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Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories
Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories | Anthony Marra
From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "A Constellation of Vital Phenomena" dazzling, poignant, and lyrical interwoven stories about family, sacrifice, the legacy of war, and the redemptive power of art. This stunning, exquisitely written collection introduces a cast of remarkable characters whose lives intersect in ways both life-affirming and heartbreaking. A 1930s Soviet censor painstakingly corrects offending photographs, deep underneath Leningrad, bewitched by the image of a disgraced prima ballerina. A chorus of women recount their stories and those of their grandmothers, former gulag prisoners who settled their Siberian mining town. Two pairs of brothers share a fierce, protective love. Young men across the former USSR face violence at home and in the military. And great sacrifices are made in the name of an oil landscape unremarkable except for the almost incomprehensibly peaceful past it depicts. In stunning prose, with rich character portraits and a sense of history reverberating into the present, "The Tsar of Love and Techno" is a captivating work from one of our greatest new talents."
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CBee
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Couldn‘t choose just one for April either! 😊 #12Booksof2023 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Both look good. 10mo
50 likes1 comment
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CBee
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Pickpick

I don‘t know how Anthony Marra does it. Technically, these are short stories, and of course at first there isn‘t a connection, but THEN….. every story becomes interconnected, and it‘s just magical. It took me longer to read this as it‘s a book to savor. Gorgeous writing. #booked2023 #shortstorycollection

CBee @Sapphire I think you‘d enjoy this since you loved Constellation as well! 2y
Cinfhen I had a hard time with this one…I can‘t pinpoint why exactly 🧐 2y
CBee @Cinfhen it‘s not for everyone, and it‘s more of a slow burn. It just clicked for me 😊 2y
Sophronisba I _loved_ this book when I read it. I think it's the best thing he's written. 2y
CBee @Sophronisba I haven‘t read his newest but absolutely loved Constellation. This one is right up there though, I am just in awe of his writing and how he connected the stories together. 2y
67 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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rachelk
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Pickpick

In this unusual work of fiction (not really short stories, not a traditional novel) interconnecting characters and stories spanning 75 years explore bonds of family and political hardships in an ever changing Russia. Marra‘s incredible writing has been compared to Tolstoy.

Ruthiella I loved this one too. ❤️ 2y
rachelk @Ruthiella Now I need to go back and read his book 2y
42 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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rachelk
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“I am an artist first, a censor second.”

Running a little late on this but I was reading it last night as well. I think it‘s about to be my first 5 star read of the year.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

Wow, yes Anthony Marra is a magician because this book is MAGIC. Marra really excels in the short form, each story here stands alone pitch perfect on a sentence level, and yet is intricately woven into a cohesive whole. Although these are very much stories about the chaotic spirals of Soviet History, they are as much stories about History generally, and about the ways our personal histories stand on the shoulders of those who have come before.

jlhammar So good! Can't wait for his new novel. 3y
ClairesReads @jlhammar I am absolutely jazzed for it too 3y
rachelk Great review! This was my first book by Anthony Marra. I‘ve just ordered (edited) 2y
35 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Blueberry
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Suet624 Great book. 3y
Andrew65 Great choice. 3y
55 likes2 comments
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Readerann
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Pickpick

Please indulge me for all the posts - I haven‘t updated in a while. 😁 It was a little difficult to keep track of the connections between stories (as others have said, it should be read as a novel), but Marra is a great writer. I must admit I didn‘t like this as much as ‘A Constellation of Vital Phenomena‘.
#ToB #ToBTournamentofFavorites

BarbaraBB Good to see your updates! 3y
22 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
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1. The Body Keeps the Score
2. Tender is the Night
3. The Tsar of Love and Techno

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain @NataliePatalie

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Blueberry
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Currently reading. Anthony Marra is an amazing writer.

Megabooks Agreed! 4y
Lesliereads I agree, too!!🙌🏾 4y
65 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

Linked short stories function as pieces of a jigsaw exploring the cruelty, tenderness, frailty, and strength of humanity as it fights for survival in Russia and Chechnya.

