I remember reading this one some 20 years ago and thinking it was ok with some good character dialogue but on this reread, I see how flawed and in some moments just unrealistic.

Not my favorite of Cruise's work as I don't reread this one often compared to the others but I always had a problem with the Nick, Bill, Quinn angle and some 20 yrs later, I have a definite answer for myself as to why.

This was a nice collection of Oliver's poems but I didn't fall in love with the imagery or the world themselves the way I did with her other work, 'Upstream'.

I'll have to visit more of her work as she has quite a few but all in all a short and good collection exploring the small moments of a life.

#pantone2024

I had this book on my TBR for a while and when I saw that it was the library summer book club pick, well I figured this would be a good time to read it but it's been months and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I found a lack of love and empathy within this family. All selfish, especially the daughters. That selfishness is also the catalyst for lot of what happens to them and their individual downfalls and add to the odd mish mash of themes.

I was intrigued by the book blurb and so grabbed it from the library looking for a new romance in between my reads but I found this one to be yes a HEA, but a lackluster one.

There is intrigue and action from the chapter 1 and I found it to be an okay second chance romance but it felt lacking in comparison to what the blurb provided for me.

I love the overall vibe of this manga.
I can't believe how many people just don't recognize Sakamoto at first glance but our latest new arrival, the not so sharp sniper, Mashimo is clueless at first.

The comedic misadventures just keeps going as a case of mistaken identity leads Lu being kidnapped by some inept kidnappers, leading a different story arc with even more new characters as I'm left on a cliffhanger at the end of this one.

This was a great read on a lot of women of color that were a part of the suffragist movement that hardly get talked about.

I loved that this book showcased other women from diverse backgrounds —Black, Asian, Native American, Puerto Rican, and more that were just as important to help drive rallies, speeches, and eyes to not just the suffragists, but towards segregation, women's inequality, and voting rights not just for women but people of color.

Nothing to do with the tagged book, but excuse me as I post about a whole bunch of reads because I'm just getting to them.
I was way too focused on reading and enjoying the reads, that I didn't post anything anywhere and some books were amazing reads and too good to not share.

I borrow a lot of ebooks from the library so making graphics after staring at a computer all day is not how I want to unwind so I grab another book instead 🤣

Sometimes 451 characters isn't enough to gush over a book and the feeeelllllssss associated with that book and that's my problem here but I will say that Grann did an amazing job of balancing historical information and providing it such a written way that spoke of the Osage's civilization with respect to race, perspective, culture, and colonialism.

#pantone2024 #popsugarreadingchallenge

I have too many feels for this story that Arden put together!

I found this to be a great read, at times an ode to the war and the people affected, and others time a magical tale laced with hope, and dash of madness yet highly detailed that I never lost my place or the realities of the time. To my surprise, the characters had to navigate through the war and it's nightmares but also their adaptation to seeing their world transformed.
#pantone2024

This was a fast paced and fun read.
Having never read any of the others in the series, I appreciated that the book stood very well on it's own as it was fairly focused on the main pair and didn't rely on the other books in the series since this was no.18.
If you love the "I'm in love with my brother's best friend" trope, then give this one a try.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I think I expected too much from this but the comic was disjointed and didn't have complete sentences. I wish there was more or maybe to have have picked a moment in her career and highlight that in detail instead of this jumble.

Not to mention that the inside artwork didn't match the cover. I hate that!

I loved this one
For a kid's book, the vibrant colors and use of the large text was fantastic and easy for young readers to read and follow.

More than anything I loved that it was bilingual and used English and Spanish throughout the 56 pages to tell the story of Toro and his friends as they discover they don't have enough money for tacos! And tacos are important!!!!

#pantone2024

I loved that in this volume, I'm seeing Charlie in a better place, both mentally and emotionally.
Both he and Nick, actually, are in a better place for themselves and I love that their relationship isn't being rushed and through Oseman, we get to see them go at their own pace.

This volume does have everyone thinking about their futures and next steps and I'm curious to see where Oseman takes everyone in the next volume.

I wasn't sure what to expect other than I've seen her name and books hyped up across socials.

This is a cute read. A little too much repetition as Sori keeps repeating to herself a lot of thoughts but were also just fixable, with some communication. The characters felt a bit flat but I am older than the demographic for this book so that could be it.

Nothing worth while or devastating happens but a solid second chance romance.
#pantone2024

I've lost count of how many times I've read this because I've been rereading this since before I started keeping track.

They have this great back n forth dynamic, each having their moments together, some highlighting their flaws and others in acceptance of their growing dynamic as they keep coming together time and time again and I can't help but fall for it every time.
Once that first rush of "this one" is in the page, I'm there for that. ?

This is like a mini trove of delights of his movies, excerpts from interviews and articles to highlight del Toro's work. Author's is a huge fan, and for an unofficial & unauthorized book, the author does a great job of collecting a lot of data that is probably common or known and mixes it with beautiful images from the various del Toro films and even some of the different inspirations that del Toro has mentioned.

Thanks @SerialReader for this read from my tbr!
lots of great world building and in the first few pages, I was able to see and depict what he wrote, which for me is a struggle with some older books, but not with this one.

Some parts of the books felt like a history lesson, others felt manic, and other moments were drawn out before looping back into the story but all in all, I never expected the ending and that was such a surprise.

This was an interesting listen.
I knew Mara Wilson was the voice of the faceless old woman on the podcast so I loved that I got right back into the character because of her narration.

I loved that this book gave me her story told through the span of lifetimes, hers and many others, in such a vivid detail that I'm glad it was done in a book rather than another episode on the podcast.

I struggled with this one.

Written from Matlin's first person perspective to that person's third person perspective just randomly before Matlin goes back to first person to finish the chapter which didn't help the odd pacing and overall awkwardness of the non linear.
She jumps all over the place without really going into too much detail or depth in the portion that I did read before I bailed at 20%.

I am so happy to say I finally finished this one! It's been on my TBR since who knows when 🤣

Larson wrote a very detailed, and I do mean very, account of the Chicago's World Fair, the atmosphere and history of the time, as well as the serial killer hiding within.
Larson is a great researcher, this I'm sure of, and gave me so much new information specific to the fair but all in all, while I had a few disconnects.
#24in2024

My #weekendreads this weekend
@rachelsbrittain

There was quite a bit to love about this book.
The characters are well done and I love how communicative the main pairing eventually become to each other as the book progress as Ada and Wes are strangers at the beginning so it was nice to feel a slower, calmer, narrative of strangers becoming more in comparison to some past reads.

I'm a sucker for a softer man falling in love and I feel like Sage did that really well here.

Solid 3.5 ⭐
I have to give it to Briggs, with my time lapse from the last book to now, it felt like I lost a few minutes between books as Briggs didn't reference too much into the past six books but moved right into this new chapter for Mercy Thompson which still has me shaking my head at her and her quick wit that leads her into trouble.

#fromthetbr #bookdsreadsin2024

I feel for Konosuke.
This man, in volume 1, went through a lot in a short span so to see him here, a bit lost and confused due to a memory-erasing hex, is giving me a lot of feels as the author sets up the story a little further alog with the introduction of a new character Aki, which is looking to be a key character as this story develops.

I'm in love with the art style and the character design of every character I've seen so far.

For some reason, I struggled with this one.

There were some great insights and analysis and I thoroughly enjoyed how much more I learned about these deities but at some point it felt too much like an essay filled with dated or not needed pop culture that took away from whatever point the author might be making.
#popsugarreadingchallenge

This is a book that is going to stay with me long after today.

I am speechless with how much I want to talk about this but also aware I don't have all the words I need to use to express how amazing this book really is. At moments, I was left breathless, hair raised and goosebumps all over from the tension and fear radiating from the pages and in some moments just held in suspense at what I was hearing as Joniece Abbott-Pratt narrated this book

All Sakamoto wanted was a nice family day at the amusement park but with a bounty on his head and him trying to hide it from the family, well it's easier said than done.
Another action packed volume that also had me laughing. How could I not, when after a heated match, he loses like more than half of his body weight and somehow manages to gain it back the next day 😂
#pantone2024

Another book from my TBR list and I for one am happy to check this off.

I wish there was more of Sebastian moments. I feel that really could have helped his character's arc from rake to husband of convenience to caring and loving at the end because while I enjoyed the book, I just didn't really fall for it but I had moments were maybe with a little more something, I could have.

#pqntone2024

This is Konosuke's story as he's the down and out samurai that is at his wits end before the mysterious Tsuki finds him and makes an interesting proposition but nothing is really given about her. She is a mystery and the author chooses to shape the story in such a way that by as these two are finding themselves in a comfortable union and are getting to know each other, all hell breaks loose and I'm left with a cliffhanger!!!!
#pantone2024

Omg what a great volume and a very Anya-centric one as the opening story started with her getting her puppy as a reward from the last volume.
And what a puppy. He's larger than her, fluffy, and a protective cinnamon roll and I love him.
This good boy protected Anya throughout the entire volume, risking himself from all the dangers that kept coming and without spoiling too much got into himself adopted by the Forgers 🥰

Haha omg Twilight is a fantastic and shameless liar and I love him.

This volume started with dinner with Yuri, Yor's brother who is not who he says he is but then again is anyone in this story who they say they are 😂
The tension between Yor and Twilight, the action, the espionage, and the dodgeball scene had me laughing along with each new mission.

Book 15 of the year!
I absolutely loved that right from the beginning, it was easy to imagine this story about a boy and the graveyard that not just saves him but allows him to grow and learn from. I was entertained by y the additional amount of spirits, ghouls, and specters that Gaiman intros us to.
Gaiman narrates this story and I love that he narrates most of his books because there is something quite magical in how he reads them.

I saw this title in a pic someone posted about manga recommendations and it was everything they listed!!!
Absolutely loved the quick pace, the art style, the action filled scenes and that love has the power to change people because Sakamoto is proof that love is powerful enough to turn him away from his previous hitman lifestyle.
#pantone2024

I love a slow-burn romance but it's been a while since I've read one that I enjoyed from opening line to the last one.
Her Emmy and Brooks had me hooked. Sage has a great way of writing that really showed through the more I read, even as I tried hard to pace myself, but this one was too good and it gave me what I needed.

#pantone2024 #24in24 #taylorswiftreadingchallenge

I can't wait for my library hold for the next one.

Book no.12
It was fast, action-filled, and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The dialogue is fast-paced, well-written, and witty. I was in love with the first-person POV of Din, the "Watson" to Ana, the "Holmes" if you will of this mystery thriller, they have such an interesting dynamic, which I loved as he's her apprentice. I can't get over how much I loved reading about her from his pov.

Book no.11 of the year!
I've read a different version of Homer's work but I was intrigued by this one and I have to say that I do love Wilson's translation of this epic poem.
Her use of modern language and choice of iambic pentameter for her translation felt new and contemporary and it was easier to read and visualize for me. This alone was a challenge as she managed to keep the same number of verses from the original Greek! Kudos Wilson 🎉🎉

I can't believe it's over...
it took me a while to getting around to this trilogy after Fangirl mainly because I wasn't sure what to expect but I don't know why I doubt. Rowell gave me a fantastic set of characters that outgrew what I knew from their first iteration and she added depth, layers, and growth all throughout. So freaking well done!!
#pantone2024 #24in2024 #popsugarreadingchallenge #fromthetbr

Book no.9 for the year
Still in love with this family.
Volume two picks up right after the last and a lot is riding on poor little Anya's shoulders but Twilight and his organization might be asking for too much there 😂
Especially as Anya has to get close to the target's son, Damian, which might be easier said than done. The child is smarmy and Anya, who I think has little to no social cues, is trying her hardest but Anya is becoming a fave for me

Book no.8
What an amazing , fun,and action filled first volume!
Right from the first few pages I was intrigued by Twilight, loved Anya's spirit and fell for Yor.
Endo went straight into the story with little fuss but in a great and fun way of letting the action depict more of who they are through facial expressions and body language.

