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Nicole aka Short Review Specialist

@criminallyconcise

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Crime fiction, criminally concise.
Verdicts, not summaries.
Under-the-radar books.
Mostly crime — occasional out of jurisdiction cases.
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⬅️THROWBACK THURSDAY⬅️ Throwing back to a post I intended for February's Black History Month, then March's Women's History Month. 3rd time's a charm, right? And it's always good to spotlight Black Americans from the past--like my mug says, Black History 365! 🗓️ Set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, All We Were Promised is historical fiction that follows 3 young Black women a few decades before the Civil War: the free daughter of prominent, wealthy Black parents who is an abolitionist; a daughter posing as a servant to her white-passing father, both on the run from Maryland slavecatchers; and a teen from the same plantation, brought to Philly with the white mistress owner who has already sold off her sibling. Their stories eventually merge, becoming entwined when the narrative picks up & focuses on the free women conspiring to help the enslaved one escape her circumstances. The characters are well developed; there are a lot of secrets & friendship, plus a little romance along the way. ⛓️‍💥 Several elements were of particular interest in this story. Philadelphia, a northern city known as "the cradle of liberty," was ostensibly slavery-free, & public spaces & neighborhoods were diverse. However, racism, discrimination, & pro-enslavement sentiment & violence was part of the fabric of city life. Southern slave owners could bring their slaves into the city with no consequences, as long as they left within 6 months, & Black residents lived under the threat of being captured & sold into slavery. Free black females were empowered to be activists for the abolition movement, but there were constraints within society about proper conduct & many of the women drew the line at helping runaway slaves. 👩🏽‍🦱 Thoroughly researched & absorbing from the get-go, this story kept my interest, an engaging departure from the ubiquitous WW2 historical fiction out there. 📖 Have you ever visited Philadelphia, or want to? My brother lives there, along with some bookstabuddies who I'd love to eventually meet up with (@criminallyconcise & @readsandwienerdogs ❤️). I love the history, the stone buildings, & the Philly cheesesteaks!
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SWEET SATURDAY What's that you say? It's NATIONAL ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY?? 🥳 Woo-hoo! This is how I spend a good bit of my time these days: on my back, hooked up to my ice machine (that's it on the left), reading a book. It's a cozy, rainy day, which makes it a bit more bearable, being mostly confined to the house while my knee recovers. But throw in ice cream in the morning and things just got waaayyyy better! 🍦 What's your favorite ice cream flavor? I just love ice cream, don't really have one. Give me any kind. (Well, maybe don't give me rum raisin. I don't like raisins, let alone frozen ones, but that's about it.) This morning, I'm enjoying @jenisicecreams delectable classic, Brambleberry Crisp. And I'm using my ice cream cozy, courtesy of the lovely @criminallyconcise , who knows my passion for this frozen treat and didn't want my hand to be cold while eating right out of the carton, like the barbarian I am. 🍨 And today I'm reading Ann Patchett's annotated edition of her first bestseller, Bel Canto. It's a fascinating peek behind the curtain (the backstory behind parts of the story, the research she did, how she'd edit it today, what she thinks she did well, where she thinks she messed up, etc) and has me fully engaged in my reread. What are you reading this weekend? I hope you have some ice cream to go with it! 📖 . . . . 🏷️ #sweetsaturday #saturdaysweets #nationalicecreamforbreakfastday #nationalicecreamforbreakfast #icecreamforbreakfast #belcanto #belcantobook #booksandicecream #icecreamandbooks #annpatchett #annotatedbelcanto #operabooks #rereading #rereads #rereadingbooks #readinginbed #readinginbedisthebest #booksinbed #kneesurgeryrecovery #icecreaminbed #booklover #booklove #booklife #bookcommunity #bookish #booksandbed #bookwoman #babygotbooks
