Welcome to Litsy!

A 35-year-old writer moves in with an 85-year-old spitfire, recently widowed, right before the pandemic. He keeps a journal of their experience.

The relationship between Ben & Winnie forms s.l.o.w.l.y. — which makes the end result all the more satisfying. From my lived experience, it reminded me of having a rabbit…that slow build of trust from a creature who is markedly independent & willful in spite of *or because of* her vulnerability.👇🏻

I really enjoyed these two easy reads about a forty-something, overweight, and unhappy man who stumbles on a way that may help change his life. Time travel. These two books should of been combined into one, but since they are both offered on Kindle Unlimited that wasn't a big deal to me. It was refreshing to read something not in my usual genres. Exactly what I needed. Bonus was that it made me grateful that my marriage is what it is. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I mostly read nonfiction in April, so this was a hard choice.
#SallyBedellSmith #ElizabethTheQueen #QueenElizabeth #history #england #uk #UnitedKingdom #nonfiction #ReadingBracket #BookBracket2025 #BookBracket

Recent acquisition:

📖 The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV by Helen Castor

I liked this book enough that it‘s tough to review here. There is just too much I want to talk about. Shakespeare, Richard II, king at 10, riding out amongst the mob of the Peasants Revolt in 1381, his disinterest in his country, and quest for absolute power. Henry IV, who usurped the throne, was his cousin, the same age, and loyal until he felt threatened. Also - Richard was never insane. An awesome book on the Women‘s Prize longlist.

I really liked this one. I may like it better than her other book. 2 cousins grow up in separate countries and face different challenges.

#DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks

A darker, more cynical version of one of Streatfeild's “shoes“ stories, in which an exceptionally beautiful girl achieves success and adoration without having a spark of human kindness in her soul. The title is a biting commentary on what society values in women. A pick because it's entertaining and has a fascinating “illicit“ relationship in it, but be warned, it's deeply sad.

#BookSpin
@TheAromaOfBooks

Recently, I asked for book recommendations. I was/am seeking something on the lighter, funnier side. Approximately a bazillion books came in for me (with lots of side-eye and ribbing from my coworkers). I whittled the stack down to those where the first few pages snagged my attention. This is what I ended up with.

Thanks to those who chimed in!
Fingers crossed. 🤞🏻

Random book from our home library:

📖 Warwick Castle [souvenir guide - not in Litsy]

I have lots of souvenir guides to places in the UK that I've never visited. I believe I even have two different editions of this one. Have I mentioned that I'm an Anglophile bibliophile?

p. 271: 'It was better to award a light penance that would one day put someone into purgatory to endure further punishment there, than to assign a heavy one that would not be done and might send the defaulter to hell.'

That's not what I expected from medieval confessors. Unfortunately, Orme doesn't cite his source for this attitude.

On to the section about Holy Week, which is obviously timely.