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We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves: A Novel | Karen Joy Fowler
A gripping, bighearted book. Khaled HosseiniShortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2014Winner of the 2014 PEN/Faulkner Award One of the New York Times Book Review's 100 Notable Books of 2013 and named by The Christian Science Monitor as one of the top 15 works of fictionThe New York Times bestselling author of The Jane Austen Book Club introduces a middle-class American family, ordinary in every way but one.Meet the Cooke family: Mother and Dad, brother Lowell, sister Fern, and Rosemary, who begins her story in the middle. She has her reasons. I was raised with a chimpanzee, she explains. I tell you Fern was a chimp and already you arent thinking of her as my sister. But until Ferns expulsion she was my twin, my funhouse mirror, my whirlwind other half and I loved her as a sister. As a child, Rosemary never stopped talking. Then, something happened, and Rosemary wrapped herself in silence.In We Are All Completely beside Ourselves, Karen Joy Fowler weaves her most accomplished work to datea tale of loving but fallible people whose well-intentioned actions lead to heartbreaking consequences.
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review
MrsMalaprop
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Pickpick

I‘ve had this on my #tbr shelves for ages. I was a little reluctant to read it after hearing a spoiler. I needn‘t have worried. I raced through it while on a holiday in the countryside. What an interesting read. Enjoyed it a lot 👏👏👏👏.

Ruthiella I also really loved this book. 2y
Tove_Reads Been on my “probably should read it soon” list forever 2y
CarolynM It‘s so good! I knew the twist too, but it didn‘t matter to me, in fact I think I‘m glad I knew because it all made sense all the way through. 2y
Jeg I remember reading this and liking it. What it was about🤷🏻‍♂️. 2y
MrsMalaprop @Jeg Hard to say what it‘s about without spoiling! All I‘ll say is Fern the sister/chimp. Does that help? And father psychologist. Wayward son. 2y
35 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Brimful
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Pickpick

I raced through this well written and clever book which made me think a lot about what it means to be human and live a good life. I was lucky enough to read it without knowing anything of the story so the plot twist had a real impact. Well worth reading!

StellaB I absolutely loved this, too! Such great storytelling 🙂 2y
14 likes1 comment
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Kangaj1
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Pickpick

March part 1. Every Summer After was my favorite from this group, but most of these were 4 stars.

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Hannah_11
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New books 🙌🏻 am I the only person who prefers pre-loved books to brand new ones? I find it fascinating to think about who else has held the same book in their hands and wonder whether they enjoyed it as much as me. Picked these two up in my favourite oxfam bookshop yesterday. Can‘t wait to start 📖 #newbooks #preloved #bookish #charityshop

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TheLudicReader
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Bailedbailed

#bookspin bail. I made it to page 70, but I just wasn‘t settling into this novel‘s unusual rhythms. Because it received so much praise, and because I have enjoyed other books by this author, I am going to put it on my “maybe later” pile.
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks This was one of those strange books where I found the story engaging even while I didn't completely agree with the “message“ of it, if that makes sense. 3y
BarbaraBB I agree, this was really not worth the hype. 3y
BarbaraBB Christie I‘ve send you a little something. It‘ll arrive by BookDepository and I couldn‘t add a personal note so if you receive a book you didn‘t order, you‘ll know where it comes from! 😘 3y
TheLudicReader @BarbaraBB you are so sweet. Thank you. Completely unnecessary but much appreciated! 3y
35 likes4 comments
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Victoria_Clyne
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Pickpick

This is the story of Rosemary who's brother and sister have vanished from her life years apart. She has spent years coping with their disappearance and the effect this had on her parents and herself.

I really enjoyed this one. I loved that the story started in the middle and then moved backwards and forwards to explain the story. Really well written with very descriptive language.

