A unique and complex love story by an extraordinary new voice in literature. So fresh and moving! I'd recommend it to fans of Elena Ferrante and similar authors. Hope it'll be nominated for international Booker next year. 🙏❤

It is a book designed to be a crowd-pleaser. The narrative is flowing, the plot is adventurous and complex, and it is very atmospheric. But while we‘re given a lot of details about every place and character, the details are often descriptive, as for the psychological complexity of the characters, there is almost no nuance at all. It has good enough entertainment value, some interesting ideas and plot points, but it doesn‘t teach you anything new.

Oof, I have mixed feelings about this painful book. The writing was pretty good and I was really invested in the story at first, but overall it felt a bit repetitive, unbelievable and overwrought.

@Stacypatrice @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Moonprismpower @Cupcake12

you can expect some #LitsyLove 😊💙

1. Yes, I've read more diverse books than last year. Partly because I started to follow some booktubers, joined Litsy, and started to follow some book prizes (e.g international Booker), which I haven't done before.

2. Sure. I would like to experience as many different fictional worlds as possible. 😊

Thanks for the tag @Mrs_B !
I'll tag @NeedsMoreBooks

My first #litsylove letter is going out today. 😊

I'm looking for some #snailmail penpals. Anybody interested? 😊🙏 I'm a 25 y.o linguistics student from Estonia. Love long discussions about books, movies, travels, board games, cultural differences etc. If interested, leave a comment below or send an e-mail: johannakiik@hotmail.com

Finally finished the last part of the Neapolitan novels. It's a truly amazing series! The characters were so multilayered and lifelike. Nothing seemed simplified. Besides, Ferrante managed to create a story so immersive that all the people felt like your personal acquaintances. For those who haven't read it yet - even if you find it a bit slow and/or fragmented at first, bear with it, there's a good chance you're gonna love it by the end!

1. I live in Tartu, Estonia, Northern Europe ❄
2. “My Brilliant Friend“ by Elena Ferrante or “A Ladder to the Sky“ by John Boyne for completely different reasons.
3. It depends. 300-400 pages I'd say.
4. Whoever hasn't played yet, consider yourself tagged! :)

Thanks for the tag! @RamsFan1963

#7days7books Day 7. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

I read it fairly recently, but I feel like it deserves a place in this list nevertheless.

#7days7books Day 6. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

#7days7books Day 5. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

#7days7books Day 4. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

#7days7books Day 3. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

#7days7books Day 2. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

#7days7books Day 1. Books that changed me or left a lasting impact on me.

Thanks for the tag! 😊 @NeedsMoreBooks

This is a book about ambition, vanity and complete lack of empathy. It also explores the borders of plagiarism. Our main character is a guy, who wants to become a writer, despite being unable to write a proper story, so he uses other people's ideas in a very cruel way to climb the so called “ladder“ to fame. The narration style was unique and very captivating! I especially admired the way John Boyne is able to write dialogue. Definitely recommend!

@rmaclean4 @RachelO You were right, this novel was really good! :)

I found this story about the relevance of memories, emotions and identity to be very powerful and thought-provoking. Would recommend it to everyone, who are looking for an accessible, intellectual read.

I was just wondering if anybody would be up for a buddy read of “A Little Life“ sometime in May? 😄

I've been wanting to read it for awhile, but haven't got round to it yet. I've heard that the book is emotional and controversial, so thought it would be great to discuss it with somebody along the way.

This magical mystery about storytelling and a child who is found dead from the river and then comes back to life was thematically quite interesting. Several people in the community believe her to be their lost relative, but no one is sure. I also liked the setting (19th century London) and most of the characters. However, it often felt overly descriptive and too fragmented. I probably would have liked it more if it didn't drag for 500+ pages.

This travelled to a new reader today. 😊

#bookexchange

I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the writing style throughout the book. But on the other hand, the first half of the book was just boooring, I even DNF'd it initially and picked it up only 3 months later. There was just too much fluff and nothing significant happened in the first few hundred pages. However, the second half had a more serious tone and was quite interesting.

It is a unique take on the paranoid atmosphere that accompanies political conflict. We follow a young nameless girl who's stalked by an older man and who's accused of being his mistress by the community (she's not). The prose is lyrical and emotionally rich, even if at times claustrophobic and challenging. The author pays a lot of attention to detail and shows how harmless habits like reading while walking can make one a social outcast.

Got this from a local book exchange network.

Has anybody read it? 🌞

😂 😂

These arrived in the mail today. 😊

Which one should I read first?