#SummerSouls When I think Picnic, my mind always goes to Betsy and Tacy. Their tradition of picnics started on the bench by Author Maud Hart Lovelace's house. I was thrilled to get to visit on a warm summers day in 2016. 😎

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

And so #PemberLittens begins my tradition of reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen in June as part of my Birthday Celebrations. I'm reading Chapter a Day which means I will finish on July 31st.
🎩📖🤓

#JaneInJuneJulyAndAlways

#Pemberlittens itt's time for #JaneAdjacent Book Club! Spoilers and my answers in comments.
1️⃣ I originally read couple of years ago. Planning on reading rest of Trilogy for #AusteninAugust 2024. So this was a nice refresher. I did all the formats. Swapped between print, ebook, and audio.

2️⃣ Fanny. I just loved her. (See favorite quotes.) ⬇️

Afternoon tea with Miss Mary. Buckingham Palace Garden Party Tea and homemade blueberry cake that my neighbor baked with berries from my garden. Taking my tray out to the porch to work on questions.

Discussion post will be up sometime tomorrow. Until then, author @kathycowley has some lovely extras for The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet on Author's Website. https://bit.ly/4e4r4bx 🫖📖🫐

#12monthsofjane
#pemberlittens
#janeadjacent

#PemberLittens anyone interested in Chapter a Day Readalong of Pride and Prejudice? I usually reread as part of my Birthday Celebrations. I'm starting June 1st so it will run through end of July.

Low key. No pressure just join in whenever and however works for you. Let me know if you would like to be tag. 🎩

@LitsyEvents

I picked Divinity 36 for my Books and Brews Book Club read. Need Discussion Questions. Also a Would You Rather Question. Suggestions???

"And that's how you do it." The Guncle Abroad was everything I want in a sequel: spending time with characters I love but making it fresh. I laughed. I cried. I sang along to The Sound of Music. And that ending was perfection. ?????

Memorial Day Weekend is here! Spending at home. Blueberry picking, grilling, and squeezing in some reading. I've these from my #SpringStack I'm hoping to finish.

🎧 Coming Home - Rosamunde Pilcher
#rosamundepilcherforeveryseason
📖 Soulless Manga Vol 2 & 3 - Gail Carriger
#great2024parasolversereread
📱The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet - Katherine Cowley
#12monthsofjane
#janeadjacent
#pemberlittens

Memorial Day Weekend is approaching. It's almost time for #SummerReading2024‼️ Looking forward to release of all of these. Also sometime this week I'll 'Shop' my TBR.

What about you? Do you read differently in the Summer? Any book you're particularly excited for? Let me know in the comments.

I'm definitely a Seasonal Reader. I like books set in summer or at least say summer to me. 😎

This was a much better #SeasonalCozies read @julieclair! I had read 1st in Series and been meaning to get back to it. Enjoyed the settings, mystery, and we bit of romance. Will be continuing.

#Pemberlittens May is for Mary. The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet by Katherine Cowley is #JaneAdjacent read. Grab your favorite format. Read at your own pace. Join discussion post on May 30th. 🎩

#12MonthsofJane

*PS Let me know is you would like to be tagged for discussion.

“I do love a nice Southern gal who can drop an occasional F-bomb,”

I receive Advanced Readers Copy. Sat down to read few pages and got sucked into the story. Finished in one afternoon. Cover is like The Saint - picture perfect but hiding secrets. Classic MKA. Beautiful setting, mystery, and a little romance. Bad people get what they deserve. And now I want pink beach umbrellas, lounge chairs and pink themed cocktails.😎

#summerbeginswithmka

May 1st 2020 - When #PemberLittens began our first Chapter a Day Readalong. You were a bright spot throughout the Pandemic. Wonderfully supportive after my house fire. I think of you every time I look at my shelf of Jane Austen books you sent me. 💙💙💙💙💙

For April's #SeasonalCozies @julieclair I went back to Hygge Hideaway Book 4. It was kind of repetitive. Book 5 is set in summer so I searched my Audible a discovered Death in English Cottage. I've read the 1st in Series awhile back. Features Location Scout for Jane Austen Movie. It's specifically set in Spring. 🥀

#Pemberlittens its's time for #JaneAdjacent Book Club!
1️⃣ Reread. I originally listened to the audiobook when it first came out. Love that it's narrated by Richard Armitage. Also own a print copy. First Impressions - such a gorgeous cover.
2️⃣ Adam. His mother reminds me of my mother. “You read too much. You read her too much."
3️⃣ Human chain to fill Adam's haycart with books and then drive through town.
⬇️

After finishing The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner for April's #12MonthsOfJane immediately started rereading Bloomsbury Girls. I had forgotten that Daphne du Maurier makes appearance. Quite fun since I had just finished #HashtagBrigade read of Rebecca.

Favorite part of Rebecca is descriptions of tea & gardens @ Manderley. Don't actually like any of the main characters. But I still absolutely love the book.
@BarkingMadRead #PemberLittens

I'm looking forward to discussing this April's #12MonthsOfJane read. I'll be posting discussion questions tomorrow both on Instagram and now here on Litsy as well for #PemberLittens #JaneAdjacent. 🎩📖📚

*12 Months of Jane is a read at your own pace book club. Discussion Post is 30th of every month. Join in whenever/however works for you. Tag me @Crinoline_Laphroaig so I make sure and see your comments.

My friend Claire ask me to host a Jane Austen Book Club on Instagram. Haven't talked about it here because there was already #JaneAdjacent. Now that @StayCurious is retiring as host, I can post here as well.

Same as #JaneandtheExcellentReadalong. Read at your own pace. Discussion Post up on last day of thr month. Join in whenever you can.

#Pemberlittens let me know if you're interested. 📚

#12MonthsOfJane

Could you share @LitsyEvents ?

Enjoyed this. I think it did a good job modernizing the story. It did drag on a bit with the he/she doesn't like me like I like them, Emma/Knightley angst. Definitely reading the next one.

#JaneAdjacent
#Pemberlittens
@StayCurious

This time of year @julieclair it's not so much #MonthlyMagazineBlitz that is needed but #GardenCatalogBlitz. I'm working through these.

Friend turned me on to Diane in Denmark on YouTube and she's really helped me with Decluttering. https://youtu.be/Myu6xfGipZA?si=jYgx1MNTwAOnQd8A

I'm not much of Non Fiction reader. I prefer Happy Ever Afters, Mysteries, and Kick Ass Women saving the day. But I saw interview with Dr. Jean M. Twenge and was intrigued.

While there were lots of charts and graphs, that I didn't study too closely, overall I found this a fascinating read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars out of 5.

Because Author's other mysteries are cozies, I thought this was too. At first it was fine. I really liked that setting was Dingle because I've been there. Story grew much darker than I was expecting. Then it would change into Irish version of All Creatures Great and Small. I wanted a mystery not cats with worms. Also found continued mentions of FMC small size tiresome.

Will probably end up reading 2nd in series for more Dingle.

Picked for #SeasonalCozies because it was highly rated. Turns out a great majority of the 5 star reviews come from author's Cozy Krew Goodreads Group.

Audiobook is dreadful. Obviously wasn't edited. Narrator continually repeats sentences. At the end, there's a spot that sounds like a stuck record. She repeats a sentence over and over and over. ⬇️

#Pemberlittens I've been contemplating color schemes for flower beds up against the house. There are plenty of foundation shrubs for greenery but no flowers. And then replacement copy of In The Garden with Jane Austen. My brick and brick at Chawtow Cottage are a close match! It's giving me lots of inspiration. 🏡

#inthegardenwithjaneausten

#Pemberlittens I absolutely adored this book when I was part of last year's Austenprose https://austenprose.com/ Book Tour.

Rereading for #12MonthsofJane I'm doing on Instagram w/ my friend Claire. https://www.instagram.com/p/C1pc0dXL92N/?igsh=ZDI0cnIwaWRuanp0

I has print copy on my Forever Shelf but this time I decided to listen to audiobook. Great narration! Just as delightful on a second read.

I've been reading over Winter. What I call a quiet read. Not a book to just rush through but one to be savoured.

Beautifully written w/ delightful illustrations. Joy to have in your hands. I especially like when Jane imagines what happens to her characters after her books end.
Ending of this book brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart. I can see myself rereading over the successive winters of my life. ⬇️

LOVE the cover. It's what caught my eye in the store. Also loved character of Gus and how she's not going to fade into the background like a good Spinster should. Hope her brother gets his comeuppance. ⬇️

I'm continuing to enjoy this series. (Other than Book 1 series still not in Litsy database.) Next one is set in Spring. I'm going to look for St Patrick's Day theme for March #seasonalcozies. 💘 @julieclair

I'm behind @julieclair with #monthlymagazineblitz so last night I grabbed a stack and went through while relaxing in the bath. 🛀🏻

One of the first books I ever read on making a house a home. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, clutter and chaos was the norm. This book was life changing for twentysomething me. Rereading all these years later, I'm surprised at how many things are part of my routines. Yes, it's a bit dated and pretentious in places, but it taught me so much: seasonal eating, flowers in the house, and setting a pretty table. 🌸

#Pemberlittens Jane and I had a lovely tea break yesterday. We joined in Virtual Book Club: Teenage Writings hosted by Jane Austen's House. 💙

*Next Virtual Book Club is Thu Mar 14. Lady Susan will be discussed. You can book tickets here:
https://janeaustens.house/visit/whats-on/

#adventureswithjane

#Pemberlittens I'm just here for @BarkingMadRead Memes and #HashtagBrigade.

Y'all I tried for over 7 hours on audio. I can't do 29 more hours of run-on sentences and random rants. I watched a 3 minute YouTube synopsis. https://youtu.be/7gnRqH-SA1E?si=uugEH6xuwyqjfThe I'm good. 🙄 #thebros

It's been too long (2020) since I've read all of Gail Carriger's Parasolverse. And of course I needed to make a Google Doc that is color coordinated with Book Covers. https://bit.ly/48ATIxR

Then because there's nothing better than listening to Fictional Hangover
https://www.fictionalhangover.com/ discuss and it's thanks to Ms. Gail that I found Podcast, added in Episodes for corresponding books.

#Great2024ParasolverseReread

#MidwinterSosltice #FridayNightShare
Thank you @Chrissyreadit for the gifts! I had forgotten they were coming. Lovely surprise! 📬

7°F /-14°C and snowing. Perfect day @julieclair for #SeasonalCozies. Only first in this series is in Litsy database. I enjoyed #WinterNotChristmas of Murder Just For Show Book 2 in #HyggeHideaway Series.

Book 3 Murder In The Woods will be my February read. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

#MidwinterSolace #FridayNightShare I love books about Wintery Places. All of these are really good (I'll tag in comments) North is a new favorite. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
#NonFictionWinter #Naturalitsy
@AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @jenniferw88

This week I've been finishing up Holiday reads. I've a couple more Library Holds that if they come in soon, I'll go ahead and read. But otherwise with Lillian I'm shifting into Winter not Christmas.

Starting listening on NYE and finished in print last night. Delightful to revisit Lillian. 🎄➡️❄️

This week I've been finishing up Christmas reads.

Cover was beautiful to look at. Loved the setting, traditions, and the food. Romance was rather bland. Also I didn't really care for Holly, she had no common sense. Reveal of why she might possibly lose her job made like her even less.

*I will probably read Summer Island for more of the Norway setting.

#JaneAndTheExcellentReadalong was the Highlight of my 2023 reading. Loved revisiting the Series with #Pemberlittens and with my friends Claire & Susan on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1iFaIUAW5x/?igsh=NXFmZ3Nlb3U0YXh2

I got sidetracked by all the new 2024 Readalongs and things that I didn't finish my Best of 2023. In no particular order Top 2-5.

I needed comfort reads and Jane. September and Winter Solstice were like sitting down to tea with old friends.

LOVED What Would Jane Austen Do? ⬇️

OPERATION FRIENDSHIP!!! Just finished reading and it so ADORABLE! Discovered thanks to my friends at Fictional Hangover Podcast. 🍑🍑🍑

https://fictionalhangover.podbean.com/e/pocket-peaches/

Because I need another Reading Challenge 😆 I'm adding @julieclair #SeasonalCozies to The List:
#TheBros @BarkingMadRead
#JaneAdjacent @staycurious

My January pick is Book 2 of #hyggehideaway it's #WinterNotChristmas only Book 1 appears to be in Litsy database. It's has Christmas setting. Short & free on Kindle Unlimited. Plan to read whole series as it progresses through seasons. ❄️

*Now I need to make Seasonal Cozies Goodreads Shelf.

2024 #DailyRead. Stumbled across Grace Notes while searching for replacement books on eBay. I read Living A Beautiful Life years ago and had a battered copy marked with favorite things. It was one of the first books to teach me about making a house a home. Published in 1986 I'm sure it's dated but I want to revisit.

Grace Notes has Daily Quotes and Rituals. It to may be dated but we're going to give it a try.🫖

2023 Daily Read.
It's been a delight waking up to Jane quote everyday. I finished on NYE morning with my favorite tea cup. ⬇️

Finishing up my Christmas Stack.

I love books and Scotland, you would think I would love this book. But it was incredibly inane. Plus I know about First Footing, the way it's used here is silly. You're going to let someone disrupt your wedding because you like to keep the old traditions? And the caviler attitude of 'we'll just move the wedding'.

But hey, managed to get pretty much every Scottish stereotype in.

My #TheBros @BarkingMadRead Edition. I'm doing audio. Fun Fact: Narrator David Rintoul is Mr. Darcy of 1980 Masterpiece Theatre Pride and Prejudice. It's how I discovered Jane Austen.

I'm just now starting.
#Pemberlittens #HashtagBrigade.

I loved everyone of these! #bestof2023

My #YearInBooks - Worst Read.

How do I decide what my Least Favorite/ Worst is? It's the book that sticks with me. The one that has me ranting at Books & Brews Club. And this year I'm pained to say it's The Rosamunde Pilcher short story.

I had just finished rereading September and I was in the mood for more, so I picked this.
⬇️

Another from my Christmas Stack.

I enjoyed Santaland setting and I'm definitely on board for more Holiday mysteries in this Series.

My only complaint was for Nick and April having such a whirlwind romance and marrying quickly, they seemed to have very little chemistry as a couple. Maybe because some people don't want to see Santa and Mrs Claus being affectionate?

Lazy days and nights of Twixmas. I'm spending much of my time by the fire. Tea in the mornings, whisky in the evenings and lots of books.

Tonight I finished reading Christmas with Rosamunde Pilcher. It begins with recollections on RP's Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary Party. Then it's Christmas traditions and recipes. Ends with a short story Miss Cameron at Christmas. Delightful.🥃📖🔥