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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium Honestly, these last two sections were the most interesting to me in the entire book. I enjoyed Castalia's story, although it did seem VERY out of place in the book. I was genuinely shocked to learn how the Captain died. Overall, this book was overly long (I love long books, by the way). Lucy's stories were interesting, but they all took on that never-ending quality. The format was confusing and often hard to follow. I'm definitely glad it's over. 6y

cherinium Thank you, @Librarybelle , for hosting this #buddyread. You posed discussion questions that made me think, and your encouragement is probably the only reason I finished this book! 👏👏👏 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium The format for me was very difficult to follow - I quipped to a coworker that this made the 19th century writers loom brief in their prose! Castalia‘s story was interesting but misplaced with the narrative. But, if I look past the very long narrative, it‘s a portrait of a struggling South trying to find its identity after the War and after Reconstruction. I‘m glad I read it, but really don‘t need to read it again! 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium Thank you for finishing the book! It‘s thanks to your encouragement that I did not bail on it. That‘s what makes buddyreads so much fun, and our discussions have been terrific. 🙂 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium I'm not sure if he really had a specific reason to destroy the coat, other than being senile. I suppose it is possible that he somehow found a way in his mind to blame Castalia (his own former slave) for the war. I do believe Lucy was justified in chastising him for what he had done. His reaction turned to violence, and I think from then, Lucy was 100% justified to do whatever she needed to protect herself. 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium Senility is probably the reason - I can also see a mean streak in him. His abuse of Lucy increased the older he got, and Lucy had to go into self defense mode to save herself from him. I know we discussed before his PTSD and the effects it had on him. It just got worse over time. 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium That's a good question. Perhaps it was a way to humanize her more to the reader. By doing so, it sets the reader up to be even more angry on her behalf when we get to the part when Captain desecrates her mink coat. What are your thoughts on it? 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium It surprised me. I thought it may be a way to tie Lucy and Captain Marsden together, to show that they were a unit of sorts. Each had a story to tell, with its ups and downs. I like your connection to the mink coat...her story really did make me think kinder towards her, and I was absolutely furious about the mink coat! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

pan

To those who told me how much you love this book, I am so sorry, but this book was not for me. I must be in the minority! Lucy Marsden tells all...literally. It was a struggle for me to get through the long passages. I was also a little thrown off course when Gurganus told the stories of others, sometimes in the first person.

Thanks to @cherinium for cheering me on for the #OLCWTARead ! Questions will appear soon!

Kaye It‘s totally fine with me. No hard feelings. I don‘t expect everyone to like the books I do, because I don‘t like every book either. I‘m sorry you didn‘t like it more, but it‘s ok that you didn‘t. 🤝👍🏼👎🏼 6y

Librarybelle @Kaye I am glad I read it, though. There is much to look at with treatment of soldiers returning from the war, both physically and mentally. Good to get a perspective on that. 6y

Kaye Yes I liked looking at it from the Southern viewpoint since most books I‘ve read tell the northern version. Good to have the other side‘s views. 6y

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Mdargusch 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼good for you for finishing it! I‘m so sorry I couldn‘t stick it out with you. 6y

Librarybelle @Mdargusch Thank you, and no worries! Glad you tried to read it again! 6y

emilyhaldi I commend you for making it to the end!!! 🙌🏻 6y

Librarybelle Thanks, @emilyhaldi ! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

We‘re approaching the end of #OLCWTARead ! I have about 130 pages to go, so will post final questions either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending upon when I finish. 🙂

Mdargusch 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I‘m so glad you‘ve almost made it through this book! Well done! 6y

Librarybelle Thanks, @Mdargusch ! It has been a challenge! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Trying to finish this book today! I think #Zeke is telling me something...#catsoflitsy #OLCWTARead

wanderinglynn ❤️🐱 Clearly it‘s cat time. 6y

LeahBergen 😂😂 6y

Librarybelle @wanderinglynn It‘s also food time! Haha! 6y

Texreader 😻😻😻 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Pushing through a little bit more of this book this afternoon. #SebastianKitty is curled up for a nap. #catsoflitsy

Crazeedi I think I may have read part of this or maybe I just wanted to read, interested to hear what you think of it 6y

Slajaunie Sabastian isn't a handsome fella! 6y

Librarybelle @Crazeedi Honestly, I‘m finding it so hard to read. A lot of people love it, but it‘s a struggle for me. I‘m leading the #OLCWTARead , so plan to finish it. 6y

