I went on a girls outing with a friend/cousin to Epilogue Books in Chapel Hill and came back with this haul! The Atwood is signed (squee!); the two on the right are for my husband, and the poets are new-to-me. So I‘m a happy camper this evening. ๐
#Clarissa sees through Solmes. I just wish she was as clear-headed about Lovelace! I‘m glad she won her postponement on being shipped away, but how could anyone actually force her to say the words necessary to get married? And what clergyman (because they were all men back then) would sanction that?
pickMy #doublespin written in the late 1600s seems more useful, relevant, and spiritually nourishing than the book written in 1979 that I read before it. This slim volume is full of calm, peaceful, and grounding instruction. @TheAromaofBooks
pickWritten in the late 1970s, parts of this are dated. But there is much that remains relevant and useful, particularly on contemplation. #bookspin #lentenedition @TheAromaofBooks
I think Anna has the Harlow family‘s number! They‘re all bullies and I wish Clarissa‘s mother had stood up to them years ago. If she had, this might not be happening this way now. Also, please weigh in on whether this schedule is working or not. #clarissa
so-soI‘m usually a Tyler fan, but this one fell flat for me. It didn‘t help that I didn‘t like the narrator but I think it was more than that. The family saga just didn‘t quite hold together like hers usually do, and it didn‘t circle back to Serena like I expected, or even tie that first scene in very well. Just a so-so for me.
Began this over lunch for #authoramonth I‘ve read a lot of Steinbeck, but this early set of connected short stories is new to me. @Soubhiville
pickI don‘t want to give anything away, because this book is best gone into cold. But it is so powerful, funny, heavy, funny, important, sad, intriguing, funny. You should read this book!
There‘s been a few questions about the numbering of the letters in #Clarissa. My edition (the one used for the schedule) divides the novel into 9 volumes, and starts the numbering over at 1 in each volume. Above is the number of letters in each volume. I hope this helps.
I feel like our girl Clarissa is getting closer to talking herself into thinking Lovelace is the answer. And I really find the trope of a good woman saving a bad man to be so disturbing on so many levels. And what of the uncles?? I thought Richardson did a good job of giving them distinct voices, and making the one sound particularly uneducated! Finally, we also got to hear from the dreaded Solmes. Thoughts on him?
#clarissa
This afternoon, after a work event, I discovered Pequot Books and this is the haul, minus one my husband is reading right now and one that‘s a gift. The tagged book is the one with no title on the spine.
I hope this is a fast read, because it‘s for book club next week. ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ
It‘s fascinating what you notice on a slow reread. Above is a โherdic.โ A type of carriage I was unaware of before. #whartonbuddyread @Graywacke
My newest Collins! Thanks to @CRR for alerting me to its presence.
We finally get a peek at Lovelace in his own words. Today‘s quote expressing his opinion of the โHorrible Harlowesโ (nickname courtesy of @Amiable ) I think it‘s fair to say we‘re all well and truly disgusted with them, but is your opinion of Lovelace changing? for better or worse? And what is he up to, holding his buddies in readiness?
I‘ve already read the tagged book, or it would be on this list. My Lenten practice is to take on something, and this year it‘s spiritual reading. So here‘s my #bookspin list for March. @TheAromaofBooks
pickMy latest #treadmillBook didn‘t usually inspire me to walk longer, but was still interesting. It intersects the DNA testing craze and dysfunctional family memoir, and as such hits the mark. I disagree with those who found the mother the star. To me, it was the author who came across as loving both her parents in spite of the horrible start they gave her, and managing to create a stable, loving family for herself.
And we‘re back. #clarissa What do you think of Lovelace now? And do you find Clarissa as obedient as she‘s portrayed by her friend, or a little spunkier?
I must say I‘m not liking her family any better!
pickDew has spent over 50 years researching the South and trying to answer the question of how so many people could not see the evil in front of them, first in slavery, and then Jim Crow. A member of my parents‘ generation (born in the 1930s) he was raised with many of the attitudes I saw growing up. The second half is particularly difficult to read, when he uses extensive primary sources to make his case. But you don‘t read this to be comforted. ๐๐ป
pickโTherefore if, within the confines of its present culture, the nation ever seeks to purge itself of its color hate, it will find itself at war with itself, convulsed by a spasm of emotional and moral confusion.โ How prescient those words!
Often bleak, sometimes funny, always well written, these 8 stories of 8 black men (or 7 men and one boy) moved me. The final story, which I quote above, was perhaps my favorite. All will stay with me a long time.
#bookmail! Mostly these are for my irl book club, but the top one is just because it seems interesting. #thriftbooks
pickWow. From the opening sentence where she thanks her dear friend Ann Patchett (who knew?) to the backstage โtourโ of the Met, this was a delight. I knew I loved her voice. I had no idea she was so funny. Every soprano should read this, but so should anyone else who loves music. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
My #bookspin for February is on the left, and #doublespin on the right. Thanks for all the effort you put into this Sarah! @TheAromaofBooks
pickThere‘s so much to think about in this book! The early chapters are the most difficult, but persevere- it‘s ultimately a hopeful book. I love that Gawande doesn‘t offer easy fixes, or proclaim that we need to go back to the โgood old days.โ And he is global in his views, not elevating one culture over another. My elderly mother has read this, as has my sister. Now we just have to start having the difficult conversations. Not my family‘s forte!
pickEast meets West (US, at least); modern meets ancient; living meet dead. So many comings together, but also some moving apart. Erdrich paints a picture neither romanticized nor bleak. We love her characters for their noble actions and in spite of their foibles. I love immersing myself in her worlds. #authoramonth @Soubhiville
My latest treadmill audio is not inspiring me to walk more. Anachronisms like a 35 year old man in 1964 using the term โmeet cuteโ and the level of graphic violence aren‘t helping. Only 8 chapters in. Does it get better, or do I bail? Does anyone who listened to this as an audiobook have an opinion?
pickThis was so funny, and touching at the same time. Quotes like โI thought finding your ancestors meant you had to dig up the remains of tsars and put hair follicles into little ziplock plastic bags using tweezers, but it‘s now all online. The day can‘t be far away when the police can solve crime using Google Felonyโ are sprinkled throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Trying to be true to my word that our next discussion would be Feb. 20th, take everyone‘s opinions into consideration, and keep close to the seasons (depending on what part of the world you are in) without time traveling, I‘ve come up with a schedule for discussions. Note, you can read at your own pace and post whenever. The letters are different lengths and the above schedule is about 50 pages per week on average. โฌ๏ธ
As I was discussing our โreal timeโ read of #Clarissa with my husband he said โWhat if the letters aren‘t in order? Are you going to go back in time?โ I told him the Penguin blog had suggested this reading strategy, so I was sure they were in order. (https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2021/03/how-to-make-time-to-read-the-classics ) Some of us were discussing how we didn‘t know the dates until we turned the page, so I decided to list them out. And?
pickMy second book for #authoramonth and so good! (I‘m happy to say that I bought it at an indie book store.) The early pandemic and George Floyd chapters were difficult to get through, but so well handled. Tookie and Pollux stole my heart. A solid pick. @Soubhiville
The quote above is from Edith Wharton‘s report from May 13, 1915. She stayed in France during the war, working with the French Red Cross and writing for American newspapers urging American involvement in the war. The Marne has been described as โguilt propagandaโ aimed not at men of fighting age, but at the wealthy and power who make the decisions. There are glimpses of her writing prowess, and she takes aim again at the wealthy. But.
Two letters today and then none until February 20th! I feel like all we‘ve gotten so far is background. These two letters further define the character of Clarissa‘s family. And drops the little bomb that her friend was set to become her sister-in-law until something happened. (Quote below) I wonder when we‘ll learn more about that? Start chiming in, but hey, we have a month to chew on all this! #Clarissa
โWhen a baby falls asleep in your arms you are absolved. The purest creature alive has chosen you. There‘s nothing else.โ #authoramonth @Soubhiville
We get more insight into Lovelace in today‘s letter. (I can‘t say I‘m liking him more, but I‘m not impressed with brother James either.) And we get to see the will. What think you, fellow travelers along this long road? #Clarissa
I pondered using a French graveyard to illustrate this week‘s section, because of that one moving scene. But looking at the quotes I highlighted, decided to go with WWI propaganda posters instead. Wharton‘s writing is powerful and I was arrested by several beautifully crafted phrases. But she leaves one in no doubt of what the โcorrectโ response to war is. Dolce et decorum est and all that. I was surprised that 21 was the age to enlist โฌ๏ธ
We meet our eponymous heroine for the first time in this letter. I think there may be more humor in her than the preface let on. What‘s everyone thinking so far? How about that sister?!? #Clarissa
bailedI‘m having issues with Litsy. Posted last night, it didn‘t show up so I tried again. Then it was there twice. Tried to delete one post and it wouldn‘t go. Woke up this morning to find both posts gone! ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ This book isn‘t worth this much trouble! Short version- too much telling instead of showing, too much self-hyping. Bailed before 100 pages, which is not my norm. #doublespin
My book haul from the #betterworldbooks New Years sale. There are three more coming. #nocontrol #sorrynotsorry
Well, Miss Anna has some definite opinions! What do you think, sympathetic friend, or gossip-gathering frenemy? We get Clarissa‘s reply on Friday. #clarissa
I think I already know who my favorite characters will be. ๐ #clarissa
Tuesday is the first letter, but there is a Preface (6 pages in my edition) so feel free to read that ahead. #clarissa Let me know if I missed you in the tag list.
pickI have admired Gorman since she read at the inauguration, but reading this collection makes it clear that she‘s a poet to watch. Her playfulness with words leads the reader into a place they might not otherwise be willing to go. A solid pick.
pickI was so close to the end when I had to get off the treadmill and get ready for work, 13 minutes to go! So I finished it on my commute home. Tomorrow I start the next, but I‘m getting close to running out of them. ๐
Started my #doublespin book today. January is off to a good start.
pickMy last day of Christmas vacation, and I celebrated by reading this in practically one sitting. (One day, anyway.) I have loved Erdrich‘s writing since a friend gifted me with The Roundhouse years ago. And this installment in the Nanapush / Kashpaw / Morrissey families was a treat. #bookspin #authoramonth @TheAromaofBooks @Soubhiville
A little over a year ago I was at Mr. Mike‘s Used Books and found a large collection of Erdrich books. So of course I bought them all. ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ This is my #bookspin for January and also my first #authoramonth selection.
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
