✨📚books i {personally} happened to love the mostest this month📚✨ 🌟 ☕️TALES FROM THE CAFE by @kawaguchi.coffee (adult “cozy japanese fiction” in translation; a basement café in japan where if you wait for the ghost to leave a certain chair, you can travel back in time. you can’t change anything in the present, but you can meet with someone who’s been to the café before. but only for as long as it takes for your cup of coffee to get cold. emotional, moving, sweet; the second in the series.) 🌟 💙 THE WRONG WAY HOME by @kloshaughnessy (middle grade contemporary fiction; a girl and her mom escape a cult and must settle into a new city; but the leader wants them back. tough topics covered sensitively.) 🌟 🎨 PLAIN JANE & THE MERMAID by @verabee (upper middle grade/YA graphic novel; all the folk tales and faerie tales turned on their heads with an amazing story and intense, lovely artwork.) 🌟 🎬 101 THINGS I LEARNED IN FILM SCHOOL by @neillandau , with matthew frederick. (adult nonfiction; LOTS of great insight not just for filmmakers, but authors and visual storytellers, too!) 🌟 ✏️ THE GRIFFIN & THE MINOR CANON by frank stockton, illustrated by maurice sendak. (i found a used, albeit prestine, copy @downtown_books_and_news . stunning work as ever from our late, beloved, mr. sendak accompanying the old school 1800s tale.) 🌟 🥹 LENNY & LUCY by philip & @erinestead (picture book again a treasure FIND @downtown_books_and_news . AND it was signed by BOTH the author and illustrator, the dynamic book-creating married couple duo!! StuNNing Artwork accompanying a perfect story. came out 8 years before their caldecott-winning A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE.) 🌟 👉🏽 what stories did YOU love most this month?! 🥰 📚 back to the shelves, 💖xo, *hallie 🤓
Today’s GWTW quotes 🍃
🀦 unique recommendations for genres that I don’t (often) see a lot of the books I love are already cult favourites, and for good reason, but sometimes I want to read something different and that’s why I thought I’d do a little list for people to discover something different that they may have never heard of — and they may fall in love with. please comment your own recs too !! 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒚 ashes of the sun, django wexler • a star-wars inspired fantasy about twins that went different ways in their lives - one to crime, one to peacekeeping 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 parable of the sower, octavia e butler • a girl in a dystopian world that creates her own religion of Earthseed as she traverses and explores the world around her - learning what people will do to survive or destroy themselves 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 from below, darcy coates • a horror set in the ocean, journalists diving in haunted ruins with a found footage style - what lies in the depths when you are at the mercy of the ocean 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 the evening and the morning, ken follett • a fat 1,000 page novel that follows the conflict between vikings and the british, it has a POV from a monk that i found absolutely fascinating 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒄 at the mountains of madness, hp lovecraft • a creepy little novella that follows the cosmic terror of discovering a lost civilisation in the caves of the frozen northern pole 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒌 / 𝒎𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 sistersong, lucy holland • written in song and verse, this poetic story follows three sisters in the setting of celtic gods and nature magic that warmed my heart but was equally as gripping 𝒅𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒂𝒏 forget tomorrow, pintip dunn • destiny is already written - if your future memories show you to be a scientist, you are given a lab coat, but if they show you to be in prison, you are thrown behind bars with no crimes committed ————————————————————————————— #bookstagram #janeeyre #bookaesthetic #bookrecs #fantasybookreview #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #speculativefiction #speculativefictionrecs #fictionrecs #bookphotography #classicliterature #classiclit
Moon Road - Sarah Leipciger I'm a people watcher. I love to observe and try to figure people out. I'm fascinated by relationships and how, for instance, my in-laws who divorced when my partner was 7 and haven't spoken since, ever got together. Literally nothing in common, barring two lives they created. If you have a similar fascination with human relationships, then I really recommend Moon Road. I settled into this book immediately and felt myself carried along on a journey that feels both cinematic and beautifully mundane at turns. The people and relationships are alive on the page, and I found myself feeling a range of emotions from empathy to anger - both for them and at them. Kathleen, fixed and bullish, who doesn't realise it and hasn't moved on from her daughter Una's disappearance over 20 years ago. Yannick, who has moved on too much, too many times. Yet they have a history, a relationship that created Una, and now they have a tense road trip ahead - the unmovable and the peripatetic in a truck together, two decades on. The pace of the story works well to allow for both Kathleen and Yannick to navigate each other in the present but also retell the story of their relationship and their lives. Kathleen's inner world and her yearning for her daughter are powerful, her need to keep Una current and to be cautious of potential answers lest they bring a closure she isn't prepared for. Yannick, older and with more people in his world, wants to reconnect meaningfully. Needing to know his daughter's fate and to talk about it with the only other person as invested as he is. Throughout, we also have chapters revealing the story of Una's last day before she vanished. Caught up in Kathleen and Yannick's story, these breaks into Una's are a good change of pace but heartachingly compelling as they only refer to her as 'our girl'. Such a clever and beautiful use of two words that bring the reader in as surrogate parent and underline the humanity in any such mystery. Thank you @doubledayukbooks for my review copy. Moon Road is out this month, May 2024. #bookreview #bookreviewer #moonroad #sarahleipciger #doubledayuk #newbooks2024 #newfiction #fictionrecs
Two for Tuesday-two covers of one of my favourite childhood books, A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley. Penelope Taberner, whilst staying with her aunt and uncle in an ancient farmhouse deep in the Derbyshire countryside, discovers that she is able to travel back in time to the Tudor era. She finds herself in the world of the Babington family and Anthony Babington’s doomed scheme to free Mary Queen of Scots. Penelope is powerless to stop them and finds herself caught up in their hopes and plans. Life with the Babington family becomes almost more compelling than life in the present especially her friendship with Francis Babington, a character I also absolutely fell in love with. This is such a wonderful book, Uttley’s writing about Derbyshire and the farmhouse of Thackers is beautiful whether it’s about Penelope’s present or the Tudor past. Just like Penelope you find yourself wishing that you could change events and save the family from what will happen. Growing up I always wanted to be Penelope and have her ability to time travel. It truly is such a magical novel. Reading it now you travel back in time twice, once to Penelope’s present (the book was published in 1939 but is set a bit earlier) and then again to the Tudor past. It is such an atmospheric book and the house (Thackers) and the Derbyshire countryside are described so evocatively. Two covers, the one on the left with cover illustration by Shirley Hughes, and a more recent one on the right. And looking it up online I’m very glad that this novel is still very much in print as it is such a wonderful story. #atravellerintime #alisonuttley #childrensbookstagram #childrensbooks #bookish #childhoodfavourites #twofortuesday #bookcover #bookillustration #shirleyhughes #timetravel #fiction #tudors #maryqueenofscots #anthonybabington #fictionrecs #bookstagram #booksandblooms #booksandflowers #booksandtea #teaandbooks
REVIEW 🐎 the giver of stars by jojo moyes 4/5★ after an intermission in posting reviews (which led to a torrent of hate comments from my loved ones) i am finally BACK with another review!!! i read this book purely out of spite because my boyfriend used it as an example of a book clogging up our shelves which we would “never read”. fortunately this petulant behaviour led me to such a surprisingly cosy lovely story! this book is about an english woman called alice who moves to a small town in kentucky. unsatisfied (in many ways) by her marriage, she finds purpose & friendship in a group of women running a travelling library. the pack horse library project was a real initiative which involved women on horseback delivering books to remote regions in the appalachian mountains from 1935-1943. but it’s more than a wholesome story about women delivering books, because some men (struggling to see women happy, roaming freely, wearing trousers etc) start making trouble for them and DRAMA ensues. it is branded as a love story but I think it’s more a coming of age / found family / small town drama. if this hasn’t convinced you to read it, swipe for a 1* review from hater rachael which i think sells it better than i can separately if you’re a horse girl or were ever a horse girl i feel like you’d appreciate that element @nicolepv_ @rosieschofiield (i am in no way a horse girl and still enjoyed so dw it rly is for everyone) (just to note i have seen people claim that Moyes plagiarised a book called ‘the book woman of troublesome creek’ - i have no idea whether this is true as i haven’t read that one but don’t wana promote a potentially stolen book w no caveat so maybe give it a google if you’re thinking about reading it)
Handmaid’s Tale This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I picked this one up right after Roe v Wade was overturned and I am very happy I did. Atwood is one of the most incredible authors I have read. her writing is magnificent and so is her storytelling. I recommend this book to everyone regardless if you love dystopian or not! The Handmaid’s Tale is a futuristic dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood published in 1985. It is set in a near-future New England in a patriarchal, totalitarian theonomic state known as the Republic of Gilead, which has overthrown the United States government. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars have you read this book? what are your thoughts?
