Welcome to Litsy!

As we move into November, and closer to the end of the year, we decided to take some of the pressure off in the #FableBookClub and help up catch up with are reading goals. This month in our thrillers and chills group #RoaringWolfFrightNight, we are reading The Ballad of Black Tom (150 pages). And in fantasy we will be reading The City In Glass (216 pages) at #TheWyvernScrolls. Links for both our below.

The Ballad of Black Tom🎧+ Seafood Bagoong🥡

#theballadofblacktom #victorlavalle #ebook #audiobook #goodreads #totefairie

Now THAT is what I wanted out of a Halloween read. As I gather this is a response to the racism rampant in an HP Lovecraft novella, it's not a surprise that there are strong themes of racism, xenophobia, alienation and the abuse of power. 1/?

A dark, gothic, gory good time of a novella! Featuring a down on his luck musician who takes a gig that he quickly regrets. 4⭐️

The last book I finished in June also happened to be one of my #roll100 picks for the month (which is great, since I haven't been doing so well with those!).

This was a low pick for me -- but mostly because it's a blend of two genres that aren't my faves (horror and historical fiction). That said, I think it was well-done, and being a short, quick read didn't hurt either!

@PuddleJumper

An unique perspective on the Lovecraftian genre, had a fun time with this one

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Day 1 of October 👻 #scarathlon #scarathlonphotochallenge #mischiefandmayhem @PuddleJumper

I loved Lavalle‘s “The Devil in Silver” this should be a great October Read!

This is the second book from Victor LaValle that I've read, and he continues to impress.
In this one, Tom, a young man who makes his living in somewhat questionable ways, finds himself one night working for a man who is trying to raise the Old Gods 👾
#NoShameReadathon2023 #LovecraftianHorror @Nessavamusic #WickedWords #Stars @AsYouWish #TBRTarot @CBee #RushAThon @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES

LaValle is a black author and his novella is a modern take on Lovecraftian, cosmic horror. It‘s a decent reimagining which he dedicates to Lovecraft, “with all my conflicted feelings”. The sentiment is profound: for any sensible reader, Lovecraft‘s work is wildly imaginative but his jarring tone exposes some bonkers & racist attitudes. LaValle does a good job of subverting HP‘s racism and putting a black (anti)hero into the Cthulhu mythos

La couverture est glacée, pleine de reflets. Je suis allé chercher le bouquin à la bibliothèque par jour de canicule. Je joue au hockey. Je me change tout le temps. Je m'habille en blanc. Puis il pleut et c'est frais. C'est une histoire de sueurs et de variations. En noir et en blanc. Et ça s'aggrave. Il y a les feux. L'air épaissit, noircit, s'immisce dans nos bronches, sème l'inquiétude...

A quick fantasy horror novella. This story left me wanting more, but in a good way. #bhm

🎧 1920‘s NYC. Tommy couldn‘t carry a tune in a bucket but he transports items across town using a guitar case.

One day it‘s an occult book & suddenly the book has taken off on a Lovecraft/occult tangent.

Racism, police brutality & what happens when you are forced to become the monster …

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my first Lavalle and shame on me. He‘s really good. In 1920s Harlem, 20yo Charles Timothy Tester keeps going out of his neighborhood with his guitar case and no music talent doing errands for folks of the occult/arcane. It‘s a cosmic story on a grand scale that wraps itself around a person who is pushed into becoming a monster. So effing good!

Charity- honestly, I‘m so impressed- and will be in touch! This was a fantastic #hhs package times 2. Every item- great choices- I love the cat tea infuser, mug, booksleeve- bookmark, playing cards and the books❤️❤️❤️ thank you 😘😘😘😘😘

Good and scary! I wish there was more!

What a great shirt horror novel that combines, racism of NY in the 1960's with magic and elements of fantasy. Excellent story as an Audiobook. Thoroughly engaging.

THE BALLAD OF BLACK TOM by Victor LaValle

In 1924 NYC, Tommy discreetly transports items for people. Often strange items. One item, a mysterious book, leads him into a terrifying conspiracy—a COSMIC conspiracy that could reveal the realm of Almighty Cthulhu—and a chance to literally remake the world.

Part social commentary on racism, part existential horror, Tommy‘s tragic story is both riveting and enraging—and full of real-life monsters.

This is a quick and interesting read. Black Tom goes through some changes and he is a solid character to follow in a short time, I would have read a longer book of him. Atmospheric and dark this is great.

I love the direction Weird Fiction is taking these days! Fantastic! 🐙

Absolutely the best thing that could have come out of Lovecraft's messy xenophobic Red Hook story. And finally a story where the reader can see why trying to wake Cuthulhu from his slumber might appeal.

This is a fun, tense, quick read about strange goings-on in Jazz Age New York City...with a little bit of an explanation for global climate change?

Another down for #scarathlon #screamathon #LittenListen and #bookspinbingo
Not a theme read, but still 65 pts for #TeamSlaughter @clwojick

My #DoubleSpin pick for September. I probably would have enjoyed this more if I was familiar with H.P. Lovecraft‘s work, but as it was, I thought it was interesting and worth the hour or so it took to read it. @TheAromaofBooks 3⭐️

Welp, that caught my attention and held it.

This was a fun and fast read by one of my favorite authors, Victor LaValle. I think I would have liked to see the story more fleshed out, but, as a novella, I quite enjoyed the experience. I loved the HBO series, Lovecraft Country, and this novella felt the same. Overall, I‘ll give this a 4/5 ⭐️ because it was just what I was looking for: escapist, dark, fast, and fun! ☠️🐙🎸🔪

This was a nice little jab at Lovecraft, among other things, that is best listened to. The audiobook is short and the narrator does a great job.

I‘ve read just enough Lovecraft to be underwhelmed & disgusted (by the author, not the stories), but I ❤️ Lovecraft Country & have had this book on my kindle for ages.

Very well-written, accessible horror that does not back down from the horror of racism while it‘s at it. A quick, tightly-wound novella that packs a punch & left me both wanting more & slightly depressed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#ColorInTheTitle - #Booked2021
#NewYork - #50States50Scares

Interesting novella with a cool concept. As always with cool concept, I'd love to see it expanded, but will definitely look into more LaValle.

LaValle uses Lovecraftian tropes to upend the genre, creating a tale both horrifying & satisfying.
Short but sweet ... in the most terrifying sense.

Disturbing.

Instructions on how to create a monster using oppression. Very timely.

So I‘m not huge on Cthulhu mythos, or Lovecraft in general, but this was a pretty good read! If you‘re looking for a better retelling a la Lovecraft County, give this a try.

#scarathon2020
Scarathon add +16
Scarathon total = 282

A perfect blend of Lovecraft Lore and social commentary.
I love how books like this and Lovecraft Country is turning the racist views of its author upside down.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This fantastical and very pointed horror novella blew me away! It's haunting both in its Lovecraftian roots and its social commentary. I was absolutely mesmerized!

3rd book read for #October20in4 #OutstandingOctober #Readathon

@Andrew65 @Bookgoil

Time for some horror! 💀

1. The Green Ribbon, from one of those scary story anthologies
2. Love me some reworking of Lovecraft! 👆🏻
3. Honestly, would love to see the tagged book adapted.

#sundayfunday Have a spooky day and don‘t forget to tag me!

I really enjoyed this retelling of Lovecraft‘s “The Horror at Red Hook.” Admittedly, I‘ve never read the story that this is inspired by since I‘ve always heard it described as Lovecraft‘s most racist work. This was well written, and I love the fact that a black author turned this story on it‘s head.

+16 #teamharkness

#scarathlon2020 #screamathon #bookspinbingo #OutstandingOctober #October20in4 #LittenListen

Wow. Loved this brilliant, super creepy,super stylish novella. So well constructed. A lot to think about in a tight, small package.
#BookSpin✅
#Scarathlon2020 #TeamHarkness Team Theme Read +15 points Also 2 readathons:
#Blackoweenathon Fantasy Novel by a Black Author and #Screamathon read 3hours = +60points

I was engrossed by this story and found it vastly superior to the Lovecraft tale it‘s based on. That being said, I think it truly adds to the experience to read the source material (thanks for the tip @JPSHANK ). If I‘m understanding the point system 15 pts for #scarathlon2020 and #teamharkness based on subject matter, 30 pts for #screamathon as it‘s a 3-hour audiobook, 1 pt participation = 46 total pts! (please help if wrong! 🤔😩😬🎃🤗)

QOTD- Best cosmic horror?

The Ballad of Black Tom is a novella released a few years ago and is part lovecraftian horror and part historical drama.

The supporting characters and the conflict were somewhat underbaked, but that doesn't take away from the resonant ending to this story about anger, grief, and our own insignificance.

This was great! Gratuitously gory and unapologetic. Mind blowing and exceedingly well written. I have admittedly never read Lovecraft (and don‘t have any plans to either) but I read one review on goodreads that said Lavalle does Lovecraft better than Lovecraft. Regardless it was a hell of a ride.

Finally starting to feel well enough to read again. Picked up this one for a bit of a shorter read.

Considering how blatantly racist Lovecraft was, I love the idea of a book set in his world, written by a black man, with a black protagonist. I'm currently reading the story it's based on first, The Horror at Red Hook... nothing like a little morning racism 😞 #BookHunt #ScavengerSaturday

This was really good! Thank you for sharing #lmpbc! Sending tomorrow. It should make it by the end of the month!

Friday night chill 🐶🍷

What did I just read!?!? It‘s short but it is packed full... of what I don‘t know but I enjoyed it! #lmpbc #groupw #round8 @Kappadeemom I‘m going to go ahead and get this out to you early so I don‘t forget in the jumble of wedding planning and execution this month. @Victoriahoperose @phatsallylee

Hey, #lmpbc, #groupw, #round8 @Kappadeemom @phatsallylee @Victoriahoperose These are my four choices from my tbr. I‘ll tag the other three in the comments. Let me know what you think!

My new book review video is up! To honor Black History Month I'm reviewing "The Ballad of Black Tom" by Victor Lavalle.

https://youtu.be/vtxVg8UwKvU