Welcome to Litsy!

I had a free hour near a half price bookstore 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh my goodness I‘m left breathless and bereft at reaching the end of this wonderful novel . My first by Alice Hoffman and definitely not my last Iv already downloaded one on my kindle (unusual for me as I prefer a physical copy ) and grabbed one in my local library 📚 I was biting my nails for the conclusion - no spoilers here ! I loved everyone of these characters, based on fact and real people real events , the cruelty and horror of occupied…

In Berlin, Hanni Kohn‘s husband was murdered during a riot outside a Jewish hospital in which he worked as a doctor. Hanni realizes that she must stay to protect her dying mother while finding a way to save her her 12 year old daughter, Lea.This is unlike any other historical novel written about WWII. The characters, experiences and connections are rich and substantial. With any story during this time period, there is pain and loss and redemption.

A little bit of a #bookhaul going on this morning! I stopped by my local outlets and got all these books for $2 each. I couldn‘t pass it up and I‘m excited for Secrets of the Chocolate House. I just ordered the first in the series, so that‘ll be my next read I believe 🍫☕️

Y‘all, I don‘t know what‘s gotten into me—I‘ve had so many “meh” audiobooks these days. I‘m convinced the problem is me and not the books themselves. This one, for example, was a hit for my book club, but just fell flat for me. WWII magical realism with plenty of tragedy and a magical crane (my favorite part). But I couldn‘t connect with the story. I think it‘s because of my hectic life (back to school schedule for my kids, practices, work 😱).

Wonderful writing with the magical realism flowing through.
Sad tale, as it should be, but full of human trust and relationship.

And I saw a heron in my run yesterday 😊😊

I've read many of her books and the boyfriend surprised me with this!

It has never taken me this long to read a book... I loved the authors writing style and the easy flow of her ideas. But this was the saddest story I've ever read and it only got worse. My heart feels heavy after finally finishing this book. This is the first of Ms. Hoffman's books I've ever had the pleasure of reading, but I will say maybe this is just her style?

I apologize, I'm not sure who I would recommend this to.

📚📖Happy Reading!📖📚

#BookReport

The World That We Knew 3.5🌟
Love & Olives 3🌟 #Bookspin
The Light of Luna Park 4🌟

I am caught up with 2 of my 3 buddy reads and decided to set aside the Lorde for now as it deserves more of my attention than I am giving it. I‘ve tried to read the DNF twice and just can‘t get into it so moving on.

I‘m reading The Only Plane in the Sky in small doses. And have just started Gods of Jade and Shadow.

And we finally have rain!

I seem to prefer this author's books that don't center on women doing magical things in Massachusetts. Though there is a golem in this one. This #audiobook is read by Judith Light and she does a good job. The only disjointed thing about this one is that the author uses French and German phrases, then translates them for you. It's like listening to the same thing twice.

#AuthorAMonth with @Soubhiville

#BookSpinBingo free space @TheAromaofBooks

Wow! Such a powerful story that isn‘t your typical Holocaust/WWII story. A magical realism story filled with history, mysticism, love and loss. I loved the story and these characters. This is a book I will be buying a copy of to keep. #AuthorAMonth #BookSpinBingo

This is a beautifully written, emotional story but I spent the whole book wondering why one of the characters was necessary. In the end, it all came together.

#AuthorAMonth
@Soubhiville

Wow. Powerful and heartbreaking, this story takes place in France during WWII, following multiple characters' attempts to survive. I am so glad that is the book I chose for #authoramonth. I wasn't very impressed when I read Practical Magic last year and probably wouldn't have picked up another Hoffman book, but for her being this month's author. This book was incredible. It's going to stick with me. @Soubhiville

1. Tagged and A Boy and His Dog At the End of the World.

2. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

3. College Football (Go Hawks!)

#WeekendReads
@rachelsbrittain

A book so beautiful, I'm grateful for the author for writing it ❤️

A pleasure to read! The blend of realism and fantasy is so tightly integrated that it should be in a category of its own. While I couldn‘t barely get one-fourth of the way into “The Plague of Doves,” I couldn‘t put this book down.

This book was a gift to me ages ago- reading it so I can discuss the book with my gift giver friend! #porchlife #tbr

Has anyone had to stop reading a book because the of the author's style of writing? I like the plot and the story so far, but I'm getting annoyed/bored with her word choice and descriptions.

I just started it, but I'm honestly thinking about putting it back and starting something else. Anyone ever face this dilemma?

When a mother needs to help her daughter flee Berlin during WWII she follows advice and turns to a Rabbi‘s family for assistance creating a Golem to protect her child when she cannot. It isn‘t the Rabbi who steps in to help but his own daughter who also wants to leave Germany. I will read anything that Hoffman writes and she definitely plucked at my heartstrings with this book.
#jewishauthorormc #booked2021

A definite departure from the type of books I gravitate towards but it was recommended by a friend and I'm glad it read it. I enjoyed it.

