Welcome to Litsy!

“I didn't used to overthink my choices quite so much. Then someone made what I've always been told is a very important choice for me, and now I tend to overthink everything else.”

#CanadaDay Canadian author

#JulyJazz

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I suppose it‘s my own fault; I went into this book not knowing what it was about, other than the Winter‘s Tale reference, and I thought it was a ballerina on the cover rather than a cheerleader (not that it makes much difference). This is a solid book about a girl who is raped and how she deals with it, with the support of her friends, family, and the legal system. She makes the choice to NOT be like her Winter‘s Tale namesake, which I appreciate!

I am just not feeling this right now. Rape and teen pregnancy is a major downer so stepping away. Great writing so far though, maybe I'll give it a go again in the future
#roll100 @PuddleJumper

Everyone needs to read this book at least once in their lives. The subject matter is so heavy, but it never once sinks into melodrama or unnecessary shocking plot twists. Hermione is a true heroine, and we all need a friend like Polly. Who would have thought that a modern, cheerleading based retelling of A Winter's Tale would work? #yalit

New book display 💔Serious Books, About Serious Issues, For Serious Teens 📚 as one of my Student Library Helpers commented, “That‘s a lot of seriousness going on” to lighten the mood 😂

I am very grateful that my #bookspin this month was YA. I needed something fast reading to get me out of a slump and this was just the ticket. Senior cheerleader Hermione Winters is ready to take on the world at her last cheerleading camp, until she is discovered in the camp lake having been sexually assaulted. A heartbreaking topic, yes, but with a refreshing spin because in this one the “victim” has a vast support network to help her heal.

Here are the books in the #bookspinbingo line I hope to complete this month. I‘m not a speedy reader so five books in a month is a pretty tall order for me, but I‘ve almost got Exit, Pursued By a Bear read already, and I‘m super excited about all five of these, so I might stand a chance. 😀 #bookspin #JulyTBR

BookOutlet Booktoberfest haul Part 1

#bear

#quotsysept19

@TK-421

Words are changing and I am becoming an expert at translation.
***
Hermione gets drugged at a dance and raped. The book is the events leading up to, during, and after this and is an emotional journey. By far the best part of this was Polly, I can only hope everyone has a best friend like Polly in their corner.

This book really packs a powerful punch. I was so surprised how quickly it turned into such a serious story and how well it was handled. This felt so real and true and relatable. The characters were so strong and well developed and the story was hard, but important. Excellent.

#MusicalNewYear #day9 #FallingSlowly I love the cover of this book, even though it deals with a very heavy subject matter, the cover itself is brilliant. The story is about the head of a champion cheerleading squad who is “roofied” at a party & raped. After ending up pregnant, she refuses to fade slowly into the background. A heavy subject, but still a great cover.

#WinterWonderland Stick with me, this YA book is meant to be a re-telling of Shakespeare‘s #WintersTale 🤓Yes, the MC is named Hermione ( last name, Winters) and the title references one of the most iconic lines of Shakespeare, but other than that, I lost the connection. I think I was the wrong intended age for this book,which is beloved on GoodReads, because it was only ok for me. Loved that MC was strong and refused to be victimized!

I think this book is generally well-liked, but I wasn‘t convinced. To me, the way the high schoolers acted/talked often seemed unbelievable. Then again, there were a lot of Canada-specific plot points, so maybe as an American I just didn‘t understand? Not sure. Overall, there were good aspects (the friendship between Polly and Hermione 💜) but it wasn‘t a win for me. BUT a side character shares my last name, which was sort of cool.

I‘m really glad this book exists for many reasons. The author is aware that she wrote the “ideal” scenario in which a young woman is believed and treated with the kindness she deserves after a rape. This shouldn‘t be the fantasy, it should be the standard. I think using The Winter‘s Tale as reference also adds to the importance of believing women.

This author statement made my book club so weepy last night.

Reread. Book club. Still very good.

I am heading up to spend a week in Townsville with my folks. I am taking #allthebooks with me. Some borrowed, some bought and an arc. Probably won‘t get to them all, but choices are necessary. #holidayreads #travelplans #tbr #orchid

Currently reading Trouble and just received Exit, Persued by a bear in the mail!!!!

My day one #boutifbooks stats. Looking forward to day two. How is everyone else doing? Hopefully having fun!

I am down in the nation‘s capital #Canberra for a meeting today and this is my view. Except for the book of course, which hasn‘t been readily available in 🇦🇺. I had to go off-shore and online to purchase it. I have heard very good things about it, and seriously that cover. #tbrpile #ekjohnston #yaliterature #highexpectations Not that there‘ll be any time to read today, but maybe the flight home?

