Welcome to Litsy!

"It's just life, that's all it is "
I am sad I do not enjoy Strout more. She has all the right ingredients, she just isn't for me. I like the juxtaposition between sweet and scandalous. But I had a hard time keeping track of the characters. About half way I decided to take the book like I was overhearing gossip of strangers at a coffee shop, it didn't work as well as I had hoped. Not my favorite on the list but I understand why people enjoy her

Weekend reading

Tell Me Everything the last book for me to read on the Women's Prize shortlist. It didn't win but people seem to love it, and my ex- MIL sent me a copy after she read it so I am going to try it. I read Olive years ago and feel meh about it.

People in the Room is a #WomenInTranslation book from Argentina

Hated it. Sorry.

I've posted a long rant on Goodreads, but don't read it if you loved the book.

⭐️⭐️

I love these books about ordinary "unrecorded lives", and especially in audio. They make me curious about, and more kindly disposed towards, all the people in my life whom I barely know (and who, frankly, I generally prefer to keep at arm's length).

As for the book itself, I'm glad of the chance to have got to know Bob Burgess a whole lot better, and it feels right that Lucy and Olive should meet at last.

When I first started this, I was CONVINCED I would hate it. The patronising, over-explained writing, the first world problems, the incessant weather descriptions, the whole world doting on Lucy Barton...

And yet... I genuinely do think I'm getting into it.

Normally I hate a tacked-on murder mystery, but it's actually nice to be reading something gentle for a change.

Loved this book, as Ive loved each one in this series. It was wonderful to see Lucy meet Olive and wonderful to hear more about Bob. Amidst all the sad stories, Bob‘s steadfast kindheartedness really spoke to me.

And I wanted to show you the gorgeous flowers in my local cafe. @Reggie this is the cafe that keep giving me extra danishes and banana bread and upending my decisions to avoid sweets! 😝😝

I‘m really torn with this; I can‘t decide whether it is quietly majestic, or just a, sometimes repetitive, back and forth between the residents of a small town. On balance I think, perhaps, that you ignore the power of this gentle story at your peril (and also beware that it contains unexpected darkness). I never once wanted to pick it up, but was hooked every time I did.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 This one is hard for me to rate. I struggle with Strout—I find many of her characters to be annoying and not people I would enjoy spending time with, so bringing together two characters I didn‘t care for in her previous books didn‘t endear this to me, but I did enjoy the Bob parts of the story here and that helped. Overall soft pick from the #WPF25 short list.

I ended up LOVING this story but in the middle? I was thinking that if I hadn‘t already had an overflowing adoration for the series, I wouldn‘t find it as heartwarming. Weird. So, never mind! IF you are “INTO IT” then this is fabulous- especially because Olive and Lucy meet! Totally delightful, full circle, so many connections connect 😆

I was in tears near the end and took a pause to text a friend to make sure she was a Strout fan. Yes! 👇

For the first 40% of this book, I enjoyed it but didn‘t love it. Then I stalled out and almost bailed (I should have). I forced myself to finish because of the Women‘s Prize, which this has no business being on, so much treacle! Between this and the loathed (by me) All Fours, I‘m seriously side-eyeing this longlist. #WPF25

Strout tells stories the way my husband says I tell stories (we both wander and interrupt ourselves) and yet I could never hope to speak as beautifully as she writes. Her books find meaning in the simple things and as a reader I feel like a fly on the wall in people's homes. Strout's books illustrate that everyone has a story worth telling. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series to really enjoy these wonderful tales. 4/5 stars

A lovely read , lovely writing, characters, I can‘t fault it. Just like you all said. I loved it and looking forward to more.

This was a Christmas present , and my first Elizabeth Strout . I‘m probably reading the wrong one first , but I‘m halfway now … What have I been missing ! I love it.

I loved this novel featuring Olive Kitteridge & Lucy Barton. Strout has a way of writing that is gentle but compelling - the dramatic moments are subtle & intimate but I couldn‘t put it down. I think it‘s her simple prose and her characters - real and unadorned, they‘re great company. I love the Maine setting - crisp air & natural beauty. Strout evokes this in her characters.

I really love Elizabeth Strout and how she writes stories that feel like they are about real people. This book, bringing back all her Crosby, Maine characters, centres on them telling each other stories of people they know and people they don‘t, not as gossip but more bearing witness to lives lived with struggle, pain, grace and love.

I think Strout‘s writing is simply perfection, and I loved this account of Lucy, Bob, Olive and the Crosby, Maine gang. The interconnected-ness of their lives was fascinating, but it‘s as if nothing and everything happens simultaneously. Strout just can‘t be beat.

This wouldn‘t be a good choice as the first one of Strout‘s books I don‘t think, but because I‘ve grown to love these characters it was so lovely to get to spend more time with them. I love her quiet observations about people - she has a real gift for that. And the audio as always was wonderful.

“Well, phooey. I feel connected to you too. So there.” She stuck out her tongue.

lol, I feel seen! 😅🙋‍♀️🦄🌵

Jimmy Fallon, anyone? “H‘s are ewwww!!” 🤣

Oh I love her writing, her characters, Maine description and the weaving of all those residents back into this tale of life and love, love is love.
I feel a yearning to re read all her others.
And I truly hope she writes more about these characters and Maine.
I devoured it during the stirms over the weekend and now feel bereft:(

I‘ve loved all her books, from Olive Kitteridge to My Name is Lucy Barton to all the others. We follow all the same characters from book to book, and they‘re so real. Their conversations are so real, their feelings are so real, their personalities are so real. I always feel as though I‘ve really read something when I finish one.

The one is about the heaviness of human life & the lightness that we can sometimes bring to it by sharing our burdens. The book continues the stories of Olive, Bob & Lucy, intermingling and overlapping them as the three characters walk through their later years in Maine. There‘s a focus on the importance of sharing our stories, even the ones that don‘t seem to have a point. It helps mitigate the loneliness that can come. It‘s a bit heartbreaking.

Talk about a #mustreadauthor. Had to go grab this latest Lucy Barton, where Strout brings a bunch of characters, including cranky 90yo Olive, together. Let‘s hope it‘s not the last 📚🤞🏼💕.

How good is Elizabeth Strout? 💕#currentlyreading

Nearly matches my bag.
But not quite.
#BookshopDay #UK

On the photo is my room at Gladstone‘s! And that‘s where I just finished this book. I loved being in Lucy‘s company again and I was happy to reconnect with Bob and Olive. Strout writes as beautiful as ever and yet it‘s not my favorite of hers (you were right @squirrelbrain !). It felt as if she had so much to say that she had to put a dozen different stories in just this small book. #gladstones24

A story about stories and love. Strout brings together all of her beloved characters from previous novels. I adored this book. The ending is perfect! My only hope is that this doesn't mean the author won't continue writing her amazing novels.

22-30 Sep 24
I love the Lucy Barton series and this was just wonderful. I have been scouring the internet for the Olive and Burgess Boys in the same hardcover format, but to no avail.
This books sees Lucy back with William and living in Maine where she has befriended Bob Burgess and also Olive Kitteridge. They recollect stories and follow the investigation of one of Bob‘s clients for murder.
None of which explains why I love it so much. I just do

I feel so good about this grid. I wanted to read each book before I pulled into seasonal reads. And of course, Strout wins the tag!

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

This book brings together my favorite Strout characters from ALL her books and features a beautiful friendship between Lucy and Olive. A can‘t miss if you enjoy hopeful books about friendship, love, and community.

A man has been accused of murdering his mother, and Bob Burgess takes the case. Meanwhile, other people in his circle‘s lives start falling apart. He tries to balance it all to help his family, client, wife, and community.

A reading realization I‘ve come upon over the last few months is that I really like quiet books and Elizabeth Strout soothes my soul. Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess, and Lucy Barton all together in the same book - yes, to that! Lucy and Bob‘s friendship was so interesting, and I was completely entertained by how Olive and Lucy came to meet and share stories. I loved this.

All about Maine with today‘s little #bookhaul. And both continuations of series!

I still really liked this, but it‘s not my favourite ‘Lucy Barton‘ book. As well as Lucy, Bob Burgess is highly featured, as is Olive Kitteridge.

Early on, there were too many disparate threads and inconsequential stories about characters we‘d never met before. The book soon picked up though, as Bob becomes involved in a murder investigation - I wished this had been the whole focus of the book.

#netgalley
Published 19th Sept in the UK.