Welcome to Litsy!

I listened to the audio, which did a piss-poor job of keeping my interest except for briefly with Jake whatever-his-fake-last-name was; anyway, Jake and Ellie ended up in some kind of a relationship, or she thought so, anyway. Near the end of the book, suddenly it was 40 years later, and I missed how that transition happened (though as I read the summary, apparently much of the story was already 40 years later? And I missed it.) Cont in comments

I didn‘t hate it. I‘m not sure audio was the way to go with this book. The narrator was so soothing my mind just wandered off. I think this book on audio would be fantastic to listen before bed & fall asleep to
There is lots in the story that is interesting; a Dutch woman painter trying to make it in the olden days with men running guilds - the whole guild dynamic, a modern storyline with a woman searching for the truth about Sara de Vos but 😴

The Boutique Hotel is finished 😢😢

Audio Lego building ❤️ I made the roof top cocktail bar today 🥂

Goodreads gushed over this book but I found it kinda blah. Parts of it were great but those chapters were never long enough. I listened to it and it helped pass the time at work but it definitely wasn't as good as I hoped.

Intertwined stories of a Dutch painter from the 17th century and a modern day woman who forges one of her paintings. If you like some historical fiction, this book‘s for you.

Check in for #mbcreadathon with the book I just finished and the last painting I completed 🖌

I didn't find this book too thrilling. A forgery of a 17th century painting intertwines the lives of three people: the artist, the owner, and the woman who paints the copy. I was hoping for some higher stakes, but don't feel it delivered.

Hours read: 7:39
Pages Read: 237
Books completed: 1

#mbcgiveaway7

I'm old school pen and paper tracking my reading time for #mbcreadathon

Finally got some time to sit and read, so I'm about halfway through with the tagged book.

#mbcgiveaway5

Planning on tackling these and some audiobooks during the readathon. I'm starting with The Last Painting, but don't know if I'll jump around or finish one before cracking the next. Today will be a bit of a slump because I have work 😒 and then a wake for a colleague's husband tonight 🙁 But most of my weekend is open and Ready to Read!
#mbcreadathon
#mbcgiveaway1

@MonthlyBookClub

This book has 3 povs and times (1637, 1958, & 2000). It‘s about an art history student who makes a forgery of the only painting attributed to sara de vos and how it affects her and the original owner‘s life. I liked this one, especially the Sara de Vos story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1. The Last Painting of Sara de Vos
2. Literary Rogues by Andrew Schaffer- in January
3. Green
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

I‘m big fan of the trope of following a painting or another artifact through time and seeing how it has affected the lives of the people who have interacted with it. I went into this with fairly high expectations. It was good, not great, and I think my love of this trope might be skewing my opinion slightly higher than I would otherwise rate it.

This one was recommended by a friend. I‘m being flaky today—instead of a bday party at church for a member, I‘m staying in to read. I have a hard time being extroverted on saturdays, it‘s too much after work all week.

Book haul from last night. I can‘t wait to get to them!

Stories about art forgeries and stolen paintings make some of the best novels. These types of novels could be classified as a sub-genre of fiction. Any time I read or listen to a novel about stolen art I‘m reminded of Donna Tartt‘s The Goldfinch. While The Last Painting of Sara De Vos isn‘t that caliber of a novel (very few are), it‘s still quite good. The narrator of this audiobook is one of the best. Overall rating: 4.24 stars

This was a pretty fun historical fiction book largely centered around art history and art collecting. As a museum professional, there was a fair amount that was rather ridiculous, but the essence of the impact of art on individuals as told through the story was quite lovely.

Helpful information! #tbr

Glorious...Gorgeous storytelling: wry, playful, and utterly alive. - The Boston Globe

A historical fiction bedside TBR stack.

Stop it woman! Stop searching out the $4.99 Kobo Books! When on earth do you think you are going to get around to all of these PLUS the billion or so you already have?! 😅 Oh shut up. Get. Out. Of. My. Way. Just. Need. To. Hit. Purchase... #alwaysjustified

I wish I‘d read this book instead of listening to the audio. It‘s much more literary than I anticipated.

I found myself taking copious & garbled talk-to-text notes while driving: garbled because Smith‘s writing is so gorgeous & poetic that my phone‘s predictive text couldn‘t begin to handle it when I spoke quotations into my notes app. I can‘t wait for my book club discussion.💞 Is it possible to live an artful life free from artifice?

