THICK is a standout, and it’s a collection I will keep in my library. If you haven’t read it, this is the one that is the must read.

THE NIGHT WATCHMAN was fantastic. Patrice is a character that will stick to you. Erdrich is an author that stands apart.

WILDSEED, was well, wild. I can’t wait to discuss it with my two girlfriends when we get a chance! Butler truly has an unmatched imagination. This is my third work by her and they are all SO DIFFERENT.

NINTH HOUSE was a reread to prep for HELL BENT, glad I reread it too. HELL BENT was pure popcorn, all plot, no real character development but I enjoyed it. I wished there was more explored in the central relationship between Darlington and Alex, because you don’t go to hell TWICE for someone and just not have a come to Jesus conversation. There was time for some emotional reckoning and not having that here was a major disappointment, but again this was a popcorn read so whatevs. Thanks @paigerragerreads for talking about it with me!

I was underwhelmed by Tx3. I found it emotionally manipulative. I’m a gamer too, so I thought I’d love it more.

AGE OF VICE was great at first, but then the ending was truly perplexing. It dedicated way too much air time to this random character and it left me scratching my head. I will read the next book though, so that’s saying something.

UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN was great. Shifted a lot of my thinking about religion in general, not just Mormons.

#MGlit: I would recommend all of these. They each meet my criteria for middle grade lit: under 300 pages with short chapters. I’m reading A ROVER’S STORY with my class now and they are loving it. EDEN’S EVERDARK is perfect for kids who love spooky stories and PAX:JOURNEY HOME is great for kids dealing with grief.

#bookstagram #middlegradebooks #middlegradefiction #fiction #booksbooksbooks #alwaysreading #readmorebooks #february #februarywrapup

I am exhausted and it is only Monday. I didn’t buy a single book in January, please clap. Hopefully I will get around to these two in the coming weeks. I know Ninth House is problematic (The MC is supposed to be of Latine Heritage, but Leigh Bardugo is not. And no this is not me saying white authors shouldn’t write characters from the global south, but there were some VERY cringe moments in Ninth House because of this. Heard Hell Bent does not have the same issues, which is great because maybe that means Bardugo is listening and actually taking the feedback, instead of you know just listening) I want to reread it ahead of Hell Bent based on @paigerragerreads review!

Seven Moons of Maali Almeida caught my eye and after reading the first page at the library I decided I was sold.

How is everyone’s February shaping up? What are you reading? Any of y’all implement a book buying ban, I am in solidarity with you! And if you broke it, hey you probably deserved that little book. #bookstagram #library #librariesarethebest #useyourlocallibrary #booksbooksbooks #alwaysreading

I don’t remember where I saw this quote, so forgive me, but it went something like “I wish everyone understood that being non-disabled is temporary.” We all age, and things can happen to our bodies or minds that are not within our control, literally at any moment.

Tessa Miller’s WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU, was an illuminating memoir/nonfiction book. I know I’m going to keep it on my shelf forever because she has some really helpful tidbits about how to fight for proper healthcare and how to best support people in your life that are chronically ill. It was a sobering read, because our capitalistic society does not value human life, only money. The horrifying stories she shared about fighting for life saving procedures and the hoops she had to jump through one million times over in order to get insurance to cover it or even just to approve it were truly dystopian. But this is her reality, and the reality of millions of people across the United States. I think this is a really valuable book for everyone to read, whether or not you are disabled.

[ID: The nonfiction book What Doesn’t Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness, Lessons from a Body in Revolt by Tessa Miller is held up by Viv’s hand against a tree’s stump.]

#nonfiction #memoirs #alwaysreading #learnmore #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readmorenonfiction #readmorememoirs

Here we are again, new year, bigger TBR. I know my partner will laugh in my face, but I am determined not to buy any new books, for a long time. So many of these books have been influenced by you lovely people. So where to start? Can’t promise I’ll listen, but I’m excited to dig in. I may have to mute 2023 new releases on this damn app though. Anyone know how to do that? Ha!

[ID: Two stacks of books sit side by side.]

#Nonfiction #happynewyear #TBR #ReadMoreBooks #Fiction #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #BookRecommendations #BookRecs #somanybookssolittletime

It was a lot of fun to go back over my reading year, but one thing really struck me, most of the favorite books I read in the beginning of the year. And although I have read the most I have ever in my life in one year (101 books!), that did not equate to quality. Lesson learned, but also that makes a lot of sense. In a crowded year, it had to really stand out to make the cut. Plus my brain short circuited around May until like, well it’s still going I think, so I think that could be a part of it too. Which makes sense, because we moved in May. In 2023 all I want is to read what I own and DNF with abandon. I live near an amazing library that is well stocked, there is no reason for me to keep buying books. I’m honestly grossed out by how much I own and need to remedy that, especially with what’s coming on the horizon….Onwards to 2023. Happy New Year Book Community, you’re still the best place on the internet.

Listed Books are:

• Fiction that made me cry:
• The Seed Keeper
• Stay With Me
• The Swimmers
• The Arsonists City
• Beloved
• What Storm What Thunder
• The Vanished Birds

Jaw Dropping Fiction:

• Babel
• The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

YA Page Turners:

• Iron Widow
• Bloodmarked

Unforgettable Nonfiction:

• What My Bones Know
• White Negroes
• All That She Carried
• Paradise
• Grass
• Welcome to the Terrordome

Poetry:

• Deaf Republic
• Don’t Call Us Dead: Poems

Middle Grade:

• Shirley and Jamila save their summer
• The Tryout
• Ghost
• I Can Make This Promise
• Ophie’s Ghost
• All Thirteen

#BestOf2022 #BestBooks #Fiction #Nonfiction #LoveReading #ReadMoreBooks #AlwaysReading #Bookstagram #YearWrap #YearlyWrapUp #BooksBooksBooks #BestBooks #MiddleGradeBooks #poetry