Welcome to Litsy!

👏🏻🎉💛 Congratulations @Meshell1313 you were picked by the randomiser! Thank you for sharing the memory of your friend with me. Please send me your details so I can post you two books from your tbr.
#Missmydad
nerissalee44@gmail.com

It‘s been almost a year since my Dad passed away and to celebrate his memory I am doing a giveaway!
This was my Dads favourite book. Growing up I remember seeing this book on my parent‘s bookshelf. I loved being able to discuss it with him when I finally read it. To enter just share a book that reminds you of anyone in the world, and why. #MissmyDad ♥️
I will gift 2 books from someone‘s TBR list using a number randomizer. Picked March 22nd.

The author tells his story of being convicted of a murder he didn‘t commit to serve a life sentence in the prison system in #FrenchGuiana. He describes his 8 escapes and punishments as well as friendships and his brief life with Indians. An excellent book. #readingtheAmericas @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

This is so darned funny and timely as I‘m reading the tagged book. Papillon is the man digging his way out, the dude on the bench is everyone else whose gotten comfortable with prison life and don‘t want to escape. And it‘s for @dabbe even though it‘s not holiday-ish because we all needs #smilesonlitsy

My next audiobook. I‘ve had quite a few short ones in a row so it‘s time for a lengthier book—18-1/2 hours.

#FrenchGuiana #readingtheAmericas @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Sharjah Book Festival

Henri Charriére was a safecracker convicted of a murder he didn‘t commit in 1931. He was sent by France to #FrenchGuiana to serve his life sentence. Here he details his horrifying experiences in prison as well as all his efforts to escape. A heavy read with the casual sexism/racism/homophobia unsurprising for the era, this is a clarion call for prison reform.

#ReadingAmericas2023

Ugh. Papillon was a struggle! I found myself pushing the reading process because this was a drag. He is so full of himself, racist, sexist, homophobic. So much is fabricated & repetitive. Did not enjoy this one! Full review in my blog, link in bio. www.anushareflects.com

I‘m really excited to kick back and relax with my books this weekend!

Papillon & I are very excited about the weekend. #newread

I listened to this on audio and it was pretty intense. I'm not sure if I'll watch the movie.

Birthday Dollar Tree book haul... because why not? 🤷‍♀️

Has anyone read any of these? Thoughts?

#MountTBRchallenge Number 40. This was saved off of a discard pile. The place that rebound this book back in 1970 didn‘t do such a great job. Here is the link to my gr review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2791604538

I've heard great things about this autobiographical novel about an escape from a French penal colony.
#SetYouFree #RedRoseSeptember
@arlenefinnigan @Cinfhen

Bonus #covercrush, especially for @gradcat who wanted to see them! 😘

This is a set of 10 Penguins, of which I already posted 2 as my #7days7covers.... (To Kill a Mockingbird and Breakfast at Tiffany‘s)

From top, L to R:

Papillon
A Confederacy of Dunces
Lark Rise
Brideshead Revisited
The Graduate
Cold Comfort Farm
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Great Gatsby

Incredible adventure story with 8 (maybe 9? I lost count!) prison escapes. Murder, starvation, isolation, even threats of quicksand. My only complaint is that Charriere‘s tale may have been embellished and is not 100% factual . . . But the story is compelling regardless.

Our latest bookclub pick and What a fantastic story it was!
It got me thinking about all the places this escaped convict ended up and at all times he was shown such kindness and generosity from strangers who knew of his status but were willing to give him a chance because he had done nothing to wrong them. They believed that he deserved a chance to redeem himself and make something of his life. Perhaps we could all learn from this?

“We have too much technological progress, life is too hectic, and our society has only one goal: to invent still more technological marvels to make life easier and easier. [...] All that kills the soul, kills compassion, understanding, nobility. It leaves no time for caring what happens to other people, least of all criminals.”
.
An incredible book. Loved this beginning to end.

#amreading #reading #literary

“Feeling an immense pity for this man, I made a motion to touch his cheek as a sign of friendship. He threw himself back and said, “thank you for wanting to touch me, but you must never touch a leper, not eat or drink from his bowl.” Of all the lepers, his is the face I remember, this man who had the courage to make me look.”

This book is wild.

About to start this beast......all 560 pages! 📖

“No nation has the right to revenge itself or rush to eliminate people just because they cause society anxiety. They should be healed instead of given such inhuman punishment.”

This book is super intense

#booksmatter #fiction #french #frenchlit #narrator #unreliablenarrator #literaryfiction

I should be out enjoying this by the fire pit but it‘s grossly hot out. Again. I‘m so ready for fall weather!!

I have no self control. Zilch. But at least I used a gift card 😂

Haven't been able to get this book off of my mind after accidentally watching the movie first. I don't usually go for movie tie-in covers but it's all they had and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little ok with looking at Charlie Hunnam 😍

Whoops - I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of this story/autobiography or the original movie adaptation. I just thought "ooh, Charlie Hunnam is perfect for a Sunday afternoon!" (?) and went to the movies. I really enjoyed it! Kind of Count of Monte Cristo-esque without the hidden treasure. I'll definitely have to snag the book though, fascinating story.

Finally starting this one and it is RIVETING. I love a good escape story. Im only on page 30 and my jaw has dropped more than once already.

Thanks @MaleficentBookDragon for sending this to me in the LitsyGoesPostal box!

Can't wait to start this great book. I did a reader no-no and watched the movie before the read. 😲

This book is very special to me. My Dad is not a huge reader and when it comes to presents, doesn't really go for sentiment. A few years ago, he surprised me and gave me a battered, well-loved copy of his favourite book for my birthday. I cried I was so delighted.

You can tell so much about someone from their favourite book.

#bookmemories

#MarchInBooks #photochallenge @maich

#setonisland

An autobiography of the first man to ever escape France's brutal penal colony on Devil's Island in French Guiana.

(This book has also fueled my wanderlust, because there are tours you can take of the ruined prison in French Guiana. I have a morbid fascination with prisons, so it's on the bucket list.)

Too long, but great story of determination and tenacity!

We have too much technological progress, life is too hectic, and our society has only one goal: to invent still more technological marvels to make life even easier and better. The craving for every new scientific discovery breeds a hunger for greater comfort and the constant struggle to achieve it. All that kills the soul, kills compassion, understanding, nobility. It leaves no time for caring what happens to other people, least of all criminals.

One of the best escape stories ever

A tale of epic adventures, a story of different countries entwined and the absolute lovable rouge of a lead character. - So GOOD.

Which book to read next? Which one should I take with me on my travels?

#augustphotochallenge
@TheSpinecrackersBookClub
#bookishfriendship

One of the great true life adventure stories. Charriere was a criminal exiled to the French penal colonies in the Caribbean for a crime that he proclaims his innocence. A story of escapes, recapture, violence, friendship and solitary confinement, leaving you amazed at his survival and sanity