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rockpools

rockpools

Joined April 2016

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Whale by Cheon Myeong-Kwan
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Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett
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Of Saints and Miracles by Manuel Astur
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The Librarian by Salley Vickers
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rockpools
Untitled | Unknown
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Happy Sunday!

I thought I‘d get some predictions in for the #InternationalBookerPrize2023. And then put them on a ridiculously cheerful springlike not-remotely-dark backdrop - because obviously that‘s what IBP books call for.

The longlist lands on Tuesday, when we‘ll discover
1. I‘m wildly wrong about everything
2. I‘ve read none
3. The list is way grimmer than mine
4. And has least 3 chunksters!

Anyone else attempting the longlist this year?

rockpools Disclaimer: it‘s entirely possible that a couple of these aren‘t even eligible. I *think* they‘re all in with a shot, but πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ 2w
batsy Lol re: cheerful backdrop πŸ˜† I will once again with great enthusiasm attempt the longlist (& probably only end up reading two or something, as per my personal tradition!) 2w
TrishB We‘ll watch for your big reveal! 2w
See All 23 Comments
Suet624 After attempting to read the tournament of books selections I usually find I want to read my TBR pile. One year I‘ll switch it up and read booker books instead. 2w
squirrelbrain I agree with you @Suet624 - although I‘m reading the Women‘s Prize longlist now instead. πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ 2w
Suet624 @squirrelbrain haha. Great idea. That may actually be more to my liking. 2w
MicheleinPhilly @batsy πŸ’―% me when I take on any reading challenge. 2w
BarbaraBB I don‘t know any of your predictions but I am looking forward to the longlist. I will definitely read some, but probably not all. I hope our friend @Simona will tune in to share her recommendations with us! 2w
rockpools @Suet624 @squirrelbrain There are loads i fancy reading on the Women‘s Prize list this year - but I never get to them because the timing‘s so close to this one. I wish they‘d spread themselves out a little! And I think I‘m going to let you read all the Women‘s Prize list, Helen, then I‘ll read the ones you recommend 😊 2w
rockpools @batsy Yay! To be fair, I don‘t think I ever get to half of them - but it‘s fun trying! 2w
rockpools @TrishB It‘ll probably be a big β‰οΈπŸ˜΅β€πŸ’«πŸ€― - that‘s how it usually works! 2w
rockpools @MicheleinPhilly πŸ˜‚ I think this is the only one I make decent inroads into. Everything else fizzles very early on πŸ˜• 2w
rockpools @BarbaraBB In truth, I never do read all of them. But I‘m hoping for a head-start with some I‘ve already read this year (never going to happen). And yes, we miss you @Simona 😘 2w
squirrelbrain If either of the Pereine books make the list, let me know as I have them and I can send them to you. Haven‘t read them of course! 🀣 2w
rockpools @squirrelbrain πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚Thank you! I actually have Of Saints… Bet you can‘t guess whether *I‘ve* read it! Had great plans to get through all the possibles on my shelves before Tuesday - and got distracted by a swashbuckling historical murder-mystery with a healthy dose of economic history. As one does… 1w
BookwormM Love the cheerful background so ironic 1w
BookwormM Can you email me your list as my eyes can‘t read some in your photo. Back on steroid eye drops again πŸ˜ͺ 1w
rockpools @BookwormM Oh, I‘m so sorry! And actually there are a few horrible photos there. I‘ll email it over now. 1w
rockpools Body Kintsugi by Senka Marić, tr. Celia Hawkesworth
Of Saints and Miracles by Manuel Astur tr. Claire Wadie
Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel, tr. Rosalind Harvey
The Private Lives of Trees by Alejandro Zambra tr. Megan McDowell
Tell Me About It by Sacha Naspini, tr. Clarissa Botsford
Whale by Cheon Myeong-Kwan, tr. Chi-Young Kim
1w
rockpools Greek Lessons by Han Kang, tr. Deborah Smith and Emily Yae-Won
Is There Rush Hour in a Third World Country by Rogelio Braga, te. Kristine Ong Muslim
Call Me Cassandra by Marcial Gala, tr. Anna Kushner
Salt Crystals by Cristina Bendek, tr. Robin Myers
So Distant from My Life by Monique Ilboudo, tr. Yarri Kamara
Thread Ripper by Amalie Smith, tr. Jennifer Russell
Chinatown by Thuan, tr. Nguyen An Li
1w
Centique I love hearing your reports back on the International Booker. You are a great source of reccs! Will be exciting to see if your early picks make it. 1w
Suet624 Thanks for typing that list out. Screenshot it. 1w
rockpools @Centique Aw, thank you Paula 😊. Weβ€˜re reviewing over on the https://thereadersroom.org/ if you want 3 times as many predictions (we only agreed on one, and I still have no idea how to review it! 🐳) Very much looking forward to tomorrowβ€˜s longlist. Iβ€˜m the most prepared Iβ€˜ve ever been, so theyβ€˜re bound to be 12 books Iβ€˜ve never even heard of, plus maybe one I dislike πŸ‘Ž intensely. 1w
47 likes23 comments
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rockpools
You're Thinking about Doughnuts | Michael Rosen, Sarah Tisdall
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I mean…

Title β˜‘οΈ
Cover β˜‘οΈ
Author β˜‘οΈ

RaeLovesToRead Can relate 2w
rockpools @RaeLovesToRead Have since been spotting doughnuts everywhere all week. People just walking down the street eating doughnuts. THIS IS NOT NORMAL! 2w
Centique I‘m always thinking about doughnuts tbh πŸ˜‚ 1w
50 likes3 comments
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rockpools
Untitled | Unknown
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I really need to write some reviews! In the meantime, here‘s my beautifully coordinated #bookreport for this week.

I finished 3 whole books πŸŽ‰
If the River is Hidden: gorgeous nonfiction/poetry/travel/stuff, along Northern Ireland‘s River Bann
A Three Dog Problem: Yeah. Meh.
Whale: I really hope this makes the International Booker Prize longlist, simply because I want someone else‘s views on it. In the words of StoryGraph, It‘s

rockpools Complicated. Uncomfortable, fantastical, rambling and complicated.

Ongoing
Island to Island - a Somerset couple move to the Seychelles to run a nature reserve. Well-written and honest, but I don‘t love it yet.

