Litsy

Beautyland: A Novel | Marie-Helene Bertino

pick

Another one from the #ToB list that I loved, although the quirky premise (girl sent from another planet to report back on life on Earth) concerned me. Turns out I loved Adina and I‘d have been one of those holding up the ‘I believe you‘ placards at her readings.

I‘m glad it made the shortlist as the book was so difficult to get hold of here in the UK that I probably wouldn‘t have bothered otherwise and I‘m so pleased I got to experience it.

sarahbarnes Wow, a glowing review of this one! I haven‘t read it yet; I may need to check it out. It wasn‘t speaking to me…. 2d

Jas16 I felt the same way. I would have skipped it too and am so glad I didn‘t. 2d

BarbaraBB Beautiful photo. I am glad you loved it! 2d

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TrishB Great review 👍🏻 2d

squirrelbrain It wasn‘t speaking to me particularly @sarahbarnes - or to @Jas16 either. If we both loved it I‘m sure you will too! 2d

Cathythoughts Great review… I‘m wondering about it. Sounds good. 2d

Chelsea.Poole So glad it worked for you! 2d

Suet624 I liked this one too. 2d

CarolynM Another one for the TBR😬 2d

squirrelbrain Sorry, not sorry! 🤪 @CarolynM 1d

Hooked_on_books I read this one soon after it published, as it one that popped up at my library and sounded interesting. I really liked it. It‘s received a lot of end of year love here and I‘m glad for that. 1d

squirrelbrain It was so difficult together hold of here @Hooked_on_books - I ordered it on Amazon at Xmas, as I was gifted a voucher. It was going to take 3 weeks to come, then the day after it was due to be delivered they cancelled my order. 🤷‍♀️ I got a copy on EBay in the end, and now Amazon keep emailing to say ‘Here‘s something you might like‘. 🤦‍♀️ 5h

Hooked_on_books Well that‘s maddening! Yet another reason not to use the big A I suppose. That kind of wait time (actually more like a month) is routine for Hawaii. It‘s understandable but very frustrating. I‘m glad you managed to track it down. The things we do for books! 5h

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BarbaraBB

Bury Your Gays | Chuck Tingle

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Horror meets Hollywood is this #ToB25Longlist book and it was fun reading it. Towards the end it spun a bit out of control and I lost track of what was happening but over all I am always happy to read this kind of books thanks to the #ToB! And I‘ll have nightmares of that worm 😱😱

See @squirrelbrain we‘re in sync again 💕

📷 The flu 🤒

Librarybelle Hope you feel better soon! 3d

Bookwormjillk Oh no! Feel better soon! 3d

squirrelbrain Oh no, not the flu - hope you feel better soon. 😞 Yes, we‘re in sync - I‘m glad! 🤪 I thought it got a bit drawn-out towards the end too. 3d

See All 12 Comments

youneverarrived Hope you feel better soon 🩷 3d

CarolynM Hope you‘re up and about again soon💐 3d

Cathythoughts Lovely picture. Feel better soon. 3d

LeahBergen Oh no, the flu! I hope you‘re on the mend soon. ❤️ 3d

julesG Feel better soon! 3d

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk @squirrelbrain @youneverarrived @Carolynmary @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen @julesG There‘s no escaping it these days, everyone is floored! Where you live as well? 3d

julesG It is going round. I read something about 5.000 new cases this week in North Rhine-Westphalia, not sure what the figures for my city are though. I'm wearing FFP2 masks on public transport and in public spaces inside. That's the positive thing Covid brought, I'm no longer stared at when wearing a mask. 3d

BarbaraBB @julesG That‘s true. And smart to wear one. We should do as the Japanese do: wear one when you‘re ill or coughing to protect others. 2d

kwmg40 Wishing you a speedy recovery! 1d

78 likes12 comments

squirrelbrain

Colored Television | Danzy Senna

pick

#ToB #shortlist

Loved this! I found it sharp and snarky and it‘s one of those books where the MCs are rather obnoxious (this time in an arty-farty way) but you love them anyway.

I thought the ending was a little weak, but I can see why it made the #ToBshortlist.

Thanks so much for sending it to me! @BarbaraBB

ChaoticMissAdventures I want to read this one, the library list is so long. I am so curious about her and her husband and what their dinner conversations are like. they are both so smart and talented. 4d

BarbaraBB Glad you liked it! 4d

squirrelbrain OMG! @ChaoticMissAdventures - I had no idea they were a couple! 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️ 4d

ChaoticMissAdventures @squirrelbrain I found out maybe a year or so ago and have to admit I am fascinated. 4d

CarolynM Great review. I‘m looking forward to this one now🙂 4d

61 likes3 stack adds5 comments

Larkken

Beautyland: A Novel | Marie-Helene Bertino

so-so

I feel like the gimmick (an actual alien reporting on the coming of age of an ace, lower middle class girl through living it) detracted from the story. It made the MCs identity uncomfortable and her v literal “dispatches” annoying rather than quirky. Sorry #tob #tob25 and I guess all the other best of lists last year but I wasn‘t here for it. #unpopularopinion

