My February #BookSpinBingo list!
I‘m also shocked that I got my first bingo ever on the January bingo sheet. It‘s taken years to accomplish that! 😂
pickA great book that explores Deaf culture and the biases and prejudices against those who cannot hear. On the surface, it‘s several characters trying to get through their days with their issues, but the aforementioned darker issues linger in the background. I enjoyed the various historical facts, ASL words, and other trivia thrown into the narrative. Also, I could not stand Mel!
So glad this was on your list, @BarbaraJean ! #AuldLangSpine
It‘s time for our first #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers discussion! I posted 9 questions as spoilers; they can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags. Feel free to answer whenever!
February‘s book is The Secret Adversary, which is the first Tommy and Tuppence book. More details will be posted tomorrow!
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, mrp27, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill9. In Lucy Worsley's 3-part documentary, she interviews a professor about Christie's racist and anti-Semitic epithets in her novels (the interview is wonderful).
As we progress in the novels, we'll notice this (there were a couple of instances in my addition of this novel that stood out to me).
But yet, we love Christie, and her works have endured for over 100 years. Why do you think this is the case? #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
8. According to Brewer‘s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, a red herring is “a hint or statement in the early part of the story to put the reader on the wrong scent” (derived from the practice of dragging a smelly red herring across a path to confuse hunting dogs). How many red herrings can you find in this mystery? ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
7. According to the critic Anthony Lejeune, “The real secret of Agatha Christie . . . lies not in the carpentering of her plots. . .but in . . . [her] ability to buttonhole a reader, to make, as Raymond Chandler put it, ‘each page throw the hook for the next.‘ ” How does Christie build suspense in this novel? Were you surprised when the murderer was revealed? ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
6. What role do outsiders play in The Mysterious Affair at Styles? Consider, in particular, the characters of Alfred Inglethorp, Dr. Bauerstein, and Hercule Poirot. ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
5. How would you describe the Edwardian social hierarchy that Christie establishes in the novel? Who is on the top of the ladder, and who is on the bottom? Does anyone break the rules of this well-defined social order? ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
4. According to Agatha Christie, when she wrote The Mysterious Affair at Styles she saw it as “a story with a moral; in fact it was the old Everyman Morality Tale, the hunting down of Evil and the triumph of Good...” How is this reflected in the characters in the novel? Did you find them realistic, or did you think they were stereotypical? ~based on Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
3. The mystery is told through the eyes of Captain Hastings; we will also meet him in other Poirot novels. What do you think of Hastings? Think of the working relationship between Hastings and Poirot and Watson and Holmes (if you're familiar with the Sherlock Holmes stories). How are working relationships similar? Different? #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
2. We meet Hercule Poirot for the first time in this novel. What are your impressions of him? He appears in over thirty novels and fifty short stories by Christie (and later in the continuation of stories by Sophie Hannah). What makes him such an appealing and enduring character? ~based on Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
1. What did you think of the book? Was this your first time reading the book?
A few facts:
*Published in 1920
*First Hercule Poirot novel
*Poirot was inspired by the Belgian refugees from WWI living in Torquay at the time Christie wrote this
*Christie and her first husband named their home Styles after this novel
#AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
pickI think this was the best in the series yet—aspects of Agatha Christie-esque mysteries are thrown into this one. Eve, Roarke, and thousands in the audience witness a murder on stage. But, it‘s not as clear cut as it seems. Eve also continues to battle her last, and elements of the investigation do not help. I love to see the characters developing! #InDeathLongReadalong
#LitsyAToZ #LetterW #52BookClub25 #FinalSentenceIsLessThan6WordsLong
pickA good historical fiction novel that showcases the glamor of Hollywood and film along the French Riviera at the Grand Hotel, set against the backdrop of the start of WWII. There‘s romance and a thriller-esque thread woven into the storytelling. The list of who‘s who in Hollywood in 1939 is staggering, and the MC Annabel (who knows photography) mingles with them all (hence my choice for #BBRC #Adult #Paparazzi ).
