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DGRachel

DGRachel

Joined May 2016

LibraryThing member DGRachel

Howler. Passionate dog mom. Opinionated mood reader with eclectic tastes. I‘ll try any genre once. http://tailsfromthedogside.blog
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

While there‘s a missing hiker and the search for her is at the core of the narrative, this isn‘t really a mystery/thriller. It‘s about three women - Valerie, the missing hiker; Bev, the Maine Warden leading the search; and Lena, an elderly woman in Connecticut who remotely aids the search - who they are, what formed them, and how they navigate through the world. It‘s well-written, engaging, and I was invested in the outcome from the beginning.

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DGRachel
April Showers | Jannifer Powelson
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My tentative TBR for April - a few book club/buddy reads, a couple of books I checked out from the library, and a handful of “just because” that I put here so I don‘t forget them (ebooks can be out of sight/out of mind for me). I‘ll update the graphic when bookspin numbers are pulled. There‘s already one book here I know I don‘t want to read, but I will if it ends up being bookspin or double spin.

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DGRachel
March Book | Jesse Ball
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I finished 13 books in March. Lots of middle grade and graphic novels, because that‘s all I could mentally handle. The Spear Cuts Through Water was my favorite, even though it took me two months to read. It was so worth the effort. Both of the Swifts books by Beth Lincoln were delightful. #marchwrapup

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I loved the format of this graphic non-fiction book about everyday people fighting for their homes and futures.. The brief interviews provide a personal touch, connecting the reader to the fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Appalachia. Even though greed, capitalism, and white supremacy win, it ends on a positive note, calling for community care. The art was simple, yet effective. Also f*ck Sen Manchin. #netgalley

47 likes1 stack add
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

There are so many POV shifts, interjections and one liners that are spoken by other people in other timelines that it is very confusing. Audio is the way to go with this one, if you can. That said, I absolutely loved the writing and the story. It was an immersive fantasy tale of two warriors journeying to free a goddess and end a kingdom. The format was inventive and clever, even if it was a little hard to follow. It‘s well worth the effort.

DGRachel This is also my #bookspin from February. @TheAromaofBooks 3d
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3d
46 likes2 comments
review
DGRachel
Love Languages | JAMES. ALBON
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Mehso-so

The chaos of communicating in multiple languages was presented very effectively. It was charming, but also made following the story a bit of a slog. There didn't seem to be much chemistry between the main characters. My first thought was the romance came out of nowhere, but I think that is part of the point, and is no less believable than insta-love. The art style isn't my favorite, but the use of color to evoke mood was done well. #netgalley

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DGRachel
The Gods Time Forgot: A Novel | Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
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Mehso-so

More historical romance with a supernatural element than “Romantasy”, it‘s an ok distraction from world events. While the narrative dragged in places, I appreciated the unique setting and take on the Morrigan. The villains are caricatures, Emma‘s mother is beyond horrible, and so many of the characters are obnoxious stereotypes. Rua and Finn are the only ones with depth. Recommended if you enjoy romance novels set in Gilded Age New York.

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DGRachel
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I think I missed the other two Oscar Nom list posts, so I‘ve done all three just now. Ive seen a total of 17, with 1963-1987 being my best at 10. But, the early years have some of my favorite movies ever - Gaslight, To Kill a Mockingbird, Captain Blood (OMG, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, AND Olivia de Havilland?? HEAVEN!), Adventures of Robin Hood, and Philadelphia Story (KATE!!). This was fun @dabbe Thank you. #threelistthursday #tlt

dabbe YW! A wee trip down memory lane! GASLIGHT is one of my top faves of all time! Thanks for playing and sharing. 🎬🍿📽️ 5d
36 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Park Road Books | Charlotte, NC (Bookstore)
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@BookNAround I haven‘t picked which set to go with which Saturday or Sunday, but this was my pre-planning from last weekend (not at all excited, can you tell? 🤣) My boss and I are meeting for lunch to go over my annual performance review and will then be going to PRB (her idea!) and Book Rack is close to me, so I‘ll probably take a drive over there at lunch one day. That Salisbury one, though…😭😭

dabbe I adore your handwriting! 🤩🤩🤩 5d
DGRachel @dabbe Thank you! 🥰 5d
AkashaVampie @dabbe I was just going to say the same thing. My writing isn't bad, but this is lovely. 5d
See All 7 Comments
DGRachel @AkashaVampie Thank you. 🥰 5d
BookNAround In the past I‘ve started at the one in Salisbury and then driven south hitting the ones on the way back to my house (I‘m in Matthews) for that day. It‘s actually a lovely bookstore but totally get why it would be questionable to make it there! I usually finish at The Book Rack and Park Road Books just because they are the closest and my usuals. 5d
DGRachel @BookNAround They have Sunday hours and I only have 2 Sundays booked according to my chart, so I may make a special trip just for them. ☺️ Rock Hill is super close, so I can probably do my Rock Hill Saturday on the same weekend without being too exhausted from driving. 5d
peanutnine Love your planning notebook! I need to get a game plan together. My sister lives in Salisbury so I usually knock out that one and the one in Kannapolis on my way to visit her 😁 5d
46 likes7 comments
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DGRachel
April Rain | Harry D. Chater
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Where has the first quarter of the year gone. Seriously, it‘s been simultaneously too fast and the longest year ever. (I really hate it here, and by here I mean being ruled by Mango Mussolini, the Muskrat, and all their cronies. It‘s one catastrophe and atrocity after another with these idiots. Anyway…) On a brighter note, my April #bookspin list is all set and I have the Greater Charlotte Book Crawl in April to look forward to. 😮‍💨

5feet.of.fury Agree with your thoughts on the year so far 😩 really excited for Slaying the Vampire Conqueror though! I just sent my husband to Target to get it for me 😂 6d
DGRachel @5feet.of.fury It‘s hell week at work with lots of (unpaid) OT and social events outside of work, so I‘m trying to exercise patience and wait until my planned trip to the bookstore next week to pick up Slaying. I‘m not sure if I‘ll make it. 😳 (edited) 6d
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 6d
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Bette Is Slaying the Vampire Conqueror part of a series? Thanks. 6d
BookNAround I‘m looking forward to the book crawl too. Maybe we‘ll cross paths at some point. 😁 5d
DGRachel @Bette It‘s set in the same world as the Crowns of Nyaxia series but it is a standalone according to both the author and some of the reviews I‘ve read. 5d
DGRachel @BookNAround Yay. This will be my first year doing it and I‘ve got my plan mapped out for each weekend. The only one I doubt I‘ll get to is the shop in Salisbury. I have a Friday off work, though, so I may see if I can make it up there on that day. 5d
BookNAround @DGRachel I‘ve done it all the years and thoroughly enjoy it. My biggest advice is to double check and make sure the stores are actually open the days you intend to go to them since some have weird hours or limited days. Can you tell I‘ve made mistakes before? 😂 5d
43 likes8 comments
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DGRachel
Disappearing Earth | Julia Phillips
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This is both my #doublespin for March and the March pick for the Morbidly Curious Bookclub. I didn‘t realize that it‘s built around the kidnapping of two young girls, but as soon as the girls were approached by a man, my whole body went “nope” and turned off the audiobook. I can‘t bear to see how it turns out. Posting my DNF for the #bookspin record. I see high praise for it here, but it‘s not for me.

TheAromaofBooks Certain plotlines are a nope for me, too - plenty of other books out there!! 1w
46 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

Shenanigan is on the hunt for a gang of art thieves. The search takes her to France, and the hotel owned by the French branch of the Family, the Martinets. Full of great characters with even better names, chaos and murder abound. While it is easy to give this a surface read (and completely acceptable!), it also offers a chance to deep dive into lessons on processing big emotions, reparations, legacy, and greed among others. I adore this series.

