Reading tagged book at the moment. This paragraph struck me. Let's all try to be "real human beings" with each other. We are more alike than we are different
#litsylove ?❤️?⚘️ @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@TieDyeDude
#wearebettertogether
Reading tagged book at the moment. This paragraph struck me. Let's all try to be "real human beings" with each other. We are more alike than we are different
#litsylove ?❤️?⚘️ @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@TieDyeDude
#wearebettertogether
An author was behaving poorly on GR today. I myself have had one distinct unpleasant interaction with an author on GR & it seems like this is becoming more common. Several authors weighed in, all advising against invading a reviewer's space. Had to post the above from Attenberg's thread 😂
Here‘s my “list” for the February #bookspin challenge hosted by @TheAromaofBooks ! I‘m no stranger to “reading at random,” so I‘m happy to lazily narrow the field to this shelf of A authors and read at random in good company in February. 😀 Imagine numbers left to right - 1 is Say You‘re One of Them and 20 is The Blind Assassin. She‘s not drawing a number til the weekend, so still plenty of time to join in and tackle your TBR!
If HF is your jam and you love reading about early 1900s NYC this book will definitely appeal to you. While I enjoyed the story, I never grew connected to Maize and this book always lingered at meh/ ok but never wow or great. I wonder if the mockumentary style hindered my attachment?! It was well done but had an air of disconnection. A pick but #MoreMehThanYeah
Based on some bookish love from @vivastory and the fact that I‘ve had this book on my shelf for ages, I picked it up yesterday. Halfway through, it doesn‘t feel like an Attenberg novel, I‘m getting more of an Alice Hoffman vibe 🤷🏼♀️And some Daisy Jones too😉
I loved the story of an unlikely hero, Saint Mazie, told through diary excerpts and interviews. She watched life pass her by as she worked in a ticket booth in NYC during the 20‘s and 30‘s. She found love in the most unlikely places but could never quite hold on to it. So she took the bums, the victims of the depression, under her wing and made them her passion.
From last week‘s #CTlitsymeetup ...books bought, received in the gift swap, exchanged for free, and the lovely ladies I spent time with, some of whom I got to know better and others I met for the first time!
I read somewhere recently that "work is the furniture of novels," Attenberg puts the career of her eponymous character in center by focusing a significant amount of the narrative at her job. I thought Mazie was a great character & I loved reading about this era (Jazz Age NY). Thinking about it, I also more than likely had a soft spot for Mazie, because my first job was at a movie theater. Leaving work reeking of popcorn & soda stained shirt. ?
Gosh I wanted to love this one!!! I loved All Grown Up and The Middlesteins but this was a total bust. I request that Attenberg stick with modern day family issues bc this retro vibe just didn‘t work.
Three years ago I had an awesome day. I saw Jami Attenberg at my Alma Mater on her Saint Maize tour. I got to meet her IRL after following her on Tumblr for years. And after the reading I hung out with her at a bar!
S: Saint Mazie
T: The Bear and the Nightingale
A: Alias Grace
C: Carrie
E: Eleanor & Park
Y: Yes Please
@LibrarianRyan
Looking for something light & fun this morning. Hoping this does the trick!
Had to be out of my house for a couple hours so they could do some routine preventative spraying. Stopped at the Dollar Tree to waste some time. So much for my book buying ban LOL 😆 the bottom 2 are true crime
Based upon a real woman & utilizing the oral history format, Attenberg's novel chronicles an era through the viewpoint of the witty, jaded, charitable & fiercely independent Mazie. Nothing could be farther from her mind than dreams of being a #PolyesterBride
#fiercefeb day 19
@batsy
@Cinfhen
@Christine Thank you so much for my wonderful #cupidgoespostal package!! I loved every bit of it, ESPECIALLY my framed Reylo ❤❤ Thank you for making my first exchange something to remember!
Thank you @BookBabe @Avanders @MrBook for all your hard work in the #VBE!!
Mazie is such a great character: bold, passionate, independent, charitable, vulnerable, resilient, kindhearted, complicated - an early 20th century feminist heroine whose story is still (far too 😕) resonant in our cultural moment. Perfect book to finish on Women‘s March day. 🙂💪✊
I read this based on @L_auren ‘s review. I can see why she loved it so much. Mazie is a very relatable character despite, or maybe because of, her flaws. The diary format worked well and I liked the interjections from others that broke it up a bit. The “historian” researching Mazie‘s life was so obscure though, and I couldn‘t tell if she was just a plot device to tell the story or if she meant more. Also thanks to @Mdargusch for the bookmark!
Look at all this swag for #halloweengoespostal from @rustoryhuf ! Thank you thank you! I especially love the bookmarks and the books and the pumpkin. Oh just all of it 😆
I was interested in seeing New York evolving through the characters' eyes... that's why I decided to read this. But I didn't enjoy the piecemeal way the story was told in fragments.
A compulsively readable historical fiction book based on the life of a real woman, Mazie Gordon-Phillips. I was enthralled with the character of Mazie and the NYC setting from the start. Mazie is tough but kindhearted as she manages a movie theater and the homeless of the depression. I liked how the narrative wasn't straightforward. It includes excerpts from Mazie's diary and a frame story involving interviews in a pseudo-documentary style.
Seizing the day right: a new read and a cat 📚😺
#carpediem #fallintobooks #catsoflitsy
This story is told through Mazie's diary & interviews of the people who knew her. I'm not normally a fan of that format but in this case it really worked for me. Admittedly, about 200 pages in I was liking the book just fine but that's it. The last 130 pages or so made me love it though. The end left me feeling melancholy but in a good way, if that's possible? I think this one will stick with me for a bit. (I also really love the cover!).
Attenberg's titular character is funny, no-nonsense, independent & empathetic. An oral history & character study of a fictional character who feels convincingly real. Mazie's voice is straightforward & unadorned. The book spans thirty years, from being rescued from an abusive father by her older sister to her love affairs, and charity work for the homeless while running a movie theater. There is a strong sense of place. NYC is a character 👇
One of our picks for summer reading! Mazie definitely inspires us to #buildabetterworld.
Inspired by a real life woman in New York City, Saint Maizie is a story about triumphing over tough circumstances. Normally I dislike stories told through interviews or diary entries, but Attenberg's deft characterization and pacing went straight to my heart, catching me off guard. What an empowering journey! 5/5 stars.
With a cover like this, I couldn't resist checking it out. I've heard great things about this one.
Trying this one after reading All Grown Up. I kind of love Saint Maize so far. Halfway done and am enjoying the contrast between those who travel and find life there vs Maize who is trapped, yet finds life where she is. Really liking the diary style. Bonus points for it being based on a real person. Double bonus points- you can eat at Saint Maize's in Brooklyn.
Waited awhile to read this one after loving The Middlesteins so much. It was worth the wait to meet feisty and fierce Mazie and her ticket booth on the Bowery during the Depression (pictured here with Buster Keaton)
"The younger ones still have a chance to change their lives, and I'll lend them a hand if they like. But too many of the older men, they've been on the road so long they wouldn't know what to do with a proper home if they had one. The concrete feels right under their bodies. Their discomfort has become their comfort. "
This book is killing me with how good it is 💕
My view for reading for the next couple days! It's hard to pay attention to the book....
I'm enjoying this book so far and I just want to give a shout out to the beautiful cover. It's so pretty!
Be like Mazie... be yourself and be good to others.
In honor of #internationalwomensday, this #recommendsday I am recommending Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg. This was the first Attenberg I read and it pulled my heartstrings so hard I thought I would never recover.
Loving this story so much it makes me mad I've scrolled past it on my Kindle for so long!
#challengecheckin
#litsyatoz
14/26
15/26
Today's thrift store haul!
#challengecheckin
#litsyatoz
Status as of 1/31, comprised of finished books, books in progress, & books next up.
Well, I had a slow last week, but a big month for reading! 23 books-12 print, 11 audio. Having the readathon definitely helped, but I also read a lot of shorter YA books. Faves were: Saint Mazie, Still Life with Tornado, City of Thieves, All the Bright Places, and The Call; I had a lot of great books this month!!