literarycrew

Thanks to @Kerrbearlib for starting a #MentalHealthMonday post! This ties in so well with the hygge and self-care posts by @AllDebooks , @Chrissyreadit , and @TheBookHippie …I‘ve become more and more vocal over mental health awareness over the last few years, and it takes posts like there to remind myself to just stop and breathe. Thank you!

Last night, I deleted my social media apps from my phone…⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️…which means I‘ll only sporadically post & view my feeds when I‘m at my computer. Today, it‘s been so nice not to doomscroll. I gave myself permission to have a self care day, take a little extra time to think and reflect on life, read, and I plan to meditate a bit later (I want to get back in the habit of it). I loved the discussions from the #LiteraryCrew about heroes, setting boundaries, and taking care of oneself. And, I held my cats. ❤️ now

Aims42 💕💕💕💕💕 now

mcctrish I‘m having a glass of wine and I‘m not even 🇺🇸 now

Librarybelle @mcctrish I had a nice glass of wine tonight too! now

11 likes4 comments

Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

#LiteraryCrew : There are 3 questions posted for today‘s discussion. They can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

We had a tie for the #BuddyRead list this year; I didn‘t want us to miss reading this book. I chose today for the discussion because in the US it‘s a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. It‘s a good day to remember those who continue to speak up for their rights in any way they can.

⬇️⬇️⬇️

mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ Our next discussion is January 31st for Hester, pictured in the graphic. Our February book is Villette by Charlotte Bronte—we‘re venturing into the classics for that one! I‘ll post a February graphic soon! Thanks for reading with me! 11h

tpixie @Librarybelle both great choices this month! Villette is one of the few Brontë novels I still need to read! Can‘t wait for February!! 11h

Librarybelle @tpixie I‘ve not read Villette either, so this should be fun! 11h

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tpixie @Librarybelle 🥳 10h

julieclair I didn‘t get to this one, but I‘m looking forward to our Hester discussion. 😉 now

Librarybelle No worries, @julieclair ! I think the Hester discussion will be great! now

34 likes6 comments

Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

This post contains spoilers

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3. How would you present this book to a teen? Would you recommend it to a young person to read? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CatLass007 I would recommend this to a young person to read. But I believe there would be attempts to ban this book from classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries. And, unfortunately, most of those attempts would be successful. When did “woke” become a dirty word? I‘m not quite sure how to present this book to a young person. I know if I were in the target age group I would consider a book that people don‘t want others (cont)⬇️ (edited) 11h

CatLass007 to read to be just the kind of book worth reading. There are too many outside forces trying to tell others how to think. 10h

AllDebooks This should be compulsory reading in schools. Unfortunately, it will be banned. Which is why it's important to shout about it and encourage everyone to read it. It's full of engaging characters, dealing with everyday difficulties in our contemporary world. How is that not relevant to our young adults? They'll keep the historic white guy dominance on the curriculum instead. I'm passionate about giving children books they can relate to and learn ⬇️ 10h

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AllDebooks From. By all means read the classics but a growing mind needs a diverse and challenging library. It's how we learn to empathise and understand life experiences outside of our own. If only we could ban/cancel the book banners. 10h

Librarybelle Yes, agree that this would be banned, @CatLass007 @AllDebooks . And it‘s so sad! But, I think it‘s a good read for a YA audience. 10h

CatLass007 I wish there was a constructive way to get banned books into the hands of young people everywhere. The Brooklyn Public Library has an anti-censorship program called “Books Unbanned” that makes ebooks accessible throughout the country. The New York Public Library offers a Teen Banned Book Club. New Jersey and a few other states have “Right to Read” laws which makes book banning illegal. (edited) 9h

Librarybelle I know, @CatLass007 ! 9h

CatLass007 All those things are great, but it‘s not enough. I grew up in a small town in West Virginia and now live in a bigger small town in Tennessee. I was blessed with a Mom who let me read whatever I wanted. My Dad wasn‘t a book reader. He read the newspaper every morning but he never really paid much attention to what I read. As backward as East Tennessee is, I‘m grateful not to live in Florida. (edited) 8h

Pogue I would recommend this to teens. I am sneaky and would have the audiobook playing in the car or at home. I have done that with other books that I wanted my son to read, and for him the audiobook worked. As a companion book I would also have the teen read Why Are You So Serious about micro aggressions. (edited) 6h

Librarybelle Nice, @Pogue ! 3h

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Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

This post contains spoilers

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2. In her January 19, 2025 Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson discusses heroes, those who may not hold a fancy title but are average individuals who take a stand. I'll link to today's letter in the comments--you can read it without subscribing, just click “not now“ to avoid giving your email address--in case you wish to read this.

How are the characters in the stories heroes? Are they heroes? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle Here is the link to today's letter: https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/january-19-2025?utm_campaig...

Her letters are very informative, though she does show her political leanings at times, so fair warning on that. However, as a political historian, she uses facts to back up her narrative. I've found her words to be very helpful of late, and I love her use of history to talk about the topic of the day! 12h

CatLass007 I believe that the main character in every story behaves heroically. Anyone who doesn‘t respect themselves can‘t expect to be respected by anyone else. By respecting themselves they can and do command respect. Maybe others don‘t understand the actions or the reasons behind the actions our heroes take but no one has control over what anyone else thinks, says, or does. We are responsible for setting boundaries, we are responsible for (cont)⬇️ (edited) 11h

CatLass007 respecting the boundaries set by others. We have no responsibility for anyone‘s feelings, thoughts, or actions except our own. 11h

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AllDebooks I agree with @CatLass007 All of the characters were heroic and positive role models. 10h

Librarybelle Completely agree, @CatLass007 @AllDebooks ! The first step is to respect oneself and set boundaries and then do amazing things from there. 10h

Pogue The characters in the book are hero‘s. It is difficult to stand up for yourself, it is difficult to learn where your boundaries are and to set them. 6h

Librarybelle So true, @Pogue ! 3h

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Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

This post contains spoilers

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1. This collection of stories represents a diverse group of young adults, each facing a difficult situation. Which story resonated with you the most?

For me, it was the “homecoming“ story--what a terror the MC had to face, and why did her crush think this was the coolest way to ask her out??? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CatLass007 Yes! That‘s the story that hit me the hardest. I thought the “practical joke” was such a horrific experience for this young woman to endure. This story is a strong reminder that it‘s not just young Black men who have to be hyper-vigilant about encounters with the police. That everyone who participated in and observed what was a mental assault didn‘t realize what they were doing is beyond my comprehension. The police officer who put (cont)⬇️ 11h

CatLass007 his hands on her was guilty of professional misconduct and battery. 11h

Librarybelle @CatLass007 I know I kept gasping aloud as I read that one! It‘s beyond my comprehension too that everyone who participated had no clue that this would be traumatizing. And the police involved too! Ugh! And yes, a good reminder of those who have to be hyper-vigilant. 11h

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AllDebooks Homecoming completely stood out above the rest, good as they were. It was a shocking, enlightening read about such a simple, should be lovely experience turning into such a traumatic event. It deftly shows how we take our liberty and rights for granted. 10h

Librarybelle Yes, @AllDebooks . I keep thinking about that story! 10h

Pogue Homecoming does stick with me because of the cruelty of the story. The connected story‘s that Darcy Little Badger wrote made me say “Yes, you go girl!” 6h

Librarybelle Yes, @Pogue . That was another good story! 3h

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Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

pick

Everyone can make a difference. Even a small step against an injustice makes an impact.

This #Anthology of fictional stories for a #Teen audience shows characters from diverse backgrounds standing up for themselves, sometimes loudly and other times quietly. It takes lots of courage to do what some of these characters did to support themselves and their communities. A great book for a YA discussion group!

#LiteraryCrew : discussion on Monday!

Librarybelle #LitsyAToZ #LetterT @Texreader 2d

Librarybelle #BBRC @LibrarianRyan 2d

CatLass007 Looking forward to the discussion on Monday. 2d

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LibrarianRyan Nice 2d

tpixie @Librarybelle this book was done very well with lots of great voices! 2d

Librarybelle Yes, @tpixie ! This should be a good discussion, @CatLass007 ! 2d

CatLass007 Okay, new year, new brain fart. I can‘t remember. Do you tag us when the discussion starts? 2d

Librarybelle @CatLass007 Yes. I tag everyone when the questions are posted. 2d

CatLass007 Thank you. 1d

Librarybelle Your‘re welcome, @CatLass007 ! 1d

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AllDebooks

World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing -- Coffees Explored, Explained and Enjoyed | James Hoffman

Happy #Chatterday

How's your day going?

All welcome to join in the chitchat. ☕️

@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie @sace @Cuilin @dabbe @tpixie @TheAromaofBooks

TheBookHippie Holding my breath 🎗️… I don‘t say much on this platform because IMTIREDOFHATE but today I‘m just holding my breath waiting to see what happens. Then next week is a whole other story. My brain cannot comprehend I once again need to know the rights of students and if ICE can come into the buildings. RAGE is an appropriate word for the day. I know ppl don‘t like the political for me today this is my reality. So I put a spoiler up. Oy. 2d

tpixie Great! Reading my daily read of Les Misérables for #READLESMIS. I‘m going to finally finish my #AuthorAMonth WhoseBody? ThankGoodness! And I just read JRR Tolkien‘s poem, Errantry which is very lyrical. @Daisey shared it with me! Tonight, I‘m going to a school fundraiser with my daughter. Several men cook samples of food and you go to each table to try them, & then you vote on your favorite. I‘m bringing baggies- it‘s always too much food ? 2d

tpixie @AllDebooks Thanks for the tag! 🩵📘🩵 2d

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TheBookHippie @tpixie Les Mis is such a zen thing everyday. ♥️ 2d

tpixie @TheBookHippie yes! Thanks for hosting!! 2d

Sace I finished my sixth book of the month and I‘m currently staying tuned to the weather in hopes of another bonus day off 🤣 2d

Sace @TheBookHippie I have been thinking about you. I‘m also holding my breath and anxious about next week. 2d

Bookwormjillk @TheBookHippie I hear you. I‘m dreading going to work in DC on Tuesday. Really relieved that it‘s so cold and apparently they‘re all going to stay inside. 2d

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie I fully understand how you're feeling and wish there was something I could do to make you feel better. Just know you're not alone. I think the whole world will be holding its breath on Monday. X 2d

AllDebooks @tpixie I love Les Mis. Tonight's event sounds fun. Enjoy. X 2d

AllDebooks @Sace lol, I get that wish. 🤣 2d

AllDebooks @Bookwormjillk I can't imagine how touh that's gonna be. My thoughts are with you. X 2d

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'm just finally having my morning coffee. We are heading to Easton, PA today to have a belated holiday with my guy's cousin and her two sons (19 & 16). The father passed about 2 years ago and they all had similar interests. We like to spend time with the boys talking about superheroes and Legos. @TheBookHippie I am not looking forward to this week. You're all in my thoughts. ❤️ 2d

TheBookHippie @Bookwormjillk ugh thankful for small favours of the weather. Sigh. 2d

TheBookHippie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick So sweet. Legos are the best! Hope you all have a wonderful time. ♥️ 2d

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks Yup. Just keep swimming!!! 2d

quietlycuriouskate @TheBookHippie I don't know what to say about Monday: still can't quite get my head around the fact that it's for real. 2d

tpixie @Sace snow days are fun! At any age!! 🩵❄️🩵 2d

tpixie @AllDebooks thanks! 😊 2d

dabbe @TheBookHippie Right there with you, my friend. Living in a border state has me very worried as well. I still can't even wrap my head around it. He loses and there's an almost-insurrection. We lose, and we're supposed to play nice in the sandbox. RAGE is the word. 🩶🖤🩶 2d

