Welcome to Litsy!

This weekend I volunteered for 7 hours at the library book sale. Frankly, I‘m impressed that I only came home with 4 books! 😋 Where should I start?

Many of the podcasts I listen to recommend the Highway 59 series from Attica Locke. Bluebird Bluebird has been on my Kindle forever so decided it is time to read it.

Second in the Highway 59 series, Heaven My Home, is on hold. Looking forward to reading it.

I mostly liked this, but some of the flashbacks to previous happenings didn‘t completely hold my interest. I liked Darren, but didn‘t like some of the other characters much. I feel like dark and gritty are good words to describe this one. I do plan to continue with book 2 at some point

Good, twisting mystery with flawed yet likeable characters. Curious to see if this becomes a series and that‘s why character flaws were included that weren‘t essential to the overall story. Quick enough to feel like the plot moved, long enough to develop plot and twists.

Rainy Saturday reading soundtrack. #readingsoundtrack

I have been totally failing at the #roll100 challenge this year. I‘m not sure I‘ve read a book that‘s actually been picked. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Here‘s my August picks!

Whoa. This was...not what I was expecting. And I loved it. I think I saw a description of it that called it a thriller, which initially turned me off. I am not the biggest fan of thrillers. I would call this a regular ol' murder mystery.

A double homicide in a small town in rural East Texas leads a disgraced-ish Black Texas Ranger to figure his own shit out while figuring out who killed the black man and white woman. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

It took me two tries to get into this, gritting my teeth at times while reading, and persistence to finish. It wasn‘t terrible, but I just could not connect with any character. The fictional story of two murders in a small-town in Texas was highly rated, but it was scattered with no central theme and the ending seemed too far out. I was disappointed because it was called one of the best of that year. 🧐

This perfectly crafted, utterly absorbing murder mystery follows Darren Matthews, a black Texas Ranger, as he searches for answers after two people turn up dead in the tiny East Texas town of Lark. Darren has problems of his own to deal with: he's been temporarily suspended, his wife has kicked him out, and the lure of bourbon has become nearly irresistible, but he can't leave this case alone. Brilliant, nuanced, and that ending packs a wallop.

I read this book for #booked2022 #titlerepeatsitself and it took me a long time. I started it months ago and for whatever reason I couldn‘t get into it then. But I‘ve wizzed through the last two thirds. The characters were complicated and felt real and it was the ending that absolutely made it for me. It drew me back around to look at the whole story again and the choices we choose to make.

This was the perfect book for a long drive. I dont read many mysteries and loved this tale of a black Texas Ranger. 3.5 🌟
#bookspin book of the month!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My book club‘s October selection and my first Attica Locke title…definitely not my last.

#Alphabetgame #letterB

Love this tagged book. But I have other lovely B books📚😍Bird Box; Boyfriend Material; The Bread the Devil Knead; Bone Witch; Bone Gap; Before the Coffee Gets Cold; Big Little Lies

Recently finished the sequel and realized I never reviewed this after listening to it on a road trip last summer! This book got me hooked on Attica Locke. It‘s a story as old as time here in the south; two murders possibly related and potentially racially charged. The story that unfolds is full of twists and turns, including some very messy but convincing family ties and drama. Highly atmospheric mystery with great narration by JD Jackson!

·.·´¯`·.· 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ·.·´¯`·.·

Have been anxious to read 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝, 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 by 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞, so was delighted to receive a copy via Novel Suspects! I'm spending Saturday night reading book #50 of 2022. After carpal tunnel surgery on Mon., it's uncomfortable to use the computer keyboard so reviews will have to wait a bit.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥?

#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: Joy Ride

📚≋B≋o≋o≋k≋m≋a≋i≋l≋📬

Thanks & appreciation to the programs listed for graciously providing copies of 3 books I plan to enjoy while on vacation:

📒𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭 by 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘻𝘢 (Book Sparks)

📗𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 by 𝘈𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘔𝘤𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘺 (Novel Suspects)

📘𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝, 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 by 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦 (Novel Suspects)

Do you have any trips planned this summer? Destination? What books will you be reading?

Wow this was fast and good!
Lots of interesting and often damaged characters with a mystery in the middle. Great for anyone who likes a cop drama or who-done-it. The writing is solid and storyline is realistic and pacing good.

My next two books are ticking some book challenges 😊 Bluebird, bluebird on Audio for #booked2022 repeating title and #toadtripUSA2022 Texas and Aberystwyth Mon Amore on Kindle for #Roll100 March.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a great novel. I didn't think the mystery itself was the greatest, but the way it was packaged and the story it served was excellent.
~
With his job in jeopardy, a black Texas Ranger investigates the deaths of a black man & a white woman in East Texas, where tensions are high. Are they connected? What, if any, role did race play in their deaths? What will our Ranger learn & reveal about himself & his state during the investigation?

1. Path of the Assassin by Brad Thor

2. The Crusader‘s Cross by Scott Mariani

3. The tagged book.

@rachelsbrittain #WeekendReads

Had today off and was able to squeeze another book in before getting back to reality. This was SO good. It took me way too long to pick it up, but I‘m glad To have finally read it. #huey #catsoflitsy

Really enjoyable, if enjoyable is the right word! I loved the characters, especially Geneva.I want a huge fan of Darren Matthews, bit I don't think he's a huge fan of himself, either. I enjoyed how thoughtful he was and how he walked himself through problems

Last summer book?

#bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks
Here are my stacks for August. 21-25 will be ebooks.

Today‘s #audiowalk included raspberries, sunshine, and this amazing #audiobook that I can‘t stop enjoying!

#audiobooks #audioexercise #walkersoflitsy #audiowalkers #raspberries #summer #cloudlibrary

I‘m visiting my dad in California and brought the tagged book for his partner. I got it out of a #LFL and passed it on to her; I‘m currently reading the sequel. Attica Locke has created a complex MC in Darren Mathews. I especially appreciate her depiction of his toxic relationship with his emotionally abusive mother, having some secondhand experience with this myself. #summerreading

I began this book on audio in March, listening with my mom when we drive somewhere together. Just finished it today. I thought this was an excellent atmospheric mystery. The characters felt full and compelling. The story was hard at times, but I think true to life with the complexity of racism, small town and events that feel unreal but are all to real. Highly recommend the audio.

Wallpaper repair people at the house while I listen. Cat not contrite about the damage she‘s caused to our (rented) apartment... #audiobooks #catlife

Tensions run high in this fast paced thriller with overtones and themes of racial issues set in East Texas.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The mystery was intriguing and I loved the fallible protagonist. The story really captured me and I appreciated all the classic blues references. The book delved into good points about race issues. I thought it was incredible all around for the themes it touched on and how well it was written. It was my first Attica Locke book and I look forward to more.

Darren, a Texas Ranger, while doing his job will also fight with racism in that agency & State. It was so good. It was like watching an episode in front of my tv. Sometimes I found that past & present events were not well integrated and I got a little confused but never decrease my interest to continue reading it. Waiting for 2nd book because that end...you need to know... 3.75/3.8⭐️ #BookSpin @TheAromaOfBooks
Thanks @Chrissyreadit for this book

I‘m not sure why I didn‘t finish this the first time I had it out from the library. Probably my usual too many books and not paying attention to due dates! Anyway, I‘m glad I finally did. Sad story, written well.

Texas in the blue (read) column. Green means TBR. Red means I‘m still looking for a book. Gold means I have my own copy of the book and will try to read those first. #50states #mysteries

Still thinking about this one. I think it‘s a pick! #joyousjanuary

Do you like the show Empire? Need a #blitsy book? Want to diversify the authors you read? This book is for you! Such an intriguing story and great characters from Texas! #mystery

This was a (mostly) strong beginning to a new series & I've already ordered the next one. I say mostly because the story took a while to get going but once it did I was fully caught up in learning what was happening in Lark, Texas. One other caveat: Darren is dealing with so much, internally & externally, that the situation with his mother at the end seemed like one thing too many & nearly kept me from wanting to read the next one.

Well written mystery about a black Texas Ranger investigating a hate çrime no one will call a hate çrime. The small town relations and the way the law operates differently depending on the identity of the victim was well depicted. That said, it was depressing. Definitely a good book club pick as it will give people something to talk about (and think about if they're white and living in a privilege bubble and unaware of institutional racism).

This started off slow for me and then halfway through it kept my interest.

I expected more from this book after reading all of the raves, but after realizing this was not going to be a 5 star read for me I was able to settle in and enjoy it for what it was- a well written book with an amazing sense of place and a solid story. I enjoyed and very much plan to read the sequel it but I just wasn‘t blown away by it.

This book was just what I needed right now.

We meet Texas Ranger Darren Mathews as he‘s being questioned in a case he has gotten himself involved with that can threaten his job.

Once in the area, he gets a tip from a friend in the FBI about two murders, one African-American male and a white girl.

I‘ve already put myself on the hold for the second book.

Slow burn book that the author has an amazing way of pulling you in with her writing! Looking forward to the next in the series. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Cuddling with my love pug after a nice family walk. Wanting to finish up this book today! Great lazy Sunday to do it. 🤗 #pugsoflitsy

Slow burn but I‘m liking it! Resting while the tyke sleeps.

The baby is sleeping and I‘m finally getting around to this book. 😮 I have been a super moody reader the past few months so I‘m really happy it fits my mood!

This was a well done mystery, Darren Matthews is a Texas Ranger who gets involved in solving the case of a murder in Lark in Shelby County TX. This story is well.laid out, with lots of little pieces to keep you intrigued about how all the characters and prices of the puzzle fit together.

Looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

#top20series #20series20days

Series seven. So far I only know of two books in this mystery series. I read the tagged book and it was outstanding. I hope to read the second book soon and if the rest of the books are as awesome as the first, this will definitely be one of my favorites.

"Geneva sweet ran an orange extension cord past Mayva Greenwood, Beloved Wife and Mother, May She Rest with Her Heavenly Father.

Online Bookclub and readings with the author - 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/book-club-bluebird-bluebird-by-a...