Check in time for #LiteraryCrew ! Any thoughts to share on this month‘s book? Discussion on the 30th!
And, don‘t forget, if you are interested in next year‘s titles, voting ends tomorrow. I will view the votes and get the schedule put together hopefully before the US Thanksgiving holiday!
bailedI was really liking this one—the audio is fabulous—but then I suspected something would happen that is an absolute no for me. (I‘ll post a spoiler in the comments). I did some research, confirmed my suspicions, and then read spoiler blogs to figure out how this ends.
It was a really great thriller, but will set this to the side so I don‘t become very emotional.
Good choice, @LiteraryinPA for #AuldLangSpine , but I‘m too chicken to finish!
Great discussion for this month‘s book, #LittenDetectives ! It seems we‘re all in agreement about the over the top nature of the Ivory Charm.
December‘s book varies greatly between the versions, but both contain…wait for it…a whispering statue. Let‘s hope this one is a bit less convoluted.
Discussion on December 15th. All are welcome to join. Please comment is you wish to be added or removed from the tag list! #NancyDrewBR
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, mrp27, Deblovestoread, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, jlhammar, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
Alright #LittenDetectives : It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion!
I‘ve posted 5 questions as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Next month‘s book, The Whispering Statue, is another one with big differences between the texts.
In 1937, Nancy finds a statue that supposedly whispers & looks like her.
In 1970, Nancy is involved in a mystery around rare books & a stolen statue.
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, mrp27, Deblovestoread, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, jlhammar, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair5. Tunnels, elephants and monkeys gone wild...we have a few instances of Nancy in danger. The professor (at least in 1974) gets clobbered over the head. What did you think of the suspenseful situations in this one?
Personally, I thought the whole story was weak. Even as a young reader, I don't think this would be a favorite of mine. #NancyDrewBR
4. As for characters in this one, Nancy sleuths with her usual crew. She also spends a day with Tommy (at least, in the 1974 edition), and really gets to know Rishi (Coya in 1936). Admittedly, Bess's apprehension kind of annoyed me--it seemed more dire in this one.
Any thoughts on the characters this time? #NancyDrewBR
3. Time to take a step back and look at a bigger picture. There are references to Indian culture in this one, and with a storyline based around Rishi's (or Coya's) identity, it's good to get a background on what it means. A link to the Wikipedia entry on Maharaja is in the comments.
Note that when this book was originally published, the British Empire still ruled India; this did not end until 1947. #NancyDrewBR
2. Let's talk plot. What did you think of the story? Personally, I felt it was a bit convoluted! The lost son of a maharaja? A traveling circus and a house that was converted for circus acts? A woman who appears to go into trances? So strange to me!
Any standout moments for you while reading? #NancyDrewBR
1. One good thing about this month's book: the revisions are minor! Originally published in 1936, this was written by Mildred Wirt Benson (we've seen her a lot so far on our journey). It was revised in 1974 by Priscilla Baker-Carr (who also worked on several Hardy Boys books).
The 1974 condenses the 1936 edition and changes the name Coya (1936) to Rishi (1974).
Which edition did you read? Overall thoughts? #NancyDrewBR
One more week left to pick the 2025 #LiteraryCrew titles! Thanks to everyone who has completed the form already…I‘m tagging the 2024 list, so if you have already voted and listed your interest in the 2025 tag list, no need to vote again!
Voting ends November 21st!
Link for voting: https://forms.gle/C6y6bxkEhaSrTsGd8
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks
panI agree with @DGRachel …this is my least favorite so far. While it has tunnels and a few hits on the head, this just seemed to lack some of the sparkle in other Nancy Drew books. It also seemed a little convoluted, and I know we have to suspend reality at times with these novels. Younger me did not read this one, and I think younger me would have a similar reaction.
Discussion tomorrow, #LittenDetectives ! #NancyDrewBR
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, mrp27, Deblovestoread, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, jlhammar, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
pickThis should be required reading for every American. Seriously.
Part true crime and part history, Nagle writes a clear and blunt look at the treatment of Indigenous communities since the founding of the US. Nagle, who is a citizen of the Cherokee nation, reports on the sins of everyone, including her ancestors—everyone has dark secrets. There are very scary parallels to today‘s world; I‘m not sure if it was wise or prudent to read this now. 5 ✨
@TheBookHippie —I found my copy!
pickI wanted a quick audiobook to listen to this morning and decided to try this one by James Taylor. #TodayILearned how much his adolescence and family life shaped him and his music. I also had no clue about his close connection to the Beatles (I was born in a post-Beatles world). Very interesting. #NFN
pickWhen Mrs. Elton is found murdered in the church, and Miss Bates becomes the prime suspect, Emma Knightley feels she must discover the murderer. Kelly writes a fun look at the characters from Emma and really does a good job paralleling their behavior to Austen‘s original work. I did guess the murderer, but it was still a good listen. The story could have been shortened a little, but still a fun book. Thanks #NetGalley for this ALC!
