Welcome to Litsy!

4✨ For me this book didn‘t start out interesting. There was a lot of cursing and seemed like everyone was upset with everyone else. Our two mains Theo and Sydney become fast friends. Then strange stuff started happening. At first it seemed like it was racism with a mix of rich vs poor causing a bunch of people to leave their homes. Then after Sydney and Theo made some really big confessions it all went down. Whoa!

Overall was a quick read but at times lacked detail.

Sydney's historically black Brooklyn neighborhood is falling fast and her neighbors are suddenly disappearing without warning. A story about gentrification, conspiracy, suspence, paranoia, greed, and mystery.

It left me with unanswered questions which I understood. The ending felt a bit exaggerated and I predicted the ending very early in so had no shock factor for me sadly. 😪

3.25 stars

I can't tell you the last time I read a proper fast paced thriller!! Picked it up for $5 at Barnes and Noble with a purchase of a drink at the Cafe. Uhm heck yes.

I actually haven't even read the synopsis yet so no idea what it is about. So I hope it'll make it even more interesting for me!

Who's read it and what did you think?

Good morning !

Book 19
Flight reads … goodbye south hello west coast

Loved it! It took me awhile to get through because it was making me so anxious to read. The writing is amazing and the twist is perfect.

While this was not really a thriller it was an interesting look at gentrification. Gentrification has been seen as a way to improve communities (at least that‘s the spin put on it) it goes much deeper. Lots of families & communities (particularly people of different races) that have lived in areas for generations can become displaced. Anyhow overall I enjoyed the book & the spin the author put on an otherwise difficult subject. #bookspin

Finish current 📖:
When No One is Watching -Alyssa Cole
Fractured -Karin Slaughter

Read 📚:
Pretty Girls -Karin Slaughter
Home Before Dark -Riley Sager
Stranger in the House -Shari Lapena

Listen 🎧:
I-5 Killer -Anne Rule
Chase Darkness With Me -Billy Jensen

#outstandingoctober
@Andrew65
Go #TeamSlaughter
@Clwojick

#bookspinbingo board for October, not sure what progress I‘ll make this month. I enjoy the challenge of trying to get some reading done (7 months till I finish grad school, is it too early to start counting down). I started reading the tagged book & liking it so far

October book spin bingo list, not sure if the top or bottom will show up. Not having much free time to read with school & all but I‘ll keep trying to get a few books read

I was looking at my shelves because I didn‘t have anything for #screamathon week 2 prompt.. all of the books I have planned were white women, 1 white man and then I added in RL Stine because it‘s the season but still nothing for the prompt, kind of embarrassing, so I ordered yet another book for my TBR, but it sounds really good. I am not mad about this. But this is an out of control amount of books that I think I‘m reading in October 🤣📚🎃

⭐⭐
This one is tough to rate. Was it a thriller, as advertised? No. The first 3/4 of the book was setting up more of a social justice storyline, and the last 1/4 was pretty outlandish. I don't want to completely discount this book, because I learned a lot from it about gentrification - I just think that the author cheapened the seriousness of the topic by trying to turn it into a thriller, seemingly as an afterthought.

Book 93

I listened to When No One is Watching. It's touted a thriller but isn't remotely thriller before the second half. It's about a New York neighborhood going through gentrification. The characters aren't believable or likable. ⭐⭐

Wow, he‘ll of a twist!!!

#LMPBC #WhenNoOneIsWatching #AlyssaCole

Last week I started reading this book but it became a turnoff to me as I was looking forward to reading a thriller as it is advertised on the cover. The author in the beginning points out the gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood is happening. I am so tired of hearing about Systemic Racism and Critical Race Theory that I‘m unable to read on and get to the thriller part of the book. Now let me explain:

Love Cole and Koomson. Should be a great event! 🥰

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shelf-lifesizzling-summer-suspense-with-alyssa-cole...

Get Out, gentrification style.

#LMPBC #WhenNoOneIsWatching #AlyssaCole

@Bookish_AF Received this in the mail today! Can‘t wait to read it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 I waffle between a so-so and a pick.. This was pretty good. The narrative pushed forward pretty steadily to a big ending. I appreciated that gentrification was a focus in the novel and the author seemed to have done her research, but I wonder if the end took away from that a little? Overall I‘m glad I read it.

There‘s a relatively short window of perfect outdoor reading weather at this time of year before the humidity starts setting in. This weekend is going to have such weather (70 and sunny). I hope to be doing this a LOT, despite the yellow cloud of pollen everywhere 😂

#LMPBC

My May #LMPBC books have arrived! Cant wait to get started, I‘ve been looking forward to both of these.

Omg you guys, I finished my second book this month 😱😭

Reading this one during the trial of Derek Chauvin was really something else. This is a thriller like no other. It shows the many layers of systemic racism and points out the many ways in which society desperately needs to change.

Thank you for picking this book for #LMPBC I‘m glad I read it.

#BookSpinBingo

Audiobook pick:
This book has major "Get Out" vibes. I appreciated parts of it, but at times it seemed to be suffering from an identity crisis. Social commentary or thriller? It just seemed too disjointed to me.

