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The Portable Veblen
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
An exuberant, one-of-a-kind novel about love and family, war and nature, new money and old values by a brilliant New Yorker contributorThe Portable Veblen is a dazzlingly original novel thats as big-hearted as it is laugh-out-loud funny. Set in and around Palo Alto, amid the culture clash of new money and old (antiestablishment) values, and with the specter of our current wars looming across its pages, The Portable Veblen is an unforgettable look at the way we live now. A young couple on the brink of marriagethe charming Veblen and her fianc Paul, a brilliant neurologistfind their engagement in danger of collapse. Along the way they weather everything from each others dysfunctional families, to the attentions of a seductive pharmaceutical heiress, to an intimate tte--tte with a very charismatic squirrel. Veblen (named after the iconoclastic economist Thorstein Veblen, who coined the term conspicuous consumption) is one of the most refreshing heroines in recent fiction. Not quite liberated from the burdens of her hypochondriac, narcissistic mother and her institutionalized father, Veblen is an amateur translator and freelance self; in other words, shes adrift. Meanwhile, Paulthe product of good hippies who were bad parentsfinds his ambition soaring. His medical research has led to the development of a device to help minimize battlefield brain traumaan invention that gets him swept up in a high-stakes deal with the Department of Defense, a Bizarro World that McKenzie satirizes with granular specificity. As Paul is swept up by the promise of fame and fortune, Veblen heroically keeps the peace between all the damaged parties involved in their upcoming wedding, until she finds herself falling for someoneor somethingelse. Throughout, Elizabeth McKenzie asks: Where do our families end and we begin? How do we stay true to our ideals? And what is that squirrelreallythinking? Replete with deadpan photos and sly appendices,The Portable Veblenis at once an honest inquiry into what we look for in love and an electrifying reading experience.
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KristiAhlers
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

If you're looking for a feel good read that doesn't take itself too seriously (which I was since I'm on vacation) than I think you will enjoy this. Yes, it's silly but at the same time refreshing

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TheEllieMo
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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Aimeesue
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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The Dog of the North wasn‘t in, so I borrowed Veblen (named after the iconoclastic economist Thorstein Veblen, who coined the term “conspicuous consumption” by her hypochondriac mother and institutionalized father.) A whirlwind romance with Paul (scientist scooped up by industrial pharma, hoping to make big bucks on the backs of IED damaged soldiers + the DoD) leads to a lot of interesting situations. And a number of squirrels. Very witty!

squirrelbrain Thanks for the tag @jenniferw88 - I have a (physical) copy of this on my TBR shelf but just haven‘t got round to reading it! 11mo
Reggie I loved this book. Their backstories were very crazypants if I remember correctly. Paul is raised in a hippie commune doing psychedelics right? I love when she calls that woman who has her hooks into Paul as that predatory insect. I can‘t remember it right now. 11mo
Aimeesue @Reggie Crazypants is right! Paul‘s parents were pot growers back in the day, and I just came across some casual ref from Veblen about how they had to go drop off a brown paper wrapped package in the park. You know, like you do. 😂 I‘m really enjoying it! 11mo
25 likes5 comments
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Moray_Reads
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Panpan

Honestly, this was just too...silly for me. I think the oddness was supposed to be quirky and charming but it just fell flat. E characters speak like twelve-year-olds and l every interaction grates horribly. The juxtaposition of more serious topics (pharmaceutical profiteering, war injuries, mental illness) in this childish context felt insincere and in poor taste. I'm frankly astounded it was shortlisted for the Women's Prize