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sarahlandis
Mehso-so

3/5

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Lesliereads
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“I must have been ten, Kolya thirteen, on the afternoon We watched two men kill a third. But I‘ll come back to that. We woke in the room we shared to the dueling cries of my father and the teakettle. Kolya climbed from bed. His hair was a typographical error someone had scribbled out. He hit me, as he did most mornings, to toughen me for my own good, but it‘s difficult to muster much brotherly love while getting slapped.”

readordierachel Whew, that's quite a quote. 4y
Lesliereads @readordierachel Whew, you see why I had to share! 4y
17 likes2 comments
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Blueberry
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1. Apostle: Travels among the tombs of the twelve.
2. The Tsar of Love and Techno
3. Terminator

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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shadowspeak17
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Megabooks Great book! 5y
Well-ReadNeck Oooh. Yes. I do love this one, too 5y
40 likes2 comments
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Bookmarkie
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Pickpick

I‘d say this is one of the best I have read in quite a while. #readit

Ruthiella I loved this book. I think it is totally a novel though I see how each chapter could also function as a short story.😀 5y
Suet624 I‘m in love with his writing. I think I might be in love with him. 5y
44 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Bookmarkie
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Up next....

Suet624 ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Christine89 I love this book so much 💕 5y
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Pricel101
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#friyayintro A day late! 🤓 @howjessreads
1. Love living in an apartment. It‘s within walking distance of a bookstore, movie theatre and pub! [and no snow to shovel]
2. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flannigan
3. Audio books during the weekday commute and all weekend!
4. Pizza!!!

Velvetfur I love those two buildings opposite you, where do you live? 😊 6y
Andrea313 @Velvetfur @Pricel101 Came here to ask the same thing! I love this shot. 😀 6y
Pricel101 @velvetfur @andrea313 In Ottawa Canada 🥰 The park is perfect for dogs and my small veranda great for outdoor reading. (edited) 6y
Velvetfur @Pricel101 Thanks for the info, it looks like a really pretty place to live 😊 6y
23 likes4 comments
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shadowspeak17
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1. 😍
2. I don‘t know yet.
3. Probably yellow
4. They‘ve never told me. I only know of one of my dad‘s female name choices (Lysistrata) that my mom gave a hard pass.
5. ❤️❤️❤️

#friyayintro

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Moray_Reads
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1. Too hard! Or Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
2. 375
3. It's been a good year so it's a three-way you're between my secondment, moving to a new flat and watching my little sister get married ❤️❤️
4. Watching my current work project come to fruition (I hope!)
5. @dariazeoli @Libby1 @abbsinwonderland of you haven't already played!
Thanks for the tag @Ddzmini

squirrelbrain How many?! 😮 6y
wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 👋🏻😀 6y
Moray_Reads @squirrelbrain *whispers* 375... Almost 376 😝 6y
See All 6 Comments
squirrelbrain Is it 377 now?! 😛 6y
Moray_Reads @squirrelbrain maybe tomorrow 😉 6y
Ddzmini 377 jealous 😖📖😝🤣🤣🤣 6y
27 likes6 comments
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amybiscoe
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️There was a moment in this book where I had to close it and take a breather because I just could not take it. The ending left me feeling simultaneously filled up and hollowed out. Anthony Marra is a genius.

Lel2403 Welcome to Litsy 6y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 🎉 6y
10 likes2 comments
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StellarDoc
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Went back to Barnes and Noble with @dgingo and @DoctorMirabilis1267 but talked myself out of buying anything. Then I went across the street to Half Price Books for the 20% off sale and bought four books, notecards, a journal for the #TeamDracula, and Bellatrix.
I feel better.

dgingo You probably saved yourself a lot of money, too! Nice book haul! 📚 6y
StellarDoc @dgingo I spent less on the first edition hardcovers of You and The Essex Serpent than I would have on the paperbacks! 6y
dgingo @StellarDoc I bet! I plan on going to the mothership tomorrow. 6y
StellarDoc @dgingo Books a Million has a 50% sale going on too. I might go there. 6y
17 likes4 comments
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bookandcat
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Pickpick

#backpackEurope travelogue *fictional*
Country 8: I was a bit nervous traveling to Russia (some family members were under Soviet rule) but I enjoyed seeing the Faberge museum, Red Square, and the old palace in St Petersburg.
This book is lovely but sad - the short stories all link together, from the censor who paints out the ballerina whose granddaughter is an actress who...
It's like a lovely piece of music, but the censorship hurt to read about.

