literarycrew

Great discussion so far for The Chelsea Girls! Our next #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Kent‘s historical fiction account of the last woman set to be executed in Iceland.

Read at your own pace. Discussion on July 31st. I will post periodic check-ins throughout the month. All are welcome to join! I know several are planning to join in for the discussion!

mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Teresereading, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf

AllDebooks @LitsyEvents 2h

Sace Just put a copy on hold at my library! 1h

13 likes2 comments

Sargar114

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

so-so

Started this with print and was really struggling to get through. I switched to audio and it was much easier to get through. The story of Isobel, a Scottish seamstress who ends up going to Salem. What I didn‘t catch from reading but came through much clearer in audio was that Isobel sees color in letters and in a time where this could get you killed. It‘s a story of perseverance and friendship. Read for #literarycrew

Librarybelle

Librarybelle It‘s good to know that the audio is easier to get through than the print—I actually still have a little bit to read of this, and it‘s not as engaging as I had hoped it would be. 1d

Sargar114 @Librarybelle I was having the same issue, I would recommend switching then. The narrator does a Scottish brogue and it works well while she also does the male voices which I always find kind of weird. But audio was much better to get through. I ended up enjoying it overall, probably 3.5 if I‘m gonna be technical. 23h

Librarybelle Very good to know! 23h

14 likes3 comments

Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

It‘s time for our #LiteraryCrew discussion! I have 7 questions posted as spoilers; you can find these on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

I think this is my favorite of Davis‘s I‘ve read so far. Hope you enjoyed it too!

mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf

TheBookHippie I enjoyed this read very much -

This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland

TheBookHippie This one as well

The Ice at the End of the World: An Epic Journey Into Greenland's Buried Past and Our Perilous Future

TheBookHippie Greenland is the world's largest island, not a continent, and is located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. While part of North America geographically, it has strong cultural and historical ties to Europe, particularly Norway and Denmark. 2d

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TheBookHippie Nuuk, Greenland's capital, is a small city on the country's southwest coast. Its large fjord system is known for waterfalls, humpback whales and icebergs. The waterfront is dotted with brightly colored houses against the backdrop of Sermitsiaq mountain. Greenland National Museum has mummies and Inuit skin boats, while the Nuuk Art Museum displays local works. The Katuaq cultural center offers films, concerts and art.
2d

TheBookHippie Greenland's education system includes primary, secondary, and higher education levels, with a 10-year compulsory primary education for children aged 6-16. While education is free, including university, and students may receive a monthly grant, challenges remain in quality and completion rates, particularly at the secondary and higher education levels. 2d

Jerdencon I really enjoyed this one! But I love all her books! 1d

PurpleyPumpkin I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me of The Briar Club, but went in a different direction. A definite pick for me!👍🏽 1d

Sargar114 Good pick, thank you for hosting! 24h

Sargar114 @PurpleyPumpkin agree there are similarities to the Briar Club, especially with it being the same time period. Still working my way through that one but I like the artsy feel of this one. 23h

julieclair So, I was 2/3 through and loving it. Then the library wouldn‘t let me renew. 😭 So I‘m back on the waitlist and will finish whenever. 😕 12h

PurpleyPumpkin @Sargar114 Yes, definitely enjoyed the artsy side of this one!🙌🏽 10h

Karisa @PurpleyPumpkin Agreed! Definitely has some parallels with Briar Club (house, women MCs, red scare). I liked both 😊 6h

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Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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7. McCarthyism plays a massive role in this novel. Do you think McCarthyism made romantic and friendly relationships difficult? Why or why not? If so, what were the complications and the consequences of having a relationship? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Link in comments to a PBS American Experience page on Joseph McCarthy and McCarthyism

mcctrish I think connections can be found between McCarthyism and Trumpism today. It is really hard to overlook that kind of awful in a person 2d

Jerdencon @mcctrish I agree! So many times I was reading about McCarthyism it felt like I was reading about the ICE raids and it made me sad on how the world doesn‘t ever learn. 1d

Deblovestoread I agree! There are so many similarities. History continues to repeat itself. 1d

Sargar114 It‘s hard not to be disappointed in someone who shares appalling beliefs about a group of people the way McCarthyism and Trumpers do. 24h

6 likes4 comments

Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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6. “Maxine‘s bravery in the square, as well as now, with the major, astonished Hazel. She wished she were that brash. But she wouldn‘t dare question an authority figure. Always the understudy, in life as well as in art.” How does Hazel transform throughout the novel, and does the word “understudy,” which she considers to have negative connotations, change in meaning as well? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 Oh interesting I forgot about her role at the start as an understudy.considering once she took the lead and directed she became much more of a fighter and much more brazen. 24h

