It took eleven days into the year, but I finished my first book of 2017 and it was fantastic so I don't feel bad. This book was just beyond amazing, and I am so excited to read the final installment soon. This is also my first book completed for the 2017 #readharder challenge (for the fantasy book challenge, since that's an easy one for me.) Five stars all the way.

Currently reading. I ignored Litsy for a long time, but now I am excited to be back. Happy Belated New Year to everyone who still follows me!!! 😜

For #allhallowsread. I think that I don't really get scared of books and stories that easily. I took a class on Lovecraft, and I found his work fascinating to study, but the only thing scary was how accepted his xenophobia is/was. I expected to be scared, but I never got more than slightly creeped out.

I feel like I need some lighter reading after what I have been reading lately, and I know this isn't really going to be lighter, but whatevs. I adore Le Guin, she is absolutely one of my top five authors all time whose grocery list I'd read if it came to that. A lot of people know her novels, but I honestly believe that her short fiction is better.

I think this poem is kinda spooky and sad. It seems appropriate for #allhallowsread to me!

Good luck to everyone doing #deweysreadathon today!

I would love to join, but I have to work. This photo is my husband's view of San Francisco Bay from his job. My work experience will be nowhere near as nice. #idratherbereading

I am not sure I would call this book scary, more like creepy and psychological and atmospheric, I guess. This book, like the previous one I just read, is much recommended. It was a compelling and fast read, I got through it in about 3 hours. The story is pretty original, and it packs a lot of gut punches that leave you reeling and praying that Malorie does what she needs to do. 4.5 stars, but I did expect it to be scarier.

Costco has books of rum. What a time to be alive.

Cooincidentally, I have this book on my TBR and I need to get to it soon. Paired with copious amounts of rum, right?

#lushesoflitsy #litsytikibar

Y'all want to talk about The Martian Chronicles? The first time I ever read anything by Ray Bradbury was "There Will Come Soft Rains" in my AP English class in my junior year, 2000. It touched me on such a deep level that I still cannot fully articulate it. This book, and F451, have left indelible marks on me physically & emotionally. Ray's writing changed my life. #funfridayphoto

I don't have a book that features Dia de los Muertos, exactly, but I can't help but think about Ray Bradbury's story about los momias de Guanajuato (the mummies of Guanajuato, Mexico) called "The Next in Line." Ray wrote a lot of eerie, creepy stories, and this one stands out as one of the best and one of the scariest. #allhallowsread

I stayed up until 2:30 am to finish this book, which was part of my #allhallowsread TBR. I put off reading this for a long time, convinced that it could never live up to the hype. I was mostly wrong. The story is moving, beautiful, sad, and frustrating at turns, and the characters are layered and dynamic. Mandel's writing is impeccable as well. 4 stars.

If you read and love this, I recommend On the Beach by Nevil Schute to #giveascarybook.

For #allhallowsread, my first horror book was probably Bunnicula. I believe that I read all of the books in the series, but the first one is the best. This was one of my favorite books as a wee child, and I was surprised that my husband had never even heard of it.

This is my cat. She has nothing to do with the book, except, like Heathcliff, she probably spends all of her time plotting revenge.

I am glad I have this book under my belt now, and I see why it is considered a classic. I feel like Bronte probably read a lot of Greek tragedies, because this book is all death and revenge and sadness and insanity. 4 out of 5 stars.

My #allhallowsread TBR. I have read Something Wicked This Way Comes a couple of times, and I invite all of you to come visit this twisted, dark carnival so I can virtually #giveascarybook.

I can't wait to see everyone else's spooky TBR!!

I wish every day was a Monday.

🦀🦀🦀

Somehow, I have never read this book. I am in the process of remedying this now. I distinctly remember a copy at my grandma's house--she was my main book supplier as a kid--that I picked up but never read. With the rain howling and the satellite going out, it seems appropriate to do it now.

What are some classics you have always meant to read, but never have?

The premise is interesting, and the writing is pretty good. There are a few spoiler-y reasons for why I can't rate it higher, but overall it was a decent, quick read. I think I got this on my Kindle from Prime Reading. 3.25 stars

I had very high expectations for this book--which I pre-ordered back in March, before it even had a title--and Atwood did not disappoint. She put enough of The Tempest in, plus twisted it around in interesting ways, so it felt like a nice homage without being... cheesy? At times I laughed out loud, since both Shakespeare and Atwood imbue their writing with wit. 5 spectacular stars.

Now I really have to re-read The Tempest. Oh no. 🤓

I just accidentally bought more books. Oops.

Two are continuations of series I have already begun, so I see it as necessary.

Who else is currently reading this or starting it soon? I am starting it tonight, as soon as the #hockey game is over. 😎

Margaret Atwood is forever my queen.

Today is my doggie's first birthday! She is an honorary Litten, I think, since she is named Ellie, after a smart, brave, caring, strong female character from a book that both my husband and I love.

Who are your literary pet name inspirations? We also had a cat named Lyra, after Lyra from His Dark Materials, but she had cancer and we lost her a few months back. #dogsoflitsy #honorarylitten #happybirthday

Spooky fantasy book for fall? Check! Actual autumn weather? No check. I don't want to feed in to California stereotypes but it is just sunny and mild every day and I am so over it.

They have a Halloween Tree complete with a plaque dedicated to Ray Bradbury every October at Frontierland in Disneyland. Ray & Walt Disney were friends, and Ray had a working relationship with the Disney company as well. I have seen this in person several times and I cry each time. #raybradbury #halloween #disney #disneyland

The second book in the #hisfairassassin series is indeed dark, as the title implies. Sybella, the second of Death's handmaidens, is hardened because of abuses she has suffered, and many parts of her story are difficult to read. Ultimately, though, she does triumph over the demons in her past, literal and figurative. 4 dark, brooding stars.

Another that I believe would be an awesome autumn read! If a book is about young female assassins, I will probably read it. I don't remember how I found #hisfairassassin, but I am glad I did since it became one of my favorite series. Each book follows a different Handmaiden of Death, and Grave Mercy (bk 1) is Esmae's story. LaFevers is a great writer, and I recommend the entire series. 5 stars

I met my reading goal for the year already, and I feel like I am in a bit of a slump. I might try to get through some of my comics backlog, and this one shall be on top of the stack.

Even though I read this rather massive tome over the summer, it would also be a great #spooky read for fall! It is very long, winding, and atmospheric, with some nods to Stoker and lots of non-boring academia. I wish" Research Horror" would have caught on more after this book. 4 blood-curdling stars.

It took me a month to read this book. I put it down several times and read other books. I think the pacing was off for me. Interesting things happened, but I never got truly hooked into the story, with the exception of Hermoine's different arcs. So far, this is my least favorite HP book. However, people who read this as children/adolescents probably like it more. 3.5 stars.

I always plan to read this book during October and then I chicken out. I really am not good at reading scary books.

Also, there is a tiki bar in my house, and there are books on it. #winning

The most interesting part of #bannedbooksweek is that so many books are challenged for basically the same things over the years. Media in general is so oversaturated with sex, sexuality, and violence, yet it sparks more outrage when said media is in the form of a book. With the reading I have done about #bannedbooks I am no closer to understanding why this is. (I meant to post this yesterday but I was hella busy!!!)

Another sci fi favorite that has been challenged, again for explorations of sexuality. #bannedbooksweek really opens one's eyes to things. This book is beautiful and brilliant and amazing and gut-wrenching and emotion-smashing and perfect. I think everyone should read it in order to learn more about how to treat others, it could make you a better person. 5,000 stars. #bannedbooks #scifibannedbooks #sadbooks

The Shadow of the Wind will probably be my next read. Maybe. Possibly. I suck at planning what to read next. Is anyone else like that?

Also, check me out! I feel like I will never rate all of the books I have read, but I felt like that when I started on Goodreads too. I am really that I finally got to get on Litsy! 😁

"Miss will please leave Dobby out of this," Dobby said, looking scared.

I never read Harry Potter as a child/adolescent, and up until last year I had only seen the films. I really did not like Dobby at all, even after reading Chamber of Secrets. Now I am starting to warm up to him, I guess. I legit laughed out loud when I read this.

I think Anderson did some very interesting things here, and the story was entertaining to read. I didn't really care for the abruptness and finality of certain aspects of the story, but overall I did not hate it. 3 stars

Here is a science fiction classic that has been challenged because of *gasp* sex. There are two versions of the book, the one modeled by my dog Ellie and then a more abridged, censored version that removes the offensive dirty parts. It isn't my favorite Heinlein, but it is a good pick for #bannedbooksweek. #bannedbooks #scifibannedbooks #scifi #heinlein

I decided to start this one last night to read for #bannedbooksweek since it has been challenged. I accidentally bought it on my Kindle some time ago, and it has been patiently sitting there, waiting for me to break down and read it. Imagine Neuromancer but with teenage surfer bros?? #bannedbooks #scifibannedbooks #scifi #yascifi

Are you looking for a reading list of sci fi and fantasy during #bannedbooksweek? Check out https://www.worldswithoutend.com/lists_banned_sff.asp! It features the no-brainers like Brave New World and 1984, but a lot of things that would surprise most readers too. #scifibannedbooks #bannedbooks

"It was a pleasure to burn."

One of my literature professors once said that you could figure out what an entire book was about from its first line. I am not sure there is a more appropriate example of that theory than this book.

Also, here is my arm, done in 2008ish?

Man, this book will kinda mess you up, but in a good way. It makes you ask yourself a lot of questions about ethics and humanity, which I always think is a pretty good thing for a book about zombie children to do. To say that I did not expect that ending is an understatement. Now I need to muster the courage to watch the film. 4 stars