Welcome to Litsy!

I made it 136 pages into this book before calling it quits ðŸ�†Prior to this page, there was some eye rolling and some “Ughsâ€� thrown about, but a specific line on this page got me to throw in the towel. I‘m not a romance fan so I shouldn‘t have even picked this book up, BUT I love Chicago, Marshall Field‘s (the store), and historical fiction so I thought I‘d give it a chance. I tried, but no. Onto the next book!

Renee Rosen writes some amazing historical fiction set in Chicago. Tagged is my fav. I love all the Chicago museums, especially the Shedd Aquarium. I have great pics of the artwork on display made from garbage collected in the ocean. Which is sad but they‘ve made something beautiful if it. I‘m too whooped from training to hunt the pics down right now. #TravelTuesday

An historical and biographical fiction, this was the story of Delia Caton and Marshall Field‘s scandalous affair. There was some info dumping here and I was uncomfortable with the author making up stories about Dell‘s husband and Marsh‘s wife that are meant to make their well chronicled affair more understandable to the reader. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2021/03/review-what-lady-wants-by-renee-rosen.h...

This grabbed me from the opening scene set in the Palmer House during the Great Chicago Fire and I could never set it down. Loved this one.

#12booksof2020

The good: this is set in Chicago. I‘ve been there many, many times and really enjoy it. It also mentions the Palmer House, which I‘ve stayed at and is beautiful.
The bad: all the drama!
Overall it was a decent story and I liked learning about Chicago after the Great Fire. Another 3.5�� read.

The tagged book is the only 1 I recall as I reviewed books I‘ve read this year. I‘m not aware the author‘s sexuality. I found this especially interesting because of the time period it was set in, 1870s. It showed what it was like to marry someone your family & society found acceptable & watch the person you loved do the same. It showed the effect on the marriage and ultimately the effect on a life. This was an incredible book for lots of reasons.

Rainy day reads 🌧

I love the subjects Rosen writes about, and her style. I though she did a great job with the plot and characters in this one. My gripe is the constant references to specific designers and descriptions of the opulence. After the first 50 pages, it felt—overwhelming. There are ways to emphasize wealth but that bit was overdone. Otherwise, enjoyed it very much!

Another buddy read I didn‘t accomplish with everyone else, I‘m firmly stuck in it now and rather resenting that we have plans for tonight! Thank heaven one of our friends isn‘t a stay out late and party person so I can hitch a ride home with him early and get back to my book since there‘s no way I can finish before we leave.

It‘s time to discuss this month‘s #LiteraryCrew selection! We were transported to late 1800s Chicago, post Chicago Fire, during the rebuilding of opulence. But, this is a fictional look at the love story of Marshall Field and Delia Caton.

Admittedly, I‘m about halfway through, so do not have specific discussion questions (sorry - life/work curveballs yet again!). I‘ll post my impressions as a spoiler. I‘ll have some questions thrown in too!

#literarycrew - gosh I hope I got that right 😂 An excellent look at Marshall Field and Delia Spencer Caton. I loved learning about something so geographically close, and as always I ended up researching more of their lives. Who wants to go see the original store with me? Very engaging book- even if he was a bit of a dick.

Really enjoyed this book - once I started it needed to finish it! Can‘t wait for the discussion #literarycrew
@Librarybelle

Tonight‘s reading plan
A chapter (book) of@the odyssey for the #readingenvyreadalong
And then to finally start the tagged book for #literarycrew

Ugh apparently Libby is no longer sending me notifications that things are checked out. Not sure I‘ll get this one done. Frustrating.

Finally starting this for February‘s #LiteraryCrew #Buddyread !

We‘re a little over halfway through the month - how is everyone doing? I‘ve seen some discussion on fashion details described in the book...any thoughts on this? I‘ll be able to post more regularly now as I read through this, so that will help with discussion.

I devoured this book. �� it! ��������💫

#LiteraryCrew

This book starts out with a bang and successfully sucked me in. I didn‘t realize the opening of the Palmer House hotel, where I‘ve stayed twice, coincided so closely to the Great Chicago Fire. It‘s a beautiful, grand hotel with such charm. These are views of Lake Michigan from my hotel room (2018). It was so beautiful.

#LiteraryCrew

One of the reasons I enjoy historical fiction so much is reading about little tidbits of history I‘ve never heard of or thought about before and seeing how life has changed. The author mentions an umbrella repair shop. I never considered this even though I knew there were other repair shops for many things we‘d toss in the garbage and buy new now.

#LiteraryCrew

The February selection for the #LiteraryCrew #Buddyread . All are welcome to join...tagging those who have expressed interest in this book!

I‘ll post check in posts periodically throughout the month and then a discussion post at the end.

We have a winner for the February #LiteraryCrew #Buddyread ! During February, we‘ll read the tagged book, set in Chicago during the Gilded Age. I‘ll post check in notes throughout the month, and we‘ll have an informal discussion at the end of the month. Tagging those who joined in last time, but all are welcome!

Based on close voting, I think March should be The Secret Keeper and April should be Rutherford Park. Any thoughts??

1. I never finish a book I don‘t like so nothing come to mind 🤷ðŸ�»â€�♀ï¸�
2. The Middle
3. PB & J on wheat
4. Central
5. Lilac Lady

Side note: I just discovered Renee Rosen and she‘s an awesome writer. The two books I‘ve read so far are Chicago historical fiction. ðŸ�™ðŸ’¨ðŸ�»

@howjessreads

#LetsTravelAugust
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

Today‘s Prompt: CHICAGO

When I hear Chicago, I always think of Renee Rosen‘s FAB books.

Glamor, glitter, love, shopping, and ​famous names thrown around...what fun it was reading WHAT THE LADY WANTS.

WHAT THE LADY WANTS is set in Chicago during the 1800's when retail stores and innovations were beginning to surface.

https://tinyurl.com/y4br9yen

@ReneeRosen
@BerkleyPub

#ReadingResolutions @Jess7

TODAY‘S PROMPT: FAMOUS

There are a lot of famous names and brand names in this book.

Recognize any of them?

Renee Rosen‘s books are always so good.

WHAT THE LADY WANTS is a favorite.

https://silversolara.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-lady-wants-by-renee-rosen.html

#ThisRemindsMeOf

@joestalksbeck
@Tiffy_Reads

TODAY'S PROMPT: SHOPPING

This book tells of the founder of Marshall Fields Department Store and his love affair with Delia Spencer. WHAT THE LADY WANTS was a great read - I always enjoy Renee Rosen's books.

https://silversolara.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-lady-wants-by-renee-rosen.html

Having grown up with Marshall Field's as the go-to-store, I was excited to listen to this one! It was a bit more of a romance novel than I expected, and not quite as Chicago-centric as I had hoped for, either- but it was entertaining! The first Mrs. Field sure sounds #Toxic #Audiobook #AudioColoring #AugustGrrrl @Cinfhen

If, like me, you love historical fiction set in Chicago, you must know about @reneerosen_ . For #womenshistoryreads I recommend WHAT THE LADY WANTS, a sweeping tale of 1870s-1890s Chicago through the lens of socialite Delia Spencer & her love affair with Marshall Field. Renee & I are doing a joint event at Women & Children First on April 13th -- can't wait to talk Chicago history in Chicago! #womenwriters #historicalfiction