pickA fun, light, easy read. It took about a chapter to get into but then I rolled right along in the world. Very wholesome and kind. A wonderful choice from my kind benefactor of the #Christmas #holiday book exchange I did last year. Thank you!!
“Thimble appeared before they opened the doors, another list clutched in his paws. It wasn't particularly long.“ #firstlinefridays
High fantasy and low stakes indeed. Happy Friday everyone!
Here we go! #jolabokaflodswap read of 2024.
I don't know why the photo keeps turning 😭 I can't download the app on this phone so I have to use the browser and the interface is rather limited.
pickMy first book for #2025 ended up being a thriller in ways that I didn't expect. I thought it would be a cut and dry murder mystery. Instead, it took me on a journey of self-examination and pondering of the ways we view #disability, religion, and ritual. Fascinating and well-done!
📷 Wikipedia
Happy new year to all the wonderful Littens out there! I'm starting to work through this “masterful excursion into terror“ to kick off 2025 as it needs to go back to the library in a couple weeks. I am also really looking forward to the next few books on my TBR list as well, including the delightful “Legends and Lattes“ that I received from my 2024 Jolabokaflodswap ... Very exciting! Hope everyone's new years are starting off full of hope and joy.
Happy #jolabokaflodswap and thank you so much to @Avanders for such a fun and lovely new adventure accompanied by some delicious chocolates! My post is a little late as my schedule has been derailed by the flu, but what a delight to receive this!! Thank you @maleficentbookdragon for hosting the swap!
Sending my #jolabokaflodswap ! Postman says estimated arrival by 19 Dec. at latest. @maleficentbookdragon
Exploring my paternal heritage in hopeful anticipation of a family trip next year.
This book was written for young people but adults need to read it too! A devastating and infuriating yet vitally informative book about Asian-American history. NOTHING I have read so far was taught to me during my colonial-centric American education, I only knew bits and pieces from family discussions. We need to do better. Maybe if there were more awareness of history, it wouldn't repeat itself so often.
pickA fun and quick read in preparation for “The Secret Commonwealth“. I'm anxious to get back into the series but debating pausing and waiting a bit so that I'll finish it closer to the release of the final Book of Dust installment. It helps bridge the gap as Lyra and Pan get older and develop before embarking on another endeavor to fight the corrupt powers that be. Strangely and sadly appropriate for today.
pickI enjoyed this! It was very entertaining and mostly light-hearted while still addressing important issues and conveying enlightening perspectives. I have a new affection and respect for Tom after reading this book. Thanks also for clarifying the relationship with Emma!! #harrypotter #mentalhealth
Being a few years removed from my own journey through the beginning of #recovery, reading her story was emotional and *nostalgic* at times. Her trigger warning is appropriate, not because of numbers or descriptions, but because of the emotions she is capable of evoking. Her writing is powerful, transparent, and her perspective on her experience in the Harry Potter films is very interesting, although a bit sad for her as well. #mentalhealth
I just got Serpentine by #PhilipPullman from the library today and tonight the Northern Lights are out dancing in my backyard. How serendipitous and how perfect to set the tone for my next adventure! ✨ #BookofDust #HisDarkMaterials
Another fun visit into the world of #HisDarkMaterials and #BookofDust with an interesting short story. In some ways I feel like this opens the opportunity to expand even more on the world and I'm not sure what will happen in the final installment of BoD. Also still waiting to see when BoD3 is going to be released! Next up in the canonical read-through, “Serpentine“, being delivered to my local library soon!
pickA fun short story revisiting the enthralling world of #HisDarkMaterials and #BookofDust. Helps bridge the gap between BoD#2. Next up, “The Collectors“ and then “Serpentine“ if I can find it.
pickA fun and quick read! An adventure in which you can think as much or as little as you'd like. I haven't read too many graphic novels so this was a new experience that I rather enjoyed. It feels much different than an illustrated book.
pickOh my heart! It has been rended open with feeling. What a powerful series that can make a person of any age think again and evaluate the way they view life and the world, all in the guise of a grand, fantastical adventure. This is the end of the #HisDarkMaterials trilogy but worlds await in Pullman's companion books and the final two installments of #BookofDust !
The final installment of #HisDarkMaterials is more intense and thought-provoking than I remembered. Feels very emotional to revisit this world, the questions of my soul. Amazing that this all fits so well in a children's book!
📷AI
pickSuch an intense book! As a child I did not appreciate it fully. But wow. Going to the library to get The Amber Spyglass ASAP! Pic isn't quite Alamo Gulch...but what a scene.
Side note, does anyone know if Litsy is still available on the Google Play store? I can't find it to put it on my new phone 😭
Excited for my first re-read of this book after watching the HBO series. Apparently Book of Dust #3 is finished and undergoing editing now! I'll probably take a break after this book to work on some of my other projects to draw out the canonical re-read process a bit, hoping to finish just before the release of BoD3.
#hisdarkmaterials #aurora
This is the book that makes me want to go to Svalbard and initially sparked my interest in Arctic exploration!
Bedtime reading. Pullman has hinted that he has an announcement coming soon which I'm hoping means there will be a release date for the conclusion of this trilogy! I hoped it would be this year so I'm rereading all the books in this world in canonical order at the moment. This is #2 in that sequence.
#hisdarkmaterials #alethiometer #truth #arctic
pickA fun little backstory on my favorite Texan, Arctic Hare, and armoured bear. I continue to be fascinated by Pullman's world and the adventures and conundrums in it.
#goldencompass #hisdarkmaterials #northernlights
Continuing the slog on a Saturday morning. Hoping it feels better soon!
pick"Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself?" - Gandalf to Bilbo
I brought this with my on my recent trip to New Zealand and it was so much fun to read it while traipsing through Peter Jackson's reimagined Middle Earth. ❤️
pickI enjoyed this more as it went on. Will likely reread at some point, as there are always more things to discover in these epic fantasies. It's even inspired me to attempt Paolini's Fractalverse again, even though I abandoned his sci-fi early on in my first go at it. But I love worlds with dragons and all manner of creatures and "oh my" scenery. Hence a trip to New Zealand very soon as well!
After reading the Inheritance Cycle and The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm (again), I am now starting his newest book. I enjoy this world and re-living this adventure from time to time, I love the scenery he paints and the thought of being in this world of mountains, multiple races of sentient beings, and the escape from my professional life that this brings. Sometimes I don't know if I'd rather live in my world or another.
pickI've both read the book and climbed Kilimanjaro with the author. It's a very helpful read, and if you only read one book before going to Tanzania with the intent of climbing the mountain or going on a safari, this should be it. Very comprehensive with everything you need to do to prepare and pack. Additionally, it's the only guidebook written to an actual Tanzanian mountain guide rather than a westerner who doesn't even live there...
pickAlthough it's past Christmas-time, I have only just finished this book. It was such a lovely read, a fun story with sweet imagery and a very comforting feel. L Frank Baum has a way with prose that speaks to the longing we all have, somewhere, for the magic that is in the world if we can be pure at heart enough to see it.
pickA vivid portrayal of China from 1976-81:
"...Informative, disturbing, poignant and absorbing...personal encounters with individual Chinese that (were) almost unprecedented for any American journalist (at this time this book was written)." - NYT Book Review
Fascinating. I learned that I know less than I ever could have imagined.
pickA fabulous and gripping account of one of the most prominent women cave divers. Her experience details overcoming adversity, pursuing excellence, achieving potential, and relates to every woman living in a world that does not cater to our progress. I find it incredibly refreshing and relatable to read writings of ♀️pioneers as I strive to live my most authentic and brave life. #adventure #brave #lady
pickAs someone who is just getting into ultrarunning, I felt like this book was very comprehensive and a great educational tool to equip me for my first season of competition. It answered many questions I didn't know I had and was a terrific resource for me. I feel much better informed and prepared to race (at least...mentally) after reading this book. And apparently the second edition is 100+ pages longer. #ultrarunning #marathon
Only a few pages in but very intrigued, excited to go on an adventure, and ready to feel related to and and inspired!
