Ahhhhh
💦 Summer Reading 💦

I can see how this would be scary for some people but to me it just felt like it never really got started and then just got very repetitive. I skimmed the last 100 pages and didn't feel like I lost anything. Great idea for a story though.

Holy scary book!
I actually stopped reading this one before bed because it was legit giving me nightmares when I took my sleepy meds!
Such a great story and writing. Keeps the horror fun 😊

Great read. Might be a bit too much for people with a light stomach. But the story keeps moving, the characters are great and the fear is real!

I may have picked too many books up from the library. "Library Me" doesn't seem to have a grasp on reality and how much time I actually have the next two weeks! ?

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. It for sure drags a bit for the first few chapters. I think I was about 20% in when I realized I suddenly really liked this story. A really unique read.

😶
Just wow.
Put this one at the top of your list. I've heard this is a book for women, but this is a book for humans. I am telling you, there are some pieces of wisdom in here that changed me. Changed me right as I read the words.

Fun stories from Hawkins as told by the kiddos of Hawkins. Like reading a few episodes of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" But a tad more gory. Super fun Spring Break read.

Meh, this is not great. There's so much going on and yet I kept feeling like nothing new had really happened. There's also a wide cast of characters that you are keeping track of and I truly don't believe they are all needed. And in some cases just takes away from the core story.

And over all I just didn't like the writing and the random way people are described. . . I don't know it just hit me wrong. Not for me.

5 stars from this grunge kid. A must read for any Pearl Jam fans out there. Have your phone handy if you aren't good with song names. Well actually, even if you it's fun to play the songs as he's talking bout them.
I can't express how good it was to read this. Like a little spot of therapy, taking me back to some really good times. And then bringing it all back full circle.
Very happy to have read this. 🤘

"Naturally, we'll begin by discussing Jeff Ament's collection of floppy hats."

Any grunge kids in here?

😶
Holy bajesus, what did I just read?!?!?
You follow three main characters in different settings through the disaster of a snow storm, a deadly virus, group conflict and so much more.
You know these three characters and stories are connected but holy wow....did not see that coming!
I rarely read novels a second time though, but I will be with this one.

An early 2022 read.
This book wasn't life changing and frequently felt like she was talking to someone newly diagnosed. But it was nice to hear someone else's experience and I do think it would be helpful for those new to the chronic illness world.
Overall, worth the read.

A 2022 read.
This book is inspired by Crimson Peak which, I didn't love so I'm not sure why I read this, besides I was told I would enjoy it by a friend 🤷🏻‍♀️
It was okay, but moved too slow for my tastes and the ending was a bit off.

The "I Hate Lupus" starter pack ?

The Tylenol is wishful thinking but what the heck! And yes I know sugar doesn't help but just let me have one piece!

Good news is randomly finding The Drift at the library ?

Whelp.....
So here's the thing.... The entire book I kept thinking "Man, she sure does leave out a lot of details for being such a good writer!" I kept going back chapters to see if I had missed something. And I did. I missed the three books before this one ?‍♀️ I didn't realize it until I put it in Goodreads.
So it's a little difficult to review but I'm thinking I would have really liked this had I read the first three ?

Another 2022 read.
I was overly excited for this book which is probably why this is a no go instead of so so.
The main character is so unlikeable it's hard to be with her for an entire novel. And honestly there isn't a lot of story in the pages. I know so many people who really loved this, so I think I'm in the minority with this one but it just wasn't for me.

Randomly grabbed this while at the library. Fast, and creepy and wonderful. A retelling of the Fall of the House of Usher.

I was so excited for this book but it simply did not pan out. It was much more focused on relationships than the story and I frequently found my mind wandering.
Set in two different times in Wisconsin, the story flows back and forth between then and now with two strong female characters as leads who are figuring out their own mysteries. It really sounded so wonderful but just not my cup of tea.

Another 2022 read.
These books are amazing! The worlds Cogman creates are the perfect place for book lovers. Her characters are likeable, people you'd like to be or know.
And while the stories are for sure formulaic at this point, this one was still as enjoyable as all the others.
If you haven't yet, go grab book one and adventure on!

Just a little light reading before church. . .

I sure do love Coates! She takes away all your safety and makes you deal with the scary. Took me two days to finish the last 40 pages because I could only read at night!
I always have such a hard time reviewing because I feel like I'll give it all away but the solution to all this...man, it just got me. Favorite Coates yet.

This was another read from 2022. This is targeted more for people with ADHD than people associated with ADHD but it is still extremely helpful insight for us non adhd-ers. My husband found this book life changing as someone who was diagnosed late in life. If ya need some help, give this book a shot.

This was my favorite read of 2022.
Tom Papa just makes me smile. He's positive and real and just freaking funny. I found myself truly laughing out loud while reading this. I do think watching a few of his skits first helps so you can hear his voice while reading. If ya need a smile, this book is for you.
#dogsoflitsy #notfrank

#SundayFunday. @ozma.of.oz
I used to! I felt true shame to start a book and not finish it. It's how my habit of reading multiple books at once began.
My last bailed book was the tagged book. I had been so excited for it but there was animal stuff and I just didn't want to risk it getting worse.

This is another one from last year.

I think I may have said this during my other Witcher reviews but I'm gonna say it again! These books are epic, on level with Wheel of Time of Lord of the Rings in my opinion. I am obsessed!

