Litsy

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty | Akwaeke Emezi

Our final question for this book deals with your overall impression, so what did you think? Many of us have said we voted for this novel based on the author‘s other works, and since they have written in several genres, how does this one stack up? Are you more or less likely to read another of their books after finishing You Made a Fool…?

Thank you for joining us! I‘ll post the page break and a reminder about our next book tomorrow. 🏕

squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

Megabooks
@karenuk @rsteve388 @vivastory @cinfhen @chelsea.poole @batsy @sarahbarnes @merelybookish @micheleinphilly @well-readneck @cathythoughts @annececilie @rockpools @susanita @bkclubcare @lmjenkins @emilymdxn @desha @hooked_on_books @kdgordon88 2y

Megabooks
@mklong @kitta @oryx @jhod @itsanotherjen @zenwldflwr @sophronisba @thegreensofa @suet624 @bookwormjillk @larkken @julesg @trishb @soubhiville @mrsV @jlhammar @cariashley @thekidupstairs @sarahbellum @sparklemn 2y

Megabooks
@ruthiella @caroline2 @youneverarrived @eraderneely @4thhouseontheleft @leniverse @laughterhp @addison_reads @christine @thebluestocking @theresa @simona @imperfectCJ @lindy @thereadingpal @beckywiththegoodbooks @raelovestoread 2y

See All 58 Comments

Laughterhp Overall, I liked this book and am glad I read it. This author writes many different genres. I‘ve only read their middle grade other than this and I would read more of their work. 2y

Kitta It was very different from their other novels, I‘ve read Freshwater and would love to read the others. I don‘t normally read romance so this was an interesting book for that reason too! 2y

TrishB I didn‘t finish this book but it was more to do with subject matter than the author! I would try others. 2y

Megabooks @Laughterhp glad you enjoyed it! I haven‘t read the author‘s MG. I‘ve loved some of her other adult books, though. 2y

Megabooks @Kitta I don‘t normally read romances either and much preferred Vivek Oji. Freshwater has been on my TBR for years!

Death of Vivek Oji

Megabooks @TrishB 👍🏻👍🏻 I hope you do someday! 2y

jlhammar The only other Emezi I've read is The Death of Vivek Oji. I liked that one quite a bit, but didn't get on with this romance at all. I had to bail at 33% before my eyes rolled out of my head. I'd still be willing to try Freshwater sometime and whatever literary fiction they may write in the future, but I'm not going to be in any rush to do so. I doubt they are ever going to be a wow/love author for me. Beautiful cover art though, both US & UK. 2y

squirrelbrain This is my first book by this author and, whilst I found it OK, it doesn‘t attract me to their others, even though most Littens comment how much they loved Vivek Oji. 2y

Kitta @Megabooks it looks like I only gave Freshwster 3 stars, I think it read too much like a first novel and was very confusing at times! I love speculative fiction but even for me it was a lot. I really want to read Pet and Vivek Oji though. 2y

Kitta @jlhammar I agree that this isn‘t a favourite author of mine, although I desperately wanted them to be. I‘m a big fan of experimentation in writing and I like that they try out different genres but ultimately I don‘t love the books. That said I‘ve only read this one and freshwater! Maybe I‘ll love the others. 2y

MicheleinPhilly I have read and loved Vivek Oji and really want to read Freshwater. I would absolutely read their work in future but will stay away from genres I don‘t normally mesh with. 2y

Soubhiville I loved Vivek Oji and Pet. Freshwater is in my kindle waiting for me. This one I have mixed feelings about. I actually appreciate it more a week out from finishing it than I did while reading it. Emezi made me think about how events and feelings don‘t always flow logically. Is it better to have strict morals or to allow yourself to follow your emotions? Are you ok with hurting someone else if it leads ultimately to your own happiness? 2y

Leniverse I think the plot was weak and predictable, but I liked the prose and the positive messages. I would have liked more depth of character that wasn't just angst. I might try another book by the author in a different genre. 2y

Soubhiville If the first and second halves of the book weren‘t so different I wouldn‘t have liked the book as much. I definitely will read more by Emezi! 2y

Megabooks @jlhammar 💯💯 agree with cover art. I too will read literary fiction by them in the future, but I also enjoyed their memoir.

Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir

Megabooks @squirrelbrain I think you might enjoy Vivek Oji if you see it at the library but I respect they may not be a fit for you. 2y

Megabooks @Kitta interesting. Maybe Freshwater should be a #BorrowNotBuy. 🤔 even though I like speculative books too. 2y

Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly 💯 agree! 👍🏻 2y

Megabooks @Soubhiville those are very interesting questions. I love it when I appreciate a book more later. Sometimes the ones that stick you aren‘t the 5⭐️ ones. 2y

Megabooks @Soubhiville and I agree that the halves are very different. The first half felt like a dream or fantasy of easy connections and travel, whereas the second half was a lot messier and more realistic. 2y

Megabooks @Leniverse agree that this book is shallow. Like @jlhammar brought up last week, I think the book would‘ve been stronger with some self reflection. 2y

jlhammar @Megabooks Good to know about their memoir! I'd definitely be willing to give that a try sometime. Did you do print or audio for that? 2y

Megabooks @jlhammar I read the print book. I hope you enjoy it! 2y

Cathythoughts I wasn‘t a fan of this book. But it was fun reading it together in the camp. I won‘t be rushing to read another by this author, but I do hear good reports about Freshwater from Littens , so maybe down the road I‘ll give that a try. 2y

sarahbarnes Thank you so much for hosting the discussion on this book! This book wasn‘t for me, but I still really want to read Freshwater and Vivek Oji! 2y

Addison_Reads Overall I ended up enjoying this one but it does not compare to their other book, Freshwater. I highly recommend reading that one. I love this author for their unique writing style and will continue to read anything they publish. 2y

AnneCecilie A the time that this was picked for camp Litsy I had only read Freshwater. It liked the writing, but didn‘t always understand what went on. In the meantime I read Pet and loved it so much that I bought the prequel Bitter. I was a huge romance reader (Harlequin) in my late teens/ early twenties and I still love romance movies, so I enjoyed this. And it has actually stayed with me after finishing too. 2y

Ruthiella I think like a lot of other campers, this wasn‘t my jam but I certainly would still be interested in reading other work from the author. Thanks for hosting! It‘s been great, Even a book I didn‘t love benefits from discussion and hearing why it did work for other readers makes me appreciate it more! 2y

Megabooks @Cathythoughts thank you for joining this discussion! I‘m sorry this wasn‘t a favorite of you, me, and several other campers, but I still got a lot out of the discussions. I hope you did, too! 2y

Megabooks @sarahbarnes you‘re welcome! I‘m really enjoying camp. I hope you‘ll be joining us for the next book because I miss your insights! 2y

Megabooks @Addison_Reads I‘m glad you‘ve found an auto-read author. That‘s always fun, and I‘m glad this was another pick! 2y

Megabooks @AnneCecilie that‘s great!! I‘m looking to pick up more of their backlist. Freshwater is coming very highly recommended by many. 2y

Megabooks @Ruthiella you‘re welcome! I 💯 agree that the discussion was beneficial, even for those of us who didn‘t love this selection. 2y

squirrelbrain @AnneCecilie @Addison_Reads Having said I wasn‘t drawn to any of their other books, this one comes so highly recommended (and by Littens I admire!) that I may well try it sometime. 2y

Deblovestoread I‘m not sorry I read it but it‘s not a favorite. I have had Vivek Oji on my TBR for awhile so will eventually try another of their books. 2y

batsy I read Freshwater before this and found it quite groundbreaking in some aspects. Was really looking forward to this one but I didn't like it, despite the occasional bits about the art that I found thoughtful & interesting. This felt a bit hollow; a little like the equivalent of a social media feed in a book form. Would still love to check out some of their other books. 2y

MrsV I‘ve read The Death of Vivek Oji by them. I really enjoyed that one. This one not so much. I didn‘t hate it. They have beautiful writing in their books, but I just did not like Feyi and Alim together. If Nasir wasn‘t in the picture I wouldn‘t have any problem with it at all. 2y

Hooked_on_books I expected to hate it and I sure hated the second half! But I didn‘t hate the first half. I didn‘t love it, either, but there were aspects I enjoyed (like her relationship with Joy). I tried reading Freshwater a year or so ago and bailed, as I didn‘t like the writing style. I‘m willing to try Vivek Oji, but am not in any hurry and it‘ll definitely be a library book. 2y

Well-ReadNeck I loooved Vivek Oji and really liked Freshwater. I have their memoir sitting on my TBR shelf. This was my least favorite. Mostly, I just really didn‘t like any of these characters and their other characters I found more compelling. 2y

Megabooks @Kdgordon88 I definitely recommend Vivek Oji! 2y

Megabooks @batsy yeah, it was definitely more shallow than I hoped it would be. 2y

