Such a lovely day with some of my favorite people! #NashvilleLittens

Once again, I've been away & I'm back. ☺

It's been a busy season - in May, my older daughter graduated from Boston University & my younger daughter finished her freshman year at Dean College. I'm teaching a summer course right now which is keeping me quite busy, but in two weeks I will have much more time on my hands! I've missed you, Littens! Here's to being more consistent on the beat social media platform ever! ♥

Another incredibly thoughtful book from @britt_brooke, who so enjoys my Tom Hanks obsession. ?

The reason this got a "so-so" versus a "pick" is the cheesiness of the self-help writing in this book. IMO, they should have just stuck with quotes from and about Hanks, much like Robert Fulghum books. But there were some wonderful quotes in here that I hadn't heard, & reading about my favorite actor is never a waste of time.

Preach, Jo.

Continuing to read my Christmas swap books from @britt_brooke. She knows that my all-time favorite novel is Little Women. ☺ This was just lovely. Predictable, of course, because I know the original story so well, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment. It cleverly weaves the story with modern themes such as blended families & LGBTQ characters.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Finally getting around to reading some Christmas presents. @britt_brooke knows how much I love Dolly. This is a small, beautiful book full of color photos, quotes from Dolly, & tidbits about her life. Not in Litsy's data base yet. It was lovely. Of course it was. It's Dolly. ☺ Rose approves. #catsofLitsy

Looks like a great day to snuggle under a blanket with a book. This is The Deep South™️, y'all, near Nashville. And it's going to snow all day. All of you affected by this storm, hope you're safe! Stay warm! ❄️

Sorry @Andrew65! I forgot to post my last book! #12booksof2023

Honestly, only a 3⭐ for me, but I read only one book in November. 😔 #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Missed yesterday! #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

I read a lot of 4⭐ in August 2023, but no 5⭐. I did discover both Simone St. James and Lucy Foley, so a good month. #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Happy New Year, Littens! Definitely NOT my best year reading. Ashleigh's senior year + BFA audition process = decrease in reading, but I wouldn't change a thing. Here's to a goal of 80 books in 2024!

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Goodreads was down for me yesterday, which is where I track my reading, so I couldn't choose my book for June until now! 😂

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Since I'm on vacation, I'm definitely aiming for 20 hours over this #readathon! My goal - to make a good dent in the pile of unread physical books on the floor in my bedroom. *whistles innocently*

Thanks, @Andrew65! #outwiththeoldinwiththenew

Not gonna lie... I didn't read any books during March & April of 2023. My younger daughter is currently in her freshman year of a BFA in musical theatre, & the audition process for such programs is ridiculously arduous. We traveled 13,000 miles in five months. Add that to the craziness of her senior year & my job, and there wasn't time for much else! 🤯 I'll be back to posting on Friday! 😁 #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @andrew65

Jenny, thank you so much! I literally gasped when I opened the book - I've been looking forward to this one so much! @Captivatedbybooks

Thank you, as always, to @MaleficentBookDragon for coordinating #jolabokaflodswap23! Happy reading, everyone, & Merry Christmas! #jolabokaflodswap

"His voice sounded like vodka tastes."

Ally Carter, The Blonde Identity.

Blew through both of these, each in one day. ☺ Gifts from @britt_brooke, who loves to tease me about my Tom Hanks obsession. 😉 Easy, breezy romances - predictable, fluffy, and perfect & fun for light reads during the holiday craziness!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for both

@LeahBergen Here's mine! Even older - cost 35 cents, acquired by my late grandmother for her classroom library December 1963. I'm reading it tonight. ☺

@avanders - Alethia, I am SO sorry! Evidently the printed address did not inclyde your apartment number & I didn't notice. I'm on my way back to the post office to get it sent out again... My sincere apologies if it doesn't make it by Christmas Eve, but I'm going to do my best! 🤞🏻 @MaleficentBookDragon

Thank you, @Captivatedbybooks ! Can't wait until the 24th!

#jolabokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon

My #jolabokaflodswap for @Avanders went in the mail today! ETA: Saturday! ☺ Thx to @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing. 🎄

My semester is done in a week, which means more time to read, which means this might be achievable! Still fighting through a little bit of a slump - hope this will help! Thanks @Andrew65 ! #rushathon #rushathonchristmasbingo

I love it when my daughters gift me books, & I love it even more when they gift me one of their own favorites. My 18yo has extensively read Christie & this is her favorite - great hook at the beginning! Rose looks less impressed.

Yep! She's become a new favorite. Maybe a bit predictable, but a page turner nonetheless.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another one that's been in my TBR since publication and, boy, did it deliver! I love books with multiple POV's, so be aware if that's not you. Will now be reading all of her books!

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#Booked2023 - wrongly incarcerated main character (don't worry - that isn't a spoiler. Happens at the very end when you already know whodunit.)

Gotta love dysfunctional family short stories!

Both ⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have had this one on my TBR forever & it did not disappoint! Ripped through it in two days. And put The Guide on hold.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#Booked2023 - set in a mountainous region

Trying to wrap my head around this book. I loved the format of short stories that had a common thread. But then I got frustrated that I didn't know the rest of the story. Olive is such a wonderful, yet terrible, character. I can't give it an extremely high rating, but I put the sequel on library hold immediately, which says something.

⭐⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#Booked2023 - short story collection

1. Tagged

2. The Count of Monte Cristo has been on my "currently reading" Goodreads shelf for a few years. I really do need to finish, as I was enjoying it!

3. My 21yo & 18yo daughters. ♥ ♥

@Eggs

I'm still reeling.

All Christ-followers should read this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(12 months to read 12 books recommended by 12 friends)

Ali Hazelwood did it again. Predictable? Sure. Did I guess the twist? Yes. Did I care? No. Let me assure you, as a college professor, that she nailed academia on the head with this one. 4/5⭐

But. One nit-pick. The protagonist adjuncts at a few Boston universities. And she CONSISTENTLY said "Boston University" to Bostonians. She would NEVER refer to it by its full name. As the mom of a rising senior, I can promise you that it is always "BU". ♥️?

I thought that this would be right up my alley, as an extroverted Christian who loves people, but I felt that it wasn't telling me anything I didn't alresdy know. Do I practice everything here like I should? Of course not. But there was nothing new. (12 months to read 12 books recommended by 12 friends)

A bit predictable, but still a page turner! (12 months to read 12 books recommended by 12 friends)

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So happy to finally find a new-to-me #Authoramonth who I love! Will definitely be reading more of hers!

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mr. Wilson is a friend of a friend - they are colleagues at The University of the South in Sewanee, TN, about one hour from my home, yet I'd never read him! Ridiculously creative ploting, & I'm looking forward to reading more!

This also checks my first box for 12 Books in 12 Months Recommended by 12 Friends. Late start to this challenge, but I still have six months!

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Catch-up post!

I'd say my reading slump is finally over! 🎉 Been working through the Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James detective series - love them.

Once again, bailed on this month's #Authoramonth. 😔 She's just not for me. @Soubhiville

"It wasn't much then. A glimmer of a notion of a whisper of a figment of an idea."

What gorgeous writing.

Today's word learned from reading.

Still loving Superintendent Duncan & Sergent Gemma.

Reading it with homemade peach cobbler & ice cream is even better!

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hey, Littens! This month's #Authoramonth is Ursula K. LeGuin & I know nothing except for her name & that she writes fantasy. Where do you suggest I start?

I tried. Twice. 😔 Just couldn't get into it. I typically enjoy narrative non-fiction, but this just wasn't an interesting subject for me. I do think Larson is a lovely writer! #Authoramonth @Soubhiville

Welp, I didn't get any reading done on Sunday or Monday, but I'll take my two day total of 12 hours 16 minutes during #20in4, especially since I've been in a huge slump recently! Thanks for the push @Andrew65! Onward!

Day 2 of #20in4 = 7 hours, 35 minutes.

Finished Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton (audio) & Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen (Kindle). Started In the Great Green Room (biography of Margaret Wise Brown) by Amy Gary (audio).

@Andrew65

Good grief, I love her writing. Read this in one sitting. I've missed her so much - obviously out of her control because she fought cancer. I'm so glad she's writing again.

As always, her twists/revelations made me sigh with happiness.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