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An Untamed State
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
"Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down. An Untamed State is a novel of hope intermingled with fear, a book about possibilities mixed with horror and despair. It is written at a pace that will match your racing heart, and while you find yourself shocked, amazed, devastated, you also dare to hope for the best, for all involved.--Edwidge Danticat, author of Breath, Eyes, Memory and The Dew Breaker Roxane Gay is a powerful new literary voice whose short stories and essays have already earned her an enthusiastic audience. In An Untamed State, she delivers an assured debut about a woman kidnapped for ransom, her captivity as her father refuses to pay and her husband fights for her release over thirteen days, and her struggle to come to terms with the ordeal in its aftermath. Mireille Duval Jameson is living a fairy tale. The strong-willed youngest daughter of one of Haitis richest sons, she has an adoring husband, a precocious infant son, by all appearances a perfect life. The fairy tale ends one day when Mireille is kidnapped in broad daylight by a gang of heavily armed men, in front of her fathers Port au Prince estate. Held captive by a man who calls himself The Commander, Mireille waits for her father to pay her ransom. As it becomes clear her father intends to resist the kidnappers, Mireille must endure the torments of a man who resents everything she represents. An Untamed State is a novel of privilege in the face of crushing poverty, and of the lawless anger that corrupt governments produce. It is the story of a willful woman attempting to find her way back to the person she once was, and of how redemption is found in the most unexpected of places. An Untamed State establishes Roxane Gay as a writer of prodigious, arresting talent. "From the astonishing first line to the final scene, An Untamed State is magical and dangerous. I could not put it down. Pay attention to Roxane Gay; she's here to stay.--Tayari Jones, author of Silver Sparrow and Leaving Atlanta "[Haitis] better scribes, among them Edwidge Danticat, Franketienne, Madison Smartt Bell, Lyonel Trouillot, and Marie Vieux Chavet, have produced some of the best literature in the world. . . . Add to their ranks Roxane Gay, a bright and shining star.--Kyle Minor, author of In the Devils Territory, on Ayiti
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Chelsea.Poole
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Weekly #libraryhaul seems to happen every Friday. This one features 4 titles in danger of being weeded. So I adopted them.

Deblovestoread Untamed State imprinted me for life. 2mo
BarbaraBB I enjoyed at least three of these. Great haul! 2mo
98 likes2 comments
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cariashley
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

One of the most harrowing books I‘ve ever read. The word “unflinching” is in all the blurbs but this is truly a book that does not look away, not for one second. I read it as quickly as I could to just get through it. I‘m glad I read it and I‘m amazed at Gay‘s ability to write this story, but this was tough. Don‘t go into this lightly.

Deblovestoread This book stays with me. I wish she would write more fiction. 6mo
Ruthiella I also found so much of this book difficult to read. 6mo
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Love this book. 6mo
44 likes1 stack add3 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Bailing on my #doublespin book of February

I knew it was time after days of picking it up reading a sentence and putting it down, today I picked it up and an actual groan left my body.

I love Roxane Gay and maybe this just isn't my time for this book but all of the sexual violence isn't sitting well and is making this a chore to read.
@TheAromaofBooks

LiteraryinLawrence Good call! You know what you can handle. 💗 13mo
jlhammar I think I prefer Roxane Gay‘s nonfiction. I ended up bailing on this one. 13mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @jlhammar me too! I have enjoyed all her nonfiction, and I adore her as a human this book though just wasn't it for me. 13mo
See All 8 Comments
ChaoticMissAdventures @LiteraryinLawrence sometimes it's okay you know? And others it is just too much. 13mo
dabbe Good time to move on to something you'll love! 😊 13mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @dabbe yes! I love bailing on books that are not working. So many good things out there to read instead. 13mo
dabbe @ChaoticMissAdventures I used to think I had to finish everything I started reading, but the older I get I now think, “Time's a-wastin'!“ and (almost gleefully) let that bad book go. #quiteliberating 🤗 13mo
TheAromaofBooks Not every book is a match!! Sometimes it's good to just get one off the shelves. 13mo
30 likes8 comments
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Deblovestoread
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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📚 Unlikely Animals and the tagged book
🖋 Leon Uris
📺 Upstairs, Downstairs
🎤 UB40
🎶 Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers, Us & Them - Pink Floyd, Unsteady - X Ambassadors, Uninvited - Alanis Morrisette, Under Pressure - Queen

#ManicMonday

CBee Loved both of your book choices!! 1y
35 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

An excellent book, but so painful it was almost impossible to read. A woman is kidnapped and abused terribly while being held for ransom, which was bad enough, but the psychologically agonising, incredibly slow journey to partial recovery she makes after being reunited with her husband was almost more difficult. A brilliant book but I couldn‘t honestly recommend it, it hurt way too much to read and my heart was always in my throat

