@smchugh630.bsky.social
HS librarian and mom. Nature and animal lover. Very amateur writer and photographer. Proud to be woke
In 1947, Israel was formed, India was divided, the CIA was created, the Muslim Brotherhood (future ISIS and al-qaeda) and alt-right neo-Nazi movements emerged, the word “genocide” was introduced. I love how this book deepened my understanding of the ripple effects of events of the year #booksky
December 10, 2025 at 10:49 PM
In 1947, Israel was formed, India was divided, the CIA was created, the Muslim Brotherhood (future ISIS and al-qaeda) and alt-right neo-Nazi movements emerged, the word “genocide” was introduced. I love how this book deepened my understanding of the ripple effects of events of the year #booksky
Just finished this amazing novel about conjoined sisters. I loved the characters and the way the story was told by both sisters, each filling gaps that the other left. Slow reveals kept me reading late into the night #booksky 📚💙
December 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Just finished this amazing novel about conjoined sisters. I loved the characters and the way the story was told by both sisters, each filling gaps that the other left. Slow reveals kept me reading late into the night #booksky 📚💙
My backyard this afternoon
December 4, 2025 at 10:06 PM
My backyard this afternoon
The author writes about her parents, an American woman who married a German man, whose lives were upended during WWII. The author’s father died on the Russian front before she was born. His life, and her parents’ relationship, was largely revealed through letters she discovered as an adult #booksky
December 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The author writes about her parents, an American woman who married a German man, whose lives were upended during WWII. The author’s father died on the Russian front before she was born. His life, and her parents’ relationship, was largely revealed through letters she discovered as an adult #booksky
If they want to eliminate “entitlement junkies,” they’ll need to start with the trump family and all their billionaire cronies. Disgusting and stupid
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
If they want to eliminate “entitlement junkies,” they’ll need to start with the trump family and all their billionaire cronies. Disgusting and stupid
In this YA fantasy, based on Russian folk tales, Vasya’s independence is mistaken for devilry, and her belief in spirits is condemned. Yet it’s her courage and faith that are called upon when dark forces threaten her village. Vasya is a worthy heroine, and the Frost King an intriguing ally #booksky
November 30, 2025 at 8:08 PM
In this YA fantasy, based on Russian folk tales, Vasya’s independence is mistaken for devilry, and her belief in spirits is condemned. Yet it’s her courage and faith that are called upon when dark forces threaten her village. Vasya is a worthy heroine, and the Frost King an intriguing ally #booksky
This YA novel defies easy categorization. It claims to be a romance on its cover, but is it a love story between people or between a student and the science she wishes to master? Combination historical, fantasy and mystery/thriller, i blew through it. Sequel isn’t as strong #booksky
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This YA novel defies easy categorization. It claims to be a romance on its cover, but is it a love story between people or between a student and the science she wishes to master? Combination historical, fantasy and mystery/thriller, i blew through it. Sequel isn’t as strong #booksky
Petra’s family is fleeing Earth ahead of a destructive comet. But their plans go awry when the Collective takes over their ship. The group wants to force peace and harmony by erasing history and memory. Inspired by her abuelita, Petra clings to stories as a way to fight and keep hope alive #booksky
November 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Petra’s family is fleeing Earth ahead of a destructive comet. But their plans go awry when the Collective takes over their ship. The group wants to force peace and harmony by erasing history and memory. Inspired by her abuelita, Petra clings to stories as a way to fight and keep hope alive #booksky
November 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The complicated relationship between sisters Lori and Erin blows up on the eve of vacation. When Lori disappears with the plane, Erin is devestated. Two years later, the plane’s pilot is found, drawing Erin into a mystery beyond her imagination. A quick read about family, grief, darkness #booksky
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The complicated relationship between sisters Lori and Erin blows up on the eve of vacation. When Lori disappears with the plane, Erin is devestated. Two years later, the plane’s pilot is found, drawing Erin into a mystery beyond her imagination. A quick read about family, grief, darkness #booksky
I stayed up late last night to finish this murder mystery and was blown away by the plot twist. It’s an homage to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie but I found it so unique and unexpected. So many secrets and lies! I loved the writing and will look up the author’s other books #booksky
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I stayed up late last night to finish this murder mystery and was blown away by the plot twist. It’s an homage to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie but I found it so unique and unexpected. So many secrets and lies! I loved the writing and will look up the author’s other books #booksky
A unique mix of history & sci-fi: a Japanese internment camp is hit by a mysterious illness that causes people to go rabid with rage & hate. It’s a story about how contagious fear, nationalism and hate can be. With nasty spiders. The author wanted to address anti-Asian bigotry in US history #booksky
