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Librarybelle

Librarybelle

Joined September 2016

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Guess Again by Charlie Donlea
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Life with Picasso by Franoise Gilot, Carlton Lake
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Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben, Reese Witherspoon
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Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee
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Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
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Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney
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Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
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A Time to Be Born by Dawn Powell
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Hello, Transcriber: A Novel by Hannah Morrissey
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El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott
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Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
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A Plague on Both Your Houses by Susanna Gregory
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The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
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The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
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The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
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The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley
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The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
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The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris
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The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
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Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson, H. J. Massingham
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Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
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Librarybelle
Untitled | Unknown
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My #AuldLangSpine list from @Jerdencon contains some great reads! I also enjoyed First Lie Wins, but I have not read the others on the list. I own a few, so they will be easy to access. I think, though, I‘m going to start with Sandwich; I‘ve wanted to read that, had it out from the library, and then I ran out of time to read it. Great list!

Thanks for hosting, @monalyisha ! #AuldLangSpine2026

Jerdencon Hope you enjoy them and glad you have some! I‘ll pos my list later today! 3d
TheBookHippie I enjoyed 13 -I think you will as well. 3d
Librarybelle That‘s one I own, @TheBookHippie ! 3d
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TheBookHippie @Librarybelle I love it when that happens! 3d
AmyG I‘m reading The Names now…wonderful. 3d
Librarybelle Good to know, @AmyG ! 2d
50 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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Are we ready for more #ChristiesCapers short stories? This 1930 collection features Mr. Quin.

Discussion for this next Christie read will take place December 28th. All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.

In the coming days, I‘ll post the 2026 list! #AgathaChristieClubR3

Librarybelle The short stories are: The Coming of Mr Quin, The Shadow on the Glass, At the Bells and Motley, The Sign in the Sky, The Soul of the Croupier, The Man from the Sea, The Voice in the Dark, The Face of Helen, The Dead Harlequin, The Bird with the Broken Wing, The World‘s End, and Harlequin‘s Lane 3d
kelli7990 Yay! I‘m looking forward to reading more Agatha Christie in 2026. I‘ve been wanting to read more books by her. 3d
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PatriciaU Can you add me? 3d
Librarybelle Of course, @PatriciaU . Welcome! 3d
35 likes6 comments
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Librarybelle
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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#LiteraryCrew ‘s last book for 2025 is Toibin‘s Brooklyn.

Discussion on December 31st. Read at your own pace. I‘ll post periodic check-ins throughout the month. All are welcome to join. Let me know if you wish to be tagged.

Don‘t forget to see the list for 2026! If you have not signed up for 2026 yet and wish to be added to the tag list, let me know!

PurpleyPumpkin I started listening to this one today. Interesting so far!👍🏽 3d
julieclair I‘m in! 3d
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IriDas I would like to be in next year‘s group. 3d
Librarybelle @IriDas I‘ll add you to the list! 😁 3d
45 likes6 comments
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Librarybelle
Untitled | Unknown
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I‘m happy to share next year‘s #LiteraryCrew ‘s reading list! Roughly 20 Littens voted on the list of titles, which is an amazing number.

The clear top votes went to Passing and Radar Girls. Passing technically had the most votes, but I think it‘s a good book to read for Black History Month.

Tagging those who recorded on the ballot they wish to be tagged. If you would like to be included on the tag list, please let me know! All are welcome!

IMASLOWREADER its my first time with you guys…cant wait 4d
Sace I‘m definitely in for February June and July! 4d
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Sargar114 I‘ve read April, all the rest are new. Always look forward to trying new reads. Thank you for hosting!!! 4d
Cuilin Oh, I will be in for many of these. Fabulous list!!! Thank you again for hosting. 4d
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I've had the intention of joining in on a few but missed them, so I didn't want to vote. Happy to see a few that I already own are listed, so perhaps I'll get around to joining in for some of these. 4d
Librarybelle @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Let me know if you wish me to tag you on any titles specifically or all of them! 3d
CatLass007 Please tag me. I‘ll join in when I can. 3d
CatLass007 🤎🤎🤎 3d
BookishMarginalia This is one of my favorite books of all time 3d
julieclair What a great reading year we have ahead! Please tag me for all. I love this group. Thank you for hosting. You do a fabulous job. 💙 3d
Librarybelle That‘s so good to know, @BookishMarginalia ! 3d
Librarybelle Thank you, @julieclair ! ❤️ 3d
tpixie Great choices! Many on my TBR , so now I will read them. A few I‘ve read and loved, and a few totally new to me! A great combo! Thanks @Librarybelle 3d
Jess861 Do you mind adding me to the tag list? My library has a few of these so I might try to join in for a month or two. 1d
Librarybelle Of course, @Jess861 ! 21h
41 likes19 comments
review
Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Lily‘s world turns upside down when she declares a Picasso in the Tate Gallery to be a forgery. The novel then becomes a bit of a caper as Lily has to deal with the fallout of her remark plus navigate family issues.

I found this to be a fun historical fiction novel with lots of art references. There are also underlying issues involving guilt and neglect plus ramifications of WWII and the impact on the art world (this book is set in the 1970s).

Librarybelle I enjoyed the audio narration and plan to read another by Reay at some point! 5d
62 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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Hey #LiteraryCrew ! It‘s time to discuss this month‘s book. I have 8 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

We conclude the year with Colm Toibin‘s Brooklyn. Official post tomorrow, and I hope to have the results from voting ready by then to also announce next year‘s titles!

Sargar114 Thank you for this selection and hosting. A very good read! 6d
Jerdencon I didn‘t get around to this book and d read Brooklyn years ago - will try to remember and join the discussion. If not looking forward to the new books for next year. (edited) 5d
tpixie Thanks for hosting! I look forward to seeing you next year‘s reads. 5d
julieclair So excited to see next year‘s titles! 5d
39 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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It‘s time for our #ChristiesCapers discussion! There are questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags.

Next month, we learn about The Mysterious Mr. Quin! Official post tomorrow (hopefully). #AgathaChristieClubR3

BarbaraJean Yay! I‘m hoping to maybe finish the book this afternoon… I‘ll pop into the discussion when I do! 6d
33 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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8. The Leftovers was made into a series on HBO in the mid-2010s. Have you seen it? If so, what are your thoughts on it? How does it compare to the novel?

IMDB link to the series information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I have not seen it. But I plan on watching. Especially since we didn‘t get much closure in the book. 6d
6 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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7. This is a deep novel that explores ideas of faith/spirituality, grief/loss, and moving forward, among other themes. Perrotta participated in an interview where he discussed these themes in part; the book itself was written after his father passed away.

Link to interview: https://theabsolutemag.com/14442/books/novelist-tom-perrotta-on-the-leftovers-an...

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 It‘s an incredible look at loss and how we move on. I was nervous at first because the rapture was always a terrifying concept to me. I found the lack of religious connection in this story much more interesting and mysterious. 6d
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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6. Discuss the ending of the book. What do you think happens to the main characters after the book is over? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I definitely wanted to know more about what happens. Perotta did a great job of character building and invests you in their story but then suddenly ends it. Makes me really want to watch the tv show. 6d
5 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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5. How would you describe the relationship between Laurie and Meg? Did you find what happens to them believable? What about the relationship between Kevin and Nora? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 Two people seeking a connection put together are bound to make one. Especially given the restrictions of the group. It was shocking what ended up happening, but not surprising. The GA recognized their connection and that it could be a problem, so they found a way to convince them they were doing something for “The greater good.” Incredibly sad. 6d
Sargar114 I liked Kevin and Nora, but clearly Nora wasn‘t ready for that close of a relationship yet. 6d
Sace The GR is no better than Holy Wayne in my opinion. A cult trying to control their members and ruining lives. I did not see the appeal of the GR at all. 6d
Sace I was actually rooting for Nora to cut ties and get away. I understood her motivation. That ending left me wondering though. 6d
5 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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4. Why do you think Laurie Garvey joins the Guilty Remnant? Once there, why do you think she stays? What sort of benefits might a cult-like community offer to people reeling from an event like the Sudden Departure? What about the Healing Hug Movement led by Holy Wayne? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 It seemed like they were looking for some kind of purpose or connection. I‘m sure there is a feeling that you weren‘t “chosen” in the mass departure and maybe there was a reason why. Kevin is much more practical and likely didn‘t engage with her in the bigger conversation so maybe she was looking for more. 6d
5 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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3. Jill Garvey thinks it‘s easy “to romanticize the missing, to pretend that they were better than they really were.” Is this true? How do the main characters in The Leftovers view their friends and relatives who have disappeared? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I think she is spot on. People are uncomfortable speaking ill of the dead (or missing). So the only things that get said are the positive and that keeps building on itself for that romanticized version. I think this also is what makes it harder on her having her mom and brother both still alive but seemingly abandoned her. 6d
julieclair Each of the main characters seems to follow the old advice, “Don‘t speak ill of the dead.” And some even take it a step further, and seem to have totally forgotten the ills of the dead (or missing). 4d
6 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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2. The Leftovers is set in an idyllic American suburbia—with adult softball teams, a strong school system, and beautiful leafy neighborhoods. Why do you think the author set this novel –and his other novels--in such a place? Is there something especially pleasant or idyllic about the suburbs? Or is that just a myth? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 What we learn in this telling is that even small towns have their problems and secrets. This is a somewhat controlled environment so makes it probably easier to write for. to create its own world; untouched by the events in the bigger world. 6d
julieclair I think the stereotype is that leafy green suburbs are pleasant places to live. And, having lived in such suburbs all my life, in various parts of the US, I tend to agree. I have not read any of Perrotta‘s other novels, but certainly for this book, the idyllic suburban setting makes this disappearance seem all the more shocking and disturbing. Things like that don‘t happen in Leave It to Beaver land, lol! 4d
6 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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1. om Perrotta‘s The Leftovers focuses on life after a mysterious mass disappearance that may or may not have been the Rapture. How do the various characters feel about being “left behind?” Which character's view of the Sudden Departure makes most sense to you? ~from Book Movement discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 It seems they are all trying to figure out how to move on. Lori was confused and looking for some kind of connection. Kevin seemed to be trying to move forward and establish some sense of normalcy. Tom seemed to be trying to find purpose. Jill was more like her father but also dealing with what probably felt like abandonment from half her family as well as just being a teenager. ⬇️ 6d
Sargar114 Notes was the most interesting as she was navigating such immense losses. Ultimately I feel like I would probably be most like Kevin, just trying to move forward. But I could see myself a lot like Nora if I lost everyone important to me. 6d
Sace I think Tom‘s made sense to me in a weird way. I can see the allure of a charismatic leader and the sense of purpose and hope it must have provided for Tom. Unfortunately his feeling of being adrift after that falls apart also makes sense to me. I would probably be the same. I do NOT understand Laurie‘s reaction at all. I can‘t fathom abandoning my child after that kind of event. (edited) 6d
julieclair Tom‘s point of view made the most sense to me. It happened, we don‘t understand it, we‘re grieving, but we‘re still here and need to move on with our lives, while also acknowledging and respecting our losses. 5d
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Librarybelle
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5. Let's now turn our attention to the mysteries themselves. Did you have a favorite mystery from the collection? A least favorite? Any aspects of the mysteries that stood out for you that you wish to discuss? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

