Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
reluctantangeleno

reluctantangeleno

Joined June 2017

Lover of elephants and English Bulldogs, and books books books!
reading now icon
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
blurb
reluctantangeleno
Just A Little Bit Guilty | Deborah Smith
post image

So what if I own more books than I have time to read in my lifetime?

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Too many books! | Caroline Feller Bauer
post image

Who am I to question our nation's top scientific minds?! 😁

Louise Good to know! 🤓 3y
16 likes2 comments
blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

I love this! I hope everyone on Litsy posts their answer to this question, because I like hearing people talk about their favorite things ❤
@TheNeverendingTBR #myfavbook

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn always captivates me from page 1, makes me sob uncontrollably at a certain point, and transports me to early 1900's Brooklyn. It so accurately captures the freedom and joy (and sometimes confusion and terror) of being a kid. It's brilliant!

Bookwormjillk Good pick! 3y
Curiouser_and_curiouser Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. I have a few faves but this is my most recent. I also loved The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do. He is such a terrific author, my 2 young girls love his Junior Fiction books atm. 3y
18 likes3 comments
blurb
reluctantangeleno
Shuggie Bain | Douglas Stuart
post image

I have been in such a reading slump the last few months! Partly because work got crazy busy; partly because I thought taking a class during the pandemic would be "a fun challenge", but ended up being an insane amount of homework; and partly because...well, 2020.

But I'm looking forward to starting this beauty! I hope it's as wonderful as I'm expecting it to be!

blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

Are #botm spoilers no longer a thing?! @swishandflick? @stuck.in.the.stacks? Anyone??

BookwormAHN @stuck.in.the.stacks did one on her blog at least a week ago, but she has a link in her feed to it. 3y
Skyrimir Haha, yes! I‘ve been checking both accounts! 3y
ValerieAndBooks And I‘ve been checking the BOTM hashtag here, their site and app to see if the October selections are live yet 😂 3y
See All 7 Comments
Lissa00 Normally some spoilers have leaked by now! I‘m really curious to see this month‘s selections. 3y
8little_paws Hahaha! I am creeping for spoilers too. The Stuck in the Stack predictions were AMAZING. So I am anxiously awaiting. Personally I always thought they had a fair amount of AOC represented or diverse views, but they have even more now, and it is damn near impossible for me to hold myself to only one book a month. 3y
reluctantangeleno Sorry @stuck.in.the.stacks ! I completely missed your post!! 3y
swishandflick I just posted some that appear to be confirmed! 3y
25 likes7 comments
blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

I am having SUCH trouble with this book. It's the selection for my fave indie book store's book club (meeting on Tuesday night), but I'm 75 pages in and it feels like such a chore to read. The translation feels very clunky and the story meanders and I just have no clue what's going on or where this book is going.

Help! Has anyone read this? Does it get better at some point?? Convince me not to bail!

12 likes1 stack add
review
reluctantangeleno
Sisters Brothers | Patrick DeWitt
post image
Pickpick

I. Adore. This. Book. This was my second time reading it, and I loved it even more this time. It's both funny and melancholy, both a great adventure story and a look inward...it's just so fantastic. ❤

I picked this up to re-read because I knew it would help with my coronavirus reading slump!

13 likes1 stack add
blurb
reluctantangeleno
Les Misrables | Victor Hugo
post image

Started and caught up on the Les Mis chapter-a-day challenge! So excited!

What's the hashtag for this? Can't find a post now!

18 likes1 comment
review
reluctantangeleno
The Nickel Boys: A Novel | Colson Whitehead
Pickpick

Wow. So floored by this book. It is beautifully written, it is immensely important, it is deeply moving, it is all the things. I did not at all expect the ending, and am just in awe. I read and liked Underground Railroad last year with my book club, but this book just blew that one away. Just...wow.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
My Dad, My Hero | Ethan Long
post image

Ugh, this might be the ultimate #joinin post...
After a lonely Xmas Eve and Xmas Day spent in my dad's hospital room, he passed away tonight. He was only 72, but had an aggressive cancer that was just diagnosed in July. I will miss him terribly. We took this photo just last year in Yosemite.

Hug your family close tonight, dear Littens!

BarbaraBB I am so sorry for you, I can‘t imagine how hard this must be for you. Wishing you much strength 🙏🍀❤️ 4y
youneverarrived I‘m so sorry 💔 you are in my thoughts. 4y
SamAnne Sending you love and strength. What a great photo. Lost my mom a year and a half ago and it‘s all I could think about yesterday. Sorry you lost your Dad too young and too soon. 4y
See All 20 Comments
ljuliel So sorry to hear about your dad. ♥️. I‘m glad you‘ll have wonderful memories of time spent with him, as in your picture. 4y
RainyDayReading I am so sorry for your loss. I know that there are no words to make things better or to help your heart, but you have a whole community behind you 🖤 much love 4y
Hooked_on_books I‘m so sorry. I‘m glad you could spend time with him in the end. I hope you have good support while you grieve and heal. 4y
Cinfhen I‘m really sad to read this post. Sending love and strength your way 💚🙏🏼 4y
Bklover Oh, no. I am so very sorry! It is soo hard to lose a parent. I‘m glad you were with him- know that we are here sending you love and support. ❤️💔 4y
Heretherebedragons I‘m so sorry for your loss. Sending strength and prayers your way. 4y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I'm so sorry for your loss. 💔💔 4y
sheshedbooks Condolences to your family. 🙏 Hope you'll stay strong. 4y
MamaGina So sorry...what a beautiful relationship to cherish always 🕯 4y
TheBookHippie So so sorry 🕯❤️ 4y
jb72 My condolences to you and your family. 4y
Nute What a lovely photo to treasure forever of you and your dad, Morgan! I am praying for you and your family...for comfort, support, strength and healing. Take Care!❤️ 4y
Jess I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Many hugs. 4y
klarusu Huge hugs. Loss is so hard but I hope you can smile through the tears sometimes as you remember your Dad. 💕 4y
Captivatedbybooks Im sorry for your loss! Hug you phone cause ill be hugging mines and sending you peaceful thoughts! 4y
Lreads I‘m so sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad two years ago at Christmas and it‘s been hard. Hugs to you and sharing your tears. 💔😢 4y
reluctantangeleno @BarbaraBB @youneverarrived @SamAnne @ljuliel @RainyDayReading @Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen @Bklover @Heretherebedragons @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @greenreads @MamaGina @TheBookHippie @jb72 @Nute @Jess @klarusu @Captivatedbybooks @QuietlyLaura Thank you wonderful, lovely Littens for your support. I couldn't bear to read these messages til now, but I am ever grateful for your sweet and caring words. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. 4y
16 likes20 comments
review
reluctantangeleno
Dutch House | Ann Patchett
post image
Pickpick

This was one of those books that you hug to your chest after finishing. I was craving another warm, character-driven family saga after reading "Ask Again, Yes" and this didn't disappoint. Lots of fairy-tale elements and I loved the relationship between Danny and Maeve. I feel so grateful for having spent time with them.

10 likes1 stack add
review
reluctantangeleno
Silent Patient | Alex Michaelides
post image
Panpan

This might be an #unpopularopinion, but I thought this book was garbage! You can tell it was written for the main purpose of adapting it into a movie. Despite what he says in the acknowledgments, the author clearly has zero real knowledge of therapy.

My book club has been picking some real crap lately. 😡 But at least the book was over quickly.

Rachel.Rencher I thought the same thing about the movie adaptation grab! 4y
Curiouser_and_curiouser Oh dear, you are not the only one I have heard say this. I am still going to read out of pure curiosity 😂 3y
13 likes2 comments
review
reluctantangeleno
The Road | Cormac McCarthy
post image
Pickpick

Clearly, my copy of The Road has seen better days...a couple years ago, I caught a foster dog chewing up the spine. But it's still readable! 🤷‍♀️

I was in a total reading slump and this is one of those tried and true, satisfying, quick reads. This was at least my fourth or fifth time reading it. It's dark, but a favorite for sure.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image
Jess No, but it sounds great! 5y
Jess I just signed up for my local chapter. Thanks for the article! 5y
reluctantangeleno @Jess Report back after you attend a meeting!! 5y
See All 6 Comments
saguarosally Yes, in two different parts of the US now. 4y
reluctantangeleno @saguarosally Tell me everything! 4y
saguarosally @reluctantangeleno Well, it‘s basically silent and you read books. But the way it was conducted and the audience was very different in each one. 4y
13 likes6 comments
blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

Just in case any of you missed this...Target's answer to #primeday! #bookdeals

quote
reluctantangeleno
Daisy Jones & The Six | Taylor Jenkins Reid
post image

Wow...this passage.

I don't think I posted about it here, but I went through a really intense breakup last year with my boyfriend of 7 years. We got back together about 9 months later and tried to fix the broken trust...this passage just describes that process so accurately. In my case, he was no longer deserving of my faith...even though I gave him every opportunity to redeem it. It breaks my heart some days, but mostly I think I'm better off.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Very strong passage and very true... recently went through something similar 💔💔 5y
reluctantangeleno @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you're doing ok...you're not alone! Sending lots of love your way ❤ 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @reluctantangeleno Thank you! I hope you are too... sending you love back ❤️😘🤗 5y
15 likes1 stack add3 comments
quote
reluctantangeleno
An American Marriage | Tayari Jones
post image

"She explained that convenience, habit, comfort, obligation--these are all things that wear the same clothing as love sometimes."

This hit me in the feels. So much wisdom about love and relationships in this book.

RaimeyGallant Nice. 5y
13 likes1 comment
review
reluctantangeleno
Stillhouse Lake | Rachel Caine
post image
Mehso-so

I don't like thrillers...but my book club chose this (over Educated by Tara Westover, wtf!). I WOULD give this a straight-up PAN, but I guess it wouldn't be bad if you like reading thrillers? It just had zero substance for me and felt like a waste of precious reading time.

At least it was free through Prime Reading. 🤷‍♀️

blurb
reluctantangeleno
The Sisters Brothers | Patrick DeWitt
post image

I finally got a chance to check this movie out...and was SO disappointed! I know the film version rarely lives up to the book, but this one just did not capture the tone of the book at all.

review
reluctantangeleno
West: A Novel | Carys Davies
post image
Pickpick

Still kind of processing this book, but I really liked it. The writing is very sparse and to the point, but it was still emotionally engaging for me. Part adventure, part coming of age, and part tragedy. Which is sort of the story of the American West, now that I've written that...

I picked this up because I read a review in the Daily Mail and it sounded interesting, glad I did! Curious about this author's short story collections.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

Went to see Kamala Harris speak about her new book this afternoon and the ticket included a copy! I honestly haven't seen any good reviews - most of them say it's a fluffy "campaign book", making a case for why she'd be a good president. Most likely not gonna read this any time soon. ?‍♀️

MCYmermaid How was the event? 5y
reluctantangeleno @MCYmermaid It was fun! I don't think she's as well-spoken as some other politician-writers (ahem, #elizabethwarren!), but she's a force to be reckoned with for sure! 5y
BookishMarginalia I really enjoyed the audiobook. 5y
5 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
reluctantangeleno
French Exit: A Novel | Patrick DeWitt
post image
Pickpick

I love all of Patrick DeWitt's writing, and this book did not disappoint. It's so quirky and laugh-out-loud funny, but has depth and complexity and says so much about love and family and the futility of existence.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

Reading time at the cabin in the Sierras! ❤

blurb
reluctantangeleno
French Exit: A Novel | Patrick DeWitt
post image

I was too shy to take a picture with Patrick DeWitt, but I did get to meet him last night! I adore his writing and have read everything he's published so far. Can't wait to start this one! ❤

review
reluctantangeleno
The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book, but the last 30 pages felt so rushed to me. The ending just didn't do the rest of the book justice! Some of my favorite parts were the explorations of side characters, although I'm not entirely certain of the author's reasons for including them. My work's book club will be discussing this in a couple of weeks, I think there will be a lot to talk about!

review
reluctantangeleno
post image
Pickpick

Pretty good! Michelle's writing kept me hooked. It's such a shame that she died before she could see the capture of the Golden State Killer.

I haven't read much true crime before, and I'm typically not a huge fan of non-fiction, but I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a book club pick and made for pretty good conversation.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Round House | Louise Erdrich
post image

Visited #LouiseErdrich's book store while in Minneapolis!

blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

#LisaKo, #EdanLepucki, #ClaireMessud, and #GabrielTallent talking about the importance of leaning into dark subject matter. ❤

#festivalofbooks

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Catalina: A Novel | Liska Jacobs
post image

My #bookfest haul! Most excited about the tagged book! (How have I not heard of it before today?! Flawed characters are so my wheelhouse!)

The Julian Barnes was an impulse purchase after hearing him interviewed on NPR this morning.

#latimes #festivalofbooks

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Festivals and Celebrations | Sandra Lawrence
post image

Any other #losangeles littens going to the #latimes #festivalofbooks this weekend??

quote
reluctantangeleno
Fire Sermon | Jamie Quatro
post image

Wow. This book is so intense and just so lovely. I'm only on page 37, and can't wait to read it again.

review
reluctantangeleno
The Sisters Chase | Sarah Healy
post image
Pickpick

This book broke my heart in the best possible way. That is all I can think to say. I know it will stay with me for a long, long time.

Does anyone know if Sarah Healy's other books are as wonderful as this one?

11 likes1 stack add
review
reluctantangeleno
Sing, Unburied, Sing | Jesmyn Ward
post image
Pickpick

Well, I didn't love this book as much as the rest of the internet, but the writing was lovely, and it kept me interested throughout, and man oh man, do I love me some flawed characters. And there were some SERIOUSLY flawed characters here, amirite?!

This would make for an amazing book club discussion! I guess I need to suggest it...

review
reluctantangeleno
Dry | Jane Harper
post image
Pickpick

Well, this book was WAYYYY better than my book club's last pick, so that's a good start! I probably wouldn't have picked this one up on my own, but I did enjoy it. The writing was great, the characters were well fleshed out, and she did a good job of keeping you guessing on the whodunit. I am just not that crazy about mysteries/thrillers...the reveal is never that shocking or exciting for me.

Book modeled by Byron! ❤ #bulldogsoflitsy #dogsoflitsy

blurb
reluctantangeleno
The Sisters Chase | Sarah Healy
post image

Wow, this book had me from page 1. I've been stealing every available moment to spend with the Chase girls. I read it waiting in line at the post office and even while the bank teller was processing my deposits! ❤

Cinfhen That's the sign of a really good book! I can't remember if my #BOTMbuds liked this one?!? @emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola @L_auren @Booksandcooks 6y
L_auren @Cinfhen I LOVED this one!! 6y
Reviewsbylola It was pretty good. Not my favorite but I liked it enough to care what happened. @Cinfhen 6y
Megabooks I remember enjoying it, but no memory of the plot. @Cinfhen (edited) 6y
13 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

Merry Xmas from my foster dog Bowser! ❤
#bulldogsoflitsy #socalbulldogrescue

WarpedSweetness Awww, how adorable. I love his bow. 6y
BookMaven407 Adorable! 🐶💕 6y
8 likes2 comments
review
reluctantangeleno
Friend Request | Laura Marshall
post image
Panpan

This god-awful book was chosen by my book club (at a meeting that I missed!), and put me into a serious reading slump. The premise is so ridiculous and I literally rolled my eyes so many times while reading it. It did make for a fun book discussion though, because so many of us HATED it.

I hope that thousands of years from now when aliens land on our planet and are trying to learn about human beings, they do NOT find this book and judge us by it.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
OOPS! | Julie Lauren
post image

Oooooooops....went a little crazy at #HalfPriceBooks while visiting my Dad in Chicago.

That's the first time I'd been in a HPB...I had no idea they had such an amazing selection!

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Black Friday | James Patterson
post image

Anyone know where the best book deals will be on #BlackFriday? #bookoutlet is doing 30 percent off! I saw that #BarnesandNoble is doing 20 percent off...anything else??

I'm hoping that #BOTM will do something good?

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Grandma's Brown Chair | Nancy Wiedmeyer
post image

New #readingchair (as modeled by Byron)! I went to Living Spaces this morning to get some #booknook ideas, and this was on super sale, so I decided to just pull the trigger. It's giant and so, so comfy!

(I put double sided tape on the arms until the cats figure out that Mom's new chair is NOT for scratching. 😠)

Yayayayyayayyy! Looking forward to spending lots more Sunday afternoons in this baby.

#bulldogsoflitsy

Cinfhen That chair looks awesome! And your buddy is too cute 🐶 6y
Curiouser_and_curiouser 😮😮😮 Look at the size of that thing! Loving it!!! 😍😍😍 3y
15 likes2 comments
blurb
reluctantangeleno
Bonfire | Krysten Ritter
post image

Waaaaiiiit, is #BOTM not doing bookmarks anymore?! Where's @Liberty's lovely face?!

I got 3 books this month but only this one sad bookmark! 😣

L_auren Not cool 6y
5 likes1 comment
review
reluctantangeleno
post image
Pickpick

This book was really gripping and a totally addictive read! I loved the format and concept of presenting it as a 'found' story. It's not a thriller in the way of edge-of-your-seat action or shocking twists, but there are unanswered questions that make you continue to reconsider your previous impressions. I'm not entirely sure I agree with this choice as a Booker nominee, but it is certainly one of the more unique books I've read recently!

5 likes1 stack add
review
reluctantangeleno
Mrs. Fletcher: A Novel | Tom Perrotta
post image
Pickpick

This was somewhere between a So-So and a Pick for me, but I'm rounding up because it was kind of fun and very readable. I'm bummed that I'm going to miss my book club meeting on Tuesday to discuss this one - I'm definitely curious how the conversation will go!

I sort of felt the same way about Election - it was a fun, quick read, but not a lot of depth. Not sure if I will seek out any other Tom Perrotta novels in the future...

Smrloomis Did you read the Leftovers? I thought it was pretty interesting. 6y
reluctantangeleno @Smrloomis I haven't! Maybe I've just chosen the wrong Tom Perrotta books! 6y
Smrloomis @reluctantangeleno that‘s the only one by him I‘ve read but I really liked it. It‘s worth checking out 😄 6y
AshleySimon I felt the same way about this one! 6y
7 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
reluctantangeleno
post image
Pickpick

Well, it took a month and a half, but I finally made it through this epic! It's one of those books that you hug to your chest after finishing the last page. It's true Literature with a capital L!

I loved the concept of following a character through his entire life, and the first half of the book describing Cyril's experiences as a gay man in such an oppressive place was so powerful.

How long til they turn this into an Oscar-winning movie? 😁

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Mrs. Fletcher: A Novel | Tom Perrotta
post image

Birthday week #bookhaul. Went a little crazy on the #bookoutlet Booktoberfest sale; got my #BOTM box; was gifted SO many books; and allowed myself a little #usedbook shopping while in Philly for work.

Basically, I need to enact a book ban until my next birthday... 😕

Mrs. Fletcher is up next for my book club...but then what?! Any suggestions??

Louise I spy The Shadow of the Wind at the top right. That book is marvelous! In fact, all of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books are engaging reads! 6y
8 likes1 comment
review
reluctantangeleno
post image
Pickpick

This was a very rich book and made for great discussion in my book club. Whitehead's writing style took a minute for me to get used to - it's an odd mix of poetic and blunt. But the story is important, (especially in these times), and brought up a lot of questions for me about race and privilege and how far America still has to go. Maybe not a 5 star, but it's undeniably a great work of literature.

blurb
reluctantangeleno
Listen to This | Alex Ross
post image

I feel obligated to post about this, because I'm hoping for another season! Check out @bookriot's podcast Annotated, especially my favorite episode, "The World's Most Glamorous Librarian". Awesome stories about publishing history and book culture! ❤

LauraJ Me too. Really good podcast. 7y
3 likes1 comment
blurb
reluctantangeleno
Borne: A Novel | Jeff VanderMeer
post image

Oh, hello vacation #bookhaul! Welcome to my home! Mostly used and $2 or less! #thriftstorefinds

blurb
reluctantangeleno
post image

Vacation reading with a side of pug snuggles #pugsoflitsy

Jess7 Adorable 7y
9 likes2 comments
review
reluctantangeleno
Fierce Kingdom | Gin Phillips
post image
Mehso-so

Ummm, I don't really get the hype surrounding this book? It was kind of a snooze to me...I kept waiting for something "thrilling" to happen! It felt like one long waiting game and then a pretty anticlimactic denouement. None of the characters felt as if they been fleshed out that well...especially the "bad guys". Maybe you have to have kids to empathize with Joan...? Oh well.

BarbaraBB I do have kids and still agree. Not worth the hype! 7y
reluctantangeleno @BarbaraBB Ha, I'm so glad I'm not the only one!! 7y
BarbaraBB Me too! 7y
2 likes3 comments