I can‘t remember the last time I posted about a book subscription box, but I can‘t remember the last time I was tempted to buy one again. 😂

This one has my attention, and I thought I would share for any fellow Janeites that may also be interested. 🥰

Tagged book is adult choice, there‘s also a YA!

https://www.bookishboxinfo.com/?mc_cid=7f2cf0958a&mc_eid=fc2c1e1ffa

Tagging a few Austen fans off the top of my head...please tag anyone I missed!

I‘m struggling... this a big book. I am supplementing with audio to help get through the giant paperback.

It‘s had funny parts, and I was enjoying things quite nicely, and then BAM. Everything changed and I‘m not even halfway through and it‘s wholly different characters and omg what is happening here.

🤪🤣

I spent some time planning my reading goals for 2020, and now I‘m all signed up for this awesome swap.

See Megan or Chrissy‘s posts for more info and the link to sign up. 🥂🎉

#ReadInTheNewYearSwap

I have a new best book of the year. This book is amazing, and I have changed my vote on Goodreads for fantasy of the year (sorry, The Winter of the Witch).

My full, glowing review is on my blog: http://sprainedbrain.blog/2019/11/15/all-the-stars-for-erin-morgensterns-the-sta...

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I‘m all signed up for #ReadingEurope2020! Hoping that I can use a lot of my tbr books and #1001books.

See posts by our lovely hosts, @Librarybelle and @BarbaraBB for more info and link to sign up! 😃

I missed this one last year, so I‘m very excited that Chelle is doing it again! 😊

Sign up to send one book and some chocolate, to be opened on Christmas Eve and enjoyed that night. Visit @MaleficentBookDragon for more info and the link to sign up.

#JolabokaflodSwap

I think I might be agnostopagan and belong to the same church as Zachary.🖤

I am loving this book!

Also, moonrise was no joke tonight. 😍

I struggle to read non-fiction. I‘ve always thought I might enjoy this book, but kept avoiding it anyway because not fiction. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks to #readingwomenchallenge for the ‘featuring a woman in science‘ prompt... I LOVED this book!

The science was fascinating (I love the way she talks about trees!) and Hope Jahren‘s stories of her life were even more so. Such a smart, accomplished woman with an honest and compelling story.

cont‘d ⬇️

We‘re almost to the Frost Moon, and it‘s definitely frosty in my part of the world. Blessings to the wonderful @Meaw_catlady for letting me help a little with this month‘s #moonreflections.

1. A warm shower followed by a hot cup of cocoa or tea, incense or candles, a snuggly blanket and a good book.

2. ❤️ to @monalyisha @4thhouseontheleft @AprilMae @MeganAnn @Chrissyreadit @Gaylagal2 @phatsallylee @MaleficentBookDragon @wanderinglynn

I got this book 3 years ago in a LitCube box... so I‘m right on schedule for reading it. 😂

Whimsical and creative, with lovely language and fun characters. A little Victorian gothic, a bit of Nancy Drew mystery, and a whole lot of wit made it a quick, light read. But at the end of the day, this is a children‘s book, and I haven‘t really been into kids books since I was about 10 years old, so...

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This book has been on my shelf for years, but I just turned off the light and the dang thing is glowing in the dark.

A quick scan of Litsy and I see this is not new information, but damn it, it was news to me!

💡

The last half of this book saved it for me. I was bored with the first part and couldn‘t really stand Meredith. The story of the Siege of Leningrad was what I came for, and truly the best part.

Kristin Hannah‘s books always have a bit of the unbelievable to them, but the lovely writing and storytelling make up for it. She managed, once again, to make me cry, and the ending, though rather fantastical, was sweet and satisfying.

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1. Mr. Penumbra‘s 24-Hour Bookstore + tagged book

2. ‘You carried your pain with you in life. There was no outrunning it.‘

3. Peppermint cocoa 😋

#weekendreads

I love Austen. I loved choose-your-own-adventure books as a kid. I did not like this book.

I found myself always choosing to do what Elizabeth did in P&P. Because I want to marry Mr. Darcy in the same way she did. Duh. After I finished, I realized I should have just reread P&P, or watched the movie.

So, I went back and tried some other paths, which I didn‘t like because I WANT TO MARRY DARCY.

Gave up on the silly scoring pretty early.😂

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Chapter 1 of this book warns you not to read it because it‘s going to piss you off and only get worse from there. Not sure what it says about me, but I liked it anyway. 😂

It‘s about a sex addict (maybe?) who gets money from strangers by pretending to choke in public places. It‘s also about his horrible mother and truly terrible childhood. It takes all the sexiness out of sex. It‘s graphic, dark, foul, unrelenting, and freaking hilarious.

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It‘s that time of year again... time to start obsessively planning for my 2020 reading challenges.

I‘m all signed up for #Booked2020 and pretty excited about some of these prompts.

For more info or to sign up, visit one of the lovely hosts: @4thhouseontheleft @Cinfhen and @BarbaraTheBibliophage 😃

I finished catching up with my feed for the last couple of days. I actually read the posts from the people I follow, and I have learned some things.

Please accept my apologies, as I may have been annoying people and Litsy-ing all wrong since May 2016. Sorry for all of the non-book posts, swapping, linking to my blog in some of my reviews, not posting or commenting enough, being a Halloween freak, tagging books wrong, being boring, etc.🤪

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I feel like I‘ve won the lottery: my hold came in the day after it released. Hooray for requesting ahead of time on Overdrive! 🙌🏻

Now to squeeze it in with all of my other library books and challenge reads. 😬

A very light, YA regency romantic fantasy. Really cute, and the bits of humor and wizardry kept me interested, although it took me longer to read than expected.

I especially love the concept: this is an epistolary novel that consists of letters between two cousins/friends: Cecelia is stuck in the country while Kate is out for a season in London and magical mystery ensues. The two authors each wrote a character—that works well!

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Fun fact: I did not know what ‘tipping the velvet‘ meant until this book. Yay for learning new things! 😂

Loved this book from start to finish. In retrospect, this is not surprising as I do enjoy a good Dickens-esque, sprawling Victorian London drama. This is that, plus a lesbian coming-of-age story. 🙌🏻

Excellent writing and a wonderful cast of supporting characters. Nan is not always a likable heroine, but she‘s so entertaining.

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I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I finished earlier today and haven‘t been able to read a word since... I am going to force myself into something completely different now to try to avoid a book hangover.

My full review is on my blog: http://sprainedbrain.blog/2019/11/02/imaginary-friend-by-stephen-chbosky/

I‘m ready to discuss this whenever you are @TorieStorieS 🖤

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Lots of people are in costume at work today.

I went as a 40ish-year-old witch who is thoroughly annoyed with inches of snow on our pumpkins (and messing up my commute), disgusted with the ‘leadership‘ of my country, fed up with the patriarchy but trying to chill out wearing my lovely new fire agate from @phatsallylee 🖤

Also, I wore this festive new pin.

😉

Happy Halloween to all my Litsy friends!

As if all of the wonderful stuff in my package from Mel wasn‘t enough, my witch sister/swap host extraordinaire Rachel has spoiled me even further. 😍

Thank you so much, my friend, for all of this awesomeness! I‘ve wanted the tagged book for a while, and I‘m crazy about everything else you chose for me. You are the best! 🖤🖤🖤

#basicwitchswap

Thank you so much @phatsallylee for this incredible box of goodies! I‘m so excited about everything in it: the great books, the tarot, the tea and candy, the adorable cup and spoon, the candle, the fire agate necklace and the cute little basic witch pin! I‘m wearing both today at work. 🧙🏼‍♀️

You are awesome and I really can‘t thank you enough. Blessings to you and happy Samhain! 🖤

#basicwitchswap

Good morning and happy Halloween/Blessed Samhain to everyone, but to all of our #basicwitchswap lovelies in particular. 😉

We can‘t wait to see all of the swap opening posts! Don‘t forget to tag your sender (and Rachel and me), and please let us know if you have not yet received a package!