Sure wish I would have had all this information at the beginning of our marriage!
There are a lot of ideas here to digest. Not everything will work for everyone but just having the info is helpful. I have found this helps with my kiddo as well so really if you have any kind of relationship with someone with ADHD this book is incredibly helpful.

I won this off of Goodreads and I just feel so over the moon lucky that I did because this author is AMAZING.
I finished this one about a year ago (Maybe some day I'll catch up on all my reviews....)
I just can't express how good of a writer she is. There is never a lull and the story is always moving forward. And the premise of face blindness really makes things interesting. Just nothing bad to say about it.

Help! This audio book is killing me! I need a better one but I'm horrible at picking anything.
Anyone have any suggestions for a mystery or horror that is read really well?

Annual January Barnes & Noble run with the family 🎉📚❤️ It was such a great trip. I love seeing my kiddos get excited for different kinds of books. Hope we do this forever.

First read of the year 🎉 Completed during break but just getting back to social media.
I had gotten this on audio book when someone told me it was you really had to have a physical copy of, and they were right!
Clever and spooky and just keeps moving. I would say this is more of a mystery sundae with supernatural sprinkles as opposed to horror. But still very good and well worth the hype.

This has been on my TBR list since it came out and I finally got around to it! Honestly two years out is pretty good for me. . .
A girl decides to investigate her aunt's disappearance from 35 years earlier. It all revolves around Sun Down Motel and the strange things that happen there.
Great story and writing. This is one that actually is as good as everyone says!

Well, I've fallen behind on my book reviews again but for good reason. I joined Reading Corps so I can help grow new book addicts! 🎉📚 Any other tutors out there?

Finished this last week while being stalked by my squirrel friend ?️
A teacher goes back to his home town after receiving an anonymous email saying "It's happening again" When he was young his sister had disappeared. It was the worst thing that had happened to him, until she came back!
This is a fantastic creepy mystery. Would be a perfect add for the upcoming spooky season.

🎃 Listening to the second Bell Witch book while I put up the Halloween Village 🎃

This is one I read at the end of last year after having won one of her books on Goodreads.
A documentary filmmaker goes back to her grandmother's village with a small group of friends to figure out why and how the entire village disappeared in a single day.
This book starts out fast and does not let up. She takes away all your safety and leaves you scared the entire time
This book easily slid into my top ten books of all time.

I couldn't get my hands on Bird Box so I thought this sounded interesting for a fall read last year.

Great concept. Great writting. But doesn't ever go anywhere. It was such a let down. I mean there are some amazing ideas in here. AMAZING. Which made it that much worse when nothing really happens.

"The night it all ended, Vivian was alone."
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

I read this last year for my church's summer book club.
I want to stress that this is given a so-so ONLY because it doesn't do what it says it's going to. There is a lot of great information, but there are also tangents and not a lot of straight forward lists of things you can do.

For someone who may just be coming into this world, this is not the place to start.
But! If you are already there and raising allies, totally a book worth reading.

Again, a read from last year that I'm catching up on.

Quick read and great concept where being possessed by a demon is a kind of mental illness almost. You follow Del around who is trying to exercise a demon he's had since childhood.
Super enjoyable

I read this on much later than the other three last year and it took me much longer to read as well.
I'm so sad to give this a soso but it's the truth. I feel like it's way too long for the information that you're given so it really drags. I found myself skimming. It does conclude the series nicely, it just felt forced. I would still recommend the series as a whole, even the last book isn't as great as the others.

Found this at my library book sale..... 😶 Not sure when I'll get to it but I must say I am intrigued! Has anyone read this?

I've been reading this book for my church's summer book club and it is awesome! I can't think of anyone who couldn't get something from this book.
This is a YA book on all the ins and outs of the LGBTQ+ world. This book is BLUNT! So I'd say 13 and up. But I have had people disagree with me on this on both ends saying 13 is too young or that kids as young as 10 could read this. So just take a look beforehand.

The action and fear continue in the third installment of the Black Winter Series.
Again, I feel like saying much of anything specific will ruin the first book! But much like the first three it's an easy read and moves quickly. Coates is so good at taking away her characters safety and forcing them (you!) into situations that just suck! Little time is wasted on backstory which is always nice. Great read.

I made my yearly book goal 🎉
Tagged my favorite so far. Tom Papa is the best 🥰

#manicmonday #LetterB
@CBee @La_Cori Thanks for the invite to play!

📘 the Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman
✍️ Octavia Butler
📽️ The Burbs
🎤 Jon Batiste
🎶 Big Empty by STP

😹
This book is fantastic.

In one of the book groups I'm in everyone is raving about this book. I don't usually jump on the new book band wagons, typically I'm a year (or more!) behind. But this one sounded interesting so I thought I'd throw copy on hold on my Libby app..... 😶 looks like I'll still be a year behind 😆

#bookhaul
Always love scoring some old school Goosebumps books!

A friend gave this to me since we've been on a spooky book kick recently.
I was super confused having seen the miniseries by Stephen King how this related. As it turns out this was part of their marketing for the miniseries, which I find super cool.
It's an easy read and I think it's done really well. I've read some books acting as diaries or letters that just don't follow the format but this reads as a diary.