussion because my guy will be waking up any minute now. However, I just opened the copy I ordered from BookOutlet and found this nice surprise inside.

Let's see what the bookspin Gods will have me reading in February.

#bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

I'm just sharing this tweet from Twitter (yep, I'm still calling it that)...

I don't use the Hoopla Bonus Borrows often, but I'm always excited to see what's available. I didn't see any today and went looking for a reason why. Found it! Apologies if this is old news.

Hello #foodandlit friends. I wanted to point out this book about #Botswana is free today, even if you don't have Kindle Unlimited. I can't vouch for the quality of the book, and it's not written by a local Botswanian, but it's an option should you need it for October.

Hopefully, I can get the dog to stop barking for 30 minutes of quiet so I can start on this one today. Nothing is wrong with him. He just likes to complain when his meatball stash runs out and he has to eat Fresh Pet & kibble like a peasant.

#AnUnfortunateReadalong

I'm starting this one today. I won a copy last year but didn't get around to it. Seems like a mystery set in 1964 Italy.

If anyone born in 1988 needs a book set 24 years prior for the #popsugar reading challenge, this is an option.

I'm kind of loving the cover.

My reading buddy is on my lap, under the blanket, saying, "No pupparazzi this early in the morning."