Great #SundayBuddyRead choice!
My 4th time reading this & I finally picked up on some of the clues! There‘s nothing like a wildly gesticulating Poirot dancing his way down the street to make one laugh (and I always picture the Suchet Poirot in my mind).
Discussion tomorrow! I‘ll post questions mid to late morning, US East Coast time. #192025 #1920 #LitsyAToZ #LetterM #52BookClub25 #TitleStartsWithLetterM #BBRC #Adult #AuthorCelebrity #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, LibrarianRyan, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, Texreader, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, mrp27, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill
pickI had not realized this was book two in a series, but it read very well as a standalone!
Spicy romance in the Regency era, featuring Lydia Hope-Wallace and Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch. I did get a bit bogged down with the indecisiveness of the characters and their constant cataloging of each other‘s favorite traits, but this was a good, distracting listen from reality. Not only romance, but adventure, strong female characters, and spies. ⬇️
Thanks for the tag, @DebinHawaii !
1. My boys…always. Pictured is Xander lounging in the cat hammock yesterday. ❤️
2. Snow! It was a small amount compared to winters when I was a kid, but enough to have me outside shoveling on Monday.
3. Litsy
4. I attended a webinar from the Nat‘l Museum of the United States Army that discussed Jewish American soldiers who helped liberate concentration & labor camps in WWII. Very moving.
5. Books!
#5JoysFriday
pickThere are a few gem reflections in this, a book that purposely asks the reader to take their time reading. It‘s reflective and calming. Admittedly, there were a few times I did not quite agree with the author‘s musings, but that may be the point—it opens for good discussion. Overall, a lovely book. Great pick for the #MidWinterSolace #BuddyRead !
#Xander #CatsOfLitsy
#52BookClub25 #MoreThanAMillionCopiesSold
In February, the #LiteraryCrew group will venture back in time this classic Bronte novel.
This #BuddyRead is read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Discussion will take place on February 28th!
Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
I finally took the time to tally my #192025 titles read during the second half of 2024. I managed 8 titles…thank goodness for book discussions!
I still have a number of years to read by the end of the year; if I do not quite make the whole list, this has been such a fun challenge all the same. I plan to start it again in 2026 with #192030 …details later this year!
I completed the 2000s decade and am nearly finished with two more decades. Yay!
Timely.
The top passage speaks to politicians‘ behavior, but the bottom passage is a light in the dark: “Historically, the people who bring about the change in society tend to be not the middle-aged but the passionate youth. Their hearts are sensitive to the plight of the oppressed. Their spirits stand tall against injustice & fight for the voiceless. Hold on to that youthful heart & spirit no matter how old you are. #MidWinterSolace #BuddyRead
Thanks to @Kerrbearlib for starting a #MentalHealthMonday post! This ties in so well with the hygge and self-care posts by @AllDebooks , @Chrissyreadit , and @TheBookHippie …I‘ve become more and more vocal over mental health awareness over the last few years, and it takes posts like there to remind myself to just stop and breathe. Thank you!
Last night, I deleted my social media apps from my phone…⬇️⬇️⬇️
pickI wanted a good escape book today, and I decided to drop everything and pick up a Murder, She Wrote mystery, one set in Cabot Cove, Maine (I think this place rivals Midsomer in England for murder capital of the world).
I think I liked this one more because of the setting and my familiarity with the characters than the mystery itself—I knew the killer as soon as it happened, which is so rare for me. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
#LiteraryCrew : There are 3 questions posted for today‘s discussion. They can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
We had a tie for the #BuddyRead list this year; I didn‘t want us to miss reading this book. I chose today for the discussion because in the US it‘s a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. It‘s a good day to remember those who continue to speak up for their rights in any way they can.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf3. How would you present this book to a teen? Would you recommend it to a young person to read? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. In her January 19, 2025 Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson discusses heroes, those who may not hold a fancy title but are average individuals who take a stand. I'll link to today's letter in the comments--you can read it without subscribing, just click “not now“ to avoid giving your email address--in case you wish to read this.
