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TheKidUpstairs

TheKidUpstairs

Joined September 2016

She/Her “When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.”
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
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It's a beautiful day to read outdoors!

PurpleyPumpkin it really is the perfect weather for reading outdoors today. Enjoy!☀️📚 2d
BarbaraBB Cool picture 🧡 2d
dabbe 🤩😍🤩 2d
65 likes3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Deep Cuts | Holly Brickley
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Pickpick

My feelings on this one are complicated and still a bit muddled. While overall I really enjoyed reading it, and deep diving into a lot of the music talked about, a lot of the time I just really didn't love Percy and Joe themselves. Percy's college age/post college self absorption was often grating, but it did feel very genuine, and there was just enough self awareness (and side characters willing to call her out on her BS) to shake it off. cont'd

TheKidUpstairs I'm left wondering just how much of my enjoyment was because of the book itself, and how much was pure, heady nostalgia. I was in university in 2000, throughout the timeline of this book I was living in Toronto, going to indie gigs multiple times a month, camping out at music festivals, dating a music snob/drummer. I love Fiona Apple, A Case of You is my favourite Joni Mitchell song. So I may have related to this more than I was engaged by it... 3d
TheKidUpstairs One thing I did love was the ending, which was a delightful surprise. For most of the book, I was thinking “if these two are together at the end of this I'm going to be pissed.“ But then she brought them together in a really pitch perfect way. I think it was the attitude of “this is not a happy ever after, this is a thing that works for now.“ That kept it from being too trite for my tastes. 3d
monalyisha This is a totally fair assessment! The characters are, undoubtedly, flawed. Typically, you know that‘s not my thing! Nostalgia‘s a powerful force. 3d
sarahbarnes A Case of You is definitely my favorite Joni Mitchell song. 💙 2d
58 likes4 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
James: A Novel | Percival Everett
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In perhaps the least surprising book news of all time: James by Percival Everett has received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction! https://bookriot.com/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2025-pulitzer-prize/?fbclid=IwY...

Totally deserved! But so unsurprising that when I saw the article, I honestly thought, "Didn't it already win?"

kspenmoll I just posted this as well-fabulous book! 4d
Bookwormjillk Lol for some reason I thought he had already won for this book. I guess I just assumed. 4d
See All 10 Comments
thecheckoutstack Question, do I actually need to know the story of Huckleberry Fin before reading this? I‘ve put it off because I don‘t really. 4d
TheKidUpstairs @Bookwormjillk @CatLass007 right? I had to double check the date on the article 🤣🤣🤣 4d
TheKidUpstairs @thecheckoutstack nope! I've never read Huck Finn, and still appreciated it! 4d
Suet624 Hahaha. @Bookwormjillk thought the same thing. 4d
CatLass007 @thecheckoutstack @TheKidUpstairs @Bookwormjillk I have read Huck Finn. It was when I was in junior high, I think. It wasn‘t for a class. The biggest objection I think most people have is the use of the n-word. I am actually in pain when I hear it or read it. And I have so conditioned myself that I can barely think it. Mark Twain does, through Jim, make some compelling observations about slavery and the relationships between the races. (cont)⬇️ 4d
CatLass007 The thing that is most objectionable to me is the way Huck and Tom convince Jim to behave in obviously foolish ways. It is gratifying in the end to learn that when his “owner” died she made him a free man. But why the fuck did she wait?!!! 4d
59 likes10 comments
quote
TheKidUpstairs
Deep Cuts | Holly Brickley
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"I was wearing the plain black T-shirt and skinny jeans that I had started wearing every day and would wear some version of for the next several years, having decided that my bangs could do the heavy lifting in signifying the existence of a personality."

blurb
TheKidUpstairs
Cat Kid Comic Club | Dav Pilkey
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It has been a rough couple weeks, but there's still lots of joy for #5JoysFriday

1. Independent Bookstore Day! Always a favourite 😍
2. A beautiful Sunday in the city with the kids to watch Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, followed by patio beers with good friends
3. Canada voted 🗳 🇨🇦
4. My washing machine FINALLY got fixed
5. Maple Leafs are through to the second round!

