Welcome to Litsy!

#SundayFunday @bookmarktavern

Choosing this was tough, I‘m going with Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. It has a bit everything, romance, drama, social novel, crime, survival story.

I got this book from a free book stand located inside the front gates of The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA.

Janie stood where he left her for unmeasured time and thought. She stood there until something fell off the shelf inside her. Then she went inside there to see what it was. It was her image of Jody tumbled down and shattered. But looking at it she saw that it never was the flesh and blood figure of her dreams. Just something she had grabbed up to drape her dreams over...

I ended up listening to the ebook while reading due to how it was written. It gave a great perspective on women during the early 1900s, but I wasn‘t really intrigued. The second half definitely held my attention more than the first. Overall it was an okay read, I just didn‘t appreciate Lanie as a “stong female character”.

Felt boring as I was reading it but just took some time to sink in. Wow

This one had been on my TBR and, having finally read it, I‘m berating myself for not having read it sooner. A beautifully written story of a woman emerging from a poor background and the expectations placed on her, and becoming her own woman.

This was a reread for me, and I appreciated the story more this time. I also really enjoyed the audio narration.

#1001books #Reading1001 #audiobook

#WithEyes 👀 #ItTakesAllKinds ☘️🌈🌷🌞

#BookNerd 🤓📚💙

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/DP2x7m7JLjg

Enjoy!

A classic. I really enjoyed Ruby Dee's reading of if on Audible. She really brought this book to life.

this book was a pretty good read and it made me emotional, but i just dont think i was mature enough to really understand what i was reading. im looking forward to making my way back to this book one day and truly comprehend what janie went through

Started this on Scribd because Hoopla isn't working today, so I couldn't continue with Remarkably Bright Creatures (which is great so far btw - I love Marcellus) ❤️
ANYWAY. This book is a classic many may have read in school, but I never had the opportunity. Not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much in my youth as I am now, though. I love the metaphoric writing. The weaving of beautiful prose into a poignant story is quite a treat to my ears.

I _really_ struggled with the dialect but this book hooked me in the second half and I ended up falling in love with it. Janie is a wonderful protagonist. Pro-tip: Read it in big chunks if you can.

This book was a re-read thanks to my American Lit class. I love it even more after the second read-through. We looked at archetypes in this novel. I thought Dawn/Spring/Birth fit well. Janie's first two marriages as false springs. I also liked thinking of the fact that the only time Janie truly bloomed was when she was with Tea Cake. I also focused on transformation in quest narratives. Janie's story reminded me a lot of Odysseus'. Love this book.

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

🎧📖 Harlem Renaissance story of finding love and self. The audio narrator was the best I've ever listened to. #bhm

Loved this story! There are a lot of themes running throughout, but finding a love was my favorite, and that ending! #pop22 ~ a book with a misleading title
I have one more to complete for the challenge and I‘m halfway done!

4 out of 5

Hurston uses the classic tragedy as her framework, applying it to early 20th century Black America. At it‘s heart is Janie Crawford, whose struggle to adhere to gender norms is handled with bravado by Hurston. The writing is lyrical and poetic, and in the audiobook version, Ruby Dee is the perfect vessel to deliver Janie‘s story.

The book is pretty damn close to perfect and it should be assigned reading in literature classes the world over.

Playing next… 🎧

“There are years that ask questions and years that answers.”

“Time makes everything old so that kissing young darkness became a monstropolis old thing while Janie talked.”

A true classic 🫶🏿

I‘m so sorry I‘ve been so rubbish here @jhod and @jenniferw88 , but I‘ve finally posted this last book back to you Jenny. It should arrive soon!

This was a reread for me, for maybe the third time. I love this book! Hurston is a master of imagery, which is what kept jumping out to me during this reread. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. writes in the afterward, “She is ‘naming‘ emotions…in language both deeply personal and culturally specific.” Though he is referring to a different piece, I think this statement also applies to the style Hurston uses here. 100%, 5 star, pick.

Was at a local indie & spotted this beautiful set!

My son is reading this in school and since I‘ve never read it, I thought I‘d read along.

I listened to the audiobook through my library for this one, it was ok.

3.5/5

Read for prompts for:

#NerdDaily2022ReadingChallenge
#ReadHarder2022
#ReadYourBookshelfChallenge2022
#PopSugarReadingChallenge2022
#Buzzwordathon2022
#52BookClubReadingChallenge2022

Definitely recommend this book. I love the poetic descriptions of Janie‘s life and world and the love she comes to find.

3 🌟 Not that many notes from me in this #lmpbc book @jhod @Mrs_B - I hope you manage to find something in it. Aim to send it some point this week Jessica.

