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The Most Fun We Ever Had
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
"A gripping and poignant ode to a messy, loving family in all its glory." --Madeline Miller A dazzling, multigenerational novel in which the four adult daughters of a Chicago couple--still madly in love after forty years--recklessly ignite old rivalries until a long-buried secret threatens to shatter the lives they've built. When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all that's to come. By 2016, their four radically different daughters are each in a state of unrest: Wendy, widowed young, soothes herself with booze and younger men; Violet, a litigator-turned-stay-at-home-mom, battles anxiety and self-doubt when the darkest part of her past resurfaces; Liza, a neurotic and newly tenured professor, finds herself pregnant with a baby she's not sure she wants by a man she's not sure she loves; and Grace, the dawdling youngest daughter, begins living a lie that no one in her family even suspects. Above it all, the daughters share the lingering fear that they will never find a love quite like their parents'. As the novel moves through the tumultuous year following the arrival of Jonah Bendt--given up by one of the daughters in a closed adoption fifteen years before--we are shown the rich and varied tapestry of the Sorensons' past: years marred by adolescence, infidelity, and resentment, but also the transcendent moments of joy that make everything else worthwhile. Spanning nearly half a century, and set against the quintessential American backdrop of Chicago and its prospering suburbs, Lombardo's debut explores the triumphs and burdens of love, the fraught tethers of parenthood and sisterhood, and the baffling mixture of affection, abhorrence, resistance, and submission we feel for those closest to us. In painting this luminous portrait of a family's becoming, Lombardo joins the ranks of writers such as Celeste Ng, Elizabeth Strout, and Jonathan Franzen as visionary chroniclers of our modern lives.
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Victoriahoperose
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Panpan

I really wanted to like this one, but it was so slow. Nothing really happened to keep my interest for how long it was. I feel like I dedicated so much time reading this and was just dissatisfied with the way it came together. It just didn‘t offer new to this type of dysfunctional family genre that is so popular and it was just way too long for me to not really be super interesting.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 4w
30 likes1 comment
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Ast_Arslan
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I really thought I would enjoyed this one, but I'm not actually into it... it's a big boy and I'm hoping to be hook by it soon

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Ast_Arslan
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I would like to be more active on this app as I was in the past and these iniziatives by @Eggs and @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks are always a good way to do it!
#HumbleHarvest

Eggs Thanks for sharing and participating-great to have you❣️ 5mo
Ast_Arslan @Eggs ❣️ 5mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you 🩵🧡 5mo
16 likes3 comments
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Ast_Arslan
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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New month, new reading.
I'm really not sure about this one...

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Hilary427
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

Great book! Dramatic, but I imagine a family with 4 daughters would be. I mildly hated all the daughters at one point or another. Loved the book though!
⭐️: 4/5

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BarkingMadRead
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Starting this today, recommended by a friend…

The.Great.Catsby Really enjoyed this one!! 8mo
CarolynM I enjoyed this one too 8mo
Cathythoughts I really enjoyed too 8mo
51 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheEllieMo
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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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 in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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suvata
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Mehso-so

• TBR since July 13, 2019

#StoryGraph: fiction contemporary literary emotional reflective slow-paced
544 pages | first published 2019

Too slow and way too much family drama for me but it be just perfect for you. Very well written. If I‘m honest, I only chose it because of the ginkgo leaves (my favorite tree) on the cover.

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JillR
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

I loved this; an epic family saga, the ups and downs of family life, the bond between four sisters living in the shadow of their parents‘ seemingly perfect relationship. I was constantly changing my perspective on each character‘s motivations as the story switched through time. The writing was perfection; my only complaint is this was perhaps a little too long and there‘s only so many times I can read about how much those parents love each other.

TrishB I loved this too and had the same complaints!! 2y
Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one , and yes to you and @TrishB a bit tooo long. Definitely a pick though. 2y
JillR @trishb @cathythoughts I do love a long book, but just didn‘t feel this one needed to be… 2y
42 likes3 comments
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Nikki_E
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
Pickpick

The first have wasn‘t exactly a slog, but it was slow going but the second half truly makes up for it. I loved all the characters and was sad to leave them at the end.

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Nikki_E
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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The last half of this novel is much better. I have a feeling I am going to cry at the end.

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Nikki_E
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo

Has anyone read this and liked it? I have been reading for a week or so and I‘m just at 50%. It‘s not bad…just dragging.

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Nikki_E
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Allthebookclubs
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Mehso-so

Hmmm, a decent story about a family with “normal” problems that aren‘t quite dysfunctional but close. My full review won‘t fit, it‘s too long so it‘s in the comments!!! Book #26 in 2022

Allthebookclubs Wendy was a petulant child, through adulthood. She was treated so good as a child but is such a B to her mom…the last person who deserves her garbage. She irritated me page after page. And Jonah, poor young Jonah. I‘m not sure who I disliked more, Wendy or Violet. 2y
Allthebookclubs Violet was given everything and somehow she was a dirtbag too. Liza‘s indiscretion did nothing to enhance the story, really her character didn‘t add much at all and poor Grace, always an afterthought even in review. Marlyn and David‘s relationship is something to behold and I just don‘t understand how they could‘ve raised such sociopathic daughters. 2y
8 likes2 comments
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BethHagey
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
Pickpick

*****

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ItsAnotherJen
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

Ever watch the show Parenthood? That is this book. I'm part of a big family and what this book does is show you the seperate lives of a great many people that also are entwined together because they are family. I loved it. I could read it forever. I like and dislike many things about some of the characters but that's real. People are multifaceted and that's what makes this realistic. I enjoyed how the book was written. Very well done family saga.

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this 👍🏻 2y
95 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Panpan

I did not like this at all. She needed a good editor who could cut out about 200 pages, she also needed to make all these people less terrible.
I picked this up at the library thinking it was a different book so mostly this is my fault,. I will be fine if I never pick up another rich white family drama where everyone is an asshole. The author also uses the "R" word for fun (or shock value?) & lordy she dislikes anyone w/ a mental illness.

LiteraryinLawrence Yikes! Thanks for the review- I‘m going to take this off my never-ending list. 2y
ChaoticMissAdventures @LiteraryinLawrence I almost threw it across the room when the couple who couldn't keep their hands off each other after 17 years of marriage she is pregnant for the 4th time, and he FOR THE FIRST TIME, went down on her. IDK if this was an editorial choice or if I should feel incredibly sorry for the author. 😂 2y
28 likes2 comments
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MindyK59
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book. I was a little hesitant to read it because it was over 500 pages and I have so many other books I want to read. But I love family sagas that cover many years and that‘s exactly what this book was. I think the parents were great and still madly in love with each other. The daughters each had their own problems to sort out but that is exactly what happens in families. They love and care for each other despite all the problems.

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Ast_Arslan
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it. Some will be old, some will be new - don't judge me, I have a lot of books.

Day 80th

Join the fun if you want!

#tbrpile

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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Used up the rest of a gift card today! Even though soooooo many new books are coming in August and September, I felt the need to go to the bookstore today.

Alfoster I adored The Most Fun We Ever Had!❤️👏👏👏👏👏 3y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Alfoster I've had my eye on this one forever! Saw that it was in paperback now so I HAD to scoop it up! 3y
Alfoster Good choice! It speaks to SO many themes! 3y
See All 16 Comments
Prairiegirl_reading Richard Wagamese is fantastic!!! 💜 3y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Prairiegirl_reading oh yeah!! His writing is so amazing, I had to get these two for sure! 3y
Prairiegirl_reading @Penny_LiteraryHoarders I had never read any of his until this year and now I‘ve read four. That‘s a lot of one author for me. I tend to jump around. But my reading has turned upside down since the pandemic so why not!! Lol 3y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Prairiegirl_reading 😊 same for me - I've only read Ragged Company and that was this year. 3y
Prairiegirl_reading That was my first one too!! I LOVED it!!! I cried so hard, so many times! 3y
rabbitprincess Yay Richard Wagamese! 3y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @rabbitprincess when buying the "Light" one the cashier remarked she hadn't seen that one, neither had I that was why I scooped it! Only one on the shelf! 3y
Cinfhen I loved the two books on the right! SO GOOD 😊 3y
SamAnne I‘ve been wanting to read Richard Wagamese! 3y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @SamAnne you'll love him I'm sure of it! 3y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Cinfhen my friend LOVED Sparks Like Stars and I've been wanting to read Lombardo's forever so they were must haves! 3y
32 likes16 comments
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kbuggle
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

