Welcome to Litsy!

Yikes. I‘ve never seen such a promising premise fall apart so spectacularly in the last five chapters. Avoiding spoilers, but the plot fell to pieces, character motivations stopped making sense, even the message the author was aiming for gets reversed and trivialized. And all within about twenty pages. I‘d almost be impressed, if the book‘s ending hadn‘t been so bad.

This was a funish mystery, but it got a little too far fetched by the end. It‘s hard not to with magical realism.

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
1. The Field Museum in Chicago, lots of memories with my family there! 🐘
2. Tagged

Thank you for the tag @Kshakal

Dark academia at its finest. Maps have always contained magic for me, maybe that‘s because I‘m Gen X and I grew up with them crammed in my parents‘ station wagon glovebox. Peng Shepherd revives that magic in this incredibly complex, beautiful novel in this age of digital cartography in our pockets. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“Advanced Reader Copy” — whoops. Finally unboxed that stack of books from our move more than a year ago. Better late than never, I suppose.

Well, I don't know what to say. I think it was the cover that drew me in first (so pretty), and the whole premise was really interesting, but then some major plot holes started to appear and I wasn't really satisfied with the ending. ☹️

This lived up to the hype, which in my mind was considerable, as it had come highly recommended from sources I love. A mystery with some magic woven in, a New York story involving the NYPL, I saw some things coming but couldn‘t guess others. Loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Started The Cartographers as I was working on a Christmas puzzle.

#mystery #puzzles #maps #antiques #audiobooks #readky #December #Christmasspirit

This was published last March and I remember being intrigued. I finally got around to reading it and I‘m absolutely gripped! An academic mystery featuring maps that can take you to hidden places - only contained in the map itself but made real when you possess said map. I love the family secrets elements as well. This is one that many on litsy will love. Can‘t wait to see how it ends. #recommdended

Nell hasn't spoken to her father in 7 years when he is found dead at his desk at the NYPL. When she discovers his portfolio contains the worthless map that caused their massive fight, she knows there is more to his death. As mysterious break-ins keep occurring at the library but nothing is stolen, she must reach out to people from the past to find the truth
This was very engaging and I really liked the flashback chapters & how it all came together

Bailing, there were problems I could overlook but plotwise this just blew my suspension of disbelief out of the water.

This is a failed book about interesting things: maps, magic, the NYC library. The plot has too many holes and events that are inexplicable. The main character is idealized and idolized for no reason other than she was a cute baby. I don‘t know how this got published. Please read something else.

This one is so different and imaginative…it was almost refreshing to read something unique! I did find Nell slightly annoying at times - I wanted to shake her and say don‘t be so stubborn - but as the story unfolded, I had to keep reading. Secrets and greed aplenty. And, there were parts to this that had me grab a tissue or two. I had been a little reluctant to read this - not my typical reading choice - but I‘m glad I picked it up.

Picking a favorite book for July is going to be tough!! There‘s lots of good choices here as I continue to whittle down my BOTM TBR, but I think I‘m going to have to go with The Cartographers.

Our family left our home in Tokyo to embark on an epic 13-day vacation, with part one consisting of a South Asian cruise. 🚢 It took us two days, but my daughter and I finally found the ship library. It seems fitting that I‘m in the middle of The Cartographers 🗺️. #readingatsea

I actually did enjoy this book as a quick read I didn't have to focus too hard on.

Nell is a cartographer who finds a mysterious map after her father's death and...figures out what is up with the map. Basically. It's not mind-blowing stuff.

I already knew about trap towns on maps, even Agloe, NY specifically, and because of that, I found the plot incredibly predictable. But I had fun reading it & liked the NYPL setting so 🤷‍♀️

I really enjoyed this book. It's about a young women called Nell Young and she loves maps. Her father was a important person in the field of cartography. He is found dead with a cheap map in his possession. But this isn't a straightforward map. The story unfolds has fantasy, mystery and totally gripping.

book nine of summer

So as I keep crying without much warning, I have decided I need to go elsewhere. Thankfully I have a multitude of options to peruse, some on bookshelves and some stacked precariously all over my apartment.

This was a very cool read!
I really liked the main character, Nell.
I didn't read the description, so I was surprised there was a little bit of magic in this story.

#aapi #aapiauthor #thecartographers

I thot this was fun. I wanted more magic. it was a fast read. 😄

I have a bunch of catching up to do on finished books. May hasn't been a great reading month so far. The end of the school year is kicking my ass. I've managed to get a few books read, though. 5 more school days... I'm crawling to the finish line this year 😞
This was an old BotM that I pulled off my shelf to try to get out of my reading slump. Great characters, a fun premise, and magical realism that actually worked for me. Definitely a pick.

So … #BOTM … I paused my membership last year & I guess after 6 months they automatically reinstate you … nothing appealed to me for april so I skipped … then they asked me if I wanted to use my credit for an audiobook … 🧐 … why yes, yes I do. I have the Goldsboro special edition of this book and the library hasn‘t bought an audio copy yet. I haven‘t looked into this but I believe if you buy 4 you get one free so I might do this for awhile.

If Goodreads allowed for half stars, I would give it 3.5. The premise was so interesting. The distinction between art and mapping was something I had not thought about before, and I did learn something. The pacing was inconsistent, as was my engagement. The magic realism was cool. I didn't fully buy into the characters' motivations or the stakes. Then the ending was maddening to me before offering just a glimmer of hope. I'm torn.

There was a lot to love about this book - fast-paced, engaging main character, an interesting mystery that keeps opening and unfolding. Unfortunately, those perks, for me, could not overcome the nagging feeling that characters were making decisions in service to the plot, not in alignment with their actual priorities. (Cont...)

I was sold on reading this as soon as I saw the cover.😍 The insides were good, too! I loved the characters, and enjoyed puzzling out the mystery of the Cartographers & the innocent little gas station map, even though I saw most of the reveals coming. I was disappointed that the magical part of the story wasn‘t fleshed out more, and there were a few too many smart people making dumb choices, but still—I really enjoyed the story. ⤵️

I finished the final pick for #LMPBC I really enjoyed this one. The mystery, the maps, the ups and downs between the characters, and a touch of magic! I‘ve always liked maps and always wanted to learn to draw fantasy ones for stories I write, and this book made me want to dive further.

I‘ve really enjoyed reading these books with you ladies! Lynn, I‘m sending this one back to you first thing Monday ❤️

@wanderinglynn @Laughterhp @Chrissyreadit

My Sunny boy would like to share his thoughts on The Cartographers for #LMPBC if you ladies don‘t mind… he says it smells lovely lol

@Laughterhp @Chrissyreadit @wanderinglynn

#CatsofLitsy

Didn‘t get a chance to post yesterday, but I received this #LMPBC pick! @Chrissyreadit

Excited for this one, it‘s been on my TBR for a while.

@Laughterhp @wanderinglynn

I enjoyed this #lmpbc choice so much! Multiple viewpoints, a little fantasy, NY, and maps. Sending priority mail today.

I saw “Nell Young” and I read it as “Neil Young” and now I can‘t unsee it. I keep reading the main character as Neil. 😂😩

This was a fun mystery with a touch of fantasy. I can‘t say I appreciated the ending.

I don‘t want to give all my thoughts on this book, because I don‘t want to influence the other 2 #LMPBC readers.

Nell drove me nuts. She‘s so stubborn and I don‘t think that‘s always a good thing. And I was confused by a lot of things. I‘m not sure if it was me or the book.

I‘m sending this out priority tomorrow to Chrissy! Hope you like it more than I did!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘ve always found maps fascinating, so I enjoyed the theme and story that Peng Shepard created. This was a solid novel filled with flawed yet lovable characters, and I appreciated the few map excerpts that were included throughout the book.

#12BooksOfChristmas2022 Day 2 - #February2022

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd - I devoured this book in one night! There‘s adventure, mystery, danger, and daring imagination here all spun into one of the best stories I‘ve read in ages. @Andrew65

Nell Young had never wanted do anything but work with maps. As an intern at the NYPL, working with her gifted father, she was on her way. Then she found the “Junk Box”in the uncataloged collection, infuriating her father, and losing her position. Years later, someone wants a map from the that old box enough to kill for it. To survive, Nell has to investigate and confront the past. A great fantasy thriller, based on cartographic fact.

This novel was phenomenal! Excellent, magnificent and so inspiring! As a cartographer myself I loved what the author had to say about my craft and why people make maps and the purpose of a map. Beautiful execution and a excellent story line that keeps you engaged the whole time. I wish I could go back and reread it and experience it like it was brand new.

As a cartographer I am so excited about this book. This is my first book for #DecemberReads #WinterReadathon

#wondrouswednesday

1. Tagged is the last new book I‘ve read. I‘ve also been doing a lot of rereads & the Governess Game is the actual last book I finished.

2. I‘ve subscribed to both LitJoyCrate and OwlCrate. I still get OwlCrate as I like it a bit more. LitJoy was a bit too HP focused. Although I did like LitJoy‘s special editions of classics.

3. Not a book but a poem, I always read A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

Mikala - my #LMPBC pick is on its way to you!

#groupF

This soooo has to be a series!!! 😍Love it! Cannot say too much without giving it away. Makes one think about the adage that we affect what we observe by the simple act of observing it.

I loved the premise & it gave me an idea for a story (given that it‘s NaNoWriMo month and I haven‘t written a thing!). I mostly enjoyed the story & read it fairly quickly. But I did have to just read & not think too hard about whether things made sense. But in end, a few things, including some character development, bugged me. So a soft pick.

Thanks again Lisa for sending me this book! 😘

To be clear, I am a nerd. But my nerdism does not encompass enthusiasm for cartography. I just cannot care about the drama of Nell, passionate but disgraced (a map scandal!) historic map expert, not even when a murder mystery possibly involving an old highway map is involved. If I am going to follow the adventures of New Yorkers with nerdy jobs, I far prefer Notary Publix! https://youtu.be/LncpjIzsnww

I've been doing a pretty poor job reviewing books lately, but I wanted to thank @IndoorDame for the great #TrappedonanIsland picks!! I did read two of them this month - The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, & the Horse was a delight with such beautiful illustrations and gentle words. I also really enjoyed The Cartographers, although I was frustrated by the way a lot of the world-building didn't match/wasn't explained, which left me feeling a little ⬇

I was bored with this for the first half. But then it got a lot better. This is not how these things normally go. I like maps so I kept going. It's a thriller but also fantasy.

I had such high hopes for this but in the end it fell flat.
The book was much too long, there were giant holes in the plot, the characters were flat and boring. There is so much drama for a story that just doesn't fit with a dramatic storyline.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Pretty slow burn with a lot of academia but I really enjoyed this story. I highly recommend!

#thecartographers #pengshepherd

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView 1. The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd hands down! 2. What drew me in in the first place was the NYPL (New York Public Library). I really want to go there someday. What kept me turning pages was the mystery and the characters.

I really want to read all of them! But 8 is my monthly average. Gonna try to pick up my pace this month and read 10. #BookSpinBingo #BookSpin #DoubleSpin