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Amanda

@the_read_maple

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Obstinate, headstrong girl
🍁📚👩🏻‍🏫
Here for the books.

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Account name origin story 🧡🍁

My childhood home had a sugar maple tree in the yard that I loved to climb. There was nothing I loved more than the fall when it turned the most beautiful shades of red and orange, and when the weather was nice I would read on the widest branch or from our front porch where I had the perfect view. To me, maple trees have always represented protection, sweetness, and a feeling of home.

While technically a separate species from sugar maples, I couldn’t resist the wordplay on another favorite, the red maple. To me, the Read Maple is an opportunity for me to reconnect with how much I loved reading in the shadow of my favorite tree many years ago. ❤️

I’m happy you’re here!

#bookish #booksta #booklover by @the_read_maple

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11

a year ago

Slewfoot

But, why would a man be there? 😩
This book came across my desk as a masterpiece of folk horror and “feminine rage.” My problem is that I found it to be incredibly obvious throughout that it was written by a white man. This book only barely passes the Bechdel test, and I found the treatment of the Pequot nation to be superficial at best and grossly prejudicial at worst.
Am I missing something here? Help, this might be my least favorite read of 2026 😢 by @the_read_maple

10

5

a day ago

Black Cake

This was my neighborhood book club’s September read. For me, it was a slow start, but the generations of secrets unwind to reveal a beautiful portrait of love, sisterhood, and identity.
I have yet to watch the Hulu mini-series. Have any of you seen it? I know the book is nearly always better, but I’m so curious to see how this novel was adapted. by @the_read_maple

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0

10 days ago

Whistler

I needed a little break from sci-fi and fantasy, so I picked up my first Ann Patchett! I have heard nothing but glowing praise for this author and I love her content from Parnassus Books, but I think that maybe this one was not for me.
There were beautiful passages, but overall I never felt fully hooked. I also loved the reflections on what father figures can mean throughout your life, but did not like the emphasis on romantic love with older men. Maybe a me issue.

Have you read this one? Which Ann Patchett should I try instead? by @the_read_maple

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7

25 days ago

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride

If the books are dungeon levels, I almost didn’t make it out of this one
I never considered not finishing this book, but the heavy factor definitely increased. This was also the first DCC to make me laugh out loud, and I appreciated the comedic relief.

Taking a break before the next level 😅 by @the_read_maple

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1

a month ago

The Gate of the Feral Gods
&
The Butcher’s Masquerade

Things are getting crazy out here.
I had my annual girls weekend/retreat last week, so I was able to finish book 4 and roll immediately into book 5. The events are blurring together for me a bit, but I’ve never been so anxious to find out what comes next. The end of book 5?? 🤯
Here’s a question I’ve been too scared to ask: is @mattdinniman finished with this series?? I know I still have three more published books to go, but I may be beside myself if I have a wait ahead of me. by @the_read_maple

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1

2 months ago

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook

Oh, we are so back, baby.
I wasn’t blown away (pun intended) by Book 2 of the Dungeon Crawler series, but this one brought it back home for me.
Did I know what was going on with the Iron Tangle?
NO.
Did I have a killer time riding along with the Royal Court of Princess Donut?
You betcha.

This copy now features the sticker my son got at early voting today, because in his words it “makes it look like a cool library book.”

Who is in for wearing heart boxers and a leather jacket with a cape for Halloween? by @the_read_maple

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1

2 months ago

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario

I blew through this one so quickly, though I did find the writing to be a little less tight than in the first book. Carl was a bit heavy-handed with the life lessons and plot advancing here, but I can’t blame a guy fighting for his life with his ex-girlfriend’s talking cat.
I was smart and picked up #3 this weekend along with this book, so I know what’s in my future! Here we come, Level 4 👽👑👣 by @the_read_maple

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7

2 months ago

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy

“Hope is a delightful malady. More people should suffer from it.”
Do I… like a sequel more than the first book??
I’m officially a huge fan of this duology. It made me laugh, the high stakes were compelling, and the ✨yearning✨ was chef’s kiss. Aurienne and Osric are being added to my list of literary OTPs. by @the_read_maple

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4

2 months ago

Her Soul for a Crown

I really related to the main character Anula this week: we were both waiting for rain.
For me, the rain will hopefully help with the intense wildfires and smoke we’ve been dealing with. For Anula, the rain marked the beginning of the monsoon season and the deadline for a bargain she made with a divinity to become the first raejina. High stakes all around.
This had such fun world building and I do love a standalone fantasy. The pacing was a little inconsistent for me, but if you like a forced proximity romantasy you should check this out! by @the_read_maple

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2 months ago

Happy first birthday to the Read Maple! 💖🍁

Over the last year I have made so many new friends and talked about SO many great books.
I originally intended for this to be a faceless account, but I actually love seeing my new bookish crew and knowing there are other people out there like me.
I decided to reintroduce myself for the first anniversary of this account with some cute “meet me in fives” I’ve seen before, and then one at the end that I felt I had to do because of my day job. Comment your fave if you make it that far.

Here’s to another great year of reading, friends! 😘 by @the_read_maple

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28

2 months ago

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy

Planes, trains, and buses meant that I had plenty of time for audiobooks last week! I had listened to a chapter or two of this book last summer but I just didn’t get into it. I’m glad I gave it another chance, because I actually really appreciated this time. I loved the world-building, the narration, and I legitimately laughed out loud a few times. The chemistry and tension between the two main characters is so believable, and that can be really hard to achieve. I had so much fun with this one that I’ve already started the sequel! Have you read this duology? by @the_read_maple

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2 months ago