I am not really a huge graphic novel person, but I enjoyed this one...although I did feel it was slow to start and rushed the conclusion. Tony, a track star, develops feelings for Eli, a shy new student. And then weird things start happening. 3⭐

I found this YA debut frustrating. Ella can‘t stop thinking about her best friend, Hayley, who died in a car accident…and Ella was the driver. Things have gotten more complicated since she started hooking up with Hayley‘s super hot boyfriend, Sawyer. This book is trying to be too many things…and I found the sex scenes a little porn-y for YA.

So, this is what is happening in my neck of the woods. 😭 Hard to say whether it will be resolved any time soon, but 🤞. In the meantime, no new mail is going into the system…so if you are waiting for #LitsyLove mail 🤷‍♀️. Not sure how it will affect Christmas cards and the two swaps I recently signed up for. Stay tuned, I guess.

Here‘s a fun, low-key swap….and can‘t we all use a little fun in our lives these days? Visit @bookish_wookish for sign up details.

I have to bail. I would have bailed on page two, if this wasn‘t our next book club selection. It is virtually unreadable and definitely not the refuge I need from the state of the world right now. 😢

Classroom #bookhaul
#sorrynotsorry

If you were ever a babysitter or love horror movies, this is the book for you. I found it a teensy bit slow, but ultimately rewarding. Amy is babysitting a couple of kids and her night goes horribly wrong. 3.5⭐️

So, I wrote a short story back in the spring and submitted it to a local anthology and it was selected for inclusion and the book is about to be launched and it‘s all pretty dang exciting.

This author is well-known and much loved in these parts…but sadly not by me. Having read one other book by her, I wouldn‘t have ever read another except this is a book club pick. I gave it a so-so because I did finish it (with a lot of eye rolling) and some bits weren‘t awful. Emmeline and her talking (!) dog Vera unspool the story of her life from her birth in 1894 until her death in 1969. People just don‘t talk this way. 😬

Although fantasy is not my cup of tea, this book comes highly recommended and I enjoyed the story of three sisters who go missing as children only to return a month later with no memory of where they'd been. A decade later, the eldest sister goes missing again and it's up to the other two to uncover the secrets of their past. Totally entertaining.

I enjoyed this book even though I didn't really have a sweet clue what was going on. University physics prof is abducted on his way home from a bar and thus begins a fast-paced story about life's myriad choices and the multiverse.

It's a toss up which book, this one or The Outsiders, is the first work of YA. This one was written when Daly was still in college and published in 1942. Although I found it slow moving, I also found it full of wistful nostalgia. Anyone who has ever fallen in love as a teen will likely recognize themselves in Angie. The themes are universal.

Besties since they were 13, Shiloh and Cary are reunited at the wedding of another friend after a 14 year estrangement. The will they/won't they aspect of their relationship is obvious and ultimately this is more about the journey than the destination. I enjoyed the read.

This is only really a so-so pick for me because while it had a lot of things going for it (vampires, New Orleans) the main character, Victoria, drove me nuts. She and her former bestie, Henry, fly to NOLA to find a vampire- they‘re real- so Victoria can get turned so that she can turn her beloved father who is dying. This is a book about what it means to live and while I appreciated the message, the execution fell short for me.

Teachers 20% off + 10% plum plus discount at Indigo means a trip to the bookstore because of course it does.

First #bookhaul of the new school year, although not all these books are actually for school. #sorrynotsorry

Told from the perspective of four characters, this novels moves back and forth between the present and a decade before when a terrible car accident killed teenager, Phoebe. Her brother was driving the car; her friend Becca was in the back seat. On the same night, June‘s brother left the house and didn‘t return until…I rated this so-so because I did finish, but the characters were irritating and the ending was 😬. It read long & was underwhelming.

This book! I can‘t even express how much I loved this book about Dill, Lydia and Travis, high school seniors whose friendship sustains them through some really tough times. This book did everything a 5⭐️ book should do. It made me laugh, and cry. I absolutely loved these characters and wanted to hug every single one of them. Thank you @JenniferEgnor for moving this up the tbr ladder.

Tells the story of brothers Francis and Michael, growing up impoverished in a Toronto suburb. It is a story of immigrants, family, dreams and grief. It is a thoughtful, quiet book with some beautiful writing. Made a lot of Best of lists and was nominated for the Giller. I liked it, but didn't love it.

Tells the story of brothers Francis and Michael, growing up impoverished in a Toronto suburb. It is a story of immigrants, family, dreams and grief. It is a thoughtful, quiet book with some beautiful writing. Made a lot of Best of lists and was nominated for the Giller. I liked it, but didn't love it.

A mindless thriller about two young women who get jobs crewing on a sail boat with a man and his young daughter and one other crew member. Everyone has secrets and it all wraps up neatly if slightly unbelievably. Still, just the diversion I needed this first week back of school.

I have been mostly off the grid due to school and a wild weekend moving Con (and three of his friends) to a new place to live this weekend. I wish I had read this book in one or two sittings, I think I would have enjoyed it better. The story of a cult based on a remote Scottish island. Because I read it in fits and starts, I often found it difficult to follow. It wasn‘t the page-turner The Last House on Needless St. Was, but still good.

Someone on here said this book was angsty, which is why I bought it. It‘s my first Ali Hazelwood and although I probably won‘t read any more, it‘s not because I didn‘t enjoy it. Both main characters were likeable, there was lots of quippy banter, lots of sex (which was mostly well written, but at least not cringe-y.) I didn‘t find it angsty, but I had a good time reading it.

#ThreeListThursday @dabbe
My score was 71/100
Some great music on that list. I love the soundtrack to Grease…that‘s the movie/music of my 17th summer.
I also love the music from Saturday Night Fever.
I can‘t listen to “The Way We We‘re” without tearing up. And “Unchained Melody”.
The theme from “An Officer and a Gentleman” is also soooo good.
And all those true musicals: Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Funny Girl. 😁

Late again. Thanks for the tag, @Eggs #WondrousWednesday
1. Generally I would rather read the book.
2. Laundry.
3. Audio books are not for me. I can‘t concentrate.
4. Chocolate, although I rarely eat sweets anymore.
5. I use mechanical pencils a lot at school; I love my fountain pens for letter writing.
6. Both.
7. Both.
8. Not a fish girl, but I love halibut. So fowl.
9. In person if I can.
10. Hmmm. Both. I love a snow day.

Three different narrators & perspectives during three different time periods, this book doesn't quite land, but it was easy to read and definitely offers lots of food for thought about genetics, life experiences and family. I think we'll have lots to talk about in book club. Solid 3.75 stars.

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs
Thanks for the tag, @dabbe

I love summer; I hate to be cold.
I love the country, too.
Beach, but mountains are beautiful.
I love grapefruit juice, but don‘t drink it much.
Pancakes with molasses.
I love the start of the day.
Either depending on the time of day.
I am trying not to eat dessert/sugar.
I read more fiction.
I used to chew a lot of gum, not anymore.

A sexual assault sends ripples through the lives of four people in this compelling debut told in a variety of forms including movie script, transcripts, college application essays, 2nd person narrative. I could barely put it down and read it in just a couple sittings.

12-year-old Travis leaves his home to spend the summer with his paternal grandparents and 16-year-old aunt, Delia in Florida. This might have been a sweet coming of age story, but it is most definitely not. Instead, it is a story about obsession that is almost impossible to put down.

What a fabulous #LitsyLoveSummerSwap package, @ShelleyBooksie I love it all and I loved how it was wrapped. The tea towel is so pretty and I love the mug. It‘s a great size for my morning tea. I am looking forward to those books, too. I ❤️ a thriller. And all those stickers! Everything is perfect. So happy we have connected on Litsy, my Maritime sister!
Thanks for organizing @Deblovestoread and @Bookgoil

We have a winner in my little Book Lovers Day contest! @Read4life I can get your snail mail address from the #litsylove doc. I will stick your prize in the mail today.
Thanks to everyone who contributed.

A lovely quiet book about a man wrestling with his conscience. Perfect rainy day read.

In honour of National Book Lovers Day I am going to randomly choose one person who comments below with the name of the book that has been the most impactful in their life. Please tell me a little bit about why you chose this book, too. This giveaway is open until midnight tonight and I will select the winner tomorrow morning. Feel free to share. Comment here or on the original post.

Pouring rain so it was the perfect time to finish this terrific book. At 15, Lex escaped confinement in her family home and thus rescued her siblings. Now, many years later, her mother has died leaving Lex executor of the estate which includes the “Horror House” where it all went down. Fantastic book about trauma, memory, sibling relationships…not graphic but still. So well written, I couldn‘t put it down.

