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AvidReader25

AvidReader25

Joined February 2016

LibraryThing member bookworm12

TinyCat library

Coffee addict☕️ World traveler🌎 Theatre lover🎭 Beekeeper🐝 Magazine editor, wife, & mom. avidreader25.blogspot.com LT: Bookworm12
review
AvidReader25
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Panpan

I was not a fan the first time I read this. I reread it to see all the connections with the new Sunrise prequel, and though I enjoyed the Covey ties, I‘m still not a fan. I feel like the book is way too long, and yet somehow she rushed the ending. My least favorite of the series, though it does give an interesting perspective from the Capitol. Snow is such a deeply selfish person, but I do think Dr. Gaul is an incredible villain.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

A deep dive into studies of how social media & phone use are affecting our kids. I appreciate the tangible changes suggested. Waiting until high school to give your kids a phone/ social media, banding together with other parents to create a like-minded community, & lobbying your school to keep phones completely out of schools, are all great ideas. But unstructured play, age-appropriate risks & responsibilities, & less parental hovering is key!

Read-n-Bloom I was one of the moms that didn‘t let her children have a phone or social media until they were older and it was cool then to let them have it. They are just realizing now how it‘s not so good for them. My daughters still like those things but they are not glued to it like some are. I‘m glad I took that stand for my girls. They didn‘t like it even found ways to get on at school but the rule was still there and their use was monitored. (edited) 1d
AvidReader25 @Read-n-Bloom This is so encouraging to me! Do you mind if I ask how long you waited before your kids got phones? 23h
Read-n-Bloom High school. Bc both of them had illnesses that would strike out of the blue and certain teachers wouldn‘t let them go to office and call home. So it‘s when I decided that it was needed. So if they got really sick and needed to come home maybe they could get through on the way to class or if they were in the bathroom. My oldest didn‘t have internet though. But my youngest had internet at school, when they allowed it and when she came home. 23h
See All 6 Comments
Read-n-Bloom When they were younger the teachers they had, most anyway, let them call home when they were sick. So I didn‘t have that problem when they were in elementary school. 23h
AvidReader25 @Read-n-Bloom that‘s good to know! There are so many factors that go into the decision. 22h
Read-n-Bloom You‘re right. There is. I think the internet, social media, etc, is addicting. I even find myself having to force myself to stop on social media or playing a game, imagine what that feels like for a child that has had no boundaries ? . I think it‘s scary what it can do to a child‘s mental health and mindset. I‘m not against any of it but a child needs to be a child and I believe phones too early can keep them from that. 22h
29 likes6 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This was a new read for me, but a perfect one to walk through this season into Easter. The author explores the 7 deadly sins and the things we should strive for as Christians. I love her writing & so it clicked for me. I loved having quick bites each day to remember the season.

“He (Tolkien) never could find a word, so he coined his own: eucatastrophe. It‘s a combination of the Greek word eu, meaning “good,” & catastrophe, meaning “destruction.”

CogsOfEncouragement My family enjoyed this a couple years ago. We liked Shadow and Light at Advent even more. 3d
AvidReader25 @CogsOfEncouragement Yes! I‘ve used that one during advent for quite a few years now. I love it! 2d
CogsOfEncouragement 🩷🩷🩷 2d
26 likes3 comments
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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

The author traveled to every country in the world & this memoir is about creating your own quest & completing it. While I think he comes from a place of privilege to be able to encourage people to drop everything and follow their dreams, some of his tips were helpful. I love tangible goals, like visit all 50 states & read all Shakespeare‘s plays.

“The more prepared you are, more spontaneous you can be.”

“A measurable goal is a good companion.”

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I just loved this one! All the same characters, but Mr. Bennett is a runs a law firm, and Lizzie wants to be trained there. She must solve the murder in order to earn her father‘s respect. Her path crosses with a different law firm, Pemberley, And a stuffy lawyer who works there named Darcy. A wonderful blend of murder mystery and Austen. Right up my alley and perfect to read during my #yearofAusten2025 Can‘t wait to read more from this author!

29 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
Catching Fire | Suzanne Collins
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Pickpick

This remains my favorite of the series. Life after the first games, the increased political subterfuge, and the return of so many wonderful characters, all make for a great read. It absolutely holds up on rereading and now hits even harder after reading Sunrise on the Reaping.

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AvidReader25
Upon a Starlit Tide | Kell Woods
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Pickpick

I was carried away by this one. It‘s a Little Mermaid/Cinderella mashup, but reads more like an original story. I loved the layers of character depth. Avoid spoilers if you can, because the surprises are delightful. It‘s excellent on audio & I couldn‘t put it down. Luce and her disfigured feet, love of the sea, & disregard for regular customs made her an excellent heroine. The added fae elements felt almost real. Just a fantastic read!

29 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Focusing on Henry, who is fighting TB in Sierra Leone, Green weaves his real experience with the history of tuberculosis & its far-reaching impact. He manages to bring humanity to a topic that could feel sterile in less gifted hands. He explores the stigmatization of the disease, both as an exclusion from society and as a glorified for the artistic. Like all his work, its beauty lies in his understanding of both humanity's flaws and strengths.

Tamra It‘s a shame we‘re still fighting this disease and with the attitude in the US toward public health, I‘m less hopeful. 2w
AvidReader25 @Tamra isn‘t that disheartening! But at least it‘s inspiring to see that one person can develop a passion for fighting it and make some actual changes by raising awareness. 2w
31 likes2 comments
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AvidReader25
Clara Reads Proust | Stephane Carlier
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Pickpick

This slim French novel is about a hairdresser who picks up the 1st book in the Search of Lost Time series & falls in love with it. I‘m glad I read Swann‘s Way 1st, but this one gave me a deeper appreciation for the themes and writing of Proust. It was beautiful how Proust‘s words resonated to someone in a different stage of life, her perspective felt fresh. I loved how the immersive experience of reading led her to evaluate things in her own life.

31 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I never read this when I was young, but my kids are definitely in a horse phase, and so it was a perfect classic to read together. Based on the true story of the ponies who survived a shipwreck and lived on an island off the coast of Virginia, the main plot is about a brother and sister who work hard to try to earn enough money to buy one of the ponies. We loved it, and were completely caught up in the adventure of Misty and her wild mom, Phantom.

MaGoose I've never read the book, either. But I've seen the horses, IRL. Amazing. 2w
AvidReader25 @MaGoose You‘ll have to read it now! 2d
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

The 1st book in this series was hard for me to get into, but by the end I liked it. This 2nd book felt like the author hit his stride & I loved returning to these characters. I‘m firmly invested now and can‘t wait to keep reading. This one included an ex-husband, Some stolen diamonds, and more from my favorite character, Bogdan. I loved that the mystery was intriguing, but it‘s truly the characters & their relationships that keep me turning pages.

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AvidReader25
The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins
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Pickpick

As soon as I finished the Sunrise prequel I had to reread this. I hadn‘t realized it had been 10 years since the last reread. There‘s so much more weight to the story with the Haymitch backstory. It broke my heart to see the parallels to see between the two characters. I can‘t get over what an incredible addition Sunrise was to the series.

Blueberry Beautiful reading setting 2w
BarbaraBB Gorgeous photo 🤩 2w
dabbe What a gorgeous place to read! 🤩😍🤩 2w
AvidReader25 @dabbe @Blueberry @BarbaraBB I was in a kayak on our favorite lake. Such a peaceful spot!! 2w
37 likes4 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This was such a fun series to read with my kids. It‘s a lot like Toy Story, where a group of toys goes on adventures when their owner isn‘t there. My youngest couldn‘t stop giggling at parts, particularly with Lumphey the Buffalo.

