Welcome to Litsy!

This book 👌 I thought the story was just ok. The characters though.. wow! They are so intriguing, all completely flawed and have so many redeeming qualities. #13 #2024

Starting this next 🎧

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Super endearing, man! I was captivated by all of the characters, but especially the radiant and relatable Mary Jane, during her perspective-shifting, life-changing summer. The audiobook narration was perfection. 🎧

July was a tie between Mary Jane, a surprisingly delightful coming of age story of a teen girl who spends a summer as a nanny for a family hosting a famous musician for the summer so the dad can provide intensive addiction treatment, and Blacktop Wasteland, a dark, twisty S.A. Cosby thriller that I couldn‘t put down. #12Booksof2023

Set in the 1970s, this is a Judy Blumesqe coming of age story. Charming, nostalgic and easy to read this was just the palate cleanser I needed. I loved it! Thank you so much for sending this to me @squirrelbrain

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

(1) Mary Jane (tagged)
(2) It had been on my TBR for a while but some recent posts by Littens made me actually pick it up.

Thanks for the tag @The_Penniless_Author ☺️

Would you like to play @RosePressedPages @AmandaBlaze ?

What a delightful book!
It had been on my TBR for a long time, so thank you @ItsAnotherJen and @fredthemoose for your recent posts, which made me actually pick the book up! 😊🤘

Fun, feel good summer read about a teenage girl in 70s Baltimore. Mary Jane gets to see beyond her country club upbringing when she takes a summer nanny job with the groovy Coens (and their rockstar houseguests).

Would make a fantastic book club read and I‘d love to watch a screen adaptation! Audiobook was great especially with the singing. 🎶🎵

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a delight! I hadn‘t heard of it until seeing @ItsAnotherJen post about it a few days ago. 14-year old from a tightly run household is a summer nanny for a family with a much different approach to life, and where a rock star and his famous wife move in for the summer so he can get addiction treatment from the psychiatrist dad. Shenanigans and personal growth ensue. Fun story with charming characters. Would make a great beach read.🌞

Such a good book! I saw several people mentioned this as a favorite and decided to try it even though it's about a 14 yr old. Absolutely kept me from getting a good night's sleep last night. I was invested. Mary Jane and Izzy are perfection. Loved the different households and ways of life.
(**I can see how this would be a good one to try on audio, because of the music aspect..a few people recommended it as a great audiobook)

#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Movie: Uptown Girls

I loved this coming of age story of a sheltered girl who works a nanny one summer for a very unusual family. She encounters sex, drugs, and rock and roll and discovers the meaning of family and self. Surprising and fun, I found myself waking farther to keep listening. Great on #audio. #BookspinBingo #20in4 @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65

Set in Baltimore during the late 70s, this story is narrated by a 14-year-old from a strict, WASPy family who's hired on as a summer nanny for a delightful 5-year-old named Izzy. As Mary Jane brings order to the chaos of Izzy's free-wheeling household, she learns there are all kinds of ways to live--& she can choose. This big-hearted novel left me with a smile on my face and a song in my heart, a nice change of pace from my more apocalyptic reads.

#12booksof2022 in February I read 6 books and I have to admit I‘m struggling between this one and Braiding Sweetgrass as my favourite. This was just so well written, a coming of age story that centres not on romance but on what the world could hold for you, the options available ❤️❤️❤️

Loved this coming of age story, 1970‘s Baltimore! 14 year old Mary Jane is hired to nanny for 5 year old Izzy while psychiatrist Dr. Cone treats a famous rockstar and Mrs. Cone keeps his actress wife company when they move into the house for the summer. Mary Jane is out of her strict parents house while having the summer of her life. #pop22 ~ a book that takes place during your favorite season

A sweet, nostalgic coming-of-age with ‘Almost Famous‘ meets ‘Dirty Dancing‘ vibes. A 14 yr old from a conservative family, becomes the summer nanny to the little girl of a bohemian couple in the suburbs in the 70s. There just happens to be a rock star and his famous girlfriend staying with them too. Her eyes are opened, world is rocked and she‘ll never be the same. So much joy, music and love in this. Could be too sweet for some but I loved it! 💕

Oh, I adored this and I‘m so sad it ended! It was fab on audio too.

14 year old Mary Jane becomes the summer nanny for the Cone family, in the summer of 1975. Mary Jane‘s family are very strait-laced, and rather prejudiced even bigoted. They certainly don‘t show any affection for each other.

Dr Cone is treating a famous rock star for various addictions and Mary Jane gets drawn into their tumultuous lifestyle, which ends up changing her life.

I loved the story of sweet, sheltered Mary Jane.

At 14 years old, she gets a job as a nanny for a family that is the polar opposite of her own.

At Mary Jane's house, rules are followed, everything is in its place, and no one says 'I love you.'

It is quite the opposite at the Cones house - plus, Dr Cone has invited his very famous, rock star patient to stay for the summer.

Mary Jane is in for the time of her life and an unforgettable summer.

Next 😆😎

Finished this one the other day (the fluff ball is in desperate need of a haircut & was a mess since it had been raining for 2 days straight…he‘s a SoCal dog & not used to all this rain). I was born in the mid 70s & love all things 70s. It was a good coming of age story. After Mary Jane babysits for one of the neighbors she realizes just how different the world is outside of her straight laced home. She begins to learn more about herself & who she

It‘s a cold rainy day in Boston, figured it‘d be the perfect day to sit & finish my book. My kids decided it was a good day for a Harry Potter movie marathon. Can‘t say that I‘m too upset about their choice. Although I might sneak in some reading since I‘m almost done with my book.

Another fast, mostly entertaining read that is a familiar story filled with familiar characters which nonetheless keeps you turning the pages. These are the 70s that I never saw—14 year-old Mary Jane, who‘s led a mostly sheltered life up until now, takes a job as a summer nanny for a family in her neighborhood. It‘s a job that exposes her to sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Nothing will be the same after this summer.

Up with sun, time for some quiet reading…🌅📖☕️

Another #MarvellousMay has come to a close. I had hoped to make more progress on The Book of Longings. I spent the weekend with my dad so not much daytime reading was done but lots of good book talk.

Thanks for hosting! @Andrew65

At the end of this book I wanted to pull an Izzy, raise my fist and yell Hurrah! I loved every word of this book. A complete delight 5🌟

If you have recs for any of her other books please share.

I finished the audiobook for Mary Jane yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I wasn‘t sure about it at first but the story very quickly sucked me in and I loved the characters. They were dysfunctional as heck but they were a family. I definitely recommend this book!

I was born in ‘71 but love ❤️ all things 70s so debating whether to hold onto this and read on my next hols . Why are some books so difficult to get hold of ? No bookshops have this near me, it‘s not on Abebooks , Waterstones didn‘t have it only to order from the publisher so had to get it from Amazon 🙈even then iv had to wait & yet it came out in the UK 🇬🇧 in April! #maryjane #waitingforthepaperback #summerreads

Also:
6. "Dirty Work" Steely Dan
7. "(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to be Right" Millie Jackson
8. "Hosanna" Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack
9. "Angel from Montgomery" Bonnie Raitt and John Prine
10. "Shining Star" Earth, Wind & Fire

Altho I was only just born in 1975, I sped through & really enjoyed this coming of age story of 14 yo Mary Jane. After accepting a babysitting job for the summer, Mary Jane introduces some order and stability into the chaotic Cone family household while they introduce her to a less strict and over-protected life style. She learns about the importance of finding who you really are and accepting the differences and struggles in those you love.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

How is this book flying so low under the radar in book circles? It should be glowing up right now. It's a visit to the warmest memories of your youth. The place where you found a piece of your most authentic self in a safe and loving place. What a stunning surprise this story was. All the feels in this 70s throwback. 💜

