Welcome to Litsy!

Back from hols + Barney's relieved back in our favourite reading spot. Anyway, I took away with me Muriel Sparks' 1st novel, a curious story breaking the author/character wall as Caroline hears a typewriter repeating her words as she thinks them. With threads into diabolic black masses & Catholicism, this is a strange tale that definitely has that spark feel, but perhaps lacks the later subtlety & dark edge, but for me, she can do little wrong.

My latest find from a charity book sale. Isn‘t this cover fantastic?? 💙

004. Muriel Spark: The Comforters (1957)

A tale of two halves, with a woman hearing the novel being typewritten and the other following a crime caper. Mixed feelings on this one as enjoyed the metafictional elements but couldn‘t get on with the more whimsical side.

Taking a cue from my best reads of 2021 I have decided my big challenge for 2022 is to complete Muriel Spark‘s Novels/novellas. I need to read 16 and I am trying to go chronologically by publication date. This is number 1- I recommend this as a challenge as she remains in print and her novels are relatively short but so much fun. As an ancillary also reading Barbara Pym and Nancy Mitford- hooray 2022!

Well, I gave it an hour and I have no interest in giving it any more than that. Bailing and moving onto my next #SeptemberDeadline book, since I‘m in a mood to do some unshelving. I have a stack of books that I‘m not sure I‘m still interested in, so I‘m giving myself until September‘s end to read or donate. I‘ll give the next book an hour and then reevaluate to see if I‘d like to continue reading, or bail, donate and move on to another book.

Now that I‘ve had my lunch, it‘s time to dig into this book for my #SeptemberDeadline while sipping on some delicious maple coffee.

I‘m not going to lie, I chose this mug specifically to match my book and manicure 😂

#MidyearRush #24B4Monday

I love seeing all of the answers to this question!

My go to comfort reads are Edenbrooke, Fangirl, Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy, and 84, Charing Cross Road.

What are your comfort reads?

#sundayfunday @sebrittain

Sitting here muttering- no more swaps right now Beth, your tbr is already the size of 2 lifetimes, but.... Check out @JoeStalksBeck and @Tiffy_Reads !

#Riotgrams #day27 #RetroCoverFun Can't get more retro than these two covers! The penguin copy of Muriel Sparks "The Comforters" was published in 1969 & the Dame Agatha in 1970.For books that are the same age as me, they're in pretty great condition. The Christie even has dyed green edges, and the inner condition of both is perfect.They look like they've never been read, the spines aren't even cracked. Thanks again to @Robothugs #christiescrimeclub

#marchintoreading #thistitleequalsgreatbandname #thistitlegreatbandname
The Comforters...something like the Swedish pop band ABBA?
The House of Mirth...a heavy metal/rock band?
🤔🤔