EmilieGR I loved this book! Completely unexpectedly. 3y
Victoria_Clyne @EmilieGR I was surprised about how much I enjoyed this. However I knew the twist before I started as my sister thought I'd already read it. 3y
MrsMalaprop I have had this on my #tbr for ages. I was put off reading it because I heard someone on Radio National do a massive spoiler 😠. I still need to get to it, one day… 3y
Victoria_Clyne @MrsMalaprop I still really enjoyed it despite the spoiler. My sister thought I'd already read it. 3y
CarolynM I loved this one too. I accidentally encountered a spoiler too, @MrsMalaprop It might have more impact if you didn't know, but it's a really good read anyway. 3y
26 likes1 stack add5 comments
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GidgetsTreasures75
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6-8-21: My 61st finished book of 2021! This was a good one. Rosemary Cooke narrates the story of her life, thus far, by starting in the middle, then going back to the beginning. When we meet her, both her brother and sister are missing. Eventually, we learn why. Moving and funny in equal measures. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍🏼📖#️⃣6️⃣1️⃣

12 likes1 stack add
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Lucy_Anywhere
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#TBRPile 📚 “Those who know me now will be surprised to learn that I was a great talker as a a child.”

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dariazeoli
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I‘m posting one book per day from my ever-increasing TBR. No description. No explanation. Just books to read. Join the fun if you want.

Day 87.

#fromthetbrstacks

BarbaraBB No need to ever pick this one up, if you ask me 😉 4y
Vansa @BarbaraBB really?! It's been on my tbr since forever! Not very good? 4y
BarbaraBB I was real disappointed by it, but I know many people liked it so you should give it a try one day! 4y
dariazeoli @BarbaraBB Thanks for the warning 😉 4y
38 likes4 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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#TBRPile 📚 Rosemary is newly arrived at college and she‘s decided not to tell anyone about her family. So we‘re not going to tell you too much either: you‘ll have to work out for yourselves what it is that makes her unhappy family unlike any other.

21 likes3 stack adds
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Cvfrailing
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Thousand-Lives
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Pickpick

This book is so unique and cleverly written! Much of what I could say in a review would be a spoiler, and this is the kind of book you want to go into blind. It‘s told in a non-linear way that I thought was very well done. A bit of family dysfunction, a bit of coming of age, AND it takes place in my home state of Indiana!

SO close to a #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Awesome progress!!! 4y
58 likes1 comment
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Thousand-Lives
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Hoping to finish my three current reads by the end of the month to score two bingos! 👏🏼

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
39 likes1 comment
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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

Fabulous book! It jumps around through time and it totally works with the story structure the author used. It‘s about family dynamics, animal rights, and how humans and animals interact and treat each other.

#bookspinbingo (I‘m so close to my first bingo!)
#JubilantJuly - 201 pages read today, 308 total

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y
69 likes2 comments
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OriginalCyn620
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It wasn‘t a fantastic reading day, as I wasn‘t much in the mood, but I started this book and managed 107 pages!
#JubilantJuly - day 1

Andrew65 That‘s a good start 😊 4y
AmyG I just loved this book. 4y
BennettBookworm This title reminds me of the book This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared :) 4y
NeedsMoreBooks I enjoyed this book. 4y
66 likes4 comments
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KerryGCW
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Pickpick

My friend and I swap books often and this one was in a pile she gave me a while back. Lockdown in the UK meant more time to read, so I visited the pile and picked the brightest book.

Wow! Addicted. The twist is simple amazing and from then on, if you already weren't hooked you will be. The way the book is written is also very different to books I have previously read, which made it refreshing and certainly put a different angle on it.

Powered_By_Plants Ooh This is next on my list. 5y
7 likes1 comment
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Kirstjaydeshaw
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“Apparently, all you needed to be considered normal was no evidence of the contrary.”

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HeatherBookNerd
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Pickpick

I don‘t know that just everybody would love this, but it was right up my alley. Fascinating, intriguing, great writing, clever. It would probably be best to read it not knowing anything at all. Loved it.

Christine I loved this one too! 5y
AmyG I loved this, too. I cried at the end. 5y
HeatherBookNerd @AmyG the ending took me by surprise! 5y
42 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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theladygreer
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For today's #read99women, Meg Waite Clayton wants you to read WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES without reading anything else about it first. http://www.greermacallister.com/blog/2020/2/1/read99women-meg-waite-clayton

19 likes1 stack add
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valeriegeary
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It was so hard to pick #top10ofthedecade but here are mine. How did I choose? Some were books that I've recommended over and over; some I've read more than once or want to read again; all left a lasting emotional imprint that I still remember even years later. If these were the only books I could read for the rest of my life, I'd be just fine with that. 🙌📚
Happy New Year, book friends! Can't wait to see what the next decade brings!