cjk I abandoned this one early on- I just didn‘t like it. 🤷‍♀️ (edited) 4y
Moray_Reads @cjk it was definitely a chore to finish. I'm glad it's over! 4y
squirrelbrain Oh dear, just bought this one (it was cheap and because.... squirrel). I thought it sounded a bit weird so it‘s gone on the TBR shelf. Love the pic though! ❤️🐿😁 4y
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saresmoore Every time I spot this one on the shelf, I think about taking it down for a read. Now I‘m really eager to get to it, so I can pass it along if I hate it! 😅 4y
Moray_Reads @saresmoore it's a really weird mixture of silly and faux-serious that I just didn't get. Either might have been okay but both together didn't work 4y
saresmoore I just picked it up and read the first 20 pages. I already see what you mean about the dialogue and the tone—it‘s childish without the innocence. The prose is odd & stilted, too. 4y
Moray_Reads @saresmoore I agree. the whole thing just felt off to me. I've seen it compared to Eleanor Oliphaunt and I hated that one but I still think it was much better written than Veblen
4y
saresmoore Too funny that Veblen and Eleanor are shelf neighbors in my library. I think I need some better turquoise books. 😆 4y
23 likes8 comments
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squirrelbrain
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Saw this in a bookshop in Whitby and had to have it... On the blurb Ursula K. Le Guin said ‘...the squirreliest novel I ever read. I enjoyed it completely‘

It sounds a bit weird actually, but I couldn‘t not. Also featured is my new squirrel friend, bought from a rock/gem shop in Robin Hood‘s Bay.

Chelsea.Poole So quirky! I enjoyed it 🐿 4y
erzascarletbookgasm 👏 🐿 how can you pass this up? 😁 4y
TrishB Very cool 🐿 4y
See All 7 Comments
Moray_Reads My siblings and I loved Robin Hood's Bay when we were young, that steep road down to the beach! 4y
squirrelbrain Glad to hear that @Chelsea.Poole - looking forward to it! 4y
squirrelbrain @Moray_Reads - we used to go as kids too, many many years ago! It‘s still lovely - but a very steep walk back up again! 😁 4y
75 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Litpixie
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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This month has been difficult in trying to read. Working more, I'll, and then three books I abandoned. Just started this and it's intriguing.

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Dolly
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Mehso-so

Somewhat disappointing. The vapid conversations, the childish voice of the narrator, and the immature behavior of the characters was off putting. I was probably bothered by this more than most.

merelybookish I really wanted to like this! (I like quirky stories.) But this was a so-so for me too! 5y
Cinfhen I bailed 😜 5y
Dolly @merelybookish @Cinfhen When I read the positive reviews my imagination took a nice little journey. Unfortunately that trip, even though it wasn‘t fully fleshed out, was better than this book. 5y
Cinfhen Hahahaha 5y
45 likes4 comments
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derr.liz
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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"I want to meet muckrakers, carousers, the sweet-toothed, and the lion-hearted, and you don't know it yet, but you are all of these."

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actualdisneyprincess
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

Loved it; it reminded me a lot of “Eleanor Oliphant,” and let‘s be honest, I‘m bound to love anything where an adorable, sassy lil‘ squirrel plays a part. But truly, an original, lovely little novel. It‘s a pick. 🤷🏻‍♀️🐿💖 #theportableveblen #elizabethmckenzie

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actualdisneyprincess
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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So, so close to being done with this! I couldn‘t possibly be more grateful than I am for the fact that I‘ve gotten to spend the last two hours pretty much completely alone at work, reading, in blessed silence. #theportableveblen #elizabethmckenzie

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actualdisneyprincess
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Just hanging out with my own little woodland creature buddy while I read. It‘s too hot to do anything else! #theportableveblen #elizabethmckenzie

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actualdisneyprincess
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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This feels a little bit like “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” so even though it‘s a little slow-moving, I‘m sticking with it. Plus, there‘s a squirrel. 🤷🏻‍♀️🐿💖 #theportableveblen #elizabethmckenzie

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steph_hashes_tags
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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RedbagReadbooks
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

4/5🐿.This books was a great end to 2017 (unless I can squeeze one more in). An odd couple looking to marry after four months of dating find themselves struggling to control the world from spinning out of control. Paul, a neurologist, tries erase his past, while Veblen tries to embrace everything about herself. And she really likes squirrels. Would highly recommend.

