@monalyisha on Litsy

Will There Ever Be Another You | Patricia Lockwood

“…[She] pulls [his] hands away from his face so that the shame can run out of him and rejoin the natural blushes of the world: sunrise, sunset, fruit, flowers. No shame, no shame, I said to myself, pink peaches.”

ChaoticMissAdventures Gorgeous! 13h

43 likes1 stack add1 comment

monalyisha

Christmas with Anne: And Other Holiday Stories | L. M. Montgomery

Finally got our tree up today! The dog is clearly bothered by the change in his environment. He‘s so high-strung.

Suet624 💕💕💕 3d

dabbe 🖤🐾🤍 3d

LeahBergen 😆😆 3d

See All 9 Comments

Leftcoastzen 👏🐶 3d

AnnCrystal 🤩🎄💚🤍❤️💕🐕💝. 3d

AmyG How pretty! 3d

Gissy 🎄😍💚❤️💚❤️ 2d

Bookzombie So pretty! Love the books and bunny slippers ornaments. 2d

monalyisha Thanks @AmyG! And good eye, @Bookzombie! 🐇 2d

67 likes9 comments

monalyisha

Drowned Country | Emily Tesh

pick

Apparently, I have a thing for second books in fantasy novella series that (purportedly…barely) feature vampires. I was quickly reminded of the second book in Seanan McGuire‘s Wayward Children series, Down Among the Sticks & Bones. I liked that one better than the series opener, Every Heart a Doorway, & I liked this one better than the first in this duology, Silver in the Wood. I think this may be an unpopular opinion but it‘s one I stand by! 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/1: The setting, a seaside town with the looming ruins of an ancient abbey, may‘ve also had something to do with my favorable rating. Or maybe a lifetime of Buffy adoration has simply ruined me. 3d

Soubhiville I loved this duology, discovered through #NewYearWhoDat 😁 3d

monalyisha @Soubhiville So very glad I changed that name. 😅 3d

50 likes2 stack adds3 comments

monalyisha

Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World | Anthony Doerr

I don‘t know how many of you saw the moon earlier, but WOW! It had me texting my friends, “Beauty emergency!” a la Maggie Smith. One of them responded, “The moon was beautiful last night, too.” I don‘t know if she meant it to be an enthusiastic confirmation of my awe or flippant disinterest — but it reminded me of this quote by Anthony Doerr, which I love.

Anyway, the moon. 🌖 Hope some of you caught it!

willaful It *was* beautiful last night! 😁 4d

monalyisha @willaful And every. Let‘s cause some pandemonium. 😜 4d

Chelsea.Poole The cold moon. I made moon water 🌕 4d

See All 9 Comments

TheBookHippie The cold moon! I‘ve taken so many pictures! 4d

AnnCrystal 💖🌜🌝🌛💖. 4d

Soubhiville Yes, great quote! I live in a beautiful mountain setting, and try to remember to actually see them when I‘m driving around. Taking the time to notice is great gratitude practice! 🩷 4d

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Love the idea of moon water. So easy! 4d

monalyisha @Soubhiville Same...except switch out the mountains for the ocean! I grew up just one state over (MA) but we were centrally-located and if we wanted to go to the beach, it was about an hour-and-a-half drive. When I moved to RI, I vowed I'd never “get used to it“ and take the easy ocean access for granted. I've been true to my promise! 4d

TheKidUpstairs I love those moments when something you see everyday: the moon, a tree, a lake, whatever, just stops you in your tracks. The local First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island, shared a "learn Anishinaabemowin" post about this week's full moon, it is called Manidoon Giizis or Little Spirit Moon. 4d

43 likes9 comments

monalyisha

'Twas the Night Before Christmas | Clement Clarke Moore

What. A. Long. Day.

The library took part in our town‘s Holiday Festival today. I led two “Ring-a-Ling Read-Aloud” storytimes (with a jingle bell jam sesh at each) and then stayed after the library closed (upon request) to do an interactive read-aloud of The Night Before Christmas (which I 100% kept calling The Nightmare Before Christmas 💀), prior to other staff reading A Christmas Carol. There were scavenger hunts & spiced cider. I‘m knackered!

monalyisha Even better, one of my coworkers excitedly announced to someone that there‘d be “spiced spiders!” I died. 😂 We‘re all a little mad/secretly goth here. 🖤 4d

Chelsea.Poole Sounds exhausting but oh so festive. 4d

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Bingo on both counts! I was mentally unprepared. It was frigid today, so I expected most people to stay home. They did not. In a BIG way. 😅. But people were in good spirits! It was uplifting, honestly, which feels rare these days. I‘ll take it! 4d

AnnCrystal Sounds like a long, yet Festive day 🥳💚🤍❤️. 4d

56 likes4 comments

monalyisha

Love and Trouble: Memoirs of a Former Wild Girl | Claire Dederer

pick

I love Claire Dederer. She‘s cool but open, and therefore vulnerable: eminently likable and unlikable at the same time, needing to be seen and validated. Even when she‘s not like you (see: her entire edgy adolescence), that need and that combination of liking her and not liking her at the same time is so familiar; it‘s very much how you feel about yourself — or how *I* feel about *myself,* anyway — which makes her likable all over again. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: I always forget, until I‘m partway through one of her books and am reminded, that she‘s the sister of Dave Dederer, guitarist and founding member of The Presidents of the USA, which, again, is cool, cool, cool. Despite that, she comes to the conclusion that, “Everything good in life might actually be nerdly.” You feel for her, and you judge her, and it‘s all so shamefully recognizable yet foreign, which is perfect. 5d

monalyisha 2/2: Should I be concerned that I‘m a month away from turning 40 and that I seem to be gravitating toward these “midlife reckoning” books (the updated subtitle of this memoir)? Maybe. It remains to be seen.

