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Mink River
Mink River | Brian Doyle
Like Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood" and Sherwood Anderson's "Winesburg, Ohio, " Brian Doyle's stunning fiction debut brings a town to life through the jumbled lives and braided stories of its people. In a small fictional town on the Oregon coast there are love affairs and almost-love-affairs, mystery and hilarity, bears and tears, brawls and boats, a garrulous logger and a silent doctor, rain and pain, Irish immigrants and Salish stories, mud and laughter. There's a Department of Public Works that gives haircuts and counts insects, a policeman addicted to Puccini, a philosophizing crow, beer and berries. An expedition is mounted, a crime committed, and there's an unbelievably huge picnic on the football field. Babies are born. A car is cut in half with a saw. A river confesses what it's thinking. . . It's the tale of a town, written in a distinct and lyrical voice, and readers will close the book more than a little sad to leave the village of Neawanaka, on the wet coast of Oregon, beneath the hills that used to boast the biggest trees in the history of the world.
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review
wanderinglynn
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Bailedbailed

It has a lot of positive reviews, but sadly, it‘s not for me.

If you‘re interested as to why, I explain why better in my GR review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4500324885

#hailthebail #offtheshelf

rockpools I think that‘s fair. I absolutely loved it, but I listened on audio and suspect that made all the difference. 7mo
wanderinglynn @rockpools yes, I can see how a good narrator could bring this to life. 7mo
dabbe #hailthebail! #betterbooks ahead 🤩🤩🤩 7mo
72 likes3 comments
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Reggie
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Pickpick

I spent a week with the people of an Oregon community and I am sad now that I finished it. The writing style, you either love it or hate it. Each paragraph becomes a list and you hate it because there‘s so much or you appreciate it because it affords you an intimacy with a character, a place, a relationship. There‘s a paragraph where a dying nun lists her memories of her best friend, a crow, and it broke me for a minute. Thanks again to👇🏼

Reggie @Rissreads and @Jas16 for the book! I loved it very much. 2y
Rissreads Yay! I‘m so happy! X 2y
Jas16 This is so great! Love seeing both of your copies and love even more that you enjoyed it so much. 2y
See All 10 Comments
sarahbarnes This sounds good - the comparison to Winesburg, Ohio makes me want to read it. 2y
SamAnne Brian was a really good man and great writer. 2y
Deblovestoread Great review! 2y
Reggie @sarahbarnes there‘s just something about these people and the stories that live on through them. You‘d like it. 2y
Reggie @SamAnne his kindness and how precious he thought nature and the lives of people are really shines through. 2y
Reggie @Deblovestoread Thank you! 2y
Suet624 Awww, sounds wonderful. 2y
70 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Reggie
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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I‘ve been having such a good day today. Started this book, one that @Jas16 (hope you had or are having a great vacation!) sent me 2 weeks ago and one that just came in the mail. Thanks whoever you are! It‘s wonderful so far. Makes me want to get a book that identifies all the native plants of my state and pay closer attention to all the small town drama around me. Lol Happy Reading, Littens!

batsy It sounds great! I see that I already have it stacked but I don't remember doing that 😅 Enjoy your reading! 2y
Bookzombie Happy you are having such a good day! 2y
Jas16 Just got home late last night. It was a wonderful trip but now I need to recover from my vacation! So glad that you are enjoying the book! 2y
See All 9 Comments
Rissreads Yes that was me! Sorry it was a double up! I loved this book and thought you might too. Maybe you can pass it on to someone else? I‘m happy you are happy today! ♥️ (edited) 2y
Suet624 Oh Reggie! I love hearing or seeing someone say right out loud that they are having a good day!! Thanks for sharing. 2y
Reggie @batsy I think you‘d love it. 2y
Reggie @Jas16 @Rissreads I‘m probably gonna frame both together so people can see them and ask about why I have 2 of the same book and I can tell them how I know 2 very kind ladies who sent me books. Thank ya‘ll very much. 2y
Rissreads I wanted to send you one last book before Book depository closed 😞 I‘m glad you are enjoying it x 2y
75 likes2 stack adds9 comments
review
Rissreads
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Pickpick

If you don‘t like a bit of magical realism you will hate this book. Personally I love a talking crow! This book is quiet different in the way it is written in very long sentences that list things and more things. At first I found it annoying but then I settled right into it. I loved the complete picture it creates of a small town and all its wonderfully complex inhabitants and the way they are all connected to nature and the environment.

