Bookshelf

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In which I recover from last week's chaos (hopefully) and go through what each star rating means to me.

Happy Hour & How I Rate Books 🌟
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Feb 21


In which we battle technical hiccups and cake decorating mayhem...

Feb 15


Today would normally be the day for a Happy Hour video, but I am OVERWHELMED and STUCK.

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I'm going to catch up on some forum posts for grad school, then I am going to worry about Happy Hour tomorrow (thank you in advance for your kind patience). Until then, I have two things to ask.

First, what would you like to see me talk about in said video? Options abound. Please comment your wishes below, and they will be thoughtfully considered.

Second, are you okay with me decorating a Valentine's Day cake instead of hanging out in my office while we chat? Please vote in the poll!

Everyone take good care of yourselves, and (should you choose to imbibe) have a little beverage anyway.

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Feb 13


Did I get mildly distracted last night when I should have been writing this...? It's possible.

I don't care even a little about football (I kind of hate it, in fact), but you can't take the Philly out of the girl. Go Birds.

Yesterday's distraction was more of the "let me unpack the treasure trove of symbolism and brilliant messaging in this half-time show" variety, and then it was of the "Broad Street knows how to take a 'please don't climb the lamp posts' warning to heart" variety. Before all that, I swear I did get plenty of reading done. Not unlike one of my favorite Eagles. Okay, I'll stop...

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Another few chapters of The Poppy War audiobook (I did warn you I consume audiobooks very slowly), and it's still excellent. I know there is far more that will undo me soon to come...

I started House of Frank β€” thank you dearly for the votes β€” and wouldn't you know, it's every bit as cozy and charming and lovely and heartaching as I was told it would be. A quick read, I'm nearly halfway through it now and plan to finish it sometime today or tomorrow.

This week's dissertation prep involved less assigned reading and more of my own tentative research into my topic, and no, I'm not telling until I draft the proposal, so shush. I will say, though, that Virgil plays a role as does Ovid, so should you have any interest in Ancient Roman epic poetry, I offer up The Aeneid and Metamorphoses for your consideration.

Finally, I will admit to a couple of *ahem* guilty pleasures via Kindle freebies. Was Prince of Lust as... erudite as my other picks for this week? Um, no. Neither was Mafia and Maid, yet here we are.

Coming up this week, I'm looking forward to reading All About Love one more time before (finally) returning it to my sister-in-law (thanks, Alex).

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Feb 10


Let's talk HB-710 and a few other ridiculous measures we ought to be challenging.

Feb 7


Dry January is over… bring on Endless TBR February. πŸ“š Shirt from @Out of Print #gifted #outofprintpartner

Feb 6


Things everyone tells you about grad school: it is a ton of reading.

Things they emphasize when it's a literature degree: it's even more reading.

I mentioned it counted when I read for MA research, which is why I'm including The Handbook to Literary Research. No, I don't expect anyone to pick this one up. While it certainly has its interesting points and is valuable to my current purpose, it's also fairly dry in comparison to my usual titles. I don't expect that particular link to get a lot of clicks.

Amidst dissertation proposal research, I did finally get to Only When It's Us, and while I was appropriately warned in advance that I would weep, I was not expecting it to be so persistent! The tears didn't let up for a good twenty or so pages in there, and I'm expected to recover enough to focus on dissertation prep?? Rude. I recommend that one to any contemporary romance readers (specifically sports romance folk) who can handle a good cry.

I also made headway in Onyx Storm (nearly done!), and I'll go ahead and admit that it won't be getting a high rating from me... please don't come for my neck.

Coming up this week, aside from yet more grad school reading, I really want to reread Legendborn and Bloodmarked in anticipation of Oathbound coming out in March. I did also download the ebook of House of Frank earlier this week, and I'd love to have something cozy and hopeful lift my spirits in a time of turmoil.

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Feb 2


In which I sip my favorite cocktail and yap about SOME of my favorite books. Follow me on Bindery here to enter the GIVEAWAY! https://pepperobrien.b...Show more

Jan 31