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Catherine House
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
114 posts | 91 read | 2 reading | 60 to read
Trust us, you belong here. A gothic-infused debut of literary suspense, set within a secluded, elite university and following a dangerously curious, rebellious undergraduate who uncovers a shocking secret about an exclusive circle of students . . . and the dark truth beneath her schools promise of prestige. Catherine House is a school of higher learning like no other. Hidden deep in the woods of rural Pennsylvania, this crucible of reformist liberal arts study with its experimental curriculum, wildly selective admissions policy, and formidable endowment, has produced some of the worlds best minds: prize-winning authors, artists, inventors, Supreme Court justices, presidents. For those lucky few selected, tuition, room, and board are free. But acceptance comes with a price. Students are required to give the House three yearssummers includedcompletely removed from the outside world. Family, friends, television, music, even their clothing must be left behind. In return, the school promises a future of sublime power and prestige, and that its graduates can become anything or anyone they desire. Among this years incoming class is Ines Murillo, who expects to trade blurry nights of parties, cruel friends, and dangerous men for rigorous intellectual disciplineonly to discover an environment of sanctioned revelry. Even the schools enigmatic director, Viktria, encourages the students to explore, to expand their minds, to find themselves within the formidable iron gates of Catherine. For Ines, it is the closest thing to a home shes ever had. But the Houses strange protocols soon make this refuge, with its worn velvet and weathered leather, feel increasingly like a gilded prison. And when tragedy strikes, Ines begins to suspect that the schoolin all its shabby splendor, hallowed history, advanced theories, and controlled decadencemight be hiding a dangerous agenda within the secretive, tightly knit group of students selected to study its most promising and mysterious curriculum. Combining the haunting sophistication and dusky, atmospheric style of Sarah Waters with the unsettling isolation of Kazuo Ishiguros Never Let Me Go, Catherine House is a devious, deliciously steamy, and suspenseful page-turner with shocking twists and sharp edges that is sure to leave readers breathless.
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Yuki_Onna
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty cover 🧡💜 2mo
Eggs 💜🧡💜 2mo
23 likes2 comments
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Yuki_Onna
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Megzmarie5
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
Panpan

An eerie story of a young woman who has never felt truly part of something or fully happy with her life. She joins a cult-like school to learn academia, but begins to decipher friendship, rebelliousness and belonging. The bizarre yet intriguing plasm concentration studies lurks everywhere though and it‘s up to Ines, the protagonist, to decide if she will overcome plasm or if it will overcome her. Betrayed by Theo, saved by Yaya, Ines makes her way

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GondorGirl
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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We're visiting my folks for the weekend and decided to spend the afternoon on the boat. I started this twisty Gothic dark academia scifi (?!) and can't seem to put it down.

55 likes1 stack add
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RebeccaRoo7
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

Catherine House started out as a strong novel for me, but I felt the plot was lost a little bit. Maybe I would feel differently had I not listened to the #audiobook of this. I didn't hate it, it just wasn't the best type of novel to listen to. Maybe I'll try it again at a later time, but get a hard copy. Despite what I felt was lacking, it was a #creepy, dark read. Not up to par with #silviaMorenaGarcia writing, but similar vibes. #campusnovel

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Andrea4
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Bailedbailed

Half way and just can't anymore. And I was already forcing myself to listen and finding myself tune out as it's just so booooooring. Also, "I was sad like the vacuum was sad" freaking killed me ??? is my vacuum sad???? Questions I will never actually ask myself ?☠️

Tamra 😝 Weird! 2y
Bookzombie I ended up liking this one, but I don‘t think I would have had I done audio. 🙂 2y
24 likes2 comments
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Bookzombie
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

Is she high? Are they all high? Am I high? These questions all crossed my mind while reading this book. I have spent all day thinking about it and finally decided it was a pick for me. CH is an exclusive school with free tuition and room and board. Students must commit to staying for three years (including summers), never leaving the grounds, and then will leave to be successful. I‘m unclear if CH is a college. I know the students are adults. ⬇️

Bookzombie There isn‘t much of a plot, but I still found it compelling to pick up. This is basically Ines‘ story of being at Catherine House. #Booked2022 #darkacademia 2y
Reggie Lol I totally understand your first sentences when it comes to some books. I haven‘t read this one but you and a couple of others have left entertaining reviews on this one that make me want to pick it up. 2y
Bookzombie @Reggie If you pick it up, I hope you like it too. Some people really disliked it though. Lol. I saw there is a discussion with the author on YouTube that I may watch. I‘m curious about what she says about it. 2y
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Smrloomis Ha ha this does not sound like my kind of book right now but I love your review of it! 2y
Hooked_on_books I wasn‘t a fan, but maybe it would have worked better for me if I was high? 😂 2y
mcipher I wasn‘t high and I loved it - deffiniiitely weird though 😂 2y
Bookzombie @Smrloomis Thank you! 🙂 2y
Bookzombie @Hooked_on_books @mcipher LOL. Just to clarify I wasn‘t high. 🙂 Although that would have been interesting. 2y
50 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Kenyazero
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Panpan

If you‘re in the mood for a slow, unsettling atmospheric read with an interesting premise and maybe Aro mc, check this out! I didn‘t end up liking it, though. It needed some serious trimming. There‘s a ton of fluff in here that seemed so unnecessary that it took away from the story. Everything that did matter took way too long to pay off, and was hard to care about because of Ines‘s detached haze.
This was one of my #Roll100 picks. @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Doing great! 2y
18 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Klou Ooh good one! 2y
40 likes2 comments
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snapsnarlgrowl
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas

Only about 50 pages in, but loving the vibe so far and feeling like I‘m about due to revisit Kat Howard‘s Roses & Rot.

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groofay
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
Pickpick

I can see why people might not dig this one, but I was drawn in. I enjoyed the characters, the banter, the slow burn that congeals into a plot, the mysterious culty-ness. Any “horror“ in this book is a vibe, a window dressing for the events actually taking place and how the increasingly unreliable narrator and her friends deal with them, or don't. And I like that stuff.

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rmaclean4
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

This coming of age story set in the mysterious Catherine House college did not work for me. This read more like a YA novel rather than a gothic horror story. I found it repetitive and I guessed the twist well before the reveal. Beautiful cover design.

27 likes1 stack add
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CoveredInRust
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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13 pages in. Waiting to see if I love it or hate it.

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ImperfectCJ
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

This book didn't do it for me. I never found it very spooky/scary, and even though the relationships are supposed to be super intense, I never felt that closeness. The characters blend together with only a couple of distinctive voices, and there's way more mention of what people are eating than I thought necessary. I mean, sure, if there's a special meal, but I don't need to hear how the same cookies taste every time a character eats them.

ImperfectCJ Also, I know Thomas set the novel in 1996 because she didn't want iPhones, but that puts these characters at about 2 years younger than I am, and they don't seem like they're part of my generation, unless Catherine House recruitment targeted the smartest but least incredulous high schoolers born in the late 1970s. One unintended parallel I can appreciate is the one between plasm and the SSRIs campus health centers in the 90s dispensed willy-nilly. 3y
Kimberlone I also found this underwhelming 3y
46 likes3 comments
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Soscha
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

Alas, my reading completion rate has gone down precipitously. Yes, a long weekend I used listening to True Crime podcasts.

BUT, I did finish Catherine House. It‘s beautifully set & told. Lots of mixed opinions on it though! It‘s not scary, if that‘s how it‘s being labeled. It‘s more an elusive head-scratcher, with you-pick-your-own interpretation ending. If you keep that in mind you may want to give it a go.

suvata I‘m addicted to true crime podcasts. I usually listen to them at bedtime. My husband wonders how I can sleep afterwards. 🛌 3y
Soscha They‘re my go-to when I‘m feeling a little down & too tired to start up a book. The one I follow the most is True Crime Garage. They never get into gory details though there are ones out there that do. Obscura is one. There‘s a lot of variety in style to chose from, most of them very good! 3y
22 likes2 comments
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Kryckett
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

I don‘t … I can‘t … what?!

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Birch
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

Lush and enthralling, in a creepy way — just like Catherine House the setting. This just builds and builds.
I‘m reading a library copy on an e-reader, which doesn‘t do the gorgeous cover justice, so the Canton Tower in the background will have to serve for aesthetic.

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Moonprismpower
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Panpan

Don‘t bother. No plot. No substance and the characters are shallow. I was dissatisfied. The plot moved so slowly. No answers given. And the atmosphere was tired, not gothic.

Laughterhp I‘m glad I didn‘t finish this one. 3y
Moonprismpower @Laughterhp I‘m glad for you also. I lost eleven hours! 😂😭 3y
sb3626 Yeah I feel the same way about this one. Especially the ending. 3y
Moonprismpower @sb3626 yes the ending felt old, a common plot device to leave the reader to make up their own ending. But with so plot it was like we were having to do that through the entire book 3y
sb3626 @Moonprismpower I agree! It had a great premise but little follow through 3y
25 likes5 comments
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AutumnRLS
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Slow, meandering, hypnotically Gothic.

10 likes1 stack add
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Eringogreen
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
Mehso-so

I‘m not really sure the point. This seems like a half-baked idea and it just never really gets there. A lot of build up, not a big enough payoff.

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Lauren890
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Listened to this on audio and the narration was excellent. Unfortunately I liked it more than the book itself. The main character reminded me of the one from My Year of Rest and Relaxation - pretty girl, but lazy and generally unlikeable. The book ticked a lot of boxes for me - gothic vibes, mystery, campus novel...but a lot of things just aren‘t ever explained, with many parts of the story feeling a bit purposeless - or maybe it‘s just me.

Lauren890 This was a recommendation from book riot‘s #getTBR 4y
Charityann I didn‘t enjoy this one either and didn‘t even finish it... 4y
Lauren890 @Charityann I don‘t blame you. The audio was probably how I got through it! 4y
Eringogreen So purposeless 4y
19 likes4 comments
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Annabethica
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

This book was awesome. It‘s about a prestigious college where the people who go there have to be smart. The main character, Ines, had basically gave up education by the time she got to Catherine. The school in general, focuses in Plasm when they‘re not supposed to. Again, this book is spectacular and I would totally recommend it to all sorts of people.

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Mogoeg
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

While ultimately somewhat insubstantial, this is atmospheric & lushly written, with some genuinely creepy moments. A solid addition to any dark academia reading list, but at the end I was left with the nagging feeling of wanting to reread The Secret History - is that a good or bad sign? I‘m not sure.

Texreader Beautiful cover!! 4y
78 likes1 stack add1 comment
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shaynarae
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

I think I loved listening to Inés del Castillo read this book more than the story itself, but overall it was an enjoyable experience. It gave me Kazuo Ishiguro vibes and reminded me of Bunny by Mona Awad. If that‘s your jam, give this book a try.

18 likes1 stack add
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Gissy
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

Finished it yesterday very late. Gothic story in boarding school. I don‘t know the purpose of the story. School has like a paranormal sense, a cult & sci fi bc the experiments? Premise was good but it was like chunk of events not well related, last pages were interesting with an end that maybe will have a sequel? I don‘t know. I‘m glad I read it because I like to discover by myself if I like it or not. So thanks @freskner book was in my tbr 2.8⭐️

Gissy I still think that I will like to try this author if she writes another novel. I read an interview with her and was so interesting. This novel has mixed reviews. Some personas has given 4 stars. I read it as part of #Black History Month. Also as part of #HF readathon since it has reference of the past when the school was founded so for me it comply the prompt of HF with a diverse author😜 4y
DieAReader Great job!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
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MidnightBookGirl This one has been on my TBR for some time, and I'll get to it... eventually! 4y
Gissy @MidnightBookGirl Read it, it has mixed reviews and you never know if you like it. I will try any book by author if she writes something in the future. This novel has some interesting actions. I love the cover so it will stay with me. I‘m a sucker with pretty covers☺️ 4y
WanderingBookaneer De acuerdo. Tampoco me encantó. 4y
50 likes6 comments
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readtheworld
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Was too sleepy to post this last night — my final time count for #24in48, and a picture of the three books I finished in print. Not pictured is the one audiobook I finished (Chatter) or the other one I started (The Warmth of Other Suns). Really enjoyed this readathon!

PurpleyPumpkin Well done!👍🏽 4y
Jas16 Great job! 👏 4y
candority Awesome! 🎉 4y
43 likes1 stack add4 comments
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readtheworld
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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I probably only have an hour or so of reading left in me for tonight, though I am enjoying Catherine House. It‘s strange and dark, and I think I know where it‘s going, but can‘t be sure.

#24in48 #readathon #litfic #sundaynight #amreading

kbuggle Would love to know if it‘s living up to the Secret History comparisons? 4y
readtheworld @kbuggle I finished it last night and don‘t feel it really compares to The Secret History in tone or character building, though the settings (small, elite colleges with cliques) is definitely similar. I enjoyed Catherine House overall, but the main character felt a little flat to me, and I guessed the big twist way before they revealed it. It was still fun overall, though! Made for a great readathon book. 4y
kbuggle @readtheworld thanks for the thoughtful review, super helpful! 4y
42 likes1 stack add3 comments
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readtheworld
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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My next #24in48 read. I‘ve seen this novel compared to The Secret History, so my expectations might be a tad bit too high. Hoping it lives up to them!

#readathon #literaryfiction #weekendreads #newbook

27 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Panpan

This book reads like a literary fiction novel that wasn‘t quite working, so the author plunked in an underdeveloped, poorly interrogated sci-fi plot line and called it a day. It‘s just bad. And I don‘t know if the gorgeous cover is a good or bad thing, as it might prompt people to read this when they‘d probably rather not.

Librariana Unfortunate, but as always, I love your honest reviews 😊 4y
SilversReviews I could not get past too many pages. Stopped reading. 4y
Hooked_on_books @SilversReviews I completely understand that. You made a good choice. I listened to this on audio at high speed. If I‘d had it in print, I likely would have bailed, too. 4y
vivastory Ouch. I had this one on my TBR. Guess it'll stay in limbo for a bit 4y
53 likes4 comments
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readtheworld
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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My #24in48 book stack! My to-read stack is tiny because I signed up last minute, so these are two of my TBR books (Catherine House and Shame), one Agatha Christie from the library, and a reread I‘m really excited for — An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good!

I‘ve started with the Christie and am one hour in. What are you readathoning?

#readathon #24in48readathon #bookstack #bookpile

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Lauren890
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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This time for myTBR I asked for a book with the same vibes as If We Were Villains🖤, a historical mystery, and I‘m always trying to read more translated fiction. My bibliologist definitely gave me what I asked for but it looks like a couple may not be super well loved so I‘m a little nervous. (Why do I even look at ratings? 🤦🏼‍♀️)
#gettbr
P.S. If anyone has book recommendations for comps to If We Were Villians please send them my way!!

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sb3626
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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I try and give myself 15 mins between when I get ready and make breakfast to sit down and read a bit. I have had this on my bookshelf for months and I‘m excited to dive into it.

16 likes1 stack add
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AFrostCauseReads
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

This was interesting/well written enough that it kept me turning pages to figure out what was going on at this secluded college. But it‘s not a horror or sinister book. It‘s college life with weird things going on that the main character tries to understand.

This book wasn‘t predictable. I never knew what the narrators focus was going to be every section break, but it also didn‘t have a satisfying ending.

Cool concept and setting, bad execution

13 likes1 stack add
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Lynzee
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
Mehso-so

Kept waiting for it to start... ending sucked.

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Gina
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Any Bronte fans out there?

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NikkiM5
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

This book!!! This is one of the best books I have read in a while. It takes place in a naughty, secretive, shady Hogwarts type school (no magic wands though). I can‘t think of any other way to describe it, and I don‘t want to give anything away. If you have read it, please message me or something 😂 I need opinions.

11 likes2 stack adds
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BillBlume
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Mehso-so

Finished CATHERINE HOUSE last night, and I‘m still processing it. Really wanted to love this one, but I don‘t feel like the ending delivers the expected payoff. Glanced at other reviews, and was surprised at how many complain they don‘t like the main character Ines. I understand why they don‘t, but I had no issue with her. It lags a bit in the middle, but overall, this book sank its teeth into me. 3.5 ⭐️ for me.

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BillBlume
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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This book is just what the doctor prescribed for me. Desperately needed something that would sink its fangs into me and not let go. Read almost a hundred pages (roughly the first third of the book) last night. If this book can stick the landing, it‘ll be one of my favorites for 2020. #CatherineHouse #ElisabethThomas

18 likes1 stack add
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BillBlume
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Been letting dust collect on this one for too long, so I‘m starting Catherine House tonight. Hoping for a weird ride. 😸

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twohectobooks
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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New #library book day! I think I‘ll have to start with Catherine House since it seems to be in quite high demand.

12 likes1 stack add
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Branwen
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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I really love it when library holds come in just in time for the weekend! 😊💕📚 #librarylove #librarybookhaul

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Linsy
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Finished this one last night and then crashed. I‘m honestly not sure what I think. I kept waiting to feel more. I still feel like I‘m waiting for something. 🤔

+16 pts for this book, bringing my Week 3 total to 13,201. My best week yet! And my overall total to: 17,906. Go #TeamSlaughter! #Scarathlon2020

Clwojick Try Killing November! It had the vibe that I expected from Catherine House. 4y
Linsy @Clwojick Good to know, thanks! 4y
79 likes2 comments
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Linsy
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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My snack for the day! And tagged book I‘m hoping to finish for the first day of #slaughterathon! Seriously though, these pumpkin seeds are so good!! Will definitely buy more next time I venture out. 🎃

+1 #bookandsnack #24b4monday #scarathlon2020 #readyourwayreadathon #cocoturns50

britt_brooke Yum! 4y
Jess861 Pumpkin seeds are the best 😍! 4y
Andrew65 A healthy snack. 4y
Clwojick These look delish! 4y
67 likes4 comments
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inthegreensandblues
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Have always loved this song - Listened to it most recently because it was referenced in the tagged book. Whenever songs are mentioned in books, I love to listen and see how they influence the atmosphere of the story or my understanding of the characters. 🎶

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Laughterhp
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Bailedbailed

I‘m officially giving up on this book and returning it to the library. I put it down a week ago and have absolutely no desire to pick it back up. That seems like I‘ve already given up!

Crossing off my #BookSpinBingo box

This gives me my first bingo 🤦‍♀️

TheAromaofBooks If several days go by and I'm not inspired to pick a book back up, or I'm even dreading picking it up, it's time to bail!!! 4y
43 likes1 comment
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danimgill
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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TBR stack ☑️
Homemade chai latte ☑️
Quiet house with the fall sun streaming in ☑️
Sunday afternoon, ready to go!

emz711 Gilmore girls ✅ 4y
CallMeIshmael I need that mug 4y
danimgill @CallMeIshmael I got it on etsy! A shop called bethlynndesigns 😊 4y
32 likes3 comments
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RainyDayReading
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Bailedbailed

The writing isn‘t really doing it for me with this one. The stuff going on is weird and confusing but not in a “I have to know what‘s going on” way. It‘s more like “Isn‘t this book over already” way. I may come back to it I may not but for the moment I‘m putting it down.

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candority
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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Pickpick

Catherine House seems to be a polarizing read – you either love it or hate it. I really enjoyed it, but I can understand why it isn‘t for everyone. It is a strange read, with little to no plot, an unlikeable main character, and an ending that leaves you with more questions than answers. But all that, coupled with Elisabeth Thomas' fantastic writing, really worked for me! I can't wait to see what Thomas writes next! 4⭐

Laughterhp I‘m halfway through this book and I‘m starting to struggle with it. I‘m taking a break from it for now. 4y
candority @Laughterhp Fair enough! No sense in putting yourself into a reading slump! 4y
88 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
Catherine House: A Novel | Elisabeth Thomas
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#3Books I‘m hoping to read next month!

Plus 15 others! 😂😂😂

vlwelser I love The Historian. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks These look good!! 4y
Read-y_Picker The Historian was soooo good. I wished it wouldn‘t end. 4y
OriginalCyn620 📚👍🏻📚 4y
mcipher The Historian is a favorite if mine and Catherine House was also really good... so now I‘m thinking I need to read your third pick!! 4y
49 likes5 comments