Welcome to Litsy!

Every year, I set the same modest (for me) reading challenge: 52 books. I usually double it, but I never increase my goal, because for me, it's not about competition. It's just about reminding myself to pick up a book at least once a day, and complete at least one every week, because I love reading and I want to make time for it.

Happy New Reading Year, Littens 🎉

This was a disappointing execution of a great premise. Similar to the new film “ Saltburn” to the fellow cinema watchers on here. Sigh

And here's part 2! #top10summer2023 reads @Cinfhen

I am not getting along with the writing. First person narratives are always iffy for me, and I am just not getting invested enough in the characters to keep going. It doesn‘t help that the last time I read both Dracula and Jane Eyre was five years ago or more. Also, I feel like there‘s already a lot of repetitive details. I don‘t want to go on and on picking on it- it‘s just not for me right now regardless of the interesting premise.

A unique story that follows the sadly forgotten characters Lucy and Bertha from Dracula and Jane Eyre. The pacing felt a little slow to begin with but the original storyline and humour made up for it, and within the second half it was much more action packed and revengeful. I liked the references to the classic stories and themes of friendship and anger at being pushed aside or used. The friendship was well written and ending wrapped up perfectly.

First completed book of the year and I adored it. The concept is so great (I wish I'd come up with it myself!) And the execution is superb. It even inspired me to write again, which I haven't done much of since the spring.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

It's almost sundown in Los Angeles, and Dracula's ashes won't shut up.
#FirstLineFridays

Starting a supernatural romp for Friday the 13th 🧛

#Two4Tuesday

1. 60s or earlier…generally I‘d go earlier than that but the book I thought of for the second question takes place in the 60s so I‘m pushing things…

2. The tagged book—the story of Lucy Westnera (from Dracula) & Bertha Mason (from Jane Eyre) now undead immortals living in 1960s Haight-Ashbury trying to stay one step ahead of Dracula and Rochester—has ALL the vibes. A fun, quick read.

@TheSpineView

I‘m so disappointed with this one. It started literally with me laughing out loud and ended with me going what? Super quick read but what started with a lot of promise was never delivered. I almost bailed to be honest. My suggestion pass on this one. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

It started out promising and I enjoyed the climax but honestly a bit boring, both plot and character wise. I dunno, might be a me problem-- it *felt* generic even dressed up with unique elements. Really cool idea that I didn't love as much as I wanted. Still a decent and pretty fast read though!

ARC with release date of August 23rd
It looks like the final copy will have about 50 pages more than my ARC and I am curious what has been added. I thought this was a good length, with excellent pacing and good depth of character. I could see maybe a bit more on the ladies past would be nice.
This is a creative concept that I honestly thought would not work when I picked it up, but was quickly drawn into the story. A great fun but dark read.

A fun, horror-adjacent summer read; ARC for August. Lucy from Dracula & Bertha from Jane Eyre have survived the men who ended their lives - Lucy as vampire, Bee as something else. They‘ve moved to California to escape the reach of Rochester and keep Dracula‘s ashes from reassembling, but their pasts won‘t let them go so easily. The metaphors are obvious, but the plot line less so, and I was definitely rooting for Lucy throughout.

If a gothic feminist take on Bertha Mason (Rochester‘s first wife) & Lucy Westnera (a victim of Dracula) undead & well in 1960s LA until the sudden & unexpected return of those two men sounds at all interesting, you will likely enjoy this book as much as I did. This is a modern gothic horror, an examination of coercion, violence against women, survival, love & betrayal, the power in remembering & what it is to be forgotten. On sale 8/23/22.

Starting this one tonight

Super excited to get my hands on this ARC. I mean, it‘s blurbed by Stephen Graham Jones. But also, it‘s a story about Lucy Westnera (from Dracula) & Bertha Mason (the wife in the attic from Jane Eyre) who are now undead immortals living in 1967 LA when Dracula and Mr. Rochester return. Doesn‘t it sound fantastic? 🤞it‘s as good as it seems like it should be!