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sprainedbrain

sprainedbrain

Joined May 2016

LibraryThing member sprainedbrain

www.goodreads.com/sprainedbrain, https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/sprainedbrain Instagram: sprainedbrain
blurb
sprainedbrain
Demon Copperhead: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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This was very hard!

I‘ve read more books this year than ever before, so narrowing down even my top 15 was hard, but I‘ve picked a favorite. For the moment.

Also hard to pick a most anticipated—so many exciting new books coming out soon.

For the first time in years, I‘m not doing a bunch of challenges, so my goals were the easiest part.

Thanks for the tag and the fun post, @KateReadsYA ❤️

#newyearnewbooks

AmyG We share the same favorite read! And I am not even finished yet. 1y
sprainedbrain @AmyG Isn‘t it amazing? I finished it almost two month ago and think about Demon every day. ❤️ 1y
AmyG He is such a vivid, wonderful character. I still have about 200 pages left. 1y
See All 14 Comments
KateReadsYA Both of your picks sound really good!!! 1y
KateReadsYA Have a Happy New Year 🎆🤩 1y
vivastory I hope you are doing well, Jenni 14mo
Bookzombie Hi, Jenni. I hope you are doing well. 💕I sent the next book to you along with the seconds Gods of Hunger book. They should be there Tuesday. 14mo
Reggie Hi Jenni, haven‘t seen you in a bit. Hope all is well. 14mo
sprainedbrain @vivastory @Reggie @Bookzombie Hello, friends! I‘m doing well, thank you. Hope you are as well. Margie, the books came today! Looking forward to reading both of them. 😃 14mo
AmyG It just occurred to me, too, that I haven‘t “seen” you. Glad to read all is well. 😘 14mo
Gissy Hi!👋Missing your posts🤗I hope everything is okay 13mo
Cuilin Hi. Hope you‘re doing ok. 8mo
BiblioLitten Hi 👋 hope you are doing okay. Just checking in since I haven‘t seen your posts in a while. 8mo
Bookwormjillk Was just thinking about you. Hope all is well. 4mo
76 likes14 comments
review
sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Pickpick

I knew from her published work that Austen was sarcastic, witty, talented, and smart, and reading her personal correspondence with friends and family did nothing to disabuse me of those notions. Making my way through a few letters each day was such a delight, even when things got sad. As much as I love her work (and that‘s a lot), I really do think all of us were robbed when she died so young.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to everyone who read along! ❤️

Ruthiella Thank you for hosting! I really enjoyed this. 👏👏👏 1y
IndoorDame Thank you for hosting! I loved this! And probably wouldn‘t have read it on my own. 1y
AnnR Thanks for leading the discussion and I enjoyed all your posts. This was an enlightening read but also a sad one. 1y
See All 6 Comments
MaureenMc Thank you for hosting! 1y
Daisey I couldn‘t make this readalong fit in my already busy reading schedule, but the posts I‘ve seen definitely make me want to read her letters sometime. 1y
batsy ❤️ 1y
75 likes1 stack add6 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Not gonna lie… the last few days‘ letters are making me sad. Jane is still witty and gossipy, but as the dates get close to the end of her life and she talks more and more about her own health, I‘m just 😔.

I do know this happened 200+ years ago and that I am ridiculous, but she feels like a friend. 🤷🏻‍♀️

#Pemberlittens

vivastory It's incredible how young she was when she passed away considering how many of her novels are considered the greatest English stories 1y
sprainedbrain @vivastory yes… I think we were robbed of a lot of other great novels, too. 1y
vivastory Absolutely! I have read only 2, but I loved both. One is one of my favorites of all time and I definitely plan on reading more of her work next year. 1y
See All 19 Comments
sprainedbrain @vivastory now you have to tell me which two! 1y
vivastory I have read Emma and Northanger Abbey. NA was the first Austen that I read & it made me fall in love with her work. It contains passages containing the best defense of the novel as an art form that I have read. It's my favorite. However, I did love Emma and I do recognize that from an objective technical standpoint that it is a better book for several reasons. However, NA has my heart. 1y
sprainedbrain @vivastory They are both so good for different reasons. Emma has grown on me with rereads. You still have two of my favorites yet to read… even the ones that aren‘t my favorites are still really remarkable books, and I love them (as you might have guessed). 😉 1y
vivastory I'm going to guess that your two favorites are...Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion? 🤔 1y
IndoorDame I‘m feeling sad as I get to the end of the letters too. It‘s not like the ending was a secret or something so it‘s a little ridiculous, but I think you‘re right, after reading these she feels even more like a friend than before. 1y
sprainedbrain @vivastory my order has changed with rereads, but Persuasion is my favorite, with P&P tied with Northanger for second. 😃 1y
sprainedbrain @IndoorDame I don‘t know what I was expecting… of course she was going to write about the illness that was taking her life. 😢 1y
IndoorDame @sprainedbrain I think maybe what‘s taking me by surprise is the realization that we may be recognizing signs that she‘s dying before she herself knows she‘s terminal. 1y
sprainedbrain @IndoorDame I think you‘re right… 1y
vivastory Love to see the NA love! I read an essay recently about Austen & Shelley & it kinda kills me that she passed away before Frankenstein was published. I wonder what she would have made of it! I haven't really been sure where to go next on my Austen journey, but seeing you rank persuasion so high will definitely help me 👏 1y
batsy I felt the same towards the end. @IndoorDame That was quite heartbreaking to sort of learn as the letters progressed. 1y
batsy @vivastory Persuasion is brilliant. Different in tone from the rest, elegiac in a way but also hopeful and wise. Reading the unfinished Sanditon made me heartbroken that we won't have anything new to discover from her. It was so unexpected, strange and compelling. 1y
Readerann I have read (and loved) all Austen‘s books except the letters. I must look for a copy! P&P is my favorite book ever. I‘ve decided to start rereading these lovely novels. Nothing like some brilliant writing with plenty of wit and romance in the mix. ❤️ 1y
vivastory @batsy Thank you for your comments on Persuasion. I have def. decided to make it my next Austen. I also somehow forgot about her unfinished work. looking at the description it does sound very interesting. It appears that there have been a large number of versions completed by other authors, hmm... 1y
AnneCecilie Those last letters made me sad too. 1y
batsy @vivastory Yes, I think there have been members of our group who read some of the versions completed by other writers. I read the unfinished ones, even The Watsons, and sense there was still so much untapped/unpublished genius 💔 1y
57 likes19 comments
blurb
sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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I occasionally see Austen‘s work labeled as romance… I wonder what Jane would think to hear that? 😂

#Pemberlittens

TheBookHippie Hopefully she‘d be mad as hell 😅🤣🤣🤣🤣. Ha. 1y
Ruthiella I wonder though if she‘s using the old-fashioned definition of a Romance and means the kind of novel Sir Walter Scott wrote? 1y
sprainedbrain @Ruthiella yes, I‘m sure she was. 😃 1y
48 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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In the words of Cher Horowitz (our 1990s version of Emma herself)…

As if! 😉

#Pemberlittens

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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Jane on the importance of Aunts, to her new sister-aunt, Caroline. 😅

#Pemberlittens

Sparklemn As a proud “auntie“, I like to think this is true!! 1y
Librariana I like being a person of some consequence! 1y
AnneCecilie I loved this quote too, as an aunt 1y
59 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Miss Austen was talking about a fictional character, but still. 😂

#Pemberlittens

TheBookHippie Seriously I wrote this down to use in future......what does that say about me?!?!?!?! HAHAHAHA. 1y
sprainedbrain @TheBookHippie that you‘re awesome, obviously. 😂 1y
TheBookHippie @sprainedbrain CLEARLY. 😂 1y
52 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Jane giving lots of advice to Fanny in the last couple of days‘ letters. ❤️

#Pemberlittens

49 likes1 stack add
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Lots of letters to Anna Austen while Jane was reading/editing Anna‘s manuscript… Jane was definitely a tough critic with lots to say, but she loved it!

Ruthiella This made me immediately google Maria Edgeworth! I want to read Belinda now. 😅 1y
sprainedbrain @Ruthiella I need to read something of hers too… if she‘s good enough for Jane Austen. 😂 1y
SamAnne This was one of my favorite parts of h the book! 1y
39 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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I snorted.😆

In other news, Mansfield Park has entered the chat!

#Pemberlittens

TheBookHippie 😂😂♥️♥️ 1y
janeycanuck I‘m so behind on this but the quotes you‘re posting are making me want to call in sick tomorrow and just plow through!! 1y
44 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Some of the perks of spinsterhood. 😅

AnnR That paragraph gave me a good chuckle while reading. It seems JA was enjoying some of her fame and even the 'spinsterhood' part. 1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads I really love that she seemed to be happy with things. ❤️ 1y
AnneCecilie I loved that too when I read it. The perks of being a spinster 😊 1y
53 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Jane is starting to make some money from her books, and she seems to love commenting on how rich she is. 😅 She also seems to like to spend her money on her darling Cassandra. ❤️

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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Forgot to post this yesterday… Jane Austen talking about Elizabeth Bennet makes my heart happy. ❤️

#Pemberlittens

Aimeesue Not like Lizzie? The very thought! That would be very suspect indeed. 1y
TheBookHippie Very very sweet. 1y
Ruthiella From reading her letters, Lizzie Bennett is maybe the Austen heroine closest to Jane Austen in personality. 1y
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sprainedbrain @Aimeesue right? Inconceivable! 1y
AnneCecilie I loved this quote too. I feel that Lizzie is the character that means the most to Austen. 1y
64 likes6 comments
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sprainedbrain
Among the Janeites | Deborah Yaffe
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After our current reads end in December, I will be stepping back from leading #Pemberlittens.

I‘ve really enjoyed our years exploring Jane Austen‘s work together! What started as a bright spot in quarantine evolved into a fun adventure.

Thank you to everyone who read along, voted, planned, posted, hosted, attended watch parties, or enjoyed the group with us.

If anyone wants to take over and keep the group going, you are of course welcome to!❤️

IndoorDame Thank you for for the time you put in leading us! This group has been wonderful!!! 1y
DivineDiana Thank you, Jenni for your unfaltering commitment to Jane and the Pemberlittens! I appreciate your wit and creative spirit! 👏🏻📚👏🏻 1y
Cinfhen Well done 💕🙌🏻 though I didn‘t join I of course noticed your endless devotion to the group 🥰 1y
See All 37 Comments
MoonWitch94 Jenni, thank you for creating & continuing this wonderful adventure! It has been so great. My love for Jane expanded beyond my expectations. 🥳♥️ 1y
jhod Thank you! I have really enjoyed the read alongs! 1y
quietjenn Thanks so much for all you've done! You really created something special and I've so enjoyed the experience. 1y
Librarybelle Thank you for organizing and hosting this! Much appreciated! 1y
BarkingMadRead Thank you for hosting this! I‘ve loved every minute! I would be glad to cohost with someone, although I don‘t know if I could handle it on my own as gracefully as you do! 1y
batsy Thank you so much for all of your work and time hosting our reads! It's been so much fun ❤️ 1y
SamAnne This group has been the most fun I‘ve had on Litsy. Thank you for all the work you put into it! 1y
eeclayton Thank you for all you've done, Jenni! It's been so much fun ❤️ 1y
MaureenMc Thank you for all of your hard work starting the group and keeping it going! 💗 1y
AnneCecilie Thank you for hosting this. I‘ve loved being a part of this group 1y
Clare-Dragonfly Thank you so much for keeping the group running for so long! ❤️ 1y
LeahBergen Thanks for your incredible hosting skills! ❤️❤️ 1y
janeycanuck Thank you for all you‘ve done over the last few years, it‘s been delightful to be a part of! 1y
AnnR Thank you for all your hard work and all the thoughtful JA related posts. Much appreciated. 🙂 1y
Ruthiella Thank you for all your hard work! ❤️ 1y
suvata Thank you for everything you did for this group. It was so much fun. 1y
Deblovestoread I credit you and the Pemberlittens with fostering a true love for Jane Austen in me. It has been so much fun. Thank you for everything!💜 1y
kspenmoll Thank you so much for your devotion to this group- all your posts, leadership, etc. ❤️💙 1y
AllDebooks I've enjoyed Pemberlittens so much Jenni, thank you for working so hard on it. Your efforts are deeply appreciated. X 1y
staci.reads Jenni, thank you for all the time and heart you put into leading this group. I enjoyed reading and interacting with so many other Austen lovers! 1y
Daisey Thank you! I enjoyed my first reads of some books and rereads of others much more through this group. 1y
Sparklemn Thank you so very much! 1y
Bookwormjillk Thank you for everything! 1y
TheAromaofBooks Thank you so much for everything you've done with this group!!! I have so enjoyed participating!!!! 1y
DebinHawaii Aww… I am sorry to hear this but completely understand. I have enjoyed all of the experiences with the #PemberLittens from the beginning & all of your hard work & passion from the books to the viewing parties. Thank you!!! 💜💜💜 1y
StayCurious @sprainedbrain I would be interested in taking up the reins and cohosting with @BarkingMadRead if the position is still open. Maybe we can discuss via email? Lebretonr87@gmail.com 1y
sprainedbrain @StayCurious You are welcome to do that! No need to discuss with me! ❤️ 1y
BarkingMadRead @StayCurious I would def be in, @sprainedbrain my email is kprytherch@gmail.com 1y
sprainedbrain @BarkingMadRead @StayCurious I think it‘s great if you continue with it, but it‘s not up to me! I just started the group rolling originally and I‘m not going to continue, so you‘re both more than welcome to continue on with it however you‘d like. Thank you! ❤️ 1y
sprainedbrain @DebinHawaii Thank you, Deb! Your meme chapter summaries were highlights of my days while we were doing the original novels! So damn funny! And I loved having you at all the watch parties! ❤️ 1y
ravenlee You‘ve been amazing, and the group is great. We‘ll miss your leadership but I‘m glad @BarkingMadRead and @StayCurious are picking up the reins. 1y
mollyrotondo Thank you for leading us! So sad to see you‘ve stepped down. 1y
HOTPock3tt Thanks soo much for everything Jenni!🎉💖📚 those watch parties kept me going during quarantine. And pemberlittens inspired me to read more of Jane Austens work!! 😎 @sprainedbrain 1y
78 likes37 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Idk what Mr. Digweed did, so in absence of any factual information, I will just assume some very Willoughby-level f*ckboy stuff because that‘s more fun. 😉

#Pemberlittens

SamAnne 😂😂😂 1y
59 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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😂

Letter 71 also has this mention of Sense & Sensibility:

‘No indeed, I am never too busy to think of S&S. I can no more forget it, than a mother can forget her sucking child; & I am much obliged to you for your enquiries.‘

#Pemberlittens

BiblioLitten 😁😁 1y
Ruthiella I remember that bit about the novel being as important to her as a child to its mother from the Lucy Worsley bio. 1y
batsy I meant to keep track but it felt like there was more than one instance that she referred to her books as her children. Plus that line about their nephew 😂 1y
51 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

I can‘t help it… Jane‘s mention of cravats in letter 65 immediately made me think of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Darcy in their cravats, and more importantly, WITHOUT their cravats, because this is just the way my mind works with regards to cravats. 😍

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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

A lot happening in yesterday‘s and today‘s letters… Jane‘s sister-in-law Elizabeth Knight died shortly after delivering her 11th child, Edward Bridges married Harriot Foote and Jane seems to have some thoughts on that, and the Austen women are gearing up to move to Chawton.

This mention of a ball made me a little sad but also made me smile. Jane is definitely a spinster by this point but still dancing and having a good time!

45 likes1 stack add
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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That ⬆️ is why I‘ve always been a terrible penpal. 😂

Did Edward Bridges propose to Jane, as the notes in my book suggest, or what was this invitation of his she couldn‘t accept?

#Pemberlittens

AnnR I had to look up the Edward Bridges connection & came across this well written article on the official Jane Austen blog. Since letters were burned, I guess we will never know what type of invitation JA declined. It sounds like there would have been ample opportunities for a romantic relationship to develop though.
Link:
https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/jane-austen-life/reverend-brook-edward-bridges-an...
1y
AnnR I used to love writing long letters and even emails (probably helped by the enthusiasm that sometimes goes along with youthful plans) but not so much anymore. I get where JA is coming from now. 1y
50 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Jane is spending time among more fancy people at Goodnestone, this Edward Bridges fellow seems interesting. 😏

suvata You‘ve got to love a man who plays cricket.🏏 Most agreeable, indeed. 1y
47 likes1 comment
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Three letters to brother Frank today, all pertaining to the death of their father.

This makes me sad and also very anxious for Jane, her mother and sister… even though I know already how things were for them after he passed away. 🥺

suvata We learn of her father‘s death after a quick 48-hour illness. At least he died in his sleep. Since all of the letters have been to Cassandra, I almost didn‘t notice it when they were addressed to Frank. 1y
53 likes1 comment
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Same, Jane. Same.

Just realized that I was apparently too busy reading and retreating to post yesterday, #Pemberlittens!

In todays letters, Cassandra is finally coming to Bath for a while, a young lady of Jane‘s acquaintance died (that made me sad), and then later Cassandra has been to Weymouth, which is an altogether shocking place, even when Miss Jane Fairfax isn‘t nearly drowning there. 😆

batsy Tiny Parties is a great name for a band, though 😆 1y
sprainedbrain @batsy It really is! 😂 1y
quietlycuriouskate I'm amused that Weymouth "is an altogether shocking place": I was born there! ? 1y
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SamAnne @batsy yes! 1y
sprainedbrain @kathedron maybe it‘s gotten less shocking over the years. 😂 1y
suvata JA prefers huge parties where she can hide in the corner and not be noticed. I can‘t say that I don‘t agree with her. I guess I‘m more of an introvert than I thought I was. Actually, forget the party. I‘ll just stay home and read my book. 😝 1y
sprainedbrain @suvata I‘m with you!! 1y
suvata @batsy I could go to a tiny party and listen to a great band but, no dancing please. #2LeftFeet 1y
Erinsuereads 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 1y
TheBookHippie @batsy 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶 oh I agree! 1y
TheBookHippie @suvata I‘m with you, just stay home! 1y
70 likes11 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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I‘m away for the weekend on another readers retreat at the wonderful Twinflower Inn, and of course I brought JA with me.❤️

My favorite quote from todays letters: ‘The Neighbourhood have quite recovered the death of Mrs. Rider—so much so, that I think they are rather rejoiced at it now.‘

Steventon was really in quite the neighborhood. 😂

#Pemberlittens

suvata The retreat sounds wonderful. Have fun! 1y
BarkingMadRead Ohhhh a retreat just for reading?!? I need that in my life! (edited) 1y
sprainedbrain @BarkingMadRead Yes! It‘s the most adorable bed and breakfast, and they have lots of weekend readers retreats through the year. Great food and nothing but time to read and talk about books with other book lovers. 😍 1y
batsy The book looks at home in that lovely space! 😍 1y
Chrissyreadit That just sounds so lovely. 1y
98 likes1 stack add5 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#PemberLittens

Today‘s letters had Jane visiting at Ibthrop, where there were an abundance of Debaries, then back to Steventon where Rev. Austen is preparing to retire and move the wife and daughters to Bath. More updates on the neighborhood, including the fact that widow Lyford is apparently readying to marry another old guy.

IndoorDame This was my favorite quote from today‘s letters too! 1y
suvata Definitely my favorite quote too. Along with the fact that now we know why JA can be a bit snarky in her letters. “I have now attained the true art of letter-writing, which we are always told, is to express on paper exactly what one would say to the same person by word of mouth.” (edited) 1y
IndoorDame @suvata yes! That definitely stood out. I wouldn‘t have thought that was the ideal, but I guess it makes sense since it really was the only way to be in touch. 1y
68 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

So much drama in letter 25! One neighbor shot himself in the leg and is in bad shape, another got stepped on by his horse, and big storm knocked down lots of trees at Steventon.

Then a letter to Martha, who Jane can‘t wait to see.

Followed by a letter to Cassandra recounting a ball (where Jane got wine drunk) and very cattily describing everyone there. It‘s no wonder Cassandra got rid of letters… JA could be a little vicious!😂

suvata It seems like JA writes whatever she‘s thinking. She definitely doesn‘t hold back. I agree that it might be the reason why so many letters are missing. 1y
suvata From Letter 25: “… he accidentally shot himself through the Thigh. Two young Scotch Surgeons in the Island were polite enough to propose taking off the Thigh at once, but to that he would not consent…” Thank God for Scottish Surgeons. 😂 (edited) 1y
sprainedbrain @suvata I was giggling at that… just take off the thigh! 1y
batsy She definitely doesn't hold back. It's kinda bittersweet to think about that openness she had with Cassandra, which says a lot about how close they were. 1y
59 likes4 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

I got some major Mr. Thorpe vibes with Mr. Evelyn and his horses while JA was giving the last news from Bath.

Back at Steventon, Mr. Bayle is apparently horrid. Cassandra was having some great weather for her travels to Godmersham and this required being acknowledged repeatedly.

JA was invited to a ball (see above for results) three times and therefore must have been more at the ball than anybody else. 😂

MaureenMc In no. 23, what caught my eye was the reference to an acquaintance‘s visit to Lord Carnarvon‘s Park, i.e. Highclere Castle aka “Downton Abbey.” Had no idea it was so close to Steventon. 1y
suvata No. 24: Apparently, JA likes her wine. 🍷 “The wine glasses are much smaller than expected, but I suppose it is the proper size.” 1y
Sparklemn @MaureenMc Great connection! I have to read this someday. 1y
61 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

JA and company have arrived in Bath (though her trunk didn‘t), and are meeting people and shopping while Edward works on his health. Cassandra fortunately escaped the scabies, and poor Martha will not be allowed to read First Impressions again for fear of her publishing it from memory. 😂

I spend so much time giggling through these letters I usually just go with my first laugh for the quote I pick. 🤷🏻‍♀️

IndoorDame This quote made me laugh too! 1y
SamAnne So catty…..in a good way! 1y
Ruthiella Totally chuckled at this! 😂 1y
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suvata I‘m pretty sure I would be in deep mourning if I found myself dead. (edited) 1y
eeclayton I knew this quote would get a highlight 😂 1y
sprainedbrain @eeclayton you know I love the snark… 1y
64 likes1 stack add6 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Letters 16-18 included lots of updates on two Austen brothers‘ naval careers, various balls and social gatherings, Jane‘s eye trouble, and even a mention of ‘first impressions,‘ which became Pride & Prejudice. ❤️

I think you all are right that Mrs. Austen and Mrs. Bennet have some definite similarities. 😅

AnnR There was some definite scathing remarks about her mom's health complaints this time around. I wonder if JA was already exhibiting symptoms of Lupus, with the eye issues. Difficult to tell, as the eventual Lupus diagnosis is a modern day theory.
1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads I wondered that too. 🙁 1y
suvata Her eye problems seem to come and go. That‘s strange. Maybe she‘s trying to downplay the problem so as to not worry anyone. 1y
54 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

I mean, apart from that, she‘s fine! 😏

Lots of health updates and keeping tabs on brothers going on in these letters. Thank goodness Mary finally made it to church since her laying in was the opposite of fashionable. 😅

Aimeesue Apart from that. . . 😂 1y
AnnR In letter #14 (Dec 18-19, 1798) did anyone wonder what “nidgetty“ meant? I couldn't figure it out until I also looked at my Dover Thrift ebook copy. From the annotations:
“Nidgetty,” meaning trifling, a word seemingly coined by JA, occurred in a note to Cassandra about fashion: “I have been enabled to give a considerable improvement of dignity to my Cap, which was before too nidgetty to please me.”
1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads I did wonder! Thank you. 1y
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MaureenMc This from no. 14: “his wife is discovered to be everything that the Neighbourhood could wish her, silly & cross as well as extravagant.” Immediately thought of Mrs. Elton. 😆 1y
sprainedbrain @MaureenMc I love that! 😂 1y
suvata Mum‘s doing well but her “Bowels are still not entirely settled, & she sometimes complains of an Asthma, a Dropsy, Water in her Chest & a Liver Disorder.” Oh, and did I mention her “gouty swelling & sensation about the ancles.”? Too funny 😂 I can‘t even imagine. I guess people took things in stride back then. (edited) 1y
AnnR @SprainedBrain I thought it was cool she came up with her own word.
As for her mom's ailments. Gosh, that sounds like a lot to deal with. (Also, sounds a bit like Mrs Bennet's complaints. I think we are seeing a pattern here, lol.)
1y
jenniferw88 I think most of her Mum's complaints are imaginary, like Mrs Bennett's are @Ann_Reads 1y
batsy This suggests Jane probably had some impatience with her mother ... There are definite Mrs Bennett vibes there 😬 1y
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Couldn‘t resist a second quote tonight… it‘s really no wonder that I love Jane Austen. I‘m 100% convinced we would have gotten along splendidly. 😂

AnnR I wasn't expecting such a cheeky comment, though Cassandra probably thought it was hilarious. 1y
AnneCecilie I loved this quote too 1y
56 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Letter 10 was full of facts and wit. Surely Cassandra laughed when she read these letters? I sure do.

Letter 11 was making me a little sad again (Lefroy) but then I was back to giggling at 12. Cassandra clearly didn‘t write back fast enough. 😅

TheBookHippie I love hats. 1y
CrowCAH I just bought a cute hat on vacation; love it! 1y
suvata Letter 10: … “& his family then told him that they would receive his wife, if she continued to behave well for another Year. - He was very grateful …” Tough family — I know I can‘t behave for an entire year. 1y
55 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

Jane got a little catty in letter 7… poor Miss Pearson and her lack of beauty, and who‘s to say which Mary had a baby now. 😂

That was followed by a very serious and respectful condolence letter to Philadelphia, and then some notes from a road trip with the parents.

I just keep getting put in mind of Lizzie Bennet writing to Jane!

AnnR That was funny and frightening some of Jane's possessions (and the writing box which she cherished!) almost ended up in the West Indies after being transferred to the wrong chaise. It's like the early precursor to airline luggage snafus. 1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads loss of that writing box would have been horrible! 1y
suvata I got a kick out of her complaining about the heat so “be careful not to expect too much Beauty”. 1y
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suvata @Ann_Reads @sprainedbrain The loss of her writing box would have been devastating indeed. ✍️ 1y
sprainedbrain @suvata and that her mom was definitely going to lose it over the lack of beauty if she didn‘t watch herself. 😂 1y
jenniferw88 The condolence letter reminded me of Mr Collins's when Lydia ran off! 1y
62 likes7 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

My thoughts on today‘s letters:

-I wish I could read Cassandra‘s letters back, since Jane says she‘s the finest comic writer of the age.😉

-A lot of socializing going on in both places. I wonder if they dine with four and twenty families?

-My version includes notes about all of the paper-saving that Jane was doing…writing upside down at the top of the page, between lines, etc. Cross-hatching!

BarkingMadRead Blows my mind, especially when it said she was writing upside down and between lines 😳 and they totally dine with four and twenty families 🤣 1y
suvata I‘m wondering if paper was very scarce at the time. I can‘t imagine any other reason to write in the margins, upside down, between the lines, etc. Also, I‘m wondering if everyone wrote such long, detailed letters. Maybe Jane was unique in that because she was, after all, a writer. 1y
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sprainedbrain @suvata I think it was definitely maximizing paper usage… I‘ve read a little bit on that when I was still in JASNA. I get it… paper was probably precious, especially to someone who wrote a lot. 1y
suvata @sprainedbrain I get it. Even my mother would save scarce items that in this day and age we would just throw out. It looks like every generation gets more wasteful. 1y
sprainedbrain @suvata you are so right about that! 😳 1y
jenniferw88 I immediately thought of you when I read 'Musgrove' 🤣 I wonder why? 🤔🤣😘 1y
sprainedbrain @jenniferw88 I wonder why?! Persuasion forever! 😂😍 1y
AnnR Here's an interesting article on the history of paper:
https://www.caseyprinting.com/blog/whats-the-history-of-paper

I suspect paper and ink were expensive during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
1y
LitStephanie When I went to the Jane Austen Center in Bath, it really struck me how much was lost when Cassandra simply threw out almost all her correspondence with Jane upon her death. I guess it was her way of mourning and moving on, but it sounds like the letters were literary works all on their own. 🙁 1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads Thank you for sharing this! Very interesting. 1y
sprainedbrain @LitStephanie it makes me sad that we don‘t have all of those. I read somewhere that Cassandra was likely trying to protect Jane‘s privacy, but damn these letters are entertaining. Also, super jealous that you‘ve been to Bath. 😍 1y
LitStephanie @sprainedbrain I hope you get to go sometime! By coincidence, it was during the Jane Austen Center's festival, so there were random people on the street in Regency costume going to various events. It was really amazing to walk around the neighborhoods and buildings that are featured in several of Austen's books and the movies based on them. I kept thinking of Persuasion. 😁 1y
61 likes13 comments
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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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#Pemberlittens

I don‘t think Jane Austen could stop being witty if she tried. 😂

Only three letters in, and I‘m already noticing it feels a lot like reading one of her novels to read her letters. That‘s a good thing for me!

There are a LOT of Toms in these letters.😅 The Tom Lefroy references are already making me a little sad though, for no good reason at all.

ravenlee It feels very much like reading Lizzie‘s letters to Jane Bennet, as I imagine it. 1y
batsy @ravenlee Yes, I was thinking the same! 1y
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suvata “…all my money is spent in buying white gloves and pink persian." I feel you, Jane. 1y
AnnR It will be interesting to see how many events in Jane's letters translated into her fiction writing. I felt badly about the Lefroy relationship, as the notes said he probably was discouraged by his family from forming attachment to Jane because of finances. Sadly that aspect seeped into her novels. :-( 1y
sprainedbrain @suvata 😂 love this! 1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads Yes! I feel so sad for her, 200 years later. 😬 1y
julieclair Looking forward to catching up with you all next week. I'm traveling, and left the book at home... too heavy, lol. 1y
sprainedbrain @julieclair it‘s is a gigantic book! 😅 1y
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sprainedbrain
Untitled | Unknown
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My November #BookSpin list 😃

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
BarbaraBB You‘ve been quiet! I hope all‘s well 🤍 1y
52 likes2 comments
review
sprainedbrain
Haunting Adeline | H. D. Carlton
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Panpan

Omg what a dumpster fire of a book. And I‘m not even talking about the ‘dark‘ elements I was well warned about (not so much dark as rape glorification). The writing is really bad. The plot is alllllll over the place (is this a ghost story, a crime thriller, a historical mystery, dark erotica? why choose one!), it‘s completely unbelievable, and I absolutely could not stand either of the main characters. Ends with a cliffhanger, but I‘m done.

⭐️1/2

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sprainedbrain
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And thank YOU, Chrissy, for this thoughtful (surprise) package. ❤️ I absolutely love both things. Thank you my friend! 😘

Gissy So pretty! 1y
Chrissyreadit 🌛🌝🌜 1y
CBee @Chrissyreadit that‘s beautiful!! 1y
62 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer
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Thank you so much for my #BasicWitchSwap goodies, Kim! I‘m VERY excited about all of the books, and love all of the goodies! I‘m so set for incense for a while.🖤 You‘re awesome!

BarkingMadRead I may have gonna a little incense crazy 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y
sprainedbrain @BarkingMadRun no such thing for me! I‘m an incense witch, if that‘s a thing. 😂 1y
AllDebooks Great gifts. We're reading Braiding Sweetgrass next if you're interested in #Naturalitsy 1y
70 likes3 comments
review
sprainedbrain
Northanger Abbey | Jane Austen
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Pickpick

I believe this is my fourth reading of Northanger, and it‘s still tied (with P&P) for my second favorite Austen. So witty and funny, gently poking fun at gothic novels of her time, filled with characters you can‘t help but love (Catherine, Henry, Eleanor, the Allens) and characters you really can‘t stand (the Thorpes, the other Tilneys). As is always the case with Austen, her characters seem timeless and real.

And, just so romantic.😍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

AnnR Such a pretty cover! That is the one downside of reading an ebook version. 1y
lauraisntwilder Which one is your favorite? 1y
sprainedbrain @lauraisntwilder Persuasion! ❤️ 1y
lauraisntwilder @sprainedbrain Me too, but I haven't read them all...yet. 😊 1y
79 likes4 comments
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sprainedbrain
Northanger Abbey | Jane Austen
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#Pemberlittens

Ch 31: Henry & Catherine have to endure a tense, slightly lengthy engagement because the General is a big jerk, but soon Eleanor secures marriage to a wealthy, titled man (whom she also loves—bonus!) & convinces the General to relent. As it‘s also learned that the Morlands aren‘t totally destitute, he gives his consent, & our darling couple are married within a year of first meeting.

I‘m going with ‘reward filial disobedience.‘😉

IndoorDame Thank you for hosting and organizing!!! Such a fun month 1y
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sprainedbrain @IndoorDame of course! I so love our readalongs. ❤️ 1y
IndoorDame @sprainedbrain me too ❤️ 1y
BarkingMadRead Yesssss 😍😍 1y
AllDebooks Great fun, thank you x 1y
julieclair Such a satisfying ending. 💖 Great job hosting! Thank you! 1y
SarahBookInterrupted I‘m with you @sprainedbrain parental tyranny is not the lesson. 🤣 I love Jane‘s wit. (edited) 1y
AnnR Yay! A happy ending! The two most likeable characters in the story get their long awaited reward. Romantic bliss! Thank you @sprainedbrain for hosting. Loved all the movie memes. 1y
Deblovestoread Every time I read it I like it even more than before. As usual for me, once I get to the banishment chapter I have to keep reading for the HAE. Loved all your comments, Jenni. 1y
Bookwormjillk Thank you for hosting! I‘ve really come to love this one through our #Pemberlittens readings. 1y
Ruthiella Thanks for hosting the read-along! It‘s been so much fun and definitely brought me a deeper appreciation of the novel! 😃 1y
jhod Thanks so much, my first time reading and I loved it! 1y
thegreensofa A fun first Jane Austen read, I looked forward to your daily posts as much as each book chapter and couldn‘t read fast enough! Thank you for such an enjoyable and brilliant buddyread. 👏💖 1y
sprainedbrain @thegreensofa I‘m glad you enjoyed your first one! ❤️ 1y
sprainedbrain @jhod so glad you enjoyed it!! ❤️ 1y
Clare-Dragonfly 🥰🥰🥰 I love the bit where Jane is like “you can tell there are no more real problems because not very much of the book is left.” 😂 1y
sprainedbrain @Clare-Dragonfly She was so snarky! 1y
inthegreensandblues I enjoy this book more each time I read it.❤️ Thank you for your daily recaps! 1y
58 likes20 comments
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sprainedbrain
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My witches! Blessed Samhain to those who celebrate, and Happy Halloween to those who don‘t. 😘

It‘s opening day for #BasicWitchSwap and I‘m loving the posts I‘ve seen so far. If you haven‘t already, don‘t forget to open your gifts, post and tag your sender and me. 🖤

I know I have a couple of people haven‘t received their packages yet—I‘m hoping those arrive today.🤞🏻 Please let me know if there are any more issues!

Thank you to all! 🖤

73 likes7 comments
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sprainedbrain
Northanger Abbey | Jane Austen
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#Pemberlittens

Ch 30: Catherine has been home for two days and has been fairly useless in her melancholy. Her mom has just about had enough, but when she leaves to grab a self-help book for her, she returns to find Henry Tilney has arrived.😍 Henry is full of apologies and gets Catherine alone to profess his love and propose. Turns out freaking Thorpe made the General think Catherine was rich, and when he found out she isn‘t, he was mad. 🤷🏻‍♀️

sprainedbrain **Also! I love Jane‘s humor in this chapter, but this part of the movie is totally swoonworthy.😍** 1y
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Ruthiella Yes, the movie is much more romantic. 1y
BarkingMadRead Henry to the rescue! I really need to watch the movie! 1y
Ruthiella @BarkingMadRun It‘s available on Hoopla if your library has that. I really enjoyed it. It‘s really well cast, even though the book gets truncated somewhat. 1y
SarahBookInterrupted Yes, the movie ending is pretty good with Mr.Tilley. They casted really well in the movie. 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig Henry ‼️ 😍 1y
Clare-Dragonfly I haven‘t seen the movie but this meme is perfection! 😂 1y
sprainedbrain @BarkingMadRun @Clare-Dragonfly This movie is so fun! Not 100% true to the book but I personally love the embellishments and the cast is perfection! ❤️ 1y
Bookwormjillk I need to see this movie. 1y
julieclair Thorpe! He ruins everything. And I think General Tilney's reaction was way over the top. To essentially throw her out of the house was so uncalled for. 1y
julieclair I have to watch this movie! Thanks for the tip about Hoopla, @Ruthiella . 👍😃 1y
LitStephanie Not even not rich. Just less rich than he thought! 1y
66 likes14 comments
review
sprainedbrain
The Babysitter Lives | Stephen Graham Jones
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Pickpick

Hello nightmare fuel… this book is a haunted house tale, a babysitter horror story, and a total mindf*ck at times, so basically is pure awesomeness. I loved the main character (SGJ just gets better and better at writing female MCs) so much, and didn‘t even mind that I was on the verge of freaking out the whole time I was listening.

Only on audio, and the narration is excellent. The acknowledgements read by the author are also great!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

vivastory I will definitely check this out but I wish it was at least available as an ebook too. I only listen to nf on audio typically. 1y
sprainedbrain @vivastory I don‘t understand the audio only thing… obviously it‘s written down somewhere, so maybe someday there will be an ebook. 1y
SamAnne Stacked! 1y
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sprainedbrain
Blackwater | Michael McDowell
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Pickpick

This is an awesome audiobook.

A southern gothic, generational family saga with a supernatural twist, it‘s 100% engrossing. I never wanted it to end. I was so invested in all of these characters, especially the mysterious Elinor, and all of the sometimes funny, sometimes perplexing things they did. The book is labeled as horror, but this isn‘t really a scary book at all, and it‘s so much more than any one genre. McDowell was brilliant.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bookzombie I have this one on Kindle to read. I really enjoyed our buddy read of The Elementals. I also read the one that Tabitha King finished and enjoyed it. 1y
sprainedbrain @Bookzombie that buddy read was the first time I read him as well! I‘ve already purchased several more of his books, but I will add that one. ❤️ 1y
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sprainedbrain
Stolen Tongues | Felix Blackwell
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Thanks so much for my #HHS books and gifts, @vonnie862 🎃 🖤

And thanks for hosting, @wanderinglynn 👻

wanderinglynn Great haul! 🎃 1y
Bookzombie The Ruins is one of my favorites. 🎃 1y
63 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
Northanger Abbey | Jane Austen
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#PemberLittens

Ch 29: Poor Catherine has no time to be scared on her long, solitary journey after being put out of Northanger—she‘s too busy being sad at losing Eleanor and Henry. She arrives home to a family happy to have her (and glad she can shift for herself). Everyone is appalled with the General‘s behavior, including Mr. Allen. Mrs. Allen of course feels the same and has thoughts on Bath and her clothes, naturally. Catherine misses Henry!

57 likes7 comments
review
sprainedbrain
The Wehrwolf | Alma Katsu
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Mehso-so

I have really liked some of Katsu‘s novels, but this short story didn‘t work for me quite as well. A werewolf tale set in Germany at the end of WWII is a very cool idea, but the writing was sort of choppy and it just wasn‘t that exciting. 🤷🏻‍♀️

⭐️⭐️1/2

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sprainedbrain
Jane Austen's Letters | Jane Austen, Deirdre Le Faye
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Our #Pemberlittens readalong of Jane Austen‘s Letters begins on November 1! The plan is to read about 3 letters per day…

I‘m going to be reading the pictured edition, edited by Deirdre Le Faye, but I know there are lots more versions out there. To (hopefully) make it easier for those using different versions to stay together, I‘ve got a reading schedule and pictures of my table of contents on a Google doc I will link in comments.

All welcome!

sprainedbrain Here‘s the link to the schedule/table of contents on my Google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-7Ge8fUnM9ZhB2eWZNwoDCQqmxBh5oWI4i-7xoVqy_4/... (edited) 1y
sprainedbrain I‘d love for everyone to post their thoughts daily! Since this isn‘t a story like we usually read, I won‘t be posting summaries of the days readings, but will post something for us to discuss. 😃 1y
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IndoorDame Sounds great! I think you may need to change the settings on this doc so we can access it 1y
sprainedbrain @IndoorDame it‘s set so that anyone with the link should be able to see it…. Let me see what else I can do. 1y
IndoorDame @sprainedbrain thanks for sharing it! I can see it now! 1y
AllDebooks Great, good to go 🤗 1y
BarkingMadRead I‘m so excited! 1y
Ruthiella Excellent! I forgot to put it on hold on at the library 🙊. So I just now did that and I‘ll catch up as needed. 1y
SamAnne I‘m in! 1y
sprainedbrain @SamAnne added you to my list! 1y
DebinHawaii I have no clue when my Book Depository order will arrive so I may have some catching up to do, but I‘m in. Also, FYI- I just posted about The Heiress readalong. 1y
suvata I‘m in! 1y
AnneCecilie I‘m still waiting on my copy from the library, but intends to join as soon as it arrives. 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig Yay! Mine copy arrived last night. 1y
ravenlee I‘m in, for as much as I‘m able. 1y
sprainedbrain @ravenlee I‘ll add you to my list! 1y
MoonWitch94 Wahoo 1y
Librarybelle I bought a copy of this edition for the read along! 1y
AnnR Thanks so much for taking all that time to post a schedule @sprainedbrain. My copy of the book will be delivered Monday. 🙂 1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads my pleasure! 😃 1y
julieclair Looking forward to this! I'll be behind for the first week.. we're traveling and I left that big thick book at home. 😉 1y
janeycanuck Looking forward to this! I‘ve tried to start the letters several times. I‘ll be late joining in since we‘re away for the first bit but I‘ll catch up when we‘re back! 1y
batsy I have the Selected Letters edition, which has about 96 letters if I'm not mistaken. So I'll aim to do 3 a day and will probably be off schedule but will try to post thoughts whenever I can 🙂 1y
AnnR I've started reading. I have my annotated Selected Letters ebook edition (which I actually have found the notes to be easier to follow, as they appear at the end of each letter). My Le Faye edition arrived, so I'm actually reading both copies. 1y
sprainedbrain @Ann_Reads you should get extra credit! 1y
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review
sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

Short story collections are so hard to review, but this anthology of horror stories of the sea was definitely more hits than misses for me. I picked it up mainly for SGJ‘s story, and I did love that trippy deserted island tale, but I also really enjoyed the stories by Alyssa Wong, Seanan McGuire, John Langan, and Michael Marshall Smith… the latter is a funny/weird/gross bananapants sort of zombie (?) story set on the docked Queen Mary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

49 likes1 stack add
blurb
sprainedbrain
Northanger Abbey | Jane Austen
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#PemberLittens

Ch 28: The General leaves for a while, and everything is bliss at Northanger. Catherine begins to think she may be overstaying, but Eleanor wants her to stay a lot longer. Henry has to go do his job again, but the girls are having a great time on their own… until the General arrives home in the middle of the night and informs Eleanor that Catherine is to be unceremoniously sent home first thing the next day for no good reason. Wtf!

64 likes7 comments