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BarbaraJean

Joined May 2016

READ ALL THE THINGS! http://www.goodreads.com/barbarajanette https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/barbarajean https://commonplacehope.wordpress.com

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Blueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or S by Srdja Popovic, Sra Popoviac

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The Unfolding by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

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L.M. Montgomery's Complete Journals: The Ontario Years, 1922-1925 by Lucy Maud Montgomery

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Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset

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Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue

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L.M. Montgomery's Complete Journals: The Ontario Years, 1922-1925 | Lucy Maud Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead So, I had talked about us reading the 400-ish-page-long novel-in-verse Aurora Leigh after we read Emily Climbs. A couple of you were game to try but had trepidations. Ultimately I decided I have enough on my plate and am not that ambitious right now. 😂 BUT, after seeing references to “The Alhambra“ in Emily of New Moon (+ LMM has talked about it in her journals), I thought that might be a fun one to add. Who's in?

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks, @lauraisntwilder, @CogsOfEncouragement, @rubyslippersreads, @kwmg40, @julieclair, @Daisey, @LeahBergen, @Roary47, @JenLovesJT47 1d

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks, @julieclair, @kwmg40, @JenLovesJT47, @lauraisntwilder - I have you on my tag list for Emily Climbs. Sarah and Laura, I'll also tag you for the journals. 1d

julieclair I‘m going to skip Emily Climbs because I‘ve got lots of travel ahead. But I‘m in for TheAlhambra. So exotic! 7h

27 likes3 comments

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Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - African Farm discussion 5/5:

LMM references this book several times in her journals:
Vol. 1—Oct. 7, 1897, p. 38
Vol. 2—March 6, 1901, p. 9
Vol. 4—Jan. 31, 1920, pp. 240-41
Vol. 5—Oct. 29, 1925, p. 420

What do you think LMM appreciated about this book? Where do you see influences on her writing?

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

BarbaraJean I‘ve thought several of our adjacent reads were a bust—but not this one. I‘m so glad we included this even though there was a lot about it that was frustrating. I could see LMM being influenced by the spiritual and religious views here—so many of the ideas reflect her views as articulated in her journals. And I noticed so many passages that echoed her writing. A couple quotes below ⬇ (edited) 1d

BarbaraJean “I once heard an old man say, that he never saw intellect help a woman so much as a pretty ankle; and it was the truth.”
—Lyndall in African Farm (Part 2, Chapter 4 “Lyndall“)

“Emily, you remember that. You have brains—hide them. Your ankles will do more for you than your brains ever will.”
—Aunt Nancy Priest in Emily of New Moon (Chapter 25) 1d

BarbaraJean This sounds SO like Anne:
“I will tell you... where I could pray. If there were a wall of rock on the edge of a world, and one rock stretched out far, far into space, and I stood alone upon it, alone, with stars above me, and stars below me—I would not say anything; but the feeling would be prayer.“
—Waldo, in African Farm (Part 2, Ch. 6 “A Boer-Wedding“) 1d

BarbaraJean Last one…there are SO many! @TheAromaofBooks @lauraisntwilder This is almost EXACTLY what we were musing about re: EoNM a few weeks ago—the soul/brain/body forms of love. In LMM‘s journal on Jan. 31, 1920, she quotes a passage from African Farm: “who knows whether there is no love that holds all—friendship, passion, worship?” Then she discusses different forms of love:
“Yes, I think there must be a love which embraces them all but it is rarer ⬇ 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …than a blue diamond. Most of us have to content ourselves with far less. I have loved different men in vastly different ways but I have never loved any man with the whole force of my nature—with passion and friendship and worship. They have all been present repeatedly but never altogether in any of my loves. Perhaps it is as well, for such a love, in spite of its rapture and wonder and happiness, would make a woman an absolute slave…” 1d

23 likes5 comments

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Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - African Farm discussion 4/5:

How did this work for you as a story, with so many philosophical or religious digressions? Would you have preferred the book to be one or the other—philosophy or story? Or did it work for you as is?

Published in 1883, this has been called an early feminist classic. What ideas (feminist or otherwise) did you find to be progressive for their time?

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

BarbaraJean The story felt really uneven to me, partly because of how different Parts 1 & 2 were from each other, but also because the philosophizing felt forced. I wish the author had done more to integrate the ideas into the narrative more naturally, rather than putting in long monologues from Lyndall, Waldo, Waldo's stranger, and others. The ideas in those monologues were integral to those characters, but the way they were presented was awkward. 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) That said, Waldo's ideas on religion & personal faith, and Lyndall's ideas (and choices) felt super progressive for the time (probably what LMM refers to when she says the book “made a tremendous sensation“). The fact that any moralizing on those ideas was put into Tant' Sannie's mouth, and clearly presented as wrong-headed, also felt ahead of its time (but it aligned with what we've seen in LMM's journals when she critiques religion). 1d

julieclair This didn‘t really feel like a story at all to me, but rather as a series of narrative vignettes interspersed with philosophical essays. It was much too disjointed for me. 1d

julieclair Lyndall‘s feminist attitudes and beliefs were obviously progressive for the time, but so were Tant Sannie‘s, with her multiple husbands. 1d

lauraisntwilder I never managed to get around to this one. I sort of hate summer for how busy and hectic it is. Maybe I'll read it one day! 🤞 1d

24 likes5 comments

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Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Story of an African Farm discussion 3/5:

Did you find the ending satisfying?
Do you think it offers resolution for the main characters and the questions they struggle with?
Did it offer resolution for you?

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

BarbaraJean I was so conflicted about the ending. I had a really hard time with Lyndall's fate. It all felt so bleak and hopeless, then somehow Waldo's reflections at the end made it work for me. For me, it did feel like there was resolution for Waldo and Em, but I don't see a resolution that resolves the questions Lyndall (and her story) raises. 1d

julieclair The ending just made me sad. I agree that Waldo and Em did find resolution, but still, the overarching feeling was one of sadness, I thought. For Lyndall, I‘m not sure resolution was even possible for her, being so far ahead of her time. I don‘t think that the society she lived in could have supported resolution for her in any way. 1d

21 likes2 comments

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Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - discussion 2/5:
Part One focuses on Bonaparte‘s sojourn at the farm and Waldo, Lyndall, and Em together as children. Part Two focuses on the three as young adults making their way separate from one another.

How do the children‘s experiences in Part One shape their lives in Part Two?
Do you see other connections between Parts One & Two?
Did the two parts feel like a cohesive narrative to you? Why/why not?

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

BarbaraJean The two parts felt disjointed at first, but looking back, I think Part 1 lays out the seeds of who the children become in Part 2. It's Bonaparte that made the book NOT feel cohesive to me! The whole Bonaparte thing felt out of place, other than providing some drama against which the children could demonstrate who they were (observant but passive & compliant Em, opinionated Lyndall struggling against constraints, Waldo trying to learn & grow). 1d

21 likes1 comment

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Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

This book was not at ALL what I expected! Let‘s discuss!

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Story of an African Farm discussion 1/5:

What impact does the setting (the African Farm of the title) have on the story? How did you feel about the characterization and treatment of native people throughout the book?

What roles do the adults (Tant‘ Sannie, Otto, Bonaparte) play in the children‘s growth (whether positively or negatively)?

