iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 23h

Not my usual flavor but I have a kiddo studying astrophysics so I picked it up. This was a wild sprint of a book! I raced through it. Super fun thriller. 💙📚 #BookSky #AmReading #Books #Thriller #BookRecs #Love #Fun #Physics #Fiction #BooksToTV

An ereader lays on a warm brown wood table. The cover of “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch is depicted in black and white on the surface of the reader. It’s an image of a man and a woman standing in a crowd of the man’s doppelgängers with a big Apple TV sticker so, evidently it’s been made into a show. Ha

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

WOW. Will be recommending to anyone for a #Reading slump buster! Doesn’t feel long at all, so well-paced there is narrative tension every time you pick it up, & does not go where I thought it would. 10/10 All the ⭐️. 💙📚🖋️📚⏳🌵🏜️ #BookSky #Books #Review #LitFic #Classics #Love #BookRecs #AmReading #Lit

Holding a paperback of “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry up in front of a peachy wall and some houseplants. (Snake plants and some cactus-like succulents.) the cover is mostly white sky of a black and white photo of men herding cattle on horses with their backs to the viewer. Has a sticker in gold indicating it won a Pulitzer.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Checking in. Still slowly working through #LonesomeDove I’m also #reading #Thirty-NineSteps on my X3. (I love this tiny reader.) I’ve had some knitting projects come up. Cuts into my reading time. 🧶 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #AmReading #CurrentlyReading #LitFic #Classics #ClassicLit #Books #xteink #Tiny

A paperback copy of “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry lays in my bedding. A very small, grey eReader lays next to it with a sleep screen on.

The paperback has a terra cotta colored spine that matches my duvet and a black and white image of men on horseback on the front.

The sheets below are a pale sage green with white pinstripe. The eReader screen shows a small line drawing cartoon of the famous “Girl With A Pearl Earring” looking over her shoulder but drink a boba tea through a cup and straw.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

1. Found a slump buster on my own bookshelf. 2. Having my book match my desert wall mural is extra satisfying. 💙📚🖋️🏜️🌵 #BookSky #LonesomeDove #LitFic #AmReading #ReadingSlump #Books #Love #Mural #Desert #Book #Bookshelf #Home #Library

Holding up a paperback copy of “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry. The book has a cream colored front with a black and white image of cowboys on horses at the bottom.

From my bed, I’m holding the book up to show a wall that has a large mural of a sun setting over a desert canyon. It’s painted in three tones of terra cotta. My bedspread is in the same tone and, unseen, the spine of the book is also that color. Very matchy. Very calming.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Three tries and I’m done. #DNF I know a lot of people loved this book so much. Can you tell me what I’m missing? 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Books #Popular #AmReading #LitFic #ToRead #NewBook #Wednesday

Holding up a white paperback book. It’s “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi. Has a simple, gold line motif around the edges and a black pink and line drawing of a feather as it’s only decoration.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Holy cow. This was gorgeous and also heartbreaking. Definitely a “do read.” 💙📚🖋️📚⏳ #BookSky #Ireland #Weekend #AmReading #LitFic #Review #Books #Read #Love #BookRecs

I’m holding a hardback library book up for the camera while outdoors. The book is “Land” by Maggie O’Farrell. The cover is an image of colorful sheets of paper with a hole torn in the middle of each one. They are stacked upon each other with each hole a bit smaller so you see down into layers to darkness.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Started “Theo of Golden.” I don’t know why but, meh. I’ll pick it up again later. Let’s try some more O’Farrell. 💙📚⏳📚🖋️ #BookSky #Summer #LitFic #Novel #Books #Ireland #AmReading #Dog #Library #BookRecs

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A really cool idea! Some prose got a bit repetitive for me (everything does not need to be said in threes), but it was so well researched I loved it. Already picked up another of her #books from the #library! 💙📚🖋️📚⏳ #BookSky #Read #Shakespeare #LitFic #Historical #Romance #Novel #Review #Love

Holding up a paperback copy of “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell to the light of a window. A green, rainy day behind it. The cover is a royal blue with a large letter “H” surrounded by botanical drawings in gold.

