Soft pick, a little better than so-so. The subject is engaging and important, but the writing has room for improvement. It‘s a bit scattered and repetitive, but it‘s a short read (less than 200 pages). I recommend this one for folks interested in criminal justice reform and legal parity. ⚖️

I‘d like to introduce my 3rd 5-⭐️ book of the year! Phosphorus is an essential element of life and a miracle fertilizer, but humans have ruined the natural cycle of this precious element. Now we face a future of limited supply and environmental damage from overuse in agriculture. Toxic algae blooms, anyone? This book will teach you everything you need to know about phosphorus and how humans fuck everything up in the natural world, but make it fun!

This is a highly stylized biography of Nietzsche that‘s been translated into English for the first time. Originally published more than a hundred years ago some of the writing feels a little dated. There‘s a lot of Nietzsche‘s own writings from his published works and letters as well as correspondence with friends/enemies. It‘s a nice addition for any Nietzsche fanatic! 🥸

This is my second 5-star book of the year!! DiGregorio wrote a love letter to nurses in the form of a cultural history. She doesn‘t skip the ugly parts but she sure puts nurses in the heart of healthcare where they belong! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It took me longer than a month but I finished this engaging Steinbeck book for #AuthorAMonth . This is a collection of dispatches that Steinbeck made to major newspapers during 1943 while he traveled with troops in England, Africa, Italy and on the ocean. He really puts the reader right in the action and shows the human side of soldiers. Such a talented writer!

Orwell lives among the coal miners of northern England and investigates the compound tragedies of poverty. He also makes a strong argument that socialism is for everyone on the side of justice and liberty. Great read!!

This is a book everyone should read! David Graeber dismantles the myth of barter so effectively that he makes it looks easy to unriddle centuries of lies about money. I‘m surprised this isn‘t on the top of the banned book list; the ideas are revolutionary and refreshing. But maybe most people aren‘t interested in reading a 500+ page book about money and debt (they should!). Worth it in every way!! 💰 💸

I absolutely loved this strange book! In the aftermath of a divorce and seasonal depression, the author becomes obsessed with Elizabethan portraiture…and the identity of William Shakespeare. Durkee shares his dark journey in an adderall and alcohol infused haze. It‘s a propulsive story of self-discovery! 🎭

Eliza, thank you for the sweet relaxing care package! I love the little crystals in the candles 💎 Thanks for thinking of me! Love to you, friend 🥰 #LitsyLove

Did you ever wonder about the fellow who shot President James Garfield? Even if you didn‘t, this fast-paced history provides all the gory details plus some fun asides about newspapers and politics in the middle of the 19th century. There‘s also a bit about one of America‘s weirdest utopian sex cults, the Oneida Community. If you think America‘s current politics are strange and dangerous, give this wonderful history a gander! 🔥

Everyone is raving about this book for good reason! Madame Restell was an immigrant to NYC who embodied the American dream of rags to riches through hard work, cunning, and brazen self-confidence. This is an important part of American history-changes in attitudes toward abortion-but also an intimate glimpse of NYC during the 19th century. It‘s a timely read in our current political environment where abortion-and control of women- is under attack.

This is a rollicking history of the precursor to the CIA during WWII. Lisle writes lively tales of spying and the development of new tools and weapons for such spies. The book is incredibly well-researched and relies on interviews, declassified documents, etc. to shine a light on a unique aspect of American history. 🕵🏽‍♀️ 🖊️ 🌂 💣

I listened to this book (it was free with my Audible subscription). It‘s no secret that I‘m obsessed with English history. Having already biographies of Henry IV and the Black Prince, how could I resist one of the father and brother respectively. John of Gaunt played a huge roll in his father‘s and nephew‘s reigns. Subsequent English monarchs also owe their existence to him as the Lancastrians, Yorks, and Tudors are all descendants! 👑

I loved this classic mystery! The characters and plot are such fun. There‘s very little causal racism or anti-semitism…but there‘s a lot of blatant sexism and classicism. Despite these elements, the story is a lot of fun and very clever. The writing is superb! #GoldenAgeCrimeClub

Here‘s my first 5-star read of 2023! 💥 I loved Desmond‘s examination of the trials and tragedies of eviction, and here he takes a no-nonsense take-down of American poverty. He provides a strong case for poverty abolition and makes readers take a deep look at themselves and their complicity with the suffering of others. A MUST READ! 💥

