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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
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed the mc and her adventures in the faierie realm. Her single-mindedness makes for awkward relationships with the humans around her. I loved Wendel Brambleby and his interactions with Emily as well!

67 likes1 stack add
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I read this one in February and March with the #SheSaid group. This collection of essays was powerful. Thanks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa for this selection!

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staci.reads
The Housemaid | Freida McFadden
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Mehso-so

I don't think I've ever experienced a book that in spite of having such bad writing, kept me turning the pages 😳. Weak sentence construction, filled with cliches, cringy dialogue, and highly predictable thanks to the author signaling plot twists early...and yet I poured through it in a night. I am at a loss to explain it 😂.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I feel the same about her books… 1w
71 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
Hello Beautiful | Ann Napolitano
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Pickpick

Such a beautiful story of families and all their complicated messiness. I loved these characters. Also, outdoor reading in February?! What a weird, but beautiful winter weekend.

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Sometimes, a 2 star read, sometimes a 5, I'm still trying to figure out how to feel about this fever dream of a book. The plot seems to struggle with a massive identity crisis; however, there was a lot to love. This was my February #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
59 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
Tom Lake: A Novel | Ann Patchett
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Pickpick

I've heard mixed reviews on this one, but I found it lovely. The daughter/mother relationships, the quiet, beautiful love story of Lara and Joe, contrasted with the story she tells her daughters of her summer at Tom Lake when she dated a now-famous actor, Peter Duke, worked on many levels. This is my 5th Ann Patchett and my 2nd favorite, behind The Dutch House. This was my #Doublespin for February @TheAromaofBooks

Lesliereadsalot My favorite book from last year! 1mo
Crazeedi I loved this book 1mo
LeslieO I‘m team Tom Lake!🩷 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
66 likes4 comments
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staci.reads
Matrix | Lauren Groff
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Pickpick

This book was unlike anything I've read before, and through much of it, I wasn't sure if it would be a pick for me or not. But it kept me coming back, and there were moments of greatness. This was my first Lauren Groff, and I read it for my February ##AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Glad you liked it. 🙂 1mo
Lesliereadsalot I‘ve loved all her books! 1mo
Caryl I felt similarly. The way she told the story was challenging for me at first, but once I got used to it, it felt just right for the time period and characters. I ended up loving it. 2w
73 likes3 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This was a cute take on a modern retelling of P&P. I've heard the webseries is really cute too.

Ruthiella I watched the web series back in the day and really liked it. The Emma one was good too. 1mo
62 likes1 stack add1 comment
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staci.reads
Magpie Murders | Anthony Horowitz
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Pickpick

A murder-mystery within a murder-mystery and both of them compelling in themselves. I loved this one! It is unique and clever!

LeslieO I loved the PBS series, too. And I am currently reading Moonflower Murders.🙂📚 1mo
LiteraryinLawrence I love Anthony Horowitz! 1mo
Lesliereadsalot Loved the PBS series too! 1mo
70 likes3 comments
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staci.reads
Wellness | Nathan Hill
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Pickpick

The raw look at marriage and parenthood really hit home for me with this one. It's a beast, but I found it compelling and readable. It will be one of my favorites of the year. I forgot to add that this was my #Bookspin for January @TheAromaofBooks

Leftcoastzen Love your review! 1mo
Ruthiella I liked this one a lot too! Try his debut if you‘re interested 1mo
Lesliereadsalot Definitely read his first one, just as compelling. 1mo
See All 6 Comments
staci.reads @Ruthiella @Lesliereadsalot I read The Nix years ago, and I agree. It was a five-star read for me as well. 1mo
HeatherBookNerd Nathan Hill is a tad long-winded, but if I could write that well, I‘d take my time too! And he must do all kinds of crazy research because he can go off for pages on all kinds fascinating topics. Really enjoyed both his books. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 1mo
62 likes6 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This beautiful book. I was worried for the first 100 pages that this wouldn't live up to the hype and wouldn't be nearly as good as Deacon King Kong, but McBride did not let me down. This was superb writing and plotting. The characters are incredibly rich, and the storytelling is masterful. This will definitely be one of my favorites of the year, maybe of all-time.

