What the hell (pun intended), at first I wasn't stoked by the #BOTM choices, but I ended up deciding to snag this one. At least it gives a more Autumn/October creepy vibe 😈

Bit of an "oopsie" on the #BOTM app right now. That's not the cover for Hester (unless mine is the only one glitching?).

Picks are live btw! But I'm not stoked about a single one. I may skip and feel out my first month with Aardvark ?

Damn, I love it when I randomly stumble on a new-to-me author and I just get more and more excited to devour their backlist! This is my third book of his and, while not my fav of the three I've read so far, I was still completely hooked and completely off balance the whole time. Let me put it this way, I love crime fiction. And the last two times I was this excited about discovering a new auther it was Karin Slaughter and Michael Connelly 👏🏽 4⭐️

Ooh, this was a good one! A well paced, multiple POV mystery, and one twist that actually shocked me. A lot of layers, but I enjoyed watching the story unfold. 4.5⭐️

For those that might have been waiting for #Aardvark on iOS to launch - it's now live! Woohoo! I went all in on my first box, couldn't help it 😂

This prompt from #Aardvark is kind of fun, not that I have a happy love life to report, unfortunately.

So mine would probably be either:
- Must Love Cats
- Swiping Right: A Horror Story

What about you? 😂

I'm 2 for 2 with this author and excited to keep plugging my way through his backlist! In this one, a wealthy man recently given a fatal genetic diagnosis decides to try and find his biological offspring (the result of a long ago sperm donation). But as he tracks them down it's clear someone else is too... because the people on the list are starting to meet foul play, one by one. I enjoyed the ride and give extra points for plot originality! 4⭐️

Folks on Instagram have been commenting on the lack of diversity in Aardvark's first month of books and this was their response (personally I think it's a good one). As a fledgling company, I hope folks give them a chance to get up and running before casting judgement! (I feel like i'm starting to become the #Aardvark fan club captain on Litsy 😂)

Following up on my last #Aardvark post, apparently the Android app has been accessible for some folks so we have confirmed spoilers for their inaugural box! The Marsh Queen speaks to me, personally, so I'll probably sign up and give them a go once the iPhone app is finally live! What do you think?

This #Aardvark social post made me laugh. Apparently the only thing they're waiting on before launch is their apps to be approved. I personally don't mind the wait, I'm excited for BOTM to have a little competition and to see how this goes! 👏🏽

Thoughts on this #BOTM clue being Thistlefoot?

I'm a little underwhelmed by the #BOTM Book of the Year finalists (at least among those that I've actually read). So I'm voting for Black Cake in the hopes that it will be a finalist so that I can get it for free 😬

Another #Aardvark hint - feels like this one is possibly Ithaca!

While this book (if it is indeed the book this hint refers to) is not my personal cup of tea, is anybody else low-key stoked for Aardvark to launch??

I *really* enjoyed this! I was hooked from the get-go, off balance for most of the ride, tricked and tricked again by all of the smoke and mirrors. I couldn't read it fast enough because I just had to pull back all of the layers. I love it when a thriller actually feels fresh and atypical! My first book by this author, but you best believe I'll be grabbing more of his work 👏🏽
4.5 ⭐️

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I think Aardvark is making #BOTM nervous. This makes it sound like their loyalty program will now have more perks... and the first "perk" they announce is that you can opt to *pay* $32 for a water bottle that doesn't even have any bookish branding? SO underwhelming.

They also added a lower tier "friend" status but added nothing new for those of us who have been members or BFF's the longest? I don't get it.

This is out of my area of expertise. Any librarians, teachers, or folks with general children's books knowledge that can help? She's teaching 5th grade, but many of her students have learning disabilities so she said somewhere in the 3rd-5th range could work well. The library at the school she's at doesn't have many contemporary options so we're hoping to bulk up her classroom library in the hopes of getting kiddos excited about reading! ❤️

I loved this book SO MUCH. But I think some of that is because I saw a lot of myself in Nora, navigating the weight of familial responsibility (even when rooted in love), and my personal history with both NYC *and* the Blue Ridge Mountains as it happens. Add in some classic Hallmark movie tropes, and BOOM. I have no complaints.

