Welcome to Litsy!

I‘ve been in an awful reading slump lately, so I thought I‘d continue on my quest to read all of Ann Patchett‘s work. I really liked this one, which seems to have been inspired by the hostage situation at the Peruvian embassy in the late 90‘s. She does such an extraordinary job of writing the emotion of extremely complicated relationships.

I could spend a whole day in here. Missed Tom Hanks by one day. Parnassus Books in Nashville.

#2023Reread
This year I am rereading a favorite book each month to see if they hold up.This was April's reread, and it does! I love this story of a... kidnapping? Such a complex story. A Japanese business man is brought to a South American country for his birthday to hear his favorite opera singer perform. The room is filled with people from all over the world, and when the lights go out a terrorist group breaks in and holds all guests captive.👇

Saturday morning #coffeeandabook. This wasn't part of my original #20in4 goal, but I decided it was time to add it to the mix and start reading it, or it would stay unread on my bookshelf for who knows how long. 😂
@Andrew65

My car slowed as it spotted a little free library… had to stop and check it out. I picked up Bel Canto, then said to quite a few other books, “Read it, read it…”; and decided to NOT take home Ninth House…

My year in books using Goodreads. I created a Storygraph account to try out this year. I‘m still figuring it all out. Cortg15

I did finish BEL CANTO, and it was marvellous! It‘s definitely going on my list of great opera books, with a note about how it‘s a great human nature book even if you aren‘t into the musical side of things.

I thought y‘all might like to see the cinnamon buns, too, all decked out in their cream cheese frosting. They‘re destined to get grilled up for breakfast tomorrow. #audiobaking

So far today I‘ve assembled a trifle for tomorrow, iced an eggnog cake for tonight, and baked cinnamon buns. Even with most of the components already made, it‘s been a busy morning.

I don‘t think I‘ll be able to finish BEL CANTO this afternoon, but I should get close enough to the end that I‘ll manage it tomorrow. It‘s excellent so far; not quite as stellar as I thought it‘d be in the beginning, but still damned good. I love it. #audiobaking

Loved this one! I really enjoyed the character building and relationship building in this, and though it was very much a Stockholm Syndrome kind of story, it wasn‘t, though maybe that‘s what it‘s all about? 🙌🏼 #pop22 ~ a book featuring a party

I know I know ! It‘s a multi award winner people adore it & I love Ann Patchetts 3 latest novels but sadly this one is not for me. ! Couldn‘t get into it, it bored 🥱 me and I didn‘t give a hoot for any of the characters !

What a book, and one I‘m positive deserves a rereading! Speechless. Am I in the minority about the ending seeming kind of perfect for an imperfect situation? 😩😩

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I spent two weeks trying to figure out what (2) books to bring to Munich. At the last minute I swapped both books out. So glad I trusted my gut because this book is so good thus far!

#ManicMonday #LetterB @eeclayton @CBee
@TheSpineView Thanks for the tag!

Bel Canto
Baldacci
Blade Runner
Beatles
Baby One More Time - Britany Spears

One I always recommend! #alphabetgame #letterB
Thanks for the tag @CrowCAH

#musicrelated #Bookmoods

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

“It makes you wonder. All the brilliant things we might have done with our lives if only we suspected we knew how.”

💠 Tagged
💠 Physical Book
💠 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💠 I haven‘t marked in a book since college. Doing that now feels too much like studying (even though it was a long time ago!) I sometimes take a pic of a quote or passage I like.

#ThoughtfulThursday
@MoonWitch94

@THill

I found The Dutch House boring, I hated State of Wonder, but I loved this one! A fascinating character study of a hostage situation. I loved the dynamic and relationships between the characters and while there wasnt much plot, i was never bored. I'm glad that I gave it a chance after my previous experiences with Patchett.

I have been wanting to read Ann Patchett for a while, and now I finally have! This was a bit of an odd story. It is VERY character driven, not much actually happens and they don‘t go anywhere. It‘s a hostage situation the entire book. But it‘s also humorous. It was a bit quirky, but I liked the writing a lot, so I would try her other books. Which do you recommend?

Sunday morning with the girls.

#dogsoflitsy

This is a beautiful book. Even if it's a bit too sentimental, even if it's a bit unrealistic, the building of relationships among the characters is fascinating. The ending comes somewhat abruptly, but I find it absolutely believable. What I have trouble with is the epilogue.

Fireside reads are the best. ❤️ this one has been on my list for ever, but after reading and loving The Dutch House and These Precious Days, I knew it was time. ☺️

I fell a little bit in love with the characters in this book.