Cupcake12 I‘ve only read the first one in the series. Looks like I need to read the this one too 👍🏻 1w
65 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

This is the Veronica Ruiz origin story of sorts. I don‘t know that it really adds much to the series, but it‘s a light, quick, entertaining read. I didn‘t love the audiobook narrator, though, and I‘m glad the novels are narrated by someone else.

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

Finlay and Veronica find themselves deeper in trouble. There‘s another dead body, more suspicious cops, difficult exes, lots of awkward moments, and some good laughs. This one was enjoyable, but the formula is starting to wear a little thin. This is definitely not my favorite of the series.

#bookspin for March

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2w
52 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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After finishing the first book a couple days ago, I grabbed this one from my local indie today. I‘m sorry I waited until bedtime to start it. I‘m trying not to disturb the household with my laughter and I can‘t wait for Shenanigan to visit the Family Murder Hotel in France.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w
60 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
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Panpan

Theres a lot going on in this one and none of it good or amusing to me. I‘ll leave the bulk of my review under a spoiler comment. I am looking forward to discussion though and hearing that the 1930s version had a shipboard cat makes me really sad I got stuck with the newer version. #NancyDrewBR

DGRachel The references to “finger language” felt at best, ignorant, and at worst, offensive, then we have a George noggin‘ knockout, Nancy faints (seriously?), there‘s a horrible little boy who apparently has no adult supervision, Nancy & Nelda get thrown overboard, and don‘t even get me started on the meteor. 3w
Librarybelle Woe! I haven‘t started yet, but this one sounds really messed up! 3w
Sace Oh this does sound like a hot mess 🤣 3w
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Ruthiella OMG the meteor still cracks me up! ☄️ 😆 3w
DGRachel @Ruthiella When I tell you I almost threw my Kobo across the room…😒😒 3w
BarkingMadRead Yikes! I‘m so glad I had the 1930s edition! 3w
54 likes6 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

So much fun! I love matching wits with Encyclopedia Brown. I should probably be embarrassed at not solving all of the cases, but I deduced most of them, and I‘m totally okay with that. I love the format, and other than Charlie‘s creepy teeth collection, I enjoy the characters. Thanks @Ruthiella for starting the #EBBR! This has been so much fun!

tpixie Fun! 🤩 3w
Ruthiella I‘m also okay with still being occasionally stumped! At least I am a little bit more on the ball now than at 10 years old. 😂 3w
ShananigansReads That little ear! 🥰 3w
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w
DGRachel @Ruthiella Exactly! I‘m having fun just seeing what I can solve and letting my mind be blown by what I miss. 🤣🤣 3w
59 likes5 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I adored this MG mystery and its quirky cast of characters. On the surface, it‘s my favorite kind of mystery-a group of people isolated from the outside world while one-by-one bodies start piling up. Dig a little deeper, and it‘s about family, language, living up to or defying expectations, and self-discovery. Shenanigan Swift is also my favorite kind of MG character-a little wild, a little feral, a little naughty, and a whole lot of fun.

Matilda The sequel is also super good! 3w
DGRachel @Matilda I‘m headed back to my indie bookstore tomorrow and will be looking for it! 3w
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w
59 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

My library system is hitting it out of the park with this year‘s Community Read selections. Art Club is the MG pick and it is delightful! The artwork is colorful and fun. I love the story of kids forming an art club, exploring different styles of art, and proving to school administration and the community how art is important, too.

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DGRachel
The Dot | Peter H. Reynolds
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Pickpick

This is the picture book selection for my library‘s Community Read. It is adorable and I want a physical copy for my own shelves. I love the watercolor artwork and how the illustrations are all done inside watercolor dots. It‘s a great story about harnessing creativity. The whole thing just makes me happy.

