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TheKidUpstairs

TheKidUpstairs

Joined September 2016

She/Her “When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.”
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
The Eyre Affair: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
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My comfort reads often involve Thursdays: the Thursday Next series, and the Thursday Murder Club series. Or Becky Chambers (no Thursdays there, that I know of 😉).

#Naturalitsy #MidWinterSolace @AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

TheBookHippie 😂😅♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 2d
AllDebooks 🤣💙 2d
Chrissyreadit 🤣🤣🤣🤣🩵❄️🩵 2d
tpixie What a coinkydink- Thursdays ! 🩵💙🩵 I do love Thursday Next and miss her… 2d
41 likes4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Diviners | Margaret Laurence
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I've read 24. Being a theatre major definitely helped there, lots of plays listed. And presently surprised by the amount of Canadian content.

Three of my all time favourites were on the list:
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood
The Diviners - Margaret Laurence

Thanks @dabbe for another fun #ThreeListThursday

dabbe Yay for Canadian writers! All 3 of yours are now on my TBR! I've read Atwood, but not ALIAS GRACE--yet. 🤩 Thanks for playing and sharing. 🩶🩵🩶 3d
41 likes1 comment
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

Another pick from @CarolynM 's #AuldLangSpine list. A beautiful story about the redemptive and restorative power of music, the sea, and opening oneself up to connection and the possibilities of joy.

I had a hard time getting into Bucky's story at first. I was acutely aware of an older Black man from Chicago being written by a middle aged White British dude. Some of his dialogue and POV felt stilted. Cont'd 👇

TheKidUpstairs But as the story went on, more nuance and genuine heart came out in him. And the friendships he formed with Dinah and Shabana were beautiful and heartfelt. And the pure joy of the final moments were perfect 🥰 5d
rachaich I've just got an uncorrected proof of this in a charity shop and can't wait to read it! 5d
CarolynM I liked the culture clash aspects and I was moved by Bucky‘s story, which seemed believable to me. Glad you got something from it🙂 5d
56 likes4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Yellow Wallpaper | Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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Umm....I really hope this isn't real 🤦‍♀️

charl08 ?!! 1w
ChaoticMissAdventures 🤣😂🤣. That is so messed up 😭 1w
5feet.of.fury 🤣🤣🤣 help me relax my way to a grippy socks vacation 1w
See All 16 Comments
dabbe What the ...😱 1w
Larkken Wut lol 1w
Karisimo I just finished this middle grade book which the author says was directly inspired by The Yellow Wallpaper!!! 1w
wordslinger42 I‘ve read that short story! Definitely not something I would want to listen to before bed 😳😂 1w
Librarybelle OMG…how bizarre! 1w
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian Lol, relax with this story of postpartum depression and psychosis. Great story, though! 1w
quietlycuriouskate No no no! Definitely NOT a bedtime story! 😱 1w
Leniverse 🤣😂🤣 1w
Suet624 That‘s really funny. 1w
BarbaraBB Is this serious?!?! 1w
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB I just double checked it, this is the actual copy from the Just Sleep app. I was half sure someone had created this as a joke, but now, just someone creating content without actually reading The Yellow Wallpaper. Imagine the dreams you'd have listening to that as you fall asleep?! 1w
TheKidUpstairs @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian fantastic story, one I love to reread, but clearly, whoever had this idea hasn't read it! 1w
TheKidUpstairs @quietlycuriouskate imagine the twisted stress Dreams 😨😨😱 1w
50 likes16 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
The Liberty Scarf | Rachel McMillan, Aimie K Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski
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Pickpick

Probably not one I would have read if it wasn't for book club, but it was a decent trio of historical romance stories. An enjoyable reading experience, but one that is unlikely to really stick with me.

A pick for those who like their history mingled with romance, with no doubts that the characters will find their happily ever afters.

monalyisha I haven‘t stopped moving for long enough during the daylight hours to take a good photo & make a proper post yet…but I want to let you know that I got my birthday gift! So incredibly thoughtful! You‘re the best!🔥🏝️📖 4d
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha I'm so glad it made it there, that was quicker than I expected! Enjoy!! 3d
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
One Another | Gail Jones
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Pickpick

Discoveries like this are why I love #AuldLangSpine

I really wasn't sure about this one going into it. I was forced to read Heart of Darkness in high school, and have been put off by Conrad ever since. So a book about a PhD student studying Conrad, with scenes from his life, did not seem like the book for me. But of all the #OzFiction on @CarolynM 's list, this was the easiest to get my hands on, so I tried it. And I freakin' LOVED it.

