Buddy Read for These is My Words by Nancy Turner

[NancyJ]

This is the November Trim the TBR buddy read for These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901. This fits the November tag American History, so I hope others will join in. (It might fit the Native American horizons theme, but not if they are only portrayed as the enemy.)

There are many short chapters, so it might be fun to make comments as we go. I don't think spoiler covers are necessary for anything covered in the first 80 pages or so.

Who is joining in?
What are your first impressions?

[Joanne]

I am in and I it was the last book for me to pick up last night (full disclosure-it was 11:30PM, but I doubt that ruffles any feathers).

Well, it is fast and furious the first 60 pages for sure. So much so, I only stopped because I fell asleep with the book in my hands. Sarah has already witnessed more in her young life than any 16 year old should. I have a feeling I am going to fall in love with her. I am enjoying the writing, as I can hear Sarah 's voice clearly through it.

[NancyJ]

The audiobook on my phone got up to chapter 110 (out of 306 ) this morning, but I fell asleep long before that. I’m enjoying it a lot.

I loved the part where she discovers an abandoned wagon full of books! That’s a sure way to win the hearts of heavy readers like us. Having a baby while traveling in a covered wagon was really dangerous. The captain’s comment about it really disturbed Sarah, but I wonder if the two of them will get together.

I read a book about the Oregon Trail, and learned that many people abandoned belongings along the way. They would have to lighten the load to get through mud, or they might break down, lose wheels or lose people. Life was really tough.

[NancyJ]

Sarah is really awesome, she's really young but she's practically holding her whole family together while her mother in "addled" by grief. Her mother makes a quick recovery though when Sarah reaches her limit.

[Joanne]

Sounds like you and I are in about the same spots Nancy. Looks like we have a love triangle emerging, eh?

[NancyJ]

Yes but I don’t think she even realized it was a triangle. She was so innocent she didn’t know she was flirting. I thought my husband was asleep when I was listening, and then he started laughing.

Someone was asking for an innocent or clean Romance story not too long ago. I would really recommend this one. This is my favorite kind of romance story... the romance is part of a much larger story.

I finished and this is a clear 5 star book for me. I started reading her latest book, about her niece, and I like it so far. how Far are you now?

[Joanne]

Oh, I am reading, not listening so it is much slower for me. I am only 1/3 of the way through. Reading a little every night but I have a pile of other books that I have to finish this week, so I won't be finished anytime soon.

I am enjoying it too and very surprised by how much. I have had only 3 of the 10 Trim books fall at 3 stars or below, so it is has been a great challenge for me!

[Joanne]

I just found out there are 2 more books following this one! The one about her niece will have to wait for me I will be adding the 2nd one on Sarah to my TBR!

[Barbara M]

Finally picked up my book at the library and just finished the book I had for Spain (missed the deadline though). Hope to dive in shortly.

[NancyJ]

I'm reading a non-fiction book on the history of native Americans, and it's interesting to hear about the government's various policies and actions at different times and with different groups. It's interesting how they line up with what Captain Reed was doing in this book. Including working cooperatively with one tribe while fighting another.

[Joanne]

Barbara wrote: "Finally picked up my book at the library and just finished the book I had for Spain (missed the deadline though). Hope to dive in shortly."

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I am-I am reading 10-15 entries a night, so no where near finished. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[Joanne]

Whew! I now want to be courted by Captain Jack!

[Barbara M]

I finally got my copy from the library and I'm juggling reading that with the other two I have. It's not going fast but I'm enjoying it. We are going on a short RV trip so I'm planning on some reading time.

[Barbara M]

I'm getting into the book and enjoying it but still trying to juggle with two others. I finished one of them The Plague of Doves for the new Horizons challenge plus we'll be going on a short RV trip (Wed - Sun) so I plan to get some reading time in. :-)

[Barbara M]

NancyJ wrote: "The audiobook on my phone got up to chapter 110 (out of 306 ) this morning, but I fell asleep long before that. I’m enjoying it a lot.

I loved the part where she discovers an abandoned wagon full..."

I would love the audio on this but its not available at the library. I'll bet the reading is great if the voice is right for Sarah!

[Joanne]

Barbara wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "The audiobook on my phone got up to chapter 110 (out of 306 ) this morning, but I fell asleep long before that. I’m enjoying it a lot.

I loved the part where she discovers an aband..."

I do not do audio, but I hear what you are saying Barbara-I have a voice in my head of Sarah-and I can hear Captain Jack laughing....

[Joanne]

Absolutely love this quote

"Taking up marriage is a good excuse for taking up cursing"

I really want on this on a T-shirt! LOL

[Joanne]

Finished up last night-(view spoiler)[somehow I knew Jack was not going to make it to the next book, but I kept trying to tell my romantic self, that he would and they would go on living this loving life they had found together. (hide spoiler)]

I could not give it 5 stars as that designation usually goes to books I can recommend whole-heartedly to anyone, or else are fantasy genre that I rate in for an Epic Fantasy group I belong to. From past experience, I know a lot of readers do not like books written in an episcopal format, as this one is. I loved the format and cannot imagine reading about Sarah in any other way.

I found Sarah so refreshing, for a woman of this time period. How she grew not only in an educated sense, but in the sense that she was not going to take B.S. from anyone. (view spoiler)[ I especially loved near the end, where she stops in front of the church-looks at all the jerks in there and just decides what is going to happen next in her life! (hide spoiler)].

Hey Barbara-waiting on your thoughts-don't hurry on my account-lol, I am usually the last one finished with a Buddy Read.(Proud of myself Miss Nancy for crossing the finish line earlier than usual!). Just anxious to discuss and find out how you felt about the book!

Oh and one funny thing....Every time I saw the name "Jack" I pictured Johnny Depp(Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow!) Probably because he (Depp) is a heart-throb for me and always reminds me of Clark Gable and Clark Gable leads me to Scarlett O'Hara and that relationship in Gone With The Wind reminds me of Jack and Sarah......I wonder sometimes how my brain works through these kinda of things🤣

[NancyJ]

I discovered there are 2 more books about Sarah, and a brand new book about her niece. I read a few chapters of the last one (about her niece) and I really liked the character a lot. I had to set it aside for other books - with deadlines or due dates, but I'll get to it. I'm not worried about reading the Sarah books first.