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Swamplandia!
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
In the Florida Everglades, gator-park Swamplandia! is in trouble. Its star performer, the great beauty and champion alligator-wrestler Hilola Bigtree, has succumbed to cancer, and Ava, her resourceful but terrified 13-year-old daughter, is left in charge with her two siblings. But Ava's sister has embarked on a romantic relationship with a ghost, her brother has defected to a rival theme park, and her father is AWOL. And then a mysterious figure called Bird Man guides Ava into a perilous part of the swamp called the Underworld, promising he can save both her sister and the park... Swamplandia! was longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and shortlisted for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize and 2013 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
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Yuki_Onna
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Eggs Well done 👍🏼 7mo
18 likes2 comments
review
Nalbuque
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Pickpick

“Swamp people are the last outlaws in this country, kid!”
A genre I rly rly enjoy, and is truly under appreciated: the Florida fiction. Florida is a magical place where some very different shit happens. I do like books that take place in the south in general, but I gotta say, FL stories are one of a kind, and have a certain feel to them. This one was pretty cool.

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Chittavrtti
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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2 likes1 stack add
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Michael_Gee
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Can I join the #tarottakeover party? My Knight of Wands pick would be Ava Bigtree from Swamplandia! I definitely understand the criticism I‘ve read of it here. While it gets bogged down and wanders for too long, my care for the three siblings kept me reading. Ava embodies the fiery energy, passion, and impulsiveness of the Wands, and her adventure takes us to the extremes of what total freedom looks like for children on the outskirts.

Meaw_catlady Ohhhh welcome ! And what deck is that ??? 4y
Michael_Gee @Meaw_catlady Thank you!! I don‘t actually know the artist...It was a gift (my first deck) and didn‘t come in its box. 4y
See All 9 Comments
Sace @Meaw_catlady Google says Tarot of the Animal Lords by Lo Scarabeo 4y
Michael_Gee @Sace 😳How are you so good. 4y
Meaw_catlady @Sace woah!! Investigators ! 💚 4y
Sace @GhostStories @Meaw_catlady ? I knew it was a Lo Scarabeo deck from the multiple languages. I image Googled "animal tarot decks lo Scarabeo" and this was one. Since the cover of the box was the same as the back of the cards I figured that had to be it. It's a shame it's out of print ? 4y
Erinsuereads Yessss come play @GhostStories play catch up as you see fit. I tagged you in today's posts! 4y
Michael_Gee @ErinSueMreads Yay! Thank you!! 4y
18 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Michael_Gee
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Getting Tiger King/Geek Love vibes from this book. Really enjoying it, even though vanishing-way-of-life stories are so melancholy. What will happen to Ava? A transition to the mainland would entail such a loss of freedom and oddity. You can‘t exactly keep a gator as a pet in an apartment (though this is Florida, so...).

Centique Hey Michael! I got your card in the mail. Thank you so much. It was very cheering to get a word from overseas as we‘d gone into lockdown again - so the world had contracted. I really hope you enjoy Reggie‘s book - best wishes 💕📫 4y
Michael_Gee @Centique I‘m glad it made it and provided a little cheer! 🙂 4y
16 likes2 comments
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Michael_Gee
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell

Carl Jenks was 37 years old, his oldest sister taught astronomy to undergraduates at Dartmouth College, he himself had a master‘s degree in some undisclosed discipline—he‘d offer these facts to anyone who approached him, like a caterer with a tray of bitter hors d‘oeuvres.

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Mehso-so

A story about a dysfunctional family who owns a gator wrestling theme park in the Everglades, grappling with the loss of their matriarch.

