pickRuth, by Kate Riley (2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Premise: The life of a devout yet independent-spirited woman living in a traditionalist Christian commune.
Review: This novel does a wonderful job in crafting its feisty and irreverent, yet deeply devout, protagonist. This sympathetic realism extends to the community itself, as it shows what life in one of these Anabaptist communities, scattered across Great Lakes region, is like, in all their idiosyncrasy. ⬇️
pickI'm somewhat behind with the #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub schedule but finally finished this one. I did enjoy following the interactions of the villagers, even if most of the characters were thoroughly unpleasant!
#192025 #1952 @Librarybelle
#HauntedShelf #ScreamTeam
#OneSnacktoRuleThemAll #AllThingsApple
#BookSpinBingo
#ISpyBingo (cosy vibes )
#PumpkabooHunt (medium)
@ImperfectCJ @Bookwormjillk @TheAromaofBooks @PuddleJumper
pickThis historical fiction deals with the power of books, the limited rights women had in the 1800's and the very real practice of the men in their lives (fathers, husbands, brothers) committing them to insane asylums when they were tired or displeased with them. It is a powerful story inspired by real historical events and while it is a frustrating and sometimes dark tale, I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 4.25/5
pickA book I wish had been written before I had my babies… wow it would have prepared me far more realistically than any ‘the first year‘ nonsense I read. The portrayal of female friendship is one of the best and most accurate I‘ve ever read. You might not love every character (I don‘t think you are supposed to) but this is a fantastic read.
pick
If you love stories that celebrate the power of books, community, and connection, this novel is a must-read. Set in Victorian London, it invites readers into a hidden world where women gather under the guise of tea to share stories, strength, and solidarity. What if your invitation to tea was really a lifeline—a secret book club tucked behind the rigid rules of society? That‘s the premise, and it‘s beautifully executed.
pickI really enjoyed this! Light on plot but rich in detail about everyday life in a beautifully supportive yet deeply restrictive and crushingly patriarchal religious commune setting. Contemplative and nerdily verbose, and somehow also hilarious! Ruth is ever observant and curious and questioning and I loved her. Grateful for a copy of this from Riverhead and also did some of it via audio since Rebecca Lowman is such a great narrator.
This is a must read. It will be in my top twenty at the end of the year. This book was so good. A sad tale of what life was like for women who loved reading back in 1895. And what happened if they disobeyed their husband. Yes I said disobeyed. Can you imagine?
5 stars
Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-secret-book-society-by-madeline.html
@madelinemmartin
@harlequinbooks @htpbooks @htpbooks_audio
Sitting at the lake, starting a new book absolutely perfect day!#MadelineMiller#TheSecretBookSociety#LakeLife
“A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free.”
FULL SPOTLIGHT: https://tinyurl.com/4fc22fd6
@madelinemmartin
@hanoversquarepress
pick💙📚BOOK REVIEW 📚💙
⭐️⭐️THE SECRET BOOK SOCIETY BY MADELINE MARTIN⭐️⭐️
⭐️QUICK THOUGHTS
⭐️Oh the men in this story will make you furious. But the women are outstanding!
⭐️This story will make you thankful for your freedoms!
https://reecaspieces.com/2025/08/27/the-secret-book-society-by-madeline-martin-b...
Bookish Pair: For admittedly less sympathetic but equally first-hand stories of Anabaptist life, Miriam Toews‘s A Complicated Kindness (2004) and Women Talking (2018). 2d