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Gingerbread
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
141 posts | 99 read | 4 reading | 170 to read
"The prize-winning, bestselling author of Boy, Snow, Bird and What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours returns with a bewitching and inventive novel."--
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review
azulaco
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

Definitely going to have to re-read this one in hard copy form. The audiobook was good, but it‘s the kind of book where you say “wait, what?” and have to flip back to an earlier part of the book to tie threads together. I‘m eager to read all the rest of Helen Oyeyemi‘s books. What a unique talent! The magical realism feel won‘t be for everyone, but the writing is so good and engaging. Weird in a wonderful way. #52bookclub2023 #startswithG

Cinfhen Agree!!! Some books really lend themselves to print!!! 13mo
LaraReads Great review! I own this print copy from years ago but have never gotten around to it! 13mo
Librarybelle I really need to get to this one! 13mo
23 likes4 comments
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azulaco
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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This book is so quirky, and so fun! I‘m listening to the audiobook, read by the author. The only thing is, I may need to re-read this in book form, because I feel like I missed a few things. I‘ve been meaning to read Helen Oyeyemi for a long time - glad I finally picked this one up. #startswithG #52bookclub2023

14 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
Johanna414
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

What a strange little story... there wasn't much by way of plot and it had that magical realism thing going where you feel totally lost and just have to accept that you have no idea what's going on at times...
Despite that, I really liked it? It made for some entertaining #audioknitting as i finished a pair of socks and started a new pair

JenniferP I felt the same way about her Mr. Fox. So good, so weird. 1y
Johanna414 @JenniferP Right?! I couldn't even describe what the book was about without sounding like a crazy person, but the writing was beautiful 1y
49 likes2 comments
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SusanLee
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Eggs Intriguing 👏🏻👏🏻 1y
6 likes1 comment
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TheBookHippie
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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🤣😵‍💫😬👀 #winterreadathon points I don‘t keep track 😵‍💫😅😂👀🤣🤣🤣I am having a blast though!

Andrew65 That is the most important thing! ☃️☃️☃️ 1y
Caroline2 😆 1y
DieAReader 😂😂😂Enjoy!♥️📚🤓 1y
Ruthiella 😱😂😂😂 1y
53 likes5 comments
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BekaReid
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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The opening lines were fantastic, and I want to like this one but am really struggling after the first couple of chapters.

review
AshleyHoss820
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

This was my official #BookSpin for February and I am really glad I dove in. Like most magical realism, it‘s best not to try and make it make sense. You have to let it show you what it is. Go for the ride. The story of the ladies of the Lee family is not one I will soon forget. It‘s complex and as dense and sweet as the gingerbread they bake. I‘ll tell you this much, if Oyeyemi is driving, I‘m getting in the car. I look forward to more of her work.

vivastory I loved her books White is for Witching & What Is Not Yours is Not Yours. Great review! 2y
AshleyHoss820 @vivastory Thank you!! I definitely stacked What is Not Yours is Not Yours! I loved her writing style very much! 2y
azulaco Currently reading this, and I now feel the same way about Helen Oyeyemi. I want to read all her books right away. 13mo
AshleyHoss820 @azulaco Yes! Me too! I may have to make that my summer project! ☺️ I am so glad you‘re enjoying the read! 13mo
30 likes4 comments
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Tianarose
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Here they are, my choices for #LMPBC Round 14 Group X! @DinoMom @ShelleyBooksie @michellelav

See All 9 Comments
michellelav They all sound good to me! I'm intrigued by The Strange Adventures of H and Beautiful Decay but would be happy with any! 😁 2y
DinoMom These all sound good. I would be happy any of them. 2y
canbku Gingerbread was a really difficult read. I love her, but I was not smart enough for this one 2y
Tianarose @canbku I did see a lot of comments like yours when I was reading reviews on here when I tagged it. 2y
ShelleyBooksie Beautiful Decay sounds really cool and something sifferent 2y
michellelav Got the package today! I‘m going to open it once I‘m home from groceries 🥰 2y
36 likes9 comments
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AshleyHoss820
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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My official #bookspin is a book on my GoodReads Want-to-Read shelf. So, I went to the library and was gleefully pulling books from shelves like some low-rent Belle in Beast‘s castle…anyway, I‘m leaning toward Gingerbread, but Hag-Seed has been on my GR TBR the longest since I knocked out The Nix this year. So we will see what grabs me!

TheAromaofBooks Oh my gosh, I love doing that 😂 I'm also a heavy user of inter-library loan system, so the point that the librarians recognize my car pulling in and get my stack ready for me LOL 2y
AshleyHoss820 @TheAromaofBooks Oh my gosh, I love it!! I bet they do too! 😄 I also use inter-library loan for hard to find 1,001 Books. The librarian in charge of inter-library loans, Sharon, always asks me what number I‘m up to on the 1,001 now when I come in to pick up and we‘re on a first-name basis. 🤣🤣🤣 2y
Liz_M Definitely read Salvage the Bones. 2y
See All 10 Comments
AshleyHoss820 @Liz_M Thank you! That one is definitely not going back to the library unread! It was a rec from my sister as well! 2y
DivineDiana I thought Hagseed was very funny! 2y
AshleyHoss820 @DivineDiana That‘s so good to hear! I love Atwood‘s writing, so I‘m sure I‘ll dig this one too! 2y
BarbaraBB Great choices. My favorite of the ones I read is The Mothers! 2y
TheAromaofBooks My favorite is when I get on a kick about something and check out several nonfiction books on the topic, like gardening or a new craft and they start asking me about what I'm learning 😂 They also know more about my travel plans than anyone else because we always check out books about wherever we're going! 2y
AshleyHoss820 @BarbaraBB Awesome!! That one has been on my TBR for far too long! 🙈😂 2y
AshleyHoss820 @TheAromaofBooks Aahahah! Yes!! They‘re always like, “are you writing a paper?” No, I‘m just weird. 😂😂😂 I like the idea of looking up travel destinations! That‘s a good way to find interesting things to do!! 2y
49 likes10 comments
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Catsandbooks
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Watched Gingerbread Miracle ✨
#wintergames2021 #mistletoemaniacs

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cariashley
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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Mehso-so

Long time no post and I miss Litsy! Have had so much going on with work and ailing cats (here‘s the relatively healthier one, #percycat). I just finished this meandering, bizarre novel and have no idea what to say about it. I didn‘t love it but didn‘t hate it? The writing is very good but the story pretty much feels like I imagine being on psychedelics is. None of it made any real sense to me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

RaeLovesToRead I read What is not yours is not yours by the same author and I'm not certain I understood a lot of that either 😅😂 Percy is so cute ❤ Hope your other kitties get well soon. 2y
BarbaraBB I am glad you‘re back and I hope your cats will get well soon. And that you‘ll find the time to dive into the shortlist of #ToB22! 2y
cariashley @RaeLovesToRead I had read Boy Snow Bird by her and didn‘t love that either, but I got this in a book subscription box and felt obligated to finally read it. Thanks for the ❤️ for the kitties ☺️ 2y
cariashley @BarbaraBB thank you 💙 I‘m so excited about the #ToB22 shortlist! Determined to start earlier this year! 2y
40 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Allylu
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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First Hallmark movie of December! #WinterGames2022 #MistletoeManiacs

Clwojick Woohoo! ❤️ 2y
Roary47 Ooo that one looks good. 😍 2y
14 likes2 comments
review
vlwelser
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

This isn't the easiest to get into. But like all the other books by this author, if you stick with it, the story is actually quite good. This is a soft pick for me. The author reads the #audiobook which actually works pretty well. I like this cover but I'm not 100% sure what it has to do with the book.

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Melismatic
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Panpan

So I truthfully couldn‘t tell you the plot of this bc there isn‘t one really and what little there is doesn‘t make any sense. Trippy & odd but beautifully written at least. I kept waiting for an a-ha! moment but it never came.

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DGRachel
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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My latest set of #tailoredbookrecommendations has arrived and I don‘t think I will continue this second subscription. I switched from print books to email only after the last debacle, but I‘m rather disappointed. I specifically asked for no YA and two of these are considered YA. There‘s nothing wrong with YA. I just have a ton of YA fantasy on my shelves still unread and don‘t want to add to it. Plus, the Oyeyemi has terrible reviews. 😔 *sigh*

Laughterhp I also ask for no YA a lot on this and my last round was all YA. This time I don‘t think I got any YA because I was very specific in my feedback... 3y
DGRachel @Laughterhp Yeah, I think I repeat “no YA” with every feedback, but it‘s a challenge when my bibliologist changes every other quarter. 😔 3y
Laughterhp Oh that‘s annoying. Mine only changed between the first and the second quarter. And the rest of the time I‘ve had the same person from the second quarter. 3y
See All 12 Comments
TheLibrarian I really want to love this service but so far it‘s fallen flat. I agree that they don‘t always take into consideration what you don‘t want, even when you say it more than once. And yes, it makes it hard when they keep switching bibliologists on you. I found someone I liked the most (pick wise) and they switched me to someone else. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y
TheLibrarian I‘ve also come to the conclusion that I just want someone to tell me what books I own I should read and why since I own so many 😂 3y
Chrissyreadit @TheLibrarian that‘s the beauty of #bookspin getting through my TBR one book at a time.... 3y
Reviewsbylola Yeah I wouldn‘t be impressed either. @reggie just posted about the Oyeyemi! (edited) 3y
vivastory I love br, I've been reading their site nearly daily for longer than I've been on litsy. However I've noticed over the past year that their content is skewing a lot more towards YA. Somedays when I look at it like 80% of the daily posts are all YA. I have no bone to pick with YA, but I loved the eclecticism of br at the beginning. The fact that there'd be an article about nonfiction cult books posted right next to a post about the man booker. They 3y
vivastory seem to have lost some of that over the past year or so. 3y
TheLibrarian @Chrissyreadit That‘s a good idea but still a little overwhelming for me. I like the idea of someone looking at what I‘ve recently enjoyed and have them say “read x book on your shelf because...” I‘m really good at talking myself out of reading something for something else so I like having to provide feedback to better improve my recommendations. 3y
DGRachel @TheLibrarian I loved the service when it first started. I had the same bibliologist for 5 quarters on one of my subscriptions and it was like getting recommendations from a friend who really listened. I've had 2 others in the 4 quarters that followed. I've had two bibliologists in 4 quarters on my other subscription. It's like the service grew to include more customers than they could handle and the quality of the service has really suffered. 3y
DGRachel @vivastory Yes! I don't go on their site as much anymore, but I've noticed that trend even with their newsletters. It makes me think they did market research that declared YA was the most profitable to promote and the rest of us be damned. I don't have anything against YA, either, but I like having MCs that aren't teenagers or twenty-somethings and I hate angst. Ugh, and love triangles. 😖 3y
65 likes12 comments
review
Reggie
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

I will always read Oyeyemi even when she frustrates my rigid mind. The story is like a fog, but then it‘s cotton candy, but wait no, you‘re caught in a spider web, and while you‘re glued there, a spider tells you how she came to be. Lol. This book is about capitalism? The rift between the poor and the rich? A mother daughter story? A family history? There‘s some dolls that are part plants and are alive and have thoughts? There‘s... I don‘t 👇🏼

