@Cuilin on Litsy

The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe

Cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1w

Librarybelle I thought it was better fair play wise than others we read, for instance last week‘s story. There are a few threads that I don‘t recall appearing in the story, but I may have missed them. 1w

eeclayton I definitely consider it fair play. I even picked up on some of the clues, although the one with the window had me baffled, just like Watson, I had no idea that SH saw a mirror image. 1w

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CogsOfEncouragement I mean, the moment you hear there is a child from the first marriage...am I right? lol 1w

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement exactly!!! 1w

dabbe @Cuilin @Librarybelle @eeclayton @CogsOfEncouragement ... never trust the child from a 1st marriage! 🤣 I also found it kind of icky that Jack hung over his dad like a toddler would. 5d

28 likes6 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe

Cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1w

Librarybelle I did find it interesting that Holmes was the opposite of Conan Doyle. Maybe it has something to do with how tired Conan Doyle was with Holmes that Holmes is the opposite. However, Holmes‘s thoughts on ghosts does fit with his methodical and logical persona. 1w

eeclayton @Librarybelle I agree. It would have been weird if SH hadn't set out to find a down-to-earth, logical explanation. 1w

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CogsOfEncouragement After I finished this one last night, I looked up when it was first published. It was January 1924 in The Strand Magazine. I wondered if it was entertainment for October (but I suppose how we treat “spooky season“ is a fairly new phenomenon). As I kept googling I see that Doyle and Stoker were friends.

I wonder how widespread Doyle's beliefs were. Would SH keep bringing in $$$ if the stories took that sort of a turn? The money was the point. 1w

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement yes I saw Stoker and Doyle were friends. I know the loss of Doyle‘s first wife deeply affected him, which was the beginning of his interest in spirituality. I think his grief made him long for a life that wasn‘t so painful? Hence Sherlock 🤷‍♀️ 1w

dabbe @Cuilin @Librarybelle @eeclayton @CogsOfEncouragement In some of my readings, it seems that seances and such were quite the rage in the late 1800s. Doyle's loss of not only his 1st wife but the loss of his son Kingsley and other friends from WWI further enhanced his interest in spirituality later in life. He seems to have been a more rational person earlier when he created Holmes. 5d

22 likes6 comments

Cuilin

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Sussex Vampire | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

I really enjoyed this one. Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton

Cuilin @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1w

Librarybelle I enjoyed this one too! I did kind of hope for a true supernatural element, which would have been unique, but it was a super fun story. Maybe I think so because vampire is in the title! 😂 1w

eeclayton I enjoyed it, too. It had a Jane Eyre-ish vibe in the beginning, and I'm glad the lady didn't end up in the attic or a madhouse 😁 1w

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CogsOfEncouragement My favorite line from this one was when Watson sees his school mate is not physically what he once had been, and W states is was painful to see. The clever line that made me chuckle:
I fear that I roused corresponding emotions in him. 1w

kelli7990 I enjoyed it. 1w

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement great line! 1w

Cuilin @eeclayton yes definitely a gothic vibe right down to young Jack and his poison arrow. 1w

Cuilin @Librarybelle I was hoping for a bit more Vampiric lore. 1w

Cuilin @kelli7990 it was a fun one. 1w

dabbe @Cuilin @Librarybelle @eeclayton @CogsOfEncouragement @kelli7990 Sorry I'm a little late to the party. I enjoyed this one, too--WAY more than the last one, #oy! I found it interesting that the kid's name was Jack. “Jack“ is used is many folk tales (talking to you, Jack & the Bean Stalk) and usually involved a young adult male who is a trickster or rebel of sorts. In this one, he happens to want to kill. 🤷‍♀️ The name definitely fits! 5d

20 likes10 comments

Cuilin

Little Dorrit | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens

Ugh, I don‘t care for Mr Flintwinch at all also I‘m highly suspicious of Arthur‘s mother 🤨 I love the little drawings in a Dickens novel, wouldn‘t it be nice if novels had little drawings in them? I guess the costs for an illustrator and printing would be astronomical. @Texreader

Cuilin @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcurioser @catlass007 @jewright 2w

TheBookHippie Just pulled my book out! I agree I‘d love illustrations now and again. 2w

BarbaraJean I would also love little drawings in novels for adults! Maybe that's one reason I love maps in fantasy novels. I feel like black & white line drawings wouldn't add too much to the cost... at least for the printing. There are some great YA/MG books that have little illustrations throughout (tagged is a favorite YA novel with small illustrations), so it seems to me like it would be viable for adult books as well!

Elatsoe

2w

Cuilin @BarbaraJean Agreed. I also like annotated books as they have pictures too. 2w

46 likes4 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone (Annotated) | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe

Cuilin @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3w

Librarybelle I think I would wonder what exactly all of the excitement about Holmes was if I had not read anything prior… 3w

eeclayton @Librarybelle I agree that it's not the best starting point for a new reader. 3w

dabbe This story is usually close to last or dead last as far as favorite SH stories for readers. To start with this one would have been horrific, especially since the POV was so different; all of the personal touches are absent from this one without our Watson, and he basically acts like a dummy in this one with hardly a role to play at all.

Also, where the hell did Billy the page boy come from? That was another #thingsthatmakeyougohmm 3w

CogsOfEncouragement Oh, good question. This story does feel like it is meant for someone who has been reading about SH and W for some time. I didn't consider that too much until just now. 3w

23 likes5 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone (Annotated) | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes
Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe

Cuilin @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3w

Librarybelle The voice, of course, is different, but Holmes has still laid out a complicated trap for the culprits. Not too much of a mystery, but more of a descriptive way that the culprits are brought to justice. 3w

Cuilin @Librarybelle this story is very much like “The Empty House”. However, because this particular story was written for the Theatre, IMO it feels familiar because we are used to seeing Sherlock as a visual character due to all the movie and TV adaptations. (edited) 3w

dabbe I have a hard time buying that Holmes was able to move the dummy and sit in its place while the Count and Marton were talking because the dummy was in FULL VIEW the entire time! They would have to have had their backs turned away from the dummy the whole time, and Holmes would have had to have been extremely quiet. Also, IMHO, “The Empty House“ was much better. Why do a repeat from a play that also was a repeat? Was Doyle running out of ideas? 3w

21 likes4 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone (Annotated) | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe

Cuilin @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3w

Librarybelle I was thrown by the third person narrative at first. The plot also reminded me a little of another story we read some time ago, where Holmes pretends to be ill but is faking his illness to catch the culprit. Lots of dialogue too, given the third person narrative, but it made the story read rather quickly. Admittedly, I was surprised by Holmes‘s sudden appearance at the end. 3w

eeclayton This is kind of off topic, but when we started this book, the Mazarin Stone was the first story I read, and I kept looking for the illustrious client in the story. I hadn't realized at first that the order of the stories is completely different in my edition 😂 3w

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Cuilin @eeclayton this happened to me with “The Cardboard Box”, luckily it was Denise‘s week to post questions. Lol 3w

Cuilin @Librarybelle it was quite a quick read. It is one of the shortest in the canon. 3w

kelli7990 This was an interesting story. It was so short. I didn‘t realize it was over until the next story in the audiobook started playing. When I realized the next story started playing, I went back and started this one over again but I skipped to the end so I can find out how it ended. 3w

dabbe For me, the 3rd-person narration didn't work so well. Who is this person, and how does s/he know so much of the dialogue? Having never had a 3rd-person omniscient POV before, I had to further suspend my disbelief. Also, not knowing that a door led into the curtained area, or that it was a gramophone playing and not Holmes (1st time that was mentioned) did not allow us equal access to the clues to solve the crime. Alas, we were mere readers. (edited) 3w

21 likes7 comments

Cuilin

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die | Peter Boxall

#ThreeListThursday #TLT @dabbe

There is no in between in this survey, I had either never heard of the book or I had read the book and a lot of the ones I did read I didn‘t like. My collection of 1001 Books to Read Before You Die is very different. It was nice to see E M Forster, Evelyn Waugh, James Joyce, and Virginia Wolfe. Special shout out to The Charwoman‘s Daughter for making the list.

dabbe It seems this 2018 version went WAY out of its way to include a lot more world literature, which is my weak point. 🤣 #TFPAS (Thanks for playing and sharing) 😊 3w

39 likes1 comment

Cuilin

Little Dorrit (UK) | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens #LittleDorrit

June 1st, we will start Little Dorrit. Read at your own pace, tag @Cuilin and @Texreader with any thoughts, quotes, or reviews. All are welcome. This is a first time read for me and I‘m looking forward to it. How about you?

Cuilin @texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcurioser @catlass007
3w

jewright I would like to join, please. 3w

Cuilin Wonderful, I‘ll add you to the tag list! 3w

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CogsOfEncouragement My first time reading too. Not a book I‘ve even heard of. I enjoyed Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and Oliver Twist, so I‘d like to read more. In order to fit it in with all my other BRs I‘m going to try the audiobook. Thanks for the tag. ✌🏻♥️📚 2w

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement I‘m doing a combination of book and audio. Do you have Audible if so, Juliet Stevenson is the narrator for the audible edition and she is fabulous! 2w

CogsOfEncouragement Yes :) I just downloaded it! I was thinking about picking up the book from the library too. I see it is on the shelf of my local branch. Sometimes that helps with this kind of book - to actually see the names, etc. 2w

39 likes6 comments

Cuilin

Bookshelves and Books | Alfred H. Wall

#TLT #ThreeListThursday @dabbe

Well that humbled me!!! I chose some writers I‘d like to read more of.

1 HG Wells
2 Henry James
3 Emile Zola
4 Jules Verne

CogsOfEncouragement I‘ve also read 19 from this round. 1mo

dabbe Boy, there were a ton from Emile Zola on this list! I haven't read any by him! I've been humbled, too. Here's hoping we do better with the 1900s! Thanks for playing and sharing. 💜💚💜 1mo

37 likes2 comments

Cuilin

The Mammoth Book of the New Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes: 12 Original Stories | Denis O. Smith

Dear @dabbe

Thank you so so much. How lucky am I to have found you in the nicest place on the internet. Have you read this one? It looks so good. Truly my cup overfloweth!!!

TheBookHippie What a pretty cover! 1mo

dabbe YAY! I have it on my Kindle and dab in and out to read a story here or there. I'm about halfway through. It's huge! 🤣

HB, my dear friend. I'm so lucky, too. 💚 1mo

Cuilin @TheBookHippie yes, a pipe is so nostalgic. 1mo

Cuilin @dabbe 💚🤍🩷 1mo

53 likes4 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Illustrious Client | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1mo

CatLass007 We the reader never find out who the client was but I believe Holmes discovered his identity and chose to respect his privacy, even refusing to discuss it with Watson when Watson discovers the client‘s identity. Holmes disgraces the Baron by publicly revealing his diary which has the added benefit of convincing the young lady to end the engagement. It would be nice if women suddenly became respected and independent but that still hasn‘t happened. 1mo

Librarybelle I did like that there is a mystery about the “client” was never really revealed. 1mo

dabbe As horrific as the vitriol throwing was, it was justly ironic that the baron's pretty face was destroyed since that's how he lured his women to him in the first place.

We also have a women vs. women situation, too. In “Charles Augustus Milverton,“ the woman killer is married to a famous celebrity. Holmes thinks justice has been done and doesn't report her. In this one, though, the downtrodden Kitty will be brought before the courts for her crime. (edited) 1mo

21 likes4 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Illustrious Client | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1mo

CatLass007 It‘s widely believed that the Baron murdered his wife although he has never been convicted. He is a psychopathic misogynist. When I first read the question I thought there is no way someone like him would have his own podcast. And as I worked through my response I realized that he could accomplish far more than having a podcast, he could become president. 1mo

Librarybelle The Baron is rather slimy and very calculating. Good point about being president, @CatLass007 ! 1mo

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CatLass007 @Librarybelle Thanks. Scary, isn‘t it? 1mo

Cuilin @CatLass007 Yep! 😑 1mo

dabbe @CatLass007 🎯🩵🎯 I mean, you can be a convicted felon many times over and still be president, right? 1mo

dabbe The baron reminds me of Charles Augustus Milverton, as does this story. Whereas Milverton himself didn't have liaisons with women, he blackmailed them after finding out about their liaisons with others. This was his way of making a living. The baron, though, does what he does just because he can and for the perverse pleasure it brings him, making him more evil IMHO. 1mo

CatLass007 @dabbe Right. 1mo

18 likes8 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Illustrious Client | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Thoughts?

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 1mo

CatLass007 I think convincing the young lady not to marry the murderer is no mystery but Holmes enjoys a challenge. He is a puzzle solver. I think he accepts the case to find out who the client is. (edited) 1mo

Librarybelle My thoughts exactly, @CatLass007 ! 1mo

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CatLass007 @Librarybelle Great minds… 1mo

dabbe I think the most mysterious thing about this story involved “The Illustrious Client.“ We never find out who he is! Perhaps he might be King Edward VII due to the emblem on Damery's coach, but we'll never know. 1mo

dabbe I also have to say, poor Watson. Holmes makes him bone-up on Chinese pottery, never telling him the real reason. Watson does his best and crams like he's taking a high-stakes exam only to be told by Holmes that he only had a few minutes to located the lust book because his “time was limited by [Watson's] knowledge of Chinese pottery.“ 1mo

CogsOfEncouragement @dabbe When Watson‘s undercover conversation went so badly so quickly, I immediately thought - Okay, SH knew it would be this way. What is SH doing right now? lol 1mo

dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement You were way ahead of me! I was thinking, “Way to go, Sherlock, putting Watson in such a dangerous position!“ Never thinking anything but that. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 1mo

18 likes8 comments

Cuilin

The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge | Paul Preston

#BookedInTime #BookedInTimeMay2025 #BookedInTimeSpanishCivilWar

There‘s so many I want to read!!! How about you?

Cuilin
@mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue @litsyEvents 2mo

Cuilin @dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 @suet624 @texreader
@annececilie @jenlovesJT47 2mo

Cuilin The two sides of the Spanish Civil War are the left side, known as the Republicans, was formed by the Spanish government together with unions, communists, anarchists, workers, and peasants. On the other side were the Nationalists, the rebel part of the army, the bourgeoisie, the landlords, and, generally, the upper classes. 2mo

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Itchyfeetreader I have downloaded the tagged book so we shall see how I get on

Soldiers of Salamis

2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I HIGHLY recommend this one - it is a bit of a chunkster but I was blown away by it

The Time In Between: A Novel

2mo

Cuilin @Itchyfeetreader I‘m intrigued, looking forward to your thoughts. 2mo

Cuilin @ChaoticMissAdventures Yes, I put it on the list!!! I read so many great reviews. 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures If anyone wants a nonfiction about this time Hemingway and Orwell's books are both great and semi- autobiographical but this one is the best I have read (and I have been obsessed with this time period since I was a teen exchange student in Spain)

Spain in Our Hearts: Americans in the Spanish Civil War, 1936�1939

2mo

Cuilin @ChaoticMissAdventures I have Orwell‘s on my TBR and I‘ll add this one too. Thanks for the recommendation. 2mo

Cuilin Non fiction

Modern Classics Homage to Catalonia

2mo

Cuilin Middle school/ young adult

Toro! Toro!

2mo

AllDebooks I think I'm going with Orwell or

Winter in Madrid

2mo

Bookwormjillk I‘m considering re-reading

The Time In Between: A Novel

2mo

Cuilin @AllDebooks on the TBR!! 2mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk hopefully we‘ll have better luck this month 🤞 2mo

dabbe @AllDebooks If anyone likes the Matthew Shardlake series, this book is by the same author! 🤩 2mo

dabbe A reminder to all: here's the link to our spreadsheet. I entered all of the above titles already.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sLpOtIgy6SwJkyU0wwno2MN4YUbe0ldjPwSusW3g... 2mo

Cuilin @dabbe as always, thank you 🙏 2mo

dabbe @Cuilin 😍😍😍 2mo

Karisimo The Time In Between is an all time fav!! I‘m tempted to read the tagged now that I‘m familiar with Samson thru the #shardlakebr And you can‘t go wrong with Septys!

Winter in Madrid

(edited) 2mo

AllDebooks @dabbe Thank you 😊 I still haven't gotten around to the Shardlake series, but it's on my tbr. 2mo

julieclair I‘ll be reading

The Return

2mo

julieclair Here is the link to our companion challenge on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/2cdac7b0-0085-4e6b-b601-f63cbd6... 2mo

Cuilin So many good choices for this prompt. I‘d like to read The Return though I‘m still not sure what I‘ll read yet. Also thank you for the link. 2mo

Amiable @Karisimo Thanks for that Samson title! I might give that one a go. 1mo

Amiable @ChaoticMissAdventures Thank you for a nonfiction title! I‘ve put it on my list. 1mo

Jess861 Going to grab this book from the library for this prompt.

Remember Me: A Spanish Civil War Novel

1mo

sblbooks Hoping to read

A Long Petal of the Sea: A Novel

1mo

Cuilin @sblbooks Allende is such a great writer. Enjoy. 😊 1mo

49 likes29 comments

Cuilin

HEART, BE AT PEACE. | DONAL. RYAN

#CampLitsy25

@squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB

My nominations for camp Litsy. There were so many to choose from!!

Suet624 These look great!!! 2mo

squirrelbrain Great choices! ❤️ 2mo

Amiable I‘m reading “Dream Count” right now —love Adichie! 2mo

See All 7 Comments

Cuilin @Amiable I love Adichie too. 2mo

BarbaraBB A new Ryan, I had no idea! And Allende, wow!
2mo

Deblovestoread Great choices! 2mo

Megabooks That Deviants cover is drawing me in. Love some good queer lit!

See What I Have Done

2mo

70 likes1 stack add7 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Devil's Foot | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 2mo

Librarybelle I almost rolled my eyes, since we‘ve seen this time and again in the stories, in which Holmes decides what is just and who should be punished. The justice system is there to parse judgment on guilt or innocence (at least, up until recently when the justice system is being attacked on a broader scale, but I digress…). Holmes and Watson should not be judge and jury. And yet, they were. 2mo

eeclayton @Librarybelle 💯 2mo

dabbe I guess Holmes thought justice was done: the “eye for an eye“ idea. Dr. Sterndale killed the murderer of his love, so hey, it's all okay! As long as he goes to Africa, I guess. Big 🙄 on this one. I did the eye-rolling for you, @Librarybelle! 🤣 2mo

CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle @eeclayton @dabbe I also thought this was especially flimsy “justice”. 2mo

25 likes5 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Devil's Foot | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 2mo

Librarybelle He seems to have more respect for Watson. There is the moment when Watson saves his life, and Holmes shows a rare bit of emotion and almost a human reaction to Watson and to the situation. 2mo

eeclayton @Librarybelle “almost a human reaction“ 😂 I agree.
But he does drag Watson into this crazy experiment while being suspicious that the substance has already killed two people. That's not the kind of thing you'd expose your friend to. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

dabbe @eeclayton @Librarybelle
I think once Sherlock gets his nose involved in a case, he's basically ignorant to all other things--like life itself. I'm glad he shows a wee remorse and gratefulness to Watson. 2mo

dabbe This quote truly summed up for me the overall bromance love between these two: “ 'You know,' I answered with some emotion, for I had never seen so much of Holmes‘s heart before, 'that it is my greatest joy and privilege to help you.' “ 😭 2mo

CogsOfEncouragement @dabbe That same bromance passage really struck me too. 2mo

dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement 😍 2mo

21 likes7 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Devil's Foot | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 2mo

Librarybelle I liked this one, because it was creepy. I read this late last night and almost chided myself for doing so…I wanted what little sleep I get anymore! But, I liked the thriller elements of death by fright, a possible person at the window, but really no visible signs of anyone. 2mo

eeclayton I liked it, too. I enjoyed the Cornwall setting. 2mo

See All 9 Comments

Cuilin @Librarybelle @eeclayton I loved the Cornwall setting too. Not too fond of the creepiness as I am easily spooked. 2mo

dabbe @Librarybelle @eeclayton @Cuilin ... agree with all! A delightfully creepy tale with the moody moors for atmosphere as well. 2mo

kelli7990 I liked this story. 2mo

CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle @dabbe I was surprised how creeped out I got by this one. I had to remind myself I was just reading SH. 2mo

CogsOfEncouragement I liked this one. I drew the wrong conclusion, I had figured that Dr. Sterndale had killed them the first night and when he heard one of the family survived he hastened back to finish what he started. I suppose I was tricked by Mortimer‘s lie that someone was in the bushes. 2mo

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement I didn‘t even try to figure this one. I thought it convoluted but that could have been a me issue. 2mo

20 likes9 comments

Cuilin

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies | Marjorie Ingall, Susan McCarthy

Dear Littens,

#BookedInTime and #WhatTheDickens I am struggling to catch up due to some new meds. I had hoped to post questions for both groups this weekend and I think I may have to switch to next weekend as I adjust to the medication. Apologies.

Cuilin @texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcurioser @catlass007
2mo

Cuilin @dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 @suet624 @texreader
@annececilie @jenlovesJT47
2mo

Cuilin @mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue 2mo

See All 19 Comments

Bookwormjillk Take your time and I hope you feel better soon! 2mo

TheBookHippie Hope you adjust soon. Sending love. 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I hope you feel better soon!! I got very distracted by the Women's Prize and everything else went out the window. 2mo

AnneCecilie Take your time. 2mo

dabbe You take care of you; the rest can wait. Hope you feel better soon! 🩵💙🩵 2mo

Suet624 Best wishes to you. 💕 2mo

JenlovesJT47 Feel better! ❤️‍🩹 2mo

Deblovestoread Hope you feel better soon. I feel,like I got a reprieve…maybe I will finish in time after all. 😘 2mo

rwmg Get well soon. Can I ask what period Booked In Time is reading for April? 2mo

Cuilin @rwmg Thank you, April is China, Post 1912 (edited) 2mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk @TheBookHippie @ChaoticMissAdventures @AnneCecilie @dabbe @Suet624 @JenlovesJT47 @Deblovestoread Thank you, it‘s a case of the remedy is worse than the disease, it should take 3 weeks to adjust. I‘m on day 12 of slowly uncurling myself from the fetal position. 🩷 2mo

rwmg @Cuilin: One of the books I'm hoping to read this month is a series of essays about Western authors who set their works in Asia, including China.

Romancing the East: A Literary Odyssey from the Heart of Darkness to the River Kwai

2mo

Cuilin @rwmg That actually sounds amazing. 🤞 I plan on reading

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China

2mo

TheBookHippie @Cuilin oh man. Sending so much light to you. 2mo

dabbe @Cuilin Good grief, Charlie Brown! Sending 🩵💙🩵. 2mo

kspenmoll Sending you love- 💕 please, no apologies & give yourself the time you need! 2mo

47 likes19 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Dying Detective | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

Librarybelle We‘ve talked about Holmes‘ growth as a human throughout the canon. I think this shows that under all of the frustrations and somewhat harsh criticisms of Watson, Holmes really cares for him and recognizes him as a friend. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement Oof. I understood at this point SH was faking illness and my heart still hurt for W hearing SH say: only a general practitioner w/very limited experience and mediocre qualifications. W was humble enough to move forward in getting help rather than concern himself with ego. It was a balm to read SH tell W he could only fool him at four yards, etc. and that W is only a bad liar, not a bad doctor. 3mo

dabbe I guess what Holmes did to Watson in “The Final Problem“ (letting Watson think he was dead for three years) was much worse than what he did to him (and Mrs. Hudson) here. He took a big chance with both of them in the hopes that Smith would confess to the crime of killing his nephew. But that's the magic of these stories. By now we know SH's relationships with both Watson and Mrs. H are solid, and they actually help him nab the villain. 3mo

34 likes4 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Dying Detective | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

Librarybelle You have to suspect that Holmes is up to something, though as a reader, we‘re not quite sure what it is. I would say he fools Watson, but sometimes Watson isn‘t the keenest observer. As for Mrs. Hudson and Holmes‘ views on women, Watson lays them out at the start. Mrs. Hudson acts like a mother to Holmes; she‘s a nurturer. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement Two times SH shows too much energy for a dying man, and if Watson wasn‘t so very worried for his friend he would have seen through the nonsense. I can‘t fault Watson for caring too much. Plus, I enjoy when Doyle gives us clues in this way. Very entertaining. 3mo

See All 8 Comments

CogsOfEncouragement Hudson and SH have a relationship established by him getting her out of a bad marriage, yeah? I‘ve always felt they have a history that allows SH much leeway in the annoyances Mrs. Hudson puts up with because it is SH. I don‘t think she would put up with such things from someone else. We have those relationships in real life I think. We give certain loved ones a pass here or there in their habits because we know they absolutely have our back. 3mo

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement I love this interpretation of Mrs. Hudson. I agree. I think she understands Sherlock and therefore makes accommodations. 3mo

Cuilin @Librarybelle As the reader I wanted to tell Watson “you know he‘s faking it right?” But I‘m aware that would not have been helpful to the plot. 3mo

Librarybelle @Cuilin 😂 3mo

dabbe My views on Mrs. Hudson might be warped due to the Cumberbatch SHERLOCK episodes. In those, she is one sassy lassie who adores Sherlock but doesn't take his BS without shelving out some of her own. I now see her in this way in the original canon, too, and I love their symbiotic relationship. 3mo

25 likes8 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Dying Detective | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

Librarybelle I liked this one, and maybe I was in the mood for a story that features Holmes using deception to catch the culprit. Once again, we the reader do not know much of the backstory until near the end of the tale, so we‘re kind of left feeling a bit surprised—why does Holmes want to entrap the culprit. But, we‘re also finding out the clues as Watson does, so since he tells the story, I suppose that makes sense! 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement Another one where Doyle especially allows us to feel smarter than Watson. “In an instant, with a tigerspring, the dying man had intercepted me.” This sentence told me SH was faking an illness for some reason, and the trap for Culverton Smith soon became apparent. Nice touch to have Smith and Inspector Morton trying to hide smiles from Watson for very different reasons. An entertaining telling. 3mo

See All 10 Comments

Cuilin @Librarybelle I liked this one too, brevity being the soul of wit. 3mo

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement Very entertaining. 3mo

dabbe Now that we've read over 40 (gasp!) of these and Doyle was riding the SH gravy train by now, it'd be so easy to be totally formulaic--which many detective stories can be. Here, he totally breaks the mold. No start in front of the fire at 221-B; we have Mrs. Hudson thinking Sherlock's dying! Wonder if people back then were feeling “The Final Problem“ vibes when they first read this one! Well done, Doyle. 3mo

Read4life I enjoyed this one & liked how it opened with Mrs. Hudson. Well done, ACD! 3mo

Cuilin @Read4life yes this one was good. 3mo

Cuilin @dabbe I wondered that too, I bet it worried his loyal readers. 3mo

kelli7990 I enjoyed this story. 3mo

27 likes10 comments

Cuilin

Les Miserables [With Ribbon Marker] | Victor Hugo

I‘m just gonna leave this right here. It is of course from Les Miserable by Victor Hugo!!!

@TheBookHippie

https://youtu.be/nDZGL1xsqzs?si=z1MfbXfSJbWH6Q0t

⬆️ Link for the best Waterloo explanation I can find @tpixie

TheBookHippie ♥️ 3mo

TheBookHippie Thanks for the link! 3mo

Deblovestoread Thanks for this. I love having a visual to round out my reading. 3mo

See All 18 Comments

TheBookHippie
@Cuilin @lillinblue @dabbe @librarybelle @quietjenn
@Andrew65 @JenlovesJT47
@MatchlessMarie
@Dieareader @tpixie
@julieclair @Deblovestoread
@Gleefulreader @DRachel
@DrSabrinaMoldenReads
@Pageshifter
3mo

tpixie @Cuilin Great quote! Yay for the link! Thanks! We‘ve got snow ❄️ coming in today for SPRING BREAK, so work is really quiet. I‘ll get to watch it! 🥳🥳🥳 🇫🇷💙🤍❤️ 🇫🇷 3mo

tpixie @Cuilin the video was great and helpful! Thanks! @dabbe this video may help you with the Battle of Waterloo! 3mo

dabbe @Cuilin @TheBookHippie @tpixie Why is it I'm thinking of someone else who THINKS he's a Titan and is also fatal to civilization? 🤔😡👊🏻

If I got through the war scenes in WAR AND PEACE, I can get through this, right?
Thanks for the link! 3mo

TheBookHippie @dabbe YOU CAN DO IT!!!! 3mo

tpixie @dabbe oh my! War and Peace! Waterloo sounds much easier!! Keep it up!!! 3mo

dabbe @TheBookHippie 🤩❣️🤩 3mo

dabbe @tpixie 🤩❣️🤩 3mo

TheBookHippie @dabbe I mean the Bros was 😵‍💫 and we made it through that ! 😂 3mo

Cuilin @TheBookHippie @dabbe @tpixie with a little speed reading, we can do it 💪 3mo

Cuilin @dabbe you get it!!! 3mo

dabbe @TheBookHippie 🎯🎯🎯 #thebros #oytotheultimatevey 3mo

dabbe @Cuilin Excellent idea! Maybe I'll just skim through Waterloo. 🤣 3mo

dabbe @Cuilin 🤣🤩🤗 3mo

tpixie @dabbe 🩷🩷🩷😅 3mo

36 likes18 comments

Cuilin

The Star Of The Sea | Joseph O'Connor

#BookedInTime

Thoughts so far? I‘ll post some questions at the end of the month.

@dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 @suet624 @texreader
@annececilie @jenlovesJT47

Cuilin @mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue 3mo

Texreader I finished it yesterday. Oops. 😅 3mo

Cuilin @Texreader without “spoilers” did you enjoy it? 3mo

See All 15 Comments

Vansa I'm not doing this read-along, but I have read this book, and I found it devastating. I loved how the writer balances personal experience along showing you the wider socio-economic reasons for the Famine in Ireland. 3mo

Cuilin @Vansa perfect description. 3mo

kspenmoll I could not put this book down. So i kept on reading… felt so up close & personal. One of my great greats on my dad side cane over as a 12 year old during that time. There used to be an exhibit at Quinnipiac College in CT on the famine but it lost his home there & has not landed anywhere else. My son saw the exhibit-I did not unfortunately. 3mo

Cuilin @kspenmoll oh my gosh, I think of that 12-year-old as a boy making the voyage and then having to sit on a ship because of quarantine rules to then finally make it and now you‘re here able to tell the tale. Amazing! Do you know where in Ireland? 3mo

kspenmoll @Cuilin Dunquin,County Kerry. My dad‘s mom side, O‘Dalaigh, eventually becoming Daly here. Two sibs survived & died in 1870 in Dunquin, 3 are not accounted for so presumed died during famine. 3mo

kspenmoll Some of my other relatives came over through Montreal- in early 1870. I don‘t know when they arrived in Canada, whether it was during the famine or not. My Abbott grandfather was born in Newfoundland, & my brother found family graves from mid 1800s. (edited) 3mo

AnneCecilie I like it and I‘m keeping to the schedule, but sometimes the way it‘s told takes me out of the story. And I haven‘t quite figured out the point of the extracts from the letters throughout (edited) 3mo

Cuilin @kspenmoll so beautiful you have so much of your history. Dún Chaoin, is in the Gaeltacht (Irish Speaking area) in Ireland. There a a few different Irish language dialects in Ireland this is the one I learned. It‘s a beautiful place. 3mo

Cuilin @AnneCecilie Yes, there‘s definitely more to just storytelling in this one. 3mo

Suet624 This book is really something. A great book to read during March. Such a brutal history lesson though. 3mo

Cuilin @Suet624 Agreed. Brutal is the perfect word. 3mo

Bookwormjillk I finally caught up. It‘s still not coming together for me, but I‘m sure it will in the end. 3mo

38 likes15 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Red Circle | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken

Cuilin @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

Librarybelle Good question! In some ways, this ended abruptly in that we do not see Gennaro reuniting with his wife. We can assume that Gennaro has taken care of the villain before Sherlock (or even Gregson) are on the spot. You could say Sherlock is there to put everything together for the reader since so much took place off the page. 3mo

dabbe It would have been nice if Gennaro were present in the story for even one moment. All we have is his wife's hearsay. How involved was he really in this Red Circle? How do we truly know how innocent he is? This is one where I wish I had MORE to go on, not less. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement Ahhh, interesting for thought. I think SH is there this time to get to the truth of it all. Nothing is changed, or stopped, or fixed. The fullness of the facts are brought clearly to the police. They probably would not have been if SH was not there. I felt his intervention at the window to send the message was needed to bring the truth out. I don't think of SH as a hero in this case. 3mo

25 likes4 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Red Circle | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

I enjoyed further insight into how Sherlock is perceived. The flippant remark about going to the Opera and it being Wagner absolutely tracks!!! I really enjoy opera and have a book on my TBR called Wagner Without Fear to give a little insight also the Ring Cycle takes 15 hours!!!!! No easy Madama Butterfly for Sherlock.

Cuilin @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

Cuilin @pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken 3mo

Librarybelle I like that we seem to see a bit more about Sherlock—he‘s not all case after case with no emotion. I think his character has grown throughout the stories, and he has become a bit more human. A very flawed human, but we are at least seeing a bit into him. 3mo

See All 11 Comments

Cuilin @Librarybelle Yes this more human side of him is not depicted in retellings, I think. 3mo

dabbe I still couldn't get over his stupid scrapbook. He irritated me in this one for some reason. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement @dabbe I was confused by his scrapbook too, then I was so amused by the “accessible upon the side of flattery...“ that I felt it was just a set up for this line. HAHA Watson roasts him good but quickly adds “...to do him justice, upon the side of kindliness.“ Which I do think both sides of SH are shown through the series. It's funny because it's true and all that. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle Is “Education never ends, Watson....“ maybe a sort of apology to readers like you that would have wanted more danger/excitement for SH and W? 3mo

Librarybelle @CogsOfEncouragement Maybe??? But, I also think it‘s true that everyday sets up opportunities for education, to learn something new. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle - Maybe more of an encouragement to readers to be life long learners? I like that. 3mo

Librarybelle @CogsOfEncouragement Yes…I like that too! 3mo

dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement You're so right! In a way, Holmes is a definitive narcissist. Flattery gets you everywhere with good ol' Sherlock! 🤣 3mo

23 likes11 comments

Cuilin

The Adventure of the Red Circle | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

I don‘t think I‘d consider this a favorite. Thoughts?

Cuilin @pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken 3mo

Cuilin @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

eeclayton I'm way behind, haven't read anything from His Last Bow yet. I'm expecting a somewhat less busy period, so hopefully I'll catch up soon! 3mo

See All 19 Comments

Cuilin @eeclayton no worries, take your time, the questions will always be on my page or Denise‘s @dabbe 3mo

Librarybelle I don‘t think I‘d consider it a favorite, but it‘s also not my least favorite. Despite the discussed elements of danger, it‘s not very daring. However, it does use a lot of logic and deciphering, so maybe this is more a puzzle than a dangerous escapade. Perhaps I like the elements of danger in these! 😂 3mo

Cuilin @Librarybelle I love a puzzle and a cipher cause they scratch an itch in my brain. Though this one fell flat for me, but I haven‘t been well so it could be a me issue. 3mo

Read4life This one was just ok for me. I like the puzzle elements, too but this one just didn‘t pop for me. 3mo

Cuilin @Read4life no pop, it lacked a little je-ne-sais-quoi. 3mo

dabbe I was amazingly annoyed by Holmes at the opening of this one. Too busy for this case? Your SCRAPBOOKING is more important? WTH?
“...nor do I understand why I, whose time is of some value, should interfere in the matter. I really have other things to engage me.“ So spoke Sherlock Holmes and turned back to the great scrapbook in which he was arranging and indexing some of his recent material.“

I was angry at him throughout this one. 😡 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement @eeclayton If you will pardon my offering of unsolicited advice - When you have time to read a short story from His Last Bow, read the one we are on so you can enjoy discussing it with us since the order doesn't matter. Even though you can tag us, it is easier to talk about these when the details are fresh in our mind. I just don't want you to miss out on the fun/community/connection of the BR. 3mo

Cuilin @dabbe it‘s like he‘s entered his dotage!! Snap out of it Sherlock!! 3mo

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement that‘s so sweet. Yes the order doesn‘t really matter. 🩷 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement I enjoyed this one. I thought right away that the person was not who the landlady rented to, but someone being hidden. The small appetite had me thinking it was a woman even before SH drew that conclusion from the cigarette.

I was VERY amused by the quote you point to in question 2 about SH being “accessible upon the side of flattery.“ Hilarious how Watson allows us to observe SH go from uninterested to fully willing to help this landlady. 3mo

dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement Like @Cuilin also said, order doesn't really matter. Each story stands alone. Fabulous advice and a reminder to me for my other buddy reads, too. 💙🩵💙 3mo

dabbe @Cuilin 🤣 3mo

kelli7990 I enjoyed this one. 3mo

Sace Do you mind taking me off the tag list? Thanks! 3mo

Cuilin @Sace of course, no worries. 3mo

eeclayton @CogsOfEncouragement thanks, that's great advice 💕 3mo

24 likes19 comments

Cuilin

Star of the Sea | Joseph O'Connor

Correction repost for #BookedInTime as apparently I cannot count!! Apologies for any confusion.

@dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 @suet624 @Texreader
@annececilie @JenlovesJT47

Cuilin @mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue (edited) 3mo

AllDebooks Joseph O'Connor is one of my favourite male authors. I'm looking forward to revisiting this 😊 3mo

Cuilin @AllDebooks same 🥰 3mo

See All 9 Comments

Itchyfeetreader Oh I hadn‘t picked something out for this month so considering - unless I have something on my shelf that works as I am diligently trying to clear the bought but not read trolley! 3mo

Bookwormjillk Just picked this up from the library! 3mo

Cuilin @Itchyfeetreader I completely understand, trying to read through the TBR! Though perhaps maybe your local Library may have it 🤞 3mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk fabulous! 3mo

rwmg I'm probably going to sit this one out, sorry. I just find these readalongs don't work for me. But I am curious. Doesn't this book have chapters 16 and 17? 3mo

Cuilin @rwmg no worries!! Another typo. 🤦‍♀️ (edited) 3mo

43 likes9 comments

Cuilin

Star of the Sea | Joseph O'Connor

#BookedInTime So many stickies and that‘s just the prologue!!
#FirstLineFriday @ShyBookOwl

“All night long he would walk the ship, from bow to stern, from dusk until quarterlight, that stick like limping man from Connemara with the drooping shoulders and ash-coloured clothes”.

Cuilin @dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 @suet624 @texreader
@annececilie @jenlovesJT47
3mo

Cuilin @mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue
3mo

julieclair Wow… 3mo

49 likes3 comments

Cuilin

Adventure of Wisteria Lodge | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe

Cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken 3mo

Cuilin @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

CatLass007 I was surprised. Maybe this is Conan Doyle, passing the torch from himself to other mystery writers, not so much from Holmes to Baynes. Just a wild thought. 3mo

See All 8 Comments

Librarybelle It is a bit surprising, and I think Holmes himself is a bit surprised that he met an inspector “who will go far.” Honestly, it made a nice change that someone could keep up with Sherlock Holmes. Perhaps a show that there will be others as brilliant as Holmes to carry on crime solving when Holmes no longer works cases? 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement I thought this was a fun detail. I know I kept wondering if he was actually going to blunder something. It was an added twist to keep this short story from being too similar to others. Especially having SH in the shrubs and Baynes up higher in a tree observing SH undetected, that was very different. Holmes being a good sport about it was also a nice touch. 3mo

dabbe @CatLass007 Agree 💯. 3mo

dabbe @Librarybelle 🎯! 3mo

dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement It was nice to see Holmes's arrogance in check in this one; he heartily congratulated Baynes and welcomed him to the detective fold. 3mo

27 likes8 comments

Cuilin

Adventure of Wisteria Lodge | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader

Cuilin @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

CatLass007 I suppose it was a social norm. That doesn‘t make it right, especially in these times when casual racism is accepted and virulent racism is coming out of the woodwork. We need to be able to point to this and say, “This is unacceptable in the here and now.” Was Conan Doyle ever married? Because Holmes comes off as misogynistic and I wonder why. 3mo

Cuilin @CatLass007 Yes, he was married. His first wife died of TB and he married his second wife a year later. 3mo

See All 8 Comments

CatLass007 Hmmm. 3mo

Librarybelle I‘d say social norms. As much as I love classics, it‘s important to acknowledge that the works may contain language and societal attitudes deemed today (or that should be deemed today) as highly inappropriate and incorrect. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement SH states at one point that Scott Eccles was chosen to be the guest the night of these events because he was the type of person the police would absolutely believe. He was there for a perfect alibi - the whole thing about 1am. I feel this highlights the issues of the time. SH discusses how it was so true, Eccles tells a wild story and is believed immediately. Eccles was reaping benefits of this privilege and Doyle pointed it out more than once. 3mo

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement yes!!! he didn‘t just highlight the prejudice he acknowledged privilege!!! 3mo

dabbe @Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement And the on-the-scene detectives didn't question him further; they just believe him because of who he was. 🤔 Wonder if that type of pandering still occurs today. 🙄 3mo

27 likes8 comments

Cuilin

Adventure of Wisteria Lodge | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Daisey @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader

Cuilin @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 3mo

Librarybelle Overall, I liked this one. I‘d like to know the significance of that gruesome bird, unless I missed Holmes explaining it in the narrative. 3mo

CogsOfEncouragement I enjoyed this one. I read this collection about twelve years ago. I didn't remember this one at all and had all sorts of incorrect guesses.

@Librarybelle At the very end, Holmes explains he spent time reading up at the British Museum. SH went on to explain it was a voodoo ritual, and “a true voodoo-worshiper attempts nothing of importance without certain sacrifices...“ 3mo

Librarybelle Thanks, @CogsOfEncouragement ! I thought he meant the other figure that was found, so I missed the connection! 3mo

dabbe This one was not one of my faves. The resolution part seemed beyond-over-the-top and too quickly explained. 3mo

23 likes5 comments

Cuilin

All Day at the Movies | Fiona Kidman

#TLT #ThreeListThursday @dabbe

51!!! I surprised myself. I‘m not usually a rewatcher of movies but these I‘ve seen multiple times as they‘re so good. I recently rewatched Casablanca, just for the “La Marseillaise” scene 🎬

Susanita 🎶🇫🇷 4mo

40 likes1 comment

Cuilin

Star of the Sea | Joseph O'Connor

#BookedInTime #BookedInTimeMarch25

Murder mystery on a tall ship!! Tagging all members and those who expressed interest. All are welcome. We start Saturday March 1st. I broke it into four parts. I will check in on Saturdays. Let me know if you have any questions.

Cuilin @dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 @suet624 @texreader
@annececilie @jenlovesJT47 4mo

Suet624 Thanks!! 4mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I am number 3 on 2 copies at my library... I don't know if I will get it in time, but if I do I will be here! 4mo

See All 11 Comments

Cuilin @mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue @litsyEvents 4mo

Cuilin @ChaoticMissAdventures 🤞 4mo

kspenmoll I am joining in! 4mo

Cuilin @kspenmoll 🎉😊 4mo

Texreader May I re-post for #foodandlit? This is perfect for our March country #Ireland! 4mo

Cuilin @Texreader absolutely!! 4mo

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 4mo

julieclair Great! I‘m in! 4mo

50 likes11 comments

Cuilin

Untitled | Untitled

#literallyMyCharacter @TheBookHippie

This was fun and weirdly accurate. Saoirse is the one I relate to most. Disheveled and disappointed with people.

TheBookHippie 🙃 it was fun! 4mo

dabbe 🩶💚🩶 4mo

49 likes2 comments

Cuilin

Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens

Spite, the word even sounds malicious.

Texreader

Texreader Uttered by Miss Spears? Definitely malicious… 4mo

Daisey Great quote! 4mo

55 likes2 comments

Cuilin

Charles Dickens: The Greatest Novels : Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens

There was a some confusion. Apologies for my lack of clarity. Hope this clears it up. ⬆️ Let me know if you have any questions.

@texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42

LitsyEvents

Cuilin @curiouserandcurioser @CatLass007 4mo

Texreader Chuzzlewit is longer than Nickleby. I think we still need some tweaking. 4mo

Cuilin @Texreader oh no!!! Ok I‘m on it!! 4mo

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Cuilin @Texreader Thoughts? I gave Chuzzlewit two months. 4mo

Lcsmcat I‘m ok with taking 2 months, or longer. Whatever the group wants to do. That‘s the ne T one I‘ll be reading along with the group because I‘ve read Dorrit and Nickleby recently. 4mo

Texreader Yay! I like it 4mo

Cuilin @Lcsmcat @Texreader Everyone of course can read at their own pace and join discussions if and when they want. 4mo

CatLass007 I‘m enjoying Nicholas Nickleby. I wasn‘t sure what to expect but I‘ve been pleasantly surprised 4mo

Texreader @CatLass007 I feel same way about Nickleby! I was thinking I‘d have to bail because of the treatment of the boys—it was just so much after Copperfield. But Nickleby is definitely a different character from David. I like how we can compare and contrast characters over multiple reads 4mo

Texreader @Cuilin @Lcsmcat Ditto! This is a no stress read!! 🤗 4mo

Cuilin @Texreader @CatLass007 I went into NN completely blind. I‘m still in the abusive school part and I‘m disgusted. Yet I feel hopeful. 4mo

BarbaraJean This looks great! I haven‘t started Nickleby yet 🤦🏻‍♀️ I was waiting to finish Lark Rise, which I have now done, so I‘ll be diving in this week! 4mo

Cuilin @BarbaraJean I liked Lark Rise but I‘m also glad it‘s done. 4mo

CatLass007 @Cuilin @Texreader The abusive school part is disgusting but I feel hopeful too. 4mo

dabbe @Cuilin #amentothat! 😂 4mo

dabbe I had NN planned out until the end of May at 7 pages per day, so I'm gonna have to up my reading game! 😂 I'm also at the school part, and the abuse is 🤯!!! I'm enjoying the book, though. 🤩 4mo

42 likes16 comments

Cuilin

The Bell Jar | Sylvia Plath

The gratuitous cover reveal. This one is from the ‘70‘s, like myself.

#HashTagBrigade @BarkingMadRead

BarkingMadRead Looooove 4mo

TheBookHippie OMG 😍😍😍😍😍 4mo

mcipher This is my favorite cover for this book! 4mo

See All 13 Comments

TiredLibrarian I had this one! 4mo

Ruthiella Love this cover! 😍 4mo

Texreader Love your post. I‘m technically 1960s because 1968 but since I don‘t remember that I guess I‘m the 70s too. 4mo

dabbe @Texreader 1965 here (the first year of Gen X), but yeah ... 70s with the memory. 😂 4mo

Bookwormjillk Pretty sure this is the same cover I had in my teens. This time around it‘s the kindle version so I can adjust the font. 👵 4mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk Smart. The print is small. 4mo

Cuilin @dabbe @texreader gen x!!!! 4mo

Cuilin @Ruthiella @TiredLibrarian @mcipher @TheBookHippie @BarkingMadRead and it was $1 in a thrift store!!! 4mo

quietjenn Definitely the edition that I first read (and probably still have somewhere). 4mo

tpixie That‘s the cover I think of when I hear about this book. 📕 4mo

68 likes1 stack add13 comments

Cuilin

The Star Of The Sea | Joseph O'Connor

Tagging #BookedInTime and some others but open to all.

⚠️ This book is dark and detailed as it describes a voyage on a coffin ship during “An Gorta Mór”, the Irish Famine. There are mysteries and many moral conflicts. Who‘s in?

Suet624

Cuilin @dabbe @desha @rachel52 @rubyslippersreads @chaoticmissadventures @barkingmadread
@megnews @sblbooks
@thebookgeekfrau @bookwormjillk @spellboundReader @deblovestoread @jenniferw88 4mo

Cuilin @mollyanna @jess861 @kspenmoll @ncsufoxes @Bluebird @julieclair @majkia @karisimo
@tdrosebud @rwmg @pathfindernicole @debinhawaii @alldebooks @covertocover
@itchyfeetreader @thegreensofa @ann_reads @rookpools @lizpixie @amiable @Desha @Sapphire @deblovestoread @bookwormjillk @Mitch @SamAnne @alldebooks @lil1inblue @litsyEvents 4mo

Suet624 Wow. Thanks so much for tagging me. I‘m definitely in. 4mo

See All 28 Comments

Cuilin @Suet624 yay!! I thought you might like this. Feel free to tag others you think might also. 4mo

Texreader Also works for #Ireland #foodandlit in March! @Catsandbooks (edited) 4mo

Cuilin @Texreader oh nice. There‘s a reason you may like this book but I‘m saying no more. 🤫 4mo

Bookwormjillk Have you ever listened to the audiobook? 4mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk No I am curious about it though. 4mo

ChaoticMissAdventures This sounds so interesting! I don't think I can fit it in this month but I am stacking it and excited to see what everyone thinks! 4mo

Cuilin @ChaoticMissAdventures I understand, we won‘t start till March 1st. 4mo

AllDebooks Absolutely, I loved this book. Time for a reread, methinks. There's also a sequel

Redemption Falls: A Novel

4mo

Cuilin @AllDebooks Yes!!! Glad you‘re in. The sequel was also pretty dark too. 4mo

Deblovestoread I‘m in. 🙋🏻‍♀️ 4mo

rubyslippersreads This sounds interesting. I might give it a try. 4mo

Cuilin @rubyslippersreads wonderful. 4mo

dabbe I'll take a look and see what March is like; this sounds interesting! And it's on the spreadsheet! 🤩 4mo

Cuilin @dabbe at its core it‘s a murder mystery, I think you‘ll like it. 4mo

Amiable Looks interesting! I‘ll see if I can get it. 4mo

Cuilin @Amiable yay, hope you can. 4mo

AnneCecilie I might join in 4mo

Cuilin @AnneCecilie wonderful, I think libraries will have a few copies. 🤞 4mo

Cuilin @Deblovestoread fabulous!! 4mo

AnneCecilie I have ordered it in from the library and expect it to arrive soon, I‘m just hoping I have time for it 4mo

Cuilin We won‘t start till March 1st as it‘s for March‘s prompt but do whatever fits your schedule. 4mo

julieclair I'm definitely in! 4mo

Cuilin @julieclair yay!!! Wonderful. 4mo

JenlovesJT47 I‘d like to join! 🙋🏻‍♀️ 4mo

Cuilin @JenlovesJT47 fabulous!!! 4mo

59 likes4 stack adds28 comments

Cuilin

Les Miserables [With Ribbon Marker] | Victor Hugo

Favorite quote so far #readlesmis @TheBookHippie

They‘re turning off the lights.

@lillinblue @dabbe @librarybelle @quietjenn
@Andrew65 @JenlovesJT47
@MatchlessMarie
@Dieareader @tpixie
@julieclair @Deblovestoread
@Gleefulreader @DRachel
@DrSabrinaMoldenReads
@PageShifter

tpixie Profound quote!! It struck me also. I‘m behind on reading, but I‘ll eventually catch up. I had to go up to Kansas City to help my sister with her 2nd cataract surgery & her eye bothered her too much to read this time so I didn‘t get much reading done. Now I‘ve got to drive down to Dodge City because my daughter‘s getting induced with her fifth child & I‘ll be taking care of the other kids this next week. 🦋 🙏🏻For safe delivery 🙏🏻 4mo

TheBookHippie @tpixie sending love & light!!!! 4mo

TheBookHippie This quote. Just so relevant. Truth. 4mo

See All 22 Comments

Cuilin @tpixie I‘ll be thinking of you both. Sending lots of 💗 and 💡 4mo

Cuilin @TheBookHippie 🕯️ 🔥 (edited) 4mo

tpixie @TheBookHippie @Cuilin Thanks for the good vibes 🩵 4mo

kspenmoll @tpixie Sending love & hopes for a speedy recovery for your sister- & for you, grandma!💕 4mo

kspenmoll Just a perfect quote…. 4mo

dabbe @tpixie Safe travels, m'dear! Hope your sister heals well and that your daughter's delivery goes smoothly. You are a superb caretaker! 🩶🩷🩶 4mo

dabbe Perfect quote. We just have to keep supplying the lightbulbs for their horrific shattering of glass to try and keep us in the dark. ❣️👊🏻❣️ 4mo

Cuilin @kspenmoll 💡 💡💡 4mo

Cuilin @dabbe 💡💡💡 4mo

tpixie @dabbe 🩵 💡 🩵 4mo

DrSabrinaMoldenReads @tpixie God Bless! I have 5 grandchildren. You will have caught up with me. 4mo

tpixie @DrSabrinaMoldenReads 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 4mo

tpixie @kspenmoll @dabbe Thanks!! 😊😊😊 4mo

tpixie @DrSabrinaMoldenReads grandkids are so much fun! 🤩 4mo

julieclair Such a profound, and sadly relevant, quote. 💡 4mo

julieclair @tpixie 🙏🙏 for your daughter‘s delivery, and for your sister‘s healing. And hugs and high fives to you in your role as loving caregiver and grandma. 💙 4mo

tpixie @julieclair thanks! My sister is doing great. She got temporary glasses - plain on top with readers. Now she can see much better than with her old prescription and won‘t take her glasses off anymore and that will help continue to protect the eyes until she can get a new prescription in four weeks. Getting ready this morning to head out to Dodge City to take care of daughter & her kids & welcome the new grandbaby! 4mo

julieclair @tpixie Great news about your sister. 💙 And wishing you much happiness (and energy!) as you spend time with your daughter's family this week! Enjoy! 4mo

tpixie @julieclair thanks! I do need some extra energy!! 😀😆😅😂🤣 4mo

59 likes22 comments

Cuilin

Les Miserables [With Ribbon Marker] | Victor Hugo

This post contains spoilers

show me

#ReadLesMis @TheBookHippie

So that‘s it???? That was “the dream” in I Dreamed a Dream, sitting around with “frat” boys who talked absolute bollocks? Oh Fantine. Sacrebleu!!!!

@Thebookhippie @Cuilin @lillinblue @dabbe @librarybelle @quietjenn
@Andrew65 @JenlovesJT47
@MatchlessMarie
@Dieareader @tpixie
@julieclair @Deblovestoread
@Gleefulreader @DRachel
@DrSabrinaMoldenReads
@PageShifter

DrSabrinaMoldenReads My translation is very different. 4mo

Cuilin @DrSabrinaMoldenReads I was just sad for Fantine. The way the boys ‘surprise‘ abandoned the girls was appalling. 4mo

dabbe And Tholomyes is described as “badly preserved ... wrinkled, toothless ... beginning to show signs of baldness,“ and in which he claims about himself, “Cock-of-the-walk at thirty, coot at forty.“ #wth? 4mo

See All 10 Comments

Cuilin @dabbe yes!! Hugo tells us “20 years later he was a fat, provincial attorney, rich and influential”, but “always a man of pleasure” For all his philosophical talk he knew he was going to abandon her!! 4mo

dabbe @Cuilin And it looks like the other girls totally got the joke and moved on, but of course the innocent Fantine, who gave herself for the man she truly believed she loved, is the only one to get pregnant. Truly #lesmis. 4mo

DrSabrinaMoldenReads @Cuilin It gets a lot worse. That was a light event 4mo

DrSabrinaMoldenReads @Cuilin I was truly into my feelings by the end of that section 4mo

Cuilin @DrSabrinaMoldenReads You‘re right, I‘m bracing myself. It‘s so different reading it than seeing it in a theater or on screen. For some reason, I thought Fantine would get more of a love story before the abandonment and single motherhood and having to leave Cosette. I‘ll have to steel myself. 4mo

DrSabrinaMoldenReads @Cuilin Certainly no love story 🥺 4mo

tpixie @Cuilin the abandonment was atrocious!! 3mo

14 likes10 comments

Cuilin

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @dabbe @Cuilin

@CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @AnishaInkspill

Cuilin @pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks 4mo

Librarybelle I hope we learn more about the tattoo and its meaning and perhaps the connection to Moriarty! I suspected the priest hole was important when Holmes brought up “old house secrets” to the inspector. I was right! 😂 4mo

Cuilin @Librarybelle absolutely if you‘re going to mention a priest hole it better be used in the plot in someway. I also think we‘re going back in time. There are some unanswered questions. 4mo

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CatLass007 I missed the mention of the priest hole, but wasn‘t surprised when it appeared. As much as I enjoy Stephen Fry‘s narration and background information, I think he did spoil the time of the second part. 4mo

dabbe I had to read on because I really wanted to find out more about the relationship between Mrs. Douglas and Barker and what led to such a horrific murder. All I can say is, you'll see! 🤩 4mo

Daisey I thought the whole setup and setting for this story was great. Rereads of these are strange in a way because I don‘t feel like I remember any details, but I also feel I make better predictions than a first read so I must be remembering a bit. 4mo

AnneCecilie I hope we find out how Moriarty fits in and I‘m guessing we‘ll get the backstory 4mo

27 likes7 comments

Cuilin

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin @dabbe

@pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @AllDebooks

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 4mo

Librarybelle It kind of reminded me of the very first story we read, with the next section alluding to a past circumstance (the convoluted long backstory from the first story we read popped into my mind. I section 2 is not like that). The reveal falls in line with other reveals. I think, overall, this story has more substance, as it is longer than a short story, which really helps bring out all of the details. 4mo

Cuilin @Librarybelle yes! There‘s a great energy/excitement yet the pace is calm. My curiosity was maintained without anxiety. 4mo

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dabbe @Librarybelle I wrote a similar thought re: similarities to A STUDY IN SCARLET, too! #greatminds 4mo

dabbe Without giving away spoilers to Part 2 (which I've just finished): While most Sherlock Holmes stories focus primarily on the puzzle and its solution, THE VALLEY OF FEAR incorporates broader themes such as justice, revenge, and the impact of secret societies. The backstory provides a richer, more complex understanding of the characters' motivations and the societal issues at play during this time period. 4mo

AnneCecilie It does remind me of several of the stories in that the solution comes before we know what happened. There‘s been several guilty people giving their statements to Holmes and explaining everything. 4mo

24 likes6 comments

Cuilin

The Valley of Fear | Arthur Conan Doyle

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes @Cuilin @dabbe

I hadn‘t heard much about this mystery and feel it‘s somewhat underrated. I really enjoyed part I. What say you?

Cuilin @CogsOfEncouragement @catlass007 @CrystalE02 @curiouserandcurioser @Larkken @BeeCurious @Blackink_WhitePaper @Sace @Daisey @RayHallucinogen @Born.A.Reader @Chrissyreadit @Fr3NcHtOaSt @Anishalnkspill 4mo

Cuilin @pageshifter @AnneCecilie @indoordame @librarybelle @theAromaOfBooks @Aimeesue @kelli7990 @5feet.of.fury @Read4Life @AnnR @mom2bugnbee @pageturner1 @eeclayton @erzascarletbookgasm @aroyse @dabbe @cuilin @mollyanna @Tineke @Larkken @StayCurious @kimrenee @alldebooks 4mo

Librarybelle I liked this one too and have not heard much about it. I found I had to keep reading this section, I was that engrossed that I did not want to stop. 4mo

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CatLass007 I loved the comments about fictional detectives and the way they solve their cases without letting the reader know how they know. I think that was in the first or second chapter. I suspected the identity of the killer. 4mo

dabbe I read this aeons ago and forgot how intriguing Part 1 was! A cipher, a castle/mansion with a moat, a murder ... what's not to love? I have a feeling this one will be similar to A STUDY IN SCARLET in that Part 2 is going to take us to America and give us the whole backstory. 4mo

Cuilin @CatLass007 A little inside humor as we know Sherlock mysteries are not fair play. 😊 4mo

Cuilin @dabbe It had me a cipher, then a castle with a moat!! 🧑‍🍳 💋 4mo

CogsOfEncouragement This was my first time reading it and I really enjoyed it. 4mo

Daisey I really enjoyed Part 1, with the intriguing manor house and cipher and all. 4mo

AnneCecilie I enjoyed part 1 and the mention of Moriarty had me intrigued, but as a modern reader it is a little strange that we know the murder by part 1 and there‘s still a part 2. I more used to the murder being revealed at the end. It does change the focus on what‘s important important in the story (edited) 4mo

eeclayton I'm reading this for the first time and enjoying it a lot. I was a little confused for a bit because of the mention of Moriarty as to where on the timeline we were. 4mo

Cuilin @eeclayton Yes it was surprising to see Moriarty mentioned. We are reading in the order it was published. Watson/Doyle did necessarily write in chronological order. 4mo

24 likes12 comments

Cuilin

Nicholas Nickleby | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens @cuilin @Texreader

Nicholas Nickleby has 65 chapters. Read at your own pace and discussion will be at the end of March.

Cuilin @texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcurioser 4mo

Bookwormjillk I tried the last one on audio and the voice was so soothing I kept falling asleep. I‘m getting this one on kindle! 4mo

Daisey I‘m going to try to continue, but I‘m not sure I‘ll be able to fit this one in during these next couple of months. Please keep me on the list! 4mo

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Cuilin @Bookwormjillk Maybe some of it‘s going in subliminally and you will start having the speech pattern of an 18 century Victorian lady!!! 4mo

Cuilin @Daisey 👍 4mo

CatLass007 I didn‘t know about this group. There are a ton of free Charles Dickens books on Audible and I think I‘ve added them all to my library. I would love to actually listen to one of them. Please add me to your tag list. 4mo

Cuilin @CatLass007 absolutely 👍 I do a combo 📖 &🎧 4mo

CatLass007 That‘s a good idea. I found that some selections for #FellowshipOfTolkien work best that way. But between migraines and multi-tasking I generally just listen. 4mo

dabbe Hoping I can keep up! 😅 4mo

CSeydel Ooh, tempting! Im fully “booked” for now, but I‘m penciling in Martin Chuzzlewit for September/October! (edited) 4mo

Cuilin @CSeydel fabulous! 👍 4mo

Cuilin @dabbe me too. Lol 😂 4mo

40 likes1 stack add12 comments

Cuilin

Les Miserables [With Ribbon Marker] | Victor Hugo

#ReadLesMis

Yesterday‘s chapter.

@Thebookhippie @Cuilin @lillinblue @dabbe @librarybelle @quietjenn
@Andrew65 @JenlovesJT47
@MatchlessMarie
@Dieareader @tpixie
@julieclair @Deblovestoread
@Gleefulreader @DRachel
@DrSabrinaMoldenReads
@PageShifter

TheBookHippie Yup. Eerie right? 4mo

Cuilin @TheBookHippie It gave me chills and slight nausea. 4mo

TheBookHippie @Cuilin When I did this in 2020 it was so surreal at times I just about screamed. 4mo

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Deblovestoread Doomed to repeat history again and again 🤯 4mo

Cuilin @Deblovestoread all I could see was the tech bros at the inauguration. 4mo

Deblovestoread Yep! 4mo

dabbe My brain shut down with all of these horrific folk. 🤬 4mo

lil1inblue @Cuilin I want to throw up just thinking of that one picture. 4mo

lil1inblue History doesn't repeat, but it sure does rhyme. 4mo

Cuilin @dabbe trying to balance, keeping informed and staying sane is proving to be most difficult. 😵‍💫 4mo

Cuilin @lil1inblue And that was day 1!! 😮‍💨 4mo

dabbe @Cuilin #truth 🩶🩵🩶 4mo

tpixie 🩵💙🩵 4mo

Nebklvr Sounds familiar 4mo

42 likes1 stack add14 comments

Cuilin

Hard Times | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens @Cuilin @Texreader

Cuilin @texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcuriouser 5mo

AllDebooks I liked the characters and found them relatable. Gradgrind's change of heart and mind over how he raised his children was telling, particularly with how emotionally stunted they grew up to be after a diet of FACTS. 5mo

AllDebooks Bounderby was a blustering, pantomime figure and I couldn't rrad about him without thinking about Monty Python's sketch of Yorkshiremen competing over who had this poorest childhood. https://youtu.be/VAdlkunflRs?si=45rddY_grpd-J2Wd 5mo

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dabbe @AllDebooks 😂😂😂 Thanks for sharing that link! #perfection Plus, what a flippin' hypocrite who was finally exposed by his own mother! He was an absolute arse who deserved everything he got at the end. 5mo

dabbe I think the characters were allegories. Examples:
Thomas GradGRIND: the embodiment of the cold, fact-based approach to education and life.
Mr. Bounderby: a symbol of the way industrialists of Dickens‘s time inflated their stories of achievement while ignoring the inequalities of the poor whose hard work allowed them to succeed.
Stephen Blackpool & Rachael: their personal struggles seem largely symbolic of the horrific plight of the working poor. 5mo

Lcsmcat @AllDebooks ❤️ the Monty Python reference! 5mo

Lcsmcat I felt the characters in HT were a little less realistic than some of Dickens‘ characters, but for the purposes of this story, they worked. And some of them showed growth and change, so not complete allegories or caricatures. 5mo

35 likes7 comments

Cuilin

Hard Times | Charles Dickens

#WhatTheDickens @Cuilin @Texreader

I noticed a few connections myself, what say you?

Cuilin @texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcuriouser
5mo

AllDebooks Absolutely. I found it a mirror to contemporary issues. It's shameful that in a society of such wealth disparity, these same areas are still problematic. The prevailing environmental changes due to pollution, poor health, living/working conditions of the poor, economic growth dividing people more, education are all as relevant today as they were in Dickens time. 5mo

dabbe Coketown exposed the environmental costs of industrialization: the pollution, the smog, and the disregard for the natural world in the pursuit of economic gain. Today, we face a global environmental crisis with climate change, deforestation, and pollution continuing to be major problems. Also, current technological advancements often come at the expense of the environment, and the call for sustainable practices echoes the concerns Dickens raised. 5mo

Lcsmcat I agree with @dabbe and @AllDebooks and can only add that Dickens does an excellent job of showing how we imagine our own worst qualities actually belong to the other (I.e. Bounderbery and his gold spoon comments) 5mo

30 likes4 comments

Cuilin

Hard Times | Charles Dickens

#WithTheDickens @Cuilin @Texreader

Are you finished?
Join in whenever.
What are we all thinking?

Cuilin @texreader @CaitlinR @raelovestoread @fortifiedbybooks @BarbaraJean @Annececilie @LeeRharry @quietjenn @bookwormAHN @dabbe @alldebooks @Daisey @sparklemn @bcncookbookclub @TheAromaofBooks
@lcsmcat @bornareader @cogsofencouragement @thebookhippie @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @Lin3han @wordslinger42 @curiouserandcuriouser 5mo

AllDebooks I wouldn't consider him an activist. He was a philanthropist through his charitable causes. He did use his profile for social criticism and reportage on poverty, housing, education, etc. 5mo

curiouserandcurioser I just noticed i didnt get your tags-its curiouserandcurioser-i spell the last curiouser differently as my quirky nod to Alice:)💜 5mo

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Cuilin @curiouserandcurioser got it!!! 🙏 I changed it on the tag list. 5mo

dabbe I think Dickens wrote HARD TIMES as a critique of the industrial revolution and the social and economic systems that were shaping England during that period. The novel was both a social commentary and a call for reform. Dickens wanted to challenge the prevailing attitudes of the time and advocate for a more compassionate, humane society—one that balanced industrial progress with a respect for individual dignity and emotional well-being. 5mo

curiouserandcurioser Thank you💜 5mo

Lcsmcat I absolutely believe he was an activist, and like the best ones, he wrapped his message inside good stories so people would read them. 5mo

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Cuilin

Joined May 2016