Well…this seems spot on for today‘s climate…

“‘One accusation is off the mark. Foreigners aren‘t the ‘criminal contagion‘ so many claim. As a policeman, I can attest to that. It takes a lot to leave your home. To start life over in a new place requires courage. It takes energy and ambition.‘”

This book takes place in 1866. The MCs fight against a prejudicial society in the UK. Very timely indeed.

Finally starting this for #SundayBuddyRead . The cover puts me in the 1940s mood…

Anna returns to her family‘s villa in Italy many years after she was whisked away as a young girl for allegedly killing her mother. Almost immediately, weird stuff happens, and it all appears to be centered around the family necklace that has been missing since the mother‘s death. At first, I thought was a translation, as the writing structure is stilted, but upon a quick search…nope. Not a translation. It is billed as a thriller, but there are ⬇️

July went by way too fast, and I did not create my #BookSpinBingo list before the August numbers were announced! Here‘s a fast work up for August; I did not look at the announcement post yet!

August‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead selection has garnered much praise in the book world—will we agree???

Read at your own pace during the month. I will periodically post check-ins. Discussion on August 31st. All are welcome. Let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list!

Discussion questions are posted for #LiteraryCrew ! You can find the 7 questions on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

Next month, we dive into Whale Fall by Elizabeth O‘Connor. Reminder will be posted tomorrow.

Also, start thinking about title suggestions for 2026! We‘re approaching voting season!

#LiteraryCrew : Discussion tomorrow! Questions will be posted either very early morning or late morning, US East Coast time (Zeke has a B12 injection appointment at the vet in the AM, so it depends upon how perky I am if I can post them prior to the appointment).

Great discussion yesterday for # ChristiesCapers ! Feel free to keep contributing.

Next month, we have another Poirot novel and go on the quest for The Big Four. Discussion on August 31st.

All are welcome to join us! Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list. #AgathaChristieClubR3

The #ChristiesCapers discussion questions are posted! You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags. This is my second favorite Christie, and I hope everyone enjoyed it!

Next month, Hastings is back with Poirot for The Big Four. Official post tomorrow! #AgathaChristieClubR3

Dinner and a movie this evening was the episode of Poirot based on this month‘s book. A good way to prepare for the discussion tomorrow! Questions will be posted before 12pm US East Coast time. Looking forward to it!

#ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3 #Xander #CatsOfLitsy

Fair warning: If you were severely bullied in school, skip this one. While high school for me was not horrible, middle school was trauma. Listening to this installment of the Cupcake Bakery mystery series was a bit of a trigger, especially the first two chapters. Mel is tricked into agreeing to cater her high school reunion by her best friend Angie. Yes, tricked. And yes, her best friend, who knew everything Mel went through in high school…⬇️⬇️⬇️

Xander inspecting my weekly #libraryhaul . He‘s probably wondering if I will actually open any of these books, or if they will sit in a neat stack on my dresser. 😂

Any must reads from the stacks? I know Woodworking has received lots of love.

#Xander #CatsOfLitsy

We‘re a little over a week away from our July #LiteraryCrew discussion of Burial Rites (reminder: discussion on July 31st). Our August read gives me similar vibes from the synopsis alone. Looking forward to reading this one for the #BuddyRead !

This is a low key buddy read. I‘ll post check-ins throughout the month, and discussion is the last of the month. Please let me know if you wish to be added to or removed from the tag list.

I think this is my favorite by Lee—a moving story about friendship, set on the Oregon Trail. It‘s beautifully written, with diverse characters and tackling the issue of prejudice for a YA audience deftly. #SundayBuddyRead #Xander #CatsOfLitsy

This is a hard book to review/rate, but it‘s a pick for me.

This remarkable debut novel has themes of classism, racism, sexuality, and dominance of the wealthy, not to mention drug addiction, mental health issues, and a damaged justice system. I cannot speak too much to the actions in the book, as it would be very spoiler-ish, but it‘s a book to make you think about life and prejudice and what choice you would make, and living with that choice.⬇️

We‘re a week away from this month‘s #ChristiesCapers discussion! Who did murder Roger Ackroyd? Use your little gray cells alongside Poirot to solve the crime!

Discussion will be posted mid to late morning US East Coast time on the 27th.

Wonderful discussion so far for the Old Attic, #LittenDetectives ! Our August #NancyDrewBR involves Nancy and crew, an inheritance, and a race against time before the bad guy finds the clue in the wall.

Discussion August 15th. All are welcome. Please let me know if you to be added or removed from the tag list.

So sorry I am late in posting today! I overslept, had things to do this morning, and today is Sebastian‘s birthday. Crazy morning!

5 questions are posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR .

Next month, we uncover The Clue in the Crumbling Wall. 😮

**I‘m running a bit behind for the discussion Tuesday, but will post the questions ASAP!**

Light pick. This one had a lot of good, creepy elements—spooky attic, possible disembodied sounds, and yucky spiders—but the character of Effie was so terribly distracting and annoying. Nancy would have done well to use one of her friends to help her with the Marches in this one.

#NancyDrewBR : discussion Tuesday!!

Wedding bells are chiming in this 10th addition to the Cupcake Bakery series, and Mel finds herself once again trying to identify the killer. The multiple murders in this one are a little gruesome (off page, but you can read between the lines). It‘s fun to see how the characters have developed over the course of the series, with several more books to go. Good listen, and a fast listen too!

Summertime in Italy with a bit of romance—a great escape listen. Add in a diverse cast, including a neurodivergent MC, and some snarky dialogue, to make the perfect beach read. I don‘t always read romance—I‘m still recovering from my 2020 bingeing of Regency romances—but I‘m so glad I picked this one up through #NetGalley . Ellie and Chris are childhood friends turned not-speaking strangers who are forced together when their grandparents marry. ⬇️

Paine‘s passion against a monarchical government is present in this short treatise. It may be short, but it packs a punch.

250 years later, it‘s a reminder of the struggle for independence in the American colonies. I‘m glad I took the time to revisit this and ponder how much this relates to today‘s political climate.

Vladimir & I are ready! I suspect I‘ll read parts throughout the day & let them simmer. I think it‘s remarkable that nearly 250 years after its publication Paine‘s words still resonate. For me, I‘m hoping this read helps me reflect on history & the current political dynamic.

Paine, a man with no prospects, helped ignite the colonies with this work. Anyone can be a hero.

What do you hope to learn/gain from today‘s reading?
#Vladimir #CatsOfLitsy

I was up half the night—thanks anxiety and Zeke‘s frequent food schedule (I feed him when he wants food, because it‘s whatever makes him happy)—let‘s gather joy!

1. My boys…always! Throwbacks of my guys when they were very young
2. Fun author event last weekend
3. Lindt chocolate, because I‘m eating it like it‘s going out of style
4. Poppi soda—tried Strawberry Lemon and loved it!
5. Litsy—I don‘t feel alone in this crazy world ❤️

#5JoysFriday

I cannot believe that this is the last six months for #192025 !

For the first half of 2025, I managed to read 4 more titles. I am determined to get as close to finishing as possible.

And for those interested, I will post the official announcement for #192030 , set to begin in January 2026 and run through December 31, 2030. Much like this current challenge, read one book originally published for each year, 1920-2030. ⬇️

One more post—taking advantage of a free moment. My July #BookSpinBingo list is ready to go! Xander approved. #Xander #CatsOfLitsy

I‘m still trying to figure out how to juggle everything with Zeke‘s needs and appointments with contract work (thank goodness I don‘t have a set work schedule), house chores, and not to mention down time!

But, I managed to finish 12 books in June! I‘ve not handed out many 5 stars this year, but I had two excellent reads in June—This Is Not a Game and The Accidental Favorite. Loved them; right reads at the right time.

Great discussion so far for The Chelsea Girls! Our next #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Kent‘s historical fiction account of the last woman set to be executed in Iceland.

Read at your own pace. Discussion on July 31st. I will post periodic check-ins throughout the month. All are welcome to join! I know several are planning to join in for the discussion!

#LittenDetectives : We‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion!

What could be the secret in the old attic? How will Nancy discover the secret? Will she have a head injury this time? Will Ned continue to sulk that he is second to a good mystery in Nancy‘s eyes?!? Let‘s find out!

Discussion July 15th!

It‘s been over 25 years since I last read this, and I feel like this is a good document to read on the 4th.

Anyone wish to join me reading this on the 4th? If so, we could post comments throughout our reading, but make it very lowkey.