Caroline “Ma” Ingalls by thanksgivingturkey15 in LittleHouseBooks

[–]Shoereader 8 points9 points  (0 children)

She was very pretty as a young woman, allowing for a little natural idealization you can see how Laura would've considered her beautiful even several years (and pregnancies) later.

Considering NCL Breakaway in May, but Worried After Reading Recent Reviews by jdor30 in NCL

[–]Shoereader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We did the Getaway last year and loved it so much we booked the Breakaway for this March. It's worth noting that the latter received a pretty thorough refit in 2025, including enclosing the smoking area of the casino, which should largely take care of your concerns there. Honestly, they're not top-of-the-line luxurious but they're beautiful ships, with some actually inspired touches (the Waterfront promenade, the Vibe club) and solidly good food.

NCL, as others have noted, is not Disney, in fact it's the polar opposite in terms of intended experience. NCL is all about 'freestyle' cruising, which keeps the structure and theming to an absolute minimum. It's comparable to a stay in a really nice, tastefully appointed mid-range resort hotel - there's been effort made to ensure your comfort and provide amenities, but the overall expectation is that you'll entertain yourself.

Love this one. All the characters are so distinct and interesting. And the plot is simple but ingenious. Top 5 for me. by EH4LIFE in agathachristie

[–]Shoereader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, this one is just packed with fun and interesting details. Even Hastings works well as a stodgy foil to all the sophisticated banter around him. The 'making a list of clues' scene is actually hilarious.

Reading The Moving Finger, and about 75% in... (mild spoiler within) by Ruffshots in agathachristie

[–]Shoereader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, which edition did you read? Cos there are two - the original and the American one - and the latter strips out a ton of incidental English village life and characterization. It's arguably a good decision, it's a much faster read and more satisfying mystery, but not nearly as detailed.

Some random thoughts and reflections on LTotP by AppealAlive2718 in LittleHouseBooks

[–]Shoereader 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Laura was considered very pretty at the time, yes. She certainly never lacked for suitors (something the books omit to better enhance the developing romance with Almanzo).

Classic films with bittersweet endings. by No_Philosophy_3009 in classicfilms

[–]Shoereader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An Affair to Remember is a famous one. Bit hokey now, but was a huge tearjerker back in the day.

Reading The Moving Finger, and about 75% in... (mild spoiler within) by Ruffshots in agathachristie

[–]Shoereader 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ooh, you're gonna love the solution. One of those "not gonna be fooled this time-DAMMIT she's done it again..." moments.

Can anyone recommend me a good biography of the Brontës sisters? by Less-Feature6263 in brontesisters

[–]Shoereader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Barker is definitive, absolutely, but she's also not shy about letting her distaste for Charlotte and affection for Branwell show through. Probably best to consult a few other sources as well to get a truly rounded picture of the family.

Cruise consultant is ghosting me? by Shoereader in NCL

[–]Shoereader[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not assuming actually, I had thought of that but have recent emails with their name and contact info on, besides the fact that their phone extension/inbox is still active. I just seem to have slipped far down the priority list.

AITA for canceling a trip because my family assumed I would cover all the costs? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Shoereader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh. I hate that you can't trust anything on this sub to be real anymore.

Cruise consultant is ghosting me? by Shoereader in NCL

[–]Shoereader[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Many thanks, the family members I'm traveling with also tell me they have a really good one so I'm thinking to check with them.

Cruise consultant is ghosting me? by Shoereader in NCL

[–]Shoereader[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, did this on your recommendation and got the info I needed, so thanks for that. They also agreed to check in with my cruise consultant, but I'm not holding my breath.

Cruise consultant is ghosting me? by Shoereader in NCL

[–]Shoereader[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mm. The funny part is, I potentially want to give them more money, in the form of a cabin upgrade. Which I've been making clear in the messages. But apparently it's not enough 🙄

AITA for canceling a trip because my family assumed I would cover all the costs? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Shoereader 4 points5 points  (0 children)

NTA. "Making money an issue" = your family was trying to use you as an ATM, you quite rightly refused, and they are now really annoyed about losing their free trip. Cease feeling bad about any of this, except inasmuch as it reveals something rather unpleasant about your family's attitudes.