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Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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5. How do Hazel and Maxine subvert or conform to 1950s expectations and gender roles? ~from Reading Group Guides #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Sargar114 I found it interesting that Maxine was able to be a spy by conforming. She was able to get inside and serve the needs of the party. Hazel fought so hard (rightfully so) but it‘s ultimately what led her to be an outcast. 24h

5 likes1 comment

Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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4. What did you think of Charlie and his desire to join the FBI? How do you think his relationship with his father shaped his ambitions? Were you rooting for him and Hazel? Why or why not? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish Charles totally bought into the idea that communism was wrong and his country was true and righteous and wanted to fight on the side of good. Then he learned countries are ruled by men and they are not always promoting good. I rooted for them so hard 2d

Deblovestoread I wanted them to work it out. Hazel lost everything. 1d

Sargar114 I don‘t know if I was rooting for them. I wasn‘t terribly fond of Hazel and she seemed to sabotage as well. While I don‘t know how Charlie really felt about the FBI, it‘s seemed pretty bold of her to ask him not to plow what he thought was his dream. 24h

Karisa I was rooting for them too. We need sensible, honorable people like Charlie in those powerful positions. People who can think for themselves and see nuances 5h

6 likes4 comments

Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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3. When Maxine flubs her lines on opening night, her career doesn‘t suffer, but Hazel‘s does. Why do you think that is? How would you have reacted in Hazel‘s situation? Do you think she has a right to be bitter about the success of Wartime Sonata‘s revival, or should she be grateful? ~from Reading Group Guides #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish What a double edged sword this was - I would totally have been so upset with Maxine and so bitter but the bitterness did really impact Hazel‘s life and that just made it feel a waste 2d

Jerdencon I feel like Maxine doing that set the trajectory of Hazels life… it wasn‘t just a quick fix it had long term repercussions. 1d

Deblovestoread I love Broadway musicals but don‘t know enough about what decides a closing. Up until Maxine‘s purposeful errors the buzz was positive, it seemed extreme that the actress erroring would shut it down. 1d

Sargar114 I mean, Hazel was an outsider who was on the cusp of being blacklisted due to the communist scare it makes sense that the powers that be find a reason to shut it down. It completely upended her career and because of her status couldn‘t overcome. Maxine was already somewhat established so she could overcome a speed bump. 24h

Karisa Ugh, I agree with @mcctrish I would‘ve been so sad and mad at the waste of it all too. Hazel‘s career, Floyd, Charlie…and who comes out on top still? Maxine and Tangerine girl 🥴 5h

5 likes5 comments

Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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2. If Maxine had not made the tragic choice she did, do you think she and Hazel would have renewed their friendship? If you were in Hazel‘s shoes, would you forgive Maxine? Why or why not? ~ from Reading Group Guides #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Jerdencon Im not sure they would have ever gone back to the way they were. Hazel was very head strong and not sure she would have completely forgiven Maxine. 1d

Deblovestoread Maxine‘s choice changed Hazel‘s life trajectory. It would be hard to forgive it. 1d

Sargar114 It‘s tough because Hazel wouldn‘t have gotten the opportunity she got if it weren‘t for Maxine, but then to ultimately bomb the play to save her destroyed her life. Like @Deblovestoread said, completely changed the trajectory. We can see the why but Hazel will always wonder what could have been… 24h

Karisa I feel like Hazel didn‘t know Maxine really. She had so many sides—who was the real one? I felt disconnected from that character and wondered if her story arc was just a little too much 5h

6 likes4 comments

Librarybelle

The Chelsea Girls | Fiona Davis

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1. I enjoy Davis's works because she focuses each story on a landmark in New York City. For this novel, we visit the Hotel Chelsea.

Have you visited the Hotel Chelsea? Do you want to visit after reading this book?

Links in comments to an interview in which Davis details her reasons to feature the Hotel Chelsea, as well as the history of the hotel from the hotel's website. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle Davis interview: https://www.fionadavisbooks.com/the-chelsea-girlsqanda

Hotel Chelsea history: https://hotelchelsea.com/history 2d

mcctrish I totally want to visit it someday 2d

Jerdencon I actually have been in the lobby of the hotel (I live in NYC). It‘s been redone and is very artsy and cool. I need to go back now that I‘ve read the book. I have eaten at El. Quiojte several times - they have the best sangria! 1d

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Deblovestoread Would love to visit some day. I, too, like the setting of Davis‘s novels and getting an intimate look at historical buildings. 1d

Sargar114 Never been, but would love to. I actually wish this story had more of it. It felt like it started strong but then got away from the hotel itself. 24h

Karisa So many cool people through those doors! I‘d like to see it too, especially since @Jerdencon mentions it‘s been redone in an artsy way. The ending of the book made it sound so drab and sad. (And yum, sangria! 😊) 5h

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