Welcome to Litsy!

As in American slang, where we have someone “on the side,“ directional phrases are big in the rest of the world as well. Swedes and Russians both “sneak to the left,“ Israelis “eat on the side“ (I'm told this is a particularly crude way of putting it), and Japanese “go off the path.“ The Irish “play offsides,“ a sporting term, while Englishmen “play away.“ For the Dutch, cheating is a jouney in which the culprit “goes strange,“ or, more...

This is a harder review because I loooved the story but also found myself super weirded out at some points (i was torn between pick and so so) but since I finished it in 24 hours, i guess it‘s more on the pick side 🤣 I definitely understand why it‘s so hyped up tho!
I finally balled all my yarn and am ready to start my book blanket 🥰 Only 3 books behind already 😉🤣

I tried to read this for #WithTheBanned -- I feel sure it's an excellent book, but I'm just not in the right head space. Has she written anything... gentler, I could try?

We meet Mimo in the monastery where he has lived for decades as he is dying and reliving his life while the other monks stand by.

We learn of a secret statue in the monastery and of the love between Mimo and Viola that never could be because he was poor and she was an aristocrat.

Beautiful writing that flows and wonderful characters detailed to perfection.  4/5

REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/4tn4r75n

#jeanbaptisteandrea
@simonandschuster

#ISpyBingoSpecielEdition #SomePeopleSay
@TheAromaofBooks @OriginalCyn620
The only bingo spot found with this book. My second book read this year.

This book was read for #2026FoodandLit @Texreader @Butterfinger @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick It was a page turner, heartbreak, and oh boy how can such a small country go through what they went through. #2026NewYearsReadathon @Bookwormjillk #Read2026 @DieAReader
#LitsyAtoZ2026 @Texreader the letter "d"

I thought this was going to be a soft ya title but actually it's much darker and grittier 🥹 I HAVE HOPE #yafiction