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BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB

Joined June 2017

Books | Travel | Art | Music
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The Maiden by Kate Foster
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BarbaraBB
Idlewild | James Frankie Thomas
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It‘s our second zombie match and again the zombie is the winner! A close call again and test Idlewild beats Wellness. Who would have guessed? I know I didn‘t!
Idlewild is the book that has received the most zombie votes. Will it be enough to take away the 🦃 against Sinners?
Tomorrow we‘ll post the final match of our #LitsyToB24 and then you can all vote for your winner! One more day to go!

Bookwormjillk Zombie vs zombie wow! Idlewild was the first book I read off the list and I don‘t know if that‘s why it‘s so memorable to me. 7h
See All 16 Comments
Megabooks We‘re not voting today? I‘m having tire problems. Stuck near home. 😭😭 7h
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Oh no. Near home still. Any help coming? I can‘t believe your bad luck. My heart goes out to you! Tomorrow is the voting, below the final post. There won‘t be another form, because tomorrow is the end of the tournament! I hope that‘s okay!! X 6h
Kitta Interesting! I wasn‘t a huge fan of Idlewild, it was good but not great for me. I gave it a so-so. Maybe I‘m the only one who disagreed here! 😂 6h
BarbaraBB @Kitta I am sure you‘re not, many people rooted for Wellness! 6h
kwmg40 Interesting to see the two zombies in the final! Looking forward to seeing how it plays out. 6h
Ruthiella I really loved Idewild and voted for it as a zombie, so am totally glad to see it come back to life! 🧟‍♀️ 6h
BkClubCare I will read Idlewild if it wins! 4h
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Me too and now I hope it‘ll win! 3h
BarbaraBB @BkClubCare That‘s great and of course you can‘t go wrong with it if your Littens made it the winner 😀 3h
BarbaraBB @kwmg40 Who would have thought, a zombie finals! I don‘t think that has ever happened before! 🧟 🧟‍♀️ 3h
sarahbarnes Wow! I thought Wellness might take it all! I really liked Idlewild though. Loving the drama of this tournament! 3h
fredthemoose Ooooh… the plot thickens! 3h
Hooked_on_books Woohoo!!!!! 🥳 Idlewild was one of my best reads of 2023 and Wellness was just ok for me, so I‘m thrilled! I was sure it would go the other way. And now an all zombie final! Cool! 19m
40 likes1 stack add16 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

This is my first book from the #InternationalBooker longlist. It is a Dutch one so an easy one for me to purchase and read. It‘s a book about a brother and sister, identical twins. He commits suicide in his thirties. This is no spoiler, the book is about how, despite their closeness, she can‘t protect him from his depression, he can‘t protect her from missing him. It is a sad book, written lightly, which adds to the impact.

#ATY24 Title 6+ words

squirrelbrain Sounds really good! 15h
Cathythoughts Nice review 👍🏻♥️ 7h
60 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Today we had our 1st Zombie match: Hello Beautiful vs All the Sinners Bleed. HB easily won each match so far and seemed a serious candidate for the 🦃 .
Never underestimate a Zombie though; with 53% of the votes we‘ll see Sinners, that left the tournament in the opening round against Rachel, back in the finals! @Suet624 @jas16 @Bookpearl @decalino @well-readNeck and @bookwormjillk will be happy, Sinners is their favorite book of #LitsyToB24!

Megabooks Zombies are so fun!! 🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️ 1d
See All 16 Comments
squirrelbrain I loved both of these books but I‘m pleased that a Zombie has shaken things up! 1d
MicheleinPhilly This match-up pained me so I was fine with either prevailing. Now I‘m rooting for All the Sinners to take it all! 1d
Bookwormjillk Ohhhh an upset. I loved both of these books so I was happy either way. 1d
AmyG Two great yet completely different books! 1d
Ruthiella ATSB for the win! 🥇😄 1d
fredthemoose Oooh… a close one!! Glad to see ATSB back! 1d
Jas16 I am happy but would not have been mad had this one gone the other way. 1d
Hooked_on_books Wow, so close! I like both books and both these authors. I‘m delighted to see Cosby swoop back in and take it! 1d
kwmg40 I'm happy to see Sinners move into the final! 24h
Suet624 I like both books too. I really had to think hard about my vote this time around. 23h
Well-ReadNeck Yay! So twisty. I loved both of these!!! 20h
Kristy_K I missed the voting yesterday so I‘m happy to see Sinners won! It would have gotten my vote. 20h
sarahbarnes The drama 🦃!! 19h
63 likes16 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

It‘s been two years since Taylor Hawkins died. Time flies. I‘ve been listening to this incredible emotional song Foo Fighters dedicated to him:

“You showed me how to be, never showed me how to say goodbye” 💔

https://spotify.link/0O2xup7K9Hb

Librarybelle I cannot believe it‘s been two years! 💔 2d
TieDyeDude OMG, I am listening to David Grohl's The Storyteller and I am kinda glad it came out before Hawkins' death. Grohl is so eloquent and emotionally intelligent. I'm just getting to some of the Foo Fighters stuff now, and he talks about his bandmates, and especially Hawkins, with such love. 2d
AmyG 2 years????? Sigh 2d
See All 7 Comments
Megabooks @TieDyeDude That is such a fantastic book! 2d
TheBookHippie Can‘t believe we saw them that year before ♥️ a redo from 2020 being cancelled. Sigh. 2d
BarbaraBB @TieDyeDude @Megabooks I still need to read that book. I am sure I‘ll love it too. David Grohl is such a wizard with words (and music and charisma, I know 😀) 2d
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie It‘s a very special memory I guess ❤️ 2d
44 likes7 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
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It is Zombie time!
We are excited to announce that Idlewild and All the Sinners Bleed have won their way back into #LitsyToB24. They‘ll add some spice to the tournament & might be able to change the scores! Sinners has been named most often as the favourite of the tournament and Idlewild received 8 Zombie votes!
So please vote asap today, because tomorrow we‘ll have the first match: Hello Beautiful vs Sinners https://forms.gle/E4XEhuP6i7grQziA7

Megabooks 🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️ 2d
See All 12 Comments
kwmg40 Great to see these back! 2d
Bookwormjillk yay!! 2d
squirrelbrain Hooray for the Zombies - 2 of my favourites! 🧟‍♀️ 2d
AmyG Hooray for ATSB. 2d
Hooked_on_books Ooo, good zombies! 2d
BookWrym You had me at Zombies will have to check these out 2d
BkClubCare Voted!🗳️ 2d
Ruthiella I missed the voting. It‘s been one of those days where I don‘t even have time to look at my phone! 😅 I hope Idewild makes it. 🤞 2d
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella 🤞🏽🤞🏽me too! 2d
53 likes12 comments
review
BarbaraBB
See You in Paradise: Stories | J. Robert Lennon
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Pickpick

This is an okay short story collection. Some speculative stories, some horror, some surprising. My favorite one is “Total humiliation in 1987” but overall the stories won‘t make a lasting impression. Between so-so and a pick.

#ATY24 - connected to something I read in 2023

Suet624 Look at all that green. I‘m still in a winter wonderland. 3d
AmyG @Suet624 Same here! 3d
sarahbarnes Thanks for the tag! Good to know how you felt about this one as I‘m deciding which of his books to read next. Sorry it wasn‘t a great one. 3d
See All 7 Comments
BarbaraBB @Suet624 @AmyG it‘s the first green I‘ve seen in months. No leaves on most trees yet. But it looks promising! 3d
Cathythoughts That‘s disappointing. Well that‘s one Lennon not to pursue. 👍🏻❤️ 3d
batsy A great setting for that cover! 3d
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts You might like it a lot, I often have mixed feelings about short stories. 2d
70 likes7 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Soldier Sailor | Claire Kilroy
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Pickpick

The narrator doesn‘t recognize herself in the woman‘s she used to be before she became a fulltime mother. It drives her mad but she‘s also madly in love with her little son Sailor. Her husband is worthless, doing nothing to share the responsibilities for their baby, he is just working and living his life. And loving her. But is it enough?

A very recognizable read about the struggles and blessings of motherhood. #womenprize

squirrelbrain Great review! 4d
Chelsea.Poole I‘m looking forward to this one. 😊 4d
BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole It‘ll probably bring back some memories for you too 😀 4d
See All 9 Comments
TrishB I have this on the pile! 4d
sarahbarnes You‘re doing a much better job selling me on the books on the long list this year than the organizers did. Another one I may have to try! 😁 4d
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes i read just a few but (except for Hangman) they are all really good 🤷🏻‍♀️😀 4d
sarahbarnes Very good to know. I‘ve added this one and Enter Ghost to my library order. Are there others you really liked, too? 4d
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Yes, my absolute favorite so far is 4d
71 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 14/24

I am about to finish Soldier Sailor and have lined up three more books for this week because I‘ll have a long Easter weekend off work. I am looking forward to all three of these. Alex Finlay never disappoints, a J Robert Lennon is always a treat and the Dutch one (tagged) is from the #InternationalBooker longlist. If I‘ll finish them all I have more #womenprize books to choose from 😀

Megabooks J Robert Lennon was tagged as this author's mentor in the acknowledgements. I haven't written a review yet, but I loved this choice from last year's camp litsy longlist. 4d
BarbaraBB @Megabooks That is quite a recommendation: both you and Lennon. I‘ll stack immediately! 4d
squirrelbrain Have a great week! 4d
See All 10 Comments
BarbaraBB @Megabooks I am starting the Lennon and he thanks Ann Patchett in his acknowledgements. Wow 🥰 4d
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Thanks Helen. You too. Are you back from camping? 4d
MaCa I'd love to hear your take on Kilroy! 4d
squirrelbrain Yes, we‘re back….and back to work with a vengeance! 😬 4d
BarbaraBB @MaCa I just finished it. Will post my review soon! 4d
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain But you will be free for Easter I think? 4d
65 likes10 comments
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BarbaraBB
Soldier Sailor | Claire Kilroy
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I remember this feeling so well! #motherhood

Megabooks 💜 💜 4d
AmyG Yep. Sounds right. I had twins after my first….and didn‘t even have room for feelings other than exhaustion. 4d
kspenmoll Yes.🩷 4d
63 likes3 comments
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BarbaraBB
Enter Ghost | Isabella Hammad
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#BookReport 13/24

The tagged book was this week‘s favorite and another #womenprize winner. So far I am loving the longlist with the exception of Hangman, that I couldn‘t connect with. The List is a thought provoking book about social media and #metoo. Another satisfying reading week!

sarahbarnes Glad to see you liked Enter Ghost! 5d
merelybookish I'm listening to Enter Ghost right now. Good to hear you liked it! 5d
BarbaraBB @merelybookish The audio is amazing don‘t you think? I loved the narrator. I combined it with print. 5d
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Are you planning to read it? It‘s good and timely. 5d
merelybookish @BarbaraBB Yes, her voice is gorgeous! 4d
sarahbarnes Well, now that I see both you and @merelybookish recommend, I‘m moving it up on my list! 🩵 4d
71 likes6 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The List | Yomi Adegoke
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Pickpick

On Twitter appears a list of men accused of abusing women. Michael is on it. He and Ola are about to get married but she wants proof of his innocence first. Reading about both sides of possible abuse and the rollercoaster of #metoo on the internet has been executed very good. I was surprised though by the reaction of some of the characters. The total lack of communication between Ola and Michael for example, why didn‘t they stay in contact? ⬇️

BarbaraBB And why had most people such a bold opinion and didn‘t doubt it for a minute? That felt a bit unreal to me. However, a very interesting read that‘ll keep me thinking for a while. Thank you so much for this thoughtful gift @squirrelbrain 🤍🩷 (edited) 7d
Cathythoughts . Ones that we keep thinking about are good. Stacked. 7d
See All 8 Comments
Librarybelle Great review! I have this on my to read list. 6d
squirrelbrain Glad you (kind of) liked it! 6d
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I certainly did! I read it quite fast! 6d
Kristy_K This has been on my tbr, glad to hear it‘s thought provoking! 6d
BarbaraBB @Kristy_K It is and I hope you‘ll enjoy it 6d
78 likes2 stack adds8 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Enter Ghost | Isabella Hammad
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Pickpick

Palestinian actress Sonia has been living in London for years but returns to Palestine to escape from some personal issues and to stay with her sister who lives in Haifa. She joins a local production of Hamlet and participates in daily life with the exhausting day-to-day struggles for Palestines in Israel.
The ending is one that will stick with me

A dense, beautiful and timely read, another winner from the #womenprize longlist.

jlhammar Love the photo! Looking forward to this one. 1w
LeeRHarry Glad your enjoyed it 😊 makes me more keen to read it. 1w
Aimeesue Great photo! 1w
See All 13 Comments
Deblovestoread Great review. I read a few pages and set it aside. Need to get back to it. 1w
TheKidUpstairs I am so looking forward to this one. I'm first on the library hold list, and it's overdue! 1w
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs I hope you‘ll enjoy it. It‘s not a quick read but well worth it in my opinion. 1w
BarbaraBB @jlhammar @Aimeesue Thanks. I felt like I was time traveling to some centuries ago because of the square being completely empty! (edited) 1w
BarbaraBB @LeeRHarry I hope you‘ll enjoy it whenever you get to it! 1w
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread It‘s well worth the read but it‘s a slow starter I agree 1w
Cathythoughts Great review, I have it stacked already. 1w
squirrelbrain Looking forward to this one. 1w
Suet624 Love the photo. 6d
TrishB The ending has your heart pumping definitely! 4d
84 likes2 stack adds13 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

Last week I posted about Bowie and @TrishB and @Bookwomble started a conversation about music and Trish mentioned this song and I‘ve been listening to it all week. It‘s gorgeous!

https://spotify.link/9E30zG5l6Hb

TieDyeDude Good stuff! They sound familiar, but I don't think I'm familiar with them. Thanks for sharing. 1w
TrishB I‘m so glad you like it ♥️ a much under appreciated voice! 1w
Suet624 I‘ve never heard of them! Thanks for the recommendation. 6d
51 likes3 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Hangman: A Novel | Maya Binyam
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Panpan

What have I just read and why? I was willing too dive into the estranging world of Hangman, where an African man after two decennia of exile returns to his homeland. It didn‘t make much sense to me though, the stories told by the people he met upon his return.