AmyG Happy New Year 🎊 5y
Suet624 Screen shot! Happy New Year! 5y
Christine Lovely thoughts (and choices)! 5y
Redwritinghood Happy New Year! 5y
mcipher I agree totally on so many of these! 5y
45 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
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#7covers7days #Covercrush

7 favorite covers. 7 days. No explanations. Day 4.

Ruthiella I loved this book even though it made me cry. I read it for the TOB and completely missed the little clue on the cover. 5y
Cathythoughts Excellent cover 5y
Well-ReadNeck @Ruthiella I read it cold (no idea) and also missed the hint, but realized it later and have always thought it was a genius cover because of that. 5y
94 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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Egp28
Pickpick

Broadly uplifting but undeniably melancholic

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keepingupwiththepenguins
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Pickpick

It‘s hard to review this book without spoilers. The value of Fowler‘s writing isn‘t completely based on the “big reveal”, it‘s just the dawning realisation is so precious that I‘m loathe to steal it from anyone. Suffice it to say that this book is HILARIOUS, and HEART-BREAKING, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. An absolute must-read!! Full review: http://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/we-are-all-completely-beside-ourselves-karen...

36 likes3 stack adds
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Ellohcin
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Current read.

BennettBookworm Love this title 5y
Ellohcin @BennettBookworm the title is what made me snag it off the shelf! 5y
25 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
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Pickpick

OP shopping. I think sometimes the collecting is more exciting than the reading, the thrill of discovery and anticipation......

I've read 3 of Paulo Coelho's books, The Alchemist, The Spy & Hippie.
I came across The Valkyries today so I'm wondering if these 4 will give me a good all round feel of Coelho or do I need to read a couple more of his books?

If so, which do you recommend??

jb72 I‘ve only read one of his books, and it was interesting. 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @jb72 thank you. I've read through the reviews of Veronika Decides to Die, many of which are polar opposite. Ill put it on my TBR list 😊 5y
jb72 @Curiouser_and_curiouser yeah it‘s one of those books you either like or you hate. I‘m in the like category. It‘s different which is what appeals to me. 5y
34 likes3 comments
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Tungstensmum
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Pickpick

5/5

This is a solid “pick”: 4.5 to 5. The story jumps around the timeline a bit and, as someone who is bothered by that it other books, I get why some people get frustrated with it. But I think it works here.

This book is important. If you‘ve been thinking of picking this one up and haven‘t yet, avoid spoilers or other reviews, as I think the experience would have been different if I hadn‘t known the twist. Also, don‘t read the back.

Tungstensmum Pooch cameo is Minnie, my forever-in-foster dog 5y
17 likes1 comment
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Octoberwoman
Pickpick

I will admit that when the first big reveal about Fern came I was a little disappointed at the turn the plot was taking (the narrator suggests we, the reader, may have already figured out that reveal, but I sure hadn't). Regardless, I still enjoyed the book after that, especially when Lowell turned up. And I like the author's writing voice.

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rockpools
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1/2 Hugs and thank yous for the tower of birthday bookmail I had waiting for me this morning.

@youneverarrived The title sums up today 😂😂. I remember wanting to read this, but nothing else, - glancing at the reviews, that‘s totally the way to go in. Excited to see what happens - 😊. And I may have a new favourite greetings card artist 🥰

@Oryx I‘ve SO wanted to read this! Sounds crazy-scary-unbelievable- perfect nf! Thank you 😘

