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pdxannie
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Bailedbailed

I read 50% but the story circled around Greenwood and never got there. Maybe the second half of the book is what I wanted, but I couldn‘t get myself to pick it back up again after two months.

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pdxannie
Memoirs of a Geisha | Arthur Golden
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Pickpick

Ah, I revisited this read because of a reading challenge my cousin gave me to reread a book I hated in HS. How could I possibly have understood this book when I was 14 or 15?! And my god, I love it now. It was incredibly well researched, the writing was brilliant, and the storytelling style was original and fresh. It‘s a contender for best read of 2025.

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pdxannie
Paris: The Memoir | Paris Hilton
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Pickpick

Ok, so I‘m on a celebrity memoir, author-read audiobook tour (of my own making) and I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this book. Paris is unbelievably honest and vulnerable. There is so much to unpack and I don‘t know where to begin unpacking. I wish I read this as part of a book club.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

Good grief.

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pdxannie
Love, Pamela | Pamela Anderson
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Pickpick

I listened to the audiobook and loved it because Pamela read it. I‘ve always been a fan of her, always, so maybe I‘m biased. I also just saw her in The Last Showgirl and that was fantastic. She‘s an incredible woman and I feel so lucky that she shared her memoir with us.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I chose this book to satisfy a reading challenge that my cousin gave me - it counts as a graphic novel, yeah? I‘ve seen the title pop up on banned book lists and like most banned books, I think this ought to be mandatory reading. I‘m not usually one for graphic novels or comics, it‘s just too much visual clutter for me, but this book was absolutely brilliant and the images were essential. Definitely tore my heart out a thousand times.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I loved this book. Totally not a typical read for me but it was fun and entertaining and a great story.

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pdxannie
I'll Have What She's Having | Chelsea Handler
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Pickpick

I didn‘t care for the self help aspect of this book but I love listening to her books, so I give a Pick to the audiobook.

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pdxannie
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Mehso-so

There are better books out there but this book was entertaining enough for me to finish it. I wasn‘t in love with the writing or the characters, but it was a quick read and lighter than other material I‘m making my way through right now so that‘s why I kept it in rotation. It was recommended by Scout (the Fable AI bird) and hit the mark for my prompt.

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pdxannie
Pachinko | Min Jin Lee
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Pickpick

My mom said Pachinko was a MUST READ and it‘s been on my TBR list for about a year now. Recently I‘d asked Scout (the AI Fable bird) for books based in Japan and this book overlapped as a suggestion. I just finished it and my heart is in my throat. It is beautiful and sad and tells a history that is not well-known. It‘s a lot to process but while I sift through my thoughts, I already know this book will remain as one of my top favorite reads.

Leftcoastzen I really loved this one ! 1mo
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
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pdxannie
Weyward: A Novel | Emilia Hart
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Pickpick

I‘m giving this a pick because it was entertaining but I did find myself snapping back at the audiobook, primarily with Kate‘s story. Her character was frustrating to me because she felt so flat at times. I think the author spent a lot of time on the drama but it detracted from the believability of the characters.

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pdxannie
Roman Stories | Jhumpa Lahiri
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Mehso-so

I listened to the audiobook so maybe I would have felt differently if I read it but many stories followed the same pattern (I‘ve lived my whole life accustomed to racism but then an incident happened and it bothered me). My favorite story was P‘s Parties but I had read it before in Interpreter of Maladies. I also like The Boundary and Dante Alighieri.

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pdxannie
Strange Weather in Tokyo | Hiromi Kawakami
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Pickpick

Omg I loved this book - it‘s beautifully written and the story is real yet unexpected. The AI bird on Fable (I think its name is Scout) recommended it when I searched for translated fiction set in Japan.

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pdxannie
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang | Chelsea Handler
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Mehso-so

Yeah this one wasn‘t great but I do enjoy listening to her read. I‘ve been in a rut with narrators lately so that‘s why I‘m burning through her audiobooks.

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pdxannie

“When money triumphs over morals, equality loses.”

I chose this book (before reading it) for my company‘s DEI book club February meeting in observance of Black History Month. I want to blow this quote up on the Zoom screen. I want the whole firm to read it.

It‘s simple. It‘s so f*cking simple.

pdxannie What I also love about this quote is that it puts the power of equality in everyone‘s hands. This can be as simple as buying books from a local bookstore vs buying from Amazon, or making sure clothes are ethically made vs shopping at Zara. 2mo
3 likes1 comment
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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I‘m a huge fan of Rick Steves and I put his book on hold at the library without actually reading what it was about - just knew that it was something he‘d written. What a splendid surprise. It‘s his journal from when he was 23 and he traveled with his friend from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Even 23 yo Rick was as precious as the Rick Steves of today. 10/10 definitely recommend.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I‘m glad I listened to this because Chelsea read it and I don‘t think I would have enjoyed it quite as much as a physical book. Def recommend the audiobook. It‘s also so dated omg.

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pdxannie
The Bullet Swallower | Elizabeth Gonzalez James
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Pickpick

I can‘t believe this book has such a low rating! I enjoyed it. It didn‘t grip me in that way that I had to read it in a weekend but I was never bored. It was also out of the ordinary for me - a bit of a western almost. It was a great story though and I‘d recommend it.

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pdxannie
The Best American Essays 2024 | Kim Dana Kupperman, Wesley Morris
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Panpan

There were a few good essays in this mix but most bored me to near death. I bailed on more essays in this collection than I think I ever have in an essay collection. They just weren‘t interesting. I don‘t know, maybe I‘m just not in the mood for nonfiction, but the opening essay was so good, and then it was a fairly swift downhill from there.

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pdxannie
Fire Exit | Morgan Talty
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Pickpick

There needs to be a rating above Pick for a book like this. Morgan Talty‘s writing is soooooo good. Even though he writes about painful topics (like dementia, alcoholism), it feels like a gift to be able to read his words. Fave read of 2025 and the bar is set high.

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pdxannie
Blue Sisters | Coco Mellors
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Pickpick

Started yesterday and finished today. I loved this book. It underscores the bittersweet nature of sisterhood and it feels authentic.

11 likes1 stack add
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pdxannie
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Panpan

I feel like this book had the opportunity to be great but it left me cringing. All the bits about her mother and father‘s lives were interesting but the author‘s self-help journey was repetitive and not… Interesting. I think when she listed her coveted status symbols, I should have DNF‘d because I was like ok this lady and I would never be friends. But I finished so I could firmly not recommend this book to others.

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pdxannie
The Mighty Red: A Novel | Louise Erdrich
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Pickpick

Ah, I liked this one. It moved along and the characters were deep. A plot twist was predictable but then another wasn‘t. The only other Louise Erdrich I‘ve read is The Night Watchman and this book is not that. The Mighty Red is far more mellow and I can‘t say more without spoilers.

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pdxannie
Antarctica | Claire Keegan
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection. I wouldn‘t want to read it in warmer weather though. I read her book Small Things Like These on the beach and it did not fit the mood at all but the story has stayed with me and I appreciate it more now than when I read it. Moody winter was the perfect location for this collection. I‘d read each story again.

Cathythoughts I loved this book too ❤️ 3mo
5 likes1 comment
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pdxannie
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Pickpick

It‘s no Joy Luck Club but I did enjoy it. There were a few parts where I lost interest but then it picked right back up.

I chose this book because my cousin gave me a reading challenge for Christmas. It‘s like an advent calendar with little gifts but each door has a challenge. This book satisfies having been untouched on my shelf for over a year. I picked it up at a thrift store near our house and I‘m at least the third owner. I love used books.

quote
pdxannie
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“This is not true, she has a good heart. It‘s only her mind that is rotten.”

Ahhh, applicable to so many!

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pdxannie
Long Island Compromise: A Novel | Taffy Brodesser-Akner
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Panpan

Tfw you finish a book that you wish you hadn‘t… The first third was pretty good but then it just got annoying. I kept thinking the author might be able to bring the magic back but it never got there for me and the ending was kind of like a slow fart. I wouldn‘t recommend it.

Susanita Oh dear! 😄 4mo
Amor4Libros It sucks when a book starts really strong and then it goes downhill. Thankfully, there are so many other books out there! 4mo
6 likes2 comments
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pdxannie
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

I loved the first third of this book and was angry at myself for being so late to the game (it‘s been on my tbr list forever ever). The last 25% had me thinking that it ought to have ended sooner. I get that she wanted to wrap a loose thread, but I think it could have been left loose because it lost its believability for me by tying it up. Still a pick, still thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amor4Libros I felt the same way about this one. 4mo
13 likes1 comment
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pdxannie
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Pickpick

So good! So many questions unanswered! But in that way that you can fill in the gaps to your personal pleasing.

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pdxannie
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My shelfie from Fable. I can‘t stop thinking about Slow Noodles! I had never heard of Khmer Rouge until I read Anthony Veasna So earlier this year, and it blows my mind. I love reading. There‘s so much to learn and books bridge worlds.

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pdxannie
Holidays on Ice | David Sedaris
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Pickpick

I actually only like his nonfiction but I read everything cos tis the season 🎄✨

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pdxannie
The Undocumented Americans | Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
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Pickpick

This book was good and I loved the author‘s anger because the situation is f*cked.

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pdxannie
Headshot: A Novel | Rita Bullwinkel
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Pickpick

Cover to cover in a day! I loved it. LOVED IT.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

Be sure to resupply your box of tissues before picking this book up 😭 Chantha‘s story is unimaginable and her heartbreak bleeds off the pages. A truly incredible woman. Her recipes give you a chance to clear your eyes before you dive back in. I picked this up because it was a staff recommendation at my local library and now I‘m recommending it to you.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

Brilliant! Not as chilling as The Lottery but I was unable to put it down. Four hundred five thousand stars.

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pdxannie
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Bailedbailed

I don‘t know what exactly I wanted out this book but I am not getting it.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

PHENOMENAL. I was hooked from the first page. I discovered Morgan Talty‘s writing in Never Whistle At Night and can I just say that I love short story collections? I‘ve discovered so many great authors that way and I can‘t wait to read more of Talty‘s writing. He recently came out with another book and I‘m waiting for it at the library. But this is hands down one of my top 3 reads in 2024.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I picked this book up at a used bookstore on a trip to NM this past spring. I think we were supposed to read it in HS? I didn‘t remember it. Anyway. It recently was challenged at a Tillamook HS and has been removed from the curriculum so I bumped it to the top of my list. It was phenomenal.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

B this one was way too close to home. When my grandpa died, Emily chased me down the driveway with a fucking puppet she found in his house.

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pdxannie
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Mehso-so

Honestly this was a good read and it made me laugh but I am leaving it on a 737 for a bored passenger to find and love vs lugging it home to a special spot on my bookshelf. I can think of one friend I‘d recommend it to and that‘s it. But also, it was a quick read and perfect for the beach.

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pdxannie
Medusa's Sisters | Lauren J. A. Bear
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Mehso-so

Read bc I promised a friend. Slow, beautiful, anti-climactic. I understand why it‘s a DNF for most. I‘m not sad I finished it though and I did enjoy reading it while watching KAOS.

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pdxannie
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Mehso-so

I‘m giving this book a so-so because it was so repetitive but otherwise it‘s an important read.

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this collection of spooky stories (save maybe one or two at the most). I am going to read it every fall and I‘m excited to have discovered new authors ✨ Don‘t read before bed or you will have nightmares.

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pdxannie
I'm Glad My Mom Died | Jennette McCurdy
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t know anything about Jennette McCurdy before reading this book so I didn‘t come into it as a fan girl which I think probably left some context on the table. I liked her writing and her authenticity but this isn‘t a book I‘m going to run around recommending. It was a good beach read even though the subject matter (eating disorders, abuse) was dark.

birdie_gw I didn‘t know who she was before I read it either! 7mo
2 likes1 comment
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pdxannie
Madwoman | Chelsea Bieker
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Panpan

Ugh, I love everything else Chelsea Bieker has ever written but nothing about this book landed for me. I‘m biased but the motherhood theme was boring, the Portland references made me roll my eyes (born and raised in the same neighborhood the book is based), and the ending wasn‘t surprising but so obvious from the moment the character was introduced. I preordered the book (vs waiting for it at the library) and I‘m not keeping it.

birdie_gw Oh no!!! Im gonna borrow it from the library and see if I can get through it. Mostly because I want to have the same reaction as you so we can talk about it lol 7mo
3 likes1 comment
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pdxannie
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Pickpick

I loved this book for the second time! I picked it up in anticipation of our trip to Chile next month 🇨🇱✨

birdie_gw Mine is still on hold 😮‍💨 7mo
pdxannie @birdie_gw shoot! There was a bunch of used copies at Rose City Reads last week! I should have gotten you one! 7mo
7 likes2 comments
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pdxannie
Verity | Colleen Hoover
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Pickpick

Cover to cover in six hours! Not my usual genre but came highly recommended by my SIL Kimmy. It was a fun read. 💖

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pdxannie
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Pickpick

Fucking brilliant. He tears my heart clean open.

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pdxannie
Exhibit: A Novel | R. O. Kwon
Bailedbailed

I read about a third but the first person narrative was all over the place and I couldn‘t keep up. It honestly made me feel dizzy.

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pdxannie
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Mehso-so

Ugggggg I loved the beginning of this book. It started to get less exciting and then the pandemic aspect made it absolutely dull. I can‘t stand reading about the pandemic. It‘s so boring. I need warnings on books that cover it. I‘m extra disappointed because the beginning was so fucking good. So good. So absolutely good. What a waste.

pdxannie @birdie_gw this is one book I bought before reading at Powell‘s. It was an impulse purchase but the first three pages were sooooo good. 8mo
birdie_gw Too bad it took a turn! Do you ever bail on books? I never used to but have started to do so lately. Esp with ebooks because low risk 8mo
pdxannie @birdie_gw yeah! I def bail on books but I kept hoping this one would turn around 8mo
3 likes3 comments