The style is reminiscent of the marginalia in medieval manuscripts.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Catching up on recent reads. Looking for #novels or #NF set in the Korean War. This book is and isn’t. Nearly all of the book is what happens back at home. Reminded me of the Port William books in tone and its many characters, w/o the poignancy of Wendell Berry. 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Korea #Books #Lit

A library hardcover sits at on a round coffee table. The book is “The Caretaker” by Ron Rash. It features the plein air oil painting “Mountain View Cemetery” by Karen Winslow an image of cemetery stones surrounded by trees in autumn foliage.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Book decision is colliding with the Sunday Scaries!!! Any suggestions on which to read next? 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Books #AmReading #BookRecs #Sunday #Reading #Weekend

Sort of dramatic angle of three paperbacks laying, spines forward, on a coffee table with tchotchkes and windows in the background. The books are, from top to bottom:

“The Trial” by Kafka
“The Other Americans” by Laila Lalami
“Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

We moved our one-and-only to college this week. Reading lots but not remembered to post. Since “Pachinko,” #love, been hungry for more novels in Korea. Today, I’m resting from the trip and the emotions of my heart being hours away from my body. 💙📚🖋️📚⏳ #BookSky #Korea #Lit #College #Books #Reading

Hardback library book lays on a fuzzy beige blanket on a sunny deck. The book is “The Caretaker” by Ron Rash and the cover image is a plain air oil painting by Karen Winslow entitled “Mountsin View Cemetery.”

It shows a cemetery with shaded headstones beneath a tree with fall foliage.

A small dog with white fur is laying against the bottom corner of the book. His ear has flopped over obscuring the cover a bit.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A slow morning after a rough night. 😑 A couple of great pieces in here especially on Frida Kahlo and an interesting one on the DSA. 💙📚 #BookSky #Morning #AmReading #TheNewYorkReviewOfBooks #FridaKahlo

Holding up the August 20th issue of The New York Review from the couch in my living room. The cover this issue is an illustration called “Meet Me On The Roof” by Lisa Hanawalt. It’s depicts a house at night with two anthropomorphized dogs who’ve stuck up to the roof looking into each others eyes. The image is done in shades of blue save for a full moon in soft yellow.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Car reading while waiting. Grabbed a few options on the way out the door. This is my first Jean Rhys. 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #AmReading #CarReading #Rainy #Park #Books #Love #WomenAuthors #GoodMorning

I hold up a paperback copy of “Good Morning, Midnight” by Jean Rhys in the cab of my truck. The book cover is a black and white image of a couple canoodling in a corner table of a restaurant in interwar Paris. The woman’s face catches the light as the back of the man’s head is about to obscure her from view with a kiss. The title and author are in white font across the image. Behind the book, my vehicle interior is also black and then the fuzzy view out the windshield is of the rainy green park where I sit.

A long note that nobody asked for: Yes, I drive a truck. Some folks have opinions on that and I don’t begrudge them as I’ve mixed feelings about it myself. I drive and park (at the far edge of lots and top of garages) apologetically because I dislike the way many people drive trucks. I also have mixed feelings about fuel consumption and the part I play in the environment.
We’ve been choked on the message that we individuals can impact the environment therefore we individuals are responsible for saving it with every decision we make. Which eases a lot of pressure on governments and corporations and wears us out. I use my truck to garden at a larger scale than most on land that I manage with resource conservation agency input and native tree/plant/pollinator support as the focus. I couldn’t do what I’m doing with less vehicle. I support and cheer for the EV development finally coming to my area and also enjoy the acres of fireflies that have repopulated on my land and the turtles I’m starting to recognize since I’ve returned to them their egg laying sites and corridor.
Maybe nobody cares and I’m airing my own insecurities bc I do some judging of my own. *Tosses hands* I’m human.
Thanks for coming to my ted talk.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I’m down to the last quarter of “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee. It’s been a rich build and beautiful read. #BookSky #GoodBook

Left hand holds a paperback copy of “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee up to the light in front of windows. The cover of the book is a muted teal background with a woman in traditional dress on the front. Her dress has a long train that flows down the front of the book and printed on it is a second image of a beautiful landscape. It is of mountains and foggy valleys with a deep red sun in the distance. At the fore stands a woman and two small children looking out over the landscape.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

What are you reading? My current read. Needed something with a slower pace and larger scope. So far so good! 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #AmReading #Books #BookRecs #Thursday #Love #Read

Holding up a paperback copy of “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee with left hand. The book is a muted teal. A woman in traditional dress is on the front. The train of the dress runs down the cover and the pattern of the fabric is a landscape of mountains, a red orb sun, and a woman with two children looking out over the scene.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Hot damn! Percival Everett is the master of book endings. So many great writers out there who can’t stick the landing. He never fails. 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Books #Sunday #AmReading #PercivalEverett #BookRecs #Summer #Western #LitFic

Holding a paperback copy of “God’s Country” by Percival Everett in front of the chair my feet were just on. Bright, outdoor light, a wood deck floor, and black rocking chair are the background.

The cover of the book features a dramatic red illustration of the American Southwest’s horizon. At the horizon, a cowboy on a horse walks off the page.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I don’t expect a book this fun to read to also be this insightful. Wow. Thorpe puts words to stuff I’ve NEVER had words for about having a baby young. Then I watched the show. Fuck the show. #YouShouldReadThisBook 💙📚 #BookSky #BookRecs #Review #Love #Women #MargosGotMoneyTroubles

A hardback library copy of “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” by Rufi Thorpe sits on a deck rail in the sunshine. The book has an illustrated drawing of a blond woman on a hot pink couch with a black and white striped throw blanket over the back. She’s laying stomach down on the couch with her head ready on her chin and looking up and something out of sight. Her hand rests on a laptop that sits on the floor not far from a baby’s pacifier. The background is a solid fuschia purple.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

So behind posting my reads! This is really good. I enjoyed Colson Whitehead’s novel on the topic a tad more - but that’s just writing style preference. Not heard of the Dozier “School” in FL? This is a great novel to start. 💙📚🖋️📚⌛️ #BookSky #DozierSchool #Novel #BookReview #Wednesday #Books #Lit

A hardback library book lays on a griege wood floor in sunshine. The book is “The Reformatory” by Tananarive Due. Its cover art is a small, white building at center with a silhouette of a tall tree behind it dripping Spanish moss. Fog throughout image adds to an eery feel. The fog around the building is a red/fuschia that fades up to a peach sky. Very sunset and foreboding look.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Incredible! Helluva story and the way #LeifEnger puts words together is downright musical. Check Alt text a couple of my favorite examples. 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #BookRecs #Reading #AmReading #Books #Love #MustRead #MondayReads

I’m holding a hardback copy of “I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger in front of a pot of pink geranium. This is a truly gorgeous book jacket. The image is an oil painting by Franklin Carmichael titled “Bay of Islands” (1930).

Sainted in deep emerald greens and navy blues, the image is of a bay surrounded by hills with more island stretching toward the horizon of blue and green clouds. A single, small sailboat floats in the foreground.

“He wore woven huarache sandals and a loose cream linen shirt like an old man remembering women.” -from the book

“Rubicons get crossed for all kinds of petty reasons.” -from book

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Also, I thought this was a really thoughtful way to care for the reader. 💜 #BookSky

“A Note Before Beginning:

Stories have a way of finding us at just the right—or sometimes the most fragile—moment. This one is steeped in history, woven with grief and longing, and tangled in the complexities of the human mind. It explores the weight of silence, the ache of the unseen, and the shadows that linger in the spaces between what is known and what is lost.
If you find the pages growing heavy, if the emotions press too hard against your heart, please know you have permission to set the book down. Step away, take a breath, and return only when you are ready. Stories will wait. May this one meet you in your time.”

-Meagan Church introduction to “The Mad Wife”

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

A good read. Quick and well done. It hit on a LOT of societal issues for white, middle class women but more as a survey of issues than a super deep dive. My copy isn’t full of tabs, but good for a read-in-a-sitting mood w/o being vacuous. 💙📚🖋️📚⏳ #BookSky #AmReading #BookRecs #Read #Love #Reading

A paperback copy of “The Mad Wife” by Meagan Church lays on my sage green bed in very warm, weird light. (Courtesy of the wildfires.)

