kayc
Sapphire
Posts: 4,522
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Post by kayc on Jan 3, 2024 14:35:16 GMT -6
My first book of 2024 was Identical by Ellen Hopkins. Do not read this book. It was so disturbing but I couldn’t stop reading bc I wanted to know how it ended. I ended up skimming a bunch. But yeah, don’t. Disturbing is right up my alley. Was it good at least? I enjoyed her other books. This one dealt with childhood SA and I struggled with it. I’m usually fine with disturbing, but this was a bit too descriptive for me. |
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byjove
Ruby
Posts: 16,541 Likes: 86,866 
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Post by byjove on Jan 3, 2024 15:39:35 GMT -6
Absolutely adored Tom Lake. Meryl Streep was A+, of course. She was really perfect for it. It had me wondering how she related to the story, getting into acting at an older age (vs the main character started young) and having several grown children.
It was like Evelyn Hugo meets Carrie Soto meets Little Women, but hard to say in what order.
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thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,134 Likes: 235,509
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Post by thatgolfb on Jan 3, 2024 16:02:15 GMT -6
2023 Favorites for me: The Great Alone (#1) The Guncle On A Quiet Street Fourth Wing ACOTAR The Way I Used To Be Love And Other Words If you loved The Guncle and can’t wait until May for the sequel, Big Gay Wedding is just as good! Byron Lane is Steven Rowley’s husband. Ooh thanks! Adding to my list. |
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wedding
Emerald
Posts: 14,396 Likes: 77,800
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Post by wedding on Jan 3, 2024 19:24:54 GMT -6
Disturbing is right up my alley. Was it good at least? You would like her books probably A lot of look at drugs and addiction and stuff like that. YA mostly Murder is more my thing but it’s good to mix it up a bit. I’ll check her out. |
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Post by imapenguin on Jan 3, 2024 20:31:34 GMT -6
Argylle is pretty good—whoever wrote it. But if I didn’t know better I’d believe that Taylor herself was reading the audiobook at some points.
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sudsy
Opal
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 51,463
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Post by sudsy on Jan 3, 2024 20:51:48 GMT -6
I finished Tender Is The Flesh. That was…something. It was disturbing and sad and I didn’t even know how to rate it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for Goodreads because I don’t know what to do with that.
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junch817
Amethyst
Posts: 6,593 Likes: 18,692
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Post by junch817 on Jan 3, 2024 22:36:50 GMT -6
Hi everyone. I hope to participate in here more often again. I sort of forgot to check in on a regular basis like I had been, and then I couldn’t get caught up with all of the posts when I would think to come back. I hated missing out what everyone was reading. So that is one of my goals for this year!
I read 74 books last year. I think my goal was 52 but I don’t really pay attention to that. I just read whenever I want to read and don’t worry about how much or little it is.
This year I am hoping to try some challenges for the first time. I’ve always been a mood reader so it will be a bit of an adjustment for me, but since I typically read 7-8 books a month (November and December I slow WAYYY down with the holiday stress) I think I am ok with finally dedicating some books to a specific prompt, especially since most of them are still books I can choose from my own TBR.
I am joining an in person book club for the first time, so there will be a book for that, plus an online book club.
Some of the challenges I am going to try are ones I can complete at my own pace
Lifetime of Reading - main characters of different ages
Read with Allison challenge - don’t expect to fully complete, but it will be fun to see how many books I cross off on my own
Read Across America - I don’t expect to finish this but I’m also curious to see how many states I can cross off this year.
Other challenges are structured by month : Buzzword - each month pick a book based on a certain “buzzword” in the title”
In Case You Missed It- Backlist Reading Challenge - each month read a popular book that you missed out on starting from 2012, 2013, etc. I love the idea of this challenge
Decades Reading Challenge - Read a book about a specific time period, starting in the 1880-1899, 1900-1910s, 1920s, etc
A book cover challenge - just for fun
So basically 4-5 books a month will be specially planned out for me based on a book club or a challenge prompt, and the rest will be my own picks and I will see if they meet any prompts on their own. It’s all for fun, and it’s to try something different. This is also the first year I am trying book planning. I bought a planner from Peanut Butter Taco shop on Etsy and a bunch of stickers and I’ve been having fun filling that out.
