Welcome to Litsy!

A debut novel about Mizuki who lives in Japan & is in the midst of a mundane existence as a Japanese wife & mother. She‘s questioning her life. Her husband works all the time and she is stuck in her role. She meets Kiyoshi, someone who ‘sees‘ her, and she begins a romance with him . This book is a fast read & wonderfully written. I found myself googling Japanese food, culture, and festivals so I could be alongside her in her journey.

Exciting #roll100 picks for July! Milkman is from @youneverarrived ‘s #NYWD list years ago. I hope I get to it now, Katie! Marsh is an #aardvark backlog from their first month. I meant to read the sequel to Moloka‘i more quickly than 5 years later. 😂😱

Once again, completely surprised that I owned these three audiobooks. 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ I know Moxie is a memoir, but otherwise I‘ll be surprised! 👍🏻

An atmospheric summer read, reminding me of the hazy, lazy days of summer, and the angst that happens wondering how people perceive you. A family goes on their yearly summer lake vacation, but things do not go as normal when the Godden boys join them. Recommended to me by @TheLudicReader for #NYWD 2022. Thanks for the rec - I really enjoyed it!

We‘ve got some beautiful EARLY lilies in this week‘s #BookReport thanks to the warm weather in February!

The tagged graphic memoir was my favorite book this week. Malaka looks back on her childhood visits to her dad and stepmom in Egypt and how their relationship evolved. Fancy Bear was an incredibly interesting look into the world of 5 noteworthy hacking incidents that show their evolution. Stone Angel was lovely @vivastory ! Thanks for ⬇️

My 1st book completed for #AuldLangSpine and it‘s a 5-star read! Ruth Coker Burks is an angel— and I don‘t toss that word around lightly. In 1986 she began helping young men with AIDS in her community in Arkansas. Nobody else would do it —not their families, not the doctors and nurses, not the preachers, not the “good Christians” in town. She recognized them as human beings and gave them dignity in death. A powerful, lovely read. Thanks, Deb!

#top22of22

I read exactly 200 books in 2022 and these, in no particular order, are my favourites.

I feel like this year has been a great mix of the serious and not-so-serious. I also found some great books on prize lists, as well as gifts from friends here on Litsy.

Here‘s to 2023, Happy New Bookish Year, everyone!

A quiet novel full of compassion (for others, but also finding it for yourself) and a healthy dose of wit. I loved the Neons, the nuns, and especially Agatha. How she slowly grew her confidence; and her journey through questioning her convictions while never judging those around her for theirs.

Thank you for the recommendation @monalyisha 🎉 I don't think I'd have even heard of this one if it wasn't on your list last year!

It‘s always exciting when the #ALSpine match lists arrive, and @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks has great picks to choose from! As usual, I‘m going to take my potential reads beyond January!

The checked books are ones I‘ve already read, so to start 2023 I‘ll be reading a couple from my owned TBR 📚and a couple library reads 🔍. I already have True Biz waiting on my airplane moded Kindle, and Night Film was a #NYWD pick I never got to a couple years ago.

Reminder: the opportunity to qualify for early access to my #AuldLangSpine event (formerly #NewYearWhoDis #NYWD) is officially closed.

Early access links to the registration form will go out Sunday, 11/20, by email. Those who qualified STILL NEED TO REGISTER/FILL OUT THE FORM! You are NOT registered yet! This just means that you‘ll have a leisurely handful of days to do so before…

General registration opens on Fri, 11/25 @ 8pm (EST). 👇🏻

#MargaretLaurence, although she died many years ago, is the author I've most wanted to meet. She had such immense wisdom and grace.

New books references come from Litsy (natch!) from award nomination lists, and from friends.

Thanks to @Amiable for last year's #NYWD book with an amazing twist!