4.5 Stars • So, Millie, our intrepid housemaid, is back in action, but this time she's traded in her feather duster for a social worker badge. She and her hubby Enzo have two kids, Ada and Nico, and they've just moved into a swanky new house that's got more secrets than a CIA agent's diary.

But wait, it gets better! Millie's new neighbors are a real piece of work. ⬇️

5 Stars • "Billy Liar" by Keith Waterhouse is a humorous yet poignant novel set in the fictional town of Stradhoughton, Yorkshire, in the 1960s. The story revolves around Billy Fisher, a 19-year-old working-class youth who finds his life dull and unfulfilling. He escapes reality through elaborate lies and fantasies about a fictional country called Ambrosia. Trapped by his boring job and overbearing parents, ⬇️

5 Stars ⚡️ Three years before David Bowie died, he shared a list of 100 books that changed his life. His choices span fiction and nonfiction, literary and irreverent, and include timeless classics alongside eyebrow-raising obscurities.

In 100 short essays, music journalist John O'Connell studies each book on Bowie's list and contextualizes it in the artist's life and work.

3.5 Stars • The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab is a captivating tale set in a small village where children mysteriously vanish. The story follows Lexi, a young girl who uncovers a hidden truth about a mysterious boy and the legend of a witch. As Lexi navigates the secrets of her community, she also finds herself drawn to the enigmatic stranger, leading to a thrilling adventure filled with magic, suspense, and a touch of romance.

3.5 Stars • The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang is a historical fiction set in 1850s Manhattan, where a young woman named Cora Lee, born with two hearts, navigates the dangerous world of grave robbing while hiding her own medical anomaly. As rumors of her existence spread, Cora must protect herself from those who would exploit her unique condition, all while trying to solve a series of murders that seem to be targeting her.

4 Stars • Read for #OUABC Once Upon a Book Club June 2024 Monthly Box (Stranger than Fiction)

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston is a tale where a professor of literature finds herself literally immersed in a fictional world from her favorite book series. This book, while not introducing a novel concept, promises to bring charm and a sense of adventure for book lovers.

#ANovelLoveStory #AshleyPoston #Bookstagram

4 Stars • Read for #OUABC Once Upon a Book Club June 2024 Monthly Box (Stranger than Fiction)

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston is a tale where a professor of literature finds herself literally immersed in a fictional world from her favorite book series. This book, while not introducing a novel concept, promises to bring charm and a sense of adventure for book lovers.

#ANovelLoveStory #AshleyPoston #Bookstagram

Thank goodness you #Knoph and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is November 19, 2024.

5 Stars • This is Murakami‘s first novel in six years. In "The City and Its Uncertain Walls," Haruki Murakami weaves a complex tale of a walled city inhabited by a young man and a girl. The city is guarded by a giant and populated by golden-haired beasts. ⬇️

@JamieArc Today, I received an amazing “taste of home” gift. Thank you so much for your gift and for participating in #LMPBC. My little book club proved to be quite an adventure, and I met so many wonderful people there. I haven‘t been back to Michigan in several years but I think about it often. Your gift, was perfect. Thanks again.

4 Stars • "Belle Greene" by Alexandra Lapierre is a biography of Belle da Costa Greene, a librarian and art historian who was the first director of the Morgan Library in New York. Born into an African-American family, Greene passed as white to avoid racial discrimination. The book explores her life, career, and the challenges she faced due to her secret.

#Bookstagram #BelleGreene #AlexandraLapierre

Thanks to #Kensington and #Goodreads Giveaway for this FREE hardcover book!

4.5 Stars • In "Murder by Invitation Only" by Colleen Cambridge is the third book in the Phyllida Bright Series, which revolves around Agatha Christie‘s fictional housekeeper. Phyllida attends a murder mystery game hosted by Christie‘s new neighbors. The game turns deadly when the host, Mr. Wokesley, who was playing the role of the corpse, is found murdered for real. ⬇️

This thriller follows the story of Ryan Richardson, whose girlfriend Ali disappeared five years ago after a violent night. When Ali's car is found submerged in a lake with a cryptic note inside, Ryan, now studying in Italy, is drawn back into the mystery. The narrative weaves through the perspectives of Ryan, a new sheriff's deputy named Poppy McGee, and a Philadelphia mobster, Shane O'Leary, who is seeking vengeance for his son's death. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • In "Her Deadly Secrets," private investigator Kira Vance is thrust into a dangerous situation when her mentor is murdered in front of her. As she investigates the crime, she uncovers a web of secrets and finds herself in the crosshairs of a vicious killer. With the help of a security team, Kira must navigate the treacherous legal world of Houston and stay one step ahead of the killer.

5 Stars • Victim is a debut novel by Andrew Boryga. It follows the story of Javi, an aspiring writer who cynically exploits his Bronx upbringing and identity as a person of color for personal gain in the media and publishing industry. The book explores themes of identity, race, class, and the exploitation of personal narratives in a satirical and thought-provoking manner.

#Victim #AndrewBoryga #Bookstagram

3.5 Stars • REYKJAVIK is a crime novel co-written by Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and acclaimed author Ragnar Jónasson. Set in Iceland, the story follows the mysterious disappearance of a young girl named Lára Marteinsdóttir in 1956. Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertsson begins investigating the case. This book is a slow-burning, spellbinding whodunit, with Agatha Christie's influence evident throughout.

2.5 Stars • The Burning of Bridget Cleary by Angela Bourke is a historical account of a tragic event in 1895 Ireland. Bridget Cleary, a young woman, was killed by her husband and family members who believed she was a changeling, a fairy imposter. The incident sparked public outrage and was used to highlight the superstitions prevalent in rural Ireland at the time.

Read in June 2024...
17 Books
One 5-Star read this month:
• The Stranger in Her House

#Goodreads #Bookstagram #OUABC #Litsy #Libby #Everand #Audible #Kindle

"Crooked Hallelujah" by Kelli Jo Ford is a novel that explores the lives of four generations of Cherokee women as they navigate poverty, religion, and identity. Set in Oklahoma and Texas during the 1970s and beyond, the story follows Justine and her daughter Reney as they move from their reservation to seek a better life. The novel delves into the harsh realities of American poverty and how faith becomes a lifeline for these women.

📬 Ready ... Set ... Mail! #LMPBC

It‘s that time again. Please return all Round 20 books ASAP. That was the final round. I hope y‘all had fun. Thank you to everyone who participated through the years.

3.5 Stars • Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix is a horror-comedy novel set in ORSK, a fictional IKEA-like store, where employees Amy, Ruth Anne, and Basil stay overnight to investigate mysterious acts of vandalism. The story takes a dark turn as they uncover the store's disturbing history tied to an old prison and its sadistic warden, leading to supernatural events and a fight for survival.

#Horrorstor #GradyHendrix

5 Stars • The Stranger in Her House by John Marrs is a psychological thriller that explores the story of Connie, who returns home from Italy to take care of her ailing mother, Gwen. A stranger named Paul, sent by a charity, infiltrates their lives under the guise of helping with odd jobs. Connie becomes suspicious of Paul's intentions, leading to a tense and twisty narrative that delves into themes of manipulation, deception and vulnerability. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • In "Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties," Tom O'Neill explores the background and motives behind the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders committed by the Manson Family in 1969. O'Neill challenges the Helter Skelter scenario presented by lead prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi in the trials and in his book, suggesting that there may be more to the story than meets the eye. ⬇️

#OUABC Once Upon A Book Club Adult August 2018 selection • 4 Stars

The Space Between follows the story of Sarah, a scientist who discovers an astronomical object that will change the scientific world. But when she returns home from her meeting with NASA, she finds her husband gone missing and is considered the primary suspect in the murder of a perspective business partner. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • “Winds of Time," is a novella and the third installment in the "After Cilmeri" series by Sarah Woodbury. Meg, a time-traveling character, finds herself once again in medieval Wales after a plane crash. This time, she's alone and must navigate the challenges of the past with the knowledge and maturity she gained from her sixteen years spent in the modern world. ⬇️

