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sarahljensen

sarahljensen

Joined April 2019

review
sarahljensen
The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel
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Pickpick

This year I've been reading many books about books or books about libraries. This one is one of my favorites. It is so exceptionally thoughtful and rich.

wanderinglynn What a beautiful kitty! ❤️🐱 3y
Crazeedi Your kitty is so adorable 3y
Crazeedi I love books about books, adding 3y
See All 7 Comments
RaeLovesToRead Hello fluffy!! 😻😻 3y
sarahljensen @RaeLovesToRead He has all the floofs :) 3y
sarahljensen @Crazeedi He's pretty darn cute :) 3y
Wesleypaker Hello 👋 how are you doing today ? 2y
37 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I've been reading this for months now in-between other books and at times I can't spare more than a few minutes. I'm sorry it's over, but I've got Shirley Jackson's letters to read now.

28 likes1 stack add
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I've seen Goodman on her television shows which are lovely, but her books are even better. If the shows aren't your cup of tea, she really is a talented and engaging writer, so I'd push you in that direction.

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book. If you want a primer in British ghost stories this will do it for you. The slippage between the ghost stories and the landscape and Parnell's memories was some times not what I wanted. I'd get invested in thinking about something and then whisked in a different direction. I suppose the point was this is how memory
works, but all the same it was sometimes a bit much.

RaeLovesToRead 😻😻😺 3y
25 likes1 comment
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sarahljensen
The Book of Magic | Alice Hoffman
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Pickpick

This was my favorite of the series. I prefer the ones that focus more on Franny and Jet, and this one did a fair amount of that. I'm sorry the series is over, but also glad to have the final story. A perfect October read

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sarahljensen
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Bailedbailed

I love this author, and I wrote about graverobbing and resurrectionists in my dissertation, so this should be a book I love. But I don't. A friend gave me a late birthday gift book, and I just sorta forgot about this one. That's about the most damning thing possible. Oh, well. I left the bookmark in place, so I can come back.

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sarahljensen
Home Before Dark | Riley Sager, Todd Ritter
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Pickpick

This is exactly the haunted house book I wanted this October.

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I picked this up because it was written by one of my professors from back in the day. It's just such a lovely, fascinating, and engaging read. If you don't just love reading books but love thinking about books, I highly recommend this one

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

Here is my start to the spooky season. I've read this before, but it's been a bit. I enjoyed it even more the second time around. I'll be picking up some more spooky titles soon that have been on my wishlist for awhile. I can't wait.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats #spooky

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

Interesting read. I'm reading this for the unit I'm prepping for my students. If you're only going to read one, I'd suggest Marianne Wolf's book Reader, Come Home instead, but they're a great pair.

Can't get my sweet cat to look at the camera anymore because she's deaf now. Oh, well. She's cute looking into the distance, too.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

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sarahljensen
Man's Search for Meaning | Viktor Emil Frankl, Harold S. Kushner, William J. Winslade
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Panpan

Frankl's personal story is compelling, but I'm not sure his theory is effective. Basically it's the idea that there is meaning to suffering and once a person finds that, then their suffering is eased. So, he says there is a correct way to suffer, and I'm not really into telling people how to process or endure their trauma. I also don't believe there is some greater purpose to being abused in some way. So ...

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I'm not going to create my own language, but I'm an English nerd, and I thought this was a really good time. Peterson is pretty funny as well.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This book looks at cryptids and aliens, but mostly it's looking at the people who are searching for them and asking why. This is the second one of his books I've read, and I'm about to order the third one.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This book is just incredible. I'll certainly be reading it again, but it is an exceptionally emotional read. So... Be ready for that.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I can't say enough about how much I love this dude's books. His blog (The Inky Fool) is also worth your time.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

It didn't end like I thought it would. In spite of that ending, it was much funnier than I expected.

bibliothecarivs What a beautiful cover! 3y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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sarahljensen
Educated: A Memoir | Tara Westover
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Pickpick

This is an excellent book for anyone trying to make sense of the religious teachings they were taught as children, as I have been doing for years. I highly recommend this.

If I had known what this was about, I would have picked it up earlier.

bibliothecarivs Westover spoke at my state library association's annual conference a few months ago and I was impressed. She was raised near where I live and work so her book, and her mom's rebuttal, have been popular at my library. I haven't read either of them yet. 3y
sarahljensen @Bibliothecarivs Oh, I'd be very interested in hearing her speak. 3y
32 likes2 comments
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sarahljensen
To the Lighthouse | Virginia Woolf
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Pickpick

I can't say how I got this far without having read this, but I have read it now. It's as excellent as everyone says it is, and nothing happens, as everyone also says. I'm still reading through her diary slowly in between other books. That's a slow read because I want it to be. I'm not looking forward to that one ending.

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

Such a good look into the context of the life of Emily Dickinson. I can't recommend it enough.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

BookishMarginalia Pretty kitty! 3y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I really loved this book, especially the narrative choices. The grandmother's ending seemed off to me, but otherwise I loved it.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

BookishMarginalia What a cute kitty! 3y
DivineDiana Beautiful 😻 3y
Leftcoastzen Such a pretty kitty! 3y
32 likes3 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This is my second time through this one. It's summer time and the right time to be thinking about ghosts, in my opinion. If you're looking for something more about the history of why ghosts are with us from a more psychological perspective rather than just looking for something spooky, then this might be up your alley.

25 likes1 stack add
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sarahljensen
The Life of the Mind: A Novel | Christine Smallwood
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Pickpick

Particularly good for anyone who has been an adjunct, which I have. As a warning, the protagonist's miscarriage informs much of the book, so if you're in a place right now where that would be upsetting, skip this one. Overall, I found it well written and difficult to put down.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

RaeLovesToRead So floofy 😻😻 4y
sarahljensen @RaeLovesToRead Oh, yes. All the floofs :) 4y
34 likes2 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This fits in with my lives of women summer reading list. Fascinating.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

charl08 Sounds intriguing. 4y
sarahljensen @charl08 It was. I knew about the Fox sisters, but the rest of this was all new material to me. 4y
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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sarahljensen
The Book of Two Ways | Jodi Picoult
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Pickpick

I have a real love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult's books. But this one is squarely in the love camp.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This one was the hate camp for me and I love her!!! (edited) 4y
sarahljensen @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I wonder if we are opposites. Did you like A Spark of Life? Because that's the one I truly hated. The structure felt too much like a gimmick, and I couldn't get interested in the characters. 4y
34 likes2 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This book was such a pleasure to read. This is my definition of the perfect summer read. I'll need to look up her other books.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

31 likes1 stack add
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

An interesting look into the life of an "ordinary" SS official not in the einstazgruppe and how involved someone supposedly just filing paperwork was in the Holocaust. Written by a Jewish Historian, this gives a nuanced look at the second world war.

#catsoflitsy #litsycat

DivineDiana So nice to have a reading partner! 😻 4y
sarahljensen @DivineDiana Absolutely! 🐈 4y
24 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
sarahljensen
A Writer's Diary | Virginia Woolf
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I'm enjoying this so much. It'll take awhile though. It's the sort of thing I want to save for when I really need it rather than reading it every day.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

wanderinglynn Aw, what a cutie! 🖤🐱 4y
Crazeedi What an adorable little kitty😻 4y
MemoirsForMe I‘m looking forward to reading this one, too! 4y
31 likes3 comments
review
sarahljensen
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Pickpick

Finished this book this morning before work. I have to say it wasn't quite what I expected, but I enjoyed it and felt the ending appropriate.

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sarahljensen
Portrait of a Marriage: Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson | Nigel Nicolson, Victoria Sackville-West
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Pickpick

I've read about Virginia but not all that much about Vita. This book is full of Vita's letters and diary entries. I just got lost in it. I'm so glad I happened across this one.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

wanderinglynn What a cute kitty! ❤️🐱 4y
Lcsmcat 😻 4y
25 likes2 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This book was interesting and an excellent distraction right now.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

RaeLovesToRead Awwww what a beautiful kitty 😍😍😍 4y
25 likes2 comments
blurb
sarahljensen
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Not nearly as far along as I should be in this book, but it's been difficult concentrating this week.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

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sarahljensen
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Sissy is stepping up as my new reading companion, but she's confused why Jude isn't on the sofa with her. They spent about 90% of their time together here, and I think it's going to take her some time to adjust.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 4y
27 likes1 comment
blurb
sarahljensen
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Today we lost our sweet Jude. Here's an old picture from when he was in excellent health. I've lost my most loyal reading companion, and I'm just not sure what to do.

#catsoflitsy #litsycat

Lcsmcat 💔 I‘m so sorry. Hugs. 4y
sarahljensen @Lcsmcat Thank you 4y
MySharonaK Sending a big hug ❤️ 💔 4y
See All 15 Comments
BookwormM So sorry for your loss 4y
Librarybelle So sorry for your loss 4y
Megabooks I‘m so sorry. 💜 4y
rubyslippersreads I‘m so sorry to hear about your handsome boy. Sending hugs. ❤️ 4y
Palimpsest How heartbreaking. I‘m so sorry for your loss. 4y
Simona So sorry 💔 4y
FelinesAndFelonies I'm so sorry. I know I would be devastated. Thinking of you. 4y
sarahljensen @FelinesAndFelonies Yeah. It's been a rough few days.Thanks. 4y
BookmarkTavern I am so sorry for your loss. ❤️ 4y
22 likes15 comments
review
sarahljensen
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Mehso-so

Not my favorite literary biography. I'm not sorry I finished it, but I don't think this will be a reread.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

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sarahljensen
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Not a great shot here because the power is out and I'm reading by the light from the window. So far this is a good read and will likely be useful information for me at work.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

peanutnine Adorable kitty 😻 4y
rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 4y
23 likes2 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This book has more than one might expect and includes information on Victorian dressing, mourning customs, and cooking. That's my idea of a good time.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

Crazeedi Your kitty is darling😻 4y
sarahljensen @Crazeedi Thanks! He's a good one :) 4y
40 likes2 comments
blurb
sarahljensen
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It seems I'm in a mood to reread things. It's probably an indication that work is a bit much right now. Anyway... Enjoying this again. I just left The Drawing Room and heading into The Parlor (some of my favorite chapters).

27 likes1 stack add
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sarahljensen
Virginia Woolf | Alexandra Harris
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Pickpick

This is my second time through this one. It's so short but also so thoughtful and enjoyable. How could an exploration of Virginia Woolf's life be anything else?

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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I just loved this book. I thought I already knew everything about Jane Austen, but I was wrong. Female friendships are at the center of this book, and that is something I truly enjoy, especially biographies.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats #litsycat

32 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This is an excellent book, and many women will see themselves and their own experiences in these pages. I certainly did. I can't recommend it enough.

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sarahljensen
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD. | ROBERT. KOLKER
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Pickpick

If you are interested in learning more about mental illness, schizophrenia specifically, I highly recommend this book. The treatment of the subject is nuanced and sympathetic, and it's just exceptionally readable.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

Crazeedi Beautiful kitty 😻 4y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
sarahljensen
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This book is fascinating so far. I have a little trouble keeping all the brothers straight in my mind, but it's somehow also not confusing.

britt_brooke So good! This was one of my top reads last year. 4y
sarahljensen @britt_brooke I'm about a third of the way through now. It's really interesting. 4y
26 likes2 comments
review
sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I don't remember the last time I devoured a novel this fast. Maybe Baldwin's Another Country? This book is incredible. Go seek it out.

My reading companion here is in serious agreement with me.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 4y
SpiderGoddess I love how there's a cat in each of your posts!! 🖤🖤🖤 4y
sarahljensen @SpiderGoddess I live with three kitties, so I try to include them when possible. They're worthy of whatever spotlight I can offer them :) 4y
29 likes4 comments
blurb
sarahljensen
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I waited for months for this to come in from the library. So far it's just as good as I thought it would be.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

Viji Have not read this one yet! Beautiful kitties 😽 4y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
sarahljensen
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Mehso-so

If you want to read a book about owl antics, and I do, then this will do nicely. But if you want gorgeous prose about nature, you're going to have to go back to Annie Dillard or Rachel Carson. Also, the anthropomorphism is a bit much at times. I do believe animals have richer cognitive lives than many people think, but this goes a bit far at points.

#litsycats #catsoflitsy

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😽😽😽 4y
27 likes1 comment
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sarahljensen
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Bailedbailed

Ultimately disappointing. I got through half of it and just gave up. So much of what the author includes feels tangential. It just doesn't feel like there's enough information here to justify the book.

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sarahljensen
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Now to get going on this one. I can't go visit my friends in New Orleans this year -- obviously -- but I can still connect with one of my favorite cities.

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sarahljensen
Undead Souths: The Gothic and Beyond in Southern Literature and Culture | Eric Gary Anderson, Taylor Hagood, Daniel Cross Turner
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Pickpick

If you want to read essays about True Blood, The Road, and A Rose for Emily all in one book, then I'd say this is the book for you.

#catsoflitsy

Crazeedi Looks like kitty fell asleep reading!😻💗 4y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
sarahljensen
Undead Souths: The Gothic and Beyond in Southern Literature and Culture | Eric Gary Anderson, Taylor Hagood, Daniel Cross Turner
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It's a rainy Valentine's Sunday. Time for some creepy literary criticism.

#catsoflitsy

review
sarahljensen
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Pickpick

This was not an easy book to the read, but I read it because I work with teenagers. I think it's a useful read for those who work with kids. It provides more signs to look for to realize when they need help so I can then refer them to the professionals. It is quite challenging to get through though just because of the subject matter.

Ellies_Books06 👍👍👍 4y
BookishMarginalia Gorgeous kitty! #CatsofLitsy 4y
wanderinglynn What an adorable kitty! 💜🐱 4y
33 likes1 stack add3 comments