Welcome to Litsy!

Running away from home was a mixed bag, both in terms of the trip itself and what I was running away from, but the week had many joys.
1. I visited a park that commemorates Williamsburg during the Peninsula Campaign.
2. I had occasion to use this lovely candle.
3. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde spoke truth to power.
4. Politics Girl was 🔥this week.
5. Greek food for lunch was delicious.
#5joysfriday

#12Booksof2024 Day 9

My favorite book of September was The House is On Fire, which I read with my IRL book club.

@Andrew65

I read the author‘s note first and it made this story set in deadliest urban disaster in US history at the time (1811) even more disturbing. That a slave has no obituary in local papers to document one‘s time on earth is not shocking but incredibly sad. That a white man would prefer a wife dead to disabled and could make that happen - ugh! That a slave is compelled to run into danger to save whites from death is heroism beyond measure.

Fascinating, well-researched historical fiction about a tragic theater fire in Richmond, Virginia in 1811. Told from 4 points of view: a young white orphaned boy working as a stage hand, an enslaved woman who accompanied her mistress as her chaperone, an enslaved man who became a hero, and a well-to-do white woman who was sitting in a box seat. ⬇️

⭐️⭐️⭐️an engaging historical fiction using parts of actual people@who were there although took many liberties with their narratives.

Author Rachel Beanland has based this historical fiction novel on the true story of the Richmond Theater Fire. Dozens died that night as the crowd surge to escape the smoke and flames. Heroes (and cowards) were revealed that night, and Beanland takes us on a fictionalized account of some of those that were there. Not only does the author bring the disaster to life with her impeccable research, she draws you into the story as if you were there.

Thanks @AmyG for getting 2024 off to a cracking start. This is a real page turner. Amazing historical detail, characters who live off the page and a really compelling and compassionate story of survival, pain and hope. Loved it !

Oh @AmyG - love love love the sound of this one. Digging straight in tonight. Thank you honey. Happy Holidays to you all. 😘🎄😘

Not my typical historical fiction read but am so glad I read it! Well-paced and incredibly engaging… I didn‘t want it to end!

Just about everything in this book fascinates me—including the absurd legalities/sensibilities of the time & how ppl can strip one another of their humanity even as they recognize that humanity. Also, Mary Lumpkin is a mighty woman. Friggin‘ made of steel.