4 Stars • In "A Murder Most French," the second installment in the "An American in Paris" series by Colleen Cambridge, the story unfolds in postwar Paris, where American ex-pat Tabitha Knight and chef-in-training Julia Child find themselves entangled in a series of murders. The plot thickens as Tabitha and Julia attempt to unravel the mystery behind poisoned wine, which is linked to the darker corners of France's wartime past. ⬇️

FYI:

#LMPBC Round 20 Group G

@KateReadsYA @jamiearc

@suvata has mailed a book to @jackobotts

This was such a fun round. I truly enjoyed every one of the books. Thank you to everyone for participating.

Read in June 2024 for Litsy Markup Postal Book Club #LMPBC Round 20 - Group G (Gothic Horror) • 4 Stars

The Haunting of Whitehall Manor is a Gothic horror novel that follows the story of Anne Towry, a woman who returns to her childhood home, Whitehall Manor, after her mother, Seraphine, goes missing. ⬇️

4.5 Stars • "The Vacation" by John Marrs is a thriller set in a hostel in Venice Beach, California. The story follows a group of strangers each with their own secrets and hidden motivations. The narrative unfolds through short chapters and flashbacks, slowly revealing the connections and secrets between the characters. The book has been praised for its quick pace, numerous twists, and a satisfying ending.

⏰ This is a reminder for those participating in #LMPBC Round 20. There are only about two weeks left to read your book, mark it up, and get it into the mail by the end of the month. Can‘t wait to read the next book. 😎

4 Stars • "Edinburgh Twilight" by Carole Lawrence is the first book in the Ian Hamilton Mysteries series, set in 1881 Edinburgh. Detective Inspector Ian Hamilton investigates the murder of a young man found strangled in Holyrood Park. With the help of his team, including his aunt, a librarian, and a street urchin, they uncover a series of murders linked by a mysterious playing card. ⬇️

4 Stars • "How the Scots Invented the Modern World" by Arthur Herman is a historical exploration of the profound impact Scotland and its people have had on the development of the modern world. The book delves into the significant contributions of the Scots in various fields such as science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics during the 18th and 19th centuries. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • "Heir of Uncertain Magic" is the second installment in Charlie N. Holmberg's Whimbrel House series. Set in Victorian Boston and a nearby island, it continues the story of Merritt Fernsby and Hulda Larkin. Merritt struggles with his newly discovered magical lineage and the voices of animals and plants he hears constantly. ⬇️

A gripping psychological thriller that follows the story of Afton Teachout, an outcast in her small town for twenty years after being accused of murdering her mother's lover in a blackout fit of rage. Afton, living with her grandmother and working a hotel night shift, relies on pills to get a day's sleep. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she wins a lottery, using her newfound wealth to help her only friend, Sydney, escape her toxic husband. ⬇️

4.5 Stars • "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound exploration of the human condition, inspired by Frankl's experiences in Nazi concentration camps. The book delves into the importance of finding meaning in life, even in the most dire circumstances. Frankl introduces his theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary motivation for human beings is the search for meaning in life. ⬇️

4.5 Stars • "No Song in a Strange Land" by Marion Macdonald is the first book in The Uist Girl Series, which is set in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. This thought-provoking historical family saga combines suspense, romance, and a commentary on the social and political issues of the time. It tells the story of a dutiful daughter who reluctantly leaves her home in North Uist to become a ⬇️

3.5 Stars • "The Lost Vintage" by Ann Mah follows Kate Elliott, a sommelier studying for the Master of Wine test, who returns to her family's vineyard in Burgundy. While there, she uncovers a hidden cellar containing a cache of wine, along with belongings of an aunt she never knew existed, Hélène Marie Charpin, who was a teenager during the Nazi occupation. ⬇️

