I had the same response when I read Normal People. I was so conflicted about how I felt about it. I still don't completely know how I feel about it.

You always do such a good job of explaining why or why not! Keep up the vlogs!

I loved seeing a little snipped of your workout. I did CrossFit back in 2018 and 2019 and I recently got back into it in June and I didn’t realize how much I missed it!

📚🧡

Wow, you sure went on a roller coaster with deciding on your rating for normal people! It’s kind of fun when you have books like that that you really have to sit and think about how you feel about them.

I'm so glad to hear you liked Ministry of Time - makes me more excited to read it. Normal People wasn't for me. If I read a character-driven story, I need there to be a big character journey/evolution/transformation and that just didn't have it. It bugged me so much that I won't read any more of her books.

Hello! I'm looking forward to your A Good Neighborhood read as it is on my to purchase list for BOTM. So surprised about Ministry of Time. I wasn't expecting that one to have a good review. Normal People sounds like It Ends With Us? Toxic relationships seem to be on trend at the moment. I really appreciate your sharing your reviews. Have a great week ahead! (Oh no! A Good Neighborhood isn't good.)

Best of luck this semester 🎉❤

Happy reading for the readathon!

You have a very interesting TBR. Hope you'll enjoy all the books! I read Scythe only few weeks ago and I loved it so much I immediately bought all the books from the series :D

We understand that life is wild right now for you! I enjoy seeing the videos that you do post, whenever they come. 😊 The Phoenix crown looks really good!

The Wonder movie was amazingggggg so I can’t wait to hear what the book is like

I have The Hundred Years War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi-do you have that one? I have Shark Heart, Scythe, and Ricki Wilde on my TBR too, so let me know if you want to buddy read.

That’s a great tbr! Can’t wait to hear what you think about some of those bc they’re on my tbr too. 💕

I’m planning on reading your 2 5 star books soon

I ended up reading 3 BOTM and DNF’d one. I enjoyed Normal People and need to get to The Ministry Time!

I’m so glad you liked Middle of the Night! I’ve heard lots of meh feedback but I’m keeping an open mind as I have always enjoyed his books, despite negative reviews.

Oopf. I struggled with infertility for 7 years. The stuff people say is absolutely crazy! You are the second to recommend "All the Sinners Bleed" and I really think I need to read it soon.

I am 100 pages into The Briar Club and am loving it!

I liked The Briar Club-fun structure and interesting storyline and characters. I’ve had All the Sinners Bleed on audio for a while and I absolutely need to get to it soon.

I love how truthful you are! I am with you! My mind was blown when I saw that President Biden made his decision. You are such a voracious reader! I could only dream! 😊

January 6 was a terrible day in our history? Get a fucking grip and watch more videos from the day than what you obviously consumed.

Hi Kelsey! I love the idea of this readathon, I have lots of BOTMs to ketchup on myself. I have wanted to read A Good Neighbor; so I will be looking forward to that review. I hope you have great luck with your TBRS Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth

I’ve got Good Neighborhood and Ministry of Time as well if you want to continue the buddy read train!

I hated A Good Neighborhood 😬

Thanks for participating in Ketchupathon!!

I liked American Fire! It was really intriguing!

I was really enjoying what the river knows, until I got to the last 5%. A couple of things in the last few chapters really made me mad. Honestly at this point I don’t think I want to read the sequel. Very disappointing, because I agree that the Egypt vibes and Magical realism or great! The best book that I’ve read so far this year is The Guncle by Steven Rowleyz

Well, I'm adding "All the Sinners Bleed" to my list. As someone who has lived my entire life in the South & in various churches in the South & become very disillusioned by much of the church (including deconstructing but still believing) I'm interested in that book based on your description. Also, for much of my 44 years, I was an extremely conservative Republican but that has changed in recent years. I am finding this election year fascinating. Even though I don't agree with Harris on a lot of things, I am happy to support her & I am hoping & praying that we will be electing our first woman President this year.

We have the same love of books!!

Same, girl, same! Us poli sci/history people are like wooowwwww! I can't believe I haven't read Mercury yet - been on my NG since last year 🤦‍♀ I'm looking forward to Real Americans and All the Sinners Bleed.

Ooh very intrigued about Real Americans now. Don’t think I’ve heard anyone else talk about it! Multigenerational books aren’t usually my thing, but with such a strong social message I think it sounds like I could I enjoy it. And I don’t know how I haven’t read All the Sinners Bleed yet!

I was soooo relieved at the news earlier today and am also so interested and hopeful to see what happens with the democratic nomination!! 🤞

I love that you read and snack at the same time while reading a horror book! I could not do that. Pretty impressive! I picked up The UnWedding at B&N but wasn't sure... looking forward to your full review. Riley Sager is also on my TBR for August; so I will also look forward to that review as well. The Cabin sounds pretty intense ... OH my gosh. Summerween sounds like a fun time! Elizabeth

I'm the same way about audio - I do best when I start the book physically because I'm better able to keep the characters straight and get immersed a little deeper, and then I can hang with the audio without losing my way (because cue all the mind wandering when I listen).

Kelsi, thanks so much for bringing Megan Bannen's series to my attention. Quirky cosy fantasy with middle-aged romance is something I don't read enough of but always enjoy when I do, so that's gone on my wishlist. The Wedding People was one of my top picks of the July releases at my channel also.

I just found your channel from book mama and I love how short and sweet your reviews were

Going zero sounds so good! Need to check that one out

You'll enjoy Abby Jimenez's books I think - she always includes something really substantive in her stories and the male main characters are really good people (in the ones I've read so far). I'd suggest reading them in order (which I didn't) because there are mild spoilers for earlier books as you go. The Lion Women of Tehran sounds really good. I had no idea that Megan Bannen lives in KC! I haven't read her books before but I'd love to and will be on the lookout for author events there. I haven't finished any books yet this month (after reading a TON in June) - I have several in the works so I'm not immersed in any one thing. I need to fix that!

Totallllly feeling you on the new job stress + no time for reading recently! Here’s to hoping we both get up to speed soon and into more regular routines!

You're doing great! Just enjoy what you read and make it work for you!

Always a great tag to watch. It’s completely understandable that you’re reading has slowed while your learning so much at your new job. Congratulations on the position!

I’m 25% of the way into what the river knows, and it’s not gripping me like I had hoped/wanted it to. I think I was expecting it to be a lot more plot driven than it has been so far. Does the action pick up?

I am so excited for somewhere beyond the sea!

I have an arc of The Wedding People - I hope I can read it in July

I am beyond excited for God of the woods! I think it might be my most anticipated release off of the MMD SRG. I’m also looking forward to the cliffs and I’m interested in wedding people, but I’ll have to wait and see what the trigger warnings are.