#clearurshitreadathon

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The weather has been windy and rainy so I've spent most of the weekend inside playing Animal Crossing and Little Dragon Cafe. I also finished up Dial A for Aunties and Severance for @clearursht readathon. All three of my November reads so far have been phenomenal and I hope that continues! I'm picking up Heartstopper this evening so I have high hopes. Hope you're having the weekend you want to have! #ClearUrShitReadathon #ClearUrShit #DialAForAunties #Romance #Mystery #BookRecommendations #BookBlogger #BookBlog #BookishCommunity #Bookstagrammer #Bookstagram #Bibliophile #BookishLoveGroup #BookishLove #ReadersOfInstagram #Reader #Books #Book #Bookworm #Bookish #BookNerd #InstaBook #BooksOfInstagram #BookPhotography #Read #BookLove #BooksBooksBooks #InstaBooks #IGReads #BookCommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_JPNVLLEc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dearbookshelves]

☀️June wrap-up☀️ . I didn't read everything I planned for @clearursht but I did get a few binogs on the board and got some books off my backlog and that was the whole point. . Swipe to see my #ebooks read and #ClearUrShitReadathon TBR! . Favorites: ☀️Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley ☀️ Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen ☀️I, Tituba by Maryse Condé . Didn't like: ☀️Lore by Alexandra Bracken ☀️Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn . #ClearUrShit #WrapUp #ReadingWrapUp #JaneAusten #Fantasy #HistoricalFiction #Romance #Thriller #Manga #BlueExorcist #BookRecommendations #BookBlogger #BookBlog #BookishCommunity #Bookstagrammer #Bookstagram #Bibliophile #BookishLoveGroup #BookishLove #ReadersOfInstagram #Reader #Books #Book #Bookworm #Bookish #BookNerd #InstaBook #BooksOfInstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CQwZgA_r0kL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dearbookshelves]

❄️ December Wrap-up ❄️ . In December I participated in the #clearurshitreadathon and #tolkienalong and wanted to focus on physical books. I read 13 books and was able to get a ton off of my TBR. As always, I'll share the books and ratings but if you want to know more, I have reviews for almost all of them on my IG so check them out! . 📖The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum ⭐⭐⭐ 📱 There, There by Tommy Orange ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎧The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖Love and Friendship by Jane Austen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖 People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd ⭐⭐ 🎧Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📱Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Difficult Women by Roxane Gay (Tbh not quite finished but will finish it this afternoon 😅) . #theinvisiblelifeofaddielarue #theseviolentdelights #classics #fantasy #decemberwrapup #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookblog #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJeFiC4gux-/?igshid=3e0nd2lfc20h

[dearbookshelves]

✨The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue✨ . QOTD: What books surprised you in a good way? . This is the twenty-second book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon for the prompt: shiny cover. . I think most people know what this is about by now but Addie LaRue is about a woman who makes a deal with a dark entity to be free so he allows her to live forever. The catch? No one will remember her. But what happens when someone does remember? . I’ve never read anything by Schwab and haven’t been strongly compelled to pick up any of her books. I fully expected to feel “meh” about this one but I was really wrong. In the beginning, there were times when I just didn’t vibe with Addie and rolled my eyes (I don’t need food or drink. I just need art). I also noticed a few places where the writing felt repetitive and that annoyed me but a little over a quarter of the way through the book, I found myself near tears (I can’t say why - only that it involves her love interest, Henry). I don’t know how or why it happened. It might have been the combination of the writing and the music I was listening to but my emotional response took me by surprise and if anyone knows anything about my reading taste, you know I want an emotional (SAD) response. I never really completely vibed with Addie. I don’t hate her by any means but I just don’t connect to her. I do, however, relate to Henry. His relationship with his family resonated with me and the fact that he just doesn’t ever feel good enough. The chapters that reveal his story are definitely some of my favorites. Additionally, I liked reading Addie’s interactions with Luc, the dark entity she makes a deal with. They were both angsty (understandably) and kinda… hot 👀. Lastly, both Addie and Henry are queer (as are many side characters) and I think that was an interesting element of the story. . I acknowledge that this book doesn’t really delve into the history Addie is living through and is pretty *white* I enjoyed it for what it is. This book is DEFINITELY character-driven rather than plot-driven which is something I don’t mind and oftentimes really enjoy. Definitely recommend if you like character-driven stories. (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJWUyxLAglM/?igshid=1bnt0xw2ov6um

