Welcome to Litsy!

Set during WWII when the men were called to duty and the women were called to the factories, this is a tale about the lies surrounding Big Tobacco and what happens when old white men continually tell women their place is at home raising babies. Southern women are a force of nature, sometimes that‘s a curse but it can be a blessing when it‘s time to stand up for what‘s right. Book #84 in 2024

Really liked this look at the 1940s view on how tobacco companies in North Carolina kept their businesses going while the men were at war. It still makes me wonder how cigarette usage,especially in pregnant women, was not seen as harmful. Good first book by this author.

I love coming-of-age, I love stories set in the not-so-distant-past, I love fiction based on actual events and historical social/political situations.

But {{yawn}} I did *not* love this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished on audio for another library discussion with my mom this week.

I wasn‘t sure what to expect with this one and was pleasantly surprised. The audiobook was very good.

It is a little hard for me to choose a March #12BooksOf2022 - I read a few really good ones (Sanditon, I‘m looking at you!). But, I decided to highlight this one…

I really liked this historical fiction, set in the US South, where tobacco is king, and yet, our young heroine begins to wonder if tobacco should be king. One can feel the tobacco dust in the air and visualize the high society of tobacco execs. I really liked the audio too.

Fiction drawn from historical accounts of the 1940s when wealth, stability, and community was built around tobacco. A compelling story that illustrates the many social struggles with a world war layered on top: poverty/income disparity, racism, sexism, media manipulation, etc. A few times the story hit contrived notes, and it seemed hard to believe the protagonist was 15, but they were different times and overall the story worked.

Historical fiction on the Big Tobacco cover up told through a fifteen year old seamstress who works with the wives of the Tobacco executives. It is also such a clear example of white feminism and how people cause harm to keep their proximity to power. It‘s an easy and pretty compelling read, especially to engage with for the lineage of feminism and where lacking intersectionality when telling history only gives us part of the story.

May reading report.

Almost #bookishbingo in May! Maybe in June, I will get bingo!

Book 33 of the year.

Such a wonderful surprise, I finished it in a day!

An interesting look at the US tobacco industry during and following WWII. I fell in love with the storytelling and the characters. By diving below the surface of this industry, the author made this book matter. Well done! #audiobook #Libby

I just have to share! My library is featuring author series and we have so many author visits planned! Almost all of them are being held virtually!! Next week we have Anita Hill, then the authors above. Its all free-you can register here: https://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/upcoming-book-events
If you don't have time to read one of the books you can still join and hear from the author. For Anita Hill: https://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/community-read

Charmed so far by this story of a young girl sent to live with her Aunt Etta who sews for wealthy tobacco families. Maddie designs and sews her own clothes. Her fashion skills reminded me of the 2017 Sylvia Plath exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery that included Sylvia's own handmade #paper dolls. #PoetryMatters and Plath was a master of it. Quote is from her jounals. @TheSpineView
@chrissyreadit I see you were just there!

Spotted at Hudson Booksellers in Pittsburgh, PA. @adelejam @williammorrowbooks In fact your book is front and center in each of the three stores I stopped in. 😀

You have to try the new cigarette for women…MOMints.

Especially made for women and safe for pregnant women.

Can you imagine that type of advertisement today?

Have YOU read this book yet?

You need to. ♥️

For women‘s fiction fans and historical fiction fans.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/mryx59yj

@adelejam
@williammorrowbooks
#wmtastemakers

REVIEW 3/26

You have to try the new cigarette for women…MOMints. Especially made for women and safe for pregnant women.

Can you imagine that type of advertisement today?

We meet the tobacco wives endorsing that statement and promoting smoking for everyone.

We also meet Maddie the seamstress for these women and the one who tries to expose the lies the tobacco industry advertises. 5/5

@adelejam
@williammorrowbooks
#wmtastemakers

In post WWII North Carolina, tobacco is king. Maddie arrives in town to spend time with her aunt and help her with her seamstress business. The biggest customers, the “tobacco wives,” are wives of Bright Leaf Tobacco executives and VIPs. Yet, something doesn‘t seem quite right - Maddie embarks on the truth clouded by the brown dust.

This is a slow burn historical fiction that shows the strength of one young woman as she seeks truth. It‘s ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I really loved all the character work in this book, but the pacing didn't feel right to me. The stakes don't get very high until practically the end, and then next to nothing happens, although that at least tracks historically. Good, but not great. #historicalfiction

SO HAPPY to see this bookmail!!

Thank you, @williammorrowbooks

#wmtastemakers

CHECK OUT THE INSTAGRAM REEL HERE: https://tinyurl.com/yukcdfn7