BarbaraBB Wow what a recommendation! I will read it soon! 2mo
Texreader High praise! Stacked! 2mo
KLyn1 This is on my shelf!! 1mo
84 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Number 3 in the Thursday Murder Club is my favorite so far. I just love the cast of characters and the snarky humor, combined with a good mystery and so much heart ❤️ This is my January ##Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
JMPemberton Was my favourite so far too. Have the fourth book reserved at the library…can‘t wait! 2mo
86 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
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Panpan

I found this one to be a slog.

LiteraryinLawrence Your room looks very cozy for reading! 2mo
Ddzmini Loved that book 📖😊 2mo
71 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
Love and Other Words | Christina Lauren
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Pickpick

A friend/colleague went on a romance binge before Christmas and was handing me her finished ones at a rate of about one per day 😂. I told her I have a love/hate relationship with romance, so I don't read them as often, and it will take a while to get through. This was the 1st of approx 20 she's given me, and I picked a great one to start with! I loved it! The mc's were likable, & the alternating chapters between present and past worked well!

80 likes3 stack adds
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staci.reads
My Year | Roald Dahl
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I beat my PR for the 2nd year in a row! This fall, my reading slowed way down for a few months, but I guess I was already up from last year at that point, so I still came out ahead. It was a year of some powerful books mixed with some light-hearted, escapist reads. It's a reminder that there's a book for every season in life ❤️📚.

Ruthiella Nice work! 👏👏👏 3mo
keys_on_fire Your last sentence is so true!! Congrats on a great year! 3mo
TieDyeDude 💪🎉 3mo
See All 10 Comments
Aimeesue 👏👏👏 3mo
eeclayton Congrats! 🎉 2mo
Gissy Great!!! Congratulations 📚📚📚📚🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏 2mo
staci.reads @Ruthiella thank you! 2mo
staci.reads @keys_on_fire right?! And thank you! 2mo
staci.reads @TieDyeDude Thank you! 😊 2mo
66 likes10 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

The 5th in the Muderbot series (and the first full-length book of the series) found Murderbot reuniting with ART! I was happy to see the author bring ART back although this one got a little slow and redundant in places. This series may be better suited for novellas.

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staci.reads
Chain-Gang All-Stars | Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
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Pickpick

This ended up being my last finished book of 2023, and what a book to end on! It is definitely one of the best books I read in 2023! Also, I'm showing off the blanket my daughter made me for Christmas ❤️

dabbe It's beautiful! 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
staci.reads @dabbe thank you! She's pretty talented with needlework of a few kinds. She sure didn't get it from me 😂 2mo
67 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
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I'm going to try to finish up the 5th in the Murderbot series tonight, and tomorrow, I'm starting The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I've been looking forward to the McBride for a while now. It should be a good way to start 2024! #lastfirst @BookNAround

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one. The author does a fantastic job setting up the context for life at sea in the 1740s. He also brings to life the men at the heart of the story and vividly details the hardships they faced as sailors and then as castaways. My only criticism is with the marketing blurbs that make the court-martial trial out to be a significant part of the book. It is not. This was my December #Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
62 likes1 stack add1 comment
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staci.reads
Let Us Descend | Jesmyn Ward
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Pickpick

Everything Ward writes is masterful, and this was no exception. Her writing is simultaneously lyrical and heartbreaking. Sing, Unburied, Sing still ranks as her best in my book, but this is another powerful offering.

BarbaraBB I just started this. Glad to hear it‘s so good. 3mo
BkClubCare I am trying to finish this one by NYE, too! (So I am going to sign off these apps and go read LOL) 3mo
72 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Number 12 in the series was another slow burn for the first half, but the payoff in the last part was worth it.

