I found this helpful to add broader context to the works of Judy Blume than I had experiencing her work as a child of the 80s and 90s. It goes into what was happening at the time, both in her life and culturally, when she was writing some of her most popular works. It also does a nice parallel talk about censorship in the 80s and 90s versus today.

This exceeded my expectations. Although, I think claiming that it is loosely based on the Hades/Persephone myth takes away from what it actually is. Ododo is a fascinating character to watch as she slowly tries to reclaim her agency. I listened to the audio and it was fantastic.

New book. A day off. Good weather for outside reading. Rolo is happy as well. Although I could have done without the gigantic grasshopper flying directly at me when I came down the porch stairs.
#DogsOfLitsy

Just as delightful as the first one. The dynamics between the ladies is very entertaining and I like that there is a mix of backstory to enhance the main timeline's events. I would absolutely follow any adventures these ladies go on.

Library hold came in so that‘s my afternoon sorted. Excuse my reading buddy he‘s a little excited to be outside.
#DogsOfLitsy

Very philosophical genre fiction. Normally I don't go for the more literary or thought experiment sci fan but this was very good and I didn't actually mind that there are no real plot answers.

This book was filled with unbridled feminine rage and I was here for it for the most part. I will say though that it was a little emotionally exhausting by the end because that much rage is exhausting even when it's not your own.

I really thought this was an interesting way to tie up the duology. It very much had the same interesting world and characters but there was a deeper look into overcoming trauma that the first only lightly touched on. I really liked seeing a glimpse into more backstory into the conditions of the first volume.

I probably wouldn't have finished this if I didn't have to lead the discussion for this at work this month. The twists and mystery were fine but it was very hard to connect with the characters. So many bad people behaving badly.

HAPPY #BOOKSPIN DAY to all who celebrate!
I'm not too sure how I feel about this draw tbh. The tagged is my BookSpin and The Book Eaters is my Double. I just don't know if I'm in the headspace for historical family drama even if there is a bit of fantasy mixed in.

I really enjoyed the world and the characters. I wish I had the strength of self and commitment to hold on to my dreams and ambitions like Lazlo. I was not thrilled at the cliffhanger like ending but I am intrigued enough to read the second half of the duology.

Normally I bounce off sci fi with heavy philosophical components but I really enjoyed this one. I think it's because of the main character Ellie. Because this was written in the 80s I did find it a little odd when I encountered the mix of old and new tech. Like, they had holographic projections/images and yet they used magnetic tape recording devices and fax machines.

Ten days ago I started a binge listen of the entire Murderbot Series which was cathartic after being depressed from doomscrolling. Today I am starting a binge listen of the entire Murderbot Series because work is making me incandescent with rage. Hoopla is probably sitting there thinking, “Bitch, we just did this!“

I can't believe it's almost April but I am so here for the next #BookSpin draw!

As always thanks to @TheAromaofBooks for hosting!

I feel like this is the fantasy equivalent of Red Rising in a good way. Vis, the protagonist, comes from a different background than Darrow of Red Rising but there's the same underdog nature in their trials to come out on top of an elite academy. This was over 600 pages and I read it in almost two days because I was so invested in what was going on. I just wish the second book was out already.

This was a fun collection of short story adventures featuring the very prosaic and conflict shy Fred the vampire. Each story builds off the previous but are also self contained adventures. I e heard complaints that the fix up nature of the book leads to too much repetition but it wasn‘t enough to bother me.

This was very magical and lyrical but a little bit lacking in substance. The world building was great and I enjoyed my time in the world I just wanted a little bit more than what I got. Very Studio Ghibli vibes.

I decided to test out my beginner knitting skills by making a book snake reading tracker. I‘m very pleased it‘s only a little “rustic” looking so far. I‘m also laughing at the comically large (2lbs) bag of stuffing I accidentally ordered.
#CraftersOfLitsy

Sort of a middle of the road pick. I was intrigued by the premise and appreciated the research but I still wanted something more from this. I did find it a quick read and enjoyed the time spent with it. There was also a bit more body horror than I was expecting.

Very sort of introspective vibes that I really enjoyed. The internet basically evolved into digital ghosts creating a post-apocalyptic world. I came for the cat ghost but stayed for the bees. A good look into grief and interpersonal relationships. Also the start of found family.

I am taking full advantage of my day off to get in some backyard reading. The tagged book sold me on it with mentions of the cat in the blurbs but I feel like the bees are really stealing the show.

I‘m starting to feel almost a little uncomfortable with how all the spec fic I‘m reading has eerie concordance with the realities of the current moment. This is essentially a first contact story but there‘s a lot of things to unpack about personal autonomy and symbiosis with the environment.

I've never read this before but I can see why so many like it. I found this so nice and soothing almost especially when trying not to doomscroll. I really liked Anne and have so many questions about her mother seeing how she turned out in comparison to the rest of her family.

It's not yet midnight here so i can still say HAPPY #BOOKSPIN DAY to all who celebrate! I think my March draws are an interesting combo and I'm most excited for my DoubleSpin which is the tagged. My BookSpin this month is a little chunkier than the rest of my list because it's actually a two for one volume.

