Beheld | Litsy

Tkimsal

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 28 “Beheld,” by TaraShea Nesbit

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Clare-Dragonfly

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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I‘m just not having the greatest time with @MoonWitch94‘s #AuldLangSpine list! Northanger Abbey is on it so maybe I‘ll reread that next—I certainly know I‘ll enjoy it 😁

Did this feel queer-bait-y to anyone else? With Abigail staring at Eleanor‘s bosom and the constant refrain that Dorothy was her “dearest consort”… but from the reviews I could find it doesn‘t go in a sapphic direction.

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RebelReader

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

I loved that this was told through women of course. It also will make you realize how our formal education romanticizes that whole time period. A wise woman once told me there‘s no such thing as nonfiction. I always think of her when I read a new perspective on an old story.
#WinterReadathon #bookspinbingo

@Megabooks @Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Well done 🎅🎅🎅 2y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y

DieAReader Great🥳🥳 2y

Megabooks I like that no really nonfiction! 2y

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Bklover

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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I read this with the #literarycrew, and it was fascinating. A view of the colonists ten years after they arrived written from mostly the women‘s points of view. I had a hard time putting it down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#literaryctew #buddyread
I also bought this from ThriftBooks so I could use sticker for #tbrtarot. (Couldn‘t get into my first choice for #tbrtarot)

Librarybelle, CBee

Librarybelle So glad you liked this! 2y

CBee Hooray! Glad it worked for more than one thing 😊😊 2y

Bklover @CBee First time I was happy about a ThriftBooks sticker! 2y

CBee @Bklover ha! I understand that! 😂😊 2y

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Suet624

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

I read this in one sitting. Growing up outside of Boston, I was taken on school trips to Plimouth Plantation (where door frames demonstrated just how short everyone was) and much was spoken of the famous men of that time. No women were ever mentioned The author does a fantastic job of saying a lot in few words, of detailing how the puritans dictated their beliefs and moralistic thinking to all, of how women lived during that time. This was great.

AmyG High praise. Stacked! 2y

kspenmoll Your review says it all. Loved this book! (edited) 2y

Suet624 @AmyG I hope you like it. I was impressed with it. 2y

Suet624 @kspenmoll I saw that you liked it. She did a great job with this. 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

Discussion questions are up for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! I could list a ton more discussion points - like the friendship between Alice and Dorothy - but I‘d be posting all day!

You can find the questions by either searching my feed, the book‘s feed, or using the above hashtags.

If you have not already done so, comment below if you would like to be included in next month‘s tag list for Kate Quinn‘s The Diamond Eye. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Cinfhen, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Bklover, megnews, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, KT1432, CBee, Sargar114, MoonWitch94, CarolineLovesToRead, KristiAhlers, JuniperWilde

Librarybelle I‘m still taking suggestions for 2023‘s selections, so if you have any thoughts, let me know! Thanks for reading this month!! 2y

Cinfhen I‘m getting ready to go to work, so I‘ll check in later today ❤️ 2y

MoonWitch94 Ohhh can‘t wait! And yes, tag me for next month! 2y

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KristiAhlers Yes tag me for next month! And I‘m super excited for this discussion! 2y

Librarybelle Awesome, @MoonWitch94 @KristiAhlers ! And jump right into the discussion whenever you have a chance! 2y

Librarybelle Sounds good, @Cinfhen ! 2y

Sargar114 Thanks @Librarybelle Another solid pick! 2y

Librarybelle So glad you liked this, @Sargar114 ! 2y

megnews I loved this one!! 2y

Librarybelle So glad you loved this, @megnews ! 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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8. The Author‘s Note in the back tells us about the research...to write this novel, as well as that several aspects...were fabricated. What do you think the relationship should be in a historical novel between what can be verified and what an author imagines, particularly when much of the history...has been suppressed, ignored, or cannot—due to a lack of written records...—be verified? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

MoonWitch94 I like when authors “fill in the blanks” fictionally. But I hate when historical fiction authors purposely alter historical facts to fit their story. 2y

KristiAhlers I like when an author backfills but is honest about it upfront. What I don‘t like is when verified historical moments are rewritten. That does a disservice to those who lived through the experience. I felt this author was respectful and did a solid job of offering a possible situation. 2y

Sargar114 Agreed. Filling in the gaps of the facts with a story is great and can really get the reader invested in the history of what happened. But problematic when facts are changed to fit the story. I really enjoyed this authors note. 2y

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kspenmoll I always read afterwards, author‘s notes, etc. Agree with all 2y

Bklover @KristiAhlers Well said! 2y

Librarybelle Agree with everything! It‘s one thing to offer a fictional aspect around a historical moment and another thing to completely rewrite that historical moment. When that happens, it becomes alternative history, which falls under the sci-fi/fantasy category, believe it or not! @MoonWitch94 @KristiAhlers @Sargar114 @kspenmoll @Bklover 2y

megnews I agree with all of the above. With HF being my fav genre, I appreciate sticking to true history while creating fiction in what characters say and do. I appreciate an author‘s note at beginning or end letting me know where they stuck to fact and where fiction came in. 2y

Jerdencon Agree with all of this! 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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7. Prior to reading the book, what did you know about the interactions between the puritans and the indigenous peoples...particularly the members of the Wampanoag Nation? Was there anything that surprised you upon? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Note: I highly recommend This Land is Their Land by David J Silverman - academic in tone, but a solid look at true relations between puritans and the indigenous peoples.

MoonWitch94 I knew that the romanticized version of their relationship, and knew that the colonists were definitely horrible. But it was interesting to hear about more specifics. And it just made me more mad. 2y

KristiAhlers I have a degree in history so much of this I already knew. And of course history is just a collection of stories written by imperfect humans but when it makes you look bad you romanticize it to take the sting away. Unfortunately there is no way we can take the stink and disgusting manner in which we treated those human beings away. 2y

Sargar114 I don‘t really know much other than my skepticism about what was taught in school. So I‘m that sense I really found this book quite interesting. 2y

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kspenmoll I had read a book a few years ago, Prospero‘s America which in parts covered King Philip‘s War & the Pequot War & English attitudes towards America‘s indigenous peoples. Also Excepts from Jill Lepore‘s These Truths,-But I feel like I should know more beyond New England. 2y

Bklover I wish I could remember where I read it but I read that the indigenous people basically kept the colonists alive. They weren‘t prepared and the colonists had not expected to have to work so hard. 2y

Librarybelle I have a degree in history too, @KristiAhlers , and it took quite awhile in my studies to find out the truth of what happened. I‘m glad the full perspective is finally being shown…what‘s the saying, that the “victors write the history…?” @MoonWitch94 @Sargar114 @kspenmoll @Bklover 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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6. Although the murder in the colony is a first, death is very common...especially the death of infants and children. Religion—Anglican or puritan—is also important to their lives, and there is much discussion of God‘s tests, signs, and punishments. How do grief and faith shape these people? Do you see differences in the characters‘ personal relationships to God and religion? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

MoonWitch94 The idea of a tragic death or the Native tribes getting ill from the colonists is “God‘s Will” is nauseating. 😳🤯 2y

KristiAhlers @MoonWitch94 sadly that was the attitude. They were seen as less than. Even after they go to the effort of taking on the white man‘s religion. 2y

KristiAhlers In many ways they had to give a reason for things just not going right so it had to be Gods will. Never they had over stepped or this was punishment for being overly arrogant or grasping. I mean historically speaking they left the Netherlands because many found it wrong when the Brit‘s began taking on Dutch attributes. They had to be saved. So take a perilous journey seemed to be the answer. 2y

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Sargar114 It seems “Gods Will” = things we can‘t explain. Hit was terribly upsetting how common death was (especially with the children). 2y

MoonWitch94 @KristiAhlers I know. I think it‘s one thing to know that is how they felt, and it‘s another to read it play out in a story/history. Every culture has their own version of that, but it‘s just awful. And especially terrible given that many Indigenous people gave up their culture for the white man‘s religion—and it got them no where, like you said. 2y

kspenmoll Yes, @MoonWitch94 ! It was lucky if a child lived… 2y

Bklover It appears that they just made every situation they found themselves in conform to their religion, rather than being guided by that religion. 2y

Librarybelle I like that thought, @Bklover ! And, I completely agree, @MoonWitch94 . Just thinking of the mortality rates during that time…it‘s awful and sad. @KristiAhlers @Sargar114 @kspenmoll 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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5. The conflict that leads to disaster in the novel is over a parcel of land. What is the significance of land for the colonists? What does it represent specifically for John Billington? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

MoonWitch94 Land is the whole reason many people came to the colonies; they were promised land & freedom in exchange for services. But the Puritans are doing to others what they claimed England did to them. It was frustrating to read. 2y

KristiAhlers Land equated to wealth in some case land rich as it were. That family was so determined to step above their situation. I actually felt bad for them, that they struggled and were seemingly treated ill due to perception. However they didn‘t seem to go far in trying to blend either. 2y

Sargar114 Agreed. I also think that particular land was for Billington‘s son who died and it had added significance. 2y

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kspenmoll Land was everything to the Separatists- what was promised to them- representing a new start in life, a chance to move above their station in Europe- it represented freedom, esp to someone like Billington because he came over as an indentured servant. 2y

Bklover Billington was a recently released indentured servant. As such I imagine he‘d never owned anything of his own. I think this greatly affected his view of his ownership of land as well as his treatment by the other colonists, who looked down on him because of his status. 2y

Librarybelle I agree! Land was everything. Honestly, I feel bad for the Billington had over the land - no sympathy for him when it comes to what he ultimately did, but he did everything he was tasked to do to get the land, and still the Puritans said no. @MoonWitch94 @KristiAhlers @Sargar114 @kspenmoll @Bklover 2y

megnews I was angry they cheated him. 2y

Sargar114 @Librarybelle @megnews @kspenmoll I agree it was terrible how the Puritans treated the Billingtons (including Eleanor after his death) but no reason to kill someone especially someone who had anything to do with their strife. 2y

Jerdencon That was their whole reason for leaving their lives behind to find independence… so I can see the fight. I can also see how billington finally snapped from the years of abuse. 2y

Deblovestoread This is where the book lost me a bit. I was angry he was being cheated but when he snapped he took it out on someone who was a pawn being played rather than on the cheater. I struggle reconciling the man I think Billington was with this action. 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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4. Throughout the book, much goes unspoken about Dorothy‘s death. How is our understanding of her death complicated through the course of the novel? How do you make sense of it in the end? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

KristiAhlers I think it was a weak attempt add mystery maybe? Especially given the fact the Governor married his wife‘s best friend and there seemed to be a drastic difference when it came to those relationships. 2y

Sargar114 Agree @KristiAhlers it was still a bit vague. It seems like it was an accident, but may have been prevented and wasn‘t because she was depressed and nobody really acknowledged that at the time. 2y

kspenmoll I am not sure how Dorothy‘s death fits in, except surely she was depressed which was not recognized then - she saw it as a sign that she was not chosen by God, or could not be hood enough in her God‘ eyes. ??? 2y

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Bklover I thought it was strange how she “fell overboard “ and drowned while the shop was docked. Also found it interesting that Alice had her eyes on William before they even left England. I sort of got the feeling that it was suicide. 2y

Librarybelle I thought it was suicide too, @Bklover . Maybe the point was to show the women‘s lack of control in the colony??? It was a weaker sub-mystery in the overall mystery, in my opinion. And yes…Alice‘s eyes on William before everything happened was a bit jarring and suspicious. @KristiAhlers @Sargar114 @kspenmoll 2y

megnews Like @Bklover and @Librarybelle I interpreted it as suicide. 2y

Jerdencon Like all of you - I assumed suicide - at least that was how the author made it seem. 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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3. There are a few sections from other perspectives as well—the sections headed “Meanwhile“, “Nature“, “The Diary of John Winthrop“, and “Dorothy“. What purpose do these other sections serve? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

KristiAhlers I think it was done to further cement the independent female views. While at the same time giving us a little more insight to the complex relationships contained in the settlement. Honestly it was surprising how acrimonious they were to each other when in the end they were all just trying to survive. 2y

Sargar114 The only ones that really stood out to me were “Dorothy” and “Meanwhile”. I think Dorothy is told to get confirmation of what happened to her. Meanwhile I gathered was to establish the gender norms of the time. Nature maybe calling back to the sense of foreboding but not really sure. Honestly don‘t even remember the excerpt from the diary. I think it would have been fine to keep just the perspectives of the two main women. 2y

kspenmoll I felt that “Meanwhile” & “Nature” provided a contrast between the goodness of the lush natural world in Plymouth & the corrupting, degrading, power structure in the colony- master/servant,Husband/wife, rich/poor, etc.-the darkness within. Meanwhile ends with:”Who is this woman? Any woman. Meanwhile,meanwhile, meanwhile.” 2y

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Bklover I think Dorothy was an important character and maybe her section was to flesh her out a bit maybe? 2y

Librarybelle Honestly, I was a little thrown with these sections that did not focus on the viewpoint of one specific character. I like the idea brought up in this conversation that they were segues or ways to cement ideas of the colony. Dorothy‘s section was very vital - yes, it helped to show what happened to her. How tragic! @KristiAhlers @Sargar114 @kspenmoll @Bklover 2y

megnews I really liked the Nature section. At times I felt the characters were acting/thinking as more modern day characters would. Bringing the natural surrounding back into it reminded me of time and place, how different the world was. And it brought me back to considering how these women, despite their place in time, did have similar thoughts, feelings, etc as we would today 2y

megnews @kspenmoll I loved that: who is this woman? Any woman. Really made you think. 2y

Bklover @megnews Really good point! 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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2. The novel is written in sections from the perspectives of different characters...The men‘s sections are narrated in the third person; the women speak themselves. What is the effect of having these different perspectives and different voices? Were there voices you trusted more than others? Do the characters ever differ on the facts, or is it only their interpretations that differ? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

MoonWitch94 It was difficult at first to juggle the differences, but, once about a quarter of the way through, I actually liked it. It was an interesting way to juggle two different POVs. 2y

