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DGRachel

DGRachel

Joined May 2016

LibraryThing member DGRachel

Howler. Passionate dog mom. Opinionated mood reader with eclectic tastes. I‘ll try any genre once. http://tailsfromthedogside.blog
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DGRachel
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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I‘m really hoping to finish some more books that are in progress this month, but I won‘t finish anything else on my #bookspin bingo board. So close, and yet…🤷🏻‍♀️

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DGRachel
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The “new” version set in Florida was such a mess that I had to hunt down the original. It arrived today and why did no one tell me the originals had end papers?!?!? #nancydrewbr

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 2d
Librarybelle Wow!! 2d
TheKidUpstairs I collect the old yellow covers, and I have a couple of these originals with the blue-ish covers and dust jackets. They are just so beautiful! I love the different end papers! 2d
TheBookHippie Some are really cool! 2d
Ruthiella Beautiful!!😍 2d
50 likes5 comments
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

I picked this up for a Decolonize Your Bookshelf challenge. It‘s written by a two-spirit author about a two-spirit child who makes a ribbon skirt to wear to a pow wow. They are nervous about what others will think, but after speaking to the lake spirit and various animal spirits, they decide to do what makes them happy. It‘s a sweet illustrated graphic novel with a great message.

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DGRachel
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I‘ve read 38 cover-to-cover. My total is 46 if you count the ones I DNFd, which I am. I‘ve attempted Crime and Punishment and The Hobbit at least 3 times each. I will never finish them. The tagged book is one of my favorites from the list, although I bet it hasn‘t aged well. Several of these I read BECAUSE of The Great American Read, like Bless Me, Ultima, and I bought copies of a few others that I haven‘t gotten to like the Sister Souljah . #tlt

dabbe That is so cool that you've read books because of this show! I have never read THE HUNG FOR RED OCTOBER (though I've seen the movie, which is never as good as the book, right?). Why do you think it hasn't aged well? Thanks for playing and sharing. ♥️📚💚 1w
DGRachel @dabbe Honestly, I haven‘t reread it, but it‘s a Cold War, US vs USSR novel, and well…Let‘s just say I no longer think of America as the “good guys”, so the flag waving patriotism falls flat. It is worth the read for the submarine chase alone, though. That was intense. (edited) 1w
dabbe @DGRachel It's been a LONG time since I've seen the movie, so I was wondering. Excellent points re: Us vs USSR and us as the so-called “good guys.“ #oytothatvey It's been on my TBR forever, so I'm thinking I should move it up on the list! 🤩 1w
32 likes3 comments
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DGRachel
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1. No. I used to be really good about doing them as soon as my W-2 arrived. Last year, I didn‘t get around to it until 4/11. This year, I did them Sunday night. 🤦🏻‍♀️
2. Heavy

#Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView At least they are done. Thanks for playing 1w
25 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

Another set of quick mysteries complete with resolutions at the end. It‘s fun to match wits with Encyclopedia Brown. I got about half of these easily, but there were a couple I only half-figured out, and three that stumped me. Definitely haven‘t aged well - the Indian trials were cringey and Charlie‘s teeth collection still makes me queasy. #ebbr

Ruthiella Yes, I thought aspects of this hadn‘t aged well either. 2w
56 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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Mehso-so

That was…a lot. Not the worst of the series, IMO, but definitely jam-packed with not-goodness. 😂 I really wish I could have read the original 1940s plot, because the whole exploding oranges at Kennedy Space Center was just unbearable to this former Central Floridian . We get all of the Drew friends and family for this one, plus the Nickersons have a vacation home near the Cape with a neighboring one for sale for Nancy! Neat! 🙄

DGRachel #nancydrewbr @Librarybelle Also, I think with all of the excitement, we should have gotten at least one #NNK! I feel robbed. 🤣🤣 2w
Librarybelle I know! Totally robbed! 😂 2w
46 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader
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I usually don‘t add to the long list for Camp Litsy because the books that are chosen are almost always waaaaaay outside my comfort zone, which is part of the fun for me. But, I thought I‘d fully participate this year with a few books I‘m looking forward to (and one I read as an ARC that was one of my absolute favorites last December). So, without further ado…#CampLitsy25

