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I've enjoyed every book I've read by this author. My first was A FALL OF MARIGOLDS and the last one was ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL. Both were such wonderful books. All of this author's books that I have read are so good. Well written and heart touching historical. I look forward to many more. If you get a chance grab THE NATURE OF FRAGIL THINGS. You won't regret it. All of her books are good so never be afraid to read any one of them.
5 stars

I‘ve been reading this book off and on for several weeks. It was good but I wasn‘t as pulled into the story as other readers. I did love the Philly setting and learning about the devastation brought on in 1918 when the Spanish Flu swept through the world. This book was written pre Covid so I wonder what the author might have done differently. A story of a family, undertakers who must deal with the dying as both a business and personal tragedy.

I have no idea what my experience and opinion would have been had I read this when it was published in 2018. But reading HF about the Spanish flu that was not influenced by the divisive politics during Covid-19 was fascinating. I think it would be impossible to write this story without 2020-2021 influences today.

#14books14weeks2023 Book 9
@TheHeartlandBookFairy

February catchup review 2:
This one was been on my shelf for a few years now and I‘m so glad I finally got around to it. It ended being one of my favorites this month and might even make it on the year end list I loved it so much.

It takes place during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and follows the Bright family as the lose loved ones, take in an orphaned baby, and learn to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic. It‘s harrowing and hopeful… ⬇️

“It‘s as if the body is a candle and the soul is its flame. When the flame is snuffed out, all that is left to prove that there had been a flame is the candle, and even that we only have for a little while. Even the candle is not ours to keep. And yet how we care for that candle for that stretch of time that it is still ours! How we want to remember the shape and fragrance of the little flame it held.”

A day late!! I absolutely loved this book!

#BigJuneReadathon #Bright @Clwojick

Loved this book set in Philadelphia during the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918, really showed the impact of Spanish Flu. 😢

Finished another book from my #roll100 stack. I‘m not sure when I even bought this Kindle book but found this story set in Philadelphia during the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 to be really interesting. Meissner wrote this before COVid and the parallels between the two pandemics were eerie.

46% into the audio and bailing. I just can‘t do overwrought sentimentality. It could very well be the narration. Plus, the plot is moving too slowly to keep me hooked. But, if you are looking for a relatable pandemic story, this will be familiar.

I've had this BOTM pick since January 2018 - I don't know why it's taken me so long to actually pick it up. Even though I'm usually not a big historical fiction reader, this one is really up my alley! Maybe it's the parallel between the Spanish flu and the current COVID pandemic, but I'm finding it so fascinating. Usually I find historical fiction books to be a bit of a slog but I sucked down 100 pages in no time today.

Just started this. Rain this afternoon and the weekend so I should get far.

Book 19 My first novel by Meissner, and I will read more. The story of a family of undertakers (an interesting perspective) in Philadelphia during the Spanish Flu. Published in 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the pandemic, this historical fiction book is more pertinent than Meissner could have predicted.Told from the perspective of a mom and her 3 daughters, it was engaging from the beginning, though occasionally the story dragged.⭐⭐⭐⭐

#WondrousWednesday @Eggs Thanks for the tag!

1. Tagged book is set in Philadelphia.

2. New York and Mexico in Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay.

3. Crawley family from Downton Abbey.

I tag anyone who reads this!

#Clouds
#ForeverNovember

“I no longer fear Death, though I know that I should. I'm strangely at peace with what I used to think of as my enemy. Living seems more the taskmaster of the two, doesn't it? Life is wonderful and beautiful but oh, how hard it can be. Dying, by contrast, is easy and simple, almost gentle. But who can I tell such a thing to? No one. I am troubled by how remarkable this feeling is.” 💔💔

Thank you @Kdgordon88 for the tag. These books were all 5 star reads for me this year, and all of them made me cry. Two historical fiction and 1 magical realism and perfect emotional connection with characters. #fridayfeelings

1) no different, my girls are too old to trick or treat!
2) my friends 👯‍♀️

#ThankfulThursday

@Bklover @Mjm1 @iread2much

“If people don't do their part to stop the spread of evil when they're asked to, it just gets stronger and then no one can stop it.“

#audiowalk #quotes

Superb story. The trials and challenges of raising energetic children, who become teenagers! Begins in 1918 just before the “Spanish” flu. Easy parallels to today. Loved it.

I didn't want this book to end and now I'm so sad I am no longer a part of it. I loved every minute of this story. 💜 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Placed during and after the Spanish Flu epidemic in Philadelphia, this book filled my soul with its love and hope amidst the tragedy. I wept with a smile on my face as I read the last sentence.

My #top6reads so far in 2020. What are your favorites?

1) #LitsyLove, flowers 🌸
2) all of my wonderful, loving friends on Litsy

#ThankfulThursday

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this book, It it will rip your heart out! Set in Philadelphia 1918 to 1925. A story of the Bright family, and their neighbors, recovering from the aftermath of World War 1, and the Spanish flu. A very timely read considering what's going on in the world today.

#BoundTogetherJune #Bright
A mesmerizing read. The Bright family move to Philadelphia to help their Uncle who runs a funeral home in the midst of WWI. The Spanish flu overtakes the city. This novel is about how these two major events affect the family. If I remember correctly it was a #botmbuddyread?

#bright
#boundtogetherjune
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Day 4 - #Bright #BoundTogetherJune
#AsBrightAsHeaven #SusanMeissner

I enjoyed this book about the 1918 pandemic in Philadelphia.

Thank you to:

#MagicalMay
@eggs

Today‘s Prompt: HEAVEN

AS BRIGHT AS HEAVEN has a beautiful story line, beautiful research, and beautiful characters.

It is about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.

REVIEW HERE: https://tinyurl.com/y978okp3

@soozmeissner

I was a little hesitant to read a book about a pandemic during a pandemic...but I couldn‘t stop listening. Not a huge fan of one character‘s storyline, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

What a beautiful book and so timely... the similarities between the reaction to the Spanish flu and covid-19 are uncanny... it just goes to show that history always repeats itself!

The edge:
The last dance
Leaving home, choosing courage
Lost in the sun as bright as heaven!

#spinepoem2
#acrossapril

I didn‘t need more books but Kindle deals today were too good to pass up. More for my TBR. (The Harlan Coben on the bottom right is a library book.) #ebooks #BookHaul

“Interestingly enough, it is our mortality that gives our existence its value and beauty. If our days were not numbered, we probably wouldn‘t care how we spent them. How does this knowledge that we are mortal affect our choices? The risks we take? The risks we don‘t?” This book is fantastic. And this was a perfect time to read it.
#EasterExtravaganza Time: 10:10
@Andrew65

Starting day 3. Loving this story.
#EasterExtravaganza @Andrew65

About to start day two, but here is day one of #EasterExtravaganza About as much as I was expecting to get done yesterday. And I know, who reads about a pandemic during a pandemic? That would be me. I am that person.
@Andrew65

What do you do when you are quarantined because of the #COVID-19 pandemic? You read a book about the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, of course. 😷 Pretty scary stuff! Seriously, this book was exceptional with its multi-layered plot and it‘s memorable characters, it‘s one of the best books that I‘ve read centered on that pandemic.

It took a little getting used to a story old from so many perspectives...the Bright family of 5. However the electrical emotion story that follows them for Quakertown to the big city was great. So many pieces to the puzzle do not reveal themselves until the very shocking end.

Today on the blog, we decided to from our planned post to share some book recs featuring plagues and pandemics.

Check pur picks and tell us all about yours in the comments.

https://stuckinthestacks.com/2020/03/12/themed-thursday-infectious-stories/

#bookrecommendations #themedthursdays #bookstagram #bookishalgor #bookishalgorithm

@megnews I‘m so glad you picked this book for our #LMPBC book. I loved it so much! I loved reading everyone‘s thoughts in it too @Butterfinger @Laughterhp . I really enjoyed doing this together. I absolutely recommend this for lovers of historical fiction. I will mail this back Friday or Saturday.

This story is set at the tail-end of WWI and follows a family and their friends through the Spanish Flu pandemic and its after-effects. This book broke my heart but it‘s very much worth reading, especially if you enjoy historical fiction. I look forward to reading more of her books! 5⭐️

#HistoricalFiction
#BOTM

This book is killing me!! 😭😭😭 Must finish it ASAP so I can go read something cheerful. 😓 #BOTM

@Cinfhen I‘m posting what was going to be my first post as a #monthlybookreport- but three of these books need to be finished and put in the mail ASAP. @megnews @SamHeartCoffee I have not forgotten! My #book spin is listed thanks to @TheAromaofBooks and my current audio book Born A Crime- it is a perfect audio. Spillover is my alternate audio. A family emergency meant very little schoolwork or reading for two weeks. #catchupweek #wishmeluck

1. Definitely drawn to beautiful or intriguing covers
2. For #LMPBC
3. Online
4. Up long before the alarm. That‘s my peaceful reading time.
5. @sblbooks

#FriYayIntro

“Life is wonderful and beautiful but oh, how hard it can be.”

#disaster
#ReallyRandomFebruary

I‘m playing catch up! Yesterday was extremely busy! I keep thinking about this book and The Spanish flu epidemic in 1918 the more I hear about the Coronavirus... 😓💔

Phew, this book was heartbreaking. So much death. I can‘t even imagine living in a time with that much death and nothing you can do about it. This book was also beautiful and had so many great phrases and thoughts that made you think. So even though this book made me depressed and angry, I‘m not sorry I read it. But I definitely need a happy palette cleanser.

#LMPBC - I‘ll get this out to you this week Chrissy

Hey #LMPBC group, I know I owe this book to @Chrissyreadit - I just wanted to give you all an update. I‘m about 229 pages in and this book made me so depressed and grumpy last night (I was snapping at my husband for no reason) I just had to take a break.

I hope to be able to mail this out to you next weekend at the latest. (I have 200 pages left)

I also have the Wet Nurses Tales to read too! (Which I think is the last book in the round for Feb

#Bookmail

Tammy - I received the next #LMPBC book today! Thanks so much for the goodies. The envelope was a little bit open just so you know. But I can‘t wait to use this gorgeous journal! And the hat looks so warm and I love that it‘s hand knit.

Kristen - I received your book as well! I appreciate you sending it! 😊

Can‘t wait to dive into both these books!

#newyearwhodis

A new favorite author. Thank you @megnews . @Laughterhp , I am sort of scared to mail it. I will let you know when I do send it. Merry Christmas to all @Chrissyreadit

This book will break your 💔 again & again. Still, one of my best reads this year and glad I picked it for #LMPBC. Can‘t wait to hear what the rest of you think. @Butterfinger will be on its way to you early next week.
Book 12 for #20booksby2020
Book 288 11/16/19