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Magdalen Girls
Magdalen Girls | V S Alexander
Dublin, 1962. Within the gated grounds of the convent of The Sisters of the Holy Redemption lies one of the city s Magdalen Laundries. Once places of refuge, the laundries have evolved into grim workhouses. Some inmates are fallen women unwed mothers, prostitutes, or petty criminals. Most are ordinary girls whose only sin lies in being too pretty, too independent, or tempting the wrong man. Among them is sixteen-year-old Teagan Tiernan, sent by her family when her beauty provokes a lustful revelation from a young priest. Teagan soon befriends Nora Craven, a new arrival who thought nothing could be worse than living in a squalid tenement flat. Stripped of their freedom and dignity, the girls are given new names and denied contact with the outside world. The Mother Superior, Sister Anne, who has secrets of her own, inflicts cruel, dehumanizing punishments but always in the name of love. Finally, Nora and Teagan find an ally in the reclusive Lea, who helps them endure and plot an escape. But as they will discover, the outside world has dangers too, especially for young women with soiled reputations. Told with candor, compassion, and vivid historical detail, The Magdalen Girls is a masterfully written novel of life within the era s notorious institutions and an inspiring story of friendship, hope, and unyielding courage."
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tdrosebud
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Eggs Perfect 👍🏼 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This was also my choice !! 13mo
20 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Eggs Pretty color🧡🧡 13mo
61 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Love this cover 🤎🧡

#Sweaterweather
#Haunted

Eggs Perfection 🖤🥰🧡 3y
73 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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To everyone who joined in last month‘s #LiteraryCrew read, another title by the author is on sale today as a Kindle book. Sounds interesting!

CarolineLovesToRead this sounds interesting. thanks so much 4y
PurpleTulipGirl I had no idea such things existed. What a sad life that must have been. 4y
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Librarybelle You‘re welcome, @CarolineLovesToRead ! 4y
litenthusiast Oooh, this sounds really interesting. Thank you! 💜 4y
Librarybelle You‘re welcome, @litenthusiast ! 4y
CoverToCoverGirl Thanks for sharing! 🤗 4y
Librarybelle You‘re welcome, @CoverToCoverGirl ! 4y
57 likes3 stack adds10 comments
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hes7
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Pickpick

March‘s #BookSpin Books 🤦🏼‍♀️

-The Magdalen Girls: an interesting story about historical Ireland 4⭐️ (I actually read this in March)
-Mrs. Lincoln‘s Dressmaker: decided to finally bail on this because it‘s been months and I haven‘t been able to get myself to finish it (#doublespin)

Scochrane26 I finished Mrs Lincoln‘s dressmaker. It was ok, but I don‘t think you‘re missing anything by not finishing. (edited) 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo! I honestly love it when people come to me with #BookSpin shenanigans from months ago haha Definitely sounds like it was time to let Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker go! 4y
Richryan52 @hes7 Hi. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. Less than two hours left 4y
88 likes3 comments
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Conservio
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Holing up at my moms because of the #protests in my town.

Thankfully she has a nice collection of books!

#prostitutes #historicalfiction #dublin

8 likes1 stack add
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hdhubbard
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
Pickpick

8/10 Interesting take on the axiom Love is pain. Takes a hard look at religious authority, and the blind obedience of the church. Overall a decent read, and it really made me think.

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Reagan
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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My goal for my 40th birthday (2020 😬) is to go mountain climbing. I am not in shape. I‘m running on my elliptical almost every night and staying motivated by reading my kobo while I run. I‘m averaging 5 days per book so far. 2 more days to finish the tagged and so far it has been amazing motivation for me to workout.

CouronneDhiver Great goal! 😎👍 6y
ralexist So you and I share a name (mine's spelled Reagen), I also turn 40 in 2020, and I'm thinking about a big trip which may be fairly active and I'm not in shape at all. I need to put a plan in place to get myself going. Kudos to you for the reading and the motivation! 6y
ValerieAndBooks You can do it! 💪 ⛰ 6y
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mcipher Good for you! I‘ll also be 40 in 2020 and I want to do something exciting, like hike at least a chunk of the Appalachian Trail, in my 40s. I am not motivated right now but I‘m right there with you guys - I need to get in shape! @ralexist 6y
candority I initially thought you said your averaging 5 books per day and I was astounded 😂 good luck on your goal, you can do it! 6y
Reggie Wow, you can do it!!!! 6y
Reagan @ralexist @mcipher yes! I can‘t wait to hear what you both decide to do. Part of my motivation is that my husband got me a gift card for a beginner climbing class nearby and so I keep looking at that. Plus at least a couple of friends don‘t think I will do it, and I‘m stubborn 😂 6y
Reagan @candority that would be amazing 😂 6y
valeriegeary Do you have a mountain picked out? 6y
Reagan @valeriegeary something in the Rockies, close to home. I lost momentum when my husband was home from work but I just finished my workout! 6y
41 likes11 comments
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BiblioTori
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Day 12 (A day late!)

