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An Empty House | Marga Minco

pick

A poignant read about life in the Netherlands shortly after WWII. The narrator is a young Jewish woman who lost her whole family. She wants to look forward and adapt to this new world and new reality. Her friend Yona, also Jewish, has a much harder time adapting. This book has no answers or judgments, just observations which makes it even better.

Megabooks Sounds interesting! 2d

Bookwormjillk Pretty picture 🤩 2d

Librarybelle The sky is such a pretty color! Looks like a beautiful day! 2d

BarbaraBB @Librarybelle It was 🌞 2d

BarbaraBB @Megabooks It is very interesting and feels timely somehow even though it was written in 1966. I heard about it in a podcast and am glad I picked it up. 2d

60 likes1 stack add5 comments

The Weekend | Charlotte Wood

so-so

Three women gather one last time in the house of a fourth one, who died earlier. They are all in their 70s and have been friends for over 40 years. You‘d say there is enough to reminiscence and talk about while cleaning the house. Yet I don‘t believe there‘s one decent dialogue in the book. They hardly speak at all, each too busy with herself to care for the others. This may be what Wood wanted but to me it felt a bit too shallow.

squirrelbrain 👋 Hi! But the book sounds a bit meh.🫤 3d

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain S says 👋🏽 indeed 😎 3d

CarolynM I was disappointed in this one too. 1d

sarahbarnes Great pic! 😁 20h

BarbaraBB @CarolynM I read your review and can very much relate to it. 15h

76 likes5 comments

Clear: A Novel | Carys Davies

Question 3 of 3

Our final question for today. While we‘re enjoying Camp and discussing books, life took over for @batsy and @Suzze and @Suet624 . They are not here for now but know that we‘re thinking of you and sending love!

We‘ll continue next week with the second half (and ending 😉) of Clear!

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @batsy @bennettBookworm @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Bookbuyingaddict @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 3d

BarbaraBB @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cseydel @Cuilin @Cupcake12 @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread @Graciouswarriorprincess 3d

BarbaraBB @decalino @DGRachel @elizamarie @ErikasMindfulShelf @Flaneurette @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jas16 @jenniferw88 3d

See All 55 Comments

BarbaraBB @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JoyBlue @julesG @julieclair @Julsmarshall @KarenUK @karisa @Karisimo @KateReadsYA @Kimberlone @Kitta @Kristy_K @BookWrym 3d

BarbaraBB @kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lizpixie @mcctrish @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Nessavamusic @Oryx @CogsOfEncouragement 3d

BarbaraBB @peaKnit @prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @Readerann @RebelReader @Roary47 @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks 3d

BarbaraBB @Soubhiville @Suet624 @Susanita @TEArificbooks @Texreader @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs @TrishB @well-readneck @willaful @youneverarrived @yourfavouritemixtape @Maggie4483 3d

Leniverse I wondered at that. I don't think Strachan is the best person to rely on for evaluating other people. He clearly doesn't have a high opinion of labourers, tenants, or women. Ivar strikes me as a simple soul, without necessarily being "simple". I mean, he has survived alone for, was it 12 years? He's clearly capable. 3d

BarbaraBB It‘s so easy and even predictable for Strachan to say that. But Ivar seems like a sensible person to me, being able to survive all those years yet lacking any intellectual stimulation. (edited) 3d

Megabooks @Leniverse good point that he‘s a survivor. I think Strachan under appreciates and probably looks down quite a bit on Ivar. Strachan strikes me as only seeing his own best qualities as valuable. 3d

sarahbarnes I think he‘s less an idiot and more stubborn and not interested in a life away from the island. Sending you love @Suet624 @batsy @Suzze ♥️♥️ (edited) 3d

JamieArc I was wondering this, if there is some cognitive impairment, but from what we get from Ivar, I don‘t see it. I think he just has a different, simpler way of existing in the world. I agree that Stachan is not who I would rely on for an accurate evaluation of a person. 3d

Kitta I think the language barrier probably plays a role, along with Ivar preferring a pastoral life, not interested in making money or doing the things Strachan sees as desirable/valuable. Strachan can‘t see the value in this kind of life and therefore assumes Ivar is incapable of functioning in Strachan‘s world. 3d

TrishB Just because people prefer a different life style, doesn‘t make them idiots. As Leni says he‘s been alone and survived for 12 years! 3d

Nessavamusic I think it is just that far to often assumptions that different means lesser. Which is only slowly changing in human opinions. 3d

squirrelbrain @JamieArc - when Strachan first made the comment I thought there may be a cognitive impairment too, but you really don‘t see it. @Leniverse - I agree that Strachan isn‘t the best person to rely on. He struck me as having an over-inflated sense of his own importance, and looks down on nearly everyone. 3d

Oryx I think he, and many people, see people who live differently as simple, or that they have something wrong with them. 3d

peaKnit I think Ivar was simple not necessary limited, his lifestyle could certainly stump a more worldly person for sure. But doesn‘t it sound lovely to steal away to an island, maybe just briefly?☺️ 3d

CogsOfEncouragement I‘ve been waiting to gather more info from John‘s observations on this. I‘ve been holding off on a judgement. 3d

Jas16 I think the comment tells us more about Strachan than it does Ivar 3d

CBee My impression of Strachan is that he‘s a small man who looks down on anyone who doesn‘t have his elevated “status.” He‘s a jerk 🤷‍♀️😂 I like Ivar very much! 3d

peaKnit @Jas16 yes! 3d

mcctrish I think the only thing Ivar might be is socially awkward due to language and lack of socialization, @CBee @Jas16 @Kitta are all right that the comment says more about Strachan than Ivar 3d

JenReadsAlot @TrishB exactly! 3d

Deblovestoread I think Strachan knows very little about Ivar and used the terminology to make the task seem easier to John and if he‘s wrong here‘s a gun just in case. He obviously thinks little of the lower class and what happens to Ivar after is insignificant. 3d

DGRachel Everyone else has covered this so well - simple doesn‘t equal cognitive impairment. Strachan is a petty man who degrades others to make himself look or feel important and superior. Ivar has different values and since they don‘t revolve around money, Strachan cannot comprehend them. 3d

Karisa @mcctrish Yes! Agreed. Ivar has a different language, socialization, and priorities to Strachan but it doesn‘t make him less than. @cbee I like him too! He‘s honest, strong, and steady. 3d

TheKidUpstairs I think Strachan sees a man who lives a different life than himself, and who speaks a doesn't language and equates those things with "simple" and "idiotic" It's like so many colonizers looked at indigenous populations as "barbaric." Ivar doesn't live or speak as Strachan or his contemporaries do, and therefore he must be less than. Ivar does live a simple life, but as many have stated that doesn't mean he is in any way impaired. 3d

Meshell1313 @peaKnit I totally agree! That‘s my thoughts exactly- someone more “worldly” might look down at Ivar‘s simple life with lack of luxuries! And an island all to myself sounds like paradise! 3d

squirrelbrain @CBee - definitely a jerk! 🤣 3d

RaeLovesToRead No. And you have to have incredible survival skills to manage on an island by yourself for so many years. I suspect Strachan has to look down on Ivar, otherwise it wouldn't be as easy to eject him from the land and replace him with sheep. 3d

RaeLovesToRead @Meshell1313 It's funny you say it sounds like paradise... when I was reading I was thinking how much I l'd hate it... the food, the cold, the lack of amenities... I wouldn't survive a day 🤣 3d

willaful @RaeLovesToRead @Meshell1313 Yes, I'll take the deserted island with the warm sun and the hidden servants who provide everything you want. 😂 3d

dabbe @Deblovestoread That's how I saw it, too--as a class issue where Strachan clearly sees himself in a more flattering light and thinks anyone who'd stay alone on an island must be an idiot. Or maybe I'm giving the jerk Strachan too much credit for being able to think at all. 😀 3d

BookWrym No he doesn‘t come across that way to me he is living and supporting himself with limited resources and he understands the need to care for John. I would say simple in that he lives a simplistic life not that there is any impairment. 3d

kspenmoll No, agree with you all. He could not survive the way he has if he was an “ idiot” That is a sign of the times to see someone uneducated or living the land as “ less than”- felt he saw his as a beast,non human. 3d

Karisa Reading through everyone‘s ideas, it‘s making me realize that Ivar and John are both “true believers” in a way. When someone like Strachen doesn‘t share the same blind devotion, it can feel like the other is being idiotic. Ivar‘s devotion is to the place and way of life found there. It feels like he‘s the one actually converting John to his belief in a deep appreciation of this place 3d

Maggie4483 There was never any point when reading the chapters from Ivan‘s POV where I got the impression that he had any kind of intellectual impairment. But, speaking from personal experience, people tend to underestimate the intelligence of quiet people in general. Add in a language barrier and unconventional way of life, and I can see why someone (especially an elitist like Strachan) would jump to that conclusion. 3d

BkClubCare @squirrelbrain @Jas16 - Stracken is a jerk! Worse words come to mind, actually. But let‘s look at this from both John‘s impressions/ initial expectations AND what the author wants us as readers to bring to the unfolding! Very clever way to start introducing us to what is really going on here. I, too, thought John would be encountering a simpleton. Shame on me. 3d

Chelsea.Poole The language barrier undoubtedly played a role in Strachan‘s opinion of Ivar. I‘m he had a little curiosity, unlike John, in learning/translating his language. It‘s much easier (and more asshole-ish) to count someone out as ignorant than to work to get to know them. I‘m sure he has little interest in anyone or anything if it‘s not something lining his pockets. (edited) 3d

Hooked_on_books @Jas16 Exactly! You nailed it! Strachan is a jackass. His attitude reminds me of how (too) many people think of migrants in our current era. Plus, you can only truly diminish someone into a pawn or worse if you first “other” them. And @Karisa I like your true believers thought. This hasn‘t struck me and it‘s an interesting viewpoint. Though it could be argued that Strachan is a true believer in money. 2d

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole yes! 💯💯 2d

LeeRHarry It‘s that age old I don‘t understand your language, history or the way you live your life, it‘s different so it must be inferior to mine - if Strachan was able to look at himself in the mirror he‘d find that he was the idiot not Ivar. (edited) 2d

CarolynM @LeeRHarry Yep. 2d

Karisa @Hooked_on_books That‘s so true! Each of the men believe in something different and that‘s their main focus. What about Mary? She seems to be different/more modern and is important to two of them 2d

Soubhiville @Jas16 I think you said it perfectly as well. 2d

squirrelbrain @LeeRHarry - definitely! 2d

squirrelbrain I love that @Karisa , about them both being true believers - beautiful! 2d

AmyG Strachan didn‘t understand Ivar as a person…they were completely different. Hence his arrogance and judgemental attitude…he calls him an idiot. Basically Strachan is an assh***. 2d

Ruthiella Just finished the first half today and am now reading the discussions. Great questions and such thoughtful responses. 😃 2d

youneverarrived Just echoing what others have said - Strachan is the type of person who is narrow minded and equates worth with ambition, wealth etc and because Ivar lives by different values it‘s too easy for Strachan to dismiss him by saying that about him. 2d

Caryl Another great question, with lots of great answers here! Strachan is definitely trying to set up John Ferguson's expectations. I'm not sure Strachan really believes what he tells John about Ivar; I think he's the kind of guy who'd be comfortable lying to get what he wants. @BkClubCare -- I love what you said about the author's awareness of what to reveal to readers and when. She's piecing the story together for us beautifully! 1d

Roary47 You all took the words right out of my mouth. He‘s has a different lifestyle and motivations. That does not mean he‘s unintelligent. 1d

BarbaraBB @Caryl I hadn‘t thought of that but you‘re right; Strachan could well have been lying 15h

julieclair Well put, @BookWrym ! 9h

44 likes55 comments

Clear: A Novel | Carys Davies

Question 2 of 3

Not sure if you have arrived at Camp yet @Soubhiville but have a wonderful birthday! We‘ll celebrate around the camp fire tonight 🧡

BarbaraBB @peaKnit @prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @Readerann @RebelReader @Roary47 @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks 3d

BarbaraBB @kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lizpixie @mcctrish @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Nessavamusic @Oryx @CogsOfEncouragement 3d

See All 61 Comments

Megabooks Happy birthday @Soubhiville !! Enjoy your day!! 🎉🎉 3d

BarbaraBB @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JoyBlue @julesG @julieclair @Julsmarshall @KarenUK @karisa @Karisimo @KateReadsYA @Kimberlone @Kitta @Kristy_K @BookWrym 3d

BarbaraBB @decalino @DGRachel @elizamarie @ErikasMindfulShelf @Flaneurette @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jas16 @jenniferw88 3d

BarbaraBB @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cseydel @Cuilin @Cupcake12 @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread @Graciouswarriorprincess 3d

DGRachel Happy Birthday @Soubhiville 🥳 3d

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @batsy @bennettBookworm @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Bookbuyingaddict @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 3d

sarahbarnes Happy Birthday @Soubhiville! I‘ve been thinking about this too. I wonder if it also has something to do with his loneliness. Maybe he expects John to leave like everyone else and he wants to be able to keep the picture so he has someone with him. 3d

Graciouswarriorprincess Happy birthday @Soubhiville ! 🎉🎂🎈 3d

Kitta I would guess because he wanted to keep it for himself subconsciously. Or because He doesn‘t want to think about John having a wife. (edited) 3d

Megabooks Maybe he wants John to live in the present moment with him on the island. Since he was so lonely, maybe he wanted all the attention on himself. 3d

Leniverse At first he hid the picture because he didn't want to lose his fantasy of her by giving her back to John. But John is there in the flesh, which makes him better company. Ivar is so starved for companionship that the picture, the idea of Mary as someone John has a connection to, becomes a threat. John is all the human company he has, and he wants to be all that John has. 3d

DGRachel This was odd to me. Doesn‘t he say that he hides her because he doesn‘t want to share her with John, like Mary belongs to him now, and as he gets to know John, he feels like he would lose John‘s attention if he gives the picture back? 3d

sarahbarnes I think you‘re right @Kitta @Megabooks @Leniverse that he doesn‘t want John to think of her or focus on the picture instead of Ivar. That he wants all of John‘s attention, and perhaps irrationally thinks he can keep him there that way. 3d

BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes @Kitta @Megabooks @Leniverse I didn‘t think of that at that moment. My simple me thought he never met a woman himself except family and he just wanted one for himself - even though she was just a fantasy. 3d

JamieArc I also think it‘s about forming a connection that he doesn‘t want to lose and wants to keep to himself. Super interested in seeing where the story goes… 3d

Nessavamusic Unconscious jealousy perhaps? He has this friend/maybe more and he doesn‘t want to lose him to his life off the island 3d

TrishB I think he doesn‘t want share- but also maybe that he wants a singular relationship at that point with John and the picture is a distraction 🤷‍♀️ 3d

Kitta @BarbaraBB while that‘s true, he hasn‘t met many, if any, other women - why hide the cenotaph? He could‘ve deduced that it belonged to John, given how it was found, and I think that the fact that he stopped thinking about it after talking to John suggests at first he didn‘t want to lose it, then he didn‘t want John to find it and remember his old life. Just my thoughts though. 😆 3d

BarbaraBB @Kitta I think you‘re right. After he met John he became the companion he looked for in Mary and then he didn‘t want to share John with Mary. How human 😀 @TrishB (edited) 3d

squirrelbrain Happy Birthday @soubhiville! I thought at first that Ivar was attracted to Mary, and didn‘t even realise that she was important to John. But then, it did seem that he was trying to keep her away from John. 3d

Oryx I think he initially didn't want to share, but then maybe as the relationship with John grew, he didn't want to remind him of another life. Talking about the picture might break the spell. 3d

BarbaraBB @Oryx Break the spell. I think that‘s exactly it! 3d

peaKnit @Oryx I agree. At first I thought he wanted to keep Mary to himself but then I realized he didn‘t want John to long to go away and hiding that picture seemed simple for Ivar, out of sight out of mind. 3d

Karisa It‘s so human to want to keep something that reminds us of others and entertain. Photos must have been such a novelty then and without access to media, I can‘t imagine the solitude! The photo thing made me a little sad for them both and for Mary too. Why wouldn‘t John bring her? She seemed ready for an adventure. 3d

CBee Don‘t have much to add 😊 Agree with everyone! 3d

mcctrish I‘m with @CBee and @DGRachel I thought initially the combination of the interesting style of photo and Mary is an attractive woman that Ivar wanted it for himself #prettythings like the teapot, there are no luxuries on the island but also by not showing John ( it wasn‘t really hidden) it doesn‘t fuel John‘s desire to leave 3d

JenReadsAlot I agree with the comments already made! 3d

Deblovestoread The novelty of the photo was really interesting. It is easy to assume Ivar had never seen one before and it captivated him immediately. The only thing more captivating was a live person, photo might spoil that so needed to be hidden away. 3d

Meshell1313 I loved this- jealousy and collecting beautiful things maybe? I saw it as if John is reminded of her he‘ll always be trying to leave and get back to her. Ivar wants John to forget her and stay with him. 3d

BarbaraBB @mcctrish I love your comparison to the teapot. He wanted to cherish beautiful things and the teapot even made it to the cover of the US edition - it must mean something 🫖 3d

Megabooks @Oryx great point about not wanting John to remember another life. 3d

Megabooks @mcctrish I know! That broke my heart how he had to hide any nice thing on the island. He seems to have lost so much. I don‘t think he could bear to lose more. 3d

RaeLovesToRead I don't think he fully knew why he did it and I think his reasons changed as their relationship developed. 3d

squirrelbrain @karisa - it made me sad too. I think probably John couldn‘t bring Mary as ‘society‘ would have frowned on it. (Or maybe John himself was too traditional to consider it as Mary seemed to push through societal norms when she decided to go by herself) 3d

TheKidUpstairs @RaeLovesToRead I totally agree. I think it was a mystery to him. Kind of like the other quote we're discussing, how he didn't know the depth of his solitude until John came, I think he's only starting to explore the reasons for taking and hiding the picture. I think the two are connected. The picture and John are the first two connections he's felt with people since his family passed/left, so a part of himself that he hasn't explored is awakening 3d

dabbe Could it be too that it was simpler to hide the picture than to try to explain to John (where language is still a barrier) why he kept it in the first place? Maybe he fears John will not understand or be angry with him and that he would then take the picture and leave and Ivar would be left with neither the picture or John in complete solitude again--only now it truly would be a lonely one. 3d

kspenmoll @mcctrish Agree with you on both counts- so few pretty things in his life & he certainly would not want John to leave- he realizes the woman means something special to John, someone to go back to. 3d

Maggie4483 Maybe Ivar realizes that he‘s the “third wheel,” that John and Mary have a much stronger bond than he will ever have with either of them, so he is trying to keep them separate. 3d

BkClubCare Excellent points, I agree. Especially the subconscious jealousy and once hidden, how to explain WHY when language communication is difficult AND I think there is guilt, uncomfortable feelings, and not wanting to confront even within Ivar‘s own self. 3d

Hooked_on_books I‘m with @mcctrish —well put! I didn‘t get any sense of jealousy or of him trying to keel John and Mary apart. He knows nothing of their relationship other than that she‘s probably special to him (she could be his sister or mother, after all), but for Ivar the photo is a luxury in and of itself. 3d

Chelsea.Poole Everyone has such great points here! My heart grew like 5 sizes for Ivar when he found that photo of Mary. Can you imagine how that would feel—to see a human face after so many years without seeing another soul?? Even if it‘s not a living, breathing person, just the reminder that others are out there is something to cherish. I think I would hold on to that photo too, in Ivar‘s position. 3d

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole that is true that he hadn‘t seen another soul in any way in years. I think that‘s hard to understand in current times. Just in this room, I have all your photos on this thread and Top Chef on the TV. We are saturated in images now!! 2d

mcctrish @dabbe 💔 2d

dabbe @mcctrish 💙💚💙 2d

LeeRHarry Great comments! 😊 I don‘t think I have anything to add. Just that I think that why Ivar hid the photo changed as time went on; from keeping Mary to himself, wanting to keep John to himself and then possible guilt that he had it and had hidden it in the first place. 2d

CarolynM I think @Leniverse has hit the nail on the head. 2d

Soubhiville Thanks for the birthday wishes @BarbaraBB ! I spent the day hiking so I‘m just arriving now😁. 2d

Soubhiville Everyone has said exactly what I thought- at first he felt the picture was the best thing he had, then he begins to feel John is the best thing in his life. 2d

AmyG I saw him hiding her picture perhaps out of shame. Shame that he had it, not wanting to explain why he had it and didn‘t return it, perhaps shame that he had feelings for a man. 2d

GatheringBooks Happiest of birthdays, @Soubhiville - sorry for being a day late to camp!!! 2d

