Burial Rites | 
pickThis was not chosen by my book group for this year, but I still wanted to read it. This was so well written- I felt that I was in 19th century Iceland, and I felt all the emotions of each character, or reaction to a character. So so good on audio too, but I‘m glad the group didn‘t choose this. It‘s also incredibly sad, and the discussion would just be how terrible this or that was. Fantastic book
pickI am not generally a fan of books that make me sad, but this one was an exception. It was so well written, so evocative of time and place, and so thought-provoking. A 5-Star read for sure.
This was the #LiteraryCrew selection for July, and I enjoyed our discussion, as always. @Librarybelle
#Pantone2025 #LyonsBlue @Lauredhel
pickFinally finished Burial Rites. An excellent and heartbreaking story. Highly recommend. Glad I joined in with the reading, even if I was a little late due to losing the book for a couple weeks.
ETA: I didn‘t notice the print in the corner while creating this on Canva. 2023 has nothing to do with the book. 😆
#literarycrew
1) One of the schools I worked at this week had this display.
2) Got a Dodgers history book to listen to on off days.
3) My kids went to their hometown and brought back this candy from a shop there that makes candy canes.
4) One of my kids volunteers at a food bank. They sent them home with a box of veggies. I made soup.
5) Finally found my copy of Burial Rights yesterday. Long story. Just disappointed I‘ll miss the discussion.
#5joysfriday
pickThis book wrecked me. It was such a devastating and unforgettable story. The ending just about broke my heart. 💔 This was very well-written with lots of character development and historical detail. I highly recommend the audiobook. 5/5⭐️
#LiteraryCrew
#100DayProject2025 Book 14/50
(July 31, 2025)
Discussion questions are posted for #LiteraryCrew ! You can find the 7 questions on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Next month, we dive into Whale Fall by Elizabeth O‘Connor. Reminder will be posted tomorrow.
Also, start thinking about title suggestions for 2026! We‘re approaching voting season!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Teresereading, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf7. Hannah Kent calls her novel a ‘dark love letter to Iceland‘ in her Acknowledgements. What does she mean by this? Did you read the novel in this way? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Death is a major theme in this novel, but it is also about life and living. When
Agnes faces the day of her execution all she wants to do is live, despite the harrowing nature of the life she has endured. Do you agree/disagree? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. Blöndal is the real villain of this piece. His dispassionate communications with
those whom he controls are filled with venom and spite. What did you make of his
decision to lodge Agnes with District Officer Jón and his family? What do you believe
happened at Stóra-‐Borg that caused Blöndal to move Agnes to Kornsá? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Are Steina, Lauga and Margrét changed by Agnes‘s time with them? Has her
fate changed theirs in any way? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Fate and destiny are major themes in this novel, for Agnes seems fated to have come to the end she does. Could she have escaped this destiny? Was there a turning point in her life that she might have avoided? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Agnes often comments on the ways in which she has been silenced, or had her story altered by the authorities. Why do you think she has such an anguished relationship to language? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. As we know from the Author's Note, Kent bases her book on the real life murders of Natan Ketilsson and the convicted Agnes Magnusdottir.
Link in the comments to a travel site from Iceland that gives some more background about Icelandic society and the use of punishment at that time. It's very informative!
Had you heard of this murder prior to reading? In terms of the book, what did you think overall? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
#LiteraryCrew : Discussion tomorrow! Questions will be posted either very early morning or late morning, US East Coast time (Zeke has a B12 injection appointment at the vet in the AM, so it depends upon how perky I am if I can post them prior to the appointment).
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Teresereading, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
pick3.5/5⭐️
This wasn‘t as good as I remember it being. I still liked it, but my memory of my last read was nicer than the rereading experience. It felt slow…but not a kind of good slow. I liked Margret and Agnes. Soft pick. I‘m looking forward to the discussion and insights from others.
#LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
The fog over the river today was pretty. The trout were really biting this morning in the rain! We caught our limit! 🐠 ☔️📗
Sneaking in a little reading time in my #kindle today for #LiteraryCrew #ReadYourKindle
I‘m starting about an hour early and I‘ll probably read well past 9, but I‘ve got everything ready for #hyggehourreadathon:
1. The tagged book which I‘m reading for #literarycrew
2. My kindle and nook for #readyourebooks
3. A bottle of water (not pictured)
4. Gigi the cat.
@AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit
@CBee @Librarybelle
Library hold came in! I read this years ago (pre-Litsy I think). I can‘t wait to read it with @Librarybelle and the #LiteraryCrew.
So, I checked this book out through Libby from the library. Libby uses Kindle. Kindle puts this effing stupid pink line through the entire book. I know it‘s all because I checked out a couple more just to see and, yep, this stupid pink line. What is the purpose?
ETA: I checked Kindle on my laptop. It is not there. Only my phone. :/
#kindle
#libbyapp
#ebooks
Repost for @Librarybelle
Great discussion so far for The Chelsea Girls! Our next #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Kent‘s historical fiction account of the last woman set to be executed in Iceland.
Read at your own pace. Discussion on July 31st. I will post periodic check-ins throughout the month. All are welcome to join! I know several are planning to join in for the discussion!
See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2879329
Great discussion so far for The Chelsea Girls! Our next #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Kent‘s historical fiction account of the last woman set to be executed in Iceland.
Read at your own pace. Discussion on July 31st. I will post periodic check-ins throughout the month. All are welcome to join! I know several are planning to join in for the discussion!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Teresereading, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
Repost for @Librarybelle
As we approach our June 30th discussion of The Chelsea Girls for #LiteraryCrew, July‘s #BuddyRead is right around the corner!
Burial Rites is dark, compassionate, slow burning and hauntingly beautiful.
Read at your own pace. Discussion July 31st. All are welcome to join. Let @Librarybelle know if you would like to be added or removed from the tag list.
As we approach our June 30th discussion of The Chelsea Girls for #LiteraryCrew , July‘s #BuddyRead is right around the corner!
Burial Rites is one of my favorite books, and I thrilled the group voted to read this one this year. It‘s dark, compassionate, slow burning, and hauntingly beautiful.
Read at your own pace. Discussion July 31st. All are welcome to join. Let me know if you would like to be added or removed from the tag list!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
pickA reread of the book that prompted my visit to Iceland in 2017. A truly magical place. This books tells the story of the last execution in Iceland. It has taken on new meaning for me after finishing her latest book Always Home , Always Homesick. Both wonderful reads. I don‘t keep many books these days but these books are definitely keepers.
pickReally enjoyed the writing on this one. I became so invested in Agnes‘ story and felt everything with her. Sad it had to come to an end #pick #burialrites
My #Roll100 is another short story collection that includes another Sookie Stackhouse story. My #DoubleSpin is my June #FoodandLit pick (oops 🤷🏻♀️).
I updated all the books on this list that I have finished, and, well, if this was baseball, my 0.357 batting average would be considered excellent. Book reading is measured the same as baseball stats, right?
My dinner tonight is very multi-cultural: Tuscan Vegetables, Cajun Potatoes, and, for #FoodandLit - baked Icelandic Cod.
I wish I could tell you that the fish was the best part of this meal, but that would be as much of a lie as if I told you I was anywhere close to finishing my June book selection. 🫣
pickI really enjoyed this book. It's an emotional roller coaster and it been a while since a story made me as annoyed and frustrated in so many different ways.
I'm so glad the world has progressed for women in so many ways, but small minded people continue to wreak havoc for many.
Not me maxing out my Kindle Unlimited loans in the first two weeks of having it. 😅 I better get reading.
Here‘s every book on my Kindle Library right now: https://wildwoodreads.com/2024/01/24/books-in-my-kindle-library/
so-soI thought his book was fine. I don‘t really have any complaints, but for some reason it just never fully grabbed me.
pick????
