Cherry is Chief Nurse of an evacuation hospital on an island in the South Pacific. These early novels actively implore girls to study nursing so they can join the war effort. Cherry and her troop of nurses get bombed and treat soldiers close to the combat zone. It‘s a reminder how fierce and tenuous the war was with Japan. Unforgivable: the derogatory language about Japan. I can‘t wait until Cherry has adventures in civilian nursing. 🌴

It‘s an almost unbelievable true story about one man‘s fight with DuPont about water pollution with forever chemicals. I read this book several weeks ago, but Biden‘s EPA just now set limits of known carcinogens PFOAs in public drinking water. There‘s a great documentary based on this book as well as a movie. 💦

Were you looking for a history of early modern Italian beauty culture? Look no further! There‘s everything from hair lightening, skin creams, hair removal, and poisons! The author also shares some (arsenic-free) recipes so readers can experience authentic renaissance beauty! 🪞 👄

This was a swift audio history of the world through the lens of infectious disease. I never considered how the Palatine and Ciprian plagues likely influenced the rise of Christianity. The book starts slowly with Prehistoric and Neolithic plagues but the pace picks up when people formed settlements and began growing crops. 🦠

This is the first biography I‘ve read about Lord Byron. I liked how the author organized the book around letters so one can hear Byron‘s voice. He lived quite a wild life!!!

Nancy‘s back on her home turf but she‘s still hanging with her cousins George and Bess from the previous adventure. The criminals in these books are terrible! I did like the snake bite first aid. 🐍 Also Nancy learns how to decode cyphers in one evening. Either she‘s a genius or everyone is really dumb…

My penpals know my struggle with this audiobook. It is likely the most boring book I‘ve ever finished. However, it was great at one important thing: putting me to sleep! The author would have benefited from a more skillful editor to reduce repetition. I felt like I was in an eternal circle of hell hearing the same anecdotes about Charlemagne for 30 hours. Read at your own peril! 👑

I liked the idea of this book. But my frustration with the lack of references, footnotes, endnotes ultimately outweighed my interest. TBH I like long footnotes! #freethesources

I made about 80 pages into this true crime tale before my interest fizzled. The author is too much of a fraternity bro himself. Sorry, next! 🍻

Open Letter Press consistently publishes the most amazing international works in translation. This book brings an infamous murder case from Poland‘s interwar era to life. The story of how the trial materials survived WWII alone is worth reading about. I love historical true crime books!

This book is getting buzz in science magazines because it‘s about a sentient sex robot. It‘s a quick read that leads one to consider patriarchy, capitalism, and freedom. #BOTM

I‘m in agreement with other readers that this isn‘t Nancy‘s strongest mystery. I found the dangers of dehydration and riding horses on mountain trails really scary though! The treatment of native peoples and culture is problematic now but probably considered progressive in the 1930s. Hopefully, the next book is better. Happy reading!

Sorry for being MIA on Litsy. I‘ve been busy with work and reading. Cherry joins the army in book 3 of the series. She survives basic training and gets deployed to Central America. She blindly trusts the “miracles” of science and medicine which probably led to toxic chemicals being used to combat malaria. If only public health work were that simple…

This was a reread for me in my quest to read the entire Cherry Ames series in order. It surprised me how much I forgot! I only remembered the exciting stolen penicillin plot, but the heart of the novel is Cherry‘s love of all things nursing. She gets a taste of ward management, OR, L&D, and PACU. 💊

First 5⭐️ read of the year! I hate cancer more than anything. And I hate that people and families feel like it is a personal, private struggle. The primary blame belongs to corporations that pollute and fail (repeatedly) to protect workers. My hometown has a PCB superfund site. Does yours?

