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The Most Dangerous Place on Earth
The Most Dangerous Place on Earth: A Novel | Lindsey Lee Johnson
A captivating debut novel for readers of Celeste Ngs Everything I Never Told You and Curtis Sittenfelds PrepThe Most Dangerous Place on Earth unleashes an unforgettable cast of characters into a realm known for its cruelty and peril: the American high school. In an idyllic community of wealthy California families, new teacher Molly Nicoll becomes intrigued by the hidden lives of her privileged students. Unknown to Molly, a middle school tragedy in which they were all complicit continues to reverberate for her kids: Nick, the brilliant scam artist; Emma, the gifted dancer and party girl; Dave, the B student who strives to meet his parents expectations; Calista, the hippie outcast who hides her intelligence for reasons of her own. Theirs is a world in which every action may become publicpostable, shareable, indelible. With the rare talent that transforms teenage dramas into compelling and urgent fiction, Lindsey Lee Johnson makes vivid a modern adolescence lived in the gleam of the virtual, but rich with the sorrow, passion, and beauty of life in any time, and at any age. Advance praise for The Most Dangerous Place on Earth The Most Dangerous Place on Earth is a deftly composed mosaic of adolescence in the modern age, frightening and compelling in its honesty. . . . A terrific debut, and one that I didnt want to put down.Julia Pierpont, New York Times bestselling author of Among the Ten Thousand Things In her superb first novel, The Most Dangerous Place on Earth, Lindsey Lee Johnson deftly illuminates a certain strain of privileged American adolescence and the existential minefield these kids are forced to navigate. Elegantly constructed and beautifully written, it reads like Jane Austen for this anxious era.Seth Greenland, author of I Regret Everything and The Angry Buddhist
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JennO1
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Pickpick

Yup, high schoolers are complicated creatures. Decent writing and story line, but extremely predictable. It‘s close to being a great book, but lacks the depth to take it out of the YA category. Still, it‘s worth the read, if only to remind you what the teens in your life are up against.

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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

When I read contemporary YA, it makes me so glad that my high school years were pre-internet! But this book was good! Some characters were likable and some definitely were not, but they were all pretty much trainwrecks, and I guess that was the point. That it‘s not easy being a teen, and even if you have money and advantages, you still have your demons to battle.

#bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
43 likes1 comment
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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

Trigger warnings for suicide, bullying, sexual abuse, and the general awfulness of being a teen in the world of social media.

Told over a period of a few years, from spoiled 8th graders, to high school kids trying to find their identity and place in life, you get to follow the same group of teens in a wealthy town. A young, idealistic teacher does her best to help, but her efforts seem to just cause her anguish. A tough and rough read!

60 likes4 stack adds
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MidnightBookGirl
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Being a teenager is always hard, but in the world of social media, it's 24/7 and it's forever. The Slam Books we filled out in 1989? I guarantee the owners chucked them. So far this audiobook is fairly horrifying, trigger warnings for bullying, suicide and student/teacher sex... and I still have a lot of book to go!

Megabooks I love this one! 5y
runswithscissors007 Stressing me out just contemplating this! 5y
56 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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peacegypsy
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Today‘s schools certainly can feel worthy of such a title, sad, sad, sadly enough.

28 likes1 stack add
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

There are a 1000 reasons why I‘m glad not to be in high school right now. And this book just gave me at least 500 of them. Johnson gives most characters just one chapter of focus, but intertwines the story so we get to know them all. Their young-ish teacher, Molly Nicholl, tries to help them be better people but it‘s beyond her. A quick read.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2019
#booked2019 #socialmediafocus #socialmedia

Cinfhen Pretty picture 😍 5y
alisiakae I read the ARC a few years ago, it was definitely an interesting read. 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen Thanks. Sometimes I‘m on top of the photo game! 😘 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft Exactly. I‘m not much for high school characters, but this was pretty complex and intriguing. 5y
92 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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I‘ve been reading this one lately. I‘m hoping it‘ll work for #socialmediafocus from #booked2019 prompts. But I‘m still not convinced it‘s enough of a focus to count. Either way, it‘s way more captivating than I expected. High schoolers in an expensive community ... go figure.

BarbaraTheBibliophage The verdict? Yes, enough action hinges on #socialmedia to count. Phew. 5y
107 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Planning for the Spring #Booked2019 season? I found a great list of thrillers with a #socialmediafocus! I‘m debating between the tagged book and You. Many of these get mixed reviews, but You is more positive. But I‘ve seen a few Littens say it was just TOO much.

What are you thinking about for this prompt?

BarbaraBB The first book that came to mind is 6y
AmyG Ooooo i have YOU. Thanks for posting this. 6y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage @jenniferw88 That‘s a great idea. I‘m going to pull some nonfiction choices together for this prompt, but happened on this group. I wanted to share before I lost it ... 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @AmyG You‘re welcome. I have it also. I always plan with the books I have and then get sidetracked with new options. 🤪 6y
mom2bugnbee I loved The Circle! 6y
saresmoore I think Sympathy would be excellent for this prompt. It‘s a bit of a dark read, but I loved it. 6y
KarenUK I‘m going to try this I think... 6y
AmyG I actually think I am going to read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing...as I have that, too. Fun topics to pick from! 6y
Laughterhp Ooo I actually think I have the tagged book from BOTM, maybe I‘ll pick that one for this prompt! 6y
Bookzombie I was considering 6y
Cinfhen Soooo many excellent ideas but I‘m not ready to think about my Spring reads 😜I‘ll have to bookmark this page for future reference xx 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen I hear you. I like to comprehensively plan so I can ignore more of my choices later in the year. 🤪 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @mom2bugnbee Awesome, although it definitely gets mixed reviews. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @bookcollecter This would be a good nonfiction book for this prompt, although it‘s already five years old and I wonder how current it would feel. Everything changes so fast in the digital world! 6y
bookcollecter @BarbaraTheBibliophage you may be right...I'll keep my options open...any suggestions? 6y
107 likes20 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Mehso-so

Every summer I find myself thinking “I should have been a teacher” solely because I am jealous of summer vacation. And then I encounter teenagers either in life or literature who very quickly snap me out of my fantasy. These are those teenagers. Rotten, spoiled, cruel, rude, self-absorbed a-holes. It‘s not badly written by any means and I don‘t need to like or relate to characters but their drama was tiresome. 3⭐️.

Guildedearlobe Sometimes when I read a YA book or book with teenagers as central characters I get that “omg, I‘m a grumpy old man” feeling (edited) 6y
MicheleinPhilly @Guildedearlobe Me too. I‘m always conscious of trying to think back to that age but it‘s getting harder especially as pretty much everything features technology and social media and I‘m over here reminiscing about passing notes. 👵🏼 6y
CouronneDhiver Yes! So true 😂 @Guildedearlobe 6y
81 likes1 stack add3 comments
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sarahs.thoughts.on.books
Most Dangerous Place on Earth | Lindsey Lee Johnson
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Panpan

High school. The most dangerous place. I couldn't related to this book. Maybe because I didn't grow up in a small town? Or because my high school was so large? Or because cyber bullying wasn't a thing when I grew up (which wasn't that long ago, but I did go to school pre-Facebook)

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pinkpygmypuffs
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Well.... Spring Break is officially over and it‘s back to work tomorrow. 😭 I know. I know. #teacherproblems Trying to squeeze in some last minute reading before all the hullabaloo starts back up again.

LiteraryinPA You can do it! Hope tomorrow isn‘t too rough. 7y
17 likes1 comment
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BookaholicNatty
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Happy Friday!!! This was my Friday treat to myself! 😊Is it any good???

