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julieclair

julieclair

Joined January 2022

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julieclair
Anna Karenina | Leo Tolstoy
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The first book I‘m tackling this year for the #AllergicToChunksters challenge is Anna Karenina. I‘m reading it for the #KareninaWinter buddy read, hosted by @TheBookHippie and @Librarybelle . I started it in December, and am woefully behind, but loving it.

What will everyone else be starting on? Tagging those who expressed interest, but all are welcome! 😃

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I decided to try and tackle The Last Magician again 🙇‍♀️ I‘m challenging myself to at least a chapter a day (they‘re about 5 pages each). The characters have started growing on me and so far I‘m up to page 173 🎩 3h
mcctrish I read AK with a book club a long time ago and I only finished it because I got so sick I couldn‘t get out of bed 🤣🤣🤣 BUT I am glad I did. It turned out to be a book I had to finish to appreciate. It will be so good as a buddy read ❤️❤️❤️but once was enough 😉 3h
PuddleJumper It's going to be The Lost Hero or Scum Villain Self blah blah blah which are both over 500 pages I think 3h
See All 33 Comments
mcctrish Also I am undecided about my first chunkster, I‘m down an Elin Hilderbrand rabbit hole, soon finished, and then I will sort myself out 3h
JenlovesJT47 I started Les Misérables today ? 3h
dabbe @JenlovesJT47 Same! 🤩🥳🤗 3h
Librarybelle I‘m glad you‘re tackling Anna Karenina! @TheBookHippie is doing an amazing job hosting this one—I just told her I‘d read with her, and a #BuddyRead was born!! 😂 3h
JenlovesJT47 @dabbe yay! 🙌🏻 I admit I freaked out at first when my ereader said the first chapter had 105 pages 😆 but luckily they are broken up into smaller chunks within the chapter. 3h
dabbe @JenlovesJT47 I'm only reading like 3-5 pages a day and ignoring the chapters ... otherwise my brain will implode. 🤩🥳🤗 3h
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I love your plan! 5 pages a day is so doable! 3h
TheBookHippie @dabbe you have a schedule yes? ♥️😘💙 3h
julieclair @mcctrish That‘s quite a story! I hope I can finish it without resorting to your drastic measures! 😂 But that‘s an interesting comment about needing to finish to appreciate it. That‘s motivating. 👍 3h
julieclair @PuddleJumper No matter which one you choose, the other will be waiting in the wings! 😂 3h
julieclair @mcctrish No need to rush out of your rabbit hole. You can start in February… or March… 3h
julieclair @JenlovesJT47 and @dabbe Good for you for taking on Les Mis! I was tempted, but realized there was absolutely no way I could read it while also reading Anna Karenina. 🤯 3h
julieclair @Librarybelle Hope you didn‘t freak out when I mentioned you were cohosting AK! 😂 For some reason, I thought @TheBookHippie was hosting December, and you were hosting January. But I agree, she is doing a fabulous job (as always). 💙🩵💙 2h
JenlovesJT47 I meant to start AK last month but had too much going on. I‘m a month behind so I dunno about jumping in now, but I really want to read this. 2h
Librarybelle No worries, @julieclair ! 2h
Gissy I‘m not so afraid of chunksters because last year I read around 8 books with more than 500 pages but always is a commitment😳I will like to read Anna Karelian but I need first to order online my copy. Let‘s see if I can finish it. I am also very interested to read The Miserables and finish The Count of Monte Christo. I will read some books this month that have more than 400 pages but less than 500 pages which are still long books for me😳🥺 2h
Gissy I never know if a big book will be a torture or an adventure, all depends on its context. I finished one that I really suffered with it😖 2h
julieclair @JenlovesJT47 If you really want to read it, maybe you could put AK next in line for whenever you finish Les Mis. 2h
JenlovesJT47 I could but we‘re supposed to read one chapter a day of Les Mis for the whole year 😆 I might just start it in a few days after I clear out some other books on my currently reading shelf. I get stressed when I have too many going at once 😳 2h
JenlovesJT47 @Gissy I know what you mean. I routinely do a Harry Potter reread every year or two & I speed through those big books so fast! I‘m currently on the 4th Outlander book which has 1800 pages on my ereader (so like 900 pages in the physical copy of the book) & have been reading slowly since October. 🥵 2h
julieclair @Gissy Hooray for finishing 8 chunksters last year!! 🏆 My goal for this year is to read 3. 😎 I‘d like to read The Count of Monte Christo at some point, too. 2h
julieclair @JenlovesJT47 I forgot Les MIs was for the whole year! 🤪😂😂 2h
Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes Good challenge! I hope to join in once I get back to Ohio, where the majority of my books are. I have plenty to choose from! 🤣😬📚📚 (edited) 2h
MatchlessMarie I plan on starting with Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky. Two of my hopefuls for the year are from previously failed buddy reads (completely on my part 😂) I attempted Les Mis CAD in 2023 and a Count of Monte Cristo Buddy Read from circa 2018 or so 🫣 I would also like to get to House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. 1h
Andrew65 Last year I read 20 books over 500 pages, although a lot of these were in the first half of the year. Not sure which one I‘m starting with but these are the ones I‘m hoping to get to initially.

