Welcome to Litsy!

Unlike other books garnering a five star review from me, this wasn't a book I "couldn't put down" but more of a book I "had to pick back up." I only read a few pages at a time (largely because I read before bed and I'm middle-aged), but I always looked forward to tuning in the next night. I was disappointed to say goodbye to the Count, but also pleasantly sated--a rare feeling with books these days.

This novel has so many themes in so many characters, but for Count Rostov the themes of loss and loneliness are significant. He is a prisoner in Russia at the Metropol Hotel- were he to exit through the door, he would be shot. He has lost so much but seeks to assuage his pain by making connections with other guests and employees of the hotel💔

#CheerTheLonely
#JulyJazz

A Gentleman in Moscow

#sundayfunday on Monday!

@BookmarkTavern

Play? @Meshell1313 @Blueberry @kspenmoll

#JuneSpecials @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#BeautifulLife

#WonderousWednesday @Eggs

🌸 Not sure. I've just always been positive and outgoing and I love making others happy. I guess you can say in the end I am selfish because I am getting something from being my best self.
🌸 tagged because Count Alexander Rostov was loyal and a good friend to those in his life. He was a good person and lord knows not many of those exist anymore.

Play? @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @lil1inblue @AnnCrystal @jdiehr

1.yes, a few dollars and coins sometimes - you never know when you might need it

2. Count Rostov was a wealthy elite before the Russian revolution; but he was an eloquent, kind, and thoughtful man who had so much love in his heart; however, bc of wealth and social status he was condemned to live inside the Metropol Hotel and never leave.
#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

1. Occasionally, but only because I‘m pretty much a third party vendor for my kids with Robux lol (grandma gives them cash now and then)
2. I would say money does affect him as he‘s been put on “house arrest” for being an aristocrat…

@TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday

I listened to the audiobook when this first came out, but didn‘t pay attention well… Last year I viewed the series and was blown away by Ewan McGregor‘s characterization of Rostov. Had to read the book again-

#sundayfunday @BookmarkTavern

I actually really hated this book 😬 #1 #2025

Thoroughly enjoyable, well paced and well written. I liked the fact that the history of the Russian revolution is addressed only tangentially. The lead is articulate, kind, and deals positively with his very straightened circumstances.

Like a collection of interconnected stories. A bit slow at parts, but the characters are vivid, the writing clever and skillful. There is always something to figure out. Low-stakes and a bit wistful, perfect for our dark times. Recommend.

Unpopular opinion: If I weren't reading this for book club, I would have bailed. I'm not sure what all the hype is about - this was one of the dullest books I've trudged through in a long while.

“…he had committed himself to mastering his circumstances…”

Towles writes intelligent and witty conversations.

#DaysDevotedTo
#Conversation

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

1. Faves are mango and honey crisp apples

2. In the tagged book, Count Rostov dines often with young Nina💛

#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

Play? @JessClark78 @Kshakal @Kappadeemom

Vacation time is the best time to get reading done, and this was a great read. Pictured here is not the book, but is instead what I ate as I finished it up. #coffeewithmilk #pasteldenata #booknineof2024

Beach day reads. #vacationreading

Dropped the ball on reading recently, but picked it up again on vacation to Portugal. #whatiread

25 Aug-1 Sep 24 (audiobook)
Almost a series of short stories rather than a novel, Towles recounts the house arrest of Count Alexander Rostov in the Hotel Metropol in Moscow for the crime of being an unrepentant aristocrat and the many characters he encounters during his decades of confinement. The many tales are beautifully and sometimes humorously told. My favourite perhaps being the removal of all labels on the wine bottles in the cellar. Lovely

#AboutABook @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#SetInHotel

There really is no other choice for this prompt.

#AboutABook #SetInHotel @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I‘m sure we‘ll be seeing a lot of the Count today, but this is one of my favorite books OAT and besides Eloise (who I‘m sure will also be well represented) I really couldn‘t choose anyone else for Hotel

#SetinHotel #AboutaBook

@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

“In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin.” My favorite Towles book

#SetInAHotel

#AboutABook

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Next up, a gift from my mom. #booknineof2024

I savored this story of a life well lived, told in a series of delicious morsels over the course of 30+ years.

In the making of friends, and family, and in the mastering of one‘s circumstances, The Count is a delight and an inspiration. For some limitations are no match for an open heart.

I wanted more!
Well written, engaging story, interesting characters. The characters had depth, at least most of them did. The story was interesting, an aristocrat in post revolutionary Russia put under house arrest in an opulent hotel. He is moved to a tiny attic room and spends 30+ yrs living in the hotel.
4.8 ⭐️ only because I wanted more. Highly recommend for historical fiction or human interest.

Started this last night. I‘ve had it on my shelf for the longest time. In fact I think o received it in one of the first swaps I ever did here at Litsy, lol. 😂

When it first came out, I listened to the audio. Last 2 weeks I watched season 1 series. The last few days I treated myself to rereading the book. So wonderful, intelligent, historically accurate, and richest characterizations. I wonder if there‘ll be a season 2…

#ReadAway2024

@Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

#Attic #StorySettings

@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

People have told me to read this book since it first came out. I put it off because historical fiction has to be a genre I'm in the mood for in order to appreciate it.

This book deserves all the praise it has received. The writing is simply exquisite, and I was drawn into this world and the characters and felt like part of the hotel.

Really beautiful story that I should have read sooner.

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope you have a beautiful day! Here are today's #Two4Tuesday questions.

1️⃣ Turn Right
2️⃣ Tagged

All are welcome to play; however, tagging a few Littens to get us started. @bethm @dabbe @Eggs @The_Penniless_Author @CBee @IndoorDame @Yuki_Onna @TheBookHippie @Kshakal @peaKnit

Such a wonderful book. A triumph of humanity and of living life to the fullest despite adverse circumstances.

A beautifully written story about Count Alexander Rostov and his quiet, but full, life under house arrest at a hotel in Moscow. It‘s about making the most from your circumstances, finding purpose, found family. This novel is quiet, but full of lovable characters. The slow pace was hard for me. My rating is not a reflection of the book, but of where this book came to me in my reading life. I highly recommend it, and am glad I read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 ❤️📚

I better get cracking on this pick for my IRL book club. We meet next week!

My #doublespin for the month of January. ❤️📚#clearmyshelves2024

I found this book slow going. I did enjoy it quite a bit. Towles developed the characters and their personalities quite well. The story covered the better part of a lifetime. I believe it was well worth the commitment I made to read it.

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

I think I have read A Gentleman In Moscow at least four times. I am always drawn back to it. The depth of the character is fabulous loved how Towles showed us the best of humanity in this book.

I‘m not quite halfway with this one but really struggling. Does it pick up? Does something happen in the plot that will pull me in? I feel like everyone has loved this book, but I‘m definitely not in that place. I find my mind constantly wandering and have trouble keeping track of the names. Maybe it‘s the audiobook? 🤷🏼‍♀️

The count is judged an unrepentant aristocrat by a Soviet tribunal & placed under house arrest in the Hotel Metropol. He was living there, but must move to a much more humble room.He almost gives in to despair, but manages to find a rich emotional life & worthwhile connections with the hotel‘s wonderful staff ,those he knows & those he meets as they pass through. Detailed,with humor & heart , a story to savor.On my TBR for a long time.

#IdiomInsight @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

I love how the Count stayed positive despite his circumstances. Even when his life was not what he expected he adapted.

I‘m in such a reading funk.Between being busy, stressed , living through extreme heat warnings , I can‘t seem to concentrate. Going to try this one , loved by many Littens , abandoned by many Littens !🫤🤷‍♀️

1-No

2- the tagged!

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

I think I am in the minority here, but I just could not get into this book.
I attempted several different times, thinking it was just bad timing.
After reaching 40%, I decided it‘s time to give up. #hailthebail
I enjoyed some parts, but others were dull, dull, dull.
First book by this author for me. I‘m afraid to try any others 🙈

“For that matter, what can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory, that they deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration—and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them . . . “ (120).

#MayMontage @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#MellowCharacter

I kept thinking about classic American film as I read this book. By the time the Count watches films from the golden age of Hollywood himself, I had already painted this as a black and white talkie in my own head. Towles‘ Images are woven together to tell a wonderful little story. This novel won‘t change your life, but it will help you enjoy some of its nuances and details.

Apparently I‘m in the minority, but I just couldn‘t get into this. I was bored out of my mind and finally bailed at around page 200. I may try to come back to it after a break, but it just really isn‘t doing it for me right now.

This novel, beautifully written with fascinating characters, is both a short history of the Soviet Union and an homage to the film Casablanca. https://cannonballread.com/2023/05/a-gentleman-in-moscow-a-novel-elcicco/

I believe this would make a great #DiscussionBook!

#MayMontage

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks