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staci.reads

staci.reads

Joined January 2018

high school principal, former English and history teacher of 23 years, bibliophile. https://www.goodreads.com/stacilaird
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staci.reads
The Grapes of Wrath | John Steinbeck
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I can't believe I've waited this long to read this masterpiece of a book. The characters, the structure of alternating chapters, the incredibly vivid description - all of it makes this the profound piece of literature that has become the benchmark of an era. I'm so glad Steinbeck was March's #AuthorAMonth pick, making me pull this off my bookshelf. @Soubhiville

Soubhiville That‘s awesome! Great review. 🙂 17h
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And this one rounds out the weekend. I finished it up on the road trip home. It's the 4th in the Three Pines series, and they just keep getting better and better! We learn more of Inspector Gamache's backstory, and Peter and Clara Morrow also take a central role in this one, as Peter's dysfunctional family reunion sets the stage for the murder.

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Towards Zero | Agatha Christie
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I'm so glad to have given Agatha Christie another chance and not to have quit after the collection of short stories I tried first! I loved this novel and the colorful characters she created. Now I'm looking forward to more of her work. Finished this one up on our rainy road trip.

peanutnine I've found her novels are much better than her short stories. She thrives on a longer narrative I think 3d
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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staci.reads
An Impossible Impostor | Deanna Raybourn
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Now, to catch up on finished books...
Number 7 in the Veronica Speedwell mysteries was one of my favorites of the lot! We get some unexpected backstory for Veronica, along with the usual adventure. Veronica and Stoker have some of their usual moments 😍. Loved this one!

Texreader I did not know there‘s a seventh book! Yay! 3d
Deblovestoread @texreader. And the 8th was just released 2d
Texreader @Deblovestoread Dang am I behind the times! Thank you!! 2d
55 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Left Bank Books | St Louis, MO (Bookstore)
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St. Louis bookstore #3 was Left Bank Books, and it was a great one! Again, it had a fantastic selection, great staff recommendation cards, fun bookish merchandise, and this one has lots of seating throughout! It was an inviting, stay-as-long-as-you-want atmosphere. The booksellers were super accommodating, too! It's in a cool, historic building, and the store has a long history of community involvement and civic action. #supportindiebookstores

Sharpeipup I put this on the list for my May trip. 3d
staci.reads @Sharpeipup hope you enjoy it! 1d
56 likes2 comments
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Subterranean Books | University City, MO (Bookstore)
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St. Louis bookstore #2 was Subterranean Books in University City. It was in a fun neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. It had a good selection and nice displays as well as lots of staff recommendation cards. This one ranks 3rd, though, in our adventures, marked down for no customer seating, least friendly staff of the day, and no customer restroom 😔. Still, I got some great books! #supportindiebookstores

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The Novel Neighbor | St. Louis, MO (Bookstore)
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St. Louise bookstore #1! Our first stop was at The Novel Neighbor. It's such a fantastic store! A huge selection of books and tons of bookish-related merchandise - journals, mugs, candles, totes, cards, etc. They also had fun displays and great staff recommendation cards! My only suggestion would be to add seating - only one comfy chair in the back to sit and peruse potential purchases. Overall, we loved it! #supportindiebookstores

Texreader Sounds wonderful!! What fun you had! 3d
MaureenMc This is my favorite St. Louis bookstore, although I prefer Left Bank‘s location. 😁 3d
staci.reads @Texreader we did, thanks! 1d
staci.reads @MaureenMc I loved them both. I'm jealous of anyone with good local indies! 1d
52 likes4 comments
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staci.reads
Left Bank Books | St Louis, MO (Bookstore)
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I spent a long weekend in St. Louis, and Day 1 was all about bookstores and food! We made it to 3 indie bookstores, and this is my haul: 8 books, 2 t-shirts, 1 tote bag, 1 mug, and some great bookmarks! My heart is full ❤️