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Librarybelle @Slajaunie He‘s my youngest of my three cats and has these moments of perfect calm. He loves to cuddle during those times! 6y

CatLass007 😻😻😻😻😻 6y

Slajaunie He‘s a sweet baby! 6y

Crazeedi Your kitty is precious 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

pan

Finally! I don't think I have ever been so happy to finish a book! The book contained moments that I enjoyed, but overall, I couldn't wait to be done. I really think I would have bailed if it weren't for a #buddyread. #OLCWTARead @librarybelle, thanks for keeping me going, so I can say I finished it!

Librarybelle 👏👏👏 I still have a good bit to go... 6y

cherinium @Librarybelle You can do it! This last section did go faster for me than the previous ones. I'm sure it was partly due to me having the end in sight, but the story did get slightly more interesting for me in the last few chapters. 6y

Librarybelle Thanks! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium This section was all over the place. Some of the stories here were somewhat interesting, but just seemed to go on and on! It was interesting to learn about Lucy's parents, and Lucy's early life. I just don't know that we needed SO much backstory about Bianca's nurse and Shirley. Suspicions I had that Captain had been physically abusive were confirmed. I found myself really drawn into the story when learning about Archie. 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium I think it's pretty normal to want to go back and visit places that were so important to forming our character. And it's also a normal impulse to want to show these places to our loved ones. I have done this...when dating my husband, he got a complete tour of my hometown and my college campus. It's nostalgia and wanting to share experiences that makes us do these things. 👇 6y

cherinium The scene with the visit to Ned's tree was an interesting one to me. I came away with the impression that Captain just got completely caught up in the moment and his excitement at actually rediscovering the place and desperately wanted to share it with his family. I don't believe that he would have purposely harmed any of his children, but he also did not seem to be thinking clearly, so I can see why Lucy did not trust him. 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium I thought the whole scene was interesting...Marsden is not the only one who brought his family to view battle scenes. I think he got up too, and sometimes forgot he had his wife and kids with him. I‘m not sure about the tree scene - I could see Lucy‘s worry, but I would hope he would not resort to a recreation of the scene. 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

I‘m still pretty behind on the #OLCWTARead schedule, but I did want to put out a couple general questions for Book Three. There will be two posts under the spoiler. We‘re scheduled to finish this book June 25, so hopefully I‘ll be caught up by then!

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

So...I miscalculated how long it would take me to finish Book Three of Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All. I‘m not done! Sorry...questions won‘t appear until later this week. I‘m juggling this plus a couple other books with looming deadlines, so this fell a bit behind. #OLCWTARead

emilyhaldi It‘s a toughie 😬 6y

Librarybelle @emilyhaldi Yes it is! 6y

cherinium No worries! I am also woefully behind! 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium That‘s good to hear! I‘m finishing up a book right now that I have to send to someone but will then continue through Confederate Widow. 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

#OLCWTARead participants - we‘re finishing Book 3 tomorrow. I will post discussion questions sometime on the 12th!

DrSabrinaMoldenReads I loved this book! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

emilyhaldi Hopefully I will get to it someday soon and then I can tell you!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 6y

Librarybelle @emilyhaldi 😂Don‘t worry! 6y

cherinium I finally finished this section today. Painful. It took all I had to get through this section. I think I'm ready to bail. The commentary of Lucy's paper by Lucy...and her teacher...it's just too much. While I was interested to learn how Mrs. Marsden survived the fire and how the slaves spent their first days of freedom, the manner in which these details were revealed was completely uninteresting--👇👇 6y

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cherinium And completely unbelievable! There is no way someone with burns like those described in this book would have survived during the Civil War era! Severe burns like those are often fatal even with intensive medical treatment in modern times! I just couldn't buy it. 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium This has been painful for me too! I‘m really struggling with this. I‘m still trying to digest Will‘s treatment of Lucy - basically breaking into the room she‘s in despite the fact she clearly wants left alone! The writing style is really getting to me too. 6y

cherinium @Librarybelle It doesn't seem like many people are still in for this #buddyread. I'll make a deal with you. If you want out, just say the word. I won't hold you to your commitment as a host of your heart isn't in it. But, if you want to stick with it, I'll stay until the end. 😉 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium I‘ll keep going...who knows, maybe the next section will pick up?!?! 6y

