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Dear Mrs. Bird
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
"A marvelous treat. Charming and delightful." --Nina Stibbe, author of Love, Nina An irresistible debut set in London during World War II about an adventurous young woman who becomes a secret advice columnist-- a warm, funny, and enormously moving story for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls. London, 1940. Emmeline Lake is Doing Her Bit for the war effort, volunteering as a telephone operator with the Auxiliary Fire Services. When Emmy sees an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle, her dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent suddenly seem achievable. But the job turns out to be working as a typist for the fierce and renowned advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Emmy is disappointed, but gamely bucks up and buckles down. Mrs. Bird is very clear: letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant notes from women who may have Gone Too Far with the wrong men, or who can't bear to let their children be evacuated, she is unable to resist responding. As the German planes make their nightly raids, and London picks up the smoldering pieces each morning, Emmy secretly begins to write back to the readers who have poured out their troubles. Prepare to fall head over heels for Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, who are gutsy and spirited, even in the face of a terrible blow. The irrepressible Emmy keeps writing letters in this hilarious and enormously moving tale of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and ordinary people in extraordinary times.
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review
Marquis784
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

This story was inspired by letters and newspapers from London during WWII. This is book 1 of a series.
Emmeline Lake works hard to become a respected reporter working for Woman's Friend publication. It takes awhile for Emmy to warm up to Henrietta Bird who is the publisher of Woman‘s Friend. There is a wonderful cast of well-developed characters who each touch your heart.

lazydaizee I read this book a few years ago, I really enjoyed it. 7d
Marquis784 The other books in the series extend the story with the same wit in light of the challenging era. 7d
6 likes2 comments
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noseinabookagain
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
Mehso-so

A look at wartime Britain from the courageous women who lived during that time. This was lighthearted until it wasn‘t. Uplifting story of bravery and friendship in the face of hopelessness.

Quite different from the usual historical fiction I read, but enjoyable nonetheless. Perfect holiday read.

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Kazzie
Pickpick

Cute story, a bit too rah rah British spirit (not uncommon for books about the “Homefront” during this period - easy, uncomplicated tack, which doesn‘t need to be further questioned in the genre), but an overall fun story with likeable characters

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Nebklvr
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

A young woman wants to become a journalist and instead finds herself working as a typist for a women‘s advice column where “unpleasantness” is not discussed. In WWII London during the Blitz, there is plenty of unpleasantness to discuss. As Emmy and her friends try to navigate love, friendship, and fire brigades, life continues on. This has the perfect blend of humor and tragedy, bravery and fear. The characters are great.

Suet624 Great review! 1y
Nebklvr @Suet624 Thanks!! This book left me a weepy mess. 1y
Dragon Enjoyed this book and the sequel💚🐉 1y
Nebklvr @Dragon I think my library has the sequel. Will look into it! 1y
Dragon It‘s a good continuation of the story-👍💚🐉 1y
48 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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LadyCait84
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

A nice, light read (mostly; book can‘t be entirely light with a backdrop of London, 1941 and The Blitz and all that) starring a plucky young woman who makes a mess of things with the best of intentions.

I liked it enough that I just placed the sequel on hold at the library.

Dragon There‘s a sequel! - I have to read it- I enjoyed this one - thanks for the heads up 💚🐉 1y
LadyCait84 @Dragon Yes — the sequel is called “Yours Cheerfully” and there is going to be a third one as well, I believe! 1y
Dragon Thanks @LadyCait84 I checked it out on Libby after I read your post and managed to get the audiobook 💚🐉 1y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
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RedxoHearts
Dear Mrs Bird | A.J. Pearce
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Spending my evening writing some letters and cards to some #LitsyLove friends. I'm finally ready to get back to writing. So reaching out to more that I haven't chatted with yet. ❤️ I've also been listening to Dear Mrs. Bird

MaGoose I also took a long, long break over the last two years from letter writing to my Litsy friends. I wrote some letters and cards to a few of them yesterday. Let's hope and plan on enjoying correspondence with our Litsy friends again. 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks We are happy y‘all are back ❤️ 1y
28 likes2 comments
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mrp27
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Mehso-so

August #bookspin

Woo hoo!! A couple months late but I finally finished my August pick. This story was right up my alley. A plucky young woman in 1940‘s London doing her best to help with the war effort. Sadly, I was bored by the repetitive writing and I was unable to connect to with the characters.

