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Black Leopard, Red Wolf
Black Leopard, Red Wolf: Dark Star Trilogy 1 | Marlon James
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review
JenP
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Pickpick

Joint read with my partner. He picked it and I think it almost broke him 😂. It‘s hard to put into words what I thought of it. I hate (and I mean HATED) some parts. It‘s graphic in terms of violence and sex, most of the sex is non-consensual, there is abuse and killing of kids, it has a feverous pacing and style. But the blending of folklore was interesting and I was engaged in the storyline when I could get past the unpleasantness.

JenP I was vacillating between a “pick” and “so so”. I had very mixed feelings about this book 4w
BarbaraBB Love your review but it doesn‘t convince me to read the book! 3w
sarahbarnes I agree, this was an intense read. It was a little too much for me. 3w
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Ruthiella I used to listen to Marlon James‘ podcast Marlon and Jake Read Dead People and he was so funny and charming! It was hard to reconcile the sweet author with his brutal books. 3w
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3w
JenP @Ruthiella I definitely see the humor in his books too but often hard to laugh when embedded in what is very unpleasant context 3w
JenP @BarbaraBB I would actually not recommend this book to anyone. 😂 3w
29 likes7 comments
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JenP
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One of the strangest books I‘ve read in a long time. I‘m not sure what to make of it yet

BarbaraBB Did you like it? 1mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1mo
Hooked_on_books Love the feet 🐾 1mo
JenP @BarbaraBB im only a third of the way in. I am undecided. I tend to like weird and unique books and am loving the way he blends folklore-type style into the story. But it‘s also pretty graphic (violence) which I find a bit challenging and my ADHD brain is like what is happening!!!! Very fever dream-esque 1mo
BarbaraBB Sounds weird indeed. I liked his other book but am not sure I want to read this one. 1mo
29 likes5 comments
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JenP
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Jan selected our February read and I‘m shocked to see he picked not only fiction but a fantasy. He was choosing among 5 books and the other four were all non-fiction. We are allowing rather broad categories for our themes this year. So February could have been either romance Valentine‘s theme or books for black history month (including books written by black authors, centered on the stories of black characters, or about black history).

BarbaraBB Very interesting to follow your and Jan‘s reading journey! 2mo
JenP @BarbaraBB we are very different readers. Until he met me, he read all non-fiction. And I read almost exclusively fiction. I suspect he is picking books with me in mind after we read a book on World War Two ships and submarines that almost killed me 😂 2mo
JenP @BarbaraBB also, I‘m pretty sure he will regret having picked this selection. I stayed quiet bc I already owned the book so now can take it off my tbr. Payback for the submarine book. Either way we have great book discussions, Sometimes even better when one of us hates a book. 2mo
BarbaraBB Haha! After the submarines this one will be easy for you! And you can choose women‘s history month! 2mo
22 likes4 comments
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Blueberry
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Making lumpia listening to podcasts.

ChaoticMissAdventures I had no idea Marlon James has a podcast! Thanks for sharing, I must get on this! 3mo
NataliePatalie Yum yum 3mo
Aimeesue Mmmmmmm, lumpia! ❤️ 3mo
51 likes3 comments
review
Andrea4
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Mehso-so

Photo is from March 2022 when I had picked this book back up AGAIN. I finished it FINALLY with the help of the audio.
This book was really all over the place for me. I wanted to love it but can't. It's very fever dream like. Jumpy and for its length that's hard. I enjoyed the audio but both that and the book had its drawbacks for getting into the story. Also the MANY casual references, to rape bothered me. This is def a person by person book.

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Erinreadsthebooks
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Isn‘t this the most beautiful cover?! 😍

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staci.reads
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Bailedbailed

I'm trying to get better about abandoning books that aren't doing it for me, and 50 pages in, I really wasn't liking this one, so I'm abandoning it rather than slogging through 600 more pages. I really struggle with bailing, so maybe I'll give it another shot someday. It was my May #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Sometimes you just aren't in the right headspace for a certain book. The term I see around Litsy is “hibernating“... it may be one you come back to someday when the time is right!! 10mo
vivastory @TheAromaofBooks I really do like the term hibernating bc I am such a mood reader 10mo
NatalieR Good for you for bailing. 👍 I‘m also working to be better at moving on when a book isn‘t working for me. 📖 10mo
64 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AReedCollett
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Next row in my #readinglogsnake is for Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James. Purple representing fantasy. This was an interesting story. Reminiscent of Africian mythology, it is a story within a story, within a story. If you are not paying attention, you can get lost easily. It also covers some controversial topics, which would explain the mixed reviews I have seen. 3/5 ⭐️ #ARRCReads #BooksAndCrafts

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Lizwarnerpdx
Bailedbailed

Couldn‘t get into this.

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Nalbuque
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Bailedbailed

The story here sounds promising, but I just couldn‘t focus on this one, for now. The narration is heavily accented, which is really cool, but not conducive to listening at work where things are loud and moving and distracting. The bits and pieces that I kinda managed to absorb were quite heavy, as well… I‘d love to try this one again later this year.

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Therewillbebooks
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Looking back on all the books we read for the podcast this past year. Not too shabby.

60 likes1 stack add
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Therewillbebooks
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Pickpick

We're back! Matt starts us off talking about a history of the Roosevelts. Then finally, after months of reading, we're ready to discuss Marlon James' novel “Black Leopard, Red Wolf.“ Overall, we were conflicted about the novel and go into our thoughts on the story, themes, writing, and more. Enjoy!

https://anchor.fm/peter-murphy8/episodes/Episode-104-Black-Leopard--Red-Wolf-His...

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SpeculativeFemale
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Belated birthday gifts from my son. He knows me so well! 😃

Leftcoastzen Nice! 2y
40 likes1 comment
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Bookalong
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Pickpick

4🌟This book will not be for everyone. But I loved its originality. I dont read a lot of fantasy anymore but James got me with this one. These characters, the queerness, the violence, and the language. It's compared to Game Of Thrones in many ways but its not Game Of Thrones. Definitely a book you have to try for yourself as it will hit people differently. I am eager to start the next book now! #bookreview

Sparklemn Hey, if it's like Game of Thrones, I'm in! Just picked this one up. Looking forward to it! 14mo
Bookalong @Sparklemn yesssss! Hope you enjoy! 14mo
21 likes2 comments
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Eggbeater
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Pickpick

#MarvellousMarch #Readathon
3rd book read @Andrew65

Just finished my reread in preparation for Moon Witch, Spider King. It is a crazy story within crazy stories and it is one of my favorites. It is modeled after very violent mythology and not for the faint of heart, but I fell in love with the insane characters and I'm eager to start the second book.

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
PNWBookseller85 One of my all-time favorites! Loved the sequel just as much, if not more. I think what he‘s doing with time/narrative/truth/perspective is so so so brilliant. 2y
48 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Andrea4
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Finally started back into this book! On a mini-vacay this weekend and though it's still chilly in southern Ontario, things are warming up so it was time for some very bundled up, fire side reading. Lake in background is Erie and on the other side we can see Toledo, Ohio. 👋

ShelleyBooksie Jelly. Beautiful spot 2y
Andrea4 @ShelleyBooksie it really was! So cozy and zen there, I could finally relax! 2y
janeycanuck I‘m south western Ontario and thought about heading outside to read yesterday but the wind was too much where I was. Soon, though!! 2y
Andrea4 @janeycanuck yea, technically this was Saturday so less wind for sure-yesterday was crazy! 2y
32 likes1 stack add4 comments
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KCofKaysville

I am bailing on this. It's just a bit too much for me now. I will read something else by the author later that's shorter. Also too much sex and violence.

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Therewillbebooks
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This is what we're rolling with for February.

https://anchor.fm/peter-murphy8

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AmandaBlaze
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Preparation for the upcoming readathon hosted by @Andrew65
Over 2,400 pages in those 4 books!

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AmandaBlaze
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So excited! This hold came in. I hope to read it after Passengers. This looks to be the year of series and chunksters!

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Taylor
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Pickpick

This was outstanding on the reread.

I never left a review the first time, because I knew I wanted to reread it!

There‘s so much to talk about—(I could never get to it all)—but I was stunned that I never had to go back into the characters list and remind myself of who was who. Everything stuck in my brain better.

It‘s a trippy fantasy novel. The next book comes out this month I believe, and I can‘t wait to see where this goes.

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Deblovestoread
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#BeginsWith #Black

3 books on my Kindle TBR

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome!! 📚🖤📚 2y
Eggs Perfection🖤🖤 2y
45 likes2 comments
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Addison_Reads
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#BeginsWith @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

I tried to read this and put it aside, but I'd really like to try it again soon.

vivastory I've been meaning to read it since it's release. Really hope to soon since book 2 is being released. 2y
vlwelser I keep borrowing this from the library and reading parts. It's mega long. Not sure what my problem is though. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 🖤📚 2y
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Addison_Reads @vivastory @vlwelser I've checked it out twice and liked what I read, but kept getting distracted by other books. I feel this is a book I need to commit and give all my attention to so I can just let myself get caught up in the world building and characters. It is long and there's a lot going on in it but something tells me it will be worth it. 2y
Eggs Great choice 🖤💗🖤 2y
Taylor @Addison_Reads Everything you just said, is exactly how it is. 2y
40 likes6 comments
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Taylor

But she was Sangoma. To live as her is to know that evil forces rise day and night to come for you. Or wronged spirits.