Megabooks @MrsV it was an interesting choice to have her follow a “friend” to the Caribbean then fall for his dad. Idk, sometimes I‘m done guessing why authors do things a certain way. 😂😂 2y

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books joy was a fantastic friend! We should all have a joy! 💯💯 2y

Megabooks @Well-ReadNeck I loved Vivek Oji as well, and I think you‘d like their memoir. 👍🏻 2y

BarbaraBB @jlhammar @Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain Like you I am in no hurry to read another one of their books. I was disappointed by this one, even though it got better in the second half. But there are so many authors I‘d rather read for now! Having said that, I love this discussion! It adds so much! Thanks for hosting @Megabooks 😘 2y

Megabooks @BarbaraBB I‘ve really enjoyed hosting this, but I couldn‘t have done it without pre-Saturday emails with you and @squirrelbrain 👍🏻😘 2y

BarbaraBB Looking forward to the Straub, I will read it soon, now just started

Every Last Fear

Megabooks @BarbaraBB ooo yeah, ELF is a fantastic vacation read!! I started the Straub last night and am enjoying it so far. 2y

sarahbarnes Aw, thank you! And I‘m really enjoying camp, too! 2y

Bookwormjillk I didn‘t like this book but I‘ve heard good things about the others so will probably give them a try. 2y

Megabooks @Bookwormjillk 👍🏻👍🏻 I hope you like others if you try them. Glad you could join us today! 2y

Sparklemn Her other books do not appeal to me at all, but I appreciated this book in that it reminded me that not all romance novels are fluff. I thought this had weight to it with the grieving and art. It will stick with me for a while. @megabooks Thanks for hosting! 2y

Larkken I‘m sooo late to the party, but thoroughly enjoyed everyone else‘s takes as I tried to decide what to think of this book! Still not sure I liked it, but I did appreciate this messy, diverse, and escapist version of a romance novel! I wanted more about Feyi and Joy, though. I‘m excited to try more of Emezi‘s books. Thanks for hosting! 2y

Megabooks @Sparklemn you‘re welcome! I‘m really glad you enjoyed it! I think a lot of people felt similarly about this being a romance with substance when people read it for #SummerHeat last month too

Seven Days In June

Megabooks @Larkken you‘re welcome! it was interesting that she tried to bring both escape and this deeply messy, emotional second half to Feyi‘s story. And Joy was a great bff! 2y

30 likes1 stack add58 comments

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

Seven Days In June | Tia Williams

so-so

Read for the #SummerHeat buddy read, but also because it sounded interesting and showed up on a list of books by a POC about joy and not trauma. Can I be honest? This didn't feel like joy. Sure, it's not tackling Jim Crow-era racism or slavery, but I found that the MCs, Eva and Shane, just had too many demons in all their baggage to really make this feel like joy.
This is a second-chance romance, told in the present, with sections going back ⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick to their senior year in high school where they spent one tumultuous week together, bonding over their dubious decisions. While I think these characters are interesting, I never found myself truly rooting for them. Eva's 12 year old daughter Audre was a bit too grown up to be believable, but she added a fun element to some conversations. I appreciate that Eva represented for the people who have invisible disabilities, but again, ⬇️

2y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick it seemed to add another element against feeling joyous once added to the list of possible trigger warnings in the book. I prefer my romances steamier and more light-hearted, so take this review with a grain of salt and a shot of tequila.

@Cinfhen @BarbaraBB - June #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks - #ReadHarder Prompt 4 #AnyGenreByPOCAboutJoyAndNotTrauma - #PopSugar Prompt 18 #RomanceByBIPOCAuthor

2y

TheAromaofBooks Romances that say “A Novel“ on them always seem to be more thematic and less romance-y 😂 2y

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BarbaraBB

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty | Akwaeke Emezi

so-so

#CampLitsy
Although the 2nd half is better than the 1st and I wanted to know the ending, I found the book disappointing. It touches upon subjects worth exploring (grief, gender, sexuality) but sticks to the surface with an unbelievable storyline (mutual lust at first sight, 3 times?!) and the cringing conversations between Feyi and Joy. Oh and there‘s romance. But I didn‘t buy it and it was not as good as our #Summerheat read Seven Days in June.