Reggie Their families were banana pants crazy!!!!! Lol, but I loved this one also. 6y
RedbagReadbooks @Reggie I thought Veblen did a great job of illustrating that everyone‘s family has there own normal. But ur right there were BSC. 6y
33 likes1 stack add2 comments
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wellreadredhead
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I may have just bought 18 books because of Book Outlet‘s Boxing Day sale. They were only $55 so I don‘t feel too guilty. And here‘s a bonus picture of two of my babies! #littenkitten #catsoflitsy

coffeenebula Kitty loaves! 😍 6y
Alfoster Awww...too cute!😍 6y
Melissa_J I bought 13 😊 6y
127 likes3 comments
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RedbagReadbooks
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I didn‘t get any books 📚 for Christmas 😟
However, my son gave me a heating blanket (squeal with excitement). Guess my Christmas 🎄 books will have to come from me 😁🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🤪

Tamra Mine came from 🤶🏾 (me) in my stocking this year and I‘m ok with that! 😆 6y
silentrequiem I bought my own books for the holidays. It meant they were all books I wanted! The store even offered to wrap them for me, after I told the clerk they were for me, so I could open them Christmas morning. I didn't take them up in it but I'm glad they understand me. 😁 6y
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lauralovesbooks1
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Mehso-so

If you like books about quirky characters and dysfunctional families that still touch on serious subjects (like brain injuries, medical industry, and mental illness), then you might enjoy this read. Overall, I enjoyed the reading experience -- but at times it felt like it lost focus and wandered a bit.

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lauralovesbooks1
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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You can't go wrong with a chapter title like this.

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lauralovesbooks1
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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If October was dedicated to spooky reads, and November was all about non-fiction, then December is going to be my "finish what you started" month, where I try to finish next in series that I haven't read, reading goals from the beginning of the year (That's you, Dr Zhivago), and books I started, but got distracted before I finished. These are my top priorities.

DogEaredBooks I‘ll put in my good words that Stiletto is really good! 6y
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bookzombie
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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@lnicole34 I love everything you sent me. I can‘t wait to read the books you picked. All of the extra goodies are wonderful and I will be digging into the Swedish Fish and Sour Patch candies tomorrow. #halloweengoespostal

I hope you have a happy and fun Halloween, Laura! 👻🎃

Cinfhen 😍 6y
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
erzascarletbookgasm 👍💖love the cute kitty pouch 6y
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robinb ❤️❤️ 6y
lnicole34 @Bookzombie I‘m glad you like everything! Hope you enjoy the books :) 6y
Bookzombie @lnicole34 I‘m sure I will. Thank you again! 😊 6y
97 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

This was on my #tbr list forever! Finally got around to it and I‘m glad I did. The quirk in this book is unlike anything I‘ve ever encountered in a novel before. Loved it! There are images throughout the text, a squirrel who may(?) communicate with humans, and two dysfunctional families. Though there is quirk galore, it is totally readable and serious on the commentary on current affairs and American politics and environmentalism. 🐿

minkyb Oh I really need to move this higher in the pile! 6y
Reggie Their families were bonkers. I did love this book, though. 6y
75 likes2 comments
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thereadingwomen
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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It‘s Autumn! The person, but also the season, and I have some recommended seasonal reads up on the blog. Check it out and let me know what your favorite autumn reads are in the comments. 👇
////
#thereadingwomen #ontheblog #autumnreads #fallreads #autumn

https://www.readingwomenpodcast.com/blog/2017/10/6/fall-reading-recs

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Chelsea.Poole
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I read a sample of this while putting my baby boy to bed this evening. I quickly discovered that I must check it out and read the whole thing!! I missed this one last year when it was new, so it‘s new to me now. 🐿 also, squirrels!! #libby #ebook

