When a personal photo turns up in the private collection of a convicted pedophile, Ryan Flannigan is sent back in time to her life in the 1970s. Ryan and her mother, Fiona, move from their summer theatre enclave, to a West Village apt complex where Fiona‘s dreams of fame are transferred to Ryan. This book is well written, evocative of a time and place, and examines the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. 4⭐️

It had all the elements of a book that I should love but there was something missing. I felt like I was told about people‘s feelings, not shown them and so I didn‘t really believe in these relationships. It‘s been compared to The Paper Palace, but it isn‘t nearly as well written. This one reads like it was written to become a TV series, and I suspect that‘s where it will end up. Easy read.

This book has been on a lot of best horror book lists, including lists of extreme horror. I must have a high tolerance because I didn't find it extreme, although there was some squick and definitely some uncomfortable scenes. Lori is in love with a serial killer who tests her loyalty by sending her to retrieve a key and find the River Man. Lori, as it turns out, has also done some bad things. This book is dark, imaginative and also kinda heart💔.

This is a tough one. Roan is a skilled equestrian who dreams of one day competing in the Olympics, following in the footsteps of her medal-winning father, Monty. Theirs is a close relationship. Too close. When she becomes involved with a boy at school, her carefully compartmentalized life starts to unravel. This book is graphic and heartbreaking and potentially triggering, but I was wholly invested in Roan and HATED her “Daddy”.

Lily was my reading buddy this afternoon as I finished this cracker of a book. Rose, Lloyd, Sami and Marta are scholarship students at High Realms, a school where they do not fit in & are mercilessly tormented. When one of the school‘s most popular students is gravely injured, three of the friends do whatever they can to protect the fourth. Fabulous dark academia.

Although some bits were a little slow going, this debut was definitely a cut above. A woman and her two children hide after a home invasion...but was the whole thing just a figment of her imagination because of earlier trauma? Smart, well-written and definitely some pulse-pounding moments.

#notbookishbutnotpolitics
Visiting with my kids in Halifax and had coffee at the most adorable new spot, Crème. The high tea menus were in the books- see The Scarlet Letter pic- and when you opened the book, a butterfly flew out. Such a pretty spot and the desserts were yummy!

#bookhaul When the world is a dumpster fire, buy books. All the Wicked Girls came all the way from the UK. Midway was written by a guy I‘ve known for 40 years. His daughter is also my son‘s best friend. He‘s a well known musician in these parts, and this is his first novel.

I made it to page 106. Charlie and Vivian were married for 4 years 40 years ago and they have now reunited. In the 100 pages I read, their reunion was problem free and without any meaningful postmortem of their lives. When Vic‘s adult daughter meets Charlie, she says hey, I hear you have a drinking problem, let‘s open these expensive bottles of wine and drink them. I just didn‘t like the characters or the way this book was written. #hailthebail

I really enjoyed this family drama which centres on the Joseph family and the girl who enters their life. What secrets do people keep in the name of love? I loved this writer‘s novel Shiner and this book was similarly quiet and thoughtful. 4.5 ⭐️

Grace Sebold is ten years into a life sentence for the murder of her boyfriend Julian when documentary filmmaker Sidney Ryan agrees to take a look at the case. This was okay…a bit repetitive and misused blood splatter, which I found sort of weird. Lots of red herrings and the ending was unexpected, but also not the most riveting book of its type I have read.

Nine months ago I posted a picture of a book haul. Here‘s an update on how many I have read. Of those Girl A was the best. How are you making out tackling your tbr piles?

Storm day means Lily and I are bundled up at home and I got to finish this book about ice dancers Kat and Heath, a sport I loved back in the day. Objectively not a fabulous book (it was a lot of telling and big things were resolved way too quickly and for two people who were supposed to be so passionate about each other, if felt a little sterile in the sex dept) and yet I loved every single second of it. Totally would watch the limited series.

It‘s a soft pick for me. I found it all a bit too saccharine and Cameron acted like he was a kid instead of a grown ass man. I enjoyed Marcellus‘s voice most of all, and wish there had been more of it.

