Initially I wasn‘t feeling this book...too many POVs that didn‘t connect well, a main plot that seemed a bit dull, and some descriptive writing that wasn‘t working for me. I stuck with it because it‘s an ARC from NetGalley and I‘m so glad I did. It took about halfway in (too long) but suddenly the story took off and got really good with interesting and unexpected twists and turns. Ultimately I enjoyed it quite a bit! Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

#unpopularopinion here but I couldn‘t stick with this book. I could be wrong but this felt like a middle-grade book to me and it just didn‘t pull me in, despite being a Buffy fan. My library lumps all middle grade and YA fiction into a category they call “teen.” Middle grade and YA books are not at all the same in terms of maturity so I feel like this is misleading. Check out these library steps I screenshot from an Insta page though - love!! 😍

This was a great beach/summer read...fast paced, shifting perspectives, Nantucket mystery. Digs into the perceptions and realities of several relationships, has just the right amount of wealth and luxury without being pretentious, and was just fun to read! I enjoyed following the detectives along with their investigation, and all the secrets they unintentionally discover along the way. #summerreading #booksandsun #livingthatdecklife

I‘m so sad this series is over, but I loved reading Finale. It felt like the correct ending to this tale, with more magic and color even than the first two books in the series. The writing is evocative and dreamy, bringing this fantasy world fully to life. The characters are wonderful, although the Fates could have been a little more fleshed out. I particularly enjoyed Jacks, a true villain that you love anyway. I need a backstory novel on Legend!

This, for me, didn‘t quite live up to the hype. I enjoyed reading it and was surprised by the twist, but I didn‘t find it to be a book that truly drew me in. I always felt a little removed from the story and characters. Possibly, I had simply read too much glowing praise for it and this made my expectations too high. It‘s a good mystery novel but I wasn‘t on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Good, not amazing, for me. But worthwhile for sure.

Excited to start this one and also to finally have a day in Michigan where it‘s beautiful for reading outside! #nomorerainplease #timeoffworkbeginsnow #libraryholdcamein

Secret History, Special Topics in Calamity Physics, The Basic Eight, and the movie The Craft -and you have the plot of The Furies. Elite school, exclusive clique, charismatic adult mentor, dabbles in witchcraft, drugs and alcohol. The writing jumps around in time with no warning and that along with all the intoxication gives an incoherent feel to everything, which makes sense as the story is told by a character looking back at the past👇🏼👇🏼

Nonstop rain in Michigan means I‘ve yet to get my new deck furniture actually out on my deck. But it‘s soooooo comfy! So, my son and I are just hanging out on it in the garage while we read. 😂😂😂 Lots of great NetGalley downloads to get through; the tagged book is another murder at an exclusive school with a sketchy clique involved - a total weakness of mine!! #garageliving #rainrainandmorerain #dogsoflitsy #loki #petsoflitsy #summerreading

At first I was not happy that this book doesn‘t continue Aelin‘s story but instead follows what happens to Chaol and Nesryn after they head out for Antica. More characters and storylines are introduced and it all gets a bit tedious at time. But, I did like Chaol‘s growth in the book and some of the reveals. As seems to be the case with this series for me, I found parts dragged terribly, but I liked the ending. One more book to go!

The 1970s. Sex, drugs (a LOT of drugs), and rock n roll. Yet, this book also has a heart, a sweet story about love, and some fantastic one liners with hard truths about life. It‘s written in a fun interview format which was mostly dynamic, although at times annoying in its brevity of snippets. Definitely an enjoyable and fast paced read, different than my usual mysteries/suspense/fantasy. Recommend! #bookclubpick #allthisrainisgreatformygarden

I‘m a fan of this author and I like that her books all are in a vein but do not follow a formula. Some are supernatural, some seem supernatural but have a scooby-doo ending. The Invited was intriguing since it examines a haunting that was chosen by the main character Helen. The surrounding mysteries aren‘t all that mysterious, but it was fun watching the characters figure things out. Enjoyable but not scary or even creepy, just interesting.

This book started out intriguing, quickly turned into what felt like a bad Lifetime movie, and then around halfway through I realized something else was afoot. Ultimately the book was better than I initially thought, but characters were clueless and frustrating, plot points were unresolved or undeveloped, and the tail end had no impact. I liked She Was the Quiet One by this author but this was only okay. Thanks to NetGalley for this one.