TheAromaofBooks I've had this one on my shelf for quite a while, but have definitely seen some mixed reviews for it. 1y
CarolynM I was disappointed by this one too. 1y
mrp27 @CarolynM I‘m glad it wasn‘t just me. 1y
25 likes3 comments
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Smarkies
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Mehso-so

This unfortunately fell a little flat for me.
#bookspin

erzascarletbookgasm Hope your next read is a good one! 2y
CarolynM Glad it wasn‘t just me😬 2y
33 likes3 comments
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mrp27
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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August #bookspin pick!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 2y
29 likes1 comment
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Elizabeth2
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Pickpick

Emmy is living in London in the height of WWII. She‘s trying to do her part, working for the fire brigade and keeping positive. She‘d love to become a war correspondent, so when an opportunity to work for a publisher comes up, she jumps at the chance. This story is a journey of self discovery for Emmy, and gives a look at what it was like for women living in war torn London. I loved my time with Emmy & friends. Funny & poignant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

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Elizabeth2
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Getting in a little Vitamin D and some reading before I start my chores for the day. It‘s a gorgeous morning! ❤️📚☀️☕️

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Elizabeth2
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Up next! ❤️📚

Cupcake12 Loved this! 2y
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sharpeipup
Dear Mrs Bird | A.J. Pearce
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“Don‘t you let any state of life stop you from doing all the things you want to do anyway. “

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Cupcake12
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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#aestheticallymatched
This picture reminds me of Emmy with her pen poised ready to write a reply to her readers.

Clwojick Perfect!! 2y
34 likes1 comment
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Cupcake12
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

I loved everything about this charming novel set in London during WWII. Funny, warm and moving.
Emmy applies for a war correspondent role but in fact the job is a typist. Emmy buckles down and works hard and becomes emotionally involved in some of the correspondence received.
Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, are spirited, independent women and the story has everything you need-friendship, family and even kindness displayed in extraordinary times.

jlhammar So glad you enjoyed it! I definitely recommend the follow-up/sequel. 2y
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Cupcake12
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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This can been on my TBR pile for over a year! Finally time to read it 👍🏻

jlhammar Really enjoyed this one. Hope you do too! 2y
JaneyWaneyB Ooh I loved this I have the second book on my TBR. Hope you enjoy 🥰 2y
BookNAround This is a lovely read. I hope you enjoy it. 2y
32 likes3 comments
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Jaimelire
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Pickpick

Set during WWII in England. A nice read, not too heavy compared to some other books I have read set during this period.

lazydaizee I enjoyed reading this book too. 3y
Jaimelire @lazydaizee it‘s a good one! 3y
28 likes2 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

Finally read this one, that's been on my TBR list for ages. It had a lot of heart and a good plot. I'd recommend it to people who like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. (But...if you haven't read Guernsey, read it instead of this.) I liked it more than "so-so," but it wasn't an instant favorite. Would be a good book club book.

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GHABI4ROSES
Dear Mrs Bird | A.J. Pearce
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#dailycheckin (trying to be daily). Reaching out after sleeping from Friday around 630p until 330 this morning. Guess I needed it? Is everyone great today, and ready to hit the Reset Button with me for the week❓❣️And I LOVE Cali, it is all I know, but the Grind definitely lends to today‘s photo.

wanderinglynn 😆😆😆 3y
Andrew65 😂😂😂 Back to school this week. 3y
bthegood thx for checking in - I love the reset button - make a great day for yourself. 🙂 3y
13 likes3 comments
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megnews
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

Though life on the home front was difficult, for a wartime book, this was quite entertaining.

kspenmoll It was!!! 3y
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megnews
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Enjoying this one so far.

AmberWB I loved this one! 3y
megnews @AmberWB I‘m loving it too! Almost done. 3y
50 likes2 comments
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GHABI4ROSES
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Really enjoying this book; a light read for all of the legal writing books that I had NOT expected to be reading... #dailycheckin and Happy Love Day, Littens❤️

Today‘s photo features my GrandDog, who cost 543$ at the vet yesterday; if your pet takes meds, stay on top of it🤣

wanderinglynn What a cutie! ❤️🐶 3y
DieAReader 🐶❤️Adorable for sure😉 3y
Andrew65 Wow that‘s a lot! This is a book I keep meaning to read. 3y
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Lesanne Aww, poor baby! 🐶💕 3y
Eggs Ouch $!$ But glad he‘s okay 👌🏼 3y
GHABI4ROSES @Squidget she just stole almost three slices of that long-awaited pizza. The irony... 3y
GHABI4ROSES @Andrew65 seems to be your neck of the woods; it is cute, and a refresher of the terror of the era. 3y
GHABI4ROSES @Lesanne the nurses make it completely tolerable🥰😉 3y
GHABI4ROSES @Eggs it was a lot of catch-up for her skin allergies, so the next couple visits will be similar. This certifies the dog as a true rescue! 3y
20 likes10 comments
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HelenaLW
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
Pickpick

4/5

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okthislooksbad
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Bailedbailed

Third DNF of the year. I'm starting to have thoughts about that. Anyway, at 25% I found it still packed direction (and plot, for that matter) and had just been a bumbling mess of introduction. Nope. 😕

Caroline2 I didn‘t like this one much either. Too cheesy. 🙄 3y
okthislooksbad @Caroline2 I'm glad to hear I'm not alone! 3y
27 likes2 comments
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kissmehardy
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

"How often did anyone ever tell women they were doing a good job? That they didn't have to be made of steel all the time? That it was all right to feel a bit down?"