1. Natchez Burning - Greg Iles, 969 Pages
2. A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness, 704 Pages
3. The Scarlet Lion- Elizabeth Chadwick, 608 Pages
4. Knights of the Black and White - Jack Whyte, 576 Pages
5. Act of Oblivion - Robert Harris, 596 Pages
53m
willaful One of my roll 100 books is Book of Love (650pg) so I might go with that, but I have been reading an awful lot of fantasy lately so may instead go with Table for Two. It's not quite 500 pages but I'm counting any book that I find intimidating. :-) 17m
Andrew65 I‘ve succumbed and am starting the year long read of Les Miserables. 3m
TheBookgeekFrau I hope this is easier to follow than War and Peace was!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼 now
28 likes33 comments
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julieclair
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We‘re ready to kick off our second year of #ReadOrDonate! Looking forward to clearing some space off my shelves and chipping away at #MountTBR . I‘ll be reading Little Fires Everywhere for January. I think I‘m the only person on the planet who hasn‘t yet read it. 🤪

Can‘t wait to see what everyone else has chosen to read. Tagging those who have expressed interest, but all are welcome. 😃

julieclair @rmaclean4 @BennettBookworm @LeeRHarry @JenReadsAlot @Susanita @Chelsea.Poole Are y‘all up for another year? No pressure, just didn‘t want to overlook you if you were interested. 😘 4h
JenReadsAlot I think I'll pass this year- last year was a huge success for cleaning up my shelves! 4h
BarkingMadRead I‘m in! I am trying to read down my BOTM books this year 🤣 4h
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Susanita Thanks for thinking of me! I think I will pass this year. 4h
OriginalCyn620 I‘m in and will post my pick soon! 4h
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Don‘t worry, I haven‘t read that one either… 🤣 I added a bunch of my books to the bonus spots for the challenge in SG. Still deciding which I‘ll try to tackle this month 😊 4h
PuddleJumper It'll be the 2 fiction picks for #Roll100 I've had them for at least 5 years (probably more) and I don't think they are something I'll enjoy 3h
julieclair @JenReadsAlot Hooray for cleaning up your shelves!! 🏆😃👏 (edited) 3h
julieclair @BarkingMadRead I love that you have a specific focus! 👍 3h
julieclair @Susanita 👍😘 3h
julieclair @OriginalCyn620 Looking forward to seeing what you choose! 3h
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Glad I‘m not alone! 😎 SG is so handy for keeping track of possibilities, isn‘t it? Looking forward to seeing what you choose. 3h
julieclair @PuddleJumper Those sound like ideal candidates! 👍 3h
Teresereading I haven‘t read it either, though it‘s on the pile…. 1h
BethM I don‘t even know what it is lol 35m
25 likes16 comments
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julieclair
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Looking forward to a year of great reading ahead with #FictionalTraveler! My January selection is Mrs. Adams in Winter. I‘m excited to see what everyone else has chosen!

Tagging those who have expressed interest, but all are welcome. 😃

TheAromaofBooks I think I'm going with Manhunt by Janet Evanovich - it's been on my shelf forever and is set in Alaska!! 5h
Amiable Do I have to finish the book in January? Because I‘m fairly certain I‘ll be reading “Anna Karenina” (set in Russia) every day of the month —and into the next one. Or maybe two. 😄 (edited) 5h
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I picked a reread, but it‘s been like six years since I last read it - 5h
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dabbe 🤩🥳🤗 4h
BarbaraBB Yes I‘m in. I‘ll be reading a book that‘s been on my shelves forever 3h
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Sounds perfect! 3h
julieclair @Amiable You can finish the book whenever you want. This is a very casual challenge. I‘m reading Anna Karenina too, for the #KareninaWinter buddy read, and I‘m woefully behind. It will be a miracle if I finish it by the end of January. 🤪 3h
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage If you‘re anything like me, rereading a book after 6 years will feel like a first-time read. I never do remember anything! 😎 3h
julieclair @BarbaraBB That one looks fascinating! Looking forward to your review. 3h
DebinHawaii This looks good! I just posted mine. Part of a mystery series set in Alaska that I love & didn‘t get to in December, so this is perfect! ❄️ 1h
LiseWorks Oh I have to pick a book 1h
30 likes12 comments
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julieclair
Shady Hollow | Juneau Black
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I‘m excited to begin our year of #ThematicCozies with Shady Hollow as my January selection. A couple of you have already posted. 👍 What will everyone else be reading?

Tagging those who have already expressed interest, but all are welcome! 😀

julieclair @JessieKB @BrandedKristen @Gissy @Chrissyreadit @mhillis @mcipher @mom_of_4 @emz711 Care to join us? No pressure, I just didn‘t want to overlook any of our 2024 #SeasonalCozies friends who might be interested. 😘 6h
BookmarkTavern I really liked this one! 6h
Graciouswarriorprincess I have this one to read for this month‘s prompt. 😊 6h
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Bookwormjillk I‘ve had this book on my list the last few months but I think this is the month I‘ll finally get to it: 6h
Crinoline_Laphroaig I joined the StoryGraph Challenge. I like those. Haven't picked a book yet. 6h
Librarybelle I‘m reading this one too, and it‘s the book for my cozy mystery IRL book club, so win-win! 6h
Gissy Hi! Another year that I will try this challenge and I‘m so motivated. I will try also #FictionalTraveler😃 I have a question about this first prompt, could be an animal present in the story or needs to be a magical animal like in paranormal genre. I have both selections but I wanted to be sure🙂 4h
julieclair @Graciouswarriorprincess @Librarybelle How fun that we‘re all reading Shady Hollow! Can‘t wait to compare notes. @BookmarkTavern So glad to hear you liked it! 3h
julieclair @Bookwormjillk This is the perfect month for it! 😘 3h
julieclair @Crinoline_Laphroaig There are so many good choices! I enjoy the SG challenges too. They help me keep track of what I want to read. 3h
julieclair @BarkingMadRead Oh my goodness, that title!! 😂 I have to read it. Stacked. 3h
julieclair Hi @Gissy ! Glad you‘re joining both challenges! For this one, either book you mention will work. The prompts are very open to interpretation. 😉 3h
TEArificbooks I have another one from this series pulled for the monthly prompt 3h
30 likes15 comments
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julieclair
The Forty Elephants | Erin Bledsoe
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#12Booksof2024 Day 8

My favorite book of August was The Forty Elephants, which I read with #SundayBuddyRead .