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#tenbookstendays Day 5: something lost, something gained: reflections on life, love, and liberty by Hillary Clinton Well. Like many of you, I took a couple of days after Tuesday. There were no words. I was at a loss. I got out in nature. I spent time with the people I love most. I snuggled my dog. I wallowed in feel-good TV. And I turned to chocolate. A lot of chocolate. 🍫 Right now, I'm managing myself very carefully. Consuming media selectively. Limiting my conversational topics. Having boundaries around taking on others' grief and rage. Interestingly, I've lost a lot of followers after posting a pro-Harris post on Election Day. So be it. As others have stated with more eloquent detail than I, reading itself is a political act. It's not separate from our belief systems--in fact, it fuels them. I myself will be turning away from what doesn't nourish me, with no regrets. 🧘🏻‍♀️ I'm still at a loss, but I'm ready to come back today to feature this particular #nonfictionnovember selection from my #tbr. Hillary Clinton is now in her Wise Elder era. She knows how to "look at life from both sides now" (she reveres Joni Mitchell and this song is her anthem). The last chapter of her life continues to be filled with purpose, along with grit, joy, love, and humor. And that's the template I want to follow. ☁️ Today, with no pressure and only admiration, I nominate my #bookstabuddy and fellow political junkie and Hillary admirer @abookishpearl . Christine, if you're up to it, show us what's lurking on your #tbrshelf ! 💙 I'd love to know--what's nourishing you right this minute? I very much want to hear from you, and if I've tagged you (and IG doesn't let me tag many or there'd be oodles more), it's to make sure you see this and because your response is important to me in this time of need. ❤️‍🩹 . .
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📚 📚 📚 HAPPY INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY! Seems like a perfect time to post my birthday haul. I love getting books off my wishlist AND being surprised (although it gets hard for people to be sure I haven't read something, everyone succeeded this year! 👏🏼), and all of these book birthday presents came from independent bookstores! 🙌🏼 🥳 I'm deep into Somehow, Anne Lamott's latest, and look forward to the rest. See any favorites, or ones on your TBR? I can never get enough of mugs and bookends, either, and peep this puzzle! The perfect amount of pieces and apparently I can frame this beauty when I'm finished! 😍 Aren't book and bookish gifts the best? ✨💝 Now I'm off to patronize some local indie bookstores! On my wishlist (won't have time for all because there's another dance performance tonight!): @sugarfootbooks @townbooks_sa @wayfinderbookshop @bookpassage @sausalitobooks @greenapplebooks and First Street Books (tiny and old fashioned enough to have no IG account!) How are you celebrating today? [today's giveaway hint: I have a bookshelf in my dining room] . . . . . 🏷️ #independentbookstoreday #booklove #bookish #independentbookstore #booklife #independentbookstores #buylocal #bookish #bookishgifts #bookgifts #birthdayhaul #birthdaybookstack #birthdaybooks #saturdaystack #saturdaystacks #bookstack #stacksaturday #booksbooksandmorebooks #booksbooksbooks #readmore #morebooks #bookpurchases #annelamott #cpamzhang #amykrouserosenthal #tanafrench #darciahelle #halldorlaxness #bookwoman #babygotbooks
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Finally! I finally finished a freakin’ book! Round of applause, please. 😘 and it’s actually the first book I purchased in a long time where I paid full price (as a bookstagrammer that’s shocking - I know!) but I wanted to support the author completely. Back in 2020, I was lucky enough to not only be in an amazing book club @readcanlit but I also got the opportunity to be part of a conversation with the author (Jesse Thistle) of our choice that month, From The Ashes. Reading his words on the pages was inspiring but hearing him speak about it in person was on another level and I’m forever grateful I got the chance to be a part of that zoom! There’s quite a few quotes that stuck out to me but this one in particularly struck a chord, “The journey back to ourselves involves making sense of our scars.” Whew. If you guys had any idea what I went through last year you’d know that I’m currently on my journey trying to make sense of things while starting over. I think this book found me at the perfect time. ❤️ Here’s to more good reads for 2024! 📚❤️ Reading slump is over! 😊
