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Parnassus On Wheels
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
Parnassus on Wheels is Morley's first novel, about a fictional traveling book-selling business. The original owner of the business, Roger Mifflin, sells it to 39-year-old Helen McGill, who is tired of taking care of her older brother, Andrew. Andrew is a former businessman turned farmer, turned author. As an author, he begins using the farm as his Muse rather than a livelihood. When Mifflin shows up with his traveling bookstore, Helen buys it--partly to prevent Andrew from buying it--and partly to treat herself to a long-overdue adventure of her own. The first of two novels to be written from a woman's perspective, as well as the prequel to a later novel (The Haunted Bookshop), Parnassus on Wheels was inspired by David Grayson's novel, The Friendly Road, and starts with an open letter to Grayson, taking him to task for not concerning himself (except in passing) with his sister's opinion of and reaction to his adventure.
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review
Robotswithpersonality
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Mehso-so

Puts me in mind of 84, Charing Cross Road: charming, silly with a lot of books around the periphery. But while '84' had some truly touching moments in reality, Parnassus has some truly out of touch ones in fiction in view of modern sensibilities. Craving a reboot on the theme of a 'single woman strikes out with a bookmobile' - if anyone knows of such already published, please recommend!

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Robotswithpersonality
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Go Helen!

TheBookHippie By the ghost of Susan B Anthony!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 11mo
7 likes1 comment
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Robotswithpersonality
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Life improved drastically between 20s and 30s, I'd like to believe it will continue in an upwards trajectory in future decades. 😁

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Robotswithpersonality
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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☺️📚

5 likes1 stack add
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Jen2
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

Delightful!!

46 likes1 stack add
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Eggs
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

A traveling book-selling business is the basis for the story. The original owner sells it to 39-year-old Helen McGill for $400 - then, because she is tired of taking care of her older brother Andrew, she takes off! Funny and clever!

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick
#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

DivineDiana I so enjoyed this book! ❤️ (edited) 1y
TheSpineView Awesome! 1y
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 1y
Eggs @Andrew65 Thank You 😊 1y
53 likes5 comments
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DivineDiana
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

What a joy to read! Well actually, I listened to the audio and fell under its spell! Written in 1917, a tale of a traveling bookseller who decides to sell his book wagon called Parnassus, to a “spinster” who yearns for an adventure. Characters who will win your heart. Books and the love of reading are celebrated. Suffragettes. A breath of fresh air. If I wasn‘t smiling,I was shedding sentimental tears. Quick read.

batsy I've heard of this so often but never actually knew what it was about 🙈 Great review! Sounds delightful. 2y
DivineDiana @batsy As had I, so when it appeared as “available”while looking for an audio, I took the leap! As a huge fan of Ann Patchett, I wanted insight into why she named her bookstore Parnassus. Delightful it is! ❤️ (edited) 2y
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Blackink_WhitePaper
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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I have many fav books in #LetterP . This book is hidden gem 🤩 one of my favourite books 😍

Of course the another choice is Pride & prejudice ( forever m a #Pemberlittens) 😍

I also recommend Proust & the squid. It is my fav nonfiction . #Alphabetgame

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing!! 2y
Ruthiella I‘ve long meant to read the tagged book and The Haunted Bookshop . Some day!😂 2y
36 likes3 comments
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shanaqui
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This was a reread for me, but I'd forgotten most of the details beyond the romance and the travelling book wagon. Still sweet, and it's nice to see a middle-aged, plain, female protagonist.

And look! Steady #BookSpinBingo progress, though I should hurry up if I want to make that H shape with the left and right verticals and the middle horizontal!

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BkClubCare
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This was just gosh darn adorable!! The audio (Nadia May) is something special. HIGHLY recommended! It‘s got books, it‘s got love, it‘s got lots of book love ❤️ #Classic #CC50_part2 #ClassicsClub #audiobook

Other pics from the wild weather we have had the past few days: 80 degrees + thunderstorms to snow this morning.

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yoavshai
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 217.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

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Centique
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This is a very sweet novella from 1917 about a travelling bookshop. It is a little tongue in cheek and told with a philosophy of taking literature to the people, specifically the US country folk of the era.
The above quote gives you a little taste of the tone. “There‘s all heaven and earth in a book!”

Blackink_WhitePaper This is one of my favs 😻📚 3y
Nute Yes, to that paragraph above!⬆️ Yes, to this book, Paula! I can‘t wait to read it. It sounds like a love letter written to book lovers❣️ 3y
Centique @Nute it truly is! 💕 3y
Reggie This makes me think of my first Clive Barker in my teens. Sigh. 3y
Centique @Reggie salvation in a book! 🙌 3y
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Libby1
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

An utterly joyful book about a horse drawn traveling bookshop and the adventures of its human and animal companions (a dog named Bock - short for Boccaccio!).

This book made me smile.

ravenlee There‘s a sequel of sorts - I haven‘t read Parnassus but found the second one enjoyable if a little silly 3y
Libby1 Thanks, @ravenlee ! I have the sequel on #SerialReader now. 😊 3y
ravenlee I hope you enjoy it! There was one section I really liked (and the only one I really remember a decade or so later!) about bookselling as prescription service, like you have to prescribe the right book for your customer/patient. As an on-again, off-again bookseller since I was 16 it really spoke to me. 3y
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OutAndAbout
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

An old novella, fun trip with a vagabond bookseller and a self proclaimed fat middle aged housewife. Will be unlikely to read the sequel but glad to have experienced this half.

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OutAndAbout
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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When you sell a man a book you don‘t sell him just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue—you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humor and ships at sea by night—there‘s all heaven and earth in a book.

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Blackink_WhitePaper
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

Adventure begins when plans end ! This is a story of woman living in country side and her adventurous journey with cart full of books. Witty writing, beautiful plot and lovely conversations. It has many aspects of life, with a focus on books. Must read for people loving #booksaboutbooks. 5🌟

#serialreader #firstintheseries #stackingtheseries #seriesread2021 #bookspinbingo #19

TheSpineView 🤩📖📚 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
52 likes1 stack add2 comments
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bibliobliss
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AvidReader25
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

I read this a few years ago & it‘s such a treat to return to it. It‘s one of the most charming books I‘ve ever read.

"When you sell a man a book you don't sell him paper & ink & glue—you sell him a whole new life. Love & friendship & humour & ships at sea by night—there's all heaven & earth in a book.”

“There are a few days when the world seems to hang still in a dreaming sweet hush at the very fullness of the fruit before the decline sets in.”

CuriousG That looks like an original printing of the book...is it?! I've got a reprint but wish I had the original one 4y
AvidReader25 @CuriousG Yes! I found it at a bookstore in Charleston while on vacation there earlier this year. I was thrilled! 4y
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Johanna414
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This was such a strange, quirky little story. I loved it!

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bibliobliss
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"That's when a woman finds herself -- when she's in love"

The only thing I would add is the word "true"

#recentlyread #bookquotes

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bibliobliss
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Pickpick

• 5/5 ⭐️ for several elements: humor, romance, adventure, BOOKS!! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. You must pick it up if you enjoy books about books and the joys of reading good literature 📚📚 Currently available on #SerialReaderapp

#recentlyread #readharder #goodbooks #classics #classicliterature #booksaboutbooks #highlyrecommend

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bibliobliss

Main character Helen McGill is a hoot and a holler. She's quick with reason and wit and I really like her 🙂 She's reason enough to pick up the tagged book!!

#currentlyreading

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bibliobliss

"Common sense?" he repeated. "Good Lord, ma'am, sense is the most uncommon thing in the world."

Sums up the world nicely ?

#currentlyreading #fiction #novels #ebook #digitalreads #SerialReader #classics #classicliterature #bookquotes

CaffeineAndCandy ❤❤❤ 4y
jb72 😂 That is way too true! 4y
bibliobliss @jb72 Entirely too true!! 4y
31 likes4 comments
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bibliobliss

He approaches facts as daintily as a cat crossing a wet road.

Love the language/metaphors in the tagged book

#currentlyreading #fiction #novels #ebook #digitalreads #SerialReader #classics #classicliterature #bookquotes

CaffeineAndCandy ❤❤❤ 4y
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bibliobliss

He looked at me. I noticed for the first time that his eyes were slate blue, with funny birds' foot wrinkles at the corners.

Like this description of crow's feet!!

#currentlyreading #fiction #novels #ebook #digitalreads #SerialReader #SerialReaderapp

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bibliobliss
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?? Hey there everyone on this beautiful Tuesday afternoon #Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView ??

1. No favorite throws but I do like bundling up in cozy layers ??

2. I'd still like to read a big doorstopper classic like "Anna Karenina" (Tolstoy) or "Les Mis" (Hugo), maybe Charles Dickens; side note: my phone keyboard is quick to suggest Darwin instead of Dickens!! No thanks, Dickens is better than Darwin ? ?

