Welcome to Litsy!

This morning I took my mom to an appointment near the doughnut store, where I had a credit for a free doughnut and coffee. Good times.

I finished the monster fantasy in and around all that, and I‘m divided. I stuck with it because in theory, it‘s MY THING right down to its core, but I never connected with the characters and I felt no chemistry between them. I mostly finished it because I very much wanted Homily‘s family to get eaten.

And now, a monster fantasy. It‘s too early for me to say how I feel about this one, but I‘m getting a strong “it could go either way” vibe that the Litsy reviews seem to back up. Here‘s hoping I fall into the OMG SO AWESOME camp.

Love these storygraph monthly cover collages.
April was a good reading month!

Writing just rubbing me the wrong way

Have you ever asked yourself the question: “What if a UHaul Lesbian was also a Shape-Shifting, Man-Eating Monster?”

I loved the light-hearted style of the writing for some really gore-heavy scenes. Honestly, the whole book was so fun until the last hour, where we sink into that Romance writing for the post-climax downhill coast to the end. It‘s fine! I just personally don‘t like them.

4 stars | #horror #romance #lesbian #acerep #sapphic

Not an easy choice because both books are unique in their own ways, but this one stands out.

Such an intriguing book, and an intriguing theory. A good time to be reading books that help me understand monsters of the human variety.

This was the #QueerBC book from, what, October? Also my choice for “featuring a cryptid“ for @Faranae's #URC. I can't imagine a more interesting cryptid!

One of my most anticipated books of 2024 - and I actually read it in the same year it published!! A rare feat for me! I really enjoyed not only the story but Wiswell‘s writing style, I look forward to whatever story comes next from him.

#12booksof2024 : August

The audiobook was excellent.

This one started off strong, but kind of fizzled after a while. I loved the outsider and monster-as-protagonist angle and the sapphic ace representation in the human/monster relationship. Something about the plot didn't grab me though and I found my mind wandering. I didn't feel especially emotionally engaged with the characters either, though I liked them in theory. Did others in the #QueerBC have similar experiences or am I an outlier here?

#ReadingBracket2024 Fiction Update
I'm months behind on reviews still but really enjoyed the #QueerBC buddy read pick for October. So unique and kept me on the edge of my seat
@PuddleJumper

Shapeshifting from gory horror to cozy fantasy and back again as quickly and inventively as its monstrous heroine changes form, this utterly unique story about found family, queer love (with Ace rep!), generational trauma, and modern parenting will make a nest in your heart if you‘re not careful! Recommended with no rationale for fans of T. Kingfisher, Tamsyn Muir, and Andrew Joseph White!

At first, I thought this wouldn't be for me, and it took some time to get into it. But more and more I was intrigued. This book really is different. At least its protagonist is. Also loved the message of the book, the emotions and the funny parts of dating a... puddle? Oh, and also: ace rep! ❤ So yes, it turned out to be a really cool book.

@Puddlejumper #queerbc

Finished this just in time for my local queer book club meeting tonight. I teetered back and forth between pick and so-so. Positives: I thought this was extremely creative in concept, and had a great plot twist, and some really chilling gore. Negatives: the pace dragged sometimes, some tone issues, and some really chilling gore 😂. Overall, I don‘t think this was entirely my cup of tea. Nonetheless, I‘m curious to follow the author‘s work.

This is the October buddy read for #QueerBC

It won by quite a lot! i think next time I might need to arrange heats or have less books suggested

This is not a book I've heard of, looks like it was published this year but it sounds super interesting!

This was recommended to me by a colleague and though I do enjoy weird books from time to time, I just couldn‘t get into this one. It was like Beauty and the beast but the beast was a worm like monster disguised as a human who falls in love with a human whose awful family is hunting the monster. It just wasn‘t for me.

This is a very strange but entertaining book. It is a horror romantic fantasy. Yup that best describes it. It definitely has horror - pretty gross moments actually, and a surprisingly sweet romance. Overall, I liked it. 4⭐️

With this I had another #bookspinbingo

Probably one of the better books I have read in a while! Monster hates humans, wishes to be left alone. Humans can‘t mind their business and end up finding out when they poke around. Enter human who is different from the rest and monster falls in love. Classic storyline 🤣.

I loved this! Gonna be in my top reads for the year FOR SURE! Had a plot twist so good I said OOOOH out loud.

Shesheshen might be a monster but it‘s often the humans that showcase monstrous traits. Beautiful themes of love and connection together with grief, betrayal and generational trauma.

The audiobook was brilliant, Carmen Rose knocked it out of the park.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
“Each year when Shesheshen hibernated, she dreamed of her childhood nest.”

The next read for my queer book club.

Just finished this! Excellent read!

Libby really putting on the time pressure!!!

Honestly, this is worth reading just for the title. That‘s a good title.
It‘s also a messy horror/rom-com/cozy fantasy/who done it, with a big heaping serving of generational trauma.

Bailing (or *at least* putting a pin in) at 67%. I really tried, but I‘m just not enjoying it. Not good humor:gore ratio.

4.5/5

The monster Shesheshen is awoken early from her hibernation by monster hunters and forced to into a fight that leads her straight to Homily. Homily is a kind woman who helps Shesheshen recover from her wounds with secrets of her own.

This was is a fantasy horror told from the perspective of the monster, who learns monsters aren't the most monstrous thing in this world. It was full of twists that I really enjoyed.

audiobook: Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
ebook: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Each year when Shesheshen hibernated, she dreamed of her childhood nest.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl