Welcome to Litsy!

Dating, anxiety, and depression are challenging enough, but Queenie has to deal with racism too. At times dark, at times hilarious, this story highlights the life, struggles, and moments of beauty when you‘re a woman in self-discovery.

If you're not careful you could get whiplash from how this book goes from seeming like some fluffy, chick lit kinda thing, albeit with some seriously grim WTF moments, to being a full-on re-do of the Bell Jar! What a journey! So cleverly written, Queenie is the ultimate unreliable narrator, breaking our hearts as she slides inexorably into a breakdown. Particularly love the inclusion of talking therapy as well as Queenie's realistic recovery.

Had this one around for a while, today I start it!

My record for 'longest time a book is on the shelf before being read' is 20 years with Infinite Jest. A couple of years is nothing 🤣🤣🤣

I wanted to like this so much, it‘s just my kind of fiction. But her choices were so bad, and she kept repeating them and I just couldn‘t handle it anymore.

This book is a thoughtful and emotional look at young womanhood, spanning conversations about race, class, mental health, family, and friendship. Queenie's story is one that I believe a lot of women can relate to as they try to fit the myriad of roles that society expects of them. As I was reading, I felt every bump in the road, how every bad choice affected Queenie, yet at the same time, gave her the clarity to find what was right for her.

Book #10

I loved Queenie way more than I was expecting to. It had been on my radar for years mostly because the cover 🤩 but also because people seem to love or hate it. It was more sad than funny, but humourous at times. Queenie makes some bad decisions that put her in some bad circumstances, but ultimately I felt for her. I could relate to some of the trauma she experienced and some of the ways she acted out in response. I was hooked start to finish 🎧🧩

Queenie is, I think, emblematic of an interesting direction in the New Adult and Romantic Comedy categories – books that look like the light-hearted reads we remember, but actually have hidden depths. It‘s difficult to “enjoy” a book like this, but it‘s still highly readable and surprisingly insightful. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/queenie-candice-carty-williams/

I finished this book “Queenie”, and I really enjoyed it. I had to put it down several times because it depressed me and I didn‘t want to be put in that state of mind. Queenie is a 20ish black woman who was mentally abused as a child. Now as an adult, she appears to not have self worth. There is a bigger picture and a great story line. It is a must read! #mentalabuse #queenie #endofsummer

Three words to describe this book would be heartbreaking, topical and funny.

Finally got around to reading this one! This is what I‘d hoped Luster would be. Yes, Queenie is a black millennial whose life is a train wreck, but shining light on her mental health struggles made it more relatable. A mental breakdown, family views on therapy, career woes, lack of motivation, racism, unhealthy relationships with sex, mother-daughter relationship dysfunction and more are all explored in this ultimately touching novel. #BOTM #pop22

A lot of cringe with nearly every character a train wreck. Solid writing & dynamic characters, but ultimately didn't feel balanced. Some good cultural relevance that was overwhelmed by an unsympathetic protagonist. For me, Queenie didn't garner much sympathy because a lot of the damaging situations were ones she placed herself in by making incredibly poor choices. I did appreciate the discussions on mental health, therapy & self esteem.

#AlphabetGame #LetterQ

I liked the story for the most part in this. It was pretty relatable in a lot of ways when thinking about being a woman and going through a break up and how severely that can effect your mental health along with other factors. There was a lot going on though in this book, mental health, relationship and sex issues, racial issues, etc. I felt like it was a little too much at some points, but I did like it and how it came together.

I cannot enthuse about this book enough. It left me speechless and reeling. I loved Queenie so much, I so wanted her to find herself and self-belief. I haven't felt this immersed in a novel for a long, long time. It certainly makes you think on how we talk and treat each other, particularly POC. 10/10

Queenie is so frustratingly human. while it‘s easy to say from the outside that you‘d never make these decisions while you‘re seemingly spiraling after being dumped and kicked out of your apartment and misunderstood by your boss and your family, you never know. this book is character driven so it can be a bit slow but Queenie‘s growth was commendable, standing up for herself and admitting she needed help to a family that didn‘t get it. well done.

Thank you so much @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks !! I‘m super excited to read these! The other gifts were so thoughtful! I can‘t wait to fill it with all my pens and crafting stuff for #LitsyLove! 🥰

I loved this, it's very character driven so if you like a strong plot this is not for you but it was definitely for me. Queenie was frustratingly human, I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop but her self-destructive nature was precisely what made her so real. She makes a lot of bad decisions but she learns and grows and although it has some real low points I have found the book really hopeful. I just loved it.

Library haul 🙂

I‘m sorry Queenie, I‘m not into all your bad decisions right now. Am I too old to relate to this anymore? I certainly made my share of stupid decisions in my early 20‘s. I dunno, but I see from reviews that it‘s not just me. Bailed at about 25%.

Look at this ridiculous weather in TX! The whole Austin area is closed, which is fine by me. Yuck.

3.5/5 🌟

Not perfect but it was entertaining and made me laugh. The brief and casual mention of BLM seemed frivolous.

#12booksof21
My February pick

I mean, so-so. A woman goes through a breakup, has a breakdown and starts sleeping around, including an incident with a colleague that comes to bite her in the ass with getting fired. Her besties are there for her thru it all as she picks the pieces of her life and attempts to put them back together. Not an earth shattering book, but it was ok.

I really struggled with this book. I've been reading it on and off for about a year and finally just powered through it. It just wasn't for me but I got it off my #shelfofshame 🤣

@Clwojick

Queenie is annoying and imperfect, troubled, a closed book but within a few chapters I could feel her vulnerability and my heart hurt. The scene at the bus stop with Tom put a lump in my throat, I felt that rejection and from then onwards she was under my skin.
This is more than words on a page, this felt real, raw and we need more of it.
A fantastic slice of life that left tears in my eyes but a heart full of friendship and families.