rockpools
@squirrelbrain Thank you so much! What a gorgeous parcel - That Behold the Dreamers cover 🥰. And I STILL haven‘t read Angie Thomas, so time to fix that! And the bookmark might reappear in future posts 😘
5y
scripturient Happy birthday!!!!! 5y
TrishB Lovely 💕💕 5y
See All 14 Comments
tpixie What great book friends!! ♥️📚🥳🥰 5y
Oryx Happy birthday! What a lovely selection 5y
Cathythoughts Happy Birthday!! I read Behold the Dreamers recently.... soooo good ♥️👍🏻. All such lovely gifts 5y
youneverarrived 😂 I‘m glad you like the card 💕 I read the book not knowing much about it and it‘s definitely the way to go. It was unexpected but in a good way. Happy Birthday 🥂 5y
squirrelbrain Glad you like it! And definitely don‘t look up that book beforehand...! 😲 5y
rockpools @scripturient Thank you 😘 5y
rockpools @tpixie They are awesome!! 5y
rockpools @Oryx @Cathythoughts Thank you 😘. Feeling very grateful! 5y
rockpools @youneverarrived @squirrelbrain Thank you both! Think I‘m going to have to bump this to the top of the list, so I don‘t accidentally scupper myself 😉 5y
rockpools @squirrelbrain Birthday Update: M&S dark choc with Clementine is AWESOME! Thank you 😋🍫 🍊 💕 5y
squirrelbrain I know @rachelo it is delish isn‘t it?! 5y
62 likes14 comments
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Tungstensmum
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1. Cottage in a few weeks. Have to move a friend and be in a wedding before that, though.
2. Vulfpeck. I love the funky, 70s feel they give https://youtu.be/AWBUnr0F3Zo
3. I don‘t have hair mishaps. I kind of love going crazy with it! Probably my worst is doing a heavily banged bob as long as I did. Though I don‘t like my boring hair right now.
4. Is cooking nerdy?
5. Orzo Salad (recipe testing) and a fatigued bee I helped out.
#humpdaypost

DebbieGrillo Loved the tagged book! 5y
Tungstensmum @DebbieGrillo only a few chapters in - a bit bummed that I already know the twist, but looking forward to the read all the same. 5y
See All 6 Comments
Mitch Hi - welcome to the wonderful world of Litsy! 5y
Tungstensmum @Mitch thanks!! 5y
Trashcanman I lived on farm 5y
14 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Megabooks
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I really enjoyed this book when it was first released, and now I‘m glad to have the audiobook. The MC has to give up her #ImaginaryFriend when she goes to school.

Fortunately, my parents didn‘t make me give up my imaginary trips with the Enterprise crew, but they stopped when I was about eight. 😂😂

#StarTrekSummerMay

95 likes8 stack adds
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Megabooks
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BTW There is an #audible 2 for 1 sale going on right now. I picked up these two!

#audiblesale #audiobooks

Lcsmcat I loved the Fowler. 6y
Megabooks @Lcsmcat I read and loved it when it came out, but I‘ve never listened to the audiobook. I‘m hoping I enjoy it! 6y
CoverToCoverGirl I know, audible is at it again, can‘t decide what ones I like to get.. 6y
Megabooks @CoverToCoverGirl I tend to make rash choices with possible regret 😂😂 6y
62 likes4 comments
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EmilieGR
Pickpick

A gem- short but takes a while to get through- every page is interesting and well written

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Victoriahoperose
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t really love this one and I thought I would really enjoy it. I just thought it was all over he place and tough to stay focused on. I liked the characters, but the story got a little lost for me.

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Amiable
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Mehso-so

There were so many rave reviews of this book that I felt I should have liked it more than I actually did. It started out well. But I just couldn't get emotionally attached to any of the characters. I didn't know ahead of time what the major "twist" was, so I came to that completely unprepared. And I was still feeling "meh" after the reveal.

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Rambo_Reads
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Pickpick

Picked this up knowing nothing about it last year and ended up really enjoying - loved the narrator; drew me through it very quickly

wordzie ❤ the title. #truth 6y
12 likes1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
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Pickpick

I don't want to give too much away, because I love the way the author control the release of information in this book. You get to follow the protagonist from University through adulthood. She is a unique character with odd mannerisms. You see into a lot of her internal thought processes. This is the perfect novel for animal lovers and animal rights activists. It is super well-researched and I highly recommend it.

