Welcome to Litsy!

I think I finally have my #BookSpinBingo list together for January. I‘ll tag the titles in the comments.

Finally read my #FoodAndLit #Nicaragua pick (Also a September #BookSpin).

Based on the history of Juana the Mad, this novel is full of obsession, betrayal, ambition, and inappropriate relationships. But it was a good (if infuriating) read to end the year on.

Last night, I attempted Venetian bigoli in salsa from the tagged book because I had leftover anchovies that needed eating and I thought I had the type of thick spelt-flour spaghetti required for the recipe (I didn't & used standard spags instead). It's very straightforward with few ingredients (onions, garlic, anchovies, olive oil & pasta) which means it's unforgiving.

#Italy #FoodandLit @Texreader @Butterfinger @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

The cafoni (peasants) of Fontamara, a village in Abruzzo, #Italy are poor and exploited, but things are going to get much worse. They have being tricked into giving up their sole access to water (a stream needed for irrigation) by the local podestà, and their rights, such as they are, are disappearing with Mussolini's rise to power. Serious politics told with humour. ⬇
#FoodandLit @Texreader @Butterfinger @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

Not a lucky pick for #foodandlit
What a drag...nothing happens, there is no coherent story or theme, the number of names and characters is completely insane and all of this is normal for someone's diary, but why would anyone publish this and expect anyone else to be able to follow.
Not everything a poet writes is poetry. It really feels like a grab for money and saving on editing if any was done at all.
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

The writing for this was pretty good, and it was easy to read. But I can‘t say I really enjoyed it?
I didn‘t like Elio or Oliver. It was the obsession, shame, and very weird “intimacy” that seemed to be the over-riding theme throughout. I‘m not sure I would say it was romance between them…

Also much prefer when books have regular natural stopping points like chapters rather than parts or continual flow 🤣

This was my #FoodAndLit pick for #Italy

repost for @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

#FoodAndLit in January 2026 we travel to CAMBODIA

To participate, read a book that takes place in Cambodia or is written by a Cambodian author. Try some food from the country, too. Share your experience by using #foodandlit and tag your hosts @Texreader @Butterfinger @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

No required reading, just participate when you can.

#FoodAndLit in January 2026 we travel to CAMBODIA

To participate, read a book that takes place in Cambodia or is written by a Cambodian author. Try some food from the country, too. Share your experience by using #foodandlit and tag your hosts @Texreader @Butterfinger @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

Please let me know if you'd like to be added to or removed from our tag list. No required reading, just participate when you can.