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#booklover — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #booklover, aggregated by home.social.

  1. Mein #Buchtipp zum #Büchersonntag !

    Es ist schon eine witzige Idee, den Lieferdiensten mit ihren Möglichkeiten, überall hineinzukommen die Stellung von Geheimdiensten zuzugestehen. Allerdings ist die Geschichte ernst und stimmt in ihrer Auswirkung nachdenklich.

    #Literatur #Bücher #lesen #bookstodon #booklover #Buchvorstellung #Buchbubble #Lesebubble #Buchstodon #Buchbubblegermany #BuchbubbleDE

  2. Vor mehr als einem halben Jahr habe ich das Buch Von Jade und Drachen von Amber Chen gelesen. Nun habe ich den zweiten Teil der Geschichte Der Blutrote Phönix gelesen, und es hat wieder richtig Spaß gemacht.
    Zwei Jahre nachdem Ying die Ingenieursgilde hinter sich gelassen hat, kehrt sie in die Hauptstadt zurück, um das Land gegen Piraten zu verteidigen. Politische Ränkespiele, Gefühlschaos und Heldentaten in einer asiatisch anmutenden Welt sind in diesem Buch an der Tagesordnung, und auch, wenn die Geschichte in einer Steampunk-Welt spielt, tritt die Technik wie schon im ersten Band nicht in den Vordergrund, ist aber wichtig genug, um doch irgendwie die Hauptrolle in dem Buch zu spielen.
    Wieder ist der Roman locker und leicht zu lesen. Man fiebert mit den Figuren mit, hofft und bangt mit jedem. Eigentlich schade, dass der zweite Band der Geschichte auch der letzte ist…
    .
    Zum Anlocken ein Satz von
    #Seite100:

    Warme Ingwersuppe und Tangyuans wurden in kleinen Tonschüsseln ausgegeben, und Ying entdeckte den Dieb, der ihr begegnet war, als er sich gerade mit einem glücklichen Grinsen im Gesicht in die Schlange einreihte.
    .
    #booklover #buchtipp #buchbubble #steampunk #leseempfehlung

  3. Everything She Ever Wanted by Ann Rule

    Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into an Ann Rule true crime book that focuses on the life and crimes of Patricia Taylor, who reigned terror on those around her in the 1970’s. While this wasn’t my favourite Ann Rule book I’ve read so far, it was still an interesting case and well written overall.

    People of focus in the book:

    Pat Taylor Allanson– Easily the most fascinating and frustrating part of this story. Watching her behaviour escalate over time is honestly disturbing, especially because so many people around her either ignored it, enabled it, or excused it. The deep dive into her life, family, and relationships adds a lot to understanding how everything spiralled the way it did.

    Tom Allanson – Pat’s current husband at the time of the crime and an interesting character throughout the story. Ultimately allows his marriage to Pat to push him to do things people could never imagine. Is arrested for the crimes and continues to have a horrifically toxic relationship with Pat for many years.

    Walter and Carolyn Allanson – Tom’s parents and not huge fans of Pat. Are murdered in the basement of their home one night, which leads to an exposure of Pat for years to come.

    Clifford and Maggie Radcliff – Pat’s parents, who are aggravating people to read about. Defend their daughters’ insanely poor behaviour for years, financially support her, and excuse pretty much everything she does, showing us how this woman ended up this way.

    My Review

    As mentioned above, Everything She Ever Wanted isn’t a favourite of the Ann Rule books I have read, but it is still an enjoyable, interesting read overall. I did rate the book a 6.5/10, not because of how it was written, but more so the pace and the fact that there are a few unanswered and confusing bits to the book. I appreciated that Ann didn’t play sides or excuse poor behaviour from anyone who was in Pat’s life. She does have sympathy for some things that maybe I don’t, but I can appreciate her ability to be open to presenting all perspectives. I also enjoyed getting to dive into a case I had never heard of before, and it is a bit older, but it is a bit of a slower read and a touch repetitive.

    In this true crime story, Ann Rule explores the disturbing case surrounding Pat Allanson and the manipulation, control, and violence that followed her throughout her life. Pat became under the scope of the law when the parents of her husband, Tom, were murdered in their home. Tom, not being Pat’s first marriage and her having a reputation of being a bit of a scammer raise eyebrows of those around her, including her successful in-laws. Obsessed with living a life exactly as she envisions, Pat makes many choices to push herself to the top, crushing the ones who love her under her foot all the while. With no care but to be seen as this amazing, successful, attractive woman, Pat’s crimes come to light in a desperation to be something she’s not. As the book unfolds, it examines not only the crimes themselves, but also the family dynamics, relationships, and warning signs that surrounded Pat for years. Through extensive background and investigation, the story paints a picture of how dangerous behaviour can grow unchecked when the people around someone continually look away.

