Welcome to Litsy!

It took me a minute to get through but that‘s on me, not the book. I loved Rue as a main character, and her motivation to help her family and her home was very relatable. I wish the magic system and the world was fleshed out a bit, but maybe that comes more in book two, which I will be reading.

3.75 stars | #fantasy #yafantasy

Great YA fantasy that addresses several social injustices as well. I love when an author can use a fantasy world to point out the troubles in our own.

Rue is an excellent character. She battles with herself as she feels torn between two worlds, but ultimately her love for her family is her driving force for all her actions, good or bad.

I would have liked more clarification about the magic system, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.

A book from my goddaughter and my 2 person book club. 🙂 I liked it. Fantasy is not my jam but Jada loves it. She really enjoyed it a lot and wanted to read the sequel which we will likely do later in the summer. I liked it. I would give it a solid 3.5/5 stars. I am curious enough to want to read the second one though. 🙂

The teens I work with selected this book for discussion in Feb & to meet the author in March. I would very much like to NOT wait until Feb to find out what the teens think. Phew!

So far, really like this one.

Update: this is really holding up. Almost done, and it's one that I don't want to end. I'll be eager for the sequel.

review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#wings-of-ebony-wings-of-ebony-1

I‘m late on my June recap! There were lots of chunksters on my list last month, so I did not finish as many as in previous months, and no bingo, but lots of really great reads! Tagged book was my last of the month, and a #blamelitsy pick, too. Lots to chew on with themes of colonialism and appropriation, plus a rollicking storyline. Now, on to July!
#bookspinbingo #monthlyrecap

This isn‘t like anything I‘ve ever read. Rue is a character that you love one minute hate the next but she always follows through.

Just grabbed this from the library and jumped into it while sitting at the park waiting to go to an appointment. So far so good, interesting start.

I love when you order a used book and it comes in signed! This cover has some really nice holographic effects too.

New #bookspinbingo list for June! Tagged book was started in January, but I had just finished Legendborn and the beginning was too similar... Looking forward to picking it up again!
I hope our picks treat us well again this month, everyone!

I heard an interview with the author where she described this as black panther/Wonder Woman. It started slow but I just sped up the reading speed and was definitely invested in the second half. I found the main character a little frustrating but she was a product of a lot of challenges. I‘ll be reading the next one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an ambitious stand alone that may have played better as multiple books. When Rue‘s mother dies the father she‘s never known brings her back to his magical homeland. She runs into trouble when she returns to see her sister. That‘s all in the 1st chapter.
I liked the premise and there were some great passages, but there was so much zapping between urban Texas and the fantasy world that it was a bit confusing.

I really enjoyed the characters believable voice through the audible narration. It helped to hear this as it was meant to be heard. I need to read more books like this. It shows racial injustice and adds a magic element. While injustice is not a fantasy and needs to be corrected. This book showed the fight, the poverty, and will of community.

Read for the Barnes & Noble Book Club. I struggled to get through this one. The pacing was odd and disjointed. Although I appreciate that this is a debut author, #ownvoices and has a message about racism and social justice I didn‘t enjoy the characters (except for Ms. Leola and the descriptions of all the desserts she baked), the plot or the entire explanation of how Rue, her family and the island got their magic. This was a 2 star read ⭐️⭐️

So good! Bahni Turpin is an excellent narrator. The story is fast paced. Elle even wrote a language to go with the fantasy setting. Loved that this fantasy touched on: colonialism, racism, belonging, family + community, allyship, confronting one‘s privilege. Loads packed into this page turner! I‘d have liked more detailed world building and could have done without the half hearted love triangle, but these are small complaints. Recommended!

Big thanks to @LibrarianRyan for putting this book on my radar! I loved it!

This was a unique YA fantasy book with the main character, Rue, from two worlds - one is the hood she was raised in and other is a secret magical island called Ghizon. I found the duality of the two worlds Rue tries to save fascinating. They both reflect modern issues in different ways. I loved the realness of her relationships with her dad, her sister, her friends. ⤵️

Here‘s my #bookspinbingo for March! Still no bingos but it‘s fun to make the board and color in squares as I finish each book.

#bookspin is any YA book off my shelf

#doublespin is The Bone Season - I‘ve been meaning to reread this series since the fourth book just came out and I need a refresher on what happens. Also, I love this world so it‘ll make me happy 😊

Finished the tagged book this morning! Review to come later this afternoon.

I went into this not knowing much about it, just strictly on @LibrarianRyan 's recommendation. This was really cool! I called one thing pretty early on, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story at all.

let‘s see what this one is about.

@kellyann28 @Erinreadsthebooks @ads0123 I‘m so excited to read books with you guys for #lmpbc !! Here are 4 books I‘m considering for my selection. Have you guys read any of them already? Any jump out more than another? Any you definitely don‘t want to read?

Cute pupper picture of the day. He realized he can hide out in the little's tent. It's hilarious watching him get in and out of it because he's chonky 😂

Also, my shoulder is still sore from the first dose of covid vax I got yesterday 😭

How's everyone's Friday going? What are you reading? (Mine's the tagged - it's so good!)

#PetsOfLitsy

Me at the beginning of 2021: I am not going to buy all the books I see just because I want them and I are going to read the books I already own!
Me one month into 2021: I am just going to look at the books at target. Walks out for 4 books. (At least I had a gift card that covered all of them ) Also arrives the same day two books I ordered from B&N earlier in the week!

🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

You convinced me to read it @LibrarianRyan I‘ll start this one soon. 🤩

Brought home some ARCs to read. The TBR pile grows and grows and grows and grows...

Okay, I have probably already drove you all crazy with this book, but it's out next wekk. I Loved it and I think you will too.

Out Jan 25
#CoverLove #YAedition

Finished my first full book of the year and I loved it. Full review later.

“Who expects their history to be erased?”

Some powerful words right there.

As someone who just spent an hour doing dishes, I really need this spell.

The Wings of Ebony virtual tour dates have been announced. She is paired with some pretty great YA authors. I‘m halfway through this book and loving it, and I think you will too!

#WingOfEbony

I‘ll put up registration links as soon as I have them!!

She knew!!!!!!

On the next page “... bomb doesn‘t actually mean...”.

I am so feeling this now. I have come across some AAVE that I have had to ask the Crew to clarify.

I get this.

Loving throw book so far BtW. At least 2” of snow is good for something. I‘m getting reading done. 😜

“... tea so sweet it‘s like instant diabetes “. I think my must have taken lessons from this lady. 😁

Loving some of the imagery in this book. Even if I do have to go back and recheck things.

“bullets don‘t have names”.

First line of my first book of the year.

Hey

@Bookzombie
2. @TheAromaofBooks
3. @Lovesbooks87
4. @Jerdencon
5. @Shmemilina
6. @MeganAnn
7. @julesG G
8. @meganthebookishgirl
@UnidragonFrag

I didn‘t forget about my #birthdaybash. By random number (as evidenced in the image) @Shmemilina you are the winner. Please email me your address at MissRyanAF @ gmail.com and include the title of a 2021 release from your TBR you would like.
9. Unidragonfrag

Just one more month.

Just got back from the boonies. I‘ll play catch up tomorrow. Promise.

Pre-order Wings and a copy will be given to Project lit and put copies in the hands of teens who need it.

https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=Wings+of+ebony

#giftWINGS

I submitted my purchase suggestion last night to San Antonio Public library. They are usually pretty good about purchasing suggestions. #birthdaybash

Happy Birthday, @LibrarianRyan !! 🥳📚💕

Thanks for hosting your #birthdaybash giveaway @LibrarianRyan !!! I am 4th on the hold list at the Bremen branch of the Fairfield County District Library!!

Happy birthday!!!

Just suggested the tagged book for purchase for my library. C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick, Md. It sounds really good. #birthdaybash

Reserved my copy at the New York Public Library! And I‘m fifth in line!
#birthdaybash @LibrarianRyan Happy Birthday! 🎂

This is just a reminder that you have until the EOB of tomorrow (SATURDAY the 19th), to enter my #birthdaybash giveaway. All you have to do is place the tagged book on hold at your library, or if it is not available at your library, ask them to purchase it. Then let me know the name of the library and the city it is in, and you are entered to win.
⬇

@LibrarianRyan my library accepted my request to purchase Wings of Ebony!! 🎉💃🏾🎉💃🏾🎉 Yay!!! I can‘t wait to read it!

Ryan‘s #birthdaybash giveaway is open I believe for one more day. Tap the hashtag or head over to her page for details on how to enter. You could win a preorder copy of this book and possibly get it into your local library so more people have access to this title. It‘s a win-win!

Sent in my requests a few days ago to one of my favorite libraries! The Salt Lake City Public library in Utah now has at least two requests through their automated system for electronic copies of this book.

Hope you also have a wonderful birthday! 🎉🎉🎉 @LibrarianRyan

WOW! What a great cause!! @ProjectLit is a literacy movement of educators and students fostering a love of learning across the country. For each PREORDER of #WingsOfEbony a free copy will be given to them!!

Preorder Now: https://www.wingsofebony.com
#GiftWINGS #Donate #TisTheSeason

Plus I‘m giving away a pre-order copy for my birthday. #BirthdayBash. My giveaway ends Saturday but the preorder campaign goes until release day.

There is a new buzzfeed quiz to see what YA works you belong to. Take it here

https://www.buzzfeed.com/booksforward/pretend-your-life-is-a-ya-fantasy-novel-an...

Considering how often I chose space themed things I‘m surprised at this answer.

Just a reminder that I‘m holding a #BlackGirlMagicGiveaway. The winner will get one of the legend born copies above, (both brand new) and an audio download of Raybearer and some custom made Wings of Ebony bookmarks +. All you need to do is add the book Wings of Ebony by J. Elle to your want to read list on Goodreads and vote for it in every list on GR it appears in. Then post your GR screen name so I can check verify the winners entry. 👇🏻

Hey All,

In case you didn't know I am part of Rue's Crew, the Street team for Wings of Ebony. It's coming out in February 2021, but to prepare I want to host a #BlackGirlMagicGiveaway.

The Winner will get my second hardcover copy of Legenborn, (brand new, un read and from a small indie bookstore called Main Street books in St. Charles MO). an Audio download of Raybearer, some custom made WoE bookmarks and a few other surprises.

⬇

Hey all, did you know the tagged book Wings Of Ebony is up for #giveaway on Goodreads. Follow this link https://bit.ly/313NohD and maybe you could win one.

Hey all. @SimonSchuster and Simon Teen are giving away copy‘s of Wings if Ebony for NYCC. You can enter here. https://bit.ly/3iJissW

Or check it out on Insta here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIBPkLA_US/?igshid=121sn3rcc7wdv