Welcome to Litsy!

Final review of the weekend (for now - still have an hour and a half to go! 🤪) and another fabulous read.

I‘d seen so many fabulous reviews of this and I‘m so grateful to @Oryx for gifting it to me.

I haven‘t got a clue about OnlyFans, pro-wrestling and TikTok and there were far too many bodily fluids for my liking, but I loved Margo and Jinx.

I need to read more by this author.

I had to go audio with this one when I saw Elle Fanning was narrating it - she was perfect for it. Margo is such a great character, she felt very real and I loved the development. Just such a genuinely enjoyable listen - one of the best audiobooks for me.

Looks like I will need to re-up my Apple subscription 😲

Yes! Thanks for writing my feelings.

Isn‘t this such a great cover? Margo isn‘t of legal age to drink, yet she‘s having a baby, trying to figure out her life and dealing with her not-too-interested mother and her ex-wrestler father who may or may not be a drug addict. It‘s a lot and I liked her voice as she tries to navigate her life from a very young perspective.

This is for September‘s book club. Because the hold list at the library is very long, I decided to purchase (from my fave indie @ WatermarkBooksandCafe) and share with my mother (😳) and her bestie. Mom got it first, said, “I guess I‘m a bit of a prude, but the writing is good.” oooookay. Um YEAH, even when a grownass adult, it‘s uncomfortable to know how your mother might react!! I ended up enjoying this very much and hope club discussion ⬇️

I would read more Rufi Thorpe after this one.

Next up! Book club book

#DogsofLitsy #CopperBopper #WHPG #Griff4Short

I was not sure what to expect with this book, but I definitely did not expect this plot. It was very modern-day: TikTok and Only Fans. It opened my eyes to a world of social media that I don't really pay attention to. Also, I highly enjoyed how it was set in the North OC of California, the cities you hardly read about in books. I knew the majority of the places that were mentioned. 4 ⭐️

#BookspinBingo #3 @TheAromaofBooks

My journey started in March when someone excitedly mentioned this June pub. I consider myself more than reasonably aware of books and authors but “Rufi Thorpe” was not in my book-bank. So I got the first book of hers available and that was *Dear Fang, With Love* - I am now on board to read more. 😊 THEN, my favorite book club bud pulled out the Jimmy Fallon Summer Book List and this was on it. Keep reading ⬇️

I wanted to quit this book so many time... Couldn't understand why was is written? There were a few original thoughts about literature and writing, about maternity, about Church and St. Mary, but on the whole - it was boring and nonsensical, repetitive and not funny. This just wasn't for me...

This book was cool and funny and smart. A story filled with nuance and heart, the writing was like a breath of fresh air, the characters were unique and flawed and relatable and I LOVED this book. GREAT READ!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💜

I've had such a good run of books lately. All The Colours of the Dark, Lula Dean's Little Library, The God of the Woods, and now this. What a good summer. Really enjoyed this one - I adored all the characters, especially Jinx. It's funny, and sweet, and a bit stressful. Recommended.

#AboutABook #NewAuthor

The tag is getting a lot of love and both are on my BOTM TBR.

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Following @TrishB 's recommendation and visiting this fabulous bookshop. That bookseller also gave me a lovely free tote (because between me, Mr Oryx and Mr Oryx's sister, we spent a hefty amount). Mr Oryx picked up some lovely kid's books for the nieces.

I read 9 books in July:
Not in Love 5⭐️ #DoubleSpin
Foul Days 3⭐️
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books 4⭐️
Ghost Station 4⭐️
Good as Gold 4⭐️
A Shore Thing 4⭐️
Margo's Got Money Troubles 4⭐️ #BookSpin
Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life 4⭐️
Golden Touch 4.5⭐️

And 1 Bingo for #BookSpinBingo!

I absolutely loved Margo! I laughed out loud and even teared up a few times! It was easily my favorite book of July with The Measure coming in 2nd! However, it‘s going to have to be something beyond fabulous to beat All the Sinners Bleed 🩸

#BookBracket2024
#readingbracket2024
#TopReads2024

Add me to the chorus of all those singing the praise of this one. I'm only about a third of the way through, but am loving it so much I just had to rave.

I was not going to read this one. I thought Only Fans and Wrestling wasn't for me. Then it kept popping up on "must read" lists. Then it was sitting there by the check out desk at the library. So I thought I'd try.

I. Freakin'. LOVED. It. I loved Margo, and Jinx, and Suzie. I was rooting for them the whole time. I loved the clear headed, non judgemental way it looked at sex (or sex adjacent) work.

Cont'd in comments

Absolutely adored this book, one of my best of the year so far! Margo is endearing and I often found her relatable, even though nothing about her life resembles my own. She doesn‘t have it all figured out yet, but she‘s earnest and she‘s trying. I have loved all of Thorpe‘s books and this is no exception. Most of her novels feature father-daughter relationships and it‘s done best in this latest. All the stars!

I enjoyed all the characters in this book so much, and having seen up close single mothers dealing with similar issues with agents of the state, baby daddies and other family seemingly determined to upgrade a difficult situation to a tortuous one, it was nice to read a story where the young mother wins.

Up next!

Love, love, love this book!! And this is exciting! 🎥

Elle is a fabulous narrator!

Between this & James this is the first time I‘ve ever used up the audiobook hours on Spotify - and I‘ve still got 10 days before it‘s renewed (I‘m loving this book so much I‘m tempted to pay the 9.99 for extra hours but it seems a lot 🤔)

I liked this story about a 19 year old who must grow up to deal with a newborn, drug addicted dad and a system rigged to terrify the poor and vulnerable. I thought Margot was a great character. Loved this one and the audiobook was good too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is the epitome of why reading is so freaking delightful and beautiful. I‘d dare this book not to seduce you, but how could it not imprint on your mind and burrow into your heart? I‘m half-tempted to re-read it again already. How do I say goodbye? I just adored it. #BOTM

This is EXACTLY how I feel when I start a new book! I am in love with Margo already! I just started listening this morning, but I think I‘m going to need a physical copy!! 🩷🩷🩷

#LitsyLoveReads
#LitsyLove

My gosh, I loved this novel!

Cute story. Great characters and a storyline I have t read before.

I tag my favorite read of a grid but this grid was a clear tie between my 2 five⭐️ reads and both for very different reasons. It was heads for Margo, and she won the coin toss!

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

I really really really liked this audiobook. Elle Fanning is excellent as Margo - a young single mom who turns to Only Fans to make ends meet.

An incredible deconstruction and hilarious analysis of circumstance, sex work, dysfunctional families, the dichotomous and self-righteous system that controls women and stacks the cards against them in a damn near impossible way. The themes and explorations run deep, but were packaged and delivered consistently in the most amusing, delightful way. Rufi Thorpe‘s creativity is a beacon! My fave read of 2024 so far, an absolute knock out! 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Really insightful story. This book made me laugh and feel outraged on behalf of Margo but also inspired by her growth and confidence. Enjoyed it start to finish.

A pick with reservations. I read the Arc copy so my complaints may not be valid for the published edition.

I really loved the vibe of this, unusual jobs (for books, and in reality!), coming of age trope. These all come together well here.

I do not understand the changes from third to first person. It happened throughout the story and maybe I missed the meaning of why it was happening, but it was distracting and makes this a low pick.

This was one of my most anticipated summer reads and it did not disappoint. I loved this completely dysfunctional family so much.

Starting a new book while one boy is meeting with his tutor for dyslexia and another boy shares a doughnut with me!

This book defines why I love fiction. A 19yo community college dropout creates an OnlyFans acct as a means to financially support her child. Her heroine addicted, retired pro wrestler bio dad steps up to the plate in support of her efforts. IRL there is no way I wouldn't be all judgey here - dammit. But fiction allows me to check my preconceived notions at the dedication page and open myself up to humanity at its best. Bravo, Rufi Thorne!

Love, love, LOVE!!

This book is fantastic!

19 year old Margo has to grow up fast when she finds herself pregnant and decides to keep the baby.

She finds out real quick that babies are expensive, roommates don't want to hear crying, and childcare isn't as simple as it should be.

How to make money? Why not Onlyfans??? She can work from home and make more in one day than she made in a month of waitressing.

I was rooting for Margo from page 1!

I really enjoyed this one! Lots to say about social class, and such an interesting intersection of worlds (community college, pro wrestling, OnlyFans, a little bit of church sprinkled in) and life experiences. Great writing, quite funny, and fantastic audio narration by Elle Fanning. Certainly looking forward to seeing her play Margo in the series alongside Nicole Kidman!

A #Top2024Read for sure! I‘ve loved all of Thorpe‘s earlier novels, but this one may just be her best yet! I couldn‘t put it down—but I also didn‘t want it to end! I didn‘t expect to be so fully engaged in the story of less than a year of this teen mom‘s life. Thought-provoking with every character brimming with life, I appreciated the wordplay, use of perspective & seeing the relationships develop between Margo, her friend & family. I loved it!

Oh Rufi! How I adore your books! I have read so many great darkly funny contemporary fiction books this month, and Rufi‘s is the best.

Margo‘s college professor got her pregnant. When the baby is born, she‘s strapped for cash with no childcare and starts an OnlyFans page. With help from her pro-wrestler father, who has recently returned to her life, Margo charts an unconventional path that is not without obstacles.

Late posting! Both my #botm and #aardvark boxes arrived LAST WEEK. 🤦🏻‍♀️ But today I finally took these beauties to the flowers under my tree. I already finished Perfume and Pain — so fast-paced and funny — and now I‘ve started Margo, which is also fast-paced and funny! Sometimes contemporary fiction like that doesn‘t work for me, but score a win for both book clubs with these two. Hopefully a review of P&P tomorrow. 👍🏻

This was another 5⭐️ read that I discovered on NetGalley! I loved this book. There were so many wrestling references and it made my wrestling fan heart so happy. I felt like the author did so well handling such hard topics such as teacher/student relationships, drug addiction and even sex work. Margo discovered her identity as a woman and a mother and it was such a beautiful transformation. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley!

This book is aesthetically pleasing lol the cover is textured too 🩷 starting today #BOTM

#botm, for me, is that ex you say you‘ll never get back with. Like, “oh baby, you know you want this book for $4.99 right? I promise we can break up again. What‘s one month gonna hurt? You know you like to read.” 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Going with this #BOTM pick for June! I really enjoyed “The Knockout Queen” by this author 🙂

Starting this and I am hooked!!!

This is going to be a divisive read, the writing is not traditional, and the pov and voice swaps around a lot but the characters and situation is fun.

I keep getting thrown off by this spelling of Margo...

Loved it!! People are complicated, flawed and worthy of love. The humor and warmth of this novel made me not want to put it down. Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Just a small shout out to everyone who nominated books for #camplitsy24 - the books above were my top choices among those that did not make it onto the official camp roster. They immediately went onto my tbr anyway! I would not have had them on my radar if it was not for the longlist, and that would have been a shame. The library hold on the tagged is only 2 weeks out and I'm looking forward to the hilarity promised #blamelitsy