Afraid I‘m not even going to attempt a #WeeklyForecast this week, but it could include The Whalebone Theatre (there‘s a theme!), something middle-grade, and some more IBP prep!
(edited) 3w
squirrelbrain They all sound really interesting… apart from the dog one! 😁 3w
Cathythoughts Lovely report β™₯️ 3w
See All 13 Comments
Cinfhen I‘m sooooo curious about Whale 🐳 off to see how expensive it isπŸ˜‰ 3w
rockpools @Cinfhen Eek! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Disclaimer, I didn‘t actually recommend it. I just want someone else to read it! I am going to have so much trouble reviewing this one! 2w
rockpools @Cathythoughts Thanks Cathy 😘 2w
rockpools @squirrelbrain You might like the top two! And yes, Whale is interesting πŸ€” 2w
Cinfhen Hahaha 🀣 that‘s hilarious!!!!! I‘m still SUPER CURIOUS about it!!!! 2w
rockpools @Cinfhen Yeah. That pretty much translated as NO, CINDY, DON‘T HIT THE ONE-CLICK BUTTON! Though, to be fair, I‘m super-curious about it too, and I just finished it! πŸ™ƒ 2w
Cinfhen It‘s not available for me yet!!! So I have time to wait…im gonna go the #BorrowNotBuy route - thanks Rachel for saving me from myself!! I did preorder this one though @Cathythoughts - I couldn‘t resist!!!! 2w
rockpools @Cinfhen You might find the US publication on NetGalley (but if you do, I deny everything 🫣!) Some reviewers have described it as magical realism, which I‘m not sure I‘d go with. Although technically, maybe. It‘s also described as satire, which may explain the problematic stuff. Or not. Who knows?! But it does have an elephant 🐘 and lots of bricks 🧱 πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ 2w
Cinfhen I actually dislike BOTH magical realism and satire but I do love elephants 🐘 so now I‘m more confused than curious πŸ€ͺ 2w
rockpools @Cinfhen This is an appropriate state of mind in which to approach this book! But Birman Wood sounds great - I‘m going to investigate that 😊 2w
52 likes13 comments
review
rockpools
A Three Dog Problem | Sj Bennett
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Mehso-so

Hmm, I‘m not too sure.

On one hand, the Queen discretely solving murders, with the help of her young assistant private secretary, is still a lot of fun. The author loves (some of) her royals! And who doesn‘t like a bit of art crime?

On the other πŸ˜•lots of things. The plot got more than a little convoluted. A whole host of heavy themes were in here, not all of them managed well. And it needed more dogs!

I *may* or may not read the next one!

iread2much More dogs makes every story better 😊 3w
51 likes1 comment
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rockpools
If the River is Hidden | Cherry Smyth, Craig Jordan-Baker
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Gorgeous morning here. Worth the trip to the other side of the river for a GP appointment. Yes, that is the ferry I got home.

Then started The River is Hidden (not in database), which was in my Republic of Consciousness Prize sub - a poetry-prose walk along the length of the River Bann, Northern Ireland, written by two authors with complicated relationships with English/Irish/Northern Irish identities.

I wonder if I could walk *this* river πŸ€”

jlhammar Beautiful pic! The book sounds excellent. 3w
44 likes1 comment
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rockpools
Untitled | Unknown
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In this week‘s #bookreport:
I finished
πŸ§™β€β™€οΈ A sweet witchy children‘s story, about a little witch who doesn‘t speak
🐰 Based on the author‘s story, a young Jewish girl leaves Germany just in time. So well done.
Still going with:
🐺Hobb. Going to have to switch to print now, but it‘s Fab.
πŸ‘‘ And enjoying being back at the palace with her majesty and her sleuthing. An entertaining read.

As for the #weeklyforecast

rockpools - it could be any of the 72 other books I‘m in the middle of, or (more likely) something completely different. Ho hum! 3w
Cinfhen I love how eclectic your reading taste was this week😁 3w
43 likes2 comments
review
rockpools
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Pickpick

In my ongoing hunt for pre-school appropriate books about #selectivemutism, I stumbled across this at work. An accepting story about a little witch whose words get stuck, making friends & saying what‘s important when she really needs to. A dragon is involved.

Things to note:
1. Written by a Speech & Language Therapist
2. Pictures are gorgeous
3. Wanda‘s β€˜condition‘ is never named, so could cover many things
4. Nosy Crow are awesome publishers.

CarolynM I love that first sentence. I can relate😬πŸ₯΄ 3w
rockpools @CarolynM πŸ€— 3w
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rockpools
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Libby ate my book. And I have to wait a whole month to get it back. I‘m feeling quite bereft. πŸ™

peanutnine I hate when that happens πŸ˜” 4w
rockpools @peanutnine Me too! I hope I can rustle up a print copy in the meantime! 4w
39 likes2 comments
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rockpools
Untitled | Untitled
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Morning, Litsy. #BookReport

I wasn‘t crazy-keen on the books I was reading this week, so I switched things up a little with a jumble of children‘s lit and translated wotnots. MUCH better.

🎢 Tenement Kid. Bit of an effort tbh.
πŸ“š Librarian. Fine, but not fab.
🐳 Whale. If I get through this I‘ll have lots to say. It could‘ve been brilliant. But instead, uck. Enough now.

rockpools 🐺 Hobb, enjoying, but more fantasy-fantasy than first book
🩲 Captain Underpants. Made my week. I actually finished this one 😁. New plan. More kids books in the diet!
🐰 Judith Kerr. Why have I never read this before?! She was a fabulous writerπŸ’”
🐠Of Saints and Miracles. This could go any which way, but I‘m loving it so far.

Hope your weekend is amazing. Happy reading 😊
1mo
julesG Successful week! 1mo
BkClubCare πŸ‘ (GREAT idea to read children‘s lit when in a reading slump…. πŸ€”) (edited) 1mo
See All 13 Comments
TrishB A good week, switching it around helped! 1mo
squirrelbrain A great week! I think I have Of Saints and Miracles on my physical TBR shelf, so I‘ll be interested to hear your thoughts. 1mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain It‘s very readable- but I‘m not sure I trust it! Will keep you posted. 1mo
rockpools @TrishB Definitely- I want to finish the first three, but can‘t honestly say I‘m enjoying them. Sometimes utter silliness helps! 1mo
rockpools @BkClubCare Absolutely! It‘s fun to see what else is out there. 1mo
rockpools @julesG of course I‘ve only actually finished one of them, but at least I‘m enjoying my jumble! 1mo
Cinfhen I LOVE this photo!!! Such delightful covers!!! 1mo
LeahBergen I‘ve always been meaning to read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. 1mo
rockpools @Cinfhen Chaos as usual- but there are a few fun reads in here! 1mo
rockpools @LeahBergen Yep, me too. She‘s very good at keeping it child-friendly without avoiding the fact that the dark stuff is out there. 1mo
54 likes13 comments
review
rockpools
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Pickpick

I‘ve spent LOADS of time this week being told how funny Captain Underpants is, by enthusiastic young readers. Or ordering in different titles for children who have read everything Underpants we have. Or just hunting for Dav Pilkey books, cos they refuse to stay on the shelf.

So this evening I decided to actually read one… Turns out they are quite fun. And I did like the Flip-E-Rama section. I might even be up for reading more.

Tra-La-Laaa!

BookishMadHatter I've read all of these with my daughters as well as the Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club books ... several times each actually lol. We have loads of fun with them 1mo
TEArificbooks The Investigators and Agent Moose are similar book series for those kids that have read all Dog Man/Dav Pilkey books 1mo
Aimeesue I will confess to loving the lo-tech Flip-E-Ramas in Pilkey's books. I'm easily amused. πŸ˜‚ 1mo
See All 6 Comments
rockpools @BookishMadHatter Dog Man is on the TBR. I didn‘t know Cat Kid was a thing, but will see what we have. They‘re a lot more fun than I expected! 1mo
rockpools @TEArificbooks THANK YOU! As a recovering business librarian, I‘ve a lot of catching up to do with the children‘s literature- this is VALUABLE INFORMATION. I‘ll check them out 😊 1mo
rockpools @Aimeesue Same. πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. I was reading on Kobo, and read the instructions SO carefully! 1mo
56 likes6 comments
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rockpools
A Fortunate Woman | Polly Morland
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Another excellent read from @Mitch β€˜s #AuldLangSpine list.

Morland finds a copy of Berger‘s A Fortunate Man, the life of a rural doctor and his patients - and discovers it‘s set in the valley in which she lives. She approaches the current GP, to see if she‘d be interested in working with her on a modern-day version… and here it is.

rockpools I don‘t tend to go for medically books, so I wouldn‘t have picked this up on my own, but I very much appreciated it. The patients‘ stories are told with compassion, the doctor‘s belief in knowing her patients, and above all giving them time, and the conflict with the modern health system, all shine through. And then we reach the pandemic…

This was a really interesting, different look at life as a GP, what we value and what we risk losing.
1mo
rockpools Using this for #NonFiction2023 Harper Valley PTA (because it‘s set in The Valley), and #UKRoadTrip #Gloucestershire - which really surprised me. I thought it was Cumbria or somewhere! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jenniferw88 1mo
Mitch Glad you liked it. It‘s the first book β€˜pandemic‘ book I‘ve read and I was worried about that section. But the strength of hope and humanity just shines through. It caught me off guard and really touched my heart 1mo
42 likes3 comments
review
rockpools
Real Estate | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

NOT what I was expecting. And all the better for it.

The author is 59. Her youngest daughter is leaving home, her banana tree is part of the family, & the chances of her acquiring the grand house she‘s always planned are receding. So what Real Estate does she have? Or Un-Real Estate, come to that?

A surprisingly funny, wise, relatable, comfort-ready memoir-of-a-year in-essays type-thing. I will read her novels.

Audio read by Julia StevensonπŸ‘

Centique I love Julia Stevenson and want to get to this, so that‘s good to know! 1mo
rockpools @Centique It was a really good fit. Have you read others by Deborah Levy, Paula? 1mo
Centique @rockpools no I haven‘t, but I have Swimming Home sitting on my shelf and looking at me! Do you have a recc for where to start with Levy? 1mo
See All 7 Comments
rockpools @Centique Not a clue! I have to admit I‘d never been that enthusiastic- this was a completely random Libby find, while I was waiting for my next Robin Hobb to come in! And it‘s the final part of her memoir-of-sorts, so a wildly logical place to start 😜 But @batsy @Graywacke and @squirrelbrain have all recommended Hot Milk, so that‘ll probably be what I try next 1mo
squirrelbrain I really need to try these autobiographical ones, although I might start with the first one…! (Sensible, but boring, that‘s me! 🀣) 1mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain Nah, just less scatterbrained than some of us 🫣 - if I waited to read things in order, I‘d get through even less than I do now! I want to go back to the start now I know I enjoy her writing. 1mo
Graywacke I'm glad you enjoyed this. 1mo
56 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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rockpools
Of Saints and Miracles | Manuel Astur
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It‘s my day off. The books I‘m reading are not necessarily the books I want to be reading right now.

Obvious solution (I really wish this wasn‘t the obvious solution!) - start something else. This is the preface. Ok!

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rockpools
Untitled | Untitled
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#BookReport #WeeklyForecast

Afternoon all! This is what my reading‘s looking like at the moment. I‘ll be honest - it‘s a slightly odd combination, and it really is all about the audio at the moment. I‘m being a bit grinchy, and a bit lurgy (AGAIN) so take everything I say with a large pinch of salt. Unless it relates to Robin Hobb. And I am SO far behind with reviews, this might just turn into an extended essay πŸ™

rockpools πŸ”΄ Real Estate. I‘ve never read Deborah Levy before. After this relatable, surprisingly funny comfort-read/essay/memoir/thing, I will be reading her novels. I actually finished this one…
🟠 Royal Assassin:…then dived straight back into the Farseer world on audio. What HAVE you done to me, Litsy? Loving it!
🟑 Bobby Gillespie‘s autobiog was a birthday present last year. We‘ll see how we go, but not a resounding rave-about book so far 🫀
(edited) 1mo
rockpools 🟒 The Whale. This was an ARC, due last month, translated from the Korean. On the one hand the storytelling‘s great. And how cool is that cover? On the other, WTF??! Much problematicness. Will attempt to finish as it has International Booker written all over it. But 🫣
πŸ”΅ The Librarian was in my Secret Santa- light and enjoyable if not always convincing.

Happy reading! Hi Cindy 😁 @Cinfhen
(edited) 1mo
TrishB I‘d just like to remind you that Fitz is my literary boyfriend 😁❀️ 1mo
See All 15 Comments
batsy The only thing I've read by Deborah Levy is Hot Milk and it was so good! 1mo
rockpools @TrishB Noted πŸ˜‚ 1mo
rockpools @batsy I‘ll read that first then. I must admit, the blurb didn‘t appeal at all when it came out, but I‘ve SO enjoyed this one… 1mo
rockpools @TrishB Although I thought that was Duke What‘s-He-Called (it was either William or Henry) from Eleanor of Aquitaine‘s time! 1mo
TrishB Well he was a real person, so he‘s sort of my historical boyfriend 😁 Definitely William. (They‘re all William or Henry aren‘t they!) 1mo
rockpools @TrishB Of course! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ 1mo
squirrelbrain I love your wrap-ups and forecasts Rachel! Sorry you‘re lurgyish again. thought Hot Milk was amazing too! @batsy I haven‘t read any more of hers yet, but did just get the new one on #netgalley 1mo
Graywacke I love Deborah Levy. Well, I‘ve read two terrific novels by her and I‘m hoping to read more. Noting Real Estate. 1mo
Graywacke @rockpools seconding Hot Milk! ( @batsy ) Fun book. 1mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain Thanks Helen. Hot Milk it is then - I‘m trying hard not to look at NetGalley, until I have at least 2 more reviews under my belt! So I‘ll pretend I haven‘t seen that August Blue exists - at least until tomorrow.., 1mo
rockpools @Graywacke I think Real Estste is the 3rd bit of her autobiographyish thing, in case you need to read in order (I rarely do). What was the other Levy you read? Somehow I really wasn‘t expecting her to be fun! 1mo
Graywacke @rockpools i listened to The Man Who Saw Everything. Actually I listened twice because I couldn‘t make sense of it the first time (but still liked it). The second time I caught on. It‘s very playful in its own way. I loved it. 1mo
48 likes15 comments
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rockpools
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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On the hunt for a #QuietYA book for #Booked2023, I thought I‘d give this a go. Korean-American Frank falls for a white girl. His parents have already disowned his sister, for falling for a black guy. So he needs a plan…

Itβ€˜a titled as a predictable romance, but this isn‘t where it goes. It‘s much more about feeling you fall between worlds, working out your identity, friendships & getting to know your parents. Sad & funny. Narrator was excellent.

Cinfhen Sounds great!!! 2mo
42 likes1 comment
review
rockpools
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Pickpick

I loved loved loved this book.

A series of essays stemming from the North Sea coast of Denmark, where the author explores the environment, home, history, belonging, the city, art, the sea, the seafarers, and all sorts, with a dry humour.

With gorgeous illustrations by her friend Signe Parkins, this was a quite lovely read, and it may be time to renew my passport and get exploring again.

rockpools Thank you for introducing me to this @Mitch through #AuldLangSpine. I‘ve loved reading the books on your list, and have a few more to read throughout the year ☺️. And thank you for putting all of this together, with such great matches @monalyisha / I‘ve really enjoyed my January reading! 2mo
Mitch I had the exact same reaction. It‘s been nearly 10 years since I‘ve been to this region and the book soooooo made me want to return! 2mo
rockpools @Mitch In the early 2000s, me and a friend did a bunch of North Sea β€˜mini-cruises‘ - which translates as packing a suitcase full of books and catching a seriously cheap ferry there-and-back. We did the Harwich-Esbjerg one she mentions in the book (it was as described!) and actually spent a few days in Esbjerg visiting Ribe, Fanø and Copenhagen. But now I‘m wondering if I‘m up for a bit of solo Euro travel- it‘s been AGES since I‘ve been away away! 2mo
56 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
rockpools
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Pickpick

A complete surprise, combining a memoir of the author and his father, whose β€˜together‘ activity was eel fishing, with a natural/social history of the eel, and what we don‘t know about them. I went in (honestly?) indifferent to eels, and came out with respect and fascination for these stubborn, elusive creatures. Great stuff!

Thanks for prompting this read #naturalitsy! #NonFiction2023 #RollingInTheDeep #NaturalitsyBingo #Water

jlhammar I agree! Great review. 2mo
AllDebooks Love this! Great review x 2mo
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rockpools
Untitled | Unknown
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Happy Weekend, Litsy!

So this week I finished my first Robin Hobb, and was very tempted to dive straight into the next book. But at 29 hours, I‘d best go for a break in between times!

Lots of nonfiction, thanks to #AuldLangSpine and #NaturalLitsy. And why have I not read Dorthe Nors‘s fiction yet?

And started Frankly in Love as an attempt at QuietYA for #Booked2023. I had no idea about David and Nicola Yoon‘s story.

rockpools That‘s my #BookReport. I‘m declaring 1st of Feb the start of my new year, as Dec/Jan were a write-off and I have next week as leave - so for my #weeklyforecast, mainly the same, but also finishing as much half-read stuff that‘s lying about as humanly possible. What can possibly go wrong? πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ 2mo
TrishB Oh Rachel, I‘m so glad you loved the Hobb, you have wonderful treats ahead β™₯️ (edited) 2mo
rockpools @TrishB I was slightly nervous in case I hated it 🀣 - I rattled through it in no time! 2mo
See All 6 Comments
TrishB That one is of course the shortest one 😁 2mo
Cathythoughts That‘s a great result β™₯️ 2mo
Cinfhen That‘s a great endorsement for the Robin Hobb trilogy #MaybeOneDay 2mo
51 likes6 comments
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rockpools
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Pickpick

It took me while to settle in, but once I had I rattled thro‘ - simply loved being in this world with Fitz.

It felt disturbingly current in places - Chivalry stepping away from his princely role, the powers that be appearing to do nothing in the face of threats to their people. And the misting felt very close to home!

The world she built is quite wonderful - even as a not-a-great-fantasy-reader, I can see myself coming back v soon for part 2!

Cinfhen I‘m considering reading (listening) to this one for #HighFantasy πŸ˜… 2mo
rockpools @Cinfhen *googles high fantasy* Works for me! I found it a surprisingly quick listen, Cindy - you could do much worse! 2mo
See All 10 Comments
wanderinglynn Ooh, I love Robin Hobb! 2mo
rockpools @wanderinglynn I‘m so pleased! I‘d heard such great things, but was worried it‘d be a disappointing not-for-me. It wasn‘t 😁 2mo
Librarybelle Hooray!! 2mo
TrishB I missed your great review 😁 2mo
Centique I‘m so glad you enjoyed it! 1mo
Centique @Cinfhen a couple of other ideas for you if this one doesn‘t work. Naomi Novik has two stand alone novels I loved - Spinning Silver and Uprooted. But if you end up wanting something shorter, perhaps the first Dark Materials book by Phillip Pullman (in the US it‘s called Golden Compass elsewhere called Northern Lights) It‘s middle grade but it‘s a compulsive read. Lyra the main character is a brilliant kid to root for. 1mo
Cinfhen Thanks for the suggestions @Centique FANTASY is so NOT my JAM - I need all the help I can get 1mo
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rockpools
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I‘m enjoying each chapter of this a little more. Essays set on the Danish North Sea coast - rather than a travelogue, they go wherever - memories, customs, geography, environment, belonging.

And a dry humour. Somehow I‘d never fancied reading Nors‘s fiction, despite being aware of her since the dawn of Litsy. Partly that may be down to her other book covers (how shallow! She‘s making up for it

rockpools here.) And partly because I‘ve β€˜grown into‘ more plotless stories over the past few years.

Really loving this though. #AuldLangSpine @Mitch @monalyisha
2mo
62 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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rockpools
Untitled | Untitled
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It really doesn‘t feel like a Saturday today! Anyhow…

I finished two whole books for #Readaroundtheworld. (Yes, one was from last October; yes, that was a challenge I was going to sit out this year. Ho hum!)

I‘m carrying on with Assassins Apprentice on audio, & I‘m quite surprised how much I‘m enjoying it. It doesn‘t feel *that* long (yet)!

Loving Line in the World - exploring the Danish North Sea coast.

And I need to catch up with Eels!

rockpools Combining my #weeklyforecast and #bookreport this week, as they really are just about the same. Also, can I congratulate myself on the fact that everything I‘m reading at the moment is utterly fabulous? It doesn‘t always happen! Happy reading, folks! 2mo
Cinfhen Yay!!!! So glad you‘re feeling better and loving your current reads!!! That is a cause for celebration πŸ₯³ 2mo
Cathythoughts Great stuff πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ» 2mo
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TrishB Great reading plans πŸ‘πŸ» 2mo
Centique Yay for Assassins Apprentice. That was a great world to escape into for me. And the memory of it has stayed strong. I hope you keep feeling better πŸ’• 2mo
rockpools @Centique It‘s quite a surprise! It‘s a lot less fantastical fantasy than I expected, but feels oh so current with the roles of the princes and everything- I‘m loving it. And not doing too badly thanks - I have next week off work and suspect I may sleep for 5 days solid - it‘s been a bit brutal. Hope things are ok with you? 2mo
Centique @rockpools yes all good here. His Elderliness gave us a few frights over Christmas but he has stabilised and back in the rest home so I was able to go away for a week of (mostly) sunshine πŸ’• 2mo
rockpools @Centique So sorry to hear about your Dad - that sounds really tough, but glad he‘s doing better now. And sunshine‘s always good 😊 😘 2mo
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Going in to my next #AuldLangSpine read - I‘ll be hanging out (reading-wise) on the west coast of Denmark for the next couple of weeks. I don‘t often go for print copies, even less hardcovers, but this is a BEAUTIFUL object!

I‘ve visited Esbjerg, Fanø and Ribe (about half-way up the map), so I have a small picture of the landscape she‘s describing.

Thanks @Mitch - I‘m really looking forward to this. Have you ever read her fiction?

Mitch It‘s a stunning book as an object in itself isn‘t it! 2mo
rockpools @Mitch it is. I only just twigged that the illustrator is her friend Signe, the frescoes lady. That probably explains all sorts! 2mo
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Pickpick

Cutting back on challenges this year is going great! We‘re 8 days in: rather than stepping away from #readaroundtheworld #Mexico altogether, maybe I‘ll just cheat & use children‘s books.

This was great - a picture-book/biog of Luz Jimenez, a Nahua girl who survived the Mexican Revolution & went on to become a model (for Diego Rivera & others) & educator. I confess to not having heard of Luz before- this was a fascinating introduction to her life.

MuddyPuddle Always love Tonatiuh‘s illustrations! 2mo
rockpools @MuddyPuddle I don‘t think I‘ve seen them before - but they‘re just perfect! 2mo
arlenefinnigan Reading children's books isn't cheating, go for it! Adults should read more children's books. 2mo
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Currey @rockpools @MuddyPuddle Totally agree. Children‘s books are not cheating, it merely indicates you are more evolved! 2mo
mandarchy As a person who reads mostly children's lit - I strongly support reading more children's lit - especially anything by Tonatiuh. 2mo
BookwormM LOL knew you couldn‘t resist a challenge 2mo
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The Offing | Benjamin Myers
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The first of my #AuldLangSpine books from @Mitch finished, and it was a good one!

A young post-war school-leaver sets out from Durham to spend the summer exploring, before heading back down the pit. But his meeting and friendship with Dulcie Piper changes everything- for both of them - as he starts to see there‘s more to the world than his village, and she faces past tragedies.

Beautiful and evocative - I‘d gladly read more by Benjamin Myers.

rockpools I‘m also using this for #UKRoadTrip #NorthYorkshire - the sense of place, nature writing and local customs around Robin Hood‘s Bay are wonderfully told. 2mo
Mitch Glad you enjoyed it ! I read it in the summer and it was hot ! It helped with the atmosphere I think so I was worried it might be so evocative read in winter! 2mo
rockpools @Mitch I can see how that would work! It was quite lovely though, and so summer-evocative! I was a bit slow getting into it, but I think that was Covid-brain doing it‘s thing - I loved uncovering Dulcie‘s past, and it made me want to head up to Yorkshire and spend some time up there! 2mo
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batsy I was just browsing through some of his available books at the store the other dayβ€”he seems to have a varied and interesting body of work. 2mo
rockpools @batsy He does. I think I‘ve had Pig Iron on my TBR since, well, the days of GoodReads, which I left who-knows how-many years ago. And the Golden Circle sounds like something I need to get to one day. 2mo
batsy @rockpools I have Gallows Pole on my list. And Beastings sounds like a good (if dark) one, too. I think that's basically all of his novels that sound interesting 😁 2mo
rockpools @batsy πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ Between us, I think we‘ve covered everything! Let me know how you get on if you read any of them. 2mo
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It may have taken me 3 months to read my #readaroundtheworld #armenia book, but I enjoyed it! It very much was β€˜scenes‘, vignettes, short stories, published in Armenian in 1930. It reminded me of Laurie Lee or Dylan Thomas - gentle & poetic, with a sense of fun (the camel that sits down in the snow and refuses to budge, his brothers love of raisins etc).

But then there‘s a huge amount of violence, murders,

rockpools Romeo-and-Juliet style deaths, and as you move through the book, increasing tensions between the Turks and Armenians, along with misunderstandings and falsely laid blame. And over it all is the spectre of the Armenian genocide, which is never directly mentioned, but alluded to, with β€˜the heavens falling in‘, particularly on his young female friends. I‘m glad I dug this out - I think it deserves to be more widely known. (edited) 2mo
BookwormM Sounds like a great choice 2mo
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Untitled | Anonymous
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Not expecting much reading time this week, but lots of nonfiction in the #WeeklyForecast.
It‘d be good to finish Armenian Childhood. It‘s really good - even if it‘s under 200 pages & I‘ve been reading it for a full 3 months!
Planning to get back to the Sackler dynasty. 😱after😱. Gripping.
Robin Hobb on audio - might take me a little while πŸ˜†. For #Booked2023 trilogy prompt.
And the next section of Eels for #Naturalitsy.

Have a good week, all πŸ€—

Cathythoughts Good luck with them all πŸ‘πŸ»β™₯️ 2mo
batsy This is so varied and interesting! Enjoy πŸ™‚ 2mo
TrishB 😯 good plans ahead! 2mo
squirrelbrain Have a good week! 2mo
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rockpools
Untitled | Unknown
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#BookReport

Well look at that! I am actually reading stuff. And aren‘t they pretty? Happy 2023!

This week -
πŸ„ Finished Ghost Music. Very strange, but loved it.
🐟 Started Eels for #NaturaLitsy. Who knew eels were so mysterious and interesting?! (Everyone, probably- but I didn‘t!)
🌾 Getting back to the Offing for #AuldLangSpine Beautiful, atmospheric, but a slow

rockpools start (with my Covid-brain, I‘ve needed my books to shout a bit louder to get through!) But we‘ve just got to a thing, and now I need to know!
🐢 And Assassin‘s Apprentice. I needed a new audio, and decided it was time. I have no idea where this is going, but it‘s quite gripping…

Happy reading, folks.
2mo
Cathythoughts Happy reading Rachel β™₯️ 2mo
TrishB A good week πŸ‘πŸ» hope you‘re on the mend. 2mo
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rockpools @Cathythoughts Thanks Cathy 😘 2mo
rockpools @TrishB Much better thanks Trish. But I could use a fortnight‘s sleep now - I‘m shattered! 😴 2mo
squirrelbrain Are you back at work yet Rachel? 2mo
Cinfhen Those covers are pretty!! Glad you‘re reading and feeling better πŸ’œ 2mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain Yes, went back this week. Not too sure how much work they‘re getting out of me - my head‘s elsewhere, and I‘m being crazy clumsy, but I‘m back! Hope you‘re doing well. 2mo
squirrelbrain Look after yourself Rachel. 😘 2mo
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Ghost Music | An Yu
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So. Many. Questions!

First book of 2023- strange, touching & quite lovely, but also Eh? Following the death of her father-in-law, piano-teacher Song Yan & her husband move to a new flat, with space for her MIL. Then mystery mushroom deliveries start arriving. And Song Yan discovers how little she knows of her husband‘s past

This would be a fab book club discussion - no-one would agree what it‘s actually about!!

Did I mention talking mushrooms?

