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Oh, Florida!
Oh, Florida!: How Americas Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country | Craig Pittman
55 posts | 8 read | 9 to read
Oh, Florida! That name. That combination of sounds. Three simple syllables, and yet packing so many mixed messages. To some people, it's a paradise. To others, it's a punchline. As Oh, Florida! shows, it's both of these -- and, more importantly, it's a Petri dish, producing trends that end up influencing the rest of the country. Without Florida there would be no NASCAR, no Bettie Page pinups, no Glenn Beck radio rants, no USA Today, no "Stand Your Ground," ... you get the idea. To outsiders, Florida seems baffling. It's a state where the voters went for Barack Obama twice, yet elected a Tea Party candidate as governor. Florida is touted as a care-free paradise, yet it's also known for its perils -- alligators, sinkholes, pythons, hurricanes, and sharks, to name a few. It attracts 90 million visitors a year, some drawn by its impressive natural beauty, others bewitched by its man-made fantasies. Oh, Florida! explores those contradictions and shows how they fit together to make this the most interesting state. It is the first book to explore the reasons why Florida is so wild and weird -- and why that's okay. Florida couldn't be Florida without that sense of the unpredictable, unexpected, and unusual lurking behind every palm tree. But there is far more to Florida than its sideshow freakiness. Oh, Florida! explains how Florida secretly, subtly influences all the other states in the Union, both for good and for ill.
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keithmalek
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keithmalek

Trying to get where you're going using a bicycle or walking means taking your life in your hands (or feet). In 2015, Florida ranked first in the nation in bicyclist traffic deaths, and a 2014 study reported that among urban areas, Orlando topped the list as the most hazardous city for pedestrians, with 583 deaths. In second, third, and fourth places: Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami.

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keithmalek

Our carcentric culture leads to lots of stories about Florida drivers doing wacky things while behind the wheel to save time. My favorite is the one about the woman in the Keys who, while on her way to see her boyfriend, asked her ex-husband--yes, he was in the passenger seat-- to take the wheel. She wanted to look nice for her date, so while her ex was steering...(Continued in the comments section)

keithmalek ...she got out a razor to shave what news accounts later referred to as her "bikini area." It did not end well. 3y
Suet624 Unreal. 3y
4 likes2 comments
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What an amazing story!

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mandarchy I am actually struggling with this right now. I'm on the west coast and my parents insist on aging in Florida. If I take their keys, they will need to move out of their home. 3y
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keithmalek
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Wow! They accidentally outlawed all sex? That must have been inconvenient. I wonder what people did.

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Suet624 Considering the fact that I was just stung 4 times by a little bee while mowing I‘d have to agree. 3y
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Leniverse My hometown of Bergen in Norway has all of that beat with 88.5 inches of rain per year. Can't believe it rains that little in Seattle! 😂 3y
keithmalek @Leniverse It's a common misconception. Seattle has constant cloud cover, but not much actual rain to speak of. 3y
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keithmalek

I would argue that it's tougher than ever to be a kid in Florida because it's such a crazy place. Every time you turn around, grown-ups are leaving you in a hot car while they party at a Lil' Wayne concert, hit a bar for a few hours, or visit a strip club. In 2013, so may dads left their kids alone to hang out in strip joints that a newspaper suggested that such establishments should co-locate with daycare centers.

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keithmalek
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I've been to St. Augustine a few times, and it is gorgeous! Have any of you guys been there?

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Ponce DeLeon

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review
Selena85
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Pickpick

Appropriate to finish this one today with Hurricane Isaias right off the coast. Just like a true Florida Woman, I went down to the beach. But I only watched the boogie boarders and kite surfers taking advantage of the waves, I'm not that crazy!
I enjoyed the book. Maybe not a high recommendation for people outside of Floridia. A lot of facts I never knew and some stories that jogged my memory. Overall pretty interesting.

MemoirsForMe Stay safe! 🤗 4y
Selena85 @UwannaPublishme Thanks! Mostly just a lot of rain. Makes walking the dog hard, but a perfect rainy excuse to read 🙂 4y
12 likes2 comments
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Selena85
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I feel seen 🤣 Where Are My Pants?! might as well be my personal motto.

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Selena85
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Being a native Floridian, I've been eyeing this book for a while. Only 40 pages in, but I like reading details of stories that make my home state the butt of several jokes. Especially as I read it while enjoying a gorgeous sunny day by the pool drinking a cocktail with my Disney straw. #lovewhereilive #floridagirl #floridaman 🤣

DebinHawaii This one sounds like fun! 😆 4y
6 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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KarenUK
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#Justfinishedjuststarted these 2 on a home state theme. As a FL resident, I thought I‘d love ‘Oh Florida‘ but unfortunately it was a bit a slog. Fun facts but I thought it was better suited to a stocking stuffer- funny lists to dip into, rather than a 300+ page book. The Groff however ‘had me at hello‘. Only 2 stories in, but they capture Florida‘s weirdness with such gorgeous writing and catch-your-breath images, I want to savor every word 💕🌴

saresmoore Yes, I felt the same way about Lauren Groff‘s book. She transported me to the long summer days of my childhood in Central FL. Amazing writing, too. 6y
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Tex2Flo
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Oh, Florida. Nothing is ever quite what it seems.
I have enjoyed the heck out of being here.

