Litsy

so-so

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for this #ALC !

When a small group of bookstore employees are told to immediately shut down their bookstore, they decide to stay, refusing to leave to show the importance of the store to the community. The reader sees the story from the perspective of the manager Jo, as she and a half dozen staff keep the online bookstore sales running.

It‘s a fun premise. There is the power of books and their special ⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️ connection to people. There is growth of the characters, which was nice to see. The narrative itself seemed a little longer than necessary, and Jo‘s frequent repetitive thoughts was a little too much for me sometimes. There is a side story that I‘m not exactly sure why it was added, other than a humanity aspect. Okay listen. The voice narrator was good. I did like the book quotes throughout! And who wouldn‘t want to be in a bookstore overnight? 2d

Librarybelle #BBRC #YeahBaby #DontGiveUpYourDayJob …literally! @LibrarianRyan 2d

Hooked_on_books What an awesome premise! What a bummer it wasn‘t a better book. 1d

Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books It is a great premise! I‘m sure the author modeled it after Powells, since the story takes place in Portland. But, it just did not grab me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1d

57 likes1 stack add4 comments

Librarybelle

The Best at It | Maulik Pancholy

pick

When the school board of the school district I grew up in decided to rescind an invitation for this author to speak at one of the middle schools, I knew I had to read this book. The whole episode was so bizarre that it made international news…and not in a good light.

This is such an amazing book, following Rahul as he struggles with so much - his identity, lack of inclusion and diversity in the community, and his overall desire to fit in. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️Pancholy captures the awkwardness of the tween years perfectly. I learned a bit about Indian culture too! This is so good…highly recommend it. Using this for #BBRC #MiddleGrade #BackToTheDrawingBoard - let‘s just say Rahul tries a few activities to find what he is the best at (hence the title). @LibrarianRyan 2w

LibrarianRyan Wow. And the school rescinded the invite. Probably because of LGBTQ reasons, or the mere suggestion that that may happen. UGHHH I am glad you liked it. It looked fun. 5d

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan Due to backlash, they did decide to re-invite him after all. They did not specifically say for LGBT reasons, but given his “activism” they were afraid he‘d do a political talk to the middle schoolers and that his book was part of it. I‘m pretty sure none of the board members read his books. So aggravating and bizarre! 5d

LibrarianRyan @Librarybelle Ughhhh. That is bizarre. Why would you invite an author you had never read. That seems like the first thing someone would do. Then look at other presentations, or get information about past presentations. Sounds like a lack of planning on the boards part. 5d

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan Also bizarre, it was the school, not the school board, who initially invited. The school board took it upon themselves to rescind the invite, which I think was initially in 2020. Ridiculous! But, I‘m glad he is finally coming. 5d

73 likes1 stack add5 comments

Librarybelle

Olivetti | Allie Millington

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I was not anticipating this #MiddleGrade to be as sad as it was in parts - the cover and synopsis made me think it would be more light and comical. Magical realism plays a role in this as the reader hears from the perspective of tween Ernest and Olivetti the typewriter. It‘s apparent early on that there is a big #ElephantInTheRoom when it comes to Ernest‘s family, and the mother‘s disappearance only adds layers to the situation. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ I would have liked to hear Beatrice‘s voice in this, but that‘s really my only concern. This is a book that looks at illness, grief, hope, loneliness, despair, and family. I needed tissues! #BBRC @LibrarianRyan 4w

mcctrish I love this cover 3w

Librarybelle @mcctrish Yes! Honestly, that‘s why I wanted to read this…pulled in by the cover! 3w

LibrarianRyan I would never have guessed middle grade by the cover. The book sounds interesting though. And on another note. What is it with typewritters in books lately? It's like they are some new fangled invention. 5d

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan Yes! The cover is a bit deceiving. But, how odd that typewriters have a focus. I would imagine most middle grade students have no idea what a typewriter is. 5d

77 likes3 stack adds5 comments

Librarybelle

These Deadly Prophecies | Andrea Tang

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I admittedly picked this up because of the cover…love it!

YA Fantasy featuring sorcerers and fortune tellers and a MC with a snarky attitude and sharp wit…great story! I breezed through this one and found the layers of magic fascinating. There are grisly murder scenes - not overly graphic, but with enough detail you get the picture - and a dash of romance. One false step, and everything could #GoDownInFlames . #TeenAngst #BBRC

LibrarianRyan

Librarybelle Things do nearly go down in flames or have a bad ending at one point…so an apt choice for the #BBRC prompt 1mo

LibrarianRyan Nice. I have this sitting on my shelf and have not gottten to it yet. I haven't gotten to much lately. 5d

61 likes3 stack adds2 comments

Librarybelle

Crocodile on the Sandbank | Elizabeth Peters

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I‘ve heard great things about this series for years, so was glad to give it a try for the #BakerStreetIrregulars . I‘m so glad I did! Amelia Peabody is not your typical Victorian woman, and J loved her sarcasm and her views on society. It was also a nice intro to archaeology. I‘ve already purchased book 2! #192025 #1975 #BBRC #YeahBaby #PotCallingTheKettleBlack (Peabody and Emerson are so alike, it‘s like a mirrored image!).

LibrarianRyan, StayCurious, CatLass007

Librarybelle This is my #DoubleSpin for April‘s #BookSpinBingo ! @TheAromaofBooks 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! I really enjoyed this one. 1mo

dabbe Still can't believe #1975! 🤩😱😂 1mo

See All 10 Comments

Librarybelle I know, @dabbe !! 1mo

CatLass007 @librarybelle @dabbe @thearomaofbooks I‘m so glad everyone is enjoying this new-to-me series. The author‘s real name was Barbara Mertz and in 1952 she earned a PhD in Egyptology. Under her own name she published two books of nonfiction that have never been out of print. She also wrote under the name Barbara Michaels. (edited) 1mo

UwannaPublishme I really need to continue this series. I loved Amelia in this one! 1mo

Librarybelle @CatLass007 I had not realized she wrote nonfiction too. Thanks! 1mo

Librarybelle @UwannaPublishme It was so fun! 1mo

CatLass007 You‘re welcome. 1mo

LibrarianRyan I have patrons who LOVE This series. I am glad you did too. 5d

63 likes1 stack add10 comments

Librarybelle

Under the Midnight Sky | Anna Romer

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I‘m surprised I‘m the first one to review this - it came out in 2019! Set in #Australia, this is a dual timeline double mystery, with similar situations and some trigger warnings (see below). Abby finds an injured teen in the bushlands, which triggers some horrific memories for her. This is the stage for the slow reveal of the past and present, involving abduction, violence, and what it means to forgive. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ I listened to this and had some trouble in the beginning identifying which storyline was being discussed - I think I would have followed along a lot better with print. It‘s a slow burn novel, with also a bit of romance. I liked it and would read more by Romer. TW: child abduction, violence towards children, abuse 2mo

Librarybelle It‘s terrible to say this is my first for #ReadingOceania2024 ! @BarbaraBB 2mo

Librarybelle #BBRC #Adult #OnceBittenTwiceShy - so many of these characters are grappling with their past and are afraid of falling into the same patterns, making the same mistakes, or even reliving the same nightmares. @LibrarianRyan 2mo

See All 7 Comments

BarbaraBB I only read one too so far 😱 2mo

Librarybelle @BarbaraBB I know we have a lot of great books to choose from, thanks to the participants! 2mo

LibrarianRyan Sounds interesting. I bet it had an embargo by Audible/Amazon because I have never heard of it, but it sounds interesting. 2mo

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan That could be! 2mo

60 likes7 comments

Librarybelle

First Lie Wins: A Novel | Ashley Elston

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While I wished this one had a bit more thriller aspects, I did enjoy the view of a con from the con artist‘s perspective. #IgnoranceIsBliss when the female MC is on the case, hiding her true intentions from her marks. There were a couple of twists that I did suspect and others I did not. Overall, a quick, fun read. #BBRC #Adult

LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan Nice. I know lots of people who have liked this book. 2mo

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan It was a good distraction read. 2mo

69 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Our Country Friends: A Novel | Gary Shteyngart

so-so

Oomph…I can see why this book has a low rating on Litsy! I was so tempted to increase the listening speed just to get through the book at times. It has a good premise - friends quarantining together, and said friends have lots of issues. Not very likable characters, and that did not bother me. But, the last part of the book was like reading something completely different and just randomly added.

Using this for #BBRC #Adult #RainOnMyParade

LibrarianRyan

BarbaraBB I had been looking forward to it but was so disappointed! 2mo

Librarybelle @BarbaraBB Yes! Good idea but so disappointing! 2mo

RaeLovesToRead I agree. Started well then I dunno, maybe Schteyngart was drunk or got the cat to finish it or something 2mo

See All 8 Comments

Librarybelle @RaeLovesToRead 😂 I love the idea of the cat writing a section! 2mo

Ruthiella This book drove me crazy! 😝 2mo

Librarybelle @Ruthiella 😂 2mo

LibrarianRyan I hate when that happens. I went through 3 audio books in one trip because I just could not do it anymore. 2mo

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan It‘s definitely not fun! 2mo

60 likes8 comments

Librarybelle

North Woods | Daniel Mason

pick

This beautifully written novel entranced me from page one. Mason writes such a unique novel, focusing on a body of land and its inhabitants over centuries. Telling the story through various mediums - prose, diary, poem, letter, song - really made this so riveting and lyrical. The tie in with everyone too, the little nuggets thrown in over the years, just added perfectly to the story. I am so glad I read this! #52BookClub24 #AtLeastFourDifferentPOV

Kristy_K, LaraReads, KarenUK, Hooked_on_books, BarkingMadRead, Crazeedi, brittanyreads, Graciouswarriorprincess, Magpiegem, BookBelle84, Larkken, jenniferw88, julesG, Deblovestoread, MidnightBookGirl, triplem80, Tove_Reads, slategreyskies, Read4life, Bluebird, kwmg40, BarbaraBB, eeclayton, hissingpotatoes, Book_Lover95, TheAromaofBooks

Librarybelle #BBRC #YeahBaby #TimeFlies @LibrarianRyan 2mo

Hooked_on_books I was put off by the hype for this one and didn‘t immediately read it when it came out. Then I did and I‘m so glad I did! It‘s so good! 2mo

Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books I agree about the hype and not necessarily wanting to read something that everyone else is buzzing about - I‘ve yet to read Where the Crawdads Sing! 2mo

See All 16 Comments

Hooked_on_books I have no plans on reading Crawdads at all! 2mo

BarbaraBB Such a highly original book! 2mo

Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books 😂 2mo

Librarybelle @BarbaraBB Yes! 2mo

Suet624 You know that feeling you have after reading a book that feels perfect? That‘s how I felt after reading this one. Sooooo gooood. 2mo

Librarybelle @Suet624 Yes! You are exactly right! 2mo

AmyG @Suet624 Agree. Definitely a big favorite of this year…loved it. 2mo

Tamra It‘s a wonderful reading experience. 💚 2mo

Librarybelle @AmyG @Tamra So good! I‘m very glad I read it! 2mo

BookWrym Read this a while ago and loved it 2mo

Librarybelle @BookWrym It was so good! 2mo

LibrarianRyan I always loved the cover of this one. 2mo

Librarybelle @LibrarianRyan Agreed! 2mo

90 likes1 stack add16 comments

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