Matrix | 
pickJust finished for #AuthorAMonth, and I loved it. Took me awhile to warm up to it, but once I understood the rhythm of the storytelling, I was captivated by Marie and her sisters.
The best book for February is Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista, but Matrix is using a bonus space, as it was very close between them.
#readingbracket2024
pickOverall, it's a good read, though there's no strong plot. You follow Marie as she morphs from unwanted orphan to powerful abbess. I wish we had more of her life as a crusader.
#authoramonth @Soubhiville
pickMy favorite part about this book are the snarky side comments from the author about the environment and feminist topics. It's really very good.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville (I actually meant to just read 1 per month but I thoroughly enjoyed this extra one)
pickThis book was unlike anything I've read before, and through much of it, I wasn't sure if it would be a pick for me or not. But it kept me coming back, and there were moments of greatness. This was my first Lauren Groff, and I read it for my February ##AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
pick#aty24 #historyorhistoricalfiction #52bookclub24 #yellowspine
@BarbaraBB @Kristy_K @LaraReads @KarenUK @Hooked_on_books @BarkingMadRead @brittanyreads @Magpiegem @BookBelle84 @Larkken @julesG @Deblovestoread @MidnightBookListener @Librarybelle @triplem80 @Tove_Reads @Read4life @Bluebird @eeclayton @hissingpotatoes @Book_Lover95 @TheAromaofBooks @kwmg40 @Crazeedi @Graciouswarriorprincess @Kristel @slategreyskies
pickRelegated to being a nun for being unmarriable, she‘s a huge and ugly girl, Marie uses these attributes to become a powerful abbess. She turns an impoverished abbey wealthy by sheer will and then built the means to protect it from evil. I should have liked this book much more than I did. I think two things held me back: too much sex for nuns and a lot of the book is telling rather than showing slowing it down. Still a decent read. #authoramonth
For those doing #AuthorAMonth who haven't started yet; here's a Kindle deal.
#Soubvihille
pickImmersive story. Strong female characters. Lovely writing. Insightful commentary on feminism, power, religion, and the environment. Ultimately, however, this book left me a little cold. I liked it but didn‘t love it. Still, I‘m glad for #authoramonth which provided me an opportunity to read it.
I‘ve been really sick with a chest cold since Friday. Sadly I wasn‘t even up to reading, just lots of sleeping. Tonight I‘m doing much better and have a reading buddy. #authoramonth @Soubhiville
Thanks for the nice package @Soubhiville !
From HPB today tagged book for #authoramonth and the Nancy Horan book for #Samoa #readingOceania @Soubhiville @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB
Do any #nunlit or #nunlitquarterly folks have resources to clarify the whole convent vs. abbey and prioress vs. abbess thing? I‘ve always found these religious and clerical terms (rector, vicar, curate) baffling. Someone really needs to write a short handbook!! 🤓
pick#LiteraryCrew read this months ago, and I‘m just finishing it!
This is my first book by Groff, and I was astounded by her writing. It‘s a short book, but it is a slow read - so methodical and poignant. Absolutely gorgeous.
Marie is sent to an abbey in the 12th century. It should be noted that Marie is not religious, and yet she eventually becomes the abbess and does quite a lot of remarkable and controversial changes. Power, love, devotion. ⬇️
The story of Marie, who was banished by the Queen to live in a convent back in the 1100‘s. She wasn‘t particularly religious and at first she didn‘t like living with the nuns, but after some time she begins to realize her own inner strength as she begins to collect favors, spies and friends that help her increase the wealth of the convent. This isn‘t a very fast read, but the writing is beautiful.
pickSet 1000 years ago. An inspiring story about a very strong woman
Fascinating interview on NPR today regarding Margaret Goff‘s “trilogy”
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/11/1198409885/lauren-groff-the-vaster-wilds
Maybe #sundaybuddyread next year? Or #literarycrew ?Maybe too many have already read it but it‘s a thought.
Contemplating Matrix while watching my ladies take a group dust bath. It is their absolute bliss. An all female order ruled by Gilda, the black and white in the middle. For those who have read Michael Twitty‘s book, she is a Dominque. Heritage breed that came over to America with the Pilgrims. And such a sweet girl. She comes to the kitchen door to ask for cheese treats. I oblige.
pickOof. A book about power, women claiming power, wielding power. Set in a 13th century abbey. Marie is a badass. Let‘s raise a hand to the Maries of the world. First book completed for #20in4. @Andrew65
Waiting for a friend, enjoying a quiet moment in one of my favorite bars with a book Im enjoying more than I expected. Nice end to a rough day.
Recent acquisitions:
📖 Your Guide to not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson & Jay Cooper
📖 Matrix by Lauren Groff
📖 Being Elizabethan: Understanding Shakespeare's Neighbors by Norman Jones
#fREADom #UniteAgainstBookBans
#WomensHistoryMonth #Recommendations 15of31 Fiction
A novel about a 12th century woman who is cast out of a royal court and sent to run a failing convent? Count me in. This book is a bit slow because it is heavily character driven but the descriptions of life, and the amazing fortitude of the nuns was wonderful to read. I was engrossed by this book and it was one of my top reads for that publication year.
so-so#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Groff is clearly a talented writer but a story about Marie of France and nuns living and working in an abbey during the Middle Ages did not hold my attention or peak any sort of interest. Honestly I don‘t even know what to make of this. I just know this kind of story and this kind of writing style is just not for me. Glad I tried it at least.
It‘s time for the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I have posted discussion questions…you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, and searching for #LiteraryCrew . Please share any additional thoughts and comments below!
March‘s title is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. If you wish to be tagged for next month, and were not tagged in the prior Black Cake post, let me know!
mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Readergrrl, kspenmoll, BethM, mrp27, JamieArc, inthegreensandblues, Sargar114, SamAnne, MoonWitch94, BookLineNSinker, julieclair, AllDebooks7. What does the ending of the novel say about ambition, the value of art, and leadership? What is the legacy of Marie of France? ~from Penguin Random House discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. When Marie presents her idea for the labyrinth to the women she trusts, Wulfhild alone is unsupportive. Marie asks if Wulfhild does not love her and Wulfhild replies that she loves her enough to tell her that her plan is foolish. What kinds of love exist in Matrix? What is the relationship between love and devotion? ~from Penguin Random House discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. Marie becomes the most powerful figure at the abbey—yet she was ordered there by the queen. She is at once the most powerful and essentially powerless. How does Marie‘s understanding of power shift during her time at the abbey? What people or forces complicate her understanding? How does she feel about her own power after she begins having visions? ~from Penguin Random House discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. One of the most significant changes Marie makes at the abbey involves shifting how the nuns do their work. Consider how Marie‘s attitude toward work shapes life at the abbey, and what kind of change it allows for the community. How does it compare with modern views of work? What are the benefits or drawbacks of the change, as seen in the book? ~adapted from Penguin Random House discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Marie has a complex relationship with Queen Eleanor. How does her relationship with the queen change over the course of the book? Her feelings about Queen Eleanor are described as “terrible love.” Do you see the obsession as mutual? To what degree do these feelings shape Marie‘s ambitions for herself? For the abbey? ~adapted from Penguin Random House discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Matrix takes place in a twelfth-century abbey and explores the life of a powerful and singular figure, Marie of France, set against a rapidly changing world order. What themes in the book resonated with you as you think about the modern-day challenges we face as a society? ~from Penguin Random House discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. Why do you think Groff chose “Matrix“ as the title?
Libro Maniancs cites this quote: “without the womb of Eve, which is the House of Death, there could be no womb of Mary, which is the House of Life. Without the first matrix, there could be no salvatrix, the greatest matrix of all.“ “Matrix“ is an archaic term for womb, or point of origin or grid or a casting mold. ~adapted from Libro Maniacs website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
so-soThis was well-written, just not really my thing. I liked some of the characters and the feminist bent, but the time period isn't one I know much about.
This was my #doublespin for February.
Started reading February‘s pick for the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead today while enjoying a vanilla matcha latte. It‘s an interesting story so far! Hoping to finish before the end of the month. 😅
(February 25, 2023)
Check in time for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead …in the blink of an eye, we‘re a week away from the discussion! I know some of us have finished, while others have started to read (I plan to start this week). Any thoughts to share with the group so far?
mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Readergrrl, kspenmoll, BethM, mrp27, JamieArc, inthegreensandblues, Sargar114, SamAnne, MoonWitch94, BookLineNSinker, julieclair, AllDebooks
panI‘m not terribly certain what I listened to, maybe audio isn‘t the preferred format, but this one wasn‘t for me. At times beautiful language and definitely food for thought which will probably make it a good discussion piece for #literarycrew.
Repost for @Librarybelle
February‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead!
Read at your own pace, and discussion will take place on the 28th.
See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2544082
Yesterday kicked off this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Happy reading to everyone joining in this month. Tagging those who have already indicated to be on the tag list for this month; if you would also like to be included, comment below!
Read at your own pace, and discussion will take place on the 28th.
Anticipated February buddy reads:
Revelations #nunlit
Matrix #literarycrew
Who‘s Body? #goldenagecrimeclub
Dearest Josephine #sundaybuddyread
Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles #diversecozy2023
pickIt‘s 1158 and 17 yr old Marie is thrown out of French court by the queen and sent to a nunnery. Marie is a bastard of royal blood but wouldn‘t marry well because she is ugly and a giant! The nunnery is decrepit and everyone in it is dead or close to it. Matrix is the story of Marie and how she creates a safe haven for women. This reads like a true story, it would be pretty cool if it was
More car reading and enjoying my blue nails 💙 as one does 🤣🤣 I am thoroughly enjoying Matrix
Repost for @Librarybelle
February‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is a trip back in time to the 12th century.
We‘re a low key buddy read - read at your own pace during the month, and I will post periodic check ins. Discussion questions posted at the end of the month.
Tagging those who have expressed prior interest in this title. All are welcome to join - comment on original post to join in
February‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is a trip back in time to the 12th century.
We‘re a low key buddy read - read at your own pace during the month, and I will post periodic check ins. Discussion questions posted at the end of the month.
Tagging those who have expressed prior interest in this title. All are welcome to join - comment below, and I will add you to the tag list!
mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Readergrrl, kspenmoll, BethM, JamieArc, inthegreensandblues, Sargar114, SamAnne, MoonWitch94, LitsyEvents, julieclair, AllDebooks
bailed
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Andrew65 @Ghabi4Roses
#BookSpinBibgo #6 (late reading) for #AuthorAMonth (February) @Soubhiville
GoodRead #ATY 52 books AroundTheYear #20 (single word in title) 3w