The cover features an artist rendering of a 1950s woman in a full dress, pearls, hair and makeup with an apron over it all. She’s standing in a pink suburban kitchen of that era. The woman is posed and smiling right to the viewer like a Good Housekeeping model. A stark, black bar (think redacted words) goes right across her face to hide her eyes.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#MobyDick to prepare for the Irving book. OMG the #Melville. A slog at times, sure, but that is part of the payoff. Funny. Moving. Engrossing. Profound! The #Irving was ok. 💙📚🖋️⏳📚⌛️ #BookSky #Read #Literature #Classics #Books #Love #Reading #Summer #LitFic #BookRecs #AmReading

Two paperback books lay on a white garden table in bright sunlight. Deck boards and some greenery can be seen below. The books are a bright blue, mass market copy of “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville and “The Last Chairlift” by John Irving. That is a trade paperback size and features a sunrise sky seen through the silhouette of a chairlift over a ski slope.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

This is a super read - well paced, good characters, good thriller. The writing is clean and I read it in a night. Just a really fun palette cleanse. Would also be a fantastic holiday/beach/travel book. 💙📚 #BookSky #Books #Read #BookRecs

A hardback copy of “Mad Mabel” by Sally Hepworth sits in the sunshine on a white garden table. Flowering things can be seen below.

The book is a gorgeous cherry red with a stylized image of half of a woman’s face down the right side. She wears her red hair in a loose chignon, a white blouse, and green cat eye sunglasses.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Ugh. A book club miss. This was so tedious it left me grouchy. Want a great read w/ horror and psych thriller elements & a focus on the world of publishing (including meaningful focus on gender/class/race)? Read Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. 💙📚 #BookSky #BookReview #Read

Photo of an eReader on a blanket with patches of pastel colors. The reader has a skin on it that is pink with red strawberries and white daisies. In black and white on the screen is the cover image for “The Ending Writes Itself,” by the writing duo named Evelyn Clark.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

It’s a very busy season, but I’d be #reading this slowly either way. Very short reading sessions. It challenges my focus but I wasn’t prepared for how immersed I’d feel in all the foreboding as well as the gore! 🫣 #Moby-Dick 💙📚🖋️🐳 #BookSky #AmReading #Books #Literature #Classics #Love #Melville

My left hand holds up a Signet Classics paperback copy of “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville. A green flower garden is out of focus in background.

The book is a striking cerulean blue with the silhouette of a whale in white. The title is written over that in thick navy blue block letters.

I started out reading this with a copy of the Norton Guide version but eventually got frustrated by the footnotes distracting me so I swapped to this version and let go of needing to perfectly understand every reference. It was the right move because the book came alive when I did that.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

My graduated senior agreed to read a book with me the #summer before college! IF they chose the #book.. “We read a chapter at a time together or individually, then discuss it.” They read this in 8th and 12th grades but picked it again. So, here we go. 💙📚🖋️🎓 #BookSky #Literature #BookRec #Review

My left hand holds a paperback copy of “How To Read Literature Like A Professor” by Thomas C. Foster up to the camera. Beyond is a hazy sky, and a pair of teen feet in a grey Adirondack chair on a deck.

The book cover itself looks like a book lying open on a wood sesh with a green rectangle over the open page as background for the title.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Feeling grounded and present about life atm. A good time to get back to #reading and I’ll start with something chewy. 💙 📚🖋️ #BookSky #Classics #Literature #Fiction #Books #LitFic #Moby-Dick #AmReading #Summer #DedicatedReader #Weekend

A paperback book lays on a griege wood floor. The book is the Third Norton Critical Edition of “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville, edited by Hershel Parker.

The book has a stylized image of a seaman with a wooden leg rendered in brown and white tones. He looks directly out at the reader in a haunting way.

The bottom third of the book used blocks of color to make the title and author info clear to read. They are a bright teal for the title, a black, and a grey box below.

Note: I chose this edition after perusing Reddit. I wanted something with a lot of contextual footnotes and that is what this one is. Might look for a different copy if not wanting to be bothered by multiple notes in each page.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

A full, celebratory time! I’ve done some reading but not even kept up w my log book let alone posted here. This morning, in the quiet aftermath, a book sits on my lap. I scroll pictures of the last two days. Great thing about books, they’ll wait for me. 💙📚🎓 #BookSky #Graduation #Parenthood #Love

A photograph of graduating seniors at a commencement ceremony. Photo taken from behind so there are no faces showing. You see the backs of heads, black and white graduation gowns, and the flat tops of their mortar boards with tassels. Furthest from camera but centered in frame is the first row of students, standing so we see them shoulders up. In the center and flanked by students in white cap and gown, is my child in black cap and gown. Just above them a flag waves in the distance and the top of the photo is all green trees.

