Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
In the Unlikely Event
In the Unlikely Event | Judy Blume
In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was fifteen and in love for the first time, three planes fell from the sky within three months, leaving a community reeling. Against this backdrop of actual events in the early 1950s, when airline travel was new and exciting and everyone dreamed of going somewhere, Judy Blume weaves a haunting story of three generations of families, friends, and strangers, whose lives are for ever changed in the aftermath. The plane crashes bring some people closer together and tear others apart; they create myths and unlock secrets. As Miri experiences the ordinary joys and pains of growing up in extraordinary circumstances, a young journalist makes his name reporting tragedy. And through it all, one generation reminds another that life goes on. Beautiful, gripping and deeply moving, In the Unlikely Event is an unforgettable novel from Judy Blume, one of America's most beloved authors.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Mshookquilts
post image
Pickpick

Due to the subject matter, this is not an easy read. In 3 months at the end of 1951 and beginning of 1952, the residents of Elizabeth, New Jersey experienced a series of airplane accidents. This story is based upon that period and told through the eyes of teenage Miri and her family and friends. These 3 months affected their entire lives, split loves and anchored loves.

7 likes1 stack add
quote
MCowles

“Life is a series of unlikely events, isn't it? Hers certainly is. One unlikely event after another, adding up to a rich, complicated whole. And who knows what's still to come?”

review
MCowles
Pickpick

Loved it. Just like I have loved everything Blume has ever written.

review
living_for_literature
Pickpick

I really liked the book. I was really drawn in with the descriptive writing and the well-researched “news articles.” I loved seeing the different perspectives and the way everyone‘s lives were connected. I loved seeing how there could be hope even in the most despairing of times.
My main issue was how jumpy it could be between the povs. I think it would have been better to divide them between chapters. I also wasn‘t too fond of the ending.

review
Writeme
post image
Mehso-so

Not sure I would have finished it wasn‘t for the allure of reading Judy Blume as an adult, and the fact that it based on her childhood hometown, where 3 planes crashed in 6 months or less. It was good, and compelling; just not great.

review
rachaich
post image
Bailedbailed

Bailed... it just wasn't holding my attention.
I might try again another.

blurb
rachaich
post image

I used to adore Judy Blume as a young teen..See what her adult fiction is like..

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Let me know! This one has been on my shelf for a while!! 3y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
MallenNC
post image

I LOVED Judy Blume as a kid but I‘ve never read her books for adults. Someone gave this one to me and I need to give it a chance. #AugustAuthors

OriginalCyn620 Same! 🤗 4y
wanderinglynn I liked it 👍🏻 4y
MallenNC @OriginalCyn620 When I read it I‘ll pass it on to you 4y
MallenNC @wanderinglynn That‘s good to know! It sounds interesting. 4y
OriginalCyn620 Awesome! Thanks! 4y
27 likes5 comments
blurb
GatheringBooks
post image

#AugustAuthors Day 15: Few people seem to know that #JudyBlume also wrote for adults. I bought this years ago but haven‘t had a chance to read it yet. Story of my life.

squirrelbrain I really liked this one when I read it last year.... 4y
OriginalCyn620 I knew she wrote adult books too but I have yet to read one! 4y
Hooked_on_books It‘s really good! It‘s inspired by a real event that I had never heard of. I didn‘t quite believe the event was real and had to google it to prove it to myself. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I have this one too, but haven‘t read it 🙈 4y
50 likes4 comments
review
hike.read.repeat
post image
Mehso-so

Like others have said, there are lots of characters to keep up with and remember how they‘re related. Overall it was an ok read. I couldn‘t bail bc it‘s Judy Blume.

review
SaraHasClass
post image
Panpan

When 3 plane crashes occur in a month, it affects a person, a community & relationships. For 15 year old Miri, the year the planes crashed changed everything she had known up to that point. For me this book was slow. Keeping the characters straight and knowing how they connected with one another was a chore rather than enjoyable. I found this book to be mildly entertaining enough to finish but really not worth the read.

2 likes2 stack adds
blurb
valeriegeary
post image

Hi there friends! 👋🏻 I'm taking an extended social media break this month! So things will be quiet around here. I'm planning to return in March when I'll catch you up on all the latest news about life and what I've been reading! See you next month!

Geenie See you! 👋 look forward to your return. ♥️ 4y
kspenmoll Looking forward to your return! 4y
Cinfhen We‘ll be here, waiting to hear all good things xx Enjoy the silence 🎶A little Depeche Mode to set the mood 😉 4y
Megabooks Enjoy your break! 4y
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
valeriegeary
post image

Happy Weekend Littens! Unfortunately I won't be around too much as I'm driving to Seattle today to visit a friend for the weekend but I wanted to pop in and say hello. 👋🏻 And I'll do my best to join in on some conversations when I can.

This year I've been using a TBR Jar to try & read books from my own shelves & is the one I picked for February! Have you read it?

#readwhatyouown #mounttbr

MicheleinPhilly I have! I quite enjoyed it but Judy Blume is a queen so she can do no wrong in my eyes. 4y
Cinfhen Hi!!! Safe travels and I liked this one ☝🏾 I think you will too...it‘s a little trite but perfectly enjoyable 4y
Cinfhen Also, great photo 4y
valeriegeary @MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen it's been a long time since I have read anything by her so I'm looking forward to it! 4y
68 likes4 comments
review
JesByrne
Pickpick

Definitely a great book. It was a bit challenging to follow because there were so many characters that were being followed to the aftermath of the three plane crashes but definitely was worth it in the end. I finished it and since life had happened had not been able to really analysis my feelings of all that took place until now.

All I can say is it definitely had some OMG moments of things that occured that were completely unexpected.

blurb
JesByrne

So I am 38% into this book. It has had its highs and lows so far. Sometimes a bit difficult to keep up with since there are so many different viewpoints going on surrounding their friendships and lives after the crash.

blurb
squirrelbrain
post image

#excellentwrapup
#augustabc

Another good reading month, apart from reading books off MountTBR, which was a big fat zero! 😬 Too many other exciting books to read... 😁

kspenmoll Fantastic month! 5y
megnews I loved Lillian Boxfish! 5y
Eggs Great month 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ❤️ Lillian Boxfish 5y
See All 6 Comments
Megabooks Great job!! 5y
Cinfhen Well done 👍🏽 my summer reading was 💩 5y
BarbaraBB Great month! Thanks for hosting #AyUpAugust 💕 5y
65 likes6 comments
blurb
JesByrne

So far I'm 19% into thos book. It is getting interesting. I am so intrigued to see what is to come.

blurb
JesByrne

Slow start but get to page 51 and everything changes. #Summersendreadathon

blurb
JesByrne

Just finished Chapter 1. A lot of different characters are narrating so it was a bit confusing but I am going to continue on. #Summersendreadathon

blurb
JesByrne

About to start this book. #Summersendreadathon

review
squirrelbrain
post image
Pickpick

This novel is built around real-life events in Elizabeth, #newjersey in 1951/ 1952, when 3 plane crashes occurred in the town in the space of 3 months, following the impact of the events on 15 year old Miri and her family and friends.

I started it this morning and couldn‘t put it down - 5 ⭐️

In other news, I spent time today working out books for my remaining states - some from the library, some Libby and 2 cheapies on Kindle.

#ReadingUSA2019

BarbaraBB This sounds really fascinating. And how about your remaining states? (edited) 5y
squirrelbrain I‘ve got 13 left to read now @BarbaraBB and I was struggling with some of them, but I‘ve identified books for all of them now. Hopefully I‘ll be able to read them all before the end of the year... 📚😁 5y
BarbaraBB I‘ve got some 13 left too and am still struggling with finding books set in Nevada and Arkansas! 5y
See All 12 Comments
Librarybelle You‘re doing well! 5y
squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB I did this one for Arkansas. Or John Grisham was born in Arkansas, if you like his books... (edited) 5y
squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB - I‘m going to do this one for Nevada, as it‘s free on the Libby app. 5y
BarbaraBB I‘ve read the ones you tagged unfortunately. I‘ll look for the Grisham! 5y
squirrelbrain Oh dear @BarbaraBB - have you read The Goldfinch? Some of that is set in Vegas... 5y
Hooked_on_books Great choice! I loved this one. Did you know it‘s based on true events? I had never heard of the events before I read this book. 5y
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB I had a Dean Koontz fetish growing up, so if you like light horror, this one‘s set in Nevada: 5y
squirrelbrain I think when the book was published in the UK a few years ago, the reviews talked about the real-life events. Very shocking though, to have 3 crashes in such a short space of time.... @Hooked_on_books (edited) 5y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I did read the Goldfinch but I can check out Koontz (I don‘t know his books). Thanks! @Hooked_on_books 5y
99 likes12 comments
blurb
Kappadeemom
post image

Dentist office for cleaning. Ugh 🦷

review
TheBookHippie
post image
Panpan

1. Tagged book. Such an awful read so heartbreaking as her books helped my childhood so much! 😭😭
2. Airplane 🎬
3. Fantasy by ALDO NOVA yes it‘s a helicopter beginning I think but what can I say ? 🤣🤣🤣

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Guess I‘ll skip that book!!!! 5y
TheBookHippie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I was so mad!!!!! Ugh... 5y
JoScho Thanks for playing 🛩💙🛩 5y
36 likes3 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

#Airplane ✈️
#LetsTravelJuly

Anyone read this one?!

rubyslippersreads Yes. It might not make you want to fly. 😏 5y
Bookwormjillk I read it a few years ago. It was pretty good. 5y
OriginalCyn620 I have not. I don‘t think I‘ve read any of Blume‘s adult fiction. 5y
See All 8 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620 I haven‘t either!!! 5y
TheBookHippie Yes I hated it 🤣 5y
90 likes1 stack add8 comments
blurb
MicheleinPhilly
post image

Some work days just call for grilled cheese and Judy Blume. #BookandLunch

LeahBergen I now need a grilled cheese. 5y
Tamra Me too 5y
wordzie 🙌 Judy Blume (and also grilled cheese!) 5y
See All 7 Comments
CBee Are those sweet pickles? Cause if they are, I love you. 5y
MicheleinPhilly @CBee Kosher baby dills! 5y
CBee @MicheleinPhilly okay, I still love you. I just love sweet pickles and it seems so many people can‘t stand them. 😂 5y
CouronneDhiver I‘m here for sweet pickles! No one else at my house likes them 🙋🏽‍♀️ @CBee (edited) 5y
74 likes7 comments
quote
katieryan723
post image

RaimeyGallant Nice quote. And a belated 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. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 5y
1 like1 stack add1 comment
review
wanderinglynn
post image
Pickpick

Got this yesterday in the #HelloFrom swap & finished it today. Thanks @heikemarie for this wonderful read. I couldn‘t put it down & enjoyed it immensely. ☺️

Judybskt I loved that book!! 6y
RadicalReader @wanderinglynn I loved reading her Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Fudgeamania, Super Fudge. 6y
Verity I really enjoyed this. All the best bits of a Blume middle grader but with adults stuff too. 6y
heikemarie I‘m so glad you enjoyed!! It really is a great read 💜 you‘re a beast finishing in one day! 6y
83 likes4 comments
review
Verity
post image
Pickpick

A wonderful book that comes under the “I can‘t believe it‘s based on real events” banner. My first adult Blume novel too - but you can spot the similarities and same style as her stuff for younger readers.

blurb
wanderinglynn
post image

Heike, thank you so much! My #HelloFrom box is amazing! It‘s hard to see, but she put NJ factoids on each item. It‘s so cool to read. And both books are related to NJ. I love it! ❤️ Thank you so much! ☺️💜

P.S. you have really neat & pretty handwriting!

bullbunny Amazing! Love it!! @heikemarie 6y
heikemarie Thank you!! I hope you enjoy everything - I had to get some of the apple butter for myself 😋 6y
AmyG Hooray NJ! 6y
LazyDays I love when people take the time to write little notes and fun facts💓💓 6y
96 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
MelissaS
post image

Where else can you find hours of entertainment for a mere 50 cents? #librarybooksale

Reviewsbylola Loved this one! 6y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
GripLitGrl
post image
Linsy ❤️ 6y
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
TorrieB
post image

Getting started with my #24in48 reading! Starting with one of my favorite authors, Judy Blume 😍

blurb
Eggs
post image
Linsy Popular pick! 6y
67 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Rissa1
post image

Dishwasher running a clean cycle. Kids getting along. This gives me a chance for some audio book and Lost Ocean Coloring Book.

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
Rissa1
post image

Coffee and a quiet morning.

blurb
mrp27
post image

#readingresolutions #planes

A story about several plane crashes in a New Jersey neighborhood. I'm a huge fan of Blume and I love her kid titles but I must say I'm not a huge fan of her adult titles. I'm hesitant to read this one due to mixed reviews.

TommieMarie74 The only adult book I‘ve read of Blume‘s was Summer Sisters (years ago) but I remember really liking it. 6y
mooingzelda It's been a long time since I tore through her teen books, but I read this about a year ago and really enjoyed it! I haven't read her other adult books, though. 6y
LauraBeth This was so-so for me. I remember there were too many characters to keep up with. 6y
See All 6 Comments
mrp27 @LauraBeth I heard that a lot about this one, it's what has kept me away. 6y
mrp27 @mooingzelda I'm glad you liked it. I found her adult titles, which she doesn't have too many of, to be just ok. 6y
mrp27 @TommieMarie74 I read Summer Sisters and I thought it was alright but I didn't love it and I didn't care for Wifey at all. 6y
43 likes6 comments
review
BekaReid
post image
Pickpick

“When something so unimaginable happens you need to find a new way to help people see it.” I loved how Judy Blume tells this story from various character viewpoints in short chapter bursts and with newspaper reports.

blurb
Godmotherx5
post image

The first & last book from by shelf for hour 30 of #24in48 I usually shelve books by height & genre.

@24in48

77 likes1 stack add
blurb
Cinfhen
post image

#NuYear #TheAircrashbureau This was my first Judy Blume book in over 35 years and it didn‘t disappoint. Based on true events that JB lived through as a teenager in the early 1950‘s when air travel was both glamorous and dangerous. In 1952 in the space of 3 months, 3 fatal plane crashes occurred over the same small town. This book follows residents of Elizabeth NJ as they deal with the fallout. Fascinating history and great coming of age story.

Reggie Sounds amazing. 6y
JaclynW Judy Blume! 💗 6y
TrishB I think it must be about that long too!! 6y
See All 11 Comments
rabbitprincess Hm, I might consider reading this! 6y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen This was my choice too! But, I always scroll through to see if anyone has already posted, and there it was! Putting my thinking cap on! 😉🤔📚 (edited) 6y
Cinfhen I wouldn't say to run out and buy this book, but as a library request or charity shop find it would be worth your time @TrishB @rabbitprincess @JaclynW @Reggie I mean it's Judy freakin Blume!!!! 6y
Cinfhen Perks of my #timezone @DivineDiana 😍😍 6y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen 😂👍🏻📚 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I‘ve always wondered if this was a good book. I think I‘ve even had it in my bag at some book sales, but ultimately didn‘t buy. Hmmmmm. 6y
Reviewsbylola LOVED this book. 6y
emilyhaldi This is in my tbr stack after I found it for $1 😄 6y
134 likes8 stack adds11 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

#bookspinepoetry #Janinbooks18

In the unlikely event Lillian Boxfish takes a walk when the moon is low promise me a walk to remember.

