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The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds
The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds | Michael Lewis
How a Nobel Prizewinning theory of the mind altered our perception of reality. Forty years ago, Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky wrote a series of breathtakingly original studies undoing our assumptions about the decision-making process. Their papers showed the ways in which the human mind erred, systematically, when forced to make judgments in uncertain situations. Their work created the field of behavioral economics, revolutionized Big Data studies, advanced evidence-based medicine, led to a new approach to government regulation, and made much of Michael Lewiss own work possible. Kahneman and Tversky are more responsible than anybody for the powerful trend to mistrust human intuition and defer to algorithms. The Undoing Project is about a compelling collaboration between two men who have the dimensions of great literary figures. They became heroes in the university and on the battlefieldboth had important careers in the Israeli militaryand their research was deeply linked to their extraordinary life experiences. Amos Tversky was a brilliant, self-confident warrior and extrovert, the center of rapt attention in any room; Kahneman, a fugitive from the Nazis in his childhood, was an introvert whose questing self-doubt was the seedbed of his ideas. They became one of the greatest partnerships in the history of science, working together so closely that they couldnt remember whose brain originated which ideas, or who should claim credit. They flipped a coin to decide the lead authorship on the first paper they wrote, and simply alternated thereafter. This story about the workings of the human mind is explored through the personalities of two fascinating individuals so fundamentally different from each other that they seem unlikely friends or colleagues. In the process they may well have changed, for good, mankinds view of its own mind.
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jack777
Pickpick

Lewis is honestly such an entertaining writer. The story and characters are fascinating too, so that helps. Really provided insight into so many different fields. Cool intro to behavioral economics.

Read while driving from dc to seattle. Mom gave to me from her collection.

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Abailliekaras
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Mehso-so

Michael Lewis is such an engaging writer with a knack for narrative, I‘ll read anything he writes. The story of Kahneman & Tversky tells us much about thinking for oneself, asking questions & the power of collaboration, & about their subject (decision making & bias). But they‘re also selfish geniuses & their quibbles & angsty relationship became tedious (or would have been had it been anyone but Lewis writing it). I lost patience with their egos.

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jackday
Pickpick

Lewis is honestly such an entertaining writer. The story and characters are fascinating too, so that helps. Really provided insight into so many different fields. Cool intro to behavioral economics.

Read while driving from dc to seattle. Mom gave to me from her collection.

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KimHM
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Pickpick

The audiobook of this title is the perfect marriage of narrator (see above the pic of Dennis Boutsikaris from IMDB) and content, which is itself a book about an intellectual marriage. All the 🌟.

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KimHM
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Knowledge is prediction.

Woo! I finally got Libby up and running! #latetotheparty

📚💙❤️📚💚📚💜📚🧡📚💛

Vivlio_Gnosi I need to read this book! 5y
KimHM I‘m enjoying it so far, @Vivlio_Gnosi, but it‘s not light listening 😄 5y
12 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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sidherinn
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Vivlio_Gnosi
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Added this 362 page #Nonfiction account of 2 #psychologists who published groundbreaking neurological research results to my #TBR stack.
#GreenvilleSC
Love anything by Lewis!

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Sharpeipup
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Not quite what I expected but deeply intriguing for nonetheless.
#audiobook

19 likes1 stack add
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JMRZ714
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I‘ve fallen from the fiction bandwagon that I‘ve been on for over a year. Excited to be reading some nonfiction again!

BookishMarginalia I really liked this one (though it has the worst title ever)! 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 📖💖 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!!! 6y
See All 6 Comments
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🌷🤗 6y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 6y
pdever Welcome! 6y
8 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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candority
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Pickpick

My fifth #NewYearWhoDis recommendation from @LauraJ was one that I would have never picked up on my own, but ended up enjoying. It explores the lives, friendship and work of two Israeli psychologists. I have a degree in psychology, so I was familiar with many of the theories and tests discussed, but knew surprisingly little about Kahneman and Tversky‘s work.

Crazeedi I've read about this one, want to read 6y
candority @Crazeedi I read it by alternating a physical book with an audiobook. I really enjoyed it that way! 6y
Crazeedi @candority oh that's a great idea! 6y
LauraJ I agree, this works well as audiobook. Glad you liked it! 6y
123 likes1 stack add5 comments
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candority
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Audiowalk time with this interesting book. I started it in physical format, but the audio definitely helps bring it to life.

Most of the tracks in the snow are from deer 🦌

#dogsoflitsy

Samplergal That‘s beautiful. Sometimes I do miss snow. 6y
LeeRHarry What I wouldn‘t give to see snow right now - great photo 😊 6y
Lcsmcat What a beautiful scene! 6y
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readordierachel Wow, what a spot for a walk. Looks magical 💖 6y
LauraJ I miss snow. 6y
candority Thank you @Samplergal @LeeRHarry @Lcsmcat @readordierachel @LauraJ! Snow is lovely indeed (for the most part) ❄️ I hope those of you who miss it get to see it again soon 💕 6y
125 likes6 comments
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RickW

Michael Lewis is such a detail genie. A great read on two of the greatest psychologists of our time. A must read!!!

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Laura317
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Pickpick

This isn‘t the tagged book, but it is by the same author. The Oncoming Storm is a bit of reporting on the National Weather, NOAA, the Department of Commerce and huge data deposits. I found myself fascinated with his research. Now I want to read everything by him. Photo credit: Pixabay.com

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UnabridgedPod
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Pickpick

I‘d recommend these two recent audiobooks—Michael Lewis is a great storyteller, so both of these nonfiction books are super compelling, despite my complete lack of knowledge about either topic (behavioral psychology and meteorology and the use of data in communicating weather emergencies to the public). Neither subject is anywhere NEAR my wheelhouse, but Lewis‘s ability to highlight the people at the center of each story is remarkable.

10 likes1 comment
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derr.liz
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Don't trust your brain.

#nightread

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Beckys_Books
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The book opens with a quote from Voltaire.

"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one."

The photo has nothing to do with the book or the quote other than it was taken at Voltaire - a KC restaurant we love .

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LauraJ
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No idea why, but this audiobook is fascinating. Hoping to finish while purging the apartment. On Monday new flooring is going in, which means moving everything I own. It will be easier if I own less, right? Even if it means skipping this spring‘s #readathon.

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Beckys_Books
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Decided to read these books together since the subject of the tagged book is the collaboration between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. Their work resulted in a better understanding of human decision making. Plus, they've both been on my #tbr pile for quite a while.

Booksnchill Book riot did a weeks long reading of this and there is a podcast out there covering Thinking Fast and Slow. I read along and it was eye openning 7y
Centique I have the audio book of TFAS. It‘s fascinating but I‘m going pretty slowly through it. Find myself wanting to quote from it whenever I‘m in one of those family conversations with people offering knee jerk reactions! 7y
KimHM I‘m impressed by the ambition of this project! I have Thinking but haven‘t found the brain room to read it yet 🤣 7y
64 likes3 comments
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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

This book was so interesting - learning about the men that studied how people think and why. I loved hearing about their lives as well as the real world applications that have come from their work. #audiobook #nonfiction

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Blaire
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Pickpick

I already knew about their work and the studies so that part was not new, but I loved learning about their collaboration and how their particular background as Israelis impacted their work. Also a great exploration of working relationships and friendships and distinct personalities and how it all played out. Now I need to read thinking fast and slow which I‘ve heard is great.

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Smithnd1
Mehso-so

I enjoyed his other books much more than this one.

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sb3626
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Pickpick

If you ever taken any psychology class you have heard about these two researchers in which this book is about. It‘s been wonderful to hear and just understand more about their lives. Definitely a great read!

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funkyfergie
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Tea, a good book and 80s music! Is there a better way to start a Sunday! #Sunday #tea #80smusicisthebest

Cinfhen I don't think so!!! 7y
ephemeralwaltz Nope!😂😍 7y
11 likes2 comments
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Christine
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Mehso-so

The theories and research discussed in this book are fascinating, and foundational to much important work in psychology/sociology/economics and beyond. And the bit about sports (particularly 🏀) was great, and the biography of the relationship between two brilliant scientists was full of interesting details. But somehow those didn't quite coalesce into a book that I can truly embrace as a Pick. Worth a read for the science alone, though.

Christine @LauraJ Not yet - do you recommend it? (I've almost started the read-along thing with the Book Riot podcast several times...) 7y
LauraJ @Christine Yes! My book club read it a few years ago and we see it cited in so many places. The @bookriot podcast would be a great companion. I really enjoyed listening to it. 7y
Christine @LauraJ Oh nice - thanks for sharing your thoughts! (edited) 7y
44 likes4 comments
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Beckys_Books
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The books on these shelves all still need to be read. A #tbr mountain that will take me much longer than summer to finish. #sizzlingsummerbooks

@Tiffy_Reads

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

A combination biography and social science book, this narrative nonfiction explores the collaboration, lives and work of two psychologists whose studies led to a Noble prize. While the biography portions were enjoyable, I was looking for more science than what was delivered, as it is about the errors of judgement people make on a regular basis. Overall a worthwhile read.

BookishMarginalia I enjoyed it, though honestly, the title and the cover were meh! 7y
56 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Settling into this interesting nonfic about why the way we form opinions is flawed for my #LitsyPartyofOne celebration tonight. These key lime coconut chocolates from @KarenUK are dangerously good!

KarenUK Glad you are enjoying them... 😊👍 8y
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Pedrocamacho
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Mehso-so

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It tells the story of an extraordinary collaboration between two scientists and the product of that collaboration. The material on cognitive psychology is fascinating. When you understand how susceptible the human mind is to statistical fallacy, you can no longer be shocked by the existence of seemingly absurd fake news.

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BookishMarginalia
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Current #audiobook because I want to understand how people make bad decisions. Super interesting!

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katrrosee
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I live for this time of of year, seriously. And that this book starts with some analysis and stories from the NBA.... count me hooked.

PS, if you watch March Madness, you will probably see advertisements for a certain company that I WROTE. 😳 Trying not to freak out...

LitLogophile I'm really looking forward to reading this book! And go 🐊! 8y
katrrosee @lostlogophile Cheering for them too! My team didn't even make it (ugh Texas 🤘) so I need to jump on someone's bandwagon (edited) 8y
LitLogophile Haha amazing to hear - could use all of the good juju this year 😂 8y
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ChasingOm Jump on Northwestern's! It's the first time we've EVER made it to March Madness, so we'd make a great underdog victory story... 😉💜 8y
tpixie What commercial??!! 8y
katrrosee @tpixie for Indeed.com! I work in data analysis and marketing 🙈 8y
BookFreakOut That's super cool! It's always fun and a bit unnerving to see your work out in the world. 8y
Taylor @ChasingOm My Zags are about to beat you guys tomorrow though. Go Zags! 8y
95 likes9 comments
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writek
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Nick
Pickpick

Another excellent read from Michael Lewis. He tells the story of two of the most brilliant minds in psychology very well

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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
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Pickpick

I don't really watch Basketball, and this book was highly recommended by few colleagues and I think Obama as well. It's the best strategy for decision making, when you know your own pitfalls! Thoughts?

heikemarie I find the most successful people in any given profession are extremely self-aware, reflective, and willing to change based on that reflection. 8y
70 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lennearb
Pickpick

I have an academic background in cognitive psychology, specifically decision-making, so I was already familiar with Kahneman & Tversky's work. I found the part about their relationship fascinating.

carys14 I saw Michael Lewis speak at a conference last week and he talked about this book. It really intrigued me. When I got back to my hotel room that night I immediately logged into Overdrive and put a hold on the ebook. 8y
lennearb I studied psychology, specifically decision making, in grad school and I was already a Lewis fan, so I basically assume he wrote this book for me 8y
8 likes2 comments
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GuiltyFeat
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Pickpick

Wow. At a time where it seems deeply uncool to venerate anything that comes from Israel, Lewis has written an amazing book about two Israeli academics that kinda changed the world.

This is a love story about two men who together offered the world insights and understanding that neither might have arrived at alone.

Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky have influenced a generation of psychologists and economists. This is a terrific story, well told.

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Susan
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Well-ReadNeck
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Mehso-so

I have to admit, I haven't read Lewis before, but I enjoyed several movies based on his books. This one was very strange because I couldn't figure out from the blurbs what this was about. That didn't change until at least half way through the book. The real meat comes at the end. While some interesting bits, the organization of this book was very confusing to me (I'm the first to admit, I want a roadmap at the outset).

minkyb Another honest review! ❤ 8y
bio_chem06 @Well-ReadNeck that's a pretty common feeling after a Lewis book. I really enjoy his work, but I think it's never a "breeze through" kind of read. The Big Short was hard for me to follow, so I watched the movie while I was reading. It helped a lot. I loved Moneyball too, but I'm a huge baseball fan, so I'm biased. 8y
91 likes2 comments
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AnythingCanBe
Pickpick

Kahneman & Tversky are compelling people w/a lot of personality, especially when paired w/each other as they were for much of their lives. Lewis paints a vibrant picture of the duo; a gifted story-teller, he weaves the bio together w/the science in a way that had me turning pages. Approaching TUP not as a fan of Lewis, but as a person w/an interest in the science/scientists, I was truly pleased & would rec it to others who appreciate the topic.

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LitLogophile
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My partner likes to read, but doesn't make it a priority. He asked me to make us a 2017 reading challenge in order to remedy that -- a request that I happily obliged?. The parameters are 1) books I haven't read and 2) a "variety." How did I do??#2017together

Suzze Great choices! 8y
Lacythebookworm Looks like fun! 🙌 8y
Megabooks Awesome! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
Julsmarshall Great list! 👍🏽 8y
Eyelit Fantastic! 8y
138 likes1 stack add5 comments
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DyAnne
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"After all, what is a marriage if not an agreement to distort one's perception of another, in relation to everyone else?"

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DyAnne
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DyAnne
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Excellent comeback.

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DyAnne
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"I was not really interested in right and wrong. But I was very interested in indignation."

9 likes3 stack adds
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Sarahsbookshelves
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Panpan

This Charles Barkley quote was one of the high points of a fantastic first chapter that was quintessential Michael Lewis. It was relatable, educational, funny, and cut to the heart of the issue in a way regular people could understand. Then, he proceeded to write a psychology textbook. I skimmed much of it. It was a total letdown. This coming from a huge Lewis fan.

BkClubCare So disappointing to hear 8y
10 likes1 comment
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DyAnne
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Bought this for my dad for Christmas because Book Riot people recommended it. Of course, I'm going to read it before I wrap it.

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Autolycus
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Autolycus
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on recommendation from #allthebooks!

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jennwangster
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As a psych nerd and former friendship researcher, I am SUPER excited about this book!!!!! 📚❤️

4 likes1 stack add
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ClassicallySkewed
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Panpan

Honestly, I don't read much nonfiction. I'm interested in psychology but not sports, math, or economics. The ideal reader would be into all four, except the opening chapter is so disjointed that you only have to care about sports to get to chapter two. Ultimately this book is about two influential Israeli psychologists. I'd rather have read a biography of either man or their actual papers to learn more than vague topic and research conclusion.

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BookishMarginalia
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My contender for #BestSentenceEver comes from a New York Times Review of Michael Lewis's The Undoing Project written by Jennifer Senior. Full review at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/01/books/review-michael-lewis-on-two-well-matched...

MrBook 😂😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻! 8y
readordierachel Haha. Brilliant! 8y
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MemoirsForMe Love it! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
Dolly 😝😉 8y
britt_brooke 👍🏻👍🏻 8y
153 likes1 stack add6 comments