dariazeoli This has been on my TBR for awhile - nice review! 6y
MallenNC I liked this one too! It's definitely better to not know too much before reading. 6y
CouronneDhiver Yay! I‘m glad you liked it 😊😊 6y
riversong153 I liked this too. I went into it after a friend recommended it. She told me not to read the summary before hand. It was a good one. 6y
CarolynM I loved this one too. 6y
125 likes6 stack adds5 comments
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DebbieGrillo
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1. Make keto peanut butter whoppie pies.
2. Out with hubs tonight. A wslk outside tomorrow morning, then hetting some gifts wrapped at the craft brewery while hubs has a beer or two and we get lunch at our favourite food truck. Baking and meal prepping on Sunday. And hopefully some time to read.
3. It's a square. Nanaimo bars 🇨🇦
4. Tagged
5. @FantasyChick @ShelleyBooksie @kspenmoll

#friYAYintro @howjessreads

Prairiegirl_reading Nanaimo bars are the best!!! (edited) 6y
77 likes1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
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"If stupid were fuel, we would never out."

AlaMich Especially these days. 😕 6y
SW-T So true! 6y
77 likes2 comments
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DebbieGrillo
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"IN EVERYONE‘S LIFE there are people who stay and people who go and people who are taken away against their will."

RaimeyGallant Nice! 6y
89 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Smiley9
Pickpick

What a journey this story takes you on. Very well told and very much enjoyed. Filled with nuanced observations and both insightful and hilarious wisdoms, I enjoyed the intelligence, the emotionality and the ridiculousness in equal parts. Many thumbs up

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DebbieGrillo
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"The value of money is a scam perpetrated by those who have it over those who don't..."

Naj Love this! 6y
GingerAntics So true!!! 💙💙💙 6y
sudi This is so accurate it hurts 😩 6y
See All 6 Comments
Ruthiella I loved this book 😍 6y
DebbieGrillo @Ruthiella So many quotable quotes. 6y
tracey38 So true. 😒 6y
96 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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DebbieGrillo
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"...you can't help the things you feel, only the things you do."

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DebbieGrillo
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Theory of mind.

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DebbieGrillo
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So relatable!

74 likes1 stack add
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DebbieGrillo
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This book has so many quotable quotes, so much food for thought and is rich with literary devices. It is very well-researched and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

94 likes3 stack adds
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DebbieGrillo
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What constitutes a "normal" sex life anyway?

GingerAntics I love this!!! Really I do. I need to get some pointers from this woman. lol 6y
106 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
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This is great advice! I have a student who makes eye contact and not the long when I'm speaking and it makes me feel heard. I do find that I look toward him more often and tend to think positively about him as a result.

Suet624 Makes total sense. 6y
102 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
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"Apparently, all you needed to be considered normal was no evidence to the contrary."

103 likes1 stack add
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DebbieGrillo
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NeedsMoreBooks Had read this a few years back and it made my sad and happy. 6y
78 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
This post contains spoilers
show me
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I was working at the library today, and re-shelved our copy of my current #PoutineandPaperbacks read. I found the cover differences interesting. On the left is my library's copy with the North American cover, the right is the UK cover that I'm currently reading. Aside from the far more interesting font on the UK cover, does the American cover not give away a major plot point?

What do you think, @drokka @CouronneDhiver @DebbieGrillo ?

drokka I guess that unless you have the books side-by-side like that it wouldn‘t be that obvious. I will say though, that I didn‘t notice it was a child on the NA cover. So much for my powers of observation. 6y
BarbaraBB Yes indeed, the monkey gives away the major twist in the book. 6y
CouronneDhiver UK always does well with their covers. 😊 6y
See All 8 Comments
Lcsmcat I wish we could put photos in comments, because my (US) cover is totally different from either of these. It‘s abstract art. If you scroll through posts you can see it. I read it before Litsy so I haven‘t posted about it before. 6y
AmyG I read this and don‘t remember noticing the cover. Or maybe, if you‘re not looking for something, you just don‘t see it? 6y
LeslieO The paperback version I read gave it away on the back cover! 6y
CouronneDhiver Oh no - that‘s terrible @LeslieO 😒 6y
drokka Okay, I know I said I‘d go for another round, but some things have come up at work, and I‘ll likely be working a lot of overtime the next few months. So, I‘ll finish up @DebbieGrillo book and send it back, hopefully by the end of the year. I‘ll try to get the sequel you‘re waiting out to you soon after that @TheKidUpstairs Waves at @CouronneDhiver 6y
20 likes1 stack add8 comments