Welcome to Litsy!

Up next…I bought it at a beach bookshop last summer and then never got to it! Excited to move it off my bedside table stack! It‘s also my July #bookspin pick!

@TheAromaofBooks

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3.5 ⭐️
This book was eye-opening. I learned about some of the hardships that trans people go through in trying to come out. I can not begin to imagine the constant struggle in trying to be your true self while many refuse to accept who you are.

I did not feel any attachment to any of the characters, but I did empathize with their pain. I understood Erika's confusion and Abigail's anger. They had each other for support. ⬇️

This was a sweet romance with a lot of heart.

The story is about Abbey, a plus sized architect turned baker, and her journey towards love and self acceptance. I loved that the book explored deeper topics like fat shaming and aging parents. Caring for an ailing parent is a very common thing these days, but I rarely see it depicted in books.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/07/20/review-eat-dessert-first/

I'm glad I finally got round to reading this, now there's been a UK reprint. I'm also glad I have an ebook of the second book, because it's rude to leave the story there.

Caliban really needs to examine himself a bit.

Mind you, probably so does Slate.

Behold, as well: I actually achieved a #BookSpinBingo -- I kinda hadn't expected to, this month, what with moving and stress.

This is the story of how a swampy area of MD and VA ended up as the US capital. The story seems perfect for a Cohen brothers movie with incompetency, corruption, stubbornness, and dumb luck eventually resulting in Washington DC becoming a reality. The whole process was quite the shit show, from being selected over various locales in PA (take that Columbia), to its design, to getting funding and then built, burnt to the ground and built again!

This is very meta. I am definitely late to the party on this author. But I get it now and I will continue to read his backlist.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

A deliciously beautiful picture book about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world.

#Read2025
#Bookspinbingo
#Pantone2025

Memoir by debut author Katie Fugett, who was thrust into widowhood in her early 20s when her husband suffered limb loss from an Iraqi IED, followed by PTSD/painkiller addiction. Mix that with the author‘s abusive chaotic childhood and you get a serious struggle to survive both within and without marriage 💔

#Read2025
#Bookspinbingo
#Pantone2025

This was such a cute fall romance set in Scotland!

First off, the vibes are immaculate. It took place during autumn, so it gave off super cozy fall vibes. It was also set in a small town in the Scottish Highlands, which added to the dreamy coziness.

The romance was adorable. I loved Harper and Fraser, both separately and as a couple. I found them both endearing.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/07/19/review-kindling/

This super fun sequel is like the movie Red with an all female cast. I love it. I will read more of them.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks