Thanks for the birthday wishes! @LitsyBirthdays

Recently read Blood at the Root and had the chance to see LaDarrion Williams speak on a panel of YA authors at the Columbus Book Festival.

I haven‘t been able to spend a lot of time on this book but I am really enjoying it and the series.

Officially in my large print era. Also trying to do more reading on my Kindle and in print this year.

It‘s been a few years but I‘m doing a reading challenge for 2024:

https://thenerddaily.com/nerd-daily-2024-reading-challenge

December 2023 Wrap Up.

2023 Stats. My boys helped me to hike up my numbers with their audiobook selections. We‘ve read several series this year.

Up way past their bedtime enjoying the spoils of our bookstore crawl. #boysreadtoo #raisingreaders

The list of participating bookstores in the #cincybookstorecrawl If you are in the area stop by any and every location…each one has something special to offer.

We took part in the first #CincyBookstoreCrawl We visited all 12 Indy bookstores over the 2 day event (2 yesterday and 10 today!) that spanned 2 states. We were able to patronize each store without breaking the bank. The staff at each store were very friendly and we discovered some amazing hidden gems.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧 This book packed in a lot in a short span. I liked Langley and Iker‘s quick burn and the way they interacted. The ending was abrupt but I‘m glad to learn of the follow-up story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧Enjoyed the book. Was a little frustrated with the characters at one point but enjoyed how their stories came to an end (although a bit abruptly). I liked the bookish setting.

I love my new cell phone case. Tag me and share a photo of your favorite #BookishAccessory.

1. This Thursday for my kids (elementary). Next Monday for me (college).
2. Upside Down Magic series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧I really loved this book. The characters were well developed (even the dog!). The plot moved at a good pace and the ending brought everything together in a way that made me want more.

If you're using the app, please visit the Onward Litsy group to tell if you're seeing images. If you're not a member of the group, go to his post and comment, @timspalding -
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2620018

https://www.facebook.com/groups/OnwardLitsy

My #Bookmory July reads. Yellowface and A Typical Family were top faves.

I primarily consume my books via audio books but needed to snag my book club title in print because the hold list is so long.

Stumbled upon this ginormous, super cool and extremely cute toy dispenser hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Library. I got this adorable book cover Chippie. It also dispensed stickers and buttons.

When your Litsy friend, @GreenGrl87 visits from out of state, you make the short drive to meet up for food and shopping at the Book Loft! We lost each other in the amid the 32 rooms full of books but reunited after finding one (or 8) new books to buy.

I had a chance to visit the stunning main branch of the Boston Public Library. 🥰😍🥰

Souvenir socks from the Boston Public Library.

June reads.

Thanks @GreenGrl87 (and son) for the #bookhaul. J immediately started this book and has been carrying it to and from camp. #RaisingReaders #BoysReadToo #BlackBoyJoy #KidsOfLitsy

Happy #Juneteenth! Check out the suggested reads (short list tagged in comments) from the Natl. Museum of African American History and Culture. #Blitsy

https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/museum-store/juneteenth-reading-list

Doing a little weeding to make room for new books. The negotiations are hilarious. #BoysReadToo #RaisingReaders #BlackBoyJoy

Overall, I liked this book and I am OK with the way the story ended. I firmly believe the an abridged version would have been the ideal audiobook choice for me because there were several stretches of the story that really dragged on.

“Rest as if your life depended on it.” Doesn‘t it though?

If you love hip hop this is a must read! Be warned it‘s a BAB (big ass book) but it‘s a great, detailed walk down memory lane for those of us that have hip hop as our life‘s soundtrack. #Blitsy

Unexpected #bookmail from a librarian friend. 🥰

That feeling when you find a new book that you‘re excited to read. #boysreadtoo #blackboyjoy

Made a quick stop and picked up a nice pile of new to us, gently used titles. #BlackBoyJoy #BoysReadToo

#CurrentlyReading one for me and one with the kids. Both are good.

@Mitch , thank you so much for the lovely post card and bookmarks! They are so lovely 🥰

Another #BlitsySwap is in the books. Thanks to everyone who participated. I always love seeing how much thought and generosity goes into each package. It‘s truly a joy to witness.

@Sbonnette & N: Jam was excited to find a Kevin Hart book in his #BlitsySwap package (he‘s been watching some silly clips of him lately).

The boys opened their #BlitsySwap packages before school and I think it definitely got their day off on the right track, @Sbonnette !! Kam is over the moon about the puzzle and the 2nd Tristan Strong book. Funny that I purchased this shirt for myself so now we can all go twinning 🤩

The last #BlitsySwap packages are on their way to 2 awesome kids! @Sbonnette they should arrive Tuesday.

@TheKidUpstairs - the 2nd half of your #BlitsySwap package is on the way! I‘ll email the tracking number. 😊

One #BlitsySwap package is on it‘s way!

Grand central station for #BlitsySwap check-ins. Thanks for tagging me in your personal posts!

My #StoryGraph Reading Wrap-Up for 2022: https://app.thestorygraph.com/wrap-up/2022/che11eo?user=che11eo

My 2022 (exceeded) and 2023 goals are to read 50 books.

My kids had a major influence on my reading this past year...we listened to Tui T. Sutherland's entire Wings of Fire book series...making Tui my most read/listened to author. For a series about dragon's it's VERY good!

1. Black Panther, Michelle Obama
2. Old school hit hop artists in general: Salt N Pepa, LL Cool J, Heavy D, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte
3. I love learning about little known Black History (people, places, events)
4. The Seasonal Pages: https://theseasonalpages.com/ I discovered this shop a few years back and just love their stuff.

#BlitsySwap #BlitsySwapQuestionnaire

Matches have been sent out! Please let me know if you DID NOT receive your match email. Also take a second to help your new match find the perfect goodies for you by filling out this #BlitsySwapQuestionnaire.

Hi all! Thanks to all those who have signed up. I‘m behind making matches due to cold and flu season wreaking havoc. I will have matches made by Friday, December 22. I‘ll reach out via email to confirm any necessary info before then. Thanks for your patience and understanding! Looking forward to another great swap! #BlitsySwap

Reminder…Please share! The #BlitsySwap celebrates Black History Month (U.S.) with books by Black authors and bookish and/or Black cultural gift items. Open internationally to kids & adults. Please complete one form per person: https://bit.ly/bhms2023

Sign-ups Close: December 11
Matches Sent: December 19
Open Date: February 28, 2023*

Although I wasn‘t really in the mood to read this, I‘m glad I did. The authors presented interesting perspectives on the police killing of an unarmed black boy through the eyes of two best friends. One a Black news reporter covering the story and the other, the white wife of one of the officers involved in the shooting. #audiobook #Blitsy

The #BlitsySwap celebrates Black History Month (U.S.) with books by Black authors and bookish and/or Black cultural gift items. Open internationally to kids & adults. Please complete one form per person: https://bit.ly/bhms2023

Sign-ups Close: December 11
Matches Sent: December 19
Open Date: February 28, 2023*

#BlitsyHistoryMonth #Blitsy #BHMS @Chelleo

Seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago when we attended the #OhioanaBookFestival It was a pleasant surprise when I pulled this from my book.

The boys chatted up author Brandon Snider and decided they wanted to check out this new series. Looking forward to this fictionalized story based on Rube Goldberg about a kids who likes to invent and build wacky machines. #BooksByTheBanks #BoysReadToo #RaisingReaders #BlackBoyJoy