Welcome to Litsy!

#bookmoods #setin1960s @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Third time reading this and it‘s still just as beautiful.

#unpopularopinion

Actually, I knew this was no book for me. But what all does one read for a challenge? I was surprised, finding out that I liked the beginning of the book. Their childhood friendship was interesting and fascinating to read.

But then puberty hits again, and there I was dragging myself through a book that didn't catch me the slightest. I don't care about Lenu, her school, her lovelife. I care even less for her brilliant friend ⬇

I have finished 2 / 4 of the Neapolitan Quartet by #ElenaFerrante and I really like it. I like that the narrative clearly takes its time and that we get to know our two main characters, Lenu & Lila, very intimately. Yesterday, book 3 & 4 arrived, so I‘m fully stacked now!

#MyBrilliantFriend

Kid protagonists are so boring!

After a very long period of struggling with reading, February, though difficult month for the world, was an excellent reading month for me. 🙈 I managed to read seven books, and I can't remember the last time that has happend. And I do feel a bit proud of myself. Also, I managed to finish Volume 1 of The Count of Monte Cristo for #chunksterchallenge2022.

I really loved this! I totally get why this book is so popular, it's just superbly written, the characters, the setting, everything was just *chef's kiss* !! 📚📚📚

It‘s nuts to me that I gave this book three stars when I first read it—THREE STARS—when now, after reading it a second time, it‘s an easy five.

The obvious explanation is that I‘m invested in the story and characters from the start, which makes the narrative way more entertaining the entire time. I guess that‘s a major part of what brings so much pleasure in rereading.

I plan to keep going with the series, so more on this later.

Starting a new read tonight. This copy from the library is really worn out, the pages are barely keeping it together. 😅📚📚

Guess who just got back from the library after a year-long absence!? My Brilliant Friend by Ferrante is looking rather shabby, clearly a hit among the readers. The one in the middle is one of the more popular novels in recent Croatian history, and I finally decided to read it. The book on the right is set in Korea, and I think it's the first time for me reading a book set there.
📚📚📚

I‘ve heard about Ferrante‘s writing prowess for a long time, and this offering did not disappoint. Two very different girls in a small Italian village become friends, with the adventurous and mercurial Lila pushing, defining, & challenging our reminiscing narrator, Lenú. I became immersed in the world of their childhood & adolescence each time I picked up the book, so rich is Ferrante‘s storytelling & character development. It‘s a rewarding book.

Took a while to get invested, but then devoured this one. How did I not know it was a series? Just started the second book.

Super excited to receive this beautiful package! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #litsylove

Extremely late to the party but already glad to be finally here - thanks for sending me this, Lee @LeeRHarry 😘

I‘ve tried very hard to like this novel, tried to wear Lena‘s shoes while she tells her story about her friendship with Lila and her little misadventures in her small town. Finally finished this book just to know how it ends but there‘s a slight cliff hanger so would have to read book 2. Maybe not. This is my pick for June‘s #bookspin #bookspinspingo @TheAromaofBooks

#SpringSentiments @Eggs
Prompt: Dazzle

The fact that Ferrante is likely a man bothers me more than I care to admit. I feel the impetus to finish the Neapolitan series just draining away...

https://lithub.com/have-italian-scholars-figured-out-the-identity-of-elena-ferra...

Finishing this book up on vacation in Florida today since it‘s threatening rain here. I‘m hoping for a nice big thunderstorm because I miss those. One thing I don‘t miss is the mosquitoes! So itchy!

An engaging coming-of-age novel set in 1950s Naples. I loved the gritty characters and neighborhood descriptions and the friendships between the characters. 3.5 ⭐️

Through training the lens at Elena and Lila's childhood friendship, Elena Ferrante gives us a stunning bildungsroman that views the past through rose tinted glasses but for a change with the smudge marks, dust and grime accumulated through the passage of time left intact.

Can't wait to read the rest of this magnificent quartet!

#bookmail to make things that much better!

So happy that next month's #nyrbbookclub pick arrived in time and I'm hoping to make this my Ferrante year 🤞🏽

Finally giving this a shot as I‘ve been really into reading for the first time in a long long time.

Below two quotes summarise this gorgeous book for me:

1. “At the fourth flight Lila did something unexpected. She stopped to wait for me, and when I reached her she gave me her hand. This gesture changed everything between us forever.”

It's a story of friendship written with such ferocity (see 2nd quote) that you'll find yourself immersed in the lives of everyone here.

2. “What I had tried to do in those months whenever I had to write: 👇🏽

3.5/5 ⭐️ This was between a pick and so-so for me. But since I don't feel a strong desire to continue the series I went with so-so. This felt more like a frenemies story rather than friends. Also I wish the beginning premise was revisited at the end rather than never being mentioned again.

Total of 9 hours for #20in4 @Andrew65

“Adults, waiting for tomorrow, move in a present behind which is yesterday or the day before yesterday or at most last week: they don't want to think about the rest. Children don't know the meaning of yesterday, of the day before yesterday, or even of tomorrow, everything is this, now: the street is this, the doorway is this, the stairs are this, this is Mamma, this is Papa, this is the day, this is night.”

Always interesting to see what authors read themselves! I‘ve read 14 of the listed 40. Some I‘ve loved but others I have loathed. I do love Ferrante, however! ❤️

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/21/elena-ferrante-names-her-40-favour...

Well, the pressure is certainly building up now. My boyfriend gifted all of these. 😁

Hopping on this ride!

My boyfriend gifted it to me in June this year, and he‘s been checking on me since then as to when would i pick it up? Love that kind of chivvying. 😊📖

I could relate so much to Elena Greco- I always felt that I was in the shadow of my far more brilliant friends!
1. I watch tennis, the football World Cups,and I used to watch cricket till everything seemed- predecided!! I'm a HUGE fan of Pete Sampras.
2. Finally moved back home from my parents' and while it was exhausting, I'm grateful it's done!
Thank you for the tag, these were interesting prompts !!
#ThankfulThursday @Cosmos_Moon

This was a slow moving character driven story, but the storytelling felt honest and rhythmic with the ebb and flow of Elena and Lila's friendship over the years.

I‘m really glad I audiobooked this, the beginning was very slow and would have felt like a slog if I was reading it. I found the views on the community‘s economic situation and analysis of the friendships to be more interesting the story itself.

I tried so very hard to get into this book as I have a friend who loves the whole series. I gave the audio version two tries. Can‘t do it. Nothing about the two girls appeals to me at all. In fact , I find them both unpleasant. Oh, well. Different strokes as they say! 🤷‍♀️

Loved this series , exceptional characters, sense of place , authenticity... ❤️💔
#20series20days

I think I read the book 5 years ago? Loved listening to the audio! Many happy hours (12 hours, 38 minutes) walking, cooking and cleaning while listening.

#20Series20Days #Top20Series Day 3

Confession: I still have yet to read the 4th and final book of this series. I read the first 3 back to back to back in the summer of 2016 and then decided to take a break. My wanderlust may inspire a re-read/completion this year.

Finally finished the last part of the Neapolitan novels. It's a truly amazing series! The characters were so multilayered and lifelike. Nothing seemed simplified. Besides, Ferrante managed to create a story so immersive that all the people felt like your personal acquaintances. For those who haven't read it yet - even if you find it a bit slow and/or fragmented at first, bear with it, there's a good chance you're gonna love it by the end!

1. My favourite children‘s author would be Kit Pearson; she wrote The War Guests trilogy, The Daring Game and A Handful of Time.

2. Haven‘t started my summer reading, but I‘m trying to complete my spring reading.

3. The tagged book

#wonderouswednesday @Eggs

The Neapolitan series follows the lives of #BestFriends Elena and Lila #BestFriendsDay

#BoundTogetherJune
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

#JamminJune @Eggs

A wonderful introspective beginning to the life of a friendship- but keeping reading the entire series! A must read for anyone who wants to see how friendships endure.

I‘m using this for #frenemies for #MagicalMay as I always perceived the relationship between the girls as a love, hate, competitive, envious one. I never finished the series as I got so frustrated by them but I still may someday.

Ferrante is masterful at capturing the elements of a young friendship. However, this was a slow burn for me and I probably wouldn‘t bother going on to next in the series, but for that cliff-hanger of an ending!

I couldn't sleep and fished reading this very early this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, getting lost in the language and story of Elena and Lila's lives. I actually gasped when I reached the end, and I need to buy book two now!
This was a very pleasant surprise for me, since I didn't expect to love this book as I did.
4⭐

#7days7books Day 7. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

I read it fairly recently, but I feel like it deserves a place in this list nevertheless.

Elena Ferrante is a brilliant storyteller. Reading her novels is a pure joy!

Thanks for the tag @CareBear - I am kind of cheating because I am including the whole Neapolitan series by Elena Ferrante for my day 1 post for #7days7books.

I‘m a little late to the game so I tag anyone who wants to join in-posting daily for 7 days, 7 books that touched us or changed us, no further comment needed!

This was such a compelling read for me...and yet very little happens in this novel. A girl grows up in 1950s Naples. She has kind of an obsessive-competitive-odd friendship with another girl in her village. Their families are poor and sometimes violent. This book covers around 10 years, the girls go from age 6 to age 16. Note: I really dislike the cover aesthetic of the series. The covers look like clip art. Bizarre.