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Couplets: A Love Story | Maggie Millner

merelybookish 🙌 10h

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jenniferw88, Librarybelle

The Bell | Iris Murdoch

pick

The setting is a small religious community in #Gloucestershire where people find refuge who try to escape the real world. The community values virtue and moral codes but almost everyone disobeys the unwritten rules which set in motion various events, all related to the old bell that has been missing from the bell tower for ages. An enjoyable read but by far not as good as The Black Prince and The Sea, the Sea.
#1001books #UKRoadtrip #192025 #1958

Librarybelle Interesting! 10h

MommyWantsToReadHerBook I do like this one even though it's not her strongest work. 3h

BarbaraBB @MommyWantsToReadHerBook Me too, I had a good time reading it. I jus expected some kind of a twist that didn‘t really come. 2h

55 likes3 comments

Librarybelle, PuddleJumper

The Scapegoat | Daphne Du Maurier

pick

John meets his doppelgänger, a troubled French baron, in a pub. The Baron ensures that John takes his place through a devious maneuver. The new Baron is confronted with complicated family relationships and the imminent bankruptcy of the factory that the family owns. He appears to play a central role in everything and he tries everything to save the family from painful situations. A great gothic read!

#192025 #1957 #Roll100

Librarybelle Stacking! 1d

squirrelbrain Sounds great! 1d

Caroline2 I‘ve this sitting on my tbr shelf for ages, sounds like it‘s time to move it up the pile 👍 1d

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vivastory You had me at doppelgänger 1d

vivastory Also, a fun fact I learned very recently you may know. Two of Hitchcock's movies that were released back-to-back were Du Maurier adaptations: Jamaica Inn & Rebecca (edited) 1d

sarahbarnes Ooooooo…sounds very fun! 1d

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 23h

Megabooks Glad this was chosen for your #roll100! I definitely need to read more DuMaurier 17h

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Very glad! She‘s such a great writer! 12h

BarbaraBB @vivastory It‘s a book you‘ll like I think! I didn‘t know that about Hitchcock. Also I did discover there are two movies based on this novel! 12h

BarbaraBB @Caroline2 Same for me! But I am glad I finally picked it up 12h

73 likes2 stack adds11 comments

The Bell | Iris Murdoch

#weeklyforecast 23/23

I am reading some classics after a lot of contemporary fiction. I am in the midst of both the Murdoch and the DuMaurier and they are great! After these, it‘s time to start reading for #CampToB. Looking forward to it!

squirrelbrain A nice mix of books there! 4d

LeahBergen I must get to The Scapegoat soon! 4d

sarahbarnes I‘m very interested in Couplets! 3d

64 likes3 comments

The Bandit Queens: A Novel | Parini Shroff

BarbaraBB @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame 5d

BarbaraBB
@JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover 5d

AmyG He is trying to support his family. I feel that seems to be a challenge. And if he doesn‘t sell it, someone else will. And if these men are struggling in society, with work etc, no wonder they drink. A vicious cycle. 5d

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BarbaraBB @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures 5d

BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @KarenUK @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads
@Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful 5d

BarbaraBB @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived 5d

Meshell1313 @AmyG yes absolutely agree. It is a systemic problem. 5d

BarbaraBB @RebelReader @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks @Soubhiville @Suet624 @Susanita @Tea_and_Starstuff @TEArificbooks @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs
5d

DGRachel This is a tough question. Yes, he‘s doing this to support his family but you can‘t deny the harmful impact of what he does. It‘s a slippery slope of personal responsibility and accountability versus the culpability of being an accessory or enabler. 5d

Bookwormjillk He seemed almost surprised to hear about the problems the women were facing. But I agree it‘s systemic. 5d

CBee I think he‘s doing what he has to do for his family, especially being a widower. I feel sorry for him but also, frustrated because he does seem a bit blind to what the men he sells to are doing to their wives. 5d

Megabooks @CBee I wonder how much of his blindness has to do with strict separation of the sexes as far as interaction and confidences between married women and men who aren‘t their husbands. 5d

Megabooks I wonder if it would be as bad if the alcohol were sold legally (like if it weren‘t a dry state) because that tharra seems like pretty strong stuff. I agree he‘s doing what he has to do for his family, but it‘s frustrating that it came to that. (edited) 5d

CBee @Megabooks I wonder that too! Could very much be a cultural thing. Plus, he seems to be different from so many of the other men portrayed - kind, a good husband. Despite his choice of profession 🤷‍♀️ 5d

AmyG @CBee @Megabooks I feel like there are many cultural things I am just missing….maybe tharra and the selling of it is one of those. And yes, he seems like the only decent guy around. 🤣 5d

CBee @AmyG same! And yea, pretty much all of the men except Karem are cads!! 5d

Jess I think this is one of the most surprising (and infuriating) things in the book - how the community turns away from the abuse happening right next door. The women see the black eyes and Karem hears the stories but no one does anything because it is private (and clearly acceptable). It is hard to know that this is real life for many women. 5d

Jess I‘m enjoying the relationship between Karem and Geeta. I like how she is not afraid to show him the impacts his business has on the community. Like the line “if you‘d cautioned Ramesh like this, I‘d still have feeling in these two fingers.” 5d

Leniverse It's such a strange situation with him selling a product that he won't touch because he is a Muslim. It really adds to his outsider status. He is Muslim in a Hindu village, the only man looking after children, the one selling illegal alcohol. I think he genuinely doesn't know half of what goes on because he is on the periphery of village society. 5d

LaraReads Oh wow! Great question! Definitely layers here! He is doing it for the reasons he has to, and I agree that just because alcohol is available, it doesn‘t mean that 1) people have to imbibe and 2) he is responsible for their behavior when they do. But definitely a great thought question. I feel the culture of thinking women are properly & less-than is more responsible than Karem! 5d

Soubhiville @AmyG @Megabooks yes I think it‘s systemic. It is hard to see people ignoring abuse or that their friends might be in crisis. Unfortunately I think this happens everywhere there is poverty, and even places that aren‘t stricken. It‘s easier to turn away than offer help, which is sad. 5d

TheBookHippie It‘s the same thing as why do dollar stores and dollar generals put stores in poverty places and drive out mom and pop. Because they can. Money. It‘s so systemic. I think in this story it‘s highlighting value. Who and what has value. Also no world view how does my actions affect the lives of others. Altruism could fix so many things. 5d

JenReadsAlot For him it's business and if he wasn't selling it, someone else would be. 5d

youneverarrived He has to make a living. Doesn‘t he mention to Geeta at some point that he knew she got abused by her husband? So he‘s clearly not blind to what goes on. He maybe would like things to be different? (It reads that way to me so far) but he has a family to support. 5d

TrishB It‘s like a tiny example of capitalism. I‘ll do what I need to do for my family 😞 as @TheBookHippie says 5d

JamieArc @youneverarrived I think he said he found out after he disappeared? 5d

youneverarrived Great questions btw! Made me think about the book differently. 5d

JamieArc This book is full of character/situations that are both light and dark, good and bad. Nothing is wholly good or wholly bad, which I love. Karem and his job are an example of this. If he didn‘t sell alcohol and contribute to the problems in this way, he would be too good. 5d

jlhammar Yes, @Jess , great point! I felt the same. It seemed like Karem's eyes had been opened in many respects. I thought he was a good enough guy, but I his friendship/potential romance with Geeta was not my favorite part. I was all about the women helping women side of things and Geeta being happy without a man. 5d

sarahbarnes Agree with @Megabooks that it seems like it would be different and better if it weren‘t illegal. I guess that‘s the argument against many black markets. 5d

dabbe I don't know much about the culture of this country (but I'm learning!), but maybe it's a guy thing: no man butts into another man's business. Each man is like a god in his own household, so maybe Karem doesn't say anything to Samir and Ramesh because he sees it as none of his business. His business is to sell so that he can feed his kids. He looks out for his own house. But ... he's changing. And so is Geeta, and Saloni ... loving this book! 🤗 5d

DebinHawaii @JamieArc So true—almost everyone in the book so far has some shades of gray to them. I like the conflict that this fosters between the different relationships. It makes for interesting reading. I think I might feel differently about Karem if he were wealthy & a jerk like his friend & not trying to just get by & support his family, but I like him so far & his interactions with Geeta. 5d

Hooked_on_books @JamieArc Yes, I agree! In our oh so binary world we seem to detest nuance, but the reality is that none of us is one thing nor all good/bad. So I love the nuance of this character. And @TheBookHippie Walmart led the way and taught them how! They‘re continuing to harm communities and destroy jobs and economies all over the place. 5d

AmyG @JamieArc I thought the same thing…the good and bad i.e. Geeta seems so harshyet she is actually very kind and caring. @dabbe I also thought that it‘s a man‘s world….nobody interferes in another‘s business. Everyone turns a blind eye as if it‘s all acceptable. 5d

Larkken Hm. I can see how Kareem selling alcohol to abusive men might impact his relationship with Geeta… but I guess I don‘t see otherwise that it is a morally grey act. He seems to me to be brewing a product that he takes pride in, much like another artisan would. As far as not partaking- does Geeta wear the jewelry she makes? 5d

Bklover Exactly what @AmyG said. It‘s a job, and he needs a job. I like Karem, but he does seem to be blind to the effects of this alcohol on the families. When the wives notice the bruises on their friends, what are they to do? Anything they say or do will end up causing even more pain. It‘s sad. 5d

julieclair As others have said, I am really enjoying these nuanced characters. None of them are all good or all bad. This adds such depth to the story, and allows the author to present really complicated social issues in a way that provokes serious thought, even though the book still has a lighthearted feel. 5d

CSeydel @julieclair I agree. I think the author did a really good job of crafting relatable characters who are constrained in various ways by the social structure they live within, without letting the issues overshadow the plot. 5d

batsy @Megabooks Great point about why Karem can be oblivious to the effects of what he sells. I think he's a bit of an interesting character in that I was prepared to hate him but Shroff made him worth thinking about. I do feel like maybe it's a bit of a wish-fulfillment character, because I don't know if that's easy to find a semi-enlightened man in what seems like a very conservative area that Geeta resides in. But that's my cynicism talking 😆 5d

batsy Another layer to it is that I think it's fairly common to simply accept alcoholism as the unfortunate by-product of the incredibly tough lives these men lead, and to assume the wives just have to put up with the abuse. But it's not until he's face to face with one of these women (Geeta) that Karem is made aware of the actual costs on a personal level, and not just as some common knowledge thing. 5d

Megabooks @batsy I get that cynicism and share it a bit! 😂 but it‘s an excellent point about her making him aware of things he might not realize. (edited) 5d

CSeydel @batsy that‘s a really good point. 5d

jenniferw88 Is he actually aware that the Thalla (or whatever it's called) adulterated? Yes he has to make a living but I think he realises that once Geeta help Farah with Samir (and sees Farah happier because of this) that maybe he's part of the problem and wants to start changing. 5d

willaful @leniverse That's a really good point. It's not unlike how the Dalits get all the nasty jobs.

