These are my physical book, current reads. Diving Belles, a book of magical realism shorts, fun and light. Notes of a Crocodile, the words tortured and sad, but important come to mind. And, Visiting Privilege, experimental writing book of shorts (I‘ve not read two books of shorts at the same time). Williams writing style put me off at first, but now I‘m find great depth in her stories and I‘ve adapted to her style. What are you reading?

Do you read plays? I‘ve only read a couple Shakespeare‘s, but I‘m going to try to take this on soon. #arthurmiller #stagplay #deathofasalesman

🏝 🌊 This is a light and fun book of magical realism shorts. All the stories have beach/sea themes. I tore through half of it in just a little over an hour, so it‘s a quickie too! Perfect summer read! 🐚 🧜‍♀️ litsy #summerread

This was a disappointment, coming so shortly after The End of the Affair. It felt like a lot of blah blah work, blah blah war. The love triangle and the rivalry it caused was mildly interesting. Needless to say, it‘s killed my Graham Greene buzz for the time being. I have a couple more of his books that I still plan to read at some point.

This was between so so and pick. Finding out in the epilogue that the story was based on a real figure but my opinion of it up a notch or two. A female catholic mystic 1880‘s Mexico. If even a small portion of the story is true, it‘s incredible.

My current read. I think I only read one book in between, The End of the Affair and this is my second. Have you read Greene? Do you have a favorite? #litsy #book #currentlyreading

“Shine like the whole universe is yours.” -Rumi
Rumi is my favorite poet. His wisdom seems so simple, but profound and I find, difficult to practice. I find peace and beauty in his words. This is a skinny book, but any quote I read rings true. Do you read poetry? Do you have a favorite?

3⭐️
A couple of posts back, I posted a review on Mary Sutcliff ‘s simple, middle grade to YA version of Homer‘s The Iliad, The Black Ships Before Troy. This is her middle grade/YA telling of The Odyssey. I liked book 1, TBS, more. They are both cut and dry, but TWOO felt like it was lacking more flare or character. Both books are great as an introduction to Homer‘s works, for kids or adults.

This is what I‘m reading, well except I finished the YA book, The Wanderings of Odysseus today. What are you reading?

4.25
My first Greene was a great experience. He surprised me with an unexpected depth. Love and hate tore the protagonist apart, both making him unhappy. TEOTA, said to be, “... one of Graham Greene‘s Catholic novels.”, portrayed by many of the characters‘ struggle with morality, love and faith. I recommend it, it‘s readable and layered. I have several more Greene‘s on my shelf that I look forward to opening!

After Miller‘s The Song of Achilles and Circe I‘ve been hot after gaining a strong handle on these particular Greek Myths with the goal of reading The Iliad and The Odyssey. This is a simple middle grade to young adult telling of The Iliad. Quick and to the point. I‘m starting it‘s sequel, The Wandering of Odysseus, a simplified The Odyssey.

PICK! PICK! PICK! How does one describe an experience so singular? There was a steep learning curve for me, it would have been very helpful knowing the definition of bardo going in. 😳🙄 The confusion would have been sharply decreased. But, once it clicked, OH MAMA! A mix of the supernatural and history, it rocked my literary world. RECOMMEND! But advise to patience until after about the first 100, or whenever it clicks.

3.75
A refreshing change from intense books, which I seem to have some magnetic attraction to. Reads like a YA with simplicity of plot and language. I enjoy stories set in Asia so that was a plus. Only things that bothered me were the repetition of language and the flat, pill of the protagonist.

Yes indeedy, another treat from Ms. Madeline Miller. Her creative take on The Oddessy was entertaining! In comparison with her novel The Son of Achilles (The Illiad), I thought Circe required a bit more knowledge of Greek Mythology. The Son of Achilles is still the winner for me, there wasn‘t an I un-engaged moment, where Circe seemed to have some lag. But, I would still recommend it! Miller has me on a quest to learn more about Greek Mythology!

I must start by saying I haven‘t read Shakespeare‘s Macbeth, but I dug this novel! Co-author A.J. Hartley is a Shakespeare professor and used Shakespeare‘s “short tragedy” as a “jumping point.” Hartley‘s novel is set in the 11th century and in the actual town in Scotland where Macbeth lived and fought (Shakespeare used fictional dates and locations). More historically accurate while still allowing for creative license- great historical fiction!

Well, my first initial impression of my first Pulitzer Prize winning author, Herta Mueller was hmmmm. Unfortunately, this didn‘t change much when I finished. The first half is abstract, I didn‘t find relevance chapter to chapter or a distinct plot. The second half pulled things together, but I still wasn‘t thrilled. I‘ve heard that her other books are different and not impressionistic in style. All in all, I wouldn‘t recommend it. 😐

5⭐️
Audible
Brilliant in every way! The prose, brilliant. The story, brilliant. The accessibility to mythology, brilliant. I have no critics! 😱 I am moving on to Circe immediately! #mythology #litsy #aidiobook

5 ⭐️
I read this last year and still think about it, it‘s by far the best short story book I‘ve ever read! There was only 1 story I didn‘t like, which I find remarkable! I have the second book and very much look forward to diving in!

Take me back...

3 - 3.25 ⭐️
An interesting story about a spoiled, unmotivated young man that leaves Sweden and goes to his ancestral home of New Zealand. His mother sends him on an assignment to learn about his grandfather, and she hopes, to find himself. Though there weren‘t that many characters, for some reason it was difficult to keep the family connections straight. The writing was fine, but the tone was flat, with no plateaus, valleys or a climax.

🌼🌷🌸 Happy Mother‘s Day to all the Litsy mama‘s! I hope your day is filled with what makes your heart go pitter-pat! 🌻💐🌺

Are you a physical book purist or do you delve into the dark side and read ebooks? Until recently I couldn‘t stand to read on my Kindle. Now, I‘m beginning to quote enjoy it. For epics like Anna Karenina or even Gaskell‘s Wives and Daughters, it‘s refreshingly easy. #kindle #litsy #ebook #question

When you‘re trying to take a pupsie
#humpday #funny

1- 35 The least amount of reading I‘ve had in many years. More work = less reading 😭
2- No goal- nice and easy, enjoyment over volume
3- The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce
4- I‘m not a book release girl 😁

4⭐️
Compelling. Two sects of Judaism, Hasidic (Orthodox) and Revisionism. Two NY boys during WWII, from opposite sects, caught between the rules (and their Rabbi fathers)governing the past, present and future. Potok is a wise teacher addressing Jewish tradition and change using this coming of age story. I fell in love with the story, become disenchanted and back in love. I learned. I felt for the characters. It‘s a good one! And, there‘s a sequel.

One of my favorite authors with a life that entrances and lures me. My favorite book so far is her feminist novella, A Room of One‘s Own. Are you in the 👍 or 👎 Woolf camp? #virginiawoolf #read #classic

What would you add? I should have added Sell Books. #book #bookquote #funny #litsy

I rated this so so 😐 instead of pan 😵 because it‘s written well and has a good story, it just wasn‘t for me. I felt like I was watching the tragedy of a house burning down and I couldn‘t look away. This quote from the book sums up my feelings perfectly, “Sorrow is food swallowed too quickly, caught in the throat, making it nearly impossible to breath.” (Darn it if I didn‘t get rid of my copy before shooting it 👎photo cred?)

I just came across this photo that I took in Hawaii in January. Heavy sigh PS- It‘s one of my top books of the year too! #book #hawaii #beach #sunset

3.25 ⭐️
Inside the story of a girl taking a note to her brother, Herrera exposes the problems facing Mexican immigrants to, and emigrants in the US; Underlying the sisters journey are the topics of the underworld of smuggling humans, cultural clashes, profiling, and linguistic issues. It‘s not a blow your socks off book but I enjoyed the surface story, and I appreciate that the subject is current and important in the U.S..

3⭐️
I want to start by saying I really enjoyed Everything I Never Told You. I couldn‘t find anything to sink my teeth into in LFE, it was just okay. Ng covered some difficult family and social issues but it felt like she skimmed over them. And, I wanted to like the characters more (I‘m a character driven reader). I had great hopes for her second book, so I was disappointed. It‘s not one I‘d recommend despite the praise it‘s received.

Steinbeck is one of my top three favorite authors! I have a favorite book, I always thought people were insane when they‘d ask if I did until I read East of Eden. I‘ve so many more of his novels to read including TWOOD. Are you a Steinbeck fan? Do you have a favorite? #repost #litsy #steinbeck

1- For myself now only about 4 because I buy 30- 50+ a month for my vintage book shop. I used to buy much more for myself!
2- ugh! I could never eat only rice and beans unless forced to, I have several hundred unread books at home so I choose a year without new books.
3- Maui
4- T-shirt‘s of course 😉
5- @HotCocoaReads

The Chalk Man kept coming to mind while listening to GMR. Certainly a different plot, and less gripping and suspenseful, but still I thought it decent and entertaining. His prior novel, Black Chalk has the same GR ratings, roughly 3.5, so I won‘t be jumping right to it, but haven‘t ruled it out as a possible quick read/listen. If you‘ve read GMR, or BC, I‘d love to hear your thoughts! #thriller #book #audiobook #litsy

I laughed hard for the first 1/4 of this book! The humor did taper off and there were definitely cheesy parts, but not enough to cause me to dislike the book. Although the ideas of aliens coming to earth and inhabiting a human bodies or finding human life and love attractive, isn‘t a new concept, there were unique aspects of the story. I thought it was a fun and entertaining book. (my model tonight is Quintus the flat coated retriever 🐾🖤)

Tonight I‘m finishing the last story in my well loved tattered copy of Great Stories by Nobel Prize Winners. There are only a couple stories I haven‘t liked out of 26. I have LOVED being introduced to the stories of some of the first Nobel winners, including the first female winner. A couple of the winning books are on my nightstand and I foresee more in my mailbox in the future. 😂 Highly recommend especially if you like classics!

Current audiobook #funny

Truth! #book #litsy #oscarwilde

I‘m working my way through this wonderful book of shorts about Kuwait written by a female Kuwaiti author. #interesting #culture #kuwait

Well this book was a pleasant surprise! The first lines are, “My name is Amber Reynold‘s. There are three things you should know about me. I‘m in a coma. My husband doesn‘t love me anymore. And sometimes I lie.” From the first lines Alice Feeney takes her readers on an unforgettable ride, including quite the ending! I don‘t read psychological thrillers much but I‘m so glad I picked this one up, or in this case listened to it (great narrator!)!

Wow, my reading slump is apparent! I physical book? That‘s crazy for me! Well, here‘s to hoping I want to read in April! Happy April! 🌷🐣🌼💐

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When you don‘t want to pick up a physical book because your audio book is so addicting, it‘s a 5. When the author plays with your mind and emotions by surprising and pivoting, it‘s a 5. If the characters are real, raw and deliciously flawed, it‘s a 5. It‘s a 5 when the story is unique and new and keeps you on their toes. What a debut novel for C.J. Tudor!

Hi #litsians Have you read any of Kobe Abe? Years ago I stumbled across The Woman in the Dunes. It BLEW me away! It‘s a short book that quickly absorbs one in shock, awe, fear and wonder! I couldn‘t believe what I was reading and still today when I think of it I reel. The Box Man was another completely different story, as weird as TWITD was scary. Next up The Face of Another. I hope it also will take me to a world unimaginable. #litsy #reading

1- live to eat
2- Hufflepuff
3- pasta
4- cup
5- bail on a book

@RealLifeReading

I‘ve been moseying my way through a book of shorts that are written by some of the first Nobel Prize winners. I‘ve discovered some great authors, one of which is Selma Lagerlof, the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize of letters. After reading her short I decided to check out the novel that won her the prize. I‘m not going to lie, it‘s not an easy read and I question the reliability of the translation. The jury is still out.

This title isn‘t listed- Great Stories From Nobel Prize Winners - It‘s a fabulous book of shorts from the first Nobel Winners. I‘ve learned so many new authors, and I‘ve purchased one of the winning books! PS- I NEVER rest my coffee cups on books- this is for the photo only- no books were hurt in the shooting of this photo!

1- Pillars of the Earth
2- I didn‘t read past The Hobbit
3- I usually pass books on, but if I REALLY love a book I hold on to it.
4- I read with a book club on Goodreads that reads books from around the world!
#weekendchat
@CSeydel

1- Usually 2 or more and an audiobook
2- I don‘t use the library at all. 😱 I was accumulating enough fees to have paid for the book/s so I started buying used books. If I want to try a book before I buy it I try a sample on Kindle.
3- lol! See question 2
4- Normally no, but if there is a quote I want to note and I don‘t have a pencil I will put the tiniest dog ear at the bottom of the page.
5- Yep

4⭐️ An epic historical fiction covering the reign of King Henry VIII in the 1500‘s. Real life players are Cardinal Wolsey, Catherine of Aragon, Thomas Moore, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell. The plot focuses on Thomas Cromwell‘s rise to power from a black smiths son to the kings closest advisor. I appreciated Mantel‘s ability to write fact like fiction, and to include humor. However, Pillars of the Earth remains my favorite epic novel!

Recently I‘ve been drawn to Edna O Brien. I‘ve never read her and haven‘t had any recommendations so I thought I‘d ease in with a book of shorts. I like having a little sample before committing, kind of like Costco. 😂 Have you read anything by her? #newauthor#litsy #newbook