Reggie know but it‘s a pick for me and I‘ll always read her. Thanks @readordierachel for the book and the other book will be in the post tomorrow. (edited) 3y
Cinfhen Another great #RegReview ❤️🙌🏻 3y
Tanisha_A WHAT A REVIEW! 👏 3y
See All 24 Comments
Tanisha_A I have this one on my adopted child (Kindle)! 3y
Reggie @Cinfhen 😊thank you! 3y
Reggie @Tanisha_A I hope you like it but who knows. I think it‘s at 0% here on Litsy so good luck. There‘s something very special about Oyeyemi but I wonder if she has adhd or if my own mind has a literary, creative, constraint defect. Like I wanna be in the clouds with her but my mind tells me I don‘t have wings. It‘s got me all crazy. Lol (edited) 3y
Cathythoughts Intriguing review. I‘m going to try a sample on kindle 👍🏻 3y
TrishB Great review 😁 3y
Reggie @Cathythoughts 🤞🏼 Good luck, Cathy. 3y
Reggie @TrishB Thanks! 😁 3y
batsy I love the "being caught in a spider's web while the spider tells you how she came to be" analogy! I'm not a fan of spiders!!! But a spider with a story to tell, hmm... ??️ 3y
ephemeralwaltz I‘ve been reading such wild reviews of this lately! I‘ve never read anything by her. Is this too much to start with? 3y
TheKidUpstairs Oyeyemi is one of the authors that I can only read when my brain is firing on all cylinders. 3y
Reviewsbylola Lol, you lost me at the doll/plant hybrids. 😂 3y
Reggie @batsy with a lot of books you get a general sense of the direction they‘re going. Not here. There was a lot of “on a whim” going on. Like we go from the countryside to a Gingerbread amusement park to the workers being attacked to fashioning gingerbread shivs real quick. There‘s a lot of meaning in it all but do you see what I‘m saying? 3y
Reggie @ephemeralwaltz I say yes. I‘ve only read 2 of hers but I say start with the other, White is for Witching. That one is sooo good and a little easier to grasp. 3y
Reggie @TheKidUpstairs definitely. 3y
Reggie @Reviewsbylola there was a lot of Is this real, is this happening? 3y
Centique Amazing review oh spidery one 😘 I think I‘m going to read everything she writes even if I don‘t understand it. Reading the other two showed me she has LAYERS right? 🤯 it‘s like an archaeology dig trying to figure it all out. This one sounds way more extreme 💕 3y
Reggie @Centique lol 🕷🖤I thought of you while reading this. I kept wondering what things you would have picked up on that I would have had no clue about. 🖤 3y
readordierachel Amazing review, Reggie. I'm so glad you liked it! 3y
Centique @Reggie nah! The only good idea I ever had was after prompting from you! Two heads must be better than one on Oyeyemi 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏽💕 3y
Michael_Gee I love this review!! 😂 You are a poet. ❤️ 3y
Reggie @GhostStories lol, thanks, friend. 3y
111 likes9 stack adds24 comments
review
readordierachel
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Mehso-so

Reading this was like having a conversation with someone much smarter than myself. I periodically lost the thread, picked it up every once in a while and felt smart too, then lost it again and began to wonder if there was ever a thread to begin with.

I love Oyeyemi's playful use of magical realism, but it worked much better for me in her earlier novel White Is for Witching, which I adored. 👇🏼

readordierachel ...I really enjoyed parts of this one, but there were so many ideas and characters popping in and out that I found it difficult to focus and connect with anything. I appreciate the mind behind this novel more than the novel itself. 3y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 3y
Librariana Excellent review, Rachel! This one's on my TBR, so I appreciate your thoughts on it as it'll help me make sure I read it at a time when I give it the attention/focus it might need. 3y
See All 15 Comments
mcipher I hate when books make me feel dumb 😆 Great review that cemented my choice not to read this one. 3y
readordierachel @mcipher I feel kinda bad now 😂 I didn't feel dumb exactly, it was just moving too fast through all her ideas and I couldn't catch up, lol. 3y
batsy Lovely, thoughtful review! I haven't yet read her because your last sentence captures it for me: I sense that I like the idea of her books more than I'd like the books itself... 🤔 3y
Reggie Happy New Year, Rachel! You still kinda make me want to read this. @batsy at least try White is for Witching. She has this poetic prose about her that made me think of dark horror filled cotton candy that I‘d think you‘d dig. 3y
readordierachel Thanks! @batsy If it helps, I don't regret reading this one at all, it just didn't move me. And I'm seconding @Reggie that White Is for Witching is worth trying. I loved it, and love Reggie's description 🙂 3y
readordierachel @Reggie If you're still interested in reading this, I'd be happy to send you my copy. Just let me know 🙂 3y
batsy @Reggie "dark horror filled cotton candy" is such a beguiling description so I'll definitely give it a go @readordierachel :) 3y
vivastory Happy New Year, Rachel 🎉🎊📚 I agree that Oyeyemi is hit & miss for me. I haven't read this one, but I recall not caring for Mr Fox. I do like the others I have read though. 3y
readordierachel @vivastory Happy New Year, Scott! 🎉 I remember trying a bit of Mr. Fox a couple of years ago and setting it aside. I'm looking forward to her short stories, which I think you really liked, if I'm remembering correctly? 3y
vivastory Yes, I loved What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours. One of my favorite collections of the past couple of years. 3y
90 likes15 comments
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Sharpeipup
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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29 likes1 stack add
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canbku
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Panpan

