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readinginthedark
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This was a fun Valentine's Day! We didn't make any special plans but ended up eating dinner together and exchanging a few gifts. The picture is what we gave my 7yo. We gave my 1yo a soft, pastel, crocheted snake and a shirt that says, "This princess can save herself." I gave my husband some flowers, a box of chocolates, and a pair of nice socks. And he gave me some chocolate covered strawberries and made me a margarita and steak. ? True love!

merelybookish Is baby R a year old already?! 4y
batsy I can't believe the littlest one is already one 😁 Nice seeing you around here! 4y
62 likes2 comments
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readinginthedark
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My department at work is throwing the March birthday party for my building, and we've decided to do a Dr. Seuss theme! Should be fun. Starting a little "research" for creative snack inspiration, because I found Pinterest to be a little overwhelming. What Seuss-themed treat would you like to eat?

myellenbee Clearly green eggs and ham. Make green deviled egg filling by adding avocado. 4y
Grrlbrarian I‘ve seen truffula tree cake pops and they looked delish 😋 4y
readinginthedark @myellenbee I was planning something like that, but my coworkers said they'd be grossed out and couldn't eat it. 🤷‍♀️ I'm thinking maybe green matcha cookies with lemon curd to look like the green eggs? 4y
readinginthedark @Grrlbrarian Fun! I've never made cake pops before, might be a good time to try! 4y
47 likes4 comments
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readinginthedark
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I just discovered this podcast with author Marlon James and his editor, Jake Morrissey! It's so good, and as a lover and critic of classic literature, I really appreciate their discussions of old books they love, old books they appreciate, old books they hate, misguided choices by authors...etc. etc. If you listen to podcasts, try it out!

Jas16 I am definitely going to give this a try. I already listen to too many podcasts but this sounds great. 4y
readinginthedark @Jas16 Oh I know, I'm the same way! They just started it, so there are only three episodes now, which I figure is a good place for me to start. Worth a listen for sure! 4y
54 likes2 comments
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readinginthedark
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Had a little time to read yesterday at lunch, which feels so rare now, unfortunately. Skeets's poetry is harsh but beautiful. I find his word choices so fascinating but haven't been able to read more than a few pages at a time because it's so intense.

I won't be expecting much of myself, but hoping to get back in the habit of signing in here regularly. And my youngest is turning one-year-old tomorrow! Where does the time go?

ju.ca.no Lunch reading time is great! I Usually never get that unfortunately😕 hope your little one has a great first birthday!! 4y
readinginthedark @ju.ca.no Me neither. 😕 This was a rarity. And thank you! 4y
48 likes2 comments
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readinginthedark
Harry Potter | JK Rowling
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Every year I make a schultüte for my son when he starts school and fill it with additional fun school and art supplies for him to use at home. He's so into Harry Potter right now, so I made a HP themed one this year! I included the new wand we're putting in the cone in this picture. My husband made it with wood and epoxy. I think both things turned out well. (Disclaimer: I'm not German, and I don't follow the tradition of this exactly.)

Lindy 😮🙌 5y
readinginthedark @Lindy Thanks! It turned out better than I expected! 5y
69 likes2 comments
review
readinginthedark
Charlaine Harris Cemetery Girl Book Three: Haunted | Christopher Golden, Charlaine Harris
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Pickpick

I finally finished this graphic novel trilogy! This was a solid ending to an enjoyable run. The premise is a girl who wakes up in a cemetery only remembering that someone tried to kill her and dumped her body there. This series didn't quite play out as I expected. The art on this one was missing something from the other two, and the second one felt like it drifted a bit, but still good. For people who like suspense and gns with actual storylines!

aprilpohren Ohhh! This sounds really good!! 5y
readinginthedark @aprilpohren The second book in the trilogy was probably my least favorite (as it goes), but altogether they were a solid, fun storyline. I'd recommend it if you like graphic novels and/or mysteries! 5y
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
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readinginthedark
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I'm still a bit behind in the "keeping up with things" department. But I'm reading this book with daily pages on classical music this year. I'm behind, but today I listened to this beautiful, melancholy piece and wanted to share it with you.

Burton-Hill says, "Here is Schumann, getting his private anguish down on paper...saving himself, yes, but in the process of the music being received by us...and processed and felt and loved, saving us too."

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readinginthedark
Friday | Mary Lindeen
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Thanks to @Dragonfairykats for the tag! Trying to get back in the swing of things.
1. Feeding the littlest one baby cereal for the first time without her spitting it up all over me or having a blow-out! 😆
2. Out of the places I've been so far? Germany!
3. If I have to choose, apple pie. Or better yet, peach!
4. Sure! Tirwd thinking about a Cub Scout Event, but hopefully it won't be that exhausting.
5. Will do!
@howjessreads #friyayintro

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readinginthedark
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Recently, I've been mourning the loss of an amazing girl I used to know. It's been 8 years or so since I last saw her, and she was only 16 when she killed herself. Such a beautiful, musical, and rambunctious soul. My grief reminded me that working with kids gives me the chance to make a difference in someone's life. It also made me realize how much, even as an introvert, I crave connection with others. And now I'm back on Litsy. I missed you all.

Cathythoughts Beautiful post .... grief ♥️💔. I love this poem 5y
batsy ❤️❤️ (Lovely to see you back, btw.) 5y
mabell Glad you are back ❤️ I hope your family is doing well. We need to have another meetup soon! 5y
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Scorpioseah Thanks for sharing this poem , i can totally relate it . 5y
MaureenMc 💕 5y
Jas16 I am so sorry for your loss 5y
cobwebmoth *hugs* 5y
Bookzombie 💗Glad you are back. 5y
readinginthedark @Cathythoughts @batsy @Scorpioseah @MaureenMc @Jas16 @cobwebmoth @Bookzombie @mabell Thank you all so much! I saw these comments when you posted them but didn't answer, I'm sorry. I'm finally in a place where I can watch videos of her and listen to her sing without crying uncontrollably. The mommy hormones don't help. But I'm letting myself grieve slowly, and at least I can smile through my tears. I appreciate your support more than I can say. 5y
readinginthedark @mabell Agreed! What do you think of the last weekend of September? My schedule's a little crazy, but if that works for you, I'll post something about it for everyone. 5y
mabell @readinginthedark I‘m sorry it has taken so long for me to reply! I kept forgetting to check with Chris about that weekend. I think it should work. Fall gets busy for us - it seems like there is something every weekend! 5y
readinginthedark @mabell So sorry! I offered September and then haven't been on since. I don't know if you've discussed another meet-up time, but I'm thinking I could swing sometime in early March or late April or May, if we want to do a Spring meet-up! 4y
mabell Sounds good, and welcome back! 4y
readinginthedark @mabell Thanks! I'll get a few dates in mind and post something soon. If I get sidetracked and forget, just remind me! 4y
51 likes14 comments
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readinginthedark
A Midsummer-night's Dream | William Shakespeare
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I'm slowly but surely catching up with all of my follows and comments here, which is why I haven't really been "on." But I'm here! And I'm reading the current #ShakespeareReadalong This is a reread for me, and so far, I'm still loving it!
@GingerAntics @merelybookish

teainthelibrary It's great, isn't it? The discussions have been awesome too! 5y
GingerAntics Loving this play so much. I‘ve seen it, but I‘m trying to figure out what took me so long to read it. 5y
readinginthedark @teainthelibrary I haven't caught up on the discussions yet, but they're always great! 5y
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readinginthedark @GingerAntics It took me longer than some of the other plays, too, but it's a really great one for easy reading, I feel like. 5y
GingerAntics Definitely agree on that. It seems to just sort of go. I can really see why people say this is a great intro to Shakespeare for small children. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics It definitely is! This is the first one I saw performed! I think the first one I read in full was Romeo and Juliet 😒 but I have fond memories of seeing this one in person and on screen. 5y
GingerAntics We watched part of it in theatre class in high school. I think it was a video of Shakespeare in the part in NYC if I remember correctly. The parts we saw made me fall in love with Fairyland. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics 💗 I love that these plays bring up so many great memories while we read! 5y
merelybookish Hey! Glad you're enjoying it! I'm loving it, much to my surprise. The language just feels extra extra rich! 5y
readinginthedark @merelybookish Yes, it's definitely one that plays to the crowd, I think! 5y
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readinginthedark
Shakespeare on Film | Judith R. Buchanan
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I stumbled across this interesting opinion piece on Book Riot and thought my fellow #ShakespeareReadalong buds would be interested!:

https://bookriot.com/2019/03/25/shakespeare-adaptations-suck

I actually like a lot of Shakespeare film adaptations, but I definitely agree that it's a different experience than seeing a performance in person.
@GingerAntics @merelybookish

RJHowe There are great film adaptions and poor ones. But I have seen some stage productions of the Bard‘s work that were terrible as well. 5y
callielafleur Wow, I really disagree with this take. The Much Ado film is wonderful, and modern adaptations of his plays like 10 Things I Hate About You and West Side Story are so necessary. Especially when you consider that if you take out movies, most people's experience with Shakespeare is not seeing it on the stage, but reading it out loud in English class. Certainly movies are better than that, right? 5y
readinginthedark @RJHowe @callielafleur Oh, I agree; I love some of the movies! I also love the experience of seeing the plays live on stage, so I think they're just different. I'm guessing the author of this article gets a lot more personally out of the interactivity of a stage production. 5y
GingerAntics I agree that there are better adaptations than others, but to write them all off because some of them are bad is not fair. 5y
44 likes5 comments
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readinginthedark
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He's been able to read this for quite a while, but now he's starting to develop different voices for characters when he reads aloud! I love it! 😍 #raisingreaders

Tanisha_A That's awesome! 😀 5y
readinginthedark @Tanisha_A Isn't it? Future storytime leader! 💗 5y
batsy Aww! Can't wait till he gets to Shakespeare 😁❤️ 5y
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398.2 Aww that‘s sweet! 5y
readinginthedark @batsy We've read a couple of children's adaptations and he likes the censored versions, so I hope he'll be a Shakespeare lover! 5y
readinginthedark @398.2 😊💗 5y
73 likes1 stack add6 comments
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readinginthedark
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Today is my husband's first day back at work from paternity leave and my baby's first day at daycare. We're doing some trial days to work out the kinks before I go back to work. So...mall walk and coffee with a friend, and then a much-needed naptime! Using this for my Store Sign Square on #LitsyWalkers Bingo!
@kaye
I'm reading in bits and pieces but not consistently yet...I promise to try and make more actual book posts soon!

Kaye Sounds good ! Good luck with daycare 👶🏻 5y
readinginthedark @kaye Thanks! Today went well, so I have high hopes. 5y
55 likes2 comments
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readinginthedark
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It was so nice outside today! My boys did some yard work and cleared the garden, and then I took the kids for a walk. My first long postpartum walk; I'm exhausted, but in a good way. I forgot to take a picture, but I'm counting this for #LitsyWalkers Bingo, because you know we ended up at a playground. 😆
(Tagging a devotional I'm currently reading with my mom. Not sure how I feel about it yet.)
@kaye

Kaye ✨✨✨✨Great job. 5y
46 likes2 comments
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readinginthedark
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I'm way behind on all my reading, but I thought all of you would appreciate her new onesie! (She's one-month-old and over ten pounds now; it's so wild!)

GingerAntics 🥰🥰🥰 she‘s such a cutie 5y
pocketmermaid Hahaha, love it! 5y
merelybookish So cute! And her onesie is spot on! 5y
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Reggie What a cutie!!! And consider yourself lucky, I was born 10lbs and my brother was born 11lbs. Lol 5y
Wife Beautiful baby!💕 5y
CouronneDhiver Gorgeous ❤️❤️ 5y
CarolynM Love the onesie😂. She's gorgeous❤️ 5y
Lcsmcat Awwwwww! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm ❤️🥰 5y
readinginthedark @Reggie Oh I do, believe me! My family makes big babies, so I'm just lucky my kids tended more towards my husband's family! 😆 5y
Smrloomis Look at those cheeks! 🧡 5y
readinginthedark @Smrloomis I know; my kids are such lovably chunky babies! 💗 5y
kspenmoll What a sweetheart!! Love her onesie. How do you have time to read?! Relax! 5y
readinginthedark @kspenmoll 😆 I don't really. I read a little while I'm breastfeeding, but much less than I usually would. I can't even listen to as many audiobooks, 'cause I'm worried I won't hear her fussing with the headphones on. 5y
kspenmoll @readinginthedark Babies first!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5y
britt_brooke 💕💕💕 5y
83 likes20 comments
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readinginthedark
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Got out of the house and ran a few errands with the babe tonight! I finished early and had some time to sit in the car reading while waiting for my husband and oldest to finish with Cub Scouts. Youngest slept the whole time.

GingerAntics 💙💙💙 5y
48 likes1 comment
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readinginthedark
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Started this ARC last night and breezed through the first 100 pages, which is fast for me. So far, this is a really interesting reflection from Mulgrew on her parents, family, and childhood. It reminds me a little of Then Again by Diane Keaton--not because their lives were the same, but because the style of writing forms its own kind of subgenre in the family memoir vein. Looking forward to the rest of this book!

Prairiegirl_reading She‘s such a great audio narrator I think I‘ll get this on audio. I didn‘t know she was coming out with a new one. 😄 5y
Djspens My husband went to school with Kate, I will have to order this! 5y
readinginthedark @Prairiegirl_reading Ooh, I bet this is great on audio! I still need to read Born with Teeth; maybe I'll read that one in another medium. This one was from Netgalley, so I only have it on my Nook. 5y
readinginthedark @Djspens How fun! It would be interesting to compare how her life seemed from the outside versus the inside. 5y
46 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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readinginthedark
The Secret Garden (Collins Classics) | Frances Hodgson Burnett
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I may be stuck here for a while. 😆😍 Impromptu reading and cuddling time! The dishes can wait!
#priorities

GingerAntics Aaaaaaaaaaw what dishes!!! That face says their are no dishes!!! 5y
Mtroiano Precious! 5y
Lcsmcat Awwww! 5y
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Tanisha_A Adorable! 5y
batsy ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
readinginthedark @Tanisha_A @batsy I know! She's just amazing! 5y
wordzie ❤👶 5y
91 likes1 stack add9 comments
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readinginthedark
King Henry IV, Part I | William Shakespeare
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I had a busier weekend than expected and only ended up with 7 hours, but it was still fun! Made a little progress on 5 different books, including Act I of this play. It was a bit confusing, but I enjoyed the wordplay, as usual. Curious to see what Prince Henry will do after this. Could go anywhere!
#24B4Monday #ShakespeareReadalong
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65 @GingerAntics @merelybookish

GingerAntics He‘s a bit of a twat if you ask me, but you might like him. Spoiled brat comes to mind, too. 5y
Andrew65 Seven hours is still a good total, especially on a busy weekend. 👏 Thanks for taking part. 😊👍👏 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Agreed, he does seem really spoiled! I'm just curious to see where he ends up and what he does, 'cause he seems to be playing all sides right now. Kind of funny that he's setting everyone up to be happily surprised by disappointing them now. 5y
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readinginthedark @Andrew65 Thanks for hosting; it was fun! 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I know. The intro stuff in my book hinted at him actually doing the opposite, but at the moment I‘m not so sure. I guess we will see. 5y
Andrew65 @readinginthedark Thanks, hope to see you again at the end of March. 😊 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics 🤔Interesting! I never read the intros of classics until I finish the piece because I don't want spoilers. So, I guess I'll see Pelican's take after the fact! 5y
GingerAntics Whoops. I won‘t say anything then. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics 😆 No worries! I don't worry about it as much with the Shakespeare plays because there's still so much to be gleaned from the language apart from the action. But a lot of classics totally ruin what will happen if you read the intro. first. 5y
GingerAntics Yeah, I have found that with many classics. I think that‘s why I like the edition I do. They give you information, but they don‘t give anything away. In fact, there are times where you don‘t totally understand why something matters and then when you read the play you suddenly go “oh wow that was really important actually.” 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Which edition are you reading? 5y
GingerAntics I read the RSC/Modern Library edition. Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen are really good about keeping the intro stuff concise and not giving anything pivotal away. Every now and then there is something you know is coming because they‘ve mentioned it, but you don‘t know how or where, and it‘s generally not pivotal to the play. They don‘t ruin the ending or anything. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Good to know! I'll have to track down one of those next time maybe. 5y
GingerAntics Sometimes libraries have them. Other times you have to order them online or get a digital copy. As digital copies go, they‘re relatively inexpensive...about $3. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Cool, I'll check it out! 5y
wordzie Did u like it? Did you like it a lot? Did love it? Are u still #currentlyreading? Just wondering I have it but haven't read it yet. 5y
readinginthedark @wordzie Still currently reading! I'm in the middle of Act II right now but need to pick up the pace a bit 'cause I'd like to participate in the #ShakespeareReadalong discussions on @GingerAntics page. Not really sure how I feel about it yet. It's not as poetic as Richard II but has a bit more witty wordplay, I think. You should read it now and join us! 5y
GingerAntics @wordzie what she said. Join the party!!! 5y
GingerAntics It is much different than Richard. I‘m wondering if that isn‘t purposeful, showing the juxtaposition of the two different men. King Richard and King Henry are very different monarchs, with very different life experiences (at least in adulthood), so it seems fitting their plays would be very different. Even children. Richard had none. Henry‘s got at least two. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Good point! Good ol' Will was always one for setting the right tone for the characters! 5y
GingerAntics I don‘t know why I didn‘t think of that until right now, but it does seem very like Will to do something like that. 5y
wordzie @readinginthedark thank you! I will join this party!! @GingerAntics 😎 🙌 5y
GingerAntics @wordzie YES!!! I‘ll add you to the tagged people. 5y
51 likes24 comments
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readinginthedark
King Henry IV, Part I | William Shakespeare
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Look what came in finally from the library! Read a few scenes before bed, and I'm at 5 hours total so far. I definitely won't make it to 24, but maybe I could double what I have and hit 10 tomorrow. 🤷‍♀️ It's been fun either way. And hopefully I can finish Acts 1 & 2 of this to catch up! #24B4Monday #ShakespeareReadalong
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65 @GingerAntics @merelybookish