persephone1408 I miss st. Louis. That's where I'm from. 3d
Ruthiella Nice haul ! 3d
Morr_Books I so wish Novel Neighbor had existed when I went to grad school there. I spent so much time in that part of town. 3d
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staci.reads @persephone1408 We really loved exploring all the diverse neighborhoods. It's a great city! 1d
staci.reads @Ruthiella Thanks! My resolution to "read my shelves" this year may have just taken a hit ? 1d
staci.reads @Morr_Books It's a great area! 1d
50 likes6 comments
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staci.reads
Heartstone | Elle Katharine White
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I thought this book was a whole lot of fun! The dragons and all the various creatures added lots of life and adventure to the core P&P plotline. I plowed through the rest of the book today, finishing early, because I was enjoying it so much. So glad to have joined in on this #HeartstoneBuddyread with other #Pemberlittens! @CrowCAH thanks for hosting! I'm enjoying your daily posts!

CrowCAH I‘m so glad you enjoyed the book! ❤️ Thanks for joining the buddy read! Feel free to keep commenting and joining the discussion. 😁 2w
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staci.reads
On the Banks of Plum Creek | Laura Ingalls Wilder
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I finished this one up a couple of weeks ago. I forgot this was the story that introduced Nellie and so many of the other fantastic characters that found their way into the TV series. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, too. #LittleHouse

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Mehso-so

My #Doublespin for February was one I bought long ago after having it recommended by a couple people. It had some interesting parts, but overall, I felt it rambled unnecessarily. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2w
plemmdog I enjoyed it okay…my favorite review is on Goodreads: “if anyone is familiar with ‘The Good Place‘, it feels as if Tahani wrote this in an unironic way” 1w
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staci.reads
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Here I've been, waiting for summer to read this because of that ridiculously misleading cover. It popped up for my March #Bookspin, so I dove in anyway. I loved People We Meet on Vacation and Book Lovers, but this one is definitely my favorite! It has depth, fantastic snappy dialogue, and lots of romantic yearning. It is definitely not just a "beach read." I am looking forward to her newest one, coming out next month! @TheAromaofBooks

KathyWheeler Yeah, that cover is definitely misleading. 2w
Esinclair You‘re inspiring me to read it again 2w
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This was a charming book about lovely people. Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali are wonderful characters, and their later-in-life romance is beautifully written.

KathyWheeler I loved this book so much! Just a quiet but wonderful story. 2w
jess.edits.books This book is adorable! 1w
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staci.reads
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Catching up on a couple weeks of finished books. This one was my February #Bookspin, and it was epic. I bought this well over a year ago, and it's been hanging out on my bookshelf, looking a little intimidating. I think knowing there were 9 main characters and nearly as many plot lines kept me from diving in, but thank goodness for #Bookspin! It's beautifully done and definitely makes me look at trees in a whole new way. @TheAromaofBooks

Jess861 This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while! 2w
SamAnne One of my best reads of the decade. But I was a longtime forest activist having watched all the trees come down in my logging community. So it resonated! 2w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2w
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staci.reads
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Book number 4 in the series finally sees Murderbot reunited with Dr. Mensah and the Preservation Team. Their group dynamics are still complicated, and their shared history creates mixed emotions - and of course, Murderbot hates feeling emotions 😁. Another great installment, and another action-packed adventure!

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staci.reads
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While the story of Ashley's sack and the speculation about its history are powerful, important pieces of history, I struggled to get through this. I felt some of the tangents about items in the sack and connections among stories of other enslaved people added depth. I felt other parts were attempts to create a longer book than it needed to be to still have the same impact (the section on pecans, for example). ⬇️ #SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

staci.reads It's a Pick because of the importance of building up historical research about enslaved peoples and telling their stories, not for readability. 4w
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Rogue Protocol | Martha Wells
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Third in the series, this one finds Murderbot crossing paths with Miki, an innocent, trusting human-like robot, while he continues investigating GrayCris. Miki and her human companion are this volume's contribution to the wonderful array of characters Wells is creating for us in this series. This was another good adventure.

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Powell's Books | Portland, Oregon (Bookstore)
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@Deblovestoread thank you so much for the lovely mug, the coffee, and the tote! I've heard great things about Powell's and hope to get there someday. Happy Valentine's Day ❤️ #muglove23 @TheKidUpstairs @Cinfhen Thanks for hosting!