MaleficentBookDragon This is a fantastic book. A wonderful photographer, Nancy Rotenberg used to use it in her creative workshops. She was an amazing person and showed us that this book is inspiring for adults too. 1mo
mhillis Love this book! I used it as a basis for discussion with adult English language learners. 1mo
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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DGRachel
Daindreth's Outlaw | Elisabeth Wheatley
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Pickpick

A soft pick, this is book 2 in a 5 book series. I really like Wheatley‘s style, but the book is sooooooooo slow. Why she‘s stretching this story into 5 books is beyond me. I really feel like this would be better as a couple of chapters rather than 300 pages. I‘ll keep going, because I like the writing, characters, and overall story. Plus, I already own the rest of the series. 😂
This is also my February #doublespin.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DGRachel
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Today was a good day. I went to my local indie to pick up hard copies of the last two audiobooks I listened to, got recommendations from one of my favorite booksellers, and got to hear an award winning illustrator talk about his craft and read the tagged picture book that he illustrated. Went to get 2 books, came home with 7. #bookmath

kspenmoll Sounds wonderful! (edited) 1mo
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DGRachel
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I read more nonfiction than usual in February and much of it was heavy. I did not finish my current read like I had wanted to and am already stressed about meeting my March obligations. I truly love the Litsy community but I do sometimes miss the days when I didn‘t get swept up in all the books and buddy reads. I was lucky to finish more than 20 books a year, but there was so much less stress. 😩

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DGRachel
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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On a much lighter note than my most recent reads…my #bookspin and #doublespin books for March. Thankfully, both of these are already on my March TBR!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 1mo
41 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

This deserves more space than Litsy provides. This offers more nuance on Israel and the October 7th Hamas attack than I‘ve seen previously, without both-siding genocide. I appreciate the discussion of language, terminology, and how those are interpreted. Beinart does a great job weaving Jewish theology into his arguments and I am grateful for the insight he provides. Thank you @JamieArc for the recommendation.
Free Palestine 🇵🇸

Singout Tagged. As a Christian, I think it‘s really important to understand Jewish theology and the history of Christian antisemitism when taking a stand in solitary with Palestine. This really looks worth reading. (edited) 1mo
JamieArc @DGRachel I also very much appreciate the theological background and it makes me want to learn so much more. Some of the specific things mentioned matched up with things I had learned from a rabbi who used to visit Gaza. It‘s a short book/listen and a great entry to learn about what‘s going on if you are intimidated by all of the history/information. 1mo
48 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this. It‘s part travelogue and part history of witch hunts/persecution of predominantly women in both Europe and the US. Sollée is a practicing witch, so there are mentions of supernatural experiences she has in some of the places she visits. I liked hearing about her experiences, but it might not be for everyone. ??‍♀️

57 likes2 stack adds
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I have so much I want to say about this, but I‘m alternating between rage and grief, so I‘ll settle for this. Part memoir, part history, part journalistic reporting on current events, this is a concise damnation of Western imperialism, particularly the pervasive Islamophobia and unwavering support for genocide. If it doesn‘t make you mad, you aren‘t paying attention. Free Palestine. 🇵🇸

SconsinBookyBadger Adding this to my book wishlist 📚 1mo
DGRachel @SconsinBookyBadger I don‘t think you‘ll regret it. I listened to the audiobook and ordered a hard copy from my local indie so I‘ll have it even if digital items disappear… 1mo
TheBookHippie Did you see this. I just want to say to you personally that I condemn it. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/26/world/trump-promotes-gaza-plan-ai-video-intl?cid=... 1mo
See All 24 Comments
DGRachel @TheBookHippie Yes, I did. When I think I can‘t get angrier or sadder, he does something else so morally bankrupt that proves me wrong. 1mo
JamieArc The tagged is my next audiobook. Perhaps something to put on your list if you haven‘t read it yet. 1mo
TheBookHippie @DGRachel I grieve so deeply. Women and children on both sides have suffered and died horrifically- because of men‘s decisions and immense greed. I digress. Nuance, compassion and empathy seem to have vanished. … 1mo
TheBookHippie @JamieArc Same issue here in the US -there is no culture war, they are creating it. It‘s a class war and Allll of us TOGETHER need to be one and fight back. Divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book. 1mo
Suet624 This is on my wishlist though I know it‘s gonna be a tough one 1mo
DGRachel @JamieArc Thank you. I will definitely add it to my Libro wishlist. It looks like a good perspective to explore. 1mo
DGRachel @TheBookHippie So true. Thank you for your thoughtful words. 1mo
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie That video… 🤬 wtf? 1mo
TheBookHippie @BarbaraBB It grieves me so. 1mo
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie They‘re doing exactly what they like and laugh about it. They don‘t feel any responsibility towards the people or the world, they are just playing their game and get alway with it. It‘s disgusting. Sorry @DGRachel to rant in your post. I am so shocked by it all. 1mo
DGRachel @BarbaraBB Rant away. The depravity, callousness, and audacity are overwhelming and honestly, it brings me a modicum of comfort knowing I‘m not alone in my grief and anger. 1mo
TheBookHippie @BarbaraBB They are doing what they said they would do. I‘m more angry at the people who voted him in with glee. 1mo
dabbe #ranttime!!! #resistance 👊🏻❣️👊🏻 1mo
Singout Stacked and on hold! Thank you for the passionate recommendation. 1mo
BarbaraBB @DGRachel @TheBookHippie 💝 Take care. There are a lot of people who didn‘t vote for this bunch of scary and stupid billionaires. Stick together and hold on to the dialogue 1mo
bthegood @TheBookHippie @DGRachel they are doing exactly what they said they would and now some who voted this group in are having buyers remorse - really!!!!!!!! What made anyone think this would not be the outcome!!!!! I hope the midterm elections get us back on track.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.“ Desmond Tutu
(edited) 1mo
DGRachel @BarbaraBB thank you. @bthegood I follow a woman on threads who works with a lot of MAGA men in a factory. She posts about the conversations she has with them, exposing the lies they fell for and how she‘s slowly getting some of them to see the light, so to speak. I will never understand voting for him, but I‘m grateful for people like her that can take MAGA to task in an effective way. It gives me a little hope. 1mo
bthegood @DGRachel 🙂 👍 1mo
Leftcoastzen This has been on my radar for a bit , hope to get to it soon. Love all the rants ! 1mo
67 likes7 stack adds24 comments
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DGRachel
March Book | Jesse Ball
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I‘m really hoping that the #bookspin gods are kind to me and pick books that are already on my March TBR. Between library books with due dates that can‘t be extended, books clubs/buddy reads, NetGalley books that publish this month, and my library system‘s annual Community Reads program, my schedule is already packed. In fact, looking at this makes me so stressed, I may bail on everything and just watch Netflix. 😂

Suet624 Hahaha. I hear ya! 1mo
48 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

The Finlay Donovan books are ridiculously fun escapism, reminiscent of Janet Evanovitch‘s Stephanie Plum series. The story is far-fetched, with awkward situations and plenty of laughs. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Angela Dawe. My only quibble is that I hate even the slightest hint of a love triangle and Finlay‘s law student versus detective dilemma makes me want to scream. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

CBee I love these! Need to continue with the series 😊 1mo
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DGRachel
Winds of March | Lenora Mattingly Weber
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I can‘t believe it‘s almost March. One good thing about categories instead of titles is that it makes creating my #bookspin list a little easier and faster.

Congrats on the new house, Sarah!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! And thank you!! Movers coming today so I'm feeling a little stressed about everything that needs to get done in the next... four hours 😂 1mo
44 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Bananapants | Penny Reid
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Pickpick

It‘s been ages since I picked up one of Penny Reid‘s books and I‘m so glad I grabbed this one.It‘s set in her Knitting in the City series world, featuring the adult children of that series‘s main characters. This book is a sexy, funny, heartwarming tear-jerker, with the requisite HFN, authentic representation of Bipolar 1, and it reminded me of why I fell in love with her books in the first place.