monalyisha Which was your absolute fave? 2w
DGRachel @monalyisha The Bane Witch. It‘s SO good. I don‘t want to say much about it because I think it‘s one where you really should get to experience how things play out but also I want to say all the things. I need people to discuss this with. 😬 2w
squirrelbrain Great choices! ❤️ 2w
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Bookwormjillk I guess I have to add Bane Witch to my summer reading list no matter what based on how much you love it! 2w
BarbaraBB Me too, very intrigued now by Bane Witch! Thanks for nominating! 2w
Kristy_K I have an arc of Whack Job! I‘m looking forward to reading it. 2w
Megabooks I did not realize there was a book about axe murder out. How fascinating! One of my most memorable books years later was the fictionalized Lizzy Borden book. (Because it was good and also because of all the vomiting...) 2w
64 likes7 comments
review
DGRachel
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror | Carissa Broadbent
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Pickpick

This is a low pick for me and that‘s disappointing. I love this series and I‘ve loved all of the other books so far - some of my favorite reads of the past year. This one took forever for the story to gain traction. Most of the first half was a slog. It finally picked up and became more engaging but it‘s all a little too late. I wanted more and I wanted a little less predictability.

robinb It‘s a shame when a series book doesn‘t measure up to its predecessors (and frustrating). Been there, read that. 😂😔 2w
DGRachel @robinb it‘s technically a standalone set in the same world, and I think part of the problem is that it‘s an older book that‘s just been trad published after originally being self-published. No shade on self-publishing, I just think her writing skill has gotten better. I still have high hopes for Book 4 of the series. 2w
robinb I haven‘t read her before but recently bought this one. So these two are set in the same world? I also saw where this series is recommended for those who like The Bridge Kingdom series…which would be me. 😊🙋🏻‍♀️ 2w
DGRachel @robinb Yes. Serpent is book 1 of the first duology. This one is technically book 2.5 if you‘re reading in author‘s order. I loved Serpent and the one that followed. They are the first Romantasy series by any author that I‘ve enjoyed. I will have to check out the Bridge Kingdom series! 2w
robinb I recommend the Bridge series. I‘ve read the first two and the 5th came out last week so I‘m a bit behind. Great world building. 2w
51 likes5 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I adore Vera Wong and this cozy mystery series. It makes me yearn to be part of Vera‘s adopted family. She is good-naturedly nosy and manages to fumble her way into trouble and into the solution to the murder. This series is a murdery book hug and I am here for all the hugs. (Also, April‘s #bookspin)

Suet624 What a lovely review. 2w
AmyG I relly enjoyed the first book. All the feels. 2w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2w
55 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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DGRachel
The Book of Lilith | Barbara Black Koltuv
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Women have been choosing the bear since the dawn of time…

CSeydel 😆 2w
TheBookHippie Word. 2w
lil1inblue 😂 😂 😂 2w
dabbe Pretty nails! 💜 2w
DGRachel @dabbe Thank you!☺️ 2w
49 likes5 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I picked this up at my first stop on the Greater Charlotte Bookcrawl. It is DELIGHTFUL. Beautifully illustrated and amusing. It‘s a light, quick read.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w
Leftcoastzen 👏🐶 3w
Darklunarose What a sweet reading buddy 3w
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DGRachel
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Bailedbailed

The tone of almost approval (or at least the lack of condemnation) of David Koresh in the first quarter of the book is appalling and nauseating. I can‘t keep going. The number of times the author mentions the ages of the girls Koresh “chooses” (rapes) and then says “her dad gave permission” like that somehow makes everything okay is repulsive. THEY WERE CHILDREN. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HAVING CHILDREN!

marleed Oh yea not going near this one - thanks for your perspective. 3w
tpixie Such sickness. Such tragedy. Yeah, I‘m staying away from this. Thanks for your review. 3w
TheBookHippie Yuk. Horrific. Those poor children. 3w
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Bookwormjillk Yikes. Thanks for the warning. 3w
dabbe Staying far away from this one; thanks for your insight. 🩵💙🩵 3w
GingerAntics This is horrible! 3w
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DGRachel
Sisterhood of Sleuths | Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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Pickpick

Friendships can be complicated when you‘re 12 and school projects can be, too. Maizy learns both of these lessons as she discovers Nancy Drew and solves her own mystery with the help of old and new friends. This was cute and fun and I enjoyed watching Maizy work through some very 6th grade problems. It‘s a great homage to Nancy Drew. Also, Maizy‘s mom is a Toad the Wet Sprocket fan, so the book is a winner for that alone!