Ruthiella I disliked the writing style in this book. It was too ornate for my tastes. (edited) 4y
sarahbarnes I had mixed feelings about this one as well. 4y
73 likes2 comments
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Mitch
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Andrew65 Thanks for posting this, a great resource. @ljuliel @TheAromaofBooks @EadieB 4y
Bookwormjillk Great list, thanks! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Nice list!! Thanks for the tag @Andrew65! 4y
ljuliel Thank you @Andrew65 I would never have seen this if you wouldn‘t have tagged me. Always looking for more good ideas 💡 4y
EadieB I agree! Great resource! (edited) 4y
63 likes5 comments
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TK421
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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#LITSYLEARN @Alora

1. I have never read a Harry Potter book, when we were young my friends and I found a body in the river like in Stand By Me, I was born with 6 toes on my left foot.
2. Swamplandia. The more I think about it, the more I hate it.
3. Yes. I have been to several author panels at book shows, and several book signings. Maggie Stiefvater and Patrick Rothfuss were fun.
4. Cold. If I get too hot I feel sick.

TheAromaofBooks If the body story isn't the lie, I definitely want to hear more details! 4y
Alora Thank you for playing! 💙 4y
Alora Is the harry potter a lie?! 4y
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HeatherOnThyme I hope the body story is true. Tell me! 4y
TK421 @TheAromaofBooks @Alora @HeatherOnThyme I have never had an extra toe. 4y
Alora Hahaha 😂 4y
37 likes6 comments
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Billypar
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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#RescueMe #MOvember
It's that time of year where I'm going over my favorite reads of 2019, and I know Swamplandia! will be high on my list. I was rooting for one character's rescue so intensely that I was almost surprised when I set the book down and found that I wasn't wandering in the Everglades with her. Narratives about being lost in the woods generally freak me out more than other situations - it's so easy to picture it happening.
@Cinfhen

Cinfhen I haven‘t thought about my top reads of 2019 yet but I have a feeling MOST are NF!!! 4y
Billypar @Cinfhen I'm the opposite - I think I know my top 5, and all are fiction. But I've had some really good NF this year too. I almost always have a non-fiction going on audio now - a few years ago my reading diet was 100% fiction. I have Litsy to thank for that! 4y
Cinfhen Ohhhhh, I can‘t wait to see your faves!!!! I love this time of year with all the best of lists!!!!!! 4y
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Billypar @Cinfhen Me too!! Bring on all the subcategories and honorable mentions to squeeze more in! Even if I panned every single book from now until New Year's, this would still be an incredible reading year- that's how enthusiastic I am about my top picks 😅 4y
Cinfhen It‘s also the end of a DECADE !!!!! So that‘s gonna be HUGE 4y
Billypar @Cinfhen I wasn't even thinking of that! Time to break out my Goodreads list and look at my 5 star 2010--2019 reads.. 4y
36 likes6 comments
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steph_phanie
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I am supposed to be reading our family book club pick, but I grabbed this out of my nearest #LittleFreeLibrary yesterday and oops! started it instead. I think Jenny knows. 😆 Really enjoying it so far! Hoping to finish it in a day or two so I can get back to Killers of the Flower Moon before the fam realizes I started another book. 📚

#currentread #swamplandia #femaleprotagonist #booknerd #canthelpmyself #paperback #meow #catlady #pageturner

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Billypar
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Pickpick

Swamplandia and The World of Darkness are two Florida theme parks in this novel, both given unflattering, behind the scenes portrayals, and somehow I still wanted to visit both. I think Russell's novel explores why we like places like this- how much our imagination can fill in the gaps of what is obviously phony. It's a coming of age novel focusing on the gator-wrestler children of Swamplandia, often funny but also equal parts disturbing 👇

