Welcome to Litsy!

Thank you for the birthday gifts @CarolynM ! So perfect a choice - this book is exactly in my wheelhouse and I definitely identify myself as a Book Nerd! They arrived the day before my birthday so perfect timing as well 💕 Thank you so much, I so appreciate your thoughtfulness and friendship.

Book haul from our lovely local book shop with my Xmas voucher from my hubby😊
Two of my favourite authors John Boyne and Robbie Arnott and the others have been recommended to me.
I‘m aiming to read 30 books the year…one of them will be the classic Middlemarch.
#fiction #literature

#12BooksOf2024 December

I was surprised by how much I liked this #ozfiction about a C9th girl whose thirst for knowledge led her into a life of deception in the church. It‘s my pick for December, although my new favourite Georgette Heyer, The Grand Sophy, is a very close second.

Thanks @Andrew65 for making this an annual tradition. And thanks to everyone who‘s participated, I‘ve enjoyed seeing all your choices.

Historical fiction is not really my thing & I come from long lines of religious non conformists with no sympathy for the Catholic Church, but I was fascinated by this story of a C9th girl who disguises herself as a Benedictine monk in order to feed her voracious intelligence & desire to learn. The place & condition of women in at that time is a major theme, as is corruption within the church. Captivating stuff! #ozfiction

This was brilliant. A girl in the 9th century becomes a monk and ascends to the high ranks of the Catholic Church. It sounds esoteric but is propulsive and Agnes is so engaging I was invested and wanted to see how she would confront each new challenge. Strong writing with some of the earthy poetry of Hannah Kent. Makes you think about sexism & privilege in a new way. A beautiful look at spirituality vs the excesses of the church. Recommended.

It‘s like a biblical Slumdog Millionaire, with a more reluctant (and regretfully horny) heroine. My trust in Maguire was well placed, as I found myself fascinated and eager to read more all the way through Rapture. So, even if it doesn‘t sound like your type of book, I encourage you to give it a go regardless. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/rapture-emily-maguire/