You 💯% need to read this book. Happily I went the audio route because this is narrated by the author who hosts the acclaimed podcast theGrio. It is an exceptional look back at American history that is personal and powerful. 🇺🇸

I was surprised how easy it was to fall into this novel. There are multiple narrators/perspectives including a secretive women‘s collective. The last 100 pages are a bit tedious and I didn‘t find the ending particularly surprising. I was surprised by the excessive alcohol consumption! Trigger warning for sex work and violence. ⚠️ #BOTM

This book is well worth the effort. I recommend it for fans of Romantic poetry, 18th century mysticism, philosophy, and psychology. After the first two chapters one can easily skip around and read chapters as isolated essays inspired by Blake‘s art and poetry. Higgs really helped me grasp Blake‘s unique personal mythological characters (hello Urizen). 🧭

This is a straightforward commentary on Shantideva‘s classic text on the way of the Bodhisattva. If you enjoy books by Pema Chodron, I welcome you to dig deeper into Buddhist wisdom with this text. Norman Fischer‘s zen interpretation of this work is also excellent. ☸️ I would have preferred a print edition, but I am rich in Audible credits, so audio had to do.

I impulse bought this from Daedalus (why are the books so cheap?) because it was less than $5. This paperback edition has a handful of copy errors but those don‘t distract from the grisly tale of Victorian era murder. It‘s an unbelievable true gothic mystery: a lady‘s decomposed body is found in a family cellar. The author nicely contextualizes the rapid social, technological, political and economic changes of late 19th century England. 🦴

I kind of savored this story collection. I knew it was special after just the first story. I didn‘t love them all but the ones I did I will never forget! #BOTM 🌸 ⚱️

This was an impulse buy that I read from start to finish one night at work (I was on the psych unit where most patients sleep). Part one is a cultural history of onions. Part two is where the fun happens: so many historical recipes for onions! Soup, creamed, fried, baked, stuffed, etc. But my favorite has to be onion bread and bagels! I‘m a true Polish girl in my love of onion bread! 🥯 🧅 #onions

This is my favorite Nancy Drew mystery so far. There‘s real danger and a complicated plot. Nancy is an experienced scuba diver! If she were solving crimes today she‘d be covered in tiny tattoos and an adrenaline junkie! 👩‍🎤

Reading maritime history = peak middle-aged! This is a fast-paced book about a deadly naval controversy. The author brings this narrative to life with quotes from newspaper articles, society diaries, and legal documents. I dare you to check out the author‘s bio pic (definition of a historian)! 😂🤣⚓️

I received this book from a dear friend for my birthday. There‘s nothing like galpals and Loretta Lynn shares her legendary friendship with Patsy Cline. Such a lovely, fun book!

It‘s nice to be reminded that humans have always searched for peace at heart. Saigyo‘s poems resonate with the same emotional force as they did nearly a millennium ago. 🌖

I liked Emily Austin‘s debut novel a little more, but this one shares the same tone and emotional arc. Her characters are quirky but have surprising depth. Occasionally she writes something so sharp that it cuts deep. ☀️ 🌙 🌎 #BOTM

Laura van den Berg, Julian Barnes, Christian Kracht (when one of his books gets translated into English). These writers always deliver beautiful prose and surprising plots/characters. #SundayFunday

So excited for this book! 🐊

Wow!!! Thank you for thinking of me on my birthday! I had a great day at home with Abby and Theo after working last night. Thanks for making my birthday extra special!!! #LitsyLove

This is an important book for understanding Japanese culture and aestheticism. The writing feels dated but I really enjoyed the translator‘s foreword and afterward. 🍵 🇯🇵

I‘m super excited to get older next week! Thanks for all the #LitsyLove 🥳🤩😍

Kissinger hails from a large German-Irish Catholic family full of secrets. Her parents lived with alcoholism, depression, and bipolar in an “era of silence.” Kissinger became a journalist whose beat was mental health. She investigates her own family‘s struggles with humor and candor. She also graduated from my alma mater: DePauw University. Go Tigers! #BOTM