kspenmoll Let me think & get back to you. Hard to choose! 6d
MallenNC I really liked the one at the beginning when Tuppence conspired with the “missing” woman. And The Man in Mist was actually kind of creepy, which was a change from some of the other stories. 6d
kelli7990 I don‘t have a favorite. 5d
willaful The masquerade story always seemed very sad to me and I thought Christie did a nice job with the “Father Brown“ story. The failed melodrama of the one with the arctic explorer was pretty funny. (Though I doubt that poor woman will be happy!) 5d
6 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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4. Tommy and Tuppence running a “pretend“ detective agency! This is the theme that carries us through the mysteries. What did you think of the detective agency and the ploys they would use in the office to make potential clients feel like it was an extremely busy detective agency? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Aims42 I LOVED how each story started with their assistant (I‘m so sorry for his name slipping my name right now) giving the same spiel to every new client 🤣 I cracked up each time 6d
kspenmoll Very comical! Theatrical! 6d
MallenNC I liked how they‘d spy on the new client for a bit before the meeting 6d
BarbaraJean Their little ploys cracked me up! How Tommy would always be on the phone with Scotland Yard... and the peepholes in the wall so they could spy on clients! 2d
5 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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3. As many of us mentioned in our reviews this month, this is just a fun book to read--light, comical, and a fast read of individual mysteries tied together by the detective agency. Let's first talk about the parodies. Christie adds elements of well-known detectives in 1929, including Poirot, comically acknowledging catchphrases, mannerisms, foibles, etc.

Who did you spot mentioned? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Aims42 I loved this common thread throughout all the stories! It really tied them together rather than just being a collection of short stories with only the 2 MCs in common with them. I thought it was interesting Agatha kept the Poirot parody until the end 👏😏 6d
kspenmoll The parody was unexpected & fun! I enjoyed the way they donned various famous detectives personnas & crime solving techniques. (edited) 6d
MallenNC This was the most fun part of the collection. Some of the detectives weren‘t familiar to me but I definitely noticed Holmes and Watson, Father Brown, and of course Poirot‘s little grey cells. 6d
willaful I didn't know most of them but I remember looking into them after I first read this. (Pre-internet, it was difficult!) I think the jokes wear surprisingly well, given how obscure most of them are now. Father Brown and Holmes and Poirot were the ones I knew too. Or I may have started reading Father Brown because of this? 5d
BarbaraJean I really liked the framing of this one, giving the overall arc of the detective agency, but then offering them the freedom to take little or big cases along the way. I haven't liked Christie's short stories that much in the past--they wrap up too quickly for me--but because of the larger framing, I liked these much better. I wish I'd known more of the parody references! 2d
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Librarybelle
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2. We know several years have passed since we last solved mysteries with Tommy and Tuppence. Think about their portrayal in The Secret Adversary; what of their characters have stayed the same? What has changed? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Aims42 I feel like Tommy became more snippy? I wasn‘t a fan of him calling Tuppence an idiot on more than one occasion 🤨 But she‘s a strong woman so she can dish it right back (and rightfully so!!). I‘m intrigued enough with their relationship to keep reading their series 6d
kspenmoll Tommy was more grouchy & he did as @Aims42 stated, say demeaning things to her. She is a confident woman & does not need his approval. 6d
Aims42 @kspenmoll I actually gasped the first time he called her that - I went full Protective Mode and thought, “Excuse me? What did you just call her?!” Says a lot for Agatha‘s writing, not many authors would get that reaction from me 6d
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MallenNC I liked Tuppence a lot more int these stories. Agree that Tommy had some not great parts of his personality and those showed more in these stories. 6d
willaful Oh, I thought it was just the audiobook I chose! I guess I read Tommy as more playfully bantering in my head. 5d
willaful I wonder if Tommy's snippiness was a reflection of Christie's own unhappy marriage? 5d
BarbaraJean I felt like Tuppence had matured a bit--she felt more considered in her approach, taking more calculated risks instead of rushing into things as much. She was still a much more active character than Tommy, which I liked. I felt like there was more unspoken understanding between them--one or the other would swoop in, having figured out what the other one meant or needed--which tracks with their relationship timeframe. 2d
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Librarybelle
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1. This is our second book featuring Tommy and Tuppence. Overall, what did you think of this collection of stories? How does it compare to the first book, The Secret Adversary? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Aims42 I enjoyed this short story format 🤩 It kept me engaged 6d
kspenmoll I also liked the short stories- felt it expanded their detection talents. 6d
MallenNC I enjoyed the short story format. I liked how they would adopt a famous detective persona in the different stories. 6d
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Cuilin Loved the short story format. Very comforting to dip in knowing everything will be solved in a matter of moments. 5d
willaful It's a good fit for their personalities. Quick and snappy. And they do get more chances to really use their wits. 5d
BarbaraJean I liked the short story format--more fast-paced, and I liked the way we got to see them in a number of different settings and types of mysteries. On the other hand, I often found the short stories easy to figure out and wished I could have been surprised more! 2d
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review
Librarybelle
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Pickpick

