Welcome to Litsy!

Talk about a bunch of privileged white girls! I felt so bad for Anita. I would have felt like a fish out of water with that group as well. I realize it was way worse for her. Lottie bothered me from the very beginning. I knew she would turn out to be a little twit. Great book.

Fictionalized true story of brilliant Anita Hemmings who, in 1897, longs to attend Vassar College. Many of the colleges of the time are not integrated, and Anita is black.

In the words of Taylor Swift - in my defence, I have none.

I‘m supposed to be reducing the stack of unread books in the house, not increasing... The stack on the left is all gifts or books from my Sweet Reads boxes. But the stack on the right is purchases. Oops.

Which have you read? #PurpleCover #NewYearNewYou
@eggs

Set on a #college campus, this is historical fiction based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, who “passed” as white and became the first black woman to attend Vassar.
#LetsTravelAugust

@laurenslibrary #thursdaysurvey

1. The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe
2. Crossfire by Andrea Domanski
3. The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys ( but there are tons in general!)
4. My Goodreads goal was set at 85 but I hit that in April, so I‘m thinking of raising it. I‘m currently at 123/85.
5. @rather_be_reading @jb72 @Lynnsoprano and anyone else who wants to join in!

It‘s 1897 and Anita is returning to Vassar College as a senior. For years she‘s led a double life as the quiet but beautiful white daughter of a well to do Boston Lawyer and her true self, the daughter of Southern mulattos who are barely educated and scrimp and save to afford her education. If anyone were to find out she would be ruined, but with a new roommate who is the exact opposite of Anita keeping her secret will be harder than ever.

With the completion of this wonderful book day one of #24b4monday has drawn to a close. I read this book in 3 hours and 54 minutes bringing the daily total to 10 hours and 38 minutes!! Woohoo! Now I‘m sleepy. Lol. Onto the next one!

@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

I look forward to Thursday mornings, when I get to spend time reading this book to get ready for class.

I love when working means prepping for class, which means reading a novel.

@TheBookHippie look what arrived!!! Thank you so so much!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

A historical true novel set in the late 1800‘s about the first black student, Anita Hemmings, to attend Vassar. She befriended & roomed with one of America‘s top socialites & daughter of one NY‘s most prominent families. The amazing twist, Anita successfully entered as & passed as white. Heartbreaking & infuriating to read is when her “best friend” learns her secret, how the relationship ends & the damage she tries to inflict.

Found the historical fiction section at Emerald Isle Books! Took a pic so I could remember the titles.

#KindleDailyDeal s are all great today! They are a bit more expensive than usual, $4.99, but still less than a paperback would cost. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=mh_s9_acsd_hps_clnk_r?node=7533915011&pf_rd_m...

What an interesting read... all though a bit fluffy at times it still tackled an important issue for women and especially women of color. This book made me want to read more about this time period. Overall, a solid read!

The snow is still coming down so I see no reason to get off of the couch! Good thing I am liking this book!!! #wintersucks

$20.88 before shipping 😃#bookmail

A little lunch time reading... I have had this on my nightstand for awhile, it's time to get 'r' done! lol I have library holds coming in this week and plenty of #botm to catch up on as well! 😬

While I loved the premise (and the cover), the book took a rather long time to hook me. I think I checked this book out 9x but I finally finished it! #slowread #hunginthere

Who comes to mind? "Money does not give people charm. It usually provides them an excuse not to be charming. " #money #truth #wouldyouagree

Absolutely fascinating subject, about 1897 exclusive women-college graduate Anita Hemmings, who passed as white to attend. Unfortunately, the book does not live up to its promise, turning the story into a poorly written young-adult romance novel mostly about Anita's uberrich, spoiled roommate and her gilded social life - parties, love triangle, gossip. The race issue is marginal.
Between pan and so-so, upgraded for subject and effort. ⭐⭐/5 ...⬇️

Another anachronism. Aaaaahhh! Just when I was starting to accept the writing.
I don't mind that she uses contemporary language for 1895, but at least weed out concepts or words not known back then. Especially not by an average older black woman.
#anachronism #wherewastheeditor

This is supposed to be a dialog between two girls in 1895. There is no way anyone would have talked casually about carbon monoxide in 1895. This is a very 21st century expression.

Anachronisms like this can really throw me off. If this was not a book club book I would have just stopped reading it.
Anyone else feels the same way?
#anachronism #wherewastheeditor

#booksandboardgames

Haven't started it, but it's due in two days with a hold on it? Challenge accepted! #libraryfeesarerentalfees

Up next!

#bookhaul a very mini one...I held myself back to just one book tonight but I'm pretty sure it's going to be a winner!

I don't know when I think I'm going to read all these library books!

Great story, occasionally mediocre writing. The exposition dumps were particularly awkward. 3.5 stars.

This novel is based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, the first African American woman to graduate from Vasser College in 1897. Anita was light-skinned and able to pass as a white woman because at the time, Vasser did not admit women of color. Having to hide her true identity must have been devastating, not to mention her fear of being found out by her school and fellow students. An interesting story about a courageous woman. #2016reads

#thisshouldbeamovie #seasonsreadings2016

I love period films and I think this would be a great one. The book is the slightly fictionalized story of the first black woman to graduate from Vassar by "passing" as white.

Excited to start this book as it takes place at a women's college and I went to one myself!

On my day off I'm catching up on my audio book, making ham bone broth for my dad's split pea soup, and finishing the last of the unpacking.

All the necessities for our semi-annual family 'read-in.'
and a pumpkin. because fall.
finished The Gilded Years & returning now to Moscow...
#fallreading

#onceuponabookclub I subscribed too late to get this book, but picked it up at the library so I could read and participate in questions on #instagram. Based on truth, I appreciate the story even more.

Gym reading

"I even brought a special hat for the occasion." She reached into her bag for a straw hat with a straight brim and a navy blue ribbon tied around it. "One can not be duplicitous without the right headwear."

Perfect end to a rainy day= a pretty book and a pot of tea.

Living, really living, is awfully entertaining.

I subscribed to Once Upon a Book Club Box this month. I can't wait to start reading so I can open these goodies! This is going to be a true test of my willpower.... Especially since I need to finish Underground Railroad first before my library e-loan expires!

I went to three bookstores in Austin and am officially distracted from my prior TBR.

Fascinating story.

My favorite historical time period, a college story, an interesting fictionalization of a strong woman I knew nothing about. Checked all my boxes!

So fun! I'd forgotten that I won this on a Goodreads giveaway from Atria Books. I've heard good things, so I'm excited to read it!

Fantastic library haul today. Anyone have a suggestion of what I should pick first?

Tonight's book

Beautifully written story of the first African American woman admitted to Vassar. The secret of her race becomes paramount as she finishes her senior year at the prestigious college. Should she be true to herself, continue the ruse, or follow her heart?

4.5 🌟 A perfect historical fiction novel for an afternoon read. While much of it reads as just the story of a young woman navigating social spheres at the turn of the century, it does explore hypocrisy and casual racism in a way that is still extremely relevant.

It tends to drag at the end.