Linking to: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? at BookDate; Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer; and the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz
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Life…
I need to read faster, I thought I’d have a good chance to catch up this past week but somehow the days slipped away. Due in part to a free trial period of a new streaming service which has seen me binging on Grand Designs UK and Grand Designs NZ. I’ve redesigned my house, and my dream house, repeatedly over the past week or two.
I also spent an entire day remotely helping my daughter hunt up sources from her ‘essential’ reading lists, a total of about 80 books, and articles. Her first semester includes Forensic Science, Biodiversity, Introductory Chemistry, and Scientific Literacy. Classes start tomorrow!
Thankfully Book’d Out’s Facebook page has now been reinstated with Zuckerberg and our government reaching some sort of agreement. I’m still trying to figure out Instagram though. How many hashtags are too many? What sort of hashtags should I be using? What’s the follow etiquette? Is it enough to just ‘heart’ a post? Leave your Insta handle in the comments, and I’ll follow you, that part I’ve mastered!
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What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…
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The Paris Affair by Pip Drysdale
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland
Everything is Beautiful by Eleanor Ray
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New Posts…
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Review: The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart
Review: The Paris Affair by Pip Drysdale
Review: The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
Review: Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland
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What I’m Reading This Week…
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An explosive book examining the rise of secretive, extremist communities who despise women. In this ground-breaking investigation, Laura Bates traces the roots of misogyny across a complex spider’s web of groups extending from Men’s Rights Activists and Pick up Artists to “Men Going their Own Way” trolls and the Incel movement, in the name of which some men have committed terrorist acts. Drawing parallels with other extremist movements around the world, Bates seeks to understand what attracts men to the movement, how it grooms and radicalizes boys, how it operates, and what can be done to stop it. Most urgently of all, she traces the pathways this extreme ideology has taken from the darkest corners of the internet to emerge covertly in our mainstream media, our playgrounds, and our parliament. Going undercover online and off, Bates provides the first, comprehensive look at this hitherto under-the-radar phenomenon, including fascinating interviews with trolls, former incels, the academics studying this movement, and the men fighting back.
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As a small town turns on itself, three women discover true friends aren’t always the ones you think you know… A compulsive page-turner from bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe.
Tara Hooper is at breaking point. With two young children, a business in a town struggling under an unexpected crime wave, and her husband more interested in his cricket team than their marriage, life is a juggling act. Then, when new neighbours arrive and they are exactly the sort of people the town doesn’t want or need, things get worse.
Life has taught Helen Demetriou two things: being homeless is terrifying and survival means keeping your cards close to your chest. Having clawed back some stability through her involvement in the community garden, she dares to relax. But as she uncovers some shady goings-on in the council, that stability turns to quicksand.
For teenage mother Jade Innes, life can be lonely among the judgement of the town and the frequent absences of her boyfriend. A chance encounter draws her into the endangered community garden where she makes friends for the first time. Glimpsing a different way of life is enticing but its demands are terrifying. Does she even deserve to try?
Can these women with such differing loyalties unite to save the garden and ultimately stop the town from tearing itself apart?
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Never tell a woman where she doesn’t belong.
In 1932, Roy Chapman Andrews, president of the men-only Explorers Club, boldly stated to hundreds of female students at Barnard College that “women are not adapted to exploration,” and that women and exploration do not mix. He obviously didn’t know a thing about either…
The Girl Explorers is the inspirational and untold story of the founding of the Society of Women Geographers―an organization of adventurous female world explorers―and how key members served as early advocates for human rights and paved the way for today’s women scientists by scaling mountains, exploring the high seas, flying across the Atlantic, and recording the world through film, sculpture, and literature.
Follow in the footsteps of these rebellious women as they travel the globe in search of new species, widen the understanding of hidden cultures, and break records in spades. For these women dared to go where no woman―or man―had gone before, achieving the unthinkable and breaking through barriers to allow future generations to carry on their important and inspiring work.
The Girl Explorers is an inspiring examination of forgotten women from history, perfect for fans of bestselling narrative history books like The Radium Girls, The Woman Who Smashed Codes, and Rise of the Rocket Girls.
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A stunningly tense, page-turning debut for all fans of The Woman in the Window and The Girl on the Train The perfect house. The perfect family. Too good to be true.
Kate Webb still grieves for her young son, ten years after his loss. She spends her weekends hungover, attending open houses on Sydney’s wealthy north shore and imagining the lives of the people who live there.
Then Kate visits the Harding house – the perfect house with, it seems, the perfect family. A photograph captures a kind-looking man, a beautiful woman she once knew from university days, and a boy – a boy that for one heartbreaking moment she believes is her own son.
When her curiosity turns to obsession, she uncovers the cracks that lie beneath a glossy facade of perfection, sordid truths she could never have imagined.
But is it her imagination? As events start to spiral dangerously out of control, could the real threat come from Kate herself?
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The steep-climb highs and free-fall lows of my rollercoaster rural life
They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a new skill. Well, seven years (60,000 hours) since former city boys Todd and Jeff moved to the country they should have nailed this whole farming gig, right? Yes, they make lovely wine and have built beautiful accommodation, and they’ve even learnt how to look after their rescued farm animals. But they didn’t really count on Mother Nature getting involved.
Drought, bushfires, sick animals, failed crops, heatwaves, enormous changes in the two industries they rely on to make a living, snakes, the unstoppable breeding of peafowl, insurmountable debts and broken machinery …
Just when they think they’re on top of things, the land throws another few hurdles their way. But with fierce determination to succeed, willingness to evolve and their ever-present senses of humour, these boys might be down for the count but they aren’t quite ready to throw in the towel just yet.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 00:28:55
All your books are new to me. My reading seems to be fairly ok but I’m behind in my reviews. Good luck to your daughter. I went through this too many times trying to handle children studying in Melbourne and me here in Colombo.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:36:50
That must have been difficult, 400kms is far enough away to me.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 00:41:52
It’s so great that you’ve been able to help your daughter like that. I hope she does well. Curious about Other People’s Houses. I hope that March is a good month for you.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:37:06
Thanks Diane
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 01:29:01
You’re a great mom helping with all those resources, and I was drooling over here when I saw your daughter’s classes. They all sound so interesting.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:37:55
I agree the Forensic Science class does, the rest are not my thing!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 01:31:09
I’m the worst at hashtags which is probably why I don’t have that many followers, lol. But I don’t think there is a limit, just go for it! Have a good week!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:38:11
Thanks Tammy
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 01:39:39
Added a few of these to my TBR list, thanks. My reading is almost nil these days, I seem to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen or reading cookbooks.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:18:11
Your daughter’s courses look intense and exciting. Hope she has a great semester!
I like the look of your books, and have added Other People’s Houses to my list.
I also entered my first completed Nonfiction Challenge book to the Linky!
Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:38:30
Yay Laurel!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:28:24
Good that FB is back up. I know that pakistan’s govt has tight control of the citizens social media as well. Whats APP was eliminated for a bit so that the citizens wouldn’t be permitted to make long distance calls and instead use local carriers.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:34:22
This was just an argument about money, as our government is insisting Facebook pay them for the use of news media. Facebook refused and blocked all Australia’s media sites and because of the broad definition of media, my blog, and several others, were caught up in it.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 02:36:14
The women explorers’ organization, and books about women in adventurous fields really sound intriguing. Women’s history can be depressing, but also uplifting.
be safe… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 03:06:13
I like the idea of creating an essential reading list. Wouldn’t that be great if kids would create one for each of the stages of their lives. I’m also interested in the idea of a class in scientific literacy.
I have a FB for my blog, but I don’t really know what to do with it. I have Instagram, too, and I would really like to do more with it. I’m @debnance there.
I am interested in You’ve Got to Be Kidding. That sounds like a good moving-and-starting-over book. I’m off to see your review for Florence Adler now.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 03:54:43
I always enjoy reading your book list and I’m always impressed at the range of books you read – and I love the look of the The Girl Explorers. And huge respect for grappling with helping your daughter to sort out her book list! The reading lists produced are always so intimidating at first… I recall looking at mine and nearly buckling at the knees – until they taught us how to skim, scan and gut a book… (their words, not mine!) Have a great week, Shelleyrae:)
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 05:48:44
Your daughter’s course load sounds daunting Shelleyrae! I am going to be listening to Everything is beautiful this week (there’s no link to your review) and reading A Home Like Ours. Have a wonderful week. ❤📚
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 12:54:51
I haven’t quite finished the review…but it’s a really lovely read
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 06:15:48
So insta has a limit of 30 hashtags. People used to say to use all 30, but I typically don’t. I try to vary my hashtags too (some popular, some not so popular). I frequently just heart pictures. I only comment if its a book I read and loved. My handle is @thebookdisciple
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 12:56:44
Following!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 06:16:33
Ooooo The Girl Explorers and You’ve Got to be Kidding me both look so good!! I need to check them out!!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 06:42:44
On IG it’s at least 11 hashtags LOL The I understand helping your daughter! I had to translate in English a law text for her this week!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 07:31:05
Other People’s Houses and You’ve Got to be Kidding both sound good to me. I’m sure your daughter appreciates your help… hope she is settling into her new environment. Have a good week,
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 07:50:47
I think intsta is 30 hashtags…I put them in the first comment. I keep a list of ones I want to use in the notes section of my iPad and then copy and paste. I like to use medium size popularity. But a mixture of high, med, low is always good. To create my list I looked at what other bookstagrammers were using. In my copy and paste list I use less than 30 so that I have room to add a few hashtags that are specific to the book I’m posting. The follow/unfollow game is strong on Instagram and it’s super annoying, so I have an app I use so that I know when accounts unfollow me and then I unfollow them! Also, you’ll find that big accounts don’t like to follow back (no matter how much you engage with them)…you can usually tell which ones won’t follow back by looking at their following/followers ratio. I only follow back public, book related accounts (unless it’s a personal friend). I’m @ readingladies_book_club ….. I’d be happy to follow back and answer any questions! Welcome to bookstagram!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 12:58:28
Thanks for the tips Carol, love the copy and paste idea!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 08:04:15
Isn’t it nice to know that even when our kids go off to college, they still need our help?!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 08:30:47
I’ve watched some of those Grand Designs they are always amazing. But I am hopeless with viewing. Okay well I am making my way through Doctor Doctor season 4. (Australian) It’s total soap drama but I enjoy it. Good to see the Fiona Lowe book slipping in there.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 12:59:42
I yes, I enjoyed Doctor Doctor too
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 08:48:20
On Instagram, more the merrier is the rule with hashtags though I read an article that said 9 was a good number. I mostly like posts but more interaction is preferably like commenting and saving posts (that’s a new thing that I’m not sure about but it plays into the algorithm). See what I read at Girl Who Reads
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 13:00:09
Thanks Donna!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 10:18:37
“I’ve redesigned my house” haha that made me laugh! Sounds fun ! And I hear you on Instagram! I’m at @Gregreads although I’m not too good at it 🙂
Other People’s Houses looks really good!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 11:27:36
I’d also like to read much faster. You daughter’s classes sound great and I want to take them. I’m glad your Facebook issue is sorted but when it comes to Instagram I just say NO.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 11:58:59
Your daughter’s classes seem an interesting combination. I hope she enjoys them!
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 12:27:37
You are very busy, Shelleyrae! I really enjoyed ‘A Home Like Ours’, and liked ‘Other People’s Houses’. ‘Men Who Hate Women’ is on my library list.
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Mar 01, 2021 @ 15:23:07
The Girl Explorers sounds like a book up my alley. I will look for it. My Sunday Salon post this week
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 01:03:49
80 books? Wow! That sounds intimidating to me, considering the type of books they are.
I see a few books that interest me but my tbr list is so long.
I hope you have a great week!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 23:13:41
Me too!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 01:21:51
Your upcoming books all sound so interesting! Hope you have a great week!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 02:09:47
I just had a bit of a laugh – literally as I am reading your post, I am currently in my online Forensic Science lecture… no joke I can’t make this up lol! While I should definitely be paying attention, I am so much more interested in the book world xD
Have a great reading week!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 04:07:55
My daughters first lecture was today, I hope she found it more interesting!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 03:22:29
Interesting assortment of books. I hope you enjoy this week’s choices. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 03:53:59
I know that with Instagram you can use 30 hashtags per post and that’s what I usually use, sometimes a little less.
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 22:56:24
Thanks Stephanie
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 08:10:31
We love Kevin McCloud in this house! It’s constantly on tv here and we are planning on moving soon so it’s giving us some far fetched ideas! Have you watched the one where they had to have a dance floor! More money than sense!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 14:28:45
Lol, yes though I did like their indoor spa/pool!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 08:35:22
I am partial to renovation shows and have renovated my house so many times in my head. One can dream, right? I hope your daughter’s classes got off to a good start. Men Who Hate Women sounds like an interesting read. Ooo! And the Girl Explorers! I will have to look for both. I hope you have a great week!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 11:10:45
That’s so good that you were able to help your daughter. I hope you enjoy your books and have a great week!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 11:36:54
Instagram is pretty easy once you get into it. You can’t really do anything wrong, so just do what seems right for you. As for hastags, I usually use #books #bookstagram and then maybe a few more, depending on the post. If it is a book review, I do #bookreview #bookrecommendations (if I recommend it!) #(authorname) and #(title)
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 14:29:19
Thanks!
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Mar 02, 2021 @ 21:57:08
@Sydneyeditor1 on insta! I tend to copy the tags of other People’s posts that are close to being like mine and try to figure what works for me. 30 is the limit for tags on Insta. Also that Laura Bates book 🤯🤯🤯 –
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Mar 03, 2021 @ 00:56:52
Can’t help you out much with IG, because I look at it less now that videos seem to be outnumbering photos, and I still haven’t learned the real ins and outs of it. I still post, but not as often, at @baystateRA. Other People’s Houses sounds like the kind of book I keep swearing off and picking up again! The Cold Millions was amazing on audio, but I DNF’d Florence Adler on audio, so I’ll have to check out your reviews of both now.
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Mar 04, 2021 @ 10:16:15
Grand Designs sounds like the show for me! I somehow missed it on Netflix but will sample an episode. Have a great week!
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Mar 08, 2021 @ 03:20:36
Neat list of books you featured last week. Hope you enjoyed what you read. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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