Welcome to Litsy!

"The Gordon Riots of 1780 began with a massive and orderly protest in London against the Papists Act of 1778, which was intended to reduce official discrimination against British Catholics enacted by the Popery Act 1698... The protest led to widespread rioting and looting, including attacks on Newgate Prison and the Bank of England and was the most destructive in the history of London."

#ipredictariot #ayupaugust @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain ⬇️

Progress on #thereadingrush is slow - 2 books completed (the tagged one is 4 🌟 and is also known as The Duchess because of the film) but have just added the badge of 'book you meant to read last year'.

@wanderinglynn #bfcr2 update
Number of steps I've done today (i had to do 2nd class signed for delivery @JaneyWaneyB for #sits @Chrissyreadit )!
Books: 32/6
Walks: 2/2
Fruit: 1

🤣🤣🤣

Sorry about the blurry photo but which word stood out for me in this paragraph?!

At least one side of Georgiana's family is treating her sister right! I don't think much of the Duke (who is a Cavendish) or Lady Spencer at the moment. The Cavendishes are putting a lot of pressure on Georgiana to conceive, whereas Harriet conceived almost straight away.

Nothing like putting all the pressure on us girls, then?! 😡😡😡

What a life! Georgiana married well but not happily and in fact, it made her life more interesting.She was very political ,even canvassing in the London streets for the Whig Party. She was followed as a fashion leader,had a terrible gambling problem that often took over her life.This lively biography shows that many women in history pushed the boundaries of what they were expected to be.All the affairs and intrigues you would expect are here too.

For all her faults, Georgiana charmed even Balthazar. A very readable biography that at times reads like fiction and certainly helped me understand Austen and Trollope‘s political references more fully. She accomplished so much, yet could have done even more had her spouse and her society been different.

“Tho‘ she has lost considerably for the moderate play we have had, [Lady Spencer] reported to the Duke on one occasion, “it has been from a most obstinate a unalterable run of ill luck and not from gambling.” This from her mother who was always chiding her for being in debt!
@Leftcoastzen

Why do fanatics always destroy libraries! @Leftcoastzen

OK @batsy you‘ve convinced me. I‘m diving in on this dreary rainy Saturday. Want to join me @Leftcoastzen ? #currentlyreading

Informative and enjoyable

Georgiana is very very fretful, and has for a fortnight past slobbered amazingly.

Apostrophes: suffering abuse since 1784!

#Orange books from my TBR. #31bookpics @howjessreads

Absolutely loved this book, which tells the story of Georgina the Duchess of Devonshire (played by Keira Knightley in the movie of the same name) who ends up married a cold Duke in the 18th century. Comes with all the trimmings - society scandals, high fashion, affairs.

Foreman, a PhD in History, writes the biography of the Duchess of Devonshire in a way you think to be reading a novel instead of a detailed distillation of archives from Castle Howard, British Library and collections of all Britain. You perceive admiration for a woman respected by the whig and feared by the opposition, novelist, musician and amateur scientist. Frustrated by the 18th century women limits and deeply sad in her private life.

#tuesdaytidbits @JenlovesJT47
1) The Duchess by Amanda Foreman, the film adaptation “The Duchess” is one of my all time favourite films.
2) I actually like a good majority of the tie in covers. Some are just NO, but a lot are nice.
3) Terry Pratchett‘s Discworld would make a great series!
4) @miralunasbooknook @whatshesreadingnow

Next up on audio.

"His choice of words was perfect, his voice beautiful, and his way of putting aside the question when he chose, and fascinating the minds of men, extraordinary." Georgiana, on Pitt

I hope never to use the phrase 'rule of thumb' ever again!