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The Fifth Elephant
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
Everyone knows that the world is flat, and supported on the backs of four elephants. But weren't there supposed to be five? Indeed there were. So where is it?... When duty calls. Commander Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork constabulary answers. Even when he doesn't want to. He's been "invited" to attend a royal function as both detective and diplomat. The one role he relishes; the other requires, well, ruby tights. Of course where cops (even those clad in tights) go, alas, crime follows. An attempted assassination and a theft soon lead to a desperate chase from the low halls of Discworld royalty to the legendary fat mines of Uberwald, where lard is found in underground seams along with tusks and teeth and other precious ivory artifacts. It's up to the dauntless Vimes -- bothered as usual by a familiar cast of Discworld inhabitants (you know, trolls, dwarfs, werewolves, vampires and such) -- to solve the puzzle of the missing pachyderm. Which of course he does. After all, solving mysteries is his job.
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gossamerchild
Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

I forgot how much this book rocks. Vimes is such an intriguing, hilarious character, and Lady Sybil...ADORE her. Everything about this book just shocks the hell out of me. Considering when it was published, Pratchett's stance on transgender rights is fucking fabulous. I don't think I caught that the first time I read this. People underestimate the ability of SFF to make a goddamn statement, even if it is “only“ genre fiction. ⬇

gossamerchild Sorry, I get a little sweary (no, autocorrect, I did NOT mean “sweaty“) when I'm feeling passionate, and intellectual snobbery and transphobia PISS ME RIGHT THE FUCK OFF.

Anywhoo, fantastic book, highly recommended. #aam #terrypratchett @soubhiville
1w
Traci1 I have this one on my bookshelf but haven't read it yet. Need to get right on that. 1w
gossamerchild @Traci1 it's definitely one of the strongest in the series. 1w
Bookwomble 🩷🩵🤍🩵🩷 1w
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Robotswithpersonality
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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As with Feet of Clay, I feel like I got more out of the story on the second read. Would have loved to have gone more in depth with the gender discussions, but I recognize that it was a side plot. Main theme, which seems to be a pattern in those works centred around Vimes, is the ethical use of power, and the use versus danger of tradition, as well as a cracking good mystery of course. Still loving my Discworld City Watch reread. 🥰
⚠️Animal death

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Robotswithpersonality
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Pratchett: King of snarky commentary, and footnotes. 👑

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catsuit_mango
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Came back from a long weekend with a cold so I am drinking tea, sleeping, coughing and reading

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Ruthiella
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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#12Booksin2021

My 2ond Pratchett only cemented the fact that I am totally on board with Pratchett‘s humor and sensibilities. In 2021, I became a Discworld convert. This title is no. 24 in the series and no. 5 in the City Watch sub-series. While I would have benefited from reading it in sequence, I still heartily enjoyed this story of Sam Vines, City Watch Commander being sent to the Uberwald for the new Dwarf King coronation. Hijinks ensue! 😂

Graywacke I love the 5th Elephant. Glad you‘re enjoying discworld. 3y
Ruthiella @Graywacke I can‘t believe it took me so long to pick these books up. I love them and the two I read made me laugh out loud - always a good sign. 3y
vivastory I really need to read more Pratchett! 3y
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Ruthiella @vivastory So do I. I have at least one titled lined up for 2022. 3y
MariaW 😍 3y
bthegood thank you for the review - reading this has me thinking of becoming a convert as well and I have TBRd the first book in the series - make a great day 🙂 (edited) 3y
BiblioLitten Which one was your first Pratchett? 3y
Ruthiella @BiblioLitten I started with The Truth. These two are the first two because I had copies on my shelves. 3y
Ruthiella @bthegood They are funny and satirical. If you like British humor, you will also probably enjoy them. 😃 3y
CarolynM I loved the Discworld but I have to admit to having run out of steam with it while it was still in progress. Some of the early ones have a special place in my heart. 3y
Ruthiella @CarolynM I can see that happening, for sure. I will pace myself with one-two per year. 3y
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Ruthiella
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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@ReadingEnvy I even ran into this world in wild recently when reading Terry Pratchett! 😅

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TK-421
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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“Sergeant Colon was a picture of misery drawn on a lumpy pavement in bad #crayon on a wet day.” #QuotsyAug21

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bekakins
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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#doublespin down! This might be my favourite Discworld book yet! Loving Uberwald, and Captain Carrot has got to be one of my favourite characters in the whole series!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
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GlitterGirl
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Post 4 of 4

And look at this little container dor my glitter cutex and and cutest little bottle of hand sanitiser!