Billypar The funny parts are very funny and the disturbing parts very disturbing (TW's under the spoiler mask below). This contrast highlights how drastically a child's world of imagination can clash with harsh reality. Russell also has a keen sense of how kids speak to each other and how they think. This book is a true journey- I finished it a week ago and I still feel like I'm in the Florida swamp with Ava. In my top 3 favorites of the year. 5y
Billypar TW: a rape scene 5y
Chrissyreadit Yes- I thought well written, but overall it was too disturbing for me to enjoy. 5y
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Cathythoughts To stack 🤔or not to stack ... not sure 5y
Billypar @Chrissyreadit I definitely get that- a rough read in many spots, but it doesn't seem like that starting out. 5y
Billypar @Cathythoughts Unfortunately, I don't know if this is one you can know ahead of time if it's for you. Opinion is pretty divided and I can see why you can like her writing and even her stories but not this novel. Not to undermine my gushing opinion, but I don't want to mislead either ☺️ 5y
ReadingEnvy I was first introduced to the characters in this via 5y
Billypar @ReadingEnvy I've only read Vampires in the Lemon Grove, but look forward to trying St. Lucy's and the new one. Swamplandia is a great one to discuss and unpack- lots to digest! 5y
52 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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Billypar
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Is it possible this is the first time I've seen 'Na-uh' in print?
I have so many questions:
1) I'm not around kids much...do they still say this?
2) If the answer to #1 is yes, is there common advice to writers to avoid kid-slang? Is there even much other kid-slang that isn't just errors in grammar? I was trying to think of examples but I'm drawing a blank.
3) Is the accepted spelling for the common reply, 'Ya-huh'? Or 'Yuh-huh'?

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Billypar
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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#Star #AyUpAugust
Hilola Bigtree was a star alligator wrestler and the biggest draw for the gator island theme park of the title. But her death from cancer left the novel's 14-year-old protagonist Ava without a mother and the family's park in danger of bankruptcy. I'm only 77 pages in, but loving this one so far. A little uneasy about the somewhat low Litsy & Goodreads ratings though- hope it doesn't lose steam as it goes 🤞

Cathythoughts Sounds good. And great pic 👍🏻 5y
saresmoore Love the photo, hated the book. I can‘t remember why, exactly, but it felt sort of contrived and gratuitous to me. Or maybe I was just resentful, being a Floridian. 🙃 5y
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Cinfhen This book is odd, but wonderful all the same! I‘m glad you‘re enjoying 😊great pic 5y
Billypar @Cathythoughts @saresmoore @Cinfhen Thanks- the photo is courtesy of my fiancee/commuting companion/personal paparazzi 📸😎 5y
Billypar @saresmoore Ah, good to know- I think I'm through enough that I know I won't hate it, but it could still turn south, and I get what you mean about how it could be contrived in some ways. I do like a good polarizing book! 5y
squirrelbrain Ooh personal paparazzi makes you sound soooo important! Great pic though! 5y
saresmoore I do, too! Actually, how much you‘re enjoying it makes me want to give it another go. 😂 It‘s been a long time since I read it. 5y
Billypar @squirrelbrain Ha- I know, makes me feel special. 5y
Billypar @saresmoore I reread so rarely that I've never given a book I didn't like a 2nd chance, but I'd like to try that one day. One reading goal among so many though 😬 5y
LeahBergen @saresmoore I didn‘t like it either. 🤫 5y
44 likes13 comments
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KRancourt
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Totally not going to hit 24 because my kids keep me too busy on the weekends (plus I missed about 4 hours when I didn‘t know to use a timer!) but I‘m still using this challenge just to see how much I can squeeze in! #mbcreadathon #mbcfrogsread7

MonthlyBookClub Entered 5y
2 likes1 comment
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KRancourt
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KRancourt
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MonthlyBookClub Entered 5y
2 likes1 comment
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KRancourt
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My toddler‘s bookshelf since mine is entirely digital. #mbcreadathon #mbcfrogsread4

elyseh Entered! 5y
2 likes1 comment
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KRancourt
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Didn‘t know to start a timer 🤷🏼‍♀️ #mbcreadathon #mbcfrogsread3

MonthlyBookClub Entered 5y
4 likes1 comment
review
CaitlinR
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Pickpick

My niece recommended this (she read it in a course) and I gotta‘ tell you, I was blown away by the story. .SWAMPLANDIA tells the tale of the Bigtree family who are involved in “herpetological sports”

More importantly, Karen Russell, gives us the powerful story of three siblings, Ava, Ossie and Kiwi, who find very different solutions to their broken lives and discover “mothers burning inside the risen suns of their children”

Highly recommended.

LyndseyReads I love her short stories. 5y
CaitlinR Thanks for the tip, I‘ll check them out. 5y
17 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Avanders
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Bailedbailed

Zafón is a literary genius. So simultaneously reading Labyrinth and Swamplandia! only highlighted how very poorly Russell stacks up. Also, this image depicts what is unfinishable about Swamplandia! when in the hands of someone who is, imho, incapable of handling it. #thankunext #ohhellno

So I release Swamplandia! back to the wild, and continue w Zafon. I also took up another Coyle installment & started Mount Misery today!

Read 1/2, then DNF.

Avanders #LMPBC @chrissyreadit @cobwebmoth @TK421 Nathan — I should be sending it back to you by the end of the week! Also tagging #LMPBC #groupv @maleficentbookdragon @bethm @tk421 (again 😁) @bklover #creaturefeature (edited) 5y
Susanita I tried to read it three times and finally decided it wasn‘t for me. 5y
BlameJennyJane That cover though for Swamplandia! 😍 It is odd but I love it. I almost got the book with a far less appealing cover (a gator on it, perhaps) but check the reviews on here and ultimately opted for something else. 5y
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Chrissyreadit It was a very unpleasant book. 5y
cobwebmoth I reached a point where I was hate reading it, so I had to bail. I don't have the emotional energy for some books. 5y
Avanders @Susanita There are people who really enjoyed the book... i think it‘s just fine to not be in that group 😆 @BlameJennyJane it‘s a great visual/cover, I agree... and it‘s high-concept and maybe could have been good in someone else‘s hands.. 🤷🏽‍♀️ @chrissyreadit And way to go, finishing it!! 👏🏽👏🏽 @cobwebmoth right. I think that‘s the perfect time to bail on a book... when you‘re hating reading it! 👿🤢👋🏽 5y
Chrissyreadit @Avanders I had to finish- I hate feeling anxious about a character. 5y
Avanders @Chrissyreadit ohh yeah, I can see that. 😔 Well, I don‘t know if I‘m on a roll or if the books are, but I am skewering my current read.... It‘s one of the worst books I‘ve ever read... maybe it‘s just me 🤷🏽‍♀️😆 5y
Chrissyreadit @Avanders what is it? 5y
Chrissyreadit @Avanders just saw this response! I am not getting notifications for some comments. So odd. 5y
Avanders @Chrissyreadit same issue! @MaleficentBookDragon tagged me a few days ago and I never got notification! Boooo 5y
Chrissyreadit Double boo. 5y
71 likes13 comments
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Avanders
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Last book on the #LMPBC tour (before return of own book): Swamplandia! Can‘t wait to get to it 😁

Thank you @Chrissyreadit for such thoughtful & generous & fun goodies!! That color-changing candle looks so cool! The notebook is gorgeous, the coffee-card, bookmark, and color postcards are perfect, the tissues are so cute, and I love those chocolate espresso beans! 🤤 I also cannot wait to try those tea spoons — so cool!! Thank you!!!
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Avanders Ps I loved the creativity and the theme 🤗🤗 5y
Chrissyreadit Oh good!!! 5y
TK421 I'm curious to see what you think about the book. 5y
85 likes3 comments
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Chrissyreadit
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Panpan

I will work hard to mail this tomorrow @Avanders I normally love character driven books but this was so depressing. And it had children not being cared for, some other triggers. I consider it well written but I hated the story. Possibly good if you like really sad books with horrible situations and ambiguous resolutions. #lmpbc

cobwebmoth I agree. I just couldn't make myself finish it.😩 5y
TK421 The more I think about this book, the less I like it. 5y
DreesReads Agreed! 5y
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Soubhiville I didn‘t like this one either. 5y
BookishTrish I read it when it first came out and LOVED it, but don‘t think I‘ve met a single person since who did. Must reread sometime... 5y
CoverToCoverGirl Excellent review! 5y
Avanders Okay but... does it go anywhere other than just: depressing coming of age story? I‘m waiting for the words from the reviews to come into play: “suspenseful,” “haunted,” “wild ride”... @cobwebmoth @tk421 (edited) 5y
TK421 @Avanders no, it really doesn't go anywhere but depressing. I thought it was very well written, but almost a pointless story. By the end of the story I didn't like a single character. 5y
Avanders @TK421 🤔 that is very helpful. I‘m going to stick it out a little longer and see if I can get compelled 😁 Thanks! 5y
Chrissyreadit @Avanders if by wild ride they mean the ferryman crossing the River Styx and dropping you off with no food, water shelter or hope, then that is an accurate description. ( @TK421 @cobwebmoth ) 5y
Avanders @Chrissyreadit 🤣🤣 yeah... that‘s what I was beginning to suspect. 🤭 5y
87 likes11 comments
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Chrissyreadit
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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I am using the #bookfitnesschallenge in a different way. Chronic pain has limited many types of movement, so this challenge has inspired and encouraged me to work on daily activities I have been unable to do (relying on my kids) such as cooking more (standing) and cleaning/organizing spaces with the idea that movement is movement. So I have (with help) organized and cleaned my garage (3hours) and storage room (2hours)in addition to above. #bfc

Chrissyreadit @Cinfhen not sure if you would find it helpful but I just ordered the exercise ball with resistance bands to help me develop strength. 5y
Chrissyreadit @wanderinglynn I‘m super appreciative- while my movement is not exercise I have mindfully moved more in past few weeks than past year. I forgot to add that I have reintroduced meditation too. 5y
wanderinglynn You‘re doing great! 🙌🏻 Fitness encompasses a wide variety of things, not just gym-workouts. We each have our abilities and limitations and must work within those parameters. Don‘t discount what you are doing. And mindfulness is a type of mental fitness. You are making great progress. 💜 keep up the great work! 5y
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Smrloomis 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Awesome! 5y
Stacy_31 I love that you‘ve adapted to the challenge to your needs and abilities! Looks like you‘ve accomplished so much already! 👍🎉🎉 5y
DivineDiana Fantastic! 👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻 5y
Lauram I love this! Your activity is purposeful, goal-directed, and meaningful. I can‘t wait to see what else you do! 5y
cobwebmoth I think it's wonderful how you've been able to adapt and make things work.❤ 5y
BookwormAHN Great job 👏🏻 5y
mabell Nice!! Productive exercise 💪 5y
Cinfhen Thanks for the suggestion and you‘re really inspiring 🙌🏻💜 5y
65 likes11 comments
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Chrissyreadit
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Currently rates right there with Lord of The Flies, The Catcher in the Rye and The Road. (I have not read the road and have no intention of ever reading the road). I‘m trying my #lmpbc friends- @TK421 @cobwebmoth @Avanders I keep thinking there‘s got to be a happy ending- but then I realize the way this book is written it, happy ending may have a very different meaning.