KristiAhlers I loved that the women had their own distinct voice but the men were kinda weak for all their strength and this really added to the feminine view of this book which I loved. 2y

Sargar114 It didn‘t occur to me the men were in the third person, but considering they all seemed to die it actually makes sense. I would have preferred it to remain just the two women as they were the most interesting, but I suppose you wouldn‘t really know what happened if you didn‘t have the men‘s perspective. I agree @MoonWitch94 it was hard to track POV, had to keep looking at the chapter header to confirm who was speaking. 2y

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kspenmoll I was able to run with the various voices/POV - agree w @KristiAhlers - when you stated that the women‘s voices were distinct whereas the men seemed to be the weaker despite their physical strength.I just loved the authenticity with which Alice, Eleanor & Dorothy‘s stories emerged. 2y

Librarybelle I thought it was an interesting device used by the author - females in first person and males in third. But, I agree that it definitely gave more power to the women - you‘re hearing their thoughts and feelings firsthand. My copy is an electronic advanced readers copy, so the formatting was in shambles - I think that added to my transition struggles from one voice to another! @MoonWitch94 @KristiAhlers @Sargar114 @kspenmoll 2y

megnews I love books with multiple POVs if done well and for me these voices stood apart from the beginning. It‘s really what sucked me in and made me fly through it. The women in first person gave voice to members of society who didn‘t usually have it and let us in on how women were thinking and feeling when no one then gave a darn. I always thought Puritan women would be well more Puritan but halfway through it really made me stop and think why 👇🏻 2y

megnews Wouldn‘t they have the same thoughts and feelings as women now. 2y

Sargar114 I agree @megnews I love multi POV books, can really fly through them. 2y

Jerdencon I agree with @megnews - I had such stereotypes in my head of all the characters - probably left over from elementary school social studies! 2y

Jerdencon And I do enjoy a good multiple pov.book 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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1. In the first pages of the novel, Alice Bradford is anticipating the arrival of a ship. The passage is also full of foreshadowing. “Everything,“ says Alice, “could have been a sign of what was to come“...How does foreshadowing work in the book? What expectations did you have as you read? What aspects of the story were still unexpected? ~from LitLovers discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

MoonWitch94 I like how it set the tone immediately. “Bad things are coming, there is no peace here.” That was the message. 2y

Sargar114 Definitely got the feeling not all was right. I don‘t know if it was the bird on the cover, but there was quite a bit of references to birds. And from what I remember, crows specifically can represent tragedy. I don‘t know if anything that happened was particularly surprising but maybe that was due to the sense of unease presented in the writing. (edited) 2y

KristiAhlers As foreshadowing goes I liked the element but I wanted it to be a bit stronger to be honest. But I love a good doomsday-esq read! 2y

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kspenmoll I felt an anticipation of “bad things” as I read- but it is the women‘s relationships & point of view that held me the most throughout the book. 2y

Bklover @kspenmoll I agree! You knew the boat arriving wasn‘t going to be good but the females in this book were fascinating. (Even the occasional sex scene, which kept catching me off guard!) 2y

Librarybelle Really good points! I was a little surprised by the foreshadowing from the start, but it was the telling from a number of viewpoints that kept me going. And those sex scenes…not something that comes to mind when I‘m reading about the puritans! 😂 @MoonWitch94 @Sargar114 @KristiAhlers @kspenmoll @Bklover 2y

megnews I‘m late to the discussion! It did set you up for impending doom. Like @Librarybelle a novel written from various POVs really keeps me going if done well and this was. And yes, the sex scenes were definitely unexpected in a novel set among Puritans. 2y

Jerdencon I totally felt like it kept me waiting to see what was going to happen… I didn‘t realize it was going to have such long term repercussions. 2y

BookNAround I liked the foreshadowing and enjoyed seeing how Nesbit used it differently in each of the viewpoints. What constitutes a possible sign of the tragedy to come was so different for each person. 2y

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Suet624

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

My library has had this book since 2020. I was so discombobulated when I opened the book to find it had been bound upside down. Has the library known this since 2020? Is it possible no one ever mentioned it when they returned the book? Inquiring minds want to know.

Aims42 Lol 😂 If you find out, let us know! I‘m intrigued now too 2y

AlaMich That would bug the heck out of me every time I opened the book! 2y

Suet624 @Aims42 I‘ll be sure to let you know. 😉 2y

Suet624 @AlaMich it does!!! 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

I devoured this literary historical fiction look at the Plymouth colony ten years after the Mayflower limped onto shore. Told from various viewpoints, this shows the layers of contempt and prejudice among the Plymouth founders. There is lots to explore on this, and I‘m so glad to have read this with #LiteraryCrew this month.

Discussion on the 30th!

