Nellie Cubed
@nelnelnellie
Reader. Obsessively so. Oh, and I have a bit of an obsession with Dutch things. But please don’t ever make me smell patchouli.
My review of VILLA COCO by Andrew Sean Greer is on IG/SG. This is a coming-of-age story of American Geoffrey, a new grad. He takes a job as an archivist for an eccentric Italian Baronessa in her eclectic villa. There’s a small mystery but this is a gentle book about atmosphere & quirky characters.📚💙
My review of PARIS DAILLENCOURT IS ABOUT TO CRUMBLE by Alexis Hall is on IG/SG. Paris has anxiety, but he thinks he worries no more than anyone else. His flatmate enters him in the British baking show & he breaks down after the shooting. This was a tough read because of its accuracy with GAD. 🌶️📚💙
My review of ROSALINE PALMER TAKES THE CAKE by Alexis Hall is on IG/SG. Rosaline is out to prove that she can take care of herself and her daughter by winning Britain’s most popular baking reality show. What she learns along the way is that the friends she makes will save her in many ways. 🌶️📚💙
My review of DOLLY ALL THE TIME by Annabel Monaghan is on IG/SG. Dolly returns to her hometown from Boston. She’s there to fix the family house, business, & bonds. She meets wealthy Stewart & he proposes they fake date to impress his corporate board. She needs the money & agrees. Fail or fall? 🌶️📚💙
My review of THE UNMAGICAL LIFE OF BRIAR JONES by Lex Croucher is on IG/SG. Briar Jones wants to go to Temple School of Thaumaturgy with bestie Sebastian, but only Sebastian is admitted. When Briar is 18, he takes a temp job there cleaning & discovers dark secrets & Bastian has become a villain. 🪐📚💙
My review of ENEMIES OF THE STATE by Tal Bauer is on IG/SG. Jack is now POTUS & Ethan is his lead secret service agent. Jack’s campaign ran on peace, but terrorists are blowing up the world. Ethan doesn’t play by all the rules, so his job may be on the line as he tries to save POTUS & the world. 📚💙
My July 2026 Reads: I have not written any reviews for them yet & I can’t remember the last time I only read 4 books in a month, but 4 is great! Anyway, read on, my #BookSky friends. Thanks for sticking with me even when life is (waves hands all around). You really are the best book pals! 📚💙
I don’t think this person is on #BookSky, but these are 3 great tips for using your Libby app. And, of course, support public libraries! 📚💙
Made a quick trip to Wisconsin today in the spectacular heat and happened upon a lovely setting.
What a week this has been. Despite the rough times, there were bits of joy including a night of Kaleo & Dawes at the SALT SHED in Chicago. What an amazing venue, bands, & music partner.
For those who’ve been following me for a while you’ve seen me post pictures of my 91-year old aunt. She was diagnosed with cancer a year ago & she died during the night. She was a librarian & you could honor her by doing one of the following: 1) Get a library card 2) Check out library materials 📚💙
Another reason for Trump to hate Spain since he seems to surround himself with tiny men.
OMG! You have not read SLOW DANCE?! I’ll be talking to you about it for months. I haven’t shared this on #BookSky yet, but the incredible @rainbowrowell.bsky.social gave me this art she had created of Shiloh & Carey as teens and adults. Oh Sweet Lady Jane, we need tea when you finish SLOW DANCE!
I have had a theory that Walt Disney had an obsession with windmills. My new theory is that Jacob Tierney has a connection to Frog and Toad.
Current Read: THE UNMAGICAL LIFE OF BRIAR JONES by Lex Croucher. This is an adult fantasy about a school for wizards. Or is it? I’m only 50% through it, but I love this new take on “wizardry & magic.” The main character & author are non-binary. (Trying something new to deslumpify.) 🪐📚💙 #BookSky
Spent part of today in one of those “drug infested sex dungeons*” in Chicago. It was a library nightmare. Children making crafts, people reading in cubicles, tablecloths on tables, and the free socialist parking. Nightmare. *as branded this week by Fox News
Buying tomatoes at my farmers market: I walk up to my go-to farmer before the market starts. She assures me 2 baggies are in her truck. When the whistle blows, she helps a few customers. Then she turns around to hide her stash of tomatoes & drops them in a bag. She hands it to me & I slip her $5.
I think I’ve hit my limit for the weekend, so it’s really nice there’s some shade and a breeze today. I may have even fallen asleep. Maybe.
It was a wild day of heat and storms, but the sun peaked out before setting.
My June 2026 Reads. Some horror. Some romance. Some lit fic. Some classics. Some humor. Some YA. Some LGBTQ Pride. There were some great reads. Shout out to #BookSky authors @danielkraus.com @rainbowrowell.bsky.social @parnassusbooks.bsky.social @emmastraub.bsky.social @quicunquevult.bsky.social 📚💙