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A Selfie as Big as the Ritz
A Selfie as Big as the Ritz | Lara Williams
34 posts | 12 read | 21 to read
A dark wonder. An often harrowing (and in parts, very, very funny) debut, it targets the unfathomable nonsense of relationships, work and modern living with a keen eye, head-spinning wordplay and enough compassion to crush your heart. Buy it for everyone you know." The Skinny She finds herself single, twenty-nine, partially-employed, and about a half a stone overweight. Roller dexter of eligible friends rattling thin. Thirties breathing down her neck like an inappropriate uncle. She jogs. Looks good in turquoise. Finds herself punctuating gas better out than in! patting her stomach like a department store Santa. This is who I am, she thinks. The women in Lara Williams debut story collection, A Selfie as Big as the Ritz, navigate the tumultuous interval between early twenties and middle age. In the title story, a relationship implodes against the romantic backdrop of Paris. In One of Those Life Things, a young woman struggles to say the right thing at her best friends abortion. In Penguins, a girlfriend tries to accept her boyfriends bizarre sexual fantasy. In Treats, a single woman comes to terms with her loneliness. As Williams characters attempt to lean in, fall in love, hold together a family, fend off loneliness, and build a meaningful life, we see them alternating between expectation and resignation, giddiness and melancholy, the rollercoaster we all find ourselves on.
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RebeccaRoo7
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"No one knows who invented the fire hydrant. The patent was burned in a fire."

#shortstories #realistic #fiction #coolcovers #collections #contemporary #adulthood

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Megabooks
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Here‘s my #nofilternomakeupselfie for the #bfcr2! I‘m finally ready for #24in48 after having my eyes dilated at the doctor. Ugh! Sorry I‘m not caught up on Litsy!

cobwebmoth Yay! It's so good to see your beautiful face!❤ 5y
Trashcanman It's nice to see you. That's a lovely photo. 📸🤗 5y
Megabooks @cobwebmoth Thank you!! 😊😊 5y
See All 28 Comments
Megabooks @Trashcanman Thanks so much!! 😁😊 5y
wanderinglynn Beautiful! ❤️ Thank you for sharing. 5y
Megabooks @wanderinglynn Thanks!! 💜💜 5y
Emilymdxn Amazing! Great pic and thanks for posting! 5y
sudi Great selfie and you look very beautiful 💛 5y
Megabooks @sudi Thank you very much!! 💕💕 5y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn Thanks so much! 💜😁 5y
Meaw_catlady Lovely ! 💕 5y
Megabooks @Meaw_catlady Thank you! 😊💗💗 5y
BookwormAHN 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
Megabooks @BookwormAHN 😊😊💜 5y
TheEllieMo Lovely pic! 5y
rockpools Lovely photo, Meg! 😊 5y
Megabooks @TheEllieMo Thanks!! 💗💗 5y
Megabooks @RachelO Thank you! 😊💙 5y
Crazeedi What a great picture! You have a beautiful face!❤ 5y
Megabooks @Crazeedi Thank you so much!! 😊💕💕 5y
BarbaraBB Great pic 💕 5y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB Thanks!! 😘😘🥰 I‘m about to start Mrs. Everything. 👍🏻 Just as soon as I finish Heart Berries, which I‘m really enjoying. 5y
britt_brooke Looking good! 5y
Megabooks @britt_brooke Thanks!! 😁 5y
Clwojick i love those glasses!! 😍 ❤ 5y
Megabooks @Clwojick Thank you!! 😊😊 5y
106 likes28 comments
review
Megabooks
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Pickpick

This is the third time I‘ve read this book, and the first time I‘ve actually enjoyed it. 🤣🤣 Let me reframe. I love tiny books - both short and small. I love short stories that last fewer than 10 pages. The writing here is mostly mediocre with occasional bits of something better. 3.5⭐️ What‘s your favorite short story/little book?

5k steps today-better 👍🏻 Still depressed 😓 Lots of fruits and veggies, a little sugar 👍🏻 #bfc #bfcr2 #goteam