Cinfhen, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Bklover, megnews, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, KT1432, CBee, Sargar114, MoonWitch94, CarolineLovesToRead, KristiAhlers, JuniperWilde

Jerdencon It was good! 2y

Chrissyreadit I agree! Great choice! 2y

kspenmoll So layered-fabulous! 2y

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Bklover It was great!! 2y

Librarybelle So glad you liked it too, @Jerdencon @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll @Bklover !! 2y

KristiAhlers I loved it. Can‘t wait for the discussion 2y

MoonWitch94 Can‘t wIt! I really enjoyed this one! 2y

Cinfhen This was a great read. 2y

Librarybelle This will be a fun discussion! @KristiAhlers @MoonWitch94 @Cinfhen 2y

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Sargar114

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

This was a surprisingly quick read and appropriate for the season considering it is about one of the first settlers of the new world. Told from multiple points of views with the two prominent perspectives being the governors wife and a woman from the opposite side of the social standings of this society. I really enjoyed these unconventional views on a story that you feel like you thought you knew. Really enjoyed the authors note as well.

Sargar114 Read for #literarycrew 2y

Librarybelle I‘m loving this one so far! Thanks for joining! 2y

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TEArificbooks

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

I went to the bookstore to get one book and I took some enablers with me. Plus half of these are for the kids.

DogMomIrene Literary enablers are the best kind of shopping companions! 2y

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Chrissyreadit

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

#literarycrew
I really loved this historical fiction that takes place with the Puritans. I loved how the story embraced narratives that offered viewpoints that not only differed but could be equally true. I also appreciated a historical version of events that shared the darker side of history that there are people attempting to white wash and deny the dark and ugly side of colonization. So glad I read this.

Librarybelle

Suet624 I‘m trying to get my library to purchase this! 2y

Librarybelle So glad you enjoyed this! 2y

Chrissyreadit @Suet624 I hope they do! 2y

Suet624 Another library in the area had it. I read it in a day. I really enjoyed it. 2y

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Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

We are at the halfway point with this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! I‘ve seen some great posts so far, and it looks like a few have finished the book!

Any thoughts to share with the group? Full discussion will be on November 30th!

I will post December‘s info, The Diamond Eye, in the next few days - I‘ve had limited downtime as of late due to a high turnover in staffing.

If you have a thought for a good book for next year, comment below!

Cinfhen, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Bklover, megnews, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, KT1432, CBee, MoonWitch94, CarolineLovesToRead, KristiAhlers, JuniperWilde

Cinfhen I know I‘m new to this group so please don‘t feel obligated to take my ideas too seriously but I own these two books on my Kindle & I‘d like to tackle them during 2023

Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel

Cinfhen And

Black Cake

Cinfhen I‘m excited to see what choices the rest of the group suggests!!!! 2y

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CBee I probably won‘t finish this one - for some reason reading about Puritans and such wasn‘t in my wheelhouse! But I might pick it back up 🤷‍♀️ 2y

Bklover Finished it and loved it! 2y

KristiAhlers I loved this book it was good 2y

Librarybelle Thanks so much for the suggestions, @Cinfhen !! 2y

Librarybelle Thanks for trying, @CBee ! 2y

Librarybelle So glad to hear, @Bklover @KristiAhlers !! 2y

KristiAhlers @Cinfhen that was such an excellent read! 2y

KristiAhlers Below is a one I‘ve been wanting to read

Peony in Love

KT1432 I got my library hold in! May start it tonight if I don‘t fall asleep! 😅 2y

KT1432 Ohhh I love those suggestions @Cinfhen! I own Blake Cake already and have been wanting to read Peach Blossom Spring! 2y

Librarybelle Thanks, @KristiAhlers !! 2y

Librarybelle @lele1432 I know what you mean about hoping you read before falling asleep! 2y

Cinfhen Yay!!! Thanks @lele1432 I read Peony in Love earlier this year @KristiAhlers it was really interesting!! 2y

megnews I loved this one. 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @megnews ! 2y

Sargar114 Just picked this up from the library! 2y

Librarybelle Awesome, @Sargar114 ! So glad you can join in! 2y

Cinfhen Just thought of another book to suggest 😊

The Masterpiece: A Novel

Cinfhen And another 😜

Paris Bookseller

Librarybelle Oh! I like those suggestions! @Cinfhen 2y

Cinfhen I‘m just going through 2023 challenges and both of those books would work for multiple prompts!!! 2y

Librarybelle @Cinfhen 😁 2y

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Cinfhen

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

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I really enjoyed this #HF narrative about the early settlers who established Plymouth Rock. Interesting multiple POVs from the governor‘s wife to an indentured slave/ land owner. Audio was excellent. Excited to join the #LiteraryCrew discussion 🤓

Librarybelle

Librarybelle So glad you liked this! 2y

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Cinfhen

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

Just started #LiteraryCrew
It‘s a great pick @Librarybelle
Are you guys continuing in 2023?!?
I‘d love to be tagged on your upcoming reads!!!

andrew61 Definitely carrying on , still thinking about what to choose, hope to shift some of the huge pile in the corner. 2y

Cinfhen Ohhhh, good to know @andrew61 😁 2y

Librarybelle So glad you‘re liking it so far! I am so far behind with organizing 2023, but I‘ll definitely let you know! 2y

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Cinfhen Thanks @Librarybelle ☺️looking forward to seeing the list and & im going to try to join you in December for

The Diamond Eye: A Novel

(edited) 2y

Librarybelle Awesome! 2y

Cinfhen Thanks, Jess @Librarybelle 😀 2y

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Tamra

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

I especially enjoy reading anything set in the colonial American period, so this was a good listen. I appreciated the story was largely told from women‘s perspectives.

People can be nasty brutes devoted to self interest. 🫤

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kspenmoll

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

#bookreport #November6to12 #2022

Completed the first 5 books (reading across), the other 4 I am at various stages-3 of these are buddy reads.

Cinfhen

55 likes1 stack add

Deblovestoread

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

#BookReport Favorite was Rememberings. Looking forward to the #LiteraryCrew discussion on Beheld and the other 2 were good not great. I‘m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the buddy reads and need to do better at just saying no to myself. Enjoying #NonFictionNovember.

Cinfhen, Librarybelle

Cinfhen Ohhhh, you just reminded me about this buddyread

Beheld

Librarybelle I really like your graphic! 2y

49 likes2 comments

BookNAround

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

I picked this #literarycrew #buddy read up to start it and was pleasantly surprised to see it‘s written by an English professor at my kid‘s university. He‘ll never take a class from her since he‘s not an English loving kid (is he actually mine?) but the knowledge that he could tickles me nonetheless. @Librarybelle

Librarybelle What a fun connection! 2y

ShelleyBooksie Beautiful cover 2y

75 likes2 comments

megnews

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

Beautiful writing and character development. Story moved quickly. Looking forward to discussion with #literarycrew

Librarybelle

Librarybelle So glad you liked this! 2y

Tamra I have this TBR - thanks for the reminder! I placed a hold on the audio. 2y

45 likes2 stack adds2 comments

KristiAhlers

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

For November‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead hosted by @Librarybelle we read this one. I was going to take my time with this one but I sat down today to read a couple chapters and well…that turned into the whole book. This was so good. I loved reading about the female perspective of settling Plymouth. Historic fiction at its finest #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

Librarybelle Oh! Great review, and now I can‘t wait to dive in! 2y

KristiAhlers @Librarybelle I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would 💜 can‘t wait to discuss. 2y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y

See All 6 Comments

Bklover I‘m loving this one too! 2y

KristiAhlers @Bklover right? I wasn‘t expecting what this was. I was totally pulled in. 2y

Bklover Definitely wasn‘t what I expected! 2y

54 likes6 comments

LitsyEvents

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

Repost for @Librarybelle

Today starts this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead !

Read at your own pace; discussion on November 30th.

Tagging those who have expressed interest. If you would like to be included in periodic posts as well, comment below!

Librarybelle Thanks for sharing! 2y

28 likes1 comment

Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

Today starts this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead !

Read at your own pace; discussion on November 30th.

Tagging those who have expressed interest. If you would like to be included in periodic posts as well, comment below!

Cinfhen, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Bklover, megnews, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, KT1432, CBee, MoonWitch94, CarolineLovesToRead, KristiAhlers, JuniperWilde, LitsyEvents

Librarybelle @BethM - are you able to join us this month? 2y

MoonWitch94 Yes, please tag me! 2y

Deblovestoread 🙋🏻‍♀️ 2y

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KristiAhlers I picked up my copy the other day I can‘t wait to delve in! 2y

Cinfhen Thanks for the reminder 😄 2y

Librarybelle So happy you‘re excited for this! @MoonWitch94 @Deblovestoread @KristiAhlers @Cinfhen 2y

PurpleyPumpkin I think I‘m going to purchase from Audible. Sounds super interesting!👍🏽 2y

Bklover I wasn‘t sure I‘d like this but so far I am really enjoying it. 2y

Librarybelle @PurpleyPumpkin I am interested to hear what you think about the audio! 2y

Librarybelle @Bklover So good to hear! 2y

52 likes10 comments

megnews

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

#firstlinefriday #literarycrew

Librarybelle, ShyBookOwl

Librarybelle That is a great first line! 2y

33 likes1 comment

LitsyEvents

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

Reposting for @librarybelle next months #literarycrew buddy read. Everyone is welcome- check out her post for more info.

36 likes

Librarybelle

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

I am terribly behind on posting - so sorry! October has not been kind personally or professionally!

The November title for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Beheld. Read at your own pace, and discussion questions will be posted on the 30th. Tagging those who previously expressed interest, but all are welcome to join! Just comment below! I‘ll post periodic checkins throughout the month.

Deblovestoread, KT1432, JuniperWilde, LitsyEvents

Librarybelle Are you able to join us in November? @BethM @Jerdencon @PurpleyPumpkin @CarolineLovesToRead @megnews 2y

Librarybelle @Cinfhen , many months ago you said you may be interested in this one. Are you able to join us? 2y

KristiAhlers Please tag me on this. And I‘m so sorry you‘ve been having a rough month. You‘re not alone in that sadly. Hugs. 2y

See All 34 Comments

Deblovestoread Looking forward to this one. I hope November is kinder to you! 2y

Chrissyreadit Count me in 2y

Chrissyreadit And hope it gets better! 2y

Librarybelle So glad you can join in this one, @KristiAhlers @Deblovestoread @Chrissyreadit ! And thank you for the kind words! ❤️ 2y

megnews I‘m in!! 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @megnews ! 2y

BookNAround I‘m pretty sure I have this one on my tbr shelves! 2y

CoverToCoverGirl Hopefully things will settle down and return to normal soon! 2y

DanaManiac I hope everything calms down soon! 💜 2y

MoonWitch94 Ohhhh I‘m in! 2y

Librarybelle Awesome, @BookNAround @MoonWitch94 ! 2y

Librarybelle Thank you, @CoverToCoverGirl @DanaManiac ! ❤️ 2y

Jerdencon Requesting this now! 2y

Jerdencon Hope things turn around for you too! 2y

tpixie @Librarybelle I hope the rest of October & November are happier for you! 💛🧡💛 2y

CBee Tag me please! This looks sort of similar to The Mercies and I loved that one! My library copy is ready to be picked up 👍🏻 @Librarybelle 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @Jerdencon @CBee !! 2y

Librarybelle Thank you for the kind words, @Jerdencon @tpixie ! ❤️ 2y

tpixie @Librarybelle 🧡😊💛 2y

Cinfhen I‘d like to join!! I have this on my Kindle 😁 2y

Cinfhen Thanks for the reminder ♥️ 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @Cinfhen ! 2y

Bklover May I join too? 2y

Librarybelle Of course, @Bklover ! Welcome! 2y

Bklover Thanks! Have this on my kindle! 2y

Bookwomble I hope life's starting to go a bit easier on you, Jess 💖 2y

Librarybelle Thank you, @Bookwomble ! ❤️ 2y

CarolineLovesToRead Please add me 💕 2y

Librarybelle Hooray, @CarolineLovesToRead ! 2y

kspenmoll Looking to join in! 2y

Librarybelle Wonderful, @kspenmoll ! 2y

63 likes34 comments

Lcsmcat

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

I got in a few chapters of my book club pick this morning. I‘m not sure yet what I think of it. #doublespin

DinoMom Love this cover! 2y

43 likes1 stack add1 comment

DGRachel

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

Confession: I expected to hate this as it is not a book I picked out for myself and ugh-Puritans. 😂 Instead, I enjoyed this work of historical fiction set during a time I‘ve forgotten about. I‘m sure we studied the Mayflower and pilgrims in school, but I found it boring and blocked it out. This book is anything but boring and I loved the insights into conflicts between the colonists. #book about a cult or religion #booked2022

Cinfhen, BarbaraTheBibliophage, alisiakae

Tamra Stacked! 3y

BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks for the review!! 3y

Cinfhen I bought this as a #KindleDeal recently 🤗🤗🤗now I‘m excited to read it!!! Yay!! 3y

See All 6 Comments

TracyReadsBooks I was also a bit surprised by how much I liked this book. I thought it was a really good read. 3y

DGRachel @TracyReadsBooks I was so sure I was going to hate it that I‘m almost mad that it was good. 🤣🤣🤣 3y

TracyReadsBooks I know the feeling! 😂 3y

77 likes6 comments

JenniferP

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

You‘d never know from reading primary source accounts that women even existed in Plymouth, the first Puritan colony. Nesbit tries to remedy that by giving voice to two women, Governor William Bradford‘s second wife Alice, and an freed indentured servant, Eleanor. These women enlighten the problems and conflicts in this sometimes glorified early American settlement.

28 likes

JenniferP

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

#bookspin complete just in time! Library books, #1001books, #nyrb, off the shelf/kindle. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y

19 likes1 comment

Sharpeipup

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

A Pilgrim murder mystery sounds perfect for Thanksgiving, don‘t ya think?