cherinium Ok! I'm in! I have to admit, I have a hard time bailing on books. I think it's FOMO on the great pay off. Here's hoping this one has one! 🤗 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium At least we can say at the end that we read it, if nothing else! Hooray! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium I'm on the fence about this. I think that Lucy can admit and acknowledge that her marriage was abusive; however, she does refer to feeling affection for her husband. She has kept mementos and sentimental items that remind her of Captain Marsden. If she had no fond memories, I'm not so sure she would have done this. 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium It‘s almost like she knows she was in an abusive relationship, but in a way accepts it, because of what happened to Will when he was younger. What did she say one time - she‘s the battleground for him, and he needs to show his fighting ability, he needs to conquer - or something like that. 6y

cherinium @Librarybelle Exactly! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium Mrs. Marsden is vividly painted as a spoiled, selfish lady prior to losing everything. Once the mansion is burned, her slaves are gone, and her beauty is permanently marred, she withdraws into herself. We aren't really told what she thinks, but it is clear that she at least has the will to live. From that, I assume that she comes to realize that vanity and wealth are not the most important things in life. 👇👇 6y

cherinium Will has a lot to grieve. I think, aside from the loss of his friends (especially Ned), the thing he grieves the most is the loss of his youth. Obviously, the loss of his plantation and his mother's tremendous loss also weigh heavily on him, but so much goes into the description of him seeing himself in the mirror. I think he is saddened to realize that he is no longer a boy. His mother's injuries further thrust him into the position of caretaker. 6y

cherinium That's a lot to place on these young shoulders. As I mentioned in a post after Book One, I don't think Will is given the opportunity to appropriately grieve all he has lost. He returns from war and is immediately thrust into the position caring for his mother and all of the family affairs. Lucy's grief is less apparent to me at this point. 6y

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Librarybelle @cherinium Lots of really great points! Maybe Lucy‘s form of grieving and mourning is this narrative, reminiscing of times gone by. 6y

cherinium @Librarybelle I suppose you are right. She clearly wants to talk about all these things. She keeps going on and on and on and..... 6y

Librarybelle @cherinium Ha! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Boom Two questions will pop up under the Spoiler! #OLCWTARead

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Tomorrow (the 29th) begins Book Three of the #OLCWTARead . I will have questions for Book Two up sometime tomorrow, most likely towards evening on the US East Coast!

emilyhaldi I am so behind 😬😬😬 6y

Librarybelle @emilyhaldi No worries! 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

#13inThree update...9 hours down, 4 to go. Tomorrow, I plan to finish I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark, as well as Book Two in the tagged (and pictured) book for #OLCWTARead .

Samplergal

rustoryhuf I read this when it first came out for a bookclub. I loved the story. 6y

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Librarybelle, vkois88, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

And finished my day reading a little for #OLCWTARead . Not a bad total for day one of #13inThree .

Samplergal

Reviewsbylola 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y

ReadZenRites That‘s pretty impressive!👍🏻👏🏻 7y

Librarybelle Thanks, @ReadZenRites ! 7y

Samplergal Great job! 7y

Librarybelle Thanks, @Samplergal ! 7y

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Mdargusch

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

bailed

Every page in this book was such a chore to read. This was my second attempt to read it and I just couldn‘t. It made me so #tired just to get through one page. I‘m a #buddyread dropout.

#adelesmaymashup
#olcwtaread

Librarybelle It‘s been hard for me to read as well. I have yet to start Book Two...trying to get myself motivated to do it. Thanks for trying again! 7y

Mdargusch Sorry, I really wanted to like it @Librarybelle 7y

Librarybelle No worries! Honestly, if I didn‘t volunteer to lead the discussion, I probably would have backed out by now because it‘s not really grabbing me at the moment. #somanybookssolittletime 7y

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vkois88 It happens! There are so many other options you could enjoy instead of wasting time 7y

LibrarianRyan This was made into a tv mini series. And while I could never get into the book I did like the show. 7y

Reviewsbylola Me too. 😣 7y

emilyhaldi You and @Cinfhen can head up the #buddyreaddropout club 🤣 7y

Cinfhen Hahaha!!! @emilyhaldi I‘m the Queen of Bails 👑 7y

Cinfhen I know the feeling, Mariann!!!! (edited) 7y

Mdargusch Great idea! @emilyhaldi and @Cinfhen 😂 6y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

For the #OLCWTAread, I was very much struggling with the storytelling style. I decided to switch to #audiobook, and it was a great decision! I needed something new for my commute, anyways. Listening makes the unusual format easier to digest. The narrator does a great job of sounding like a little old woman telling stories, although there are some strange sound quality/audio editing bugs that can be a little distracting.