Started this one early this morning before bed. Only a couple chapters in but I‘m liking it so far. I can tell this is one that‘s gonna make angry. Only 40 pages in and we‘ve already been introduced to like 5 awful people lol

#LMPBC

Whew, that was a RIDE. I‘m not well-versed in thriller as a genre, so I can‘t speak much to whether or not this stood up in terms of plot & pacing. What I CAN say is that this book made me *feel* the effects of gentrification in a way that research & hot-take-articles could not. The love, horror & loss that Sydney feels is palpable & beautifully written. Imperfect, maybe, but still a heart-wrenching social thriller about community & home. ★★★★☆.

Fished this one up today. This was great!! Love that she has additional resources at the end so you can do further research. I have several of them marked to read and dig further into some of the topics in the book.

This was great! I've read too many thrillers lately. The pacing in this one was different, but it really accelerated.

I can't stop with the thrillers. Especially ones that have ordinary life as a horror setting

Just finished this #LMPBC selection. Both really interesting, and terrifying.
Gracie was my favorite character even though she was barely in it. I want to know more about her, Fitzroy and that group.

A thriller about gentrification in Brooklyn. Like a combo of Do The Right Thing and Get Out. A young Black woman notices ominous changes in her neighborhood, and her research into the area‘s history only uncovers more secrets. Her mysterious new neighbor across the street is a White man who says he wants to help. Or does he?

What an awesome and fun spring swap. I‘m really excited to face the problem of which book to start first. Thank you so much for all the thoughtful gifts @CuriousG I especially love the Romeo and Juliet page flags. So cute. #llss #litsylovespringswap

🎧 I really liked the way the story was written, it kept me listening straight through. The narration was great!

Sydney & Theo are an unlikely pair who uncover a very unsettling plot. You‘re not expecting that 1st shocking revelation but that‘s when the story really takes off!

I was on the edge of my seat for the last 10% of the book at which point it jumped the shark BUT I enjoy a little improbability!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just like the book, there are alternating narrators for the two main characters of Sydney and Theo. I thought this book was just going to focus on the horrible repercussions of gentrification but it includes even worse horrors than that. The most disturbing part of this fictional story is how closely it's based in actual reality and history. At times absolutely infuriating, it prompts important thoughts and discussions.

I‘m starting my #LMPBC pick for this round today.

This was a great read. I spent the day with this one and finished it. Very detailed and kept my attention.

#3WordReviews

Heartbreaking, Brilliant and Realistic.

@ShyBookOwl
Thanks for the tag @Mavey

This came today! I love it! Thank you @Between_The_Covers I can‘t wait to wear it! #BHMS #Blitzyswap #blackhistorymonthswap @Chelleo

#BHMSWAP #BLITSYSWAP #BlackHistorySwap
Thank you Lia Lee (I don‘t know her litsy name). I love the mug! I have been wanting to read both books and will start with the tagged book. I read the note and saw that I will have a package come tomorrow too. I pray you have a full and speedy recovery after your emergency surgery. Thank you! @Chelleo

I just started this, and read 100 pages straight. It‘s so good so far.

The gentrification of Brooklyn was at the core of the book. Race contentions and conspiracy theories were also at play. I listened to this book on audio, so that might have made a difference in my opinion. However, the writing and the tone didn‘t sit well with me on this book. The twist at the end was somewhat predictable, yet it delivered a much greater punch...but still left things flat. #bookreview #read #books #reading

Another one! Still on my TBR list..😊

Holy 😳, this book went from 0 to 100 so fast!
The first half was pretty boring (for me) but then it soon picked up. Read as a buddy read for the Literally Dead Book Club - February pick. 4/5

Incredibly intense, this novel draws you in so that you completely zone out into it. Definitely scared the crap out of me but it was so worth it #alyssacole #whennooneiswatching #intense #thriller #blackbooksmatter #notjustinfebruary

heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com
New Post Today!
https://heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/accidental-thriller-reads.html

It looks like we have a thrilling (pun intended) four months coming up for #LMPBC #ROUND11 #GROUPW

It‘s official. We will be reading When No One Is Watching for our #LMPBC #GROUPW #ROUND11
This should be a fun round , and I‘m excited to get to know some new #Littens.

Worth all the rage I felt

A little #audiopuzzling before I pick my son up from preschool. This book gets mixed reviews but I‘m really enjoying the narration and creepy vibe!

I knew a bit of what to expect here, but I didn‘t realize it was gonna be THAT batshit crazy! Quite a ride. I don‘t want to talk about the plot because I think it‘d be great to go into this one blind. Love it when larger issues are presented through entertainment. Alyssa Cole, I have seen you around but this is our first journey together. Gonna have to see what else you‘ve got!

So I almost never read thrillers. The only one I remember reading that I really loved was My Sister, the Serial Killer. I decided to give this one a try because of the gentrification premise. I think all the information on gentrification was very interesting and a great part of the book. The thriller aspect was what lost me. The action, gore, and violence just wasn't for me. I think I'll check out her romances instead.