August 9 is National Book Lovers Day here in Canada, and to celebrate I thought I would host a little giveaway.
To enter, just comment below with the name of the book you‘ve read that has had a lasting impact on your life. I‘d love to hear why the book means so much to you, too.
Feel free to share. Open to all.
Contest closes tomorrow night at midnight. I will draw the name on Sunday morning.

Fingers crossed this makes it to you on time, @ShelleyBooksie . It only has to go 100km. 🤣
#LLSS
@Deblovestoread @Bookgoil
#underthewire

This is how I feel about donating books, even while feeling overwhelmed by my tbr pile/shelves/mount doom.

Soft pick because despite all the things going against it (too young main characters, manipulative ending, etc), it wasn't without its charms. I gotta stop buying these books, but I keep hoping for the heart-wringing angst. I didn't want to hurl this across the room, so I guess that's something.

Tagged by @Deblovestoread for #5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

1. I purchase the first 10 Famous Five books because why not.
2. We celebrated my Aunt San‘s life with a wonderful family gathering.
3. We celebrated Mal‘s 27th birthday with dinner out. She hasn‘t been home for her birthday in 6 years so this was a treat.
4. Mal and Con …looking alike, which I never think they do.
5. Lily.

My #llss swap has arrived, @ShelleyBooksie
It will be zero surprise that I am your swap partner. 🤣
Yours will be on the move soon…just waiting on a couple things.
@Deblovestoread @Bookgoil

Meh. I read it, but it wasn‘t anything special despite all the accolades. Patty is just getting out of prison after serving five years for aggravated child abuse. Her daughter Rose Gold reluctantly (?) invites her to live with her and her newborn, Adam. Who‘s telling the truth? Who cares?

This is my third novel by this author and I gotta say, he's fabulous. This novel features sons from his two previous novels (but knowing that or not knowing won't impact this story) who meet at random ten years after their own stories from those books. That fateful meeting sets off a chain of events that is part decades old mystery, as well as a story about friendship and family. If you have never read this author, I can highly recommend.

Loved it. Marnie and Michael end up walking from one side of England to the other. He‘s unhappily separated from his wife; she is divorced. They have a mutual friend who thinks that meeting new people would be good for them both. I love the way Nicholls writes and this book is laugh out loud funny…I think Nicholls wrote the book on witty banter…but also heartfelt and romantic. My kind of romance.

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs tagged by @dabbe
As always, I am late.
1. I HATE spoilers. I never flip to the end. Ever.
2. If the character was exactly as I imagined him, maybe; choosing a fave author would be hard.
3. Romance for sure…but a good one, not a sappy one.
4. Maybe sci fi, in the hopes that the future is better than the past. Or send me to Bridgerton, exactly as Shonda imagines it.
5. Skip the last because I never finish series. 🤣

I read it pretty much in one sitting, if that tells you anything. Ruth, the daughter of an evangelical preacher, and Everett, son of an abusive alcoholic, become friends because of a horrific act of violence. Their friendship and loyalties are tested by the corrupt and suspicious backwater town in which they live. Lots of elements I really loved, including the main characters.

Well, not scary, I can say that. It‘s really more of a mystery than a horror novel. The main character was annoying and that sort of undermined her story. As a toddler, her father hacked her mother and brothers to death and then slit his own throat, but left her untouched. 25 years later, the house where it happened becomes available and she decides to move in. As you would. 😬 The story had potential, but didn‘t live up to its promise.

Quick turn around on this swap.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PXe_OBGdmYgzE3Rpfr_RqCWN6wtDkBUeszWwjCXX4Ns/vie...

@Bookgoil @Deblovestoread
Happy summer.

❤️😭 a beautiful book about the friendship between Tully and James which captures one weekend in 1986 and a life-changing phone call 30 years later. I loved everything about this book from the music references to the setting (Glasgow) and the book was both funny and also made me cry more than once. 5🌟

I read this in a day. It‘s almost 600 pages long, but the chapters are super short and it‘s mostly dialogue. Whitaker‘s super power is writing characters you fall in love with and there are several of them in this book, particularly Patch and Saint, besties who save each other again and again. There‘s also a solid mystery and some good twists. It wasn‘t the sucker punch of We Begin at the End, but I did love it.

I dunno. I was all in for the first half and then something happened. We‘ll be discussing this book at book club later this month, so perhaps I will have a better handle on my feelings after that discussion. I will say this: it was easy to read.