We don't have an indie bookseller, per de, so I'm posting about our local used book store. The selection is usually good, their prices are reasonable, and the trade in deals generally fair (not that I personally ever trade in books!). I do wish our area, with two B&Ns and a couple Books-a-Millions, had an independent book store. Alas.

Speaking of his newborn. This book is getting me back on my reading track in just a few pages. I love you, Christopher Moore!

Ugh. I couldn't do it. I tried so hard. It could be that I've spent this week fighting some sort of crud, but this book just stalled my reading life. I couldn't even get the excitement to pick up another one. Reading this felt like drudgery. Maybe it's that by the time I quit, nothing but tragedy had befallen the MC. I do hope you'll give it a try if you enjoy mysteries, alternating time lines, and a little bit of fantasy. It just wasn't for me.

This is my grandfather, about eight months ago. He was only 102 then. Today, he's 103. His life is full of books! He was a school teacher about eighty years ago and a principal, too. My grandmother was a librarian. He's a preacher, an author, he's built a school, and everywhere he's lived, including his current apartment, has been full of books. As long as he stays happy and healthy, I hope he celebrates more birthdays. 🎂 ❤️🎉

Still with a snarfy head, so continuing with the story of Ronin and Amery. This book reminded me some of Jodi Malpas' This Man series. These two are completely tied up in each other (there's a pun in there). In this one, an old ex surfaces making life hell and both families get involved. If you like things graphic, there's a lot here for you. The way I'm feeling, I skimmed quite a bit. Pick only as compared to other books in the genre.

I have a cold. I don't want to suffer or agonize or have to think my way through a book. So thank you, Ms James, for Bound. Shibari loving Sensei Ronin took one look at the new girl in the self defense class at his dojo and went all growly alpha. Amery found a lot to like in Ronin, but would friends, jobs, and secrets keep them apart? Good read in this genre with a fuzzy head.

I really enjoyed this novella length sequel to Master of Crows. We follow the mage Silhara and his former apprentice, now wife, Martise, as they battle more dark magic. This time, however, the enemy may not be what he seems. And what of Martise's Gift? It's playing a troubling game of hide and seek. Mute Gurn and mage finding hound Cael are both back and the ending leaves no doubt that we'll see more in this smart fantasy series.

Y'all. Y'ALL. This book wrecked me. This pretty cover hides a story of love and loss and desperation; of family, friendship, and betrayal. What do you do when the person you love most asks you to do the impossible? Can best friends, marriages find their way through tragedy? This novel has so many levels and is wonderfully written, but it wrung me out.

This is what this book is doing to me. It's painful and brutal and desperately sad and I'm just hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel.

It's #recommendsday and I'm going with The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This is a retelling of The Iliad with an unexpected love story that might make some readers uncomfortable, which hasn't stopped me from gifting this book over and over. If you know the story of the Trojan War, you'll be delighted in this artful retelling. If you don't, hold on for a dynamic and thrilling ride.

It's #recommendsday and I'm going with The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This is a retelling of The Iliad with an unexpected love story that might make some readers uncomfortable, which hasn't stopped me from gifting this book over and over. If you know the story of the Trojan War, you'll be delighted in this artful retelling. If you don't, hold on for a dynamic and thrilling ride.

I often wonder how readers' experiences affect their relationships to novels. Were I not the mother of a son, man cub, would I have been so moved by this?

This is my going in commitment for this week. We'll see if I'm disciplined enough to stick with it. 😂😂😂 #TBRTuesday

After loving The Sugar Queen, I had great expectations for this novel. Unfortunately, they weren't met. I felt like Allen was trying to tell too many stories in one place; too many relationships to satisfactorily track in such a short novel. And the ending! In some ways tied up in a too convenient bow and in one very important way almost a cliffhanger for a non existent sequel. I'll read more of her work, though, as I do enjoy her writing.

As books on #innocence go, this heartbreaking novel about boys going to war, and what happens to the ones who survive, is stellar. The innocence of the boys sent, of the girls left behind, of the ones who watch their buddies die (at least the first time), the journalists thrown into the madness. O'Brien covers all the ground as one who lived it, documenting the innocence lost in the Vietnam War. #augustphotochallenge

So after driving y'all crazy with all the novella postings, it comes down to this: I clearly love this series. I read the Elemental World series first and while that wasn't a problem, I wish I had gone in order and read Elemental Mysteries first. I also wish I had ignored my distaste for novellas and read those as I went, instead of in one batch, as they added info it would have been nice to have. If you love fantasy, check this series out!

