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Loving Day
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
27 posts | 24 read | 25 to read
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK | NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MIAMI HERALD AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY San Francisco Chronicle NPR Mens Journal The Denver Post Slate The Kansas City Star Time Out New York | From the author of the critically beloved Pym (Imagine Kurt Vonnegut having a beer with Ralph Ellison and Jules Verne.Vanity Fair) comes a ruthlessly comic and moving tale of a man discovering a lost daughter, confronting an elusive ghost, and stumbling onto the possibility of utopia. In the ghetto there is a mansion, and it is my fathers house. Warren Duffy has returned to America for all the worst reasons: His marriage to a beautiful Welsh woman has come apart; his comics shop in Cardiff has failed; and his Irish American father has died, bequeathing to Warren his last possession, a roofless, half-renovated mansion in the heart of black Philadelphia. On his first night in his new home, Warren spies two figures outside in the grass. When he screws up the nerve to confront them, they disappear. The next day he encounters ghosts of a different kind: In the face of a teenage girl he meets at a comics convention he sees the mingled features of his white father and his black mother, both now dead. The girl, Tal, is his daughter, and shes been raised to think shes white. Spinning from these revelations, Warren sets off to remake his life with a reluctant daughter hes never known, in a haunted house with a history he knows too well. In their search for a new life, he and Tal struggle with ghosts, fall in with a utopian mixed-race cult, and ignite a riot on Loving Day, the unsung holiday for interracial lovers. A frequently hilarious, surprisingly moving story about blacks and whites, fathers and daughters, the living and the dead, Loving Day celebrates the wonders of opposites bound in love. Praise for Loving Day Incisive . . . razor-sharp . . . that rare mlange: cerebral comedy with pathos. The vitality of our narrator deserves much of the credit for that. He has the neurotic bawdiness of Philip Roths Alexander Portnoy; the keen, caustic eye of Bob Jones in Chester Himess If He Hollers Let Him Go; the existential insight of Ellisons Invisible Man.The New York Times Book Review Exceptional . . . To say that Loving Day is a book about race is like saying Moby-Dick is a book about whales. . . . [Mat Johnsons] unrelenting examination of blackness, whiteness and everything in between is handled with ruthless candor and riotous humor. . . . Even when the novels family strife and racial politics are at peak intensity, Johnsons comic timing is impeccable.Los Angeles Times Johnson, at his best, is a powerful comic observer [and] a gifted writer, always worth reading on the topics of race and privilege.Dwight Garner, The New York Times Hilarious and touching new novel about family, identity and what it means to truly love other people . . . The disasters make us who we are, and the results can sometimes be amazingas amazing as this beautiful, triumphant miracle of a book.NPR Giddy, biting . . . ferocious . . . Grand metaphors, unsparing social commentary, sharp characters, and sharper humor help propel the book. . . . A welcome effort from a major talent.The Boston Globe From the Hardcover edition.
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mvegabec
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Starting off the weekend the right way😁💗

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booklova007
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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New current read.

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SkeletonKey
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Ooookay, got some book mail headed out today! @Tiffy_Reads and @Booksnchill , heads up.

#litsyscreams #skullies

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SkeletonKey
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Pickpick

Finished this one up today, #skullies. What an interesting book!

@Alicia @kamoorephoto @Booksnchill

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SkeletonKey
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Next up: Loving Day for the wonderful #skullies group. @Booksnchill has been so patient with me and I can‘t wait to revisit @kamoorephoto and @Alicia as well! Our group was awesome.

#lovingday

Alicia Yay!!! 💗💗💗 7y
SkeletonKey @Alicia 💜❤️💜❤️💜 7y
Booksnchill @alicia @kamoorephoto @skeletonkey I saw this highlighted for MLK day - I think it is pretty relevant now. Hope you enjoy it - it has some laughs 7y
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SkeletonKey @Booksnchill - Thanks! I‘m sure I will. 7y
kamoorephoto Wow....what a ride!!! 7y
27 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Carolyn11215
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Loved this book. Kindle version now available for $1.99 on Amazon!

