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The Grace of Kings
The Grace of Kings | Ken Liu
104 posts | 72 read | 4 reading | 163 to read
Emperor Mapidr was the first to unite the island kingdoms of Dara under a single banner. But now the emperor is on his deathbed, his people are exhausted by his vast, conscriptive engineering projects and his counsellors conspire only for their own gain. Even the gods themselves are restless. A wily, charismatic bandit and the vengeance-sworn son of a deposed duke cross paths as they each lead their own rebellion against the emperor's brutal regime. Together, they will journey to the heart of the empire; witnessing the clash of armies, fleets of silk-draped airships, magical books and shapeshifting gods. Their unlikely friendship will drastically change the balance of power in Dara... but at what price? THE GRACE OF KINGS is the debut novel by Hugo-, Nebula- and World Fantasy Award-winner Ken Liu and the first in an monumental new epic fantasy series.
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Twainy
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The Broken Binding special edition of The Dandelion Dynasty came the first week of September! It‘s very pretty! 🖤

CloakNQuill 😍😍 gorgeous 2mo
22 likes1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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Pickpick

Categorized as Silk Road Fantasy, Liu‘s debut novel takes a while to get going—a lot of set up & pieces to move around ahead of the remaining 3 books in the series which all come in around 1000+ pages—but once it does, readers are rewarded with a complex, interesting story populated with flawed characters—& the gods manipulating/aiding/undermining them—that keep things interesting. A good start to the series, one I will likely continue reading.

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TracyReadsBooks
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Epic fantasy this weekend…

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Ddzmini
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Book mail 📚📚😊

Tamra How is the cookbook? 7mo
49 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
Bailedbailed

I wanted to like this, and it started well, but it‘s just a bit over my head and I‘m not sure I like the portrayal of the women characters. So bailing!
#roll100 done-I have not had good luck with these lately!

PuddleJumper That's a shame! 12mo
CogsOfEncouragement I respect a DNF. Learning to do more of that when I really should. Too many good books out there waiting. 12mo
31 likes2 comments
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johncadams
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I really enjoyed this fantasy novel. It felt fresh and different, which is good, right?

#fantasy #epicfantasy #fiction

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RaeLovesToRead
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Really excited about these two new beauties 🥰

The_Book_Ninja I will look forward to your Ken Liu book review. I have a TBR😉 2y
RaeLovesToRead @The_Book_Ninja Thanks! 😁 I'll probably read The Tawny Man trilogy & The Once & Future King first, but I'm still excited! 2y
65 likes2 comments
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CaitlinSiem
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one! The first half of the book was hit and miss on the pacing but had some good pieces that kept urging me forward. But I really enjoyed the last half of the book. There were so many interesting pieces. And I loved how the gods were involved and I loved their commentary. I‘ll definitely continue the series.

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MrsGagnonreads2024
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Thank you @sprainedbrain I love everything in my #Fallingforfallswap package. The owl is adorable and I can't wait to read the books and the stickers are cool and the tea smells so good lol. And the bookmarks are beautiful. @Avanders

Chrissyreadit Those book marks are beautiful! 3y
Avanders 😍😍🍂🍁🧡 3y
47 likes3 comments
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asterese
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Happy New Year, Litsy!! 🥳🎇📚⭐

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JLaurenceCohen
Grace of Kings | Ken Liu
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I've got a few things to catch up on, but after that I'm hoping to get to Grace of Kings.

28 likes2 stack adds
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jenniferw88
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The dandelion dynasty is my choice for day 18 #20series20days @Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks good. 4y
77 likes1 stack add1 comment
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shanaqui

I have been super burnt out and not reading, not chatting, just sort of hermitting. Not sure if I am back, but I am reading again! I was warned this book was hard going, but I'm really not finding it to be so? I am a little frustrated by all the different characters, but it's starting to become clear who I should pay attention to, and the actual reading is a breeze.

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GrilledCheeseSamurai
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#MagnificentMarch #flowersOnTheCover

How about just one flower. A weed even. I'll tell ya what, though, The Dandelion Dynasty books are epic AF and a great alt-history fantasy read.

I need book 3 stat!

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 🤣📚🌸 5y
nukie19 I liked the first one but man, it was a long read and I needed a break before committing to a second. Guess it‘s worth the time? 5y
DrexEdit I love these books. I hope the third one comes soon! 😊👍🏻 5y
84 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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CaitlinR
Grace of Kings | Ken Liu
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Mehso-so

I so wanted to love this book. I‘m a big fan of epic fantasy, and Liu has been recommended as a master. I enjoyed the historical nature of the writing, but the intense focus on warfare was jarring, and not where I wanted to be right now. I had planned to move on to the sequel, Wall of Storms, but have chosen to set it aside, maybe for another time.