Love all of it so much!! 😍💃😍💃😍

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GlitterGirl
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Just look at those tea bags (peaches & ginger / rooibos chai / cinnamon / african summer / lemongras & ginger) can not wait to taste it!!

The Hogwarts keychain has found it‘s keys and the treats is going to be delicious! 😱😱😱

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GlitterGirl
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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So beautifully packaged with so many goodies inside!

I am in love! 😍😍😍

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GlitterGirl
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Post 1 of 4

My “secret santa bookclub parcel” have arrived!!! 💃💃💃

I promised myself I will leave it until Christmas...well that did not last...😂😂😂

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
Pickpick

This book should have been -way- longer because I wanted more of basically everything (except for Gaspode, I guess). I especially wish that more had been gone into about the werewolves and what they wanted.
#OokBOokClub

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

The Vimes Bath Count is at 3 in this book! 3!!!

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

It's possible this is somehow the most naked book I have ever read, and I read romance on the reg.
#OokBOokClub

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
This post contains spoilers
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Vimes talking to Death = The Good Shit
#OokBOokClub

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

Carrot... you're dating a werewolf... and you don't know that wolves can communicate? Book, do you expect me to believe that Carrot wouldn't learn everything about both werewolves and regular wolves???
#OokBOokClub

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

I do have to say, the least comfortable I have been with the Watch being, y'know, cops is the traffic stiff at the beginning of this book. I don't need this... extortion, even as jokes.
#OokBOokClub

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

Wait, Igors appear to only have a single gender too...
(Am I going to Lose My Mind with Monstrous Regiment???)
#OokBOokClub

khooliha Also, naked push ups and a condom guy getting murdered makes this the most dick-focused Discworld book, I think. 4y
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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

The thing about the dwarf gender stuff that has popped up again at the beginning of this book is that it is close to -something- if only Prachett had conceived of gender beyond the binary. Dwarves as mono gendered? Interesting! But they all default to male and female is the only other choice? Bummer!
(Also, I think Nobby is just supposed to be a hacky "man in a dress" joke, but he's near this other gender fuckery, so I'm not sure...)
#OokBOokClub

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree with all of that, I couldn‘t help thinking that if he was writing it today he might have taken it a step or two further. 4y
khooliha @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I absolutely think so! I'd really like to think that he'd do better on both a queer and trans front. 4y
Heideschrampf I totally agree! I feel pretty sure that he‘d never make the decision to actively exclude anyone, i just think this might be a generational thing that he didn‘t see on his horizon. Luckily his message on the whole is clearly inclusive, still it does feel a bit old school at times 4y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Not nearly enough elephants for a book with this title, but otherwise a great read. I always enjoy the Watch books and for this one Vimes is sent on a diplomatic mission far from home. As much as I enjoy him at his most vulnerable and uncomfortable while preforming his Ducal duties, Lady Sybil shined in this one, as well as Cheery Detritus, Carrot, Angua, Gaspode, and Gavin.

#OokBOokClub
#PratchettPosse

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khooliha
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

Better late then never! #OokBOokClub

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julesG
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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#OokBOokClub

Hello friends! Open discussion is in the FOLLOWING POST marked as a spoiler. Find The Fifth Elephant post & tap "show me" on the spoiler tag to join in the discussion. Join in whenever you can! Today. Tomorrow. Next month! The post will always be up so just tag each other & we'll jump in to discuss with you. Feel free to chat about anything!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead

khooliha Going to be playing catch up this month, but I'm hoping to start Fifth Elephant this weekend! 4y
Soubhiville I loved this one! Cheery is such a fun character. I love that she isn‘t afraid to be herself even though it‘s so strongly frowned upon by dwarf-kind. I also enjoyed Carrot‘s trip into the wild to find Angua, and Gaspode, always a favorite. Colon‘s struggle to be a leader cracked me up! I feel for him though- it‘s really hard being in charge, and sometimes I stress eat too! Great fun book! 4y
Iblu Finishing it as I tape (#audioknitting) I am really enjoying it.... it feels a bit as a spy story also, with all the complicated politics. I agree with the comments about the secondary characters, Cheery and Sybil above all. Also loved the compare and contrast of Vimes‘visits to the three powers of Uberwald. For me, a surprising Pratchett.... 4y
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julesG
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
This post contains spoilers
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Welcome to the #OokBOokClub open discussion for #TheFifthElephant! Feel free to discuss anything! Don't forget to tag each other in the comments so your friends can see your reply. Have fun!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #EpicBuddyRead