#Tbrdeckofcards #52Booksin52Weeks #authorwithxyorzinname @Clwojick @BarbaraBB

#pop22 #bookyouknownothingabout @Cinfhen @Megabooks @KarenUK @4thhouseontheleft @Laughterhp @Cortg @squirrelbrain @RaeLovesToRead

I started #booked2022 on a whim in January and am surprised to say that I‘m actually being successful! I rather like the quarterly format 😊 Here‘s to winter being completed ✅
1. About a cult or religion - Nine Perfect Strangers
2. Title repeats itself - There There
3. Set in China - Supernova Era
4. Weather Term in Title - Frost Burned
5. From a Black-owned imprint - Their Eyes Were Watching God
6. Eco-feminist novel - Migrations

The dialect took a little getting used to (though that could just be my unattuned Australian eyes and ears), and I must offer a trigger warning for a violent dog death towards the end. But aside from that, I thoroughly enjoyed this underappreciated classic of the Harlem renaissance. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/their-eyes-were-watching-god-zora-neale-hur...

It‘s hard to put into words just have amazing and profound this beautiful book is . There are passages in this book that creep up on you in a silent and beautiful way.I don‘t have the words I need to fully describe this book . So I just have to sit and savor the experience I‘ve had for myself .

Any UK littens willing to fill our 4th slot for #lmpbc? We're doing a BIPOC author/character theme.

Go to @suvata 's page for the sign up form.

@jhod @Mrs_B

Hi @jhod @Mrs_B , just thought I'd show you my edition & check whether you're ok with it - it's quite old! I got it cheap in a hospital charity shop at about the time Covid started - it has been disinfected but thought I'd make you aware.

To my chagrin, this is my first time reading this book. To further redden my face, I didn‘t even realize this was a love story. I was captivated.

“Ships at a distance have every man‘s wish on board.”
From Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I can read this book over and over again. There are so many other great lines.

#SundaySoapbox

Absolutely perfect and beautiful. Loved the story of Janie and her life and loves, and loved how it was told. I listened to the audiobook, Ruby Dee was the narrator - fantastic -
#BookSpinBingo - another one done - really enjoying my picks so far (even if I won't get a bingo)
Make a great day everyone 🙂

#ThinkPositiveBePositive thanks for the tag @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

tagging anyone who wants to share a positive thought today, tomorrow or anytime 🙂

Make a great day everyone 🙂

First snowfall, just right - enough to lightly cover -

Going to take the day to read -

Make a great day everyone ❄

This novel was beautifully written. Janie tells her neighbor about her relationships with her three previous husbands. This classic novel had me feeling so many emotions throughout. 💕

This was my #BookSpin being #8 on my list 😁📚 @TheAromaofBooks

Thanks for the tags @TheSpineView and @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#Two4Tuesday #ThinkPositiveBePositive
(if you are reading this - consider yourself tagged for both🙂)

1. Yes, I love snow - I love all the seasons
2. sled riding and walks (right after the first snowfall of the season - it is so quiet and beautiful)

Positive quote in picture above “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face - Victor Hugo

Make a great day everyone ❄

First book of 2022! 😁 I never read this book in high school or college and didn‘t know what to expect, but I really loved this book. Zora Neale Hurston is truly one of our finest writers. I also enjoyed Edwidge Danticat‘s thoughtful foreword, which situated Zora/Janie with her daughters, among whom include Alice Walker/Celie and Toni Morrison/Sethe. Definitely could see the inspiration for The Color Purple while reading!!

This was my favorite book read in July!

I bought the sweatshirt in this picture as a fundraiser for The Free Black Women‘s Library. Sadly I had only read books by Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison at the time I got it, so my goal is now to read this stack. This book was first and it was so good. Looking forward to the rest!

#12BooksOf2021
@Andrew65

#QuotsyOCT21 day 26: screech

Day 13 #tbrpile

Now THIS is a classic that actually tells a story. #classics

Janie is telling a neighbor about her life being married three times with three very different men.

And finally an introduction that doesn‘t spoil the story.

My #Bookspin for August @TheAromaofBooks

This is not a book that really pulled me to keep coming back to it (until I got close to the end) but it is not one that I will ever forget. The writing is astonishingly beautiful and Janie‘s story is hopeful and heart-wrenching.

1. Sometimes, but usually no.
2. No, and Janie shouldn‘t either. (tagged book)

Thank you for the #two4tuesday tag @Eggs !

Sorry for the late post! Consider yourself tagged if you still want to play with me and @TheSpineView !