wanderinglynn Solid day! 🙌🏻 Hang in there. It will get better. 💜💜💜 {hugs!} 5y
KathyWheeler This was a good day. It‘s really difficult to do anything at all when you‘re depressed, but you‘re doing it! 5y
cobwebmoth You should be proud that you're still moving despite the depression. I know how hard it can be.❤ 5y
See All 14 Comments
Megabooks @wanderinglynn Thank you so much!! 🤗🤗🤗 5y
Megabooks @KathyWheeler I‘m really trying to put one foot in front of the next - literally. 🤣 It‘s a battle that I‘m trying my hardest to win. 💗💗 5y
Megabooks @cobwebmoth Thanks! ☺️😘💙 I‘m sorry that you can relate. 5y
Emilymdxn You‘re doing amazing and you have your team with you on this. I‘m sorry your depression has got in the way, I know how hard it can be, my anxiety hasn‘t been perfect recently either. You‘re doing absolutely great tho and have so much to be proud of, like your whole team is proud of you 5y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn Thank you so much! You are a wonderful captain! 😁 I‘m sorry about your anxiety. It‘s really a bitch and can interfere with life. I get anxiety as well. (As my psychiatrist often says, “Anxiety is a normal part of bipolar disorder.” 🙄 as if that makes it easier. 🤣) I‘m proud of you and our team, too!! 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 PS it‘s amazing how much better I feel at 1:30 am 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y
BooknerdsLife I‘ve never heard of this book 😅🙈but yourbooksleeves is so gorgeous!!! 😍 5y
TheEllieMo @Megabooks it‘s so tough dealing with depression, but you are still pushing through and doing as much as you can. I am so proud of you, you have more strength within you than you realise 5y
Megabooks @BooknerdsLife Thanks! I got it from an (unfortunately) now shuttered shop on Etsy! I am a HUGE booksleeve collector! 5y
Megabooks @TheEllieMo Thank you, dear friend! 💜💜 I try. And I know I just have to keep climbing until I each a plateau where (believe it or not this is what I think) can bicycle along through a healthy life. I can get there again. I really appreciate your support! 💪🏻 5y
TheEllieMo @megabooks winner‘s attitude right there!! 5y
Megabooks @TheEllieMo ☺️☺️ 5y
80 likes1 stack add14 comments
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Megabooks
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The last paragraph is totally me!

Also, I love my Funusual Suspects magnetic sushi bookmark! #etsy

#24in48 #24b4monday Still truckin!

Bookworm83 This is me, too! 5y
Megabooks @Bookworm83 👍🏻😁 5y
Daisey Yep, this is me much of the time as well. 5y
See All 8 Comments
Megabooks @Daisey I liked Ann Patchett and her eventual second husband having separate houses in the same neighborhood. #goals 5y
Andrew65 Think this may sum some of us up. 5y
cherinium My husband lives a 10 minute drive away from me... 😉 5y
Megabooks @Andrew65 Yes, I‘m beginning to see, once again, but that I have friends here! 😊 5y
Megabooks @cherinium Nice! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 5y
110 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Megabooks
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My dad and I were out running errands, and he mentioned T-Mobile Tuesday was free hats. We stopped by, and they still had some. So we took a #selfie!! 🤳Anyway, just for fun 👍🏻😗💜

TheBookAddict That‘s awesome! I wish I had a cool and fun dad too 😆. Wishing you and yours a happy thanksgiving! 5y
Megabooks @TheBookAddict Thanks! 😊 Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving, too! (edited) 5y
AlaMich Fun! I have T-Mobile but I never downloaded the Tuesday app. I like those hats, though! 💜 (no magenta 🤷🏻‍♀️) 5y
See All 12 Comments
BarbaraBB Great picture of you two 💕 5y
Megabooks @AlaMich Thanks! I‘m new to T-Mobile, so I don‘t have it either. Fortunately, my dad is an old pro! 😁 5y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB Thank you! 💜💜 5y
Redwritinghood You guys look so cute! 5y
Megabooks @Redwritinghood Thank you! There‘s really no question who my dad is lol! 😆 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Great selfie!! 5y
Megabooks @BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks! 💜💜 5y
emilyhaldi So much resemblance!!! 🤗👯‍♀️ 5y
Megabooks @emilyhaldi Thanks! 😊 Yes, no questions on my parentage! 👍🏻 5y
117 likes12 comments
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Megabooks
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So this is a passenger seat selfie with #Henry. 🤗🐩

This was taken this summer during one of my many trips back and forth to Durham for treatment at Duke. It‘s about a 10 hr road trip, so some snuggling is definitely in order!

Henry is turning 16 on 1/23/19. I picked him out from the shelter 13 years ago this Thanksgiving. 💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️

#friyayintro @howjessreads #dogsoflitsy

robinb Awww, he‘s a cutie!! ❤️ Like that smiling face! 😊 5y
Reviewsbylola What a total sweetheart. ❤️❤️ 5y
GypsyKat So cute! 5y
See All 14 Comments
Blaire He looks like a champion snuggler! Adorable. 5y
mrsh62010 Darling 😍 5y
BarbaraBB Such a happy picture 💕 5y
gradcat Lovely photo! Love your snuggly Henry 💜❤️💙 5y
Megabooks @robinb Thank you! 💜💜😊 5y
Megabooks @Reviewsbylola Thanks! 🐩❤️💕 5y
Megabooks @GypsyKat Thanks! 😁 5y
Megabooks @Blaire He is! 💕🐩💕 Thanks! 5y
Megabooks @mrsh62010 Thank you 😊 5y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB He‘s a happy boy! Thanks! 💜❤️🐩 5y
Megabooks @gradcat Thank you! He‘s my baby boy. 💜😊💜 5y
134 likes14 comments
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night_shift
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@mrozzz is doing a #giveaway - check it out! 😄