#EmojiNov #🎨 This was a very well written, clever mystery told in alternating narratives and eras. The #🎨 at the heart of the story begins in 1600‘s Amsterdam, travels to 1950‘s NYC where it is stolen only to reappear in modern day Sydney. It‘s a blend of historical fiction, literary drama and an intriguing art heist. Definitely worth a library request @RealLifeReading

3 timelines. 3 continents. http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/s4453040.htm

Not only did my library hold come in, but I was also able to download it with my island's almost non-existent cell phone connection.

Meh, the story is fine, but there is nothing special here. I've read similar, much better, books (i.e. The Goldfinch and The Girl with a Pearl Earring) so this just feels unnecessary. It's an okay, quick, unchallenging read if you happen to be in the mood for that.

Reading the first 2/3 of this book felt like slogging through water and I skimmed. A lot. The last third, I couldn't put it down. An odd book; it might appeal best to fellow artists or art history lovers. Personally I think Susan Vreeland does this style better.

I liked this book. However, the issue with this kind of novel is that I feel like I won't be able to recall anything special about it later.

As someone who knows next to nothing about art or the art world I was wary about this novel. But now I want to go to art galleries! I want to learn how painters from times gone by made colours. I want to know how art can be valued so highly; artistically and materially. This Aussie author somehow managed to make 17th century Dutch female painters into a page turner. Smith crosses time and country effortlessly. I'm glad to have read this!

Next up on this glorious Saturday. I ❤️ days full of nothing but reading!!!!

I am trying out a Scribd subscription and listening to to this story. I wish Sara de Vos was real

Picked this up today from the library. 😁 🎨 📚

My house is full of bookish things and colored tissue paper!! More pics to come later but for now I truly want to thank @BookishMarginalia for my AMAZING #SummerSolstice boxes! I have coffee mugs, the cutest bookplates ever, sticky notes, and so so so many books! Including this one! This has been on my TBR for ages!!! Thank you!!!!!

Took the long way home the last few days just to extend my listening time on this one.

The story is told in three voices. Marty de Groot's family has had a painting, At the Edge of a Wood, in his family for almost 300 years. In the 1950s, Marty owns the painting, and Ellie Shipley is hired to make a forgery. We follow how their lives intersect and the history of the painting and the painter.

Well told. Well written. Smith does a good job helping the reader feel what the characters feel.

Vivid descriptions of art (fictional but based upon paintings of the Dutch Golden Age). Interesting peek into art restoration. Loved the beginning and the end. Tension could have been handled better in between. But still a great read (or listen).

I may not have gotten to spend the day reading for #deweysreadathon, but I did get to hear Dominic Smith speak. He gave a great talk!

Starting this in the last little bit of daylight on the back porch. Evie and Sadie will soon be demanding their nightly constitutional.

Sunshine + coffee + books = one happy gal.

"Altsein bedeutet, den Namen eines Chiropraktikers im Portemonnaie zu haben. ... Es bedeutet, ungehemmt mit den Abendnachrichten zu diskutieren."

Dominic Smith
"Das letzte Bild der Sara de Vos"

"Das Gemälde wird in derselben Woche gestohlen, in der die Russen einen Hund in den Weltraum schießen." Dominic Smith #ersterSatz

What happens when you try to take a book haul picture on your lap. #catsoflitsy #petsoflitsy

Is anyone else physically incapable of sleeping in on their days off? It's 7:30 am here, and I've been awake since about 6:30. Also, I love this cover.

This book has me completely enthralled! It wasn't even on my radar. I've blown through the first two cds without even realizing how long I've been listening.

In other news, my leg is getting better, but I've had the beginnings of a migraine all day, and now it's really bad. Count me in the #LitsyMigraineClub ☹️☹️ Sorry to complain. Thank you all for being so kind.

This book surprised me in the end. I wasn't sure I was going to like any of the characters, but in the end I liked them all! This is one of those, stick with it, it's worth it books.

#readjanuary #2016booksyoumissedouton I need to pick up my 2016 reading game. So many good ones still on my 'to read' pile!

There are a ton of awesome Kindle books on sale today! Including this one, which I read last year and absolutely loved. It's the story of a painting, a forged copy, and the people involved, told in three time periods: 17th c. Amsterdam, 1950s NYC, and present day Australia. I thought it was beautifully written and I loved all the storylines, so I highly recommend it!

These two are having a snuggle fest while I finish my first book of 2017 ❤❤

Joey has taken over my reading chair and blanket. I don't think he intends on sharing. Lol. Love him ❤❤😻😻