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— BOOK REVIEW — None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A gripping and addictive thriller centred around a podcast. I was gripped and consumed by this story on page one. I love novels that include diary entries, podcasts, etc. and this one was done so well. I enjoyed the way the podcast interviews were scattered throughout the storyline, revealing pieces of the backstory a little at a time. The characters were all unique and intriguing and I was invested and engrossed by all of them. This author seems to always be able to create unique, believable, memorable characters that I connect with even if on a crazily entertaining level. The ending wasn’t as amazing as I had hoped but it worked and suited the story. If I could break up my rating, I would give the first 70% of the book 4.5 stars, as the tension and suspense was gripping and I found myself hanging on every word. I would give the last 30% of the book 3.5 stars, as it lost a bit of its grip on me and felt long and drawn out. Overall, this was another winner from a favourite thriller author!! Already looking forward to what she comes out with next! I enjoyed chatting with Nicole @criminallyconcise while reading this one! She and I both felt similarly. For my full review, check out my @goodreads page. 📝 For the synopsis, check out my previous post featuring this title. ✨Have you read this one yet? #noneofthisistrue #lisajewell #atriabooks #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookstagram #book #books #bookworms #bookworm #booklover #read #reading #readingtime #alwaysreading #booksanddogs #readingwithmydog #thrillerbookaddict #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerbooks #bibliophile #bookish #bookishfeatures #bookishpost #bookishlife #ilovereading #readinglist #readmorebooks
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Thank you, @berkleypub , for my digital review copy! UP NEXT…. A Twisted Love Story by @smariedowning I cannot wait to dive into this #highlyanticipated novel from a favourite author that released earlier this week. This author writes the best psychological thrillers by creating unique, sneaky, snarky, charming, manipulative, unforgettable characters. I can’t wait to see what this one has in store. Looking forward to buddy reading this with the lovely Nicole @criminallyconcise ✨Do you have any buddy reads on the go? Synopsis from @goodreads ⤵️ Wes and Ivy are madly in love. They’ve never felt anything like it. It’s the type of romance people write stories about. But what kind of story? When it’s good, it’s great. Flowers. Grand gestures. Deep meaningful conversations where the whole world disappears. When it’s bad, it’s really bad. Vengeful fights. Damaged property. Arrest warrants. But their vicious cycle of catastrophic breakups and head-over-heels reconciliations needs to end fast. Because suddenly, Wes and Ivy have a common enemy–and she’s a detective. There’s something Wes and Ivy never talk about–in good times or bad. The night of their worst breakup, when one of them took things too far, and someone ended up dead. If they can stick together, they can survive anything–even the tightening net of a police investigation. Because one more breakup might just be their last… #atwistedlovestory #samanthadowning #berkleypublishing #book #bookstagram #bookaddict #booklover #read #reading #readingtime #readinglist #buddyread #psychologicalthriller #bibliophile #reader #readersofinstagram #bookworms #bookworm #ilovereading #readingismyhappyplace #readingismyescape
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🍸THIRSTY THURSDAY🍸 It’s 5:00 somewhere, so happy hour time! Today I am showing off some gifts old and new. I’ll start with the bookish one first. Where do you stand on reading-themed gifts? I am firmly in favor, so when Nicole @buriedinmybooks gifted me Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Tim Federle, I was thrilled. My husband was a bartender for many years and can throw a shaker around like Tom Cruise—a good man to have around when you want someone to whip up The S(ide)carlet Letter or a One Flew Over the Cosmo’s Nest, Bloody Carrie, Romeo and Julep, or Are You There God? It’s Me, Margarita. The list goes on, but you get the idea. Each cocktail--there are 65!