Welcome to Litsy!

Finished my first #authoramonth today. This month I read the tagged and the book in the picture. While I liked both of them (LaRose more than Shadow Tag), I‘m still not sold on Erdrich. I always seem to like not love her books.

It‘s very unfair for Ms. Erdrich to call me out like that!

#AuthoraMonth

#AuthorAMonth2023 @Soubhiville

This was not at all what I was expecting. I've only read two other books by this author and this read was much darker than I expected. It's an exquisitely written story of a marriage falling apart and an intimate look into the ramifications of abuse and control in a relationship.

Great read, but be prepared for the emotional impact.

Dark pic for a dark book. Erdrich paints and eloquently sad and disturbing picture of an abusive marriage imploding. #AuthorAMonth

Gil is a working painter with one subject: his wife, Irene. As he tries to capture her in his latest portrait, he becomes convinced she‘s cheating. She realizes he‘s reading her diary and starts leaving tantalizing false clues that drive him crazy. Heartbreakingly caught in the middle are three kids. 😢

A slow burn for sure but it definitely got me thinking and love, marriage, and parenting in a different way. I won‘t soon forget this problematic relationship characterized by art, obsession and substance abuse. I was rooting for them even lamenting their poor choices. Not my favorite of hers but a solid story with her special brand of depth and artistry. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Read this in one sitting today.... I just couldn‘t put it down! Its an unsettling story of an artist, his muse and their unfortunate children that witness their calculated manipulations. This is an incredibly toxic marriage, full of violence and twisted, obsessive love. Beautiful writing, though this is a portrait of a truly ugly, noxious relationship.
#indigenousauthor #pop21

Irene and Gil are married and have three children. They can‘t live with nor without eachother. Booze, art and secret diaries become weapons in a fight between them where no one can gain from, there‘s too much at stake. So much to lose.
Between a pick and a so-so.

#ReadingUSA2019 Minnesota

The game nails Irene and Gil‘s relationship. Smart title!

This s NOT a warm & fuzzy read. Gil & Irene are the most toxic couple I‘ve ever come across. Gil (a painter) Irene his wife (& muse) are drawn to each other like fire and ice. When Irene discovers Gil is reading her private journals she begins to write false entries to provoke & manipulate Gil. Audio was excellent & writing razor sharp🗡Loads of symmetry & foreshadowing. #MayMovieMagic #IceDance #Booked2019 #IndigenousAuthor

#Audiobook #IndigenousAuthor #Booked2019 This is my first Louise Erdrich and the writing is stellar ♥️Irene & Gil are the MOST TOXIC couple I‘ve ever come across. It‘s not a happy read but it‘s gripping and unputdownable. Halfway done and the narration is fantastic.

Starting a new #audiobook for #Booked2019 #IndigenousAuthor #Hoopla 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Enjoyed reading everyone‘s comments. Fun round of #LMPBC
I know one of you are missing comments from me because of the missing book. Please let me know so I can write you a letter.

@irre The book is finally in the mail! You should have it on Thursday.
#LMPBC #round4

🌟🌟🌟
#LMPBC #round4
@irre @cherinium @LazyDays

I will get this in the mail tomorrow. 😁

I am diving into this #LMPBC #round4 book. I am hoping to get it finished and mailed out by Monday. 😁
@irre @cherinium @LazyDays

Reading this book was kind of like coming upon a train wreck. I didn't want to read about these unlikable people, but I just couldn't stop. The writing was engaging, but the characters were just terrible. I found myself wanting more from the diaries, especially the blue one. I'll give it a pick for keeping me turning the pages and being a quick read.
Onward we go: @DarcysMom @irre @lazydays
#lmpbc #round4 #groupD

One of the characters in this book is named Gilbert, so it seems fitting that my Gilbert is napping on my lap as I read it. #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #love #cuddlebuddy #adventuresofthegmen

Owing to a lost package containing 2 books, #round4 of #lmpbc took a hiatus. But, we are back in business, girls! Thanks go to @LazyDays for supplying the replacement books. I am going to get started on this one now, and will get it sent out, hopefully within the next week. Who knows? The original books may show up yet. If that happens, I will make sure they make it home. @DarcysMom @irre

Just finished this for #LMPBC #GroupD round 4. Heading your way soon @LazyDays

I‘m ready to dive in. #LMPBC #round4
@cherinium @LazyDays @DarcysMom

Very well-written. Fully developed unique characters. I LOVE the concept of two diaries and using one to manipulate the spouse who sneaks reading the other‘s private thoughts. But I did not enjoy the novel because I did not like either character at all.

TW for rape and both physical and emotional abuse.

There was a point early on where I thought I'd be able to say that while I didn't enjoy this book, I admired the writing and the psychological depth. Unfortunately, I'm here to tell you I hated it, good writing be damned. It's about two awful people who do awful things to each other in horribly ordinary ways. I wish I hadn't wasted one of my last Hoopla audio credits on it.

I finally broke down and dismantled my Vancouver puzzle so I could start a new one. #audiopuzzling

I really wanted to finish my last book of December yesterday, but I have a cold so I was exhausted and just couldn‘t do it. December was a good reading month for me so it‘s hard to pick a favorite but I‘ll go with Shadow Tag.

Books Read: 13
Fiction: 13
Audiobooks: 5
Short Story Collections: 3
YA: 3
Re-reads: 1
Graphic Fiction: 1

📚📚📚📚📚

#bestofdecember #decemberwrapup #decemberstats

A searing, psychological chronicle of the destruction of a marriage between two very damaged people. The narrative weaves back and forth as Irene discovers her husband Gil has been reading her diary. She then makes two diaries, one in which she records her true thoughts on marriage, love, life, her children, and another that she uses to manipulate Gil. Beautiful writing & pacing.

This was such a sad story of a family torn apart by love and hate and alcoholism and...just sad, but so so good too. To help with the sadness here are the spots on the belly of a kitten!

So, I don't really have a reading nook, but here's my current read (and an uncooperative kitten) on the "cuddler" portion of our couch, where I sit to read a lot. In this book, the wife thinks she has the #perfectillusion because she keeps two diaries - one her husband knows about and one he does not! We will find out if it really is perfect! #AugustGrrrl #booksandbooks #backtoreading

I did not remember buying copy number one when I bought copy number two. #aprilbookshowers #dontrememberbuyingthis

I like Louise Erdrich so much that I inadvertently bought this book twice. So I am torn about how to rate it and might skip it altogether if it weren't one of my #litsyatoz picks. It is vividly written. However it was also a book about two selfish, damaged people doing horrible things to other with no regard to their children. What it comes down to is that this is not a book I would ever reread or recommend to others.

My current read in my comfy chair. #17booklove

I always consider the state of Minnesota my home even though I moved away years ago. I love reading books set on my home state, especially if I'm feeling homesick! #setinabelovedlocation #17booklove

Hmm... still trying to come to grips with this one.

Next up!!

This book!! This author. I am almost finished and keep thinking, Erdrich is so wise.

She has created such a fearless and painful portrait of a marriage. Resentment, bitterness, stubbornness, & loyalty all show up here. And while trying to raise three children.

There are two journals - one red, one blue. One journal is meant to be read; a manipulative strategy. The other is locked away, secrets secure. Watch as this family unravels.

Also, 🍕!

Just a few of my #BooksbyWomen 😄 #SeptPhotoChallenge #SomethingforSept #WomenWriters #ReadWomen

“They reverted to one of their endless arguments, first about the noodles, then about kitsch. This was not fighting, but the sort of argument that could go on for years and years, where each found bits of evidence to prove their point and dropped it into the next go-round a month, two or three months, on. They were back in old territory. They argued sometimes for comfort.”

Read more: http://bit.ly/2bveKGk

#readtheworld #louiseerdrich

My shelves are full... I guess I either need to build more or stop buying books. Lol just kidding, we all know the only option is to build more

This is dark novel about a dysfunctional couple. There were some passages of brutal honesty about marriage that I felt most people could relate to. The ending left me angry and I despaired for their children. I didn't like the characters. They were selfish and codependent.

Seriously, Gil? You think the way to save your family is by buying them all musical instruments? No wonder your wife hates you.

I absolutely love Louise Erdrich's writing. Can't get enough of it! I've read several of her books and have yet to run a into the pitfall you find with some authors where all their books seem like the same thing repeated.

Characters were disturbing and unlikable. I put this book down a couple times because it was difficult to handle. Eerily relatable. Perhaps that is why I hated the characters and loved the book!

It was more than I expected (even from Louise Erdrich)! I Clean, yet complex...moving without sentimentality. My unexpected reaction? Tears at a couple points. So yes, it's rather emotional and so satisfying. Do I know these characters in real life? No, but I walked away feeling like they were real.