We Were Girls Once - Aiwanose Odafen If you haven't read anything by this author, I recommend Tomorrow I Become A Woman - not only is it a wonderful novel, but it's also a precursor to this one. I don't think it's essential to read it first, this book stands alone very well, but Tomorrow is a powerful exploration of female relationships, experiences and society in Nigeria from the late 70's onwards. We Were Girls Once moves forward a generation in the same families to follow these themes, as well as others. Once again, Nigeria comes alive on the page, and changing societal pressures and expectations are explored. Here, the opportunities for geographic mobility see the women physically distanced and drawn back together as well as emotionally. Female friendships as well as generational relationships are explored, and there are some dark themes. I did find there was a lot packed into this book, and things were more issue focused than character based, which made for a more disjointed read for me personally. The political situation in Nigeria as well as Brexit in the UK feature heavily, and the racism around Brexit is obviously horrible to read and much of this is explored in tweets which adds to the authenticity of the read. This novel is convincing of the power of female bonds and the necessity for them. Aiwanose Odafen writes detailed and complex characters, women that you weep for and root for. The young women central to the story are believable, and I would recommend it if you want to understand more about Nigerian political history. Thank you @scribneruk for my review copy. We Were Girls Once is out now. #bookreview #bookreviewer #weweregirlsonce #aiwanoseodafen #scribneruk #scribnerbooks #fictionrecs #newbooks2024 #readingaroundtheworld #bookssetinnigeria #femalefriendshipnovels
Overall: a pretentious, art snob world with two Latina leads, one murder, & two talking bats ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book grew on me as it went on but phew, it takes a while to get to the core plot. We don’t find out that Anita dies until page 106. And then Raquel (our other lead) does not find out about this until page 224. So we spend a lot of time getting to know these two women, who share a lot of parallels, and also one of the terrible white boyfriends/husbands gets his own POV (which becomes funny when Anita is haunting him later). But some of the big themes like family, culture, racism, losing yourself in a relationship, trying to fit in, figuring out your identity, and how art can keep you “alive” are all pretty compelling. There are some pretty serious themes in here too (see trigger warnings). Overall, it was a cool read that made me realize I’m not very cool (so much of the culture in this I did not relate to because I’m a generally basic white woman from the suburbs 😂). TW: eating disorder, racism, domestic violence, murder #bookstagram #bookofthemonth #botm #anitademontelaughslast #bookreview #bookrecommendation #fictionbooks #fictionbookrecs #fictionrecs #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #booklover #bookworm
Since I’m taking a fiction writing class now (😳), wanted to share some fiction book recs. Read these all recently, and they happen to all be by female writers. Each is thought provoking and electric in its own way. Whatever your fiction preference, I think you’ll find one you love📚💗💗 1. Bel Canto / Ann Patchett 2. Family of Origin / CJ Hauser 3. The Blood of Others / Simone De Beauvoir 4. The First Bad Man / Miranda July 5. Person/a / Elizabeth Ellen
This week’s staff recommendation is from our Library Director, Jenny! • Check out Anna O by Matthew Blake from our collection today! ✍🏻🩸 • #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #maxwellrecs #matthewblake #annao #libraryrecs #locallibrary #library #librarylife #fiction #fictionrecs #bookstagram #thrillerbooks
The author of the bestselling Pandora returns with another richly atmospheric gothic page-turner, The Shadow Key, as a disgraced physician discovers dark secrets in an 18th century Welsh backwater. #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #fiction #fantasy #theshadowkey #newreleases #susanstokeschapman #bookrecs #fictionrecs #fantasyrecs
a new love story by beloved bestseller @davidnichollswriter. a story of first encounters, second chances and finding the way home. written with his trademark wit and empathy, this affecting love story from the author of One Day finds two lost souls throwing together on an epic coast to coast walk. #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #davidnicholls #youarehere #oneday #newreleases #fiction #fictionrecs #bookrecs #bookstore
Starting a girl gang this summer!! 🌞🌻🔫👙🕶️ Who’s with me!! The Bandit Queens was an impulse purchase, a book I picked up in the wild with nothing but back and front cover vibes to guide me. And wow am I glad I snagged this 🫶🏻 🔪My favorite aspects of this novel were easily the witty dialogue (both internal and external) and the nuanced characters. I’ll admit that I spent the first half of the book thinking everyone was a little annoying (sorry Geetaben ily though!) but I also think this is a testament to Shroff’s ability to write characters with a vast moral range. Her characters feel very human, and even despite them being a bit frustrating, I was still totally engrossed with the plot and their lives. Oh, and did I forget to mention this was FUNNY? Like, giggling every other page or so funny. There is definitely a lot of dark humor and capital S Sass in this so if you are not a fan of that, don’t bother with this book lol. 🔪I’m not too familiar with stories set in India (yet!) so this was a first for me. The timing was actually really interesting after reading The Furies, where there is a section about a Dalit woman inspired by Phoolan Devi to create a gang of her own to combat oppressive systems of caste and gender. So, going into this I knew a bit about the state of being for women and lower caste people in India (and, um, it’s pretty bad). I loved the way Shroff showed us the range of cultural norms in India and wrote in a way that empowered her female characters but kept them realistic, too. If you like: 🔪light romance 🔪redemption arcs 🔪some good old fashioned 💀 jokes You’ll love this!! As always, check TW (especially if you’re sensitive to mentions of SA and violence against women) ❓QOTD: What have you learned from a book recently? #thebanditqueens #parinishroff #readmorewomen #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #fictionrecs
Overall: dark + witchy tale of three women who use magic to change their fate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This twisting tale followed three women in the same family line (one in 1619, one in 1942, and one in 2019) who decide to embrace who they are and fight back against those who would restrain their true nature. They all love insects, can hear really well, connect to nature, and are ostracized by society. They learn of the other women in their family line through letters and artifacts. And they use their magical connections with insects and animals to change their story. Some dark elements are at play here (see trigger warnings below), so it’s at times heavy and tense. This made me want to learn more about my own family history and appreciate the connections between us, even simple things like dark hair. This was an atmospheric, emotional, and compelling read! Notable quote: “The valley was always at its most beautiful in the morning. I remember thinking it was as if it had been made so on purpose, to remind us to keep living.” ❗️Spoiler Warning ❗️ TW: domestic violence, rape, gore, murder, abortion, suicide #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #booksbooksbooks #bookofthemonth #botm #weywardbook #fantasybooks #fantasybook #fantasyrecs #fictionbooks #fictionrecs #magicalrealism #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #witchybooks
the author @marian_keyes is back with a hilarious and affecting standalone story about another of the Walsh sisters - Anna, who trades the high life in Manhattan for a small Irish coastal town and the allure of an old flame. tis the season for a cosy spring read ✨💐 #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #fiction #myfavouritemistake #mariankeyes #fictionrecs #newreleases #bookrecs
an on-time recent reads for once? who is she? 🌸📚 how many of these have you read?
THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA | TJ KLUNE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ oh how i adored this book 🥹 i was a little unconvinced going in because i don’t usually get through YA novels now but this one was so good! seeing the children’s world through linus’ eyes was such a unique perspective, and i loved meeting everyone on the island. all of the children were so endearing and also HILARIOUS. i genuinely laughed out loud the entire way through this book - after all, what other children threaten to bury dead bodies and kidnap you?? also the way TJ Klune writes is just so unique and enjoyable. i loved how things were referenced, my personal favorite being Extremely Upper Management lol this book had such important messaging too. i loved the representation and the points it made about fairness and inclusivity. also, the whole concept was just so good! i would pay endless amounts of money to spend a weekend at the house! ALSO - can we talk about the cover???? so many fun colors!! i also have the beautiful sprayed edges barnes and noble edition and i absolutely adore it overall, a really fun and enjoyable read that i definitely recommend! #yafiction #thehouseintheceruleansea #tjklhne #houseintheceruleansea #ceruleansea #linusbaker #DICOMY #fictionrecs #bookrecs #childrensficrion #yafiction #yabooks #yarecommendations #tjklune #tjklunebooks #tjklunelove #bookstagram #smallbookstagram #smallaccount #smallbooksta
Book review: The House In The Cerulean Sea (no spoilers) Choix du livre de mon bookclub pour le mois de mars! J’ai tellement eu une belle discussion pour la rencontre de ce mois ci avec mon bookclub. Ce livre est magique, drôle et touchant. On est capable de comprendre des sages leçons entre les lignes du livre, on s’attache vite aux personnages et l’histoire est vraiment unique en son genre. Malgré la première moitié du livre lente, selon moi, l’évolution des personnages et les réflexions que j’ai eu pendant ma lecture m’ont énormément plu. La perspective des personnages enfants à été super bien exécuté et j’ai adoré. Bref, je donne un 4 étoiles pour ce livre! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ———————————————————————— 🏷️ #thehouseintheceruleansea #tjklune #houseintheceruleansea #bookclubpick #bookclubpick #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
How often do you see books with over a 4.5 star rating on StoryGraph? Not very often, so that is a sign you probably should read this. AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREE GROWS by Zoulfa Katouh (she) Audiobook narrated by Rasha Zamamiri (unable to confirm pronouns) Genres: contemporary YA fiction Intro: takes place during the Syrian Revolution and follows 18-year-old Salama as she fights for herself, her people, and her home. This book is not an easy read. But it is so important. And an amazing book. It is at once so impactful and heartbreaking. I was hooked from the very beginning. Though this story is speculative fiction, this could easily be based on a true story. From reviews I have read, this book accurately depicts the conflict in Syria and what life was and is like there. As an American with privilege, I cannot fathom what it would be like to be forced from my home and my family. But this book shines a light on what that could be like; it was very eye opening for me. This book is so important especially now, with everything going on in the world (especially Palestine). We see the internal struggle of wanting to fight for your country and home, but also the need to protect yourself. There is a strong theme of not losing hope, even in the face of true tragedy. There were some shocking twists I did not see coming in this book. My jaw dropped more than once. I am sort of surprised this book is classified as YA but in some ways it makes sense - make sure you proceed with caution. Though, I do highly recommend reading. You will be a better person for it. 5/5 stars [image: Megan’s hand holding hardcover book in front of brick wall and it says audiobook]
Book review 💗 (spoiler free) Rentrer son ventre et sourire, et la Suite On s’attache vite aux personnages de cette histoire. J’ai beaucoup apprécié d’avoir une suite fluide entre les deux romans, on se sent vraiment comme si on lisait un vlog d’influenceurs avec beaucoup de détails en voyant les deux côtés de la médaille. J’ai apprécié la lumière mis sur le monde des influenceurs et la relation que nous avons tous avec les réseaux sociaux. J’ai aimé les rétrospections que j’ai pu faire pendant la lecture. Je me suis parfois reconnue dans le personnage principale❤️🩹 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Je donne un 4 étoiles à chacun des livres. J’aurais simplement aimé voir plus d’évolution au niveaux des personnages. Mais avec la fin du deuxième peut êtes qu’on sera gâter avec un troisième livre suite à cette duologie? ————————————————————————- 🏷️ #squadelie #books #quebecbooks #booktokquebec #livreduquebec #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
Colourful books😍🌈 Happy Saturday ☀️ Je vous souhaite une belle fin de semaine de Pâque🐣 plus de temps pour lire hihi —————————————————————————- 🏷️ #books #colourfulbooks #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
Book review🧚❤️🔥🧝♀️ (no spoilers) A Court Of Mist And Fury, Sarah J Maas Swipe to jump in Velaris✨🌌AHH MAUDIT C’ETAIS BON!!!! J’ai adoré le deuxième tome de la série. L’histoire qui devient de plus en plus interessante, on apprend mieux à connaître les personnages et j’ai adoré voir plus de romances et de world building! J’ai vraiment trouvé la lecture de ce tome facile, j’ai pas ressenti de temps où l’histoire était plus lente dans le livre (en comparaison au slow burn du premier tome😆) J’ai donné 5 étoiles et j’ai très hâte de continuer la suite de la série, je parle peut-être trop vite mais j’ai l’impression que ce tome sera mon préféré de la série 🥺🫶🏼 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #ACOTAR #ACOMAF #sarahjmaas #bookreview #fantasy #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
📚 Book Mail 📚 . . **Thank you to the tagged publishers for the free copies of these books - you keep me sane!** 💕 . . 📖 The House On Biscayne Bay - @chanelcleeton 🗓️ April 2nd, 2024 - @berkleypub . . 📖 Calypso - @oliverklangmead 🗓️ April 2nd, 2024 - @titanbooks . . 📖 Stag - Dane Bahr 🗓️ April 9th, 2024 - @counterpointpress . . 📖 The Body Farm - @abbygeni 🗓️ May 7th, 2024 - @counterpointpress . . While I am so hype about all of these books - the cover of Calypso just blew. My. Mind. This book just jumped to the top of my TBR list for the sole fact that as soon as I picked it up I peeled it like an orange looking for more color. Swipe to see why I am obsessed!! ➡️ . . I have been struggling to post this week which is a bummer because I’ve been really good about sticking to a post every day M-F. The back and forth weather on top of a couple rough work weeks is taking it out of me. This book mail definitely helped to motivate me!! 🌞 . . Have you gotten any great book mail lately?! 🤔
