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Uncommon Type
Uncommon Type: Some Stories | Tom Hanks
A collection of seventeen wonderful short stories showing that two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor. A gentle Eastern European immigrant arrives in New York City after his family and his life have been torn apart by his country's civil war. A man who loves to bowl rolls a perfect game--and then another and then another and then many more in a row until he winds up ESPN's newest celebrity, and he must decide if the combination of perfection and celebrity has ruined the thing he loves. An eccentric billionaire and his faithful executive assistant venture into America looking for acquisitions and discover a down and out motel, romance, and a bit of real life. These are just some of the tales Tom Hanks tells in this first collection of his short stories. They are surprising, intelligent, heartwarming, and, for the millions and millions of Tom Hanks fans, an absolute must-have!
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quietlycuriouskate
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Mehso-so

Chosen because it was instrumental in Ann Patchett's writing of "These Precious Days", and then there it was on the library shelf. Honestly, I'm perplexed as to what the fuss was about. These are pleasant enough, curiously old-fashioned stories, and not just because they hark back to the past (although they mostly do). I hate to be churlish but to me they felt like stories written by someone who doesn't read a lot of contemporary short fiction. ?

quietlycuriouskate He's got me wanting a typewriter now, though! 12mo
keithmalek The fuss was probably because he's a celebrity. But to be fair, I haven't read it. 12mo
squirrelbrain I read this when it first came out and everyone was raving about it, but I didn‘t really see what the fuss was about either. 🤷‍♀️ I really liked his novel though. 12mo
29 likes3 comments
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erickahhh
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Panpan

I love Tom Hanks, but I did not love this. I liked the idea of the short stories, and appreciated his common theme of incorporating a typewriter into every short story. However, the writing was lacking. Maybe it is my fault because I hold Tom Hanks on such a high pedestal. I was not moved by this. Some stories were entertaining, but I had a hard time getting into this book. I'm a little disappointed by this one

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marleed
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Pickpick

A fun way to address my physical TBR is to move a book atop said pile if referenced in a book I‘m currently reading. Thanks to Ann Patchett‘s life being impacted by the ARC of the tagged, I have now read it - and loved it. Every time Tom mentions a typewriter, I smiled having just read These Precious Days and believing it was those key clicks that pulled her in! ↓

January #Doublespin @TheAromaOfBooks
#Pantone2022 Cascade

marleed This was another audio/print simultaneous experience because Tom Hanks narrating along with me reading is about the best way I can think to spend a day! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
BiblioLitten Dear Mrs Bird was a memorable read. 3y
marleed @BiblioLitten I really liked that book. Yesterday I was looking for a typewriter reference to include in my pic when I realized both books have matching typewriter keys. 3y
Jennifer3 I loved Dear Mrs. Bird!!! 3y
77 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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IuliaC
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Pickpick

Mr. Tom Hanks' writing is as remarkable as his acting.
These quiet and pleasant stories definitely produce a very good state of mind. Just short simple life episodes and scenes, but written in such an elegant and natural way, where spectacular is not the action but a fine sense for detail. They left me with a nice feeling and so many typewriters in mind, wondering about the many alternative endings I could type for these stories!

50 likes1 stack add
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Insightsintobooks
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Book a coworker got me for my birthday! Has anyone read it?

fredamans Yes and I enjoyed it! 3y
Readergrrl I have this too and also haven‘t read it yet! Glad to hear @fredamans liked it! 3y
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MelKelsey
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Pickpick

Book 60

I listened to Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks. The stories are unique and well-written with interesting characters. Typewriters are a common thread through the stories. Short stories don't bode well as audiobooks, though. Unfortunately, the author's narration was occasionally off-putting.
3.5 stars

22 likes1 stack add
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Hollie
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I picked up this beauty at an auction today and I‘m in love.

la_rose_noire Oh Wow!! 🤩🤩🤩 What a great find! 4y
Hollie @la_rose_noire it still works, too! 4y
ladym30 I learned how to type on a machine just like that! It is great that you found one.👍🏻 4y
Nute Fantastic!🤩 3y
tpixie Beautiful 🤩 2y
43 likes5 comments
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Astroneman
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Mehso-so
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rather_be_reading
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Bailedbailed

Bailing bc I thought it was Nonfiction and it is not.

