Litsy

L.M. Montgomery's Complete Journals: The Ontario Years: 1918-1921 | Jen Rubio L.M. Montgomery

“I am almost worn out and feel as if the only thing that would do me any good would be to get away out in some lonely waste place and shriek at the top of my voice for half an hour.”
—July 22, 1919 (p. 173)

Same, Maud. Same.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMJournals

dabbe 🎯🎯🎯 5h

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sdbruening

Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries | Alan Rickman

pick

I felt intrusive by listening to this audiobook, but it must have been okay to share if his family was okay with publishing. Really great to get insight into the workings of his mind. Very smart and considerate with high standards for himself and others.

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BarbaraJean

L.M. Montgomery's Complete Journals: The Ontario Years: 1918-1921 | Jen Rubio L.M. Montgomery

This week‘s section was ROUGH and heartbreaking to read, and I‘m glad we‘re alternating between the journals and other books! A couple questions to get us started:

What stands out to you in LMM‘s description of her grief?
What stands out in her descriptions of Ewan‘s illness and her own response to it?
Are there other sections that you found interesting or meaningful?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMJournals

JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks

BarbaraJean This quote (and the preceding passage about their friendship) really struck me:
“I think what hurt me so keenly in these was the fact that there was no one left on earth to understand or note these things. In one letter... written one winter when I was not feeling well she said, ‘I tremble to think of what the world would be to me without you.‘
Oh, Frede, you never had to learn it. It is I who must find that out.”
(p. 131 - Mar. 23, 1919) 😭😭 1d

BarbaraJean Several times, I was struck (again!) by how judgmental LMM is. I also noticed her own fear of judgment, specifically about Ewan & what others would think if they knew his illness was other than only a physical ailment. It was interesting to see those two things side by side and feel there was likely a parallel there: she assumes judgment in part because of her own judgmental side.

“For Ewan's own sake and the childrens' the impression must not ⬇ (edited) 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) ...get abroad that his mind was unbalanced. It would ruin his prospects. I talked to the people of his headaches and insomnia but I fenced the world from him as much as I could lest the other deadly thing should be suspected.” (Sept. 1, 1919: p. 149) vs. a comment like: “Flora is a stupid, uncultured, uninteresting woman but she has a heart of gold and she was kindness itself to us this summer.” (Aug. 3, 1919: p. 174) 1d

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BarbaraJean Also, I CRACKED UP over these two parts:

“I have a long way to go before I can believe that the spirits of the dead can spell out messages on the Ouija board or that they live in an eternal pink twilight on synthetic beef tea.” (March 29, 1919: p. 134)

“The McCombs are nice enough people but their cat is nicer.” (Aug. 3, 1919: p. 173) 1d

TheAromaofBooks Soooo many feelings in this week's section!! Wow! Can you imagine a worse year!? I think I had either not realized or maybe just forgotten that Frede died of the Spanish flu. So scary and fast. You can feel the shock and devastation on every page - to have just heard from someone and they were fine, and then 24hrs later to be told to come quickly because they're dying...!! It was hard to read. And I felt Maud's lament that she's too old to ⬇ 21h

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) make another friend like that - the kind of person you've built a lifetime of memories with, and shared so much. 21h

TheAromaofBooks The sections about Ewan were in some ways harder to read, because it felt like so much of that grief LMM put on herself. Her obsession with appearances, combined with the lack of knowledge/empathy concerning mental health issues boxed her into a situation that was way worse than I feel like it would have been if it had happened today. I thought it was strange that they went to Massachusetts for the entire summer - was it just to keep Ewan away ⬇ 21h

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) from the neighborhood?? It was also so hard to read the beginnings of the usage of various drugs to help with sleeping and getting through the day, knowing how destructive those will be over time. And I also felt bad for Ewan, who honestly seems like a perfectly nice guy (despite all the slagging he got in basically every biography). I think until this point he and LMM have been companionable and work partners, even if they haven't ⬇ 21h

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) been passionate lovers. To go into this time of deep, deep depression and basically be told that it's your fault and you're a disgrace and have to be hidden away - ugh, so awful.