Reggie Magical realism and talking crow, you had me. Stacked. (edited) 2y
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
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wanderinglynn
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Happy, happy 5th Litsyversary @IamIamIam 🎉🥳

And how awesome of you to do a #5yeargiveaway

I‘ve been eyeing the tagged but am currently on a book buying ban. 😉

rockpools Nice choice. I loved Mink River! It is VERY odd though 🦅 3y
wanderinglynn @rockpools that‘s good to hear. 👍🏻 It has good ratings on Goodreads and I‘ve read really positive reviews about it. It seems like one that‘s right up my alley. 3y
Ddzmini Happy Litsyversary 🎊🎉📖🥳 3y
BoleyBooks Book party! 🥳🎉 3y
Cathythoughts Nice one 😄👏👏👏 3y
70 likes5 comments
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wanderinglynn
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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#sundayfunday

1. Octopus 🐙

2. Two-thirds of an octopus‘ neurons reside in its arms, not its head.

3. Tagged. There are a couple of others already on my TBR including The Art of Racing in the Rain & Hollow Kingdom. I also just added Beasts of New York. 📚📚

IamIamIam Cephalopods are amazing!!! Love me some cuttlefish!!! 💜🐙 3y
wanderinglynn @IamIamIam yes they are! 3y
BookmarkTavern Octopuses are so cool! Thanks for sharing! 3y
55 likes3 comments
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HeatherBlue
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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A book and the beach 💙🌊

Cailey_Mac Totally unrelated but I love your thigh tattoo piece! 4y
HeatherBlue @Cailey_Mac Thank you very much!! It‘s one of my favorites 💙 4y
kspenmoll Perfect!! 4y
See All 6 Comments
ElizaMarie @Cailey_Mac Exactly what I was thinking! Its gorgeous! 4y
Rissreads Love the cover! 💙 4y
jb72 Beautiful. I miss the beach so much. Great tattoo! 4y
49 likes6 comments
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night_shift
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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1. Haven't read it yet, but it's set on the Oregon coast.
2. Partly cloudy, kinda breeze, nice & cool.
3. Hm. Probably the one where I lost my phone and found it got stolen. 😞
4. 2 kids. 2 dogs, plenty of plants. I want a beta fish lol
5. Happy Friday, everyone!! 💕

#friyayintro @howjessreads

review
AlisonM
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Panpan

It was a struggle for me to finish the book. If it hadn‘t been a book club pick, it is not a book I would have read or finished. I just didn‘t “get it.” A talking crow and other magical elements had me guessing what direction this book was going in. The author did however create a great sense of community and showed how supportive the members in town were for each other. I won‘t be recommending this book to others.
#Book28of2018

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Allthebookclubs
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Mehso-so

My book club read Mink River this month. Doyle‘s writing style is a bit different than I‘m used to and it took me awhile to get used to it. I enjoyed the magical realism and felt it really connected with the PNW culture (specifically the tribal influence). While I wouldn‘t recommend this book to most of my friends, I do have a few who might enjoy it. I listened to it on Audible...just wait for the creepy crow.

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morgan_lionheart
Mink River | Brian Doyle
Pickpick

This is so so so good. Delightful writing, amazing evocation of the Pacific Northwest, wonderful characters. This should be required reading for everyone in the Pacific Northwest.

Full review here: https://www.librarything.com/work/10489212/details/159636071

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CareBear
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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My latest stack of incoming #jb mail .. I am so enjoying getting to know you all better!! Special thank you for the gorgeous origami bookmark @LazyDays .. the pretty vase and whale bookmarks @Craftylikefox and @BookwormAHN and the stickers (those are Lisa Frank!!) and bookmarks @Mimi28

@Kdgordon88 I can‘t imagine a better thing than surprise book mail, and I love this idea. Thank you so much and I may copy you if you don‘t mind! #bookitforward

JoScho This is a pretty great group of people 🤗💖 6y
Lovesbooks87 Wow! So many amazing cards! I love being apart of such an amazing group! 6y
tammysue Yay! 💗😊 6y
See All 13 Comments
vkois88 BOWTRUCKLE CARD!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 6y
CareBear @vkois88 I so did not put that together 🤦‍♀️ 6y
Craftylikefox Yay!! 🖤 what pretty mail 😊 6y
Deblovestoread So glad it arrived! I saw someone use the #bookitforward and I totally stole it from her. Unfortunately, I can‘t remember who it was or I give a shout out to say thanks. 6y
BookwormAHN 😺😺 6y
Mimi28 Glad you liked it! Sorry I had to fold the Lisa Frank stickers, lol 6y
vkois88 Lol sorry I'm a little obsessive 😂😂 6y
ReadingRover 😂 the guinea pig card!!! 6y
LazyDays I love origami💗 I hope you can use it!😊 6y
87 likes13 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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And finally, books bought on vacation .

8leagueboot I love buying local interest or novels with the local setting when I travel! 6y
ReadingEnvy Me too! One of these starts out on Orcas Island and the character moves to Alaska. I bought it on Orcas Island and had just returned from Alaska so it was spot on!! 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Been wanting to read Mink River for a while! Let me know what you think when you get to it 😁 6y
Cinfhen Best type of souvenir❣️❣️❣️ 6y
81 likes4 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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So hard to get book spines in the shadow to show when you want the background in there but hello I'm in Astoria and we found a cute bookshop. I had to get the Doyle because just yesterday I said to my husband, "John Irving should write about some of these small Oregon towns," and that seems to be what Doyle's book could be!

Pogue Mink River is a good book. 6y
Soubhiville Isn‘t that where the Goonies were? Are you visiting those sights? 6y
ReadingEnvy @Pogue oh good 6y
See All 6 Comments
ReadingEnvy @Soubhiville yes but no. ;) 6y
rockpools I loved Mink River! The audio was amazing as well. 6y
ReadingEnvy @RachelO oh great! 6y
86 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Deblovestoread
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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1) Just a few pages in and I am not sure what I think. The story is very scattered so far.
2) Heading home this afternoon after spending a great weekend with my dad and my daughter. The weather at the north Oregon coast has been amazing this weekend.
3) A steak with a big salad.

#manicmonday
@JoScho

JoScho ❣️💙❣️ 7y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jas16
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Best part of my (not-so) #manicmonday is a $3.50 #bookhaul. Each of these books was Litten recommended and what is a three day weekend without book shopping? #awesomeautumnbooks

rockpools Mink River is amazing! 💚 7y
45 likes1 comment
review
AAdamson
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Pickpick

I love the way Brian Doyle draws his characters. I feel like I know these people. My sister-in-law calls this the quintessential Oregon book.

Viji I looked at this book when we were at Powell's a few days ago and almost bought it! 7y
AAdamson Portland! My hometown! I'm in Washington, now, but we were at Powell's a couple weeks ago when we were down. I loved Mink River, but I love The Plover even more. It's not necessary to read Mink River first, but it gives you a flavor of the place and Declan, the main character in The Plover. 7y
6 likes2 comments
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Dogearedcopy
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Yes! A new indie bookstore has opened in Jacksonville, OR! It's small; but the open front in the former blacksmith's shop, and well curated inventory are enticing. Picked up 'Mink River' by the late Oregonian author, Brian Doyle. #getindie

http://www.bookweb.org/news/two-physicians-open-rebel-heart-books-jacksonville-o...

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ForestAvenuePress
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Authors Robin Cody and Brian Friesen took the mic at Broadway Books last night to celebrate the life and work of Oregon author Brian Doyle. We laughed a lot and grieved together for the loss of this brilliant and beloved member of our community.

17 likes1 stack add
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Liberty
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Very sad to learn that Brian Doyle has died. Read his work, he was amazing. 😞

lamaman2boys I went to the University of Portland (Oregon, not ME), and I so loved reading his work in our campus magazine & publications. He will be greatly missed. 8y
Readerann I just read the wonderful Mink River last week. I'm sad I didn't discover him sooner. 8y
AAdamson I'm so sad to hear about Brian Doyle's passing. His book The Plover is my favorite book. I loved that he lived in Portland--my hometown. 😢 8y
See All 6 Comments
shawnmooney 😥😥 8y
balletbookworm This past week or so has been shitty for writers 😢😿 7y
EllieDottie Your tribute on all the books was wonderful! 7y
110 likes8 stack adds6 comments
review
Readerann
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Pickpick

This grew on me until I loved it at the end. I seem to be a fan of northwest literature. Sadly, the author is ill with a brain tumor.