GingerAntics I haven‘t read Act II yet and I‘m leading. I‘ll have to read it in the morning before I post. 5y
Andrew65 Double figures would be good, you can do it. 👍😊 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics I do that almost every time I host! 😆 I think I'll be able to catch up tomorrow if not today. 5y
wordzie 🙌 5y
76 likes5 comments
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readinginthedark
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I've been busy with family stuff all day and only have 48 more minutes of reading from this morning, when I pulled this book out for a bit. This section really resonated with me. #24B4Monday
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Andrew65 Any reading time is good. 👏👍 5y
51 likes1 comment
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readinginthedark
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I'm playing catch-up on my daily reading in Year of Wonder right now, and one of the composers featured is Florence Price! Perfect for the #24B4Monday Black History Month theme. She was an amazing musical pioneer--an African-American single mother who beat all the odds to make beautiful music that interwove classical, blues, and spiritual styles. It's slow-going, but I'm 3 hours in!
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done a good start, and a good post. 👏 5y
48 likes2 comments
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readinginthedark
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Started reading this one some time back with my mom and sister, but I had trouble getting into it for some reason. Trying again on audio this time while I do a little housework. 2 1/2 hours!
#24B4Monday #audiocleaning
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Andrew65 A good start. 😊👍 (edited) 5y
56 likes1 comment
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readinginthedark
The Secret Garden (Collins Classics) | Frances Hodgson Burnett
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Mary's starting to open up and make a few friends! I'm remembering why I loved this book now, and the baby seems to be enjoying it more. 1 1/2 hours so far! #24B4Monday #raisingreaders
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Andrew65 Love this book! 😍 5y
slategreyskies One of my favorites!! ❤️!! 5y
batsy Oh that's so cute that the baby's into it as well 😁 This was one of my favourites and my copy has gone missing; an excuse to get a new one! 5y
readinginthedark @Andrew65 @slategreyskies @batsy It's such a good one! I need to find a nicer copy, I think. 5y
60 likes1 stack add4 comments
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readinginthedark
The Secret Garden (Collins Classics) | Frances Hodgson Burnett
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Alright, I'm going to try and do this! Pretty sure I won't make it to 24 hours (because kids...responsibility...Cub Scouts), but at least I'll get some reading done! Since my main goal right now is to catch up on my challenges and finish some books, I doubt my reads will fit the theme, but we'll see!
#24B4Monday
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Andrew65 Great to have you with us and it doesn‘t matter whether the books meet the theme or getting to 24 hours. Most important thing to have fun reading with others. 👍😊 (edited) 5y
46 likes1 comment
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readinginthedark
Early Riser | Jasper Fforde
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First "night out" away from the new babe tonight to see Jasper Fforde with a friend. He's so funny and a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades. Also, for those who are interested, the main character of this book is non-binary--or, at least, of unspecified gender identity. Other fans have said he pulls it off really well. I love what I've read of his so far and look forward to reading this newest book as well.

LeeRHarry Ooh I‘m jealous, wish he‘d come to Melbourne 😊 5y
readinginthedark @LeeRHarry I know, I'm so lucky! I almost didn't even make it! 5y
rretzler How lucky! Interesting about the non-binary main character - I didn‘t pick up on that from reading it. 5y
readinginthedark @rretzler I haven't read it yet, but I'm not sure I would have either. A few people in the audience asked about it, and Fforde said he purposely went through the book trying not just to write a non-binary character but also to make it every day, inconspicuous. 5y
66 likes1 stack add4 comments
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readinginthedark
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readinginthedark
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This is my monthly "nature read" for 2019. A little different to have one set in my home state this time!

54 likes1 stack add
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readinginthedark
The Secret Garden (Collins Classics) | Frances Hodgson Burnett
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Started reading this classic on Serial Reader to my newest little munchkin while she eats. She hasn't decided if she likes it or not, but I can't blame her. I forgot what a brat Mary is at the beginning!
#raisingreaders

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readinginthedark
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Watched this documentary this morning! I had to get it through Interlibrary Loan, but it was worth the wait. What a poignant biography and commentary on farming versus change for the sake of "progress." Really good!

tpixie I read one of his books and the mother had decided that while she and her husband worked so hard to allow their kids to go to college, that going to college was the beginning of the breakdown of the family. Because when children went away to college they did not come back to live near their parents or each other. That has really stayed with me. 5y
readinginthedark @tpixie Interesting! I've never read any of his novels, just poetry and a couple of essays/articles, but he was a strong advocate for the land and a knowledgeable but simple life. I should read that one. 5y
tpixie It‘s the only one of his I read. It was s good, quiet gentle read you can tell he loves the land 5y
50 likes3 comments
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readinginthedark
North and South: Easyread Edition | Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
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I like books where the couple helps each other to grow as individuals. This is just one of my favorites.

Orange roses and wildflowers

Both! But mostly chocolate.

Little late, but oh well. Happy Valentine's Day, friends! Thanks for the tag, @Dragon ! I'll tag my Shakespeare girls, @GingerAntics and @merelybookish
#HelloThursday @wanderinglynn

Dragon I loved the mini-series, I really should read the book 👍🐉😀 5y
wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 💜 5y
readinginthedark @Dragon That's what prompted me to read it. You get more depth on what's going on with Thornton in the book--I'd recommend it! 💗 5y
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readinginthedark @wanderinglynn 👍It was fun! 5y
GingerAntics Having to choose my favourite couple. I think I have it narrowed down to a few...or an entire series full. 🤦🏼‍♀️ It‘s definitely a couple from this one series. 5y
Dragon Thanks @readinginthedark I‘ll watch for it at the booksale 👍🐉 5y
batsy I like your description about your favourite couple... Can't wait to read the tagged book! At some point. In my life 😆 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics It's a difficult question! 5y
readinginthedark @batsy I know what you mean! 😆 I didn't actually finish this one until three or four years after I put it on my TBR. I'll never read all of those books. 🙈 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark it was a very difficult question. Most of the books I read don‘t have couples. I‘ve since thought of another series I love that just has one couple (mostly) and that probably would have been much easier. 😂 5y
48 likes10 comments
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readinginthedark
Macbeth | William Shakespeare
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"Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble."

Okay, so these aren't "poison'd entrails;" I'm sanitizing baby bottles. But I still feel a little witchy watching the boiling water. ??‍♀️

Aimeesue I thought the tops were lemon slices at first. Surprise, baby! 😂😂😂 5y
minkyb ❣️😂 5y
readinginthedark @Aimeesue 😆 How funny! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I thought I saw lemon 🍋 slices too! 😆 5y
readinginthedark @erzascarletbookgasm New milk flavoring technique! 😆 That would be quite the surprise! 5y
69 likes5 comments
review
readinginthedark
Sound of the World by Heart | Giacomo Bevilacqua
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Pickpick

This was a seemingly simple but very unique somewhat autobiographical graphic novel. The art is great--kind of comic-style but also almost photographic with the background at times. This book is partially a love story between people and places but really more about rediscovering oneself after growth and tragedy. And there's some suspension of disbelief required at the end. Overall, an interesting and enjoyable break from the typical graphic novel.

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readinginthedark
Sound of the World by Heart | Giacomo Bevilacqua
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Introducing...Rosalind Irene! She was born at 8:27 Tuesday morning, 8 lbs 4 oz, 21 in long! Thanks everyone for the well-wishes. It went relatively smoothly, and our little firecracker is finally here!
#earthchildrenareweird

(The tagged book is a graphic novel I received as an eARC a while back and let expire accidentally. Finally getting to it now via interlibrary loan.)

cobwebmoth Aw! Congratulations! 5y
hilded Congratulations 🥳 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Congratulations! 5y
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AmyG Congratulations. She is just precious! 🎉 5y
Chelsea.Poole Congratulations on your little bundle ♥️ 5y
Librarybelle Congratulations! 5y
La_Cori Congratulations! 🎉💖 5y
crazyspine congratulations! 5y
WhatWouldJaneDo Congratulations! She's beautiful! 5y
BookishBlonde12 Congratulations 🎉🎊 5y
mrsmarch I‘m in love love love! Irene is my first daughter‘s middle name too! 5y
ravenlee Congratulations, and wishes for a quick recovery! 5y
RadicalReader @readinginthedark gorgeous little girl wishing you and your fantastic family millions of marvelous memories together 5y
LapReader Love the name and new humans. 5y
TrishB Congrats 🎉🎉 5y
mabell Such a cutie! Congratulations!! 5y
Dragon 💕 👶 5y
GingerAntics She is so adorable!!! 🥰🥰🥰 So glad she‘s here!!! 5y
Melkyl Beautiful 💕 5y
Stephaniereads1 Congratulations! 5y
TheLibrarian Congratulations!!! 5y
LeahBergen Congratulations!! ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Tamra Congrats! 🍼 5y
julesG Congratulations! 5y
JennyM Congratulations ❤️ 5y
MrBook WOOHOO!!! Congratulations 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍😍! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Congratulations 💗💗💗 5y
Jas16 Congratulations!! 5y
kyraleseberg Congratulations!! 5y
MaureenMc Congratulations!! 💗💗 5y
squirrelbrain Congratulations! So cute! 5y
Bookzombie Congratulations!! 5y
MichelleScott_author Such an adorable little bundle! Congratulations. 5y
quietlycuriouskate Many congratulations, Hannah! ❤ 5y
emtobiasz Congratulations! 5y
Redwritinghood Congrats! She‘s beautiful. 5y
JessClark78 Congratulations! 5y
merelybookish Congratulations! She's gorgeous! And her name is perfection!! 😍😘 5y
rustoryhuf The newest “Litten!” 5y
batsy Aww, how precious! Love the name ❤️ Congratulations!! 💐 5y
CouronneDhiver Those cheeks!!! 5y
Reggie Congratulations!!! 5y
Tanisha_A Congratulations! 5y
Aylandra Congratulations :) 5y
CarolynM She's adorable 😍 Congratulations 💐 5y
Izai.Amorim Congratulations 🎉🎉 5y
minkyb So lovely! Congratulations! 5y
TheBookHippie Awe!!!!! Beautiful!!!! 5y
readinginthedark @mrsmarch @LapReader @merelybookish @batsy Thank you! Her first name is from As You Like It, of course, and Irene was my great-grandmother's name and my mom's middle name. 💗 5y
mrsmarch @readinginthedark Irene is my great-grandmother‘s first name. She died when my grandmother was only 7 so we never got to know her. My grandmother was raised by HER grandmother (Annie) and my mother was named after Annie instead (HER great-grandmother). The ladies in my maternal line have been naming daughters after great-grandmothers for about 200 years. 🤩 5y
readinginthedark @rustoryhuf Absolutely! If she stays awake for longer than an hour, I'll start reading to her! 😆 5y
readinginthedark @mrsmarch That's so sweet! I was named after both of my grandmothers (first name for one, middle name for the other), but my mom and I are the only ones who've done that so far. 5y
zsuzsanna_reads Congratulations!!!!!!! 5y
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readinginthedark
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We read my Mini's favorite Dr. Seuss book last night in preparation for his last day as an only child! Going in to the hospital to be induced tonight. I'll see you on the other side. Wish me luck! 🙈
#earthchildrenareweird

wanderinglynn Congratulations! 🎉🎊👶🏻💜 5y
Jerdencon Good luck and congrats! 5y
merelybookish 💕💕 5y
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JacqMac Good luck! 💕 5y
BookishMarginalia May the force be with you! 💜💜💜 5y
MommyOfTwo Good luck! 5y
PurpleyPumpkin Wishing you all the best!💜 5y
Soubhiville Best of luck! 5y
mabell Congratulations! 🎈🎉I wish you the best tonight! 5y
squirrelbrain Best of luck! ❤️ 5y
quietlycuriouskate Wishing you all the best ❤ 5y
GingerAntics Good luck!!! 5y
Judybskt Awesome!! 5y
JennyM Good luck 😘 5y
Susannah Congratulations! Best wishes. 5y
RadicalReader @readinginthedark love your username and that your child loves Dr Seuss he‘s a hilarious writer. Be sure to check out the rave writer Robert Munsch 5y
Wife Best wishes for a safe delivery and healthy baby!🌹 5y
vivastory Wishing you the best of luck! 5y
Lcsmcat Sending you wishes for an easy and safe delivery ❤️ 5y
Kaye Good luck 👶🏼 🍼 5y
MaureenMc Good luck! 🙏💗 5y
Reggie Good luck, Mama!!! 5y
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readinginthedark
Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare
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Act 5: These are the two most visually contrasting casts I could find pictures of online; I thought it was fun to compare! Even though I wasn't happy with how some things panned out, this Act felt more like Shakespeare than the last for some reason. Maybe it's that classic Shakespearean wrap-up at the end of every comedy? Feste is tickling the dragon with Malvolio's wounded pride. I'm still not sure how I feel about Orsino.
#ShakespeareReadalong

GingerAntics This act seemed to somehow be shorter than the last. 5y
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batsy Indeed, a very Shakespearean ending, especially in the comedies, where everything wraps up fast and is as it should be (or as you like it? 😆) I never warmed to Orsino as a character, but anyone else get the impression that he prefers Cesario to Viola? Lots of interesting subtext there. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I love the picture! And I agree @batsy this definitely is Shakespeare‘s way with the comedies. I never warmed to Orsino either, & he sure switched his tune once Olivia was married, talk about dropping any interest in her like a hot potato & immediately switched it to Viola, whom he still hasn‘t seen as a lady yet! I felt bad for Antonio, I think if Olivia got the male version of Viola, he should have ended up with the female version of Sebastian. 5y
Rachbb3 It was a quick tidy ending! Over all I enjoyed the play. 5y
Gezemice @batsy @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree, Orsino was never really fleshed out, we see much more of Viola, Olivia and the merry band of Sir Toby and Feste. And he switched alliances quickly... but hey, it is a Shakespearean comedy. I was sorry for poor Malvolio, what has he done? Being too earnest? I felt like Sir Andrew deserved more ridicule than Malvolio. In any case, insta-love kinda has to rule if you got only two hours... (edited) 5y
Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @batsy yeah, I think Orsino does have more attraction to Cesario... and has a relief when he finds out he can have him(her)... Since the female roles were played by males, you gotta wonder if this was a nod to a latent subculture at the theater. Which was obviously a huge taboo. 5y
Gezemice @readinginthedark Great picture! Very different casts, indeed. I was looking for an adaptation but I have found ones that were set in modern times or that they were way too outdated... not how I pictured it at all. So did not end up finding one to watch... 5y
rjsthumbelina @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I was surprised how quickly Orsino switched tunes to Viola,too,once Olivia was married.Although,he didn't really love Olivia-only ever talked about how pretty she was,so I guess that tracks. I do think that he was attracted to Cesario. @batsy @Gezemice I have to say, I didn't feel bad for Malvolio at the end. I felt like he was more trying to be better than others, so it felt just to me. I did feel bad for Sebastian 5y
Graywacke I felt less bad about Malvolio once all is revealed and Olivia seems to be willing to forgive him - but, I mean, I wouldn‘t have wanted to be him. The RSC edition end essays (which I only read part of) note that in the early productions, Malvolio was the main interest. 5y
Graywacke Maria and Toby? Really? 5y
CoffeeNBooks Once you suspend your disbelief, it is a fun and comical ending with everything working out well, including Orsino saying that he admired Antonio even though Antonio did so much damage to Orsino's ships. I agree @Riveted_Reader_Melissa that Antonio should have ended up with Viola. But, perhaps since she was actually from a noble family, it wasn't possible for her to marry Antonio. 5y
CoffeeNBooks @Graywacke I thought the same thing about Maria & Toby! 5y
Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CoffeeNBooks - the only issue I have with Anthonio and Viola is it undermines a gay Antonio, which I thought Shakespeare elegantly snuck in there. What does the actor for Antonio do at the end of the play? Could be interesting on stage (but easily neglected in film) (edited) 5y
Graywacke “Look then to be well edified when the fool delivers the madman” - does Shakespeare undercut his future critics? 5y
batsy Good point about the subculture of theater @Gezemice his comedies always feel carnival-esque for playing with themes that are taboo, yet it returns the characters back to their usual social position in the end for the "happy ending". @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I know, Antonio deserves better! In my happy ending, Antonio and Sebastian are together, Viola with Olivia, and Orsino should be alone, with a mirror, which is what he loves best I think ? 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @batsy I still think Orsino should have fallen for Sir Andrew 🤪😂 5y
Lcsmcat @batsy I don‘t think Viola would be happy with Olivia. She was always all about Orsino. There felt like there was a lot of subtext around sexuality in this one. I felt like Orsino might have been fighting an attraction to Cesario & was this happy she turned out to be female. 5y
Lcsmcat @Graywacke I still felt bad for Malvolio. He‘s abused by everyone and doesn‘t get a happy ending. He can‘t even laugh at himself at the end like some Shakespeare characters. 5y
Gezemice @Lcsmcat @batsy I agree, Viola is in insta-love with Orsino. She never shows any attraction to Olivia, does her best to alienate her (without success). Orsino is attracted to Cesario, maybe because he is gay, maybe because he detects that Cesario is a female, or maybe just because Cesario kind of confesses love to him. It does seem that Orsino‘s main role is to advance the plot, which is often the case with the Dukes. 5y
Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sir Andrew definitely gets shafted. He should have gotten some simple-minded girl. 5y
Gezemice @Graywacke @CoffeeNBooks It is very clear why Sir Toby is attracted to Maria, but the other way around, I don‘t see it. Sir Toby is a mean drunk and Maria is way smarter. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice Yep, she‘s have even been better with Andrew, except he was looking for a bride with money🙄 5y
Lcsmcat @Gezemice @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CoffeeNBooks I don‘t think there were enough female roles for a complete pairing off. Sir Andrew was so stupid that, while Maria could certainly rule him, I think she‘d get bored very quickly. 5y
readinginthedark @batsy @GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice @rjsthumbelina @CoffeeNBooks @Graywacke @Lcsmcat @Rachbb3 I agree that Orsino switching to Viola feels natural. I'm not sure if I like him as a character, but I do think he admired and was attracted to Cesario throughout the play, based on their conversations together about love. In my ideal pairings, however, Viola would be an independent, single woman, and Sebastian would be with Antonio. 5y
readinginthedark @batsy @GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice @rjsthumbelina @CoffeeNBooks @Graywacke @Lcsmcat @Rachbb3 I still have mixed feelings about both Malvolio and Sir Andrew. I think it goes beyond a prank to lock him up and bait him with a "priest," but I hated him before that and felt like he had ill intentions, so I can't feel completely bad for him. Sir Andrew is a bit of an idiot, but he didn't deserve to be taken advantage of either. ?‍♀️ 5y
readinginthedark @Gezemice I'm sorry you couldn't find an adaptation you wanted to watch! I've never seen any of the film adaptations (yet), but I've seen a few in person that were very well done. And our community college happens to be doing a performance of this in March, so I'm hoping to make it to that! 5y
readinginthedark @batsy @GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Gezemice @rjsthumbelina @CoffeeNBooks @Graywacke @Lcsmcat @Rachbb3 The pairing of Sir Toby and Maria feels appropriate for the time period to me. She's smart, pretty, and has a sense of humor. He's older, single, and rich. It makes a lot more sense than if Malvolio had been successful in his attempt to climb the social ladder! 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I‘ll agree with that. I think Malvolio was abused a bit in this play, but in a way he signed up for it. I‘m kind of glad his attempt to slither up the ladder didn‘t really work out. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark oh I could really see Sebastian and Antonio. That makes a lot of sense to me. I totally agree with that assessment. 5y
Gezemice @readinginthedark I have actually found one in the library and put it on hold! 5y
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@TheBookHippie You are so sweet, thank you! I can't wait to read these to my little munchkins. I love my Litsy buds! 💗💗💗

TheBookHippie Because ...SHAKESPEARE ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I hope they love it! 5y
readinginthedark @TheBookHippie They're so perfect; I love it! 5y
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Alligators All Around | Maurice Sendak
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My little munchkin finally has a bigger bookcase, so we unpacked four boxes of books that have been sitting in his room for a year. He was so excited to rediscover his loves, he parked in bed with a few of them and read away! 😍
#earthchildrenareweird

Bookzombie So sweet! 5y
GingerAntics What a cutie!!! 5y
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Books I've Read: A Bibliophile's Journal | Deborah Needleman, Virginia Johnson
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I finally patched my little books read record with some book tape. The fake leather on the binding has been chipping for a while. So, now I'm going through it and remembering old loves. I'm also trying to add them to my Litsy ratings, but I'm still in 2001 right now. 😅 It's slow-going!

Reviewsbylola That‘s an ambitious endeavor! 5y
Velvetfur That sounds great! A lovely trip down memory lane for you 😊 5y
readinginthedark @Reviewsbylola It will probably take me several days. Not difficult, at least, just slow. 5y
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readinginthedark @Velvetfur It's been really fun so far! 5y
Graywacke Love that you have that. But, wow, dedication to enter it here, now. Impressed. 5y
readinginthedark @Graywacke As s of right now, I'm only in 2002, so I figure I'll either give up at some point or it will just take me a while. 😆 But I'm not too stressed about whether or not I actually get it done. 5y
Graywacke @readinginthedark if nothing else, you at least get some book nostalgia. 😌 5y
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readinginthedark
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As promised, here is a complete list of everything we've read so far for the #ShakespeareReadalong ! I know not all of you were here for all of these, since we started with about five people and this covers the last year plus two or three months. Hard to believe we've been going for that long! Anyway, you all are amazing. And our next play will be (drum roll, please)...Henry IV Part 1, brought to you by the lovely @GingerAntics in February!

TheBookHippie YAY!!! I can't believe it!!! Look at how much we've read!!!!! Also can you email me your address I have a gift for baby social@bookhippie.com (edited) 5y
GingerAntics Oh I only missed two plays then, and I‘ve read one of them. Sweet!!! 5y
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DGRachel OOOOHHH! I love Henry IV. I will definitely join in for that one! 5y
readinginthedark @TheBookHippie Aw, that's so sweet! And you totally don't have to send anything, but I emailed you my address if you choose to 5y
zsuzsanna_reads I want to join in too, fingers crossed! 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics That's why I was so surprised when you said you hadn't read Hamlet with us! But it's been a long time; I don't remember when people joined in very well. 😆 5y
readinginthedark @zsuzsanna_reads 👍Keep an eye out! She'll probably post a schedule soon! 5y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I thought you'd been with us the whole time !!! :) 5y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie apparently I leave a big impression. lol I couldn‘t remember the first play I came in on until I saw the list, Cymbeline was my first play. I‘m trying to remember if I ever read Much Ado for school. Clearly I remember very little of the Shakespeare I read in college. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I rather like having an act a week as opposed to a play a week. 5y
Mtroiano I want in! 5y
readinginthedark @Mtroiano We'll add you! 5y
merelybookish Great! Thank you! And I'm in for Henry! 🙂 5y
Graywacke Thanks for this list. Impressive...sad I missed so much...but kudos to you all. This has been fun. 5y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I love how we read!!!! I've been here from the beginning! I even won a prize once! 5y
Mtroiano Thanks! ❤️ 5y
readinginthedark @Graywacke You're welcome! And thanks. It takes so much time to read through them. We might be able to start over when we finish, but it will probably be a while. 😆 Glad to have you here now! 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I joined in at Cymbeline! Yay,I didn‘t miss too much. 5y
Lcsmcat This was the first History Play I saw live. I‘m in! (edited) 5y
Graywacke @readinginthedark I‘ve read some of those I missed here and there (can‘t remember a single thing from As You Like It other than the title). And hopefully I‘ll read them all eventually...and see some more too. 5y
Gezemice I missed a lot! I read the last three plus Othello... definitely joining for Henry IV! 5y
batsy Nice, thank you! I'm in for sure 👍🏽 5y
readinginthedark @Gezemice Well, we're happy to have you now! 👍 5y
readinginthedark @Graywacke As You Like It is an interesting one. I definitely prefer it in performance to writing. But the movie version with Laurence Olivier and Elisabeth Bergner is a mostly faithful adaptation, if you want a refresher without rereading it. 5y
Graywacke @readinginthedark hmm. Might have to look into that. 5y
Sace Thanks for the tag. Geez. I'm still trying to finish Macbeth (I'm in a major slump.) Please don't dump me for non-participation 😔 5y
readinginthedark @RestlessFickleBookHoarder 😆 Of course we won't dump you! I understand. I still haven't finished The Winter's Tale. Hoping to get back to it while I'm on maternity leave. 5y
Sace Mazel tov! And thank you! 5y
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readinginthedark
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Today's reading plans! I might also fit some audio booking in, since I need to finish hanging baby clothes, do laundry, and pack a hospital bag...

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Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare
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Act IV: aka The Shortest Shakespeare Act Ever, I think! (a non-traditional Feste pictured above)
This one was meant to be a transitional Act, as it doesn't have much to stand on its own. Sebastian (kind of a jerk), Olivia (desperate at this point), Malvolio (I feel bad for him now--no one deserves to be locked up in the dark for a prank), and Feste (who's always mixed up in everything) stood out to me. How about you?
#ShakespeareReadalong

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GingerAntics I rather liked Sebastian, although possibly because of his connection to Viola. Totally agree on Malvolio. (edited) 5y
CoffeeNBooks I definitely felt bad for Malvolio, it was definitely uncool of Toby to do that to him. And I also felt bad for Sebastian, caught up in the confusion over who he really is. 5y
Lcsmcat I do feel bad for Malvolio. Stephen Fry points out in an interview I saw that he‘s one of the only characters in a Shakespeare comedy who doesn‘t get a happy ending. In fact, his last line is swearing to get revenge upon them all. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks Eh, Sebastian retaliates toward Andrew and Toby a bit more than the situation required, I thought. Then he chews Feste out for thinking he's someone else. And then he just agrees to marry Olivia when she falls all over him and rushes into things. And none of this tips him off that something's going on beyond being "in a dream?" I wanted to like him for Viola's sake but just couldn't. ?‍♀️ 5y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat Ooh, sequel material! 😏 5y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat @readinginthedark oh that would be a great sequel. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark @CoffeeNBooks I think Sebastian was acting out because he couldn‘t figure out where Antonio was and had no clue what was going on. He felt totally disoriented, so he was acting weird. At least that‘s how I read it. I‘m going to watch the annulment case tomorrow morning when I would normally be finishing the play, so it‘ll be interesting to see what decision they all come to. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics You‘re right, that‘s a great time to listen to that case. I need to plan some time for that too! 5y
GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I feel like the case is required for a proper reading of this play now. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Yes... I‘m sure there is a good case to be made about Sebastian marrying under false pretenses...basically as far as Olivia is concerned he was impersonating Viola. But then again, maybe if you fall in love at first sight you don‘t care anything for their insides as long as the outsides look the same. 😱🙄 5y
GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa at the same time, who she thought she was marrying was actually a woman, so she‘s probably not going to want to make too much of that. 5y
batsy @Lcsmcat I agree. I've finished the play and I think the Malvolio aspect is the dark undercurrent of the play. Also, the fact that he gets put in his place & humiliated is an interesting one because he's trying to cross the lines of class. And is punished for it. 5y
Lcsmcat @batsy Good point! Usually when Shakespeare‘s characters successfully cross class lines it turns out they were royal all along, like in A Winter‘s Tale, or Cymbeline. 5y
Graywacke Blech, I‘m sick, was too sick to post yesterday, but did manage to read the 8 pages in my copy. @readinginthedark @CoffeeNBooks @GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sebastian would have the best answer to, “so how was your day today?” 5y
Graywacke @CoffeeNBooks @Lcsmcat @readinginthedark @GingerAntics @batsy on Malvolio, great point on classes, it‘s the work of a writer from a society of rigid classes??. Also, I have the sense Shakespeare is doing humor every which way in this play, including some cruel humor. I‘m guessing audiences loved it. 5y
GingerAntics @Graywacke oh Elizabethan England was definitely a society of rigid classes. He just wants to be accepted, but that just isn‘t really an option for the time, sadly. 5y
merelybookish Finally finished and I think Ive concluded that I don't really like Shakespeare comedies. 😬 Every time we read one, I struggle to get through it. I expect seeing them on stage would work better for me. Reading it, it just feels contrived and annoys me. So this was a big meh for me. 5y
merelybookish Apparently She's the Man starring Amanda Bynes is an adaptation of this play. Anyone seen it? 5y
CoffeeNBooks @merelybookish Contrived is a very good word to describe this! I was having a hard time coming up with a way to explain how I felt about this play the first time I read it, and how I feel reading it a second time. I agree, much of it feels contrived. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I still need to watch it! I'm interested to see what it adds to Sebastian's part of this play. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I don‘t know about @Riveted_Reader_Melissa but I think I learned more about Olivia than Sebastian. lol 5y
readinginthedark @batsy @Lcsmcat @Graywacke @GingerAntics Fascinating point about the social classes! I think this works for a few of Shakespeare's heroes but no one else. Malvolio really goes about it the wrong way, although I will say I don't think he just wants to be accepted. He wants to be in a station above others, where he can have fine things and order people around. I only really feel bad for him because of the dark room part, not the pranking in general. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics That makes sense. I meant more that it pertains to the sections of the play with him, but her suit would naturally reveal a lot about her. 😆 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I‘ll agree with you on that point. The dark room part was pretty bad. I actually felt bad for him at that point. You‘re probably right about the wanting to be over people. I wasn‘t quite sure how to put it. “Accepted” is woefully inadequate. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark you do learn some great things about him. Amazingly, she‘s the one wanting the annulment and he‘s trying to hold on to the marriage. It‘s pretty good. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 5y
readinginthedark @Graywacke That is interesting! Shakespeare doesn't use cruel humor very often, since his comedies are so often focused more on love. Maybe he saw an opportunity here, in all these mixed lies? 5y
readinginthedark @merelybookish @CoffeeNBooks You can get a pretty good feel for the comedies in performance from the movies, but usually the more faithful ones rather than the adaptations. I haven't seen She's the Man for a long time; guess I need to watch it again and see what I think. I will say that I think a true appreciation of the comedies requires some...suspension of disbelief? Or maybe just suspension of modern values? 😅 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @merelybookish Contrived! Yep, that‘s it...perfectly sums them up...and I‘m definitely noticing some common tropes he reuses often in them too. 5y
batsy @Graywacke That's a great point. Something I've learned from Will is there is always a fine line between haha and cruel humour (depending on who's the butt of the joke and how and why). 5y
rjsthumbelina @readinginthedark @GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks I wanted to like Sebastian, but he seemed a little dull to me. How could he not have realized, at least a little bit, what was going on? And then you agree to marry a total stranger? Nope, couldn't do it. Clearly Viola is smarter 😉 5y
rjsthumbelina @Graywacke @batsy @GingerAntics that's a very interesting point about Malvolio trying to marry above his station! I think it's definitely true that he had a goal of becoming better than the others - and I agree that he was locked in a dark house bc of it. I'm sure that Shakespeare's audience would have loved to see him end up that way after a power grab 5y
GingerAntics @rjsthumbelina oh, Viola is definitely the smarter twin. 5y
CoffeeNBooks @rjsthumbelina Yeah, I wondered why Sebastian couldn't put all the clues together to figure out that something was up, lol! 5y
readinginthedark @rjsthumbelina @GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks At this point, I feel like he realized something was up but didn't feel like it was worth corrupting 'cause he was getting so much out of it. But my viewpoint may have been tainted by the CSPAN trial. 😆 5y
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Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare
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I promised myself I would do something productive today, so I'm sorting and washing baby clothes. Listening to the Naxos audio version of Twelfth Night while I work. There aren't as many versions of this to compare as some of the others we've read; I was surprised!
#ShakespeareReadalong
@GingerAntics @merelybookish

GingerAntics It seems like it would be a fun play to do. I can‘t believe there wouldn‘t be as many of this one. At least you got some good stuff done today. 5y
GingerAntics Love the cute little “Read” onesie!!! 5y
Bookzombie That onesie is adorable! 5y
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Lcsmcat I found it difficult to find an online production to watch, too. Which is how I ended up finding the Mock Trial I posted last night. 5y
cathysaid I have the adult version of that onesie. Love it 💕 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I believe it is one of the more frequently performed plays, so that's why I was surprised! There may be a lot of versions available, though; I'm only going by what I found on Overdrive and Hoopla. Maybe there just aren't as many cheap or free versions? 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @Bookzombie @cathysaid Right?! A friend gave it to me last week, and I think it's my favorite baby clothing gift so far. My mom gave me a really adorable penguin coverall, too, so there's some stiff competition! 💗 5y
GingerAntics Oh a little baby penguin for this cool winter weather. That‘s so cute!!! 5y
GingerAntics I thought this was a more popular play to perform. Maybe because of its popularity people know they can get away with charging fees after the fact. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics That's what I'm thinking. Or maybe it's all smaller productions and they're not making recordings? 5y
GingerAntics True. Only the bigger productions are going to be recorded. The bigger companies are more likely to have a focus on all of Shakespeare or an even wider focus than that, so they are less likely to do it as often. 5y
GingerAntics The RSC has done more than 12 productions of it since 1960. I am also enjoying the number of photos include a liquor bottle in someone‘s hand. I think they may be cool with the idea of Toby being a drunk. lol https://www.rsc.org.uk/twelfth-night/past-productions I would imagine not all (very few?) have been recorded in some way other than photos. 5y
Lcsmcat There are clips from the Broadway production with Stephen Fry as Malvolio that make me wish I could time travel and go see it! 5y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat He would be a great Malvolio! 😯 5y
Lcsmcat @readinginthedark He was excellent! 5y
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readinginthedark
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I stepped away from this one for a bit but am coming back to it now. Not sure if I have time to finish before the little one comes, but knowledge makes me feel better about my aches and pains!
#earthchildrenareweird

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readinginthedark
A Man Called Ove: A Novel | Fredrik Backman
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Finally starting this one! A friend gave it to me for Christmas, so now there's extra pressure. 😆

Myhusbandhatesreading I‘ve heard good things about this one but I haven‘t had a chance to read it yet 😊 5y
EleniKara Read it recently and absolutely loved it 💕💕 I hope you enjoy it! 5y
CoffeeNBooks I absolutely loved this book! 5y
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kspenmoll Adored this book! 5y
Graywacke Hope you dodge the pressure and enjoy. 5y
CoffeeNBooks @readinginthedark Oh good! I'm so glad! 5y
Stephaniereads1 I loved this book! 5y
readinginthedark @Stephaniereads1 I'm not very far yet, but I'm kind of a grump, so I can relate to Ove. 😆 5y
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readinginthedark
Red Bird: Poems | Mary Oliver
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I am in love with Ocean
lifting her thousands of white hats
in the chop of the storm,
or lying smooth and blue, the
loveliest bed in the world.
In the personal life, there is
always grief more than enough,
a heart-load for each of us
on the dusty road. I suppose
there is a reason for this, so I will be
patient, acquiescent. But I will live
nowhere except here, by Ocean, trusting
equally in all the blast and welcome
of her sorrowless, salt self.

readinginthedark What an amazing poet who gave so much to the literary world. Rest in Peace, you beauty. 5y
merelybookish 🙌🙏♥️ 5y
batsy 💜 5y
Graywacke Acquiescent never sounded so emotionally charged. Lovely poem. 💙 5y
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readinginthedark
Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare
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Act 3: And the case of mistaken identity begins in earnest! Poor Antonio! I'm not completely sure why he went looking for Sebastian when he said he'd wait at the inn, but whatever. I still feel bad for him. That last scene also shows us an interesting contrast in Sir Toby's character, I think. When an actual challenge presents itself, he rises to the occasion. And he really dislikes Viola for denying assistance to Antonio. 🤔
#ShakespeareReadalong

GingerAntics Antonio being arrested really bugged me. He was so adamant that he needed to lay low, and then he just doesn‘t? Then he genuinely thinks Viola is Sebastian and that he‘s abandoning him. I felt so bad for him at the end there. Poor guy. 5y
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readinginthedark @GingerAntics I know! I'm not sure why he's so anxious to go back out looking for Sebastian, like he's a child who needs supervision and can't avoid trouble? 5y
GingerAntics I don‘t know. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I really felt for him feeling betrayed and even kind of abandoned by Sebastian. This is the frustrating part of Shakespeare‘s twin plays. 5y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics oh I felt bad too!! I get it, because I seldom behave or sit idle but still!!!!! Oye. Just bad all around NO NO NO. Poor misguided soul. (edited) 5y
CoffeeNBooks @GingerAntics @readinginthedark I agree! But, perhaps his feelings for Sebastian were so strong that he just couldn't sit still and wait for him- he wanted to make sure he was ok. I felt bad for him, though. Hopefully as Viola starts to figure it all out, she'll try to make it right. 5y
TheBookHippie @CoffeeNBooks I think his intentions were pure. Betrayal is hard. This is when I'd love for Shakespeare to be at an author talk @GingerAntics so we can question his writing 🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ 5y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie right? That would be so awesome for so many reasons. 5y
GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks I completely agree. He wasn‘t out looking for mischief or adventure, he just needed to know Sebastian was okay. Poor guy. He seems like a sweet, loyal kind of guy. Things generally all get sorted out in Shakespeare‘s comedies. (edited) 5y
rjsthumbelina @readinginthedark @CoffeeNBooks @GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I agree that it was sad watching Antonio think that he was being betrayed by Sebastian. It was also sad to see Viola hear someone talk about her brother,who she thinks is dead. I do wonder what Antonio's motivation for going to find Sebastian was. On a different note, I almost doubt that Toby was being honest in wanting to go after Viola. I kind of think it is still all for his enjoyment 5y
GingerAntics @rjsthumbelina I agree that Toby‘s actions are still entirely self serving. I don‘t think Toby has suddenly stopped being an obnoxious jerk and is going to help out some guy he doesn‘t even know. He wants something out of the deal. 5y
Graywacke A comedy of errors. But I didn‘t understand why Antonio was in such danger. What did he do? 5y
Graywacke Been thinking about this line spoken by Olivia to Viola: “But reason thus with reason fetter” 5y
Lcsmcat @CoffeeNBooks @GingerAntics @readinginthedark @thebookhippie Do we know Antonio made it to the end and then left it? What if he was on his way to the Inn, heard the commotion, saw swords drawn against someone he thinks to be Sebastian? He couldn‘t not help him, no matter the risk to himself. (edited) 5y
CoffeeNBooks @Graywacke He'd been involved in a battle with Orsino's ships, and although most of what they'd stolen from Orsino's ships was returned, Antonio had refused to give back what he'd stolen. So when the police saw him, they arrested him. 5y
Graywacke @CoffeeNBooks thank you! Couldn‘t pick it up 5y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat I think he said something about coming to look for Sebastian...let me see...line 317: "This comes with seeking you." 5y
Lcsmcat @readinginthedark Hmm. OK. I still think the street commotion has something to do with it. But it could just be that Will needed it to happen for the plot. 5y
readinginthedark @rjsthumbelina @GingerAntics Oh, I definitely agree that Toby isn't a gentleman all of a sudden, but I feel like we saw the line where he takes action for his own honor or his friends'. I saw this more in his response to Antonio's initial challenge than in his claim of Viola as a coward and chase after her. When Antonio first draws a sword and says he'll defend "Sebastian," Toby responds in kind rather than pushing Sir Andrew forward to fight. 5y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat Oh, I definitely think that's what drew him to the scene--I just meant as far as whether or not he'd been to the inn. I guess I'm assuming he went and set up everything for their meal, and when Sebastian didn't come by the time he expected, Antonio got worried and went looking for him. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I will give you that. He did step up and take the challenge himself instead of finding someone else to do it for him. 5y
batsy @Graywacke That's fruit for thought indeed. There are so many beautiful lines to think about in this Act. Viola: "They that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton". And Feste replies, "words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them". Viola goes on to acknowledge the intellectual labour of the stock comic fool—"This is a practice as full of labor as a wise man's art". So delightful. 5y
batsy I liked that in the whole set up of duelling for honour, which was largely constructed by Sir Toby for his own enjoyment, when Viola-as-Cesario is told by Sir Toby why she has to fight—"for meddle you must"—she replies, "This is as uncivil as strange". I think is an apt summary of the so-called "codes" of masculinity! 5y
Graywacke @batsy i enjoyed Viola‘s back and forth with Feste. Good stuff, good quotes. 5y
readinginthedark @batsy @Graywacke Viola, Olivia, and Feste seem to have the best lines of wisdom! 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa A day behind here, but yep I agree with everyone above...I felt even worse for Antonio at the end of this act than I felt for Malvolio at the end of the last one! I know Shakespeare wraps these things up fairly nicely, so I‘m guessing our girl love Viola/Olivia and our guys Antonio/Sebastian need to exchange twins, but he‘s kind of set Viola up with Orsino...so can we send him off with Toby or better yet Sir Andrew? (edited) 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa And I don‘t have a Feste in my version, so I‘m guessing he‘s just the Clown in my version? 5y
readinginthedark @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I don't want to ruin anything, so I won't comment on the end result of the love matches yet, but it would have been awesome if Shakespeare could've paired Antonio and Sebastian! He doesn't ever do that in his plays even subtly, since the hero always "gets the girl" in the comedies. ?‍♀️ Also, Feste is Olivia's clown, so you must be right. Interesting that he belongs with Olivia's crew, too, since Orsino is the Count. ? 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @readinginthedark I figured, because I had the same problem with the last clown 😂 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @readinginthedark That‘s ok, I had to know so I finished it last night. 😉🤫🤭 5y
readinginthedark @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Most of the jesters are pretty similar from play to play anyway! Although the one in As You Like It was also a bit of a player. 😆 5y
Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Orsino and Sir Andrew would make a really nice pair. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Graywacke Right! They both are equally bad at taking a Lady‘s no for a no, and Duke Orsino has enough money to solve Sir Andrew‘s problems, plus Andrew‘s antics would be like having another fool around. 5y
Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa well, he is, of course, the real fool. Feste (Clown) is pretty sharp. 5y
readinginthedark @Graywacke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes, I love Feste! The clowns and best friends are often the best characters in Shakespeare, I think. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @readinginthedark I fully agree there, sad that that old cliche of the cool best friend who‘s always the bridesmaid and never the bride was always true.🤷‍♀️ 5y
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readinginthedark
Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare
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Act 2! Enter: Sebastian. Briefly. The first scene struck me as so odd, especially Antonio's obsessive devotion. I'm a little curious what Sebastian did to earn that kind of dedication. And I was not a big fan of Duke Orsino in this Act. He says a lot about men not loving as long as women, but supposedly they're capable of much stronger love? 🙄 And then he dismisses Viola's argument completely. How did you feel about Act 2?
#ShakespeareReadalong

Lcsmcat I can believe Antonio‘s devotion to Sebastian sooner than Viola‘s to Orsino! But I love the feeling that she‘s putting one over in him. 5y
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readinginthedark @Lcsmcat Good point! I guess it just stuck out to me, because Sebastian is saying, "Seriously, don't follow me," and Antonio is saying, "Even though I'm putting my life in danger and you don't even want me to come, I'll follow you everywhere." ? There's a lot of disregard for other people's feelings in this play. 5y
Rachbb3 @Lcsmcat I agree. I'm beginning to think Orsino is a total tool. 😆 I enjoyed the plot against Malvolio. It had me laughing. 🤗 5y
Lcsmcat @Rachbb3 Me too! And Andrew with all of his “Me too!” whining. (edited) 5y
GingerAntics I love the bit about Sebastian positive Viola is dead...meanwhile, on another island, Viola is positive Sebastian is dead. I love this particular theme in Shakespeare. He does a lot with twins (probably because he had a set) and them being separated (again, probably because one of his died). It‘s always fun how he handles it, and it‘s also a look inside of his mind a little bit. 5y
GingerAntics @Rachbb3 @Lcsmcat Andrew did seem to turn on the whine in this act. I also got the impressions they‘d been drinking with all of the seemingly random singing. lol 5y
Graywacke Two main thoughts: Malvolio - cruel (ok, and funny) And, goodness, the insistence in women as the the weaker sex. Glad Viola said something. Fun overall, especially Viola‘s conversation with Orsino. 5y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics Do Toby and Andrew ever STOP drinking? 5y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I‘m wondering that myself. It seems like “curtain up” means “bottoms up” to them. I think they‘ve been drinking since the beginning of the play. No wonder they now think they‘re in a musical. 5y
GingerAntics @Graywacke I noticed that. They have no idea a woman is in the room, and yet she still stands up and tries to set them straight. I really love Viola. She might be my favourite character of the whole play. 5y
BookishBelle @GingerAntics I really like Viola too. Hopefully she doesn‘t end up with Orsino. What a cad! 5y
BookishBelle Overall, I liked this Act better than the first. I was a little confused by Antonio‘s devotion to Sebastian but I thought I‘d just go with it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think what they did to Malvolio was mean not only to him but also to Olivia. It was really funny though so what are you going to do? Plus it kept the drunk guys busy for awhile... 5y
GingerAntics @BookishBelle oh god I hope they don‘t end up together either. That would be horrible. Orsino is an absolute pill. I can‘t imagine why anyone would want to be with him. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Keeping the drunk guys entertained so they don‘t do anything too stupid or dangerous is always good. I got the impression that Olivia is in on the joke, though. I think they were taking the mickey out of Malvolio. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark love this image for this play. It‘s the whole play (as we know it so far) in a single image. So much is going on in this image, even though it seems really simple at first glance. 💙💙💙 5y
Graywacke @BookishBelle @GingerAntics no clue why Viola fell in the love with Orsino. Maybe he‘s a hunk with dough, but he‘s an idiot and she‘s brilliant. 5y
Graywacke @readinginthedark @Lcsmcat @BookishBelle With all this gender play, I just assumed Antonio was gay and in love with Sebastian (I‘m guessing Shakespeare couldn‘t say so openly) 5y
Lcsmcat @Graywacke That‘s an interesting thought. I just thought he was the “devoted servant” trope. 5y
Lcsmcat @Graywacke Maybe Viola thinks Orsino is stupid enough that she can control him. 😀 5y
GingerAntics @Graywacke @Lcsmcat I was just thinking that. If she‘s smarter and he‘s an idiot, then she can sort of act as his puppeteer and get things done. 5y
Graywacke @GingerAntics @Lcsmcat adds a layer to what she‘s doing 5y
readinginthedark @Graywacke @Lcsmcat @BookishBelle I kind of figured Shakespeare was doing one of those two things with Antonio, as well--either the secret love or the devoted servant (kind of like the really old, devoted servant to Orlando in As You Like It). 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @Graywacke @Lcsmcat @BookishBelle @Rachbb3 Viola is a serious badass. She risks exposing herself completely when she argues against Orsino's stupid ideas. But he seems to listen to her a little bit...maybe she could run the court a bit more reasonably if they did end up together? Also, I would feel bad for Malvolio being pranked if he hadn't said some really selfish and thoughtless things in his musings before he found the letter. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Isn't that illustration perfect? It's on the Pelican version I'm reading right now, and I just had to attach it to this post. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I really felt in on the joke and I was really excited when they did it. I‘m not going to lie. lol I feel like the female characters are a bit smarter and more logical than the male characters in this play. I rather like that. 5y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark oh the Pelican editions have great art work. They tend to be this way. You take a quick look and they seem quite simple, then you really look and it‘s the whole play in a single image. Brilliant. 5y
CoffeeNBooks @GingerAntics I definitely agree that the female characters seem to be smarter and more logical than the male characters. I like both Viola and Olivia a lot. 5y
CoffeeNBooks I think you have to suspend disbelief quite a bit in order to appreciate the comedy Shakespeare intended this to be. That frustrated me quite a bit the first time I read this play, but the second time around I feel like I'm more prepared for that. 5y
GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks Olivia is a great character, too. I‘d definitely put her in the favourite characters list. 5y
GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks I‘ve read this play before, but I don‘t remember ANY of this!!! It‘s kind of driving me crazy. I‘m really enjoying it, though. 5y
merelybookish Again, not much to add. Most of my thoughts have been expressed well already. Viola is the best and her attraction to Orsinio is a mystery! Sir Andrew is delightfully stupid, I almost feel a bit bad for him. 5y
batsy Sorry for the late comments; time zone difference. ? Agree with a lot here. I feel so bad for Malvolio but I'm also enjoying the plot against him! Maria is a terrifying, fascinating mean girl. And "delightfully stupid" is the perfect way to describe Sir Andrew @merelybookish. I too did wonder if there are layers to Antonio's "service" to Sebastian; if it does seem like an intense friendship. 5y
batsy I love that the "achieve greatness" line is used as a motivational platitude in our times but that it was a satiric dig at Malvolio in the play. I'm beginning to realise that a lot of contemporary “inspirational quotes“ from Shakespeare take on a very different hue when read in the context of the plays! 5y
Graywacke @batsy Maria is terrifying. Good description. She might be my favorite character. And I‘m constantly fascinated at the lines here that I recognize and their context. (There must be a book...books....on lines pulled from Shakespeare) 5y
rjsthumbelina I‘m about to add several late comments- I am just catching up on this one! @merelybookish @Graywacke I agree that I‘m not sure why Viola would fall for the duke. Only reason I can think of is that she is swooning over the nice things he says about Olivia. And I thought that Antonio was in love with Sebastian too - it just fits with this plot 5y
rjsthumbelina @GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I for some reason can‘t bring myself to believe that Viola would be interested in him for money or power. Not that she isn‘t capable of scheming, since she clearly is. Maybe she seems too genuine to me? @readinginthedark I think I‘m for sure in the minority here, but I do feel bad for Malvolio! But maybe that‘s bc I can‘t stand the Toby/Andrew duo. 5y
rjsthumbelina @GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks I totally agree that women are more logical and more intelligent than the men here, overall. But it does seem like Viola is setting herself up for a big fall... @batsy and @Graywacke I was also really thrown by the “achieve greatness” quote being in that context! So different from the way we use it now. And you guys hit the nail on the head with why I don‘t like Maria - mean girl is a perfect descriptor! 5y
rjsthumbelina @readinginthedark I‘m going to try to be much more punctual next discussion! Sorry! 5y
GingerAntics @rjsthumbelina yeah, she does seem too genuine for that. I‘m not sure at all why Viola likes him. I agree on the Toby/Andrew duo. Mean girl is a great way to describe Maria. I want to comment on Viola, but I just finished the next act today and don‘t want to spoil anything, so I‘m going to keep my mouth shut. 5y
readinginthedark @rjsthumbelina No worries! I've had trouble keeping up on the last two, so I understand. Whenever you get to them is fine. 😉 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @merelybookish @CoffeeNBooks @batsy @rjsthumbelina @Graywacke I agree--there has to be some suspension of disbelief in all of Shakespeare's comedies. There are too many confusing antics and ridiculous situations for it not to be frustrating otherwise. Sir Andrew reminds me of those kids in school who want to be cool so badly that they do stupid things. You want to like them because they're really nice, but they're just so frustrating 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics @merelybookish @CoffeeNBooks @batsy @rjsthumbelina @Graywacke Anything taken out of context can cause wild misunderstandings, I think, but I do agree that it seems to happen even more often with Shakespeare than other authors. So interesting that Maria is becoming the mean girl here! I think this is why I always take issue with people who play really involved pranks. It always goes too far eventually. 5y
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readinginthedark
Fortunately, the Milk | Neil Gaiman
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Pickpick

I decided to listen to another kid's chapter book while I #audioclean in preparation for the little one. This was a fun, little, one-hour romp from one wild scenario to the next. Great for kids or adults! And it all starts when the dad goes down to the corner store for some milk...

Tamra This one is so fun! 5y
merelybookish The nesting phase! You're getting close. 🙂 5y
GingerAntics Oh I loved this one, too. 5y
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readinginthedark @Tamra @GingerAntics It's very fun! It kind of reminds me of Marco Comes Late by Dr. Seuss but longer and more elaborate, of course. 5y
GingerAntics I wouldn‘t be surprised if it made you not want to leave dad home alone with the kids. lol 5y
readinginthedark @merelybookish I wish it were nesting! It's more like "I don't want to do this, but otherwise, we'll have nowhere to change diapers." ?? Cleaning is exhausting. 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics If my husband were like this, I probably wouldn't! ? Honestly, he's more likely to make pancakes or eggs than to go buy milk just for cereal. Or he'd say, "Eat it dry! You can have milk tomorrow." But I'm the same way. ?‍♀️ 5y
GingerAntics 🤣😂🤣 oh so he‘s got it all covered!!! 5y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics 😂Pretty much! 5y
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readinginthedark
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Pickpick

It's been...five years(?) since I read the first one, but you don't really need to in order to read this. It would give you context for the characters, but the story is almost completely separate from Willy Wonka's factory. The narration on this one was great. I enjoyed the story as well, but it felt a little more disjointed than the first book. I can see how it probably inspired Douglas Adams in HGttG. Overall, a fun little book. First of 2019!

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