I‘m not sure where my head was yesterday when I posted my May book bracket pick — but I need to revise it! My top choice for May is “Not Too Bold“ by Hache Pueyo. It‘s a hauntingly beautiful story: original, unsettling, and deeply moving. At its core, it‘s about love — the kind that embraces someone completely, both because of and in spite of who they are... (Cont. In comments) #2025bookbracket #2025readingbracket #bookbracket #readingbracket

May was a fantastic reading month, making it tough to pick a favorite! In the end, Snapdragon by Kat Leyh narrowly edged out Fire From the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot to claim the top spot.

#bookbracket #2025bookbracket #readingbracket #readingbracket2025

Enjoying the tagged book and a white chocolate matcha latte with raspberry and pistachio on a rare day off alone.

April wasn't a great month of reading. What I read was just okay, so while I pick Scalzi's “When the Moon Hits Your Eye“ as my top pick for April, it only comes with a so-so approval rating. I am moving it forward over The Black Cat Tail Assassins, but that's only because I felt just so-so about that book too. #bookbracket #2025bookbracket #readingbracket #readingbracket2025

1. Heck no! I work at a public library and a pet peeve of mine is patrons who come in on the last day to file taxes asking for tax forms.
2. Silly 😁
#TwoforTuesday @TheSpineView

1. Tulips rise to the top, but there are a lot of others that I love. My second favorite is the daffodil.
2. @tiedyedude, our pets, and books!
#WondrousWednesday @Eggs

I've read some fantastic books this year, making it tough to choose a favorite! After much deliberation, my top read for March was Slewfoot by Brom, with Bad Badger by Maryrose Wood as a close runner-up. The decision was just as difficult when looking back at my January and March reads, but once again, Slewfoot claimed the top spot. #bookbracket #bookbracket2025

An incredibly adorable story about identity, self-acceptance, diversity, friendship, and love. It made me think about the definition of family and that found family is just as relevant, and in some cases, more important than blood relations.

I finally was able to get Litsy to load so I could post here. The last few days Litsy has been incredibly slow for me, making posting and reviews, etc. practically impossible. I've tried numerous devices to access litsy online (not the app), and it hasn't made a difference. Anyone else notice this? Or is the universe conspiring against me? ;-)

This is the first time that I've forgotten to post properly for a swap...but I sent out my #springcardswap cards a couple of weeks ago. I hope people have already started to receive them? Sorry for my forgetfulness! @thebookhippie

Sippin' on gin and juice. Laid back, with my mind on my book and my book on my mind!

“Damira followed the blood down the hill.“ #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Welcome to the family, sweet boy! 💓 He comes to us with the name of Sam but we already have a long list of names we're considering. Open to suggestions, though! #catsoflitsy #cats

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djeli Clark was my favorite read of February. #2025bookbracket #bookbracket #readingbracket #readingbracket2025

Happy Valentine's Day! 💝 🐱

@bookwormAHN thank you so much for this awesome #valloweenswap package! I'm excited to try the Louisiana coffee, and I'm over the moon in love with the Plague Doctor building block set! Did you know one of my hobbies is building blocks? Everything is great; you've been very generous! I'm happy to add the Watchover Voodoo Gator buddy to my other Watchover Voodoo creatures. 😊 I invision some delicious reading in my near future. #valloweenswap2025

Look what arrived today! Yippee! I can't wait until the 13th! 🩷🖤💜🖤🩷🎉 #ValloweenSwap #ValloweenSwap2025

My #Valloweenswap should have arrived yesterday at its destination, except it went on an unplanned trip to Fairbanks for no good reason. Hopefully it'll arrive tomorrow! *fingers crossed*

My favorite book for the month of January was Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson! #BookBracket #2025BookBracket #readingbracket #readingbracket2025

I intended to finish this one for #auldlangspine before the end of January, but then I got sick and my plans got derailed. I enjoyed this one! Thanks @pogue! @monalyisha

#Valentinecardswap cards went out today! 📮💌 @thebookhippie

Aaaand... she's off, with an estimated arrival date of 2/3! Bon voyage! 📫🖤🩷 #ValloweenSwap #ValloweenSwap2025

We are in the final couple of days before the shipping deadline (1/31) for the #Valloweenswap / #ValloweenSwap2025. How are we coming along? @bookish_wookish @BookwormAHN @CloakNQuill @RosePressedPages @bcncookbookclub @tiedyedude

I am intrinsically drawn to stories that connect humans to nature, and I have a deep love for trees and the forest. This story is detailed and I enjoy how the author has structured it. However, there are some parts that are quite tedious and I will need more time and a different headspace to finish this. So for now, I'm putting it on pause so I can read another book or two from my #AuldLangSpine list before the month is up. @pogue @monalyisha

“First there was nothing. Then there was everything.“ #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Hello Valloweeners! I hope you all have been having as much fun as I have shopping for your #Valloween matches! We haven't posted anything up to this point aside from the #ValloweenSwap itself, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to post some of my favorite books that align with the Valloween theme. Out of all of these, a long-time favorite is the Kushiel's Legacy series. So good! What are some of your favorites? Everyone is invited to play!