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llwheeler
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240 pages left and I want to finish it before going out of town Tues. I believe my mug is right! (even though today is mostly busy with housework and I still have to pack 😅)

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llwheeler
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Took a long break from this book just shy of the halfway point. Not cause I wasn't enjoying it, just cause it's long. I'm still really enjoying it now that I've picked it back up.

I'm not loving the tiny font though. Very hard on my eyes just before bed, which is when I want to read it. I give this book an A for overall look of the design but a C- for readability. If the sequels are like this too, I'll prob switch to ebook or audio.

AmyG Your cat looks like my Hilly. ❤️ 5y
llwheeler @AmyG ☺️ ❤️ brown tabbies 5y
25 likes2 comments
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llwheeler
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Didn't quite finish my #14books14weeks stack (mostly cause I got distracted with other books) but made good progress! 9 finished, 2 half done, and 3 not started.

Thanks for another fun challenge @TheHeartlandBookFairy 🙂

TheHeartlandBookFairy Congratulations! Any progress is still progress 😁 5y
llwheeler @TheHeartlandBookFairy Thanks! You're right 🙂 5y
43 likes3 comments
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llwheeler
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Logged 16h22m reading and writing this weekend. Only got a bit over 500 words of writing but it was good progress so I'll take it. Finished 1 short audio and 2 GNs, and read parts of 4 other books.

It was a good weekend! #24in48

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llwheeler
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It's 28 feels like 38 but I can't resist some outdoor reading (in the shade with plenty of water). Gonna hang out here til lunch or thunderstorms hit, whichever comes first. #24in48 almost at 2h

36 likes1 stack add
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llwheeler
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I've decided to do #24in48 unofficially this time. I'm really behind in #CampNaNo and want to write a lot this weekend, but also want to read... so I figure why not adapt this to my goals and count writing time and reading time! Feeling good about my stack - got some fic, non fic, short, long, print, audio, GN - and hoping for 2k+ in writing.

CocoReads I‘m behind on #CampNano too! I‘m also participating in #24in48 unofficially. 5y
llwheeler @CocoReads good luck and have fun! Hope you get some writing time too 😊 5y
41 likes2 comments
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jenniferw88
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Pickpick
TheSpineView 😊 6y
Itchyfeetreader Yay thanks for tagging me always good to know a swap gift was a hit!! 6y
Velvetfur I'm glad this one was a pick for you! 6y
82 likes1 stack add3 comments
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jenniferw88
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Jizu's father helped create a #legend in Rima. #literaryluck @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88

(Tbh, there's a lot of #legends in this book)

GatheringBooks i heard that this is like the Asian GoT. Does it give you that vibe, too? 6y
jenniferw88 @GatheringBooks definitely! Although not many main characters have been killed off yet...😂😂😂 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Loved this book! Need to read the next one soon! 6y
vkois88 Sounds interesting! 6y
90 likes1 stack add5 comments
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jenniferw88
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1. Done
2. No
3. No
4. Have visited Dublin
5. @elvinareads

@wanderinglynn #hellothursday

wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 🍀 6y
elvinareads Thank you. It‘s Friday in my country. And we don‘t celebrate St Patrick‘s Day hehe but Happy St Patrick‘s Day to you!! 6y
76 likes3 comments
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jenniferw88
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All the characters in my #currentread have #uniquecharacternames, these are a selection & refer to the Gods of Dara. #literaryluck @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Very unique!! 6y
suzisteffen Loved this book. 6y
vkois88 Neat 6y
82 likes3 comments
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kwmg40
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I finished the #24B4Monday readathon with a total of 13 hours, 10 minutes.

I finished one book that fit the Black History Month theme, Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala, which I liked very much.

I also finally got through Ken Liu‘s epic-fantasy novel set in an alternate Ancient China. It was OK but I much prefer Guy Gavriel Kay‘s River of Stars, which has a similar setting.

Thanks to @Andrew65 and @TheReadingMermaid for hosting the readathon!

