Welcome to Litsy!

As a nurse myself,I was fascinated by Lib being a nurse trained by Florence Nightingale. I related to her character in a lot of ways. I also loved the juxtaposition of her character and the nun approaching the 4 month fast of Anna O‘Donnell in their different ways—was this a hoax or a miracle? The atmosphere of the damp Irish countryside was the perfect setting. I‘m not sure I‘m completely sold on the ending but a unique story overall.

A #roll100 winner! I was surprised by the hopeful ending and many of the turns in the final 50 pages. It was wonderful to pick up something fast after struggling with The Birthday Party!

A young girl in 19th century Ireland claims not to have eaten anything in four months. Two nurses are hired to watch her around the clock to see if it‘s a true miracle. As she deteriorates, one nurse is determined to save her life at any cost.

This was SO good! #5 #2023

Watched The Wonder today to compare to the book (which I love to do). They changed a few things (bizarre beginning and end) but overall I really liked it! I also love Florence Pugh…she‘s so talented. Still like the book more but enjoyed the movie.

This was my favorite kind of historical fiction audiobook: it thoroughly pulls me into the time/place/lives of the characters, kept me listening and trying to figure out the big mystery, and had a narrator that did such a great job of keeping me entertained. I did suspect what was actually happening but didn‘t predict the ending. Thoroughly recommend! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I bailed once and then finally finished after my friend previewed the rest of the story to me. 2 ⭐

I‘m delighted to receive this book, but I don‘t know who sent it. Cathy and Leah, I know both of you enjoyed it. Is it from one of you?

Starting this next on #audio

I loved the novel and I recommend the film! 🎥

Set in rural Ireland in the 1850s. The story of a young girl who refuses to eat. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this eerie and compelling tale. The movie is just out here on Netflix, and I hear good reports. By the way , it was only 99p on kindle. I‘d highly recommend 👍🏻

I heard a positive review of the Netflix film, then discovered that it was based on a novel, so I had to read the book first! In 1862 an English nurse is sent to Ireland to watch a girl who supposedly has not eaten in four months. Her partner is a nurse who is a Catholic nun. This is a claustrophobic novel that delves into religious extremism, parenting, and oppression. The writing is excellent, but this is not for sensitive readers.

Anyone else stuck for book to movie category of #Autumnbingo
This helped me, reading the tagged then watching the irrepressible Florence Pugh in Netflix adaptation. Although Catherine, called Birdy looks amazing too.
@Ann_Reads

https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/literary/the-best-book-to-film-adaptations?fb...

Really liked the book and think it‘ll make a good movie. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Love the picture. ⬆️

1. Actively reading I usually have one book going. But I might have a nonfiction book I'm slowly reading in the background.

2. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles was one of my favorites this year.
I bailed on The Wonder by Emma Donoghue.

#WonderousWednesday @Eggs

I tag @NataliePatalie.

I just finished the first (100 pg!) chapter. 😴🥱🤪
Unless my movie bookclub partner tells it gets better I will bail.

I read this yesterday. Mysterious, compelling, reflective, with fascinating characters. This was a historical fiction rec from a booktuber, and I'm glad I decided to read something different from my usual genres.

First book completed for #20in4 readathon. So far, I've read a total of 14 chapters.

An intriguing read. 3.75/5 Read for #PopSugarReadingChallenge2022 and #52bookclubreadingchallenge2022 for Spoop‘s Pirate Trail reading challenge

Book 5

I listened to The Wonder. Set in Ireland in the 1850s, the story's about Ann, a girl touted as "The Wonder" for surviving four months on water. In hopes of legitimizing this
miracle, Lib, is hired for two weeks to keep watch, The mystery unravels slowly with dark, sometimes unexpected, twists. The palpable setting and piety make for a rich novel. More characters should be dynamic, but The Wonder is another Donoghue worth reading. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I‘m completely stumped by the low Goodreads score. I was utterly captivated and drawn to the story and couldn‘t wait to see how it would all end. An interesting perspective for someone in eating disorder recovery. I‘d highly recommend even though it looks like not everyone would! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read and finished this book a couple of weeks ago. The writing was really good, and I really enjoyed the story! I can‘t wait for the movie adaptation!

This book was a stellar historical novel that touches on fanaticism, gender, hysteria, and doubt. I agree with other reviewers that the first half felt a bit repetitive, but the final chapters…wow.

A book that has you thinking about religion, culture, “fake news” and the forces that drive it, and superstition. The setting in 1850‘s Ireland obscures some of this, taking these broad topics and reducing them down to intimate levels, so the story wobbles along disguising it‘s archetypes in (sometimes too mundane) details. Strong 3 1/2 stars ⭐️.

My latest #librarybookhaul - hopefully I‘m in the mood to read all of these books at some point!

I tried to listen to Black Sun on audio, but immediately got confused, so I figured print would be better.

#bookhaul #library #bookstack

Another book that wasn't what I was expecting. I thought there were some really important themes about religion, gender roles, pride, & stereotyping covered in the book. Lib's evolution from clinical & skeptical to concerned & care put a voice to how love transcends so many of the labels that people use to define themselves & others. Donoghue's writing style was a balance of dialogue & description & ended with a memorable novel.

