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The Stationery Shop
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
101 posts | 96 read | 5 reading | 141 to read
From the award-winning author of Together Teaa debut novel hailed as compassionate, funny, and wise by Jill Davis, bestselling author of Girls Poker Nightcomes a powerful love story exploring loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate. Roya is a dreamy, idealistic teenager living in 1953 Tehran who, amidst the political upheaval of the time, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhris neighborhood book and stationery shop. She always feels safe in his dusty store, overflowing with fountain pens, shiny ink bottles, and thick pads of soft writing paper. When Mr. Fakhri, with a keen instinct for a budding romance, introduces Roya to his other favorite customerhandsome Bahman, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumis poetryshe loses her heart at once. And, as their romance blossoms, the modest little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran. A few short months later, on the eve of their marriage, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square, but suddenly, violence eruptsa result of the coup detat that forever changes their countrys future. In the chaos, Bahman never shows. For weeks, Roya tries desperately to contact him, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart, she resigns herself to never seeing him again. Until, more than sixty years later, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did he leave? Where did he go? How was he able to forget her? The Stationery Shop is a beautiful and timely exploration of devastating loss, unbreakable family bonds, and the overwhelming power of love.
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review
AbstractMonica
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
Pickpick

Didn‘t really know what to expect from this, but oh my-I absolutely loved it! Roya is focused on her studies, when one day she goes into her favorite stationary shop after school and suddenly sees Bahman. They‘re both drawn to one another, but it seems like everything around them is an obstacle. There‘s political unrest in their city of Tehran, jealousy aimed towards the couple, class difference and more. This story took me for a ride!

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Margot0817
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

A very quick read about a tragic romance of mixed classes in 1953 Tehran. I really loved it and fly through it!

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Margot0817
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Love it so far!

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RebelReader
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

#bookspin #doublebookspin

Completed both my #booksin and #doublebookspin for March.
This Time Tomorrow didn‘t resonate with me. I didn‘t like the whole time travel aspect (which was basically the whole book). It was my first book by this author so can anyone suggest one of her backlist?

The Stationery Shop has been on my shelf for a couple years. A woman sitting next to me on a flight to AZ was reading it and recommended it. Loved it!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 14mo
58 likes1 comment
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Maggie_Reads
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A haunting and beautiful tale of lost love set in 1950‘s Iran. Such a satisfying read.

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Maggie_Reads
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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So excited about my new read. On chapter 6 and so far I don‘t want to stop but I have things to do. 😢

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Sarahannereadsbooks
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

It is a story of true love, but also has many important themes in the background including politics, grief, family, culture, class, traditions, mental health, forgiveness, acceptance and regret.

Overall a bittersweet story, that was really well written and I can see me picking up more books by this author.

TW: Sexual assault
Paedophilia
Gun violence
Abortion
Miscarriage

8 likes2 stack adds
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kspenmoll
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Thank you so much Diane, my friend,for this unexpected box! I love that you are sharing your books with me, as well as other treats! I cannot wait to dig into everything!

Crazeedi Much love sent your way. 🥰🥰 1y
62 likes1 comment
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Monica5
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Panpan

3 book read in #AugustARC. Thanks to @Clwojick for hosting.

Nobody's lives have this much coincidence.

Clwojick Great job! 2y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Mshookquilts
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

Compelling! The tale of 2 tragic love stories and how they affected following generations. But, also hope as Roya finds a different kind of love and learns to move on. Thank you @FeatherV !

FeatherV Eeee I‘m so happy we stumbled across this one! 2y
6 likes1 comment
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FelinesAndFelonies
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

This book! Wow. A beautiful coming of age story that follows Roya during her young adulthood in Tehran. After the love of her life abandons her, Roya moves to America to attend college. Time passes but she never forgets her first love. When fate brings them together 60 years later, will she finally discover why he abandoned her over half a century before? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heartbreaking, breathtaking, beautiful, and devastating. Loved it.

66 likes2 stack adds
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BookmarkTavern
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Multi generation novels have a great chance to span decades and continents! Let‘s talk about them! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

1. Not many. They‘re not something I pick up on my own so I usually wait for someone to recommend one!
2. Tagged! 👆🏻
3. I would love to see something that ends up in 1920s New York City. Jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, flappers. 🤩

#SundayFunday Have a great day and remember to tag me!

50 likes1 stack add
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Redy2trvl
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

I devoured this novel in 48 hours. The Stationery Store is a beautiful story about love, heartbreak and loss. As I read, I knew I was heading for a broken heart, but I just didn‘t care. Just beautiful.

5⭐️

26 likes2 stack adds
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sleepy.ash87
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

I was floored by the power and heartbreak of this beautiful novel last night. It is primarily a story of Roya, a girl from Tehran, and her lost love. However, it is also about so much more. It depicts Iranian culture, especially via food and traditions, and how it differs from American culture; women's rights in the US during the 50s and 60s; child loss and mental health; the flow of life transitions, decisions, and outcomes. I was in tears!

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sleepy.ash87
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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@GinaKButler --- I am beyond grateful to you for recommending this read. It is one of the better novels I have read in a long time!

Also, just an image of what I have been staring at for hours tonight as I process all the emotions and wisdom of this book. I hope it ends with just as much triumph as this silly goldenaster, throwing her stems to the sun!

GinaKButler I‘m so glad you loved it! Last year I made a real effort to find historical fiction not set during WWII and came across this book. It was just lovely. She has a new one out, but I haven‘t read it yet. 😊 3y
23 likes1 comment
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bookandbedandtea
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

This sweet but sad love story is beautifully written. I loved the descriptions of 1950s Tehran, Persian cooking, dress and manners, and the contrast to California then Boston of the same time. Roya's story, as she adjusts to the life she's actually got vs the one she dreamed of had me captivated. The truth about why Bahman didn't meet her as planned was heartbreaking and infuriating. Walter is the unsung hero imo and I hope he was much happier ⬇️

bookandbedandtea ⬆️ than I suspect. Sorry for the disjointed review. I enjoyed this a lot but be warned it's quite sad. 3y
wen4blu I loved this one! 3y
39 likes2 comments
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Sydneypaige
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

A lifelong love story, of the heartbreak type.

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Jen2
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

Lovely story!

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

I had to read a few other people's reviews of this book before I could find the right words for my own review. This is a lovely story that felt like a hug. I loved the descriptions of everything! As many other people said, it's also so bittersweet. The heartbreaks that Roya feels are palpable.

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.

Starting over because I lost count around 19! 🤷‍♀️

Day 1 📚

ju.ca.no Look‘s like you‘ll add to my extensive TBR Pile as well😂😂😍😍 3y
Crazeedi I loved this book Misty 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ju.ca.no I just stacked your poetry book!! ❤️📚 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Crazeedi I e got to find a book to get out of this reading slump!!! Help!!! 3y
ju.ca.no @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you‘ll love it! The english copy has different poems with english speaking authors but the same illustrations- I‘m sure they‘ve picked them carefully and well😍 3y
71 likes1 stack add5 comments
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AmyK1
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

A bittersweet love story about two teenagers who fall in love in 1953 in Tehran.

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Cortg
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this bittersweet love story. Beginning in Tehran in 1953 and continuing in America. It was a slow burn kind of read and just what I was in the mood for ❤️

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Cinfhen
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

Did you ever read a book that somehow consumes your entire day?? It was like being cocooned under a cozy blanket and being enveloped in a warm embrace. I started the audio at 8am and now it‘s 4pm. I‘m not sure where the day went but my heart was with Roya, Bahman, Mr. Fakhri, and Walter too. The deeper into the story I got, the more engrossed I became. I especially loved reading all the Persian dishes. #ReadingAsia21 #Iran #Pop21 #DreamJob

Megabooks Glad you enjoyed this one!! 3y
wen4blu I loved this one! 3y
Jas16 I am so glad I already own this one and am even more excited to read it 3y
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Cinfhen I hope you enjoy it as much as I did @Jas16 it‘s a tad sappy but it didn‘t bother me one bit 3y
Cinfhen It was so good @wen4blu I was surprised by him much I enjoyed it 3y
Librarybelle Beautiful review! 3y
94 likes5 stack adds6 comments
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Cinfhen
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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#AudioBaking I‘m somehow in the middle of 3 books but that‘s how it goes... enjoying this audio set in #Iran #ReadingAsia21 #Pop21 #DreamJob (I ALWAYS wanted to own a stationary shop/book shop) Audio narration is fantastic 🎧♥️and bonus for #CoverLove

BarbaraBB I‘ve got a copy of this one too. Glad you like it. 3y
Megabooks Cool! I chose public health for dream job. I‘m really sorry I didn‘t get my MPH when I had the chance. 3y
Cinfhen It‘s a little overwrought @BarbaraBB but I‘m liking it!!! #ReadingAsia21 is definitely putting A LOT more HF on my reading lists. I think you‘ll like this one @Librarybelle @Crazeedi 3y
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Cinfhen Perfect job for you @Megabooks I could see you going back to school to earn another degree 🙌🏻 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen not entirely sure I want to right now, but it‘s something I‘d love to study someday! 3y
Librarybelle This one has been on my radar for some time now. I too have cover love with it! 3y
Cinfhen The deeper into the book I get @Librarybelle the MORE I‘m enjoying it ❣️❣️❣️ 3y
85 likes7 comments
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Lauram
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Thank you! @wen4blu The kittens and I had so much fun opening up all of the treats in this beautifully packaged swap box! I can‘t wait to read this book while enjoying Flemington‘s finest chocolate treats. 😊💜

@candority #bookcupidswap

candority So many goodies! 😍 Your cats look like wonderful helpers! Happy Valentine‘s Day! 💖 3y
wen4blu Happy Valentine‘s Day! Hope you enjoy them. How did you get both cats to pose? I only have one and he isn‘t very cooperative. 3y
Lauram @wen4blu Happy Valentine‘s Day to you too! The kittens are really excited about the shredded paper in the box and I‘d promised them a couple of strands each after they posed for photos. You‘ve provided them with hours of entertainment! 3y
67 likes4 comments
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Amiable
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

Pick — with a personal rant: I don‘t know if it‘s because I‘m in my 50s, but I‘m so over books where people pine for their teen lovers for the rest of their lives. At 17 you are convinced it‘s true love. At 50, you look back and shrug. I know I‘m supposed to feel bad for the young kids who were cruelly separated —but I actually feel sorry for the spouses they eventually married. If you like this sort of storyline though, the book is well written.

8little_paws ok i can't stand that either and I'm in my late 30s :) I will pass on this book! 3y
wanderinglynn It‘s a pretty cover! 3y
80 likes2 comments
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amsu311
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Mehso-so
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Amiable
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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There is nothing quite like the aroma and taste of that very first cup of tea in the morning. Ahhhhh ... 🥰

BookishMarginalia Have a good day! 3y
Amiable @BookishMarginalia You too! 🙂 3y
GinaKButler This book is beautiful...inside and out. Enjoy! 3y
See All 6 Comments
Crazeedi I loved this story 3y
Jaimelire Agree❤️☕️ 3y
Gogobooks Agreed 3y
82 likes6 comments
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Jas16
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Misty! This is such a wonderful package! The book is gorgeous and looks like something I really enjoy. I love the stationery and it was time for me to restock! The bookmarks and magnets are so great. I just really love everything. Thank you for brightening my day.

AmyG Ooooo a very good book! 3y
Cathythoughts Beautiful cover 💕 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m so happy you like everything!!! I saw it on your list when I was stalking it 🤪 so funny that I‘m going to still be sending out Christmas in January!! Enjoy and I hope that you are doing well ❤️❤️ 3y
Mimi28 What‘s up? Sorry I haven‘t been on here much. I hope all is well with you. I know you have a birthday in March because I sent you crowns a few (?) years back. ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽👍🏽👍🏽😎😎 3y
74 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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kimmypete1
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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June‘s pick is out of my normal reads, but I loved The Stationery Shop SO MUCH. #12BooksofChristmas @Andrew65

Andrew65 Another interesting looking book. 3y
11 likes1 comment
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Amiable
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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@Gaylagal2 ! What a wonderful #elfswap package! My favorite tea from Tazo...and the ornaments are adorable! I‘m so looking forward to diving into these books. Thank you so much! Merry Christmas, my friend! 🎄🎁😘

Crazeedi I love Tazo tea!! Merry Christmas!!🎁🌠☃️🎄 3y
LeahBergen I like the little cat ornament! 3y
Avanders 🧚🏽‍♀️♥️🎄 Merry Christmas! 3y
Gaylagal2 @amiable I apologize for the late response! When I saw that ornament and I knew you had a beautiful black cat, couldn't resist ❤️ The Christmas tree is really cute when it's lit up. Merry Christmas and have the safest, happiest holiday season my new friend 🎄🤓🤙 3y
Amiable @Gaylagal2 I immediately found batteries for the tree and lit it up! I love it! And anything with a black cat on it is a definite hit with me. 😻 Thank you again! And happy New Year—here‘s hoping 2021 is ... just better. 😬🙂 3y
85 likes5 comments
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LaLove
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
Pickpick

So quiet and sweet and sad.

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janeycanuck
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

While the rest of my #girlybookclub didn‘t enjoy this nearly as much as I did, I thought this was one of our better reads this year. I liked how the story flipped back and forth in time without spending too much time in the present before giving you more of the story from the past. The characters had such depth and complicated histories, it was just a lovely story to read.

AmyG I really like this book. 3y
Kristin_Reads I loved this one! 3y
Hooked_on_books I loved this book. The end brought tears to my eyes, which is really rare. 3y
janeycanuck @AmyG @Kristin_Reads @Hooked_on_books I was surprised I was pretty much the only person who really enjoyed it! Most of the others thought it was fine but nothing special. 3y
AmyG My entire book club loved it. Go figure. 3y
38 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Kristin_Reads
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My favorite book this year!

25 likes4 stack adds
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MaureenMc
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

A bittersweet love story following young lovers from 1953 Tehran to present-day U.S. It was slow going at first (although that could‘ve been due to my distraction), but I ended up really enjoying it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

35 likes1 stack add
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TheAromaofBooks
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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@ErinSueMreads - Thank you so much for this happy #LitsyLoveFallSwap package!!! I'm so excited about these books and that squirrel really is just adorable!!!

I'm sorry your package is late but USPS says it is out for delivery today!!! So close!!!

Erinsuereads It's okay! I haven't even got my mail key yet 🤣🤣🤣. I should be able to get it tomorrow! I'm so glad you liked it! 4y
TheShaggyShepherd Excellent book choices and such good extras! 4y
Yuki_Onna Woohoo! This looks wicked cool! 🙌 4y
See All 10 Comments
squirrelbrain I‘m very jealous of your stationery, and of course the squirrel! 🐿❤️ 4y
Crazeedi I loved the stationary shop, enjoy! 🍁❤️🍂 4y
TheAromaofBooks @ErinSueMreads - Thank you again!! I hope you enjoy your goodies, too!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks @TheShaggyShepherd @Yuki_Onna - Thank you!!! This swap was with used books, so it wasn't too expensive and was so much fun!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks @Crazeedi - I actually think I stacked The Stationery Shop because of your review!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks @squirrelbrain - I actually think it may be my first squirrel so I'm quite excited haha 4y
Crazeedi @TheAromaofBooks that's cool! 4y
82 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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SolitaryBookLover
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

This was a delightful combination of history, romance and a little bit of mystery. Set in Tehran we meet Roya who is about to embark on her first love affair, aside from books. At the same time, Iran is undergoing a coup with many dangers with unknown allies and friends. This is the story of the devastating events and familial ideals to impact on young love. As an aside, the descriptions of Persian food will have you positively salivating!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love this cover 💙❤️🧡 4y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KatieB
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Panpan

2*. In trying to find the positive, I can say there was an excellent chapter in the second half that really stood out. The rest of the book dragged however with sickly sweet love letters and flowery writing. There are others who loved this so it might just be my cynical cold heart! #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Sometimes a book just isn't the right fit!! At least it's off the list! 4y
11 likes1 comment
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KatieB
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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A quarter of the way through this and struggling a little. At the moment it just seems to a be sweet teenage romance and sweet, teenagers, and romance aren‘t my thing! I find it tough to DNF so will see if it gets better but it‘s certainly affecting my reading momentum #bookspinbingo

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a.bookish.byrd
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

❤️

umbrellagirl Beautiful cover! 4y
39 likes1 comment
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rachelm
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

Stayed up late working on my puzzle so I could finish listening to this. Beautiful, heartbreaking historical fic set in Iran in the early 1950s and the US later on about a couple driven apart (no spoilers!)

Almost done with the never ending hostas on this puzzle. Haven‘t even started putting together a hedgehog yet!

Tamra Adorable! It‘s been difficult for me to find 300 piece puzzles for my daughter. 4y
rachelm @Tamra got this one from the local bookstore and have been working on it with my 5yo 4y
Hooked_on_books I loved this book. It brought tears to my eyes at the end that doesn‘t happen! Well, except for a book about a dog that dies. Then I sob. 4y
61 likes3 comments
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kimmypete1
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

This is not a book I would normally pick up, I often struggle with historical. A coworker recommended it on Facebook and wanted to read it with other people so I decided to jump in and I‘m so glad I did. It was beautifully written and showcased history and romance in equal light. I wish I knew more about the history of Iran during that time.

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KelsieL
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali

The past was always there, lurking in the corners, winking at you when you thought you‘d moved on, hanging on to your organs from the inside.

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sprainedbrain
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

A very engaging story, if a bit repetitive and manipulative at times. I enjoyed the glimpses we got of the political upheaval in 1953 Iran and the subsequent years, and would have loved if the history played into this a little more than it did. I was rooting for Roya and thought the love stories very sweet. I absolutely loved the food and cooking in this book, even if I do have a terrible craving for jeweled rice now. 😂

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

MEGR Beautiful cover 💖 4y
108 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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sprainedbrain
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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I may not have a husband, feckless or not, but as the mother of three teenagers, you bet your ass I‘m memorizing this passage right here to use on them. 😂

In other news, Suellen, work has been ridiculous this week so it‘s now going to be Friday before I get this on its way back to you. I‘m sorry!!

#LMPBC

suvata Take as much time as you need. 😀 4y
sprainedbrain @suvata it‘s on its way! 4y
75 likes2 comments
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GinaKButler
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Getting into my June #bookspin pick! The cover is gorgeous, and I‘m learning about the history of Iran. Really enjoying it so far! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks That cover really is lovely!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!! 4y
GinaKButler @TheAromaofBooks I loved this book...it‘s beautifully written and I am glad I learned more about Iran. Definitely pick it up if you haven‘t read it. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Stacked!!! 4y
11 likes1 stack add3 comments
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GinaKButler
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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I am pumped about my #bookspin and #doublespin picks for June! Cant wait to dive in! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
16 likes1 comment
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DarcysMom
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#LMPBC #group8
@suvata @Chili @sprainedbrain

The book is mailed and should arrive on Friday!

suvata I am so glad you liked it. I gave it five stars also. 4y
DarcysMom @suvata It was a great choice! 4y
suvata Great review, by the way! Makes me want to read it again. 4y
DarcysMom @suvata thank you 🥰 4y
35 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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DarcysMom
The Stationery Shop | Marjan Kamali
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Getting a little #LMPBC reading in on the front porch while the rest of the house sleeps. ☕📖

Leftcoastzen Love your flamingos! 🦩 🦩 4y
DarcysMom @Leftcoastzen I would love to have a giant flock in my front yard! For now, the planter has to do. 4y
52 likes2 comments