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Brooklyn
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
Colm Toibin s New York Times bestselling novel now an acclaimed film starring Saoirse Ronan and Jim Broadbent nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture is a moving, deeply satisfying read (Entertainment Weekly) about a young Irish immigrant in Brooklyn in the early 1950s. One of the most unforgettable characters in contemporary literature (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), Eilis Lacey has come of age in small-town Ireland in the hard years following World War Two. When an Irish priest from Brooklyn offers to sponsor Eilis in America, she decides she must go, leaving her fragile mother and her charismatic sister behind. Eilis finds work in a department store on Fulton Street, and when she least expects it, finds love. Tony, who loves the Dodgers and his big Italian family, slowly wins her over with patient charm. But just as Eilis begins to fall in love, devastating news from Ireland threatens the promise of her future. Author Colm Toibin is his generation s most gifted writer of love s complicated, contradictory power (Los Angeles Times). Written with mesmerizing power and skill (The Boston Globe), Brooklyn is a triumph One of those magically quiet novels that sneak up on readers and capture their imaginations (USA TODAY)."
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JillR
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

A lovely little book. The story itself I‘ve more or less read before - a quiet Irish girl sent to make a living in America, leaving the life she‘s known behind - but it was told in a gentle and sparing way that I really liked. Loved the conflicted ending, and now looking forward to the upcoming sequel (although maybe that ending should be left as is).

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Yenya1954
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
Pickpick

I enjoyed the historical fiction story about a young Irish woman who left Ireland in the early 1950s for America when work couldn‘t be found at home. The characters were interesting. The courage need for a young woman to pack up and head off so far from home made an impact on me.

Soubhiville I have this and one or two others by him on my shelf. Someday I‘ll actually read them! 3mo
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Caryl
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this quiet book about leaving your home and family as a young adult, through little choice of your own, and coming of age in an unfamiliar community. The small details made the time & place feel beautifully clear. Tóibín‘s writing has a gentleness and subtlety I loved, and that felt just right for this story.

This was my #DoubleSpin pick for January. #BookSpinBINGO

lynneamch Absolutely loved this book! The movie was good with great acting and accents, but I didn't like what they did with the ending. As always, read the book first! 3mo
Caryl @lynneamch I‘ve never seen the film— I plan to watch it soon! 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
30 likes3 comments
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Caryl
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Here is my book stack for the #JoyousJanuary readathon. I hope to finish the tagged book tonight and then finish at least three of the others this week.

Ruthiella I‘m eying that Shirley Jackson bio too! 3mo
Caryl @Ruthiella - It‘s really good! A friend & I are reading it together and discussing. We like reading it slowly and savoring the details as we read Jackson‘s other work, too. 3mo
Andrew65 Hope it‘s gone well. 😁 3mo
Caryl Thank you, @Andrew65 ! I‘m getting there… glad we have one more day! 3mo
37 likes4 comments
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Eggs
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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69 likes2 comments
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Cuilin
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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#MayMontage #discussionbook I read this book in 2010 as I was leaving Ireland for the second time. The interesting thing was all my Irish friends and family had one very strong opinion about the ending, and all my American friends had an equally strong, but different opinion. I was conflicted so some good discussions were had.

Eggs Brilliant!! 11mo
AmyG I loved the movie. This is my doublespin book this month. I have always meant to read it. 11mo
Cuilin @AmyG Enjoy. Let me know what you think of the ending. Did Eilís make the right decision? 11mo
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AmyG I am hoping I get to it..busy reading month. If Ido, I will let you know. 11mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 😍 11mo
Vansa Do elaborate on the discussions. What did your Irish family think of it, and why did your American family disagree? I thought the book presented why she took her decision beautifully 11mo
Cuilin @Vansa okay so my friends and family in Ireland thought Elís had a way to be successful in Ireland and that many who left didn‘t have that opportunity; she was leaving when she didn‘t have to. I guess they saw emigration as a needs based situation rather than a desire for change. Using the familiar lens of the homesick diaspora they thought happiness was homeland. My US friends saw more financial opportunities for her if she left. 11mo
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Chars
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Mehso-so

Subtle yet unique ending that struck me as fitting.

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Centique
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I loved this. I‘d seen the movie and loved that too - but this really showed me a lot more of Eilish (the protagonist) inner thoughts and made me consider a couple of the relationships in a new light. I liked the way Toibin doesn‘t explain everything about Eilish to the reader, let‘s us sit with the little inconsistencies that make up a life. And his writing is just lovely. Two books in and he‘s fast become a favourite author.