Though if my own "happily ever after" could hurry up and happen in a bookstore aisle it would be much appreciated ?

It's a rainy, lazy day, I'm reading a good book, and my sweet Moxie decided to climb under the blanket and snuggle (peep that sweet paw!). Today is a good day (I just hope I don't have to use the bathroom anytime soon 😹)

Sharing this #aardvark update from one of the book groups I'm in on fb. Looks like we have 2 confirmed picks and 2 of the top contender guesses for one of the clues they gave (I personally am hoping for The Butcher and the Wren which was my guess)

I'm gonna go ahead and say it - I'll be subscribing to give this subscription a try! The tagged book sounds right up my alley. Anyone else thinking about giving Aardvark a go?

Ok so this new Aardvark subscription has me more and more intrigued. So far they've posted these two clues for their first box. Any guesses?

I think the top clue could be the tagged book? And the second could be The Night Ship? Maybe?? But I stink at emoji-based clues so I'm curious what y'all think 🕵️🏽‍♀️

#aardvark (fun fact - their website says the name is because it's the first word in the dictionary 😂)

PSA: there's a new book club subscription service on the way! The concept seems very similar to #BOTM, 4-5 picks each month, etc (although this one's available for Canada peeps, FYI!). I'll be interested to see what kind of picks they offer, and why they chose the name Aardvark, haha.

What do you think? Is anyone's interest piqued? #Aardvark

I enjoyed this! An easy, quick read that was a perfect poolside pick. Nothing too fussy or twisty (though a few plot points broke this out of the overly typical mold). A solid read all-around, though I can say I'm glad to have gone the library route rather than purchasing through #BOTM 3.5⭐️

PS: the background pic was my reading view for the day 😍

This resort in Mexico has quickly become one of my go-to happy places when I need a getaway. This trip is a solo, lay out with this view and a book, drink some cocktails, eat yummy food, and recharge kind of vibe ☀️

I chose Other Birds for this month, and added on The Devil Takes You Home because it's been on my mind ever since I didn't add it to my box last month. I also finished the challenge finally, and picked these cute magnets 👏🏽 #BOTM

This was a cute, quick beach read. But I wasn't blown away. I do think the concept was interesting and the characters had potential, so maybe I'll continue on with the series eventually (a few things felt unfinished, which makes sense). ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can see why this has gotten mixed reviews. But Slaughter has set her own bar so high, particularly with her Will Trent series. And while I readily admit that this isn't her best, she's still such a superior writer to the average crime fiction content, I still can't give this anything but a pick. I was surprised that she did a sequel to Pieces of Her (and wish it had been more obvious that this isn't a standalone) but was still hooked! 4⭐️ #BOTM

Some September #BOTM spoilers for you!

Personally, I put B. A. Paris in the same bucket as Peter Swanson. I'm never totally blown away, but they always seem to scratch the itch when I need a quick, outlandish, page-turner of a thriller. I was certainly entertained by The Therapist. There were enough believable red herrings to keep things from being too obvious, and even as I started to suspect "whodunnit" there were added layers to the twist that had definitely NOT occured to me ?

Looks like I'm with the minority here, but I didn't care for this at all. I wanted to like it, and for the first 25% or so I really thought I would, but in the end the only word that comes to mind is tedious. I'm not a gamer, but I don't even think that had anything to do with it. I just found the dynamics between various characters to be too dysfunctional and disappointing. I mostly just feel apathetic about the whole thing 🤷🏽‍♀️ #BOTM

Excited about this Goodreads win, this one sounds awesome!

Detective investigating the suspicious death of a frat boy, skeletons in the closet, the twisted, sordid history of Greek life at the university? Sign me up 👏🏽

I so enjoyed this book! On the eve of their son's graduation, Lillie's husband abruptly leaves her to be with the wealthy newcomer in town. One POV is even told by said "other woman", which seemed odd at first and then became super entertaining. Lillie can't help but throw a few hilarious, harmless pranks their way (letting a skunk into their house for one, haha) but ultimately discovers she's way better off. A perfect beachy escape! 4⭐️

I remember when this was a #BOTM pick and folks had a lot of negative things to say about it. I think the problem is honestly that it was mismarketed as a thriller. To me it felt more like *dark* contemporary fiction, the exploration of how a group of siblings were each impacted by their incredibly traumatic childhood. Told through the eyes of Girl A, Lexi, who's forced to revisit the trauma after being made executor of her mother's will. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book deserves every bit of praise I've seen and then some! I loved these badass women, I loved the writing, I loved every second. 👏🏽 #BOTM

PSA: Book Outlet is having a sale on fiction books! Looks like they have some good ones available! There are also some solid former #BOTM picks available (Razorblade Tears for one!). I apologize in advance for further enabling your TBR addiction, haha.

www.bookoutlet.com

This week was a doozy. I got my wisdom teeth out (eep), had a bad reaction to the pain meds (double eep), and then my apartment flooded 😩. Needless to say, I've been exhausted and unable to do anything but lay here and try to cheer myself up with Ted Lasso. BUT my sweet Moxie must have known I needed some love because she willingly climbed under the blanket to cuddle me for HOURS! My fellow cat peeps can appreciate just how rare that can be 😻

Emily Henry's covers always make me happy 💖#coverreveal

Can I just say that I am LOVING this book so far. It feels like it's been a while since I started a #BOTM pick that immediately gave me the "oh snap, this may go in the favorites pile" feeling. These are the BOTM moments that I stick around for - when they hit me with a book I might not have read otherwise and it's amazing!

PS: no spoilers please, I'm not too far in yet and trying to savor it ?

Gosh, I'm on a roll or something! This win is from the wonderful @EloisaJames (haven't seen her around Litsy in a while but in case she sees this - HI!!). Always happy to have the opportunity to read one of her books ❤️

I waffled between a so-so and a pan, but ultimately had to swing to pan because the more I think about it, the more irritated I get. On the positive side (✅), I did not guess the twists right. On the negative side(❌), the twists felt like they were there for more immediate shock value, and it didn't feel like the rationale behind certain convoluted motivations were ever fleshed out enough to explain the WHY of it all. Bizarre. #BOTM

You know, I think what I like most about Blake Crouch's books that he takes super complicated scientific concepts and somehow distills them down into something that the average person can not only follow, but comprehend for the most part (😂), while at the same time not treating the reader like a total idiot. I was hooked 90% of the way through, but the ending let me down a smidge. Overall a successful #BOTM pick for a lazy Saturday! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm excited about this win, this book sounds right up my alley! 👏🏽

Add me to the list of peeps who picked this up without completely realizing there are a ton more books before it in a series (sometimes Libby doesn't flag that accurately!). But it didn't matter, I loved the characters and the chemistry, and I will gladly go back and get the backstory on everybody else soon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Feeling pretty "eh" about this one. I like that Swanson always seems to try new things. But had I known that this was inspired by Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" I would have been a lot less likely to read it, as I seem to be one of the few folks not into her stuff (and I will never be able to get the original title of that book out of my head). Anywho, this is a fast paced, quick read with a bunch of people to keep track of. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

August #BOTM picks! Some really good choices imo!

Personally, I've got my eye on the Slaughter (duh) and The Devil Takes You Home. I've got a huuuuge backlog of books right now, so we'll see if I can control myself or if another ends up in the cart 😂

If you're an Elin Hilderbrand fan this will not disappoint. The Hotel Nantucket has recently been renovated and reopened to great fanfare, lore, and suspicion from the island locals. It's a classic, character driven Hilderbrand beach read (with a few twists, given that one perspective is from a ghost who passed in a fire at the hotel many years back). A very enjoyable vacation read that I'm just getting around to posting a review for! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I walked into PetSmart for cat food today, got blindsided by an adoption event, and came THIS CLOSE 🤏🏽 to bringing a sister for Moxie home. I just get sooooo nervous about how Mox will react (especially now that she's finally adjusted from the move) and don't want to totally freak her out. I managed to talk myself off of the ledge... this time... but any tips for how to introduce a new cat into the home without traumatizing your current baby? 😭

The first twist was super obvious, but the others less so. I really enjoyed this one! Just not nearly as much as Jar of Hearts. #BOTM

PS: today's reading view doesn't suck 🔆

These are the picks I went with for my July #BOTM box! 👏🏽

It might be time to buy a lottery ticket! 😂

July #BOTM picks!