The boys had baseball practice tonight! So I got a quiet dinner with my kindle. It was Philly cheese style stuffed peppers. Delish!

We will begin our #pemberlitten buddy read of The Watson‘s on Friday July 1. The completed version I will be reading has the same first chapters of Austen‘s unfinished work. So read along no mater the version. I will be doing a chapter a day (the completed version has 28 chapters) and I will post an update of each chapter daily. I will tag all those that said they wanted to be tagged (also tagged in this post) yay! Let the fun begin!

Yay! The #pemberlittens The Watson‘s read along. As this was never finished by Austen herself, I will be reading a completed version (tagged book) and the original for the first 5 chapters. This version has earn great reviews. Even if you are just easing the original, join in! Iwant to keep the read to the month of July. So when my book comes in, I will post the chapter breakdown. If you wish to be tagged in my daily posts let me know!

When you are trying to have a nice relaxing read, but someone wants to play. #dogsoflitsy

Day one of summer vacay and this kid has already started his summer reading! #raisingreaders

Enjoying some time in the shade at the pool on this warm today. #summerreading

🏖 🏊‍♀️ 📖 🍦 #thoughtfulthursday Yay summer!! There is also a lot of 💃 and ⚾️ in my summers!

Finally a name for what I truly am! 🤣🤣

#pemberlittens I couldn‘t help myself and I finished today. I have mixed emotions of this one. I found so many party hilarious and Lady Susan‘s antics very modern except that she hurt so many people with complete disregard. I felt Lady Susan could have been an amazing feminist figure if she wasn‘t a complete jerk. I found the treatment of her daughter disturbing and so I see no redemption for Lady Susan. I really enjoyed despite Lady Susan!

Wow, I just ate this book up! Something has not grabbed my interest like this one for a while. If you like dystopian, Christian cults, Lord of the Flies-like, feminist books, this one is for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When you have a puppies that likes to chew books, you must remember to not leave you books lying around. Poor book! 😞

#truth

#pemberlittens me me! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

#pemberlittens I was so happy to do this buddy read, but I am not sure so would have finished it it I was required to read more than a chapter a day. I loved that this was grittier than a Jane Austen novel and really delved into conflicts between the upper class and the working class. I also loved Mr. Thornton‘s transformation and the moments of feminism. However, I did find big chunks of this novel boring and unnecessary. I agree with others👇

#pemberlittens #chapter52NS Finally!! In our last chapter Margaret and Mr. Lennox spend lots of time talking properties and not marriage much to Edith‘s chagrin. The next day Mr. Lennox, Mr. Thornton, & Margaret are to meet but Mr. Lennox never shows. Margaret is forced to meet with John alone. She tries ineloquently to explain that she want to give him some of her money to stay in business. This quickly devolves into again ineloquent 👇👇

#pemberlittens #Chapter51NS Mr. Thornton is visiting London to settle the loss of his business and to sublet his factory and home. Mr. Lennox gets him an invite to dinner at Edith‘s. Margaret wishes not to attend but is forced by Edith. While Margaret is checking John out, he is doing an excellent job of avoiding her. It is clear that he has lost everything, but he tells Margaret that all his men want to for him again. He knows this will 👇👇

#pemberlittens #Chapter50NS Trade is bad in Milton and John‘s business has not recovered since the strike. His bet on the Irish workers ended up being disastrous. John‘s brother-in-law wants him to dump his borrowed money into some speculation scheme. After a dramatic talks with Mrs. Thornton he decides not too and is forces to give up his business. While he is offer a few positions, he is waiting for the right one. He also finds👇👇

#pemberlittens #chapter49NS Margaret has inherited a substantial sum from Mr. Bell. Henry Lennox is helping her sort it out. She is still upset Mr. Thornton does not know her truth. The family travels to the sea where Margaret grieves and is able to come to some resolutions. Henry is finding her more attractive and amiable. The family is hopeful. Upon their return, Margaret has decided to take matters into her own hands👇👇

#pemberlittens #Chapter48NS So Margaret is attending Mrs. Shaw‘s dinners which are not boring but Margaret is still depressed. She is still not thrilled with Mr. Lennox. Mr. Bell is to visit and he has not been feeling well. There is more talk of Spain, Edith is again insensitive and self-centered. Margaret feels bad. Mr. Bell never shows up because he is dying. She travels to Oxford to find he has died and returns to London. Poor Margaret.