Reggie Sounds fantastic! 3mo
rockpools @Reggie I‘d love your thoughts on this if you ever read it. Happy New Year, Reggie! 3mo
rockpools I‘m doing minimal challenges this year, but I‘m going to attempt to keep up with those I‘m doing (although I‘m a random order as always) so #nobuy2023 @PuddleJumper (this was the most recent book given to me) and #booked2023 #weirderthanexpected. @alisiakae @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen Start the year as I mean to go on with this one! 3mo
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Reggie Happy New Year, Rachel! And good luck on all your challenges. 3mo
Cinfhen How are you feeling???? Definitely sounds WEIRD and a little wonderful 3mo
rockpools @Cinfhen Knackered and far too much coughing, but otherwise not too bad. Planning on starting new year properly next week, when I‘m functioning more fully! And I love that #CelebrateWeirdosDay is a thing, even if we‘re months away from it 🀣🀣 3mo
rockpools @Reggie Cheers Reggie, and happy reading! Can‘t wait to see what bizarre horror titles you‘ll tempt me to pick up this year (even though I never DO get through them πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ) 3mo
Cinfhen Hahaha 🀣 glad you‘re on the mend β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ή xx 3mo
Knitmaths #CelebrateWeirdosDay I finally feel accepted! Can we celebrate this at the library?!!!!!! 3mo
rockpools @Knitmaths Ha! I think we should go all out on this one! 😁 3mo
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Untitled | Unknown
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Welcome to Litsy @Knitmaths ! I hope you enjoy it here - you might even find a few book recommendations πŸ˜‰

Heather‘s a read-y, crafty friend from work who has Litten written all over her (but doesn‘t know it yet!). Please drop by and say hi!

And Heather - a couple of hashtags you might want a look at #litsycrafters #naturalitsy #booked2023

Have fun! 😊

Ruthiella @Knitmaths Welcome to Litsy! πŸ˜ƒ 3mo
hannah-leeloo Welcome to litsy @Knitmaths 3mo
Cathythoughts Welcome @Knitmaths πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ˜ƒ 3mo
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LeahBergen Hello, @Knitmaths ! πŸ‘‹ 3mo
Itchyfeetreader Hello @knitmaths ! Welcome 3mo
julesG Welcome to Litsy @Knitmaths ! πŸ™‚ 3mo
batsy Hi @Knitmaths ! Welcome to Litsy. 3mo
CarolynM Welcome to Litsy @Knitmaths πŸ‘‹ 3mo
AllDebooks Hi @Knitmaths wecome to Litsyland x 3mo
quietjenn Hello and welcome, @Knitmaths πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ 3mo
Knitmaths Thank you so much everyone!! Looking forward to all your book recommendations! 3mo
Soubhiville Welcome @Knitmaths ! Hope you‘ll love it here! πŸ“šπŸ“šπŸ“š 3mo
Jas16 Welcome @Knitmaths 3mo
Dragon Welcome to Litsy @Knitmaths πŸ’šπŸ‰ 3mo
fredamans Welcome to Litsy! 3mo
BarbaraBB Welcome to Litsy @Knitmaths πŸ˜€ 3mo
ozma.of.oz Welcome @Knitmaths to Litsy! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ (edited) 3mo
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Finishing up #12booksof2022 with 3 from the end of the year. Obviously my record-keeping was a bit flakey, but these more-or-less match up with the months.

Wild-built β€οΈπŸ€–πŸ«– Glad I finally got to Becky Chambers

Cities πŸŒƒ Strange but I loved it

Open Water ❀️ A story of a relationship, of life as a black man in London, of art and music… Amazing debut!

Thanks for organising @Andrew65 - I‘ve loved looking back and seeing everyone‘s picks!

Andrew65 Yet more good choices. Thanks for playing along, it‘s been a good way to review the year, and pack out our TBRs πŸ˜‚ 3mo
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Ghost Music | An Yu
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Starting the year in a weird and wonderful way. It begins with a talking mushroom, so… Plus piano music. What more do you want in a novel?!

sarahbarnes I just checked this out from the library! 3mo
rockpools @sarahbarnes I hope you like it! It‘s seriously weird. πŸ„ 3mo
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In the summer my record-keeping went to pot! So here are 3 books I read around then that were EXCELLENT (even if they don‘t directly correspond to a month!)

Oxygen Mask (US: Ain‘t Burned All the Bright) - stunning graphic novel poem/artwork.
Darkness - fascinating non-fiction around light pollution and it‘s effects
Telegraph Club: Lovely historical coming of age story, set in San Francisco‘s Chinatown.

All highly recommended! #12booksin2022

Andrew65 All look good reads. 3mo
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rockpools
Fifty Words for Snow | Nancy Campbell
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#12booksof2022

Yes, we‘re on June. No, seasonal reading isn‘t my thing. Yes, now you mention it, this was my #firstlast book last January. And yes, I do enjoy taking my time over books.

This is a gorgeous collection of snowy essays from round the world. And we might even (not) discuss it at bookclub next month! I probably won‘t have read it again before then…

Andrew65 Sounds interesting. 3mo
Kristin_Reads I just got this in the mail! It‘s such a pretty cover ❄️ 3mo
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Sea of Tranquility: A Novel | Emily St. John Mandel
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In May I read (drumroll please) ONE book. And I wasn‘t that fussed. It was fine πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ.

But I know lots of folks thought this was WONDERFUL, so… Happy to be wrong on this one. (But still, meh!)

#12booksof2022

TrishB I‘m with you. But better than Glass Hotel. 3mo
rockpools @TrishB So am I excused from reading that one🀞 3mo
rockpools @TrishB I was going to ask you. If I was to attempt Robin Hobb when I‘m feeling chunkstery this year, where would you start? 3mo
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TrishB Well, loads of people loved that one too πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ I wouldn‘t put it top of your list though! 3mo
TrishB Hobb - Assassins Apprentice β™₯️ and it‘s a short world building start really (short for her). 3mo
rockpools @TrishB Thank You. Also, look at me, voluntarily asking about chunky reads πŸ…πŸ€£πŸ€£ 3mo
TrishB πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ so worth it. 3mo
Caroline2 Yes, I‘ve not felt compelled to even start this one yet! πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ πŸ˜† 3mo
rockpools @Caroline2 πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ We‘re very good at this book club thing, aren‘t we?! 3mo
julesG SoT was okay - my shout πŸ™ˆ - but it was not top of my May list. 3mo
julesG As to the book club thing, I think we are doing fine. Most times we don't even get to talking about the book. @Caroline2 3mo
Andrew65 A very popular choice, which I own but haven‘t got to πŸ™ˆ 3mo
Andrew65 @TrishB @rockpools Loved The Assassin'sApprentice. You won‘t regret it. 3mo
rockpools @Andrew65 @TrishB I‘m now deciding whether to go audio or ebook for Assassins Apprentice. The narrator sounds a bit.. plummy. Does plummy suit the vibe? 3mo
Andrew65 @rockpools If memory serves me correct I used the audiobook and if same narrator seemed to fit for me. 3mo
rockpools @Andrew65 Fab. Thank you 😊 3mo
TrishB I‘m rubbish at recommendations for audio as I don‘t do! Plummy sounds ok as it‘s introducing royalty! 3mo
rockpools @TrishB We‘ll give it a go! 3mo
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rockpools
Framed in Lace | Monica Ferris
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One of these days, I‘ll decide whether to give lacemaking another try, or to admit that my eyesight/patience aren‘t up to it and give the pillow and bobbins away. Tomorrow maybe.