Emilymdxn #scarathlon2021 #teamslaughter @Clwojick im planning to count this as a team read as it centred on whether or not a woman would make it out after being abducted, which I thought fit our theme, so +15 and I also counted it for four readathons 2y
Clwojick 🖤🖤 2y
55 likes2 comments
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CuriousG
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I'm posting one book per day from the ever growing unread stacks in my personal library. No description or explanation, just books I own and plan to read. #tbr

Day 53 (kindle edition)

JamieArc This book stuck with me for a while. It captures the atmosphere of Haiti beautifully, but it‘s a really rough read. (edited) 3y
CBee This book was intense and so tough to read - but so worth it. 3y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This is one of my all time favourite books (if you can say such a thing, about such a book). 3y
CuriousG @JamieArc @CBee @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Glad to hear so many of you connected with this one. The intense/rough read is strangely one of my favourite types of books, so I think I would like it too. I just keep forgetting I own this one because I really don't like reading off of a screen so I forget to look at my Kindle app when deciding what book to read next 🤷‍♀️ 3y
20 likes4 comments
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Deblovestoread
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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OriginalCyn620 📚👍🏻📚 4y
40 likes1 comment
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LitTraveler
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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My August #bookspin list this month is all women authors! I am very excited to finally get a chance to read some of these. The list is featured with the Dill Pickle Chip Dip I made tonight 😂 Pinterest has some of the best ideas!

TheAromaofBooks Glad to have you back for another round!! And your handwriting is lovely!! 4y
28 likes1 comment
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Tex2Flo
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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@TheSpineView #two4tuesday
1. An Untamed State is my most recommended as it reached out and grabbed me. An excellent surprise in the most frightening way.
2. I want everyone‘s recommendation. Some to know what to read and some to know what to avoid. (There are books out there for every kind of reader.)

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 🤩📚❤ 4y
Nute It‘s been many years since I read An Untamed State and that book still has a grip on me! 4y
20 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Tex2Flo
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Hugs @KarenUK for the trigger. I‘m not as free with my stars as some of you are, so I found my absolute top 6 for the year so far.
#top6reads

KarenUK I love the diversity of this list! Loved untamed state, am planning on the Towles and Girl, Woman, Other in the second half of the year. And adding the children‘s lit one now! 4y
24 likes1 comment
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Bookzombie
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I know it‘s Wednesday. I‘m off on my days a lot lately so I‘m going to pretend it‘s Tuesday still.

1. I don‘t think the tagged book is my favorite overall, but it was a 5 star read for me. I still think about it. I wish that Gay would write more fiction.

2. I loved Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones. Also his short collection, After The People Lights Have Gone Out, is really good.

Reggie He has a new book coming out! I think it was supposed to have already come out but got pushed back to September. 4y
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TheSpineView Thanks for playing! ❤📚❤ 4y
Bookzombie @Reggie I saw that! 😀 4y
41 likes6 comments
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andrew61
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

What an astonishing book, distressing in it's portrayal of the rape, torture and humiliation of a woman kidnapped in Haiti but the humanity of her partial recovery, especially her relationship with her mother in law had me in pieces. This was a tough read reflecting on the impact men have on women, but compelling so whilst at times hard to contemplate i could not put it down. This bk will be a 5* rd and i will be thinking about it for a long time

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This is my favourite book. If you call such a book favourite. So powerful. I say this all the time , but I wish Gay wrote more fiction! 4y
Deblovestoread I‘m with @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego she should definitely write more fiction. This book has never let me go. 4y
andrew61 @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @Kdgordon88 this was my first Roxanne gay book and it was an overwhelming experience. I will have a look at her non fiction and essays. 4y
Cathythoughts Great review 4y
34 likes4 comments
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Deblovestoread
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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#7days7books. Books that impacted me and some that never let me go. Day 2

JamieArc This one has stayed with me too. 4y
32 likes1 comment
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ONH
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I‘m having to read this book in stages, interspersing with other books, because it deals with such difficult material. It‘s beautiful and well-written but parts are so hard to stomach. Even so, it‘s very compelling and Roxane Gay never disappoints!

12 likes1 stack add
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Billypar
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

I've read plenty of books that include scenes of rape or torture, but this is the first that is primarily about the effects that rape and torture have on body, mind, and relationships. Gay's prose gives a glimpse into the sizable gap between familiarity with traumatic events and the experience of a survivor. There are no easy answers or cop outs: the novel faces the reality of sexual violence, its roots, and all the ugly societal implications.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This book is one of the best book I've ever read. I wish Gay wrote more fiction. 4y
Billypar @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I still need to read Difficult Women. I like her non-fiction too- she's multitalented. I can see why Untamed State would be on an all-time list: there's little else I've read with that level of intensity. 4y
40 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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monalyisha
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

An unflinching, fictional account of a woman‘s kidnapping for ransom in her home country of Haiti (informed by the author‘s own gang rape, which took place [on American soil] when she was 12 years old).

This is a horrible, well-written book, made all the more horrible in that it‘s also a love story. Gay writes of Haiti as a country with “startling contrasts — so much beauty, so much brutality.” This could also describe the country of her writing.

monalyisha Photo note: the plant pictured is called “Angel‘s Tears” or “Angel‘s Trumpet.” Its blossoms are big, elegant, & delicate, but they also contain high levels of poison & can be fatal if ingested. Wandering around the botanical garden today, I thought they were a fitting backdrop. 4y
Amiable Great review. It captures the book perfectly. I was mesmerized by the book while also feeling sickened by what was happening. 4y
monalyisha @Nute I‘d be happy to discuss with you if you‘ve got thoughts! 4y
See All 7 Comments
Bookleah Omg, your bookmark 🤣😍🤣 4y
Cinfhen Wow!! You‘re right! This book killed me💔 4y
Cinfhen And I Love that bookmark 😍 4y
88 likes1 stack add7 comments
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monalyisha
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Ugh. Deckled edges. 👎🏻

Nute Oh no, you don‘t like deckled edges? I LOVE them!!! BTW...that book is extremely intense but so well worth it. Roxane Gay laid it all out there! (edited) 4y
monalyisha @Nute They look nice but they make it so much harder to turn the page. (“An Untamed State” was my pick for book club, which is tomorrow, & I‘m just starting the book now. Eek! Wish me luck!) 4y
Nute Wishes for a lot of good luck coming your way! I hope that you can get through a significant portion of it. It‘s really good! I want to hear what you and your book club think about it? I with that I could be a Litsy-Friend-Guest at your book club tomorrow!😁 Post thoughts later! 4y
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monalyisha Thanks @Nute! I‘ll give you a full report. 😉 I *loved* her short stories so I‘ve got high hopes. 4y
blank I hate deckled edges, too! They make page-turning a real pain. 😑 4y
monalyisha @LaurensLibrary It‘s a highly divisive issue! 😅 (edited) 4y
Crystalblu yeah, not a fan 😋 4y
Tamra I love them! 😆 4y
TheBookHippie I love them !!! My favorite! 😂😂😂 4y
vivastory God speed with the book BTW, you got it 💪 4y
ShelleyBooksie I love those! 4y
Soubhiville I could take them or leave them. I like the way the look, but sometimes find the pages harder to turn. This is a great book, although heavy. I hope you get through it. (And now as I scroll the comments I see you thought the same as me!) 4y
Karkar I do not like them either. The make my brain think the book is not finished. 4y
Megabooks I love deckled edges!! 4y
BarbaraBB Like @Megabooks I love deckled edges (and I‘m glad I finally know there‘s a word for it). I go out of my way to find editions who have them when I‘m in the US! 4y
ravenlee I loathe deckled edges. 4y
mrp27 When I worked in a bookstore people would often return deckle edge books because they were considered damaged. 4y
monalyisha @mrp27 That‘s so bizarre! I‘ve worked in bookstores, too, but have never had that happen! I definitely had people try to return books because they read them & didn‘t like them... 4y
mrp27 Right?! I had plenty of that too. Some people didn't like my explanation that that's the way the book was designed and wanted a new copy, some didn't realize it was deliberately designed that way and accepted it. 4y
802Librarian I don‘t mind the way they look, but as a cataloger I hate them with the fire of 1,000 suns 😆 4y
71 likes21 comments
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Billypar
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I don't plan my next reads too rigidly: I usually have a few candidates that have been on my shelf for awhile, and when I finish a book I bring them out and see which I #crave in the moment. Usually I have a one word prejudice in my head - e.g. devastating, innovative, difficult, intellectual, etc. But it's not until I read the first sentence or two that I really know what I want. One of these four will probably be next 🤔
#MOvember @Cinfhen