Cont'd 👇

TheKidUpstairs Jones' writing is phenomenal, I can't wait to dive into her other works. This is a story of outsiders drifting through the world without finding belonging, a story of loss and grief. It is melancholy, but with enough glimpses of beauty to keep it from getting bogged down. Thank you Carolyn for this selection, and thank you @monalyisha for your unparalleled matchmaking prowess 💕 2w
monalyisha I‘ll have to look at the summaries of some of her other books and see if they appeal! 2w
squirrelbrain Wow, sounds amazing - stacking! 2w
See All 6 Comments
CarolynM Glad you enjoyed. I‘ve not read any of her others. I tried to read Five Bells once but didn‘t get very far. I‘ve got a copy of The Death of Noah Glass and I want to try that soon. @MrsMalaprop is a fan, she might have a suggestion of which one to try next 🙂 2w
MrsMalaprop @CarolynM @monalyisha @squirrelbrain I am a big fan of Gail Jones. She is underrated IMO. I haven‘t actually read this one. Sixty Lights was the first one I read years ago 👍. Can also recommend Death of Noah Glass. Last year I read and enjoyed (edited) 1w
TheKidUpstairs @MrsMalaprop thanks for the recommendations! I noticed she's got one coming out this year that sounds really good, too 1w
63 likes2 stack adds6 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
One Another | Gail Jones
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My littlest is home sick with a fever today. She asked me to cuddle with her so she could sleep, so it's time to read the tagged on my kobo! Sprocket and Aretha decided to keep us company (Aretha is afraid of children when they're awake, but loves to cuddle with my daughter while she sleeps).

Tagged is my latest #AuldLangSpine read from @CarolynM - I've never read Gail Jones before but I'm falling in love with her writing! @monalyisha

monalyisha Feel better, little! 🤧 2w
Jari-chan Hope the little one gets better soon🙏 2w
Ruthiella Hope your daughter feels better soon. Glad you and the kitty have the cuddle time. 2w
See All 10 Comments
dabbe Hope she feels better soon! Keep those cuddles going, Aretha! 🖤🐾🖤 2w
Butterfinger I hope she feels better soon. 2w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha @Jari-chan @Ruthiella @dabbe @Butterfinger thank you all! It's been a day full of rest for her, so hopefully it helps her recover quickly. Hope you're all well! 2w
kspenmoll Hope she feels better soon! 2w
Magpiegem I hope your little one feels better soon xx 2w
CarolynM Hope your little one is feeling better💕 2w
Chelsea.Poole Tis the season! Hopefully the rest has helped! 1w
70 likes10 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

A low pick. I listened to an audio version, and I think I would have preferred a physical book for this one. Or if Libby had the Jason Isaacs version. As it was the narration was a bit distracting, and I didn't enjoy it as much as Case Histories. But it was still a good read, an interesting web of deceit and murder, with the hallmarks of a good Atkinson - no clean endings with justice wrapped up in a bow, just the messy stuff of life. 👇

TheKidUpstairs I look forward to continuing the Jackson Brodie series throughout the year to catch up to @CarolynM's #AuldLangSpine pick 2w
TheKidUpstairs And, is it wrong that I freakin' loved Gloria? What a great character. 2w
CarolynM Oh, interesting you pick out Gloria. @Ruthiella and I love Louise. The next one is my favourite, I think. 2w
See All 6 Comments
TheKidUpstairs @CarolynM I don't know what our was about her, maybe just her attitude of being over all of her husband's shit. I liked Louise, too - it kind of felt like she was just being introduced in this book, does she return? 2w
Ruthiella @TheKidUpstairs The occasional character will return from time to time, including my and @CarolynM favorite Louise. ❤️ I do know what you mean about Gloria, however. Her arc is quite satisfying. 2w
TheKidUpstairs @Ruthiella Very satisfying. While I suspected she had something to do with Graham being in hospital, I actually cheered a little when it was confirmed that she had hired the hit man. 2w
57 likes6 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
The Driver's Seat | Muriel Spark
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Pickpick

I think I'm going to have to sit with this one for a few days before I can write a coherent review. It is a wild fever dream of a novella, one that will stick in my brain for a while, I'm sure.

#AuldLangSpine @CarolynM @monalyisha

Ruthiella It‘s a weird book for sure! 2w
BarbaraBB I loved it 2w
CarolynM It's quite unsettling, don't you think? 2w
See All 6 Comments
TheKidUpstairs @CarolynM very unsettling, it's like you can't find your footing while reading, slightly disoriented the whole way through. All in a good way, because it serves the story well. I'm still questioning what happened and what was real. It works quite well in the short novella form. 2w
CarolynM Have you read the other novels in that book you have there? Jean Brodie is a classic, of course, but Girls of Slender Means is my favourite Spark so far. 2w
TheKidUpstairs @CarolynM I haven't, this was my first Sparks. I'm familiar with Brodie, but more from the movie adaptation. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll try to read Slender Means before I return it to the library! 2w
66 likes6 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan
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Pickpick

My first read completed for #AuldLangSpine and my first chunkster of the year.