OMG…I finished a print book! You know life is a bit complicated when it takes nearly 2 weeks to finish a book I could normally get done in an afternoon!

I‘m all about the spookiness in this book, and it feels like the storyline/mystery is a bit more complicated than others. Jewelry thievery that leads to a money swindle and a haunted mansion—this was a fun Nancy Drew. #NancyDrewBR

Bookwormjillk Woo hoo! Congrats!

I thought this was a fun one too.
2w
KT1432 You‘re making me nostalgic for some Nancy Drew lol I loved these books! 2w
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Librarybelle You can join us, @KT1432 , for #NancyDrewBR ! A group of us are reading through the series. We‘re up book 26. 1w
KT1432 Okay yes please add me and I‘ll try to get my hands on as many as I can!! 1w
Librarybelle That‘s great, @KT1432 ! We will discuss The Clue of the Leaning Chimney on December 15th. You can see our past discussions by searching #NancyDrewBR . 1w
67 likes6 comments
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Librarybelle
Untitled | Unknown
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I‘ve registered! Thank goodness I read so much at the start of the year that I could easily find titles (the last few months, my reading has really tanked).

Thanks for hosting again, @monalyisha ! #AuldLangSpine

monalyisha I know the feeling! I‘ve been slacking the last month or so, too. I‘ve started journaling, which takes up more of my mornings than I expected and cuts into my reading time. And I went down a deep, deep 90‘s music rabbit hole after listening to the tagged, so I‘ve been jamming out more than audiobooking lately. 2w
Librarybelle @monalyisha Oh! I‘ll have to check out that book! 2w
42 likes2 comments
review
Librarybelle
The Women of Wild Hill | Kirsten Miller
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Mehso-so

I think I went into this one with extremely high expectations (I LOVED Lula Dean‘s Little Library of Banned Books) and found myself disappointed. I‘m all about witchy premises and powerful women, but the ending felt rushed, anticlimactic, and almost kind of a let down (without giving away anything). The story slowly unfolds, and the reader encounters many women in the same family and their stories to fight for justice and/or succumb to male…⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️…domination or trickery…it could get a little confusing and a little long. And when the action does finally happen, well, as I said, it‘s a little ho hum. I listened to this one and do enjoy January LaVoy‘s straightforward performance. She has a good narrative voice that moves the story forward. I would probably have bailed on the book if not for her narration. 2w
DGRachel Oh no! I bought this recently and was really looking forward to it. 😭 2w
Librarybelle @DGRachel I know other readers who liked it! It may be because I listened to it rather than reading it. 2w
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CBee Have you read The Change, same author? It's an all-time favorite of mine! 2w
Librarybelle @CBee I haven‘t! 2w
CBee @Librarybelle It's incredible!! 2w
Librarybelle @CBee I‘ll definitely have to try it! 2w
63 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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We‘re going to become pottery experts thanks to next month‘s #NancyDrewBR !

Discussion on December 15th. All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.

BarkingMadRead Oh how fun! What could go wrong with pottery? 🤣 3w
Librarybelle @BarkingMadRead Why do I have a sneaky suspicion we‘ll hear all about how great Nancy is at making pottery?!? 😂 3w
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Ruthiella @Librarybelle What if it‘s another industrial espionage one where someone is stealing a pottery trade secret! 🤔 3w
Sace This book always stands out for me because it was the first time Nancy Inspired me to read another book (non-fiction) about the subject presented in the mystery. 3w
Librarybelle @Ruthiella It could be! 3w
Librarybelle That‘s so cool, @Sace ! 3w
37 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
Untitled | Unknown
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Voting is now open for #LiteraryCrew 's 2026 selections!

https://forms.gle/m7A8a3VvqrNkBaQG8

If you are interested in being tagged for the 2026 discussions, please include your Litsy handle on the form.

Lots of great titles from a variety of genres were suggested for next year, so I cannot wait to see how voting goes!

Tagging those who participated in at least one #LiteraryCrew discussion in case you are interested in next year's choices!