My least favorite of the #womenprize longlist so far.

(Photo: hiking with my girlfriends)

BarbaraBB #ATY24 - with a touch of magic @jenniferw88 2w
squirrelbrain I agree entirely! 😬 2w
Librarybelle Yikes! But, I hope the hike was fun! 1w
See All 9 Comments
Caroline2 Ok, I‘m skipping this one then 😂 1w
ChaoticMissAdventures I feel like I "get it" but it didn't work for me. I am glad I am not alone, I am a bit lost by these long list picks this year. 1w
dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 1w
Suet624 Yes, but who are those intriguing figures in the photo. 6d
BarbaraBB @Suet624 My girlfriends with whom I went hiking for the weekend! 6d
Suet624 Love that. 💕 5d
81 likes9 comments
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BarbaraBB
The List | Yomi Adegoke
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#weeklyforecast 13/24

I started Hangman which is quite estranging. I am also in the midst of Enter Ghost. Some parts I love, some parts I don‘t. I also hope to read the tagged book this week but I won‘t have much reading time. Work is busy (which is good!) and this weekend I‘ve been hiking with my girlfriends (which is also good 😊).

squirrelbrain Sounds like a lovely weekend! Hangman is indeed strange…. The List would be a great palate-cleanser from all these ‘serious‘ book lists! 🤣 2w
batsy I wasn't into The List and bailed about 40% of the way in. Look forward to your thoughts. 2w
Suet624 Have a wonderful time 💕 2w
69 likes3 comments
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BarbaraBB
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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#BookReport 12/24

It seems like I selected my books for their color, well, I didn‘t 😉. I LOVED the tagged one. It won‘t be for everyone (tw suicide ⚠️ ) but I think it will be one of this year‘s favorites for me. I also loved Ordinary Human Failures. Vengeance is Mine was just so-so.

So far I am very pleased about the #womenPrize longlist with already two winners for me out of the three I read 😀

Ruthiella I‘ve heard from other sources too that the WP longlist is particularly strong this year! 👍 2w
squirrelbrain A good week! ❤️ 2w
72 likes2 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

Basically everyone and everything is falling apart in this slim novel. I couldn‘t really make sense of it. Maitre Susane represents a man who she thinks she knows from her childhood. The man‘s wife killed their three children. Maitre Susanes mother doesn‘t remember the man her daughter keeps talking about. And then there‘s an ex, a cleaning lady and some more people who I don‘t know what to think of.

#ATY24 - pronoun in title

sarahbarnes A cool cover! But sounds like the story didn‘t work very well. 2w
72 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

“Let me fly away with you
For my love is like the wind
And wild is the wind. Wild is the wind”

I recently read Mix Tape by Jane Anderson and the book comes with a playlist. There I discovered this Bowie song, that I hadn‘t heard before. It‘s so so good. I can‘t stop listening to it.

https://spotify.link/apTw45V3OHb

Bookwomble Welcome to my world! 🤗 2w
BarbaraBB @Bookwomble I was thinking of you of course 😀 2w
TrishB This was my first dance wedding song ❤️ @Bookwomble the Billy McKenzie version is also awesome. 2w
See All 13 Comments
Bookwomble @BarbaraBB 😊. David recorded this track for his Station to Station album as it was a favourite of his by Nina Simone, who was having financial difficulties at the time, so David thought she would benefit from the royalties. Sadly, he didn't check the songwriting credits as Nina hasn't written it! I don't know if he helped her out another way - I'd like to think so. 2w
Bookwomble @TrishB I really only know Party Fears Two by him (well, The Associates). Perhaps I should delve further 🙂 2w
BarbaraBB @TrishB Really? And I discover it only now! It is beautiful 🤍 2w
BarbaraBB @Bookwomble That‘s a great story and I guess and hope he helped her out! 2w
TrishB @Bookwomble you definitely should! There‘s a Scottish tv show segment on YouTube with Wild is the Wind and a song called Strasbourg Square which is amazing. Also, listen to a song called Breakfast. 2w
TrishB @BarbaraBB it‘s definitely a beautiful song. ♥️ and it‘s never too late for great songs. (edited) 2w
BarbaraBB @TrishB I checked on Spotify and so many artists have played this song. Where have I been?? 2w
Bookwomble @TrishB Thanks - I'll check them out later 😊 2w
TrishB It was waiting for you! 2w
lil1inblue Love me some Bowie! 😍 2w
63 likes13 comments
review
BarbaraBB
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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Pickpick

The evolutionary benefit of something as dark as suicide. That‘s what this book is about and where Jess is convinced of.
In the book we get to know Jess and learn why she thinks this way. It‘s a short book but it packs a punch. I am left shattered and in awe. My favorite of the #womenprize longlist so far. I‘ve only read three but I am sure this will remain a favorite!

(Photo: Robbie Williams exhibition)

Crazeedi I split up my tagged list because for some reason it tells me it won't post...then I see it posting twice, and it takes forever . 2w
BarbaraBB @Crazeedi I know, me too… I‘ll split it up next time too! 2w
See All 21 Comments
sarahbarnes Stacking! 2w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Please do 🩷 2w
squirrelbrain Great review - looking forward to getting to this next week. 2w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain It‘s a tough subject but so so good! 2w
Hooked_on_books And I love that it crosses over with 52 book club! I actually just picked up the ebook for this since the physical one doesn‘t appear to exist in the US. 2w
Librarybelle Great review!! 2w
ChaoticMissAdventures Oh this makes me excited for this! I had to order it from Blackwells so waiting for it to come. 2w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books @ChaoticMissAdventures I hope you‘ll love it. The subject is tough but it‘s a beautiful story. 2w
charl08 Just managed to get hold of this, have started it and it's so compelling. So many good books! 2w
Deblovestoread I was unsure about this book until your review. Thanks for the ebook tip @Hooked_on_books. 💜 2w
Hooked_on_books @Deblovestoread You‘re welcome! 2w
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread I hope you‘ll love it. @TheKidUpstairs says the audio is very engrossing too so you should be fine! @Hooked_on_books 2w
BarbaraBB @charl08 You‘ll love it! 2w
Caroline2 Ohh I‘m always scared of books about/including suicide but your review may have persuaded me to give it a go! 😊 2w
BarbaraBB @Caroline2 Suicide is definitely a trigger warning ⚠️ as it is omnipresent in this book! 2w
Cathythoughts Great review. Sold and stacked. 2w
TheBookHippie One of the things I‘m most proud of, staying here. I‘m glad books like this exist. Not sure I could read it. 2w
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie I‘m not sure either. I guess I wouldn‘t try if I were you. So many good books out there, there‘s no need to. Thanks for sharing 🩷🩷🩷 2w
89 likes8 stack adds21 comments
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BarbaraBB
Man Booker Prize | Frederic P Miller, Agnes F Vandome, John McBrewster
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The #internationalbooker longlist has been announced today. I only read two so far, Kairos and The Details.
I feel a bit overwhelmed (not to say stressed) about all the books I want to read, with #LitsyToB24 and the #womenprize calling for my attention too!

Oh and my fulltime job 😂

Any recommendations of this longlist are very welcome!

TheKidUpstairs I, too, am feeling the overwhelm! I haven't read any of these but I'm very interested in The House on Via Gemito, because I've enjoyed Starnone's writing in the past. 2w
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs That‘s one I‘ll definitely read too for similar reasons. And there‘s a Dutch one among them which I hadn‘t heard of but will read soon too. 2w
BookWrym Looking to attempt reading some of these at least. Have requested what I can from the Library let‘s see what turns up and how it goes. For some reason Crooked Plow is calling to me I have no idea why. (edited) 2w
See All 22 Comments
Bookwormjillk If only someone would pay us to read 2w
BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk If only 😉 2w
BarbaraBB @BookWrym that one appeals to me too! 2w
Hooked_on_books Well, you could always quit the job and just read. 😉 2w
vlwelser I'm going to forget I saw this and keep working on all of the other lists. 2w
BarbaraBB @vlwelser 😂😂 2w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Imagine 😍😍 2w
Ruthiella Read only the short ones! 😆 2w
Graywacke Also overwhelmed. I want to read them all, and I can‘t decide on just one to start with. 2w
BarbaraBB @Graywacke Have you read any? 2w
Graywacke @BarbaraBB no. All new to me. 2w
sarahbarnes I know, that pesky job! 😂 I‘ve only read Kairos and have a copy of Crooked Plow. I‘m interested in many of these, too. Would you recommend The Details? 2w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Not really to be honest. I am curious about Crooked Plow. I hope you‘ll read it soon so I can decide whether to read it 😉 2w
sarahbarnes I think I‘m going to read it next since I have it! 😊 I just finished Hard Girls last night. I wanted to like it much more than I did. 2w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Me too!! I had so looked forward to it, him being J Robert Lennon, but it turned out to be nothing special! 2w
TheKidUpstairs Now that I've had time to look into them further, these are the ones going on my TBR: The House on Via Gemito, White Nights, Crooked Plow, The Silver Bone, Lost on Me. Only The Silver Bone is available from my local libraries right now, so I'll start there and see which (if any) I can get to! But I've got so many Women's Prize ones piled up at home, and The Postcard has derailed all my reading plans - I can't put it down! 2w
Readerann 😩 📚 📚 📚 📚 2w
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs Thanks so much for sharing your ideas. That means a lot. I still need to do my research 😀. The Postcard is fantastic and the WP longlist too - so far! 2w
Suet624 I‘m exceedingly overwhelmed. Giving myself a break as I am dealing with shingles and post election data work. 2w
63 likes22 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

A little English girl dies and the neighborhood quickly assumes the Irish immigrant family‘s daughter Lucy must have had a hand in it. An ambitious journalist wants to get to the bottom of it and talks to Lucy‘s family. The story is not so much about the death, but about a deeply damaged family with mother Carmel at their tragic heart.
It‘s a beautiful sad read.

#womensprize

Megabooks Great review! 3w
TrishB Lovely review ♥️ 3w
sarahbarnes Great review and pic. I‘ve stacked this of course. 3w
See All 10 Comments
squirrelbrain Great review! 3w
Cathythoughts I follow Meg Nolan on Instagram, I‘ve yet to read her. I must do. Stacked. 3w
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts good idea to follow her on Instagram! I will too. I think this book is better than 3w
Chelsea.Poole I‘ve been wondering about this one! I was impressed by Acts. 3w
CarolynM Great review❤️ 3w
TheKidUpstairs I'm very engrossed in the audio of this one (when I've got time to listen). It's so beautifully and heart wrenchingly human. 2w
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs I am@not surprised you are loving it too. And it gets more engrossing each chapter 🩷 2w
82 likes6 stack adds10 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 12/24

I‘ve capitulated… I can‘t resist the temptation of the #womenprize longlist 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
I am reading and enjoying Ordinary Human Failings and will tackle In Defence of the Act next. In between I also want to read the tagged book this week

Hooked_on_books I‘m very close to capitulating and picking up Shadows at Noon. Resistance is hard! 3w
squirrelbrain I liked Ordinary Human Failings and just bought In Defence. I was going to suggest a buddy read, but I won‘t get to it until after this week. 3w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books It is 😀😀 3w
See All 11 Comments
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain You‘re racing through the longlist as usual 😄 3w
Megabooks I haven't gone through the list yet, but I should before I go book shopping tomorrow or Tuesday! 3w
squirrelbrain Not really, Barbara, I‘d already read the Nolan before the list came out! Is it tomorrow for your International Booker list? 3w
sarahbarnes I‘m definitely eyeing a few on the women‘s prize long list. And very excited for the Booker list to come out tomorrow. 😃 3w
BarbaraBB @Megabooks are you going shopping on your birthday? That‘s the best idea 🤍🤍 3w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Yes tomorrow! Very excited about it too @sarahbarnes 3w
Ruthiella Resistance was futile! 😂 I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all the books. Consider it a public service for the rest of us! 3w
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella All the books? Please no, I still try to hold back 😂😂 3w
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BarbaraBB
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#BookReport 11/24

I loved both A History of Loneliness and The Caretaker. They are a bit comparable, both have loving lonely narrators and the style is 👌🏽

I enjoyed When You Disappeared (I am making my way through John Marss‘s backlist) but bailed on In Ascension which couldn‘t hold my attention.

review
BarbaraBB
In Ascension | Martin MacInnes
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Bailedbailed

I tried, I really did. But I got lost and lost again in my own thoughts because my mind went wandering during those endless conversations about marine biology. I had no idea what they were talking about and if there was a plot behind it all.
It‘s a pity, I had high hopes because of the reviews below but after 50% I allow myself to bail 🤷🏻‍♀️