vivastory My Name is Red is stellar 4y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego An Untamed State is one of my all time favourite books. Heavy, but worthwhile. I wish Gay wrote more fiction. 4y
Deblovestoread An Untamed State is devastating and so damn good! I‘m with @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I wish she would write more fiction as well. 4y
See All 21 Comments
Tamra I have Freshwater coming up soon on my audio holds list. 🤞🏾 4y
batsy Nice! I haven't read the Gay; I read the Smith in college & loved it a lot then. The Pamuk & Emezi are recent reads & both are quite brilliant. 4y
merelybookish OMG I love On Beauty! 4y
jillrhudy Every time I plan my next few reads all my holds come in at the library at once, digital and print! 4y
Billypar @vivastory It's been on my list for awhile even before I bought it, so I'm pretty excited. 4y
Billypar @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @Kdgordon88 This is great to hear because this will be my first time reading her fiction - I loved both Hunger and Bad Feminist. 4y
Billypar @Tamra I'm so curious based on the reactions I've read! 4y
Billypar @batsy Nice - it looks like I can't go wrong: I have a good feeling about all four of these. It will be a tough choice! 4y
Billypar @merelybookish I'm reading Howard's End now in anticipation of it. I've been struggling with whether to read them back to back, or just somewhat close in time. It will be my first Smith, only read her essay collection so far. 4y
Becker Untamed state is very intense. I loved it. It packs s punch. 4y
Billypar @jillrhudy That happens to me all the time with audio holds. I just had two come in recently- I was going to listen to a podcast tonight, but I feel pressure now, lol 4y
merelybookish @Billypar It's my favorite of her novels! 4y
Tanisha_A I loved reading My Name is Red! Super haul! 4y
Cinfhen Untamed State was brutal!!!! But I loved it!!!!!!! 4y
Billypar @Becker @Cinfhen For a book to be both brutal and still get such positive reader response tells me it must be a good one: looking forward to it! 4y
Billypar @Tanisha_A MNIR hooked me from the first sentence in the bookstore, so I'm already intrigued! 4y
youneverarrived The two on the right are both AMAZING reads 💙 4y
Billypar @youneverarrived Nice- I'm looking forward to both very much! I feel like I can't go wrong with what's coming up 🙂 4y
40 likes1 stack add21 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I did a WAY BACK Litsy scroll yesterday and found this post from 2+ years ago. I‘ve still only read 2 of them 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I did rate them both 5 stars. #fivestarpredictions

BarbaraBB I can‘t believe it‘s that long ago!! 👵🏼 4y
Cinfhen I just scrolled through/ apparently I didn‘t make any predictions 😜but what I couldn‘t believe was how many Littens are no longer on Litsy 😢 4y
MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen I know. It made me sad seeing some of those names. 4y
See All 15 Comments
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @MicheleinPhilly That was such a shock indeed. Where have they all gone? I want them back 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen You did share your predictions. I found them and took a screenshot. In case your interested! 4y
Cinfhen I am interested @BarbaraBB thanks and I know, so many awesome people are no longer participating 🥺 4y
Cathythoughts Nice one ! I am interested too ! @BarbaraBB I‘d love to know the list 👍 (edited) 4y
youneverarrived That‘s cool you did actually rate them 5 stars. Can‘t believe it was 2 years ago though 😱 4y
MicheleinPhilly @youneverarrived Right???? What the hell happened to those 2 years? 👵🏼 4y
LauraBeth I just scrolled back two years only to find out I didn‘t do this...😂😂 4y
MicheleinPhilly @LauraBeth Quick! What were you binge watching 2 years ago???? 😘 4y
LauraBeth ?? I *think* that was my 90 Day Fiancé phase. 4y
MicheleinPhilly @LauraBeth Oh you. Never change, please. 4y
Mdargusch Omg I have my husband hooked on 90 Fiancé now @LauraBeth 4y
Mdargusch I‘m now going to scroll back and see if I did this. 🤔 4y
63 likes15 comments
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Tex2Flo
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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“Found” a minute before dentist‘s appt to rummage at the Goodwill. TBR attack!!

TheSpineView 💝Great haul! 💝 5y
KarenUK Wow! So many good ones! Loved both Untamed State, and Burial Rites .... but both are brutal! #allthefeels 😢 5y
Tex2Flo @KarenUK I‘ve had the Roxane Gay book (or anything by her) on my TBR for a while. I feel like I‘m lacking in diversity if I don‘t get busy and read her. 5y
See All 6 Comments
Soubhiville Oooo, there are 3 I really loved in there! 5y
Tex2Flo @Soubhiville Do tell! I pulled them mostly because of having heard the titles. I love to hear why folks prefer some over others. 5y
Soubhiville I loved Wild, Untamed State, and How to Build a Girl! Untamed State is emotionally challenging to get through though... I hope you‘ll enjoy them all! 5y
16 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Nute
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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#30JuneBooks - U: I haven‘t commented on or reviewed this book because it was a numbing reading experience five years ago. The letter “u” can stand for many related adjectives for this story: unnerving, unbearable, uneasy, unsettling, unflinching...it is unforgiving in its relentless propulsion through a harrowing nightmare. It was an unexpected encounter with a sheer brilliance of storytelling and it remains unforgettable to this very day.

