TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Well I thank ya. This was different!
Happy Sunday!
I woke at 530a couldn‘t get back to sleep so I posted 😫🤷🏻‍♀️ we‘ve got a ton of snow overnight so I‘ll be here with cocoa reading our February book ! See you next week! ♥️

AmyG Thank you-always! See you next Sunday! 20h

Karisa I was up early too but west coast time😊. Lots of sunshine here today. Thank you again for a great book chat! 💗 19h

mcctrish Thank you so much for a wonderful start to Sundays. Always. I‘m in Toronto to see my youngest ( he‘s at school here, studying photography, and there is an exhibit of his class‘ photo books - so much talent ❤️) it‘s been a great weekend on all the levels. I‘m looking forward to Josephine 19h

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BookwormAHN It's a rain out here. Thank you and stay warm. 19h

DebinHawaii Thanks for as usual, the great hosting. 🤗Last night was cool, stormy & rainy so it was a good night for a spooky story. 😱 16h

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii oooo good reading weather!!! 15h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish How wonderful enjoy! 15h

mcctrish Random info about Simone: a friend of my mom ( I babysat her boys 100 years ago) just msg‘d me ( she is in my fb reading group, we both just posted about SSJ books) her friend‘s son has a law clerk who‘s sister is Simone 🤯 real name is Simone Seguin 15h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 14h

CoffeeAndABook Thank you so much @TheBookHippie! I wasn‘t able to get into Litsy until right now - I so missed the main discussion but enjoyed the book and your super interesting posts and everyone‘s thoughts 😊👌🏼💫 13h

TheBookHippie @CoffeeAndABook No worries there are a few folks who post tonight, Monday, and Wednesday as that works for them. Sometimes discussions go all week. Feel free to comment or whatever you‘d like ♥️♥️ 13h

CoffeeAndABook @TheBookHippie 😊😅💛 12h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Overall thoughts?

I see she‘s writing hopefully a book and hopefully we‘ll get to read it next year for #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD she‘s reportedly set the book in the 1990s 👀 which was 10 years ago right? 🤣

Librarybelle I was riveted with this - not one of my favorites by her, but she definitely had the creepy factor going. 22h

IndoorDame Not my favorite of hers either, but enjoyable. Super creepy, and funnier than I tend to find her work. 21h

Sargar114 I did enjoy this! The creepy factor was high but knowing it was a short story I could push through. I wish it ended without the bit of her ending up with the detective. Takes away from the overall story. Ooooh the 90s though, I‘m in!!! 20h

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AmyG Ha! Yes, the ‘90s doesn‘t seem so long ago. Looking forward to her new book. 20h

Karisa Ginette was not my favorite but the novella kept me reading. 1990s will be fun for a ghost take setting. I‘m assuming there will be a ghost of some sort. She‘s been quite prolific. Will St. James be able to give up her love of detectives, awkward love scenes, and happily ever afters or is she stuck now with having to deliver those for always? 19h

vlwelser It was definitely 10 years ago. 19h

mcctrish I can‘t wait for the 90‘s, interesting to see how some of her tropes work out in modern times. I continue to have to take breaks when I read her, I really am a suspense lightweight 🤣 19h

BookwormAHN I just listened to Nirvana on the classic rock station. I can't believe the 90s were that long ago. 19h

DebinHawaii The 90s should be fun! I liked this but like @Sargar114 the ending was not my favorite. Still, overall, good & creepy! 😱 16h

TheBookHippie @Karisa Her troupe makes me laugh maybe that‘s for us to not be so freaked out 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️! 16h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish me too this is the only scary I read. 16h

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii it was a good creepy read! 16h

Hooked_on_books I had fun with this one! It felt a little lighter since it was a novella, but that worked. I look forward to her 90s book! 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

So thoughts ? Did she get inspired from this you think?

Librarybelle Haha…I mentioned this earlier before getting to this question! I saw definite Rear Window vibes. 22h

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle ME TOO. 22h

IndoorDame I‘m going to have to watch this now! 21h

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Sargar114 Totally got those vibes! Rear Window meets Ghost story 20h

AmyG Such a great movie!!!! 20h

mcctrish Totally 19h

Karisa Good excuse for a re-watch! 19h

vlwelser Watch it. It's one of my favorites. It's genius. And the apartment courtyard setting. Brilliant. 19h

BookwormAHN Jimmy Stewart is fantastic in it 🧡 19h

DebinHawaii Yes! Time for a rewatch! 👍 16h

CoffeeAndABook That‘s great!! A good movie I haven‘t seen yet - what a treat! 👏🏼 (edited) 13h

TheBookHippie @CoffeeAndABook OH ENJOY!!! It‘s creepy! 13h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

I wasn‘t maternal -part of what was wrong with me…
Ugh this trope AGAIN😫😵‍💫
So maddening…
But phew 29 she can still have kids and marry respectably🤮

Cannot believe how relevant this is.. 🤬

IndoorDame So ready to see a character for who not having/wanting kids is not in some way a plot point! 21h

Sargar114 A very St James Trope 20h

AmyG I just think that was a belief during that time period. For me, that it‘s even discussed is ridiculous. Our son and wife have one child, literally every one has asked when/if they are having another. They are not. When I explain why (medical reasons)….they all seem a bit embarrassed. Who cares whether someone has kids or has none?None of anyone‘s business and how many people do we all know who probably should never have had kids? Rant over (edited) 20h

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Karisa Yeah, it‘s yuck. Ginette is clearly a reflection of the norms of her times. It‘d be nice for St. James‘ heroines to say forget it and say what they really want instead. Ginette seems to really want her career in acting back, to be revered on the stage, fame, glory… 20h

Karisa @AmyG 👏👏👏 20h

mcctrish It‘s still such a thing. And working, parenting, living is so exhausting. The fact that women might make judgements blows my mind, I lose my shit at home often because of how many more thoughts I have to have to keep the ‘show‘ going than anyone else. Everyone needs to stay in their lane 19h

vlwelser And then she goes off to live with the detective. I mean whatever floats her boat but that seems a little wishy washy to me. Which is also a st James thing. 19h

BookwormAHN I don't think discussion is ever going away even though it really need to. 19h

DebinHawaii Yeah, unfortunately it doesn‘t ever seem to go away & as perpetually single & childless, it‘s damned annoying! 🤬 16h

TheBookHippie @AmyG SMDH people 🤦🏻‍♀️🤬 I get asked why my kids are so far apart in age I tell them we only had sex twice. 16h

AmyG @TheBookHippie Oh, people are idiots. I have fraternal twin girls who look completed different yet people would ask me if they were identical. 13h

TheBookHippie @AmyG 😫🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 13h

Hooked_on_books I definitely think it reflects the times and it certainly persists. I am childless by choice and very happy this way, but I definitely encounter people who don‘t like that. But if I ever turned their “why didn‘t you want kids” question around into “why DID you?”, they would be offended and furious. Yet it‘s the same question. 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Do you like reading novellas ? Short stories compiled in one big book?

Did you like the NOW THEN on chapters did it help the flow?

Was this novella scarier than her books for you?

Should this have been a book instead? More fleshed out?

Librarybelle I would have liked to see this a bit more fleshed out, but I‘m not the biggest short story/novella reader. I can understand her flashing from Then to Now, but it may have also worked as a linear telling, just allowing the full story to unfold. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 22h

IndoorDame I do think this should have been a book. Novellas are really difficult to do justice to, and I adore them when they‘re just right, but I don‘t think they‘re her best format. (The then/now thing worked for me though). 21h

Sargar114 I usually don‘t do short stories because I usually end up wanting more. But in scary story formats they work really well. I think the then/now works because it kind of disorients you just like Gin was, so it puts you in her mindset. I don‘t know if this would have worked as a novel. I could see Gin getting on my nerves in 200 more pages. It also could have done without the end where she gets a “happily ever after” wit no reason why 20h

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AmyG I am not a fan of novellas or short stories as I like a more developed story. (edited) 20h

Karisa I thought a linear story would‘ve worked better with this novella. A slower build up to madness might‘ve helped me connect and sympathize with Ginette. I can see @Sargar114 ‘s point though that the then/now does help us feel a little disoriented like G must feel though. Totally agree that not every story has to have a happy ending. Ginette being hauled off to jail for arson or to a hospital would‘ve made more sense… 20h

mcctrish I think @Sargar114 has a point with the back and forth adding to the disorientation. I do wish this had been a book and @Karisa ‘s linear timeline idea would have helped with connecting to G. My favourite kind of short story book is one like Olive Kitteridge where all the stories are connected and make a full story when they are done. This was a nice little mini book but I admit I was much more anxious about getting my reading done than usual 20h

vlwelser I think it's perfect just the way it is. I do like short stories. But I also read a lot of books at the same time. So, read a story, switch to a different book. 19h

BookwormAHN I'm not that fond of short stories or novellas but I'm not sure if anyone could handle a full novel with Ginette. 19h

DebinHawaii I like novellas & short stories, especially spooky ones & think it was fine the way it was. Too much time with Ginette unless she evolved would have been wearisome. I agree about the ending not needing to be “happy.”To me it was tacked on & the insta-romance didn‘t make a lot of sense. (edited) 16h

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii Too much Ginette would have had us in constant eye roll I think. @BookwormAHN 16h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish I was too I read it on a free afternoon and finished after supper I was so relieved 🤣🤣🤣👻🤷🏻‍♀️ 16h

Hooked_on_books For me this one worked as a novella. Just like with novels, I sometimes like novellas and sometimes don‘t. This one felt like the right length to me. (edited) 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Do the ghosts seem different than her usual ghosts? More menacing ?

Did you think of A Beautiful Mind?
Is she so off kilter it‘s truly just in her head?

TRIXIE.
Oy.
How awful.
Thoughts?

Should there be a trigger warning on this book since it was a child ?

Librarybelle Anytime you have someone looking into a window like the man in the coat did, I‘m going to freak out - one of my biggest fears, seeing someone looking at me through my window. 22h

IndoorDame @Librarybelle same! 22h

IndoorDame Admittedly I‘m not hugely into TWs, but I don‘t see how you put them on this kind of book without giving away the mystery??? 22h

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Sargar114 I agree @IndoorDame I think you would have lost some of the suspense and mystery with a TW. That being said, I audibly cried out at the reveal of Tricia as it was so sad. @Librarybelle that was terrifying!!! That was also the point I knew I would have to finish in one setting. 20h

Sargar114 @TheBookHippie this ghost definitely had much more of a visual presence then a lot of her previous ghosts, but I wonder if that‘s because of the short story nature. Maybe a longer move can be more of a drawn out character and less in your face. 20h

AmyG What @Sargar114 said. Instead of dragging out the ghost part….you needed to make a point and fast. That was very freaky. St. james also has a “thing” for her main character to be able to see? Intuit? Whatever the word….ghosts. 20h

Karisa I felt the ghost and evil house connections Book of Cold Cases with the angry spirits, evil house as a character, and face in the window. I need to check out Beautiful Mind. I‘m not as familiar with it. Trixie 😢 that was so sad! Weird that Ginette could sense so much about Trixie all in that moment but reading the alive neighbors was more difficult for her. 20h

mcctrish That man in the black coat was intense. I am a bit confused about the house and how it was controlling G. It didn‘t want her to leave ( Trixie wanted to be found) but not go in the kitchen? Is that the man in black wanting G to die so trixie not found ? 20h

vlwelser It's a ghost story. I feel like if you need a TW this kind of book is not for you. Is that my gen x coming out? 19h

Sargar114 @vlwelser I don‘t think your wrong and I‘m an “elder millennial”. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 19h

BookwormAHN @vlwelser also gen x and also agree. 19h

DebinHawaii I agree-ghost story = dead people so a trigger warning is probably not necessary. That being said-it was sad when Trixie was revealed as a ghost. 😢 @Librarybelle Yes! That is a HUGE fear for me too! 😱 16h

TheBookHippie @vlwelser I saw it on a review 👀 after I finished reading this week and now I can‘t find it back!! I‘m like um …. 16h

CoffeeAndABook @Librarybelle that moment in the story was truly terrifying 🥶 (edited) 13h

TheBookHippie @CoffeeAndABook I screamed 🤣😫😵‍💫 13h

CoffeeAndABook @TheBookHippie yes! I was screaming into my hand! I cannot imagine how I would react if it actually happened to me 😱 12h

Hooked_on_books I don‘t think this was necessarily different from her other ghosts. I remember the girl in the barn being a pretty aggressive ghost as well, though I don‘t offhand remember the title of that book. 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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The grocery delivery boy 👀
Thoughts ??????

Aspic- please NO
ANYONE?

https://www.bhg.com/tomato-aspic-6826457

Mayonnaise casserole? https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/89670/crunchy-chicken-casserole-with-mayo/

Librarybelle I thought Andrew was a good character in that St James needed someone who could be the “on the spot” investigator for Ginette. Definitely not trying anything with aspic anytime soon! 22h

IndoorDame I‘m glad she made a friend (and that she didn‘t starve to death) but she really needs friends her own age 22h

Sargar114 @Librarybelle agreed, it was a good way to get more information than just what was around the house. It was a little weird, but also added to her “persona” around the rumors going on about her in the neighborhood. 21h

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AmyG I liked Andrew. He seemed to have liked the attention of Ginette and I believe she was desperate for human contact. Aspic? 🤢 (edited) 20h

Karisa Um, no thank you with those recipes 😂. I wonder what popular food trends we have today will make people of the future gag? 😂 Andrew was sweet and Ginette did need some connection to the outside world to redeem her a bit, but have to agree with @IndoorDame maybe a grown up would be better? 20h

mcctrish I remember my mom making jello salads when I was growing up, the oft repeated one was orange jello with grated carrots and tinned mandarin oranges in it. It was palate cleansing and refreshing with heavy holiday meals. There was a green one too ( lime but not clear like the orange one) can‘t remember what was in it. I remember aspic once or twice, I liked the tomato of it ( tasted like V8) but beyond that I don‘t remember. 20h

vlwelser This is very Rear Window. You need an extra character to go snooping in the bushes and nearly get caught. 20h

vlwelser I'm also perfectly happy to have never been forced into this jello "salad" nonsense. 20h

BookwormAHN Jello salad 🤢 I liked Andrew but I did wonder if he had a school boy crush on Ginette. 19h

DebinHawaii @mcctrish Oh yes, the orange yellow with the grated carrots & canned mandarin oranges was popular at my house as well! Our line Jello offering was canned pears—sometimes chopped or sometimes the halved ones. 🤣 I have so many retro cookbooks & the aspic & Jello game is strong in all of them. 17h

DebinHawaii And I liked Andrew & thought he was a good plot device. 😉 17h

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 🤣🤣🤣🤣 it was so awful. 15h

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii It‘s in Julia Child as well! 15h

TheBookHippie @Karisa I was thinking that too! What will people think is gross! ? 15h

mcctrish @Karisa this just popped up on my fb feed and I thought of your comment about current food trends https://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/snickers-caramel-apple-cheesecake-salad-re... I‘m a hard pass on this 🤣 13h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish oh yah I don‘t like that!!! It‘s popular here 😵‍💫 also butter boards 😝 no just no.. 13h

Karisa @mcctrish 😂 13h

mcctrish When does a salad just become some whole other thing? Well all of these things 🤣🤣🤣 I can‘t even wrap my brain around a butter board, why are we smearing things on a board to smear on something else ?! But totally a food trend for future people to scoff at 13h

IndoorDame @mcctrish I was wondering the same thing! Is there some definition of a salad that I‘m totally unaware of? 12h

mcctrish @IndoorDame seriously how are these ‘salads‘ ?! 12h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish @IndoorDame you guys know the one with pistachio pudding Colored mini marshmallows and pineapple chunks ? 😵‍💫 @AmyG ? https://www.food.com/recipe/pistachio-pudding-pineapple-fluff-dessert-salad-6913... (edited) 12h

mcctrish That one is FRIGHTENING the only thing I can handle marshmallows in is Rice Krispie squares 12h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish 💯💯💯 12h

Hooked_on_books Some of the food trends back in the day were…not good. But, there are bad ones now, too, for sure. I thought the delivery boy was interesting. I liked how he was kind of intrigued with her and also kind of humoring her. 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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So this is the second time in a book there‘s been what seems to be a homophonic remark…
“He was the best looking man I‘ve ever seen even if there were rumors, he liked other men maybe he did but he sure as hell knew how to do a romantic scene with a woman, and he always smelled of manly peppermint….” Did this strike you that way as well?

Librarybelle I honestly did not take it that way, but I‘ll have to think about it a bit! I thought about some of the leading actors who had to hide their sexuality, such as Rock Hudson…I thought more along those lines. 22h

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle Was it necessary for the story or plot line? How it‘s worded as well. Tiny slights written over and over become acceptable. At least he could act and at least he smelled manly … micro aggression. The EVEN IF.. (edited) 22h

IndoorDame I definitely took it that way! 22h

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Sargar114 @TheBookHippie that has always been a small problem with St James. Her period pieces always to have a line or two with this problematic language. I will say it does add for character development for Ginette, and maybe part of her “madness” was that she didn‘t care about sexual orientation when so many people did at the time. 21h

AmyG I thought the same thing @Librarybelle….very Rock Hudson. I think she put it in to give the reader an idea of the time period and how people thought. 20h

mcctrish I think it was more reflective of the time period and setting the stage, I, too, thought of Rock Hudson. RH was performing for the masses off set, Ginette was too. The problem was while RH had rumours to deal with, he was still a man and could control the narration more than Ginette. Nice bit of comparison between the ‘crimes‘ of homosexuality vs spinsterhood/female independence 20h

Karisa @AmyG Yeah, that‘s the way I read it too—part of that time period especially with public figures like actors. It‘s like St.James‘ way of acknowledging that the 1950s were repressive. But to what purpose really? Many ways to show the distance in time between now and the 1950s without othering characters not really in the book. Maybe it would help if the gay characters mentioned were actually more fleshed out and acceptance was modeled? 20h

AmyG @Karisa I wonder if she just doesn‘t “throw it in” as her way of setting a tone during that time. Not sure what it added to the story here. 20h

vlwelser I listened to the audiobook and this didn't stick out as offensive. But it seems unnecessary. Except to maybe show this character as being unusual for the time period. 20h

BookwormAHN I took it as being a bit more bitchy than homophobic but I also had some Rock Hudson vibes with it. 19h

DebinHawaii I read it & immediately thought of Rock Hudson. I didn‘t take it as homophobic but more a sign of the era. But I agree, not necessary for the story. 17h

Hooked_on_books I‘m just trying to figure out what makes peppermint manly. 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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Neighbor watching 🤣
How many of us do this?

Librarybelle It kind of put me to mind of Rear Window, and as Ginette becomes convinced of the MIL‘s murder 22h

IndoorDame I like people watching, so when I‘ve lived places where you have a view of the neighborhood I have. 22h

Sargar114 Love people watching!!! I feel like it‘s very human, especially considering how two strangers came in and joined her. @librarybelle I did too! Rear Window meets ghost story. 21h

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AmyG @Librarybelle I thought the same….Rear Window. For those who haven‘t seen it….great movie. I love people watching, too. And eavesdropping. 😂 20h

Karisa Definitely Rear Window connections! How did the neighbors not see her though?! 🧐 20h

mcctrish Definitely Rear Window vibes and I loved how she gave them names and didn‘t want to know their real ones ( I was afraid at one point they were all illusions - I projected a higher crazy on Ginette than just being unmarried and sensitive ) 20h

vlwelser Rear Window with ghosts is how I described this. We may have all gone a bit crazy during the pandemic and done some of this in my neighborhood. I try to stay out of the neighbor feuds, but it was amusing as a bystander. 20h

Sargar114 @mcctrish I liked that touch too, but also her finding out their names also helps break her of her own reality so probably a good thing. But of course she gets the only name right for the one person who isn‘t actually there. Nice touch! 19h

BookwormAHN I love Rear Window. That movie is so good. It definitely gave off those vibes. Also quite guilty of neighbor watching. And there have been quite a few deaths on my small street. Counting the house at the end of my street there are nine homes and in the past two years four people have died. 19h

mcctrish @Sargar114 that was quite the moment *shivers 19h

DebinHawaii @BookwormAHN Yikes! That seems like a lot. 😱 I like people watching in general & making up stories for them in my head so I would have been all about it if I were her & stuck with little to do. And yes, definite Rear Window vibes! 17h

Hooked_on_books I‘ve never been a neighbor watcher, but I gather from some of the places I‘ve lived that a lot of people are. It does often make for a good storyline. 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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There‘s been a lot of memes lately about women going to the seashore to rest like the old days..think we all need rest?

Ginette-Exhaustion
Rest needed
She was allowed books …

Agoraphobia -Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a type of anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia involves fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless or embarrassed.

TheBookHippie 📸 https://readdrizzle.blog/2021/06/10/the-yellow-wallpaper-a-therapists-reconsider... 24h

Librarybelle Thanks for sharing the article! 22h

IndoorDame Great article! I haven‘t read The Yellow Wallpaper for 25 years, so I appreciate this. 22h

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TheBookHippie @IndoorDame I feel I need a new copy and a reread. 22h

IndoorDame @TheBookHippie same 22h

mcctrish As much as I‘d like to make a joke about needing a rest at the seashore for myself ( especially in January/February) having everything taken away and put in isolation would never work, did it ever ? 21h

Sargar114 That looks like an interesting read, never heard of that story. The misogyny during her initial hospital stay and when the doctor came. Really makes it hard to think they had her best interest at heart. 21h

AmyG Sadly, it was the time period….how women were treated. I kept thinking if it was today and Ginette had a proper Dr or therapist, she would have led a different life. She certainly had alot of talking to do about her mother. Jeez. What a disappointment Ginette was….an unmarried woman. 😳😡 (edited) 20h

Karisa Better than the insane asylum! Felt like we were all on a “rest” there for awhile with Covid. I was just fine (of course with my Kindle, Netflix, laptop… )😂 Ginette mostly just had the old radio and back window neighbors 20h

vlwelser The Yellow Wallpaper is amazing and you should definitely reread it. 20h

BookwormAHN I need to add The Yellow Wallpaper to my tbr. I've been meaning to read it for years. I always love to hear men's opinions on what women need, especially those with a medical degree 🤦🏼‍♀️ 19h

DebinHawaii The Yellow Wallpaper is good-classic. I read it a few years ago after hearing so much about it-it was a #blameitonLitsy read. But yes, this “cure” was used so often by men on women back in those days. 😡 17h

Hooked_on_books I think we need a rest from patriarchy. I know I do. 5h

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TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

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Our leading man…
Detective Ian Challis ?
It‘s always a detective -yes?
It‘s a theme.
I wonder why 👀🤷🏻‍♀️
Thoughts?
Also she just lives with him now? 👀🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

Librarybelle I guess this is why short stories are not my favorites….too many loose ends and trying to figure out what happens next. I just knew that Ginette and Challis would become attached in some way 22h

IndoorDame Yes, her moving in with Ian was both predictable and confusing. What happens when her real life intrudes? 22h

mcctrish It is always a detective. @Librarybelle I felt like this could have been more than a novella 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was getting Blanche Dubois vibes with Ginette and Ian 21h

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Sargar114 This was a bit of an eye roll for me, but also kinda typical St James 🤷🏼‍♀️ 21h

AmyG @mcctrish Ha, yes. I am not surprised with those two. After reading all her books I expect a love interest! I also felt this book could have been somuch more. I am not a huge novella fan. I like a “meatier” story. 20h

Karisa @AmyG @Librarybelle I‘m not usually one for novellas or short stories either. However, I‘m not sure I could‘ve taken a whole book of Ginette. She‘s too much self absorption for me 😂 20h

vlwelser I mean obviously he should just take her home with him, right? That did seem a little foolish. 20h

BookwormAHN @Karisa I don't think I could have taken a whole book of her either. The ending was predictable but cute. 19h

Sargar114 @Karisa, @BookwormAHN that‘s how I felt as well, I think I would have liked it less as a novel as she may have been too much 19h

DebinHawaii It made me laugh a little. I mean they meet up 3 times & she is pretty emotionally/mentally/physically “wrecked” in all of them & he is attracted? And takes her home? Yeah, that‘s gonna work out… probably good it was a short story/novella! 🤣🤣🤣 (edited) 17h

TheBookHippie @mcctrish BLANCHE!!! 16h

Hooked_on_books Simone definitely has a detective fetish. It‘s fun to see her work it out on the page. 5h

6 likes12 comments

TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Well that‘s a way to start a story!!👀

Ginette Cox
How did you like our main girl?

Librarybelle In some ways, I feel like we never got to know the true Ginette…she‘s couched so much in what other people think. But, she has an independence about her, and a little brokenness, that mirrors what we have seen in other MC‘s by St James. 22h

IndoorDame She was fascinating. It was like she was still acting even when she was alone in that house. 22h

mcctrish I have to agree with @Librarybelle and @IndoorDame we don‘t really know her, she doesn‘t really know herself and all the world‘s a stage ( to survive I‘m sure ) 21h

See All 14 Comments

Sargar114 @Librarybelle I agree that she felt very much like our typical female leads from St James: unconventional and a little broken. I did like her, getting a bit of her backstory was nice but she was a big character and I can see how she would work better in a short story versus a fully fleshed out novel. 21h

Sargar114 She was an unreliable narrator which added to the suspense of the story. What is true and really happening and what isn‘t? 21h

ETALTON This sexual tension that she had with the detective was odd to me. We know so little about her that it felt like a main part of her personality. It didn‘t fit with the starving, terrified person that never left the couch. 20h

AmyG I wanted more from this story. What you all said about Ginette was spot on. I liked her and I actually felt bad for her. I also found it believeable about her flirting as I came to believe that, while she was a mess, she also defined herself by her sexiness or attractiveness. 20h

Karisa @IndoorDame Yes! I didn‘t realize while reading it, but you are so right. On a stage in her own mind the whole story. I could not quite warm up to her as much as other leading ladies by this author. Interesting for sure though! 20h

Karisa @ETALTON Yeah, I agree. She was clearly in distress and worried for her survival (whether real or not). Probably not the time to be flirting… 😬😂 20h

vlwelser She's a trip. But I also got the impression that it was all an act. Like she's performing. 20h

BookwormAHN @mcctrish I think that was spot on. And I didn't know if she knew how to stop acting. 19h

DebinHawaii @BookwormAHN Such a great point—I agree she doesn‘t know how or when to stop acting. I think given the length of the story, it is hard to truly “know” her but I found her interesting & like others have said, she seems like a St. James lead. 17h

TheBookHippie @ETALTON RIGHT?! So weird! 11h

Hooked_on_books Aaaahhhh, I forgot this was today! So, I‘m late to the party. I thought she was an interesting character. I was definitely curious about her. 5h

8 likes14 comments

TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/aspics-jello-salad

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD See ya tomorrow!! SHHHHHHH....

AmyG Omg….my childhood. 🤣🤣🤣 1d

TheBookHippie @AmyG LMAOROF 💯 💯 💯 💯 💯 1d

kspenmoll When I was growing up, my great aunt used to bring a jello salad every Sunday to dinner. When she added peanuts, then marbles, it was a BIG clue that she was losing her marbles! 1d

See All 17 Comments

vlwelser I 💙 you all but no. 1d

Tamra 😜 1d

IndoorDame So disturbed right now. Not sure if this is a part of the culture I missed growing up in a city or growing up kosher, but I actually didn‘t even know people put things into jello molds and called it salad 1d

TheBookHippie @kspenmoll OH MY WORD!! 1d

TheBookHippie @vlwelser Apparently @AmyG @kspenmoll and I all had the same aunt or family member who served this to us......... @indoordame I think both Amy and I were East Coast and cities as kids. Lucky you to be spared!! LOLOLOL. Maybe the kosher saved you! HA. 1d

vlwelser I still will never understand why that's called salad. 1d

TheBookHippie @vlwelser SERIOUSLY ME EITHER. 1d

SomedayAlmost Is my grandmother visiting you again? 1d

TheBookHippie @SomedayAlmost LOL!!!!! 1d

GingerAntics Are those radishes in that picture?! 1d

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics Why yes. Yes there are. 1d

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie EEEEEEEEEW!!! That is beyond gross!!! 1d

IndoorDame @TheBookHippie HA. I guess the kosher must have saved me since I was on the east coast too. Nice to know it was actually good for something 😂 1d

AmyG Kosher did NOT save me @TheBookHippie. I think I was lucky that my Mom and Grandma only put fruit in their molds….canned fruit. So it was actually not so bad. But then there was my mother-in-law….😬 It was just their generation. This was a huge thing. (edited) 20h

56 likes17 comments

TheBookHippie

Dearest Josephine | Caroline George

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD FEBRUARY ♥️📕

Everyone welcome. Follow the posted schedule above. I post questions for discussion related to this chapters listed when I wake up on a Sundays 👀♥️📕.

CoffeeAndABook Looking forward to that book!! Started reading Ghost 19 today. So creepy 🫣 3d

AmyG I just love the cover of this book. All marked up and ready to go! 2d

TheBookHippie @AmyG me too!!! 2d

TheBookHippie @CoffeeAndABook ♥️ 2d

40 likes4 comments

TheBookHippie

Voices from Auschwitz: Alice Lok Cahana and Others ; Program Producer, Joan Ringelheim | Alice Lok Cahana, Joan Ringelheim, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/all-the-holocaust-memorial-days-explain...

…. AND it didn't start with gas chambers. It started with politicians dividing the people with 'Us vs. THEM”, intolerance, hate speech, and when people stopped caring, became desensitized, and turned a blind eye, it became a slippery slope to genocide.

TheBookHippie 78 years ago today, Russian Red Army entered the Auschwitz barbed-wire and discovered 7,000 men, women, and children, and evidence of the lives of another million people who had been brought there from Poland and Europe. 3d

IndoorDame z"l 3d

vlwelser 😔 3d

SamAnne 💔 3d

UwannaPublishme 😔 2d

55 likes5 comments

TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD SEE YOU SUNDAY 👀👻🤐🤫

Hooked_on_books I read it and I‘m ready! 3d

BookwormAHN I just finished it, so I'll be there 😺 3d

50 likes2 comments

TheBookHippie

The New Life | Tom Crewe

Can‘t remember whose fault this is …👀

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣love the box though! New book mail ..

vlwelser Oh. And you picked the same January book I did. I have it on my plan for reading in February. 4d

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 🤣 was it you who posted about it?!?! 👀 4d

vlwelser I wasn't the only one. But yes. It was probably me. 4d

See All 8 Comments

vlwelser You needed another book subscription. 4d

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤷🏻‍♀️📕📕📕📕📕 I‘ve skipped so many BOTM months ! I am trying to use my credits -then I‘m done. 4d

vlwelser At least with Aardvark you can quit fairly easily it seems. That other thing is like a vampire or a fungus or something. 4d

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 💯💯 4d

lele1432 Ha! I just got my first box last week! I also have BOTM but since Literati stopped their book club I am justifying joining Aardvark lol 4d

75 likes8 comments

TheBookHippie

The Journals of Sylvia Plath | Sylvia Plath

💙

CBee Sylvia ♥️ I sure wish I could shut off my inner nag 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ 4d

TheBookHippie @CBee Word. 4d

Carla I needed this. 3d

TheBookHippie @Carla ♥️ 3d

53 likes4 comments

TheBookHippie

BookMarks: Reading in Black and White : a Memoir | Karla F. C. Holloway

@hannah-leeloo my bookmark collection

hannah-leeloo Oh wow!! That is a fantastic collection 😍 I just got a new holder for my bookmarks which means I can get more yay! Hehe thank you so much for sharing 4d

TheBookHippie Sometime I‘ll lay them all out 👀 sorry so blurry apparently I have to clean my lense! @hannah-leeloo (edited) 4d

hannah-leeloo It's fine. I just posted my new holder. I love your mugs too ❤️ 4d

Meshell1313 Wow wow wow!!! 😍😍😍 4d

63 likes4 comments

TheBookHippie

My Cat Yugoslavia: A Novel | Pajtim Statovci

https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/books-about-cats/

Cats books in memory of @sharread who adored cats.

#sharreadathon

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks And rabbits 🐇 ❤️ 3d

TheBookHippie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks yes I‘m going to post that too! 3d

46 likes2 comments

TheBookHippie

Victory City | Salman Rushdie

Victory City: A Novel https://a.co/d/4UlP9pb ✊🏼

This is #AuthorAMonth AUGUST

Soubhiville

Meshell1313 YES 👏🏻 4d

52 likes1 comment

TheBookHippie

A Bundle of Valentines! | Kate Hoffmann

#valentinecardswap cards went out 💌💌💌

Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks Yay! 💕✉️ 4d

46 likes1 comment

TheBookHippie

Yiddish: Biography of a Language | Jeffrey Shandler

Farshtunkener = Smelly, malodorous person

This insult can apply literally and figuratively.
Someone can have a stinky attitude or a stinky body
-or both! That makes this affront both versatile and really fun to say. So the next time a noxious man stands too close, you can threateningly mumble "farshtunkener" under your breath, and he should be moving shortly. ?‍?? #weirdwords

CBee

CBee I am SO using this sometime 😂😂😂 4d

Leftcoastzen That‘s one I didn‘t know ! 😂 4d

dabbe Love it! 4d

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics 😂🤣😂 4d

julesG Yiddish has the best words. 4d

SamAnne Oh, this one is a keeper! 😂😂 4d

64 likes6 comments

TheBookHippie

The Essential Oscar Wilde | Oscar Wilde

Lynnsoprano I‘m stealing this for my master gardener group! ❤️❤️ 5d

EclecticBookLover That's such a lovely quote! 5d

IndoorDame ❤️💐🌾🌻❤️ 5d

See All 6 Comments

AllDebooks I LOVE this x 5d

TheBookHippie @Lynnsoprano It has been with me since I was 17, a long long long time ago. It is wonderful and what a wonderful way to use it! 5d

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks It is a good lesson from nature. 💜 5d

60 likes6 comments

TheBookHippie

Frida by Frida: Selection of Letters and Texts | Frida Kahlo

#sharreadathon
Reading all things Frida
I was remembering @sharread during our winter readathon she so loved doing those and she would have loved how we did it this year!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 5d

60 likes2 stack adds1 comment

TheBookHippie

Myopic Books | Chicago, IL (Bookstore)

#20KGiveaway @BennettBookworm my favorite bookstore Myopic Chicago Wicker Park 🏙️💙🌃

Congrats to you on your 20 K !!!

quietjenn Ah, I ♥️ Myopic. 5d

Hooked_on_books That‘s a great name for a bookstore! 5d

TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books It‘s an amazing place! And I agree! 5d

BennettBookworm Thanks for sharing! I used to live in Chicago so I‘m especially a fan! 3d

64 likes4 comments

TheBookHippie

Teachers: There is No Such Thing as As a Hot Coffee & Other Teacher Truths | Bored Teachers

Rescued poetry do any Litsy poetry lovers or teachers want ? I‘ll happily book mail them to you at my cost as we are keeping them from the dumpster… just keep in mind mail is SLOWWWW from me but it does eventually arrive 👀🤣🤷🏻‍♀️ christinethebookhippie@gmail.com

#poetry

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheSpineView 5d

53 likes1 comment

TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

Plans this afternoon 🖤 #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

🤫🤐See you Sunday to discuss the whole novella!

Everyone welcome!

vlwelser 🖤 6d

49 likes1 comment

TheBookHippie

I Am Madame X: A Novel | Gioia Diliberto

📘 I Am Madame X: A Novel & Malcolm X
✍🏼Malcolm X
🎥Xanadu
🎤sir miX a lot
🎵Xanadu by Olivia Newton John featuring Electric Light Orchestra

What do I win ???!!! X 👀🤣👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

#manicmonday #letterx

CBee

CBee I like what you did with “sir miX a lot” 😂😂 7d

41 likes1 comment

TheBookHippie

Dearest Josephine | Caroline George

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD FEBRUARY ♥️

Everyone WELCOME

52 likes1 stack add

TheBookHippie

Ghost 19 | Simone St. James

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD NEXT WEEK 👻

AmyG Yes NEXT week. 🤪 1w

vlwelser I've been struggling not to listen to this. I need to wait so it's fresh. 1w

TheBookHippie @vlwelser I hid my kindle 👀🤣😅 I didn‘t want to read it until this week! 1w

See All 8 Comments

TheBookHippie @AmyG 👀👻😅 1w

vlwelser I downloaded it on my phone as an audiobook. On my phone!!! Torture. 1w

TheBookHippie @vlwelser OY. 1w

mcctrish This book is stressing me out 🤦🏻‍♀️ I only have my phone because my iPad died early last year and I have hemmed and hawed about replacing it because I don‘t really do ebooks anymore, I‘d rather do audio. But we also haven‘t really travelled in what feels like 100 years so I haven‘t needed a way to take 20 books with me on vacation ( just in case 🤣) 1w

DebinHawaii Looking forward to starting this! 😱🤗 1w

54 likes1 stack add8 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Her other book I am planning for January 2024 yes I know that sounds absurd. BUT I have plenty to read until then…🤣👀

As always thank you so much for SUNDAYS!!!
Next week SIMONE !!!!

vlwelser I love that you're already picking books for 2024. And now I know not to read this in the meantime. 💙 1w

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 👀🤣😘 I always look for good discussion or what I think could be without reading too much about the book 😅😵‍💫 sometimes that backfires as we well know 😫 thankfully we have fun no matter what. 1w

vlwelser Sometimes the bad ones are almost more fun discussion wise. But obviously I prefer to actually read good books. It all works out. 1w

See All 13 Comments

mcctrish Oh thank you for saying that! I was totally going to find this and read it ❤️❤️ 1w

TheBookHippie @mcctrish ♥️♥️♥️ trying to make ya all wait 🤣♥️ 1w

TheBookHippie @vlwelser BAD ones are memorable that‘s for sure. 😝 we had one that was so bad with so many people sleeping with so many people I had to make a literal charts and diagrams and post them to our discussions so we all knew what we were doing. @Andrew65 and I still bring it up it was 😵‍💫 and found out later accurate 👀.

Circling the Sun: A Novel

(edited) 1w

vlwelser Oh. I read that. It's novelized fact. Ish. I'm glad you all had fun with it. 1w

DebinHawaii I have had this one on my Kindle for ages & didn‘t realize until I read the author notes that it was by her. Now, I‘ll wait even longer to read it so I can do it with the group! 🤣🤣🤣 1w

TheBookHippie @vlwelser I‘ve read the actual books by her. Fascinating !!! So I went into it with tooo much knowledge as it was 👀😅 1w

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii 😝😅🤣🤣🤣OY 1w

Catsandbooks Looking forward to it!! 1w

CoffeeAndABook Already looking forward to reading that next year 🙌🏼😃🎨🧑🏻‍🎨 1w

mollyrotondo Excellent!!! 1w

58 likes13 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Filomena forces her hand and get the girls to school together Nicole and Teresa. To protect them. I COULDNOT believe what I was reading from Aime…….ugh STILL a man for happiness?! REALLY?! UGH.

Aime and Filomena off to see Strollo
Trade the book for their lives
They hope.
This part made me 🤮so not a fan of Aime … you?

AmyG Amie and Lucy were my least favorites. 1w

Sargar114 Amie was my least favorite. She continuously doing things that I hated. That scene with the wiretap was the only redeeming factor for her. 1w

vlwelser @AmyG 💯 1w

See All 13 Comments

vlwelser It felt like Aimee was just there to call in her favor. I love that Filomena sticks up for Nicole consistently. Not sure that would have worked on Lucy. 1w

mcctrish I was so frustrated with Aimee ( again) with this school issue! Thank goodness Filomena got her in line 1w

Bklover @TheBookHippie Hey, I have fallen behind, but am still reading this. My neighbor offered to help me paint my kitchen and living room, so we have been working on that constantly. I‘m really enjoying this book, but will probably stop following the discussion. ❤️❤️❤️ 1w

TheBookHippie @Bklover oh painting help -how wonderful !!!! No worries a few are behind and still posting a week late so do whatever works for you♥️!!! I‘m so glad you‘re enjoying it. 1w

DebinHawaii Aimee‘s response to sending Nicole to school (& the affair of course) really annoyed me. Like @AmyG she & Lucy we‘re my least favorites. (edited) 1w

Catsandbooks I'm glad Filomena pushed Aime into letting Nicole go to school. Aime was my least favorite character as well. 1w

Karisa Yeah, Aime dipped lower here for sure. Then seeming jealous of your own daughter‘s success! Really? That part made me pause. There must be people out there like that, but I don‘t know of anyone who‘d wish for less for their kids 🤷🏻‍♀️ (edited) 1w

TheBookHippie @Karisa my mother 👀😝. One of my daughters friends mom too😫so ridiculous 🤦🏻‍♀️. 1w

Karisa @TheBookHippie 😲 😢 🤬inexcusable! I‘m so sorry 1w

TheBookHippie @Karisa It is. I made the mistake of being born female. 🤣 1w

4 likes13 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/488978

Pollock

Petrina seeing Richard after selling her Polluck!!

AmyG I knew she would get back at him. This was awesome. 1w

Sargar114 Richard was such a tool. Cue eyeroll 1w

vlwelser One last little dig. Perfect. 1w

See All 7 Comments

mcctrish Yes!!! Richard was a pill! Enjoy your choices 😆 1w

DebinHawaii Yep, she was well rid of him. Asshat! I was glad she ended up with someone who appreciated & supported her. 1w

Catsandbooks This was a great scene. Really show Richard how much he messed up 1w

Karisa Loved that Petrina had her happy outcome over Richard moment! The Pollock was the only part that had me hesitating of Petrina‘s judgement/taste in art though 😅 I‘ve always thought of his work as a sort of “emperor‘s new clothing” effect 😂 1w

5 likes7 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Final thoughts ?????

AmyG I really enjoyed this book, the story, the women, the mafia (ha). It always a good sign when I fly through the sections. 1w

Sargar114 I really enjoyed this one as well! It would be so fun to see this adapted for tv. What a unique perspective on a mafia story! 1w

Sargar114 Also that top middle pic could be a good cover as well! 1w

See All 15 Comments

vlwelser So glad you found this. I hadn't heard of it. I don't know if it's a complete lack of expectations but I seem to enjoy your hidden gems the best. 1w

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 ♥️📸 seriously who picked that cover 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1w

TheBookHippie @vlwelser SAME. 😅🖤 However I love reading about this era of the Mafia it fascinates me👀. 1w

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 I agree it would make a great series! 1w

mcctrish @vlwelser the hidden gems are the BEST!!! Sometimes the dialogue between characters got me, it was basic but not always - inconsistently which just made it stand out more I guess. It feels like ages ago when everything was mob related so this was fun to read and remember all those movies and characters. I will bring up Ray Liotta again ❤️❤️🤣🤣 1w

LaraReads Overall really enjoyed the book. And especially enjoyed the discussions. Some of the events in the book were predictable and strangely convenient. But for the most part I liked being a part of this fun & fascinating family. And seeing how powerful these women could be! 1w

Deblovestoread It is always a good sign when I am anxious to read the next section. The mafia, Bonnie and Clyde all of this time has fascinated me as well. 1w

DebinHawaii Another great hidden gem pick! I really enjoyed it. I thought the final section seemed rushed but otherwise it was a very good read & of course, there‘s the always impeccable hosting by @TheBookHippie & the BEST discussions with the group. I have never been a huge mafia book/movie person but it is pretty fascinating & it got me to rewatch The Godfather 1 &2 & even start The GF 3 (although I am being slow with that one). 1w

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii 😘 1w

Catsandbooks Excellent pick!! I enjoyed this one and agree that it would make a great show or movie! 1w

Karisa Fun read! Once again a book that would have never been a blip on my radar that I thoroughly enjoyed thanks to #SundayBuddyRead and @thebookhippie. 👏👏👏@Sargar114 @Catsandbooks I‘d watch this as a show for sure! 1w

TheBookHippie @Karisa ♥️♥️♥️♥️ this one was fun! 1w

4 likes15 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Which was your favorite godmother ??

AmyG Filomena for sure. They were very lucky she married Mario. She was very smart and savvy. 1w

vlwelser I'm going to be the odd one out and pick Petrina. She has all these setbacks and manages to consistently sort herself out. And doesn't act bitter about it. She also fights for what she really wants and doesn't seem to worry about the little stuff. Also trendsetter. 1w

vlwelser I could easily pick any of them and make a case for it tbh. 1w

See All 10 Comments

Sargar114 @AmyG I agree, Filomena for sure. 2nd for me is Petrina. 1w

AmyG @Sargar114 Yes, second Petrina. Agreed. 1w

mcctrish I started off loving Lucy and I guess I still do, no one was taking advantage of her again so if that made her abrasive, best make better choices, Filomena rocked it though. I do agree with @vlwelser Petrina did always sort herself out ( I loved the scene when she asked her brothers if they remember the summer of Mario and her response to their memories- men are dumb) 1w

Deblovestoread Filomena and Lucy but I‘m glad Petrine got it together and proved herself. 1w

DebinHawaii Filomena then Petrina. Aimee lost it for me with the betrayal & I was annoyed with how Lucy reacted about the baby & how she treated Nicole, however I was okay with both of them at the end. 1w

Catsandbooks I also started out loving Lucy but Filomena quickly took over. She was my favorite followed closely by Petrina. Petrina stood up for herself and didn't take crap from the boys. Lucy ended up OK but Aime 🤮 1w

Karisa Is that Lucille Ball for Lucy? 😊 Filomena and Petrina tie for me as a well. Strong and smart for the win! 1w

5 likes10 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Nicole. Epilogue. 2019.
THE GOLD COINS!!!
Filomena ended up being the last to go…..
Thoughts on how they turned legit?

ALSO corruption everywhere as Filomena said. Mafia is way different now.
Thoughts?

📸another cover option …

AmyG They turned legit because she passed on her book…was it to Strollo? 1w

vlwelser I like this cover best. They should put you in charge of the design department. 1w

Sargar114 @AmyG I believe so. Cause Aimee called in her favor from tipping him off on the wire tap. @vlwelser I agree on this cover. Filomena was the youngest I think so it makes sense…but she‘s also a survivor 1w

See All 12 Comments

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 📸♥️ 1w

TheBookHippie @AmyG Such a strange way to get out! Probs the handing over of power. 1w

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 📸♥️ why wouldn‘t it be four women ?! 1w

mcctrish Did they put one woman in the cover because there was one left standing at the end? But it was the story of the 4 of them so I‘d rather it was a photo of 4. This is a great pic 1w

AmyG I thought the cover was awful. I am guessing the designer didn‘t read the book. 1w

Deblovestoread I agree! That cover did not do the book justice. 1w

DebinHawaii It‘s a pet peeve of mine when covers have nothing to do with the book or get something “wrong”-like one woman instead of four or have the character looking completely different from the way they are described! 🤬 1w

DebinHawaii On the turning legit part, I thought it was maybe a little too easy but they did have that Strollo favor/connection by Aimee I guess. I think it was fitting that Filomena was the last of them. 1w

Karisa The gold coins reminded me of Russian Doll. . . Only trusting in the most real/tangible items for wealth. When you‘ve been through as much as that generation did, who can blame them?! 😂 1w

5 likes12 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

show me

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Lucy and Chris….awe
Truth brought them close
Chris the navy??
He was the cook and then becomes a professional cook!
Then

Chris right into the wolves den!  OY
Lucy driving ! HA.
Then he ‘sees‘ the light. 👀😅

https://www.nationalcrimesyndicate.com/apalachin-meeting/

Do you like the real mob added in this story ?

AmyG I liked that they were placed in historical stories about the mob. This part was one hell of a story. 1w

Sargar114 I loved their relationship 💙. Of course Chris gets sense knocked into him by a boss, boys 🤷🏼‍♀️. I loved how they intertwined real mafia members, it added so much flavor to the story. 1w

vlwelser I sort of loved this. Lucy can be pretty fierce. I kept wishing Chris would get his act together. And also using real stories as the backdrop made this more believable. Even though reality was also hard to believe. 1w

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mcctrish I was getting a bit frustrated with Chris 🤣 like he found his path and then wanted some excitement 😳 but this big dinner would make for a fantastic scene in a show, the chaos of the kitchen getting ready and the chaos outside as police showed up and all the mobsters ran into the woods! I did love the real life mob stories intertwining in this book. 1w

Deblovestoread I was afraid Chris would never get it together and always be the one to worry about. The double whammy of a biological father who abandoned him then terrorized him and trying to find his place in the family he feels a bit outside of with this information…. 1w

DebinHawaii I had been annoyed with Lucy & this scene made me like her more again. And finally with Chris—I wondered what it would take for him to get some sense. I liked the real mobsters & historical figures being intertwined in the story. It made for lots of Googling. 😉 1w

TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii I love the Googling👀😅 1w

TheBookHippie @Deblovestoread ME TOO!! I was so scared for him. 1w

Catsandbooks I liked the real mob members in the book. I think it made me more interested in the story 1w

Karisa @vlwelser I agree! Having real people in the the background made the book better. Their real stories certainly give fiction a run for its money! 1w

Karisa @DebinHawaii Yes! I found myself liking Lucy again a bit in this section. Chris was maybe the luckiest character in this book. His choices were so dangerous but he was saved by his family everytime. 1w

5 likes11 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Pippa a ballerina
Gemina gorgeous
Clubbing
Pippa gets her closure and the last of the men that killed her grandma is now dead, from her shooting him! HOLYCRAPOLA.
Thoughts????
Gemina and the whole Anastasia thing
GOOOD GRIEF!
That was intense!!
Good grief!

What did ya think ?!?!

Sargar114 The Pippa thing was another neatly tied up bow that I was okay with. I‘m surprised they didn‘t mention how he smelled in this scene to kind of trigger the memory more given how important it was earlier. That scene with Gemma and Anastasia was wild! Didn‘t see it coming. Given how neatly everything else tied up, it made me a little sad Gemma didn‘t end up with George. 1w

AmyG Alot of things just fell into place in this book. Lucky for them, I guess. It all seemed believable but very convenient. 1w

vlwelser I loved these girls. They do their thing no matter what their crazy parents are up to. 1w

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mcctrish Pippa has always been a force to be reckoned with, I loved this scene! I have to admit the Gemma/Anastasia should have gone sideways and it would have been totally because the parents aka men/dads didn‘t want to bother her pretty little head with real life concerns. Their mom ran the Book, they had a freaking real life role model to show them women can run the show BUT NO! (edited) 1w

TheBookHippie @mcctrish EXACTLY 💯 1w

DebinHawaii @mcctrish I kind of thought it would go sideways & turn into Gemma getting killed or injured in a “paying for the sins of the fathers (& mothers) kind of thing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I‘m glad it didn‘t but I did think there would be more fallout from them trying to get out of the business. 1w

mcctrish @DebinHawaii I did worry about that ( but I was so certain all the men would be sacrificed that it wasn‘t front and centre in my brain) 1w

Catsandbooks Those scenes were intense but I'm glad everyone ended up OK! I loved Pippa and Gemma 1w

Karisa The Pippa scene made a lot of sense. The brother still out for revenge against the family. Priest-place-putter Pippa was ready for it since she was a kid! The Gemma scene seemed way too convenient with the timing and Filomena walking in for me, but the book stayed true to the roller coaster ride twisty plot till the end! 1w

3 likes9 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

1957

Filomena hearing Rosemaria warning her.
IS this what makes all her decisions this year?

Sargar114 RosaMaria seemed to signal significant change in Filomena‘s life. Her death got Filomena to America. And this warning essentially gave the family their chance to break away. 1w

AmyG I think Rosemaria has always been with her. She owes her life to what happened in Italy. 1w

mcctrish The trauma of being left behind, the author did a good job with that! RosaMaria befriending and guiding F made life turn around with care, knowledge and then opportunity. F was such an even keel, she paid attention always and could react 🔪 however needed. She makes this book 1w

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LaraReads @mcctrish I agree! She was my favorite character! Just such a strong woman. And yes, maybe because she had such a guiding force through Rosemarie. It was so fun reading all about her strength & plans. 1w

DebinHawaii Filomena was my favorite character as well-so smart, strong & brave. She made the best of a tragic situation with RosaMaria & it made sense that she remained her “guide” in life. 1w

Karisa I kept re-remembering that in everyday life, Filomena would be called by Rosamaria‘s name. Only the family knew her secret. That would be a constant reminder to Filomena of her strong, smart cousin. That dynamic seemed to shape her early on 1w

mollyrotondo Loved Filomena!! She was my favorite! It was really beautiful that she always carried her cousin with her throughout her life and had her cousin guiding her. Definitely helped Filomena remain strong and a rock for that family. 1w

6 likes7 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Petrina and Mario how sad.
It seems they just couldn‘t get back to anything ……Realistic I think. You?

Sargar114 I may have missed the discussion on this initial reveal, but this was the twist that made the most sense to me. I was wondering why Petrina was considered such a wild child when she seemed like she had such a good head on her shoulders. Pregnancy makes sense to send her away, especially at the time. 1w

AmyG I can understand why they keep their distance. That generation doesn‘t seem to be very communicative. 1w

vlwelser He probably feels a little bit betrayed by her. But he doesn't cut her out totally. He just needs some distance. 1w

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mcctrish This makes the most sense to me, and I can imagine that it would take some time to wrap your brain around going from being a sibling to a nephew/son. He was part of a whole and now he‘s more of an only except he has a half sister who is a lot younger ( seems like a huge age gap but probably isn‘t ) (edited) 1w

Deblovestoread This family secret seems the most real to me and I think it would take a minute to adjust your thinking to the new relationship status even if you understand the reasonings behind it. (edited) 1w

DebinHawaii I think it is realistic in how it played out for them. He would have felt the betrayal & it would be hard to switch her role in his mind & heart. I agree with @Sargar114 that this was the best twist in the story & explained so much about Petrina. 1w

Catsandbooks I felt bad for Petrina because she loved Mario so deeply but it seems they never got back to having a close relationship. 1w

mollyrotondo This was really sad but definitely realistic and understandable. He was a young adult once he learned the truth. It would be so hard to except your sister is really your mom. That‘s not something you just accept without confusion and questions. It was a great twist and handled very realistically 1w

5 likes8 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Iran hostages
Carter helicopters
No more job for James.(Nicole‘s husband)
Well. That was convenient.. phew.
I‘m old enough to remember in town we had yellow ribbons around trees until they came home …

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/teacher-resources/jimmy-carter-and-the-iranian...

Sargar114 Another conveniently tied up ending. 🤷🏼‍♀️. Whateves, it got us this story haha 1w

AmyG I remember this very well. I was relieved when he didn‘t get the job. Ha, yes, very convenient. 1w

vlwelser This was just weird. Like the author couldn't figure out a million other ways to tell the story. And then she doesn't even follow through. 1w

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mcctrish I like that the author tied in real life things to her story, it made it fuller. I feel like she spent more time researching The Mob than current events but in her defence the whole point of telling us the story was the background check soooo…. It just felt wrapped up quickly imo but the sexcapades with Aimee and Frankie bugged me more as a plot device 1w

Deblovestoread I remember the yellow ribbons, too. It was a convenient way to end the story but realistic by tying it to an actual event. 1w

DebinHawaii Yes, I remember the yellow ribbons for the hostages too. I thought the “wrap up” of the job for Nicole‘s husband & a few other things was a bit hit-or-miss for the author. For me, although I still really enjoyed the book, this final section felt rushed. (edited) 1w

Catsandbooks @DebinHawaii I agree the ending felt really rushed like quick tie this up in a neat bow 1w

Karisa @DebinHawaii @Sargar114 This author certainly knows how to keep storylines moving! I enjoyed it too but sometimes makes it a little harder to suspend disbelief. Too convenient 😅 1w

mollyrotondo @DebinHawaii @Catsandbooks definitely felt the ending was rushed. I thought it was such an easy move to say oh the background check won‘t happen now so don‘t worry. I feel like the reason for the family history lesson should have been less dire if she wasn‘t going to follow through on this background check plot. 1w

5 likes9 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

This post contains spoilers

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

1957-2019
Nicole
&
Filomena
1980
So. Nicole. She knew.
Think the decisions of The Godmothers or ACTUALLY Lucy, served her well. A better outcome?

📸me trying to find better cover pic for this book 👀😂

Sargar114 I missed Nicole knowing. I stayed up late to finish though so lol. I agree, the cover would be better to have 4 women. I think this would make such a great tv show! Imagine the wardrobe and all the storylines they could dive into! 1w

AmyG I was happy all worked out. Especially the part where her husband didn‘t have to worry about any backround checks….so her past didn‘t matter, in a sense. @Sargar114 I love period pieces….and agree that this would make a good movie or series. (edited) 1w

vlwelser I already said this. But I think that being raised by Aimee was better for Nicole. 1w

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vlwelser And I also really dislike that cover they chose. 1w

mcctrish @vlwelser I‘m not sure I‘d have ever picked up this book because of the cover 🤣🤣 and I think this would be a great series @Sargar114 I‘m just sad it‘s too late for Ray Liotta to be in it 1w

DebinHawaii Yes, like @vlwelser I also mentioned that I think Aimee raising Nicole instead of Lucy was better—especially with Filomena looking out for her. (It did annoy me that Aimee wasn‘t going to let her go to the gifted school with Theresa.) And yes, the cover is not a good one. Like @mcctrish I probably would not have picked it up & checked it out because of it. 1w

Karisa Oh yes! This image suits the book much better. It‘s about all four, not one in the spotlight! 1w

Karisa I liked Aime less in this section. Even though she grew as a character, she became so hardened without Johnny. I guess it was realistic though. Glad that Lucy came to her senses and let Nicole stay with her mother. That would have been horrible for Nicole to have been used as punishment like that 1w

TheBookHippie @Karisa I feel we should let them know we‘ve found a better cover pic 🤣👀. 1w

Karisa @TheBookHippie 💯👏👏👏 And remind them to have Netflix consult us when casting begins! 🧐🤭 1w

TheBookHippie @Karisa seriously !! It would make a great series!! 1w

mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie 😂 I definitely think this is a better cover. The real cover doesn‘t fully capture the book. I was very happy Nicole was raised by her real mother. That was ridiculous of Lucy to propose. 1w

6 likes12 comments

TheBookHippie

The Godmothers: A Novel | Camille Aubray

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#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Mario
Frankie, Chris
As Mario ducked a man followed Frankie out…
Mario makes it home ..
Chris
AND FRANKIE!
And woe … what a story my heart!!!
Did you think they‘d be dead?!
Good riddance Eddie
I don‘t even care if it‘s realistic I was just happy they were home 😅
You?!

Sargar114 When he was followed, I was sure he was dead! I agree, wrapped up a little cleanly but also happy they made it back. 1w

AmyG At one point I thought none of the men would return home. I, too, was happy they returned home. I grew to like this family and wanted good things to happen to them. 1w

vlwelser I thought for sure Frankie was done here. I don't care if it's unrealistic. I prefer this ending. 1w

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mcctrish Totally thought Frankie was dead! My brain was like “there goes # 2” because I really thought they all died 1w

Deblovestoread I‘m glad it didn‘t go the direction I was expecting and that they made it home. (edited) 1w

DebinHawaii I definitely thought the men were all done for. I liked this outcome—especially getting Mario back. 1w

Catsandbooks I'm glad they all made it home too! 1w

Karisa I thought Frankie was a goner at least twice this book! It‘s like the author‘s way of reminding us how dangerous their family‘s job is and how the guys are ready to step right back in to their roles once back. The scene was an efficient way of showing how much Mario has changed. 1w

mollyrotondo I would have been totally fine if we lost Frankie. I really hated him and I hated how Lucy just melted for him even though he was a jerk and a cheater. I also wasn‘t crazy about Mario murdering Eddie. But I was so happy Mario made it home. 1w

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