Welcome to Litsy!

So my hubby had to drive to Bend, OR. For work and I tagged along… so he took me to two book stores and this was Dudley‘s Bookshop … so cute and I found the book I wanted and a few more 🤣📚

I started this on audio and struggled to connect so switched to physical. However, whilst I really enjoyed the book overall, I think the lack of human connection might have been the issue rather than audio.

Neither of the two male MCs was very relatable and there was too much distance between all of the stories - they sort of came together at the end but I didn‘t feel emotionally connected.

It would still have made my #booker shortlist.

My pup is out of this lion costume collar now. Surgery went well, recovering largely done.

Powers is an author determined to make quality fiction out of pertinent science. Here he tosses us a red herring, when a social media leader, author of AI-based Playground, suffering from a disease that affects his mind, looks at the oceans. I was waiting for the environmental hammer, but his focus is different. Thought-provoking. Not subtle.

#bookerprizelonglist

I loved it! I thought it followed a similar pattern to The Overstory, but focused on the ocean rather than trees. And, again, it's not so much about the plot as what it *means*. In short, it's a gorgeous "thinky" book that appeals to the heart (my favourite kind?). I'm disappointed it wasn't shortlisted.

Richard Powers is amazing. This story explores the inspection of AI and climate change; tech bros and poets. Lovely , fallible characters and lots of deep thinking. A very accessible read, despite all of the weight of the premise.

It‘s a complicated story that all rolls together. Richard Powers is a master of writing.

In Playground, Powers turns his attentions to the magnificent, mysterious, absorbing world that are our oceans. Through this medium, he tells a story about big issues and ideas like technological development, AI, capitalism and its environmental impact, and the tentacles of colonialism. Where it could be didactic, it never feels it, because it‘s a story with a living, breathing heart.

Another book i started last week. Slowly making way through. Joy of discovery mixed with drama of the characters lives. Fun stuff so far. #booker #booker2024 #longlist

This marks my first experience with Powers‘ writing & I really enjoyed the theme & concepts. The focus on the magic of the ocean, particularly in Evie‘s sections were the best parts of the story. Her passion, the performance of her accent & palpable love of the ocean & its amazing creatures really carried me through some of the (to me) duller moments between the competitive boys & their own love of game play from chess to go. Begs for discussion!

#play #schoolspirit @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Not quite a love for me the way Bewilderment and The Overstory were, but I liked it very much. Wouldn‘t be sad if we see this on the shortlist tomorrow! #Booker2024

Playground winds together the story of pioneering female diver Evelyn and the friendship of over achievers Rafi and Todd. Both storylines are compelling, particularly the rapturous passages about the ocean with Evelyn (whom I adored), but I‘m not sure I liked these two together. And I have questions about the ending. I liked it, but not my favorite from Powers.