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shalline.bsky.social
@shalline.bsky.social
I like books, gardening, animals, martial arts, and painting. But I mostly post about books.
What if you took a traditional Western and added in horror elements like ghouls, witches, demons, ghosts, and plenty of gore? This book has all of this and more! It’s very different but I really liked it. The audiobook performance is also quite good. Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian #booksky
November 7, 2025 at 1:52 AM
This book is melodramatic and has a lot of dark fantasy academia cliches. But it’s just so well done, I did not want to stop reading. The world building is based on Italy, if it had 3 suns that rarely set. Interesting magic system too. Strongly recommend! Nevernight by Jay Kristoff #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Reposted
Donald Trump deleted this from the government website.

Let's be clear: there's funding available to cover SNAP benefits next month. Trump is stopping SNAP benefits because he wants to. He is forcing mommas and babies to go hungry.
October 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a nice gothic fantasy with an anthropomorphic house who happens to be the best character. Some romance, horror, and gender and class struggle elements as well. I thought the Underland aspect a little vague though. Starling House by Alix E. Harrow #booksky
October 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM
This book is difficult to describe without spoilers so I’ll just say it’s definitely horror but also not, and you can’t trust anyone, especially not the narrators. It’s bizarre and creepy but also heartbreaking. A good October read. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward #booksky
October 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
The only Terry Pratchett I’d read before this was Good Omens, and this was just as funny. Excited to finally start some Discworld; it’s clever, fun, and somehow cozy while remaining imaginative. Death in this one was my favorite character. Mort by Pratchett #booksky
October 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM
This book was action packed from beginning to end. The magic system is cool, characters are interesting (including villains), & story was driven. It follows in the footsteps of traditional epic fantasy. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series. Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher #booksky
October 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This book is odd but satisfying. It explores gender roles & beauty standards in modern Japan through the lens of cooking and murder. Lots of extensive food descriptions & reflections on life. It was kind of like eating plain butter, simultaneously gross and delicious. Butter by Asako Yuzuki #booksky
October 16, 2025 at 1:25 AM
If you want to read about the situation of foreign domestic workers in Cyprus & how they are often treated with prejudice, sexism, and violence, read this book. It was incredibly sad, beautifully written, & while fiction, is unfortunately based on a true story. Songbirds by Christy Lefteri #booksky
October 6, 2025 at 12:32 AM
A good read for Hispanic Heritage Month, this one explores the lives of different fictional characters in Panama during the building of the canal. I enjoyed the various perspectives and learned some history, although it was a little dull overall. The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez #booksky
October 1, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Based on the title & the first part of this book I expected it to be full of violence but it was mostly character development and intrigue. Other than Logan everyone is kind of terrible but I can see growth coming. An interesting world, excited for more. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie #booksky
September 25, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Playing Hollow Knight and I’m proud of myself; I defeated the Soul Master on the second try!
Makes up for the about 10,000x it took for me to defeat the Mantis Lords…
September 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A decent thriller, it has one major twist which was somewhat predictable but it wrapped up fairly well. The writing is ok, as are the characters (the most interesting being Nina). A good audiobook performance helped. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden #booksky
September 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This book is the experiences of a disabled Nigerian-American author who writes the story of a post apocalyptic world populated by robots. It dragged a bit at times but a lot was fascinating and the end hurt my brain in a good way. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor #booksky
September 11, 2025 at 11:50 PM
This story and its world building were incredibly unique but also somewhat disturbing at times. A bizarre city and its varied fantastical inhabitants have to face a terrible enemy. It’s intense and engaging. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville #booksky
September 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I’ve never had one of these flower before! ❤️
September 7, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reposted
From: @iconawrites.bsky.social Instagram account.

📚💙
September 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I didn’t hate this book but I also didn’t love it either. It’s the story of first contact with aliens but from a somewhat narrow perspective of a girl who serves as a translator with hints at the overall global consequences. Writing, characters, ideas, all meh. Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis #booksky
August 27, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Stephanie Plum is goofy, irreverent, and definitely not realistic but still a good time. Plus she loves her hamster. I don’t think I’d enjoy reading this book as much as I do listening to the audiobooks, the narrator is fantastic and hilarious. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich #booksky
August 20, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Dreamlike & whimsical are excellent descriptors for this book. And like in dreams you have to suspend your disbelief. Things like logical plot or character development don’t exist,
it just happens. Be willing to enjoy the ride. Loved the Japanese culture. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao #booksky
August 17, 2025 at 10:34 AM
While I felt consistently annoyed by Hadrian in the first book, in this one he grew on me a bit. Lots of aliens and some crazy sci fi happenings throughout. Hoping there is more development of alien language and culture in the next book. Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio #booksky
August 14, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Enjoyed this one more than the first book, it had more world development and lots of intrigue, not to mention swashbuckling action on the high seas. The fictional version of China was interesting as were the ethical dilemmas, and of course the dragons! Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik #booksky
August 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The Great Mouse Detective. Underrated movie- it has great music, a mouse version of Sherlock Holmes, a cabaret scene, and Vincent Price voices the villain, what more could you want?
August 11, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Very happy with the flower garden we put in last year, we’ve been getting a ton of butterflies. It’ll be even more vibrant next year.
August 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
While not as good as Ender’s Shadow, this one did have some intriguing political drama. The issue is political speculation and maneuvering was the main plot of the book and the lack of character interaction and action made it pretty boring at times. Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card #booksky
August 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM