Such a fantastic read, I had to post, after months of no posting due to a lot of family stuff. Still reading, less posting. But this book is truly memorable, powerful story of a family striving to stay together despite the drugs that rip them apart. Just powerful and unusual blending of street slang and gorgeous lyrical writing.

What an incredible read!! I️ devoured this compelling novel with sharply drawn, flawed character who‘s striving to do the right thing in a challenging racially charged environment. Excellent!!!!!!!!

I just LOVE Eleanor's voice and attitude- a beautiful, engrossing debut that has witty acerbic insights balanced on a powerful history. Gulped this down in one sitting.

Loved this book! My first Horowitz, and it was terrific! Fast pacing, interesting book within a book - very much the quintessential English whodunnit

This is just a question - I am looking for books on sailing for my niece who is 12 -- any ideas of a good novel or non-fiction book ( not scary)? Thanks, Littens!!

I love the way this LFL matches the house behind it!

A little late to the LFL discussion but I couldn't resist posting these adorable LFL's in my town – two within a mile of each other!

Just read this pre-pub galley and what a winner!! Fabulous description of two families that connect over two generations and focusing one primary character struggling to understand his sexuality. Fabulous, funny, poignant and well written!

This was a haunting book, compellingly written and atmospheric. I felt cold just reading it. Would love to hear what others thought- I am still trying to connect Linda and Lily's stories with what happened to Paul ... excellent book!

Fantastic debut novel based on a true story - the remarkable, harrowing and diverse experiences of an extended Jewish family in WWII. Haunting, well told tale.

Wonderful book !!!Listening while driving a 10 hour excursion.

I just had to show the Littens my new purchase- a book purse!! It is functional and declares my lit love proudly. I read Marlena cringingly -- just had a tough time seeing how those teens were thrust into such a difficult world. It was an accurate depiction of the high school struggle to identify yourself through friend groups, but hard to see her go through the drugs, drinking, etc.

Fantastic debut novel with pitch perfect portraits of two women from radically different backgrounds whose paths cross in the most unanticipated way. A powerful novel and exploration of class, immigration, motherhood and purpose. Brilliant!!!

#springcleaning for @Liberty means maybe a book haul for me!?! If you liked the movie, READ THE BOOK!!

Compulsively readable. Downed this in one ( late) night. I enjoyed the switch between narrators, and, of course, the freaky ending! Kudos to Water Street Bookstore for the hand selling. They are the best in NH!

Maybe this was the case of over hype? Or just that I liked her novels and this was more repetitions on a theme due to the linked stories format. Anyway I didn't love it as much as I expected. Did really like this theme (quote above) though.

Wow. What a read. I loved this memoir and glimpse into a totally different lifestyle. Less successful toward the end when author tried to sum up and make generalizations, but a powerful personal story.

I thought this book was a clever, smart take on Anna's life, attitude and roles. Loved this graph in particular. After reading the book, you want to hang out with her!

I love this essay! Don't know why I haven't read it til now but it is terrific, smart, insightful. Can't wait to read the rest of the book.

Excellent book, even as there were parts very hard to get through, graphic depictions of slave life. Harrowing, but strong, making for an unforgettable tale.

Antidote to a bad day.... BOTM arrives with TWO books!!

Devoured. In one sitting - from 11pm - 3 am. Just a uniquely paced, plot and character driven study of heartbreaking lives. I inhaled this book.

#riotgram #shelfie Actually, this is just the nightstand, but it is my TBR of books. Wanted to live The Good Lieutenant, but found it disjointed and hard to follow compared to some other excellent books on contemporary military conflict.

My pup RiRa ( left) the bookish looking one, and her cousin Brandy-Riley are two great reading chums of mine. Sadly, we panned Carrie Fisher's last book due to the fact that it wasn't meaty enough for a book. A few great quips, but not up to her earlier work.

#Allisnotlost. I totally understand how you feel Liberty! We are living in an alternate universe populated by alternative facts. Aaaargggh! The only solace is taking action and reading books to reset the mind. Thanks for this cool raffle idea!

I love BOTM!! A little surprise every time! This time, a surprise book!!! Doesn't get much better than this! Three books, one with a book credit. Can't wait to dive in!

Love this thought from the end of this book, which was not as good as I'd hoped. Book felt too heavy handed going over and over a few plot points. Wish it had followed the girls more after they had left.

"She was always threatening rain; he had been born with an umbrella in his hand. "

This gets my pick for one of the top debuts of 2016. Very well drawn characters and a dramatic counterpoint of an optimistic immigrant family and a well entrenched Lehman Brothers financier's family. Just engrossing with great insight and language.

Library haul this week!!!! Wow!! Good thing a long plane ride is in my future. Starting w Moonglow, which I have found immediately entrancing.

November Reads;8 books

I just loved this fast- paced, character-rich exploration of women daring to cross the Atlantic in a plane. Wonderful snappy dialogue and excellent character sketches. Loved Laurie 'S earlier work - now I want to see what other books of hers I may have missed!

Ok, so I had to wake RiRa from her nap to pose, but this was a wonderful book!! I loved it - just so heart warming. Perfect for dog lovers and for this season!

Love this quote:
Now they were slow and deliberate, the way hurt people loved, stretching carefully just to see how far their damaged muscles could go"

This is a Littens question, actually. Am hosting first-ever book club next week. Please share your top "Dos and Donts" with me. Any advice appreciated!

Ok, Littens, first of all, I am loving the new Tana French book. But I am in San Francisco on business, and got to experience a Short Story Dispenser at Cafe Zoetrope, FF Coppola's restaurant, right down the street from the one & only City Lights bookstore. The dispenser pull stories from Coppola's literary publication. Super cool!

Wow. I consumed this book in four gulps. Such a powerful immersion into this family's life, and into a terrible realization of their choices, the norms, and how hard it is to break away. I didn't like all the characters but they were well drawn.

What bookstore would let you don your wedding attire to launch a magazine? My favorite indie bookstore, Water Street Books in Exeter,NH. Over 25 years in business, and they have created a real bookish community. Litsy told me its indie bookstore month, hence the photo -- but Dan, the intrepid bookstore owner, did recommend this fab book ( Immortal Irishman) which I have read, enjoyed, and given 2 as gifts!

Tonight's library haul! What to read first?

Ugh! Too many stories of the very wealthy, one after another; Rich and Pretty, We Could have been beautiful, and now this. I could not get through it. Sorry, a poor review, but it reminds me to switch topics, even if your library hold is in!

Sometimes your book buddy says " enough with the pages, what about me?"

Wonderful, multi-layered family saga incorporating all the big themes of family, meaning, love, life, death, connection. Loved it!

I found this to be surprisingly absorbing, especially how the author depicted the narrator, an adolescent looking for connection in 1969 California. I was afraid it would be focused on gore, but much was foreshadowed, so the actual violence was a minor element. Powerful work.

Wow! Just loved this memoir about mothers and daughters, the changing expectations of life, love and work. Struck close to home, even though I'm not Jewish, nor did my Mom play bridge. Read this to remember your coming of age in the 70s.

I was disappointed in this hyped debut. Was hoping for a juicy friends -with-different paths book, but found it too Seinfeldian - about nothing, too surface. Flipping narrators was helpful but it didn't make the high marks I had anticipated, IMHO. I did love the cover, and dressing the book up!

Excuse me while I troll 1920s Berlin with a fearless protagonist, answering only to her own sense of restlessness and destiny. Hard to remember I was actually on a beach in NH. engrossing.

DEE-voured this book following multiple generations of a family, from Ghana through tribal warfare, slavery, assimilation and currency day. Fantastic- can't wait to read more! First book in 24/48

" He was not, like the rest of us, constantly looking over his shoulder to reevaluate the past, or trying to bend the future to his will. " wonderful writing and beautiful anthem about a place and an unlikely poet.

Here we go, Litsy! My first post.... Featuring my current TBR pile. The Letter Writer I devoured in 2 nights, loved Miller's Valley. Looking forward to more posts!