A little Friday night pick-me-up because, you know, the world sucks right now, #bookhaul

Five years ago Lucy‘s best friend, Savvy, was murdered and Lucy was the prime suspect, although she was never charged. Now a podcaster is investigating the case and Lucy returns to the scene of the crime and, with her grandmother‘s encouragement, agrees to talk. The writing was okay, and I guess the mystery was okay, but the book was also just okay. Others might really like it, but it‘s just a soft pick for me.

A high school senior named Joel struggles to find a way to cope with his grief by composing texts he never sends to the school principal, his best friend, Andy, and Eli, the girl he loves. This novel is funny, thoughtful and sincere. It constantly asks Joel to consider other people‘s experiences, even as he tries to manage his own. I really enjoyed it.

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author, and while I didn‘t love it like I loved Brother, I still thought it was good. When 10 year old Stevie‘s 12 year old cousin (and best friend) Jude goes missing, he is determined to find him. But when Jude suddenly reappears, Stevie knows something is wrong. Terribly wrong. And he has to do something about that. Because it suffers in comparison to Brother, 3⭐️, but I read until 2am, so 🤷‍♀️

Nabbed from FB.

Our first snow day of the school year…and it kinda sucks because it‘s also the first day of assessment week…which means everything pushes ahead a day. 🤪 Still, I am hoping to get a pile of marking done and maybe finish my current read and make some cupcakes to bring to the kids tomorrow. I have already shovelled, but will have to go back out once the plow has come along.

When the mail finally starts rolling in. #LitsyLove

@wanderinglynn is celebrating her birthday by hosting a fun #49bdaygiveaway.
My book choice is tagged.
Happy birthday, Lynn!

I loved this author‘s take on vampires in The Lesser Dead and this novel is also pretty dang great. It takes place in 1935 when Frankie Nichols, a war veteran, moves to a backwater Georgia town with his soon-to-be-wife Dora. He has inherited property and plans to write his family‘s history. He doesn‘t realize just how dark that history is. Creepy, beautifully written and solidifies Buehlman‘s spot on my auto buy list.

Another winner by Jeff Zentner. This is the story of Carver Briggs, a high school senior whose three best friends die in a car accident for which he feels responsible. He also struggles with massive guilt as he becomes closer to the girlfriend of one of those friends. A beautiful, heart-breaking book. My first 5⭐️ of 2025.

I kinda love his take.

@JacqMac what a lovely #littlechristmasswap to unwrap after my first day back to school. I LOVE shortbread and I will definitely be breaking my sugar fast to consume them! The kitty bookhugger is adorable. The tea sounds divine and the book has been on my tbr list forever. Thanks so much for such a thoughtful swap package.
Thanks for organizing such a fun swap @bookish_wookish !

NYT named this the #1 book of the century. Hmmm. Am I missing something? I mean, it was interesting, but I didn‘t love it like some people and I am going to say many of my book club pals aren‘t going to singing its praises either.
Back to work tomorrow. 😭

#5JoysFriday
All my joys except for the last one, when Lily and I were reunited, have to do with my fabulous holiday in Florida Dec 25-Jan 1. Not only did I get to have a solid week with my kids, but we shared a house with my aunt and uncle, their adult daughters and grandsons who are 10 and 12. Weather was warm, we had a ball at the parks…it was just a lot of fun.
@DebinHawaii

My last book of 2024 finished poolside on my last day of a fabulous Christmas holiday. Happy New Year, Littens!

Ahhhhhhhhh. How many books will fit in my suitcase?

We had a great, but long, first day of our holiday. The day before we left home we had a huge snow storm, which has made the balmy weather in Orlando extra nice. I hope everyone had a fabulous day.

Thank you, @TheKidUpstairs for my delightful #jolabokaflod swap. To be honest, I opened it on Monday because I am currently sitting in a hotel room before the kids and I fly to Florida tomorrow. I took the pic then so I could share tonight!
Thanks, @MaleficentBookDragon for another great swap.

@dabbe Denise, I opened your gift last night after my brothers left. I am heading down to the kids a day early because we‘re getting another storm tomorrow and I do not want to be driving in that. I love this little secret book shelf and it was so thoughtful and kind of you to send it my way. It will be a lovely project to occupy me during these cold months. Thank you! ❤️

My #jolabokaflod swap has arrived! Can‘t wait for opening night!
@TheKidUpstairs too funny about the other book!
@MaleficentBookDragon thanks for organizing another great swap.