Meanwhile, this is an enjoyable cosy series, set in a Minnesota needlework shop. When a streetcar ferry is lifted from the lakebed, a skeleton is found inside. As one of Betsy‘s friends is a key suspect in the 50-year-old murder, Betsy has her arm twisted to investigate.

julesG Lace making takes a lot of patience, doesn't it? 3mo
rockpools @julesG It‘s a very slow process, and I never really got good enough at it for it to be a great success. I do *like* it though! Have you ever tried it? 3mo
julesG I had to. πŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆ Has to learn all kinds of crafts. I was never patient enough for it, nor any good. 3mo
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rockpools @julesG It‘s possible I like the idea of it better than the reality of it. It‘s also possible that this has been sat in a cupboard for the best past of 17 years now, so I *REALLY* should admit it‘s not for me… 3mo
julesG Well, Marie Kondo says: if it doesn't spark joy, toss it. 3mo
rockpools @julesG if she could come and camp out with me for a few days, we could probably make some progress about now… 3mo
julesG 🀣🀣 Same! 3mo
julesG I'm always "it does not spark joy, but it might again in a few weeks. Better keep it." 3mo
rockpools @julesG It doesn‘t spark joy but it has the potential to odd only I‘d sit down and focus…. For 17 years. Right, it‘s going. I take it you don‘t want it? 3mo
julesG Pass. I'm glad I left that at my parents'. 3mo
rockpools @julesG πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. 3mo
rockpools OK. If anyone UK-based would like a bobbin-lace pillow, bobbins and a beginner‘s lace-making course, please comment below. I can put them in the post to you (in a couple of weeks, when me & the post have recovered from Christmas). Can‘t see this getting through customs nicely/without costing an arm and a leg, so best keep it within the UK. 3mo
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rockpools
Open Water | Caleb Azumah Nelson
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Wow. A beautiful, beautiful novella, the story of a relationship between a young Black artist and his best friend/girlfriend. And the experience of growing up in a place where you are not safe, not seen, where home is people, music, familiarity- but never a place.

Quite stunning.

Ann_Reads Nice review! This looks like a good one and it's short. I'm surprised my library had an ecopy available. 3mo
rockpools @Ann_Reads I do hope you like it - I know it‘s not for everyone, but I thought it was quite beautiful. 3mo
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Tomb of Sand | Geetanjali Shree
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My April pick was the winner of the International Booker- a JOY to read. The language/translation is so playful, the story covers, well, everything, & it‘s all told with a big smile on its face.

Shutting down after the death of her husband, Ma‘s family rally round. But she needs time to readjust, then head out on her new adventure into her past, her friends & events of partition.

Beautiful out-there touching. Plus talking crows.

#12booksof2022

Caroline2 Hmm πŸ€” stacked!! πŸ‘ 3mo
Andrew65 Great β˜ƒοΈβ˜ƒοΈβ˜ƒοΈ 3mo
batsy Beautiful description of a very special book πŸ’œ 3mo
rockpools @Caroline2 😁 It‘s a good‘un! Providing you don‘t mind a healthy dose of weird! 3mo
rockpools @batsy πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ¦‹ 3mo
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Open Water | Caleb Azumah Nelson
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Trying to finish a book or 2 before New Year, while still isolating. Anyhow…

This is very much a marmite book. I get why you might not like it, but I‘m just blown away by it. It‘s an intimate story of a deep, complicated friendship/relationship between two young Black London-based artists. Highly poetic, nothing happens, but it‘s stunning.

rockpools @TrishB …just deleting stuff, cos I‘m feeling way too ranty and paranoid! 3mo
Cinfhen How are you feeling?!? 3mo
BookwormM Oh dear hope you are better soon 3mo
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rockpools @Cinfhen Not bad unless I move or speak. Could be a lot worse! 3mo
rockpools @BookwormM Thank You - fab timing as always! 3mo
Cinfhen Yikes!!! That doesn‘t sound good at all. I‘m sorry 😞 Good thing audio-ing doesn‘t require moving or speaking 😘 3mo
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The Books of Jacob | Olga Tokarczuk
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March. March is International Booker month. Along with some brilliant books, I read some serious πŸ΄πŸ’©. Including some questionableπŸ¦žπŸ† choices

The standout, though, was Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft - not my favourite book, but easily my reading experience of the year. Epic, unexpected & brilliant. Did I mention it was 900 PAGES?

Polish first ed pictured, cos Fitzcarraldo don‘t make graphics easy!

#12booksof2022

Andrew65 Wow, that‘s a real chunkster. 3mo
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Assembly | Natasha Brown
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Never quite manage daily posts these days, but as long as no-one minds every other day, I‘m going to attempt @Andrew65 β€˜s #12booksof2022

Back in January, Assembly was a short powerful look at racism in the UK.
In February, Short Sentences made me laugh! A new mum moves to a rural community, as the β€˜trailing spouse‘ of her boyfriend, and takes up a job as an agony aunt. Subtle and ridiculous.

Andrew65 These both look excellent books. 3mo
TrishB Loved Assembly β™₯️ 3mo
squirrelbrain I loved Assembly too! 3mo
CarolynM I thought Assembly was excellent 3mo
rockpools @TrishB @squirrelbrain @CarolynM It was so well done, wasn‘t it? But I don‘t think i ever heard much buzz about it πŸ€” 3mo
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Hello Litsy. Today‘s request- any recommendations for books on selective mutism for pre-schoolers and their concerned big people? TIA.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheBookHippie may know of something πŸ“š 3mo
MoonWitch94 We used this in my classroom when I taught pre-K 3mo
rockpools @MoonWitch94 brilliant- thank you. That‘s exactly the sort of thing I‘m after. 3mo
rockpools @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks πŸ‘Thank you! 3mo
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I‘m going to own up. I‘m starting this early as well @Mitch . It‘s the one on my #AuldLangSpine list that I was least likely to pick up, and the one that got most reaction when I posted the list.

I was needing some heftier nonfiction this morning (not in the mindset for gentle/relaxing!) and oh my goodness - it‘s SUCH a good read. Proper page-turnery rage-inducing nf.

And I‘m going to have to check out his Wind of Change podcast too. Cos WHAT?

monalyisha Oh, I love posts like this! I‘m not necessarily one to read outside of my comfort zone, even when it‘s recommended to me (πŸ™ˆ), so I admire your openness and gumption! 3mo
Mitch It‘s sooooooo good! 3mo
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Untitled | Untitled
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Happy Saturday! And happy holidays if you‘re celebrating.

So this week,
πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈ I listened to the new Osman - my favourite so far.
πŸͺ‘ Started the next Monica Ferris stitch work cosy - I need fluff right now.
🌾Started The Offing. Beautiful writing- interested to see where this goes.
🌳 And returned the Lost Rainforests to the Libby (like I had a choice) which I‘m a bit gutted about, because I was LOVING it. Think I‘ll try and acquire a print copy.

rockpools More reading may happen this week. I‘m isolating to avoid sharing Covid with the rest of the house, and absolutely climbing πŸ§—πŸ»β€β™€οΈ the walls - I HAD THINGS TO DO!! Hope you‘re all having a lovely, calm, healthy weekend. 3mo
squirrelbrain How are you feeling? 3mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain Better than yesterday. My voice has gone, and I‘m hoping it doesn‘t hit my chest, but I‘m really not too bad. Just grumpy - I want to DO STUFF! The grand new year‘s clearout of the room might start have to start early! 3mo
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CoffeeNBooks I love the Thursday Murder Club series! Each book is even better than the previous one! 3mo
TrishB And just read too ❀️ 3mo
Cinfhen Oh no!!!!! Covid???? Boo!!!!!! Feel better β€οΈβ€πŸ©Ή 3mo
rockpools @TrishB Yep, think that‘s going to be the way to go! 3mo
rockpools @Cinfhen Boooo! Was exactly my reaction! Thankfully I‘d stocked up on books… 3mo
rockpools @CoffeeNBooks They are! I wasn‘t sure if the novelty would have worn off by now, but he‘s bringing more people in, and mixing up the relationships… This was definitely the best yet. 3mo
Cinfhen I‘m glad you‘re fully stocked but so sorry to hear your quarantined- sending good wishes your way πŸ’šβ€οΈπŸ’š 3mo
rockpools @Cinfhen Think I‘ll have to do New Year rather than Christmas πŸ₯Ί 3mo
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The Offing | Benjamin Myers
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OK, I‘m going in! Making an early start on my #AuldLangSpine list from @Mitch - this sounds fabulous.