--has a clever blurb about the namesake book and a witty recipe for the drink. I’ve got a couple of Gin Eyres in my glasses. Perfect gift for the reading drinker/drinking reader in your life! There are even themed sections: Bevies for Book Clubs, Refreshments for Recovering readers (non-alcoholic), and Bar Bites for Book Hounds (food nibbles). The olive-painted martini glasses were a gift long ago from @auntcaren . I wonder if she even remembers that she gave them to me? The fabulous flip-flops are going to an old friend who will happily receive them in all their garish festivity. Over the years, we have quaffed a few martinis together, along with many other cocktails. (Check out the tiny martini shaker and glass nestled amidst the olives!) If you drink alcohol, do you have a favorite cocktail or beverage? If not, a preferred virgin/non-alcoholic drink? . . . . . . . . . . . 🏷️ #thirstythursday #thirsty #tequilamockingbird #timfederle #booksanddrinks #drinksandbooks #booksandcocktails #cocktailsandcurrentlyreading #cocktailsandbooks #martinis #martiniglasses #martiniglass #cocktailrecipes #bookish #literarycocktails #bookishdrinks #bartending #cocktailbooks #literarynovels #cocktailbook #itshappyhoursomewhere #bookishgifts #bookgifts #bookgiftsarethebestgifts #booklover #englishmajor #booklove #booklife #bookwoman #babygotbooks
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🎉🙏🏼Birthday & Gratitude Post!🙏🏼🎉 Today is a big one~my birthday, and somehow, also my 2000th post! Mind you, it took me a few years to figure out Bookstagram even existed and to tap into this world and get connected, so it was mostly me and the books for quite some time. 📚👀😆 But here I am and here I'll be and the gifts I have gotten in this space are innumerable.🎁💝Gratitude and love for a few: 📘Connecting with other people who are crazy about reading 📕Deeper friendships made through books but going far beyond 📗Buddy reads that enrich and expand 📙Accounts that teach and help me grow 📒The joy of creating and creativity 📓Getting turned on to/deepening my understanding of new genres 📔Reading outside my comfort zone 📘Discovering more independent bookstores 📕Posts & stacks that raise awareness about important causes 📙Authors who are present and engage 📗Groups that support each other 📓The folks who run groups, for all different purposes 📔The publishers and publicists who put books on my radar and in my hands 🥳❤️🌟 🏆🏅 💗🤩🎉🌈✨ In short, this amazing online community! Celebrating this place and each of you today as I ponder having made another trip around the sun. Thank you for being a part of one of my happy places, virtual as it is! And here is another happy place of mine in the real world, my little home library/office. Chaotic, colorful, and filled with books, just as I hope my life continues to be! 😘
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A P R I L P I C K : The Writing Retreat Oh Nicole, we always love your unfiltered thoughts at bookclub! 📸 & 💭: @buriedinmybooks 📖 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗞 📖 This one has mixed reviews and I can see why. I haven’t been to a #bookclub meetup since November but I’m not missing this one because as usual I have thoughts 💭 and won’t be holding back 😂 . .
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Fui desafiada pela minha #bookstabestie Paulette a fazer o #fivefingerchallenge ou #fivefingerbookchallenge Thank you, @bookswithpaulette for tagging me, you're the best🥰😊🤗😘. I'm tagging some of you, if you'd like to participate. 🤞Pinky promise: A Camareira de Nita Prose. Só leio coisas promissoras sobre este livro e estou ansiosa por lê-lo no próximo mês. 💍A character I'd marry: o Roarke da série In Death/Mortal de J.D. Robb. Continua a ser o meu primeiro bookboyfriend, o mais especial de todos. 🙈Didn't enjoy: O Passageiro Misterioso de Louise Candlish. Não digo mais nada... 👌Always recommend: Que mais? OS PASSAGEIROS de John Marrs. Que adrenalina! 👍Thumbs up: SEM SAÍDA de Taylor Adams. Aiiii que suspense! Desafio agora algunss de vocês, se quiserem participar. ♡ ♡ ♡  #adoroler #lerébom #bookstagramofportugal  #bookstagramportugal #bookstagramdeportugal
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Algumas coisas que adoro e que não incluem partilhar uma foto minha. Mencionei algumas de vocês, se tiverem interesse em participar. I tagged some of you to enter the challenge, if you'd like. #iamagirlwholoves Obrigada, @viajar.entre.paginas , pela identificação🤗. ♡ ♡ ♡ #adoroler #bookstagramofportugal #amolerlivros #bookstagramportugal #bookstagramdeportugal  #livrosemaislivros #livroseleitura #amorporlivros #instalivros #lerébom
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