#BelCanto #AnnPatchett #BookSpinBingo

Based on true story in Peru in 1996, when rebels from the leftist Tupac Amaru movement raided a party at the Japanese ambassador's residence and took hundreds of civilians hostage including American opera star Roxane Coss, and Mr. Hosokawa, a Japanese CEO and her biggest fan. It is a captivating story of strength and fragility, love and imprisonment.

the way this book is written is so incredible. the plot of a typical suspense/action novel but written languorously, constantly waiting to see if the other shoe will drop. the building of surprising relationships, development of new roles for people far from their norm. idk if I‘m supposed to interpret this book as almost magical realism but I did and would definitely love to talk to someone about this book. please.

This was definitely a beautiful song, but I felt as if it should be a short story the entire time I was reading it. I understand the length speaks to the captivity, but, especially given the quick epilogue, I feel it would have been better expressed as a short story. Still a pick for me; lots of beautiful thoughts here.

Finally getting to this one….

Book 150 Bel Canto is a slow-burn. A group of political leaders that has gathered for a private opera performance is taken hostage by a guerilla group--a thrilling set-up. The first half is a slog as the reader anticipates action that won't ever begin. It's the final quarter that the excellent writing comes to life as the characters develop and the reader's expectations are adjusted. A beautiful piece of writing, if you make it to the end. 3.5 ⭐s

Thank you @CBee for thinking of me! You are the best. 😘😘😘

I recieved this from Amazon today with no note. Is this from anyone? For a swap????

1. Unfortunately, no. Meant to sign up and then never got to it.

2. Tagged book. I‘ve loved every Ann Patchett I‘ve read so far.

@TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday

#happyplace

My life has been changed by this book. 10/10 party, 7/10 ending.

After the hurricane blew by yesterday and left behind a couple tornadoes for good measure, it‘s maybe 10 degrees cooler and slightly less humid? I‘m trying out the egg chair again, since it‘s shady back there now.

I read this last week, but forgot to post. It was a very interesting read. I was fascinated by the relationships that were formed by the kidnappers and the hostages. Patchett showed the humanity and how Stockholm Syndrome could realistically occur.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

June was low in quantity, high in quality!

1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yep. Lived up to my memory upon a re-read. I don't even mind the epilogue that so many hate. ☺ What a beautiful book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #Authoramonth

Reading with the #dorkie tonight #dogsoflitsy

Gotta love a library book with a hand-written correction! (They're correct.) #Authoramonth

The whole premise of the book is out there and very dramatic, but I loved the slow burn, the humor and absurdity, and all of the character development. I fell in love with these characters even as some of them fell in love in a hostage situation. Patchett‘s writing is excellent. I think this was well on the way to being a 5-star read for me… until that epilogue. 😬

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My #AuthorAMonth book is finished!

It had a unique premise with diverse characters, that devolved into tedium. I read the first third, then skimmed toward the end-so that may be considered a dnf. Disappointed with ending. However many people feel like this is her best book. Try it, you might like it

#authoramonth2021 @Soubhiville
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Several years ago, I declared this book one of my all-time favorites. I haven't revisited it since, so #Authoramonth is a great time to see if it holds up.

Intriguing story (loosely based on true events) about evolving relationship between terrorists and hostages, nice prose ... but I was little disappointed with execution. I‘m aware that described situation in which the characters found themselves is extreme and anything is possible, I‘m also aware that the construction of the story mimics the drama and exaggeration of the opera, but for me the story at some point becomes too romantic ...

“When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her.”
#FirstLineFridays

OMG I‘m so bored!!! DNF for sure. Made it 40%. Sorry Ann. #AuthorAMonth #aam

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #AuthorAMonth2021 @Soubhiville

I think I would have liked this more had I not started it right after Commonwealth. Instead I kept comparing it and felt Bel Canto was slow and boring at times. I did like the premise of the hostage situation and the blurred lines that occurred between the abductors and the hostages though. ☺

Unpopular opinion but I found this one was bland and utterly forgettable. The premise held so much promise, but the overall plot details paired with the four month long timeframe just seemed too far-fetched for me to find this enjoyable. The writing was fine so I'll give this an average 3 stars because the negatives are me and my feelings about the book and less a gripe about the writing itself.

My first Ann Patchett which has also been on my TBR for five years. I really enjoyed this story and the slow unfolding of the terrorists and hostages forming various relationships during the course of their lockdown in the Vice President‘s house. Such a beautifully written story that drew me in, and a story where I found myself both celebrating the highs and mourning the lows along with the characters. #AuthorAMonth #BookspinBingo #Bookspin