I'm not smart enough for this one. The fairy tale style went beyond me. There was so much symbolism in everything that the characters did or said that I struggled to get close to them. Maybe at a time when I was able to focus a bit more, I might enjoy it more. I'm sure others will enjoy it very much, but it was tough for me.

cariashley I‘ve had this on my shelf for a while and have been reluctant to pick it up. 😐 I didn‘t love the other book I read by her, 4y
Ruthiella @cariashley I didn‘t like Boy, Snow, Bird either. I have Mr. Fox on my shelf for a second chance. 4y
Vansa I found 'What is not yours is not yours' quite difficult as well. The quality of her stories is very uneven. 4y
canbku I have liked her others! I really think the isle of me not being able to focus. I needed a beach read. Lots of people will still like there book, I hope! She has such a unique voice. 4y
Libby1 I adored the first few chapters of this book and then I hated it. I thought it was beautifully written, but magical realism is my kryptonite. 4y
67 likes1 stack add5 comments
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mija333
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Nope.

5 likes1 stack add
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canbku
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Starting a new one! Haven't read Oyeyemi for a while and thought it was time. Her covers are so beautiful.

73 likes3 stack adds
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S3V3N
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

I like it. I had the 🎧 and that made it great.

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Chittavrtti
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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I love gingerbread. The actual soft cake rather than ginger snaps. Those can be nice, too; as long as there‘s some hot tea to dip them in. I also love magic realism. I miss Dinesen.

3 likes1 stack add
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DimeryRene
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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🍊🍊🍊

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Gadgetgirl71
Gingerbread | Helen Oyeyemi
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Panpan

OK well I really don‘t know where to start with this book. Even though I have finished this book I feel non the wiser as to what I have read. I feel as though this book doesn‘t flow and that it jumps all over the place. When I did think I was starting to understand this book the story change. So I felt as though I was just in a world of confusion.

My Rating: 2⭐⭐

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riversong153
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
Mehso-so

I enjoyed some parts of this book more than others. I understood some of it but parts confused me. It was an interesting ride but made me furious as well. None of the characters were exactly likeable but I just hated some of them. This was literary fiction with magical realism - not exactly my wheelhouse so I may not be the best judge.

28 likes1 stack add
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kellyann28
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Thank you @Shakespearience ! I love my swap gifts! #whiterabbitswap @LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan ⭐️👍🤓 4y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kanarthi
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
Pickpick

Many twists and sudden genre shifts, wicked sense of humor and beautiful writing, and interesting themes including immigration, class struggle, and familial discord. Recommend to anyone who likes magical realism and doesn't mind their fairy tale influenced stories taking some wild liberties.

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Linsy
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Starting this beauty today! 🍊 #currentlyreading #bookspin

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Hooked_on_books
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Mehso-so

Fairy tale references, Brexit commentary, talking dolls, a changeling. This book is decidedly weird and not really about anything. I finished it because there‘s something oddly compelling about it, though I certainly wouldn‘t recommend it. The author reads it and her surprisingly childlike voice fits well with the material.

