Welcome to Litsy!

I had many great reads in November, so this was a hard one. But Crawdads wins by a pinch. It was so good.
#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

This one has been sitting on my TBR for a very long time. It was so overhyped and that usually leads to disappointment. I had no desire to be disappointed. Surprisingly, I loved it. But I think it helped that the quiet country girl inside me found it very relatable. “I have to do life alone. But I knew this. I've known a long time that people don't stay."

This book has been collecting dust on my bookshelf for ages. I bought my copy when I went to an author event with Delia Owens at my local indie back in 2019. I absolutely adored this book! It has everything I love in a novel. It‘s a historical fiction, a coming-of-age story, a murder mystery, and a love story all set against the breathtaking backdrop of coastal North Carolina.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/where-the-crawdads-sing

Fantastic 5 stars

I‘ve had this in my ebook library for some years now because a friend of mine recommended it. I watched the movie two months ago and remembered the ebook, but was not able to read it till this holiday. And now I am somewhat mad with myself that I put it off for so long. I don‘t even know where to put this novel - murder mystery, love story, biology encyclopedia. The mix is making it definitely unique and worth to read.

Had to switch to my Kindle app on my tablet because I almost ran out of paperbacks. I need the last paperback for the beach, so I am reading on my tablet now in the evenings.

“She held it against her heart. Where else would one need a compass more than in this place?”

Always doubtful when books receive as much hype as this one, but Where The Crawdads Sing deserves all the kind words and accolades that have been given. The character‘s emotions and experience are so vividly described, I felt it all and was on the edge of my seat as I journeyed with them through the words of Delia Owens. I definitely recommend the audiobook, Cassandra Campbell is wonderful at narrating and giving voice to the southern characters.

Well, now I can say I've read it, I guess. I unfortunately found the writing corny and heavy-handed, but it's a compelling story and I can understand why it's popular. Just not my kind of writing.

In truth, I avoided this for ages out of sheer perversity because, a while back, EVERYONE was reading it.
The courtroom scenes felt like they might have hung on from a previous draft, possibly even a different book. Nor did the poetry angle add anything beneficial.
That aside, I was wholly immersed in Kya's story and loved how the marsh was presented as an active character throughout.

“People forget about creatures that live in shells.”
🐚🧡🐚

#Shells
#SummerSouls

Watching this one again 🐚 🧡 🌱 🐦

“I have to do life alone. But I knew this. I‘ve known a long time that people don‘t stay.”

I'm late to the party, I know!

I absolutely adored this novel. It is beautiful. The writing is outstanding, and the characters are so intriguing. I genuinely felt like I was exploring the marsh with Kya. A stunning story about loneliness, unlikely friendship, prejudice, racism, sexism, and nature.
I loved every single chapter.

I also got "To Kill a Mockingbird" vibes from this!

#SpringSkies @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#SurpriseEnding

One of my favorite genres that I studied in college was the Southern Lit genre. Obviously, I might be biased because I‘m from the American South. But in my personal experience I‘ve found it to be one of the most atmospheric genres around.

So today on the blog I wanted to take a second and share some of my favorite Southern Lit books. This post is just skimming the top of the genre so I‘ll probably have a part two up sometime in the near future.

I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2024

I liked the movie version of where the CRAWDADS sing just as much as the book and that never happens!!

#sundayfunday @BookmarkTavern

Those who listen are rewarded: either warned of predators or alerted to food.

Until at last, at some unclaimed moment, the heart-pain seeped away like water into sand. Still there, but deep. Kya layer her hand upon the breathing, wet Earth, and the marsh became her mother.

Life decays and reeks and returns to the rotted duff; a poignant wallow of death begetting life.

My first book of 2024! I stayed up past midnight to finish it. 😂 I think I‘m probably the only person left who hadn‘t actually read this book, so I figured it was time. It actually was pretty slow to me at the beginning, but I really enjoyed the second half!

This was an interesting read! I enjoyed the locations and the character work. I could feel the loneliness and trauma build into the characters. The story and the translation worked really well together and I liked how expressionless the storytelling felt and how much impact it still had to the reader.

Check out Kim‘s book recommendation on Book Interrupted‘s Manuscript Monday. https://www.bookinterrupted.com/post/manuscript-monday-where-the-crawdads-sing

Escape to the coastal Southeast in this book

“Autumn leaves don't fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”

#AutumnPlease
#SmallTownMurder

🐚 🌱🍂

“You all listen now, this is a real lesson in life. Yes, we got stuck, but what‘d we girls do? We made it fun, we laughed. That‘s what sisters and girlfriends are all about. Sticking together even in the mud, ‘specially in mud.”

I'm catsitting for my brother and I'm enjoying some time with my furry nephew Bibi.. but he doesn't want me to read my book 😂 #catsoflitsy

#Book2Book @ALLDEBOOKS

Open to all who signed up using the form in #AllDeBook's original post. 🤗

@LiteraryinLawrence, @Soubhiville, @Cuilin, @TheBookHippie, @Lizpixie, @Clwojick, @Chrissyreadit, @BookwormAHN, @CSeydel, @julieclair, @Catsandbooks, @bcncookbookclub, @TheAromaofBooks, @Tineke, @Bookish_Gal, @KateReadsYA

Next up..
I've read a few chapters, but I'm already hooked 🤓📃

At first I wasn't sure about this book but it dragged me right in, up to the point where I started looking around for some Southern recipes and learning how to make grits. I was REALLY surprised about the ending, I did not expect that. Definitely a pick.

#BookBinge
#Courtroomsetting

🧡 🐚

Finished this a couple nights ago… yes I cried. Have been wanting to read this so I can finally watch the movie. Creatively intertwines a murder mystery, love story, sad family dynamics, nature and science. Really enjoyed it and recommend.

I do not know I‘ve ever read something so confusing, compelling, enjoyable, thought-provoking and moving as Where the Crawdads Sing. Simply stunning.

I was instantly engrossed in this wonderfully lyrical and touching tale. The marshland setting is a character in itself; the stillness and quietness captivating.

Kya was an easy character to fall in love with. Her life was eloquently written - flowing organically from her childhood of abandonment to love. Tate and Kya‘s love story felt real and raw.

This emotionally wrought novel is an ode to the natural world. Five big stars

Second time reading this book and I loved it just as much as the first time.

I liked this more than I anticipated. I thrifted this one because it was a popular title & meant to read it sooner where there was still hype around it, but here we are.

I enjoyed Kya‘s story & the way the timeline flowed.

I know there was some controversy surrounding the author and the book but I really enjoyed reading this! I didn‘t think I would like it as much as I did. The story line was different and intriguing.

Kya has been left by everyone to fend for herself and called by locals the Marsh Girl. She becomes friends with local boy Tate and romantically involved with Chase Andrews after who‘s death she becomes the prime suspect. A must read!

A beautifully written and evocative story. Even if I hadn‘t seen the movie version , it would be easy to picture the marsh and shore settings, feel the small town prejudices. The movie obviously was very faithful to the book, so I knew what was coming, and still was enthralled. Just questioning why I waited so long to read this.

This book was a flawless piece of literature. It was captivating, emotional, and truly just an amazing story to read. It drew me in and kept me glued to my seat. It was so truly beautiful and took me to so many different places. Would highly recommend, it was a slightly more mature book but for any older reader I would greatly recommend.

Trying to finish watching the movie. I haven't read the book yet, but prefer to watch then read. I'm liking it.... Chase is a dick!!!!

Looking forward to starting this. It‘s rare that I watch a movie before I read the book it‘s based on, but that‘s the case here. I loved the movie, and thanks to @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @StayCurious I have the book to read 😘
#litsove

Digging into this one on my lunch break today 🍴

Quick read for me but a good book overall. I don‘t share the deep passion for the marsh but I still found appreciation for it.

Oh my goodness! Thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @StayCurious I expected the book I won in a #LitsyLove giveaway. I didn‘t expect all the other goodies, and such a beautiful package, I almost didn‘t want to unwrap it😂. You are so generous, and it‘s a privilege to be part of the group.

This was a great companion for me while dealing with the stomach bug my kids shared. Definitey a book that has just been waiting for me to pick it up. #MarchMadness