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Zoo City
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
"Zinzi has a talent for finding lost things. To save herself, she has to find the hardest thing of all - the truth. Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a client turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, she's forced to take on her least favourite kind of job - missing persons. Being hired by famously reclusive music producer Odi Huron to find a teenybop pop star should be her ticket out of Zoo City, the festering slum where the criminal underclass, marked by their animals, live in the shadow of the undertow. Instead, it catapults Zinzi deeper into the underbelly of a city twisted by crime and magic, where she'll be forced to confront the dark secrets of former lives - including her own. Set in a wildly re-imagined Johannesburg, it swirls refugees, crime, the music industry, African magic and the nature of sin together into a heady brew"--Bookseller's website.
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BarbaraJean
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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I used to live walking distance from two Little Free Libraries, and have been sad about losing the opportunity to wander past them on my daily walk. Yesterday I spotted one while driving home, so I took a different route on my walk today to check it out. It‘s so cute! There‘s even a little bench to sit on & rest or read for a while. ☺️ I picked up the tagged book from my GR TBR, and I‘m looking forward to visiting this charming spot more often!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 🧡📚 2y
44 likes1 comment
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Clare-Dragonfly
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Mehso-so

This is a strange book! I really liked the world built—when people feel a strong guilt, an animal appears that is connected to them. If the animal dies, the person does too, and the animal also seems to bring a magical ability. Zinzi has a Sloth and the ability to find lost objects. She‘s hired to find a missing teen girl. The story gets very violent and I felt it was lacking emotional depth.

@TheAromaofBooks This was my #doublespin for June

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
17 likes1 comment
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Mdonald
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick
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mcipher
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Finally taking a few vacation days and the weather couldn‘t be lovelier for books and beer on the beach (after a few hours kayaking and swimming - we saw the bald eagle that lives on the lake, too!)

Zelma Wow, looks beautiful! 4y
BiblioLitten Absolutely perfect! 4y
76 likes2 comments
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TheSpineView
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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sherryvdh
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
Pickpick

I'm so unsure about how to rate this book. I was enthralled right off the bat, but then about 1/4 of the way in, things seemed to wane. Between 1/2 and 3/4 through, it picked up again and I couldn't put it down. The end left me wanting to know more. It was definitely an intriguing world, and I haven't read too many books set in South Africa, so the setting felt new to me. Overall, I'd say it was a pick.

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Kimiam
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

Finally finished this book. Glad I stuck with it when I wanted to just toss it. Takes place in South Africa where if you commit a crime you get assigned an animal to carry with you at all times making you animaled or a zoo boy/ girl. When your animal dies, so do you. This book has it all, a sloth, a serial killer, and a story unlike one I have ever read. Another good book by this author even if it started a bit slow.

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Kimiam
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes

Really want to like this book. Loved The Shining Girls and Broken Monsters. This one is hard for me to get into. Struggling. Have read 127 of 302 pages and plan to keep going.

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kikitilly
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

Something different! This was set in my hometown Johannesburg South Africa, with a twist :)

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Beachesnbooks
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Just finished Helen Oyeyemi‘s White is for Witching, which I LOVED, and am now continuing with my current reading vibe of reading books that have been on my tbr for a long time by starting Zoo City. I like a lot of UF, but I‘ve also run into a bunch of duds, but this one won the Arthur C Clarke award and has some good reviews so 🤞🏼

charl08 Great novel: I love the cover art on your edition. 6y
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Squidapus
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

While Beukes writes many a supernatural thriller she really steps out of her zone to write this book of an alternate Johannesberg where people's spirit animals walk around with them. At it's heart it's a detective novel where the heroine and her sloth try to solve a case that gets gunked up as they often do. It's really a unique concept that Beukes takes full advantage of. Squidapus thought it's inconsistency was beaten by what a fun read it was

TobeyTheScavengerMonk This is the only book by her that I‘ve read and it was crazy fun. Would read more books set in this world in a heartbeat. 6y
Squidapus @TobeyTheScavengerMonk It's funny because her other stuff is still supernatural but way different and yet it's Squidapus' favorite 6y
9 likes2 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

I didn't absolutely love this book but in the end I have to give it a pick. I think Beukes did something very unique and creative and interwove it with issues of contemporary South Africa, which I loved. The climax was a bit odd for me, I guess I was anticipating something different 😊 If according to other readers her later books are even better, I look forward to reading them.

53 likes1 stack add
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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I'm enjoying Zoo City but not devouring it. Really trying to stick to it and finish it first, with my reward being the two really good books waiting for me!

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I bailed on this one 😕 I tried the audio and just couldn‘t stick with it. 6y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I'm not hating it but i can't put my finger on what makes it only an okay read instead of a great one. I don't like bailing on books if I can bear to stick it out! 😊 6y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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This is not my normal kind of read at all, but it's oddly engaging! I love the local colour which is presumably a little bit lost on an international audience. It's nice to broaden my reading horizons a bit!

PickwickPlockPlock I found it really interesting and different from other books in the genre, not only because of the location. 6y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lesmel
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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First time in a long time I bought a book w/o any research. #LunchRead

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lauralovesbooks1
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Mehso-so

Not as strong as her newer books. This one is more gritty urban fantasy set in South Africa. If people kill someone, they gain an animal familiar and everyone can see the crimes of their past. Still a decent read and a compelling premise, but didn't pull me in like Shining Girls or Broken Girls.

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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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I‘m halfway through the audiobook and this book doesn‘t seem to be going anywhere. 😕😕😕😕

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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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My 10+2 TBR challenge stack from roofbeamreader.com. I‘m pledging to read these 10 books from my TBR in 2018 (plus two subs if I have to bail on a couple). I‘m posting here for more accountability!

LitLogophile Rules of Civility is great! 7y
RiotMom Zoo City has been on my TBR for forever. Maybe we can buddy read when you get to it! 7y
ErikasMindfulShelf Americanah is amazing! 7y
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @irre @LitLogophile Looking forward to both of these!! 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @RiotMom Yay! Let‘s do it!! 7y
Tamra Ohhhhh, that Murakami was my first and it‘s wonderful! 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @tamra It‘s long that I keep passing it over. But no more! Good to know it‘s wonderful!! 7y
Tamra @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled dream like states, the line between reality and non-reality is blurred. 7y
54 likes8 comments
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Somasis
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

While I didn't enjoy it as much as Beukes' most recent novels, this dip into her backlist was fun and interesting. I loved the world building, the gritty atmosphere, and when the action picked up, the narration sped along. I'll keep looking for a copy of Moxie Land, overall I really enjoy her style and can't wait to read more.

I may have let my students read longer today while I finished this up, the end was so good! #classroomread

TricksyTails I have been waiting to see what someone thought of this. Read The Shining Girls but heard mixed things about Broken Monsters. 7y
9 likes1 comment
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llwheeler
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Mehso-so

So-so rating just because it took me a while to get into it, and then the ending felt rushed. The story did gain a good momentum though, I could see this being a good mini-series.

Also my letter Z for #litsyatoz

ScientistSam Sounds pretty intriguing! 7y
19 likes1 comment
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Robothugs
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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#AnimalBooks #BeastsGiveawayChallenge I haven't read this yet, but it's in my pile and I'm pretty intrigued by it!

TobeyTheScavengerMonk It's great! 7y
Robothugs @TobeyTheScavengerMonk Awesome! I'm glad to hear from someone who has read it! 7y
66 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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llwheeler
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Too bad my current read isn't 66 pages exactly....

Dragon 👍😀🎉 7y
16 likes1 comment
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llwheeler
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Reading while dinner cooks. Library book expiring soon and so far I'm not hooked on it... do we think I'll make it?

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Allietaylor16
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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These stacks represent books picked up at a local library sale, various trips, multiple used bookstore runs...and I have not finished any of them! But what am I doing today? Going to a massive library sale to get more books! And I am so excited!!

Zelma You have some awesome titles in there! 👍 7y
25 likes1 comment
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kendrastephaniekaryn
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
Mehso-so

This urban fantasy novel was really far outside of my comfort zone. I'm a nonfiction and realistic fiction reader, but I decided to take a risk to finish out my #litsyreadingchallenge bingo card. If you're into urban fantasy, you'd probably enjoy this. The writing was solid and the premise was interesting. I just couldn't buy into the fantasy elements.

#startswithZ for #litsyreadingchallenge
(And with that, my #LRC challenge is complete!)

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kendrastephaniekaryn
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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I realized that I had 3 audiobooks on the go (since my Final Girls pre-order arrived, and I can't resist that one after so many positive reviews here), so I returned my previous #startswithZ read and exchanged it for this ebook. The cover alone is enough to convince me. I don't read much urban fantasy though, so this could be a whole new adventure for me!

MinDea Oh man! I quite enjoyed this book. I hope you like it! 7y
kendrastephaniekaryn @MinDea I'm glad you liked it! I've heard mixed reviews but I'm desperate for a Z book. 😂 7y
MinDea Yeah, I don't have a Z yet. Hopefully can figure one out! 7y
29 likes3 comments
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Mel
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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@IamIamIam You are a rockstar! I love it all! I love your notes and the thought that you put into each item. ❤️ Also funny enough, Zoo City (that you choose at random) is one I have been wanting to read - big fan of Lauren Beukes! My husband was eyeballing the Ghosts of 42nd Street & my 6 year old son ran off with the red bubble wrap so huge thumbs up from the whole fam 👍! Thank you so much!
Thank you to @BookishMarginalia for all your work!

IamIamIam Awww, I'm so glad!!! How funny is that, about Zoo City?? And bubble wrap is a score for everyone's kids!!! Enjoy!! 7y
22 likes1 comment
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Somasis
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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I the middle of reorganizing my shelves, so things are pretty messy 😵 #shelfie #roitgrams

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Grrlbrarian
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

Set in South Africa, this dystopian mystery revolves around the Animalled, people who killed someone and now have a constant animal companion as a reminder of their misdeed. Zinzi December, former journalist, has a sloth and a new magical talent: finder of lost things. When a shady music mogul asks her to locate a runaway teen talent, Zinzi jumps in WAY over her head. Cool concept though the mystery feels rushed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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TobeyTheScavengerMonk
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Two books about #Africa, one urban fantasy, one science fiction.

Zoo City takes place in a Johannesburg where people who commit major crimes are given an animal familiar that must never leave their side and a magic power. The main character has a sloth and can find lost objects.

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm are a detective trio with special powers that solve mysteries in a high tech Zimbabwe in the year 2194.

#LyricalApril

Cinfhen Both sound fascinating and completely new to me 😍 8y
Librarianaut I ❤Nancy Farmer- she never disappoints!! 8y
56 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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bekakins
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this, and would love to read more about this world. Plus it's it wrong that i want a sloth companion?!?! Also, absolutely stunning cover, really well designed.

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mdemanatee
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Some coworkers and I are going through the Lauren Beukes backlist.

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MiqueMarie
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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This cover is fantastic! I just love everything about it. I am reading this for the #MMDchallenge (a book you chose for the cover) I haven't read much urban fantasy, and I'm really liking this one so far. The magic system is so unique! #MMDreading

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Martta
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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This is just beautiful! #ForTheLoveOfFonts #ReadJanuary

Maike 😍 8y
[DELETED] 206653737 Good one! 8y
Texreader Wow!! 8y
32 likes3 comments
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Bookquilter
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Mini Book Haul... was killing time between appointments so I hopped into Poisoned Pen for a little pick me up... #tbr

Curley_Bender Ooh, I liked "Zoo City"! Loved Beukes's most recent, " Broken Monsters". 8y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MinDea
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
Pickpick

This book was very interesting. Loved the characters and the way the story unfolded. I kind of hope she writes another book with Zinzi and her sloth. Such a unique story. Criminals paired with animals equal to their crime. Definitely recommend.

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MinDea
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Almost half way through this book. It is very good. I think she is an amazing storyteller. can't wait to find out what is really going on with missing Song and her new record!

7 likes1 stack add
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JessReads
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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This book (and wine) is hitting the spot right now! #scaretober

23 likes2 stack adds
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Readerwhy
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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Pickpick

Rock and roll with fierce tempo. The South-African reality vividly captured.

5 likes1 stack add
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Matilda
Zoo City | Lauren Beukes
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A new paperback edition is coming out and I'm so excited to be reading it because I LOVED The Shining Girls and Broken Monsters and I will read anything Beukes writes. (The characters have animal companions and I'm in heaven!)

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled This is in my TBR - cant wait to start!! 8y
BookishFeminist I liked it! It feels different than her other work though, but still good. Been meaning to pick up Moxyland, too. 8y
BestOfFates I've never read any Beukes but I've always meant to - which book would you recommend as a starting point? 8y
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Matilda @BestOfFates if you like serial killer stories The Shining Girls if you like very well developed characters in mystery/detective Broken Monsters. (Neither though stay within the genres which is what I love) 8y
Kristin.B Finally! 8y
Kosugi You should check out her comic series, Survivor's Club, as well. 8y
Matilda @Kosugi thanks! Will do. 8y
LatteSue Loved, loved, loved this book. I now have a great fondness for sloths. 8y
Oblomov26 Fun book, interesting take on the magical detective tale - and yes sloths are cool 8y
Kosugi @Matilda You'll dig it. Think slasher movie support group. Just bought "Zoo City" on Sunday myself. 8y
44 likes32 stack adds10 comments