Overall, I‘m a Ruth Ware fan, so I was excited to see she has a new book coming out in August. This is a fun, creepy suspense novel with plenty of things that go bump in the night, twists, and turns. Ultimately the story and the big reveal is quite improbable, but I still enjoyed reading it and appreciated the atmosphere that is created. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of the book in exchange for a review.

My compulsion to finish books/series even if I‘m not loving it can sometimes pay off. It has with this, book 5 in the Throne of Glass series. I liked the first 2, didn‘t love the second 2, but kept going and this book was my reward. The story is fast paced, has lots of thrilling reveals, and the characters are at a point where I really care about so many of them. I‘m now invested! Two more books to go and this one ends on a HUGE cliffhanger!

I got through this despite my frustrations with the pace of the story and many of the characters. Honestly my favorite character is Abraxos, an animal. But once again I did like how some plot points wrapped up, although one twist made no sense at all. I‘ve resigned myself to the fact that I will never really love this series or Aelin so now I need to decide if I continue reading to see how some things that do interest me resolve or just move on.

Once again I seem to be of the minority opinion that these books are only so-so. Probably others who weren‘t feeling them were smart enough to bail by now. They scream “teen” to me despite all the murder and violence. The characters are all so black and white with their feelings. They have no ability to see other viewpoints and it makes the story annoying and eye rolling. I just don‘t love any of these characters. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Cute library though!

Okay Litsy community I need some advice. I‘ve never read or watched any GOT. I know, how is this possible??? My husband and I need a new series to binge and he‘s already read the GOT books. Should we go for it or do you recommend I read the books first (since they are always better!!)??? I can always read them after??? Thoughts??
Fun for us, our kids‘ school mascot is a dragon so people sport these cool shirts around town.

This book dragged but overall I like where the story is headed. I enjoyed the addition of Manon and Abraxos, and, to a lesser degree, Rowan. I also liked the ending. However, for a book of over 600 pages, not much happens. It‘s a lot of character development and set up. The writing isn‘t good enough to get away with this length and so little action. I‘m hopeful that the next book in the series is more exciting. #dogsoflitsy #loki #petsoflitsy

Finally!!! I pre-ordered this from B & N and it took 8 days to get here. Seems excessive for impatient types like me. I had my NetGalley copy downloaded last week but prefer physical books, so I waited. Also excited to read a chapter from Legend‘s perspective!!! I am debating a reread of both Caraval and Legendary before I dive in. I love reading a series from start to finish all together. #finale #caraval #legend #danteisabookboyfriend

Sigh. I‘m finding this book to be tedious. Struggling through. Maybe my fav chips and some wine will help!

I liked this book enough to stay up way too late last night to finish it. This reminded me of The Secret History, both in content and pace - elite prep school, secret society, not a tightly wound suspense novel but one that slowly reveals itself. Also similar - this book is full of characters that are hard to really like, but who are interesting. I actually liked this better (gasp heard from the cult of Secret History!!) #catsoflitsy #lucy #elvis

It‘s been a stereotypical Monday around here both at work and at home, but a bright spot was picking up my latest library hold and settling in with one of my favorite New Zealand wines. Happy Monday ( it‘s almost over!!)

This novella is interesting. It‘s very short so don‘t expect major plot or character development but it‘s also part of a series so is really just setting a scene. I didn‘t rabidly love it as people seem to, but it was interesting. It‘s pure fantasy, mixed in with the world as we know it. Reminded me of Mrs Peregrine and those books a bit. My library does not have this labeled as YA which, in my opinion, it clearly is, right?? It has that teen vibe

I was excited to see this author had a new book and then realized it‘s a teen book, not adult fiction. I didn‘t know this author even wrote teen books but gave it a whirl. I felt that it read like a kid‘s book, and not all “teen” books do, with some very convenient plot points and shallow exploration of some characters and story. I thought it was okay, but very dark for a teen story. I prefer her adult fiction. #elvis #catsoflitsy #petsoflitsy

What the....😳😳😳 I just finished this suspense novel and I‘m still in some shock over the ending. Damn. Major twists and turns and not the reveals I was expecting. It definitely kept me interested, although the unreliable narrator is a trope I‘m a bit tired of in suspense novels. It seems like an easy way to distract the reader. That said, this packed a punch and has me wondering about that final reveal...recommend for those who like suspense!

