I so wish our wonderful Jane could have gone back to re-tool this one. There is so much there - devious Lady Susan, poor maligned Frederica, dim Reginald, potentially two-faced Alicia - and I would have loved to see the story and the characters more fully expanded. The last chapter, shedding the epistolary form, brings so much more life to everything. I wish we could have seen what more time would have yielded. #PemberLittens

Playing catch-up today, and ugh, three chapters in a row of Gilbert's bullshit is almost too much to bear. He continues to act completely entitled to Mrs. G's time and attention, hounding her while she's trying to sketch, sucking up to her kid (giving him a dog, wtf?!), and trying to gift her a romantic book.Whenever she's less than thrilled with any of it, Gilbert is offended and "ready to weep with disappointment and vexation." Bitch, please.

Hold on your hats, there's a flurry of departures and near-departures: Reg will go! No, he'll stay! Sir James leaves! So will Lady Susan! Frederica is going, too! No, she's staying! Lady S's lackey Alicia is psyched to hang with her bff 'cuz her husband (who *barred Lady S from their house*) is headed to Bath. But then, ruh-roh, Mr "Uric Acid" Johnson gets wind of Lady S's travel and suddenly has a gout flare-up and can't travel- very convenient!

Re-reading and furiously taking notes. Furiously. #AbortionIsHealthCare #ButHerEmails

The more we discover about Mrs. Graham, the more the mysteries keep coming! Today we find out she's a painter, and a good one- Gilbert is impressed against his will. But we also discover that she's hiding out, and there's a portrait of a man that she refuses to comment on. When she doesn't respond to his questions exactly how Gil wants, he goes sullen again, but she smooths it over and makes peace as women always have to and he goes away placated.

UGGGHHHHH SIR JAMES GO AWAY. This douche showed up and "talked a good deal..., mixing more frequent laughter with his discourse than the subject required (and) said many things over and over again." Frederica is NOT into it and sits silently through his blather. But she knows her mother is determined to have her marry the crashing bore, and she desperately appeals to Reginald to try and convince Lady S to give a girl a break. #PemberLittens

OK, so I know it's my teetotalin' Baptist roots showing out here, but what is WITH these people and the drink?! Can we just let Helen live?? Folks go all pearl-clutcher when Mrs. Markham says that Helen doesn't imbibe, and Gilbert snidely observes that the party is better without her, and later tells Mr. Lawrence (maybe the only decent dude around) that she's a cold, hard bitch because she...has opinions! Woof. 0/10 would not recommend this party.

What a to-do! Frederica can't take it anymore (though we're not quite sure yet what "it" is), and she becomes a teenage runaway! Lady Susan thinks she was running off to elope and must be punished, but Mrs. Vernon sees only a shy, dejected girl dominated by her cruel mother. Frederica comes out of her shell so long as Mommie Dearest isn't nearby, displaying sweet manners, a gentle heart, and what is this...? A fondness for Reginald! #PemberLittens

Mrs. Graham and Arthur trek out to see the Markhams, and hoo boy, these neighbors are hardly a good time. They think Mrs. G is a total helicopter parent and will make a "Miss Nancy" of her son and yikes on bikes, if the overt misogyny isn't enough to get your hackles up, just wait- here comes the lecturing! Gilbert can't stand that a woman doesn't like him and won't capitulate to his way of thinking, leaving our man-baby feeling vexed. Boohoo.

The De Courcy family is on high alert! Mrs V. believes that Reginald will propose to the vile Lady Susan, and Sir Reginald writes a cease-and-desist letter to his son. Reggie sends back a bemused response - Lady Susan is totally misunderstood, a very fine lady and a great mother! But marry her? ...Nah, my dude. Reg is just looking to spend some time with a real intellectual. (Do you believe him, #PemberLittens?)

Chapter 2 and we're into quintessential Brontë territory- evocative descriptions of an eerie, wild landscape, including a decaying mansion with a decapitated swan bush out front. Is it giving Tim Burton or what? After a run-in with Mrs. Graham and child, our narrator goes to shake off the weirds with a visit to sweet Eliza and her amusing but shallow conversation, and Markham earns my ire by saying he hates cats. YOU ARE DEAD TO ME, SIR. DEAD.

Lady Susan is giving major Lucille Bluth vibes today; pretty soon she's going to be requesting a vodka rocks and a piece of toast, or dismissively telling Frederica to "go see a Star War." Mrs. Vernon is totally onto her shenanigans but Reginald can't see through her flirting, and prolongs his stay with some lame excuse about "hunting". #PemberLittens

Lady Susan and a cup of tea are perfect companions on this slightly misty, grey day. I am already so sucked in by these characters- the drama! The flirtations! The "projects" meant to prevent marriages and real estate purchases! These unfinished and early works more than anything else make me wish that Jane had more years and make me wonder what other genius works she would have given us. #PemberLittens

In March and April, life and work defeated me and absolutely destroyed my reading plans. Today marks a fresh start with the esteemed #PemberLittens and I am beyond psyched to dig into this fabulous work by Anne Brontë, the "overlooked" sister who some might say is really a surprisingly tenacious feminist queen. I'm so excited about this one!
@BarkingMadRun

I was surprised by how much I truly enjoyed this! I expected it to be a fun diversion, something light and breezy for a warm weekend. What I didn't expect was to become so invested in the story of two friends, each bringing quite a bit of baggage to the table, but helping one another get through every time. I loved that the ending wasn't all tied up with a bow; still a little uncertainty, but a confidence that we'd see our MC get there in time.

A big ballet fan, I'd been hoping to see ABT's Whipped Cream when it premiered in 2017. My husband, an art fanatic, came home one day and said, "What do you know about this ballet Whipped Cream?" Pretty sure I stared at him agog as he's never had any interest in dance, but it turned out an artist he likes had done the scenic/costume design, so we snapped up tickets to the Chicago premiere and had a ball. When we found this book, it was a must-buy!

Send help, I can't read, I can't work, I can only listen to A Strange Loop over and over and over again. (JK don't send help, I love this prison of my own and Michael R. Jackson's making.) Winner of the 2020 Pulitzer, this musical is brilliant and beautiful and profane and heartbreaking. Theatre-loving Littens, have you gotten into it? #SeeMoreTheatre

I was blown away by this book and read the last quarter or so through a tear-soaked haze. I had to sit with it awhile; in some ways, I feel like I'm still gathering my thoughts. This short space seems insufficient for a review of a book that felt like a major reading experience: a meditation on consciousness; on lives both real and virtual; on blithe irony vs fierce love and loss, deep grief and profound joy; the huge shifts in tiny moments.

Being in a month-long reading slump certainly didn't slow me down when it came to acquiring new titles! Now that I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things, here are a few I plan to start soon. Any favorites among the selection here? #ReadingPlans

Thank you @Crinoline_Laphroaig for putting this on my radar! This story was utterly lovely- an introverted, awkward teen who feels constantly outshined by her four talented, outgoing, distinctive sisters tries to shed her "Mary Bennet-ness". I loved the main character, even in the moments when she made me cringe- probably because she was so recognizably a teenager, still discovering who and how to be. Don't we all still feel like that sometimes?

Trying to dig into a delightful new read, but #TomKitten is back on his book-stealing bullshit. #CatsOfLitsy 🖤😸

I had a complete letdown of a reading month in March, but I plan to use April to claw my way back on track with the #PemberLittens, with my monthly #PersephonePick, and with the #ChunksterChallenge. I'm also REALLY looking forward to the May reads with the #PemberLittens- Lady Susan, here we come!

Trying to read but the cutest thief around stole my book. #CurrentlyReading #CatsOfLitsy #TomKitten

I've had a distracted, disappointing reading month, capped off by the ridiculous amount of TV I've watched the past few days- binging the new seasons of of Starstruck and Bridgerton, and streaming the Gate Theatre's production of Endgame (for which I nearly impulse-booked a trip to Dublin; thanks for saving me from crushing debt, Gate Theatre!). Anyway, here's to leaning into storytelling in all forms- and getting back to the written word soon!

I read Angela's Ashes in middle and high school over and over and over...but I have only just discovered the audiobook, read by the author. It's been years since I've read it and hearing it in McCourt's own voice makes it feel like a brand-new story. Despite the backlash and controversy, I'm not sorry to say I'm positively tearing through this one and loving every sad, funny, bittersweet moment. #CurrentlyListening

Next month author Manchán Magan is coming to Detroit with Arán & Im, his performance/installation where he bakes sourdough bread for 70 minutes while talking about Irish language – and this nerd positively can't 👏 wait.👏 I figured it was time to pull the tagged book off my TBR in anticipation, and the coincidence of starting it on St. Patrick's Day seemed too perfect. 💚🍀 #CurrentlyReading

This was absolutely gorgeous! A thoughtful, personal reflection on being rooted in, and shaped by, place and tradition, this felt slow to start for me, but then all at once became completely riveting. I loved this window into Rebanks' life and community, and it was made all the more present by the fantastic audiobook narrator Bryan Dick. I want to start Rebanks' 2021 book, Pastoral Song, but it has a different narrator so I'm torn! 😂

I'm behind with the #PemberLittens and on my #ChunksterChallenge goal, and I'm definitely behind in reading for work! But I'm really craving some feel-good right now, so I'll let the "shoulds" languish a little longer as I curl up with Vanessa Yu. Anyone else feeling the pull of some fun, light "happily ever after" these days? #CurrentlyReading

Chapter 9, and it's a veritable parade of weird Parker siblings! Miss Susan talks non-stop like everyone else Charlotte has met, and goes nowhere without her salts and phials; Miss Diana continues to put herself out for the sake of a person she's never met; and Mr. Arthur takes the cake with his daily ration of hot cocoa and his skills with toast. Never burned, never too near the fire, but always well-browned; give this guy a medal! #PemberLittens

Chapter 8! Charlotte spots a new arrival in town and runs off to tell the Parkers. But a total creeper of a lady is hot on her heels; turns out it's sister Diana! Through a very Ferris Bueller-esque chain of people, Diana has heard of Mrs. Griffiths of the West Indies who wants to take a place in Old Sandy this summer. Di knows she's just the person to make it happen because she's strong in mind and needs to be USEFUL! #PemberLittens

Clawing my way back onto the #PemberLittens wagon! Chapter 7 brings us Sir Edward absolutely droning on and on (and on...) about poetry in an effort to make Clara jealous. Charlotte sees through his tactic and is not having it, so she's forced to buddy up with Lady Denham instead. Lady D also talks on and on, full of self-importance, and it's around this time I imagine Charlotte must be considering just walking straight out into the sea to escape.

I was frantically reading to get caught up on the chapters I missed last week...and just couldn't stop! Oops! But sorry not sorry, because this was such a wonderful experience. I loved diving into the "what it's?" of Mary's story, and seeing how "happily ever after" treated so many of our favorite characters. Most lovely of all was seeing Mary grow into herself, conquer old foes, and discover the life she was meant to live. #PemberLittens

Happy #313Day to my favorite city. #DetroitLove #MittenLitten

It's been a heck of a week, Littens. I've spent the weekend recuperating and catching up on my reading and being incredibly lazy, but the best thing I did was go ahead and book a summer vacation. I cannot wait to get back up into the beautiful UP of #PureMichigan, and also can't wait to make vacation reading list!

I went through a full-on roller coaster with this one! First, overjoyed to have another Walsh Sisters book; then irrationally upset in the opening chapters to find Rachel NOT in the place I'd expected; then heartbroken, hopeful, and ultimately heartened by the full story. Not surprisingly, Keyes puts the pieces together perfectly. Now I need to re-read the whole series again. ❤️

Mary has discovered Fordyce, and his whole "beauty is deceptive and charm is fleeting" schtick makes her super jazzed. She will turn away from vain fripperies and be a woman of good morals! AND she can earn her father's love by making him a book of her favorite selections; they can bond over the written word! Too bad Mr. B is an utter jackass about Mary's faves, and when she desperately asks him to recommend a book, he totally blows her off. *sob*

Teatime with Lady D and Clara! While Charlotte admires Clara as a pure storybook heroine (hopefully no Catherine Moreland nonsense ensues!), Parker and Denham talk over the development of the town. They need more visitors and more money- but if the family from the West Indies spends TOO freely, why, they'll ruin everything! Mr. Parker tries to talk some sense into Lady D. and she lets it go, but I'm giving some major side-eye to this conversation.

Mary endures two chapters of post-dance shame and regret for dancing with Mr. Sparrow. Surprise, surprise, her mother and Lydia are both horrifically condescending and snide to her, and Mary internalizes their criticism once again, deciding that since she cannot trust her traitorous heart not to get her into trouble, she will henceforth read only instructive texts and be solely head-driven. Gah, this poor girl! #PemberLittens

Margaret has handled the entire move (parents of the year!) and now they make the long journey north. All Margaret wants is the window seat on the train so she can see the church tower as they leave, but Mr. Hale claims it instead, continuing to give me serious Bronson Alcott vibes. They pass through London where Margaret thinks about stopping to see the fam. But since nobody in London gives two shits for you if you're sad, the Hales journey on.

Chapter 5 brings a letter from Mr. Parker's sister Diana, who has recently decided to stand staunchly against the 1817 medical-industrial complex. I might side-eye that take here in 2022, but I'm FULLY ON BOARD WITH IT in this case. If I saw a doctor try to cure *a headache* with six days of leeches and then ripping out three teeth, I would also be like, "Nah, doc, I'm good, just gonna rub this sprained ankle a little harder, don't mind me!"

Chapter 4 takes us on a little tour of Sanditon, past the house where Mr. Parker grew up and into the new town where shops are springing up all over the place! And of course we catch a glimpse of the beach and my very favorite throwback vacay must-have: the bathing machine! 😂
https://www.messynessychic.com/2014/04/15/victorian-prudes-beachside-bathing-mac...
#PemberLittens

Man, Mary just cannot catch a break from her scrutinizing, critical mother who is a heinous bitch about Mary dancing with kind John Sparrow- after all, his father is only an oculist who keeps a shop with a bell on the door! UGH. Whenever I'm confronted with this disgusting classism in period novels, I always think of the sweet, wonderful, wise Betsy Ray, who asks, "How can she love money so much and yet despise the good hard work which earns it?"

Margaret is having the worst day- first an unwelcome proposal, and now a Serious Dad Talk. Mr. H is having all kinds of church doubts that he never really explains, but all that matters is he's going Exvangelical and splitting town. He also doesn't have the integrity (or the stones) to tell his ACTUAL WIFE that a move is on the horizon so he deputizes his kid to do it for him. Cool cool cool this should have no backlash or ill effects whatsoever.

Lady Denham, the "great lady" of Sanditon, is absolutely rolling in it, and honestly, I respect it 100%. Her first marriage (at age 30!!!! Old maid showing out!!!) to a rich dude ended up with her accumulating a ton of money. Her second marriage got her a title, and you can tell this BAMF has no regrets. Now she's taken in a distant relation, seemingly having saved her from a horrible Fanny Price-esque lot. I want to meet her asap! #PemberLittens

Henry drops in on Margaret and finds Helstone parsonage "shabby" (who asked you, Hank???). Later while eating pears in the garden (I swear this is not a dirty euphemism), he professes his love but she's all, "Haha, wasn't it cool being friends? Let's keep it that way!" He gets in a snit about it and "the whole tone of it annoyed her". Girl, yes! Don't put up with this! He makes one last plea before he bolts but I don't see Margaret being swayed.

Margaret is back home and finds herself loving the beautiful natural world and her neighbors in the village. She loves less the distance that's grown between her parents, the mystery with her brother, and her dad's sudden preoccupation with God knows what. But most of all, our little snob dislikes "shoppy" people. A butcher, baker, or candlestick maker? Or worse yet, a coach-builder? Not for this girl! But never mind that; here comes Henry Lennox!

Hoo boy, here come chapters 5 and 6 to make me hate the Bennet parents. The very first thought I had was that Mr. Bennet was the #BeanDad of his day- smug and self-satisfied and totally hands-off as Mary wanders through the library in need of attention and guidance (anyone else remember those galvanizing, bean-centric early days of '21?). But my anger for him soon vanished because in swooped Mrs. Bennet to make things a hell of a lot worse!

Catching up on chapters 3 and 4, when Mary decides to go all in on the piano to distinguish herself. Then Lizzy comes along with her charming, charismatic musical style and makes Mary feel about two inches tall. So onto the next thing- Mary wants to learn! Get this girl a governess! Too bad Mrs. B is not inclined toward book-learnin', and Lydia's outrage at actually having to do something kills that idea. So, regroup- onto her father's library!

Mr. Parker's sprained ankle strands he and his wife at the Heywoods' place, but no matter because they're all getting on swimmingly...so long as the Heywoods nod and smile and look beyond that whole, "dude never shuts up about Sanditon" thing. But Mr. Parker's bloviating has done some good, because Miss Charlotte Heywood is going to come and spend some time at the beach! Plot officially in motion! #PemberLittens

I don't read many Austen adaptations, but I'm glad to be reading this! The beginning shows much of what we already know about the Bennets, but also makes us think about the girls' childhoods, positing that Jane, Lizzy, and Mary used to be thick as thieves. But Mrs. B's treatment of Mary as an ugly ducking made her withdraw into herself, and isolated her within her own family. The writing feels very true, and heartbreaking, and I'm already hooked.