Welcome to Litsy!

Just started a new audiobook ~ meh at the moment but I‘m willing to give it some more time. It‘s on my Kindle as well, I bought it when my friend told me she enjoyed this book. Her daughter at Brandeis University had the author as a professor & said he was really funny.

This is my review for a book I read. I tried to read this one. I‘m getting rid of it.

#unhaul #dnf

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠⁣
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1. Women Of The Bible - Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda (314 of 430 pages so I‘m almost finished) ⁣
2. The World Of Ice & Fire - George R.R. Martin (55 of 326 pages) ⁣
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𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐈‘𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 ⁣
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3. The Fellowship Of The Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien (#lotreadalong2020)⁣
4. My Ex-Life - Stephen McCauley ⁣

Just closed the last page but wishing there were a few more. An enjoyable read- laugh-out-loud lines plus characters who get more complex as the story unfolds. At first I wasn‘t sure McCauley could write women, and I‘m still not a total fan of the generalized mother-whore tendencies, but the protagonist is interesting and the plot makes for a good summer book. Language that‘s a bit too quippy at the start makes way for insights later.

Julie loves her seaside house, but on a teacher‘s salary, she is frantically looking for a way to keep it, now that her second husband is divorcing her. Her first husband, David, has his own problems on the West Coast, but Julie‘s daughter, Mandy, invites him to visit and help with her college applications (that‘s his business). Modern families are complicated. Endearing characters that you will want to find their happily ever afters.

Saved by the book! I had been listening to this in my car on CDs! No blue tooth in my vehicle! And now no CD player as well! My car is back from repair and running once again, but not the CD player! 😕 So, stopped by the Library and luckily a copy of the book was on the shelves!

I really liked this book at the beginning- strong characters, compelling storyline, witty dialogue. But the witty dialogue became tiring because EVERYONE was caustic and mean. It was funny until it was tiring. Major characters and minor characters were sharp and rude. That feels like being stuck at a dinner party where everybody wants to have the last word and prove how funny they are, but actually comes off as a jerk. I ain‘t got time for that!

Leaving the Library with a new “car” read!

This looks ominous. Guess I better start reading!

The current stage (the Yes-to-Mirrors-No-to-Photos Stage) would lead to the It‘s-Not-Cancer stage, (although in Leonard‘s case it might be) and then the inevitable next stage—the Bedpan Stage. // McCauley nails aging in one sentence.

I found this book easy to read but unremarkable. The characters were accessible but I didn‘t really care about them until half-way through. The plot meandered and then fizzled. In the end, I was overcome by apathy and found it hard to finish. That said, I liked the author‘s wisdom and insights about middle age.

OMGOSH. @MicheleinPhilly I was cleaning out my desk and found this book that I was supposed to send you like 6 months ago 😱 I'm so sorry I forgot! Dropping it at the mailroom today, you haven't moved have you? Can't believe I did that 😭

Just crackin‘ this one open- only a few chapters in, but so far, I think it‘s gonna be a good one.🤞🏻

Who else would rather curl up on the couch with a book on a Friday night than go to a high school football game? Everyone in my house chose football over reading, but I‘m enjoying the book and the peace and quiet.

This book was an absolute pleasure to read. From the very start, it just felt like the reader was in very good hands. The story reminded me in some ways of 19th century Brit lit faves like Austen, where the plot revolves around finances, beloved real estate, and relationships, yet it is also completely modern, including a subplot on the unique perils of being a teenager in the internet age. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me this ARC!

My neighborhood book club wanted something light and fun for a summer read, and this may have fit the bill if the characters weren't so insufferable. They all make these judgmental, often cruel, observations and asides about everyone else. This happens over and over, from all three of the main characters. I do realize these are meant as jokes, but aren't jokes supposed to be funny?

Didn't want it to end. I look forward to the movie that certainly will be in the works. (And proud to say I bought it at Provincetown's East End Books.) #getindie

An enjoyable read about a woman who gets together with her ex-husband to get help with college plans for her daughter (from her 2nd marriage). I would have liked it better if the characters were more deeply developed. I also found that the author made a lot of judgmental remarks via characters‘ feelings and thoughts but they felt more like his own beliefs being injected into the book.

I had such high hopes for this book but about 2/3 of the way though, I just had to bail. I stopped caring about what happened to the characters and didn‘t want to force myself to finish it just to finish it. So, another book I couldn‘t finish. 😔

Up early on a Saturday morning trying to finish this book!🤨 I would have bailed sooner, but I want to know how it ends! Not too bad an ending, I guess! I even teared up a bit!!!

This was an ARC book that was really good. There are 3 main characters and their lives are revealed for us. They make mistakes but try to overcome them.

After trying for a few weeks to get into this one I finally had to bail. There was nothing specific wrong with it, it just wasn‘t for me. I really really wanted to like it.

Go into this book with the understanding that it is a beach read. Yes, a bit predictable, but the observations and sometimes snarky comments are awesome. I read enough to hubby that it is a pick. This also made me bump Queen Lucia up my TBR. I just wish David would read it to me...

Chloe and I are up earlier than I would like so it's time to read. She is definitely "my" cat and loves to be around me. That's why you see her more often than her sister Barda. (In the lower right) #catsofLitsy #caturday #morningreads

Nothing wrong with this book. It‘s a nice story that‘s unpredictable and fairly interesting. Good palate cleanser. Between a so-so and a pick.

Thanks @Djspens for my second book mail package of the day! The little pouch is so cute! 😁 #book mail

So I'm currently reading My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley, and pretty much every other page has a spectacular quote. The one I've sort of stumbled upon is "all couples start off as Romeo and Juliet and end up as Laurel and Hardy"

A great comic novel, McCauley creates characters so well, even the minor ones.

Morning reading

I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't love this. It's possible that my state of mind this past week is partly to blame, but I don't think that's completely it. This book is written well and the characters are interesting, but I think I would have liked it more had there been a bit more plot to go along with the character development 🤔

I am connecting with book in so many ways. The story has me intrigued and I am racing to the end to see how everything works out.

#myexlife This book is about David and Julie. They had divorced and hadn't seen each other in 2o years but were brought back together by Julie's daughter, and circumstances of life. It's a well written story, it started to drag a little in the middle, but was brought together nicely in the end. I loved the main characters and can feel for them and how life doesn't always work out how you plan. Not quite a 5 stars, but I'll give it a solid 4.

My latest #LibraryHaul !!! 🤗📚👌🏻💜

There are so many great topical nonfictions I‘ve been looking forward to getting my hands on— couldn‘t believe these were all available. And these novels (top 3) are also so delectable. Can‘t wait to dive in!

Finally a free night and it's gorgeous out! I have a feeling I'm going to sit here til it's too dark to read! Ribs on the smoker so supper is taken care of!

Currently reading 😊 I have had this one sitting in my TBR for a while, so I am excited to finally get to reading it!

As much as I loathe reading these words as the beginning of anyone‘s review, I am going to say them: I loved this book! From the very first page to the last, I read avidly, soaking up every word, eager to continue. I fell in love with each and every character, enthralled by their quirkiness, and captivated by their actions. The dry humor and witty prose were perfect, and made this such a delectable read. Highly recommended!

I've fallen woefully behind on my ARCs, this one's pub date was Tuesday. I'm a few chapters in and definitely intrigued! #ARC

Side note: is anyone else no longer able to see/use stickers on Litsy? Feels like there have been non-stop glitches ever since the acquisition 😩

🍭🍭🍭 review is up on my blog. Stop by and say hi! https://reecaspieces.com/2018/05/11/my-ex-life-by-stephen-mccauley/ @flatironbooks

Enjoying this beautiful evening in the ‘Sip! The honeysuckle smells absolutely amazing! @flatironbooks

Back to books! Received this ARC from @flatironbooks We're on our way to Des Moines to help move some furniture for our son's new condo. 2 1/2 hours of reading time. #myexlife

I wanted to like this book so much, but I just couldn't. I didn't connect with the characters David and Julia. I wasn't really in the mood to read it but I got a late approval from Netgalley and had to have it read by Tuesday. I am glad that everything worked out for the main characters in the end and they got what the wanted. I can see why everyone love this book, but it just wasn't for me! #netgalley

I fully enjoyed this light and witty novel. A clever and fun summer read that has some great commentary on internet porn, college admissions, Airbnb and weed. It releases May 8th -- on the scene just in time to pick up and put in your beach bag. #netgalley

I found this story to be quirky and cute, yet thoughtful at the same time. I enjoyed the development of the story and characters, even the annoying neighbor Amira. Stephen McCauley is an excellent storyteller and this is my first novel by him. I highly recommend this book for those vacation reads seeing as summer is upon us. This story may or may not make you go out to buy toss pillows(read the book to see what I am referring too, lol).

Thanks to @HotCocoaReads (on insta) and @flatironbooks this #giveaway #ARC arrived!

David‘s life is falling apart.. “The last person he expects to hear from is Julie. It‘s been decades since they‘ve spoken, and he‘s relieved to hear she‘s recovered from her brief, misguided 1st marriage to him.. In prose filled with hilarious and heartbreakingly accurate one-liners, McCauley has written a novel that examines how we define home, family, and love.”

It‘s finally Friday!!!!! What are you reading this weekend? I have three books I plan on finishing. It‘s supposed to rain in my area so it‘ll definitely be a good enough excuse to stay in and read.

I adored... ADORED this book. It was just so pleasant. Hmm that‘s not quite right. It was like the feeling of wearing a warm fuzzy sweater on a cold, fall day, sipping on something hot. Blissful. But that isn‘t saying this story is a tidy little fairy tale, far from that!

#myexlife needs to be at the top of your TBR! I won this ARC and am so grateful. This feels like one I‘ll come back to again.

Comes out in May 2018 from @flatironbooks

I‘m feeling under the weather today and I am stuck at work. I only have about an hour and thirty min left. I intended to go home, crawl in my bed and read of course. I need to finish this book by Saturday so I can talk about it on the podcast I‘m guesting on. #crampingbutexcited

I was thrilled when I went out to the mailbox & discovered an ARC of this book. It wasn‘t one that was super “on my radar” but I love the cover & was intrigued. I started it last night & have been thoroughly sucked in. It‘s not full of suspense or excitement but it‘s good & written well (only 60 pages in so far).

Thank you @flatironbooks 😍 review to come as soon as I finish forging myself on this one.

Have any of you read McCauley‘s backlist?

I‘m giving away three ARCs of My Ex-Life over on Instagram if you‘d like a free copy! 🌸