Welcome to Litsy!

We're all enjoying a quiet morning of reading before I have to get ready for work. Almost finished with this #historicalfiction that I read for my LIS course this week.

#medici #arthistory #class #scandal #thievery #Italy #florence

I enjoyed this crime novel about a serial killer in Florence. The police aspects feel authentic (the author draws from his own experience) and I liked the Florence setting & some of the characters. The theme of homophobia troubled me although I read it as a reflection of society rather than the author‘s own views. His wife was one-dimensional. So it lacked the interest & banter that enrich Donna Leon‘s or Louise Penny‘s books for example.

I‘m learning Penelope Fitzgerald was a special writer. Fell in love with The Blue Flower earlier this year, and have now read this one - a bad good marriage in 1950‘s Florence with a doctor too rational to acknowledge his emotions. Ok, that‘s humble. Now hand it over to Penelope and her backhanded, almost absurd, striking lines. 🥰

August 1963.Florence,Italy,a deserted city. Searing heat. Bleary-eyed,sleep deprived Inspector Bordella,a chain-smoker in his mid-50s.Biting hordes of mosquitoes torment him at night.Flashbacks to his years as a soldier in WWII are interspersed throughout.His new police protégé is coincidentally the son of his soldier partner.A highly unusual,deviously clever murder of a wealthy, elderly Signora.A wonderful,eclectic cast characters:semi-retired?

It‘s only Monday, but what a day at work! Popcorn, Sam Adams October Fest (split with my husband), & a book. He is making dinner.🧡

This is my favorite Forster so far, the third that I‘ve read. Forster‘s writing is imminently quotable. I found the characters to be well-rounded and alive, their flaws/strengths both so gently described. And I adore the themes of this book, all about perspective and the positions we hold in society, the views we have from where we stand and what is possible. I aim to be a completest with Forster, and I expect I‘ll pick this one up again someday.

Samantha thanks so much for my #jolabokaflod gift!! Sorry for the later post, I was at my sister's today and forgot to open it before I left this morning. I'm looking forward to reading this book and the chocolates are my favorite 🤤😋
#jolabokaflodswap23 @sblbooks @MaleficentBookDragon

After my trip to Italy I wanted to learn more about this family.

The life of Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman accepted into the Accademia dell‘ Arte in Florence.

What a lush novel! The way Vreeland paints a beautiful scene, and an unflinching portrait of a passionate and ambitious and flawed woman. Also loved the attention paid to Artemisia‘s process and artwork. I definitely had to look up every single painting as I read. Will be seeking out more of Vreeland‘s work! 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

Serendipity lead me to this novel at the Library, it‘s been around for a while. I do enjoy a good historical mystery, and this generally fits the bill, although the historical premise is a bit shaky. Wilson posits a fictional reason for the disappearance of Hans Holbein in 1543 that involves the (factual) Prebendaries Plot to bring down Thomas Cranmer and restore Catholic rule. I enjoyed “meeting” his protagonist, London goldsmith Thomas Treviot.