readingtheAmericas

My 2024 reading. Highlights for me were doing some deep dives for #FoodAndLit, reading all of the Station Eleven books in a row over a couples of weeks for #AuthorAMonth, reading around the world for #ReadingAfrica #ReadingAsia #ReadingTheAmericas and #ReadingOceania (none of which I have completed so I‘ll still be going in 2025), the hilarity of #HashtagBrigade, #CampLitsy, and numerous other challenges that have made my reading life so rich.

Megabooks, Soubhiville, BarkingMadRead, Texreader, Librarybelle, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB, Catsandbooks

Librarybelle Excellent reading stats! 4mo

BarbaraBB Looking forward to another year of this with you (edited) 4mo

Megabooks Glad you enjoyed CL! Already excited for 2025! 4mo

See All 8 Comments

Ruthiella Fantastic stats! 👍 4mo

squirrelbrain Glad you had fun at #camplitsy! ❤️ 4mo

AnnCrystal 📚👏🥳👍💝. 4mo

bthegood 🥳🥳 4mo

Catsandbooks Wonderful! 🎉👏🏼 4mo

65 likes8 comments

azulaco

Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City | Greg Grandin

I‘m slowly making my way through this one in 20-minute bites each night, while my kids do their evening reading time for school. Wow, Henry Ford was such a crank. And SO SO SO on the autism spectrum. Between him, and Dr. Kellogg up at the Battle Creek Sanatarium…what the heck was going on up there, Michigan? Also, Ford reminds me of H. Ross Perot, but with antisemitism and paranoid xenophobia. #readingtheamericas #brazil

8 likes

Texreader

Blackbeard: The Birth of America | Samuel Marquis

pick

Having read a number of books about piracy (thanks to #readingtheAmericas) I have a decent grasp of its history. This is a fictional account of Blackbeard‘s life that follows closely to how he is viewed by modern historians. He was a bombastic pirate who chose to scare the bejeezus out of people to get them to surrender, which worked marvelously. Supposedly he never killed a soul until he was in a battle against the British come to arrest him.⬇️

Catsandbooks

Texreader He made his base in #Jamaica for most of his pirate years. While told from Blackbeard‘s perspective it sometimes is told by Caesar, a slave freed by Blackbeard. It‘s a good and faithful story from what we know from history. And it‘s mostly well-written. But it‘s long and can just drag in places. There are long passages and sometimes whole chapters in which all we read about is what is in a character‘s mind. And then, those parts are often ⬇️ 8mo

Texreader repetitive. An example: We know Lieutenant Governor Spotswood hated Blackbeard, wanting him captured. I‘m not sure why we were beat over the head with this fact repeatedly. The chapters told from Spotswood‘s perspective are the least compelling. Sadly, for such a good book so well written, the fact that it is such a long slog for this reason, it‘s a low pick. #foodandlit 8mo

Catsandbooks 👏🏼🇯🇲🏴‍☠ 8mo

47 likes3 comments

Texreader

Two Spies in Caracas: A Novel | Moises Naim

https://apple.news/Aoerj8gG6TD-92HJbEezumQ

Reading in the tagged book about Hugo Chavez‘s disastrous years as dictator, it‘s true the more things change the more they stay the same. And having read many books last year for #readingtheAmericas and the USA‘s historical support of South and Latin American dictators 😡, I finally understand and support reviving these sanctions.

I feel a little more knowledgeable thanks to Litsy!

#foodandlit

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB, Catsandbooks

42 likes

Bookwormjillk

Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela | William Neuman

pick

This recent history of Venezuela once again made me realize how little I know about what‘s going on in the world. Thank goodness for books and reading challenges. #FoodAndLit @Catsandbooks @Texreader Still #ReadingTheAmericas @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB You‘re so right. About Venezuela and about books. I love that you‘re still reading The Americas 🙌🏽 (edited) 13mo

Librarybelle So true!!! 13mo

Catsandbooks Fantastic! 🇻🇪 13mo

Roary47 Yay! This is on my list I‘m glad to see you liked it. 🥰💛 13mo

64 likes4 comments

azulaco

The Feast of the Goat: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa

I didn‘t get close to finishing #readingtheamericas2023, but I want to continue it, so I‘ll be #readingtheamericas in 2024 as well. I‘ll be using the books in the Around the World in 80 Books challenge on Goodreads as well. Anyone else still #readingtheamericas in 2024? @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle thanks for hosting and have a good time #readingoceania2024!

Librarybelle Sounds like a great plan! 1y

BarbaraBB I am sure you‘re not the only one! 1y

Susanita We watched the movie at my old office. It was…awkward. 1y

Sace Almost 5 months in to 2024 and I‘m just discovering readingtheamericas. 😂 going forward I‘m going to try to add that theme to my reading life. I‘ve got so many books on my shelves that would fit. 12mo

11 likes4 comments

Texreader

Untitled | Untitled

2023 was an excellent year. I finished the challenges I set out to finish. I read lots more than just books for challenges, such as several books about the history of Italy for my epic trip there and at least one chunkster, Papillon

Thanks to some overlap here are the totals:
#LitsyAtoZ 118
#Foodandlit 20 for 12 countries
#AuthoraMonth 13 for 12 authors
#ReadingtheAmericas at least 50 for 50 countries
#SeriesLove2023 17

Thanks to all the hosts!

Soubhiville, Amiable, Librarybelle, Andrew65, BarbaraBB, TheSpineView, Catsandbooks

Librarybelle Excellent!!! 1y

Gissy Congratulations📚📚📚🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏 1y

Texreader @Gissy @Librarybelle Thanks very much y‘all! Compared to a lot of folks on Litsy, it‘s a pretty low number and I‘ve learned to accept that. I get the total every year but it‘s not my goal. I absolutely love the challenges. 1y

See All 13 Comments

TheBookgeekFrau Congratulations 🎊🎊 1y

Texreader @TheBookgeekFrau Thank you! So much fun to get those challenges knocked out and to find such great books (and a few duds) doing them! 1y

Catsandbooks That's amazing!! 👏🏼👏🏼💖 1y

Amiable Thanks for the tag but I didn‘t host any of these challenges! 😬 1y

TheSpineView Well done!📚📚📚 1y

Andrew65 That;s brilliant and well done on finishing #ReadingTheAmericas2023, I‘ve still got a few countries, and especially the small islands, to mop up. 1y

Texreader @Amiable I ran out of space but I did do a chunkster. Isn‘t that your challenge? 1y

Amiable @Texreader Yes! I was thinking that I thought you‘d done a chunkster but I couldn‘t remember which one(s) — I still have PTSD from “Clarissa,” I think. The brain is slow. 😄 1y

Gissy @Texreader Every year is different and sometimes, there books that take time to read them because of the length of the book or because the topic. There are month were we are just busy🤷🏽‍♀️But keep trying to read. You did it fantastic. If you say to any person that you read 118 books in a year, they will be surprised. That is a lot, even 50, 20 books is an amazing amount, with work, family and daily duties, it‘s fabulou. 1y

Texreader @Gissy thanks! You are so right. Numbers fluctuate for so many reasons. When I first joined litsy years ago I felt so inadequate when I‘d see other folks‘ numbers (my numbers were much much lower). I‘ve definitely upped my game but it‘s still so inconsistent. So I‘ve learned not to let them bother me. 1y

61 likes13 comments

dabbe

Wintergames | Litsy Litsy

#USS #WinterGames

Hi, Ugly Sweaters and all @WinterGames Participants:
I will try to post a Readathon bulletin every day in the hopes that it will help you and me keep track of all of these wonderful reading events. I fit them all on one board, so all you have to do is look at this board as your first step to see which readathons you participated in for that day.

Shoutouts and thank-yous to all of the wonderful Litsy hosts is below. 🩵❄️🩵

TheBookHippie, Texreader, Andrew65, Ruthiella, Catsandbooks, Patchshank, TheAromaofBooks, PuddleJumper, GHABI4ROSES, peanutnine

Clwojick Hey guys! @dabbe is FAR more organized than I am when it comes to the daily events, so check back on her profile frequently if you‘d like to refer to her event lists. ❤️ #TeamEvergreen 🌲 @TEArificbooks @Larkken @LizPixie @Jadams1776 @vonnie862 @PathfinderNicole @skygoddess1 @AsYouWish🎄 1y

dabbe Tagging the #USS team (I ran out of room on the original post!) 🤣
@AnnR @ShananigansReads @Allylu
@sebrittainclark @LeeRHarry @CindyMyLifeIsLit @NikkiM5 @Q84 @PageShifter 1y

dabbe @Clwojick I couldn't have done ANY of this without you, @StayCurious and all of our other lovely leaders/hosts/creators! 🩵❄️🩵 1y

See All 58 Comments

Andrew65 Thanks for this. There is also a bingo board for #Rushathon for anyone interested. 1y

Julsmarshall Tagging team #restinggrinchface on this amazing post from @dabbe which beautifully tracks all the various #readathons and points. Check in with her often to refer to her amazing lists! @Airykah13 @AmandaBlaze @Coueriamb @tdrosebud @Bookworm54 @katiekat311 @Sarahreadstoomuch 1y

Andrew65 @Deblovestoread @Blerdgal_fenix @mcipher @candc320 @Peanutnine @TheAromaofbooks @Andrew65 @5280reader @Kay.the.bibliophile #SantasBookshELVES 1y

LiseWorks I absolutely needed this. You are amazing for thinking of this. 1y

Bookwormjillk #GangstaWrappers if you‘re not already following the lovely @dabbe you should! Look at what she put together for the readathons! @Pigpen_Reads @Jerdencon @JessieKB @bthegood @Traci1 @MidnightBookGirl @fandom_hellspawn99 @Alora 1y

Traci1 This is fantastic. Thanks! 1y

Texreader ❤️💚❤️💚 1y

AnnR Awesome! Thanks so much! 😍🎄👍 1y

JenReadsAlot You are amazing!! 1y

Texreader Another note: if you‘re doing other challenges like I do, like #foodandlit #authoramonth and #readingtheamericas if the books fit the challenge then those should count as well!! @Emilymdxn 1y

Jadams89 Awesome! I also have A Very Merry Bingo that runs all month. #AVMB23 1y

AnnR @dabbe, I hope you don't mind me adding this info... Since I was confused about readathon participation criteria, I posted a question yesterday on my homepage. A lot of very helpful hosts gave specific answers for their individual readathon(s) requirements. You can check it out here:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2669763
If you cannot see the post, please send me a friend request as my profile setting is set to private. 1y

peanutnine #SantasBookshELVES make sure you follow the lovely @dabbe for updates 😍
@Deblovestoread @Blerdgal_fenix @mcipher @candc320 @TheAromaofbooks @Andrew65 @5280reader @kay.the.bibliophile 1y

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Thanks so much for this @dabbe !!! 1y

Deblovestoread This is such a huge help! Thank you, thank you. 💚❤️💚 1y

tdrosebud This is such a help! Thank you @dabbe 1y

PuddleJumper So organised! @BarkingMadRead @Maggie4483 @Ash.on.the.line @Marmie7 @Nazgul93 @Crazycatperson @ImperfectCJ @faranae

1y

dabbe @Andrew65 I'll add that to tomorrow's post! Thanks! 🤩
1y

dabbe @Julsmarshall 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @LiseWorks 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Bookwormjillk 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Traci1 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Texreader 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @AnnR 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @JenReadsAlot 🩵❄️🩵 1y

Andrew65 @dabbe Thanks 😍 1y

dabbe @AnnR Of course I don't mind! Whatever helps all of us, right? Thanks for posting! I might try to somehow include all of this info for the new post tomorrow. Unless it drives me bonkers! 🤪 1y

dabbe @peanutnine 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @TheAromaofBooks 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Deblovestoread 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @tdrosebud 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @PuddleJumper 🩵❄️🩵 1y

StayCurious #TeamWreathItAndWeep check out what the amazing @dabbe made to help us keep track of readathons! @melissajayne @keys_on_fire @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @julieclair @JenReadsAlot @Lin3han @GHABI4ROSES @ncsufoxes 1y

julieclair @dabbe You are my hero! Thanks for this! 1y

Larkken Wow! This is incredible! 1y

Alora Thank you so much!!! 1y

Lin3han You are such a queen for thiz 1y

Catsandbooks Hey #CandyCaneCrushers check out the lovely @dabbe 's wonderful board of readathons happening each day! @light_of_aether @curvycrochetgirl @cupcake12 @alldebooks @debbiegrillo @fortifiedbybooks @dieareader @OriginalCyn620 @hp-lover9000 1y

Cupcake12 Thank you x 1y

OriginalCyn620 @dabbe You are a rock star! Thank you so much! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😊 1y

DieAReader Fantastic! Thanks so much❤️‍🔥📚🤓 1y

dabbe @StayCurious 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @julieclair 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Larkken 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Alora 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Lin3han 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Catsandbooks 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Cupcake12 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @OriginalCyn620 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @DieAReader 🩵❄️🩵 1y

Julsmarshall Hey Team #Restinggrinchface check out the lovely @dabbe 's wonderful board of readathons happening each day! @Airykah13 @AmandaBlaze @Coueriamb @tdrosebud @Sarahreadstoomuch @katiekat311 1y

Airykah13 @Julsmarshall ooh thanks! I‘d missed some of these! 1y

dabbe @Andrew65 You bet! 🤩 1y

dabbe @Julsmarshall 🩵❄️🩵 1y

dabbe @Airykah13 🩵❄️🩵 1y

59 likes58 comments

Texreader

Hunter of Stories | Eduardo Galeano

pick

This is a book of stories, no doubt, but the vast majority are a minute or shorter! Less than a handful are 3 or fewer minutes. It could be hard to grasp some of it since they are so short and I listened to it rather than read it. But some “stories” were so profound, I‘m going to have to find the IRL book. The author was from #Uruguay but he shared morsels from all over the world: quotes, news, history, thoughts. But I did love his references ⬇️

Texreader to his love of soccer (football) and the team from Uruguay that won the World Cup in 1950. The storyteller went from thoughtful and sedate to leaping out of the speakers with delight talking about soccer. While a few things I didn‘t like, including his reverence for some politics, I found this book so rewarding. A completely unexpected and delightful choice for #readingtheAmericas. @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB 1y

Librarybelle Sounds very interesting! 1y

Aimeesue I always mean to read more Galeano. I read Children of the Days and really loved it. Such a different style. He says so much with so few words.

Children of the Days: A Calendar of Human History

49 likes3 comments

Texreader

From Shakers to Spiritual Baptists: The Struggle for Survival of the Shakers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Adrian Fraser

pick

Shakerism attracted the poorest of the poor in #SaintVincentandtheGrenadines, mostly descendants of slaves, who couldn‘t afford the “fees” to belong to the established religions. Shakers worshipped God with their whole bodies, shouting and (heaven forbid, apparently) jumping, which those opposed attributed to barbaric African culture. After decades of oppression, a law was passed in 1912 prohibiting it. Then came decades to try to repeal it. ⬇️

Texreader This book (yes, the cover has no title) describes the many attempts to repeal the law and the arguments by those opposed. It is extraordinarily well-researched, cited, and well-written. It‘s very legalese, but since I‘m an attorney used to it, I found it comfortable reading for the subject matter, although sometimes tedious. The subtle points are made brilliantly though—the importance of freedom of religion and how easily it can be taken away. ⬇️ 1y

Texreader And how difficult it can be to get that freedom back. I‘m so glad I chose to read this book simply by its unusual title and the fact the islands were in the #readingtheAmericas challenge. @librarybelle @BarbaraBB 1y

Librarybelle Fascinating! 1y

40 likes3 comments

Welcome to Litsy!

Trending Hashtags

Trending Books