Welcome to Litsy!

🌟🌟🌟 I listened to this book this month and it is my final #MiddleGradeMarch selection. It felt older than the age group intended, more like a YA or adult book with a child MC. I don't know if many 8-12 year olds would be intrigued with the mix of 1920's setting, art, and adult happenings as little Margaret was. Overall, it was OK but I think the narrator had a cold & she muddled some of the voices when they shared dialogue. @sblbooks @megnews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this. Likable narrator with some heavy themes for middle grades (women‘s rights, mental illness, emotional abuse / manipulation). Several strong female characters that fight back against the patriarchy of the 1920s - very subtle girl power book. #MiddleGradeMarch

Happy #InternationalWomensDay everyone! 100 years after the time of this book and we‘re still fighting for equality!

Started this today for #MiddleGradeMarch and so far, so good! I‘ll admit, it was the cover that drew me in! #CurrentlyReading

⭐️⭐️⭐️ “An eccentric recluse. A self-absorbed newspaper magnate. A shady footman. A mansion with a secret. And one girl who has the moxie to see everything for what it is.”

Super cute book, set in the 1920‘s loosely based on a few historical events. The plot unfolds pretty quickly, but it kept me going until the end. 🙃

I can never resist the Boxing Day Book Outlet sales! They are so good. I actually removed four more books from my cart so feel good about that. I am pretty sure I still haven‘t read any of the books I bought last year though 😬

This was a cute quick read. The plot was a little predictable but the story was going quick enough that it didn't really matter.

I started this last night. Very cute so far. 🙂

I enjoyed this book. It is a bit of a slow burn, but had a fascinating voice and once the mystery evolves the book takes off. I loved that story is told by the main character, Martha, as a very old woman sharing this time as a twelve year old. The story itself includes art, madness, imprisonment, prohibition, alcoholism, and patriarchy - all in the 1929 setting. Probably better for older teens.

I was so tired last night from a challenging week. I went to bed early and now I am up super early and enjoying a coffee and some reading in the quiet before the sun comes up.

Read 40 pages of this tonight - now off to bed 😴😴😴

A stack of #nakedhardcovers for #riotgrams day 3. I enjoyed this challenge much more than I expected! I went through all the hardcovers on my shelves and found some unexpectedly beautiful ones! I had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to use but ultimately decided on this stack because I love the colors!

I bought a ton of new books in 2016. These are still in the pile to be read. #blameitonlitsy #readjanuary

She also wrote The Egg; both charming!

This book started off well, but while it does a great job tying in art, religion, and history (late 20s era), the story disappointed me. The main character jumps to big conclusions without a lot of evidence, and she misses things that seem obvious. Most importantly, she has almost no effect on the outcome! There was another character that would have been a much more interesting lead. Younger readers will likely enjoy it, but it fell flat for me.

Liking this one so far--a good young adult read that's intriguing and mysterious without being scary (so far!). I'm a little bummed I'm reading it on my kindle instead of in the paper version, because the cover is so beautiful. But the words are the same and that's what's important!

Morning book mail! Or it could have been Night book mail. Found the package on my porch this morning.I've been here so no one knocked or rang the bell. Looking forward to both of these! Who's read either?

Middle grade book set in late 1920s New York. Martha works as a maid in the home of the wealthy owner of a newspaper and his wife who is kept locked in an upstairs room because she is "crazy." Martha and the wife communicate through secret codes hidden in artwork and Martha tries to rescue her.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! I mean what's not to love? A guided age mansion, art, myth, an heiress locked away, society scandal? This book (and the cover) pretty much scream, "John, you need to read me!" So I did, and I loved it. F you love a good historical or art mystery, you'll love it too. I'm a little sad it's over now.

So the Robert Harris wasn't doing it for me. This, on the other hand, is exactly what I wanted to read!

A great blend of mystery, art and history, perfect for kids and adults.

I admit that I got this purely based on the beautiful cover, but since it's marketed as a 1920s Westing Game-type mystery, I'm intrigued!

Delightful mystery set in 1920s NYC. Middle grade students will like this blend of art history, mystery and references to mythology. I enjoyed the "pluck, not luck" house maid protagonist and other cast of characters. Author's note proved especially interesting separating facts from fiction.