This is book 6 in the Gilded Age Mystery Series. It‘s grittier than a cozy, somewhat formulaic but typically not quite as intense as standalone mystery/thrillers. Although this one was quite intense and includes a horrific storyline/crime mystery. I did read it in just over 24 hours, because this is an immediate purchase series for me.

Thank you Elizabeth! This book is stunning! And yes I absolutely love my Winter Solstice tonic for Winter blues 🤍🤍🤍and vegan soap- both looks and smells lovely. 🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍

These are all books I would love to read by Black Authors. I will tag them in comments in case anyone else is interested. Also @Chelleo has sign ups for #blitsy open. This is a favorite swap of mine ❤️❤️❤️

This amazing swap is open for sign ups! Check out @Chelleo to join!

1. Finish my Dec TBR, and 3 books I‘ve started and stopped this year.
2. Complete a menu for managing diabetes
3. Continue to do physical therapy exercises
4. Work on mindfulness techniques to reduce daily stress responses
5. Work harder to not stress because our Supreme Court is a political joke. #abortionishealthcare

Some interesting titles for this months #foodandlit I hope my library has one of them.

I‘m so glad this was picked for #overbookedclub I loved this strong character driven story about love between family- across time and place.

My December #bookspin

My feelings are complicated- about this mashed up Beauty and the Beast with Little Red Riding Hood vibes retelling, but since this is an #lmpbc book no spoilers- until comments that will be hidden! If anyone else has read this and would chat with me I‘d be so appreciative! I can‘t wait to hear what my group thinks!!! These are my two absolute fairy tales- so really really want to chat about it!

I love the Balance meditation app- and they have started a podcast. The first episode was great- 15 minutes and a vital discussion on emotion in a nutshell. The guest has the tagged book releasing in Feb- and it is definitely in my wheelhouse as a rebel with too many causes. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well-balanced/id1593891505?i=1000542001246

After drooling over the lovely weekend our UK friends are having I googled reading retreats and this link came up:

https://bookriot.com/airbnb-reading-retreat/
The image is in Harpers Ferry WV- only an hour from DC-sleeps 10, just saying….

I wanted to like this YA book set in Mexico that I read for #foodandlit but honestly I do not think it was very well written. It was a struggle to see and appreciate the main characters growth and there were many aspects of life that would have been better with more depth to the story. I think the complexity of living on the border was a great premise but the characters were mostly in likable. I forgot to take a picture of my Mexican food .

@Insightsintobooks 🎉 my #wintersolsticeswap has arrived and is being hidden away until opening day 😘🤍🤍🤍

This was a great episode for anyone participating in #foodlit for January -Egypt

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strong-sense-of-place/id1494452606?i=10005...

I just saw this! What a fun idea! 🙌🙌🙌

@DebinHawaii these are all on my iRL TBR- but I‘m interested in pretty much all the books on your list. I‘m excited- and think I may let #bookspin choose the one I go with! #newyearwhodis

@GingerAntics honestly I wanted some more ideas- and it‘s interesting to realize how few books use Winter as a theme with Solstice or Yule or a Winter type of celebration separate from Christian and Jewish traditions. But here are a few I knew about and oddly a book riot link to possible other books. https://bookriot.com/winter-fantasy-books/
This was so much more challenging than I expected. I‘m interested to see what you read and think of it.

Checking in to see how everyone is in preparing for both our swap and the longest night of the year! Also I did ask book riot for recommendations on the podcast - they responded, but not quite what I had in mind. I will provide link to their holiday edition for anyone interested:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-booked/id1028531064?i=1000542328942

@LibrarianRyan has a holiday card exchange posted and is surveying interest in her #litsyawards event- check out her page for more information 🤍

New book I just listened to the author on The Bulwark Podcast - a more conservative view but often presented in a way for thoughtful discussion and a throwback to when bipartisanship was possible. This book sounds incredibly important and interesting. Would anyone else be interested in reading and discussing it between December and Presidents‘ Day? Im just thinking ongoing at our own pace and everyone jumps in with thoughts.

Just working through advertising, feel free to follow @LitsyEvents for updates on litsy activities open to everyone ❤️ Also let new Littens know about this page- th easiest way to see what goes on in Litsy.

Wondering how to share your event? Curious about what‘s going on in Litsy this week? month? Season? Tag or visit @LitsyEvents your new go to/town hall space! Please feel free to tag, post, share etc!!! It‘s here for all of us!

Too many choices for YABooks set in Mexico. I‘m struggling!!! Also this list has some good options for books on next years #foodandlit - i excited to travel the world some more 🤍📚🤍

https://bookriot.com/latin-american-ya-books/

I saw this on a library shelf and grabbed it on a whim- but I LOVE it! I‘m upset I picked it up this morning instead of Sat- I‘ve flown through 250 pages but have to go to work. I do not always love short stories but these are exactly what I like- Fae from different cultural perspectives, and each one different and wonderful sometimes creepy, sometimes funny. @HOTPock3tt I think you would def enjoy this and I‘m tagging my other fantasy friends

1. Only LMPBC and Litsy buddy reads. I wish I was part of one in real life, but with my Litsy friends.
2. I‘d love a fantasy based book club, but I can‘t pick one book- any recommendations?
3. I‘ve read books with LMPBC that people loved and hated, But at the end i love reading books I love and gushing about them with friends who love them too.
Thanks for the tag @Kenyazero anyone else want to play?

