Got together with friends yesterday and received the best belated birthday present- a clock that has a quote from a book for each minute of the day. Love it so much!

Scottish minister leaves his wife behind and sets off to a remote island intending to evict its lone inhabitant. This atmospheric book is just beautifully written. It was a little too slim for me. I could have used at least another 150 pages. That said, I have not stopped thinking about it since I finished reading it two days ago.

For those of you reading the #womensprize long list, this ebook eis on sale in the US. If my library hold hadn‘t come in last night I would definitely be snagging it at that. price.

The sense of foreboding in the slim book was so well done! I worried at every turn of the page. Mary is sent off by her father to work for the Vicar and help take care of his ailing wife. Although the home she left was harsh and full of backbreaking labor she laments the lack of choice she is given. I won‘t lie, this book was bleak but I thought it was really effective. #24in2024

My second book by Ozeki and she just isn‘t for me. I really wanted to finish this one for #authoramonth but was finding too many creative reasons to avoid picking it back up.

A young girl is suspected of killing a younger child and an opportunistic journalist tries to gain information about the tragedy from her family. As he pries and cajoles we are given glimpses into their lives and realize there is was a string of everyday tragedies leading to the present day one. A well executed but bleak rumination.

In her memoir Simone writes about being a fish out of water in the company of the other wives of the Unit and her reservations about military life but never shies away from portraying the strength, sacrifice, and intense bonds that these women share. I appreciated the raw examination of her feelings, her marriage. and the struggles she faced when her husband was deployed. I found this really compelling.

As someone who is not especially into astrology I did not expect to be as charmed by this book as I was but I needed a book for #saturnpattern. The premise of someone ending a long term relationship and embarking on a challenge to date someone from each Zodiac sign before Saturn returns on her 29th birthday honestly seemed like it would be really silly but this was a cute, queer story that kept me thoroughly entertained.
Out 6/11 #fourfoursin24

My father passed away last Friday. He wasn‘t the type of dad who gave advice or had long talks with me about life. However not once did I ever doubt that he loved me. When I was in middle school and falling in love with poetry and discovering Robert Frost, he gave me this book one night out of the blue, proof that he paid attention to me and my interests in his way. Years later it remains one of the books I will never part with.

Thank you Litsy for putting this book on my radar. I appreciated Blair‘s take on the need for men to take responsibility for preventing unwanted pregnancies. Succinct and thought provoking, I will be convincing everyone I can to read this.

Set in Jamaica, a young Rastafarian boy comes home from school crying after his teacher cut off his dreads. His grandmother may be blind but she can see that this event will have serious repercussions. The story goes back and forth in time, giving us a deeper understanding of this town and the divides that bind but also separate its inhabitants. Miller manages a lot in less than 300 pages. #24in2024

My third book by Everett and I need to read everything he has written as soon as possible.

When Tatum is approached by a journalist hoping for an interview about her experiences with an author recently accused of sexual assault she re-examines their past and realizes that their friendship was far from healthy and far from equal. Deftly written, it was easy to become immersed in this story and end up finishing it an afternoon. The ending fizzled for me, after so much build up, but i still really enjoyed it. Out 3/26

Another new to me author thanks to #authoramonth and one I will definitely read more from. I flew through this book. It was the perfect plane read for the journey home. I was fully transported away from my cramped seat to drought ridden Australia as I worried more about Aaron Falk than I did about the mystery he was roped into trying to solve.

In 1958, Lily reluctantly leaves school to be a debutante the last year they are to be presented to the Queen. She wants to please her mother and grandmother as she submits to the endless soirées and meam girls. She makes friends and loses friends as she uncovers secrets and discovers what is truly important. Slow moving at times but I found the glimpse into the lives of debutantes at the time interesting.

It has been a rough week so a book that took me away from it all and actually got me to chuckle was a gift. Tessa Bailey has been hit or miss for me but this story of a grumpy golfer whose career is spiraling hiring his only remaining fan as his caddie was very much a hit. Bailey is known for her steamy writing and that does not hold back here which those who prefer closed door romances should consider. #fourfoursin24 #steamydreamy

An unplanned for flight gave me the time to read my final #litsytob24 title. I reread 1984 in preparation for this and I am glad I did as I had forgotten so much about the book including how Julia was initially portrayed. I think that helped me appreciate this book and reading more fleshed out version of Julia. Still a dreary world to visit but I liked this addition to it.

