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The Trouble with Goats and Sheep
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep | Joanna Cannon
Part whodunnit, part coming of age, this is a gripping debut about the secrets behind every door RACHEL JOYCE An utter delight SARAH WINMAN A treasure chest of a novel JULIE COHEN One of the standout novels of the year HANNAH BECKERMAN I didn't want the book to end CARYS BRAY An excellent debut JAMES HANNAH Grace and Tilly are my new heroes KATE HAMER A wonderful debut JILL MANSELL A modern classic in the making SARAH HILARY A stunning debut KATIE FFORDE Phenomenal MIRANDA DICKINSON England,1976. Mrs Creasy is missing and The Avenue is alive with whispers. As the summer shimmers endlessly on, ten-year-olds Grace and Tilly decide to take matters into their own hands. And as the cul-de-sac starts giving up its secrets, the amateur detectives will find much more than they imagined "
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Lcsmcat
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Pickpick

An enjoyable, character driven look at a small neighborhood and two small girls trying to make sense of the grownups nonsensical behavior. Lots of humor and a little mystery. Just what I needed.

MamaGina One of my favorite books with this feature—telling a story through the perspective of a child. Nice review! 🤓 3w
Lcsmcat @MamaGina Thank you! 3w
34 likes2 comments
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Gissy
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Pickpick

August review
I liked this story. Mrs. Creasy mysteriously disappeared during summer 1976 in England Grace and Tilly, 10 year olds girls are in the mission to find out this mystery. As the book blurb says the girls, inspired by something the vicar said, “...believed that finding God they might also find Mrs. Creasy”. I usually don‘t like stories with religious content but this story has more elements, is about this community⬇️

Gissy Their beliefs, lies, misconceptions, misjudgments about people lives or characters. Maybe the two girls sometimes behave younger for their age but they were sometimes so funny in this searching of God or who is a goat or sheep. The ending appears to be open but you know what is going to happen. It was entertaining but I don‘t think many readers will like this story. This was an old book in my physical tbr. 3.75 1y
Gissy August #BookSpinBingo (#14-SummerMood) @TheAromaOfBooks
#ISpyBingo August (title with more than 5 words)
#RushAThon @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES
#20in4 Readathon August @Andrew65
1y
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 1y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 1y
44 likes5 comments
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jesseastin
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Pickpick

An absolutely charming book that is partially told by two ten year old girls. Part mystery, part human nature. All the neighbor‘s secrets start to reveal over a sweltering summer in 1976. It‘s a humorous, yet poignant read.

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jhod
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Pickpick

A perfect Christmas holiday read, light but meaningful and great characters. Time up north has come to an end, though will my train turn up tomorrow...?!

Tamra I love this one! I‘ve read this one too and keep meaning to see what else Cannon has written. 2y
jhod @Tamra I've read that one and enjoyed it too :-) 2y
76 likes2 comments
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TheEllieMo
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I loved this book about how we are too quick to judge people. The fact that it was set in 1976, with a main character being about the age I was in that year, made it feel very real. I was craving custard creams and Butterscotch Angel Delight for months after reading this.

#AdventRecommends

LeslieO One of my favorites! ❤️ 2y
35 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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donhan

not what I expected but enjoyed

2 likes1 stack add
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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Pickpick

This book, although slow, should really be focused on. It is character driven; the plot is less important then the lessons learned. Joanna Canon is a really good writer and a (former?) psychiatrist. The story follows two time periods: summer of 1976 (hottest on record for Britain) and late 1967. It‘s a coming of age story, a bit of a mystery, and a small town narrative. It highlights the dangers of herd mentality and misjudgment. 4⭐️

JanuarieTimewalker13 2021 Book 14 3y
Leftcoastzen Beautiful kitty!😻 3y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @Leftcoastzen thank you!! That‘s my 15 yo, Dean Martin, on his heating pad. Well, it‘s our heating pad but he has monopolized it. Lol 3y
See All 6 Comments
mcctrish I really really enjoyed this book 3y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @mcctrish Yeah, I‘d like to read Three things about Elsie too!! 3y
mcctrish I‘m going to look up Three Things about Elsie 3y
55 likes1 stack add6 comments
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MayJasper
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I enjoyed this very much. I loved the writing. The mystery of a missing woman mostly from the point of view of two children. They believe finding God on their street will solve the mystery so they go looking for God among their neighbours with some expected and some surprising results. 4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟

JanuarieTimewalker13 Currently reading this and it‘s a slow go for me, yet when I do pick it up, the pages go pretty quickly. I have to research all the unfamiliar products bc I‘m American, but I love the experience. That must have been a brutally hot time!! 3y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MittenGirlPeach
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My very first swap box! Thanks so much for all the thoughtful choices @Karkar ! I love everything. The chocolates are perfect, the book is a wonderful selection, and the bookmark is so apt for me. Thanks again for hosting, @candority , I can‘t wait to do it again! #bookcupidswap

candority Cute bookmark 😍 I‘m glad you enjoyed your first swap! Happy Valentine‘s Day! 💖 4y
Karkar So glad you liked it!! 4y
36 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MayJasper
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Just started a new book. How well I remember the scorching summer and drought of 1976 in the UK which is the setting for this story. I was sitting my O Levels (school leaver exams). It was so hot we were given sweat bands for our wrists so we could write. I am loving the book so far.☀️☀️☀️🌡️

TrishB Oh I remember that summer well!! Tarmac melting on the roads! 4y
squirrelbrain I loved this book! I don‘t really remember that summer as I was a toddler but all of the references were on point for the late seventies too! 4y
47 likes2 comments
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TheEllieMo
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Books set in the 70s and 80s always bring back childhood #memories for me. This one, set in the long hot summer of 1976, has a lead character about the same age I was at the time, so it brought back a lot - custard creams and butterscotch Angel Delight in particular.

#ForeverNovember
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 Awesome! 4y
34 likes1 comment
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Hannah_11
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Pickpick

Loved this!! It was like a soap opera but in a book ☺️☺️ #pick

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LiteraryinPA
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Pickpick

With a To Kill a Mockingbird vibe, this novel tells the story of a British neighborhood during the hot summer of 1976. Two curious and naive girls, Grace and Tilly, go around from house to house trying to find God (literally) and solve the mystery of their neighbor who went away. Along the way, the reader learns secrets that mostly go over the girls‘ heads. It‘s a well observed story about family and faith that will summon nostalgia. Pick!

JaneyWaneyB I loved this book. You should try her next book, it was another great read, I think I liked it more than this one 😊 5y
LiteraryinPA @JaneyWaneyB Yes, I actually read that one first and loved it! So I decided to go back to this one. I love how attune she is to mental states. 5y
101 likes7 stack adds2 comments
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SiriuslyWeasley
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Sunday morning with my ginger boy and a good read. 💞 🐐🐑🐧

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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a great gripping read. An unusual mystery, not so much a whodunnit as whodunwhat. It's a fascinating & thought-provoking reflection on how petty small minded gossip & prejudices can escalate into something much more sinister, especially in a tight knit community. I'm not always a fan of child narrators, but it works perfectly here as Grace's inquisitive & innocent voice puts into perspective how illogical the adults around her have been.

erzascarletbookgasm Lovely review. I‘ll place this further up my tbr. 5y
41 likes1 comment
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arlenefinnigan
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Next up

Tamra I hope you like it, I enjoy her writing! I need to find out if she has anything new out. 5y
ljuliel I loved this book. The audio was beautiful. She‘s also written Three Things About Elsie, which was also excellent. Her newest, I think, is a memoir about her early years training to be a Dr. . It‘s called 5y
38 likes2 comments
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suvata
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Pickpick

Continuing my TBR project:
This is one the oldest selection on my TBR list - Originally added November 12, 2016.

This is one of the best books about family and community that I have ever read. Some of the time it is sad, some of the time it is funny, and some of the time it prompts you to search your own soul. 5-stars

AceOnRoam I ❤ this book! 5y
suvata @AceOnRoam Me too 😎 5y
See All 9 Comments
AceOnRoam 👍 5y
suvata @AceOnRoam I will have to check that one out. 5y
BarbaraBB So it seems a good decision to read your tbr shelves! 5y
Mdargusch I picked this book thinking it was about animals. I was obviously wrong but I loved it anyway! 🐑🐏🐐 5y
suvata @Mdargusch No animals but a good book nonetheless. (edited) 5y
suvata @BarbaraBB You‘d be surprised what you might find there. 5y
78 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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MamaGina
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Day Five: #7covers7days #covercrush

Thanks for the tag @Cathythoughts

ANYONE CAN PLAY!!! 🤓
(A week worth of book covers, no explanation needed.)

