Welcome to Litsy!

This historical novel is set in Berlin in 1960 to 1961 in the months leading up to raising of the Berlin Wall. I‘ve read stories set in East Berlin, but always with characters ready to escape. Instead, this one includes a son of a U.S. soldier and his cousin who has grown up in East Berlin believing most of what he has been taught. They become friends during the time when people can still go back and forth between the two sides.

I‘ve read Caroline Alexander‘s book about Shackleton‘s expedition, & I have Alfred Lansing‘s on my shelf, so I couldn‘t resist downloading this audio as well. It‘s more straightforward & scientific in a logbook sort of way than Alexander‘s, but I still found most of it fascinating as a more immediate, first person version. The part about the Aurora got long to me, but other than that, I‘m amazed by this survival story every time I read about it.

Tre is a sophomore, and his family is dealing with the recent death of his older brother. This story is about his family dealing with that grief, but it‘s also about friendship, crushes, the pressure of high school sports, and figuring out how those things work together. It‘s also about a Native American team proving themselves, and includes some action packed basketball games. 🏀

Due to language and alcohol use, I would consider this mature YA.

This was a quick listen as it‘s a middle grade novel in verse. Set in 1944, the story is told in the alternating voices of Claire, a young teenager in Michigan whose older brother is a soldier in Europe, and Karl, a German POW sent to work at her family‘s apple orchard. The author‘s note details how some aspects are based on facts of her own family history.

#audiobook #Librofm #ALC #MiddleGrade #NovelInVerse #HistoricalFiction #WWII

Paired my signed copy with the #ALC from #NetGalley.

Late 19th century. Set in Bristol. Magicians, early moving pictures, séances, found family, betrayals, and a show with a grand final. Likeable and 'authentic' characters.

The narration was good. I had to crank it to 2.25x though to roughly match my reading speed.

The first part of this book centres on Takako, how she moved into the bookshop, met the patrons and neighbours, and became an avid reader. It was very charming.

The second part of the book introduces another character and takes the story into a different direction. It works seeing it as a sequel, but it wasn't as cosy and charming as the first part.

#ARC #ALC #MountARC #NetGalley #audiobook

Low pick

The blurb for this book is clear that it‘s written by a college professor, specifically at the Harvard Business School, but I still thought aspects would be applicable to me. However, I did not find that to be the case. I think it may be most beneficial to someone beginning teaching at a college level after another career. For someone with an education degree and years of experience in public schools, it didn‘t provide new insights.

I truly enjoy this woman. She is kinda gross, but oh so relatable, hilarious, and weird. I *would* say I'd love to meet her, but as a fellow introvert, I say instead, “Nah. I'm good.“

Thanks to #librofm for the #alc!

#audiobook #essays #nonfiction #humor

This book is a combination of incredibly frustrating and inspiring at the same time. I am amazed that someone could go through 30 years on death row due to a wrongful conviction and stay as positive and determined as Ray was able to do.
Audio duration: 7 hours 55 minutes

*I received this #audiobook through the Libro.fm Educator #ALC program. #Librofm

#nonfiction #YRE

This was an interesting short listen. It‘s not so much a retelling as an exploration of how some of the girls in Shakespeare‘s stories might see themselves and wish to change their stories. It focuses mainly on Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia.

Audio duration: 4 hours 22 minutes

*I received this audiobook through the Libro.fm Educator #ALC program.

#audiobook #Librofm #Shakespeare