“A classic is a book that has never finished saying why it has to say.” - Italo Calvino (Introduction by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.)

Really enjoying this one so far ... chilling out in my teenage niece‘s room, with the pup and some fine YA lit. ❤️

I was not as enamored with this book as the rest of the world. Insulting racial and income-level cliches and stereotypes abound (black, Chinese, white, poor, wealthy - no one is immune) and the writing is so-so. All said, I know it is an important topic and the novel is simply a showcase for that, with the requisite end-page diatribe. But I think such an important topic deserves much more realism and far less stereotyping.

Already sort of not feeling the hype bandwagon on this one, however; it is an easy, quick read.

This is one of the more consistently solid short story collections I have read in a while. The wonderful, yet simple writing style, is incredibly effective in telling about the every day lives of this group of women in the South. Highly recommended.

I loved this surprising tale of friendship, missed love, longing and loneliness. Very tender, yet retains the mysticism of Murakami‘s approach to fiction.

I was in a bit of a book funk. Murakami always gets me out of that. This one is wonderful so far.

This has to be my new favorite book on creating. It is not fluffy, flowery or psychological, but the nuts and bolts of creating authenticity through hard work, careful observation and manifesting your own personal truth. Very easy to get sidelined in this crazy world, but this book offers lots of ideas to get back on track. Highly recommended.

Moving in new creative directions (went from lawyer back to artist) and needed a little guidance re: how to stay authentic and true. Working lately with colored ballpoint pens over watercolour and (walnut) ink washes. So far, this book is just what the doctor, guru and muse ordered.

This is an incredibly astute, haunting, beautiful book about friendship and love, particularly with someone very different from ourselves. Szabo knew what made us human. Highly recommended.

So far this book is wonderful. I picked it up for .50 at one of HHI‘s many, many wonderful thrift stores. I am stunned this author is virtually unknown in the U.S. Her writing and acumen are blowing me away. ❤️

Currently reading to review for LibraryThing. So far, excellent.

What a phenomenal book. I have read mountains on Van Gogh and have been to Provence/St. Remy and the Amsterdam museum many times. But this book was a more nuanced, less sensational and certainly the most humane account written of Van Gogh‘s time in Arles (when he cut off his ear, hence the title). Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Van Gogh‘s life.

Currently reading ... so far, fascinating. But then, I love anything Van Gogh I can get my hands on. ❤️

I really enjoyed this fast-paced story of a plane crash in Dutch New Guinea near the end of WWII. I learned a lot about the Papau natives, Women‘s Army Corp and courage.

Definitely one of my favorite non fiction reads in some time ... such an education on rowing, boat building, the Great Depression, foundations of Nazi-ism, teamwork and persevering against great odds. Inspiring, wonderful and very well written. Highly recommended.

Not at all sure what took me so long to pick this one up, but exceptionally glad I did! Trying to tackle much of Mount TBR this year. I love reading about inspiring women and men. Great writing and story thus far.

Absolutely loving this cookbook. I aim to make all the recipes ... in due time.

I listened to the audio version and it was extremely well done/read. Overall, I liked the book a lot, but it got a bit over-poetic and overwrought as it progressed. Cannot wait to see the movie though. The setting in Italy was incredible. Really felt I was there.

I loved this tiny book about understanding the nature of struggling/suffering and not allowing it to define you. Beautiful, applicable, helpful and real.

“A story is simply a sequence of language that produces a chemical reaction in our body” ~ Ben Marcus, editor

Although I love many kid and YA fiction books, this one was not my cup of tea. I tried hard and got half way, but found every excuse not to pick it back up. It is very silly though, so I can see why kids like it.

“When I started to witness how my judgmental nature made me feel, right away I could see why my life wasn‘t flowing. Judgment made me feel weak, sad and disconnected. It even caused me physical pain.” Wow, I needed this book. I am not even a judge-y person, but then again ... I don‘t think I recognized it as such. Loving this book thus far.

The performances on the audio book are outstanding and I would give them all 5 stars. Overall, a good book (not great) that gets a bit overwrought and overwritten at the end. That said, the author has a beautifully poetic style that is quite mesmerizing. This is a dark and at times violent read. I tend not to like mystical realism, but it really works here.

I am house (1), horse (2) and dog (3) sitting for my family and camped by the fireplace with my favorite Thich Nhat Hanh book to welcome the new year with peace and joy!

Three Dog Days and Nights here in Chicago. Hunkering down for a week - watching my brother/sil‘s house, horses and dogs. Readathon underway with niece‘s book “The Lightning Thief” 😊

I was very underwhelmed by this book. The portrayal of Aza‘s issues were really overdone, the plot so slow; and the ending was absolutely horrible and unrealistic. However, I liked a lot of the dialog and the friendship between Daisy and Aza.

“Sometimes I miss you being a little kid, but then I remember Chuck E. Cheese.” Ha ha

First audio book to test out a free month‘s trial of Audible.com. I made a great choice ... the reading and story are just phenomenal. Got me through a 1000M drive from SC to Chicago with ease.

This book started out so promising; and I really did like the presentation of a gritty Paris and the main two characters, Father Kern and Magistrate Kauffman. However, the ending was so choppy, weird and even a misplaced impromptu confession by the “bad guy” to tie it all up with a bow.

My how I love contemporary French literature in translation. I vow to find and read more of it in 2018! Currently reading another fine selection from my New Vessel Press subscription. #dogsoflitsy #frenchliterature

This is an excellent and well-researched book on how to identify and purge the top 13 toxic chemicals from your life. A lot of this I knew (vegan health nut, I am) but some was surprising, namely carrageenan, especially its use in canned cat food, which truly harms our buddies. Read to empower yourself and your choices.

Definitely one of my favorites this year. A big, engrossing, educational read. I loved it.

“The girl was luscious like a costly melon sold in a department store.” 🍈

“[F]ood manufacturers annually spend billions lobbying for labeling, quality and safety loopholes in laws and regulations, inundating consumers with false and misleading advertising, and manipulating science to support their profiteering practices.”

While I think the author had very important things to say about race, for such a short book, he repeats himself endlessly. It is obvious he has enormous writing skill, but this didn‘t showcase his talents. While I get it was a letter to his son, or a memoir of sorts, the jumping around and stream of consciousness was tedious reading. I know it is important in its way and I truly wished I liked it more.

Finally reading this one ... have been meaning to for a while! And the little hot tamale keeping me company.

I found this book to be refreshing and different. A very interesting look at the land of opportunity, or is it? I was surprised by the ending, but not in a bad way. It fit.

Currently reading ❤️

Definitely one of the best books I have read in a while. Absolutely amazing what we do not know about history. Grateful to learn through the efforts of brilliant authors such as this, who care enough to keep stories alive. Highly recommended.

Currently reading ... ❤️

Well heck, another book Litsy does not have. I must like obscure reading! Tagged one of the author/artist‘s other books. Currently reading. 🎨 + 📖 = 😊 #dogsoflitsy

Hmm, no ISBN, author or title search popped up this novel by Sergei Lebedev ... so I tagged his prior book. Currently reading, from my awesome subscription with New Vessel Press.

What a surprising and wonderful book of drawings, paintings and thoughts. Highly recommended to get the creative juices flowing.

I need art books to thrive. I absolutely love books and memoirs based on others‘ sketchbooks and travels.

A short and harrowing book about a time I knew little about: Italy‘s invasion and attempted colonization of Somalia. A bit disjointed and at times, hard to follow, but well worth the effort.

Rainy, cold day, silly dog, fuzzy blankets, great literature, happy woman. ❤️. Currently reading.

This book is outstanding, but encompasses incredibly difficult subject matter. But it really makes you think. The most disquieting part was learning about how everyone seems to ignore child sexual molestation, or sweep it under the rug. One of the author‘s goals was clearly to expose it. My complaint is at times she used Jeremy‘s story for her own gain. She drew parallels, but I found them awkward and misplaced. Very well written though.

Currently reading. Being an attorney for 20+ years, I tend to avoid books about law, but hey, this one looked a bit different. I like authors who fuse genres. #dogsoflitsy

I floated between “pick” and “so so” on this one. I had not heard of Rembrandt Bugatti and wow, what a fascinating person/artist. The novel is super tiny and jumps all over the place, so it is more sketches, or vignettes, of Burgatti‘s life. For such a fascinating man, I would have loved more about him. That said, what was written was good. I researched outside the book to fill in the pieces of his life.