My opening day cheat sheet.

https://support.pirateship.com/en/articles/5705290-2021-holiday-shipping-deadlin...

Thanks @wanderinglynn for sharing this shipping dates resource - I‘m happy to share this for anyone engaging in swaps, gift giving and exchanges of any kind- on or off Litsy! ❤️

I love this cozy series. It focuses on Hungarian culture. I love the characters, and while there are some loopholes the story line is fun.

Thanks for the tag @ravenlee
1. Im reading a cozy mystery at home- but I‘m on a break at work and can‘t remember the title 😫🤪
2. I saw my daughter for a few days and am so proud of her and enjoy time with her. Also I Re pierced my ears after they started to close. How did I let 6 years go by without earrings????
3. When information is incorrect, and editing errors
Everyone is invited to join!

This seriously amazing activity is now open- but limited to 80 participants! The spectacular @monalyisha takes her time to match Littens based on reading lists- you agree to read at least one book from your matches list in January! I‘ve learned about absolute favorite books through this!

My Yule aesthetic #wintersolsticeswap
Everyone is welcome to share their seasonal aesthetic- for fun and or swap partners to see! I May make more- just for fun!

1. East City Bookshop and Mahogany Books in DC
2. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I always end up with a book I did not expect though.
3. Are you interested in playing @itsjustme40something @MadelineMcCrae @Insightsintobooks
Thanks for the tag @megnews
#two4tuesday

This super fun swap is now open for sign up! See @candority for details 🤍🤍🤍🤍

Wondering how this is? It does not have a lot of reviews (even on goodreads it seems like a small number to me) but sounds so good! Have any of you heard about it?

Sign I ups open Thursday! Only 80 spots available got this very fun activity!

@Liz_M has started a thread on @LitsyHappenings to the above question- all feedback would be appreciated and welcome! I‘m excited to see how we can keep all litsy activities easy to find and easy to join! To join the thread go to Litsy happenings- it should be the top post!

Last chance to sign up! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6mPeQdAEAyF2Va7tyLJvB-8iZV3GTuLSZHhbN...

I love, love, love this middle grade book. The main character is a sweet 12 year old who has discovered a box in the attic about a secret family past. This was a gentle way to introduce mg readers to another tragic aspect of racism against Native Americans. #mgbuddyread

It‘s time! See @bookish_wookish to sign up for this fun, easy swap.

I thought this was really well done. The audio was great. Also, I wish people would either get vaccinated and wear a mask, or at least wear a mask….

I‘ve been asked for resources to support parents when children are questioning and/or exploring gender identity. I appreciate any and all info you can suggest. This is for a clinical site so I think non fiction around identity and development would also be helpful. Thank you!

Zambia #foodandlit I struggled so much to find a book from/about Zambia- then last week discovered this one- and learned the Harpers Ferry library had it- where it had been mis-shelved- but they found it! And it is perfect and brutiful with a genuine picture of animal conservation, the bonds of animals and beauty and strength of animals. I fell in love with Bulu. There are some brutal moments in this true story that had me bawling, 👇

My November #bookspin just in a Nick of time.

I have no idea why this surprise of incredible books arrived!!! Christine I am speechless!!! You are so kind my friend!

Sign ups are open now through November 6 for the first ever #wintersolsticeswap hosted by my friend @sprainedbrain and me 🧡

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6mPeQdAEAyF2Va7tyLJvB-8iZV3GTuLSZHhbN...

Questions? Just ask!
Please see the sign up sheet for more information and/or to join us!
Tagging people who expressed interest but open to all who have interest!

Samhain, Halloween, All Hallows‘ Read, this is the best time of the year! And I am so grateful to celebrate with Litsy - The Harvest Season is Ending but Reading Season Never ends! Thank you for hosting fabulous swaps that keep my bookshelves overflowing!

I love the blind date with a book vibe that went into wrapping up all these witchy books! And I‘m so excited about all of them! I know how lucky I was to have you for my partner! 🖤🖤🖤 Thank you my friend for sharing this amazing Samhain gift with me! #basicwithswap

Opening my box from Lynn was a truly magical experience! I felt all the good intentions rolling off each part as I opened! And am so amazed by the thoughtfulness that went into it- thank you so much! #basicwitchswap this is only the first half….

My #alterednightmareswap from @phantomx 🖤 thank you so much for a great book, pretty alteration and yummy snack! I love the washi tape and stickers you used!

I really enjoyed this graphic novel that I found because of @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian - it kind of reminded me of the Craft in a way but with Werewolves- love the female empowerment too!