I really liked the viewpoint of the main character. As a Malaysian-American, Jess straddles the line of both cultures. It's an element that comes into play multiple times throughout the story. I loved learning about the spirits and the clash between religions. The only thing that grated on me was Jess' naivete. Overall, a fast-paced read full of pissed off spirits.

Great author choice for this month's #queerbc @PuddleJumper

I‘m not usually a dark romance fan, but I genuinely enjoyed this one. The jokes had me laughing out loud. I mean who wouldn‘t fall for a guy who liked your cat.

@5feet.of.fury Thank you for the great recommendation! This kept me entertained for the entirety of my 8 hr drive.

This ending was a reminder that it can also be the beginning of a new story. What a powerful read. It touched on climate change, family, grief, loss, and the grind of moving forward. Dom tries his hardest to give each of his kids what they need to survive on a desolate island. Rowan‘s arrival sparks a change in the family dynamics as time runs out for the seeds they‘re protecting.

June #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

Huge fan of this world and the characters. A princess I could actually relate to. Odessa isn't super clever or a skilled fighter. She's a normal girl (plus a crown) who likes to read. Yes, the guardian is attractive and rude, but his back story was unique, so still points for breaking the romantasy mold. I will absolutely be reading the next book. I might even go wild and pre-order it.

#gottacatchemall: set somewhere dangerous

Well. That was…a lot. So much was packed into this story. Love, loss, grief, hope. They all show up in different forms multiple times throughout the novel. I cannot wait to discuss all the nuances with #camplitsy25. Definitely going to need to reread closer to discussion day.

Please check TW!

This month‘s #FictionalTraveler: set in Portland

Oh, what a tricky mystery. There were plots within plots within plots. I loved it. This was one was decidedly darker than the first book but equally as good.

Long drive coming up in a couple weeks (8 hours). Please recommend your favorite audiobook. All suggestions greatly appreciated!

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

1. Find the fun in all things
2. 🥰😏🤓
3. My puppy being his silly self (which meant walking around swinging his favorite toy at my legs while I got ready for work)

Thanks for the tag!

I love this author. His books always make me laugh. Old Man's War is an interesting take on who gets to explore space. Would you sign up to fight in a war you've never seen at the age of 75? I can understand the draw of being young again, but to leave family behind in lieu of getting old would be very hard.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

Ohmigoodness this was a twisty turny other world sci-fi murder mystery that I could not put down. Absolutely going to read the second book in the series.

Book 100 of the year! 🎉
Book 3 of #14books14weeks @Liz_M

A sinister plot to dethrone the Raven is slowly coming into focus. Less ghost hunting but way more political intrigue. Jusetsu is starting to be more aware of her surroundings and others' perceptions of her.

Book 2 off #14books14weeks @Liz_M
Late post for May #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

May was a solid reading month. Multiple #bookspinbingo along with the completion of both my #bookspin and #doublespin. There were some intense nonfiction reads, a couple fluffy books, and unexpected endings abound.

May top reads: Can't Get Enough, Trees, Remember Me, and When the Tides Held the Moon.

Thank you for hosting this fun reading challenge @thearomaofbooks!

I have tentative titles planned for some of the listed prompts but I‘m always hesitant to commit since I‘m such a mood reader. Just listing the challenge has really helped keep #bookspin low-key. @TheAromaofBooks

I want to give all the stars to this book. Hendrix has been my favorite of the Skyland trio since book 1. So happy to see her sassy self shine. For a romance, it brought out all the complicated feelings that surface when caring for an older family member. I also really appreciated having a heroine who knew how to put herself first when needed.

TW: A main focus of the story is Hen caring for her mother, who has Alzheimers.

A far flung future where it‘s possible to travel all across the universe and interact with a wide variety of aliens. I enjoyed Maya‘s viewpoint. She just wanted to do the right thing even as that became harder and harder to discern. The world building was fun though there were a couple of plot holes that could‘ve been tightened up. A fast paced space heist full of interesting characters.

#jumpstartsummer @TheSpineView

This man is a genius with words. The satire was on point throughout the whole book. I may have highlighted half the book.

“If you want to know a place, you talk to its history.”

