Welcome to Litsy!

Pretty good memoir.

#BeginsWith @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

I'm pretty sure I picked this book up simply because I loved the colors in the cover.

I really loved this book! Just completely unhinged stories from a chaotic upbringing. T Kira is my new role model. She‘s proof that we can come out strong and fighting no matter how broken the world has made us ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a fascinating memoir that‘s compulsively readable. It‘s beautifully written and she writes with so much honesty. I didn‘t share many of her experiences but was able to empathize with her story. The strength of the women throughout the memoir really shines through. I definitely recommend.

What. A. Ride.

This book gave me many feels. Mostly anxiety. But a few others too. It‘s gut wrenchingly honest, and sometimes that‘s rly uncomfortable. Not in a bad way though? I might have to do some research to know more abt the Maddens life, and then come back and read it again. I mean, you don‘t need to, but that‘s what i want to do! The book left me needing to know more. It left me confused, lost, and maybe a little relieved too

#2021

Just wanted to share two of the best books I read in 2020. I highly, highly recommend them both!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#nonfiction

Proving that you‘re never too young to write a memoir, this debut by T Kira Madden blew me away. Madden‘s examination of her ‘privileged‘ life is fearless and unexpected, her writing is simply gorgeous. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
#lgbtq

5 glowing stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I love memoirs, and once in a while one takes my breath away. I'm in awe of both the compassion the author has in telling her story and the form she tells it in.

Among the hard stuff- drug addiction, trauma, loss- there is so much grace and humor and love.

I have a forever space on my bookshelf for this incredible book. 💛

This memoir is fearlessly honest and heartbreaking. Told in non-linear essays, Madden revisits her childhood and her trauma in beautifully piercing language. These vignettes explore the complicated feelings we have for ourselves and those we love so fiercely even when they hurt us. She shows us how no relationship is black and white, or right and wrong, but they are just, ours. Sometimes we have to forgive or leave or fight to heal and honor them.

This memoir was Bremen a pick and a so-so. Madden is Steve Madden‘s niece who grew up in Florida to a Hawaiian mother and a father who was married with two sons when she was born, although he divorced his first wife later. Madden discusses her childhood, her parents, half-brothers, her sexuality, her parents‘ addiction, her sexual abuse, and her extended family. Some chapters were powerful and a few were ok. It‘s still a great read and relatable.

Thank you @Cupcake12 for the tag

🌈I haven‘t read much but I am looking forward to the tagged one.
🌈Purple.
🌈Being a kind and compassionate person.

#DealAlert 🚨🚨🚨Don‘t miss out on this awesome #KindleDailyDeal 💚Only $1.99 and it‘s #WrittenByALitten ☺️One of the best memoirs I‘ve read ~ absolutely loved it

March Stats: My favorites were We Were the Lucky Ones and Long Live the Tribe. Both are excellent. Four filled spots for #ReadingEurope2020 and two for #BBRC. The top 3 were audio books. I can get away with listening at work due to the current conditions which is a small silver lining in this strange time. Bringing Down the Duke was #bookspin and my least favorite. I didn‘t finish #bonusspin last night but will finish soon.

1) Planting flowers and weeding or as I like to call it...playing in the dirt.
2)Total Introvert
3) Finished 8, hoping to finish my March bonus spin by the end of the month
4) These last 5 months have been their own version of hell before Covid-19. Litsy has been my port in the storm. So I send love and gratitude to all my litten friends for your positivity and kindness, your laughter and friendship.

#winter #booked2020 clockwise from top left 😘🤩💖

#BookReport #WeeklyForecast

Bringing Down the Duke #ReadingEurope2020 (England) LitsyAtoZ (B) 2 #Bookspin 🌟
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls (Audio) 4 1/2 🌟 Its a hard read but it resonated with me as one of the tribe during my teen years

Just started Heidi and Court of Thorns and Roses (audio) about 70% done with As Old as Time. Next up may change but 7 1/2 is my #Bonusbookspin so I‘m committed to getting it read by the 31st.

All. The. Feels. This book was primal for me. Her story touched a raw nerve in my body. Her experiences are specific and universal at the same time. I can see how it was her kuleana (obligation in Hawaiian) to write this story of her, her mother, her father, of being queer, of being Chinese/Hawaiian/Jewish, but also the story of her being a human girl in an imperfect body and all that comes with it. 5⭐️

#booked2020 #millennialauthor

Do you ever just suddenly have to read something? Like put aside everything else for some unknown reason? Well, my plan is to finish this book overnight tonight. I‘ve been switching between ebook and audio, just inhaling it like febreeze unstobbables in a communal dryer.

Have you ever read a memoir that contained stories that could have been lifted from your own history and it subsequently made you uncomfortable? 🙋🏻‍♀️ That was me with this book. I was not a child of privilege and my parents weren‘t addicts and I am not of mixed race but at times I felt like Madden was telling my story. Her writing is dreamy and lyrical and whimsical and an absolute delight. 4⭐️ Thanks again, Cindy! 😘

Breathtaking — T Kira Madden‘s sparkling sentences, and the way she spins beauty from her life.

Brutally honest memoir, beautifully written.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love memoir in essay form. It lends itself to flexibility and creativity. Yes, T Kira Madden is from the famous shoe family, though it is referenced only as it applies to her father‘s absences. Her upbringing was privileged, but challenging in so many formative ways. I think most of us can identify with at least one instance, but likely more. Her writing is exquisite. This is a solid memoir; great on audio.

#queerlitsy link to a wonderful list of outstanding 2019 queer lit: https://bookmarks.reviews/15-of-the-best-queer-debuts-of-2019/

It‘s not that I never thought about it. Girls. Women. It‘s that I thought about it too much.

There are so many ways to lose a person. Of all things, this is what I know best.

No one can hurt you the way a mother can. No one can love you the way a mother can.

I was at 65% when my digital library loan of this expired. The writing is really strong here, but for some reason this isn‘t what I was expecting it to be based on everything I‘ve been hearing about it, and I‘m finding it super depressing. It‘s not renewable, so I think I‘m going to leave it for now instead of putting myself back on the waitlist.

Memoir about growing up queer and biracial and with famous (and notorious) family members. Honest about the brutalities of middle school and eating disorders and the unexpected ways to make a family.

Finished my first #24in48 book, and it was a GREAT one. Despite her relative youth, Madden has a complicated personal and family history and has been through a LOT of stuff. She writes about all of it brilliantly. I am very much hoping for a Part 2, because it‘s clear she has much more story to tell.

Up past my bedtime, but this book makes it easy to stay awake! So good so far. ✨ #24in48

1. Tagged memoir - excellent!!!
2.Puffy, but I‘m partial to Hippeas 😋
3. Sunset ( I‘m not a morning person)
4. I‘d book a 5 star family cruise🚢
5. 6th grade ( my first major crush)

#FriYayIntro @howjessreads

Afternoon reading with Hank! I‘m so excited to finally start this one!

I am GUTTED! Oh my goodness I love this book so much. It took a couple of chapters for me to really start appreciating this crazy unique memoir. Words that come to mind (that I don't typically use but read in reviews): searing, brutally honest, lyrical, gritty, emotionally draining. T Kira Madden is wonderfully talented. Highly recommended 🌟

Another cute work lunch with a fabulous book ♥️ #readandeat

Lyrical and gutting.

What a cover, right? Well, the book is even better. The tone is reflective and haunting, and I felt on edge while tearing through this collection of essays about T Kira Madden‘s childhood, her parents, her friendships, and her relationship with herself. There‘s a lot of brutal moments, and I wanted to reach through the pages and hold her in my arms. There‘s also a lot of strength and truth, and real tender moments of love. Highly recommend!

I identify with the title so much. Picking this one up tonight for that reason alone. The gorgeous cover doesn't hurt either. Why haven't I seen this around more? 🤔

I implore you all to read this gem by @tkmadden

Finally getting to spend some time with @tkmadden ‘s #longlivethetribeoffatherlessgirls! Been looking forward to this one ❤️
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#bookstagrammer #writer #bookstagram #books #amwriting #amreading #booksmatter #writingcommunity

I've been reading a bit (for me- this is my 35th book in 2019) but updating only on Goodreads. This book, though - it was great, and looks like not too many people have found it. A memoir of interwoven stories, with T Kira's dad looming over much of the book. Both gritty and ethereal, I would highly recommend this one to lovers of the genre.

And please add me on GR if you'd like - I can be found as Cathi Kern or Cathipink 🙂

5/5🌟 Madden's childhood consisted of darkness, trauma, addiction, neglect and a little girl growing up in the thick of it. She would turn to her female friends for love, seek approval in unhealthy ways and use drugs and alcohol to cope. It felt at times like reading a journal or diary with how open and honest she is. It ranges from her childood womanhood. Definitely check this one out, especially if you like memoirs.
#bookreview #bookblogger

Absolutely brilliant essay collection. Growing up in a affluent area, you are not immune to anything. This is collection of thoughts about growing up, dealing with addiction and coming out.

Next up! I have wonderful things about this one.

#AnglophileApril There‘s a lot of #taintedlove in this searing memoir. Written in short essays @tkmadden brutally shares her unconventional childhood which was both a fairytale and a horror show. Both the writing and storytelling is a gut punch. I was wowed and heartbroken but ultimately restored. Image from Google. I highly recommend this book!!!!

I will be recovering from that last 20 pages for quite some time. This is a book that feels like it‘s meandering a bit, and I found it slow going in parts. That mostly turns out to be quite relevant. I don‘t think the point of a memoir is only the conclusion of the book, but ... it did work out that way here. The author reveals traumas (including sexual and physical abuse of various people) and heartbreaks throughout. 🏳️‍🌈 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Just starting this one. Snagged it for my Kobo app after listening to a good Reading Women interview with the author. April‘s #memoir entry on my nonfiction spreadsheet (it‘s funny BUT IT IS ALSO REAL). Will paste the URL for that interview in the comments.

I finished this one last night — so good! It felt as much like an essay collection as a memoir, which was fine. It‘s about Madden‘s childhood and early adulthood in Florida, and about her family — a fascinating bunch. The writing is heart wrenching and wonderful.

Link to a great explanation of the book cover design process by the designer! https://lithub.com/how-t-kira-maddens-long-live-the-tribe-of-fatherless-girls-go...

I started reading some new books today!