GatheringBooks Love reading all the thoughts here - i agree most with @BarbaraBB with the fantasy bit. I think it was just human nature to want to keep something that brings you life and beauty - light to his drab and lonely existence. 2d

youneverarrived I thought the same as @dabbe 2d

Caryl So many great thoughts here! I agree that it's a bit of a mystery, even to Ivar himself. Like @dabbe shared, I think Ivar felt uncomfortable about giving John the photo now, after John's gone through his own things and not found it there. I love how much this photo adds to the story, not only giving us an understanding of the time period and insight into character relationships, but also nudging the narrative to John and Mary's backstory. 1d

dabbe @youneverarrived 🤩😀🤗 1d

dabbe @Caryl Love how you worded this, especially this part: “nudging the narrative“. 💚💙💚 1d

Caryl Thank you, @dabbe 😊 1d

Roary47 I was thinking along the same lines as @Megabooks where he wants John and himself to live if the present moment. The picture could remind John that he should eventually head back and like @Leniverse said it‘s better to have someone physically there than a picture. Everyone has such great thoughts. I‘m excited to continue reading with you all through camp. 🥰 1d

julieclair Excellent thoughts! 9h

45 likes61 comments

Clear: A Novel | Carys Davies

Question 1 of 3

Here we go! We‘d love to hear your thoughts on Clear. Please be respectful to each other and no spoilers please about the second half: we‘ll get there next week! Have fun camping and chatting ☀️ 🏕️ 📚

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @batsy @bennettBookworm @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Bookbuyingaddict @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 3d

BarbaraBB @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cseydel @Cuilin @Cupcake12 @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread @Graciouswarriorprincess 3d

BarbaraBB @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JoyBlue @julesG @julieclair @Julsmarshall @KarenUK @karisa @Karisimo @KateReadsYA @Kimberlone @Kitta @Kristy_K @BookWrym 3d

See All 85 Comments

BarbaraBB @decalino @DGRachel @elizamarie @ErikasMindfulShelf @Flaneurette @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jas16 @jenniferw88 3d

BarbaraBB @kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lizpixie @mcctrish @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Nessavamusic @Oryx @CogsOfEncouragement 3d

BarbaraBB @peaKnit @prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @Readerann @RebelReader @Roary47 @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks 3d

Megabooks I find this particularly interesting because he did have family there before. I think it‘s a testament to how new ideas/new sensations can energize a person. I don‘t think he felt intellectually or maybe emotionally stimulated until John arrived. 3d

Leniverse I thought that was a really telling comment. He had been alone for so long he had forgotten what it was like to have company. The hunters and travellers that had briefly visited had felt like an invasive disruption, but having someone stranded there reminded him of having family. 3d

DGRachel I think it‘s like coming out of Covid lockdown. I now WFH full time and rarely leave the house. I thought I was fine with this new normal, as I can order nearly anything online. I started going out on the weekends a month ago and it was both weird and wonderful. I hadn‘t really thought of myself as lonely, but interacting with strangers made me realize how untrue that was. 3d

Graciouswarriorprincess I think it‘s because you don‘t realize how lonely you are when you are alone but then someone comes into your life. And that‘s when you realize the loneliness. 3d

BarbaraBB @DGRachel That is a great comparison I think - and so true. And I am happy for you making this discovery too 3d

BarbaraBB @Megabooks @Leniverse @Graciouswarriorprincess I agree with all of you. He just forgot about how life could be with others. Meeting John stimulates him indeed and gave him a new perspective on his own life I think 3d

JamieArc This conversation is interesting because it seems like solitude is being equated with loneliness, and I don‘t see them as the same… are we saying he didn‘t realize his loneliness until JF arrived? 3d

Kitta I was thinking about how you can feel more aware of your loneliness around other people, like it shows you what you‘ve been missing. I think Ivar has been existing without really living. 3d

Nessavamusic I think I agree with @JamieArc, Ivar was just surviving day to day until John visits. He is actually noticed for the first time in a long time, if maybe ever, which gives him a new viewpoint of the necessity of human interaction. 3d

BarbaraBB @JamieArc to me as a no native English speaker I can‘t really explain the difference between the words. They feel the same to me but in other words I think that being alone is not the same as being lonely if that makes sense. And I don‘t think Ivar is lonely when he‘s alone, just when he‘s no longer. (edited) 3d

BarbaraBB @Nessavamusic That‘s what I tried to say in the comment above 😀 but couldn‘t as well as you just did. Thanks 🙏 3d

TrishB I think the lockdown comparison by @DGRachel is a good one- we didn‘t know what we missed until then. Ivar didn‘t realise he was missing a relationship (of any sort!). 3d

Kitta @BarbaraBB I would say solitude is being alone but loneliness is feeling alone. You can feel lonely even surrounded by people for instance, or content in solitude. But you could also feel lonely while in solitude. The Oxford dictionary uses lonely in the definition of solitude “a lonely or uninhabited place” but I don‘t think that‘s right. (edited) 3d

BarbaraBB @Kitta Thank you! I will remember that from now on! 3d

squirrelbrain I agree @JamieArc - solitude and loneliness are not the same, but I don‘t think Ivar realised he was lonely until John arrived. Great explanation @kitta! 3d

peaKnit The completeness of falling into a routine with a friend or partner where words don‘t need to be said. It‘s as though Ivan did not know how deeply lonely he was until til he settled in with complimentary company. 3d

peaKnit @JamieArc without looking up a definition I think of solitude as contentment and he seemed to feel complete when John was with him. (edited) 3d

Karisa I had the feeling that Ivar was just working so hard that he didn‘t often take the time to stop and think about it all. It‘s like Sisyphus and the rock. I can‘t imagine staying when everyone leaves. Ivar‘s connection to the place is so strong. I see what you mean though, things are different for us too when we begin to see through another‘s eyes. 3d

Leniverse Good point about solitude Vs loneliness. I was thinking that it's ironic that John's presence has such an impact, because they cannot communicate and John is completely passive to begin with. Ivar talks more to his horse! Maybe it's more that John's quiet presence and dependence on Ivar creates the space for Ivar to contemplate these things. 3d

CBee Agree with all of these comments! I think Ivar is happy to be seen again, despite John not being stuck there by choice. His reaction to the picture of Mary also struck me - he‘d gotten so used to the daily monotony of life and didn‘t realize how lonely he was until he found the picture and then John. 3d

mcctrish I was thinking during this part about that saying “better the devil you know” for Ivar, he knew the island and how it worked so he stayed, you can‘t miss what you don‘t know. I agree with @Megabooks why John‘s arrival could change that - John‘s methodical attempt to understand him opened his eyes to friendship/connection on a level different from his family/shipwrecks/landlord 3d

Deblovestoread I don‘t think Ivar was lonely before John‘s arrival. I think parts of him were dormant. Those parts were awaken with the finding of Mary‘s photo and then the strange man. (edited) 3d

JamieArc @BarbaraBB Yes, I agree with you completely. 3d

JamieArc @Karisa Yes, I think so too - that he was so busy living day to day life that he didn‘t think about it. 3d

TheBookHippie Still waiting 😵‍💫🤪for my library hold. 3d

Meshell1313 I love everyone‘s comparisons to the Covid lockdown. It‘s amazing how much we are able to adapt to anything. This has just become Ivar‘s normal life- living in solitude and he probably could have kept on living like that forever and would have been fine. John‘s arrival reminded him of what it‘s like to be around a friend and not just someone who comes to collect money from him. 3d

BarbaraBB @Karisa That is so true. He stayed when the other left. His connection to the island is so strong he didn‘t even think about being or feeling alone at all because he was where he wanted to be. James‘s arrival disturbed his equilibrium. 3d

Roary47 @Leniverse @DGRachel @Graciouswarriorprincess @Kitta @Nessavamusic @CBee I had a similar thought to all of you. I feel like he was in survival mode. The loss of his family did not alter the fact that there was work and life that needed to continue. Actually seeing John and just enjoying someone else‘s company was a thought that didn‘t cross his mind so he himself could keep going I really like all the reflect on loneliness vs solitude it wasn‘t⬇️ 3d

Roary47 Something that even crossed my mind, but makes a lot of sense in Ivar‘s situation. Thank you for your thoughts! 🥰💛 3d

Kitta @peaKnit I agree that solitude has a feeling of contentment with it (at least that how I think of it and use the word!), although technically there can be a lonely solitude, that‘s not what I generally think of! (edited) 3d

Megabooks @Deblovestoread very good point. He hadn‘t flexed his companionship “muscles” in a long time, and he enjoyed it in a way I don‘t think he thought was possible. 3d

Kitta @TheBookHippie you‘re still waiting for it? Oh no! I hope it comes soon! 3d

RaeLovesToRead @Deblovestoread @Megabooks What you said! 😊 3d

willaful @DGRachel I'm also reminded of lockdown and how special it felt to see a friendly face, even if it was just waving at your neighbor across the street. 3d

dabbe I see more of a positive connotation with the word “solitude“, almost like the joy of being alone. “Loneliness“ connotes to me the negative pain of being alone. I believe Ivar was content in his solitude, not even being aware of it until John reminded him that he was lonely for human contact. 3d

CBee @dabbe agree 💯 3d

TheBookHippie @Kitta yup 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 3d

BookWrym I am with @dabbe Ivar didn‘t consider himself to be missing anything until John arrived. I think the role of carer also contributed to this as he was needed by someone else. 3d

kspenmoll @dabbe I agree with your assessment. Ivar seemed content with his life due to his love of place. I wonder if it would be a huge shift when/if his horse & cow died, as they were his companions. 3d

Maggie4483 I agree with the comparisons to Covid lockdowns. I am extremely introverted, but Spring of 2020 was probably one of the hardest times in my life. And I found that the hardest times were the hours immediately after a virtual meeting (whether it was our weekly work check-ins, or a family Zoom hang). When I was hanging out alone all day, I could distract myself, but the “together-but-separate” made my isolation more intense. 3d

kspenmoll I do think John‘s slow entry into consciousness , his gradual awakening, physical dependence on Ivar allowed for ivar‘s attachment to grow. His letting go of James wife‘s picture was a defining moment. (edited) 3d

Maggie4483 I also agree with @JamieArc et. al. about “Solitude vs. Loneliness). You can be alone and not lonely, and you can feel lonely in a room full of people. I do believe that people need people. But they have to be the RIGHT people. Something about John is right for Ivar. 3d

kspenmoll @TheBookHippie Do u know where u are on list? So difficult with new books. 3d

TheBookHippie @kspenmoll was at 36 now at 3! 😆😅😂 3d

BkClubCare Agree with everyone‘ comparison of alone vs. lonely, and emerging from “Covid confinement”. Was also going to mention the feeling of being needed when I saw @BookWrym ‘s comment 😊 Plus, things that are new, do tend to awaken new feelings and unexpected reactions. 3d

BarbaraBB @dabbe @BookWrym Good points! 3d

BarbaraBB @Maggie4483 Thanks for sharing. Covid has had such an impact on all of us. Your example of feeling isolated seems so me a bit similar as I suppose Ivar felt. 3d

Chelsea.Poole Great question and quote to start off the discussion! I really had a soft spot for Ivar. I couldn‘t decide, initially, if he was content in his solitude or if he put much thought into being alone at all. I felt that he just accepted his lot in life. I did wonder how he came to be alone and the explanation in the next half of the book made sense to me. John certainly had quite an influence on his quiet life. 3d

Chelsea.Poole @kspenmoll yes! Re: cow & horse. I appreciated how tender he was with those animals. Definitely his companions. (edited) 3d

Hooked_on_books Even before he was alone, Ivar was part of a teeny community. So when John arrives and is truly trying to make a connection with him, as well as requiring his care, I‘m not sure Ivar has ever had a relationship like that. I think it opened his eyes to possibilities he may not have known even existed. 3d

JenReadsAlot @dabbe I love how you said that. 3d

willaful @Maggie4483 That reminds me of my daughter. I thought she would have an easier time, as an introvert, but she desperately missed the small amounts of daily contact she had with others via school, riding the bus etc. 2d

dabbe @CBee 💙💚💙 2d

dabbe @BookWrym 💙💚💙 2d

dabbe @BarbaraBB 💙💚💙 2d

dabbe @JenReadsAlot 💙💚💙 2d

dabbe @kspenmoll Excellent point. I often wonder if we as humans must have HUMAN contact or if contact with a sentient being is more than enough. 💙💚💙 2d

Soubhiville @dabbe you worded that perfectly for me as well. 🙂 2d

dabbe @Soubhiville 💙💚💙 2d

LeeRHarry Being in his own solitude Ivar had his own routine and order to how he lived his life so when John arrived that completely changed. Ivar had to adapt to this and I guess realised that he‘d missed having that human contact. 2d

CBee @Chelsea.Poole possibly the main reason I like him so much 😊 2d

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books So true! I think you‘re right about it being all new to him. This may have made him realize how lonely life had been until now with only the (very important indeed @kspenmoll !) animals as his companions. He must have feared losing them so much. (edited) 2d

squirrelbrain @dabbe - that‘s a great explanation of loneliness and solitude. 2d

AmyG I think Ivar was alone for so long it became comfortable, what he knew. He had animals for company. He didn‘t realize what he had, or didn‘t, until John showed up. Well said @dabbe about solitude and lonliness. 2d

youneverarrived I‘m going to go through the comments but my initial thoughts on the question are that Ivar was just accustomed to living in solitude so he wasn‘t really aware of wanting or needing connection with other people. It was just his way of life. Not until John turned up and he had human connection did he realise the solitariness of his life. 2d

GatheringBooks I am late to the party but happy to see everyone‘s musings on solitude, loneliness, parallels to the pandemic. I am reminded of the picturebook Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed - inspired by the author/illustrator‘s daughter‘s doodles about a pig who is sad - only he doesn‘t know it. 2d

dabbe @squirrelbrain 💚💙💚 2d

dabbe @AmyG 💚💙💚 2d

youneverarrived @DGRachel that‘s a great comparison. That‘s how I see it too. Also agree with @deblovestoread about parts of Ivar being dormant - so he was content in his solitary life, I think, because he didn‘t have company to make him think otherwise, it was just his way of life. 2d

Caryl Wonderful thoughts on solitude & loneliness, all. Davies‘s use of language is brilliant; as I read these comments I remembered her description of Ivar being walloped with feeling when John Ferguson first looks as him, like “what happens when a rock is covered by the sea—when, briefly, the water rises up and submerges it completely before it falls away again and reveals it” (p. 68). That whole passage is beautiful. 1d

Caryl I also recalled this story I heard on the radio about a book recently published on the science of solitude: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024/06/03/power-science-solitude-alone-creativity-... 1d

BarbaraBB @Caryl that is a wonderful quote! And so on-point indeed! 15h

BarbaraBB @JamieArc @Kitta @squirrelbrain @peaKnit @Leniverse @Roary47 @dabbe @CBee @BookWrym @kspenmoll @Maggie4483 @BkClubCare @Soubhiville Have you see @Caryl ‘s link above ⬆️ on the science of solitude? Interesting!! 15h

squirrelbrain Lovely quote @Caryl - and thanks for the link! 🙏 15h

dabbe Fascinating link, @Caryl. Whether we're introverts/extroverts/combination of both, we can all benefit from solitude. 💚💙💚 13h

kspenmoll @Caryl Thanks- great article. Friday night since HS has always been my solitude night, to recharge myself. Otherwise the next week would go downhill… 12h

julieclair @kspenmoll I wondered about the horse and cow, too, especially when I read that he had been given the horse in his teens, and now he‘s 40-ish. I worried what would happen when the horse died. I think he would feel true loneliness then. 9h

kspenmoll @julieclair Yes, his animals are his family- just like so many of us! 9h

47 likes85 comments

Silent Scream | Angela Marsons

pick

Another detective Kim Stone book. Not sure yet about these series but I will try another one.
A lot is happening around a former orphanage, lots of dead bodies, old and new. I liked the plot, I think Kim and her team have to grow a bit more on me. So far they seem a bit too cliché. A light pick.

youneverarrived I liked this but I‘m reading the second at the minute and it‘s better than the first 👍 3d

BarbaraBB @youneverarrived That is good to know. I love the idea of having to read the whole series! 3d

squirrelbrain The team really grow on you as the series goes on - keep at it! 3d

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I believe you!! 3d

59 likes4 comments

Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader

Are you ready for #CampLitsy24? Get your bags, don‘t forget your sunglasses and we‘ll meet at Camp later today to discuss the first half of Clear. I‘ll post three questions, we are looking forward to all of your thoughts on them.
If you‘ve finished the whole book, no spoilers please, next week there‘ll be another three questions.

The 3rd and 4th Saturday in June we‘ll be discussing Butter after which Meg will take over for July ☀️ 📚 ⛺️

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @batsy @bennettBookworm @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Bookbuyingaddict @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 3d

BarbaraBB @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cseydel @Cuilin @Cupcake12 @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread @Graciouswarriorprincess 3d

BarbaraBB @decalino @DGRachel @elizamarie @ErikasMindfulShelf @Flaneurette @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jas16 @jenniferw88 3d

See All 31 Comments

BarbaraBB @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JoyBlue @julesG @julieclair @Julsmarshall @KarenUK @karisa @Karisimo @KateReadsYA @Kimberlone @Kitta @Kristy_K
@BookWrym 3d

BarbaraBB @kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lizpixie @mcctrish @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Nessavamusic @Oryx @CogsOfEncouragement 3d

BarbaraBB @peaKnit @prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @Readerann @RebelReader @Roary47 @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks 3d

Hooked_on_books Putting my sunscreen on now! 3d

BarbaraBB @Soubhiville @Suet624 @Susanita @Suzze @TEArificbooks @Texreader @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs @TrishB @well-readneck @willaful @youneverarrived @yourfavouritemixtape @Maggie4483 3d

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books That‘s the spirit 😎 3d

Ruthiella Due to the vagaries of library holds, I will quickly have to read Clear this Sunday. 😅 Luckily, it‘s short! 3d

Megabooks So excited to read what the campers think!! 😁🏕️ 3d

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella It is indeed! We‘ll be waiting for you! 3d

Graciouswarriorprincess I‘m so excited! 😆 3d

Kitta So ready!! 3d

TrishB 👍🏻 see you there. 3d

AmyG All set! 3d

Bookwormjillk A camping we will go! 3d

Suet624 I‘m serving as a death doula and helping my friend who is in the final stage of his dying process so I‘ll check in later. 💕 3d

squirrelbrain Very much looking forward to this! 3d

squirrelbrain @Suet624 - I‘m sure you‘ll be a great support to your friend and we‘ll see you when you‘re able to join us. 3d

Roary47 Yay! I managed to get halfway through E‘s playtime. If he could talk baby E could probably join in. 🤣 3d

TheKidUpstairs So ready! I whipped through the first half in less than a day. Can't wait to discuss with you all. 3d

TheKidUpstairs @Suet624 sending love to you and your friend ❤️ ♥️ 💕 3d

Meshell1313 Ready! Can‘t wait! ⛺️ 3d

Suzze I sorry to say that life has thrown a lot in my way and I will have to not participate in camp after all. I did buy Clear and hope to read it some time. Sorry, 3d

BarbaraBB @Suet624 Oh no my poor friend. Wishing you strength and a goodbye as good as possible. I will think of you 🩷 3d

BarbaraBB @Suzze No need to apologize. Wish you the best dealing with life and hope you will soon have the headspace to read again ❤️ 3d

peaKnit @suet624 I‘ll be thinking about you, also what an amazing way to support your friend. Take care. 3d

squirrelbrain @Suzze - hope you are OK and sending love. 3d

CBee @Suet624 oh Sue - what a beautiful thing to do for your friend ♥️ May his passage be peaceful and full of love ♥️ 3d

Suzze @squirrelbrain ❤️ 3d

73 likes31 comments

Pantone: Colors | Pantone

#Pantone2024

Four more Pantone matches. Almost there!

Crazeedi Silent scream is the next book up for me 5d

BarbaraBB @Crazeedi I am almost finished with it. It‘s entertaining 5d

Crazeedi @BarbaraBB good to know 5d

Crazeedi @BarbaraBB and where do I find the pantone prompts? 5d

52 likes4 comments

All the Beautiful Lies: A Novel

The Kind Worth Killing: A Novel | Peter Swanson

pick

Thrillers are my go to genre when I am in need of a palet cleanser of just in the mood for something quick and engaging. They are hardly ever satisfying however. This one got me hooked from the start. So many twists that I didn't expect. I probably wont' remember much in a week time but for now it did the job.

MicheleinPhilly Barbara, you don‘t look a day over 75. 😉😘 6d

erzascarletbookgasm What? Who‘s turning 80? 6d

Ruthiella 80 is the number of books Barbara read last week. 🤣 6d

See All 13 Comments

LeahBergen @MicheleinPhilly @Ruthiella 😆😆 6d

Caroline2 Yeah I like a good junk food thriller between courses too 😂 6d

Mpcacher I think this is my favorite book by this author. I still remember some of the twists.
6d

TheLudicReader I really liked this one. 5d

BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly @erzascarletbookgasm @Ruthiella 🤣🤣🤣🤣 My mother‘s birthday 🤣🤣 5d

BarbaraBB @Mpcacher @TheLudicReader Have you read any other? I‘ve been tempted to read

Kind Worth Saving

(edited) 5d

TheLudicReader I have also read . Not as good, but entertaining.

BarbaraBB @TheLudicReader Thanks. So good to know! 5d

Centique @MicheleinPhilly ha 😂 that made me laugh out loud! @BarbaraBB hope your mother had a great birthday. 4d

CarolynM @MicheleinPhilly @Ruthiella 🤣🤣 Happy birthday to your mother, Barbara. The book sounds good too🙂 4d

76 likes13 comments

Een leeg huis: roman | Marga Minco

#weeklyforecast 24/24

This will be the week of Butter for #CampLitsy24 and the tagged Dutch one but first I need to finish The Kind Worth Killing which is a fast paced palette cleanser!

Megabooks Oh no! I have to get to butter this week, too, then! It may be towards the end of the week that I finish it. I hope that‘s okay. It‘s a crazy week for me! 1w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Of course, we still have lots of time. You can wait another week if you like, no problem at all 💛 1w

Megabooks I‘ll definitely start it this week. Hope to finish it, too, but we‘ll just have to 🤞🏻. 💜 1w

squirrelbrain I‘ve just started Butter, but don‘t know how much I‘ll get read, as work is as crazy as ever! 1w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Of course! Take your time 🩷 1w

57 likes5 comments

May Days: Crisis in Confrontation. A Pictorial Account of the Student Strike at the University of Virginia, May, 1970 | Bob Buford, Peter Shea, Andrew C. Stickney

#MayStats

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bitter Herbs

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Is Mother Dead
People who Knew me

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wall
Parkeren in Hilversum (Dutch)
Clear
The Spinoza Problem

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
The Good Samaritan
Six Stories
Dark Across the Bay
The Amusements
First Blood

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Restless Dolly Maunder
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The Infatuations

⭐️⭐️✨
Claire of the Sea Light

DNF
8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster

Texreader That‘s a huge number of books! Wow!! 1w

Gissy Fantastic month😃🤩📚📚📚📚👏👏👏 1w

BarbaraBB @Gissy @Texreader Thank you! I had a real good month indeed! 1w

49 likes3 comments

People Who Knew Me: A Novel | Kim Hooper

#BookReport 23/24

My favorite this week was the tagged one. Kim Hooper is a great author (thanks for introducing me @Megabooks !) and I already found another one by her, about Japan!
I also made a start with the detective Kim Scott series, which is promising.
The Spinoza problem is a fascinating read about philosophy and anti semitism. Only the Danticat didn‘t meet my expectations, otherwise a great week.

TrishB A good week 👍🏻 1w

Megabooks So glad you love Hooper, too! 3d

64 likes1 stack add2 comments

The Spinoza Problem: A Novel | Irvin D. Yalom

pick

Alfred Rosenberg, one of the Nazi elite during WWII, was fascinated by the philosopher Spinoza, even though Spinoza was a Jew and Rosenberg a thorough anti-semite. Yalom describes the philosophical ideas of Spinoza in the 17th century and reflects ons the effect they had on Rosenberg in the 20th century. Fiction, of course, but super fascinating. Yalom makes philosophy sexy like no other author can imo.

sarahbarnes Great review and pic! 🩵 1w

67 likes1 comment

BarbaraBB @LaraReads @Hooked_on_Books @BarkingMadRead @BookBelle84 @jenniferw88 @julesG @Deblovestoread @Librarybelle @triplem80 @Read4Life @Bluebird @KarenUK @eeclayton @BrittanyReads @Book_Lover95 @Larkken @Kristy_K @Tove_Reads @TheAromaofBooks @hissingpotatoes @Magpiegem @MidnightBookListener @kwmg40 @crazeedi @Graciouswarriorprincess @maich @slategreyskies 2w

Claire of the Sea Light | Edwidge Danticat

so-so

This Edwidge Danticat, who I usually love, didn‘t work for me. The story is told in a way that you hardly get to know the characters and, as opposed to her other books, it could have been set in a lot of countries, it wasn‘t as Haitian as, for example, Everything Inside.

#52BookClub24 - Features the ocean.

Librarybelle That‘s a shame! 2w

TheAromaofBooks It always makes me sad when an author “wastes“ a setting. 2w

61 likes3 comments

First Blood: A completely gripping mystery thriller | Angela Marsons

pick

I read this fast. I was hooked pretty soon. And although who turned out to be the murderer was a little disappointing, I liked the style of the book and I want to get to know Kim Stone and her team a bit better. So on to the next… 20 installments if I am correct 😀🤣?!

MicheleinPhilly 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Kim basically got me through Covid. The latest one is being published this week and I am very excited for it! 2w

80 likes1 comment

The Searcher | Tana French

Which of these series is the best?

Asking for a friend 😂

CBee I recently checked out the Armstrong from the library but didn‘t get a chance to read it - I‘ve heard the series is great! 2w

squirrelbrain I‘ve only read one. 🤪 2w

Ruthiella Maybe your “friend” should flip a coin? 😂 2w

See All 13 Comments

TrishB The Michael Wood series!! Of the others I‘ve only read French and I‘m not a fan but I‘m loving the Wood series so far, think I‘m up to 6. 2w

CatLass007 You are too cute! Borrow the first book in each series and make a more informed decision. If you like all of the series, then maybe it‘s time to roll the dice. If I find a series I like or an author I like, I tend to binge until I‘m ready for a break, then binge something else. I‘ve recently fallen in love with William Kent Krueger and all but one of his Cork O‘Conner series, plus a few standalone novels are free on Audible. 2w

BarbaraBB @CatLass007 ❤️❤️ 2w

BarbaraBB @CBee @TrishB Thanks!! 2w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I liked Kim a lot! 2w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella I guess so 🤣 2w

Centique I like Tana French - but ive noticed that most people who like thrillers dont like this series. Its slower moving i think - more about the back stories of the police person involved than the murder. So maybe when youre in a slower mood? 2w

Centique But i havent read this new one yet! 2w

BarbaraBB @Centique I‘ve been very curious about her. Thanks for pointing out what to expect! I think I might like that. 2w

sarahbarnes I don‘t read a lot of this genre, but I did read The Searcher and really liked it. 2w

65 likes13 comments

Claire of the Sea Light | Edwidge Danticat

#WeeklyForecast 23/24

I couldn‘t resist and bought the first Kim Stone book (looking at you @TrishB @MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain and some others!) Or actually the prequel to the series. We‘ll see! On audio and print I am reading The Spinoza Problem, which is fascinating. I also plan to read another Danticat, whose books I always love.

squirrelbrain Ooh I hope you enjoy! We‘ll get you hooked yet…. 😜 2w

rockpools I‘ve only read Claire by Danticat - I do keep meaning to find more though. Which would you recommend? 2w

BarbaraBB @rockpools my favorite is

Everything Inside

TrishB Hope you enjoy 🤞🏻 2w

66 likes4 comments

Megabooks, Itchyfeetreader

People Who Knew Me: A Novel | Kim Hooper

pick

You were right Meg, this is a great read and Kim Hooper a new favorite author. Thank you for sending me this book Jo!

Just after 9/11 Emily leaves NYC and starts over again in California where she raises her baby. Thirteen years later the past catches up when Emily is diagnosed with breast cancer. A very sad and utterly human read of not very perfect people - which I loved!

squirrelbrain Sounds great! 2w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Your kind of book too! 2w

squirrelbrain Stacked it! 😃 2w

See All 7 Comments

Itchyfeetreader Oh gosh - I had t realised it was so sad but glad you enjoyed xx 2w

sarahbarnes Stacking! 2w

Cathythoughts Stacking 👍🏻 2w

Megabooks This is one of my favorites by her! Glad you liked it, too. 1w

78 likes4 stack adds7 comments

The Amusements | Aingeala Flannery

#BookReport 22/24

Great week with four completely different but all very good reads!

63 likes

Butter: Roman | Asako Yuzuki

Our second #CampLitsy24 book is Butter. We‘ll discuss it after Clear, in the second half of June. Our reading schedule is as follows: we‘ll discuss chapter 1 to 8 on June 22 and chapter 9 to the end on June 29.

Looking forward to the book, I hope it is just as good as Clear, that we will discuss on June 8 and 14!

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @batsy @bennettBookworm @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Bookbuyingaddict @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 2w

BarbaraBB @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cseydel @Cuilin @Cupcake12 @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread @Graciouswarriorprincess 2w

BarbaraBB @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JoyBlue @julesG @julieclair @Julsmarshall @KarenUK @karisa @Karisimo @KateReadsYA @Kimberlone @Kitta @Kristy_K
@BookWrym 2w

See All 29 Comments

BarbaraBB @kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lizpixie @mcctrish @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Nessavamusic @Oryx 2w

BarbaraBB @peaKnit @prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @Readerann @RebelReader @Roary47 @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks 2w

BarbaraBB @Soubhiville @Suet624 @Susanita @Suzze @TEArificbooks @Texreader @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs @TrishB @well-readneck @willaful @youneverarrived @yourfavouritemixtape 2w

BarbaraBB @decalino @DGRachel @elizamarie @ErikasMindfulShelf @Flaneurette @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jas16 @jenniferw88 2w

Ruthiella I got lucky and have this from the library now. Perfect timing. 2w

squirrelbrain That‘s perfect timing @ruthiella! I‘m just about to start this…. 2w

monalyisha I‘ll be skipping this title but if it‘s easier to continue tagging me, that‘s fine. 😉 Hope you all enjoy! 2w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella That‘s perfect! Looking forward to your thoughts! 2w

BarbaraBB @monalyisha I think it is… but i‘ll try to think of untagging you when adding the tags…! You‘ll join for Clear, right? 2w

mcctrish I‘m hoping for my library hold to come in otherwise I will buy the e book 2w

monalyisha That‘s my plan! For the second half of the discussion, anyway! 2w

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 2w

AmyG I‘m all set! 2w

GatheringBooks Yayyy! Super grateful for the tag. I was wondering about the order in which the books need to be read. 💕🤗🥰😘 2w

ChaoticMissAdventures I am 41st in line at my library so caved and ordered a copy, hopefully one of them gets to me in time! We have picked very popular books at my library! 2w

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks did you miss the posts we shared about the order? In July we‘ll read All Fours and James, in August Bear and The Alternatives! 2w

BarbaraBB @AmyG Yay!🙌🏽 2w

BarbaraBB @ChaoticMissAdventures I hope it‘ll work out! 2w

BookWrym Eeek 10 week wait at the library for this one might be late to the discussion 🤣 2w

jhod Bought at Hay today! 2w

BarbaraBB @BookWrym But you do have the audio right? 2w

BarbaraBB @jhod Yay 🤍 2w

GatheringBooks Hello hello! Thank youuu for the tag and sharing this. Do we also have the order of books to be read for july and august? I have five book clubs so making sure i prioritize the reading of the titles. 💕💕💕 1w

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Hi Myra we do! We‘ll read James followed All Fours in July and The Alternatives followed by Bear in August. For the exact reading schedule I am tagging @Megabooks and @squirrelbrain 1w

GatheringBooks Perfect! Thank you so much! 💕💕💕 1w

squirrelbrain @GatheringBooks - we‘ll be discussing The Alternatives on Aug 7th and 14th, then Bear on Aug 21st and 28th. 1w

88 likes1 stack add29 comments

Clear: A Novel | Carys Davies

pick

I can‘t say too much about this first #CampLitsy24 book because we‘ll discuss it in June but let me tell you that I kind of loved it 🤍

It took some time to pick up pace (I know it‘s a quiet novel but still I felt like waiting for something to happen during the first half) but the second half more than made up for that!