This was lovely and I really enjoyed it, but absolutely did not need to be this long. I think some of it could have been cutdown, but it was a great read nonetheless!

Cathythoughts Nice review! A bit too long 🙃 but sooo good too 3y
CarolynM I thought it was too long too, but I still don't know what I would have left out🤔😬 3y
kbuggle @CarolynM agreed! Not sure what I‘d cut out but.. yeah, too long 3y
kbuggle @Cathythoughts glad I‘m not alone in this feeling, it seems! Lol 3y
20 likes1 stack add4 comments
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S_Lynn_Smith
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

I enjoyed the realness this book conveyed of what real life families look like. The author did a great job at describing how messy, chaotic, infuriating, and unfair life is. Amidst the chaos and life events that took place, no matter how messed up everything was, family was always there. I enjoyed how real this was and it served as a great reminder to accept the good with the bad because when it comes down to it, you only get one family.

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TheSpineView
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Bklover
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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This looks like a good deal. Yes???? (I know it‘s just $1.99 but I‘m trying to limit my purchases to books I might actually read).

Jas16 I am considering picking it up too. 3y
CarolynM I enjoyed it. I'd say it's worth $1.99🙂 3y
64 likes2 comments
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emmaturi
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I got these 3 books at a second hand book shop. Very with this #bookhaul

Cinfhen I read the top two books and really liked both SO MUCH! 3y
emmaturi Ok good to know! @Cinfhen 3y
34 likes2 comments
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squirrelbrain
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this sprawling novel of a family with 4 very different daughters. It was interesting to see whether each daughters ‘lived up to‘ their place in the family and I liked the way that the timeline jumped about so the reasons behind behaviours, histories and grudges were gradually revealed.

I‘m glad that Wendy and Violet aren‘t my sisters though!

Another one ticked off the Women‘s Prize Longlist (It didn‘t make the shortlist)

TrishB Yeah me too! Them two are awful. We‘re much more passive aggressive in our family 😁 4y
Caroline2 I‘m glad you enjoyed it. Yeahhh, I wouldn‘t want them as my sisters either. Did you notice in the back that the author has 4 siblings... I wonder how autobiographical it is and how her sisters feel about Violet and Wendy?! 😬 4y
Megabooks Right? Re: Wendy and violet! 4y
See All 6 Comments
Cathythoughts We have a lot of that passive aggressive stuff in my family too @Trishb 🙄😁 4y
squirrelbrain Yes, I saw that @Caroline2 - can you imagine the first family get-together after the book was published?! 😲 4y
TrishB @Cathythoughts a lot simmers below the radar! 4y
89 likes6 comments
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Caroline2
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Mehso-so

Its not quite the epic family saga I was expecting. More a middle class family moaning a lot. It had moments of magic (I would have liked more on Wendy and Jonah and less on how much Marilyn & David loooove each other - we get it!!!) With some serious editing, I think there‘s a much greater book in there. (Where are all the editors? I‘ve read a lot of bloated books lately?! 🤔)

rockpools Oops. I appear to have unstacked it 😁 I‘m getting through my stack quite nicely today!! 4y
squirrelbrain Oh no, poor Caroline - you‘re not having much luck at the moment are you? We should make it our mission to find you a Really Good Book! (I‘m about 80% through and enjoying it so far...) 4y
TrishB Aww, I really enjoyed this one!! @squirrelbrain 4y
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Cinfhen I thought it was TOO LONG but I really enjoyed the whole messed up family and my heart broke for Jonah. I totally want a sequel....but I can see where one would get a little sick of the Sorenson family. Sorry, it wasn‘t the hit you were hoping for. I just read The Vanishing Half....you might like that one 4y
Caroline2 @Cinfhen no need to apologise!! 😆 I enjoyed the first half and I‘m glad I read it. There needs to be an ‘ok‘ option between pick and so-so! Plus I‘m a real impatient reader lately. So prob more a case of it‘s not you (book) it‘s me! 😉 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain I am heading for a slump! 🙄 my brain is just in this restless, impatient, judgey mood at the mo?! Every book is irritating me!! 😆 think I need a break from contemporary fiction. 👍 4y
Caroline2 @RachelO others have really enjoyed it so it‘s prob just me and my restless brain. (She‘s v judgey and bored lately 😬) 4y
Caroline2 @TrishB I really enjoyed the first half then it got a bit samey. 🤷‍♀️ But I think it‘s my mood. 4y
BarbaraBB Great review. And I know what you mean about finding all books irritating at the moment. I have that too, with both the classics and contemporary fiction 🤦🏻‍♀️ 4y
Caroline2 @BarbaraBB Yes, I‘m in a funny reading mood at the mo; but I need a break from contemporary fiction now that‘s for sure. 4y
CarolynM I agree with you re editing. I get so frustrated by books I think could have been really good if they'd been better edited. 4y
Caroline2 @CarolynM When did it become longer equals better?! Seems self indulgent. It should only be long if the story warrants it, not the default option. 🙄 4y
91 likes12 comments
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TrishB
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

I was put off this one because I didn‘t like the cover or the title. But it was a good read and I really enjoyed the normality of the family ups and downs. I come from a big family and have 4 sisters and 2 brothers. It‘s like this, sometimes you like them, sometimes you don‘t. I‘m the youngest daughter and my sisters all think they‘re my mum. It‘s annoying and comforting. Like families.

Cinfhen Awesome review 💜You read that QUICK 🎉I‘m glad u found it relatable as I said, I don‘t have sisters so I wondered if that‘s how it goes. 4y
Megabooks Great review! 4y
squirrelbrain Gosh that was quick! I only started it on my ‘lunch break‘ today so I‘m not very far in at all, but liking it so far. 4y
See All 20 Comments
batsy I can relate to that! Sounds good; nice review 👍🏽 4y
TrishB @Cinfhen not working today, uni gave us all an extra day off this month and next month. I got up this morning and said I‘m reading today and did! @squirrelbrain 4y
TrishB @Megabooks 👍🏻😘 4y
TrishB @batsy if you relate to that I think you‘ll like the book 👍🏻😘 4y
TrishB @Cinfhen I don‘t think any of us are as aggressive as Wendy/Violet. But my eldest sister fell out with my dad when I was young and I haven‘t seen her since I was 14! She keeps in touch with the next eldest. My dads been gone 30 years now and she never came back to the family 😢 so i understand all the undercurrents and the grudges. (edited) 4y
squirrelbrain You do right Trish - what a nice day, reading aalllll day! 😘 4y
BarbaraBB Such a great review! 4y
Cinfhen Oh, nice you had the day off. Sad about your sister. That‘s a very long time to be estranged 💔My husband only has one sister, who also had a falling out with her dad. She didn‘t speak to my hubby for nearly 15 years because she felt like he sided with his dad. Point is doesn‘t matter how many siblings you have, every family goes through some type of trauma. I hope my kids never lose touch ~ thank god they are all so close. (edited) 4y
Caroline2 That was quick! 😆 I‘m only on page 50 but I‘m already lost in all the family drama. 👍 4y
TrishB @Cinfhen my two are really close too 👍🏻🤞🏻 4y
TrishB @Caroline2 can‘t wait to see what you think. 4y
CarolynM Lovely review. Glad you enjoyed it. 4y
Reggie Wow TrishB, I always took you for an older sibling. Nice review. 4y
TrishB @CarolynM thank you 😘 4y
TrishB @Reggie that‘s because you know me in the world where I‘m allowed to be an adult 😁 4y
minkyb Another of my favorite recent reads. I was surprised by how much I got invested in the family. (edited) 4y
TrishB @minkyb they definitely got under your skin! 4y
101 likes1 stack add20 comments
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TrishB
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I‘d been leaning towards being Grace and this one is so true!
Sisters, can‘t live with them, can‘t live without them.

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TrishB
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I remember this feeling so well 😢
I‘m loving this book btw!!

Cinfhen Yay, so glad you‘re loving this book 🥰 4y
Caroline2 I started last night and I‘m loving it so far too. 😀 👍 4y
TrishB @Cinfhen it has me hooked 👍🏻 4y
TrishB @Caroline2 can‘t put it down! 4y
Cinfhen I‘m so glad you‘re both loving this book!!!! @TrishB @Caroline2 4y
75 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Caroline2
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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This is my #weeklyforecast at the mo. May change, may bail, who knows?! 😆

squirrelbrain I loved Girl, Woman, Other! 💕 4y
TrishB @squirrelbrain me too ❤️❤️ 🤞🏻🤞🏻for Caroline. 4y
Cinfhen Girl woman was 5 stars for me!!! And I‘m excited to see what you think about 4y
See All 9 Comments
Cinfhen Hope it‘s a GREAT reading week for you!!! 4y
Nute I want that edition of Girl, Woman, Other for that book cover art! 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain Oh good. That‘s for my book club read. 👍 4y
Caroline2 @Cinfhen oh good to know. I‘ll let you know what I think of both. 👍 4y
Caroline2 @TrishB lots of love for Girl, Woman then. 😉 (edited) 4y
Caroline2 @Nute It‘s a great cover isn‘t it. 😍 4y
81 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Jemmygem
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

This was a fantastic book 📖 loved the characters. I hope she writes more. Stayed up tell 3 am to finish. You know it‘s good when someone stays up on a work night. TGIF

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Jemmygem
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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This was a great book. I hope she write more just loved the characters. Stayed up tell 3 am to finish it. You know it‘s a good book 📖 when someone stays up on a work night lol. TGIF

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Jemmygem
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

This was such an enjoyable read. I am hoping she writes more books. Stayed up tell 3 in the morning to finish. You know it‘s good when someone does that on a work night. TGIF.

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amyf0x
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

Lombardo skillfully weaves together a wonderful story about four very different sisters - Wendy, Violet, Liza and Grace - and how their still-madly-in-love parents‘ relationship evolves over 40 years.

Read May 15-19
Rated 4/5 ⭐️
Book 25/60

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Jemmygem
Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Just started this yesterday and it kept me up late. Just love the family and the dynamics

51 likes3 stack adds
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Cinfhen
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

This was a FULL bodied family saga with plenty of triumphs & tragedies that kept me listening and commiserating ( not to mention, judging😉) Despite the book‘s heft (20 hours 33 minutes), I felt a kinship for the Sorenson clan and don‘t regret a minute I spent with them. I‘d love to see a sequel. #ReadingUSA2020 #Illinois

TrishB Looking forward to it 👍🏻 4y
BarbaraBB This sounds so good! I will definitely get to it one day too 💕 4y
KarenUK On my library wishlist already.... sounds great! 💕 4y
See All 6 Comments
Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
Cinfhen I‘m 💯 sure you‘re gonna LOVE this one @KarenUK I‘m not as sure about @BarbaraBB @TrishB ~ I‘ll be curious to see/ hear your thoughts 😄I thought this was a very impressive debut @Megabooks but I do think it was long in certain places 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I do think it could‘ve been cut by about 90 minutes, but it was an expansively good story! 4y
82 likes6 comments
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Cinfhen
Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I‘m imagining this book as a TV series...The Sorenson Sisters and this is my dream cast.
Laura Linney - Marilyn
Bryan Cranston - David
Christina Applegate - Wendy
Alicia Silverstone- Violet
Rachel Nichols - Liza
Ashley Olson - Grace
Share your dream cast @JennyM @Soubhiville @Megabooks @Cathythoughts @arubabookwoman
And anyone else who read the book and feels like joining in ❤️😁📺
I‘m loving this book...but it‘s long!!!!!