@DebinHawaii

dabbe 💜💚💜 7d
mcctrish A great week 🎉 7d
thecheckoutstack The Wild lost so now I‘m rooting for the Maple Leafs too. 6d
48 likes3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Saltus | Tara Gereaux
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Pickpick

A mother and her child come to a small town in Saskatchewan, desperate for help. Their presence sets off a shock wave through the town and its residents.

A story about finding one's place, even within one's own body. About honouring each other and respecting everyone's lives and struggles, even when you don't understand them.

Cont'd in comments

TheKidUpstairs This is a quiet story that nevertheless walks on a razors edge of intensity. Gereaux's greatest strength is the incredible compassion she has for every character on these pages, even the ones who themselves are unable to look past their own experiences to find compassion and understanding for those who need it.

Thank you @monalyisha for bringing this gem to my attention (and @JamieArc for bringing it to hers!)
7d
squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 7d
55 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
Code Noir | Canisia Lubrin
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Code Noir by Canisia Lubrin won the 2025 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction yesterday, beating out some incredibly strong competition. Definitely boosting it up my TBR!

49 likes1 stack add
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TheKidUpstairs
Pale Shadows | Dominique Fortier
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1. I have books everywhere in my house! I wish I had one room that could be a purposeful library, but I'll take shelves wherever I can get 'em! I don't have a count, but there must be over 1000.

2. Tough call. I didn't read as many books as usual this month, but I read some excellent ones. Runners up: Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips, and The Followers by Rebecca Wait.

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView I too wish for a library room. Thanks for playing 1w
40 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Oh, Canada! | Per-Henrik Grth
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It is Election Day here in Canada, and I've been oscillating wildly between cautiously optimistic and absolute bundle of nerves weighed down by the boulder of dread in my stomach. I may or may not sleep tonight. Wish us luck!

#MentalHealthMonday @Kerrbearlib

Cortg 🇨🇦 had been in my mind all day today! 2w
TheBookHippie 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 2w
Kerrbearlib Good luck! Fingers crossed 🤞 2w
See All 9 Comments
Ruthiella 🤞🤞🤞 2w
BarbaraBB Happy for you and the rest of the world with the results ❤️🤍 1w
DogMomIrene As a PR I‘m so elated with the results. Canadians did not disappoint ❤️🇨🇦🍁 1w
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB @DogMomIrene 🎉 I'm so relieved. And I'm glad they were able to call it early so I could actually get a good night's sleep! 1w
TheKidUpstairs @Cortg @TheBookHippie @Kerrbearlib @Ruthiella thank you all for your good wishes and crossed fingers! While we didn't get the Liberal majority I would have liked to see, I'm still relieved by the results. It looks like lots of strategic voting took place to keep the politics of division and distrust from winning. 1w
TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs I was watching into the night!!! I agree. Relieved. 1w
41 likes9 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Untitled | Untitled
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Not book related, but it is an important message to spread far and wide. With Trump threatening and removing funding for LGBTQ+ focused suicide hotlines, Canadian resources are opening up access to those south of the border. This number is for Trans Lifeline, the Canadian number is now toll-free for Americans in need as well.

TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 2w
lil1inblue 💓 💓 💓 2w
JenReadsAlot ❤️ 2w
See All 16 Comments
Deblovestoread Well done Canada! ✊🏼❤️✊🏼 2w
BarbaraBB All the praise to Canada and everyone opposing that crazy dangerous man 2w
Ruthiella Thank you Canada. 🇨🇦❤️ 2w
Trashcanman Bless Canada! These fake Christians lack morality. $&@$? @&$”!? $&@?@ 2w
dabbe Bravo, Canada. 🇨🇦 Thank you. 🙏🏻 2w
Librarybelle Awesome! ❤️ 2w
squirrelbrain ❤️🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦 2w
Mimi28 He is crazy. Thank you for the information 🫶🏽🩷😊 2w
Bette Just one more reason to like Canada. Not that we needed it. 🇨🇦❤️👍 2w
marleed Omg Canada you are so wonderful 🇨🇦❤️ 2w
Kerrbearlib Thank you Canada ♥️ 2w
mrp27 This is wonderful! 2w
Chelsea.Poole Our lovely neighbors to the north ♥️ 6d
64 likes16 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
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Happy Election Day, Canada. Get out there and vote (if you haven't already)!

janeycanuck We went during advance polls - I‘ve never seen so many people waiting! We went same time as we did for the Ontario election a few weeks ago and there was no one. Really hope this means higher turnout, this is an important one. 2w
TheBookHippie 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 2w
TheKidUpstairs @janeycanuck advance polls in my area had a super high turnout, too. And this morning was the biggest lines I've seen since we moved here (it's a small town, so still not the lines I used to wait in on Toronto, but still nice to see the turnout). It's nice to see! 2w
TheKidUpstairs @TheBookHippie I'm feeling cautiously optimistic, but will still have a knot in my stomach all day. All elections are important, but this one feels especially so. 2w
TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs it does. I‘m nervous too. It‘s a shit show here. 2w
57 likes5 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Runner | Patrick Lee
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Pickpick

Totally over the top, and ultimately it probably won't stay with me for long. But I needed something mindlessly entertaining and engaging, and this certainly fit the bill. And, quite frankly, I could happily listen to Raul Esparza read the phone book for 8 hours. So it gets a pick for being the easy book distraction my brain needed!

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TheKidUpstairs
Blue Heron Books | Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada (Bookstore)
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Happy Independent Bookstore Day! Took my boys to the tagged. I was very good and only bought two books 🎉 The third was a free ARC with purchase.

kspenmoll I only bought 2 as well & got a free ARC. ❤️ 2w
TheKidUpstairs @kspenmoll Yay! Look at us, exercising such restraint! 2w
66 likes2 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Pale Shadows | Dominique Fortier
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Pickpick

What a stunning, thoughtful, exquisite gem of a book. Following the death of Emily Dickinson, the women in her orbit attempt to continue their lives amidst the shadow of grief. They live, love, and find small joys while finding their own ways to honour the woman they loved and admired, and to preserve her singular voice.

cont'd in comments

#CarolSheildsPrizeforFiction #Shortlist

TheKidUpstairs Fortier's beautiful prose (and Mullins' excellent translation) drift through the story like a feather on the wind, alighting on moments in the lives of its subjects, and occasionally in the life of the author herself to deliver a reflective, playful tale of grief, loss, and simple beauty above all things. I adored this book. I think I need to buy a physical bopy so I can mark it up. Highly recommend! 2w
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
TheKidUpstairs
Disappearing Earth | Julia Phillips
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Pickpick

Two sisters disappear from a city on the Kamchatka peninsula. Over the following year, the ripples from this event pass ever outwards through the lives of the women of this isolated landscape. This is not a traditional mystery, but rather a study of a place and its people, its women in particular, and the various ways violence - physical, sexual, societal, patriarchal - touch their lives. Beautifully, thoughtfully rendered.

cont'd in comments

TheKidUpstairs I can see why this one is so beloved by so many Littens. It is suffused with the atmosphere of this singular place and its diverse people - cold, strong, lonely, unsettling. I will add my voice to the chorus, highly recommended. 2w
63 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Pale Shadows | Dominique Fortier
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When she thinks of Emily, Gilbert, or her cousin Sophia, who died at age fifteen, Lavinia sees them as they were in the spring or summer of their lives, carefree as puppies. But she knows that the truth is entirely different, more marvellous still; their fragile flesh has broken down, their bones are as smooth as piano keys, their hair is like spider silk, their hearts, their lungs, the whites of their eyes...

cont'd

TheKidUpstairs and the pink flesh of their fingers have returned to the earth; they are feeding the tender grass; they have become willow, linden, sycamore; they are used as homes for birds, and their wide-open arms finally touch the stars in the sky.“ 2w
50 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
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When the book is just too good to stop, but you have to leave for school. Teaching kiddo the second how to read and walk safely.

