pickJust 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…😂
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
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, peanutnine, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos
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.
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!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze
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…
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…😂
pickA 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). ⬇️
Yay! My library hold finally arrived! Now…to actually find time to read and catchup with #SundayBuddyRead …😂
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.
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.
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
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!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, Sparklemn, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf7. 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
How can this be the 31st??? I really dropped the ball on #LiteraryCrew reminders this time…I‘m adjusting to a new work routine while working around Zeke‘s medical needs, and down time is pretty much nonexistent. I miss reading!
Today is discussion day, and I will have questions posted sometime this evening, US East Coast time.
I realize too I never posted a November reminder; we‘re reading The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta. Official post later! ⬇️
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, Sparklemn, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
pickAt first I thought I had everything figured out. When the twist came, I exclaimed out loud in disbelief. McFadden‘s repetitious passages and phrases drive me crazy, but I like her books for the complete shockers. I can handle not the best written books if they can pack a punch, and hers does.
In this one, a young couple become stranded by a blizzard at a for sale house they wanted to see. They wait out the storm there and discover things…
**Update: Short story titles in comments!!!**
We‘re joining forces with Tommy and Tuppence for November‘s book! This is a collection of 17 short stories featuring the duo.
Discussion on the 30th. All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.
It‘s after 11pm on the US East Coast; I‘ll post the short story titles in the book tomorrow! #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos
So sorry I did not send reminders about this weekend‘s discussion—you can tell when life is busy when you don‘t even have time to get on Litsy!
I have 5 questions posted as spoilers for our discussion of Seven Dials. You can find these on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3 .
Next month we revisit Tommy and Tuppence in a collection of stories! More info tomorrow!
janeycanuck, suvata, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Teresereading, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, MaGoose, ElizaMarie, bcncookbookclub, kelli7990, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, Sparklemn, PageShifter, willaful, kimrenee, BookNook, AnishaInkspill, ChaptersofChaos5. As this is a sequel of sort to Chimneys, we revisit with Bundle and Superintendent Battle and other characters from Chimneys. We'll see Battle again as we continue our Christie journey, but the other characters do not come back. Why do you think Christie ended their story?
Are there any comments you wish to share about the characters? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
4. Definite spoiler ahead to those who have not finished...
One other major concern from reviewers was the reveal at the end. A few called the ending absurd. Others felt the ending did not fit with the story: says one reviewer, “There is no particular reason why the masked man should be the particular person he turns out to be.“
What did you think of the ending? Was this a believable conclusion? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
3. Christie herself liked this novel and found it very easy to write, as she did not need to deeply plan out the mystery. She called this novel a “light-hearted thriller type.“ Do you agree with Christie's assessment of the novel?
One modern-day reviewer noted that they could tell Christie did not really plan out anything in the novel, as the plot was “immensely tedious.“ What do you think? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
2. Let's dive into what her contemporary readers thought, which was not positive. Reviewers indicated a dislike for returning back to “Gothic romances“ and not the more deductive art of her mysteries (Poirot!) and “far below her standard“ writing.
We've compared Seven Dials to Chimneys, but let's take a broader comparison to her other mysteries we've read so far. Do you agree with the reviewers' assessments? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
1. Christie returns to the characters from The Secret of Chimneys in this novel. What did you think of the book overall? How does it compare to Chimneys?
We'll get to reception of the novel next! #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
pickThis has been an extremely busy week, and I‘ve barely been on Litsy! But, I was able to finish this audiobook…
A small group plan to study the seal colony on an isolated, uninhabited island and discover a body. And, they may not be alone. Tess, the MC, is a documentary filmmaker who narrates the story, interweaving a past investigation with traumatic results. Good, creepy audiobook.
Thanks to everyone who has already submitted title suggestions for next year's #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead group! Submissions will be accepted through October 31st, so please feel free to fill out the Google form:
https://forms.gle/9Py78BdijCaaGHfQ7
Recommend as many titles as you would like! In November, those interested in taking part in the group in 2026 can vote and add your name to the official 2026 tag list.
Thanks everyone!
so-soI think I preferred Laskowski‘s The Weekend Retreat over this one, though it‘s cool this is set at Halloween…how timely! It‘s an interesting premise—snobby moms who are hiding a terrible secret linked to a death in the neighborhood on Halloween 13 years before. There are several secrets in this one, and at least one made me wonder why the author chose to incorporate that twist. Still, a good listen and good distraction listening.
#LittenDetectives : We‘re going to New Orleans next month! Nancy, Bess, and George track down a thief and while there, they also explore the abandoned Blackwood Hall which supposedly has…you guessed it…a ghost.
Discussion on November 15th. All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list. #NancyDrewBR
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze
Alright #LittenDetectives ! It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion! This one was a hot mess, and I think most of us feel that this is not a strong entry in the series. But, it was fun to go back to River Heights and visit with Nancy and the gang.
I have 5 questions posted. They can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Next month we encounter The Ghost of Blackwood Hall!?! 👻 Official post tomorrow!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze5. There are not many adventures for Nancy in this one...though the ending with her abducted by the bad guys and thrust into a car was a little spooky. Thankfully, Carson Drew could get a helicopter on standby to rescue her! 🙄
But, overall, it just seemed like a letdown, Nancy being one step behind the bad guys in this one and driving all over to hunt down the violinist that may or may not be Rose's father. Thoughts? #NancyDrewBR
4. Let's move into the characters. I had a hard time feeling any sympathy for Rose--she's a child, but also not a well-behaved one!
I also found it funny that Ned was telling Nancy his lifelong dreams and was about to say that she was included in them, only for Nancy to interrupt him and talk about the mystery. 😂
Any thoughts on secondary characters? #NancyDrewBR
3. The dolls deserve their own talking point! Not really a question regarding them, unless you also got a little tired about hearing about dolls like I did.
And yes...some of the earlier designs of dolls are super creepy (and kind of appropriate for this time of year).
Link in comments to a brief history of rag dolls in American history. #NancyDrewBR
2. Now that we're in a more lighthearted mood from Cher, let's explore the plotline for this Nancy Drew escapade, which I thought was kind of boring. I didn't read this one as a child, but I think younger me would be disappointed in it too. It's also a bit dated with thoughts on gypsies, in my opinion.
What are your thoughts on the plot?
Link in the comments is to the Hungarian Rhapsody, as played by violin and piano. #NancyDrewBR
1. To set the mood, I've placed in the comments an audio recording of Cher's “Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves.“ I don't know about you, but it definitely played rent-free in my head while I was reading this one!
I thought this was the weakest of the books we've read so far. We'll break down plot, characters, etc. in the next questions, but what was your overall impression of the book? How does it compare to our prior reads? #NancyDrewBR
This is a rather late reminder that our next #NancyDrewBR discussion is on Wednesday!
I started this one over the weekend, and I‘m kind of creeped out over the dolls! 😂
Questions will be posted by 12pm US East Coast time.
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, MuddyPuddle, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze
pickI‘m all for rich-people-behaving badly books, especially those involving secrets and suspense. I enjoyed this one—the people are horrible, they each have secrets, and there‘s someone who wants to cause harm. Add in the locked room trope, and you get the suspense element. The audio was really good, with multiple voice narrators portraying the multiple perspectives. Great distraction listen; I‘ve already checked out another audio by the author!
Katherine…I almost cried when I picked this up today! Thank you for lovely books, notebook, pins, and of course the kitty toys. The boys are already playing with them!
Littens are the best, and I so appreciate your friendship, Katherine. Thank you, and please hi to Em and Poe from me.
I know I still have so many thank you and notes to write to several generous friends—perhaps I should start writing when Zeke has me up during the night! 😂
so-soI picked this up because the premise sounded like a good suspense story—federal agents tracking down a killer or killers who copy the style of H.H. Holmes (who was depicted in Erik Larson‘s The Devil in the White City). But…I was bored. And the writing style was not to my taste. A joke about Hotel California was told twice to describe two separate inns. I was also a bit lost by some of the side storylines (random ghosts) and realized that ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion title for October features magical realism with a bit of thriller elements.
Read at your own pace throughout the month. I‘ll post periodic check-ins; discussion on October 31st.
All are welcome! Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.
The form is now open to make suggestions for titles for 2026! Link in comments below. I cannot wait to see your suggestions!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
My October #BookSpinBingo list! I‘m too tired to list exact titles, but I have plenty of books on my tbr that fit the listed categories. 😂
The #192030 Challenge is now live on The Storygraph! Link in comments.
The challenge runs January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2030. Read one book originally published in each year from 1920 through 2030.
The group's official hashtag is #192030 . Feel free to tag any book you are using for the challenge with the hashtag so others have some recommendations for the journey.
If you would like to be added to the tag list, comment below!
mabell, Maggie4483, Daisey, Kitta, BarkingMadRead, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, Amiable, Lizpixie, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick, Suet624, llwheeler, Deblovestoread, triplem80, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, kwmg40, Mollyanna, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair, AllDebooks
It's time for the #LiteraryCrew discussion! I have 10 questions posted as spoilers; you can find these on my feed, the book's feed or by searching for the group's hashtag.
Next month, we are reading a book that seems perfect for this time of year: The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova. Official post tomorrow!
Also, it's time to think about 2026. Use the URL in the comments to offer suggestions for next year through October 31st!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf10. Why do you think that the author chose the quotation by Scott Joplin as the
novel‘s epigraph? What does it signify? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
9. Many of the characters struggle for what they believe is right. Are they
successful? How are these struggles tied in to the notion of identity or
societal definitions of identity? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
8. The notion of value is prominent in the book. What do each of the characters
value? What consequences does this have for them? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. Why do you think that Mother and Tateh end up together? What draws them
together? How would this relationship have been viewed in the early 1900s?
How would it be viewed today? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Does Coalhouse Walker, Jr. obtain justice? What does he sacrifice in the
process? How do his actions affect those around him? How does this scenario
relate to the justice system and civil rights struggles in today‘s society? ~from Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