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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

I‘ve always been intimidated by Proust and was thrilled to read this one with a few others. Proust has a meandering way of exploring the world around him. He‘s not rushed and his sentences are long and indulgent. That can feel exhausting at times, but then you come across a line so beautiful and achingly relatable that it stops you in your tracks. I‘m not ready to tackle the rest of the series, but maybe one book a year would be the right speed.

rabbitprincess Mmmm madeleines! 😋 3w
Leftcoastzen Love madeleines 3w
AvidReader25 @Leftcoastzen @rabbitprincess I‘ve made them for years, so it seemed appropriate to make them while reading this. 😊 3w
29 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

Classic noir novel about a drifter who falls in love with the wife of a restaurant owner, and they plot to murder him. Fast-paced, choppy sentences, quick read. There is definitely some sexism & racism mixed in here that speaks to its 1930s publication. Glad to read the well-known story though, and it definitely kept me turning the pages. I wish I could have seen a bit of depth in the character of Cora. We see her only through the drifter‘s eyes.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

What begins as lyrical reflection on basketball quickly turns into a deep look at life for a black man in America. I was captivated by the author's poetic language and simple musings that resonated so deeply. I immediately bought another of his books.As someone who doesn't care a fig about basketball, that should say a lot.

"The history of an underdog can be distilled down to their brightest moment and then held onto forever."

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

A man takes a job as a guard at the MET in NYC. His brother is dying & in the midst of the pain & turmoil, he finds comfort in the predictability & beauty of his new position. It's a quiet nonfiction book that wrestles with grief, finding purpose & the lasting impact of art. Moving if a bit privledged.

“A work of art tends to speak of things that are at once too large & too intimate to be summed up. And they speak of them by not speaking at all.”

mcctrish I enjoyed this on audio so much 3w
AvidReader25 @mcctrish I did too! It was so calming to hear him talk about his experience. 3w
mcctrish @AvidReader25 it was like a meditation, and I could completely remember some of the art he spoke from my visits. I loved the ‘insider‘ aspect of the museum 3w
25 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Oh my heart. After not loving Ballad I wasn't too excited about this one. Then I read it and I could put it down. It's Haymitch's story and it will break your heart in one hundred ways. I wasn't expecting to recognize so many of the characters, but this was the perfect way to do a prequel. So many gaps were filled in and there's so much understanding to the wider scope of the revolution and the depth of the characters in the original trilogy.

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AvidReader25
Indy Reads Books | Indianapolis, IN (Bookstore)
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Last week, my city hosted its 2nd annual bookstore crawl. It was an absolute blast! Over four days I visited 21 bookstores. I did some on my own, others with friends, and a bunch with my daughter. We had the best time visiting some of our favorites and discovering new ones. I love supporting these local shops that are such cultural hubs in our community.

charl08 Fabulous! 4w
BkClubCare How fun!🤩 4w
dabbe You and your daughter = #allthefeels #adorable 🩵💙🩵 4w
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AvidReader25 @dabbe Awww thanks! It‘s so fun to see her love of reading. 3w
dabbe @AvidReader25 Well, she has the best role model she could ever have for that and so much more. 🩵💙🩵 3w
AvidReader25 @dabbe 🥺💙 3w
35 likes6 comments
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AvidReader25
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I was able to attend a lecture and book signing with authors Timothy Egan last week. It was excellent! It focused on the painful topic of the KKK and racism in Indiana, he handled the topic beautifully. Later that weekend I visited a new mural in our city dedicated to Madge, the brave woman who brought DC Stephenson down with her testimony before she died.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I‘m pacing myself because I love these so much. This one deals with a local performance of Julius Caesar and the most delightful dinner party with some rowdy young men. Every new volume is wonderful and I can‘t wait to read more.

21 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
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Licorice pipes are a candy frequently mentioned in the Inspector Gamache series. I‘d never heard of them before reading these books. I recently recommended the series to my dad and he‘s been loving them. The other day he surprised me with these strange candies. He‘d been curious to find out what they were like. So if you‘re wondering, this is what licorice pipes look like!