TheHeartlandBookFairy Thanks for the honest review! I received an advanced copy that I've wavered back and forth on, deciding at one point that it sounds interesting and then later that I'm not sure I can tackle it. Given the several hundred actual books on my TBR stack, and another few hundred virtually, this may help me make up my mind 👍 one book off the pile, only hundreds more to go 😂 4y
Hooked_on_books @TheHeartlandBookFairy Oh, I get that! 😆 I‘m glad it helped. 4y
Becker I have tried reading Helen Oyeyemi several times but she isn‘t a good author for me. She hurts my head 🤯 4y
57 likes4 comments
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Linsy
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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I'm excited for my #BookSpin reads! Gingerbread will be my first, and Lychford my #DoubleSpin. Thanks for hosting @TheAromaOfBooks! 🍊

Joanne1 Beautiful cover! 4y
Hooked_on_books I listening to this one now on audio and it‘s...weird. 4y
Moray_Reads I LOVE Helen Oyeyemi's books
4y
See All 7 Comments
TheAromaofBooks These both sound pretty intriguing! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!! 4y
Linsy @Hooked_on_books Hmm...hope I like it! So far, I've loved how amazingly weird all of her stuff is I've read. Have you read anything else by Oyeyemi? 4y
Hooked_on_books No, just this one. I found the writing lovely and there was something compelling about it, but ultimately it was too weird for me. I have a copy of Boy, Snow, Bird that I‘ve been side-eyeing since finishing. 😆 4y
Linsy @Hooked_on_books If it helps, I've read three of hers and all of them were weird, but to varying degrees. I think Boy Snow Bird is the least weird and most readable by far. I'd still recommend trying it. But I have no idea where this one falls on the scale, so I could be totally off on what you'd like! 4y
102 likes7 comments
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Lydiamansel
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
Mehso-so

I don‘t even know

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Nessavamusic
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Today‘s first #HolidayShow viewing. The world of gingerbread building is so far not as friendly as the holiday baking shows! #WinterGames #TeamElectricSex
@LibrarianRyan @StayCurious @Clwojick

19 likes1 comment
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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My lovely friend made this for Sunday nights picnic aka my early birthday celebration - as she knows that I am a huge fan of gingerbread (and by extension, gingerbread man giant cakes) - it was so lovely sitting in a park, listening to Christmas carols - with my friends, eating cake! We all work in a library - so the picnic food was 👌 (because library people take food very seriously!)

BookwormM Cool cake 4y
46 likes1 comment
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BookishTrish
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Christmas gifts I bought for my husband arrived today. Shall I wrap them or read them?

vivastory Read them! 4y
Hooked_on_books Definitely read them 4y
kspenmoll Read, then wrap! 4y
SconsinBookyBadger Read them first 😁 4y
TheAromaofBooks More than once, on Christmas morning, I've been gifted a book from my mom with the statement “but you can't take it home yet because I haven't finished reading it!“ 😆 4y
66 likes5 comments
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danibel
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Currently reading

review
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

Odd, delightful, confusing. I just love Oyeyemi's voice and how she weaves these strange books that are like fairy tales and contemporary stories all at once. There were some parts of this story of 3 generations of women from a maybe fictional country that had me puzzled about what was happening and what significance there was, but also I loved the writing throughout. There's something being said here about immigration that I'm not catching too.

46 likes1 comment
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Spending the day at home as I'm sick but I am excited to be in my new house my partner and I just bought and to start the latest Helen Oyeyemi book. I love her writing! This is a little glimpse of the backyard, where it is raining buckets as you can see.