O'Hagan shows the wonderful possibilities inherent in a big book - sprawling, ambitious, epic in scope, combining social and political commentary with character studies showing multi-layered portraits of humanity (largely at its worst - don't come here looking for likeable characters, but if you like a well crafted unlikable character, dive in!). Cont'd in comments

TheKidUpstairs He examines the tangled mess of politics intertwining with economics and culture, and confronts the idea of the "good liberal" pushing for change as long as it is not too uncomfortable.

Good intentions lead to awful decisions, unlikable people make moves that you cheer. I enjoyed getting lost in this vast, complicated, contradictory world. Occasionally it fell into the trap of telling rather than showing, and I would skim, but overall a pick.
2w
TheKidUpstairs
Thank you @CarolynM for the recommendation! And @monalyisha for your epic matchmaking skills
2w
monalyisha Oooo, I think this might not actually be for me! But I love the idea of confronting “the good liberal”! Sounds like a worthy endeavor. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful review! 2w
TheKidUpstairs You're probably right @monalyisha - while I think you'd appreciate the writing and social commentary, I know you're not a big fan of stories centred on unlikable characters, so this may be one to skip! 2w
CarolynM Glad you enjoyed. I really liked the juxtaposition of the wealthy/upper class miscreants getting away with things because of their friends with the housing estate kids who were guilty of crimes because of theirs. Very telling. If you‘re interested, Andrew O‘Hagan talked about the book at the Melbourne Writers Festival last year. You can hear one of the sessions on the ABC‘s Conversations podcast. 2w
66 likes3 stack adds5 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
Untitled | Untitled
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❤️❤️❤️

AllDebooks ❤️ 2w
AmyG I love this. 2w
kspenmoll 💖💖 2w
See All 9 Comments
lil1inblue This reminds me of the Goethe quote: “One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.” 😍😍😍 2w
SilversReviews ♥️ ❤️ ♥️ 2w
LMJenkins I love this quote (and concept). 💛 2w
dabbe 🩶🩵🩶 2w
jitteryjane724 ALL OF THIS 2w
Sparklemn Beautiful sentiment. Thanks for sharing! 2w
66 likes9 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Untitled | Untitled
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This right here 👆

BookmarkTavern I feel called out! 😂😂😂 3w
AmyG Ha! 2w
TieDyeDude 😂 😂 😂 2w
73 likes3 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

Revolution, girl style, now!

While being a fan of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre helps, I don't think it's necessary to appreciate Hanna's memoir. Some of this is hard to read, as she recounts trauma and violence at the hands of men, some she was meant to trust with her whole heart. I had to take breaks in some of the earlier portions to feel through the rage (blasting the Spotify playlist she made to go along with the book was a great break option).

TheKidUpstairs The way she turns her own anger into a creative force, the stories of women and allies coming together, and the way she never shies away from examining her own mistakes were inspiring. I cried through some of her stories of her friendship with Kurt Cobain. And, her love story with her husband is just freakin' adorable and beautiful. Highly recommend this one, and audio is a great choice if you've got the option! 3w
Billypar Great review - yes to all of your points! It was the good kind of inspirational - no downplaying how awful people were/are or how much work it really took to make a difference. 3w
TheKidUpstairs @Billypar yes! Inspiring in the "things are hard and they might suck, but do the thing anyway" kind of way, rather than a "everything's going to turn out great if you work hard" kind of way. 2w
60 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Wintringham Mystery | Anthony Berkeley
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Thank you so much @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego for this awesome #LCS #LittleChristmasSwap package! I'm excited for this classic locked room mystery (don't you just love the Classic British Crime series covers 😍), and some great candy choices! We all know Reese's shapes are the best Reese's, right? 😉

Thanks for organizing @bookish_wookish 🎉

bookish_wookish Ooo that looks like a good book!! 🎄 3w
LeahBergen I have this book waiting on my shelves! 👍 3w
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego H💚 H❤️ H❄️ and Happy New Year. 3w
Sparklemn The shapes are the very best! 3w
68 likes4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Untitled | Untitled
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New Kobo for Christmas means new stickerscape 💕

TheSpineView Cool 😎 3w
maich Awesome🤩 3w
66 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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#12Booksof2024 December

For most of December I was reading fluffy, light books that weren't too taxing. But there were a few exceptions, and all were stand out reads. In Defence of the Act is an easy pick for best of the month. Unique, thoughtful, memorable.

Honorable mentions: Strong Female Character by Fern Brady, and Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds like my December.

Thanks for playing along, it‘s been great seeing everyone‘s books. Hope to see you on the First day of Christmas later this year for #12Booksof2025. 👏👏👏😊🎉🥳
3w
48 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
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#12Booksof2024 November

It was a month dominated by stories of the complicated, beautiful relationships of sisters. In the end, the McKenzie sisters eked out the top spot over the Blues. Their hopes and dreams of finding a way to be themselves amid the societal pressures of 1920s Vancouver were engaging, beautiful, often enraging, and all too relevant to today's world.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Good choice. 3w
60 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Mary And The Rabbit Dream | Nomi Kiss-Deki
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#12Booksof2024 October

I love when style, substance, and story come together to create something unique and memorable. This one did just that, and once I got into the style, I couldn't put it down. Bonus, it was printed on beautifully textured paper by Coach House Books so it felt just as good as it read.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 That title has me hooked! 3w
53 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Soldier Sailor | Claire Kilroy
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#12Booksof2024 September

A great reading month, but Claire Kilroy's Soldier Sailor (with a fantastic audio narration by Simone Collins) wins out.