Thanks for the tag, @DarkMina ! I think this is my first theme day Q&A. ☺️. 1) A title might catch my eye on its own, but then I‘ll read a book‘s description (and probably look up reviews) before actually buying or reading it.

2) I enjoyed Queenie. Also Pachinko, and The Guncle (if we‘re not being super strict on the one word title). I don‘t know who to tag, but if you‘re reading this, please feel free to play along!

Past neglect can hang like fog for years or generations. Current put-downs, rude remarks, and cruel patterns make self destructive behaviour the path needed to feel ok. Such weight rests on Queenie‘s shoulders. She sinks into it, yes, but there is no free-falling as friends, extended family, and counsellors - along with her own sense of self and spirit - create a floor to the downward spiral, a solid foundation to stand on.

Glad I finally read this one! Very good, though Queenie kept making one bad decision after another, and I just wanted to shake her! But, I was rooting for her throughout the whole book. And I have to disagree with the comparison to Bridget Jones…this dealt with some serious issues and was much heavier.

#bookspinbingo

#pop21 - title starts with Q, X, or Z

A re read ❤️. I really loved this book the first time I read it two years ago so now I‘m listening to the audio book.

I really enjoyed this book and finished it in two days after waiting a year to read it. The blurb comparing this to Bridget Jones does it a disservice though. It is a lot more serious than that. It reminded me more of Eleanor Oliphant. I liked that she faces real challenges on her own. I also loved her friends. (I would read a book about Kyazike for sure!) This was my June #BookSpin and is the fastest I‘ve ever finished a BookSpin pick!

I enjoyed the setting and realistic characterization of a young woman grappling with self-destructive behaviors and unresolved trauma. For me, MC is not likeable but uncomfortably relatable. The raw nature of Queenie‘s decisions and circumstances are realistic and resonate with me and I imagine many readers of similar age of MC or older. A good read that‘s quick but packs a punch. #DiverseReads #ContemporaryFiction

My “stack” for #24in4.

A small pick from me, because I think it is a case of #ItsMeNotYou between me and Queenie. I was underwhelmed by this book, mostly because it took me quite awhile (for me) to finish it. This made it harder for me to be emotionally invested in Queenie and her experience. I did enjoy the humor of the book, but I felt like it only touched the surface on some of the heavier topics.

#Pop21 - A book whose title starts with Q

I have had a busy day driving but we were able to look at the Wedding Venue that we loved and are almost set on a date. 😅😅😅 Got to end my night at home with my pup and finish Queenie. While this isn‘t really a book I can fully rate I find it truly amazing how much Queenie grew throughout this book.

Thank you @Laughterhp for this book. Queenie is a new adult novel about the 25-year-old Jamaican-American Queenie Jenkins. This was an interesting book in terms of adding in text messages in the narrative. Queenie is having ahead time: breakup with her white boyfriend, consequent one-night stands, sexual and mental health, and her family. I enjoyed her friendships and her growth as a character but some parts seemed repetitive. Still a pick.

In case anyone is interested, Candice Carty-Williams added some thoughts about her writing Queenie over on Goodreads #sundaybuddyread

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was funny, thought provoking and relevant. It drew me Into her story and had me rooting for her the whole way through. Although I did think it was aimed at younger people than me it was an enjoyable short read
⭐️⭐️⭐️

#LitsySpringBreak #London
#WindsofMarch #FebruaryStats
@alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @thekidsupstair
@Eggs

I already shared February stats. And only Queenie was set in London. Important book for #BlackLivesMatter movement.
This London bus was a gift from a friend who moved to London.

#litsyfun

I picked this one up for the February #sundaybuddyread and I only had a vague idea of what was to come. This is about 25 year old Queenie Jenkins living in modern day London. The writing was good but the MC's life choices (and some rationale) were far from being healthy decisions, and that's frustrating as hell. This book did shed some light on beliefs one might experience in Jamaican families and had some strong characters & friendships. ⬇️

I didn‘t know much about this before going in. Everything I‘d heard made me expect a light hearted, unlucky in love type romance. Nope! So much more than that, so much deeper and more important. And all the better for it. Great pick #sundaybuddyread

At times this book & Queenie frustrated me & I felt too old to relate but I found myself caught up in Queenie‘s story & rooted for her to make better/healthier life choices. The completely different set of life experiences than my own make it a book I‘d recommend to anyone trying to understand the life of a young woman of color. Discussions with the #sundaybuddyread group were illuminating. I‘ll be thinking of Queenie long past the final pages.

#bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks
I will end the month so close to a bingo, but with 6 books read! I will take that.
Overall I enjoyed reading Queenie, and participating in #Sundaybuddyread discussions each week. (Possible unpopular opinion coming)I know that I have a lot to learn about how people of color live and exist, but I also fee like the media gives such a negative connotation their lives. It makes it hard for people like me to be able⬇

2.5 ⭐️
I just don't know about this one. Queenie had no respect or regard for herself or her body, which was painful to witness. She is from a Jamaican family and there is a tremendous amount of pressure in our culture regarding your behavior and how it reflects back on your family. She‘s afraid to go to therapy for this reason, but it doesn‘t stop her recklessness. I felt relief when it ended. I don't see how she is compared to Bridget Jones...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I loved this book- I had read reviews comparing it to Bridget Jones and whilst Queenie does have some struggles with her relationships and finding love-this book delves so much deeper than Bridget Jones ever did imo. It deals with racism, bigotry and Queenie's search to find how to love and accept herself and how she can complete herself instead of looking for love in all the wrong people. A great read with funny and thought provoking parts.