Welcome to Litsy!

The magical realism aspect of this book really worked to bring the story together. It made me think about generational trauma and possible healing. The characters were unforgettable.

For a debut novel, this has a lot going for it. Told from several points of view, this is a story of discovery. The main character Marion wakes up what seems to be the spirit of a dog which leads him to the grave of Kayden Kelliher who was murdered at the age of 17. ⬇️

#skoden #skodenreadathon

I'm trying to read a few indigenous stories for Native American Heritage month. This was an interesting mystery involving spirits and an old murder in a small Ojibwe reservation town. I found the story very engaging but it switched back and forth between perspectives and timelines quite a bit and I had a hard time following the characters. I listened to the audio so maybe the print version would be easier to keep track.

Marion is a gay Ojibwe man living outside of the reservation where he grew up in northern Minnesota, close enough where he's not really gone. He hooks up with a childhood classmate and encounters what seems like a ghost dog, and the story unfolds from there.
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I enjoyed this debut novel...↘️

https://wellreadneck.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/this-town-sleeps-dennis-e-staples/

A strong debut from Staples about the secrets that shape our lives (whether we are aware of them or not). Secrets, for instance, about who we love—the main character, a gay Ojibwa man, & the closeted white man he begins a relationship with—family rivalries, & a murder that draws renewed attention when a revenant is raised. I enjoyed this story that delves into life on a reservation in Minnesota, the reasons people stay & the reasons they go.

Going to be a favorite this year, I can tell. Takes place in and near a Native American reservation. LGBTQ storyline, too! #arc #edelweiss

Today I am thankful for hammocks and cats and books and sunshine, and the fact that reading is something I can do even when fighting off a rotten cold. Getting ready to start this book, which I have heard nothing but amazing things about. ❤️📚❤️