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BookMaven407
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My reading room for the day.🍹📚

JoScho 💙💙💙 7y
Cathythoughts Gorgeous 😱💙💙 7y
Zelma Swoon! 😍 7y
See All 12 Comments
Ddzmini Nice I would park my but in the round chair and not move unless the sky falls in 😝 7y
Cinfhen 🙌🏻 7y
Mollyanna Heavenly! 7y
LeahBergen Marvellous! 7y
CouronneDhiver Awesome 👏🏽 7y
Thndrstd Lovely. I‘m jealous 7y
Ashley85 ❤️❤️ 7y
Felso 😲 7y
Reggie This looks amazing. 6y
113 likes12 comments
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LikelyLibrarian
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Cute little reading bench outside Badass Coffee in Seaside, Florida. (Coffee is pretty badass, btw.)

RaimeyGallant I love this. 7y
Reviewsbylola Love Seaside!! 7y
LikelyLibrarian @Reviewsbylola It‘s beautiful, but it rained the whole time we were there. 😕 7y
27 likes4 comments
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saguarosally
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1. See book selected. It‘s the only book I‘ve ever read in any quantity at a beach.
2. Tbh the ocean still kind of creeps me out, although sponges are kind of interesting. My first time on a beach was when I was 34.
3. I haven‘t been to enough to really know the difference. Fort DeSoto Park worked well.

#manicmonday @JoScho

JoScho The ocean can be overwhelming and I am not cool with things touching me that I can‘t see 7y
LibrarianJen I feel you. I won‘t go to Corpus Cristi because of the jellyfish 😬 7y
43 likes2 comments
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saguarosally
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saguarosally
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LauraBrook Mmmmm, cool ranch! 😛 7y
47 likes1 comment
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saguarosally
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Do I have to quit reading this book now that I‘m in Texas? #florida #byeflorida

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saguarosally
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The book also makes a spectacular beach read. It was much nicer out today.

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saguarosally
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It‘s weird. If there is one thing I have learned from the Florida voyage, it‘s that Florida is weird.

dsfisher The Rules are Different 7y
saguarosally @dsfisher What rules? 7y
dsfisher @saguarosally 😂😂😱😂😂 7y
40 likes3 comments
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saguarosally
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Reading about #Florida history at a Bay Area institution, Westshore Pizza. I‘m ready to go back to the land of cacti.

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saguarosally
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That would explain legislation.

SassyBookworm 🤣🤣 7y
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Samplergal
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Anyone wishing to know more about that wacky state of Florida should read this! The author provides a great read about all the quirks of my new home state. I learned a ton of FL history while entertained. 5🌟

Fleemary21 Love my home state!❤️🌴🐊🍊 7y
Samplergal We love ❤️ our adopted state. You‘d love this book! 7y
bitterbear What part of Florida @Fleemary21 fleeand @Samplergal I'm in Tampa 🍊🍊🦎🦎🐠🌴🌴 7y
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Samplergal In Fort Lauderdale/ Miami area. Not missing the snow! 7y
Fleemary21 @bitterbear Sanford, about 40 minutes from Orlando 7y
bitterbear @Samplergal fun!! I've never been over there... 7y
bitterbear @Fleemary21 small town? 7y
Fleemary21 @Samplergal pretty small but nice 7y
47 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Samplergal
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I am on pause with this book, but only because it‘s a book club pick for June. But this car, in SoFlo, is sooooo Florida.

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stacybmartin
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Got here a little late but really looking forward to exploring Cocoa Beach tomorrow! And of course reading by the pool and the beach.

Centique Oh wow that looks gorgeous! 7y
abbsinwonderland Gorgeous 😍 7y
mcipher Beautiful! Have fun!! 7y
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Ruri_kaichou I love Cocoa Beach! I don't care if it is touristy. If you can, check out New Smyrna Beach. If memory serves me correctly, it's not too far from Cocoa. 7y
Cinfhen What a gorgeous view 💖 7y
Izai.Amorim Paradise! 😍 7y
76 likes6 comments
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IamIamIam
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Got a lot on my mind today, between family, friends and #Littens being affected and in the path of #HurricaneIrma. Hope everyone stays as safe as possible, listens to warnings and evacuates as requested! We learned the hard way with Sandy not to test Mother Nature's boundaries.

Libby1 💕🙏 7y
BookBabe Ditto what you said! ❤️🙏🏻 7y
30 likes2 comments
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Debiw781
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Look what I saw when out shopping today! It made me think about why I love where I live so here are 5 reasons I love living in Central Florida. Feel free to join in about why you love where you live and use the #5thingsilove tag 😊

1. Random wildlife encounters in otherwise urban areas
2. Close to Orlando and Tampa
3. Lots of nearby entertainment, including multiple theme parks
4. Thunderstorms... lots of them
5. No snow!!