Chelsea.Poole Love this!! I have recommended the book to several people including my mom. I think she'll love it ♥️ 4y
Caroline2 Ohhh what a fab line up!! 😯 4y
BarbaraBB I hope to get to this book one day too. I‘ve been wanting to read it since (I think) @Cathythoughts review! 4y
See All 12 Comments
Cinfhen I think you‘ll like it @BarbaraBB Although Im not 💯 sure ~ I‘m completely hooked 4y
Cinfhen Would u agree with my choices @Chelsea.Poole ??? I‘m totally set on Marilyn & David but not sure about my sister choices. Have you read this one @Caroline2 ???? 4y
Cathythoughts It‘s so long sinse I‘ve read it read... liking your choices though. .... but maybe Bill Paxton for the dad .... I always loved him ❤️ ( RIP ) (edited) 4y
Cathythoughts I don‘t know Brian Cranston.... 4y
Megabooks I think I‘d like a real brunette to play violet. I remember her having brown hair in the description. I don‘t know much about the Liza actress, but I think you‘re dead on with Wendy and Grace. I wish Grace had played a bigger role in the book. I felt her character was underdeveloped. Omg, I guess I remember more than I thought!!! (edited) 4y
Cinfhen Thanks @Megabooks and you‘re right....Grace was slightly underwritten but that was kind of her thing....being the “epilogue” to the rest of the family story! You DO remember a lot!!! Violet is described with “honey toned” hair ♥️So sad about Bill Paxton @Cathythoughts but he would have made a great David Sorenson 4y
Chelsea.Poole I love all your choices! ♥️ 4y
Cinfhen @Chelsea.Poole 😘 4y
JennyM I‘ve been off Litsy for a few days - so sorry just seen this. I LOVE all your choices!!! Now we just need someone to make it into a movie🍿 🎥 😘❤️ 4y
77 likes1 stack add12 comments
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Cinfhen
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I‘m REALLY enjoying this book but I have no idea how many more hours I have left to go....I‘m listening on OverDrive and it doesn‘t seem to have an hour marker. This is a purely character driven novel....covering a 40 year marriage with all its ups and downs. Last week was my 32 wedding anniversary, so I‘m drawn to Marilyn & David‘s story. As an audio, this is a winner, a slow burn of family drama.

