Welcome to Litsy!

The Bandit Queens and I are off to Boston for the WNBA National meeting (not that basketball one, the book one). Tomorrow night there‘s a presentation of the WNBA award to Eve Bridburg, the founder of Grub Street. I‘ll actually dress-up, something I almost never do anymore. It‘s at Porter Square Books and I‘m probably most excited about seeing a new indie bookstore. 😁

Well, will wonders never cease? I got my Social Security check today after all. And the first thing I did was buy my Audible copy of the tagged book for #CampLitsy23. I believe I‘m enjoying it and will have all my chapters listened to in time for the discussion this Saturday. Oh, and after all the hand-wringing and finagling by the politicians, the legislation cleared the House and goes to the Senate. I think I pretty much despise all politicians.

Just started this for #CampLitsy23 and it‘s already coming with the zingers! If you can‘t laugh at this, then you aren‘t parenting right.

Have read up to chapter 16 so I‘m ready for the first #camplitsy23 discussion!
Initial thought in comments 😏

As my library hold was only 2 weeks on this, I decided to read it all at once, instead of only reading the first part for the discussion. This book definitely wouldn‘t have been on my radar without #camplisty23! I‘m glad I picked it up.

It‘s silly, I did laugh out loud once. I wasn‘t expecting some of what happened. And it‘s weird cheering on murderers when you think there has to be a better way! Can‘t wait to discuss!

Oh, how I loved the second half of this book! Don‘t want to say much as we are discussing it June 3rd, but I loved it. Read library version and I‘m going to have to get a copy to keep. ❤️
#CampLitsy

This is a bail - headed back to the library. I am 3/4 in and finding myself skimming, which isn‘t a good sign.

I‘m thinking it‘s just not the right time.

A lighthearted book about domestic abuse and murder! A woman's husband disappears from their small Indian village and everyone figures she killed him. She didn't, but she's enjoying the solitude of her pariah status…until other women decide their husbands need to go too. This book was funny! Far funnier than I expected. At its core is a story of messy female friendship that stressed me out at times, but landed really well overall.

Read through chapter 16 and don‘t want to stop! Very much enjoying this one and so glad I decided to join #camplitsy 😊😊💚💚

Is there a lot more to this story than a tortured romance for Geeta? My 🙄 alarm just went off.

I finished my first #CampLitsy23 read and I really liked it. It was much darker than I thought. I especially enjoyed the Indian setting, such as Phoolan Devi‘s story and the parts about the Dalits. I also liked the dynamics between the women, their conversations and wittiness. Plenty to discuss next week!

(Pic: Cancale, Brittany, France)

Once I got into it I found the story entertaining, but I'm uncomfortable about cheering on murderers & also, although it is important to cast light on the issues, about the representation of Indian society as told by an expat for consumption by westerners. Plenty to discuss at camp! #CampLitsy23 @BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain

I‘ve marked the first section we‘ll discuss for #camplitsy23 but I‘m worried I won‘t be able to stop reading because it‘s soooo good! I‘ll try to save the second section but I may just have to find out what happens to these characters!

Todays #camplitsy holiday pic from Golden Cap in Dorset. We spent the evening on the beach basking in the glow, paddle boarding and eating amazing pizza.

An unintentional vigilante that I cheered on for 85 percent of the book. She trusted and wasn't taken advantage of for a bit but regained her footing in a country where she's not cheered on for speaking, or thriving.

Todays holiday pic- sandy and ☀️. That‘s my little boy getting ready to dive in in the background. #lymeregis #camplitsy So far I‘m enjoying this book. Although I‘m not getting far (too much rockpooling and fossil finding to do!)

Okay, #camplitsy23, I‘m ready! Both are only 2 week holds, so I better get reading!

Holiday reading begins!! #camplitsy

My hold came in. Looking forward to starting camp! Birdie didn‘t love being used as a prop but that‘s only because you all aren‘t here to pet her 😊 #CampLitsy23 #dogsoflitsy

I may be on my lunch break, but my mind is at #CampLitsy23 😎

#libraryhaul from the last 2 days and 2 libraries! 😁

Bandit Queens is of course for #camplitsy23, although I read it a few months ago.

The next two are also #blameitoncamplitsy. Biography of X started out quite strongly in the voting and then tailed off. The Nursery was nominated by @youneverarrived and sounds interesting.

The remaining books are for #readingtheamericas23. @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle

repost for @BarbaraBB:

Hi Campers, here is a friendly reminder that #CampLitsy23 is about to start 🥳

Meg, Helen and I can‘t wait to hang out with you all and discuss the tagged book, our first summer read.

On 3 June we will discuss the first half of the book, until chapter 16. On 10 June we‘ll discuss the second half.

So we hope you‘ve got your copy along with some sunscreen and your bathing suits 👙🏕️📖

Hi Campers, here is a friendly reminder that #CampLitsy23 is about to start 🥳

Meg, Helen and I can‘t wait to hang out with you all and discuss the tagged book, our first summer read.

On 3 June we will discuss the first half of the book, until chapter 16. On 10 June we‘ll discuss the second half.

So we hope you‘ve got your copy along with some sunscreen and your bathing suits 👙🏕️📖

The plot itself is great: vigilante justice, women striking back at their abusers, female camaraderie. The setting is one that doesn‘t often make the mainstream, it dives into the caste system, plight of women in India, shitty NGO microloans. All this to say I wanted to like it, it is the sort of thing I like. but the pacing was slow, the characters personalities didn‘t resonate with me, something in the execution fell flat IMO.

I absolutely ADORED this read! And I can‘t wait for the #camplitsy23 discussions!

A story about “the resilience of women and the power of sisterhood.” That‘s the description in the author‘s note after the epilogue, and it perfectly describes how I related to this one. I was enamored by these women & their relationships. It was heartwarming & darkly funny. I really enjoyed listening to the audio as well. My favorite bonobo ladies! ❤️

#CampLitsy23

@Megabooks @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB

Geeta didn't kill her husband, but the whole village thinks she did. And since her widowhood helped her turn her fortune, other women want to have what she has. But how do you murder another woman's husband without either of you being caught?

Full review: https://scepticalreading.com/2023/05/self-made-bad-ass-widows/

Read for #GladstonerdsBookClub.

I‘m 10 chapters in and I‘m not feeling it. Does it get better? I don‘t want to bail because it‘s my first #CampLitsy23 book. Any encouragement gratefully received.

#AAPI heritage recommendations
Contemporary fiction edition

I am still sore that the tagged didn't make the Women's Prize short list. From what I can see it was an audience favorite. Such a great book..
Tomorrow x3 you have seen it everywhere but have you read it??
All My Rage - Tahir is a wonderful writer. This one of hers is sad, taking on grief and struggles, but the relationship between our main characters was a sweet delight to read.

The first paragraph perfectly describes what was completely wrong with Bolla, the book I read right before this one. Bolla was unrelenting. This book was delightful in the telling of so much that is troubling but you aren‘t beaten into a bloody pulp with the info. The second paragraph is just a reminder to us all that female friendships are absolutely necessary, otherness is not real, and I need to read more about Phoolan Devi.

A great read! I went in expecting an entertaining romp, and it was that, but it‘s also a page turner with social commentary on the caste system and gender. Looking forward to discussing this one at #camplitsy! Pictured here with the dog that lives in our house and who has a lot in common with Bandit in the book. 😁

Whelp… library hold came in EARLY 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

I had so much hope for this story, but it couldn't even call me to it. I wanted to get into this so bad. I would say I will try again, but I have way too many books to read in my lifetime.

This veers a little into "farce" territory at points, but overall I find it to be a clever, hilarious, and insightful look into relationships between women. May we all be bonobos to one another.

As we all know, the first rule of book club… And the second rule… Oh well - let‘s break all of them!

A thoroughly entertaining tale of misogyny and murder, full of dark humour, great characters and the daily expectations of being a woman in India. I went in with low expectations, but I really liked this.

I‘m so pleased it‘s up for Camp Litsy next month as well. Obviously the Women‘s Prize judges were wrong! (Not that I‘ve read any of the others)

An amusing revenge novel that cleverly encompasses commentary on serious social issues affecting village women in India, such as gender, religious and caste discrimination, personal safety, plus deep misogyny. Too bad this Women‘s Prize longlisted title didn‘t make the shortlist.

Wary, he took a step back. “Please don‘t make my bowels boil and fall outta my butt!”
She would have rolled her eyes, but she hadn‘t heard that one before. She could appreciate imagination. “Fine. Your bowels will remain as is.”

“Why doesn‘t he go to the school at home?” Saloni asked.
Khushi shook her head. “He did once, long time back, but the teacher just had him cleaning toilets. I mean, I sent him to school so he doesn‘t have to clean toilets. Ay-ya, I should have charged the school for the labour, but he was five—didn‘t do a great job.

Years later, Geeta knew she hadn‘t joined the chant out of any acute hate, but neither had she possessed enough compassion to abstain. Bystanders shoulder their own blame, and Geeta was now shamefully puzzled as to why a tiny act of bravery had been so beyond her.

I found this book charming. I learned a lot about India. A fun read. #womensprize. Great debut novel.

repost for @BarbaraBB:

Hi Campers! Are you ready to start preparing for our #CampLitsy23 trip? We will read and discuss half a book each week. On Saturdays we will post some questions to discuss the part we‘ve read.

I‘ll be your camp leader in June, when we will read the books above. Meg will post our July schedule, Helen does August. You find Junes‘ schedule in the comments below!

The Bandit Queens takes first place for my April fiction #2023ReadingBracket. But it couldn‘t stand up to The Mercies from last month, or the winner for the year so far: Black Sun. 📚🖤🌞

repost for @Megabooks, @squirrelbrain, @BarbaraBB

Thank you all for voting for your favorites on the #CampLitsy23 longlist!
Helen, Meg and I are excited to share our winners!
We think it's an excellent collection of books to read while camping this summer!

Our June reads will be The Bandit Queens and Birnam Wood. We'll share a reading schedule for all months soon.

We are looking forward to go camping with you next month!

Starting this one!! I‘m excited I‘ve heard it‘s really good! Have you read it?! 💜💙❤️🧡💛

So work has been a mess and I missed posting my wish list for the #womensprize short list.
I have seen the list but still wanted to post what I had hoped would be on there.

*** Big asterisk
I am only 1/3 through Trespasses which I am enjoying but having a hard time picking up with how busy I am. I have not gotten my hands on Fire Rush or Dog of the North, so those three I didn't consider.

I had a blast listening to this. These characters are fun, and I couldn‘t help supporting the ladies as they planned the downfall of the abusive men in their lives. I‘d definitely recommend the audio, terrific narration!

This was fantastic: richly written, human women striking back at injustice complete with dark humor. TW for mentions of r*pe and assault.

It might not have made the #WomensPrize shortlist (as it should have), but for me this wins the "Book I Would Most Like to be Adapted to the Screen" Award. Thoroughly enjoyable black comedy.

I raced through this one from the #WomensPrizeLonglist23 in two days. I loved the blend of humour and deep subject matter, as Shroff confronted gender issues, caste discrimination, domestic violence, and women's agency in a patriarchal society.

Vote Time 🗳️ for #CampLitsy 🏕️
Look for #CampLitsy2023 post today by @BarbaraBB for the list and the form. I wanted to record the books I considered and voted for - based on very limited research… 🤔🤩 I own the tagged book and included authors/titles already on my radar:

The Bandit Queens, Endpapers/Kelly, Burst / MaryOtis, I Have❓ – Rebecca Makkai, Postcard/A.Berest, Memory of Animals /Claire Fuller

Also interested in 👇
(See comments)

This is my wish list for the women‘s prize shortlist, not my prediction but my personal favourites with The bandit queens being my overall winner