November 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
A unique mix of history & sci-fi: a Japanese internment camp is hit by a mysterious illness that causes people to go rabid with rage & hate. It’s a story about how contagious fear, nationalism and hate can be. With nasty spiders. The author wanted to address anti-Asian bigotry in US history #booksky
Such an interesting novel about a young slave from Barbados whose life is changed when his master’s brother takes him on as an assistant for his scientific flights of fancy. The depiction of slavery is as brutal as the depiction of science is breathtaking. I haven’t seen the streaming show #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Such an interesting novel about a young slave from Barbados whose life is changed when his master’s brother takes him on as an assistant for his scientific flights of fancy. The depiction of slavery is as brutal as the depiction of science is breathtaking. I haven’t seen the streaming show #booksky
Another beautifully written book by one of my favorite authors. Tells two stories tied together by a ramshackle house: a modern family whose dream of the good life has fallen apart, and a teacher in the 1870s fighting to introduce his students to Darwin and science in a religious community #booksky
November 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Another beautifully written book by one of my favorite authors. Tells two stories tied together by a ramshackle house: a modern family whose dream of the good life has fallen apart, and a teacher in the 1870s fighting to introduce his students to Darwin and science in a religious community #booksky
This gritty realistic YA story has a twist similar to We Were Liars. A girl struggles to find out what happened after her best friend goes missing. Highlights the dangers faced by marginalized people, as well as the toll grief takes on a soul #booksky
November 1, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This gritty realistic YA story has a twist similar to We Were Liars. A girl struggles to find out what happened after her best friend goes missing. Highlights the dangers faced by marginalized people, as well as the toll grief takes on a soul #booksky
One of my favorite writers, Backman creates characters and stories that entertain as well as make me feel seen. He returns to themes of found family, friendship and love with humor and heart. One plot line didn’t go where I expected, leaving me initially unsettled, but overall I loved this #booksky
October 31, 2025 at 2:34 AM
One of my favorite writers, Backman creates characters and stories that entertain as well as make me feel seen. He returns to themes of found family, friendship and love with humor and heart. One plot line didn’t go where I expected, leaving me initially unsettled, but overall I loved this #booksky
I might be all of them combined
October 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I might be all of them combined
This had been on my list of important books I’d never read for a while. It’s a brutal look at the Jim Crow south but also the hardships that followed in the Great Migration. I’m struck by how someone with limited schooling and crippling poverty could write so eloquently and powerfully #booksky
October 27, 2025 at 9:28 PM
This had been on my list of important books I’d never read for a while. It’s a brutal look at the Jim Crow south but also the hardships that followed in the Great Migration. I’m struck by how someone with limited schooling and crippling poverty could write so eloquently and powerfully #booksky
This was fun, altho it might make a better movie; there’s a LOT of exposition. A guy takes a job with an animal preservation group. He just doesn’t know the animals are Kaiju (like Godzilla) that live in another dimension. The characters are fun, the dialog and writing are snappy #booksky
October 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
This was fun, altho it might make a better movie; there’s a LOT of exposition. A guy takes a job with an animal preservation group. He just doesn’t know the animals are Kaiju (like Godzilla) that live in another dimension. The characters are fun, the dialog and writing are snappy #booksky
This memoir of the months shooting the movie and a hit TV show around the clock is a treat for fans of MJF. Most of the stories aren’t new and it’s a quick read but he’s had a place in my heart since my Teen Beat days and I enjoyed this glimpse into his life and the magic of Hollywood #booksky
October 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This memoir of the months shooting the movie and a hit TV show around the clock is a treat for fans of MJF. Most of the stories aren’t new and it’s a quick read but he’s had a place in my heart since my Teen Beat days and I enjoyed this glimpse into his life and the magic of Hollywood #booksky
This 2021 book is about the history of the creative minds and risk-takers who made circuses such an iconic part of our culture. I found it at a used bookstore and enjoyed it #booksky
October 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This 2021 book is about the history of the creative minds and risk-takers who made circuses such an iconic part of our culture. I found it at a used bookstore and enjoyed it #booksky
October 18, 2025 at 9:59 PM
#nokings #50501movement #indivisible huge crowd in Boston. No sign of counter protests, just creativity, kindness and determination. The White House wonders who cares about this? Well, apparently millions do
October 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
#nokings #50501movement #indivisible huge crowd in Boston. No sign of counter protests, just creativity, kindness and determination. The White House wonders who cares about this? Well, apparently millions do