Made up a little outdoor picnic in the backyard today with some snacks, an old quilt, my #ColeCat and #DoorstopKristin. Book 2 is off to a great start, and by "great" I mean "absolutely infuriating". Erlend is a useless asshole and his estate is a filthy wreck and Kristin cries herself to sleep most nights, but I am still so bought in to this whole world and can't wait to keep going. #KLBR #CatsOfLitsy

Mary Crawford showing her true colors in today's chapters: she likes Edmund a lot but his job isn't nearly grand or important enough for her and she tries to persuade him out of taking orders, even though he thinks the role of the clergyman is an important one. They're at an impasse and she flies off to play harp, and then in a maddening display of weakness and male blindness, he proceeds to...sing her praises?! Edmund, she may be pretty, but no.

Everyone continues to be terrible! The gang visits Sotherton and:

-Julia sits with Henry and Maria is a pouty asshole about it
-Mary Crawford shoves her foot directly in her mouth by being pointedly bitchy about the clergy
-Henry flirts with (engaged) Maria all day like the manwhore he is
-Fanny's left on her own again and doesn't even get to see the avenue she came for?!

On the bright side (?), I learned about the window-tax (link in comments).

Edmund and Fanny hang out to judge Mary Crawford but ultimately he's like, "but she's super feminine so it's fine" and goes to listen to her play the harp every single day. Then she starts riding Fanny's horse every day, too, and our girl is stuck at home to cut roses and run needless errands. Edmund feels bad and invites her on the Sotherton visit where Fanny and Mary gleefully catch sight of Edmund at the same time, giving real Pam/Karen vibes.

Rushworth is just another in a long line of tacky blowhards with no taste destroying much-loved places of natural beauty. "Ye fallen avenues, once more I mourn your fate unmerited." #PemberLittens #JaneAustenThenAndNow

Man, this book is full of selfish, thoughtless people: sisters Bertram and Norris set Fanny off on an emotional roller coaster about her living situation without giving two shits; nobody cares that she doesn't have a horse, ie access to fresh air and exercise; Sir Thomas heads off for a year to his slave plantation; and Henry Crawford comes out the gate as a feckless, self-centered ass who won't house his own sister. Shades of behavior to come...

And we're off! We open with a portrait of three sisters- one very well-married, one relatively well-married, and one, well...whomp, whomp. Poor Mrs. Price has too many children and not enough income so the eldest girl is pawned off onto wealthy relations. Can I just say, if you're going to rip a child from her home, could you maybe greet her with ANY kind of affection and not just offer a snack?! I don't blame Fanny for breaking down in tears!

#PemberLittens, are we even ready?! I LOOOVE Mansfield Park and have very little chill about it. I'm so psyched for two chapters a day of quiet self-denial, bitchy cousins, the aunt from hell, my least favorite Austen fuckboy, a romantic hero that nobody likes, and moral outrage about the lamest play ever put on by a bunch of kids in a living room. And yet...I adore every bit of it and can't wait to return, every single time. #JaneAustenThenAndNow

Kristin Book 1 has been completed, and I am totally obsessed. It's so epic and so focused all once, the medieval world feels incredibly present, the relationships are so finely tuned, and each character has many shades and layers that the author unfolds in perfect time. And can we get a little commotion for this translation?? Straightforward but never sacrificing beautiful detail. I'm all in and can't wait for the next two. #KLBR #DoorstopKristin

I'm so close to the end of Book 1 and I need to stop for the night, but I'm so hooked and can't wait to see it close out! I'm loving this book, the characters, the story, this translation, and pretty much everything except Erlend Nikulaussøn because holy red flag, Batman...! Here's me thinking Willoughby is a toxic fuckboy but then comes Sigrid Undset like, "Hold my mead." ??? #KLBR #DoorstopKristin

Ruh-roh! What say you, #PemberLittens? Is it truly time for another S&S? I have so many questions! Will they show us a Willoughby/Brandon duel? Am I wrong to wish for a scene of Robert self-importantly shopping for a toothpick case? And most importantly, will we get an Edward Ferrars who is a true mopey sadsack, as God and Jane Austen intended?? 😜 Link to article in the comments. #JaneAustenThenAndNow

A slight little book, but enjoyable, giving an overview of the flowers, trees, fruits, and other natural elements mentioned in Jane's works, from the strawberries picked at Donwell to the trees which bear Marianne's beloved dead leaves to the hyacinth that Catherine Morland learns to love. The illustrations are sweet but simple, and so is the narrative- not much depth, but enough to whet the appetite if you wanted to learn more.

