What happens to the memory of someone in death? The methods of going through and listing what contribution did they forge at the end by those left behind? “Love often makes for intemperate decision making” yes. Yes it does…!

Bridgeside books: thanks for the recommendation! Read this little page turner during a camping trip just outside Waterbury where this takes place! Vermont ideals, characters who are real, in a story that could have been me or the person next door. There‘s a moment when a beloved pet gets lost, definitely understand the terror from how much owners love their pets here!!! Finished this in less than a day. Great read!

A really quick read, well written, and well told. The stories of 4 different protagonists end up colliding in a moment in the last pages. Glad I finally got around to this BOTM treasure! Highly recommend and it‘s so quick, less than a day of reading! Enjoyable European world to lose myself in as well!

Enjoyed this read from start to finish! Checking out the acknowledgements section and really enjoyed this last bit!

@Pronounced_ing and Sonya Larson are featured in this whodunnit of whether or not “the kindest” was plagiarized and then the work defended by Larson and Ng — along with transcripts of nasty iMessages of Dawn Dorland, their subject of scorn. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/magazine/dorland-v-larson.html Who is the bad art friend by Robert Kolker

There‘s some nuggets of wisdom here! If it‘s been hard to action on any type of lifestyle change, this should help with respect to process and how to effect change on one‘s life … there are slow parts but the good part is they are over quickly and before we know it, we‘re reading about the next thing…

Gripping read. Took me awhile to figure out what was happening when the author jumped around. Less on character development, more on the pain of living life and making choices. Definitely have questions as to what happened to many of the characters and also what the characters end up knowing or not knowing.

If you haven‘t devoured this yet, what are you waiting for? There‘s so much humor and irony here. He lets us in, but only so much. Goodness there was a lot in here. I relished each page. This was a literary work, a non fiction work, but the stories told were compelling of the heart as well as who we are as people of this world and country. I couldn‘t have known all that was here but now that it‘s out there, it‘s like he‘s telling me his life story

Amazing gripping read - strong women at its center, religion, fantasy, so many elements abound. I thoroughly enjoyed. A tad slow in spots but quickly moved on again. I was such a fan!

reads like an action thriller with power money mob mentality and supernatural thrown in - not much soul, trying to have a conscience but not a believable one. just trying to be clear about expectations - I was entertained! I‘d recommend this for something absorbing - Not exceptionally thought provoking stuff but still a fun quick read. Felt kinda john Grisham like, which I enjoy - except no lawyers - but you get a former banker. Try it :)

This moved just as fast as the first book but I liked the plot moves so much more - and the 2nd half of this book had me LOLing and in stitches just like the 3rd book. I cannot emphasize how much laughing I did. Please pick this up and give it a whirl. This is a great series to close out summer :)

Enchanting read that was an action filled page turner with a ton of heart to boot. Read this with my daughter - then she went on and finished it without me. I‘ve ordered the first two. This was amazing...!

The perfect summertime thriller about a mom group based out of Brooklyn. Written well and a Fast fun read, give it a try-especially if your a mom or dad based out of Brooklyn :) A terrific beach read on this fine July 4th!

Compelling character drama - and the entire time while reading it I couldn‘t help thinking that it could easily become a play. I can completely see this all coming to life with all the nuance, with all the emotion, with all the discovery. It‘s truly a masterpiece of the human heart. #botm #moreinthecomments

Fast fun read that had me smiling - could not put it down. I was on the edge of my seat. It didn‘t have me laughing out loud like Rich People Problems but it moved way way faster. I‘d recommend as a quick read to lose yourself for a bit in this totally different world!

Captivating read! I‘m floored and taken in #botm

It‘s such a beautifully told and also very imaginative story that really captivated me at every turn. It goes back in time and comes back to the present often. It‘s also a coming into your own and coming of age tale. Taking ownership and becoming an adult that way. Also there are some racial items touched on as the characters are of Asian and Latin descent. The descriptions and memories were so well done. Thoroughly enjoyed this YA fiction debut.

