The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America's Forgotten Capital of Vice | 
pickI finally finished my #JolabokaflodSwap book from @Readergrrl and it was 10/10 interesting! If the print wasn‘t so tiny I think I would‘ve finished it sooner lol 😅 Definitely a pick for anyone who‘s intrigued by the mob, the culture of the 1940s-1960s and anyone else really.
I‘m just a girl, eating some Utz cheese balls with a glass of wine, reading my book and recognizing true contentment 😌 I hope everyone survived Christmas and can enjoy a breather before New Years Eve ♥️
Thank you so much @Readergrrl ♥️💚♥️ I love all the chocolate (I cannot WAIT to dig into them 😋) and am stoked for the new book too!! I hope you are having a fun day (and a Merry Christmas if you celebrate!) and hope for a wonderful 2023 for you also!! #JolabokaflodSwap @MaleficentBookDragon
I was fortunate enough to grow up with two parents who loved reading. Many of my childhood memories include my parents reading, my mom taking me to the library, or my dad taking me to a bookstore. I am extremely grateful to them for instilling in me an appreciation for books. My Mom is visiting from AR and we spent her last day in WI reading together. It was delightful. ❤️
1. Gotta choose The Vapors since it's set in my hometown, Hot Springs National Park
2. Everglades and Redwoods
3. Conservation Refugees: The Hundred-Year Conflict between Global Conservation and Native Peoples by Mark Dowie
#SundayFunday @ozma.of.oz
pickA history of the century-long stronghold of illegal gambling in a spa town in central Arkansas-- that just so happens to be my hometown. Filled in many gaps in my knowledge of Hot Springs' history of gambling & horseracing. I had no idea what a hot spot it was in its heyday with the likes of Mickey Rooney & Ella Fitzgerald performing in clubs. Definitely gets bogged down in the details. Maybe less appealing to anyone not familiar with the area.
It's been and up and down week but I'm trying to focus on the fact that I'm getting some reading done again and getting to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law this weekend
Thank you so much Soubhi - I cant wait to read this (and I love the cover!) and the bookish candles are gorgeous - perfect for a little mood setting. Thank you so much for thinking of me today and sending out such love. It‘s made a hard day, lighter. 😘
pick3.5/5
I picked this book up because I grew up in Hot Springs and was curious about this part of Hot Springs's past. I was vaguely aware that there had been mob connections, but I didn't know much about the details.
It was fun to read about places I know and how different they were in the past. I think more information about the Black community in Hot Springs would have been interesting.
#netgalley #litsyatoz
