Welcome to Litsy!

This book was a great read. Probably a new favorite. More violence than I usually read, but the rest of the storyline more than made up for it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Two fathers avenge the deaths of their gay sons, and grapple with their feelings about the strained relationships they had when the sons were alive. This was more violent than I usually go for, but I really liked the characters, and the fathers‘ growth throughout the book. Some of it was maybe a little heavy handed, but overall a great read.

This has been optioned to be made into a movie by Jerry Bruckheimer. For good reason. You could see the images so clearly from the writing. A fast paced, violent at times, story of two fathers seeking revenge for their gay sons murders. This genre is not usually my cup of tea, but Buddy Lee and Ike's relationship, their shared grief over not accepting their sons love for each other, and the humor kept me moving quickly through the book.

It occurred to Buddy Lee that anything could be a weapon if you were dedicated enough. Even love. Especially love.

A story of 2 dads who spent time behind bars, & failed the unspoken test of loving their sons unconditionally, & how they cope when their sons are killed. That's really the core of the novel. Yes, it's intense & a thriller and & it succeeds on all those qualifiers but the grief that Ike & Buddy Lee go through is what made this novel 5 stars for me. Cosby stands firm in reality & doesn't pull any punches, be it with race, sexuality, etc. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very entertaining, violent revenge thriller. It was so good, very dark story of two fathers mourning the death of their sons and the choices they make going forward. I didn‘t know much more going in, and am glad I didn‘t. Definitely recommend-5⭐️
Fulfilled several reading goal prompts:
#noshamereadathon22 - Thriller
#popsugar - about someone leading a double life
#readharder - horror novel by BIPOC
#bookspinbingo - square
#pantone- Coral Rose

#sundayfunday
1. Tagged I started today! Everything else I‘m reading I started in December.
2. Not sure yet, the next couple months are looking rough at work so looking forward to getting past that. 🤷‍♀️
3. I‘m book journaling for the first time.

#12booksof2021

My #September pick was my second Cosby pick of the year. I liked this one even more than Blacktop Wasteland.

@Andrew65

Up first for 2022. It‘s snowing here so I‘m spending quality time on the couch with Missy Jo.

Last book of 2021. Total of 85 read this year. This one was alright. Entertaining but nothing to write home about.

My July pick for #12BooksOf2021 hosted by @Andrew65

July was my best reading month- I loved Dial A for Aunties and Cackle, but Razorblade Tears is my favorite read of the year. Cackle came very close though, and it made my top ten, but Razorblade Tears... it was perfection.

#12booksof2021 #July @Andrew65
Another incredible read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#12BooksOf2021

I am sharing my almost-favorites of the year. The ones who didn‘t make my #Top21Of21 but are favorites nevertheless. One for each month.

This was a favorite of #August. I was swept away by this fast paced story from the first page. What a ride!

#WondrousWednesday @Eggs

1. Starting a new job this month at a company that I love! The greatest challenge was leaving my previous job, which was toxic but where I also had some amazing coworkers and adorable, feisty, and lovable residents.
2. Razorblade Tears!
3. More work/life balance, which I feel is already happening. I really want to take better care of myself too.

@kimmypete1 @Eggbeater

YOWZA! Welcome to my auto-buy list Mr. Cosby. If I had to pick one word to describe his books it would be “cinematic.” Just a truly exceptional crime novel. Easily one of this year‘s favorites.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Santa knew what I wanted! #merrychristmas #bookworm #noir

“Revenge?” Tangerine asked. Ike smiled ruefully.

“No, hate. Folks like to talk about revenge like it‘s a righteous thing but it‘s just hate in a nicer suit,” Ike said.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Razorblade Tears” was an excellent story of addressing homophobia, racism, bigotry, and of course, revenge. I found that the plot was fast-paced and I really enjoyed the character arcs throughout the book. My only critique is that the author wrote “sucked their teeth” way too many times throughout this novel.

Interesting and compelling book. I have been having trouble finding the motivation to read lately, and this book was good for that. #BOTM

This was an action packed book about two ex-cons who go on the hunt to find their sons killer. Although I liked the themes throughout this book and the overall story, I had some eye rolling moments as these two older men take on a large biker gang time and time again along with some high powered people and come out victorious every time leaving a trail of dead in their wake. Overall it was a fun listen.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

November Reading Roundup!
So many great and essential reads this month!

5💝
The Word Is Passed
Razorblade Tears
Empire of Pain

4.5💝
Olga Dies Dreaming
The Trouble with White Women

4💝
The City of Mist
Daring to Drive

3.5💝
A House in the Sky

3💝
A Rustle in the Grass
Because of You
The Personal Librarian
Things We Lost to the Water

2 💝
Bewilderment

Top marks for plot and quality of writing but I thought it was obvious early on who was responsible for killing Isiah & Derek. I thought Cosby deftly wove in commentary on the Black experience but the homophobia was a bit heavy-handed.

Also, if you haven't picked up Blacktop Wasteland because you don't do well with violence but heard this was less violent, know there is a lot of violence in this one, as well.

One third in…WOW #20in4 #botm
Update … Too unbelievable

I got botm credits for my birthday and for Hanukkah so I splurged on this month's box. I'm super excited!

#botm

Wow. I‘m just going to let the tears streaming down my face and the fact that I spent the last 25% of this book with my hand over my mouth and eyes wide open stand as my review…Wow…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

NYT has their 100 books of 2021 list out! I LOVE an end of year list - to see what I picked up over the year that they felt was worthy and to see books on the list that I hated! Both are fun to see.

“And when did he tell you this?” Ike asked.
“Right after I drove my truck through his house and tried to brain him with a baseball bat full of nails,” Buddy Lee said.

Fantastic! This is such a beautifully written book, filled with complicated and fascinating characters and I loved ever minute of the 80 miles per hour ride! It feels so cinematic-would make a great limited series! #travelingreader #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

My fellow readers, this book! Brought to tears, but also chuckled?! That‘s the work of a great author in my book. Loved this more than Blacktop Wasteland and can see both being adapted for the big screen. In this one, two fathers seek revenge for their sons‘ deaths. So much plot, but also strong character development and the action never stops. 5 🌟

#currentread #travelingreader

5⭐
Since everyone keeps raving about this I decided I needed to give it a try, already. I have to say I am definitely not upset that I did. This story is powerful, palpable, graphic, and filled with so much raw emotion. It will for sure be going on my favorites for the year. Some of the violence might be too much for some, but if you can take some bloody, horrific murder-y scenes then I totally recommend this...because it's a punch in the feels.

Two fathers go after the people who killed their gay sons. The dads regret that they couldn‘t accept their sons when they were alive. Hard to read, violence and hatred. How can people really hate anyone so much?

I loved Blacktop Wasteland. This was ok. I wished there had been less characters and more development of the main characters.

4.5 ⭐. This is so good. I sped through it, the action just kept coming, the dad's kept growing. It was intense, gritty, and emotional.
Roxane Gay called this an "explosive thrill ride" and I couldn't agree more.
One of the best novels I have read in awhile.

I cleared this board during week two, so I decided to go for it again. I came close to clearing it twice, but didn‘t finish Dolores Claiborne or The Shining before the month was over. #TeamSlaughter

November #BookspinBingo list. @TheAromaofBooks

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/best-mystery-books-of-2021/...

Be prepared to add to your TBR list!

I finished my last #OutstandingOctober a little late (at 3am), but since I was up all night I‘m counting it! I managed to cram in 18 books, which was double what I planned! Super happy how my week went, thanks again for hosting @Andrew65

Some of my favourites were The Outliers, Over The Falls, Teen Killers Club, The Echo Wife, and Razorblade Tears. 🖤

This is my second by SA Cosby. Loved this one as much as Blacktop Wasteland. It is a thriller mystery that is fast paced and exciting like a movie but the characters are fully developed and nuanced. Loved everything about this exciting book!

You had me at hello…I‘m only a few chapters in and already know this is going to be a long ride!!

Next up!

This is my other bookspin / doublespin book... I bought it because the reviews are incredible. I do have some reservations because it's described as a revenge thriller and if there's one thing I usually hate it's anything to do with revenge.

It's received such widespread praise that I simply had to check it out...

Not a halloween read but haunted nonetheless. This book read like a dramatic action movie. I loved it. Once I actually got into it, I couldn‘t put it down. It was a great exploration of family, race, sexuality and the ties that bind. #teamhendrix #scarathlon2021

Damn, this is the first year I've already read all 5 of the BOTY finalists. I wonder if they'll let me use my credit on something else 🤔 #BOTM

I'm rooting for Razorblade Tears to win! Though I have a sneaking suspicion that The Four Winds could also take it given its popularity.

Yep, this was good!! #TeamSlaughter @Clwojick #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks