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The Ramblers
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
39 posts | 41 read | 101 to read
For fans of J. Courtney Sullivan, Meg Wolitzer, Claire Messud, and Emma Straub, a gorgeous and absorbing novel of a trio of confused souls struggling to find themselves and the way forward in their lives, set against the spectacular backdrop of contemporary New York City.Set in the most magical parts of Manhattanthe Upper West Side, Central Park, Greenwich VillageThe Ramblers explores the lives of three lost souls, bound together by friendship and family. During the course of one fateful Thanksgiving week, a time when emotions run high and being with family can be a mixed blessing, Rowleys sharply defined characters explore the moments when decisions are deliberately made, choices accepted, and pasts reconciled.Clio Marsh, whose bird-watching walks through Central Park are mentioned in New York Magazine, is taking her first tentative steps towards a relationship while also looking back to the secrets of her broken childhood. Her best friend, Smith Anderson, the seemingly-perfect daughter of one of New Yorks wealthiest families, organizes the lives of others as her own has fallen apart. And Tate Pennington has returned to the city, heartbroken but determined to move ahead with his artistic dreams.Rambling through the emotional chaos of their lives, this trio learns to let go of the past, to make room for the future and the uncertainty and promise that it holds. The Ramblers is a love letter to New York Cityan accomplished, sumptuous novel about fate, loss, hope, birds, friendship, love, the wonders of the natural world and the mysteries of the human spirit.
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Jas16
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

Three New Yorkers who need to face their futures and deal with their pasts if they are ever going to move forward with their lives and relationships. Are they able to forgive? Are the ready to be brave? Lots of moneyed white privilege but for me it never overshadowed the emotions of the characters. Absolutely made me want to roam around Manhattan again too. #booked2021 #authorsfirstnamestartswithaborc

JennyM I really liked this book and I think @emilyhaldi did too. I reckon it would also work for #UnderRatedOrLesserKnownBook. (edited) 4y
Jas16 @JennyM I think it would be a good choice for that prompt too. Wish I had thought of that because I still don‘t know what I will read for that one! 4y
JennyM @Jas16 me either! I‘m hoping for listy inspiration 😁 4y
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Cinfhen I see I‘ve previously stacked this book....thanks for reminding me 😉 4y
Cathythoughts Sounds like a good one 👍🏻 4y
alisiakae 🎉🙌🏽 4y
emilyhaldi Ahhh yes I remember this one! @JennyM it was an enjoyable read for sure, as long as you can stand reading about spoiled rich kids 😆😜 4y
72 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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bookishunicorn
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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A night of reading, and binge watching The Office 👍🏼

▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️

Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

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Courtneyjo_reads
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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11.3.18 This book was such a fun, light, and heartfelt read. I felt very invested to the main characters and found myself relating to them as their stories progressed. I had a hard time putting it down and fell in love with it! 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Courtneyjo_reads
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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11.1.18 And just like that, it‘s November. This year has flown by! Starting the month with a lighter read, The Ramblers, a novel that delves into the lives of three lost souls trying to find their own way in this crazy world. “Rambling through the emotional chaos of their lives, this trio learns to let go of the past, to make room for the future and the uncertainty and promise that it holds”. #bookshark #booksparks

6 likes1 stack add
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LauraBeth
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Early morning reading - thanks @MicheleinPhilly 😽 I don‘t know how this book escaped my radar...

Cinfhen Oh, YOU REALLY ARE AWAKE!!! @emilyhaldi just posted about this book the other day!! Sounds juicy 🤗 6y
LauraBeth @Cinfhen ☕️☕️ I saw @emilyhaldi ‘s post the other day and was like, “Well where has THIS gem been hiding? It‘s right up my alley...” 6y
JennyM Oh this is a wonderful book. Enjoy xx 6y
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LeahBergen Bitsy doesn‘t look quite ready to face the day. 😆 6y
LauraBeth @LeahBergen Bitsy needs to rally because I‘m about to take her running 😂 6y
LauraBeth @JennyM I‘m glad to hear that you liked it! 😀 6y
emilyhaldi Excited to hear what you think of this one!!! It‘s nice fluff 😉 6y
105 likes1 stack add7 comments
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emilyhaldi
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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This book weaves together the stories of 3 thirty-something rich, successful New Yorkers- Clio, Smith, and Tate. The book revolves mostly around Clio, who leads bird-watching tours in Central Park, perhaps spotting an #eagle at times 😜, which is where she meets and falls in love with her older, richer, “Mr. Big” type boyfriend. If you enjoy reading about self-involved rich kids this book is for you!
#abbainaugust

Cinfhen I‘ve already stacked this book even though I‘m pretty sure I never heard of it before 😂😂sounds like something I‘d like to read 6y
Kalalalatja You had me at Mr. Big type 😄😄 6y
BarbaraBB @Kalalalatja Haha 😂😂 6y
See All 14 Comments
JennyM I love this book so much. 6y
Cathythoughts Nice one 👍🏻 6y
LauraBeth You‘re killing me with your book recs! 😂 Stop making me add to my TBR! 😂 6y
Mdargusch I‘m not sure I can do this one? 🤷🏼‍♀️ maybe if I get through my TBR 😁 6y
MicheleinPhilly I loved this one! 6y
Reviewsbylola This sounds like a good summer read! 6y
Reviewsbylola Is that even possible?!? 😂😂 @Mdargusch 6y
emilyhaldi Lol @Kalalalatja 😂 and sorry @LauraBeth 😉 @Cinfhen wait til you're in the mood for some #richwhitepeopleproblems 😜 @Mdargusch it's currently sitting in the giveaway to LFL pile so you can snatch it up for yourself if you please 😄 6y
Mdargusch Definitely not @Reviewsbylola 6y
Mdargusch Ha! I think I will. Just in case. 6y
Meredith3 Oooh I‘m interested! 6y
98 likes8 stack adds14 comments
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JennyM
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Day 5 | #readingresolutions

I don‘t see nearly enough love for this #underratedbook.

MicheleinPhilly I loved this one! 6y
JennyM @MicheleinPhilly oh me, too. One of my fave reads from last year 6y
31 likes2 comments
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emilyhaldi
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Regarding the accumulation of these stacks in my temporary living situation, I 💯 #blameitonlitsy 🤦🏻‍♀️
#readingresolutions

CoverToCoverGirl How lovely!📖 7y
Mdargusch Thank goodness you have so much room for your book piles! 👍🏼 7y
Reviewsbylola You‘ll have a complete wall of books by the time you move out. 📚 📚 📚 7y
ValerieAndBooks I had book piles like that too, in a temp apartment for 9 months when we were in between houses — waiting to sell one in a different state before we could buy again (where we are now). That was 4 years ago and a lot of them are still TBR 😂! 7y
emilyhaldi @ValerieAndBooks oh, I believe it!! 😆 7y
136 likes5 comments
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hes7
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Bookcation74 I LOVED Russian Winter! 8y
CrowCAH You have quite a few arrr books in your collection; neat!!! 8y
77 likes2 comments
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Soscha
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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I have about as much chance looking through my new book sale stack as I do cutting this guy's nails.

Megabooks I cut my dog's nails today too! 8y
Soscha We can at best cut one of Vanderbilt's nails every few days. He screams and fights so much we worry we'll hurt him as much as he thinks we're going to. 8y
12 likes2 comments
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WilliamMorrowBooks
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

we're back with our staff pick Sunday! Today's pick is from editorial assistant, Carolyn, who chose THE RAMBLERS

I read this book when I first moved to New York and started working for William Morrow, so it has a special place in my heart! Aidan manages to capture both the loneliness and magic of New York.

78 likes12 stack adds
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Bookquilter
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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KatyAliceReads
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Up next?

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Dmtlang
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
Pickpick

A solid read. I really enjoyed each character, their story, and the way their lives all come together. I loved the timing - everything takes place during the week of Thanksgiving.

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saresmoore
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Mehso-so

The Ramblers is, in essence, a Bildungsroman of three New Yorkers...in their mid-thirties. Imagine a foul-mouthed, painful novelization of the TV show, Friends without the humor. I loved the personality of one of the three main narrators, but was so incensed by the immaturity of the other two that I ended up skimming about half of the book. There is astute description throughout, but overall, I didn't love it.

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saresmoore
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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I'm loving only parts of this book; I really hate the POV of two out of three main characters. 😕 But hey! I'm reading and crafting and wonderfully alone—the INFJ's paradise! Cheers to evening reading for my fellow U.S. east coasters. 🍸🍸

valeriegeary Pretty colors. What are you making? 8y
saresmoore @valeriegeary It's a prayer shawl. I've just finished it and it looks like phoenix wings! 8y
31 likes2 comments
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saresmoore
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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"There will most certainly be a next time, and a next time, and a time after that. This is who she is. This is who she's wired to be. It's not a matter of having a perfectly arranged closet or talking to a life coach...of ingesting copious amounts of Rumi and kale and green tea. She's spent years doing her own research and she's still left with the question that's plagued her since she was a girl, since she knew enough to ask. Am I okay?"

saresmoore Never have I read a more poignant description of living with panic. I'm only 40 pages in and relating to this character so deeply and personally—I can't decide whether to feel uncomfortable or relieved. 8y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sumaiyya.books
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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My current read is The Ramblers, set in New York over a Thanksgiving weekend. It's beautifully written, addictive to read and just magical like most NYC novels. Although I've never been to New York, I find the youthful, fresh and fast-paced life there very alluring. And of course, there's the sense of led happening, depressed or dreamy. Somehow this book is pushing all that to the front, and making it even more gorgeous with its focus on birds.🤓

48 likes9 stack adds
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Dmtlang
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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November book group pick. Thanksgiving is the best.

ReadingOver50 That cover is eye catching 8y
Dmtlang It is. It definitely would have caught my eye on a shelf or table at the book store. 8y
3 likes2 comments
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hes7
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

The Ramblers swept me up in the bustle of city life with its genuinely flawed characters and their surprising stories. It‘s a book composed of ordinary moments and choices—of family, friendship, love, loss, jealousy, hope—and speaks beautifully of feeling lost. Well-written, character-driven, reflective, The Ramblers is a good choice for the fan of contemporary fiction. (I received a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Rissreads Nice review. Stacked. 5y
2 likes1 comment
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WilliamMorrowBooks
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Two fabulous books now available in paperback. My current fave: THE RAMBLERS, an absorbing novel of three friends in NYC struggling to find themselves, years after college. If you like Emma Straub or Cynthia d'aprix Sweeney, you'll love this book! ❤️

41 likes9 stack adds
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Well-ReadNeck
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Who-hoo! Picked up a fabulous stack of holds today! #LibraryHaul 📚📚📚📚📚📚

valeriegeary Good looking stack. 8y
Suzze Great stack! 8y
GlitteryOtters Dang...! Great stack! How will you decide which to read first?! 8y
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JenniferJR Wow that's a great stack! I'm reading The Mothers now and love it! 8y
Reese_Pearly.Pages It's so beautiful 😭😭 I bought all of those except for the Ramblers. 8y
L_auren Love!! Ramblers was wonderful and now that I'm currently reading Rich and Pretty it reminds me of it 8y
161 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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Fritzybitsyspider
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
Pickpick

Enjoyed this book very much. I appreciated that it intro the characters early without making it too complicated. I found myself excited to keep reading to get to the next person. Good quick read.

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KatyAliceReads
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Trying to decide what to read...

10 likes2 stack adds
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WilliamMorrowBooks
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

A perfect New York book for a perfect New York day! The Ramblers is an absorbing novel about three friends struggling to find themselves. There is also some bird watching!

kdwinchester That cover 😍 8y
32 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

One Thanksgiving week in the life of three thirty-four-year-old Yale grads who live in NYC and grapple with love, loss, and existential angst. Yes, it's white, moneyed privilege, and yes, the dialogue is sometimes clunky, but it's still interesting and worthwhile. I enjoyed the ornithology, the book talk, the little snippets of "texts" from magazines and applications, and the fact the characters actually did seem to mature.

LauraBeth Sounds a bit like "The Emperor's Children" 8y
SharonGoforth Have this on hold at the library 😊 8y
59 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Why the Poets House in NYC is not the Poets' House: "some things must never be possessed but shared." ?

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That's wonderful! I love that quote and idea! 8y
40 likes1 comment
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BookishMarginalia
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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How can you resist a character whose mom taught her "to revere books"? I just love these lines: the girls "knew how important it was to read everything, to stay flush with exquisite words, to have poetic sentences in the ear at all times" (119). #booklove

WilliamMorrowBooks What a great book! 8y
Hugoreads "To stay flush with exquisite words..."....ahhhh-yes! 8y
49 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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#currentlyreading and thoroughly enjoying this novel 🤓

MrBook One for you, @BookBabe ! Also I see Radar back there. That's been staring at me on my shelves for awhile now. 8y
BookishMarginalia @MrBook Yep, the Radar pile went home with us! (Hey, we return to work on Wednesday, so a little book retail therapy was in order -- not that we EVER need an excuse!) 8y
MrBook 😂👍🏻 8y
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MrBook Harry August is a favorite of mine 😊. 8y
BookishMarginalia @MrBook 👍🏼 It was highly recommended by the bookstore owner. Her new one looks great too 8y
MrBook Oh yes! I just read Touch. Another great book! 8y
47 likes1 stack add6 comments
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FoldedPagesDistillery
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

4.5/5 ⭐️ There is real charm in these characters and I loved the level-headedness with lots of thoughtful and insightful revelations in life and love and forgiveness. This felt like taking and releasing a deep breath or sitting and talking with good friends about life and love.

16 likes5 stack adds
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Anna4031
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Pickpick

Good book! It was a solid 4-stars, but the last chapter was so beautiful, I wanted to give it 5-stars for that alone!

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Anna4031
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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"You will be a mother one day, and see what it's like to crack open with hope and worry and desire and pain and most of all love. But it's not simple. It's hellos and goodbyes, nevers and forevers, and go away and come back, please come back, forgive me."

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Anna4031
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Reading this based on a recommendation that I've already forgotten who to attribute it to (there are too many book pushers in my life!). Liking it so far, though! Love that New York City is a character in and of itself.

JessKH Ooh let me know what you think of it. As someone irrationally in love with my city I'd be curious to read it if you love it. 9y
2 likes1 comment
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Suetara
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Time to get back to my ginormous library stack. I've heard good things about this one.

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Kd_reads
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Mehso-so

I wanted so badly to absolutely love this book. The beginning was slow, but once the characters were developed, it became a lovely story. The characters are all broken in some way and the book tells their journeys to becoming whole.

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Kd_reads
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Finally getting a chance to start this beautiful book. I adore NYC and books that are set in the city.

1 like1 stack add
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writemeg
The Ramblers | Aidan Donnelley Rowley
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Saturday morning -- coming to the end of this beautiful story. Loved getting to know three distinct people and how their lives intersect during one fall week in New York City!

totesmarisa This is on my shopping list for the weekend!! 9y
41 likes22 stack adds1 comment