When you mentioned about LMM being really judgmental, it made me remember a footnote from the earlier section (pg47), which quoted a later journal entry of LMM's saying that her cousin James had no children and so “the old homestead of Hugh Montgomery will ⬇ 20h

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) pass into other hands with this generation.“ The footnote points out that James actually had adopted three children. I was immediately struck by how LMM definitely seems like the type of person who would not have remotely considered adopted children inheriting the same as the farm “staying in the family.“ Her high view of the Montgomerys comes through frequently, and she definitely has a lot of feelings about “class“ and who belongs ⬇ 20h

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) where.

It's interesting to me how deeply the idea of someone being “insane“ haunted LMM. She says on pg149 “Was my husband going out of his mind? He had every symptom given in the encyclopedia on that type of insanity. It was one of the things I had always had the most deeply rooted horror of.“

I wonder why it horrified her so much?? 20h

lauraisntwilder The week got away from me and I'm behind on my reading, but I'll come back and discuss when I get caught up! 20h

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Lcsmcat

War in Val D'Orcia: An Italian War Diary, 1943-1944 | Iris Origo

My February stats. Proud Shoes was the highest ranked, but the tagged book is so important right now.

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kelli7990

Journalkeeping | Carl Koch

Here‘s another journaling thing I looked up. I wanted to know if there were Afternoon Pages like there are Morning and Night Pages. I‘ve done Afternoon Pages and Night Pages before and the last 2 days, I tried Morning Pages because I had to get up early. I‘ve never tried guided journaling before. I‘ve done Afternoon Pages before and I feel like that works for me because I don‘t get up early. If I don‘t do it at noon then I can do it at night.

17 likes

Crinoline_Laphroaig

Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay & Diaries | Emma Thompson

Few ideas for 'Now' discussion of Sense & Sensibility. I can't wait to see what everyone read & watched! 📖📚📺

#JaneAustenThenAndNow
#PemberLittens #JaneAdjacent

Crinoline_Laphroaig @julieclair @SarahBookInterrupted @willaful @mctrish @LitsyEvents
@Julsmarshall @DebinHawaii
@Graciouswarriorprincess
@JenlovesJT47 @Librarybelle
@inthegreensandblues
@Bookwormjillk @dabbe
@CrowCAH @mollyrotondo
@TheBookHippie @Ruthiella
@Deblovestoread @Lizpixie
@SarahBookInterrupted @Andrea313
@StayCurious @eeclayton
4d

Crinoline_Laphroaig @TheAromaofBooks
@peanutnine @rubyslippersreads @CaramelLunacy @Andrea313
@ravenlee @AnneCecilie
@Cheshirecat913 @AllDebooks
@ElizaMarie @AnishaInkspill
@eeclayton @staci.reads
@CoffeeAndABook @Liatrek
@Cuilin @BarkingMadRead @Laughterhp @CoverToCoverGirl
@wordslinger42 @Morr_Books
@bookandbedandtea @Tineke @curiouserandcurioser @Sace
@JenlovesJT47 @trina_reads 4d

Deblovestoread I was so happy to watch the 1995 film and the 2008 mini series. Love them both. I just started

Sense and Second-Degree Murder

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Crinoline_Laphroaig @Deblovestoread I didn't get to 2008 mini series. 😢 4d

AnneCecilie @Deblovestoread I watched the same ones. I‘m so happy about I got to rewatch these 4d

julieclair Starting this one tonight (Where did February go???)

Jane of Austin: A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility

Crinoline_Laphroaig @AnneCecilie it's pure comfort. 3d

Crinoline_Laphroaig @julieclair I know! Suddenly it's Spring. 3d

peanutnine I read the tagged because I love murder mysteries! It was excellent and I think true to the spirit of the original. I also watched the 1995 film, which is a favorite. I didn't know about a mini series! I'll have to check it out

Sense and Second-Degree Murder

CaramelLunacy @peanutnine I just finished Sense and Second Degree Murder as well. I had a good time with the investigations, and especially Margaret gathering material for her horrid novels! 2d

CaramelLunacy I watched the movie From Prada to Nada, a contemporary retelling where Nora and Mary are spoiled rich girls in Beverly Hills and have to move in with a working class aunt when they lose their father. I had a good time, though Mary was so horrid at the beginning I had a hard time with her redemption. The big gesture at the end was utterly ridiculous, but the romantic in me went awwwww anyway! 2d

Crinoline_Laphroaig @CaramelLunacy if it makes you happy that's what matters. Sounds like a fun movie. 2d

peanutnine @CaramelLunacy yes Margaret was an unexpectedly delightful character! 2d

34 likes13 comments

kelli7990

Journalkeeping | Carl Koch

This morning, I did some upside drawing with this picture turned upside down. I tried to draw it just by looking at it. All I know how to draw is stick figures. I don‘t know if I like how my drawing turned out or not. Maybe I should do more upside down drawing. After that, I did Morning Pages. I‘ve never done this before. I‘ve only been doing Night Pages before bed along with a book I‘m currently reading.

#journaling

nelsonmatt890 I like to connect with you and read, lol. 4d

14 likes1 comment

Deblovestoread

The Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition | Anne Frank

#Bookrelated

Today‘s section in our #TreeADay reading. My question to you is if you have read the tagged book, any factual history or historical fiction set during WWII how you cannot see the parallels from that time to this? What is keeping you from recognizing how our freedoms are being taken away piece by piece? It is happening again and you are not only cheering for it you are praising God for it. God help us all.

Ruthiella I‘m currently reading Maus by Art Spiegelman and also see the pattern. Particularly in the swiftness. Laws and institutions will only hold up if we collectively support them. 1w

Jess861 The Dutch Orphan was a very interesting book to read at this time. Some spoke up, others didn't as freedoms were slowly taken away. The parallels are scary.

The Dutch Orphan

Deblovestoread @Jess861 Stacked! Thanks for the recommendation. 🩷 1w

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TheBookHippie I‘ve seen the replanted of this tree by the World Trade Center. I agree with your post… and am just making mine… 1w

Soscha We‘re past the punch a Nazi in the face days. And days of not wanting to be friends with Russian oligarchs. 😒 (edited) 1w

dabbe To add to your thoughts, you made me think of this allusion from my Book of Allusions:
•Bread and Circuses: This phrase was used by a writer during the time of the Roman Empire. He deplored the fact that the Imperial government was able to keep the populace content merely by distributing free food and providing entertainment spectacles, such as the fights in the Coliseum between people or between people and animals. ⬇️ 1w

dabbe The writer declared that it was shameful that people could be so easily kept in line simply by receiving “bread and circuses“ from the government.

The term today refers to policies designed to PREVENT UNREST BY KEEPING PEOPLE HAPPY and thus DEFLECTING CONCERN about troubling issues.

How many dystopian novels show us that if you keep people quiet and happy (plugged in like F451), most will do NOTHING to save us all. #ranttime 1w

kspenmoll Thank you all for #ranttime Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam was one of the most moving experiences of my life. 1w

TheBookHippie @Jess861 I agree. 7d

63 likes9 comments

BarbaraJean

L.M. Montgomery's Complete Journals: The Ontario Years: 1918-1921 | Jen Rubio L.M. Montgomery

This week, we read the first part of volume 4 of the complete journals, where perhaps most significantly, LMM records her response to the end of WWI.

📚What are your thoughts on this week‘s section of the journals?
📚What sections or quotes stand out to you?

#LMMJournals #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks

BarbaraJean I was struck by her entry from Nov. 12, where she said she was “thankful—and bored!” The sudden end to the ups and downs, victories and reverses in the war, the feeling of NOT dreading the news—I can imagine how odd that must have felt to happen so suddenly, and what a strange void it must have left after she‘d been following the war news so closely and intensely for so long. It also made me wish I could feel bored about the news!!! (edited) 1w

TheAromaofBooks It does make sense in a way. When you go through something so intense and so all-consuming, you do feel a little lost when it's over, even if you also are glad haha I personally LOVED the story that she got from an old friend of her mother's - her mother so glad to see the old friend because she needed help - “What is your trouble?“ “Oh, little Lucy Maud is SO sweet and lovely today... and I've NO ONE to help me enjoy her!“ I love that so much!! 1w

TheAromaofBooks For some reason another story that stuck out to me was when she was talking about her Aunt Emily and how she's just kind of mean-spirited and doesn't even know it. “I recall some things that Aunt Emily said to me when I was a young girl that I can never forget - little poisoned arrows that have rankled ever since. Yet I have no doubt she forgets she ever said them and would be amazed if she were told of them.“ It just really made me think how ⬇ 1w

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TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) important it is to watch what we say to people because you never know when something is going to stick with them!

And I LOVED that the story in Rilla where Rilla yells at the movie theater for the girl to pull the knife out of her stocking - is a true story! That made me so happy because that story has always cracked me up. 1w

lauraisntwilder @TheAromaofBooks I find it so strange that she later went on to write a largely autobiographical series of books about a young orphan who is forever haunted by the mean things her mean, old relatives said about her while she was hiding under a table and that she would name that character EMILY. 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Yes!! I loved that story about her mother, and what a gift it was for her to hear it! It reminded me of the little packet of letters Anne receives when she visits her birthplace, giving her a glimpse of her mother's love and pride in little baby Anne. And I was so glad to discover that it was Frede who was the original for the movie theater story!! 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks @lauraisntwilder Isn't it wild how much of LMM's life shows up in little bits and pieces in her fiction? I hadn't even made the connection between Aunt Emily and Emily the character. What a parallel. And LMM's comments about Aunt Emily are also echoed in Marilla's memories of cruel things said to her as a child. 1w

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder - I have to say that the parts of this journal section that broke my heart a little were the ones where she talks about how important Frede is to her and how she doesn't know what she would do without that friendship. 😢 It's just so crazy how we have no idea what life is going to bring us, and how someone you think is going to be there to grow old with you might not be. But seeing how close they are - sooo sad!!! 7d

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Ugh, YES. I keep a page flag at the outer edge of the week's reading, and I kept seeing the beginning of the next section, when she records Frede's death. It broke my heart every time she talked about her friendship with Frede, and I was reminded of how little time they had left together. 😭 7d

TheAromaofBooks This week's section is going to be so sad!!! 6d

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks With the journals, I usually read 20-ish pages on M-F… but yesterday was a rough day and I couldn‘t bear to start this section, knowing how it begins! 6d

TheAromaofBooks That's usually what I do as well, but with the moving I have been wrapping up all my “chapter ish a day“ reads one at a time instead of trying to read a chapter out of a half dozen books 😂 So I am trying to read this entire journals section next and it's SO hard. And we can talk about this when we discuss this section, but I feel like one of the biographies kind of dissed LMM because she wrote more about her cat dying than Frede - but this has ⬇ 6d

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) been SO powerful and emotional and it's pages long! It's been really interesting to read the full journals for myself because there have definitely been several interpretations of her journals in the various biographies we read that I have NOT agreed with. 6d

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Yeah, this week's section isn't an easy one to binge 😢 I read just the first entry last night and discovered that it's 20-ish pages—and I also thought about that criticism of LMM writing such a long entry about her cat's death. I was inclined to dismiss the comparison/criticism at the time—sometimes things are just too difficult to write about. But the length & emotion of this entry made me even more mad at that biographer! 3d

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BarbaraJean

L.M. Montgomery's Complete Journals: The Ontario Years: 1918-1921 | Jen Rubio L.M. Montgomery

“…think of all the fun you miss if you are non-excitable. There's nothing quite so wonderful as dancing around a blazing fire. What matter if it end only in gray ashes? And while walking is a sure and safe mode of locomotion it isn't half as exhilarating as flying, even if you do come down with a thud.”

This reminds me SO much of Anne! Doesn‘t Marilla use the same reasoning in reverse?!

#LMMJournals #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks

CSeydel Oh my gosh, I love this 1w

TheAromaofBooks I do think this is such a great example of different personality types. I'm definitely in the “walk even though it's boring“ camp haha 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Yeah, I tend to agree with Marilla a bit on this one--I tend to privilege the sure and safe modes of locomotion so as to avoid the thud 😂 1w

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