Birthday #bookhaul I had a great day full of love and cake. So much cake. And some new books.

Cass and I are having a crazy busy day today. He‘s so relaxed I‘m a bit worried he‘s going to fall off the couch. #CosmereBuddyRead

Here is the reading schedule for Book 3. I combined part 3 and 4 to make them about the same length as the other parts. I don‘t think it will be a problem, but as always let me know.
#CosmereBuddyRead

That was not where I saw this going. But wow, it was good. I have to give Sanderson some credit for his fight scenes. Usually they aren‘t my favorite part of a story, but he does them so well. And saying that, what do you all think about Marsh? Where did that come from? I can‘t wait to start the next one. I‘ll post dates in a bit.
#CosmereBuddyRead

This was surprisingly good. Annie is an autocratic sentient sex robot, designed to meet all of Doug‘s needs. But you forget she isn‘t human. It‘s very Stepford Wives in Giliad if it was Westworld. It could have used a little more Terminator. But that‘s just because it gave me feelings.
Another winner from @DebinHawaii #AuldLangSpine list. @monalyisha

Happy Tuesday! Today was busy, so I‘m a little late. All I have to say is, he did it again! I thought I knew where it was going. But I wasn‘t expecting that. I can‘t wait to finish this one. Don‘t forget we are doing both parts this week. I don‘t think anyone will have a problem. It‘s so hard to put down now.
#CosmereBuddyRead

Last Canada Reads book. I found this one hard to get through. I don‘t know if it was the fact that I didn‘t like any of the characters or the writing. I knew what she was trying to make me feel, but I was too annoyed to feel it. It‘s potentially a good story, I just don‘t think it‘s very well told. Overall, this year‘s selection was not my favorite. They all had some pretty major issues. Or maybe I just had some major issues with all of them.

Happy Tuesday! I can‘t wait to move on to the next part, because I really have no idea where this story is heading now. And I have some concerns.
#CosmereBuddyRead

Might be my top pick for Canada Reads this year. The trauma and devastation this woman survived, yet the way she turned the pain into empathy and compassion, is the most exceptional show of defiance. “Even today, when I am grateful to lead a peaceful and happy life, there are moments when I feel anger, bitterness, and regret. But those feelings only make me miserable, and I don't want to live like that.” Not the best writing, but worth the read.

Happy Tuesday! Now I can read the next part. lol Just when I think he can‘t surprise me, he surprises me. I can‘t wait to hear what you all think about the reveal of the Watcher. I think I like where it‘s going.
#CosmereBuddyRead

I almost forgot it‘s Tuesday. It was really hard to stop reading after part one. Is everyone caught up? I can‘t wait to hear what your theories are on this one. And I‘m excited to read more. #CosmereBuddyRead

Canada Reads. Book 3. How did this even make the list?! I almost bailed, but I thought no, there must be more to it. Maybe I‘m wrong. So I read it all. I was not wrong. It fits the formula of a thriller. But it‘s not thrilling. It‘s boring and predictable and I regret wasting my time. I also have no idea how it fits the theme of changing the narrative.

This one is a bit longer. And it has six parts. But part 6 is quite short, so I‘m combining it with part 5. If it‘s anything like Book 1, it shouldn‘t be a problem to read them both together anyway. lol As always, if it‘s too much and you think we need changes, let me know. If anyone else wants to join us, feel free, I will gladly add you to the tag list.
#CosmereBuddyRead

Wow. I think I can now say I‘m in love with the Cosmere. Brandon Sanderson builds an amazing universe. The magical system he created is fabulous. His character development is great. But he is a true master of plot development. The twists and turns in the last two hundred pages or so left me dizzy. In a good way. If you would like a tag to join us for book 2, let me know. I‘ll post the new schedule next.
#CosmereBuddyRead

Canada Reads. Book 2. I can‘t decide if this is brilliant or absolutely awful. It was like reading five stories in one, all jumbled together. I often felt like I was lost in Etta‘s dementia filled mind. Was it a dream? A jumble of thoughts and memories? What was real? Or could it just as simple as a little magical realism? Maybe that was the point. But it was all kinds of confusing. I kinda can‘t wait for the debates.

Canada Reads. First book finished. I was a little excited for this one, because I have seen it compared to Angela‘s Ashes. It is similar. Was it sad? Maybe, but I giggled a lot. Were the kids abused and neglected? Perhaps, but I never once doubted that they were loved. And Wayne Johnson is living proof that love matters the most. 4/5. The writing wasn‘t as good as it could be. I might reassess later, because I went in with very high expectations.

Wow! That part was really good. I kind of expected something like that to happen, but I really didn‘t expect it so soon. Did you see it coming?
#CosmereBuddyRead

I read this one in a day, because once I started I just couldn‘t stop. It was so heartbreaking. My second book from @DebinHawaii #auldlangspine list. And another winner. @monalyisha

Canada Reads 2025 shortlist. Finally. I guess I‘m shopping again. lol

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7431920

Bookmail!! I guess Canada Post is still playing catchup-up, because my mail was delivered at 7:40pm. But it‘s the best mail! I couldn‘t find these anywhere, so I ordered them from Blackwells. What a great store. And I really like how they pack them with love.

Sorry I‘m a bit late everyone. My MIL died in the early hours of this morning. It wasn‘t a surprise, but it made for a crazy day. Everything is somewhat settled now and I can talk books. This book has been a great escape for me this week. This part was soo good. And somewhat unexpected. I won‘t say much up front. I know some of you are still catching up, so no spoilers. We can discuss in the comments.
#CosmereBuddyRead

Hubby bought me a ‘just because‘ present. He did good.

I‘m so into this story now. And I have so many questions! I need to know more about the eleventh metal. And will we ever find out what‘s in the room? And how is the book connected to it all? And… and… and…
#CosmereBuddyRead

This is a retelling of Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher'. It‘s perfectly dark and creepy. I think Poe would approve. I know I did. Now I have to check out the sequel. My first read from @DebinHawaii and #AuldLangSpine I loved it. You did a great job with this match @monalyisha

I have to be honest, I was a little worried when I started this, because what if I didn‘t like it. But now that part one is done, I have to say, I think I might love it. I am definitely intrigued by Vin and I can‘t wait to read more. How did everyone find part one? Are you loving the Cosmere yet?
#CosmereBuddyRead

Thank you so much @LeahBergen I want to read this one so much. I can‘t wait to dig in while devouring some chocolate. And the bookmark is so precious. Thanks for all the work @bookish_wookish This #LittleChristmasSwap was so fun.

December was the hardest favorite to choose. I had six five star reads.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

Just a little stack of series books I pulled from my TBR. I‘m hoping to get through these this year.
#SeriesLove2025
@Andrew65 @TheSpineView

I had many great reads in November, so this was a hard one. But Crawdads wins by a pinch. It was so good.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

Favorite read in October. I just loved being with these characters again.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

I absolutely loved this one.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

The first three books I picked from @DebinHawaii #AuldLangSpine list. I can‘t decide where to start. They all sound really good. @monalyisha

My favorite book in August. Kate Quinn is always a winner for me.
#12BookOf2024 @Andrew65

19,968 pages. It wasn‘t my best year, but most of the books I read were fantastic.

So, I was a little insulted when handed this with the words, “Mom, this book is so you! It‘s about old lady assassins. You‘ll love it.” I don‘t feel a certain age. But it is really good, and I did love it. “Because she doesn't apologize for anything. She had a rotten start in life, but she's made the best of it. She lives on her own terms. She knows who she is and what she wants, and she does what she is good at. And she has a good time doing it."

I don‘t remember what happened in July, but I only managed to read one book. It was a really great one though.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

The time has come! I‘m so excited to jump into the Cosmere. And to have you all come with me. Here is the reading schedule for the first book. Reading the story as it‘s already divided, seems to be the best way to start. I like a logical stoping and starting point. I also don‘t want it to feel overwhelming. But let me know if you have any issues. If anyone else wants to tag along, please just let me know.

My favorite read in June. But it was a close one. I also loved In The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

Best read in May. I really loved this one.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

Best book in April. I waited forever for this one to drop. And it was worth it.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

My favorite read in March. It was a slow month for me. But this book was fantastic.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

#OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew
My favorite way to end the year. Hubby is on call all weekend, so we are stuck at home anyway. Maybe I‘ll hit 20 hours.
@Andrew65

“It would be fine, because she could make it so, imbibe it, consume it, until it was true.
She had eaten her heart out.
It had not changed a thing.”
Sometimes a character has so much of you in her, that the story becomes intensely relatable. I devoured this one. It was painful and beautiful and lonely and powerful.

The 2023 Booker winner and my favorite read in February. This one stayed with me for a long time.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

My favorite book in January, 2024.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

Merry Everything and Happy Whatever! I hope that some new books found you this season. I can‘t wait to dig into the books my family chose for me, while I break in my new tea set. And yes, that‘s a horrible amount of snow outside.

"It's hard." "What is?" "Being alive." "It is," Arthur agreed. "But perhaps that's the point: the trials and tribulations of life weigh heavily upon us, but we find people to help lighten the load."
I love everything about TJ Klune and I will read anything he writes. (Lucy, short for Lucifer, is my favorite character in this one.)

We are jumping into the Cosmere in 2025. After much research, I think this is the best reading order. We are going to start with Mistborn on January 1st. We will read one part a week. I will make a discussion post every Tuesday to discuss what we read and remind everyone what comes next.

Please join me, @Andrew65 @Meshell1313 @Jess861

If you have any questions or want to be added to the tag list, let me know. We would love to have you.

I have been waiting! I wish the long list was before Christmas. Missed opportunity. But oh well.

There is some crazy snow out there. Perfect day for a readathon and lots of hot tea.
#SnickerdoodleSpirit @Bookwormjillk