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TBR or Not TBR...

Rereads, new reads, reissues and more evidence of my BAC (Book Acquisition Compulsion) problems 

[a vertical row of trade paperback books from left to right: Played, Pucked Up, The Garden of Small Beginnings, Get Lost with You, My Big Fat Fake Marriage - on top of a vertical stack of TBR books from top to bottom: Flirting Lessons, Say You'll Remember Me, Scot and Bothered, Savor It, Kills Well with Others] 

Comfort reread contemporary romance, Played by Naima Simone and (not shown) historical romance, Devil In Disguise by Lisa Kleypas. Indulged in another angsty YA hockey romance, Pucked Up by Helena Hunting. Emotional upheaval and struggling through the stages of grief in contemporary women's fiction with romantic elements, The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman. More struggles and triumphs of moving forward after returning to one's childhood home in contemporary romance, Get Lost With You by Sophie Sullivan, and an amusing break from the glorification of a-hole billionaires in contemporary romance, My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein. 

And of course for me the answer is almost always yes to reading. 


Talented authors and good friends Kia DuPree and V. Efua Prince discussed Kin: Practically True Stories during a compelling chat at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the Bowie Town Center in Bowie, Maryland. The author read some passages, answered questions, shared details of her life and author journey, and dropped intriguing teasers about one of her upcoming works that includes themes on laundry.

[a poster in the front window of a bookstore: "Presenting V. Efua Prince, April 12, 2025, 3-5pm" for Kin: Practically True Stories] 

[author Kia DuPree seated on the left and author V. Efua Prince seated on the right as they discuss Kin: Practically True Stories] 


The Bowie Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System hosted a preview screening of Free For All: The Public Library. It's a fascinating documentary that highlights the champions of expanding access to information and the evolution of the services provided by public libraries. 
[a long rectangular table with several library books about libraries; a calendar of library events in April; a "What's the Draw?" worksheet, and a QR code for a questionnaire] 

Make time to experience some pleasure every day. 


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