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DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,761 Likes: 5,955
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Post by DGM on Jan 4, 2024 0:45:55 GMT -6
I just downloaded The Seven Year Slip after hearing about it on here.
I finished Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes last night. Wow. I love dual timeline books, and that one was powerful. TW for war scenes. My next dual timeline will be a re-read of The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers. It is a faith-based story around an Oregon Trail diary and how it impacts the modern day main character.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 4, 2024 4:42:56 GMT -6
I finished Tender Is The Flesh. That was…something. It was disturbing and sad and I didn’t even know how to rate it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for Goodreads because I don’t know what to do with that. One of my best friends rated this her top book last year. But it’s very her. Her description made me nope right out of there!! |
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sudsy
Opal
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 51,463
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Post by sudsy on Jan 4, 2024 5:45:19 GMT -6
I finished Tender Is The Flesh. That was…something. It was disturbing and sad and I didn’t even know how to rate it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for Goodreads because I don’t know what to do with that. One of my best friends rated this her top book last year. But it’s very her. Her description made me nope right out of there!! The only thing that kept me going was that I felt like under all the gross was a deeper meaning. Like if you read it analytically, it’s actually a pretty good book. The writing style sometimes bothered me because it’s almost, staccato? Super short sentences that probably could have been eloquently put into one longer sentence. Or there is no meaning and the author is a psychopath 🤷♀️ |
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cnf
Ruby
Posts: 21,625 Likes: 105,156
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Post by cnf on Jan 4, 2024 6:14:36 GMT -6
I just downloaded The Seven Year Slip after hearing about it on here. I finished Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes last night. Wow. I love dual timeline books, and that one was powerful. TW for war scenes. My next dual timeline will be a re-read of The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers. It is a faith-based story around an Oregon Trail diary and how it impacts the modern day main character. The Seven Year Slip is so good, I loved it. There's a few character call backs to The Dead Romantics, which if you didn't read that one, please do! I liked that one even better but both were very thought provoking and excellent. |
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 4, 2024 6:23:37 GMT -6
One of my best friends rated this her top book last year. But it’s very her. Her description made me nope right out of there!! The only thing that kept me going was that I felt like under all the gross was a deeper meaning. Like if you read it analytically, it’s actually a pretty good book. The writing style sometimes bothered me because it’s almost, staccato? Super short sentences that probably could have been eloquently put into one longer sentence. Or there is no meaning and the author is a psychopath 🤷♀️ My friend firmly believes there’s a deeper meaning. She was telling me of the not so gross stuff underneath, and I guess I can see it. But it doesn’t mean I want to read it. |
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sudsy
Opal
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 51,463
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Post by sudsy on Jan 4, 2024 6:37:29 GMT -6
The only thing that kept me going was that I felt like under all the gross was a deeper meaning. Like if you read it analytically, it’s actually a pretty good book. The writing style sometimes bothered me because it’s almost, staccato? Super short sentences that probably could have been eloquently put into one longer sentence. Or there is no meaning and the author is a psychopath 🤷♀️ My friend firmly believes there’s a deeper meaning. She was telling me of the not so gross stuff underneath, and I guess I can see it. But it doesn’t mean I want to read it. I haven’t eaten much meat lately lol |
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emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,927
Likes: 86,826
Member is Online
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Post by emma on Jan 4, 2024 7:16:40 GMT -6
I finished Starter Villain last night. It was fine, short and fun but I’d have preferred a different direction on the ending
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Post by angelashly on Jan 4, 2024 8:20:05 GMT -6
I started The Pact yesterday. It’s by Sharon Bolton and showed up a lot on booktok. I’m only 30 pages in but I hope it picks up.
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Post by bearfootzcontinued on Jan 4, 2024 8:39:48 GMT -6
I just downloaded The Seven Year Slip after hearing about it on here. I finished Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes last night. Wow. I love dual timeline books, and that one was powerful. TW for war scenes. My next dual timeline will be a re-read of The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers. It is a faith-based story around an Oregon Trail diary and how it impacts the modern day main character. The Seven Year Slip is so good, I loved it. There's a few character call backs to The Dead Romantics, which if you didn't read that one, please do! I liked that one even better but both were very thought provoking and excellent. Ok, I totally missed any cross references. I enjoyed both but also preferred Dead Romantics. |
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byjove
Ruby
Posts: 16,541 Likes: 86,866
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Post by byjove on Jan 4, 2024 8:46:19 GMT -6
Starting From Lukov with Love- it's an ice skating romance book with really strong reviews.
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Post by Rusty Red on Jan 4, 2024 8:50:28 GMT -6
You would like her books probably A lot of look at drugs and addiction and stuff like that. YA mostly but it’s good to mix it up a bit. I’ll check her out. Anyone else a little scared?  |
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Post by icedcoffee on Jan 4, 2024 9:45:49 GMT -6
I finished Tender Is The Flesh. That was…something. It was disturbing and sad and I didn’t even know how to rate it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for Goodreads because I don’t know what to do with that. This is exactly how I felt about it |
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Post by icedcoffee on Jan 4, 2024 9:46:20 GMT -6
Murder is more my thing but it’s good to mix it up a bit. I’ll check her out. Anyone else a little scared? This is always people IRL when I say my favorite genre of books 🤣 |
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Post by angelashly on Jan 4, 2024 9:56:30 GMT -6
So I went to grab my library bag because I haven’t gone since right before Christmas and I know my Christmas books are due. I guess I forgot I also had picked up books 😬 guess I’ll start the library books and put my new ones down for a bit
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Pizzaslut
Ruby
*it’s a joke. get some hobbies.
Posts: 22,848
Likes: 131,658
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Post by Pizzaslut on Jan 4, 2024 9:59:10 GMT -6
My first book of 2024 was Janet Evanovich's Recovery Agent. I haven't read her in a while because I could not take any more Stephanie Plum. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3. I think I liked it better listening to it than I would have if I read it. I wish there was a little more romance. There wasn't really any in this one. I'll probably listen to the second one in this series that comes out later this year.
I have a lot through Libby right now. I think I will listen to 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow next.
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Post by cdnfroggy on Jan 4, 2024 10:08:29 GMT -6
I finished Tender Is The Flesh. That was…something. It was disturbing and sad and I didn’t even know how to rate it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for Goodreads because I don’t know what to do with that. Oh man - the year I read Tender is the Flesh it was one of my favourite reads. It has stuck with me since and still stands out as one of the best horror books I've read. It's an interesting take on consumerism and I found it quite powerful - but I also totally understand it not being for everyone kittyriot, |
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byjove
Ruby
Posts: 16,541 Likes: 86,866
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Post by byjove on Jan 4, 2024 10:08:33 GMT -6
Anyone else a little scared? This is always people IRL when I say my favorite genre of books 🤣 Sometimes you are just in the mood for a light little murder story. |
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sudsy
Opal
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 51,463
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Post by sudsy on Jan 4, 2024 10:34:38 GMT -6
I finished Tender Is The Flesh. That was…something. It was disturbing and sad and I didn’t even know how to rate it. I gave it a 3.5 rounded down to 3 for Goodreads because I don’t know what to do with that. Oh man - the year I read Tender is the Flesh it was one of my favourite reads. It has stuck with me since and still stands out as one of the best horror books I've read. It's an interesting take on consumerism and I found it quite powerful - but I also totally understand it not being for everyone kittyriot, It’s definitely going to stick with me. I’ve contemplated reading it again because I think now that the initial shock is gone, I’d be able to really dissect it. |
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Post by cdnfroggy on Jan 4, 2024 10:38:42 GMT -6
