Welcome to Litsy!

Do you remember me raving about The Fox Wife last month? I was seeking out Yangsze Choo's books, and this is even better. Only with ghosts instead of foxes.
It's set in 1890s Malaya, it's heavy on folklore and spirit culture, but this adds to the tension of the story as Li Lan navigates adulthood and her future prospects.

I had three 5-star books in September so it was another close call. I loved the uniqueness of this book. #12booksof2024 @Andrew65

October has been SCARY busy, but not in the fun way I'd prefer. It's been way too work-y and family emergency-y, and not enough spooky books and movies. And it feels like every time I do open a book, my eyes want to close. Hopefully I'll be able to find some time to squeeze it in. #BookspinBingo

For #foodandlit this month, I chose The Ghost Bride. I don‘t know what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised! I love a good ghost story and really enjoyed learning about Malaysian culture. Very creative world-building with great characters and a satisfying ending. 5⭐️

#Malaysia

I enjoyed this but dare I say I liked the show more? 😱

The book was kept me interested but there is a lot less mystery and peril than the show. However, it was a great read and I did enjoy learning more about some of the superstitions and the afterlife.

After Li Lan receives a proposal to marry the deceased son of the prominent Lim family, his ghost haunts her in an attempt to convince her to go ahead with the wedding.

#FoodAndLit #Malaysia

This was an interesting read. A young girl became engaged to a dead man who may have been murdered. I thought this practice was fictional until the notes at the end. The paranormal aspects of the book were interesting and confusing at the same time. I kept getting my characters mixed up. However, I highly enjoyed the ending. 3.5⭐️

#BookspinBingo #5 #15 @TheAromaofBooks
#foodandlit2024 @Texreader @Catsandbooks #malaysia

@vonnie862 Yes! There‘s a Netflix series! #foodandlit #Malaysia #Malaya @Catsandbooks

When the ghost of a wealthy young man and his living family seek the betrothal of Li Lan to the deceased, an ancient rare Chinese custom, Li Lan embarks on a journey through the land of the dead to discover more about him, his family, & the man she thinks she loves. The afterlife mirrors the real world in shadowy ways. We follow her semi-ghost (not dead yet) as she meets the long-dead. What an imaginative story and I especially like the ⬇️

My next audiobook for #Malaysia #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

I‘m always keen to watch a movie or series based on a book and although I usually read the book first, this time I‘ll be watching it first. #netflix #ghostbride #bookturnedseries #bookturnedmovie

#Scarathlon #photochallenge #ghost & #purple
@BookwormAHN @5feet.of.fury @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @hes7 @LibrarianRyan @Read-y_Picker @TEArificbooks @TheBookDream @TheQuietQuill
#blackcatcrew

5 🌟This book sat on my tbr shelf for too long. I wish I would have picked it up sooner because the fact that this magical book hadn't been read by me and just sat there waiting truly breaks my heart. It's a very atmospheric read with a lot of Malaysian-Chinese folklore intertwined with a ghostly adventure and loveable characters. If you are debating on reading this one, definitely go for it. I couldn't imagine how anyone could be disappointed.

Very interested to see where this book goes as I'm only a fourth of the way through. I'm learning a lot about Chinese cultures and customs and how they deal with death.

I'm trying to get through my summer reading #14books14weeks challenge
@TheHeartlandBookFairy

This one is a reread of a favorite book and oh yeah, it holds up. Tho honestly i wonder if maybe i appreciate it more now. I decided to reread bc of the Netflix drama and oh no, i like both do much even tho they're so different. The book is very nuanced. It's historically and culturally (i assume) accurate. Li Lan is such a cool character and her adventure is more high stakes and long in the book. Def recommend! Er lang x Li Lan forevaaaaaa ❤️❤️🤣

Harper, thank you for the book, tea, and lotion & lip balm! I read the first page as soon as I opened this and it sounds really good. Can‘t wait to dive in. I had a cup of the tea this morning, it‘s sweet, fruity, and delicious! Merry Christmas!

The writing style suited the genre and the setting. I struggled to enjoy the plot, especially in the middle of the book because the pace was relatively slow. I couldn't connect to the female lead character as she appeared very naive and didn't seem to learn from mistakes. Though I was intrigued by the historic facts and culture woven into this fantasy story.

I remember this being in on someone‘s list as to have to read. I went in not remembering anything about why I had this on my to read. But I really liked the story, it turned into something different about half way thru. But I enjoyed it.

1. I consider anything before 1960 to be historical fiction. I was born in 1963, so anything after that seems contemporary to me.
2. Tagged. It takes place in 1893 Malaya, and is a beautiful but eerie read. It's not my usual kind of book but a friend recommended it.
Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday
Wanna play? @audraelizabeth @Buechersuechtling @ReadingIsMyHobby @Onceuponatime @TheBookDream @Daisey @Bookishlie @Sharpeipup @Cuilin

Another book featuring a #ghost. Of sorts.

Also nother one of my 5,000 #unreadshelfproject2022 books. Sigh. 🤣🤣

#ScarathlonDailyPrompts #Scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter
@Clwojick @StayCurious

October 4 for The Daily Photo Challenge - Prompt: ghost
#OminousOctober
#ghostbride #scarathlone22 #bookstagram #teammonstermash #scarathlone #tbrlist #ghost #yangzechoo

An atmospheric and plot-driven novel wrapped in custom and dreams.

For my #travelthroughreading challenge I selected this title for Malaysia. This is a combination folklore, romance story that I found very compelling. This is the second book I‘ve read by this author and she‘s quickly becoming an automatic download. Her first book was a #reesewitherspoon #hellosunshine pick. Available in the KU program. #springreading

Hi everyone! I listened to The Ghost Bride on audio. It was really good. I finished this pretty fast. The show Ghost Bride is pretty good as well so far. #audio #litsy #booklover

This was a very atmospheric book, the author transported me to several different places and each of them felt distinct.

I like that the romance was secondary to the main plot. I've been burnt by paranormal romance books that have an interesting plot that gets forgotten about when the romance starts

I liked the main character too. Excited to see how she translates onto screen in the TV adaptation

I just started reading the book and enjoying it. Is the TV series any good?

Thank you so much @Cathythoughts for my book and choccies. I can‘t wait to read it (a ghost story- perfect for Xmas eve!) and to try my chocolates. I don‘t think I‘ve had Irish chocolate before 😊 Have a wonderful Christmas ❤️🎄#jolabokaflod #christmaseve

Kind of a slow reading week for my #BookReport - the tagged book, while enjoyable, bogged me down early in the week. I finished the first two Sentinels of the Galaxy books in the last couple of days and started Defending the Galaxy this morning. Can't wait to find out how Snyder wraps things up!! So even though it was a slow reading week, I enjoyed them all, so that helps!! @Cinfhen

Do you ever read a book where it's interesting enough that you don't want to bail on it, but not so interesting that you want to pick it up instead of doing other mindless activities like playing Two Dots on your phone?? 😂 I did like this book overall. The concept was really interesting and I liked the MC. I also felt like the author did a good job explaining parts of the afterlife on a way that felt organic to the story. ⬇️

Totally forgot to post my #weeklyforecast yesterday!! I'm reading the tagged and have mixed feelings but I'm sucked in now haha I chose Navigating the Stars for my fantasy #LMPBC pick this round but am scared it's going to be too first-book-y so I am going to read it next just in case I need to pick a back up book (orrrr send the whole trilogy around to everyone LOL). After that, it's on to random TBR books!! We are finally done picking apples⬇️

Received my Book Riot #myTBR recommendations for the quarter!

I asked for books to get me into the fall mood/ for spooky season. I‘m a big wimp so they can‘t be too scary.

Has anyone read any of these books? At this point, I probably won‘t get to them until November.

Today‘s #LittensDressedinBlood prompt:

“Walking With a Ghost”

This book came to mind. Taken place in colonial Malaya, this tells the story of a girl offered as a ghost bride in ancient Chinese tradition to settle a restless spirit. A beautiful and a little creepy story.

