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Last Equation of Isaac Severy: A Novel in Clues
Last Equation of Isaac Severy: A Novel in Clues | Nova Jacobs
The Family Fang meets The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry in this literary mystery about a struggling bookseller whose recently deceased grandfather, a famed mathematician, left behind a dangerous equation for her to track down--and protect--before others can get their hands on it. Just days after mathematician and family patriarch Isaac Severy dies of an apparent suicide, his adopted granddaughter Hazel, owner of a struggling Seattle bookstore, receives a letter from him by mail. In it, Isaac alludes to a secretive organization that is after his final bombshell equation, and he charges Hazel with safely delivering it to a trusted colleague. But first, she must find where the equation is hidden. While in Los Angeles for Isaac's funeral, Hazel realizes she's not the only one searching for his life's work, and that the equation's implications have potentially disastrous consequences for the extended Severy family, a group of dysfunctional geniuses unmoored by the sudden death of their patriarch. As agents of an enigmatic company shadow Isaac's favorite son--a theoretical physicist--and a long-lost cousin mysteriously reappears in Los Angeles, the equation slips further from Hazel's grasp. She must unravel a series of maddening clues hidden by Isaac inside one of her favorite novels, drawing her ever closer to his mathematical treasure. But when her efforts fall short, she is forced to enlist the help of those with questionable motives.
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JackOBotts
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Thanks to #roll100 & my November #doublespin I am delighted to move this 2018 #both off my #tbr shelf. This was enjoyable, and I liked seeing Hazel unravel the mystery. 3.5 ⭐️

TheAromaofBooks I quite like this cover!! 7d
30 likes2 comments
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cjk
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Alternating between these three audiobooks this weekend.

🎧💕📚🍁

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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bookandbedandtea
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Pickpick

This is a family drama wrapped in a mathematical mystery. The Severy family is full of geniuses whose patriarch, the famed mathematician Isaac, has just died by apparent suicide. But his adopted granddaughter receives a letter from him, written the day before his death, which suggests he expected to be murdered, reveals that he will not be the only one, and directing her to destroy his current research and to not trust anyone, even family. I ⬇️

bookandbedandtea ⬆️ liked all the Severy's. There were a lot of them but they were well distinguished and I liked getting to know them as they navigated the horrifying weeks following Isaac's death. 13mo
23 likes1 comment
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marleed
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Pickpick

This was a smart, twisty thriller that kept me invested in the whodunnit through the end. I mean a mathematical equation that can map out the time and place of murders - that premise fascinates my geeky numbers mind!

#14books14weeks2023 Book 12
@TheHeartlandBookFairy

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Amie
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Mehso-so

A #botm from a few years ago. I was intrigued by the mystery aspect but the plot just didn't fully engage me.

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howjessicareads
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We‘re hoping to upgrade our house in a few months, and I already have a LOT of books to pack. So I‘m going to read a few I‘ve been meaning to get to for a while.

Like, for example, this one. Which I got from BOTM in early 2018. 😳

MaureenMc I started reading this book today, too! 😊 4y
howjessicareads @MaureenMc - well that‘s a fun coincidence!! 4y
60 likes2 comments
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PerksOfBeingABookworm
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Mehso-so

I was slightly disappointed with this book. The reveal of what the equation means seems improbable. The pacing was choppy, with following 3 characters, the ebbs and flows in each storyline coincided to make some spots intense and others a drag. It was a bad book, but I wasn‘t blown away by it either.

#BFC update: this is 2 of 3 books this month and I‘m did 19 of 20 days for drinking 2 glasses of water. Need to hurry to finish my third book.

Beatlefan129 I love your bookmark 🤣 4y
PerksOfBeingABookworm Also featured here is my new bookmark that I found on Etsy! 4y
PerksOfBeingABookworm @Beatlefan129 thank you! I got it on Etsy from a seller called TheBookables. She has a lot of great stuff and it‘s all really reasonably priced. Plus free shipping :) 4y
amywithbooks That bookmark is incredible 😂 4y
55 likes4 comments
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PerksOfBeingABookworm
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I was supposed to have a virtual doctor‘s appointment and then teach two classes, but everything was cancelled. Instead, I‘m going to catch up on some reading, drink coffee, and stay in bed as long as my dogs will let me. Grading papers can wait 😁

Deblovestoread I‘ve had This book on my TBR forever. Would love to hear your thoughts when you‘ve finished. 4y
PerksOfBeingABookworm @kgordon18 I just finished and posted a review! It was entertaining enough, but I wouldn‘t rush it to the top of your TBR list. I prefer to be surprised by twists and revelations and don‘t try very hard to guess them. So when I find a book where I can always guess the twists, I find it a little disappointing, which is what happened with this one. 4y
64 likes2 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

Mixed feelings on this one. As you see on the cover it says "A Novel in Clues" which led me to believe there would be some aspect of puzzle/mystery to this story, but in reality it is more of a straight novel, looking at a family after the sudden death of the patriarch. There is a bit of suspense, but it is not the driving force of the story. Still, I did overall enjoy the story and the characters, even if this wasn't exactly what I was expecting.