shawnmooney Loved it and strongly recommend the audiobook narrated by Laurence Bouvard to listen to while you read - she does all the voices, especially the mother's, amazingly well! 6y
Chelsea.Poole @shawnmooney thanks for the recommendation! I do a combination of reading/listening with each book I read but I don‘t have access to the audio for this one. Really bums me out since you said it is so good!! 6y
shawnmooney Bummer! I got access through my Scribd membership. You could always do a free trial and get it that way - although the audiobook might not be licensed for your country - I live in Japan but my Mom in Canada couldn't access it through her Scribd membership, 6y
shawnmooney It's also available (to me in Japan) with my premium membership on the TuneIn app. 6y
Chelsea.Poole @shawnmooney thanks!! I‘ll try those options 😊 6y
83 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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LauraBeth
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Cinfhen I smell trouble 7y
Tanzy13 🐶🐱 7y
LauraBrook I didn't realize what long legs Bitsy has - she's always upside down! 😚😚 7y
See All 39 Comments
CocoReads Squirrel patrol! 7y
LauraBeth @Cinfhen It‘s always trouble with those two 😀 7y
LauraBeth @LauraBrook I didn‘t realize how big of a dog she is until we took in my mom‘s dog 😹 He seems so tiny compared to beastly Bitsy 7y
LauraBeth @CocoReads I have to go outside and shoo away the squirrels that like to lounge on our fence before I let Bitsy outside 😂 7y
IBooktrovert Stragetic cover up lol 7y
LauraBeth @Tanzy13 those two together always = chaos! 7y
CoverToCoverGirl This just makes my day! Thank you for sharing! 😍😂 7y
CocoReads Our squirrels used to taunt our last dog because they knew he'd never catch them. They've made themselves a little less known since Guinness came to live with us. Although I'm not sure he'd catch them either. 7y
Bks4Wrms They are probably anxiously awaiting your #bookmail. BTW - Can I come over and do puzzles with you? We could listen to an audiobook while we work? #audiopuzzling 7y
LauraBeth @Bks4Wrms you can absolutely come over for some audiopuzzling! I‘m the only one in my family who enjoys puzzles 😔 7y
LauraBeth @CocoReads 😂😂 Bitsy is really fast - I‘m scared to think about what would happen if she caught one 🙀🐿🍽 7y
emilyhaldi I ❤️ puzzles!! I saw an "ideal bookshelf" puzzle at the Strand last week and almost bought it but I had too many books to carry ? @Bks4Wrms @LauraBeth (edited) 7y
LauraBeth @emilyhaldi you need to go back and get it! @Bks4Wrms 7y
Ms_T Phew! Excellent emoji placement. 7y
emilyhaldi Just found it on Amazon!! 🎉 7y
LauraBeth @emilyhaldi 🎉🎉 would you mind sharing the link? Because I need ONE MORE puzzle 😂 7y
LauraBeth @Ms_T ☺️☺️ 7y
TrishB Awww 💝 7y
emilyhaldi Happy to share!!! Galison Ideal Bookshelf Universals Puzzle (1000 Piece) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735348804/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dprZzbH22PCSK 7y
AmyG SQUIRREL! 7y
LauraBeth @emilyhaldi oh I love this! Thanks for the link! 7y
LauraBeth @Amyg 😹😹 7y
LauraBeth @TrishB I love those two 😻😻 7y
TrishB So do I 😀 7y
LauraBeth @TrishB ☺️😽 7y
batsy Squirrel patrol squad is on point 🐕🐈❤️ 7y
LauraBeth @batsy it‘s the only thing they can agree on 😹 7y
Reecaspieces 😂😂😂 7y
Bks4Wrms I‘ll bring the snacks! {perched over iPhone looking for flights} 7y
Bks4Wrms @emilyhaldi Thanks for the puzzle link! 7y
LauraBeth @Bks4Wrms 🙌🙌 6y
tpixie @emilyhaldi just bought it!! 6y
emilyhaldi @tpixie awesome!!! Hope you enjoy ☺️ 6y
tpixie @emilyhaldi 🎉🎉🎉 @LauraBeth lol I just noticed the chipmunk!! 6y
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OrangeMooseReads
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

