Welcome to Litsy!

This was interesting but not engaging. The characters resembled game pieces. If there was a plot, it was vague enough to escape notice. The author‘s descriptions of the dust storms were the most visceral and true of anything in the novel.

A tender read about homesteading on the raw prairie with all the challenges and heart that entailed. Strongly female centered story. These women weren‘t unique in their time, but rarely were so well represented in the period‘s contemporary fiction. I enjoyed in greatly reminding me of family histories of my own grandmother‘s.

After 43 days, I am calling it. I can‘t push myself any further. I tried the digital arc that I received, then I added the audio, then I added a print copy, in hopes that I would be able to push thru. I love this period of US History, but the slow meandering plot just did me in. Also, at this part of the book, some things were added to the story that I felt just slowed it down further and didn‘t make sense with where things were going. I read 👇🏻

It doesn‘t always work out when authors try to wrap up everything beautifully with an explanation of the deeper meaning, but she does this wonderfully! I loved the ending!

Also loved reading about Genoa, NE, my grandparents‘ old stomping grounds 🥰

This is rather strange…haven‘t decided if I like it yet.

After a few weeks of just “meh” reading, I‘m excited to start my week with this one. I hope it‘s as good as I want it to be.

Whew boy, this has been tough to get into. I‘m 25% thru and have been reading this book for four weeks, two days. Soooo slowww.

I love reading about the Dust Bowl, so got an ARC from NetGalley and have been chipping away at it for ages. I almost DNF‘d but decided to get the audio from the library to see if that helps me push thru, and it does. I‘m finally getting a little bit eager to see where the story goes. But I‘ve really had to work for it.

I‘d never read a Rainbow Rowell book, so when I saw this on the library shelf I figured I‘d give it a try. Almost 100 pages in and I‘m throwing in the towel. The main character is annoying, the dialogue is trite and stilted… and the worst offense? It‘s just so incredibly boring. 😖 Moving on.

I didn‘t love it…which honestly, comes as a surprise because everything else I‘ve read by Russell I really enjoyed. It has the right ingredients—interesting setting (Dust Bowl), a witch, a sentient scarecrow, a mystery, but…BUT, it‘s ponderous & slow moving, told in multiple POVs which aren‘t all that distinctive, & somehow (impossibly) devoid of emotional depth. I really should have cared about these characters & I just didn‘t. Just a so-so read.

I tagged along on my husband‘s work trip to Nashville. While he was at his conference I visited Ann Patchett‘s bookstore, Parnassus Books. Luckily she was there and I spoke with her briefly. She was friendly and gracious. I‘ve listened to The Dutch House and Tom Lake. I‘m currently reading The All of It which she got back in print and wrote a forward to. I look forward to reading these signed copies soon.