Welcome to Litsy!

I didn't have much of an idea or expectations going into this, and I am so fond of this book!! It is just quirky enough - Eid who is terrified of bald men and uses space facts and true crime podcasts to self soothe has a new neighbor and a new work colleague who are bald. I thought this was both charming and really honed in on that idea of White women listening to too much true crime and how it can rot your brain!
Really enjoyed this!

I noticed piles of differing opinions on this one and was curious what my thoughts would be. Turns out, I rather loved Enid and the world she was trying to navigate deliberately wearing the facade of a ‘normal‘ person while finding out at 26 she may be on the spectrum. I was pulled into her relationship with her mother - each doing their best to support each other while each moved through their own inner demons.

Back to my #botm and this time I'm reading Interesting Facts About Space.

4.5 Stars • "Interesting Facts about Space" by Emily R. Austin is a novel that follows the life of Enid, a space-obsessed woman who works as an information architect at the Space Agency and has a penchant for true crime podcasts. Enid is dealing with a range of personal issues, including a complicated relationship with her mother, who suffers from severe bouts of depression, and a fear of bald men. ⬇️

This was a wild and wacky read. I often laughed out loud, I cringed, and at times felt like my heart and Enid's heart were one... well, certainly our minds. I'm pleased with the protagonist's closure on some matters, but I was shocked when I turned the last page to the acknowledgments. It was abrupt.

I love the voice of Enid, a neurodivergent lesbian obsessed with true crime podcasts. She struggles with anxiety and phobias. She worries about her mother‘s mental health issues and checks in on her often. Enid has a huge heart and a wry sense of humour and she could really use some psychotherapy. A funny, touching novel. #LGBTQ #CanadianAuthor

We are going to watch a scary movie. I felt like watching something frightening so I could exert power over it. I want to eat popcorn while I watch it and laugh while it tries to scare me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quirky in the same way real life tends to be. Enid is deaf in one ear, has an unusual phobia, and an obsession with true crime pods. The title will make sense once you get rolling. Often funny and ultimately hopeful. A fab spin on family drama, too. I loved it so much!

I loved Austin‘s last book, and I had unreasonably high expectations for this one. It does pale a bit in comparison, and it takes a while to get off the ground, but then I was glad to have read it. It is the story of a woman struggling to understand herself and coming to terms with some unexplored personal experiences that get in the way of her forming relationships. I imagine other neurodivergent folks might find some comfort in her story.

Book 5/7 finished for #FabulousFebruary and #20in4. @Andrew65

I wasn't sure I was even going to like this book at about a third of the way into it. And yet, it ended up being my first 5 star book for the year. It's hard to put a finger on why it works, but it does. I went into it fairly blind, and I think that is the best way with this one. It's one I think I'll be ruminating on for a while.

"... a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus."

How did I never know this?? I'm not sure how I'm feeling about the plot of this book, but the space facts are pretty fascinating.

I can tell this is a "love-or-hate-it" kind of book, with its unique, blunt style and quirky deadpan character. Unfortunately it is just not jiving with me. I can see this story really working for other readers, especially if you're looking for neurodiverse queer representation.

I didn‘t want to like this. It‘s a #BOTM book & I like to pass them …. It took me like 20% and then I was hooked. Funny. Realistic. Quirky. Weird. Almost a bit frustrating at a couple points but ok. I thought it was going to be sci-fi! I loved some of the phrases she uses. It was a character study of a half deaf podcaster who grew up with a clinically depressed mom. The end brings a revelation. LGBTQ+

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I thought this book was a beautiful blend of humor and pathos. Enid‘s voice was wonderfully weird and engaging, but could also stop me in my tracks at times with the poignancy and vulnerability of her words. I wish I could give her a hug - “parasite” and all. #BOTM

I should have bailed. [between so-so & pan]

After having read both this one and “Everyone in This Room Will Someday be Dead,” I can safely say that Emily Austin‘s writing style bores me. The ideas lend themselves to interesting character studies, but the style and lack of depth don‘t let anything particularly insightful actually happen. It is nice to see a character with unilateral deafness (which my parent has) though, but I don‘t find the representation super realistic in this case.

I preordered this on Audible and it was delivered this morning. I can‘t wait to finish work so I can listen to this one!

3.5 ⭐ Quirky and thought-provoking! I enjoyed this perspective-enhancing novel about a masochistic, neuro-atypical queer woman who brings self-loathing to a whole new level. Getting to know Enid was intriguing, cringey, and often hilarious. It was all a bit neatly formulaic for me in the end, but it made sense, and the interesting facts about space were both fascinating and endearing to the character.

I liked Emily Austin‘s debut novel a little more, but this one shares the same tone and emotional arc. Her characters are quirky but have surprising depth. Occasionally she writes something so sharp that it cuts deep. ☀️ 🌙 🌎 #BOTM

I have no idea why I rated this a 4/5. It's honestly such a good read but there was something, maybe the pacing, that only makes more sense after it ends. I felt a bit lost as to what the plot might be until much after. That said, everything is done so well and I couldn't help but relate to the MC on so many things. It's so different to what I'm used to reading? Idk how to describe it #sapphic #mentalhealth #fiction #queer #joyousjanuary

Enid is a woman who always feels out of place. She uses True Crime podcasts and casual hookups to soothe herself. She starts to worry that someone is breaking into her apartment at the same time she begins to fall for one of her hookups. This books is at times absurd and often heartfelt. It‘s a wonderful and slightly disturbing read. #botm #ReadAway2024

Next read! Partially because it's in the #lgbtq category, partially because it's NATALIE NAUDUS 😍😘 narrating it 😆 so far...it's a little weird but I also feel so exposed 👀

A little reading break while my daughter is at swim lessons. #botm #ReadAway2024

#BOTM delivery!

I was so excited to see the Book of the Month choices pop up today! And even though I told myself I was going to cool it with how many books I ordered in my box each month, of course I somehow ended up with five! 🙊 How could I resist though, when they had so many great choices?! I'm super hyped about the Alex Michaelides book and the tagged book too! I loved her previous book!

What did everyone else go with this month? #botm

Picked my January #botm books!