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LaurenReads
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I've heard so many good things about this book but it's... not at all like I was led to believe.
So while I agree it's very good, I'm all twisted up inside trying to deal with my feelings I wasn't expecting to have.

2 likes1 stack add
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Amiable
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

This is about a woman who is kidnapped for ransom in her native Haiti, her captivity over 13 days as her wealthy father refuses to bow to the kidnappers while her husband frantically tries to figure out how to get her released -- and her struggle to come to terms with the ordeal in its aftermath. This book is terrifying, and brilliant, and brutal, and not for the faint-hearted. But all I can say is, "Wow."

CBee GREAT book. Terrifying, but riveting. 5y
Amiable @CBee Agreed 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This book is fantastic! 5y
BookNAround So disturbing but so great too. 5y
85 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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MrBook
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Replenishment for the #AfricanAmerican Display! 😁

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

eraderneely Chilling but fantastic! 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego One of my all time favourites 5y
Carissa-Green-Reads Untamed State is intense. I loved it, but it was harrowing. Trigger warnings, for real. 5y
Emilymdxn I really need to read their eyes were watching god soon! I loved barracoon (edited) 5y
ravenlee I read Invisible Man and Their Eyes Were Watching God in high school. I loved Their Eyes. 5y
82 likes5 comments
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amberheveron
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay

This book is so different and beautiful (in a damaged sort of way). It's dark and gritty, it shows how depraved and savage human beings can be! At the same time displaying a humans will to survive the unsurvivable.
I adore Roxane Gay writing style and fearlessness with the topics she writes about no matter its graphic nature.

AnimalRiotPress Welcome to Litsy! 5y
Chelleo Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details.
5y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 5y
See All 10 Comments
RaimeyGallant Welcome! 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Welcome! I‘m looking forward to this book, since I‘ve read most of her nonfiction. 5y
amberheveron @BarbaraTheBibliophage I think it's my favorite book! Well, this and "Difficult Women" also by R.Gay they're neck and neck for my all time favorite book. I can't wait to see what else she comes out with! 5y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚🎉Hope you are enjoying it here! 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 📖💙 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👍🏼👋🏻🤗 5y
AlwaysForeverReading Welcome to Litsy!! 5y
11 likes10 comments
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larah17
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

I‘ve wanted to read something by Roxane Gay for a while now, and picked this up at the library. This book is tough; Roxane Gay‘s writing really is everything it‘s made out to be, and I flew through the book in a few days, but this talent makes the subject matter more vivid and horrific. I wasn‘t satisfied with the ending at all as I love a resolution (for good or bad), and this is left very unresolved. (Trigger warning: rape and sexual violence.)

LoverofLit Her books are ragged and full of (justified) anger. Though though to listen to at times, they were important and eye opening reads for me. Good review! 6y
larah17 @LoverofLit Ragged is actually such a good word to describe it, I could never have thought of it. I‘ll definitely look out for her other work after this. 6y
Joy0201 I love her. But I have had to put down her books and come back to them. Her writing is just so raw. 6y
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LoverofLit That was supposed to be *tough to listen to btw ?? Wish we had a "Edit comment" option! 6y
larah17 @Joy0201 I get that totally. It‘s strange, I tore through the book when I was reading it, but whenever I‘d put it down, I‘d find it hard to pick it back up, because I‘d know what was in store. 6y
larah17 @LoverofLit I understood what you meant 😁 6y
Joy0201 @LoverofLit there is an edit button! Just press on your comment and you can edit at the bottom! Not that I‘m judging you. Totally not! Just sharing. 🙂 6y
LoverofLit @Joy0201 I think that may only be for some users. Sadly, I only have Delete and Mark as Spoiler for my options. Woh woh! 6y
LoverofLit But thank you! 😘 6y
Joy0201 @LoverofLit ohhhh I‘m sorry! 6y
109 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Soubhiville
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

Another excellent book from Roxane Gay! This was the first Fiction I‘ve read by her. I fell in love with Hunger earlier this year, and this is just as good. It‘s very emotionally heavy, unsurprisingly from her, but I think we‘ll worth it if you can handle the subject matter. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much @Hooked_on_books for sending it to me!

This was #makemereadit number 5.

MoniqueReads305 I'm tired to read this a couple of years ago and stopped with 100 pages left. The story is still fresh in my mind and I debate about completing it. 6y
Hooked_on_books You‘re welcome! I‘m glad you enjoyed it. I found it so searing. I think Roxane Gay is fabulous. 6y
Soubhiville @Hooked_on_books it made me want to reread Hunger... I may just do that. 6y
See All 6 Comments
Soubhiville @MoniqueReads305 it‘s not easy to read, but I think it‘s worth pushing through if you have the stomach for it. 6y
Christine I have been wanting to read this for soooo long! Thanks for another endorsement/reminder. 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This book was very good. 6y
94 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Soubhiville
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Me and the dog, a bagel and a book. Not a bad way to spend a couple hours while we have an open house. Fingers crossed for an offer this time!! 🤞🤞🤞🤞

vivastory Good luck! 6y
CouronneDhiver All the best! The right buyer will come along at the right time. Just a quick encouraging story: my parents sold their house. The buyer had to back out, unexpectedly. It went back on the market for a short time, and the second buyer is not only firm but gave a higher price! Things always work out in the end 😊 6y
Soubhiville Thanks @CouronneDhiver ! That‘s good to hear. Thanks @vivastory 6y
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Soubhiville This is #makemereadit number 5 for me! Between A Little Life, Tin Man, and this, Ive done some heavy reading this month! Although they‘ve all been really good! 6y
JoScho Fingers crossed 🤞❤️ 6y
Nerdfins Good luck! 🤞 6y
RebelReader 🤞🤞 6y
tpixie Ooh! Good luck! Are you moving again? 6y
Soubhiville Thanks @RebelReader ! Thanks @tpixie yes we‘re moving back to Austin. The house here has been on the market for about 3 months. We‘re just waiting to sell! 6y
tpixie @Soubhiville good luck!!! 🍀 Yours will sell!! But that waiting is hard!! 6y
tracey38 Good luck! 6y
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Weaponxgirl
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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#diversespines whilst this particular book is on my #tbr Roxane gay writes my kind of books!
With an author I love this much I love to be able to see what books they read and alongside following her on goodreads I found this list a while ago https://www.listchallenges.com/roxane-gay-bookshelf so that I can add to my reading list knowing that they are recommended by someone I admire.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m in the minority here... I couldn‘t finish Hunger, so I don‘t think I‘ll be reading any more of hers... 🤷🏼‍♀️ 6y
Weaponxgirl @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I'd honestly say give the tagged book a try, it's essays and some are quite fun as well as her more hard hitting stuff. I like her talking about pop culture stuff. 6y
Andrew65 Not an author I have tried yet. 6y
Weaponxgirl @Andrew65 she's my favourite writer alive writing today, she has written essays, short stories, a novel a memoir. I'm honestly in awe of her talents. 6y
Andrew65 @Weaponxgirl Will have to try one. 6y
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deathmetalcardigan
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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"I don't know what to say," Michael said. "I don't want to say the wrong thing again. I want to help you."

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Soubhiville
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Your package arrived today Holly! Thank you for including this, I will be sure to have something really light to read after it. It sounds really good, though dark, and I‘m looking forward to it!

I‘m also intrigued by this month‘s #OwlPost! (Which is not the pictured book, to be clear) It‘s something I‘ve never heard of, by a new to me author! @BookishFeminist I think it‘s your book. 📚😊

Hooked_on_books You‘re welcome! And I really liked the OwlPost book. I hope you do, too. 6y
Djspens I love Roxane Gay! This is such a good book! 6y
53 likes2 comments
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amyf0x
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

A nightmarish but consuming, beautifully written story of a woman who is kidnapped and brutalized and must then face her trauma and her family.

Read May 9-13
Book 20/50

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Hooked_on_books
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

While it started a bit slow, this book proceeded to grab me and punch me in the gut. I could not put it down. It is the story of a woman‘s kidnapping and brutalization in Haiti followed by the aftermath as she attempts to heal. Amidst graphic violence, it explores themes of survival, family and the experiences that shape us. #marchmadnesschallenge (swap-in for Hunger)

Cinfhen That dad 🤬🤬🤬 6y
Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen Yeah, no kidding! 6y
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BarbaraBB
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Mehso-so

I was in the slums of Port au Prince for work last year. Such an intense place with hardly a glimpse of hope for a better future. Its reality struck me hard.
I recognize this Haïti in Gay‘s story and it felt somehow good to read that I am not alone in what I felt and saw there.
Other than that I have to admit she appears to me (again) so immature, frustrated & angry in her storytelling. I can‘t explain this properly but Gay is just a no for me.