ErinC I liked it! Though as a teacher myself, I was VERY uncomfortable with it at times! 7y
Kappadeemom I liked it too 7y
GloVerdino I thought it was ok, not anything amazing but worth a read 7y
111 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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Looks interesting.
Someone stop me. Damn #kindledailydeal

Cathythoughts You‘d be asking the wrong person here. I‘d be saying : go for it ! 7y
82 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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caitlintx
Bailedbailed

Picked this up after seeing it in someone‘s top six picks of 2017. Maybe I misread and it was their top six worst picks of 2017. This is the most obnoxious teenage whine-first-world-problems kind of book I‘ve ever attempted to read. Open at your own peril.

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huntersmom1977
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Bailedbailed

Believe me I tried! 😞 The whole YA genre won‘t allow my brain to grasp it. I guess it‘s because I already know what will happen.

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mrp27
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#reindeerreads #jingleshelves #seasonsreadings2017

A little late night #bookandtreat coincidentally, my #currentread has #dangerous in the title.

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Clwojick
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Tonight's audiobook 👌

Reviewsbylola I loved this one! 7y
79 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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HardcoverHarlot
Pickpick

It feels so real. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

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HardcoverHarlot
Most Dangerous Place on Earth | Lindsey Lee Johnson
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I am devouring this. So good.

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

This is a reread (or re-listen), but I'm counting it because I hope I listen to the books I own more than once! This book has ups and downs plot-wise, but you can't choose anything but a pick when Cassandra Campbell is narrating. Audio is the only way to go!! #botm #botmchallenge probably 1/45

There are two books I'm dying to get so I've got to get a Bingo!

CouronneDhiver Wow! You're kicking my butt at bingo. 😂 Great job 7y
Reviewsbylola I loved this one, which was a surprise! 7y
Reviewsbylola Also, you're killing it! 7y
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Megabooks @Reviewsbylola I'm surprised you loved it as well. 😉😂 It's not one I picture you liking. And thanks! 7y
Reviewsbylola Trust me, I was surprised to. 😂 7y
Leelee.reads Totally off topic, but didn't you post a bit ago that you changed your hair? Do you like it? I can't be the only one dying to see the new do! 😀💁🏻 7y
Megabooks @Leelee.reads I re-permed it, but the big change is Saturday! I'll be a redhead for the first time. 👩🏻‍🎤💃🏻💃🏻 Woo hoo! I'll post pics Saturday. Thanks for keeping up. 😀😀😀😀 7y
97 likes8 comments
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Ericareads44
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emilyhaldi
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Bailedbailed

I got almost to the halfway point but just couldn't do it. Unfortunately, the characters and story are just not interesting to me, even though the writing itself isn't bad. Too many books in the TBR stack to spend time on ones I don't like!
#botm
#botmchallenge
27/35

monkeygirlsmama I liked this one; sorry you didn't. 7y
LitLogophile I have the same philosophy on books that are a miss. 7y
mrozzz If it makes you feel any better I read this a couple months ago and couldn't tell you what happened. Forgettable. Good decision! 7y
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Reviewsbylola I'm genuinely surprised. I liked this one! 7y
emilyhaldi @mrozzz LOL, that does help, thank you! 😂😂 7y
emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola I remember you liked this one so I had high hopes! I just DID. NOT. CARE. about these people. Maybe it was bad timing 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
Freefallinmissy I didn't like any of the characters 7y
98 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Yourfriendlylibrarian
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Pickpick

This is a novel that every teacher, parent, high school student, should read. An honest account of what "innocent" bullying can do in the lives of all involved. The lingering psychological effects of trying to be a part of the in- crowd be it: teacher, students, or parent are laid bare in these pages. An unforgettable portrayal of the most dangerous place on Earth.

2 likes1 stack add
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Yourfriendlylibrarian
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So true, the character's mother had breast cancer. The teacher made the mistake of assuming things go back to normal during remission. And the truth is, "Nothing ever goes back." #cancersurvivor #mytruth

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Cassidys.Bookshelf
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Mehso-so

"And she'd realized there was something worse than being ignored; there was being a target."

This was just a so-so read for me. I finished it just over a week ago and I feel like I've already forgotten about it.

