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The Life She Was Given
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
From acclaimed author Ellen Marie Wiseman comes a vivid, daring novel about the devastating power of family secrets--beginning in the poignant, lurid world of a Depression-era traveling circus and coming full circle in the transformative 1950s. On a summer evening in 1931, Lilly Blackwood glimpses circus lights from the grimy window of her attic bedroom. Lilly isn't allowed to explore the meadows around Blackwood Manor. She's never even ventured beyond her narrow room. Momma insists it's for Lilly's own protection, that people would be afraid if they saw her. But on this unforgettable night, Lilly is taken outside for the first time--and sold to the circus sideshow. More than two decades later, nineteen-year-old Julia Blackwood has inherited her parents' estate and horse farm. For Julia, home was an unhappy place full of strict rules and forbidden rooms, and she hopes that returning might erase those painful memories. Instead, she becomes immersed in a mystery involving a hidden attic room and photos of circus scenes featuring a striking young girl. At first, The Barlow Brothers' Circus is just another prison for Lilly. But in this rag-tag, sometimes brutal world, Lilly discovers strength, friendship, and a rare affinity for animals. Soon, thanks to elephants Pepper and JoJo and their handler, Cole, Lilly is no longer a sideshow spectacle but the circus's biggest attraction. . .until tragedy and cruelty collide. It will fall to Julia to learn the truth about Lilly's fate and her family's shocking betrayal, and find a way to make Blackwood Manor into a place of healing at last. Moving between Julia and Lilly's stories, Ellen Marie Wiseman portrays two extraordinary, very different women in a novel that, while tender and heartbreaking, offers moments of joy and indomitable hope. PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN COAL RIVER "Wiseman offers heartbreaking and historically accurate depictions. . .The richly developed coal town acts as a separate, complex character; readers will want to look away even as they're drawn into a powerful quest for purpose and redemption. . .a powerful story." --Publishers Weekly "This book will attract readers of historical fiction and those looking for strong female characters." --VOYA Magazine "Heartrending and strongly drawn." --Booklist "Ellen Marie Wiseman takes readers deep into the politics and hidden atrocities of a 20th-century Pennsylvania mining town." --BookPage.com WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND "A great coming-of-age story." --School Library Journal "A great read!" --The San Francisco Book Review THE PLUM TREE "The meticulous hand-crafted detail and emotional intensity of The Plum Tree immersed me in Germany during its darkest hours and the ordeals its citizens had to face. A must-read for WWII Fiction aficionados--and any reader who loves a transporting story." --Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us "Ellen Marie Wiseman weaves a story of intrigue, terror, and love from a perspective not often seen in Holocaust novels." --Jewish Book World "Ellen Marie Wiseman's provocative and realistic images of a small German village are exquisite. The Plum Tree will find good company on the shelves of those who appreciated Skeletons at the Feast, by Chris Bohjalian, Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay, and Night, by Elie Wiesel." --New York Journal of Books
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review
Areader2
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

This was a tough read 1930 Lilly a young girl is locked in the attic by her mother and father for not being “ normal” this has a lot of trigger warnings , but I thought it was well written I enjoyed the duel story lines and the mystery behind it kept me intrigued

22 likes1 stack add
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sblbooks
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I loved everything I've read by Ellen Marie Wiseman, so far. I have a few more of hers to read, and they all look good. My favorite is the tagged book.
#SundayFunday @ozma.of.oz

BookmarkTavern I hope they live up to your expectations! Thank you for posting! 13mo
28 likes1 comment
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Evita
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

3 out of 5

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Sharpeipup
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Hoping all the #Florida Littens are safe!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙏🏻🙏🏻 1y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sharpeipup
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Greeted by a blanket of fog…perfect reason to sleep in and read.

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MelKelsey
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

Book 110

I listened to Ellen Marie Wiseman's The Life She Was Given, an engaging story about a girl with a skin condition whose mother sells to a circus. Initially the twist seems apparent, but it's more complex than expected. The characters are strong, but their internal dialogues are repetitive and overly simple. 3.5 🌟s

Sleepswithbooks Good book 👍🏼 2y
21 likes1 comment
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sblbooks
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
I had so many emotions while reading this book. I was fascinated, distressed, shocked... I loved it. That said, I had to knock off a star because it was brutal. Trigger warning for abuse.
#AudioJune @Allylu

Allylu I think it‘s awesome how an author can make you feel so many things! I also can‘t believe it‘s going to be July next week. What happened to June??? 3y
42 likes1 comment
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MotherOfCats
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Book of my year goes to The Life She was Given. It was not my normal type of read, but I loved it. It‘s honestly a heart breaking read, but I loved it very much in a twisted, sad way.