arubabookwoman Have to agree with you about Gay. I thought Hunger was repetitive and only brushed the surface of very important issues. I started Angry Feminist, but didn‘t get very far— not sure if it was because it wasn‘t grabbing me or that I didn‘t like it. 6y
BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman She just brushes the surface, that‘s well said. It‘s all this anger, a kind of sadistic pleasure to repeat and repeat the most horrible things. I felt that while reading Hunger too. (edited) 6y
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BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman I think it is Bad Feminist instead of Angry Feminist but that you called it that, says probably all 😉! 6y
AceOnRoam I read this quite a long time ago now but I still remember the relentless violence.. and the main character did not evoke much empathy from me. 6y
BarbaraBB @AceOnRoam exactly. I don‘t think Roxane Gay and I could be friends in real life. 6y
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BarbaraBB
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I am starting this one because it earns me the most points in the #MarchMadnessChallenge but I am a bit prejudiced because of @emilyhaldi ‘s review and the fact that I am no fan of Roxane Gay. On the other hand, I am keen to learn more about Haïti so I hope that‘ll be the case.

About the picture: it is Spring here, finally, my garden is blossoming!

Tanisha_A Beautiful blossoms! 6y
Cinfhen I loved this book, but it‘s brutal!!! And I adore Roxane Gay😍hope u like it, I think u will 6y
Becker Excellent book. Very powerful. 6y
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I loved this book. It's not an easy read, but well written. But I'm not a fan of her Memoir type work. So maybe you'll prefer her fiction as well. 6y
emilyhaldi Intrigued to hear your thoughts!!!! 6y
Kalalalatja I‘m very interested in your thoughts! I‘m not blown away by this at the moment 6y
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emilyhaldi
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Panpan

I can officially confirm that I am NOT a fan of Gay's writing, whether it be fiction or memoir (sorry, Cindy!) I despised the characters and found the relationship between the 2 MC‘s to be entirely juvenile and unrealistic. The excessive rape scenes felt like they were written for shock value and add nothing to the story. The last 50 pages had me rolling my eyes in incredulity. 🙄 It kind of turned into a hate-read for me 😬
#marchmadnesschallenge

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m with you... I couldn‘t finish Hunger... 😐 6y
JenP I‘m rooting for you to get one book you like for this challenge 😬 6y
emilyhaldi Lol @JenP my record is bad so far, huh?? However, most of these books were on my tbr beforehand so I would have read them eventually, challenge or not! I started this one today in place of American Marriage and I have high hopes as I LOVE Jones ❤️ 6y
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Cinfhen Nooooooo!!!! I LOVED this book, I thought it was so well done ~ the issue between Mirabelle and her father and her mother was so gut wrenching 6y
Cinfhen Man you‘re a tough critic!!!! 6y
emilyhaldi I really wanted to like this one 😕 @Cinfhen I can‘t believe how much I didn‘t 😆 thank you for giving me this book though and giving me a shot!! I will pass it on to someone else who will love it 😊❤️ And atleast now I know!! No more Roxane Gay for me 🙅🏻‍♀️ (edited) 6y
minkyb I love bookish banter between passionate women! 6y
Reviewsbylola Damn girl. Yeah I‘d say pass on her from now on. 6y
britt_brooke I hated Hunger so much. Definitely no more Roxane Gay for me. I‘m loving your “pan” reviews, btw. 😆 Hoping you have some better luck soon! 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I loved this book, but I hated Bad Feminist. I'm hesitant to try anything else by her. 6y
BarbaraBB I had planned to read this as an alternative for Hunger in the MarchMadnessChallenge but I feel now that I‘d rather give up on the challenge than read another Gay! Love the review btw 💜 6y
emilyhaldi @britt_brooke smart to stay away... I was hoping her fiction was better, but I equally disliked both 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 @BarbaraBB ha!! You‘re totally on my level! 😘 6y
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Sweettartlaura
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

#Marchmadnesschallenge @JenP
My first sub - I just read Hunger, & was about to start this when I found this challenge, so voila!
This is difficult subject matter. Also, Mirielle isn‘t always likable, even in the before.
But that just makes me admire the book even more. Women can be difficult and still worthy of love, attention, devotion, care. And I love that she gets that from her mother-in-law before her beloved husband.