This is two Christmas novellas by two authors, Grace Draven and Elizabeth Hunter. My focus right now is on Hunter's story as I wrap up my Elemental project. Here, we return to Gio and B as they travel to Italy for Christmas. They're tracking a book, as they do, starting at their private library with the librarian/caretaker,Fina. Then to their friend Zeno at the Vatican library. Romance ensues, mysteries are solved, family and friends celebrated.

This is the second novella in, and prequel into, the Elemental Legacy series. While the first novella followed Ben and Tenzin on a crazy quest in China, this takes them into Italy. Ben may be human, but he is also famous in the vampire world. He has big decisions to make. Will he remain a part of the immortal world or leave it behind for something more... Human?

So this is the first novella in, and peek into, the new Elemental Legacy series. This features Ben Vecchio, the ward of Gio Vecchio, featured in the Elemental Mysteries series. Both hung around the Elemental World series. This also features Tenzin, whom I've already said I adore. I'm posting soon about the second prequel novella. I'm excited for this series!

So the next novella in the Elemental World series that I want to add in here isn't in the database. It's called The Bronze Blade. It's awful and tragic in some ways, but may be my favorite. It's the back story on Tenzin, one of the oldest and certainly the most unique character in the series. I soaked up this novella, even though it was violent and broke my heart.

Y'all bear with me. I'm gonna post a bunch of novella reviews in Hunter's Elemental World and new Elemental Legacy series, mainly so I can keep up with where I am. This is the story of headstrong Gemma and how she finally realized that she is stronger in partnership with her mate Terry. It fills a nice hole in the story.

This is not the cheesy romance it seems! It's the fourth book in Elizabeth Hunter's Irin Chronicles. The men are scribes, keepers of history and fierce warriors, magic tattooed on their skin. The women, singers, executing their magic in voice. There are wicked angels, politics and intrigue, battle and mercy, love and loss. The first three books follow Malachi and Ava. This book is the six hundred year story of Damien and Sari. And it's wonderful.

This is book four and the last book in Hunter's Elemental Mysteries series. It's also my least favorite, for a couple reasons. I wasn't overly fond of the flashbacks and she kinda made this one a "new adult" book. I'm totally not opposed to that genre, but that's not what this series has been, so it threw me off. It's still a pick for me as it nicely ties off the ends of this series, while leaving room for the next. Um, #bookisholympics book 8!

Used book store haul. I love this particular store. 😄

I've heard this book is best enjoyed in a single read through, but I didn't have time for that and I'm glad! Something about having to sit with the thought of what was going on in Slade House while I was away made the whole thing creepier. Absolutely recommended and glad it's the seventh and gold medal book for me in #bookisholympics 🏅🍾😃

I should be asleep. Why am I not sleep? 🤔 Oh! Right. I'm reading Slade House. 😧😁

Really, the only good thing about this book is the cover. Beautiful, right? That's what sucked me in. Silly girl. That old adage exists for a reason 'cause this book's terrible. At least the first 129 pages are. I very rarely bail on a book, but I just couldn't take another paragraph. I'll keep it on my shelf, though, 'cause it sure is pretty!!

Wow. This is pretty bad. I didn't expect much from Harper Teen novel, but I think I expected more than this. We go from boy meets girl in a snooty boarding school to... Oh, wait, it's *that* kind of school in about one disappointing sentence. And then tragic boy/girl stories, fighting against what's expected of them by family tradition. Add a ton of nonsensical details and this is a pan. #bookisholympics book six

This continues my foray into the Elemental Mysteries series with book three. As I've said before, this prequel series features characters and plot points from Hunter's Elemental World series, which I've read, and that makes this fun, though at times a little confusing. I enjoy vampire tales and Hunter's writing and, well, I keep reading them so clearly a pick! #bookisholympics book five

I'm trying hard not to bail on this. Has anyone read it? I'm on page 129. Is it worth sticking it out? 🤔

Though the cover brings to mind a Western romance, that is not at all what this book is. Our young protagonist, Ethan, has a pretty messed up relationship with his Dad, played out in the first few chapters of the book. Later in the book, Ethan's Dad goes missing and Ethan, never known for bravery or fortitude, decides he must go find him. This is a story of family, self-discovery, friendship, and adventure. #bookisholympics book four

I've had a lot of books move in with me this week and these new friends showed up in the mail today. I seriously need some discipline!!

