Welcome to Litsy!

#OnThisDay #Nov24

I'm new to reading and this was my introduction to the world of reading. I really enjoyed this book and the in depth descriptions that really bring visualization to your mind.
#newlitten

It was a morning like other mornings, and yet perfect among mornings.

I think I read this in high school, but nice to reread

This is the first ever Steinbeck book I've read, which surprises me given how much reading I've done in my life! You'd think I would have read at least one of his books during my formative years, but nope. I listened to the audiobook and it was a quick read. It reminded me of a book I read last year, tagged below. Same setting, similar themes and outcome. 3/5⭐️I‘m looking forward to reading more Steinbeck in future! #authoramonth
(April 3, 2023)

Well, this was depressing. Well written, good pacing, and a solid story but my goodness, this was a dark story. With this one, I will have read most of Steinbeck and I still don‘t have much love for his work. The narration was great, Hector Elizondo was wonderful! #audio #authoramonth @Soubhiville #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I enjoyed the narration by Hector Elizondo more than I enjoyed the book itself. I believe @IndoorDame used the word lackluster & I think that‘s the perfect word for my feelings about this one.
#AuthorAMonth #BookSpinBingo #MarchMadness #MarvellousMarch

I‘ve never been a Steinbeck fan so I was going to skip #AuthorAMonth, but then I thought I‘d give this one another try. It was the first of his I read, & by far my favorite, so I thought maybe I was just too young to appreciate it in school (11) since it did actually stick with me all these years… But I‘m still not a fan. I still appreciated all the elements I remember liking, & I still found it lackluster. Good to know young me knew her own mind.

I read this in school, and loved the images it evoked of diving and finding treasure.

I‘m glad #authoramonth gave me reason to revisit it. It‘s dark though as others have said.

This was my first time reading this - I initially thought it‘d be more of an uplifting parable. Should have known better. 🥺 Sad but honest when it comes to greed. #AuthorAMonth

March #Bookspin list! I don‘t think I‘ve ever posted so last minute before, but I kept reading books and having to change it up.

Descriptive and brutal. Depressing as all get out.

The Pearl is a gorgeous novella based on a Mexican folktale about the uneasy discovery of a splendid pearl that unleashes in the hearts of men the ultimate evil: greed. Steinbeck is no doubt one of my favorite writers and I really enjoyed this quick, stunning read.

June #wrapup

Good reading month, 14 books. Fairest and The Bone Vault were dnf and I should have dnf The Bookstore. Stand outs this month were The Pearl and Grass.

#two4tuesday

Better late than never!

Yes, my most recently read book accurately reflected the story but it did not influence my choice to read it as I have been meaning to read it anyway. I loved it by the way. I‘m always blown away by his writing and storytelling.

I haven't read this since high school. Being younger when I first read it I can remember liking it but I feel that I couldn't fully appreciate this gem of a novella.

The Pearl is such a heartfelt tale that has more depth to its layers than I realized. Another wonderful story from Steinbeck.

A retelling of an old Mexican folk tale. What a sad story😢but beautifully written. It has been analyzed from the social-political perspective. It has an average rating in GR but for me...How powerful the words are in these 87 pages. The audiobook was narrated by Hector Elizondo.
4.8/5⭐️
#DoubleSpin @TheAromaOfBooks
April 2022 #20in4readathon @Andrew65

A beautiful Mexican folktale / parable retold in Steinback‘s genius prose. Also nice and short, so it helped me reach my reading goal for 2021 on time.

🎉

You guys...this little book ripped my heart out at 3 o‘clock this morning. 😭 I read it in one sitting. It‘s a great cautionary tale based on a Mexican folktale about greed and the reminder of what‘s really important in life. John Steinbeck paints such a vivid picture of these people and the setting of the story that it feels like you‘re right there on the journey with them. 5⭐️ Highly recommended!

#novella
#JohnSteinbeck
#historicalfiction

I'm posting one book per day from the ever growing unread stacks in my personal library. No description or explanation, just books I own and plan to read. #tbr

Day 38

Finished my March #doublespin book already. This was a short novella about poverty, greed, evil, and love. So many life lessons built in to just over 80 pages. Steinbeck can write a story and this one did not disappoint.

Squeezing in one more read for 2020...

I also bailed on this audiobook while doing laundry this morning. I might come back to it but I'm not sure. There are so many other things I'd rather read right now.

In sparse, beautifully descriptive prose Steinbeck gives us an adaptation of a Mexican folk tale that explores human nature (vile), materialism, racism, and greed. My favorite part was the music Kino hears as he goes about his life, especially his Song Of Family. This is my #BookSpin for August @TheAromaofBooks

Steinbeck tells another tale that makes you think. This short gem tells the tale of Kino and the finding of the "Pearl of the World." It could be read as an allegory or parable warning of the traps that come with sudden wealth. Kino sees in the Pearl future success for his family and material riches. Others also want the Pearl...

Some new additions! #bookhaul 📚

#setinmexico #day5 #bibliomaynia @OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I feel like I read part of this a long time ago. I kind of want to read the whole thing, but it‘s been awhile since I‘ve read Steinbeck, and I didn‘t like it then. It‘s probably time to try again.

(pic from #goodreads)

Saw this mentioned a lot in the American Dirt controversy. I‘m intrigued to read it.

#SetInMexico
#BiblioMAYnia
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

I‘m filling in those gaps in my reading of the classics. Steinbeck‘s prose is succinct yet beautiful and descriptive. I can‘t believe I‘ve gone my whole life so far without reading his work. What a waste. I am so glad I picked this up.

What a striking description. I can imagine exactly how that scene looks.

Surprised I didn‘t have to read this in high school. Will finish tomorrow. Quick win for #24B4MONDAY

My 6th grade teacher read this to the class and I fell in love. I‘ve read it several times since and it never gets old as it‘s a classic tale about avarice and the meaning of the “good life.” This is the first time I‘ve listened to an audio version.

My son is in the 6th grade and I can‘t quite see him loving it, but maybe I‘m selling him short because it has suspense and action. 😆

The Pearl is a classic based on the Mexican folktale.

#mexico #letstraveljuly @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Image: Amazon

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impoverished pearl diver Kino finds “The Pearl of the World” and becomes cursed with horrid luck. It‘s a cautionary tale of greed and materialism; a story human nature and familial love. I was underwhelmed initially, but with a little research, I learned that this was based on Mexican folklore which helped my mindset. I didn‘t love it, but I appreciate Steinbeck‘s achievement. Still a “pick.”

This book was a required reading in school and honestly I don‘t remember much now (so long ago!) except it involves a diver and a pearl!
It takes place in La Paz, Mexico, about the life of a poor diver. Reading East of Eden now makes me want to reread this book.
#WanderingJune #downinmexico

Y‘all. I just about threw this book. I have major anger at it. WHAT KIND OF ENDING IS THAT?!?!? I yelled at my co-teacher for having kids read it (like jokingly). But also I kind of delight in the idea of seeing their faces when they realize what happened. So I guess this book is both a pick and a pan and a bail. It‘s complicated.

We have been reading this in my co-taught ELA class, but I missed the first few days. I just found a bunch of copies the teacher who used to have my room left, so I‘m going to spend my Prep reading. My brain to too tired for much else. 🤤 #teachersoflitsy

September Stats! I‘ve read 13 books in total, two for/at work, four little black classics, and 5 MTBR! This means I‘ve reached Top of Mount Ararat for the goodreads #MountTBR challenge🎉 I‘ve even surpassed it by 3 books @DivaDiane #MountTBRChallenge and finished my goodreads challenge of 100books. Need to set a new goal again🤩

What a successfull reading month! Also what a successfull reading year!😍🤩😎💪🏼🎉

This is the third time I‘ve reached my Goodreads Goal... maybe this time I should set it much higher😂 the little black classics are very quick reads, hence the high number.
Even though I know the pagecount is not that high due to the many short books I‘m still happy- this is the highest I‘ve ever had😊

This was my first time reading the Pearl. Left the book my dad read in school, right the one my Mom read in school :)
A story about greed and envy caused by the finding of a big Pearl. Steinbeck‘s clear writing makes the story a very enjoyable read!
4/5 ⭐️

4th of July was so relaxing! I spent the day at a friends house and took advantage of the fire pit even though it was like 90 degrees. Still relaxing! Cooked some burgers and hotdogs and started The Pearl by John Steinbeck 👏🏼 so far so good! (Thebookhooligan on instagram)

I really liked this story and admire Steinbeck's writing style and ability to draw the reader in. I'm glad I read this as an adult. I doubt I would've liked it as much if I'd read it as a younger person.