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Jewelms
Mink River | Brian Doyle
Panpan

Not my cup of tea💤💤💤 however, it is beautiful prose

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Hoopiefoot
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Sunday night vibes. This book is SO GOOD! It took a few chapters for me to get into the rhythm and now I'm in love 💙

RanaElizabeth This book, all of Doyle's stuff, is amazing. My book club read this while doing a weekend trip to the Oregon coast. 8y
shawnmooney I have heard really good things about it and so it's inching its way to the top of my pile! 8y
Hoopiefoot @shawnmooney I don't think I've ever read anything like it before but it was amazing. I borrowed it from the library but will need to buy a copy for myself. 8y
104 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Hoopiefoot
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Weekend reading options. 💜

L_auren The Hate U Give is at the top of my weekend list! 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I want to read it too! 8y
celtichik My library finally has it...and I'm #2 on the wait list. 8y
rachellayown Great haul! 8y
rockpools Mink River's amazing! 8y
85 likes1 stack add5 comments
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shawnmooney
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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I'd be shocked if I have anybody following me who wasn't also following Liberty, but just in case: on this week's episode of All The Books, as well as in her own Litsy post, she conveys the sad news that this author (unfamiliar to me until just now) is seriously ill, and she recommends this apparently wonderful novel by him to one and all. I am certainly going to check it out, and hope Brian Doyle pulls through!

Lindy He has written many books for children but I've only read one and it was because it received a formal challenge from a patron who wanted it withdrawn from the library. It ended up being moved to the teen section, although my opinion was to keep it with the children's books: 8y
shawnmooney @Lindy I previewed this Mink River on audio yesterday and read a couple reviews online – it certainly sounds like my kind of book! (edited) 8y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Liberty
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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So sorry to hear that Brian Doyle is very ill. If you want to do something amazing for yourself, read his book MINK RIVER. 🖤🤘🏻📚

rockpools 💗💗💗 8y
RealBooks4ever 💜💜💜 8y
BethFishReads Love the cover and have never read (edited) 8y
Liberty @BethFishReads He's a stunning writer. A slow burn, but lovely. 8y
BethFishReads Will add to the list 8y
145 likes27 stack adds5 comments
review
rockpools
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Pickpick

Dylan Thomas meets Northern Exposure meets Middlemarch on the Oregon coast. People live and die, think Big Thoughts. Or small thoughts. And tell stories. Or just change, big life-changing changes. And the river sings.

Lots of birds-eye views, lots of people-eye views, and the odd view from somewhere totally different.

Like nothing else - I loved this. I'll miss it. But it is *very* odd! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ms.Story Nice review! 8y
SharonGoforth Intriguing! 8y
Cinfhen LOVE this review, I'm intrigued 😍 8y
rockpools @Cinfhen @SharonGoforth @BrittanysBookshelf 😊 Thank you! I do hope you enjoy it if you read it - think it's probably one of those love-it-or-hate-it-&-little-in-between type books. 8y
28 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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rockpools
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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I am not ready for this to finish.

Moray_Reads This sounds wonderful! 8y
rockpools @Moray_Reads I'm not sure how to review it. I've never read anything quite like it, and it just sort-of rambles on, but it's amazing! 8y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rockpools
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Serious Marmite. ❤️💕❤️ 💕❤️

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rockpools
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Half an hour of Mink River 🐟 and housework 🎛 before I drag myself back to the tax return 🙁

#24in48 (think we're actually aiming for 6in48)

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rockpools
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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????...?

But in a good way.

18 likes1 stack add
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rockpools
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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I don't know what this is, but it's wonderful!

#randomoverdrivefinds

readordierachel This sounds fantastic! 8y
rockpools @ReadOrDieRachel I'm less than an hour in, but love it so far. 8y
16 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Twocougs
Mink River | Brian Doyle
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Used my cool new #bookriot tote when I got some new books and got home to my new #botmc books. Good book day😍

Reviewsbylola That tote is hilarious. 😂 8y
Liberty OH MINK RIVER. 💕💕💕 8y
kspenmoll Love that tote! 8y
91 likes1 stack add3 comments