LeahBergen Lovely review. I‘ve had this one on my shelves for ages. 😬 2y
Centique @LeahBergen I think you will like this one 😍 2y
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Jenken1998
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

Just what i needed. Slow historical fiction / lite romance /didnt really need to think too much book. A palate cleanser? Set in 1950s Brooklyn a young Irish immigrant struggles to make her life her own. 3 🌟

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arubabookwoman
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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I'm in NYC for a couple of weeks, right now staying at my son's apt in Brooklyn where we walked over to visit this iconic library. My Seattle friends are arriving tomorrow for a week of museum visits. My son will be visiting his wife's family in Israel and they have graciously lent us their apt for the week. ETA the top got cut off, but it's the Brooklyn Public Library.

LeahBergen It sounds like you have a lovely holiday ahead of you! 2y
CarolynM How lovely! Enjoy your time with your friends 💖 2y
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Gissy
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I read it physically and in audio. Loved to listen the accent because is part of the region, culture, and identity. I think Eilis immigration in general was more manageable in comparison to other people, she had a job and persons that supported her. She even had some money when she left her country. But she questioned some of her decisions which would changed her life. There are some sad parts. Liked the story and author‘s writing style. 3.5/3.8⭐️

Gissy Loved the cover😍The bookmark was another gift from another friend when they visited Ireland after 2021 London marathon.

#Irishauthor
March 2022 #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaOfBooks
#20in4 #Readathon @Andrew65
##2022ReadingGoals read books from old tbr
2y
Gissy March #Buzzword -location- in this case Brooklyn 2y
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Laughterhp
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

Just FYI, all these reviews I‘m posting are books I finished in July 🤦‍♀️

I actually really liked this book. It‘s slow and the plot is simple and yet I didn‘t want to put it down. I felt for Elis and though I wish she took more of a stand in her life, I never got mad at her. This book is not my typical read and I thoroughly enjoyed just slowly reading and going through this book.

lynneamch I absolutely loved the ending and was disappointed that the movie wasn't quite the same. 3y
Laughterhp @lynneamch Oh I haven‘t seen the movie. Maybe I‘ll have to check it out. 3y
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GatheringBooks
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Aims42
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
Pickpick

With 30 pages left in this book I honestly had no idea how it was going to end 😰 In my head I knew how I wanted it to end, and I honestly thought I was going to chuck this book at the wall if it didn‘t end the way I wanted it to. There were good parts and parts that I didn‘t really think added anything. I‘m torn between 3 and 4 stars, but a definite pick 👍🏻

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Aims42
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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I started ‘Brooklyn‘ today because it‘s St. Patrick‘s Day ???? I‘ve got my Guinness and a rainy night, I‘m ready to dig in!
???????? ???? ????
“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night."

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Emilymdxn
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I loved the writing in this, I loved how all the domesticity was so subtle and revealed so much about the MC and the countries she lived in. The quiet time the writer took over the descriptions of Eilis‘ several homes and how her feeling change over time hit me really hard. I don‘t know if I‘ve read a better book about Irish immigrants in America

Gogobooks Loved this one too. Also adored his novel, norah webster 3y
Deblovestoread Love this book. And the movie is great. 3y
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melissajayne
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Part 4 of 5 of my top #20of2020

KVanRead Love Brooklyn so much! 3y
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Endowarrior21
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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@MeganAnn You truly spoiled me I love everything the books have been on my to buy list for a long time. I now know what I‘ve been smelling the bathbomb. I love the blanket it‘s so soft. The tea is perfect and from one of my favorite sellers. The lights are beautiful and the candle smells good. And the ribbon will be going in my hair lol. Thank you again😊#Cozyswap @Avanders @ferskner @Chrissyreadit and thank you girls for putting it together🥳.

Endowarrior21 And the card is adorable 😍 4y
Chrissyreadit 🧡🎃🍎🎃🧡 4y
MeganAnn I‘m so happy you like everything! 🍁🖤🎃🎉 I hope you get a chance to cozy up with it all soon. 4y
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Endowarrior21 @MeganAnn I am reading Brooklyn with a cup of tea and the blanket on my shoulders. 😍😍😍 4y
MeganAnn @Endowarrior21 oh yay!!! Sounds like a lovey way to spend the evening 😍 4y
Avanders 👏🏽👏🏽🎃🧡❤️💛🍁 And that blanket looks fabulous! 4y
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Elizabeth2
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

This book started a little slow, but before long I was enamored with Eilis and her circle. As her social butterfly sister shines in their small Irish community, Eilis plays the role of dutiful daughter, working hard and being a companion to their mother. But when the chance to study in America comes, her sister urges her to go and spread her wings. I only wish the ending hadn‘t been so abrupt. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Free space square for #bookspinbingo.

Reviewsbylola Such a fantastic book! 4y
Elizabeth2 @Reviewsbylola I purchased this in the New York Public Library shop, on a bookish trip to NYC (we did a self guided bookstore tour and I bought one book from each shop). I didn‘t know what to expect with this book, and I was so pleasantly surprised! ❤️ 4y
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Elizabeth2
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Sitting in my sunny spot, enjoying the morning. It‘s been a crazy week and I am glad for some quiet time. ❤️📚 Goal is to finish this book this weekend.

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melissajayne
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

4.25 ⭐️ Finished my #doublespin book for September!! Anyways, I really enjoyed it. I did have the movie playing in my head as I read the book. An excellent portrayal of a young woman moving to Brooklyn and making a life outside of her small Irish town. #movietiein #historicalfiction #costaprize #fiction #brooklynnovel #nyc #bookstagram #bookreview

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Elizabeth2
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Reading this next. Another square on my #bookspinbingo. Hoping to squeeze it in before the end of the month! ❤️📚

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Susanita
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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rwmg
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

Eilis is sponsored as an immigrant to Brooklyn from a small town in Ireland in 1950.

An interesting portrait of a time and place, though there were times I felt it was too sloooooowww and I was desperate for something to happen.

The final part was suspenseful but I thought the ending was a bit of a cop-out in that the main character didn't actually make her choice, it was made for her by Miss Kelly's knowledge of the truth.

Ruthiella I also just liked but didn‘t love this book. I think the writing style isn‘t for me. I also read The Master by him about Henry James but the writing is the same...ponderous. 4y
rwmg @Ruthiella My ebook had a teaser for his book about Clytemnestra. I wishlisted it but am in no hurry. 4y
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rwmg
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Deblovestoread
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Book: Tagged
Author: John Boyne
Movie: Beauty and the Beast
Band: Blue October
Song: Be Bop A Lula

#ManicMonday. #LetterB. @JoScho

JoScho Thanks for playing 😊💜 4y
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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I started to really like the book, but I did not like ending very much... 😕

Scochrane26 I agree. I didn‘t like that she falls in love, then gets wishy-washy about it. 4y
JulietReads @Scochrane26 That really left me feeling fustrated. 4y
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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Men. 🙄 Lol

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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Why is Mrs. Kehoe acting so suspicious? Also, what kind of name is Kehoe?

Trashcanman It's a nice name but gods know. 4y
smilingshelves I had a math teacher in high school with that name. 😄 4y
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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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#COVID
I wonder if they knew about the Corona Virus. 😵

LapReader I try not to in public. 4y
40 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Panpan

I listened to this on audio. I did not like the writing style and think if it had been reading it I probably won't have finished. The language was just so cold which created flat characters and a boring story.

BarbaraBB Nou his best, I agree 4y
11 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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From the first few sentences this feels like it is going to be a challenge. The language is fairly sterile and choppy. Might be a cadence that you have to get into the groove of?

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JulietReads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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My first audiobook. 😊

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Sharpeipup
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Taking a break from reading to watch a movie based on a book. Anyone seen it?
#page2screen

Scochrane26 I haven‘t watched the movie but read the book a couple of yrs ago. 4y
AmyG I love this movie. I seen it a bunch of times. 4y
Kimberlone I actually thought this was a movie that was better than the book! 4y
Sharpeipup @Scochrane26 @AmyG @Kimberlone I really enjoyed it! Highly recommend! 4y
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Mitch
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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As well as being an amazing bookshop, with a lovely cafe - they have such a great logo! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

https://centerforfiction.org

Crazeedi What a great site. I've been thinking of joining this library. For 50 a year, I'd have access to all their ebooks. My daughter has an online membership and loves it. Thanks for link, very cool 4y
Mitch @Crazeedi 👍🏼 4y
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DamYank
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

Excellent classic, leaves you hanging but his next novel nora Webster continues in the future

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janeycanuck
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

After the buddy read of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I really wanted to finally pick this up. Brooklyn isn‘t a character the way it was in ATGIB but it was nice to revisit the city through Eilise‘s eyes. Such a beautiful book!

CoffeeNBooks I really liked this one! 4y
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suzie.reads
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Mehso-so

It was a nice book but that's about it. I liked the basis of the plot but it just wasn't very engaging.
#ReadingEurope2020 #Ireland (7th country)

Susanita I liked the story well enough, but the writing seemed a bit clinical and flat. 4y
suzie.reads @Susanita exactly what I thought there was just no oomph 4y
Susanita Not to mention the most unsexy sex scene... 4y
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zezeki I wasn't too crazy about this one either. 4y
suzie.reads @Susanita haha I just hate the term erect penis, it doesn't need to be said 4y
suzie.reads @zezeki it wasn't very exciting. 4y
MicheleinPhilly I usually love his writing and I thought this was a bore. 4y
suzie.reads @MicheleinPhilly it's the first book of his I've read and you're right it was boring. Will definitely give him another try though 🙂 4y
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CoffeeNBooks
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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I forgot to post this for #ReadTheUSA2020 #NewYork after I read it. This #HistoricalFiction is about a young woman named Eilis who immigrates to Brooklyn from Ireland in the 1950s in search of work.
@ljuliel

ljuliel Good job ! 2 states right in a row. Keep up the good work. 🌟 4y
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CoffeeNBooks
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

This was so good that I read the entire book today! The story was interesting, and I loved how well Toibin wrote it in a way that you could really understand Eilis' thoughts and feelings about leaving her family in Ireland and moving to Brooklyn for better opportunities.