Wonderful characters, wonderful setting. And that ending…

I hope you‘ll all be there on June 8 to discuss chapters 1 to 23!

sarahbarnes I‘m so glad to see you loved this! Can‘t wait to start it soon. 🩵 3w

squirrelbrain I‘m so looking forward to our #camplitsy24 discussions! 3w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I just emailed you and @Megabooks some possible questions for the CampLitsy discussion! (edited) 3w

See All 10 Comments

squirrelbrain Ooh… dashes off to check email. 🏃 3w

Bookwormjillk So excited for #CampLitsy and #HashtagBrigade starting again in June! It‘s going to be a great reading summer 📚🏝️ 3w

Megabooks Great review B! We‘ll have a great discussion! 3w

BookWrym Ok just downloaded the audio from the library👍 3w

CarolynM Looking forward to reading this and discussing it at camp🙂 2w

BarbaraBB @BookWrym Perfect! 2w

BarbaraBB @CarolynM Yes me too. There‘s a lot to talk about considering that it is such a slim book! 2w

78 likes2 stack adds10 comments

The Amusements | Aingeala Flannery

pick

I so enjoyed this collection of interrelated stories, all connected to the Irish seaside town of Tramore.

The Amusements is an original book of the towns residents, both permanent and fleeting, and the ways in which their lives intersect over the course of the years. It is a book about roads taken and not taken – and a wonderful portrait of a small-town community.

Thanks for sending me this one Sarah, I can‘t wait to see what she writes next!

sarahbarnes

sarahbarnes A beautiful review! I‘m really glad you liked it. 🩵🩵 I agree that I‘m very excited to see what she writes next. 3w

Suet624 Any book based in Ireland must be stacked! 3w

BarbaraBB @Suet624 It‘s definitely a book for you! 2w

77 likes6 stack adds3 comments

Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor

“There's a world outside,
And I know 'cause I've heard talk.
In my sweetest dream,
I would go out for a walk.
But I don't think I'm ready yet.
I'm not feeling up to it now.
Just not that steady yet.
And I don't need you telling me how.”

These lyrics read like a book and I love the album artwork. This Eels song is so sad and creepy. Love it!

https://open.spotify.com/track/33ui1NJRBO8ExaJncNGvXJ?si=1NyN1YF5S5-m7blSXI6Xvg

TieDyeDude Good stuff! Thanks for sharing. 3w

Deblovestoread I like this. Look forward to exploring more of his music. 🎶 3w

Jess Wow. Haven‘t listened to this in some time. Thanks for the reminder. 3w

47 likes3 comments

Dark Across the Bay | Ania Ahlborn

pick

Poppy has booked a desolate getaway for her husband Ezra, daughter Lark, and son Leo on a small island in Maine to salvage their relationships. They are surrounded by their own demons, as well as some new ones. Within the odd rental house, nothing is what it appears to be.
It is gory, it‘s a thriller, is it horror? It definitely is Ania Ahlborn. Not her best one but engaging nevertheless.

Megabooks I‘ve never read her! 3w

youneverarrived Lovely photo 😍 the book sounds interesting! 3w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks She‘s one I got to know by @vivastory ! 3w

See All 13 Comments

vivastory @Megabooks She can really get under my skin! If you want to be creeped out, I recommend starting with either Seed or The Devil Crept In 3w

vivastory I haven't read this one yet. I have a copy signed by Ahlborn & Josh Malerman (he did the intro in my edition). I recall it being compared to Cape Fear. 3w

BarbaraBB @vivastory @Megabooks I loved

Seed

BarbaraBB @vivastory It definitely has Cape Fear vibes! 3w

Cathythoughts Nice review. I‘ve never read this author. But I‘m going to try one 👍🏻❤️ I‘m not a fan of horror though. Maybe some of her books aren‘t too horrific 🤞🏻😁 (edited) 3w

Reggie I‘ve been curious about this one. 3w

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts It‘s more thriller than horror imo. You might like it, it is totally out of my comfort zone and yet I love her books! 2w

BarbaraBB @Reggie Not her best but engaging as hell! 2w

Centique Your photos are always the best! 2w

BarbaraBB @Centique Thank you! I try my best 😊 2w

71 likes13 comments

Dark Across the Bay | Ania Ahlborn

#WeeklyForecast 22/24

Looking forward to all three of these. I already started The Amusements, which is engaging from the start. A new Ania Ahlborn is always a treat and it‘s time to start reading our first #CampLitsy24 book so @Megabooks @squirrelbrain and I can think of some questions for our discussion about it on June 8 and 15 (plenty of time, I know, we just can‘t wait 😀).

squirrelbrain I already finished Clear, but not posting my review of course! 🤪 3w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Can‘t wait to hear it! 3w

Megabooks I just posted that it‘s a pick for me, but no more. 🤫🤫 3w

60 likes3 comments

Parkeren in Hilversum: roman | Detlev van Heest, Detlev Helge Hans Heest

pick

This is the 3rd installment in a Dutch autobiographical series about a cynical man who feels like a failure in life. He is intelligent yet he doesn‘t manage to find a real job. He despises the system and ends up as a parking attendant. He sardonically enjoys giving fines and discussing with the drivers about all their excuses for not paying the parking costs in the first place. It sounds boring I guess, but I enjoyed it.

LeahBergen What a fantastic photo! 😍 3w

BarbaraBB @LeahBergen Thank you Leah 🙏 3w

Cathythoughts Yes , great photo 👍🏻♥️ 3w

See All 6 Comments

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts Thanks 🩷 3w

batsy This sounds really interesting! A dash of Dostoyevsky about it. 3w

BarbaraBB @batsy Yes, you‘re right! 3w

67 likes6 comments

The Wall | Marlen Haushofer

#BookReport 21/24

I was underwhelmed by the Trickster but enjoyed the tagged one a lot and I LOVED Is Mother Dead. So I had a very good week!

sarahbarnes 🎉🎉🎉 3w

59 likes1 comment

Is Mother Dead | Vigdis Hjorth

pick

Johanna is back in Norway after a long absence. She hasn‘t been in touch with her family for years but now that‘s she‘s back the past catches up with her and she wants to talk to her mother. It becomes an obsession, she continuously imagines what goes in on her mother‘s mind but can‘t understand why her mother doesn‘t want to reconnect. ⬇️⬇️

BarbaraBB Johanna is an unreliable narrator yet we only have her point of view. We don‘t know what‘s true and what isn‘t, just how big the impact is of a mother on her daughter and vice versa.

A fabulous sad read that I‘ll be thinking of for a while. (edited) 4w

Cathythoughts Great review ❤️ I have it stacked already. 4w

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts You‘ll definitely love it. @batsy and @sarahbarnes did too 😀 4w

See All 7 Comments

sarahbarnes Oh gosh yes, I loved this one. I‘m glad to see you did, too. It really had an impact on me. Great review. 🩵 4w

BarbaraBB #roll100 @PuddleJumper 4w

batsy @BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes So good and will stick with me for a long time. @Cathythoughts 4w

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 4w

73 likes2 stack adds7 comments

8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster: A Novel | Mirinae Lee

bailed

There are so many books I‘d rather read than this #womensprize longlisted books in which some short stories are rather artificially sold as a novel. Too far fetched, maybe entertaining but man, why this nomination? There are so many books much, much better than this one. It‘s a fast easy read but I just don‘t bother enough to finish it.

squirrelbrain This did get better as it went along, but I can see why you would bail. 4w

ChaoticMissAdventures I wish I would have bailed. It was so disjointed, I kept waiting for the stories to build on each other or connect in some way, and they (in my opinion) didn't. I think it had potential but the way it was laid out diminished the impact. 4w

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I was more than halfway through and I did like some stories but I was annoyed by the disjointed chapters, like @ChaoticMissAdventures 4w

See All 6 Comments

Deblovestoread You didn‘t miss much. I finished but remember next to nothing. So many better books out there. 4w

dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 4w

vivastory I saw a review of this several days ago and was intrigued but after your review & the consensus on the comments I think I'll be sitting out this one 4w

75 likes6 comments

The Amusements | Aingeala Flannery

Thank you so much Sarah for sending me this book! I have no doubt that I‘ll love it, our taste in books is so similar! Can‘t wait to read it! You made my day 💕

sarahbarnes

LeahBergen This does sound good! 4w

squirrelbrain A lovely gift! ❤️ 4w

sarahbarnes So glad it made it! 😃 I‘ll be interested to hear your thoughts when you get to it! 🩵 4w

61 likes2 stack adds3 comments

Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor

#TuesdayTunes

This Tuesday I am listening to jazz saxophonist David Sanborn who passed away yesterday. I used to listen to this album a lot. Especially this song, featuring Marcus Miller on bass guitar. I LOVE the bass!

https://open.spotify.com/track/26QE9Tvw8lhsXRBz2VPfq2?si=1F73adQeTdKLt7xtW_KkTg

Megabooks I saw that on Insta. Very sad. 4w

TieDyeDude One of those guys who you don't know how much you know him until you look up what he's done. Thanks for sharing! 4w

54 likes2 comments

Is Mother Dead | Vigdis Hjorth

#WeeklyForecast 21/24

I didn‘t get to the Old Trickster last week but am reading it now. I also started the tagged book and am loving it. The third one is by a favorite Dutch writer.

lauraisntwilder Your tagged book is in a giant stack on my bedroom floor. I hope to get to it soon! 1mo

BarbaraBB @lauraisntwilder I know what you mean, it‘s been on mine for a while too. But I am very glad I picked it up! 1mo

batsy Loved the tagged book. It brought up so many feelings! 4w

63 likes3 comments

BarbaraBB @LaraReads @Hooked_on_Books @BarkingMadRead @BookBelle84 @jenniferw88 @julesG @Deblovestoread @Librarybelle @triplem80 @Read4Life @Bluebird 1mo

The Wall | Marlen Haushofer

pick

A woman in the Austrian Alps is suddenly surrounded by an invisible wall. Behind the wall the world seems to have come to an end. She lives on in her own little world, surviving with her animals. Despite the apocalyptic setting this book felt somehow soothing. I loved how the woman lives with nature and her animals. Thanks for bringing this to my radar @batsy

sarahbarnes Great review. I loved this one too and felt the same. 🩵🩵 1mo

BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes I loved your review and couldn‘t wait to read it too! 1mo

BarbaraBB #52BookClub24 - Land-locked country #ATY24 - Relates to “Raining Cats and Dogs” (edited) 1mo

See All 16 Comments

BarbaraBB @KarenUK @eeclayton @BrittanyReads @Book_Lover95 @Larkken @Kristy_K @Tove_Reads @TheAromaofBooks @hissingpotatoes @Magpiegem @MidnightBookListener @kwmg40 @crazeedi @Graciouswarriorprincess @maich @slategreyskies 1mo

Hooked_on_books Oooo, that sounds good! 1mo

Lcsmcat Sounds intriguing. Stacking. 1mo

Librarybelle Sounds interesting! 1mo

Tamra I enjoyed the screen adaptation. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Tamra I need to check that out 1mo

Cathythoughts Sounds good. Stacking. 1mo

Anna40 I love Haushofer! She also wrote short stories. I even translated one but the Austrian publisher didn‘t want to give me permission to send it to a literary magazine for publication. Unless they translate her whole collection it will probably remain untranslated :(. She was brilliant. 1mo

batsy Nice review! Yes, there was something soothing and ultimately hopeful about it in a way. Happy you liked it. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Anna40 That is so cool! And such a pity you couldn‘t publish it. I‘d love to read more by her. 1mo

jenniferw88 This was my #blinddatewithabook book last year from Gladstones! 4w

Rissreads I think I‘ll bump it up my list! Great review! 4w

81 likes10 stack adds16 comments

Wild Dark Shore | Charlotte McConaghy

Still so long until McConahgy‘s new book 😬

ErikasMindfulShelf I didn‘t know she was coming out with a new book!!! You made my day. 1mo

BarbaraBB @ErikasMindfulShelf I am so looking forward to it as well! 1mo

squirrelbrain That‘s a LONG time! 1mo

Hooked_on_books What a great cover, though! 1mo

sarahbarnes Oh wow, I didn‘t know this and am very glad to hear it. 3w

60 likes2 stack adds5 comments

The Good Samaritan | John Marrs

#BookReport 20/24

An eclectic mix of books this week. A thriller, A literary novel, a horror/ true crime and a historical fantasy! It felt good to stir things up a bit.
This weeks favorite is Six Stories.

66 likes

The Infatuations | Javier Mar�as

pick

This is a book with very little plot and lots of stream of consciousness. A woman is intrigued by a couple she doesn‘t know but meets every day in a breakfast place in Madrid. One day the husband is killed and she can‘t stop herself from talking to the woman.
Not much more happens yet it is an engaging read with some interesting thoughts.

#FoodAndLit 🇪🇸

Texreader, Catsandbooks

BarbaraBB #52BookClub24 Set in a city starting with the letter M @LaraReads @Hooked_on_Books @BarkingMadRead @BookBelle84 @jenniferw88 @julesG @Deblovestoread @Librarybelle @triplem80 @Read4Life @Bluebird 1mo

Librarybelle Hooray! I‘m still contemplating what to read for this prompt 1mo

See All 14 Comments

Texreader Interesting. Not sure this one is for me. 1mo

Dilara I am reading A Heart So White by the same author - there are definitely similarities in themes...

A Heart So White

1mo

Catsandbooks Fantastic! 🇪🇸 1mo

Hooked_on_books Sounds really interesting! 1mo

sarahbarnes This sounds very intriguing. I remember reading another book by the author years ago, and now can‘t remember the title. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Dilara I tried that one once but it is such a chunkster and I didn‘t dare to continue! 1mo

Dilara @BarbaraBB My version has 360 pages, so not too bad but still a commitment. I did have to push myself a little bit to finish it though 😚 1mo

BarbaraBB @Dilara i must be remembering another of his books then 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1mo

eeclayton I read this a few years ago but hardly remember anything 😐 1mo

youneverarrived Sounds like my kind of book. Stacking 🩷 1mo

BarbaraBB @eeclayton I think I won‘t either! 1mo

84 likes1 stack add14 comments

Six Stories | Matt Wesolowski

pick

Right up my alley, a book in the form of a true crime podcast, a cold case set in the woods and marshes of England. Throw in some folklore and a great twist and you have a great read. At least I think so. Thanks for the heads up @Reggie 🖤

Suet624 You and Reggie recommend? Stacked. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Suet624 you know what you‘re getting yourself into right 🤣?! 1mo

Librarybelle Looks like a lovely reading spot! 1mo

See All 14 Comments

Suet624 👍👍🙏🙏 1mo

sarahbarnes Beautiful pic! 1mo

jlhammar Sounds like one I‘d enjoy. Adding it to my to-get list! 1mo

BarbaraBB @jlhammar I think so! 1mo

vivastory I love the twist in this 1mo

Reggie I‘m so glad you liked it. That whole last section I was like whaaaaaaaaat?!!!! Lol 4w

BarbaraBB @Reggie @vivastory That twist was unexpected!!. I‘ll be definitely reading the next one!

Hydra

vivastory @BarbaraBB There are a few entries in this series that really creeped me out. I esp remember Changeling & the last 2 Deity & Demon being especially good 3w

BarbaraBB @vivastory Thanks. Are they all stand alones or should I read Hydra first? (edited) 3w

vivastory They're all stand alones. There is one plot point that happens in one book that is referenced in later books, but IMO it's not necessarily significant enough to have to read them in order. I read them in order & I did enjoy the others, but #1, 3, 5 & 6 were my personal favorites. 3w

BarbaraBB @vivastory Thanks for taking the tuneup share all of this. I will remember when reading the series 3w

94 likes11 stack adds14 comments

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue | V. E. Schwab

so-so

France, 1714. When Adeline LaRue has to marry someone she doesn‘t want to, she begs for a life of freedom. Her wish comes true, but at a price. Addie will live forever, and is doomed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
She travels across continents and through centuries and learns to live an invisible life. Until someone remembers her. That changes everything.

It‘s a sweet read. A bit too much so to my taste.

TieDyeDude I loved this story, but I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, and I understand how it wouldn't appeal to everyone. 1mo

sarahbarnes I‘ve suspected this and your review confirms it. 1mo

Suet624 Yeah, I agree with the so-so rating for the same reasons 1mo

80 likes3 comments

Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor

#TuesdayTunes

Well, it is Eurovision 🇪🇺 time so I think I should share the Dutch contestant 😃. It is a ridiculous song called Europapa. Tomorrow are the semifinals, let‘s see if Joost makes it to Eurovision on Saturday!

https://open.spotify.com/track/0uHrMbMv3c78398pIANDqR?si=XD4sRfOCT5ycQsrPAjkqSA

ChaoticMissAdventures I love Eurovision time!!! Windows95Man cracks me up and the more I listen to No Rules! The more it grows on me 😂. I cannot decide my favorite, I love Ireland's Bambie Thug, and SABA from Denmark. 1mo

BarbaraBB @ChaoticMissAdventures My favorite is Italy I think, maybe followed by Croatia. I haven‘t heard them all but will watch tomorrow! 1mo

TieDyeDude That's fun. As an American, I think I am unfortunately ingrained with a US-centric world view, and in this world of always being connected, it's kind of refreshing to be reminded that there is this major international competition that I had zero awareness of until this post 😅 1mo

See All 6 Comments

BarbaraBB @TieDyeDude you didn‘t miss much, not knowing about it but it is something I grew up with and that seems to get bigger each year! 1mo

CarolynM I‘m disappointed that Australia missed out on the grand final🤣🤣🤣 1mo

BarbaraBB @CarolynM Yes, that‘s a shame! Now you can support Netherlands though 🤣 1mo

44 likes6 comments

Clear: A Novel | Carys Davies

Exactly a month from now we‘ll go camping! In #CampLitsy24 we‘ll kick off with Clear, our first June read. As always we‘ll discuss the books over two weekends, even when it‘s as thin as this one!

On June 8 we‘ll discuss chapter 1 to 23, on June 15 chapter 24 to the end.
I‘ll be your host for the June reads and will post some questions to discuss sometime during these days.

We are looking forward to a summer of reading and chatting with you!

BarbaraBB @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @batsy @bennettBookworm @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Bookbuyingaddict @BookNAround @Bookwormjillk @cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 1mo

BarbaraBB @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cseydel @Cuilin @Cupcake12 @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread 1mo

BarbaraBB @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JoyBlue @julesG @julieclair @Julsmarshall @KarenUK @karisa @Karisimo @KateReadsYA @Kimberlone @Kitta @Kristy_K 1mo

See All 59 Comments

squirrelbrain Hooray! I can‘t wait for camp to start! Now, where did I put those marshmallows?! 1mo

BarbaraBB @kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lizpixie @mcctrish @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @monalyisha @Nessavamusic @Oryx 1mo

BarbaraBB @peaKnit @prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @Readerann @RebelReader @Roary47 @rockpools @Ruthiella @SamAnne @Sapphire @sarahbarnes @sblbooks 1mo

BarbaraBB @Soubhiville @Suet624 @Susanita @Suzze @TEArificbooks @Texreader @TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @TheKidUpstairs @TrishB @well-readneck @willaful @youneverarrived @yourfavouritemixtape 1mo

BarbaraBB @decalino @DGRachel @elizamarie @ErikasMindfulShelf @Flaneurette @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @JamieArc @jas16 @jenniferw88 1mo

PuddleJumper This has 13 holds at my local library 😅 Don't think I'll get it in time! 1mo

TrishB Can‘t wait 😁 1mo

BarbaraBB @PuddleJumper 😟 Oh no! Is it that popular? I had no idea! 1mo

TheBookHippie It‘s on hold!!! I‘m number 3 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 1mo

Jess Can‘t wait to start this one! 1mo

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain we‘ll need a lot of them 😀 1mo

Suzze I was #10 on the hold list, so I bought the Kindle book. After using points is was $2 1mo

BarbaraBB @Suzze I am so glad you‘ll be able to join us! 1mo

sarahbarnes Like many others I‘m also on the hold list and still only 16 in line. I‘ll be purchasing a copy for camp. 😃 1mo

Leniverse My hold is number 11. Which is still much better than Butter (21) 😂 I guess I'll be doing some book shopping. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures LoL I was 64th in line at my library, so I got it from the bookstore, but I think I got either a bootleg copy or an unlabeled arc because it is paperback and seems to be 20 pages shorter than it should be according to GRs.... Excited to see if I am reading a different story! 1mo

Oryx Yay! I have my copy ready to start 1mo

Graciouswarriorprincess I just placed a hold. Please include me in the Camp Litsy. @BarbaraBB (edited) 1mo

AmyG Thank you! 1mo

Deblovestoread Can‘t wait! 1mo

Meshell1313 Hooray! ⛺️🎉 1mo

jlhammar Looking forward to it!! 1mo

Prairiegirl_reading I‘m ready!! 1mo

Soubhiville Book discussion on my birthday! Woo hoo sounds like a fun way to celebrate! I‘m looking forward to this one. 1mo

Bookwormjillk Yay!! 1mo

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 1mo

BarbaraBB @Graciouswarriorprincess We will! Welcome to camp! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 1mo

Graciouswarriorprincess Thanks! @BarbaraBB 😀 1mo

CBee Thanks @BarbaraBB 😊 Glad Clear is first as I‘m having trouble getting ahold of Butter! 1mo

Megabooks @Graciouswarriorprincess welcome to camp! 1mo

Texreader Great! I‘ve out put it on hold. Still might not get it in time! 1mo

peaKnit Picked up my hold 🥳 1mo

Larkken Looking forward to it! 1mo

BarbaraBB @CBee We thought we‘d start with the short one to ease into it 😀. I hope you‘ll find your copies in time 🤞🏽@TheBookHippie @sarahbarnes @Leniverse @Graciouswarriorprincess @Texreader 1mo

BarbaraBB @ChaoticMissAdventures I am curious about your copy too. Does it have chapter 24 as the halfway point as well? 1mo

sblbooks I got my copy yesterday, it sounds really good. 1mo

monalyisha Exciting! I‘ll be in the midst of a Bachelorette Weekend on the 8th (which, tragically, leaves me no time for a book discussion). But I‘m hoping to read and join the talks for the second half! 1mo

Megabooks Glad to see so many people excited for camp!!! 🎉🎉 1mo

BookWrym Library has this so I will join you guys 😀 1mo

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Me too, we are with so many!! (edited) 1mo

BarbaraBB @BookWrym that is good news! Welcome to camp! @squirrelbrain @Megabooks 1mo

squirrelbrain Welcome to camp! 🏕️ @Graciouswarriorprincess @Bookwyrm 1mo

Megabooks So glad to have you @Graciouswarriorprincess and @BookWrym ! 🎉🏕️ 1mo

julieclair I found an audio copy on Everand. Looking forward to starting camp! 1mo

Graciouswarriorprincess Thanks @Squirrel and @Megabooks ! 😀 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Megabooks Chapter 24 is half way! Pg 97 of 185 the spine is just black tape but it looks sturdy and like I am not missing any pages. 😂 1mo

BookWrym @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks thanks for the welcome looking forward to camp 😀 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement I see my library branch has this on the shelf. Please count me in. 2w

BarbaraBB @CogsOfEncouragement Will do! Thanks for joining! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 2w

squirrelbrain Hi @CogsOfEncouragement - lovely to have you along! 2w

Megabooks @CogsOfEncouragement glad you‘re joining us! 2w

Maggie4483 After lurking for the past couple of years, I think I've decided to join in on #CampLitsy this year. Can I please be added to the tag list? @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 1w

squirrelbrain Yes, of course @Maggie4483 - lovely to have you along! 🏕️ 1w

Megabooks @Maggie4483 welcome to camp!! 🏕️😁 1w

BarbaraBB @Maggie4483 Hi Maggie, of course you are very welcome! 1w

95 likes59 comments

The Good Samaritan | John Marrs

pick

Another delicious twisty thriller by John Marrs. Although the main characters sometimes act a bit too convenient for the sake of the book, I couldn‘t put it down.

Laura volunteers at a suicide helpline where she listens to callers and encourages them to end their lives.

Suet624 Well that's rude!! 1mo

Bookwomble Having previously volunteered at a suicide support line for many years, I find the premise unlikely. Everyone who volunteered was passionate about the work and put a lot of time, compassion and emotion into it. I know it's fiction, and I'm having a personal reaction - I don't mean to be a wet blanket 🙂 1mo

BarbaraBB @Bookwomble It is very unlikely indeed and that‘s one of the weak points of the book. It must be very emotional to do this work and I‘m sure selection procedures are hard, yet this woman could fool all her colleagues. 1mo

See All 9 Comments

Centique Beautiful photo! 1mo

Cathythoughts I have this one stacked. 👍🏻 Yes , lovely photo. ❤️ 1mo

Bookwomble @BarbaraBB The charity I volunteered for is called Samaritans, so it feels too close for comfort. An eight week training process followed by several months of mentoring identified many for whom it wasn't an appropriate role. Anyway, as I say, a personal reaction which I hope doesn't spoil the enjoyment for others of a book I'll never read 😄 The tagged is a truer, if dated, account.

The Listeners

1mo

emmasm08 @BarbaraBB it‘s a good read ! A while since I read it but I remembered enjoying it ! 1mo

BarbaraBB @Bookwomble That procedure sounds similar to the one described in the book. But I definitely wouldn‘t read it if I were you! Thanks for the recommendations, The Listeners sounds good. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Centique @Cathythoughts Thank you! 1mo

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Six Stories | Matt Wesolowski

#WeeklyForecast 20/24

I am reading The Good Samaritan and it is as engaging as I expected. Next will be Six Stories because of @Reggie ‘s review. And I have one more book to read from the #womensprize longlist. I haven‘t heard much about it but it does sound good.

Reggie I hope you like it! 1mo

62 likes1 comment

Restless Dolly Maunder | Kate Grenville

#BookReport 19/24

Bitter Herbs (Het bittere kruid) is fantastic, a Dutch classic rediscovered and an absolute gem. I also loved Mrs Caliban and want to read more Ingalls. Dolly Maunders I am still thinking of even though I didn‘t like the book that much. What‘s left of me is yours was enjoyable too but one I won‘t remember for long.

DebinHawaii Mrs. Caliban does not get enough love! I was turned onto it a few years ago for #AuldLangSpine & still think about it & recommend it! Stacking Bitter Herbs & the tagged book. 💛 (edited) 1mo

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Moon Palace: A Novel (Penguin Ink) | Paul Auster

I‘ve been rereading my Paul Auster reviews and the tagged one is the one I enjoyed the least of his books. All others were four stars or more for me. I still have 4321 to read. So sad there won‘t be any new ones coming.

Leftcoastzen Love your post! I currently do not have a copy of New York Trilogy, every time I meet someone who seems interested in it , I give it to them and say you must read this !😄 1mo

sarahbarnes The only book I‘ve read by him is 4321, actually, but I have been meaning to pick up The New York trilogy. This news made me sad. 1mo

Billypar Great tribute! I have complete booknesia for Moon Palace - I couldn't say a thing that happened in it, and I rated it a little lower on Goodreads. The only other one I was lukewarm on was Travels in the Scriptorium, but I haven't read any that I outright disliked. 1mo

Centique I have got 4321 and must get to it. Very sad news 💔 1mo

68 likes4 comments

Het Bittere Kruid. Bitter Herbs. A Little Chronicle. (Translated by Roy Edwards.) With Illustrations. | Marga Minco, Roy EDWARDS

pick

In a podcast I heard of this book, which I read in high school only because it is slim. I reread it now and it blew me away. Published in 1957 it is the story of a girl who loses her complete family during WWII. During the war she misses them but she lives her life, surviving and expecting them to come back, because why not? The innocence….
With our knowledge now and the times we‘re living in this book broke my heart in just 90 pages.

79 likes1 stack add

Restless Dolly Maunder | Kate Grenville

pick

Dolly‘s was the transition generation. Dolly Maunders is born at the end of the 19th century, just when things were starting to change for women and their possibilities in life. Dolly wants to grasp them all, there‘s always something better, somewhere. Her restlessness is understandable but has its bad sides. She‘s never quite happy with what she has and it makes her a rather cold, dominating mother. ⬇️⬇️

BarbaraBB This is an interesting portrait of a real woman but the story in itself is a bit repetitive and except for Dolly all other characters have not really been worked out which seems a missed opportunity. A light pick for this #womensprize book. (edited) 1mo

Jas16 Just starting the audiobook today. A light pick seems to be the consensus. 1mo

Hooked_on_books I thought this book was fine but that‘s about it. I‘m disappointed it made the shortlist over books I thought were much better. 1mo

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I think maybe the fact that is was do different (an ambitious but not very sympathetic mc with zero interest in the people around her) made it stand out ? 1mo

Hooked_on_books That could be. I thought she was a great character, but I just didn‘t find the book all that compelling. I think it‘s the writing. Clearly the judging committee disagrees! 1mo

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Tuesdays Like That | Carina Taylor

#TuesdayTunes

Tonight I went to a show by Wende, a Dutch singer who you obviously won‘t know but I‘ve been listening to to get in the mood. She was awesome. You won‘t understand the lyrics, which is a shame. It‘s poetry!

https://open.spotify.com/track/2de9hFWcbbWM8AiDwg3wvd?si=NuW_ULVqQAqu7SrFC8yIUw

TieDyeDude Yay for live music! Hope you had fun 1mo

53 likes1 comment

April | Gabrielle Lord

#AprilStats #AprilWrapUp

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brotherless night
A trace of sun
Christ on a bike
River east river west
The last thing to burn
Mrs Caliban

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
The vacation
Luister (Dutch)

⭐️⭐️⭐️
The maiden
Mrs S
And then she fell
What‘s left of me is yours

⭐️⭐️✨
Nightbloom

DNF
The wren, the wren
The wild laughter
The future

Gissy 🤩📚📚📚👏👏👏👏 1mo

Suet624 So much reading ... :) 1mo

51 likes2 comments