"You thought wolves were extinct in this land? I thought so, too. The sea is not glittering, and the mothers are not serene, and the wolves were never more alive than they are tonight. They are volatile, they are vengeful, and you have summoned them to your door."

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Will have to check this audiobook out. (edited) 3w
TheKidUpstairs @Andrew65 I tried reading this one in both digital and physical formats and couldn't get into it, but was absolutely enraptured by the audio! 3w
Andrew65 @TheKidUpstairs Good to know, thanks 😊 3w
42 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12Booksof2024 August

The Safekeep is just so so good. Beautifully crafted, masterful build of tension, so much left to think about.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks good. 4w
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan
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"Tall and sharp at fifty-two, Campbell Flynn was a tinderbox in a Savile Row suit, a man who believed his childhood was so far behind him that all its threats had vanished."

Happily kicking off the new year with this #AuldLangSpine chunkster (although you're right @CarolynM it doesn't read like a big book, I've whipped through the first 90 or so pages already)

@monalyisha

CarolynM 😊 4w
LiteraryHoarderPenny This sits on my shelf waiting for me! Looking forward to your final thoughts on it when you‘re finished ☺️ 3w
53 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan
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All set for the New Year!

Liberty Scarf is for my IRL Book Club, one of the authors will be joining us at the end of the month (my first time as host with an author present 🤞)

The others are from @CarolynM #AuldLangSpine list. I'll be starting with the tagged (didn't realize how chunky it is! Read the first couple lines, it's engaging and intriguing right off the bat.)

Loaded onto the Kobo are two more from Carolyn: One Another and Rapture.

monalyisha Omg! I added Caledonian Road to my TBR, too, after seeing Carolyn‘s list. I‘m also surprised at its size! 4w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha which were the books you were most excited to add to your tbr after seeing everyone's lists? 4w
See All 25 Comments
monalyisha @TheKidUpstairs Good question! I love having so many recs at my disposal…but also, no *direct* recs (it somehow feels more free that way 😅). I think I‘m most excited about a hearty handful of nonfic titles. I want to remember who they came from before tagging them, though, so…please hold. Incoming! (I was also really amped to read Margo, which I‘ve already done — and which you know didn‘t disappoint.) 4w
monalyisha I asked for, and received, this book from @Mitch‘s list for Christmas. 4w
monalyisha There‘s a memoir from @Chelsea.Poole, of course. 4w
monalyisha @kspenmoll & @BarbaraJean both had this one on their list. I don‘t have any readers in my personal life who‘d read religious nonfic (especially the kind of stuff I like, which blends the secular and the spiritual), so this was particularly welcome. 4w
monalyisha For fiction, I added this one from @JacqMac. 4w
monalyisha And there are a bunch of fiction (and nonfiction) titles from my match ( @Christine ) that I‘m excited for, of course. Most notably… (edited) 4w
monalyisha And finally, Miller‘s new novel, which I somehow totally missed (and I *loved* The Change, so I‘m amped)! This was on @Librarybelle‘s list, too. (edited) 4w
monalyisha I lied. One more from @Christine. 4w
monalyisha I forgot that I convinced my book club to add one to our list for 2025 that came to me from @shortsarahrose ! 4w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha I tagged Wildlife Congregations and Rag and Bone as soon as I saw people's lists, both sound great. I (not surprising) agree with @Chelsea.Poole that How to Say Babylon is a great read - beautiful and fierce. I'm listening to Rebel Girl now - highly recommend going audio, she's an excellent storyteller 4w
monalyisha It just feels natural to lean towards an audiobook for a musician! 4w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha women and other monsters sounds SOOOO up my alley. Looks like I already had it tagged, thanks for the reminder to move it up my list! 4w
CarolynM Caledonian Road is quite long, but it‘s very readable. I made my IRL book group read it & many of them are allergic to long books, but they all said it was easy to read. Hope you find that too. @monalyisha 4w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha she created a really great Spotify list to go along with it, with all the songs mentioned in the book. It makes a great listening companion! 4w
monalyisha @TheKidUpstairs Ooo…good tip! Thanks. 4w
monalyisha @CarolynM If they flow, the length doesn‘t matter so much. 🩵 4w
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha oh, and I've totally got Night Swimmers paperback on pre-order. I have a totally weakness for Irish lit. 4w
Singout @monalyisha My IRL group‘s book this month is 4w
BarbaraJean Oooh, I hope you enjoy Altar in the World! 3w
61 likes1 stack add25 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Good Material | Dolly Alderton
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Mehso-so