#LitsyLove #friends #updates

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 👍🤩😊 4y
bibliobliss @TheSpineView Always fun!!! 4y
readordierachel I've really been wanting to read Anna Karenina too. Such a commitment though 😅 4y
bibliobliss @readordierachel Yes!! I'm afraid it will have to wait 😬 4y
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Mystic.Archives.Of.Dantalian
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

What is a good book?

".…A good book ought to have something simple about it. And, like Eve, it ought to come from somewhere near the third rib; there ought to be a heart beating in it."

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thestarlesscasea
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This was a weird little book, and for much of it I couldn't decide how I felt about it at all, but in the end I enjoyed it. It's cute, insightful, and surprisingly feminist for having been written by a male author in the early 1900s. I'll definitely have to check out Haunted Bookshop soon! 📚

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thestarlesscasea
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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"Herrick, Hans Andersen, Tennyson, Thoreau and...other good fellows are riding at my back...But books aren‘t a substantial world after all, and...we get hungry for some closer, more human relationships...

What absurd victims of contrary desires we are! If a man is settled in one place he yearns to wander; when he wanders he yearns to have a home. And yet how bestial is content—all the great things in life are done by discontented people."

?

Blueberry That was a fun read. 4y
thestarlesscasea @Blueberry I really enjoyed it too! Strange and delightful ☺ 4y
4 likes2 comments
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thestarlesscasea
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Such a cohesive aesthetic 🧡

Eyelit 😂🤣😂 4y
7 likes1 comment
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Tamra
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

Utterly charming story! Definitely bibliotherapy for the soul. 😁 Moving right along to the the Haunted Bookshop.

ravenlee There‘s a fantastic passage in The Haunted Bookshop about bookselling as prescribing medicine, and how you can‘t recommend a book for someone without understanding the reader and what that reader needs. It warmed my little bookseller heart! 4y
Tamra @ravenlee 👍🏾👍🏾 I loved in Parnassus how “great” books are described as ones that reflect human nature. Serendipitous, because that is precisely the heart of evoliterary analysis which I‘m doing this week for class! 4y
BookishMe 😍😍 4y
65 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Blueberry
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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This book was a lot of fun. Written in 1917, a spinster buys a horse-drawn book wagon and heads off for adventure. I read it in one day.

rubyslippersreads I‘ve had this on my TBR list for ages. 5y
Blueberry @rubyslippersreads read it! Easy and fun. 5y
BookishMe @rubyslippersreads I second that too. Fast read but so so much Delight! 😍😍 5y
AvidReader25 I loved this one! 5y
50 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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AvidReader25
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Blue Bicycle Books in Charleston, SC is a new favorite spot. 💙

LiteraryinPA How cute! How does it all stay up? 5y
Books88 Oh I love Charelston so much!! I'll have to make a visit here the next time I go there. 5y
AvidReader25 @LiteraryinLititz I think it‘s glued together. 5y
AvidReader25 @AJBowers Definitely worth a visit! 5y
22 likes4 comments
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Tamra
Parnassus on Wheels | Christopher Morley
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I‘ve been wanting to read this for awhile and I got lucky today with a thrifty find!

Ubiquitous cat in the box pic. 😸

Ncostell Happy reading! I really enjoyed this one. 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 So cute!😻 fun book! 5y
Crazeedi Cutest kitty picture ever!!😸 5y
90 likes3 comments
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Ncostell
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This was such a charming book. Published in 1917, it is the whimsical tale of Roger Mifflin, the enthusiastic bookseller and Helen McGill, the woman to whom he sells his horse drawn book shop, Parnassus. It is a fun, quick read sure to be a delight to book lovers. Now I‘m reading the sequel, The Haunted Bookshop.

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toofondofbooks
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This is a totally charming little book. Funny, sweet, and full of characters that love books.

#serialreader #classics

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toofondofbooks
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Eyelit
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

This short little book was a delight from start to finish. A woman impulsively buys a traveling bookselling caravan and comes to love the independence of travel as well as learning to appreciate the magic of books. Also, I‘m surprised this isn‘t a movie (if it is, I‘ve never encountered it) - cause it has the feel of a rom-com at times. 📚😍📚

PatriciaU I adored this book! 6y
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RealBooks4ever
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

Short quaint story, written in 1917, of an unmarried middle aged farm woman who suddenly finds adventure and love. I loved the literary references and the descriptions of nature. 💜

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Linsy
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Parnassus on Scones! #fridaynightbookclub

