Saltus | Litsy

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

pick

Heart-wrenching, beautiful, hopeful. This got right into my heart & pulled all the strings. Set in small-town rural Canada in the 1990s, this short novel delves deeply into a set of characters linked by their connections to a teen denied gender-affirming care. It‘s a quiet story exploring discomfort and transition & sometimes surprising connections—some fleeting, but all transformative. I loved this. It will likely end up on my best-of this year!

BarbaraJean Thank you @monalyisha for the #AuldLangSpine rec! 10mo

monalyisha Wasn‘t it incredible? I can‘t believe it didn‘t garner more attention! 10mo

BarbaraJean @monalyisha Seriously amazing. Not sure HOW it flew so far under the radar. I was glad that my library had it, although it was only available via hoopla. 10mo

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JamieArc Oh yay. This was on my #AuldLangSpine list for @monalyisha So glad the love for it is getting passed along ❤️ 10mo

monalyisha @JamieArc is a book-finding godsend! 😇 10mo

BarbaraJean @JamieArc @monalyisha I love the way Auld Lang Spine lists keep paying it forward! 10mo

45 likes6 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

I hope everyone had a fabulous reading month — particularly, those who participated in #AuldLangSpine!

As is tradition, I‘m hosting a giveaway for all US residents who were matched. To qualify, post your FAVORITE quote from one of the books on your partner‘s list. Moxie (🐰) will draw a name on Sunday, 2/11 so post those quotes by Saturday…& don‘t forget to tag me! The winner will receive one book (of their choosing) from MY #AuldLangSpine list.

monalyisha *Please note: The book you receive will *most likely* be new! Some of the titles on my list are more difficult to secure. If unable to purchase a reasonably-priced new copy, I may send something gently-used (but I don‘t expect to). 😇 Alright! Have at it! 😉 13mo

monalyisha One final comment: if anyone‘s curious, the asterisks on my list mean that I listened to the book on audio…which is inconsequential in the face of this giveaway. I‘ll be mailing a print copy. 13mo

monalyisha UPDATE: I got a bit busy but Moxie & I will be picking a winner tomorrow (on Tuesday, 2/13)! 13mo

40 likes3 comments

ncsufoxes

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

pick

So many feelings after finishing this one. The story centers around a young person that wants to transition during the 1990s in Canada. It talks about the difficulties of getting doctors & other professionals to understand what this means to them. The hoops that they & their mom have to endure seem endless & frustrating. The heart of the story to me is who decides what is right for an individual. How are we to understand what others are enduring

TheAromaofBooks

JamieArc This was one of my favorite books last year, but I don‘t see people reading it much, so glad to see you post about it! 2y

ncsufoxes in their lives & how they get to live their best lives. I‘d like to think as a society that we‘ve grown since that time but as we can see with all of the rampant homophobic bills being passed in the US, not much has changed. It‘s important to read & understand experiences of others as we continue to evolve. #bookspin book #14books14weeks (4/14) (edited) 2y

TheAromaofBooks Great progress! 2y

23 likes1 stack add3 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

Filling out this #ReadingBracket2023 has been a real challenge! Choosing between Enchantment & True Biz was stupendously difficult; I understand why some people opted for 2 separate brackets - one for fic & another for nonfic. The problem is, I think I‘d need a third for kidlit! Leaving Pax behind was similarly lamentable.

I went with Mad About You for June…but I‘m reading two right now & I think either would‘ve won if I‘d finished in time.

chasjjlee

JamieArc Makes me happy to see Saltus has made it so far! 2y

monalyisha @JamieArc It‘s very possible that it‘ll make it all the way! 2y

monalyisha #2023ReadingBracket 2y

62 likes3 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

With some distance, I was finally able to fill this bracket graph in. So close to all of the wonderful January books I read, it felt impossible! Sometimes, we just need time. Excited to see what April will bring! And absolutely dreading when I‘ll have to make the choice between Saltus and Enchantment (as I‘m sure I will). Maybe I‘m being too optimistic in claiming that distance breeds perspective. 😅🙈

@chasjjlee

monalyisha #2023ReadingBracket 2y

52 likes1 comment

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

As it‘s the last day of January, it‘s time for the final #AuldLangSpine check-in!

Despite being the host, I‘m not a particularly swift reader (I tend to both dally and luxuriate). So, I‘m quite pleased with my total of 5 books read (3 print; 2 audio). It‘s more than I typically manage! I‘ll chalk it up to January being/feeling INTERMINABLE this year! 😅 I‘m thankful I had stellar picks from @JamieArc to see me through. Saltus was a standout. ✨

monalyisha Thanks to everyone who participated! I hope you had a blast, solidified a readerly bond, and enjoyed the picks from your list. I‘ll tag everyone here — both to remind you to make your final post (if you haven‘t already), and to say “thank you” for making this such an enjoyable event. As always, it‘s been a pleasure. 💓 2y

BarkingMadRead Thanks for hosting!! 2y

monalyisha @SingOut @TheBookHippie @katiekat311 @BarkingMadRead @MallenNC @Cinfhen @BookNAround @peaknit @BennettBookworm @Read4life @CBee @Sapphire @JenReadsAlot @Jerdencon @monalyisha @JamieArc 2y

See All 55 Comments

monalyisha @MeganAnn @xicanti @Clare-Dragonfly @MoonWitch94 @bthegood @Soscha @Mitch @rockpools @Liz_M @CarolynM @Librarybelle @thegreensofa @AbigailJaneBlog @wideeyedreader @TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole 2y

monalyisha @Billypar @ncsufoxes @MatchlessMarie @Moll @HOTPock3tt @mcipher @SueK @IndoorDame @Sharpeipup @Maria514626 @DebinHawaii @Laughterhp @FantasyChick @shadowspeak17 @Larkken @jhod 2y

Mitch As always - fabulous matching and it doesn‘t stop at January for me - ill@be reading from my list through the next few months! Thanks so much for hosting ⭐️ 2y

TheBookHippie I‘m slower due to migraines so I‘ll be reading more next month. ♥️ I love this challenge thanks so much for hosting! (edited) 2y

monalyisha @Soubhiville @sebrittainclark @peanutnine @shortsarahrose @Emilymdxn @Megabooks @ShelleyBooksie @Sresendez12 @Amandajoy @mrsmarch @JenniferW @AllDebooks 2y

Librarybelle Thanks for hosting this again this year! It‘s so fun to receive a list from a fellow Litten. I plan to continue reading @thegreensofa ‘s list this year! 2y

monalyisha @Birdsong28 @RebelReader @Amiable @Deblovestoread @Karisimo @BarbaraJean @DGRachel @Chrissyreadit @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @dariazeoli 2y

IndoorDame Thanks so much for hosting! I‘m also reading more next month 2y

Megabooks Thanks for hosting! I loved all 4 books I read from @Emilymdxn ‘s list, but the absolute standout was

Plainsong

RebelReader Thanks for hosting! I have Lessons in Chemistry to read yet, but enjoyed everything @Birdsong28 recommended! 2y

Clare-Dragonfly Thank you as always for hosting! I only got to one book from my list (and started another today), but I plan to read more of them and I definitely feel like @MoonWitch94 is one of my bookish soulmates. Thank you for connecting us! 2y

DGRachel Thanks for hosting! I finished 2 books from @Chrissyreadit ‘s list and plan to read more of them this year! 2y

CBee Thank you, @monalyisha ♥️ I‘ve read two from Amanda‘s list (@Sapphire), and am working on a third! I plan to try and read the whole list throughout the year. This was amazing and I can‘t wait to do it again! 2y

Singout Thank you for all the work you‘ve put into hosting this! I‘ve really enjoyed getting to know @TheBookHippie and listening to both The Two Gentlemen of Verona (hot tip: Shakespearean comedy is more fun to listen to than read) and Excellent Women, which I‘m going to share with others! 2y

TheBookHippie @Singout YAY ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 2y

Karisimo I read 6 of @BarbaraJean ‘s books and plan to read a few more in Feb! Thanks for letting me join! It was a fun experience!!! 2y

Karisimo @Singout I was just talking to someone today about how Shakespeare was meant to be heard more than read. Our book club is reading #IfWeWereVillains 2y

SueK Thank you for hosting! I am planning to continue reading at least one book a month from @IndoorDame‘s list 2y

katiekat311 I finished 2 and am halfway through the 3rd from @BarkingMadRead! I moved the ones I didn‘t get to, to February‘s list! (edited) 2y

Larkken I was successful at reading sloowwwww this month and only read one off @jhod list but would like to keep reading one a month or so! They‘re outside my comfort range and the first was quite fun 🤩 thanks for setting it up! (edited) 2y

Sapphire I add my thanks for the matches. I only finished one from @CBee s list but have another in progress and will keep going through the year. 2y

CBee @Sapphire ♥️♥️♥️ 2y

xicanti Thank you so much for hosting this amazing event! I read eleven things from @MeganAnn ‘s list, with three more (hopefully) coming my way in February. It‘s been awesome. 2y

wideeyedreader Thanks so much for hosting! This is always so much fun 2y

Amiable I just this minute finished my third book from @Deblovestoread ‘s list! And I have a few more stacked in my library room to dive into in February. My favorite so far was an amazing 5-star read:

All the Young Men

FantasyChick Thanks for another great year and another great match! I'm going to be continuing what's left of my list over the year I think! 2y

DebinHawaii I echo the thanks for another wonderful match. 🤗💜I have had a slow start to January but I am hoping to finish my second book from @Laughterhp ‘s list either tonight or by tomorrow & I have plans to keep reading at least one book per month from her list. 2y

Deblovestoread I only managed to read one off my list from @amiable because I overbooked myself as usual, but I am looking forward to reading off her list all year. Thank you so much for your work and excellent matching skills. Next up

The Family Roe: An American Story

(edited) 2y

mcipher I only read one off @HOTPock3tt ‘s list , but I do plan to keep going through it - there are some books she listed that I hadn‘t thought to try but that I definitely want to check out! It was so fun and a great match, I‘m just the worst mood reader… (edited) 2y

BarbaraJean Thank you so much for another great match and another great start to my reading year! Every year I‘ve participated I end up discovering books that land on my best-of at the end of the year, and I‘m sure that will be the case again this year (with the tagged book for sure)! I‘ve read three so far from my list from @Karisimo, I‘m 1/3 of the way through another, and I‘m looking forward to reading more from her list throughout the year.

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of The Oxford Translators' Revolution

Read4life Thank you for hosting 2y

BennettBookworm Thank you so much! A highlight of the whole year!! 2y

Cinfhen I really enjoyed@MallenNC list!! Im planning on reading a few more throughout the year!! Thanks for hosting & pairing 💕💕 2y

thegreensofa Thank you for hosting #AuldLangSpine I am having so much fun! I have a year-long plan for reading @Librarybelle ‘s list. I‘m going to read them all! 👏. I even started a challenge up on #Storygraph to make sure I don‘t miss any! 💛👩🏼‍💻 2y

peaKnit I need to make a final post. I was able to read 5 from @BookNAround - and I will continue on with several more. It was wonderful getting suggestions I hadn‘t considered that I really enjoyed. Thank you for putting this together. 2y

jhod Thanks so much! I have had a really bad reading month but a really good shopping month 🤣 - post imminent! And I intend to read several from @Larkken 's list throughout 2023. Such a brilliant idea, am loving it! Thank you again!! 2y

Jerdencon Thank you so much for hosting!! This has been so much fun!! And loved all my choices from @JenReadsAlot 2y

Chelsea.Poole My friends and family (NOT on litsy) have been hearing so much about how great #AuldLangSpine is, which books I found from @TheKidUpstairs ‘s list…they‘re like “I know I know!!” 😂 it‘s truly a great idea and executed so well @monalyisha! I plan to read more from the list throughout the year… I‘ve just finished my 3rd from the list, which is wonderful and I would have never picked up on my own —

Five Little Indians: A Novel

(edited) 2y

BookNAround I love this event and although I only read two of @peaknit ‘s books, I intend to keep going throughout the year. And I will get to reviews eventually once the combo of work and sick pup allow. 2y

MatchlessMarie @Chelsea.Poole I love bugging people about Litsy too 🤣 2y

MatchlessMarie I read 2 off of @Moll ‘s list and I can see myself ready more down the line. I agree with @BarbaraJean about always finding a year‘s best read from these pairings so Thank you! 2y

Chelsea.Poole @MatchlessMarie glad I‘m not alone lol🤓 2y

TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole I've been telling so many people, too! Especially at work, they all love the idea of this event. Thank you @monalyisha for another great start to the year! Your matching powers struck gold again 😁 I read A LOT this month, including 6 solid reads off Chelsea's list. I know I'll read more as the year progresses! My faves were The Rabbit Hutch, and this one that wasn't even on my radar but I just loved:

Unlikely Animals

MeganAnn Thanks for being such an excellent host and matching extraordinaire as always! I look forward to January for this alone and this year was no exception.👏🏻😘🎉 2y

MallenNC Thanks so much for facilitating this match! I enjoy it every year. I love the list I got from @Cinfhen and read three from it in January. I plan to read more as the year goes on. 2y

Moll I have become utterly obsessed with Heartstopper thanks to @MatchlessMarie !! I'm about to read part 3 and 4😂❤️ 2y

AllDebooks Thank you so much for this great event. I'm going to stick with @jenniferw88 list and read more over the year x 2y

jenniferw88 Thanks so much for hosting again @monalyisha ! I only got to the tagged book from @AllDebooks , but I will be reading more from the list as the year goes on!

Jamaica Inn

Emilymdxn I‘m a much slower reader of fiction i get to choose than I used to be now I‘m in grad school lol but I adored the tagged book rec‘d by the incomparable @Megabooks ! Learnt my lesson about sticking to audio while I try to juggle reading and studying that‘s for sure

Sea of Tranquility: A Novel

Megabooks @Emilymdxn I‘m so glad you enjoyed it! I loved all four books I read that you recommended, but I‘m especially glad to be introduced to the Plainsong series in Holt, CO! I have this book by him up in my TBR for February.

Where You Once Belonged

Megabooks Thanks for the great match @monalyisha ! And good luck with your winter courses @Emilymdxn ! 😊🍀 2y

Maria514626 I read one, read/listened to one, and listened to two. The tagged was my favorite. Thanks @Sharpeipup and @monalysia I have more to read. They‘re overdue now so I‘ll have to check them out again. 😆

Let's Not Do That Again: A Novel

(edited) 2y

92 likes55 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

pick

This is one of those books that I started recommending before I was even done reading. The ending didn‘t betray me, either! Saltus is the story of a town, and specifically of a single mother who will do anything to acquire gender-affirming care for her child. I think that part of what‘s so special about this book (aside from the strong setting and even stronger characters) is what Gereaux does with hope. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/1: I don‘t even know what verb to use here: “plays with” is wrong for something so earnest; “manipulates” feels even worse, for the same reason. But the author relies upon her reader‘s tendency towards hope — and anxiety. Tragedy looms on every page…but you‘re ever hopeful that things will turn out alright. For everyone. A triumph, as far as I‘m concerned: supple writing, with graceful and clumsy characters; at once simple, true, and complex. 2y

monalyisha @JamieArc I wouldn‘t have found this without you! It will for sure be on my list of favorites at the end of the year. Thank you. 🙏🏻 2y

JamieArc @monalyisha I‘m relieved you liked this 😁. You‘re right about the hope piece. I also liked exploring people‘s convictions about things. Also, I‘m happy to see all the stack adds for this one too! We‘re winning with our faves of 2022 😂 2y

81 likes7 stack adds3 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

@JamieArc I think you‘ll be happy to know that I‘m starting the unsung hero of your #AuldLangSpine list!

Jamie‘s shared that this was the least-stacked book on her Goodreads shelf. She was also the first — and is still the only! — person to have reviewed it here on Litsy.

I‘m already impressed with Gereaux‘s writing and transparency just in the prologue, so I‘ve got high hopes for a knock-out read. ✨

JuniperWilde Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the tip 📚 2y

CBee This sounds right up my alley - stacked! 2y

JamieArc Yes! Very happy this is getting some attention. I should have warned that there are some medically graphic passages that are difficult to read, but hopefully that doesn‘t put you off too much. (Going back to see how I reviewed it….) 2y

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monalyisha @JamieArc The characters names in this book are so interesting to me! Trish and Sean are my parents (my mom was a waitress in the 90‘s; she had me young, in the mid-late 80‘s). Nadine is what my Dad wanted to name me. 😮 (edited) 2y

JamieArc @monalyisha Whoa! 😳. Interesting! 2y

Chelsea.Poole You‘ve piqued my interest! Cause I need another book for my tbr 🫠 2y

67 likes6 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

Said hello to the beach for the first time this year — & brought my #AuldLangSpine stack along for the ride!

Pictured are the physical books I‘ve acquired. I‘ll likely start with an audiobook, though, since I‘ve finished the one I was listening to previously. I‘m thinking the winner might be Ann Patchett‘s These Precious Days. Once I‘m ready for a print book, I‘ll likely reach for Lessons in Chemistry, which I just bought at my local indie today!

monalyisha, JamieArc

JamieArc Ann Patchett‘s is a good choice, since she reads it herself. For what it‘s worth, I did audio for that one, Delilah, and Chemistry. I‘m really happy to see Saltus in your stack! It was my least stacked book on GoodReads, so I‘m glad to see it get some attention. 2y

wisherwishinguponastar I love your picture! I would have dropped those books so many times and now they would be covered in sand. 2y

monalyisha @wisherwishinguponastar Ha! We actually parked right next to where the photo‘s taken. I put them back in the car & we took a long stroll (sans books). 😉 2y

wisherwishinguponastar That sounds perfect!!!!! 2y

Soubhiville What a perfect photo! 2y

97 likes5 comments

Cinfhen

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

Congrats to @MatchlessMarie on her 5 year Litsyversary and hitting 100,000 Litfluence🥳🍾🎉🪄 In honor of these achievements, Amanda is hosting a #YearEnd100kGiveaway 🧡So many books I‘m looking forward to in 2023 but these 3 are really calling to me😁Happy Holidays 🎁

Vansa Trespasses is lovely and moving. Highly recommended 2y

TrishB I loved Trespasses, currently in my top 22. 2y

Cinfhen Oh yay @Vansa @TrishB it‘s been on my radar since @Megabooks posted a review 💜 2y

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Cinfhen

Trespasses

MicheleinPhilly I've never heard of the tagged book but it sounds intriguing. The other 2 are ones I own but haven't read yet. Naturally. 😉 2y

Cinfhen Naturally @MicheleinPhilly 😘 maybe over the holidays you‘ll get to one ….or ten!!! 2y

MicheleinPhilly 🤞🏼🤞🏼 2y

MatchlessMarie Thanks for playing! 🥳 2y

Cinfhen Thanks for hosting the giveaway @MatchlessMarie Merry Christmas 🎁 2y

56 likes1 stack add9 comments

monalyisha

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

This is the full #AuldLangSpine list that I swiped for myself from @JamieArc 😍! Isn‘t it a beaut?

I was drawn to it for the combination of lit fic, romance, & narrative nonfiction (which I always crave for my 45 minute commute to & from work).

I know I‘m going to have a hell of a time narrowing my choices down for January. I‘m sure I‘ll be reading from it well beyond the month‘s end.

Thanks, Jamie, for all of the gorgeous recs!

Librariana Ok confession time! I am having #auldlangspine FOMO! LOL 😆 I know, I know. You did a tremendous job of putting it out there and giving people plenty of time and notice... and I just didn't think I read enough or that I'd have enough interesting titles. But! But! From what I can see you did such a BEAUTIFUL job of pairing people up!! It's definitely an encouragement to work hard in the new year to participate in the future 💜 2y

JamieArc I have loved seeing so many people‘s favorites of 2022! I will add that I did audiobooks for Delilah, One Night on the Island, and Thank you for Listening. I don‘t think format matters for Delilah and One Night, but *highly* recommend audio for Whelen, because, well, it‘s about an audiobook narrator. 2y

JamieArc Also, if you read Into the Planet (there are photos in the book that are worth seeing!) or are on the fence about it, the author was on Fresh Air and the interview was pretty fascinating and why I wanted to read it. I‘ll find the link…. 2y

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monalyisha @JamieArc Excellent! I‘ll definitely listen to the interview — & I‘ll be sure to grab a companion print copy to reference while I listen (or, to look at afterwards, since I‘ll be in the car 😉). 2y

Soubhiville @JamieArc if you post the link for Into the Planet would you tag me as well? I‘m interested! And I second doing audio for Thank You, it was great! 2y

JamieArc https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/19/752248582/cave-diver-risks-... @monalyisha @Soubhiville Happy Listening! 2y

Soubhiville @JamieArc thank you 🙂🎧 2y

monalyisha What @Soubhiville said! 😉 2y

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JamieArc

Saltus | Tara Gereaux

pick

I can‘t believe I‘m the first to review this book here! I loved this story centered around a trans child who is denied gender-affirming care. It explores the convictions we have, the decisions we make, and the choices we have in such a true, complex, and humanizing way. I almost couldn‘t put this down. As the Booker Longlist reveal nears, I realized this book is everything I want a Booker read to be. Please, read this and review! 5 🌟

JamieArc ☠️ cw for semi-graphic medical procedure description 3y

46 likes2 stack adds1 comment

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