Christmas plans have been derailed by the plague (ugh. Is that still a thing?) so I‘m isolating for at least a few days, hoping i haven‘t passed this to the rest of my house,. ExCEEEDINGly rubbish, but v grateful to dive into some fabulous books.

Thought I‘d catch up on this season‘s Between the Covers, and the first one raved about Myers, so…

monalyisha I made my husband buy this for me. πŸ˜… I hope you‘re feeling better soon! 3mo
JamieArc I acquired this book after @Mitch β€˜s review, though I have yet to get to it. It‘s high priority for next summer though! 3mo
Mitch Oh no! Hope you‘re feeling better soon xxx 3mo
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rockpools @monalyisha Thank you! You must have come out of the ALSpine pairings with a HUGE tbr! 3mo
rockpools @JamieArc It starts beautifully - I think it‘ll work lovely as a summer read. 3mo
rockpools @Mitch Thank you! At least I‘ve stocked up with excellent books! 3mo
monalyisha Adding a comment to say: don‘t think I didn‘t notice the pairing of the netting design on the cover with the diamond-design on your blanket! πŸ˜‰ 3mo
LeeRHarry Hope you enjoy! 😊 3mo
TrishB Take care and hope it passes soon! 3mo
rockpools @monalyisha πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ That was incredibly definitely absolutely deliberate 🫣 You‘re v observant! 3mo
rockpools @LeeRHarry It starts beautifully πŸ€— 3mo
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review
rockpools
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Pickpick

As others have said, this is my favourite of the series so far. Much more of the characters, with later-life friendships/relationships to the fore, and less the slightly icky bits I got from the first two books. The mystery really is secondary to the widening gang of pensioner detectives, but there‘s plenty in there to keep you guessing.

Fab narration. And I was lucky to get this before 2025 - still 133 reservations on the print copy πŸ“š πŸ“š πŸ“š

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rockpools
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So. This book is AMAZING. Well the first half is. I‘ll let you know about the second half when I reach the front of the queue again - I‘m currently number 28 ☹️.
In the meantime I‘ll gush. I‘ve learnt a heap about my local area that I never knew, plus a bunch of history, biology, ecology, mythology - it‘s FASCINATING. He has a β€˜holistic‘ style along the lines of Rob Macfarlane (but less annoying. Sorry Rob). And I want to get out and EXPLORE.

rockpools And maybe indulge in a little trespass (I‘m not going to, but it makes me want to).

He also references a bunch of books we‘ve mentioned in the #naturalhistory group (Finding the Mother Tree) - plus books the @Mitch recommended to me in #AuldLangSpine (Wild Fell) and authors I recommended back (James Rebanks). And there‘s a website with maps. I mean, what more do you want?!*

*Maybe a print copy tbh. That‘d be good.
3mo
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rockpools
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My #AuldLangSpine shortlist is starting to come through! I‘ll decide what exactly I‘m going to read in January, but this is my first batch of library holds.

Empire - I‘ve heard only good about!
Sympathy- sounds tough, looks good.
Offing - an author I‘ve wanted to read. Beyond that, I know nothing!

I don‘t think I‘d have got as far as picking any of these up without your list, so thank you @Mitch @monalyisha

LeeRHarry The Offing is a solid fave - hope you enjoy it 😊 3mo
rockpools @LeeRHarry oooh! 😊 3mo
Mitch Ahhh - you‘ve picked three very diverse ones! πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌ 3mo
squirrelbrain I haven‘t read The Offing, but loved the other two! 3mo
monalyisha I have The Offing in a cart right now but I‘m trying to stop buying myself stuff. πŸ˜…πŸ™ˆ It looks so good and I love that cover! 3mo
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rockpools
Untitled | Unknown
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Thank you Helen! My card arrived yesterday (post‘s taking a while down here!). The little calendar is just gorgeous- thank you 😊

And hope you‘re getting a proper Christmas break soon 😘

squirrelbrain Post is taking forever up here too - I think we‘re only getting a delivery once a week at the moment! 3mo
41 likes1 comment
review
rockpools
Dart | Alice Oswald
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Pickpick

This has been on my tbr forever - Alice Oswald‘s poem of Devon‘s River Dart from source to sea, told through the eyes of those who live, work and enjoy the river. It‘s refreshingly non-flowery/romantic - we hear the voices of poachers & sewage workers alongside chambermaids, wild swimmers & mythical characters. Audio, read by the author, was great.

I seem to be loving books that are super-local-to-me at the mo.

ukroadtrip #devon #192025 #2002

rockpools A teensy tiny gripe, which is bugging me. Pretty sure the cover of this edition is β€˜generic river stock photo‘ rather than the Dart, which feels disappointingly lazy. If it is the Dart, they‘ve managed to find the ONLY stretch of it with no hills, which I‘m trying/failing to believe! 3mo
rockpools I‘m going to use this as my poetry collection for #midwintersolacegames #naturalitsy - even though technically it‘s a book-length poem rather than a collection! @AllDebooks 3mo
TrishB It would seem a bit sad not to be a real picture wouldn‘t it. 3mo
AllDebooks @rockpools that's lazy publishing and really annoying. Love your review and obvs I've stacked it πŸ˜‰ πŸ“šπŸ“šπŸ“šπŸ“š 3mo
Librarybelle Hooray!! 3mo
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rockpools
Untitled | Untitled
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Oh well!

My #bookreport for the week is a little… sparse.

Maybe I‘ll get back to it next week. It‘s sad, because I think EVERY book on there is excellent. Just slightly wondering when I ever found time to read, because it‘s really not happening at the moment!

Hope you‘ve all had a lovely week, and are warm and dry ❄️

julesG Oh dear. That sounds like you're very busy at the moment. 😘 3mo
rockpools @julesG sadly (as always) I think it‘s chaotic rather than busy πŸ™„. Ho hum! 3mo
TrishB But a great graphic 😁 3mo
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MicheleinPhilly This year end crunch is really messing with my reading time too. 😩 I really can‘t wait for holiday time off! 3mo
rockpools @TrishB #smallwins πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ 3mo
rockpools @MicheleinPhilly Gah! Hope you get a decent break for the hols. 3mo
MicheleinPhilly I‘ll have 10 days starting on the 23rd. πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ 3mo
rockpools @MicheleinPhilly EXCELLENT! You may have inspired me to book some leave in January! 3mo
MicheleinPhilly πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌ 3mo
Cinfhen Fantastic graphics!,, and so many good options….when u find the time xx 3mo
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