Pamwurtzler 😂 6y
bedandabook Brilliant! 6y
Smangela I love this! 6y
See All 20 Comments
DHill Nice! 😀 6y
Kalalalatja Great! 6y
Eggs 😊😊😊😊 6y
MatchlessMarie Well done! 👏 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Smangela thank you!!! It was fun!! 😘❤️ 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @DHill thanks!!! 🙃☺️ 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kalalalatja 🙌🏻🙌🏻thanks!! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MatchlessMarie thank you!!!! 😘😍 6y
Cinfhen 🙌🏻💟 6y
Hollie Great poem! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Hollie thanks Hollie!!! 😘 6y
Mdargusch Good job! I didn‘t even attempt it. 🤪 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Mdargusch thank you!!! Somehow it just came to me lol 🤣😂 6y
97 likes1 stack add20 comments
blurb
Bookmarkie
post image

I think library book sales are better than my birthday.

5 likes1 stack add
blurb
VeryLazyDaisy

I have always loved Judy Blume. I'm loving this book too, and I'm planning to take her Masterclass on writing.

2 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Lcsmcat
post image

I know it‘s been used already, but this is the first book that popped into my head for #bigJetPlane #tuneintonovember @Cinfhen @Robothugs

Robothugs Don‘t worry if a book was already used! Whatever comes to mind and you feel is good is what you go with! Good choice! 😄 6y
Cinfhen It's worth repeating!! Wish I thought of it!!! 6y
41 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Clwojick
post image

Judy Blume is a goddess, and I'm truly surprised I haven't read this one yet! Stacked!

#LibraryWishlist #NeverEndingTBR

Have any of my fellow Littens read this book? Would you recommend? Please let me know. ☺️

JackOBotts Yes! I really enjoyed this. Modern historical fiction inspired by Blume's NJ childhood and real life events. 7y
Notafraidofwords I loved it. It could have been about 100 pages shorter but I live in NJ where this book is set so I loved it. 7y
DivineDiana This was my first Judy Blume book. Since she is such a beloved author, I was so looking forward to this. Terribly disappointed! I think it may have been the audio which dragged on forever. 🤔🙁 7y
mjdowens I thought it was a really good story (edited) 7y
85 likes5 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Aswenson
post image

Bailing on my book club's pick after the first plane crash. This topic is a huge trigger for me and I value my sanity over my book club discussion this month. Hopefully they'll understand! 🤞🏻

45 likes1 stack add
blurb
llm1730
post image

Finally getting around to reading this. So far, it's not bad. I'm pretty sure the last Judy Blume I read was when I was 15!

Reviewsbylola I LOVED this! 7y
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
valeriegeary
post image

There was a signed first edition Judy Blume at Goodwill that needed a new home. I happily volunteered my shelves. #usedbooks #treasurehunt #adoptabook

moarbookspleaze Awesome score! 7y
Jas16 Such a great find! 7y
See All 7 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome!!! I have on my shelf, but haven't read it yet 😳 7y
valeriegeary @Jas16 @moarbookspleaze I almost missed it too! It was hiding! 7y
valeriegeary @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I don't know when I'll get to it, but I've had my eye on it since it came out... At least now it's home with me...I feel that much closer to finally cracking it open! 🙌 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @valeriegeary I know!!! I feel so behind with all my books!! So many and so little time 🙊 7y
72 likes7 comments
blurb
Kendra.Diane
post image

Picking out some new reading material through our town library, quite the selection of ebooks makes for a happy kindle reader! What is on top of everybody's #tbr pile? Starting off with a #throwback Judy Blume novel! Excited to explore this author now that I'm an adult! #tbr #summerreading #supportlocallibraries #judyblume

Jess7 I recommend you read 7y
Jess7 This one is at the top of my #TBR pile! 7y
Kendra.Diane @Jess7 so cool! I'll have to add them to my tbr! 7y
37 likes3 comments
blurb
Tuppence123
post image

1 stack add