TheBookHippie @quietlycuriouskate SAME. 2d

TheBookHippie @dabbe ♥️💯 2d

Bookwormjillk @dabbe 👏👏👏 2d

Seabreeze_Reader @dabbie @thebookhippie Thank you to the Littens here for acknowledging & writing something about the upcoming IT event. I'm feeling a wide range of emotions. 🥺😤😱 (It's better to not feel isolated in our feelings/opinions, IMHO.) On Monday, I won't be watching any tv broadcasts. Even knowing it won't change anything at all, instead on Monday I plan to read a #bannedbook

Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Novel

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie I was talking with my parents yesterday about how no one in my area has thought about those forced to leave the US and the impact this will have on the agriculture here. It‘s so sad. Rage away…I‘m with you! 2d

TheBookHippie @Seabreeze_Reader I‘m doing service for MLK day and not tuning into a thing. I absolutely agree we should speak up. Those who are celebrating would like us not to - and to be quiet, which is not my problem. 2d

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle many have left here (in November -about 60 percent). 2d

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie 😔 So very sad. By the way, have you read this…we‘re discussing it for #LiteraryCrew on Monday, and it‘s been a good read on speaking up in your own way against hate for a YA audience. I‘ve thought of you while reading the stories!

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance

Faranae I'm super sleep-deprived, but also excited because I finally have a fridge in my basement suite, so I can maybe start eating better. Anyone got healthy snack ideas? Nothing crunchy and it's winter here in the far North so produce will cost an arm and a leg. But baking is an option! 😻 2d

AnnCrystal 🫂💝.
@Seabreeze_Reader
@dabbe
@TheBookHippie
@Sace
@Bookwormjillk
@AllDebooks @quietlycuriouskate
@Librarybelle

It feels like we're reading an unrealistic sci-fi book...

My mom and I went grocery shopping yesterday. We stocked up a bit in case there's some kind of chaos and we're forced to shelter in place...that sounds ridiculous...this just all feels unsettling.

Keep praying for our wild in the forests, waters, and sky.

🇺🇸🙏🦅🇺🇲.
(edited) 2d

TheBookHippie @AnnCrystal ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 2d

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle yes we did this with young people for a book club ♥️♥️♥️ last go round … 2d

Sace @AllDebooks I love my job and my kids are the BEST, but being at home snuggled in bed reading is even better! 😊 2d

Librarybelle @AnnCrystal ❤️❤️❤️ 2d

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie It‘s a good book club book for teens! 2d

Sace @tpixie they certainly are! 2d

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle they very much liked it. 2d

AllDebooks @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick lego is the best invention. Have a fun time x 2d

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie 💙 2d

AllDebooks @quietlycuriouskate it's a dystopian nightmare, but unfortunately, irl. I'm still in shock 2d

AllDebooks @dabbe 💙 thinking of you all 💙 2d

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @tpixie @sace @Bookwormjillk @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @quietlycuriouskate @dabbe @Seabreeze_Reader @Librarybelle @Faranae @AnnCrystal And to anyone else who participates in #Chatterday 😊 Thank you for your responses. I started this as an open, safe space to discuss anything. I'm so pleased you all feel able to voice your worries, alongside all the good stuff. X 2d

AllDebooks @Seabreeze_Reader I'm with you 💯 x 2d

AllDebooks I'm changing today's #Chatterday tag to #RAGEaday. X 2d

AllDebooks @Librarybelle We had this issue after Brexit. No one thought about a ll the EU residents working in the UK that would return to their home countries. Take the mic was the best read. 👌 2d

AllDebooks @Faranae we love flapjacks. Various nice recipes in this article https://www.olivemagazine.com/guides/snacks-winter-walks/ 2d