#pemberlittens #Chapter47NS Dixon returns with gossip from Milton. Fanny Thornton‘s wedding was too over the top. Edith mentions Mr. Bell wanting to take Margaret to Spain to visit Fred. Dixon is worried about being converted to a Catholic. Edith is annoying and self-centered making everything about her. Margaret wants Mr. Bell to visit Milton to explain all to John. Mr. Lennox visits often but there is nothing between him and Margaret.

#pemberlittens #Chapter46NS Margaret and Mr. Bell travel to Helstone where she finds it much changed. Susan is now in school and the Vicar and his new wife are awful. They have made many changes to the house and to the school. Margaret is depressed and confesses her lie to the police to Mr. Bell. She wishes for him to tell John the truth. After a fitful night, she feels better for her confession. She turns down the vicar‘s invite for dinner.

#pemberlittens #Chapter43NS Mr. Bell has it in his mind to visit Helstone. After a meeting with Henry Lennox in which Margaret learn there is no hope for a defense for Fred, Mr. Bell proposes they visit Helstone together. Margaret is very excited to do so and they secure permission from Mrs. Shaw.

#pemberlittens #Chapter44NS Margaret is now at Harley St. Every night she is left alone and she is bored by the monotony of each day. Mr. Bell visits and finds out Fred was in Milton when Mrs. Hale died. Henry Lennox arrives and Mr. Bell senses tension between him and Margaret. When they both leave they talk of Mr. Hale and Lennox puts him down for leaving his position. Mr. Bell is not having it. Henry is very arrogant.

#pemberlittens #chapter43 It is decided that Margaret will return to London. Mr. Bell writes her a letter explaining her father‘s burial in Oxford, she will get an allowance from him, and Cpt. Lennox and John are there. Margaret goes about Milton saying goodbye to Mary, Mrs. Thornton who is now having tender feelings, John who stupidly does not profess his love again, and finally Higgins. Higgins is kind and she gives him Mr. Hale‘s bible.

#pemberlittens #chapter42 NS I am so behind! So quickly, Margaret is too depressed to get off the couch. Mr. Bell loses his appetites, quickly regains it, and wants to take Margaret to Oxford. Mrs. Shaw doesn‘t want to travel to Milton, hates when she gets there, and displaces Mr. Bell at the Hale home. Mr. Thornton arrives and take Mr. Bell to his house. They discuss Frederick and John begins to realize a few things.

#pemberlittens #Chapter41NS Mr. Hale has not been feeling well but goes to a Oxford to visit Mr. Bell. Margaret stays home and finds some time to grieve all that has happened in the last year. She is beginning to enjoy things again. While in Oxford, Mr.Bell says she will care for Margaret is Mr. Hale dies. The Mr. Hale dies in his sleep! Mr. Bell travels to Milton and sees Mr. Thornton. He tells hime the news and they discuss what will 👇👇

#pemberlittens #Chapter40NS Mr. Bell visits and loves everything about Margaret. Mr. Thornton visits and is not in the mood to be friendly. He is unable to take a joke and has an intense discussion with Mr. Bell about manufacturing vs academia. He leaves vowing to see a little of Margaret as possible. Mr. Bell realizes John loves Margaret and tells Mr. Hale who denies it. Eventually he comes to, and Margaret confess all things Mr. Thornton.

#pemberlittens #chapter39NS Mrs. Boucher is dying and Mr. Higgins is taking care of the kids. Margaret visit both and learns that John did not hire Higgins. Just themN John walks in, and Margaret leaves. John admits he was wrong and offers Higgins work, which he will take. John catches up with Margaret and lets her know. He wants an explanation from Margaret but she refuses to protect Fred. They leave equally frustrated.

#pemberlittens #Chapter36NS John is fretting about Margaret and her love for another man. Mrs. Thornton tells him that she knows about Margaret consorting with a man at the train station. They decide that she should visit and ewarn Margaret as that is what she promised Mrs. Hale. But Margaret is not having it and leaves Mrs. Thornton sitting in their parlor alone. Higgins begs John for work and is denied.

#pemberlittens #Chapter37NS Margaret and Mr. Hale visit Higgins but he is not home. They visit Mrs. Boucher instead and she is mad at the world and only thinking of herself. The Hales return home where Margaret frets some more about Mr. Thornton when he does not visit again. Mr. Huggins visits saying he was looking for work all day to support the Boucher children. He blames himself for Boucher‘s death. After talking him out of being a 👇👇

#pemberlittens #Chapter36NS Margaret and Mr. Hale visit Mr. Higgins who cannot find work because companies are making employees take an oath not to support the Union. Mr. Higgins blames Boucher for the unsuccessful strike and Margaret accuse Higgins of creating Boucher by forcing him into the union. Boucher is then found dead by self draining? Margaret must tell Mrs. Boucher and Higgins locks himself in his house.

#pemberlittens #Chapter35NS Margaret is an anxious mess about the cop who runs into Mr. Thornton. The cops tells him of the situation and John knows Margaret lied. But he looks over the evidence and has the inquest stopped. Margaret is first relieved than highly embarrassed and worried about what John thinks of her. A letter arrives telling her Fred made it in the boat. She didn‘t have to lie!

#pemberlittens #chapter34NS a day late. Margaret and Mr. Hale are distraught about Mrs. Hale and Fred. Mr. Thornton visits and is very tender to both. Then Margaret get called away to answer a policeman‘s questions. Apparently, Leonards suffer internal bleeding from the scuffle with Fred. Margaret was recognized but she denies being there.

#pemberlittens #Chapter33NS The Hales prepare for Mrs. Hale‘s funeral. Mr. Bell cannot attend. So, Margaret will attend. Mr. Thornton offers there carriage and Margaret is angry he does not offer to attend. A letter lets her know that Fred made it to London, but Mr. Lennox is out of town. So he will delay his leave by a few days. The funeral is sad. Mr. Higgins attends and so does Mr. Thornton but Margaret does not see him.

March was a tough choice but this is a book I am still thinking about even though I read it in early March. I also learned a lot as I had had never heard of the blue people of Kentucky or the genetic disorder that effected them.
#2022readingbracket

#pemberlittens #Chapter32NS Everyone is still mourning Mrs. Hale including Margaret who finally gets to grieve. But it is time for Fred to leave for London. They arrange for him to take a 6:10 train. When he and Margaret get to the station the train is late by 20 mins. The station is creepy and quiet. Of course a Leonards shows up and grabs Fred. He escapes onto the train as the Leonards falls. Margaret is then anxious about being seen by him.

#penberlittens #Chapter31NS. Mrs Hale has past and everyone is in mourning. Margaret is taking care of everyone and everything. Dixon informs her of recognizing and speaking with a bad man that was a sailor with Fred, and taunts her with it. It is decided Fred must leave, but they don‘t want him to. He reveals a love back in Spain. He is convince to try and fight his prosecution. Margaret suggests he use Henry Lennox as his lawyer.

#pemberlittens #Chapter30NS. Pivotal chapter. Mrs. Hale takes a turn for the worst. Mrs. Thornton visit and promises to take care if Margaret as if she was her own. Frederick returns. Everyone is thrilled, and Mrs. Hales rouses long enough to see him. Frederick second guesses his father and not getting another doctor. He advises Margaret not to get upset but stay busy. He does this until Mrs. Hale finally passes. Frederick is inconsolable.

#pemberlittens #Chpater29NS Margaret gets a letter from Edith which gushes over her baby and belittles her husband. She also blames Mr. Hale for Mrs. Hales illness and want her and Margaret to come visit for 3 months. Mr. Thornton bring more fruit and is awkward. Margaret reads Mrs. Hale the letter and she agrees that the Milton air is making her more sick. Mr. Hale returns with John and more awkward ensue but Mrs. Thornton will visit.

#pemberlittens #chapter28NS. I wish I had seen this meme before I posted my chapter 28 review. 😂😂

#pemberlittens #chapter28NS A day late, sorry! Margaret visits Bessy‘s body. Mr. Higgins is distraught by her death and wants to go drinking. Margaret convinced him to visit Mr. Hale instead. Mrs. Hale is regretting sending for Fred. Higgins tells them the strike has ended and explains the ways of the union. He may not see eye to eye with the Hales but he does seem to know his stuff. A bit long and bit boring.

North and South- Elizabeth Gaskell
The Great Hunt- Robert Jordan
Will They Won‘t They- Portia MacIntosh
The Inheritance Games- Jennifer Lynn Barnes

#pemberlittens #Chapter27NS Mr. Thornton tries to go about his day without thinking of Margaret. He runs into Dr. Donaldson who tells him Mrs. Hale will not last the month and wants fruit. John rushed and buys all best fruit. He delivers the fruit personally if awkwardly to Mrs. Hale. He leaves and Margaret get upset. She finds Dixon searching her room. Bessy has died and wished to be buried in some of her clothing. She will visit to view Bessy.

#pemberlittens #chapter26 1/2 Way! John is despondent about Margaret‘s rejection and climbs on a bus traveling to a country village. There he wanders around depressed. Meanwhile, at home Mrs. Thornton anxiously awaits his return and is depressed that she will be replaced. She is jealous. When she finds out that Margaret will not have him like any good mother she instantly hates her. John still loves her. They agree not to speak of her again.

😂😂 #truth

#pemberlittens #chapter25NS Margaret rehashes the proposal from John. Then she visits Bessy who is dying. She tells Margaret of the fight between Boucher and her father, who blames Boucher for the riot. Margaret reads her Revelations, and she falls asleep. When she returns home, Mrs. Hale is up and out of bed. She complain about her bed which causes her to reminisce about the bed of her youth and talking Frederick to visit. Apparently, Fred👇

#pemberlittens #chapter24NS Mr. Thornton arrives to profess his love to Margaret and thank her for saving his life. Margaret isn‘t having any of it but she is deluding herself. She loves him too! John leaves upset with tears in his eyes. She is stubborn if she no to him.

#pemberlittens #Chapter23NS John rushes back to check on Margaret and finds her gone. He is to meet with the police and then call on the Hale‘s to check on Margaret. Mrs. Thornton guilts John into not visiting Margaret. After the police, he confess his feelings to Mrs. Thornton. She tries to convince him she is not worthy but quickly shuts up when he gets upset. She goes to bed and cries. Margaret return not feeling well. Everyone notices👇

#pemberlitten #Chapter22NS The riot reaches the Thornton‘s house and factory. The hands have found out the Mr. Thornton has hired workers from Ireland for a cheaper wage and they are pissed. Mrs. Thornton and Fanny seek refuge deeper in the house while Margaret encourages John to face his employees. He does and just makes them more angry. Margaret can see violence is about the erupt and rushes to John‘s aid. She pleads with the people 👇👇👇

This book was an exploration into identity and duality. The theme for choosing be something different and the loss and fear that comes with that made me sad and at times anxious. However, it was beautifully written and each character was beautiful and frustrating in their own way. Jude and Reese‘s story of patient love and acceptance was my favorite. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️