Welcome to Litsy!

“All that had happened and would happen was meant to be. Everything happens as it is meant to be.”

Love my real, live #Wreath

#DashingThruDecember

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Kristin Book 1 has been completed, and I am totally obsessed. It's so epic and so focused all once, the medieval world feels incredibly present, the relationships are so finely tuned, and each character has many shades and layers that the author unfolds in perfect time. And can we get a little commotion for this translation?? Straightforward but never sacrificing beautiful detail. I'm all in and can't wait for the next two. #KLBR #DoorstopKristin

Young Kristin Lavransdatter is betrothed to Simon, a kind practical man chosen by her immensely well-regarded father. But she‘s swept off her feet by Erland, who comes with an immense amount of baggage—a mistress, their children, and an unworthy back story. But he‘s handsome and charming and so you can probably guess what happens next. Part of the charm of these books is their setting in Middle Ages Norway. I read them in my 20s when I‘d just ⬇️

Kristin, Erlend, Lavrans, Rangfrid! This is my third reading of the first book of a trilogy. The descriptions of the scenery & the clothing bring you into the time & place. Blame for wanting to be married to someone other than the one your father has selected is infused throughout. Do we root for a young girl who wants her own way? Do we see Erlend for who he really is? As a 20 year old I read this & supported Kristin. Now I feel for her parents.

I‘m so glad I came across this readalong with @BarbaraJean !

I already read The Wreath, so I‘ll pick up with July‘s book of The Wife!

Kristin Lavransdatter was a #roll100 pick for December so I decided I would read book 1: The Wreath. Didn‘t quite finish it before the end of the year, but I did finish it yesterday.

This was lovely! Kristin is a strong heroine who struggles to balance love & obedience to her family & God with her own desires for her life. I was captivated by this portrait of medieval Norway. I also found some of Kristin‘s internal conflict to be true to life. ⬇️

December #ChristmasCheer Wreath #WinterGames24 #HolidayBookDragons @StayCurious @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

1. Can't really think of any. I tend to avoid books that would make me sad, so the most likely book to make me cry would be something with a sappy, happy ending.

2. Well researched, realistic Historical Fiction. I love history and learning what daily life was like in a different place and time.

3. Such a tough choice. Tagged one. More in comments.

Thanks for the tag @Readergrrl !
 @Eggs

Want to play @CoffeeNBooks @Sparklemn ?

I just couldn't get into it. I renewed it 3 times and finally realized I just needed to let it go.

WREATHS Day 27 A sign of wealth #WinterGames2021 #PhotoChalange #WishesandBlessings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#Wishes&Blessings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#Wreath

I‘m glad this is just the first volume in a trilogy, because I‘m not ready to be done with these characters or this author. Although I‘m reading it in translation, the writing reminds me of Willa Cather, although the plotting is quite different. The ending, while not a traditional cliff-hanger, it does make me want to dive right into the next volume. It‘s a #blameitonlitsy that I heard of these, and I‘m so glad. #kristinl @TheBookHippie

There‘s a lot to absorb in this section. How do you feel about Kristin after “that” scene? How much guilt does each party bear? And, the final chapter, are Kristin and her father really reconciled? She says she was crying because she knew she had won. Has she? #kristinl @TheBookHippie

Just a check-in, since we discussed some of this section a few days ago. I‘m feeling better about our girl Kristin‘s self-respect since she basically stood up to her father and won‘t identify her lover unless he does the honorable thing. Lavrans is still in my good books with how, even though he was angry, he seems more concerned about possible backlash against her than upset on his own behalf. Thoughts? #kristinl @TheBookHippie

I‘m getting more and more worried for our girl Kristin. This is not a healthy relationship! #kristinl @TheBookHippie

This section was too all over the place to be summed up with a photo. What is our girl getting herself into? Has she found a safe place, or is it out of the frying pan/into the fire? Has Undset made a believable teenager for you, or are you wondering why, after one narrow escape, she put herself into another man‘s power so trustingly? #kristinl @TheBookHippie @Crazeedi

I had a hard time stopping at the designated chapter this week. Kristin and her father have won my heart! Thoughts on this first bit? #kristinl @TheBookHippie @Crazeedi

I‘ve got my sections marked and am diving in this morning. First discussion next Saturday, if you‘d like to join @TheBookHippie and me. #kristinl

Christine, how does this work for a schedule for the first volume? We can adjust if it‘s too fast or too slow. Now we need a hashtag. Is #KristinL too simple? I‘m open for a more clever suggestion. Anyone else want to join us? @TheBookHippie

#SleighTheShelves Day 26: I brought The #Wreath with me when I went to visit a childhood friend in Bergen with my family back in 2017. More of my book hunting and nature adventures while in Norway here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-fre

Day 12 of #20Series20Days and my pick is Kristin Lavransdatter, a trilogy that follows the life of a woman in 14th-century Norway. ❤️

#Top20Series

#stats #read #finishedbooks

Trying out the CAWPILE rating system by Book Roast at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vcXoB38tSUI

