Welcome to Litsy!

Here‘s my March recap. It was a great reading month & I finished 23 books! (Including 5 audiobooks, 19 fiction, 4 NF, many genres, several children‘s & classics)

I read for #SundayBuddyRead #NancyDrewBR #BobWhiteBuddies #EBBR #AuthorAMonth #ChildrensClassicRead2025 #SheSaid #RiseUpReads #JaneAustenThenAndNow #BookedInTime #FoodAndLit #Roll100 #ThematicCozies #FictionalTraveler #MonthlyNonFiction #SeriesLove2025 & #AuldLangSpine #SeriesLove2025 ⬇️

Larson is a good author. But there was some language that felt wrong. I think it came from primary sources. But it was weird. Using the term “relationship” to describe owners having sex with women and girls they own is a weird, racist, old fashioned soft pedaling of rape. You can‘t consent, if you can‘t safely say “No”.

This factual account of the five months between Lincoln‘s election and the start of the civil war was well-written and absorbing. A non fiction narrative that produced insights on the values, thoughts and emotions of famous people as well as the lesser known characters. The increase of rhetoric and missed opportunities for unity made secession certain. An interesting read but I found it, sadly, very relatable to our current times.

My March reading wrap-up… Two that aren‘t pictured: Letter From New York by Hanff and Maus by Spiegleman. It was a very epistolary and bookish month. I read a middle grade, a mystery, and one by an Irish author. I‘m looking forward to diving into April now!

Great story of two brothers from Massachusetts who end up at Gettysburg during Civil War. Has poetic parts but also very gritty. Map is of second day of 3.

I found this very interesting. McPherson did an excellent job at providing a good overview of the political, social, economic, and other factors that led to the Civil War. He also did a good job providing a broad overview of the Civil War, as well as the different dynamics working in both the Union and Confederacy. Definitely worth reading.

Starting historical novel about Gettysburg in the Civil War. I am always into that era!

This book was brilliant. The writing was beautiful and evocative. Loving Little Women and Louisa May Alcott, I know the father was based on Bronson, the Transcendentalist, who created utopian settlements that failed. Ms. Brooks seamlessly entwined the two figures into one. Maybe, even better than Miss Alcott, who only wished to make him properly proud of her. Ms. Brooks made him real,with desires and dreams. Marmee's character was also perfect. 👇

The book looks at 3 distinct areas: commerce raiding and blockaders, river combat, and assaults on Confederate ports. The info on the development of monitors and weaponry is excellent. The riverine aspect is uninspired. The blockade running is interesting. The success of assaults on ports was dependent on coordination and cooperation. Overall, in the debate over the utility of blockades, he waffles and delivers a highly qualified support.

Here are my picks for March #ReadYourEbooks. Hopefully I do better this month than I had been. I have a goal to read one Percival Everett book each month this year, so I‘m happy to see Telephone pop up to fulfill that goal. @CBee