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DGRachel
Sisterhood of Sleuths | Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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In today‘s episode of “bands I loved in high school that I NEVER expected to see referenced in a MG book published in 2022”, may I present Toad the Wet Sprocket? 😱😱😱😱 …and now I must go search for them on Tidal. 🎶

AlaMich 🙋‍♀️ I loved them too, although I was a bit older than high school age. 😬 3w
BarbaraJean 😂😂 Love this (I loved Toad in high school, too)! And it‘s such a great band to reference because the band name sounds completely unhinged if you‘ve never heard of them… 3w
DGRachel @BarbaraJean That‘s actually why I picked up their CD! I just loved the band name. 3w
41 likes3 comments
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DGRachel
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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#Bookspin bingo card for April. I was so sure I had a book in my shelves that would work for Egypt for my Double Spin and I was right. It‘s just not going to be fun to read. 😭 Oh well. At least Vera should be fun!

DGRachel My (currently) scheduled #doublespin. Since it‘s technically a category, I reserve the right to change my mind. 😂😂 3w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 3w
33 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
Spinning Forward | Terri DuLong
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Excited for my #bookspin. I preordered this on audiobook the second I saw it was coming out! I love Vera. I have no idea what I‘m going to do for The StoryGraph challenge, though. I have 9 countries to choose from. I‘m leaning towards Egypt, though, for Arab American Heritage Month.

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 3w
Aims42 I am finding it so hard to patiently wait for my library hold of this to come in 😂 C‘mon!!! I love Vera too and can‘t wait to read her latest adventure 3w
45 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

While there‘s a missing hiker and the search for her is at the core of the narrative, this isn‘t really a mystery/thriller. It‘s about three women - Valerie, the missing hiker; Bev, the Maine Warden leading the search; and Lena, an elderly woman in Connecticut who remotely aids the search - who they are, what formed them, and how they navigate through the world. It‘s well-written, engaging, and I was invested in the outcome from the beginning.

53 likes2 stack adds
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DGRachel
April Showers | Jannifer Powelson
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My tentative TBR for April - a few book club/buddy reads, a couple of books I checked out from the library, and a handful of “just because” that I put here so I don‘t forget them (ebooks can be out of sight/out of mind for me). I‘ll update the graphic when bookspin numbers are pulled. There‘s already one book here I know I don‘t want to read, but I will if it ends up being bookspin or double spin.
EDIT to add #doublespin pick

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DGRachel
March Book | Jesse Ball
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I finished 13 books in March. Lots of middle grade and graphic novels, because that‘s all I could mentally handle. The Spear Cuts Through Water was my favorite, even though it took me two months to read. It was so worth the effort. Both of the Swifts books by Beth Lincoln were delightful. #marchwrapup

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I loved the format of this graphic non-fiction book about everyday people fighting for their homes and futures.. The brief interviews provide a personal touch, connecting the reader to the fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Appalachia. Even though greed, capitalism, and white supremacy win, it ends on a positive note, calling for community care. The art was simple, yet effective. Also f*ck Sen Manchin. #netgalley

48 likes1 stack add
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

There are so many POV shifts, interjections and one liners that are spoken by other people in other timelines that it is very confusing. Audio is the way to go with this one, if you can. That said, I absolutely loved the writing and the story. It was an immersive fantasy tale of two warriors journeying to free a goddess and end a kingdom. The format was inventive and clever, even if it was a little hard to follow. It‘s well worth the effort.

DGRachel This is also my #bookspin from February. @TheAromaofBooks 4w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4w
47 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
Love Languages | JAMES. ALBON
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Mehso-so

The chaos of communicating in multiple languages was presented very effectively. It was charming, but also made following the story a bit of a slog. There didn't seem to be much chemistry between the main characters. My first thought was the romance came out of nowhere, but I think that is part of the point, and is no less believable than insta-love. The art style isn't my favorite, but the use of color to evoke mood was done well. #netgalley

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DGRachel
The Gods Time Forgot: A Novel | Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
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Mehso-so

More historical romance with a supernatural element than “Romantasy”, it‘s an ok distraction from world events. While the narrative dragged in places, I appreciated the unique setting and take on the Morrigan. The villains are caricatures, Emma‘s mother is beyond horrible, and so many of the characters are obnoxious stereotypes. Rua and Finn are the only ones with depth. Recommended if you enjoy romance novels set in Gilded Age New York.