A dark and haunting story of the Icelandic convict Agnes Magnúsdóttir. A woman convicted in the 1800s of murdering 2 men along with 2 others in a joint conspiracy.
These Nordic books are definitely something in atmosphere and buildup. This one is based on the true story of Agnes. Told with compassion and ♥️.
pick3.5 ⭐Soft pick. I can see why others love this. It was a bit too slow for me. It was very interesting that this is based on true events.
The end dragged to the point that I was getting distracted by anything else. I split between the physical and audio. The audio was nice due to the icelandic names. But the time was so quiet i would only recommend if you need a calm book for anxiety and to go to sleep.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was the fictionalized story of the real life Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the last person executed in Iceland in 1830.
Kent‘s writing is 5 star - it is so well told & clearly well researched.
I would definitely read more from her in the future.
@TheAromaofBooks this was my June #bookspin book!
pickBased on a true story - Agnes Magnúsdóttir is charged with murder and forced to live on a farm in Northern Iceland while she awaits her execution. It is a slow-paced, atmospherically written and the perfect book to read in the winter. There are a lot characters throughout the book so it isn't an easy book to put down for a while and pick back up. Reading the Q&A with the author at the end of book really shows you where her writing style came from.
We went from winter to false summer overnight. So I took advantage of the weather and got some reading in. We will start spring weather this week. Trying to get out of what seems to be an annual reading slump in March/April. Such a beautiful day for reading.
Inspired by @ShyBookOwl I've decided to munch on some popcorn while I start the tagged book. You don't find too many fiction books based in Iceland so I'm quite excited to dig into this one.
#PopcornAndBook #Iceland
pickJanuary Reviews
This is another that has been on my TBR for years and was my #Doublespin for January. This is the fictionalized story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the last person to be executed in Iceland. While she awaits execution, Agnes is sent to live with a minor district official and his family. We get Agnes own story and the views of the family and her visiting minister. The story moves slowly and there is no happy ending, but it‘s so good.
so-soA historical fiction about the last woman to be executed in Iceland in the 1800s. I love how it humanizes her, showing that there‘s more to her story than “murderer.” The Icelandic setting is deliciously moody. But I think I have to give this a so-so for the pacing. Most of the book feels pretty mellow and moody, and then the last 50 pages everything breaks apart and it‘s so heavy and so dark. Good book, just needs to give more a bit earlier.
pickThis is not what you'd call a cheery or uplifting read. It is, however, beautifully written. Kent skillfully creates an authentic sense of time & place - the bleakness, the cold, the poverty of 19th century rural Iceland all powerfully evoked. Agnes is also an intriguing character, your empathy for her building the more pages you turn. I love the way the bureaucracy surrounding Agnes' execution is juxtaposed with her raw emotions & her story of ⬇️
so-soIt was interesting, but so slow. And I don't do well with stories unfolding at a snail's pace. (definitely a me-problem!)
#WinterReadathon
@Andrew65 @DieAReader
@Martta do you remember sending me this book? I've eventually picked it up and started reading. 🙈
Thank you! So far it's as good as you promised.
I would really like to see Burial Rites either as a miniseries or movie. I know that it was optioned as a movie about a decade ago and I haven't heard about its status the last few years, at least not since 2017. #littenswanttoknow
📚 Burial Rites, The Book Thief
🖋 Charlotte Bronte
📺 Bones, The Big Bang Theory
🎤 The Beatles
🎶 Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel
#manicmonday #letterb
A bit behind on the #alphabetgame. Here are some of the most memorable books I‘ve read starting with these letters.
B- Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
C- Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
D- Delicious Foods by James Hannaham
I read this book about 5 or 6 years ago and absolutely loved it; it also helped to listen to the audiobook, especially in regards to the Icelandic pronunciations. #letterb #alphabetgame