⭐⭐⭐

#themostdanergerousplaceonearth #lindseyleejohnson #3stars #soso #books #reading #bookworm #meh

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MicheleinPhilly
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42 likes2 stack adds
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wallacereads
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Pickpick

This was a quick and excellent read. The author does an amazing job of capturing the angst of being in high school. #julyreads

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BeveragesAndBooks
This post contains spoilers
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Guys. 21st century high school really is the most dangerous place. This one is getting to me...

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Taylor
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Pickpick

This is an astute novel, written in confident, skillful prose, and filled with emotion. The setting is modern and well-informed, and never rings as unbelievable.

There are many storylines, so some resonated more than others. But the stuff that worked, consumed me.

Highly recommended if you don't mind material about high school, though this does journey to a deeper, more severe place than most teen drama fare.

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VioletBramble
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Day 13 #riotgrams. #freebie! #freebie. I received this freebie in December from Early Reviewers at Library Thing. Hope to get it read this summer.

7 likes1 stack add
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Taylor

On waterskiing:

"Cally had clenched her teeth and waved back, believing she was ready. But when the boat took off, she was paralyzed, unable to stand, unable to release the rope. The water coursed over her body, flooding her nose and her mouth, and she knew it then: the world was going to drag her where it wanted."

This book is juicy gossipy emo, and I love it.

?

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ErinC
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Pickpick

I really loved this book. The different personalities of the students combined with the naïveté of the teacher was something I could relate to. Although, I kept getting angry about that naïveté as well. Beautiful writing, interesting plot, and a unique twist on the archetypal high school students.

Cinfhen I found the parents/ adults cluelessness really irksome.. 7y
ErinC I agree @Cinfhen I kept thinking how stupid are they? 7y
60 likes2 comments
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ErinC
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Spending time outdoors on this gorgeous day. April and May were rough for me in many ways and I recently got out of my reading rut by listening to Shrill on audio. Now I'm hoping to binge a couple books today and tomorrow so I can end May well! 4 days of school left then this is my plan for all my mornings in the near future! Accompanied by Rory Gilmore. #dogsoflitsy

Nat_Reads Beautiful dog! I hope June is better than May! 7y
ErinC @Nat_Reads It will be! I won't have 250 essays to grade! 7y
monalyisha I just finished Shrill, too! It was AMAZING. 😍😍😍 7y
58 likes3 comments
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Purplerosiepage
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The first chapter of this book just about gutted me... I don't know if I want to continue. If I made it through Roanoke Girls, I will make it through this.... but I am really tired of sad.

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sprainedbrain
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#MayBookFlowers #EyesOnCovers

All of these were on just one bookcase, and all of them are still tbr. 😬

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hes7
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This wasn't my favorite #BOTM pick, but it is interesting in the way it represents a lot of issues that kids on the #EdgeOfSeventeen face. #RockinMay

Megabooks I did this as an audiobook and enjoyed it. 7y
Cinfhen Good choice, totally forgot about this #BOTM 🙌🏻💙 7y
78 likes1 stack add2 comments
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jessberk13
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It's been a while since I posted my #LitsyReadingChallenge progress! It's slow going (for me!) but we still have 7 more months! Has anyone completed their board yet?

BookishTrish Not yet. I think I have 7 squares left 8y
Kris10 You aren't alone. I still have 9 open slots, but it's coming along!! I even have a few ideas for next year's categories! 😆 8y
Cinfhen I just did today! Thanks so much for this challenge...it was so much fun 😊How are the wedding plans?!?!? 8y
See All 14 Comments
jessberk13 @Kris10 send your ideas my way, I have a list going for 2018!!! 8y
jessberk13 @Cinfhen thank you!! Wedding planning is going... as smooth as it can considering we have only five weeks to plan!!! 😂😂😂 at least my dress came in super early!!! 8y
Cinfhen So exciting and having the dress makes it seem super real!!! Can't wait to see pics 💗 8y
anored Jumping in late, but where can I get the board? 8y
KarenUK 5 to go for me 👍 8y
Suelizbeth Yay! Good for you! 📚🎉❤️ 8y
Kris10 @Jessica nonfiction set where/near you live and a book with a number in the title. 8y
Kris10 @Cinfhen congrats on finishing!! That's awesome! 🙌 8y
Cinfhen Thanks @Kris10 💕 8y
87 likes14 comments
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hes7
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So far, this book is just making me angry. #audiobook #BOTM #SpringCleaningReadathon