Kaye Are scones sweet like donuts, or are they plain flavored like bread ? 6y
britt_brooke This is such a delightful little read. 💚 6y
Bookish_AF @kaye I‘m hardly a scones expert, but the ones I know how to make don‘t have much sugar in the dough itself. However I sprinkle sugar on top and add chocolate chips! 6y
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Linsy @kaye @whippoorwill815 That‘s how these were! I‘d say they‘re like a denser donut that‘s dusted instead of glazed. 6y
Kaye Sounds very good. I‘ve never tried them before. 6y
Linsy @kaye I wish you could try the ones I had tonight! I think they‘re my favorite ever. I tried to make them once myself and I started a fire, so I only buy them at restaurants. 6y
Kaye Wow 😮. Maybe you oughta let others make them for you. Don‘t want to burn down your kitchen ! 6y
Linsy @kaye My husband‘s thoughts exactly! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 6y
Branwen Yummy! 😍 6y
103 likes9 comments
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sisilia
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

What a fun novella! Would someone please come and sell me a booktruck + a dog?

JanuarieTimewalker13 I loved it too! 6y
71 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sisilia
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Truth!👆🏻

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smilingshelves
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Second book finished, but barely! This book was a fun read, and I'll definitely be rereading it sometime! #TwoinThree

@Samplergal

BookNAround Such a fun one! 6y
32 likes1 comment
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britt_brooke
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Wearing my new #ParnassusBooks tee shirt. Love the color! 😍

Megabooks Gorgeous! 6y
britt_brooke @Megabooks Thanks! 😙 6y
rather_be_reading 💙💙 6y
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EricQiao Matches your eyes! 6y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings Beautiful 😍 6y
merelybookish Pretty! 6y
JennyM Lovely pic xx 6y
saresmoore I love it! It looks excellent on you! 6y
Mitch Love it - you look so happy 👍🏼😁 6y
LeahBergen The colour suits you! 💙💙 6y
britt_brooke @LeahBergen Thanks! 😙 6y
KGlibrarian Love that t-shirt! I always think about taking a trip to Nashville, not for the music but to visit that book store! 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Great shirt!! 6y
britt_brooke @KGlibrarian 😆👏🏻 That‘s the only reason I really go into the city ... for the book shops. (edited) 6y
erzascarletbookgasm 💙 too! 6y
Leftcoastzen Such a pretty color, hope to get to that bookstore,Happy it seems to be doing well. 6y
britt_brooke @Leftcoastzen It‘s such a great shop - you‘d love it! 6y
DocBrown @EricQiao took the words right out of my mouth! 6y
174 likes23 comments
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britt_brooke
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Took my 4 year old down to #ParnassusBooks and our favorite donut shop this morning. Bonus: they‘re in the same shopping center. 🤗🍩📚 Love these days!

#raisingreaders #parnassus #shoplocal

Mitch Books & doughnuts are a natural combo 👍🏼 6y
britt_brooke @Mitch Yes!! 😋 6y
AlaMich Sprinkles make everything better! 6y
See All 7 Comments
britt_brooke @AlaMich 😄 So true! 6y
Reviewsbylola Any time I could get donuts and books in the same trip would be a total win for me!! 6y
Cathythoughts Oh yum ... looks good 6y
britt_brooke @Cathythoughts The best ever!! 6y
148 likes7 comments
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Read66
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
Pickpick

Loved this feel good story of budding romance on a bookmobile.

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mom2bugnbee
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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We may have visited McKay's & Parnassus today. I love living near Nashville. #raisingreaders

Reviewsbylola 😍😍😍 6y
GondorGirl I love McKays... we always go when work takes us down south. 😍 6y
britt_brooke 🤗🤗 6y
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BooksAtNight
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick and heartwarming read. I especially liked the fact that the female protagonist was no wilting flower and instead a go-getter (and also older!). It was hilarious to have a male character be portrayed as the meddling fool. It does read a bit dated, but overall I really had a great time with the story!

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ErikasMindfulShelf
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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Pickpick

Delightful. Book number 2 for #FreakyFriday

TheKidUpstairs I'm glad you liked it! Such a lovely little book about books 😁 7y
ErikasMindfulShelf @TheKidUpstairs Yes. I need a bookstore on wheels 😍 7y
Kappadeemom I FORGOT to tag you when I receive my #postlit book! I think it was Easter weekend and it was crazy. It arrived safely! 7y
69 likes4 comments
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britt_brooke
Parnassus On Wheels | Christopher Morley
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blithebuoyant I'm reading Lost In A Book right now! It's a super cute, easy read. 7y
BookishMe Same favorites! 😍😍 7y
britt_brooke @BookishMe 💚💚💚 7y
Reviewsbylola I have a thing for books about books. 😍😍 7y
134 likes4 stack adds5 comments