Pictures on my phone do not do this justice! Gorgeous frameable photo, thistle glass art, actual sand from Ireland, bookmark, a personalized notebook and the most original, cheerful perfect tote! Plus books Im in love with❤️ thank you so much Samantha- I‘m so grateful- you captured this theme in the best way ❤️❤️❤️Also- you‘re right the nail Polish name is perfect! #staycationintimeswap #sits

Started quite slow and meandered around a bit, but I was absolutely invested in this story! And the ending was incredible 💫

A bit repetitive at times but intriguing storyline and kept me wondering! My final pick for Winter #booked2021 #covidheroes nurse as MC.

Donoghue brings to life the deeply religious Ireland of the 19th century. Anna is 11 and has been fasting for four months and Nurse Lib comes in from England to watch over Anna for a fortnight - just to notice if the girl takes any food at all and to find out if she is indeed a miracle or a fraud. Lib is cynical about everything: Ireland, religion, Anna‘s poor family. She is sure the girl is a fraud. ⬇️⬇️

I‘m posting one book per day from my ever-increasing TBR. No description. No explanation. Just books to read. Join the fun if you want.

Day 18.

#fromthetbrstacks

Started listening to The Wonder by Emma Donoghue, set in 1859 rural Ireland. #Audiobook

This one is between a pick & a so-so for me.
It‘s slow for most of the story. It‘s my #Ireland book for #ReadAroundTheWorld challenge- & I just barely finished it for March! I have read Donoghue in the past & while this was engaging, I guess I had expected to be really blown away by the audio...it‘s not a bad performance... I guess the whole book wasn‘t exactly what I hoped for & certainly doesn‘t paint a favorable light on Ireland! #AudioColoring

What books spring to mind for you that are set in Ireland? Offhand, In the Woods by Tana French immediately pops into my head, as I read it last month. The whole Dublin Murder series is set there. I mean, obviously! 😂

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue is also set in Ireland. I haven‘t read this one yet but it‘s in my pile. (One of my piles, anyway). Have you read it?

My book club‘s pick for March!! Starts out slow-ish but the pacing really picks up toward the end. Some interesting reveals in here. I thought it was okay, but not great. If I hadn‘t been so busy while I was reading it, I probably would have liked it more. My book club was split: about half loved it and the others either didn‘t like it much or DNF‘d it.

The narration by Kate Lock is beautiful but some of the Irish is a little hard to understand.

#RecentlyRead - It was just OK. Plot was interesting, and I did want to find out what was really going on. I didn‘t find any of the characters particularly likable, and the story seemed to just drag on and on unnecessarily. I loved Room by same author, but this wasn‘t as good. #BookReview

This historical fiction book was much darker then I expected. It started slow and I almost DNF but I was in it for the mystery of an 11 year old girl who claimed to be fasting for 4 straight months. 3⭐️ #2020book12

Book 3 also completed today for #24B42020. This brings my total reading time today to 12hrs and with my 13hrs yesterday that puts me at 25hrs already! 😁 Having insomnia pays off sometimes.

This was another so-so pick for me. I loved the background information on this time in history and the potato famine, but I just never connected with the characters.

#TeamFestivus @wanderinglynn #TBRReads #wintergames @StayCurious @Clwojick

I read this ages ago and just couldn‘t figure out how to review it. Fairly far outside of my normal realm, but utterly fascinating. The mystery, religion, culture, family impulses all intertwined to weave an intriguing narrative about a girl who may or may not be miraculously living without eating. I still can‘t decide whether I like the ending. I like the idea but there was just something about it that didn‘t fit right. Still recommend it.

#wintergames #teamfozziwig #TBRRead

@BarkingMadRun @Clwojick @StayCurious

Fictional account based on the real life phenomena of fasting girls - young girls & women in 16th-19th centuries who claimed to be existing only on consuming the Host at Mass & some on nothing at all. It was well written & had some surprisingly dark themes. 4🌟

This novel about a nurse who‘s brought to an Irish village to observe a young girl who has reportedly survived for months without food had me enthralled in the mystery of how this happened. I didn‘t particularly love it on audio because the narrator‘s voice was often so low that I had trouble hearing it while listening in the car, even with the volume turned up.

A bit slow to start but by the end I couldn't put it down. There were some very sad and difficult moments in this one. I don't think I will ever forget it. Historic fiction combined with a mystery to be solved. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The first time someone suggested something to me about BOTM was in 2016. It seems sooo long ago now!! I never want to stop my subscription.

Day 1: #7days7covers #CoverCrush

Thanks for the tag @AkashaVampie

Post 7 book covers that you love, over 7 days, with no explanation. Tag someone new each day to play along.

Wanna play?

Emma Donoghue is going to be in Corte Madeira on September 12th.

Just finished this one, pretty good all and all I thought...interesting enough that it kept me up late a few nights!

#Ireland oh how I wish to travel there someday!!
#LetsTravelJuly

I love the cover to The Wonder 💙 Broken Harbor just happened to be there also set in Ireland 🇮🇪

I started off hating the main character, but she redeemed herself in the end.