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kendrastephaniekaryn
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Mehso-so

The first half was great, but the second half lost me in some places. This is a very character driven story, and there are several different plot lines to follow. Many of the characters deal with intense and important issues. As a young teacher, who also grew up with technology, the characters were relatable and interesting. I felt that there were several unanswered questions.

Book #3 for #readathon
#longtitle for #aroundtheyearin52books

StephBengtson I'm doing the audio of this right now and I'm having trouble staying interested. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 8y
23 likes1 comment
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kendrastephaniekaryn
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3:55pm. Rapidly closing in on the 10 hours mark! #readathon #snackathon #litsyeats

JoeStalksBeck Wow! You go! 8y
28 likes1 comment
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kendrastephaniekaryn
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I'm setting The Nightmare aside for now. Even though I need to read it for challenges and it was part of my monthly TBR, I've tried to read it a few times and it just isn't pulling me in at the moment. On to the library stack! #readathon

alisiakae That's the great thing about having a stack to pull from, when something isn't working out, move on to the next! #readathon 8y
29 likes1 comment
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Mike_W
Mehso-so

Johnson's debut is often compared to Ng's Everything I never Told You and while the comparison is fair, I don't think it does Johnson any favors. Ng's novel felt plausible while Johnson's tends toward the dramatic, cramming ten years worth of scandals into the experience of a few classes of high schoolers. The Most Dangerous Place on Earth has its moments, but overall tended toward the improbable with characters who were too often unlikeable.

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MelindaOtt
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this one...it is very character driven, which I like. It also made me very grateful that my high school days were far behind me (and very nervous that my kids will be in high school in the not very distant future.

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LindaGrace812
Bailedbailed

Nope. Not for me, not right now.

12 likes1 stack add
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Linda906
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Pickpick

Johnson writes a very realistic look into the minds and actions of the affluent adolescents of Mill Valley. Set in a high school, the story focuses on several diverse students as they navigate life after a terrible event. Adolescence is harder now more than ever as expectations are often unreasonable and unreachable and every decision can go viral. Johnson gives us a peek into this difficult world.

Ashley_Nicoletto I just finished this book today too. I loved it! 8y
62 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Ashley_Nicoletto
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Pickpick

The only thing I've really done today is read this book. The entire thing. Not many books are one sitters for me. I loved this look into a high school atmosphere that was all to familiar for me. To much money. Unsupervised kids smattering in a mixture of drugs, sex, alcohol, and poor choices. Excellent engrossing read.

StephBengtson This has been on my TBR for so long. Maybe it's time to give it a go. 8y
38 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Ashley_Nicoletto
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8 AM on Saturday mornings should always be spent like this. The rain is coming in, but my coffee is hot and this book is completely engaging at 27%.

Reviewsbylola Fantastic book! 8y
54 likes1 comment
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Linda906
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Gonna visit the difficult world of high schoolers. Starting this one next...

LindaGrace812 Me too...from another Linda! 😊 8y
57 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Ashley_Nicoletto
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4 am cardio + kindle 💪🏼

Megabooks I bounce too much. Have to go audio! 8y
Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 8y
Kaylamburson Hahaha, agree @Booksandcooks! I can only read on a stationary bike. 8y
Ashley_Nicoletto @Booksandcooks @Kaylamburson LOL. 😂😂😂 I can only really pull this off on the bike and the elliptical. Sometimes not even then. Ninja focus is required. 8y
39 likes4 comments
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Apinlibraryland
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Only about 50 pages in...a bit cliche so far, but I'll keep going!

3 likes1 stack add