3 Stars • "The Hanging City" by Charlie N. Holmberg is a fantasy adventure that follows Lark, a young woman with the power to wield fear. She's on the run from her abusive father and finds sanctuary in Cagmar, a city of trolls—humanity's sworn enemies. Lark uses her gift to protect the trolls' hanging city from monsters, but her loyalty is tested when she faces a powerful troll who hates humankind. ⬇️

Read in May 2024...
18 Books
Five 5-Star reads this month:
• There Are Rivers in the Sky
• Bluebird
• O Caledonia
• poyums
• The Armor of Light (Kingsbridge # 4) ⭐️

3.5 Stars • This novel that delves into the life of Amy, a high-powered coffee executive, who finds her world turned upside down when she is suddenly out of a job. The story follows her journey as she navigates the challenges of unemployment, family life, and self-discovery. The book is a humorous and relatable exploration of the complexities of modern life and the importance of finding balance and purpose beyond one's career.

📫 Ready ... Set ... Mail! #LMPBC

If you haven‘t already done so, it‘s time to mail your Round 20 book to the next person. If you did, “Well done”! If you didn‘t, “Hurry and do so”. If you are unable to mail it on time, please contact the members of your group to let them know when they can expect it.

4 Stars • Oh, Freida, you‘ve done it again -- a perfect unexpected twist! "The Perfect Son" by Freida McFadden is a gripping psychological thriller that follows the story of Erika Cass, a mother of two children, Hannah and Liam. Liam, the 16-year-old son, is suspected of being involved in the disappearance of a classmate, Olivia Mercer. ⬇️

Expected publication date is September 3, 2024.

4 Stars • I‘ve followed Alan Bradley‘s Flavia de Luce and her antics for fifteen years now and these books never disappoint. In "What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust," amateur sleuth Flavia de Luce, along with her younger cousin Undine, investigates the murder of a former public hangman, Major Greyleigh. ⬇️

4 Stars • A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a legal drama set in 1968 Virginia, where a racially-charged murder case becomes a pivotal point following the Civil Rights Act. The story revolves around the defense of Jerome Washington, a Black man accused of killing a wealthy, white couple, by a white lawyer named Jack Lee and a Black lawyer named Desiree DuBose. ⬇️

3 Stars • "One Last Kill" by Robert Dugoni is the 10th installment in the Detective Tracy Crosswhite series. The story follows Tracy, a detective in the Seattle PD, as she reopens a cold case involving a serial killer who operated on Seattle's Route 99. This killer has been dormant for nearly three decades after his first kill, and Tracy is expected to finally bring closure to the victims' families and redeem the Seattle PD's reputation. ⬇️

#OUABC 2024 Reading Challenge: 40 Prompts (29. A science fiction book) • 3.5 Stars

Chance by Matthew FitzSimmons is a futuristic thriller set in a world where human cloning is a luxury 6for the wealthy. The story revolves around Chance Harker, a clone who plays a dangerous game of life, death, memory, and murder. ⬇️

4 Stars • Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka is a gripping narrative that explores the lives of a serial killer, Ansel Packer, and the women connected to him. The story delves into the final hours of Ansel's life as he awaits execution, interweaving the perspectives of his mother, Lavender; a police investigator, Saffy Singh; and Hazel Fisk, the twin sister of his ex-wife. ⬇️

5 Stars • "The Armour of Light" by Ken Follett is the fifth installment in the Kingsbridge series. Set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the novel explores a time of significant societal upheaval and transformation in England. The story follows Sally Clitheroe, who faces personal tragedy amidst a backdrop of industrial change, social unrest, and the Napoleonic Wars. ⬇️

5 Stars and, most importantly, I now like poetry! • "Poyums" by Len Pennie is a collection of poetry in both English and Scots, reflecting her advocacy for the Scots language and mental health. Pennie gained popularity on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, where she posted Scots word of the day videos. ⬇️

⏰ This is a reminder for those participating in #LMPBC Round 20. There are only about two weeks left to read your book, mark it up, and get it into the mail by the end of the month. Can‘t wait to read the next book. 😎