Such a fun reading challenge from the Betsy-Tacy Society! I'm pretty sure I've got a good number of these done already; BRB, going to see for sure and post about it. How many have you inadvertently checked off this year? And what about registration for the #BetsyTacyConvention, have you checked that box, too? 😜 #BetsyTacy #MaudHartLovelace #DeepValley

It was a pleasure to drop into the #MidsummerSolace reading with this beautiful little book. A collection of vignettes about summer on a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland, it was so charming in its evocative physical details. Weather and nature felt vivid, especially a spectacular and terrifying summer storm. Of course the real star of the show are the relationships between Sophia, her grandmother, and her often-absent father. Lovely all around.

Back on this book's bullshit, and this time it's making connections between unwanted or dangerous pregnancies and Northanger Abbey. Get this - what if Mrs. Tilney had been pregnant and died while miscarrying?? What if scenes of Catherine in her nightclothes were meant to be erotic reminders of female sexuality? What if Cath fiddling with the cabinet (heart fluttering, knees trembling) was a reference to masturbation? 😂 Never change, Helena Kelly.

Kicking off the weekend the best way I know how - another YA adaptation for the #PemberLittens and a strong, cold G&T. Hope everyone has at least a little bit of laziness in front of them! #BooksAndBooze #BooksAndBlooms #JaneAustenThenAndNow

Completely lovely YA adaptation of Northanger Abbey with perfect gothic parallels and a sweetly real young love story for our two leading lads. I don't always love a graphic novel but this one captured me, and while it deals with more serious themes than the original (homophobia, racism, poverty, illness), it still feels like an A+ successor to Austen's novel. I have a feeling I'll be coming back to this one. #PemberLittens #JaneAustenThenAndNow

Kids! Kids! Heads up that registration for the Betsy-Tacy convention will go UP in price after June 30th! If you plan to join us in Deep Valley this October, act fast and save some dollars. I can't WAIT to see all you fellow Okto Deltas there. 🧡💙 Link to register in the comments. #BetsyTacy#BetsyTacyAndTib #MaudHartLovelace #DeepValley

Halfway through this book for #MidsummerSolace and it's perfectly lovely. I'm really enjoying the easy pace, and each vignette is building a stronger picture of Grandmother and Sophia and their summer together full of simple pleasures. It's starting to veer toward melancholy but I actually love that; the mood is keeping me hooked. Who else is reading this one right now? #BooksAndBlooms

I've read roughly a third of The Wreath and am absolutely loving it. It was admittedly a little slow to start, but then it grabbed me all at once and I flew through several chapters in a row. I love the descriptions of the landscape and the colorful, vivid characters. I'm DYING to know more about Kristin's mother and I can't get enough of Åashild Gautesdatter. I've made myself put it aside for now so that I stay eager to pick it up again tomorrow.

June reading is gonna keep me busy this time around! In addition to keeping up with the #PemberLittens, I'm really excited to start The Summer Book for #MidsummerSolace and to finally be kicking off the tagged chunkster with the #KLBR. I've never read Undset's classic series but have been eyeing it for years. So LFG!

Northanger May is behind us and Northanger Adaptation June is ahead! I'm going for a re-watch of the 2007 film (they get it so right!), a handful of YA versions (the perfect genre for this one, can't deny it) and a book centered on the flowers and plants in Austen's work. Perfect timing as I get my own garden in gear, and who knows - maybe it'll help me learn to love a hyacinth??

Who else has some adaptations to explore this month?

Nothing like closing out the week with another chapter and some limoncello!

"By waking up to the world, by renouncing certainty and cynicism, by opening herself to new experiences- all of which takes real courage, real strength - [Catherine] turned life into an adventure that would never end. This, Austen told us, is the true heroism. Life, if you live it right, keeps surprising you and the thing that keeps surprising you the most...is yourself."

I might have finished the book, but there are still two days left in Northanger Abbey month with the #PemberLittens, so enjoy a roundup of tweets that made me laugh! #JaneAustenThenAndNow

Oops, got too excited and read ahead again! The General unceremoniously throws Catherine out of the house but Henry quickly comes to check up on her and also propose to her. Henry Tilney, the man that you are! I love the glimpse of Catherine back at home, love Mrs. Morland, love Eleanor becoming a Viscountess, love every single bit of Jane's (non)Gothic romp. A+, no notes for this hilarious, witty genre send-up that has so much heart at its core.

I adore this Reddit user who respects the game so much that they actually have contempt for Isabella, who in their mind should go even harder as a self-serving, social climbing, manipulative grifter. Losing your safety fiancé before securing the rich guy who will actually help you achieve status and wealth? Amateur hour! Anyway, Isabella writes a last-ditch "save me!" letter to Cath who is not buying it one bit and ghosts her former friend. Brava!

No meme because #TomKitten joined in today to inspect the reading and gave a look which exactly sums up my feelings about the General. The man himself arranges a trip to Woodston to show it off for Catherine but is so domineering that she has no idea what to say, lest she risk his wrath. He also puts down the village, the landscape, and the house itself at every turn and she can't politely contradict him, so really, General, just stfu please. 🙄

I was so lucky to see the Broadway run of this play and it absolutely knocked me out, this story of a band making their second album, on the cusp of stardom, and all of the personal and creative tensions that go along with it. The exploration of the millions of tiny decisions, the push and pull of what makes great art, felt so immediate and powerful. If you read the script, I suggest also listening to the cast album for a more complete experience.

Henry is a total mensch about the whole "Catherine suspected his father of murder thing", which is to say he never brings it up, ever, and is also extra kind to her. This guy rules, I swear. Which is something that could never be said about Isabella, who we learn has gone full-out dirtbag and heartlessly dumped James for...Fred Tilney! Its all kinds of awkward and Catherine can't believe Isabella's behavior, but Eleanor and Henry help her process.

Eleanor tries to take Catherine into Mrs. Tilney's rooms, but of course the General interrupts. Later Cath boldly heads off alone to explore Mrs. T's bedchamber and then...Henry catches her in the act! He's astonished and she's ashamed and he launches into his whole, "We live in a CIVILIZED country!" spiel which never fails to make me laugh. I rather enjoyed Sarah Emsley's breakdown referenced above; link in the comments.

Doreen is one of so many children evacuated from London during WWII, staying at a country house with a couple she doesn't know. While part of the story feels very "classic kid-lit" with Doreen discovering her new village, trying to find new friends, and taking a trip to Oxford with her wealthy caretakers, the lives and emotions of Doreen's adults (her actual parents and the couple who grow to love her) quickly become complicated. Beautifully done!

Catherine gets a tour of the abbey's interior and surprise, surprise, her imagination starts to run away with her. To be fair, General Tilney is off-putting as hell, but they doesn't mean he's imprisoned his wife in some secret room like Udolpho's Signor Montoni (or legendary emo drama queen Mr. Rochester). Try telling that to Catherine, though! Who needs proof when there's *vibes*?? #PemberLittens #JaneAustenThenAndNow

Catherine awakes in the cold light of day to find that her mysterious manuscript is nothing more than a laundry bill. She feels like a total idiot about it (I mean....yeah) but soldiers on to breakfast where we get the one scene with Henry that I hate, where he talks about how valuable it is for a woman to be "teachable" which, barf. The General inserts himself into the ladies' morning walk and generally acts sus as hell the whole time. ?

Catherine is shown to her bedroom and finds it comfortable and relatively cheerful. But then she catches sight of an old trunk and is immediately more suspicious of an inanimate object than any person in history. She immediately opens it and starts to snoop but then has to go to dinner. Afterward it's the quintessential dark and stormy night and she catches sight of a spooky cabinet and pretty much loses her mind. Oh, Catherine.

Northanger Abbey Day has officially arrived for Catherine! TBH its a little weird because the General is stressing her OUT with all his attention toward her, but at least Cath gets to travel some of the way with Henry! As they drive, he takes the piss and spins her the best Gothic tale of what the Abbey will be like, which she of course takes fully at face value. But then she arrives and is surprised and disappointed to find it all very modern. 😂

LOL, shout out to this blogger from 2103 with the most straightforward take on the matter. While I normally don't love a slut-shamer, I deeply love a hot take on an Austen novel so this one's kind of a wash. 😂 Anyway, Catherine is very concerned about Isabella and the Captain and shakes Henry down for the dirt. He reminds Cath that every couple draws their own boundaries of acceptable behavior. We know this will backfire but still - a king!

The Onion was practically my religion in high school and college. My friends and I awaited a new edition every week and went over them again and again searching out every single joke, from the filthy and puerile to the dark and twisted, and pored over every single sobering, clever, or flat-out unhinged line in between. Wenc's history was a great walk down memory lane, but more importantly... 👇👇👇

Another chapter full of Thorpe nonsense. Catherine and Isabella hang at the Pump Room and there's big news: John wants to marry Catherine! Cath is astonished and appalled to hear this (so real) and reiterates that she's never had feelings for him. Isabella doesn't believe her but rationalizes it to herself saying, "What one means one day, you know, one may not mean the next." HMMM, YOU DON'T SAY ALSO HERE COMES CAPT TILNEY TO SHAMELESSLY FLIRT. ?