TheAromaofBooks I'm using this one for the Chronic Illness square for #jennyis30 as a huge part of this story is the fact that several members of this family suffer from intense migraines, and how they handle this excruciating pain. @jenniferw88

It would also fit for California if anyone is looking to fill that space for #ReadingtheUSA2020
5y
62 likes1 comment
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TheAromaofBooks
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1. Surprising (tagged)
2. Oh dear yes - two just this morning, in fact! 😬 But those were through a gift card - budgeting has begun!!

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Budgeting sucks when it comes to books! Thanks for playing! 😊💜📚 5y
44 likes1 comment
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Tex2Flo
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#7covers7days #covercrush #day7
Thank you @jenniferw88 for a fun challenge. I love seeing how others view their own collections and gives me a reason to think differently.
Final intriguing cover of the set.

KarenUK Love this one.... 😍 5y
21 likes1 comment
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Clwojick
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Pickpick

Even though it took me forever to get through this one(due to a midsummer cold and flu, as well as a newfound love for listening to music in the mornings),I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants general fiction, family fiction or mystery. But be warned that it‘s not a whodunit style mystery that the book description suggests. #audiobook #bfcr2 @wanderinglynn #FitWizards

95 likes4 stack adds
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megnews
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Has anyone else read both of these books? I recently finished Bookshop of Yesterdays and I‘m 7 chapters in to Last Equation. I feel like I‘m reading the same book. A death, leaving a boyfriend to travel to a funeral in CA, bookish clues, a bookshop. The similarities are uncanny. They were published weeks apart. So far, however, I‘m much preferring Last Equation as it doesn‘t seem as forced and has more character- building & more mystery.

tpixie I‘ve only read the Bookshop of Yesterdays but it also totally reminded me of ( bookshop, death, Bookish Clues, a little bit of a mystery) 5y
megnews @tpixie I read midnight at bright ideas bookstore last year. Now that you remind me I see similarities too but these two seem even more so. Of the 3 the Last Equation of Isaac Severy is my favorite (so far) 5y
DogEaredBooks I read both (although about a year apart) and didn‘t notice the similarities but now that you mention them I can see it. I liked Last Equation more too. I think for me the tone was very different. I think Equation is more playful and Bookshop felt darker. 🤷‍♀️ 5y
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megnews @DogEaredBooks I think it struck me so strong because I‘m reading them only a few weeks apart. 5y
tpixie @megnews I‘ll have to read this too! 5y
DogEaredBooks @megnews that‘s happened to me too. And I do think they are similar (good catch!), but I was left with different impressions so I doubt I would have personally made the connection, but isn‘t that what‘s great about books? Our personal contexts can be brought into them and only add more the experience! 5y
35 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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MsLeah8417
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟

8 likes1 stack add
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MsLeah8417

Currently Reading

6 likes2 stack adds
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BookishShelly
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Mehso-so

Good enough to finish, but not good enough that I‘d recommend it. I loved The Westing Game. This is no Westing Game.

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Well-ReadNeck
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Loved The Westing Game as a kid? I‘ve got a great read for you!!

https://wellreadneck.wordpress.com/2019/06/17/the-last-equation-of-isaac-severy-...

93 likes3 stack adds
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BennettBookworm
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Pickpick

Such a fun #buddyread with @LiteraryinLititz !! I have to say, some parts of this story were highly perplexing and/or ridiculously far-fetched, but I won‘t give any spoilers haha. Loved the shifting perspectives and especially the urgency and suspense of the last 100 pages!

35 likes1 stack add
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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

Undecided on this as a pick or a so-so. It veered off into some odd places that I didn‘t like but I did enjoy the main character.

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MaceyT15
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Mehso-so

I was really looking forward to this one, but maybe my expectations were too high. The story was pretty good, but I think multiple points of view didn't fit well in the storyline. I would've enjoyed it much more solely from Hazel's POV. Can't win 'em all!
Still a decent read and worth your time.

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MaceyT15
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Been on my TBR for too long...finally cracking the spine tonight! 😁

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bookish7
Pickpick

I wasn't sure how I would like this book since my previous BOTM selections were subpar. However I enjoyed the fast paced story. What I think really hooked me however was the setting. This story is set in Los Angeles and it's my biggest weak spot. I enjoy being able to mentally see what my protagonist is doing geographically. Read it if you want something quick, light and funny reading.

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theitinerarian
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Mehso-so

I liked the idea of this book more than the execution. Some chapters were excellent. Others not so much. As a book it was a great book but as a mystery it was just adequate.

PurpleyPumpkin Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a great community and I hope you enjoy it here. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts!😉👍🏽 6y
Megabooks Welcome to Litsy! 👋🏻📚 6y
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theitinerarian @PurpleyPumpkin @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @Megabooks thank you for the the warm welcome you guysss 😢 6y
DarcysMom Welcome to Litsy! 🤩 6y
Smrloomis Welcome! 🥳 6y
RaimeyGallant Welcome! 6y
BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😺 6y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚🎉Hope you enjoy it here! 6y
37 likes9 comments
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Linsy
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This smart family mystery was exactly what I needed on a cold day cozied inside. #botm #currentlyreading

readinginthedark Ooh, this sounds really fun! 6y
122 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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BennettBookworm
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I‘m excited to get the ball rolling! #lmpbc Round 5! @Mem_ugh @kstadt929 @LiteraryinLititz Which are your top two picks? Then I can choose based on our crossover. Yippee!

See All 13 Comments
kstadt929 Omg I love this!! I was thinking of picking books tonight too 😁 I vote for Where the Crawdads sing because originally I wasn‘t interested in it, but now I‘ve heard such great things about it I kind of want to read it. I feel like it would be fun to read together! I would rather not read The Adults because I have that book, BUT if everyone else also wants to read it I would be game for using it as my book?? 6y
LiteraryinPA Literally all 4 of those books are on my list to read!!! I would be super happy with any of them, honestly. Katie, if you want to do The Adults as yours I‘m good with that! But also you should feel free to suggest other ones because that‘s always fun. ☺️ @kstadt929 @Mem_ugh 6y
LiteraryinPA Just read your post again. I didn‘t answer the question! I‘d say my top 2 picks are the Boyne because I‘ve never read one of his and I want to, and the Equation one because I tend to like mystery/puzzley books. 6y
BennettBookworm Thanks @kstadt929 ! And thank you @LiteraryinLititz ! I‘d be lying if I said I didn‘t check that those four were on your TBR list 😍 6y
Mem_ugh Ooh, sorry ladies, I had to delete and reinstall Litsy, it just kind of gave up on me 😂 I wasn‘t getting any notifications. Anyways, I would read any of these books, they all sound great. Top 2 May be where the crawdads sing and the hearts invisible furies (edited) 6y
BennettBookworm Yayyy @Mem_ugh no apologies necessary, thanks this is awesome!! 6y
BennettBookworm @LiteraryinLititz @Mem_ugh @kstadt929 Where the Crawdads Sing is our winner! Really looking forward to reading this as a group ☺️ 6y
kstadt929 Yay me too!!!! ❤️ 6y
LiteraryinPA Love it!! 6y
34 likes13 comments
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BennettBookworm
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Excited about these books I bought at Aaron‘s Books yesterday in Lititz, PA with @LiteraryinLititz and @wanderer15 ! I‘ve heard great things about them both!

Tamra The Wild Robot - all the 💜 6y
Crazeedi Are you a PA inhabitant too? I live in western PA 6y
BennettBookworm How exciting! No but visiting for the holidays :) @Crazeedi 6y
Crazeedi @BennettBookworm enjoy your visit! 6y
31 likes4 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

An enjoyable family centered mystery. Felt a little like a modern, more adult version of The Westing Game. 🕵🏼‍♀️

batsy "adult version of The Westing Game"—ooh, sounds great! 6y
129 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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#TBRTuesday

It‘s been a couple weeks since I‘ve played, but here‘s the starting 5 for my TBR this week. Hoping to read at least 2 or 3 😉

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howjessicareads
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Day 29 of #31bookpics - #tbr. I don‘t have much of a physical To Be Read pile in my house, because I‘m a library girl. I usually only buy books if I‘ve already read them and want to reread, or just own because I loved it. But here are two exceptions - I‘ve read about half of the DNA one, but I keep meaning to finish it. And the other I got from @bookofthemonth - I just haven‘t gotten to it yet!

MelAnn I saw this on IG and thought I would comment here, too. I found my birth family through dna testing. I searched for 28 years. The last five of those via dna testing. The first dB was 23amdme. Bunch of anonymous people not interested in helping other matches. Then FTdna which was a waste of time & money because said nothing about matches except that were in maternal line or not. Nothing about how close they were. 6y
MelAnn A year ago I sent in AncestryDNA Kit - and within two weeks of sending it in, I was on the phone talking to my birthmom! Reverse dna genealogy is so interesting. The genetics are interesting well - but my brain don‘t do science so a lot of that part just goes over my head :) 6y
77 likes2 comments
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thereadingowlvina
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1. I saw this news this morning. It's pretty funny! https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/entertainment/u-k-police-search-for-david-schwimme...

2. Four 😁

3. No. We're having nice fall weather this week! 🍁🍂🍃

4. Yes 👓, but I usually wear contact lenses

5. Tagged book. I tried but just wasn't able to get into it. I gave up after I had headaches reading it 🙄

@MinDea #HumpDayPost

ShananigansReads That doppelgänger story is hilarious. I thought they had accidentally posted the wrong picture when I saw it. 6y
thereadingowlvina @Bookjunkie57 I know right? Uncanny resemblance! Creepy though 😐 6y
hgrimes Best headline ever. 😂😂😂 6y
35 likes3 comments
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Sharpeipup
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🌧+📚+📦=my day
#audiobook

21 likes2 stack adds
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LeslieO
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Happy Fall y'all! Yesterday it was 85 degreees, today 65! Starting the day with a cup of pecan pumpkin pie coffee @Slajaunie . Yum! Time to concentrate and finish a book! I've been dipping into 5 or 6 different ones since school started.

RealLifeReading Sounds lovely! I wish it were feeling fall-ish here too. But as it always goes here, it‘s going to be in the high 80s next week! 6y
Slajaunie Hope you like it! 6y
45 likes2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Hazel receives a letter from her grandfather shortly after his death setting her in search of his last equation. This book is flawed by too many storylines and characters such that several are inadequately fleshed out. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, despite feeling it was completely implausible. I found it delightful. #botm

#dogsofLitsy #Bindi #puppybelly

Angitron I‘m trying to get into this but keep getting confused with who‘s who and why they‘re important. Based on your review though, I‘ll keep at it! 6y
Hooked_on_books @Angitron Exactly! I especially confused Phillip and Gregory early on. They do get a bit clearer as you go if only because their storylines are quite different. 6y
66 likes2 comments
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CGeorge
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Pickpick

This book was definitely unique. It was an interesting story and took some turns as it unfolded.

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LeslieO
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One chapter in and I like it. Little worried about the clues. I'm usually clueless.

Eyelit Sounds cool! 6y
45 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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BookishMarginalia
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It‘s been a hectic two weeks! Very little reading done, as we started the school year this week! All is well. Settling into a routine that will hopefully include much more reading and Litsying! Missed you all 💜 #DavidCat #CatsofLitsy #TeachersofLitsy

Kodak2057 Off to a good start!! We go back on the 6th hoping my classroom is ready for me next week! 😬 #panic 6y
Wife We missed you too!🌹 6y
173 likes2 comments
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thereadingowlvina
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🎬 A Quiet Place 👾
👫 Visiting bookstores
➡️ 5
📖 Just couldn't get into the book. Maybe I'll try audiobook next time 😔
👌 Will do!

@jesshowbooks #friyayintro 💕

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bookandcat
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In the process of reshelving my #botm books (#botmbacklog on top shelf, hehe), I discovered this postcard from @TsundokuAleax that had fallen out of our #lmpbc pick - I somehow missed it the first time I flipped through to see everyone's notes! Thank you for the postcard! I also love #thestrand ! #litsymail #shelfie

MStew 😍😍 6y
stuck.in.the.stacks I should organize mine this way. 😂 6y
bookandcat @felinesandfiction it's the first time I've had space to allow them to live together! It makes me so happy 6y
TsundokuAleax That is hilarious and I have done the same thing so now I check my books just in case. 6y
bookandcat @TsundokuAleax I promise I'm not rude I'm just slow on the uptake apparently 😂😂😂😂😂😂 6y
58 likes5 comments
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Amymeyerson
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😂😂😂

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Kimbono
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Pickpick

This book was a lot of fun!

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Amymeyerson
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So excited for this!

whatrebeccasread This cover is awesome! I'm going to add it to my list just for that! 📚 6y
Amymeyerson @whatrebeccasread it‘s a good read! 6y
18 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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Lunch at #SweetBerries - 😋

Kaye Gosh that sandwich looks so good ! 6y
TheSpineView Yum! 6y
SassyBookworm That looks amazing 😋 6y
Cathythoughts Ohhhh delish 6y
Bookzombie That‘s looks so good. 6y
136 likes1 stack add5 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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Lazy Saturday morning in our new home in Bradenton, FL. #MiaCat #CatsofLitsy

TrishB Happy new home 🎉🎉 6y
Ingerella Congrats on your new home! I used to live in Bradenton. It's nice there! 6y
thereadingowlvina Congrats!!! Enjoy! 🎉🎉🎉 6y
See All 16 Comments
Bloomingjen Enjoyed this book 6y
TheWordJar Congrats and enjoy! I love that area of Florida! 6y
Graciouswarriorprincess Congratulations on your new home! 6y
DivineDiana Best wishes for your new home! 🏡 6y
KGlibrarian Good luck in your new home! 6y
JackOBotts Congratulations on the move! 6y
RebelReader I love Bradenton! I like to visit the beaches in the winter! 6y
AmyG Wishing you good health and much happiness in your new home! 6y
BookishTrish Welcome to your new home! 6y
LeahBergen It looks like you‘re setting in nicely. 😘 6y
BookishMarginalia We are, @leahbergen! It feels homey already, @rebelreader 6y
Mimi28 Wow!! Cool!! I hope you enjoy your new home!! Give skritches to the kitties for me!! We just moved too, just from one side of town to the other though. Glad you‘re settling in ok 👍😊❤️ 6y
202 likes16 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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#TrickyCat and #DavidCat are guarding my book! #CatsofLitsy

MrBook 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻 6y
Leftcoastzen Darling 💕😻 6y
freyaheart Your tabby looks like mine!! 6y
OrangeMooseReads Sweet kitties 😻 6y
137 likes4 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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Starting a new library book!

JennyM I‘m about 3/4s through and I‘m enjoying it. Hope you do too xx 6y
Sharpeipup I just got that book... 6y
148 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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tjwill
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#MakeMeReadIt in August: Vote on what I should read from my #TBR stack by commenting below, and I‘ll read the top five in the order of most votes in August. You might notice that most of these are from book subscriptions. I‘ll repost later in the month too.

Join in using the hashtag and post your own stack.

MelissaSue81 I‘ve never read any of these but my pick would be 6y
thereadingowlvina Sounds interesting! 6y
See All 58 Comments
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Little Do We Know looks good 😁 6y
dariazeoli I have this one on my neverending list 6y
Lmstraubie I liked When Dimple Met Rishi so I'll have to vote for 6y
hes7 So many good choices! From Twinkle, With Love 😀 6y
Amandajoy This one is somewhere in my stacks & I‘m curious as to how it is 6y
MuddyPuddle The Chalk Man 6y
Tadams4 Little Fires Everywhere! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve only read this, so voting it 6y
jillannjohn So many good choices. I‘m the weirdo that didn‘t love Little Fires so... 6y
MeganAnn Hmmm I haven't read any of these so I'm going to go the one I most want to read myself 6y
shellleigh33 I haven‘t read any but sounds really good 6y
Sace Little Fires Everywhere 6y
BarbaraJean Also on my TBR. 😊 6y
89 likes58 comments
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TsundokuAleax
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Pickpick

The last book in this round of #lmpbc and it was an enjoyable one. It was not a choice I would have made on my own. A family of mathematicians, a puzzle/mystery, and some very interesting twists made for a fun read. If you are not a mystery reader, this might be for you. @bookandcat @Schlinkles

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MuddyPuddle
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Pickpick

An in-depth look at one screwed up family, The Last Equation of Isaac Severy comes at you from many directions. Told distinctly from two different points of view and less distinctly from one or two others; mystery, reality of a gritty world, and some scientific/fantastic mathematics combine to make quite an interesting tale.

KateFulfordAuthor If you like that “slightly larger than life” family story, may I recommend my debut to you? Tight plot, sassy female protagonist and well crafted characters (edited) 6y
swynn You had me at "mathematics." 6y
MuddyPuddle @KateFulfordAuthor You sold me – and one of the reviews said it‘s funny, too. I‘m needing that. Thanks! (I just ordered a Kindle copy, though I love the cover!) 6y
101 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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TsundokuAleax
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Took my #lmpbc read to the river front to get some quality time in and enjoy the glorious mild weather while I can.

BarbaraTheBibliophage Lovely view. Love me some Hanna! 6y
TsundokuAleax @BarbaraTheBibliophage I live two blocks away from Rivefront Park and have been trying to enjoy it more this summer. Sunset reading seems to be my jam. 6y
32 likes3 comments
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literarilythrilling
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Finally got a full review typed up for this book! Check it out at my blog, The Book Cover Judge, link in comments 💜

8 likes1 comment