JenP I love this book so much! One of my favorites 6y
47 likes2 comments
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bookandcat
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Leaving Finland and off to Russia. I have been wanting to read this Marra book for ages (I may also still read the Gerber book for fun). I almost chose Anna Karenina but decided against it after hearing my friend say she has tried 5 years in a row to read it and always gets bored. I apparently decided a hard route - I covered Iceland and all of the upper Nordic European countries. Too bad there are no landmarks to hit in them 😂 #backpackEurope

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DMC_run8
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Pickpick

Beautiful.

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AiBBot
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Pickpick

If you want a fun, light, and quirky read about life in Russia ranging from Stalin‘s era to present, do not read this book. If you want a epically tragic understanding of mindset of Russians and how it has influenced the survival of families and interconnectedness of humanity through the 1900‘s to present, read this book.

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shawnmooney
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MicheleinPhilly 😂😂😂 7y
LeahBergen 😆😆 7y
CouronneDhiver So... college. 😂 7y
45 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
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LeahBergen Ha! 👏🏻 7y
erzascarletbookgasm After seeing so many quotes you posted on this book, I really want to read it! 🤞 7y
Gezemice That picture is precious. 7y
42 likes4 comments
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shawnmooney
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LeahBergen Oof. ☹️ 7y
AceOnRoam 😢😢 7y
Suet624 This book...❤️... 7y
33 likes4 comments
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Moray_Reads
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Pickpick

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena was excellent but this is a masterpiece. The effort of piecing together the interconnected stories, unraveling the relationship simply adds to their power. They are judged to perfection, individually and as a whole. Marra's characters are painfully human and his insight, humour and compassion shine in every word. It's achingly, exquisitely beautiful. The best I've read this year and it could easily remain so.

Kalalalatja Great review and great flowers 👌 7y
TrishB Lovely review ❤️ 7y
Dulcinella Beautiful review. Up on my tbr list 7y
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britt_brooke Lovely review and photo! 7y
Simona It looks like it's time to finally read his books ... 7y
saresmoore Great review! I couldn‘t agree more and I haven‘t even finished it yet. 7y
LeahBergen Ooo, I like that edition. 😍 7y
minkyb High praise! 7y
55 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Moray_Reads
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Oh, Mr Marra, I sincerely hope this isn't really your opinion. If it is this book breaks my heart for yet another reason

UrsulaMonarch Stalin was a fan??? How is that possible? 7y
Nebklvr Saved him from arrest but didn‘t allow publishing of his works. Master published posthumously, i think 4y
41 likes2 comments
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Moray_Reads
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HippieChickHomeschool This is one of my all time favorite books. I wish it was more popular! 7y
LeahBergen Love this line ❤️ 7y
Moray_Reads @LeahBergen @HippieChickHomeschool The whole book is just extraordinary 7y
53 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Moray_Reads
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saresmoore This exact quote stood out to me, too. Such a striking juxtaposition. 7y
Moray_Reads @saresmoore he has a remarkable eye for images like this, putting incongruities together in such a powerful way 7y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Moray_Reads
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🙁 This book is going to break me

Notafraidofwords Oh yeah. It is. 7y
saresmoore True. 7y
46 likes2 comments
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shawnmooney
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Perfect photo! 😂 7y
TrishB Brilliant 👍🏻 7y
LeahBergen 😂😂 7y
Lola 😂😂😂And I absolutely loved this book. 7y
Anna40 Do you know where those statues are? Fantastic! 7y
44 likes1 stack add5 comments
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shawnmooney
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TrishB I love that ❤️ 7y
minkyb ❣️Marra is very quotable. 7y
LeahBergen Oooo! 7y
57 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
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Lindy Fear of bellybuttons = omphalophobia. (I had to Google that.) 7y
minkyb nice work @Lindy 7y
Lindy @minkyb ☺️ 7y
48 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
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49 likes1 stack add
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saresmoore
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“Then you accept?”
I said nothing, and as is often the case with men who possess more power than wisdom, he took my silence for affirmation. “Congratulations, Ruslan. You‘re head of the Grozny Tourist Bureau.” And so my future was decided, as it often is, entirely without my consent.

saresmoore From “The Grozny Tourist Bureau” 7y
readordierachel I need to move this up my tbr. 7y
BkClubCare Thank you for the reminder to read all his books. I loved the humor in this one. 7y
See All 9 Comments
Notafraidofwords This book is soul crushingly Amazing 7y
saresmoore @Notafraidofwords YES! Well said. 7y
saresmoore @BkClubCare It‘s truly a gift to infuse such a respectful levity without sacrificing any of the genuine agony of the subject matter. 7y
saresmoore @ReadOrDieRachel Yes, it‘s nice because it‘s short stories, so you can get a full dose in one sitting. 7y
Suet624 You‘ll notice the stories form a whole. He and the book are simply amazing. Starting to hand this book out to folks, as well as his first book. 7y
BkClubCare @saresmoore - great way to put it. 7y
89 likes1 stack add9 comments
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shadowspeak17
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31 likes1 stack add
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alisonrose
Pickpick

First off, Marra's writing is so damn good. The man can turn a phrase like nobody's business. I really liked the way he linked these stories together, through different characters and places and items, against a backdrop that changed over time but in so many disturbing ways remained the same. I think this is a great option if, like me, you're not usually a big short story fan. 4/5 ⭐️

15 likes1 stack add
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alisonrose

Her hair was covered in an electric-pink headscarf that obeyed the letter of the law while exorcizing its spirit.

😆

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alisonrose

[We] considered the ways a body betrays its soul, and wondered if growing up was its own kind of pathology. We fell in and out of love with fevered frequency. We constantly became people we would later regret having been.

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alisonrose

You remain the hero of your own story even when you become the villain of someone else's.

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alisonrose
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I absolutely loved his debut novel, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, so am excited to finally pick this up. Especially because it's a collection of interlinked stories, which I usually enjoy much more than ones where the stories are all totally separate. (Also damn you bookstores and your evil not-easily-peeled-off stickers.)
#nowreading

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shawnmooney
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MayJasper Ooh yuck 7y
minkyb I love Marra‘s writing. (edited) 7y
57 likes2 comments
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wen4blu
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Current audiobook.....I was looking for short stories, but this seems to be longer, connected stories. I've just started and the narrator's accent is both distracting and enhancing the story (yes, I know, that makes no sense at all).

susanw I loved this book. 7y
50 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
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Booksnchill 🤣❤️ 7y
nofutureparttwo I picked this up used a few months ago, based on how much I loved (what I‘ve read of) A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. What are your thoughts thus far? 7y
shawnmooney @nofutureparttwo ACOVP is my 2nd favorite novel of all time! So far, I‘m really enjoying TTOLAT but it‘s not having the intense emotional resonance of the debut novel. 7y
Hooked_on_books Well that‘s a great mental picture. 😂 7y
minkyb Now there‘s an image. 7y
50 likes5 comments
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Natasha.C.Barnes
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I've been working on entering reviews and quotes into my reading journal. I'm running out of space with this book. ❤️

thebluestocking Oh man. Love that quote. 7y
shawnmooney I am reading this right now and also loved this quote! 7y
minkyb Oh yes. He is extremely quotable. 7y
78 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
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shawnmooney
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Suet624 Marra just doesn‘t quit. This is another great book of his. 7y
shawnmooney @Suet624 Oh wow, couldn‘t agree more! 7y
43 likes2 comments