#ghost #conflictedworlds

Book Six #14Books14Weeks2021 🌟
The Ghost Bride transported me to another world! I don‘t usually read paranormal books, but Li Lan‘s story was so interesting, especially as she traveled through the plains of the dead and uncovered secrets from the past. Now I really want to read the author‘s other book, The Night Tiger.

#LMPBC Round 11 - #GroupS
@sprainedbrain @Bits

@suvata has mailed a book to @HOTPock3tt

Thanks, everyone. This was one of the best round ever. Loved every single one of the books. 😍

• Read in June 2021 for Litsy Markup Postal Book Club #LMPBC Round 11 - #GroupS

Such a wonderful book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❣️

“One evening, my father asked me if I would like to become a ghost bride..." Part 19th century novel, part magical journey to the Chinese world of the dead, Yangsze Choo's debut novel The Ghost Bride is a startlingly original historical fantasy infused with Chinese folklore, romantic intrigue, and unexpected supernatural twists.”

#LMPBC Round 11 - #GroupS

@Bits Hey, Amy, Have you sent The Ghost Bride to me yet? I‘m a fast reader but I would like to send it back to @HOTPock3tt by June 30th.

This book could have done better with another 100 pages minimum. It moved along so fast. The love plot seemed like insta-love and overall very weak.
It felt like reading an overview of a soap opera at the end of a season rather than a novel.
Not my taste, but may be a nice quick read for some.

This was surprisingly good! I didn‘t care for The Night Tiger, but I really enjoyed this one. The Malaysian and Chinese mythology regarding the afterlife was really cool and the author did an excellent job narrating it. And I now have the strongest urge to watch Spirited Away…

Or when you're at 90 pages left from the ending and you have to take a shower and have dinner 😖😫

#Theghostbride #YangszeChoo

I finally started this one 😎
#thecrimsonpetalandthewhite will wait a little bit longer 😅🤣

#Theghostbride #YangszeChoo

LOVED this #LMPBC pick from @HOTPock3tt 😍

I read and love Choo‘s The Night Tiger, but I enjoyed a the Ghost Bride even more. Chinese folklore, twisty fun, dreamy writing, and great characters that I couldn‘t get enough of. I adored the ending!

Great pick, Kenya! This will be on its way to you soon, @Bits 🥰

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this for my first ever #LMPBC. #GroupS This one really surprised me! Steeped in lots of traditional myths with very intriguing characters... The story hooks you in at the beginning. Unfortunately there is a really slow part in the middle but the ending really defined the book! I‘d say this was one of the more memorable books I‘ve read this year. It‘ll be on its way to you @sprainedbrain
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This was a really good #audiobook read by the author. I didn't really have any expectations going in but it's been on my library wish list for a ridiculous amount of time. I definitely recommend this. It's set in Malaysia which is unusual and the folklore she uses based on Chinese culture is really interesting.

@suvata @sprainedbrain @Bits Hi! 🤗These are ideas for my #LMPBC book (round 11). Any thoughts? 🤔

I liked this, but didn‘t love it. It wasn‘t the spooky ghost story i wanted it to be, and got a little SWERFy and weird at times. Still enjoyed it overall

This is a really enjoyable mystery set in late 19th century Malaya. Although the cover seems aimed at Historical Fiction lovers this is more Paranormal Mystery. Li Lan‘s father considers an offer for her to become ghost bride to the recently deceased heir to a wealthy family. His ghost appears in her dreams and she is swept up into a chase to find the source of his power, the mystery of his death and her own past. ⬇️

This is why I ♥️ #MyTBR! I asked for recs for spooky books, preferably haunted house stories. And I got 3 picks I may never have found on my own.
In The Stopped Heart, 2 families are haunted in the same place a hundred years apart.
In The Good House, you follow the Toussaint women and their connection to their land for generations.
The Ghost Bride isn‘t about a haunted house, but spookiness abounds. It was my fave - couldn‘t put it down ♥️

So it‘s just occurred to me that HISTORICAL FANTASY is a thing - and that I just need to lean into it and stop thinking that I don‘t read historical fiction (cause I do but am in denial? Idk)

(Not all of these have fantasy elements but they are all amazing)

Starting on this one next! ✨