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The Accidental Empress
The Accidental Empress: A Novel | Allison Pataki
The New York Times best-selling author of The Traitor's Wife fictionalizes the little-known and tumultuous love story of Sisi, the 19th-century Austro-Hungarian empress and captivating wife of Emperor Franz Joseph.
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Rachbb3
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Pickpick

Elizabeth (Sisi) is 15 years old when she marries into the Habsburg family and becomes Empress of Austria. She immediately gains the favor of the people but life at court is very difficult for a wild and independent girl. This is one of the best books I‘ve read in a while, I was completely engrossed in it. 👍🏻

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Texreader
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Pickpick

In 1854, the Austrian emperor is almost betrothed to princess Helene until he is smitten by her sister Sisi and the rest is history. The author sticks mostly to the truth: the horrid things her mother-in-law did to her were true. But it made the long book longer and often hard to read. Beautifully written; it‘s a good book but sometimes hard to bear. #Hungary #readingeurope2020 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

DieAReader Great job!👏🏻👏🏻 Some books/stories/subjects are heavier to bear witness to than others, so to speak. I‘ve also got an open 📖 that I‘m finding difficult to read. Nothing at all to do with writing or content, just a subject matter that 💔 & incenses me all at once. Know what I mean? 4y
Texreader @Squidget I completely understand. I think this was one like that, because of one darned person who made Sisi‘s life almost unbearable. 4y
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Librarybelle I read the follow up to this one...there‘s a lot of tragedy surrounding her and her family 4y
TheSpineView 😊📖📚 4y
Andrew65 Well done. 👏👏👏 Stacked. 4y
Bookgoil Sounds great! ❤️ 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Does this mean you're officially done with Reading Europe?! 4y
Texreader @Librarybelle I‘ve got that one too. May wait a bit. I‘ve had quite enough of that mother-in-law. 4y
67 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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Texreader
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I did it!! I finished #readingeurope2020 a short while ago! It‘s time for a party on Litsy!! I‘ll review the book later... party is more important!! Thanks to the loveliest @Librarybelle and @BarbaraBB for hosting this challenge. Y‘all are the best!!

 @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView @Clwojick @bookgoil @andrew65 @squidget

Suet624 Woohooo!! Fantastic! 4y
Andrew65 Brilliant! Congratulations 🍾🥂🍾🥂🍾🥂🥳👏👏👏 4y
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Librarybelle Yay! Congratulations! 4y
CarolynM Congratulations 🎉 4y
DieAReader Congrats!🥳🥳🥳 4y
MaureenMc 🥳🍾🥳 4y
Deblovestoread Well done, 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y
MySharonaK Woohoo !! ⭐️🥳 4y
Daisey Congratulations! 🎉 I‘ve enjoyed seeing all your posts and may have added a few to my TBR. 4y
LazyOwl Yay for you 🎉🎉🎉 4y
Bookgoil Well done! 4y
BarbaraBB Fantastic! I‘ve really enjoyed being part of your journey! 🍾💝 4y
TheSpineView 🤩📖📚 4y
Clwojick woohoo!! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Now onto Asia!! 4y
72 likes16 comments
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Texreader
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Andrew65 Hope you enjoy it. 4y
TheSpineView 👍📖📚 4y
Bookgoil Divine! Enjoy! ❤️ 4y
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Librarybelle You got this! 4y
DieAReader Definitely looks to be an inviting atmosphere. Enjoy🍵🙂 4y
Texreader @Andrew65 Thanks!! So far it swings from very good to really annoying. 4y
Texreader @Squidget I spent quite a bit of time in that chair reading today. It was lovely! Thanks! 4y
DieAReader @Texreader That‘s wonderful! I‘m so glad you have a nice comfy reading spot to get absorbed into your books😁📚 4y
Andrew65 @Texreader Strange how books can do that! 4y
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Texreader
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#two4tuesday Thanks @TheSpineView for the tag!

1. I‘ve given my secretary her gift and all the attorneys in my office.

2. I sure the heck hope so! 😁 Probably the tagged one will be the last one I need to finish for #readingeurope2020. That is, if I don‘t have to work. I‘ve had a major project to finish that normally I get two months to finish, now reduced to about two weeks. So I may have to work. 😕

TheSpineView You're welcome and Thanks for playing! 😍🎄📖📚 4y
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Texreader
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Two-and-a-half books to go to finish #readingeurope2020! Because work has been so busy I haven‘t had time to to finish the tagged book. It‘s long and I‘m only halfway into it. I‘m making such good progress despite my crazy work because I‘ve broken down and gotten audio and ebooks—even though I bought the books ages ago—so I can listen while doing chores and read the ebook during insomnia. So...another audiobook it‘s going to be.

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I've put off the final Percy Jackson book and since I'm not exactly looking forward to it, I am listening to it instead. Too many physical books to read. 4y
Deblovestoread Well done! 4y
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Suet624 Amazing! 4y
TheSpineView Great job!🤩 4y
Texreader @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Kdgordon88 @Suet624 @thespineview I may be finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for all the encouragement!! It really does help! 4y
Librarybelle Amazing! 😁 4y
melissajayne Was the list of countries that you have the one that was used for this past year? 4y
Texreader @melissajayne There were a few links provided at the beginning of the year. I chose one of them at random and these were the countries on that list except I added a few: Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. 4y
melissajayne @Texreader what were the links that were used? 4y
Texreader @melissajayne Oh gosh I‘m sorry I have no idea! I think the links were with the instructions for signing up for the challenge. I wrote them down and that‘s all I did with the link. I‘ve seen other Littens have some different countries when doing the challenge so I know there were discrepancies. 4y
melissajayne @Texreader I found them; scrolled for quite some time. 4y
Texreader @melissajayne 👍🏻 Thinking of doing the challenge for 2021? 4y
melissajayne @Texreader yeah I am; I decided to host it. 4y
Texreader @melissajayne That‘s awesome! 4y
47 likes15 comments
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Texreader
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There‘s a lovely part of this book set at Christmas time, so I‘m counting it as a holiday read (if I finish it) for #wintergames! #crushtherush #readyourway #merryreaders @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView @Clwojick #readingeurope2020 #Hungary @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Librarybelle 😁 4y
TheSpineView 👍😊📚📖 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick You can do it! 4y
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Texreader
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Having three of my most recent books be about or at least mention the Ottoman Empire (and sadly had to return the fourth on the Ottoman‘s battle for Malta because of a narrator I disliked), I‘m very happy to note that yet another book addresses the “Eastern Question.” The Ottoman Empire strikes back! This was clearly my year for the Ottomans! #Hungary #readingeurope2020 #feastmode #crushtherush

BarbaraBB Haha! You‘re right! 4y
Librarybelle So true! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Unplsnned themes crack me up. I've had a string of books with sassy, sarcastic teens lately. 4y
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Texreader
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I‘m ready to start the #feastmode readathon! Here are my goals:

Finish:

📖 The Balkan Express
📖 Esme Thanksgiving

📖 Make progress in The Accidental Empress

📖 Pick an audiobook for Malta

📖 Listen to at least 3-4 hours in my Malta audiobook

Hestapleton WOOOO! 4y
44 likes1 comment
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Texreader
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Needing an alternative read to the Balkan War when it gets too depressing, I‘ve started the tagged book for #Hungary.

Book 7 for #readingeurope2020

Librarybelle This is on my to read list...looking forward to your review! 4y
Texreader @Librarybelle it‘s just so long!! 4y
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Texreader
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Two books I got today in a nice haul for #readingeurope2020 #austria. The tagged book was already on my tbr list. Score.

thegirlwiththelibrarybag A fascinating woman! 5y
annahenke Enjoyed both of these, but Sisi especially 5y
Texreader @thegirlwiththelibrarybag @annahenke Both of these books have rave reviews so even though I only needed one for #austria I knew I had to get both when they were both there at the used bookstore. Pretty darned lucky I‘d say 5y
annahenke @Texreader That‘s just meant to be. 😊 5y
53 likes4 comments
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Butterfinger
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Pickpick

I never heard of Empress Elizabeth. This is my favorite type of reading:. Heavily researched fiction writing about obscure historical figures that affected the world. When music was mentioned, I googled it to listen as I read. Enchanting. Next up: The Violinist of Venice.

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mick2x
Accidental Empress | Allison Pataki
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she welcomed that pain. It was just a small penance to be paid for the selfish, inexcusable act of falling in love with her sister‘s groom. And what was worse, for feeling happy at the indisputable fact that he seemed to love her in return. Loved her, Sisi, even when Helene was meant to be his bride. And so, in the darkness, she cried.

-Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress

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maddiereadthat
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Mehso-so

This book was just okay... Slow but I‘m looking forward to the next one😻😻

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LisaJo
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Book Club...

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LisaJo
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Mehso-so

I finished the book this morning in bed before I had to get up for work. Nothing like reading In the morning before work. This was our book club pick for the month of May. I really can‘t review it because it‘s not my “cup of tea”. I like that my book club causes me to read outside my comfort zone. But sometimes, a book is outside my comfort zone because it‘s not really something I want to read. Didn‘t hate it. Just not me.

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LisaJo
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I found this haunting. How many times have we failed to see what is good in our life because we are only searching for the perfect.

Nute Very true! 7y
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TheRomantiCate
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April 3: #AprilInBooks #BookSetinAnotherCountry; this is actually another of my favorite authors; I haven‘t gotten around to reading it yet, but it‘s a new locale for me as it‘s set in the Hapsburg Empire of Austria-Hungary, so we shall see.. 🤓🤩👑

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csimmer23
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#riotgrams Royalty. This is a really great series and it is well written.

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MeJeMiller
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Pickpick

Love this book and the writing. I REALLY got into the characters.

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quirkyreader
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I finished watching all the Sissi films. They were lovely. I understood most of the dialogue, but I did have the subtitles on just in case I missed something.

melrailey She‘s such a fascinating person. 7y
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booksandsympathy
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The only book on my tbr shelf in the living room that has #cursive #fallintobooks

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Ayma1326
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Pickpick

LOVED THIS!!!!! Kept finding excuses to keep reading even though I have so much to do!!!

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Eridau
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Pickpick

I knew nothing about Empress Elisabeth of Austria before I started this book. Elisabeth had such a tumultuous life among the Hapsburgs and what started out as a beautiful love story, ended quite sourly. Now I know I have to read the suquel Sisi to see how her life played out since this novel stopped halfway though her life.

annahenke Loved this book and the sequel! 8y
19 likes1 comment
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Eridau
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Wow, that was a long, busy week! I don't think I've posted since last weekend. Just had a nice dinner out with the husband and am now getting ready to relax and enjoy my "dessert". Book-latte-bath. Happy Friday everyone.

tpixie Pretty book cover and your latte looks delicious 😋 8y
Eridau @tpixie thanks! I did use a photo filter which makes everything even prettier but this book is lovely on its own. 😊 8y
Reviewsbylola I'm enjoying a bath right now too. I wish I had a latte! 8y
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Eridau @Reviewsbylola great minds! One of my best purchases was buying myself a Nespresso and accompanying milk frother last year for my birthday. I love it! 8y
tpixie @Eridau my sister enjoys her Nespresso too- although she wishes the drink size was bigger! 8y
Eridau @tpixie that is so true! Sometimes I make two espresso shots for a larger latte. 🤣I need my caffeine. 8y
tpixie 😂😁😆 8y
27 likes7 comments
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aicila1384
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Tenia tantas ganas de empezar con este libro!!! 🎊😍 I can't wait anymore!!! 💖 Sissi!!! #sissi #royals #novelahistorica #librosenespañol #reinas #spanish

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Eridau
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Poolside reading this beautiful day. Happy Easter everyone!

Suet624 Wait a minute. You have a pool? And it's warm enough to sit by it? 8y
Eridau @Suet624 ha, ha! Yes. My building has a salt water pool and it was mid 80s here today. Nice and toasty in the sun finally. But it's going to cool back down this week to the 60s. 8y
Suet624 I have no clue where my bathing suit is. I wear it about 4 times in the summer. 😁 8y
25 likes3 comments
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AnnieD
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Panpan

Lesson learned - don't pick up books next to the B&N checkout counter. I love historical fiction and am fascinated with Empress Sisi but I can honestly say that I enjoyed reading her Wikipedia page more than this book. I had to check that it wasn't YA because the way it is written assumes the reader can't be older than 13. Next time I am taking @Reviewsbylola advice on a book pick!

Reviewsbylola Always listen to your older sister. 👊🏻 8y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I'm fascinated by Sissi too! I was late night channel surfing once and found the movie (much romantised but lovely) based on her courtship/marriage (I went on to watch the sequels and then base a library school project on her) have you seen it? 8y
tracyrowanreads I still haven't found anything fictional about her that's as good as historical accounts. A shame really. 8y
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emilyhaldi 🤦🏻‍♀️ 8y
AnnieD @thegirlwiththelibrarybag yes! The movie "Sissi" started my love for her! She is such a fascinating person that I had high hopes for the book! Such a shame @tracyrowanreads 8y
Meredith3 Always trust @Reviewsbylola ! 😹 8y
CouronneDhiver Love your top! 7y
45 likes8 comments
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Eridau
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This is my Women's Historical Fiction book club selection for April or as I call it BadAss Women in History. My reading buddies are distracted by all the action going on outside since everyone is out enjoying this gorgeous weather.

Suet624 Beautiful photo. 💕💕 8y
29 likes1 comment
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Laalaleighh
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Pickpick

"So quick bright things come to confusion" is not only a perfect epigraph it's an apt description of this book. Glittering and beautiful but deeply sad, just like its subject.

Still, it was engrossing and I will definitely be reading more about Sisi and the Hapsburgs in general.

thegirlwiththelibrarybag There is an old movie about her that is quite stunning called Sissi... I've been fascinated ever since I saw it! 8y
Laalaleighh @thegirlwiththelibrarybag ill have to look it up! 8y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Laalaleighh, weirdly the same actress played Queen Victoria in another movie 😂 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048624/ 8y
Laalaleighh That's really cool. I looked her up and she's like the perfect Sissi. 8y
36 likes4 comments
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Laalaleighh
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My cat thinks this book is about her, although she has no idea what all this "accidental" rubbish is about.
??

Another #bfpick (I think he's attempting to use books to fill in my gaps in European history through random book purchases. (I took AP US and then world history, he took AP US and then European history) I've never known anything about Sisi, the wife of Franz Joseph other than a few lines in a textbook, excited to read this one!

Laalaleighh @ScorpioBookDreams notice anything in the background?! I just opened all your presents! I absolutely love them. My bf and I laughed so hard at the cat book and the cover of The Bear and the Nightingale is amazing! Also you have beautiful calligraphy!! Thank you SO much! ✨ 8y
SharonGoforth 😻😻 8y
ScorpioBookDreams @Laalaleighh so pleased you like them! Couldn't resist the cover of the bear and the nightingale and thought you would appreciate the cat book! 8y
47 likes3 comments
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LitHousewife
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I took the morning off work to go to traffic court (my registration expired 7 months before I was pulled over. I had no idea). Traffic court took all of 25 minutes. My ticket was dismissed. I just had to pay court costs. So, I've spend time at the library and I just want to B&N to use my 30% coupon. I also picked up a cheap copy of this book that so many people have loved. #winning

ValerieAndBooks Yay on all counts 😊! 8y
Flaneurette How do you 30% off coupons? I only get 20%🤔 8y
LitHousewife @Flaneurette It's their President's Day coupon. Are you a member? 8y
Flaneurette Yep I am a member and got one by email but only 20% off. Maybe I can combine it with my member 10% off? 8y
65 likes4 comments
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Melshappylife
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Trying to get some reading done during the work day! I'm loving the story of Sisi and the Autrian Empire!!!

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ameliapacht
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In this book, women have to use their ~charms~ to wield any kind of power, my reading spot is distinctly more appealing to me than the looks of the lives in Viennese court that line the pages

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LitHousewife
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My hold at the library came in. Here's hoping I will be able to read it in August.

Karen3 I really liked this one. Enjoy! 8y
wrenaymuhree I thoroughly enjoyed her other book, The Traitor's Wife. This one is on my TBR list! 8y
LitHousewife @wrenaymuhree I bought that for my mom when it came out. I need to borrow it back the next time I'm in Michigan. 8y
annahenke It's so good!! 8y
MrBook I like this cover. 8y
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Karen3
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this telling of the life of Empress Elizabeth and the struggles she lived through. The fictional embellishments were well immersed into the actual historical events. I'm looking forward to the second book and how the story continues 4⭐️.

Karen3 13 hours into #24in48 #readathon and need to find a new book 🤓 8y
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Karen3
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One hour in @24in48 and many more to come!! #24in48

flyfarther79 Love the bookmark! 8y
LisaJo Usually I comment on the books people are reading. But, this time I'm commenting on your bookmark. I have that exact same bookmark. I don't know why it got me all excited, but it did. Happy reading. 8y
32 likes2 comments
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Karen3
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Sunshine and a new book. Have had this one for a very long time and never gotten to it. Hoping it is good.

ChrisM I found it enjoyable!!! The sequel, Sisi: Empress on Her Own was released this year 8y
Karen3 @ChrisM well that's a plus. I won't have to wait for the sequel to come out. Perks of not reading a book when you first get it 😜😜 8y
annahenke It's great! 8y
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Marla
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Pickpick

Very beautifully written book. It brought me into the lives of this noble family and their craziness. Well worth the read. Must read this before reading Sisi.

Heatherine I JUST got the ebook from the library and it's the wrong format for my Kindle. 😩 8y
26 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Tina
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To be loved for what one is, that is the greatest exception.

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MamaGina
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Starting this one tonight for my historical fiction book club, hope it's good.

Marla It's very good! 8y
3 likes1 comment