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved this so much! I‘d heard it was good for fans of Daisy Jones and Almost Famous; honestly, I don‘t see much of either ?‍♀️ I love Mary Jane, I could somewhat relate to her naïveté, I loved her journey. And the ending was perfect ?
This was my #bookspin!! ? @TheAromaofBooks

This was the singsong version of how I hoped the ‘70s to be—a gentle introduction to new ideas and people that let America‘s youth see the hope in this kind of world. A really lovely book that showcases seeing America through its best sense…happiness, love, and good music. Totally enjoyable.

I‘m on a 1970‘s kick, okay? And I love it! ✌️

#MarvellousMarch was a success! I managed to finish 26 books, with a couple DNFs thrown in. I made some pretty good progress with my 63 different reading challenges I‘m tracking. Thanks again for the reading inspiration! @Andrew65 💚

Favourite of the week is tagged!

Set in 1975 Mary Jane lives in a upper class neighborhood of Baltimore with her very strict and conservative parents that have certain prejudice views Mary Jane gets a summer job watching the Cones little girl for the summer the Cones father is psychiatrist helping a rock and roll addict , they all live unconventionally and It changes Mary Jane forever
It was a easy read with a feel good theme
1 book of #20in4 #readathon

Basically finished this in one day ❤️ I loved it!! The world is MESSED up and 🇨🇦 feels front row centre BUT this book lovely!!! 14 yr old Mary Jane spends the summer being a nanny for a family that is the complete opposite of hers, she is a saviour of sorts for them while they open her eyes to the world beyond her neighbourhood.

It‘s a long weekend here 🇨🇦 so I‘m going to read LOTS 🎉🎉

Book 26

So most of the adults sucked, but Mary Jane was fantastic!! My #doublespin for December @TheAromaofBooks @StayCurious

My #bookspin and #doublespin for December! I love the Dalai Llama's cat series! @TheAromaofBooks

I‘ve been a fan of Blau for years, and I previously enjoyed this in print, but the #audiobook adds to the fun with music!

Singer Jimmy and star Sheba come to a sleepy Baltimore suburb to get treatment by a local psychiatrist. Mary Jane is hired to care of the doctor‘s daughter and learns a lot about adult life and music while teaching them about domesticity. Some may think it‘s too cute, but it hits the right note of fun and innocence for me.

#unpopularopinion

review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#mary-jane

My parents got married on this day in 1965. We share a Kindle account & they are voracious readers. I tagged the last book all 3 of us read. Since the start of the pandemic they have sheltered in place in Florida. They only go out to see a dr or pick up groceries. All of our visits have been canceled. This picture is from the last time they came to stay with me. I can't wait to see them again & it breaks my ♥️ that I don't know when that will be.

Overall Rating 4¾⭐ | Narration 😍 = Amazing
This is a real feel-good kind of story...
Mary Jane is fourteen years old and coming of age in 1975 with the help of some groovy music, a drug-addicted rock musician who is trying to get clean, a lovable starlet, and a quirky, progressively liberal (for the times) family of three. This for sure gave me some Almost Famous vibes. If you liked Almost Famous, you‘ll probably like this too.

#two4tuesday

1. Beauty and the Beast! Oh, and You‘ve Got Mail! 📚
2. The tagged book. Love the 70s setting! 🎬

If you want to play, consider yourself tagged! 🤗

Listened to Mary Jane on my run today. I‘m really enjoying this story, the narrator is so good. The story is told from the perspective of a 14-year-old Mary Jane. She is so earnest and curious, on her best summer nanny gig. Wildly different.

Loved it! A great summer read!

#bookspin #bookspinbingo

Read Mary Jane and The Final Review of Opal and Nev back to back. Both great reads, though growing up in a very conservative area and getting the chance to expose myself to new ideas and people in my teens, I identified with Mary Jane more than Opal. Loved the music both books evoked!