Welcome to Litsy!

5/5

It took me way to long to read this book after it was recommended by so many people (@rachelsbrittain and @soubhiville for #auldlangspine a few years ago). I knew nothing about it going in, and I loved the premise and the characters so much.

I finished my new book nook, and also my book. READY OR NOT is a great example of how valuable #AuldLangSpine is, because I doubt I‘d even have noticed it if it hadn‘t appeared on @peanutnine ‘s list, and it was absolutely wonderful! I‘m so glad I have it in my life! I love a book that‘s fair to all its characters even when they can‘t be fair to themselves. Major props for being a trans-inclusive hetero pregnancy romance, too.

Due to an especially busy and draining spring semester, I didn't read nearly as much from @monalyisha ‘s #AuldLangSpine list as I would have liked in January/the first half of 2025. Hoping to make up for that in the second! This was so lovely. 💚 Many standout essays, and even though it‘s summer where I am, somehow the winter ones resonated most strongly, I think because of the moral winter we‘re living through right now. 😞

I went into the library to pick up READY OR NOT (my penultimate book for #AuldLangSpine 2025!), but of course I couldn‘t resist this anthology of urban poetry from Africa off the New Stuff stand.

This landed on my radar thanks to @Singout ‘s #AuldLangSpine list and how thankful I am! I normally avoid short stories (because “give me more!” or “what was that?”). BUT! These stories are fully realized and effective in storytelling. Haunting and often full of magical realism heightening everyday emotions: sibling jealousy, a teen being bullied, neglected stepdaughter (Cinderella!), divorce. Centers women & lgbtq+ experiences. Excellent!

#UnpopularOpinion

I appreciated what the author is trying to do here but for me she wasn‘t successful. I didn‘t buy the central relationship - there was too little to show how they came to care for one another. It‘s a trope I rarely enjoy or find convincing so maybe it‘s just me. The writing is good and the background story is really important. I‘m extra critical when I think a book could be truly great but misses the mark, so only a so-so.

First time getting a skip the line notification from Libby. This was on my #AuldLangSpine list and I have had it on hold since January. Yes, January. I realize I could have started it anytime via KU but Troy Duran is worth the wait 😍 🎧

#bookspinbingo May was all about baseball but I did manage to read a bunch! Came close to clearing the board save for 2 and I‘m currently reading Chrysalis. Knocked a another off the #auldlangspine list:
All that‘s left unsaid, Chrysalis nearly
listened to several that have been lingering on my tbr for years:
Eileen, We Are Called to Rise, The Hidden Life of Trees.
A great reading month! 2 duds: the Megan Miranda and the William Kent Krueger

Loving the series so far. The first in this series was an #AuldLangSpine pick. I knew I was in trouble when I got to the end credits and heard “and was produced in the year 2024”. 🫢😅 I don‘t typically find series while they are ongoing and was already ready to add book 3 to my TBR for March but it won‘t be here till August 🥲🎻

At least August is closer now than when I wrote this in February 🤷🏻‍♀️ #LitsyAtoZ #LetterM