I think there's so much moral ambiguity in the book overall, it's hard to feel Karem is any worse than anyone else who's doing what they have to do. 5d

youneverarrived @JamieArc yeah possibly. I feel like although he‘s aware of it & would like it to change he turns a blind eye - great point about nothing being fully good or bad, lots of ambiguity. 4d

JamieArc @youneverarrived Yeah, totally. Even if he didn‘t know about Geeta, it seems like there‘s no way he didn‘t know about others, especially with the mark left on Farrah‘s face. 4d

Chelsea.Poole These questions are excellent! Great discussions! I‘m not sure Karem is to blame for the actions his patrons take after consuming alcohol he sells. In America, we don‘t hold Budweiser responsible for drunk driving accidents 🤷🏼‍♀️ It feels more personal with Karem, however, since he can see the impacts of his product. 4d

BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole Great discussions indeed! They add so much to the story and the reading experience! Regarding Karem, I am hesitant too, to blame him. Especially since he is Muslim and doesn‘t drink himself. He might not know half of what its effect can be. And I am somehow convinced that he just wants to be a good father 4d

jhod And Solani drinks but doesn't hit anyone. I don't blame Karem for the violent behaviour of those who happen to buy his products. 4d

Well-ReadNeck The early chapters feel a bit black/white and I appreciate the shades of gray that are starting to evolve as the book goes on. Yes, everyone needs to make a living, but is there a moral obligation, too? Lots to unpack here. 2d

BkClubCare Enjoying all the comments! Will try to finish book 🔜 TY for tag 🏷️ (I‘m here somewhere) Happy June 1d

53 likes51 comments

The Bandit Queens: A Novel | Parini Shroff

BarbaraBB
@LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived 5d

BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @KarenUK @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads
@Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful 5d

See All 51 Comments

BarbaraBB @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures 5d

BarbaraBB @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover
5d

BarbaraBB @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame 5d

AmyG I have learned a bit about the caste system. I don‘t know much of anything about it. If anything, makes me feel awful for these people. Born into a caste and treated a certain way, shunned. I feel I need to read more to see where this fits in. (edited) 5d

peaknit I am curious about different cultures. It was interesting to learn where Geeta fit as well. I thought it did add to the story as their caste impacted their different roles. 5d

DGRachel I had a basic understanding of the caste system based on other reading. It is the kind of prejudice that breaks my heart though. 5d

Meshell1313 Totally agree. It‘s different learning about it from this point of view. I‘m way more curious about the mobility between castes; like how hard it is to change your caste. 5d

CBee The fact that this caste system is still a thing is just infuriating. I appreciate Geeta‘s willingness to look past that and actually show interest in the person, not the caste. 5d

Susanita I didn‘t know the details of the Dalits. It was an interesting bit of texture for the story. 5d

Megabooks @Susanita I agree that it added an interesting layer to the story. I knew a bit about Dalits from this book. ➡️ But I definitely learned more in BQ.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Megabooks I wonder if it‘s realistic for women to have these cross-caste interactions in a real small Indian village? 5d

AmyG @Megabooks I feel like Geeta was kind to the Dalits in a way that most wouldn‘t be. She comes off a bit harsh but is really very empathetic. 5d

CBee @AmyG I kind of love her harshness. She‘s refreshingly honest and I‘m here for her snark 😂😂 5d

LaraReads This has been my favorite part of the story so far, learning about the culture & caste system. To me, it has added so much to the base of the story! 5d

Soubhiville @CBee I love the snark too! I also knew some about the caste system. I like the way the author used that to show that hierarchy exists in so many ways- sexism/gender, skin tones/racism, castes, ageism, so much explored here. 5d

squirrelbrain @Megabooks yes, it would be interesting to know how much of this interaction was there for ‘effect‘ 5d

squirrelbrain @Soubhiville - I just commented about all the different hierarchies on the first question, although you put it so much better than me! 5d

CBee @Soubhiville yes, all of this! It also highlighted (if you can call it that) how middle aged women start to become a bit invisible. Geeta is in her 30s and is mistaken for much older! That was so frustrating. And can I say that I LOVE Bandit - isn‘t it always a dog that saves the day? 😊😊😊 5d

peaknit I thought Geeta was empathetic in part because she knew how it felt to be cast out a bit. Her kindness in spite of that and her sass were my favorite parts of the book. 5d

TheBookHippie I have a friend who goes regularly to orphanages in India the experiences she has had and taught boggle the mind. It just shatters my heart. I‘ve read extensively about Caste including the book Caste. It‘s just so un-necessary. 5d

JenReadsAlot I knew a little about it. I think it adds to the storyline. 5d

youneverarrived I feel like it adds a depth to the book. For me although the subject matter isn‘t light it reads like a fun/lighthearted book. I only know a smidge about the caste system so it is interesting (and sad) to learn about - it definitely adds to the book and makes me want to learn more. 5d

TrishB I have read elsewhere about the Caste system. Like any discrimination, it‘s abhorrent. And how do you get away from it 😞 5d

jlhammar I have read some about this before so not really new information, but I did think it added to the story. Yet another reality of many Indian women's lives that is unjust and absurd. I felt like so much of this book was about women taking back control, supporting each other. You think I'm a crazy witch? I'll use it to my advantage to live in peace and prosper. I'm an untouchable? I'll make lots of money doing the things others won't. 5d

JamieArc I feel that I‘ve read enough books in this setting that so far, it doesn‘t bring anything new to the table, except that it‘s set in modern day, right? So I forgot that is still plays such a big role in contemporary society. 5d

sarahbarnes I had also read about the caste system. Agree @Soubhiville that I felt so many parallels to racism in America. The interactions between castes seem fraught in the same way - the system is so entrenched and there is a thin line between saviorism and not. 5d

TheKidUpstairs I knew some before going in, but I do feel like this book deepened my understanding of the realities of living day to day with this kind of deep systemic prejudice. Like @youneverarrived I found it added depth to the story, Shroff did a really excellent job (IMO) of balancing lighter tones with darker, deeper issues.
The shifting nuances of the characters relationship to caste, feminism, and eachother, was central to my engagement with the story 5d

dabbe I think the caste system is necessary to the story; it shows that there are other people who are more ostracized than even Geeta--just because of the caste they were born into. I know the western world seems to think we don't embrace feudalistic ideas anymore, but then why do we still have a 1% in this country who owns 99% of the wealth? (#'s exaggerated a bit to make the point). 5d

Deblovestoread I do not think I learned anything new but I do think there is enough here that might give another reader the desire to go find out more about caste. It seems in a small village caste is put aside when convenient. 5d

DebinHawaii I have read about the caste system both in Caste & in other novels but I do think the day-to-day realities are portrayed well in the book. It is so frustrating to read about how women are viewed & treated in general & I agree with @Soubhiville that there is such hierarchy in so many ways through the story. 5d

Hooked_on_books I thought caste was used in the story to excellent effect, particularly to show how stupid it is. I think so much of this book is working to subvert established prejudices while using humor to do so, much as @Soubhiville said so well. (edited) 5d

Larkken I guess I did not know about the divisions within Dalit caste - that only a subset deal with the dead? But I, too hope Geetas interaction with the Dalit woman wasn‘t just for effect @squirrelbrain @Megabooks I‘d love to see her come back into the storyline and highlight the sisterhood/women helping women aspect of the story 5d

Bklover I knew there were still castes, but somehow I didn‘t picture the realities of the caste system. It seems like you are trapped in a box you can never get out of! 5d

LaraReads @Bklover yes, for sure! 5d

julieclair I know very little about the caste system, and didn't realize it was still so prevalent today in India. It's infuriating, and so sad. 5d

batsy I do have an understanding of the caste system and I'm very glad it was incorporated into this book. I've not been to India but I've heard from people who have how shocking it is to see the rigid caste system in terms of the division of labour, that underneath all of the modern achievements this still goes strong. Many books based in India are written by caste Indians who simply erase the oppression, but I'm glad Shroff shows how it works. 5d

CSeydel I found it interesting to read about how the villages circumvent the laws prohibiting caste discrimination. I thought the storyline about how the Dalit students were treated in school was very eye opening, if not surprising. I appreciated Geeta‘s reflection on her past attitude & behavior. 5d

jenniferw88 Without revealing anything (!), I think caste does play an important role in the book. I knew a little bit, but learned a lot about the subsets of Dalits which I didn't know before. 5d

jenniferw88 Another book that this question reminded me of:

A Passage to India

willaful I thought it was interesting, how the book showed modern ideas being introduced but almost inevitably being stymied by the way life actually is, especially in regard to the caste system. 5d

BarbaraBB You‘ve said it so well @Soubhiville thank you! I already knew a bit about caste but like @JamieArc says, it is somehow shocking it is still so present in current times! Just ignored by caste Indian writers @batsy that is awful. I am glad that Shroff addresses the subject and the way she does this. 4d

BarbaraBB @jenniferw88 You‘re right! That‘s a great book touching upon the subject of caste. 4d

JamieArc @Larkken I wondered if that woman will come back in to play to get rid of some of the dead husbands (though I hope she doesn‘t get blamed for anything). 4d

jhod I think (half way through) that there could have been more in the storyline on caste, I don't think it's played as big a part as I expected so far. I have enjoyed the showing of Hindus and Muslims living together and for example the children saying that they will need to marry each other 4d

Chelsea.Poole It‘s so difficult to wrap my mind around the caste system in India. I too have read the tagged, as many have mentioned. It‘s a great book but I think I need to read more. And Bandit Queens really helped me see how it works in a (fictional) daily life scenario. I‘m with @Megabooks — I wonder how much of this would actually happen.

Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents

BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole Another great book about the caste system is

A Fine Balance

BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole And this chunkster which I loved:

A Suitable Boy

Chelsea.Poole @BarbaraBB thank you! I‘ll check out both of these. 3d

51 likes51 comments

The Bandit Queens: A Novel | Parini Shroff

Hi campers, we are so happy to kick off #camplitsy23 with all of you. Let‘s discuss the first half of Bandit Queens. We‘ll discuss all of the book next week so please avoid spoiling the ending!
We have three questions today, three next week. Let‘s do this!!

BarbaraBB @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame 5d

BarbaraBB @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklove 5d

BarbaraBB @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures 5d

See All 86 Comments

BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @KarenUK @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads
@Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful 5d

BarbaraBB
@LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived 5d

AmyG Geeta has no children and I think that makes her feel apart from the women, different. I also think she sort of regrets not having a child/children. 5d

DGRachel It feels weaponized. I‘m not sure the women who have children particularly like them, but it gives them an opportunity to humble-brag and play the martyr, while ostracizing Geeta for being childless. 5d

CBee @DGRachel completely agree with this! The expectations of women in this culture - well, they‘re outdated and stupid 😂 I admire Geeta so much for doing her own thing, despite struggling with that, despite being lonely. But the way the other women talk about motherhood is sometimes nauseating 😂 Like, just be honest and say it‘s hard! 5d

Susanita Weaponized is a good description. Farah uses both edges of that sword before and after her husband dies. (Poor children. What will become of them if something happens to me? Waah waah waah.) 5d

Megabooks @DGRachel weaponized is an excellent point!! And those humble-brags were infuriating! 5d

TheKidUpstairs @DGRachel weaponized is a good description. The women seem to use their motherhood as a tool to connect, but also to repel. “Mother“ becomes almost another status, another way to organize people, like caste and religion are used.

I appreciated Geeta's nuanced relationship to motherhood. While she may feel like she's missed something, she also seems to appreciate the freedom that not being a mother allows her. 5d

AmyG @DGRachel @TheKidUpstairs very good point about weaponization and how motherhood is a certain caste in itself. Elevates one‘s status. (edited) 5d

TheKidUpstairs And I have to say, the repeated refrains of “Oh, but it's a blessing“ after any hint of a complaint about the children made me laugh. The way they were uttered almost by rote, with little feeling behind it, just keeping up appearances. It made me think of insta-Mommy culture and #blessed, it was so relatable. 5d

LaraReads @DGRachel weaponized for sure! They fling it like an insult, all while not fully believing any of the things they say they feel about being a mother/wife. @CBee yes! She‘s truly admirable for being able to go her own way in the world, even though it‘s lonely & everyone seems to despise her for it! 5d

CBee @TheKidUpstairs omg I‘d forgotten about the whole #blessed thing 🤦‍♀️🙄 That‘s part of why I got rid of all social media except Litsy 😂😂 5d

CBee @LaraReads I adore her, she‘s such a great character! 5d

Soubhiville @DGRachel @TheKidUpstairs great points! @AmyG I agree the “Blessings of motherhood” refrain we hear repeatedly came to feel like a verbal eyeroll to me, same sort of barb as Southern America‘s “Bless your heart.” On the surface it seems nice, but it‘s often meant derogatively. 5d

squirrelbrain @AmyG - great point about motherhood being a caste in itself. The book shows us that there are so many different social strata (still) in India. 5d

AmyG @Soubhiville While I am a mother, let me tell you, there are blessings to having kids and to not having kids. 🤣 @squirrelbrain it reminds me of this….when I had a grandson a friend said to me…welcome to the club. (edited) 5d

TheBookHippie OMG. Women and their haughty IMAMOTHER thereby worth more. 😵‍💫🤮 weaponized is exactly it. I have two children if I was of child bearing age again, I wouldn‘t do it. I tell young women allll the time you do not have to have children to have value. (Before I get push back- I love my kids.) insta mommy culture for sure. Gross. 5d

peaknit @TheBookHippie lol! I totally agree, I have two near adult girls and am not sure I‘d make the same choice either, partly based on what I know of the world now. I think you really begin to understand how hard motherhood is when you are in the throes of it. I love my kids too😆 5d

jlhammar I found Shroff's humor and honesty surrounding this issue so refreshing! @TheKidUpstairs Yes! I loved that she poked fun at their constant need to call out the “joys of motherhood“ following any hint of complaint or discontent. I liked that Geeta could recognize that she had her own joys that wouldn't be possible if she were a mother. It did seem to put some space between her and the other women though, at least at the start. 5d

youneverarrived @TheKidUpstairs I thought the exact same 😆 5d

JenReadsAlot I think weaponized is a great description. I've chosen to not have children and I've been told how I'm missing out. Guess what I don't feel that way! I'm loving Geeta so far! 5d

TrishB I think it‘s the only status some of the women have- so yes, they do use as a weapon. Which makes it even sadder. 5d

Deblovestoread Yes, that is what women are good for, after all…you get married, take care of your husband, have kids and take care of them, too. Patriarchy at its finest… 5d

TheBookHippie @peaknit my daughter is mid thirties my son almost 17. 5d

sarahbarnes Agreeing with all the insights shared here! It is crazy how much childbearing is used in the story as a status symbol, both by men and women. from the male perspective it‘s about their own status as a man with a woman who bears him children. For women I agree it‘s a status put upon them by men and they‘ve embraced it in a way that is sad. 5d

dabbe @JenReadsAlot Same here. Not only being told you're missing out but also being told something like this: “I never knew what real love was until I had a child.“ Seriously? When people say that, do they ever think what a person might feel who has never experienced the JOY of having a child? 5d

dabbe I love Geeta and I am starting to like Saloni; she seems to be offering the comic relief so far. I found it poignant, though, when she was out sifting through the trash for her son's book or bag. She said something that made me think that of course her SON couldn't be bothered looking for what he lost, but the WIFE/MOM/WOMAN can go out there and get dirty looking for it. 5d

DebinHawaii @dabbe @JenReadsAlot Agree wholeheartedly—if I had a $1 for every family member, acquaintance or stranger that has told me I missed out or I don‘t understand real love I would be rich! 🤬 @TheKidUpstairs That made me laugh too…every time! 🤣 5d

JamieArc I like the way the author talks about motherhood with its many complexities. How we are supposed to feel about being a mother, how even if we don‘t have kids and are happy with that decision, there may still be lingering complex feelings about it. As one who is semi-trying to have children and have my own complex thoughts about it, I really appreciate this aspect of the book. 5d

JenReadsAlot @DebinHawaii OMG same! So annoying 5d

Hooked_on_books @DGRachel I love how you put this. And it‘s relatable, as it happens in our own culture, particularly on social media. We‘re supposed to revere mothers and look down on women who choose not to have kids (of course further hurting those who can‘t). I say let‘s revere women who make the best choices for themselves, whatever that may be! 5d

CBee @TheBookHippie thank you for saying this. I feel the same (despite having shame for feeling it because we are TAUGHT to feel that), though I love my kids. I‘ve started writing a bit about it, especially since I have an autistic kiddo and it‘s effing HARD. It‘s not all blessing and rainbows and glitter 😂😳🤦‍♀️ 5d

TrishB @Hooked_on_books 👏🏻 exactly! Choice is the key always. 5d

TrishB @CBee it‘s very rarely blessings,rainbows and glitter and I love my kids too ♥️ Though I have a gay son so it can be rainbows and glitter occasionally!! It is very hard and for different reasons at different times. 5d

AmyG @TheBookHippie I just had this conversation again with my daughter. People need to accept that women have a choice over their bodies. Being a mother doesn‘t make a woman worthy. 5d

DGRachel @Hooked_on_books Yes! More women supporting women, please, instead of allowing patriarchal constructs to pit us against each other. 5d

CBee @TrishB 💚💚💚 Honestly, glitter can be irritating and it gets everywhere so maybe I should use a different word 😂😂 5d

Larkken @JamieArc yes, she‘s being very nuanced, even touching (if briefly) on miscarriages and how hard they can be. I agree too about complex feelings and how trying can only compound those feelings. I‘m dealing with this myself - so I hear you & know how easy it is to feel like a failure based on factors outside one‘s own control. 💙 5d

Larkken I found this aspect of the book to remind me a bit of my coworkers, who are all wonderful mothers but who also delight (as one does) in complaining about imp parts of their lives 😆 I think it‘s useful for them to be able to vent and I wouldn‘t want to take that from them, but the author captures exactly how exclusionary people can be without even trying 5d

Christine So much brilliance here! Thanks to all for sharing these spot-on thoughts. I found some unexpected connections between the wives/moms in this book and the docuseries I binged over the past 24 hours - “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets.“ 😳
@TheKidUpstairs - love that parallel to moms on social media.
@Hooked_on_books - “I say let‘s revere women who make the best choices for themselves, whatever that may be!“ YES! Makes me think of

All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation

TrishB @CBee we can use the word if not the substance 😁 bad for the environment too! 5d

CatLass007 I just wanted to pop in and say hi. I finished the first half of the book yesterday and have been looking forward to today‘s discussion. Unfortunately, my headache is telling me nope. I know there are no rules that say I can‘t wait until tomorrow, but I‘m very tired of migraines. I‘m loving the book! 5d

JamieArc @Larkken ❤️❤️ Thanks for the comment. 5d

CBee @TrishB let‘s do that, sounds good 😘 Pretend glitter for everyone ✨ 5d

Bklover I‘m late here, but I‘m with @TheBookHippie on this to parent or not to parent thing. I have three adult kids, (36,34,22) and none of them have/want kids. I know my oldest daughter has been questioned multiple times on her choice. After watching the other moms in the village I don‘t think Geeta really wants kids. I do think she‘s lonely though. 5d

LaraReads @JamieArc yes! All of this that you said! As much as I loved the dark humor of the book, I enjoyed these complexities even more! There are some very deep feelings to be had about motherhood (whether being one or choosing/not having a choice to not). This book is one to stay with me for some time! @Larkken I agree how exclusionary groups can be, even if they aren‘t bragging (just complaining) it can still give one that left out feeling 😔 5d

julieclair What a great discussion. So much wisdom here. I agree that there are so many ways women can cut each other down and exclude each other. Why don't we all just support each other? Truly, I just don't understand it. 5d

batsy I agree with @DGRachel it does seem weaponised. It felt very relatable to me, amidst the South Asian diaspora that this is still a thing that's done (even in 2023) And perhaps across other communities, as well? My mother watches a lot of South Indian TV serials and the valorisation of motherhood and being a Good Wife is still very potent messaging even though they live in a super modern milieu—the book felt familiar, in that sense but 5d

batsy I like the way Shroff uses humour to undercut the prevailing norms, as @TheKidUpstairs says. It felt like she was pointing out how much of these norms are built on stale scripts that people have to parrot (whether they truly feel it or not) in order to be seen as acceptable. 5d

AmyG @batsy One of the things I love best is the humor. 5d

batsy @AmyG Me too. I'm just halfway through but it feels very natural and not overdone. 5d

Megabooks @Christine where did you watch that documentary?? Sounds very bingeable! @batsy I definitely feel excluded at times in my large southern town. It is rare in my circles to be both unmarried and childless, so there are things I don‘t get invited because I don‘t have a partner or kid. It‘s one of the reasons I didn‘t want to come back. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5d

Christine @Megabooks It‘s on Prime. I only heard of it via posts of various scholars who study religion. It‘s as much about a big fundamentalist org with which the Duggars are affiliated and includes lots of interesting commentary and big picture stuff. Themes of male authority, abuse, and idealized wife/mother roles run strong in it (as in this book!). 5d

Megabooks @Christine thanks! I follow a writer on Instagram that talks a lot about that. It‘s very interesting to me, especially since my experience with Christianity is so different. (Women as elders, deacons, and full pastors; divorced people can be pastors and serve the church; no Christian nationalism from the pulpit; respect other faiths, etc.) (edited) 5d

Hooked_on_books @Christine Hey, I‘ll take any comparison to Beyoncé I can get! ? 5d

jenniferw88 Agree with everything here. With my medical history it's unlikely I'll be able to have children, and I think my parents are happy with that. We have family & friends who live for their children/grandkids and as a family, we just don't get it? It's like, 'yes, it's a baby, what's so special about it?' Don't get me wrong, I'm close to some of my cousins but we don't go out of our way to worship them or their Mums, like they seem to do in the book. 5d

jenniferw88 Also, looking after a pet is kind of equivalent to looking after children, so I think Geeta is looked on more favourably after she gets Bandit. 5d

batsy @Megabooks That's tough and I'm sorry you have to go through that. It is pretty much the same here & Malaysia is small enough that I can pretty much generalise about the prevalent conservatism. But I live in the capital so there's all kinds of diversity centred here—just a matter of staying away from certain types of people (and relatives) and finding your own kind, so to speak! 5d

Christine @Hooked_on_books If the stiletto fits! 😁 5d

Christine @Megabooks Ooh, which writer? And yes, isn‘t the range of Christian experience fascinating? I grew up in a form of Lutheranism quite similar to what was shown in the doc, whereas I went to a college where Lutheranism was much like your church. 5d

willaful I also found the incessant “blessings“ funny, but also a little sad. They definitely did weaponize motherhood, but to me it also said “we're not allowed to sometimes hate being mothers.“ 5d

TrishB @Bklover and I bet you‘re asked all the time about grandkids! Mine are 21 and 27 and people are already saying that. It‘s a never ending obsession with some people. 5d

squirrelbrain @christine -that documentary sounds fascinating, I shall have a look to see if I can get it over here (UK). And you‘re so right about the wonderful discussions and insights that everyone is contributing towards; I love this community! 5d

squirrelbrain @CatLass007 - sorry you‘re feeling rough but glad you‘re enjoying the book. Hopefully you‘ll be able to contribute soon, but if not there‘s some more great questions next week! 5d

Bookwormjillk I‘ll admit I was distracted when I listened to the first half of the book, but this discussion is fascinating and I‘m now really looking forward to the second half. 4d

Chelsea.Poole Traveling yesterday and didn‘t get to chime in for this discussion. I enjoyed reading all the insightful comments! Could it be possible that some of the women who “humble bragged” about their children being such blessings maybe resented being mothers themselves? They probably didn‘t have much choice in becoming mothers in their circumstances. 4d

CatLass007 @squirrelbrain Thank you. I‘m hoping today will be better. 😊 4d

MicheleinPhilly @Chelsea.Poole That is definitely the impression that I got. As someone who is childless by choice and oh so glad that I am now at an age when people have stopped asking me about it, I‘ve always been very attuned to women who sound like they‘re trying to convince themselves that everything is sunshine and rainbows. And in this environment, where status/caste is everything, it‘s definitely a status symbol. 4d

CBee @Chelsea.Poole I think they do resent it. But they can‘t say that they do because they have to uphold “expectations.” 🤦‍♀️ 4d

BarbaraBB Hi everyone, sorry for missing the discussion. A crisis came up with my mother, I had to go there and take care of her, so I had no time to participate in the discussion. Lousy camp leader 🤦🏻‍♀️. Things seem under control now so I will have time soon to read all discussions. A special apology to my dear camp co-hosts @Megabooks and @squirrelbrain 🤍 4d

squirrelbrain Hey Barbara, @BarbaraBB hope your Mum is OK. 😘 Your fabulous questions, and our insightful Litten friends, meant that the discussions hardly needed any camp counsellors at all! 4d

Chelsea.Poole @BarbaraBB glad to hear everything is under control now! 4d

Christine @BarbaraBB Thanks for sharing that - sending good wishes to your mom.
@squirrelbrain I hope you can access the doc! A tough watch in many ways, but quite well done.
@Chelsea.Poole Yes! I feel like they were sometimes saying it through gritted teeth... (edited) 4d

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain you are right. Such great and insightful conversations! What a great community this is 🧡 4d

Megabooks @BarbaraBB yes, glad you are okay and were able to attend to the crisis!! (And I‘m sorry it happened. 💜💜) Just got to Nashville. I‘ll email you and @squirrelbrain soon. 😘 I know you‘ll enjoy going back through these insightful comments!! 4d

jhod I'm catching up now too on the train home - I thought it a bit depressing that so many of these women only have their kids and husbands in their lives, made me feel lucky! Thought the microloans storyline was interesting, especially the varied successes of them and the scant non-monetary support and advice available for their fledgling businesses 4d

jhod Thanks for the questions @BarbaraBB hope you're all OK 4d

BarbaraBB @jhod @Megabooks @Christine Thanks for your concern 💕 and yes @jhod the microloans was a very interesting addition to the story, I agree! 4d

Megabooks @Christine hey! So I don‘t get on Instagram everyday, but I was looking at it and a post by the writer about shiny happy people came up. Her handle is tialevingswriter. 4d

Christine @megabooks Oh, nice! She is excellent in the doc and I def plan to read her upcoming memoir. 4d

Well-ReadNeck Jumping in a bit late … The novel seems to be a caricature of how it feels to me society views motherhood, generally. It‘s the highest goal of womanhood and you can‘t complain. TBH it gave me some cringe moments thinking back in early motherhood for me and the judgment all around about breast feeding vs bottle feeding; co-sleeping; and being a “natural” at parenting. 2d

willaful @Well-ReadNeck I know just what you mean. (and I love your name. 😁 ) 2d

51 likes1 stack add86 comments

The Regrets | Amy Bonnaffons

#BookReport 22/23

Nacropolis was a difficult read, both others were fun and entertaining. So I had a good week!

