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This might be the kind of book that you have to be in the right mood for, but if you want the vibes of a comforting quest told by the glow of the fire with cups of warm tea while surrounded by friends, this hits the mark!
Exchanged one of my previous #BOTM books for this one at a LFL! 🥰
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Alison Espach writes about specific thoughts and feelings in a really piercing and authentic way. I felt like these characters were so real and complex, and I was genuinely moved by the story from start to finish. The narration was also fantastic. This one will stay with me.🎧
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A beautiful guidebook of collective wisdom, a genuine treasure to cherish. This is a book you could work through from start to finish, or jump around based on what you need in the moment. The physical book is visually stunning, too. It‘s definitely a touch tree that I‘ll keep close by to refer back to its insight often, one I know I will recommend countless times.
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“The Compound” was an interesting microcosm of human nature. It was bingeable, but I wish it had dug deeper and hit harder. I think reality show fans will like this more! 🎧
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“May we all be loved and love each other so insanely. May we all be so human.”
A charming, cozy, hopeful story with a unique premise and a summery island atmosphere. 🎧
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This is a hard book to rate. I was fully engaged the entire time and read most of it in one sitting. I really liked the first half, but without going into spoilers, there were a lot of things that bothered me in the second half. It had a great summer atmosphere and a lot of potential, but it just didn‘t nail it. #BOTM
I‘m really excited about my #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub July books! 😍
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I was in the mood for a zippy thriller, and when I saw this was a #ReadWithJenna pick, I decided to give it a try! It was a quick and easy read, but the characters didn‘t really feel like real people and the ending came together too conveniently.
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This book had a cool juxtaposition of traditional and modern elements and I liked how it explored stories - how to preserve them, who can share them, and when to consider a reframe of our well-trodden personal narratives. However, it felt slow to me and I just couldn‘t really get into it. #reesesbookclub🎧
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I was drawn in by this book‘s vibrant cover, and the story within its pages is just as colorful. Filled to the brim with whimsy, adventure, and fairytale references, it‘s a charming romp! 🎧
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3.75 stars. A magical bedtime story sprinkled with humor, comfort, and golden dust. I‘ll admit this book could have been edited down, but I also can‘t deny it was a cozy, dreamy, hug of a book that I looked forward to disappearing back into each night.
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A fun read for anyone in need of a different perspective and a summer escape. 🎧
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Damnnnn, Queen TJR does it again! This is an epic love story - for a romantic partner, for a child, for the wonder of the universe. What a story, what an ENDING! I could read it all again already. LOVED it!
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3.25 stars. A cute, fun, spicy palate cleanser of a book. 🎧
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It was easy to get sucked right into this slow-burning mystery. While it was engaging, it didn‘t “wow” me - I liked “The Lies I Tell” by Julie Clark better. Still worth a read! 🎧
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Aftertaste is a literary feast, feeding the imagination and soul, lingering on the palate. I loved how unique and creative it is. I adored the clever wordplay. I salivated over the food writing. The NYC setting is palpable and the characters are to die for. It made me teary, it made me hungry, it made me wonder. What if you could share a meal with a lost loved one? What is the cost of holding on too tightly? #BOTM
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This was a fun and quick read that touches on the impact of Taylor Swift‘s music (so far) on a micro and macro level. It kind of jumps all around and I didn‘t always fully agree with the author‘s song interpretations/opinions (although that‘s the beauty of art). I did also learn some new things. It was especially satisfying to listen to this in celebration of Taylor gaining ownership of all of her masters! 🎧
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This book felt overly long for me and sometimes came across as preachy, but I liked the author‘s exploration of the Shakespeare authorship question. I appreciate when historical fiction highlights women in history who we might not know about otherwise. 🎧
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I was really invested in this at the beginning - it reminded me of Yellowface - but my interest fizzled toward the end as it spiraled out of control. The narration was great! 🎧
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This book has a lot going for it; I can see why it‘s marketed as the latest Swedish literary phenomenon and I think it will shine as a TV series. There is some beautiful writing, the characters really pop, and the social commentary hits. There were some things that didn‘t fully work for me, but I‘m glad I read it.
I am in the mood for a summery read for June! The cover is so pretty, too! #BOTM
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4.25 stars. I love when #BOTM introduces me to a unique book that I may not have picked up otherwise. This is intoxicating and incendiary, capturing the intensity and impulsivity of youth. Séverine is a bright spark - a truly compelling and distinctive character who leaves an impression. What a ride!
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Julia Whelan‘s narration is really what made this story come alive for me; it would have felt slower if I had read it in print. A lot of hardship and trauma without much nuance. 🎧
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2.75 stars. I was drawn to this book because it was set in Athens, Greece. The prose was introspective and meandering, sometimes lovely, but it felt like it held me at an emotional distance.