My student graduated in the top of their class with so many honors and awards I can’t keep track. So say I’m proud is true but more than anything I’m so damn happy for them.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I loved this book. Finished it, flipped back to early pages and read for another hour through the storylines again. ⬇️More in Alt Text⬇️ 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #LitFic #Books #AmReading #BookRecs #GreatBooks #Love #Cult #MustRead

My hand holds a paperback copy of “The Colony” by Annika Norlin. It is an off white cover with a single, black ant drawn near center. Title and author are in red block letters above and below.

Norlin uses individual and group perspectives to tell this story of how people can take different paths into groupthink and cult environment… including that of the person to whom they forfeit their agency.

Just an incredible read.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

I spent the last hour of this book openly sobbing. Absolutely beautiful book. 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Books #AmReading #Weekend #LitFic #Fiction #Novel #MustRead #TheCorrespondent #VirginiaEvans

An eReader lays on my wood desktop showing the cover of “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans on its screen. The reader has a decorative floral skin of pink roses and in the upper left corner there’s a glimpse of a pen and a table top sun lamp.

The book cover is a greyscale version of what might be a water color illustration. The image is of a pair of birds turned toward each other on two wood fence posts.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am not a speed reader. Just read this book in one evening… HashtagOhMyGodAllTheStars 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Literature #LitFic #Dystopian #Fiction #Book #BookRecs #AmReading #Love #TBR

Holding up a library hardcover in front of white doors. The book is “The Dream Hotel” by Laila
Lalami. It is a purple cover with a red rectangle going vertically up the center. The rectangle looks like an opening leading to darkness with red walls, floor, ceiling. In its bottom right stands a very small silhouette of a person whose shadow stretches into the darkness.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Enjoyed this cover-to-cover this morning. Kiddo calls this “mom’s newspaper.” 💙📚 #BookSky #AmReading #Review #BookReview #TheNewYorkReviewOfBooks

March 26th 2026 issue of The New York Review. Cover features art of a person’s hand holding a coat closed against the cold just under the chin.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Finished this yesterday and it was great! A chunky book but YA so it goes fast. Story is captivating. Gives deep insight into women’s experiences. Sorry to be vague but I really hate spoilers. Read it! 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Indigenous #LitFic #WomenAuthors #Books #BookRecs #YA #Fiction #AmReading

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

What is more fun than reading in preparation for an #author visit? Nothing. It’s the most fun! A busy time in my life. Nice to have a month full of #AuthorEvents return me to focused reading. 💙📚🔥 #BookSky #AngelineBoulley #Books #YA #LitFic #Indigenious #AmReading #Saturday #Weekend #Library

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Starting my copy of #ConcreteBotany by by fav botanist #JoeySantore tonight. If anyone knows if he’s doing a book tour, please share!! 💙📚🌱🌵 #CrimePaysButBotanyDoesnt #BookSky #Botany #BookRelease #BookTour #Books

Holding up my copy of “Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants In The Age of Hunan Disturbance” by Joey Santore. The book is white with black lettering. Its background is a line drawing of a brick wall and from the center grows a “weed” drawn in green.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I was entertained. I was not satisfied. “Magical realism” can only do so much heavy lifting before we just have to admit to loose ends not tied. I have the follow-up book checked out but don’t feel excited to revisit those characters. 💙📚 #BookSky #Thriller #Books #Reading #Horror #Fiction

An eReader lays on a cream woven fabric. The cover of “Bunny” by Mona Awad is shown in black and white on its face. A silhouette image of a rabbit sitting up on its hind feet makes up the cover art with the title and author info written in white chalkboard writing across the front. The eReader has a decorative skin around its face that is a white background with floral print of pink roses.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Despite life in a high-control religious fam/church.. I never connected the concept of “massacre” to Sodom and Gomorrah. Vonnegut did it for me. *click* Reading meaningfully turns on another light bulb. 💡 💙📚🖋️📚⏳ #BookSky #Books #Favorite #Quotes #Religion #Novels #Literature #Fiction

A blue tile with the following quote by Kurt Vonnegut in white type:

Those were vile people in both cities, as is well known. The world was better off without them. And Lot’s wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human.

So she was turned into a pillar of salt. So it goes.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

My good lord am I loving Vonnegut. My research librarian bestie has informed me of a museum and a festival honoring him in Indianapolis. Looks like I’ve got a trip to plan!!! 💙📚 #BookSky #Weekend #AmReading #Indianapolis #Books #Literature

Holding a library paperback of “Mother Night” by Kurt Vonnegut in sunshine. It’s a navy blue cover with a cartoonish drawing of some sort of submarine looking vessel (maybe I’ll understand what I’m seeing after I read further into the book). Behind the book you glimpse my lap, a wood deck, and a Bluetick Coonhound whose booty is out of frame but warming my feet.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Welcome to Friday, my fellow “Dedicated Readers.” 💛 This passage made me feel so understood. From the introduction to his book “A Swim In A Pond In The Rain.” 💙📚 #BookSky #Reading #Reader #Books #TGIF #Friday

On a blue background in white text:

“… there’s a vast underground network for goodness at work in the world — a web of people who’ve put reading at the center of their lives because they know from experience that reading makes them more expansive, generous people and makes their lives more interesting.”

- George Saunders

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Returning to library. Hemingway’s prose is so atmospheric. While I did roll my eyes over the subject matter, his writing is so soothing I loved it anyway. Rec: 👍 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Literature #Classics #LitFic #AmReading #Books #BookRecs

Holding up a paperback library copy of “The Old Man and The Sea” by Ernest Hemingway. Picture taken in my car before dropping in the library return. The cover image is a of the sea with the sun coming up or going down at the horizon in center of the page. Silhouetted agains the orb of the sun is a small boat with a single man in it wearing a fishing hat. The colors used are black, teals and peach tones.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

This just made my top books ever. I suggest reading it, then reading the first chapter again - then marveling. 💙📚🖋️📚💬 #BookSky #Classics #LitFic #Literature #Books #BookRecs #Reading #WWII

A paperback copy of “Slaughterhouse-five” by Kurt Vonnegut lays on my dark, wood coffee table next to a plant and knick-knacks. It has a bright red cover with a skull and crossbones in yellow. Out of right side of the book are many tabs marking pages.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

First time reading Vonnegut. How is this my first time reading Vonnegut??? 💙📚🖋️📚💬 #BookSky #KurtVonnegut #Books #Classics #Literature #LitFic #Reading #Wednesday #Sunshine #Love

A paperback copy of “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut lays on deck boards in sunshine. The cover is red with a yellow spine. Writing on the cover is in yellow and in black. The only art is a scribble drawing of a skull and crossbones in black and filled in with yellow.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

The sun is warm and our usually windy spot is calm. I pulled this book off the stack for its cover. 💙📚🖋️☀️ #BookSky #Classics #Literature #Sunshine #AmReading #LitFic #RussianAuthors #Spring #Mood #Sunday #Books #BookRecs

Holding a paperback copy of “Fathers and Sons” by Ivan Turgenev up in the sunlight. Beyond and out of focus are deck boards, melting snow with patches of yard then field, and finally, clear blue sky. The cover has a painting of a group of people listening while another reads aloud. They sit in the shade of trees while sunny Russian countryside stretches beyond them.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Finished this today. Read it in HS but remembered zero. Did I like it? It is very good, but I don’t know how I feel about it… a tough read right now. More tab stickers than I’ve used in most books. Rec: 👍 (w/ care) 💙📚🖋️ #BookSky #Classics #Fiction #Literature #Dystopian #Books #AmReading #LitFic

A paperback copy of “1984” by George Orwell lays on a light pink waffle weave blanket. The book is bright red with a simple image of an eye at the center and the title and author in white around it.

Kind of an oversaturated quality to the image due to warm bedroom lighting and the intense red of the cover.

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Hard Return @ahardreturn.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

I love prose. Even for me though, I can find Hawthorne a bit much. This one had me right through some of the long descriptions, though. Holy Moly. I loved it. Rec 👍 💙📚💬📚🖋️ #BookSky #Classics #Literature #Fiction #Creepy #Horror #Books #Reading #BookRec

A paperback copy of The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is laying on a sage green chenille spread. The cover is a black and white photo of a many-gabled house with two chimneys and a very New England style. A little picket fence runs close to it against the sidewalk and a shop door that opens at top and bottom independently opens directly on to the walk.

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