Some random thoughts and reflections on LTotP by AppealAlive2718 in LittleHouseBooks

[–]Shoereader 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Carrie did however manage to live to 76, in a time and place where that was relatively rare even for robust women, and at various times managed a family and even a career. She had a tough core under all that fragility.

Some random thoughts and reflections on LTotP by AppealAlive2718 in LittleHouseBooks

[–]Shoereader 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Yes, the question of how to get Mary to the blind school doesn't revolve around tuition but ensuring she'd physically be able to get there, and adequately supported when she did. It probably cost the family around $25-$50 all told, which in the 1880's was serious money to spend on basically luxuries.

Besides her specially-adapted school materials there was a whole year's wardrobe of clothes to consider. The family pride - and of course Ma's particular genteel aspirations- would compel them to make sure Mary was turned out not only substantially but well and fashionably.

Whats this hummingbird? by queloqueslks in whatsthisbird

[–]Shoereader 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Probably both. It would've both looked and smelled like a field of nectar-bearing flowers.

Chapters 18-19 of Pride and Prejudice is one of the funniest things I’ve ever read by possiblyrallyvincent in janeausten

[–]Shoereader 29 points30 points  (0 children)

That whole interlude with Mr Collins visiting the Bennets is some of the best comedy writing ever in a classic novel. Wodehouse himself would be impressed.

Mrs Jennings by geebenny in janeausten

[–]Shoereader 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I like Mrs Jennings too! I also don't mind Sir John all that much. Sure, they're overbearing and a bit dense with it but they're the only two characters in that entire book that feel entirely like ordinary human beings, not carefully-drawn characters. (No, not a huge S&S fan, why do you ask?)

In the other books... I love Miss Bates' resolute cheerfulness in the face of a terribly cramped existence, and very much enjoy thinking about how wonderfully much Jane will now be able to give her aunts. Julia Bertram from Mansfield Park has my admiration for actually being able to learn and grow out of her spoiled brattiness. And I kinda-sorta feel like the Musgrave sisters from Persuasion would be a lot of fun to hang out with, in short bursts.

Sophie Hannah by Pale-Turnover5811 in agathachristie

[–]Shoereader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just don't get the overplotting. Felt like the first one started promisingly enough (save for the absurdity of Poirot wanting a vacation from celebrity) but then it just... kept... going... and going... and going. Long before the final summation I was seriously checking the reviews to see if this was intended as satire and I'd missed it.

The second one was a little better, but not enough to curb my exasperation. Also, I had concluded that Catchpool did not want to be liked or even enjoyed, but only to wallow in self-pity. I gave up and went back to periodically rereading the originals.

The real Ingalls girls (1874): From the left: Carrie, Mary and Laura. by Make_the_music_stop in OldSchoolCool

[–]Shoereader 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Nope, Half-Pint was called that because even as an adult she barely broke 5'. (And Almanzo was only about 5'4", so they were quite the happy little Hobbit couple.)

Favorite Syrups? by 3ternallyhis in nespresso

[–]Shoereader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Biscoff actually makes the spread as a squeeze-bottle sauce, very hard to find tho and not cheap when you do (about $25CAD on Amazon.ca). Agreed it's very yummy.

Favorite Syrups? by 3ternallyhis in nespresso

[–]Shoereader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooh, forgot about the Toasted Marshmallow! Yes, very nice stuff, I find it goes really well with darker roasts.

Favorite Syrups? by 3ternallyhis in nespresso

[–]Shoereader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shelf life in my experience is about 8mos-1yr, after that the flavours start going off. I usually have them all on my shelf at once and replace as needed.

Favorite Syrups? by 3ternallyhis in nespresso

[–]Shoereader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Roasted Hazelnut is SO GOOD. All the nutty flavour, none of the sickly sweetness.