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BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB

Joined June 2017

Books | Travel | Art | Music
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The List by Yomi Adegoke
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Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
review
BarbaraBB
Hangman: A Novel | Maya Binyam
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Panpan

What have I just read and why? I was willing too dive into the estranging world of Hangman, where an African man after two decennia of exile returns to his homeland. It didn‘t make much sense to me though, the stories told by the people he met upon his return.

My least favorite of the #womenprize longlist so far.

(Photo: hiking with my girlfriends)

BarbaraBB #ATY24 - with a touch of magic @jenniferw88 1d
squirrelbrain I agree entirely! 😬 1d
Librarybelle Yikes! But, I hope the hike was fun! 23h
See All 6 Comments
Caroline2 Ok, I‘m skipping this one then 😂 21h
ChaoticMissAdventures I feel like I "get it" but it didn't work for me. I am glad I am not alone, I am a bit lost by these long list picks this year. 19h
dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 17h
74 likes6 comments
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BarbaraBB
The List | Yomi Adegoke
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#weeklyforecast 13/24

I started Hangman which is quite estranging. I am also in the midst of Enter Ghost. Some parts I love, some parts I don‘t. I also hope to read the tagged book this week but I won‘t have much reading time. Work is busy (which is good!) and this weekend I‘ve been hiking with my girlfriends (which is also good 😊).

squirrelbrain Sounds like a lovely weekend! Hangman is indeed strange…. The List would be a great palate-cleanser from all these ‘serious‘ book lists! 🤣 2d
batsy I wasn't into The List and bailed about 40% of the way in. Look forward to your thoughts. 2d
Suet624 Have a wonderful time 💕 2d
65 likes3 comments
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BarbaraBB
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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#BookReport 12/24

It seems like I selected my books for their color, well, I didn‘t 😉. I LOVED the tagged one. It won‘t be for everyone (tw suicide ⚠️ ) but I think it will be one of this year‘s favorites for me. I also loved Ordinary Human Failures. Vengeance is Mine was just so-so.

So far I am very pleased about the #womenPrize longlist with already two winners for me out of the three I read 😀

Ruthiella I‘ve heard from other sources too that the WP longlist is particularly strong this year! 👍 3d
squirrelbrain A good week! ❤️ 3d
69 likes2 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

Basically everyone and everything is falling apart in this slim novel. I couldn‘t really make sense of it. Maitre Susane represents a man who she thinks she knows from her childhood. The man‘s wife killed their three children. Maitre Susanes mother doesn‘t remember the man her daughter keeps talking about. And then there‘s an ex, a cleaning lady and some more people who I don‘t know what to think of.

#ATY24 - pronoun in title

sarahbarnes A cool cover! But sounds like the story didn‘t work very well. 4d
69 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

“Let me fly away with you
For my love is like the wind
And wild is the wind. Wild is the wind”

I recently read Mix Tape by Jane Anderson and the book comes with a playlist. There I discovered this Bowie song, that I hadn‘t heard before. It‘s so so good. I can‘t stop listening to it.

https://spotify.link/apTw45V3OHb

Bookwomble Welcome to my world! 🤗 7d
BarbaraBB @Bookwomble I was thinking of you of course 😀 7d
TrishB This was my first dance wedding song ❤️ @Bookwomble the Billy McKenzie version is also awesome. 7d
See All 13 Comments
Bookwomble @BarbaraBB 😊. David recorded this track for his Station to Station album as it was a favourite of his by Nina Simone, who was having financial difficulties at the time, so David thought she would benefit from the royalties. Sadly, he didn't check the songwriting credits as Nina hasn't written it! I don't know if he helped her out another way - I'd like to think so. 7d
Bookwomble @TrishB I really only know Party Fears Two by him (well, The Associates). Perhaps I should delve further 🙂 7d
BarbaraBB @TrishB Really? And I discover it only now! It is beautiful 🤍 7d
BarbaraBB @Bookwomble That‘s a great story and I guess and hope he helped her out! 7d
TrishB @Bookwomble you definitely should! There‘s a Scottish tv show segment on YouTube with Wild is the Wind and a song called Strasbourg Square which is amazing. Also, listen to a song called Breakfast. 7d
TrishB @BarbaraBB it‘s definitely a beautiful song. ♥️ and it‘s never too late for great songs. (edited) 7d
BarbaraBB @TrishB I checked on Spotify and so many artists have played this song. Where have I been?? 7d
Bookwomble @TrishB Thanks - I'll check them out later 😊 7d
TrishB It was waiting for you! 7d
lil1inblue Love me some Bowie! 😍 7d
62 likes13 comments
review
BarbaraBB
In Defence of the Act | Effie Black
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Pickpick

The evolutionary benefit of something as dark as suicide. That‘s what this book is about and where Jess is convinced of.
In the book we get to know Jess and learn why she thinks this way. It‘s a short book but it packs a punch. I am left shattered and in awe. My favorite of the #womenprize longlist so far. I‘ve only read three but I am sure this will remain a favorite!

(Photo: Robbie Williams exhibition)

Crazeedi I split up my tagged list because for some reason it tells me it won't post...then I see it posting twice, and it takes forever . 7d
BarbaraBB @Crazeedi I know, me too… I‘ll split it up next time too! 7d
See All 21 Comments
sarahbarnes Stacking! 7d
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Please do 🩷 7d
squirrelbrain Great review - looking forward to getting to this next week. 7d
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain It‘s a tough subject but so so good! 7d
Hooked_on_books And I love that it crosses over with 52 book club! I actually just picked up the ebook for this since the physical one doesn‘t appear to exist in the US. 7d
Librarybelle Great review!! 7d
ChaoticMissAdventures Oh this makes me excited for this! I had to order it from Blackwells so waiting for it to come. 7d
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books @ChaoticMissAdventures I hope you‘ll love it. The subject is tough but it‘s a beautiful story. 6d
charl08 Just managed to get hold of this, have started it and it's so compelling. So many good books! 6d
Deblovestoread I was unsure about this book until your review. Thanks for the ebook tip @Hooked_on_books. 💜 6d
Hooked_on_books @Deblovestoread You‘re welcome! 6d
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread I hope you‘ll love it. @TheKidUpstairs says the audio is very engrossing too so you should be fine! @Hooked_on_books 6d
BarbaraBB @charl08 You‘ll love it! 6d
Caroline2 Ohh I‘m always scared of books about/including suicide but your review may have persuaded me to give it a go! 😊 6d
BarbaraBB @Caroline2 Suicide is definitely a trigger warning ⚠️ as it is omnipresent in this book! 6d
Cathythoughts Great review. Sold and stacked. 5d
TheBookHippie One of the things I‘m most proud of, staying here. I‘m glad books like this exist. Not sure I could read it. 4d
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie I‘m not sure either. I guess I wouldn‘t try if I were you. So many good books out there, there‘s no need to. Thanks for sharing 🩷🩷🩷 3d
89 likes8 stack adds21 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Man Booker Prize | Frederic P Miller, Agnes F Vandome, John McBrewster
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The #internationalbooker longlist has been announced today. I only read two so far, Kairos and The Details.
I feel a bit overwhelmed (not to say stressed) about all the books I want to read, with #LitsyToB24 and the #womenprize calling for my attention too!

Oh and my fulltime job 😂

Any recommendations of this longlist are very welcome!

TheKidUpstairs I, too, am feeling the overwhelm! I haven't read any of these but I'm very interested in The House on Via Gemito, because I've enjoyed Starnone's writing in the past. 1w
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs That‘s one I‘ll definitely read too for similar reasons. And there‘s a Dutch one among them which I hadn‘t heard of but will read soon too. 1w
BookWrym Looking to attempt reading some of these at least. Have requested what I can from the Library let‘s see what turns up and how it goes. For some reason Crooked Plow is calling to me I have no idea why. (edited) 1w
See All 22 Comments
Bookwormjillk If only someone would pay us to read 1w
BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk If only 😉 1w
BarbaraBB @BookWrym that one appeals to me too! 1w
Hooked_on_books Well, you could always quit the job and just read. 😉 1w
vlwelser I'm going to forget I saw this and keep working on all of the other lists. 1w
BarbaraBB @vlwelser 😂😂 1w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Imagine 😍😍 1w
Ruthiella Read only the short ones! 😆 1w
Graywacke Also overwhelmed. I want to read them all, and I can‘t decide on just one to start with. 1w
BarbaraBB @Graywacke Have you read any? 1w
Graywacke @BarbaraBB no. All new to me. 7d
sarahbarnes I know, that pesky job! 😂 I‘ve only read Kairos and have a copy of Crooked Plow. I‘m interested in many of these, too. Would you recommend The Details? 7d
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Not really to be honest. I am curious about Crooked Plow. I hope you‘ll read it soon so I can decide whether to read it 😉 7d
sarahbarnes I think I‘m going to read it next since I have it! 😊 I just finished Hard Girls last night. I wanted to like it much more than I did. 7d
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Me too!! I had so looked forward to it, him being J Robert Lennon, but it turned out to be nothing special! 7d
TheKidUpstairs Now that I've had time to look into them further, these are the ones going on my TBR: The House on Via Gemito, White Nights, Crooked Plow, The Silver Bone, Lost on Me. Only The Silver Bone is available from my local libraries right now, so I'll start there and see which (if any) I can get to! But I've got so many Women's Prize ones piled up at home, and The Postcard has derailed all my reading plans - I can't put it down! 6d
Readerann 😩 📚 📚 📚 📚 6d
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs Thanks so much for sharing your ideas. That means a lot. I still need to do my research 😀. The Postcard is fantastic and the WP longlist too - so far! 6d
Suet624 I‘m exceedingly overwhelmed. Giving myself a break as I am dealing with shingles and post election data work. 4d
63 likes22 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

A little English girl dies and the neighborhood quickly assumes the Irish immigrant family‘s daughter Lucy must have had a hand in it. An ambitious journalist wants to get to the bottom of it and talks to Lucy‘s family. The story is not so much about the death, but about a deeply damaged family with mother Carmel at their tragic heart.
It‘s a beautiful sad read.

#womensprize

Megabooks Great review! 1w
TrishB Lovely review ♥️ 1w
sarahbarnes Great review and pic. I‘ve stacked this of course. 1w
See All 10 Comments
squirrelbrain Great review! 1w
Cathythoughts I follow Meg Nolan on Instagram, I‘ve yet to read her. I must do. Stacked. 1w
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts good idea to follow her on Instagram! I will too. I think this book is better than 1w
Chelsea.Poole I‘ve been wondering about this one! I was impressed by Acts. 1w
CarolynM Great review❤️ 1w
TheKidUpstairs I'm very engrossed in the audio of this one (when I've got time to listen). It's so beautifully and heart wrenchingly human. 6d
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs I am@not surprised you are loving it too. And it gets more engrossing each chapter 🩷 6d
82 likes5 stack adds10 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 12/24

I‘ve capitulated… I can‘t resist the temptation of the #womenprize longlist 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
I am reading and enjoying Ordinary Human Failings and will tackle In Defence of the Act next. In between I also want to read the tagged book this week

Hooked_on_books I‘m very close to capitulating and picking up Shadows at Noon. Resistance is hard! 1w
squirrelbrain I liked Ordinary Human Failings and just bought In Defence. I was going to suggest a buddy read, but I won‘t get to it until after this week. 1w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books It is 😀😀 1w
See All 11 Comments
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain You‘re racing through the longlist as usual 😄 1w
Megabooks I haven't gone through the list yet, but I should before I go book shopping tomorrow or Tuesday! 1w
squirrelbrain Not really, Barbara, I‘d already read the Nolan before the list came out! Is it tomorrow for your International Booker list? 1w
sarahbarnes I‘m definitely eyeing a few on the women‘s prize long list. And very excited for the Booker list to come out tomorrow. 😃 1w
BarbaraBB @Megabooks are you going shopping on your birthday? That‘s the best idea 🤍🤍 1w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Yes tomorrow! Very excited about it too @sarahbarnes 1w
Ruthiella Resistance was futile! 😂 I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all the books. Consider it a public service for the rest of us! 1w
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella All the books? Please no, I still try to hold back 😂😂 1w
79 likes1 stack add11 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#BookReport 11/24

I loved both A History of Loneliness and The Caretaker. They are a bit comparable, both have loving lonely narrators and the style is 👌🏽

I enjoyed When You Disappeared (I am making my way through John Marss‘s backlist) but bailed on In Ascension which couldn‘t hold my attention.

review
BarbaraBB
In Ascension | Martin MacInnes
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Bailedbailed

I tried, I really did. But I got lost and lost again in my own thoughts because my mind went wandering during those endless conversations about marine biology. I had no idea what they were talking about and if there was a plot behind it all.
It‘s a pity, I had high hopes because of the reviews below but after 50% I allow myself to bail 🤷🏻‍♀️

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle Sometimes you have to, don‘t you agree @dabbe 😉? 2w
See All 11 Comments
vivastory I bailed on a book today. Even though it was by an author who I have read & loved before it felt liberating. 2w
TheAromaofBooks I've had multiple books lately that I've read almost 200 pages and then thrown it in! 2w
Hooked_on_books 50% is definitely enough to know if it‘s for you or not! My last bail was as 25% and I felt good about it. 1w
dabbe @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle ... How did I let this one get by me? Absolutely, #hailthatbail! 🤩🤩🤩 1w
Tamra Reading time is too short! 1w
BarbaraBB @vivastory Now I am curious about which one. 1w
vivastory @BarbaraBB NK Jemisin's story collection. It just wasn't working for me. 1w
BarbaraBB @vivastory Surprising indeed. 1w
76 likes11 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

It‘s a romance, but a dark and twisty one. Jacob and Naomi are in love and married, much opposed by his parents who have had other plans for him, Then Jacob is being deployed to Korea, to fight in the war. He asks his best friend Blackburn to take care of Naomi and protect her from her nasty parents-in-law and the much biased community. I loved how Ron Rash creates his characters, all of them feel so real, as do the Appalachian surroundings.

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thanks for bringing him to my attention Meg, how many authors I‘ve learned about thanks to you during our years on Litsy??!🩷 (edited) 2w
BarbaraBB #FoodAndLit #SouthKorea #ATY24 - Involving a crime other than murder @jenniferw88 @Texreader @Catsandbooks (edited) 2w
See All 9 Comments
Megabooks Yay! Glad you enjoyed it! A lot of the reasons you enjoyed it are the same ones I did. I'm glad you and I can continue to share authors and books we like with each other. 💜 I truly appreciate all the great authors and books you've recommended and given to me, too! 2w
Librarybelle Great review! I may have to give this one a try. 2w
lynneamch Looking forward to this one. Ron Rash and Wiley Cash both capture a time and place so skillfully. 2w
squirrelbrain I‘ve nearly bought this a few times, moving it further up the list now! 2w
Deblovestoread New to me author. Stacked 📚 2w
BarbaraBB @lynneamch That is good to know! I didn‘t know Ron Rash until now and haven‘t heard of Wiley Cash either! Thanks! 2w
88 likes4 stack adds9 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

That kind, honest Odran Yates, becoming a priest to be good and to do good. Years later his world is shattered by the massive revelations of the abuse of young boys by men serving god and the catholic church. He has to find his way in this new reality and my heart aches for him, his loneliness and his pure heart. John Boyne wrote another masterpiece.

#Roll100 #ATY24 - Historical fiction

TrishB I loved this too, made my heart ache. 2w
sarahbarnes Beautiful review! 💕 2w
youneverarrived This was the first book I read of his 🤍 2w
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB @TrishB @youneverarrived I wonder why I waited so long. So very good 🩷 2w
Suet624 Oh, I felt so badly for him. 4d
Megabooks You gave me this, and I loved it, too. Thank you!! 💕😘 1d
85 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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BarbaraBB
Orbital | Samantha Harvey
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I tried this one but are putting it back on my shelves. I am not in the mood for it and will safe it for another day. I feel restless with all these Women Prize longlisted books and the International Booker coming soon too. Right now I need something easy until I decide what I‘ll do with the those longlists… whether to join in or not 🤦🏻‍♀️😉

squirrelbrain Who are you kidding?! You‘re joining in ALL of the lists…. 🤣 2w
TheBookgeekFrau I really like that cover! 😍 2w
TrishB @squirrelbrain she was nearly convincing! 2w
See All 12 Comments
Ruthiella Just be firm like @rockpools and say NO to the longlists …🤭 2w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @TrishB @Ruthiella You are the worst kind of people 😂😂 and now I want you to know if @rockpools fell for it already! 2w
rockpools Ooh, that‘s a pretty book 😍. (ignoring the question…). I have Bookshops & Bonedust by my bed, for my (not started) easy read. Unfortunately it‘s buried under 4 books from the NonFiction longlist that I‘m Definitely Not Reading. (Yes, @Ruthiella, that number has gone up 😵‍💫) I‘m genuinely going to wait til you all tell me what‘s essential from the Women‘s Fiction list - I kind of want to read the lists everyone predicted more than the real one. 2w
rockpools …and IBP is next week‘s problem! So yes, @BarbaraBB -I‘m very much with you! Enjoy ‘deciding‘! 😘 (edited) 2w
julesG This might be the only book I'm actually interested in reading from the longlist. 😁 2w
batsy That cover really pops against the lovely backdrop. Perhaps it's just the wrong time for it... Maybe you need some junk food in book form? 😁 2w
squirrelbrain Lol @Ruthiella - @rockpools is my inspiration when it comes to saying no to things! 🤣 2w
Cazxxx I just finished this the other day and really liked it but it was slow! Definitely something you have to be in the mood for 2w
sarahbarnes There‘s always a new list! 2w
87 likes12 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

This week I discovered Maribou State (long live the Spotify algorithm 😂) and am having this song, featuring Holly Walker (also new to me), on repeat. Loving it!

https://spotify.link/rIMQS2RRIHb

TieDyeDude I'm digging it! Thanks for the recommendation. 2w
vivastory I hate to admit it but I have discovered some real gems thanks to the Spotify algorithm. I think it's more finetuned than those of other apps/sites 2w
BarbaraBB @vivastory Those on Amazon never lead to new books but Spotify and Instagram algorithms are so finetuned it‘s scary! 2w
57 likes3 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

This is John Marrs‘s debut and instead of the speculative fiction I read (and loved!) by him, this is a thriller. It‘s decent one about a man who walks out om his marriage and three kids and return 25 years later to apologize.
The book is about what happened to both of them in all those years and why he left in the first place. I kept on reading. Satisfying.

#Pop24 - Self published (first edition)

Cathythoughts Sounds good 👍🏻❤️ stacked 2w
88 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 11/24

I am reading the tagged one and it is good. I just finished John Marrs‘s debut, a decent thriller. Now I am about to start Orbital, a 💯 #BlameItOnLitsy read!

squirrelbrain I borrowed Orbital from the library, just in case it makes the long list, but it is *very* slim so not sure if it‘s eligible or not. (Needs to be 30,000 words) 2w
67 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
The Postcard | Anne Berest
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#BookReport 10/24

I had an excellent week. I loved the tagged book, which combines the holocaust with the mystery of a postcard, sent years later. I also enjoyed Happiness Falls and Snow Road Station. The only disappointment was one I had high expectations of: O Caledonia.

squirrelbrain Sounds like a great week! I‘m looking forward to starting The Postcard - sounds like another fabulous #europacollective pick. 2w
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain It absolutely is. I guess it will be one of my favorite books of the year! 2w
quietlycuriouskate @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB The Postcard has received so many ringing endorsements on here that I had to look it up in the library catalogue: pleasantly surprised to find I am only fourth in the queue! 🙂 2w
Tamra Oh shoot, you didn‘t like Caledonia - it wasn‘t perfect for me, but I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere. 2w
Suet624 I listened to The Postcard which I think ruined the experience for me. I feel as if I should pick up the paper copy of the book and read it again. 2w
79 likes1 stack add5 comments
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BarbaraBB
Pantone: Colors | Pantone
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The first half is the easiest. Here are four more #Pantone2024 matches: Lemondrop, Boulevard, Fiesta and Bistro Green 🌈🌈🌈🌈

julieclair Great matches! 3w
Cathythoughts I‘m reading Strangers at the moment. It‘s very good 👌🏻 2w
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts Did you see the movie too? 2w
See All 7 Comments
Cathythoughts I didn‘t see the movie. 2w
sarahbarnes Strangers sounds very intriguing! 2w
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts It wasn‘t as good as the book 😉 2w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes It is. Real Japanese again. You‘d enjoy it! 2w
53 likes7 comments
review
BarbaraBB
O Caledonia | Elspeth Barker
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Panpan

I am so suprised. All my peers loved this book and I was just bored by it. It took me a lot of willpower just to finish it. It‘s me, I am sure. Normally I love a good gothic novel but here the setting did nothing for me, neither did all the animals or even Janet. And that ending, really?

#pop24 - Someone dies in the first chapter

(Photo: Centraal Museum, Utrecht)

JenP Great photo though 😂 3w
Ruthiella You know, I find bad reviews sometimes as intriguing as a rave one. I‘m curious now, which side I will fall on. 🤔 3w
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella I am literally the one Litten who didn‘t give it a pick and there are many reviews by people I mostly am in sync with. So you‘ll probably love it too! 3w
See All 11 Comments
dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 3w
LeahBergen I‘m one of those who loved this book. I must admit to always being so interested in how certain books hit people differently. It‘s fascinating! 3w
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen Everyone loved it! All reviews on Litsy are picks and most of them written by people whose opinion really matters to me - like yours! 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3w
jlhammar That‘s a shame. And yes, very surprising! I thought it was brilliant (and see myself rereading), but I appreciate your divergent review. So interesting what works for us and what doesn‘t. Just curious, are you an We Have Always Lived in the Castle fan? They had similar vibes for me. 2w
BarbaraBB @jlhammar Yes I loved We Always Lived in the Castle, and also gothic reads like The Woman in White, Rebecca and Wuthering Heights so I am surprised why this was such a bore to me. Janet just never came to live for me nor came The atmosphere of the house. 2w
monalyisha Ohhh. This makes me nervous! I‘m really looking forward to this one, too. Although, the differing opinions are intriguing; they always make me eager to see where I fall! 2w
monalyisha @Ruthiella Just seeing that you said exactly the same thing. Ha! Wonder if you & I will feel the same way about the book or differently! 😅 2w
64 likes1 stack add11 comments
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BarbaraBB
February | June Makle
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#FebruaryWrapUp

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These Silent Woods
The Postcard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pet
Roman stories
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Snow Road Station
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Tom Lake
Strangers
Happiness falls
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Biography of X
Hard girls
⭐️⭐️✨
The stationery shop of Tehran
The Details
The Trio
Julia
⬛️ DNF
The Sparsholt Affair

TrishB Great month 👍🏻 3w
Suet624 Goodness! Look at all those books you managed to read! 2w
49 likes2 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

#LitsyToB24
Although I found the book too long and narrator Mia drove me crazy at times I really enjoyed this book. I went in looking for answers to what happened to Mia‘s father after her little brother Eugene, who has autism and angelman syndrome and can‘t talk, comes home alone, totally upset. Later on I realized the story is not about getting answers but about communication and perception and I really liked what Kim Angie so thoroughly did.

TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 3w
Librarybelle Echoing @TheAromaofBooks …great review! 3w
See All 12 Comments
Jas16 Glad you ended up liking enjoying it. Great review. 3w
sarahbarnes Great review! 3w
Deblovestoread Glad it worked for you! 3w
BarbaraBB @Jas16 @Deblovestoread I enjoyed it more than I expected. Definitely a pick for me! I am curious to see where it‘ll end up in our tournament! 3w
Hooked_on_books I really liked this one, too! I actually really liked Mia. There are things about her that remind her of a younger me, so I felt tender toward her. 3w
Kristy_K Great review! I had the same experience and thoughts. 🙂 (edited) 3w
Ruthiella Great review. It was frustrating to read at times but I think you are right that the author wasn‘t going for a thriller but more about assumptions humans based on our ability or inability to communicate. 3w
Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻 I enjoyed this one too. 3w
88 likes1 stack add12 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

“These massive egos, so big they bend the light”

I used to love Radiohead in the nineties. Now frontman Thom Yorke has started another band, The Smile, which I just discovered. It takes some getting used to but I‘ve been listening to it a few times now and it‘s growing on me!

https://open.spotify.com/track/4WlKWgWG030Cpatn5P6uGE?si=VmGaid7aSbChR9G3i3ldUg

AmyG I enjoy it, too. 3w
TieDyeDude Thanks for getting things started this week. I forget that my morning is everyone else's lunch time 😅
I haven't heard of this, but I enjoy Thom Yorke's offerings. Thanks for the recommendation!
3w
Billypar This has been on my list to try and I keep forgetting... listening now! 3w
See All 6 Comments
Jess By far the best record of the year so far. I‘ve had it on repeat. Great pick! (edited) 3w
Suet624 Ooooh, Thanks for this. I ad no idea he had a new band. Starting to play it now. 2w
Suet624 First thoughts: Bending Hectic and Friend of a Friend is so Radiohead-y. Love it. 2w
62 likes6 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The Postcard | Anne Berest
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Pickpick

I thought reading this book would take me much longer but I couldn‘t put it down. It‘s deeply moving.

The narrator receives an anonymous postcard and in search of possible senders she gets caught up in her family‘s past. The story moves between the present and the horrors of the holocaust and the years in between. I teared up several times and the ending will stick with me for a long time 💔

Another #EuropaCollective winner for sure.

jlhammar Yay, that‘s wonderful to hear! I‘ve been eagerly anticipating this one. Hope to get started this weekend. 3w
LeeRHarry Have requested it at the library, sounds fascinating. 3w
See All 19 Comments
charl08 I agree, the ending is a powerful one. 3w
TrishB This looks good 👍🏻 3w
Librarybelle Stacking! 3w
squirrelbrain Great review - like @jlhammar I‘m also hoping to start this weekend 3w
Gleefulreader Fantastic review! Really want to start this one in the next few days. 3w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
Daisey This one is on my list for later this year, and your review is making me look forward to it even more. 3w
LeahBergen Well, I must grab myself a copy! 3w
Aimeesue I‘m looking forward to starting this one soon! 3w
Crazeedi I'll look for this for sire 3w
erzascarletbookgasm Sounds good, will look it up 3w
Cathythoughts Great review. I have it stacked already. 👍🏻❤️ 3w
tpixie @BarbaraBB I‘ve been wanting to read this book for a long time, so I was excited to see that it was a #buddyread for March. I couldn‘t wait for March to start reading it either. It is a gripping tale. @jhammer #EuropaCollective 3w
GatheringBooks I just got my copy and excited to dig into this one soonest! 💕💕💕 3w
Bluebird Great review. Stacking! 3w
Adventures-of-a-French-Reader Really enjoyed this read. As you said, the ending is very powerful.
5d
108 likes9 stack adds19 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

Lulu is an actress in her 60s. She‘s been forgetting her lines and flees to the village of her past, Snow Road Station in Ontario. She becomes part of the community and starts wondering about her life and how to fill the rest of it. It is a very hopeful book showing how, despite age, you can still dream and look forward and make things happen.

