Welcome to Litsy!

For my IRL book club: canceled by a snowstorm! I expected fluffy: it actually tackles serious issues about gender and trans identity, mutually supportive women‘s communities outside mainstream culture, aging, and, of course, magic. Resilient women brought together in childhood have all developed their own specific powers, internal tensions, and affiliations, to find that their property is threatened with destruction and they need to fight back.

I‘m surprised by the low Litsy rating for this one, since I had so much fun with it! A group of sister witches in their 80s have to fight for their home with the help of a plucky teen determined to fight the patriarchy (her dog is named Ruth Bader Ginsburg). I loved the humor and found this to be just what I was looking for.

Here‘s my #BookSpin list for October and my TBR list for #Scarathlon2023 !! #EarlyBirdPoints @PuddleJumper

This story of an elderly coven in danger of losing their home is both whimsical and addresses serious themes like the patriarchy, feminism, aging, sexism, racism, domestic violence, gender identity, and more. The contrast between the unsubtle, heavy-handed themes and the light-hearted writing was somewhat uncomfortable rather than complimentary. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2023/07/review-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-by.ht...

Finished this book today - 📚📚📚 Characters weren‘t charismatic enough, plot was decent and should have been more exciting but wasn‘t necessarily. There‘s great bones here but it fell flat for me. I skipped about 1/3 of the middle and read the last 5 chapters after hitting 50% and I don‘t feel I missed a whole lot 🤷🏻‍♀️

Bookishly related - I‘m a HS ELA teacher & I told my 9th & 10th graders if they went to the public library & got a card or went on the website & got a digital card, I‘d give them extra credit on a summative (re: essay/test) assignment. 97/176 students did it!!! I am so impressed. Some only for credit but at least they did it. I also piloted my Monthly Independent Reading Project this year with them including CAWPILE reviews & it went GREAT! 📚📚📚

While this book was a very girl power, feel good kind of read, it wasn‘t my favorite. I had a hard time getting into it and almost gave up on it several times. And while the characters were likable I had a hard time connecting with them.

This is a very feel good book! So, if you need a pick me up, I recommend it. The messaging is incredibly positive: women power, women supporting women, and being your true self! However, in my opinion, there were a lot of plot points throughout the story that weren‘t addressed at the appropriate time. For example, we find out who is breaking into the house but none of the characters do anything about it. I have to give the book a…
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(3.5/5)

When I‘m not reading from my 2017 short story advent collection (yes, I never read it so five years on, I‘m finally reading it), I‘m working on this one.

F? the Patriarchy but with Witches and I'm so here for that. Wonderful story of Found Family and Aging Disgracefully. "Aging gracefully is a bore. Aging disgracefully is something to be proud of."

Also my Thanksgiving Cactus continues to shine.

Bellies are full. Kitchen is clean. Settling in with my current read.

Five octogenarian witches and this: “I‘m just wondering what you‘re doing at our door.”

“Oh, I‘m here to fight the patriarchy,” the girl replies, smiling widely....... Ruth Bader Ginsburg is here with me, so that makes two of us.”

With that, she slaps her thigh, calling, “Ruth!” An Italian greyhound wearing a crocheted collar bounds to her side."

Loving it! ☺️

Old and new witches work together. Read my mini review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor

Totally didn‘t realize BM is Canadian so 👏🏻👏🏻 yay for Can Lit! An absolutely not scary witch tale centring on a coven of octogenarians getting run out of town and business by the local patriarchy. A social media savvy teenage loner comes to their aid and shenanigans ensue. I quite enjoyed it

Things that make you go “Hmmm”

If you know what to expect ( witch themed rom-com) then it's ok

Sunday mornings are for reading

Bianca Marais creates a feminist witch story for the 21st century. You‘ll enjoy this book if you crave a story with strong characters and clear lines between good and evil. It has a liberal perspective and affirms the natural diversity among the characters. If this appeals to you, then this story from Marais will have you laughing in pleasure.

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com

#teammonstermash #abouthalloween #scarathlon2022

Sorry in advance for all the posts! I need to catch up.

This book was very interesting and I love the way the story unfolded. Women in their 80‘s fighting against the patriarchy. There is an old mystery and a murder you have to follow along with and figure out. I really enjoyed it.

#teammonstermash #scarathlon2022 #scarathlondailyprompts - magic +16pts +15pts
#31by31 #witchathon #spookoween #littenlisten #theoctoberreadathon #pointsathon

Today‘s #scarathlondailyprompt is #magic. My current read is a funny, poignant, magical book about a group of aging witches. Saw it on the library‘s new books shelf and couldn‘t resist. #librarymagic works on me every time.

This story touched on so many social issues that could make you wonder if it is too on the nose but then those well placed zingers go straight to the readers heart. It is a story for everyone to enjoy.

This book took a moment to get into as we jumped between the characters and timeframes, but I really enjoyed the humour, the female friendships, that the acknowledgement that the elderly may still have a sex drive...I noticed some reviewers didn't care for that part, but ask anyone who works with them - they are old, not dead. No worries though, there was nothing graphic. Overall it was a fun read and I gave it 3.5/4 stars.

Review is up!
Funny in spots…slow in spots too

https://reecaspieces.com/2022/08/24/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-by-bianca-mar...

Stop by for an excerpt of this entertaining read.

“Five octogenarian witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor.”

@biancamarais_author
@harpercollins
@parkrowbooks