BarbaraBB That is a great mug! 1mo
Cinfhen Fabulous swag you got!!Love all the loot ❤️ 1mo
TheKidUpstairs I love the sunshine-y yellow mug 💗😁 1mo
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CoffeeNBooks Army of Dark Chocolate is one of my favorite Bones flavors! 1mo
marleed I love that mug! 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm Me love the mug too!💛 1mo
Deblovestoread Glad you like everything! 1mo
LeahBergen Powell‘s! ❤️❤️ 1mo
MatchlessMarie Bones coffee is great! 1mo
79 likes9 comments
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staci.reads
One True Loves | Taylor Jenkins Reid
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#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
Taylor Jenkins Reid has been hit and miss for me. I loved Eleanor Hugo and Malibu Rising, but I didn't love Daisy Jones & the Six. I enjoyed reading this one for sure, but it felt shallower than the others, maybe because it was an earlier work. There were lovely parts, and it got me in the feels more than once, but the timeline bothered me - for a few reasons - but mostly because the ending felt rushed ⬇️

staci.reads and people accepted some pretty tough realizations too quickly and easily. I also found the end pretty predictable. I feel like she signaled it too obviously in her descriptions of the early years. I liked it a lot, but it's not one of my favorites of hers. 1mo
Andrew65 I‘m currently reading this and just over halfway through. 1mo
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staci.reads
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Book 3 really digs into the controversy and conflict around Gamache that the first two hinted at, and it's a great added layer to the storytelling. I am liking certain characters more and more and starting to dislike some I was taken with early on. The mystery here wasn't my favorite, but I still loved the book.

EclecticBookLover I just finished listening to the first book after watching the show, and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to a nice, long, cozy-ish series to get into. There are so many mentions of food that it's driving me crazy! Lol 1mo
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I absolutely failed at a chapter-a-day on this one. I didn't start until yesterday and finished it up today 😂. I was surprised at the overt racist attitudes in this one - not surprised they existed, but surprised it didn't stand out to me more when I read these as a child. Pa is less endearing to me as an adult than he was when I was a child. As a parent, it's hard to read about the way he risked his family's lives ⬇️

staci.reads and the way he seemed to make massive decisions impulsively. Still, the storytelling is so well done that I am drawn right back into Laura's world and enthralled with the adventures. #LittleHouse @megnews 1mo
Ruthiella I missed all that as a child too. It‘s definitely a different experience reading this series as an adult. 1mo
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Confession- I had never read any Agatha Christie until last week 😳🙈. I know, I know. Anyway, I picked up two Christie books at the library, one Poirot and one Marple. However, I didn't realize that Poirot Investigates was a short story collection, and I am not a big fan of short stories, so not the best choice for my first foray into Christie's work. The mysteries were clever and while I didnt love it, I enjoyed it. Next up, a Miss Marple novel.

Bklover My favorite favorite favorite one is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd , although to be honest I haven‘t read many. Maybe ten. But still… that‘s a good one! 1mo
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staci.reads
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I really enjoyed sections of this, and Flavia de Luce is a joy! She's a fantastic character, and the smart dialogue made me chuckle more than once. There were sections, though, that got unnecessarily wordy, and I caught myself skimming out of boredom. It wasn't the majority of the text, but enough that it kept me from loving this one. I'll likely try the next in the series eventually to see if they all have that issue. Still, a pick, though.

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My bookhaul from Reading in Public! The gorgeous painted edition of Jane Eyre is for my oldest child, who is finally reading this favorite of mine. I'm also in love with this beautiful hardcover of Kindred, another favorite of mine. Just part of my birthday haul! Hit up Half Price Books as well. I'll post that stack later.

Christine Excellent stack! 2mo
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Got to check out a brand new indie bookstore in West Des Moines this weekend! It includes a fantastic coffee bar! I bought myself a few birthday presents too 😊 #supportindiebookstores

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staci.reads
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It's a good one!

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staci.reads
Paris Apartment | Lucy Foley
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Hovering between a pick and a So-so - It was a decent plot that kept me reading, and there was a big twist toward the end that made me actually gasp, so points for that, but the writing was often cringy. Also, did anyone else notice that at least 11 times, by my count, the author describes the scent of someone's sweat, with really weird adjectives like vinegary and peppery 🤮 Truly bizarre fixation. 🤔🙀🙄

allureofbeauty I‘d had high hopes for it and loved the cover but it kind of fell flat. 2mo
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Whiskey When We're Dry | John Larison
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17-year-old Jessilyn Harvey masquerades as a boy, and travels through the post-Civil-War West to find her brother-turned-outlaw after her father dies and leaves her alone on the family ranch. She is a sharp shooter whose skills are discovered and exploited by the territorial governor. It has many qualities of an old western, but no real heroes to be found. Read it after hearing it recommended on #WSIRN podcast.

SamAnne I have been trying to get to this one forever. 2mo
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staci.reads
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I finally got around to reading the final book of the Broken Earth Trilogy because it came up as my January #Doublespin. This trilogy is epic and genius. I've been putting off the final book, though, because these books demand a cognitive focus and commitment, and I haven't had the capacity lately. The storytelling is complex, but man, the effort is worth it! @TheAromaofBooks

SamAnne I really want to finish this trilogy. I think I‘m going to reread Fifth Season first and go from there. You are right: it takes concentration! 2mo
Liatrek I still need to finish the last book. Hoping to complete this year 🙂 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
Lauredhel This trilogy is AMAZING. 2mo
5feet.of.fury Love this series! I agree, it is very complex but it‘s worth it! 2mo
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staci.reads
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This one's gotten mixed reviews, but I really liked it. I struggled a little with the background of the mc, specifically how many things she was extraordinarily good at before she abandoned it all. I also hated the 2nd-to-last chapter, where the author felt the need to lay out all the themes of the book 🙄. I wish his editors had told him to trust his readers. Otherwise, it was definitely a pick for me. My January #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
dabbe Loved the idea and most of it, but like you, the ending was a bit too perfect and wrapped up. I read that the author has just been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism as an adult. Looking at his other books, he seems to be interested in helping people out there with his books. 😊 2mo
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I remember this being my least favorite when I read them as a child because it felt slower than the others to me. I don't think I noticed how much it focuses on food and meals until this time around 😂. Man, it made me hungry over and over again! #LittleHouse @megnews

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Honor | Thrity Umrigar
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#12Booksin2022 I read a lot of great books in December, so it was hard to choose a favorite, but this one packed a punch, and I'll be thinking about it for a long time. @Andrew65

Andrew65 This looks a good read. Thanks for playing along, it has been a great way to review the Reading year. 2mo
56 likes1 comment
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The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel | Diane Setterfield
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#12Booksof2022 This one was another one recommended on the #WSIRN podcast, and the way she described it made me want to get my hands on it immediately. A fantastic, twisted dark tale. @Andrew65

dabbe Amen to that! #twistedindeed 3mo
Andrew65 A very popular choice. 3mo
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The Sentence | Louise Erdrich
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What a great book with which to start the year! I read The Nightwatchman last year and didn't love it, but this one was fantastic! This was my pick for January's #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Great to hear! 3mo
MrsV I picked this one too. Absolutely loving it! 3mo
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#12Booksof2022 Lessons in Chemistry was a nice surprise for October. I did not expect to enjoy it so very much! @Andrew65

Andrew65 A very popular choice. 3mo
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Sea of Tranquility: A Novel | Emily St. John Mandel
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#12Booksof2022 This was September's best and one of my top 5 of the year. @Andrew65

Andrew65 This book has got a lot of recommendations. 3mo
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When Women Were Dragons | Kelly Barnhill
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This was my last book of 2022. It was strange, and I wasn't always sure where the author was going, but I loved it!

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staci.reads
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My 2nd-to-last read of 2022. Finished this one a couple days ago. Heard it recommended on #WSIRN podcast, so I grabbed it at the library. I really enjoyed it and loved the dive into the world of antiquarian books!

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#12Booksof2022 This remains one of my favorites of the year. It was such a great mix of funny and insightful, with unexpected gut-punches of emotional depth. @Andrew65

Andrew65 A popular author - seems very good at the emotional stuff. 3mo
Centique I loved this too and must reread it soon 💕 2mo
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Cloud Cuckoo Land | Anthony Doerr
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Here are my #Top22of22. It was a great reading year, but even though I read the most books I've ever read in a year, I didn't have too much trouble choosing my favorites. @Cinfhen

LeeRHarry Malibu Rising and This Poison Heart are in my top reads list too 😊 3mo
jlhammar So many good ones! Looking forward to Take My Hand. 3mo
TrishB Great choices 👍🏻 3mo
See All 6 Comments
Cinfhen Fantastic!!! There are a few I‘m looking forward to reading in 2023😄 3mo
dabbe The Thirteenth Tale creeped me out, but I absolutely loved it! You gave me other ones to consider too; thanks! 3mo
Centique I loved Murderbot too and the John Green! Need to get to some of these others. 😍 3mo
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staci.reads
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My biggest reading year ever! I wasn't originally trying to get to 100 books, but once I got close, I knew I had to try.

RebL Congratulations! 100 was my goal, & I got 76. Still a personal best. Also, I read way better books in 2022 than ‘21. Happy reading in 2023! 3mo
Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3mo
wanderinglynn Congrats! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3mo
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UwannaPublishme Woo hoo! 👏🏻🎉👏🏻🎉 3mo
MaureenMc 👏👏👏 3mo
bthegood congratulations - 3mo
fredamans 👏 👏 👏 3mo
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#12Booksof2022 My July pick was the perfect vacation read. I read it by the ocean and by the pool, and I enjoyed it so much! @Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks a good vacation read. 3mo
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The Sentence | Louise Erdrich
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I won't have much reading time today, so When Women Were Dragons, which I finished last night, will be my last book of the 2022. I'm starting 2023 with my #authoramonth selection for January, The Sentence. #lastfirst @BookNAround

BookNAround Great choices! 3mo
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Cloud Cuckoo Land | Anthony Doerr
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#12Booksof2022 June was a great reading month. I enjoyed many of my books that month, but this one was by far the standout. I am not much of a rereader, but I know I will revisit this one. @Andrew65

Andrew65 An excellent author. On my TBR and I really need to get to this. 3mo
dabbe @Andrew65 Ditto exactly what you said! 3mo
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staci.reads
Once There Were Wolves | Charlotte McConaghy
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#12Booksof2022 I'm cheating for May, but I can't pick. Once There Were Wolves was masterfully done and the best fiction of May. But I also finished the group read/ slow read for The 1619 Project that month, and I was absolutely blown away by that book. @Andrew65

JenReadsAlot I cheated too! Lol 3mo
Andrew65 Two good books. 3mo
TheBookHippie I got Once there were wolves for Hanukkah … I‘m happy to see it‘s good. 3mo
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#12Booksof2022 I love a good spin on the Anastasia story, and that, combined with Boyne's beautiful prose, made this one a winner for me last April. @Andrew65

Andrew65 Love John Boyne but not read this one. 3mo
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Honor | Thrity Umrigar
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Wow! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is powerful and heartbreaking. The topics and many scenes are difficult to read, sad and infuriating all at once. This will definitely end up on my "best of" list this year!

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Better than Fiction | Alexa Martin
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Mehso-so

It was cute, and I was looking for something light, so it worked. But the writing was cringy at times, and everything about the plot was predictable. I've read enough romance to know that it can coexist with good writing, but unfortunately this one doesn't live up.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 🎄💗 3mo
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Honor | Thrity Umrigar
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Christmas morning book haul. Then, like a weirdo, I went to the library yesterday and checked out 5 more books 😂

Mollyanna Not weird! Totally makes sense to me 😉 3mo
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Fight Night | Miriam Toews
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#12Booksof2022 I read one of my favorite books of the year in March - Miriam Toews Fight Night was fantastic and completely unexpected. I had bought it on someone's recommendation, but it probably would have sat on my bookshelf indefinitely if its number hadn't come up on #Bookspin that month. @Andrew65

Andrew65 Not heard of this one. 3mo
jlhammar This is definitely in my top books of the year. So good! 3mo
54 likes2 comments