Welcome to Litsy!

This is so unlike Of Mice and Men and East of Eden that I‘ve read. But it‘s quite a comical story of camaraderie among the sympathetic characters living a simple life. And plenty of wine drinking. I like the descriptive titles and straightforward storytelling.
#AuthorAMonth

A group of deadbeat friends while away the time, drinking cheap stolen wine, getting by by stealing what they need. But friendship kindles kindness, charity (even if stolen), and even a day of honest work when friendship requires it. The humor is not obvious until near the end but it‘s thruout in small doses. Not great but a good book. I‘ll definitely read more Steinbeck now that I‘ve been introduced to him thanks to #authoramonth @Soubhiville

That‘s one way to put it. 😆

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

Now known as the “side-eye.” 😂

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

Totally inappropriate response for a first grader, but Alfredo‘s response made me laugh out loud!!

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

#AuthorAMonth2023 @Soubhiville

I discovered my love for Steinbeck only in the last couple of years. My husband found this set of books at an estate sale last year and surprised me with them. I'm hoping to start Tortilla Flat soon.

The tagged book is my first choice for #authoramonth mainly because it‘s the first book in the collection I bought last month. @Soubhiville

💙☀️💧🌱💙

Interesting book. I read an article where Steinbeck said he regretted writing this book due to its racist undertones. And this wasn't one of his popular books. I can see why.

I heard this touted as Steinbeck‘s funniest, but would have to respectfully disagree. While it is certainly very funny in some parts and I did enjoy it overall, nothing tops Cannery Row and its sequel Sweet Thursday for me. The characters of Tortilla Flat were less lovable imo and do a lot of questionable things. Still, I love Steinbeck‘s writing as always, and still found this enjoyable. 3.75⭐️

#classic
#JohnSteinbeck

Omg I‘m only 7 pages in and I can tell I‘m going to love this! 🤣😂😂 My, how times have changed in 100 years. I wish I had a time machine.

#quotes
#classic
#JohnSteinbeck

#QuotsyMay21 Day 29: #Pillow

Sorry that I've finished this delightful book. It's a slim novel, but so very full of characters whom you are entranced by. It's almost a book individual stories but also a complete novel.
His writing, as always, perfect.
I received some gorgeous letters from #litsylove #penpals today - so grateful @Cupcake12 @Crazeedi @Mrs_B 😍😍🤗🤗

Dinner for one... rare that I can be motivated to cook a balanced meal for myself, often just eat a bowl of veg, so this was an ace decision today!
Goan style lentil curry courtesy of #spice_pots which was gifted to me 😍😘😺😻.
Appreciate the fact I can read whilst earing dinner 😉😉

After reading hid book of letters, starting this which I've been saving to read.
Does anyone else save books that they're really looking forward to reading??? 😊😋🤣

Tortilla Flat is funny, yet still Steinbeck-social-commentary-poignant (and there's so much of it to unpack from such a little package.) Danny and his disciples are hilariously the worst (except the Pirate!) and will make you facepalm, yet smile, at their endless ability to moralize away all manner of sins (or adventures, as they would call them.) Really good!
This completes my goal for #feastmode & gets me my very first completed #bookspinbingo !

Bailed on my #BookSpin read this month. ☹️Ugh...It turned out to be a poor novelization of the movie. But Steinbeck saved me on my #DoubleSpin with his farcical tale of friendship and loyalty among a handful of hapless hobos. His characters were pretty gruff, but each had true
heart buried deep within. Steinbeck‘s sharp imagery along with his engaging writing style never lets me down. 🙌🏻
@TheAromaofBooks

This was another quick Steinbeck read. A somewhat entertaining series of inter-connected stories about Danny and his friends. It was somewhat similar to Cannery Row, but not quite as cohesive.

After a round of story telling, one of the characters, Pablo, comments on a story: "I like it. I like it because it hasn't any meaning you can see, and it still does seem to mean something. I can't tell what."
Pretty much sums up Tortilla Flat for me.

"This is the story of Danny and of Danny's friends and Danny's house."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

I have been in a huge life slump. Reading is just one thing that dropped off. Anyhow, I started this book back in September. It is very short but not entirely compelling reading. Not Steinbeck's best work, but not entirely without merit. Like so many classics , while not malicious, it is a racist and sexist product of it's time.

My first completed book since October.

My favorite restaurant with the BEST margaritas. It was here that I found out Tortilla Flat was a book (please don‘t judge me), and that the restaurant was named after it. This pic seemed necessary as I am in the middle of reading the book. 🤓

Amazon deal! $14 off in anyone is interested. I assume most of you also get this email. If you're like me though, you sometimes delete it without looking bc you have ZERO self control. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

On wine: “Just below the shoulder of the first bottle, serious and concentrated conversation. Two inches farther down, sweetly sad memory. Three inches more, thoughts of old and satisfactory loves. An inch, thoughts of bitter loves. Bottom of the first jug, general and undirected sadness.”

Went to a fun little bookstore in Denver called BookBar. They have a small bookstore on one side and a small bar on the other. The atmosphere is welcoming and the menu is yummy. I loved the names of their dishes. Got the Steinbeck this time and definitely want to try the Tennyson next time.

This was a fun read. I can see where some might be rubbed the wrong way by Tortilla Flat due to the political incorrectness of the time when it was written but most of the shenanigans come across to me as innocent and harmless and the main characters to me seem to be colored positively, as likable knuckleheads.

My advice: buy a gallon of wine from Torrelli (wink), snuggle in with your best pooch and dig in to this short novel.

#humpdaypost

1. 4th pic- Gray and Larry. The strays that I feed. They're besties.

2. Book recommendation: Tortilla Flat. It's been my favorite of the Steinbeck shorts.

3. Current weather: Rain.

4. Labor day weekend plans: #litsypartyofone #tbrmarathon and just being a slug.

I'm a bit of an idiot. Just started reading this book and I read some of the forward WHICH HAD MAJOR SPOILERS IN. I get it, it's an old book, but some kind of warning would've been nice.

Loved this story! It's about morality and the nature of friendship when you own nothing. The descriptions of Monterey take me right back there. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I miss it! #SteinbeckShortsReadalong @suvata

I found a nice outdoor reading spot at our new home! The previous owners left this really cool bench on the deck next to a massive beautiful tree. 🌳 I'm behind on the #SteinbeckShortsReadAlong due to unpacking and stuff, but I'm still trying! #sofortunate #booksandbrews

PS. Today's well-earned brew is Abita Blueberrry Wheat. 🍻

A story about friends and freedom. My least favorite Steinbeck. The humor is too slapstick for me.

#steinbeckshortsreadalong @suvata
I really enjoyed this short novel and got a little misty eyed at the end. What a lovable crew of thieves, cheaters and scamps.

"It is good to have friends," said Danny. "How lonely it is in the world if there are no friends to sit with one and to share one's grappa."

So true! ???? ☕️ ? Everything is better with friends.

#SteinbeckShortsReadalong @suvata

Just saw this post on Facebook which made me think of another question. How would you like to be stranded on a desert island with any of the paisanos?#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Thanks for joining in in this first #SteinbeckShortsReadAlong. Don't worry if you haven't finished it yet. The questions are up here and available to be answered at any time. You can get a list of the discussion questions I asked in the group here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5v2aBzO3kyHVTlsaUgtMmMtdFU

Feel free to comment on this post to let me know how you liked the book and how you liked this ReadAlong.

⁉️ If not already discussed, talk about some repetitive themes in the book: Catholicism, Alcoholism, Poverty, Attitudes toward women, Violence, Ethnicity, Bigotry, Pride, and Superstitions.

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Chapter 17:

⁉️“You may say, did they not love (name withheld) enough to go to his funeral in rags? Would you go in rags when your neighbors were dressed in finery? Would not the disrespect [...] be more if they went in rags than if they did not go at all?” Do you have an answer for these questions proposed in the book?

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

⁉️ To what do you attribute Danny‘s eventual despair? In the end he faces his “Final Opponent”. Can you give that opponent a name?

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Chapter 13:

⁉️ Although they are thieves, the 'paisanos' only steal things that they can justify as righteous according to their twisted moral values. Discuss this in reference to the plight of Señora Teresita Cortez.

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

From Chapter 9:

⁉️ The incident with the vacuum cleaner clearly has a deeper meaning. What do you think the vacuum cleaner symbolizes?

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

⁉️ Danny and his friends have a spiritual side to them. Discuss with examples.

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Cat sitting and catching up on the #Steinbeckshortsreadalong.
#catsoflitsy

Listening to the #SteinbeckShortsReadAlong while my kids are at back-to-back fencing practices 🤺🤺🤺

I've never listened to this on audio before 🎧 Love!

@suvata

⁉️ In the Preface Steinbeck states that Danny's house was "[ . . . ] not unlike the Round Table, and Danny's friends were not unlike the knights of it." What does that say about their loyalty and friendship to each other? Do you agree with this comparison?

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Chapter 7

❗️Not a question, just a comment. I just love the names of The Pirate's dogs: Enrique, Pajarito, Rudolph, Fluff and (the best one) Señor Alec Thompson. ?

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Chapter 6

⁉️ Danny seems to get over the loss of his house quickly. He realizes the worthlessness of impermanent things like houses compared to spiritual things like friends. That seems like a healthy attitude but in light of today's materialistic society is it "easier said than done"?

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

⁉️ The 'paisanos' are a rather insolent group yet they fancy themselves as virtuous. Discuss using examples if possible.

#SteinbeckShortsReadAlong

Cracking this open. Follow @suvata for the #SteinbeckShortsReadAlong. Planning to keep up as best I can!

Looks like I'm going to make it. Starting this for the #SteinbeckShortsReadAlong with @suvata
#24in48