Leftcoastzen 🐶👏 1mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1mo
CoffeeK8 I loved this one and agree that it seems more of a HFN vs HEA. I hope she writes more books for the second generation 1mo
65 likes3 comments
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

I‘m on the fence with this one. I‘m all for a good f*ck the patriarchy, capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and ableism are bad, kind of book. But there‘s so much repetition here and a ton of anger (justified, but unfocused) that the book itself is exhausting and draining, which seems to defeat the purpose. A low pick. I like the idea of the book better than the execution. #shesaid

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DGRachel
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Excited for today‘s #bookmail. 😍 It‘s fun to get new books from new-to-me indie booksellers, especially Indigenous books from Indigenous-owned booksellers.

LoverOfLearning Awesome! 1mo
50 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
DGRachel
The Four Queens of Crime | Rosanne Limoncelli
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Panpan

I feel like I read a different book than other reviewers. I forced my way through this ARC and that‘s 5 hours of my life I‘ll never get back. I did not like the authors writing style at all. There was no flow to the prose. The narrative is clunky, dialogue is awkward, and the solution is unsatisfying.

JazzFeathers So, is the cover the only good thing? 1mo
DGRachel @JazzFeathers In my opinion, that is correct. If you look at other reviews (especially LibraryThing) I‘m the only person who hated it. It‘s not beloved on StoryGraph, but again, I‘m the only one who loathed it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1mo
46 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
My Pinterest | Michael Miller
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Following in the steps of @TheBookHippie I searched Pinterest for Literally My Character, but I‘m a Gemini and make my own rules, so I picked the first 8 instead of the first six. Also, replace “cat” with “dog” on the middle one.

TheBookHippie OMG LOVE!!!!! That I didn‘t get Lorelei is 😱 1mo
DGRachel @TheBookHippie Lorelei was #7 and I HAD to include the drama! I am nothing if not dramatic. 🤣🤣 1mo
Graciouswarriorprincess I got some of the same ones and I am an Aries. ♈️ 1mo
46 likes3 comments
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DGRachel
The Four Queens of Crime | Rosanne Limoncelli
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I am so torn. I got this ARC through LibraryThing‘s Early Reviewers program and I have a 100% review percentage. I saw other reviews that promise gets better, but (a) it took 60 pages for someone to die, (b) it took 30 pages for her to stop calling the authors by their full names (“Dorothy L Sayers” instead of “Dorothy”), and (c) I really dislike her writing style. Do I review based on what I‘ve read or suffer through it? 😭

sherrisilvera If I requested the ARC I push through. If it was sent randomly then I give up if I really am not liking it. 1mo
DogMomIrene I‘m a gamified gal, so that 100% feedback stat would be something I value. I‘d probably read the first few paragraphs of each chapter, see if they grab me. Yes=keep reading. No=Skip to beginning of next chapter. I‘d give constructive feedback, like your post, on what didn‘t work for me. 1mo
38 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
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I‘m listening to this on audio for #shesaid, so I don‘t have the exact quote, but can someone tell me - do they truly no longer have nap time or recess in elementary school? I remember nap time in Kindergarten and we had recess throughout elementary school. (Also, the audio is fine, but I think I‘m going to need my own print copy!)

OrangeMooseReads I believe it depends on the district. The district I live in still does rest time and recess. 2mo
kspenmoll @OrangeMooseReads We have both in my district. MS & HS can go outside during lunch weather permitting. 2mo
charl08 One issue can be when kids get recess/ break time taken away for bad behaviour. Vicious cycle (e.g. if what they're struggling with is sitting still) 2mo
Bookwormjillk My kids had naps in kindergarten but they worked on weaning them off it by halfway through the year. They had recess throughout though. (edited) 2mo
StaceGhost No naps and a twenty minute recess but they watch giant smart board screens all day so we have that going for us 1mo
58 likes5 comments
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DGRachel
Tears of the Wolf | Elisabeth Wheatley
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Adding another book to my already packed February TBR because I got a free copy of the first book in Wheatley‘s new series. She printed a set of paperbacks with an error in the blurb (it mentions wolves and she removed the wolves from the final version of the book) and she offered them to her fan group subscribers. Yay for free books!

