Litsy

The Black Echo: A Novel | Michael Connelly

pick

Bk3 of #JumpStart2025 is done.This book, in fact the whole series, can be summed up with my favourite quote from this “You can‘t patch a wounded soul with a band-aid” That‘s Bosch, a Vietnam Vet, former tunnel rat now an LA Homicide detective. Fabulous series,both for the characters,but also coz you can feel the streets of LA in the writing. #BookspinBingo #OffTheShelf2025 #BookChain #LitsyAtoZ2025 #Pantone2025 #ISpyBingo #Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

DieAReader, Texreader, Librariana, Lauredhel, Andrew65, TheSpineView, TheAromaofBooks

TheSpineView Fantastic! 1w

Andrew65 I remember enjoying this one. Well done 🎉🎉🎉 1w

AlaMich The TV series is very good as well, with great cinematography of Los Angeles. 1w

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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1w

TheSpineView Awesome! 1w

DieAReader 🎉💖An excellent series! I‘m reading it as well🤓 I‘m on

The Last Coyote

(edited) 1w

Lizpixie @TheSpineView @Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks thanks! @AlaMich I‘ve been catching up on that as well, Titus Welliver is a perfect Bosch. No moustache though!👨🏻 @DieAReader I‘m just into The Black Ice, I‘m juggling six series rereads right now, I get series fatigue & switch between. 1w

DieAReader @Lizpixie 😏Makes sense. Love Titus Welliver as Bosch🤤💖😏 1w

42 likes8 comments

PuddleJumper

Bonds of Brass: Book One of The Bloodright Trilogy | Emily Skrutskie

pan

This was poorly written, the pacing was off, it was front loaded with exposition and it was boring.

I never got to experience this sweeping, technological advanced empire, every location was small and insular and could have been anywhere.

PuddleJumper 1. It wasn't a space opera, or even really scifi, it was YA romance in space.

The romance was awful. The characters had no chemistry and I didn't like Gal, I never understood what Ettian saw in him and why he was willing to sacrifice so much for him.
2w

PuddleJumper 2. There's also the ‘he's the son and heir to the empire that colonised your home and killed your people‘ angle which felt icky.

#BookChain #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
2w

37 likes2 comments

PuddleJumper

The Lost Hero: Heroes of Olympus Book 1 | Rick Riordan

so-so

I am divided by this book. All the way through I had to keep reminding myself this was a children's book because it is badly researched, weirdly paced, and very repetitive.

Things happen to the characters, they don't make things happen. The characters themselves were rather bland and there was no connection between them.

⬇️

PuddleJumper 1. It was difficult to get into because the characters either don't know who they are or are keeping secrets even during their POV chapters.

It really did not need to be as long as it was! So much could have been cut out and it wouldn't have impacted the plot.

I'm coming late to this series so hopefully things improve in later books/series but the writing of women was questionable
2w

PuddleJumper 2. Now, onto the fun stuff. I'm going to preface this by saying, classicists by nature are pedantic assholes.

First thing, Riordan's representation of the Greek gods is Romanised. He bases many aspects of their personality and history on Latin sources rather than available Greek sources.

This makes things very messy when introducing the Roman facet of the Greek gods. He should have just made them a separate pantheon.
2w

PuddleJumper 3. He says the Roman gods are harsher because of the Roman empire. The Athenians would like to fight you about their lack of empire in this universe.

The Greek city states were constantly warring with each other during the Archaic and Classical period. They weren't less ‘warlike‘.
2w

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PuddleJumper 4. Arguably, Rome sustained such a large empire for so long because they were amazing administrators. No one cares about that aspect of their godhood. Let me see Mars, arbiter of the war fund. 2w

PuddleJumper 5. Another gripe of mine is the representation of Aphrodite and her children. There's a denigration of femininity and this weird idea that beauty and femininity are the same thing. Aphrodite‘s children are portrayed as weak because they are vain and interested in stereotypically feminine things.

Thanks, I hate it.
2w

PuddleJumper 6. When Piper is claimed by Aphrodite, she is transformed so that she is wearing a dress that makes her uncomfortable, make-up and better hair. What a shallow idea of beauty.

Piper's strengths are always framed as ‘for a kid of Aphrodite.‘ If you want your interpretation of Aphrodite to be vain and jealous then she should be terrorising these kids for their disrespect. Piper is amazing because she is her kid and not in spite of it.
2w

PuddleJumper 7. Overall, it wasn't terrible but it's not something I particularly enjoyed reading.