BkClubCare Yum! 🍬 1mo
BkClubCare And I must say, I LOVE the colorful cover. 🎨 1mo
Suet624 Oh, I love black licorice. 1mo
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Bookwormjillk They look like fingers 1mo
dabbe My husband‘s currently devouring these books. Pipes and all! 🤩 1mo
ErikasMindfulShelf I love black licorice pipes 1mo
AvidReader25 @BkClubCare I love that cover so much! 1mo
AvidReader25 @Suet624 @ErikasMindfulShelf Everyone in my house tried them, but no one was a fan. 🤣 1mo
AvidReader25 @Bookwormjillk I could not figure out what they were at first! 1mo
AvidReader25 @dabbe They are SO good! 1mo
dabbe @AvidReader25 That settles it; I have to get some! 🤩 1mo
30 likes11 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Lauren Spierer was a college student who went missing from Indiana University in 2011. It was haunting and disturbing to read how easily a young woman disappeared without a trace. The journalist who wrote this couldn't keep himself out of the narrative as this investigation has defined his career in many ways. There are no real answers in the end, just grieving parents and a campus that doesn't seem to have changed much in the years since.

31 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
Beyond Mulberry Glen | Millie Florence
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Mehso-so

This was surprisingly slow going for a book geared towards young adults. The fantastical world starts off strong, but when the main character sets off to search for her missing friends it felt like everything dragged w/no action for chapters. The main premise revolves around a creeping darkness that's invading local towns. It's a heavy subject with a satisfying ending, but it's not one I'd recommend. The pace was too slow to justify the payoff.

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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

Bleak & heartbreaking, this novel is based on the author's life. He writes to his mother, an immigrant from Vietnam with her own horrifying history. The poetic, haunting writing was my favorite part. It was painful & uncomfortable to read because it puts someone else's raw anguish on full display. As he struggles with abuse from his mom, drug addiction, bullying, & his sexuality he is honest & vulnerable. TWs abound. Cont…

AvidReader25 Continued… Sometimes we need to read books like this to glimpse another person's hurt and gain a deeper empathy. It was an incredibly difficult read. 2mo
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

The second volume was even better than the first! We are getting to know the mysterious tenant, Niall, next door along with a slew of other entertaining characters. The Duke of Islington and Jack were both surprising and delightful. There's a whole section dedicated to rescuing a three-volume set of Jane Eyre. I‘m loving Emma's witty world. If you liked but didn‘t love the 1st volume, make sure you read this one. This is where it really gets good.

BkClubCare Stacked 😉 1mo
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

Daisy Jones meets Tanya Harding in this Wuthering Heights retelling. We're hearing the story of ice dancers who become famous in interview snippets after the fact. Heath and Katarina have a toxic relationship and anyone who has read Wuthering Heights won't be surprised to hear that. It's incredibly entertaining on audio, but also exhausting as the characters are just horrible to each other.

deirdrebeecher Would you say there is an element of Satire to it? I quite like horrible people being horrible when it's satirical. 2mo
AvidReader25 @deirdrebeecher no satire, just unhealthy obsession. Really it stays pretty close to Wuthering Heights. It‘s a fun listen because the drama keeps things moving. 2mo
31 likes3 comments
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AvidReader25
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When I was in high school I read and loved this series. Returning to them now when it feels like the world is in such chaos, felt like a warm hug. Some plot points are obviously dated, but I loved rereading these books that I adored when I was so young.

Leftcoastzen Everyone needs some comfort reads! 2mo
AvidReader25 @Leftcoastzen sometimes I need them more than others! 😳 2mo
35 likes2 comments
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AvidReader25
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In February and March, I‘m reading Swann‘s Way with a few bookish friends. I love hearing everyone‘s comments each week. We are reading the Lydia Davis translation and just made it to the halfway point. Proust‘s meandering thoughts are beautiful, but exhausting at times. I love having a chance to savor his words and reflect on them each week instead of rushing through it.