Nancy Drew solves another mystery involving bank robbers and a wealthy orphan. She almost dies in a boating accident. I enjoy the details about her clothes and meals. The series must think aspiring girl sleuths need educated on appropriate attire and meal prepping. 🥩 🥔 🥗

My father gave me some Cherry Ames novels after I became a nurse (10 years ago!!!). I‘ve decided to read them all in order for the first time. The first book in the series gave me all the feels about nursing fundamentals (bathing, vital signs, making beds, dressing changes, etc.). I got a little teary when Cherry earned her bandage scissors. I will read book 2 next month if anyone wants to join me! #CherryAmes #Nurse 🏥

First read of 2024! Surprising twist ending and lots of quirky characters! The author was very fond of the word “slither” using it 7 times. 🐍 ☃️ 🍫

Thanks for the gift! @JamieArc
#LitsyLove

I‘ll definitely keep this cute little style guide handy near my desk! It‘s a great quick reference for writing just about every kind of letter. Snail mail forever!!

Thanks for the gift, @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💌
#LitsyLove

This book consists of short excerpts from Alan Watts‘ other books. It makes a nice intro to his ideas and style. Would make a good gift or coffee table book. 🪷

1. I gave several books as gifts to my Litsy pals and also received books in return ❤️💚❤️📚
2. Nothing more bookish than an actual book!! That‘s my favorite gift of all time!!
#Two4Tuesday
Tagging @TheLudicReader @Sleepswithbooks @readwithcori

Stacy, I love this gift! Thank you!! This potholder!!!! 🤣 The pride mug is 💯% Chef‘s kiss 😘 I‘ve started the past few years reading about inequality so it looks like my trend continues in 2024. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, friend!!! 🎅🏼 📚 #LitsyLove

Kristen, thank you for sending this awesome book!!!! I‘m ready to ring in the new year with some techno apocalypse environmental dystopia fiction! Thank you!! Happy holidays!! 🥳🥰 #LitsyLove

Tiffany (I‘m guessing on your username), thank you for sending me this wonderful #Jolabokaflodswap23 box! I wanted to start reading this book immediately but I had to work Christmas Eve night. 🍫 📖 🎄

Thank you to all the Litsy folks who make this swap such a magical experience! Happy reading and merry Christmas!!! 🎁

Jamie 💗 Thank you for this sweet holiday gift! I truly enjoy these classic Christmas murder mysteries. I‘m fully addicted to the Michigan mint chocolates you always send. And cinnamon sugar toast is one of my favorite late night snacks!!!!! I‘m very excited to try the fancy Penzys blend! Thank you! Wishing you a merry holiday 😘🥰 #LitsyLove

Stacy, this puppy wrapping paper is adorable!!!!! But I can‘t wait to open everything! 😈 #LitsyLove

I was totally charmed by this category defying book. It‘s part biography (of 3 different people from 3 different interests and times) and part history of philosophy; it‘s a damn good read. I let it lead my imagination through space-time and beyond. Now I‘m obsessed with Borges. Such an excellent and inspiring book! ⏳ 🌌 📚

Thank you for thinking of my birthday this Christmas! 😹 I promise to be good and wait until Christmas Day to open the gift, but it‘s very tempting. Thank you!!!!! #LitsyLove

I caught my dog trying to get to this package when I had it on the bookshelf. There must be something good inside! Can‘t wait to open it on Christmas Eve! #Jolabokaflodswap23

Misty, thank you for this sweet holiday surprise! I LOVE butter mints!!! I‘m one of those nurses with an infinity of bags in bags, so I‘m already planning to use this in my work bag for small things. This book is both beautiful and really interesting. Love the cookie ornament, teas, and Van Gogh washi tapes. Merry Christmas to you, too!! 😍 #LitsyLove

Thank you for this wonderful gift, mystery friend!! This tote bag is really lovely and practical 😀 I‘m super excited to read this book, too!! #LitsyLove 🥰