Bookwomble I love your little reindeer lights🦌🕯️ 3mo
62 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
Possession | A. S. Byatt
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Bailedbailed

Maybe I'll return to this someday, but I'm abandoning it for now. At nearly 50% in, I just didn't care enough to pick it back up, and I didn't want to slog through this as my last read of the year when better books are waiting. This was my December #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Sometimes a book just needs to go into hibernation... sometimes permanently 😂 3mo
54 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
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@TheBookHippie Thank you so much for my ##jolabokaflodswap package! I'm excited to dive into both the book and the chocolate drink. Merry Christmas Eve 🎄 @MaleficentBookDragon Thank you so much for hosting.

TheBookHippie I have never heard of this book I added it to my TBR after seeing it on yours. I hope you enjoy it! 3mo
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staci.reads
Winter Solstice | Rosamunde Pilcher
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@TieDyeDude Thank you so very much for this #Yuleswap package! I love everything! Sorry for the delay in posting. I opened it yesterday morning, and then the day got away from me. I can't wait for tonight when I'll get the simmer pot going, put on these amazingly comfortable slipper socks, and dive into one of these books. I'm excited for both, so I'm not sure which I'll start with. @BookwormAHN @wanderinglynn thank you so much for hosting ❤️

Soubhiville Oooo those socks look incredibly cozy 🙂🔥 3mo
BookLineNSinker I'm looking forward to this evening too! Cozy socks, blankets, books, family time, art, and Christmas to look forward to! 3mo
wanderinglynn Wonderful! Happy Yule! ❄️ 3mo
BookwormAHN 🩵🤍🩵 3mo
64 likes4 comments
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staci.reads
Three Holidays and a Wedding | Marissa Stapley, Uzma Jalaluddin
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Pickpick

This is another one straight out of the Hallmark Movie Plot Factory, so it's filled with people on the cusp of big life decisions, old crushes reuniting, celebrity falls for "regular girl," and above all, the miscommunication trope in abundance. But like the good Hallmark movies, it's charming & lovely. I loved the representation in this of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim practices and their holidays. This post catches me up posting finished books.

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This one was lovely and my favorite of the holiday books I have read this year! Of course, it's set in a bookshop, so that already wins points 😂. The characters were charming, the sister dynamics were great, and the developing relationship between Carmen and her nieces and nephew (especially Phoebe) was heartwarming. Mr. McCready's storyline was a great touch, and his character is lovable.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty ❤️💚 3mo
staci.reads @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks a beautiful cover, right?! 3mo
63 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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staci.reads
Camp Zero | Michelle Min Sterling
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Mehso-so

This one is somewhere between a so-so and a pan. I definitely did some skimming in last 1/4 of the book because I just didn't care about the characters or the outcome anymore. It's a little convoluted, and the "plot twist" toward the end was really predictable. @TheAromaofBooks this was actually my November #Doublespin, but I finished it a few days into December.

TheAromaofBooks Some books just don't click! 3mo
52 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
A December to Remember | Jenny Bayliss
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Pickpick

I liked this one a lot more than the other holiday books I've been reading. While there is definitely romance in it, this is really a story about family and sisterhood, both biological and womankind. The dynamics among the three sisters felt believable, and the community in which they live was inspiring. Great atmosphere as well.

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staci.reads
Lovelight Farms | B. K. Borison
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Another not-bad Christmas read. It was cute. It was fine. Some cute banter. Great Christmassy atmosphere. Just not enough to pull this distracted brain into their world. If you like Hallmark movies (and, yes, I do, so don't come for me 😂), this might be a romcom for you.

53 likes2 stack adds
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staci.reads
Assistant to the Villain | Hannah Nicole Maehrer
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Pickpick

Time to catch up on my reads over the past 4 weeks. I continue in a bit of a slump. I thought lighthearted books were the ticket while dealing with some heavy stuff, but I think now it was a mistake. The fluff isn't engaging me and making me want to get back to the books. I plan on picking up some more substantial reads when we are on winter break in a couple weeks. We'll see if that's the ticket. This was cute and I liked it, but didn't love it.

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staci.reads
Swap'd | Tamara Ireland Stone
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@BookwormAHN and @wanderinglynn My #YuleSwap package arrived last week, and my match's is now sent.
@MaleficentBookDragon My match's #JolabokaflodSwap23 package has been sent.
Thank you all for spreading joy by organizing these swaps! 😊🤗

BookwormAHN Fantastic 🩵❄️🩵 3mo
wanderinglynn Yay! ❄️ 3mo
44 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This was fantastic! Three storylines eventually align in a story filled with magic, mystery, adventure, and deceit. This was November's #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheBookgeekFrau I love your living room! 😍 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! This one is on my shelf!! 4mo
staci.reads @TheBookgeekFrau thank you so much! 😊 3mo
staci.reads @TheAromaofBooks hope you like it as much h as I did! 3mo
65 likes1 stack add4 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I am so glad any time I stumble upon a new series that I love ❤️. This is the 2nd book in the Thursday Murder Club series, and it was just as charming as the first. The characters and their dynamics together are so lovable, and the mystery is always satisfying (although I did correctly call this one early). I already picked up the next 2 books!
And this post catches me up on my finished reads over the last five or six weeks ✔️.

JMPemberton I loved the first one and have reserved the man who died twice from the library. I just love a cozy mystery. 4mo
69 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This is such a powerful and beautiful story. My daughters bought it for me, thinking it would be a light-hearted distraction read. It was much darker than I expected, but the characters are so very endearing. Nurse Ratched is hilarious. I didn't love it as much as House in the Cerulean Sea, but it was definitely worth the read.

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staci.reads
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Mehso-so

This was a fascinating topic and seems well researched, but it was badly written. The continual use of 2nd person pov to talk directly to the reader is annoying. It is filled with the author's asides and random comments that feel more like a social media post or blog. The writing style is just immature and tries to be too "hip." It also gets very tedious when she includes long tangents about some loosely-connected historical aspect of the time. ⬇️

staci.reads While I appreciate the value of context, much of the book feels like filler. I read a review that said this would have been better served as an Atlantic article rather than a full-length book, and I agree whole-heartedly. This was my September #Bookspin - it just took me forever to get through @TheAromaofBooks 4mo
Leftcoastzen I hate it when this happens. Good information but bad writing. I have one I can‘t seem to get through because the writing is so bad. 4mo
Megabooks Excellent review! Agree 💯💯 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4mo
56 likes4 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one, and reading about the background of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall made for a fun setting surrounding a dark topic. I am surprised I had never heard about The Big Apple Bomber and his 16-year string of bombings. This was my October #Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 4mo
66 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I loved this one. It's set in small town Iowa, so I definitely connected with the atmosphere, and I'm always a sucker for a story revolving around books and their power to connect people. It's a soft, sweet story about the love of people, communities, and reading ❤️. This was my October #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4mo
59 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Now, this was definitely the fun romp that I needed! I have seen people rave about this series, and I now see why. If you love history, and the idea of a new twist on time travel appeals to you, check out this quirky book. It's definitely a series I will continue.

57 likes3 stack adds
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staci.reads
Girlhood | Melissa Febos
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Mehso-so

I finally finished this one for #SheSaid. I can't say I loved it because I often had to make myself pick it back up, but parts of it were definitely thought provoking. It may have been a "right book - wrong time" issue as well. @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s ok, I‘m glad you finished, I hope you got something from it. Not every book hits at the right time & place or are right for you. Thank you for giving it a chance anyway. 4mo
48 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
Starling House | Alix Harrow
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Pickpick

This was the most atmospheric book I've read in a long time. I'm a fan of stories where the setting is a character in itself, and this book took that idea to the next level. This was my Halloween read, and it fit the bill perfectly!