CAWPILE Rating:

C- 9

A- 10

W- 8

P- 7

I- 9

L- 9

E- 9

8.7 = ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Full Review: https://miquereads.blogspot.com

#backtotheclassics2019 #backtotheclassics #kristinlavransdatter #cawpile #mmdreading #mmdchallenge (three books by the same author)

"I've done many things that I thought I would never dare to do because they were sins. But I didn't realize then that the consequence of sin is that you have to trample on other people." - Kristin Lavransdatter

#backtotheclassics2019

God bless you, little Kristin, I've been to Paris and traveled elsewhere in the world as well, and yet you mustn't think me any better for it, because I fear the Devil and love and desire this world like a fool. But I hold on to the cross with all my strength---one must cling to it like a kitten hanging on to a plank when it falls into the sea.

#FallIntoReading Day 8: #FavFallReadingSpot is this gorgeous place in Norway that our hosts brought us to last year when we visited them. It does have autumn colours, although technically we were there sometime during the summer thereabouts. Naturally I brought Sigrid Undset with me.

Reading the Kristin Lavransdatter omnibus, after hearing it praised on a Catholic podcast. First book of the trilogy, The Wreath, was just as good as promised. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Reading and breakfast today. Loving this book about a girl named Kristin growing up in 14th century Norway eating hearty food and playing in fjords.

#HeatOfJuly Day 23: Norway, hands down, has the most gorgeous #Waterfalls in the world. They are like the inconsolable tears of the mountains and hilltops. Here is little ole me, freezing in Norway‘s summer of 2016.

This is the story of Kristin and her quest for love. This historical novel set in Norway broaches politics, religion and tradition, but truly it‘s just a story about a girl who wants to marry for love. She‘s a bold girl and I was truly surprised by some of the things Kristin did and said. Overall, I really liked the story and it had me guessing until the very end.

#GetMovin #HigherGround https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QnbdXWvmysg

Finished! Just in time for Saturday‘s bookclub discussion!

A heart rendering tale of a maiden growing into a woman and holding true to her feelings.

Happy St. Nick Day!

Hopefully, you put your shoes out and received a bunch of bookish goodies in them!

It just so happens that the book I‘m reading referenced St. Nick; coincidence, I think not!

So many great books in the mail today. Most of these are #blameitonlitsy.

Finished this at the pool over the weekend! Somehow I had never heard of this book, which is the first in a trilogy, or the author, who was only the third woman ever to win the Nobel. Set in 14th century Norway, it follows the life of Kristin as she grows from a young child into young adulthood. It was notable for its depictions of female sexuality and moral ambiguity when it was published in 1920. #booksintranslation

Took Sigrid Undset with me on a 5km hike on the Norwegian Wild.

Sigrid Undset in the Norwegian Wild. Our tiny cabin in the woods.

An upcoming seven-week trip to Europe means packing this many books - the struggle is real.

Stayed up late to finish this one. It's so juicy. The writing is plain and simple, yet so much feeling and history is conveyed between the lines. We get to be a part of daily life during the Middle Ages, following Kristin Lavransdatter, a stubborn and passionate girl, as she grows up, falls in love, and begins to question (both foolishly and bravely) what she has always been taught.

I cannot wait to get home and finish the next two books!

Beers and my book! Last night before dinner we stopped at Zion Brew Pub and we had this view 😍.

Today is our last day and we have one more hike to complete! Catch up with you all later! Happy Monday and happy reading.

Breakfast this morning at Wildcat Willie's! I ate a ton; gearing up for our big hike today 💪🏻🤸🏼‍♂️. It was delicious!!

Also, I just love reading this book. It takes place during the Medieval Period and I feel transported to the green hills of 14th century Norway.

Dinner tonight was filet of beef, asparagus, creamed potatoes, and Pinot noir. We didn't get to celebrate last night with a dinner out (my mom was not feeling well) so we went out tonight 💃!

I also started book one of this trilogy. SO GOOD. I read on Book Riot that if you like the Ferrante Neopolitan novels, these are worth checking out. This cover is so intriguing to me; might be the bright, pre-Raphaelite colors.

So far, so good. This author has an impressive bio. She is a Nobel Prize winner, started scholarships for handicapped and poor children, had to run from the Nazi's and won the highest medal of honor offered by her country, Norway.

@NataliePatalie #classic #Sweden

First published in 1920, this is an enthralling depiction of 14th century Norway. The first part in a trilogy, this book covers Kristin's childhood, coming of age, romantic dalliances and marriage. Kristin and her beau behave atrociously to everyone around them, but the side characters are far more sympathetic, especially Kristin's father Lavrans.

This is 1920 completed for the #192019challenge.

How have I not read these?! Straight onto the #TBR

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2017/01/why_sigrid_undset_author_of_the...

When we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests & mountains & oceans—and all that lives and moves upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms & bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused—and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.

Starting this before Christmas.... heard about it on a podcast somewhere and love the idea of long, historical fiction trilogies!