Andrew65 Thanks, that‘s a great time you achieved. Well done 🙌🙌 Thanks for playing along. 😊👍👏 6y
16 likes1 comment
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DuckOfDoom
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Pickpick

I liked the book, even if it read a bit like a military report or history book at times. I have serious trouble rating this, but in the end, I enjoyed reading it. Let's see if the next book builds a less back-and-forth story.
This is definitely not for everybody, fantasy with very little magic but with a focus on politics and military

llwheeler Ah darn, didn't realize this was so heavy on military. It's on my tbr (planning to use it for the compared to GoT #sfftbrchallenge) but military sff is one of my least favourite... hopefully I'll like it. 6y
56 likes1 comment
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Cindyelizavaz
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Pickpick

I've had this on my shelf for the longest time and I often question myself why. It has been ages since I've read and loved a fantasy series and this book is one of those that I love! This book has all the potential in the world to be a fantastic series. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. #fantasy #thegraceofkings #kenliu

5 likes2 stack adds
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bernadette
Pickpick

Epic and sweeping tale. I loved the world and the two opposing heroes - one the ne'er do well commoner and the other the classical unyielding warrior hero. The premise seems to be loosely based on the unification of China but the world is very much it's own unique fantasy world.

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bernadette

I've seen mixed reviews but I'm looking forward to high fantasy based on Chinese history and culture. I love big fat fantasy novels and the style of this one is pretty quick and readable although there is a large cast. Hopefully I'll be able to keep everyone straight.

1 like2 stack adds
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heikemarie
Grace of Kings | Ken Liu
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Off to DC and the VA Beach with my last group of 8th graders. I don‘t #%^* around with snacks on these trips! Reading the tagged book and getting ready for the first (and my fave) stop - the African American History Museum!

Tamra I‘d love to go some day! 6y
44 likes1 comment
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KtheBookwyrm
Mehso-so

Unfortunately, I wasn‘t overly impressed by this massive tome. I think for me, it mainly suffered from the shallow pond effect: a wide but shallow scope. It spans years and has a large cast of characters but I never felt like I got to know any of them very well, many secondary ones I confused for others, and the events weren‘t often focused on with any detail. This will be another book to add to the garage sale pile.

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KtheBookwyrm
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So originally, I was going to read The Martian. I got a few chapters in and wasn‘t really feeling it though so I switched to this. I‘m about 50 pages in and sensing some impending political machinations or something. I went into this totally blind so I don‘t know what to expect.

13 likes2 stack adds
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jenniferw88
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All I can really say is Wow! & thanks so much to @Itchyfeetreader for this amazing #feedareader package! The treats look amazing, the egg separator will be incredibly handy, and there looks like there's a lot of new recipes for me to try! I'll post my comments about the books in comments! Thank you so, so much Jo & @TricksyTails & @MinDea for organising.
It also came a day before my bday so have allowed myself an early present!

jenniferw88 First off, A Morbid Taste of Bones is one of my challenge books for this year, so that will be one of the first #tbr! 7y
jenniferw88 Secondly, I have never heard of The Grace of Kings before but I've read the blurb on the back & it sounds right up my alley! 7y
jenniferw88 Finally, The Strangler Vine has been on my radar for far too long but I have resisted because the kindle price was too high - now I have no excuses not to read it! 😊😂 7y
See All 6 Comments
MinDea Lovely package! 7y
Itchyfeetreader Yay - so glad it arrived and you like he selections. Fingers crossed they are enjoyable x 7y
TricksyTails Ooh! Wonderful goodies! 👏😍 7y
89 likes6 comments
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CallMeIshmael
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Saturday‘s do not get much better than this

britt_brooke Perfect! We are doing the same. There‘s nothing better. (edited) 7y
vivastory I've been curious about the book. How is it? 7y
dylanisreading Now that is a good night. 7y
38 likes1 stack add3 comments
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CallMeIshmael
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Comfy sweats and new book

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EclecticReaders
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We had the opportunity to interview the brilliant Ken Liu back in 2016 about his novel The Grace of Kings, (spoiler-free episode here: eclecticreaders.fireside.fm/28 if you‘re interested) and now one of his short stories is being adapted for the screen! Full article: http://deadline.com/2018/04/ellen-shanman-adapt-ken-liu-sci-fi-short-story-the-h...

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Lindsy
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Making progress on my 2018 TBR #bulletjournal

britt_brooke Pretty page! 7y
Lindsy @britt_brooke thank you! 7y
aeeklund The little snail!! So cute!! 🐌🐌 7y
18 likes3 comments
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Lindsy
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This month‘s wrap-up. I may or may not have spilled 😞 I loved all the books I read this month, so it‘s impossible to pick a favorite.