AllDebooks @AnnCrystal human rights aside, the environment is my biggest fear. It's going to be completely neglected and plundered to the detriment of us all. 2d

Suet624 @TheBookHippie I‘m with you. If folks aren‘t upset about what‘s coming they just aren‘t paying attention or have no compassion. 2d

Bookwormjillk @AllDebooks ❤️ 2d

quietlycuriouskate @AllDebooks Thank you for holding the space. Yes, Litsy is a respite from the ongoing crapification of the world BUT at the same time, this mustn't be a place where folk feel they must be silent. I'm scared for the whole damn world and feel helpless, pretty much, but want to show solidarity with our friends in America. God, I never imagined that Brexit was just the warm-up act for this clusterfuck. 2d

TheBookHippie @quietlycuriouskate RIGHT?!?! 2d

TheBookHippie @Suet624 💯 2d

AnnCrystal 🫂👍 @AllDebooks the environmental threat is going to be truly scary 😢🙏. Unimaginable dreadfully nightmarish...thank you for creating this safe space. (edited) 2d

dabbe @AllDebooks 🩶🖤🩶 2d

31 likes54 comments

Laughterhp

Whose Body? | Dorothy Sayers

pan

Oh my! I hated this book so much. It was the longest 6 hours of my life at 1.75x speed. It was racist, it was a lot of talking and singing? It was a lot of just telling. So many characters and the narrator did not differentiate them at all.

I‘ll just stick with Agatha Christie.

#authoramonth

Soubhiville

tpixie I‘m reading their on my kindle & it‘s taking forever. I‘m not really liking it either. I‘ll probably switch to the audio to just get it over with. Or just skip to the last chapter,,, 7d

Texreader Excellent review! Spot on. “What?” 5d

Texreader @tpixie My version of the audiobook was not good either. Especially when she broke out in song. 5d

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tpixie @Texreader lol 😂 🎶. I‘m about ready to get the audiobook just to get over the book. It seems I‘ve been at 30 or 35% for a whole week. Of course I‘m mostly sleeping at bedtime or in the middle of the night when I wake up so I‘m not getting a lot done. But I also have no motivation to read it during the day. 5d

Laughterhp @tpixie I started by reading this and was honestly falling asleep trying to read it. Listening to the audio helped me get through it but it was still rough. 5d

tpixie @Laughterhp thanks! Once I get done with my #LiteraryCrew I will switch to audio!

Hester: A Novel

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tpixie

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

Starting this #buddyread
Hester Prynne is one of my favorite heroines. ♥️🟥🔴
This book is starting off great. I already love Isobel- both of them.
How men treated women and accused them of witchcraft is just appalling.
Halloween 2017 my husband and I went to Salem Massachusetts. It was a fascinating day.

#LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle

Librarybelle So awesome! 1w

Cortg My daughter and I went two years ago in October. It was fascinating and a day we‘ll always remember. I remember going quite a bit as a kid when we lived in MA but todays Salem during the month of October is something else! 1w

tpixie @Cortg @Librarybelle Yes! A day to remember. Riding the train & subway with everyone in costume was also fun. Salem it was so interesting. There was a beautiful art museum there that we were pleasantly surprised about. Inside was a reconstructed Chinese house, which was incredible. 1w

Librarybelle So cool! 1w

tpixie @Librarybelle yes! One of our favorite vacations. Boston was amazing also. 1w

49 likes5 comments

CatLass007

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

pick

#Read2025 January 2025 #LiteraryCrew There is some powerful story telling in this book. I look forward to discussing it with the group on the 20th. If you care about civil rights, if you care about human beings, I urge you to read this book!

DieAReader, Librarybelle

Librarybelle Hooray! Glad you liked this one! My library copy finally came in, so I can finally dive into it. 1w

CatLass007 @Librarybelle It‘s terrific! A great selection for #LiteraryCrew! 1w

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