Welcome to Litsy!

At the start I was totally lost and nearly bailed. I just couldn‘t get on with the prose and the number of characters and the tangents we take to hear snippets of their back stories just had my head spinning. Yet as with all good books, and when I gave it the time, it pulled me in, and by the end I was heartbroken, heart-warmed, and had a tear on my cheek. I defy you not to fall for the characters of 12 year old Dodo and his friend Monkey Pants.

First book finished of 2025! I read this for book club and loved it. I loved getting to know the beautiful characters, and the story of community and friendship. I have one tiny complaint about the ending, but I also almost cried so it balances out. Read if you like Jewish and Black characters pre WWI.
💧💧💧💧

🌵Photo taken at South Mountain Park

#JumpStart2025 @Lizpixie

⭐️⭐️ This is meant to be an example of American history, and it succeeds to an extent. However, for such an acclaimed novel, it‘s very surface level. I wanted, and expected, more detail and development. The litany of characters hindered this. Instead, we got tons of descriptions of what folks did, or didn‘t do, but not much about how they actually felt. This caused a disconnect for me as the reader. I did like the ending, though. #bookclub

First book finished in 2025, and what an excellent one!

I always love a book that tells the truth of American History. I loved the humanity, and goodness of many characters in this story.

So many good books this year! I read a lot less nonfiction than usual and leaned in toward lighter reads and mysteries to get me through a rough first half of the year. 11/24 were repeat authors, trusted to engage a highly distracted brain. #Top24of24

Of a similar time setting to Steinbeck's classics which was interesting, and the same societal outlook on poverty, the social underclass and immigrants.
Really cleverly plotted with so many perspectives and relationship details. Best to read in chunks!
I was truly invested in Dodo and his future. Definitely a recommendation!

If you enjoy a novel about a large community, including a large cast of characters, this is your book. Well written with interesting diverse characters. I just enjoy a tighter focus. 3 🌟

This was an interesting story of two set of people in history coming together that you would not think came together. It brought to light how both were prejudiced against.

Go read this book. Thank you, James McBride for your story

September #bookspin

Yay a pick I actually completed! Go me. At first I was hesitant to read this, I didn‘t think I would like it enough to stay engaged. I was wrong. From the first few pages I was hooked by the story telling and character development. Yes, a little editing here and there would have been nice but overall I really liked this multilayered story of community, identity, and compassion. Well worth a read.

I was completely immersed in this story In these characters in the plot. So much about the setting, the culture and the era took a little time with a lot of back stories but it was well worth it and it all came together. This was not only about the past but glimpses of the future a moving remarkable story !
#Readaway2024 book 34

Beautiful beautiful beautiful! Thank you @Chrissyreadit - poems about hands that tend gardens … how gorgeous is that! And I‘ve wanted to read McBride for ages. Thank you so much ☺️ 🥰

I loved the characters & how their stories unfolded & intertwined. I hate the authors irritating habit of starting each chapter with a bunch of people you don‘t know, there only to provide backstory to a character eventually revealed deep in the chapter. It did round out the characters well, but it was exhausting to keep up with who was important and who was just a vignette of background. Still, highly recommended for the deep rich characters.

I've given up. His imagery and the details about (alllll) of his characters are interesting but all of those stories still haven't started to come together and I'm frustrated. I had to force myself to pick this up the last few times I read it. I see glimmers of something I'd really like but I'm through trying to force it.

Spent most my day reading this title for #hyggehourreadathon and #fortheloveofbooks readathon. It really helped me to get a great head start on this months #bookspin pick. This is also September‘s pick for both of my book clubs. Love it when one book checks off many boxes!

I don‘t have much going on this holiday weekend so decided to join #fortheloveofbooks readathon. Hoping to finish Summer reading, get a good start on Heaven and Earth since it‘s my book club pick and start Nancy for #NancyDrewBR

September #bookspin

Hard to believe we‘ve come to summers end!

Another bookclub-read I had a really hard time getting into. It started to pick up with 50 pages to go… 🤦‍♀️

James McBride was so amazing! I really like who he is as a writer and human. He was also very personable to speak with ♥️#nationalbookfestival24

This is a story about the people who live in the neighborhood of Chicken Hill outside of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It is a book that slowly introduces you to each character but never dives too deeply into their story. The beginning and the end of the book were enjoyable but the middle felt too drawn out. There is a bit of a story but this book mainly focuses on getting to know the people of Chicken Hill. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either.

Spent the evening reading this book with a bowl of cheddar cheese. I'm about half way through and it is enjoyable enough so far. I can see why some felt like there are too many characters and some shallow storylines. But so far I'm enjoying getting to know the community as well as their sense of community and how they pull together. I'm hoping the book doesn't feel like it's dragging on for the last half.

#BookAndSnack #Cheese #Community

Well, it looks like I have to start a new book since I had to return the one I was in the middle of reading. Going to start this one tonight because I've had so little time to read and I'm craving a couple hours of book time. Another library book so I better find enough time to finish it, 😄! I've seen mixed reviews on this one so I'm curious to see if I will enjoy it.

This is my first McBride book. Very well written. Touching and at times heartbreaking. Not a usual genre for me, but I am glad I chose it. It‘s a slow developing story but there‘s a pay off. It starts in 1972 but takes you back to the 1930‘s to a neighborhood, where African Americans and Jewish immigrants coexist, the story revolves around its residents. We should all strive to be more like Chona.

This was okay, but nothing that will stay with me I don't think.

#bookspin19 ✔️
#doubledpin1 ✔️
#bookspinbingo 2 ✔️

3.5 ⭐

I didn't find this story nearly as engaging as I have others, and I can see why it's gotten a lot of mixed reviews. That said, I did like the #audiobook reasonably well. And the ending was worth sticking with it.

Another McBride excellent read. A poor community in a Pennsylvania town that‘s a mix of immigrant Jews and black people. In the opening, police find a body in an old well, and we don‘t find out who or what happened until the very end. The book isn‘t really a murder mystery; it‘s about everyone who makes up a community and how they intertwine. Laughs, insights, friendships… an outstanding book—masterful. Highly recommend!

I loved this story of a Jewish family who owned a grocery store in a mostly black neighborhood. The characters were well developed and I loved reading about their community and the ways in which they supported each other and those who wanted to tear it apart. 5/5

I haven‘t posted in forever! Enjoying a muggy, cloudy day of reading and wine at the vineyard. Almost done with this book and really enjoying it. #vineyardreads

First book of July. This was so good. We are better together

This was an amazing read! Set around the 1940‘s in Pennsylvania in a town segregated with Jews and blacks and a Jewish grocery store owner who was the heartbeat of the town and befriended everyone. This story intertwines all characters story lines because there is a lot going on.I love these types of stories. Its main characters suffer throughout the entire story but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. a big recommend!#summerreading #kindle

Started this with dinner - no one is home so it‘s just me and my book. Once again I was influenced by the masses and grabbed this to read having no idea what it is about. I‘m drawn right into the story ❤️

3.5/5
Well-written story, it is easy to get attached to the different characters, the storyline about the boy sent to the asylum was very interesting, while difficult to read.
However, the way he structured this novel didn't really work for me. We start with bones being discovered in a neighborhood, then yes, we find out who they belong to, but that mystery isn't used to its full potential, it feels like an excuse to explore the past.

I seriously don‘t know how I feel about this book… I didn‘t love it but I didn‘t hate either… I liked the characters but struggled with the plot and how it was written…. Just not my favorite!

Gave blood today and am now going to relax in the canteen with my book… am hoping to finish it today!

Thanks for the tag @JenReadsAlot

#5joysfriday @DebinHawaii

1. My athletes had success at state track
2. Graduation parties galore
3. Lots of reading time
4. Daily pumpkin and winnie cuddles
5. Movie date with some friends

Oh my, this audio was fabulous. And what a brilliantly crafted story! I trusted the author, and then just got so excited as I saw how it all comes together in the end!

My book club meets Sunday to discuss this one & I‘m certain it‘ll lead to a lively discussion! This character-driven, slice-of-life novel takes place primarily in 1930s Pottstown, PA. The Chicken Hill neighborhood is home to the titular grocery store, run by a Jewish couple whose lives permanently change when they help hide a child from protective services. More heartbreaking than anything else, the audio starts off slow, & finishes too fast!

Great ending. Chona, the grocery store, Pottstown, Dodo the deaf boy, more. Great characters.

24-27 May 24 (audiobook)
Soft pick. I enjoyed the cacophony of mainly Black and Jewish characters living on Chicken Hill and the way McBride was able to flesh out many of their characters and backgrounds. There were, however, a couple of plot lines that I did not really follow - namely the water and Nat‘s history. Perhaps I just did not listen quite closely enough.

For the IRL book group. Doing the immersive reading thing w/ book AND audio. Dominic Hoffman does the narration, and is just as terrific as he was with Deacon King Kong. I love the cover, reminiscent of Jacob Lawrence‘s work. ❤️

“Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other.”
#May2024

I really wanted to love this story but, overall, I found it kind of slow and boring. I loved most of the characters but not a whole lot actually happens. It could be that I would have enjoyed it more in a different mindset - I seem to mostly be able to really get into thrillers right now - but as it stands it was just ok. 🌟🌟🌟

I finished this last night. 4.5/5 ⭐️. Preachy is a spot or two, but overall I enjoyed it. Book addresses poverty, racism, class and other issues. A lot of characters to keep straight. The book is also a mystery when a dead body is discovered during construction. The who, how, and why is an unexpected twist that I enjoyed. James McBride can be difficult to read, but he‘s one of my autobuy authors. The Good Lord Bird remains a favorite. ❤️

What is with the hype? I felt like this book was written for Karens while blundering through problematic tropes. The bit with Chona is no different than a white savior, and why are all of the descriptions of women so sexual? It‘s cringe. Also the way that disabilities are discussed- sure, make this a period piece, but you can do that without calling each character a cripple and denying them any thoughts beyond their physical limitations.

So I liked this but I have to give it a so-so because it took me 5 months to get through this audio. Not sure if it was the narrator or what but I just never seemed interested in turning the book on over any of my podcasts.

Audio 1/1 for #AwesomeApril

3.75/4 ⭐️

This was on my radar for a while but I hadn‘t gotten around to reading it. I‘m glad it was my book club‘s pick for the May meeting.

McBride created a rich setting and is a master storyteller. Though at times the pacing/plot was not as engaging for me. I have read some reviews that mention too many characters, but for me that was just illustrative of the dependence on community for survival on the margins of society.

#WeeklyForecast

No, you aren‘t seeing double. I recovered my old account. Sorry for any inconvenience or annoyance. 😭