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This was my first Lauren Groff. Literary fiction isn‘t my genre of choice, but I keep hearing her books described and thinking I‘ll like them. This was definitely an interesting story, I listened to the audiobook and it was well narrated. A fascinating view of a bunch of nuns in France around the time of the crusades. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love books about mediaeval life and nunneries so this was right up my alley. I listened to the audiobook (read by the wonderful Adjoa Andoh) and she does a stellar job. She creates so much atmosphere and brings each nun‘s voice alive. (Bit late for #authoramonth) #nunlit

Unpopular opinion I guess. I didn‘t enjoy this story. It started so well and there were intparts but sometimes I felt disconnected with the story with details. In my opinion it was not well integrated. I have a couple of books by this author 😬2.5⭐️

Just finished for #AuthorAMonth, and I loved it. Took me awhile to warm up to it, but once I understood the rhythm of the storytelling, I was captivated by Marie and her sisters.

The best book for February is Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista, but Matrix is using a bonus space, as it was very close between them.

#readingbracket2024

Overall, it's a good read, though there's no strong plot. You follow Marie as she morphs from unwanted orphan to powerful abbess. I wish we had more of her life as a crusader.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

My favorite part about this book are the snarky side comments from the author about the environment and feminist topics. It's really very good.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville (I actually meant to just read 1 per month but I thoroughly enjoyed this extra one)

This book was unlike anything I've read before, and through much of it, I wasn't sure if it would be a pick for me or not. But it kept me coming back, and there were moments of greatness. This was my first Lauren Groff, and I read it for my February ##AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

#aty24 #historyorhistoricalfiction #52bookclub24 #yellowspine

@BarbaraBB @Kristy_K @LaraReads @KarenUK @Hooked_on_books @BarkingMadRead @brittanyreads @Magpiegem @BookBelle84 @Larkken @julesG @Deblovestoread @MidnightBookListener @Librarybelle @triplem80 @Tove_Reads @Read4life @Bluebird @eeclayton @hissingpotatoes @Book_Lover95 @TheAromaofBooks @kwmg40 @Crazeedi @Graciouswarriorprincess @Kristel @slategreyskies

Relegated to being a nun for being unmarriable, she‘s a huge and ugly girl, Marie uses these attributes to become a powerful abbess. She turns an impoverished abbey wealthy by sheer will and then built the means to protect it from evil. I should have liked this book much more than I did. I think two things held me back: too much sex for nuns and a lot of the book is telling rather than showing slowing it down. Still a decent read. #authoramonth

For those doing #AuthorAMonth who haven't started yet; here's a Kindle deal.
#Soubvihille

Immersive story. Strong female characters. Lovely writing. Insightful commentary on feminism, power, religion, and the environment. Ultimately, however, this book left me a little cold. I liked it but didn‘t love it. Still, I‘m glad for #authoramonth which provided me an opportunity to read it.

1. Taco Tuesday at a new-to-me restaurant with some girlfriends.
2. Bullet journaling
3. 12th Century England. I‘m glad it‘s just a visit!
#motivationalmonday

I‘ve been really sick with a chest cold since Friday. Sadly I wasn‘t even up to reading, just lots of sleeping. Tonight I‘m doing much better and have a reading buddy. #authoramonth @Soubhiville

I‘m ready to read this one for #authoramonth. @Soubhiville

Thanks for the nice package @Soubhiville !

From HPB today tagged book for #authoramonth and the Nancy Horan book for #Samoa #readingOceania @Soubhiville @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Do any #nunlit or #nunlitquarterly folks have resources to clarify the whole convent vs. abbey and prioress vs. abbess thing? I‘ve always found these religious and clerical terms (rector, vicar, curate) baffling. Someone really needs to write a short handbook!! 🤓

#LiteraryCrew read this months ago, and I‘m just finishing it!

This is my first book by Groff, and I was astounded by her writing. It‘s a short book, but it is a slow read - so methodical and poignant. Absolutely gorgeous.

Marie is sent to an abbey in the 12th century. It should be noted that Marie is not religious, and yet she eventually becomes the abbess and does quite a lot of remarkable and controversial changes. Power, love, devotion. ⬇️

The story of Marie, who was banished by the Queen to live in a convent back in the 1100‘s. She wasn‘t particularly religious and at first she didn‘t like living with the nuns, but after some time she begins to realize her own inner strength as she begins to collect favors, spies and friends that help her increase the wealth of the convent. This isn‘t a very fast read, but the writing is beautiful.

Set 1000 years ago. An inspiring story about a very strong woman

A hard slog I don‘t have the spoons for right now and other people are waiting for it at the library.

Image: parasols my students restored.

Fascinating interview on NPR today regarding Margaret Goff‘s “trilogy”

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/11/1198409885/lauren-groff-the-vaster-wilds

Maybe #sundaybuddyread next year? Or #literarycrew ?Maybe too many have already read it but it‘s a thought.

First fireside read of my summer holidays. This one has been on my TBR since it was published, so I'm very much looking forward to it.

Contemplating Matrix while watching my ladies take a group dust bath. It is their absolute bliss. An all female order ruled by Gilda, the black and white in the middle. For those who have read Michael Twitty‘s book, she is a Dominque. Heritage breed that came over to America with the Pilgrims. And such a sweet girl. She comes to the kitchen door to ask for cheese treats. I oblige.

Oof. A book about power, women claiming power, wielding power. Set in a 13th century abbey. Marie is a badass. Let‘s raise a hand to the Maries of the world. First book completed for #20in4. @Andrew65

Oof. A book about power, women claiming power, wielding power. Set in a 13th century abbey. Marie is a badass. Let‘s raise a hand to the Maries of the world. First book completed for #20in4. @Andrew65

Waiting for a friend, enjoying a quiet moment in one of my favorite bars with a book Im enjoying more than I expected. Nice end to a rough day.

Recent acquisitions:
📖 Your Guide to not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson & Jay Cooper
📖 Matrix by Lauren Groff
📖 Being Elizabethan: Understanding Shakespeare's Neighbors by Norman Jones

#fREADom #UniteAgainstBookBans

#WomensHistoryMonth #Recommendations 15of31 Fiction
A novel about a 12th century woman who is cast out of a royal court and sent to run a failing convent? Count me in. This book is a bit slow because it is heavily character driven but the descriptions of life, and the amazing fortitude of the nuns was wonderful to read. I was engrossed by this book and it was one of my top reads for that publication year.

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Groff is clearly a talented writer but a story about Marie of France and nuns living and working in an abbey during the Middle Ages did not hold my attention or peak any sort of interest. Honestly I don‘t even know what to make of this. I just know this kind of story and this kind of writing style is just not for me. Glad I tried it at least.

It‘s time for the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I have posted discussion questions…you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, and searching for #LiteraryCrew . Please share any additional thoughts and comments below!

March‘s title is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. If you wish to be tagged for next month, and were not tagged in the prior Black Cake post, let me know!

This was well-written, just not really my thing. I liked some of the characters and the feminist bent, but the time period isn't one I know much about.

This was my #doublespin for February.

Started reading February‘s pick for the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead today while enjoying a vanilla matcha latte. It‘s an interesting story so far! Hoping to finish before the end of the month. 😅
(February 25, 2023)

Check in time for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead …in the blink of an eye, we‘re a week away from the discussion! I know some of us have finished, while others have started to read (I plan to start this week). Any thoughts to share with the group so far?

I‘m not terribly certain what I listened to, maybe audio isn‘t the preferred format, but this one wasn‘t for me. At times beautiful language and definitely food for thought which will probably make it a good discussion piece for #literarycrew.

Repost for @Librarybelle

February‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead!
Read at your own pace, and discussion will take place on the 28th.

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2544082

Yesterday kicked off this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Happy reading to everyone joining in this month. Tagging those who have already indicated to be on the tag list for this month; if you would also like to be included, comment below!

Read at your own pace, and discussion will take place on the 28th.

Anticipated February buddy reads:
Revelations #nunlit
Matrix #literarycrew
Who‘s Body? #goldenagecrimeclub
Dearest Josephine #sundaybuddyread
Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles #diversecozy2023

It‘s 1158 and 17 yr old Marie is thrown out of French court by the queen and sent to a nunnery. Marie is a bastard of royal blood but wouldn‘t marry well because she is ugly and a giant! The nunnery is decrepit and everyone in it is dead or close to it. Matrix is the story of Marie and how she creates a safe haven for women. This reads like a true story, it would be pretty cool if it was

More car reading and enjoying my blue nails 💙 as one does 🤣🤣 I am thoroughly enjoying Matrix

Getting a jump on February #literarycrew