Interesting book. The story of a woman with a dysfunctional family dating a man with just as much of a dysfunctional family. She talks to squirrels and understands them and they understand her, they have a special bond. The narration could have been better it was whiny. Over all good.

merelybookish I really wanted to like this, and I did in parts, but found it kind of fell apart in the end. 7y
OrangeMooseReads @merelybookish the ending did feel a bit forced like she got tired of writing and had to wrap it up. I would have liked more squirrel interaction. 7y
44 likes2 comments
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OrangeMooseReads
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Soccer practice! #audiomomming ⚽️🥅

BookInMyHands Brilliant! My kiddo starts practice this week, I'll have to do that. 7y
OrangeMooseReads @BookInMyHands it's the only way (without drinking) that I can get through sports practices. 7y
BookInMyHands 😂 for sure! 7y
britt_brooke Love the hashtag! 7y
36 likes5 comments
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OrangeMooseReads
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I'm kind of giggly at the moment. Not even sure how she saw the post I didn't tag her 🤓

ApoptyGina69 Ooo super cool! 👍I just got this on kindle. Looking forward to it. 7y
39 likes1 comment
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Apinlibraryland
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Not book related, but I HELD A BABY SQUIRREL TODAY!

Tanzy13 so jealous 😍🐿 7y
LauraBrook Awwwwww!!!! SOOOOO CUTE!!!! 7y
CouronneDhiver Oh wow! So little 7y
18 likes1 stack add3 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Starting this one today.

shawnmooney Oooh, this was one of my most positive experiences with an audiobook. I loved this one so much and I remember walking around Tokyo listening to the first chapter, unable to stop from doubling over in laughter. 💖💖💖 7y
Reggie I loved this book. 7y
Bookchipmunk This is such a great book that is set in my hometown, enjoy! (edited) 7y
64 likes3 comments
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deneb
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

Fantastically nutty, heart and soul charming with so many truths that a squirrel understands.

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thereadingwomen
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Day 26: #ReadingWomenMonth I'll admit this was tons of fun to put together. What a beautiful and diverse collection of reads. #🌈
P.S. Am I the only one who has very few green books? - A

Lyn-Mara Love the binding on Wuthering Heights. 7y
josie281 I have the exact salt water sandals! 7y
thereadingwomen @josie281 I love them. I've had them for three years and they are just now starting to fall apart. - A (edited) 7y
thereadingwomen @Lyn-Mara Isn't it great?!? Love those editions. - A 7y
190 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Lizpixie
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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#Riotgrams #day21 #AnimalCovers These are a few "animal covers" that I don't think I've shown before for any photo prompt. See, this is why I have to keep buying books, so I don't bore you guys with the same titles over & over. (Wonder if the Hubby'll buy that!) These books are seriously pretty, especially the foxes, and the squirrel on The Portable Veblen is just too damn cute! All but The Flame In The Mist are @Liberty recommendations.

Yeah_I_Read I loved Flame in the Mist 7y
ScientistSam Those covers😍 7y
68 likes2 comments
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Pronounced_ing
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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It's the time of year when squirrels come out to melt on my fence, which makes me think of THE PORTABLE VEBLEN, of course.

lauren.lerner My squirrels do this too! It's so adorable. Also: Loving the hashtag, @MrBook 👌🏻 7y
MrBook @lauren.lerner 😁👍🏻 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage My squirrels drink from the bird bath to survive the heat. 7y
63 likes4 comments
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AmyStewart
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Last April, I was at a literary event with Elizabeth McKenzie & other authors. A woman came up to me & started gushing about my book – how much she loved it, how often she's recommended it to her friends...

So I said thank you, that meant a lot to me, then she said: "yes, I think of you every time I see a squirrel!"

oh, yeah. Elizabeth McKenzie's over there.

So – I just reread this phenomenal novel & now I think of her every time I see a...

Liberty Your books are also awesome! Excited for Kopp 3! ❤️ 7y
BookInMyHands 😂😂😂 7y
DivineDiana Funny! So, is there a book with a squirrel that I have missed?! 7y
See All 6 Comments
AmyStewart @DivineDiana Yes--the one this post is about! The Portable Veblen. 7y
DivineDiana Oh. I thought the fan was referring to one of your books! 7y
tpixie @DivineDiana the fan was confused about who she was talking to. Oops 🙊 7y
83 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Kappadeemom
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Reggie I loved this book. Their parents are nutso. 7y
12 likes1 comment
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saresmoore
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Here's my #RiotGrams #shelfie — I do love to style a bookcase.

LauraBeth I need you to come over and style mine 😀 7y
LeahBergen Love it. 😍😍😍 7y
Cinfhen Very stylized 😻😻😻 7y
See All 15 Comments
saresmoore @LauraBeth I'd do it in a heartbeat! But you should probably check my purse before I left. I can't guarantee that a few titles wouldn't try to stow away. 😬😘 7y
LauraBeth @saresmoore well the good thing about me is that I'd never notice - and if I did - I wouldn't care 😘 7y
Suet624 So pretty. If you go to visit @laurabeth I want to come too. I'll bring maple candies. 7y
Kalalalatja Lovely! 😍 7y
saresmoore @Suet624 Sold! I've never had a maple candy. I'll bring mangoes! 7y
LauraBeth @saresmoore and @Suet624 Bitsy would love maple candies AND mangoes! 7y
Sarah83 I love it. 😍 7y
OriginalCyn620 Lovely! 💕💕💕 7y
batsy You style it so well 💜 7y
Moray_Reads So pretty and there are some great books on there 😍 7y
britt_brooke I never know what to do with mine. They're so boring. This is lovely! 7y
saresmoore @britt_brooke Thank you! The key is to wait until your children aren't in the constant rearranging stage before even trying. Ha! 7y
75 likes15 comments
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NerdyRev
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I have book ADD in that not only do I read several at a time, I have a habit of getting a new book and reading that one immediately pushing the back catalog back. I am trying a new system. These will be the books I will read in the next 1-2 weeks. A mix of just got, Christmas, and last year. This will work! (no it won't) I have some eBooks listed too, but no pic of them

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I think we all have this problem in spades..... I know I do! Good luck with your plan! 7y
Wife I only ever read one book at a time, until Litsy! 📚📚📚🤓 7y
Scott_BookInvasion The Hike was such a mind bender. 7y
Suet624 @Wife I was the same. Monogamous. And then Litsy happened. 7y
NerdyRev Litsy is definitely to blame, but I was like this before too 😂 7y
49 likes5 comments
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kalinichta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

This was the most readable book I've come across in a while, with its balance of characters you want to hug and ones you want to smack. This story is about so many things including the invisible scars our families can leave on us, finding one's place in the world, and, yes, conversing with squirrels. I'd love to read about the next stage of Veblen's life.

19 likes1 stack add
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kalinichta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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When your old workplace shows up in your current read...

Rachel.Rencher I had that happen, but with my old high school! 7y
kalinichta @Rachel.Rencher It was even more stunning when the tiny Kentucky town where my ex-husband went to college turned up in The Animators. 7y
16 likes2 comments
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kalinichta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Me, cat, book.

#catsoflitsy #petsoflitsy

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kalinichta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I was finding myself in a reading slump where I kept abandoning books, but I am now so caught up in this quirky, squirrel-enhanced story that the pages seem to fly by. 🐿️

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BooksForYears
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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What better way to celebrate the last day of Squirrel Week than with this quirky and endearing book about a woman who believes she can chat with a neighborhood squirrel.