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Carolyn11215
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Listening to this one on audio book and kinda wishing I had a physical copy of the book as I‘m always afraid I‘m missing something when I listen to—as opposed to read— a book. No choice about this one since library only had audio book. Really enjoying. Find myself chuckling frequently.

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SkeletonKey
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Received Loving Day as my final #markup pick for our #skullies postal group. Can‘t wait to read it but there will be much sadness when this ends!

@Alicia @kamoorephoto @Booksnchill @suvata

Booksnchill I hope you enjoy it❤️💀 7y
SkeletonKey @Booksnchill - I‘m sure I will! 7y
kamoorephoto 😿💓💓💓💓 7y
Alicia ❤️💕❤️☺️ 7y
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Alicia
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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I‘m sorry @SkeletonKey I am trying my fastest to finish this one!!!! I completely forgot about it until Jan 31 when I was on the phone with a friend talking about my next reads when I was like “oh no I need to read Loving Day ASAP”!!!!! Luckily it is not long. Having a busy reading weekend!!! #skullies

Alicia @kamoorephoto also I got Turtles!!! Thank you!! 🙏🏽💓 7y
SkeletonKey @Alicia - I actually have not finished The Female of the Species yet, so it‘s okay! I am really sorry that‘s late, @Booksnchill it‘s just been a very hectic month. 7y
kamoorephoto You‘ve got a lot to read 😽 7y
Booksnchill @alicia @SkeletonKey @kamoorephoto no worries everyone, I am OK whenever! 7y
Alicia @Booksnchill @SkeletonKey @kamoorephoto phew!!! Thanks you guys!!! 💙💕💙💕💙 7y
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Booksnchill
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Pickpick

Now that this has arrived to @kamoorephoto I can reveal my #LMPBC pick is Mat Johnson‘s Loving Day a satirical look at what race means especially for those of mixed races in the backdrop of Philadelphia and with various polarized groups- funny, biting and thought-provoking. I really liked it - some slower going toward the middle- but Johnson is an important voice and I am glad I read it. Hope the #SkulliEs agree @SkeletonKey @Alicia @kamoorephoto

TricksyTails Sounds interesting!! 💀♥️ 7y
Alicia I️ can‘t wait! That‘s been on my TBR forever!! @Booksnchill @kamoorephoto @SkeletonKey 7y
Booksnchill @alicia so glad- I read Johnson‘s newest earlier this year and found it so very strange- this is equally strange but in a more accessible way! 7y
SkeletonKey Yay, can't wait! 7y
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kamoorephoto
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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I got it! #bookmail from the lovely @Booksnchill along with notebook for our notes, plus one for me, a cool #skulliEs decoration, and book strap. I also got my new Book Beau (although I still need a bigger one). I need to finish my own #LMPBC book, guys!
PS. I loved all your notes, Rebecca. I‘ll try and finish mine soon 💓📖

Booksnchill Hope you guys like it! @alicia @SkeletonKey 7y
Booksnchill Love the Book Beau! 7y
kamoorephoto @Booksnchill Well my choice is a punch in the gut! I think we have a range of books... 7y
Booksnchill @kamoorephoto I think that a range is my preference so good deal👍 7y
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Booksnchill
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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#SkulliEs here are my 5 options for us. Let me know any objections, any you have already read. I‘ll make a choice and surprise my first mailee- thereafter we‘ll all know what we are reading!!!
The Door, Szabo
The Ninth Hour, McDermott
Loving Day, Mat Johnson
The Story of Lucy Gault, William Trevor
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett

Alicia 😱😁❤️ I haven't read any and they all look interesting to me!!!! 7y
Kammbia1 Bel Canto is a good novel. 7y
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Booksnchill @Kammbia1 I know, my local bookstore is owned by Ann Patchett and this is one I have not read- shameful really! 7y
Kammbia1 Oh wow! Hopefully you will get to read it soon. 7y
kamoorephoto I read an Ann Patchett recently and loved it so this was one I have reaching for....let me look the others up too... 7y
kamoorephoto @Booksnchill Okay, my vote is Loving Day or Bel Canto 👍🏼 7y
Booksnchill @kamoorephoto noted!!👍👍👍 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes I love seeing what the other groups are doing! You should do a post of all 4 books when you've decided, like @suvata has begun to do! 😊❤️ 7y
Booksnchill @Natasha.C.Barnes great idea! I‘ve enjoyed trolling the other groups as well! 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes @Booksnchill It was all suvata's idea, I just really liked the graphic she posted. 😄 7y
suvata I love seeing everyone‘s choices. My TBR list is exploding. 😂 7y
Booksnchill @suvata mine too! 7y
62 likes13 comments
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Cspen113
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Trying to decide what to read next...leaning towards Loving Day or one that's not pictured here, One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper. Fighting off sinuses or flu this weekend. 🤧😷🤒. Finally feeling well enough to read again!!

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SoniaC
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Pickpick

This book brings up some really interesting points about race and how we define ourselves. I found it a really entertaining quick read on top of realizing it touches on some big topics. Race, Grief, Parenting, Love, Relationships and Divorce to name a few. A lot of the book is pretty funny and I really enjoyed the writing.

CouronneDhiver Sounds interesting! 7y
SoniaC @CouronneDhiver It is😊 7y
38 likes2 comments
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SoniaC
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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My July #buddyread with my good friend Amanda. One Chapter in and I'm enjoying it so far.

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Smrloomis
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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I have a paper copy but haven't read this yet. The Kindle deal is tempting...

Mindyrecycles Kindle to carry around and read and print to admire on the shelf. 7y
Smrloomis @Mindyrecycles you are a bad influence! 🤣 7y
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Mixedreader
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Pickpick

#riotgrams Yellow Covers! Loving Day is such a great book that addresses race, love, parenthood and identity in a way that is both unflinching and humorous. Also check out Sunil Yapa's The Heart is A Muscle the Size of a Fist! #diverselit #diversebooks #mixed

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Mixedreader
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Join the Mixed Remixed Festival for a live podcast discussion of this months book club pick Loving Day! 3pm PST/6 EST . Link: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=142206&cmd=tc

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shsnaps
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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"I don't just want to love again. I want to regain the privilege to love like a fool."

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Susannah
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
Mehso-so

While much of the book was very funny and contained some sharp insights, I had a problem with the characterizations of the women in the story. That said, I have no idea what it's like to be biracial or black, but it felt like Mat Johnson was willing to risk alienating every/anyone ...

Susannah And there is something to be said for taking a chance like that to tell a story you--a writer--believes in. A solid three stars but still average. 8y
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Susannah
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Here's my next book club read after Fates and Furies. I haven't heard much about it after its release last year. Please feel free to offer any feedback (even if you didn't like it).

shawnmooney I'd never heard of it but see very favorable reviews on Litsy and on Goodreads! 8y
Poindextrix It made me (as someone who self-identifies as bi-racial) intensely uncomfortable at times, but was very well-written and interesting. 8y
Susannah Thank you, @Poindextrix! Though I'm not sure how the story is going to go overall, I'm definitely intrigued so far. The voice is very direct, which I like. 8y
Poindextrix Of course! I look forward to hearing your thoughts as you get further into it. 8y
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Poindextrix
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Damn.

brendanmleonard Wasn't this Neil Gaiman's argument, too? 8y
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Poindextrix
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Velma is also the only one with any sense. She is awesome and doesn't get enough credit for the foolishness she constantly endures. #velmasunite

Riveted_Reader_Melissa ^^^^True story!!! 8y
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Poindextrix
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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That's one way to turn someone down...

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That's excellent! 8y
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Poindextrix
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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So real...

mhippo I loved this book! This quote makes me want to re-read it. Pym also has some amazing insights on race and racial identity. 8y
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Poindextrix
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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This book has some hard stuff that often makes me uncomfortable (sometimes I strongly identify with this character and other times I want to smack him), and then it pulls out lines like this that make me snort into my tea.

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Poindextrix
Loving Day: A Novel | Mat Johnson
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Starting this for my lunchtime reading.