What a lovely and thoughtful surprise, @Deblovestoread
Thank you so much for thinking of me! I look forward to reading this book, especially as it was your favourite of the year! 🥰

I enjoyed this memoir. It focuses very much on the 80s and is more introspective than a tell-all. I loved all those movies back in the day, so this was a fun read...and McCarthy is a good writer.

I am not sure the postal workers are happy about it, but they‘re back to work tomorrow, which is good news for me as I have missed getting mail and still have about 80 Christmas cards to mail!

Yeah, this was just sort of meh for me. Top heavy with a rushed conclusion. Journalist on a luxury cruise thinks she‘s discovered a murder and then everything goes to hell in a hand basket.

Shocking surprise, @ShelleyBooksie ! I am your #jolabokaflod swap partner. This box is going on Maritime Bus today! Everything inside is wrapped, and I stuck a reply to your last letter in there on the top. 😀
@MaleficentBookDragon

Dropped your #LittleChristmas parcel off at UPS today after school, @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego . Should be to you by next Thursday.
@bookish_wookish

My #littlechristmas gift has arrived, @JacqMac ! Thank you.
@bookish_wookish

Now that‘s what I‘m talking about. Rosie and Will talk at a bonfire during their last year of secondary school and it is a connection that profoundly changes their lives. This novel follows almost 20 years of their story, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into their feelings about themselves and each other and I was there for it. The angst was off the charts. I devoured this book in two sittings, reading way past my bedtime. Loved!

When 16 year old Beckett discovers the body of a newborn baby in her high school locker room it sends shock waves through her small home town. Whose baby? Tongues start to wag and soon Beckett finds herself the victim of a hateful Twitter firestorm. This is a mystery and a novel about friendship, family, and grief. A page turner.

#SaturdayChatterday @AllDebooks
I have had a splendid Saturday so far. Came to St Andrews with my friends for an overnight at the Rossmount. Climbed up Chamcook Mt. Even made it over the border to Maine to mail all my US /overseas bound holiday cards. Now a wee rest before dinner.

I really enjoyed reading this book about 26 year old Adelaide, an American who falls in love with Rory while living in London. Her all-in approach to their relationship (even though he is clearly emotionally unavailable) reminded me of my much younger self and so although I am certainly not that young woman anymore, I found myself in these pages. Mental health & female friendships round out this novel.

The new house 16-year-old Tom moves into with his mother, stepfather and stepsister has some interesting features including the words “Help me” written over and over on his bedroom wall. Then Tom meets Amy at school and discovers she lived in the house before him. A page turning YA mystery that doesn‘t quite hang together, but still lots of fun.

@AllDebooks
It is a miserable, wet Saturday here in NB, but I was up early, ran some errands, and now I am just making some tea before I write a couple book reviews and do some snuggled-on-the-couch reading with Lily. For anyone thinking of ditching X (and you really should because the level of ick over there is off the charts) I am finding Bluesky very pleasant. I am TheLudicReader there, too. Play @dabbe @Deblovestoread @AmyG @DebbieGrillo ?

This is a soft pick because it was sort of lacklustre. Three college friends give up their lives in London and buy a farm in Cornwall to live a communal life. And it‘s all good until it isn‘t. Not a lot happens until the last quarter and then it unravels at a crazy pace in ways that are not wholly realistic. Perhaps I just didn‘t get what I thought I‘d signed up for. 🤷‍♀️

I am not really a huge graphic novel person, but I enjoyed this one...although I did feel it was slow to start and rushed the conclusion. Tony, a track star, develops feelings for Eli, a shy new student. And then weird things start happening. 3⭐

I found this YA debut frustrating. Ella can‘t stop thinking about her best friend, Hayley, who died in a car accident…and Ella was the driver. Things have gotten more complicated since she started hooking up with Hayley‘s super hot boyfriend, Sawyer. This book is trying to be too many things…and I found the sex scenes a little porn-y for YA.