Loved! 4.25⭐️s! Continuing my mini-reviews of each story below & in comments.

Smack: Armfield's strength at writing gross, yet captivating descriptions with a sense of foreboding is on full display here. A woman going through a divorce barricades herself inside the beach house where a smack of jellyfish continuously invade the shore, bursting open.

Cassandra After: A woman is visited by her dead girlfriend in this sad tale of shame & regret.👇🏽

Finally finishing this one! Some more highlights:

The Collectables: began with an eerie sinister feeling, & ended with a shocking "oh sh*t!"? Lol this was about 3 friends moving on from their boyfriends, while trying to decide what would make the "perfect man." Turns out there's more going on than meets the eye.

Stop your women's ears with wax: explores female fandom of a female band & how their music turned young girls into the fans from hell.

I was feeling a little bummed there weren't many new releases coming in 2020 that were on my radar, so I looked at Apple books' list of anticipated winter releases and found several #Nonfiction titles that sound fascinating! From heroic investigative journalism (tagged), to dangerous cults protected by the government and the true story behind The Green Book, these are all must-reads for me next year! #NFNov

Received some lovely dark, gothic reads today courtesy of #BOTM. These came in just in time for chilly weather and the holidays!

I've been working non-stop so my reading time has suffered. I never got to post a #WeeklyForecast! I started Barracoon and the history behind the last slaves brought to America is fascinating. I'm close to finishing Salt Slow, and working on The Case Against Sugar.

#TIL there is a state park in Mobile, AL named after Timothy Meaher, the rich slave owner who smuggled in the last known illegal shipment of slaves. Nothing to see here.🙄🤬 #NFNov

This was so nice, thank you @Nute! I think my favorite self care ritual is a nice warm bubble bath with a book, glass of 🍷 or cup of hot tea, and glowing candles. Some serene music in the background. And a face mask! Makes me feel like I'm at a spa in my own home! 😊

Sending positive energy to @Megabooks @Come-read-with-me @brit91 @Reggie

#MoonReflections

A day late, but wanted to post my #BookReport! It was a really great reading week in terms of quality. Finished 3 books, may finish Salt Slow tonight, & started the tagged book for #NFNov. #TIL diabetes may have been mentioned as far back as the 6th century B.C. by Sushruta, a Hindu physician who described the characteristic sweet urine of those afflicted.
Finished:
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine - 5⭐️
Burnout Generation - 4⭐️
Nothing to See Here - 5⭐️

Hilarious! I am kicking myself for not getting this #BOTM pick, but now I'll get it as my bday freebie. I loved the MC, Lillian. Her humor was just what I needed! Bittersweet at times, this quirky novel showcases a wide variety of bad parenting lol, but ends on a hopeful note. I never knew combustible kids could be so fun! If you like quirky humor with a side of absurdity, I don't think you'll be disappointed. The #audio is fantastic! 4.5⭐️s!

Some very tasty #LitsyPartyOfOne snacks! On a Blake Crouch Recursion hangover I picked this up from the library on a whim. It's due back soon so I'm hoping to get through some of it tonight as well!

#MrBook1InAMillion #24B4Monday #Readathon

The Great Awake: a strange phenomenon occurs where people's sleep-state removes itself from their bodies, resulting in the owners never being able to sleep. I loved this one. It was surreal, absurd, yet riddled with humor and truths of human nature. Reminiscent of Her Body and Other Parties, Severance, The Need, and Dark Matter all wrapped into one fine-tuned package of fabulism.

#MrBook1InAMillion #24b4Monday #LitsyPartyofOne #readathon

Mantis is the first in this collection, and it's a visceral story detailing a young woman's ailing skin condition, while highlighting all the ways in which young girls love to hate their bodies. Becoming increasingly grotesque, by the end reality had slipped and I was unsure if this was metaphor or real, but I enjoyed it.

#MrBook1InAMillion #litsypartyofone #24b4monday #readathon

A little late to the party, but I'm excited about this #readathon! Here are some of my weekend #TBR choices. Currently 2 hrs in and enjoying the tagged collection of ethereal short stories! Also have my #LMPBC choices I may get through for #Round7 #GroupI and #GroupC, and my next #NFNov pick. Need to break out my snacks! 🤗

#MrBook1InAMillion #LitsyPartyofOne #24B4Monday

This really had more substance than I was expecting! Are millennial lives harder than others? Who knows. Are they significantly different? Absolutely. I enjoyed the various perspectives (ex-marine, 1st Gen college grad, editor, pastor) & commentary on burnout, particularly the "always on" blending of life across social media & contract work instability. #TIL there is an app to "curate" your IG grid for personal branding lol. #NFNov

Off to a slow start for #NFNov, but thought I'd try to get this short one in today. I think it will be a bit of #NonFiction fluff, but we'll see lol.