Note: the one “nerdly” thing that Dederer does in this book, more than once (!), that is objectively not good — is to use the word “lovah” (and, I am sad to report, “laydeez”). No, thank you. 5d

Chelsea.Poole If this book is half as entertaining as your review I should read it. 5d

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole I‘d try Monsters first and see if she strikes the right chord with you. I can imagine her vibe might be a little grating — or even infuriating! — if she‘s not for you. But I think she‘s rad.

Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Just checked in on more recent reviews of Monsters and was reminded that you read & appreciated it! I shouldn‘t have doubted. 😉 5d

50 likes1 stack add5 comments

monalyisha

Me | Elton John

#AuldLangSpine
About Me

1. I‘m Alyisha. My name is a mash-up of my grandmother‘s name, Alice, & my mom‘s name, Patricia. There‘s no accounting for the strange spelling.

2. I live in Rhode Island, the Ocean State. Aside from the whole winter thing (brrr), it‘s perfect for me because I love the sea. I can jump on my bike & be at the beach in about 20 minutes.

3. I work as a Children‘s Librarian in an historical library with actual gargoyles.👇🏻

Billypar

monalyisha 4. I was the proud bun-mom of a rabbit-daughter for nearly 12 years. Moxie Crimefighter was my furry little soulmate.

5. We adopted our dog, Jett (named after Joan Jett), a little over a year ago. His ears are nearly as soft as a rabbit‘s and he is the absolute BEST snuggler. 6d

monalyisha 6. My husband, Adam, & I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary this year. I‘m fully aware that I listed him *after* my rabbit & my dog and I have no regrets. 😅 He‘s got a Rasputin beard, is a photographer by trade, and plays in two bands (drums & bass; garage rock & punk rock).

7. I‘m a Capricorn (sun), Aries (moon), Sagittarius (rising)…and exactly *none* of that feels right to me. 😅 6d

monalyisha 8. Sometimes, I tap dance.

9. I wish I could eat Indian food for every meal— with either hermits or tiramisu for dessert.

10. Speaking of hermits, I‘m an introvert in an extroverted job. I do ebullient goofiness pretty well…but I crave silence and solitude in a big way (which is part of why I think I love being in and under the water so much). 6d

See All 21 Comments

BkClubCare Aw! I love Rhode Island. Now in KS, I totally miss the library systems of New England. I wish I hadn‘t let my EGRI membership lapse. #sigh 6d

Billypar That picture is amazing 😆 I was wondering about your name - is it pronounced like the originals that inspired it: e.g., Al-isha? I'm also a Capricorn (I don't know the moon or rising signs though) and also an extroverted introvert of sorts. And I love garage and punk rock, so Adam's band sounds right up my alley (if he's ever touring near Montclair, NJ there's a great small basement venue called The Meatlocker I'd recommend). 6d

Billypar Jett is a great name for a dog - very close to one of our cat's names, who I'll introduce in my post. I've got to visit RI one day - must be gorgeous with the easy beach access. I had to Google what a hermit dessert was, but sounds delicious 😋 6d

AnnCrystal 👏🏼☺️💝💝💝. 6d

monalyisha @Billypar Thanks, @Billypar. I wanted to pick a photo that shows me in my best light. 😅 My name‘s got a long “e” sound - like Alicia or Alysha, just with some bonus nonsense vowels. The full story is that my mom had me when she was 19, which I‘m sure affected her judgment. 😆 She wanted the “y” OR the “i” but couldn‘t decide which. She fell asleep and it was printed on the birth certificate with both. 🙈 She‘s apologized to me my whole life! 6d

monalyisha @Billypar I like it, though (most of the time). It‘s the only part of my name I haven‘t considered changing. It‘s a great barometer for how closely folks are paying attention and how much they care about or are interested in me. If they take the time to spell my name right? Good things are coming. ✨ 6d

monalyisha @Billypar Jett‘s name was inspired by the song “Bad Reputation.” He was returned to the shelter twice before we brought him home. He‘s really such a sweet, well-behaved, dream of a dog. He just needed time & a little bit of patience. But the two families that brought him home first were swayed by his good looks & didn‘t consider other factors (kids, who jumped on him while he was sleeping on his first day) and another dog (who wasn‘t keen on him). 6d

monalyisha @Billypar He‘s great with my niece (who‘s 5) and he has a bunch of dog friends. I think he‘s happy being the only dependent, though! I checked with Adam to see if his band‘s played the Meatlocker (they‘ve toured a bunch, at home & even abroad — Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland — so there was a possibility!) but no dice. Looks cool, though! Totally a place they *would* play. 6d

monalyisha @Billypar I‘ll link you to some songs, just in case you‘re interested. The more punky (touring) band is Math the Band (though they‘re going through kind of a fallow period, members are dealing with some moves & some mental health stuff). My personal favorite is Voice but it‘s way calmer than a lot of their other stuff, which trends toward the frenetic: https://open.spotify.com/track/1UsSgh6ASZjIJhZdeBzEuH?si=mQX7dN0gRpm6wrwl9DzXyg 6d

monalyisha @billypar And their two most popular songs (largely because the first was featured in the movie Velocipastor?! 😂 🦖🙏🏻 ) are Four to Six, and Didn‘t Have Time to Think. 6d

monalyisha @Billypar Four to Six: https://open.spotify.com/track/0WJ1XF6JNYGWKcf3xtWQKd?si=g1LuD1R3R1CMPfS0ZdQE3g 6d

monalyisha @Billypar Didn‘t Have Time to Think: https://open.spotify.com/track/2J4Koqe0KERlbfGA9Ykfwj?si=tQVXDbiLTDiReNukB5sKTA 6d

monalyisha @Billypar The other band, Eric and the Nothing, which is sort-of vaguely rockabilly-inspired garage rock, is much more of a hometown thing. My favorite of theirs is City. https://open.spotify.com/track/1bFcAlew7s5TIz3x28Nf0y?si=nGjBdEtCT8GSdQEXjH67kA 6d

monalyisha @Billypar If you visit Rhode Island, I‘d be happy to show you my favorite bookstores! 🤓 Obviously, the warmer months are a better bet. Looking forward to learning more about you, too! 6d

Billypar In my mind, the whole name issue is 100% worth it for that story alone, not to mention the function you said of it serving as a 'no green m&ms in the tour rider' sort of function. And speaking of tours, I'll ask you to pass along the standard music fan message to Adam: 'Plll 5d

Billypar Whoops - didn't realize it published my interrupted draft reply, lol. That last part was going to read: 'Play Montclair!' 5d

Billypar Those songs are awesome - thanks for sending! Very different sounds for each band but both are right in my wheelhouse. 5d

Billypar And regarding Jett - it's a good thing you didn't give a damn about his bad reputation: those kinds of success stories are amazing 😊 5d

63 likes21 comments

monalyisha

Brutes: A Novel | Dizz Tate

My eyes are always bigger than my free time for #AuldLangSpine. There‘s *no way* I‘ll get to all of these…but hey, girl can dream.

Mrs. Dalloway would be a reread. 60 Songs will be my audiobook. @Billypar did you listen to his podcast? I‘m wondering how much of the content is repeated. My favorite episode was probably the one about Mazzy Star & slowcore. So dreamy!

My plan is to put all of these on hold and then mood read at will. ✨ Perfection.

Billypar 60 Songs was the only one of these I listened to on audio, and it was actually my introduction to the podcast. I've listened to a few episodes since (though not the Mazzy Star one, so will have to check that out), but I can't say how much he recycled. And then that in turn introduced me to the Bandsplain podcast with Yasi Salek, and my Spotify Wrapped just informed me that it was my most listened to podcast of the year. 7d

monalyisha Note: It seems like a bunch of the content will be the same (sometimes verbatim). I think that‘s probably okay, though? I didn‘t listen to every episode. And my memory is terrible, anyway. 😅 7d

monalyisha @Billypar Oh! We commented at the same time. 👯‍♀️ I‘m gonna give it a shot, anyhow! 7d

See All 15 Comments

Billypar I think I'm going for a similar strategy with your list - I have a few definites, but a lot of contenders. You chose all three that were selections from my IRL book club this year: Pew, Lucy, and Brutes. I'm new to in-person book clubs and thought it would mean reading a bunch of books I don't like, but the facilitator and I are definitely on the same page - so many good ones. 7d

Billypar Oh ok, got it. That makes sense - kind of a lovingly curated version of the podcast. Yeah, when I accidentally listen to any podcast episode twice, I usually remember maybe 2 things on average. 7d

julesG Longlist sounds very posh. 😁 7d

monalyisha @Billypar Sounds like a great book club! How‘d you find it? 7d

Billypar It's at my local bookstore: the facilitator and some of the attendees are booksellers there. It's got several clubs, this one is called Thought Daughter: https://www.watchungbooksellers.com/events/book-clubs 7d

monalyisha @Billypar “Undiscovered books under 300 pages” sounds pretty ideal. Nice. My IRL Book Club (friends from college; we‘re scattered across the country & meet online as a way to keep in touch and stay connected) is voting on titles for next year. First round of voting revealed only 4 titles we all agreed on. 😅 It‘s a work in progress! 7d

Billypar Well, 4 books is a start 😄 That's a great way to stay connected though. Book clubs are funny things. The facilitator of mine said she started it because she was tired of joining clubs where the books she loved were always the ones that the rest of the group hated. 7d

AmyG The Safekeep is so good. 7d

KT1432 @Billypar I‘m glad you posted the book club link! I live no where close so can‘t join but I will be following that page to see what you all are reading because the Thought Daughter club is right up my alley from looking at the current and previous picks! 7d

Billypar @KT1432 I'll let them know they now have a wider audience 😀 The first one I joined for was The Children's Bible, but the group originally caught my eye because I loved Freshwater and several from Oyeyemi (though I haven't read Opposite House yet). I think the leader must think I'm nice and say I like everything, but they're truly just great picks. 7d

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Billypar Hey fellow NJ dweller! Thanks for sharing the book club. I live in Union and will be working from home full time next year. I've been considering options to get me out of the apartment. 6d

Billypar @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick That's great! They take a month off in December and should post the January selection on their site, probably by early January, if not sooner. It's a small group, and they're very friendly. Hope you can check it out! 5d

54 likes15 comments

monalyisha

The Ten Year Affair | Erin Somers

I just tagged my previous post as #ReadingBracket2025, even though it contained nary a hint of a reading bracket. Ummm… more coffee required?

Anyway, back on track here! The Ten Year Affair snagged the November spot. Unless something comes crashing into my life in December with unbridled love (which Journal of a Solitude may do!), it‘s likely to be a Fiction vs. Nonfiction showdown at the end of the year (Giving Up the Ghost v. Death Valley).

CSeydel

CSeydel Nice bracket! 1w

50 likes1 comment

monalyisha

The Ghost Orchard | Helen Humphreys

I had a great reading month! Two of these made my #AuldLangSpine list (Women & Other Monsters, which most of my IRL book club was disappointed in, so…caution), & The Ten Year Affair. Thematically, 10 Year & All 4s are very similar…but I preferred 10 Year, which is far less experimental (which I suppose makes it more “boring”), but still very funny!

If I‘d had room, I would‘ve added The Ghost Orchard to my list, too. So good.

monalyisha On a tangentially-related note, I won‘t be running the kids‘ fantasy book club at the library in the New Year, so I won‘t have the juv titles mucking up my stats and graphics. 😅 Aesthetically, it‘s been driving me nuts! 🙈 Lost Evangeline was 100% for me, though. I love children‘s literature; I just don‘t always love choosing titles for myself that are intended to appeal greatly to a wide range of 10-year-olds. 1w

shortsarahrose I loved Women and Other Monsters but definitely understand why not everyone would like it. The combo of cultural criticism and memoir is just a form that works well for me! 1w

monalyisha #AWreads2025 7d

59 likes1 stack add3 comments

monalyisha

Pew | Catherine Lacey

My fabulous #AuldLangSpine list from @Billypar — submitted mostly without comment for the time being. Obviously, I love it! I‘ve read a few…but many weren‘t even on my radar (which is exactly how I like it). I‘ll post about my pretty little plans sometime soon.

Thanks, Vinny! I‘m looking forward to January! 🖤

Chelsea.Poole Great list! #8 rearranged my thoughts one to ponder over for sure! 1w

Billypar I just finished adding your selections to a new ALSpine Libby shelf - excited to get started! I hope you enjoy what you pick up. I loved your All Fours review, btw. I think I was reading that novel like a romantic comedy/drama via the Twilight Zone, so I went with a lot of the ridiculousness, but there is no excusing the line you quoted, which I somehow did not remember 😅 1w

Billypar Yeah, it did that to mine too @Chelsea.Poole ! 1w

See All 11 Comments

monalyisha @Billypar I love the comparison to the Twilight Zone. I'm trying to imagine what (truly small) changes could be made to turn it into an episode. I think, despite the lack of consummation, it would have to end with her hotel room becoming a TRUE nest. Like, there'd be a bloody egg sitting like a jewel atop her goddamn pink coverlet. (edited) 1w

Billypar @monalyisha Yes! That is too perfect (and she did love talking about that coverlet, right?). I think in this version, Rod Serling walks out, and he's got the line about the future reaching back in time to cup your balls 🫠 1w

monalyisha @Billypar I cackled. 😂 1w

TheBookHippie Number two is one of my all time favorite books. 1w

vivastory I have many of these on my TBR, but the, 3 I read are fantastic::5, 10, 17...& I'm nearly done with 11 which is also excellent 1w

monalyisha @vivastory 5 (Pew, tagged) might be the title I'm looking forward to the most. 11 (Mrs. Dalloway) is one that I've read...but I'm actually considering a reread! It's been a good 15+ years, I recently scored a beautiful used copy at a local shop, and I still think of that first line (about buying the flowers herself) often. Miley Cyrus' single might've had a lot to do with that in the past couple of years, tbh. 😅 But it was true before then, too! 1w

monalyisha @Billypar Apparently, you & I were the exact right people to be having that Twilight Zone discussion. When I tried to recreate it for my friends at our book club meeting tonight, they all just stared at me blankly. 🫥 Insert meme of Homer disappearing into the shrubbery here. 24h

Billypar @monalyisha Oh no! Sorry to lead you astray, lol. I've used the Twilight Zone comparison for books that literally remind me of the show or have a weird twist. This is more of a spiritual link maybe, at least without your egg-laying climax 😄 6h

50 likes11 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

One (?) more Muppets-related post…

ALL #AuldLangSpine2026 lists have hopped, crawled, meandered, and/or flown their way to their intended recipients. Check your email! 🙃

Yenya1954 Thank you!! I‘m looking forward to reading from my list in January. 1w

Chelsea.Poole Gee, you‘re fast! Hopping/slithering/crawling on my eight legs to find my list now. 1w

Ruthiella You can never have too much Muppet content, in my opinion. 😊 1w

julesG Thank you!!! 1w

59 likes4 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

That‘s it. The end. I knew I‘d catch up!

All matches have been posted — the lovers, the dreamers, & me. It‘s time for me to get some beauty sleep. Admit it: I‘ve looked better.

Thanks for following along and for all of the kind comments! I‘ve been passing them on to Dave (my sweet friend behind the camera) & they‘ve been filling *my* heart, too.

Lists will begin arriving tomorrow afternoon. 🌈📝

Happy #AuldLangSpine2026!

CSeydel 👏👏👏 1w

willaful Congratulations! 1w

Soubhiville Yay! 1w

See All 13 Comments

Amiable Great job, Muppets! Now it‘s time to relax and enjoy the music of Emmett Otter‘s Jug Band. 😀 1w

TheKidUpstairs Amazing work once again, you are a Rockstar! 1w

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I gave your buddy a follow. Such fantastic photos! 1w

Chelsea.Poole You‘re the best!! 1w

Chrissyreadit you are amazing!!! i‘m so happy to be back in this activity ❤️😘❤️😘❤️ 1w

monalyisha Hi, buddies! Still waiting on confirmation from just a few of you. I know it's a busy time of year...but don't keep your match waiting! Check your email. 😊 @KadaGul @Hotpock3tt @Singout @LiteraryinPA Hope you all have a relaxing and festive Sunday! 4d

LiteraryinPA @monalyisha I‘ll make my post tonight! Thanks! 3d

monalyisha @LiteraryinPA Perfect. Thanks! 🥳 3d

Singout Sorry! Tomorrow! It‘s been a super-busy week. 3d

monalyisha @Singout No worries! Just checking in. 3d

52 likes13 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Hi, @Billypar !
You‘ve been matched…with me! 🥳

Your official reading list will be hopping into your inbox within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Billypar Awesome - can't wait to see your list! And on a sidenote, your posts reminded me that I wanted to read that Muppets in Moscow book, so I just placed a hold for that one 🙂 1w

monalyisha @Billypar Good news! I wrote a *very* detailed review after reading Muppets in Moscow two years ago! My memory is such that I would never have remembered all of that now. 🙈 Although, the balloon storyline did stick with me (you‘ll know when you get to it). Excited for your list! 1w

Billypar Oh that's perfect - I'll look out for it once I finish 🎈🎈 1w

37 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @BarbaraJean & @PurpleyPumpkin ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

DebinHawaii This photo! 💙💙💙 1w

BarbaraJean Yaaaay! Thank you! @PurpleyPumpkin - I'm so excited to see your list! 1w

PurpleyPumpkin Woohoo!🥳 Thanks for matching us up @monalyisha! Very much looking forward to this! Glad we‘ve been paired @BarbaraJean, looking forward to seeing your list too!☺️ 1w

37 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Jerdencon & @Librarybelle ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Librarybelle Yay, Denise! So glad to be matched with a fellow #LiteraryCrew member!! @Jerdencon 1w

Jerdencon @Librarybelle yay! Looking forward to seeing your list! 1w

Jerdencon Thanks @monalyisha and beautiful pic! 1w

monalyisha @Jerdencon This is one of my favorites this year! I always feel compelled to choose a particularly lovely photo when faced with the “belle” part of @Librarybelle ‘s name! 😉 1w

37 likes4 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Amiable & @fredthemoose ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be taking the road less traveled (via email) within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Amiable Hooray! I‘m so excited, @fredthemoose ! Thank you, @monalyisha ! I love this photo, too. 😍 1w

fredthemoose Oh, hooray! Great match, @monalyisha ! @Amiable I actually just started When the Sea Came Alive on your recommendation! 1w

JenReadsAlot I will be watching for both of your lists @Amiable @fredthemoose for nonfiction recommendations! 1w

Amiable @fredthemoose I actually haven‘t read that yet —I bought it recently because I love Graff! I‘m currently reading his latest one:

The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb

fredthemoose @JenReadsAlot I‘ll be watching yours as well!! 1w

32 likes5 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @peaKnit & @Yenya1954 ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be scampering its way to your inbox within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

peaKnit Thank you! I appreciate your time and care. I am looking forward to some new suggestions! 1w

33 likes1 comment

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Deblovestoread & @ncsufoxes ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Deblovestoread Yay! Very excited for this match. Thanks for all your work! Love all the pics, too. 1w

ncsufoxes So exciting! Thank you for doing all this work. 1w

Amiable Great match! I‘d love to see both if your lists, too @Deblovestoread and @ncsufoxes 1w

See All 6 Comments

ncsufoxes @Amiable I didn‘t join last year because life was too chaotic. But I would always look at everyone‘s list to see what other people are reading. 1w

Amiable @ncsufoxes Deb was my ALS match a couple of years ago —she‘s got great lists! 🙂 1w

Deblovestoread Looking forward to all the lists. Amy and @thewallflower0707 have me leaning in to more NF which has been amazing! @Amiable. That being said this has been in off reading year for me which made it a little hard to curate a list. I hope there is something on it the peaks your interest Jessica. 1w

32 likes6 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Karisa & @JamieArc ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Karisa Awesome! Thanks, @monalyisha and hello, @JamieArc! 😊 1w

JamieArc Wow! That was fast! What a great surprise to see when I opened Litsy 😊. Hi @Karisa Looking forward to reading from your list! 1w

32 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Born.A.Reader & @Itchyfeetreader ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Born.A.Reader @monalyisha Thank you so much! I can't wait to see your list and find some new favorite reads! @Itchyfeetreader 1w

Itchyfeetreader Amazing thank you @monalyisha I am always in awe of your work on this. @Born.A.Reader hope you enjoy and looking forward to seeing what you have recommended ! 1w

30 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Singout & @jenniferw88 ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Singout Thank you so much: looking forward to see what @jenniferw88 has picked! And tell David Taberner that‘s a fabulous shot of one of my favorite birds! 1w

jenniferw88 Thanks so much! Echoing @Singout - can't wait to see what's on the list! If you want a preview, Sarah, some (but not all) are on my #readingbracket2025 post 🤣 1w

32 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Sharpeipup & @kspenmoll ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be waddling its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

30 likes

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @CBee & @TheKidUpstairs ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

TheKidUpstairs Yay! Hi @CBee 👋 I'm very excited to read some of your 2025 faves to kick off the New Year. And thanks again @monalyisha for all the work you put into this every year, it's my favourite Litsy thing 🤩🎉 1w

CBee @TheKidUpstairs oh my gosh yay!!! We have such similar tastes and I hoped I‘d be matched with you eventually! Very excited 😊 Thanks, @monalyisha 💚💚 1w

TheKidUpstairs @CBee yes! I was browsing through your page last night, and kept saying "yes, that WAS such a good book!" Can't wait to see what made your list. When I looked back, I realized I had quite a good year for books, there were 4 or 5 extras that could have made it on my list. And, as usually happens, the books I finished just after submitting my list were all top notch as well. So if you find you've read a lot of the ones on my list, there are backups! 1w

CBee @TheKidUpstairs I have extras too! I‘ve been lucky to have a few great reading years and it‘s been difficult to narrow it down to 20 😅 Looking at your page I already found at least 3-4 from my list that I know you‘ve read - and maybe vice versa. Can‘t wait to see what‘s in store 💚 1w

31 likes4 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Chelsea.Poole & @CarolynM ! You are rekindling your match from years past! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Chelsea.Poole Real jazzed to be matched with @CarolynM — who‘s Litsy feed I just stalked 😉 Can‘t wait to see your list! And thank you @monalyisha for this pairing and every one of these nature photos from your friend. Please tell him how enjoyable these are, absolutely fabulous shots. 1w

TheKidUpstairs What a great match! You both have excellent lists heading your way, I'm sure! 1w

CarolynM This looks like a great match up! I‘ve just seen your list @Chelsea.Poole A couple of titles that are already on my TBR, but lots of new to me titles too. I‘m excited to get started on it in the new year 😊 Thanks again Alyisha! 7d

31 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @LiteraryinPA & @Mollyanna ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Mollyanna Very excited! Thanks for organizing this wonderful event. 1w

LiteraryinPA Yay, I‘m so excited!! 1w

30 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Sapphire & @Lesliereadsalot ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be hopping its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Sapphire Thank you @monalyisha! 1w

Lesliereadsalot Yes many thanks! 1w

Lesliereadsalot @Sapphire Excited to get your list! Plus you‘re a Europa follower! 1w

See All 6 Comments

Sapphire @Lesliereadsalot Same! Yes, love Europa and have a collection of paperback titles. I love the covers and paper quality as well as the works they publish. 1w

Sapphire @Lesliereadsalot are you reading with #europacollective or do you have another connection to the publisher? 1w

Lesliereadsalot @Sapphire I‘ve always found the Europa books to be interesting even when I didn‘t love them. I started reading with #EuropaCollective and then when the host stepped down was happy to resurrect it with @BarbaraBB They have some really great authors there! 1w

41 likes6 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Texreader & @LeafingThroughLife ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be unfurling in your inboxes within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

LeafingThroughLife Yay! Looking forward to seeing what I get to read next year @Texreader ! 😁 1w

Texreader @LeafingThroughLife Yay!!!!! This is so awesome! 1w

37 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

I must PAWS here!

I have to go to work…rude! We‘re officially halfway through #AuldLangSpine2026 match announcements.

I‘ll pick it up again tonight. *Small* chance I might bang some out during my dinner break. 😉

julesG 😁 1w

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1w

AnnCrystal 💕🐕‍🦺🐾💝. 1w

50 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @willaful & @shortsarahrose ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

shortsarahrose Yay! The best news on a Monday morning! Thanks for your hard work! Looking forward to seeing your list @willaful 1w

willaful @shortsarahrose me too, yours! 1w

willaful @shortsarahrose Looking at your currently reading list, I think your list will probably suit me just fine. 😁 1w

39 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @CSeydel & @sebrittainclark ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be coming down the pipe (via email) within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

CSeydel Thank you so much for doing this! 1w

CSeydel And - beautiful photo, as usual! 1w

sebrittainclark Yay! 1w

40 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Soubhiville & @rachelsbrittain ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Soubhiville Yay! Hi Rachel! I‘m so excited to share some reading with you! @rachelsbrittain Thank you @monalyisha ! Your hard work is very appreciated. I can‘t wait to plan my January reading. 1w

rachelsbrittain So excited to be paired up @Soubhiville ! Can't wait to see my reading list. Thanks for all your hard work on this @monalyisha ! 1w

40 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @BarkingMadRead & @Erinreadsthebooks ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be barking its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

BarkingMadRead Yayyyyyy a new book friend!! 1w

Chelsea.Poole What a great shot!! 🦦 1w

Karisa Wow! Loving these photos! So much talent 😊 1w

38 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Laughterhp & @Chrissyreadit ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

35 likes

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @DebinHawaii & @julesG ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be swimming its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

julesG Thank you!!! Cool picture 😊 1w

DebinHawaii Mahalo @monalyisha !!! @julesG I look forward to seeing your list! 🤗 1w

DebinHawaii And yes, very cool photo! 😍 1w

julesG @DebinHawaii when I read your @ my brain went 🥑🍞 - sorry, 😁 Yes, looking forward to seeing your list too. 1w

DebinHawaii @julesG Ha! I still love 🥑🍞! 😂 7d

38 likes5 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Gissy & @JacqMac ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be twinkling its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

JacqMac Yay!!! I‘m so excited to see the @Gissy list. Thanks so much @monalyisha 1w

Gissy Yes!!! 👏 I hope you like something from list @JacqMac 🤞 1w

33 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Avanders & @KT1432 ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

KT1432 That was fast!! Yayyy I‘m so excited! Thanks so much!! 1w

Avanders Woo hoo!! 👏🏼 👏🏼💃🏽🪩🕺🏼 1w

35 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @BookmarkTavern & @WildAlaskaBibliophile ! 🥳 You‘ve been matched!

Your official reading list will be darting its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

BookmarkTavern Wonderful! Thank you again for all the amazing work you do to put together this fantastic event! 💖 1w

WildAlaskaBibliophile Awesome! Thank you so much @monalyisha, and I look forward to our pairing @bookmarktavern! (edited) 1w

36 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Clare-Dragonfly & @MatchlessMarie ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Clare-Dragonfly I‘ve been matched with the matchless! Thanks, matchmaker! 😄🥳 1w

monalyisha @Clare-Dragonfly Every year, I look at her name and feel DIRECTLY CHALLENGED. 😂 1w

34 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @DGRachel & @dariazeoli ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

DGRachel Thank you! I‘m looking forward to another year and a new list. This is my favorite Litsy event. 💖 1w

dariazeoli Yay! Can‘t wait to make my January TBR list! 1w

34 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @HOTPock3tt & @BennettBookworm ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

Chelsea.Poole *Opened up litsy before digging into my day at work—BAM— #AuldLangSpine announcements. First one I see: a monarch on milkweed 🥹 It‘s going to be a great day! (edited) 1w

BennettBookworm AHHHHH how exciting!! Thank you!!! 1w

HOTPock3tt @BennettBookworm I‘m really excited!!! 😃 @monalyisha thank you soo much! 7d

34 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Birdsong28 & @KadaGul ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

KadaGul Yay🤗 I'm incredibly excited! Thank you so much for hosting this! 💚📖❤️😍💙🔖🤍📚🩵 1w

34 likes1 comment

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @Lin3han & @Aconight ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be crawling its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

monalyisha *Note: Apologies to the unsuspecting for the spider content! It seemed to fit these two horror buffs…and it‘s the only one I promise! ✌🏻 1w

Chelsea.Poole Spiders get such a bad rap. They are amazing and do such good! 1w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole It‘s so hard to unlearn a lifetime of heebie-jeebies! But hey, I posted it, right? 😅🙈 Progress! 1w

See All 10 Comments

CBee I love spiders! 😁 1w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole @CBee I‘m so glad we had this chat! There was a spider in the shower when I went to get ready for work, and I think I handled it better than I would have otherwise. 😉 1w

Lin3han WOOOOOO SO EXCITED @Aconight I can‘t wait to get your list!!! 1w

CBee @monalyisha brave girl! I occasionally find one in the shower and say hello, then go about my business 😂🤷‍♀️ 1w

Chelsea.Poole Baby steps! @cbee same! I threaten any family members who attempt to shoo them away. I have enjoyed many a shower with those super whispy-long leg ones. Not sure what they‘re called. 1w

CBee @Chelsea.Poole luckily my family appreciate them like I do. I thought those were daddy long legs but I think they‘re a different kind - I just call them our spider friends 😂 1w

Aconight @Lin3han Can't wait to see your list as well! Hope you find something good from me. 1w

33 likes10 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Congratulations, @thegreensofa & @LapReader ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2026.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2026
#ALSpine2026

32 likes

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

Happy December 1st!

Rabbit, rabbit. 🐇🐇

#AuldLangSpine2026 match announcements begin now!

jenniferw88 🎉🎉🎉 I'm squeaking like a mouse because I am so excited about this announcement 😆 1w

CBee Hooray!!!! Awesome way to start a Monday (where I feel like I‘m in slow motion 🤪). Thank you Alyisha 💚 1w

BarbaraJean Soooooo exciting!! 🥳 1w

49 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

This song & dance is almost over!

I can say, with great confidence, that the #AuldLangSpine2026 match announcements will begin trickling out over the work week.

How inspirational & celebrational is that?! 🥳

Thank you to those who kept me in coffee & contributed to my over-caffeinated mania! And thanks to everyone else for keeping me in good spirits!