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DGRachel
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I think I missed the other two Oscar Nom list posts, so I‘ve done all three just now. Ive seen a total of 17, with 1963-1987 being my best at 10. But, the early years have some of my favorite movies ever - Gaslight, To Kill a Mockingbird, Captain Blood (OMG, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, AND Olivia de Havilland?? HEAVEN!), Adventures of Robin Hood, and Philadelphia Story (KATE!!). This was fun @dabbe Thank you. #threelistthursday #tlt

dabbe YW! A wee trip down memory lane! GASLIGHT is one of my top faves of all time! Thanks for playing and sharing. 🎬🍿📽️ 4w
36 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Park Road Books | Charlotte, NC (Bookstore)
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@BookNAround I haven‘t picked which set to go with which Saturday or Sunday, but this was my pre-planning from last weekend (not at all excited, can you tell? 🤣) My boss and I are meeting for lunch to go over my annual performance review and will then be going to PRB (her idea!) and Book Rack is close to me, so I‘ll probably take a drive over there at lunch one day. That Salisbury one, though…😭😭

dabbe I adore your handwriting! 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
DGRachel @dabbe Thank you! 🥰 1mo
AkashaVampie @dabbe I was just going to say the same thing. My writing isn't bad, but this is lovely. 1mo
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DGRachel @AkashaVampie Thank you. 🥰 4w
BookNAround In the past I‘ve started at the one in Salisbury and then driven south hitting the ones on the way back to my house (I‘m in Matthews) for that day. It‘s actually a lovely bookstore but totally get why it would be questionable to make it there! I usually finish at The Book Rack and Park Road Books just because they are the closest and my usuals. 4w
DGRachel @BookNAround They have Sunday hours and I only have 2 Sundays booked according to my chart, so I may make a special trip just for them. ☺️ Rock Hill is super close, so I can probably do my Rock Hill Saturday on the same weekend without being too exhausted from driving. 4w
peanutnine Love your planning notebook! I need to get a game plan together. My sister lives in Salisbury so I usually knock out that one and the one in Kannapolis on my way to visit her 😁 4w
46 likes7 comments
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DGRachel
April Rain | Harry D. Chater
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Where has the first quarter of the year gone. Seriously, it‘s been simultaneously too fast and the longest year ever. (I really hate it here, and by here I mean being ruled by Mango Mussolini, the Muskrat, and all their cronies. It‘s one catastrophe and atrocity after another with these idiots. Anyway…) On a brighter note, my April #bookspin list is all set and I have the Greater Charlotte Book Crawl in April to look forward to. 😮‍💨

5feet.of.fury Agree with your thoughts on the year so far 😩 really excited for Slaying the Vampire Conqueror though! I just sent my husband to Target to get it for me 😂 1mo
DGRachel @5feet.of.fury It‘s hell week at work with lots of (unpaid) OT and social events outside of work, so I‘m trying to exercise patience and wait until my planned trip to the bookstore next week to pick up Slaying. I‘m not sure if I‘ll make it. 😳 (edited) 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
See All 8 Comments
Bette Is Slaying the Vampire Conqueror part of a series? Thanks. 1mo
BookNAround I‘m looking forward to the book crawl too. Maybe we‘ll cross paths at some point. 😁 1mo
DGRachel @Bette It‘s set in the same world as the Crowns of Nyaxia series but it is a standalone according to both the author and some of the reviews I‘ve read. 1mo
DGRachel @BookNAround Yay. This will be my first year doing it and I‘ve got my plan mapped out for each weekend. The only one I doubt I‘ll get to is the shop in Salisbury. I have a Friday off work, though, so I may see if I can make it up there on that day. 1mo
BookNAround @DGRachel I‘ve done it all the years and thoroughly enjoy it. My biggest advice is to double check and make sure the stores are actually open the days you intend to go to them since some have weird hours or limited days. Can you tell I‘ve made mistakes before? 😂 1mo
43 likes8 comments
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DGRachel
Disappearing Earth | Julia Phillips
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This is both my #doublespin for March and the March pick for the Morbidly Curious Bookclub. I didn‘t realize that it‘s built around the kidnapping of two young girls, but as soon as the girls were approached by a man, my whole body went “nope” and turned off the audiobook. I can‘t bear to see how it turns out. Posting my DNF for the #bookspin record. I see high praise for it here, but it‘s not for me.