Cathythoughts 👍🏻great cover you have 5y
MamaGina @Cathythoughts I love it too ... and, btw, The Doll Factory was excellent, highly recommend!🤓 5y
32 likes2 comments
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TheEllieMo
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This was the first thing that came to my mind with today‘s #JulyColdPlay prompt #Trouble

@Eggs

TheSpineView Good choice! 😊 5y
Eggs Well done 👏🏻👏🏻 5y
39 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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AnneCecilie
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Set in the #Summer of 1976

#30junebooks

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sdbruening
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Pickpick

This book was excellent. Rich, imperfect characters. Well-timed information-revealing. So many layers of meaning to the themes. Love the perspectives of child versus adult in this gossipy British suburb. And justice is delivered in the end!

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Brie
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Pickpick

Big secrets are kept in this small British suburbia, where the neighbors all know each other‘s business. So when one woman disappears, speculation runs rampant. Two children and best friends, Grace and Tilly, lead the investigation. I thought the voices and world building of the neighborhood were strong and well defined, with light touches of humor to cut through the disturbing undertones.

Tamra I loved the unique voices! 6y
36 likes1 comment
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sdbruening
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😂

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sdbruening
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I love this writing! This quote is about Mrs. Morton.

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janeycanuck
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Panpan

I should have DNFed this but just as I was about to drop it, a little thing happened that made me want to keep going. Should have trusted my gut. The ending was rather anti-climactic, I had a hard time keeping the cast of characters straight due to the switching narration and the high number products and slang I didn‘t understand (because of 1970s Britishisms) was distracting.

Reviewsbylola I‘ve been super curious about this one because I just loved 6y
janeycanuck @Reviewsbylola You‘ll probably enjoy it, then - I get the sense they are very similar in terms of style & pacing. It just didn‘t work for me. 6y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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janeycanuck
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Another month gone! Man, time flies when you‘re neglecting your TBR. Time for #MarchTBR, I suppose... I‘ve got lots left over from last month - including five in-progress that I‘m hell-bent on finishing this upcoming week. New to the stack are The River of Darkness, my #GirlyBookClub book and four new pulls from the stacks in my never-ending quest to #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks.

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kitkatdallibooks
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The book I'm currently reading! It's really good and I'm almost done.

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lizzie890
Panpan

It has never taken me so long to read a book before, I didn't enjoy it. Too many characters, to many holes in the story and a very dissapointing ending that went nowhere.

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RaimeyGallant
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Pickpick

Because a woman disappears in 1976, her neighbors are forced to think back on the 1967 events that led to the disappearance. When I realized how integral to plot the protagonist's search for God was, I was tempted to DNR this, but ultimately decided that the voice delivered by Cannon made the book worth reading. The voice is stupid good.

Tamra I really enjoyed her distinctive voice in this one! 6y
Kaye I really loved this on audio. I don‘t DO religious books either. I don‘t really think that‘s what the aim is. I think it‘s more of 2 little girls trying to decipher LIFE and why things happen and for what reasons. If it would‘ve been churchy I wouldn‘t have read it. (edited) 6y
RaimeyGallant @kaye Really good points. The author's point with the religious stuff was a little fuzzy in the end, in my opinion. 6y
See All 6 Comments
Coleen_Nieto I really enjoyed this one! 6y
NikkiLeeTaylor Thank you for your msg and welcome. I wasn‘t sure how to reply in the msg! Lol 6y
208 likes10 stack adds6 comments
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KurtRobson
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Pickpick

A deeply moving inside look at life in 1970‘s Suburbia, with a genuinely gripping mystery at it‘s centre. Impeccably clever writing, mixed with shockingly real characters leaves you thinking about Joanna Cannon‘s created universe long after the final page.

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RaimeyGallant
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"...and an old newspaper, which turned over and over on the concrete, as a breeze read through its pages."

Tamra I really enjoyed this novel, such a distinctive voice. 6y
RaimeyGallant @Tamra That's my favorite thing about it. 6y
See All 7 Comments
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Hey Raimey. I don't imagine you check the LWW slack group too often, but I sent you a lil PM there. Nothing urgent, just whenever you have a spare moment. Cheers 🥂 6y
RaimeyGallant @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Hey! I removed my permissions, so as to give you all more privacy if you wanted it, so I'm not sure I can rejoin again without another invite. I'll email you, and we can chat that way? :) 6y
JeanAudrey Thanks for the advice right now the help is really needed 6y
RaimeyGallant @JeanAudrey My pleasure! 6y
165 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Laru79
Pickpick

The secrets on The Avenue were what kept me reading this book. Grace and Tilly, the children, were likeable but all the adults had something to hide and I like how secrets were revealed as I kept reading. I seem to be doing a good job of picking books that have interesting character studies going on lately and I think this book could have given more actually. My colleague recommended the author‘s next book too, so that‘ll go on my tbr list!