Loved this first volume a lot and I can't wait to jump into the next one!

Book no7
I borrowed this on a whim after seeing the film 😅
The third person narration is ok. A bit odd to me considering how much emotion is coming through Hadley's character as the story centers around her but all in all a solid read with a whirlwind romance, a bit of they will they or won't they trope, and the dialogue between Hadley and Oliver was cute and lent it itself nicely to a more believable romance for me than other young adults books.

I am so delighted to have read this and yet mad that I just read it for the first time, now, at my age, because this book was absolutely magical and delightful.

This book is just such a sweet, simple read and yet full of layers in an easy enough language for the age group that it's written for. I love that the author breaks the 4th wall throughout the book to connect with the reader.

Absolutely loved this!

I can't believe this last book!!
Stroud did an amazing job of keeping me not just on the edge of my seat but also laughing thanks to Skull these last few books as he's gotten more and more lines as he's a bit more integral to the story.
So many great moments but more than anything I loved how much the characters grew from book one. I mean.... This last one had so much going on and I loved every minute of it.
#24in2024 #books2024

An adorably drawn ode to platonic love.
It's sparse but that's the beauty of it as I kept flipping the pages because the few intersected words work hand in hand with the matching illustrations.

In hindsight, this feels like an unsent letter or text. The thing that gets written in deep thought as we think about, or maybe overthink, about something. It's short and well written.
#fromthetbr

I love the progression of the characters from book one till now!

Having been able to read them rather one after the other definitely helps to see the progression as I appreciate that Stroud doesn't talk about the past books too much as some others, but more as a quick note and in the form of a memory or a past conversation that is coming back to the current story.
#fromthetbr #readin2023

As I posted about The Creeping Shadow, I realized I didn't post the other books 🙃😅

Loved Book no.2 of the series - Character arcs have deppened since book one as Lucy is definitely part of Lockwood and Co. now and fully integrated. Loved the further interactions between Lucy and George as they settle since their dynamic within the team as the investigate their current job.

What a way to not just start but end a book!

Tension is running high from the start of the book and Stroud did a fantastic job of mixing in wit, humor, fantasy, mystery and suspenseful moments all throughout. I'm actually a bit upset at that surprise ending on this one because I didn't see it coming 😂 but I'm already off to go find the next and last book of the series.
#pantone2024 #fromthetbr #taylorswiftreadingchallenge

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I wanted to really love this but I just couldn't get or understand the FMC. She's irresponsible on so many different levels, that I'm not sure how she's managed to live this far, based on her actions in the book, is astounding. I loved the MMC and his family, a bit of a hero complex, but all in all it was an ok novella.

My first read of 2024 was my last read of 2023 that I just couldn't finish 😂but that's okay I was also trying to not overstress about my reading during the holidays.
And since I finished this one this year, it fits I to this year's challenges 😁

@BarbaraBB thanks for tagging me because I am so doing this challenge again! #pantone2024 #fromthetbr #taylorswiftreadingchallenge

I was 29/30 books for the #pantone2023 challenge and I still have to post some books here but I was very proud of how many I managed to fit!

@Clwojick this was a fun challenge

Such a great story on a Frankenstein-style tale of sisters and the depths one is willing to take to bring her sister back at any cost leading to very unexpected results leading to more questions.

The opening was such a heart wrenching moment and sets up the voice for the lead MC, M, as she navigates a world she's been forced into. M is so open, unguarded, both in expression and mannerisms.