Other 5 star reads - Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs

The few others pictured are some close to 5s, my honorable mentions. I guess I‘m a tough rater 🤷🏻‍♀️

4 likes1 stack add
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Lisas.Library
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

4.5 stars
Such a great book. Its a really heartbreaking story and sadly there is so much truth behind it. I love this authors writing. I can‘t wait to pick up another one of her books.

Sleepswithbooks This book was so great 😃 4y
72 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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Lisas.Library
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Starting book #67
The Life She Was Given
By Ellen Marie Wiseman

35 pages in and I‘m intrigued.

LinesUponAPage Are you farther now? How is it? I‘m intrigued by just the title and cover. 4y
Lisas.Library @Lifeisasnap ~ I‘m only 55 pages in. I really like it. It‘s heartbreaking and I‘m certain it will only get worse as I continue. 4y
72 likes1 stack add2 comments
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tdrosebud
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Here are some choices for #lmpbc. I'll tag the other 3 in the comments. Let me know if any particularly stand out, have been read, or sounds horrible. The Tagged book is 341 pgs.
@thebluestocking @Pogue @Chili

Chili They all look good!!! 4y
thebluestocking Nice! The Giant of Everdeen County has been on my TBR list forever and the others look good too. 💙 4y
26 likes5 comments
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Betty_Boa
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

Ok i Loved this book!!! For all the circus reasons. But my gosh was it so heartbreaking 😪 It definitely left me very emotional

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Nitpickyabouttrains
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

This book was such an easy read for me. Two women, one in 1930s and one in the 1950s deal with family and life. Involves a circus and a horse farm and discovering yourself.

Sleepswithbooks I loved this book!!!! 4y
19 likes1 comment
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paulareadsallthetime
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

Such a good book but some parts were so hard to read. Lillie and Julia connected in so many ways. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Cathyloves2read
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

This book told a powerful story. It alternated between two main characters who lived in two separate eras. Both of their stories were gripping, and very sad at times. There was one very disturbing event that occurred that I‘m not sure I‘ll ever be able to erase my mental image of. I‘d be interested to hear if others felt the inclusion of this event was mandatory to the story. All in all, I enjoyed this book.

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Betty_Boa
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman

Loving it I knew I would being "circus themed" but it seems elephants are going to be playing a part in the story and I'm so stoked ?????

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Betty_Boa
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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A little Nature Reading and Chill 😛
#CurrentlyReading 50 pages in so far I'm liking it. But I'm inclined to like any book that centers around a circus 🎪 even if it's started of a bit sadly.

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Court7
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

Good but sad, very sad.

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Wendyloohoo77
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

Definitely a gripping story. I wanted to read faster and faster to find out what happened. The Julia parts could have been better, more dramatic - I wish she had found out more information earlier and investigated it, but the real story was the story of Lily, which had me hooked from the beginning.

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Sleepswithbooks
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Loving my current adventure that the fantastic @Soubhiville gifted me with 💛

#booksnacksleep #womenfriendship #litsylove #booklover #readanadventure #sniffabook

TheAromaofBooks By the way, I finally wrote you back!! So you have a #LitsyLove letter heading your way tomorrow!! :-) 5y
Soubhiville I‘m glad you‘re enjoying it ❤️ 5y
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Sleepswithbooks
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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What a fantastic surprise to come home to after work this morning!!! Thank you so much @Soubhiville 💖 I love the card and I‘ve totally wanted to read this book 📖 You made my weekend ☀️😃

Soubhiville Yay! Happy birthday! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
36 likes3 comments
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ATB
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Mehso-so

Fascinated by the Lily chapters, not so much by the Julia chapters. I loved the behind the scenes look at the circus life... one of my reading wheel houses. The beer was very good.

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morgan_krahn
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

This was probably somewhere between a pick and a so-so for me. I really enjoyed parts of it and that‘s why I leaned towards pick for my overall rating 🤷🏼‍♀️

47 likes1 stack add
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morgan_krahn
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Up next! I‘ve been really into audiobooks lately (being the mom of a 2 year old and very pregnant with my second this is just so much easier than finding time to read 😬).

bookaholic1 Great book 5y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Panpan

So frustrating. The story itself is interesting and has promise, but I HATED the writing. Almost juvenile, there is too much repetition, cliches, and telling. One more “on one hand, this. On the other hand, that” and I would‘ve thrown my kindle. Only finished it because it‘s for book club. #LitsyAtoZ:W

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arattyreads
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

Really really well written and interesting and entertaining. But saaaaaaaaaaaaaadd and frustrating:(

2 likes1 stack add
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GeekGirlOnAQuest
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Mehso-so

This was a decent read. I didn‘t love it as much as some of the reviews I read, but it was an interesting story. It‘s very sad and depicts a lot of violence and cruelty (to both humans and animals), but leaves you with an optimistic ending. But it seemed to be reaching too hard in the chapters leading up to the ending and I found myself just wanting to finish the book.

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Copwithabook
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Panpan

I‘m between a pan and so-so on this. While I think the concept is good, and the plot is ok, the execution of it was almost juvenile. The characters were stock at best and comically naive at worst. I found myself eye rolling a lot, which is never a good sign. I did end up finishing the book, however, I won‘t be recommending to friends.

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bookaholic1
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book. Even though at times it made me angry or very sad. But all in all I really enjoyed it

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MarticaMustRead
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Mehso-so

📖😐 #BookClubPick #Historical #LibrarianLife

Warning: Major TW for animal abuse & child abuse/ neglect

I read this for book club so that's why I finished it. And while yes, I certainly wanted to know how Lilly's life would unfold, I was NOT fan of the following:

- The simplistic writing
- The animal abuse
- The excessive child neglect/abuse
- Lilly's ending made me furious at the author! Those that read it know what I mean..I'm still mad!😡

DivineDiana Thank you for the warnings! Will pass on this one. 6y
MarticaMustRead You're very welcome @DivineDiana 🙂! 6y
32 likes2 comments
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bookaddict86
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Mehso-so

I did DNF this book. I had a hard time with the first girl being locked in her room her whole life, and then sold to the circus amd still treated like sh*t. I got into it about 130 pages. Im sure the story isnt bad. And its emotionally heavy, but its not something i can read right now.

Happy reading

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MarticaMustRead
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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🌙📖❤🍧🏡🌘 #BookClubPick #TGIF #Historical #BooksInBed #EveningReading

Tgif❣
My weekend has officially begun after a very long & exhausting work week.

😋- Time to dig into this delicious bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream (and Oreos!) as well as start my book club's latest pick- a historical novel involving a young girl, a hidden secret attic, family secrets, & the circus🤔..... I'm intrigued.

Happy #EveningReading Littens!🤓

43 likes3 stack adds
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Columbkill1
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

I read this book while I was waiting for a friend in Costa Rica (she missed her plane which is why I was there alone, but that's another story!) I was glad to have this book to help me fill the time. The character development is amazing (you really care what happens to them; the ones you love and the ones you hate). The ending is brutal though, really completely heartbreaking. Definitely recommend this is you don't mind a cry with your books!

48 likes1 stack add
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bookaddict86
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I am about 30 pages in and I am hooked.

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vlwelser
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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💖💖💖💖💖💖 Totally fangirling.

Jess_Read_This So cool! 6y
18 likes1 comment
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amreads
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

There‘s just something about old time circus stories that draws me in. I really enjoyed this even though I figured out the twist pretty early on.

1 like1 stack add
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Foragingfantasy
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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How I envision Lilly. It's not my favorite story ever, but it's ok. I'm thinking it'll be a so-so for me. The parts about Lilly are my favorites.

Little_Reader I just finished this book. I liked it, but...I‘m not even sure. Something about it is still unsettling for me. 6y
Foragingfantasy @Little_Reader Yeah, it wasn't my favorite. 6y
42 likes2 comments
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bookkeeper26
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book,I was really involved with the characters. A page turning heart-felt felt story really got me back in to reading!

DebbieGrillo Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) 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. 6y
5 likes2 comments
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Foragingfantasy
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Hoping to knock out these two books this weekend!

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Booksniffer
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

I wasn't ready for another circus book. This book was just so amazing and kept me glued to my seat trying to guess the ending. I loved it so much i read Ms. Wisemans other three books.

RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) 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're interested. :) 6y
Booksniffer Thanks. I will try to find it. Loving this! 6y
Booksniffer Found it. Thank you! 6y
See All 19 Comments
jfalkens Welcome to Litsy and happy reading 😊🎊📖🎉📚 6y
Texreader Welcome to our wonderful community here on Litsy. I hope you love it!! 6y
Booksniffer Thank you! So excited! 6y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Welcome to Litsy! 6y
BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😸 6y
TricksyTails Welcome to Litsy! 👏😁🎉📚 6y
Booksniffer Thank you all so much! 6y
Smrloomis Welcome! 🎉 6y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy! 🎉📚👍😀Hope you enjoy it here! 6y
ju.ca.no Welcome😊💚 6y
Simona Welcome 😘 and I wish you a lot of fun 👍 6y
SilversReviews WELCOME!! HAVE FUN!! 6y
Bklover Welcome to Litsy!! I think you will love it here! 6y
PurpleyPumpkin Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a great community and I hope you enjoy it here. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts!👍🏽 6y
UwannaPublishme Welcome! Get ready for your TBR list to go insane! 😁📚📚📚 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!!!! And Happy New Year!!! 🎈🎊🎆 @Booksniffer 6y
47 likes3 stack adds19 comments
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Foragingfantasy
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I'm in such a reading slump. I've been watching so much tv, I never watch tv. I think all the subbing and now the holiday has just been so busy. I've started this one, hopefully I can finish it soon. Had to get a pic with my ringmaster and carousel ornaments.

Jas16 Great picture! 6y
JackieSmith It took me a bit to get into it but once I did I loved it! 6y
Foragingfantasy @Jas16 well thank you for the beautiful book! I hope you had a good holiday! 6y
46 likes3 comments
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Book_in_hands
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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#humpdaypost all ready
1. A gift from my two boys
2. My hubby and I will be being our two boys to the airport and then we will celebrate just the two of us.
3. Everything that I have eaten this holiday season!!
4. I don't really collect but I like buying fun mugs!!
5. "We're talking away,I don't know what,
I'm to say I'll say it anyway, today's another day to find you, shying away, I'll be coming for your love,okay?"

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mowayv6899
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

So sad

4 likes1 stack add
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Foragingfantasy
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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OMG @Jas16 You are amazing! I don't know what to say, except THANK YOU!! Have a Merry Christmas!! #surpisemail #litsyfriends

Jas16 Glad it arrived and hope you like it all. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. 6y
Foragingfantasy @Jas16 I absolutely love everything! That mug is amazing. ❤️ thank you again! And Happy Holidays to you too! 6y
Soubhiville Oh Lady Chatterly‘s Lover- ready for some #LitsyAfterDark? 6y
Foragingfantasy @Soubhiville oooooh. Is it scandalous? 6y
Soubhiville Oh yes, Lawrence is always very old school scandalous! 6y
51 likes5 comments
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jesnic27
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Well this is certainly off to a disturbing start..

Coco What genre is this book? 6y
jesnic27 I'm not really sure what to classify it under. It's a depression era story(part of it is, anyway, the other part is in the 1950's), but its not based on historical events, so maybe just fiction? 6y
jesnic27 But it's a difficult read. The abuse in it is astronomical 6y
5 likes1 stack add3 comments
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ItsAnotherJen
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

A story about a young girl, locked away in a room for looking different than everyone else. Her life takes many twists and turns as the years pass by. The author does a great job keeping you guessing throughout the book. When one question gets answered, you have two more you are trying to figure out.
🌟🌟🌟🌟

MinDea This sounds interesting! Thanks for the review! 6y
104 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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thereadingowlvina
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

As always, #EllenMarieWiseman never ceases to amaze me with her flawless writing and #poignant yet #heartwarming story. This moving tale is told from two point of view alternating between Lilly Blackwood in the #1930s and Julia Blackwood in the #1950s.
📚
📚
My full review at: https://www.goodreads.com/thereadingowlvina
📚
#historicalfiction #circus #sideshow #yycreads #bookworm #booknerd #alwaysbereading #readforlife

5 likes1 stack add
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CocoReads
The Life She Was Given | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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@MonikaS thank you so much for my #totebagswap loot! I love it all! I‘m so excited to read the books and color and write. I‘ve never heard of maple tea so I‘m looking forward to trying that as well! Also, that wrapping paper is perfect. The bag is fabulous! I‘m going to use it tomorrow on my shopping trip with my family! Thanks also to @cobwebmoth for coordinating!

eanderson Cute tote!!! Very cool! I have a client in a little bit so I'm going to open mine after I get home from that. 6y
AmyG I love seeing what everyone got. Cute bag! 6y
MonikaS Yay! I‘m so glad you liked it!! I loved picking it all out 😀😊 6y
JenlovesJT47 @MonikaS where did you get the Princess Bride coloring book? 😱 6y
MonikaS @JenlovesJT47 I bought it at my regular indigo book store 😊( if you live in Canada) 6y
59 likes5 comments