Welcome to Litsy!

3.5 ⭐

I didn't find this story nearly as engaging as I have others, and I can see why it's gotten a lot of mixed reviews. That said, I did like the #audiobook reasonably well. And the ending was worth sticking with it.

Another McBride excellent read. A poor community in a Pennsylvania town that‘s a mix of immigrant Jews and black people. In the opening, police find a body in an old well, and we don‘t find out who or what happened until the very end. The book isn‘t really a murder mystery; it‘s about everyone who makes up a community and how they intertwine. Laughs, insights, friendships… an outstanding book—masterful. Highly recommend!

I loved this story of a Jewish family who owned a grocery store in a mostly black neighborhood. The characters were well developed and I loved reading about their community and the ways in which they supported each other and those who wanted to tear it apart. 5/5

I haven‘t posted in forever! Enjoying a muggy, cloudy day of reading and wine at the vineyard. Almost done with this book and really enjoying it. #vineyardreads

First book of July. This was so good. We are better together

This was an amazing read! Set around the 1940‘s in Pennsylvania in a town segregated with Jews and blacks and a Jewish grocery store owner who was the heartbeat of the town and befriended everyone. This story intertwines all characters story lines because there is a lot going on.I love these types of stories. Its main characters suffer throughout the entire story but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. a big recommend!#summerreading #kindle

Started this with dinner - no one is home so it‘s just me and my book. Once again I was influenced by the masses and grabbed this to read having no idea what it is about. I‘m drawn right into the story ❤️

3.5/5
Well-written story, it is easy to get attached to the different characters, the storyline about the boy sent to the asylum was very interesting, while difficult to read.
However, the way he structured this novel didn't really work for me. We start with bones being discovered in a neighborhood, then yes, we find out who they belong to, but that mystery isn't used to its full potential, it feels like an excuse to explore the past.

I seriously don‘t know how I feel about this book… I didn‘t love it but I didn‘t hate either… I liked the characters but struggled with the plot and how it was written…. Just not my favorite!

Gave blood today and am now going to relax in the canteen with my book… am hoping to finish it today!

Thanks for the tag @JenReadsAlot

#5joysfriday @DebinHawaii

1. My athletes had success at state track
2. Graduation parties galore
3. Lots of reading time
4. Daily pumpkin and winnie cuddles
5. Movie date with some friends

Oh my, this audio was fabulous. And what a brilliantly crafted story! I trusted the author, and then just got so excited as I saw how it all comes together in the end!

My book club meets Sunday to discuss this one & I‘m certain it‘ll lead to a lively discussion! This character-driven, slice-of-life novel takes place primarily in 1930s Pottstown, PA. The Chicken Hill neighborhood is home to the titular grocery store, run by a Jewish couple whose lives permanently change when they help hide a child from protective services. More heartbreaking than anything else, the audio starts off slow, & finishes too fast!

Great ending. Chona, the grocery store, Pottstown, Dodo the deaf boy, more. Great characters.

24-27 May 24 (audiobook)
Soft pick. I enjoyed the cacophony of mainly Black and Jewish characters living on Chicken Hill and the way McBride was able to flesh out many of their characters and backgrounds. There were, however, a couple of plot lines that I did not really follow - namely the water and Nat‘s history. Perhaps I just did not listen quite closely enough.

For the IRL book group. Doing the immersive reading thing w/ book AND audio. Dominic Hoffman does the narration, and is just as terrific as he was with Deacon King Kong. I love the cover, reminiscent of Jacob Lawrence‘s work. ❤️

“Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other.”
#May2024

I really wanted to love this story but, overall, I found it kind of slow and boring. I loved most of the characters but not a whole lot actually happens. It could be that I would have enjoyed it more in a different mindset - I seem to mostly be able to really get into thrillers right now - but as it stands it was just ok. 🌟🌟🌟

I finished this last night. 4.5/5 ⭐️. Preachy is a spot or two, but overall I enjoyed it. Book addresses poverty, racism, class and other issues. A lot of characters to keep straight. The book is also a mystery when a dead body is discovered during construction. The who, how, and why is an unexpected twist that I enjoyed. James McBride can be difficult to read, but he‘s one of my autobuy authors. The Good Lord Bird remains a favorite. ❤️

What is with the hype? I felt like this book was written for Karens while blundering through problematic tropes. The bit with Chona is no different than a white savior, and why are all of the descriptions of women so sexual? It‘s cringe. Also the way that disabilities are discussed- sure, make this a period piece, but you can do that without calling each character a cripple and denying them any thoughts beyond their physical limitations.

So I liked this but I have to give it a so-so because it took me 5 months to get through this audio. Not sure if it was the narrator or what but I just never seemed interested in turning the book on over any of my podcasts.

Audio 1/1 for #AwesomeApril

3.75/4 ⭐️

This was on my radar for a while but I hadn‘t gotten around to reading it. I‘m glad it was my book club‘s pick for the May meeting.

McBride created a rich setting and is a master storyteller. Though at times the pacing/plot was not as engaging for me. I have read some reviews that mention too many characters, but for me that was just illustrative of the dependence on community for survival on the margins of society.