JenP Great review! 6y
emilyhaldi Nice!! I'm going to start this today as my sub for Hunger too 😄 6y
RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) 6y
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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#MarchInBooks #photochallenge @maich

#openingline

I've posted this before, but it's still a great opening line. This is one of my favourite books. (TW)

Deblovestoread An Untamed State is amazing. It has stuck with me since I read it quite like no other book has. 6y
Zelma I know this is supposed to be great but I don‘t have the fortitude to read it. 😬 6y
maich Once upon a time... ❤❤ 6y
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Sweettartlaura
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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1. Once upon a time, in a far-off land, I was kidnapped by a gang of fearless yet terrified young men with so much impossible hope beating inside their bodies it burned their very skin and strengthened their will right through their bones.
2. 367
3. Strengthened
4. Christophe
5. Yellow
6. Literary fiction
7. Once - thick
8. Yellow
9. RG
10. 13 days
11. 2014
12. Edwidge Danticat
13. Nope - on page 1
15. Yes

Kaye Thanks for taking part ♥️ 6y
Kaye @MinDea — what‘s the tag in here for ? I‘m either mixed up or it‘s 5 hours past my bedtime. Probably both. 😂 6y
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MinDea @Kaye is this your post everyone is doing? If not, then I tagged you for no reason! 6y
Kaye Yep, I put this in earlier tonight. Thanks though @MinDea 6y
MinDea @Kaye I tagged you because you weren't tagged in it so you could see that @Sweettartlaura was participating in it... 🤷🏻 6y
Sweettartlaura Uhhhhmm... looking at this now I think maybe I did it all wrong. Sorry @Kaye @MinDea 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
Kaye @MinDea oh I see what you mean now. Thank you. I was just really tired last night and couldn‘t figure it out. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. ♥️ 6y
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Nitpickyabouttrains
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

Raw and graphic book about a traumatic incident. Roxane Gay is a powerful writer covering a dark subject matter with grit.

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SoMuchBooks
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

The "before" was horrific and the "after" was heartbreaking. A powerful reflection of our insecurities and misconceptions of the world and the relationships that both tear us apart and make us whole.

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Djspens
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

I hate to say I loved this book, the story was dark and very disturbing, but oh so good! It read like a memoir, I felt like the characters were real, and they very well might be, I imagine the dark streets of Haiti are like this nightmare. I highly recommend this book, I love the way #roxanegay writes. I read her book Hunger and fell in love with her.

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Djspens
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I love when my UPS driver brings me presents (ok, maybe a present I bought myself)! Anxious to get started on this one! Her book Hunger was the first of hers that I've read.

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MoniqueReads305
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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I'm trying to challenge myself to read everyday in the month of February. But I left my #currentlyreading book at work this morning. I was planning to try and finish An Untamed State but remembered hope emotionally exhausting it is. And since I would be reading it on my commute... nope.

I guess I'll just miss a day.

Chelleo Aww. It happens! Tomorrow‘s a new day! In the meantime maybe read a juicy tabloid 😬😊 6y
MoniqueReads305 @Chelleo That's a good idea. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa That‘s when I started reading more than one book at a time. There has to be a serious one and one just for fun, because sometimes you‘re not in the mood for serious. There has to be one on my phone app for in line, because I‘m not toting my huge paperbook around all day, just in case. And I usually have an audiobook going too for commutes or laundry day, etc. 6y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Maybe start a fun book/audiobook this weekend for a change of pace. 6y
Chelleo Same @Riveted_Reader_Melissa My Kindle and Libby apps have saved me on many a day. 6y
MoniqueReads305 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Chelleo Those are great ideas... I think I have a couple of short stories on my tablet that I can read. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MoniqueReads305 That‘s Great! Still reading and you can check something else off your to-read list too. 6y
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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How can you not keep reading after that opening line?!

Christine11 It‘s not always a pleasant read but it‘s really great ! Hope you enjoy 😊 6y
egg104 Wow! ❤ 6y
SaunteringVaguelyDownwards That is a great first line, and you have an awesome screen name! 6y
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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Pickpick

In honor of #blackhistorymonth I'm making a conscious effort to read only books written by and/or about people of colour. My first post is a bit of a cheat as I've already read it but I had to share it! This is one of my favourite books. A fictional story about a woman who gets kidnapped in Haiti. Had me hooked from the first line. Graphic at times, but I appreciate Gay's authenticity.

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KarenUK
An Untamed State | Roxane Gay
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#humpdaypost @MinDea
1. A brutal story of a woman kidnapped in Haiti, a father who refuses to negotiate with the kidnappers, and the anger and rage that the diversity of wealth and political corruption creates... just finished- tough read but so good.
2. Dairy milk chocolate
3. Gen X
4. Klean Kanteen water bottle
5. First weekend off for a while, so lots of reading, lots of outdoor time (biking, walking, maybe dining by the water somewhere) 🌴😎

monalyisha We‘re reading “Difficult Women” for book club this month! Eager to check out her fiction writing & compare it to her NF. (edited) 6y
KarenUK @monalyisha this was my first Roxane Gay... definitely going to try her NF... been meaning to for ages! 6y
MinDea Enjoy your weekend off!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 6y
KarenUK @MinDea thanks! I can‘t wait! 😊👍 6y
51 likes4 comments