TrishB That‘s what counts 👍🏻 5d

Cinfhen Yay 😁 4d

63 likes2 comments

Narcopolis | Jeet Thayil

so-so

This is a difficult book it‘s about opium dens in Bombay and sometimes I felt like the author was writing this book while visiting one. I had a hard time keeping up with him and was not sure if I had to follow the main characters or just let it come over me, this portrait of Bombay. I‘m still not sure about what I read, but I appreciate what the author did. Not necessarily recommended though. #booker

Cinfhen I love a Bombay setting but I think I‘m passing on this one 6d

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I was thinking of your current India love ❤️ but I think you‘re right to pass. 6d

Cinfhen 💕💕💕💕 6d

78 likes3 comments

We All Want Impossible Things: A Novel

May Days: Crisis in Confrontation. A Pictorial Account of the Student Strike at the University of Virginia, May, 1970 | Bob Buford, Peter Shea, Andrew C. Stickney

#MayStats

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Boulder

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We all want impossible things
Standing heavy
The last

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
The hiding place
Small pleasures
Whale
The bandit queens
The regrets

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Time shelter
Miss Ranskill comes home
We are not like them

⭐️⭐️✨
The Mandibles
And the sea will tell

⭐️⭐️
The gospel according to the new world

DNF
Didn‘t nobody give a shit what happened to Carlotta

TrishB Great stats 👍🏻 1w

Cinfhen Fantastic!! I love how you include your star ratings!!! 1w

Cinfhen I LOVED

See All 6 Comments

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I loved that one too! 1w

Suet624 Bandit queens only 3.5? I‘m surprised. 2d

BarbaraBB @Suet624 The discussion makes me want to add another ⭐️ 1d

65 likes6 comments

The Last | Hanna Jameson

pick

I managed to finish my #GuiltyPleasure book for #TitlesAndTunes before the month even started… 🤦🏻‍♀️

I guess it says a lot about the book, which was indeed unputdownable. After a nuclear war 20 people in an isolated Swiss hotel have survived and try to find a way to deal with a new reality and with the people they didn‘t knew before. Meanwhile strange things happen in the hotel.
Dystopia, thriller and a bit of horror: such indulgence 🩶

sarahbarnes Oh wow, that book does sound like a page turner! 1w

squirrelbrain That was a bit silly wasn‘t it?!🤣 The book sounds great! 1w

julesG Whatever will you read next? 1w

See All 11 Comments

Cinfhen Sounds like you found a winner 💕and look at that gorgeous sky 1w

Books_et_al Ooh I see where you are! Such a lovely place 😊 1w

BarbaraBB @julesG I guess I need to find another #GuiltyPleasure read 😀 1w

BarbaraBB @Books_et_al you recognize it? It‘s Mont St Michel and it‘s beautiful though way too crowded 😁 1w

AnneCecilie Mont St Michel is amazing. Visited years ago. 1w

batsy I enjoyed this book! Gorgeous photo 😍 1w

IuliaC Great view of Mont St Michel! 😃 1w

Rissreads I‘ve had this book on my tbr shelf forever! I need to get to it! 4d

72 likes11 comments

The Hummingbird | Sandro Veronesi

The miracle happened! The mail arrived! Thank you so much @Cinfhen for keep trying sending me packages. I am extremely happy this one reached me! The lovely bookmark, the sweet note and above all the book! A favorite author or mine and if you think I‘ll love this, I am sure I will! 💕🩷💕

TheBookHippie How lovely!!! All of it! 1w

CBee That cover though 😍😍😍 1w

Cinfhen Yay! Now I know the best way to send things ♥️☺️ 1w

Megabooks How nice!! 🤩💜 1w

TrishB Lovely ♥️ 1w

62 likes5 comments

Narcopolis | Jeet Thayil

#WeeklyForecast 22/23

I have already started my #GuiltyPleasure read for #TitlesAndTunes… couldn‘t wait any longer! Next will be Narcopolis and The Scapegoat for #Roll100!

Tamra I‘ve not heard of The Scapegoat! Must investigate. 🧐 1w

BarbaraBB @Tamra It‘s supposed to be good. And it‘s DuMaurier of course 🩶 1w

Tamra @BarbaraBB I‘m very tempted to watch the film. 1w

See All 11 Comments

squirrelbrain Have a great week! 😘 1w

Cinfhen Ohhh, I haven‘t seen that DuMaurier title before either @Tamra 1w

Vansa I LOVE The scapegoat. Excellent book. Btw, I would recommend throwing Narcopolis into the bin😂Jeet Thayil is unreadable and completely full of himself 😂 1w

Tamra @Cinfhen I confess, I‘m watching the film now while multitasking! 🤭 1w

Cinfhen Haha, how awesome is that @Tamra 1w

BarbaraBB @Tamra Really? That is awesome! I hope it‘s good! Let me know If you want! 1w

BarbaraBB @Vansa I have heard that more often about Narcopolis. I‘ll give it a try but won‘t try too much if I don‘t like it! 1w

sarahbarnes This looks like a fun reading week! 1w

55 likes11 comments

The Last | Hanna Jameson

#TitlesAndTunes

My go to #GuiltyPleasure reading are dystopian and thrillers, so the book I chose is a no brainer: a dystopian thriller! The last people on earth after a nuclear war are busy Staying Alive 😉

I know, this song!!! But I love playing it while driving and to sing and dance along!
It was a hard choice though, between The BeeGees and Eminem, whose Without Me I know by heart and rap along like I‘m a Detroit rapper 🤣🤣

Cinfhen Hahaha!! LOVE the BeeGees🙌🏻Perfect 1w

CarolynM Nice choices! 1w

Amiable Love the theme for pairing them! 1w

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TrishB Great picks 👍🏻 1w

Bookzombie Love the BeeGees and your backup pick! 1w

youneverarrived Good choices! 😁 1w

Billypar I love this pairing 😆 1w

Centique Excellent choices! I love rapping along to Eminem too - we could be rapping book worms together 😂 1w

Rissreads Love what you did here! ♥️🤣 4d

Rissreads @BarbaraBB @Centique yep he has some brilliant songs! 4d

61 likes10 comments

BarbaraBB @AshleyHoss820 @RaeLovesToRead @KarenUK @Cortg @squirrelbrain @kelly_the_bookish_sidekick @Misshel @ruthiella 2w

The Regrets | Amy Bonnaffons

pick

Thomas dies but has to span half a year before he can enter the real deaths. There are rules though, one of which is to not fall in love or have sex. That would be something to regret. However, then he meets Rachel.

Their story is delightful and sad and it makes for a lovely beach read during my stay in France!
Thanks for sending me this one Karen! 💕

#Pop23 #mythicalcreatures
(Pic: Cancales, France)

KarenUK

KarenUK Sounds perfect! Glad you liked it 💕💕 1w

squirrelbrain Cancales looks lovely! 🇫🇷❤️ 1w

77 likes4 stack adds3 comments

We Are Not Like Them | Christine Pride

#BookReport 21/23

A good reading week. This week‘s favorite must be The Bandit Queens!

Cinfhen Yay!! Glad you enjoyed 💜 2w

TrishB A good week 👍🏻 2w

Cinfhen I really enjoyed it too! 2w

71 likes3 comments

The Bandit Queens: A Novel | Parini Shroff

pick

I finished my first #CampLitsy23 read and I really liked it. It was much darker than I thought. I especially enjoyed the Indian setting, such as Phoolan Devi‘s story and the parts about the Dalits. I also liked the dynamics between the women, their conversations and wittiness. Plenty to discuss next week!

(Pic: Cancale, Brittany, France)

rockpools So good! And I love your photo. 2w

batsy Great photo, and happy to hear it's a pick for you! 2w

Cinfhen Yay! Hope you‘re enjoying your long weekend ☺️ 2w

See All 8 Comments

squirrelbrain Great review! Looking forward to the start of #camplitsy next weekend! 2w

peaknit I‘m looking forward to discuss too! I am enjoying it right now! 2w

Suet624 I‘m so glad you enjoyed it. 1w

Megabooks Gorgeous! Glad you had a great trip! 1w

CSeydel I was reading along assuming Phoolan Devi was a historical/mythical figure - was shocked when I learned she was contemporary! 5d

93 likes2 stack adds8 comments

Cinfhen, BarbaraTheBibliophage, alisiakae

Booked | Kwame Alexander

These books I‘ve read for the second quarter of #Booked2023:

🔸Wrongly incarcerated main character: Didn‘t nobody give a shit what happened to Carlotta
🔸New in 2023: Birnam Wood
🔸Modern take on a classic: A head full
of ghosts
🔸Short story collection: Nobody gets out alive
🔸Set in two time periods: Familiar
🔸Title begins with V: The violin conspiracy

Favorite? Birnam Wood 🤍

paper.reveries I didn't know A Head Full of Ghosts was a take on a classic?!? 2w

BarbaraBB @paper.reveries I found an article in The Guardian comparing it to Shirley Jackson and the tagged book. I took my chances 😀

The Yellow Wallpaper

(edited) 2w

67 likes2 comments

We Are Not Like Them | Christine Pride

so-so

Two friends, one black one white, explore the complexities of their friendship and social injustice after a black boy was killed by the police. Written by a black and a white author I was very interested in how they would tackle these subjects. The result fell short to me, to be honest. The book checked off all the points of a “how not to be racist” list but it lacked depth and authenticity. Their friendship felt a bit unreal and immature. ⬇️

BarbaraBB #52bookclub23 #twoauthors @AshleyHoss820 @Cinfhen @Jenniferw88 @squirrelbrain @deblovestoread @LeeRHarry @karenuk @carolynm @bookbelle84 @Bluebird @Smarkies @triplem80 @larareads @ravenlee @read4life @rmaclean4 @librarybelle @azulaco @Lizpixie @DebbieGrillo 2w

BarbaraBB Yet I enjoyed reading the different perspectives and Kevin‘s letter in the end. Thanks for sending me this book Cindy 💕 2w

squirrelbrain I gave this a pick but I agree that there were some issues with it. 2w

See All 7 Comments

Cinfhen I think I gave it a pick too @squirrelbrain but I think you‘re right, B. This book lacked some depth. Glad you picked it up, though. GD, remember when I was able to send you books no problem 😉 2w

Tamra Shoot, the premise is a good one to explore! I wish it had worked better. 2w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Those were the days 😉 but I still have hope for the current one 🤞🏽🤞🏽 2w

Librarybelle That‘s a shame! 2w

85 likes1 stack add7 comments

Time Shelter | Georgi Gospodinov

Well🤷🏻‍♀️ of course the winner of the #internationalbookerprize is one of my least favorites again but I have to admit the premise of this one is fantastic. A man creates spaces completely similar to how they were in a certain year for people with dementia. I loved being in those rooms and recognized much but the book got a bit out of control in my opinion.

Ruthiella Ah well. I think I will only read Boulder based on your and other reviews. 2w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Maybe Still Born too, if you can get your hands on it 😉 2w

batsy My reaction to the winner was also pretty much "Ah, well" @Ruthiella The theme is important but the book itself doesn't grab me... 2w

See All 13 Comments

The_Penniless_Author @batsy @Ruthiella This was a low pick for me. It did get pretty shaggy and tedious towards the end, but I liked the underlying idea and appreciated the ambition behind it. I also used to live in Bulgaria, so probably appreciated the sections/commentary on Bulgaria more than most people did. 2w

BarbaraBB @The_Penniless_Author That‘s how I felt too. The underlying idea is great. Interesting you lived in Bulgaria. I recently read another book set there.

Cleanness

The_Penniless_Author I never heard of that book or Garth Greenwell before. I'm kind of interested to learn more now. It looks like he lived in BG about 5+ years after I left, and he taught English at a private college for diplomats' kids and one-percenters, so I'd be curious to see how different our experiences were. 2w

jlhammar I‘m planning to read Boulder and Still Born (out here in the US Aug 8) thanks to your reviews. Both sound fantastic. Might give Time Shelter a try eventually. The premise does sound intriguing. 2w

sarahbarnes I agree. I can see why it won, but I would‘ve rather seen Boulder or Still Born take the prize. 2w

Cinfhen I‘ve seen so many positive reviews for Boulder so I think I‘ll give that one a go and skip Time Shelter. It‘s still super expensive and not a book im eager to read 🤷🏼‍♀️ 2w

BarbaraBB @The_Penniless_Author I found it an interesting read and it felt authentic. I think you maybe can relate to it in some ways! 2w

BarbaraBB @jlhammar They really are. I hope you‘ll think so too! 2w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Boulder is your kind of book too I think! 2w

Megabooks That‘s a fantastic cover though! 2w

73 likes1 stack add13 comments

BarbaraBB @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 2w

The Bandit Queens: A Novel | Parini Shroff

Hi Campers, here is a friendly reminder that #CampLitsy23 is about to start 🥳

Meg, Helen and I can‘t wait to hang out with you all and discuss the tagged book, our first summer read.

On 3 June we will discuss the first half of the book, until chapter 16. On 10 June we‘ll discuss the second half.

So we hope you‘ve got your copy along with some sunscreen and your bathing suits 👙🏕️📖

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, LitsyEvents

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe 2w

BarbaraBB @KarenUK @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life 2w

See All 36 Comments

CBee Just picked this up from the library yesterday 😊😊😊 2w

BarbaraBB
@RebelReader @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks @Soubhiville @Susanita @TEArificbooks @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs @TrishB @willaful @youneverarrived @Suet624 @yourfavouritemixtape @MittenGirlPeach 2w

Bookwormjillk Can‘t wait! 2w

squirrelbrain Exciting! 👑 2w

Megabooks Yay camp! 🏕️🎉🎉 2w

Kristy_K Can‘t wait! Starting it this weekend! 2w

Hooked_on_books Oh my gosh, already?!? So exciting! 2w

KarenUK I just got my hold from the library! So perfect timing…. 2w

jlhammar Looking forward to it! 2w

DebinHawaii I‘m excited for this one! Now to just get it started & the first half read by 6/3! 😆 2w

CSeydel I just returned my library copy. I found it a pretty fast read. Lots to discuss! Can‘t wait to hear what others thought 😊 2w

monalyisha Hello! I‘m sure this is more than you want to keep track of but I‘m only planning to read 3: Birnam Wood, Hijab Butch Blues, & (maybe) The Memory of Animals. 2w

AmyG Thank you! I have already begun. So excited. 2w

CatLass007 I was going to get a copy from Audible but it‘s going to depend on whether I get my SSDI. There‘s so much in the news about the US debt ceiling. The people who will be affected the most if the country defaults are veterans, government employees, and anyone who receives Social Security. 2w

Chelsea.Poole I have my copy ready! 👑 2w

Magpiegem I‘m going on a mini holiday tomorrow and it‘s coming with me yay! 2w

Bklover Just checked it out! 2w

Meshell1313 Just got both June books! I‘m ready! Can‘t wait! 🏕️📖 2w

BarbaraBB @monalyisha We‘ll try to remember that in our tags 🤞🏽 @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 2w

BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk @Kristy_K @Hooked_on_books @KarenUK @jlhammar @DebinHawaii @CSeydel @AmyG @Chelsea.Poole @Magpiegem @Bklover @Meshell1313 So glad you‘re all ready for this one! 2w

BarbaraBB @CatLass007 I don‘t know much about American debt ceiling unfortunately but I definitely hope you‘ll keep your social security 🤞🏽🤍 (edited) 2w

CatLass007 @BarbaraBB Thank you. I‘m trying not to be anxious about the possibility of not receiving it on time. I know that the politicians playing chicken with people‘s livelihoods don‘t really care what happens to us as long as they get our votes and money from the big donors. They‘ll drag this out until the last possible second, come to some agreement, and both sides will claim victory. But it‘s best not to be complacent about it. 2w

BarbaraBB @CatLass007 It sounds utterly unfair in a country as wealthy as yours but as said, I know little about it. I do hope the best for you 2w

CatLass007 @BarbaraBB Thank you. I really appreciate it. 2w

batsy Oh, I'm excited! The library hold is still about a month away I think so I'll try to snag a Kindle copy. 2w

monalyisha Thanks @BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain ! That‘d be great! And if it‘s too much, I get it; no tragedy. 😊 2w

JenniferP Excellent! My copy just became available at the library yesterday. Looking forward to discussing this!
2w

LaraReads Can‘t wait! I just LOVED this book! 🖤 2w

BarbaraBB @batsy I hope you‘ll be able to! 2w

BarbaraBB @JenniferP I just started it and it‘s fun! 2w

BarbaraBB @LaraReads Looking forward to it too! 2w

TheKidUpstairs Loved this book, looking forward to discussing it with you all! 2w

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks This is the reading schedule for our first #CampLitsy23 book! 1w

86 likes36 comments

Cinfhen, BarbaraTheBibliophage, alisiakae

Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta | James Hannaham

bailed

Okay #unpopularopinion. You all loved it but I am halfway through and calling it quits. It probably is the language. I have to read out loud to make sense of what I‘m reading. It‘s been taking me forever that way and it leaves no room to enjoy the story. So it‘s me, not the book but I just lost patience and want to read something I actually like to read 🤷🏻‍♀️

#Booked2023 #wronglyincarnated

Cinfhen At least you tried! Hopefully you love your next book 🤞🏼 2w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I really did. But I felt like an idiot, reading slowly aloud, trying to make sense of what I read. Next up is 🤞🏽

The Bandit Queens: A Novel

squirrelbrain I can imagine it was difficult to read, so don‘t beat yourself up about it. I found a lot of the language strange and struggled to understand, particularly to start with, and I was reading in my first language. BQ will be better! 😁 2w

See All 21 Comments

sarahbarnes I'm sorry this one didn't work for you! I loved Bandit Queens and hope you enjoy it! 2w

TrishB Hope you enjoy your next 🤞🏻🤞🏻 2w

dabbe These reviews are just as important as the picks. I value your opinion; therefore, I'm not reading it! You're doing us a favor you know! 😍😘🤗 2w

BarbaraBB @dabbe Thank you for trusting me 🩵 I have to add that English isn‘t my first language so that might me the reason I had such a hard time with the book 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2w

Suet624 I remember when I reviewed this book that I was concerned it might be tough for you. Your English is fantastic but this took time to get into the swing of the language. You‘ll love BQ. 2w

dabbe @BarbaraBB What is your first language, if you don't mind my asking? (because I would have NEVER known!) 🤩😍🤗 2w

BarbaraBB @Suet624 @dabbe Thank you both for the kind words ❤️❤️ My first language is Dutch, Denise! 2w

dabbe @BarbaraBB How cool is that? I can't speak it (unfortunately), but my ancestors on my mom's side are from the Netherlands: their surnames are Pastoor and Van Dyke. 💙💚💙 2w

Megabooks Yeah, this really worked for me because I went audio, but even then it was very colloquial and slang-heavy! 2w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thank you, that is definitely reassuring 🤍 2w

BarbaraBB @dabbe wow, those are real Dutch names for sure although we write Van Dyke as Van Dijk! 2w

dabbe @BarbaraBB I was trying to remember how to spell my great-aunt's last name: phonetically it was Vanvuctaveen. I never knew her, so the name spelling escapes me! #smallworld 🩵🤍🩵 2w

BarbaraBB @dabbe That name must have evolved over the years, it doesn‘t ring a bell. The only Dutch surname I can remotely think of is Van de Veen 🤔 2w

dabbe @BarbaraBB I texted my sister for the name. Boy, was I way off! It's spelled Vugtaveen. Is that closer? 2w

BarbaraBB @dabbe I googled it and you are right. It‘s not a very common surname but I found plenty of people called Vugteveen (with an e instead of an a)! 2w

dabbe @BarbaraBB Thanks for doing that! I need to dig more and learn about my Dutch heritage (and obviously learn how to spell better!) 🩵🤍🩵 2w

BarbaraBB @dabbe You‘re doing great! 2w

dabbe @BarbaraBB 🤩😍🤗 2w

81 likes21 comments

Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta | James Hannaham

#WeeklyForecast 21/23

I have started the tagged book, and I have a hard time getting used to the language and style. I have heard so many good things about it though, that I‘m not giving up. Next it is time to start The Bandit Queens for #CampLitsy23, excited about it. If there‘s time I also like to start The Regrets!

Cinfhen I LOVED Carlotta and BQ but I listened to both on audio and I think that helped. I hope you find your rhythm with Carlotta because I do think you‘ll enjoy 😊 3w

5feet.of.fury I loved Carlotta but I too audiobooked it. I‘m reading Bandit Queens but kinda meh about it. 3w

BarbaraBB @5feet.of.fury oh really? I‘ve heard good things about it. Can‘t wait to find out what I‘ll think! 2w

69 likes3 comments

Man Booker Prize | Frederic P Miller, Agnes F Vandome, John McBrewster

Tomorrow the winner of the #InternationalBooker Prize will be announced. I am wrong about the outcome no doubt, but this is the shortlist in the order I liked them best!
Number 1 to 4 I really liked, number 5 started out strong but didn‘t hold up, number 6 was not for me.

rockpools Oh interesting! I would move Boulder down to 4 or 5 (!) but otherwise agree with your order! 3w

BarbaraBB @rockpools That is interesting. I loved Boulder but it was definitely the right book at the right time. Still Born was very good too! 3w

Tamra I really want to read Boulder and Still Born! 3w

See All 12 Comments

AnneCecilie I just bought Still Born after seeing so many loving it. 3w

squirrelbrain I look forward to seeing how right (or wrong!) you are. 3w

batsy Oh wow, time has really flown. Looking forward to seeing the winner and slowly making my way through most of the longlist! 3w

BarbaraBB @batsy Which is your favorite so far? 3w

batsy @BarbaraBB I haven't read any! Only one from the longlist 😂 I had such grand plans this year... Lol but I loved the one I did read and am still sad it didn't make the shortlist (Is Mother Dead) 3w

Cinfhen Well done!!!! Can‘t believe you read all 6 🙌🏻 3w

BarbaraBB @batsy That‘s one I‘ve been meaning to read too 3w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I suddenly was on a mission 😂 3w

Suet624 Congrats on getting through them all! 2w

68 likes12 comments

Standing Heavy | Gauz

#BookReport 20/23

Four completely different books and all were so different from what I expected. The #persephone was disappointing, the three others very entertaining with the tagged one being this week‘s favorite!

TrishB Good week 👍🏻 3w

Liz_M Beautifully color-coordinated reading week! 3w

Cinfhen @Liz_M I was thinking the same thing…and obviously Ukraine 💙💛 3w

Cinfhen I‘ve been curious about this one…

Whale

BarbaraBB @Liz_M @Cinfhen Thanks! It made me think of Ukraine too🇺🇦 ! Whale is good! Very entertaining. I can surely recommend it Cindy! 3w

70 likes5 comments

Whale | Cheon Myeong-Kwan

pick

Geumbok is an ambitious woman with a business instinct in South Korea, Chunhui is her mute and neglected daughter. This is their story and that of a parade of other people and animals coming and going. It‘s brutal, sometimes magical, you may like it or not but it certainly is superb storytelling. Reminded me a bit of García Márquez.

With this book I finished the #InternationalBooker shortlist ?

batsy Wow, congrats on finishing the shortlist! 🙌🏾 I'm intrigued by this one, but also a bit intimidated. 3w

Amiable Great job! Congratulations! 3w

squirrelbrain Well done on finishing the shortlist! 🎉🎉🎉 3w

See All 7 Comments

BarbaraBB @batsy I was too but it‘s an easy and engaging read! 3w

Megabooks Congratulations!! 🎉🎉 3w

sarahbarnes This one finally came in at my library and I‘m starting it now. Very intrigued. Glad to see you enjoyed it! 2w

BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I hope you will too and I think you will. It‘s very readable and different from our regular American/English books. 2w

88 likes3 stack adds7 comments

BarbaraBB @AshleyHoss820 @Cinfhen @Jenniferw88 @squirrelbrain @deblovestoread @LeeRHarry @karenuk @carolynm @bookbelle84 @Bluebird @Smarkies @triplem80 @larareads @ravenlee @read4life @rmaclean4 @librarybelle @azulaco @Lizpixie @DebbieGrillo
3w

And the Sea Will Tell | Vincent Bugliosi

pan

This book is waaaayyy too long. And the author is so smug. Yes he is a famous lawyer and this is a famous and in itself super interesting true crime case but man, was it annoying. I wish it was 300 pages less and written by an objective author.

#52bookclub23 #sentmedownarabbithole

Cinfhen This book has been on my TBR list since @emilyhaldi first posted about it years ago but the length always puts me off!!! Miss you, ‘Em!!!!! 3w

squirrelbrain Won‘t be reading that, then! 🤣 3w

See All 14 Comments

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I bought it because she liked it so much and it sounded great but it wasn‘t for me 🤷🏻‍♀️ I miss her too though! 3w

dabbe @squirrelbrain #ditto! 🤣🤣🤣 3w

Librarybelle Definitely not adding this one to my tbr! 3w

Kristy_K I agree about his smugness! I enjoyed Helter Skelter by him, but the rest of his books he comes across very conceited. 3w

BarbaraBB @Kristy_K I‘m glad you know what I mean! 3w

Megabooks Yea! I thought he was so smug in the Manson case one! Good observation 👍🏻👍🏻 3w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks In that one too? It‘s annoying and I am glad that I‘m not imagining it! 3w

Suet624 Smug indeed. 2w

BarbaraBB @Suet624 You think so too? I feel kinda relieved! 2w

Suet624 It seemed he just couldn‘t help himself. 😂 2w

BarbaraBB @Suet624 🤣🤣🤣 Often the case with smug people 2w

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Big Swiss: A Novel | Jen Beagin

I‘m pretty hyped about this year‘s #CampToB23 reads 💃💃 after last year‘s choices. I‘ve read Big Swiss, I have a copy of #InternationalBooker longlisted The Birthday Party and I‘ve been wanting to read the LaValle and the Urrea anyhow! The other two books I haven‘t heard of but I can‘t wait to find out.

It‘s almost as good as #CampLitsy23 🤪

Megabooks, Cinfhen, squirrelbrain

Ruthiella Yeah, there‘s some nice crossover with our longlist. I will read Big Swiss, because I already have it out from the library, but I likely won‘t read the rest. I only have so much time to read and I‘m prioritizing our own tournament! 😃 3w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella I‘m happy you do! Me too of course 😀 3w

Cinfhen Ahhhh!! You‘re really up on the news!!! Thanks for sharing!!!! I bailed on both The Birthday Party and Big Swiss - haven‘t heard of two either, but will probably look to #BorrowNotBuy the remaining 4!! It‘s a great addition to our tournament. Very excited about these books. 3w

See All 16 Comments

sarahbarnes Wow, thanks for sharing this! I hadn‘t seen it yet! I‘m excited about these, and have Bday Party and Big Swiss on my list already. 3w

Hooked_on_books I‘ll have to research some of these, which I love! The only one I‘ve read is Lone Women and it exceeded my expectations. I‘d rather not read Big Swiss, but I‘ll look into the others. I‘m glad you posted this! 3w

Deblovestoread Thanks for sharing! I have Lone Women and want to read Good Night, Irene. Not sure about Big Swiss and the bottom 3 are new to me which makes it a fun list! 3w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Why did you bail on The Birthday Party? The edition I have is super unattractive (small font, no alinea breaks) but I‘ve been hoping the story would make me forget about that 😀 3w

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Thanks for the heads-up on

Lone Women: A Novel

Cinfhen I had the Fitzcarldo edition and I couldn‘t take the pretentious writing, never ending descriptive inner monologues and narrative style. It wasn‘t for me 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3w

squirrelbrain Ooh exciting… nearly as good as #camplitsy23! 🤣 3w

Suet624 @Ruthiella between Booker, TOB and our Litsy camp i‘d just never get to read my own books. I decided just to read the Litsy tournament books too. (edited) 3w

BarbaraBB @Suet624 ❤️👌🏽 3w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen hmmm. Sounds tough. We‘ll see. 3w

Cinfhen Good luck, B! You seem to be better with those novels than I am. 3w

Ruthiella @Suet624 Exactly! We gotta keep it real. 👍 3w

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I am not so sure about that! But I‘ll give it a try because of the ToB 3w

80 likes16 comments

Small Pleasures | The School Of Life

pick

This was such a pleasant surprise. Each short chapter is about a thing or situation from which you can derive pleasure. It is about time spent alone, taking the time to think of the bigger picture, but also about enjoying and appreciating ordinary things you do or buy or eat. Very mindful and a very good one to start a four day weekend with! Thank you Helen for this special gift 🤍

squirrelbrain

TrishB And a lovely picture ❤️ 3w

sarahbarnes Love the photo! 3w

Cathythoughts Perfect picture for the title 👌🏻 3w

See All 7 Comments

squirrelbrain Glad you enjoyed it - gorgeous photo! 💛 3w

youneverarrived Creative photo 😍 3w

erzascarletbookgasm Great photo for the book! 3w

BarbaraBB @TrishB @sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain @youneverarrived @erzascarletbookgasm Thank you ☺️ 3w

80 likes3 stack adds7 comments

Standing Heavy | Gauz

pick

Standing heavy, that‘s what they do, the many security guards in Paris. Standing heavy in stores or near monuments. They are from all parts of former French Africa and they watch.

GauZ sketches a spot-on observation of modern Paris, seen through the eyes of three generations of men from Côte d‘Ivoire trying their luck in the French Capital. It is witty and poignant and it taught me a lot.

#BookerInternational

sarahbarnes This one sounds so interesting! I‘m glad to see you liked it. 3w

squirrelbrain This sounds fascinating! 3w

batsy Happy to see your review... I just recently bought the Kindle edition. 3w

Megabooks Sounds interesting!! 3w

78 likes1 stack add4 comments

jenniferw88, Librarybelle

Miss Ranskill Comes Home | Barbara Euphan Todd

so-so

I don‘t think I ever rated a #Persephone a so-so before, but this one just brought a bit too little.

It‘s a sweet enough story (a spinster falls overboard a cruise ship, strands on a desert island, is saved four years later and returns to England in the midst of WWII) but it just fell a bit flat.

#52bookclub23 #AuthorWithTheSameNameAsMe #192025 #1946 #UKRoadtrip #Devon

squirrelbrain That‘s a shame! It‘s not often that a Persephone falls a bit flat. 3w

LeahBergen Oh, darn. But look at you on that canal boat! 😍 3w

See All 10 Comments

BarbaraBB @LeahBergen I am not complaining 😉 but i wouldn‘t hurry up get this one if I were you! 3w

Cinfhen Actually sounds kind of fun 🤩 and I agree with @LeahBergen looks like you‘re relaxing with your man 😉 3w

Cathythoughts Great pic 👍🏻💙 3w

TrishB We‘re all loving the vibe of that pic though! 3w

Aimeesue I love Miss Ranskill ❤️ Sorry it didn‘t work for you. At least you got to read it in a fun spot in good company! 3w

Librarybelle It sounds like an interesting premise…too bad it fell flat! 3w

Suet624 Ummm, I love the plot! Bummer it didn‘t work. 2w

83 likes10 comments

Forbidden Notebook | Alba de C�spedes

My Mother‘s Day presents. Kids know me so well 💕 I am super excited about the tagged one, that @batsy and @merelybookish wrote such fabulous reviews about! And I loved another book by Ben Winters and am eager to discover a new one!

TrishB Happy Mother‘s Day ♥️ lovely gifts. 4w

batsy Happy Mother's Day! Most excellent presents from your sweet kids 💕 4w

Cinfhen Sweet kiddos!!! 4w

See All 12 Comments

Tamra Underground Airlines is a great read! Happy Mother‘s Day! 4w

sarahbarnes Happy Mother‘s Day! The best gift! 📚 (edited) 4w

LeahBergen Good job, kiddos! 4w

Megabooks Happy Mother‘s Day!! T and R did a great job! 💜💜 4w

merelybookish Awesome! I hope it lives up to the hype! ♥️ 3w

CatMS Love Ben Winters, especially his Last Policeman trilogy. 3w

BarbaraBB @CatMS That is good to know, I only read (and loved)

Golden State

Suet624 Wasn‘t the Winters book a TOB book? Maybe not. I liked it a lot. 2w

BarbaraBB @Suet624 Golden State was, I think 🤔 it was a great story anyhow so I am eager to read another book by him! 2w

78 likes12 comments

Miss Ranskill Comes Home | Barbara Euphan Todd

#WeeklyForecast 20/23

I am having the tagged book in progress and am enjoying it. I also hope to finish the #InternationalBooker shortlist before the prize will be announced on the 23th. So Standing Heavy and Whale will be next. In between I can‘t wait to read Small Pleasures, a lovely gift by the sweet @squirrelbrain 🤍

Cinfhen Good luck!! I didn‘t realize the award is being announced so soon. I‘m still hoping Still Born wins!!!! (edited) 4w

squirrelbrain It seems like Small Pleasures will be the kind of book you can dip into. I hope you enjoy. 😘 4w

68 likes2 comments

Time Shelter | Georgi Gospodinov

#BookReport 19/23

Boulder made my week. What a book. So much said in so few pages. The Hiding Place was slow pick, Time Shelter and The Mandibles were both a bit disappointing for me.

TrishB At least you had a brilliant one 😁 4w

squirrelbrain One fabulous book makes up for the others…. 4w

Cinfhen Echoing both @TrishB @squirrelbrain 😜 4w

BarbaraBB You‘re all very right, it absolutely does! @TrishB @squirrelbrain @Cinfhen 4w

sarahbarnes Sorry that Time Shelter was disappointing. I found it interesting and unnerving but I wouldn‘t say I loved it. 4w

76 likes5 comments

Boulder | Eva Baltasar

pick

A night all by myself, at a bar in the city I grew up in. Feeling nostalgic and blown away by this book.
In only 105 pages Eva Baltasar writes about love in a way that resonates with me. Love for another woman, love for a child, love for ordinary things like cooking food and working and traveling.
This may sound sappy but the book isn‘t. On the contrary, it‘s dark and beautiful.

My favorite of the #internationalbooker shortlist so far.

BarbaraBB Far fetched but I am using this book for
#ReadingTheAmericas2023 🇨🇱 #Chile @Librarybelle 4w

TrishB Fantastic review. This is so expensive here for 112 pages! 4w

squirrelbrain Your food looks yummy! 😋 4w

See All 17 Comments

youneverarrived 😍😍 I was about to stack the book but see I already have! Sounds like my kind of book 4w

Tamra What a delightful evening all to yourself! 4w

Ruthiella Booktuber Eric also raved about this book. @EricKarlAnderson" rel="nofollow" target="_top">https://youtube.com/@EricKarlAnderson 4w

BarbaraBB @TrishB I‘ll keep an eye out for you if it gets cheaper here. When it is I‘ll buy you a copy. You should read it too. 4w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @tamra It was perfect! The food was delicious Vietnamese and I allowed myself a glass of wine (mostly I only drink alcohol in the weekend) 😎 4w

BarbaraBB @youneverarrived I do think it is indeed. Hope you‘ll read it! 4w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Thanks for the link! He says some insightful stuff. Are you planning to read it? 4w

sarahbarnes Yes, I felt exactly that way about this book! Great review. I hope you enjoyed your night! 4w

Ruthiella @BarbaraBB I normally don‘t follow the International Booker unless a book gets REALLY big, like The Vegetarian. But I am interested in reading this in particular regarding it‘s look at the decision to not have children. 4w

Librarybelle Wow! Sounds really good 4w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella it‘s about not wanting children indeed and about so much more. It packs a punch in 109 pages and I really recommend it 4w

BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I had a wonderful night (I never dine alone!) and really loved the book. Thanks for making me read it by wrong your review 🤍 4w

Megabooks Sounds amazing! And I‘m glad you had a good night alone. 💜 it‘s so great to get that time to just read! 4w

Suet624 Well.. I found it at a Vermont library but apparently I need to renew my library card. Boo. 4w

90 likes7 stack adds17 comments

Boulder | Eva Baltasar

“This wasn‘t a part of our plan. The truth is we‘d never made any plans, we‘d just taken huge bites out of life.” 🤍

56 likes

BarbaraBB #Pop23 #longestonTBR @AshleyHoss820 @RaeLovesToRead @KarenUK @Cortg @squirrelbrain @kelly_the_bookish_sidekick @Misshel @ruthiella 1mo

The Mandibles: A Family, 2029-2047 | Lionel Shriver

pan

I appreciate what Shriver wants with this book: it describes the downfall of the US in a near future: the dollar becomes worthless, the economy collapses, etc. What follows is an exploration of possible outcomes of this downfall. The family Mandible is just a tool necessary to discuss the situation. But it didn‘t work in my opinion. Dystopian fiction is not the best choice, an essay would have been better although I probable wouldn‘t have read it

BarbaraBB #Booked2023 #ThreeGenerations @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @alisiakae 1mo

squirrelbrain 😕 I‘ve never really fancied this one, and even less so now! 1mo

See All 14 Comments

Cinfhen Congrats for getting through this one! I tried several times but never could. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I totally understand. It was more like an economical discourse in which I‘m not really interested. But I had a long cat drive and the book on audio, which made it doable 1mo

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Don‘t bother then! Like I said to Cindy above, it is mostly boring! (edited) 1mo

Cinfhen Yeah. Audiobooks can make lots of bad books more bearable 😁 1mo

Megabooks I bailed on this, so I was curious whether you‘d like it more! 4w

Megabooks Guess you didn‘t…😵‍💫 4w

Eva_B I guess I‘m in the minority but I really liked this one. I kept thinking about it long after I finished reading it. I felt a bit spooked reading it as an alternate future. The currency sounded like Bitcoin to me. 4w

BarbaraBB @Eva_B I read a lot of good reviews, I don‘t think you‘re a minority. It is a convincing and plausible story. Mostly I enjoy these kind of books but here were so many conversations about finance currency (the bankers made me think of bitcoin too) that I lost interest. 4w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks I didn‘t know you bailed! If I knew I probably wouldn‘t have tried. 4w

Megabooks @BarbaraBB it was waaayyyy back near the start of litsy! That‘s probably why! 😁 4w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks That‘s a long time ago 😀 4w

76 likes14 comments

The Hiding Place | Trezza Azzopardi

pick

This book has been on my shelves for ages but I am glad I finally read it, it is a well told story.

In a Maltese immigrant neighborhood in Wales, Dolores grows up with her five sisters. It‘s a hard life with a gambling, abusing father and a mother who is loving but not able to take good care of all six.
Years later the sisters reunite for a funeral and Dolores discovers that her truth is not the only one.