AmyG Great photo. 4y

Avanders I do - and I look forward to hearing about it! 🦃♥️ 4y

Chrissyreadit This sounds intriguing- I can‘t wait to hear what you think. 4y

See All 6 Comments

Sharpeipup @AmyG thanks! 4y

Sharpeipup @Avanders @Chrissyreadit the first few chapters are really good... think I‘m hooked! 4y

Chrissyreadit Stacked! 4y

34 likes1 stack add6 comments

Sharpeipup

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

The NYTimes just released this list. Do you agree?

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/books/notable-books.html?campaign_id=9&...

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I haven't read any of these and about half I've never heard of. However, some that I easily recognized had mixed reviews here. I wonder if that's just because they needed to get to 100 books. I was pleasantly surprised to see a romance book on the list. 4y

Sharpeipup @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I‘ve read 2 from the list. Admittedly the selections were all over the place... 4y

26 likes2 comments

Wife

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

Set in 1600‘s Plymouth, so many events in this story remind me of present day 🇺🇸 3/5🍁s

Emilymdxn That sounds really interesting! 4y

Wife @Emilymdxn Check out @bookandbedandtea ‘s review. Much better than mine. 🌹 4y

bookandbedandtea @Wife @Emilymdxn I often find reviews difficult so I'm happy to hear you liked this one! Thanks! 😊 4y

44 likes3 comments

bookandbedandtea

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

This is not a feel good book. Using (mostly) the voices of two pilgrim women of different classes & backgrounds it imagines what lead up to the first murder by & of a European in America. Life is bleak in the colony- even as seen through wealthy Alice's eyes- & the book examines how the oppressed become oppressors, how the Haves ensure the Have Nots continue to have not, and how the same events look very different as seen through different eyes.

bookandbedandtea @TheAromaofBooks This is my #BookSpinBonanza #12. (Another library book out of order!) 4y

TheAromaofBooks This sounds too sad for me!! Awesome progress though!!! 4y

Wife Great review. I couldn‘t think of anything to add to my review. 4y

27 likes1 stack add3 comments

bookandbedandtea

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

#currentlyreading

ramblingsofareader lovely photo! 4y

bookandbedandtea @ramblingsofareader Thank you! 😊 4y

27 likes2 comments

TracyReadsBooks

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

An intriguing look at life, & the first murder, in Plymouth colony told primarily through the POVs of the governor‘s wife & the wife of a man who paid their way to the New World by signing them up for 7 years of indentured servitude. While other POVs are employed, it‘s these two—a woman of privilege & power within the community & who has none—that stand out & through which the challenges, prejudices, & privilege of life in the colony are seen.

21 likes

TracyReadsBooks

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

Going with murder in Plymouth colony for my next book.

20 likes

Mitch

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

pick

Plymouth 1630 - the lies, hypocrisies, dangers, dreams & aspirations of a group of settlers as seen through the eyes of the women of the community. Fashioned on real historical events. I loved the settings, thought the different factions were drawn well and the emerging townscape vivid. I'd of liked more agency on the part of the women - they commentate from the sidelines and their own connective power isn't central.

TEArificbooks I just watched Jamestown on Amazon Prime. It is about the first women to go to Jamestown to marry the men that settled there. The women come and in supporting their husbands make a few enemies with the men in charge. 5y

Mitch @mdm139 Might give that a go! Thanks 5y

75 likes5 stack adds2 comments

Mitch

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

My favourite time of day - it‘s early, the sun is up, the world is quiet and Bunky is craving cuddles. Add to that a new book and the world looks OK today.

AmyG That looks so lovely. 5y

julesG 😍 5y

Soubhiville Perfect! Your garden is pretty 😊 5y

See All 10 Comments

monalyisha That cover is just so lovely. 💙 5y

Mitch @AmyG @julesG @Soubhiville thanks guys - it was a mellow start to the day. Having everyone home changes the dynamic of the community and it‘s actually been great to connect over the garden fences with more people. But I do love it best before every else wakes! 5y

Mitch @monalyisha I‘d be lying if I didn‘t say that was a huge influencing in my purchasing! 5y

TracyReadsBooks I‘ve heard good things about this book. I‘ll be interested to know what you think about it. 5y

Crazeedi Good morning! Bunky is so cute😻 my kitty is beside me too, but I'm still in my bed, lol. Enjoy your beautiful garden and day 5y

juliegumdrop Gorgeous cover. Gorgeous kitty. 5y

DGRachel The book sounds interesting! Will definitely be watching for your review. And what a relaxing view! 5y

101 likes2 stack adds10 comments

akaGingerK

Beheld | TaraShea Nesbit

so-so

Starting off the year with an “eh.” The murder was not really as large a part of the story as the galley copy led me to believe. Beheld is more a fictionalized entry into lesser known colonists in Plymouth - the women and the indentured servants- than mystery or crime novel. I‘d probably have liked it better with different expectations- it‘s a quiet, very interior book.
#AdvancedReaderCopy

3 likes

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