Welcome to Litsy!

This is another superb selection from the #NBAlonglist for nonfiction! Thomas was an anthropology grad student when he started participating in fighting wildfires. Here he details that part of his life and weaves in the history of indigenous land management via fire and the environmental/climate change side of the story. It makes for a very rich reading experience. I can‘t recommend this enough.

A shockingly high percentage of former foster kids end up either in jail or homeless. Rowe chronicles the stories of 6 former foster kids to reveal this phenomenon while buttressing her narrative with data from studies. She also tells of some people who are trying to change things for these kids. This is sobering, searing, and absolutely superb.

#NBAlonglist, nonfiction

This sly little book examines upward mobility, what we‘re “supposed” to want, and the emptiness that often results. I really liked this. I would have liked it to have more of an edge to pump it up to loved status for me, but it‘s really good.

#NBAlonglist, translated literature

This is the story of Edward McCabe, a black politician in Kansas who hatched the idea as Oklahoma was becoming a state of having it be a black-only state. I love that this man existed and that his story is being told, but I found this a bit dry. It may have been the audio, so if you try this, I would suggest print.

#NBAlonglist, nonfiction

Another odd #nbalonglist (translated) choice. In costal Uruguay, fish suddenly started dying, birds left the sky, and people got sick. In this strange dystopian world, a woman is paid to care for a child with a syndrome that causes extreme eating while keeping tabs on her mom and hospitalized ex-husband. Honestly, I didn‘t get this at all until about halfway through. The pieces came together a bit but not a very enjoyable reading experience.

I finished this #nbalonglist choice today, and it‘s definitely a “wtf did I just read, but I like it” book. A woman is sent to infiltrate a group of eco-extremists in Southern France. Honestly, that main plot was just okay, but when the MC gets into emails by the anthropologist who inspires the group — that was fascinating! Stuff about Neanderthals, the Cugot Rebellion, and Polynesian seafaring. Enthralling, but really out there!

One of the most realistic portrayals of depression I've read. Hand this to teens who loved IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY or GABI, A GIRL IN PIECES. #nbalonglist #weneeddiversebooks #yalit

Oh, this was just beautiful. Whether describing the Texas landscape or the workings of the human mind or heart, Paulette Jiles has a masterful way with words, and the story she's told here is one I'll remember for a long time. This book absolutely deserves its spot on the #nbalonglist.