I‘m immensely proud to have voted for Senator Wellstone when I was 19. My college roommates were politically active and brought me along for the ride. So thankful that they did. His quote should be plastered on every billboard, bus stop, you name it.

Instead I wake up to this headline in the Washington Post - “Trump administration orders states to pause paying full SNAP benefits”. How do these people sleep at night?!

Loved this cozy read and its eccentric cast of characters. New life goal - move to a magical inn with my favorite friends and family. Generous servings of tea and cake required. Talking fox and undead rooster optional.

So glad I could participate in today‘s protests! Not my sign but one of my favorites. #NoKings

“Equal rights for others doesn‘t mean fewer rights for you. It‘s not pie.”

Soft pick. Trixie was annoying as could be, and my claustrophobic self hated the caves. 😵‍💫 But the ghost fish are amazing!

I have the urge to finally watch the last season of Ozark now. The Bob Whites would be eaten alive. 💰💰💰

#bobwhitebuddies

Soft pick. Marshes and swamps have always creeped me out. I was happy seeing Trixie move past her dislike for snobby Gaye when she realized how miserable the little girl was. Also, an early example of misinformation from the media. 😖

#bobwhitebuddies

📸 No alligators in this marsh but I like this cartoon. 💚

I joined #ChristiesCapers for this month‘s read. The male characters (except for the rich American and Poirot) all seemed too alike for me. The women were more memorable. And the rubies…😍 The mystery was ok, I guess, with hints of romance. Hoping for better with the October book!

Should add that I really enjoyed the group discussion!

This book is a Pick as I enjoyed watching the main characters grow in their gaming careers and lives.

Speaking of gaming, I tripped across the most delightful, cozy game called Tiny Bookshop. Believe me when I say that I‘m not a gamer. My nephew had to set it all up for me. It takes place in a small seaside town. You drive your mobile bookshop to a flea market, beach, village square, university, and so on. ⬇️

Loved the lambs. Terrified by the floods. The friendly competition between the East coasters and Mid-westerners was sweet. #bobwhitebuddies

Loved the writing. Didn‘t love the characters. But I enjoyed the discussion with the #hashtagbrigade! Ann Patchett recently recommended another Waugh novel, A Handful of Dust, on her weekly “New to you” video. Might try this one someday.

Regarding New York. This made me chuckle. 🍎🏙️❤️

#hashtagbrigade

I rarely bail on a book but I‘m not enjoying this at all. Normally I love Stephen King. Can‘t win them all. 🤷🏼‍♀️

#losersclub

Sebastian: Blah blah blah blah
Charles: Please STFU
😂😂 #hashtagbrigade

Fun take on Elizabeth Bennet and why we love her wild side. 🩷

https://lithub.com/the-almost-wildness-of-elizabeth-bennet/

I was expecting a thriller, but this was more of a mystery layered with stories of three strong and vulnerable women. I‘m what one may call an indoor cat, but I love people who enjoy the great outdoors like these women.

Not my pic because…indoor cat. 🐱😉

Started out slow but then I couldn‘t put it down. Enjoyed the characters and learned a bit about the skills required and politics involved to be part of the astronaut corps. The romance was well portrayed and added to the emotional punch of the story.

I took a chance and tried a contemporary bright covered romance. I had heard this was a little meatier than the usual. Nah. Also, it was in desperate need of editing. Could have removed at least 20% of the interactions of the MC with the love interest and with the subject of the book. I‘m probably being a bit harsh. It‘s just not my genre. Sweet ending though.

📷 Beachy island in Georgia. Not my pic. Reminds me of the setting of the story.

Nothing surprising here. The author should have got out as soon as she saw how soul-less management was. She thought if she stayed, she could change things as an insider. Nope!

Fun read! Creepy as it gets going. I looked up from reading yesterday and realized my internet was out and my phone dead. I was cut off just like the town in the book. Just as scary as the Sasquatch!

Cute comics. Full confession - I‘ve had this sitting on my shelf for years and only picked it up now for a quick hit toward my 2025 reading goal. 🤷🏼‍♀️🙂

Fun cozy mystery that takes place over Thanksgiving weekend. Lots of delicious food. The mystery aspect was fine, but what I really loved were the characters and setting. I‘ll definitely continue with the series. 🦃🍄‍🟫🐱🍁

This is a soft pick only because the first 40% was rather boring. I bailed at that point but picked it up again. Glad I did. Loved the narrators in the audio book. I‘ll add the sequel to my wish list.

📷 Pic (not mine)is a Game of Thrones-themed pub in Scotland. This is how I imagined the village pub in the novel.

Maybe I'd have enjoyed this more if I hadn't gone into it thinking it was the book version of Austenland (which I haven't seen). I kept wondering which character Keri Russell played. Oops!! 😳 😜 Regardless, I never warmed to the characters in this book even after I realized my mistake. I have no desire to see the movie version of Book Club, but Austenland is still on my list!

This is a soft pick for me. I enjoyed the author's writing but agree with other reviewers that it could have been covered in a long essay. In a nutshell -- do fewer things, work at your own pace, and focus on quality.

📸 I liked the section about Jewel passing on a million dollar contract to focus on her growth as a performer first. Hence the picture of her. That dress is bananas! 😂

This was a quiet short story told from the viewpoint of a snail. Admittedly, I read it to bump up my “books read“ count for the year. But I enjoyed it. And it makes me to want to pick up another of hers. I've been contemplating a re-read of Mrs. Dalloway. Perhaps now is the time.

📸 I've never been to Kew Gardens but it looks inviting.

I was having trouble engaging with the story to start. Then I realized the fairies weren‘t all going to be sweet and sassy Tinkerbells. Too dark for me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anyone else participating in one of the Hands Off rallies tomorrow?

Looking to my Litsy friends for thoughts on the League of Women Voters. I‘m considering getting involved. Is anyone a member? Any opinions or experiences you would be willing to share ?

I saw others refer to Amy Levy as a Jewish Jane Austen. I think this is a fair comparison of the content - sitting rooms, dances, afternoon tea, manners & propriety, etc. However, the characters in the novel aren‘t as fleshed out as in an Austen novel. The writing was sparse and simple.

The P&P quote doesn‘t have anything to do with Rueben Sachs. But I didn‘t willfully misunderstand the book. 🙃

Saw Hadestown this afternoon. Loved it! Does anyone have any recommendations for novels with Hades, Persephone, Orpheus or Eurydice?

So not the brightest thief… 🙄🙃

https://www.startribune.com/st-paul-man-charged-in-connection-with-theft-of-f-sc...

This was my first foray into the world of zines. This particular zine included essays, short fiction, and pie recipes. It was a speedy and enjoyable read. Anyone have any zine recommendations?

I can‘t remember ever rooting so hard AGAINST the main character. She is dreadful. That being said, I‘m enjoying the book (about 70% complete) and looking forward to seeing how the story ends. Did anyone else feel this way about her?

“Always they carried mechanically on without pause to the next job at hand. What would life be like, he wondered, if they were given time to think and reflect over things? Might their lives be different or much the same - or would they just lose the run of themselves?”

A little darker than a typical cozy mystery. Not a huge fan of the main character. Probably won‘t continue with the series.

“The door whispers shut behind us. Above us, the moon drives its sickle through the encumbrances of cloud. Beneath us, veils of mist blossom from the pavement, weave through the ochre day-fog, and bind it tight. The world is falling away.”

I knew about the break-in and the tapes but had no idea of the extent of crimes and unethical behavior coming out of Nixon‘s White House. It‘s amazing they got away with it as long as they did. I had a little trouble keeping track of the names. Virtually all the players were men which shouldn‘t surprise me given the time period. I watched the movie before reading the book. Might watch it again. 🐘😡😖

The back and forth between the main character and the podcast works really well as an audiobook. Kept me guessing until (almost) the end!

My favorite book of 2024! The audiobook was perfect. Great narrator. Great story. Lives up to the hype. 🩷🤍🩷

Wow, the main character is full of herself! I preferred her friends. Will I read the next in the series? Maybe. 😐

My second favorite of 2024! Only lost to Wedding People by a speck. Highly recommend the audiobook.

I wanted to love this book. I really did. I kept putting it down and picking it up. Maybe it was better suited for one long reading session.

I absolutely adored this audiobook! Definitely my cup of tea. 😉

Oh Stanley, why can‘t we be friends?? 💚🤍❤️

This was a cozy afternoon read. Sweet stories and memorable characters.

This is a tale about a church committee in southern California looking for a new pastor. As often happens in real life, when the loudest voices win, everyone loses. 🙃

Wintering was life changing. I‘ve listened to it multiple times. Enchantment? Not so much. But her writing is beautiful. Maybe I wasn‘t in the right frame of mind. May give it another listen as background entertainment when doing chores around the house.

📸 of the stones she mentions in one of her essays

This wasn‘t an entirely flattering portrayal of Hillary, but I feel like I know her better. And respect her for what she has accomplished and where she fell short. I think the author feels the same. Made a great audiobook narrated by Amy!

Another lovely essay collection from Ross Gay. Makes the perfect audiobook with Ross narrating. 🌻 🌿

I‘m pretty chill most of the time but I love Sarah‘s irreverence. 😏

Here is Ann in her very own bookstore. Love that! I really enjoyed these essays. The story of her friend with cancer will stay with me. Sharing that journey created a deep intimacy between Ann and her friend. It was inspiring and heartbreaking. 💕