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emilyhaldi

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Ya'll, I'm struggling with this brick. I just can't get in the rhythm of this writing!! I'm almost to the end of Book 1 and not sure I should continue. Can anyone tell me if the narrative changes after Book 1 or is it like this the whole way through?!?
#OLCWTAread

Kaye It can be a bit challenging, Emily, if you don‘t like that type of rambling writing. See, I do, because I do and awful lot of rambling myself. I know when I first read it, I told my best friend how good it was. She couldn‘t get into it either and just did not like it. It‘s ok if you don‘t. 7y

BookNAround I did finish it when I read it years ago but I don‘t remember a thing about it besides how dry and what a slog it was. 7y

Mdargusch Yeah, I can‘t read it anymore. This was my second try and I really wanted to like it. 🙁 7y

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emilyhaldi @Kaye Lucy is quite funny, and is it crazy that I hardly know you and yet she reminds me of you?! You have very similar senses of humor and maybe speech cadence, I think. 😊 She is so endearing and I want to keep reading to see where her story goes. I just need to really concentrate to follow all of her tangents 🧐 7y

Kaye Well, I‘d be honored to be compared to Lucy Marsden. She was quite a quick wit for someone so old. It‘s ok if you guys don‘t finish. I wouldn‘t finish a book I didn‘t like either. In fact, I toss a lot more than I read these days for some reason. Takes a super good book to keep me interested. @emilyhaldi @Mdargusch 7y

Reviewsbylola I‘m waving my flag of surrender. 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium I had a hard time getting into this. The rambling narration is hard to follow (although typical of conversations with many older folks). There are little comments dropped throughout that create a sense of foreboding for the remainder of the story. The extraneous details of her current surroundings seem unnecessary, but I do feel like they add a touch of realism to the narrative. My grandma certainly does not stay on topic when telling stories. 🙄 7y

Librarybelle @cherinium Yes! It took me so long to get into the language and the flow of the narrative. I‘m not sure if I even have command of it yet! And the ramblings... 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium Castalia is clearly jealous of Lucy. Castalia is in love with Marsden, yet can not marry him due to her race and previous status as a slave. We have yet to learn about their post-war relationship, yet I have a feeling Castalia and Marsden did maintain a romantic relationship. Lucy becoming his wife can't be easy for Castalia. Lucy does not seem to grasp the emotional attachment Castalia has to Marsden, so does not understand the bitterness 7y

Librarybelle @cherinium I think they had a relationship as well. Lucy‘s also someone much younger coming into the dynamic after so long with just Castalia and Marsden in the house. 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This post contains spoilers

cherinium I think that 13 year old Marsden thought going to war would be a big adventure to share with his best friend. As such a young child, I don't think he fully realized how dangerous or life-changing war would be. Once back, he clearly possesses signs of PTSD. To have the further stress of caring for his mother and his friend's mother, he is never given the chance to deal with his own grief and trauma. This creates a cocktail for a volatile man. 7y

Librarybelle @cherinium I agree. He‘s been very traumatized from the war, especially seeing his best friend die. He never had time to come to terms with anything from his experience. 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

I‘m getting ready to post some questions from Book One of the #OLCWTARead . They will appear under the Spoiler tag.

May 15 begins our reading of Book Two! Discussion questions for Book Two will appear on May 28.

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

I have some catching up to do to stay on track for the #OLCWTAread. I'm really struggling to get into this. The narrative is not easy to follow, and feeling the pressure of being behind is not helping. I have the day off work, so I'm hoping I can settle my mind and get into the rhythm of this book. At least it's beautiful outside right now, and my porch is inviting.

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

I made it to Book Two! Not an easy read, and I did read parts with a furrowed brow.

For those participating in the #OLCWTARead , I will post a couple of questions during the day tomorrow. May 15 starts the Book Two reading.

niftytiffd I read this in college! Long read, but great story!! 7y

Librarybelle @niftytiffd It took me some time to get into the narrative, but my interest is piqued, so I‘ll keep going! 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Spending some Mother‘s Day snuggle time with my oldest #Zeke . Hope to finish the Book One segment of #OLCWTARead before I head to my parents‘ house to spend a Mother‘s Day afternoon with my mom. #catsoflitsy

Reviewsbylola Enjoy your day! 🙌🏻 7y

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Reviewsbylola

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Starting now! #OLCWTAread

Librarybelle 🙂❤️ 7y

Mdargusch I hope you like it. 7y

Reviewsbylola I‘m unsure about it so far. 😬 It‘s definitely not an easy read. @Mdargusch @Librarybelle 7y

Librarybelle @Reviewsbylola I‘m about 100 pages in, and I think I finally got the flow of the narrative. But, it‘s tough. I‘m unsure about it myself. 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

This has not happened in months - #Vladimir decided to lay on my lap this morning. He hasn‘t done this since I adopted Sebastian, so I‘m soaking in the moment. I took the day off to go to the DMV to renew my license, but I‘m not moving this cat for anything. I‘ll just keep reading for the #OLVWTARead while Vladimir sleeps and keeps my lap warm. #catsoflitsy

CatLass007 😹😹😹😹😹 7y

wanderinglynn Aw! ❤️🐱 7y

LaraReads So sweet! 7y

rubyslippersreads 😻💤😻 7y

Mdargusch Cutie! 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Ready to crack this open for the #OLCWTARead .

To anyone reading along - book one section will be discussed May 14!

My copy is a used copy I picked up years ago. When I opened it a couple weeks ago, I found this bookmark from a long ago Borders in North Carolina. Love finding non-living and non-gross things in books!

Ashley_Nicoletto I started last night but haven't made any huge progress yet. 7y

DivineDiana I love treasures forgotten in used books! (edited) 7y

Librarybelle @Ashley_Nicoletto Tonight was the first time I could pick it up, unfortunately 7y

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Librarybelle @DivineDiana ❤️❤️❤️ 7y

keys_on_fire Non-living and non-gross 😂😂 but so true!! 7y

Librarybelle @keys_on_fire 😂😂 7y

emilyhaldi I haven‘t made much progress on this either but I‘m hoping to this wknd 😄 7y

Librarybelle @emilyhaldi 👍 7y

Mdargusch This book has been a real struggle for me. Each page I read is like trudging through knee deep mud. I‘m not sure I can finish it. I bailed on it the first time I read it years ago and I was hoping this time would be better. 😕 7y

Librarybelle @Mdargusch The writing style is very different...it‘s going to take me some time to get into it. 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

#bookmail today! The tagged book is for the #OLCWTARead and the others are selections for #GARBingo. #GreatAmericanRead #GAR #MakeAmericaReadAgain
All are #blameitonlitsy purchases from #thriftbooks.
@4thhouseontheleft

Jules7 The Book Thief ❤️❤️ 7y

Phantasma.Maddie I just finished The Book Thief, it was wonderfully heartbreakingly beautiful. 7y

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Mdargusch

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Bookmail! It makes me #smile! 😁
I‘m also now officially ready for the #olcwtaread !
I also found an interesting and creepy true crime I just had to have. #favoritegenre
And finally - my #whodunitbymail arrived.
#hopintospring #aprilbookishmadness

ReadingEnvy, BibliophileMomma, Librarybelle, maich, vkois88, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

JoScho That little Ewok looking creature on the floor makes me smile 😊 7y

vkois88 🤗🤗🤗 7y

emilyhaldi So many books 🤗🤗🤗 7y

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AlaMich @JoScho I know! It is adorable, whatever creature it is and whatever part of its body we are looking at. 😂 7y

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego The People Who Eat Darkness has been on my TBR for a while. 7y

Mdargusch It seems like it will be very disturbing @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego 7y

Mdargusch Thanks @JoScho and @AlaMich - that‘s Ruby and her cute little face. She decided to supervise the photo shoot. 7y

JoScho She is adorable! 7y

ReadingEnvy I am going to read the next whodunit this weekend so I'm not behind next time (and it's a shortie)... I hearby pledge to you. 🤞🙅 7y

Mdargusch Don‘t worry about it! @ReadingEnvy I have plenty to read! 😄 7y

AlaMich @Mdargusch Now I see her!! 🐶❤️ 7y

Reviewsbylola @Liberty has raved about Richard Lloyd Parry and he has been on my TBR ever since. Totally borrowing that when you‘re done! 7y

Mdargusch Good to know @Reviewsbylola 👍🏼 7y

maich Lovely😍 7y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Woohoo!!!!!! ☺️😁😄😄 7y

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Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

We‘re a week away from starting the #OLCWTARead ! Grab a copy of The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All and join us! I‘m tagging everyone who had expressed interest, as a reminder. We‘ll have informal discussions at the end of each “book.” Very excited!

Reviewsbylola, emilyhaldi, Kaye, cherinium, Rachbb3

DivineDiana So tempting! But I think I can only add to TBR at this time. 🙁 7y

Kaye Thanks for the tag. I have a copy. I can‘t promise anything but I‘ll try. I‘m not good at structured reading anymore , plus I‘ve had a real struggle lately with reading anything. I‘ll do my best. At least it‘ll be interesting to see what you all think of it.. maybe that‘ll peak my interest to pick it up again. 7y

Librarybelle @DivineDiana Not a problem! 7y

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Librarybelle @Kaye I think that‘s my favorite part of #buddyreads and #readalongs ...seeing what everyone has to say. 7y

emilyhaldi Yay, can't wait to get started!! 7y

Ashley_Nicoletto I think I'd like to join - if I'm welcome too! This one sounds great! 7y

Librarybelle @emilyhaldi 😁 7y

Librarybelle Of course, @Ashley_Nicoletto ! So glad to have you join!! 7y

Rachbb3 Thanks for the tag and reminder, I'm already in 2 read a longs, so I'm not going to join this one, but I'm looking forward to your reviews! 7y

Librarybelle @Rachbb3 🙂 7y

Reviewsbylola Can‘t wait!! 7y

cherinium Thanks! I still need to get a copy, so thanks for reminding me! 7y

keys_on_fire I just found this at my library sale. I‘m in!! 7y

Librarybelle @keys_on_fire Hooray!! 7y

bookandcat I MIGHT REGRET THIS because my tbr is a MILLION pages long for this month but 7y

bookandcat *count me in! I'll give it a go! 7y

Librarybelle @bookandcat That‘s terrific! Welcome aboard. Admittedly, I probably won‘t start this until tomorrow at the earliest 🙄 7y

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emilyhaldi

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

My copy of this #chunkster arrived for next month‘s readalong and I can‘t wait! (It is quite dense 😅 I have to say) #OLCWTARead

charl08 Love the cover. 7y

Librarybelle Hooray! 7y

Ashley_Nicoletto This one sounds so good! 7y

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Reviewsbylola I hope we love it. 🤞🏻 7y

Leftcoastzen It was not only a chunkster but a HUGE hit when it came out , admit I haven‘t read it. 7y

Mdargusch I‘m ready too! 👍🏼 7y

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Reviewsbylola

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

I just wanted to post about a readalong/buddyread that @Librarybelle is hosting. It begins May 1. I‘m really looking forward to this one! 🎉🎉🎉 I just ordered my copy from Better World Books for $4.30. Praying I don‘t regret buying a used book yet again. 🤣🤣 #OLCWTARead

Librarybelle Thanks for sharing! Excited to begin this next week! 7y

Cinfhen It‘s a mini #chunkster 😲 7y

emilyhaldi Yay!! I should get my copy of this in the mail today 😄😄 7y

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Reviewsbylola, emilyhaldi, LitsyHappenings

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel | Allan Gurganus

Thanks to the rave review from @Kaye , a few of us wish to read the Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All. We‘re doing a #buddyread starting in May! There are five books in the novel, so we‘ll read a book every two weeks, with a brief check in at the end of each reading time to talk about the book. Reading begins May 1. Use #OLCWTARead with your posts so we can keep up with everyone‘s posts.

All are welcome to share this post and join us! 🙂

Reviewsbylola Woo hoo! I‘m excited! 7y

Kaye We are in for a good read. 7y

Rachbb3 So tempted! I'm thinking on it. 😊 7y

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Librarybelle @Rachbb3 Hope you can join us! 🙂 7y

Mdargusch I think I will read this again with the group. 👍🏼 7y

emilyhaldi Yay! @Mdargusch when did you read this? Did you like?? 7y

Librarybelle Hooray, @Mdargusch ! 7y

cherinium I'll try to join! 7y

Librarybelle That sounds good, @cherinium !! 7y

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