*whew* I don't typically listen to fiction, but this full-cast recording had been recommended. I enjoyed the pandemic story throughout, and then POW! the ending just hits with a twist. Each chapter is from a different person's POV, hence the multiple narrators. Excellent all around.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#readyourbookshelf #JumpStart2025

I'm sorry to say that I simply didn't find this book to be very good. Granted, it's the third in a series. The stories stand alone, but there were references to previous stories, like many mystery series. I would have bailed if it weren't a mystery. I wanted to know whodunit, but the ending fell flat for me. It simply wasn't very creative or well-written, in my opinion.

⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#readyourbookshelf #JumpStart2025

Read in one day. Yes, it's predictable - it's a romance. Kudos for addressing mental health issues, but I felt it was a bit heavy-handed with explanation/exposition at the beginning - I would have appreciated more showing, less telling. Still had me racing to read to the end!

⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐#readyourbookshelf #JumpStart2025

"They're calling him Dr. Death."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Lived up to the hype! I'm not huge on fantasy, but this one kept me reading!

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #readyourbookshelf #JumpStart2025

Rose is helping to keep me warm in the snow-covered south. And my blanket is book themed! ☺️

#hyggehourreadathon

This was, for me, the epitome of "fine". I still read it quickly to see how it ended because it was a thriller, but the ending wasn't terribly creative nor surprising.

⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #ReadYourKindle #JumpStart2025 @Lizpixie

Another page turner with many twists I saw coming... But one I didn't. First Ellison I've read, but not the last! #ReadYourKindle #JumpStart2025 @Lizpixie

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The minute I read this, I knew that Ms. Ellison was from Nashville. She knows what's up. 😁

Devoured this one in a day - oh, my heart. Halfway through, I decided that I need to check out more by this author, but then his acknowledgements said that this was a departure from his normal
content & tone, so now I wonder. Still will probably check out more of his, because I couldn't put this down & sobbed through the end. 🥹

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#ReadYourKindle #JumpStart2025 @Lizpixie

And, my first book of 2025 is a DNF. 😂 Tried this one for #Authoramonth, but just couldn't get into the dated language, etc. Not usually an issue for me - I adore Sherlock Holmes - but I long ago decided that if a book doesn't grab me quickly, I move on. On to other things until February! @Soubhiville

Stolen from @Texreader.

Happy New Year, Littens! 🎇

Ugh. Such a bad reading year. Life was just chaotic this year! But it's 2025... Lessgo!

I just hit my #20in4 #YearEnd by finishing up this on audio. If you know me, you are not surprised that I listened to this one, which I typically don't do with fiction (looking at you @britt_brooke 😉). This is long, but weaves together beautifully & tugs your heartstrings. No surprise that the best actor in the world has become a beautiful storyteller.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew @Andrew65

Okay. Let's see what the hubbub is about. 😉 #YearEnd #20in4 #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #ReadYourShelves

No wonder I was seeing this all over everyone's feed! What a delight! The banter of Maggie & Ethan had me smiling throughout - I could picture a Cary Grant type playing Ethan. Read this in one sitting & absolutely adored it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#YearEnd #20in4 #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #ReadYourKindle @Andrew65

This was a #blameitonlitsy from @kspenmoll - I read it in one sitting - just what I was looking for! A locked room Christie-esque Christmas semi-cozy murder mystery that I blazed through in order to figure out whodunit.

⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Premise was great. Twists were good. Writing... not so much. I finished it because I wanted to know how it ended, but I won't be reading more of hers.

⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When your 19yo says "I was drawn to this book by its cover, read the synopsis, & thought 'Mama will love this!', you dive into your Christmas gift! ? #currentread #currentlyreading

I've been terrible about keeping up to date on Litsy. What I haven't been terrible at is getting together with #NashvilleLittens. Our annual Christmas gathering is always full of laughter, too much food, & extravagant gift giving. @ferskner @britt_brooke @LouLouLane @Alfrazier21 @Booksnchill @adnama82 @HeatherBookNerd

Such a lovely day with some of my favorite people! #NashvilleLittens

Once again, I've been away & I'm back. ☺

It's been a busy season - in May, my older daughter graduated from Boston University & my younger daughter finished her freshman year at Dean College. I'm teaching a summer course right now which is keeping me quite busy, but in two weeks I will have much more time on my hands! I've missed you, Littens! Here's to being more consistent on the beat social media platform ever! ♥

Another incredibly thoughtful book from @britt_brooke, who so enjoys my Tom Hanks obsession. ?

The reason this got a "so-so" versus a "pick" is the cheesiness of the self-help writing in this book. IMO, they should have just stuck with quotes from and about Hanks, much like Robert Fulghum books. But there were some wonderful quotes in here that I hadn't heard, & reading about my favorite actor is never a waste of time.

Preach, Jo.

Continuing to read my Christmas swap books from @britt_brooke. She knows that my all-time favorite novel is Little Women. ☺ This was just lovely. Predictable, of course, because I know the original story so well, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment. It cleverly weaves the story with modern themes such as blended families & LGBTQ characters.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Finally getting around to reading some Christmas presents. @britt_brooke knows how much I love Dolly. This is a small, beautiful book full of color photos, quotes from Dolly, & tidbits about her life. Not in Litsy's data base yet. It was lovely. Of course it was. It's Dolly. ☺ Rose approves. #catsofLitsy

Looks like a great day to snuggle under a blanket with a book. This is The Deep South™️, y'all, near Nashville. And it's going to snow all day. All of you affected by this storm, hope you're safe! Stay warm! ❄️

Sorry @Andrew65! I forgot to post my last book! #12booksof2023

Honestly, only a 3⭐ for me, but I read only one book in November. 😔 #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Missed yesterday! #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

I read a lot of 4⭐ in August 2023, but no 5⭐. I did discover both Simone St. James and Lucy Foley, so a good month. #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Happy New Year, Littens! Definitely NOT my best year reading. Ashleigh's senior year + BFA audition process = decrease in reading, but I wouldn't change a thing. Here's to a goal of 80 books in 2024!

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Goodreads was down for me yesterday, which is where I track my reading, so I couldn't choose my book for June until now! 😂

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

Since I'm on vacation, I'm definitely aiming for 20 hours over this #readathon! My goal - to make a good dent in the pile of unread physical books on the floor in my bedroom. *whistles innocently*

Thanks, @Andrew65! #outwiththeoldinwiththenew

Not gonna lie... I didn't read any books during March & April of 2023. My younger daughter is currently in her freshman year of a BFA in musical theatre, & the audition process for such programs is ridiculously arduous. We traveled 13,000 miles in five months. Add that to the craziness of her senior year & my job, and there wasn't time for much else! 🤯 I'll be back to posting on Friday! 😁 #12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @Andrew65

#12booksof2023 @andrew65

Jenny, thank you so much! I literally gasped when I opened the book - I've been looking forward to this one so much! @Captivatedbybooks

Thank you, as always, to @MaleficentBookDragon for coordinating #jolabokaflodswap23! Happy reading, everyone, & Merry Christmas! #jolabokaflodswap

"His voice sounded like vodka tastes."

Ally Carter, The Blonde Identity.

Blew through both of these, each in one day. ☺ Gifts from @britt_brooke, who loves to tease me about my Tom Hanks obsession. 😉 Easy, breezy romances - predictable, fluffy, and perfect & fun for light reads during the holiday craziness!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for both

@LeahBergen Here's mine! Even older - cost 35 cents, acquired by my late grandmother for her classroom library December 1963. I'm reading it tonight. ☺

@avanders - Alethia, I am SO sorry! Evidently the printed address did not inclyde your apartment number & I didn't notice. I'm on my way back to the post office to get it sent out again... My sincere apologies if it doesn't make it by Christmas Eve, but I'm going to do my best! 🤞🏻 @MaleficentBookDragon

Thank you, @Captivatedbybooks ! Can't wait until the 24th!

#jolabokaflodswap @MaleficentBookDragon

My #jolabokaflodswap for @Avanders went in the mail today! ETA: Saturday! ☺ Thx to @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing. 🎄

My semester is done in a week, which means more time to read, which means this might be achievable! Still fighting through a little bit of a slump - hope this will help! Thanks @Andrew65 ! #rushathon #rushathonchristmasbingo

I love it when my daughters gift me books, & I love it even more when they gift me one of their own favorites. My 18yo has extensively read Christie & this is her favorite - great hook at the beginning! Rose looks less impressed.

Yep! She's become a new favorite. Maybe a bit predictable, but a page turner nonetheless.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