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Taylor

I‘m rereading this, since book two comes out in a couple months, and it is so much better the second time.

Whereas before I didn‘t get into it until like two hundred pages in, this time I‘m finding it gripping, right from the jump.

It feels intense and extreme and all the characterizations are intriguing.

I know this series got picked up by HBO; I believe it‘s in development hell, but I‘m really hoping it gets made.

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Blueberry
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I just discovered a new to me podcast that I am enjoying. Sorry the picture isn't clearer.

NataliePatalie Oooo cool 3y
Liz_M I love this podcast so much! Marlon's voice is utterly charming and it frequently makes me laugh out loud. 3y
51 likes2 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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#TBRPile 📚 “The child is dead. There is nothing left to know.”

ReadingOver50 I had such high hopes for this book but I absolutely hated it.
3y
Lucy_Anywhere @ReadingOver50 Oh no! Really? It has a fab premise! 3y
20 likes2 comments
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TK-421
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I managed to finally finish the tagged book last night, logging 1 hour, 45 minutes & read Anne of Ingelside for 15 minutes before bed. Next up: I‘m going to binge Murderbot on audio! I don‘t know if I‘ll make it to 20 hours this weekend but I‘m going to enjoy reading as much as possible! #20in4Readathon

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 Good luck 😊👍 3y
46 likes1 comment
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Taylor

What is love for child, if not mania? I look at the magic of my smallest boy and cry, and I look at the muscle and might of the oldest, and grin with a pride that we are warned should be only of the gods. And for them and the four in between, I have a love that scares me.

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Taylor

It took well over a hundred pages (closer to two hundred really), but I am all in on this book now. Fully emotionally invested, diving into the lore, putting a lot of time and thought into figuring out the names, places, groups and so on. Marlon James came through in a big way with this.

TheKidUpstairs I find James' writing takes a lot of work, demands a lot of attention from the reader, but the pay off is always worth it. 3y
ChaoticMissAdventures That is good to know! I have started it a few times, once even in audio (that was a mistake) I keep it because I know one day it will click with me too. 3y
Taylor @ChaoticMissAdventures Yeah, you just gotta get up to page 130 or so...then it starts getting really interesting. 3y
14 likes3 comments
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Taylor

It reminded me to never take the story of any god or spirit or magical being to be all true. If the gods created everything, was truth not just another creation?

review
Kaag
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Pickpick

Chain every trigger warning for sex and violence to the spine of this book. Also... lots of gross stuff. Take naps before reading and don‘t miss a line. It may feel like work but if you can imagine that being a good thing then this may be for you. It‘s incredibly bleak but I suspect if I went line by line at the end of the series practically every character will have redeeming qualities. It‘s just that things are complex and it‘s a hard hard world

Kaag For a frame of reference, my favorites this year... The Light Brigade, The City and the City, Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, Master and Margarita... it‘s the best book I‘ve read since Gideon the Ninth... after The Malazan Book of the Fallen and The Silmarillion, this is my favorite fantasy novel. 3y
SamAnne I agree the writing is brilliant....but I found it a really difficult read. Will now admire the author from afar.... 3y
7 likes2 comments
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sarahbarnes
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Mehso-so

There is no doubt James is a brilliant writer. This is an epic story and definitely sucked me in at points throughout the book. But I wasn‘t cut out to handle all the violent death scenes. 😂

SamAnne My feelings exactly. Such admiration from him as a writer, but won‘t be reading future books in the trilogy. 3y
sarahbarnes @SamAnne Glad you agree! Yes, I‘m not sure I‘ll be able to read the future books, either. 3y
SamAnne @sarahbarnes it was perhaps one of the most traumatic reading experiences I‘ve had! Which speaks to his power as a writer. But don‘t think I can read the next one. (edited) 3y
sarahbarnes @SamAnne I agree! I was glad when it was over! 😳 3y
27 likes4 comments
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Littlewolf1
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@KatieDid927 thank you so much for my #elfswap gift. I love everything so much and I will be snacking for the rest of the day. Both of been on my TBR for so long so I‘m super excited to read them. Merry Christmas #elfswap2020

KatieDid927 Merry Christmas! 😊 3y
Avanders 😍🧚🏽‍♀️♥️🎄 Merry Christmas! 3y
21 likes2 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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#TBRPile 📚 Tracker is a hunter. He always works alone, but when he is hired to find a missing child, he finds himself part of a strange and secretive group all searching for the same boy in a dangerous, hallucinatory ancient Africa 🐆

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Eggbeater
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Here are my #5*Reads2020 so far. If you like epic fantasy, Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James blew me away and really stuck with me. All of these books really struck me in some way.

@Chrissyreadit

Chrissyreadit 😍😍😍I think we also have similar taste! Many of those are on my IRL TBR! Thank you so much for sharing I love seeing the books you chose! 3y
HOTPock3tt @Eggbeater a murderous relation!! I love that series SO much!!💕 so happy to hear they‘ll be another one in 2021! 😃#VeronicaSpeedwell and “Their eyes were watching God!” I read that for the first time last year and it blew me away! 💗 (edited) 3y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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Pickpick

I can't even find the words to express the complexities of emotion this book evoked in me. At times it was a daunting, terrible read. Not terrible as in badly written, but terrible as in "causing terror." I can see clearly now why this book is often called "the African Game of Thrones." It was difficult to get through during the more gorey scenes. But in between there was humor, love, and magic. Not for the faint of heart, but worth the effort.

22 likes1 stack add
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jen_the_scribe
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"A man will suffer misery to get to the bottom of truth, but he will not suffer boredom."

I've been in a huge and almost never-ending reading slump in 2020. Virtual learning and my anxiety at an all time high made sitting down to read difficult, and that's made me pretty sad. I'm restless. But I only have 10 chapters left in this one, and I'm determined to read one or two chapters a day so I can hopefully finish by the end of this week.

Trashcanman You got this!! 3y
20 likes2 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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We got a new sectional a couple of days ago, and it's so comfortable. I'll be here all weekend on my comfy couch with a book or two or three lol.

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shanaqui

I'll be honest, I've been kind of dreading this book, because it's so unlike what I usually read. I have no idea what's going on, and I don't like any of it. I wish I knew someone who loves it who could convince me to keep going. When the plot is described, there are interesting elements, but the idea of wading through Marlon James' prose to get there is not enticing. I did start getting the hang of it after 25ish pages, so we'll see how it goes.

Hooked_on_books I found it really engaging but not especially enjoyable. I say if you‘re not engaged in it, bail. 3y
shanaqui @Hooked_on_books How long would you give it to get interested in it? 3y
Hooked_on_books Many people say 50 pages. I say between 50 and 100. If it hasn‘t gotten better by then, it won‘t. With this book, there are no big changes or shifts coming, so I wouldn‘t encourage you to keep reading until some specific thing happened, since there‘s nothing to really aim for. 3y
shanaqui @Hooked_on_books Interesting. Thank you for your help! 3y
18 likes4 comments
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GreenGrl87
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These #3books are at “the bottom” of my TBR. They are all books I‘ve heard rave reviews for over and over and I certainly plan to get to reading at some point, but so far they haven‘t really jumped out at me as needing to read ASAP. Have you read any of them? If so, what did you think? Do I need to bump either of them up the list?

SamAnne I still haven‘t recovered from the tagged book, LOL. Perhaps the most violent book I‘ve ever read. It is beautifully written and leaves a lot to think about, but I think I‘m skipping the trilogy.... 3y
GreenGrl87 @SamAnne oh gosh! That makes me even more reluctant to read it then... 3y
14 likes2 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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Rocky approves of our book haul 😍❤🐱📚 #CatsofLitsy

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jen_the_scribe

"It reminded me to never take the story of any god or spirit or magical being to be all true. If the gods created everything, was truth not just another creation?"

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jen_the_scribe
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Pumpkin spice coffee, cinnamon swirl cake, and a good book 😍☕🍰📚

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jen_the_scribe
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After a long, frustrating week of virtual learning for my kids (and me as their "learning coach,") it feels good to enjoy the rain, a cup of coffee, and my books.

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jen_the_scribe

"Something to fight for, or nothing to lose, which makes you a finer warrior? I have no answer."

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jen_the_scribe

" 'You were bored.'

'Like a god waiting for man to surprise him.' "

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Jb2003
Pickpick

I loved this book. Different from most published writing, but a truer sense of storytelling and not novel writing. Not for everyone, but definitely good for someone who can handle non-linear progressions. Can't wait for the next one!

*Recommend having some familiarity with African culture, myth/legend, and storytelling style for ease of read. Does have a good bit of what Western culture would consider vulgarity in it.

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jen_the_scribe
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Lazy Sunday with my mom's pup, Bambi. My pup, Luna, is huge so she's not in the shot lol. I just love when books have maps 😊🗺☕📚 #bookswithmaps #dogsoflitsy

22 likes1 stack add