[dearbookshelves]

🏞️Anne of Green Gables🏞️ . QOTD: Do you have any books you don't remember buying? . This is the twenty-first book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon for the prompt: a book you don't remember buying. . This book is the first in a series and follows an orphan named Anne who comes to Green Gables to live with Matthew and Marilla. They initially asked for a boy to help Matthew on the farm but there was a mixup and Anne is sent instead. . I don't know why I didn't read this sooner. I listening to the audiobook for this and found myself laughing at some of the mischief Anne gets into whether she means to or not. I especially liked watching Anne's relationship with Marilla grow. Marilla didn't like Anne at first and seeing her warm up to Anne and grow to truly love her was so wonderful. There are some discussions about religion and missionaries and conservatism that I could have done without but overall, this was a fun, light read. . #anneofgreengables #clearurshit #classics #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookblog #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #book #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRKwylgtJK/?igshid=z60orb7plep4

[dearbookshelves]

🧙‍♂️The Return of the King🧙‍♂️ . QOTD: Whats your favorite fantasy series? . The Return of the King is the ninteenth book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon for the prompt: book with a map. I also read this for the #tolkienalong . This is the conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and follows the members of the fellowship as they finish their quest. . Like the rest of the series, I listened to this on audio and really had a great time revisiting this story. I can't say too much without spoiling the rest of the series but I will say that this went on to further solidify Merry and Pippin as my favorite characters in the series. They showed incredible bravery in such difficult situations. Considering the fact that they truly never had to join this quest, I find their actions so admirable. I will say that I think the films did wonders for the narrative structure because I found the book's structure to be a bit tedious. I did, however, appreciate getting so much more of the story after the main quest is over which isn't present in the films. . Book trigger warnings from Booktriggerwarnings (dot) com Fascism Kidnapping Sexism Slavery Suicide War Violence . #clearurshit #lotr #jrrtolkien #tolkien #fantasy #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJESt8GA4b4/?igshid=11i4hnpc291nn

[dearbookshelves]

✨ Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz ✨ . QOTD: Is there a long series you keep putting off? . Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz is the sixteenth book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon for the prompt: a book you've been putting off. . This is the fourth book in the Oz series and follows Dorothy and her cousin after an earthquake send them into a world inside the Earth. They then have to find their way back home. . Unfortunately, this wasn't my favorite in the series. I would say that it felt like random things were happening with no overall purpose but there are other parts in the series that feel that way so I'm not sure why this one wasn't clicking as much with me. I did really like the first place they ended up in because it was made of glass and sounded so beautiful and interesting. I also liked seeing Dorothy meet her old friends from previous books again. . #thewizardofoz #childrensbooks #lfrankbaum #oz #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblog #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity #clearurshit (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIqiRUBrm9D/?igshid=pqu5gaowm1od

[dearbookshelves]

✨The Henna Wars✨ . QOTD: What's the last book you were recommended or gifted and you loved? . The Henna Wars by @dibs_j is the fifteenth book I read for the #clearurshit readathon for the "gifted/recommended" prompt. . Nishat's parents didn't take her coming out very well. She wants to be out and not hide who she is but she doesn't want to harm her relationship with her family. In the midst of this, she falls for Falvia, a girl she knew in elementary school and is now back in her life. But a competition for business class makes all of that a bit more messy. . This book is able to tackle serious themes while still maintaining some softness and comedy. I really liked the relationship between Nishat and her sister; they fight and have disagreements but still manage to ultimately be there for each other. I also appreciate the way @dibs_j talks about microaggressions, racism, homophobia, and cultural appropriation and shows what that can look like. The Goodreads blurb pitches this as When Dimple Met Rishi x Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda but I also want to add that this reminded me, in some ways, of Felix Ever After. Highly recommend this book! . #clearurshitreadathon #thehennawars #yacontemporary #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookblog #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #book #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIlbSeSgDHr/?igshid=y02oa8kjj10j

[dearbookshelves]

⭐Starfish⭐ . QOTD: Recommend a book about families. . Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman is the fourteenth book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon for the prompt, a book with a character you want to fight. . Kiko wants to be an artist. When she doesn't get into her dream art school, she isn't sure how she will fulfill her dreams. On top of this, she's dealing with a narcissistic mother, abusive uncle, and just a generally strained family dynamic. When a childhood friend invites her to look at art schools in California, she jumps at the opportunity for an adventure. . This isn't an easy book to read. Kiko's relationship with her white mother and subsequent isolation from her father's Japanese culture was frustrating and heartbreaking but I think this would be a powerful and important story for so many young people. I don't want to give any spoilers but I enjoyed the way Kiko was able to learn more about her culture and her artistic voice. This process introduces such a wonderful character. I also think the romance was well done and had appropriate and adequate struggles given the situation. . Trigger Warnings from @akemidawnbowman website: emotional abuse, reference to sexual abuse, suicide attempt, childhood trauma . #contemporary #starfish #clearurshit #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookblog #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #book #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIgRbM3grR0/?igshid=17gwef0y2upgp

[dearbookshelves]

🏕️The Last Time I Lied🏕️ . QOTD: What's the last mystery/thriller you read that really surprised you? . The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager is the thirteenth book I read for #clearurshitreadathon for the Blue/Water prompt. . The last time Emma was at Camp Nightingale, her three cabin mates went missing and no one knows what happened. The camp closed that summer. Fifteen years later, the camp is reopening and Emma is invited by the owner to return. Emma wants to investigate what really happened to her friends all those years ago and the closer she gets, the weirder things get. . It's no secret that I'm a Riley Sager fan and I'm so glad I finally picked this one up. The camp atmosphere is something I enjoy in books and this was no different. I also liked going back and forth between the present day and fifteen years before. I had so many theories about what happened but none of them were correct and the twists were wild enough to shock me but not totally unbelievable. This would be a fantastic summer read if you're a seasonal reader! . Trigger warnings from FourLeggedFiction(dot)com: Murder, death, violence, mental illness, rehab. . #thelasttimeilied #rileysager #thriller #botm #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #book #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIbAD8-gFDB/?igshid=mepfyiz3znps

[dearbookshelves]

✨A Phoenix First Must Burn✨ . QOTD: Recommend a magical book. . A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell is the twelfth book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon for the prompt magical book. . This is a collection of sci-fi and fantasy stories that are centered around black girl magic. It includes authors such as Elizabeth Acevedo, Ibi Zoboi, and Somaiya Daud. . This was such a fun collection to read and each story was so different; there's truly something for everyone here. I can't talk about every story in this collection but some of my favorites are Melie by Justina Ireland which includes mermaids and feels like a classic fairy tale with a twist. I also enjoyed Wherein Abigail Fields Recalls Her First Death and, Subsequently Her Best Life by Rebecca Roanhorse. This has western vibes and sapphic characters. Lastly, I want to mention Letting the Right One In by Patrice Caldwell which has sapphic vampires? . I definitely recommend reading the editor's note as it gives insight into the history and inspiration some of the specific stories draw from. It really enhances the reading experience. . #aphoenixfirstmustburn #fantasy #scifi #shortstories #booksofinstagram #bookishlove #bookishlovegroup #youngadultbooks #bibliophile #booksonbooks #bookaholic #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIV76e0A9DC/?igshid=ki13wstjydqr

[dearbookshelves]

🔍The Last of August🔎 . QOTD: What book has your favorite cover? . This is the eleventh book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon and it fit the prompt for prettiest cover. . This is the second book in the Charlotte Holmes series which follows the descendants of Sherlock and Watson as teenagers solving some pretty intense mysteries. . While I think the first book in the series is better, I still really enjoyed this one. There was still so much action and drama and morally grey characters to keep my flipping the pages. I do think there were some sections that just seemed to dump info but I think it was necessary to advance the plot. I still don't care as much about the romance between the two characters but it does add to the drama so 🤷🏻‍♀️ . #sherlockholmes #charlotteholmes #ya #mystery #clearurshit #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQzycpAdD5/?igshid=1a11kd2g3m779

[dearbookshelves]

🍂November Wrap-up🍂 . In November I participated in the #clearurshitreadathon and #tolkienalong with an additional goal of focusing only on physical books. I was able to read 13 books and really put a dent in my physical backlog. I will briefly share the rating and format for each book here but I have reviews for almost all of these on my IG if you want to see more of my thoughts. . 📖Esio Trot by Roald Dahl ⭐⭐⭐ 📖 Henry and the Paper Route ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖 The Shadow of Kyoshi by F. C. Yee ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎧Winter Counts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖Ozma of Oz ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎧The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖Circe by Madeline Miller ⭐⭐⭐ 📖The Promise by Gene Luen Yang ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📖The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📱The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎧A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell ⭐⭐⭐⭐ . How was your reading month? . #novemberwrapup #readingwrapup #lotr #atla #circe #fantasy #bookrecommendations #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIOQCYRA1ZG/?igshid=d6amjm1yolab

[dearbookshelves]

❄️ December Possibilities ❄️ . QOTD: What do you want to read before the end of the year? . Next month I'm going to continue the #clearurshitreadathon and #tolkienalong I also want to to get caught up on my @bookofthemonth backlog so there's a lot going on before the end of the year. Here are some possibilities for me to accomplish my goals. . ✨The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager ✨The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab ✨ November Road by Lou Berney ✨These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong ✨The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar ✨The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien ✨The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin ✨ Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman ✨A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft . #fantasy #contemporary #classics #thriller #historicalfiction #clearurshit #jrrtolkien #lotr #addielarue #theseviolentdelights #nkjemisin #bookrecommendations #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #booksbooksbooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CILq0clAPim/?igshid=1ve23h3qvtgr8

[dearbookshelves]

✨Avatar: The Last Airbender The Promise✨ . QOTD: What's you're favorite show from childhood? . The Promise by Gene Luen Yang is the tenth book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon and fits the prompt(s): most expensive, found family, and fantasy. . This comic takes place not long after the events of the television show and follows the core gang and they figure out how to maintain peace across the four nations. . I had such a fun time reading this! The artwork is fantastic and I love seeing my favorite characters grow up and face more challenges. I really enjoyed the political intrigue in this story. One of the major themes is colonization and the difficulty that comes with dismantling those systems. There are also conversations about cultural appropriation and how to hold friends accountable. If you're an Avatar fan, I highly recommend this! . #ATLA #clearurshit #avatar #avatarthelastairbender #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #book #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIBYUbbgEXz/?igshid=1ljzsbdlbfcwg

[dearbookshelves]

🔮Circe🔮 . QOTD: What’s the last book you just felt 🤷🏻‍♀️ about? . Circe by Madeline Miller is the ninth book I read for the #clearurshitreadathon and fits the prompt(s): broke buying ban for & fantasy. . Based on Greek mythology, Circe tells the story of the witch, Circe, from a childhood where she felt ignored to her eventual exile while she learns about her powers. . While I didn't *dislike* this book, I also didn't love it. I think the first 100 or so pages and the the last 100 or so pages were really good and I was incredibly interested in what was happening with Circe. A the beginning, I liked learning more about her character and truly felt for her and her situation. At the end, the themes of who gets to be considered good and how we talk about flawed people once they're gone were interesting to think about. I just found myself not really caring about the middle of the book. Was it the pacing or was it that I don't often care about romance and motherhood? I don't know. I do still appreciate Miller for telling Circe's story and showing her take as much control as she can of her truly difficult situations, though. . Trigger warnings from Booktriggerwarnings (dot) com: Body horror Childbirth (with complications) Rape . #circe #madelinemiller #fantasy #greekmythology #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookblogger #bookishcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #readersofinstagram #reader #books #book #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #read #booklove #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #igreads #bookcommunity (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH8L_65AAiP/?igshid=hgjqj3697knk