How are the characters in the stories heroes? Are they heroes? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. This collection of stories represents a diverse group of young adults, each facing a difficult situation. Which story resonated with you the most?
For me, it was the “homecoming“ story--what a terror the MC had to face, and why did her crush think this was the coolest way to ask her out??? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
pickEveryone can make a difference. Even a small step against an injustice makes an impact.
This #Anthology of fictional stories for a #Teen audience shows characters from diverse backgrounds standing up for themselves, sometimes loudly and other times quietly. It takes lots of courage to do what some of these characters did to support themselves and their communities. A great book for a YA discussion group!
#LiteraryCrew : discussion on Monday!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
pickCompleted the last story and thus the full “Return” collection for #NoPlaceLikeHolmes . The stories are a mixed bag of suspense and ho-hum mysteries. In each, Holmes uses his deductive reasoning to solve the crime. Personally, I like the more suspenseful stories with a bit of murder (what does that say about me 😂).
Thanks for leading us through this collection, @dabbe and @Cuilin !
Thanks for the tag, @DebinHawaii !
This is good to think about joys when I‘m not exactly feeling joyful. Can we just stall time???
1. My boys…always!
2. Litsy and buddy reads. Thank you, everyone!
3. My favorite bookstore announced their first big event of the year!
4. My parents…they‘ve been my cheerleaders as I set up my proofreading business
5. Snow, finally, in my area!
#5JoysFriday
pickFrom the creators of the podcast Criminalia, this book is part cocktail recipes and part look at the world‘s notorious murderers, thieves, spies, and infamous ne‘er-do-wells. It‘s quirky and fun, and each recipe has an alcoholic and a nonalcoholic version. I‘m not crafty enough to make them for just myself, but it was fun reading the recipes and the stories! #LitsyAToZ #LetterK
Great discussion for The Haunted Bridge, #LittenDetectives ! Feel free to keep chatting!
February‘s book, depending upon the version you read, may or may not feature Nancy in a tap dancing contest. But, the 1939 & the 1969 editions involve cats and tapping sounds of sorts. Will Nancy tap her way to solve the mystery?
Discussion on February 15th. If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, let me know! #NancyDrewBR
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
Thanks to @Cailey_Mac posting this…
At least in the US, today only all Agatha Christie titles are on sale for Kindle. In case you wish to stock up on some titles for future months!
To better help prepare for reading, here is the 2025 reading schedule! Note we will not be reading as a group the books under her Westmacott name, but they are worth reading.
Our first discussion is on the 26th!! #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, mrp27, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill
pickThis was cute. I read it in two days, and it is perfect escapism—a village of anthropomorphic animals and murder. I wasn‘t sure what to expect, but overall I enjoyed it. I liked how the author (or authors, as it is two writers under on pen name) used characteristics of each animal as the basis for the characters‘ portrayal.
I‘d read the next in the series, but maybe in a little while. #Animal #ThematicCozies #NonHumanAntagonist #52BookClub25
It‘s time for our discussion, #LittenDetectives ! I have 5 questions posted as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR .
This was a fun read and a good way to ignore reality for a bit. Our next one is The Clue of the Tapping Heels, featuring tapping noises in a house and Persian cats.
More info will be posted tomorrow. Thanks for reading with me!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair5. Let's talk the story itself, from Nancy's golfing to the actual mystery. Carson Drew is on the hunt for international jewel thieves, and he has no qualms asking his 18 year old for help. Nancy also wants to identify Margaret Judson, who may be tied to the jewels but also has a sad backstory.
Any thoughts on the story line? A bit too much golf for me, but I'm not a golfer. Though, it does show Nancy's resiliency through pain! #NancyDrewBR
4. We did not have tigers or bears, but we had a mountain lion (and why was it caged??? I felt bad for the lion). The side characters in this one had some pretty strong personalities, at least to me (looking at you Barty). Nancy's reactions towards Barty made the book way more enjoyable for me.
