Welcome to Litsy!

I‘ve read Caroline Alexander‘s book about Shackleton‘s expedition, & I have Alfred Lansing‘s on my shelf, so I couldn‘t resist downloading this audio as well. It‘s more straightforward & scientific in a logbook sort of way than Alexander‘s, but I still found most of it fascinating as a more immediate, first person version. The part about the Aurora got long to me, but other than that, I‘m amazed by this survival story every time I read about it.

Tre is a sophomore, and his family is dealing with the recent death of his older brother. This story is about his family dealing with that grief, but it‘s also about friendship, crushes, the pressure of high school sports, and figuring out how those things work together. It‘s also about a Native American team proving themselves, and includes some action packed basketball games. 🏀

Due to language and alcohol use, I would consider this mature YA.

The hype is to be believed re: this one - just extraordinarily good. And Dominic Hoffman‘s audiobook narration is brilliant (thanks to #LibroFM for the ALC!). I‘m tempted to listen to it again right now and curious about the experience of it in print, too.

I really enjoyed the world building of this story. However, when we got to the romance, it was a bit too much too quickly when the characters also know they have serious issues to consider as well. In the end, there‘s no true resolution without continuing the story in the sequel.

#audiobook #YA #fantasy #Librofm

This was a quick listen as it‘s a middle grade novel in verse. Set in 1944, the story is told in the alternating voices of Claire, a young teenager in Michigan whose older brother is a soldier in Europe, and Karl, a German POW sent to work at her family‘s apple orchard. The author‘s note details how some aspects are based on facts of her own family history.

#audiobook #Librofm #ALC #MiddleGrade #NovelInVerse #HistoricalFiction #WWII

Full cast audiobook. One of my favorite middle grade books. An authentic representation of how it feels to go through the awkward middle school years. #shannonhale Thanks to #librofm for the advanced copy. #middlegrade #memoir #graphicnovel #audiobook

The blurb for this book is clear that it‘s written by a college professor, specifically at the Harvard Business School, but I still thought aspects would be applicable to me. However, I did not find that to be the case. I think it may be most beneficial to someone beginning teaching at a college level after another career. For someone with an education degree and years of experience in public schools, it didn‘t provide new insights.

I truly enjoy this woman. She is kinda gross, but oh so relatable, hilarious, and weird. I *would* say I'd love to meet her, but as a fellow introvert, I say instead, “Nah. I'm good.“

Thanks to #librofm for the #alc!

#audiobook #essays #nonfiction #humor

This book is a combination of incredibly frustrating and inspiring at the same time. I am amazed that someone could go through 30 years on death row due to a wrongful conviction and stay as positive and determined as Ray was able to do.
Audio duration: 7 hours 55 minutes

*I received this #audiobook through the Libro.fm Educator #ALC program. #Librofm

#nonfiction #YRE

This was an interesting short listen. It‘s not so much a retelling as an exploration of how some of the girls in Shakespeare‘s stories might see themselves and wish to change their stories. It focuses mainly on Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia.

Audio duration: 4 hours 22 minutes

*I received this audiobook through the Libro.fm Educator #ALC program.

#audiobook #Librofm #Shakespeare