The Magdalen Girls is a fictional story based on the true accounts of girls who fell victim to the awful Magdalen Laundry facilities in Dublin, Ireland throughout the mid-to-late 1900s.

I recommend reading it, and then watching the movie based on the book. I especially recommend reading it if you‘re into international history.

#ReadingResolutions #April

Crazeedi @OnlyMeJustT I started this and put it down. The beginning creeped me out 7y
34 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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#Ireland
PS I love you is one of my favorites! 💕 The others are tbr!

#MagicalMarch

vkois88 Ooooh good choice, I forgot about that one! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88 and I love Gerard!! 🔥 7y
vkois88 Oh yes! 😍 7y
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BookishMe I greatly enjoyed Cecelia Ahern's books; have read almost all of them. My favorite is 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @BookishMe I‘ll look that one up!!! ☺️☺️ 7y
Cathythoughts Gorgeous picture 🌺🌺🌺 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Angela‘s Ashes is so good! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cathythoughts thank you 😘🌸🌼 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ForeverNerdy I need more time!!! 7y
vkois88 Oh, yes... he is quite divine! 7y
81 likes10 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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#allautumcolours
More from my tbr shelf!! All beautiful covers!!

Happy Fall 🍂🍁

#Octoberlibrary17

SilversReviews Love your display. 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @SilversReviews thank you!!! 😊💞 7y
TheLibrarian Great photo! 7y
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laurieluna Never heard of the tagged book before! But if you enjoy it, you might enjoy the film 'The Magdalene Sisters' based on the same magdalen laundries. X 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @miralunasbooknook I‘ll check it out!! Thank you!!! 😘 7y
94 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Smithkatiea
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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So far thoroughly enjoying this one. Recently returned from Ireland so all of my recent reading has been set there.

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julesG
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Now that my daughter is off to school, I can read the small notes @Martta put in the books for me.

By the way, my daughter woke me at 4:30 a.m. to open the parcel. I could persuade her to go back to bed and promised to unpack with her after breakfast. She was dressed and fed in a blur this morning. 😁

#SummerSolsticeBookExchange

CouronneDhiver Lovely Bones ❤️ 7y
drokka Kids are so easily motivated. I wish I still had that...oh wait! I opened mine at 12:01... never mind 7y
87 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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#shelfie
#riotgrams
This one is mostly tbr books 😐😊

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Martta
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Mehso-so

I wasn't too crazy about this book. I was expecting a lot since the theme is very interesting but I felt like this book didn't deliver. I think it lacked some depth in characters. Maybe if the writer could have brought the feelings and atmosphere of the story more alive it could have worked. Also I didn't like how one of the main plot twists was left completely open in the end of the story. All in all this was a nice read.

Schlinkles I ended up not really connecting with any of the characters either which made it not work for me. 7y
Martta @Schlinkles That is so pity! I thought the theme of the book was so interesting but bad charaters can really ruin it all! 7y
16 likes2 comments
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Martta
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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There is this thing buging me about the cover. Why on earth would they not use a real person as a model when shooting the cover? Those plastic fingers make the whole book look cheap and and they don't fit with the story at all. Otherwise the cover is so pretty and looks so good but when looked closely the fingers ruin it all. They make the cover feel unreal.

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Martta
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Starting with this today. Years ago I saw a movie about the Magdalen Laundries and as soon as I saw this book I just had to get it. The whole consept of the Magdalen Laundries has stayed with me all these years and now I get to research the subject again. I hope this is good!