57 likes4 stack adds
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staci.reads
You, Again | Kate Goldbeck
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Panpan

The reviews of this one compared it with When Harry Met Sally and called it a fall, feel-good read. Man, that was not my experience 😕 I almost dnf'd this, but ended up finishing it. I did not care about either of the unlikeable MCs and did not believe the chemistry. It was a slog. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites, but this one was so beleaguered, I just didn't care.

marleed Very similar feelings - there was no Harry and Sally here. 4mo
50 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I've been absent for a while due to one of life's curveballs, so I have a lot of catching up to do. I'm happy to come back and see winter/Christmas swaps getting posted! 🎄❄️🕯
This book was enjoyable, but it didn't capture me as well as the first one in the series - that may have been more about my state of mind than about the book, though, so I will definitely give the next installment a try when it drops. #Pemberlittens

AmyG Welcome back. Hope all is well. And….love your reading spot! 4mo
dabbe Glad to see you again! 🧡🖤💜 4mo
staci.reads @AmyG thank you! It's my happy place 🤗 3mo
staci.reads @dabbe thank you 😊 3mo
60 likes4 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

And this one rounds out my September reading and gets me caught up on posting finished books. I was looking for fun, light reads, and this fit the bill. Cozy and charming, it went down easy.

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I was looking for a fun, escapist read, and I found it! This adventure/spy story/romance was a joy to read and exactly what I needed!

dabbe I love those hats! 🧡🎃🧡 6mo
60 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

It's been a rough few weeks, and I fell behind on my reading challenges and reading overall, but I finally finished up this month's #SheSaid selection. It was a fantastic memoir of strength and recovery, and Tarana' story is one worth knowing. @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

MallenNC Sorry you‘ve had a hard time! I thought this book was great and am also glad to have read it. #SheSaid has moved so many books off my TBR! 6mo
Bookwomble Sorry to hear the past few weeks have been tough for you, Staci. I hope things are starting to smooth out 💖 6mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I hope your days will get better soon or at least smoother. 6mo
60 likes3 comments
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staci.reads
Lark Ascending | Silas House
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Pickpick

This was fantastic! It will definitely land on my favorites list for this year. I am a sucker for a well written dystopian, especially one with found family. Lark's quest and the companions he finds on the way touched my heart.

Lcsmcat Did you listen to the Vaughan Williams while you read? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IOWN5fQnzGk 6mo
staci.reads @Lcsmcat I did not. Thanks for sharing 👍 6mo
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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staci.reads
Tress of the Emerald Sea | Brandon Sanderson
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Mehso-so

I'm in the minority here, but I found this one just okay. There are some great characters, and the world building is unique. It has clever dialogue as well. For me, though, it dragged, and I found myself wanting to skim. It's my first Sanderson, but I've read it's very unlike his other work, so I may give him another chance.

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staci.reads
Lobizona: A Novel | Romina Garber
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Pickpick

A fantastic YA fantasy based on Argentinian folklore and tackling the topics of identity, immigration, gender norms, and belonging. I can't wait to read the sequel!

TheBookHippie I loved this book! 6mo
72 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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staci.reads
The Covenant of Water | Abraham Verghese
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Pickpick

I finally finished my August #Bookspin selection. This 700+ page tome is so beautifully done. The characters feel like family. It's sweeping and detailed, and the Indian history is so woven into their stories that it feels like part of the fictional world instead of the reality it was. I moved slowly with this one, not because I didn't love it, but because I wanted to spend some time with it. @TheAromaofBooks

TrishB Looking forward to getting to this one! 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Oh wow, that cover is GORGEOUS!! 7mo
Leftcoastzen Love the cover as well.a long one ! 7mo
80 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Our August #SheSaid selection explores racism through the lens of how racist policies, practices, and attitudes have not only hurt Black Americans, but have hurt all Americans. She explores the topics of housing, education, labor unions, and healthcare, among others, while focusing on the "Solidarity Dividend" that we could be reaping if we could rid our nation of the zero-sum falacy that drives policy making and voting. @Riveted_Reader_Melissa