#LikeMotherLikeSon #RaisingReaders

TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️♥️ 2w
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 2w
MaGoose That reminds me of me. 😁😎 2w
BarbaraBB Love this! 🥰🥰 2w
Aims42 A good life skill for sure! 🙌 2w
69 likes5 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
Disappearing Earth | Julia Phillips
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#WhereAreYouMonday @Cupcake12

I've been bone watching more than reading lately, my brain is just not up for it, but when I do read I'm loving this one, set on Russia's isolated Kamchatka Peninsula

📷 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from The Lonely Planet

BarbaraBB I loved this one too. 3w
sarahbarnes I also loved this one! 😀 3w
59 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Untitled | Untitled
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•What are your favorite genres? I always say Literary Fiction, because it's so vague I feel like I don't really have to decide. I like messy stories, grey areas, and people just trying their best.

•What are a few of your desert island reads? I'm a mood reader, so this is a bit of a torturous question. Becky Chambers' Robot and Monk books, The Bell Jar, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, Hamnet, and Never Let Me Go

#BibliologistBio @monalyisha

TheKidUpstairs •What‘s your go-to reading snack? Hummus and Pretzels, cheese and crackers, Salt and Vinegar Chips, tea in the morning, white wine in the evening.

•Weirdest or most interesting place you‘ve read a book? I finished a book in the hospital during the long process of being induced with my third kiddo.

cont'd in next comment
3w
TheKidUpstairs •What do you do when you‘re not reading? I'm a full time mom, part time library circulation clerk. Long walks by the lake with my dog. I love to cook and binge watch comfort shows. I write when I can, and am trying to make a better practice of it. 3w
monalyisha Ah! What are you writing?! So exciting. Also, excellent taste per usual. 😉 3w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha these days it's mostly scraps of stories and mediocre poetry. But I've got an idea for a novel rattling around in my brain and I need to make the time to get it out of my head and onto paper :) 3w
monalyisha @TheKidUpstairs I love that for you. 💓 3w
59 likes5 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Congrats on your milestone @dabbe so glad to have you as part of this community ❤️

I grounded my mood board with a forest, because that's where I always turn for grounding. And took inspiration from the local beavers who are knocking things down to build something new, the bright and hopeful first flowers of Spring, the wise words of Bill Watterson, and a cursing horse. And always, always tea in my tired hands.

#moodboardcontest #mbc

keithmalek "I'm not in a bad mood. I'm just smart." I love it! 3w
kspenmoll Love this! 💜 3w
dabbe I 🎯 to many of your sentiments! Thanks for sharing yourself. The Watterson comic is perfection! 💙🩵💙 3w
50 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Pale Shadows | Dominique Fortier
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“Emily's poems are bolts of lightning, flashpoints on which Susan burns her hands and her eyes. She spends the morning and then the afternoon slowly reading them over, sometimes holding the same lines cupped in her palm for twenty, thirty minutes, squeezing so tight that she feels blood beating in her fingertips.
They form the short verses of a secret gospel. They are magic formulas...

cont'd

TheKidUpstairs ...Speak them in the right order, with the right rhythm, and a dove appears, a flame from a hat, a wreath of daisies; say them backwards and grasshoppers rain down, the sun splits in two, the stars go out in the sky, the world is extinguished“ 3w
monalyisha Oh, hell yeah. Is that an eloquent enough response to such eloquent prose? 😅 STRAIGHT up the TBR line! 3w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha 😂 😂 It's the perfect response! 3w
48 likes3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

Definitely my favourite of the Brodie series so far. A train derailment, a critically injured Brodie, a missing woman with a past, and a teenager trying to find someone who will listen. I adored Reggie and Sadie :)

Slowly making my way towards @CarolynM's selection for #AuldLangSpine - two more to go until I'm ready for the Rook!

CarolynM Probably my favourite of the series. I adore Louise. 3w
TheKidUpstairs @CarolynM She is wonderful. The banter between her and Jackson is just perfect. 3w
58 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Totally cheating here, because I already posted my four nominees for #CampLitsy25 but I just read about this upcoming release and it sounds like such a great one to read with this wonderful group! So if I'm allowed to sneak in a fifth nomination....

@BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks

Jas16 I haven‘t nominated anything so it can be counted as my nomination. 3w
Deblovestoread I love that readers are rebels! 😂 3w
squirrelbrain Hmmm…. You may be sent home early from camp! Only joking 🙃! Are you going to nominate @Jas16 - there‘s still loads of time? 3w
See All 14 Comments
LeahBergen This sounds great! 3w
Jas16 @squirrelbrain I think almost everything I was considering has been nominated so likely not. 3w
mcctrish I think one sounds great 3w
Bookwormjillk Another one for my TBR! 3w
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain LOL...uh oh, I might lose tuck shop privileges! 3w
TheKidUpstairs @LeahBergen doesn't it just? I couldn't resist! 3w
TheKidUpstairs @Deblovestoread Rebel Without Willpower! 3w
Prairiegirl_reading @Jas16 I came here to say this as well!! 🤣 3w
BarbaraBB @Prairiegirl_reading @Jas16 no need to nominate if you don‘t want to. The longlist is going to be loooong and we‘re glad you‘re joining us! 3w
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs I‘m happy you added this book 😉 (edited) 3w
Sace The cover and blurb alone grabs my attention. 3w
62 likes4 stack adds14 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
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Forget Angel vs Spike. #TeamGiles Forever! Library Power!

monalyisha I may or may not have written my MLIS grad school application essay about Buffy. 😏 4w
Ruthiella Absolutely! 👍 4w
lil1inblue 🙌 🙌 🙌 I need to rewatch this show. 💓 4w
66 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Disappearing Earth | Julia Phillips
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Waiting on a washing machine repair tech (5 people in a house with a broken washing machine - the piles are taking over!). "Sometime between 9 and 1." I know I could be doing other chores, but it feels like if I start on something, I could be interrupted right away, so instead, I read.

monalyisha Oh, I loved this one. 🩵 4w
BarbaraBB Me too! 4w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha @BarbaraBB I'm loving it so far. The style of it, a catalytic event rippling out through the lives of a community, reminds me of one of my favourites from last year: 4w
monalyisha @TheKidUpstairs Adding Falling Animals to the TBR now! 4w
BarbaraBB That means I should read Falling Animals! 4w
63 likes5 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Goddess Complex: A Novel | Sanjena Sathian
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Super excited for another year of #CampLitsy25 Thanks to the always wonderful hosts @BarbaraBB @Megabooks and @squirrelbrain

I was prepping my list earlier this week (it was a VERY quiet night at work), so I'm all set to go! Tagged one, will tag the others in the comments! Happy Camping! Can't wait to see what everyone nominates, apologies to my overloaded TBR 🤣🤣🤣

See All 11 Comments
squirrelbrain I‘ve only heard of the Goddess Complex, but that‘s why we love camp so much - it brings so many new books! I loved Fault Lines by Itami so definitely going to check that one out. 4w
Ruthiella Interesting selection! 👍 4w
BarbaraBB I haven‘t heard of any of these but I trust your choices and am so excited to check them out! 4w
Suet624 I don‘t know how you all know of these books! So many I‘ve never heard of. 4w
Deblovestoread These all sound fantastic! 4w
sarahbarnes What @BarbaraBB and @Suet624 said! Thank you for adding to my TBR! 😁 4w
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain I loved Fault Lines, too. I was so excited that she's got a new one coming out! 4w
Megabooks I don't have any of these on my radar! Thanks for nominating them! 4w
72 likes11 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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"Somewhere, in some Utopian nowhere, women walked without fear. Louise would sure like to see that place.

Give medals to all the women."

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TheKidUpstairs
Killer Potential | Hannah Deitch
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I had a rough day. So hubby is taking care of dinner with the kids, and I'm starting a new book with a giant tea... I might even have to go back for a second cup...

LeahBergen You deserve it! 1mo
BarbaraBB 🤍 1mo
LiseWorks Tea cures everything 1mo
See All 7 Comments
Suet624 I hope things turn around for you. 1mo
CarolynM Hope today is better💕 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @LiseWorks it is a special kind of magic! 1mo
80 likes2 stack adds7 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
The Followers | Rebecca Wait
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Pickpick

What a book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. Wait has a gift for crafting complex and engrossing stories that really get under your skin and make you think and feel deeply.

Single mother Stephanie gets drawn into the fold of a self-proclaimed "Prophet" and brings her daughter, Judith, to live with his isolated cult. Cont'd in comments...

