Welcome to Litsy!

(2010) Set in a Johannesberg, South Africa, where criminal acts -- or maybe feelings of guilt, it's not clear to me -- attract animal familiars, who sometimes bring superpowers with them. Heroine Zinzi December is such a guilty person, matched with a sloth and a talent for finding lost things. The plot is a noir mystery, involving Zinzi's search for a missing pop star and what happens next. I loved the world and the character and found it much fun

I used to live walking distance from two Little Free Libraries, and have been sad about losing the opportunity to wander past them on my daily walk. Yesterday I spotted one while driving home, so I took a different route on my walk today to check it out. It‘s so cute! There‘s even a little bench to sit on & rest or read for a while. ☺️ I picked up the tagged book from my GR TBR, and I‘m looking forward to visiting this charming spot more often!

This is a strange book! I really liked the world built—when people feel a strong guilt, an animal appears that is connected to them. If the animal dies, the person does too, and the animal also seems to bring a magical ability. Zinzi has a Sloth and the ability to find lost objects. She‘s hired to find a missing teen girl. The story gets very violent and I felt it was lacking emotional depth.

@TheAromaofBooks This was my #doublespin for June

#LitsyAtoZ #Z✔️

Finally taking a few vacation days and the weather couldn‘t be lovelier for books and beer on the beach (after a few hours kayaking and swimming - we saw the bald eagle that lives on the lake, too!)

#QuotsyAug20 @TK-421
#Traffic

I'm so unsure about how to rate this book. I was enthralled right off the bat, but then about 1/4 of the way in, things seemed to wane. Between 1/2 and 3/4 through, it picked up again and I couldn't put it down. The end left me wanting to know more. It was definitely an intriguing world, and I haven't read too many books set in South Africa, so the setting felt new to me. Overall, I'd say it was a pick.

Finally finished this book. Glad I stuck with it when I wanted to just toss it. Takes place in South Africa where if you commit a crime you get assigned an animal to carry with you at all times making you animaled or a zoo boy/ girl. When your animal dies, so do you. This book has it all, a sloth, a serial killer, and a story unlike one I have ever read. Another good book by this author even if it started a bit slow.

Really want to like this book. Loved The Shining Girls and Broken Monsters. This one is hard for me to get into. Struggling. Have read 127 of 302 pages and plan to keep going.

Something different! This was set in my hometown Johannesburg South Africa, with a twist :)

Just finished Helen Oyeyemi‘s White is for Witching, which I LOVED, and am now continuing with my current reading vibe of reading books that have been on my tbr for a long time by starting Zoo City. I like a lot of UF, but I‘ve also run into a bunch of duds, but this one won the Arthur C Clarke award and has some good reviews so 🤞🏼

While Beukes writes many a supernatural thriller she really steps out of her zone to write this book of an alternate Johannesberg where people's spirit animals walk around with them. At it's heart it's a detective novel where the heroine and her sloth try to solve a case that gets gunked up as they often do. It's really a unique concept that Beukes takes full advantage of. Squidapus thought it's inconsistency was beaten by what a fun read it was

I didn't absolutely love this book but in the end I have to give it a pick. I think Beukes did something very unique and creative and interwove it with issues of contemporary South Africa, which I loved. The climax was a bit odd for me, I guess I was anticipating something different 😊 If according to other readers her later books are even better, I look forward to reading them.

I'm enjoying Zoo City but not devouring it. Really trying to stick to it and finish it first, with my reward being the two really good books waiting for me!

This is not my normal kind of read at all, but it's oddly engaging! I love the local colour which is presumably a little bit lost on an international audience. It's nice to broaden my reading horizons a bit!

First time in a long time I bought a book w/o any research. #LunchRead

Not as strong as her newer books. This one is more gritty urban fantasy set in South Africa. If people kill someone, they gain an animal familiar and everyone can see the crimes of their past. Still a decent read and a compelling premise, but didn't pull me in like Shining Girls or Broken Girls.

I‘m halfway through the audiobook and this book doesn‘t seem to be going anywhere. 😕😕😕😕

My 10+2 TBR challenge stack from roofbeamreader.com. I‘m pledging to read these 10 books from my TBR in 2018 (plus two subs if I have to bail on a couple). I‘m posting here for more accountability!

While I didn't enjoy it as much as Beukes' most recent novels, this dip into her backlist was fun and interesting. I loved the world building, the gritty atmosphere, and when the action picked up, the narration sped along. I'll keep looking for a copy of Moxie Land, overall I really enjoy her style and can't wait to read more.

I may have let my students read longer today while I finished this up, the end was so good! #classroomread

So-so rating just because it took me a while to get into it, and then the ending felt rushed. The story did gain a good momentum though, I could see this being a good mini-series.

Also my letter Z for #litsyatoz

#AnimalBooks #BeastsGiveawayChallenge I haven't read this yet, but it's in my pile and I'm pretty intrigued by it!

Too bad my current read isn't 66 pages exactly....

Reading while dinner cooks. Library book expiring soon and so far I'm not hooked on it... do we think I'll make it?

These stacks represent books picked up at a local library sale, various trips, multiple used bookstore runs...and I have not finished any of them! But what am I doing today? Going to a massive library sale to get more books! And I am so excited!!

This urban fantasy novel was really far outside of my comfort zone. I'm a nonfiction and realistic fiction reader, but I decided to take a risk to finish out my #litsyreadingchallenge bingo card. If you're into urban fantasy, you'd probably enjoy this. The writing was solid and the premise was interesting. I just couldn't buy into the fantasy elements.

#startswithZ for #litsyreadingchallenge
(And with that, my #LRC challenge is complete!)

I realized that I had 3 audiobooks on the go (since my Final Girls pre-order arrived, and I can't resist that one after so many positive reviews here), so I returned my previous #startswithZ read and exchanged it for this ebook. The cover alone is enough to convince me. I don't read much urban fantasy though, so this could be a whole new adventure for me!

@IamIamIam You are a rockstar! I love it all! I love your notes and the thought that you put into each item. ❤️ Also funny enough, Zoo City (that you choose at random) is one I have been wanting to read - big fan of Lauren Beukes! My husband was eyeballing the Ghosts of 42nd Street & my 6 year old son ran off with the red bubble wrap so huge thumbs up from the whole fam 👍! Thank you so much!
Thank you to @BookishMarginalia for all your work!

I the middle of reorganizing my shelves, so things are pretty messy 😵 #shelfie #roitgrams

Set in South Africa, this dystopian mystery revolves around the Animalled, people who killed someone and now have a constant animal companion as a reminder of their misdeed. Zinzi December, former journalist, has a sloth and a new magical talent: finder of lost things. When a shady music mogul asks her to locate a runaway teen talent, Zinzi jumps in WAY over her head. Cool concept though the mystery feels rushed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two books about #Africa, one urban fantasy, one science fiction.

Zoo City takes place in a Johannesburg where people who commit major crimes are given an animal familiar that must never leave their side and a magic power. The main character has a sloth and can find lost objects.

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm are a detective trio with special powers that solve mysteries in a high tech Zimbabwe in the year 2194.

#LyricalApril

I really enjoyed this, and would love to read more about this world. Plus it's it wrong that i want a sloth companion?!?! Also, absolutely stunning cover, really well designed.

Some coworkers and I are going through the Lauren Beukes backlist.

This cover is fantastic! I just love everything about it. I am reading this for the #MMDchallenge (a book you chose for the cover) I haven't read much urban fantasy, and I'm really liking this one so far. The magic system is so unique! #MMDreading

This is just beautiful! #ForTheLoveOfFonts #ReadJanuary

Mini Book Haul... was killing time between appointments so I hopped into Poisoned Pen for a little pick me up... #tbr

This book was very interesting. Loved the characters and the way the story unfolded. I kind of hope she writes another book with Zinzi and her sloth. Such a unique story. Criminals paired with animals equal to their crime. Definitely recommend.

Almost half way through this book. It is very good. I think she is an amazing storyteller. can't wait to find out what is really going on with missing Song and her new record!

This book (and wine) is hitting the spot right now! #scaretober

Rock and roll with fierce tempo. The South-African reality vividly captured.

A new paperback edition is coming out and I'm so excited to be reading it because I LOVED The Shining Girls and Broken Monsters and I will read anything Beukes writes. (The characters have animal companions and I'm in heaven!)