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

Thank you SO MUCH @Callemarie for this awesome #allhallowsreadswap package! I love everything and I‘m so excited about the books... the two from my wishlist and the Joe Hill! You are incredible. Happy Halloween! 🎃🎃🎃

If you are looking for a scary, dare I say twisted, backwoods creepfest that may give you chills or make you jump while also making you laugh, look no further. This book was lots of fun!

My full review is on my blog: http://sprainedbrain.blog/2019/10/29/the-twisted-ones-by-t-kingfisher/

My #screamathon streak of great reads keeps rolling along!

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Witch mail from @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego because she‘s awesome!

Thank you so much, Danielle... You really didn‘t have to, but I love the bookmarks and the card!

Blessings to you! 🖤

Jackson did an extra credit project for school... his 3rd grade class had to choose a book to read and review, and then dress up a pumpkin as one of the characters. We had read this book together last year, but he reread on his own and made this Mad Hatter. He‘s pretty pleased with it. ❤️

As you can see, Jack is a fan of the Tim Burton movies. 😂

Bleak, sad, and taut, but with moments of hope and triumph. I cannot believe I‘m talking about a zombie book, but reader, I am.

I flew through this book, after almost not even starting. Really strong writing and a serious feminist vibe. Orpen is a character that is going to stick with me, and I must say I would not be opposed to a sequel. Her world is original and fascinating.

#screamathon pick
#deweys24hourreadathon - 2nd book done

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Another perfect #screamathon read. I read this one all today—hooray for #deweys24hourreadathon!

Someone please name this very specific genre of historical fiction + paranormal and/or spookiness + light romance, because I‘m pretty sure I‘m the target audience.

Full review is on my blog: http://sprainedbrain.blog/2019/10/26/the-widow-of-pale-harbor-by-hester-fox/

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I don‘t know about the rest of you witches, but I‘m very excited that Samhain (and opening day for #BasicWitchSwap) is only FIVE short days away! 🧙🏼‍♀️

We still need to hear from @Q84 and @Shuga to confirm packages have been sent—please let us know by email or posting here when yours will be on the way. Only 4 mailing days left!

🖤🌞

Another perfect #screamathon read. This one is a fast-paced historical fiction mystery with a creepy, scary ghost story and just a touch of romance. Loved the main characters, the intrigue, and the whole gothic feel of the book, but I have to say I didn‘t really care for the narrator of this audiobook. Thank goodness for 1.75 speed. 😬😂

This was my 3rd book by St. James, and I really like her style.

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So this was a #screamathon read, and it definitely had scary elements, but really it was just more poetic, beautiful Bradbury, and I loved it almost as much as Dandelion Wine.

‘Is Death important? No. Everything that happens before Death is what counts. And we've done fine tonight. Even Death can't spoil it.‘

I love Green Town. I love Will. And Will and Jim. And Charles Halloway. And every single thing about this story. 🖤

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It‘s almost time for another Dewey‘s 24 Hour #readathon!

I‘ve got a bunch of books I want to finish in October for the #screamathon and I‘m hoping I can shake this icky cold and get a bunch of hours in.

Here‘s a link to the site to sign up, just in case you needed it. The readathon starts at the same time all around the world... 8 am EST on Saturday 10/26 and runs for 24 hours. 😃

https://www.24hourreadathon.com

I‘m pretty sure Jennifer McMahon is going to be an auto-buy author for me from now on.

A perfect #screamathon read, with witches and ghosts and haunted houses and hidden treasure. Oh my!

Loved the main characters, the atmospheric setting, and quick pace of the story. I don‘t particularly like the narrator of this audiobook, but she was tolerable considering the wait was so long for the ebook. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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I‘ve finally decided to stop buying swap stuff and managed to cram everything into boxes. 😬

All of these boxes will be on their way tomorrow morning!

#basicwitchswap #allhallowsreadswap

Oooooh, this one is really good!

A psychological crime thriller that was not at all what I expected. Exciting through the end and very hard to put down. Great writing, and this is really a perfect book for #screamathon reading. With some excellent witchy stuff that elevated it to something really special. 🔮

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❤️ Iowa, USA
🧡 42
💛 I‘m a human services supervisor
💚 happily divorced
💙 she/her/hers
💜 lifted it from the lyrics of a Butch Walker song 😍

Tagging @PageTurner789 and anyone else who wants to play #gettingtoknowyou

A collection of 20+ short stories by 17 different authors, all centered around the 150-year history of the creepy little town of Graves Grove, British Columbia, where SO MANY children have gone missing over the years... a decent, if somewhat slow, #screamathon read for me. Mainly horror with some comedy.

My full review is on my blog: http://sprainedbrain.blog/2019/10/19/the-whispered-tales-of-graves-grove-an-anth...

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Combining both weeks, as just realized I never did last week.

I‘ve had to switch back to lunchtime walks because it‘s too dark before and after work, and work has been crazy (in a good way) as I‘ve been busy screening, interviewing, and checking references to fill a new position. Home has been crazy with senior pictures, volleyball, and homecoming.

My tracking has not been good! 😬

#bfcr4

Well. That was a thing I read.

This story could have been really awesome. An expedition to Antarctica that uncovers all sorts of scariness: giant alien creatures and their giant abandoned ancient ruins, a creepy blob thing that might have ended them, 6 ft tall eyeless albino penguins? Sounds fascinating! Unfortunately, our wordy, annoying narrator chooses to focus on the landscape, weather, and general tedium. 🙄

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#1001books
#screamathon

The second of McMahon‘s books that I‘ve read, and considering I‘ve enjoyed both, I think I need to find more from her.

Just the right amount of creepiness, 3 generations, multiple POVs a mystery that kept me guessing, and an ending that surprised me. I absolutely loved the main setting—an old abandoned roadside motel (with its own little Tower of London) and the family home up the hill from it...hello Psycho vibes.😱

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#screamathon

I came home to my #AllHallowsReadSwap package arrived on my doorstep!

Thank you, @Callemarie 🖤🖤🖤🖤

I‘m so exited for Halloween. 😃

The Shadow of the Wind is one of my very favorite books, and this little piece of gothic horror is almost as beautifully written and poetic. 🖤

Fantastic characters, gorgeous language, some really scary parts, and truly touching rumination on life and death. Combining mystery, love story, and science fiction seamlessly. I devoured this book in one day, and I‘m certain I will read it again.

A perfect #screamathon read!

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I finished one of my #screamathonswap gifts from @4thhouseontheleft 😃

Again I‘m not sure this book should be classified as horror—it‘s a sci-fi psychological thriller where not much really happens in the way of plot, but tension does build nicely throughout. Unfortunately, I figured out the ending way too early, so it lost something there. Still, it was a short read that kept my attention.

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Thanks again, Alisia!

#screamathon

I missed a day for #screamathonphotochallenge because yesterday was a whirlwind. Catching up!

If you‘ve read this, you know all about the #poison. If you have not, do yourself a favor and add some Shirley Jackson to your life. 🖤

Sharing #moonreflections from lovely @Meaw_catlady This month, she‘s given us a great ritual for the full moon.

The moon was gorgeous last night, and I‘ve got my crystals outside and ready to charge. 🖤

This gem is a retelling of Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein, but it starts with what most readers of the original understand—who the real monster is—and takes it up a few giant notches.

My full (slightly spoilery) review is on my blog:

http://sprainedbrain.blog/2019/10/13/the-dark-descent-of-elizabeth-frankenstein-...

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#screamathon

Look what arrived today! Thanks to @phatsallylee for my #basicwitchswap package 🖤

I am getting awfully exited for Halloween!