TheKidUpstairs Flipping back and forth between their time at The Ark and Judith's life as a young adult trying to live with the aftermath of a horrific event that has sent Stephanie to prison, The Followers builds stream towards a chilling and powerful conclusion. Highly Recommend. 1mo
squirrelbrain Ooh, this is one of hers I haven‘t read….tries not to rush off to buy it! 1mo
Jas16 Loved this one too 1mo
See All 9 Comments
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain and I just found out she's got a new book coming out in July in the UK 1mo
Suet624 I really liked this one too. 1mo
ErikasMindfulShelf I loved I‘m Sorry You Feel That Way. Definitely have to read more by her. 1mo
BarbaraBB One of my favorite authors! Can‘t wait for her new one, thanks for bringing it up! 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @ErikasMindfulShelf I'd definitely recommend this one, and Our Fathers was one of my top reads of 2024! 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB she's just so good, eh? I don't know how she does it, but both of hers that I've read just suck you in from the very first page! I was so happy to hear she's got one coming out. 1mo
66 likes9 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
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In my quest to catch up to Death at the Sign of the Rook before years end, I'm starting on the third Jackson Brodie title. So far, so good, but I have to ask: what's with all the 'J' names? Jackson, his ex wife Josie, his ex girl friend Julia, now Joanna (and her late siblings Jessica and Joseph). They're all a jumble in my brain!

5feet.of.fury That drives me crazy in books! Could have named them anything at all 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @5feet.of.fury right? It probably doesn't help that the MC in one of my other current reads is names Judith 😂 1mo
Ruthiella I never noticed that! 😂 I do love this series though. 1mo
sarahbarnes I‘ve been wanting to start this series! 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @sarahbarnes I really like them. Not your typical fast paced mystery-thrillers. They're more slow paced character studies of people caught up in, and haunted by, tragic events. I had read the first (Case Histories) years ago and always meant to read more, so when @CarolynM put the latest on her #AuldLangSpine list it seemed like a great excuse to catch up with the series. 1mo
60 likes5 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

"... the personal, intimate parts of people's lives matter every bit as much as the famous, dramatic, narrative defining ones."

Another wonderful selection from the #wpnf25 long list. An interesting, engaging history of the Viking Age told through everyday objects and everyday people. Barraclough's narration is excellent, I highly recommend the audio!

TheKidUpstairs I can understand why it wasn't shortlisted - those books all feel very timely and necessary for the current moment - but I'm so glad to have read this one. Kudos to the Women's Prize Nonfiction judges for highlighting such a wonderful selection of books this year. 1mo
charl08 I loved this one. She writes so engagingly about a topic I knew very little about. 1mo
Chelsea.Poole I agree--I was so engaged! 1mo
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
The Persians | Sanam Mahloudji
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Mehso-so

This book has such potential. I was fully invested in the beginning, in what seemed to be a family story of a group of complex women who have been taught to strive for wealth and position over genuine human connection and love. But the book seemed to stall after the first half. It just never went anywhere, there was not really any character development (and what was there, wasn't earned). In the end, I just don't get the purpose. #wp25

BarbaraBB I agree wholeheartedly. It could have been so much better. 1mo
57 likes1 comment
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
Wild Hope: A Novel | Joan Thomas
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It was a good day to stop at Dollar Tree!!!

TheSpineView Score! 📚📚📚 1mo
AmyG 🙌🏻 1mo
Aims42 Nice!! I love that you never know what books you‘ll find at Dollar Tree, it‘s like a treasure hunt 👑⚱️💎📚 1mo
63 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Persians | Sanam Mahloudji
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"I watch the four women I work with and it is like an epiphany, discovering a waterfall during a walk in the woods, witnessing a secret smile. The men pretend not to notice, but I take pleasure in it, better than any party. There is beauty in small but radical exposures. I remember the women at Kian's - those long-haired revolutionaries."

54 likes1 stack add
review
TheKidUpstairs
Blue Light Hours | Bruna Dantas Lobato
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Pickpick

A beautiful little novella about connection, distance, familial love, the pull of home vs the joys and possibilities of independence. Thoughtful, lovely, bittersweet.

