Welcome to Litsy!

I skipped this one when it came out, figuring since I‘d read And The Band Played On that I had the story. But that book is an epidemiologic/public health story of how HIV established in the US and this is the activist/patient side. These men were treated absolutely abominably (even Fauci doesn‘t look so good here) and really fought for treatments and basic care. The book is superb.

Spring! Lovely audiowalk with Miss Daisy. Listening to the tagged book, which is proving to be an interesting read. Glad I got it on audio - I started it on print, but finding it much easier to process over audio.

Goodness me, what a book, inspiring, heartbreaking, infuriating and amazing in turns makes you really appreciate how amazing the AIDS activists were having to fight for their lives and those of their community.

Larry Kramer is really ripped a new one in this massive AIDS book - not well-loved by much of the gay community. It‘s a bit hard to read in light of his recent passing. RIP Larry Kramer; abrasive as you were to many, you made an impact.

Reading up on how activism forced people to care about AIDS and thinking about the US government fumbling with COVID. There‘s a lot to think about.

This seemed like a relevant thing to read and I‘ve been itching for some non-fiction.

Unabridged Book Store in Chicago, IL.

Loving this sun! Actually reading in the garden in Feb! That blonde blob is Daisy.

About five hours in to #24in48, and I‘ve finished How to Survive a Plague. I loved it so much. Full of rage, sadness, relief, and even joy, I was moved to tears more than once. A moving account of tragic period in history that has so much to teach us for today.

I love this opening quote from How to Survive a Plague. Paul Monette‘s Becoming a Man made a huge impact on me as a young woman, and I have loved him ever since.

For the #24in48 Hour 6 challenge.

My #24in48 Readathon TBR. Absurd, I know, and not how I would normally rock a Readathon TBR, but I kind of decided to try this Readathon our last second when I found out I‘d have unexpected childfree time this weekend. I also have a lot of plans this weekend, so I don‘t expect to make 24 hours, but I‘m looking forward to concentrated reading time. Two of these books are monsters I‘ve been reading awhile and need to finish, the other is due soon!

Review in the LRB. Good book, but this is an important caveat.

I love epidemiology. Diseases are fascinating. This book, though, is so far very much about the people who were affected, so it's slow going because it's heart wrenching. Every time the science comes up -- wow! If I was designing a perfect virus, I'd probably take a lot from HIV (and my other fascination, influenza). But it's important to remember and honour the people affected too, and their suffering.

Tough, in depth and necessary read of the history of the start of the AIDS epidemic. David France deftly weaves personal and community history as well as scientific history and development. Very moving and I cried a lot.

What I liked about this book was how it seemed partly a work of journalism, full of information and detail, and part a personal story. The author was in the middle of the epidemic he was there for many of the events he writes about. But there is still somehow a distance kept, a level of professionalism, when talking about the people who fought.

Reading this before bed causes bizarre dreams. Just saying.

The shortlist for this year's #GreenCarnationPrize celebrating #LGBTQ authors. More to add to my stack! 📚 #JuneBookBugs (photo: Green Carnation Prize)

Library pick ups today

Surprised to see his name appear in this book. Yet there it is.
#trump #aids #lgbt

This book is touted by many activists as an example of a successful social movement. It's also a compelling human interest story - so amazing what this group of people was able to accomplish while many of them were dying. It is heartbreaking that they were ignored for so long. #dailyactionbookclub

#amreading this brilliant book; Heart rending, and inspirational #reading, #DiverseAThon. What are you #reading today

This just in. I wasn't going to read anything by white men this month, but now I'm reconsidering. I really want to participate in the #DailyActionBookClub, sponsored by LitHub and www.facebook.com/YourDailyAction. This is a story about how patients, citizens, scientists, and providers organized to tame and destigmatize AIDS. Love the epigraph and the bookmark I found recently (made by one of my granddaughters). #readersresist

Last #BookMail for today! 📬🎉

This has been on my radar since it came out last year but I decided to splurge this week since I don't know nearly enough about AIDS. It's the book club selection for the Daily Action page on Facebook. It's also huge. 😱 there's no way I would be able to finish it in time if I checked it out from the library. I've heard nothing but great things & I'm excited to dig in. #OverThis #ReadRiseResist

Picked this one up tonight. It's going to be a tough but essential read.

Just ordered the first selection of the #DailyActionBookClub -- thanks to @BarbaraTheBibliophage for calling my attention to it! #ReadOutsideTheLines #ReadersResist #Knopf

Took a little time away from reading tonight to write my state and federal representatives. I hope you are taking time to stand up and be counted! #postcardresistance #resist

If you follow Your Daily Action on FB (www.facebook.com/YourDailyAction), you may have seen this. They started a book club! Resisting extremism, one book at a time.

#resist #readersresist

This book is going to be a tough read. I hope men like Spencer Cox aren't completely forgotten.

Tissues needed. This book is hard and sad and maddening and important.

This one is going to be a painful read but it's so important. I am keeping tissues handy.

What a great book. Although I knew a lot of the history of the AIDS epidemic, it gave light to many people fighting this war from the beginning, that I had never heard of. I also decided to watch The Band Played On and A Normal Heart which were both mentioned in the book.

Powerful reading about the AIDS crisis. Worth your time.

My book haul from today. I purchased Pachinko and the others are from the library. Gonna start How to Survive a Plague first.

The longlist for the 2017 wellcome book prize has been revealed. https://wellcomebookprize.org #WBP2017

I think I have already read one of my best books of the year. This story is incredible. As someone who has little personal memory of the early AIDS epidemic, this book was an eye opener. I had no idea. For those of you like me in that regard, this book will rock your world.

This book is riveting!!! And I think everyone should read it! Please! (Is that enough exclamation points for you?) Seriously, it is so good. I am ashamed I didn't know all of this content already. And the wine is so delish, which is always a nice augment to my reading.😜🍷

I cannot praise this book enough. The science is accessible, the history is enthralling, the story is emotional. Really, this is a story about people, love, and the will to fight.
Full review over on Goodreads.

Wow. Picked this book up last night to page through it a bit and I can't put it down. Utterly compelling and also tragic, hopeful, and inspirational. I think this is going to be a book I tell everyone they need to read!!!

Diving into 2017, headfirst with a chunky non-fiction pretty much guaranteed to leave me gutted, sobbing, and inspired.

Get fired up. Change the world. #howtosurviveaplague #DavidFrance #getindie Sundog Books

Excellent history and memoir of activism to fights AIDS, homophobia and indifference. I watched the documentary after finishing the book--powerful and moving!!!

Home alone on a Monday night, knitting like the wind on a Christmas gift and listening to a new book.

This inside history of the AIDS crisis is really extraordinary. Shocking & emotional to read of the heroes who fought for their lives amidst overwhelming prejudice. It's also a vital guide for how we should all be active & engaged citizens.

This is out today and everyone should get it.

Doing some small business holiday shopping for myself! How to Survive A Plague comes out Tuesday, but I found an early copy. The LA Con is a 1st ed., 1st printing, and the Lehane books are to prep for the movie version of Live By Night! #shopsmall