Welcome to Litsy!

This was a sweet and wonderful book about Haze Evans, who is in a coma. He is a newspaper club IST for 50 years and after her coma, the publisher decided to print her selected columns and responses. The novel is also a meditation on family, relationships, happiness, politics, and feminism. This was the perfect book to end tho crazy year.

Just completed the tagged book as the last of 2020 and will start 2021 with The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin. Thank you @BookNAround for the #lastfirst giveaway.

Lovely escape!

Loved 75% of this for its mixture of humor, bittersweet, joy and sorrow, but the ending (when Haze's reruns catch up to the last 20 years) felt like the author abandoned what Haze's characterization in favor of shoehorning in the author's liberal views. We see 3 separate columns from Haze about white terrorist acts (Birmingham church bombing, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas), but what is *completely* omitted? 9/11. Cont'd in comments.

Oh Lorna, you won my heart again. I felt so many emotions reading this beautifully written novel-from nostalgia and melancholy to pure joy. I loved perusing Haze Evans‘ weekly columns so I could learn how this intriguing 80-something journalist inspired the many folks in her close-knit community in so many ways. If any of my writer friends out there doubts that your words can change a person‘s life, then you really need to read this one.

This novel made me think of J. Ryan Stradal but isn't, but think small town, connected characters, some recipes, all circling around a long-time newspaper columnist in Minnesota. Impulse checkout from the library.

When the U.S. (sort of) tried to do good in the world.

A lovely story about the life of a small town long-time newspaper columnist & her impact on members of the community. She suffers a stroke and in the reprinting of older columns you are reminded of many historical events. The author brings many characters to life, but it was most poignant to follow the arc of a teenage boy as he learns of family secrets & the value of writing. Sadly, the beginning could have used a better proofreader.

Haze writes about life as it is - the good, the bad and the ugly. There is definitely a liberal, feminist slant to her writing and the book in general. I would recommend this book to history lovers, feminists and people who enjoy baking.

#bookishfirsts
#chroniclesofaradicalhag

Coffee and a book...O U T D O O R S!

I received an ARC of Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with Recipes) from BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review. Hazel, an entertaining woman who writes a column about anything over a 50 year period, has a major stroke, so the newspaper reprints her old columns, and what follows is awe-inspiring. The way this novel is written is so unique; to hear so many different voices within a story helps to create a very enjoyable experience.

“her thoughts are like fleas, jumping directionless, with no intention but to irritate.” That‘s the best way to describe what might be one of the worst mental states.

“Lois rolls her eyes as a default expression in response to much of what I say, but honestly, if I weren‘t around acting as her social conscience, she would always choose a free drink for herself over fair wages for the bartender pouring it.” To be fair, it‘s hard to say no to free margaritas. Still tho.

Another Lorna Landvik book is coming out in March 2019. Woo hoooooo! 👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉
Here‘s what they‘re saying about it: “It‘s a tribute to hardworking journalists, the power of feminism, and, as always, the importance of friends and family. Book clubs will be gathering with platters of Almond Crescents and coffee as they talk long into the night.”
Count me in! 🙌🏻