Welcome to Litsy!

You think the Grimm fairy tales are dark and twisted. Just wait until the women of the story decide that they‘ve had enough.

13 beautiful, lyrical, and dark retellings of 13 different fairy tales. I desperately need to listen to these on audio during a dark autumn evening. All about the patriarchy‘s control of our bodies and voices, and the feminine rage unleashed to control our stories. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

When the Bob-Whites get the chance to travel the Mississippi, they couldn‘t be happier. Then Trixie & Honey find a bundle of papers that lead them to a mystery bigger than anything they‘ve seen before.

Wow! This was much higher stakes than we usually get in this series. But also the whole group acting more responsibly when higher authorities get involved. You‘d think everyone would be more trusting of Trixie‘s instincts by now, though. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

When Toto & his human Dorothy are swept away in a tornado, he was not expecting a land of magic, political feuds, & revolution. Being a Good Dog was going to get him taken away by Animal Control, so it‘s time to see what a Bad Dog can do.

I laughed out loud so much. A modernized retelling, poking fun @ a lot of tech bro culture & far right wing masculinity, while also providing loving references to the wide spread cultural impact of Oz.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

The discovery of an old letter hidden in the Belden‘s attic leads the Bob-Whites on the trail of a lost necklace & an old plantation house. But they‘re not the only ones seeking the emeralds.

Such fun, & not just because I‘ve also traveled to Williamsburg & Virginia plantations. It‘s also a fun mystery with secret passages, friends working together, drama, & redemption. Some ableist language for a wheelchair user, but not too bad.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

In 1863, Jules Verne wrote a novel of a future Paris. A Paris where the writers & artists are forgotten, & all is done in service of industry & money. & poor Michel is a poet just trying to survive.

This felt just so very sad. Full marks for the terrifyingly accurate predictions of industrialization, the sanitation/devaluation of entertainment, & the rise of capitalism. Stars taken away for a dull plot & really uninteresting characters.🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

An in depth exploration on introversion in a world that currently values extroversion.

This was fascinating! A lot of information, along with personal anecdotes made this an interesting read. I wish I had found this book when I was in high school when I was absolutely convinced I was broken in some way, because I was so introverted. There‘s value in how we see the world. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

What if it‘s not a prince that rescues Rapunzel, but Jack after his Beanstalk adventures? Together they must face faeries, monsters, & secrets to learn the truth of Rapunzel‘s past & save Jack‘s sister.

This was delightful, if a bit long. It gave me big Gail Carson Levine vibes. There are wonderful little references (Andrew Lang‘s fairy books!) throughout a powerful story about the loss of innocence, standing up for yourself, & family.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

W/ old friends coming for a visit, Trixie & the other BobWhites get swept up in the glamour of NYC, a strange statue, & a mysterious poem hinting at a great treasure.

Much bigger stakes in this one, & Trixie‘s recklessness reaches a new high. I really liked how integral Dan was at the end. Loved the intro of Dr Joe, & poor Ms Trask having to corral a bunch of headstrong kids while dealing w/ her own problems.🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

A powerful collection of poetry following Vuong‘s journey of grief after the loss of his mother.

Incisive and sometimes brutal, this is a wonderful collection. But for me, Dear Rose was the strongest poem, by far, and actually brought me to tears & ended up with me texting my mother to let her know I love her. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

The princess is cursed to die by a spindle, she is stolen away & raised as ordinary. But her fairy gifts cause problems, & there is still the curse to worry about.

The scene setting is unparalleled, as I expected from McKinley, but lord the plot is glacial. I think I would have enjoyed this better as an audiobook as the writing is lush & lyrical. & I wasn‘t invested in the romance. I kept thinking Rosie & Peony should get together.🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