Welcome to Litsy!

Let‘s try this again…I started this one in May and had to put it down. With end of school and graduation for my oldest, I didn‘t have the headspace for it. But, I love this author, so here we go again! It‘s my May #doublespin pick.

It‘s also on my #10beforetheend list.

@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo
@ChaoticMissAdventures

6 months later, I have finished April's #Bookspin🤦‍♀️. This is the 2nd book I have tandem-read with my husband, but it will be the last chunkster we read together. The infrequently with which he is willing to sit down and read with me dragged this one out way too long. We'll be sticking with short ones from now on 😂. I enjoy Erik Larson's books, but this one was a bit drawn out for me. Too much minutiae, but still a solid pick. @TheAromaofBooks

A well researched and resonant account of the turbulent months between Abraham Lincoln‘s election and the outbreak of the Civil War. Known for his ability to turn historical nonfiction into page-turning drama, Larson delivers a compelling narrative, but this time, with an even deeper reliance on primary sources and firsthand accounts.

“The sky had cleared, the clouds raveled to tatters, and at four oclock the sun broke through, silver on the bright green of grass and leaves and golden on the puddles in the road; all down the column men quickened the step, smiling in the sudden burst of gold and silver weather.“

#FirstLineFridays

I also picked up some new books at the museum yesterday. I‘ve been trying to track down Combee for the last few months. I was so excited when I saw it yesterday. The other book is about the shooting at the church & Charleston & the aftermath.

Throwing in the towel on this one…I just don‘t have the headspace for it during all the craziness that is May. I‘m not sure if it‘s a DNF or a Not-Right-Now…

It‘s my May #doublespin pick. @TheAromaofBooks

Up next on audio! 🎧

This one is on my 25 books to read in 2025 list!

#bookspinbingo

Larson is a good author. But there was some language that felt wrong. I think it came from primary sources. But it was weird. Using the term “relationship” to describe owners having sex with women and girls they own is a weird, racist, old fashioned soft pedaling of rape. You can‘t consent, if you can‘t safely say “No”.

This factual account of the five months between Lincoln‘s election and the start of the civil war was well-written and absorbing. A non fiction narrative that produced insights on the values, thoughts and emotions of famous people as well as the lesser known characters. The increase of rhetoric and missed opportunities for unity made secession certain. An interesting read but I found it, sadly, very relatable to our current times.

Great story of two brothers from Massachusetts who end up at Gettysburg during Civil War. Has poetic parts but also very gritty. Map is of second day of 3.