PurpleyPumpkin What an interesting list! Looking forward to reading together again in 2026. ☺️ 3w
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Thanks for tagging me!!! 3w
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Teresereading Great selection 3w
Sace Looking forward to the results! 3w
kspenmoll Voted! It was sooo challenging, so many good books! 3w
Roary47 Voted! 😍 3w
Librarybelle It is a great list! Some titles I had not heard of before, so it‘s always exciting to discover something new. @PurpleyPumpkin @Teresereading @Sace @kspenmoll @Roary47 3w
Jerdencon Just voted! 3w
julieclair Voted! Whew, that was tough. They all look good! 3w
Librarybelle Yay, @Jerdencon @julieclair ! They are great selections! 3w
39 likes12 comments
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Librarybelle
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It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion! I have 6 questions posted as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

Next month, we learn about The Clue of the Leaning Chimney which involves thievery and missing pottery experts.

Ruthiella I‘m just finishing the last two chapters! 3w
Librarybelle So weird—the tagging timed out on me, and so I had to post the remaining list in comments. If you‘re not tagged and should be, I‘m so sorry! Technology seems to be a little hairy today (I got bloodwork done this morning, and the system crashed on my patient account, which meant no one else could get their bloodwork done until IT fixed the issue. Yikes). 3w
33 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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6. We talked about the mysteries, but let's talk about the adventures. Haunted houses and quicksand come to mind! Any thoughts on these? #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead The quicksand was a bit crazy, but definitely a popular thing at that time! 3w
Ruthiella Quicksand was one of my irrational fears as a child. This book doesn‘t quite outdo the puma attack and exploding oranges in “The Moss Covered Mansion” or the submarine in “Mystery of the Lilac Inn” but it‘s still pretty good adventure-wise. (edited) 3w
DebinHawaii @Ruthiella Mine too! The quicksand was nuts! I‘m pretty sure my conviction I would get trapped in it some day was spurred on by mysteries. Also we know River Heights is the land of plenty but just how many abandoned “haunted” mansions does it have?! All have secret passages too. 🤔👻 Exploding oranges 💥🍊💥 & the wild animals & steaming pool in the evil genius‘s lair will always out crazy the other antics for me! 🤣🤣🤣 3w
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CogsOfEncouragement The quicksand made me smile. 3w
DGRachel The quicksand was definitely a standout. I enjoy a good haunted mansion with secret rooms, so I loved all of those investigations around the mansion here. And yes @DebinHawaii how many mansions can one town have?!? 🤣🤣 I don‘t think anything will top those exploding oranges, though. 3w
Bookwormjillk We all must be around the same age given how the quicksand made something click in all of our brains. It was such a thing at a certain point in my life. 3w
kwmg40 The quicksand incident was pretty exciting, though it seemed a totally random addition that didn't connect to the rest of the plot. 3w
8 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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5. We meet up again with Togo briefly! I had to look when we last saw the dog, and it seems Togo was mentioned in The Whispering Statue book (book 14). Kind of odd we have not seen him since then.

Besides the furry character, any thoughts on the characters in this book? I did not that Bess was referred to as “plump“ a few times. #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead They are way too hard on Bess! 3w
Ruthiella I liked that Hannah was pretty active in this one, physically coming to the rescue-not just staying home baking cookies and answering the phone. 😆 3w
DebinHawaii Yes & Togo 🐕 is quite the tracker-Nancy should use him more often! I also noted the Bess jabs. 😠 Good point about Hannah jumping in @Ruthiella 3w
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bookandbedandtea I loved that everyone- Carson, Hannah, Bess and George, Ned- were all involved in this one. Thanks @Librarybelle for finding out which book Togo was last in, saves me going back to check! @DebinHawaii Nancy should definitely utilize him more! He was very helpful this time. 3w
DGRachel I loved how much page time Ned, Carson, and Hannah got, and the fact that Ned wasn‘t a jerk this time. No whining about Nancy‘s amateur sleuthing, and instead being an active, enthusiastic participant. I‘m always amazed at the personal information giving out by postal workers, policemen, the DMV, and hotel staff in these books. The victims were often annoying, but I honestly never got mad at them. 👇🏻 3w
DGRachel The more obstinate they became, the angrier I got at the criminals because I saw it as a sign of how vulnerable the targets were and in the current climate, I find anger at grifters readily available to me. 3w
Bookwormjillk I was happy to see Hannah take an active part. And I even liked Ned in this one! 3w
kwmg40 I too liked the bigger role that Hannah had. She can definitely do more than cook! 3w
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4. Please tell me none of you have also invested in Three Branch Ranch!

