Meh. I like me an unlikeable protagonist but I really didn't care for this. Bailed at a 100 pages. Too Franzen-esque for my liking.

Obviously this is just my POV but I urge you to read and listen to what Black reviewers, specifically Black women, have to say about the book.

So I'm glad I didn't read this book when it just came out coz I likely would have gotten caught up in the hype. Having some distance from its release allowed for interesting perspective. Coates is undoubtedly a master at beautiful prose and delivers stunning moments in the novel. (Cont'd in comments)

He's upset I'm not giving him my full attention, because just using me as a bed is not enough. #CatsOfLitsy

This is one of those books that I picked up for its title, I have no context to the authors or their podcast and other work. In a culture that prioritizes partnerships and romantic love, it was validating to read about this Big Friendship between two people. The vulnerability and honesty was testament to how seriously these women take their relationship. It just made me want to reach out to my Big Friends and give them hugs (lolsob this pandemic).

Friendships in my late 20s have been such a pendulum swing, but I've definitely found Shine Theory to be true.

I continue to love this series, though I'm reading it mostly out of order. Romance/erotica/kink readers, don't miss out! #24in48

Okay this book was a rollercoaster of emotions. I just want to hug all these kids, shit. The writing isn't structured neatly, but it encapsulates how messy and angsty and vulnerable navigating this stuff is when you're that age. I don't miss being a teenager one bit, but I am so glad teens have access to books like these. So affirming.

#24in48GroupRead

From music to food to fashion to activism, Jackson expositions just how deeply anti-Blackness and the appropriation of Black culture are entrenched in the zeitgeist. She sticks to examining the American context, but given how widespread the consumption of anything American is, we can't exempt ourselves from this culpability on a global level. I've pretty much highlighted most of the book so I can't pull quotes. Please read it.

#24in48GroupRead

Oh this was fun! I don't think I've ever read an amnesia trope before, so that was a first. Lots of found family/second chance stuff going on that I throughly loved. Also, made this killer mac n' cheese for #bookanddinner.

It's nearly 4 AM so I'm gonna hit the sack, looking forward to checking out the group reads tomorrow. #24in48

Johnson has penned a searing, vulnerable memoir of the joys and traumas of being a young Black queer person. Essays arranged to paint a picture gathering specific experiences that shaped them as a Black queer person, writer, and activist. A valuable book for young queer people navigating their identities and belongingness in the world. (Note: A young trans cousin mentioned in the book is deadnamed and misgendered in one chapter, with context)

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I don't think Breeze appreciates me using his butt as a reading stool but it's SO convenient. 😂

Happy @24in48 friends! So glad this #readathon is back. Kicking off my weekend with this book (psssst #Kindle users it's on sale at $2.99) and some coffee in bed.

How about you?

#24in48

Officially on the Tessa Dare bandwagon and kicking myself for not getting on earlier. She's HILARIOUS. The dialogue and repartee between the main characters was off-the-charts entertaining. I love me a grumpy Duke and a love interest that's more than his match.

Askaripour is a bold storyteller and he takes you on a wild ride. It's been advertised as satire but didn't feel like it. Though the story is very dramatic, some of the drama felt very on the nose but it didn't detract too much from my enjoyment of the novel. It's set up as a manual for salespeople, and I love an atypical novel structure done well. The construction was awesome. I'm looking forward to what Askaripour delivers in the future.

I've been in Storygraph for a few months now and I'm absolutely in love. The interface is gorgeous, the updates are pretty quick, and they're super receptive to feedback. I really, REALLY hate Goodreads, it's not intuitive at all and the platform has not changed since the beginning. If you're on there, I'm theshrinkette on there as well, add me!

A retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's The Red Shoes combined with The Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg. It goes back and forth in time and is told from multiple POVs. McLemore weaves a compelling story that not only melds historical events with magical realism, but also tackles colorism, xenophobia, and queerphobia. If you've read any of their earlier work the lyrical style will feel familiar. If this is your first, you're in for a treat.

Ending the day as I started it.

Maybe not the best idea to have read this while we're literally in a pandemic? The novel walks a fine line between lit and genre fic, and I had to keep reminding myself it was satire. I devoured it in one sitting but the ending was underwhelming. I'd like to read more of her work though.

Anyone else balk at fictional pandemic descriptions or is it just me?

Vacation has officially ended. Over the last couple weeks, I've rekindled the habit of starting off my day with reading. I'm hoping to keep this up. Just this hour to myself, when I'm feeling relatively fresh, before my calendar takes over my day.

"A girl comes of age against the knife."

Holy shit was this a gorgeous, engrossing story. A coming of age story honoring the author's Cherokee heritage, a story of survival in the midst of poverty, racism, and the violence faced by women across generations. Absolutely heartbreaking, but I couldn't put it down. McDaniel's writing is stunning.

I've only ever read about experiences similar to ones in this book in works of fiction. Not only are the details mindblowing, but they are also aided by Macintyre's masterful narrative style. I was hooked from the first page, and by the third section, I was on the edge of my seat. James Bond doesn't hold a candle to Oleg Gordievsky.

How's social distancing treating y'all, Littens? Get any reading done?

I wonder if Asians have our own special brand of shame generational trauma or if this is a universal experience. I felt so much of this book. 💙 #StayHome24in48

Surreal. Superb. I have no other words at the moment.

#StayHome24in48

Story of the domino effect of toxic masculinity.Attenberg weaves a compelling story around distinctly flawed and unlikeable characters, wherein the reader cannot help but empathize /sympathize with them.

TW: Domestic violence

#StayHome24in48

This book is TIGHT. Oof. #StayHome24in48

An evocative story of the spirit of a woman who lived through the Cuban Revolution trying to trace her life via her nephew. Loss, generational trauma, family, freedom are the themes explored by DJO, who has done a stellar job with this book.

Akemi Dawn Bowman has penned a gorgeous novel that tackles the messiness of grief. I instantly connected with the main character, her arc and processing of her loss were poignant.

Breeze doesn't understand why I'm crying so hard right now.

Jesus this book. It was incredibly hard to read how power and corruption can kee the priarchy in place. My heart goes out to these women. Now down the rabbit hole of Ronan Farrow interviews.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A reminder that we lost one of the good ones. #RIPBourdain

Quiet Saturday evening with this boy. This is after he knocked my kindle off my lap to settle in. #catsoflitsy

As a behavior analyst and someone who is in therapy,I thoroughly appreciated this book. Does a great job peeling back layers to the therapist-client relationship,
offering valuable insights to the reader.I would caution people who're in therapy & want to read this book—it might shatter your perception of your therapist,especially given that Lori does show a lot of of being a therapist one might not typically see/envision/want to think about.4/250

Also Littens, please meet my new reading buddy, Breeze. #catsoflitsy

As a psych grad and a person in therapy, I'm really enjoying this book.

This was lovely and messy in the best possible way. Talia Hibbert never disappoints. (2/250)

Really enjoyed the character-work, especially Rico. Money/finances are such complex subjects to tackle (yay capitalism), even more so in YA, and Nic Stone does a solid job. Confused about how I feel about the ending but I think that's the intention, because it makes the reader have to confront their relationship with money, value, wealth, humanity as it exists in a capitalist structure. Any clean ending would have felt disjointed. 1/250

2020 is off to a promising start. #nowreading

Bring it on 2020. To a new decade of more books,pals. Happy new year. 🍾🎉🙌🏽

I'm making my way through this one slowly and it is honestly one of the best books I've read this decade.

Its a slow Monday at the office, and I forgot my kindle at home. Bless the digital age and the ability to read on a laptop.

Hey there!I'm hosting @DeweysReadathon over on Twitter for the next couple of hours. Come say hi! #readathon

Two books down. This was a lush and heartbreaking read. #readathon

Happy @DeweysReadathon friends!First up! #readathon

Okay y'all. I'm doing it.

“He licked his lips. ‘Well, if you want my opinion-‘
‘I don‘t, ‘ She said. ‘I have my own.”

RIP Toni.💔

I've been crying a lot since the news. This week has been horrendous, but this was the hardest blow.

This is a strange magical realism book that's about this kid, told from the perspective of the primary adults in his life as well as a fantastical bogeyman. I honestly don't have a very good description and can't quite explain to you why it works but it does. Excellent contender for the Booker.

This is a strange magical realism book that's about this kid, told from the perspective of the primary adults in his life as well as a fantastical bogeyman. I honestly don't have a very good description and can't quite explain to you why it works but it does. Excellent contender for the Booker.

Happy #reversereadathon everybody! It's 5.30 AM here in India. Imma need some coffee to begin, but right now I'm a bit too cozy. Happy reading!