🍊Fine, I’ll admit it: I don’t really care about oranges that much. This little novel though? I ended up caring about it quite a bit. First things first: the humor in this is what immediately sold me. I don’t normally care for books that have strong religious themes, but there were literally portions of the book that I had to read out loud to my partner because I was laughing so much. If you are a fan of dry humor and church lady gossip, you will love this. Autofiction is a genre I haven’t had much of a chance to explore yet (if it’s your first time hearing the term, autofiction is basically autobiography and fiction combined). This was really interesting and it definitely brought me closer to Jeanette as a character. It also made some of the scenes harder for me to read. Queer religious trauma is always a difficult topic for me because I and so many others are affected by the hatred that comes from close-minded individuals in positions of power. I think Jeanette unpacks this really well, it’s just unfortunate that something published almost 40 years ago still rings so true. I do think I could have gotten more out of this if I had more of a background understanding of Christianity. Each chapter is titled after a book of the Bible, and there are a ton of religious references to songs and figures that I didn’t know. (Thankfully I’m buddy reading with a friend that grew up in the church so I’m using her to translate 😂) Read this if you like: 🍊examinations of queerness and religion 🍊Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau 🍊church drama ❓QOTD: What are your favorite fruits? Or least favorite? #orangesarenottheonlyfruit #jeanettewinterson #autofiction #fictionrecs #bookstagram #queerbooks #queerbookstagram
@paulocoelho returns with an essential companion to the inspirational classic, The Alchemist, filled with timeless stories of reflection and rediscovery. introduced in a foreword by the author and illustrated with black-and-white line art throughout, Maktub will engage seekers of all ages and backgrounds. #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #bookstore #maktub #paulocoelho #thealchemist #fiction #fictionrecs #newreleases #newbooks
#bookblanket2024 #27: 🎧 The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley (Fiction). Free to read through KU. I tell you what, I am on a roll with 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ books featuring sassy southern grandmas, and I love it. Fingers crossed I’ll live long enough to be one 👵 I laughed so many times and enjoyed the heck out of listening to this book as Tanner (a 21 year old reluctant caregiver) & Louise (an 84 year old alleged ex-jewel thief) make their cross-country trip while on the lam from the FBI to visit Louise’s old friend before the mafia boss or the police gets to them first. And I especially enjoyed the twists toward the end! #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #artistsofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #crochetblanket #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #crochetlovers #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #readmorebooks #africanflowergrannysquare #audiobook #libby #contemporaryfiction #bookclubpick #berkleypub #fictionrecs #penguinrandomhouse #colleenoakley #themostlytruestoryoftannerandlouise #penguinaudio
#bookblanket2024 #26: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera 📖 (Thriller) Who knew you could laugh so much while reading a murder mystery? 5 years ago, Lucy (seriously sarcastic possible murderess) was found wandering, covered in her dead best friend’s blood. She has no memory of the night Savannah died, and the police never had enough evidence to charge her. Now, a true-crime podcaster has picked Lucy and Savannah as his subjects for the 2nd season’s show. Though Lucy hates that the spotlight is back on her, throwing her life back into chaos, she’s just as eager as everyone else to find out if she’s the killer… It was phenomenal, fun and twisty, and I got a helluva kick out of the main character and her sassy southern grandma (always my favorite), as well as the formatting of each podcast episode slipped into the story as it airs. Easily the best thriller I’ve read so far this year. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #bookobsessed #bookblogger #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #crochetblanket #grannysquare #artistsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflowergrannysquare #fictionrecs #bookofthemonth #botm #listenforthelie #amytintera #thriller #thrillerbookrecs #celadonbooks #macmillanpublishers
the final novel from the titan of Latin American fiction is a masterful dissection of sensuality, desire and regret that centres on a married woman who takes a new lover on one day every year. Gabriel García Márquez leaves yet another mark in this world with his brilliant work of fiction. #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #gabrielgarciamarquez #untilaugust #fiction #fictionrecs #newfiction #bookshoprecs #bookstore
#bookblanket2024 #24: Annie Bot by Sierra Greer 📖 (Literary Fiction) Incredible book with a (in my opinion) satisfying ending about a world in which people can purchase AI robots for a variety of reasons, including “cuddle bunnies” (you can imagine what that means). And these AIs are freakishly difficult to tell apart from humans. This story is about Annie, an AI woman, and her owner/“boyfriend” Doug, their relationship, and how she grows and matures as she strives to be more “real”. It’s obvious from the very beginning of the book that if this were between two humans, it would be an abusive relationship where the woman is walking on egg shells around the man at all times. She is constantly assessing his mood / displeasure after every little interaction and thinking of ways to bring his displeasure back to a 0 out of 10. “Her mind is jumping, test-driving conflicting responses. Already he is displeased, a 3 out of 10, and she can’t make that worse. Turn playful. Seductive. Apologize. Become quietly watchful. But none of them feels right.”😑 If she were a human woman, she’d be accused of being manipulative, when really she is in survival mode as it literally pains her when he is displeased. Doug is absolutely infuriating. He gets literally everything that he wants, down to the literal pound and cup size, and yet he’s still 🗑️. And ooooooh I effing hate this guy. “I want you to have an original thought in your head. I want you to stop me from being an asshole. Is that too much to ask?”🖕 Some of the saddest/my favorite lines: “Despite warning herself that thinking too much will make her unhappy, she’s still subject to ruminating.” & “He made her rage impermissible.” I could not put it down. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #bookobsessed #bookblogger #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #artistsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #crochetblanket #africanflowergrannysquare #literaryfiction #bookofthemonth #botm #anniebot #sierragreer #marinerbooks #harpercollins #ai #fictionrecs
Cotton candy sky book stack 🩷🐳🦋🎀🩵🌸🌊 ——————————————————————- 🏷️ #cottoncandybooks #cottoncandysky #cottoncandyinspo #pinkandblue #dreamy #romcom #bookshopping #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
