Welcome to Litsy!

My stats for 2020 this far. Not bad!

This was definitely a re-read, and one I've read many times. I love Binchy's writing, and wish her voice was still among us. This collection of holiday stories is one of my all time favorites! #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead (21pts)

And lastly, 3 very sweet grandchildren help their parents prepare for the Christmas invasion of the Never Pleased Grannies, and it's heartwarming and hilarious. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Parny goes on vacation to Dublin to get away from his dad's obsessed ex-mistress, and find that happiness might just be for the birds. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Two parents meet on a plane trip to Australia to visit their estranged children and find friendship and comfort. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Took a brief time out from reading to toast in the New Year with the Hubs, and then finished this sweet story of Ben, spending his first Christmas since the death of his wife. An Irish travel agent sends him off to her dad's place as a sort of peacemaker and I'm not crying, you are. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Unlike the last story, Mrs. Doyle's family decides to go all out for their mom, making it the most stress free Christmas ever. Only it seems their mom was happier with all the insanity of the holidays. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Ethel is tired a being superwoman to her family and vows that this year will be different! #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

This one is a little different, about a couple visiting the wife's unhappy mother every Christmas and trying their best to make slap on a happy face. The mother isn't so content to let things be though. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Another woman dating a married man and realizing it makes for a pretty lonely Christmas. She ends up teaming up with an older teacher who has lost her home to gambling debts and a teen girl who's parents are splitting up. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (20pts)

Poor Jen is the 2nd, less glamorous wife. When the stress at Christmastime gets too much, Jen finally voices her fears and frustrations and finds that being uncivilized is just the right thing to be sometimes. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (21)

Chris is dating the married Noel, and thinks their relationship is perfect. Until a Christmas spent doing an eye-opening quiz gets her to see Noel as he is, and her father's junior partner as more than just a guest. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (21)

I love the Hard Core! The hard core being 4 very querulous residents in a rest home in Australia. They find a way, along with a carer, to not only find Christmas spirit, but to save the sinking facility. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (21pts).

An Irish teacher, disappointed in love, travels to NYC for the holidays. There she meets another lonely soul, who is still mourning the passing of the man he loved but kept secret from his family. They strike up a fortuitous relationship, and it's all sadly sweet. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (21pts)

This story is a bit sad. Poor Maura tries her best to make Christmas lovely for her family, but it's her daughter's Polaroid pics that show the reality of the family. #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (21)

I thought I'd spend today re-reading a Holiday favorite. The first story is how Jenny finally makes a connection with her sullen stepdaughter over a Christmas decoration misunderstanding. ❤ #WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious #SlayBells #HolidayRead #24B42020 (21pts)

We hope you are enjoying Hunger - our live discussion will be this Sunday, Nov. 19th @ 2pm ET.

It's time to pick November's book - "A Book Published This Year." Complete rules posted above ?? but remember it must be 450 pages or less and have come out no later than August. To nominate tag the book in comments below. Nominations will close Wednesday evening.

This is a book of 20 short stories by Irish author Maeve Binchy that all have a Christmas theme. I'm a month late in getting to it!

Most of these stories were strong and beautiful. One was rather twee and a couple were a bit depressing.

All in all this is a Pick, as Binchy really understood the complexity and beauty of being human.

The title of the next short story in this collection.

Maybe it could be a motto of sorts for the year ahead?

Lola cat loves when my books have those stringy attached bookmark thingamajigs.

#CatsOfLitsy

"...Apparently Dan likes smaller, thinner, younger-looking girls..."

"They ALL like smaller, thinner, younger-looking girls, that's the system."

Oops. I got it wrong. This book of short stories by Irish author Maeve Binchy is very much about Christmas and not New Year's.

But who cares if I'm reading it a month late? The stories are so beautiful, funny, and tender, and the blue cover and artwork bring me joy. 💕

I'm actually listening to No Nightingales, No Snakes while I run errands (Litsy didn't have it listed). What are you #CurrentlyReading for #readathon? #midnightbookgirl