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m still working on this one, hoping to finish it up this weekend. I‘ve been distracted by TV most of this week, can‘t imagine why? 4y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Finished last night! I love the Watch books, and Vimes sent out of his comfort zone made it even better. I wish Gavin had stayed on though, that someone had gone to look for Gaspode, and the Lady Sybil shocker!!! I can‘t wait to see what happens there. (edited) 4y
khooliha @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I wish there had been more with Gavin, especially if it could be stuff -not- insinuating that he and Angua were involved. I did really like that, in his last moments, the parallels were drawn So Strongly between Carrot and Gavin. 4y
khooliha Spent my day off finishing this book up and it's a good time! It's the minor-est thread in the book but I really wish that there had been more of Nobby and Colon being at odds (and unionizing the Watch along the way). Honestly, shocked at how much I like Nobby in this reread - he's great! 4y
khooliha I wish the werewolves had been woven in... more thoroughly, I guess? But the Game was as intense as I remembered. 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @khooliha I agree about Gavin, she also seemed to hint a bit that he might be part werewolf, then had the off discussion that some werewolves breed straight human or wolf, no shifting, but they are still werewolves. It felt almost like they brought in Angua‘s old boyfriend, but then killed him off in a gallant manner, so clearing the way for her and Carrot. I definitely would have liked to see Gavin stick around for awhile, not just come in ⤵️ 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa And sort of give Carrot his permission to be with Angua in lieu of her wacky family....and then die. 4y
Gezemice I did not get to re-read this... just did not read much this month. Will try to catch up as I feel I need more Sir Terry! 4y
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julesG
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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#OokBOokClub-ers, our Discworld adventure continues TODAY with #TheFifthElephant!

Looking forward to our discussion next month!

Happy reading!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #EpicBuddyRead

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julesG
Fifth Elephant (Revised) | Terry Pratchett
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#OokBOokClub

Just a friendly reminder that next month we'll be reading #FifthElephant! Dig out your books, put in your library holds, or place your orders! The next Discworld adventure continues on October 8th! Woohoo!

If anyone wants to be tagged/untagged for future posts please let me know! Happy to oblige!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #EpicBuddyRead

46 likes3 comments
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Mangelli
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
Pickpick

Another incredible city watch story in the Discworld.

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Soubhiville
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Vimes is the main character in this Discworld novel, and he‘s off to Uberwald to act as ambassador at the coronation of the new Dwarf King. But of course it can‘t be as easy as that, as he deals with a robbery, and the native vampires and werewolves. 💛💙

This is one of my favorites in the series, the story flows seamlessly and I laughed a lot (and cried a little.)

This was my #Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks 🤗

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! Someday I'm actually going to read a Terry Prachett book! 5y
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pdever
Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
Pickpick

After reading a lot of bits of books for the last few months I finally finished one... I like this series and this author. Often silly but entirely fun.

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rachelm
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Loving this one so far. Not so much loving how long this car service is taking...
#Discworld fans, favorite book/character set?

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elemenopew
Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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elemenopew
Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

"Sometimes," Vetinari said, testily, "it really does seem to me that the culture of cynicism in the Watch is ... is ..."

"Insufficient?" said Vimes.

???
Oh Vimes ❤️

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TK-421
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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“He'd noticed that sex bore some resemblance to cookery: it fascinated people, they sometimes bought books full of complicated recipes and interesting pictures, and sometimes when they were really hungry they created vast banquets in their imagination - but at the end of the day they'd settle quite happily for egg and chips. If it was well done and maybe had a slice of tomato.”
#Recipe #QuotsyOct18 #QuotsyCatchup #ReadingResolutions 👨‍🍳

CouronneDhiver Ha! 👍🏽 6y
julesG Wise words. 😂 6y
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Moray_Reads
Fifth Elephant (Revised) | Terry Pratchett
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Moray_Reads Illustrations © Paul Kidby 6y
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Maike
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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There‘s nothing like Sir Terry to calm a migraine-troubled head ❤️

Soubhiville “Totally Librarian-poo 💩!” 🤣😂🤣 Oh how I love his puns! 6y
Sarah83 Hope you feel better soon 6y
Izai.Amorim Einen guten Rutsch, Maike! 6y
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alisonrose
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
Pickpick

This wasn‘t quite on the same level as the previous books in this arc, for me - it‘s certainly still funny and original and had all the expected kookiness, but just didn‘t have the same payoff. I admit to feeling a little confused at times about the central plot, and found that some parts just felt like filler. But still definitely an enjoyable read, and I liked visiting another part of this world. And I always love seeing Detritus again! 3/5 ⭐️

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alisonrose
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

Well, he thought, so *this* is diplomacy. It‘s lying, only for a better class of people.