Megabooks, squirrelbrain

BarbaraBB #52books #BookPickedBasedOnItsSpine @jenniferw88 2y

Ruthiella I didn‘t buy it either. I couldn‘t make that leap. 2y

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella I‘m glad you couldn‘t either. I‘m surprised the book is written by a renounced author, to me it seemed more of a mediocre debut 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y

See All 25 Comments

batsy Oof, I'm struggling a bit with it too. The insta-lust (I'm so far up to two 😅) & the convos between Feyi & Joy felt very manufactured for the plot. They set the bar high for me with Freshwater but I guess with this book wanted to try writing something more conventional... 2y

BarbaraBB @batsy I remember you loving Freshwater and ever since I‘ve wanted to read this author! So I was really surprised about this book. 2y

squirrelbrain I can see that the second half is better than the first, even though I‘ve only just started that half. I‘m sure we‘ll still be a be able to have some great discussions though! 2y

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Oh yes, looking forward to hear what everyone thinks on Saturday! 2y

TrishB I‘m on 10% and my eyeballs are hurting from rolling. 2y

BarbaraBB @TrishB I know! Two romance novels within a month is too much for us 🤣 2y

TrishB Definitely 😁 2y

Megabooks I‘m working on the second half today. I‘ll email you and @squirrelbrain tonight/tomorrow about finalized questions for the first half and thoughts on the second. Great review!! 2y

MicheleinPhilly None of you are making me want to start this book! You‘re horrible counselors! 😉 @BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 2y

batsy Oh yes, Freshwater really left an impression on me. That and this—two different books entirely. Like night and day. 2y

BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly It‘s an easy read though, if you want to escape from reality it can be helpful. If not, well… 2y

MicheleinPhilly I‘ll give it a whirl. I don‘t know why I‘m bitching - pretty certain I voted for it. 😂 2y

BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly I think I nominated it 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 2y

MicheleinPhilly I think I did too. 2y

BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly 🤣 2y

vivastory I think I'm going to skip this one, due to all of the mixed reviews. Is the Emma Straub the next one in #camplitsy 2y

Hooked_on_books I just finished the first half and I‘m having the same issues with the lust situations you are. Plus I‘m struggling with someone who has been mired in grief for 5 years suddenly perfectly fine lusting after the first few men she then looks at? Hmmm. But I have to say, I actually love the conversations with Joy. They‘re so over the top that I find them hilarious. 2y

BarbaraBB @vivastory Yes It is and that one receives very good reviews fortunately! The discussion of the first half takes place on July 23! 2y

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I was wondering about that too after five years of grief and abstinence. It‘s too easy. I am glad you at least enjoyed the conversations! 2y

vivastory Thanks! I will be there 👏🏕️ 2y

vivastory @MicheleinPhilly I am really looking forward to reading Freshwater, but have no interest in reading this one after seeing the reviews 😬🤣 2y

Suet624 As usual, you and I had the same feelings about this one.
2y

64 likes25 comments

DebinHawaii

A Million Junes | Emily Henry

#JuneWrapUp

I‘m happy with my June Stats! I think the #readathons & #buddyreads this month helped push me along to completing 13 books (some finished/others started & finished) with 3 books still in process at about 40% complete.

I read 2 audio or part audio books, 6 e-books & 5-print. 4 were library books, 1 for book tour review, 1 NetGalley #ARC 4 #buddyreads with #PemberLittens #SundayBuddyRead & #SummerHeat

I also completed my ⬇️

Cinfhen, BarkingMadRead, sprainedbrain, TheBookHippie, Clwojick, jenniferw88, Andrew65, BarbaraBB

DebinHawaii …library‘s #2022SummerReading Program, Kindle‘s Spring Reading Program & took part in #JoysOfJune & #4in20 readathons & #BigJuneReadathon

The Verifiers, The Catch Me If You Can, Unlikely Animals & My Fair Fellow were my top 4 favorites. Ironically, the tagged book is the only one I didn‘t like.🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank you to all the tagged readathon & buddyread hosts!🤗 2y

TheBookHippie Lets hope for a good month !!! HA. 2y

DebinHawaii @TheBookHippie 🤞🏼🙏🏼🍀🤣 2y

Clwojick Amazing! Way to go! ❤️ 2y

58 likes4 comments

KarenUK

Seven Days In June | Tia Williams

pick

Yet again, I‘m late to the #buddyread party😂🤦‍♀️but better late than never. I loved reading everyone‘s comments from Sunday!
For a romance to be successful, all I need is 3 simple things to be right…Am I rooting for the couple to be together? Is the chemistry/banter great? And are the supporting characters fun and/or interesting? And this was a yes, yes and yes! An enjoyable read, perfect for summer. #summerheat
#pop2022 #romancebyabipocauthor

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

squirrelbrain Fab review! 2y

BarbaraBB So true! 2y

Christine I love your criteria! 2y

51 likes3 comments

DebinHawaii

Go Ask Alice (Turtleback School & Library) | Anonymous

#BookMoods

I am sure I have read other books #AboutAddiction but these two come to mind. The tagged is probably one of the first books about it that I read (as a tween). I just finished Seven Days in June for #SummerHeat buddy read & while it‘s about many things besides addiction, it certainly plays a large role in the story.