I love this naked book. I‘m usually pro dust sleeve, but since I discovered this I always peek under them just in case of surprises 😊.
#oldcoolbooks #nakedbooks

"A dead daughter coming home from camp is probably worse than a broken one. Of course, if I were dead they would just bury me,...and move on. Broken is harder to deal with."
#WhatWouldYouDo
If someone close was raped would you...
A) Clam up, ditch the relationship because you can't treat that person, as a person, rather than a victim
B) Seek revenge and hunt down the rapist
C) Be steadfast, supportive, and continue to love unconditionally

Amazing. And I loved this narrator so much.

This is going much better than my last YA listen 😜. Definitely better narration.

#Cheerleader #FierceFeb this YA has been on my TBR for over a year now

#FierceFeb I read this YA book last month, thinking it would work for #booked2018 #olympicsport (it doesn‘t 😠) This is not my genre and 51 yr old me wasn‘t impressed however 15 year old me would have loved it. It‘s the story of a #cheerleader who finds herself in a situation she never thought possible. It‘s about not allowing shame, fear or social prejudice to define or label her. It‘s a one sitting read that I‘m sure many will appreciate.

January 2018 stats! Total of 6 books read; 1,843 pages.

This book has me feeling all types of emotions.

TRIGGER WARNING:: rape, sexual assault.

This book is about a cheerleader who is a senior in HS. She‘s co-captain if her squad and is very discipline and focused. One day, she was drugged and raped but as I‘m reading this girl refuses to be a victim. I haven‘t finished it yet so I‘m not sure how it‘s going to end but so far, Hermoine - our main character is a hell of a young lady.

I am clearly NOT the intended audience for this novel. It‘s very “YOUNG” YA although the subject matter is not. It‘s a one sitting (somewhat) realistic story of date rape and female shame/blame. I‘m giving this novel a pick because I‘m sure tween me would have loved this book...adult me not so much.

It's raining out, so... 🐩☕🍰📚

#dogsoflitsy

I‘m doing the #allthebooksof2017 challenge as an End-of-Year Wrap-Up! First up is “First Read of the Year,” and the winner is “Exit, Pursued By a Bear.”
“I finished Exit in a day, which tells you that it's an effortless, breezy, fun read ... that deals with some serious issues, that is. Johnston does a great job of handling all aspects of the story - this is a teen novel that doesn't quite feel like a teen novel - the story is told well.”

OMG! Thank you so much for the wonderful gift box @hermyknee. I love everything! I have a mug collection so the mug was perfect for me. The books were right on the mark of course. I have always wanted a coloring book,but always deny myself in the store. Not to mention the tote...This will be perfect for hauling my books to my book groups! This was my first swap and it was such fun experience! I will happily participate again.

I‘ve been been doing a terrible job of updating GoodReads and writing reviews, and now there are 23 books on my (not-so)currently-reading shelf.

This was very good - better than I was expecting even. I think it was an optimistic look at the ways our society treats sexual assault victims, especially when they are teenage girls. But I also think this was intentional on the author‘s part and was very well done.

I finished Exit in a day, which tells you that it's an effortless, breezy, fun read that deals with some serious issues. Johnston does a great job of handling all aspects of the story - this is a YA novel that doesn't quite feel like a YA novel - the story is well told. Hermoine is an insightful character, and is written so well that you truly get a sense of who she is. Overall a compelling read that women young & old will enjoy. #yalit

I bought this book spontaneously because the introduction sounded very interesting and thought-provoking. I was certainly not disappointed! It's my first book about rape, but EXIT... isn't really about rape. It's about surviving, a support system, friendship, parents and a society who likes to blame the victims. The main character Hermione is a voice I won't forget.
#ekjohnston #blanket #tuesdayread #recommended #wow #powerful #survivor

This was a spectacular book. Real, funny, tragic, heartbreaking. But it's the real that is going to leave me thinking about this for a long time. I don't really have coherent thoughts other than that, except that everyone needs to read this book.

Despite the disturbing subject matter (sexual assault/rape), I really, really liked this one. Not necessarily your typical rape victim characterization, the main character is gritty and tough and determined to get her life back on track in the midst of her senior year. Excellent on audio -- the reader (Jorjeana Marie) hit this one out of the park. Definitely recommend!

Three very different books about #highschoolers I've read this year. Would recommend all of them!

#backtoreading
@tiffy_reads @JoeStalksBeck

#canadaday
#Canadianauthors
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#bookishfeatures #bookworm #booknerd #booknerdigans
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#bookgram

Wow! I read a lot of young adult, and I must say this one got my attention. I haven't read one quite like this. Not the best, but definitely memorable.

That is the way to introduce a section. I got goosebumps. #Shakespeare #winterstale #yalit