Welcome to Litsy!

This is not what I expected at all but I‘m liking it. Strange, enchanting and funny, is one of the reviews and I think it‘s a good fit for this book!

3 stars ⭐️
I picked up this book at an independent bookstore in St. Paul after visiting my grad school. I'd heard about it online, but decided to get it after reading that it takes place at a bookstore in the Twin Cities. It's not the type of story I'd normally read, but I learned a lot about Minnesota and the Native American population there, which I was unaware of. Not unusual in modern books was the weak plot and unnecessary crass.

I struggle with how to rate this book. It takes place at a bookstore in Minneapolis around the time of pandemic/George Floyd, so I am familiar with all places and events. I like the characters. I didn‘t hate the plot, but I kept waiting for “more.” Exactly more what, I‘m not sure. It wasn‘t really a mystery, nor was it just fiction. Unsatisfying? Meh? Okay? None of these seem to fit. I‘ll go with so-so head-scratcher.

I very much enjoyed the Native American backdrop and details, the bits of humor, the references to authors and books, the bookstore setting, but oh my, how boring most of this book was!
The almost chronicle of the 2020 pandemic and protests was completely disconnected from the storyline of the haunted bookstore and haunting past of Tookie and seemed to serve just to fill in the pages...

Nicky and I are getting ready to begin my first Louise Erdrich book.

Have to confess this book didn‘t hold my attention as much as I hoped it would. Unlikely that I will read another Louise Erdrich book unless someone highly recommends one to me.

When I first started this book I wasn‘t sure I was going to like it, the writing took some getting used to, and she surprised me with where she took the story. But halfway through I couldn‘t put it down! Louise covers a wide range of topics, specifically from 2020, and I‘m glad I waited until 2023 to read it. 3.5/5 stars #12bookchallenge

“Small bookstores have the #romance of doomed intimate spaces about to be erased by unfettered capitalism.” #inquotes

This was a wonderful written story,it‘s hard to review because it was about a lot of things.Tookie she‘s a complicated Native American woman who went through a lot, and her story brings to light many other things in the book, it‘s about books, being a Native American person in today‘s society,life and death, ghosts,Covid,the George Floyd and the riots.Louise herself makes a cameo in the book, I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed the plot of The Sentence more than The Night Watchman. In both books, however, the writing is beautiful and amazing! I loved the character of Pollux the most I think. I have been to the author's bookstore Birchback Books in Minneapolis, so it was fun imagining the store in my mind since many of the scenes take place there.

Finishing off my lazy weekend with a quick visit to the library and jumping right into a bookstore in this Litsy-recommended book. The beginning is a bit abrupt but I have high hopes for the writing. 📚🫖☕️ #currentread

There‘s no denying Erdrich writes well but there‘s something about her books where I always feel like I‘m distant; I never feel fully immersed in them. There were elements I really liked in this; the characters, the development, the setting and all the book talk. I enjoyed it but can‘t say I loved it so a low pick. I preferred The Night Watchman. #authoramonth

Louise Erdrich is brilliant. I knew that, but this book surprised me in so many wonderful ways. Tookie will stay with me. (And I just have to say how much I enjoyed the author‘s cameo in her own book!)

#AuthorAMonth

This book has interesting characters, a compelling storyline, some magical realism, and a 7-page booklist that will make your TBR cry. Tookie is a bookseller in Minneapolis and the main character. I can‘t do justice to the plot, but one significant aspect is a former customer who ends up haunting Tookie. Another major event is George Floyd‘s murder and the subsequent protests, which we see from a close view. Not to mention COVID. #authoramonth

I think I started off the year well! I definitely didn‘t stick to my planned TBR for the month, but I finished 2 #AuldLangSpine picks, one for #AuthorAMonth, and 3 off my owned TBR.

I will say, I‘m struggling to get into Harlem Shuffle. Whitehead is very hit or miss for me… might he be the year‘s first DNF? 🤔

#januaryrecap #januarywrapup

There‘s so much more to this book than about a formerly incarcerated indie bookseller who is haunted by a ghost in the bookstore. Many ‘heavy‘ topics are layered within. It‘s also a story about survival, community & second chances. I enjoyed the references to other works of literature; Tookie is a memorable character; & it‘s delightful to note that Birchbark Books is an actual store, owned by the author. My first L. Erdrich novel, and it‘s great.

#Authoramonth This was quite an intriguing book! I went in blind and every time I thought I could grasp what it was about, the subject shifted. And she STILL managed to tie them all together beautifully.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️& 1/2 out of 5.

Excellent writing and beautiful story. Erdrich reads the audiobook herself, which I enjoyed. I failed to realize before reading it that covid is part of the plot and I am not (and may never be) ready to read anything about the covid pandemic.

This one felt very different than the other two I‘ve read by her (The Round House, The Night Watchman) although still unmistakably Erdrich. Somehow this one was slower-paced and more diffuse. I still enjoyed it although it wasn‘t quite what I expected - and I still wouldn‘t really know how to describe it if someone asked for a recommendation. #authoramonth

I love how a haunted bookshop, a modern Native American experience, and the pandemic come together so well in this story. Tookie forms strong friendships as she makes her way through a difficult few years.

#AuthoraMonth @Soubhiville

I think this my favorite book so far by Louise Erdrich. I love how timely it is, I love how she put herself in the book. I love that it is in a bookstore.

Thought I would try the #Pantone2023 challenge! @Clwojick #cherrytomato

And for #authoramonth ….this book (on audio) was wonderful. @Soubhiville

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick

How to describe this book? It‘s a book about sentences (not just made of words), about dictionaries, about loads of books (will be going down a rabbit hole with those LISTS!). About ghosts, about confronting the past, about deciding to LIVE. It covers the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, indigenous respect and ritual, love, loss, everything. I LOVED IT. Thank you, @Sapphire 😊 Your list gave me the push to finally read this ♥️

#authoramonth @Soubhiville Will certaiy try more Louise Erdrich!

#booked2023 #aboutapandemic
#pop23 #twolanguages
#52books23 #contemporarysetting
#atyin52books23 #publishedmorethan7books

@Cinfhen @alisiakae @BarbaraTheBibliophage @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle @ravenlee @Deblovestoread @RaeLovesToRead @squirrelbrain @LeeRHarry

I thought I should read an indigenous author for the US prompt for #ReadingtheAmericas2023 Erdrich is a Chippewa from Minneapolis and owns a bookstore. Our MC works in Louise‘s fictional bookstore and struggles with her own sense of self and with a ghost. The story takes place in the early days of the pandemic when we were all a bit haunted. The sentence of the title is both a grammatical language construct and a time of incarceration.

A gentle story of a book shop, a ghost, the pandemic, love and much more. I loved it. Right book at right time. ❤️.
Thank you @MrsMalaprop . I read it because of your review . Bonus was the large print edition.😊.

I‘m only on page 100 and already all the other book mentions in this book are giving me TBR overload. The only problem with a book about books is it makes me want to read more books!

I liked this book but didn‘t love it. I liked the characters, the different stories but it was difficult for me to see the story integrated, as a whole. I saw some parts like forced maybe because the author wanted to mention something about the pandemic situation? I don‘t know, maybe it was me. I was expecting more. But I really enjoyed those passages related with American Indian traditions, beliefs. I took my time to seek more information.

I cackled so hard at this line from Tookie: “And think about what time does to your bosom,” I said in a prim voice. “By the time you‘re sixty they‘ll all look like The Scream.” @Sapphire #auldlangspine @monalyisha 😂😂😂😂

I‘m watching a swat team in California searching a van after a mass shooting while reading about George Floyd and Philando Castile and hell if this country doesn‘t make me incredibly sad in so many ways.

#AuthorAMonth

Please join us today in the discussion of this book. Link for meeting: https://msngr.com/qvufrrvixygp.

I was a bit disappointed in this read. Maybe it is too soon for me to read #PandemicFiction or maybe this one is just not my style. I will read her other works and see how they are, but I just couldn‘t connect to the story very much. But I do enjoy the author‘s writing style. #AuthorAMonth #LouiseErdrich #January

My second book for #authoramonth and so good! (I‘m happy to say that I bought it at an indie book store.) The early pandemic and George Floyd chapters were difficult to get through, but so well handled. Tookie and Pollux stole my heart. A solid pick. @Soubhiville

I really liked the wandering language of this book. Sometimes Tookie‘s visions were quite out there, but it all came together to create a sweeping story about heritage, books, and found family. I wish I had properly read the blurb before picking it up though. I was not expecting to relive those early days of the pandemic and the tragic event that sparked the BLM movement.

#authoramonth #sharreadathon @Soubhiville

Joining the #authoramonth club to read outside my comfort zone & try new authors. I think this is the first book I‘ve read with an Indigenous female main character. An Indie Bookstore is haunted by the ghost of their most annoying customer. Set in Minneapolis during the Pandemic and the George Floyd murder. Not sure I‘ll read more of her works, but this one gave me lots to think about. @Soubhiville

#52BookClub23 #acontemporarysetting

“When a baby falls asleep in your arms you are absolved. The purest creature alive has chosen you. There‘s nothing else.” #authoramonth @Soubhiville

My first Louise Erdich book thanks to #AuthorAMonth - I thought it was pretty good. @Soubhiville

It seems that everyone is reading this book. And I can see why. Set in a bookstore. A ghost. The pandemic. First Nations protagonist. This is my first Erdrich and it won‘t be my last. ❤️🙏

After being released early from prison, a woman gets a job at a bookstore, get married and tries to build a life. Then the pandemic comes, and then George Floyd gets killed by a police officer. A book about surviving during hard times, and fighting. I particularly loved all the book chat.

#AuthorAMonth
2nd book finished for #JoyousJanuary. Another book I‘ve already started before the readathon

☑️#LittensLoveRomance
☑️#SheSaid

❌#SundayBuddyRead is not happening this month. But the book is on my #tbr for sure!

📖 Catching up on #pemberlittens #AuthorAMonth #AuldLangSpine #LGBTbookclub #TBRtarot

#JoyousJanuary

#currentlyreading

So anyone read and recommend any of these?

Loving the bibliophilic aspects of this book 📚💕

I enjoyed many aspects of this book, but overall I was disappointed. I found the characters interesting and loved the bookishness, but I wanted more plot. I just kept waiting for something more.

#AuthorAMonth #LitsyBookClub #audiobook

Just finished this one for #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
Loved this book so much. And interestingly, this month I have read or am reading a bunch of other books in conversation with this one: Braiding Sweetgrass, Caste, The Gilded Years, Take It Back...

This felt recognizable. I‘m not good in the kitchen either.

I loved this! Fabulous characters, booksellers at the center, an unwanted ghost…. plus Louise herself being a side character! I loved spending time with Tookie and her families, both work and home. In a lesser writer‘s hands, there could have been too much to juggle, but not here. My third Erdrich and possibly my favorite… 💕 #authoramonth @Soubhiville #readharder2023 #pastprompt #setinabookstore #bn2023challenge #indigenousauthor
@AshleyHoss820

Ain‘t that the truth? As a mother of a 20-year-old who‘s making some choices I‘m not onboard with, it‘s a hard relate. I‘m scaling that cliff 😬.

The Sentence had a few #WeirdWords but this one was definitely my favorite! @CBee

I like this book best of the Erdrich books I‘ve read. This is my 4th.

I wish she didn‘t read her own audiobooks, her style doesn‘t really work for me. But I did get more used to it as the book went on.

The structure of the story is weird, but overall I liked it. Very flawed characters, but quirky and interesting. It‘s all a long character study really, no plot to speak of.

#AuthorAMonth #12challenge #Booked2023 #pandemic

Yesterday, I started this audiobook & was a little confused, so today I‘m going to restart it in print. It plan to go back and forth- lol I checked out the ebook as well!
Bandette 🐶 is ready to curl up with me while I read. 🐶
Reading this for a bookclub & a book challenge!
#AuthorAMonth
#AuthorAMonth2023 #AuthorAMonth2023January #LitsyBookClub #DogsOfLitsy

I read this for #authorofthemonth. I am a little disappointed. I heard good things, and there were some good things about the book. But it felt like the narrator was telling me a chaotic life story with tangents while bouncing on the balls of her feet. She was a bit maniac. Also it is clearly auto fiction and yet the author wrote herself into the book. I think she should have written it as a memoir if she wanted to focus so much on current events.