This book is not some thing I’d normally read, but a retelling of a classic mythological story about Medusa caught my attention! Her story is one that has always intrigued me and I am really looking forward to getting started with this one. Thanks so much to partners @bibliolifestyle and @harperperennial for my copy! Pub Date: February 27, 2024 Synopsis ⤵️ The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora’s Jar returns with a fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa, the original monstered woman. They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster. The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know. When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene’s temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge—on the young woman. Punished for Poseidon’s actions, Medusa is forever transformed. Writhing snakes replace her hair and her gaze will turn any living creature to stone. Cursed with the power to destroy all she loves with one look, Medusa condemns herself to a life of solitude. Until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . . In Stone Blind, classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes turns our understanding of this legendary myth on its head, bringing empathy and nuance to one of the earliest stories in which a woman—injured by a powerful man—is blamed, punished, and monstered for the assault. Delving into the origins of this mythic tale, Haynes revitalizes and reconstructs Medusa’s story with her passion and fierce wit, offering a timely retelling of this classic myth that speaks to us today. #stoneblind #nataliehaynes #bibliolifestyle #fictionrecs #littlefreelibrary #LFLsteward #mythologyretelling #medusa #readmorebooks
Delulu is the solulu right? Une pile à lire pamal ambitieuse pour le mois de mars🤣 je pourrais dire March and April-ish hopefull? Bonne journée!🩷 ————————————————————— 🏷️ #marchtbr #tbrofthemonth #monthlytbr #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
Book review: Don’t Let Her Stay, Nicola Sanders (no spoilers) Choix du livre de mon bookclub pour le mois de février! Ma première lecture de ce genre littéraire et ça m’a donné le goût d’en lire plus! J’ai tellement vécu d’émotions en lisant ce livre, j’ai détesté des personnages, j’ai été fâchée de certaines situations, j’ai été stressé à certains passages et j’ai eu beaucoup d’empathie pour le personnage principal. La seul chose que j’aurais aimé c’est un plot twist avec moins de revirement, un dénouement plus consistant. « Franchement l’auteure c’est pas lady pagaille la » - @ariannepoemsandbooks J’ai vraiment aimé la discussion du bookclub pour ce livre car certaines ont vraiment aimé le livre et d’autres vraiment pas, les conversations divergentes etaient vraiment intéressante. Bref, je donne un 4 étoiles pour ce livre! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ———————————————————————— 🏷️ #dontletherstay #nicolasanders #bookclubpick #febbookclub #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
The List of Suspicious Things by @jennie.godfrey follows best friends Miv and Sharon in the Yorkshire Ripper-era North, as they bark on solving the mystery of the disappearing women only to find unanswered questions much closer to home 🫣 if the cover doesn’t catch your eye - the synopsis should. #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #fiction #thriller #murdermystery #thelistofsuspiciousthings #jenniegodfrey #bookrecs #hardbacks #newreleases #fictionrecs
Happy Friday😍📚💓 Nouveau mois, nouvelle PAL? Avez-vous des must reads en vue d’ici la fin du mois de mars? Moi j’aimerais finir ACOTAR!🤩 Bonne fin de semaine🫶🏼 ————————————————————— 🏷️ #tbrpile #marchtbr #weekend #bookish #reading #bookclub #bookstore #indigocanada #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
Book review🧚❤️🔥🧝♀️ (no spoilers) A Court Of Thorns And Roses, Sarah J Maas Après tant de temps j’ai finalement lu le premier tome de la série si populaire ACOTAR. Ok, j’ai vraiment passé la majorité du livre à me demander “Il me semble y se passe pas grand chose pour une série si trending” J’y est quand même donné une chance malgré le début de l’histoire lent, la deuxième moitié du livre m’a plus intrigué et il y avait beaucoup plus d’action. Les 100 dernières pages on pour moi “sauver” le livre. J’ai apprécié la fin du premier tome et ça m’a donné envie de continuer la série! J’aime bien le style d’écriture de l’auteure et pour un roman fantastique c’est assez facile à comprendre. Je donne un overall de 4 étoiles pour ce livre. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Avez-vous eu les mêmes impressions que moi? ————————————————————————- 🏷️ #ACOTAR #sarahjmaas #bookreview #fantasy #bookclub #bookstore #acotarreview #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
⚠️slight acotar series spoilers⚠️➡️ pov - you & one of your besties convinced another bestie to read acotar … and the reactions are the BEST👀🫠😂❤️🔥🙌🏽📚🥰⚔️🎉 #acotar #acomaf #acowar #sjm #sarahjmaas #acotarseries #bookclub bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity
this book. i have been struggling to get this book started 😭 i know it is good!! i have had multiple friends recommend this to me, but every time i go to pick it up i just can’t do it!!! IDK if i am in a CC slump?! but i need to pull it together 👀 does anyone have any tips to sticking with your TBR & not jumping to sometime new?? or just getting out of a reading slump 😭📚 #bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity #theserpentandthewingsofnight #carissabroadbent #readingslump
you’re lying if you say you’ve recovered from this story…💔💔💔💔 @davidnichollswriter it’s a love/hate relationship, but we loved Dex and Emma 🥺 if you’re looking for a story to rip your heart out (we noticed people reaching for A Little Life despite coming with 100 different heartbreak warnings, so this is for you lot) One Day is getting the recognition it deserves. 20 years. 2 people. One Day. from the moment Dexter Matthew and Emma Morley meet on the night of their graduation, until they meet again. and again. and again. same day, every year. where will they be? and how incredible, or cruel will life be to them? p.s. - you might want to keep a tub of ice cream handy 🥲 #waterstones #waterstonesamersham #oneday #davidnichollsauthor #dextermayhew #emmamorley #fiction #fictionrecs #bookrecs #bookstore #mustread #mustwatch #waterstonesrecommendations
fly or die 🐉⚔️❤️🔥 #bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity #fourthwing #ironflame #rebeccayarros #xadenriorson #violetsorrengail
So many books, so little time to read📖 Quel est votre lecture du moment? 📚 —————————————————————————- 🏷️ #bookaesthetic #bookclub #bookstore #bookart #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
how do you know if someone has loved a book? personally it is all about the wear & tear for me 👀📚 my love for reading started young. i was always a gifted reader - as i am sure most of us on here were - and would constantly ask my teachers for books outside of what we were being taught in school 🤣 inkheart was one of the books i was given by my english teacher in 6th grade & it was one of the first major fantasy series i fell in love with ⚔️♥️ i remember reading the first 2 books with my mom & then immediately buying the 3rd when it was released. my copy of inkheart had SEEN some things 🤣 but that is how you know it was a fav of mine. i have reread this book SO many times it is not funny. because of this, when i was in HS, i even began to wrap all my paperbacks with contact paper to try and save them from the same fate 👀😂 i would love to challenge you all to share what book of yours has the most wear & tear (love) in your library 👀💕 #bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity #inkheart #corneliafunke #inkspell #inkdeath
a special post for the series that found my love of reading ♥️📚 crescent city will forever hold a place in my heart. the world, the characters, the plot … everything about these books makes me smile 🥰✨ i am forever grateful that i gave them a chance. because of these books i have met my book bestie @acourtofmidnightreading 😊 & so many other wonderful pals on bookstagram/booktok!! #bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity #sjm #sarahjmaas #crescentcity #hoeab #hosab #hofas