Oh man - the year I read Tender is the Flesh it was one of my favourite reads. It has stuck with me since and still stands out as one of the best horror books I've read. It's an interesting take on consumerism and I found it quite powerful - but I also totally understand it not being for everyone kittyriot , It’s definitely going to stick with me. I’ve contemplated reading it again because I think now that the initial shock is gone, I’d be able to really dissect it. I have also been toying around with the idea of a reread, but I generally don't do that because I remember just enough of stories that I don't have that drive to find out what is going to happen I have a hard time picking up a book. |
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loony
Emerald
Posts: 12,636 Likes: 45,298
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Post by loony on Jan 4, 2024 10:47:57 GMT -6
Anyone else a little scared? This is always people IRL when I say my favorite genre of books 🤣 I can read the creepiest, scariest and murdery books...but I cannot watch anything like that. |
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DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,761 Likes: 5,955
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Post by DGM on Jan 4, 2024 11:09:07 GMT -6
I just downloaded The Seven Year Slip after hearing about it on here. I finished Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes last night. Wow. I love dual timeline books, and that one was powerful. TW for war scenes. My next dual timeline will be a re-read of The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers. It is a faith-based story around an Oregon Trail diary and how it impacts the modern day main character. The Seven Year Slip is so good, I loved it. There's a few character call backs to The Dead Romantics, which if you didn't read that one, please do! I liked that one even better but both were very thought provoking and excellent. Oh, good to know. I'll check out and read The Dead Romantics first because I love character callbacks! Thanks for the tip! |
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byjove
Ruby
Posts: 16,541 Likes: 86,866
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Post by byjove on Jan 4, 2024 11:15:12 GMT -6
The Seven Year Slip is so good, I loved it. There's a few character call backs to The Dead Romantics, which if you didn't read that one, please do! I liked that one even better but both were very thought provoking and excellent. Ok, I totally missed any cross references. I enjoyed both but also preferred Dead Romantics. I totally missed them all too. cnf can I get a spoiler? |
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Post by bearfootzcontinued on Jan 4, 2024 11:17:41 GMT -6
Hi everyone. I hope to participate in here more often again. I sort of forgot to check in on a regular basis like I had been, and then I couldn’t get caught up with all of the posts when I would think to come back. I hated missing out what everyone was reading. So that is one of my goals for this year! I read 74 books last year. I think my goal was 52 but I don’t really pay attention to that. I just read whenever I want to read and don’t worry about how much or little it is. This year I am hoping to try some challenges for the first time. I’ve always been a mood reader so it will be a bit of an adjustment for me, but since I typically read 7-8 books a month (November and December I slow WAYYY down with the holiday stress) I think I am ok with finally dedicating some books to a specific prompt, especially since most of them are still books I can choose from my own TBR. I am joining an in person book club for the first time, so there will be a book for that, plus an online book club. Some of the challenges I am going to try are ones I can complete at my own pace Lifetime of Reading - main characters of different ages Read with Allison challenge - don’t expect to fully complete, but it will be fun to see how many books I cross off on my own Read Across America - I don’t expect to finish this but I’m also curious to see how many states I can cross off this year. Other challenges are structured by month : Buzzword - each month pick a book based on a certain “buzzword” in the title” In Case You Missed It- Backlist Reading Challenge - each month read a popular book that you missed out on starting from 2012, 2013, etc. I love the idea of this challenge Decades Reading Challenge - Read a book about a specific time period, starting in the 1880-1899, 1900-1910s, 1920s, etc A book cover challenge - just for fun So basically 4-5 books a month will be specially planned out for me based on a book club or a challenge prompt, and the rest will be my own picks and I will see if they meet any prompts on their own. It’s all for fun, and it’s to try something different. This is also the first year I am trying book planning. I bought a planner from Peanut Butter Taco shop on Etsy and a bunch of stickers and I’ve been having fun filling that out. I'm going to add this to my tracking spreadsheet and see what their recs are - I was just about to ask for recs set in Colorado as we'll be going there in the spring. Those other challenges sound fun too! |
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