This book was ok bordering a thumbs down for me. While there are many important issues touched on, none are fleshed out. International aid, gender inequality, human trafficking, and classes are just a few that come up - but only on the surface. The story could have focused on fewer issues and gone deeper into those. Too many characters and the stories feel disjointed - although they did tie together in the last few chapters.

It is slow goings to get through this book. I don't hate it and still glad I picked it up but I'm finding too many characters with stories that only kind of intertwine. Alot of acronyms for aid in Nepal being thrown around and I'm struggling to see where this story is going. It's a short book and just over 100 pages to go. We'll see how the rest is.

Excited to announce that our second pick for the Oh Canada Book Club will be The Girls by Lori Lansens - a fictional book about conjoined twins. I flipped a coin because the vote was tied. This book club will run every two months, so this will be the March/April book. Excited to continue the Canadian book journey!

All are welcome to join! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

#OhCanada #BuddyRead #BookClub #Canada @LitsyEvents

Reading the tagged book for #FoodAndLit #Nepal. I've realized I'm awful at taking food pictures so I will probably just grab pictures of the recipes I try off the internet 😆. Nepal Cucumber Salad (Kakra ko Achar) is what I am eating tonight while I continue this book. I left the cucumber skin on because I like it - and it was good. I also didn't put much Chilli on as I'm not big into spicy food.

@Texreader @Catsandbooks

I read this book 4 years ago and just read it for a second time for the #CosmereBuddyRead. If anyone knows me, you know that I don't remember anything about it if it was longer than a few months ago, 😆! I loved it just as much as the first. The descriptive world, using metals as powers and even though it's fantasy, it feels like this world could exist. It is easy to follow for those of us that aren't as much into fantasy as others.

I'm trying hard to read multiple books a month this year and hopefully I'll be able to follow through so I can complete a book bracket. It will be a small amount of books to pick from a month but still fun none the less. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge was my favourite read in January. I will never forget the characters from this book.

Note: Not my template - off pintrest.

#ReadingBracket #ReadingBracket2025 #BookBracket2025 #BookBracket

Here are my February #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin picks. It's been a while since I read a non-fiction book so I'm going with What An Owl Knows for brown on the cover. Definitely had to look through some book covers to find one with brown on it - funny enough both from last month had brown. I am reading Indian Horse for OhCanada anyways and it has green on the cover.

@TheAromaofBooks

I'm going to have the same bookspin each month as I'm doing it by colours on the cover this year. I really enjoyed this in January and it will be neat to see how many of the colours I actually end up doing by end of year!

#bookspin #February #2025

@TheAromaofBooks

My first interlibrary loan came in. I had no idea that it includes books from across the province and not just the nearest city. Why they get them from libraries nowhere near here instead of a library close by when they have them in stock seems odd. Only allowed to request two at a time so I went with a Nepal read for #FoodAndLit and a short book set in Iceland.

#LibraryBooks #Nepal #Iceland

Tonight we spent our reading time learning about Mars. Simple kids book that had some neat facts. It was easy for an 8 year old to follow along. The fact he enjoyed learning the most was that the North and South Poles have dry ice.

#Mars #RaisingReaders #Space #KidsNonFiction #LibraryBook

I hope everyone who has had a chance to start is enjoying Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese! Just over a month to go and I will post a couple of discussion points on the book.

For our next read, I thought we could pick from two Lori Lansens books. I feel she is a less known Canadian author. These are two of my favourite books by her. Please feel free to look up each book and vote (if you want) on the one you'd like to read.

#OhCanada @LitsyEvents

The start of this book was slow and the writing wasn't capturing me. But once this book found it's footing, it was great. I could just hear the music at the house parties. I loved learning a bit about what the people of the Netherlands went through in WWII. The book shows both sides - Dutch resistance and the Dutch NSB. This book could have gone so many ways but I liked the ending, although I did find it a bit drawn out.

Finally starting to feel a bit better...today is my first full day back working after spending the last few days mostly sleeping this bug away. Started reading a bit last night and I'm hoping to get a decent chunk into it tonight. I'm about 50 pages in and nothing has really happened yet, but it's still been an enjoyable read so far. A fellow litten had let me know it was a slow start so I was expecting it.

My goodness - I can't remember the last time I was this sick. It feels like a freight train ran me over and backed right back up over me. The worst part of being this sick is not being able to read because your head feels like it's swimming! Here's to hoping for healthier days ahead so I can get back to my books!

I am hoping to start reading The Dutch Orphan this weekend while I eat my first Broodje Rookworst. I need to go into the city to buy the rookworst, so I'm not sure if I'll pick up ingredients this weekend or the next but I'm so excited to try this sandwich. I love sauerkraut and to mix it with a sausage on a sandwich - yummm!

#FoodAndLit #Netherlands

@Texreader @Catsandbooks

This was a nice coming of age story about a boy who has no one and nowhere to go. It was a lighter, quick read and I felt connected to the characters. Mostly fiction, as the only real historical fiction is the giraffes being driven across the country. But it was nice to see that story become a story. Giraffes humming is probably my favourite fact I learned.