#nature #water #adventure #natgeo
pickDefinitely feeling very inspired to get out and enjoy nature regardless of the weather and climate and circumstances (although I'm more in favor of the cold than the super-hot). I'm excited to do friluftsliv everyday!
#friluftsliv #hygge #outdoors #nature #nordic
I had no idea where to start with educating myself on ultra running but so far this book is very helpful. Hoping I can apply what I'm learning to train smarter and perform more successfully on race days.
#running #wild #trailrunning
I had no idea where to start with educating myself on ultra running but so far this book is very helpful. Hoping I can apply what I'm learning to train smarter and perform more successfully on race days.
#running #wild #trailrunning
Learning how to heal and nurture my true self. Nature is something I have spent way too much time undervaluing and trying to shield myself from. #hygge #friluftsliv
pick"...essential guidance to anyone dreaming big dreams" sums this book up nicely. I enjoyed this and learned a lot more than I expected to, both about Alexi and about myself. And I feel more inspired to show up and put in the hard and mundane work to chase some of my dreams that I've decided are real.
#bravey #running #marathon #travel #adventure #maybe
Love the library. I'm late to the party but hoping this book lives up to the hype!
#bravey #running #mentalhealth
"Whatchyouwant?" She asked Richard, suspiciously.
"Nothing," said Richard. "I really don't want anything. Nothing at all." And then he realized how true that was; and how dreadful a thing it had become. "Have you ever got everything you ever wanted? And then realized it wasn't what you wanted at all?"
?a dear friend
My door would go here.
pickThis book spoke to something in my heart that has been trying to find its voice as I adjust to life back home after traveling around East Africa for a while...although I don't plan to follow in Richard's footsteps at the end, I miss my friends there dearly and I would definitely like to return...
#travel #fantasy #metaphor #heartsick
Excited for this one. Not even exactly sure what it's about yet but I'm hoping it'll help me to sink into this lovely October! 🎃🖤🐈⬛👻
pickMy goodness what a long book! It probably didn't help that I was rushing a bit as I have several other library books I need to finish soon. A complex plot as usual, and I'm becoming more invested in the development of Cormoran and Robin than the cases to be honest! Enjoying the setup of the environment as it makes me feel like I'm traveling in the UK as well.
#harrypotter #mystery #cormoranstrike4
pickThis was my second read of LBS after ~a year, and I'm excited to try and read the full works in plot-chronological order (La Belle Sauvage➡️HDM➡️The Secret Commonwealth - TBD). Hopefully by the time I finish this side quest the third and final BoD installment is out. Really enjoyed this adventure, found more connections, & renewed my desire to explore the far north (seriously, lol) and just be brave in general. Thanks, Phil ✌🏼
so-soI'm back from a reading hiatus due to some rugged travels where I didn't have room for hard copies of books in my luggage. I missed this little community (and reliable Internet)!
I'm struggling through this part of the series. I'm interested to see how things will change when Sanderson takes over the writing. For #10, I'm putting forth my earnest efforts to soak it up, be present in the writing, and enjoy it.
#highfantasy #wheeloftime
panFINALLY finished Wheel of Time #8....boy was it a slog. I am borrowing the books from my old uni roommate and she advised me just to push through until Sanderson takes over the writing. I trust her judgment here. Whilst I do feel bad for RJ as his health declined towards the end of his writing, it has really been tough to keep going in the series as of late.
After being completely swept up in a new job assignment my work-life balance went out the window. I have 5 more weeks of work left and I'm going to make more of an effort to start reading again so I can start to feel better. Excited to explore a multitude of genres this spring (and definitely interested in seeing how WoT changes once Sanderson takes over).
