Welcome to Litsy!

I #loved the concept of #Nonfiction2025 : books about resistance movements in different times and places. I had a chart and everything. However, I read (really listened) to far fewer books this year than previously, and so my (exaggerated) bingo board looks rather sad. Sorry, Melissa!

Favorite book (I finished) in October was The Woman They Could Not Silence. It‘s not a short book & took a few months. It‘s NF that doesn‘t read like NF. It‘s well written & thoroughly researched. Fascinating & frustrating read about early mental health/institutions, how women were treated when they spoke their mind, the treatment of married women in the early US.

“Ahead of her time, she challenged a patriarchal system & a doctor-dominated world, compelling both to be better & fairer. She did it all alone, bolstered only by her belief that she was right, in a world that continually told her she was wrong. She fought every day of her life to make things better, dedicating her life to others, wanting justice for all.” Finally finished this #shesaid selection. So good, nonfiction that doesn‘t read like NF.

A powerful book about 19C Elizabeth Packard: forced into an “insane asylum” by her husband and separated from her five children with the collusion between her husband and the controlling institution director. It vividly portrays how she challenged the horrific institution staff, developed solidarity among the patients, fought back in the court system after discharge, and became an activist for mental health rights. #SheSaid #Nonfiction2025 #MeToo

“Women are made to fly and soar, not to creep and crawl, as the haters of our sex want us to”. This quote by Elizabeth Packard really hits home in today‘s climate.

“I can stand on my own feet, alone, now. I don‘t have to be running around to find some tree to climb upon. I am a tree myself”

“There is no more powerful way to silence someone than to call them crazy.” Thanks to this woman and all those like her that came before me, I am able to have the job I have now and am able to speak my mind.

Yet until Elizabeth spied Toffee‘s letter she had no idea what had happened. Even after that, encased in uneasy ignorance, she could not be fully sure what McFarland was doing: it was only one letter she‘d seen, she did not suspect the censorship was as extensive as it was. So, instead, she wrote bleakly of the fence of desolation which the total withdrawal of friends throws over a person‘s life. “It is hard to be forgotten,” she simply said. /1

#Read2025 #MonthlyNonFiction2025 #RealHistory

Finished last week for #SheSaid Elizabeth Packard was an amazing woman who I knew very little about until this book. She did so much to fight for her own rights but even more to fight for the rights of the voiceless—women & those with mental health issues, or really rather, those who were judged to be insane but were not & typically forced into asylums by husbands or male family members to silence ⬇️

Knowing now what Elizabeth Packard endured, fought against, and accomplished, it is infuriating (but not surprising) that her story wasn't commonly known history. It's an incredible story about resilience and advocacy and an all-too-relevant reminder about how hard and how recently our predecessors had to fight to earn basic rights for women in our country. Great read for May's #SheSaid selection! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Kate Moore does a great job with women‘s history that isn‘t as known as it should be. Her narrative style reads very easily, even as the subject matter makes you madder and madder. It‘s hard on one hand to believe that women could be declared insane just for want to be learn, speaking her own mind, or even reading. I was really impressed by Elizabeth Packard‘s determination in her fight against injustice. Spoiler below. #SheSaid

This was very interesting and well written. The author must have done an absurd amount of research.

#SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Hello #SheSaid!

I am way behind on this book…. Family issues. But I‘m so glad it‘s still going well for everyone, I cannot wait to see what happens next. See you all in the comments!

Hello #SheSaid! How are you this week?

See you in the comments, please just drop in when you finish this week‘s section…

“Is there no man in this crowd to protect this woman?” Rebecca Blessing shouted, pacing the platform. “Is there no man? If I were a man, I would seize her!” But Rebecca was not a man, she had no power…[Elizabeth] was ushered to her seat, the train beginning to pull away, to bear her away from her home. But it was not just her home Elizabeth was leaving: her liberty lay shattered on the track, her reputation for sanity dead beside it. #SheSaid

Hello #SheSaid

How is everyone doing this week, slowly catching up? I know a few of you got the book later.

See you in the comments as you finish this week‘s section!

Hello #SheSaid!

How are you all this weekend?

We would all be in trouble. I keep thinking about this passage from this month‘s #SheSaid book.

Repost for @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Hello #SheSaid

Up Next for May!

Put in those library holds and interlibrary loans!

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2860593

repost for @Riveted_Reader_Melissa:

Hello #SheSaid

Up Next for May!

Put in those library holds and interlibrary loans!

#BuddyRead

Hello #SheSaid

Up Next for May!

Put in those library holds and interlibrary loans!

another book about a strong woman and another book that infuriated me #womenshistorymonth #audiophile #readinggoal #readinglife

The story of Elizabeth Packard & her journey from forced institutionalization at her husband‘s insistence to activist for women‘s rights & protection for mental health patients.

This was at times inspiring & infuriating to listen to. Elizabeth endured numerous injustices throughout her life, but also accomplished extraordinary things. A little dense & a little dry, but absolutely worth the read. Putting a hold on Radium Girls now!🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

Today I had the honor of hearing Kate Moore speak on the steps of the Wood Country Lunatic Asylum (c.1885) about the tagged book. It was a phenomenal place to be talking about the struggles of a sane woman who was committed less than 10 years prior to this building being used. We got to tour the asylum afterward, as well as get our books signed.

HUGE thank you to @WildAlaskaBibliophile for picking this as one of my 12-in-12 reads this year. 💜💜

Wow, just wow!!

A friend started the tagged book a day ahead of me and had mostly bad things to say about it, but I like it a lot so far. I think it‘s gonna be a harrowing and insightful read.

In a less harrowing mode, here‘s a preview of my Greek street with the third wall attached and the lights hooked up! It‘s hard to tell in the photo, but the mirror against the back wall means you can see all the bookstore‘s angles. #audiocrafting

For anyone who read the tagged book, this should be very heartening news 😍

https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2023-08-09/he-oppressed-her-and-state-takes...

The true story of Elizabeth Packard, placed in an insane asylum by her husband. Six children, sane as the day is long, but stuck inside for years along with other women who had no business being there. All because her husband didn't agree with what she had to say. I read 3/4's of it last July, couldn't handle the ups and downs of this woman's life, put it down. Relentlessly obstructed by men who controlled her life. Finally finished it. ⬇

Moore‘s non-fiction feels like fiction because she has a way of focusing in on the feelings and thoughts of the person at the center of the events. The book included quotes from Elizabeth Packard‘s own writings and other first hand accounts of the events of the time.

Finished this stunning book last night, just in time for book club this week! This book made me angry, made me sad, and ultimately gave me hope ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love Kate Moore‘s writing. It sucks you into the story and doesn‘t feel like non-fiction. This book will make you angry but is also inspiring with several instances when you want to yell “Go Elizabeth!”. Elizabeth Packard was a remarkable woman who went through a lot with more grace, forgiveness and kindness than I probably would have.

#adventrecommends @emilyrose_x

I haven't read as many nonfiction books this year, but most of the ones I've read were excellent.

This book made me so angry while reading it, but I learned so much. Kate Moore presents information in a way that reads almost like fiction. With everything going on now with women's health, I think that makes this book even more important.

Wow, every woman should read this. Let it inspire us to draw on our strengths and fight back. Every man should read this who isn't afraid to take an honest look.

A woman that fought for freedom and autonomy. Moore is an excellent writer.
I liked this I love a history of women that refused to submit to the status quo. Elizabeth Packard forced into a “mad house” by her husband. She fought to be released and then fought for her fellow sisters locked away by husbands or male family members simply for being disagreeable.
Another badass woman to add to the list.
Recommend.

Love a story about a bad*ss woman.

Loved Moore‘s ‘Radium Girls‘ I hope this is as good and informative.

😱 Chart above shows what were thought of as reasons for insanity in the 1800s such as NOVEL READING! 😤

The book is an interesting and heavily footnoted recount of a woman who was committed to an asylum when her husband felt challenged by her intelligence. Thanks for the recommendation, @Lauranahe ! It‘s fascinating, frightening, and so sad. Never again!

This was so good! What an amazing follow-up to Radium Girls. Elizabeth is committed to an asylum by her husband because she…thought for herself. This is her fight to free herself, and free other women who are powerless to men. An incredible story.

I took a short, lovely wander to Narnia today and took so many good pictures. This one is just the most iconic one. I‘ve gone back to the tagged book per my previous post asking for votes on what to pick up and read. (And yes, this area is locally called Narnia. I‘ll post some more pictures.)

Locked up in an asylum by her husband in 1860, Elizabeth Packard witnesses firsthand the wrongful imprisonment of sane married women, but also the mistreatments of the mentally ill. As soon as she managed to get released, she put all her efforts towards having protective laws passed. Excellent biography by Kate Moore on an extraordinary woman.

If you haven‘t read this book yet you should. Kate Moore does and excellent job of bringing Elizabeth Packard to life and her battle to be free and heard. This is terrifyingly sad that this is how women were treated and how being called “crazy” was a way to erase a person.

Tonight, I met Kate Moore. Her book talk about Elizabeth Packard, the woman they could not silence was fantastic!

I enjoyed Radium Girls and read this latest book last year with the #litsybookclub as we were a @sourcebooks sponsored bookclub.

An interesting story about a woman deemed insane because she fought for what she believed and didn't submit to the men around her. Creepy that although this story takes place in the latter half of the 19th century, it reads like it could happen today.

I read this book last year for bookclub and really enjoyed it! It was also infuriating to read about how Elizabeth Packard and so many other women were treated by their husbands, the medical establishment and the law during this time period. The book looks intimidating in length, but it read quickly. Highly recommend!

Soft pick 3.5 ⭐
A bit too much overdramatized style of writing for a non-fiction. I also wish the ending wasn't so rushed. Packard got bills passed in many states by personally lobbying and maybe even writing the bills - I am unsure b/c this interesting part is skimmed over with no details.
Interesting and quick paced this woman deserves more recognition then she gets and I am glad I read this.

If she screamed, she sealed her fate.
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#firstlinefriday
@ShyBookOwl

Excited for all of these books! Ready to March Bingo Madness it up!
#bookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I‘m not sure whose idea this is and I never followed or “knew” @sharread but in memory of a Litten who passed earlier this year, I‘m hoping to read two books from her TBR. RIP, Sharon. And to all who are missing her, I offer my sincerest condolences.

Elizabeth Packard is a hero. I can't believe before reading this amazing book that I had never heard her name. Her resilience is inspiring. Although I will admit this book really pushed my buttons and I had to keep reminding myself that not all men act, or acted, like the ones in this book. Sadly, so many women suffered simply by having their own thoughts.

Excellent read that's thoroughly researched, well-written, and very informative.

2-1-22: January Book Wrap Up! It was a good month of reading! 📖⭐️🔟

1-27-22: My 10th finished book of 2022! A fascinating look into the life of Elizabeth Packard. When she started to realize that she had thoughts and ideas that were her own, not her husband‘s, she started to express them and he threw her into an insane asylum. She remained there for 3 years! Once out she made it her mission to help women like herself. She wrote books, she helped write bills, and she fought for women‘s freedom. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📖#️⃣🔟