#52BookClub24 - Includes a wedding (no spoiler)

Hooked_on_books Nice! I picked this one up after the TOB longlist came out and look forward to it. Glad it‘s good! 3w
LeeRHarry Like the sound of this one. 😊 3w
DinoMom Beautiful flowers 💐 3w
See All 17 Comments
squirrelbrain Sounds great - this was one I was interested in from the ToB longlist, but it wasn‘t easily available here. 3w
Librarybelle Stacking! 3w
Chelsea.Poole Lovely table and review! I remember seeing this cover but I don‘t think I took the time to read anything about it. Also, my grandpa‘s nickname for me is Lulu. 🥰 3w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
Tamra Love the blooms! 3w
Deblovestoread Great review! 📚 3w
youneverarrived What a beautiful photo. The book sounds great 💕 3w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books @LeeRHarry @squirrelbrain @Librarybelle @youneverarrived It is an entertaining and optimistic book about a strong woman in a fantastic setting. I do recommend it! 3w
BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole I think you‘d like it. And Lulu is a wonderful nickname ❤️ 3w
Bluebird Great review! Sounds lovely. Stacking! Love those flowers! 😍 3w
LeahBergen Gorgeous flowers! 3w
Centique I love the sound of this - and your flowers are beautiful. 3w
Crazeedi Interesting review!! 3w
93 likes9 stack adds17 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 10/24

Since taking this photo I‘ve already finished Snow Road Stayion, a lovely read. Review will follow.
I am now starting the tagged book, my ultimate one for #LitsyToB24. I‘ve also had an early start with our next #EuropaCollective book, The Postcard. It‘s fantastic and heartbreaking, as to be expected.

Cathythoughts I enjoyed Happiness Falls. 👍🏻❤️ 3w
Tamra I think I‘ll start Postcard today too, but I‘m having a bit of hangover from North Woods. I was having difficulty sticking with a book. 3w
BarbaraBB North woods was good indeed. I do think you‘ll have no problem sticking with The Postcard though. 3w
74 likes3 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
The Trio | Johanna Hedman
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#BookReport 09/24

I read a lot again this week. I had high expectations of all three of them, too high I think in hindsight. Hard Girls is really good, just not what I expected. Both others, hmmm 🤷🏻‍♀️

review
BarbaraBB
Hard Girls | J Robert Lennon
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Pickpick

He usually is so original yet this new J Robert Lennon is a more straightforward noir spy story. Two estranged sisters in search of their mother who left them as children. It is a fast paced story with strong characters yet I was expecting more. A light pick.

#ATY24 #Pop24 Published in 2024 #52BookClub24 Published by Hachette

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4w
See All 11 Comments
Librarybelle The cover does give off noir vibes! 4w
batsy Great cover and photo 🤩 4w
JenP Love the photo 4w
Traci1 Ooh I love that cover! 4w
BarbaraBB @Traci1 @batsy @JenP The cover fits the book perfectly. It‘s noir and cool! 4w
sarahbarnes Good to know! I put this on hold at the library and was really excited. I will temper my expectations a bit. 4w
Ruthiella Interesting that he‘s changing his style like that. 🤔 4w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes @Ruthiella It‘s still a good book, he‘s a very good writer, I just always expect the unexpected from him 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4w
96 likes4 stack adds11 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Pantone: Colors | Pantone
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And another four prompts ticked off for #Pantone2024!

blurb
BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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#TuesdayTunes

“I left my heart in Amsterdam, where I could dream and nights were long”

I recently discovered Nothing But Thieves and really like them. Their newest album, Welcome to the DCC, is very danceable and I enjoy listening to it while cooking or cleaning.
The song I chose speaks to me because of its title 😉

https://open.spotify.com/track/454I78HEySdcHE8fcVabTb?si=C8dNc4m-RYylr3RiNz_Rog

batsy Haven't heard of them but just listening to Amsterdam and enjoying it! This song reminds me a bit of the band Editors (especially the album The Back Room). 4w
BarbaraBB @batsy Yes it is a bit like The Editors just a bit more melancholic, which I am a sucker for 🤣 4w
Deblovestoread Another new to me band. Great song 🎶 4w
TieDyeDude Thanks for the recommendation. I listened to a couple of their songs quick, I like their sound. 4w
vivastory Really liked this song. Adding the album to my library 4w
61 likes5 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Julia | Sandra Newman
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Mehso-so

#UnpopularOpinion

Julia is not a feminist retelling of Orwell‘s book in my opinion. Not at all. A YA retelling maybe, at the most.
Julia felt very one dimensional to me, not like a real person nor a feminist one. The plot was flat too, I really can‘t understand the praise for this book. One of my least favorites of the #Litsy2024 shortlist.

sarahbarnes I don‘t think I‘m going to get to this one, and your review makes me feel better about that. 4w
Librarybelle Good review! 4w
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I honestly think you won‘t like it either but I can be wrong as almost all reviews on Litsy are picks! 4w
See All 22 Comments
Jas16 Still have this one on my TBR but not especially excited about it. 4w
Ruthiella Interesting! I still need to read this and re-read 1984 as prep. 4w
Megabooks Wow! I really enjoyed this. We usually don‘t disagree this much. 😂😂 4w
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Right? I was so surprised too! 4w
Suet624 Happy to take this off my list. 4w
squirrelbrain I really enjoyed it too @Megabooks - maybe we should report @BarbaraBB to the Thought Police?! 🤣 4w
batsy A YA retelling! Love your honesty. I'm taking it off the list because I was also thinking I'd have to read 1984 and I don't want to (world's too grim already...) 4w
Megabooks @squirrelbrain lol! Yes!! It didn‘t really feel YA to me. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ 4w
Readerann I totally agree, Barbara. 4w
BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 😂😂 the thought police! 4w
BarbaraBB @batsy That too 😬 4w
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Glad to be of help though I am a minority here! 4w
BarbaraBB @Readerann I hoped you would!! (edited) 4w
Hooked_on_books Very interesting! I‘m about to start 1984 today so I can get to Julia thereafter. Now I‘m intrigued! 4w
kwmg40 I started this one with high hopes but am struggling to continue. It just feels very flat compared to Orwell's book, but given that some have praised the book highly, I'm not sure I'm ready to abandon it yet. 4w
BarbaraBB @kwmg40 That‘s why I continued too but it didn‘t get really better imo 4w
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Can‘t wait to hear your thoughts! 4w
BarbaraBB @TrishB I remember you read Both retellings but not which you preferred. I am glad somehow that it‘s not Julia 😀 3w
83 likes22 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The Trio | Johanna Hedman
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Mehso-so

This book felt like a De Beauvoir-about-Sartre novel of the 21st century. Set in Stockholm instead of Paris, still very European. Intellectual talks, misunderstandings, casual sex. It didn‘t really work for me, I didn‘t like the three main characters and their conversations. Other than that, nothing much happens unfortunately.

#ATY24 - Two word title starting with The #52BookClub24 - Abrupt ending

Librarybelle Great to cover a couple of prompts with it! 1mo
Hooked_on_books Another excellent picture from you! (I‘m not surprised.) Even though this one didn‘t work for you, the premise has me intrigued. But then others have compared it to Sally Rooney so, no thanks! 1mo
See All 9 Comments
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I shouldn‘t compare it to Sally Rooney. This one feels a bit pretentious to me, but maybe you like it because it‘s more intellectual than the usual novel about twenty somethings. I prefer Rooney though 😉 1mo
sarahbarnes I‘m sorry it didn‘t work for you! I agree no one does this like Rooney. I liked this when I read it, but with more distance I‘m less a fan. 1mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I expected to like it just like you! 1mo
batsy It sounds like just the kind of pretentious book I enjoy 😁 but that's too bad about the characters. It's the characterisation that makes a book like this good, imo! 4w
BarbaraBB @batsy I know what you mean and I usually do too but this one, hmm, no 😊 4w
Bluebird At least it fulfilled 2 prompts 😀 4w
87 likes9 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Hard Girls | J Robert Lennon
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#WeeklyForecast 09/24

I preordered the new J Robert Lennon and here it is! Can‘t wait to start but first I have to finish the Julia chunkster in order to finish my #LitsyToB24 reads on time (still need to read Happiness Falls as well!). I am reading The Trio partly in print, partly on audio in between. I am not liking any of the characters which makes it a less enjoyable read.

Cathythoughts Stacking Hard Girls 👍🏻 1mo
squirrelbrain Hard Girls sounds good - have a great week! 😘 1mo
Bookwormjillk Didn‘t realize Julia is a chunkster. Thanks for the warning. 1mo
See All 13 Comments
BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk Maybe I exaggerated, my copy is 435 pages. And it‘s a fast read! 1mo
TrishB Enjoy 👍🏻 1mo
Bookwormjillk @BarbaraBB seems chunky to me! 1mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Julia has been on my mind, it has been years since I have read 1984, so you think a reread of that first would be helpful? 1mo
Megabooks That Hard Girls cover is 😍 😍 😍 1mo
BarbaraBB @ChaoticMissAdventures I know people think it added to Julia to have reread 1984 but I haven‘t. I don‘t remember a thing about 1984 yet I do enjoy Julia. So it‘s not necessary but I might be missing out on some details 1mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @BarbaraBB good to know! That is about what I figured. Thanks! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Right?! 😎 1mo
Gleefulreader All of these look excellent! 1mo
GlassAsDiamonds Just dropping by to say Hi after one hell of a hiatus. 1mo
70 likes1 stack add13 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Roman Stories | Jhumpa Lahiri
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#BookReport 08/24

I bailed on Sparsholt but other than that I had a great week. I read a lot and I loved both Roman Stories and These Silent Woods. I enjoyed Strangers and Tom Lake too.

REPollock I bailed on Sparsholt too. I think there was a time in my life when I would have read it avidly. That time is past tho. 1mo
Suet624 You read a lot! 1mo
Megabooks Wow! Big week! 1mo
83 likes3 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Strangers | Taichi Yamada
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Pickpick

After watching the movie, I bought the book All of Us Strangers is based on.
And it‘s so much better! The movie is good too but the original horror story is Japanese and that seems more fitting somehow for the plot. A man lost his parents at twelve but suddenly meets them again 35 years later in an old neighborhood in Tokyo. A short good read.

#Pop24 - Horror by BIPOC author

(Photo: Frans Hals exhibition, detail)

Suet624 Sounds like it's right up my alley. 2w
71 likes5 stack adds1 comment
blurb
BarbaraBB
Migrations: A Novel | Charlotte McConaghy
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So happy to read this on her Instagram: a new book by Charlotte McConaghy is coming 🙌🏽 It‘s not even in the Litsy database yet!

IuliaC We can add it to the database if we find its ISBN 1mo
BarbaraBB @IuliaC Thanks! I‘ll see if I can find that! 1mo
Soubhiville Yay! This is exciting. 🤩 1mo
See All 9 Comments
ErikasMindfulShelf Can‘t wait! Thanks for sharing. 1mo
squirrelbrain Ooh exciting! 1mo
Deblovestoread I‘ve been waiting, waiting, waiting for this excellent news! Thanks for sharing! 💜 1mo
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread @Soubhiville @ErikasMindfulShelf @squirrelbrain I‘ve been following her on Instagram just to keep up with her writing a new book. I loved both others so much! 1mo
CBee OH MY GOODNESS this is the best news 😍😍😍 1mo
Hooked_on_books I didn‘t really like Wolves but I loved Migrations, so this is exciting news! The premise looks promising! 1mo
64 likes9 comments
review
BarbaraBB
These Silent Woods: A Novel | Kimi Cunningham Grant
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Pickpick

I loved this book, all of it. Cooper has been fleeing from his past and is raising 8 year old daughter Finch in the remote Appalachian woods. Once a year a friend brings supplies and there‘s a hermit neighbour somewhere nearby but mostly they are by themselves. Until the moment the books starts.
What a loving and atmospheric read and that perfect ending… tears in my eyes. Loved it. Thanks for bringing it to my radar, Meg 🩶

Librarybelle Great review! 1mo
See All 11 Comments
Megabooks So glad you loved this, too! 1mo
Mpcacher I agree - it was a wonderful read. 1mo
Deblovestoread I was gifted this book from a Litten and need to move it up from your great review. 1mo
BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread Please do, it‘s a lovely book 1mo
squirrelbrain Sounds great - stacked. 1mo
Hooked_on_books Sounds good and love the cover! 1mo
CBee @BarbaraBB I checked this out from the library today based on your review 😊 3w
BarbaraBB @CBee I certainly hope you‘ll love it too 🤞🏽😘 3w
97 likes5 stack adds11 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Tom Lake: A Novel | Ann Patchett
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Pickpick

Liked not loved this one. It‘s a bit too sweet to my taste, all of this loving family in the cherry orchard. In the midst of the pandemic but why use that setting when it hardly adds to the story? I liked Lara‘s story of her past a lot though. I was charmed by Duke myself too lol 😜

#Roll100 #Pop24: 24-year-old character #ATY24: botanical cover

BarbaraBB @britt_brooke I liked it better than you did Britt but I know what you meant! 1mo
IndoorDame I had the same reaction to this being a pandemic book 1mo
britt_brooke @BarbaraBB Totally see your perspective, too! (And pretty photo 🤩) 1mo
94 likes4 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor
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“On the path with my restless curiosity”

I always love some music on Litsy so gladly join in #TuesdayTunes, thanks for starting this @TieDyeDude ! The latest addition to my playlist is the newest song by Beth Gibbons. She‘s the lead singer of Portishead and I was hoping for some Portishead vibes. It‘s very different yet her voice is enchanting as ever 🩶

TieDyeDude Nice! I have heard the name Portishead, but I can't say I know their music. I'll have to give them, and the solo single, a listen 1mo
vivastory @TieDyeDude Portishead's fantastic! One of their best albums is their live recording Roseland. Absolutely iconic. (edited) 1mo
Billypar 😮😮😮 This was a drop everything and listen right away situation. Great track. I know we've discussed our mutual Portishead love before. Excited for her album - thanks for putting this on my radar! 1mo
See All 9 Comments
BarbaraBB @vivastory That‘s such a fantastic album! I hope you‘ll give it a try @TieDyeDude it‘s different from all other music imo 1mo
BarbaraBB @Billypar I felt the same when I came across it on Spotify. Drop everything. She‘s even going to tour this summer, I so hope I‘ll be able to buy tickets 🤞🏽 1mo
batsy Excellent. Portishead 💜 1mo
Bookwomble OMG! 🤯 I love Portishead and Beth Gibbons! News of her first solo album is Port-entous!😆 I've just preorded the album 😌 Her album with Rustin Man, Out of Season, is one of my favourites - have you heard that one? And her vocals on Goreki's Symphony No. 3, so beautiful ❤️ Thank you for flagging this, Barbara - you've made my day! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Bookwomble Glad to be of help 😀, i can‘t wait for the album! I love the Portishead album @vivastory mentions above but also her album with Rustin Man and vocals on that symphony. So good!! (edited) 1mo
TheKidUpstairs I didn't know she had new solo music out! Love Portishead 1mo
58 likes9 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The Sparsholt Affair | Alan Hollinghurst
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Bailedbailed

I loved The Line of Beauty but I feel like ever since Alan Hollinghurst‘s books have less plot and more sex, as if he needs a bit of a plot just to have something in between sex scenes. It gets boring to keep reading about men just staring at each other's crotch and waiting for the moment to go for it. After half the book and nothing much else happening I still don't know what happened to Sparsholt during the war but I don't even bother anymore.

LeahBergen 😆 I love this bail review! 1mo
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen Thank you 😊 1mo
Tkimsal I feel like this author is waaayyyyy overrated but heaven forbid anyone suggest that. I forced myself to finish one of his books, then thought I‘d at least try another one and I bailed about 100 pages in. 1mo
See All 13 Comments
BarbaraBB @Tkimsal I won‘t try him again. I bailed on another one by him too and that‘s quite enough! 1mo
TrishB Wholeheartedly agree! 1mo
dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
BarbaraBB @TrishB Glad to hear that! 1mo
batsy The staring at the crotch part waiting to go for it made me snort 😂 Haven't read him yet, but if and when I do I'll remember your review and be prepared 😁 1mo
BarbaraBB @batsy 🤣🤣 1mo
Aimeesue Oh dear! Great review, though! 😂 1mo
sarahbarnes This review 😂😂 I haven‘t read anything of his since Line of Beauty. 1mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes Don‘t bother 😉 1mo
BarbaraBB @Aimeesue Thanks 😊 1mo
64 likes13 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Roman Stories | Jhumpa Lahiri
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Pickpick

This is a short story collection set in or around Rome. Returning themes are immigration, aging, racism, nostalgia and the empty nest and these themes are much more present than the city. Other than the heat it doesn‘t feel like Rome brings it all together. Never mind however, each story is fantastic and I wanted none of them to end. My new favorite Lahiri!

Thank you so much for choosing this book for me Helen 🤍

BarbaraBB @jenniferw88 #ATY24 - Set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world 1mo
TheBookHippie I liked this too!!! What is happening to us?!?! 😂😂😂♥️😘😘😘 1mo
BarbaraBB @TheBookHippie lol, we recognize ourselves in the aging 😜?! 1mo
73 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Tom Lake: A Novel | Ann Patchett
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#WeeklyForecast 08/24

I am in the midst of Roman Stories as well as The Sparshold Affair. I am loving the Lahiri (thank you Helen!) but about to bail on the Hollinghurst. I loved other books by him but this is just boring so far (at 30%). Many Littens seen to love it though. We‘ll see. Next will be the tagged, a very hyped book. I am always a bit disappointed by Patchett‘s books but have high hopes this one will change that 🤞🏽

squirrelbrain Glad you‘re enjoying the Lahiri! Don‘t expect too much from the Patchett - I loved it, but it‘s a very ‘quiet‘ book. 1mo
Megabooks Looks like a great week!! 💜💜💜 1mo
Leniverse Tom Lake is the only Patchett I've read, so I don't know how it is compared to her other books. Like @squirrelbrain says, it's a quiet book. Which felt really, really good amidst everything happening in the world and the slew of dark and intense books I'd been reading. Tom Lake was a balm, and just what I needed. 1mo
61 likes3 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Pet | Catherine Chidgey
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#BookReport 07/24

Another productive reading week! I loved the tagged book, enjoyed X and was disappointed by The Details and The Stationery Shop. Not complaining though, I had a good week!

TrishB Definitely a good week 👍🏻 1mo
84 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
BarbaraBB
Biography of X: A Novel | Catherine Lacey
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Pickpick

#LitsyToB24 I am ambivalent about this one. I love books about art, Siri Hustvedt being the absolute master, yet in this book I didn‘t feel it. I could not feel the art and its meaning. Also I kind of hated X and her attitude toward the narrator, who let her get away with anything. And the book is way too long Yet I loved the language, the format, the notes and the dystopian context. I‘ll have to think about it a bit more. A light pick

Megabooks Very interesting thoughts on this one, B! 💜💜 1mo
Ruthiella I‘m about 60% done and liking it more than I thought I would, but I do see your points. 1mo
See All 20 Comments
TrishB This is still on the pile! 1mo
Suet624 I felt exactly the same way about this one. In fact I eventually bailed. I love the author but this one just didn‘t work for me. 1mo
Librarybelle I like the print on the wall in the background! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Librarybelle Thanks! It is an oldie, an affiche for women voting rights 1mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Of course we agree 😀 though I never really connect with Lacey. 1mo
squirrelbrain I really liked this one but, like @Ruthiella , I can see all of your issues with it. 1mo
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella @squirrelbrain I can see why it would totally work for both of you and many others! 1mo
Hooked_on_books It was a light pick for me, too. I thought the dystopian setting she created was fantastic, but X was so talented in every way that she stopped being believable for me. 1mo
brittanyreads Ooo! Former Art major here 🙋‍♀️ I am always on the hunt for intriguing art fiction. Thanks for the recommendation! Double points that it's also dystopian 👍👍 1mo
BarbaraBB @brittanyreads you‘re welcome! Please do read this one too if you haven‘t already 1mo
BarbaraBB @brittanyreads Hustvedt really makes art come to life. Also in this one: 1mo
batsy Super intriguing review! I was really interested to read it until it was getting raves everywhere, then my inner contrarian had to rebel against the hype and then I forgot about it. Now your review is making me want to read it 😆 1mo
brittanyreads Wonderful! Thank you for the recs! 1mo
BarbaraBB @batsy Thanks! I do think it‘s your kind of book 😀 1mo
sarahbarnes You have an really interesting perspective on this one! I really liked it, but I‘m not as knowledgeable about art as you. 1mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes The art descriptions felt a bit off too me indeed. I was sorry I didn‘t love it as much as you did 1mo
sarahbarnes I liked hearing your thoughts on it though! 💕 1mo
83 likes1 stack add20 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

We learn about the narrator‘s life in Sweden by the details she shares of her relationship with four different people who have disappeared from her life. This could have been interesting and the raving reviews in the media so certainly think so but I didn‘t unfortunately 🤷🏻‍♀️

#ATY24 - Senior citizen #52BookClub24 - Character Driven #Pop24 - About a writer

Librarybelle At least it fits a few prompts! 1mo
See All 10 Comments
youneverarrived I‘m stacking as it sounds intriguing although I‘ll borrow not buy 👍 1mo
Hooked_on_books Well that‘s too bad. I already had this stacked, not sure why (the raving media reviews, maybe?). I may have to rethink that. 1mo
lil1inblue It's so disappointing when a book doesn't live up to the hype. Such an interesting premise, though! 1mo
BarbaraBB @youneverarrived @Hooked_on_books @lil1inblue let my review not discourage you, the reviews are really good so it‘s probably me! 1mo
Centique What a beautiful photo! Is it a historic building in the background? 1mo
batsy Love the photo! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Centique @batsy It is an open air museum where we shot a commercial for an exhibition I‘ve been working on for the past few months. 1mo
86 likes1 stack add10 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

I have no idea why I bought this book but I am glad it‘s off my shelves! It‘s a romance between two young people, against Persia‘s turbulent political background in the second half of the 20th century.
It‘s okay, but the author explains everything, I‘d preferred it when I could have used my own brain and imagination but there was no need to.

#ATY24 - Main character is BIPOC #pop24 - Travel destination, not right now though…

rubyslippersreads I love stationery stores, so I probably would have bought it for the title. 😆 1mo
BarbaraBB @rubyslippersreads Me too! And I am intrigued by Tehran so you‘re probably right that I bought it for its title! (edited) 1mo
84 likes2 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Pet | Catherine Chidgey
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Pickpick

The tension…. What a read. Justine and her classmates all adore their new teacher, Mrs Price. They all want to be her pet and Mrs Price is a manipulator and enjoying that a lot. Then the thefts start.
In between we are in current times, Justine is 42 and visiting her father in a nursing home.
I cannot say too much but will always wonder what exactly happened. I feel for Justine and I must read more by this author!

#ReadingOceania24 🇳🇿

BarbaraBB @Catsandbooks @Texreader #FoodAndLit 🇳🇿 @cbee #TarotTBR Author starts with a C (edited) 1mo
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Ruthiella Look at all those prompts you made with this one title! Impressive. 🤩 1mo
CBee Sounds like an awesome read 👏🏻 1mo
Librarybelle I‘m seeing so many good reviews for this one! 1mo
MicheleinPhilly Helen bought me this one for my birthday. I‘m looking forward to it! 1mo
monkeygirlsmama Never heard of this one, but it's now stacked based on your write up. 😁 1mo
squirrelbrain I loved this one - it made my favourites of last year! ❤️ 1mo
Megabooks Definitely excited to read this!! 💕😘 1mo
jlhammar So good, right? Great review. @squirrelbrain It will likely be among my top reads this year! 1mo
Gleefulreader I read her other novel - Remote Sympathy - and it was excellent. This one is on my TBR and I can‘t wait to read it. 1mo
LeahBergen On my shelves! 👏 1mo
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Lol yeah it was a lucrative read 😂 1mo
BarbaraBB @CBee @Librarybelle @MicheleinPhilly @monkeygirlsmama @Megabooks @LeahBergen It‘s so good. The characters, the plot, the writing. I hope you‘ll read it if you have the chance! 1mo
BarbaraBB @CBee @Librarybelle @MicheleinPhilly @monkeygirlsmama @Megabooks @LeahBergen It‘s so good. The characters, the plot, the writing. I hope you‘ll read it if you have the chance! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Gleefulreader I have that one stacked now. I definitely want to read more by her. I hope you will read this one! 1mo
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @jlhammar Your reviews made me so eager to read it. And it was as good as you said! 1mo
Hooked_on_books Huh, that sounds really interesting! 1mo
Catsandbooks ❤️🇳🇿 1mo
erzascarletbookgasm Stacking! And the cover is so 3D! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I‘m surprised you haven‘t read it yet. Please do 😃 1mo
BarbaraBB @erzascarletbookgasm the cover is great, right? I hope you will read it! 1mo
KarenUK Stacking for sure! I‘m so intrigued!! 💕 1mo
BarbaraBB @KarenUK You‘ll love it! 1mo
109 likes6 stack adds25 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 08/24

I am reading both Pet as well as The Stationery Shop and will finish them soon. Pet is great, The Stationery Shop not so. Next will be the tagged which I bought based on a review in I think the NYT but not sure about that. It‘s short so I should be able to make a start with another #LitsyToB24 book, one of which I have high expectations!

squirrelbrain Have a great week! 1mo
sarahbarnes This looks like a great week! Pet and Biography of X! 😍 1mo
72 likes2 comments
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BarbaraBB
All About Turkeys | Jim Arnosky
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With just one more month to go we share the schedule for the Opening Round of our #LitsyToB24.

In a few weeks we‘ll share the form in which you can vote for your favorite of each bracket.

For now just enjoy these shortlisted books, Littens really have excellent taste 😀 and it will be such fun to choose a winner 🦃 from this great selection of books!

See All 14 Comments
squirrelbrain Looking forward to seeing how the voting goes! ❤️ 1mo
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Me too, very excited about that! 1mo
Bookwormjillk Yay, thanks for the schedule 1mo
Caroline2 Oh I need to get reading!!! 😂 Thanks for the schedule 👍 1mo
JenReadsAlot I've really failed at reading those so far! Lol 1mo
Crazeedi Darn, I need to get busy! 1mo
Larkken Yikes! I thought I was doing better, time to ramp up the pace :) 1mo
CBee I‘m so behind 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ 1mo
Ruthiella I‘m totally behind too! Need to put the pedal to the metal! 1mo
Deblovestoread Determined to be ready! So excited to see who wins each match up and the ultimate winner. 💜 1mo
71 likes14 comments
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BarbaraBB
My Husband: A Novel | Maud Ventura
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#BookReport 06/24

I had another really good reading week. I enjoyed all my books although I had higher expectations of the Ernaux.

TrishB A good week 👍🏻 1mo
LeahBergen Great week! 1mo
Suet624 Fantastic! 1mo
78 likes3 comments