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Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls: A Memoir | T Kira Madden
Frank and funny and powerful and surprising. An utterly gorgeous debut.-Lauren Groff Acclaimed literary essayist T Kira Madden's raw and redemptive debut memoir is about coming of age and reckoning with desire as a queer, biracial teenager amidst the fierce contradictions of Boca Raton, Florida, a place where she found cult-like privilege, shocking racial disparities, rampant white-collar crime, and powerfully destructive standards of beauty hiding in plain sight. As a child, Madden lived a life of extravagance, from her exclusive private school to her equestrian trophies and designer shoe-brand name. But under the surface was a wild instability. The only child of parents continually battling drug and alcohol addictions, Madden confronted her environment alone. Facing a culture of assault and objectification, she found lifelines in the desperately loving friendships of fatherless girls. With unflinching honesty and lyrical prose, spanning from 1960s Hawai'i to the present-day struggle of a young woman mourning the loss of a father while unearthing truths that reframe her reality, Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls is equal parts eulogy and love letter. It's a story about trauma and forgiveness, about families of blood and affinity, both lost and found, unmade and rebuilt, crooked and beautiful.
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Addison_Reads
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#BeginsWith @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

I'm pretty sure I picked this book up simply because I loved the colors in the cover.

Eggs Me too🤎💛🧡 2y
31 likes1 comment
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sarahlandis
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Pickpick

I really loved this book! Just completely unhinged stories from a chaotic upbringing. T Kira is my new role model. She‘s proof that we can come out strong and fighting no matter how broken the world has made us ✨

Chelsea.Poole I love this one too! 2y
20 likes1 comment
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Lauren890
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a fascinating memoir that‘s compulsively readable. It‘s beautifully written and she writes with so much honesty. I didn‘t share many of her experiences but was able to empathize with her story. The strength of the women throughout the memoir really shines through. I definitely recommend.

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Nalbuque
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Pickpick

What. A. Ride.

This book gave me many feels. Mostly anxiety. But a few others too. It‘s gut wrenchingly honest, and sometimes that‘s rly uncomfortable. Not in a bad way though? I might have to do some research to know more abt the Maddens life, and then come back and read it again. I mean, you don‘t need to, but that‘s what i want to do! The book left me needing to know more. It left me confused, lost, and maybe a little relieved too

#2021

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TheBookHippie
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kspenmoll Thank you!!!! 3y
39 likes1 comment
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mrsthilkey
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Just wanted to share two of the best books I read in 2020. I highly, highly recommend them both!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#nonfiction

Chelsea.Poole I love both of these!! 3y
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rachelk
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Pickpick

Proving that you‘re never too young to write a memoir, this debut by T Kira Madden blew me away. Madden‘s examination of her ‘privileged‘ life is fearless and unexpected, her writing is simply gorgeous. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
#lgbtq

Megabooks Agree!! 3y
34 likes1 comment
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mrsthilkey
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Pickpick

5 glowing stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I love memoirs, and once in a while one takes my breath away. I'm in awe of both the compassion the author has in telling her story and the form she tells it in.

Among the hard stuff- drug addiction, trauma, loss- there is so much grace and humor and love.

I have a forever space on my bookshelf for this incredible book. 💛

Megabooks This is a fantastic book! Agree! 3y
23 likes1 comment
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nelehelen
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Pickpick

This memoir is fearlessly honest and heartbreaking. Told in non-linear essays, Madden revisits her childhood and her trauma in beautifully piercing language. These vignettes explore the complicated feelings we have for ourselves and those we love so fiercely even when they hurt us. She shows us how no relationship is black and white, or right and wrong, but they are just, ours. Sometimes we have to forgive or leave or fight to heal and honor them.

Crazeedi A beautiful review💖 4y
Reggie Wow, this is really nice. 👍🏽 4y
nelehelen @Crazeedi @Reggie thank you! It was a beautiful book. 4y
36 likes3 comments
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NeedsMoreBooks
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Pickpick

This memoir was Bremen a pick and a so-so. Madden is Steve Madden‘s niece who grew up in Florida to a Hawaiian mother and a father who was married with two sons when she was born, although he divorced his first wife later. Madden discusses her childhood, her parents, half-brothers, her sexuality, her parents‘ addiction, her sexual abuse, and her extended family. Some chapters were powerful and a few were ok. It‘s still a great read and relatable.

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NeedsMoreBooks
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Thank you @Cupcake12 for the tag

🌈I haven‘t read much but I am looking forward to the tagged one.
🌈Purple.
🌈Being a kind and compassionate person.

Tanisha_A 💜 4y
hannah-leeloo Thanks for the tag ❤️ 4y
sudi Thanks for the tag ❤💚💜💛💙 4y
33 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
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#DealAlert 🚨🚨🚨Don‘t miss out on this awesome #KindleDailyDeal 💚Only $1.99 and it‘s #WrittenByALitten ☺️One of the best memoirs I‘ve read ~ absolutely loved it

Ashley_Nicoletto Grabbed this! Thanks for the heads up! 4y
Cinfhen Yay @Ashley_Nicoletto it‘s a really good deal 🤑 4y
TrishB Not even available on kindle here 🤷‍♀️ 4y
Cinfhen That‘s a shame @TrishB 🙁 4y
72 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Deblovestoread
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March Stats: My favorites were We Were the Lucky Ones and Long Live the Tribe. Both are excellent. Four filled spots for #ReadingEurope2020 and two for #BBRC. The top 3 were audio books. I can get away with listening at work due to the current conditions which is a small silver lining in this strange time. Bringing Down the Duke was #bookspin and my least favorite. I didn‘t finish #bonusspin last night but will finish soon.

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Deblovestoread
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1) Planting flowers and weeding or as I like to call it...playing in the dirt.
2)Total Introvert
3) Finished 8, hoping to finish my March bonus spin by the end of the month
4) These last 5 months have been their own version of hell before Covid-19. Litsy has been my port in the storm. So I send love and gratitude to all my litten friends for your positivity and kindness, your laughter and friendship.

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Megabooks
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#winter #booked2020 clockwise from top left 😘🤩💖

BarbaraTheBibliophage Great job! 👊🏻📚♥️ 4y
Cinfhen Woohoo 🎉 Great job completing #FirstQuarter #Booked2020 🎊♥️This is your “official” entry for #FirstQuarterDrawing 😀 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen boom!! Thanks lady!! 🥰😘🎉 4y
Cinfhen XXOOXX 4y
98 likes5 comments
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Deblovestoread
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#BookReport #WeeklyForecast

Bringing Down the Duke #ReadingEurope2020 (England) LitsyAtoZ (B) 2 #Bookspin 🌟
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls (Audio) 4 1/2 🌟 Its a hard read but it resonated with me as one of the tribe during my teen years

Just started Heidi and Court of Thorns and Roses (audio) about 70% done with As Old as Time. Next up may change but 7 1/2 is my #Bonusbookspin so I‘m committed to getting it read by the 31st.

40 likes1 comment
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

All. The. Feels. This book was primal for me. Her story touched a raw nerve in my body. Her experiences are specific and universal at the same time. I can see how it was her kuleana (obligation in Hawaiian) to write this story of her, her mother, her father, of being queer, of being Chinese/Hawaiian/Jewish, but also the story of her being a human girl in an imperfect body and all that comes with it. 5⭐️

#booked2020 #millennialauthor

alisiakae Great review. I really want to read this. 4y
Cinfhen Amazing review!!!!! 4y
Cinfhen How crazy was the missing sister ?!??? I nearly passed out 4y
See All 13 Comments
Megabooks @4thhouseontheleft thanks! I hope you enjoy it! 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thank you!! 😘😘 the younger brother is when I started crying. I wonder where he is??? 4y
Emilymdxn I need to read this so badly! 4y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn I think you‘d really enjoy it!! 4y
Cinfhen I forgot about the brother 😢I‘m tempted to listen to audio as I read an ARC in 2018!!! 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen the audiobook is fantastic!! She‘s a great narrator!! 4y
Christine This was so good!! ❤️ 4y
Megabooks @Christine yes it was!! 4y
britt_brooke This is such a great memoir! (edited) 4y
Megabooks @britt_brooke it really really is!! 4y
115 likes3 stack adds13 comments
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Megabooks
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Do you ever just suddenly have to read something? Like put aside everything else for some unknown reason? Well, my plan is to finish this book overnight tonight. I‘ve been switching between ebook and audio, just inhaling it like febreeze unstobbables in a communal dryer.

Cinfhen LOVED this book SO HARD !!!!!! 4y
Cinfhen Tag me when you get to the end!!!!!!! 4y
90 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Pickpick

Have you ever read a memoir that contained stories that could have been lifted from your own history and it subsequently made you uncomfortable? 🙋🏻‍♀️ That was me with this book. I was not a child of privilege and my parents weren‘t addicts and I am not of mixed race but at times I felt like Madden was telling my story. Her writing is dreamy and lyrical and whimsical and an absolute delight. 4⭐️ Thanks again, Cindy! 😘

Suet624 I love when an author‘s writing can make you feel that the two of you are so connected. 4y
71 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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ReadingMidwife
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Pickpick

Breathtaking — T Kira Madden‘s sparkling sentences, and the way she spins beauty from her life.

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kyraleseberg
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Pickpick

Brutally honest memoir, beautifully written.

britt_brooke Loved her writing! 4y
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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love memoir in essay form. It lends itself to flexibility and creativity. Yes, T Kira Madden is from the famous shoe family, though it is referenced only as it applies to her father‘s absences. Her upbringing was privileged, but challenging in so many formative ways. I think most of us can identify with at least one instance, but likely more. Her writing is exquisite. This is a solid memoir; great on audio.

Megabooks Sold! This is on my TBR, and it‘s moving up! 4y
britt_brooke @Megabooks Can‘t wait to see what you think! 4y
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Tonton

#queerlitsy link to a wonderful list of outstanding 2019 queer lit: https://bookmarks.reviews/15-of-the-best-queer-debuts-of-2019/

MicheleinPhilly Lots of new to me titles. Thanks for posting! 4y
22 likes1 comment
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FireproofBunny

It‘s not that I never thought about it. Girls. Women. It‘s that I thought about it too much.

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FireproofBunny

There are so many ways to lose a person. Of all things, this is what I know best.

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FireproofBunny

No one can hurt you the way a mother can. No one can love you the way a mother can.

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IndoorDame
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Bailedbailed

I was at 65% when my digital library loan of this expired. The writing is really strong here, but for some reason this isn‘t what I was expecting it to be based on everything I‘ve been hearing about it, and I‘m finding it super depressing. It‘s not renewable, so I think I‘m going to leave it for now instead of putting myself back on the waitlist.

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AlizaApp
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Pickpick

Memoir about growing up queer and biracial and with famous (and notorious) family members. Honest about the brutalities of middle school and eating disorders and the unexpected ways to make a family.

39 likes1 stack add
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Christine
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Pickpick

Finished my first #24in48 book, and it was a GREAT one. Despite her relative youth, Madden has a complicated personal and family history and has been through a LOT of stuff. She writes about all of it brilliantly. I am very much hoping for a Part 2, because it‘s clear she has much more story to tell.

cathipink I loved this book so much. Can't wait for her next work. 5y
57 likes1 comment
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Christine
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Up past my bedtime, but this book makes it easy to stay awake! So good so far. ✨ #24in48

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Cinfhen
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1. Tagged memoir - excellent!!!
2.Puffy, but I‘m partial to Hippeas 😋
3. Sunset ( I‘m not a morning person)
4. I‘d book a 5 star family cruise🚢
5. 6th grade ( my first major crush)

#FriYayIntro @howjessreads

Susanita I‘ll come along on the cruise! 5y
Cinfhen Great @Susanita we can share books 😊 5y
80 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Allietaylor16
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Afternoon reading with Hank! I‘m so excited to finally start this one!

JoScho Hank is adorable 🖤 5y
Djspens Lol Hank looks guilty of something.... 5y
29 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

I am GUTTED! Oh my goodness I love this book so much. It took a couple of chapters for me to really start appreciating this crazy unique memoir. Words that come to mind (that I don't typically use but read in reviews): searing, brutally honest, lyrical, gritty, emotionally draining. T Kira Madden is wonderfully talented. Highly recommended 🌟

cathipink I adored this book. So many great stories. Can't wait to read more of her work. 5y
Cathythoughts Great review! Stacking 5y
JennyM This is on my list. Now it might be bumped to the top. Great review 5y
105 likes9 stack adds3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Another cute work lunch with a fabulous book ♥️ #readandeat

ephemeralwaltz Yummy!🍑🍒🍏 5y
JennyM Yummy lunch, and I have this on my pile. Enjoy 😊 5y
105 likes3 comments
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ablachly
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Pickpick

Lyrical and gutting.

Chelsea.Poole Agreed! Reading this now! 5y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BooksForEmpathy
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Pickpick

What a cover, right? Well, the book is even better. The tone is reflective and haunting, and I felt on edge while tearing through this collection of essays about T Kira Madden‘s childhood, her parents, her friendships, and her relationship with herself. There‘s a lot of brutal moments, and I wanted to reach through the pages and hold her in my arms. There‘s also a lot of strength and truth, and real tender moments of love. Highly recommend!

49 likes3 stack adds
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Chelsea.Poole
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I identify with the title so much. Picking this one up tonight for that reason alone. The gorgeous cover doesn't hurt either. Why haven't I seen this around more? 🤔

cathipink Agree! I know I read about this book from a magazine/book rec list, but I haven't seen many reviews 😢 it was so good- one of my favorite memoirs this year. 5y
79 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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AnimalRiotPress
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Pickpick

I implore you all to read this gem by @tkmadden

56 likes2 stack adds
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AnimalRiotPress
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Finally getting to spend some time with @tkmadden ‘s #longlivethetribeoffatherlessgirls! Been looking forward to this one ❤️
.
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#bookstagrammer #writer #bookstagram #books #amwriting #amreading #booksmatter #writingcommunity

Cinfhen Gripping and compelling...I couldn‘t put it down. And excellent writing 💕 5y
AnimalRiotPress @Cinfhen I read to page 200 in one sitting until it was 1am and I HAD to sleep so that I could teach today 5y
Cinfhen Now you need to sneak reads during the day 😜 5y
Bookalong LOVED this one!! 5y
65 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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cathipink
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Pickpick

I've been reading a bit (for me- this is my 35th book in 2019) but updating only on Goodreads. This book, though - it was great, and looks like not too many people have found it. A memoir of interwoven stories, with T Kira's dad looming over much of the book. Both gritty and ethereal, I would highly recommend this one to lovers of the genre.

And please add me on GR if you'd like - I can be found as Cathi Kern or Cathipink 🙂

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Bookalong
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Pickpick

5/5🌟 Madden's childhood consisted of darkness, trauma, addiction, neglect and a little girl growing up in the thick of it. She would turn to her female friends for love, seek approval in unhealthy ways and use drugs and alcohol to cope. It felt at times like reading a journal or diary with how open and honest she is. It ranges from her childood womanhood. Definitely check this one out, especially if you like memoirs.
#bookreview #bookblogger

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Lauren.Archer
Pickpick

Absolutely brilliant essay collection. Growing up in a affluent area, you are not immune to anything. This is collection of thoughts about growing up, dealing with addiction and coming out.

62 likes1 stack add
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Lauren.Archer
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Next up! I have wonderful things about this one.

readordierachel This one sounds so good. Enjoy! 5y
99 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Cinfhen
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#AnglophileApril There‘s a lot of #taintedlove in this searing memoir. Written in short essays @tkmadden brutally shares her unconventional childhood which was both a fairytale and a horror show. Both the writing and storytelling is a gut punch. I was wowed and heartbroken but ultimately restored. Image from Google. I highly recommend this book!!!!

emilyhaldi Damn this sounds dark, but I‘m intrigued!!! 5y
Kalalalatja I so need to get my hands on this! 5y
Cinfhen It‘s really good @emilyhaldi @Kalalalatja I read a review copy but it is worthy of a purchase!! 5y
See All 6 Comments
TrishB I must have stacked when you‘ve reviewed, but then avoided! 5y
Mdargusch This sounds very powerful! Stacking. 👍🏼 5y
Reviewsbylola I‘ve seen this one and been curious! 5y
100 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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suzisteffen
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Pickpick

I will be recovering from that last 20 pages for quite some time. This is a book that feels like it‘s meandering a bit, and I found it slow going in parts. That mostly turns out to be quite relevant. I don‘t think the point of a memoir is only the conclusion of the book, but ... it did work out that way here. The author reveals traumas (including sexual and physical abuse of various people) and heartbreaks throughout. 🏳️‍🌈 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

suzisteffen 📸 Boca Raton Tribune 5y
13 likes1 comment
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suzisteffen
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Just starting this one. Snagged it for my Kobo app after listening to a good Reading Women interview with the author. April‘s #memoir entry on my nonfiction spreadsheet (it‘s funny BUT IT IS ALSO REAL). Will paste the URL for that interview in the comments.

18 likes1 comment
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RebeccaH
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Pickpick

I finished this one last night — so good! It felt as much like an essay collection as a memoir, which was fine. It‘s about Madden‘s childhood and early adulthood in Florida, and about her family — a fascinating bunch. The writing is heart wrenching and wonderful.

suzisteffen No spoilers but HOLY HELLS, the last 20 pages. 5y
27 likes1 comment
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Tonton

Link to a great explanation of the book cover design process by the designer! https://lithub.com/how-t-kira-maddens-long-live-the-tribe-of-fatherless-girls-go...

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RebeccaH
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I started reading some new books today!

24 likes1 stack add
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tamaria
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Delicious pub day #bookmail!