Welcome to Litsy!

“Radium girls” was amazing. On to the next!

So good.

I don‘t typically describe historical fiction as the perfect beach read but it works for this book. Based on the real life Alice Network, a group of female spies during WWI, the story jumps between 1914, & the tale of one of the spies, & 1947 as a young American searches for her cousin. The story itself is a little predictable but the action is nonstop & the knowledge it‘s based on real people & events keeps you engaged until the end. A good read.

My mom told me she wants me to read the tagged book—the only catch is I have to do it while I‘m visiting her since it belongs to a friend & she needs to return it. Here‘s the thing, when mom says she wants you to read a book, you kinda, sorta, totally need to read the book. So, The Alice Network is up next (& I now have more time to decide which of my preorders—Exile From Eden, The Future of Another Timeline, Wayward Son—I‘m going to read first).

Based on a real network of mostly female spies in WWI, this novel weaves historical fact with fiction to show how events from WWI influenced some people‘s choices and behaviors in WWII and beyond. It jumps back and forth between 1947 and the years of WWI. People endured so much hardship and needed such courage during the two world wars. Hats off to my grandparents‘ and great-grandparents‘ generations! #audiobook #WWI

I loved this book. I‘ve been on a WWII and holocaust kick lately, and that‘s just fine. So many stories of strong people, strong WOMEN, I don‘t think I could be so brave. The characters in this book were inspiring, overcoming obstacles and standing up for themselves, finding their own way and finding peace. A beautiful story. ♥️

Just finished the audio version! The story was so exciting and I loved the little trio that formed — found families are my jam. The person reading the story did a great job with voices!

Eh, #unpopularopinion but I just get into this one.

Thank you @MaleficentBookDragon ❤️❤️❤️ First thank you for sending a book. Because you‘re right—what is a bookmark without a book.

And second, because this bookmark RULES! 🙌🏻 This is about the most epic bookmark ever! ❤️🐱😹😘

#bookmarkswap

This is definitely a 5 ⭐ read and one of my favorite books so far this year! Interweaving the stories of two young women during or in the aftermath of two world wars, Kate Quinn gives us les fleurs du mal, women who flourish in the face of evil. 1915 sees young Eve a spy for the Allies in occupied France, while 1947 has us meet her again through the eyes of young Charlotte, with her own quest for justice. What happened in the intervening years?👇

In a move I rarely ever make, I read this book cover to cover. The author used historical events and people to weave the fictional character's story to life. I love the Author's Note and P.S. at the back of the book. Some of the small triumphant parts where I cheered were historically accurate, adding to the authenticity of fictional Eve. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am about half way through this book and I don't want to put it down! I know I won't have time to finish it tonight but I am caught up in the suspense of spies and mysterious disappearances. I've realized I know so little about the first world war and find myself looking up little details in relation to the story line.

Historical fiction is not usually my thing, but I found this fascinating! I‘m so glad my library book group voted to read this over the summer. Especially appreciated the author‘s note, detailing the historical references & where she took small liberties. Bonus-it fits into two reading challenges 😉. #LitsyAtoZ:Q #bbrc #growup #nytbestseller @BookishMarginalia @LibrarianRyan

Library sale #bookhaul

I finally finished this book! Thank you The Alice Network for being so great. It was a bittersweet ending topped with a feel of pride and honor. Such brave women to remind us that we ladies can endure hard times. Endure. ❤️

I also thank the thunderstorm for trapping me in the library so I had the chance to read. I‘m afraid of thunder and refuse to go outside in the middle of a storm! #historicalfiction

I have been wanting to go to my city‘s downtown or some cafe but both require a bus commute that makes me anxious so I‘ve always just chosen not to go. But today I mustered up the courage and went for it as soon as I woke up. It gave me a chance to read! I‘ve owned this book for almost a year. Because of my never-ending busy schedule I never really got into reading it too much until today. A much needed break.

I‘m pretty proud of myself today.

My books for July. Not as many as June, but then I had to go back to work after summer break. Rather stay home and read. My favorites were Born a Crime, A Man Called Ove and The Alice Network. #thealicenetwork #miraclecreek #fivefeetapart #verity #daisyjonesandthesix #thelastmrsparrish #theperfectstranger #bornacrime #amancalledove #goodomens

I was on track to finishing my book before bed and then my kindle goes and decides to do this.... ugh! Time to watch Veronica Mars I guess 🤷🏽‍♀️

I liked but didn‘t love it. I enjoyed the historical aspects - I learned about British female spies during WWI which was very interesting. The book was roughly based on a real female spy ring and it‘s leader. However, I felt that the author made a tenuous connection between the spy ring and WWII events. I think I might have enjoyed it more if she concentrated on the events and characters relating to WWI and not tried to add WWII. 3.75⭐️🤣 #2019

This was OK. Weaving in the romances was predictable. The spies‘ stories were quite interesting. This May have been more gripping as a read than as a listen. 3.5/5 ⭐️ #24in48

Very engaging and interesting. I found that I didn‘t actually like the main character, Charlie. I think her plot line of her search for a long lost cousin that she hadn‘t seen since she was 12 consuming her life was a little thin. Eve‘s story, however, was superb. I really listened to this whole story just for Eve.

Starting #24in48 with these two already-in-progress books. Light and dark. Audio and Kindle. 😄

I might not have much reading time today. But tomorrow? A have an all-day date with my reading chair. 👏👏👏

Loved this read . The author kept me hooked throughout the entire book.

If you have not read this yet... stop what you are doing and start reading it now.

“There are two kinds of flowers when it comes to women,” Eve said. “The kind that sit safe in a beautiful vase, or the kind that survive in any conditions . . . even in evil. Lili was the latter. Which are you?”

#France #LetsTravelJuly

Another one of my favorites!! 🇫🇷❤️🇫🇷

My dental hygienist is in the same shopping center as Barnes & Noble, so of course I had to treat myself to a book afterwards! 😜

Been meaning to post this for a week! I‘ve been super super busy, I ended up working two 12 hour shifts last weekend so I didn‘t get to open it when we finally could. I LOVED MY BOX @mvegabec everything was super cute and I can‘t wait to read these. You did a great job, I know my TBR list is a hot mess. #summersantagoespostal @BookishMarginalia

Kate Quinn's The Alice Network was a pleasant surprise. I read about it when my book club chose it but somehow thought it was a WWII novel (and I'm still in the grasp of some WWII fatigue after over-reading books from that time period a couple of years ago). It takes, therefore, a special book set during that time period to knock me out of my aversion. Quinn's book was the perfect remedy, perhaps because it's WWII adjacent. (continued in comments)

I read this for a group read, and I found it a little meh. I think I might be burned out on historical fiction around the wars, and I also feel like I wanted way more of Eve and a little less of Charlie. I would, however, read other books by this author, because I did enjoy the writing.

"You know why none of us judge?" I bumped into his shoulder with mine until he finally looked down at me. "Because none of us has the goddamn right to look down our noses at anyone else's sins." ~Charlie St. Claire

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 This was a fantastic read! I loved the characters and the narrative shifts. A lot of true history, too. I am generally a fan of books with great female protagonists and this book is full of ones that won't be easy to forget. I definitely recommend.

Poetry is like a passion-it should not be merely pretty; it should overwhelm and bruise. ~René Bordelon

I'm absolutely loving this book and really appreciate how the author wrote it ❤ toodles 💫🤭

@AmyG thank you so much for the birthday package! I love the pillow ❤️. I‘ll be taking the notepads and kitty tissues to work, they‘re cute and made me laugh. The coaster is on my coffee table. And I‘m excited for both of these books. You‘re so sweet! 💕

"1947 was hell for any girl who would rather work calculus problems than read Vogue, any girl who would rather listen to Edith Piaf than Artie Shaw, and any girl with an empty finger and a rounding belly." ~Charlie St. Clair

This book was adventurous, dramatic, witty, romantic, suspenseful, historical, educational, and heartbreaking. It seems impossible that the author managed to pack all of that into one novel, yet she has done so. The story doesn't allow for a moment's rest and women in it are incredible. I want to go out and buy a "morally questionable hat" to celebrate the book.??

May was heavy on audio and light on text. I enjoyed some interesting books through the month and am picking The Alice Network and Spill as favorites. I also love The Return of the Shadow, but it‘s kind of a category of its own.

#MonthlyStats #ReadingStats

Loving the female characters in this book and the shifting narration.

1. The Alice Network, Kate Quinn; She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb; Girl Who Played with Fire, Stieg Larsen
2. Jackdaws, Ken Follet, part of this morning's book haul
3. The Sunflower, Simon Wiesenthal
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Reading to the backdrop of a spring storm. Smells and sounds beautiful here! And this book is fantastic! Thanks for the recommendation Litsy!

Awesome weekend in Philly exploring some treasured independent bookstores! I picked up my own copy of the tagged book, as well as some others for my students.

Kate Quinn superbly intertwines real historical characters and true events with fictional details here and there, never twisting facts too much to fit her storyline. I devoured the author's note at the end (something I don't always do), learning which characters and events were real and which parts were made up by her. Brilliantly written and very well researched historical fiction. Recommended for those who like to read about both World Wars.

I've heard such great things about this book! My current goal is to read an average of 11 books per month, and I just finished #55, so maybe I can get ahead a little bit... 😉

Discussion Question Number Three.

Discussion Question Number Two.

#GirlsLikeYou
#AMonthOfSongs

This prompt made me think of Eve, Rose, Alice, and Charlie (searching for her cousin Rose) and all of the other courageous female spies in The Alice Network...

I am more than half way to my reading challenge on Goodreads.

Discussion Question Number One.

1. Teen, fantasy & sci-fi, historical fiction, thrillers, nonfiction
2.tagged
3. St Louis, MO
4. The couch or my bed! 🛋️🛏️
#oldmeetsnewgiveaway @Cinfhen