Welcome to Litsy!

April wrap! Another great reading month in the books. Louise Erdrich's The Sentence definitely stood out last month.

I never fully connected with this story, and I think that‘s largely due to the writing style. The storytelling felt disjointed and lacked a natural flow. The premise was intriguing, but if it hadn‘t been the library‘s book club pick, I probably wouldn‘t have finished it. Book #35 in 2025

Sunday morning reading, and I'm thoroughly enjoying this book!

This a good book and covers a large range of themes. I think I‘m just not a fan of her writing style

4⭐️ Really enjoyed this #bookclub pick. Got into it much easier than the previous ones that I have read of hers. #2025 #indigineous #contemporary #fiction #covid19fiction

Largely set in a haunted bookstore, the actual ghost is but a fraction of what looms over and around Tookie… addiction, incarceration, “rehabilitation” vs isolation; generational traumas both cultural and personal; the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd.

It‘s a lot to unpack.

But worth the emotional time and effort.

#SetinBookshop. #AboutaBook

@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

(I love this Italian cover. It's so thoroughly wrong.)

Is Litsy turning me into a person who can understand literary fiction? Or has literary fiction just changed for the better? This is complex yet also so readable. Tookie is one of those unforgettably real narrators, and the old and new traumas she processes as she struggles through 2020 are infinitely resonant.

#BS July

I‘ve been wanting to read Louise Erdrich for a while now and I went into this blind. It took a bit to sort out who/what the story was about but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. Might be worth a reread in 10-20 years to relive 2019/2020. I currently have 2 books going with ghosts involved in the plot which is quite unusual for me 👻

The first sentence of the book blurb hooked me immediately: “A small independent bookstore in Minneapolis is haunted from November 2019 to November 2020 by the store‘s most annoying customer.” But this wasn‘t at all what I expected—I‘m not sure why I thought it would be cozy and lighthearted (bookstore ghost story!). Somehow I didn‘t pick up on the setting/timing and the difficult topics that would of course entail. But my expectations aside…⬇️

I‘m realizing that these reading brackets will serve as a sneak preview for the lists people will end up receiving for #AuldLangSpine. That being said, there are definitely some books on mine that *won‘t* appear on my Best Of list — and some books that *will* appear that are missing from the bracket!

The Sentence is my (hands-down) choice for November.

#ReadingBracket2023 #2023ReadingBracket

My first Erdrich novel. I really enjoyed it. I don‘t mind books that mention the pandemic since it‘s such an important moment in history. Not to mention the impact it has on minority communities & their experiences with the medical community. I always continue to appreciate insights of communities that I know little about. I was a little unsure of the story at first but after a few chapters I flew through the book. #bookspin

I didn‘t review this book right after finishing it, which I always regret…but I regret it even more this time because The Sentence was FABULOUS & I should be doing it justice! The first chapter almost feels like it belongs to a different book (which is a pointed statement about how people change & how they stay the same); if you‘re not feeling it, keep reading. The writing knocked my socks off. First Erdrich for me and it won‘t be the last! 🤩

A rare B&N shop today! I had to have a paper copy of The Sentence to reread because I enjoyed the audio so much. I read the Forster so long ago I remember nothing and realized it wasn‘t on my shelves to revisit. (Culls happen. 😏) Ceremony has been TBR for quite awhile and Flatlands was an impulse buy, but seems promising. 🤞🏾

“When it turned really cold, I caught the disease of unfixed dread.”

“Five days after Flora died, she was still coming to the bookstore. I‘m not…strictly rational. How could I be? I sell books. Still, I found the truth of this hard to accept.”

It's a coffee and candles kind of reading morning here. Not up to much new stuff today, so just rereading sections of The Sentence.

I can't put in words how much I loved this. At one point my husband asked me what it was about and I said, "Prison; a bookstore; Covid-19; ghosts; Indigenous communities; and George Floyd." Then he laughed because he thought I was just saying random words to mock him. ? Now I'll add trauma/inner demons; systemic oppression; necessary uprisings; balancing harm with benefit; friends/family; shame/regret; and reckoning, to the list. Masterful.

Was camping this weekend and the book sleeve that I got from @ShelleyBooksie during #HHS22 is the perfect way to prevent my book from being a total dirty mess when I have to set it down, and also have those spooky fall vibes. That being said, I use this year round. Lol

National Truth & Reconciliation Day and although I forgot to bring among 21 Things You Didn't Know About The Indian Act, which I was going to spend the day rereading, I did at least remember to bring a few other books by Indigenous authors. Thought this one has been sitting on my shelf long enough - time to start it!

This is not what I expected at all but I‘m liking it. Strange, enchanting and funny, is one of the reviews and I think it‘s a good fit for this book!

3 stars ⭐️
I picked up this book at an independent bookstore in St. Paul after visiting my grad school. I'd heard about it online, but decided to get it after reading that it takes place at a bookstore in the Twin Cities. It's not the type of story I'd normally read, but I learned a lot about Minnesota and the Native American population there, which I was unaware of. Not unusual in modern books was the weak plot and unnecessary crass.

I struggle with how to rate this book. It takes place at a bookstore in Minneapolis around the time of pandemic/George Floyd, so I am familiar with all places and events. I like the characters. I didn‘t hate the plot, but I kept waiting for “more.” Exactly more what, I‘m not sure. It wasn‘t really a mystery, nor was it just fiction. Unsatisfying? Meh? Okay? None of these seem to fit. I‘ll go with so-so head-scratcher.

I very much enjoyed the Native American backdrop and details, the bits of humor, the references to authors and books, the bookstore setting, but oh my, how boring most of this book was!
The almost chronicle of the 2020 pandemic and protests was completely disconnected from the storyline of the haunted bookstore and haunting past of Tookie and seemed to serve just to fill in the pages...

Nicky and I are getting ready to begin my first Louise Erdrich book.

Have to confess this book didn‘t hold my attention as much as I hoped it would. Unlikely that I will read another Louise Erdrich book unless someone highly recommends one to me.

When I first started this book I wasn‘t sure I was going to like it, the writing took some getting used to, and she surprised me with where she took the story. But halfway through I couldn‘t put it down! Louise covers a wide range of topics, specifically from 2020, and I‘m glad I waited until 2023 to read it. 3.5/5 stars #12bookchallenge

“Small bookstores have the #romance of doomed intimate spaces about to be erased by unfettered capitalism.” #inquotes

This was a wonderful written story,it‘s hard to review because it was about a lot of things.Tookie she‘s a complicated Native American woman who went through a lot, and her story brings to light many other things in the book, it‘s about books, being a Native American person in today‘s society,life and death, ghosts,Covid,the George Floyd and the riots.Louise herself makes a cameo in the book, I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed the plot of The Sentence more than The Night Watchman. In both books, however, the writing is beautiful and amazing! I loved the character of Pollux the most I think. I have been to the author's bookstore Birchback Books in Minneapolis, so it was fun imagining the store in my mind since many of the scenes take place there.

Finishing off my lazy weekend with a quick visit to the library and jumping right into a bookstore in this Litsy-recommended book. The beginning is a bit abrupt but I have high hopes for the writing. 📚🫖☕️ #currentread

There‘s no denying Erdrich writes well but there‘s something about her books where I always feel like I‘m distant; I never feel fully immersed in them. There were elements I really liked in this; the characters, the development, the setting and all the book talk. I enjoyed it but can‘t say I loved it so a low pick. I preferred The Night Watchman. #authoramonth

Louise Erdrich is brilliant. I knew that, but this book surprised me in so many wonderful ways. Tookie will stay with me. (And I just have to say how much I enjoyed the author‘s cameo in her own book!)

#AuthorAMonth

This book has interesting characters, a compelling storyline, some magical realism, and a 7-page booklist that will make your TBR cry. Tookie is a bookseller in Minneapolis and the main character. I can‘t do justice to the plot, but one significant aspect is a former customer who ends up haunting Tookie. Another major event is George Floyd‘s murder and the subsequent protests, which we see from a close view. Not to mention COVID. #authoramonth

I think I started off the year well! I definitely didn‘t stick to my planned TBR for the month, but I finished 2 #AuldLangSpine picks, one for #AuthorAMonth, and 3 off my owned TBR.

I will say, I‘m struggling to get into Harlem Shuffle. Whitehead is very hit or miss for me… might he be the year‘s first DNF? 🤔

#januaryrecap #januarywrapup

There‘s so much more to this book than about a formerly incarcerated indie bookseller who is haunted by a ghost in the bookstore. Many ‘heavy‘ topics are layered within. It‘s also a story about survival, community & second chances. I enjoyed the references to other works of literature; Tookie is a memorable character; & it‘s delightful to note that Birchbark Books is an actual store, owned by the author. My first L. Erdrich novel, and it‘s great.

#Authoramonth This was quite an intriguing book! I went in blind and every time I thought I could grasp what it was about, the subject shifted. And she STILL managed to tie them all together beautifully.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️& 1/2 out of 5.

Excellent writing and beautiful story. Erdrich reads the audiobook herself, which I enjoyed. I failed to realize before reading it that covid is part of the plot and I am not (and may never be) ready to read anything about the covid pandemic.

This one felt very different than the other two I‘ve read by her (The Round House, The Night Watchman) although still unmistakably Erdrich. Somehow this one was slower-paced and more diffuse. I still enjoyed it although it wasn‘t quite what I expected - and I still wouldn‘t really know how to describe it if someone asked for a recommendation. #authoramonth

I love how a haunted bookshop, a modern Native American experience, and the pandemic come together so well in this story. Tookie forms strong friendships as she makes her way through a difficult few years.

#AuthoraMonth @Soubhiville

I think this my favorite book so far by Louise Erdrich. I love how timely it is, I love how she put herself in the book. I love that it is in a bookstore.

Thought I would try the #Pantone2023 challenge! @Clwojick #cherrytomato

And for #authoramonth ….this book (on audio) was wonderful. @Soubhiville

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick

How to describe this book? It‘s a book about sentences (not just made of words), about dictionaries, about loads of books (will be going down a rabbit hole with those LISTS!). About ghosts, about confronting the past, about deciding to LIVE. It covers the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, indigenous respect and ritual, love, loss, everything. I LOVED IT. Thank you, @Sapphire 😊 Your list gave me the push to finally read this ♥️

#authoramonth @Soubhiville Will certaiy try more Louise Erdrich!

#booked2023 #aboutapandemic
#pop23 #twolanguages
#52books23 #contemporarysetting
#atyin52books23 #publishedmorethan7books

@Cinfhen @alisiakae @BarbaraTheBibliophage @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle @ravenlee @Deblovestoread @RaeLovesToRead @squirrelbrain @LeeRHarry

I thought I should read an indigenous author for the US prompt for #ReadingtheAmericas2023 Erdrich is a Chippewa from Minneapolis and owns a bookstore. Our MC works in Louise‘s fictional bookstore and struggles with her own sense of self and with a ghost. The story takes place in the early days of the pandemic when we were all a bit haunted. The sentence of the title is both a grammatical language construct and a time of incarceration.

A gentle story of a book shop, a ghost, the pandemic, love and much more. I loved it. Right book at right time. ❤️.
Thank you @MrsMalaprop . I read it because of your review . Bonus was the large print edition.😊.

I‘m only on page 100 and already all the other book mentions in this book are giving me TBR overload. The only problem with a book about books is it makes me want to read more books!

I liked this book but didn‘t love it. I liked the characters, the different stories but it was difficult for me to see the story integrated, as a whole. I saw some parts like forced maybe because the author wanted to mention something about the pandemic situation? I don‘t know, maybe it was me. I was expecting more. But I really enjoyed those passages related with American Indian traditions, beliefs. I took my time to seek more information.

I cackled so hard at this line from Tookie: “And think about what time does to your bosom,” I said in a prim voice. “By the time you‘re sixty they‘ll all look like The Scream.” @Sapphire #auldlangspine @monalyisha 😂😂😂😂

I‘m watching a swat team in California searching a van after a mass shooting while reading about George Floyd and Philando Castile and hell if this country doesn‘t make me incredibly sad in so many ways.

#AuthorAMonth