#booker #ukroadtrip #cardiff

LeeRHarry, jenniferw88, JenniferP

LeeRHarry Thanks for the tag - glad you enjoyed it. 😊 1mo

jlhammar Glad to hear this was good. I've had the hardcover waiting on my shelves for (I think) almost 20 years now! 1mo

BarbaraBB @jlhammar Me too, I bought it in 2000. I can‘t believe how time flies 😳 1mo

JenniferP Glad you liked it! I'll keep it on the shelf instead of donating unread. 1mo

77 likes4 comments

BarbaraBB https://www.europaeditions.com/book/9781609459529/the-trio 1mo

The Postcard | Anne Berest

March 2024 picks for the #EuropaCollective! I‘d love to read both and can‘t wait for your votes. Links to the books in the comments! Thanks for hosting Jamie!

mcctrish, GatheringBooks, LeahBergen, DrexEdit, Aimeesue, Deblovestoread, Tamra, lauraisntwilder, squirrelbrain, jlhammar

BarbaraBB https://www.europaeditions.com/book/9781609458386/the-postcard 1mo

LeahBergen Ooo, what to pick?? I think I‘ll vote for

The Trio

1mo

See All 31 Comments

squirrelbrain Well, I was going to nominate The Postcard as one of mine, so it has to be that! 😁 1mo

mcctrish I keep seeing posts about The Postcard so I‘m drawn to that but the blurb for the Trio sounds so good 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1mo

lauraisntwilder I just got an email yesterday about The Postcard. If you pre-order the print version from an indie bookstore, you can get the audio from Libro.fm for free. So, I'm voting for that one! 1mo

jlhammar @CSeydel Tagging you here so you can cast your vote! 1mo

jlhammar Impossible decision! I‘ll have to let my bookshelves be my guide again and go with the one I already own

1mo

jlhammar @squirrelbrain Okay Helen, you can go ahead and post your nominations for June 2024. Thanks! 1mo

Tamra Voting

1mo

squirrelbrain I will do @jlhammar - once I‘ve taken several weeks to decide on my nominations! 🤣 1mo

jlhammar @squirrelbrain 😂 I know, so hard to decide. I want to read all the Europas! I‘m so excited to have this new group. Can‘t wait to see your two picks! 1mo

TheBookStacker I just won a copy of The Postcard very excited for it to arrive! 1mo

jlhammar @charl08 So glad you‘ll be joining us, Charlotte! Feel free to cast your vote. 1mo

Deblovestoread Since I stacked this one already I‘ll choose this one (but want to read both 😊)

1mo

jlhammar @Adventures-of-a-French-Reader Feel free to cast your vote! 1mo

Adventures-of-a-French-Reader I'll pick

1mo

CSeydel I vote for Postcard 📬 1mo

jlhammar @Sapphire Feel free to cast your vote! So excited that you‘ll be reading with us! 1mo

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Of course we were thinking of the same book to nominate 🤣 1mo

BarbaraBB @CSeydel @charl08 @Adventures-of-a-French-Reader @Sapphire 👋🏽 Hi, thanks for joining this group! 1mo

jlhammar @TheKidUpstairs Voting is still open on this one if you have a preference. 1mo

TheKidUpstairs Hmmmm

1mo

charl08 I want to read both of them! Happy with whatever the grip decide. 1mo

charl08 Or even, *group*. 1mo

Aimeesue Since Europa keeps emailing me about it, I‘ll go with

1mo

Sapphire I vote for

1mo

Sapphire @jlhammar thanks! 1mo

jlhammar @Cathythoughts Care to cast your vote for this one? 1mo

Cathythoughts @jlhammar Yes Thankyou ! I vote for

1mo

jlhammar Looks like we've landed on a majority here so we can close voting for this one. Our March 2024 read will be

1mo

61 likes1 stack add31 comments

Time Shelter | Georgi Gospodinov

so-so

This book has the best of premises. A man creates spaces for people with Alzheimer‘s that resemble a certain year in the past. They can hide here and feel at ease again. However more and more people want to return to the past, even without Alzheimer‘s.

There are many fragmented stories in the book, too many in my opinion, and I felt lost at times. So I loved the first half but have been skimming the second one. #internationalbooker

jlhammar Lovely photo. That premise sounds so intriguing! 1mo

Cuilin This is the one that the Booker quiz said I should read. On my TBR. 1mo

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 1mo

Tamra Great premise! 1mo

Suet624 Haha. My first thought was, yeah, I‘d want to go back too. 1mo

79 likes5 comments

The Hiding Place | Trezza Azzopardi

#WeeklyForecast 19/23

I am trying to read an #InternationalBooker shortlisted book a week and am now in the middle of Time Shelter. Afterwards I‘ll read some oldies off my TBR before I dive into my new books for #CampToB23.
The tagged one was shortlisted for the #BookerPrize years ago, a #Persephone just because and The Mandibles because I love Shriver!

The Mandibles: A Family, 2029-2047

LeeRHarry Will be interested to hear your thoughts on the tagged book - it has been on my radar for a while now as it‘s set in Cardiff and my family is from South Wales. 😊 1mo

Cinfhen I‘ve been curious about the tagged book too @LeeRHarry (Time Shelter) and as much as I LOVE Shriver I could not get into

(edited) 1mo

TrishB Have a good week 👍🏻 1mo

See All 15 Comments

JenniferP I've also had The Hiding Place on my shelf for a long time! Curious to see how you like it. 1mo

BarbaraBB @LeeRHarry @JenniferP I‘ll make sure to tag you in my review of

The Hiding Place

1mo

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I am reading The Mandibles on audio and print and I feel the same so far! (edited) 1mo

BarbaraBB @TrishB Thanks! You too, with The Ferryman! 1mo

Suet624 Shriver certainly has some misses amidst her fascinating ones. Some I struggle with but remember for years. I don‘t think I‘ve read the one you‘re reading though. 1mo

LeahBergen I want to read that Persephone, too. 👍 1mo

BarbaraBB @Suet624 It‘s all about money and an dystopian final crisis. If that doesn‘t ring a bell you probably haven‘t! 1mo

BarbaraBB @LeahBergen You haven‘t yet? That doesn‘t happen often! 1mo

LeahBergen 😂😂 Well, at this point I think my number of owned Persephones is higher than my number read! 1mo

Suet624 @BarbaraBB oh dear. I definitely shouldn‘t read that right now. 🤪 1mo

BarbaraBB @Suet624 I wouldn‘t 🩵 1mo

BarbaraBB @LeahBergen that says a lot about your collection 🥰🥰 1mo

65 likes15 comments

We All Want Impossible Things: A Novel | Catherine Newman

#BookReport 18/23

I didn‘t enjoy Gospel much but the other three were really good. So I had a wonderful week!

TrishB Great week 👍🏻 I loved the tagged one, felt very genuine. 1mo

AnneCecilie I loved The Strays too. 1mo

Cinfhen Glad you had an overall great reading week 😁 1mo

62 likes3 comments

Small Pleasures | The School Of Life

What a surprise to get mail from you Helen and such a wonderful book you sent me! It‘s about all kinds of small pleasures, like a hot bad, a night alone in a hotel, the desert and figs! I can‘t wait to dive into the book - it is so true that we often exhaust ourselves in search of large things and pleasures!

I also loved your card and the bookshop you described (I googled it, it‘s perfect!)

Thank you so much for making my day 🩵

squirrelbrain

RaeLovesToRead Oh I love a night alone in a hotel!! 1mo

RaeLovesToRead Although I tend to watch Family Guy 🤣 1mo

youneverarrived Lovely! The book sounds good ❤️ 1mo

See All 6 Comments

squirrelbrain I was going to email you today to say I had sent you something but I thought it had got lost in the post.(The person at the PO didn‘t seem to know what they were doing!). I‘m so glad it arrived - after around a month though! 😘 1mo

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I am so glad the post is working again even if it is slooooow 🩷 1mo

BarbaraBB @RaeLovesToRead I love the idea more than the execution to be honest lol but the book is filled with excellent examples of small pleasures! 1mo

58 likes1 stack add6 comments

We All Want Impossible Things: A Novel | Catherine Newman

pick

This book broke my heart but it‘s also a super loving tribute to love and friendship. Edi is dying in a hospice and her friends and family are taking care of her there. Ash is her best friend and she has such a hard time. Reminiscing, supporting, grieving, laughing. It‘s messy and beautiful and I loved the dynamics of Ash and her daughters - or her people as she calls them.

(Pic: Les Tuileries, Paris)

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Thanks for the recommendation Cindy, just what I needed 💔❣️ 1mo

sarahbarnes I‘m so glad you liked it too. 💔♥️ 1mo

HeatherBookNerd Loved this book 1mo

See All 10 Comments

Cinfhen Fabulous review! This book was so moving. Love your photo. Hope you‘re having a wonderful time. XX 1mo

BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I did, of course! You did and Cindy and @squirrelbrain so I was pretty sure I would too 🩵 1mo

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen So moving! I was in and out of Paris in two days for work but it was still wonderful to be there! 1mo

Cinfhen I knew you went for work but I thought you were staying for the weekend??!! 1mo

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen No I am back already! But it‘s finally sunny here too so I‘m fine! 1mo

BarbaraBB @HeatherBookNerd It is so moving and yet so heartwarming and funny. I loved it too! 1mo

Cinfhen Yay, Sun 🌞 Have a lovely weekend 😘 1mo

84 likes3 stack adds10 comments

BarbaraBB @RebelReader @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks @Soubhiville @Susanita @TEArificbooks @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs @TrishB @willaful @youneverarrived 1mo

Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader

Hi Campers! Are you ready to start preparing for our #CampLitsy23 trip? We will read and discuss half a book each week. On Saturdays we will post some questions to discuss the part we‘ve read.

I‘ll be your camp leader in June, when we will read the books above. Meg will post our July schedule, Helen does August. You find Junes‘ schedule in the comments below!

If you want to join Camp and are not tagged yet, let me know!

BarbaraBB Reading schedule June:

3 June: The Bandit Queens through chapter 16
10 June: Finish The Bandit Queens
17 June: Birnam Wood through page 218 in the hardcover edition, where there‘s an alinea starting with “Ever since the Queen‘s Birthday Honours List had been announced…”
24 June: Finish Birnam Wood
1mo

BarbaraBB @KarenUK @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life 1mo

See All 61 Comments

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen
@Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe
1mo

Cinfhen fantastic! Looking forward 🏕️😁 1mo

BarbaraBB @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ 1mo

BarbaraBB @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair 1mo

batsy 🎉 1mo

squirrelbrain Exciting! 🎉🎉 1mo

Chelsea.Poole Thanks for the schedule! 🏕️🌲🍄 1mo

CBee Thanks @BarbaraBB 😊😊 1mo

Jess Looking good. Thanks! 1mo

Soubhiville Exciting! I can‘t wait. 1mo

Cuilin Thanks, ⛺️🎉 1mo

JenniferP Could you add me to the tags? Bandit Queen is on my list anyway and I‘d love to discuss Birnam Wood! 1mo

Caroline2 Can‘t wait! 😀 👏 1mo

BkClubCare Lovely 💕 I was trying to decide which audiobook to get next! Birnam Woods it is (already own Bandit Queens) ✅ 1mo

Kangaj1 Please add me to your tags. I may jump in for Birnam Wood. 1mo

jlhammar Perfect. Thank you! 1mo

Julsmarshall So excited about these! I own Bandit Queens, hoping Birnam Wood gold comes in at the right time! 1mo

youneverarrived Looking forward to it 😁 1mo

Megabooks Yay!! 👍🏻👍🏻🏕️ 1mo

Megabooks I‘ll check the American edition of BW as far as page break when it arrives later today! 1mo

AmyG I am all set! ❤️ 1mo

TheBookHippie ✅ 1mo

Larkken These two are my favorites on the shortlist. Looking forward to June! 1mo

Ruthiella Excited to read both of these books! 1mo

BarbaraBB @JenniferP @Kangaj1 I will add you! Glad you‘re joining! 1mo

BarbaraBB @CatLass007 @merelybookish I forgot to tag you. I am sorry! Won‘t happen again! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 1mo

Read4life 💙🤓 1mo

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thanks Meg. The book has no chapters so it is hard to divide it. I hope your edition will have a similar page count 🤞🏽 1mo

Suet624 Well of course now you make me want to go find the Bandit Queen. (sigh) How can I not participate? (sigh) Let's see if I can trick myself and meander over to the library, even though I said I wouldn't. :) By the way, I'm so impressed with all you and your cohosts are doing to make life so fun on Litsy. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Suet624 CampLitsy is so nice to do! And of course I‘d love it when you join but I don‘t want you to neglect your tbr and your promise to stick to it for now 🩵😉 1mo

