Welcome to Litsy!

It was so nice out this afternoon that I grabbed my book and my dog and headed out to the park for an impromptu picnic. It was so nice and relaxing — plus I finished the book!

A group of six really close friends- the “Hexagon”- navigates their senior year of high school in a rural religious community. Amidst their conservative town they learn that who they are and who they love can be fluid and unexpected. The depiction of their group‘s dynamics was vivid and realistic. This felt like a demographic (rural church youth group) that I don‘t read a lot about. I didn‘t absolutely love this book, but it was solid.

A non-angsty YA book about Billie, a gender non-conforming pastor‘s kid in a small Kentucky town. A endearing book about friendship, faith, identity, sexuality - all the things you‘re sorting out at 17.

#readharder #ruralsetting

For the #readharder2020 prompt “a book that takes place in a rural setting.” This turned out to be a surprisingly nuanced take on queerness and its intersection with the small town church community. Something I never knew I wanted, but that I really loved!

@Bookwormjillk thank you so much for my #litsylove winter swap box. I love everything! ❄️📚❄️📚❄️📚❄️📚 thanks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @TheBookHippie for putting together this swap and this amazing group!

Currently Reading #currentlyreading #courtneystevens

Currently Reading #dresscodesforsmalltowns

Read for #TheBreakfastBookClub #GroupA so I won‘t say much here because there are still people left in the rotation who need to read it.

To sum it up- I had never heard of this one but have since heard the author‘s name tossed around quite a bit. I think I will read more of her despite the fact I sometimes found it difficult to get into this story.

“There is more than one way to add color to the world. More than one way to crown a queen.”

“His dad has worn khakis, button-downs, and sweater vests for so long that if he died, the clothes would go to work the next day without him.”

“It‘s funny the things you think about when you should just be feeling, isn‘t it?”

LOVED the Hexagon. Their friendship is everything.

@StephanieGeiser I ran out time to get to the post office today, but this book will be headed your way on Monday.

@corycatelyn this is the last book you sent me, right?

#TheBreakfastBookClub

Interesting story and setting with great characters and relationships. The characters felt so real. Has a sort of Footloose-esqe feel to the town the main character lives in. Would love a good adaptation of this. The ending (before the epilogue) made me tear up.

4.5 ⭐

Simply put: be true to yourself. A perfect book for anyone struggling with identity. And, I think I want Billie‘s boots! I laughed. I cried. And, I rooted for Billie the whole time. #TheBreakfastBookClub #GroupA

Taking this to the post office this afternoon, @corycatelyn

Beginning this one tonight for #TheBreakfastBookClub #GroupA .

This totally reminds of Footloose except I like the daughter of the preacher. Billie doesnt annoy me 😂

Reminding me of Footloose.

Catching up on #litsymail finally! Got the next #thebreakfastbookclub book from @MrsGreen. 👍🏻 A couple of #JB cards from @knittedgnome and @BookwormAHN. 💕 And a lovely #litsypenpal note from @everlocalwest. 😘 Replies going out soon! 🤞🏻

Let me just tell you about small towns... 😉
Loved this book! Billie is really looking into herself to figure out who the hell she is. I love that she‘s exploring her friendships, her love life (so many options!), her role in town, and her relationship with her preacher father.
I‘m super happy this was my current #thebreakfastbookclub #groupA pick!

After so many trash YA books, this one actually hit the chords. Been loving it so far.

Moving along on my summer reading list! Book for the week 👓

Finished reading today. Should be on it's way to @MrsGreen on Monday.

I liked this overall & am glad it's out there for kids who will see themselves and their identity questions represented. And I do love YA books set in small towns. Funny at times, and sharp at others. But the very intentionally clever writing style got a little tired after a while, and sometimes my old ass was just like, what teens talk like this? 👵🏻 3/5 ⭐️ (Would be 3.5 if Goodreads didn't act like giving us half stars was akin to cold fusion)

I was out of town last week and completely spaced sending out my #TheBreakfastBookClub package before I left but it‘s on the way @melyndarae #TBBCGroupA

Music in the way she moved, music in the way she spoke, music in the way she listened. She was a melody we both hummed.

People are the hard part of being human.

👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

Needed something that was a real change of pace from my last read. #nowreading

I finished this one last night but figured I already posted too much for one day, so I saved it for today!
This one was recommended to me by librarian when I asked for suggestions of books with themes similar to The Outsiders. I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of a girl trying to figure out who she is or how she fits when she so clearly stands out. A must-read for my teens and anyone else who enjoys a more modern “coming of age” story.

So I pulled a back muscle yesterday while working in the garden, and it has left me practically immobile today. Thankfully this sweet girl hasn‘t left my side much while I read this delightful “coming of age” story recommended by my awesome librarian. Thank goodness for fur babies (since my human baby spent the day playing outside despite the rain). #DogsofLitsy #MikkaGirl

Highly enjoyable read about friendship in a small town.

Enjoyed this sweet YA book about friendship, love and courage to be yourself.

Up-nod is the perfect term! I have been known to say, That-Guy-‘Sup-Head-Jerk-Thing. 😜

#LibraryHaul

So excited about my latest library haul!!! 🤗

I met a friend for tea and book talk. When she had to leave I got a 2nd cup and fired up my Kindle and finished this story. I LOVED It #rebelgirl😍 #smalltownlife
#mymotherwouldnotapprove

“This has nothing to do with the church. God? Sure. Ask Him what He wants if that‘s something you wish to do. But He and the church are not necessarily the same on this.”
#myfavoritequote #goodmothers #coverlove

🤣 Being the daughter of a Church Elder, I love a good rebel daughter story. High hopes for this one. #rebel

"People are the hard part of being human."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn‘t like it so much! You might like it though. Read review to know more. https://thecommonshelf.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/dress-codes-for-small-town-girls...

⭐️⭐️ 2/5

“I think there‘s a place where love equals history and a place where love equals the future and a place where love is just love and it doesn‘t go away no matter whether you get it back or not.”

“As it turns out, freedom is a temporary thing found only in coffee shops in other cities.”

Lots of new books in the library. Previewing this one next.

I really liked this one.

This brown-haired, brown-eyed librarian found this passage amusing.