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The Bookman's Tale
The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession | Charles C. Lovett
A mysterious portrait ignites an antiquarian bookseller's search through time and the works of Shakespeare for his lost love Guaranteed to capture the hearts of everyone who truly loves books, The Bookman's Tale is a former bookseller's sparkling novel and a delightful exploration of one of literature's most tantalizing mysteries with echoes of Shadow of the Wind and A.S. Byatt's Possession. Hay-on-Wye, 1995. Peter Byerly isn't sure what drew him into this particular bookshop. Nine months earlier, the death of his beloved wife, Amanda, had left him shattered. The young antiquarian bookseller relocated from North Carolina to the English countryside, hoping to rediscover the joy he once took in collecting and restoring rare books. But upon opening an eighteenth-century study of Shakespeare forgeries, Peter is shocked when a portrait of Amanda tumbles out of its pages. Of course, it isn't really her. The watercolor is clearly Victorian. Yet the resemblance is uncanny, and Peter becomes obsessed with learning the picture's origins. As he follows the trail back first to the Victorian era and then to Shakespeare's time, Peter communes with Amanda's spirit, learns the truth about his own past, and discovers a book that might definitively prove Shakespeare was, indeed, the author of all his plays.
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5feet.of.fury
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Mehso-so

I liked the treasure hunt / mystery aspect, but flashbacks took away the momentum. I‘m not really a Shakespeare enthusiast, I don‘t know if any of the backstory or greatest literary mystery was researched or imagined.

5feet.of.fury On its way home to youuu @BethM 4mo
36 likes1 comment
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Captivatedbybooks
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@Readergrrl i will mail the book out to you this week. I forgot before I left for vacation this week. Im so sorry! #LMPBC #Round20 #GroupC

Readergrrl No worries! I just finished Broken Monsters last night and will mail it out tomorrow. 💌✈️ 7mo
BethM Oooh where are you going? 7mo
Chrissyreadit Checking to see if you received your match for the staycationintime swap? 6mo
Captivatedbybooks @Chrissyreadit oh i did! I thought i replied that I did. Im sorry. I also answered the email about my shirt size. 6mo
27 likes1 stack add4 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

My 2nd-to-last read of 2022. Finished this one a couple days ago. Heard it recommended on #WSIRN podcast, so I grabbed it at the library. I really enjoyed it and loved the dive into the world of antiquarian books!

66 likes2 stack adds
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kspenmoll
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Mehso-so

I am leaning towards a so-so for this book. While I enjoyed all the parts involving the art of book binding, the work in a library‘s special collections, & the centuries long controversy regarding Shakespeare‘s authorship of his plays, the 2nd romance, mystery & conveniently wrapped up ending was just Ok. Don‘t think this is a book I would necessarily recommend. #litsylovereads

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kspenmoll
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Current read. #TBR #bookaboutbooks
Started this last night. I am trying to read more from my HUGE TBR.

52 likes1 stack add
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behudd
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📖 First read of 2020 - tagged

📚 Last read of 2020 - A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

📕Current read in 2021 - A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

#Goodbye2020 @ShyBookOwl

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Macnjen
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Audiobook. Good narration, fast paced, interesting. I love books about books so the mystery surrounding the “Pendosto“ was a fun one. The writing style was enjoyable and I'll read more by Lovett for sure.

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Mshookquilts
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Pickpick

Peter Byerly, an antique book dealer is devastated by his wife‘s death. As he‘s trying to heal, he discovers a water color of her from 100 years ago. As he looks for the story behind the painting he thinks he may have found an original script of Shakespeare. However, death & danger starts popping up.

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Tracyantoon
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Mehso-so

I found the parts about book repair and info about how to spot a forgery absolutely fascinating. #booknerd The romance however was far too high on the cheesy scale for me. I did a lot of eye rolling. The mystery also felt very convenient-he talked to exactly the right people and pieced the clues together expertly. Overall I give it 3⭐️.

TerriGreen I felt somewhat the same about his other book, the Lost Book of the Grail. 5y
23 likes1 comment
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behudd
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Told in 3 different time periods, you see the story of a particularly impressive bookish find unfolding throughout its history & the history of the main character. I liked the romance that was part of it, and enjoyed the mystery & plot twists, too. This was one of those books that I enjoyed reading while I was reading it, but was never that compelled to pick up to start again. Overall, though, I enjoyed the bookish fun!