Suet624 @BarbaraBB Why don't you add me. I'm feeling good about how I'm grabbing books from my TBR. A few books from the library won't do me in. :) I think I overreacted a bit after trying to read so many from the TOB list. 1mo

CSeydel Thank you for organizing! Looking forward to it. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Suet624 I‘ll tag you! No pressure 🩵🩵 1mo

TrishB Thank you 👍🏻 1mo

yourfavouritemixtape I‘m not sure if I‘ll be able to make it, but this sounds so nice, so: can I join? :) 1mo

sarahbarnes Yay! Thank you! 1mo

BarbaraBB @yourfavouritemixtape Of course you can! We will tag you from now on, feel free to join in whenever you can, we‘ll be reading two books a month in June, July and August. @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 1mo

yourfavouritemixtape @BarbaraBB Thank youu! 1mo

Meshell1313 Can‘t wait!!! 1mo

Megabooks Break is on 218 in the US hardcover as well! Can‘t wait to get started! 1mo

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thanks!! That is a relief! 1mo

CatLass007 @Barbara BB Thanks for remembering that you forgot. 🫶 1mo

CatLass007 @BarbaraBB I think I‘m missing something. Where is the reading and discussion schedule? 1mo

BarbaraBB @CatLass007 I wrote it down but forgot to add you to the masterlist 👵🏼 The reading schedule is the first comment, you have to scroll up for a while 😀 (edited) 1mo

CatLass007 @BarbaraBB Thank you! I guess I thought I‘d scrolled all the way. 1mo

BarbaraBB @rmaclean4 This is our June schedule, including The Bandit Queens! 1mo

Sapphire I got Birnam Wood from the library. I was shocked there was no wait list! Can‘t wait. 1mo

Sapphire I started the audio for The Bandit Queens from the library this weekend and had an immediate aversion. Not sure if it was my mood or the narrator but I think I will try another modality for this one. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Sapphire I haven‘t read The Bandit Queens yet but have heard good things. Maybe print works better 🤞🏽. Birnam Wood I loved. I hope you will too! 1mo

MittenGirlPeach This sounds like sooo much fun, and both books are now on hold at my library! 1mo

BarbaraBB @MittenGirlPeach You wanna join in the discussion? I can tag you? 1mo

MittenGirlPeach @BarbaraBB yes I do and yes you can! Very fun idea. 1mo

BarbaraBB @MittenGirlPeach You‘re very welcome to #CampLitsy23! 1mo

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Our second book will be Birnam Wood. In July and August we‘ll read two books as well. We‘ll tag you once we post their reading schedules! 1w

GatheringBooks Thank youuuu so much, @BarbaraBB 💕💕💕😘😘😘 1w

BarbaraBB We‘re very happy to have you join us! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 1w

squirrelbrain Hi @GatheringBooks 👋- welcome to camp! 1w

Megabooks Hi @GatheringBooks ! So glad you‘re joining us at camp! 1w

85 likes61 comments

BarbaraBB #52bookclub23 #TitleStartsWithG

@AshleyHoss820 @Cinfhen @Jenniferw88 @squirrelbrain @deblovestoread @LeeRHarry @karenuk @carolynm @bookbelle84 @Bluebird @Smarkies @triplem80 @larareads @ravenlee @read4life @rmaclean4 @librarybelle @azulaco @Lizpixie @DebbieGrillo 1mo

The Gospel According to the New World | MARYSE. CONDE

pan

Not my kind of book. A man is in search of his origins and we follow him along his journey. The book touches upon themes as colonization and race but mostly it‘s about the people he meets. Not for me.

#IslandVibe #InternationalBooker #ReadingTheAmericas ??

(Pic: Château de Versailles, Paris)

Cinfhen, Librarybelle

Cinfhen Gorgeous photo! So sorry the book was a pan! Should I even bother?!?? 1mo

sarahbarnes Ugh, bummer. Echoing @cinfhen - should I bother to try it? 1mo

See All 14 Comments

AnneCecilie Sorry about the book, but I love the picture of Versailles 1mo

squirrelbrain That‘s a shame but loving your pic! ❤️ 🇫🇷 1mo

BookwormM Still waiting for my library hold bet it doesn‘t arrive before the winner is announced 1mo

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @sarahbarnes I‘m not sure. It is well written but I just don‘t like stories about people on a journey, meeting new people and insights in every chapter, just to move on in the next one. 1mo

BarbaraBB @AnneCecilie @squirrelbrain Thank you, it‘s a beautiful place. Work though, so it was an efficient & short visit! 1mo

BarbaraBB @BookwormM It‘s not as good as Still Born! 1mo

Cinfhen I hear that! I don‘t think I‘d enjoy the experience either. I might read it later on but for now I‘m passing on Gospel. 1mo

Librarybelle Beautiful pic! 1mo

sarahbarnes Hmmm. Thanks for your thoughts on this one. I‘ll see if I feel motivated to try it before it‘s due back at the library. 1mo

TheKidUpstairs I bailed about half way through, seeing your review helps confirm I made the right choice! I thought there were moments of such beautiful, brilliant writing, but just not enough meat to the book. It was ostensibly about Pascal, but he was just such a blank space of a person, there was nothing to grab onto. Things happened around or to him, but with no central core to it, it all just felt like a random series of circumstances. 1mo

BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs I feel relieved you felt the same. I was wondering if it was just me but you say it so well: there was too little Pascal to hold on to. Thanks! 1mo

79 likes1 stack add14 comments

April | Gabrielle Lord

#AprilStats

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Birnam wood
Three

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Still born

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Notes on grief

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Fidelity
Ben, in the world
I‘m a fan
But you seemed so happy
Big Swiss
The Strays

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is happiness
Into the dark
Last light

⭐️⭐️✨
Señor Vivo and the coca lord
Nobody gets out alive
The woman next door

squirrelbrain A great month! ❤️ 1mo

TrishB Great stats 👍🏻 1mo

Gissy Magnificent month! 📚📚📚📚👏👏👏👏 1mo

erzascarletbookgasm Wow! 👏👏👏 1mo

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @TrishB @Gissy @erzascarletbookgasm Yes I‘ve been a happy reader in April 🩵 1mo

66 likes5 comments

Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader

Thank you all for voting for your favorites on the #CampLitsy23 longlist!
Helen, Meg and I are excited to share our winners!
We think it's an excellent collection of books to read while camping this summer!
Our June reads will be The Bandit Queens and Birnam Wood. We'll share a reading schedule for all months soon but for now you might want to know which books to get your hands on first.
We are looking forward to go camping with you next month!

Cinfhen What a wonderful collection of titles!!! Thanks so much @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks Super excited 😆 1mo

Megabooks Yeah!! I‘m pumped!! 😁😁😁🏕️ 1mo

See All 58 Comments

TrishB Thanks ladies 😘 1mo

jenniferw88 Ooh, exciting! Definitely in for Hijab Butch Blues, Bandit Queens, Birnham Wood and Yellowface. Will see about the others. 1mo

TrishB Have Yellowface on order and just 2 others to look at buying 😁 1mo

batsy Fun! Thank you ❤️ First time where I've already read one so feel quite accomplished 😂 1mo

LeeRHarry Great selection 😊 1mo

squirrelbrain So excited to start reading and discussing! 1mo

RaeLovesToRead Woo! Can't wait!!! 🏕🏕🏕 1mo

Bookwormjillk I only voted for one of these which in my mind is a good thing. I love having random books chosen for me. Thanks hosts I am so excited for summer reading! 1mo

Gissy Yes! I will wait until June to read The Bandit Queens 👌🤗 1mo

CatLass007 Please add me to the group for #CampLitsy23. Some of these books already are on my personal TBR. Looks like a fun group and a way to get back into the swing of things at Litsy. 1mo

BarbaraBB @CatLass007 Will do! Welcome to camp 🏕️ 📚 1mo

Soubhiville Yay! So excited, what a great list. 1mo

CarolynM Think I'll pass on Birnam Wood, but the others all look great. Looking forward to camping with you 😘😘😘 1mo

CBee Exciting!! Thank you ladies!! 😊😊 1mo

Caroline2 So exciting. I can‘t wait! 😃 1mo

BookNAround Looks wonderful! I already own two of them and needed an excuse to get the rest. 😂 1mo

monalyisha Oh, no way! I thought Birnam Wood would come out on top but the others are a surprise…especially Hijab Butch Blues! I‘ll plan to read those two and Memory of Animals and see how it goes. Thanks for all of your work, @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain & @Megabooks ! This whole concept (and the process of getting to this point) is such wonderfully nerdy fun! 1mo

Meshell1313 Hooray! I‘m excited and ready! 1mo

jlhammar Ooooh, exciting! Great mix! 1mo

kwmg40 Looking forward to reading these! 1mo

AmyG Oh Boy! I am so excited. Thank you! HA…nerdy fun indeed @monalyisha. (edited) 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! These sound fun!! 1mo

JenReadsAlot Lots I want to read! 1mo

merelybookish I didn't nominate or vote but I'm into reading these! I have a love/hate relationship with Curtis Sittenfeld. 😅 1mo

sarahbarnes Looks like a fun list! @merelybookish I‘ve never read anything by Sittenfeld but there are 202 holds on that book at the library. 😳 1mo

Larkken Yay! These look great. There were so many good books that I only ended up voting for one from my original list 😆 (edited) 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I have already read the first 2 which makes me feel like I have a jump on things!! So excited to discuss. 1mo

CatLass007 @BarbaraBB Thank you so much!😊🐈‍⬛ 1mo

Chelsea.Poole I'm LOVING these choices!! So so excited 🌞 1mo

MicheleinPhilly 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I‘ve read 2 and own another so I‘m very pleased! Thank you so much for organizing, ladies! @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks 1mo

Ruthiella Super happy to see Bandit Queens! I definitely want to read that one. Thanks so much to the camp counselors for organizing! ❤️ 1mo

Deblovestoread Yay! So excited to be reading these with my fellow campers. 1mo

peaknit Holds placed! Thank you!! 1mo

CSeydel None of my libraries have The Memory of Animals! 1mo

CSeydel Oh I just realized it doesn‘t come out until June 23 1mo

LaraReads Woo hoo! So excited! 1mo

BarbaraBB @monalyisha It is so nerdy indeed and that‘s one of the best things about it! Hopefully the boos will be just as good! 1mo

BarbaraBB @merelybookish Glad you will be reading along! We‘ll tag you in the reading schedule! 1mo

BarbaraBB @CSeydel We‘ll probably read it in August! 1mo

Oryx Great list. Excited to discuss these all with you all 1mo

CSeydel 👍🏻 1mo

Kimberlone Great selection! Gotta put my library holds in! 1mo

Magpiegem Fantastic!! Exited to read all of these! Roll on Summer!! 1mo

eraderneely So exciting!!! Of course 3 of these are not even listed for my library at the moment 🙄 On the holds list for the others! 1mo

Christine Yay!! Fun variety! 1mo

Jess Great list. I only have one on my shelves so looks like I‘ll be going shopping! 1mo

Hooked_on_books I‘ve already read the 2 June books and can‘t wait for our discussion of BW‘s ending. 😆 But how am I going to pick between them in voting that month?!? I like Sittenfeld but am not excited for RC. The holds list is a mile long, so if I can‘t get it, I‘ll just skip that and read the rest. I‘m intrigued by HBB, sounds really interesting. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I haven‘t read Bandit Queens yet but can‘t imagine it‘ll beat Birnam Wood! 1mo

ImperfectCJ This is a really interesting list! I'm lukewarm about memoir, and a Glennon Doyle blurb (as on the HBB synopsis) is an automatic turnoff for me, but I took a graduate course on the Qur'an a few years ago, and the reviews saying how the author views her experience through that lens are intriguing, so maybe I'll give it a shot. I rarely have to talk myself into novels, though, so I'm in for the rest, so long as I can get hold of them! 1mo

KarenUK Great choices! Really liked the Sittenfeld, love Claire Fuller, was already excited for yellow face, bandit queens and Birnam wood, and the last one wasn‘t on my radar! (edited) 1mo

Megabooks @ImperfectCJ I think you would like it. She relates her experiences to queer, feminist interpretations of Quranic stories, many of which are found in the texts of other Abrahamic faiths. (Jonah, Joseph, Moses, etc. and more Islam-specific ones like Mohammad and their slightly different Mary story of Mariam) As someone who studied Islam in college as well, I am so excited to reread and lead the discussion on a book that really blew me away! 1mo

BarbaraBB @rmaclean4 here is some more information. If you like to be included in future posts, let me know! 1mo

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Here are the six books we‘re going to read and discuss! 1w

GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB wow! This is awesome! Such great titles. Will try to find them soonest. 💕🙏🏼 1w

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks I am glad you like them. We were very happy with the outcome as well! 1w

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The Gospel According to the New World | MARYSE. CONDE

Well, the first sentence perfectly fits the prompt 🏝️ #TitlesAndTunes #IslandVibe