Going to try to catch up on a couple of prompts since I'm up at an ungodly hour. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Experiencing a bit of a book hangover after doing some #NightReading. This was my favorite quote from the book! A truth we unfortunately all have to learn. 😞 #NamasteNovember

Absolutely♥️this! A tale of human nature where nothing is quite what it seems. Alaine is a hilarious, snarky MC who must come to terms w/ complicated family dynamics & a life that will never be the same. Steeped in rich Haitian culture & history, family curses, a charity start-up, & commentary on sometimes problematic foreign aid, this was a most enjoyable reading experience. The Great Bahni Turpin narrated & I highly recommend the audio! 4.5⭐️s!

I was not expecting this!! I'm so spoiled, I hit the jackpot, literally! The bags & wrapping were gorgeous! Thank you for ALL the yummy candy (I 💛white choco kitkats & whoppers!), the Never Give Up pin, the bookmark light I'm now obsessed with!! I've been wanting a book diary, & the books!! I'm dying to read the tagged, & I've heard such good things about The Body! ♥️ the Chicago skyline & of course my Audible credits!!🤗🤗 @Twainy #NightmareSwap

Some tough choices! #Scarathlon #TeamStoker

I ♥️ it all Michelle!! The skull squishy is going to my office to relieve stress.😌I'm all out of candy corn so I'll be digging into this bag & the suckers soon!! I love the skull lollipops!! The orange spice tea sounds amazing! And the books!! I am quickly adding to my King collection! So excited to finally have The Relic, I'm so intrigued by the Straub, this was the next Ruth Ware I wanted, & I'm starting the tagged today!!🤗#AllHallowsReadSwap

Just realized I never reviewed this. Probably between a pick and so-so, but I'm going with a pick because the parts I enjoyed were pretty luminous. Other sections were less engaging, but overall I found this group of memories that go back and forth through time to be interesting. I appreciated Hardwick's eye for acute observation! 3⭐️s #NYRBClub #NYRB #Classics #PopSugarReadingChallenge #PopSugar2019 #Pop19 #BookWithUnconventionalChapters

I love this idea because I think it will help me stay on a better reading schedule @Cinfhen! Here is my #WeeklyForecast. Starting the tagged book today. Still working through The Lost Queen, hope to start American Spy by mid-week, and gotta finish Dracula for #Scarathlon #TeamStoker #BuddyRead.

Had to spend some family time yesterday and then couldn't get little one to sleep, so I didn't quite reach my goal of 18hrs, but I think this is still more than I've done in previous readathons! I finished 1 book, read bits of another, and got a good way through The Lost Queen, which is a bit chunky. Til next time! #24b4monday #readathon #scarathlon #teamstoker

Stayed up til 4am reading this! 😳 It really sucks you in, and it's been pretty much all I've wanted to read this weekend. Obviously I won't hit 24 hours, but I'd be happy if I get to 18! #24B4Monday #Readathon #Scarathlon #TeamStoker #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

This is where I ended last night. Unfortunately I'm about 4hrs behind today, but still going to try to get in 8hrs before bed! Making some good progress on different books. #24B4Monday #Readathon #Scarathlon #TeamStoker

Wow, I think I liked this even more than Dark Matter! The 1st half was a little bogged down by the science of what created FMS, but around pg 200 the action & suspense ratchets up & this mind-bender ultimately shows how humans can take a good thing & use it for cataclysmic disaster. Face-meltingly scary stuff. How willing are we to accept pain in life with the good? Are we really living if we have "cheat codes"? This needs to be a film! 4⭐️s!??

Was terribly sick today. Apparently I caught whatever my poor baby had, which developed into yet another double ear infection. 😞 So I'm starting off the weekend with lots of minty chest rub, hot tea, and our #literarycrew #buddyread book, hoping to get a good start on the #24B4Monday #Readathon! #TeamStoker #Scarathlon

While I didn't find the romantic relationship nearly as believable in this book compared to Jason and Daniela Dessen in Dark Matter, their relationship kinda grew on me, and a few quotes pulled at my heartstrings, particularly this one.

“I‘ll be in that Portland bar in October of 1990, waiting for you.”

“You won‘t even recognize me.”

“My soul knows your soul. In any time.” 😭 #BOTM

1. To read a full hour uninterrupted is my only hourly goal. 😂
2. More of a mood reader, but try to have a list of options
3. Tea, wine, nuts, candy, fruit
4. Generally a night 🦉
5. Enjoy getting extra reading time in, even if you don't hit 24hrs
6. Mostly horror this time
7. Likely all 3
#24B4Monday #Readathon #Scarathlon #TeamStoker

Annnddd I received my physical package from @Twainy for #NightmareSwap!! Thanks so much, I can't wait!! 🤗

#AllHallowsReadSwap and #NightmareSwap packages are on their way! Both estimated to arrive by Friday. Fingers crossed they make it safely! 🤞🏽

@Twainy Hi Nancy, I think I found you!! 🤗 Thank you sooo much for the Audible gifts!! It's been a crazy last few days with a sick baby, so I am just now seeing this! I ❤️ #Audible!!! I will likely take your suggestion and use one on The Institute. I've been wanting to read it and heard the #audiobook version is great! This was so kind and just right for me, thank you so much!! 😊🙌🏽🎉🎃#NightmareSwap