    Overall, this was a really interesting true crime story, especially because it’s an older case I had never heard of before. One thing I always appreciate about Ann Rule’s books is how deeply she dives into the people involved, and this one definitely does that. You don’t just get the crime itself; you get the history, the family dynamics, the relationships, and the environment surrounding everything that happened.

    And honestly, that was both one of the strongest and weakest parts of the book for me. The deep dive into Pat’s life was fascinating. Seeing how her parents and the people around her played such a huge role, while also seemingly doing nothing to stop her behaviour, was genuinely disturbing. It becomes this ongoing pattern throughout the book where people excuse things, ignore red flags, or enable behaviour that clearly should’ve alarmed them.

    But at the same time, it makes for a pretty exhausting reading experience. Not because the book is bad, but because you spend hundreds of pages watching people fail to intervene in increasingly concerning situations. It’s frustrating in a very realistic way, which I think was probably the point.

    The biggest issue for me was the pacing. The book felt very repetitive at times. I understand that a lot of the repeated details and background information were relevant to building the case and understanding the people involved, but it often felt like we were circling the same points over and over again. It slowed things down quite a bit and made parts drag more than necessary. I also felt like certain elements never fully clicked into place for me, particularly regarding Tom and the events at his parents’ house. There’s a lot discussed, but I still finished the book feeling uncertain about exactly what happened there.

    That being said, the story itself is undeniably compelling. Even when the pacing lagged, I still wanted to keep reading because the case is just so bizarre and unsettling.

    Overall, this definitely isn’t my favourite Ann Rule book, but I’d still recommend it to true crime readers because the story itself is incredibly interesting. Just be prepared for a slower, more detailed read that focuses heavily on the people and psychology behind the case rather than nonstop momentum.

    #AnnRule #AnnRuleTrueCrime #AnnRuleTrueCrimeBooks #BookBlog #bookBlogger #BookBlogging #BookBlogs #bookExplorer #bookLover #BookOpinion #BookPost #BookPosts #BookRecommendations #bookReview #BookReviewPage #bookReviewer #BookReviewerAndBlogger #BookReviews #BookSummary #books #EverythingSheEverWanted #EverythingSheEverWantedByAnnRule #Fiction #OldCrime #OldCrimeCase #Reading #Review #Reviewer #Reviewing #Reviews #True #TrueCrime #trueCrimeBookReview #TrueCrimeBooks
  4. My Spring Reading List

    Well, it’s Springtime, the second wind of the new year, the recalibrate and get ready to set yourself alight, start something new, or if you are me, make another go at the massive book piles accumulating in your home. I confess, I love books. I love learning. I love reading, and reading all the books, all the time, in a variety of places. My answer to the one thing needed when leaving the house (besides the phone, keys and planner AND pens…too many pens- that’s another whole story!) is to carry a book. Just in case. Just in case what? Well, that’s the point. Who knows? If I get stuck somewhere, I want to be prepared. I want a book. I don’t to be trapped somewhere without a book, the way some people don’t want to be stuck anywhere without there phone. Give me a book, and I can make a way. I can wait in a waiting room or most anywhere until those stinkin’ cows come home!

    I also want to confess, I am a slowish, adhd style reader. I like to read multiple genres at the same time, because I like a variety of styles. Now I don’t read all genres but I have a few specifics I like to have going at once when possible. Usually, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and something random. Sometimes a young adult, or children’s book. I know it’s cliché but variety is the spice of life – at least in my reading life! So let me show you what’s in my reading stack for the foreseeable future knowing it will be a challenge for me to finish these books by June. But stranger things have happened.

    OK, first, I’m going off list for a second. because, I literally just ordered this book today as a Mother’s Day gift to myself. I’ve wanted it for a while, and learned the movie is coming out on Netflix next weekend, and well, it seemed a good excuse to add this to my overfull for me book reading list. But I really have wanted to read it for a long time AND besides that, I don’t want to watch the movie before reading the book. That will just not be cool. IMHO. So the first book on my list (not pictured) is Remarkably, Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Have you read this one yet? Anyone up for a book chat after I finish?

    Reading List from Bottom to Top

    Teach Me to Pray by Kristen Wetherell and All Things Thee to See by Stephen Witmer are books I have reviewed for Crossway and am continuing to reflect on and incorporate into my reading, teaching, reflection times. So these are still in my pile. I’ve linked them if you are interested in learning more about these titles.

    Letters to an American Lady by C.S. Lewis- I have an original hard copy of this book, and have been meaning to read it for awhile. I have a little project idea in my mind to do with letters and so I pulled it out of my personal library to have a possible go at it. Sometimes I just have to test the waters if the timing is right for a book. Time will tell if I finish it this season.

    Thirty Days: On Retreat with the Exercises of St. Ignatius by Paul Mariani – So short story long…I recently attended a writing conference where Mariani was the keynote speaker and is all I can say is I fell for this wonderfully prolific, faith-filled tender-hearted, boldly honest and humble man. He is primarily a biographer, and poet, also a professor at Boston College, seminary trained, memoirist. The list goes on. I’ve been trying to immerse myself in his writing. No small task let me tell you. The man swims in words. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this memoir as I regularly have visited and retreated at the Campion Renewal Center (now closed to the public) which was a Jesuit monastery (priest retirement provision), and retreat center in Weston, Massachusetts. I first heard of Ignatius his story, and spiritual exercises there. I am working slowly through this read as this man misses not a detail of the day! He may be a bit academic for me, I checked into a number of his other published works, and started The Mystery of It All: The Vocation of Poetry in the Twilight of Modernity but was drowning so set it aside and opted for this one. Hoping to keep my head above water, even if I dog-paddle through to the finish!

    The Chance of Home: Poems by Mark S. Burrows- I like to keep a bit of poetry in my reading regularly. I am enjoying the poems in this one. These are not poems that leave you standing on the outside wondering what’s been said. Completely approachable, accessible tender, and moving poetry. Paraclete Press is my second favorite publishing house. They seem to have a lot of writers I enjoy. Just saying.

    North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures by Sharon Stiteler – I’m indulging my inner learner with this beautiful top rated beginning birding book. Hoping to be better at identifying beyond, “Oh, look at that bird!” Added benefit could be better descriptive writing? Will see!

    Managing God’s Money: A Biblical Guide by Randy Alcorn – Working through this one with a good-sized group at our church and loving Alcorn’s writing and handling of scripture for this subject. Challenging, and empowering, convicting and encouraging. This is a succinct study, and practical approach to addressing how we think about money, and stewardship.

    My next two books for review from Crossway (my favorite publisher) are None Like Him and In His Image Gift Edition: Beholding the Character of God (2 Volumes in 1) by Jen Wilkin. I received this beautiful combination this weekend. I am already reading None Like Him, which focuses on the attributes of God. Stay tuned for my review, but it’s hard to put down – which is wonderful, and a good sign.

    You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions (Second Edition) By Tim Chester – I told my bestie the title of this new book re-released by Crossway and she immediatly said, “I need that!” Don’t we all. I have not started this book yet, but you can say a prayer I am especially self-disciplined with my reading time and able to share a thorough review soon!

    Last but not least, I attended a women’s event this weekend, and was able to purchase Lori Stanley Roeleveld’s newly released book, God’s Abundant Mercy: 40 Days of Living in His Compassion. If you need a seasonal adjustment for your quiet time, or a dose of mercy for your devotional life, this could be a nice addition to refresh your heart. I appreciated Lori’s talk on the topic, and I have begun reading this just because I felt inspired to after the talk. Lori is an excellent writer. You can check her work out HERE.

    So, what are you reading? What recommendations do you have for me? I have some good news to share on the writing front too. I’ll save that for a post later this week.

    As always, thank you for reading,

    Enthusiastically, Dawn

    #BookDiscussion #bookLover #BookReview #BookReviews #books #Crossway #poems #poetry #Reading #RemarkablyBrightCreatures #SpringReadingList #writing
  5. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

    Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, a highly beloved and talked-about science fiction novel. Now, personally, I am not much of a science fiction gal, so I really wasn’t sure what I was going to think. I ended up really enjoying the book (science and math stuff aside) and found the world and the characters to have really shone through, making it such an enjoyable read.

    Main Characters:

    Ryland Grace: Such an unexpectedly great main character. He’s smart (obviously), but not in an intimidating way. He questions things, messes up, figures it out, and brings a lot of personality to what could’ve been a super technical story. He made this book so much more approachable and, honestly, really fun to follow.

    Rocky: I won’t say too much because it’s better to experience it, but one of the best parts of the book. The dynamic here is something I did not expect, and it adds so much heart, humour, and depth to the story.

    Eva Stratt: The scientist who creates the mission that Grace goes on often butts heads with Grace on their ideas, but in a respectful, professional way.

    My Review

    As mentioned, I went into Project Hail Mary not really knowing what I was getting into or if I would like it. I did not expect to love this as much as I did. Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to, and anything involving heavy math, science, or engineering? Also not my thing. So I went into this a little hesitant, but this book makes it so accessible. I didn’t really understand those aspects of the book, but I also didn’t feel like I needed to to really grasp what was going on in the story. You can feel the characters’ emotions, and that often showed me more than the science and math did. I rated Project Hail Mary a 9/10 rating, and would totally recommend it to people like me who don’t usually check out science fiction, or aren’t usually drawn to those types of stories.

    In Project Hail Mary, we follow Ryland Grace when he wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he’s on a mission to save Earth from a catastrophic threat that could wipe out all life. As he pieces together what’s happening, the story jumps between past and present, showing how the mission came to be, and how Grace ended up being humanity’s last hope. Along the way, unexpected connections form, and the scope of the mission becomes even bigger than initially imagined. We, the readers, are spun a gorgeous world in space through the eyes of someone who never expected to be up there.

    So yes, due to the plot of the book and Grace’s role in it, the book includes a lot of science, math and engineering. Yes, there’s complex problem-solving. But I never felt like I needed to fully understand every detail to stay engaged. The way it’s written keeps things clear enough that you can follow along without getting lost, which made a huge difference for me and how I was pulled into the book. What really pulled me in was how the story unfolded. The connections that are made throughout, especially the ones you don’t see coming, are so well done. It takes things in directions I never would’ve expected, and it just works.

    And Grace as a character? Loved him. He carries the story in such a natural way, and you actually enjoy being in his head as everything unravels. He makes the high-stakes, end-of-the-world mission feel personal and grounded.

    I will say, it’s a little unsettling how some of the issues in this book don’t feel that far off from real life. Like, it’s sci-fi, but also, not entirely? That added an extra layer of tension for me.

    The space aspect was also just really cool. It’s such an out-of-reach concept for most of us, and I loved getting to fully dive into that world and go along for the ride. It felt immersive without being overwhelming.

    And the ending? So good. It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying and meaningful, which isn’t always easy with a story this big.

    I’m also really curious to see how the movie adaptation turns out, whether it sticks close to the book or switches things up a bit.

    Overall, this completely surprised me in the best way. Super engaging, surprisingly emotional, and just a really fun (and slightly terrifying) ride through space.

    I hope you enjoyed this review! Thank you for checking it out! Feel free to subscribe to the page to be one of the first to know when I release a new review!

    #AndyWeir #AndyWeirBookReview #BookBlog #bookBlogger #BookBlogging #BookBlogs #bookLover #BookOpinion #BookPost #BookPosts #BookRecommendations #bookReview #BookReviewPage #BookReviewerAndBlogger #BookReviews #BookSeries #BookSummary #books #fictionBookReview #fictionBooks #PopularReaDS #ProjectHailMary #ProjectHailMaryBook #ProjectHailMaryByAndyWeir #ProjectHailMaryReview #Reading #Review #Reviewer #Reviewing #Reviews #SciFi #SciFiBooks #ScienceFiction #ScienceFictionBookReview #SpaceBooks #SpaceTravelBooks #TopChartBooks
  6. Have decamped to bed to read, on that note
    Book 24 of 2026

    Escape by
    Tracy Myhre

    I am enjoying this one 😍 it's an ARC, I also have book 2.

    #Reading #BookNerd #ARC #BookLover #LoveReading #KindleReader

  7. Dear @bookstodon , I feel positively giddy. A #freelittlelibrary just appeared on my street, and the joy this brings me - the anticipation (the shelves are still fairly empty) - is wonderful. I just went and added half a dozen books from my shelves. #freeisgood #bookswap #wanderingbooks #autisticjoy #booklover #bookstodon