#itsgottagogiveaway

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umbrellagirl
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@mrozzz is hosting a fabulous #giveaway because #itsgottagogiveaway

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kamoorephoto
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This is so fab! I haven‘t read any of these and I‘d love to win them, @mrozzz 🤞🏼 and they‘re all on my TBR!
Crossing my fingers for your #ItsGottaGoGiveaway 😻
Thanks for the chance 💓💓💓
PS. Which was your favorite?

mrozzz Oooohh that‘s tough! Phoebe Robinson really made me laugh and the Sellout was very interesting in a tongue-in-cheek way but I‘d say Zadie Smith is the master here! 6y
66 likes1 comment
review
Megabooks
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Mehso-so

I FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK! 🍾📚🥂🎊🎊 It took me two weeks, but it‘s done. Unfortunately it was very up-and-down as far as story quality, but this being the Year of the Short Story for me, I‘m glad I read it. However, I wouldn‘t recommend it, especially to people who don‘t love short stories.

The collection follows several women and one man through the ups and downs of dating relationships and singlehood. It‘s a little too narrow and shallow.

107 likes2 comments
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Readaholics
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Pickpick

Loved it! So honest and yet the characters were modern and realistic. Short stories about love and loss and disappointments. Real life, but refreshing.

80 likes6 stack adds
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Readaholics
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From “Beautiful Existence”

BookishMe Sounds luxurious, doesn't it! 6y
67 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Readaholics
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Where am I supposed to be ....
Amazing short stories of modern day truth and honesty. It‘s like reading yourself think.

74 likes1 stack add
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Readaholics
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From “It Begins” by Lara Williams

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Readaholics
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Can‘t wait to dig into these modern short stories. There was a great exhibit at SJMA about selfies and how artists experimented with light and other techniques to alter their photographs into self portraits and art. Very cool! Even had a selfie area.

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OneLitChick
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When you plop down in the big comfy chair in the back corner of your favorite bookstore and notice this cover in the final shelves of the Fiction section and you see this stunning cover and notice the author has the same first name as you do and you have a Readers Club Bonus Card good for $10 off and then you post a picture of it on Instagram with the longest run-on sentence caption ever. #HowIBuyBooks

Nute 😅😂 6y
15 likes1 comment
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Allietaylor16
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Happy hour read! 😀

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shutupsmalls
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My current reads — the pink one is Poemland by Chelsey Minnis

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mrozzz

Dancing started to move her less and less. The first time she'd been to a ballet she'd reared up with an emotion she couldn't really name. Now she counted beats, thought "bad feet". Now she felt very little at all. Now when she finished stretching her shoulders ached. Now she could use joint pain to predict the weather.

review
mrozzz
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Pickpick

A poetic romp through couple-dom, breakups, a cat, a wedding, parenthood, starting over- inhabiting snippets before turning to another story in another place, to putting you in another someone's shoes. The narratives flit between 1st, 2nd and 3rd person with the adept hand of a talented writer. Basic activities and relationships become grandiose and straightforward in the most human-relatable way. Looking forward to more from Williams. #ARC

emilyhaldi Great review!!! You have me racing to the #stack button 👍🏻 (edited) 7y
Smangela Sounds great! That quote you shared was delectable 7y
mrozzz @emilyhaldi yesssss. ☺️ Thanks!! It will be released on Halloween! @Smangela 7y
74 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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mrozzz
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🤘🏻

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mrozzz
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Looks like I'll have to schedule a #break soon to jump into these 2 Goodreads #ARC copies 🙌🏻
#30daysofreadathon

70 likes1 stack add
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Rhondareads
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Short stories rave reviews @flatironbooks publisher extraordinary

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mrozzz
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Wow!!! So exciting! Third win this month!!??
Have yet to receive my first but this is a great way to save some money but not stop accumulating books. 😁🤗🤓

AmyG Nice! You are on a streak. (edited) 7y
mrozzz @AmyG yes!! There are a couple ending in the next few days I'm really crossing my fingers for!! 7y
enidkeaner Nice! I've only one 4 this whole year (including this one)! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Ms_T Lucky you! 7y
mrozzz @enidkeaner still time left in this year!! 🤞🏻 7y
mrozzz @Ms_T definitely! 7y
58 likes6 comments
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vicgreentoriafield
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Came home to bookmail! ARC of A Selfie as Big as the Ritz.
#goodreadsgiveaway

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shutupsmalls

He is a man of logic, a Man of Science; and what logical men don't understand is that logic is soothing to no one but them, pragmatism a useless arsenal, reason a crappy opiate.

4 likes1 stack add
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Waynegjr
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Pointillism!

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Waynegjr
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31 likes1 stack add