@TheBookHippie @Andrew65

Andrew65 Love this title! 6h
TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️ 3h
kspenmoll Such a brilliant book 1h
26 likes3 comments
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julieclair
The Tree A Day | Amy-Jane Beer
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I was so excited to open this year-long daily read today, and find a picture of our beautiful Southern Live Oak! Living in the South Carolina Lowcountry, these majestic old trees are my daily companions. 💚
#Naturalitsy #LitSolace #MidwinterSolace @AllDebooks

AllDebooks That's so lovely, kicking off 2025 on your home turf x 7h
julieclair @AllDebooks It made this book immediately feel like a “welcome home”. 💚💚💚 7h
AllDebooks Lol, day 2 is on my turf. I've been visiting the Major Oak since childhood. I know exactly how you feel x 6h
julieclair @AllDebooks Love it! I‘ll think of you as I read tomorrow. 😘 3h
27 likes4 comments
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julieclair
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#12Booksof2024 Day 7

My favorite book of July was The Marriage Portrait, which I read with my IRL book club.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 I want to get to this book. 23h
julieclair @Andrew65 Whenever you do get to it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂 9h
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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julieclair
Bingo Love | Tee Franklin
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Happy almost-New-Year, #LitsyLove members! It‘s time to turn in our December #LitsyLoveBingo points to @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks , to be entered in the drawing for a “happy”. Each bingo line is worth 1 point, and a coverall is worth 10 points.

For 2025, #LitsyLoveBingo will be a sporadic, pop-up game, rather than a monthly one. So keep your eyes peeled! 👀😎

@TieDyeDude @Read4life

TieDyeDude Thanks for all your work on #LitsyLoveBingo! 1d
julieclair @TieDyeDude You‘re very welcome! It has been fun! And I‘m looking forward to continuing with the pop-up bingos in 2025. 😀 1d
22 likes2 comments
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julieclair
Various | Magazines
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Okay Blitzers… we‘ve made it to the end of our year long #MonthlyMagazineBlitz ! How does everyone feel about their results?

Personally, I‘ve had some good months and some not-so-productive months (looking at you, October and December). But overall, my magazine piles are drastically reduced. Whoopee!

My takeaway: I just don‘t need to be bringing so much print into my house. I‘m not as interested in reading most of it as I used to be. ⬇️

julieclair Plus, I can often find online sources for the material I do want to read. Everand and the public library have been good sources. I have totally enjoyed blitzing with all of you this year. Thanks for participating… everyone‘s successes have been inspiring. 🏆💙 2d
TheBookHippie I can‘t talk about this month! I get magazines for several reasons, as a complex migraine sufferer not screen is ideal. As a passionate activist for decades I support the magazines I get to prevent fascism. I have with this challenge made sure they do not pile up! I donate or create art or both! It‘s made me mindful not to pile them up unnoticed!!! Thankfully the high school now takes them for their library! Win win. 2d
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kelli7990 I didn‘t read any of my magazines this month. 2d
Roary47 I pretty much failed miserably. I just don‘t take the time to look through magazines. It‘s likely because of my busy boy constantly getting himself in trouble. Maybe this coming year I‘ll be able to sit down and get through my magazines. 2d
julieclair @TheBookHippie I love that this challenge has helped you keep your magazines from piling up. I never thought about the high school for donating them. Great idea! 👍🩵 1d
julieclair @kelli7990 Neither did I! Isn‘t that what January is for? 😂😂😉 1d
julieclair @Roary47 Ooohhh…. I remember those days. I raised two busy boys. Look away for a minute and chaos ensues! 🤪 But such fun. Enjoy every crazy moment. The magazines will wait. 💙🩵💙 1d
Crinoline_Laphroaig I'm much better. I have magazines that I kept for Reference. I'm using Library for reading Digital Copies. Cuts down on clutter and cost 1d
julieclair @Crinoline_Laphroaig Hooray! I‘m glad this challenge has helped! 😀 1d
24 likes10 comments
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julieclair
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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#12Booksof2024 Day 6

My favorite book of June was The Women, which I read with my IRL book club.

@Andrew65

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julieclair
Roll the Dice | Wayne Avrashow
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I‘m excited about my #Roll100 selections for January! Thanks for hosting again, @PuddleJumper !

PuddleJumper Looks good! 2d
23 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Challenges | Serge Lang
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I am hosting 4 low-key challenges for 2025. Everyone welcome to join any or all of them. Very casual - feel free to dip in and out as your schedule allows. Choose your own book and use the hashtag when you post your review. All have companion challenges on StoryGraph, for those who find that useful. Links to the original posts and SG challenges are in the comments below.

#ReadOrDonate #AllergicToChunksters #ThematicCozies #FictionalTraveler

julieclair #ReadOrDonate (same hashtag as last year) original post: julieclair's post on Litsy https://litsy.com/p/ODI5NjV4Z1pr StoryGraph Challenge: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/efdc1ad1-dea0-414f-abeb-38ea1d0... 3d
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kspenmoll These look like fun! 3d
Amiable As the host of the annual #chunksterchallenge for the past several years, I applaud your efforts to tackle and soothe your allergies! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 😀 3d
julieclair @Amiable Thanks for the encouragement! 😘 I considered joining you last year, but wasn't brave enough. 🙄😂 2d
julieclair @kspenmoll So glad you‘ll be with us for 3 of them! 😀 2d
34 likes8 comments
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julieclair
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Pickpick

This was my first graphic novel, and I found it fascinating. The graphic format made it easy to understand Haiti's very complicated, sad, and violent history. I will read more of this series.

TieDyeDude That's cool! I'll have to check this out. If you like historical graphic novels, I recommend Joel Christian Gill's work: The Talented Tenth and Strange Fruit series. 2d
julieclair @TieDyeDude As it turns out, I do like historical graphic novels! Who knew? 😂 Thanks so much for the recommendation of Joel Christian Gill. Turns out he has written a book about Robert Smalls, a local hero! I live in the South Carolina Lowcountry, and Beaufort, where Smalls was born, is our county seat. I can‘t wait to read this! Just ordered a copy. 😃 (edited) 2d
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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julieclair
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#12Booksof2024 Day 5

My favorite book of May was Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, which I read with #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and #ChildrensClassicRead2024 .

@Andrew65 @BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie

Andrew65 A good choice. 3d
Bookwormjillk I like how you have two very different Rebeccas in a row. 3d
Ruthiella @Bookwormjillk True that! 😂 3d
TheBookHippie ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 3d
julieclair @Bookwormjillk @Ruthiella Isn‘t that a hoot? Seems like all a book needs to become a favorite of mine is to have Rebecca in the title. 😂 3d
34 likes5 comments
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julieclair
Spinning | Tillie Walden
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My January #BookSpin list. Excited to begin another year of reading fun! Thanks for hosting, @TheAromaofBooks !

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4d
32 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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My goals for the #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew Readathon are:

1. Begin my three 2025 Year-long daily reads.

2. Finish at least two of the four books I‘m supposed to finish by the end of December. 😂

3. Begin reading the January books for #HashtagBrigade and #SundayBuddyRead .

Thanks for hosting, @Andrew65 ! Your Readathons always help me focus (and occasionally panic!) 😉

julieclair @TheAromaofBooks @mabell @Chrissyreadit Yes, that is indeed our #HappyFiction selection that I have been holding on to for a year… 🫣😳🤯 4d
Ruthiella That‘s ambitious! Good luck . 👍 4d
TheAromaofBooks 😂 So that's where Indiscretion got to. Kind of forgot haha 4d
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julieclair @TheAromaofBooks 🙄🙄🙄🫣🫣🫣 4d
Andrew65 Love the organisation, and good luck - do try not to panic 😬 4d
julieclair @Andrew65 Doing my best… which may not be good enough. 😂😂 3d
Andrew65 @julieclair 😂😂😂 2d
mabell Ha! Time flies! 2d
julieclair @mabell At supersonic speed! 😂 2d
32 likes9 comments
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julieclair
Rebecca | Daphne Du Maurier
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#12Booksof2024 Day 4

My favorite book of April was Daphne du Maurier‘s Rebecca, which I read with the #HashtagBrigade .

@Andrew65 @BarkingMadRead

Ruthiella Such a great book! 4d
BarkingMadRead So good!!!! 4d
Andrew65 A favourite of mine. 4d
BarbaraBB So so good!! 4d
34 likes4 comments
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julieclair
Lion of Ireland | Morgan Llywelyn
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#12Booksof2024 Day 3

My favorite book of March was Lion of Ireland, which I read for #BookedInTime

@Andrew65 @Cuilin

Andrew65 I like the look of this - stacked! 4d
dabbe I have this one! Moved it up on the TBR! 🤩 4d
julieclair @Andrew65 @dabbe Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I did! 4d
Andrew65 @julieclair Thanks 😊 4d
29 likes1 stack add4 comments
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julieclair
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Texreader ♥️♥️♥️ 4d
dabbe 🩵💙🩵 4d
DebinHawaii A lovely list of holiday & family joys! 💚❤️💚 Thanks for joining in! 🤗 3d
31 likes3 comments
review
julieclair
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Pickpick

Quirky characters, fun Christmas activities, and a murder, of course. An entertaining December read.
This was my December #SeasonalCozies pick.

review
julieclair
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Pickpick

I listened on audio, but I need to purchase a print copy, because I want to re-read this book every year! So many helpful, realistic ideas and thought provoking questions. Excellent choice for our #LitSolace #MidwinterSolace buddy read.

@AllDebooks @Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

AllDebooks I'm so glad you enjoyed it x 5d
41 likes1 comment
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julieclair
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Pickpick

Excellent writing. Locked room, snowed in mystery with plenty of unexpected twists. Love-hate-can-they-trust-each other relationship between the two MCs. Plenty of humor. Wonderful, escapist entertainment! Couldn‘t put it down.

Fun reading with @StayCurious and #LittensLoveRomance .

ReadingOver50 Looks fun! 5d
StayCurious I loved this book! 4d
39 likes2 comments
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julieclair
In a Holidaze | Christina Lauren
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Pickpick

Sweet romance with an interesting time loop twist. Fun!

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julieclair
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Pickpick

Sweet, charming, uplifting. Just what I want at this time of year. 🎄📚🎄

32 likes1 stack add
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julieclair
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#12Booksof2024 Day 2

My favorite book in February was The Family Romanov, which I read for #BookedInTime .