The world building of stinking rich folks and their problems. It was comical, full of drama and fashion. I loved all the footnotes and relished them at the end of each chapter. I LoL‘ed at the ridiculousness. I can totally tell how horrid some of these characters are but I suppose it‘s more fun watching it unfold rather than having to interact with people like them. I can‘t wait to read the first 2 books and to watch the movie!

Haul from #BookCon2018 at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. We heard YA authors Angie Thomas Jason Reynolds and Jacqueline Wilson discuss social justice for kids in/thru books. We also met so many amazing authors - here are a few. Not pictured is the Magical Day which my daughter could not stop obsessing about. She loved her day at BookCon and so did I!!! Day 2 is tomorrow. Highly recommend getting yourself there on Jun 3

It was slow to start but soon I couldn‘t put it down. You go thru all the feelings of losing a loved one, feeling conflicted about speaking up as it could mean your family‘s death or your own. You see the black cop side, you see the child‘s view, you see what the parents siblings and community go thru. There‘s bigotry, poor choices, solidarity and strength. It does get slow in spots, but it‘s mainly a teachable read that is sufficiently gripping.

Wow, how easily I was washed over and taken to this world... which is like any other but - well, you know the premise of the book. I‘m just starting so just about 100 pages in. Hope it continues - Looking forward to the journey ...!

Couldn‘t put this one down. Riveting from start to finish. Perhaps a little slow in parts but I still wanted to know what happens next. can't put it down...! it's so very engrossing.

a WW1 historical fiction tale of the Spanish flu that comes for Philadelphia. the events are rooted in history - it's disturbing and a captivating read...

I ordered this one for #botm back in January and I‘m finally getting around to it now. It was a bit of a slow start but it quickly gets moving. It‘s heartfelt and sad, I‘m simply riveted reading how history unfolds. I‘ve seen similar tales of the Spanish flu - in “love in the time of cholera” - this is one for North America tying it into the war (ww 1) I‘m simply floored...!

Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Someone from Goodreads recommended it to me and I would wholeheartedly recommend as well. In general, Life lessons plus a twist. It was told well, and had me wanting to know more of what happened so I just kept reading. One of the better ones for sure!

I really enjoyed this memoir. From a child to a young adult to adult, her experiences with running with mindfulness in tow. Currently getting into both running and mindfulness so I was fairly interested! And it was told well so definitely grateful for that. I was thoroughly entranced every step of the way. I would love to read a part 2 of her tackling the masters -

A decent psychological thriller, good to get lost in for a bit - the first bit I completely predicted the second bit I didn‘t but wasn‘t all that surprised when it happened. Maybe I am just a jaded audience member :) I still enjoyed it and I think most would.

Amusingly written and told story from a 10-12 yo perspective, of characters who seem so painstakingly real. I fell in love with each of the Babbitt family and the people that fall into their lives. I couldn‘t put it down, watching this family grieve in a totally human way. They made me laugh, feel sadness, and simply feel human as they journeyed the aftermath.

This was a recommendation from the local librarian. Enjoyed thoroughly.

Well now I have to read the #2 sequel!

Stream of consciousness:
Gripping, an action packed story, full of magic as well as prejudices, desire, hate, a fighting female protagonist. It does start slow.

It was a little confusing with the world building in addition to story building. Going from passive scene to fight scene was often immediate with no buildup whatsoever. It felt YA-like , but like I said, gripping. Totally enjoyable. Read it!

Chose my #botm after a lot of thought! Hope I love it...!

A touching story of people and nature. Things liked: the format of how the story was told, the suspension of disbelief I was required to possess, the heart behind it all, the language used to tell the stories. Weaknesses: power source from bugs in jars without much explanation. It felt rushed/forced in this section, not as well researched maybe? And-That the town became scared of the boys. In sum, it was a whimsical tale that I liked living in.