Nat_Reads I LOVED THIS! I don't know anyone else who's read it 🙌🙀👏👏👏 7y
8little_paws @Nat_Reads I read it! It was cute. 7y
Zelma I feel like this book snuck in and then no one paid attention. It got some positive reviews and then seemed to disappear. 7y
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TheHeartlandBookFairy I think I'm going to have to check this one out! It reminded me of a book I read a couple of years ago, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris. Short, cute, funny! I'll look it up and tag you, really cute cover. 😁🐿️ 7y
Reggie I loved this book. Both families are kooky, lovable, but kooky. Lol. 7y
ReadingRover lol As a wildlife rehabber I talk to squirrels pretty much all the time in real life. I feel like I need to read this!🤦🏼‍♀️🐿All I've got going for me so far is that they haven't started talking back! 7y
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Kitta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Woo #bingo!

I definitely judged this one by the cover. Who doesn't love a book about squirrels?

#litsybingo #litsyreadingchallenge2017 #judgebythecover

asiriusreader Yay for bingo! 👏🏻 7y
Bookchipmunk I loved this book! It's set in my home town 🤓 7y
29 likes2 comments
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Kitta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Mehso-so

I was really excited to read this and maybe I hyped it up too much, it just was a bit meh.

Here's Nala helping me read! #catsoflitsy #littenkitten

DebinHawaii She looks very helpful! 🐱❤️📚 7y
24 likes1 comment
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jhod
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Prawns and squirrels

Redwritinghood Now there's a combination you don't see every day! 😊 7y
20 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Clare_Riley
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
Pickpick

A thoroughly enjoyable read! I'll be honest, it was a bit of a slow start, but once I got into it the characters were all very entertaining. Quirky, fun and at times, moving. It would probably help if you like squirrels -
They really do feature quite prominently!!

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BooksCatsMaine
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

Thoroughly enjoyed this modern story of love, imperfect families, scientific endeavor and squirrels.
Some of it was overly simplistic, especially the Hutmacher caricature, but my enjoyment of it was saved by Veblen. I loved her sympathy for Lima beans and nutkinista fantasies, interspersed with radical socialist rankings from the original Veblen.
A perfect light read!

shawnmooney I loved this book soooooo much! It was really great on audio. 7y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kitta
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Went to scan my new currently reading with the Goodreads app wow, it's so sparkly and reads just the cover now?! ✨

Stolen/borrowed this book from my partner @BooksGirlsCats ... it looks interesting and quirky! 🐿

Bookchipmunk I love this one! It is set in my home town 🤓 7y
Lauredhel Oh, I didn't know it could scan the cover now! Neat. Would love it if we could scan books into Litsy. (We can't, can we?) 7y
athorne @Lauredhel I would be happy with a Goodreads import. 7y
Lauredhel @EMJenkinson so long as you could set it up to be an ongoing thing, not just one off. *nods* 7y
Kitta @EMJenkinson @Lauredhel I'd love to be able to scan barcodes or covers for litsy! And an ongoing Goodreads import. Plus maybe a litsy import for Goodreads for my now massive tbr list. 😅 7y
27 likes5 comments
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jhod
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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I'm only posting one book for #MarchTBR as have no idea yet what else I will read. This I have had on the go for ages interspersed with other reads and its finally been reserved by another user at my library! (Newsnight on the TV ☺)

#Marchintoreading @RealLifeReading

saresmoore Good choice! 7y
MrBook Ah, a #TBRtemptation! Well done 😎👏🏻! 7y
shawnmooney My second-most favorite read of last year! And I recently finished and loved McKenzie's debut novel 7y
jhod Thanks, i will check it out! 7y
19 likes4 comments
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MPL
The Portable Veblen: A Novel | Elizabeth Mckenzie
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Pickpick

Hilarious and heartwarming, this book follows Veblen as she falls in love and attempts to deal with her crazy family. Fans of Where'd You Go Bernadette will love this!