The Book of Longings: A Novel | 
I‘ve picked up this book and put it back down several times, which is not a knock on the book but on my reading monkey brain. So…I brought it with me to New Jersey to read over the next two weeks. I made some more progress during #hyggehourreadathon and should finish it while I‘m here. Luckily, it‘s easy enough to dip in and out of the story.
#bookbracket #bookbracket2024 @CSeydel
June: THE BOOK OF LONGINGS by Sue Monk Kidd
Overall between May and June: THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES by Arthur Conan Doyle #stillsherlocked
pickA woman who longs to have a voice in a society where women are invisible, Ana's story takes us to to the early 1st century, where she is the wife of Jesus. Whether you are religious or not, Kidd focuses mostly on the human aspects of Jesus as a gloriously flawed man, but make no mistake ... this is Ana's story and her search to find her purpose in the brutal world surrounding her. Kidd's writing is gorgeous, and Ana is unforgettable. ⬇️
Unlike @TheBookHippie, I am ensconced inside my house with the AC set to 70º and a fan blowing full blast on me as I look outside my window-doors. For the #hyggehourreadathon, I will be finishing my #SummerNaturalLitsyCardSwap cards and reading THE BOOK OF LONGINGS. I hope everyone has a peaceful evening and fantastic week. 💚💙💚
@Alldebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissreadit @jenniferw88
My #hyggehourreadathon was delayed a few minutes while I cleaned off my patio chair (dang birds!) but then I read several chapters of the tagged book. It felt like prologue at first, but now I‘m getting into the meat of the story.
pickI started this a long time ago - two years? - and couldn't get into it at the time. I gave it another shot and was continually surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Maybe I had just needed a break from other feminist reimaginings I had read. Her portrayal of Jesus's humanity is unique and beautiful and definitely provides food for thought.
pickThe Book of Longings was recommended by my friend Amanda for the #12friends12books12months challenge.
It‘s about Ana, the woman who became Jesus‘ wife. She‘s a strong minded woman. Her father was a scribe and allowed her to learn to read and write, and writing was her passion.
The characters in this story are what really make it, right down to mischievous Delilah the goat.
I thought this was a great historical fiction. Highly enjoyed it.
pickThis has been on my list since 2020, and I finally listened! When I heard that the main character was Jesus‘s wife, I was so intrigued, and this was so good. The author imagines who the wife of Jesus might have been, their relationship, and her role in the Gospels. Rather than feeling cringy or heretical, it is a really beautiful, imaginative story that I really loved.
pickMonk Kidd has imagined a Biblical world in which the women are the keepers of stories through the life of Jesus‘s wife Ana. This is a surprisingly readable and compelling story that bogs down a bit in the middle and has Ana act anachronistically on occasion. It‘s good, not great. Full review at http://booknaround.blogspot.com/2023/05/review-book-of-longings-by-sue-monk-kidd...
My book haul ? from our library trip, they have an adult "challenge", per se, where you either fill out a tic-tac-toe type board or write a review and are entered for prizes and can turn in one for a free book at the library sale. ?
Next row of my #readinglogsnake is The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. I read this over Easter weekend. This work of fiction tells the story of Ana, who is Jesus's wife. I found this story interesting as it focused more on feminist theology by giving insight into the daily lives of women during biblical times instead of being another biblical retelling. 3/5 ⭐️ #BooksAndCrafts #ARRCReads
Read in December 2022 ...
#Bookly #BooklyApp #GoodReads #Bookstagram #MMDBookClub #OUABC #suvataStats
pick• TBR since April 14, 2020
Tip: If you read this, don‘t skip the author‘s note at the end.
From the Publisher:
Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus‘s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring account of one woman‘s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her.
pickAfter I finished this book, I just lay there clutching it to my chest for a while. I wanted the words to seep into me. Sue Monk Kidd‘s writing was so lyrical and beautiful and feminist. The research that went into the novel was so extensive and I learned a ton, on the edge of my seat all the way up to the heart-wrenching end. Now I feel motivated to learn more about the development of early Christianity after reading this fictional take.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I am Ana. I was the wife of Jesus ben Joseph of Nazareth.”
It‘s been years since I read anything by Sue Monk Kidd, and this was a strong reminder of how much I love her work.
Feminine, feminist, & spiritual - the author has done what she does best.
Emotional & intellectual, based on heavy research & a reverence for Jesus, I loved this.
I am Ana. I was the wife of Jesus ben Joseph of Nazareth.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
1) I do although I don‘t read much from that period
2) I loved the tagged book about Jesus and have loved mythology retellings by Madeline Miller, Natalie Haynes and Pat Barker.
Want to play? @AmandaBlaze @Ddzmini @AmyK1
#Two4Tuesday
pickThis is the fictional story of Ana, the wife of Jesus. She is intelligent, strong, bold and brave - and I instantly fell in love with her. To be a woman in that time would have taken a strong soul. Kidd writes with a beautiful descriptive style throughout the book. The characters, even the minor ones, are well fleshed out and you feel as you are there with them. Side note: I also want to learn more about how ink was made in the time period.
Our family vacation continues and the kiddos are down for a nap after our family outing. Now some time to continue reading The Book Of Longings with some strawberry tea. I'm almost a quarter the way through and I'm enjoying thr book so far. I've grown quite fond of the main character!
#ColdTea #Strawberry #VacationReading #MainCharacterLove
Picked this book up on a whim. I hadn't heard of it but it peaked my interest while I was browsing at the bookstore. Going to start it while I sip on my dragonfruit tea.
#ColdTea #Dragonfruit #VacationReading
pickReading this one for #literarycrew #buddyread with @Librarybelle It kept me entertained on the bus ride home on Wednesday. I got it for a steal and it‘s a gorgeous version. It‘s the second god book I‘ve enjoyed this year and considering I don‘t believe in him I find this quite interesting.
The Book of Longings made it home yesterday. Thank y'all for a fun round📚
@BookishBelle @Kdgordon88 @DanaManiac
#lmpbc
Breakfast for lunch today. I took myself out to my favorite breakfast spot after helping my mom and aunt with something unpleasant… again. Hopeful for a good outcome and not to have to do this again. 🤞🏻 The nice lady at the counter let me order breakfast even though I got here a few minutes after they were supposed to stop serving it. 💕
#BookReport The Book of Longings was this week‘s winner. I didn‘t expect to like it as much as I did. 4.5🌟 The other two were good solid 4🌟 reads. Looking forward to finishing How High We Go and Hour of the Witch this week. Just started the Gyasi. Spent the rest of the week catching up on buddy reads and will try to stay that way.
The Lioness is my June #BookSpin
pickAs expected I didn‘t have much reading time (sorry buddy reads, I‘m still behind) but I did finish The Book of Longings. I am so glad to have read this book. It felt authentic to time and place. @BookishBelle it is on its way to you today. Great pick, Heather! @HeathHof #LMPBC
pickA beautiful story meant to be savored
pick4.5 ⭐️ Such a great read! It‘s en route to you @Kdgordon88 Happy reading! #lmpbc
pickThis story is a tribute to all the women throughout history that have been invisible, silenced, unnamed and voiceless.
Ana‘s ultimate prayer of her heart is to be a voice. The author‘s note explains that Ana is woman with her own quest following her longings in pursuit of the largeness inside herself.
This was a beautifully written book. From the first paragraph, which gave me goosebumps, to the last sentence, which brought tears to my eyes.
“All shall be well…. I don‘t mean that life won‘t bring you tragedy. I only mean that you will be well in spite of it. There‘s a place in you that is inviolate. You‘ll find your way there, when you need to. And you‘ll know then what I speak of.”
Day 4 of #TarotTakeover ?
With The Hierophant, there are often associations with tradition, religion, and dogma. For some, this could signify spiritual familiarity and comfort--but for others, it can be traumatizing. The tagged book asks so many questions regarding women within traditional narratives, and whether "tradition" and "dogma" directly relates to erasure of marginalized voices in history. This one's a favorite!
@ErinSueMreads
pickThis story imagines the life of Ana, spouse of Jesus. The story on its own is a good piece of historical fiction, showing the challenges women faced in that time period. However, the context of Jesus's life and death adds additional interest. I particularly liked the author's note at the end of the book.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#MarvellousMarch @Andrew65
pickIt's going to take me a minute to fully digest this one and the questions it has provoked but it was a lovely, enjoyable read.
#lmpbc
@DanaManiac @BookishBelle @Kdgordon88
Hey group👋 Checking in to see how everyone is doing and if you're enjoying your picks for this round so far if you've started. I've been working on the tagged book, which is really good so far! 🙂 #lmpbc
@DanaManiac @Kdgordon88 @BookishBelle
pickAn interesting take on a well known story. Ana is the wife of Jesus of Nazareth. Told from her point of view, it's a story about strong women most of whom who didn't have a voice. Since Ana is able to read and write, she records their experiences.
What most sets you apart is the spirit in you that rebels and persists. It isn't the largeness in you that matters most, it's your passion to bring it forth.
#BeginsWith #Book
This one is on my #NYWD list. I probably won‘t get to it in January but intend to read off my list throughout the rest of the year.
OMG @Readergrrl THANK YOU!!! Happy New Year and happy #bestof2021swap!! These books look so exciting and I absolutely love this bookmark! And sketchbooks plus beautiful markers and pens are so perfect for me because I love journaling and drawing! So grateful for your thoughtfulness. Thank you @candority for organizing and I‘m wishing everyone a year ahead full of awesome books and memories!
pickThis is easily the best book I‘ve read this year. I‘m really going to miss Ana, Yaltha, Tabitha, Diodora and so many other amazing characters in this story. I‘ve promised two of my neighbors that they could borrow my copy, but I‘d definitely love to reread it later ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rosé Friday with my neighbor ladies got cancelled at the last minute, so I‘m sharing it with this one. I get the wine, snacks and book. She gets most of the couch. It‘s a deal we made a long long time ago, and I wouldn‘t dare break it now.
I love finding my own name in books. Especially when it‘s spelled the same way my parents decided to spell it when they named me.
“They‘re even led by a woman, Skepsis, and there‘s a great reverence for God‘s female spirit. We prayed to her by her Greek name, Sophia.”
“I am Ana.” I‘m only 10 pages in and I already really love Ana. Her relationship with her aunt, is the sort of relationship I hope to have with my nieces and nephews as they grow up. @ShyBookOwl
Thank you so much to @Mynameisacolour for this sweet early birthday surprise! I was expecting a book from the trade, which also came today just adding to the fun, but didn‘t recall trading anything else. It crossed my mind that this might be a birthday surprise but, just in case it was another trade book, I decided to open it so I could promptly send out a thank you so much 🥰
pickI have not yet known how to describe my feeling of this book. Although initially I was not able to get into it, I started to enjoy it since 1/3 of the book. I like it over all but cannot say I love it.
The author‘s note of this book helps me understand this book as I keeps wondering if which part of the content is fictional or not when reading it.
4 or 4.5 stars of 5.
pan⭐⭐
I soldiered on (at 2.25 speed to get it done).
While the writing quality is stellar, and the narration was excellent, the story was just not my cup of tea at all. I was bored from start to finish and could not garner up one bit of concern for what happened to Ana in the end. I started to give this a so-so, but honestly I feel generous with the 2 stars, so...
I know I'm in the minority on this one. But, yeah, it was not for me. 🤷♀️
I'm 1/3 of the way into this one, and I'm just not feeling it. I kept thinking that if I keep plugging along I'll get to a point where I love it as much as everyone else seems to. But 4 1/2 hours in, and I am not enjoying it. The audio narration is excellent, and the writing is fine, but it's just so boring. Should I soldier on?
pan⭐️⭐️ I really disliked this book mainly because the author chose to portray Jesus as only a man playing a very domestic role. She makes him seem like a jerk in his relationship which is not the Jesus we know from the Bible. I felt like there was no reason to make the character of Ana married to Jesus since her story was so little affected by Jesus‘s ministry and crucifixion. I had a lot of issues with this one. This was my #doublespin No. 6 pick