BookmarkTavern Woohoo! 🎉🎉🎉 1w

willaful Thanks for doing this huge task! 1w

julesG Huge thanks for your effort!!! 1w

See All 6 Comments

Itchyfeetreader Amazing - thank you so much 1w

Jerdencon Can‘t wait! Thanks so much for this! 😊 1w

peaKnit Thank you so much for this undertaking! And muppets - I will hum intro song all day ❤️ 1w

52 likes6 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

(M)up(p)date: I'm nearing the halfway mark! I won't post any of the #AuldLangSpine2026 matches until the whole kit & kaboodle is complete (in case reshuffling becomes necessary)...but we're “moving right along!“

Chelsea.Poole Loving these updates. 1w

monalyisha @Chelsea.Poole Thank you! The theme was unplanned. 😅 1w

46 likes2 comments

monalyisha

Auld Lang Syne: A Song and Its Culture | Morag Josephine Grant

The #AuldLangSpine2026 matching process has begun! This means little for you at this point...but hopefully it's exciting, anyway!

Pictured: me, right now. I contain legions (of muppets).

Amiable At what point in the process does Animal emerge? 😀 2w

dariazeoli I mean, Miss Piggy has been one of my longest-held role models, so I feel you‘re starting with prime Muppet here! 2w

monalyisha @Amiable Oh, don‘t worry. Animal & Rowlf (my husband & dog) are always around somewhere. 😉 1w

58 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Lost Evangeline | Kate DiCamillo

pick

My least favorite of the Norendy Tales…but I could read these bite-sized books, written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by some of her favorite artists, forever and ever. “Least favorite” means little when the bar is so very high.

BarbaraJean Same. I think Hotel Balzaar is my favorite, but this cover? 😍 I saw DiCamillo say somewhere that this one would be the last of the Norendy tales, but I wish she‘d write a dozen more. 2w

monalyisha @BarbaraJean I saw your review that said the same and had a little moment of silence. My wish is the same as yours! Puppets is my favorite but Hotel is right up there, too. Such a delight. 2w

72 likes1 stack add2 comments

monalyisha

All Fours | Miranda July

pick

I‘m supposed to have strong feelings about this, right? But, I guess…sometimes I liked it a whole lot (eg, “I stood holding the note with that funny little abandoned feeling one gets a million times a day in a domestic setting. I could have cried, but why?”) and sometimes I felt like rolling my eyes — HARD (eg, “The future itself was another lover, reaching backward in time to cup my balls”). I bet Miranda July gets that a lot. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/6: I neither loved it nor hated it — or…maybe, I loved AND hated it. But “love” feels too strong a word for a reaction to isolated sentences or thoughts and not to a whole. To love well, you‘ve got to love a person (or a book) in their wholeness. 2w

monalyisha 2/6: You can‘t make them excise pieces of themselves to earn your love. You have to just figure out a way to embrace them and let them be — or at least find the “them” that you love *inside of* the thing you don‘t like; each trait has a negative and a positive expression. But I don‘t really want to let certain things in this novel just “be.” I‘d rather they weren‘t there. 2w

monalyisha 3/6: And actually, I know July lost a lot of people with the tampon scene…but she lost me (and then roped me back in, and then lost me again, ad infinitum) when the narrator was preparing for “the dance.” I kept thinking, “This is *still* happening? All of this? Really?” I want to use the term “self-indulgent” but it feels bad. 2w

See All 11 Comments

monalyisha 4/6: Usually, I feel like women aren‘t allowed to indulge themselves often enough; that‘s a huge part of July‘s whole point (and one that I agree with)! But in the particular case of this novel, I was definitely left wondering if short stories would be a better format for her. And then I remembered that she‘d published a (?) collection already, which has been languishing on my shelf for the better part of a decade. 2w

monalyisha 5/6: So, I‘m sorry for thinking that July is “too much” and for trying to make her smaller…but maybe I should stop apologizing? And also stop ending my sentences with questions? Unapologetic confidence! Let the (book review) world *beg* to cup my balls! 2w

monalyisha 6/6: I know, for certain, that I found this compulsively readable. And I appreciate that the MC neither drives nor flies (nor parks) at the end. She walks. That feels like the character growth we all needed. 2w

ChaoticMissAdventures The Barnes and Noble in my MI's picked this for their October book club and her and I talked about it a lot - a lot about this "too much" idea and what women are "allowed" to do. She was so excited, 7 or 8 people had signed up with her and she wanted to talk about her evolution in thinking about the book. When she got there every single other person bailed and it was just her and the B&N manager! She said they still had a good talk. 2w

Sparklemn The tampon scene was unbearable but I was dying to learn how it all turned out. Glad I finished it. (edited) 2w

monalyisha @ChaoticMissAdventures I picked it for my book club (back at the end of last year; we plan a whole year out). I foresee the rest of the book club members/my friends being mad at me about it — and saying “Nope” a lot. 😅 But maybe they‘ll surprise me! What sorts of things did your MIL have to say? (edited) 2w

monalyisha @Sparklemn I understood the intimacy she was/they were after (and the boundaries that were being intentionally transgressed; didn‘t Fifty Shades notoriously do something similar?). I think it was once she was back at home and still obsessing, with no end in sight, that I became the most uncomfortable and frustrated as a reader. 2w

ChaoticMissAdventures @monalyisha she was really glad she pushed herself! This is not the type of book she would normally read but she is trying to not be in a rut since retiring. She had a lot of the same feelings as you, the thought of what women are allowed to do, even in fiction, also the comparison of male mid life crisis vs perimenopause. She was also super interested in the sexual aspect, how the MC and the guy have a sensual relationship w/o actual sex. 2w

58 likes1 stack add11 comments

Welcome to Litsy!

Trending Hashtags

Trending Books

monalyisha

Joined January 2017