I‘m glad my library didn‘t get this book until March because it paired nicely with Lana Del Rey‘s new album. It‘s empowering to read about an outspoken, provocative and smart woman character from the 14th century while listening to a current day one. Marion Turner allows Alison of Bath to shine her light on enduring misogyny and how women will ever be irrepressible! 👯‍♀️

I liked this history of Rome which I listened to on audiobook. It was nice to hear Latin read aloud (it‘s been since college!). If you‘re a fan of Cicero, Caesar, Pliny, Ovid this book is for you.

I read this for the #GoldenAgeCrimeClub March pick. I missed the discussion because I‘m cursed to work every Sunday book club. The characters were just awful and the plot was the worst. 👎🏻

“The practice is to transform yourself. If you don‘t have garbage, you have nothing to use in order to make compost. And if you have no compost, you have nothing to nourish the flower in you. You need the suffering, the afflictions in you. Since they are organic, you know that you can transform them and make good use of them.” 🗑️ ➡️ 🪷

Now retired from neurosurgery, Henry Marsh confronts his own mortality and fallibility in his third book. As with his other memoirs, Marsh meanders through concepts of consciousness, hospital design, and the relationship between doctor and patient.

I enjoyed this fun little biography of Edgar Allan Poe that poses as a self-help guide for misfits. It‘s surprisingly accurate and very entertaining. If you want to embrace your inner chaos demon, this is a book for you! 💀

I thoroughly enjoyed this new biography of Edgar Allan Poe. The author devotes equal attention to Poe‘s death and life, but his death remains quite mysterious and tragic. Extra points for featuring my favorite narrator, Grover Gardner, on the audiobook! ✒️

This little book was surprisingly excellent. I love how it was organized and designed. The author writes the clearest distillations of astrological concepts and themes. ♑️

Lynne, it was difficult to get everything to fit in the picture! Thanks for the mega #LLWBS box of goodies! Theo was particularly delighted with his toy and treats (not pictured because he immediately goes nuts when I get the bag). The original art is so sweet and THAT ☠️ MUG! ❤️ I‘ll definitely enjoy the snacks at work this weekend. Thanks for helping me beat the winter blues!! #LitsyLove

This is one of the 1st books I started this year, but I got stuck in the Medusa chapter when I had several library books to read on deadline. It‘s described as literary criticism but I would call it a collection of feminist essays about famous women in Greek mythology. Haynes is an exceptional scholar and masterful writer. She weaves obscure classical sources with modern films and Beyoncé. A true delight! ?#LitsyLove

My sleep schedule is a mess this week. I‘ve been awake since 5am! So I‘ve written some #LitsyLove letters and am now reading with my furever companion, Theo! ❤️🐾

Another excellent #biography by Jonathan Bate! This time he serves a Keatsian inspired look at F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s life. Bate includes long excerpts from letters and primary source material that enriches this glorious history of two writers gone too soon. I can never get enough of Keats and neither could Fitzgerald! #audiobook BEAUTY+LOVE4EVER

For no particular reason I read this biography of Scottish philosopher David Hume. The author blends Hume‘s life with his philosophical ideas (so some sections can be a little boring, but most were quite lively).

“The book carrries us, in a manner, into company, and unites the two greatest and purest pleasures of human life, study and society.”

This gift box from The Wordy Traveler left me speechless! It‘s a total surprise and full of the most interesting books and items. This box takes a reader to the Arctic and Peru through books, coffees & tea, handcrafted local items, and recipes! Thank you for this lovely, thoughtful gift @iread2much 😍 I‘m overwhelmed by your kindness! 🥰👯‍♀️ #LitsyLove

My #LitsyLove beat the winter blues swap box arrived the other day! I mailed mine out a week ago. Now we wait! #llbws

A scholar of classical Greece shines a light on Thebes. He has to scrape up some material, because Thebes is always in the middle of the conflicts between Sparta and Athens. I learned A LOT about the Peloponnesian Wars and revisited Theban myths of Oedipus and Antigone. This was a short 11-hour audiobook. 🤓

