Welcome to Litsy!

A delightful little collection of essays and columns that were published on a weekly basis over the course of many years in Chris Bohjalian‘s local newspaper in Vermont. The columns are reflections on the unique idiosyncrasies of life in a small town while also recognizing its place in the larger world around it. I thoroughly enjoyed Bohjalian‘s nonfiction voice.

Continuing the countdown of my books, from 1st to 25th, THE JACKAL‘S MISTRESS. Today it‘s my 9th book, Idyll Banter from 2003. This was a collection of my favorite columns from my first ten years writing "Idyll Banter," a newspaper column that ran every Sunday in the Burlington Free Press, as well as some of my favorite longer essays I wrote for the Boston Globe Magazine, Reader's Digest, and other magazines.

@CSeydel my heart is full of so many emotions after reading this beautiful book. I loved every minute of it. I wish I could write more but I‘m really just basking in this feeling that will without a doubt develop into a book hangover. Thank you for putting this on your list! ♥️♥️♥️♥️ #auldlangspine #ALSpine @monalyisha

#12booksof2024 @Andrew65

This is a quietly powerful novel in stories following the residents of a small Maine town, their secret hopes and fears, the ordinariness of their daily lives and their major turning points. Beautiful read and my second of the year that I owe to #Europacollective

For a quarter century, I wrote a weekly column for the Burlington Free Press called “Idyll Banter.” Right now, the ebook collecting the best of the first ten years is on sale for $1.99. Treat yourself!

Recommended by a bookseller at Galena Book and Paper, she said it was one of the best books she had read recently and one of the owner's recent favorites. I hadn't heard of it yet, but it was too good of a recommendation to pass up. It's a quiet novel about the residents of a small-town in Maine and a reminder of the complex lives people lead behind their public faces. Beautifully written! I will read whatever this debut author puts out next.

You‘ve been in my thoughts a lot @BookNAround … hope you‘re all doing ok ♥️

And a huge thank you for thinking of me on my birthday. I‘ve seen lots of press around this book and excited to try a new to me author. Thank you honey xx

Small town Maine, the realities and the blessings, even when the worst happens. Glad I read it.

The tagged book has been high on my #TBR for awhile. Hopefully this is the nudge I need. Plus a beachy read. #bookspin #doublespin

It‘s published by Europa so I think I was expecting a bit more out of this book. Bowring does a great job of describing living in a very remote part of Maine - the sights and smells were accurately and beautifully described. However, I never quite truly got attached to any of the characters. Which is strange because their storylines were compelling. I might try the sequel to see how some of the folks make out though. 🤷🏻‍♀️ A low ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️