Welcome to Litsy!

Finally got around to reading this one prompted by my #AuldLangSpine list from @Laughterhp & while The House in the Cerulean Sea edges out as my favorite, this is a close second. I love the ability Klune has to make me both laugh & cry to & grow & redeem his characters. I have been staying away from “sad books” for a while now as it doesn‘t help my depression, but the sad moments of grief & loneliness are served with a big side of humor & hope.💙

My Jack is as smart as six thirty. Now that is stated, we can discuss the book. It wasn‘t on my radar at all until I received it on my #auldlangspine list. By the time I got to it, it‘s everywhere. I enjoyed the first half and it‘s quick pace. Humor despite the tragedy. Plucky. But I wasn‘t seeing all the hype. By the end I was in love. I still have more to enjoy. Gamus is speaking in Dallas tomorrow and I have tickets, then book club #dogsoflitsy

Belated review: I read this for #AuldLangSpine a little over a month ago, then promptly recommended it to my book group, and we discussed it in April. I loved this MG fairytale-like story about a town that grows suspicious & selfish under a selfish, greedy leader—and then re-learns what it means to be a neighbor. The turns of the story may have been easily-anticipated, but the journey was delightful. Thank you to @Karisimo for another great pick!

I wasn‘t sure I was going to like this book in the beginning. The 4 characters introduced in book one were kind of prickly and I wasn‘t sure I wanted to know them better but a little further in and I couldn‘t put it down. And Meena will not be forgotten. Thanks for the awesome recommendation @Amiable #AuldLangSpine @monalyisha #TBRTarot Done @CBee #Pantone #LoveBird @Clwojick

Another winner from the #AuldLangSpine list of @peanutnine
A gripping fantasy adventure tale with pirates, mermaids, and witches that also tackles issues of colonialism and gender identity. I thought the middle section dragged a bit, but the thrilling final section more than made up for it. I absolutely loved both Flora and Evelyn. Also! A sequel is coming out in September!

TW: torture, slavery, abuse

A much-belated review of this #AuldLangSpine pick from @Karisimo ! This was a delight. The Harry Potter vibes were strong here, if Hogwarts were a summer program in the US, with better diversity. I loved getting to know Amari as she navigated a newly-discovered magical world, discovered new friends and enemies, and worked to uncover the truth behind her brother‘s disappearance. I‘m looking forward to the next installment! #SeriesLove2023

April wrap-up, in the form of another bingo-less #BookSpinBingo board 😆

Favorites:
🏰 Lonely Castle in the Mirror (#BookSpin)
👑 The Once & Future King (#OAFKingalong, #ChunksterChallenge2023)
🔮 Amari & the Night Brothers (#AuldLangSpine)

I read 4 from my physical TBR shelves, and Once & Future King had been hanging around on those shelves since maybe grad school days, so thank you to the #OAFKingalong for inspiring me to finally pick it up!

Finishing up my April #bookspin books. Listened to this one on audio, which was enjoyable getting to listen to Amber & Lacey tell her/their stories. Amber & Lacey try to provide humorous anecdotes to what are otherwise hard, frustrating, & disturbing incidents that happen in daily life for many people. This book has been on my radar for a while but #auldlangspine @Billypar recommendation I moved it up on my list. As hard as stories of racism

A nice, quite morning at home with a new book and a cup of coffee. ✨
Finally getting to this #auldlangspine pick from @TheKidUpstairs
I also noticed it‘s a pick for the new #carolshieldsprize I heard about thanks to @shawnmooney