Welcome to Litsy!

Very enjoyable

This is a fascinating book, fully illustrated with colour photographs (and a few reproductions of pamphlets and such, though these are generally too small to see much detail). Some of the ways in which these “catacomb saints“ are decorated are amazing to see, just in terms of craft.

Not one I read because I venerate saints, and probably a little too academic/secular to please those who do.

A highly-readable, well -researched book about Catholics in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. It carries lessons we still need today about religious tolerance and the dangers of state involvement in matters of conscience. #letterG #LitsyAtoZ & #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks @Texreader

Continuing my exploration of the Tudor period with this #doublespin choice. I bought it after hearing the author on a history panel discussing Henry VIII and enjoyed the last book I read by her (tagged in comments.) @TheAromaofBooks

I loved the first maybe 60% of this, but the writing became so overwrought and repetitive. It‘s the fictionalized story of the life of Hildegard von Bingen, an anchorite-turned-abbess, about whom not that much is known, since she lived a thousand years ago. So much flowery, religious language! I just got bored.
#nunlit #nunlitquarterly

Essential Writings, by Mother Maria Skobtsova (collected 2002)

Premise: Collected texts by the 20th C theologian and justice advocate Mother Maria of Paris.

Review: This is a fascinating collection that includes texts not otherwise available in English translation. Mother Maria‘s incisive intellect, loving heart, and unique point of view come through in every essay. Cont.

When monk Brother Nicephorus has a dream about St. Nicholas, his superiors take it as a sign to bring the saint‘s remains back to Bari, Italy. Relic-hunter Tyun is hired to lead the expedition and the party races against hunters from another church to reach the blessed bones first.
Heist and hijinks, religion and slight sacrilege, I really enjoyed this kinda true, kinda queer tale.

4⭐ This book is as pleasing to look at as it is to read. I love all the form poems within the work. While Bull was amusing, this work is definitely darker and sadder. The poems are strong and do an apt job of paying tribute to the tragic story of Joan of Arc.

5 Stars • "Illuminations" by Mary Sharratt is a historical novel about Hildegard von Bingen, a medieval abbess and visionary. It explores her life from childhood in a monastery to becoming a leader and composer, highlighting her struggles against religious and societal constraints. The book is noted for its vivid historical detail and lyrical style.