#WeeklyForecast

No, you aren‘t seeing double. I recovered my old account. Sorry for any inconvenience or annoyance. 😭

I‘m keeping my #WeeklyForecast simple. Two books: one physical, one audio. I‘ve been trying lately to be a more monogamous reader and not plan too much.

I left Litsy in 2020. Apparently I missed it. Such a shame I deleted the account and lost posts and people. But I‘m back and starting all over again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4⭐️/5⭐️

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had good themes and characters. I liked the interplay between different racial groups. And the unconditional love. I struggled at first to keep up with perspective changes but quickly got drawn into the story. Thought it wrapped up nicely.

Work reads while it‘s slow! So far am enjoying this one. @pdxannie will let you know - have heard good things!

I read this for book club. I didn't understand it. There was a mystery that I completely forgot about and by the time it got back to that I didn't care. There were parts I enjoyed at the time but I couldn't tell you what they were because they didn't stick with me. Very disappointing.

While I found the first 1/2 to 2/3 of this novel to be more well put together compared with the latter portion, which felt a little rushed, I really enjoyed the characters and relationships. McBride draws rich characters and skillfully shows how groups of people interact with one another and react to circumstances of inequality and bias. There's a feeling of being trapped and looking for/seeking to create a small bit of breathing room.

I found this novel somewhat messy with all its characters and storylines but I did enjoy reading it. It's a heartwarming story set in a 1970's Pennsylvania neighbourhood with primarily Jewish and Black residents.

#LitsyToB24 @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB
#FabulousFebruary @Andrew65

James McBride has done it again - I love the way he weaves together so many disparate storylines into one cohesive narrative arc, where even tertiary characters feel fully realized. In the poor neighborhood of a small town in Pennsylvania early in the 20th century, the Black and immigrant Jewish communities come together to protect a Deaf boy. A beautifully realized novel.

While it starts off as a mystery when a skeleton is found in a well in 1972, we flash back to the 1930's in a small town in PA.. There, in the poor section of town, immigrant Jews & African Americans live side by side & work together to hatch an escape plan when a young black boy is unjustly sent away to a reformatory.
Beautifully told story with an array of diverse and interesting characters that beautifully unfolds into a compelling narrative.

Desperately trying to get into something ANYTHING but I fear I‘m too distracted for this. Maybe I‘m just distracted by the tacos. 🤷🏻‍♀️

This book isn‘t for everyone but I really liked it. It‘s 1925 in a small town in Pennsylvania and the blacks and the Jews uneasily support each other and struggle together to survive their impoverished state. It‘s a story of love and hate and kindness and compassion and the characters come to life in many ways as they come together to try to keep one child safe. Don‘t miss the acknowledgments at the end as they‘re incredibly inspiring.

I really enjoyed this. McBride expertly portrayed the ways a community systematically cut off from resources, works around barriers to support one another. I loved the way he led us through various characters and stories to illustrate the creativity required to get things done. He succeeded at both showing the strength of the citizens of Chicken Hill while also not diminishing the racism they faced, at both individual and structural levels.

A poor neighborhood of mostly Black and Jewish people in the 1930s, looking past their differences especially in times of need, while the white people who live down the hill look down their noses and fail to recognize the value of this beautiful community. Some things never change, but I loved this little world McBride built.

January 2024
Annie's Farewell, Adios Bitchados!

While parts of this really sparkled for me, I needed more of a cohesive plot than it provided. Overall this was a heartwarming story about a mixed Jewish and Black neighborhood in Pennsylvania in the 1930s. The first half centered around Jewish immigrant Moshe and his American born wife Chona and the second half on African Americans Addie and Nate and their ward, Dodo.

#LitsyToB24
#52BookClub24 character-driven novel

In the beginning it was slow and rambling and I was tempted to quit. But then suddenly I was caught up in the story and the characters and I was swept along until the end. Not sure I could tell you everything that happened but glad I stuck with it.

I‘ve seen a lot of mixed reviews for this, but I really, really enjoyed it. It‘s the first book this year I‘ve totally been able to disappear into. Yes, it meanders, and there are a fair few characters to get your head around, but I loved getting to know the characters of Chicken Hill, perhaps I need a new motto (“be more Chona?”) and he managed to ramp up the tension at the end. Massively looking forward to reading McBride‘s other books.

it was ok

#MotivationalMonday @Cupcake12

1. Self-care all week. Full weekend planned.
2. Calendar on my phone
3. Chicken Hill, Pennsylvania

Congratulations @marleed 🎊🎉🎈 you are the winner of the tagged book in honor of Black History Month! Can you email me your address? Loverofbooks75@gmail ! Thank you all for participating!

#BlackHistoryMonth
#LitsyLove

February is Black History Month! To celebrate I‘ll be hosting a few giveaways! These are open to US only unfortunately due to shipping costs.

To enter for a chance to win the tagged book please answer the questions below!

Who is your favorite Black author?

What book do you think is a must read for Black History Month?

Please share and tag friends! Everyone is welcome to answer!

#LitsyLove #BlackHistoryMonth

I suppose this Saturday relief cover malarkey isn‘t that bad. Trying to squeeze in 15 mins train reading before I start.

Really enjoying this book. Yes, it‘s meandery, but I find I can sink right into it. Has to be back by Friday, so we might need to speed up a bit.

A few of you have said it‘s not his best. Would love to know which James Macbride books I should be stacking then…