RaimeyGallant This is my next read. 6y
Laru79 Enjoy @RaimeyGallant it was a good read! 6y
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
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yourfavouritemixtape
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Pickpick

A hot summer, a street, a story about the fact that people only see what they want to see. While I liked it while I was reading it, it took me quite some time to finish it.

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Laru79

Starting on this today. I‘ve been having trouble sleeping lately (we moved house last week, so have been stressed by that) and keep being awake in the middle of the night, so am aiming to stay up late so I can be too tired to be awake later on! I‘ve heard LOTS of good things about this book, so am hoping I agree!

janeycanuck I‘ve had this on my TBR for ages - will be watching for your thoughts! 6y
Laru79 @janeycanuck I‘m not too far in but really enjoying it so far! Will keep you posted 6y
26 likes2 comments
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morgan_lionheart
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Mehso-so

I should have read this one on paper instead of listening to the audio book - it jumps between characters and times, and it w really hard to keep the timeline straight and I kept getting characters confused. It's a shame, because it's a charming book with beautiful writing about a group of people in a council estate in Northern England in the 1970s. There are a lot of mysteries in the community, and it feels like a mystery novel, but it isn't.

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whatrebeccasread
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Pickpick

An amusing and enjoyable story of hidden secrets and community life set in Britain the 70s. I sped through this story of two 10 year olds solving a neighbour‘s disappearance. I‘ll be giving “The Trouble with Goats and Sheep” 4 stars.

See my full review on my blog (find the link on my profile!) 📚

120 likes5 stack adds
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rachaich
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Mehso-so

Hmm. I finished it but don't feel anything much towards it. A few pieces stick in my mind but wouldn't be in a rush to recommend :/

Lcsmcat This seems to be receiving very mixed reviews. People either rave about it or say “meh.” I might have to read it just because of that. 6y
rachaich @Lcsmcat I've read it as a book club so am keen to hear what they all thought. The majority of them are I'm their sixties so I do wonder if they're reaction will be different. 6y
Lcsmcat @rachaich I‘ll be interested in hearing what your club has to say about it! 6y
See All 8 Comments
rachaich @Lcsmcat we discussed it last night and a real divide between those who liked it and those who didn't! Everyone agreed it was a light read. Many felt nostalgic towards the era and remembered the culture and allowances made. 6y
rachaich The undercurrent of unpleasantness throughout was not explored as characters were undeveloped. This may have been deliberate. A really good discussion though :) 6y
Lcsmcat @rachaich Sometimes the best discussions happen when there‘s a great difference of opinion. Especially if people are capable of articulating why they feel as they do. 6y
lizzie890 This book has taken me so long to read! I find it hard to relate to the charactors as there is so many and so many different houses and it just seems hard to grasp. I'm just finishing it for the sake of it now, I agree I think the era is what draws a lot of people in. 6y
rachaich @lizzie890 I haven't wanted to read any of her others :) 6y
8 likes8 comments
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rachaich
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I'm reading this for a new group I've joined (and want to mske a good first impression! ).
30 pages in and not enjoying it at all. Neither the writing or story...
Does it get better????

Caroline2 My mum couldn‘t get on with this either and ended up bailing! 🤷‍♀️ I haven‘t read it yet! 6y
rachaich I'm still trying.... read it for a few hours on the plane. 6y
lizzie890 I've really struggled to finish this book been trying for months and it feels like a chore. Too many characters and too many jumps I feel like I can't keep up, it's nice to know it's not just me. 6y
11 likes3 comments
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Centique
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Pickpick

Finishing this off in the winter sun - beautiful 😊
This is the tale of a neighbourhood in 1970s England. A woman has disappeared and ten year olds Grace and Tilly are determined to save everyone else by finding God in their street. While looking for God they visit each of their neighbours, and through child eyes we learn each is more than they seem to be. ⬇️

Centique Cannon lets bad behaviour and prejudice come out from behind the respectable front doors, making it clear without needing to comment or explain. She has a restrained touch, almost like Kent Haruf, beautiful descriptions but also some wicked humour. Grace is exquisite - quirky and charming without being obnoxious. 5 stars! 6y
emilyhaldi This sounds like a cute book! 6y
Centique @emilyhaldi it somehow managed to be both cute and serious 😍 6y
Reggie This sounds so good, and the Kent Haruf reference tugs me even more towards this book. 6y
Centique @Reggie I think you‘ll like it! It is faster moving than Haruf though - I‘m backpedaling so I‘m not making misleading comparisons 😂 6y
76 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Centique
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I was lured away from my TBR #cheatingonmyTBR by the way @SavidgeReads rhapsodised about this book.

I‘m already very glad. “Early widowhood had forced her to weave a life from other people‘s remnants and she had baked and minded and knitted herself into a glow of indispensability” 🙌🙌

ElenaBaer “Rattling like a pebble in a life built for two” - what an interesting way to describe being a widow. 6y
Centique @ElenaBaer it is isn‘t it? It‘s from a child‘s POV and the 1970s. 6y
LeslieO Simon got me to read this one, too. Can't pass it up when he raves about a book. 6y
See All 13 Comments
tournevis And now I have the Borvil 1970s jingle stuck in my head! 🤦 6y
CarolynM See, that's detail as it should be used. I'm wading through masses of dull details in 6y
Centique @LeslieO he hasn‘t put me wrong yet! 6y
Centique @tournevis I haven‘t had Bovril but I‘m imagining it‘s like Milo or some sort of malty drink? 6y
Centique @CarolynM ouch! Hope it improves 🤞 6y
Reggie When one paragraph paints a whole portrait of a person. Stacked. 6y
Centique @Reggie I know right? I wish I could write like this! (Also I just emailed you 😊👍) 6y
tournevis @Centique No! Originally from Great Britain, but all over Cananda too. It's concentrated roast beef syrup. You use it to make bouillon but it was suggested as a fortifying drink. Ad here: https://youtu.be/b0z4hxENqW4 6y
Centique @tournevis oh wow! That‘s not what I was imagining at all 😂😂😂 6y
tournevis @Centique No one who hasn't had it cam truly imagine it, TBH 6y
68 likes1 stack add13 comments
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the 10 year Gracie and all the angst and humour she brought to the story. It‘s a mystery but unconventionally so, it‘s more an unraveling of what transpired on this ‘avenue‘ to understand why everyone feels and acts the way they do

Tamra I did too! 6y
32 likes1 stack add2 comments
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mcctrish
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Enjoying the smell of my new cedar deck while I read and sip rosé ( did some journaling too) there is rain coming but I‘m not complaining because it‘s been so dry up to the last few days

Tamra In really liked this one! 6y
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
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mcctrish
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Sometimes you love a book from the first page

ju.ca.no I couldn‘t really connect with this one.... 6y
LazyDays I just started this one and You are right!! 1st page I was hooked!👐💗 6y
saresmoore Yes! I loved this book. 6y
See All 7 Comments
mcctrish Oh @ju.ca.no that‘s too bad, it reminds me of a couple of other books 6y
mcctrish @LazyDays exactly, I laughed out loud when when Grace summed up everything she heard with “The lady from number eight has been murdered” 6y
mcctrish @saresmoore so much to love “(Harold) could fill a room with his frown annoyance” 😂 6y
LazyDays Yed its adorable!😊 6y
31 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Molz
Pickpick

Some beautifully phrased descriptions and metaphors (if perhaps a little overdone). Themes of secrets and jumping to conclusions resonated with me, especially now.

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ChloeTallis
Mehso-so

I wasn't really sure what I expected from this one, but it was an enjoyable read and a great little story with a good mix of characters. For me, it was just lacking something and I was a little bit underwhelmed by the ending. Saying that, it was a solid 3.5/5 and I would definitely recommend for a light holiday read.

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lauralovesbooks1
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Pickpick

When Mrs. Creasy goes missing from her quiet neighborhood, 10 year olds, Grace and Tully set out to discover what really happened. Told mostly through their eyes, you watch long held neighborhood and family secrets start to unravel. Charming read, with some depth to it.

Tamra Loved it - memorable setting & characters. 6y
lauralovesbooks1 @Tamra The girls had me in stitches -- and warmed my heart 6y
27 likes2 comments