What did you think of the characters? Bess was also not described as chubby or plump, so that's a win! #NancyDrewBR
3. A few remarked on the illustrations in this book, especially the 1972 edition. Nancy & her friends look...well...from the 1970s. I could not find the info on the revised illustrations, but Randall Tandy created the original 1937 illustrations.
For those who noticed the illustrations, what did you think of them? Admittedly, I was a little surprised at the change in Nancy's appearance (I read the 1972 edition), & I'm not sure why. #NancyDrewBR
2. We all know a haunted bridge plays a minor-ish role in this book (the title gives it away yet again). While this bridge is not haunted, there are other bridges in the world that claim to be.
Atlas Obscura posted 11 haunted bridges; link in comments. There is also a link to Sachs Covered Bridge in Gettysburg, near me. Oddly, I've not visited the bridge, but it's reportedly haunted by soldiers. #NancyDrewBR
Any thoughts?
1. Welcome to our 15th discussion, #LittenDetectives ! The Haunted Bridge was originally published in 1937, with a revised edition in 1972. From what I can see online, there is no significant differences between the two editions, so this should make discussion easier!
What did you think of this book overall? How does this compare to others in the series? #NancyDrewBR
pickI have to rate this one as one of my favorite #NancyDrewBR books so far!
What can‘t Nancy do? She golfs like a pro, keeps a creepy guy at bay (Barty is awful), and has a couple of mysteries to solve. Plus, a haunted bridge (obviously). I felt this one also showed a bit more emotion from Nancy, which gave her a bit more dimension.
Discussion on Wednesday, #LittenDetectives !
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
pickA beauty pageant asks for the bakery to make cupcakes for the pageant, and once again Mel and Angie are involved in a murder investigation. This one was better than some of the previous in the series, and I‘m always interested in the cupcakes (but not some of the concoctions created by the pageant participants…yuck).
Mel also has a pretty big life decision to make in this one.
Good listen! #LitsyAtoZ #LetterS #52BookClub25 #APunInTheTitle
Two excellent books completed in December!
I loved my journey through classical music—many composers highlighted in this volume are modern day—and spent my evenings listening to each piece.
The Flight Portfolio was so wonderfully written, and it took me months after #SundayBuddyRead discussed it to read the book. This is not a fast-paced novel but rather one that deserves lots of time to slowly read. #12BooksOf2024
I had two 5-star reads in November, and both tie into injustices.
The tagged book is a true crime story, but it‘s more than that—it‘s about laws and injustices against Indigenous communities. Nagle provides a history of wrongs and the constant struggle the communities face. This even involves a Supreme Court case. Be ready to be angry.
The Book Censor‘s Library was so good! Satire that is way too close to reality. #12BooksOf2024
I did not have any 5-star reads in October, and my reading pace really decreased at this time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Osman‘s other series is on my to read list, with the books staring at me from my shelves, so this was my first encounter with Osman and his writing style. So humorous! There were enough red herrings and twists, and some surprises too, that made me fly through this. #12BooksOf2024
I read the first two chapters tonight to kick off #JaneAustenThenAndNow . So excited to spend a year in the world of Jane Austen! #PemberLittens
pickCarryover read from 2024. Overall, a good middle grade book set at Bletchley Park. There‘s a mystery element, along with code breaking and ciphers. It seemed like the ending was a bit rushed. Still, fun read.
I finished this at my parents‘ house with one of their cats Della on my lap.
This September read was a surprise to me. It‘s a slow-paced narrative that follows the MC‘s decisions involving her family‘s cheese business in Croatia and her personal life. I learned much about the political upheaval in what is today called Croatia, as well as family traditions and family dynamics. The audio was beautifully performed. Great book! #12BooksOf2024
And the new year with the #HashtagBrigade begins!
I loved the TV series but have yet to read the book. Looking forward to the hashtags and reading journey!
And, the year‘s #ReadLesMis begins!
I love my edition, with the red ribbon bookmark (hopefully I can keep it away from my cats). ❤️
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}