Welcome to Litsy!

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Here's my #bookreport for last week and #weeklyforecast for this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish all four books 🙄 but I think it'll be hard.

I finished two books for an exam that was nullified after I took it because according to them some people cheated. I also finished and reviewed Since Sinai.

I'm reading La banalità del bene, L'amore nell'ebraismo, and True Biz. Will start A History of Herbalism soon

@Cinfhen

Cinfhen That‘s so frustrating about your exam!!! Have a good week 3d

rwmg How frustrating. Does it happen often in your country's education system? 3d

thereadingpal @Cinfhen thank you!!! You too! 3d

thereadingpal @rwmg it depends, really, on the school/uni i guess. The Government forced us to take these 24 extra credits if we wanted to teach, and the exams are really hard. A fellow student (a snitch, ugh) told the Exam Commission that questions were circulating from the previous exam session and they nullified the exam. I hadn't seen those questions. I studied 4 stupid books. It's highly unfair. 3d

14 likes4 comments

Kimberlone

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I appreciated the peek into deaf culture that the book provided, especially the controversies over cochlear implants, and the characters‘ perspectives coming different backgrounds within the deaf/ASL world. The brief forays into ASL linguistics and deaf history were super interesting. Overall, the plot was a bit weak, though, and the book ended kind of abruptly without much resolution. I was hoping for more payoff w/the revolution subplot.

59 likes

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

…and here‘s our final question for this book, and for this month of #camplitsy.

Tomorrow look out for another post, where you‘ll have the chance to vote for your choice between True Biz and How High We Go In The Dark. We‘ll also remind you shortly of the upcoming schedule for July.

I‘ve really enjoyed being your Camp Counselor for this month and seeing all of your fabulous thoughts and opinions on the two books!

squirrelbrain @mklong @kitta @oryx @jhod @itsanotherjen @zenwldflwr @sophronisba @thegreensofa @suet624 @bookwormjillk @larkken @julesg @trishb @soubhiville @mrsV @jlhammar @cariashley @thekidupstairs @sarahbellum @sparklemn 5d

squirrelbrain @karenuk @rsteve388 @vivastory @cinfhen @chelsea.poole @batsy @sarahbarnes @merelybookish @micheleinphilly @well-readneck @cathythoughts @annececilie @rockpools @susanita @bkclubcare @lmjenkins @emilymdxn @desha @hooked_on_books @kdgordon88 5d

squirrelbrain @ruthiella @caroline2 @youneverarrived @eraderneely @4thhouseontheleft @leniverse @laughterhp @addison_reads @christine @thebluestocking @sparklemn @theresa @simona @imperfectCJ @lindy @thereadingpal @beckywiththegoodbooks @magpiegem 5d

See All 37 Comments

Chelseabillups30 I wish I would‘ve known that there was a guided/group reading experience going on for True Biz! It‘s one of the last ones I got from BOTM that I‘ve been truly looking forward to diving into!! 5d

Bookwormjillk Thanks @squirrelbrain it‘s been a great reading month! I knew painfully little about deaf culture and would love to read more if anyone has any recommendations. The whole story of the CI industry and failures is horrifying. 5d

Soubhiville Well put @Bookwormjillk , I feel the same way. It‘s eye opening, I knew next to nothing about deaf culture. The list of school closings at the end of the book was crushing. Thanks for hosting @squirrelbrain ! (edited) 5d

TrishB Thanks Helen- I really enjoyed the insight into the deaf community and made me a lot more aware. 5d

Suet624 I appreciate how much I learned. The author did a great job of providing so much detail with the illustrations as well. After reading the book I feel as if this is another culture that is not accepted for who they are and for the challenges they face. I'm sorry. I'm finding I can't be particularly coherent because I want to go on a rant about politics and human rights. So I'll stop now. :) 5d

BkClubCare I was glad to learn more and enjoyed the characters. The story itself is already fading but my overall appreciation for this book will stay strong. 5d

Cathythoughts I learned a lot about deaf culture, I knew next to nothing. What hit me hard was the birth experience , February‘s mother made up her mind to have the baby at home, ‘ It would be much scarier even dangerous to give birth in a place where no one knew sign language. The deaf community was replete with hospital horror stories, particularly of the labour and delivery variety.‘ 5d

Cathythoughts Thanks Helen for all your hard work here. 😘 You‘re a great camper. @squirrelbrain (edited) 5d

squirrelbrain @Chelseabillups30 - oh, I‘m sorry you missed out. If you don‘t already, you should follow @LitsyEvents so you can catch anything like this in the future. 5d

squirrelbrain Great idea @Bookwormjillk - hopefully someone will let us know if they have any recommendations for further reading. 5d

squirrelbrain @Suet624 - I completely get how you feel right now. 😞 5d

Megabooks @Cathythoughts I totally agree. It must have been a nightmare before sign language interpreters we‘re required by law. I enjoyed learning about ASL grammar. That was fascinating, which probably makes me a bit of a nerd. 🤓 I was saddened by all the closures of Deaf schools. That really hit me hard at the end. Also the information about what an a**hole Bell was. Terrible, terrible person. 5d

Bookwormjillk @Suet624 yeah, it‘s hard not to fall into a whole bodily autonomy rant right now. 5d

batsy I learned so much about Deaf culture & the little details about how to get by in an ableist world that is made for an idea of the "perfect" functioning body were eye-opening. I was completely unaware of the CI industry & I thought the book succeeded really well in showing the dangers of "experimentation" on people's bodies. Again @Suet624 makes a great point about bodily autonomy—that aspect of Charlie's struggle was the part that moved me a lot. 4d

MicheleinPhilly Like others, I became painfully aware of my own ignorance surrounding the Deaf community. I‘m not feeling particularly chatty today 😔 but thank you Helen for a great month of fun. 4d

rockpools So much to take away from this - it was the only one on the #CampLitsy list I was aware of going in, and I got a huge amount from reading along with you. Thanks Helen! For me, I think the diversity of experiences of deaf families really came through - it‘s like a whole different class system- and I knew nothing about the CI debate. That was really eye-opening. 4d

batsy Thank you so much for leading a great discussion @squirrelbrain and I've enjoyed reading along with fellow campers 💕 4d

jlhammar I learned so much and am so thankful for it. Sara writes in her Author's Note “It's my hope that we will find allies in the hearing world willing to stand with us and fight for our self-governance, dignity, and the value of human diversity before the effects of educational isolation and genetic manipulation are irreversible.“ Yes, yes, yes!! 4d

jlhammar The artist, Brittany Castle, also added so much with her illustrations. You can actually order some of her work here:
https://brittanycastle.com/ 4d

jlhammar @squirrelbrain Thank you, Helen, for hosting this month! It's been great. 4d

Susanita I was fascinated by the discussions of sign language, how it evolved differently in different communities and why, and the grammatical customs. Also the history of DPN: I remember the installation of Dr. Jordan but didn‘t know much about the background of the situation. 4d

Cinfhen Exactly what @BkClubCare said!! I really appreciated the author sharing her knowledge with us - it was a great reading month!! I can‘t believe our first month of camp is over!! 4d

MrsV Embarrassingly I did not know much about deaf culture. I knew about the implants, and a little about the controversy with them. I had no idea, and was incensed, that Drs told parents not to learn, or let their children learn sign language. 4d

squirrelbrain What a great quote to pick out @Cathythoughts - it really makes us think about everything that we take for granted in our ‘hearing‘ world. 4d

squirrelbrain @batsy @MicheleinPhilly - I think we all learned so much from this book, of course about Deaf culture, but also we learned about how little we know about other marginalised communities tha5 we may not even have considered before. 4d

squirrelbrain @BkClubCare @Cinfhen - it‘s great that everyone has taken so many learning points away from this book, even if not everyone loved the storyline. 4d

squirrelbrain You‘re welcome @Cathythoughts @Bookwormjillk @Soubhiville @TrishB @MicheleinPhilly @jlhammar - I‘ve loved hosting and, of course, couldn‘t have done it without my fellow counsellors @BarbaraBB and @Megabooks ! I‘m looking forward to another 2 months of great discussions! 4d

Ruthiella Thanks for hosting @squirrelbrain ! The discussions have been so interesting to read! My biggest take away is the richness of ASL. I love languages and idioms and I (ignorantly) had no I idea how sign language works, that it wasn‘t a 1:1 translation. 4d

Kdgordon88 I am grateful for the learning experience this book provided. Thanks for hosting, Helen! 😊 4d

Hooked_on_books Oh man, I learned so much! From the structure of ASL to the existence of black sign to the problems with CIs, there‘s so much to be aware of! I thought this book was great and also quite enjoyed the discussion. Thanks for counseling, Helen! 4d

sarahbarnes Thank you so much for hosting this month @squirrelbrain! My most powerful takeaways from the book were around the family dynamics of deafness, the debate with CIs and ASL, and the racism within sign language that exists. I learned a lot! 4d

squirrelbrain You‘re welcome @Kdgordon88 @Hooked_on_books @sarahbarnes - so good to have learned so much from a book that we all (mostly!) enjoyed. 4d

Kimberlone I‘m sorry I missed the discussion yesterday! I appreciated the peek into deaf culture that the book provided, especially the controversies over cochlear implants, and the characters coming come different perspectives and backgrounds within the deaf/ASL world. The brief forays into ASL linguistics and deaf history were super interesting. Overall, the plot was a bit weak, though, and the book ended kind of abruptly without much resolution. 3d

squirrelbrain I think you‘re in the majority there @Kimberlone - most Littens loved the learning aspects of this book, but many found the story a bit weak. 3d

45 likes37 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Our second question of the week is above.

Let us know if you were satisfied with the ending and what you think happens next for all of the characters, including Austin, Charlie and February.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

See All 37 Comments

Soubhiville I was satisfied with the ending, though I was sad at the thought of the school closing. I think they got away with the protest action, but I doubt it really made a difference beyond the news and people briefly talking about it. I think February and Mel worked it out, and February probably moved on to another school or maybe worked in the community to provide after school help for her former students as well as a place for them to be together. 5d

Bookwormjillk I thought it was pretty unrealistic, but I understood the feeling of we played by your rules and you dismissed us, so now we‘re going to blow things up. Not saying I agree, but I do get it. I was hoping the school would somehow be saved. 5d

Soubhiville I hope Austin and Charlie were able to talk together to his parents about Charlie‘s CI experience and convince them not to put Sky through that. As far as educational futures, that‘s tough. I don‘t know what they could have done to restore the chance of success the school gave them. 5d

TrishB I was ok with the ending. But sad about the school and the impact that was going to have on them. 5d

Suet624 I feel in the minority here. I was completely unsatisfied with the ending. There were so many unanswered questions and so much left up in the air. Considering how much time was spent building up the details, the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. If they had said there would be a second book, I'd be more understanding. Not sure I would have read it though. 5d

BkClubCare Uh, I somehow have a “can never remember how books end exactly” flaw 🤷🏻‍♀️ But, sad about the school, happy that our school headmistress “rescues” the kids in True Biz empathy, and then… questions. Set up for a sequel possibly? What is going to happen to Charlie?! Maybe a 10 year out sequel would interest me… 5d

Cathythoughts @Suet624 I don‘t think I‘d be reading a second book here either, but there was an abrupt ending. @Bookwormjillk I was also hoping the school would be magically saved. 👍🏻♥️ 5d

BarbaraBB I am with @Suet624 , the ending felt rushed and unrealistic. 5d

batsy I'm largely with @Suet624 and it left me frustrated, tbh. An ending that feels a bit too convenient. 5d

squirrelbrain I too thought the ending was rather rushed @Suet624 @Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB @batsy - I wasn‘t keen on the ‘bomb‘ storyline and thought the school closure storyline could have been extended in a different way to explain more of the likely consequences for the students. 5d

squirrelbrain Great thoughts @Soubhiville - I love the idea that Austin‘s family could learn from Charlie, and that she could learn from them of course too. 5d

Megabooks Another camper with @Suet624 for all the plot she laid out over 400 pages, I would‘ve liked a more concrete ending. I do think February and Mel worked things out, but I wonder what February will do for a job. Maybe she can coordinate deaf education through the superintendent‘s office or school board. 5d

Megabooks @Soubhiville I hope as well that Sky avoids a CI. I feel like the kids‘ thoughts on this were constantly marginalized and that‘s partly what led to the bombs at the end. It was all around unfortunate and unsatisfactory. 5d

Soubhiville @Megabooks I think you‘re right, that the kids‘ feeling of helplessness between Sky‘s implant and the school closing plus Charlie‘s mom wanting her to have another surgery made them feel like a big gesture that couldn‘t be ignored might be the only way to get the attention of the adults in their lives to see them. I get that rage and frustration. (ESP at this moment after yesterday‘s supreme ct decision. I want to rage too.) 4d

Soubhiville I understand the desire for a more wrapped up ending, and that would have felt more satisfying. But I think the open ending is more realistic when you consider all of the real life deaf schools closing. I think the author may have chosen to leave things that way because that‘s the way it feels to the families- what do we do now? How will our kids survive and thrive? It left me with a feeling of wanting to help, wanting to try to fix a broken⬇️ 4d

Soubhiville System. Maybe she wants us as readers to feel the frustration that not only these characters but the actual community feels? 4d

jlhammar Maybe I was reading too much into it, but like @Soubhiville I felt like the ending being unresolved sent a sort of message, especially after reading the Author's Note. A sort of call to action, to be a Deaf ally. What will happen to these valuable and endangered institutions like River Valley? It is up to all of us. 4d

rockpools @Soubhiville @jlhammer I do like your reading of this! I wasn‘t dissatisfied with the ending (although I‘m sure the bomb plot was from a totally different book). I would love to read a sequel following the consequences of the school closure 4d

jlhammar @rockpools In one of the podcast interviews I listened to, Sara said she wasn't keen on writing a sequel. Who knows though, she could always change her mind. 4d

Susanita I was mildly dissatisfied with the ending. Maybe not tie everything up with a bow, but perhaps even a few more pages to bring a little more resolution? Partly it was because I really liked (most of) the characters and wanted more time with them. 4d

BarbaraBB Wonderful discussion again. This adds so much to the book! Thanks Helen!! #camplitsy rocks 💕 @Megabooks 4d

Cinfhen The ending was definitely disappointing but honestly I felt much of the storyline was on the weaker side. 4d

MrsV I usually don‘t mind an open ended ending, but this on left me unsatisfied. I know how hard it is to get public schools funded, let alone ones for special needs. I hate the thought these kids were thrown back into the system that really isn‘t equipped for them. I also choose to believe that Austin‘s parents did not go ahead with the CI for Sky. 4d

squirrelbrain Great perception @Soubhiville @jlhammar - I hadn‘t considered that the open-endedness was a deliberate plot device to show how the Deaf community (and perhaps other marginalised communities?) feel. 4d

squirrelbrain I usually dislike incomplete endings @Susanita @MrsV @Cinfhen and I did in this case too. Although I now see a reason for this thanks to @Soubhiville and @jlhammar. 4d

Ruthiella I did not mind the open ending at all. To me, tying up all the plot strands would have been too neat and tidy. And personally, I like imagining for myself the “untold” parts of novels often. But I do understand that this doesn‘t work for others. (edited) 4d

Kdgordon88 I am with @Suet624 The ending was abrupt and left too many loose threads. I‘m not sure I wanted a longer book with nicely wrapped up story lines but maybe an epilogue? (edited) 4d

Hooked_on_books I remember being really satisfied at the end of this book. When it‘s done right, I think open endings are awesome, because isn‘t that life after all? We don‘t get all the answers and neither do the characters. Sadly, I think undervaluing and closing schools like this one is all too common, without much thought for the impact it will have. 4d

sarahbarnes I agree with many here that I felt disappointed in the ending - not everything needed to be resolved, but it felt like nothing was. 4d

squirrelbrain I agree @Kdgordon88 @sarahbarnes - it would have been nice to have at least *some* of the loose ends tied up. 4d

Leniverse I'm a bit disappointed in the ending. The news item at the very end could be a hint that they will keep fighting, but instead of bombs I would have liked to see civil disobedience, teachers and students occupying the school, chaining themselves to the gates, writing to the newspapers. It seems like they had one moment of rage and then gave up. February was so passive I don't see how she managed to run a school. 3d

Leniverse At the very least I'd have liked to know if Charlie's mother would give in about the CI. 3d

Kimberlone The whole revolution subplot ended so anticlimactically, the ending was just really lackluster. Maybe it needed another 20-50 pages to provide some more satisfying resolution. 3d

squirrelbrain I agree @Leniverse @kimberlone - I think it would have been better to have seen extended, less violent, protests with some kind of resolution at the end. 3d

37 likes37 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Welcome back to this week‘s #camplitsy discussions; Barbara, Meg and I are happy to host you again! This week we‘re talking about True Biz, all the way to the end of the book.

We asked a question about Slash last week, so we‘re returning back to him again. We‘d love to hear what you thought about him and his friends and their role in the story, plus did your views on him change later in the book?

See All 27 Comments

TrishB I‘m assuming their role was to offer the ‘alternative‘ experience of the world to the teenagers. I don‘t think it added much, though I think it highlighted wanting to belong. In a way Slash etc did treat them ‘normally‘. 5d

BarbaraBB I liked that the reader was led to have an opinion about Slash one way or the other while he turned out to be the only one not judging Charly and Austin - he completely accepted them. 5d

Soubhiville I have mixed feelings. I appreciate that he didn‘t try to control Charlie when he met Austin, and he seemed to be respectful of her choices. I don‘t usually identify with protesting in a way that destroys property or gets violent. But I found myself both cheering them on and being worried for their safety. 5d

Bookwormjillk I didn‘t really have strong feelings about him one way or the other. I thought that whole storyline was somewhat out of place, but I guess it gave outlet to the rage Charly and Austin were feeling. 5d

Suet624 @Bookwormjillk I'm with you. Felt out of place. 5d

BkClubCare @Soubhiville - everything you say here. 5d

Cathythoughts I agree with @Trishb that Slash did treat them ‘normally‘. They all experienced being young rebels together, and managed to find a way beyond hearing or not hearing , found a way to be together. 5d

batsy I'm also of the opinion that it felt out of place. Like it seemed that it was a kind of "revolutionary" aspect that was added but couldn't be developed further. However I did appreciate that Slash and friends treated Charli and her friends well and accepted them. 5d

squirrelbrain I agree @TrishB @Bookwormjillk @Suet624 @batsy - the ‘revolutionary‘ aspect, felt rather out of place and didn‘t add much to the story. 5d

squirrelbrain I too liked that he was was one of the only characters not judging Charlie @BarbaraBB @soubhiville but I wondered why he had to be a ‘baddy‘ - was the author saying that only ‘outcasts‘ understand Charlie‘s POV? 5d

BarbaraBB I think because it‘s confront us with our own singlemindedness. Because how bad was Slash in reality? It‘s all about prejudices I guess. 5d

Megabooks Very insightful @Bookwormjillk re: the rage that Charlie and Austin feeling towards CIs, but like @Soubhiville I don‘t condone violence, even if it is just property. There were probably better avenues to express that rage that maybe they couldn‘t see as teens/young adults. I did like that Slash tried to learn sign language and Deaf culture for Charlie. 5d

rockpools I agree with pretty much all of the above. I liked how easily Slash seemed to make Charlie feel comfortable, when few people did. The storyline might have been more effective if it hadn‘t gone to the extreme- or if it had time to build. Over time, it may have been believable to think that Charlie & Austin could get involved with extreme actions, in response to their experiences & rage. As it was tho, it was just very sudden & out of place. 4d

rockpools @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB I wondered if the author was saying you don‘t have to be a model human to show some empathy. Slash learnt the basics, was aware that Charlie needed to lipread, & got on with it! Obviously it‘s not that simple - as an outsider he didn‘t have anything invested in Charlie (apart from the obvious), unlike her family - but that stripped away all the problems/CI politics etc and took it down to what worked for her. 4d

jlhammar I still felt like it was an important element of the book and it worked for me. I think Charlie being exposed to revolutionary thinking and actions via Slash (no matter how questionable) and then having it intersect with her learning about the Deaf President Now movement for the first time and then getting the devastating news of losing River Valley all led to the boiling point. 4d