I‘m ready for this month‘s #GoldenAgeCrimeClub discussion! You can tell it‘s an early novel in the author‘s career, but it shows enough promise that I would read more from her. 👓 🛁

It‘s no secret that I‘m a mega Snowbaz fan! So of course I loved Rainbow Rowell‘s story collection that included a sweet tale of post-AWTWB Simon Snow & Baz Ptich. 🥰 A few of the stories I‘d read before like “Midnights” but most were new. RR has a magic way of writing wonderfully weird characters. I felt really seen by “Winter Songs for Summer” which takes place around the time I was in college (early 2000s). 💿❤️🎉 #LitsyLove

I‘m very late in posting this beautiful and sweet smelling birthday gift from @corireadslife 🥳 I was basically huffing the Japanese plum soap bar 😂 Everything is so lovely and thoughtful 🥰 I am, again, overwhelmed by the kindness and friendship I‘ve found in #LitsyLove 😭

I loved this enjoyable history of how 12 statues of “Great Men” were toppled. It‘s a wondrous examination of how history is alive and an open discourse on meaning and values! ⭐️

I‘m already loving this year of astrological exploration and it‘s only January! Thanks for your letter and these really awesome cards! I‘m obsessed!! Happy travels!!! 🌞 🌚 ♑️ ♋️

#travelingstars

I read this under deadline pressure to finish before the library due date. This book presents the author‘s musings and research about the human butt. Topics span centuries and focus on cultural and racial attitudes about our buns. 🍑

Litsy Family, please help me give a warm welcome to @Tclayton4 🥳 I‘m tagging some Littens for her to follow, but please recommend some more!! 😎🤩

Thank you so much for all the happy birthday wishes!! I really felt the #LitsyLove from around the world! ❤️🥳

Donna, you must be a magician to fit all these wonderful goodies in a standard box! Thank you for the fun birthday presents!!! I love the Cathy comic (and it‘s autographed!!) 😍 I always need spatulas and will use them while thinking of you! Theo LOVES the treats and looks so dapper in his bow tie 🤩 Your friendship nourishes my soul 💝 Thank you 🙏🏽 #LitsyLove

Rachel, I don‘t even know what to say!?! You spoiled me with this supersize birthday book haul! 📚 Thank you so much for this extravagant gift. 💝 I‘m OBSESSED with this whale and tiger puzzle! 😍 I feel beyond blessed!! Thank you, sweet friend! 🥰🐾💜

Amy, thank you for this amazing dog puzzle! I had the best birthday thanks to my #LitsyLove friends!! 🥰 We got Theo‘s DNA results back today: he‘s 100% English Springer Spaniel!!! 🐾

Mitch, thank you for this stunning book for my birthday! It‘s a joy to hold and I love dappled edges ❤️ Thanks for remembering my special day!! 🥰 #LitsyLove

Jamie, thank you for this beautiful birthday book! It looks like an intense read, and I‘m into it! I‘m so glad you‘ve been bitten by the Van Gogh bug. I have the penguin classics edition of his letters to thumb through this year. 💙💛 Cheers to our shared birthday month! 🥳🤩

Christine, thank you for the super fun geode and crystal puzzle! I‘m definitely leaning into my zodiac, earth witch power this year. 😉 I think the tea will be very helpful on my mystic journey! 🤩

Christie, thank you for the fun birthday book and chocolate! Thanks for sending me some joyous #LitsyLove for my birthday! 🥰 I didn‘t know about the Diagram Prize for the oddest book title, but now I do!!! 😂

This is easily the best book I‘ve finished so far this year. Levy tells a lively history of America through the lens of macroeconomics (and pop culture). Honestly, some of the economics details went over my head, but the lived experiences of people resonated quite clearly. It‘s a 51-hour audiobook 🤓

Open Letter Press sent another wonderful novel! This one delicately explores the relationship between language, home, and family. The author is herself a French-speaking Korean woman.

Eye-opening account of poverty in America. The author focuses on how forced evictions drag the poor deeper into poverty and houselessness. Now I can‘t wait to read his new book this spring. #botm

Truly excellent history of early colonial American life! The events and persons related occurred nearly 50 years before the Salem witch trials. This book focuses on a much smaller frontier community and a broken marriage. The author explored untapped documents to weave this fantastic history! 🧙 🧹 🐈‍⬛