Welcome to Litsy!

It‘s like an early 20th Century Jewish Good Omens but the Angel and Demon leave Poland to find a girl from their town who has gone missing in America. On the crossing, they adopt (or are adopted by) Rose, a teen from a neighboring town looking for the American Dream and running from the girl she loves.

It feels like Good Omens but the stupidity has more of an Our Flag Means Death vibe in the best, most delightful way.

What a wonderful book! It‘s like Good Omens meets The Golem and the Jinni, plus labor organizing and gangs… and a whole bunch of queerness. I have a feeling it‘s going to be very difficult to pick a favorite book of my March reads!

These demons seem to be pretty enlightened.

I‘m really into this book so far, but finding the wide spacing between lines really annoying! Thankfully I didn‘t cancel my ebook hold when I found it in paper at a different library, so if that hold comes in before I‘ve finished the paper book, I can switch.

Didn't get this up before the start of the New Year but here's my top read of 2023 according to my #2023ReadingBracket . There were several strong contenders, but nothing could beat out When The Amgels Left the Old Country in the end. Thanks for making this fun graphic @chasjjlee !

Your list is wonderful, @rachelsbrittain. Some of the books have been on #MountTBR already, some I had not had on my radar. I am particularly looking forward to reading the ones in the picture.
Unfortunately I have read three of the books on the list already - Amina al-Sirafi, Exoskeleton and The AI Who Loved Me. I might pick your brains for more book recommendations - or check your BookRiot lists. 😉

#AuldLangSpine @monalyisha

Whew, finished my goals just in time for #SummerEndReadathon!

Library holds:
✅ When The Angels Left the Old Country
✅ Gryphon in Light

Watch Discworld book:
✅ Night Watch

And the bonus book The Last Ever After!

Thanks for a fun challenge @TheSpineView!

"In the back corner of a little synagogue in the shtetl that was so small and out of the way that it was only called Shtetl, there was a table where an angel and a demon had been studying Talmud together for some two hundred years."

*gestures to username* Couldn't resist this book based on reviews comparing it to Good Omens, and am loving this pairing so far!

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

This was really, really good. A thoroughly unique blend of historical fiction and fantasy, immigrant story and Jewish fable. It reminded me a lot of The Golem and the Jinni—another book I have a hard time classifying! I loved the depth of relationships and found family here. A great book club pick (thank you @Tea_and_Starstuff !)

Fans of Good Omens‘ Aziraphale and Crowley will find so much to love about another angel-demon odd couple, Uriel and Little Ash! Warm-hearted, whimsical, and wise, this queer, Jewish historical fantasy follows these two unlikely partners in pursuit of performing a mitzvah for a lost girl from their tiny shtetl in the Old Country all the way to Ellis Island and a Lower East Side full of immigrants, strikers, radicals, and many newfound friends!

This book + sock + quilt combo pleases me.

A Power Unbound was a strong contender taking June and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi but When the Angels Left the Old Country is staying in the lead for now. #2023ReadingBracket @chasjjlee

Pitched to me as Good Omens but Jewish, this angel and demon pair stole my whole heart. Love them, love the story of immigration and life in America in the early 20th century. A fun mystery and supernatural element grounded by warm relationships. Between this book and Elatsoe, publisher Levine Querido is quickly becoming one of my favorite new author discovery tools. Going to have to explore their catalog more widely.

A wonderful old fashioned story: an immersive world, endearing characters, and page-turning plot. Two queer platonic partners -- a demon and an angel -- leave their tiny shtetl for America. Along the way they meet Rose, a smart, brave teen girl. The three of them become a mischievous trio, getting into all sorts of adventures. Very queer, very Jewish, lots of amazing early 20th century historical details about Jewish immigration to the US!

Sacha Lamb has the storyteller‘s gift. Reading their prose feels like listening to a skilled, knowing observer relate all the most pertinent, maybe-kinda-gossipy goings-on within one friend group‘s early 20th century US immigrant experience—except make it queer and magical. It‘s funny without denying the seriousness of anyone‘s situation; delightful, but still dangerous; loving, always, even during moments of frustration. I adored it. #gaymay

Once again, Casey insisted on fulfilling his breakfast reading buddy duties while asleep. At least he looked adorable doing it, and I managed to polish off Part I of WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY while he dozed. It‘s off to a good start. #gaymay

Vera Wong was my favorite book this month and The Adventires of Amina al-Sirafi was great, but When the Angels Left the Old Country is proving hard to beat.

@chasjjlee

Levine Querdido may just be my new favorite publisher. This is historical fantasy, a compelling genre. It uses inclusive (& correct) language. It‘s funny & sweet while tackling dark issues. Of course Lamb is a librarian; they are made of awesome. But also, LQ has really got me this season. 🙌🏼

Such a fun book bracket from @chasjjlee ! So far the tagged book is taking the lead for me #2023ReadingBracket

It's been a minute, huh? Let's have a new #WeekendReads !

1. The Red Scholar's Wake, Ghostland, and All the Blod We Share

2. The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum

3. When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

An absolutely incredible historical fantasy novel that's a bit reminiscent of a Jewish Good Omens-- though that's really underselling it. An angel and demon who study Torah together leave their small shtetl for America, discovering both a deadly conspiracy and the true depth of their devotion to one and other along the way. 5 stars | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just came in the mail!
2023 Winner of the Stonewall Award
2023 Winner of the Sydney Taylor Award
2023 Printz Honor Award

This book was NO WHERE on my radar 😳
And it‘s a debut book! Looking forward to starting this tomorrow… well in a few hours — I need some sleep.

Curious about this one... but then again, I usually am about titles dealing with the idea of angels among us... but not in a religious context.

This one was in today's library order and coded as YA fiction 😊

And a very tiny, almost insignificant sneak peek at what the process of building an order looks like on the Acquisition side of #librarylife.

Plus all my little post-it note reminders 😁

#newinya #queerlit