A daughter leaves home in Brazil to attend a small Liberal Arts college in Vermont. She speaks to her mother regularly over Skype, savouring those “blue light hours“, while beginning to picture the possibilities of a life in America, and asking how to exist in both lives at once

sarahbarnes I just saw this at a bookstore last weekend and almost bought it. Your review is making me wish I had! 1mo
64 likes6 stack adds1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Blue Heron Books | Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada (Bookstore)
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Yes! One of my local indie bookstores (tagged) runs amazing book events, and a wonderful festival, Book Drunkard, in the fall. I get to volunteer at a lot of the events, which include signings. So far I've met: Fredrik Backman, Ann-Marie MacDonald, David Robertson, CS Richardson, Michael Crummey, Alissa York, Holly Hogan, Heather O'Neill, and Jane Urquhart.

@BookmarkTavern #SundayFunday

ShelleyBooksie Backman! So jealous ♡♡♡ 2mo
BookmarkTavern That must be so rewarding! Thank you for sharing! 2mo
40 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Persians | Sanam Mahloudji
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It's very important to match your donut choices to your book covers 🤣🤣🤣

squirrelbrain Love this! ❤️🤪 2mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Yummmmm!! 💖 2mo
BarbaraBB That donut looks delicious and I love that edition of the book. 2mo
69 likes3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Stone Yard Devotional | CHARLOTTE. WOOD
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Pickpick

This is a book you could read seven times and get something new each time. A woman leaves her life behind to live a quiet life at a priory, although she herself doesn't share the nuns' religious beliefs. The beauty and solitude of her daily life are haunted by her past and her grief. The creeping, claustrophobic feelings presented by an infestation of mice on the property play with these themes and keep the reader as unsettled as the narrator.

TheKidUpstairs Wood's craft is top-notch. Her writing is spare, thoughtful and beautiful. The characters are all so fully formed and genuine, even if we only get a glimpse of their lives. And the story is the right amount of "nothing much happens" while still being incredibly engaging. Loved it. Highly recommend. 2mo
MrsMalaprop Love her work so much. 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @MrsMalaprop this was my first time reading her work, will definitely keep an eye out for more! 2mo
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quietlycuriouskate I loved this book! ❤️ 2mo
Singout Thanks! Added to my looooong to-listen pile! 2mo
sarahbarnes Great review. I loved this one too. 2mo
75 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
I Might Be in Trouble | Daniel Aleman
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Pickpick

An author in a writing/confidence/romance slump wakes up next to a dead body. Instead of calling the police, he calls his agent, and together they hatch a plan to move the body across NYC.

It is chaotic, thrilling, a little bit goofy, thoughtful, and ultimately just the right touch of sweet. A fun diversion that I very much needed!

55 likes3 stack adds
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TheKidUpstairs
Stone Yard Devotional | CHARLOTTE. WOOD
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"A heavy spring frost this morning. Crossing the grass I made a clean track of footprints, deep green on the white spread of the lawn. It returned me to my childhood, to the sense of secret authority, imprinting one's presence into a place with those clear, sharp prints. I exist. The private, pleasurable sound of the finest layer of ice breaking beneath the weight of each step."

Chelsea.Poole This is such a ‘you‘ book. How are you liking it? I have it checked out and I‘m itching to crack it open. 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole it totally is! I was a bit worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations, because I've been waiting so long to read it, but it is so SO good so far. The writing is beautiful, and evocative, and engaging, and thoughtful. I think you'll love it, too! 2mo
BarbaraBB Yes, totally your kind of book! Glad it lives up to your expectations! 2mo
60 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Cold as Hell | Kelley Armstrong
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Pickpick

The usual wilderness, over-the-top, wild and crazy, palate cleansing visit to Haven's Rock. Whipped through it in 24 hours.

LiseWorks I'm audio cross stitching through this. I love this series. 2mo
59 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Dubliners | James Joyce
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Happy St Paddy's Day! ☘️☘️☘️

I started my day with a couple stories from the tagged while drinking tea my parents brought back from their last trip to Ireland 🇮🇪 before jumping into the kitchen to bake soda bread to go with tonight's dinner. Next, on to Dublin Coddle while the music plays! If you're looking for a playlist today, I love this one: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GpyyMiGai1OHwfmkSEG6c?si=P7_wQtDjQ_mvsSdrPqua...

Deblovestoread Bread looks amazing! 2mo
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Texreader I love soda bread! I need to make some too!! 2mo
sarahbarnes Very cool! 🍀 2mo
Leftcoastzen Soda bread ! 👏👏👏👏 2mo
Catsandbooks Yum! 🇮🇪 2mo
61 likes7 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

In 90's Edmonton, Molly MacGregor dreams of a life worthy of her adored Penguin Classics and of writing The Great Canadian/Edmontonian Novel. But summers selling shoes at West Edmonton Mall and semesters with pretentious English Lit profs don't seem to be cutting it. But this year, she just might find truth and beauty in the place she finds herself.

Charming, witty, and thoroughly delightful. I loved spending time with Molly. Highly recommend!

58 likes5 stack adds
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TheKidUpstairs
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This showed up on my FB feed this morning, and I thought of all you #NancyDrew buddy reading Littens! 🤣🤣🤣

Librarybelle OMG! 😂 2mo
Ruthiella 😂😂😂 2mo
51 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Little Miss Magic | Jennifer Frantz
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It's Me!

Ruthiella It‘s all of us! 😂 2mo
Soscha I also collect too many stuffed animals on my bed coz I take them in when neighbors want to either give or throw them away. 🧸 2mo
BarbaraJean 😂 😂 I need to expand this to “Little Miss Buys More Books Than She Has Time For & Then Puts Too Many Library Books on Hold (as if She'll Have Time to Read Those, Too)“ 2mo
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MallenNC I agree that this is all of us! 2mo
monalyisha @BarbaraJean 👯‍♀️ I don‘t even want to show you the stack on the passenger seat of my car right now! 😅 I haven‘t even brought them inside! In my defense, I‘m collecting them for an imminent vacation. On the other hand, I‘m going away with my two best girlfriends from high school & there‘s no way we‘re not going to be way too chatty to get any serious reading done. 🙈 2mo
AmyG I should only read all my books before I die. Not sure I will. I have that many (and I‘m old). 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraJean LOL, right? My library stack is out of control right now! 2mo
vivastory @BarbaraJean @monalyisha This is definitely me lolol I stopped at my library today on my break for a random browse & lucked out that nearly all the books I had in mind were in stock, plus a couple that looked good I hadn't heard of. (edited) 2mo
LeahBergen Yep. Me, too! 2mo
BarbaraBB And me… 2mo
Birdsong28 Yes me too 🙋 2mo
72 likes11 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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"Last night, I found myself perusing the shelves in our family library the way one might gaze reflectively into the refrigerator looking for that perfect bedtime snack."

review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

Another excellent selection from the #wpnf25 long list. Centering on the ups and downs and legal manipulations of a Supreme Court decision, Nagle explores Indigenous Land Rights in the US. It is sad and infuriating, with occasional glimmers of hope.

jitteryjane724 These books are so important. Really glad to know that others are exploring works like this. 2mo
55 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
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#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

This week was March Break, which means chaos and family fun.

1. My eldest's first speed cubing competition
2. Family movie day - Dog Man!
3. Bowling 🎳
4. Sunshine-y Ski Day!
5. Cobs Scones...mmm...

TheBookHippie Love it!!!! 2mo
mcctrish What a great March Break! 2mo
43 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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"What's weirder," Eugenie asked, "that Maureen has so many shoe-store guys after her or that they're all named Gordon?"
"Being surrounded by Gordons does seem to be a distinctly Canadian occurrence."

#InGordWeTrust #CanLit

ChaoticMissAdventures You can't get more Canadian than Mr Hockey himself Gordie Howe!! 2mo
LeahBergen Our family cat when I was growing up was called Gordon. 🤣🤣 2mo
47 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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It's possible I have too many books checked out from the library at the moment....

squirrelbrain Never too many! 🤪 2mo
Mollyanna Not possible. 😆 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain @Mollyanna thank you for your kind enabling ? And I just got another "your hold is available for pick up" email ?‍♀️ 2mo
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BarbaraBB This would make me so stressed out 😀 2mo
BittersweetBooks Never! But I feel this pressure constantly myself 😅 2mo
Kenyazero That‘s a pretty great library stack! 2mo
74 likes6 comments