8 likes1 stack add
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Palimpsest
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Pickpick

Finished this book 11/19. So behind, but I loved this novel. It has so many things I love:antique books, Shakespeare, Victorian artists, and a small story about going to a Mozart opera that I totally related to. I felt like this book was written for me as it catered to all my loves. The romance was a bit twee, but not enough to spoil my opinion of this book. ♥️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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JulAnna
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I had a nice audio walk yesterday with the What should I Read next? podcast. Anne Bogel and Charlie Lovett. It was fun listening to them have a live book nerd talk in NC.

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Readswithcoffee
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Mehso-so

Things I liked about this book: the three timelines and the information about old books & forgeries. The thing I didn‘t like about this book: the Peter/Amanda romance had too much of a “Nicholas Sparks vibe” for me. So,if you are a Shakespeare aficionado & you like Nicholas Sparks-style romance, this book might just be for you. It just wasn‘t to my taste.

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suvata
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Great month with four 5-star reads

#suvataStats #OctoberStats #Bookstagram

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🎊🎉🙌🏻📚 5y
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lauren.Archer
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Pickpick

Review: I am not even sure how I missed this book. I have read other books from Charlie Lovett and just loved them. This was no different. I love how Lovett writes a great bookish mystery. This has all the elements, love, mystery, murder and everything in between.

For my full review, please visit my blog at: http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2019/10/09/the-bookmans-tale-book-review/

60 likes2 stack adds
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jenreads7
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Pickpick

This book is incredible! I loved the information about old books, the mystery surrounding the authorship of Shakespeare‘s works, the story of Peter and Amanda, and the mystery surrounding the whole thing. Wow! #mmdbookclub #modernmrsdarcy

31 likes1 stack add
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Lauren.Archer
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Next read for #MMDBookClub.

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suvata
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Pickpick

ModernMrsDarcy.com #MMD pick for October 2019

This is the story about a bookseller who collects and restores antique literature. During the course of his work he discovers some Shakespeare forgeries. Now the game is afoot and the book takes us through three periods of history to solve the mystery of what literature is real and what is fake. If you liked The Shadow of the Wind you will like this book too.

CarolynM My husband loves these books. I keep meaning to try one but something else always catches my attention🙂 5y
suvata @CarolynM He would probably enjoy this. Maybe you could get it for him for a Christmas or birthday present. Just a thought. 5y
CarolynM I meant he loves this particular book and the others in the series. He's got them all🙂 5y
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suvata @CarolynM oh, I see. I haven‘t read all of them yet but they are definitely on my TBR. 5y
CarolynM Actually, I'm an idiot! 🙄😳 I've just realised I was mixing this one up with John Dunning's Bookman series. He has got this one but I don't think it's part of a series after all. Apologies. 5y
suvata @CarolynM no problem. I probably will have to check out the series you‘re talking about. It sounds like something else I may enjoy. 5y
Amiable @suvata @CarolynM Definitely give John Dunning‘s Bookman series a try! I enjoyed them, too. 5y
52 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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suvata
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Coming up in October ...
#suvataPicks #OctoberTBR #Bookstagram

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Meglet
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Mehso-so

Delightful premise, but the way Peter just so happened to be able to find the right people to talk to, coincidentally at home at the right time, or coincidentally at a meeting that was coincidentally held the next day, was a bit too much. And I saw the answers coming from a mile away, but the main characters of course gasped in shock when they learned the truth at the very end. Should have been good, but too eye roll-inducing.

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HotTeaGoodBooks
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Amazing details on how someone could forge documents.

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Ross
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Bibliophilic problem number whatever (it‘s not dewey so I don‘t know):
Anyway, so I recently made an exciting find at the library. I had heard of it before and I‘ve been exited to begin reading it! Then, while rearranging my library yesterday (moving it to the master bedroom in my apartment and my room is now in the small bedroom) I was forced to exclaim (in my best terrible British accent), “Hang on a tick...” 🤷🏽‍♂️

Krisjericho That looks good! I need to come see your rearranged library and be jealous. 6y
Ross You do! I‘m really happy with how it turned out. 6y
3 likes2 comments
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VioletCavalier
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Also spotted! A book scarecrow! I can't upload the full picture but this guy is too cool!

Reecaspieces I love that! 6y
CrowCAH Aww too cute! 6y
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
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debthmpsn
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@RainyDayReading I‘m just home and opening packages. I can‘t wait to dive into this book. What a great selection! Thank you so much for sharing with me. #summerbookswap

67 likes2 stack adds
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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I also attended a session with Tom Santopietro, T.R. Simon and Charlie Lovett. It was superb. Charlie teased me by saying that I must be the only person in North Carolina who doesn‘t have his books signed! (He lives locally.).

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NatalieR
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Pickpick

It took me a long time to get into this book. I‘m not a fan of Shakespeare so I think that created a barrier for me. The love story portion was really good. As well as all the talk about books. By the end, I found myself enjoying the whole story. #LitsyAtoZ #MountTBR

TheAnitaAlvarez I‘m a Shakespeare nerd and this book looks right up my alley! 6y
HotMessJess This is on my shelf! Glad to see some one enjoyed it, looks like I may need to push it up in my rotation! 6y
NatalieR @TheAnitaAlvarez You will definitely love this book then! 😊 6y
NatalieR @HotMessJess It doesn‘t have the best reviews on Litsy. I didn‘t think I was going to like it at first, but glad I hung in. 6y
140 likes7 stack adds4 comments
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Insightsintobooks
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Just found this on sale. It is compared to Shadow of the Wind. Has anyone read it?
#kindledeal

Crazeedi I loved this book! Didnt read *shadow* so I cant compare, but this book was very good. I've read another by author that I liked too 6y
mcipher I liked it - didn‘t read Shadow either but I thought this was solid. I love a mystery about old books! 6y
42 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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mcipher
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Starting the Easter weekend off right - a book and a Cadbury Creme Egg. 🐣 🐰

CSeydel 😋 7y
MinDea This book sounds interesting. look forward to hearing your review! Happy weekend!!! 7y
Melissa_J I love Cadbury Cream Eggs 😋 7y
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AmyG Yum. I have already had so many of them this season. 7y
Jinjer I'm a Cadbury caramel egger.😂 7y
mcipher @Melissa_J @AmyG @Jinjer @CSeydel Now they have Reese‘s Eggs! Sooooo good. 7y
mcipher @MinDea I didn‘t love it at first, but it‘s grown on me. I‘m really curious to solve the mystery of who B.B. really is. 7y
ReadingSusan Yummy!! 7y
88 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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mcipher
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Library #bookhaul from the other day. I had problems checking out the tagged book and the librarian said “oh, its because it hasn‘t been checked out in a long time” and I felt so sad for that book, patiently waiting on the shelf long enough that it got flagged or something. My son said I‘m nuts but I think you all might feel the same way in that situation.... 🤔

AlaMich 🤣🤣 I feel that same way, like, “if someone doesn‘t check this out soon, they‘re going to cull it. So I better do it!” 7y
mcipher @AlaMich Exactly! I felt like a hero. 😂 7y
BookNAround I totally feel that way. I also had a hard time purging toys after I saw Toy Story though so I may not be totally sane. 😂 (edited) 7y
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booksandsympathy I recently bought a used, falling apart Japanese book that I cannot read because I felt bad for it. 7y
mcipher @BookNAround I think you‘re probably just nice. 😂 7y
mcipher @booksandsympathy I‘m so glad you understand. 👍 7y
xicanti I've never had that happen with a book I've borrowed, but I do get awfully sad for the books that stay on the shelf for visit after visit. When I was in BC earlier this year, I got all maudlin over a book I borrowed last year that I'm pretty sure no one's read since me. Poor, unloved thing! 7y
mcipher @xicanti poor book! 😢 7y
TEArificbooks That is a good book too, hopefully the librarian can include it an a display so maybe it gets checked out more. 7y
jwashreads If you're taking votes, read City of Brass first!! It's wonderful! 7y
mcipher @jwashreads It sounds wonderful! I picked it up at random and the first page hooked me. I want to finish my current read before I start anything new though. 7y
mcipher @mdm139 I‘ve been meaning to read it for years! Maybe me getting it out will remind them it‘s there. 7y
94 likes12 comments
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Elizabeth2
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On a literary girls‘ weekend trip to NYC, visiting the NYPL & some cool independent bookstores. My haul so far from the NYPL store and Book Culture. ❤️📚I purchased the first book in the Neapolitan Novels series, “My Brilliant Friend”, on our last NYC trip a year ago. Thought it was fitting to buy the second one from the “Our Favorite Fiction” table at Book Culture this time.

JoScho That sounds like such a fun trip! 7y
Chrissyreadit I didn‘t know the NYPL had a store! I miss living in NYC. Did you make it to The Strand? 7y
Elizabeth2 @Chrissyreadit we might hit the Strand today. We went there last time, a year ago. NYPL has a gift shop on the main level and they sell books there. 😊 7y
Chrissyreadit @Elizabeth2 have fun!!! 7y
8 likes4 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
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Had to run some errands in the vicinity of B&N, so I snuck in, knowing I had a 10% off coupon 🤷‍♀️. The tagged book (The Bookman‘s Tale) was in the 75% off bin, so its final cost was only $1.49! It should fit the #bookreading prompt for #150pnpcoverparty, as the MC was an antiquarian bookseller.

LeahBergen It was a fun read! I have Cold Comfort Farm waiting on my shelf and want to read The Relic Master. 👍🏻 7y
ValerieAndBooks @LeahBergen I knew of The Bookman‘s Tale because of #Litsy (maybe even from you?!) and was sold on the Relic Master because Albrecht Durer is a character in it! 7y
CrowCAH Awesome buy! I, too, was at a B&N today!!! 7y
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Leftcoastzen Amazing to get a book so inexpensive at B&N . 7y
drokka The Relic Master is pretty good. If I remember correctly, I posted about a funny mistake. I think it was one of my first posts ever on Litsy. 7y
ValerieAndBooks @CrowCAH looks like it was a fun day for you 😊! 7y
ValerieAndBooks @Leftcoastzen I wasn‘t even sure if that book was supposed to have been in that bin, and felt that even if it hadn‘t, the original reduced price sticker would have been good enough 😊 7y
ValerieAndBooks @drokka you made me look for it (easy to do, not many posts about that book). How funny about that probable typo!! 😂 (edited) 7y
drokka I wonder if they fixed it in subsequent editions. It was just one of those things when you keep on reading for bit as your brain processes that something isn't quite right. We had a good laugh about it. 7y
batsy The Animators is wonderful! And I love that cover for Cold Comfort Farm. @LeahBergen It's great, I think it's your kind of book ☺️ 7y
LeahBergen @ValerieAndBooks I do love Durer, too. 👍🏻 7y
LeahBergen @batsy I think it would be, too! 7y
89 likes12 comments
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JulAnna
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book immensely! It is a mystery book for book lovers 💕😊

Tamra Sound fun! 7y
42 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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JulAnna
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Yay! Made it to Friday! 🎉

LeahBergen This is a fun read! 7y
Andrew65 TGIF! (edited) 7y
Tamra That does look like a fun read - TBR! 7y
erzascarletbookgasm I enjoyed this :) 7y
JulAnna I tried to read this about a year ago and just couldn‘t get into it, but now I am over 100 pages in and think it is great! It is funny how that happens sometimes 😊 @LeahBergen @Tamra @erzascarletbookgasm 7y
34 likes1 stack add5 comments
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HotMessJess
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#Humpdaypost:
1. My first real art purchase ever! #slytherinpride and shout out to Emilyscartoons for these gems!
2. Reading goals- that TBR shelf of my nightmares
3. All of the above. My sight dropped off at 25.
4. Mountains under starry skies near a large body of water- I‘m a water-dwelling night owl :) (hope this counts)
5. Most excited for The Bookman‘s Tale! It‘s been on my shelf forever
Thanks @MinDea

emily_m_tubb Love the artwork 💚 7y
HotMessJess @emily_m_tubb she‘s one of my favorite artists! I believe she‘s emilyscartoons on instagram 7y
45 likes2 comments
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Bookworm83
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@MeganAnn !!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful #lgpogsecretsanta box of bookish fun! I have wanted to read all of these books for some time now 😀 I adore all the extra goodies...the pins are perfect for my collection and the custom bookmark is 👌🏻Hugs to you! 😘

MeganAnn You are so welcome!!! ❤️ I had so much fun picking out everything for you! 7y
LeahBergen The Bookman‘s Tale and Eligible are both really FUN reads. 👍🏻 7y
97 likes1 stack add2 comments
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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

Like if Dan Brown and Christoper Moore got together to write about Shakespeare

Eyelit I‘ve never read dan brown, but I love Christopher Moore! 😃 7y
janeycanuck @Eyelit definitely give him a try, then. I‘ve read three - I liked his newest the best (about the Holy Grail) but there‘s a Jane Austen one, too, and one about Scrooge. 7y
15 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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HeatherBlue
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Pickpick

Loved this book so much! Wonderful first blind date experience 🖤

23 likes1 stack add
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Marianna_Reads
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Have no fear, I did not drink all of those bottles of wine while reading The Bookman‘s Tale! #bookworm #charlielovett #thebookmanstale #wine

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Booksnchill
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Pickpick

Fun Bibliophile mystery about the discovery of a Shakespeare folio and marginalia that may prove, or disprove, who wrote Shakespeare‘s works. Easy read, sweet love story within as well. 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟#TbrBingo #TbrBacklist

66 likes3 stack adds
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Booksnchill
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#TbrList Reading this one after hearing a discussion on a podcast - liking it so far- any book about books!

52 likes6 stack adds
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Amandajoy
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My very messy pile of #bookmarks. Anyone have suggestions on how to organize? #fallintobooks

I-read-and-eat Love that fox one on top 😍 7y
LectricSheep I have a couple of bookmark mugs that I keep within reach of my favorite reading spots. It's low tech, but it works for me! 7y
Sarah83 If bought a little stand up display. I marked you in my post 7y
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Kalalalatja I use a flower pot 👍 7y
Karkar I use a little basket 7y
CareBear This is how I keep mine too. I love these ideas though @Sarah83 @Kalalalatja @Karkar 7y
Amandajoy @LectricSheep @Sarah83 @Kalalalatja @Karkar Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to see what I have around the house... 7y
RealLifeReading Cute fox bookmark! 7y
LeahBergen I have a "bookmark box". ? 7y
60 likes9 comments
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Alytrue
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A few books with an #occupationintitle. I haven't read any of these - have you?
#fallintobooks
@RealLifeReading

BarbaraJean The Historian is soooooo good! I just bought The Bookman's Tale today... hadn't heard of it before, but I got taken in by the blurbs. 😏Hope you enjoy them all! 7y
vkois88 That's a good book prompt! I may have to add it to my list of goals for this year 7y
44 likes2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Besides exploring the historical sites, museums, and theatres, I would love a bookish #vacation where I can spend days and days visiting historical libraries and shopping at some of the world's well-known bookstores. Hay-on-Wye 2018? Let me save enough pounds and pence. 😅 The tagged book has the protagonist, an antiquarian bookseller, living in an English countryside, regularly visiting Hay-on-Wye.
Day 27 #augustgrrrl

charl08 You can have a great trip outside of festival season too - wonderful bookshops, scenery and pubs. 7y
Kalalalatja I went to Hay-on-Wye last year, and I had a blast! 👏 7y
Melissa_J That sounds like a lovely vacation! 7y
See All 9 Comments
eanderson That looks like it would be a lot of fun! 7y
LauraBrook This is a bucket list place for me for sure! 😍❤️ 7y
Eyelit That's on my bucket list! Someday 📚😍 7y
Birdsong28 Looks good might look into that. Thanks 📖📚 7y
LeeRHarry On my bucket list too, I'm often in Wales when I go back to the UK to visit family but never at the right time, or the right part of the country - one day! 😊 7y
Cinfhen Sounds like heaven 😇😇😇 7y
71 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Kboltz
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Mehso-so

Really like the premise of his book but at the end I just wanted it to end. Find the truth about that one darn book and end it! Goes back and forth through time, usually like that but back in Shakespeare's time it took too much time. So now I do know that when I get a time machine, the Shakespeare era is not for me. Guess I did learn something!:)

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GinEyre22
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#readingwomenmonth Day 7: Books about books
@thereadingwomen

20 likes1 stack add
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Wife
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I had good luck 🍀 at Dollar Tree a couple days ago, so I went to another one today. They had an almost entirely different selection of books. Many Juvenile and YA titles (not my thing, but someone's jackpot). I'm thrilled to have found 4 more books for myself today. #bookhaul #playingwithfilters

Foragingfantasy ❤️ 8y
Reviewsbylola I need to check out Dollar Tree obviously! I love seeing what everyone finds there. 8y
riversong153 I've done that a few times!! 8y
47 likes4 comments
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saholmes
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Pickpick

This was a wonderful story. Peter and Amanda have a sweet relationship despite large challenges. I enjoyed the different viewpoints from the various time periods corresponding to the book's creation, Peter and Amanda and the book's discovery. Lovett melded each section of the story together flawlessly.

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Laalaleighh
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Pickpick

Set in three timelines- this is historical fiction, romance, mystery, a meditation on loss, and a literary thriller all wrapped up in one.

It's like someone got the idea to mix dan brown with Nicholas sparks & see how it turned out. (Spoiler: not bad, I know- I'm shocked too)

It wrapped up a little *too* neatly for me & though the story was good it still felt like it was just this side of great but never quite made it.

Solid effort. 🌟🌟🌟⭐️

51 likes3 stack adds
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Laalaleighh
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New dream job?

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Laalaleighh
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A large part of why I love reading so much.

sprainedbrain Me too! It's my #1 method for dealing with anxiety. 👍 8y
LauraBeth Same 😀 8y
Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻 8y
43 likes1 stack add3 comments