This one was on a few Best of '24 lists, but I'm left a bit underwhelmed. It was alright, but nothing stand out, and ultimately I suspect forgettable. I like the idea of reading about the aftermath of a relationship from one perspective, then flipping to the other side, but the balance here was out of whack. I would have preferred more of Jen, less of Andy. While I liked where Andy ended up, it took a lot of pages of just not much to get there.

sarahbarnes Hmm, good to know. This is waiting at the library for me. I‘ll temper my expectations. 4w
TheKidUpstairs @sarahbarnes I probably would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't hyped the way it was. It just felt like more of a palate cleanser quick read than a “best of“ anything. 4w
BarbaraBB It definitely felt like a palate cleanser. I went in thinking that it would be and ended up liking it more than expected! 4w
58 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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#12Booksof2024 July is an easy favourite. I thought a book about OnlyFans and pro wrestlers was NOT for me. But I fell head over heels for Margo and Jinx and Thorpe.

@Andrew65

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Love a book that takes you by surprise like that! 4w
sarahbarnes Me too! 4w
Andrew65 Looks fun! 4w
50 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Authenticity | Deirdre Madden
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#12Booksof2024 June

Some really solid reads in June, but this slow examination of artists and art was the most intriguing.

@Andrew65

MeganAnn This sounds fascinating! Stacked 4w
Andrew65 Good choice. 4w
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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Pickpick

Wow, what an incredibly affecting, original piece of fiction. Through her narrator Jess, Black explores the effect of trauma on an individual's life, and the role of suicide in society. But also relationships, family, love, grief, and joy. It is a dark book, but balanced enough to avoid total despair. Black does an incredible job of balancing a book that looks so deeply at trauma without falling into “trauma-porn.“

TW: suicide, abuse

youneverarrived Great review! I‘m looking forward to reading it, sounds like my type of book. 1mo
Chelsea.Poole Sounds really intense! I have noticed @BarbaraBB posting about this one, not sure I‘m ready for it just yet. 1mo
squirrelbrain Such a good book, if one can say that. It made my best-of list for this year. 1mo
See All 6 Comments
TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole I think you'd appreciate it, when you're in the right headspace for it. It's a bit slow to start (this was my second try with it), as it starts as a bit more of a “book of ideas“, but once it gets more into Jess' story it moves at a really good pace. And as heavy as the subject matter can be, there are some really wonderful light moments (I was even laughing out loud at one point) and clever writing that never feels like it's trying 1mo
sarahbarnes Great review. I really liked this one, too and read after seeing the review from @BarbaraBB 4w
BarbaraBB Fantastic review. I hope you‘ll pick it up too one day @Chelsea.Poole , @TheKidUpstairs describes it so well 4w
55 likes1 stack add6 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Fault Lines | Emily Itami
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Catching up on #12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

January - Fault Lines was my surprise hit in January. This story of a woman straining against societal and familial expectations in modern day Japan resonated and has stuck with me every since. Thanks to @Sapphire for the #AuldLangSpine recommendation (and @monalyisha for her epic matchmaking skills)

TheKidUpstairs February - The most joyful book of the year. The love in this wild and crazy family filled my heart. This is one I will revisit when I need a pick me up ❤️❤️❤️ 1mo
Andrew65 Some interesting choices. 1mo
TheKidUpstairs March - this was an excellent reading month for me, with many contenders, but the heart break and intensity of this one has stayed with me the most! 1mo
See All 7 Comments
TheKidUpstairs April - Hannah Ritchie's beautifully helpful and hopeful Not the End of the World was a serious contender, but the visceral guy punch of this short novella never fades. The metallic tang of blood permeates the pages, it is not one for the faint of heart, and I can not stop thinking about it all these months later 1mo
TheKidUpstairs May - a beautiful, lyrical, confronting memoir about what it means to be a refugee in the Western world, and what that world asks if those it offers refuge to 1mo
BarbaraBB Wow what a choices! 1mo
sarahbarnes Ordinary Human Failings made my top 24 this year! 1mo
48 likes7 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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"Perhaps this is how good parenting always happens; you middle through in desperate terror and then attempt to apply logic afterwards to justify your choices."

Sounds accurate to me!

Bookwormjillk Haha yup! 1mo
BarbaraBB Yup 😀 1mo
49 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Happy #Jolabokaflod 🎉

Thank you @melissajayne - I'm really looking forward to finally reading this one! And enjoying all this awesome chocolate 🍫

And thank you to @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing once again this year!

kspenmoll Great book!!! 1mo
melissajayne Glad you liked the gift 1mo
MaleficentBookDragon Happy Jólabókaflóð! 1mo
63 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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💯

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes!! 🙌🏻 1mo
LeahBergen 😆 1mo
Ruthiella 😂😂😂 1mo
Karkar This is awesome!!! 1mo
69 likes4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Paris Express | Emma Donoghue
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New Emma Donoghue coming in March! And it sounds good!!!! https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443474238/the-paris-express/

AmyG Sounds great. 1mo
squirrelbrain I just got the ARC of this, along with quite a few others - see my recent post. I‘m looking forward to this now, but hadn‘t even heard of it before Picador sent it to me. 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain I think I saw it on Oprah's Most Anticipated list, it sounds so good, I'll look forward to your review! I'm going to go check out your post and see what other advance goodies you got 🤩 1mo
54 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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I grew up on soul music, and reading the synopsis of this one from @CarolynM's #AuldLangSpine last called to mind favourite films like The Commitments and Standing in the Shadows of Motown. So it kinda sorta fell into my online shopping cart when I was doing some last minute holiday shopping, and arrived at my door today!

@monalyisha

CarolynM 👏👏👏 Hope you enjoy it😊 1mo
50 likes1 comment
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

I like it, in romance books, when the adult characters are having a misunderstanding and stop to say “hey, I think we're having a misunderstanding here, can I more fully explain my feelings?“ instead of stewing in silence for 100 pages or so.

Kate and Matt are (mostly) good at acting like reasonable adults and doing the above, and it made for a charming, fun read set in cottage country in the winter. It was a great, light, and fun diversion!

peanutnine Yes, love some good communication! 1mo
CarolynM Unaddressed failure to communicate is one of my pet hates in romance novels. This one sounds good, I‘ll look out for it.😊 1mo
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TheKidUpstairs
Isola: A Novel | Allegra Goodman
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Between Best of 2024 lists, and Most Anticipated of 2025 lists, 'tis the season for TBR explosions! Here's Time's Most Anticipated list: https://time.com/7202423/most-anticipated-books-2025/

What are you most looking forward to? For me it's a toss up between the tagged (can't resist an isolated island setting) and Dream Hotel (I loved The Moor's Account)

LeahBergen I‘m intrigued by the sound of this one 1mo
LeahBergen Oh, I just noticed it is your tagged book 😂 1mo
ChaoticMissAdventures I love lists! I was lucky to get access to have read the Ann Taylor, & Han Kang. I have Torrey Peters waiting on me, currently reading the next Emily Austin really excited for Stephen Graham Jones 1mo
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TheKidUpstairs @ChaoticMissAdventures Ooh, I find SGJ can be hit or miss for me, but when he hits he really hits! And that one sounds really good! 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @LeahBergen great minds 😂 1mo
LeahBergen I better stack it! 😄 1mo
sarahbarnes Yay for another list! Like @LeahBergen I‘m intrigued by the one you tagged. I‘m also interested in Antidote, Auditon, The Catch, and Flashlight. Adds to the TBR! 😆 1mo
Kristy_K Just added so many more to my tbr! Death Takes Me looks good! 1mo
Chelsea.Poole Anne Tyler 😍 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole I know, right? Her new one sounds really good! 1mo
Chelsea.Poole Also looking forward to the tagged @LeahBergen I loved Sam 1mo
LeahBergen @sarahbarnes @Chelsea.Poole Here‘s hoping it‘s a good one! 1mo
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TheKidUpstairs
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This logic checks out.

Tagging the last new book I bought. Just ordered Rare Singles from @CarolynM's awesome #AuldLangSpine list 💕💕💕

dabbe #truth 😂😂😂 1mo
Ruthiella 🤣🤣🤣 1mo
60 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Those People Next Door | Kia Abdullah
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Pickpick

A solid courtroom/domestic thriller about a conflict between neighbours, rife with racist dog whistles, which escalates out of control. Engaging, thoughtful, well paced. I was happy to find my library has another title by Abdullah, because I'll definitely read more!

review
TheKidUpstairs
Rabbit Cake | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

This one has super #BlameitonLitsy pedigree - I first discovered Annie Hartnett through @Chelsea.Poole's #AuldLangSpine list a couple years ago, and when I recently posted about how much I loved Unlikely Animals @Christine recommended this one!

I loved this one so much, a bittersweet portrait of grief through the eyes of 10-year old Elvis. Hartnett has a talent for injecting just the right amount of quirk into her characters and stories (cont'd)

TheKidUpstairs ... the quirk enhances the emotional narrative, rather than distracting from it. I can't wait to read Hartnett's next book! 1mo
Christine Oh yay, so glad you loved!! We really are lucky to have Hartnett. 1mo
64 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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And my #LittleChristmasSwap is also heading out, directly from Amazon. @bookish_wookish

@LeahBergen if you receive an unexpected Amazon package around Dec 23rd - that's from me! Open Jan 6 😁👍 (once real mail resumes I'm going to send another small package with some items I couldn't replace online!)

bookish_wookish 🎄🎄 1mo
LeahBergen Aww! Thank you!! ❤️❤️ I had to send mine from Amazon, too, as there doesn‘t seem to be an end in sight for this postal strike. 😠 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @LeahBergen I just got a notice that your package is out for delivery and should arrive today! 1mo
LeahBergen Oh, thanks for the heads up! I‘ll keep an eye out. 😘 1mo
38 likes4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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Because of the Canada Post strike, I was going to ship my #jolabokaflod package through alternate couriers. Unfortunately, it was going to cost an exorbitant amount and it was 3X cheaper to buy a new gift through Amazon (which I hate using) and send it directly. 😕

The good news, my #jolabokaflod package has been shipped, will arrive by Dec 22 @MaleficentBookDragon

TheKidUpstairs @TheLudicReader if you receive a mystery Amazon package you weren't expecting, it is likely your jolabokaflod package! Don't open until the 24th. I hope you like it!!! 1mo
TheKidUpstairs Oh, and @TheLudicReader there is one last thing that I will have to send out once the strike is over as it can't be replaced. So expect an extra bit of bookish love once proper mail resumes! 1mo
TheBookHippie I look at my stack of Canadian mail daily…. Your card is on top… 😭 1mo
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AmyG Yes, I have a few gifts for my Canadian friends…waiting for the strike to end. 😞 1mo
TheLudicReader Thanks so much. I will keep my eyes open, @TheKidUpstairs 1mo
TheKidUpstairs @TheLudicReader I just got notice that expected delivery is Saturday 😁👍 1mo
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TheKidUpstairs
Jolly Christmas Postman | Allan Ahlberg
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Packages!

@StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego my #LittleChristmasSwap package arrived today, now to squirrel it away until the opening date! Thank you!!! @bookish_wookish

Another package arrived from Amazon, and I'm pretty sure I didn't order anything - I'm guessing it's for #jolabokaflod? @MaleficentBookDragon

bookish_wookish 🎄🎄 2mo
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Woah that was fast. It's all wrapped so you can take it out of the packaging if you want. 2mo
melissajayne Good to hear you got your stuff from Amazon 😉 2mo
43 likes3 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Kills Well with Others | Deanna Raybourn
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Killers of a Certain Age sequel, coming 2025? Yes, please!

staci.reads That's exciting! I really liked the first one! 2mo
40 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

I loved this book and its characters so much, thank you @squirrelbrain for sending it my way! I've seen it marketed as a mystery, which I think does a disservice to the book - if you're expecting mystery, you may be disappointed. This is a poignant coming of age, set in a small Yorkshire town in 1979/80; the mills have closed, Thatcher is coming to power, and the Ripper has the county on edge. Cont'd in comments

TheKidUpstairs And 12 year old Miv is struggling to make sense of it all, and of why her mom won't speak, and why her dad wants to move "down South." With her best friend Sharon, she sets out to solve the Ripper case, hoping that will allow her family to stay in Yorkshire. On the lookout for suspicious behavior, she begins to unravel the secrets of her little corner of Yorkshire, and finds the best and the worst aspects of small town life hiding in the shadows. 2mo
TheKidUpstairs Godfrey does a wonderful job of bringing the Yorkshire setting to the page, but in a way that is accessible to international readers as well. Turns of phrase and slang are easily decoded through context, and many aspects of the small community life are pretty universal. 2mo
TheKidUpstairs Miv is so perfectly, beautifully 12. She is not the precocious, too smart for her town protagonist you often find in books solving a mystery. She is naive and fumbling through life. Godfrey did a beautiful job of capturing that age, the innocence of thinking you are far more mature than you really are. And the messy world of adults that is just our of her understanding is created in varying, genuine shades of grey. 2mo
squirrelbrain I‘m so glad you loved it! I was worried it wouldn‘t draw you in as much, because I grew up in Yorkshire (although I‘m a bit younger than Miv) but you seem to have liked it as much as I did. 2mo
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TheKidUpstairs
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I saw @Amiable posted her favourite reads from past #AuldLangSpine matches, and I love the idea! As I look forward to reading from @CarolynM's list in 2025, here are my faves from my past awesome matches:

@MeganAnn - The Girls at the Kingfisher Club (historical fiction meets fairy tale retelling at its finest)

@sprainedbrain - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

@monalyisha - World of Wonders (so good I've read it twice now!)

Cont'd

TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole - Unlikely Animals (give me a Greek chorus of ghosts and theatre gone wrong any day of the week!)

@Sapphire - Fault Lines (a total surprise hit for me)
2mo
MeganAnn What a fun idea! The Girls at the Kingfisher Club remains one of my favorite retellings. And Fault Lines was SO good too! It made my list of 2022 favorites. I definitely need to move Unlikely Animals and World of Wonders up my TBR. 2mo
TheBookHippie World of Wonders is amazing! 2mo
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Amiable Love this! 😍 2mo
Christine Unlikely Animals was so good! As was Rabbit Cake! Your post made me wonder if she has anything new coming out soon and I'm so excited to see she does!! 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @Christine I haven't read Rabbit Cake, but that new one sounds so good!!! 2mo
Chelsea.Poole I love this idea! What hashtag are we using? 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole I just used the #AuldLangSpine tag, didn't even think of creating a separate one! 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @Christine you inspired me to look for Rabbit Cake and the audio was available on Libby. I just started it this morning and am absolutely loving it! 2mo
Christine Oh yay, so glad you‘re loving it!! 🐰🍰❤️ 2mo
CBee @Christine this is exciting! I also loved both of her previous books! 2mo
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TheKidUpstairs
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#5JoysFriday

There are young snow leopards at the Toronto Zoo. My son and I took a trip to watch them play, it was so much fun.