There seem to be a lot of aspects that tie together in this one, especially with the “haunted“ abandoned house, the leaving of messages in the woods, and the trance-like state of Lola. What did you think of the mysteries in this one? #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead I feel like everyone was very gullible, but maybe that was due to the time it took place! 3w
Ruthiella @BarkingMadRead Agreed. They had to be for the story to work and probably also for the 10 year old reading to also recognize the scam. I feel like that‘s why the stories are so over the top - so kids can feel like they are able to spot the truth. 3w
DebinHawaii I mentioned in the comment before that it seemed like an awful lot of effort on the crooks‘ behalf for the victims who were young working women & not making that much money. Mrs. Putney is another story with her jewels. And yes, all were so gullible. I would not have had the patience with Mrs. P that Nancy had! (edited) 3w
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bookandbedandtea @BarkingMadRead and @DebinHawaii I had trouble with how gullible all these women were. Although, to be generous, they probably wouldn't have ever heard of similar scams so maybe their lack of suspicion isn't surprising. Your point @Ruthiella, that the plots can't be too hard for their intended audience, is a good one! 3w
CogsOfEncouragement I felt sorry for these people being swindled. I agree that Nancy was very gracious with Mrs. Putney. She had to be in order to help her. Mrs. Putney was so fully convinced her husband was the one giving her directions, Nancy handled it very maturely. 3w
DGRachel I loved the way things tied together here so that nothing felt like it came out of nowhere. @Ruthiella I never thought of it that way, but that‘s an excellent point about making the stories OTT so kids had a chance to recognize what was happening. This one felt more logical to me than others in the series. 3w
Bookwormjillk This mystery was over the top but also much better than the last one so I went with it. I feel like this ghost writer must be a lot of fun at parties. 3w
kwmg40 The victims seemed very gullible to me. On the other hand, I hear of many people who fall prey to online scammers these days, so maybe it's not so unbelievable. 3w
kwmg40 Seances seemed to be very popular in the early 20th century, and they appeared in so many Golden Age mystery novels. I was surprised when I saw a local winery advertising a wine-tasting and seance event. Are seances making a comeback? 3w
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3. What jumped out at me in this one was the “spirit writing“ that appears in images. While not necessarily spirit photography, it's also not quite automatic writing, where the spirit channels its energy through someone to write a piece.

Brief information on both can be found in links in the comments.

But, we've seen Nancy tackle spirits and “hauntings“ before. How does this compare to other hauntings in the series? #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead I will admit, the thieves are super creative in this one! 3w
Ruthiella @BarkingMadRead I agree. This one takes the fakery to a new level. The bad guys got greedy. They had a nice little business going, I thought, with the New Orleans “church”. 3w
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DebinHawaii It seemed like a bigger team of bad guys & yes, very creative & involved plots. It seemed like most of their victims beyond Mrs. Putney, didn‘t have all that much money to make the long game worthwhile though. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3w
DGRachel I agree with everyone here. The con was really creative. I hate that they targeted really vulnerable people, though. Yes, they were gullible, but especially in the case of Mrs Putney, she was a grieving widow who wasn‘t thinking straight. Would she have fallen for the scam if they hadn‘t used her dead husband as manipulation? 3w
Bookwormjillk I thought it was very creative as well. 3w
kwmg40 I liked the idea of a ghost (even a fake one) in a haunted house. This book reminded me of a couple of other books on my shelves that I loved as a child: The Three Investigators and the Mystery of the Green Ghost, and The Mystery of the Green Cat, both involving eerie green things in spooky mansions! 3w
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2. Nancy travels a bit in this novel, venturing to New Orleans to follow a lead. We're seeing Nancy traveling a bit more over the last several books, though River Heights also seems to be quite the metropolis with a variety of transportation systems at the ready.

To get us a bit into the New Orleans flavor, here is a tourism site: https://www.neworleans.com/ .

Have you ever been to New Orleans? #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead I‘ve been so many times, it‘s one of my favorite paces to visit 3w
Ruthiella Ye, River Heights is the gateway to the whole of the US apparently. I‘ve never been to New Orleans or even the South really. The closest I got was New Orleans Square at Disneyland Anaheim. 😆 3w
DebinHawaii I have not been to Nee Orleans before. It‘s on my list for someday. Nancy doesn‘t really need to travel, River Heights has it all! 😉🤣 3w
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bookandbedandtea Did planes have to stop often to refuel? I noticed that their flight to New Orleans had more than one stop and when "Mrs Egan" flew out of town they discovered that she left the plane at "one of the stops before Chicago." Sounds more like bus travel. 3w
Sace I‘ve been to New Orleans twice. Once in the 70s (I was maybe 8?) and then again in high school. It‘s beautiful and the pralines and beignets are delicious! 3w
CogsOfEncouragement I've never been, and Nancy sure hops on a plane more than I realized. 3w
DGRachel @bookandbedandtea I was puzzled by people apparently getting on and off planes like you would a greyhound bus! Sadly, I‘ve never been to New Orleans. I‘d love to go someday, but not during the summer. The South, especially the Deep South sucks in the summer - heat + humidity + mosquitoes. No, thank you. 3w
Bookwormjillk @bookandbedandtea I thought that was weird too. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to. 3w
kwmg40 I'd love to visit New Orleans one day. I wouldn't have minded if more of the story had been set there. 3w
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1. Welcome to the 25th book of the series! How can we be this far already in the series?!?