I loved this book. Alice Hoffman has the most lyrical voice in a writer. Really pulls you in with character and storyline. I highly recommend this book.

Before I read this book, I would have told you that I absolutely do not enjoy magical realism. But now, I have realized that I only dislike magical realism when it is not well explained. In this book, Hoffman takes a story that has been told countless times before and turns it into something new. This story is beautiful, moving, and heartbreaking. If you enjoy WWII stories, but are looking for something a bit different, give this a try. 4⭐️

#BookSpin selection for February completed. Another incredibly sad book about the loss of life in World War II.

Thank you so much Jee! I love Alice Hoffman and am really excited to have another one of her books to look forward to. And you know how much I love sloths so this book mark is absolutely perfect. I so appreciate your thoughtfulness.

"Heart of my heart, love of my life, the one loss I will never survive." WWII story about a mother's love for her daughter with magical realism elements. 5 ?

👏🏽👏🏽Wow this was a great read my first Alice Hoffman. 🎧Love historical fiction and a little fantasy on the side.

I'm officially on vacation. I wanted to get Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, but my library doesn't have it.
I instead got Night Road and Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah and The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman.
Oh, and I'm 45 pages into the second book in the Century trilogy, Winter of the World by Ken Follett.
Good thing I'm a fast reader! Hopefully I can finish all my borrows, at least! 🤓📚🧡

In typical Hoffman fashion, this story combines magic with the harsh truths of WWII as 3 Jewish girls try to survive and avoid capture during one of the most turbulent times in recent history. Great story, excellent prose. 4⭐

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

"If you do not believe in evil, you are doomed to live in a world you will never understand."

This was such a beautifully written story with characters I will not soon forget. I had only read the Practical Magic books, but now I will seek out her other works

A pick with reservations: this WWII novel is overly dramatic at times & has lines like: “Because I value your life over mine, I cannot let you carry a sin.” (The sin of disobedience.) Still, I really liked the female golem character. Also, actress Judith Light‘s #audiobook narration carried me along even when I rolled my eyes. If you liked Doerr‘s All the Light We Cannot See (a so-so read for me) then this will definitely be in your wheelhouse.

#audiogardening #bloomingLitsy

A Jewish mother, in Germany, creates a golem, to protect her daughter during WWII, and sends them off to France. The magical realism helps with the darkness. But I still cried forever. I always forget how much I love Alice Hoffman. Highly recommend.

#Netgalley #ARC
This book focuses on Lea and Ettie, and the golem called Ava who was created by Ettie and Lea‘s mother to protect Lea. Set in 1941 and continuing for 4 years, the novel is beautifully written focusing on the 3 lives. Other characters include Marianne, Lea‘s family and partner, and a host of other minor characters. I also enjoyed the information about being a Jew and the religious aspects were not overwhelming. #booked2020

Every time I think I‘m done with WWII stories I seem to find one just different enough to intrigue me. This one includes the hidden children of France and a golem.

“If you do not believe in evil, you are doomed to live in a world you will never understand.”

As always, Alice never lets me down. Her lyrical writing is beautiful. Her historical aspects are always so well-researched. And her characters are so real and flawed, but lovable. She manages to be one of those authors that always gets right at the crux of what it means to be human, every time. The magical realism was wonderful and almost dream-like, more so than in some of her other books

Didn‘t realise the Herron was reflective . Lovely. I think this is my first Alice Hoffman book. I enjoyed it. Based somewhat on history I learnt a bit more about the plight of the Jews in the war. Also about golems.
Not sure why Target were selling it for $3 but so glad I found it. #2020joybooks
@MrsMalaprop

Currently listening to: “The World That We Knew”

What‘s your favorite kind of cake? I am more of a brownie person but I do love buttery yellow cake with chocolate frosting!

Speaking of cake 🎂, I hope someone is making a special cake for Alice Hoffman today because it‘s her birthday! Happy birthday, Alice Hoffman!

For me this was a so-so read until the end of the book. The ending changed that for me and made it a pick.

We meet 5 kids during WWII, Ettie, Lea, Marianne, Victor and Julien. During these they meet one or more of the others, and they grow from kids to adults even if they‘re still in their teens when the book ends.

My second book finished for #NewYearWhoDis! @monalyisha @Pricel101

#BookReport

I‘ve been working at home since Tuesday and with Norway being on lock down since Thursday, I‘m trying to focus on the positive. More reading 🤪

📚 Read Killers of the Flower Moon
📚 Read The Bradshaw Variations
📚 Will finish The World That We Knew today

🎧 Still on the fourth book in the Department Q series

If you do not believe in evil, you are doomed to live in a world you will never understand

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Does anyone know if this is true?

Makes me think that the more things change the more they stay the same

Started my second book from the #NewYearWhoDis! list

@monalyisha @Pricel101

“That was how evil spoke. It made its own corrupt sense; it swore that the good were evil, and that the evil had come to save mankind. It brought up ancient fears and scattered them on the street like pearls.”