Ruthiella Hot take! 😂 I liked but didn‘t love her debut

2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas

Larkken @Ruthiella I didn't realize it was the same author! I had heard good things but am less interested now 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6d

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Larkken

Headshot: A Novel | Rita Bullwinkel

pick

I enjoyed this book and how it used a youth sports competition in Reno, NV to frame the lives of the 8 contestants. The last chapter was a little weird, maybe? But Reno is a weird place, so whatever I guess. #tob #tob2025 #tob25

33 likes

BkClubCare

The Book of George: A Novel | Kate Greathead

so-so

This was a tough one. George was so annoying and so I give credit to the author for capturing it, terrific pacing, always up to the edge. “Oh George, I am worried about you.” “George, you need therapy.” Clueless and yet self-pitying. What a rough ride this was! OMG. I am so glad it is over but afraid I might be thinking of George for a long time. #Jan2025 Book11 #ToB

BarbaraBB Fantastic review. I wasn‘t really planning to read this book but now you make me leaning towards doing so again 1w

BkClubCare @BarbaraBB - Thank you? You‘re welcome? I read an interesting review/opinion that Greathead has captured the Millennial generation - is it collective or just one messy individual 🧐 1w

Chelsea.Poole Great review! 1w

See All 6 Comments

sarahbarnes Ugh - I haven‘t been interested in reading this one and you‘re not making me feel any differently. 😆 1w

BkClubCare @sarahbarnes 🤣 No worries! I won‘t mind at all if you end up skipping this. 6d

BkClubCare @Chelsea.Poole - aw, thx! 6d

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Larkken

The Book Censor's Library | Bothayna Al-Essa

pick

Wow, this dystopian novel was great! I loved how it plays with how books can take over one's subconscious, giving fiction more agency than is usual in these types of books. Only one quibble with this one, #tob #tob25 : why oh why is it up against James? I have no idea how to even compare them 😂
#weeklyfavorites25 @Read4life

Read4life 💙📚💙 1w

35 likes1 comment

ChaoticMissAdventures

Prize Women: A Novel | Caroline Lea

Hello!

I cannot see that there is anyone on Litsy that is a dedicated poster about the Women's Prize (formally know as the Orange Prize)

This is my very favorite literary prize and I would like to know if anyone would be interested if I hosted some things - Predictions; Longlist reading, shortlist, and voting for favorites to win?

Both prizes are sort of on top of each other so I am unsure how it will all shake out, just gaging interest?

AllDebooks I would 😀 2w

fredthemoose I‘d be potentially interested! 2w

BarbaraBB I‘d be interested! It will be around the same time as the #ToB so we will be busy 😀 2w

See All 15 Comments

ImperfectCJ I would be interested! 2w

squirrelbrain I‘m interested! I usually read the full fiction longlist. Did most of the NF list last year too, but I won‘t aim for that this time. 2w

ChaoticMissAdventures @BarbaraBB I know!! I am trying to get through the #ToB now so I am ready to go for the WP but it isn't going well 🤣. I wish they were more spread out. 2w

ChaoticMissAdventures @squirrelbrain they are too close together! I am a die hard for the fiction list and last year I spread out the NF. I found so many gems! I am happy to host for both, but I will not be reading the full NF list before moving to fiction. 2w

squirrelbrain I think we‘re prize list twins! 🤪 2w

Suet624 I would!! 2w

Jas16 I would! 2w

Hooked_on_books I‘m not into the predictions for prizes, but I‘ve read the fiction list the last 2 years (though I still have 2 left from last year to get to) and most of the NF list last year. I plan to do so again, though who knows if it‘ll be in time for the prize announcement. 2w

ChaoticMissAdventures @Hooked_on_books I skipped the one from Karen Lord, I don't read books if they are part of an ongoing series (I find it annoying they are even put on the list!) and I still need to read Traces of Sun which I own but just haven't felt the desire to pick up. 2w

Hooked_on_books I started A Trace of Sun months ago and it‘s written (at least early on) in dialect that wasn‘t right for the moment, so it‘s been on pause for a while. Then I have Nightbloom on audio to get to. I hear you about series books. I tried that one but bailed about halfway through. 2w

Chelsea.Poole I‘m interested 😊 2w

CarolynM I‘m interested 🙂 2w

35 likes15 comments

BkClubCare

The History of Sound: Stories | Ben Shattuck

Finally, my in-hand so-excited-for hardcover edition of #ToB favorite! Posed with a cooperative Copper - look at that face! Starting this as my last #ToB2025 entry that I am sure I devour but want to savor and not pressure through #ifyouknowwhatImean. Through my reading, I am having a lovely January ❄️ 🌟

Btw, Jan 23 is National Pie Day! 🥧 grab a slice 😁

TorieStorieS What a cutie!!🥰 2w

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2w

sarahbarnes It‘s a good one! 📖 2w

BarbaraBB Enjoy the pie and the book 🤍 2w

Cathythoughts I‘m looking forward to this one. Enjoy 2w

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