Y'all!! Look what arrived!! Here's the problem: I have the memory of a flea and I don't remember who to tag!!! 🤔😩😩 After this week, I'm up for reading this anytime. That is, if I find my book group! Total loser....😪👎🏼

So...eh. She's a (spoiler) and he's a (spoiler) and oh that third guy? Well, he's a...(spoiler). Paranormal, check. Romance, angsty. Cliffhanger, boy howdy. This one lives somewhere between the realm of YA and new adult and I can't even say why because, well, spoiler! I might read the next book to resolve the cliffhanger, but... Eh. #bookisholympics book three

"I exhale the breath I had been holding." This line! Or any one like it. "I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding," for instance. They *all* make me crazy. I actually ran across a, "I released a cough I didn't know I was holding," the other day. Insanity making. Does this bother anyone else?

This is the second book in Hunter's Elemental Mysteries series and I really enjoyed it. I've actually read several books in her Elemental World series, which I also enjoyed and which has a bunch of the same characters. I'm an unabashed vampire fan and Hunter creates a nice marriage of vampires and elementals. There's always good stuff in her books about family, too, and the importance thereof. #bookisholympics book two

Thrift store haul! The most exciting moment? When my daughter discovered A Tree Grows In Brooklyn all by herself and asked for her own copy. It's the little moments, my friends.

Thrift store haul! The most exciting moment? When my daughter discovered A Tree Grows In Brooklyn all by herself and asked for her own copy. It's the little moments, my friends.

You know the alpha male, Insta-love, HEA genre? Yeah, that's my guilty pleasure. When I want easy, mindless reading, I find a book boyfriend and lose myself in his trilogy. Sad to say, I couldn't get out of this world of alpha Drake and his minions fast enough. This book was terrible. Crappy dialogue, ridiculous plot devices, a female MC I wanted to put in therapy, and all the misogynistic tropes you could want. Just... No. 😖 #bookisholympics one

So I'm kind of hoping this isn't actually a #uniquefacts thing because then I can tell my daughter I'm not that weird, but I have a serious obsession with Sharpies. This is just a sampling of my current collection; the ones I've made available in the school supply (another obsession) corner of our keeping room. So maybe I have a few. What of it?? 😠😬😳

The highlight review on the back cover is from Stephanie Meyer of Twilight fame. If that doesn't give you pause, you'll like this book. It's squarely YA and a very quick read. It also seems to be ripe for a sequel. Featuring demons, bestie problems, angsty does-he-like-me issues, and one rockin' school play, it's a fun little read if you're mind needs a break.

For all the Litsy teachers. 😂

After almost 20 hours on the court this week, including gold in doubles yesterday, this great tennis player and good man lost his match to Del Potro just now. I fervently hope he wins his bronze medal match. This book is a fascinating read for any tennis fan.

The mantle in the keeping room, one of two fireplaces in the house. There are many stacks in this room and we hope to build it out with shelves one day. One day!!

First and without a doubt, impeccably written. The sentences are flawless; paragraphs beautifully constructed. And yet, too many POVs bothered me. The first hundredish pages had me wondering if the plot would ever come together. Once it did, though, I was delighted! Great twists and turns. One other small deduction for heavy use of foreshadowing. I certainly recommend this, especially if you like historical fiction. This guy's a master at it!

For #readingisasport #funfridayphoto I have to go with this memoir, published posthumously, by the great Stuart Scott. This is both about sports, relating Scott's time as a mainstay at ESPN, but also about his fight with cancer. It's a gut wrenching, yet uplifting read. If you have a chance, check out his ESPY speech on YouTube, made not long before he died. It's powerful.

This is what happens when the BAM under $5 cart is just outside Papa Murphy's (take away pizza) and there's a buy 2, get 1 sale inside. (And hey! No judging the Maya Banks! 😂😇)

For my sporadic participation on #day11 of #augustphotochallenge #augustofpages my pick for #politicsandbooks is by a man I deeply respect and had the chance to spend some time with a few years ago, Dr. Cornel West. Not everything in this book is overtly political, but if you're interested in #socialjustice, #humanrights, or the basic roots of #BLM, this is an essential read.

My #recommendsday pick is Little Bee by Chris Cleave. I read this book years ago and it broke me in all the best ways. I'm still haunted by it. When I remember this novel, I'm flooded with love and despair, with desperation and grief, and yet a small spark of hope. The tiny details are lost to me, but the power is still so vital that I hope you'll check it out if you haven't.

So as I remember being the kid always picked last for dodge ball, I can't bring myself to pick just a few folks who I love on here. Instead, here are five things @Litsy has taught me, through some amazing people:

1. Y'all love some Harry Potter.
2. Libraries are still vibrant.
3. Book clubs aren't dead.
4. Literary peeps have some beautiful cats.
5. It's not just me!!

Thanks to everyone I've met for the lessons. 😄😻💖👊🏼