The Land Of Spices | 
None of the books I read this month were total standouts, but the tagged snuggled it‘s way into my heart so it wins for May.
#2023readingbracket
pickI really loved this gentle story of a nun questioning her vocation and the young girl full of promise at her school. It was a comfort read for me, quietly lovely, with elements that spoke to me: I loved the French and I feel an affinity towards those that share my last name, Archer. It was refreshing to read a story of Catholic education that wasn‘t dark and abusive. Thanks to @jlhammar for hosting this read. Better late than never - I loved it.
I have an ambitious reading month so I‘m looking forward to this readathon to keep me on track.
Goals:
📚Finish Every Soul a Star
📚Finish The Land of Spices
📚Finish Vladimir
📚Make significant progress in Demon Copperhead
#magnificentmay
pickI‘m coming in late with my #NunLitQuarterly review but it looks like I feel much the same as everyone else!
This 1941 novel of an Edwardian era, Irish convent school was initially slow-going for me but once I got past the first section I found myself delighting in the day-to-day “harem-like” world of the nuns and pupils. It‘s a “pick”!
(The nun above is a 1950s “head vase” that was gifted to me, a non-Catholic 😆).
pickThe first quarter of this book was slow going, but it barely distracted because I loved the rest of the book. I loved Sr Helen‘s story, what drew her to her vows, and how she conducted herself as a woman of authority. And I loved Anna‘s growth and her realization of what Reverend Mother was to her life. And this, perhaps the prettiest line I‘ve read this month…↓
April #BookSpin #12, Cat: Litsy Stacked TBR @TheAromaofBooks
#NunLitQuarterly
A quarter of the way through, and I‘m enjoying this one so far. O‘Brien is a terrific writer, and I‘m enjoying the way she uses precise and perfectly apt adjectives for her characters.
#nunlitquarterly
pickI have to admit I struggled with this at the start, & had I been reading on my own would have probably bailed. I'm not why I struggled; I just felt stuck & unable to get close to the book, if that makes sense. But others who read it said it gets better in the second part, & they were right. It was at turns deeply moving & reflective, a glimpse into the inner landscape of spiritual life, & somehow also quietly feminist. #nunlitquarterly @jlhammar
pickI loved the current #nunlitquarterly selection. As is often the case, the beginning was slow going, as I got a handle on the different characters. But from pretty much chapter 3 or 4 on, I read it in one big gulp. Anna and the Reverend Mother completely won my heart (and made me cry more than once).
pickI nearly bailed until I got to Book 2 when the characters came to life. O‘Brien explores the motivation behind religious vocations, which are sometimes driven by an impulse to withdraw from what is an imperfect & painful world. I think Mother Reverend does rediscover herself and her humanity, particularly when she advises her favorite pupil to never judge another human being. 💜
It took awhile before I noticed the apple! #NunLitQuarterly
pickSix-year-old Anna Murphy is sent to Sainte Famille boarding school and convent. Over the years she finds a fierce advocate and kindred spirit in the enigmatic Reverend Mother. Realistic, reflective, compassionate - this moving novel really spoke to my bookish, feminist and NunLit-loving heart.
#NunLitQuarterly crew, I look forward to reading your thoughts and reviews throughout the month!
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, BookishShelly, UwannaPublishme, DivineDiana, Penny_LiteraryHoarders, kspenmoll, KathyWheeler, LeahBergen, Caroline2, MicheleinPhilly, Centique, EvieBee, Aimeesue, Suet624, Libby1, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Tamra, AlaMich, monalyisha, JamieArc, marleed, Kristin_Reads
Just read Helen‘s last letter from her father 😥 A few pages before she is remembering her mother smiling over the last line of this poem, the inspiration for our title, saying to her “your father accepts it with his whole imagination - only, at the same time, he happens to have no real use for it. Isn‘t it ironic?”
See below for a link to a beautiful chorale piece based on this poem 🎶 Joyeuses Pâques, mes soeurs!
#NunLitQuarterly
Glad I muddled through because Book 2 begins to reveal the nature of the characters in earnest.
The writing is subtly building toward an inevitable confrontation with the truth of matters.
#NunLitQuarterly
Bold move on O‘Brien‘s part including a long letter in French without translation. My college French is more than a little rusty, but hopefully I‘m getting the gist of it!
I liked the part of Boylan‘s intro where she speculated that O‘Brien “must have been an editor‘s nightmare.” 😂 I think it‘s very good so far. Lots of interiority which I always tend to appreciate.
#NunLitQuarterly
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, BookishShelly, UwannaPublishme, DivineDiana, Penny_LiteraryHoarders, kspenmoll, KathyWheeler, LeahBergen, Caroline2, MicheleinPhilly, Centique, EvieBee, Aimeesue, Suet624, Libby1, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Tamra, AlaMich, monalyisha, JamieArc, marleed, Kristin_Reads
#weeklyforecast
2 #buddyreads & 2 personal picks
#nunlit #audiomystery #sherlockian #sundaybuddyread #FinMacleodsetries #OuterHerbrides
Cindy- thank you for starting this tag- it so helps my at times disorganized, distracted brain to actually plan & stay on track. Of course I allow myself “mood” book choices…
So happy to be reading The Land of Spices alongside you all this month! Kate O‘Brien was a fascinating woman. For those who may want to get to know her a bit, I‘ve included a few links in the comments below. The 1962 Self Portrait video is definitely worth a watch.
#NunLitQuarterly
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, BookishShelly, UwannaPublishme, DivineDiana, Penny_LiteraryHoarders, kspenmoll, KathyWheeler, LeahBergen, Caroline2, MicheleinPhilly, Centique, EvieBee, Aimeesue, Suet624, Libby1, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Tamra, AlaMich, monalyisha, JamieArc, marleed, Kristin_Reads
repost for @jlhammar:
#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 April 2023 reminder 🔔
Dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy,
April is nigh and that means it is time to get ready for our group read of The Land of Spices by Kate O‘Brien. Read the book sometime in April, post your review and any thoughts you may have along the way and be sure to tag the group.
All are welcome to read along with us!
original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2566936
#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 April 2023 reminder 🔔
Dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy,
April is nigh and that means it is time to get ready for our group read of The Land of Spices by Kate O‘Brien. Read the book sometime in April, post your review and any thoughts you may have along the way and be sure to tag the group.
All are welcome to read along with us!
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, BookishShelly, UwannaPublishme, DivineDiana, Penny_LiteraryHoarders, kspenmoll, KathyWheeler, LeahBergen, Caroline2, MicheleinPhilly, Centique, EvieBee, Aimeesue, Suet624, Libby1, Deblovestoread, batsy, Tamra, AlaMich, monalyisha, JamieArc, marleed, Kristin_Reads
Thank you, @ShelleyBooksie , for this gorgeous and thoughtful #FallingForFallSwap package!
Another #FurrowedMiddlebrow for my collection, a Kate O‘Brien that‘s been long on my wish-list, lovely jasmine tea and that BEAUTIFUL teacup set … I love it all. 😘😘
And thank you to @Avanders for hosting another great swap! 😘😘
#FFFS
#MOvember One of my favorite Madonna songs of all time🙏🏻💋💄She was bringing us Sunday Service wayyyyyy before Kanye 🙌🏻Tagged book sounds really interesting, a Mother Superior who begins to question her calling and the arrival of a young novice. #LikeAPrayer