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle Sometimes you have to, don‘t you agree @dabbe 😉? 3w
See All 11 Comments
vivastory I bailed on a book today. Even though it was by an author who I have read & loved before it felt liberating. 3w
TheAromaofBooks I've had multiple books lately that I've read almost 200 pages and then thrown it in! 3w
Hooked_on_books 50% is definitely enough to know if it‘s for you or not! My last bail was as 25% and I felt good about it. 3w
dabbe @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle ... How did I let this one get by me? Absolutely, #hailthatbail! 🤩🤩🤩 3w
Tamra Reading time is too short! 3w
BarbaraBB @vivastory Now I am curious about which one. 3w
vivastory @BarbaraBB NK Jemisin's story collection. It just wasn't working for me. 3w
BarbaraBB @vivastory Surprising indeed. 3w
76 likes11 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

It‘s a romance, but a dark and twisty one. Jacob and Naomi are in love and married, much opposed by his parents who have had other plans for him, Then Jacob is being deployed to Korea, to fight in the war. He asks his best friend Blackburn to take care of Naomi and protect her from her nasty parents-in-law and the much biased community. I loved how Ron Rash creates his characters, all of them feel so real, as do the Appalachian surroundings.

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thanks for bringing him to my attention Meg, how many authors I‘ve learned about thanks to you during our years on Litsy??!🩷 (edited) 3w
BarbaraBB #FoodAndLit #SouthKorea #ATY24 - Involving a crime other than murder @jenniferw88 @Texreader @Catsandbooks (edited) 3w
See All 9 Comments
Megabooks Yay! Glad you enjoyed it! A lot of the reasons you enjoyed it are the same ones I did. I'm glad you and I can continue to share authors and books we like with each other. 💜 I truly appreciate all the great authors and books you've recommended and given to me, too! 3w
Librarybelle Great review! I may have to give this one a try. 3w
lynneamch Looking forward to this one. Ron Rash and Wiley Cash both capture a time and place so skillfully. 3w
squirrelbrain I‘ve nearly bought this a few times, moving it further up the list now! 3w
Deblovestoread New to me author. Stacked 📚 3w
BarbaraBB @lynneamch That is good to know! I didn‘t know Ron Rash until now and haven‘t heard of Wiley Cash either! Thanks! 3w
88 likes4 stack adds9 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

That kind, honest Odran Yates, becoming a priest to be good and to do good. Years later his world is shattered by the massive revelations of the abuse of young boys by men serving god and the catholic church. He has to find his way in this new reality and my heart aches for him, his loneliness and his pure heart. John Boyne wrote another masterpiece.

#Roll100 #ATY24 - Historical fiction

TrishB I loved this too, made my heart ache. 3w
sarahbarnes Beautiful review! 💕 3w
youneverarrived This was the first book I read of his 🤍 3w
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB @TrishB @youneverarrived I wonder why I waited so long. So very good 🩷 3w
Suet624 Oh, I felt so badly for him. 2w
Megabooks You gave me this, and I loved it, too. Thank you!! 💕😘 2w
85 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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BarbaraBB
Orbital | Samantha Harvey
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I tried this one but are putting it back on my shelves. I am not in the mood for it and will safe it for another day. I feel restless with all these Women Prize longlisted books and the International Booker coming soon too. Right now I need something easy until I decide what I‘ll do with the those longlists… whether to join in or not 🤦🏻‍♀️😉

squirrelbrain Who are you kidding?! You‘re joining in ALL of the lists…. 🤣 3w
TheBookgeekFrau I really like that cover! 😍 3w
TrishB @squirrelbrain she was nearly convincing! 3w
See All 12 Comments
Ruthiella Just be firm like @rockpools and say NO to the longlists …🤭 3w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @TrishB @Ruthiella You are the worst kind of people 😂😂 and now I want you to know if @rockpools fell for it already! 3w
rockpools Ooh, that‘s a pretty book 😍. (ignoring the question…). I have Bookshops & Bonedust by my bed, for my (not started) easy read. Unfortunately it‘s buried under 4 books from the NonFiction longlist that I‘m Definitely Not Reading. (Yes, @Ruthiella, that number has gone up 😵‍💫) I‘m genuinely going to wait til you all tell me what‘s essential from the Women‘s Fiction list - I kind of want to read the lists everyone predicted more than the real one. 3w
rockpools …and IBP is next week‘s problem! So yes, @BarbaraBB -I‘m very much with you! Enjoy ‘deciding‘! 😘 (edited) 3w
julesG This might be the only book I'm actually interested in reading from the longlist. 😁 3w
batsy That cover really pops against the lovely backdrop. Perhaps it's just the wrong time for it... Maybe you need some junk food in book form? 😁 3w
squirrelbrain Lol @Ruthiella - @rockpools is my inspiration when it comes to saying no to things! 🤣 3w
Cazxxx I just finished this the other day and really liked it but it was slow! Definitely something you have to be in the mood for 3w
sarahbarnes There‘s always a new list! 3w
87 likes12 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

This week I discovered Maribou State (long live the Spotify algorithm 😂) and am having this song, featuring Holly Walker (also new to me), on repeat. Loving it!

https://spotify.link/rIMQS2RRIHb

TieDyeDude I'm digging it! Thanks for the recommendation. 3w
vivastory I hate to admit it but I have discovered some real gems thanks to the Spotify algorithm. I think it's more finetuned than those of other apps/sites 3w
BarbaraBB @vivastory Those on Amazon never lead to new books but Spotify and Instagram algorithms are so finetuned it‘s scary! 3w
57 likes3 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

This is John Marrs‘s debut and instead of the speculative fiction I read (and loved!) by him, this is a thriller. It‘s decent one about a man who walks out om his marriage and three kids and return 25 years later to apologize.
The book is about what happened to both of them in all those years and why he left in the first place. I kept on reading. Satisfying.

#Pop24 - Self published (first edition)

Cathythoughts Sounds good 👍🏻❤️ stacked 3w
88 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 11/24

I am reading the tagged one and it is good. I just finished John Marrs‘s debut, a decent thriller. Now I am about to start Orbital, a 💯 #BlameItOnLitsy read!

squirrelbrain I borrowed Orbital from the library, just in case it makes the long list, but it is *very* slim so not sure if it‘s eligible or not. (Needs to be 30,000 words) 4w
67 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
The Postcard | Anne Berest
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#BookReport 10/24

I had an excellent week. I loved the tagged book, which combines the holocaust with the mystery of a postcard, sent years later. I also enjoyed Happiness Falls and Snow Road Station. The only disappointment was one I had high expectations of: O Caledonia.

squirrelbrain Sounds like a great week! I‘m looking forward to starting The Postcard - sounds like another fabulous #europacollective pick. 4w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain It absolutely is. I guess it will be one of my favorite books of the year! 4w
quietlycuriouskate @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB The Postcard has received so many ringing endorsements on here that I had to look it up in the library catalogue: pleasantly surprised to find I am only fourth in the queue! 🙂 4w
Tamra Oh shoot, you didn‘t like Caledonia - it wasn‘t perfect for me, but I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere. 4w
Suet624 I listened to The Postcard which I think ruined the experience for me. I feel as if I should pick up the paper copy of the book and read it again. 4w
79 likes1 stack add5 comments
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BarbaraBB
Pantone: Colors | Pantone
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The first half is the easiest. Here are four more #Pantone2024 matches: Lemondrop, Boulevard, Fiesta and Bistro Green 🌈🌈🌈🌈

julieclair Great matches! 4w
Cathythoughts I‘m reading Strangers at the moment. It‘s very good 👌🏻 4w
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts Did you see the movie too? 4w
See All 7 Comments
Cathythoughts I didn‘t see the movie. 4w
sarahbarnes Strangers sounds very intriguing! 4w
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts It wasn‘t as good as the book 😉 4w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes It is. Real Japanese again. You‘d enjoy it! 4w
53 likes7 comments
review
BarbaraBB
O Caledonia | Elspeth Barker
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Panpan

I am so suprised. All my peers loved this book and I was just bored by it. It took me a lot of willpower just to finish it. It‘s me, I am sure. Normally I love a good gothic novel but here the setting did nothing for me, neither did all the animals or even Janet. And that ending, really?

#pop24 - Someone dies in the first chapter

(Photo: Centraal Museum, Utrecht)

JenP Great photo though 😂 4w
Ruthiella You know, I find bad reviews sometimes as intriguing as a rave one. I‘m curious now, which side I will fall on. 🤔 4w
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella I am literally the one Litten who didn‘t give it a pick and there are many reviews by people I mostly am in sync with. So you‘ll probably love it too! 4w
See All 11 Comments
dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 4w
LeahBergen I‘m one of those who loved this book. I must admit to always being so interested in how certain books hit people differently. It‘s fascinating! 4w
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen Everyone loved it! All reviews on Litsy are picks and most of them written by people whose opinion really matters to me - like yours! 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4w
jlhammar That‘s a shame. And yes, very surprising! I thought it was brilliant (and see myself rereading), but I appreciate your divergent review. So interesting what works for us and what doesn‘t. Just curious, are you an We Have Always Lived in the Castle fan? They had similar vibes for me. 4w
BarbaraBB @jlhammar Yes I loved We Always Lived in the Castle, and also gothic reads like The Woman in White, Rebecca and Wuthering Heights so I am surprised why this was such a bore to me. Janet just never came to live for me nor came The atmosphere of the house. 4w
monalyisha Ohhh. This makes me nervous! I‘m really looking forward to this one, too. Although, the differing opinions are intriguing; they always make me eager to see where I fall! 4w
monalyisha @Ruthiella Just seeing that you said exactly the same thing. Ha! Wonder if you & I will feel the same way about the book or differently! 😅 4w
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BarbaraBB
February | June Makle
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#FebruaryWrapUp

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These Silent Woods
The Postcard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pet
Roman stories
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Snow Road Station
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Tom Lake
Strangers
Happiness falls
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Biography of X
Hard girls
⭐️⭐️✨
The stationery shop of Tehran
The Details
The Trio
Julia
⬛️ DNF
The Sparsholt Affair

TrishB Great month 👍🏻 4w
Suet624 Goodness! Look at all those books you managed to read! 4w
49 likes2 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

#LitsyToB24
Although I found the book too long and narrator Mia drove me crazy at times I really enjoyed this book. I went in looking for answers to what happened to Mia‘s father after her little brother Eugene, who has autism and angelman syndrome and can‘t talk, comes home alone, totally upset. Later on I realized the story is not about getting answers but about communication and perception and I really liked what Kim Angie so thoroughly did.

TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 1mo
Librarybelle Echoing @TheAromaofBooks …great review! 1mo
See All 12 Comments
Jas16 Glad you ended up liking enjoying it. Great review. 1mo
sarahbarnes Great review! 1mo
Deblovestoread Glad it worked for you! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Jas16 @Deblovestoread I enjoyed it more than I expected. Definitely a pick for me! I am curious to see where it‘ll end up in our tournament! 1mo
Hooked_on_books I really liked this one, too! I actually really liked Mia. There are things about her that remind her of a younger me, so I felt tender toward her. 1mo
Kristy_K Great review! I had the same experience and thoughts. 🙂 (edited) 1mo
Ruthiella Great review. It was frustrating to read at times but I think you are right that the author wasn‘t going for a thriller but more about assumptions humans based on our ability or inability to communicate. 1mo
Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻 I enjoyed this one too. 1mo
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

“These massive egos, so big they bend the light”

I used to love Radiohead in the nineties. Now frontman Thom Yorke has started another band, The Smile, which I just discovered. It takes some getting used to but I‘ve been listening to it a few times now and it‘s growing on me!

https://open.spotify.com/track/4WlKWgWG030Cpatn5P6uGE?si=VmGaid7aSbChR9G3i3ldUg

AmyG I enjoy it, too. 1mo
TieDyeDude Thanks for getting things started this week. I forget that my morning is everyone else's lunch time 😅
I haven't heard of this, but I enjoy Thom Yorke's offerings. Thanks for the recommendation!
1mo
Billypar This has been on my list to try and I keep forgetting... listening now! 1mo
See All 6 Comments
Jess By far the best record of the year so far. I‘ve had it on repeat. Great pick! (edited) 1mo
Suet624 Ooooh, Thanks for this. I ad no idea he had a new band. Starting to play it now. 4w
Suet624 First thoughts: Bending Hectic and Friend of a Friend is so Radiohead-y. Love it. 4w
62 likes6 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The Postcard | Anne Berest
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Pickpick

I thought reading this book would take me much longer but I couldn‘t put it down. It‘s deeply moving.

The narrator receives an anonymous postcard and in search of possible senders she gets caught up in her family‘s past. The story moves between the present and the horrors of the holocaust and the years in between. I teared up several times and the ending will stick with me for a long time 💔

Another #EuropaCollective winner for sure.

jlhammar Yay, that‘s wonderful to hear! I‘ve been eagerly anticipating this one. Hope to get started this weekend. 1mo
LeeRHarry Have requested it at the library, sounds fascinating. 1mo
See All 19 Comments
charl08 I agree, the ending is a powerful one. 1mo
TrishB This looks good 👍🏻 1mo
Librarybelle Stacking! 1mo
squirrelbrain Great review - like @jlhammar I‘m also hoping to start this weekend 1mo
Gleefulreader Fantastic review! Really want to start this one in the next few days. 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
Daisey This one is on my list for later this year, and your review is making me look forward to it even more. 1mo
LeahBergen Well, I must grab myself a copy! 1mo
Aimeesue I‘m looking forward to starting this one soon! 1mo
Crazeedi I'll look for this for sire 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm Sounds good, will look it up 1mo
Cathythoughts Great review. I have it stacked already. 👍🏻❤️ 1mo
tpixie @BarbaraBB I‘ve been wanting to read this book for a long time, so I was excited to see that it was a #buddyread for March. I couldn‘t wait for March to start reading it either. It is a gripping tale. @jhammer #EuropaCollective 1mo
GatheringBooks I just got my copy and excited to dig into this one soonest! 💕💕💕 1mo
Bluebird Great review. Stacking! 4w
Adventures-of-a-French-Reader Really enjoyed this read. As you said, the ending is very powerful.
2w
108 likes9 stack adds19 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

Lulu is an actress in her 60s. She‘s been forgetting her lines and flees to the village of her past, Snow Road Station in Ontario. She becomes part of the community and starts wondering about her life and how to fill the rest of it. It is a very hopeful book showing how, despite age, you can still dream and look forward and make things happen.

#52BookClub24 - Includes a wedding (no spoiler)

Hooked_on_books Nice! I picked this one up after the TOB longlist came out and look forward to it. Glad it‘s good! 1mo
LeeRHarry Like the sound of this one. 😊 1mo
DinoMom Beautiful flowers 💐 1mo
See All 17 Comments
squirrelbrain Sounds great - this was one I was interested in from the ToB longlist, but it wasn‘t easily available here. 1mo
Librarybelle Stacking! 1mo
Chelsea.Poole Lovely table and review! I remember seeing this cover but I don‘t think I took the time to read anything about it. Also, my grandpa‘s nickname for me is Lulu. 🥰 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
Tamra Love the blooms! 1mo
Deblovestoread Great review! 📚 1mo
youneverarrived What a beautiful photo. The book sounds great 💕 1mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books @LeeRHarry @squirrelbrain @Librarybelle @youneverarrived It is an entertaining and optimistic book about a strong woman in a fantastic setting. I do recommend it! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole I think you‘d like it. And Lulu is a wonderful nickname ❤️ 1mo
Bluebird Great review! Sounds lovely. Stacking! Love those flowers! 😍 1mo
LeahBergen Gorgeous flowers! 1mo
Centique I love the sound of this - and your flowers are beautiful. 1mo
Crazeedi Interesting review!! 1mo
93 likes9 stack adds17 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 10/24

Since taking this photo I‘ve already finished Snow Road Stayion, a lovely read. Review will follow.
I am now starting the tagged book, my ultimate one for #LitsyToB24. I‘ve also had an early start with our next #EuropaCollective book, The Postcard. It‘s fantastic and heartbreaking, as to be expected.

Cathythoughts I enjoyed Happiness Falls. 👍🏻❤️ 1mo
Tamra I think I‘ll start Postcard today too, but I‘m having a bit of hangover from North Woods. I was having difficulty sticking with a book. 1mo
BarbaraBB North woods was good indeed. I do think you‘ll have no problem sticking with The Postcard though. 1mo
74 likes3 comments
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BarbaraBB
The Trio | Johanna Hedman
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#BookReport 09/24

I read a lot again this week. I had high expectations of all three of them, too high I think in hindsight. Hard Girls is really good, just not what I expected. Both others, hmmm 🤷🏻‍♀️

review
BarbaraBB
Hard Girls | J Robert Lennon
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Pickpick

He usually is so original yet this new J Robert Lennon is a more straightforward noir spy story. Two estranged sisters in search of their mother who left them as children. It is a fast paced story with strong characters yet I was expecting more. A light pick.

#ATY24 #Pop24 Published in 2024 #52BookClub24 Published by Hachette

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1mo
See All 11 Comments
Librarybelle The cover does give off noir vibes! 1mo
batsy Great cover and photo 🤩 1mo
JenP Love the photo 1mo
Traci1 Ooh I love that cover! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Traci1 @batsy @JenP The cover fits the book perfectly. It‘s noir and cool! 1mo
sarahbarnes Good to know! I put this on hold at the library and was really excited. I will temper my expectations a bit. 1mo
Ruthiella Interesting that he‘s changing his style like that. 🤔 1mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes @Ruthiella It‘s still a good book, he‘s a very good writer, I just always expect the unexpected from him 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1mo
96 likes4 stack adds11 comments
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BarbaraBB
Pantone: Colors | Pantone
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And another four prompts ticked off for #Pantone2024!

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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

“I left my heart in Amsterdam, where I could dream and nights were long”

I recently discovered Nothing But Thieves and really like them. Their newest album, Welcome to the DCC, is very danceable and I enjoy listening to it while cooking or cleaning.
The song I chose speaks to me because of its title 😉

https://open.spotify.com/track/454I78HEySdcHE8fcVabTb?si=C8dNc4m-RYylr3RiNz_Rog

batsy Haven't heard of them but just listening to Amsterdam and enjoying it! This song reminds me a bit of the band Editors (especially the album The Back Room). 1mo
BarbaraBB @batsy Yes it is a bit like The Editors just a bit more melancholic, which I am a sucker for 🤣 1mo
Deblovestoread Another new to me band. Great song 🎶 1mo
TieDyeDude Thanks for the recommendation. I listened to a couple of their songs quick, I like their sound. 1mo
vivastory Really liked this song. Adding the album to my library 1mo
61 likes5 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Julia | Sandra Newman
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Mehso-so

#UnpopularOpinion

Julia is not a feminist retelling of Orwell‘s book in my opinion. Not at all. A YA retelling maybe, at the most.
Julia felt very one dimensional to me, not like a real person nor a feminist one. The plot was flat too, I really can‘t understand the praise for this book. One of my least favorites of the #Litsy2024 shortlist.

sarahbarnes I don‘t think I‘m going to get to this one, and your review makes me feel better about that. 1mo
Librarybelle Good review! 1mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I honestly think you won‘t like it either but I can be wrong as almost all reviews on Litsy are picks! 1mo
See All 22 Comments
Jas16 Still have this one on my TBR but not especially excited about it. 1mo
Ruthiella Interesting! I still need to read this and re-read 1984 as prep. 1mo
Megabooks Wow! I really enjoyed this. We usually don‘t disagree this much. 😂😂 1mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Right? I was so surprised too! 1mo
Suet624 Happy to take this off my list. 1mo
squirrelbrain I really enjoyed it too @Megabooks - maybe we should report @BarbaraBB to the Thought Police?! 🤣 1mo
batsy A YA retelling! Love your honesty. I'm taking it off the list because I was also thinking I'd have to read 1984 and I don't want to (world's too grim already...) 1mo
Megabooks @squirrelbrain lol! Yes!! It didn‘t really feel YA to me. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ 1mo
Readerann I totally agree, Barbara. 1mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 😂😂 the thought police! 1mo
BarbaraBB @batsy That too 😬 1mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Glad to be of help though I am a minority here! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Readerann I hoped you would!! (edited) 1mo
Hooked_on_books Very interesting! I‘m about to start 1984 today so I can get to Julia thereafter. Now I‘m intrigued! 1mo
kwmg40 I started this one with high hopes but am struggling to continue. It just feels very flat compared to Orwell's book, but given that some have praised the book highly, I'm not sure I'm ready to abandon it yet. 1mo
BarbaraBB @kwmg40 That‘s why I continued too but it didn‘t get really better imo 1mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Can‘t wait to hear your thoughts! 1mo
BarbaraBB @TrishB I remember you read Both retellings but not which you preferred. I am glad somehow that it‘s not Julia 😀 1mo
83 likes22 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The Trio | Johanna Hedman
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Mehso-so

This book felt like a De Beauvoir-about-Sartre novel of the 21st century. Set in Stockholm instead of Paris, still very European. Intellectual talks, misunderstandings, casual sex. It didn‘t really work for me, I didn‘t like the three main characters and their conversations. Other than that, nothing much happens unfortunately.

#ATY24 - Two word title starting with The #52BookClub24 - Abrupt ending

Librarybelle Great to cover a couple of prompts with it! 1mo
Hooked_on_books Another excellent picture from you! (I‘m not surprised.) Even though this one didn‘t work for you, the premise has me intrigued. But then others have compared it to Sally Rooney so, no thanks! 1mo
See All 9 Comments
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I shouldn‘t compare it to Sally Rooney. This one feels a bit pretentious to me, but maybe you like it because it‘s more intellectual than the usual novel about twenty somethings. I prefer Rooney though 😉 1mo
sarahbarnes I‘m sorry it didn‘t work for you! I agree no one does this like Rooney. I liked this when I read it, but with more distance I‘m less a fan. 1mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I expected to like it just like you! 1mo
batsy It sounds like just the kind of pretentious book I enjoy 😁 but that's too bad about the characters. It's the characterisation that makes a book like this good, imo! 1mo
BarbaraBB @batsy I know what you mean and I usually do too but this one, hmm, no 😊 1mo
Bluebird At least it fulfilled 2 prompts 😀 1mo
87 likes9 comments
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BarbaraBB
Hard Girls | J Robert Lennon
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#WeeklyForecast 09/24

I preordered the new J Robert Lennon and here it is! Can‘t wait to start but first I have to finish the Julia chunkster in order to finish my #LitsyToB24 reads on time (still need to read Happiness Falls as well!). I am reading The Trio partly in print, partly on audio in between. I am not liking any of the characters which makes it a less enjoyable read.

Cathythoughts Stacking Hard Girls 👍🏻 1mo
squirrelbrain Hard Girls sounds good - have a great week! 😘 1mo
Bookwormjillk Didn‘t realize Julia is a chunkster. Thanks for the warning. 1mo
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BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk Maybe I exaggerated, my copy is 435 pages. And it‘s a fast read! 1mo
TrishB Enjoy 👍🏻 1mo
Bookwormjillk @BarbaraBB seems chunky to me! 1mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Julia has been on my mind, it has been years since I have read 1984, so you think a reread of that first would be helpful? 1mo
Megabooks That Hard Girls cover is 😍 😍 😍 1mo
BarbaraBB @ChaoticMissAdventures I know people think it added to Julia to have reread 1984 but I haven‘t. I don‘t remember a thing about 1984 yet I do enjoy Julia. So it‘s not necessary but I might be missing out on some details 1mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @BarbaraBB good to know! That is about what I figured. Thanks! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Right?! 😎 1mo
Gleefulreader All of these look excellent! 1mo
GlassAsDiamonds Just dropping by to say Hi after one hell of a hiatus. 1mo
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BarbaraBB
Roman Stories | Jhumpa Lahiri
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#BookReport 08/24

I bailed on Sparsholt but other than that I had a great week. I read a lot and I loved both Roman Stories and These Silent Woods. I enjoyed Strangers and Tom Lake too.

REPollock I bailed on Sparsholt too. I think there was a time in my life when I would have read it avidly. That time is past tho. 1mo
Suet624 You read a lot! 1mo
Megabooks Wow! Big week! 1mo
83 likes3 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Strangers | Taichi Yamada
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Pickpick

After watching the movie, I bought the book All of Us Strangers is based on.
And it‘s so much better! The movie is good too but the original horror story is Japanese and that seems more fitting somehow for the plot. A man lost his parents at twelve but suddenly meets them again 35 years later in an old neighborhood in Tokyo. A short good read.

#Pop24 - Horror by BIPOC author

(Photo: Frans Hals exhibition, detail)

Suet624 Sounds like it's right up my alley. 4w
71 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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BarbaraBB
Migrations: A Novel | Charlotte McConaghy
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So happy to read this on her Instagram: a new book by Charlotte McConaghy is coming 🙌🏽 It‘s not even in the Litsy database yet!

IuliaC We can add it to the database if we find its ISBN 1mo
BarbaraBB @IuliaC Thanks! I‘ll see if I can find that! 1mo
Soubhiville Yay! This is exciting. 🤩 1mo
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ErikasMindfulShelf Can‘t wait! Thanks for sharing. 1mo
squirrelbrain Ooh exciting! 1mo
Deblovestoread I‘ve been waiting, waiting, waiting for this excellent news! Thanks for sharing! 💜 1mo
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread @Soubhiville @ErikasMindfulShelf @squirrelbrain I‘ve been following her on Instagram just to keep up with her writing a new book. I loved both others so much! 1mo
CBee OH MY GOODNESS this is the best news 😍😍😍 1mo
Hooked_on_books I didn‘t really like Wolves but I loved Migrations, so this is exciting news! The premise looks promising! 1mo
64 likes9 comments
review
BarbaraBB
These Silent Woods: A Novel | Kimi Cunningham Grant
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Pickpick

I loved this book, all of it. Cooper has been fleeing from his past and is raising 8 year old daughter Finch in the remote Appalachian woods. Once a year a friend brings supplies and there‘s a hermit neighbour somewhere nearby but mostly they are by themselves. Until the moment the books starts.
What a loving and atmospheric read and that perfect ending… tears in my eyes. Loved it. Thanks for bringing it to my radar, Meg 🩶

Librarybelle Great review! 1mo
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Megabooks So glad you loved this, too! 1mo
Mpcacher I agree - it was a wonderful read. 1mo
Deblovestoread I was gifted this book from a Litten and need to move it up from your great review. 1mo
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread Please do, it‘s a lovely book 1mo
squirrelbrain Sounds great - stacked. 1mo
Hooked_on_books Sounds good and love the cover! 1mo
CBee @BarbaraBB I checked this out from the library today based on your review 😊 1mo
BarbaraBB @CBee I certainly hope you‘ll love it too 🤞🏽😘 1mo
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