Welcome to Litsy!

While it dragged just a bit in the middle, this was super fun. The end did escalate ridiculously, but I was here for it. Interesting premise, interesting execution. (Aren‘t J and K from Men in Black??)

Book 108🎧 3.2⭐️

There is a tower in the woods… that hold 24 single letter boys, better known as The Alphabet Boys. They no nothing of the outside world, or the other sex. It is a distraction from their genius.

But there is a second tower only a few miles away.. filled with Letter Girls.

What happens when they learn they aren‘t alone..

Make that a DOUBLE WIN at Dollar Tree!!! #BestDayEver

A pick for overall story but a pan/so-so rating for execution. I‘m glad I didn‘t read the cover synopsis that reveals a crucial plot point that happens on page 305 of a 383 page book. Terrible jacket copywriting. Anyway, the premise is an institution raising boys without knowledge of women, in hopes of making them even more accomplished. As they reach puberty, things change. Starts very slow, ends with a true horror-story bang, has some plot holes

I couldn't get into this book, I tried. The initials for names threw me off and it was lacking in description of details. A dystopian world a bit too much for me. #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I really really wanted to enjoy this. But I just kept waiting for it to get better. ☹️📚I did finish it but kinda wish I would not have read it as I was so disappointed.

A basic premise used before but new execution and a wide group of perpetrators to be repulsed by. Conclusion steamrolls pretty quickly. Would have enjoyed a little more setup/background, but otherwise enjoyable ride.

I thought this was pretty good. It seemed like an allegory of fascism. There are 24 boys all with names a letter of the alphabet living in a tower, devised by a man who wants nothing but the best for them but to what end? Don‘t read the description. Just go for it. I really appreciated the character in here who‘s an author with a crisis of conscience. I liked Malerman‘s show of how revolutionary ideas can come from books and how books help us👇🏼

@DGRachel thanks for picking this book. At first I was bugged when you picked it. Not at you but the reading universe because I had bought this when it first came out, read the first chapter, and thought ‘meh.‘ But the reading fates thought better of it and found a way to make me read it. This book is definitely right time right read for me. Thanks.

I found this disturbing, but not in a good “this is a creepy psychological thriller” kind of way. I was intrigued by the premise, but I wish it hadn‘t been handled in such a skeevy manner. The ending left me with questions I‘m not sure I really want answered. I feel like I need a shower and maybe bleach injected into my brain. The writing is fine, but maybe Malerman is just not for me.

I didn't enjoy Bird Box as much as others seemed too, but I liked this one a lot.

The idea of a society were boys and girls are separated didn't seem that far fetched to me, which made it easier for me to become invested in the story.

There are some loose ends I wish had been taken care of in the end, but overall, it was a good read with fast pacing to keep my attention, which seems difficult these days.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The premise of the book seemed similar to one of my favorites - Never Let Me Go. Unfortunately I read the back cover which in my opinion ruined a big twist in this book. I enjoyed this well enough but I think knowing what was coming took away some of the creepy suspense that makes a book like this so much fun. My advice: if you‘re going to read this, don‘t read anything about it!

I loved The Bird Box, but had trouble getting into Black Mad Wheel, and Unbury Carol, so I was hesitant to try another Malerman novel. I‘m 16% done with the audiobook- so far, so good. 👌🏽🎧

Long, tiring day but hoping to get a few chapters started tonight. Isn‘t this cover just so captivating?!

I enjoyed this one as much as Bird Box!

#TBRtemptation post 4! From the author of “Bird Box” comes another tense read, according to the reviewers! J is one of 26 boys are being taught as prodigies at an isolated school deep in the woods. On the other side of the forest is a parallel school for just girls. K has never seen a boy, J‘s never seen a girl. They meet and work to figure out what their schools are up to...and learn about themselves. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Here‘s to hoping it spooks me! Doubt it tho haha I just don‘t get scared 👻

26 boys, A-Z, are being raised in an experiment separate from all females or even knowledge of them to determine if genius can be enhanced by reducing distraction. It took me a long time to get into this book, but when I did I realized how much it had to say about control and fascism. If you are interested in this book, do NOT read the description, which has a major spoiler. Just dive in. I found it quite thought-provoking.

This was fun when I could turn my brain off. But any time I felt myself starting to nitpick and ask questions of the book, I sort of didn't like it. I have very mixed feelings on this one.

Happy Book Lover's Day from Jane Austen, Topanga, and me.

In case you haven‘t seen, Josh Malerman‘s newest book is for sale on the Kindle for only $2.99! He also wrote Bird Box.

#kindledeal #ebookdeal

Nice kindle deal going on right now. Bird Box author Josh Malerman‘s latest book is $2.99 for the kindle version today. I believe this book is fairly recent, coming out earlier this year. I‘ve been meaning to read it and this is an excellent price. #horror #ebookdeal #kindledeal

Blimey!
I'm kind of speechless.
Whilst the storyline was great, ambling along, as it gained momentum it was fantastic.
I can't say much in case I spoil it, but it us an epic finale.
Brings to mind Lord of the Flies. Really splendid story. He has a great imagination although creepy!

Oooh... I loved Birdbox and this is just as enticing.

And the only thing worse than receiving all your information from one source is believing it entirely.
#tryingnottogetpolitical.

Interesting read!

From the author of Bird Box comes Inspection ☠️
A group of 24 boys are raised in a secluded area under the watchful eye of D.A.D.,who works hard to ensure his boys grow up to be the greatest thinkers & creators. How will this be accomplished? Primarily by establishing a world built on lies & removing the greatest distraction from their lives: the opposite sex. Fascinating & creepy!

Currently reading...

All the new books that I picked up from the library a few days ago! I'm going to have to hustle to get them all done before they're due! 😎 I've already finished Miranda in Milan. A queer imagining of what happens to Miranda after the events in The Tempest. SO FREAKING GOOD! So many amazing books have come out this summer so far! Chaplin is hogging the tagged book, as you can see! 😁😸📚💕 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #librarylove

I need to stop buying rare books that break the bank 😍 Litsey won't even let me tag it they don't know it exists 😂 yes I submitted a suggestion. I can't wait to read this!

As this book started, I found myself wondering what was going to be scary about it. But I quickly found myself drawn into this world and wondering what would happen to everyone next. I did not anticipate anything that would happen in this book. I found it to be a creative, well-written story. It is probably better described as suspense than horror.

I'm so curious about what the author's fiance recommended he add now!

Most of my books are packed away so this is the best is could do for #rainbowspines #jazzyjune 🌈

My #goodreadssummerreadingchallenge tbr. The top book is my current read. By the way , Inspection is creepy good. Where should I start?

What the heck is going on? !?!

From the author of BIRD BOX comes this f‘d up Hogwarts-like tale (minus magic and owls) of what happens when the best scientific intentions are based on an immoral and deceptive hypothesis. It‘s hard to talk about this book without spoiling the twists and turns, so I‘ll stop here. Just know that this starts off as a slow moving train that quickly goes off the rails...but in a good way!

Starting this beauty today. I love the color of the cover (I know that‘s random). The plot sounds intriguing and if it‘s like his other books than it will be amazing.

I really liked this one. The reviews are so mixed, and I think there are definitely intentional obsfucations or omissions for the sake of pushing the plot. If anyone else has read this and wants to talk in a spoiler-y fashion lets do it.

Meh 🤷‍♀️🤔

Enjoying my quiet start today. So much I want to get done but first I am going to read while I finish my coffee. I am finally starting to get somewhere in this book.

I‘ve seen many mixed reviews for this. I really didn‘t like Unbury Carol, but like all his other work, so hopefully this is a hit for me.

A group of boys are raised without ever having seen or met a female to prove that the opposite sex is a distraction and hinders their potential for academic greatness. I had a huge issue with this idea because the possibility of homosexuality is never addressed. Out of the 26 boys, odds are that at least a few of them would be gay! If you can get past that, it is a unique idea and ends up being quite scary.

Pure Malerman! Horrifying and fascinating. Not for the faint of heart, but an excellent read.

“D.A.D.‘s voice. Always direct, always athletic. J wasn‘t the only Alphabet Boy who equated the man‘s voice with strength. Comfort. Security. Knowledge.” (p. 7)

Malerman gives a master class in mood-building with this deliciously creepy coming-of-age story. I don‘t want to spoil anything because you need to savor every line, but I‘d call it Dead Poets Society as directed by Tim Burton. Sounds good, doesn‘t it?

TGIF! Happy Friday friends! What are you reading this evening? I am about to start the tagged book.
#fridaynightbookclub

Inspection by Josh Malerman is a slow-burning tale about two groups of children that are raised as a science experiment.

While the slow burn format and the repetition just wasn't my favorite, I would still say that I enjoyed this read. I thought the idea behind the tale was super interesting and eerie!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-review-inspection-by-josh-malerman/

Been in a bit of a reading slump this week. Hoping that today's mail and library haul will snap me out of it.

Anyone picked this one up yet? I guess I‘ll wait until payday but I think I‘m interested in it. I liked Bird Box well enough.

I am SO excited!!! I won an advance copy of Inspection! Which rarely happens, I never win anything haha. This is the first ARC I‘ve ever received before the publication date. I‘ve had two previous through Goodreads but they always arrived well after publication date. I cannot wait to get to this. After a hellish day this is just what I needed. #bookmail