#RiordanverseReadalong #AllergicToChunksters #ReadorDonate @julieclair #LitsyAtoZ @Texreader #BookChain 2025 @TheAromaofBooks #ChunksterChallenge2025 @Amiable #OffTheShelf2025 @Librariana
(edited) 2w

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I‘ve read these and I liked his Trials of Apollo series more. The books were shorter, for one, and a funny haiku started each chapter. (edited) 2w

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage My hands down favorite by him in the percy jackson world is

The Sun and the Star (From the World of Percy Jackson)

TheAromaofBooks I had mixed feelings about this series as well. 2w

PuddleJumper @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I'm excited by the other series. They look more interesting 2w

PuddleJumper @TheAromaofBooks It definitely wasn't his best 2w

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2w

julieclair Really well done review. 👍 I have been curious about the Percy Jackson series. I‘m guessing this is one you will definitely donate! 😂 (edited) 2w

PuddleJumper @julieclair The first series is better. Still aimed at children but I don't remember it being this boring. Oh yes, definitely donate! I'm hoping to get through 3 of his series and donate them all 2w

40 likes15 comments

ferskner

The Ultimate Reading Challenge: Complete a Goal, Open an Envelope, and Reveal Your Bookish Prize! | Weldon Owen

Help a Litten out! I'm wanting to get back into reading challenges this year but I'm having a hard time figuring out what Litsy is hosting these days. It looks like a few I used to do aren't active anymore. Are there any I should know about? (I'm planning to do #bookspin with @TheAromaofBooks and #agathachristieclubR3 with @Librarybelle, of course!)

Picture of my dog's dumb teeth for tax!

TheAromaofBooks I'm participating in - #Pantone2025 and #FourFoursin25 with @lauredhel
- #WickedWords with @AsYouWish
- #Roll100 and #GottaCatchEmAll with @PuddleJumper
- #FictionalTraveler and #ReadorDonate with @julieclair
and my own other challenges, #ISpyBingo and #BookChain

Have you checked @LitsyEvents ? That account does a great job reposting all kinds of shenanigans!! 3w

Ruthiella You can follow @LitsyEvents for reposts of all the challenges, etc. Good luck! 😃 3w

AmyG There is #authoramonth @soubhiville where one reads 1+ books from that specific author for the month. #TBRTarot is where a card is chosen and you pick a corresponding book. #readyourkindle is like Bookspin but just for ereaders. Last two are with @Cbee (edited) 3w

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Jess861 Some of the ones I'm participating in and aren't listed above:

#BookedInTime @Cuilin
#FoodAndLit @Catsandbooks @Texreader
#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView
#OhCanada @jess861 (me) 3w

Cuilin #HashtagBrigade @BarkingMadRead #NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Dabbe & @Cuilin #NaturalLitsy @alldebooks #WhatTheDickens @Texreader & @Cuilin #literarycrew @Librarybelle 3w

dabbe Some others: #WithTheBanned2025 (host: @Jadams89); #NancyDrewBR (host: @Librarybelle); #ChristiesCapers (host: @Librarybelle); #teamlesmis (host: @TheBookHippie); #ShardlakeSeriesBR (host: @dabbe) 3w

TheBookHippie I do #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #CHILDRENSCLASSICREAD2025 #CHLOEGONGREADALONG #READLESMIS #JOURNALINGPROMPTS #KARENINAWINTER and #LITSOLACE with @AllDebooks & @Chrissyreadit 3w

Librarybelle @Cuilin @dabbe —thanks for mentioning the buddy reads I host! This is the last year for #192025 , which is reading a book originally published in each year from 1920-2025 (I‘ll post details later in the year for the next challenge, #192030 ). 3w

Texreader And #litsyatoz that I‘m hosting. 3w

AllDebooks #SeriesLove2025 challenge is a good one, hosted by @Andrew65 3w

AllDebooks Sorry, not finished. And @thelibraryview. I'm doing the Wild Moor reading challenge. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDKncU5i_Y7/?igsh=MXQ0a3U2cWZ1OHlieQ== 3w

AllDebooks Series love is also hosted by @TheSpineView having a brain malfunction 😅 3w

AllDebooks Thanks for the tags @TheBookHippie and @Cuilin 3w

julieclair In addition to those already mentioned (thanks, @TheAromaofBooks 💙), I also host #ThematicCozies , #AllergicToChunksters , and #MonthlyNonfiction2025 . Others I participate in that haven‘t been mentioned yet are #KindredSpirits with @BarbaraJean , #LittensLoveRomance with @StayCurious , #JaneAustenThenAndNownwith @Crinoline_Laphroaig , #HitchToScreen with @JenlovesJT47 , #FurrowedMiddleBrow and #PersephoneClub with @LeahBergen . 3w

julieclair Also #ClassicsChallenge with @Lunakay and #2025FairyTaleChallenge with @Charityann . Also Acquired Via Litsy #AVL25 with @MatchlessMarie . 3w