We're not living in the Blitz, but I loved Emmy's upbeat attitude in the midst of such destruction. If you like friendship and Capitalizing Words To Show Emphasis, this is the book for you. #historicalfiction #wwii

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Booknerd222
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Booknerd222
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Booknerd222
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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kspenmoll This was a fun book! 3y
24 likes1 comment
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Booknerd222
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Bojo2006
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

I almost bailed on this book, but I‘m so glad I stuck with it! It felt formulaic and predictable at first, but then it surprised me. It was delightful and compelling. By the end I couldn‘t put it down and had to know how it ended. Lovely little book!

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SayersLover
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Got some outdoor reading in today! If you like letters, advice and reading about women during WWII I highly recommend this book.

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JillR
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Pickpick

A short, sweet, easy wartime read with a plucky girl braving the Blitz and trying to do good. Lots of “doing the right thing” and “getting on with it.” It wasn‘t all sweetness though; as you‘d expect given the era there were a few parts that might have made me shed a tear on the tram. I tried to keep my chin up as our heroine recommends but I found an unexpected benefit of face masks; the cotton ones are great at soaking up the odd tear 😢😆

Cathythoughts Great review 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
squirrelbrain Great review! I read this recently too and your thoughts are pretty much the same as mine - I‘m just glad I wasn‘t on the commute when I read it! 4y
JillR @cathythoughts thank you x 4y
JillR @squirrelbrain 😢😷! 4y
46 likes1 stack add4 comments
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jmtrivera
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

This was absolutely charming. Emmy's impulsive actions make you want to face-palm & groan because it's easy to see where this story will go. At the same time, her heart is in such a good place that you root for her anyway. Add in romance, a delightful friendship, and some wartime tension & it made an enjoyable read. I wanted more of all those things & was a bit disappointed that everything wrapped up so quickly. Still, fun, quick-paced & touching.

34 likes1 stack add
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jmtrivera
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Just finished, so I need time to ponder before fully reviewing, but I agree with @squirrelbrain - I really liked it. Yes, a bit sappy as you pointed out @Caroline2 but also couple of sweet, moving moments. I'm glad I read it!

Caroline2 Oh good! I‘m glad you enjoyed it. 😀 👍 4y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
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squirrelbrain
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Pickpick

Well, @Caroline2 , I think I must have been feeling particularly soppy today; I really liked this and may even have shed a little tear!

I can see how the ‘jolliness‘ could grate but for me I found it quite sweet!

Just goes to show how boring the world would be if we all liked the same things! I wonder if we‘ll have any success with the next #buddyread?! 🤪

Have you had chance to read any of the book yet @jmtrivera ?

jmtrivera Not yet, but it's up next! 4y
rockpools Sometimes it‘s just the right/wrong time! 4y
Caroline2 😆 I‘m glad you liked it. Yeah, maybe at another time I might have enjoyed it. I normally like cheesy books so I was surprised it grated. Wrong timing. And yes, be interesting to see what we make of Three Wishes and The Most Fun although I know that is defo NOT a buddy read!!! 😉 😉 😉 (edited) 4y
robinb I need to get to this one! 4y
72 likes4 comments
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Caroline2
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Panpan

Depending on your cheese tolerance, you‘ll love or hate this. What started off as charming quickly slipped into Stilton cheese then to down right cringey Gorgonzola!! It was all too awfully nice and sickly for me. And what was with The Constant Over Use Of Capitals?! The plot was predictable and cliched too.

squirrelbrain Oh dear! I‘m only halfway through, so maybe I‘m only at camembert level at the moment?! 4y
batsy Lol I love the cheese ranking 🧀 4y
TrishB 😂😂 not for me! 4y
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Caroline2 @squirrelbrain Maybe my grumps level is too high at the mo as I normally like a bit of cheesy. But all the jolly hockey sticks dialogue really grated on me in the end. 😆 4y
Caroline2 @batsy I don‘t do stinky cheese I‘m more of a mozzarella kinda gal. 😉 4y
Caroline2 @TrishB Dear me Trish....it was wayyyyy too saccharine for my current mood and patience level!!! 😆 Felt like a kids book it was so chipper. 4y
eraderneely I also hated this! 4y
Gissy I have this one, I will know my cheese tolerance😂🤗 4y
Caroline2 @eraderneely Glad it‘s not just me. 😉 4y
Caroline2 @Gissy 😆 it‘s a good test!!! 4y
CarolynM Agreed. I didn't think much of this one either. 4y
Laughterhp I didn‘t really care for this book either when I read it. 4y
79 likes1 stack add12 comments
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Caroline2
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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I‘m ready when you are @squirrelbrain ? Anyone else fancy joining us for a #looseygoosey #buddyread feel free. 👍

squirrelbrain Ha! Was just about to post the same to you - I‘ve just picked it up to start this evening! 😘 4y
jmtrivera I've had that on my shelf for months! What kind of buddy read are you doing? 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain yay! I‘ll be diving in tonight too. 👍 4y
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Caroline2 @jmtrivera it‘s all very relaxed. We just read it, maybe comment on some bits, then post with a review when we‘re done. No time frame or anything. Just whenever you‘ve finished. 👍 4y
squirrelbrain @jmtrivera - we usually do what we call ‘loosey goosey‘ buddy reads. @caroline2 checks out my #bookspin list and we read books that we both have! 🤣 No pressure, just post something if / when you want. We take any time from a couple of days over it up to a week (or months... looking at you The Romanovs!) We‘d love to have you along for this one if you‘d like to join. It‘s a great way to reduce that TBR shelf! 4y
squirrelbrain Ha @Caroline2 - posted at the same time..... 👍😁 4y
Bookishgal71 I read this! Loved it! 4y
Bookishgal71 I read this last year and loved it! 4y
jmtrivera @squirrelbrain @Caroline2 Sounds fun! I could use something loosey goosey! 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain great minds. 😉 4y
Caroline2 @Bookishgal71 good to know. 😃 👍 4y
64 likes11 comments
review
rachaich
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Panpan

Honestly? Thought it was ridiculous. I know that's harsh. It was simpering and lacked depth.
I only finished it because it was a book club one!
I guess it's what I'd term a beach read.

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rachaich
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Book club pick. It sounded like a one id possibly opt for...
However, I'm finding it brain numbingly irritating so far 🙄🙄😏, mainly the female narrator.
But I'll keep ploughing through... don't think it'll take long...

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TheAromaofBooks
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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So I think this is my #BookSpin list for June! My focus for this list is new-to-me books - these have all arrived within the last six months, yet languish unread!!

Really enjoying everyone's lists!! Can't wait to see which numbers we will be reading!!!

Addison_Reads Great list! I didn't know there was a book about Marilla. I will have to check that one out. 4y
TheAromaofBooks @Addison_Reads - Thank you!! I received the Marilla book in a Litsy swap, actually. I know pretty much nothing about it so it could be terrible - or it could be really good haha Obviously the love story aspect isn't going to end very happily, so I'm curious to see how the author pulls everything together. Marilla is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. 4y
77 likes2 comments
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valeriegeary
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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The sun is slowly making its way onto my front porch. I might get a chance to put up the hammock this week! We're forecasted to be getting some excellent summery like weather! 🌞

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valeriegeary
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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I think I forgot to post last weekend. 🤔 Well. Hello. I'm still alive. I've been staying really busy writing and gardening and baking cookies. Trying to get reading done too! Always! This one is for my book club. I just started it but it's pretty good so far. The main character seems a bit Pollyanna to me right now, bubbling over with optimism but actually that's what I'm enjoying about the book. How have you all been doing?

BennettBookworm This is a FAVE 4y
marleed I liked this book. 4y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bookworm04
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Not bad my goal is 20 i read 7 up to yet

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Bookworm04
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Liking my new book mark. Been while since actually read a physical book i always reading on kindle usually. Lets see if reading speed changed since started reading.

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TheAromaofBooks
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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@Laughterhp I 100% forgot you were sending me this book, so it was a delightful surprise in my mailbox!! Thank you so much - I have been meaning to read this one for a while!!

Laughterhp I hope you like it! Sorry it took me so long to send! But you know, it‘s tough getting to the post office when you don‘t leave the house 😂 4y
TheAromaofBooks @Laughterhp - I can see how that would be challenging! 😆 4y
66 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Allylu
Dear Mrs Bird | A.J. Pearce
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“When I first saw the advertisement in the newspaper I thought I might actually burst. #FirstLineFridays

Crazeedi What a great book, I really enjoyed 4y
13 likes1 comment
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MallenNC
Dear Mrs. Bird | A J Pearce
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Pickpick

This was my last book for March. I had tried reading it in print previously and didn‘t get very far, but the audiobook version was enjoyable. The story isn‘t as much about the advice column in the title as I expected but I did like it. It‘s interesting to read a WWII novel during a pandemic when we‘re being asked to “do our part” for the greater good in ways that are very different from wartime efforts.

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CoffeeNBooks
Dear Mrs Bird | AJ Pearce
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Pickpick

In 1940s London, Emmeline wants to be a war correspondent, but instead ends up typing letters for an advice column writer who doesn't really want to give much advice.

abandonedonearth On the whole, I am not a fan of contemporary fiction, but this looks intriguing. 4y
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