Bizarre, but it moves. Not sure how I feel about this one. Could be good YA Fic. Will keep going though and see what happens...!

I just eat up the words. No idea what is happening but I‘m happy to keep reading

I meant to put this down at book 3... then read a page. Somehow ended up reading til book 4. It pulls you in, enjoying this one thoroughly...!

Thought this would be an interesting read! Then it digressed into one characters past for awhile. It had done so as a way to tell the story and that‘s fine - but this stayed in the past for too long, explained too much, and detracted from everything else. Ending is neatly done, but less than expected. Lots of building up - but to not very much. Pacing was off. But the author is quite the talented story teller. I still enjoyed it - a 4/5

A thriller that takes place in NYC. It‘s really well written and it moves. It talks about people I come into contact regularly and I‘m tired of that. It glorifies the lifestyle in a way that is gross. Little to no research in details about NYC. A protagonist wants to “race the NYC bike tour” and finish fast. WTF?

Justice Sotomayor takes us thru her childhood upbringing trials successes and failures in this short memoir. It stops detailing just before her judgeship starts - a disappointment as it‘s a reason I picked it up to begin with. Her story prior to that, growing up in the Bronx projects then making it to Princeton and then Yale is quite the amazing story and is very inspiring. Neatly written in her own voice - I‘ll easily give it 4/5

Whew this is something to behold. Lyrical and powerful writing, I can‘t get over all the symbolism, the human condition, just everything. It makes me want to read the first book she‘s known for.

I couldn‘t tear myself away from this. There‘s so much going on I couldn‘t manage to keep track - much to study here and unpack. The end reads like poetry. Great character study. Immensely rewarding read.

It tore my heart out and stomped on it. It moved me similarly to when breath becomes air. My mouth agape as I read this testament of someone‘s final days and how their loved ones are - accepting that and in the wake of it. They‘re both different writing styles but very close otherwise to the emotions felt. I can‘t believe Kit is gone. A person who was so real to me, just as Paul was. It‘s enormous and the weight of it simply sticks.

it's an interesting story that has a lot to say, and it says it in an interesting way - but it's also kind of meh. i can understand why it was a finalist for the man booker prize. it's a great literary read and the first few chapters were quite good. but it flattened out and didn't keep its momentum. i would give it 3 out of 5.

January #botm is here! :) excited to dig in. Historical fiction is definitely liked around here

Read this over Christmas - I loved it. A moving story of a couple of people bravely but assuredly taking steps to live life. Eleanor is brilliant. I LOL‘ed so often, my family often asked, enjoying the book, eh? But it more had me looking in the mirror asking myself the same questions Eleanor does. Anyone can find themselves facing Eleanor‘s dilemma. An honest debut from Ms Honeyman; I‘ll be looking for her next one. Thanks #BOTM

My 6 year old says: it was good, but it was really really short. 10 chapters and each chapter was super short. I‘m done now because I read it in my head [while her mom made dinner] But yeah it was good, it was Jack and Annie‘s first adventure.

Uniquely told in a moving manner that just draws you in and doesn‘t let up. I was swept up, highly recommend -

It‘s good, give it a read!
More in depth reasons why you might like it or not:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2145452043

This book shows how Russia now will not just impact your now but also your future. Along with Bill Browder's Red Notice this is reading that should be completed by those of us concerned. References to chess were appreciated. Kasparov doesn't mince words and critiques each world leader on the basis of his/her actions, no holding back. a very human rights focused read that highlights how much is at stake - our very American (aka "free") way of life.

You think you understand symbiosis in its basic form but Ed Yong turns whatever you think on its head. He paints a picture of warring factions, tricking each other to survive and procreate - and when we least expect it, one side turns that symbiosis into dysbiosis and then all is lost - or is it?

it's a fascinating read despite lacking great organization. It will change the way you think about how your entire world interacts and moves forward.