This poor Old Man has had a rough day healthwise, and while he doesn't feel up to being cuddled outright, he's happy to have me near. 🥹 Closing out the night with this wonderful (so far) read and a little extra love for my #ColeCat. #CatsOfLitsy #CurrentlyReading

Chapter 17 is short but incredible, if only because it's probably Jane's horniest, most suggestive writing (with apologies to Mary Crawford). She doesn't even veil the fact that Catherine's wild fantasies of exploration relate to both Henry and the abbey. Damp passages, indeed. To Northanger, therefore, they are to go. #PemberLittens #JaneAustenThenAndNow

I really enjoyed this R&J retelling, which centers Rosaline's POV. Sure, it takes a bunch of liberties and they may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it was a great new viewpoint to read Romeo as a Very Bad Man. I didn't love Tybalt's characterization but seeing the Friar in a new light was fascinating and chilling. Now I need to go search for every Rosaline-centric work out there! #BooksAndBlooms

There's a new Tilney man in town and while he may be fashionable and slightly more handsome than his brother, he's also a total dick about the fact that Henry enjoys dancing so Catherine and I both know not to trust him. Later, James writes to Isabella with the details of his living which she and her mom find underwhelming, to say the least. She makes some excuse for her low spirits but we all know the deal (even if Catherine doesn't).

Isabella summons Cath right away and drops the news that she and James are engaged! Catherine is delighted and thinks that Isabella must be in love *fr fr* 'cuz let's face it, James is not handsome. John Thorpe suddenly corners Catherine in the parlor and starts weirdly spouting off about marriage. She is totally uncomfortable (relatable) and tries like hell to leave. She manages to escape but still never cottons on to his meaning. Come on, girl!

Man, I LOVE today's chapter. Just some cool people (and Catherine) enjoying the gorgeous countryside and geeking out about books. Henry is delightfully silly and teasing and when he finds himself starting to mansplain a bit about drawing, he holds back and allows for some blessed silence. Catherine gets in a great bit about history books being a total sausage-fest, putting me in mind of a classic Flight of the Conchords number (link in comments).

Isabella, James, and John the Jagoff try desperately to get Catherine to cancel her walk with the Tilneys but girl sticks to her guns and won't fold. John goes behind her back like an absolute twatopotamus and *shows up at the Tilneys house* to cancel, but C hauls ass over there herself to set the record straight. The General sees Cath out with a compliment to her style of walk, which immediately gets our girl STRUTTING back to Pulteney Street. 🤣

Catherine busts ass to the Tilney's to apologize for skipping out on their date but is told Ms. Tilney is not in...only to see her walk straight out the front door two minutes later. DAMN, that's a cold shoulder! At the theatre, she can't apologize to Henry enough for the mishap and he sets her mind at ease and even secures a new date to hang. Catherine is relieved but she still can't shake John Thorpe, and like all of us, she's sick of his shit.

Getting caught up today after a busy weekend! In a nutshell: John Thorpe is lying, mainsplaining twat, Isabella is an insincere manipulator, and James Morland is...pretty lame. Henry and Eleanor Tilney, however, remain solid and ask Catherine to take a pleasant walk together. She's psyched about it but then John Thorpe totally lies about them standing her up, leading to a quick, awkward face-off between Cath and Ms. Tilney on the street.

Tonight's dance is a total let-down since the Thorpe siblings prove they're the absolute worst, abandoning and ignoring Catherine. On the plus side, Henry Tilney is back! He's with a young lady but instead of flying into a jealous rage about it, Catherine sensibly, and correctly, assumes the girl is his sister. Sadly, Cath has to turn down Henry's invitation to dance because she's stupidly promised herself to John Thorpe, resident dirtbag.

Welp, it's a recycled meme but it's the best I've got to sum up what it's probably like to spend even 10 minutes with John Thorpe, one of Austen's most boorish and contemptible men. Within moments of meeting Catherine he's droning on and on about his ride, and then swiftly moves to judging the looks of random women in the street and being an utter ass to his mother and sisters. Can someone kick this man in the balls with extreme haste, please?!

New Smith & Taylor edition of North and South just dropped *and* the lilacs are blooming?! What more could anybody ask for??