TK421 It took me forever to read this book. I liked a few parts of it, but the longer I think about it the more I dislike the book as a whole. I really picked a winner for our group this time. 😕 5y
Chrissyreadit @TK421 I am kind of glad you picked it- it has been on my TBR for a while. I thought it was like Carl Hiasson - and had no idea- so this was a good way to find out. And her use of language is excellent. To be very honest- her skill with telling the story is too or I would not have such a visceral reaction to the book. These are all great discussion issues too. ❤️ 5y
Avanders I‘m suuuuper looking forward to this... 😳😆😆 no but really, notwithstanding your feelings and Laura‘s bailing on it... I‘ll give it a fair shake 😁 5y
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Chrissyreadit @Avanders I completely understand the literary appeal. It is well written. But fiction is my literal escape from the stuff I deal with at work so all of this is reminding me of the daily burdens I face. 5y
Avanders I hear that! I also tend to read non-realistic fiction in my “down time” due to my work-time obligations... when it‘s a book group pick, though, I still try... Don‘t always succeed, sometimes bail, but try. 😜 5y
Avanders (Non-realistic? I just mean not real-life drama‘y stuff. 🤷🏽‍♀️) 5y
Chrissyreadit @Avanders 😁 honestly, I‘m okay reading it in chunks. It‘s odd that true crime doesn‘t bother me.... 5y
Avanders Nice! 😁 Yeah true crime is an area I generally avoid 😬 (nonetheless, I totally got sucked into the OJ Simpson miniseries on Netflix ... does that count? 😉) 5y
72 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Chrissyreadit
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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I am just getting home for the day and able to post s picture and thank @cobwebmoth and @TK421 for my #LMPBC and tea and cute notepad and brewing basket. I love that you made the tea Laura! And you were so smart to put everything in plastic bags. We have so much rain and flooding!!! The paper tantrum notepad is exactly what I need!!!!

cobwebmoth 🤗❤ 5y
83 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Palindrome
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Panpan

We begin with something few have opportunity to utter: Yikes! Our island home and adjacent family-owned-and-operated alligator-wrestling theme park are besieged with trouble! But that‘s what‘s happening here, and that‘s the beauty of swamp fiction, we suppose. Swamplandia! makes us feel all brackish! and reptilian! and sweaty! It may deserve an award for morass literature. Someday, we‘ll think of it in positive terms. But for now, what the heck.

Lcsmcat I had a similar reaction! Glad I checked it out of the library! 5y
Susanita I tried to read this three times and finally gave up on it. 5y
Lauram This book was a DNF for me. 5y
33 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TK421
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Pickpick

My #LMPBC book has been hand delivered to @cobwebmoth . I mostly enjoyed this book. I was a little late finishing it, but I have faith in Laura's mad reading skills. Everything should still be sent out on time to you @Chrissyreadit . I'm jumping right in to @Avanders book now.
#teamgloriousdisaster

Chrissyreadit 🤣🤣🤣😆😆😆 5y
Avanders 😆😆😂 you guys are so cute. I‘m looking forward to thoughts on my book... it was, in no way, what I was expecting! 😁🔮 5y
TK421 The more I reflect on this book, the more I dislike it. 5y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TK421
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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1. I finally remembered that I need to read my #LMPBC book, so I just started Swamplandia.

2. Captain Marvel. It was awesome! One of the best Marvel movies so far.

3. Coffee with enough cream and sugar to be the color of this graphic.

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Gissy I just saw today Captain Marvel and of course after the movie I needed to buy the funko pop☺️ 5y
Carol.Ann.Kauffman 1. Run Like the Wind by Gerald L. Guy 2. Alita, the Battle Angel 3. Black coffee (edited) 5y
Texreader Captain Marvel was awesome! Agreed! 5y
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tonyahoswalt What did you think of Swamplandia? 5y
TK421 @tonyahoswalt I'm about halfway done with it, but I like it so far. 5y
tonyahoswalt I read it about 6 years ago in grad school for my young adult literature class that included adult fiction that could cross over. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I actually really enjoyed it! 5y
55 likes6 comments
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KellyHunsakerReads
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I love the illustration on the cover of this audiobook. Just starting, so no thoughts on the text yet.

24 likes1 stack add
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amyf0x
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Pickpick

Ava Bigtree, a young protagonist with an awesome voice and insight, dreams of saving both her family from various plights and their failing crocodile park in a Florida swamp.

(Trying this ebook thing, not a bad setup! I do prefer real books still. Enjoy this picture of a dog in snow boots in lieu of a book pic.)

