Welcome to Litsy!

Arlo, who is DeafBlind, is 23, but has lived a very sheltered life in a strict religious community under the care of his uncle. But when he has the chance to take a college class, Arlo‘s life explodes with new opportunities and people. There‘s a new (and gay) interpreter, a free spirited Belgian nursing student, and a brilliant professor. Arlo begins to deal with past trauma, dream of a bigger future, and hopes to rekindle a lost love. LOVED IT!

#MMDBookClub Flight Pick for September 2023 • 4 Stars • Romance • Comedy • Coming-of-Age

Arlo Dilly is a young DeafBlind man who goes on a quest to find his lost love and his freedom. Arlo is a Jehovah‘s Witness who lives under the control of his uncle, who limits his chances of finding someone to love. Arlo had once met the love of his life at a boarding school for the Deaf, but he was separated from her by a tragic event.

Soooo good. I‘d been in a bit of a reading slump but I picked this up and read it straight through! It‘s been a while since I read a whole book in a day. 💗

I started The Sign for Home a few months ago and then wrapped it up yesterday. Honestly, I‘m regretting it took me so long. Arlo, a DeafBlind man, decides to take a writing class which leads him to unlock old memories and friendships guiding him to his true love. The character attachment is real as I grew to love Arlo, Cyril, Hanne, and Molly dearly. A solid 4 🌟 read! #LitsyLoveReads

This one doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar, but it should be. A deaf blind young man needs an extra interpreter for a college course. He picks one that isn't pre-approved by his super religious family. And this leads to some revelations. And I definitely recommend this.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I hope everyone enjoys the holiday (in the US). My plan is to read lovely books and chill. The ultimate plan is to finish at least one of these half read books. Tagged is my current audio.

Oh this one might be the best first line ever:

“Sniff.”

😂😂😂

@ShyBookOwl
#firstlinefridays

A pleasant surprise. A bit of an awkward immersion, due to a 2nd person POV, but this quickly became a more intimate approach. The character writing is really good & felt genuine. Arlo's situation is heart wrenching. Sidelined, infantalized, & naive, it was sometimes hard to read. Packed with information about the DeafBlind community. A bit of a rushed & unrealistic ending, but overall satisfying. An excellent debut with fantastic representation.

Only two other books have made me more mad at institutions meant to better society: American Daughter (Plymale) & The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist (Balko). The cover and ASL theme made this an easy book to pick up but it is not a cutesy contemporary rom-com, instead I became versed on DeafBlind tactical sign language and the Jehovah's Witness culture/expectations. Do NOT expecting a light read, read the full book description for more.

This was powerful and heartbreaking and hopeful. In addition to painting a picture of what it is like to be DeafBlind this is about friendship and love and the right to make choices for oneself. It's about how the right support- or any support, really- can change a life.

May #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin 🤓

Kept things chill this month and needed to pick a NetGalley read and a Hardcover book on my bookshelf so these are the two I picked!! Time to read!!

Wow! I loved this book- definitely a #Top2022 read for me! Arlo Dilly, in his twenties, is DeafBlind and enrolls in a community college class to improve his writing. This gives him an opportunity to have an interpreter who is not also in the Jehovah‘s Witness faith. The class also asks him to explore his own memories and the story that unfolds will fill you with emotion! I couldn‘t put down Arlo‘s story- it‘s moving, heartbreaking and uplifting!

Deafblind Arlo attends a disability institute but remains sheltered due to his conservative, religious upbringing. When he falls for a classmate and loses her, he asks for assistance from his gay interpreter and Belgian caregiver to go on an adventure to find her in this novel of self-discovery and freedom.