@Andrew65 @Cuilin

Andrew65 Adding this to my TBR. 6d
julieclair @Andrew65 Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 5d
Andrew65 @julieclair Thanks, it is a time and period I find quite fascinating. 5d
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
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julieclair
The Underground Railroad | Colson Whitehead
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My favorite book of January was The Underground Railroad, which I read with my book club.
#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

Ruthiella I read that a few years ago and was amazed by it. 7d
TheBookHippie @Ruthiella SAME. I read the ARC waaaaay back and I was purely amazed! 7d
Avanders Ooh excellent book. 7d
Andrew65 One of my favourite books. 6d
45 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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julieclair
Untitled | Untitled
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Sending love to my Litsy family today, and my favorite Irish blessing for today and the new year ahead:

May your troubles be less and your friends be more,
And may nothing but happiness come through your door.

❤️💙💚

#holidayfriends @TheBookHippie
#LitsyLove @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude

TheBookHippie 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚 1w
julesG 😘😘 1w
Mollyanna 💕🎁💕 1w
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kspenmoll 💚❤️💚🎄 1w
Aims42 Merry Christmas! 💚❤️💚❤️ 1w
Ruthiella Happy Holidays! 🎄 1w
KadaGul Merry Christmas!🎄💚🎅❤️🦌💚🎁❤️❄️💚☃️ 1w
dabbe Happiest of holidays. 💙❄️💙 1w
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🎄❤️ 1w
willaful My favorite, via Robin Williamson:

May the road rise before you
May the wind be always at your back
And may you be half an hour in heaven before the devil knows you're dead
1w
julieclair @willaful I like that one too, but that last line is new to me! 😂 Love it! 7d
willaful He's a wonderful performer, but sadly only tours in the UK these days so we haven't seen him for years. 7d
CarolynM ❤️ 7d
43 likes13 comments
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julieclair
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Thank you, @catiewithac , for this perfect #JolabokaflodSwap24 gift! I have been wanting to read this book for ages. ❤️💚❤️ And two types of chocolate & peanut butter candy.... how will I ever decide which to open first? 😂

@MaleficentBookDragon Thank you for hosting this very fun swap again this year! 🎄❤️🎄

julieclair #jolabokaflod #jolabokaflodSwap #jolabokaflod24 #jolabokaflod2024 I can never remember what the right # is. 🤪😂 1w
MaleficentBookDragon Happy Jólabókaflóð! That book title does draw you in. 1w
MaleficentBookDragon @julieclair me either half the time! 😏 1w
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DebinHawaii The book is so fun! 🤩 1w
thewallflower0707 Happy Jolabokaflod! 1w
LeahBergen I really enjoyed this book! 1w
47 likes6 comments
review
julieclair
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Pickpick

A sweet holiday romance with a bit of depth. Main characters are in their early 40s. Mental health dealt with in a realistic manner.
#ReadYourKindle @CBee

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julieclair
Untitled | Anonymous
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#ReadOrDonate is back for another year! It‘s time to do something about those unread books we all own! Each month, choose one (or more) books that you vow to read that month. At the end of the month, if the book is still unread, it must leave your house. 😳 If you have read the book (hooray!) you may choose whether to keep it, or set it free into the world for someone else to enjoy. 🙂

All are welcome to join! ⬇️

julieclair @Read4life @Julsmarshall @TheAromaofBooks @OriginalCyn620 @kspenmoll @Allylu @BethM Welcome back for another year! You are already on my tag list. 2w
julieclair I have set up a StoryGraph Challenge those who would find it helpful: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/efdc1ad1-dea0-414f-abeb-38ea1d0... 2w
OriginalCyn620 Yay! Definitely up for another year! 2w
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TheBookHippie Yes! 🫣 this month 😝 2w
julieclair @TheBookHippie I totally hear you. 🤪 Glad you‘re back for 2025🙂 2w
BethM Yes! I want to do better! (edited) 2w
julieclair Hooray, @BethM ! Glad you‘re up for another year! 😃 2w
Cuilin Please keep tagging me. I have a stack that I‘m going to put in my car this weekend and drop off at little free libraries. 2w
Read4life I‘m in!!! 2w
gossamerchild Ooooh, can you add me to this tag list? I really need to get better about this! 2w
willaful I'd like to join. 2w
CoffeeNBooks I'm definitely in for 2025!! 📚 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Please add me back.. I‘m going to try again this year 🤦‍♀️ 2w
BarkingMadRead I‘m in for 2025! 2w
Susanita I‘m not sure if I‘m going to do the challenge, but I sent you a friend request. 😉 2w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2w
Chelsea.Poole I also sent you a friend request! I‘m not very good at this challenge. You can leave me off in 2025. Thank you! 2w
PuddleJumper Yay! I'm terrible at this challenge but I do need to actually read my books 2w
julieclair @gossamerchild @willaful So glad to have you with us! 😃 2w
julieclair @Susanita @Chelsea.Poole SG Requests accepted! 🙂 I‘ll remove you from the 2025 tag list. 2w
julieclair @PuddleJumper So do I!! Glad you‘re back for another year. 😃 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage It bugs me that you actually have to read the book in order for it to count for the SG challenge.. I‘m really good at donating them, but not as good at reading them to the end 🙇‍♀️ 2w
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Good point. If you mark is DNF on SG, does it not count? In my mind, a legitimate bail should count for the prompt. 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Hm I‘ll have to try it when we get into 2025 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I was playing around with the 2024 list and you need to put in a finish date for it to count. The DNF with a stop date doesn‘t turn it green. 2w
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Well that‘s frustrating! Although I‘m generally a rule follower, this might be one time when I‘d be tempted to bend the rules and mark it Read. 🫣😘 1w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Lol, I thought of that. So tempting. I think for 2025 I‘ll put my donate/not read books under the bonus, so I can keep track of them, and the ones I end up reading through this challenge under the months 😊 1w
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage That‘s a good compromise! 😘 1w
38 likes32 comments
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julieclair
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kspenmoll Petting the animals! 💚❤️ 2w
AnnCrystal 💝💝💝💝💝. 1w
32 likes2 comments
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julieclair
Spunky Chunks | Mary Ann Callan
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In looking at my overstuffed bookshelves, I realized had quite a few books I would most likely never read, because I‘m “allergic” to chunksters, and continually avoid them. So I decided to challenge myself to read 3 chunksters this year. All are welcome to join me. My definition of a chunkster is any book over 500 pages long, but feel free to use whatever definition makes sense to you.

The rules are simple:
1. Begin reading a chunkster. ⬇️

julieclair 2. When you finish it, post using the hashtag #AllergicToChunksters , so we can all celebrate with you! 2w
julieclair 3. Begin reading another chunkster. 2w
julieclair I made a StoryGraph Challenge for those who would find it helpful: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/1b8466be-7818-4594-9d7a-1cf09bf... 2w
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MatchlessMarie I love this and will (hopefully 😂) be successful in joining you. I have 2 that immediately come to mind, but I am sure I have more. Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky and House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski 🤞 2w
PuddleJumper Joining! I've got a couple that I don't want to start because they are so long. I really struggle with stopping at the moment, I only want to read things I can read in one sitting which isn't always possible for a 500 page book! 2w
willaful I definitely want to go more for quality than quantity in the new year. With the help of #Bookspin I've read a number of more intimidating books and it was worth it! 2w
TheBookgeekFrau I love this! I have a few that have been collecting dust on my TBR shelves. Thanks for this hopeful dose of allergy medicine 😂 2w
BookBelle84 This might motivate me to start The Way Of Kings ! 2w
Meshell1313 Fun! I‘m down! 2w
Born.A.Reader Oh gosh I have multiple books on my TBR that fit this description! I'm in! 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I‘m so in. I have at least 4 chunky books on my shelf that are giving me judgy eyes 😒🤣 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage @PuddleJumper Same! KU has ruined my attention span… 😱 2w
Enchanted_Bibliophile Excellent idea!
I'll definitely join in, as most of my unread books are the chunksters.
2w
PuddleJumper @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage 😂 😂 I'm cancelling my membership in January. I read a lot of crap on it 2w
mcctrish I‘m in, I have a bunch I‘ve been ‘saving‘ 🤣🤣 (edited) 2w
mcctrish And I sent a friend request on StoryGraph 2w
mrp27 Great idea! I need to read my chunksters too so I‘m joining. 2w
julieclair @MatchlessMarie @PuddleJumper @willaful @TheBookgeekFrau @BookBelle84 @Meshell1313 @Born.A.Reader @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage @Enchanted_Bibliophile @mcctrish @mrp27 Hooray! So glad I‘m not the only one suffering with this allergy! 😘 We will support each other as we overcome our hefty tomes! 2w
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage @PuddleJumper Y‘all are so right! KU is so easy. But not necessarily quality literature. 🤓 2w
julieclair @mcctrish Thanks for the heads up about SG. The friend request didn‘t come through, so I‘ve now sent you one. 🤞 2w
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage @mcctrish @julieclair Sent some SG friend requests :) 2w
julieclair @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage and @mcctrish We‘re now official SG friends! 🏆 2w
Andrew65 Have joined the Storygraph challenge, just need to get my Storygraph account up to date for the last 2 months. 1w
julieclair @Andrew65 Keeping all the book trackers current is sometimes a struggle. In fact, I have decided to stop tracking on Goodreads for 2025, and use SG as my primary tracker. It dawned on me that I was getting no real benefit from tracking on both. 1w
Sace Add me to the list! I‘d love to tackle a chunkster or two. 2d
julieclair @Sace Yay! Glad you‘re joining us! 😀 2d
JenlovesJT47 I‘m the same way, I avoid chunksters because I feel like I could read 3-4 other books in the time it takes me to read it. I‘ll be joining you! 🙃 1d
julieclair @JenlovesJT47 I feel exactly the same way. I‘m hoping that having an open-ended time line, without having to finish a book in any given month, will help me be more inclined to read them. So glad you‘re joining us! 😀 8h
52 likes30 comments
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julieclair
Swapsies | Fiona Roberton
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My #LittleChristmasSwap #LCS is going out in tomorrow's mail! 🎄🎄🎄
Thanks for hosting this fun event, @bookish_wookish ! ❤️

bookish_wookish 🎄🎄 2w
27 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Swapsies | Fiona Roberton
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My #JolabokaflodSwap package arrived! I love this tradition. 🎄♥️🎄
@MaleficentBookDragon

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julieclair
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dabbe 💙❄️💙 3w
kspenmoll 💕 3w
25 likes2 comments
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julieclair
Swapsies | Fiona Roberton
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My #JolabokaflodSwap package is going out in tomorrow's mail. ♥️🎄♥️
Thanks for organizing this fun swap, @MaleficentBookDragon !

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julieclair
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Pickpick

This fascinating book helped me realize how little I know about ancient Egyptian culture and civilization. The first in a series, it follows Ramses from childhood until the time he becomes pharaoh. He learns to make wise decisions, navigate palace intrigues, and outwit his enemies. Great storytelling.
This was my November selection for #BookedInTime. @Cuilin

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julieclair
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We have been blessed to have a truly wonderful week, cruising with our son and daughter-in-law.
#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

dabbe 💙❄️💙 4w
TheBookHippie 🚢♥️ 4w
PaperbackPirate That sounds amazing! 💙 3w
julieclair @PaperbackPirate It was a truly special week. 💝 3w
DebinHawaii Lovely week full of joys! 💛💛💛 It sounds so relaxing! 🎉🛳️ Thanks for joining in! 3w
32 likes5 comments
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julieclair
Jamaica Inn | Daphne Du Maurier
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Pickpick

Oh my goodness. This book was soooooo good! Atmospheric, dark, tense. I couldn‘t wait to find out how it ended, but I didn‘t want it to end! A great way to kick off #HitchToScreen , @JenlovesJT47 !

Tamra 😃 I loved it too! 1mo
JenlovesJT47 I loved it also, so good! Can‘t wait to watch the movie. 💚 1mo
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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julieclair
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I finally decided on my December pick for #SeasonalCozies . Several of you have already posted; what will everyone else be reading?

Looking forward to continuing our cozy adventures in 2025 with #ThematicCozies ! All are welcome.

BookmarkTavern I actually considered this one! I can‘t wait to see what you think! 1mo
Librarybelle Originally, my December choice was going to be one of the Christmas-themed books from that series, but my book discussion group switched to this one in December, which still fits the season: 1mo
julieclair @BookmarkTavern This will be the first book I‘ve read from this series, but I love Donna Andrews. 🎄 1mo
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julieclair @Librarybelle That one sounds fun, too! 🎄 1mo
Crinoline_Laphroaig I'm carrying on with Juniper Holiday 1mo
mabell One of my favorites in this series! 1mo
mabell @Librarybelle Oh no! I was looking forward to hearing what you thought! 😭 😂 But that one was pretty far along in the series - you were going to read Duck? 1mo
PathfinderNicole I‘m going with the tagged but I‘ve got a lot of options for Christmas themed cozies! 1mo
julieclair @kspenmoll That one looks fun! 1mo
julieclair @Crinoline_Laphroaig You know going in that it‘s going to be good! 😀 1mo
julieclair @mabell Glad to hear it! This is my first one of this series. 1mo
julieclair @Graciouswarriorprincess Santa has a daughter? Who knew?! 🎅🧑‍🎄🤶 1mo
julieclair @PathfinderNicole Sounds good! Looks like you‘ll be the first one to review this book on Litsy. You‘re a trailblazer! (aka a pathfinder 😀😘) 1mo
Librarybelle @mabell I think it was the Owl‘s Slaying one the group wanted to read. The bookstore could not get enough copies for everyone! I do definitely want to read the series and have the first few, so this at least allows me to read the books in order! 1mo
Avanders I‘m not sure I‘ll manage it this month, but I‘m thinking maybe 1mo
mabell @Librarybelle I just read Owl! (I have so many reviews to post 😆) It was a fun one. Reading the books in order is the way to go for this series too. 1mo
julieclair @Avanders Ooohhh… that one sounds really good. Stacked! 1mo
julieclair @mhillis I love the cover! Did you enjoy the book? 2w
mhillis @julieclair Yes! In fact I liked it so much that I immediately borrowed another book by the author, 1w
julieclair @mhillis Ooohhh… good to hear! Stacked! 👍 1w
31 likes23 comments
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julieclair
Bingo Love | Tee Franklin
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#LitsyLoveMembers , here is our December #LitsyLoveBingo card! 🎄 Have fun with it!

Don‘t forget to turn in your November bingo points to @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks , to be entered in the drawing for a “happy”. 🙂 (1 point for each bingo line, 10 points for a coverall)

For 2025, #LitsyLoveBingo will be an occasional pop-up event, rather than monthly. Keep your eyes open! 👀

#LL @Read4life @TieDyeDude

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🤍❤️ 1mo
Read4life 💙❄️💙 1mo
19 likes2 comments
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julieclair
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kspenmoll Such delightful joys!!!!💕💕 1mo
mcctrish Ooo buying a house! Congratulations to them 🎉 1mo
dabbe 🧡🤎💛 1mo
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julieclair @kspenmoll Thank you! It has been a fun week! 😃 1mo
julieclair @mcctrish Thanks! They are excited for sure!!! 1mo
DebinHawaii Lovely Thanksgiving & holiday joys! 🧡💚🤎Thanks for joining in! 🤗 1mo
29 likes7 comments
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julieclair
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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I‘m excited about the #20in4 Readathon Relaunch Event! My goals are to read for 20 hours. I want to finish A Tyranny of Petticoats for #ReadOrDonate , keep up with The Mysteries of Udolpho with #hashtagbrigade , and begin Whiteout for #SundayBuddyRead . Thanks for hosting, @Andrew65 !

Andrew65 Great to have you with us again. Good luck 😍 1mo
30 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Various | Magazines
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It‘s the last month of our year long #MonthlyMagazineBlitz ! Time to gather up our December issues from who knows how many years past, read them, and let them go.