#5thingsilove

MrBook I remember seeing those when @BookBabe and I were there. 😁👍🏻 7y
LauraBeth I love Florida for every reason you mentioned! 7y
saguarosally This reminds me of the #whyilovewhereilive tag/movement mostly on Instagram, but it's centered around Tucson and I don't live there. 🙁Let me think of a few for up here. 😎 7y
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Sace I grew up in the panhandle and my Father was raised in Orlando. I love to retire in Florida. Spanish moss, beaches, theme parks, natural beauty...so many reasons to love Florida. 7y
Debiw781 @MrBook and @BookBabe One of my schools is named Sandhill and they are of course cranes. Love them! 7y
Debiw781 @LauraBeth and @RestlessFickleBookSlut I love visiting the mountains but for daily living, Florida has s nice bend of the urban and the natural. 7y
Sace @Debiw781 so true! It's the perfect mix. 7y
Pandareads37 Love seeing this birds while going to the library in Orlando 7y
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saresmoore
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We put our girls on the Hogwarts Express (Amtrak) with my dad for a few days of "Pops' Camp" and hopped in a Tesla for a day trip across the state to celebrate our TENTH anniversary! Our destination? A bookstore, of course!

saresmoore Our car listening is the lovely voices of @ReadingEnvy & @shawnmooney on the latest episode of the Reading Envy podcast. 😊 8y
CouronneDhiver Happy Anniversary!!! That's awesome 👏🏽 🎉❤️ 8y
Simona Congrats ❤️❤️❤️🍾📚 and have a good time❣️ 8y
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Dragon Have fun! Happy anniversary 🎉 8y
AlaMich Happy Anniversary! 🥂🎊 8y
batsy That sounds lovely! Happy anniversary! 8y
shawnmooney Ooooh, happy anniversary! ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
LiteraryinPA Have a wonderful trip! 8y
MicheleinPhilly AWWWW! Happy Anniversary! ❤️ 8y
TheWordJar Have a great time! Happy anniversary! ❤️🍾🥂 8y
KarenUK Aww congrats! Have a fun trip! 💕 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Happy Anniversary! 🎉🍾 8y
Yournewfriendsams Fun! Happy anniversary! Ten years is a big deal! 8y
Hobbinol Y'all are too cute! Have a wonderful anniversary! 8y
Cinfhen Congrats 🍾🎉 💖enjoy! Cute Couple Alert🚨 🚨 🚨 8y
Bookzombie Happy Anniversary! 8y
julesG Happy Anniversary! 8y
andrew61 Have a great time. Happy anniversary 8y
merelybookish Enjoy! Have a great time. 8y
KVanRead Awesome destination choice! Happy Anniversary!🎉🎉🎉 8y
Moray_Reads Congratulations 🙌🙌🎉🎉 8y
emilyhaldi Cute! 💕 8y
ReadingEnvy @saresmoore woohoo! Happy anniversary and thanks for listening. :) 8y
DGRachel Happy Anniversary! 8y
LauraBeth I ❤️ everything about this post! Happy Anniversary! 🎉🎉 8y
JessClark78 Happy Anniversary! 8y
Wife What a lovely couple you are! Have a great time. Happy Anniversary!🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 8y
MyNamesParadise Happy Anniversary!!!! 🎉🎉🎉💖 8y
Suet624 A reprieve from parenting, a road trip, and a cute guy. Lordy! You're a lucky girl. 😁 Happy anniversary and here's to many more. 8y
mklong Happy Anniversary!!! That sounds so fun!! 8y
LauraBrook Happy anniversary to you two gorgeous readers! 💖🍾💖 8y
readinginthedark Sounds so fun! Happy Anniversary! 8y
ValerieAndBooks Happy anniversary, enjoy!! 8y
LeahBergen Happy Anniversary!! 😘😘 8y
tjwill Happy anniversary! 8y
britt_brooke Happy Anniversary! 🥂 You guys are too cute! 8y
BooksForEmpathy 10 years!!! Happy Anniversary you two!!! I hope you enjoyed your trip!!! 8y
105 likes37 comments
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mgiroir
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Calling all #littens in the Sunshine state!!!! @Foreversweetserendipity and I want to get together with all you fellow book lovers that reside in or near the Tampa Bay area!!! Please comment below if interested as well as tag anyone who may reside in this state!!!!

Sharpeipup I'd love to attend, is there a date yet? 8y
mgiroir Yay @Sharpeipup !!! There is not date just yet but I will let you know as soon as we have a few in mind ! 😊 8y
Mommamanzi Oh please let's do this! 7y
mgiroir @Mommamanzi I totally forgot about this but I still want to do this !!!! 7y
12 likes4 comments