pickI was not sure what to expect when I started listening to this (thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC opportunity), but this story is more somber than the cover suggests. It‘s very contemplative but yet also offers hope for new beginnings (hence the title). The audio narration is engaging, and I enjoyed listening to this while doing household chores and preparing kitty medicine. #52BookClub25 #AuthorsLastNameIsAlsoAFirstName #LitsyAToZ #LetterN
pickThis has been on my tbr forever, and I am so glad the #HashtagBrigade read it, though I‘m pretty late finishing the book for the group.
This is a hard story to rate, as Esther‘s story is parts disturbing and hard to read. Knowing Plath‘s state of mind too adds to backstory of this mental health novel. It‘s not supposed to make one comfortable. Glad I read it! #192025 #1963 #LitsyAToZ #LetterB
Life has been so difficult lately, even more complicated with the horribleness in the world. But, at least in my tiny little part of my world, things may be getting better. May…every time I think we‘re good, we‘re not.
Thank you to everyone who expressed love and support the last few days for myself and Zeke and Xander.
Xander is back 100%; his not so good blood results are still in the back of my mind.
Zeke is slowly recovering…again. ⬇️⬇️
We‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittenDetectives ! It‘s kind of fun that it takes place on the Ides of March! 😂
Whether you‘re going to South America or The Netherlands with Nancy, the title suggests there‘s a brass-bound trunk, and Nancy has to solve its mystery. What secret does it hold? Will Nancy have to fly a plane or steer an ocean liner? I guess we‘ll find out!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
We‘re going to Ancient Rome in this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead !
All are welcome to join! Please let me know if you wish to be added to or removed from the tag list.
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
#5JoysFriday
1. My boys…always!
2. Medications. Between Xander and Zeke, I have a small pet pharmacy at my house.
3. Vet care. I visited the vet 3 times this week (Xander twice and Zeke once). They cut me a break with the most recent visit. And, my vet truly cares.
4. My parents. They brought me a meal and have helped me pick up medications and cover the costs of one of the visits.
5. Litsy. It has been my saving grace this week.
Thanks for your patience, everyone, for the #LiteraryCrew discussion questions! I posted 6 questions as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Our next book is I Am Livia by Phyllis T Smith. A reminder will be posted tomorrow!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, willaful, AnishaInkspill, Lkempf6. The conclusion of Villette is famously ambiguous (it was made purposefully so by Brontë). Do you find it a happy ending? A sad one? ~from Penguin Random House Reader's Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. Explore the theme of education in Villette: What is the role of education in Lucy Snowe‘s own life? ~from Penguin Random House Reader's Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Virginia Woolf felt that Villette was Brontë‘s “finest novel,” and speaking about Brontë, wrote that “All her force, and it is the more tremendous for being constricted, goes into the assertion, ‘I love,‘ ‘I hate,‘ ‘I suffer.‘ ” What do you think Woolf means? Do you find this observation interesting, appealing, or moving? ~from Penguin Random House Reader's Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Writing to her publisher, Charlotte Brontë had this to say about Villette‘s protagonist: “I consider that [Lucy Snowe] is both morbid and weak at times; her character sets up no pretensions to unmixed strength, and anybody living her life would necessarily become morbid.” What do you think of this appraisal? Do her “unheroic” qualities make her more sympathetic or less? ~from Penguin Random House reader's guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Discuss the character of Lucy Snowe. Do you find her to be an admirable heroine? What qualities do you like in her, or dislike? How do you think you would behave in her circumstances? ~from Penguin Random House Reader's Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. Villette is considered Charlotte Bronte's most autobiographical novel. It's said that Lucy Snowe has some of Bronte's characteristics, and Monsieur Paul resembles Monsieur Heger, who one can argue Charlotte Bronte was fascinated by (or perhaps in love with). A link to an article about the Bronte sisters in Brussels is in the comments (hopefully it is not behind a paywall).