“The fight over truth is so bitter because power flows from the dominant narrative—the power to shape both public sentiment and public policy.”
I barely made it to page two of the Prologue and found this. It resonates so well today, and for Nagle, a member of the Cherokee nation, it speaks volumes to the mistruths about the indigenous past.
#TodayILearned #NFNovember
Here are three that have snow and one (!) set in the holidays:
1. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, one of my favorite books of all time. Kent does such an amazing job setting a dark, isolated, snowbound scene.
2. Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley - beautiful inclusivity
3. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny - there is a scene in blinding snow and ice. Makes me cold thinking of it. #TLT
I avoid sharing my opinions on politics online as much as possible, but this week has left me feeling numb.
If you want to see my rare political post, find me on FB!
But, my word of the year is hope, and I am somehow still barely clinging to it. Hope that I am wrong in my predictions, and hope that we can all come together.
#5JoysFriday
1. My boys. Always.
2. Litsy
3. Froot Loops for dinner
4. Law & Order reruns
5. The sun is still shining.
Longtime Littens know there have been two rounds of groups reading Agatha Christie‘s mysteries in pub order. The most recent round was amazingly led by @ferskner .
Here comes round 3! Ann is kindly fine with me starting a new round. We‘ll read in pub order, starting with the tagged in January. Read at your own pace. Discussion on the last Sunday of each month. Comment below to be added to the tag list! #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
This was perfect for #CalmReadathon …the Emily Dickinson Museum hosted a virtual poetry reading this afternoon and invited Dickinson enthusiasts to read poems by her. Some chose to read original works inspired by Dickinson and others chose to read from other poets. They centered the poetry readings on uncertainty, refuge, and hope. A truly beautiful experience.
I‘m not much of a poetry reader, but I love Dickinson. Highly recommend her work.
This is a reread for me—my IRL book group is discussing it this week. There is a reason it is considered one of the best mysteries—I cannot say much without giving it away, but the way Christie constructs the murder and the ensuing investigation is brilliant. Lots of red herrings and misdirections, but if you use your little grey cells, you can figure it out. Absolutely brilliant. #192025 #1926
@Bookwormjillk and @dabbe : here are some updated pictures!
My library is still in a transition phase. I have stacks of books in the center of the room as I shuffle books around—I‘m slowly adding shelves and bookcases throughout my house, so it‘s a constant moving of authors and subjects from one area to another. I moved into my house 10 years ago, and I‘m still organizing! 😂 I own thousands of books (not an exaggeration), so it takes time.
Voting for next year's #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead list is now open! It's a great list, and I think it will be hard to choose favorites!
Please follow this link to vote: https://forms.gle/C6y6bxkEhaSrTsGd8
If you would like to vote, select your top 5 choices from the list (links for each book included).
Voting is open through Thursday, November 21st.
The form also includes a space to let me know if you wish to be on the 2025 tag list. Thanks!!
#LiteraryCrew : Our next #buddyread title is this nonfiction book by de Courcy—perfect for #NFNovember ! Discussion will take place on November 30th.
All are welcome to join! This is a low key buddy read. I post periodic checkins during the month, along with the discussion questions on the last of the month. Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.
Thanks for the 2025 suggestions! I‘ll get voting ready very soon!
We‘re two weeks away from the next #NancyDrewBR discussion! What is the mystery of the ivory charm? How will Nancy solve the mystery? Let‘s find out, #LittenDetectives ! Discussion on the 15th.
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, mrp27, Deblovestoread, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, jlhammar, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
My November #BookSpinBingo list!
Also, can someone tell me how it‘s November already? I feel like I blinked and October disappeared.
It is time for our #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I have 8 questions as spoilers—you can find these either through my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag. Feel free to answer whenever!
Thanks for reading with me! Next month is Anne de Courcy‘s The Fishing Fleet (I‘ll post a reminder tomorrow), and don‘t forget today is the last day for 2025 group read suggestions!
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Balibee146, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, Sparklemn, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, BookWrym8. As you read about the characters‘ fates, how did you react to the ironies and just deserts? Whose ending surprised you the most? Which characters exemplified your definition of a life well lived? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. As you observed the path of the bluebird brooch, from Mr. Ingram to his wife and then to a pawn shop, and finally to Lottie, what did you also observe about the way money changes hands in the novel—and the shifting value of jewelry (and beauty) depending on the circumstances? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. At the novel‘s core is a murder mystery. What were your theories about the identity of the girls‘ killer and the motivation behind these tragedies? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. In what way do the five nightclubs in Nellie‘s empire—the Amethyst, the Foxhole, the Pixie, the Crystal Cup, and the Sphinx—reflect varying aspects of her personality? What does her showdown with Azzopardi reveal about her strengths and weaknesses? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Freda and Florence come from very different backgrounds but share similar dreams. What does the novel show us about the nature of innocence, and about the nature of evil? When Freda is harassed and attacked by Owen Varley, how is her sense of self shaken? Was Freda in some ways more naïve than Florence? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. What sustains Frobisher‘s marriage to Lottie? Does Lottie‘s addiction mean that she always receives more from Frobisher than she gives, or do they have a marriage of equals, in a way? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. As a woman in the early twentieth century, Gwendolyn is often at a disadvantage. How does she turn the tables on those who try to undermine her? How do her vulnerabilities and secret strengths compare to Edith‘s? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. Nellie Coker is a purveyor of gaiety, although she herself is more interested in turning a profit than in having fun. What makes her successful in business? Do those traits also make her a good mother? To what extent do her six children (Edith, Niven, Betty, Shirley, Ramsay, and Kitty) share her priorities and her approach to life? In her household, is it easier to be a son or a daughter? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Discussion tomorrow! And, tomorrow is the last day to suggest a title for 2025. Link in the comments. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Balibee146, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, Sparklemn, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, BookWrym
#LitsyLove mail has to be the best mail! @kspenmoll —thank you so much for the books and tote! You are so kind and thoughtful and know exactly when I need a little pick me up! I‘m so glad we got to know each other through Litsy!!! ❤️
pickAnother great entry in the series! Eve really battled her emotions in this one, and the whole plot line was very dark and very sinister. On to the next! #InDeathLongReadalong
pickJessica is invite to Mexico to spend some time with friends. The friends didn‘t get the memo that wherever Jessica goes murder follows (and I say that with lots of love because I adore Murder, She Wrote). Jessica has to sift through the clues to find the killer (and a kidnapper too). Fast read. I loved the cultural references in this one…a quick lesson in rural Mexico. #192025 #2005
bailed#UnpopularOpinion : I had to bail on this about halfway through. Not because of the lite horror…I was fine with that. I could not stand Naomi. She grated on me, and maybe that‘s because I am more of a Sloane and am not a free spirit. But, I decided to end listening to this when Naomi did one more reckless thing.
I can see why there are raves about this book and the discussion of the bond of female friendship. It‘s just not for me.
November‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is a first: a nonfiction! This is an account of the women who left Britain in search of husbands and adventure in India in the late 19th century.
Read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Discussion questions will be posted November 30th. Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!
And don‘t forget to submit title suggestions for next year!
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, BookWrym
so-soThis was a different type of mystery, with elements that confused me (though I‘ve been reading this for a few months with breaks, so I may have forgotten why certain things happen). Truelove reminds me of Amelia Peabody, though I like Peabody a bit more. The ghost of Queen Victoria speaking to Truelove was odd. So-so book for me.
pickA good, witchy YA book that looks at right and wrong, duty and self-choice, and love and obligation. This took me through the emotions. Good read and good choice for #SundayBuddyRead !
Last week was a good reading week, with 5 books completed. We Solve Murders was hilarious, and I was pleasantly surprised by Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park.
This week, I‘m still playing catchup with some buddy read titles. We‘ll see what else the week brings!
Happy Reading!
so-soI felt slightly underwhelmed with this one, and maybe it‘s because shorter stories usually seem lacking to me. Poor Molly does not pick up on the clues that lead to the unveiling. But, fear not…the next in the series comes out in Spring 2025!
#5JoysFriday
1. My boys…recent cuddle session on the bed with me!
2. A Friday night with my mom at a cooking class—our first one since COVID! Lots of yummy demonstration vegetarian foods.
3. Cozy mystery fete on Saturday with great authors and books.
4. Cooler days—hooray for Fall!
5. A return client asking me for more work! Things are really slow go, so this has been a nice confidence boost!
Thanks for the tag, @DebinHawaii !
We‘re a little less than 2 weeks away from our next #LiteraryCrew discussion! Anything you share so far?
Also, don‘t forget to offer book suggestions for next year! The link to submit titles will be live through October 31st: https://forms.gle/xNTBNFJb9ih2RDCF6
Discussion October 31st!
#BuddyRead
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, BookNAround, Balibee146, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, Sparklemn, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, BookWrym
pickI‘m giving this a pick, especially as there are worse (in my opinion) in the series. I got confused by one thread running through the book regarding a historical crime. Agatha is as irascible as ever. I am happy Penelope Keith is back as the voice actress.
#LittenDetectives : Our next Nancy Drew adventure involves an ivory charm (imagine that)!
Thankfully, both versions are similar with a few changes, not like the vastly different plot lines in the last two books!
Discussion will take place on November 15th. Everyone is welcome to join! Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list! #NancyDrewBR
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, mrp27, Deblovestoread, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, jlhammar, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
