Um... Okay... 🤯🤯
Poirot certainly knows how to leave the world with flair. He summons Hastings back to Styles for one last case where it all began. Everything was very psychological and poor clueless Hastings is left in the dark as usual.
The ending was just 👩🏻‍🍳😘
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Beautiful, insightful memoir. Lamya's story is heartwrenching but mostly inspiring. Growing up in a country & practicing a religion that typically invalidates & persecutes queer people like her, she interprets the Quran in ways that bring her solace & help her make sense of her queerness & belonging. Each section of her life is compared to a famous person or story and expounds on her journey of finding her place as a queer, devout Muslim immigrant

I really loved this middlegrade story. A robot named Roz winds up on an island & learns to adapt to her environment & befriend the local wildlife population. She makes herself a home & a community. I thought this was a great exploration of wildlife & nature from a unique perspective. I can't wait to continue Roz's story in the next installment & I'm looking forward to seeing how the film adaptation turns out
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

This was a reread for my bookclub. Still funny. I listened to the audiobook this time and I loved Stephen Fry's narration per usual

I enjoyed this next book in the series. Vincent & Cobey are unlikely roommates, a tutor who's closeted & lonely plus a charismatic football player who's failing class. They become friends & help each other with math & social lessons.
Their relationship progression was really sweet. I loved Cobey's concern for consent which is so important. The way Vincent grew confident in himself was also lovely to watch
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

I wanted to like this more than I did. The main character just felt a bit immature for her age in some ways. And the love interest was almost too perfect. But I loved her friends and the secondary plot of their new business venture. I thought the disability rep was well done, Zelda navigating the assumptions and difficulties of living in a wheelchair without it seeming too didactic.

Meh. I got this as a freebie and it was fine. The character development felt a bit rushed but the story was cute overall.

I got the sudden urge to reread this one for the third time 🙃
It's such a lovely story about family and grieving for old relationships while building something new. The father-son connection is just as important and I love the new understanding and acceptance that they cultivate within their small family 🥹 The romance between Luke and Landon is also so sweet as they go tentatively from friends to more

These were fun little fairy tales from the wizarding world. I liked the notes from Dumbledore at the end of each story. I could definitely see reading these to a child at bedtime. The narration of this audiobook was great, with sound effects and everything, and it was nice hearing some familiar voices from the movie franchise.
#roll100 @PuddleJumper

I don't condone JKR's anti-trans views, all proceeds from this book go to the charity Lumos

Finished last month for #AuthorAMonth
This was so enthralling, I couldn't stop listening. I loved the interconnected stories of Ruth & Nao and the subtle magical realism throughout. The characters were so well crafted and the story slow & gentle yet compelling. 5⭐
@Soubhiville

I liked but didn't love this one. Set in a small village in the Highlands, Ruby moves into a cottage for a year to figure out her future and work on a cookbook. She ends up getting involved in the town tourism politics and finding community with the townspeople. Her relationship with Brochan was a bit frustrating to me, fighting over secrets held back in a way I felt was unnecessary. Overall I loved the Scotland setting & found family aspects most

Book Mail!! This book doesn't release for another two weeks but the author is sending out his preorders early and I just got mine! I have so many library books I need to read right now but I'm so tempted to start this one right away instead 😆 I'm so excited! And look at the gorgeous kitty on the back cover! 😻

Another hit from Cara Bastone. Two psych students are paired up for a group interview project to decide if love at first sight exists. Marigold and Robbie butt heads from the start but slowly bond as they work together and hear couples' stories, eventually realizing that there might be more to their own first meeting.
The style of the audiobook was unique, with everything being the recordings from their interview sessions. Full cast narration

Another cute installment in the FU series. A secret crush, a massage table meet cute, bonding over music - these sweet boys stole my heart and I just wanted them to be happy 🥹
TW for a family member struggling with addiction
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Almost halfway through, I was having a terrible time finding the motivation to read this ebook. I liked the story well enough but I finally realized that the fact it has no clear chapters puts me off so badly!
I managed to find the audiobook through Spotify & I'm already enjoying the listening experience so much more! I won't have enough hours this month to finish the whole thing but will catch up with #OokBOokClub discussions soon @julesG