It arrived...with sooo many unexpected goodies!! You are far too kind!! 😭😭 I ❤️ it all!! The socks are so soft!! I ❤️ hot chocolate! The magnetic notepad will be perfect for grocery & to-do lists on our fridge! The beautiful kitchen towel, the awesome bookmarks, the notes...I am blown away! I just got The Water Dancer & your review makes me want to bump it up my TBR! I have wanted to read Angela's Ashes for such a long time, THANK YOU so much!🤗

The core of this story focuses on the effects of the birth of Melody, born to teenage parents, told non-linearly from multiple POVs. It's character-driven, but I never felt an emotional connection that made me invested in the characters' lives. Several major themes are presented, including the Tulsa massacre that destroyed Black Wall Street, sexual identity, parenting & classism, but they felt surface level. This one just wasn't for me. 3⭐️s

Has anyone tried the company #blinddatewithabook? I've been wanting to order from them for a while, & a couple of weeks ago I finally did. I think I've found a new addiction! 😩 The international shipping was faster than expected, & the packaging is so perfect I almost don't want to open them!! I did a #Horror theme, & I'm sure there's bound to be a #Monster in this stack! #ScreamathonPhotoChallenge #Scarathlon #ChillingPhotoChallenge #TeamStoker

#LMPBC #Round7 #GroupC here are my picks! I originally thought I was leaning toward the tagged book, but now I'm torn lol. I have a mix of modern and traditional classics. Let me know your thoughts! Books tagged in the comments.

Okay#LMPBC #Round7 #GroupI today was crazy so I'm just now able to post my choices. I'll tag them in the comments as well. 4 contemporary and 2 classics. I'm kind of leaning towards the tagged book, Signs Preceding the End of the World, but let me know what you all prefer!

Image from earlier, but hubby is just as unhappy right now lol. I'm just trying to finish this mind-bender while sipping some bubbly rosé.??‍♀️ #Football #FallIsBooked People are monsters in this read, so 1pt for #Scarathlon #TeamStoker

This had a great premise, but as other reviewers noted, kind of fizzled towards the end. The idea of an organization forcing child kidnap for ransom was intriguing, & I even liked the background on who was behind the chain. But I wasn't drawn in by any characters except maybe the kids, the bad guys were a bit cartoonishly evil, & by the end the chapters were too short & jumped around too much. Lots of suspension of disbelief required. 2.75⭐️s

Catching up on some #FallIsBooked prompts. #OrangeCover and #Bonfire. These two books are still on my TBR, but I think they are perfect for this Fall season, so I'm moving them up to hopefully read next month!

Finally getting a chance to watch this domestic suspense film thanks to Prime Video! I love the casting. It's perfect. I'm thoroughly entertained so far. #Scarathlon #TeamStoker 1pt

My current read/listen. A spin on the old school chain letters, this is the stuff of #UrbanLegend, only these parents must continue the chain by kidnapping other children, or their own may end up in a #Coffin! #Screamathon #ScreamathonPhotoChallenge #ScreamathonReadingChallenge #Scarathlon #ChillingPhotoChallenge #TeamStoker 1pt

Little one enjoyed learning her Halloween ABCs! We'll be reading this quite often this month thanks to @Sg1224. 😊 Playing a bit of catch up. A #BlackCat for #FallIsBooked. #Scarathlon #ChillingPhotoChallenge #BlackCat #TeamStoker 1pt plus 5pts directly related to Halloween and 2pts team theme = 8pts total!

Also using for #ScaryScavengerHunt Black Cover, About Halloween, With a Witch in It, With Zombies in It, and With a Pumpkin on the Cover! 🎃

Well apparently I'm a big scaredy-cat.? I've mastered public speaking thankfully, although it still makes me really nervous. I'm scared of how crazy people are these days. And I've admittedly watched a few too many "Monsters Inside Me" episodes and it's made me terrified of germs and parasites. ? #Scarathlon #TeamStoker 1pt

Whew! I am SO glad I saw this in time! I've been stalking the hashtag to make sure I didn't miss out like I did Round 6 lol. These fill up fast! Literary Fic was full, but it worked out perfectly b/c I slid into the last spot for #GroupC AND #GroupI (Classics & Int'l Translation) which will stretch me but are right up my alley! There are still some groups available! #LMPBC #Round7 https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080444aead2ca0ff2-l...

Yesterday was rough, so playing a bit of catch-up today! For #Scarathlon #ChillingPhotoChallenge #Spell I was thinking Harry Potter. 🧙🏽‍♀️And for #ScreamathonPhotoChallenge #Ghost I thought of Moaning Myrtle. 👻 #TeamStoker 1pt 🧛🏻‍♀️ #Screamathon

Now that I've added my wonderful #Screamathon books, I can post my "official" yet ridiculously over-ambitious #ScreamathonPhotoChallenge #SpookyTBR! Also including for my #FallIsBooked #OctoberTBR. Somehow, my new favorite candle didn't get featured in my previous #ScreamathonSwap posts, so it gets one of its own! @Sg1224 it smells AMAZING!! And I just love the little owl on top!! ????