January starts the new round of #AgathaChristieClubR3 , and we‘ll read these #ChristiesCapers in original publication order.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first book. Published in 1920, this book introduced the world to Hercule Poirot.
Read at your own pace. Discussion on January 26th.
Let me know if you would like to be added to the tag last. And, feel free to post the cover of your edition!
January is a busy month for #LiteraryCrew ! We will discuss two books, the tagged book and Hester.
Read each book at your own pace, with discussion for Take the Mic on January 20th and Hester on January 31st.
If you like to be added to the tag list for this #BuddyRead , let me know!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks
January‘s #NancyDrewBR involves the theft of jewels and a footbridge that is guarded by a ghost. How will Nancy solve these mysteries? What other amazing skills will we learn she has?
Discussion takes place on January 15th!
If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, let me know!
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
It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittenDetectives ! I have 5 questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
Another book, another big difference between the editions! However, next month has only minor differences, so it should be easier for us to discuss! I‘ll post the official reminder for The Haunted Bridge tomorrow.
Thanks for reading with me!
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. This plays more into the 1970 edition, but the world of rare book collecting can be cutthroat and full of swindlers like Bassword.
Here is a 2016 article from LitHub that talks a bit about the rare book world and thievery: https://lithub.com/a-visit-to-the-shadowy-world-of-rare-book-theft/
#NancyDrewBR
4. Let's talk characters! We have the recurring characters appear in both editions. The 1970 edition Bess seemed really paranoid to me and always hungry and boy crazy (I'm getting a little tired of the constant comments about her eating).
Any thoughts on the characters this time, especially the good and bad characters introduced in the book?
How many who read the 1970 edition also wanted a fudge sundae after reading the book? 😂
#NancyDrewBR
3. There is a seaplane incident in the 1937 edition and a sailboat incident in the 1970 edition. Plus, Nancy finds herself in dangerous situations (Nancy stuck in the statue in the 1970 edition made me a little jittery!).
Let's think about the action events that took place in the book. What do you think? (My opinion, the prior two books were lackluster, but this was more plausible). #NancyDrewBR
2. Both editions introduce the terrier Togo to the story, though the 1970 briefly mentions the dog. For those who read the 1937 edition, did Togo add to the story?
The 1970 edition is the first time Nancy goes undercover with an alias...Debbie Lynbrook. For those who read the 1970 edition, what did you think of Nancy's undercover work? Did it work well with the plot? #NancyDrewBR
1. This month's book has two different versions again:
The original 1937 edition features a whispering statue that resembles Nancy and Nancy's investigation in locating a client's estranged husband.
The 1970 edition also has a whispering statue that looks like Nancy, but Nancy investigates a swindle taking place involving her client and rare books.
Which edition did you read? Overall thoughts on the book? #NancyDrewBR
pickA whispering statue that looks like Nancy Drew. A collection of rare books that are involved in a swindle. Nancy again has two mysteries to solve, going undercover to collect the clues. This one is much better than the prior book in the series. And, like Bess, I really want a fudge sundae now.
Discussion tomorrow; questions will be posted mid- to late morning East Coast time. #NancyDrewBR
#Zeke #Xander #CatsOfLitsy
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
PSA: If you have a #NetGalley account and have enjoyed the Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney series, as introduced to many of us through #PemberLittens , book 4 is now available to request!
I‘m grabbing my copy today!!
pickEve battles a terrifying enemy in this addition to the In Death series. Lots of violence, and Eve is once again wrestling with her emotions surrounding her personal life while also living through flashbacks of her horrific past. Another great one! #InDeathLongReadalong
#Xander #CatsOfLitsy
pickMy first time reading an Ellery Queen mystery & it won‘t be the last. There were twists in this one that I did not see coming. The premise too—twelve days of Christmas, twelve gifts with a sinister undertone—is a perfect recipe for a mystery. If this were a modern day mystery, I could see the suspense playing out even more in really twisted ways.
I took this picture earlier today. #Zeke is doing very well! The meds are working! #CatsOfLitsy
Not a book-related post, but please send special thoughts for Zeke. A couple years ago, he had pancreatitis. In the last two days, he has started to exhibit the same symptoms. When he refuses yummies, you know it‘s bad.
We go to the vet this afternoon. He‘s 13 and has lost a lot of weight the last couple of days.
I love all of my cats, but Zeke has been with me since I found him in my car as a 6-8 week old. He‘s special. #catsoflitsy #zeke
I received @BarbaraJean ‘s #AuldLangSpine list, and it looks great! I think I‘ll tackle True Biz first…it‘s been on my list to read for a long time, so this is the perfect time to go for it. I love the variety that is also on here, so I can go classic with Heyer or Sayers or more contemporary with Moore or Osman.
Plus, you gotta love Kate DiCamillo!
Thanks, @monalyisha , for matching us!
I am very behind addressing holiday cards this year! The first batch is ready for the post office tomorrow, but I still have a number of #LitsyLove cards to write out.
I‘m also behind on sending letters…if you sent me a letter since mid-August, it‘s on my stack to respond to, and I‘ll do so over the next few weeks.
My spare time has been divided between doomscrolling and job searching. Doomscrolling is horrible, & the freelance world is crazy!
January 2025 begins a new round of Agatha Christie reading in publication order, as per the Agatha Christie website (link in comments).
The first is the 1920 The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the first Hercule Poirot book.
I‘ll post an official Styles graphic closer to January, but wanted to give a reminder that our reading starts soon!
Comment below to be added to the tag list!
#ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3
Aims42, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mrp27, Deblovestoread, ferskner, MaleficentBookDragon, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Skygoddess1, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, PageShifter, willaful, Seabreeze_Reader, AnishaInkspill
Our final #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead for 2024 is the tagged historical fiction novel. Discussion on the 31st!
If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, let me know!
And don‘t forget to check out the 2025 list!
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
We‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittenDetectives ! What secrets will Nancy discover from a statue that supposedly whispers?
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
#LiteraryCrew discussion time! I have 5 questions posted as spoilers. These can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or searching the group hashtag.
Please feel free to visit the questions whenever you like. This time, there are several links for more information.
December‘s book is Kaia Alderson‘s Sisters in Arms. The official post will go up tomorrow!
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks5. I would be remiss not to mention the relations between British men and Indian women. As detailed by de Courcy, while the initial British occupation had looser laws and regulations, by the mid-nineteenth century, the British strictly forbade couplings.
However, we all know what can happen...
The lasting legacy of Anglo-Indian descendants is complicated. Article from the Royal Historical Society linked below. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. de Courcy details the climate, vegetation, and bugs (shudders!) that faced the British women upon arrival. Moldy shoes within 24 hours! I cannot imagine (I am not a fan of the heat and humidity).
Victorian social mores also restricted women from adopting cooler clothing. The part about flannel was shocking.
de Courcy also mentions coping mechanisms used. Any stand outs for you? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. de Courcy uses diaries and letters from women who made the journey to India as well as military and government men stationed in India. Did any story stand out to you? Anything surprise you? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. One of the criticisms regarding the scope of this book is de Courcy's focus only on husband-seeking aristocratic women. But, women traveled to India for other opportunities. Link to an article (hopefully not a paywall) in which an Indian news agency interviews another British author about her research into British women in India.
Focusing on the main point of this book, were you familiar with the “Fishing Fleet?“ #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. de Courcy's nonfiction account follows aristocratic women on their trek to British occupied India in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
First, let's look at the history of this time. How familiar are you with what is termed the British Raj?
Two sources to read: One looks at the British impact on India from an Asian studies standpoint, & the other is a brief article from the BBC. Links in comments. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
#20in4 is back!
My goal is to complete a few of the many, many books I am currently reading—3 completions with a stretch goal of 5.
I‘m overdue to submit a book review to my local independent bookstore, so item two on the list is to read the book this weekend.
I‘m not sure if I can reach 20 hours this weekend, so my goal is 10 hours, with a stretch goal of 20.
Welcome back, @Andrew65 !
pickThis one was slightly better than the past two in the series. Even though amateur sleuths are supposed to be super inquisitive, Holly‘s disregard of her loved one‘s concerns really bothers me. Other sleuths do the same thing, so I‘m not sure why it bothers me with Holly! However, it‘s still a pick for me, and Mistletoe, Maine will soon rival Cabot Cove, Maine for murders.
I baked my Andes Mint cookies this afternoon while listening to this.
pick“‘When the world is this abysmal, getting used to it is the worst thing that can happen to you.‘”
Holly, you were so right about this one!
I find this to be more accessible than Fahrenheit 451, though I think it‘s because the prose is more to my liking. It‘s also eerily a parallel to the current book banning climate in the US, so much so that it felt in parts like I was reading a nonfiction text.
And this is meant to be satire! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Announcing the 2025 #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead lost!
Thanks to everyone who voted. I think it‘s a great reading list! As in the past, read each book at your own pace, with discussions at the month.
We had a tie in the voting, so I made Take the Mic a special discussion on January 20th.
If you are tagged, you‘re on the list for next year! If you would also like to be tagged, comment below!
mcctrish, mjdowens, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks
The final #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is this historical fiction title! Read at your own pace to throughout the month of December. Discussion on December 31st!
All are welcome to join! If you would like to be added to the tag list, let me know!
I am also tallying the votes for 2025; I‘ll post the results soon!
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
Squee! I‘m registered!
I‘ve been so fortunate with the amazing books I found thanks to this yearly event. Thanks to all the hard work by @monalyisha to make the matches, and thanks to @LiteraryinPA , @katy4peas , @MallenNC , and @Chrissyreadit for the great lists (I still have titles from the lists on my to read list). #AuldLangSpine
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!
LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks
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.
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
19h