Welcome to Litsy!

This book sounds like it would be so totally in my wheelhouse, but, I can‘t seem to make myself pick it up —> open —> read…. Is it me? The holidays? The state of rage and fear with what is going on *wave hands* out there? I think I am going to step back and NOT race to read every #ToB title on the short list this year. And this also makes me sad.

In other news, I have been invited to join the Friends of the Library board 🤓

Listening to the tagged 🎧 #Canada and honestly not enjoying it much, but I am trying to knock someone off my most read chart so on we go!
My ARC right now is Martha Wells Platform Decay out in the states in May
NF = In Exile #Pakistan biography of the author's grandmother
Sunburn #Ireland in the 90s
And then hopefully to #ToB and #Lebanon

#Weeklyforecast

Colour me shocked but I loved this! (Shocked because my reaction to seeing it on the #TOB short list was ugh. This guy??) Instead I listened to it nonstop while puzzling away. A failed academic myself, maybe I can't help but love a tale of woebegone literary scholars slogging away in 2125. Not for everyone, but if you liked Byatt's Possession, you might like this too.

Available via Libby so I grabbed it the day the #ToB shortlist was announced. FINALLY in a mood to get started.

Who is George? Well, while we are treated to almost four decades of his existence, I'm not sure I felt any more confident in answering that question at the end than I did at the beginning. George is, it seems, fairly unremarkable, and I think (THINK) that's the point? This does lead to some humor, and the frustrating inconsistency of George's attitudes is also a plus. I think we are supposed to see him as flawed -- and he is-- but who isn't?

I think this book is trying to do something interesting even if I'm not entirely sure I understand it. I think it is saying something about poverty & the "American dream" and places & people that get lost & crushed by industry & capital. It is billed as re-imagining the true crime genre. Which sure? It's divided into 3 parts. 1. The story of the Greene family's unsuccessful move from NYC to CT to improve their lives. 2. Catt Greene's adult life ?

It might be low expectations from bad reviews, but I enjoyed this! I thought the writing was solid, and the story original. Though I understand the "twist" from the beginning, I don't think that was the point of the story, the point is what would you convince yourself to do, and what lies could you make up to yourself (and others) about what you see around you. The characters were interesting.

#ToB #Longlist

Weekend plans

Also finishing listening to #ToB Killer Potential

#ToB #shortlist

Arabella, a New York theatre director from a Palestinian family, is old at 35 to not be married (!). She has growing feelings for her Israeli friend so, when she gets the opportunity to direct a show in the West Bank, she agrees to meet Aziz, arranged for her by her grandmother.

This had a very similar underlying plotline to Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, but in the style of Xóchitl González books - I loved it!

#WinterCampLitsy ❄️🏕️📚 My nominees are... 🥁

I believe The Dream Hotel might have been on my noms for summer camp? ☺️ And yes, you'll notice that I try very hard to nominate/vote women authors. I know Mobius won't likely be on the winning slate but I haven't read enough! #ToB