Welcome to Litsy!

This takes place in such a gloriously weird world that I really, really wanted to love it. Alas, I‘m bailing at 45%. Holton clearly aims to rethink women‘s roles in Victorian England, but she‘s done so within a framework where the women in question are more concerned about any sort of skin-darkening than they are sexual assault, and where they gleefully embrace colonial trappings like Pygmy bones as ornaments. No, thank you.

The story was entertaining for the most part but I found most of it to be tedious to read. It took me far longer than usual to finish and I found myself reading other books instead. ⭐️⭐️

A swashbuckling frolic! Great fun. 🏴‍☠️

#TBRTarot (May)
#BookSpin #DoubleSpin (February)
#BigFabBeatles (Weapon on Cover)
#Booked2023 (Gaslamp Fantasy)
#ReadYourTBR

My definition of heaven! 📚🧁

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels” was an absolute delight. I loved the humor and sass that India Holton writes with, and I adored all of the characters. I will most definitely be reading this one again!

@JulieClair here are some picks for you!! I've read the tagged book - my copy says “Delightfully Bonkers“ on the front, and that about sums it up 😂 I've also read and enjoyed Raven Black, although it isn't very springy! The other three sound lovely; I've been meaning to read The Country Diary for years!

Happy reading!!!

Thanks for hosting @aperfectmjk !!!

3️⃣ Something in the Heir ➡️ 4️⃣ The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

#ThingsInCommon: illustrated covers with blue base

This book was okay, not quite my genre, but I think others will enjoy this more.
Cover is fun.
TBR since february 2023; 324 pages.

This book was bonkers in the best way!
The Wisteria Society is home to the best female pirates and thieves England can boast. When somebody starts stealing their flying houses, it is up to Cecelia to save them all.
Oh, and Cecelia is also dodging an assassin hired by another Wisteria Society member, kidnap attempts by the crown, an annoying wannabe pirate, and her mad father with aspirations to be Lord Byron.
Finished 1/12/2023

A charming and utterly bonkers fantasy romance - there are pirates, lady assassins, etiquette, flying houses, overwrought poetry, and even Queen Victoria herself. Ridiculous but so much fun to read!

After trying to swallow this down for two months, I've given up. I liked the idea of a Jane Austen worded book. But I just couldn't get past it at the same time. Too many words and not enough actual story.

Fluffy, madcap romp. Reminded me of Gail Carriger‘s Finishing School series in some ways + Princess Bride references. Not on theme for #scarathlon but decent for word score points. #pointathon #teammonstermash 896 points

Delightfully absurd and unexpectedly naughty. A rousing good read from start to finish if you like high society, piracy, or both!

My next read. Hoping for an amazing adventure.

I actually read this one last year for #LMPBC and really enjoyed its absolute zaniness, snarky humor, ridiculous adventures, and sassy characters. I decided to give it a reread before picking up the newly-published second installment in the series, and enjoyed it possibly even more this time around since I was actually ready for this book to have magic in it, unlike the first time when I was a little blindsided by it haha This one is completely ⬇

I think I had a higher expectation based upon the premise and cover. The aspects of modern lady pirates felt they could have expanded on more. These two also fell in love too quick and under odd circumstances by the end. Not enough action for pirates who like to boast their thievery skills. Their tea parties reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean pirate code meeting. The jabs at men having to stay home to watch the house and such is funny

This book is just darling! I loved the characters and mad-cap story line with pirates, ladies, and silliness. A great escape and the perfect read for a Saturday afternoon! I think this completes 5 bingoes! #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I‘m having the best time with this. 😂 Light and fluffy and clever, with a healthy dose of ladies being badass, it‘s the perfect companion for a quiet Saturday at work. 😍😂 #thewisteriasocietyofladyscoundrels #indiaholton

When your new book matches your new pedicure! #currentread

Okay. I was going to give this book a so-so. But I got sucked in. I want to be a pirate. Even if I‘m from the most dry, land locked state. That‘s all.

This was a funny light read. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon that‘s not terribly brilliant weather wise. I had fun reading this one and there were several laugh out loud moments. #romantsy #readingchallenge2022

This was a great little adventure. It was a combination of Bridgerton and The Princess Bride. Completely unique and clever. #pantone2022

This book was absolutely perfect. Lady pirates, assassination attempts, flying houses and one of the funniest heroines ever

Lady Darlington is one quotable b*tch, see below:
“If society wanted me to keep track of my illicit lovers, they should have educated me better.”
“Run away with the boy. Abandon your duties. Live in sin. Or else your bad name will be utterly redeemed.”
This book is an easy 10/10, I couldn‘t do this book description justice if I tried, it‘s so funny and cute and original, just read it

I came home to a lovely surprise from the always awesome @Avanders
Thank you so much! You did not have to do that but you are so generous I‘m not surprised. Both of these were on my wish list and I‘m excited to read them .

Looking back at August 2021. #12booksof2021 It was so hard to choose a favorite because I read some excellent books. Obviously, Empire of Pain was amazing, but for fun, I loved the tagged. It was unexpected, & I can‘t wait for a sequel. Also, I loved The Guncle. @Andrew65

“I‘m thinking of starting a Society of Gentleman Scoundrels.”
“You‘re millennia too late. It already exists, and is called the patriarchy.”

“Cecilia had tried to be tempestuous for him, but it always gave her a headache... Even reading Wuthering Heights had proven a trial. She‘d kept wanting to edit it.”

😂🤣 Me too, Cecilia. Me too.

“It is violence that best overcomes hate, vengeance that most certainly heals injury, and a good cup of tea that soothes the most anguished soul.” Thus ran the motto of the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels.

Finally catching up on a couple months of reviews… 😬 This was hilarious and tons of fun—nothing serious, just a madcap romp with lady pirates, flying houses, several outlandish assassination plots, tons of witty literary references, and a love story to boot. The audiobook was delightful; just the escape I needed for my commute!

“One can be happy in eternal solitude. A book, a cup of tea, and no company: that was Cecilia‘s idea of heaven. Having spent the past week surrounded by people and thwarted at every turn in her efforts to locate a library, she was now feeling as if she had endured an upper circle of Hell.”

This book was bonkers! And silly and rather charming and entertaining.

It's hard to describe. Victorian lady pirates whose vessels are flying houses get kidnapped by a male scoundrel who believes Bramwell Bronte was a genius and that uppity women should be back in the kitchen. Meanwhile our protagonist falls for a rakish male pirate (who is sadly without a flying house) as they go off to rescue the kidnapped members of the Wisteria Society.

I have loved this book. The chapter titles are very accurate chaos throughout. It's a lot of fun.

"A lady stays tranquil and poised under all circumstances. Instead of panicking, she squares her jaw, protects her heart, and ensures that she has enough ammunition to gun down everyone in her path."
--Lady Armitage

Starting this today. I can't believe this round is almost over. I've been so busy the past few months I haven't had the spoons to post on here.

Thank you for all the birthday goodies, Chrissy! You are so thoughtful and generous! Self care, fall decor, bookish fun, and a terrific cutting board! (I already have it in the kitchen, so I forgot it for the photo!) The pumpkin is so unique and striking! Thank you so much for choosing and wrapping and shipping all these gifts - it was a fabulous birthday explosion!

An author-recommendation quote on the front cover of this one says "Delightfully bonkers" & that's honestly a great assessment haha This one is a zany ride but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a book that needs to be read in the spirit it was written, and it was a bit over-long, but on the whole a very entertaining read.

This was my #LMPBC read for this month!! @Laughterhp @Allylu @Bianca

A total romp! This story is full of flying houses, explosions, robbery, assassins, lady pirates, and romance. Holton doesn‘t take anything too seriously and the highly stylized writing takes some getting used to, but it‘s worth it. Very silly, very fun.

Another readathon!! Yes!! #SuperSeptember starts tomorrow. Since @Andrew65 is unwell @EadieB is stepping up to help host!! I'm going to try to get through 2400 pages this week - we'll see what happens as this is our last week before vacation so I'm guessing life is going to be a bit busy!!!

Really enjoying the tagged book which is my #LMPBC read for this month. It's absolutely ridiculous, but in a fun way haha

Just one page over breakfast & now I‘m useless at work as I really want to read my book!

I finished this just in time for romance book club a few days ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Those of us that listened to the audiobook seemed to enjoy it a bit more than the physical book readers, so I recommend listening to it. It's definitely a more fun and lighthearted #LittensDressedInBlood kind of read!

I'm unofficially doing #BookSpinBingo just because I love marking off the squares. This month is a mix of TBR and Book Club picks.

One lap, two pets kind of night 🐶😸 #catsoflitsy #dogsoflitsy

1. Tagged. A fun book
2. Still participating in my library‘s challenge—if anyone has a “how-to” book suggestion, I need one for Sept. Will do bookspin & the fall swap.
#two4tuesday Thanks for the tag Lisa! @TheSpineView

Really enjoying this so far. Especially at the beach!

This book was ridiculously funny. I thought I misread when I saw “flying houses”, but no, that was correct. And the etiquette of the ladies of the Society was just too much. Anyway, it will be on it‘s way to you very soon, Sarah! #105 #BookSpinBingo #1 #TAILSandTALESforADULTS #32 #THEROYALREADATHON - GusGus a cheesy book #HSREADATHON #7

Finished this late last night & loved it! I didn‘t realize it had fantasy elements until I started it, but loved the flying houses. Set in Victorian England w/ romance, action, a villain who is obsessed with the Brontes, strong women, & Queen Victoria talking to dead Prince Albert‘s portrait.
“Yes,” he agreed. “I‘m thinking of starting a Society Of Gentleman Scoundrels.”
“You‘re millennia too late. It already exists and is called the patriarchy.”

A delightfully fun novel with lady pirates, flying houses and plenty of banter. I loved it! I wish I could live in this world and fly my house around the country as I raid libraries and exchange witty banter with swashbuckling men. I especially loved how the author took typical gender roles/conceptions and turned them on their heads. ❤️

Graphic is from the author‘s Facebook page.
This was my August #doublespin historical fiction choice.