starting a little collection of leigh bardugo books 👀👀 i read the shadow and bone series a year or two ago (when the netflix show was about to drop)! ill do a review on them eventually ♥️ if you have read ninth house comment below 📚⚔️💯🐍 #bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity #leighbardugo #shadowandbone #ninthhouse
a study in drowning by ava reid has been on my tbr since the year turned! i finally grabbed it the other week & cannot wait to see if it lives up to the hype 📚♥️ #bookstagram #fantasy #fiction #bookaesthetic #bookreview #bookhaul #bookrecs #booklover #fantasyrecs #fictionrecs #booksta #avareid #astudyindrowning #fantasytbr #tbrlist #booktbr #myfavs #yabooks #nabooks #bookaddict #bookcommunity
#bookblanket2024 #13: Most of All You by Mia Sheridan 📖 ⭐️💫 (1.5 stars, worst so far this year) I was really surprised by just how much I did not like this book since the first in the series—Archer’s Voice—is one of my fave romances and was an instant 5 stars. I recommend it and gift it all the time. But this one was very, very slow, and I did not like the FMC or some of the tropes used. It’s the whole “I’m so lonely, I’m not good enough, so I’m going to push away the one amazing person who is actually kind to me and wants to be with me by being absolutely rotten to them”. Blegh. No thank you. Then there was a 3rd act breakup, which is the worst (second only to the miscommunication trope). This would have been a much better book if it weren’t a romance at all. Take the FMC out, and you’d have a decent story about Gabriel and his recovery, his interpersonal relationships, etc. #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #fictionrecs #romance #romancerec
#bookblanket2024 #12: Last Will by Bryn Greenwood 📖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The whole time I was reading this, I kept saying, “This book is so weird. The characters are so weird. I love it.” I’m sure my husband got tired of hearing it lol Of Greenwood’s 4 novels, this one had more romance and was more character driven than action driven. As with all her novels, none of the characters were, quote unquote, normal. Some struggled with mental health, others were downright snippity or strange. I enjoyed it a lot and already used my audible credit to get the audiobook version so I can listen to it later. Also, Greenwood, if you have another upcoming release, please let us know 🙏🏼 I’ll be the first in line to buy it 🫶🏻 #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #fictionrecs #lastwill #bryngreenwood #stairwaypress
#bookblanket2024 #9: Call the Canaries Home by Laura Barrow 🎧 available for free to read and listen to on kindle unlimited! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A (less intense) southern version of a Kristin Hannah novel, wherein the familial relationship between the women is the main focus. This is the story of 3 sisters returning to their Meemaw’s house in small town Louisiana to dig up the time capsule they buried near their childhood home 25 years ago. All three are grown, emotionally and physically distant from each other, their family marred by the youngest sister’s twin (Georgia) going missing all those years ago. When they find a photo of their last day with her, the sisters (spurred on by Georgia’s twin Savanah) grow close as they start searching for the woman they recognize in the background of the photo, a woman they haven’t seen in over two decades, thus uncovering a myriad of family secrets (not the creepy, thriller kind. This is not that kind of book.) I teared up twice, and I wish I knew someone like Meemaw in real life. She was amazing. So was the audiobook, and I highly recommend listing to it. The casting was perfect, and I was invested in the story from the get-go. This would make for a really good movie too! 🤞🏼 Fave line: “I know the Lord isn’t supposed to make mistakes, but that man is as close as it gets.” 🫢 #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #callthecanarieshome #fictionrecs #louisiana #lakeunionpublishing #laurabarrow
#bookblanket2024 #8: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 📖 This is the story of Martha Ballard, a mid-50s midwife living in Maine 1789-1790. The book is inspired by the real Martha Ballard, and the author says that 75% of the book remains historically accurate, though she condensed and changed some things to contain the story to a 6 month time period that follows multiple births, marriages, an SA charge and trial in the early American justice system, as well as an unaliving investigation that’s intertwined with the SA. I loved that the book is told in first person from Martha’s perspective. I loved how much she and her husband loved each other so well. I loved the entire town, save for the vile people the charges and trials center around. I absolutely loved every minute of reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. It would make for a seriously great limited series on HULU (or one of the other big wigs) if anyone ever bought the rights (fingers crossed). It’s an extraordinary book, and it’s going to be a tough choice picking between The Frozen River and Days Without End by Sebastian Barry for my favorite of the month (and I’m not even done with the month yet). #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #thefrozenriver #ariellawhon #BOTM #bookofthemonth #bookofthemonthclub #historicalfiction #fictionrecs
#bookblanket2024 #6: 🎧 Above the Salt by Katherine Vaz. This an epic love story, though it is not listed as so, between two Madeira Island (Portugal) children who flee to America during religious unrest between the protestants and catholics, who face a new world as immigrants without English, relying on the generosity of others, and finding their footing. They come together and drift apart time and time again through the long decades, separated by their faiths, the civil war when John (his new, American name) joins the union army, the evil of others who intercept their letters, by the belief that one has passed, by their marriages, and so much more. *side note: I don’t know how I ended up reading/listening to FOUR books set around the civil war time period in just one month as I picked books based solely on their beautiful covers and went in blind. Funny how that worked out. **another side note: It was so difficult picking out colors to match. These were the best I had, which aren’t perfect, but I still love how it turned out. My poor husband had to listen to me cry over their heartbreak and reunions for an hour-and-a-half as I finished this audiobook while working on orders. And then I cried some more when I explained *why* I was crying. It was so beautifully done, and I have added the hardback version to my wishlist because I want it on my bookshelf for the rest of my life. I highly encourage anyone who enjoys historical fiction and epic love stories to read this book! Some of my favorites lines: “All I can think is to say your name. Mary. My Dear Mary. Many women have your name, but I believe you own it.” “How I loved you once so well, enough for a lifetime, however short or long.” “Here’s the wonder of it. I’ve never felt so young.” #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #fictionrecs #abovethesalt #katherinevaz #epiclove #historicalfiction #historicalfictionrecs
#bookblanket2024 #5: The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James 📖 is a magical realism x 1800s Mexican western with bandidos vs Texas Rangers x folklore x poetic writing. It’s simply one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. Even the afterword by the author was fascinating in which she writes why she decided to pursue this story. This is literally one of the best covers I’ve ever seen, to the point that I’m strongly considering getting a poster made of it to hang in my home. Everything about it, from the colors, the fonts, patterns, themes, and composition is a work of art. Some of my favorite lines: “Hell, he thought, would look a lot like Texas.” As a born and raised Texan who’s lived through my fair share of hurricanes, droughts, and 100°+ seemingly never-ending summers, I’m inclined to think the same, no matter how much I love this state. “I did not then know how many shades of cruelty men carry in their paint box.” It’s a hard lesson to learn. “The harm we don’t intend hurts the worst, and the door into Hell is always open.” #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #thebulletswallower #Texas #mexicanwestern #fictionrecs #botm #bookofthemonth
#bookblanket2024 #4: LIE LAY LAIN by Bryn Greenwood 📖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (an early birthday present from my mom 💕), 4.5 stars. This book was Greenwood’s 2nd novel, so it’s not as polished as “The Reckless Oath We Made” or “All The Ugly And Wonderful Things”. It’s little slow in the beginning, and not everything works out for everyone in the end, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it (and will continue to read everything this woman writes, including her sporadic blog posts). #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #bryngreenwood #authorbryngreenwood #lielaylain #fictionrecs
#bookblanket2024 #3: 🎧 The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall I wanted to like this book since it was marketed as “Practical Magic” meets “Gilmore Girls”, but all the characters were frustrating and hard to like. Unpopular opinion: Sadie was actually the best character, even though she needed work. Throughout the whole book, everyone keeps telling her “Stop pushing people away/you won’t let yourself love because you’re scared of heartbreak,” but on the same breath say, “you sacrifice too much for people/always trying to save people/always doing too much.” Like, which is it??? Then they get mad at her for holding a grudge (for all of 5 seconds), yet they’re the ones dipping without so much as a word. I just found a lot of the characters’ behavior bizarre, I was rooting against the romance subplot because Jake has zero personality and can kick rocks IMO, and I hated that everyone kept a bunch of secrets from Sadie for absolutely no good reason except to create conflict to push the plot forward. Blegh. #bookstagram #bookblanket #bookreview #crochettok #booktok #crochetersofinstagram #theunfortunatesideeffectsofheartbreakandmagic #breannerandall #readersgonnaread #crochet #grannysquare #fiberarts #fiberartists #artostsofinstagram #bookrecs #makersgonnamake #yarnyarnyarn #bibliophile #booklove #booklover #africanflower #africanflowergrannysquare #fictionrecs
#bookblanket 2024 #1: “Days Without End” by Sebastian Barry 📖 *I’ve decided to create a separate account for my book blankets, so if any of the next handful of posts seem familiar, that’s why* I had no idea this would be the kind of book or themes I’d be sharing when I decided to crochet my first Book Blanket, combining my two life-long hobbies: reading and fiber arts, whereby I crochet a granny square to match each book I read, then sew them into a blanket at the end of the year. I debated whether or not to post this one, given the upsetting (understatement) subject matter, but have decided to follow through on my word. I’ll save my long-winded, run-on-sentence laden review for this heart wrenching novel for my friends and family and leave you with this: Ultimately, I found this novel to be both stunning and beautiful and heinous and extremely hard to read due to the graphic nature of many of the themes contained within. I rated it 5 stars because I know this novel will stick with me for a lifetime. #dayswithoutend #bookblanket #sebastianbarry #bookreview #bookstagram #readersgonnaread #booklover #fiberartists #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #grannysquare #yarnyarnyarn #readthebook #bibliophile #bookrecs #bookish #2024readingchallenge #fictionrecs #historicalfiction #historicalfictionrecs
Curious about the #MillennialBookClub books we've been reading? You can see this month's choice and all our previous picks on our website, and now a few are out in paperback! Since we don't meet, all our chats are online. Use the hashtag, look for posts, and share your thoughts to start the conversation! P.S. You don't have to be a Millennial to enjoy these books. 😉 🏷️ #Millennials #DystopianFiction #KPop #ComingOfAge #FamilyRelationships #FictionRecs #BookRecommendations
Happy Thursday !🩷🧡🩵 Un peu de spring vibes avec cette palette de livres😍 Voyez-vous un livre que vous avez déjà lu ? —————————————————————————- 🏷️ #bookshopping #bookclub #springvibes #romcom #cutebooks #bookoutlet #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
🩵 blue sisters [ad - pr] if today isn’t your first day on earth (my bookstagram), you’ll know how I feel about cleopatra and frankenstein by @cocomellors - I will forever advocate for that beautiful book. getting to read coco’s newest novel, blue sisters, ahead of publication is such an honour!! rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ blue sisters: where do I even start? what can I say that does this special novel justice? no words possibly could. this is the tender, realistic, and bittersweet story of the three Blue sisters Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, and how their lives evolve whilst they deal with the loss of their beloved sister Nicky. I already know this will be my top read of 2024; the writing is meticulously crafted, wholly beautiful, and explores many difficult themes with care and honesty. it truly felt like coming home. there is nothing coco could write that I wouldn’t love and this is no exception. this book is perfect for you if you enjoyed cleo & frank; if you like heartfelt stories of family bonds and complexities; if you love nyc, paris, or london; if you enjoy character driven novels; if you want to fall in love with reading again; or if you simply just want to read the most brilliant book. #bluesisters #cocomellors #cleopatraandfrankenstein #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecs #booksta #booksofinstagram #bookreviews #bibliophile #ukbookstagram #booktok #bookblogger #ukbookblog #bookaesthetic #fictionrecs #newbooks #publishing #hotgirlbooks #hotgirlreads #lovereading
This week’s staff recommendation is from our Social Media Clerk, Micky! (👋🏻) • Check out Fox 8 by George Saunders from our collection today! 🦊 • #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #maxwellrecs #fox8 #georgesaunders #localauthor #libraryrecs #shortstoryreads #locallibrary #library #librarylife #shortstories #bookrecommendations #fictionrecs
Book haul🩵💚🩷 Les couvertures des livres de cette série m’ont vendu. Je planifie la lire ce printemps 😍 Avez-vous déjà lu des livres de Becka Mack? ——————————————————————- 🏷️ #beckamack #hockeyromance #romcom #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
as much as I try to diversify my reading, I definitely still predominantly read white & Asian authors, usually women. but in 2024 I’m trying very hard to be intentional about reading more Black women authors that I’ve always had on my TBR but never read, like Zora Neale Hurston, & to read widely across diverse genres (yes, I do count woman vs the void as a category). if you’re looking for books by some incredible Black writers, here’s just a few I’ve read & enjoyed recently.
Happy Valentine’s day to all my book lovers out here! 🩷❤️ Here’s a stack of love for the occasion💞 🎀The love hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood 🎀The Spanish love deception, Elena Armas 🎀Book lovers, Emily Henry 🎀Love and Gelato, Jenna Even Welch 🎀Love and Other words, Christina Lauren Pic inspo : @laurenreadswhat 🫶🏼 ————————————————————————— 🏷️ #valentinesday #stvalentin #bookoflove #romcom #booklover #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
okay so COMMUNITY BOARD isn’t backlist BUT it is instantly available on my Hoopla so I’m including it! here’s some books that you can most likely scoop up now, cross-checked with my local library (Fulton County/metro Atlanta)’s Libby & Hoopla availability!
📕 Book Review 📕 . . ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 📖 Plastic - @scottguildwriter . . 🗣️ “Erin is a plastic girl living in a plastic world. Every day she eats a breakfast of boiled chicken, then conveys her articulated body to Tablet Town, where she sells other figurines Smartbodies: wearable tech that allows full, physical immersion in a virtual world, a refuge from real life’s brutal wars, oppressive governmental monitoring, and omnipresent eco-terrorist insurgency. If you cut her, she will not bleed—but she and her fellow figurines can still be cracked or blown apart by gunfire or bombs, or crumble away from nuclear fallout. Erin, who’s lost her father, sister, and the love of her life, certainly knows plenty about death.” . . Much wow. I absolutely adored this book. While the writing style and dialogue took some getting used to, once I got into this book I was hooked. This is a book that you definitely need to commit to reading by itself and not have any other books going on at the same time. . . Written as part musical, part TV show, and part novel - I have seriously been thinking about this book since I finished it a couple weeks ago. As the MC, Erin, took me through her world and towards a dizzying conclusion - the amount of times I said “ohhh” while reading this book was crazy. . . Plastic offers an insightful social commentary in the vein of Kurt Vonnegut and Chuck Palahniuk. These are two of my all-time favorite satirists so I really couldn’t pay a higher compliment to Scott Guild! I will absolutely be on the lookout for what this author writes next. . . PLEASE check this book out if you like the environment, satire, Kurt Vonnegut, Chuck Palahniuk, virtual reality, and waffles. . . What is a book you’ve read recently that you can’t stop thinking about?! 🤔 . . **Thank you to @pantheonbooks and @scottguildwriter for the advanced review copy of this book - happy publication day!!** 🥳
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNIE! 🥳🎉
Today @bernie.lombardi turns a number that is not big but not small 🐣 either and I’m just so proud of him for making it this far 👏 - congrats my love! You did it! 🙌😅
In honor of his influence 📣, here are some books I’ve never read but Bernie has and insists I will absolutely devour 🍽️ And based on what he’s told me of each one, I have to agree! ⚡️And also a little ditty 🎶 for the bday boy 🎂 that I wrote in the shower 🛀🏼
Bernie Bernie he’s so cute
even when he (has to toot) eats beetroot
That beetroot makes his pee turn pink
let’s down some wine, cheers glasses, clink
Wine time is our fav time, yes
and reading... us time... I digress
So here’s to you, go read some books
love you the most, our life, gadzooks!
🪑🤔 ELENA KNOWS by Claudia Piñeiro and translated by Frances Riddle
BOOK REVIEW📝 Yellowface, R.F. Kuang - slide for the aesthetic 💛 Choix du livre de mon bookclub pour le mois de janvier! Ce livre m’a fait faire beaucoup de remise en question pendant ma lecture. C’était mon premier livre de l’auteure et je dois franchement avouer que son style d’écriture était excellent, on s’y accroche facilement et ça donne le goût de lire davantage! J’ai trouvé très intéressant que le personnage principale ne soit pas un personnage auquel on peut s’identifier, on déteste un peu les choix et les actions du personnage au courant de l’histoire. Je crois que l’auteure a fait un excellent travail au niveau de la subtilité et de la nuance à aborder des sujets comme le racisme, l’appropriation culturelle, l’humour noir, l’intimidation et même l’agression. Mais j’aurais aimé voir un meilleur denouement de l’histoire et un meilleur développement autour du personnage principale, je trouve que l’histoire enchaînait parfois vers une direction peu signifiante. Malgré tout je donne la note de 3 étoiles, j’ai apprécié cette lecture mais je ne recommanderais pas cette lecture à tous nécessairement. ————————————————————————- 🏷️ #yellowfacerfkuang #yellowface #bookclubpick #bookreview #booktokquebec #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookreview #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #bookish #bookblogger #books #booklover #bookreels #bookaesthetic #bookishaesthetic #readeraesthetic #fictionrecs #booktok #book
📚 LFL Drop 📚 . . 📖 Mercury - @burnsamyjo . . 🗓️ January 2nd, 2024 - @celadonbooks . . 🗣️ “It’s 1990 and seventeen-year-old Marley West is blazing into the river valley town of Mercury, Pennsylvania. A perpetual loner, she seeks a place at someone’s table and a family of her own. The first thing she sees when she arrives in town is three men standing on a rooftop. Their silhouettes blot out the sun. The Joseph brothers become Marley’s whole world before she can blink. Soon, she is young wife to one, The One Who Got Away to another, and adopted mother to them all.” . . I was so fortunate to receive an extra ARC of Mercury to participate in today’s LFL Drop with @celadonbooks !! . . My go-to LFL doesn’t ever let me geotag it, so I am tagging my favorite coffee shop that its next to. 👀 This library was STUFFED full today and I was so happy to be able to add to the goodies in there. . . If you’re in HDG today, grab this copy of Mercury if you are fan of literary fiction, complex relationships, and coming of age stories! . . What’s the last book you scored from a Little Free Library?! 🤔 📚
February is Black History and Futures Month, an annual reminder to dedicate time for reflection and education as we celebrate the Black voices that have enriched our world with their stories, innovations, and activism—this month and all year long. In honor of the rich breadth of stories that encompass Black history, culture, and heritage, here are three novels previously nominated for the 2023 Carol Shields Prize: — The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr (@coachhousebooks) brings to life an important part of Black history in North America, from the perspective of a queer Black sleeping car porter living in a culture that renders him invisible in two ways. — Junie by Chelene Knight (@bookhugpress) is not just an unflinching look at the destruction of Vancouver’s former Hogan’s Alley neighbourhood—a thriving Black and immigrant community located in Vancouver’s East End—but a celebration of the Black lives within. — The Furrows by Namwali Serpell (@penguinrandomhouse) is a bold exploration of memory and mourning that twists unexpectedly into a story of mistaken identity, double consciousness, and the wishful—and sometimes willful—longing for reunion with those we've lost. #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackVoices #BlackAuthors #FictionRecs #TheSleepingCarPorter #SuzetteMayr #Junie #CheleneKnight #TheFurrows #NamwaliSerpell #CoachHouseBooks #BookhugPress #PenguinRandomHouse