Welcome to Litsy!

Another look at the Japanese fairytale about marrying a crane, this time set in contemporary Great Britain.

Pretty, but it failed to capture me. For long stretches, I couldn‘t wait for it to be over. Part of it was two cheating subplots (my personal pet peeve: I hate cheating in books). The other issue was that—for some unfathomable reason—the plot took away from the characters…?

And it was all about characters. Or—it was supposed to be.

3/5

I hate being disappointed by a book I have been looking forward to reading for ages. It started strong but it went steadily down hill from there. I think I will stick to Ness‘s YA books.

I absolutely loved this book! I was dimly aware of the crane folk story but I found the delicate descriptions of heartache and human relationships beautiful. The story of the crane and the volcano was entirely appropriate and the two stories folded together beautifully, like the extended metaphor of the art. A joyous read, a page-turner. Kumiko's inevitable fate and the gentle aftermath ensured this book was nourishing like a hearty meal.

Imagine you have a dream...and you‘re high. And there are a bunch of incoherent ideas and stream-of-consciousness thoughts, but none of them are related nor do they make any sense. That is this book. Don‘t bother. I gave it 200 pages, but knowing there were another 100 pages left of this total unintelligible nonsense, just forget it. Total, royal dud.

Up next! 😎💕

I picked up this book because I loved Ness‘s book A Monster Calls. It turns out I just liked that individual book, not the author‘s overall style, I guess. This one was too dependent on magical realism. Weaving together the fable of a crane and a volcano along with what was going on in the plot didn‘t make sense to me. I was confused and didn‘t like all the surreal elements. If that is your thing, though, you might really connect to this book.

Calling all Britain-Littens! 💜

Pretty soon, @wanderer15 and I will be leaving for our honeymoon in England! There will be lots of time set aside for reading (I‘m tentatively packing 9 books) and we‘ll be staying in the Cotswolds and London. Do you have any must-see bookstores or other sites to recommend?

The forecast looks like it will be perfect for bundled-up spurts of exploring followed by cozying up inside with books and tea!! 💜

I stopped by to visit a neighborhood Little Free Library on my morning walk with the dog. I left this book, and didn‘t plan to take anything with me, but a title grabbed my attention: The Thing About Jellyfish, so that came home with me 😊. #LFL

This book and I, we had a smooth start and in the beginning I was sure I would love it. But now I need to bail it before page 50 because I don‘t have any patience – either for that “poetic” writing style that I only find meandering nor for George‘s unbearable mother.

Additionally, not for Ness‘ erratic way of telling his story. What shall it be all about and where does Ness want to lead to his readers❓ Sorry, I‘m not in the mood to find out.

“One night George is woken by a terrific keening. When he investigates he finds a great white crane. It has been shot through the wing with an arrow. George struggles to take it out from the bird's wing, saving its life. The next morning, he meets Kumiko, who might change his entire life … A story of passion and sacrifice, that resonates on the level of dream and myth that celebrates the creative imagination, and the disruptive power of love.”

Started this one the evening day before yesterday. I am not very far in but I already like that the story is starting less weird than I expected from the marketing blurb.

Additionally I really like the beautiful cover. 😍 In colour it is way more beautiful than on my black and white e-book reader display.

While talking with @Cathy_J and @Andrew65 – Cc @Cathythoughts – about Patrick Ness‘ “Chaos-Walking”-trilogy I searched for (more) Patrick Ness‘ books at my online library‘s stock.

“The Crane Wife” is what I found. 🧡 I put it on my wish list, so please note ➕1️⃣ for my #BookishGoal. 😊

I hate that the first book I've read since joining was just so-so. I picked it up because I love PATRICK Ness' trilogy but this magical realism just isn't my cup of tea.

Wish there was a 'Hmmmm??' rating as So-so seems kind of unfair. This book had some truly beautiful passages and sentences and Patrick Ness's usual keen descriptions of those hard to articulate feelings and ideas....this had a deep seated dream like quality to the writing. Somehow it just didn't work as a novel though.... Perhaps a lack of characterisation??? I closed the book feeling moved but thinking 'what did I just read?' #read2017

This was an very interesting story, not sure I would have chosen it myself. So thanks to my book subscription! I also enjoyed Whispers Underground too! #books #bookcovers #bluebooks #booknerd #bookworm #booklover

I got these 3 books for free when I was at the book store on Friday! Nothing like getting books for free! #books #bookspines #bookcrazy #tbr #bookmad

"... the injustice that outraged the modern world above all others" ??

Next on Kindle...... reading this in the car....

I decided to treat myself to a book subscription. This arrived today! #books #booksubscription #bookcovers #bluebooks #lovetoread

I love this passage. I feel the exact same way!

Started this last night and so far it is really good. Seems to be based loosely on a fairly tale from what I can gather. Looks good!

"In her dreams , she flies ". I guess this wasn't the book for me.

#TheOmnivorousBookClub is currently wrapping up! A 2-hour discussion tonight 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻! Books centered around animals. Anything stand out to you? @BookBabe

I'm intrigued by Patrick Ness. I picked this up at the library tonight.

He would picture himself there, decades and an ocean...away, under a beautiful blue sky, in the impossible silence of being pushed along the road...under the watchful, terrified eyes of dozens of co-tellers, and because he could see it, and because they could, too, in all their different versions, as their lives crossed each other and bound together in what George could only describe as a mutual embrace, that moment...was always still happening.

Managed twelve books this month.

5 were recommended to me by friends or for a bookclub
1 audiobook
1 ARC
1 nonfiction

Pretty good mix overall. Loved Man called Ove and Waking Gods, but I did like all of them, but those two were definitely favs.

"In her dreams, she flies."

An interesting story and well written. George saves a crane and then meets Kumiko, a mysterious woman who George needs but doesn't know why and Kumiko needs him.

"A story never ends at the end."

"What was more perfect an object than a book?"

Saturday reading and snack.

These two books are up next on the reading list. Friend rec and bookclub book. Might have to throw in something light and happy between or during. #bookclub

Next book. I adore Patrick Ness. Cried my eyes/heart/soul out at 'A Monster Calls' and did not want the Chaos Walking trilogy to ever end! Next up is this one ❤️📚

Patrick Ness' first lines never fail to pull me right into the story :)

On the previous page he writes "In her dreams, she flies." - love that quote!

#greatfirstlines #booktober
(I'm not that good with photochallenges, because I travel around too much without the proper books, but I just had to join in on this one!)

Purdy

A bit of a strange one I have to say, but I did enjoy it.

Another audio read from the library :)

Beautiful affecting book

Amazing novel about a lonely man who blunders into a folk tale. George's life is turned upside down after he rescues a crane. By the end, he will discover art, love, betrayal, and sacrifice.

But what good is being smart when you speak words and no one hears the ones you mean?

⭐️⭐️ oh I don't even know. It was okay I guess. But nothing more than okay.