I can't believe it's almost the March #BookSpin draw! New to the list this month are the tagged and Sabriel. So far, I've been keeping up with the BookSpin draw but haven't gotten around to the Doubles.

This was a fun heist in space novel. I very much did get the Ocean's 8 vibe and will probably watch that movie again since finishing this. Edie and the crew are all fun characters to hang out with and I enjoyed seeing a futuristic Hawaiian diaspora. I feel like this book is the best sort of embodiment of Be gay. Do Crimes.

This was a lovely book about the power of reading. The two main characters are going through some things, but they discover the magic of reading fiction and the way it can help change perspective and allow for an escape. There is also a fair bit to unpack about grief as well.

This was so good even though it deals with the tough parts of colonization. Even though I was spoiled for a big plot point it still had a lot of power when it happened. Totally recommend going in blind though.

All I want to do is sit outside in the yard with the tagged because the weather is gorgeous but instead it is laundry day. So I guess I'll have to read cooped up inside because you can't change over loads if you can't hear when the cycle ends. =(

(The image search gave me this image four times in one search so I figured I was supposed to use it.)

HAPPY #BOOKSPIN DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!

It is my favorite day of the month so two new books to add to my immediately read pile. My bookspin is the tagged and double is the windup girl. I did manage to read my bookspin for last month so I'm not behind like I usually am lol.

This was a fun and fast read. There's a lot to unpack about self worth and human nature but in a sort of sardonic way. Dan and Mara were completely relatable and the cast of secondary characters were great as well.

Even though I have to lead the discussion tomorrow at work I decided to DNF The Wager and start the tagged instead. I think Rolo approves this decision (in the background).

It feels really weird to have red this in the current social and political climate of today. Finishing this I could see a couple of different ways to interpret this book but I think what stands out to me is commentary of the disappearance of truth in regards to memory.

Just organized my list for February's #BookSpin draw. This year I've done things a bit different and organized my list by page number so for the first time the list reorganizes each month rather than keeping the non-picked titles at the same spot. I am so very close to finishing my January pick so hopefully I can still keep up and not fall like seven novels behind this year. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for hosting @TheAromaofBooks

The A/C is broken today at work so it is about nine degrees F higher than I normally keep it in here. So I‘m trying to finish the book club book while it‘s slow. It has been very slow going since something upsetting to me happened though.

This was a warm hug of a book and a great way to start my reading year! I will say I did feel a bit called out in the beginning though because I am also a librarian with antisocial tendencies that would much rather be kept in an archive and only come out to help with research lol.

Today is my Litsyversary and I can't believe it's been five years of good book recs, fun challenges, and a sense of community. Thank you to everyone who has made my time on this app as wonderful as it is!

I was all set to start my BookSpin pick today but my hold came in at work so I guess I need to read this first. (I own my BookSpin pick so there‘s no due date on it.)

HAPPY #BOOKSPIN DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!!!

It's 2025 so that means I am no longer behind on my BookSpin picks. I am excited to get started and keep on track.

Managed to get one last book in before the year was over. This was nice popcorn fantasy. The quirky subtle anachronisms are what made this for me.

My top read of the year was Velocity Weapon and it was super close between it and A Memory Called Empire. Was recency bias a factor? maybe. Both were good but the “OMG What Just Happened?“ factor of Velocity Weapon put it slightly over the top.
#ReadingBracket2024

I am so hype for a new year of #BookSpin draws. My goal this year is to not fall behind and put less chonky bois on the list. This year I‘ve structured the list a little differently so I‘ll see how it goes.
Thanks as always to @TheAromaofBooks for hosting!

Quasi historical fantasy where our protagonist sets out to do things purely for her own self interest yet manages to scheme her way into actually becoming a better person despite herself.

This was a nice cozy fantasy. Low stakes adventure with characters becoming family.

I‘ve decided I‘m done with challenge reading for the year and am only mood reading until the New Year. Starting the tagged today while I get a bit of outside time with the dog.

I finished the first one and immediately borrowed this on Libby after. Still a dark humor serial killer romance but the tropes were different and there was a little mystery side plot for the characters (the readers know who dunnit from the outset). I like that the characters from the first book are still around but don‘t detract from the main story.

I enjoyed this for the dark humor but I definitely get why this won‘t be for some people. Lots of body horror and murder details as you would expect in a serial killer romance. I picked this up based on the cover and the premise.

This is so much fun. I loved almost everything about this. I will say having followed Mary Robinette Kowal‘s journey with her cat Elsie that Hera in this book is based on Hera doesn‘t quite have Elsie‘s same sass. But overall loved the talking cats and dolphins.

Started this today while taking my grandma to an eye doctor appointment. So far it‘s as fun as the authors dedication/content warnings implied.

I'm not usually one for short stories but these exceeded my expectations. Each story was its own little world with real feeling characters. I liked that the stories were so different from each other and yet similar in that each carried out a particular thought experiment to the end.