What are your overall impressions of this book? I thought it was better than last month's book! #NancyDrewBR

BarkingMadRead Not my fave, but not the worst 🤣 3w
Ruthiella I thought it was ridiculously fun! The séance stuff, the conveniently abandoned mansion with secret passages, and Nancy gets 1. Kidnapped 2. Knocked out AND 3. Locked in an an elevator! A trifecta! ? 3w
DebinHawaii It wasn‘t my favorite but it had it moments & it moved the NNK to 11/25 & as @Ruthiella pointed out between that & the kidnapping & trapped in an elevator was pretty lively! 🤕 3w
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DebinHawaii Also, the quicksand!!! 😱 Is this where my childhood conviction that I would sink in quicksand someday came about? 3w
bookandbedandtea This one started out fun and exciting but I felt it lost something midway. Maybe my real issue was being annoyed with how gullible the victims were. (Not very empathetic of me, I know 🫢) I loved how the whole gang was very involved. 3w
TheAromaofBooks @DebinHawaii - I wondered about this!!! The way it just suddenly was there to grab them! 😱 3w
Sace @bookandbedandtea Me too! I was chugging right along and thought I was gonna finish in one sitting, but I had to get some sleep. I came back to it the next day and the end just felt like a slog. It was a great beginning though! Just lost me around page 130. 3w
CogsOfEncouragement This one seemed creepy to me. I don't think of seances as being material for elementary school readers. I would not have liked this one at that age.
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DGRachel I loved it and was absolutely delighted with it. I, too, found it ridiculously fun @Ruthiella Was excited to add another #NNK to the tally (@DebinHawaii her poor brain!), and the quicksand! I howled with laughter at the quicksand. #GenXTrauma 3w
Bookwormjillk I‘m with @DGRachel and @Ruthiella I was really entertained just seeing what would happen next. I was so excited when the quicksand made an entrance. 3w
kwmg40 This was a fun one but like @bookandbedandtea and @Sace, I found myself losing interest in the last chapters, despite a good set-up initially. 3w
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Just when I thought I knew the direction the story was going, the story veered into a completely different direction. It‘s psychologically menacing. A few of the elements seemed a little clunky, and I suspected the final twist, but it was a very compelling listen. It also makes me happy that I have coverings over my windows at night so no one can see into my house…😂

Bookwomble I never understand the people in thriller films who don't have curtains or blinds on their windows! It's like they *want* a creepy serial killer to spy on them from the woods! 😱 2w
Librarybelle @Bookwomble I know! 😂 2w
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Librarybelle
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We‘re a little over 2 weeks away from the next #ChristiesCapers discussion! I‘m seeing lots of love posted so far for Tommy and Tuppence.

I‘ll have our 2026 list of titles ready for our Nov 30th discussion. #AgathaChristieClubR3

BarbaraJean I just picked up my copy from the library! 🎉 3w
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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We‘re about halfway through the month, #LiteraryCrew ! Any thoughts on the book so far?

As for 2026 voting, my goal is to open voting on Saturday, with voting running from Nov 15-29. I‘ll unveil the 2026 selections by Dec 1st.

Sargar114 Got the audio and about halfway through. It started out quite unsettling but I suppose that is probably the point, I‘m enjoying it and it really is giving quite some good for thought. 3w
Librarybelle @Sargar114 Good to know! I was wondering too how the story will unfold. Just picked up my copy from the library yesterday. 3w
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We‘re a couple of days away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion! I‘ll post questions during the morning on Saturday (US East Coast time). Drop by whenever to join the discussion!

Ruthiella I have my copy and am about 1/2 way through. 😃 3w
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Librarybelle
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My public library has not ordered this yet, but the college library I‘m temping at just put this on their shelves. I immediately grabbed it. Now to find time to read it…

JacqMac I started it yesterday. It‘s horrifying. I want to wrap her up in a mom hug. 4w
Librarybelle @JacqMac I would imagine. Such a horrific topic but so important to know. 3w
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Librarybelle
Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (Bookstore)
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I took time off from everything on my plate to attend the 35th anniversary celebration of my favorite independent bookstore. I scored a stack of books, and I received a goodie bag and lunch for attending.

Now to actually find time to read…😂

Hooked_on_books 30 years! That‘s wonderful! 4w
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review
Librarybelle
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Pickpick

A friend told me her mom read this and just could not stop thinking about it…I had to try it!

This is gripping with lots of red herrings and a big surprise (at least for me). Verity‘s husband is found murdered in their home. Moving between her story and “the other woman,” the reader learns more about Verity, her husband and his behavior, and their marriage. Toxic, controlling characters. Some graphic content (description of the victim‘s body). ⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️ I am definitely going to try another by Smith. The audio was good; I was engaged the whole time. 1mo
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Librarybelle
Life with Picasso | Franoise Gilot, Carlton Lake
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Yay! My library hold finally arrived! Now…to actually find time to read and catchup with #SundayBuddyRead …😂

TheBookHippie Yay!!!! 1mo
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Librarybelle
Untitled | Unknown
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I‘m too tired to make a pretty Canva graphic for November‘s #BookSpinBingo list, so a Note on my phone and prettied up with PicCollage will have to do!