#JumpStart2025 #DoubleSpin @Lizpixie @TheAromaofBooks

One of my favourite things to do each evening - as our son calls it - "Our special reading time". We each read our books together for 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime. It's become part of our bedtime routine and it really is special. Tonight he is reading Dog Man while I continue West with Giraffes.

#RaisingReaders

I plan to spend a cozy evening for #hyggehourreadathon by starting West With Giraffes with a hot tea while the cold stays outside. Starting my #DoubleSpin before my BookSpin since it's a library book and I'll have to return it in a couple of weeks. This is a perfect way to end the weekend and reset for the week after the kids are in bed!

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @AllDebooks

I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either - it was a little long but I'll never forget it. The book seems to be true to it's time. I wish the witchcraft had been dialed down a bit. It seemed overdone at times, making the book less historical fiction. The characters are all awful people and the relationships absolutely toxic - but I feel this works for the time period. This is a dark read.

Note: Many trigger warnings in this book.

I'm going to join in on the #HyggeHourReadathon tonight. I spent the majority of the afternoon getting everything for the family ready for the week. This included making a cream cheese spread for cucumber sandwiches (ingredients listed) I plan to eat at work this week. I am pairing them with some blueberries, oranges and yogurt.

Now I'm going to spend the next hour relaxing with my book!

#HyggeHour @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @AllDebooks

The kids and I went to the library this morning and got a pretty good haul. Even though our boy struggled and disliked reading for the longest time he is now quite the reader! Once reading started clicking for him he started really enjoying books! He now reads every night for at least an hour.

#LibraryHaul #Library #RaisingReaders #EarlyReaders #KidsComicBooks

Starting this book tonight for #BookedInTime . My goal is to get at least half way through by the end of the weekend. Have a couple of appointments for the kids tomorrow and they have swim class Saturday - but other than that it will be a relaxing weekend before the chaos of real life starts again on Monday!

#BookedInTimeJanuary25 #BookedInTimeTudors #JumpStart2025

 @Cuilin @Lizpixie

#BookSpin and #DoubleSpin picks for the month of January. Not sure I'll get to the DoubleSpin this month as I have probably bit off more than I can chew in the number of books I'm trying to read - but you never know! My BookSpin is also the book I'm reading for #FoodAndLit

@TheAromaofBooks @Catsandbooks @Texreader

Spent the morning reading and finished part one of Mistborn. It's been four years since I read this book which means I pretty much remember nothing but I thoroughly enjoyed reading part one. Can't wait to discuss and start part two next week!

#CosmereBuddyRead #Jumpstart2025 @Lizpixie

The Oh Canada book club officially kicks off tomorrow with Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. We will select a book to read every two months and I will post a small discussion at the end of each book for those who wish to participate. I'll probably post a vote for the next book near the end of January. This is about as low key as it gets and everyone is welcome!

I look forward to discovering and exploring Canadian authors and books with you all!

The kids were excited for a sleepover at Ama and Papa's house..and I was excited to go and slowly browse the book store for some more books. Picked up these four books to add to my TBR. Now to spend the rest of my quiet evening reading in bed without kids hanging off of me!

#MomTime #AloneTime #BookStore #TBR

This book was a perfect cozy read on a winter night - although there is a decent amount of darkness in this book when it comes to the faeries. I enjoyed the darker side of certain faeries and was glad it wasn't all rainbows and roses. The book didn't drag on and the epistolary style worked well for this book. The Arctic setting of a remote village in a Scandinavian country was a perfect fit and the banter between the characters was enjoyable.

I thought it would be fun to change up how I do bookspin - since I think I'll do better with more flexibility in what I read. I'm going to use this list of reading a book that has a certain colour or colours on the cover. Here is my bookspin list for January.

#bookspin #January #2025

@TheAromaofBooks

I'm simply lost in this book and cannot put it down. I'm so glad I chose this book to read next and kick me out of my reading slump. The plan is to finish the book tonight while I munch on some baguette, aged cheddar cheese and green olives. I cannot think of a better way to spend the evening!

Started this book yesterday and I'm hoping it's a nice, cozy winter read. It does seem like it could be the perfect book for a winter read. I'm also absolutely obsessed with this beautiful bookmark I got for Christmas 😍.

#Faeries #Arctic #Norway #Folk #WoodenBookmark #SugarRush #Readathon
@Bookwormjillk

My Christmas book haul for 2024. It was another year of getting very little reading done because it was just so busy. Kind of crazy how a new job combined with kids growing up and joining more activities can take over your life. Now that things have settled a bit, I'm hopeful that I will have more time to read in 2025! I've joined way too many challenges to try and push myself to read more 😆.

#ChristmasBookHaul #BookHaul #Gifts #2024

Wow, thank you so much for the amazing gifts in the stocking package - I absolutely love everything about it!! Those pretzels will be gone by end of day and I will probably have them with the black tea! Both books are perfect picks for me!! Thank you soooo much for such an amazing package!!

And thank you again @Avanders for hosting and organizing such a fun swap!

#StuffedStockingSwap #SSS

@LeahBergen

My package had to be shipped FedEx due to the postal strike in Canada. It was quite the adventure getting it shipped so I have no photos, and I wasn't able to write anything on the outside of the box - but I do have tracking! It should be arriving December 12th!

#StuffedStockingSwap #SSS @Avanders

Thank you to all for your thoughts on the first book. Excited to announce that our first read for the Oh Canada Book Club will be Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This book club will run every two months, so this will be the January/February book. Cannot wait to start diving into some Canadian books!

Very low key, all are welcome to join! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

#OhCanada #BuddyRead #BookClub #2025 @LitsyEvents

Just trying to get a sense of what people are thinking or any shipping ideas in Canada for #StuffedStockingSwap? Doesn't sound like the Canada Post strike will be over anytime soon.

@Avanders

Three books that are written by Indigenous authors. Comment on what book you'd like to read if you want.

I feel all three of these books (even though they are fiction), will give some insight into the lives and culture of the Indigenous peoples in Canada as well as how they have been treated. Indian Horse came out a while back so I'm not sure how easy it will be to find outside of Canada.

All our welcome to join - let me know if you want to.

We went over to my parents for Thanksgiving today and they had some books they brought back from their trip to Ireland. Sounds like they found some neat local bookstores while they were there. These were three books by Irish authors that were recommended to them. Interested to read about some Irish folk tales...I'm sure they have some great ones!

#Ireland

Looking to see if there would be any interest in a bookclub or buddyread around Canadian Fiction for the year of 2025. I'm thinking a monthly or bi-monthly book to read at your own pace with some discussion at the end of the month. If anyone is interested, just comment below :).

#OhCanada #BuddyRead #BookClub #2025 #Interest

@LitsyEvents

While I dream of reading all four books rolled in #CastTheDie - I know that, that is completely unrealistic for me. So I decided to grab my lucky book roll from the library and read that next. I've been reading mixed reviews on this book so I wonder what I'll think of it. I know it will be heavy but I'm also hoping the Indigenous folklore ties in well.

#Canadian #Indigenous #ChillyReading #AutumnReading #CozyBlanket @PuddleJumper

This book follows the lives of three women in a small coastal Ireland town, Ardglas. It follows their broken lives in the year or two before Ireland legalizes divorce. I didn't realize that divorce wasn't legal in Ireland until 1996! Not the typical book I'd pick up - but it was beautifully written and a fairly easy and quick read. The families in this town lead sad lives and I was quickly drawn in by the descriptive writing. I enjoyed this book.

Want to finish this book and return to the library before I get into my October reads. Autumn weather is my favourite time to read outside - so I'm in the backyard bundled up in a sweater and warm coat getting some reading in. Hoping to get an hour or two in tonight.

#LibraryBook #AutumnWeather #WarmCoat #SweaterWeather #CoolEvening

OK @BookishMadHatter - I'm not really sure how you know me so well?! Salty treats are my jam and these pretzels are beyond addictive - and you picked out my favourite flavour! Also, peach tea - another favourite of mine! The bookmarks, stickers, bag, notepad, ear warmer (our 4 yo has already taken it as hers) - you are too generous!

The books are such an autumn vibe - I'm so excited to dive into these! Strong women characters always win with me!

Ahhhh - look what arrived today!! So excited to open this October 1st!! Thank you so much @BookishMadHatter - I love all the autumn stickers around the box!!

#FFFS #FallingForFallSwap @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

The boy has joined Cubs which runs for an hour and a half. This means an hour or so of reading time. Not sure the light will hold out too much longer though. I'm excited to dive into this book - set in Ireland during the 90s. Can't believe the 90s is now historical!!

#LibraryBook #Ireland #90s #Women #Divorce

Delivery Notice left for the #FFFS package I sent. Hope it's not a pain to get! Should I tag the recipient?

@Avanders @Chrissyreadit

A story about women from different classes who come together to help their country through WWI. Also a story about how women's football really started to gain some ground. I thoroughly enjoyed this book although it probably could have been a bit shorter. These women gave just as much as the men did during WWI and it is unfourtunate that women had to fight to regain the progress they made after the war. Author's note at the end dives into that.

My #CastTheDie picks. It is somewhat of a mix-mash of a list but I feel it has a lot of magical realism in it. I couldn't decide on a lucky book, so I rolled some dice, lol. It came up with lucky number 13 - so, Son of a Trickster will be my lucky book for this list!

@PuddleJumper

Sending this package out tomorrow. I didn't feel like blurring out the name and address so I took this awful picture instead 😄!

#FFFS #FallingForFallSwap @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

So happy I was able to check this book out from the library again so I can finish it! The Canary Girls have such an interesting history - not only their work but the story of the women and football is also quite interesting.

#Women #WWI #Football #CanaryGirls #Library

They let me browse all the books while they hunkered down with their books on the side of the aisle. Love that this is what a trip to the bookstore looks like now!

#RaisingReaders #EarlyReaders #Grade3 #DinoMighty #DogMan #Kindergarten #PawPatrol #PeteTheCat