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one ❤️👍🏻 4y
JennyM @Cathythoughts seconding Cathy. Really enjoyed this one, and glad you are too - did the print version 😊 4y
Cinfhen My heart breaks for Jonah @Cathythoughts Violet is awful 4y
See All 20 Comments
Cinfhen See my comment @JennyM 🖕🏼Do you have sisters??? I don‘t so I wonder if it seems accurate (edited) 4y
Cinfhen Do you have sisters @Cathythoughts ??? 4y
TrishB I‘m going to read when I have a couple of days off! I have 4 sisters so will let you know 😁 4y
Cinfhen I‘m curious to hear your thoughts @TrishB xx Have you read this @Reviewsbylola @Mdargusch @emilyhaldi I‘d love to hear your input!!!!! I‘m really enjoying the audio 🎧 4y
JennyM @Cinfhen I have a sister and a brother and , although our relationships are nothing like that in the book, I think each of us has a certain perceived role and that has stayed with us into adulthood - even though we have grown and changed #middlechildhere 😆 4y
Cinfhen I agree @JennyM I have 3 brothers, all younger than me but we definitely have our “roles” and we have taken them into adulthood,as well. I get the #MiddleChild role. I see it with my own family members. 4y
Cathythoughts My heart broke for Jonah too , he plays such a key part in the family dynamics, like @JennyM I did the print version too ... I love a good family drama like this 4y
Caroline2 Ohh I‘ve had this on my tbr shelf for a while now. Sounds like I need to move it up the pile. 👍 4y
Cinfhen Did the book feel like it was ever dragging @Cathythoughts @JennyM ??? Because it‘s not really a page turner in the traditional sense but I‘m DEFINITELY INVESTED in this story!!!!! I think you‘d enjoy it @Caroline2 💕 4y
JennyM @Cinfhen @Cathythoughts I have severe #chunksterphobia but I could have happily read another 100pages. I really did love it x 4y
Soubhiville I really liked this one. I really felt for the characters and wanted things to work out for them. I don‘t remember exactly where this book was set but it felt like the neighborhoods I grew up in, like this could have all happened up the street. 4y
Cinfhen Absolutely @Soubhiville book is set in suburbs of Chicago but could have easily been my Pennsylvania neighborhood. Characters are each nuanced and recognizable (edited) 4y
Reviewsbylola I have this on my TBR but haven‘t read it yet. 4y
Cinfhen I think you should bump it up or request audio from library @Reviewsbylola 4y
Reviewsbylola Maybe I‘ll try it on audio. I‘m usually pretty bad at fiction on audio but I‘ve surprised myself before. 4y
arubabookwoman I loved this one too. I saw some complaints about it being too long, but I thought every word was vital. I have 5 sisters (1 brother), and the relationships among the sisters were so true. 4y
Cinfhen It does feel a bit long at times @arubabookwoman but it‘s really helping to shape these characters into believable women. Audio helps because I can “tune out” for a moment and feel like I haven‘t really missed anything too significant ( although those sneaky moments do keep popping in) Try the audio @Reviewsbylola I think the narration will please you. 4y
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michellelav
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

This book explores the relationship between four sisters and their parents. I have to say it definitely lived up to the hype! I loved this authors writing style. Getting to see the story unfold from every family members point of view was really interesting. I also loved how each characters voice felt personal to them. 💕 Amazing! If you come across this one I recommend giving it a try 😊📖

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Lydiamansel
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
Pickpick

Couldn‘t put it down. Expected to cry, didn‘t until the acknowledgments

Cathythoughts I Really enjoyed too 4y
3 likes1 comment
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Soubhiville
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this family drama. The narrator was very good.

I had lots of feelings and was close to tears many times, so caution with public reading if you cry easily too. But really, I loved this.

TheNerdyProfessor I loved this book. Some said it was too long but I loved following their family across the years. 4y
Megabooks Agree! 4y
Chelsea.Poole I loved this too! ♥️ 4y
Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this too❤️👍🏻 4y
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nichollinlove
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

At 20hr and 39min, this audiobook was long. Not the kind of long where they describe in great detail every action but pulpy with information about each character, adding to the overall story.

A dissection of the Sorensons, an average American family, their sacrifices and their secrets. Heartbreaking and still full of love. Such a wonderfully weaved story that feels so real.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cathythoughts Loved this one 😁❤️ 4y
Megabooks Totally agree. Loved this audiobook. 4y
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Megabooks
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

This book is about the big and small ways a seemingly perfect family can have heartbreaks.

The Sorensens have four distinctly different daughters and a love for the ages. When daughter Violet‘s teenage son, who was placed for adoption as a baby, re-enters the family old sibling rivalries intensify as each daughter makes her way through young adulthood. Told with love, this is a memorable family drama. I loved the nonlinear storyline. 4.5⭐️

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Megabooks
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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I‘m crying over the parts of this book when the sisters talk about how they can never have a relationship that lives up to (their parents) David and Marilyn‘s relationship because that‘s how I‘ve always felt about my parents. They are still so happy together after 44 years, and I‘ll never have that. 😢😢

BarbaraBB I am so sorry you feel that way Meg, and I wish one day you‘ll have such a person in your life too ❤️ 4y
NeedsMoreBooks Hugs ❤️💖❤️💖 4y
Hooked_on_books They are lucky to have such a great example. For many years I worried about my ability to have a relationship at all because of how bad/negative all the things examples I saw were. It cuts all ways, I guess. 4y
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Megabooks @BarbaraBB Thank you dear friend!! Hopefully someday. 4y
Megabooks @NeedsMoreBooks 😊🥰🥰😊 4y
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books I‘m sorry you had so much negativity in that aspect of your childhood. I know I‘m lucky to have parents who are still married and crazy about each other. It‘s just different having the bar set so high. 4y
Hooked_on_books I think we are all affected by what we see as kids. But that doesn‘t have to mean we will or won‘t end up with what we see. Every relationship is different and we shouldn‘t be measuring them side by side anyway, as there are too many factors involved. And you can‘t fully know a relationship unless you‘re one of the people in it. All we can do is try to find someone who works for us (if that‘s what one wants). 4y
Hooked_on_books I gave up on dating for a long time, as it just never worked for me, then I met my husband when I was 39. But I wasn‘t looking for him. Neither of us is perfect but we‘re good for each other, and that‘s what matters, so hopefully we‘ll stay that way. 4y
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Becker
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

Good family drama. I thought the characters were very well done. My only criticism is that was longer than it needed to be but it was an interesting look into the complexities of a family with four grown daughters. For readers who enjoy reading about family dynamics. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cathythoughts Good book 👍🏻 4y
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JennyM
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

#Booked2020 #winter recap. Fave of the bunch was the tagged book. Impressive debut!!

@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Cinfhen Love your collage 🤩🤩🤩Woohoo 🎉 congrats on completing #FirstQuarter #Booked2020 🎊📚🙌🏻❣️This is your “official” entry for #FirstQuarterDrawing 😘
4y
Cathythoughts I loved the tagged book. What a great read ! Well done 👍🏻 Look out Spring 😁 (edited) 4y
JennyM @Cathythoughts it was so good. And for a bit of a chunkster it flew! 😘 4y
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JennyM @Cinfhen thank you 📚I do enjoy this challenge - thanks as always for organising 😘 4y
Kalalalatja Well done 🙌🙌 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Terrific job! 4y
CarolynM I love your collage! I may have to copy🙂 4y
JennyM @CarolynM it‘s probably the most productive thing I‘ve done in these last few weeks! I think I‘ve rewritten the same sentence about 100 times today, and it‘s not even a good sentence 🙃 4y
BarbaraBB Some great choices! 4y
Rissreads Some of these books look interesting! The tagged book keeps coming up on Litsy so I may have to get a copy and bump it up my list. What was the Lionel Shriver one like? How are you going? I‘m working hard everyday to stay positive. Do you have enough books to keep you going now that Library‘s are closed? 4y
JennyM @Rissreads I enjoyed the Shriver. It‘s sharp. We‘re ok thanks. Been a tough week but we will get through it. I hope you‘re doing ok. I fully stocked up on books before the library shut, so I‘m good for a bit...just depends on how long they‘re shut for. Look after your selves x😘 4y
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cdreincarnate
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Mehso-so

I was kind of underwhelmed by this audiobook, given the rave reviews I‘ve seen. I liked it, but I didn‘t love it. Mostly I just kept wondering how these sisters could be so awful to each other. And if Liza is a professor of psychology, how is it possible that she has no idea what to do with her partner‘s crippling depression?

Cathythoughts I really liked it ... 4y
cdreincarnate @Cathythoughts You‘re far from the only one. What did you like about it? 4y
Cathythoughts It was an easy read , but with substance. I love family dramas ... I know the psychologist character couldn‘t diagnose her partner , but I loved that the people weren‘t perfect ( far from it ) she wasn‘t the perfect psychologist, no one has all the answers... I loved that the characters, that they were real to me (edited) 4y
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MelanieMefford
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
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Pickpick

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book. I‘m so distraught knowing it will likely be a while before I fall so hard for another.

Cathythoughts A great read !! I agree. Hopefully another by this author soon 4y
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