A delightfully spooky short story collection by #paultremblay Even better is his #aheadfullofghosts which is an homage to horror and possession tropes while providing a new twist on the genre. And oh, that ending. #spookyreads #seasonofthewitch #thisishalloween19

Got my latest OwlCrate order: my second deck of Essen Tasch playing cards because when my husband suggested a card game with my new treasure I couldn‘t bear to see the cards bent. So now I have one deck to keep perfect and one to play with. 😂 Also ordered this book since no libraries in MI will loan it to me. I hope I like it! I love the bookmark and note it came with. And, let‘s face it, it‘s just fun to get books in the mail! ❤️❤️ #OwlCrate

I just discovered Fairy Loot, a YA fantasy subscription service. Yesterday I stumbled across Shelf Love Crate for YA fantasy. I just got hooked on Owl Crate merch over the summer, although I‘ve yet to subscribe. What is going on? How many of these are there? Are there any bookish subscription services that are NOT YA? I mean, I‘m 45 but I love bookish goodies! Here‘s a picture of our new kitten, named Klaus after The Originals 😻 #kittensoflitsy

I rarely buy books for and when I do, it‘s because I‘ve read it and loved it or it‘s one that I think it will take me awhile to tackle. But, my library had zero copies of the tagged book and my request that searched the entire state of Michigan came back cancelled which I think means the book is checked out everywhere. I decided to just order it from OwlCrate since I want another deck of Essen Tasch playing cards that I‘ll actually play with 😂

I enjoyed this and found it to be a satisfying page turner. There is a not at all subtle homage to The Secret History in this tale of a group of popular kids who are involved in the disappearance of the sister of one of the group members. The story is told with flashbacks interspersed with the present day investigation, which I liked. I didn‘t care for the side plots involving the detectives but perhaps the author intends to write more about them?

Library haul. Top 2 are book club reads - nothing I would have chosen. Red Rising is a book I‘d never heard of but read a lot of rave reviews on recently so want to try it. Recursion I‘m so excited for since I really like Blake Crouch. The bottom two are my suspense/horror picks as we near fall and the season of a scary book! The Hunger in particular intrigues me since the Donner party has always spooked me since it was discussed in The Shining.

This is my son‘s favorite author and series. He‘d been bugging me to read it so finally I said I would if he read The Hazelwood, which he had been resisting and still hasn‘t finished. I really enjoyed this story. Mull is a good writer and the adventures and fantasy in the book are well done. I can see why my son enjoys it so much. Now he‘s bugging me to read the next in the series! I definitely recommend for middle grade fantasy readers. ❤️

I am definitely a Riley Sager fan and the latest did not disappoint. This book wasn‘t particularly scary nor did it build up a strong suspenseful atmosphere, but it still held my interest and I was definitely curious about where the story was going. It had an urban legends type of vibe for me, which I thought was fun and a nice change of pace. The backstory was dark and helped drive character motivation. Not a gripping read, but an interesting one

VE Schwab fans...run, don‘t walk, to owlcrate.com to get your own Essen Tasch playing cards with illustrated face cards featuring characters from A Gathering of Shadows from 4 different artists. The cards are gorgeous. I wish Litsy let me post multiple pictures...the edges are a gorgeous red foil. Right now you can buy these separately from their subscription boxes but I doubt they will last! I‘m still scouring eBay for the Caraval cards!

This is a short story or novella printed alone, so a very quick read. I‘ve read a lot of Stephen King and I believe he does short stories better than epic tales. This book is a weird concept but it‘s Stephen King after all. More a story of acceptance than anything else, and I really enjoyed the writing this time around. Sometimes he just gets it right and even basic events are interesting to read about. Worthwhile, not his usual horror though.

I wanted to like this. British humor, middle aged woman dealing with perimenopause, obnoxious teenagers, loser husband, trying to get back into workforce that values youth. It‘s a recipe for a good book but this just felt tedious and boring, despite spot on insights. It was difficult to believe anyone would put up with the total douche bag who was her husband, or be so oblivious to her children‘s problems/faults. Almost a pan; some funny moments.

Hmmm. Loved the concept and ideas in this creepy take on fairy tales. Also enjoyed the twist and some of the writing was evocative. However, I felt the execution was lacking, and at times the story seemed to rush past plot points and suddenly I was reading a very different story. Didn‘t like the end at all but I see there is a sequel. Not sure I‘d bother reading it. Only okay for me overall #kittensoflitsy #klausthekitty #readingwithcats

I enjoyed this book, which is a coming of age novel about a young woman in New York City in the early 1940s. Some parts felt like they got too much attention and detail while others were rushed, but I liked the story and found it entertaining. There are plenty of odd characters, fun settings and plot points, and descriptions of a NYC that no longer exists. The picture I screenshot from Instagram; it speaks the truth!

We all know you can never have enough books...or apparently enough pets as we‘ve added a kitten to our zoo! No agreed upon name yet for this ball of fluff so we‘ve just been calling him “floof.” Our other cats have short fur so the ragamuffin appearance of this guy‘s slightly longer coat is entertaining us! Just started the book, which he thought might make a great chew toy. #kittensoflitsy #petsoflitsy #newfriends #floof

You know from page 1 someone at the retreat is a psychotic murderer and all of the POVs reveal questionable moral character/sanity. Some of the other guests/owners at the retreat are equally sketchy; plenty of unsavory possibilities. The reveal was fairly shocking and well done but the end fell very very flat. Also, this was an arc from NetGalley with a huge number of errors. At one point part of the story seemed to be missing. Overall😐

I had trouble getting into this book but then things picked up and I ended up liking it. The author gives plenty of possible suspects so it was fun working out whodunit and identifying red herrings. I was telling my son about it and we both agreed it would be good if a certain character was guilty and we were right, so that was fun. I did feel that the entire plot, ending, and motivation were all totally unbelievable. Interesting, but forgettable.

To quote Charles Schulz, “happiness is”....a new ARC from NetGalley, beautiful weather to read outside, a glass of Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc in a bug-proof insulated cup, my buddy Elvis by my side, and wearing my fav Litographs TS Eliot T-shirt. #lifeisgood #petsoflitsy #catsoflitsy #elvis #netgalley #wineandbooks

Another #Netgalley romance ARC and this one was lots of fun with a hell of a cliffhanger end. The author takes her time creating sexual tension and it‘s well into the second half of the book before these two stubborn and domineering souls get together. The friction made it fun, although they both are a bit ridiculous. There‘s plenty of backstory on Vaughn and why she‘s a mess, not as much on Ryker. The ending shocked me; I need the next book!

This was fun. I love an elite secret society gone wrong story. What I liked about this is that it comes mainly from an instructor POV although there are student POVs too. The plot revolves around taking down the rotten secret society and the chaos that ensues. A change of pace, slightly satirical, definitely a knowing wink, an interesting book for the #metoo era. I had some issues with believability, too many POVs, but overall pick. #netgalley

Got this romance novel from NetGalley and I enjoyed it. This is intelligent romance with not a whole lot of erotica (I mean, ACOMAF has steamier sex scenes), but I liked the two characters and enjoyed that their romance wasn‘t based on them being broken people with low self esteem - why is that a thing in romance anyway?? The setting in France adds nicely to the vibe and the overall plot is fun. The ending was too abrupt but still a pick.

Billed as “feminist revenge fantasy.” Nope. 3 sisters are raised in seclusion by their sadistic parents and taught to fear men. There‘s some sort of dystopian patriarchal state of the world plus actual toxins (??) but we never learn anything about either - or if they are even real. Also the girls are taught that feelings are toxic, as is love. Dad disappears and three males show up on the island. Chaos ensues. The writing is lovely but meh.

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.