Welcome to Litsy!

A bestseller for a reason! A moving, tragic story based on equally as moving and tragic real life events. The fact that evil people like Georgia Tann exist is something not to be forgotten. These children are not to be forgotten. The non-fiction “Before and After” is worth your time and attention also.

4✨While this is a work of fiction it is based on true events. Children taken from their homes and taken to a home where they are sold to rich families. It follows 3 points of few. 1 from the past, and two in the present. It becomes clear there is a connection and part of it I suspected. However, there is a few mysteries that appeared I wasn‘t, and mysteries that still weren‘t solved. I like the author stuck to practically, but still a sad end.

My #roll100 for January. The first is “Of Heaven and Earth by: David L Clark which is an LDS book. this year looks exciting! 😍 @PuddleJumper

Sad but a great read

This is a book that sticks with you. I can‘t stop thinking about it, and that - while the families were fictional - this was based on real events.

The fictional families were well-written, although I wish more time was spent with Avery, Judy, and May. Some things seemed rush.

But young Rill‘s story was the gem of the book, it was delicately written and her personality shines through.

Highly recommend this book!

Oh my goodness, I‘m only 20% through and I‘m just hooked!! A thoroughly engrossing book, such a contrast between the narration in the past and the future. I can‘t wait to see where this goes and who ends up being who!

HF about kids being stolen away from parents, taken to crowded orphanages, then sold to #adoptivemoms.

#MayMoms @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

This historical fiction hit me right in the feels. I have been obsessed with historical fiction lately, and this one did not disappoint.

I finished this in 2 days and the story stuck with me for days after. I found myself doing research on orphanages and reading stories of children who were ripped away from their loving families to be adopted out. This beautiful story shed light into a part of America's ugly past.

Loved this book! What an interesting and heart breaking story. Reading the author‘s note at the end was eye opening, and made me so sad for all those families that lost children. I would highly recommend this for a book club read. The discussion and differing of opinions, thoughts and feelings would be so great, and I‘m looking forward to ours at the end of the month.

Decided to give this one a listen during housework and meals today. It seems familiar and I‘m wondering if I‘ve read it before but I honestly don‘t remember. And I can‘t check because I deleted my entire Goodreads and Litsy history so…🤷🏻‍♀️ anyway so far it‘s good and the sushi is great! 🍣 😋 #DinnerAndABook

My reading has really been slow going this year so far so I‘ve only just finished my #bookspin from January. I did enjoy this one a fair bit - wasn‘t my favorite but it was interesting for sure. The characters felt fresh and unique

@TheAromaofBooks

Book club choice😋Rereading it… I loved it the first time….

Interesting. Sad.

Such a deep story. It really makes you want to just keep reading; It keeps you interested the whole time.

#August #12BooksOf2021

It‘s a shame it took me so long to pick this one up, but I am so glad I read this one in 2021!

This heartbreaking story, yet with touches of hope, showcases a little known piece of American history. Children taken from their homes and adopted out to well to do families…ugh! Wingate tells the story with grace. It has made me want to read her other books!

This book has sparked my love of historical fiction. While based on upon a true setting, this book was heartbreaking, heart warming, educational, and so fulfilling. Easily one of my top three favorite books.

Another pick - it started off slow but picked up as it went and was a great read. Once I got about halfway through it was hard to put down. Another sad story of history - this time about a family sent to the Tennessee Children‘s Home Society orphanage. What these orphanages (and the director Georgia Tann) got away with and what the wealthy let them get away with is heartbreaking.

#AVeryMerryReadathon #Readathon #Orphanage #Family @TheSpineView

I know I've posted a bunch about this book as it's taking me forever to get through it (not the book but my time that is causing it)....but this is how I intend to spend the evening once the kiddos are asleep - popcorn and a book! Hopefully I can get some pages in!

#CurrentlyReading #Popcorn #SnackAndBook #Readathon #EveningReading

Finished my November #bookspin and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would- the back covet blurb didn't do it justice! @TheAromaofBooks I also kept track of holiday words for the #WGWordSearch. #TeamGameSleighers

Recuperating from my booster shot 🤒 and partaking in the #WGWordSearch #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers @StayCurious

My Day 2 #FestivePhotoChallenge for #TeamGameSleighers #WinterGames2021 ft. RED AND WHITE. #currentlyreading @StayCurious

Playing the #WGWordSearch as I'm #currentlyreading my #bookspin read. Wore green sweatpants and a red shirt and I'm using a red pencil to really dominate this #FestivePhotoChallenge entry. 😅❤💚 #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers

It's a travel home day! Woke up at 3 a.m. and slept on the first leg of my trip, so hoping to make a dent in this one on the shorter, second flight. 🤞🏽 #currentlyreading #bookspin

I read this a couple of years ago, but wanted to read I again after some friends read it this year. It‘s sickening what the people of THS did to those families. Book #67 in 2021

I am #currentlyreading my #BookSpin for November but thinking ahead by posting my TBR early to also count towards #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers @TheAromaofBooks @StayCurious

I listened to the audio and I thought it started off pretty slow, so it took me a bit to get “into” it, and I might have missed a few things at the start. It did pick up, though, and I found myself more engaged. I actually ended with a couple of questions, though. I was glad there was an author‘s note at the end with more of the true story of the Home Society

In between the start of school and skating for the little guy, planning a birthday party and being swamped at work I have had absolutely no time to read. I'm hoping the #OutstandingOctober #Readathon forces me to find some time for my books! Hoping to finish Before We Were Yours and get started on whatever book I choose to read next.

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65

What can I say about this book.....What a page turner, from start to finish it pulls you into the lives of its characters, you feel their pain and sadness, leaves you wishing you could leap into the pages and save them. It‘s so well writing it flows effortlessly , I highly recommend it.

Wingate powerfully depicts the trauma experienced by children who were stolen from their families and placed in the Tennessee Children's Home Society, an adoption agency headed by the child trafficker, Georgia Tann, from the 1920s-1950s. I admit I had to shut off the narrative and play meditation music a few times just to get through. How is it that I had never heard of this horror? Right here, in America, not that long ago 😭

Lovely #litsymail today- another book from Cindy and a lovely postcard from Helen. ❤️😁 thank you both so much - lovely to receive and definitely brightens the day 😘

Not much time to read today but I'm going to sneak in a bit while I wake myself up with this #IcedCoffee. I'm excited to start the tagged book for my #bookspin . Side note: They are tearing down the forest behind our house for yet another housing development 😭 😭 😭 - We didn't move out to the country for them to take down all the green space!

#AnyWayYouReadathon #Readathon

@TheAromaofBooks @kimmypete1 @MidnightBookGirl @Eggbeater

My September #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin roll. Excited for both of these.

@TheAromaofBooks

This week has been crazy. We move my youngest to Toronto for uni tomorrow. This book has been buzzing in my brain all week while we knocked off errand after errand. Today was less fraught, car is packed for an early departure, so I could float and finish this before the rain hit. What a nightmare this story is based on ( Tennessee Children‘s Home Society) but this has a happier ending

Book 2 for August Book Club Read

Summer break is almost over ( we have another month of summer ) and I am maxing out my reading in the pool time. Next weekend we move my youngest into his uni apartment and the weekend after my oldest comes home from his job at camp and then we move him back to school. Empty nesting is approaching at a warp speed velocity

I was a little reluctant to read this, given the subject matter - based on events surrounding the Tennessee Children‘s Home Society. I am so glad I did read this - it can be heavy with sadness, and yet have so much hope. Wingate writes a beautifully crafted dual narrative, with cliffhangers at the end of each chapter that kept me reading. I definitely plan to read more of her books!

Find the music of today 🎼 I loved this book! Such a great story.

I have the whole day to myself & I don‘t plan to leave this chair if I can help it. #weekendreads 📖

A soft pick from me, as I felt the story dragged in places towards the beginning. It was really good overall, and shines a much-needed light on the injustices of the TCHS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#doublespin

“My story begins on a sweltering August night, in a place I will never set eyes upon.”
#firstlinefridays

This book scared me a little. Based on a true story that tells about the horrific deeds of the Tennessee children‘s home. Children taken away from their homes and to think it‘s still happening today. It breaks every piece of my heart to know this story isn‘t real, but could be and there are so many stories like it. If you‘re into historical fiction. Give it a go. I don‘t think you‘ll regret it. It made me do a little extra reading of my own.

What a beautifully written story about horrible events. I‘m so glad I finally got around to marking this off my TBR. I had no idea of these real life events surrounding adoption during this time period. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

In einer Zeit in der ich mich mit Geschwisterliebe beschäftige kann dieses Buch zu mir und hat mich tief bewegt. Wenn Kinder Ware sind, wir weit gehen die Händler und was macht das mir den Kindern? Ein Buch das nachtwirkt...

An orphan's emotional adventure. I listened to the story on audiobook and was pulled into a world true to the characters' voices by the narrator's voice of interpretation. Excellent fiction, based on painful realities in our American history. I highly recommend reading or listening to this story. Your heart will be pulled in many directions right until the end.

“For the hundreds who vanished and for the thousands who didn‘t. May your stories not be forgotten. For those who help today‘s orphans find forever homes. May you always know the value of your work and your love.” ❤️

#Lost / found
#OppositeDay

2.5 stars
Somewhere between 'just ok' & 'good'

Picked out Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate for my next book l've tried it a few times before and never got far. Let's hope 3rd times the charm.

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Full Review: https://suspensebookreviews.home.blog/2021/03/05/before-we-were-yours-by-lisa-wi...

What a brilliant novel based on a not-so-known time in our history. I love historical fiction novels and this is one of my favorites. This story was heartbreaking, knowledgeable, and at times heartbreaking. Wingate weaved lessons on strength, family, and love in such a beautiful way.