Great author selection for #authoramonth @Soubhiville
#jumpstartsummer @TheSpineView

I feel like my understanding of this book is just out of reach. The ending almost made sense. It was like being part of the movie Inception and you‘re not sure which door will take you back to the real world.

Really looking forward to the #camplitsy25 discussion.
#jumpstartsummer @TheSpineView

This book was a reminder of why I love StoryGraph‘s reading challenges so much. I never would have discovered such a lovely story without #52bookclub25‘s bonus prompt: set in New Zealand. It‘s a mystery that will break your heart to pieces. The author did a fantastic job of bringing the struggles of caring for someone with Alzheimer‘s to the page. I couldn‘t put this book down.

The audiobook was great. She brought Emily‘s emotions to life.

My favorite installment of the webtoon. You see the relationship between Hades and Kore grow stronger even as Zeus fights to find a reason to isolate her.

First book of the #jumpstartsummer readathon and #14books14weeks challenge. @TheSpineView @Liz_M

I love when a book surprises you in the best way. This was wonderful story of finding family in an unexpected place and finding love with the impossible. There author did a great job of using a historical setting to add emphasis to the story. Also, the illustrations throughout were beautiful (drawn by the author).

#fictionaltraveler: Spanish-speaking @julieclair
#gottacatchemall: someone swims @PuddleJumper

"Prince Jing made a note of the carp spirit's name."
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Perfect night to start my newest book. #dogsoflitsy

This is my official entry into the #14books14weeks challenge. There are only 12 books pictured because I haven't been able to borrow one yet (Lore Olympus vol. 8) and the other won't be released until August (Alchemy and a Cup of Tea). It's a mix of library books and owned copies. @Liz_M

A story that explores what defines us as “human”. Love in all its forms is at the center of it all.

I didn‘t realize this is a reprint of an earlier publication (pre-popularity). I can see the bones of what will eventually become The House in the Cerulean Sea. The banter is there but some parts were a little disjointed. Overall a great read but please check the trigger warnings.

May #bookspin is complete! @TheAromaofBooks

A short but memorable Hugo novella nominee. I finished the book earlier today and the themes have been playing in my mind all day. Which is a more powerful method of control: a heavy physical chain full of tangible links or an invisible one that can be pulled tight without warning? For so few pages there are many layers that I want to peel away via discussion with the author.

Currently my top pick for the #hugoaward novella selection.

An adventure on the high seas with a talented junior mapmaker. I never really thought about how ships figured out where to go to “discover” a new landmass. There was definite emphasis on how there were already people in these places that were claimed to have been found by the empire.

#auldlangspine list keeps giving wins @MeganAnn
@monalyisha

April started out slow then suddenly I was deep in 6+ books and needed to wade back out. As always, my genres are all over the map. Books truly make you well traveled. Most of this month‘s choices were driven by recommendations from friends and Litsy reviews (I think a good number of us have now read “Ejaculate Responsibly” solely because of Litsy).

#bookspin and #doublespin complete

Thank you for hosting! @TheAromaofBooks

It's been years since I've read Kate Quinn, so I'm very glad #authoramonth had her listed for April. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I couldn't stop reading. Pixel and I went on extra long dog walks all to give me more time with this audiobook. The ending did not disappoint. Highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction.

I can't believe it's gonna be May (😏) in just a couple of days. Here is my loose #bookspin list. I switched out my extra free spaces for the shortlisted Hugo Award nominees. I've already read a few of the novels and novellas. Fingers crossed the library had copies of everything.

@TheAromaofBooks

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

1. Cleo is 11 years old (and has been lovingly catnapped by my parents) and Pixel is about to turn 2
2. Both
3. I recently read The Eyes and The Impossible and loved it

A cute hopeful read about finding the magic to believe in yourself.

It wasn't really my thing, but I do recommend for anyone looking for an easy beach read.

This book was borrowed to fulfill this month's #fictionaltraveler prompt because, evidently, I don't read many books that are set on islands.

April is here! I‘m ready for another round of #bookspin.

@TheAromaofBooks

Oh, March. The books were great. I explored new authors and revisited a few favorites. I feel like there was a variety of genres, topics, and formats (poetry and graphic novels). So, in the book world, a good month. Onward to April.

#bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks

I'm so, so glad Sánchez added another installment to this series. I loved the second book. You get to see growth from Noel and June as their relationship progresses. Plus, the artwork is pretty.

I love a curmudgeonly main character. They try so hard not to connect but end up on an adventure anyway. It's an unexpected collection of misfits that set out to save the wild magic of Britain.

May #bookspin complete! @TheAromaofBooks

I liked it. It's not my favorite of hers since it took me a while to get into the story. Luzia was an unexpected main character. She never acted like I assumed she would.

Also, I have questions about the ending, which I'll throw under a spoiler below.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

A beautifully written book about tradition and what happens when it clashes with a new generation's expectations. The author explored the contradictions without diminishing the values of the community that raised Razia.

#queerbc @PuddleJumper

I should go to bed, but I bought the next book in my newest light novel series today during my bookseller shift. Thankfully, Pixel is never opposed to late night reading cuddles.

#dogsoflitsy

This was my first Roxanne Gay read and I quite enjoyed it. Her opinions were relatable and, even if I didn‘t agree, she broke them down in such a way that I could still appreciate her viewpoint.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

How is it time for March already?! All the good books are making time fly. I‘m sticking with the same list from last month. It works well with my mood driven selection of books. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

I fell into another light novel series. This month was My Happy Marriage. A choice inspired by the latest anime season.

#bookspin: Unmasking AI
#doublespin: The Reading List

Overall, a lot of variety this month with a few powerful reads among the lighthearted ones. I‘m rather proud of my bingos. @TheAromaofBooks

"I guess books say different things to different people." This quote perfectly encapsulates the theme of the book. It is a beautiful ode to the power of books during formative moments in our lives. I loved this book...so much so I promptly recommended it to multiple friends.

Thank you @MeganAnn for putting it on my radar through #auldlangspine!

A slow Sunday with the pup. My brain needed a break from my streak of intense emotional reads, so diving into the My Happy Marriage light novels. I want to get ahead of the anime.

A different dystopian view of the world. I liked the world building and witnessing how they traveled through a very different landscape.

#gottacatchemall Whimsicott: Storm or strong winds

An unexpectedly strong reading start to 2025. #auldlangspine and Litsy reviews drove a lot of my book choices this month. I also discovered my library has all of The Apothecary Dairies light novels which sent me into a reading spree one weekend.

#bookspin: The teller of small fortunes
#doublespin: Raised by a serial killer

@TheAromaofBooks

The tagged book was a heartwarming tale of adventure and friendship. I adored the idea of bison being the wise ones everyone reported to in the park.

A big thank you to @MeganAnn for an outstanding #auldlangspine list. I read 6 books off her list so far and plan to keep going. I have full confidence the rest of the list will not disappoint.

Thank you very much @monalyisha for hosting and organizing #auldlangspine!

What a fun ride! I love the tricks played by all the sides. In a weird way, it‘s a story about friendship despite the elaborate heists and rules that should pit people against each other. I was on the edge of my seat the whole book.

#auldlangspine book 6. @MeganAnn Have you read the second book yet?
@monalyisha

Ahhh, February is already here! This list worked great last month, so I will use it again as is. I‘m going to try to read at least one romance novel in February.

@TheAromaofBooks #bookspin

An emotional roller-coaster highlighting the struggles of clinical depression through poetry. Whimsy sees her world through a magical lens of fairy tales. Her story mirrors that of the original Grimm tales where the world was full of danger and small glimmers of hope.
 @MeganAnn I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, but I found myself immediately diving back in. McBride incorporates so much into her poems and I wanted to catch it all.

Totally forgot to do this yesterday…
⭐️ Snow day! Got to work from home thanks to a snowstorm.
⭐️ Watching Pixel and his doggy friends have an absolute blast in the snow
⭐️ Thankful for how my family shows up for one another
⭐️ Books always bring me joy
⭐️ My car stuff is finally getting resolved

#5joysfriday @DebinHawaii
Thanks for the tag @Sace 😊

I discovered my library has the entire light novel series of The Apothecary Diaries last night. I got hooked on the manga last year. I‘m already loving the extra insight into Maomao's thoughts. She's so aloof but caring at the same time.