TheAromaofBooks Certain plotlines are a nope for me, too - plenty of other books out there!! 1mo
46 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

Shenanigan is on the hunt for a gang of art thieves. The search takes her to France, and the hotel owned by the French branch of the Family, the Martinets. Full of great characters with even better names, chaos and murder abound. While it is easy to give this a surface read (and completely acceptable!), it also offers a chance to deep dive into lessons on processing big emotions, reparations, legacy, and greed among others. I adore this series.

Cupcake12 I‘ve only read the first one in the series. Looks like I need to read the this one too 👍🏻 1mo
65 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

This is the Veronica Ruiz origin story of sorts. I don‘t know that it really adds much to the series, but it‘s a light, quick, entertaining read. I didn‘t love the audiobook narrator, though, and I‘m glad the novels are narrated by someone else.

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

Finlay and Veronica find themselves deeper in trouble. There‘s another dead body, more suspicious cops, difficult exes, lots of awkward moments, and some good laughs. This one was enjoyable, but the formula is starting to wear a little thin. This is definitely not my favorite of the series.

#bookspin for March

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
52 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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After finishing the first book a couple days ago, I grabbed this one from my local indie today. I‘m sorry I waited until bedtime to start it. I‘m trying not to disturb the household with my laughter and I can‘t wait for Shenanigan to visit the Family Murder Hotel in France.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1mo
60 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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Panpan

Theres a lot going on in this one and none of it good or amusing to me. I‘ll leave the bulk of my review under a spoiler comment. I am looking forward to discussion though and hearing that the 1930s version had a shipboard cat makes me really sad I got stuck with the newer version. #NancyDrewBR

DGRachel The references to “finger language” felt at best, ignorant, and at worst, offensive, then we have a George noggin‘ knockout, Nancy faints (seriously?), there‘s a horrible little boy who apparently has no adult supervision, Nancy & Nelda get thrown overboard, and don‘t even get me started on the meteor. 2mo
Librarybelle Woe! I haven‘t started yet, but this one sounds really messed up! 2mo
Sace Oh this does sound like a hot mess 🤣 2mo
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Ruthiella OMG the meteor still cracks me up! ☄️ 😆 2mo
DGRachel @Ruthiella When I tell you I almost threw my Kobo across the room…😒😒 2mo
BarkingMadRead Yikes! I‘m so glad I had the 1930s edition! 2mo
54 likes6 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

So much fun! I love matching wits with Encyclopedia Brown. I should probably be embarrassed at not solving all of the cases, but I deduced most of them, and I‘m totally okay with that. I love the format, and other than Charlie‘s creepy teeth collection, I enjoy the characters. Thanks @Ruthiella for starting the #EBBR! This has been so much fun!

tpixie Fun! 🤩 2mo
Ruthiella I‘m also okay with still being occasionally stumped! At least I am a little bit more on the ball now than at 10 years old. 😂 2mo
ShananigansReads That little ear! 🥰 2mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
DGRachel @Ruthiella Exactly! I‘m having fun just seeing what I can solve and letting my mind be blown by what I miss. 🤣🤣 2mo
59 likes5 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I adored this MG mystery and its quirky cast of characters. On the surface, it‘s my favorite kind of mystery-a group of people isolated from the outside world while one-by-one bodies start piling up. Dig a little deeper, and it‘s about family, language, living up to or defying expectations, and self-discovery. Shenanigan Swift is also my favorite kind of MG character-a little wild, a little feral, a little naughty, and a whole lot of fun.

Matilda The sequel is also super good! 2mo
DGRachel @Matilda I‘m headed back to my indie bookstore tomorrow and will be looking for it! 2mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
59 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

My library system is hitting it out of the park with this year‘s Community Read selections. Art Club is the MG pick and it is delightful! The artwork is colorful and fun. I love the story of kids forming an art club, exploring different styles of art, and proving to school administration and the community how art is important, too.

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DGRachel
The Dot | Peter H. Reynolds
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Pickpick

This is the picture book selection for my library‘s Community Read. It is adorable and I want a physical copy for my own shelves. I love the watercolor artwork and how the illustrations are all done inside watercolor dots. It‘s a great story about harnessing creativity. The whole thing just makes me happy.

MaleficentBookDragon This is a fantastic book. A wonderful photographer, Nancy Rotenberg used to use it in her creative workshops. She was an amazing person and showed us that this book is inspiring for adults too. 2mo
mhillis Love this book! I used it as a basis for discussion with adult English language learners. 2mo
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DGRachel
Daindreth's Outlaw | Elisabeth Wheatley
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Pickpick

A soft pick, this is book 2 in a 5 book series. I really like Wheatley‘s style, but the book is sooooooooo slow. Why she‘s stretching this story into 5 books is beyond me. I really feel like this would be better as a couple of chapters rather than 300 pages. I‘ll keep going, because I like the writing, characters, and overall story. Plus, I already own the rest of the series. 😂
This is also my February #doublespin.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DGRachel
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Today was a good day. I went to my local indie to pick up hard copies of the last two audiobooks I listened to, got recommendations from one of my favorite booksellers, and got to hear an award winning illustrator talk about his craft and read the tagged picture book that he illustrated. Went to get 2 books, came home with 7. #bookmath

kspenmoll Sounds wonderful! (edited) 2mo
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DGRachel
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I read more nonfiction than usual in February and much of it was heavy. I did not finish my current read like I had wanted to and am already stressed about meeting my March obligations. I truly love the Litsy community but I do sometimes miss the days when I didn‘t get swept up in all the books and buddy reads. I was lucky to finish more than 20 books a year, but there was so much less stress. 😩

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DGRachel
BookSpinBingo | Untitled
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On a much lighter note than my most recent reads…my #bookspin and #doublespin books for March. Thankfully, both of these are already on my March TBR!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 2mo
41 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

This deserves more space than Litsy provides. This offers more nuance on Israel and the October 7th Hamas attack than I‘ve seen previously, without both-siding genocide. I appreciate the discussion of language, terminology, and how those are interpreted. Beinart does a great job weaving Jewish theology into his arguments and I am grateful for the insight he provides. Thank you @JamieArc for the recommendation.
Free Palestine 🇵🇸

Singout Tagged. As a Christian, I think it‘s really important to understand Jewish theology and the history of Christian antisemitism when taking a stand in solitary with Palestine. This really looks worth reading. (edited) 2mo
JamieArc @DGRachel I also very much appreciate the theological background and it makes me want to learn so much more. Some of the specific things mentioned matched up with things I had learned from a rabbi who used to visit Gaza. It‘s a short book/listen and a great entry to learn about what‘s going on if you are intimidated by all of the history/information. 2mo
48 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this. It‘s part travelogue and part history of witch hunts/persecution of predominantly women in both Europe and the US. Sollée is a practicing witch, so there are mentions of supernatural experiences she has in some of the places she visits. I liked hearing about her experiences, but it might not be for everyone. ??‍♀️

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I have so much I want to say about this, but I‘m alternating between rage and grief, so I‘ll settle for this. Part memoir, part history, part journalistic reporting on current events, this is a concise damnation of Western imperialism, particularly the pervasive Islamophobia and unwavering support for genocide. If it doesn‘t make you mad, you aren‘t paying attention. Free Palestine. 🇵🇸

SconsinBookyBadger Adding this to my book wishlist 📚 2mo
DGRachel @SconsinBookyBadger I don‘t think you‘ll regret it. I listened to the audiobook and ordered a hard copy from my local indie so I‘ll have it even if digital items disappear… 2mo
TheBookHippie Did you see this. I just want to say to you personally that I condemn it. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/26/world/trump-promotes-gaza-plan-ai-video-intl?cid=... 2mo
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DGRachel @TheBookHippie Yes, I did. When I think I can‘t get angrier or sadder, he does something else so morally bankrupt that proves me wrong. 2mo
JamieArc The tagged is my next audiobook. Perhaps something to put on your list if you haven‘t read it yet. 2mo
TheBookHippie @DGRachel I grieve so deeply. Women and children on both sides have suffered and died horrifically- because of men‘s decisions and immense greed. I digress. Nuance, compassion and empathy seem to have vanished. … 2mo
TheBookHippie @JamieArc Same issue here in the US -there is no culture war, they are creating it. It‘s a class war and Allll of us TOGETHER need to be one and fight back. Divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book. 2mo
Suet624 This is on my wishlist though I know it‘s gonna be a tough one 2mo
DGRachel @JamieArc Thank you. I will definitely add it to my Libro wishlist. It looks like a good perspective to explore. 2mo
DGRachel @TheBookHippie So true. Thank you for your thoughtful words. 2mo
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie That video… 🤬 wtf? 2mo
TheBookHippie @BarbaraBB It grieves me so. 2mo
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie They‘re doing exactly what they like and laugh about it. They don‘t feel any responsibility towards the people or the world, they are just playing their game and get alway with it. It‘s disgusting. Sorry @DGRachel to rant in your post. I am so shocked by it all. 2mo
DGRachel @BarbaraBB Rant away. The depravity, callousness, and audacity are overwhelming and honestly, it brings me a modicum of comfort knowing I‘m not alone in my grief and anger. 2mo
TheBookHippie @BarbaraBB They are doing what they said they would do. I‘m more angry at the people who voted him in with glee. 2mo
dabbe #ranttime!!! #resistance 👊🏻❣️👊🏻 2mo
Singout Stacked and on hold! Thank you for the passionate recommendation. 2mo
BarbaraBB @DGRachel @TheBookHippie 💝 Take care. There are a lot of people who didn‘t vote for this bunch of scary and stupid billionaires. Stick together and hold on to the dialogue 2mo
bthegood @TheBookHippie @DGRachel they are doing exactly what they said they would and now some who voted this group in are having buyers remorse - really!!!!!!!! What made anyone think this would not be the outcome!!!!! I hope the midterm elections get us back on track.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.“ Desmond Tutu
(edited) 2mo
DGRachel @BarbaraBB thank you. @bthegood I follow a woman on threads who works with a lot of MAGA men in a factory. She posts about the conversations she has with them, exposing the lies they fell for and how she‘s slowly getting some of them to see the light, so to speak. I will never understand voting for him, but I‘m grateful for people like her that can take MAGA to task in an effective way. It gives me a little hope. 2mo
bthegood @DGRachel 🙂 👍 2mo
Leftcoastzen This has been on my radar for a bit , hope to get to it soon. Love all the rants ! 2mo
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DGRachel
March Book | Jesse Ball
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I‘m really hoping that the #bookspin gods are kind to me and pick books that are already on my March TBR. Between library books with due dates that can‘t be extended, books clubs/buddy reads, NetGalley books that publish this month, and my library system‘s annual Community Reads program, my schedule is already packed. In fact, looking at this makes me so stressed, I may bail on everything and just watch Netflix. 😂

Suet624 Hahaha. I hear ya! 2mo
48 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

The Finlay Donovan books are ridiculously fun escapism, reminiscent of Janet Evanovitch‘s Stephanie Plum series. The story is far-fetched, with awkward situations and plenty of laughs. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Angela Dawe. My only quibble is that I hate even the slightest hint of a love triangle and Finlay‘s law student versus detective dilemma makes me want to scream. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

CBee I love these! Need to continue with the series 😊 2mo
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DGRachel
Winds of March | Lenora Mattingly Weber
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I can‘t believe it‘s almost March. One good thing about categories instead of titles is that it makes creating my #bookspin list a little easier and faster.

Congrats on the new house, Sarah!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! And thank you!! Movers coming today so I'm feeling a little stressed about everything that needs to get done in the next... four hours 😂 2mo
44 likes1 comment
review
DGRachel
Bananapants | Penny Reid
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Pickpick

It‘s been ages since I picked up one of Penny Reid‘s books and I‘m so glad I grabbed this one.It‘s set in her Knitting in the City series world, featuring the adult children of that series‘s main characters. This book is a sexy, funny, heartwarming tear-jerker, with the requisite HFN, authentic representation of Bipolar 1, and it reminded me of why I fell in love with her books in the first place.

Leftcoastzen 🐶👏 2mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
CoffeeK8 I loved this one and agree that it seems more of a HFN vs HEA. I hope she writes more books for the second generation 2mo
65 likes3 comments
review
DGRachel
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Pickpick

I‘m on the fence with this one. I‘m all for a good f*ck the patriarchy, capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and ableism are bad, kind of book. But there‘s so much repetition here and a ton of anger (justified, but unfocused) that the book itself is exhausting and draining, which seems to defeat the purpose. A low pick. I like the idea of the book better than the execution. #shesaid

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DGRachel
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Excited for today‘s #bookmail. 😍 It‘s fun to get new books from new-to-me indie booksellers, especially Indigenous books from Indigenous-owned booksellers.

LoverOfLearning Awesome! 2mo
50 likes2 stack adds1 comment