[If there‘s a way to show italics, please let me know, the asterisks always look annoying to me. I tried copy-pasting but it didn‘t work.]

jenniferw88 Take a photo of the page & use the photo editor to focus on the bit you want us to see? Just an idea. 6y
alisonrose @jenniferw88 I do that with longer quotes, but with one short sentence I‘d rather just type it in. Not a big deal though 6y
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alisonrose
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

...a gnome six inches tall but a mile high in pent-up aggression.

[Again, it me.]

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alisonrose
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

Vimes had a go, but he knew that to really speak Dwarfish you needed a lifetime‘s study and, if at all possible, a serious throat infection.

[LOL me trying to speak Yiddish.]

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alisonrose
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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It‘s been too long since I went back to Discworld. Time to rectify that! #nowreading

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Ruthiella
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Day 29: Magic! 🐰🐰🐰🐰 I haven‘t read any Pratchett yet but all his books have magic right? I loved The Hitchhiker‘s Guide so an thinking his humor will jive with my own 😆
#ReadingResolutions @Jess7 #photochallenge

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Minervasbutler
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
Pickpick

Vines is despatched to Uberwald to prevent a possible dwarvish civil war caused by the apparent theft of the historic Scone of Stone. More plot driven than most Discworld novels, and therefore with perhaps fewer jokes per page than some, but still great. I loved the self-help group for reformed vampires (Suck, don't impale, small steps) among many other delights.

Laura317 I love Vimes and theNight Watch. He‘s probably my fav. 7y
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Minervasbutler
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

November reads
8 books read
4 male authors, 4 female
2 Fantasy, 3 crime, 1 comic novel, 1 historical novel, 1 history
5 new (to me) authors
Hard to pick a standout but Stay Close by Harlan Coben probably just shades it

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Minervasbutler
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett

But they were what every copper desires in a citizen. They were no trouble. They mostly had jobs,, they paid their taxes rather more readily than humans did, although to be honest there were small piles of mouse droppings that yielded more money than most Ankh-Morpork citizens, and generally any problems they had they sorted out among themselves. If such people ever come to the attention of the police, it's usually only as a chalk outline.

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GinEyre22
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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#riotgrams Day 3: 3 Word Titles

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Aims42
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Chores all done, a fun book, a gorgeous September day, what more could be asked for?

MrBook Nice! 7y
Zelma Sounds like the perfect plan! 7y
Crystalblu Books an LaCroix! My favorite! 7y
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Heideschrampf The fifth elephants is one of my favorites! Enjoy! 🌌✨🐢🌏🐘🐘🐘🐘☄️✨🌌 (edited) 7y
Aims42 @MrBook hope you guys get this weather soon, I love the feeling of fall 🍂 7y
Aims42 @Zelma So glad I could finally find some time to read, such a crazy week for me. Hope you're having a nice Saturday!! 7y
Aims42 @Crystalblu Haven't found a flavor i don't like yet, they're so refreshing 7y
Aims42 @Heideschrampf I'm halfway thru and loving it! 🐘❤️🐘💛🐘💚🐘💙🐘💜 7y
MrBook @Aims42 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 #KindredSpirits 7y
GA_Bookworm07 Cover looks cool. Im guessing its good 7y
Aims42 @Bookworm76 very good 👍🏻 I love the Corgi published Discworld books 7y
GA_Bookworm07 Never heard of them 7y
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Aims42
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Lol, I have never had to grout the bathroom before leaving on a trip, but I know I've done some very important random things that just couldn't wait 😂 Terry Pratchett's writing cracks me up!

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Aims42
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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It came, it came, it came!! I can continue on, phew 😅

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elkeOriginal
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Just adding a few more to the Pratchett shelf!
#pratchettposse

Jess_Read_This Ohhh.. Carpe is gorgeous. I have a terrible confession, I've never read Terry Pratchett. 😐 7y
Jess_Read_This P.S. not to slight The Fifth Elephant... that is also equally gorgeous. ❤️ 7y
elkeOriginal @Jess_Read_This I haven't read these yet! And yes, Carpe was bought simply so I could drool over the cover 😁 7y
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Jess_Read_This @elkeo I meant I've never read a Terry Pratchett book ever. 😱 7y
elkeOriginal @Jess_Read_This Easily remedied! Start with Wee Free Men. That was my entry. 7y
Reviewsbylola Nice! 7y
UglyOldBat Yes! 💓 7y
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GinEyre22
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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#backtoreading Day 16: out of this world