I was completely sucked into this gothic story and found it very creepy and unsettling. Some of the secrets were easy to figure out, others came as a surprise. I was really disappointed in the ending though. The big reveal and climax was the plot point that, to me, was obvious from the get go and the rest of the mysteries remained murky or were hastily dealt with. It‘s too bad because I thought the book was really well written in many ways.

I love the first two Caraval books and Dante is a book boyfriend so I decided to pre-order Finale even though I rarely buy books. Got a copy of Legendary as well because I only have a kindle ARC. Barnes and Noble has an exclusive edition of Finale containing a chapter told from Legend‘s perspective, yes! I‘m going to re-read Caraval and Legendary back to back before I read Finale, which comes out May 7. Mother‘s Day weekend is now booked!

Book 2 in the series and yes, now we are talking! Book 1 was a bit slow for me, but I appreciate the time taken to set things up. Book 2 saw a lot more action, reaction, discoveries, and plot development. Both Chaol and Dorian need more character development but I like where they are headed and their stories. Caelana was still bugging me at first, but by the end I was in her corner. I‘m hooked! It‘s still no ACOMAF though 😂 #morerhysandplease

Digging into this series by Maas. Underwhelmed compared to the Court books but I will keep reading and see where things go. This was clearly a set up book - slow moving, shallow, and lots of characters and plot points introduced with little resolution. I‘m not sure I like the heroine, but clearly she will grow over the series and I hope I‘ll like her more as the story develops. Do not like this cover. Much prefer the other badass version.

College tours with my daughter...today‘s visit is Grand Valley State University. I‘m an MSU alum and Spartan for life but this campus is spectacular. And, check out this library!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Ugh. Ok here‘s what‘s good...pacing, readability, one of the book‘s subplot mysteries. Here‘s what is bad...main plot, unbelievable characters and situations, and a completely gross underlying thread. Expect over the top shock value - I continually thought ok sure this could happen but then also THIS AND THIS?!?! I debated even finishing the book but did and while it was readable, I‘m not able to really recommend it and feel good about myself 😂

“ Hill house, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within...silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.” I‘ve wanted to buy a copy of this book for years, always searching used bookstores and book fairs. Finally saw this special edition at 2nd and Charles and decided to grab it as I love the cover. Perfect psychological suspense/horror. One of my favs of all time.

Disappointing. I didn‘t like a lot about this book but not panning it since overall I liked the series. This feels very repetitive. Cat is still going through the same self doubt and she constantly has these amazing revelations that end up still not convincing her of her worth. It dragged. I liked the addition of some new characters a lot but did not like the anticlimactic ending at all nor the fate of some of the characters. Fizzled for me 😑

I continue to enjoy this series, which is an interesting mix of fantasy/Greek mythology/romance. Cat, the heroine, is a great character and she and Griffin are easy to root for. At times there are amusing bits of dialogue or thoughts from Cat, which I would like to see more of in the third book. A large portion of this book is dedicated to battle scenes, some of which I skimmed. Overall these are fun and I‘m looking forward to the final book!

“Real freedom is answering only to yourself, and being responsible for no one. Since that‘s a moral vacuum, none but the truly wicked are ever truly free.”
I confess I am not reading The Kingmaker Chronicles, which is romance/fantasy, expecting thought-provoking nuggets of wisdom. Love is certainly a responsibility. But must freedom be only for the wicked???

Vacation is over and I‘m back in MI, reluctantly, but at least there are signs of spring! I started this book while in FL but didn‘t get to finish until now. I liked this a lot but felt it jumped around a bit too much from character to character and also in time. I think all the chapters were needed, but would have preferred a more cohesive approach. I also wanted more of Sydney, Mitch, Victor, and June. I‘m assuming there‘s a third book? Hope so!

I really did not like this book very much and found it to be poorly written, and I almost bailed on reading it. The only reason I kept going was because it was very clear where the story was going and what the twists were and I hoped once it got there that things would improve. It did - to an extent. It was enough that I finished reading it, but I can‘t say that I recommend it.
Still on vacation - pic is of my daughter last night at Magic Kingdom

Loved this! I have read the Darker Shade of Magic trilogy and enjoyed it so thought I‘d try Schwab‘s Vicious and I was pleasantly surprised to find a very different type of book. I was reminded quite a bit of the old TV show Heroes, and a little bit of Flatliners and The OA. The characters are fascinating and I‘m excited that there are more books to follow. I brought #2 on the trip so I can keep going! #vacationreading #orlando #disneyworld #epcot

Reading in the sun with a drink in hand while kids enjoy the water park. #nowthatsvacation

Ahhh vacation reading! Brought along the King Maker trilogy as my fun, on vacation, fantasy romance reads. The first book did not disappoint. Cliched? Yes. Follows a romance formula? Yes. Enjoyable? Yes! This is light reading but with an interesting fantasy world and fun characters. The romance is, as noted, predictable, but it was still good. It‘s not a terribly steamy book - I think my recent YA reads were more risqué - but it worked. #vacation

I love these characters and enjoyed the different perspectives in this short novel - more of a novella really. However, I don‘t really understand the point of this story? I guess it could be setting the stage for the next book in the series but it just feels like nothing much happens. Nesta and Elain continue to be the worst sisters possible - I hope their characters are a bit more fleshed out in later books as I cannot stand either of them! 🌌✨

The series continues to enchant me, and this book is heartbreaking, beautiful, with both expected and unexpected plot twists. It‘s not as good as ACOMAF but it‘s still excellent. The characters are what make these books so good, as well as the depth of history and world building. Still flagging these as more mature than a teen book should be labeled, just my opinion. I love these images by Charlie Bowater. This is just how I pictured them 🌌✨

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 LOVED it! The plot is complex but compelling, characters are fantastic, world building is very detailed, and, as I noted in a previous post, this book has a sizzling romance. I‘m sticking to my guns that this should be adult fantasy and not found in the teen section due to all the sex and violence but it‘s likely nothing today‘s teens would find at all shocking. I loved the ending too; what a great cliffhanger! Bring on Book 3!

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Holy sexual tension!!!! I‘m not sure how I feel about this steamy book being aimed towards teenagers but I know how I feel about reading it - clearing my afternoon so I can read read read. Oh yeah and I think the plot is good too but it‘s hard to care 🤣😳😱🤣

A very quick read, fast-paced whodunit revolving around a group of new mothers and a missing baby. I liked some of the new motherhood fears that were explored, and felt that the author did a nice job of portraying sleep deprivation, postpartum depression, mom guilt, and “mommy brain.” There were many convenient plot points and some threads left unfinished but the final twist was a surprise that I didn‘t see coming. An enjoyable quick read for me.

Finally read this #blameitonlitsy book that I‘ve picked up multiple times from the library but kept not starting. Sometimes books are so hyped up I‘m reluctant to read them in case they don‘t live up to my expectations. This one came pretty close. This is a fun fantasy pulpy violent tale of good vs evil and the power of love. Not new tropes but handled with care and it made for a fast, compelling read. I‘m excited to have a new series to dig into!

Oy. This book suffers from trying to be too many things and from having too many storylines. Kellen manages a resort. She‘s ex-Army. Except her name is not Kellen. Once she was an abused wife. Once at another point in time she lost a year of her memories to a gunshot wound. Now she‘s unofficially investigating a murder. And a smuggling ring. And there are many, many suspects and people who act suspicious. Convoluted and silly. 😳👎🏼

As a child, I was fascinated with miniatures and anything tiny. (Not much has changed.) Happily discovered a storage box of my treasured tiny book collections. This was my first and favorite because they have no words. With pictures only, the brilliant Mercer Mayer created a lovely world where a boy and his dog explore nature, make new friends, and have some comical mishaps. I “read” these over and over. Finding a place for these on a bookshelf!

Starting a new book before I go to bed and this little friend jumped in my lap - a very rare occurrence as #Lucy is more of a scaredy cat than a snuggle buddy. Hoping it‘s a good omen for a good book! #catsoflitsy #petsoflitsy #lucy #readingatbedtime

This was a very fast read about a very screwed up marriage, with a twist that was unexpected. That surprise was nice, but it did seem implausible. Grace was a frustrating character but still easy to root for, especially as the story progressed. This is one of those books that relies mainly on shock value and manipulation of emotion to keep the reader going, rather than plot or character development. It passed the time but won‘t stick with me.