Welcome to Litsy!

Great story about a small town in northern Minnesota. Having just moved back to one of those, it was the perfect book. E get reminds me of both Jon Hassler and Lorna Landvik. Funny and sweet and great writing.

“Is something really large wrong with you, Virgil, or just something small, do you think?”

The others from Daedalus, both the French titles got bent . They are going to replace.Someone needs book packing 101.

🍾First book of 2020: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
🎉 Last book of 2020: The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
🥂Bringing in 2021 with: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel (started both yesterday)

#Goodbye2020

I enjoyed it overall but was uncertain what to make of the magical elements. At first when the visions seemed to be related to Virgil's accident it worked for me but as they progressively took on a sinister tone and it became a seemingly shared hallucination I was disappointed. The gentle romance, nostalgic movie theatre and shared love of town and kite flying made it all worthwhile. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Became a huge fan of Leif Enger after reading Peace Like a River. His second book was not quite as good In my opinion but this book (his third I believe) is another delight. Great characterizations and portrait of small town life. Highly recommended

I really enjoyed this book. There was so much irony and deadpan humor. I felt like I knew the town and all the characters- I was invested. One that you miss once you‘re done with it.

Loved this line, “We all dream of finding but what‘s wrong with looking?”

This made me laugh. Mmm yes going to sleep on drugs is wonderful 🤪

Starting this for book club next week

Goodness, I loved this book. Gorgeous writing, a charming setting, and characters I both wondered about and fell in love with. And in the end, a story that left me wanting to go out and live a fuller life. (And maybe buy an old movie theater or learn to build kites.) A perfect first read of 2020.

A perfect read to ring in 2020. I fell in love with the setting, all of the characters, and of course- the lyrical and poetic writing.
"he declared that just because a thing was poetry didn‘t mean it never happened in the actual world, or that it couldn‘t happen still."

I finished it at 20 minutes past midnight, but I‘m calling it my last read of 2019.

My #weeklyforcast is my book club‘s January selection and my #jólabókaflód from @babyruth2510 Looking forward to some good reading time this week!

Loved this book! So many beautiful words strung together to make lovely sentences.

Enger also wrote 'Peace Like a River' which has been in my top five favorite books for years.

"...just because a thing was poetry didn't mean it never happened in the actual world, or that it couldn't happen still."

"Memory's oldest trick is convincing us of its accuracy."

You. Guys.

One of my favorite authors liked my Instagram post! It was the same picture I posted here yesterday.

Made this nerd's day 😄

The bookmark says, "Books, cats, life is good."

Yep

Enger‘s writing places the reader on somewhat shaky ground between staid reality and a savage fairy tale. A beautiful poetry of fabulous characters floating through the story and nary a plot line in sight.

I found something warm & comforting about this book. It gave me the feeling I get when I catch up with a friend over coffee, & we talk for hours.

The story unravels slowly, so patience is needed. It‘s written beautifully & I came out the other end glad that I persisted.

I read this as a friend received it as a part of book delivery gift we gave her! It‘s not a book I‘d normally choose, which makes me even happier that I gave it a chance.

It‘s currently Sat in 🇦🇺 atm, but whatever!

1. Pushing through this because a friend received it as part of a gift we bought her. 😕
2. Cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, doing some paperwork & lesson planning (#teacherlife), finishing The Umbrella Academy & HOPEFULLY, reading! 🤣 I will also celebrate Easter with family on Sunday.
3. Yes! I cooked up a heap last week for snacks & meals. 🥚
4. 🤔 I like the name Audrey?
5. 👍🏻
#friyayintro

Current read. I love his descriptive writing, like "a magician's bouquet of vibrant regrets".

Enger specializes in writing allegorical stories rich in symbolism, and he does the same here. Took me some time to really engage with the story because it seemed to be going nowhere for the first few chapters, but it turned into a lovely story about life and love, growth and remembrance, and the power of friendship. Photo is of my Great Lake, Ontario, in zero degree weather, reminiscent of Enger‘s Lake Superior. Photo by John Kucko.

I liked this but I am a slow reader, and there were too many characters that were not distinct enough for me to keep track of. Beautiful descriptive prose, and an interesting story. It dragged a little for me in the middle.

Wrong time for me to read this book. I have been doing everything to not read the book. Will pick it up another time.

Next read...having trouble picking my next book.

Okay, so it took me a while to get into this one. It just started slow for me, I wasn‘t interested in any of the characters. About halfway through I really hit my stride. It is beautifully writt n, with wonderful words and storytelling, and for that, and the finale of the book, I give it a pick and 3.5 stars.
Virgil Wander leads a typical bachelor life- owns and runs the local and run down theater, part time work at city hall. 👇🏻👇🏻

“At bottom, what God seemed to want was affirmation. Basically praise in every circumstance. Without it he could could turn menacing in a hurry. Just ask the Israelites.”

🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

Up next: Virgil Wander

This is a wonderful audiobook. MacLeod Andrews has the perfect voice for a story set in Northern Minnesota.

Leif Enger‘s tale is delightful. The people who try to save Virgil, but who are actually saved by this lovely man, will be part of my life for a long time. Rune, and his incredible kites are such a lovely metaphor for what we all seek.

I loved, loved this book.

Mini library haul 📚❤️📚

“Every year the city considers new holiday decorations but never follows through. Even the cheesiest snowflakes, stars, or reindeer are a big investment for a town like Greenstone. Those angels remember Dick Nixon.”

These are some of the decorations on the main street of my small town. I believe Enger must have visited. (The photo was taken in very cold temps so I apologize for the shaky image. I was, in fact, shaking.) 😂

We haven‘t been to the library for a couple of weeks, and I was soooo missing it! I‘m only picking one up for myself, and this one fits into my much needed V space in #litsyatoz so, bonus! Love library days!!

A sweet and slow walk through the life of Virgil Wander following his near death experience. Lovely characters and some terrific sentence structures in this story. One of the characters builds amazing kites. The descriptions of the beauty and feelings evoked while flying a kite reminded me of my sister-in-law who each summer introduces those pleasures to the next generation. Here is Captain Adorable and Ellen flying together for the first time.

Ain‘t that the truth! I get a lot of my reading done in the middle of a quiet night.

There are a few authors who can do no wrong by me; Leif Enger is one. Another quiet story that has a big voice. There are no big booms, no crescendo of reveals. Just a story of a man who met death a few times, helped to save his town in the most understated ways, and lived his life.

In they rolled, gloves on, black helmets squeezing faces red from the wind, a pack of paunchy old the centaurs come to bury their own.

Does starting a new book ever cease to send happy chills racing? Gyro says, “No. Duh.”

Next on my TBR pile. I‘ve been waiting for more from Enger since Peace Like A River. Anyone read it yet?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Topping many lists of the best books of 2018, Leif Enger's novel Virgil Wander is a wonder. Pick it up and you won't put it down. Full review at goo.gl/s91XSg
#bookblogger #bookworm #books

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Topping many lists of the best books of 2018, Leif Enger's novel Virgil Wander is a wonder. Pick it up and you won't put it down. Full review at goo.gl/s91XSg
#bookblogger #bookworm #books

Such a whimsical novel which will stay with you long after finishing the book. http://quirkybookwormalways.blogspot.com/2018/10/virgil-wander-by-leif-enger.htm... @GroveAtlantic

For anyone who needs some encouragement today.

Caveat: It‘s not for everyone. You know why? It‘s charming and delightful! 😂 And there‘s so much dang hope. I liked that you‘re free to wade as deep as you want to with how much you want to ponder some deep thoughts about life. If you hated Less and A Man Called Ove - steer clear as this may not be for you. And you may like it if you enjoyed those books or if you enjoyed Peace Like A River. Enger reminds me a lot of Wendell Berry.