I loved this action-packed, fantasy murder mystery. It was full of heart, brilliant fun, & I enjoyed every minute of it.

The whole story gives off Locke Lamora vibes. There's smart-mouthed skulduggery, shimmering towers, opulence and grandeur against streetwise determination.

The story does unfold in a linear way that cements it more as a fantasy adventure rather than a mystery novel, but the plot is fast paced and a lot happens along the way.

Thank you so much @The_Penniless_Author for my lovely present 🎁🎉

Well done on finding not one, but two, authors I haven't yet explored! 💕

Everybody give a big welcome to my Discord buddy @camscampbell who has just joined us 😊 He also does BookTube and reads eclectically from SFF to Russian poetry!

Also, Pickles. Just because.

Ok maybe just one flatlay. After all, it is #flatlayfriday 🥳🥳🥳

Preparing my Autumn TBR! Here are all of the stacks I've been curating. See anything I need to prioritise?

I didn't want to spam you all with flatlays of all these, but I've posted them here if you need a close up 😁😁😁💕

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_20887AdkE/?igsh=b2Q0em1tMGZodmU1

#Ihavequestions

SPRING: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Marie Kondo) or Atomic Habits (James Clear)

SUMMER: Sunburn (Laura Lippman)

AUTUMN: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie)

WINTER: Game of Thrones (George RR Martin)

Let me know your seasonal reads 😊

EVERYONE IS TAGGED, but I'm going to tag everyone who wished me a Happy Litsyversary in the comments yesterday. Thank you all and much love 💕💕 I'd love to see your choices.

It's my 5 year Litsyversary and I love you all very much 💕💕

Having a little oasis on the internet where it isn't constant ads and drama, but just people wanting to share something they love is incredible.

Thank you for being such a wonderful, welcoming community.

Rae xxxx

More Vendula masterpieces! They just keep getting better!!!!

New acquisitions!

Autumn Pickle-friend 💕🍂

#catsoflitsy #picklescat

https://youtu.be/nBQeoWgSXKo?feature=shared

My latest vid is my Top 10 Fiction reads of 2024 so far.

Thank you to everyone for supporting my little channel. If you enjoy my book-ramblings, don't forget to like and subscribe 🥰

What a beautifully written, sensual story.

For a book that deals poetically with such emotive material, I didn't find it overbearingly saccharine or contrived. The writing just flowed off the page & slowly took root in my heart.

The less you know going in, the more impact the story will have. Slowly, inexorably we watch things unravel. So much feeling crammed into so few pages. I hope The Safekeep makes the Booker shortlist at the very least.

Was it just really breezy today or was The Safekeep giving me goosepimples 😭😭😭

Update: wow. This post looks like CHECK OUT MY BLOTCHY ARM. But I'm leaving it here because THIS BOOK.

That's the camera, not a rash 🤣🤣

I tried to take a cute pic of her snuggling in the grass but she ALWAYS NOTICES!!!

#picklescat #catsoflitsy

And of course, it's #flatlayfriday 💃💃💃💚

Green stack! 💚

I match my book sleeve today! 💜

Currently reading The Safekeep. Loving it so far, but I've just reached Part 3 and actually have no clue where it's going...

https://youtu.be/z7yJeYUVoNY?feature=shared

Mini reviews for (most of) the books I read this summer.

Come for the book content, stay for the laughing at how exhausted and haggard I'm looking. Or vice versa 😘

I'm going to make a top 10 of 2024 so far vid once I'm feeling less crud 💃💃💃

Do you agree with my verdicts??? 👀

Weird #blameitonbookstagram purchases.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_bgDDrAeZi/?igsh=cWhpNW44czV1M2M2

Pretty sure these wouldn't have been on my radar if they hadn't been recommended to me online.... (except maybe the Anton Hur which has a yummy cover)

September #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks 💕

Time is flying and the books are not getting read quickly enough!!!!!

Got some Booker prize nominees on here, some thrillers for escapism, and a couple of chunky books I'm dreaming if I think I can finish them in September 🤣🤣

I'm a street photographer now.

Just me and mah buddy Liam 🥰🥰

#flatlayfriday

Shamelessly trying to import this trend from Insta. This is my post-cocktails Birmingham book haul 🍸💃

LIE THOSE BOOKS DOWN, LITSY! 🤣🤣

Coo-eeeee! Good morning! Did you mek mah breakfasts yet?

#catsoflitsy

A big YES to the art of Georgia O'Keeffe, but a no to this lacklustre biography by someone who doesn't seem all that impressed by her.

Writing about art needs flair and enthusiasm. This reads like coursework.

The narrator seemed more interested in the dudes O'Keeffe was hanging out with that exploring her actual life and legacy. Critique seemed to flow more naturally than praise, which isn't ideal for a monograph either.

⭐️⭐️

Popped in to see Pickles briefly today. She was enjoying a sunbeam.

#picklescat #catsoflitsy

Birthday card still making me laugh 🤣🤣 (from a couple of weeks ago)

Started this one.

There's no way I'll make it through even half of the #bookerlonglist but I've bought a few to be getting on with.

Plus iced coffee. Because this is my fuel.

If you're going to fail your diet on Day 1, might as well do it spectacularly 💃💃💃

https://youtu.be/V_u3_Gc9x24?feature=shared

Illumicrate unboxing Aug 2024 - "Look What You Made Me Do"

This book is so purdy too ??

The GR average for The List is surprisingly low, especially since I thought it was a really good social commentary fiction with thriller elements.

Ola & Michael are #couplegoals, but their lives get blown apart when Michael finds his name on a list of abusers.

If you enjoyed Yellowface or Such A Fun Age, this is another exploration of social issues & injustices in a readable and twisty format.

Also, I bloomin' love the purple cover 💜

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don't think I've forgotten!

So I've been thinking Crime & Punishment should be the next buddy read #CAPbuddyread #torturedpoetsbookclub

Have had a request to start in October... what does everyone think? It'll be a long term thing. Read at your own pace. And I would suggest a WhatsApp group so we can discuss (or use hashtag for those who don't want in.)

Thoughts?

Tagging interested folks in the comments!

Know how you feel, Bilbo...

Saturday morning snuggles with my fuzzy orange buddy.

And some toebeans!

#catsoflitsy

Bilbo surveys my selection...

#flatlayfriday

A table of soon-to-be-reads 💃💃💃💃

Catsitting this handsome devil 💕
Meet Bilbo

#catsoflitsy

Feeling better after a rest.

Today I'm matching my book with my book sleeve, my jumper and my smoothie 💜💙💕

This book is off to a strong start, but has really tepid reviews on GR. No idea where it's heading.

I still really adore the cover.

This quoteable little gem was philosophical, convincing, well-characterised, and eccentric. I truly appreciated it.

It did, however, take me far too long to finish. I struggled to stay focused. My mind just kept wandering.

If you want to watch me say a variation of the above out loud, click on the link below 🤣🤣

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-_WxKMoDHB/?igsh=anppNHlxM29rdGFn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm completely shattered.

Need to finish my book, but so tired that it's probably going to be a staring-into-space kind of evening.

Have a picture of a piece of chocolate cake I have already eaten 🤣

Send hugs.

And perhaps more chocolate cake...

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs 💕
Thanks for the tag @Texreader 😊😁

1. Read (obvs)
2. Laundry
3. Eyeball read
4. Chocolate
5. Pen
6. Both (Answering is fun)
7. Be one (if only)
8. Fish
9. Both (in person if I had to choose)
10. Ugh. Sunshine please! Haha.

#two4tuesday @TheSpineView 💕
Thanks for the tags @Ruthiella and @Yuki_Onna 🥰😇

1) I don't read under the influence, haha 🤣
If I was going to drink I'd want a cocktail - maybe an amaretto sours or espresso martini 🍸🍹

2) The Golden Fool by Robin Hobb 💕💕💕💕

This one is slow going. Good, and very quotable, but slow going.

90% sure I know where this one is going.

To the point where if what I think is going to happen DOESN'T happen I will be surprised, and possibly disappointed.

We shall see...

Afternoon tea 🥰🥰

Because we are fancy! 💃💃💃

Went to see Chris Brookmyre speak today at Edinburgh Book Fest.

This one sounds right up my street... it's a meta mashup mystery - cosy crime meets hard-boiled thriller.

Can't wait!

Today's #flatlayfriday are points of view that I am yet to explore. Some of these are by authors I've read before, others intrigued me.

I like to read widely, and often find I learn something new from non-fiction and poetry.

Have you read any of these?

Don't mind me just sitting here book hauling!

See anything good???

https://youtu.be/K5dJROTL0Qg?feature=shared

July 2024 Illumicrate unboxing.

Really didn't want to post this month's because it's boiling here and I'm sweaty and gross... but I don't like to miss a month 🤣

Pictured: Pickles was not pleased that I decided to lie on a towel in the middle of the lawn.

Today's reading spot.

It's way too hot here in the UK, but I found myself somewhere breezy to have lunch and read.

Strawberry and lime cake 🍓🍈
The buttercream obsession continues

Blue skies today 💙