Welcome to Litsy!

I‘ve read many a book that is grim & have a capacity to appreciate good writing that moves you to despair. I‘ve never read one that made me question whether reading books was something I needed to stop doing. I‘ve debated how to rate this - the story is certainly realistic and the writing kept me reading. Ultimately, I‘m panning it because it requires lots of crime tape around it. (Caution, caution, this will mess you up & think life is hopeless.)

Lea Ypi‘s memoir of her childhood in Albania while the country undergoes major changes is eye-opening and moving. Her family goes from coveting an empty Coca Cola can as a decorative object, to being able to buy all kinds of soft drinks without even standing in a queue. Excellent audiobook read by Rachel Babbage with the author reading the epilogue.

In my family, everyone had a favourite revolution, just as everyone had a favourite summer fruit.

The mastery of the subtle boundary between following rules and breaking them was, for us children, the true mark of growth, maturity and social integration.

I don‘t know if I even have words to describe this one. It sickened me, broke my heart, and is generally overall hopeless. Arsim is one of the most unredeemable characters I‘ve ever read. The story of how he meets, falls in love, and cares for Milos starts so promising. But he is married, has a child on the way, and is Albanian and Milos is a Serb. The war will tear them apart, but they do that on their own. Homophobia, war, ⬇️⬇️

Here‘s hoping these bright colors bring spring! #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

@Vansa - Your list had SO many books I had never heard of. It was hard to choose!! I stranded you with a nonfiction, three covers I found intriguing, and The Thief, about which I have heard many good things even though I haven't read it yet myself 😂 Good luck being #TrappedonanIsland with these reads!!

@aperfectmjk

I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book. It wasn‘t quite what I expected but it was a very good read.

Giving this one a go for a bit. There hasn‘t been a lot of reading happening round here of late but now the seasonal stuff is over I hope to dive in.

Recommended to me by a friend. This was a delightful story! Basically a spy novel, except instead of James Bond it's a 60-something widow who is bored of Garden Club and volunteering at the hospital. It has most of the same elements as a James Bond novel, but is more upbeat/cheerful. Really fun and quick to read. Good for anyone who likes the action/spy/mystery genres. One of my favorite books so far this year. Definitely Recommend.