Andrew65 This just shows how much is going on, an impressive list. 3w

PuddleJumper Teeth! ❤️ I think my general ones have been mentioned. I also have #RiordanverseReadalong which is reading Rick Riordan books and #ReadYourDamnDanmei which is reading Chinese light novels. I also run seasonal challenges in October/December 3w

PuddleJumper Also #QueerBC Monthly LGBTQIA+ authors and you can read anything they've written 3w

LeahBergen @julieclair Wow, this is a big list! Thanks for tagging our little reading groups. 😘 3w

MatchlessMarie When I have been away from Litsyland for a while I like to check out the @LitsyEvents page for most current things. But this is a great time of year to get back into them. It‘s hard to miss challenges since we are all abuzz with New Year wishful thinking 😂 3w

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - I will be so excited to tackle another long-term project!! I actually think I'm going to complete #192025 which is pretty thrilling! 3w

Librarybelle That‘s so cool, @TheAromaofBooks ! I still have a bit to go but need to tally up my readings from the last half of 2024. I love the long term challenges! 3w

julieclair @LeahBergen I think it‘s more of a “wishful thinking” list! 😂 3w

LeahBergen @julieclair I think you‘re right. 😆 3w

Lauredhel I'm doing #Pantone2025 (two grids) #Fourfoursin25 #WickedWords #MonthlyNonfiction2025 #Bookchain2025 #LGBTQIA2025 #urc2025 #FictionalTraveler #readharder2025 #LitsyAtoZ2025 #booklistqueenchallenge25 #ISpyBingo 3w

Amiable Wanted to add #ChunksterChallenge2025, #DiseaseoftheMonthBookClub and #Nonfiction2025 (edited) 2w

staci.reads Also #SheSaid hosted by @Riveted_Reader_Melissa highlighting books by female authors and women's topics! 2w

ferskner @TheAromaofBooks @AmyG @Jess861 @Cuilin @dabbe @TheBookHippie @Ruthiella @Librarybelle @Texreader @AllDebooks @julieclair @PuddleJumper @MatchlessMarie @Lauredhel @Amiable @staci.reads thank you all for your help and ideas! I totally forgot about @LitsyEvents so thank you for that reminder too! I'll go through these and pick out a few. 2d

Texreader So great to have you back!! 2d

56 likes29 comments

TheAromaofBooks

Listen to Your Heart | Kasie West

pick

I usually like Kasie West's YA fare because she writes characters whose problems feel real/regular to me. There's drama, but it's not over the top. Like most of her books, we have a MC who needs to learn to get out of her comfort zone a little, find some balance in her life, and be willing to wrestle some of her inherent prejudices. There's also some great snark and fun characters. An enjoyable read, even if it didn't really bring anything new ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) to the table. Also - last book of 2024!!

#WinterGames #HolidayBookDragons @LiseWorks
#ChristmasAtoZ @Texreader
#20in4 @Andrew65
#SugarRush @Bookwormjillk
#BookChain #BookSpinBingo #ReadOuttheOld 3w

Bookwormjillk 🎉🎉🎉 3w

Andrew65 Excellent 🥳🥳🥳 3w

51 likes3 comments

TheAromaofBooks

The December Market | RaeAnne Thayne

pick

My final holiday read of the year is the sequel to Christmas at the Shelter Inn. I liked this one better than Shelter Inn, mainly because I found this MC to be more likable haha It's cute and pretty traditional fare for the genre, but nothing mind-blowing. As usual, by the end of December I'm ready to set aside holiday romance and jump into some other stuff!!

#WinterGames #HolidayBookDragons @LiseWorks

TheAromaofBooks #ChristmasAtoZ @Texreader
#WinterCosy @PuddleJumper
#20in4 @Andrew65
#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#SugarRush @Bookwormjillk
#BookSpinBingo #BookChain #ReadOuttheOld 3w

Andrew65 Excellent 🥳🥳🥳 3w

AnnCrystal 🤩🎄📚💖. 3w

TheSpineView Awesome! 3w

49 likes4 comments

Lauredhel

Reading Challenge | Lesley Yates

And here's what I'm using for #BookChain #Bookchain2025 if anyone wants it @TheAromaOfBooks

willaful Oooo, I missed the annoucement. This is a fun one. 3w

Lizpixie What‘s this one? I haven‘t got this on my list! 3w

Lauredhel @Lizpixie https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2815091

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/596e8385-7086-478f-9f02-0378f52... 3w

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TheAromaofBooks Ooo nice!!! 3w

TheAromaofBooks Tagging those who are participating in #BookChain in case they want to use this nifty graphic throughout the year!!

@peanutnine @Deblovestoread @PuddleJumper @Librarybelle @Kristy_K @lil1inblue @BarbaraBB @Laughterhp @thebacklistbook @Nelnjali @RainyDayReading @Read4life @claudiuo @zuhkeeyah @Sarahreadstoomuch @willaful 3w

Librarybelle Great graphic! I made a screenshot. Thank you!! 3w

Lizpixie @TheAromaofBooks I‘m in as well! 3w

TheAromaofBooks @Lizpixie - Glad to have you along!! 3w

Read4life @TheAromaofBooks can you please email me the word document for this challenge? Faas2202@gmail 3w

BarbaraBB Thanks! I‘ll use the graphic! 3w

Deblovestoread Sweet! Thanks 🩶🤍🩶 3w

Kristy_K Thanks for making!! 3w

42 likes12 comments

TheAromaofBooks

Reading Challenges Journal: Let's Do Some Reading Challenges! | J&c Publishing

Cannot BELIEVE I am working on a reading journal for ***2025*** That's not a real date!!!! @PuddleJumper is responsible for most of my challenges this year, although @lauredhel is also doing some work 😂 This year: #ISpyBingo #100YearsofBooks (and finishing @Librarybelle 's #192025 ), #Pantone2025 #Roll100 #GottaCatchEmAll and #BookChain

Not pictured - #ReadtheUSA #WickedWords @AsYouWish #FourFoursin25 @lauredhel #FictionalTraveler @julieclair ⬇

BookishMadHatter I've started on my 2025 book journal too, but I'm scaling it back a little this year. I find I have to use a bunder because if I run out of space and need to split a section in a bound journal my poor brain has a meltdown and I end up having to start all over. 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Plus numerous ongoing buddy reads -
#BobWhiteBuddies
#OokBookClub @julesG
#ChristieCapers and #NancyDrewBR @librarybelle
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead @BarbaraJean
#IDLR @StayCurious @LiseWorks
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
and the much-beloved #HashtagBrigade @BarkingMadRead despite dragging me through books I loved to hate to read 😂 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @BookishMadHatter - I feel that!! For the last couple of years I've used a quad-lined composition book. Because it's sewn, I can add lots of washi tape and other pieces of paper taped in and it just gets fatter without falling apart 😂 All my ongoing, year-long challenges are in the front. Then I skip to the second half of the notebook and create my monthly #BookSpinBingo lists as I go along, plus any short-term readathons or challenges. 1mo

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PuddleJumper I like organizing things! Looks amazing 1mo

BarkingMadRead So honored to be on the list 🤣🤣🤣 1mo

Librarybelle This looks so amazing! Good luck on all of your challenges and buddy reads! 1mo

julieclair This looks great! 👍😃 1mo

Gissy Amazing🤩👌 Well I can say I also started to organize my reading goals…🤔I chose which journal and reading Planner I‘m going to use😜it is a start😂😂😂 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @Gissy - It's all about finding a system that works for you!!! I loooooove tracking things 😂 So I use a spreadsheet plus my notebook!!! I also get these really inexpensive book logs from Amazon that I love because it means every book I read ends up with a reference number. I started using them several years ago and I'm almost done with my 14th volume!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1695365623 1mo

68 likes9 comments

TheAromaofBooks

Nancy Drew 14: The Whispering Statue | Carolyn Keene

pick

Definitely the best Nancy Drew we've had in a minute. This one had more of the regular level of ridiculousness 😂 Favorite parts included the police acting very clever because they determined that two masked men who attempted to break into the house at the same time were working together; the girls acting like sitting behind empty picture frames was a brilliant hiding spot; literally everyone not only knowing how to sail but being really great ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) at it; and Nancy's magical disguise-wig that seemed to stay on no matter what! This one reminded me of why I enjoyed these books so much when I was growing up - there were also some scary moments and the chapter cliffhangers always have me wanting to read more.

As always, thanks for hosting @Librarybelle !!! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks #WinterGames #HolidayBookDragons @LiseWorks
#SeriesRead2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#WickedWords - 1970s @AsYouWish
#ChristmasAtoZ @Texreader
#GottaCatchEmAllWinterEdition - Friendship @PuddleJumper
#OatmealEscape @Bookwormjillk
#Adventathon @BookmarkTavern
#MidDecemberReadathon @LiseWorks @StayCurious
#BookSpinBingo #BookChain 1mo

Librarybelle This was a good one! 1mo

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BookmarkTavern Nicely done! 1mo

TheSpineView Well done!🤩📖📚 1mo

dabbe Excellent review! #nailedit 💚❣️💚 1mo

Andrew65 Brilliant 🎄🎄🎄 1mo

55 likes7 comments

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