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Indigo Girl
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
The year is 1739. Eliza Lucas is sixteen years old when her father leaves her in charge of their family's three plantations in rural South Carolina and then proceeds to bleed the estates dry in pursuit of his military ambitions. Tensions with the British, and with the Spanish in Florida, just a short way down the coast, are rising, and slaves are starting to become restless. Her mother wants nothing more than for their South Carolina endeavor to fail so they can go back to England. Soon her family is in danger of losing everything.Upon hearing how much the French pay for indigo dye, Eliza believes it's the key to their salvation. But everyone tells her it's impossible, and no one will share the secret to making it. Thwarted at nearly every turn, even by her own family, Eliza finds that her only allies are an aging horticulturalist, an older and married gentleman lawyer, and a slave with whom she strikes a dangerous deal: teach her the intricate thousand-year-old secret process of making indigo dye and in return--against the laws of the day--she will teach the slaves to read.So begins an incredible story of love, dangerous and hidden friendships, ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice.Based on historical documents, including Eliza's letters, this is a historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye, which became one of the largest exports out of South Carolina, an export that laid the foundation for the incredible wealth of several Southern families who still live on today. Although largely overlooked by historians, the accomplishments of Eliza Lucas influenced the course of US history. When she passed away in 1793, President George Washington served as a pallbearer at her funeral.This book is set between 1739 and 1744, with romance, intrigue, forbidden friendships, and political and financial threats weaving together to form the story of a remarkable young woman whose actions were before their time: the story of the indigo girl.
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Blackink_WhitePaper
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Pickpick

Beautifully written book on a unique subject. I was unaware of most of the political and economic things of indigo dye making. I learned so much from this book, I also read about the real indigo lady on whom this book is based. It is a treat for historical fiction lovers and those who love headstrong female MCs. First five star for this year. 5 🌟
#bookspin #February @thearomaofbooks #historicalfiction

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 9mo
29 likes1 comment
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goldenlobo

Yet another new author for me! And, I'm already hoping she has other novels she's written.

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BookNAround
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Gatsby and Ozzie are snuggled up on my lap on this cold day as I start this book. They have been enjoying the cold snap results (me on the couch a lot).

TEArificbooks Loved this book 10mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🐾🖤 10mo
68 likes2 comments
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Cathyloves2read
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Pickpick

What a brave, strong young woman Eliza Lucas was! She and was so kind hearted. I leaned a lot about indigo while reading this book. I never realized that it was derived from a plant. The people who lived during the time that this story took place didn‘t have an easy life. It amazes me to hear about the things that they endured and overcame. This was a good book. I‘d recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction.

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Whollybologna
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Actually had to do a poll for this. I had 6 different books that could have gone after this including girl in title and colour in title. But this one ultimately won out and I‘m so glad! #thingsincommon

Clwojick Oh! I agree. I have a ton of books on my shelf with “Girl” in the title 2y
Whollybologna @Clwojick I even have one that looks like a character fading into the background like this one. But honestly I have no idea where I would have gone after that 2y
5 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
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I‘m #May , I had several 4 star reads, so picking which one of those had a slight edge above the others is interesting. But, I had to go with this one…

Pre-Revolutionary era in what will be the US South. Young woman overseeing her family‘s plantation. Said young woman begins the endeavor to cultivate the indigo plant for dyeing. She‘s also anti-slavery and truly a woman ahead of her time.

A fascinating book! #12BooksOf2021

Andrew65 Sounds great. Stacked. 3y
DivineDiana A favorite as well! Love that it is inspired by a true story! 3y
Librarybelle @Andrew65 I listened to the audiobook version and highly recommend it! 3y
Andrew65 @Librarybelle Thanks 😊 3y
76 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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mrsmarch

Hi @laurabeth I am sending this to you in today's mail. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! #LMPBC #Round13 #GroupS13

@sharread Your book came!

LauraBeth Woohoo! 3y
sharread Yippee 3y
HeathHof Hey everyone👋 I am behind on sending out my book. I apologize but I have Covid and haven't been able to make it to the post office. 😑 Thankfully I haven't touched it since way before I got sick so its germ free. Itll be about another week before I'll be able to send out gods in Alabama @LauraBeth @sharread 3y
16 likes3 comments
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mrsmarch
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I have 100 pages left in Indigo Girl for #LMPBC #S13. I‘m so frustrated with Eliza, she‘s very intelligent but as dense as a block of wood. I‘m pulling for her to get her act together and evolve in the last pages!

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mrsmarch
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Looks like we have our slate for #LMPBC #groupS13! After seeing what others chose, I decided to go with The Indigo Girl. I will begin reading The Indigo Girl on Nov 1 and will have it in the mail to the person after me on the mailing list that @suvata sent out.

I usually use green ink pens—what colors will everyone else choose? We should each have a different color to tell each other‘s notes apart.

LauraBeth Looking forward to it! 3y
sharread These are some awesome reads. Can't wait to start. 🎃 3y
HeathHof I'll go with purple for this round. 🖊 3y
See All 7 Comments
sharread I'll wait to see the colors everyone writes in the book and pick a different one. 3y
sharread @Mynameisacolour Could you send me the name list information. I didn't get it from @suvata thanks 3y
HeathHof @sharread sure can! 3y
sharread @Mynameisacolour thank you Happy Halloween 3y
21 likes7 comments
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Peaceful_Reader
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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I‘m reading this one for our next book club and I wasn‘t sure about its unique slower pace but I‘m getting into the story and her independence is striking for the era! #southernlife #plantations #womenareboss

13 likes1 stack add
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Based on true events, Boyd tells the story of Eliza Lucas, a young woman who against all social mores of 1700s Carolinas manages her father‘s plantations and decides to grow indigo. I want to know more about Eliza after reading this! She faces the odds and the disparities, some from her own mother, to work towards her goal of growing indigo in what will be the United States. Plus, she has strong opinions against slavery. So good! Great listen!

TEArificbooks This was one of my favorite reads last year. Her sons grew up to be politicians. Both were became governor of her state and at least one ran for Vice President. 4y
Librarybelle @mdm139 I can see why it was one of your favorite reads last year! 4y
DivineDiana This was my IRL Book Club pick, and I loved it! She is buried in Philadelphia, and I plan to visit her grave. 4y
Librarybelle @DivineDiana It was such a good book! Eliza sounded like an amazing woman. 4y
84 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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ZoeJane620
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Pickpick

I wish I had known before starting this book that it is based on real people and events. Eliza Lucas Pinckney was a very influential woman in the 18th century. If it were purely historical fiction I would lower my rating because the plot seems a bit far fetched at times and a bit dull at others. But seeing as how it is fact-based, I have a higher appreciation for it, even if it felt somewhat like required reading for school. This was my #BookSpin!

ZoeJane620 @TheAromaofBooks this is my March BookSpin! 📖 🙂 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
13 likes2 comments
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ZoeJane620
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Just started listening to this audiobook. Hasn‘t hooked me yet but it has good reviews!

12 likes1 stack add
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Judybskt
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1. We‘re having a family dinner tomorrow night - combination daughter‘s birthday, youngest going back to school and ❤️ Day. I‘m going to a tea with a friend on Sunday.
2. I pay attention to details.
3. Tagged - loved it!

#wondrouswednesday
@Eggs

Eggs This book sounds awesome 👏🏻. Thanks for joining in 👏🏻📚❤️ 4y
15 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
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Pickpick

A warm meal on a cold day. I loved this book! It is about a part of our American history that I had no knowledge of.

BookNAround I have had this on my #bookspin list many months but it‘s never been chosen. Sounds like I should choose to read it anyway. 4y
20 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
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1. Not that I‘m aware of. 🤷‍♀️
2. Yes - Goodreads
3. The tagged book. I‘m loving it right now!

@Eggs #wondrouswednesday

Eggs Sounds great! #3 4y
15 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
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Loving this!!

Booknerd2 Really enjoyed it!!! 4y
Jennifer3 I have that mug too! 4y
25 likes2 comments
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Judybskt
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Up next for book club! Loving my red amaryllis. 🌺

keys_on_fire What a pretty flower...and picture! 4y
Judybskt @keys_on_fire thanks! I love having flowers in the house in January! It is a treat. 4y
24 likes1 stack add2 comments
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

I've had this sitting on my Kindle for...a while, and I wish I had read it sooner. This is an amazing novel, based on the true story of Eliza Lucas's life and legacy! I had no idea indigo played such a large part in the history of the US. This is an incredibly inspiring story of a girl thrust into difficult expectations and not giving up on her dream while being a good human. I want to read more about her!

megnews This has been on my tbr for quite awhile. 4y
WorldsOkayestStepMom @megnews hopefully you'll be able to pick it up soon! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it! 4y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MaggieCarr
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So many good titles in my #30booksin3months challenge from #JessicaBrody. Target age groups vary and they are both fiction and non-fiction so it's impossible to compare them. Thanks for the fun!

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KendylChamberlain
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Pickpick

A really good read. I am finding that I really enjoy historical fiction. This is a true (then embellished) story about a 16 year old girl that her father put in charge of three plantations. She is spirited and thats not what her Mother wants to see in social settings, she would rather be and has a gift to be...out on the plantation overseeing. This young girl, helped our country when we really needed it, tho she probably didn‘t understand how.

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MaggieCarr
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Pickpick

This book dominated my last two days. Eliza, left in charge of her father's multiple plantations treated their slaves with more respect than they were used to. Teaching them to read in exchange for learning from their indigo dye skills. When young women were expected to be seen and not heard, to be wives and mothers, she broke dowm walls and established a trade that saved her portion of the country in the 1700s. Historial fiction at it's best.

25 likes2 stack adds
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SanjanaGhosh
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Pickpick

Omg!! This book was so good. I read it in 2 days flat, ignoring my piled up work xD

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Becker
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Pickpick

Nothing remarkable as far as plot is concerned but it was an enjoyable, relaxing audiobook. 👍

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amber_ldsmom
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Pickpick

Day 8: #WomaninHistory #MagnificentMarch
Wonderful historical fiction about Eliza Lucas and her indigo endeavor in South Carolina. I never even knew she existed, but she was so important in our country‘s history. #ReadtheUSA2020 #SouthCarolina #AtoZLitsy (Letter I)

megnews This one‘s on my tbr 5y
OriginalCyn620 🙌🏼📚💙 5y
16 likes2 comments
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amber_ldsmom
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#BookReport
📚A Corner of the Universe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚Hall of Small Mammals ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚Are You There, God? It‘s Me, Margaret. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧My Lost Family ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚The Waiting Room ⭐️⭐️

#WeeklyForecast
Start:
📚The Doll‘s House
📚The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Continue:
🎧 The Indigo Girl
📚Les Miserables

Cinfhen Great week!!!!! 5y
Snikt6 You go girl!!! ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
15 likes2 comments
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SikedtoRead
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Pickpick

Wow. I couldn‘t put this down. This is based on a true story, about Eliza Lucas and her quest to grow indigo in South Carolina. The author did a wonderful job imagining what it would have been like to be Eliza. Excellent character building and prose. ❤️❤️

SW-T A belated welcome to Litsy! 😊 #litsywelcomewagon 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🥳 5y
8 likes2 comments
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Headinherbooks_27
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Pickpick

Boyd captured the story of Eliza remarkably well. It was based on historical documents and letters and after reading this I admire her strong-will, perseverance, and pure heart. She knew what she wanted and she overcame societal expectations & gender biases. She was clearly a woman ahead of her time. The history was inspiring and I was keened to look it up.
It was also a fun trivia to learn that the state flag of SC is blue because of indigo.

Crazeedi Sounds like a good read! 5y
24 likes2 comments
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Headinherbooks_27
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WriterReaderTrainer
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Pickpick

Natasha Boyd nicely stitched this story together by reading Eliza's actual historical letters and creating strong personal and emotional motives for each character. The different tensions between Eliza and other characters felt solid and propelled the story forward.

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WriterReaderTrainer
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I live in South Carolina, (the setting of the book) so was interested in reading this historical fiction novel about Eliza Lucas Pickney and her experiences and accomplishments as a young woman (a teenager!) whose father left her in charge of the entire plantation plus other nearby properties. I'm still reading and the story is interesting and written to highlight the inequalities among people of the time period.

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Wife
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Pickpick

Our last book for this round. Time flies! A fast paced and easy to pick up read. I found some of the content a little far-fetched for the 1700s, but fiction will be that way 😏. Great picks from @suvata @Laughterhp and @litenthusiast Thanks for the awesome bookmark that was sent with this book! 2/5💙s

Laughterhp Just wanted to let you know that I still have your book! I‘m slowly reading it and enjoying it, but if you need it back I can send it out to you! Sorry! I‘m always really slow getting to the last read I don‘t know why! 5y
Wife Take your time and enjoy 🌹 5y
59 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
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Pickpick

This book was so good! It was even better knowing it was based on actual facts and life events of Eliza. I don‘t want to say too much since it‘s a #LMPBC pick and 1 more person still needs to read it. You will get extremely frustrated by this book, because of the way everyone men and women treat Eliza because she has ambitions.

#ReadingUSA2019 - South Carolina (finally a state for the month of May)

Wife 🌹 I‘m looking forward to this one! 5y
Laughterhp @Wife I‘ll send it out to you as soon as I can! 5y
See All 10 Comments
Kaye Good job on completing another state. 👍🏼 5y
squirrelbrain I‘ve already stacked this one previously but I don‘t know when or why 🤪 I still need South Carolina so I need to see if I can get it cheaply over here.... 5y
Laughterhp @squirrelbrain I‘d offer to send you this one if I could, but it‘s not my book. 😬😬😊 5y
squirrelbrain Well it would cost nearly as much in postage @Laughterhp ! Although it‘s expensive at the mo ((cb for hard copy, Qd for Kindle ?) it may come down in price.... 5y
litenthusiast Yay! I'm so glad you liked it! 5y
Wife 👍🏻 5y
Librarybelle That‘s great! 5y
56 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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Laughterhp
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Really digging into the #LMPBC book. It‘s pretty interesting and I‘m really enjoying it!

Snuggling with Levi (we are dog sitting for a week and a half 🤪) and having fire number 3 of the weekend! We‘ve gotten rid of a lot of sticks/brush we pulled out of the woods in April.

litenthusiast So glad you are enjoying it. I really liked it! 5y
Laughterhp @litenthusiast I like all the little notes and research you added into the book!! 5y
58 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
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I received the next #LMPBC book today! I‘m really looking forward to reading this one! It‘s been on my TBR for a while!

No Exit should be to @Wife by Monday the latest! My husband dropped it at the post office today!

Wife 🌹 6y
litenthusiast I hope you enjoy it! 💜 6y
51 likes2 comments
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suvata
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#LMPBC Round 5 - #GroupJ
@suvata @Laughterhp @wife @litenthusiast

@Laughterhp The Indigo Girl is headed your way. You should get it by the beginning of next week.

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suvata
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Pickpick

Read for Litsy Markup Postal Book Club (#LMPBC) Round 5 - Group J.

What a beautiful novel about a real life woman whose vision and persistence changed the face of 18th Century South Carolina. I‘m not giving too much away because I am reading this as part of a group and I don‘t want to spoil the fun for the rest of the ladies in the group. I will say, however, that I really loved this book.

57 likes3 stack adds
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Kpulver
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
Pickpick

I did not know about the process to make indigo. Learned lots with a riveting historical fiction storyline! Great read!

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suvata
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Yay! Look 👀 what I got in the mail today. Thanks, Kelli.
P.S.: The bookmark is beautiful.

#LMPBC Round 5 - #GroupJ
@suvata @Laughterhp @wife @litenthusiast

litenthusiast Glad it made it safely! Enjoy! 6y
50 likes1 comment
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litenthusiast
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Finished this one tonight for the #LMPBC swap. I don't want to post a full review until the rest of the group has a chance to read it. I will say though that this book made me want to know more about Eliza Lucas. #GroupJ #Round5 @suvata @Wife @Laughterhp

litenthusiast @suvata Mailing this out to you tomorrow! 💙 6y
Wife I think that I should be the one you‘re mailing to according to the list that @suvata emailed. Suellen follows me on the list and I was planning to mail my book to her tomorrow. 6y
litenthusiast @Wife I went back to look at all the posts regarding LMPBC and it says the number corresponds to the order we signed up in. So I signed up last, so I should send to 1. I think you are 3rd on the list, so you should send to me. I'm sorry for all this confusion. 💜 6y
Wife I think we are supposed to go by the email. Let‘s ask @suvata to make sure. I‘ll post the order on the email and tag all of us. Suellen will know for sure. 🌹 (edited) 6y
suvata @Wife Yes, I should be getting Indigo Girl next 6y
41 likes1 stack add5 comments
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litenthusiast
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Spending the afternoon reading a historical fiction novel about 18th century South Carolina. #LMPBC #Round5 #GroupJ @Wife @suvata @Laughterhp

zsuzsanna_reads I love the cover! ♥️ 6y
AndiM Gorgeous cover 😍 6y
tammysue Loved it! 💙💙💙 (edited) 6y
litenthusiast @whatshesreadingnow That is good to know. Thank you! 💜 6y
Wife 🌹 6y
47 likes1 stack add5 comments
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suvata
Indigo Girl | Natasha Boyd
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Laughterhp @litenthusiast Yay! So glad you chose this book. That one‘s been on my TBR for a while! 6y
52 likes1 comment
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sprainedbrain
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Mehso-so

This is a fictionalized account of the real life of Eliza Lucas, who was instrumental in the success of indigo in South Carolina in the 1700s. While I did enjoy parts of the book, and was inspired to learn more about Eliza, it was slow to develop, and the two love storylines were not convincing. Also, any romanticizing of plantation life with its abhorrent use of slavery in this era makes me feel gross, so there‘s that.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NewYearWhoDis

Tamra I‘m glad to have read your review - unstacking because I would dislike it for exactly the reasons you cite! 6y
sprainedbrain @Tamra I really thought I would love this book... and originally was going to call it a pick, but that icky feeling that I had through most of it is still there. So I couldn‘t. 😥 6y
Chrissyreadit @sprainedbrain I recommend reading more about her- it‘s interesting how she was downplayed in real life. Two of her sons were very influential on the early government and political history. 6y
sprainedbrain @Chrissyreadit I‘ve been reading online about her since starting the book. I really think it‘s awesome what she took on as a young woman in that place and time in history. She was definitely downplayed... I can‘t believe I hadn‘t heard of her prior to this novel! 6y
VeganCleopatra I guess I failed to see the romanticization. 🤔 6y
130 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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jenniferw88
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emilyhaldi I love that On Cats is the first book on the list 😻 6y
75 likes1 comment
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Booknerd2
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Pickpick

Book 38 of 2018 and I finished it in about a day. It was soooooo good.💜💜💜 It really is amazing to read about what women endured throughout history. Eliza‘s father leaves her in charge of their mortgaged plantations at the age of 16. She vows to turn a profit despite everyone being against her. Based on a true story and a great read for historical fiction fans!!!

tammysue A fabulous book right!?! 😍 7y
Booknerd2 @whatshesreadingnow Absolutely loved it!!!! 7y
Mdargusch Sounds great! 7y
97 likes7 stack adds3 comments
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tammysue
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Pickpick

This intriguing novel BLEW ME AWAY—new to me author Natasha Boyd is a fabulous storyteller!!!

Eliza Lucas was a courageous + REMARKABLE woman way ahead of her time for the 1700‘s. Interesting to me is this is based off Eliza Lucas‘ actual diaries from 1739-1744 + the author did extensive research to write this book. Definitely worth a pick if you enjoy historical stories!

🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿🌱🌿

#historicalfiction #strongwomen

Tamra Indigo is such a striking color, a favorite! 7y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego That's a beautiful cover 💙 7y
tammysue @Tamra @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Indigo has the most beautiful flowers. Reading from the book, to make the dye the leaves have to be picked before the plant begins to flower. Interesting :) 7y
Reviewsbylola Gorgeous cover. 7y
Booknerd2 I‘m reading it now. So good!!! 7y
60 likes6 stack adds5 comments
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tammysue
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In 1739, Eliza is 16 yrs old when her father leaves her in charge of his three plantations in rural South Carolina. Not too long after, her family is in danger of losing everything. Upon hearing how much the French pay for indigo dye she believes it‘s the key to their salvation..

51 likes1 stack add
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MamaBear
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This girl may have lived in the 1700‘s but she had the right idea!

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BookishMarginalia
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The gorgeous #coverart attracted me, and then, I read the flap and found that this is a historical novel based on Eliza Lucas‘s own letters. Eliza sounds like quite a #NastyWoman: she develops an indigo-dye business to save her family AND defies the law to teach slaves to read. Definitely a #TBRtemptation! #BAM

136 likes21 stack adds