I‘m on the fence about this one. It has a lot to say about current work culture, especially in these COVID times, but in a small package. A fast read, or listen in my case. I probably won‘t remember the specifics of the book, but it will add to my view of some of the ridiculousness that goes on in modern jobs. I was surprised at the romance factor!

What a great way to put yourself in the shoes of another! This book is about prison relationships, in several different forms. The central couple are a man incarcerated and a woman, Jo, on the “outside”. They met through a prison pen pal program and fell in love. They married in the prison. Another couple met in prison and are housed near each other. It‘s amazing what each of these couples has gone through. A fascinating read!
#BlameItOnLitsy

Lynette has it rough. She lives with her mother and brother who has developmental disabilities. The family is dysfunctional and down on their luck. Lynette has been working multiple jobs in order to try to pull them out of their situation. When her plan to rebuild their lives falls apart things spiral downward. The author has a not-so-subtle comment about healthcare, wealth, and the various systems that shape life in America. Good, not great.

#bookhaul #libraryhaul
Two #blameitonlitsy, one of which is a pick from @Mitch for #nywd — The Book of Memory.

This wasn‘t on my radar until I read about it on BookPage‘s best of the year list. I have since seen it on NYT‘s list of 100. I am totally blown away. This may also appear on my “best of the year” list. This slim novel allows readers into the mind of a father as he navigates parenthood, as his son grows from a newborn through elementary-age. Touching, eye-watering, humorous and perfectly captures the feelings for one‘s own children. All the 🌟

I loved this audiobook. Featured in NPR‘s annual Books We Love (the new name for the Book Concierge) under the heading “let‘s talk about sex” and YES this book does! I appreciate the way Perkins knows what she wants and goes after exactly that. She‘s into “skinny dudes” who apparently are the best in bed 😂 🤷🏼‍♀️ who knew! I do love an essay collection and this one delivered!! #NPRBooksWeLove

I‘ve been reading and enjoying everyone‘s #weeklyforecast for a long time and have finally made my own 😊
Found my current read (tagged) on a best of the year list. I believe BookPage‘s. It‘s great!!
Just finished Happy and it‘s sexy! 🥵
Pretty confident I can get to the next three I‘ve checked out on Libby before the week is over.

One strange thing about me (of mannyyyy 😆) is I don‘t enjoy short story collections but I do love a collection of essays. I think of them as very different but when listening to this book I often found myself getting into the groove as if this was a collection of autobiographical details of an individual‘s (Veasna So) life as if it WERE a collection of essays. All of this to say that I enjoyed this debut which has a great sense of place. #ToB22

Jane Goodall is the public figure I admire most. Her grace, gentleness, intelligence and HOPE of course is unsurpassed. This audiobook is an interview between Jane and Douglas Abrams, narrated by both of them as if listeners are there for their personal conversation! I appreciate her strategy of inspiring hope in people that all is not lost. We can come together to turn things around for ourselves, which means taking care of plants and animals.

This hour long #audiobook includes a foreword and an afterword which definitely helped place this epistolary work of fiction in the historical context of the beginning of Hitler‘s rise to power. We, as readers, know it‘s often best to illustrate a point with a story. This collection of fictionalized letters between friends (one in America, the other in Germany) clues modern readers into the answer to the question: “how could this have happened?”

Positively DELIGHTED to be matched with @Mitch for #newyearwhodis!! Hamnet was on my list, Secret Lives of Church Ladies easily could have been, and I read Matrix last month. I haven‘t read the 7 shown on my (wonky 😆) graphic. Loving these nonfiction titles which are right up my alley! I‘ve only heard of Braiding Sweetgrass which has been TBR for too long. I‘ll probably start with that one in Jan. and track down the others as well! Squee! #nywd22

I must preface this by saying I went in blind and had I known this book is one of those in the category of “lonely older man finds kinship” I would have never read it. I actually really do not enjoy those 😆 Never even read A Man Called Ove and sure don‘t want to. All of that being said, I really did love this story. The amazing audiobook narration could have been a big reason why.

Another great memoir! Glimpses of Tarana‘s childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood that led to the work and creation of the #metoo movement. Definitely felt her disappointment with the fact that white women using the hashtag created the global movement as we know it today.

My fellow readers, this book! Brought to tears, but also chuckled?! That‘s the work of a great author in my book. Loved this more than Blacktop Wasteland and can see both being adapted for the big screen. In this one, two fathers seek revenge for their sons‘ deaths. So much plot, but also strong character development and the action never stops. 5 🌟

Just me, Seth Rogan, and Andrew Carnegie 😂
I listened to this narrated by Rogan, which is certainly the way to go. There‘s cameos and sound effects and Rogan‘s humorous delivery enhances the experience. As many have already mentioned, there is drug use, spoken about casually. I wasn‘t offended but also couldn‘t relate to his experiences. Not lol and not life changing, but a quick and entertaining listen.

I‘d like to start using 👉#nonfictionnovember but I‘ve been on such a nonfiction kick this year, I can‘t say I‘m specifically dedicating the month to it. Also, this one continues #theyearofthememoir from the perspective of a survivor of a “troubled teen” program. Gilpin‘s ordeal began when her parents enrolled her in a program with Carlbrook School (now closed). She spent the first 3 months in the woods followed by intense “reform” at the school.

Love unexpected book mail, especially when the cover art is so pretty 🪴📖📫💕
#bookmail #arc #2022 #covercrush

My second from this author; she‘s been getting some love here on Litsy and I can see why. I really appreciate thrillers than come together well and make sense, plus both of Howard‘s I‘ve read are set in Ireland. Though a bit repetitive, it does help to understand the different perspectives on the events. COVID as a plot device! I have a feeling we‘ll be seeing more of this!

Not a single ounce of happiness in this one 😖
Super short but no less impactful.
Black and British, our narrator is part of the 1% because of her hard work but cannot escape the pervasive racism I. Her life which she recounts while preparing to attend her boyfriend‘s family‘s garden party.
What struck me most is spoiler territory so it‘s hidden in the comments.

A whodunnit with multiple perspectives and tragic backstories. Several viable suspects with intertwined relationships. How did a body end up on a houseboat? Was it the last person to see the dead man? Several familiar troupes are featured including the meddling older woman. There‘s another vein running throughout, sort of a mystery within a mystery that didn‘t work for me. While I wasn‘t totally sold on this, I was entertained.

There‘s so much that “you” (media/Hillbilly Elegy/politicians) get wrong about Appalachia. It‘s a far-reaching area full of complex people w varied identities. I live in + love Appalachia, but have issues with how the culture is portrayed. In some aspects, it IS the place full of backwards hill people. This book aims to highlight everything Hillbilly Elegy blamed on individuals rather than the real entities at fault: the government + corporations

This cover art 😍
Dear Abby-style questions for John Paul, an American with Mexican heritage. As the subtitle promises, readers get a glimpse into his life including a bit of his childhood, coming of age, and early experiences with sexuality. Funny at times, self depreciating, and covers the hard stuff too. Only complaint — a bit too short! I would have gladly listened to more of his stories!

Borrowed this after seeing a post from @Megabooks because I‘m always on the hunt for a good thriller. I have to say, this one delivered. Differing storylines intertwine, but I didn‘t find it confusing in the least.
Influencers, surveillance, blackmail, and obsession. Takes place in Ireland and the narrator was great. I‘m waiting for 56 Days and hoping it‘s as good!

One of our library system‘s branches is in an old barn with a gorgeous maple out front that always puts on a great fall show🍁
Got my time in for the week and waiting to pick up my son from school. Found this book in my bag, so I‘ll read with this excellent view 📖

A great contemporary novel about parenthood, unconditional love, and making impossible decisions. The storyline was interesting but could have failed in a less-skilled author‘s hands. This grabbed ahold of me and didn‘t let go until the conclusion. Heart wrenching in parts.

Adored this #memoir of a biologist/zoologist professor who
leads a solitary lifestyle until she meets Fox. In all her
training and professional life it is well-known that "humans
shouldn't interfere in a wild animal's life" and one should
never anthropomorphize animals. She has gone along with this thought but eventually comes to the conclusion that humans are animals too. Having a Fox as a best friend seems so epic; I‘d love this life! Had ?

A so-so because things went downhill. I was enjoying it but then it seemed like the author was told the book needed to be longer and added a bunch of unnecessary filler. The original storyline I liked. A gay #metoo situation, but somewhat outlandish. Also, Rebecca vibes anyone??

I know the author made some trouble for herself when she trolled some book reviewers on Goodreads for giving a 4 star review. Unnecessary and shouldn‘t have happened. I read the book anyway, as it had already been purchased for the library. Essay collections are my jam and this was a good collection. Brutal descriptions of anti-lgbt actions against her while in the armed forces, homelessness, and her early years in a cult. Some great writing here.

An excellent addition to the titles I‘ve been reading to help me better understand race in America. Definitely learned some things I didn‘t know and more about some things I only had surface-level knowledge of. Smith travelled to places across the country and even other parts of the world to learn about the current attitudes about slavery, while reflecting on the traumas of the past. Monticello, Antigone, New York City and more are featured.

Listened to the audiobook of this amazing novel. A wonderful reading experience with a perfect narrator. Highly recommend this but will refrain from saying much about the content. I went in blind and glad I did.

A thorough examination of how being alone impacts us individually and also as a nation. America personified as the cowboy, a symbol of rugged individualism, something I hadn‘t considered before reading this. Connection to others has changed tremendously over time and the lack of community has a negative impact on our health. Amazing artwork with interesting facts make an impressive, page-turning graphic novel.

An entertaining way to spend a few hours. Middle-aged women dark humor. It was fine, but not as lol-inducing as I had hoped.

Good for what it was, if a bit over-the-top. This has to be made into a movie, I‘m sure?! A plane is hijacked in a different way, and a pilot is presented with an unbelievably difficult predicament. A fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants thriller that was a page turning, fast read. I know this type of thing isn‘t for me usually, but FOMO and I read it anyway lol. Silly in some ways, but spoilers so I won‘t say more.

A great coffee table book for plant-lovers. This book inspired me to think outside the box when it comes to “living with nature”. Although, we already are all nature ourselves, this encourages us to find the beauty in plants, both inside our homes, and in gardens outdoors. Cuttings, potted pants, and even homes built around trees, etc. Stylish and a bit pretentious. An inspiration to see how others have made plants their lives‘ work.

A beautiful, all-encompassing book. It‘s about libraries which is to say it‘s about everything the library contains. So, this is about humanity over the centuries, but also individuals. Felt a bit like an epic fairy tale for the modern age. Much different than All the Light We Cannot See. But I found myself thinking about John Boyne‘s Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom. One of my best of the year. We are all connected across space and time. 🌎🌱⏳📖

Basically, a review of what I learned from HBO‘s documentary The Vow. The cult of NXIVM, a “self improvement” pyramid scheme led by Keith Raniere, which was big in the news several years ago, was embraced by some semi famous people. Although the documentary heavily features Catherine and India Oxenburg, and this focuses on others like Daniela who was a 16 year old Mexican girl imprisoned in a room by her parents and Keith Raniere, there‘s overlap.

Somewhat book related, in that the subject of this new HBO documentary is the author of weight loss books. But guys, I just have to share — this is 🍌 👖 and I know some of you like that type of thing. I binged all the episodes in a bout a day. Especially for those of you interested in cults! (Like me 👋)

I‘ve been saving this one for this time of year. Honestly, I read this purely because of the epic cover art, but I‘m happy to report the actual story delivered too! Very YA which is typically not my jam these days. From the point of view of Iris, who along with her sister Vivi are searching for their third sister Grey who is missing. Creepy with some slight gore. 🌸 🎃

An intense historical fiction character study of Marie de France, from her early days to the day she died and the abbey she left behind. I had to look this up: the book begins in 1158. A slim novel, based on a real person. A character seared into my brain. Very glad to have read it and really appreciate some aspects but can‘t say I‘m blown away like the buzz around this one suggests I should be.

