Welcome to Litsy!

Bailed because of the writing. Not the story. “Verbose� might be the word to use here.

Historical fiction, or books about war are not my preferred reading. However, this book really surprised me. This takes place after the Civil War and follows Sgt. Richard Etheridge. It's a heartfelt journey through one man's memories of his past and his family's past as he navigates the boundaries of his new freedom after the War.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job.

Black Cloud Rising follows a sergeant in a black regiment at the end of the Civil War as they move through the south liberating enslaved people. This is a really thoughtful, nuanced book. I wanted a little more from some of the relationships in it, but I found it worthy of the #TOB2023longlist

Based on actual events, Faladé‘s story about the African Brigade & their hunt for Confederate irregulars in eastern North Caralina is excellent historical fiction. The story centers around Richard Etheridge & other soldiers who find themselves fighting against their former owners. Deeply researched, the story focuses less on the fighting & more on the relationships/rivalries among the soldiers, the slog of life in the army, & freedom.

Monday afternoon reading

Episode 85 just posted! We do a TBR show and tell of sorts. The two of us talked about five books that we've been keeping an eye on and then lament how little time we have to read them. Also, Peter reviews two books he's recently read and I discuss audio books. Enjoy!

https://anchor.fm/peter-murphy8/episodes/Episode-85-TBR-Show--Tell-e1f6nig

1. The Dead Romantics, Our Last Days in Barcelona, and Fortune Favors the Dead

2. Clap Back by Nalo Hopkinson

3. Black Cloud Rising by David Wright Falade

#WeekendReads

This is a difficult book to read due to both the the content and the language, but both a powerful and thought provoking one. Set in 1863 North Carolina during the civil war, it follows the character of Richard, a former black slave and now a sergeant in the African Brigade. I am not sure I can say I 'enjoyed' it, but I am really glad I read it and gave it 4/5 stars. I will be thinking about it for a while.