Sadly, I haven‘t prioritized reading this year and this is my first read, yes, in March, but I hope the rut is now over. Decent, but nothing remarkable. 3.5 stars for this long but quick read.

The Bodyguard is a solid pleasure read that I would recommend to anyone who likes the fake relationship rom-com genre and a little feel-good light read.

Advice given to the female protagonist by her Ph.D advisor: "Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man.”

The book‘s academic setting features a couple of strong female STEM Ph.D. candidates, one of whom advocates for other female BIPOC students in STEM. Fully aware of the on-the-nose tropes it adheres to, namely the hate-to-love and fake dating tropes, there are no real surprises here, but the book is enjoyable nonetheless. #BOTM

“HYPOTHESIS: When given a choice between A
(a slightly inconveniencing situation) and B (a colossal
shitshow with devastating consequences), I will
inevitably end up selecting B.”

Working on my #BOTM TBR bookcase (I said what I said…don‘t judge). 😂

I devoured this in just over a day. Emily Henry‘s writing style appeals to me, and there are always a few moments in her books where it seems as though she‘s speaking directly to me. The only thing I would have changed is the pacing at the end—a slightly dramatic pause would have prevented the ending from feeling rushed. I‘ll continue to read whatever Henry writes, as her books, and their fully developed characters, are always a pleasure to read.

While enjoying a little hammock time, I started my second #ARC ever today. #HammockTime #Weekend

Finding Her Edge broke my dry reading spell--it had me up late wanting to read more. An enjoyable YA read with a glimpse into the world of competitive ice skating that is interwoven with complex personal relationships and pressures that are relatable, yet more than a teenaged girl should ever have to face.

Thanks to NetGalley, Razorbill/Penguin, and author Jennifer Iacopelli for the ARC!

Book 18 on my #BookSpin list is my first #ARC (#NetGalley). It‘s been awhile since I‘ve made a book spin list, but I‘m determined this month and even have my #BookSpinBingo card ready. 🎉📖

Okay! I‘m all set! MY April 2022 #BookSpin list contains *some* of my latest #BOTM backlog and my NetGalley ARCs. #TBR

Thanks so much @TheAromaofBooks for hosting!

This series was recommended to me, and I can see why my friend likes it; however, I didn't like either of the main characters. The supporting characters were all more interesting than the two leads. The story is fine, but predictable (although I kind of hated the ending for a few reasons, TBH). I was hopeful to find some more engaging characters, as complex/dynamic characters are one of my favorite parts of a good book, but no such luck.

My first Book Hookup subscription box from @strandbookstore . I‘m looking forward to enjoying all of these books and goodies in my Sci-Fi & Fantasy box, especially the signed copy of Tell Me An Ending by Jo Harkin.

The Holiday Swap was interesting enough, but more interesting at the start, as it was unevenly paced in the last 2/3 of the book. The novel would have benefited from some more time with a good editor. A decent light holiday read, but it is not likely to ever be a reread, at least by me. #BOTM

Good grandmotherly advice: “Time heals all things. If time fails, try cake.” 🎂☺️

#BOTM #CurrentlyReading #HolidayReads

As much as I love Rainbow Roswell‘s novels, this short story comes across more as a writing exercise that was never completed than a standalone text, short story or otherwise. Disappointing—read one of her novels instead.

While I would ordinarily avoid reading troll-scribed vitriol online, there are times that the novel's readers are forced to read what trolls write about the plus-sized protagonist, and honestly there should be a trigger warning for some of what they write. It's hard to read, although it's sadly realistic. Still, a worthwhile "pleasure" read although there are moments that the ugliness of humanity breaks your heart.

A little light couch reading. #BOTM #Sunday

4.5 stars
It‘s been awhile since I read a mystery, but this was an enjoyable road trip audiobook that was more of a blending of genres than a “proper” mystery. In some ways, that worked better for this book. Female friendships, motherhood, and everyday minutia (d)evolves, thanks to misunderstandings, to discussions of a murderer-for-hire at Panera and during a spin class. Lighthearted and humorous, it is an enjoyable read that is not too dark.

⭐️ ⭐️✨(2.5 stars)

The audiobook narrator did a good job, and I knew what I was getting from a Kinsella book, but this was the worst one of her books in my limited experience with her novels. The story was weak and I can't remember the last time I cared less for a protagonist. The last few chapters earned it the extra .5 star, but I don't recommend it. It was good to break a serious book/reading slump, though.

Happy Happy Birthday to all of my fellow March birthday #LitsyLove friends! Happy birthday to us! 🎂🥂🎁🎉🍾📚📖💗

I hope that your birthdays have been magical and filled with good reads!

3.5-4 stars; far from my usual genre, and some parts didn't speak to me, but I love the concept of the prologue, title, and thread that runs through the book.

"You are goddammed cheetah."

"Here's to untamed women--may we know them, may we raise them, may we read them, may we love them, may we elect them, may we marry them, may we be them."

Illustrated Prologue and Tabitha the Cheetah: https://twitter.com/GlennonDoyle/status/1305935311424413696

Happy Birthday #LitsyLove Littens! 🎉🥳

On this final day of February, I am wishing all of my Litsy Love friends a happy birthday—I hope you had a wonderful birthday & birthday month! 🎈

Hopefully my cards arrived long before now, but Snowmageddon delayed things here. Hope you‘re all well! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎁🎂

In this alternative universe, postulants head not to Hogwarts but to (the library of) Alexandria to be trained and tested to become Scholars, Archivists, or the High Garda soldiers who protect the Library‘s interests. The Library is far more nefarious and dangerous than in our world, and people are willing to die and kill for books. Jess, the novel‘s protagonist, and his family sell them on the black market, but at great cost.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨3.5 stars. A little spicier than I was expecting from #BOTM, but one of my favorite things about this book is not the common storyline of a fake fiancé(e), but the confident protagonist, Daisy, who is an Indian-American coder & a part of a family that celebrates their vivid culture. Of course, as a modern woman in America, there are some traditions that she rejects, but she still has an appreciation of her culture & celebrates it.

It was okay. ⭐️⭐️✨

It's not bad, but it's one of those novels that is over-hyped (or was to me). I'm not a fan of stories that are all setup--it's like endless rising action that plateaus instead of moving to a climax, and offers an unsatisfying resolution. My favorite part of the book are the walks the two main characters would take throughout London and the glimpses they would offer of the city. Otherwise? Meh.

Does it matter that I‘m reading this in January? ❄️⛸

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Full disclosure? This book made me cry...twice. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Stronger than the second book in the series, but not as good as the first, Ruin and Rising offers a solid conclusion to the trilogy. It‘s not the ending that I would have chosen, but it‘s fitting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨3.5 stars

I loved Shadow and Bone, but the second book in this trilogy isn‘t nearly strong as the first book. Despite my engagement with the Grishaverse, I didn‘t enjoy this nearly as much as I did Book 1. There are a few new characters and a different focus in Siege and Storm as the overall story arc progresses, but the novel and its pacing seemed slowed and the book reads more like a bridge than its own part of the adventure.

Happy Birthday to all of my January #LitsyLove friends! Your cards may be late, but they‘re on their way to you. Happy Birthday month! 🎉🥳📖📚🎈🎁

Wil Wheaton is a good narrator, but I prefer to read my own fiction and to listen to non-fiction or total fluff fiction that I‘m not worried about interpretation. Wheaton‘s pacing is a bit slow for me, and I think the pace made all of the millions of 80s games and esoteric references a bit more difficult to wade (hehe) through. The meta-moments of Wil Wheaton narrating and talking about Wil Wheaton were amusing, but I probably won‘t listen to RP2.

Currently diving back into the Grishaverse for book club tomorrow. 📖 I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone, so I‘m looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!

New IG: https://www.instagram.com/simplejoysandlittlethings/?r=nametag

Gabby and I enjoyed this Romeo & Juliet adaptation by first-time novelist & college student Chloe Gong. While the weaving of storylines and character subplots could have been improved to allow for more fluidity, Gong does well to adapt Shakespeare‘s play in a creative and less literal way, while including enough connections to his play and making them work in her newly-created world.

IG: https://instagram.com/simplejoysandlittlethings?r=nametag

A Romeo & Juliet adaptation set in 1920s Shanghai, the novel focuses on two family gangs & young-lovers-turned-rivals, Juliette and Roma who, despite their complicated personal history and roles in their family gangs, must come back together to discover the root cause of “the Madness.”

I‘m about 2/3 of the way through the novel, and it‘s an enjoyable and engaging read thus far. I‘m also impressed that this was written by a college student.

London girl book sleeve—it‘s one of my Christmas presents from myself to myself, and I love it. I bought two different sleeves for hardcover books, but they also come in different sizes and fabrics. 📖📚

I received this beautiful illustrated set of Shakespeare‘s plays from the late 19th century for my collection this Christmas from @DoctorMirabilis1267 #Bookmas 📖📚🎄

While there‘s no publication date clearly marked, the illustrations have copyright dates of 1859-1861 and the front cover is stamped 1863 (though not a publisher marking).

Books read in 2020. #YearInReview #BooksOf2020

“These days, Juliette,” he said, low and warily, “the most dangerous people are the powerful white men who feel as if they have been slighted.”

@DoctorMirabilis1267 wanted me to listen to Will Wheaton‘s narration of the book, so here we go...just in time to read Ready Player Two in 2021. #Audible #Audiobook

Starting this today for a holiday buddy read with @StellarDoc #BookOfTheMonth #BOTM #BuddyRead 🐉

A sweet holiday pleasure read from #OnceUponABookClub. Some silly read-along gifts, but a nice holiday book that was sweet and hopeful, and it didn‘t make me despise the Groundhog Day premise (I can‘t stand the movie), so that‘s a plus.

One would think that I didn‘t own any bookmarks, but this IS a new one. 😂🥄 #SpoonRest

Today seems like the perfect day to begin my Christmas #OnceUponABookClub book box. While I‘m not a fan of Groundhog‘s Day (the movie), I hope that I enjoy this light pleasure read. Just two more books this year to reach my GoodReads goal.

Merry Christmas, everyone! May you find books-a-plenty under your tree! 🎄🎁🎅🏼📚 #HappyReading

Thank you, Jenni @sprainedbrain ! What a beautiful package—thank you so much! I never read The Night Before Christmas, either! I‘ve heard such good things about The Vanishing Half—I look forward to reading it! And, the universe *really* wants me to because both of my #JolabokaflodSwap matches both picked this from my TBR list! Definitely a must read! 😂 Thank you so much for the books and the chocolate! I look forward to enjoying them! 📚🍫

Thank you, @MallenNC ! I‘ve heard so many good things about this book—I look forward to reading it! And, the universe *really* wants me to read this book because both of my #JolabokaflodSwap matches both picked this from my TBR list! Definitely a must read! 😂 Thank you so much for the book and the chocolate! 📚🍫

When you know your #JolabokaflodSwap IRL, she gets a doorstep delivery (more reliable than mail these days, too). Too funny that we were matched @StellarDoc 😂. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

Thank you, @sprainedbrain for my #JolabokaflodSwap and for the pretty bonus Christmas book! I look forward to reading it, and whatever awaits me under the pretty wrapping paper! Thank you! #SoExcited!

I forgot to take a picture of your package before I sent it on Thursday, so you get this photo of my sweet kitty Dolce instead, but your #JolabokaflodSwap package 📦 is on its way to you and should be there soon, @REPollock ! I hope it arrives soon (priority mail) and that you like what I chose for you. Sorry in advance for all of the tape. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

4.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨. Good world-building and an engaging read that was better than I expected it to be. While elements were predictable, it was a true page-turner and I was fully taken with the Grishaverse and its characters. I look forward to reading more of the series. 🦌

#RebelliousReaders #Bookclub