The Illness Lesson | 
Thursday night I went downstairs to my building‘s book exchange and came away with these interesting sounding books.
pickA lot to contemplate during and after reading this book, which angered me. It was a good, thought-provoking anger, however, about the role of women in previous times…and if those roles have changed. A unique book that examines many of life‘s roles. It may also make you take a look at your own.
so-soTogether with her father, Caroline opens a school for girls in post-Civil War New England. One particularly charismatic girl starts having odd symptoms that soon start to spread. This was a great premise, but I didn‘t feel the author did as much with it as she could have. Ultimately, it felt like unrealized potential. Great cover, though.
pickThis was a really interesting book about how a lack of freedom to speak out and be themselves is harmful to women and girls. Set in a girls school in 19th century Massachusetts, the girls all seem to be affected by a psychogenic disorder. Also, a group of red birds have come to the area hoarding items to build their nests, which eventually become smelly and vile. 👇🏻
So, I got this book in the mail today. I didn't buy it, but I enter book contests all the time, so I think I won it! Cool! Bonus book.
pickHoly hell (and I do mean that in all of its profound contradiction)! This is a gorgeous, sensual, tight, & expertly-written book. It‘s historical fiction — yet it feels so timely, with its focus on women‘s rage, women‘s voices, & women‘s bodies. The way Beams conjures up complicated feelings, scents, & characters is truly awe-inspiring. The pastoral, New England setting, full of idealism, dreams, & dread is beyond perfect. So sharp & so lovely.🖤
“We‘ll read, and look for answers, and we‘ll find them, and when we do we‘ll use them to the best of our abilities.”
MISSION STATEMENT.
It‘s dark now & nothing looks pretty beneath the glow of an overhead light...but I can‘t keep quiet anymore about how much I‘m loving this book!
Gorgeous writing about a revolutionary, progressive new girls‘ school amidst the hills of historic, mid-to-late 1800‘s New England; the dreamers who start it; the girls who attend it; & the mysterious, red birds, called Trilling Hearts, that circle & seem to menace it in all their sharp, pointed beauty.
Started the tagged book & *may* have been inspired to create a “flu fiction” display at work (think “Station Eleven”), entitled “Pandemics Between the Pages.” I think it provides a little dark humor/levity during a stressful time...but we‘ll see what patrons think. 😆
It‘s possible that I nestled this guy (from my early 90‘s childhood) in amidst the signage.
pickI ended up really liking this book. It took a long time to get to the crux of the story, but oh boy, what was done to these girls was sickening. However, this brought light certain treatments that took place in the 1800‘s.
I didn‘t get much reading done in February, I found it hard to concentrate for health reasons, but I did receive a few preorders. So 1st up in my #FebruaryBookHaul is this debut novel about how female illness is prone to accusations of “hysteria”. A flock of red birds has made their home at Birch Hill, an elite girls school. Soon the girls start falling ill with strange symptoms & their teacher finds herself battling against a dubious physician.
so-soIf I were to be completely honest, I should probably rate this a Pan. 😔 I really didn't get into this one at all and was anxious for it to come to an end. Bummer!
pickWow! This is a tightly written historical fiction novel set in 1871 MA. Caroline is a fascinating narrator both sheltered while striving to protect her semi-famous father from himself as he opens a small girl‘s school in their home. The girls behavior begins to change and Caroline identifies all too well with her young charges. This novel is darker than I expected as you share in Caroline‘s mounting dread- this would be a great book club pick!
pickThis isn‘t my usual genre but I enjoyed it anyway. (not amazing, but good! 😁)
In 1871 Caroline‘s father decides to open a school for girls. There‘s clearly some hidden history and, when the girls arrive, so does a mysterious flock of red birds and soon the girls display signs of hysteria.
The book is a little reminiscent of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock‘.
#netgalley #arc
#jennyis30 #victorian (it‘s almost #gothic but going with #victorian)
pan