Cinfhen I love this cover💘 8y
16 likes1 comment
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theladygreer
Magdalen Girls | V S Alexander
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Today's #womenshistoryreads pick is one I haven't read - but the sad history of the Magdalen Laundries shouldn't be forgotten, and fiction can provide a way in. Any readers want to weigh in on this one? #womenshistory #bookstagram #historicalfiction #histfic #herstory #ireland #magdalengirls #vsalexander

AmbityScambity I'm completely unfamiliar with this topic, but the book sounds really good. I'm looking forward to learning more about it. 8y
KCorter My book club just finished this one! It wasn't high literature, so don't expect to be floored by the writing style or even character development. The story itself was shocking and gripped my attention to the last page. It is an interesting commentary on rumor and reputation, and how assumptions can have deadly consequences. I would recommend it, but give a trigger warning for abuse in the church, rape, and alcoholism. 8y
30 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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Haweller
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Pickpick

I am lucky and thankful to have been born in the year (no disclosure here😉) that I was because after reading this book I know I live in a better time. Controlled, limited, and judged are all words I could easily apply to women represented in this story. This particular group lives in Ireland but the Magdalen Laundries were in many countries and were not closed until the late 20th century.

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Luv2readbookz
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Pickpick

Sad story of the Magdalens - girls that are sent to convents because they are deemed troublemakers - sometimes falsely. They are treated horribly and stripped of all hope of getting out. Very well written and eye-opening. I had not known much about the Magdalen Laundries before reading this. 🙁

candyflossramparts They made a movie about the laundries several years ago - so scary to think they were operating into the 1990s. 😱 (edited) 8y
Luv2readbookz @candyflossramparts I've heard of the movie but haven't seen it. I'll have to look it up on Netflix. 😕 thanks for reminding me to do that. 🎬 (edited) 8y
candyflossramparts It's a very good movie, but hard to watch. Those poor women. 😔 8y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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SharonGoforth
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Sorry I've been absent - I've been at a week-long conference for work. I'm at the Orlando airport, waiting for my flight, so what do I do? Head for the newsstand and buy a book, of course! 📚📚 I'll be back to posting once I get home.

lynneamch This looks like a good one! 8y
Lynnsoprano Just read this last week. Fantastic book. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 8y
SharonGoforth @Lynnsoprano Good to know, thanks! 8y
Jaimelire Added this one...looks good! 8y
61 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Luv2readbookz
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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BeckyD Such a pretty kitty. 8y
MMenefee 😻😻 8y
BrainyHeroine I just got this book! 8y
SharonGoforth 😻😻 8y
45 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Lynnsoprano
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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Pickpick

Wow! I am just emotionally drained after finishing this book. To know that the situation in which the main characters found themselves was based on fact was enough to make my blood boil. Well written, complex characters, and some interesting plot twists equal an excellent and compelling read. It always amazes me when I come across a great book like this by chance.

DeborahSmall The movie was fantastic. So moving 8y
Cinfhen Waiting for my library request, glad to hear it was a good read!!! 8y
KCorter My book club is reading this book in March! I can't wait! 8y
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Lynnsoprano @DeborahSmall I didn't realize there was a movie version of this. I definitely need to see it. 8y
DeborahSmall I didn't realise it was a book! The film is called The Magdalen Sisters. Directed by my favourite Scottish director:Peter Mullan. I went to the cinema 3 times to see it. Heartbreaking and frightening that it was very much the norm back then, and really not long ago. 8y
DeborahSmall http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318411/ you should be able to watch the trailer with this link 💞 8y
Lynnsoprano @DeborahSmall Thanks. Heartbreaking is exactly the right word to describe the book, too. It's not the same story, but the circumstances. 8y
79 likes8 stack adds7 comments
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Lynnsoprano
The Magdalen Girls | V.S. Alexander
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#currentread My first book for February. This came up on BookBub a few days ago. I've read a bit about the real events that inspired this book--young women essentially held against their will in Irish convents to "atone for their sins." So far, I want to do bodily harm to the parents of the two girls, and I'm not thrilled with the nuns, either.

CocoReads I bought this a couple weeks ago--I may need to move it higher on my list 8y
cathysaid Looking forward to the review! 8y
Zelma I haven't read this but the movie was really good! 8y
AlaMich Saw the movie....your heart really does break for these girls who did nothing wrong. 8y
73 likes9 stack adds4 comments
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Ilana
Magdalen Girls | V S Alexander
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Tonight's #bookmail! Glad it stayed dry ;). Can't wait to dive in. #tbr #bookhaul #reading