Cicero
@cjr109.bsky.social
A love of well-crafted books that make me feel all the feels.
Fox by Joyce Carol Oates
Am really stepping out of my normal genres with this one but must confess I'm already captivated by the first 50 pages. Came highly recommended so I'm giving it a shot.
#booksky
Am really stepping out of my normal genres with this one but must confess I'm already captivated by the first 50 pages. Came highly recommended so I'm giving it a shot.
#booksky
November 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Fox by Joyce Carol Oates
Am really stepping out of my normal genres with this one but must confess I'm already captivated by the first 50 pages. Came highly recommended so I'm giving it a shot.
#booksky
Am really stepping out of my normal genres with this one but must confess I'm already captivated by the first 50 pages. Came highly recommended so I'm giving it a shot.
#booksky
This is easily the best book I read last year and is one that I plan to reread this coming holiday season. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Short but powerful about a man with the moral strength to do what's right despite social constraints. Google for more info.
#booksky
#booksky
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
This is easily the best book I read last year and is one that I plan to reread this coming holiday season. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Short but powerful about a man with the moral strength to do what's right despite social constraints. Google for more info.
#booksky
#booksky
I love it when I learn something unusual while reading a novel. While the beginning of this book is sad and powerful, the concept of burying a fig tree before winter was fascinating! Looked it up and it is a 'thing' to help the tree survive winter weather. My fig didn't survive squirrels.
#booksky
#booksky
October 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I love it when I learn something unusual while reading a novel. While the beginning of this book is sad and powerful, the concept of burying a fig tree before winter was fascinating! Looked it up and it is a 'thing' to help the tree survive winter weather. My fig didn't survive squirrels.
#booksky
#booksky
Flashlight by Susan Choi
Am wondering if anyone on here has read this book and if so, thoughts? I'm just over 100 pages and am waiting for that sweet spot of being caught in the story.
#booksky
Am wondering if anyone on here has read this book and if so, thoughts? I'm just over 100 pages and am waiting for that sweet spot of being caught in the story.
#booksky
October 25, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Flashlight by Susan Choi
Am wondering if anyone on here has read this book and if so, thoughts? I'm just over 100 pages and am waiting for that sweet spot of being caught in the story.
#booksky
Am wondering if anyone on here has read this book and if so, thoughts? I'm just over 100 pages and am waiting for that sweet spot of being caught in the story.
#booksky
I am late to the game on reading this book but sure am glad I did! Fantastic writing, strong settings, and the characters!! Boris is hands down my favorite. An expansive story that follows the life of a boy who becomes tangled with art, antiques, and drugs during his journey to adulthood.
#booksky
#booksky
October 25, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I am late to the game on reading this book but sure am glad I did! Fantastic writing, strong settings, and the characters!! Boris is hands down my favorite. An expansive story that follows the life of a boy who becomes tangled with art, antiques, and drugs during his journey to adulthood.
#booksky
#booksky
It's Caturday and he who WILL be obeyed has taken over the dogs' bed. The dogs are incredulous and so am I! It isn't the cleanest smelling bed. He's watching to see what might happen.
September 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
It's Caturday and he who WILL be obeyed has taken over the dogs' bed. The dogs are incredulous and so am I! It isn't the cleanest smelling bed. He's watching to see what might happen.
I planned on rating this book a 4 but that isn't the fault of the book that I, as the reader, did not invest more at the beginning. 40% in, it hit me and kept me up until finished. A complex character is revealed through letters that tells of a life in the most intriguing way. Excellent!
#booksky
#booksky
September 8, 2025 at 11:56 AM
I planned on rating this book a 4 but that isn't the fault of the book that I, as the reader, did not invest more at the beginning. 40% in, it hit me and kept me up until finished. A complex character is revealed through letters that tells of a life in the most intriguing way. Excellent!
#booksky
#booksky
I swear, it really wasn't that hot in the house! Yet he, who must be obeyed, wanted it on and that's that.
September 2, 2025 at 12:04 AM
I swear, it really wasn't that hot in the house! Yet he, who must be obeyed, wanted it on and that's that.
There are some fascinating short stories in volume 2, some that might make you cry or wonder, and some might have you searching for a common ground of humanity. So far, I have enjoyed each one I've listened to (audio on treadmill) and have to thank @the-dave-harmon.bsky.soc for the rec.
#booksky
#booksky
August 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
There are some fascinating short stories in volume 2, some that might make you cry or wonder, and some might have you searching for a common ground of humanity. So far, I have enjoyed each one I've listened to (audio on treadmill) and have to thank @the-dave-harmon.bsky.soc for the rec.
#booksky
#booksky
To grow readers is to expose them to books. No matter how young, read to them. Let them hear the way words "work" and how stories are constructed. This book is quite popular right now. A young reader will learn about fish in a hilarious, fictional way with humorous artwork. Highly recommend
#booksky
#booksky
August 25, 2025 at 2:41 AM
To grow readers is to expose them to books. No matter how young, read to them. Let them hear the way words "work" and how stories are constructed. This book is quite popular right now. A young reader will learn about fish in a hilarious, fictional way with humorous artwork. Highly recommend
#booksky
#booksky
Black Cat Appreciation Day: This is He Who Must Be Obeyed!
August 19, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Black Cat Appreciation Day: This is He Who Must Be Obeyed!
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
A 5 star, well-crafted YA novel that bridges YA to adult fiction. Fantastic setting with a main character that is plausible and complete. Kudos to the author who did not need to weave a "repressed porn" story line within events to create an excellent work.
#booksky
A 5 star, well-crafted YA novel that bridges YA to adult fiction. Fantastic setting with a main character that is plausible and complete. Kudos to the author who did not need to weave a "repressed porn" story line within events to create an excellent work.
#booksky
August 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
A 5 star, well-crafted YA novel that bridges YA to adult fiction. Fantastic setting with a main character that is plausible and complete. Kudos to the author who did not need to weave a "repressed porn" story line within events to create an excellent work.
#booksky
A 5 star, well-crafted YA novel that bridges YA to adult fiction. Fantastic setting with a main character that is plausible and complete. Kudos to the author who did not need to weave a "repressed porn" story line within events to create an excellent work.
#booksky
The Garden
The most unusual book I've read in awhile. Well written, excellent character development, with such a subtle setting that the reader gets caught up in the immediate and forgets the bigger picture. However, it is the bigger picture that is the main character. An excellent read.
#booksky
The most unusual book I've read in awhile. Well written, excellent character development, with such a subtle setting that the reader gets caught up in the immediate and forgets the bigger picture. However, it is the bigger picture that is the main character. An excellent read.
#booksky
August 13, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The Garden
The most unusual book I've read in awhile. Well written, excellent character development, with such a subtle setting that the reader gets caught up in the immediate and forgets the bigger picture. However, it is the bigger picture that is the main character. An excellent read.
#booksky
The most unusual book I've read in awhile. Well written, excellent character development, with such a subtle setting that the reader gets caught up in the immediate and forgets the bigger picture. However, it is the bigger picture that is the main character. An excellent read.
#booksky
Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan
Something almost magical, certainly anticipatory, when starting a new book. Has anyone read this? Commentary?
#booksky
Something almost magical, certainly anticipatory, when starting a new book. Has anyone read this? Commentary?
#booksky
August 12, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan
Something almost magical, certainly anticipatory, when starting a new book. Has anyone read this? Commentary?
#booksky
Something almost magical, certainly anticipatory, when starting a new book. Has anyone read this? Commentary?
#booksky
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick
Any thoughts about this book? I loved The Measure by Erlick but this one leaves me feeling bored. I'm quite disappointed and it has become one of my DNFs. Same basic formula as The Measure but the multitude of characters in Poppy isn't necessary. So sad...
#booksky
Any thoughts about this book? I loved The Measure by Erlick but this one leaves me feeling bored. I'm quite disappointed and it has become one of my DNFs. Same basic formula as The Measure but the multitude of characters in Poppy isn't necessary. So sad...
#booksky
August 7, 2025 at 1:26 AM
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick
Any thoughts about this book? I loved The Measure by Erlick but this one leaves me feeling bored. I'm quite disappointed and it has become one of my DNFs. Same basic formula as The Measure but the multitude of characters in Poppy isn't necessary. So sad...
#booksky
Any thoughts about this book? I loved The Measure by Erlick but this one leaves me feeling bored. I'm quite disappointed and it has become one of my DNFs. Same basic formula as The Measure but the multitude of characters in Poppy isn't necessary. So sad...
#booksky
Went to a quilt show this weekend. Amazing quilts! I loved The Black & White + 1 show and the showing of international fabric wall art was impressive! This was my favorite but there were so many fantastic ones. Zoom in to read about the artist.
#quiltsky
#quiltsky
August 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Went to a quilt show this weekend. Amazing quilts! I loved The Black & White + 1 show and the showing of international fabric wall art was impressive! This was my favorite but there were so many fantastic ones. Zoom in to read about the artist.
#quiltsky
#quiltsky
I wonder if there is such a job as a cloud chaser. Nothing dangerous like tornadoes but just beautiful, fluffy clouds reflecting light and colors.
August 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I wonder if there is such a job as a cloud chaser. Nothing dangerous like tornadoes but just beautiful, fluffy clouds reflecting light and colors.
Vera or Faith by Gary Shteyngart. Any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and/or impressions about this book? I've not read it and most of the reviews I've read make it sound outstanding whilst also sad. Don't think I can do another sad after having finished My Friends.
#booksky
#booksky
July 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Vera or Faith by Gary Shteyngart. Any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and/or impressions about this book? I've not read it and most of the reviews I've read make it sound outstanding whilst also sad. Don't think I can do another sad after having finished My Friends.
#booksky
#booksky
My Friends by Fredrik Backman This book killed me, emotionally but gosh it was good! I listened to the audio and I can't rate the book high enough, not just the superb writing but for the fantastic job on the audio book. The characters came alive! Had to let emotions die before posting.
#booksky
#booksky
July 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
My Friends by Fredrik Backman This book killed me, emotionally but gosh it was good! I listened to the audio and I can't rate the book high enough, not just the superb writing but for the fantastic job on the audio book. The characters came alive! Had to let emotions die before posting.
#booksky
#booksky
My Friends Fredrik Backman
I'm listening to this book while on the treadmill and let me say it is easily the saddest book I've ever read/listened to! It is extremely well written with strongly developed characters but my goodness! It pulls at my heart! Easily a 5 tissue read/listen. (1-5)
#booksky
I'm listening to this book while on the treadmill and let me say it is easily the saddest book I've ever read/listened to! It is extremely well written with strongly developed characters but my goodness! It pulls at my heart! Easily a 5 tissue read/listen. (1-5)
#booksky
July 13, 2025 at 1:03 AM
My Friends Fredrik Backman
I'm listening to this book while on the treadmill and let me say it is easily the saddest book I've ever read/listened to! It is extremely well written with strongly developed characters but my goodness! It pulls at my heart! Easily a 5 tissue read/listen. (1-5)
#booksky
I'm listening to this book while on the treadmill and let me say it is easily the saddest book I've ever read/listened to! It is extremely well written with strongly developed characters but my goodness! It pulls at my heart! Easily a 5 tissue read/listen. (1-5)
#booksky
Just finished Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab. Mesmerizing, hard to put down, and it just pulled ahead of The Vampire Lestat as being IMHO best vampire book written.
July 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Just finished Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab. Mesmerizing, hard to put down, and it just pulled ahead of The Vampire Lestat as being IMHO best vampire book written.
He thinks he is a real bad ass and I have to remind him that he was a 3 week old feral rescue who OWES me.
July 10, 2025 at 7:54 PM
He thinks he is a real bad ass and I have to remind him that he was a 3 week old feral rescue who OWES me.
I'm setting aside the glowing after effects of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil (oh gosh it was so good) to delve into the Wild Dark Shore. May I not be disappointed!
#booksky
#booksky
July 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I'm setting aside the glowing after effects of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil (oh gosh it was so good) to delve into the Wild Dark Shore. May I not be disappointed!
#booksky
#booksky
Schwab's novel takes a time-walk from the 1500s to today. Like a Maypole, the vampiric character, Sabine, exists while others twist and undulate around her. Events, characters and death create a sadness that permeates the story. The complexity and outstanding writing ensures a great read.
#booksky
#booksky
July 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Schwab's novel takes a time-walk from the 1500s to today. Like a Maypole, the vampiric character, Sabine, exists while others twist and undulate around her. Events, characters and death create a sadness that permeates the story. The complexity and outstanding writing ensures a great read.
#booksky
#booksky