Cinfhen I‘m with @Suet624 and @Bookwormjillk @batsy Slash seemed like a convenient plot device to add the revolutionary element to the story, which again in my opinion was a weak plot-line - 4d

MrsV Even though I agree Slash was used as a plot devise, I did end up liking him. He never judged Charlie or tried to shame or change her deafness. Other than her dad, he was the only hearing person to try to learn/use her language. 4d

squirrelbrain @rockpools @BarbaraBB - or maybe it is that the ‘model‘ humans are less than empathetic to others; they want everyone else to be the perfect model like themselves? 4d

Ruthiella Yes! I was worried that they would somehow take advantage of Charlie but the were in fact very accepting and accommodating. I don‘t know what it says about me, but their drug taking bothered me a lot more than their bomb making. I‘m also with @jhammar . In general, this book had a lot of plot, stuffed with it! But none of that bothered me. I thought it all worked. 4d

Kdgordon88 I agree it felt out of place. If the goal was revolutionary wouldn‘t they already have a target? Would they have changed that plan so easily? Or did they really just want to blow stuff up. They did not come across as committed to a cause. 4d

Hooked_on_books I really liked the addition of Slash as a character. For me he represents nuance, which is so lacking in our everyday world, where we want everything to be binary. And he‘s not at all binary! He uses Charlie for sex but also doesn‘t other her for her deafness. He tosses her away but accepts her return. I didn‘t “like” him, but I appreciate his role. I was a little surprised by the turn to violence, but then it did fit with his character. 4d

sarahbarnes I agree that Slash could‘ve been integrated more into the story perhaps so it felt less out of place, but I do think it was interesting how accepting he and his friends were. They made fun of how young she was but nothing else. And I think he was the catalyst for her to want to act on her anger and protest in some way. 4d

squirrelbrain Great perceptive comments @Hooked_on_books @sarahbarnes - Slash had a lot of impact for a more ‘minor‘ character. 4d

Kimberlone I wanted more Slash! He seems like such a stereotype, but we learn along with Charlie that he has a lot more depth than originally assumed. 3d

39 likes27 comments

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir�and a Love Letter to a Way of Life

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

It's almost midnight for me, so it ends my first day of #20in4 #readathon !
I finished Since Sinai by Shannon Gonyou, which I'll review tomorrow.
I started reading/studying Storia Sociale dell'antica Grecia by Fritz Gschnitzer and I kept reading True Biz by Sara Novic.
I also read for 2h19mins so I'm behind schedule. Oh well.
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Still a good start and will be more Thani achieve on Day 1. 👏👏👏 5d

14 likes1 comment

Cathythoughts

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

A good story with likeable characters, This book really made me think about what life is like for the deaf community, very educational. Also looking at the deep desire in all of us to belong, to be a part of our families , our culture.

Tamra Lovely review! 💙 5d

TrishB Excellent review 👍🏻 5d

LeahBergen Great review and photo. 😊 5d

Cathythoughts @Tamra @TrishB @LeahBergen Thanks ladies X 5d

Megabooks Love your review and glad you joined the conversation! 4d

61 likes1 stack add5 comments

Soubhiville

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

Another great #CampLitsy #CampToB book!

I learned so much about Deaf culture. I thought the story was great and the contrasting characters helped readers see things from multiple angles.

Looking forward to tomorrow‘s discussion.

keithmalek Why does your doggie look so sad? 6d

Soubhiville @keithmalek she doesn‘t like being too close to books for photos. I don‘t know why, but she doesn‘t trust them 🤣. It‘s fine if it‘s in my hand, but once it‘s on it‘s own near her, I guess she thinks anything could happen. 6d

keithmalek 🤣🤣🤣 5d

ShelleyBooksie Adorable photo 5d

68 likes4 comments

rockpools

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

The first book I‘ve read in a long time where I‘ve just wanted to keep turning the pages! The mix of fiction and Deaf History education is surprisingly well-done - it never felt forced, despite the sheer amount of information she was feeding through.

I loved the teenagers, their family dynamics, and the different experiences of youngsters growing up in different cultures/ language environments. At times it was heartbreaking, infuriating

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

rockpools and eye-opening. The plot towards the end, huh, but a resounding pick all the same.

Having said all of that, I‘m kind of sad that we need this book now. I hope this paves the way for readers to find other stories with Deaf main characters, and less need for so much explanation. (Or for those stories to be published, if they‘re not out there yet). #CampLitsy 1w

squirrelbrain Great review Rachel. I couldn‘t figure out the plot towards the end…was it unnecessary or clunky or distracting…. Or all three?! 1w

rockpools @squirrelbrain All three, plus improbable, I think. You could probably have pulled 3 different novels out of the plot towards the end, (without going anywhere near pressure cookers!) - I think she was trying to do all the things and then some. But I still really enjoyed it, loved Charlie, learnt loads, and stayed up way too late finishing it! 1w

See All 9 Comments

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 agree totally. 1w

BarbaraBB Love how you describe the ending in your answer to @squirrelbrain ❤️ 1w

squirrelbrain I agree @BarbaraBB - Rachel says it so well! 1w

Megabooks Love your review! I also read this in April (when I originally read TB) and loved having another dip into Deaf culture. I highly recommend it!

rockpools @Megabooks Thanks Meg - I‘ll look that out. A nf I read years ago that you might be interested in (about sign languages around the world):

Talking Hands: What Sign Language Reveals About the Mind

Megabooks Thanks for reminding me! I stacked that at some point and forgot about it. 6d

62 likes9 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

@BookNAround @catiewithac I got your letters!!! Thank you so so much, it was so kind of you.
I'll answer as soon as possible 💚💚💚

#litsylove

14 likes

LitsyEvents

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Repost
@thereadingpal

https://litsy.com/p/dnBYclBESlRx

So, I saw people are interested! I'd like to make a #bookclub and discuss the books we read, and I'd like to start in July.

Here's the form to choose the book for July:
https://forms.gle/z4uygZpU57ioMpQ19

There's an option to give your input with a book: comment down here if you want to read a book other than the ones I proposed.
⬇️

LitsyEvents Form will close on the 25th.
I hope I'm doing this right, it's the first time I do it.
#lgbtq #bookclub 1w

thereadingpal Thank you! 1w

Liz_M 👍 1w

34 likes3 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

@LitsyEvents
So, I saw people are interested! I'd like to make a #bookclub and discuss the books we read, and I'd like to start in July.
Here's the form to choose the book for July: https://forms.gle/z4uygZpU57ioMpQ19
There's an option to give your input with a book: comment down here if you want to read a book other than the ones I proposed. Form will close on the 25th.
I hope I'm doing this right, it's the first time I do it.

thereadingpal tagging the ones that showed interest previously: @PageShifter @PuddleJumper @ozma.of.oz @BkClubCare @MoonWitch94 @kaysworld1 @TheBookWitchON @Kenyazero

#lgbtq #bookclub 1w

PageShifter Voted :) 1w

PuddleJumper I'm very dependent on what the library has so I've voted for the one I can get 😅 A couple books I'd suggest for future months would be Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta and These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling 1w

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thereadingpal @PuddleJumper i totally understand!!! I'll write those titles down and will propose them for August :D 1w

AbigailJaneBlog I would definitely like to join please! 🌼 1w

thereadingpal @AbigailJaneBlog the more the merrier!!! 1w

AbigailJaneBlog @thereadingpal 😍😍😍 1w

MoonWitch94 Voted! 1w

AbigailJaneBlog Voted! 1w

ozma.of.oz Voted! 1w

thereadingpal @PageShifter @PuddleJumper @MoonWitch94 @AbigailJaneBlog @ozma.of.oz thank you for voting! 1w

BkClubCare @Nutmegnc @xicanti - interest? 😁 1w

Nutmegnc @BkClubCare Yes!! 1w

Nutmegnc Awesome!! I have no preference for the book. I‘m good with any of them. 1w

Kenyazero Voted! 1w

rwmg Only just seen this, sorry. I am interested in following along, but probably just lurking as I may not be able to get hold of the books 6d

thereadingpal @rwmg that's alright! You can still vote, and ithooe you manage to join in in the next round! 6d

thereadingpal @Kenyazero thank you! 6d

thereadingpal @Nutmegnc thank you! Hope you'll have fun with the book that gets chosen :D 6d

thereadingpal @BkClubCare thank you for spreading the word! 6d

BookwormAHN I'd like to join in 😺 4d

thereadingpal @BookwormAHN great! 3d

14 likes22 comments

Susanita

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

I wanted to finish three books during the #JoysofJune #readathon and so I did.
-True Biz
-All Shall Be Well
-The Sandcastle Girls
I‘m nearly finished with Renovated to Death and bailed on Vanishing Girls. For the next couple days I‘ll be on an adventure with my friend.

Andrew65

41 likes

sarahbarnes

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I liked this book a lot because I learned so much about Deaf culture. I found the parts of the book that interrogated family dynamics and racism within sign language to be the most powerful parts of the book. I agree with others‘ observations that the characters could‘ve had more depth and the ending was a little unsatisfying. I‘m glad I read it though! #CampLitsy

Megabooks Great review! 1w

EvieBee That is a fab pic! 1w

BarbaraBB Great pic indeed and I agree on all you say in your review 🤍 1w

See All 6 Comments

Leftcoastzen Love the photo! 1w

sarahbarnes @EvieBee @BarbaraBB @Leftcoastzen thank you! It‘s in Taos. 😍 1w

sarahbarnes @Megabooks thank you! 😊 1w

39 likes6 comments

LitsyEvents

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Repost
@thereadingpal

https://litsy.com/p/c2tBVWN0NE9N

#interestcheck

Would anyone be interested in a monthly #buddyread or a #bookclub with discussion about #lgbtq books? I lean toward f/f or enby rep but we could all decide a book together and read it together!
I have a list of books on my TBR I'd like to get to, and if you do too, maybe we can work something out :D

35 likes

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

#interestcheck
@LitsyEvents

Would anyone be interested in a monthly #buddyread or a #bookclub with discussion about #lgbtq books? I lean toward f/f or enby rep but we could all decide a book together and read it together!
I have a list of books on my TBR I'd like to get to, and if you do too, maybe we can work something out :D

PageShifter I'm interested 1w

PuddleJumper I'd be interested 1w

ozma.of.oz Oh absolutely! 1w

See All 8 Comments

BkClubCare Maybe? Only because I sign up for more than I can ever participate in but I would appreciate being included. 1w

MoonWitch94 Me 🙌🏻 1w

kaysworld1 Yes count me in 📚 1w

TheBookWitchON I'm interested. 1w

Kenyazero Yes! 1w

17 likes8 comments

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Does the lack of quotation marks bother anyone else? I don‘t know why it bothers me so much! 🫤🥴

Velvetfur Oh yes, it bothers me alright! 😂 1w

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Velvetfur glad I‘m not alone!! 1w

janeycanuck I‘m reading Sally Rooney‘s new one right now and there are no quotation marks AND no paragraph breaks. It‘s exhausting. I want to know what happens but after this, no quotation marks is going to be an auto-disqualifier for a book. It‘s just so hard to follow!! 1w

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tracey38 Yes, it would bother me! 1w

1001BooksPodcast I read this over the weekend loved it. I definitely noticed the lack of quotations but I assumed it had some thing to do with ASL grammar. Dont know for sure though. 1w

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @janeycanuck oh no!! I need to take that one off my tbr list! Why do they do that?! 1w

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @1001BooksPodcast idk 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was thinking the italics were the ASL. 1w

69 likes7 comments

Megabooks

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

Enjoyed my #reread of this for #CampLitsy! The information about ASL and Deaf culture was so necessary. I‘d recommend it to anyone just for that. Plus, I simply liked these characters and this setting. They felt familiar to me in a very comforting way. The only drawback was that the book just ends without much resolution. Looking forward to our discussion!

squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

squirrelbrain Pretty much my thoughts on this book too! I‘m also looking forward to our further discussions at the weekend. 1w

BarbaraBB You‘re absolutely right that it‘s a book that deserves to be read! 1w

Megabooks @squirrelbrain same! I think we‘ll have a good conversation! 1w

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Megabooks @BarbaraBB for sure! I found it very educational with a plot that kept me interested, even if parts were a bit YA. I see what people are saying about lack of character development, but sometimes I enjoy a book with characters that are simply likable. 1w

Megabooks Forgot here too @Cinfhen 😘😘 Crazy day and my haircut wasn‘t even right!! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ 1w

Cinfhen Agreed!! Book is worth reading just for all the information shared by the author about ASL & deaf culture. Sorry I missed the discussion on Saturday @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain 1w

BarbaraBB That is absolutely true, about characters just being likable. The subject itself didn‘t need to be distracted by complicated characters! @Cinfhen no apologies needed, we all know you‘ve been very busy and yet found time to do an awesome job with #Summerheat 🤍 1w

Cinfhen Thanks so much @BarbaraBB BUT you get all the credit for #SummerHeat xxxx 1w

Cinfhen I‘m sure your hair looks great, Meg but I know that feeling when nothing seems right or goes smoothly 😕 1w

squirrelbrain No worries @Cinfhen - I‘m sorry too that I missed your #summerheat discussions on Sunday. We were camping and lots of people wanted to talk to Henry so I just didn‘t get the chance! @BarbaraBB 1w

Kimberlone Agreed about the end! 1w

Cathythoughts Nice review.. I‘m nearly finished, I agree there is a lovely familiarity about the characters. Well put 👍🏻 (edited) 1w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain That sounds like the best excuse 🥰 1w

1001BooksPodcast Yes! I finished this yesterday and loved it! But I‘m dying to know how it turned out for the characters. Im invested! 1w

Megabooks @1001BooksPodcast yes! I hate that it just ended!! 1w

88 likes1 stack add15 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

This is my update for the last day of #joysofjunereadathon
✅ I've read for 26h05 out of my goal of 20 hours
✅ Read 4/4 books (I finished Fuori dal Silenzio)
✅ Wrote 2/2 reviews

I really enjoyed the experience and can't wait for the next one! Goodnight!

@Andrew65

18 likes

batsy

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I gave it 3 stars, which makes me feel a bit like the Scrooge of book reviews. I truly appreciate how Nović opened my eyes to US Deaf culture & the schisms between classes even within the community. It's incredibly educational. I felt like this was a coming of age story about Deaf teenagers, though, which is fine, but dressed up as litfic with a plot line involving the headmistress that felt tacked on. The ending was hmm. The writing serviceable.

batsy Despite my reservations about it as a novel, I'm still glad to have read it & would recommend it to anyone in terms of gaining more awareness about what Deaf people face in an ableist society & the specifics of the cultural & political context in the US. #CampLitsy @squirrelbrain 1w

squirrelbrain Great review Suba! I enjoyed your input yesterday and looking forward to more next weekend. 1w

batsy @squirrelbrain Thank you! I'm looking forward to next weekend's discussion, too. 1w

Suet624 Excellent and thoughtful review of this .. especially when viewed side by side with mine which is just full of questions. 😂😂😂 1w

batsy @Suet624 Thank you, friend! And lots of questions are great—I had them too while reading but now that I'm done with the book, I realise that those q's aren't holding my attention any longer 😳 1w

74 likes1 stack add5 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Here‘s our final question of the week for #camplitsy.

If you *have* read the second half, take extra care not to reveal whether Slash‘s role develops (or not) in the second half of the book.

We hope you have a great rest of the week and look forward to seeing you next Saturday for the second half of this book!

See All 27 Comments

squirrelbrain At first I wondered what Slash had to be a ‘bad‘ kid, but I think it‘s because he represents Charlie‘s life on the ‘margins‘ before she joined River Valley. I can‘t figure out if he‘s going to develop as a ‘love rival‘ to Austin maybe? 2w

TrishB As always I‘ve read ahead so don‘t want to put any spoilers! 2w

Susanita I appreciate that he seems to have genuine concern for Charlie, but I also wonder if maybe he‘s a little bit of a poser. 2w

ImperfectCJ I really didn't like Slash, and I agree with @squirrelbrain 's assessment. It's almost like he represents the part of Charlie's life that her parents (especially her mom) are cut off from because of their rigid rules about how they're willing to communicate with their daughter. I've finished the book, so I won't say any more. 2w

ImperfectCJ Okay, one more thing: I think Slash is also an avenue for showing the situation in southern Ohio for some young people and giving the book an excuse to travel around a failing city. 2w

sarahbarnes I also wonder if he represents for Charlie an example of reinventing yourself? But agree @squirrelbrain that he also seems to represent her former life and then may play into the romance line in the story later? 2w

Megabooks @ImperfectCJ I agree that he may be an Avenue to finding out more about Colson and where it fits into the rust belt. I also think he and his friends felt they were very original for being in a punk band, doing drugs, and whatever else they may be up to when really they‘re like a million other small city kids. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2w

Megabooks @sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain that‘s an interesting point that both Kyle/Slash and Charlie have reinvented themselves since leaving Jeff. Maybe there‘s a whole larger point about conformity and mainstream schooling. 🤔 2w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Interesting point about Colson. This is probably what you like about the setting of the book so near to you! 2w

BarbaraBB I was a bit annoyed by Kyle/Slash since he was so cliche “bad”. I felt there was more to the story yet I wasn‘t that interested. 2w

BkClubCare Slash made an effort to support Charlie, learning and respecting her being deaf, but it would be nice to get a few more paragraphs of his backstory- but maybe I have forgotten it all ready? He was from HS study hall and was then more clean cut, IIRC. 2w

jlhammar I thought Kyle/Slash was an interesting character. Someone from Charlie's old life who seemed to see her, meet her where she was, like her for who she was. Someone who also thinks the status quo is messed up/unacceptable, who admires revolutionary Robespierre (who spoke on behalf of citizens he considered “voiceless“) prompting her to look up the history and learn more. I didn't care about the teenage romance, but he seems to serve a purpose. 2w

Soubhiville Like @BarbaraBB at first I was annoyed by Slash and esp. he and his friends offering Charlie drugs. But as @ImperfectCJ said this aspect of Charlie‘s life shows small town/ small city life. It felt very true that she would grasp on to a person who showed her special care since she is frustrated with her difficulties communicating with her parents/ teachers/ community in the way she desperately wants to. It‘s easy as a kid to fall in with a “bad”⬇️ 2w

Soubhiville Crowd. Maybe we‘re meant to feel like Charlie‘s move to the new school is happening “just in the Nick of time” before she spirals into something worse. I hope Austin doesn‘t end up “saving” her…. 2w

Soubhiville I do think @jlhammar is right that though at first we see Slash as maybe a bad seed, it does seem a bit deeper than that. He seems to feel for Charlie, and I don‘t think he has bad intentions. I‘m not sure where his part in her story will go, it‘ll be interesting to see. 2w

Ruthiella I think at first the reader just sees Slash as a part of her very limited hearing world and virtually the only friend she has there. I was very worried, however , that he was going to take advantage or lead her into harms way in the 1st half. I did not trust him. 2w

Kdgordon88 I appreciated that he treated her kindly but wonder if the party scene was just one moment in time and we won‘t see him again. I know from experience that good kids who aren‘t accepted into those cliques often seek out the “bad” kids for connection although they don‘t often fit there. 2w

MrsV I‘ve finished so don‘t want to spoil anything. But I was worried thatSlash was using Charlie because she was the “outcast”. But their interactions at The Gas Can he seemed like a more descent kind of guy. 2w

Suet624 I love all of these comments and really have nothing to add. You've all brought up some interesting points about why he is even in the story. I've finished the book so I'll refrain from commenting any further. 2w

Megabooks I did appreciate how Slash liked her enough to learn some sign language and like others have said, he seemed to genuinely care about her in the somewhat messed up way of an adolescent “bad boy”. 2w

Bookwormjillk I hadn‘t thought about Slash that much,but appreciate all your points. I started not liking him, but then saw another side of him. 2w

Desha I too have finished the book so I‘m afraid I‘ll give something away if I say anything. I like everyone‘s comments! 2w

Hooked_on_books @jlhammar My thoughts exactly, only you said it much better than I would have! He‘s so self-centered and I do think he‘s using her, but he also accepts her how she is and doesn‘t see her deafness as a problem or as othering. And she needs that so much, so while the relationship they have isn‘t healthy, that part of it is so necessary. 2w

squirrelbrain I agree @Hooked_on_books - @jlhammar articulates my thoughts so well too, but better than me! 2w

47 likes27 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

#camplitsy

There‘s a lot to discuss with our question above… Charlie and her family, Austin and his, plus February and her parents.

We‘re excited to hear your thoughts!

Don‘t forget that we‘re only on the first half of the book this week; try not to let slip any spoilers! 😁🤞

See All 34 Comments

Oryx I'm finding the fact that some parents don't learn sign language really upsetting. I can't understand that. 2w

Susanita @Oryx Agreed! 2w

TrishB @Oryx yes, that certain mum was terrible. 2w

ImperfectCJ @Oryx Agreed. My spouse's cousin is a psychologist at a Deaf school, and we've had conversations about the negative effects on kids whose families choose not to communicate with them. I can empathize with a hearing parent mourning the inability to interact with their deaf children as they'd expected to, but I can't imagine not doing everything I could to "talk" to my kids. 2w

MicheleinPhilly The different family dynamics were definitely the most interesting elements for me, again for highlighting my ignorance. I can‘t say that I fully understand why some families won‘t learn or utilize sign language but it reinforced the idea that Deaf people and their families are not a monolith. Why I would have assumed that they are is a mystery to me, particularly as it is something I am very conscious of in my own life. 2w

sarahbarnes I am finding the dynamic with Charlie‘s mom heartbreaking - she was so focused on having a certain kind of child, or having her fit in, and I know that comes from a place of good intention in some ways. But the impact is so devastating here. 2w

Megabooks @sarahbarnes agree that Charlie‘s mom is a very frustrating character. I couldn‘t imagine depriving a child of what would be a native language to them. I‘m glad her father is trying and that he‘s the primary custodian. On the other hand, I wonder what will happen with Sky growing up culturally Deaf but hearing?? Maybe we‘ll find out more about her in the second half. 🤫 2w

squirrelbrain @Oryx @Susanita @TrishB @ImperfectCJ @MicheleinPhilly @sarahbarnes @Megabooks - I agree with all of you about Charlie‘s Mum. Interesting that she was all about pageants too; surely the ultimate in presenting a ‘perfect‘ façade? A big dichotomy there between her pageant kids and Charlie. 2w

jlhammar @sarahbarnes I agree, definitely heartbreaking. I also think Charlie's mom's intention, at least originally, came from a good (if misguided) place. The medical community kept feeding that, it seemed. She just dug her feet in so hard. Maybe she felt like changing course was admitting that she had failed her daughter by going the implant route only in the first place. 2w

BarbaraBB Charlie‘s mom may have been misguided but how can she not even have considered ASL? I am not one to judge but I now feel so sorry for Deaf kids who can‘t really communicate with their parents in the way they prefer. This storyline vs Austin‘s parents was very interesting 2w

jlhammar I'm guessing that Charlie's mother was also very intimidated by ASL (not that it's an excuse). In one of the interviews I listened to with the author, she mentions how as a shy, introverted person it was difficult for her to feel comfortable signing at first. You can't hide with ASL the way you can with audible/spoken language. I hadn't thought of that before. 2w

jlhammar Yes, it was such a stark contrast to see how having language, being able to communicate with your parents in a deep and robust way, results in close parents-child relationships (Austin and February) and allows the child to thrive. The absence of that, in Charlie's case, is devastating. She didn't fully grasp what she didn't have until she came to River Valley. 2w

jlhammar The Skylar situation from Austin's POV was also very interesting and moving. Seeing his hearing father share things with his little sister (whispering things to her, singing songs) that he couldn't share with him and seeing his joy and excitement made him question so much and feel a loss (for himself and his father) it seemed he never felt before. 2w

Soubhiville Agreeing with everyone above about Charlie‘s mom‘s choice not to learn sign. I can‘t imagine not taking every chance to communicate. It‘s frustrating that Charlie‘s Dr recommended enforcing Charlie‘s learning English by not giving her sign. What an ignorant idea- lots of children grow up bilingual with no problems. 2w

Soubhiville @jlhammar my heart was going out to Austin too while he was seeing his dad with his new baby sister. I think he feels like his bond with his dad will be broken, and also like now he knows there was a missing part in their relationship that he previously didn‘t know to miss. So sad. 2w

Kdgordon88 I was really frustrated with Charlie‘s mom. First not teaching her things (ALS) that would open up her world but also not listening to her when the implant was creating problems. I hope Austin‘s dad recognizes the hurt A is feeling and works to fix it. 2w

Ruthiella @Soubhiville Mentions “bilingual”, which we now appreciate more I think as a culture. But when I was growing up in the ‘70s the emphasis was more on conforming in my community. I didn‘t know any Deaf kids until my late teens but many of my high school friends with parents from other countries only spoke English at home also. There was this idea that it would confuse the child and prevent them from learning English properly. 2w

squirrelbrain @jlhammar @Soubhiville it does seem as though the medical community, certainly in this case, reinforce the not learning ASL. And, of course, people often take what doctors say as gospel. Who are we to challenge the ‘experts‘? 2w

squirrelbrain @ruthiella @Soubhiville when I was studying languages I learned that bilingual children learn at a slower rate than mono-lingual as they are learning two languages at once. That‘s a bit different though from this case, which was almost preventing Charlie from communicating at all. 2w

squirrelbrain @jlhammar - yes, of course, I hadn‘t thought of SL being very ‘performative‘ before. And people will always be looking at you as well. I think Charlie mentioned that somewhere in the book - can‘t remember if it was first or second half though. (edited) 2w

batsy It was eye-opening & heartbreaking to think about kids whose parents didn't want to learn to sign or were averse to it. This book really opened my eyes to the issues within the Deaf community wrt best practices on language development vs ingrained prejudices. @jlhammar Thanks for mentioning that, & I haven't considered it that way before but it makes sense that it's a form of communication that can make it hard to remain "invisible", so to speak. 2w

MrsV There is going to be an obvious difference between a deaf and hearing parent/child relationships, but I was so incensed about Charlie‘s Mom, not even attempting to learn to sign. And the Drs telling them not to let Charlie learn either. 2w

squirrelbrain It is so heartbreaking for those kids isn‘t it? @batsy @MrsV 2w

Bookwormjillk As a parent of a tween and a teen I wonder how many parents of children with hearing loss make the decision not to sign when kids are young and then regret not opening up every single channel of communication while they could when their kids get to be teens. Look at everything Charlie was doing behind her parents‘ backs and there was no way to even have a conversation about it. That would kill me. 2w

Desha I really appreciated Austin‘s family and the special bond they shared. It was so frustrating to me that Charlie‘s family (particularly mom) had not done everything they could to share sign language with her regardless of her implant. 2w

squirrelbrain @Bookwormjillk I would imagine that parents such as Charlie‘s mum would think that the ‘misbehaviour‘ of teenage years was nothing to do with lack of communication, just pure badness. 2w

squirrelbrain I really liked Austin‘s family too @Desha 2w

Hooked_on_books I thought it was both smart and interesting to show a wide variety of familial responses/relationships to their deaf members and sign. It made the book interesting for the reader and felt very insightful. And while Charlie‘s mom was awful, she represents the older thinking of trying to make your child as “normal” as possible so that they can fit into the (hearing) world. And we see how devastating that is for Charlie. 2w

squirrelbrain I agree Holly @Hooked_on_books - I thought it was very clever to show all (?) of the different possible familial relationships, with CODA, signing and non-signing family members. 2w

thereadingpal I am feeling bad for some of the kids. Even though some parents are Hearing, they should make the effort to communicate with their children. Charlie needed sign language but was denied it, and st the point i am her mother doesn't even want to learn it. What the f? I appreciated the author also showed kids that were luckier and the various dynamics with hearing children or parents 1w

squirrelbrain I think we‘re all completely shocked by some of the parents aren‘t we?! @thereadingpal 1w

39 likes34 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Meg, Barbara and I are delighted to welcome you to a new week at #camplitsy!

A change of activity this week, with a new book to discuss. So, once you‘ve had a refreshing dip in the lake, why not join in with this week‘s discussions?! Above is our first question.

Don‘t forget, this week is the first part of the book only!

See All 56 Comments

squirrelbrain I grew up in a village where there was a Catholic boarding and day school for Deaf children. Unfortunately, at that time, there was little or no interaction between the school and the community. More recently I‘ve learnt a little bit about Deaf culture from Rose Ayling-Ellis being on (and winning) Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. 2w

Oryx Very very little. I learnt the BSL alphabet when I was young, but I don't know what prompted me to do that. But I never met anyone from the Deaf community. 2w

Oryx Weirdly, I remember a storyline from ER about one of the Drs having a son who was deaf - I remember that had a debate about cochlear implants, and that stayed with me for some reason. So I was aware of that issue. 2w

Susanita Several years ago my office had a Deaf Mexican intern, and I was very impressed by his determination and drive. Otherwise, however, my exposure has been more random. Lately, my church has engaged an ASL interpreter during the service, and I‘ve picked up a smattering of words through context. Likewise watching various official news conferences and the like. 2w

ImperfectCJ My spouse's cousin and her husband are Deaf and their kids are CODAs, and most of what I know about Deaf culture is from them. Since her husband is from New Zealand and their family has moved around the US a lot, we've had the chance to learn about regional differences, too. I also used ASL with both of my kids when they were babies/toddlers, but that's way different than knowing anything about Deaf culture. 2w

MicheleinPhilly I was a bit embarrassed by how little I knew of Deaf culture. I had all sorts of assumptions about sign language and cochlear implants and this book illustrated just how ignorant I‘ve been. 2w

sarahbarnes I am in the same boat as @MicheleinPhilly in that I am also embarrassed about how little I knew about Deaf culture going into this book. In particular, I was not aware of the dynamics around implants, ASL and lip reading. 2w

TrishB Not a lot at all, sadly. My sister is now classified as deaf and has hearing aids, but this was gradual and think was from a virus she caught in her 30s. I think popular books that make people consider things they know nothing about are great. 2w

BkClubCare @MicheleinPhilly - same. I learned the alphabet as a kid, and now I wonder how that was introduced to me. I can‘t recall if it was in school? Or somewhere else. 2w

jlhammar Not much. I think it was a really smart and effective choice to have one of the main characters (Charlie) learning ASL and Deaf Culture, having a whole new world opened up to her, so that the same could happen for the majority of readers who came to the book with little to no knowledge of the subject. The Deaf Culture 101 excerpts were fantastic. I was especially taken with the concept of Eyeth and the Martha's Vineyard case study. So interesting. 2w

Megabooks Another camper who knew very little about Deaf culture! 🙋🏻‍♀️ i remember hearing about Deaf President Now at Gallaudet when I was younger, but I don‘t think I understood at the time how important representation was. I didn‘t understand the grammatical difference between ASL and English and that when a character is on a fictional show talking to a non-Deaf character, it isn‘t necessarily how they‘d sign to another Deaf person. 2w

Megabooks ⬆️ And that made me even more impressed by ASL interpreters. 2w

Megabooks @jlhammar agreed that it was great having Charlie learning ASL and Deaf history with us. 2w

Megabooks Also did anyone else who grew up going to church learn ASL words at Sunday School/VBS/church camp? I remember we learned how to sign the Doxology, but we had to learn it well enough to do it blindfolded because why?? That never made sense to me!! (edited) 2w

squirrelbrain I really wasn‘t aware of the debate around CI @Oryx - and like you @MicheleinPhilly @sarahbarnes I‘m very embarrassed about how little I knew about such an important subject. 2w

squirrelbrain @Susanita -it does seem like society in general is starting to be more aware of Deaf culture doesn‘t it? 2w

squirrelbrain @jlhammar @Megabooks - I too agree, those excerpts were one of the most interesting parts of the book. I know @barbarabb was also particularly interested in the Eyeth excerpt. 2w

squirrelbrain @Megabooks - that seems almost deliberately obtuse to me?! 🤔 2w

Megabooks @squirrelbrain exactly. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2w

BarbaraBB I‘ve been as ignorant as any of you. Our tv news is being translated in sign language and I have a Deaf community center around the corner yet I never gave it much thought. I didn‘t know about the debate and even controversy regarding CI nor that sign languages varies across countries- which makes perfect sense now that I read about it. I am grateful this book opened my eyes and ears to this important subject. 2w

BarbaraBB @jlhammar I was fascinated by Eyeth too! 2w

rockpools Like you, @squirrelbrain, my primary school was across the road from the local ‘school for deaf children‘ - it‘s quite a large regional school, so was always aware of BSL users around but v little interaction between the schools. Later I worked in an FE College where the library shared a staff room with BSL interpreters & support workers. I learnt a LOT about the difficulties of Deaf kids in mainstream education there thro staff room rants! ⬇️ 2w

rockpools Later again, I worked at the uni, back in my home town, I did a year long BSL class with a d/Deaf tutor from the school, which was AMAZING. I remember very little beyond the niceties/basic intros, but the language is beautiful/fascinating. But I also knew nothing about the CI debate - finding the book so interesting/informative. 2w

MicheleinPhilly @BkClubCare I also learned the alphabet as a kid but I can‘t recall if it was in school or something I just elected to learn on my own? Maybe it was in Girl Scouts? 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2w

Addison_Reads Like so many others, this book really opened my mind to deaf culture. I learned the alphabet and my name in Girl Scouts one year, but after that I had no exposure. 2w

Soubhiville I am with most of you, in that I knew very little about deaf culture or the CI controversy. I also learned the ASL alphabet as a kid in school and a few signs from Sesame Street. I had a Deaf coworker when I was in my early 20‘s, and learned some basics as well as jokes and profanity from her 😆. I have wanted to learn more ASL for ages as I have several clients I would use it with, but texting/ phones also has made communication easier. 2w

Soubhiville I also was fascinated by the Martha‘s Vinyard/ Eyeth concepts. 2w

julesG Same as most here, I know little about deaf culture in Germany, or English speaking countries. I came in contact with deaf people early in life, my godmother used to take care of some elderly people. Whenever I visited her, I had to help. I remember that I had to enunciate clearly so the deaf people could lip read. Later one of my classmates went from hearing aids to deaf in one year within three years. She asked me to come along to SL classes. 2w

julesG Like @Oryx I saw the CI debate on ER first. I also know there is a deaf actress in the US who appeared on shows like Criminal Intent. I'm looking forward to learn more about deaf culture. 2w

julesG @ImperfectCJ using ASL with babies/toddlers is handy (no pun intended). I did it, too. But it's definitely not the same as being part of the deaf community. 2w

Kdgordon88 My only exposure to deaf culture was learning the alphabet in Girl Scouts. I love a book that opens my eyes to my ignorance. 2w

Ruthiella I knew bits and pieces before reading True Biz but learned so much more and more importantly felt a real emotional connection between myself and Charlie and her struggles. I appreciated learning so much more and getting a deeper understanding through the characters. 2w

Cathythoughts Great questions Helen. I‘m just dropping in to say I havnt finished the first half .. busy week. I‘m almost there though and will love to read your comments and contribute X 2w

squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB I kind of assumed that sign language would be different with other languages, but didn‘t realise that ASL and British Sign Language would be so different. 2w

squirrelbrain @rockpools - I looked up the school where I grew up and apparently lots of well-known people in the Deaf community went there. It still exists and I wonder if they interact more with the community? 2w

squirrelbrain @Ruthiella - I‘m so glad that, like the rest of us, you‘re learning so much from this book. 2w

squirrelbrain @Cathythoughts - look forward to hearing your thoughts when you get to the end of the first half! 2w

Cathythoughts Thanks Helen 😘 2w

batsy I'm ashamed to say not much at all, so in terms of providing info & educating me this book has provided that first step. I also looked up whether cochlear implants was a viable process here in Malaysia and widely available, but it is an extremely expensive procedure so it made me wonder what a book about local Deaf culture would be like. Just based on very general knowledge, I took it for granted that signing was a given form of communication. 2w

Laughterhp I learned the sign language alphabet when I was in 3rd grade, and I still remember it. I know a few other words too. Other than that though, sadly I knew nothing about the deaf community. The book educated me a lot on the history and current culture. 2w

BarbaraBB @batsy That‘s about how I felt Suba, so much I assumed and never gave much thought ☺️ 2w

MrsV I knew shockingly little. I like others learned the ASL alphabet and a few basic signs in elementary school. I knew about cochlear implants and a little about the controversy about them. 2w

MrsV But t I had no idea about doctors telling parents not to let their children learn to sign. I cannot even imagine being okay with not being able to communicate with my children. 2w

Suet624 Okay, color me flat out ignorant. A sister of a soccer player we traveled with was deaf and I feel badly that I was never fully able to communicate with her. She smiled all the time and now I wonder if she was covering up some feelings of isolation and annoyance. I'm impressed by how many here learned some sign language as children. And, as mentioned, I had no idea about the issue around CI's. 2w

Leniverse I had heard that there were Deaf families who were opposed to CI because they felt it was an erasure of their identity/culture and reducing Deafness to a disability. I didn't quite understand their opposition to CI, but reading that doctors present(ed?) it as an either/or situation really horrified me! 2w

Leniverse The Eyeth myth made me wonder because it's a pun that only works in English. The concept of a visually based, soundless planet can still be universal, of course, but for me the name is a bit of a history/herstory thing where English gets to be the baseline. 2w

squirrelbrain I tried looking up what happens in the UK with cochlear implants @batsy but, interestingly, nearly all of the research pointed back to the US. There didn‘t seem to be a firm UK ‘opinion‘ either way. 2w

squirrelbrain I agree with what you say @suet624 about how many people learned some sign language as children ; it‘s impressive. 2w

squirrelbrain I guess that‘s a bit like Austin‘s family? @Leniverse They were very much at the forefront of Deaf culture and identity. I wonder if ASL is almost a way of distinguishing or separating themselves from the rest of society? 2w

Bookwormjillk Like many of you I knew very little going in to this book. It‘s fascinating, all the issues I never thought of. I‘m wondering if the author‘s decision to not use quotation marks when people are speaking audibly was intentional. It kind of gives you a little taste of what Charlie feels when she doesn‘t know people around her are speaking. 2w

Hooked_on_books Not a whole lot. I knew that many in the deaf community do not consider deafness a disability. And in my medicine days, I had deaf patients with ASL interpreters a time or two, but that didn‘t tell me much about the culture. I‘m among the many here who learned the alphabet as a kid. I want to say kids wanted to learn it to try to communicate in class without the teacher knowing. Naturally. 2w

Desha I also knew little about deaf culture and enjoyed leaning more about it. We visited Martha‘s Vineyard last September and I remember hearing a little about it there. 2w

thereadingpal I only knew there were different sign languages. For example, Italian sign language is different from the US's. I knew nothing else, really. 1w

38 likes56 comments

BarbaraBB

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

#BookReport 24/22

Just this book this week. I‘ve had a hard time concentrating. Looking forward to the #CampLitsy discussion about it later today!

Megabooks 💜💜💜 2w

61 likes1 comment

Leelee.reads

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

The writing for Gone With the Wind was incredible, but I couldn‘t do a thumbs up due to the terrible racism in the content. True Biz is the inverse for me - content (educational and necessary) is a thumbs up, but the writing is not. The pacing, character development, and even parts of the storyline/ending left me disappointed. A bummer, especially since I thought Girl At War was quite well-written and True Biz has such stellar reviews.

14 likes

Leniverse

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

For my fellow #CampLitsy True Biz readers. This is the Norwegian Sign Language manual alphabet (or "the one hand alphabet" as the heading says). I think it was given to me at school as a child. It only has a couple of slight variations from the ASL manual alphabet given in the book, (plus 3 extra letters of course). The British Sign Language manual alphabet, on the other hand, appears to require two hands.

squirrelbrain Fascinating! @BarbaraBB @Megabooks (edited) 2w

Oryx I memorised the BSL alphabet when I was little. I had to Google to remind me, but it was familiar - think it's definitely still lodged in there somewhere 2w

26 likes2 comments

The Displacements: When a Storm Threatens to Destroy Everything, where Do You Run?

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I‘m so grateful to author Sara Novic for raising my awareness of deaf culture, their community and the obstacles they face both within their own families and from the hearing world at large. I enjoyed the print book for its ASL illustrations and tutorials and found the audiobook engaging and well produced. Where I struggled with this book, was the story. It was just lacking somehow. It read as very melodramatic and a bit too YA angsty for me.

Cinfhen I‘ll be curious to see how the other #CampLitsy campers feel @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks 2w

squirrelbrain I‘m really looking forward to the discussions on this one! 2w

batsy Nice review! I'm feeling somewhat the same. I really appreciate learning about Deaf culture, but the writing & plot feels YA. As a result I struggle to pick it back up after putting it down. 2w

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Cinfhen Thanks @batsy it was frustrating to read at times. And I felt bad feeling that way 😂 2w

Cinfhen Me too @squirrelbrain 2w

batsy I was feeling bad too because of all the 5 star reviews! Feeling better now to know I'm not alone 😁 2w

Cinfhen We‘re a small but mighty group @batsy since @Suet624 & @BarbaraBB felt similar 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ 2w

julesG @squirrelbrain That's tomorrow, right? Better read the first half of the book then. 🙈 2w

squirrelbrain Yes, that‘s tomorrow! @julesG 🤦‍♀️ 2w

BarbaraBB @batsy You‘re feeling the same! It‘s a relief! 2w

Megabooks My #reread of it is getting tedious, so I may just skim the second half. It‘s not a book that particularly lends itself to a reread, especially so soon after my first read. But I‘m also having a rough day health-wise, so 🤷🏻‍♀️ I‘ve been tucking into this, which I‘m enjoying a lot more!

(edited) 2w

Cinfhen Im so sorry you aren‘t feeling well @Megabooks / sending love 💕 2w

Megabooks Thanks dear friend 💜💜 2w

82 likes13 comments

BarbaraBB

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

Novic has a message, an important one. She calls out to the hearing world to stand with the Deaf community, and fight for their self-governance, dignity and the value of human diversity before the effects of educational isolation and genetic manipulation are irreversible.
How little did I know! I loved to learn about Deaf culture but the fiction storyline was distracting. The MCs felt cliché, their relationships flat and unfinished.

#CampLitsy

Megabooks, squirrelbrain

BarbaraBB #pop22 #BookYouKnowNothingAbout @Cinfhen @KarenUK @RaeLovesToRead @Cortg @Laughterhp 2w

squirrelbrain Great review Barbara! Looking forward to our #camplitsy discussions at the weekend! 2w

Cinfhen Such a great review!!! You‘ve put into words EXACTLY how I‘m feeling about this book. THANKS xxx 2w

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BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I‘m glad to hear that. I was afraid I‘d be the only one not just loving this book. It felt flat at times despite its importance 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think @Suet624 felt so too. (edited) 2w

Laughterhp Yes, I did feel unsatisfied with the ending too. It just ended. 2w

Megabooks Great review! I felt the ending was a bit unfinished the first time I read it (haven‘t finished my reread), but I really connected with this book. I always seem to connect better with books set geographically near me. Maybe that‘s odd, but perhaps I feel like I can read more into the characters than a book set abroad or even in NYC. 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️ 2w

sarahbarnes Great review. Just started this one. I will be interested to see how it goes. 2w

Cinfhen I know what you mean, Barbara. I‘ve only seen GLOWING five star reviews and I kept thinking, shit I must be an awful person because this book is really just ok. I TOTALLY agree, that the subject matter is OUTSTANDING and I‘m really being educated on deaf culture but the plot 🙄VERY YA 2w

BarbaraBB @Laughterhp Exactly! 2w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks I understand that, though I don‘t feel that way myself. I am mostly bored by people looking too much like myself - it makes me feel I am highly unoriginal 🤣 2w

BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I am curious to see where you‘ll end up, we so often feel the same about books. 2w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Yes! That‘s it! 2w

Suet624 Great review, as usual, stating what was special about the book but also succinctly outlining the drawback. So glad we're on the same wavelength with this one. 2w

batsy Great review! I'm not done yet but you've outlined exactly what I like and don't like about this book so far. 2w

BarbaraBB I‘m glad I‘m in good company 😉😘 @batsy (edited) 2w

60 likes15 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

One more book that winged it‘s way across the ocean😁 I‘m ready for #CampLitsy 🏕

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

Magpiegem What is #camplitsy? I keep seeing it but couldn‘t dig far enough back to find its origin xx 2w

Cinfhen Ahhh, #CampLitsy is being organized by @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain and @Megabooks ~ we are reading 2 books each month June-August and the books go head to head where we vote for our favorite read @Magpiegem - I‘m sure our camp consolers can give you all the information💕 2w

squirrelbrain Hi @Magpiegem - as Cindy said it‘s a little summer tournament for books, run outside of Litsy. This year we decided to do our own and we voted for 6 books. We read 2 each month and then vote. I‘ve gone back and tagged you on a few posts, including which books are scheduled when, so you should be able to find those. Let us know if you would like tagging in for the future! (edited) 2w

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Cinfhen Thanks for sharing @squirrelbrain I hope you‘ll join @Magpiegem ❣️ 2w

BarbaraBB We‘d be glad to have you joining us @Magpiegem 2w

Megabooks Fantastic I‘m glad you have it now!! I‘ll email you soon. The exhaustion has really been hitting me and mom‘s been resting extra so I‘ve had to pick up the slack. 😕 2w

Megabooks @Magpiegem we‘d love to have you as a camper! 2w

72 likes7 comments

Suet624

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

It‘s a pick but primarily because I learned so much about deaf culture.

I was left with so many questions about the characters…is there going to be a sequel? What the heck will their future be? Why did the story end in such an abrupt way? Was the story simply a vehicle to explain all the challenges experienced by those who are deaf or was it supposed to resolve the various situations of the characters, such as housing, schooling, marriages?

Suet624 #camplitsy #colormeconfused 2w

Ruthiella I don‘t think everything was going to resolve at the end. I felt that the book was really about Charlie and her exploring Deaf culture and ASL and also her growing up. So by the end, we don‘t know what will happen next, but do know that Charlie is better equipped to handle her future as a Deaf person. 2w

Suet624 @Ruthiella Thanks for responding. I'll be interested to see what folks think about it when we discuss the book later. I may also just be a grumpy pants and can't see the forest through the trees. 2w

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BarbaraBB I‘m with you Sue! 2w

Suet624 @BarbaraBB @cinfhen Barbara, I'm so glad to hear you understood my review. It's always hard to criticize a book, especially one that educates us, but jeepers! Finish the story! 2w

BarbaraBB I just finished it and was wondering if I would be the only one without a raving review. Should‘ve known better 🤍 2w

Cinfhen I‘m with both of you @Suet624 @BarbaraBB - it‘s a pick for the content but the plot/ story was #MoreMehThanYeah 🙄 2w

56 likes2 stack adds7 comments

scripturient

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Started listening to this on audio this morning (yes, I do see the irony) and can‘t stop. Such a great story!
#camplitsy

TrishB I loved it ❤️ 2w

61 likes1 stack add1 comment

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I loved this!

I kind of had an idea what it was about before I started, but I didn‘t expect to feel so invested in so many of the characters. I also didn‘t expect to learn so much and, like @TrishB and others, I spent a lot of time researching around the subject.

Really looking forward to our #camplitsy discussions over the next two weekends; just need to distil the dozens of potential discussions questions into a manageable number!

TrishB So looking forward to the discussion! And Alexander Graham Bell!! Shocking. 2w

Soubhiville Hi Henry! 2w

squirrelbrain I know! @TrishB 😲 But the whole not teaching sign language thing baffled me too…. 2w

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squirrelbrain Hi @Soubhiville - I‘m getting very big now! 🐕‍🦺 👋 2w

Soubhiville @squirrelbrain and super handsome! 💕 2w

Soubhiville I‘m really loving this book! I‘m about to the halfway point and I‘m not sure I‘ll be able to pause until next week. 2w

Leftcoastzen So cute! 2w

erzascarletbookgasm Henry!🐶 🐾 💖 2w

gradcat Helen, is this your “puppy”? My feelings have been so hurt because you haven‘t sent me any pictures of him! I expected monthly updates—just kidding. Hope you are well, hon xx 2w

BarbaraBB Hi 👋🏽 Henry! Love your review Helen, I hope to love the book as much as you did. 2w

squirrelbrain I couldn‘t pause either @Soubhiville - just had to keep going! 2w

squirrelbrain @gradcat -hey Minette, lovely to hear from you! Yes, Henry is enormous now…he‘s just over 8 months old, and a delight! (Apart from the odd blip, like the two doormats he chewed into holes over the weekend!) How are you doing? 😘 2w

squirrelbrain I‘m sure you will love it @BarbaraBB - thinking of you today. ❤️ 2w

Hooked_on_books Henry is so cute! 🐶💚 2w

batsy Henry is such a charming book model! ❤️ 2w

Cathythoughts Lovely Henry 🥰 great review 👍🏻 2w

youneverarrived I started it yesterday and loving it. Fab review. 2w

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MrsV

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I love when a book teaches something knew. I had no idea of the issues this book talk about. Cannot wait to discuss the 1st half Saturday for #camplitsy.

squirrelbrain Looking forward to your thoughts! 2w

28 likes1 comment

TrishB

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

#camplitsy
Thought this was great. A great story, but a brilliant equal rights shout out. I learned a lot and got lost down the internet rabbit hole a few times.
Well recommend.

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

Oryx Yeah, I'm only a third in and been learning a lot! I've also been on YouTube listening to the implant simulation. I had no idea about so much of this. 2w

squirrelbrain I know! I keep having to check stuff out too. 2w

Megabooks Yes, I learned a lot from this book! 2w

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BarbaraBB I just started it and am very interested in the subject. 2w

Ruthiella I taught myself how to say Train Gone in ASL. I loved how different it is from American English. 2w

TrishB @Oryx @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @Ruthiella love it when you learn so much too! 2w

99 likes6 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Hi campers!

It‘s all change at #camplitsy this week. We loved all your thoughts and opinions on HHWGITD, and now it‘s time to move on to our second book of June.

On Saturday we‘ll be discussing the first half of True Biz, to page 192; the chapter that ends ‘….now erupting into laughter‘. We think all editions are the same but please ask if you‘re not sure.

Barbara, Meg and I are really looking forward to next weekend and hope to see you there!

Cathythoughts Thanks Helen 👍🏻❤️ 3w

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TrishB Just started today 👍🏻 3w

BarbaraBB Me too! 3w

Megabooks So excited to discuss the great book! 2w

Soubhiville Yay! I‘m enjoying it so far. 2w

Ruthiella Looking forward to to it! 2w

MrsV I‘ve got about 40ish pages left of the book. Can‘t wait to discuss! 2w

Sparklemn I'm going to skip True Biz and join you for You Made a Fool of Death in July. But please keep me tagged on these posts. Enjoy! 2w

squirrelbrain Of course @Sparklemn - we‘ll see you then! 2w

thegreensofa I can‘t get True Biz in Australia yet, but will join in again next book. 2w

sarahbarnes Ahhh, I‘m bummed to have missed the second half of discussing HHWGITD while I was out of town. And now True Biz has still not come in at my library so I am going to miss the first half of that discussion, too. 😞 Fingers crossed it comes in soon and I can catch up for the second half! 2w

squirrelbrain I hope you enjoyed reading the discussions anyway @sarahbarnes and I‘m sorry you can‘t get True Biz yet. Hopefully it will come in soon; it‘s one of those books you can‘t put down so I‘m sure you‘ll whiz through it in no time. 2w

sarahbarnes And just like that, it came in today! 💃🏽 Hopefully I can get reading in time for the discussion this weekend!! 2w

squirrelbrain Yay! @sarahbarnes - very serendipitous! 2w

75 likes17 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

I LOVED this book! This might be a top contender for my favorite book of June.

(Yay! I finished a book on vacation!)

I learned some sign language in 3rd grade and I still remember it. It‘s mostly the alphabet and some kid stuff (playground, cookie). So I really appreciated all the deaf history facts, sign language tutorials and background information.

I really liked this story as well. I liked all the different characters and 👇🏻

Laughterhp Need to read more by this author. Girl at War used to be on my TBR but I took it off when doing a cleanse. I need to definitely check out her other books. Thanks to #CampLitsy for making me read this book. I may have skipped it or waited too long to read it otherwise! @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB 3w

BarbaraBB Great review. I am about to start this one too. 3w

squirrelbrain Great review! I‘m not quite halfway through yet, but loving it also! And I‘m learning so much too…. 3w

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Megabooks Awesome!! Glad you loved it! Excited to discuss it next week. 2w

marleed I think it might be my favorite of the year so far. I‘m fascinated that ASL is closer to French than British Sign language, that Black ASL is its own thing - and racism exists even there. 2w

Laughterhp @marleed Yes! I found that all so fascinating too! Who knew. 2w

63 likes6 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Ive started the audio for #CampLitsy and while I‘m liking it, I‘m not sure audio is the best way to go. My daughter is arriving on Tuesday and she‘s bringing me a physical book. I might choose to hold off listening and try print. Which means I now need to decide on a new audio😄

MicheleinPhilly This has ASL illustrations that I thought really added to the story. 3w

TrishB I think this will be my next one. Think. 3w

Megabooks I did not listen, and there are asides about sign language with visuals that I‘m glad I had the print version for. 3w

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Cinfhen I mean the irony isn‘t lost on me that I‘m listening to an audiobook about deaf culture 🤦🏼‍♀️ @TrishB @MicheleinPhilly @Megabooks I think im gonna wait for N and go with print!! 3w

Cinfhen I hear ya @TrishB #BestLaidPlans 😁 3w

MicheleinPhilly This was my local bookstore‘s last book club pick. Unbeknownst to me, not only does the author live in Philly, she lives in my neighborhood. 3w

Cinfhen Oh wow!! I love that local connection @MicheleinPhilly ❤️❤️ 3w

DivineDiana So nice that your daughter is coming to visit! @MicheleinPhilly That is amazing! What a City! ❤️ 3w

squirrelbrain Yes, I‘m reading it in print and can‘t see it working well on audio at all. 3w

Cinfhen All my kiddos are coming @DivineDiana for a month!!!! I can‘t wait but I‘m a little anxious…it‘s going to be a VERY FULL HOUSE and that means LOTS of cooking, cleaning and little time for reading 3w

DivineDiana You WILL have a VERY FULL HOUSE! And yes, there will be LOTS of additional chores, but there also will be LOTS of LOVE! The reading can wait. ❤️🥰❤️ 3w

Suet624 Wow! All the kids! So fun and potentially exhausting. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣🤣 (edited) 2w

71 likes1 stack add12 comments

TheRiehlDeal

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

A couple books I got from PangoBooks! Can‘t wait to dive into these!

#pangobooks #bookmail

16 likes

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

My current view this morning. Currently in Maui and it‘s amazing.

MoonWitch94 Ohhhhh how beautiful 🤩 Enjoy!!!! 3w

RaeLovesToRead 😍😍 3w

batsy That is a view 😍💙 3w

70 likes3 comments

BkClubCare

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

I honestly can‘t imagine parents NOT wanting their deaf child to learn ASL. I said as much to my spouse, that I am boggled that hearings parents would be OFFENDED, embarrassed!! that their deaf kid could sign. Wtf?! And he says, well maybeinthepast… Um, this book was written last year. NO PAST, no decades ago. NOW. What is WRONG with people.

So, this quote speaks to me for some reason. #grief #awoundastonefruitrippedintwo

Ruthiella I don‘t understand either. I do have a former colleague however whose son is deaf and he learned to sign to communicate. The dad is in his 70s and son is about my age. So not all parents... (edited) 3w

ncsufoxes I took sign language in college. My professor was deaf. She always talked about the struggles that different families faced (hearing aids, ASL). This was at a time when people were starting to get cochlear implants, which was a huge controversy in the deaf community. I went to college in Greensboro, NC that used to have a large deaf population due to the school for the hearing that used to be there. All I can say is after years of working in 3w

ncsufoxes early intervention is there are a lot of parents that really struggle with accepting what their child needs no matter how many times you discuss the benefits or their child‘s needs. It is really hard to work with parents that are in denial & dismiss services because they are having a hard time accepting their child‘s diagnosis. 3w

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BooksNBowls My aunt was born deaf in the 60s. My grandma put all 4 of her kids kids in deaf school together so they could learn ASL. ❤️ 3w

BkClubCare @BooksNBowls - that is awesome. 3w

BkClubCare @Ruthiella - I had just read the Thanksgiving scene with Charlie and her gma - her mother‘s rx saddened me. 3w

BkClubCare @ncsufoxes - thank you for sharing. I appreciate your perspective on parenting struggles. Also, I lived in GSO for a few years - I didn‘t realize that history. 3w

ValerieAndBooks As a Deaf person born in the 1960s I am extremely lucky to have had parents willing to learn sign language when they found out about my deafness. Many of my Deaf friends loved them! Because their own parents didn‘t sign 😢 3w

BooksNBowls @ValerieAndBooks it‘s baffling to me to not want to learn how to communicate with your child! 😢😢 3w

willaful @BooksNBowls We get them in the autism community too. Communication doesn't count unless it's the “right kind.“ 3w

Suet624 @BooksNBowls that‘s spectacular. 3w

BkClubCare @willaful - yeah…. Why am I not surprised that I often find people baffling. 3w

BkClubCare @ValerieAndBooks - yay! Thank you for your perspective on this. I read your review. Cool stickers, too 😊 3w

BooksNBowls @willaful oh I completely agree. My son is autistic and I am so grateful for every moment he communicates with me! It‘s hard! 💔😢 3w

Megabooks This was definitely crazy to me too! 3w

BkClubCare @Megabooks - and then that chapter from C‘s mom abt her own mother (hospital scene) OH! How hard it is to break out of family patterns … 3w

CBee @BooksNBowls my youngest son is autistic - if you ever want to connect, e-mail me anytime (I‘m the one who sent you the Litsy Love form) ♥️ 2w

BooksNBowls @CBee thank you! I‘ll send you something soon 🥰 2w

CBee @BooksNBowls 😊😊 2w

38 likes19 comments

babyruth2510

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

pick

4⭐️ I enjoyed this look into the world of being deaf. The formatting for conversations took a little getting used to but I ended up really appreciating the differentiation between what was spoken and signed. The language and history lessons interspersed throughout the book added a lot of context and further interest.

Desha I just finished reading this! I loved it! Didn‘t want it to end because I was so invested in the characters…Looking forward to doing LMPBC together!! 📚♥️ 2w

20 likes1 comment

MrsV

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Next up for #camplitsy

squirrelbrain Enjoy! I‘m hoping to start it this week too. 3w

22 likes1 comment

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

Quick question!

Am I missing signs here? By reading it ebook? Or is it formatted the same in print?

#camplitsy

Kimberlone This is the same formatting as the print book. It‘s supposed to help differentiate between spoken dialogue and signed dialogue and when there are multiple characters in a conversation. It takes a bit to get used to it but I didn‘t mind the unique formatting once I got the hang of it. 3w

Laughterhp @Kimberlone okay good to know! Just wanted to make sure I wasn‘t missing anything. 3w

41 likes2 comments

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

First full day in Hawaii! Landed yesterday 230 their time. 830pm our time. Made it until about 7ish, until I had to go to bed and woke up at 530am.

Hoping to get acclimated relatively quickly, but we‘ll see.

Hanging out by the pool this morning, currently 9am. And going to Pearl Harbor in the afternoon.

#vacation #vacationreads #camplitsy

TheLibrarian Have fun!! 3w

Megabooks Enjoy! What a fantastic trip! 3w

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Have fun!!! 💛 3w

AUDIOBOOKINGWITHLEAH Lucky you! 3w

60 likes4 comments

BarbaraBB

True Biz: From the author of the Women�s Prize longlisted GIRL AT WAR | Sara Novic

#weeklyforecast 23/22

I am looking forward to the tagged book for #CampLitsy but first I have to finish A General Theory of Oblivion for #ReadingAfrica2022.