Happy Jane Austen's birthday to all who celebrate! I am getting REALLY excited to read her novels again with the #PemberLittens in 2025. I'm also really excited to break out this gorgeous new copy of Mansfield Park and *dig in deep*. Who's ready to join me on the Fanny Price Defense Squad? Up with strongly held principles! Down with am-dram hedonism! #HappyBirthdayJane #JaneAusten

Tom the Book Thief strikes again! #CurrentlyReading #TomKitten #CatsOfLitsy

I'm still making my way through Betty Gilpin's funny, dark, honest - yet frustrating - collection of essays, and while I don't know yet how I feel about the whole, I had to cackle at this line. There's always room at the table next to me if we're gonna be shading Hemingway! #CurrentlyReading #CurrentlyListening #audiobook

The play-reading spree continues! I recently finished off these two in quick succession and loved them both. Even on the page, you can see how engaging Fleabag was as a live solo work, and being a huge fan of the TV series, it was cool to see what was chosen for expansion in a new medium. Meanwhile Choir Boy is one of my favorite new plays of the past decade(ish). One review called it "a poem inside a play" and I couldn't agree more.

I had hoped that there would be some deeper meditation here on the nature of what it means to choose happiness, or on self vs. community, or any number of other topics. But instead it's a fairly straight-ahead first person account of a depressed woman heading into the holiday season. Not bad but not great, either, and ultimately as good as any other Christmas-adjacent book to kick off the season.

Even the stage directions slay me! You know I can't resist the move to wax poetic about my favorite art form. #SeeMoreTheatre

Choose your fighter!

In last few years, a number of new plays have been written that explore, critique, or investigate Arthur Miller's classic. One of them, John Proctor is the Villain, will have a Broadway run this spring so I figured it was a good time to revisit them as a series of sorts. Each retelling is great in its own way, but the tagged book by the unmatched Sarah Ruhl is the true stunner- surprising, heartbreaking, complex, and defiant.

First snow of the year here in Detroit! Not a ton of it stuck, but it was still perfect weather for an evening walk with an audiobook. I love love love winter- bring on all the snow! #audiowalk #CurrentlyListening #DetroitLove #MittenLitten

Somehow yesterday was just an absolutely phenomenal day on Hamlet Twitter. #hamlettwt

Two weeks ago, I saw the new Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet, so of course I had to revisit the source material beforehand! Like a million others, R&J was my introduction to Shakespeare. I don't love this play but I'm grateful for the teacher who made my 6th grade class read it. It made me a stronger, more confident reader in general and got me curious enough to seek out more of Shakespeare's work, enriching my whole life as a result. ❤️

Another afternoon at my favorite cafe with a rose iced tea and a book I can't put down. Something light and lovely is just what I've been needing! #CurrentlyReading

My best friends and I do an annual reading getaway to an up-north cabin, and that weekend is finally here! Is 40 books too many? Inquiring minds would like to know... #CurrentlyReading #MittenLitten

This was my book club's October pick, and I'm so glad it was. I doubt I'd have read it on my own, and I'd have missed out on a cool, magical, kind of witchy story. I loved the two sisters and their bond despite the distance and mysteries between them. Rumor has it that a TV adaptation is on the way, and I'd totally watch it- bonus if they do the right thing and cast Jack Wolfe as Nicholas because come ON!

No character in this book behaves like a rational human being at any point, and most of the "reveals" feel pretty obvious, but those things didn't stop me from plowing through this silly, deliciously trashy revenge thriller about a group of women getting a violent comeuppance from the person they relentlessly bullied at school. Kind of brought me back to my RL Stine Fear Street/Christopher Pike teen horror days, and ngl, it was pretty fun.

At times this book felt both obtuse and a little smug, I hate to say; I mean, who could've guessed that living in a place with some of the world's best air quality, bike-able cities, generous social supports, and an abundance of green spaces would lead to better physical and mental health?! I wanted to roll my eyes at times, but also, my kingdom for an invigorating daily cold swim followed by a steamy sauna! I'll take aspirational reading any day.

A little Sunday night Shakespeare for the soul. Not quite halfway through the tagged book yet, and still making up my mind about it, but there's no doubt that the project it chronicles - a two-year, worldwide tour performing Hamlet in every country on earth- is grand, audacious, and worth learning more about. #CurrentlyReading

I'd been slightly afraid I'd over-hyped this one for myself, but not to worry- it was every bit as decadent and lush as I'd hoped, with the kinds of larger-than-life heroes I love: full of gorgeous, stupid yearning and passion. I can't get enough of our two messy, slutty, big-hearted protagonists, and the pure vibes of each dreamy location are enough to make me swoon. Read with lots of sunshine and an indulgent drink and you won't be sorry.

That reminds me, I'm due for a re-read of the tagged book...

In all seriousness, I will accept no slander of my girl Susan and her fully epic take on the Phantom. How this complete and total fanfic ever got published, I don't know, but the 13 year old that perpetually lives in me is so grateful that it did! 😭😂🙏

I keep an eye out for early editions of Maud Hart Lovelace's books in every used bookstore I go to. I've never been lucky enough to catch one in the wild until this past week! Lo and behold, a tiny, wonderful used bookstore in a tiny northern Michigan town had this glorious copy waiting for me. #BetsyTacy #MaudHartLovelace #MittenLitten

I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels or comics, but my husband is a lifelong devotee. So every now and then I'll join him on his rounds to the comic shops and pick something up, and we'll spend the day reading comics together. Today's lazy afternoon features Spawn Vol. 2 for him and The Children's Crusade for me, after finishing off Heinberg and Cheung's original run of The Young Avengers. Don't look now, but a new Wiccan fangirl is born!

I got to read this lovely book by one of my favorite authors while staying in a cabin on 29 acres in Michigan's glorious "up north". It's been a wonderful week and getting to spend it digging into this love story was a great bonus. This one is slightly melancholy, as Rowell's books can be, but gives us an honest, bittersweet picture of how people can weave in and out of our lives through the decades. Lots of heart, definitely recommend.

Rebelling against a restrictive and rigid faith, mad support for the LGBTQ+, a girl inspired by art, and a literal musical triumph over the high school alt-right? What's not to love?! Sure, Hope's mom's turnaround in perspective felt a little too good to be true, and OK, I skipped most of the sci-fi story-within-a-story, but overall, so enjoyable. I can never resist self-discovery, good friends, and great music. #BooksAndBlooms

As a cat-obsessed 7 year-old, Socks was the first Beverly Cleary book I ever read. In a fit of nostalgia, I bought this old copy and my cat-loving heart has only softened with age because what do you mean they threw their beloved pet out and made him live in the garage?!?! Cleary's descriptions of Socks' loneliness and bewilderment in the midst of a new baby coming still tug at my heart and made me hug my own #TomKitten and #ColeCat more closely.

Twitter coming in hot with the commentary on Mary Rodgers' excellent memoir! Though she is often recognized in connection with her legendary composer father, Richard Rodgers, and her Tony award-winning son, Adam Guettel, Mary was an award-winning composer and author herself. Come for the scathing one-liners and take-downs (Arthur Laurents gets gloriously dragged); stay for the honesty of a woman who was outspoken, complicated, and gutsy as hell.

Poolside and revisiting some much-loved YA- a perfect way to pass an afternoon. #DetroitLove #currentlyreading

Littens, I am *obsessed*! Don't skip this oral history of Judi Dench's time playing all the Shakespeare greats, her recollections, and her insight into Shakespeare's characters and writing. I thought I'd miss her signature voice in the audiobook but Barbara Flynn is wonderful. Longing for time-travel so I can go back for her Gertrude in Hamlet (with Daniel Day-Lewis, obvs), Beatrice in Much Ado, Regan in Lear, Lady M., and Imogen in Cymbeline.

Antony and Cleopatra has never been a fave of mine so I hoped to find something new here to spark my interest. Unfortunately, though, it kind of fell flat. There was so much of the text included that I felt like I may as well just read the play, and the author's take on the character felt one-dimensional. Still, Bloom's love of Shakespeare is contagious so it's not a total miss. Definitely pick up the others in this series on Lear and Falstaff!

I enjoyed this little book, telling the stories of 11 bookstores (largely in the Midwest) and offering suggestions to us, the readers, about how we might strengthen and safeguard them. I came solely for the chapter on Detroit's beloved Source Booksellers (my heart!); I stayed for the undeniable sense of purpose that was so evident in every interview. We as a community of readers are so lucky to be served by these passionate booksellers.

I am *in love* with this vintage Folio set of Austen's compete works- a gift from my thoughtful husband. Kicking off a full re-read with Sense and Sensibility, my sentimental favorite forever. #PemberLittens #CurrentlyReading

In case anyone's wondering why the reading's gotten so slow... #TomKitten #CatsOfLitsy #menace

Finished These Precious Days and figured I'd stay on the Patchett bandwagon with another of her works that's been languishing on my TBR list. I'm into it so far- Ann and Lucy's relationship reminds me so much of the intense friendships of my 20s, but of course their own unique experiences make the book even more compelling. #CurrentlyReading

Sunday night with blooming peonies and a new book, rain pouring down, a bellini in hand, and another day off tomorrow. Vibes are immaculate. Books of essays aren't always my jam, but a good friend and reading buddy recommended this one, so here we go! #CurrentlyReading #BooksAndBlooms

First a stop at Books Are Magic and now some ice cream. Love visiting a new-to-me bookstore on a trip! #BooksAreMagic

Happy Shakespeare's birthday to all who celebrate! I'll be spending my evening finishing Harold Bloom's treatise on Falstaff, the second volume I'm reading in his Shakespeare's Personalities series after picking up his book on Lear late last year. Next up- Cleopatra! #Shakespeare

I love an epistolary novel, and this one is a killer. A short, gut-punch of a story, written in 1938, about two friends whose relationship unravels as the Nazis rise to power. There's an abrupt shift in the tone and subject of the letters near the end, but the payoff is swift and mighty. I was taken by the story as whole, and even more so by the afterward which posits the idea of "using a letter as a weapon." Chilling and, unfortunately, timely.

Babe, wake up, new Walsh Sisters novel just dropped! #CurrentlyReading

I mean, I'd pay cash money to read "too many beds". ?? #Tropes

Very much same. Long live those white covers and the six stock stories we got for every girl. (No, genuinely, it was the greatest setup!) Any other AG OGs hanging around? #AmericanGirl

Been in my audiomemoir era this week and have finally finished these titles. Some I started ages ago (Herzog, I love you, but not for extended periods) and some I blazed through (Born a Crime for the third time, can never seem to turn it off once I start). But I liked all of them in different ways and recommend each one!

Used bookstore treasure- a very early edition of Daddy Long Legs. I know there are many reasons for this story to give modern audiences the Weirds, but I love it without reserve. Judy Abbott forever and ever, amen.

What a beautiful, unsettling cacophony of a novel. Told in prose, poetry, letters, and journal entries, chronology all out of whack, it mirrors the sleepless, disorienting, disjointed experience of early motherhood, specifically ruminating on art and motherhood; work and motherhood; and the work of motherhood. Also featured: loss of self, shifts in relationships, pain, both physical and emotional, isolation, and brutal honesty. A masterpiece, tbh.

I intended to get caught up on a few chapters for the #PemberLittens on today's solo cafe date, but I got so sucked in that I finished the book completely. This has to be one of my favorite Austen adaptations. I love that this Emma fights back when Knightley lectures, and I love the career trajectory the authors set her on. The epilogue sets up the sequel (or companion?) novel really nicely, too, so I'm definitely going to have to check that out.

#PemberLittens, go and read the comments. You will not be sorry.
https://twitter.com/blgtylr/status/1771336665996398912

Tonight's chapters show us one of my very favorite moments in Emma- her dance with Knightley. It's a beautiful moment in Austen's prose, and I absolutely die for it in the 2009 mini-series (the version to beat all versions, 2020 adaptation GTFO). But it's very sweet here, too, with Emma dancing barefoot and Knightley internally acknowledging his undeniable feelings. A little over halfway through this book and I am fully bought in! #PemberLittens

Last time I dipped into Austen's unfinished works, I skipped The Watsons, so time to right that wrong! I'm addicted to these gorgeous editions, can't stop won't stop (collecting books I don't need). #PemberLittens

Today we meet our Frank Churchill stand-in, the improbably named Montgomery Knox. He rolls into town like 2024's version of Christopher Hayden, all charming unreliability and aggressive flirtation, and - of course - with a motorcycle. Emma wants to know him better, but she abruptly stops their after-dinner makeout session at the thought of Knightley. I WONDER WHY, EMMA! #JaneAdjacent #PemberLittens

Cue "Supermodel"! Emma properly meets Nadine, and after swiftly judging her clothes, boyfriend, and prospective job, drags her around NYC for expensive haircuts, Loewe boots, and a dinner with Emma's loved ones. Knightley turns on the charm for Nadine, much to Emma's disbelief, and is dismissive of her work "transforming" Nadine. Still, he and Emma settle in for a cozy movie together at the end of the night- feelings are growing! #PemberLittens

We get some real My Best Friend's Wedding vibes in today's first chapter, with Emma taking the stage to belt out a terrible (drunken) number in front of a crowd. And much like Dermot Mulroney in the movie, Knightley is sold on the woman brashly owning her subpar performance. Their coffee not-date in the following chapter shows us some solid banter and the beginning of real sparks. And by the chapter's end? Enter Harriet! Or in this story, Nadine.

I was excited to start this today! It's been a couple of years since I've read an Austen adaptation and this one seems really cute. I have a notoriously hard time with Emma's self-centered snobbery, but I'm attempting to suspend all of my judgement and just enjoy this new version. It's off to a good start so far- I like the amalgamation of Isabella and Mrs. Weston, and Knightley has already caught my interest! #PemberLittens #JaneAdjacent

Approaching Jane Eyre as a sacred text? Sign me up! Fitting reading for a contemplative Sunday. #CurrentlyReading