Hopefully, all our magazine stacks/bins/baskets are looking significantly skinnier after all our efforts this year. I‘m proud of all of us for the effort we put in and the progress we made! 💪🏆🥇🙌

TheBookHippie It‘s my weekend plan! 1mo
AllDebooks Browsing the December issues is making me feel really Christmassy ❄️🎄❄️ 1mo
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Crinoline_Laphroaig I like to save the Big White Cake recipes from Southern Living December issue. Can't remember the last time I ever made one. I just like to look at the pretty pictures. 🎂 1mo
julieclair @AllDebooks I feel the same! I have a friend who has a special Christmas-themed trunk that she keeps all her December back issues in. She stores it with her Christmas decorations, so they‘re not taking up room in her living areas all year long. I love that idea, but don‘t have room to do that. 1mo
julieclair @Crinoline_Laphroaig Those cakes always look so gorgeous! A friend of mine used to host a party each year, and she always made that year‘s Southern Living cake. It was a sight to behold! And always tasted great. 🎂 1mo
AllDebooks @julieclair that is a great idea. I'm pinching that 😊 1mo
julieclair @AllDebooks Totally! Glad to be of assistance. 😂 1mo
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julieclair
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My #ReadOrDonate selection for December. 🐧 What will everyone else be reading?

Anyone interested in continuing for another year?

TheBookHippie So …I took out a stack I‘ve tried to read before that I‘m reading 50 pages of AND if I don‘t like it yet -it‘s bail and donate!!! 1mo
CoffeeNBooks @TheBookHippie I just started doing this too! It definitely helps- usually I keep reading hoping it will get better, then I'm halfway through the book and feel obligated to finish reading it. 😁 1mo
TheBookHippie @CoffeeNBooks 😂😂😂😂 1mo
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PuddleJumper I had a clear out when I was doing my #roll100 list. So many books that I wasn't interested in reading 🤣 Don't have anything specific this month 1mo
OriginalCyn620 I‘d be interested in continuing next year! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks My entire December TBR is #ReadorDonate material 😂 I am determined to focus on all the unread-but-owned holiday books I seem to have accumulated!!! And I'm definitely down for next year as well!! 1mo
Read4life I‘d like to continue. I love how much space I‘ve cleared this year thanks to #ReadOrDonate and #Roll100 1mo
kspenmoll I am constantly donating to boxes for our May library donations for autumn book sale. This year I will post & keep track! Joining in this month, Dec & 2025. Just went thru my Christmas themed books, & will donate several of them (edited) 1mo
julieclair @TheBookHippie I like the 50-page idea. Like @CoffeeNBooks , I usually read more, then feel I have to keep going. 1mo
julieclair @BarkingMadRead Love Donna Andrews! 1mo
julieclair @PuddleJumper I have some on my shelf, too, that no longer seem interesting to me. I like the idea of clearing them out when I make my #Roll100 list. 👍 1mo
julieclair @OriginalCyn620 @TheAromaofBooks @Read4life Glad y'all are coming back for another year! 😀 1mo
julieclair Welcome @kspenmoll ! So glad you are joining us! 😀👍 1mo
Allylu I loved that book!!! Include me on your 2025 tag list please. Thank you! 😊 1mo
Julsmarshall Yes! would love to participate again! 1mo
BethM Yes! 1mo
julieclair @Allylu @Julsmarshall @BethM Yay! So glad y‘all are back for another year! 😀 1mo
rmaclean4 Yes, please. 2w
38 likes19 comments
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julieclair
Untitled | Unknown
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My #ReadYourKindle list for December. Thanks for hosting, @CBee !

CBee You‘re very welcome 😊 1mo
28 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Untitled | Untitled
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#LitsyLove members, just a few days left in November! Time to finish up any “almost complete” rows on your #LitsyLoveBingo board. Have fun with it!
#LL @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🧡🤎🧡 1mo
Princess-Kingofkings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 5 Bingos for November < it really was helpful to keep me posting and writing. Thank you 🍁 1mo
julieclair @Princess-Kingofkings Congrats on 5 bingos! Glad the bingo board was helpful. 😀 1mo
26 likes4 comments
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julieclair
Spinning | Tillie Walden
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My December #BookSpin list. 🎄🎄🎄
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1mo
31 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Thanksgiving Dinner Death | Leighann Dobbs
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Pickpick

After seeing several positive reviews of this book, I decided to read this for #SeasonalCozies instead of my original pick. I was not disappointed! I listened on audio, and the main character was an absolute hoot! A fun, lighthearted, easy read/listen for this busy time of year.

OriginalCyn620 I thought the same…a total hoot! 1mo
Read4life Woohoo!! Glad you enjoyed it. I‘m reading the next in the series for my December cozy. 1mo
32 likes2 comments
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julieclair
Harlequin House | MARGERY. SHARP
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Mehso-so

Well, this one was a bit of a disappointment for me. The hijinks were amusing, but Lizbeth and Ronnie got on my nerves. And Mr. Partridge, although adorable, was a bit odd in the way he just pushed himself into their lives. I surprised myself with my reaction, as I usually adore our #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub picks. 😕

Tamra I‘m only about 30% in and I can tell it‘s going to be full of shenanigans with Ronny. 1mo
Ruthiella Hot take! 😆 I did find Ronnie completely annoying! 1mo
quietjenn I can definitely see all of that. 1mo
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julieclair @Ruthiella Yes! I‘m usually much more mainstream, lol!😆 1mo
julieclair @quietjenn 💛🧡🤎 1mo
julieclair @Tamra Absolutely! Keep reading! 😝 1mo
LeahBergen What @Ruthiella said! I was able to cut Lizbeth a bit of slack but Ronnie got on my last nerve. 😆 1mo
julieclair @LeahBergen 😎😉 1mo
43 likes1 stack add8 comments