What did you think about the novel? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
#LiteraryCrew : My apologies, but I‘ll be late posting the discussion questions. Some of you know I have two sick kitties, and Zeke took another turn for the worse overnight. My energy is pretty much focused on administering various medications to cats, probably having to make my third vet visit this week, and trying not to fall asleep (I have not had a sound sleep in a couple of weeks).
Hopefully I‘ll post later today! So sorry! #BuddyRead
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, willaful, AnishaInkspill, Lkempf
Get ready to use your little grey cells—our next #ChristiesCapers book is the second Hercule Poirot novel.
Discussion will take place on March 30th! Please let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from the tag list. #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill
My March #BookSpinBingo list! Lots of buddy read titles, and I‘m hoping to get to my reread of the Jane Austen mystery series.
#NotBookRelated , but I am so over 2025, not only globally but in my own little world. Zeke had a setback of sorts, so I‘m waiting for next care instructions, and beginning last night, Xander has been ill. It was so abrupt! We have a visit soon to the vet. He‘s also not taken his full dose of heart meds, so I‘m worried.
pickWas this a cheesy story? A bit, yes. Was it also a good, fun distraction? Also, yes.
I read a review of this story somewhere and was happy to see it available through the Libby app. Two people meet through a dating app and are both obsessed with a newlywed game show. When the show gets a reboot, they decide to pose as newlyweds to fulfill a dream of being on the show. What could possibly go wrong???
#52BookClub25 #AudiobookHasMultipleNarrators
It‘s time for our #ChristiesCapers discussion! I have 6 questions as spoilers posted; you can find these on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Next month, we read the second Hercule Poirot novel, Murder on the Links. I‘ll post the official image tomorrow! #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill6. Christie served as a nurse during World War I, and we'll see her interest in poisons (we saw that in Styles last month) and medical situations throughout her canon of works. How does she bring in her knowledge of medicine into this novel?
More info on her work as a nurse (and will help this discussion point): https://hekint.org/2025/01/30/agatha-christie-nurse/
#ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
5. Did you figure out the identity of Mr. Brown before the big reveal? Were you suspicious as to the motives of some of the characters we meet in the book, thinking specifically of Mr. Carter, Julius, and Lord Edgerton? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
4. Tommy and Tuppence have separate adventures in this novel, and Tommy especially faces a potentially deadly situation. What are your thoughts on the adventures they face? Why do you think they take the risks they do in order to find Jane Finn? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
3. Let's talk about Tommy and Tuppence! What did you think of them as characters and as sleuths? Why do you think Christie created sleuths who were very different than Poirot? Would you hire Tommy and Tuppence to help you solve a crime? #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
2. Christie sets up the mystery again with references to World War I...makes sense, since this was published in 1922. This time, Christie begins with the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915.
How familiar are you with the Lusitania? Why do you think Christie uses a historical reference point to anchor (pun not intended) her story?
More info on the liner: https://www.pbs.org/lostliners/lusitania.html
#ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
1. This novel is the first in the Tommy and Tuppence series, which will eventually include 4 novels and 1 short story collection. This is also Christie's second novel, and we see a very different type of detective compared to Hercule Poirot!
Have you read The Secret Adversary before? Any of the Tommy and Tuppence novels? What are your overall thoughts to the book? We'll explore characters and themes later! #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
March‘s #LiteraryCrew selection aligns perfectly with the Ides of March…Julius Caesar, Rome, and politics.
For this low key #BuddyRead , read at your own pace throughout the month, and discussion questions will be posted on March 31st. I‘ll post periodic check ins throughout the month.
Please let me know if you would like added to or 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, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
Tomorrow (Sunday) is our next #ChristiesCapers discussion! Get ready to spend some time discussing Tommy and Tuppence and the Young Adventurers Ltd.
I‘ll post questions mid- to late-morning, US East Coast time. See you then! #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill
pickA slow meander through a fictional look at the start of Hollywood, with a sprinkling of nostalgia for the silent film industry. Doreen O‘Dare is the fictionalized portrayal of Colleen Moore, a silent film actress and the creator of the Fairy Castle. Reading this book makes me want to watch silent films! A good choice for #SundayBuddyRead .
#LitsyAToZ #LetterF #52BookClub25 #IThinkItWasBlue
#5JoysFriday
1. Fun book haul from Barnes and Noble
2. I received my federal tax return without issue. HUGE relief! And, because of this…
3. Making contributions to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, my local PBS station, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the National Parks Foundation.
4. Zeke is feeling better!
5. IRL book club
so-soI enjoyed the first half of this short novel; the second half was not so much. I previously struggled the last time with Conan Doyle‘s telling of past events in America, and this one left me feeling similarly. I guess I‘m all about Holmes‘s deductions and not reading about the lawless American West through the eyes of Conan Doyle!
So-so for me, but this checks off #LetterV #LitsyAToZ and #InThePublicDomain #52BookClub25 ! #NoPlaceLikeHolmes
pickA fun mystery with eccentric characters but also deeper layers of meaning and subtext. I think Judith Potts is a hoot! I loved the construction of the mystery—you kind of know who did it, but not how, and then a twist. I‘ll definitely read more in the series.
pickThanks to #NetGalley for this advanced listening copy…
Jeanne de Clisson is a forgotten real life figure during the Hundred Years‘ War—because she was a woman. And yet, she was fierce. A noblewoman set on revenge against the murder of her husband by the king. Legends abound, but she became a pirate and later retired to the English countryside.
This historical fiction account imagines her life, using rumor to play up her notoriety. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
I met a friend for lunch today, and we then went to the local Barnes and Noble after. I‘ve not been inside my local store since before 2020, so was amazed by the transformation (so much better layout) and the number of people shopping. Books are powerful!
I splurged heavy—book therapy is a thing—and walked away with these gems plus another copy of the Constitution, because it‘s good to have on hand. Free tote too with my membership!
“The cruel of heart have their own black happiness.”
Yes, yes they do. Life has not changed Mr. Hugo. #ReadLesMis
We‘re a little halfway through the month, so time to check in for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead . A few have bailed, and others are enjoying it. Any thoughts to share with the group?
Discussion will be posted on the 28th, but feel free to respond whenever you can…this one is a chunkster!
As a reminder, our March title is I Am Livia by Phyllis T Smith. Official reminder will be posted soon!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, willaful, Lkempf
Reminder: The next #ChristiesCapers discussion is next Sunday the 23rd! I‘ll post discussion questions, and feel free to respond whenever you can!
This is the first Tommy and Tuppence mystery, and judging by those who have already posted, it appears to be a popular pick. #AgathaChristieClubR3
janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, Soscha, Cuilin, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, mrp27, Larkken, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, Morr_Books, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill
Can you believe we‘re now up to book 17?!?
March‘s #NancyDrewBR follows Nancy on a trip—if you read the 1940 version, it‘s South America, and the 1976 version is the Netherlands. I think there must be a mystery surrounding a brass-bound trunk…😂
Discussion on March 15th! Please let me know if you would like to be added or removed from the tag list. Can‘t wait to see what amazing skills Nancy has this time, #LittenDetectives !
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittensDetectives ! There are 6 questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
I posted later than I had hoped—Zeke is doing better & is always hungry. Yay he‘s better, but I‘m pretty tired! 😂
Any other thoughts to share on the book, post below. Our next is The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk (very different editions). More tomorrow!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair6. I mentioned Bess in an earlier question, but let's talk characters. We see some more of Carson Drew, at least in the 1969 edition, and the girls really get to know Miss Carter. Any thoughts on the characters in this one? #NancyDrewBR
5. Let's think about the adventures in this book. Personally, I think Bess and George sleeping in the garage with all of those cats (1969 edition) is gross!
In the 1969 edition, Carson Drew defuses a bomb by pushing it with a rake...he learned a bit about bomb making and thought it might come in handy some day!
Any standout moments for you in this book? I did think it was creepy that Woonton could sneak around the house undetected. #NancyDrewBR
4. Both editions feature Persian cats and tap dancing in the narrative. Nancy also uses Morse code in the 1969 edition (my wiki sources are conflicted, so I'm not sure about the 1939 edition).
Links to more information, plus a Morse code translator, appear in the comments!
What did you think of the mystery or mysteries in this book? Personally, I'm still wincing over the number of cats in the garage thing! #NancyDrewBR
3. Controversies! In the 1939 edition, Nancy and George are drugged (this was removed from the 1969 edition due to protests). The 1939 edition also featured some discrimination in the text. As for 1969, which I noticed, Nancy mentions attending church as much as she can; criticisms addressed this in the story.
In addition, we've talked about Bess's portrayal throughout the books. Thoughts on her portrayal this time? #NancyDrewBR #LetHerEatCake
2. One wiki page I view indicates that the original story outline, written by Edna Stratemeyer Squire, was known for her more over-the-top plot devices, resulting in “unusual action, chapter climaxes, and various other events“ throughout the book.
The original story was written by Mildred Benson; sadly, I cannot find the revised author's name.
Would you agree with the over-the-top plot devices in this book? #NancyDrewBR
1. While there are similarities between the 1939 and the 1969 editions, the 1939 edition has Nancy on a cruise ship at one point and a close relationship between Gus Woonton and Miss Carter. The wiki pages I read for the various editions conflict this time, but it seems that Morse code only appears in the 1969 edition.
Which edition did you read? Overall thoughts? We'll go more in-depth next! #NancyDrewBR
I finally made my February #BookSpinBingo board!
And, for the first time ever, I had a bingo on my board. January turned out to be a good reading month for me.
Tomorrow is the day for our next #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittenDetectives ! Did our heroine solve the tapping noise? What‘s up with the cats? Depending upon the version read, it should be a good discussion.
I‘ll post questions under spoiler tags early tomorrow morning!
rubyslippersreads, DebinHawaii, DGRachel, BarkingMadRead, Jennifer3, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, JenlovesJT47, MariaW, CogsOfEncouragement, AnneCecilie, Born.A.Reader, lauraisntwilder, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, StayCurious, bookandbedandtea, Laughterhp, Sace, Bren912, kwmg40, CSeydel, Ruthiella, dabbe, Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures, Enchanted_Bibliophile, Allylu, TheAromaofBooks, Charityann, Roary47, Pageturner1, KristiAhlers, peanutnine, PageShifter, AmandaBlaze, julieclair
#5JoysFriday
1. My boys…always! Recent pictures!
2. Chocolate covered strawberries
3. Litsy, for giving me focus with wonderful people
4. Finished most of my taxes (not my local tax) and am hoping for my refunds to come without issue
5. My love for history and the knowledge that no matter how hard one tries, one can NEVER silence the truth.
I‘ve missed the past couple of weeks of joys, as, to be honest, I‘m struggling….
pickOnce again, Nancy has two mysteries to solve—a tapping noise in a house of a woman whose also had a number of Persian cats stolen (and let me just say, I cannot begin to imagine the litter box smell in the garage from the large number of Persians there). Nancy faces danger, and Bess plays Cupid. Secrets galore in this one. A fast read.
And please, let Bess eat the cake! #NancyDrewBR
I‘m guessing this sentence did not appear in the original 1939 edition: “‘That would be groovy.‘” 😂
#NancyDrewBR
#MentalHealthMonday checkin!
1. If I ignore the news, things are good today. Overall, though, I‘m feeling tired…so much stress and uncertainty. Sigh..,
2. When I remember, meditation. Taking breaths and trying to ground myself, especially when my anxiety flares up. I‘m also trying to eat better—less chocolate, more almonds!
3. I think any space to talk about mental health, no matter the topic, is beneficial. ❤️
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