It could be because I‘m the exact audience for this short audiobook, but I adored it. Isabella lived in Alaska as a child and has a fondness for glaciers and desperately worries about their disappearance. She relocates to the Portland where the present day action takes place. Isabella is basically me: lover of thrift stores, vegetarian, works in a library, concerned about the changing world, loves books, old things and cats. A rec from @Liberty

My terrible secret is this: I am no Shakespeare lover. 😱 I‘m always chasing that Secret History high though, so I gave this college-campus-set novel a chance. I liked the setting, but couldn‘t handle the characters speaking to each other in Shakespeare quotes. Which is on me. But I can‘t say I thought the mystery was surprising. A lot of theater major angst. Over all, so-so. But lovely cover.

The story gets a thumbs up. 👍
The writing gets a thumbs down. 👎
Duchess Day Radley is 13, her brother Robin is 6. He‘s the thing she loves most in this world and their relationship was touching. They have a hard go of things mostly due to their mother‘s past trauma. So many things happen, definitely not short on plot. But I was confused so many times and had to go back to reread sentences because the author got reallll into flowery situations.

Downright spectacular. Do you ever read fiction and just know particular scenes are going to stick with you? This book is full of these! Peach cobbler will never be the same! 😂😢🍑
Full of heartache but also love and even a bit of humor sprinkled throughout. Perspectives of black women who are impacted by church in some way. I‘ve read such great things about this and happy to say they are all true. Listen to the audiobook if you get the chance.

My heart is in pieces on the floor. I‘m not huge on graphic novels, but this is gorgeous and relatable. A young man attempts to make meaningful connections with strangers and later, his family. Sad but also funny. I usually don‘t check trigger warnings but I wish I had known some things going in. I don‘t want to spoil anything, so hidden in comments are the TWs. I think this struck me so deeply because I‘ve been going through similar situations.

So behind on my reviews here. 😅
I really liked this. An Australian tennis family: aging parents Stan and Joy who started a tennis coaching business, in which their four grown children all participated. Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke each have their own lives, relationships and quirks which readers get to know all about. Enter Savannah, a mysterious young woman who upends things.
*Peep our library‘s old card catalog which proudly sits on my desk.

Heart wrenching. A difficult read, both because of the horrific content and the lyrical writing style which is lovely, but also nonlinear which was challenging. And it‘s long. I did love the beautiful relationship between Samuel and Isaiah and the flashes from Africa, which I believe to be ancestors of the enslaved, though I never understood if it was a direct lineage. Jones admires Toni Morrison, and this definitely felt like one of hers.

Dropped my mom at and appointment and found a great park nearby for my youngest to play while I sneak in some pages! 📖

I love weekends. That‘s all.
📚 🍑 🍷 🎃 🌸

Two Irish best friends Alice and Eileen have millennial thoughts and relationships. Alice ruminates on becoming a literary sensation, something she does not enjoy (undoubtedly a biographical character for Rooney) while Eileen feels less-than successful with her career prospects and personal life. Both have significant others; Simon, a lifelong crush for Eileen and Felix, a Tender match for Alice. I loved it though had a bit of a problem. ⬇️

Read by the author, an immersive memoir of a child‘s immigrant experience from China to America. The details are visceral: the smelly man who took Qian‘s family to McDonald‘s, the comfort of the cat on her bed, the feelings of shame at school. I have no idea how the author was able to tap into her childhood with such feeling. Books like this are why I love memoirs; I have walked in the shoes of this young girl. Exceptional. #theyearofthememoir