Welcome to Litsy!

I liked the concept but the book was so slow and there were so many details that didn‘t add anything to the story that I didn‘t even care anymore by the time I got to the end - even though it was cool and surprising.

I can understand why this book didn‘t make the #ToB22 shortlist yet I am very happy to have read it. Thank you Cindy for sharing it with me.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

There is so much in this book that I loved, but it took so long for the story to really pick up that it ended up being a so-so for me. There is a very creepy vibe throughout the whole story, but nothing really happens until the very last part of the book.

Maybe my expectations were just too high with this one. 😕

#WeeklyForecast 48/21

Two more books from the #ToBLonglist and one to finish #Booked2021, #ReadingAsia2021 and #FoodAndLit. Let‘s do this!

Loved it!

This had me laughing out loud while my stomach was in knots. A slow burn thriller with a lot of depth, Harris has created something unique here. She doesn‘t pull any punches while delving into office politics, internalized and systemic racism, and tokenism. Black women‘s hair is also an important and creative plot device. I really enjoyed this and find myself thinking about its meaning as much as I would reading a non-fiction anti-racism tome. 4⭐️

This was a page-turner! It was suspenseful, and it made me uncomfortable; gave me Get Out vibes. And as a white woman who knows nothing about Black hair, I learned some things about hair care. Can Jordan Peele go ahead and make this into a movie??

I‘m not sure why there seems to be such…disappointment surrounding this book. I thought it was so well done. It was a slow burn, a creeping discomfort, a surprise, a heartbreak…(no spoilers ;)). Definitely a pick for me. I‘ll note, though, that the 1st 85% I listened to on audio—the readers are so good. Maybe that elevated it for me?🌟🌟🌟🌟

Now, heading to the PO to send #cbbc #coffeebeanbookclub (try 2!) & #allhallowsreadswap packages! 👏🏽👏🏽

I do recommend this one. I dky though, but it made me extremely anxious.

🎃👻🐈‍⬛🧙‍♀️Almost done with the book🧙‍♀️🐈‍⬛👻🎃

#ReadAThon #dailycheckin #Scarathlon2021 #TeamSlaughter

The photo is what I woke to this morning. Thank you to the volunteers and marine centers for immediately taking my panicked call.

#mmccla #pacificmarinecenter

October is off to a good start. Finished this book, an excellent novel set in the book publishing industry.

"With heightened awareness of cultural sensitivity comes great responsibility. If we‘re not careful, ‘diversity‘ might become an item people start checking off a list and nothing more—a shallow, shadowy thing with but one dimension"

#20in4 #readathon was so fun, I was intentional and completed my goals. Got 11:40 in, which def shows me why I like having that extra day! Thank you!

I liked the concept in the end but it was so slow I didn‘t even care anymore by the time I got there.

Sort of like Get Out, but set in the publishing industry in New York. Nella is the only Black girl at the publishing house where she works, until Hazel shows up and instantly becomes more popular - and her opinion more respected by coworkers. Nella is alternately thrilled by Hazel‘s friendship and resentful of her success.

Sadly, 35% of the way in I just couldn‘t go on. It‘s not bad; I just felt like it was going to take forever to find out who might want the main character to stop working at her place of employment and I don‘t have that kind of time.

Perfect start to a beach vacation. Got my book in mail day before my trip. Beautiful view and great book 😊😊 @Erinreadsthebooks @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @MadDashReading #LMPBC #Group J

I thought this would be an easy pick for me, it had all the right elements of a book I would normally love. But something was just off, and it veered in such an odd direction at the end. Meanwhile, the first 90% of the book was a very slow burn. There was an undercurrent of creepiness that lended itself well to the story, but it took way too long to come to fruition. And some parts just didn‘t make sense. #bookspinbingo

Nella Rogers works in the publishing business in NYC and the only black girl who works there. Until Hazel, another black girl, joins and Nella is so happy to meet her but then weird things start to happen making Nella question everything.

I enjoyed this book and the topic of internalized racism and how deeply it affects BIPOC but there were too many side stories and characters that it would take me out of the story.

More below ⬇️

I did not know where this was going - or if it was going anywhere - until it got there. I really liked the ending and am glad I persevered, but the buildup was too plodding for this to be an unreserved pick from me. Curious to see what this writer does next though.

Half done and it feels like nothing is happening but something is about to happen. Is it? Should I keep reading?

Enjoyed it!
I thought the weirdness came in a little late, I was plenty into the more regular office drama stuff before it went off the rails. So I get why people felt like the pacing was off. But I actually liked the pre-weird stuff best. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Overall a good pick, though!

This is so boring. I couldn't get past the first 60 pages. What a disappointment. Another book for the donation pile. 😕

It slogged a bit in the middle & wasn‘t as much a thriller as I was expecting—up until the end, but I ended up really liking this book & have been thinking about it since I finished it. The audiobook performances added to my enjoyment, as did the dark twists. A smart & satirical look at race & lack of color in the publishing industry. I don‘t want to say much more about it as I think if you haven‘t read it, the less you know going in the better.

Oh no! Not a pun...!

Wise words. People want to be noted as the individuals they are, not the projected ideas of others.

This is definitely a thing.

This is just a novel, but I could see this happening.

This line made me laugh.

I found this book through a #BookCrossing journal alert in a neighborhood #LittleFreeLibrary. I‘d heard of this book so I rushed over to grab it. I just started it, but I think I‘ll like this novel.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book.I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I mainly listened to the audiobook and all three narrators were phenomenal. If I read the book instead of listening, I probably would have liked it less. It's definitely a bit of a slow burn but I liked Nella a lot and enjoyed hearing a bit about the publishing industry. There are parts of second half of this book that just made me feel angry or something though.

Starting today! 📖

Thanks so much Cindy for sharing this book with me. I‘ve heard so many thinks about it and am curious to find out what I‘ll think. Also the bad salts are such a great gift, I‘m gonna use them tonight for sure! Thanks my friend 🤍🤍

#UnpopularOpinion but I didn't love this. For more than 2/3s of the book this seems to follow a typical trajectory (although there are several confusing POVs dropped in throughout that tell us more is going on) then, nearly at the end, we're in the twilight zone! The science fictiony element wasn't well explained and I was left with many other questions as well. I think ⬇️

Nella is a Black woman surrounded by white people at her job in the publishing industry. When a new Black coworker joins the company she isn't all that she seems to be. This one has serious Stepford Wives vibes, but it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I felt like the payoff wasn't worth the slow-burning plot and the flashback scenes were just confusing. I'd be curious to read more from the author in the future though.

Just WOW!!!

#28

Exactly 1/3 in and, primarily, I'm confused. Especially as Shani has just been thrown into the mix, without any context. I know it will all come together but at the moment I'm not sure what this is about. 🤷‍♀️

Birthday book haul!

How awesome that free comic book day lands on the same day as my birthday!?

Went to my fav comic books store in PDX called Books with Pictures and then made a stop at PDX‘s only black owned bookstore Third Eye Book. I love the owners of both places. So kind and always have good book recommendations.

Truly a good start way to celebrate my birth by supporting local small businesses.

Finished this one the other night. It had definite Get Out vibes. This was definitely a thought provoking read and a great choice for #LMPBC

Free Space for #BookSpinBingo

I'm really excited to start this one! I've been hearing that it has lots of unexpected twists! 💕📚 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #chaplin

My library holds are coming in hard and fast. I need to find more time to read! 🧡📚

I heard the author give an interview and was intrigued by the premie of the book. Nella has been the only Black woman working at a book publishing company and suddenly there‘s an “OBG” other Black girl, the charming, exciting Hazel. I guess I always don‘t trust charming people in life or books. I enjoyed hearing Nella‘s voice but found the time/ character jumping confusing. We learn a lot about the conflicting views Nella has to deal with.

As someone who works in the publishing industry, I really appreciated the details of the workplace drama and the real examination of whiteness in the industry. I was so intrigued to find out the secret and mystery driving the plot forward, but was ultimately disappointed in the reveal. It was all so real up until that moment so I was surprised and disappointed by the "truth".

Enjoying a little reading time with Bandette 🐶 outside before the rush of the day!
💙🤍🖤❤️💛

Starting on my next #LMPBC book. I‘m super excited Ruth picked this one! This was a pick of mine for BOTM so I‘ve been waiting to read this 🤗

I know opinions are all over the place re: this one - I really enjoyed the reading experience (which I did via audio)! The writing, story, characters, and ending all worked for me. I‘m still chewing on some of the symbolic choices the author made and how they reflect and relate to stereotypes about Black women. I‘m intrigued by Harris‘s voice and creativity and will definitely read her again.

This novel is a fascinating look at the very white world of publishing. I was invested in Nella‘s story of being the only Black woman in the office until the arrival of Hazel, the other Black girl. I struggled with the flashback/alternate perspective sections of the book, which brought the action to a halt rather than increasing the tension. Other reviewers have disliked the ending, which changes the tone of the book, but I thought it worked.

Yeah, this book was terrible 👎👎 Slow and ridiculous on so many levels. 🙄

Started #audiosouping to this one today as I didn‘t get to it last month. I am about 1.5 hours in & finding it a bit slow but I am hoping it will ramp up as I have heard good things.

Today‘s soup is a one-pot vegan, korma-style Curry & Rice Soup with Tofu & Chickpeas. Still in the beginning stages in this pic, it smells amazing. Finished soup pics coming later.

I loved this! I didn‘t read much about it before starting, and I was surprised by the mystery aspect, which crept up on me. I loved that it was about publishing and the look at book editing and cover design from the inside. Nella and Hazel were complex and I liked seeing Nella‘s point of view. (My phone keeps trying to autocorrect to Bella, which once you‘ve read this becomes really ironic.)
I think this story is going to stick with me.