Welcome to Litsy!

Part family genealogy, part memoir, and part historical fiction, Murder in Matera follows the author‘s search for the truth in the family myth of her great grandmother, the murderess.
I learned a lot about the people, culture, and history of southern Italy and the story the author wove within the facts was fascinating.

Arrived in today‘s mail from @Fridameetslucy - can‘t wait to see everyone‘s comments! #lmpbc

I learned so much about the history of Italy and the lives of its citizens who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Helena Stapinski takes us on a journey as she researches her family history and discovers murder, deceit, love, incredible loss, strength, and resiliency.

I‘m so excited to read my first marked up book! @mrsmarch @Lidia @Fridameetslucy

Didn‘t love this one, which is too bad as the story is right up my alley — a woman travels to Italy to trace her roots and research a long-ago family murder. For nonfiction, there was way too much fictionalization/recreation of her ancestors‘ inner thoughts. There was an author note at the end that addressed this, but in my opinion the book would have benefitted from sticking to the actual history.

#readtheworld #italy #memoir #audiobook

Decided to use the above quote rather than review this book myself. Fascinating journey of family discovery. The author‘s fear/idea that a bent for crime might be genetic was bizarre to me-yet this idea compelled her to go on a quest for answers-an obsessive,decades long investigation of a family murder. Her quest involved research in the gorgeous landscape of southern Italy, & a unexpected discovery that turned her family story upside down.

#Sundaymorning #coffeeandbooks #catsoflitsy
After successfully pushing all the books on my bedside table to the floor, Em is determined to shove this book away so I can give all my attention to petting her.😻

#birthday
Unable to post much of this week-mid term exams at the HS-long working days left me with little energy.
Last night went to hear Stephanie Land at the Mark Twain House in Hartford with a teacher friend.Met two Littens there, @CareBear & @Ncostell for the first time- felt like family to meet them! It was a wonderful evening.Today my husband took me book buying, then, cake with he & my son.
Thanks Littens for your birthday wishes!😘

Stapinski crafts a dual narrative in this memoir/true crime blend: one strand follows her investigation into a murder that prompted her greatgrandmother Vita to emigrate to the US; the other is a fictionalized account of Vita‘s life (so suspend disbelief and just go with it). This was a quick and interesting listen, with insights about what family identity symbolizes. Note: the author‘s fear of a genetic proclivity for crime disturbed me. 3.5⭐️

#TBRtemptation post 2! Helene's always heard lurid tales about her great-great-grandmother, Vita--a loose woman who murdered someone & immigrated to America with her children. As a journalist, Helene went to Italy with her own children to set Vita's record straight. There was a (infamous) killing in 1870s Italy, but the killer & victim were different. Not only will she learn about Vita, Helene will learn about herself. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Interesting story!

Books in the wild...my favorite summer activity is sitting outside and reading by the pasture with a little kiddie pool blown up for me to cool down in. Finished this book in that way today; totally enjoyed the search for family roots this author went through. #booksinthewild #riotgrams @bookriot

Today's #bookhaul!! Pretty excited for the murder book. Anything with genealogy is my jam!

We repeat awful moments in history rather than learning from them...