Welcome to Litsy!

The 2nd book I finished from @Laughterhp ‘s #AuldLangSpine list. I had it in my #TBR already, but I‘m glad she gave me the push to read it. A complete rom-com in book form, it was sweet, funny & poignant. Yes, predictable, I kept yelling the “twist” at the MC, Florence, almost immediately, but what rom-com isn‘t predictable?! I liked the puns & witty banter, combined with quirky characters, ghosts, books, & the family dynamics. A feel good book.🧡

There‘s no denying Erdrich writes well but there‘s something about her books where I always feel like I‘m distant; I never feel fully immersed in them. There were elements I really liked in this; the characters, the development, the setting and all the book talk. I enjoyed it but can‘t say I loved it so a low pick. I preferred The Night Watchman. #authoramonth

Louise Erdrich is brilliant. I knew that, but this book surprised me in so many wonderful ways. Tookie will stay with me. (And I just have to say how much I enjoyed the author‘s cameo in her own book!)

#AuthorAMonth

This book has interesting characters, a compelling storyline, some magical realism, and a 7-page booklist that will make your TBR cry. Tookie is a bookseller in Minneapolis and the main character. I can‘t do justice to the plot, but one significant aspect is a former customer who ends up haunting Tookie. Another major event is George Floyd‘s murder and the subsequent protests, which we see from a close view. Not to mention COVID. #authoramonth

I think I started off the year well! I definitely didn‘t stick to my planned TBR for the month, but I finished 2 #AuldLangSpine picks, one for #AuthorAMonth, and 3 off my owned TBR.

I will say, I‘m struggling to get into Harlem Shuffle. Whitehead is very hit or miss for me… might he be the year‘s first DNF? 🤔

#januaryrecap #januarywrapup

There‘s so much more to this book than about a formerly incarcerated indie bookseller who is haunted by a ghost in the bookstore. Many ‘heavy‘ topics are layered within. It‘s also a story about survival, community & second chances. I enjoyed the references to other works of literature; Tookie is a memorable character; & it‘s delightful to note that Birchbark Books is an actual store, owned by the author. My first L. Erdrich novel, and it‘s great.

#Authoramonth This was quite an intriguing book! I went in blind and every time I thought I could grasp what it was about, the subject shifted. And she STILL managed to tie them all together beautifully.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️& 1/2 out of 5.

Excellent writing and beautiful story. Erdrich reads the audiobook herself, which I enjoyed. I failed to realize before reading it that covid is part of the plot and I am not (and may never be) ready to read anything about the covid pandemic.

I'm not typically a romance reader but I really enjoyed this one. Florence Day is a ghostwriter for a famous romance author. Unfortunately, since a bad break-up, Florence can't write a happy ending. When the dreamy editor who denied her extension turns up as a ghost at her family's funeral home, Florence must decide what one should do when they fall in love with a ghost. The dialogue in this novel was awesome. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one felt very different than the other two I‘ve read by her (The Round House, The Night Watchman) although still unmistakably Erdrich. Somehow this one was slower-paced and more diffuse. I still enjoyed it although it wasn‘t quite what I expected - and I still wouldn‘t really know how to describe it if someone asked for a recommendation. #authoramonth