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Fredrik Backman writes with an explosion of emotion, belief, tenderness, and connection from the first page to the last. How hard can your heart beat? It‘s an ode to art and friendship; a true love story. Read it, cherish it. 🩵
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4.25 stars. A lushly drawn and spellbinding dark fairytale. I‘m so impressed by how seamlessly elements of “The Little Mermaid”, “Cinderella”, and French folklore were woven together, all while creating a wholly new story that felt unique and fresh. Allow it to sweep you out to sea with a fair breeze and a path of stars…. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub
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It doesn‘t happen often, but sometimes you know a book will claim its space on your favorites shelf within the first chapter. Annie Hartnett writes with the most exquisite blend of funny and sad, whimsy and warmth, tragedy and hope. The characters fully come to life with her storytelling. I loved the audiobook format, which was perfectly narrated. 🎧
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3.25 stars. Undoubtedly creative, this is mostly a fun read. Certain aspects of this series are intriguing and unique, while others could use more development and finesse.
Love the colors in my May #BOTM box!
I already read “The Love Haters”, but I gave my giveaway away and want a copy for my shelf 😊
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If you want a book that will make you laugh, cry, and remember our shared humanity, (and especially if you work/have worked in an office setting), look no further than this sparkling gem! I chose it on a whim and was so pleasantly surprised by how much I adored it. Think Eleanor Oliphant x Fredrik Backman x The Office. Striking and dynamic characters, a unique and engaging storyline, and just so much heart! 🎧
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It‘s easy to get lost in an Abby Jimenez book; I really enjoy her writing. This seems like a story that a lot of people will be able to relate to, but with such a focus on the familial situations, to me it felt like it lacked a little bit of chemistry between the couple. Of course it was moving, though, and made me tear up! 🎧
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A gruesome ghost story with something very real to say. Gripping from the first chapter, the horror aspects sincerely scared me at times, but the sharp social commentary, infusion of Chinese culture, and layers of emotion are what made it the most impactful. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub
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Atmospheric and moody like the sea, but felt slow and surface-level. The audiobook narration was great. Emilia Hart‘s books do have beautiful covers! 🎧
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This was a fine story, it just didn‘t really end up being my cup of tea. #reesesbookclub 🎧
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Want your next favorite rom com? This is your girl! It has an amazing Alaskan setting, sizzling chemistry, and allllll the feels! I‘ll admit Margot‘s attitude was a little off-putting at first, but of course she has soft layers under her prickly armor. The lightheartedness was balanced out by real emotion, and I was just as moved by the familial storylines as the romantic love. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub
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Jesse Q. Sutanto sure knows how to write from the heart! This is comfort in a book, although there is a sinister undercurrent to the mystery. It feels like Vera could burst off the page and into your own house, armed with freshly-brewed tea and home-cooked food that‘s been prepared with love and served with a side of judgement. I really hope the ending is setting up a third book!
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I know it‘s not the best sign when I keep bumping up the playback speed because I‘m ready for the audiobook to be over. I couldn‘t really connect to these characters for some reason, but I liked the Italian atmosphere and was curious enough about the resolution not to bail. The ending was twisty! 🎧
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One thread of this story goes from the past to the present, and the other from present to past; the effect is like a beautiful tapestry, where all moments of time are woven together. It made me cry more than any book has for quite awhile. Full of longing, full of life, full of love. #BOTM
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An introspective wandering through the woods. I found myself rewinding at times just so I could luxuriate in beautiful sentences. The characters were magnetic, enhanced by the multicast audiobook narration. 🎧
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This series provides a springboard for dissecting the intersection of self-realization, sensuality, marriage, and motherhood. Loved the ending - bring on book 3!
Stocking up on my #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub books for April! 😍
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It‘s a special concoction when a book can make you both laugh and tear up. This reminded me of the movie “Date Night”, and also, weirdly, of the Mercy Watson children‘s book series? (Something about the tone - although that‘s probably just a “me” thing since my daughter and I are currently on a kick with those books! 😂) ⬇️
April #BOTM picks are up! I‘m going with this one! 💚
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Swapping the sea for dreamy botanicals, hidden passageways, poisonous gardens, and a mysterious mansion, this second book in the “Sisters of the Salt” series is all about the gothic mood and vibes. It feels like the ideal ghost story for the spring season. The pacing in the middle felt a bit slow, but that spine-tingling ending… chef‘s kiss!
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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I didn‘t know all of the music and this wasn‘t my era, but I still loved the passion of the lyrical analysis and could relate to the emotional connection to songs. I think my favorite parts were the sparks of Percy and Joe‘s creative collaborations. ⬇️
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How could I resist when I came across this action rom com that‘s kind of like a grown-up twist on “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”? I was in the mood for a lighter read, and although I didn‘t completely fall in love, it fit the bill. 🎧
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The reading experience of this book was completely engrossing and absolutely chilling. The epitome of “unputdownable”. It appeals to the head (interrogating the allure of true crime and the double-edged sword of the online sleuthing community) and the heart (it‘s equally a moving investigation of grief and the compulsion to doggedly search for sometimes unknowable answers). ⬇️
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I‘m willing to bet you haven‘t read a story where a complicated FMC befriends a sentient blob before! As expected, this was a quirky read, but it didn‘t fully land for me. The audiobook narration brought out Vi‘s dry wit. 🎧