This was such an interesting memoir. Greg was born with cerebral palsy & walks with a limp but his parents hid his diagnosis from him, saying he had tight tendons. He learns of his disability in his 30s. He describes growing up trying to minimize reactions to his limp, coming to terms with being gay, living w parents w their own chronic illnesses. An interesting reflection on family relationships & how health affects the lives of all those around

Impulse read from kindle unlimited when I wanted something fluffy with minimal angst. Decent enough story and characters. A later in life virgin gets lessons from his supposedly straight best friend. I picked it up for the author, whose other books I enjoyed. I'll probably go back to read the rest of the series at some point. This was #3 but able to read as a standalone.
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

I happened to stop by Editions bookstore yesterday, it's closer to my sister's house so I try to go when I visit her. Turns out there was an author signing happening! I've read one of the books from his series and have been meaning to read the rest. I bought the anniversary edition of the first book, which has a gorgeous hardback undercover design 😍 He signed it of course and gave away a cute pin to match! This was a fun Saturday surprise 😊

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii
Instead of 5 little joys this week, I'd like to share one BIG joy that has blown my mind in the best way!
After two decades of living with an autoimmune disease, I saw a new doctor that took the time to explain what is happening in my body and the reasoning behind my treatment. She couldn't understand why no one had explained it to me before and I am so grateful for the knowledge 🥰

My May #bookspin and #doublespin picks are both sequels that I've been meaning to read. Excited to prioritize them this month
@TheAromaofBooks

April #ReadingBracket2024 Fiction update
Ready or Not was my favorite read of the month. I'm having trouble comparing it to Witch King though, they are such a different vibe... Will report back later

April #ReadingBracket2024 nonfiction update
Of the two I read this month, my favorite was Leg. But Better Living Through Birding is beating everyone for the whole quarter still 🐦

I had only read Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest' before (a fav), and I was worried going in that this would be a more serious & therefore drier read. I should have had more faith in his writing. While definitely more serious, this was just as engrossing & fascinating. His character descriptions are so detailed & you can't help but be drawn into the devastating story
#LGBTQ2024 published before 2000 @Kenyazero
#bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii this has become my favorite part of Friday, looking back at the little good things from the week ☺️

1. Watching the birds mingle and chirp at our bird feeders 🐦
2. Cat snuggles. The double, the better 😻😻
3. Babysitting my niece at bedtime for the first time (she only had a mini meltdown missing mom 🫠😅💕)
4. Hanging out with my sister's dogs 🐶🐶
5. Finally watching the Eras tour 🎶

This was my first time reading this classic gothic story and I'm so glad I finally did! The writing is so atmospheric and descriptive, menacing and enthralling. The characters were awful in the best way. I think the chapter-a-day pace with the #hashtagbrigade was perfect and kept up the suspense. I could definitely see a reread in the future.
Thanks @BarkingMadRead for leading! #pemberlittens

I absolutely adored this book! Bastone has become an auto-read author for me. She writes such beautifully crafted characters. I loved witnessing Eve grow into herself and figure out what she wants out of life after her unplanned pregnancy news. Her relationships with her close friends and family are all affected by this life development in unexpected ways 💕
#littensloveromance @StayCurious

I finished this short story last week. Provided free by the author, it introduces the characters of the third book in the Guides for Dating Vampires series which just came out and I'm excited to read! Shane and Andres' meeting was definitely glorious and memorable.
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

I really liked the first story in this collection. The others were hit or miss. Lots of weird magical realism and some of the stories were slightly interconnected. Atkinson writes compellingly, but it was hard to see where things were going sometimes. Overall each story made me think, a lot of the time it was 'wtf did I just read?'

Sally over here posing to match the dog on the cover #dogsoflitsy

My May #BookspinBingo list. I'm excited to see what numbers are drawn to add my #bookspin & #doublespin
@TheAromaofBooks

#SpringSkies Day 28 #2BksWSimilarTitle
Apparently they added the 1/2 to the US version of Evelyn Hardcastle because it was too similar to Evelyn Hugo!
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Happy Independent Bookstore Day! 📚🎉
I didn't make it to any stores today but finished the Charlotte bookcrawl earlier this month, hitting all 19 stores! Here's my #bookhaul with the cute mini tote that was the finishing prize! 💕

Starting the #AwesomeApril readathon today
These are the books I want to finish from my April TBR. All but one I've already started and made decent progress with. Sign Here is a bookclub book that has its discussion on the 7th so I want to prioritize it before my other new May reads
Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 ☺️

My May #Roll100 picks
The tagged book was picked once before in 2022 and I never read it. If I don't get to it this month it's off the TBR!
@PuddleJumper

I'm not sure how this one got on my TBR because it's not something I would normally choose but I ended up really enjoying it! The dual timeline between when the kids are trapped in the room and then going back through the last year, discovering their secrets, was compelling. I didn't want to stop listening.
#Roll100 @PuddleJumper #SpringSkies Day 27 #Secrets @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii
1. Celebrating my niece's 3rd birthday 🎂
2. Seeing my parents, who were visiting for said birthday party 💕
3. Rainbow sighting! 🌈
4. Reading on the porch to the sounds of rain on the pond 🌧️📖
5. Sally joining me on the porch, which she never normally does 🐶🥰

I don't read a lot of poetry, and I won't pretend that I understood everything in this collection. But I really appreciated the way these poems were written and the glimpses you get of the author's struggles with being indigenous & trans, internally & interpersonally, and growing up in foster care. It also made me want to listen to Florence + the Machine, which I'm not mad about
#LGBTQ2024 poetry @Kenyazero #Nonfiction2024 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

I'm all for a character driven story & this one is well written in that way, but I got 4 hours into the audiobook & needed SOME plot to kick in. It's very slow moving & I had no idea where we were supposed to be heading. It got to the point that the main character was in a situation that had me 😬 & I bailed.
I've heard good things about this author & I did enjoy her writing style so I plan to try a different of hers for #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

#SpringSkies Day 25 #BreakInTitle 🚴🏼‍♀️
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

If the title doesn't warn you, bring out the tissues 🥹 Our bookclub loved the Travelling Cat Chronicles and decided to read this book of short stories by the same author. It was nice to visit with a few cats and their families, including some familiar faces. The POV switched between cats & humans and each story had a unique premise
🐱💖

Continuing to follow Avery and Zib through the Up-and-Under. This wasn't quite as good as the first book, but still enjoyable. They learn more about the kings and the drowned girl's backstory, and get to adventure with pirates.
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

#SpringSkies Day 24 #Neurodivergent
Clementine, who has autism, struggles with the dynamics of his new life as a vampire 🩸
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

#SpringSkies Day 23 #LieInTitle
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

#SpringSkies Days 21 & 22 #AwardWinner #Tragedy
I missed yesterday but this one works for both prompts. So good. So sad 😭
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

I love this author's shifter series. This one isn't a direct sequel, but set in the same world. Less plot and more about the characters. A grumpy walrus shifter lives by himself in his lighthouse on an island off the coast of Ireland and has his world disrupted by an artist visiting on a temporary university grant. Two lonely souls connecting and finding home in each other 🥰
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

This was another entertaining Poirot/Ariadne Oliver pairing. They are trying to figure out the reasoning behind a very old double suicide and must track down people who might remember details about the couple. All the talk and confusion about elephants was very amusing. I love Mrs. Oliver
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

#SpringSkies Day 20 #2ndChanceRomance
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Did somebody say National Cat Lady Day? 😹😻🐱
You can usually find me in my favorite chair with at least one cat and a book 💖

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii
My five joys this week:
1. Oakley bear 😻 snuggles to help recover after minor surgery
2. Virtual bookclub discussion with my highschool friends 📖🐈
3. Dancing lessons with my guy 💃🏼
4. Discovering Happy Color - my new favorite audiobook activity 🎨🎧
5. Hitting up so many bookstores for the Greater Charlotte Bookcrawl 📚

This one started off strong - singing a karaoke break up song to your now ex. But it went downhill after that. After hooking up, Toni & Audrey realize they're now working together & must be professional. Audrey isn't ready for a new relationship right after her last toxic one ended anyway. In the end I didn't feel like either character had any real growth. This could have been better if expanded to a full novel
#LGBTQ2024 disappointing @Kenyazero

#SpringSkies Day 19 #FallInTitle
I read this a few years ago, a really sweet story set in gorgeous Ireland 🌧️🍀
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs