HolidayEscape

The Mercies | Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Really enjoying this book, although of course it‘ll make your blood boil 😡I gave a little giggle when I spotted a shoutout to ORKNEY #HolidayEscape @BarbaraBB #LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle #Pop22 #Booked2022 #NonPatriarchalSociety This book also works for other prompts but they may be SPOILER-ISH so I‘m putting them under spoiler tag in comments

KarenUK, Megabooks, BarbaraTheBibliophage, Cortg, jenniferw88, Laughterhp, alisiakae, RaeLovesToRead

Cinfhen #pop22 #AboutWitches #Sapphic #Booked2022 #NauticalNovel 3y

BarbaraTheBibliophage Perfect pick for that prompt! I really enjoyed this book, even though I was 🤯🤬😡 3y

66 likes2 comments

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick

Orkney | Amy Sackville

so-so

I wanted to take a few days after reading this to think about my feelings and after an entire month, I'm still not sure. Huge age gap between our newlyweds, but they seem to be in two different places. He's usually inside looking out at her as she is outside contemplating the sea. She didn't open up much and he was obsessed with his bride. I did get a feel for the harsh temperature of Orkney, but otherwise, I'm not quite sure what I was ⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick supposed to get from the unreliable, creepy narrator and his young bride connecting to the sea. Points for leaving out the sexual details! #holidayescape super late @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB and this was on June's #bookspinbingo board @TheAromaofBooks #readtheworld #Scotland

3y

TheBookHippie I agree!!! So ODD. And creepy. But I do think she is back at sea. 3y

BarbaraBB Points for leaving out the sexual details 😂 3y

Cinfhen Wonderful review!!! Thanks for tagging us. I think your feelings aligned with the majority of the group/ most were #MoreMehThanYeah 3y

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y

48 likes5 comments

Billypar

Orkney | Amy Sackville

so-so

I'm a week late to getting to this #HolidayEscape pick, and after reading the discussions, I'm in agreement with the consensus viewpoint. Even though Sackville's prose casts a mysterious spell that could have worked well for the subject matter, it wasn't enough to compensate for the lack of any real plot development. We're just left with a creepy narrator's obsessive behavior and no way to contextualize it, besides an offstage fantasy theme.

Billypar It was still unique enough to be memorable though - thanks for organizing @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB My Litsy time has taken a hit in recent months - I hope to be back talking books with everyone before long! 3y

Cinfhen Thanks for joining us!!! Miss seeing your posts but glad to know you‘re busy and well ☺️ 3y

BarbaraBB Your review might best describe my feelings about the book - and what it lacked! I too hope you‘ll be back talking books soon. Take care 🍀💚 3y

Suet624 Nice seeing you again. 3y

45 likes4 comments

AnneCecilie

Orkney | Amy Sackville

so-so

A couple is on the honeymoon. Apart from the age difference, they don‘t seem to know each other that well. He‘s just looking at the through the window as she‘s looking at the sea.

I didn‘t connect with this story or characters.

#HolidayEscape

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

Cathythoughts Great review! That sums it up. A so-so for me too (edited) 4y

Cinfhen Yes/ it‘s a hard book to connect too!! That‘s a perfect description. Oh well/ hopefully our next read will be better 4y

johncadams Loved my visit to the Orkneys. Wasn't long enough. So beautiful. 3y

51 likes3 comments

peaKnit

Holidays: Recipes, Gifts and Decorations, Thanksgiving & Christmas | Martha Stewart

#holidayescape #buddyread I didn‘t make time this weekend to post a summer playlist or holiday photos for the Orkney read so I‘m going to have a weekend do over today. These songs are summery to me or have a summer memory attached. It‘s a little overcast and gloomy, like Orkney! But I‘m going to the sunny beach in my imagination today! 🏖 @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB One Love and Kiss could have been on my list as well 🤩 4y

Cinfhen Hahaha 😝 it‘s 104 today so I‘m feeling the heat!! Pina colda song is a favorite 🎵🙌🏻♥️as is One Love 4y

18 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Orkney | Amy Sackville

pick

An odd tale of obsession and the sea. An older professor marries an otherworldly young student and honeymoons with her at the sea.

This was odd enough for me to be engaged in the story, though parts of it became rather repetitive…except maybe that‘s because of the obsession part??? I felt the writing style suited the narrative.

This is one I would not have picked up on my own, so thanks to #HolidayEscape for giving me the chance to read it.

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

Cinfhen Excellent review, Jess!!{ 4y

Librarybelle Thanks, @Cinfhen ! 4y

Cinfhen I didn‘t mind this book as I was reading but after discussion I feel like it had some serious flaws 😫 4y

See All 7 Comments

BarbaraBB I loved the setting and the plot but the way it was worked out didn‘t really work for me. 4y

Librarybelle @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB It definitely had flaws, and upon reading the discussions, they really shine through for me. I still didn‘t mind it - I guess I don‘t mind flawed books 🤷🏻‍♀️. I also read it when I was half asleep most of the time, so maybe that helped! 😂 4y

BarbaraBB That is probably the right state of mind 😉 4y

Librarybelle @BarbaraBB 😂 4y

79 likes7 comments

Kimberlone

Holiday Escapes: A Bluestocking Belles Collection | Sherry Ewing, Susana Ellis, Jude Knight

An impromptu camping trip to Hope, AK (an old gold mining town founded at the turn of the 19th century) interrupted my plans to take part in the #HolidayEscape weekend festivities. Here‘s a picture of the view from the end of the road in Hope, overlooking the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. We listened to the “Floorfillers” playlist from Spotify on Saturday night, which had a great mix of modern and vintage classics.

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB That playlist is cool and that view is even better 😍😍 4y

42 likes1 comment

Cinfhen

Chills and Thrills: The Ultimate Anthology of the Mystical, Magical, Eerie and Uncanny | Lena Tabori, Natasha Tabori Fried

Now that we‘re packed up from our #HolidayEscape it‘s time to think about our next #BuddyRead #DecemberChill December 3-5
❄️☃️❄️☃️❄️
What does chill evoke for you? coldness? tingles? fright? relaxed or easygoing vibes? Think of a book that fits one of these descriptions and let‘s celebrate the start of the holiday season.

Please provide your suggestions below for our next book??

OPEN TO ALL

BarbaraBB

Cinfhen @AnneCecilie @Hooked_on_books @Librarybelle @Leerharry @Kvanread @Leahbergen @Erzascarletbookgasm @Trishb @Squirrelbrain @Emilyhaldi @Megabooks @CarolynM @Batsy @Rubyslippersreads @Bookandcat @Bookwormahn @Mitch @Centique @I.be.stef @Thekidupstairs 4y

Cinfhen
@Debinhawaii @Cuilin @Simona @Thebookhippie @Vlwelser @Jennym @Peaknit @Kimberlone @Vansa @Cathythoughts @Tanisha_A @Cupcake12 @Reviewsbylola @Britt_brooke @LauraBrooke @Vivastory @Billypar @Jaclynw @Kelly_the_bookish_sidekick 4y

Cinfhen @DebinHawaii 4y

See All 71 Comments

TheBookHippie I love being snowed in 😂👏🏼 no clue on a book suggestion- I‘ll read most anything. I read a ton of Russian Literature in the winter months. 4y

Cinfhen Ohhhh, Russian Literature is cool idea @TheBookHippie I‘ve been itching to read

Dr. Zhivago

(edited) 4y

TheBookHippie @Cinfhen I‘ve not read that in 30 years I‘d definitely read it again. 4y

BookwormAHN Not a bad idea, I loved the movie 😻 4y

Bookwormjillk I‘ve been wanting to read Dr. Zhivago since I read

The Secrets We Kept

Cinfhen SAME @Bookwormjillk !!!!!! 4y

Cinfhen Not sure @BarbaraBB will want to read it @BookwormAHN @TheBookHippie but I also wanted to read

Sophie's Choice

Cinfhen I don‘t know why but I remember that book with a winter theme 😝 4y

vlwelser @Cinfhen @Bookwormjillk @BookwormAHN and @TheBookHippie I'm totally joining you on the Dr. Zhivago bandwagon. 4y

rubyslippersreads Sophie‘s Choice is just too sad for me. Reading it once was enough. I‘ve never read Dr. Zhivago, though. 4y

Deblovestoread Would love to read its been on my shelf for years.

Dr. Zhivago

BookwormAHN I don't think I could handle Sophie's Choice. 4y

peaKnit I‘ve not read Dr. Zhivago. I read Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher, I liked that one. 4y

Kimberlone I kind of missed the festivities this weekend since I was away from the internet while camping, but looking forward to the next fun weekend this winter. I will have to think about book recommendations. Dr. zhivago is definitely a good wintry option. I started reading it last year and only made it about 25% :/ 4y

Librarybelle I‘d totally jump on the Dr Zhivago bandwagon! Hmmm…I‘ll have to put my thinking cap on for some other suggestions too…. 4y

Cinfhen Ok/ I‘m withdrawing Sophie‘s Choice…it‘s also more than 550 pages @BookwormAHN @rubyslippersreads but I‘m loving the Zhivago support @vlwelser @Kdgordon88 @Kimberlone !!! 4y

Cinfhen Great @Librarybelle 4y

Cinfhen Attic Fury is a GREAT SUGGESTION @Kimberlone 4y

Cinfhen People LOVE Rosalind Pilcher @peaknit

Winter Solstice

DebinHawaii I immediately thought thriller so I think I‘m misunderstanding the assignment! 🤣 I am fine with Dr. Zhivago as I‘ve not read it but prefer nothing too depressing in December. 4y

Cinfhen No, a thriller is GREAT @DebinHawaii Can you think of one 4y

DebinHawaii @Cinfhen I have always wanted to read this one

Night Without End

Cinfhen Ohhhh, that‘s a GOOD ONE @DebinHawaii !!!!! 4y

vlwelser What about this one? It is also on my tbr.

The Winter People: A Novel

vlwelser Or this, though it's part of a series

The Snowman

peaKnit @DebinHawaii Night without End sounds interesting and sinister. 4y

TheBookHippie I like all the love for Dr Zhivago. I agree Sophie‘s Choice was such a hard read it still haunts me decades later. 4y

TheBookHippie @vlwelser 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y

jenniferw88 Happy with Night without End or Dr Zhivago, but throwing into the mix

Secrets in the Snow: A Novel of Intrigue and Romance

CarolynM Dr Zhivago is definitely interesting to me. What about this one, or am I the only person who hasn't read it?

Miss Smilla's Feeling For Snow

Hooked_on_books It‘s not obvious from the title, but this one has wintry/cold components

The Child Finder: A Novel

wanderinglynn Dr. Zhivago has been on my TBR for a long time. 4y

rubyslippersreads @jenniferw88 This one sounds great. 4y

rubyslippersreads @Cinfhen @peaknit I love Her too, so Winter Solstice sounds good too 4y

BethM Chill in December makes me think cold not scary. 4y

LeeRHarry Warmer days and sunshine ☀️😏 loved this one and would happily read it again 😊

Snow Child

bookandcat I love Rosamunde Pilcher and also would love to read Dr Zhivago! Honestly up for anything though. I enjoyed Orkney though I didn't get to post this weekend (husband's birthday weekend ended up VERY busy, the next falls just after my birthday so hopefully I can join in 😂) 4y

Cinfhen Dr. z is looking like a front runner @BethM would you be cool (😉) with that choice?? 4y

Cinfhen More great suggestions: thanks @CarolynM @jenniferw88 @Hooked_on_books 4y

Cinfhen Oh Gd @bookandcat what are the odds of that!?!! 😆glad you liked the book/ most Littens did not 4y

BarbaraBB Sorry to join in late! I loved the Orkney discussion and the one above. I have already read Dr Zhivago and don‘t want to reread it, but I can catch up by reading a summary I guess? It seems like a winner already! Sophie‘s Choice is so terribly sad, I loved that book, but it‘s not very suitable for our fun weekend I think. I‘ll throw one more in the mix:

The Current: A Novel

BarbaraBB And I‘ll second

Child Finder

LeahBergen I loved Sophie‘s Choice when I read it years ago. 😭😭 And I‘ve never read Dr Zhivago! 4y

LeahBergen I‘ll offer up this one for consideration, the winner of the first Orange Prize

Spell of Winter

i.besteph I don‘t have a specific book but just a few suggestions. I‘d prefer if the book were set in winter and (possibly) with a Christmas theme. (I‘ll go through the suggestions here later today and pick one as my vote.) Thanks for hosting @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB!! I really enjoy my #buddyreads with you! (edited) 4y

erzascarletbookgasm #DecemberChill makes me think of Nordic noir books. 🤷‍♀️ Looking at the suggestions, I guess I‘m misunderstanding the hashtag 😅. Nobody wants a heartwarming Christmassy read? 😁 I‘ll put in my vote on the shortlisted books. 4y

Cinfhen These are just suggestions for book ideas @erzascarletbookgasm @I.be.Stef @BarbaraBB and I will create a list to vote on in the coming days!!! Thanks for your suggestion @LeahBergen 4y

KarenUK This one gave me chills…..

Burial Rites

(edited) 4y

KarenUK Or this one…

The Book Thief

KarenUK And so sorry I missed yesterday‘s discussion. I ended up working an 11 hour day🤦‍♀️….. though it seems like I was the only one who loved this book! 🤷‍♀️ @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB 4y

Cinfhen Thanks for the suggestions @KarenUK xx missed you yesterday 4y

BarbaraBB @erzascarletbookgasm Nordic Noir would be perfect! If you have ideas, let‘s hear them! I‘d love a good noir! 4y

JaclynW Dr. Zhivago has always been on my list. I think Nordic Noir sounds fun too. The *thrills and chills* made me think of The Shining or No Exit. Sorry I missed this weekend's book party, it was busy here and I wasn't able to join in.

The Shining

JaclynW No Exit

No Exit: A Novel

JaclynW https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/nordic-noir-best-books-to-get-t... 4y

Cinfhen Thanks for the article and suggestions @JaclynW / we‘re getting loads of wonderful options @BarbaraBB 4y

JaclynW @Cinfhen As always, too many great books, not enough time to read them all. 😉 I'm okay with this problem. 4y

CarolynM I forgot to say yesterday, thanks for another fun party Cindy and Barbara 😘😘 @BarbaraBB 4y

BarbaraBB @CarolynM Thank YOU for participating! 4y

BarbaraBB @JaclynW That is one I want to read too! 4y

BarbaraBB Regarding Nordic noir @erzascarletbookgasm I can highly recommend this one which I read ages ago but wouldn‘t mind rereading:

Blackwater

Suet624 Sign me up for this lovely winter escape! 4y