BarbaraBB I took my time too to read these books. It‘s the only way I think. Good luck! (edited) 2mo
AvidReader25 @BarbaraBB That‘s good to hear! 2mo
23 likes2 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Set in 1883, this new series feels like it could‘ve been written a century ago. Emma‘s private journals are snarky and hilarious as she tries to make her way in London under the guardianship of her awful cousin Archibald. This is just volume one and I can‘t wait to read the rest. They are delightful.

monalyisha I have been pushing these on everyone in my life. Cue Tina Fey in Mean Girls, “I‘m a pusher; I push people.” They‘re so good! 😍 2mo
Cuilin @monalyisha I love these too!! 2mo
AvidReader25 @monalyisha 🤣 everyone kept telling me how wonderful they were! I‘m so glad I finally dove in. @Cuilin 2mo
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BarbaraJean I need to read these!! I have them on my TBR because of @monalyisha (the pusher 😆) but I haven‘t been able to find any library copies anywhere… I think I‘m finally gonna have to break down and buy them! 2mo
AvidReader25 @BarbaraJean 🤣 apparently they aren‘t available at any library. I finally caved and did a free trial of Kindle unlimited just so I can read them all for free. 2mo
monalyisha @BarbaraJean @AvidReader25 I “pushed” my coworker who buys for our adult collection at the library to buy the first one. 😏 But typically, yeah, they‘re so hard to snag! I bought them for myself and I have no regrets. They look so pretty all together on my shelf. Covers are a great texture, too. Very satisfying. (edited) 2mo
30 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

I really enjoyed aspects of this & I think increasing the conversation about perimenopause, women aging, etc. is so important. But I think Shields is still coming from an extreme place of privilege. She acknowledges this & I absolutely don‘t fault her for it, but I think many women won‘t quite be able to relate. Yes, we are watching our bodies change, but most of us do not have her resources or have to face the public gaze like she does. Continued

AvidReader25 I think this is valuable reading, but should be read alongside other books on menopause for a balanced view. 2mo
37 likes1 comment
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This is not a book by a politician hoping to woo the public. I think that's why I couldn't put it down. Written long before his presidential candidacy began Obama explores his identity & childhood here. White grandparents from Kansas, a father from Nigeria, an upbringing in Hawaii & Indonesia, & his 1st trip to Africa is all included. It's less polished & more powerful because of that. There's a palpable struggle to find his footing in this world.

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AvidReader25
Weyward: A Novel | Emilia Hart
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Mehso-so

Men hurting women. That‘s the theme in this historical fiction with a rotating POV. Altha in 1619, Violet in 1942 & Kate in 2019 all face abuse in their lives of the life of someone they love. The women have a deep connection with insects & birds. It‘s compulsively readable, but also made me roll my eyes many times with the bad choices & one-dimensional characters. I wished for more depth in relationships and less focus on the gruesome situations.

LoverOfLearning Yeah! One-dimensional book characters can really change a story for the worst. 2mo
30 likes1 comment
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AvidReader25
Authentically, Izzy | Pepper Basham
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Mehso-so

Cute epistolary novel about two people who connect through an online dating site. Izzy lives in North Carolina and Brodie lives on a tiny island. I loved their mutual Lord of the Rings obsession and passion for books. I did feel like it should‘ve been edited down and quite a bit of family back-and-forth could‘ve been cut. A fun read with a subplot of great family supporting each other, just went on a bit too long.

32 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
The Pursuit of Love | Nancy Mitford
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Pickpick

This classic follows the love life of Linda Radlett through the eyes of her cousin Fanny. She falls for one man after another, each so different. It reminded me of I Capture the Castle, without the coming-of-age elements. It also had a bit of The Painted Veil thrown in, w/Linda maturing through the novel. There is so much wit & it's delightful. I watched the miniseries & was impressed by how closely it stayed to the playfulness & text of the book.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I‘ve never been a country fan and could probably only name a handful of Dolly Parton songs, but I‘ve always loved her sense of humor, spunky attitude, and I‘ve always believed she was incredibly intelligent. The ways she‘s poured into her community and the children she‘s impacted through her Imagination Library are inspiring. This is a quick book and it‘s delightful on audio.

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AvidReader25
The Stars We Steal | Alexa Donne
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Mehso-so

This Persuasion retelling is set in space with some Bachelor vibes. It‘s very entertaining, but definitely YA with lots of miscommunication & predictable twists. There‘s a class system based on former countries on earth having their own ships. My goal is to read all six original Austen novels plus a mix of retellings throughout the year and so this one was a good pick for that.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

A nonfiction account of the history of American bookstores. I loved that we start with Benjamin Franklin & continue until Barnes & Noble and Amazon change the landscape of bookshops. Along the way we learn about gay rights and black-owned shops that acted more like community hubs than a traditional store. I loved traveling to each new space and hearing their stories. If this doesn‘t want to make you support independents, I don‘t know what will.

42 likes5 stack adds
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AvidReader25
Blind date | Marelle Boersma
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I couldn‘t resist! The book was a poetry collection by a new-to-me author, Thomas Curtis Clark.

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AvidReader25
Northanger Abbey | Jane Austen
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Pickpick

While staying in Bath Catherine meets 2 sets of siblings. The Thorpes, who become insufferable as their true nature is revealed, & the Tilneys (Henry & Eleanor). Austen does a wonderful job comparing the 2 sets, demonstrating a false nature vs. a genuine one. I love that Catherine & Henry like each other from the start. He is patient & kind & rises above his family with his moral compass. He‘s a truly good & one of my favorite Austen characters.

Sparklemn Beautiful cover 🌺 3mo
AvidReader25 @Sparklemn it‘s so lovely! 2mo
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AvidReader25
Onyx Storm | Rebecca Yarros
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Pickpick

With this series I'm in it for the snarky dragons, war strategy & world building. I enjoyed every minute of it, but I don't think it's anything ground breaking or that the writing is brilliant. It does what it is supposed to. It entertained & kept me interested the whole time. I loved Ridoc's quips & Tairn's attitude. The exploration of the islands reminded me of Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I had fun returning to this world & that's all I wanted.

Scochrane26 Your dog looks sweet & comfy ❤️ 3mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3mo
40 likes3 comments
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AvidReader25
The Blue Hour | Paula Hawkins
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Panpan

This should have been a DNF. I couldn't make myself interested in Grace or Becker. I did love the descriptions of Eris, the remote Scottish island where a famed artist moved. All of the people involved were shallow, selfish, and petty. The second someone pursued a bit of freedom or was happy in their lives it was shown as a bad thing.

"All is fair in love and war, and friendship is love, too, isn't it? And a kind of war sometimes as well."

AvidReader25 **SPOILER**
I'll admit I was disappointed in the predictable twist. Of course the "ugly" lonely woman was jealous and started killing people. It just felt so unoriginal. Of course a woman who is a capable doctor couldn't be happy in her life if her friends aren't completely obsessed with her. Ugh. I just didn't love that ending.
3mo
30 likes2 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This nonfiction memoir from the author of The Book Thief is about his relationship with his crazy dogs. It is a book written for dog people and I'm not kidding when I say if you are one, you'll laugh and then it will break your heart. As someone who has deeply loved and also lost a big goofy dog, this one was hard to read, but it was beautiful.

AvidReader25 “You can either project what people think of you and be polite and winning and right or you can show people who you really are, impatient annoyed, foul mouth, sometimes cruel in constant battle to be your better self but never quite getting close.” 3mo
23 likes1 comment
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AvidReader25
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Last night I got to attend a reading and book signing with Rebecca Makkai. She was so charismatic and lovely. She gave incredible answers during the Q&A about her writing process, particularly how she determines POV in her books. I‘ve read two of her novels, but now I can‘t wait to read more.

lynneamch Lucky you! I love her! 3mo
AvidReader25 @lynneamch She did not disappoint! Have you read any of her earlier books? 3mo
lynneamch My favorite is 3mo
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lynneamch Also really good 3mo
lynneamch Which other one did you read? 3mo
AvidReader25 I read Questions and Great Believers. I‘ll have to read The Borrower! 3mo
29 likes7 comments
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AvidReader25
The Prayers of Jane Austen | Jane Austen, Terry Glaspey
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Pickpick


A beautiful collection of prayers written by Jane Austen. It also includes a brief bio of her life. The final prayer is my favorite and is one I'll return to. I love her novels so much, it was sweet to see this different side of her writing.

27 likes2 stack adds
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This parenting book resonated with me more than any other I‘ve read. Its main goal is to help you raise kids who are able to make decisions for themselves in a safe environment at home that will translate well when they‘re out of your house. They talk about how helicopter or drill sergeant parents limit kids‘ maturity, while consultant parents help their kids learn through natural consequences. The key is empathy while still allowing them to fail.

26 likes1 stack add
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AvidReader25
The Thursday Murder Club | Richard Osman
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Mehso-so

There were aspects I loved about this one, especially the characters. They‘ll definitely stay with me. But I felt like the plot was overly convoluted and dragged. I think the author tried to fit in too many different subplots. I‘d love to hear if it‘s worth continuing the series. I did love the final reveal and felt it was worth it in the end. I probably would have enjoyed this one more if my expectations hadn‘t been so high.

Ruthiella It is, in my opinion, worth continuing. I also didn‘t love the first one. But the characters become so appealing in the next three. 3mo
AvidReader25 @Ruthiella thank you! I didn‘t love the first Gamache book, but I loved the later books. I‘m glad you told me! 3mo
45 likes2 comments
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AvidReader25
Sipsworth | Simon Van Booy
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Pickpick

A portrait of loneliness & the power of connection. I loved this story of an English woman who returns to the UK after 60 years in Australia. Her path crosses w/a little mouse & unexpected connections follow. It reminds me of an even lovelier Man Called Ove. It was a reminder to look deeper than 1st impressions. It‘s one I‘d love to reread in the future. “The pleasantness of Sunday has come apart and lies in pieces at the feet of Monday.”

TiredLibrarian Waiting for my library hold on this to come in! 3mo
AvidReader25 @TiredLibrarian Worth the wait! 3mo
37 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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AvidReader25
The Da Vinci Code | Dan Brown
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Pickpick

I was stuck somewhere without a book & ended up reading this for the 1st time in 20 years. The quick pacing, clever puzzles, & story of women being erased from history held up. The endless mansplaining & self-flagellating monk were tiresome. I remember reading this in college and not being able to put it down. It‘s still a fun ride and I loved the references to locations through out Europe. Entertaining for sure.

Ruthiella ❤️🐶❤️🐶❤️ 3mo
Leftcoastzen 🐶👏 3mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3mo
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review
AvidReader25
Hard Times | Charles Dickens
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Pickpick

This is one of Dickens' shorter novels & he packs a lot of story into it. He shines when it comes to portraying the brokenness of humanity and the lengths we'll go to in our moments of desperation. At this point I've read 8 of his major novels & this one falls in the middle. I love some of the characters like Bounderby, the perfect picture of callous selfishness & Stephen, who lives a tragic life, but never lets go of his morals. #whatthedickens

AvidReader25 This summer I found this copy of Hard Times in a used bookstore in Greece. It was a fun souvenir! The postcard is part of an alphabet of Dickens characters at the NYC Public Library a few years back. 3mo
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