This year went downhill fast, and my reading has taken a significant hit the last couple of months. #FinishWhatYouStarted will hopefully be a good push to read the 30+ books I‘ve started this year but have failed to finish, and I really want to get in some nonfiction for Nonfiction November.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo
janeycanuck Ooh, I didn‘t even think of putting any of my #finishwhatyoustarted stack on my book spin list. Smart! Good luck! 1mo
Librarybelle Thanks, @janeycanuck ! And thanks for this great idea for an end-of-year challenge! 1mo
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Librarybelle
The Leftovers | Tom Perrotta
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November‘s #LiteraryCrew selection is a tad different than previous reads, so it adds a change of pace to our #BuddyRead . Discussion on November 30th.

Read at your own pace. I‘ll post periodic check-ins throughout the month (unless the month really slips by me). All are welcome to join us! Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.

Sace I only just started Orquídea Divina yesterday ?? 1mo
julieclair Looking forward to it. Poor Orquidea Divina, which I haven‘t started yet (but really want to read), will have to go to the back of the line. 🙁 1mo
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Sparklemn The plot sounds like the Avengers Snap. 🙂💜 Stacking! 1mo
Librarybelle I still need to get to Orquidea, @Sace @julieclair ! 1mo
julieclair @Librarybelle @Sace Glad I‘m not alone! 💙💙💙 1mo
Sace @julieclair @Librarybelle I‘m not very far into it but I‘m enjoying it so far! (I love magical realism). 1mo
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Librarybelle
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It‘s time for the #LiteraryCrew discussion! I have 7 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag. Feel free to jump in whenever for the discussion!

I will make the official post for November‘s book tomorrow!

Karisa I‘m about 70% of the way and loving it! It‘s so different and the characters are each so quirky, vibrant! I don‘t know why I am taking so long to read this one… But I am enjoying it 😊 1mo
BookNAround There is one major plot discrepancy in this book that ruined how I was feeling about the novel as a whole and it is still driving me batty. More in the next comment (hidden by the spoiler tag). 1mo
BookNAround How on earth is Lazarus wearing the ring in the picture since Bolivar wears it to control him? As this is the biggest clue to Marimar‘s father and the entire plot hinges on them figuring out who her father is, I am irrationally angry about this problem. 🤬 1mo
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7. Setting plays an important part in the novel. Though the location of Four Rivers is left purposefully vague within the United States, where do you think it might be? Why? Compare Orquídea‘s experience growing up in Ecuador and her descendants‘ experience visiting decades later. ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa I pictured it in the Southwest like maybe Arizona. It reminded me of Flagstaff which is beautiful in a tree, forest way that is so surprisingly different than the dry beauty of the desert all around it 1mo
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6. The climax of the novel pulls all of the characters back to Four Rivers, to the base of Orquídea Divina‘s ceiba tree. Why was this the perfect location for their last stand? What did it mean for the remaining Montoyas to come together once more? ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa It centered the ending and their power back to home. The portal back felt a bit of a cheat move but it helped move the story along. It also brought it all back to the central character of the family, Orquidea 1mo
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5. From fathers who are absent or gone too soon to powerful men who face their downfall before Orquídea, discuss the roles of the men in The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. How do their relationships with our protagonists affect them? ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa Most of the men are neutral at best. Rey is the most helpful. Mike and the other husbands just seem to be there and serve the purpose of providing babies. Lazarus, the star, unwittingly gives up his power. Enrique is a jerk who gets better. Bolivar is the true power stealing villain. Much of it turns patriarchal norms on upside which made it an interesting read for me. 1mo
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4. Though Orquídea remarried several times, her family tree is mainly populated by strong women. Discuss the role of matriarchs in the Montoya family. ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa Marimar does feel like the matriarch by the end even with no children of her own (or does she adopt Rhi that felt a bit unclear). Anyway, Marimar takes care of the whole family and brings them together. Orquidea is aloof but the ultimate matriarch even after her death, especially after her death (edited) 1mo
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3. Compare and contrast how each of our protagonists—Marimar, Rey, and Tatinelly—have followed their own life paths. In what ways do they each connect with their heritage? ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa Seeing each protagonist grow into their own best version of themselves was fun. Marimar perhaps changed the most. She was the leader of the family by the end and I was happy with the way her father subplot turned out 1mo
Karisa For Rey, I wished I could see his artwork. I kept picturing paintings like Frida Kahlo surrealist style. I wanted him to make a painting series of the river god so that he would regain his strength as more people remembered him. That part reminded me of American Gods, one of my all time favorites 1mo
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2. Zoraida has brought the Montoya family so vividly to life that many readers have said they see their own family members in Orquídea, Marimar, Rey, Tatinelly, or the others; or that they wish they could befriend them in real life. Which character resonated with you the most? Why? ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa So many wonderful characters in this book! I liked Rhiannon the most because she was so cool. Wise beyond her years, fearless, and seemingly born in touch with her magic. I didn‘t understand how casually she seemed to get over the death of her parents though. Maybe it‘s because she could talk to ghosts but still… Tatinelly and Mike‘s deaths felt unnecessary 1mo
BookNAround I liked that Tati was contented in her life and unconcerned that her magic seemed to be so unassuming compared to many of the rest of the Montoyas. 1mo
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1. The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is categorized as magical realism, but there are rules—almost laws of nature—to the magic infused in the Montoyas‘ story. What are they? What is the price they each have to pay? ~from Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead