Exams have started at my school. I‘m not sure how it happens, but exam season is always a hot chaotic mess. Kids take two exams a day and either check out or stay at school with very little to do. My people skills are in short supply. I feel like the last two days I‘ve been interrupted every 6 seconds. I‘m just getting some feline therapy tonight.

I‘m done. I just don‘t think this one is for me. At least it isn‘t for me right now. It‘s got the bones of a good novel, but a good editor would help. It‘s 303 pages. I made it to page 177 and I was still waiting for the “suspense” it was billed as. We had a murder on page 7 and even after 170 pages there had been absolutely no clues or hints about why it occurred. I‘m very disappointed. This had some promise.

So much #LitsyLove!

@TheSpineView @Deblovestoread @Eggs @TieDyeDude @TheBookHippie @Sleepswithbooks @AmyG

So I only managed two notes. But it‘s a start, right? Be on the lookout @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @Zuhkeeyah

#LitsyLove

I‘m happy that self publishing is easier. Really. However, I wish this typo had been caught.

I am liking this book despite typos and some bits that could use a little polish.

Pedantry alert!
Over the last few months I‘ve noticed a linguistic shift that is driving me insane. I first noticed on podcasts (hence the picture), but I‘ve even noticed in work emails (written by educators no less). There seems to be a trend to shorten words. “Priorities” becomes “priors”. “Comparisons” and “Competitions” both become “comps” (which previously was used for “comprehensive exams”). ⬇️

#BookReport and #WeeklyForecast combo post

I wasn‘t a very productive reader this week. I only finished one audiobook. I barely made progress on any of my already in progress books and didn‘t even start my one #BookedInTime from last week. Even worse, the next book for book club has been chosen so now I have *two* up next books. #SlowReaderProblems.

Received a #LitsyLove welcome from @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks today. I‘ll be sending out my own letters soon!

“A biting wind swept the moors, carrying winter in its teeth.”

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

1. My husband
2. My students
3. Rain for my plants
4. Book club
5. Kittens

@DebinHawaii #5JoysFriday

If you see this you are tagged 😊

All other reading is on hold until I finish this one. I‘m in a year-long round robin book club and I don‘t want to be the weak link in the mailing order!

“The fireplace of bloodred marble reminded her of a piece of raw steak, streaked with fat.”

Today I discovered that one can, in fact, make a library sound awful. 🤢

I tried to sneak in 20 minutes of reading before heading off to work. Unfortunately, I was interrupted by cats and my husband. I love them all dearly, but I just wanted to read 😫

Does one book constitute a “haul”?

Miss Dearborn had not thought of it be-fore, but on reflection she believed the subjunctive mood was a "sad" one and "if" rather a sorry "part of speech."

#ChildrensClassicRead2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️/4
I had trouble sorting characters at the beginning of the audio book, but once I did it was an entertaining albeit dark and nutty read. I‘m probably cold-hearted because I wasn‘t super satisfied with the ending. Some people didn‘t suffer enough consequences for my tastes.

This. Book. Is. Nuts.

I think I said something a few days ago about not really hooking me. I rescind that statement 😂

#audiobook

#WeeklyForecast
In progress:
📖 The Haunted Showboat (physical)
🎧/📱We Were Mothers (audio/kindle combo)
📱The Address and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (On kindle for #ChildrensClassicRead2024)

Up Next:
Sarah (I‘ve got two books about the matriarch Sarah by two different authors. I can‘t decide which one I want to read for #BookedInTime)

I need to make a decision about my #FoodAndLit book too.

It‘s almost here!

I‘ve narrowed it down to three options for #foodandlit (both for books and food).

My food options are:
1. Spanish lentils
2. Patatas bravas
3. Ensaladilla rusa

It‘s already hot in my neck of the woods so The ensaladilla rusa is a heavy favorite. It‘s not to everyone‘s taste but it‘s right up my alley.

https://youtu.be/YtpfNmfTQPA?si=_RkSjDYjgGHK7Xmh

#BookReport

I finished three books this week.

📖 The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store (technically I finished it the 28th).
📖 The Clue in the Diary
🎧 Selling the Dream

“Would a trip to the Mardi Gras interest you, Nancy, and also a mystery to solve?” Bess Marvin asked.

#FirstLineFriday @ShyBookOwl

Not sure how I feel about a definite article in front of Mardi Gras.

Side note: Mardi Gras in Mobile AL is older and tamer. IMO it would be more Nancy Drew‘s speed.

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

1. My students
2. #NancyDrewBR
3. #hyggehourreadathon
4. Kittens
5. #bookspin

If you are reading this you are tagged 😊

Nancy will always be a pick for me. My only disappointment was that Nancy didn‘t get conked on the head, trapped or bound and gagged. 😆

#NancyDrewBR

Here are my #bookspin books for May.

I‘ve been reading through the Nancy Drew series for years and the Haunted Showboat is next. But never fear @Librarybelle when/if we get to this one for the #NancyDrewBR I have no problem reading it again.

I‘m trying to read from my kindle more so Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm it is. That way I can kill 2 birds with 1 stone: bookspin and #ChildrensClassicRead2024 with @TheBookHippie

Started a new #audiobook and working on a sock that I started months ago. So far I‘m not hooked on this book. I hope it gets interesting soon 😂
#knittersoflitsy

#hiding #reading #NancyDrewBR

The StoryGraph makes it easy to share my April #wrapup. Granted there‘s no info about titles or anything, but I‘m pretty lazy. Maybe later I‘ll post titles.

I don‘t read as fast or as much as other #littens, but I‘m pleased with my April reading.

Super quick #audiobook listen. I couldn‘t resist it after seeing reviews from @Amor4Libros and @jlhammar . I don‘t think I‘ll ever get tired of MLM content. It‘s fascinating and frustrating and infuriating. I enjoyed this, but would have loved to have had MaryKay get the same in-depth treatment as the author gave to Amway and some others. If you know of any books about MaryKay feel free to recommend!

Two more for the endless TBR.

I think I will need to adjust my June #bookspin to include a #BOTM backlog. 🙄

There‘s a spot in my classroom where I can hide and no one can see me from the door and windows. One of my planning periods this year is during lunch. I‘m hiding, eating and reading. Getting a head start on the #NancyDrewBR.

3.75/4 ⭐️

This was on my radar for a while but I hadn‘t gotten around to reading it. I‘m glad it was my book club‘s pick for the May meeting.

McBride created a rich setting and is a master storyteller. Though at times the pacing/plot was not as engaging for me. I have read some reviews that mention too many characters, but for me that was just illustrative of the dependence on community for survival on the margins of society.

✔️jammies
✔️books
✔️cat
✔️journal

I‘m a little early but I‘m ready for #hyggehourreadathon

@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

#BookReport #WeeklyForecast

I only finished one book this week and it was audio. I‘m hoping to finish The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store today. At some point this week I‘ll start Selling the Dream and The Clue in the Diary for the #NancyDrewBR.

Have a great week everyone!

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

📖 The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is the top priority since it‘s for my in person book club May 9.

📱The Address is my night read (crappy lighting = #readyourkindle

🎧 Selling the Dream An impulse buy this week thanks to @Amor4Libros and @jlhammar

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator is Barbara Rosenblatt. She managed to give each character their own voice without sounding forced or ridiculous. I‘ve mentioned it elsewhere but I read the book almost 20 years ago and didn‘t remember a thing. This audio will be much more memorable I plan to move on to the next one in the series, just not immediately. I don‘t want to get burned out.

3.25/4 ⭐️

First of all this series is absolutely amazing. The audiobook is perfection. But the US paperback/hardback edition? I‘m just not liking it. I want a physical copy of this book, but not this. It looks more like a graphic novel. The Spanish editions are gorgeous, but I‘d have to by each one individually and that would cost way more than the complete collection edition.

I got so excited when I saw Butter was on Hoopla. I‘m so disappointed. I wish I understood the workings of Hoopla and my library. I don‘t know that we have enough…ANY German speakers in my area for there to be the German language audio.

Will I be forced to buy a copy so I can pretend to participate in #CampLitsy2024?

Okie dokie. After much waffling I think I have my #bookspin list for May. I was trying to make it as open as possible for myself and less subject to monthly changes. I also have 2 “required” reads each month (In person book club and a postal round robin book club) so I needed to make space for “mood reading”.

Thanks for the inspiration @Read4life

Thanks for hosting @TheAromaofBooks

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

@keys_on_fire Exhibit A.

Maybe not the same guy, but close!

(Looks like I might but hopping aboard the #paperbackcrush train soon. I have a soft spot for these books, even if they are dreck 😆)

Question for @TheAromaofBooks : is this an acceptable list? Or would it be considered not in the spirit of the rules?

Please forgive me @TheAromaofBooks but can I get a #bookspin refresher?

#blameitonlitsy

I had no intention of getting any audiobook membership, but here I am with a new audiobook and a libro.fm account. Thanks @Amor4Libros and @jlhammar 😂

(In fairness I do have other audiobooks that I wanted that hoopla does not have.)

From a Google search inspired by a post from @Purpleness

This is probably more of a post for January, but I wanted to share some photos of my reading journal. I moved to more physical ways of tracking my reading in 2023 and I think it has enhanced my reading life. I still log books on The StoryGraph for end of the year stats report, but my thoughts on a book go into the journal.

From left to right:
“Title” page
Book reviews and entries format
My star rating system
2024 reading goals
Yearly overview

My April #BOTM box arrived today! (I still have selections from over five years ago that I haven‘t read yet! 😬)

#WeeklyForecast

No, you aren‘t seeing double. I recovered my old account. Sorry for any inconvenience or annoyance. 😭

I am posting one book per day from my extensive collection. No description. No explanation. Some will be old. Some will be new. Don't judge me. I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.

#tbrpile
Original idea of- @StaceyKondla @cortg

Courtesy tags for @Trashcanman @Catherine_Willoughby

I am posting one book per day from my extensive collection. No description. No explanation. Some will be old. Some will be new. Don't judge me. I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.

#tbrpile
Original idea of- @StaceyKondla @cortg

Courtesy tags for @Trashcanman @Catherine_Willoughby