Daisey I keep seeing her videos and thinking I need to add one of her books to my TBR. 2mo
audraelizabeth I love book goblin 2mo
See All 6 Comments
catsuit_mango I got the early bird ebook and devored it over the weekend. It s a great cosy book (and the dog lives) 1mo
DGRachel @catsuit_mango She made a big deal of letting readers know in advance that the dog lives. 💖 I‘m glad you enjoyed it. I‘ve been waffling on what to read next and am leaning towards this one. 1mo
catsuit_mango @DGRachel i had to finish another book before but knew that book was next up as soon as available (it‘s the same with any new Gail Carriger book :) ) 1mo
64 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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DGRachel
The Four Queens of Crime | Rosanne Limoncelli
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I am on a roll of bails lately. I‘ve scrapped at least three books in the last two weeks, maybe more. Natasha is tired of my nonsense and we‘re both hoping this one sticks.

dabbe #niftynatasha 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
DGRachel @dabbe love that hashtag! In this case, I think it‘s more of a #tashatantrum 🤣🤣 2mo
dabbe @DGRachel 🤩🐾🤩 2mo
53 likes3 comments
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

This was an interesting, if dry, look at the initial creation of the polygraph, early cases, and how lie detection devices have evolved. It is also a tale of injustice, of guilty people going free and innocent people being executed, based on a device proven inaccurate. The polygraph won't die, but people do because of it. I found this to be heartbreaking and anger-inducing. It's one more example of how the justice system in the US is unjust.

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

DELIGHTFUL! I can‘t believe I never read these as a kid. I adore the format - short stories with the solution to the mysteries at the end, giving you time to puzzle out the solution, if you can. This was a lot of fun. #EBBR

TheBookHippie They are still popular in our elementary school library. 2mo
AlaMich I was a big fan of these. I don‘t think I ever once figured out the mystery before the end. Not sure what that says about me. 🤪 2mo
Sace @AlaMich I never figured them out either! Though I remembered the solution to The Case of the Civil War Sword. Why I should remember it is beyond me! 😂 2mo
DGRachel @Sace @AlaMich 10 year old me would not have been able to figure these out. I think I got most of these on this read because I knew to pay careful attention and also because some of them are now brain teaser tropes. 2mo
Ruthiella @AlaMich @Sace @DGRachel I was always stumped by them too! 😂 I remembered the solution to The Happy Nephew - weird what sticks in our heads! 2mo
59 likes5 comments
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

I think this has to be one of my favorites. Plenty of eye-rolling moments and a few laughs. As always, it requires a suspension of disbelief to get past all the coincidences and I‘m going to leave myself notes under a spoiler tag for #nancydrewbr discussion. We got more Hannah, and more Carson Drew and the boyfriends than usual and the boys were delightful. Definitely entertaining and worth the time spent reading.

DGRachel Also…how old is this ebook? Do they still make desktop computers and do any of them still have disc drives? Are they still called “CD-ROM”s? (edited) 2mo
DGRachel Nancy saves a cat! And Carson Drew just casually learned how to disarm bombs? Nancy is an expert tap dancer and wait, only she gets called out to do an encore when she was part of an ensemble cast? And of course she gets her next case by tapping Morse code to the audience. So ridiculous. Why can‘t I quit these? 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣🤣 2mo
Ruthiella These books appeal to the 10 year old inside of us! 😂 Nancy can do no wrong. 2mo
Librarybelle Oh my…CD-ROM! So old school! 😂 2mo
60 likes4 comments
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DGRachel
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You know it‘s going to be a good Nancy Drew when this is the opening illustration. 🤣🤣

#nancydrewbr

Soubhiville 😬😳 2mo
Ruthiella 😂👍 2mo
Librarybelle Oh boy! 😂 2mo
See All 6 Comments
AmyG Ha! Uh oh 2mo
dabbe #ruhroh! 🤩😂🤩 2mo
Suet624 Uh oh. 2mo
57 likes6 comments
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

If this is her debut, it‘s clear we can expect great things from Neena Viel. It is unlike anything else I can remember reading. It‘s dark, creepy, horrific, and filled with raw emotion. The supernatural element is wild, but makes complete sense. The writing is compelling, vivid, and hard to put down. It‘s violent and gross, at times, but underpinning the whole thing is the fragile but unbreakable bond between siblings. Out tomorrow.

LeahBergen What a great review! 2mo
62 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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DGRachel
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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My #bookspinbingo board for February. Off to check due dates to set my priorities and then get reading!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 2mo
51 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Spinning Away | Jake Maddox
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The #bookspin gods were not especially kind to me, but one of the books on my TBR does count for #4 - The StoryGraph Reads the World challenge, so I can‘t be too mad. Assuming, of course, that a book I started last month but am only 22% of the way through counts for this month‘s bookspin??
#doublespin is an add to my TBR and I think I‘ll have some tough decisions about which book clubs or library books go unread. 😮‍💨

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! And it DEFINITELY counts!! I see Elizabeth Wheatley's videos on IG sometimes, but haven't tried any of her books. How do you feel about it? 2mo
DGRachel @thearomaofbooks I read the first in the series and thought it was pretty good. Definitely good enough to continue with the series. The pacing is a little slow and I fear the romance part is going to be the slowest of slow burns, which isn‘t my fav, but I do like the world building so far. 2mo
Bookzombie @TheAromaofBooks I was going to ask about Wheatley as well. @DGRachel based on her videos, I think it will be a very slow burn. I have the first one on my Kindle to try sometime. 2mo
46 likes3 comments
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DGRachel
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A little overwhelmed by my February TBR and am really hoping the bookspin gods are kind to me and pick books that are already on my must read list. Part of the challenge is I need to switch two of the books I started last month from audio to print because I still want to read them but they are not working for m on audio. I have less time for print than audio. 😩

review
DGRachel
Head Cases: A Novel | John McMahon
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Pickpick

I didn‘t quite make the release date, but this first in a two-book minimum series was fun. Camden Gardner gets the lead on a case for PAR. It‘s a team of misfits and brainiacs, people who‘ve made big political missteps in the FBI, and are relegated to obscurity. Now though, they have a big case hunting a killer hunting serial killers. Their futures are all on the line. Lots of action, great characters, and some clever cat-and-mouse chases.

50 likes2 stack adds
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DGRachel
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I‘m calling it for January. 11 books read, 4 DNF, and 5 books still in progress. I did not manage Bingo, but I did read both my #bookspin and #doublespin titles. The Songbird & the Heart of Stone was my favorite, but I read a lot of good books this month. I didn‘t hate anything I finished, which is a success in my book!

JackOBotts Ahhh…love seeing Kate Winkler Dawson on your list ~ love her work! 2mo
57 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
The Message | Ta-Nehisi Coates
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Pickpick

I don‘t think I can add anything to what has already been said about this collection of brief essays on writing, racism, reparations, and apartheid. It is short and powerful. I knew some of the history, but not all of it. I appreciated the push to read books by oppressed people, not their allies or their oppressors. I loved that he was honest about his perspective and opinion changes in the face of new/more information.

DGRachel Too many people double down. Coates honestly confesses how he espoused an opinion in an earlier work, had new life experiences that opened his eyes, and now feels and thinks differently. No defense. No doubling down. Just, I was wrong, I‘m sorry for and ashamed of how I thought before, but I know better now. Bravo. 2mo
Suet624 Great review! 2mo
51 likes2 comments