Welcome to Litsy!

Suddenly she was seized with the cold realization that she would be asked to sew many black dresses in the months ahead as her patrons…donned the somber colors of mourning custom demanded. #seamstress #CharacterCharm

I had one victory over my #chronicfatigue and #brainfog today! I bought this used book for 50 cents and started reading it in July 2019. It took me until today to finish it, but I‘m proud that I could finish it at all. It was interesting, but I didn‘t love that Mrs. Lincoln was in some ways a bigger character than Elizabeth Keckley, the supposed main character. Hopefully someday I‘ll have the energy to read Mrs. Keckley‘s memoir.

My goal today was to finish mrs. Lincoln‘s dressmaker. It was an ok book, interesting details about the Lincoln family. Would have liked more information about the narrator/dressmaker‘s early life and maybe less about the Lincoln‘s. A lot of info about Mary Todd I already knew from the tour of her home. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The dressmaker‘s life (Elizabeth Keckley) still makes this more of a pick than a so-so.

I‘m about a 1/3 of the way through this one. Obviously from the title, it‘s about Mary Todd Lincoln‘s dressmaker. Her life is interesting, but I really picked it up for the history about the Lincoln‘s. Mary Todd and her family were from my area (as well as Henry Clay), so I‘ve been to the tour of her home at least twice. So far, it‘s an ok book, interesting but not great. Reminds me of I, Eliza Hamilton in style.

I know this was a critically acclaimed book, but I did not think it was up to par with her other books. In fact, I found it tedious at times. A freed woman, who bought her own freedom, gives a picture of the era and the Lincoln family

While I loved the ideas of the book and it helped gain a valuable insight into Lincoln, Mrs.Lincoln, and how Mrs. Keckly was able to start a successful dressmaking business as a former slave. I did not like how involved the sewing aspect was talked about and I got mad about how Keckly still put Mrs. Lincoln above herself. Yet, that is telling of the times I suppose.
Well researched historical fiction.

I LOVED this book!! I was unsure at first, but after 20 minutes in I was hooked. There were many times I felt like I was in the room and listening to the actual conversations with the characters.

Some lovely #litsymail today. I needed some sunshine today and it was great to open my mailbox 🌞❤️

Thanks @Rachel.Rencher for the tagged book. ☺️
And many thanks @Mitch for the photos and bookmark enclosed with your letter. 😘

I know I said I'd call these around midnight, but I'm going to bed early tonight. 😂😴

Congrats to @wanderinglynn for winning the third #7DaysGiveaway! 😁🎉🎈Email your mailing address to rerencher@gmail.com and I'll get your package in the mail next Monday.

Check in tomorrow morning for the 4th day of giveaways! 😁❤📚

Thanks so much for the opportunity for a giveaway! This book sounds so interesting to me - I haven‘t heard about it before! You are so thoughtful to do 7 days of giveaways! 😁 side note: I love your succulents 😍 #7daysgiveaway @Rachel.Rencher

Thank you for this fun opportunity, @Rachel.Rencher - I‘ve read almost all of Chiaverini‘s books but I haven‘t read this one #7daysgiveaway

#7DaysGiveaway #Day3

And I love your succulents! ❤️🌵

See Rachel‘s original post for giveaway details.

Good morning, Littens! Today's giveaway is Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker. 😁

To enter to win, simply repost this picture and make sure to use the hashtag and tag me so I can find the post! ❤

Lucas and I will choose a winner around midnight tonight! U.S. only.

#7DaysGiveaway #Day3

Two books about the wives of former Presidents. Missing Michelle Obama already. #bookswithapropername

#Day8 of #Photoadaynov16 challenge! #PoliticalFiction I've seen a lot of Animal Farm, 1984, and To Kill A Mockingbird tags so I tried to find a different novel. I do not read a lot of political fiction - it stresses me it (especially with this election year in the US). But I really enjoy historical fiction - and this piece ties into Lincoln's presidency so I think it classifies. Don't forget to go out and vote if you're an American citizen :)

This the story of Elizabeth Keekley and her friendship with Mary Todd Lincoln. It read more like a #biography than #historicalfiction. The book is based on the Elizabeth Keekley #autobiography Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House. It gave a different insight into the Lincoln White House. I loved seeing that time through the eyes of Mrs. Keekley. Overall a good read. Loved it.