#bulletjournal

Jess7 Pretty #bujo! 7y
Jess7 Your #bujo still looks pretty !! 7y
Lindsy @Jess7 thank you! 7y
17 likes3 comments
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Lindsy
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Pickpick

Finished this just before bed. It was so good 😭

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slightlyfoxed
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#FriyayIntro
1. I‘m rewatching the Netflix Marvel shows, so: Charlie Cox.
2. Grey.
3. Tagged book - I‘m trying to read more non-Western fantasy. Highly recommended!
4. Imma stop you right there because there is literally no way I would go to Mars. Ever. I have spacephobia. It‘s one of the great ironies of my life - I‘m a SFF reader who is terrified of space.
5. If you are reading this, watch Stardust, and then my crush will also be yours!

monalyisha Haha, “Imma stop you right there” really got me. 😅 7y
16 likes2 comments
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Lindsy
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This month‘s TBR is pretty small because one of the books is such a behemoth. I‘m trying to be at least a little realistic #bulletjournal

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Mitch
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February in books #februaryreads It‘s been a great reading month. Continuing the theme of reading more diversely, I‘ve tackled an epic fantasy (loved it & the genre!), historical (loved it too!) a thriller (well written and a good read, but not sure I‘m in love with the genre!). Also got in my #onenonfictionamonth and two Bookclub reads! #happyreader

Suet624 Nice!! 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled This is a good one! I got the sequel but it‘s still in my TBR - such a huge one! 😬 7y
Mitch @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Me too! It‘s going to demand quite a commitment! 7y
96 likes3 comments
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GrilledCheeseSamurai
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Pickpick

Finished this off between shifts today! I had a real good time with it! Excited to see where book two takes us! 🙃

4 out of 5 ⭐'s.

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1508981993

Thorex This book just had so many epic moments, it's one of my favorite fantasy books honestly. 7y
77 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Mitch
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Pickpick

The first half was dense, lots of characters jostling for power, across many lands. Every chapter characters were killed, disposed of & forgotten. As the landscape clears & 100's of lords and potential dominant rulers goes to two - it got better. I liked the strategy, the meditations on power, leadership, honour and trust. The role of the waring Gods, directing & influencing the wars and battles on earth lead to an interesting conclusion.

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GrilledCheeseSamurai
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Kids are great and all and I respect all the effort that goes into raising them...but this has pretty much always been the way I've looked at it. 😂🚫😷☢️💲💸💲😭

vivastory Yep! 7y
JessClark78 😂😂 7y
CaliforniaCay 😅 haha I would have never thought to describe it that way but it definitely makes sense. I'm also a member of the I don't want kids club 👍🏾 7y
See All 7 Comments
mjdowens I have two grown kids and I still agree😂😂 7y
CouronneDhiver I, too, am happily in the land of the child-free. There are quite a few other perks 7y
Scurvygirl Mine just turned 18, this is so very true and it never stops being true. Even for our own parents... 7y
batsy Yes 😓 7y
85 likes7 comments
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Mitch
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Reading in bed - desperate to keep going, but my eyes are say no! #goodnightlittenseverywhere.

AmyG Sweet dreams 💤 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Love this book - so engrossing! 7y
86 likes2 comments
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GrilledCheeseSamurai
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Split shifts aren't so bad when you have fancy coffees a book and a cinnamon bun to break them up with. ❤️

Mitch I‘m just behind you - chapter 10! 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @Mitch Woohoo! Are you liking it? It's really unlike anything I have read before. I'm not that well versed in Chinese history so I feel like I am missing out on a lot of parallels. Despite that, I'm really enjoying it. Like...lots! ❤️ 7y
Cats-and-Tea That cinnamon bun looks like the most delicious thing I‘ve ever seen. Or maybe I‘m just hungry 7y
See All 7 Comments
GrilledCheeseSamurai @Cats-and-Tea bit of column A and a little bit of column B? It was delicious. 👌 7y
minkyb That cinnamon bun ‼️‼️ 7y
Mitch This is a new thing for me to at @GrilledCheeseSamurai. I‘m liking it so far - having to focus on getting the geography in my head at the moment! It‘s got a real ancient / medieval feel to it - which I like and wasn‘t expecting. 7y
Mitch Just caught up with you - chapter 27! 7y
109 likes7 comments
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Mitch
Grace of Kings | Ken Liu
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Husband‘s away for the night - #bookmail unwrapped, snacks in, wood piled high for the stove and novel awaits. It‘s going to be a good night! #goingoutisso2017 #booknerdTshirton !

Kalalalatja Sounds like a perfect evening! 7y
AmyG I love Mike and Ike. I just love eating candy and reading. (edited) 7y
Mitch Me too @AmyG they pair well with epic fantasy! 7y
Suet624 How wonderful. 7y
95 likes4 comments