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

rubyslippersreads I completely missed this one but, depending on the comments, may go back and catch up. 2d

BarbaraJean @rubyslippersreads Would love to hear your thoughts if you end up going back to read it! 1d

julieclair Tha characterization of the natives really disturbed me. Even setting aside the outdated language, the whites seemed to regard the natives almost like they would a piece of furniture. There to perform a function and otherwise beneath their notice. 1d

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BarbaraJean I was struck by how little impact the African setting had on the story. It could almost be any remote area with a harsh climate. Other than the fact that the characters are so isolated, the setting didn't seem to have a lot of impact. I thought there would be more overt racism than there is, so I kind of took it in stride that the native characters are kind of just bit players, often referred to with outdated terms that are now seen as racist. ⬇ 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) I did find Lyndall's progressive feminist views ironic against the backdrop of casual racism and colonialism. When she says: “…if I might but be one of those born in the future; then, perhaps, to be born a woman will not be to be born branded.” (Part 2, Ch. 4)—I doubt she sees the connection between her “branding“ as a woman and the racism & colonialism that “brand,“ repress and confine the native South Africans. 1d

julieclair The setting on the African farm, with its isolation, served to make every human relationship more intense. And the pastoral setting left lots of time in the day for thinking, dreaming and philosophizing. 1d

julieclair Otto was a lovely role model of a good, kind, faith-filled man. I can‘t even discuss that despicable Bonaparte. Tant Sante wasn‘t a great influence, either. 1d

BarbaraJean @julieclair I was expecting more overt racism, so the characterization of native characters hit differently with me. It bothered me, but to some extent it was a relief that active, malicious actions or egregious stereotypes were absent. But as you said, the absence of notice is itself disturbing. I love your comments on the setting. The isolation really does intensify things, and the philosophizing makes more sense when I think of it that way. 1d

20 likes8 comments

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Joyful: A Truthful Guide to Finding Peace and Living a Fulfilling Life | Toks Adebiyi

#5JoysFriday
1. First meeting of the Blueprint for Revolution book exploration on Zoom
2. Got my ticket for this and am looking forward to it! https://www.rabbitroom.com/housemoot
3. Reading the new Morrigan Crow
4. This video of Gregory Alan Isakov covering “The Trapeze Swinger” by Iron & Wine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiX4CIgKMEs
5. This reminder in my inbox this morning: https://flyingedna.com/products/the-moment-print

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AnnCrystal 💝💝💝💝💝. 2d

31 likes1 comment

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Graphs and Charts Activity Book | Darran Stobbart

July wrap-up from StoryGraph! It looks like I hardly read any nonfiction in July—the truth is I hardly *finished* any nonfiction! I have several in progress that I‘ll finish in August. Lots of classics this month, thanks to several classic mysteries and finishing Little Dorrit for #WhattheDickens.

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BookSpinBingo | Untitled

July #BookSpinBingo—I got one bingo 🎉 but haven‘t finished my #BookSpin or #DoubleSpin yet. The irony is that if I‘d finished both spins, I‘d have two more bingos 😆

This was a great month, with a lot of five-star reads and a few books that wouldn‘t fit on my grid because I used up all the free spaces already!

Favorites for July:
🌳This Here Flesh
🦭Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry
🌳Heartwood
🐦‍⬛Silverborn
✍🏻Emily of New Moon (re-read)

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TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fabulous month!!! 2d

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks And I haven't forgotten your idea of possibly doing a buddy read of All Creatures Great and Small! The summer has just been packed. Maybe September if that would work for you? 2d

TheAromaofBooks I am always down to wiggle some Herriot into my reading, so any time that works for you, I will come along!! 😁 2d

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BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Well, as it turns out, All Creatures is my #BookSpin for August 😂😂😂 I see what you did there 🤣 Let‘s still plan to read together in September, though!! 2d

TheAromaofBooks LOL The BookSpin Fates are trying to catch your attention! 😂 But I am totally down for a September read!! And we can totally read it as slowly or fast as you want; I don't mind it taking more than a month to read if we need to as it's a long one!! 2d

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Hahaha—I will heed the wisdom of the BookSpin fates! I'm game for reading over a couple months—I'll see how things look in September but will at least plan on starting then. I just want to finish it by the end of the year to count it for both BookSpin and #192025! 1d

32 likes6 comments

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BookSpinBingo | Untitled

It‘s time for my #BookSpin list for AUGUST 😳 (How is it August tomorrow?!?)

Not included on this list: the five BookSpins and #DoubleSpins I still need to finish from previous months 😬

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TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3d

27 likes1 comment

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Richard Scarry's Funniest Storybook Ever! | Richard Scarry

I came across this Summer Activity Checklist and I love everything about it except that it didn‘t include reading books. So I fixed it. Now it‘s perfect!

Ruthiella Adorable! I love Richard Scarry! ❤️ 3d

RaeLovesToRead Love this! 3d

26 likes2 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

#DoorstopKristin #KLBR Discussion Questions (5/5):

Overall: what is it about these books that keeps you reading (or re-reading!)? Or, if you‘re struggling to get through them: what about the books has been an obstacle to keeping you engaged?

Are there any other themes, scenes, or characters you‘d like to discuss from The Wife?

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 3d

Ruthiella One of the things that really impresses me about the novels is how the characters are very much of their time and mores and yet so comprehensible and recognizable to the modern reader. People haven‘t changed that much, really. 3d

AmyG @Ruthiella Exactly! This could have been written today. I thought that many times. 3d

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lauraisntwilder @Ruthiella Yes, exactly. 2d

Andrea313 @Ruthiella I definitely agree with this! Human nature doesn't change and it feels so contemporary as I read througg. At the same time, I'm fascinated by the historical details and traditions, and by the descriptions of the natural landscape! Vacation to Norway when?? 2d

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @AmyG @Andrea313 YES! These characters feel so real. The palpable humanity of these characters and their very relatable emotions have me hooked. It's amazing to me how contemporary it all feels, even with so many traditions and details that seem so distant and unfamiliar. 1d

Suet624 I agree with everyone that it feels so recognizable. What I also love is how Undset puts you in the place in the story - I felt I could smell the fir trees and see the views from the manor. 18h

22 likes7 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

#KLBR Discussion 4/5:

Kristin‘s faith & her feelings of guilt play a huge role in her motivations here. From the Penguin Reader‘s Guide: “Sigrid Undset said that Kristin‘s greatest sin was not indulging in sex before marriage, but the sin of pride…” Where do you see examples of Kristin‘s pride? Is there a connection between her pride and her feelings of guilt?

What impact do you think Kristin‘s faith has on her actions as a wife? As a daughter?

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 3d

AmyG I read the first two books a few years ago. But I always got the feeling that the Church guided her life. 3d

lauraisntwilder I think her pride made it hard for her to accept God's forgiveness. Not that she necessarily had overwhelming guilt, but that she was somehow unreachable. It's like her status and innate beauty and value made her sins worse because she had farther to fall. 2d

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder That all makes sense. There's some “what would people think/say“ there as well. That definitely comes from pride and as you said, affects her acceptance of God's forgiveness. I think her grudge-keeping as a wife may stem from her inability to forgive herself as well. And I see that playing out with her father—she can‘t accept God‘s forgiveness and so she also sees her relationship with her father as irretrievably broken. 1d

Suet624 Faith was such a large part of Kristin's life. Don't know if the 7 deadly sins were highlighted back then but lust and pride are 2 of them and it goes without saying it was a big part of Kristin's story. As she aged, Kristin was able to see just how much she had hurt Lavrans. He was such a good man/father and to hurt him may just remain as a pain for the rest of her life. 18h

17 likes5 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

#DoorstopKristin #KLBR Discussion Questions (3/5):

There are SO many changing relationships to consider in this book, from the marriages (Erlend and Kristin, Lavrans and Ragnfried, Simon and Ramborg) to the family relationships (Erlend and Lavrans, Kristin and Lavrans, Simon and Kristin, Simon and Erlend…).

Which changing relational dynamic stood out to you the most? Which surprised you?

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 3d

Ruthiella The change in passion between Kristen and Erland at the end. Apparently they can only really connect when under threat. That surprised me. What did not surprise me was Simon‘s obvious love for Kristen, even though she refused him. He‘s still carrying a torch. 3d

AmyG Yes, Simon did carry a torch. I wondered what her life would have been like if she had married him. The choices people make that lead them to their lives. 3d

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lauraisntwilder I really liked Simon in the first book, but I had a hard time imagining that character living through that first marriage. Then he marries Kristin's teenaged sister and I admit it was hard not to judge that through the lens of modern sensibilities. So, I guess I was most surprised by both of Simon's marriages. 2d

Andrea313 @lauraisntwilder I had some side-eye for that second marriage, too, but what made it worse for me was the author/the story pushing that Ramborg was the one who pursued it. Shades of "she asked for it" when this was a literal child. Weirdly, if it had been presented as normal for the time in which it was set, I may have shrugged it off as history. But instead there seemed to be this added level of desperate justification that felt off to me. 2d

Andrea313 The change-up between Kristin and Erlend at the end really surprised me, particularly when Kristin suddenly blamed herself for Erlend's actions. I'm a bit apprehensive to see where their relationship goes in Book 3! 2d

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 I wasn‘t that surprised by the change in passion between Kristin and Erlend at the end—I feel like it‘s a pattern for them to swing from passion and love to grudges and blame, and then back. But I was surprised by Simon! @AmyG @lauraisntwilder I didn‘t much like Simon in the first book (maybe I felt Kristin‘s ambivalence/aversion). Here he seems to have matured a lot, and I saw parallels to Lavrans in the way Simon is such ⬇ 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d)…a stable son-in-law/brother-in-law. I was super surprised by his marrying Ramborg and also had a hard time with her supposedly “pursuing” him at such a young age. I could see a 12-year-old getting it into her head that she wants to marry this person who‘s such a good friend of the family and acting that out inappropriately, but I can‘t stomach Simon taking it seriously. At one point we see him thinking about how he was manipulated ⬇ (edited) 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …into marrying a woman he doesn‘t really care for—but, um, he‘s the adult and he doesn‘t HAVE TO marry her! 1d

AmyG I liked Simon more, too. @BarbaraJean Wait ‘til book 3. 1d

Suet624 Kristin clinging to Erland as he is arrested was so surprising to me. @Ruthiella stating that they connect when under threat made it make sense to me. I appreciated Lavrans & Ragnfried's final days together, that they were able to express their love & appreciation. And Simon and Ramborg's marriage - I just think some crazy crap took place in the 1200's. With the book being written in the 1920's I'm not sure what Undset thought about it. 18h

16 likes11 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

#DoorstopKristin #KLBR Discussion Questions (2/5):

What growth or change do you see in Kristin from The Wreath to The Wife?

Do you see any growth in Erlend? Has your opinion of him changed from The Wreath to The Wife? Why or why not?

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 3d

Ruthiella She becomes much more confident in her abilities as a wife and mother, managing the estates and her children. I liked seeing her come into her own like that. Clearly her parents brought her up well in that respect because she pretty quickly learns how to manage the servants and household. 3d

AmyG Not an Erland fan. Erland was more about Erland. But Kristen had children and the land to manage. She had to support everyone. Kristen grew, Erland didn‘t. 3d

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lauraisntwilder I was surprised at how impetuous Kristin still was, as an adult, like when she reacts in anger (and I hope embarrassment?) when she hears the family talking about how her wild kids killed her sister's favorite lamb. She seems stretched thin, taking care of the land, supervising servants, constantly pregnant, and grieving her parents. Erland takes on more responsibility publicly, but he doesn't seem to have grown up. 2d

Andrea313 Kristin has grown into a capable and admirable woman, whipping a chaotic household into shape, managing the estate from top to bottom, and dealing with more children than she should have to with little support from her partner. But then seeing her boys' behavior through Lavrans' eyes made me cringe! However, I do respect how she always kept trying with Margret. That was a lose-lose situation but it seemed she always tried to be a good stepmother. 2d

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @AmyG @lauraisntwilder @Andrea313 Like you, I definitely saw growth in Kristin. She becomes so capable with the household so quickly. I loved how her relationship grew with her stepson. I do think there was some growth in Erlend, but it was more of an awareness of how his actions affect others. He doesn‘t actually change or mature. I did feel more compassion for Erlend here than I did in Book One, but I still wanted to just shake him! ⬇ 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d)…He‘s infuriatingly irresponsible, but he isn‘t cruel or malicious. He doesn‘t have the maturity to act responsibly and he deals with difficulty or hurt through avoidance, but he also didn‘t have the stable parent figures or parent/child relationships Kristin did. He doesn‘t seem to have had healthy models for how to be mature and responsible. He does seem well-intentioned and also seems to love Kristin deeply. 1d

Suet624 Not much to add to these comments. They are all spot on. Kristin is definitely a more mature woman in this book. Her care for her stepson was a lovely thing to see. When I first read this trilogy in my 20's my husband was very much like Erland and I was so impacted by Book 2 because of it. His inability to see what Kristin had to deal with - all those kids, all that property to manage - was infuriating. 18h

14 likes8 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

Here we are at the end of #DoorstopKristin Book Two! #KLBR Discussion Questions (1/5):

Do you see Kristin and Erlend‘s relational struggles as inevitable? Are their temperaments and backgrounds just a bad fit, or could they have responded differently to each other?

What do you see as the main contributing factors to the breakdown of Kristin and Erlend‘s relationship?

What positive elements (if any!) do you see in Kristin and Erlend‘s marriage?

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 3d

Ruthiella Communication is a problem but also, as Kristen points out, Erland is rarely open to criticism. But she sure can hold a grudge. In other ways, they are not so ill suited for each other. Erland needs someone who can control him without his realizing that is what they are doing and they have a strong physical bond. (edited) 3d

AmyG I always thought their bond was one of passion more than anything. I never saw them as a “team”. They grew separately, not together. And yes, there was poor communication. I don‘t blame her for having a grudge. Very human to do so with him. 3d

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lauraisntwilder The older Kristin gets, the more she sees how inappropriate Erland's behavior was before they were married. It feels like she spends years blaming herself for disappointing her father, then switches to blaming Erland for leading her into dangerous situations. I still wish she'd become a nun or run off with the elf lady! 2d

Andrea313 I do think their struggles were inevitable. They came together with tons of physical passion but I think their values were different from the start and as @AmyG pointed out, they didn't grow together. Erlend was always weak and Kristin didn't (or wouldn't) see the red flags, unfortunately. And I'm with @lauraisntwilder in wishing she'd gone down the path of religious devotion- Nun Kristin, we could have had it all! 2d

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @AmyG Yes, communication I think is key—also expectations. Erlend expected different things from marriage (rather than Kristin being pregnant all the time!) and I think Kristin expected Erlend would become steadier & more responsible. Kristin adjusts her expectations but resents it (nursing that grudge), and Erlend doesn‘t take any responsibility—for the relationship or otherwise. It‘s interesting that we see communication issues ⬇ 1d

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …with Kristin‘s parents (the reveal at the end of book one). They do communicate to work things out in book two—but they never stop being partners. Kristin and Erlend just are not partners, and I‘d blame that squarely on Erlend. I honestly think that if Erlend had worked to become an actual responsible grown up, Kristin would likely have responded to him differently and their relationship would have looked far different. 1d

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder @Andrea313 #TeamKristelf! I actually thought with Erlend‘s imprisonment toward the end that he might die (through starvation, torture, or execution), and then Kristin would be free to become a nun. I mean, Book Three IS titled “The Cross,” so… 1d

Andrea313 @BarbaraJean I thought the same thing and was shocked when he lived! 1d

Suet624 @AmyG You've said pretty much exactly what I would have said. 18h

Suet624 I agree that Kristin's ability to hold a grudge was an issue. I understood why she would but it kept any opportunity for partnership to take place. Erland was a playboy who tried to play the role of a husband/father. If we were looking for him to be punished for his infidelity, he sure was! :) 18h

15 likes11 comments

review

Woodworking | Emily St James

Pick

pick

I loved this so, so much, and am pretty sure it‘s going to end up on my top-ten (or however many titles I allow myself to count as “top”) for the year. Erica, a trans teacher in small-town South Dakota—who‘s not yet out—befriends the only other trans person she knows: one of her students. Told from multiple perspectives, this gave such a rich, complex portrait of trans experience. The characterization and nuance here were phenomenal— ⤵️

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Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …complicated characters who were anything but one-sided. These characters were so human, so real and surprising—showing a wide spectrum of love, compassion, care, support, and allyship—as well as failures of all of the above. I loved the way Erica and Abigail each learn to piece together the support they need in very different (and sometimes surprising) ways, through (sometimes very messy) forms of found family. ⤵️ 6d

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …And I was especially impressed with the way St. James handles perspective, voice, and naming throughout the book. Just SO well written. Another fantastic #CampLitsy25 pick! 6d

BarbaraBB Fab review! We‘ve chosen well this year at #CampLitsy25! 6d

squirrelbrain Wonderful review! 🩷 6d

AmyG It will make my top 10 too. And yes @BarbaraBB We DID choose well this year! 6d

49 likes1 stack add5 comments

blurb

Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

Hello, #DoorstopKristin readers! Our second #KLBR discussion, on Book Two (The Wife/The Mistress of Husaby), will be on Friday, July 31.

I finished book two this week and it was slower-going than book one, but still SO GOOD. Also: equally if not more emotionally rough than book one. These characters live and breathe on the page. Looking forward to discussing this with you all next week!

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 1w

Ruthiella I just finished book two today. Looking forward to the discussion! 1w

Andrea313 I slowed down on it this month but plan to finish next week! Looking forward to the discussion as well. 1w

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CrowCAH I wasn‘t able to start reading The Wife. I got behind with my ebook reading. Still planning on reading it. 1w

Suet624 Yes, this was slower going for sure. But I‘m still plugging along. Should be done by next Friday. 1w

Deblovestoread Reading has been a struggle this month but will try to catch up. 1w

35 likes6 comments

review

Beautiful Joe: An Autobiography | Marshall Saunders

Meh

so-so

(I‘m slowly trying to catch up on reviews back to MAY… when this was a #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent pick.)

This book for children, published in 1893, is based on the real-life story of a dog who‘s rescued from horrible abuse. When I was a kid, I loved animal stories, especially when told from the animal's perspective. And I think I‘d have enjoyed this “Autobiography of a Dog” much more as a kid. Or maybe not? ⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) Overall, it was far more didactic than narrative. With so many lessons shoehorned in—without much of a plot to tie all the little stories together—the book was too preachy for me. As an adult, I wanted more story and more character development. My child self might have felt that a bit, too. 1w

31 likes1 comment

review

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Pick

pick

I thought I would end up with very mixed feelings about this book, as often happens to me with Okorafor‘s work. I admired the main character, Zelu, but didn‘t much like her, and her family was infuriating. I enjoyed the interwoven book-within-a-book much more—but the framing made Zelu the focus, so I didn‘t enjoy the book as a whole as much as I wanted to. Until the end. The ending not only surprised me, it absolutely made the book for me. ⤵️

BarbaraJean There is so much going on here—disability and culture and family and fame and prejudice and difference—and at times, it felt like the plot went completely off the rails. But by the end, I loved the questions the narrative(s) raise, and the interplay between Zelu and her story.

A very belated #CampLitsy25 review! Thank you @Megabooks @squirrelbrain and @BarbaraBB for hosting a fantastic discussion! 1w

Tamra Stacked! 1w

Megabooks So glad you enjoyed it! 1w

See All 7 Comments

squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 1w

Texreader Yes, that ending was everything! Pushed this book to likely best of the year for me. My face reading the entire final chapter: 😲 6d

BarbaraJean @Tamra Hope you enjoy it! It's so fascinating! @Texreader Right?! I had to read the last chapter twice! 6d

Texreader @BarbaraJean Oooh great idea. I went and bought the book after I listened to a loaner from the library. Now I have a reason to crack open the new book! 6d

50 likes1 stack add7 comments

blurb

The Unfolding | Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

I‘d gotten out of the habit of #5JoysFriday lately, but the idea of joy kept popping up this week. I‘m calling it a sign to dive back in!
1. This poem: https://ahundredfallingveils.com/2022/11/13/lumbricus-terrestris/
2. Spiritual direction (with my own director and with one of my directees)
3. New delicious-smelling candle
4. Completing some writing (ironically, about joy) to read at my writing group today
5. India Rose Crawford‘s Frog pics 💜🐸

tagged users icon

AnnCrystal 💝💝💝💝💝. 1w

Sace 🐸 💚 1w

dabbe 🩵💙🩵 1w

29 likes3 comments

review

The Chocolate War | Robert Cormier

Meh

so-so

I knew this would be disturbing, and yeah. It was horrific. Also: I liked it better when it was called "Lord of the Flies."

Also also: Teenage boys. UGH.

But: one more complete for #192025! This one is for 1974.

I‘m trying to decide if I want to read the sequel. But first, I need a dessert book (which will be the new Morrigan Crow)!

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Librarybelle I liked this one better than The Lord of the Flies, but I read it such a long time ago. Good choice! 1w

Sace I had a student years ago that loved this book. 1w

BarbaraJean @Librarybelle @Sace It's such a YA classic, and I see why. It's powerful. It has the same unsettling Robert Cormier flavor that I remember from reading his books when I was a teen! 1w

36 likes3 comments

quote

Heartwood: 'nearly impossible to put down' Jennifer Egan | Amity Gaige

Here's an idea: All emotions start out as love. Later, that love is worked on by the forces of luck and suffering.
Hate is just soured love.
Fear is wounded love.
Longing is homeless love.
Love, not pain, is the mother. Love is the taproot.

36 likes1 stack add

quote

Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

“…Bonaparte soon came to a conclusion as to the nature of the book and its contents, by the application of a simple rule now largely acted upon, but which, becoming universal, would save much thought and valuable time. It is of marvellous simplicity, of infinite utility, of universal applicability. It may easily be committed to memory, and runs thus:—
Whenever you come into contact with any book, person, or opinion… ⤵️

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

BarbaraJean …of which you absolutely comprehend nothing, declare that book, person, or opinion to be immoral. Bespatter it, vituperate against it, strongly insist that any man or woman harbouring it is a fool or a knave, or both. Carefully abstain from studying it. Do all that in you lies to annihilate that book, person, or opinion.
…‘This book,‘ said Bonaparte, ‘is not a fit and proper study for a young and immature mind.‘” 2w

BarbaraJean Well, if that doesn‘t remind me of something… 🤔 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent 2w

TheAromaofBooks By the way, in my copy, after Chapter 13 it switches to Part 2 and starts numbering the chapters again. So should I just count 2:1 as 14, etc, to get to our goal of chapter 18 by Saturday? 2:1 is also divided into multiple labeled sections as well, just to keep things bonus confusing 😂 2w

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BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Ugh, me too!! I‘m having to do chapter math every time I pick it up to read now! I read 2:1 yesterday and was further confused by the subsections!! Yes, just count part 2, chapter 1 as chapter 14 and so on. This is what happens when I look up the table of contents online before I have a copy of the book in hand 🙄 2w

TheAromaofBooks Okay, that is what I thought, but decided I should double check haha I have also gotten burned in the past by looking up how long/how many chapters a book has and getting LIED TO. Robinson Crusoe was the worst, since apparently some editions have chapters and some don't! 2w

julieclair @TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean I was wondering about the chapter numbers, too. I‘m listening on audio, but have just kept plowing ahead. This week‘s listening has been slow going, though. 1w

TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @BarbaraJean - This week has definitely felt slower to me - and I'm not through it all yet!! I think I was somewhat let down by the abrupt departure of Bonaparte. It made it feel like the entire first part of the book was kind of pointless? It was weird. 1w

BarbaraJean @julieclair When I saw the change in chapter numbering, I kind of panicked and thought I'd gotten it completely wrong in the schedule! But then I counted the total number of chapters and realized the total was still correct, technically. I incorrectly assumed they'd be numbered sequentially 1-27 instead of split up like this. And I guess there's no point to updating the schedule now, since next week's reading is just to finish the book 😆 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair This week's chapters have felt slower to me, too. All the philosophical conversations (almost monologues)! Re: Bonaparte—I felt that, too. I thought it was interesting that the author kind of gave a caveat about him in the Preface: “Two strangers appear on the scene, and some have fancied that in the second they have again the first, who returns in a new guise. Why this should be we cannot tell... ⬇ 1w

BarbaraJean ...unless there is a feeling that a man should not appear upon the scene, and then dis-appear, leaving behind him no more substantial trace than a mere book; that he should return later on as husband or lover, to fill some more important part than that of the mere stimulator of thought.“

I'm guessing based on that, Bonaparte doesn't return! 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @lauraisntwilder Also, I was going to post a separate check-in post today, but we're already kind of having our weekly check-in here, so I'm going to let this be that, without a separate post!! 1w

TheAromaofBooks This section felt kind of preachy, without a lot of story to back it up. 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Yeah, there were a couple of chapters in this week's section that felt like they were just setup for long one-sided conversations on philosophy and feminism. I loved what Lyndall had to say, but it was awkward the way she went on and on, with Waldo just there to provide the setup for her next long comment. The idea-heavy parts last week—like where Waldo struggled with his view of God—were woven into the story much more naturally. 1w

julieclair @TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean I agree that this week‘s chapters felt like a series of longwinded monologues. Rather boring, as they didn‘t have much of a plot connecting them. The comment in the Preface about the two strangers is interesting. I agree, it seems like Bonaparte will not reappear, and that‘s fine by me! 1w

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quote

Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

“When that day comes, and I am strong, I will hate everything that has power, and help everything that is weak.”

I LOVE Lyndall—the above quote is 🔥

Nine chapters in and I‘m feeling a lot of injustice fatigue with this book! Some wonderful characters, and some despicable. I‘m so interested to see what the author does with the views of God she‘s woven in so far.

How‘s your reading going? #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

lil1inblue What an excellent quote! 🤩😍🥰 2w

dabbe What a prevalent quote! 🩵🎯🩵 2w

TheAromaofBooks I am not sure what I was expecting, but this isn't exactly it 😂 I think I thought the story would be focused more on the girls, but it's really been a lot of set up getting this jerk settled into place. I'm pretty hooked, though. 2w

julieclair I loved this quote! And I agree with @TheAromaofBooks … this wasn‘t the pastoral tale I was expecting, but I‘m hooked! 2w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair I‘m with you both—this is not at all what I was expecting! I thought it would be more nostalgic and reflective. The philosophical digressions are super interesting but unexpected—I‘m so curious to find out where it all goes. 2w

38 likes5 comments

quote

Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

“Her heart felt as if it were breaking in her breast, bleeding & bleeding, young & fierce. From grief over the warm & ardent love which she had lost and still secretly mourned; from anguished joy over the pale, luminous love which drew her to the farthest boundaries of life on this earth. Through the great darkness that would come, she saw the gleam of another, gentler sun, and she sensed the fragrance of the herbs in the garden at world's end.”⤵️

BarbaraJean There are so many moments when this book breaks my heart with its beauty. 💔 #KLBR #DoorstopKristin 3w

Texreader This is beautiful. I haven‘t started the third book yet! I will soon. 3w

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella @Andrea313 @Daisey @quietjenn @Librarybelle @lauraisntwilder @MaureenMc @Gleefulreader @Deblovestoread @MeganAnn @AmyG @JenLovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @bklover @Texreader @AnneCecilie @suet624 @Leniverse @CrowCAH @Caterina 3w

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BarbaraJean @Texreader I haven't either! This is from book two (Part II, chapter 7) 🙂 (edited) 3w

Texreader @BarbaraJean I guess because I‘m listening to it this time around I didn‘t pick up on how gorgeous this quote is. 3w

BarbaraJean @Texreader I get it--I'm not at all an auditory learner and often overlook the writing/language when listening! 3w

Ruthiella Beautiful! 😍 3w

AmyG Yes, beautiful. 3w

Suet624 💕💕💕 3w

36 likes9 comments

blurb

Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin | Alison Goodman

I‘m just about to start this, I‘m really looking forward to it, and also: I cannot express how much it annoys me that it‘s missing the necessary apostrophe after “Ladies.” Ladies‘ Guide. Plural possessive. COME ON, publisher. 😫

MommyWantsToReadHerBook That's so bad! 3w

MemoirsForMe Yikes! 😬 3w

41 likes2 comments

blurb

Story of an African Farm | Olive Schreiner

The next #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead pick is an #LMMAdjacent—LMM references Story of an African Farm several times in her journals. Published in 1883, it‘s been called an early feminist classic. However, I‘m bracing myself for the inevitable racism. 😬

I picked up my library copy today, and it‘s a big illustrated one! Super interested to dive in.

Schedule:
July 13 - 19: Chapters 1-9
July 20 - 26. Chapters 10-18
July 27 - Aug. 2: Chapters 19-27

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lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

rubyslippersreads What a gorgeous edition! 3w

39 likes2 stack adds1 comment

blurb

Emily of New Moon | Lucy Maud Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

Do you agree with LMM that this is the best book she‘s written (thus far in her life)?

What criteria do you use when considering what is a “best book”? For you, is “best” different from “favorite”?

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rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, willaful

BarbaraJean I have a *really* hard time with determining what is a “best book.“ For me, “favorite“ and “best“ are very different things. I can appreciate a book's literary excellence and still not like it, and I can absolutely LOVE a book that I know isn't very well-written. So even though I asked this question, it's hard to answer! 😆 I do think EoNM is a better book than AoGG, but I don't know if I'd say it's better than Rilla. 3w

lauraisntwilder EoNM is my favorite, but I think AoGG is probably her best to this point, from a literary standpoint. Marilla, Matthew, and Rachel are all so well and clearly defined. Jimmy is, but Elizabeth and Laura don't feel quite as real. I love them, but they're very similar to other sets of sisters in LMM's work. 3w

TheAromaofBooks I think I have to agree with @lauraisntwilder that AoGG seems like a more well-rounded book to me. It's also possible, though, that I feel that way because I've read AoGG a thousand times and EoNM twice 😂 I definitely don't think Emily is better than Rilla - I really think Rilla may be LMM's best book. I do think LMM connected far more with Emily as a reflection of herself than she did with Anne, who was entirely imaginary, and I can see why ⬇ 3w

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) LMM would consider this her most pleasurable book to write. I think she enjoyed slipping in some autobiographical tones. She's also more confident as a writer at this point than she was when AoGG was written. 3w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder @TheAromaofBooks I see that with AoGG being a more well-rounded book than EoNM. I think I love Emily so much because there is so much depth and richness to Emily herself. We don't have nearly as much of Anne's inner life as we do Emily's—the tradeoff there is the deeper characterization Laura points out in AoGG, of Marilla, Matthew, Rachel, and others. With Rilla, it's kind of the best of both in its characterization. 1w

35 likes5 comments

blurb

Emily of New Moon | Lucy Maud Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead LMMReread

For those of you who are re-reading, is there anything that landed differently for you on this reading?

If you‘re also reading the journals—how did the context of the journals affect your reading of the book?

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rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, willaful

BarbaraJean Because of the journals, I saw SO many parallels between Emily and LMM: her life, her personality, and her family stories. I see such a mirror in Emily of LMM's NEED to write, how often she has to “write things out“ in order to process them emotionally. I also saw so many parallels to LMM's own writing ambitions (I mean, the Alpine Path is pretty obvious). Aunt Elizabeth landed a little differently this time—I actually found her more sympathetic.⬇ 3w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) I wondered how much of LMM's grandmother was reflected in Aunt Elizabeth. She absolutely DOES NOT understand Emily, but I found her so human in her eventual flash of realization that Emily is her own person whose perspective and feelings should be considered. She literally is a woman who has ZERO experience with or understanding of children and that somehow made me understand (not excuse!) her behavior a bit more this time. 3w

lauraisntwilder The Alpine Path, yes, but it struck me as sad that creepy Dean Priest sent Emily the lines in a letter. I don't think I knew the significance of that poem to LMM when I read this before. LMM also had a horrible time shut up in the medical ward at school with measles. I was fascinated by that part of the journals and had completely forgotten that Emily gets measles, too. 3w

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lauraisntwilder Knowing how often LMM had to entertain clergymen, I enjoyed the part where Emily asks Lofty John's priest for help even more. 3w

TheAromaofBooks YES on the parts of Emily's life and personality that aligned with Emily! It was so interesting to see what family history tales she granted to Emily. And yes, Emily's determination and ambition and literal NEED to write all felt so close to the way LMM describes herself. 3w

TheAromaofBooks I wonder if LMM had already decided who Emily would marry when she wrote this first book, or if she was still keeping her options open? I feel like she sets Emily up with three options who connect with her in different ways: Teddy (soul), Dean (brain), and Perry (body). I could be getting really carried away here haha but in some ways these three also seem to represent the way LMM didn't really think it was possible for her to find someone who ⬇ 3w

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) could be all three. (And in the end, LMM married someone who was none of them! Ewan is a fourth category, really - “practical“.) As a side question, do you think LMM intended for Dean to come off as creepy? @lauraisntwilder I would be interested in your thoughts, too!! 3w

lauraisntwilder @TheAromaofBooks No, I don't think she did. I like your idea of the three possibilities lining up with soul, brain, and body. LMM had Herman Leard for body (and what a lovely way to rewrite the life of someone who died young) who was socially inappropriate, like Perry, the "hired boy." Her brain companion was probably George MacMillan, right? I don't think he was creepy, but he was across the ocean. Maybe Dean's age is supposed to feel like a 1/2 3w

lauraisntwilder great distance? And maybe she knew the whole time Emily would never be able to cross it? And her soulmate was Frede, I think. I don't think she ever found that connection in a romantic relationship. 3w

TheAromaofBooks @lauraisntwilder - Yes!! That is a great call with Frede being her soulmate; I genuinely think that's true. It doesn't seem like she ever connected with a man/potential husband in that way - or maybe she didn't let herself? I think she had trouble trusting people, and Frede was one of the few people in the world that she 100% completely trusted. I think part of the reason she married Ewan was because he WASN'T someone she could ever fall in love ⬇ 2w

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) with, which weirdly made him “safe“ - falling in love gives someone a lot of power over you in many ways. 2w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder Ugh, yes—I had forgotten that Dean sends her those lines. Ironic given his jealousy over her writing ambitions later! @TheAromaofBooks I agree with Laura—I don‘t think LMM intended Dean to come off as creepy, at least not in the 1st book. (There are too many icky age-gap romances elsewhere in her work that are presented as normal!) I do think she intends some red flags—his jealousy & possessiveness—in the subsequent books, though. 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks I LOVE your connections with soul, brain, and body (although I think the connection with Perry is a little more tenuous, at least on Emily‘s side). That‘s such a great insight into LMM, as well—I think she articulates it pretty similarly, that she wants all three but doesn‘t believe they can (or will) all be contained within one person. 1w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder I think her “brain” connection could be Nate, when she was young. They shared so many books and ideas back and forth. And I wonder where Will fits into the soul/brain/body idea. I think you‘re spot on with Frede being her soulmate! @TheAromaofBooks I completely agree that LMM didn‘t let herself connect deeply with a man, romantically. I think the depth of her passion for Herman scared her deeply. ⬇ 1w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) That, plus her baffling engagement to Edwin, plus her abiding fear of what others would think/say, I think all added up so that she was afraid to let go of control and trust someone enough to fall in love (and therefore she settled for Ewan as the safe, practical option so she could have a home and family of her own). 1w

34 likes1 stack add15 comments

blurb

Emily of New Moon | Lucy Maud Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread Emily of New Moon
As I was reading, I had a couple ideas I thought would be great for discussion questions. I was going to get up & note them down, but I was lazy and told myself of course I‘d remember. Well. I forgot. So. General discussion post! (I do have a couple of other questions I‘ll post separately)
What are your thoughts on Emily of New Moon? What themes, characters, scenes, or quotes stand out to you?

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rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, willaful

lauraisntwilder I was struck by how much Emily wants to obey Aunt Elizabeth. She is amazingly loyal and sweet. 3w

TheAromaofBooks @lauraisntwilder - I was thinking about that, too! Especially since there are times that Laura encourages Emily to basically go behind Elizabeth's back, but Emily instead does try to stay true to what Elizabeth wants her to do. 3w

TheAromaofBooks There was one line towards the end of the book where the aunts and uncles are talking about whether or not Emily should go to Queens, and Elizabeth says something like, “No Murray has to work for her living“ and the uncle says, “Well she's only half Murray“ And I was honestly so confused - aren't they ALL only half Murray!? 😂 3w

BarbaraJean I'm so sorry it took me so long to get back to this discussion! @lauraisntwilder @TheAromaofBooks YES, Emily is so well-intentioned and doesn't want to go behind Elizabeth's back like Laura so often suggests she do! Even when she does disobey. There are almost always extenuating circumstances. So often she unintentionally interprets the rules differently from how the adults intended! 1w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks 😂 😂 😂 I hadn't even thought of that, but it's absolutely true!! Just another example of how the Murrays never accepted Emily's father or her parents' marriage. 😢 (edited) 1w

35 likes5 comments

blurb

County of Los Angeles Public Library - La Mirada Library | La Mirada, CA (Library)

When it rains… 😳

I thought I was far enough down the holds list for Heartwood and Silverborn that it‘d take a LOT longer for those to make their way to me. Looks like I‘ll be needing to clear my schedule!!

willaful Always. Though even more likely for me these days is as soon as I pick up my holds, another one comes in. Sometimes the email goes out while I'm still in the library, but of course I don't get it til I get home. 😂 3w

BarbaraJean @willaful I just got back from picking up my holds at the library and literally as I walked in the door, I got a notification in my library app that one more book just came in. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I thought of you 😆 2w

35 likes2 comments

quote

Emily of New Moon | Lucy Maud Montgomery

“The happiest countries, like the happiest women, have no history,” said Dean.

“…like all female creatures, you form your opinions by your feelings.”

Every time I read this, I discover more reasons to hate Dean Priest. #LMMReread #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

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rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, willaful

Trashcanman I‘ve never met a wise man, if so it‘s a woman. 4w

TheAromaofBooks On top of being a total creep, he's sooooo condescending 4w

kwmg40 He definitely comes across as a creep! 4w

rubyslippersreads 😡🤢 4w

lauraisntwilder The. Worst. 4w

42 likes5 comments

blurb

Spinning 101: Step by Step from Fleece to Yarn with Wheel or Spindle | Tom Knisely

I keep getting these ads on FB, and they have inspired an obsession with getting a bookshelf that spins. I don‘t have the room or the $$ for it, but it‘s going on the “someday library” list.

Tamra It would make a fantastic TBR unit! Best get a couple of them though. (edited) 4w

Chrissyreadit I get them constantly on my IG- and do wish i could hear from actual people who have it what they think of it. 4w

BarbaraJean @Tamra Hahaha, yes! One of them claims to hold 300 books, but it seems my physical TBR is a bit larger than that 😆 @Chrissyreadit I know, they look fantastic, but I'd really like to see (and spin!) one in person first. 4w

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LA_Mead I have one and it‘s great! It holds a fair amount of books and looks cute. 4w

BarbaraJean @LA_Mead Oh, that‘s good to know! Thanks! 4w

AnnCrystal 🤩👍🏼📚🆒💝. 4w

Kitta I have one! I love it. It‘s holds quite a few books (mine is round, 5 tiers and holds 120 “medium” books) and the spinning is smooth. I got mine impulsively from the TikTok shop or maybe flycity. 😆 My cats like to jumping from the sofa to the top of it though and it freaks me out haha. I keep thinking it‘s going to topple over but so far it‘s been sturdy. Happy with it! @Chrissyreadit @BarbaraJean 4w

Chrissyreadit @Kitta Thanks for sharing- also feel free to post a picture for a “shelf love” post (ha I would love to see it so this is completely selfish) I‘m bumping up the likelihood of getting one this Summer because i have a lot of books that need a shelf 🤣 4w

Kitta @Chrissyreadit I mostly have pictures of Willow the cat on top of it haha. I can take a picture of it though for some shelf love. 💕 (edited) 4w

48 likes9 comments

blurb

Blueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or S | Srdja Popovic, Sra Popoviac

I follow Lauren Grubaugh Thomas‘ Substack, A Soulful Revolution, and today‘s piece was hopeful and encouraging to me, as I feel somewhat at a loss over effective action in the face of current events. I‘ll link her piece below. She highlighted the tagged book and an upcoming series of online book discussions, if anyone‘s interested in joining in. I just put the book on hold at the library! Links in comments ⤵️

BarbaraJean Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/laurengrubaughthomas/p/our-protest-isnt-enough?r=u... 4w

BarbaraJean Book Club: https://bp4r.rsvpify.com/?securityToken=DfS7yw5gLDGHfjy65vJgDTj04vxqyIES&utm_med... 4w

TheBookHippie I‘ve been preaching this for decades . Yes we have to protest. No that‘s not enough. ✊🏼 wonderful article. Hopefully more people wake up. 4w

Lcsmcat Thanks for sharing! 4w

lil1inblue Excellent article. And I'm signing up for the book club! Thanks so much for sharing this! ✊🏻 4w

36 likes5 comments

quote

Men At Arms | Terry Pratchett

“Sometimes it‘s better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.”

🔥

#OokBOokClub

julesG Not wrong. 🦧 1mo

dabbe 🩵💙🩵 4w

42 likes2 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

Here we are in July, and I‘ve started #DoorstopKristin Book Two: The Wife (The Mistress of Husaby in some editions). This book is so beautifully written, and so emotionally engaging—I‘m enjoying book two just as much as book one.

How is your #KLBR reading coming along? If you‘ve started book two, what are your thoughts so far?

BarbaraJean @Ruthiella, @Andrea313, @Daisey, @quietjenn, @Librarybelle, @lauraisntwilder, @MaureenMc, @Gleefulreader, @Deblovestoread, @MeganAnn, @AmyG, @JenLovesJT47, @rubyslippersreads, @bklover, @Texreader, @AnneCecilie, @suet624, @Leniverse, @CrowCAH, @Caterina 1mo

Suet624 I can‘t wait to start. Have to finish a few other books first. 1mo

Deblovestoread I started Book 2 last night. Loving it! 1mo

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Texreader I just finished yesterday. 🎉 1mo

AmyG I read Book 2 a few years ago. Don‘t remember specifics but loved it. 1mo

Ruthiella I‘ve started and am enjoying how Kristen is coming in to her own managing the estate. Erland is, unsurprisingly, useless. 1mo

rubyslippersreads I‘m still on Book 1 but loving it. 1mo

Daisey I‘m still in the last section of Book 1. Edited to add that I finished Book 1 tonight, and I‘m going to read through the discussion on next. (edited) 1mo

CrowCAH I haven‘t started book 2 … yet. 1mo

Andrea313 I'm a couple chapters in, and loving it and hating it in equal measure. It's still such great writing and such an absorbing world, but Kristin's made a pretty bad choice with Erlend and I think things are gonna go downhill from here... 1mo

AnneCecilie I haven‘t started book two yet, maybe next week? 4w

47 likes11 comments

review

The Library at Night | Alberto Manguel

Pick

pick

I loved this. Manguel writes about being a reader in ways that are so relatable, even though I‘m pretty sure his reading is much more erudite than my own! Starting with reflections on setting up his own library, Manguel uses each chapter to examine a different aspect of libraries—the library as myth, as order, as space, as imagination, and so on. He brings together historical tidbits about personal and national libraries with his own reflections⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …on reading and the collecting of books. Sprinkled throughout are related photos that made me add to my aspirational list of libraries and bookish sites to visit someday. And, naturally, several more of Manguel‘s books about reading have now been added to my TBR. This fulfills # 7 for my #50x50 challenge: a book about books/reading. And, it was my May #BookSpin. @TheAromaofBooks 1mo

TheBookHippie I personally think Netanyahu is pure evil, simultaneously I am so tired of people blaming all Jewish people for Palestine. People have lost the ability of nuance and the ability to contain multitudes. I give to Hadassah, I want the hostages home, I weep for what happened Oct 7. I also give to WORLD KITCHEN and aid to feed Gaza. I worry for the women & children there. I‘m so tired of people being on one side. No one wins in war but the oligarchs. 1mo

BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie I think you meant to post this for the Beinart book, but YES to all of this. Complexity abounds in all of this and SO MUCH nuance is needed. When people conflate Judaism as a whole—or all Jewish people—with the current government of Israel, it completely flattens that nuance. It is possible to both be heartbroken about October 7 and the destruction of Gaza. Any person of decency should be able to see the horror of both. (edited) 1mo

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TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean ha. OY VEY yes!!!! Ooops. 1mo

BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie 😂 I knew what you meant! 😁 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 1mo

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review

Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning | Peter Beinart

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pick

I read this in May after seeing several reviews on Litsy. It‘s excellent—a Jewish perspective on current events in Gaza that traces the impact of the persecution Jews have faced and interrogates Israel‘s conflation of religious and national identity. It traces how Israel‘s establishment as a nation-state has largely changed its position from persecuted people to perpetrators of violence themselves, and how deeply problematic a persistent story ⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …of victimhood is, when those victims now themselves wield power over others. Illuminating and heartbreaking. 1mo

Cuilin I hadn‘t seen this before. Thanks for the review. Stacked. 💔 1mo

41 likes4 stack adds2 comments

review

Tilt | Emma Pattee

Pick

pick

I ended up devouring this in a day, which I suppose is fitting given that‘s the timeframe in which the book takes place. I enjoyed the way this was structured: alternating chapters between present-day and flashbacks, gradually fleshing out our MC and her story, all told in 2nd person, addressed to her soon-to-be-born child. While the choices Annie made generally stressed me out (Stay where you are! Stop trekking your 9-months-pregnant self ⤵️

tagged users icon

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …all over Portland!), it also made so much sense and certainly kept me turning pages. Her reflections on her life and career and marriage and failed dreams, against the backdrop of a major disaster and the swath of humanity she encounters, all lead up to what felt like an abrupt but also inevitable and very fitting ending. I‘m really looking forward to discussing this—especially the ending—with #CampLitsy25 in August! 1mo

BarbaraBB Great review. I still need to read it but am very much looking forward to the book and the discussion! 1mo

squirrelbrain Great review! I read it really quickly too, which felt fitting, as you say. 1mo

Daisey Great review! I listened to this today during a long drive, and you noted many of my same thoughts. It should lead to some great discussion. 2w

49 likes4 comments

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Emily of New Moon | Lucy Maud Montgomery

Goodness, I love Father Cassidy so much. I wish we had more of him than we get!!

How is your reading coming along this week, Kindred Spirits? What are your favorite parts in this week‘s chapters? #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

tagged users icon

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, willaful

JenlovesJT47 Thank you for reminding me!! I absolutely love this trilogy but have only read it once. Will try my hardest to get to it this week but I‘m so behind on everything. 😭 1mo

JenlovesJT47 And I love Emily, she‘s so feisty. 1mo

kwmg40 I love the interaction with Father Cassidy too! 1mo

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BarbaraJean @JenlovesJT47 I get it! No pressure, I know how busy things can get and how the self-assigned reading piles up 😆 1mo

BarbaraJean @kwmg40 He's such a delight! And I wish he could be more part of Emily's life. She needs more adults like this! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Father Cassidy - finally a good adult!!

One thing that struck me this week was how much of this book is actually from Emily's first-person POV. Compared to the Anne books, where we don't get anything from Anne's direct POV (except in Windy Poplars, which hadn't been published at this point). However, this mixture of journals and narration does remind me of the format of Rilla. I really appreciate how, despite writing a story about another ⬇ 1mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) orphan girl, LMM has created a character completely different from Anne. Imaginative and creative, yes, but Emily is really just so so different from Anne in so many ways, beyond just her circumstances. Even at this young age (younger than we meet Anne) she's ambitious and goal-oriented vs Anne who did love learning and studying, but also at some level seemed to do it for the joy of learning more than because she had a specific career ⬇ 1mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) in mind. While Emily does sometimes get in a bit of a temper, she also tends to keep things in more until she can “write it out“ vs Anne's temper flashes and chatterbox tendencies. All that to say, even though I don't really objectively like this book - it's just too sad for me to really like it - I do appreciate LMM's incredible skill in character creation. 1mo

38 likes8 comments

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The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes | Langston Hughes

“…O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath— America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain—
All, all the stretch of these great green states—
And make America again!“

https://poets.org/poem/let-america-be-america-again

lil1inblue 💓💓💓💓💓 1mo

Amiable 💙🩵💙🙌🏼 1mo

dabbe 💙✊💙 1mo

AnnCrystal ✊🏼🥲🙏🏼💝. 1mo

kspenmoll ❤️🤍💙 1mo

38 likes5 comments

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Emily of New Moon | Lucy Maud Montgomery

I don‘t generally advocate drinking your feelings, but tonight this lady needs a drinky drink and a comfort read.

ncsufoxes I have been having a few Surfside Vodkas & we watched an Adam Sandler movie tonight to laugh. 1mo

BarbaraJean @ncsufoxes sounds like a good way to self-soothe—you have to take what comfort you can get! 1mo

dabbe 🎯🩵🎯 1mo

46 likes3 comments

quote

The Holy Bible | Crossway Bibles

"Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the orphan."
—Isaiah 10:1-2

A friend posted this on FB today. Spot on. ?

Butterfinger Yes!!! 1mo

AmyG 😢 1mo

lil1inblue 💔💔💔 1mo

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Roary47 💔 1mo

TheBookHippie Yup. 1mo

AnnCrystal 😢🙏🏼🦅💝. 1mo

dabbe 💙✊💙 1mo

43 likes7 comments

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Salt Dancers | Ursula Hegi

There‘s been a pattern forming with #BookSpin for me this year: inevitably one spin lands on one of my #192025 spots and I get to choose something from a range of decades. This month, my #DoubleSpin landed on the 1980s–2000s, and I‘m deciding between the three above. #BookSpin is Salt Dancers by Ursula Hegi—she was an obsession of mine in the early 2000s and several of her books that I bought then still haven‘t been read. This one‘s time has come!

tagged users icon

Librarybelle, TheAromaofBooks

Librarybelle Yay!!! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Enjoy!! 1mo

39 likes2 comments

quote

Men At Arms | Terry Pratchett

Wasn‘t this SAME passage at the beginning of Guards! Guards!? Or another book that featured Vimes? I know I‘ve read this before but I‘ve been reading these from the library, so I can‘t go back and check… 😒 #OokBOokClub

julesG You're referring to Sam Vimes Boots Theory. As far as I know, it's only in Men at Arms. 1mo

julesG Checked against the ebook of Guards! Guards!, it's not in there. 1mo

Leniverse You've probably read it before because it's famous and gets quoted a lot. 1mo

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willaful @Leniverse yes this. I see it on Mastodon about once a week. 1mo

Bookwomble "Boots Theory" has its own Wikipedia page ? "Men at Arms" is cited as the source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boots_theory 1mo

BarbaraJean @julesG Thanks for checking on my behalf! @Leniverse @willaful This MUST be the reason, although my heart feels sure I read it in Guards 😆 @Bookwomble If only I‘d not been so lazy and had googled it myself! 1mo

Bookwomble @BarbaraJean That's what community is about 😁 1mo

32 likes7 comments

blurb

BookSpinBingo | Untitled

A bingo for June! 🎉🎉 My #DoubleSpin has been read, and I‘ll likely finish my #BookSpin today.

June favorites:
Woodworking
The Library at Night

tagged users icon

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Fantastic month!! 1mo

31 likes1 comment

blurb

Something Like Magic: On Remembering How to Be Alive | Brian Andreas

I get daily emails from Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer ( https://ahundredfallingveils.com ) and Brian Andreas/Flying Edna Studios. They dovetailed beautifully today!

Three Things to Remember at the Start of Every Day
1. This is your real life.
2. Joy is easier to see when you quit complaining.
3. You never know what the third thing is going to be until later, so try to pay attention so you don‘t miss it.
'three things' by brian andreas

Poem below ⤵️

BarbaraJean Only when I stop hiking
do I finally see the flowers
of the wild blueberries,
first one, then five, then
they are everywhere—
everywhere! How did I
miss all the tiny pink bells
that will soon become
dark sweet fruit? How often,
in my haste, do I miss
what is right here, the thing
I most long to see? Once
I start seeing the blueberry
flowers, I can't stop seeing
them. Sometimes it's like
this with kindness. With peace.
With beauty. With love.
⤵️ 1mo

BarbaraJean “Sacred Pause” by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer ( https://ahundredfallingveils.com/2025/06/30/sacred-pause/ ) (edited) 1mo

25 likes2 comments

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Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

This post contains spoilers

Kristin is determined to marry Erlend, but her emotions shift and change as the marriage approaches. What is your take on Kristin‘s motivation: how much of her ultimate choice to marry Erlend is due to her own desire, and how much is due to the societal/religious pressure she feels?

What do you make of the revelations about Kristin‘s parents and their marriage that we discover at the end of the novel?

#KLBR #DoorstopKristin discussion - 4/4

AnneCecilie I was shocked by the revelation at the end. That came out of nowhere. When it comes to Kristin, she has to wait two years to marry Erland and maybe some of her love has faded a little by that time. 1mo

AmyG Oh, I‘m not done yet so I don‘t know about her parents. I feel like her love for Erland ebbed and flowed. I always got the impression that she felt more about doing what was right but I do think she loved Erland. 1mo

Ruthiella I think she genuinely wants to be with Erland. But that first glow is wearing off and she‘s beginning to see his weak side and flaws. If she was really concerned with societal pressures, she would have married Simon. The reveal about her parents is for the reader, to show that not everything is as it seems on the surface. What a waste on both sides-if they‘d only been honest with each other from the beginning. (edited) 1mo

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lauraisntwilder Being totally honest, I kept hoping she'd decide to be a nun. Erland gave me the creeps and Simon seemed nice enough, but she didn't love him. I loved the ending! I have my fingers crossed that the revelation shared between Kristin's parents will mean they're happier going forward. 1mo

Andrea313 I think Kristin's feelings on Erland slowly changed but she doubled down on her feelings and her decision regardless, and I don't believe societal pressure factored in. I'm torn because on one hand, I love an independent, flawed woman making strong decisions guided by her own feelings and sense of what's right. On the other, dude is a walking red flag so I'm staying firmly Team Spinster, or joining in with @lauraisntwilder to manifest Nun Kristin. 1mo

BarbaraJean I felt Kristin‘s motivation to marry Erlend shifted from “can‘t live without him” to more an atoning for her wrong. She‘s more conflicted about him after their betrothal, as she gets to know how he is in community rather than just one on one—and I think she felt societal & religious pressure to marry him because they‘d had sex. She still loves him, but I think she begins to see the red flags! (Team Nun/Spinster with @lauraisntwilder & @Andrea313) 1mo

BarbaraJean For me, the revelation about Kristin‘s parents was heartbreaking. How different their marriage could have been if they‘d communicated about this earlier! And if there had been more openness about these kinds of transgressions, Kristin may have felt differently about Erlend and their actions. I mean, I get it, this is Norway in the 1400s, but my heart broke over the shame and the hiding. @AnneCecilie @AmyG @Ruthiella 1mo

AmyG Oh wait….I went back and read about her parents. I had forgotten as I read this a few years ago. I don‘t think there was a whole lot of communication back then. If there was, between couples, it was probably rare. People have evolved and yet they haven‘t at all. Yes, @BarbaraJean so much shame. I am sure religion plays a huge part in that. 1mo

8 likes8 comments

blurb

Kristin Lavransdatter | Sigrid Undset

This post contains spoilers

Several women in the text have transgressed against the moral norms of the time, from Fru Aashild to Erlend‘s mistress, Eline—and as we later discover, even Kristin‘s mother Ragnfrid. Do you think Undset includes these women and their circumstances as simply a mirror of the times, as a moral warning, or as a critique of the expectations placed on women of the time?

#KLBR #DoorstopKristin discussion - 3/4

AmyG Perhaps both? I don‘t know much about the author and her feelings. 1mo

Ruthiella I think she is showing us the humanity of the past. People were not so different from us in medieval times nor in the 20th century when this was written nor are they now so different 100 years later. Society has its strictures but then as now, we don‘t always fit within that framework. (edited) 1mo

lauraisntwilder @Ruthiella I agree. People are people, no matter what year it is. 1mo

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Andrea313 I don't know the author's intentions, but I do love that we saw three very different women whose circumstances felt timeless in varying degrees. I gotta say, Fru Aashild took me on a wild ride! Loved her at first, then turned on her when she was all-in for the escape and elopement, then was ultimately grateful she was there for Kristin. And I did feel that in Eline, we might be looking at K's future, even in part. 😬 1mo

BarbaraJean Like @AmyG & @Andrea313 I don‘t know enough about the author to KNOW this, but it seemed there was a critique underlying her inclusion of these women‘s stories. Definitely a mirror of the times—including these parallel situations indicated that these types of moral transgressions were more common—but also, by extension, she seemed to be demonstrating that they‘re more nuanced and complex than society paints them to be. @Ruthiella @lauraisntwilder 1mo

AmyG And let me say, I was surprised that there was so much “unmarried sex” happening. I don‘t know why I think that way, probably because it‘s the 1300‘s. Human beings being human. 1mo

BarbaraJean @AmyG Haha, yeah, people are people, no matter the century! I was surprised that there wasn't more shaming going on, honestly. 1mo

AmyG @BarbaraJean There wasn‘t more shaming because apparently they were ALL having “inappropriate” sex! 1mo

BarbaraJean @AmyG 😂 😂 1mo

4 likes9 comments