Read January 18-21
Book 5/55

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Bourriquet76
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Thank you @robinb
What a sweet Christmas surprise! 💕💕💕

robinb You are most welcome! Hope you haven‘t read it yet. 😊 5y
Bourriquet76 @robinb I haven‘t! So looking forward to it too! :) 5y
robinb @Bourriquet76 Oh good, I‘m so glad! 😊🤗 5y
40 likes3 comments
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Pedrocamacho
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Mehso-so

This book is about belief; it‘s necessity and it‘s dangers. It never really grabbed me.

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madamereadsalot1
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Day 23 #sisforseptember is #scenic & I'm going with this book that has amazing descriptions of the Florida Everglade swamps. I never finished this one for some reason, but I loved what I had read. It was quirky and evocative. I'll start it again.
@CaliforniaCay

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LouLouLane
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Read this lovely novel about Florida down in South Florida while in one of my favorite coffee shops. I first started this about five years ago when I was walking the Florida trail but my reading was a little all over the place on that trip. Loved it this time through!

Aims42 I‘ve heard good things about this book 6y
13 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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erzascarletbookgasm
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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I‘ve been curious to read this. Ava who grows up in an alligator-themed amusement #park in Florida, where her family entertains tourists by swimming and wrestling with alligators. When her mother, a famous alligator wrestler, died, Ava trains to become the world‘s youngest alligator wrestler. Anyone read this? Recommended?
#AugustIsATrip

BiblioLitten Sounds very interesting! I really want to know what littens think about it. 6y
gossamerchild I enjoyed it! Found her writing style a bit overbearing at times, but in general it's a bizarre, beautiful story. 6y
wanderinglynn I read it, but thought it was so-so (3/5 stars) IMO, while the concept is interesting, the story gets bogged, there‘s some plot issues, and the ending was rushed and poorly executed. 6y
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vkois88 I'd heard of it but never really knew what it was about. 6y
JamieArc I enjoyed it. I liked the setting a lot. The story ended up very different than I thought, but it was a worthwhile read. 6y
mrp27 I read it and it's between a lick and a so so. I liked the storytelling and it was different 6y
mrp27 Lick?! 😂😂 obviously I didn't proof read, PICK 6y
erzascarletbookgasm @mrp27 lol I saw that and giggled, wanted to tease you but changed my mind 😂 6y
Kelican17 What is the background of your pick? Inside cover of the book? Cause I love it!!! 💚💚💚 6y
tonyahoswalt I read this for YA Lit class in grad school. Wasn't too sure about it going in, as it wasn't my usual style, but I actually thought it was really well written. 6y
erzascarletbookgasm @Kelican17 It‘s lovely, isn‘t it? I found it on Pinterest! 6y
83 likes3 stack adds12 comments
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mjdegrandpre
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Talk about a random stack...

RaimeyGallant Pretty! And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻🌸 6y
4 likes2 comments
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Blueberry
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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#Bookwithonewordtitle from my 2018 reading list.
#Julyinbooks18

review
Blueberry
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Mehso-so

This was not very cohesive....separate storylines that came out of nowhere. I enjoyed it for awhile but by the end I was skimming everything that wasn't dialogue. The dark at the end was a surprise as well.

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julia-gulia
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
Pickpick

I cannot recommend this book enough.... it was absolutely one of my favorite reads of all time.. the story, writing, heroine - it was absolutely a treat. I laught and cried, and 4 years later after I've read it, I can't stop thinking of this book. Karen Russel is incredibly talented and I'm looking forward to read more stories in the future

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goodthinkrebel
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Bailedbailed

DNF

I tried. I really tried, but I got to page 130 and still was struggling to keep reading. It was an interesting story but I wasn't compelled to keep going.
#bookaddict #booknerd #bookish #bibliophile #bookworm #booklove #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookquotes #instabooks #booklion #book #library #shelfie #bookaholic #reading #reader #currentlyreading #newbook #booklove

Lauram Same. I really wanted to like it, too. 6y
22 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Mdargusch Sounds like an exciting swimming hole! 🐊🐊🐊 6y
saresmoore I‘ll be interested to hear what you think of this one, Shawn. It was either a bail or a pan for me several years ago, but if you end up loving it, I may have to give it another try. 6y
LeahBergen @saresmoore I‘m sensing a future bail here. 😆 6y
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shawnmooney @LeahBergen was right, but mostly my bail just now was because I didn‘t think I could endure the audio narrator‘s voice for 12+ hours. Wasn‘t sure enough about the writing either, but parts of it were gorgeous. I‘ll come back to it textually in due course… @saresmoore 6y
Lindy I still remember the dreamy, immersive feeling I got every time I sunk into this novel. Loved it. 6y
shawnmooney @Lindy Great! I hear such mixed reviews and am worried the magical realism at the end might turn me off but I will give this another try at some point! 😍😍 6y
50 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
jdiehr
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
Mehso-so

So I finally finished Swamplandia! last night. I made myself finish because I was so ready to move on to whatever the next book was going to be. Swamplandia! is creative, full of quotable quotes, has a fantastic main character, but for some reason, I wasn't rushing back home to read it. I didn't miss it when I wasn't reading it. So, for that reason alone, I have to rate it so-so. Wish I liked it more.

Jenny Hate when that happens. Kudos for finishing. 6y
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
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goodthinkrebel
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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So I've been on hiatus dealing with some life stuff but I have some cool things in the works! But I take the time to savor Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

#bookaddict #booknerd #bookish #bibliophile #bookworm #booklove #bookstagram

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jdiehr
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell

"It was strange to watch a face having that kind of secret disagreement with itself."

9 likes1 stack add
review
ReadingOver50
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Pickpick

I wanted to read this book ever since I first heard about it. I love stories set in the swamps. A family that runs an alligator wrestling theme park, that alone is fascinating to me. I would have liked to see more of the day to day operations of the park.

I felt like the book was the strongest when describing the two theme parks. The imagery of the swamp was beautiful. I just wish the girls hadn't made such stupid decisions.

kgriffith I got this from SantaThing (LibraryThing‘s secret Santa) two years ago and really need to bump it up the TBR! 6y
155 likes8 stack adds1 comment
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ReadingOver50
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I was going through my office and discovered I have a second copy of the book I am currently reading. I am disappointed in myself that I didn‘t realize I already had the book. I seriously need to organize my shelves.

bnp At least you know you really want to read it. 6y
Autumnlong Such a good book! 6y
See All 12 Comments
cswaingiggles This is why I had to catalog my library! It happened 3 times in as many months 😬 6y
cswaingiggles I use the Libib app if that helps you! 6y
Ruthiella On the bright side you can donate the spare and which makes room on your shelf! The most painless cull!🤪 6y
Reviewsbylola Ha! We‘ve all been there I‘m sure! I know this has happened to me before with Kate Morton. Her books all look the same to me. 😂 6y
CassiM LibraryThing is what I use and you can scan the barcodes or enter the ISBN number or do like here and search 😀 6y
cj82487 I've done this with ebooks a couple times 😕 I don't realize i have the physical book, see the ebook on sale and jump on it... Or vice versa 6y
dragondrool I've done this at least three times. To be fair, one was a re-issue of short stories where they had changed the title and cover. I've also triggered the "Oops...looks like you already bought this" thingie on Amazon. 6y
sloanghost Apropos of nothing but the covers, I used to work with gators. Miss them. 6y
Ddzmini Been there done that 😝📚 6y
133 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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ReadingOver50
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Getting some reading done this morning. I feel like I have been reading less and less lately and I want to change that. I need to prioritize reading more.

PeanutButterPie I feel like I might have read this back during an Orange Prize Binge read but the story blurb isn‘t ringing any bells other than the “put this on your to read list” bell 6y
140 likes6 stack adds1 comment
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BefWithAnF
Swamplandia! | Karen Russell
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Bath bomb, beer, book.