1. While I understand these services are necessary, I hate them because it's pretty much all we do all day long: Helping patrons print, copy, and fax. Rinse & repeat.
2. In the tagged book, Ignatius J. Reilly begrudgingly takes on a series of absurd jobs, all of which he loathes.
**I tried reading this book several times and never quite got into it. I'm wondering if now that I'm older and more jaded I might appreciate it more. LOL
#Two4Tuesday

“For some years, before she got married and had children, Helene used to smoke.“ #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

This book is a total vibe for #Valloween / #ValloweenSwap. So good!

Happy Birthday, @wanderinglynn! Lynn is celebrating her special day by hosting a book giveaway. 🎉🎂🎁💗 #49bdaygiveaway

Starting the tagged book off of @pogue's list, and already there are so many good quotes / passages! #auldlangspine @monalyisha

*I scored 38/100
*3 favorites from the list: The Hobbit; Grimm's Fairytales; The Graveyard Book
*3 that I think should be on the list: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books; Amelia Bedelia books; Frog & Toad are Friends books.
*A 4th book I think should be on the list: The Complete Tales of Hans Christian Andersen
#TLT #ThreeListThursday @dabbe

Valloweeners, matches have been sent! Please check your email and confirm receipt. 😊🩷🖤 #ValloweenSwap @tiedyedude

Roll Call: Who's interested in an International Book Club? 📚✨ We would focus on translated literary works. #InternationalBC

Just finished this story of love and hope amid tragedy for #auldlangspine. Thank you for including it in your list, @pogue!
@monalyisha

Sign-ups close end of the day tomorrow (Monday 1/6)! Come join us! 🩷🖤

Original post: https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2825130

#valloweenswap #valloweenswap2025

The visitor sat at the table eating his little tangerine slices. #firstlinefridays @shybookowl

I had a lot of fun with the 2024 book bracket! Thank you to @catsandbooks for the template! 🎉 #bookbracket #2024bookbracket

My 2024 year in books 🎉

There is still time to join the inaugural Valloween Swap!

Do your expressions of love tend towards the darker side? Do you like unrequited or tortured love? Maybe romance is outside of your spectrum? Or perhaps you detest the commercialization of love?

Sign ups are open through January 6th. https://forms.gle/JMdmjGsLQb1fYM5X8

#valloweenswap #valloweenswap2025

1. I haven't. For the past few years I've typically set my reading goal artificially low so that reading remains joyful for me. It shouldn't feel stressful, or like work or a chore. But that's the way reading goals tend to make me feel.
2. I'm really looking forward to Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell. #Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

Happy New Year, everyone! #poetry #poetrymatters #happynewyear #happynewyear2025 #newyear2025

You are cordially invited to participate in the inaugural #ValloweenSwap, hosted by @wildalaskabibliophile and @tiedyedude
Do your expressions of love tend towards the darker side? Do you like unrequited or tortured love? Maybe romance is outside of your spectrum? Or perhaps you detest the commercialization of signs of affection?
Whatever your reason, sign up at this link by Monday, 1/6: https://forms.gle/3yQawxV53ZvjZVk46

I created an “All About Me“ graphic for #AuldLangSpine. It was a bit weird writing about myself, but at the same time I enjoyed getting to know me better. :-) @monalyisha @pogue

Chrissy, you spoiled me with all these fun goodies! I love the lump of coal theme, the ravens, and all of it! Can't wait to start Slewfoot! Thank you so much for your sheer generosity! @chrissyreadit #naughtylistholidayswap #nlhs

As January draws near, I‘m getting excited for the #AuldLangSpine partner reading challenge! From @pogue's list of ten books, I‘ve read just one so far: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. I own these two: The Dead Cat Tail Assassins and Out There Screaming, and they've been sitting on my TBR shelf for over a year. Another, The Overstory, is on my general TBR list. (continued in comments)....
@monalyisha

@tiedyedude and I celebrate Jolabokaflod every Christmas Eve. He gifted me Braiding Sweetgrass and Migrations. And who knew that Krampus observes Jolabokaflod too? He brought us “frickin' nerds“ Gideon the Ninth! #jolabokaflod

Hello Naughty Lister fam! I hope you all are as delighted as I am as your packages arrive. I can't wait until the 28th for opening day! A friendly reminder to post a pic of your #naughtylistholidayswap / #nlhs packages as they arrive so both your swap and I know that they have arrived safe and sound! And also so we can celebrate with you. :-) Happy Swapping! And Happy Holidays!

My #naughtylistholidayswap / #nlhs arrived today! Can't wait to open it! @chrissyreadit

Thank you for the lovely #stuffedstockingswap @captivatedbybooks! I hadn't heard of Voyage of the Damned before and am intrigued by its premise! Cady loved being included with the addition of the dog toy, and I look forward to tucking into the chocolate with a hot drink out of my new mug! Thank you for everything! (Sorry the photo is hued pink from my plant grow lights!) @avanders