Lindy I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. 😊 4y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Lindy Love the first chapter so far! 4y
37 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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pigeonsandcrows
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

I'm not sure what I just read here, but it was certainly different. I've heard it referred to as magical realism, but there was no consensus reality operating here at baseline. It was like reading a transcription of a night's worth of dreaming, with people, locations, ideas all flowing in and out with no purpose. The writing is beautiful and Oyeyemi is clearly brilliant, but if you want a book with an actual plot, I would not pick this one up.

pigeonsandcrows @Susannah I'm ready for Bunny now! I got it on my Kindle last night 😁 5y
Susannah Yay! I‘ve just started it myself, and I‘ve got five words for you: “Lipstick is for whores, Bunny.” I already have thoughts. (edited) 5y
pigeonsandcrows @Susannah I'm at about the same place, and one of the questions that immediately jumps to my mind is if Ava is an imaginary friend. I have no specific reason to think this, though. 5y
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Susannah There‘s a definite fantastical vibe, especially with all the Alice references (the flask that says “Drink Me,” the note from the Bunnies that says “Open Me,” the, you know, *Bunnies*). It‘s kind of clever but mostly obvious?... I‘m so judgy. 5y
pigeonsandcrows @Susannah I keep hoping it's going to turn out that she's being playful with all this and it's going to turn in a different, less predictable direction...we shall see. 5y
Susannah Just got to the part where Samantha‘s best friend in high school was named Alice. 🤦‍♀️ 4y
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pigeonsandcrows
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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I started this last night and am enjoying it more than I thought I would - I was not a fan of the last one I read by her. It probably helps that I consider gingerbread to be a magical food myself! Looking forward to fall starting tomorrow and all the tastes and smells that come with that.

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rachelsbrittain
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

A gloriously imaginative magical realist take on aspects of the Hansel and Gretel story with a mysterious unchartable country, changelings, and lots and lots of gingerbread. It took a few chapters for me to really get into, but by the flashbacks I was totally hooked.

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rachelsbrittain
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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This quote killed me ?

"... who turned Sherlock not even in the pursuit of justice, necessarily, but out of sheer disbelief that his mate kept denying that he'd been subject to at least three instances of attempted murder."

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Cinfhen
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Day 7 #7Days7Covers #CoverCrush
Another book I own ( unread) that was gifted to me by @LibrarianRyan ) ♥️

I‘m inviting @TrishB to join me and anyone else who wants to share their favorite book covers.

Also a shoutout to all the illustrators and graphic designers who create these magnificent works of art. I know we aren‘t meant to judge a book by its cover but they make it so damn hard not to.

Cinfhen Another cover where the photos don‘t do the book any justice ~ it‘s actually a gorgeous cover and one I love. 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Beautiful! 5y
Tanisha_A Lovely! 5y
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Megabooks Gorgeous!! 5y
Cathythoughts Fab cover 5y
TrishB 😘 lovely. Will have a think tonight. 5y
KarenUK That is such a pretty one! 💕 5y
LibrarianRyan This is so much better than the US cover. 5y
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rachelsbrittain
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Sonic break

EKonrad Love me some Sonic! 😄 5y
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rachelsbrittain
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Up early enough to get in a little reading with breakfast this morning

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rachelsbrittain
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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1. Gingerbread, Dead Astronauts, and Polite Society

2. Maple

3. "This is sounding exactly like the time you kept saying 'It can't be the gingerbread,' when it was the gingerbread. It really, really was." - Gingerbread

#weekendreads

thebluestocking I love it when you do this meme! Your graphic design and questions are always spot on. Thank you!! 💙💙 5y
Maria514626 Love this. Thanks you, @rachelsbrittain. Have your Sunday is lovely! (edited) 5y
rachelsbrittain @thebluestocking thank you!! Life has been a lot lately so it's been a while since I was able to make one-- but very happy to be back at it and so glad to know you enjoy them!! 5y
rachelsbrittain @Maria514626 thank you! Hope your day is lovely too! 5y
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rachelsbrittain
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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New book and a bath bomb to match

VioletBramble Pretty 5y
GypsyKat Nice! 5y
CouronneDhiver Great photo! 5y
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review
Bibliogeekery
Gingerbread: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
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Pickpick

This book was beautiful and exquisitely written but also was somehow hard for me to get through. Oyeyemi creates an abstract, whimsical, gritty, deeply complex reimagining of gingerbread narratives in fairy tales. I loved it at times and was dying for it to end at others.

Aimeesue Yep. It was a tough one. Glad I read it, though. 5y
Bibliogeekery @Aimeesue I'm glad I read it, too! 5y
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