Twainy OMG the audiobook ... I love his voice but in this book he swears, there‘s sex ... I was like NOPE that‘s not my Tom Hanks 😢 4y
smalldogs_bigbooks2419 😱 that‘s in my TBR list. Bummer to hear people didn‘t like it 😞 4y
ItsAnotherJen Oh no! It's also on my tbr. 4y
67 likes3 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Book 56

fredamans A great set of stories! 4y
66 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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actualdisneyprincess
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I love Tom Hanks, so I‘m looking forward to this collection of short stories! 🤷🏻‍♀️💖 #uncommontype #tomhanks #shortstories #typewriters

fredamans It is quite good! 4y
11 likes1 comment
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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

Reading Tom Hanks stories (and listening to him read those stories) felt warm and cozy. The story that really stays with me the most is that of a billionaire visiting 1939 through the power of time travel. I had previously DNFed the book, since it has some stories set during the holidays and I just wasn't in the mood, but I knew I'd return! Book 6 of 2021

83 likes4 stack adds
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angelamiller88
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The baby is asleep, the dishes are done, husband and daughter are out. Made myself a large coffee (due to having a 7 week old) and now getting ready to be immersed in Tom Hank's short stories. I bet I will get through 2 pages before little miss decides she wants to wake up!

angelamiller88 And she did wake up...... 4y
Bookwormjillk Good luck 🍀 I hope you get some time with your book. 4y
Redfae It‘s so hard juggling everything with such a young baby. Gratz x 4y
7 likes3 comments
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starlight97
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Pickpick

This guy can not only act, he can write too. These short stories are connected via one object that appears in all of them: the typewriter. I listened to the audiobook version read by the author himself and I have to say he has a lovely voice. Overall this was a great book and my favorite stories were 'Stay With Us' and 'The Past Is Important to Us'.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Panpan

The entire book can be summed up with the phrase "Is that it?".
There was one character Anna who was interesting and she shows up in a couple of different stories. But overall everything about this is just sort of bland. Though we'll written there are no stories that will stick with you.

ChaoticMissAdventures I forgot! This was my #doublebookspin playing along with @TheAromaofBooks 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
20 likes2 comments
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Clwojick
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Pickpick

Unsurprisingly, I couldn‘t sleep last night... so I managed to finish off another book for August‘s #BookSpinBingo. Uncommon Type was a little weird, but in a good way. I really enjoyed the short stories, and especially Tom Hanks narrating. 🥰

TheAromaofBooks I've seen a lot of mixed reviews for this one. 4y
88 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧 I love the way Tom Hanks can describe something with such detail that it‘s like you‘re there in the moment with him & I see him as such a genuinely nice person. This is a book of 17 short stories. The stories are descriptive, well written & he‘s a fabulous narrator, soothing. That said, I didn‘t want to hear him talk dirty & there‘s a scene in the 1st story that was jarring 😫 other than that, it‘s a good book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️2/3

Smrloomis Um Tom Hanks talking dirty? 😳😂 yeah, not sure I want to hear that either. 4y
12 likes1 comment
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JenDR
Pickpick

#3
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought the theme of typewriters throughout the various stories was was interesting. It made me think back to one of my university literature classes and a debate about how American authors do well with short stories compared to novels. After just reading Shirley Jackson‘s Haunting of Hill House and not loving it as much as her short stories, I am curious as to what a novel by Hanks would be.

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Wowee!! Tom is the ultimate baby boomer. Fascinated with his generation and the things used by it, including the typewriter, a machine that figures in every story.

It‘s amazing hearing Tom read his own words. Better than when he narrates others‘ books. There‘s nothing particularly magic about these short stories; it‘s the narration that polishes them.

My library didn‘t have it, so I picked it up in the current #audible 2 for 1 sale.

Reviewsbylola I‘ve been curious about this one since it was a #botm. It would never work for me in print but I think maybe I‘d like the audio. 4y
Cinfhen Good to know!!! Thanks, Meg 💚I‘ve been curious about this one too @Reviewsbylola 4y
AvidReader25 I loved this one on audio. 4y
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Megabooks @Reviewsbylola there‘s an extra zest in his reading, which is so fun! I definitely think you‘d enjoy it, @Cinfhen 💙💙 4y
8little_paws I think i might pick up this on audio from my library. 4y
britt_brooke I panned this one. 😂 I‘m glad you liked it! 4y
Megabooks @8little_paws it‘s only good with tom reading it, so definitely go audio. I know because I read the paper book when it came out. 4y
Megabooks @britt_brooke lol! It certainly isn‘t what I usually like, but it‘s the Hanksiest Tom Hanks thing Tom Hanks has ever done, and I appreciate that! (edited) 4y
Megabooks @britt_brooke except maybe those commercials for the WWII memorial! 4y
102 likes1 stack add11 comments
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JenDR
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Day 1 of my staycation. I went to the newly re-opened bookstore. I spent an hour just wandering around and enjoying pursuing the sale racks. I have been curious about Uncommon Type since it‘s release. Glad I found it on clearance today.

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TheEllieMo
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oOArankaOo
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I was on Litsy a few years back, but then life happened and I wanted to start over. Why not with a picture of the books I'm #currentlyreading 🤓

I never thought I'd be able to read more than one book at a time, but I enjoy having multiple reads on the go, so I can pick whatever I'm in the mood for, because #moodreader. Tagged is my go to out of this pile right now. Eays to read a little here and there, plus I'm doing a #buddyread on it. 📖

starlight97 Heeey welcome back! 💕 5y
oOArankaOo @starlight97 Thanks! :D 5y
Nute Welcome back to Litsy! I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 4y
oOArankaOo @Nute Thank you! Lookong forward to getting to know you too 😊 4y
10 likes4 comments
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AuntCourtney
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Mini Review
I‘m gonna be honest I love Tom Hanks, but there was no structure or sense to this. They were all just random stories and they flip flopped so randomly they didn‘t make sense. Some were good and entertaining but not memorable for me. I wanted to really love this since it was part of the #beardyread book club this month. It just didn‘t meet the expectations I had for it.

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monica_laurette
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Really thinking about life. And this book seems like it‘s the right fit for thoughts like that. Anyone who has read this, can you confirm?

Aims42 I have it on my TBR 🙌🏻 Love your mini typewriter piece, that‘s so cute! 5y
monica_laurette @Aims42 thank you! It‘s a pencil holder and I‘m using it to hold some of my favorite pens at the moment. 😊 5y
Aims42 @monica_laurette so cute!! I‘m a sucker for all things typewriters lol 5y
monica_laurette @Aims42 I saw a documentary called ‘California Typewriter‘ and it‘s all about them! If you haven‘t seen it I‘d look into it. 5y
7 likes4 comments
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Maike
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Pickpick

Tom Hanks is actually a really decent writer. His style is exactly as you would expect it - cozy, nostalgic and sometimes you get a chuckle out of it. Nothing too serious, but just the thing if you are exhausted by the modern world.

51 likes2 stack adds
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IMASLOWREADER
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WHEN LIFE IMITATES ART 🖼 #bookishgal #recharging #readinggoal #readinglife

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Aims42
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Went to Half Price Books today to get a giftcard for a coworker, walked out with a few goodies for myself 😇

35 likes1 stack add
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tholmz
Mehso-so

I listened to this on audio which was the best part — Tom‘s soothing voice. The stories were fine, some drastically better than others, but I think I made the right call to listen rather than read.

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Horsedancer98
Pickpick

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Tom Hanks wrote a book. I‘ve read some other reviews on this book and some said that his stories are anti-climactic. But I don‘t think these stories need to have a climax in order to be good. These stories have a subtle twist that make these stories interesting without a need for an obvious climax.

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larah17
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Mehso-so

I, like 99.9% of people, really like Tom Hanks. I loved his writing and would absolutely read a novel written by him. My lack of interest in this was, I believe, more because I am coming to the conclusion that the short story format isn't something I enjoy. If I like the short story, the length is never enough; if I dislike it, even 20 pages is a slog.

JoyBlue You've described my feelings about it exactly! 5y
larah17 @JoyBlue I'm glad someone else feels the same! I wish I could have got into this but I just couldn't! 5y
Buechersuechtling “If I like the short story, the length is never enough; if I dislike it, even 20 pages is a slog.” – Exactly how I feel about short stories‼️🤩 So glad, I‘m not the only one. 4y
56 likes3 comments
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ashleynmiller5
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The first book that I‘d like to share is one you may have already seen. “Uncommon Type” by THE @tomhanks is a fiction collection of short stories with one thing in common: they all somehow involve a typewriter. I just started it & am already loving it! So, definitely pick yourself up a copy from the store OR support your local library (@dallaspubliclibrary)! I hope you‘ll take the time to read something this week 📚

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Clutterbucks_Queen
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Pickpick

I can not rate this book enough! 👏
I've always loved Tom Hanks as an actor with the many roles he has played, and i can safetly say he's turned out to he an incredibly imaginitive author!
Several of the stories in this book have left me utterly emotional and i am so glad i picked it up from the library!
I would 100% read this title again!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

13 likes1 stack add
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Clutterbucks_Queen
This post contains spoilers
show me
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Must say i really rate 'A month on Greene Street' as a short story!
I think it so sweet when a person gives up a habit for their child 😩🥰 Well done Paul Legaris! 🎉

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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Audiobook for this read. Stellar in Tom Hank‘s own voice.

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Clutterbucks_Queen
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Been struggling to find the time to just sit and read for a little while because life has all of a sudden been hectic, but I am determined to make it my mission to finish this lovely piece of work by Tom Hanks by atleast next Wednesday 😂

Wish me luck guys 🤞

bibliobliss I enjoyed this one 5y
10 likes1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
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Mehso-so

A collection of short stories by acclaimed actor Tom Hanks, each featuring his beloved typewriters.

I‘ll be frank, I had more fun imagining Hanks sitting at a typewriter, working on the stories, than actually listening. The only reason I made it through was his narration, which was a perfect fit.

There was nothing wrong with the stories, they just felt a little old fashioned. There were a few I liked, but the rest were pretty plain. 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Megabooks He‘s narrating Ann Patchett‘s new book. 5y
emz711 Yeah I didn't get through it 5y
BookmarkTavern @Megabooks Ooo! Ann Patchett‘s kind of a hit and miss for me, but I will definitely have to check that out! 5y
BookmarkTavern @emz711 Yeah, it took me a while. I ended up taking breaks and listening to something else between each story. 5y
36 likes1 stack add4 comments
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rkpope

I loved all these stores about real people doing real everyday things.

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NikkiRae
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I share my birthday with the amazing Tom Hanks so I‘m going to start this today. Happy Birthday to us!

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nelehelen
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Mehso-so

3/5
Listened to this on audiobook because who wouldn‘t want to listen to Tom Hanks narrate, am i right? While I enjoyed a few of the stories in here, a good portion of them were just “okay”. For a few of the stories, I found it difficult to pay attention. A bit old-fashioned, which I didn‘t mind. Wished to was more engaging.

#BookFitnessChallenge

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MsLeah8417
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟

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Macnjen
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Tom Hanks narrates, and I just love his inflections. Each short tale involves a typewriter to some degree as a minor character. Definitely listen! There were two stories I didn't love but overall it's really sweet, interesting and worth your time.

IamIamIam Great review! I've passed this over a few times looking for an audio from the library so a good review is helpful! 👌 5y
Macnjen I‘m glad it was helpful! I‘ve skipped reading reviews and regretted later! 5y
14 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Macnjen
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Next up for audiobook!

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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
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Pickpick

We are doing #buddyread for Tom Hanks book. I bought the book, because I love him. We are starting on 1st June - do you want to join in? I am hoping few more can join from here :)

Desha I could join, as soon as I find his book in my overwhelming tbr stacks lol! I love the picture you posted...happiness! ❤️📚❤️ 6y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @Desha counting you in!!! Are you on Instagram? Follow me, from 1st June - we will follow up our reading notes :) welcome to the buddy read :) 6y
blank I'd love to join! 6y
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Desha Thank you @MyBookSwapClub! I‘ve located my copy of the book lol so I should be fine to join in! Thank you for hosting! ❤️ 6y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @laurenslibrary hey Lauren - welcome. We are starting this book on 1st June :) 6y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @Desha pleasure is all mine! Glad, you found the book :) 6y
blank Sounds good! 💜 6y
57 likes7 comments
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NAM99
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Mehso-so

Generally, I‘m not really a short story fan, I always find myself either wanting more or just not caring about the stories. This was a mixture of the two. Tom Hanks and his love of typewriters is charming as ever but as an audiobook, it was difficult to figure out when one story ended and the next begins.

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aquariusnat
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Pickpick

This is a nice collection of stories. But it's also slightly boring. I think it would work better if you get the audiobook. It's actually read by Hanks . He's always fun to watch in interviews, so he probably does a good job reading his book .