#ReadWithMrBook #January #OneWordTitle @MrBook

#Booked2020 #Winter #FinishInADay @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

#LitsyAtoZ #B @BookishMarginalia

lynneamch I really liked the movie, too, but was glad I read the book first. Loved it! 4y
Scochrane26 I got a little frustrated with her at the end, but I really liked this book. 4y
Cinfhen Wow!! Not an “easy” read - amazing u finished in a day 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼glad u enjoyed it! 😄 4y
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MrBook Wow! One day! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 4y
marleed I read this month as well - loved it! 4y
janeycanuck I‘ve had this on my TBR for a while - and a Tree Grows in Brooklyn is making me want to read it. But I‘m going to wait until the buddy read is done, I‘m too likely to get them mixed up if I read them at the same time! 4y
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marleed
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I‘m perfectly content to place my comfy armchair smack-dab in the center of Times Square and read Manhattan for a full year. But In an effort to track where else I may wander (and prioritize my TBR) I‘m participating in #ReadingEurope2020 and #ReadTheUSA2020. And look! I made it to Brooklyn - and I liked it, a lot! #NewYork

Amiable What a cool photo! And I loved the book, too. 🙂 4y
marleed @Amiable Thank you!! I was taking down my Hallmark ornament Christmas Village with a mass of houses sitting on my kitchen table when it struck me that I had the backdrop for the book I was about to read! So, I also grabbed my copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for a pic. Maybe that will be my incentive to finally read that one too! 4y
Amiable @marleed Oh, definitely read “Tree”! I adore that book. It was one of the books I obsessively re-read as a young girl. It validated me — Francie Nolan allowed me to understand that it was perfectly ok to love books and reading and learning for the sake of learning. I‘m not sure if it would resonate so emotionally if I read it first as an adult. But it changed my inner world as a child. 4y
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marleed @Amiable It is certainly the book I‘ve wanted to read the most for the longest time and somehow haven‘t. I even have a copy on my kindle so I‘d never be able to say it was right there for the taking. I love that it meant so much to you - you‘ve inspired me! 4y
ChasingOm I have those ornaments too! My mom used to buy me one every year. 😄 4y
marleed @ChasingOm Oh fun! My husband started working at Hallmark the year the first house came out so that seemed the appropriate to start. He‘s passed away, but except for a couple missed years when travels kept me from thinking decorations, I keep adding the newest building. I have 2 walls of bookshelves in my reading room so I line them across the top of the shelves! 4y
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Bookwormjillk
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

I remembered reading this book a few years ago and loving it, so I had to read it again. Perfect this time of year, especially for anyone who has ever felt divided between family and making a life for themselves.

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Bookwormjillk
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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We‘re both enjoying this re-read.

Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻😍 4y
54 likes1 comment
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charl08
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Anyone want to be in #Liverpool a week on Friday? I have a ticket to see Colm Toibin and am double booked. Boo.
#freeticket

(Pic of the old home for destitute children, now student halls)
#Liverpoolbookfest

Birdsong28 @TrishB One for you? 😘 📚 📖 5y
TrishB @Birdsong28 thanks for thinking of me! I‘m away that weekend seeing Numan and sadly will miss all the University‘s literary festival! 5y
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abellism
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Pickpick

Why aren‘t you reading this yet? I saw the movie ages ago but going through and reading the book gave me more of Eilis‘ background. From homesickness, studying, love, and loss, Eilis discovers herself but not on her terms.

Overall good read, I have to go back and watch the movie now!

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swishandflick
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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I always love when they unveil the poster for the Brooklyn Book Festival! 📚 #BKBF

NYC Littens! It's high time we had another meetup 🤗

Leftcoastzen Love it! 5y
Soubhiville That‘s a great poster! 5y
Rachel_nyc I would love to join a meet-up! 5y
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mrozzz Yesssss let‘s! 😄 5y
Billypar Sounds great! I've missed the last couple of years, so I had this one marked on my calendar. Thanks for the tag @Liz_M 5y
Rachel_nyc @Liz_M Oh wow that really snuck up! I work on Sunday so festival day may not work unless I go to one of the late panels but there are also some interesting events during the week so I‘d totally be up for a meet-up if we can all coordinate something! 5y
71 likes7 comments
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ATB
Brooklyn | Colm Toibin
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Loving it so far. Nice summer deck selection.