A #tob24 title that I was really looking forward to bur I found the lack of cohesion in the story off putting. Some sections I liked, one section I skimmed, and it just never came together for me and overall I was disappointed.

I don‘t have the mental capacity currently to give this book the concentration it needs and no real desire to try again in the future. #litsytob24

Edith has been sent to a hotel during the off season to give time for the dust to settle back home. At first she is an observer of the other guests but then is slowly drawn into their orbit, piecing together their stories as the reader pieces together hers. I loved the way this story weaved itself together and how I didn‘t care much for Edith until I suddenly adored her. #24in2024

An older woman ends up caring for a parrot and living with a younger man she does not know during COVID isolation. That is the brief synopsis but this book takes us through all of her tangential thoughts on aging, writing, loneliness, Joan Didion and so forth and so on. I enjoyed this short audiobook but there wasn‘t enough heft to the story or her ruminations to make this stick with me. A light pick. #fourfoursin24 #garrotparrot

I went into this fully forewarned and was still emotionally devastated. Am I glad I read it? Yes. I think these characters will live in my head for years to come. I am, however, putting a warning label on the cover before I send it on to my sister.
#24in2024

Gotta love the random things you find in used books. What is the strangest thing you have ever found in one?

Vampyre Misery agrees to an arraigned marriage to Were alpha, Lowe, in the hopes of bringing peace to the two warring species but also to find answers she desperately needs. I needed a fun diversion this weekend and Hazelwood delivered with a great heroine, plenty of steam, and some interesting world building. I had some minor quibbles but overall hope she makes this a series.
#fourfoursin24 #lupinegoldmine

A woman caring for her lifelong best friend while she is in hospice. While this book does not hold back on the tears and grief there is also laughter and the general messiness of life. As much as Ash frustrated me at times I still found myself wishing for a friend like her. Great on audio,

Taking place in four periods, this book focuses on Bit, first born child of a late 60s commune. We see Bit‘s life both growing up in Arcadia and dealing with the aftermath of commune life. As a result of his chaotic childhood Bit spends his life wanting to care for everyone around him. He idealizes the past despite seeing the toll it has taken on everyone. Yet through it all many stayed connected despite wildly diverging paths. #authoramonth

This was the type of audiobook that makes me walk a few extra blocks so that I can keep listening - great narration and a story that is sweet but not lacking in emotional oomph. Both characters learn some hard lessons on their journey and I always love well done character growth. What I didn‘t love was the blown out of proportion conflict. It was frustrating not necessary at all. #foursfoursin24 #balletcrochet

I want to delve into more of Rash‘s backlist since his latest book was one of my favorite reads of 2023. A sheriff on the verge of retirement becomes ensnared in one last case that complicates relationships important to him. This is my third book of his and the one I have liked the least but I am still so enamored with the way he writes. His characters were vivid as was the sense of place, I was just underwhelmed by the mystery at its center.

It took me awhile to become entranced by this one which was not helped by the fact that at first part of this book is almost verbatim the end of Bodies of Light. While this wasn‘t my favorite of Moss‘s books I did end up very much entranced and wanted more and more of Ally‘s life ( I could have done with less of Tom‘s journey). I am ready to buy all of books she has written. 2024 may end up the year of Sarah Moss for me.

I‘m disappointed to be bailing on one of my #24in2024 selections but it has been on my shelves for over seven years so removing it is still a victory of sorts. The way that this book was written was really fun but I just wasn‘t connecting.

I keep going back and forth on my rating for this one. I think I appreciate this book more upon reflection than I actually enjoyed reading it. I expected more of a mystery and liked that it was a much more than that but had issues with the pacing and found the narrator really annoying. An unlikable character can be great but I really needed a break from her. A light pick. #litsytob24

I somehow managed to get sick again but thankfully had the perfect book to curl up with in bed all day. Set in three periods, the lives of five women are all connected by a stately home and its gardens. Friendship, heartache, determination and romance course through their stories as they create, protect, and restore gardens that mean so much to each of them.

#fourfoursin24 #laurelfloral

Sometimes you avoid an author because you are sure their books aren‘t for you and then you give one a try anyway and find out you were totally right.
#litsytob24

I never pass up an excuse to read Jane Austen and for this month‘s #authoramonth I revisited the novel that I think I have read the fewest number of times. It deserves better treatment from me because I forget how much this book makes me chuckle. I think Catherine Morland is one of Austen‘s most entertaining heroines.

I am excited to finally dip into Moss‘s backlist and this story of Ally, who studies to become on of the first female doctors in England, and her cruel and controlling mother made me want to stop reading anything else. I love Moss‘s writing, the beauty and the tension she created had me looking for the sequel at my library before I was even halfway through. #24in2024 #fourfoursin24 #gurneyjourney

My feelings for this #litsytob24 book are jumblesd I am one of the few who didn‘t love The Nix and was planning on skipping this and yet I read this chunkster in almost one sitting. There was some skimming, because man does it get wordy, but of course it does since it takes on everything from open marriages to disinformation. I ended up intrigued by where it would go next even as I was getting annoyed by it. I ended up liking it despite myself.

Thank you so much @Soubhiville for such an incredible package! I am all set now for this year‘s #authoramonth. Honestly the challenge was prize enough but I am really excited to read these and appreciated the addition of a book from my wishlist.

Another easy read for the plane ride home and another light pick. Samuel is married to Boots, a professor several years her elder. They love each other but aren‘t in love as they are both gay and using their marriage for protection from 1950s persecution. When Samuel meets and falls in love with the wife of Boots‘s colleague their fragile peace is threatened. This was an affecting story but still left me feeling not fully satisfied. #Litsytob24

This was an easy book to start and finish on the plane today. It doesn‘t ask much of the reader just provides sweet little tales of discontented people who meet a librarian who recommends seemingly random books that end up altering their lives. I did wonder often how it made the #tob24 list as it is such a simple read. A light pick.

I expected to thoroughly love this one but it just didn‘t gel for me. I think the story meandered a bit too much and a few too many characters. I was invested in the central story but it often felt as if it was pushed to the side. So much love for this title, I am bummed that I don‘t feel the same. #litsytob24

When I made my list for 24in2024 I purposely added a few titles that I owned sequels to in the hopes that I would get through those as well. So success in that respect but if I didn‘t love Beartown as much as everyone else, I REALLY didn‘t like this one as much as everyone else. I don‘t love the way these are written and didn‘t care about the politics. The end was emotional but felt manipulative . I loved Ove but won‘t carry on with this series.

I don‘t read many graphic novels but I was pleased to see one make the cut for #tob24. I am glad my library had it so I could give it a try although it ended up not being for me. I appreciated the parts about Sami spending time with friends from before they came out as trans. I don‘t really enjoy the supernatural horror parts.

Two college aged friends, broke and unsure about their futures, stumble through bad decisions, relationships, and bad decisions about relationships. This was charming and relatable and even as I cringed a bit I also saw parts of myself in my twenties in Rachel. A winner from the #litsytob24 list.

Herman Melville, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Fredrick Douglas are brought together at conference to discuss literature, freedom, and the future of America. The teacher who brings them together has good intentions but no practical experience with projects of this scope so things do not go entirely to plan. This was a short but engaging audiobook that shows how much things have and haven‘t changed.
#tob24

Marley grows up constantly moving with her single mother but once she meets the Josephs all she wants is a permanent seat at their family dinner table. After she becomes an integral part of the family and the business they run together Marley realizes that everything she thought she wanted might not be what she actually needed. Told through differing perspectives which added depth to this family drama. Whole heartedly recommend.

First read of 2024 and one off of my #24in2024 stack. After a glacially slow start, this became a much more emotional read. I didn‘t love it as much as many other Littens have but I still pulled the sequel off of my shelves so that I can see what happens to these characters next. A light pick.

Such a fun way to end my reading year. Lucky for me the sequel comes out next month!

I can officially declare Shark Heart the winner of my #readingbracket2023. This was hard because I always seem to save incredible books for the last couple of months of the year but The Caretaker really was my favorite in a month crowded with worthy contenders. Shark Heart is the book I have recommended to others the most and the one that most surprised me so it had to take my top spot.

I went into this with really high expectations and truly loved parts of this book. The writing was gorgeous and Annis‘s story harowing . However this is only a light pick for me because while I typically enjoy magical realism, overtime I found the spirits increasingly distracting from what I found powerful about the novel. Less would have been a lot more. #litsytob24

It took awhile to decide but I finally picked my last read for 2023 (the tagged book) and decided to start my 2024 reading with one I have been meaning to get to for for years, Beartown. Thanks @BookNAround I love making these very important decisions with you every year.