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

LeahBergen I think I read Go Ask Alice at least five times as a teen. 😆 2y

DebinHawaii @LeahBergen Me too! It was a rite of passage I think! 😂 2y

Eggs Intrigued by both 👏🏻📚 2y

52 likes2 stack adds3 comments

Megabooks

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

Enjoyed my #reread of this for #CampLitsy! The information about ASL and Deaf culture was so necessary. I‘d recommend it to anyone just for that. Plus, I simply liked these characters and this setting. They felt familiar to me in a very comforting way. The only drawback was that the book just ends without much resolution. Looking forward to our discussion!

squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

squirrelbrain Pretty much my thoughts on this book too! I‘m also looking forward to our further discussions at the weekend. 2y

BarbaraBB You‘re absolutely right that it‘s a book that deserves to be read! 2y

Megabooks @squirrelbrain same! I think we‘ll have a good conversation! 2y

See All 15 Comments

Megabooks @BarbaraBB for sure! I found it very educational with a plot that kept me interested, even if parts were a bit YA. I see what people are saying about lack of character development, but sometimes I enjoy a book with characters that are simply likable. 2y

Megabooks Forgot here too @Cinfhen 😘😘 Crazy day and my haircut wasn‘t even right!! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ 2y

Cinfhen Agreed!! Book is worth reading just for all the information shared by the author about ASL & deaf culture. Sorry I missed the discussion on Saturday @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain 2y

BarbaraBB That is absolutely true, about characters just being likable. The subject itself didn‘t need to be distracted by complicated characters! @Cinfhen no apologies needed, we all know you‘ve been very busy and yet found time to do an awesome job with #Summerheat 🤍 2y

Cinfhen Thanks so much @BarbaraBB BUT you get all the credit for #SummerHeat xxxx 2y

Cinfhen I‘m sure your hair looks great, Meg but I know that feeling when nothing seems right or goes smoothly 😕 2y

squirrelbrain No worries @Cinfhen - I‘m sorry too that I missed your #summerheat discussions on Sunday. We were camping and lots of people wanted to talk to Henry so I just didn‘t get the chance! @BarbaraBB 2y

Kimberlone Agreed about the end! 2y

Cathythoughts Nice review.. I‘m nearly finished, I agree there is a lovely familiarity about the characters. Well put 👍🏻 (edited) 2y

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain That sounds like the best excuse 🥰 2y

1001BooksPodcast Yes! I finished this yesterday and loved it! But I‘m dying to know how it turned out for the characters. Im invested! 2y

Megabooks @1001BooksPodcast yes! I hate that it just ended!! 2y

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britt_brooke

Seven Days In June | Tia Williams

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A romance author and a literary author, both sparked by their tumultuous whirlwind week together as teens, have been writing to one another through their art. This is a very intense story of lost and found love. Eva‘s daughter Audre, a precocious, intelligent 12 year old, was a brilliant addition. And a h/t to Williams for seamlessly weaving in: POC in publishing, positive co-parenting, non-visible disability, and addiction recovery.

Cinfhen

britt_brooke #coverlove 2y

Cinfhen Were you part of our #SummerHeat weekend ?? Check out the discussion questions on @BarbaraBB page (edited) 2y

britt_brooke @Cinfhen No, but I‘ll have to check out the discussion. Thanks! 2y

See All 8 Comments

Cinfhen Lots of mixed thoughts on this book but most did love it 2y

BarbaraBB Such a coincidence you read this book just now! 2y

britt_brooke @BarbaraBB I know! I wish I‘d have participated in your read along, but I‘ve been a bit MIA from Litsy lately. I‘m finally getting caught up on reviews. I‘ll def check out your discussion. 💚 2y

BarbaraBB Please do. To me the various points I‘d view in the discussion added so much to the book! 2y

britt_brooke @BarbaraBB Agree! 2y

79 likes1 stack add8 comments

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