First real snow of the season!

#AuldLangSpine match time!

Sprocket is in his full fluffy glory these days 😍

Delicious local ciders 😁

@DebinHawaii

TheBookHippie We have baby snow leopards here as well!! So cute. 2mo
ShelleyBooksie Snow leopards ♡♡♡ 2mo
Leftcoastzen 👏🐶 & snow leopards ! 2mo
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peaKnit Sprockets fuzzy face! Aw 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @peaKnit he desperately needs a groom, but he just looks so fluffy and teddy bear like!!! 2mo
DebinHawaii Lovely joys! 💛💛💛 Snow leopards, how cool! ❄️ Thanks for joining in. 🤗 2mo
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TheKidUpstairs
Caledonian Road: A Novel | Andrew O'Hagan
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@CarolynM what a great #AuldLangSpine list! The only one I've read is Clear, and I loved it so that's always a great sign. Caledonian Rd, Death at the Sign of the Rook, and Driver's Seat are all available through the library, so I've got my holds placed and will start there. Edenglassie sounds right up my alley, and it is released here on Jan 2, which seems like a sign. And I'll have to see what else I can get my hands on!

@monalyisha

TheKidUpstairs Girl in a Pink Dress and Rare Singles both sound especially good, but neither are available here so I'll have to keep my eye out for future release (or possibly do a Blackwell's order if they're there and I'm feeling impatient 🤣) 2mo
squirrelbrain I‘ve had Edenglassie bookmarked on Everand for ages, as so many Aus Littens have loved it! I also have a digital ARC of Rare Singles - just haven‘t got to it yet. 🤷‍♀️ It‘s a great list! (edited) 2mo
monalyisha Added Edenglassie to my TBR *immediately* after researching @CarolynM‘s list! Girl in a Pink dress made an appearance on more than one list, and Rare Singles was one I definitely imagined you might like! 2mo
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monalyisha Not to be an enabler. 😉 (I‘m always an enabler when it comes to shopping. Don‘t trust me! 😅) 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha I always appreciate a little bookish enabling 😉 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha and you're right, Rare Singles is totally my type of book: maternal angst, unlikely friendships, and soul music 🎯 2mo
MeganAnn This is the first list I‘ve seen where I don‘t think I‘m familiar with a single title on it. 🧐 Wild! I very much look forward to seeing your reviews in January. 2mo
Chelsea.Poole These look perfect for you! I look forward to your reviews 😊 2mo
BarbaraBB Great choices for you! I remember @CarolynM ‘s review of Caledonian Road, it made me want to read the book immediately! And I loved 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @MeganAnn most were totally new to me, too! I love it 😁 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB I've never read any Spark, so I'm glad to have the motivation to pick one up! 2mo
CarolynM If you can‘t get the Australian titles I would be very happy to send them to you. Just let me know🙂 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @CarolynM that's so kind of you! It seems like the only one that I can't find to borrow or buy is Girl in a Pink Dress, which I would love to read. You may run into a similar problem with some of the CanLit on my list (there's a few indie press titles in there), I'd be happy to send something out to you as well! 2mo
47 likes13 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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First real snow day of the season! Excuse me while I curl up by the fire with this one from @squirrelbrain

squirrelbrain Lovely picture! Hope you enjoy the book. 2mo
Chelsea.Poole Perfect! 2mo
53 likes2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Panpan

Loved the setup in this one, but the execution was convoluted and, unfortunately, boring. At least it was a quick read.

review
TheKidUpstairs
The History of Rain | Stephens Gerard Malone
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Pickpick

I loved the start of this one so much. I was completely engaged and enraptured by Rain's story for about 75% of the book. Then it started getting a little shaky, but still good. But the last 10% pissed me right off. I won't give it anything less than a pick because the first half was just that good, but sitting here at the end of it, it is a low pick.

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TheKidUpstairs
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"Arguably, men made me hate men. Stripping just let me see them at their most men-ish"

lil1inblue I love this quote. 👌 2mo
55 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
The Vaster Wilds | Lauren Groff
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I recently finished the tagged book, where she briefly mentions Indigenous cultivation of nut trees in North America, and today this article appeared on cbc.com.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-hazelnut-research-1.7392860

It's a quick, interesting read!

Kimzey Thanks for the article. Interesting! The book is in my TBR list. 2mo
ReadingRachael Fascinating! Thanks for sharing. I‘ve been curious about this book too. 2mo
44 likes2 comments