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The Middlesteins
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
36 posts | 53 read | 43 to read
For more than thirty years, Edie and Richard Middlestein shared a solid family life together in the suburbs of Chicago. But now things are splintering apart, for one reason, it seems: Edie's enormous girth. She's obsessed with food--thinking about it, eating it--and if she doesn't stop, she won't have much longer to live. When Richard abandons his wife, it is up to the next generation to take control. Robin, their schoolteacher daughter, is determined that her father pay for leaving Edie. Benny, an easy-going, pot-smoking family man, just wants to smooth things over. And Rachelle-- a whippet thin perfectionist-- is intent on saving her mother-in-law's life, but this task proves even bigger than planning her twin children's spectacular b'nai mitzvah party. Through it all, they wonder: do Edie's devastating choices rest on her shoulders alone, or are others at fault, too?With pitch-perfect prose, huge compassion, and sly humor, Jami Attenberg has given us an epic story of marriage, family, and obsession. The Middlesteins explores the hopes and heartbreaks of new and old love, the yearnings of Midwestern America, and our devastating, fascinating preoccupation with food.
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jennw1212
The Middlesteins | Jami Attenberg
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review
Megabooks
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

I adored this quirky novel about coming to terms with parents‘ late-in-life divorce. It‘s set in the Chicago suburbs against the backdrop of the twin grandchildren‘s b‘nai mitzvah. I especially loved when Attenberg glimpsed the characters‘ futures. 4⭐️

#booked2019 #foodordrinkoncover Halfway there! 12/24

PS Did y‘all get me for #featuresamusician for Daisy Jones? 🤷🏻‍♀️😁🤘🏻

Cinfhen Yes & yes!!! You‘re doing great but thanks for posting & tagging!!!! It makes our lives so much easier 🙏🏻 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen whoops! I forgot to tag you guys! @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft I did remember to tag booked. I‘m working on political intrigue now. 5y
alisiakae My daughter‘s bat mitzvah is quickly approaching, this one looks appealing! You‘re flying through some of the prompts! 👍👍 5y
Megabooks @4thhouseontheleft Thanks! 😊😊 I think with her bat mitzvah coming up, you‘d especially appreciate this! 5y
64 likes4 comments
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Megabooks
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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I‘m reading these two for #24b4monday tonight. I‘ve napped after dinner, and I‘m ready to read! I‘m hoping the tagged book counts for #foodordrinkoncover for #booked2019.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! 📚👍🏻🎉

BeansPage Yeah girl! Ready to roll 💪🤓📖 5y
Megabooks @TheReadingMermaid So much win! 🤘🏻🤘🏻 5y
Cinfhen Yes!!! Great choice for prompt!!! And such a quirky book!!!!! 5y
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Megabooks @Cinfhen Yay!! I‘m flying through it so far!! 5y
Cinfhen Oh good!!! Have you read this one by Attenberg?? It‘s been sitting on my shelf for over a year now.... 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I own the audiobook but I haven‘t listened to it! It sounds good. I liked the #botmchallenge book, but I think I like the Middlesteins more! 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Part of what I love so much about Jami‘s writing is that she lets you see little glimpses into the future of each character. I have a soft spot for that! 5y
Cinfhen I really loved 5y
Andrew65 Hope you enjoy them. 5y
Megabooks @Andrew65 I am so far. 😁👍🏻 Just woke up and ready to start reading! 5y
Andrew65 @Megabooks Have a great reading day. 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Edie just died. Broke my heart. It always saddens me when a character dies at peak happiness. More for the people they leave behind, I think, because who doesn‘t want to die happy? 🤷🏻‍♀️😢 5y
73 likes12 comments
review
mauveandrosysky
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Attenberg paints such a vivid portrait of this quintessential Jewish-American family, with observational writing both hilarious and touching. The different characters‘ perspectives are all given their due, allowing for a rich and nuanced understanding of the family dynamics.

This is one of those books where not a lot happens, yet you still end up in a much different place than where you began. Attenberg is a master of the human condition.

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emilyhaldi
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Attenberg knows how to write realistic, flawed characters and compelling storylines. It's like reading a sitcom with a somber undercurrent but lighthearted approach.... and a sincere life lesson thrown in for good measure 👌🏻

vivastory I loved this one, also loved 6y
BarbaraBB Sounds good, I might try it, even though I was a bit underwhelmed by 6y
emilyhaldi I loved All Grown Up!!! @BarbaraBB for some reason Attenberg‘s writing just clicks for me. But if you didn‘t like her other one this might be a total bust for you 🙃 6y
emilyhaldi @vivastory I‘ve been meaning to read that one!! 6y
Cinfhen I really liked this one too but preferred 6y
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Megabooks
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

I will admit to being an avid viewer of My 600 lb Life. As much as I like the show, this book is better. It uses multiple perspectives to show the challenges an extended family faces when one person has an eating disorder. Edie is a compulsive overeater and this book explores how that illness affects her estranged husband, children, and grandchildren. 4⭐️

NovelGirl82 I love My 600lb Life! (Though, I'll be honest & say I also use it for motivation to do better eating & gym-wise). I may have to pick this up! 6y
Megabooks @NovelGirl82 I hope you enjoy it! M6LL has changed what I think of as fat. It‘s just a different world from my being 50 lbs overweight to them being more than 400 lbs overweight. 6y
emilyhaldi I picked this up at the library today 😄 6y
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Megabooks @emilyhaldi Awesome! 👍🏻🎉 6y
MicheleinPhilly I LOVED this book! 6y
Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly 👍🏻🎉👍🏻 6y
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MelissaS
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book! I am grossly intrigued by the act of obsessive and excessive eating. I just can‘t imagine consuming so much and yet being unable to satiate the senses. Edie‘s situation made me sad, Richard made me angry, Emily made me want to hug her. I admired Rachelle and somewhat pitied Robin. So many feelings in this book for me.

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MelissaS
Middlesteins | Jami Attenberg
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Going back to #MountTBRchallenge for my next read. I‘ve been slow lately and hope this catches my attention!
@DivaDiane

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Just.Linds
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Mehso-so

I have wanted to read this for SO LONG and it was so hyped up. After finishing I felt like my life was disorganized and I had an intense desire to fix things (like my eating because the book focused so heavily on it). Robin was definitely the best character in the novel and I wish a little more of the spotlight was on her.

RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
PickwickPlockPlock Welcome to Litsy! 6y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻👋🏻 6y
Chelleo Welcome to Litsy! Here are direct links to #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU. There‘s lots of fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. 6y
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saguarosally
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Got to love how close great #bookstores are to each other in DC. #dcbookstoretour

MayginReads I miss this so much. There used to be another book store there as well. 6y
saguarosally @MayginReads Which one? Where? 6y
NCNY Ooh. I'm going to DC in April. I'll check both of these out. 6y
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saguarosally @NCNY I‘m sure there are another 30 good bookstores in that city to check out. I‘ve already seen most of the tourist site so whenever I go to DC nowadays I check out bookstores. 6y
MayginReads Books A Million was on the circle, near where the compass is on your map. You'll have to forgive my poor memory. It took me a bit to remember the name of the book store. Kramer's has great pie and was a favorite book store of mine. Busboys and Poets is also awesome, but more social justice focused. I used to live in Logan Circle, which is next to Dupont. I miss it. 6y
MayginReads If you haven't, check out Politics and Prose. It's by far the best bookstore I've ever been to. They have amazing talks there and a machine to print any book, even if it's it of print. I loved that store, though it's not super convenient to get to. 6y
saguarosally @MayginReads I went there last time I was in DC back in 2016. It was far out of the way so I didn‘t get back this time. 6y
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saresmoore
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Mehso-so

I selected this book as a quick read for the #24in48 Readathon. I did breeze right through it, but there was certainly more character depth than I had anticipated. I enjoyed getting to know this quirky cast of Jewish suburban Chicagoans and their complex family dynamics. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but probably not one that will leave a lasting impact on me.

MicheleinPhilly Oh bummer. I loved this one. 6y
Moray_Reads The fake creases on the cover are making me twitch... 6y
saresmoore @MicheleinPhilly I still really enjoyed it & I love Attenberg‘s omniscient witty awareness. Every character is flawed and human, yet endearing. She‘s a great storyteller and character developer. 6y
saresmoore @Moray_Reads I know! It‘s a library book and at first glance, I thought it was damaged! 6y
Suet624 Yup. I‘m with you on the so-so. 6y
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saresmoore
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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And now for something completely different...

My husband took the girls to the children‘s museum and I‘m giving this fun book a go!

#24in48 #Readathon

vivastory Hope you like it! 6y
saresmoore @vivastory I‘m loving it already! Her character descriptions and inner monologues are spot on. 6y
Eggs Lovely pic 6y
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emilyhaldi Your husband is winning major points today! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
saresmoore @Eggs Thank you! It‘s very cozy in here with the candles. 6y
saresmoore @emilyhaldi He really is! And I think he knows it, so it‘s a win-win. 😉 6y
Suet624 Bravo for a children‘s museum being close by. 6y
saresmoore @Suet624 Yes! I‘m grateful. My dad gifted us with a family membership for Christmas. There‘s also an excellent aquarium that my marine biologist sis-in-love has worked with. So far, I‘m appreciating this little city very much! 6y
Suet624 I‘m so glad. 6y
LeahBergen Yay for family memberships to cool local places. 👍🏻 6y
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vivastory
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

The Middlesteins is the second Attenberg novel I have read & adored. A portrait of a flawed family told with great humor & sympathy. Edie & Richard Middlestein are recently separated, ostensibly due to Edie's weight related health issues. As the story unfolds we discover the underlying mental health issues causing Edie's addiction, as well as the problems & disorders manifested by the rest of the family. Attenberg tackles the stereotypes 👇

vivastory surrounding these issues, with the skill & sympathy of a master storyteller. Attenberg not only navigates the accumulation of personal crises & the resulting fallout; she also demonstrates the ways in which families evolve & adapt in response to tragedies. Highly recommend. 6y
Leftcoastzen It‘s been in the stack for a long time sounds like I need to move it up. Nice review. 6y
vivastory @Leftcoastzen Thank you. I hope you like it as much as I do! 6y
readordierachel Great review. Adding it to my tbr! 6y
vivastory @ReadOrDieRachel Thanks! I think you'll also really like it 6y
65 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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vivastory
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
This post contains spoilers
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💔💔💔

MicheleinPhilly I loved this book so much. 6y
vivastory @MicheleinPhilly I just finished it. I'm going to have a real book hangover. It's fantastic. Every bit as great as Saint Mazie. 6y
MicheleinPhilly I still haven‘t read that one even though I‘ve had it for ages. 6y
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vivastory
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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vivastory
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Librariana Ha! 😄 Yes!! Greater worries than interior decor... 6y
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LauraBeth
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Books for $1

Suet624 Ooohhh... Lauren Groff. 💕💕 6y
rubyslippersreads My cats want to read the book on the left. 😹 6y
BarbaraBB Wish I was in the US right now... 6y
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Kappadeemom I had no idea Dollar Tree sold books 🤷‍♀️ 6y
kyraleseberg Dollar Tree has to be the best kept secret for books! I've found some real gems there over the last year! 6y
LauraBeth @kyraleseberg I know! I always find some good ones there. 6y
LauraBeth @BarbaraBB I wish you were too 6y
LauraBeth @Suet624 I love her! Looking forward to her new book. 6y
BarbaraBB 💜 6y
Cortg Our Dollar Trees have had behest book selections lately! Nice find 😀 6y
minkyb 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
141 likes2 stack adds13 comments
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MEGR
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Kenneth stood in the kitchen pulling noodles quietly, holding the dough in the air and then twisting it, folding the dough in half, then stretching it again. The action was mindless, yet infused with love....nearby sat cumin seeds, lamb, garlic, and chilies. These foods would warm her up.

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Liberty
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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This gem is five today. Happy birthday, Middlesteins! You‘re delightful. 🎁 🎂 🍟

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Cinfhen
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Day 28 #AugustGrrrl Edie Middlestein is killing herself by overeating, and her family can‘t bear to watch. Her #constantCraving for junk food, Chinese takeout, sweets and everything else leads her family to stage an intervention. Told in MPV we learn the how's & why's of Edie's food addiction and the Middlesteins complicated relationships to each other. I liked All Grown Up better but this was still a solid read.

LauraBeth Saw this for .99 the other day at the used bookstore - going to go back and get it 😀 7y
Cinfhen It's worth the dollar 😁💚 @LauraBeth even if you hate it!!! 7y
emilyhaldi I hope it's not anything like 7y
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MicheleinPhilly I LOVED this book. 7y
azulaco I've had this on my TBR pile forever. Like, years. I need to just read it already. It looks good. 7y
Aleida Love that song. 7y
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moarbookspleaze
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Stopped in The Yellow Dog Bookstore when I was in Columbia, MO and picked up a few books.

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readsusieread
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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One of my bookish goals this year is to get my physical TBR down to 75 books. I've been buying quite a few books lately. So I currently own 96 unread books. I would like to try to resist buying books until I get down to 85. I've pulled 16 books to try to read from to reach that goal. I'll still read ebooks, library books, and audiobooks. Just hoping to prioritize these. Does this weird gamefication work for anyone else? What should I read next?

minkyb Good luck. I recently downloaded Library Thing to get a handle on all the unread books I own. It is not pretty. Like fishing I need to catch and release or in my case read and release. 🤣 7y
readsusieread @minkyb thank you! I've get mine relatively under control. I just need to READ them!!! 7y
charissharpe The Kite Runner is a fantastic book! 7y
readsusieread @conversationswithcharis i just finished it! So fantastic! 7y
21 likes4 comments
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MPL
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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#riotgrams day 2! Yellow cover reading on a sunny Friday☀️.

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MPL
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Roaming Readers book club books are starting to coming in! 🚶🏻📚

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Jenken1998
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Yay!!! I loved how this was written. The multiple viewpoints, the scenes from the past, present and future all sandwiched together and great neurotic and obsessed characters. From a therapists viewpoint I enjoyed seeing how the different individuals look for comfort and stabilization during a family crisis and how it affects multiple generations. I'll admit.. I'm the controlling daughter in law ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Jenken1998
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Finally getting to settle in for the night with some books. First up 👆🏼

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Jenken1998
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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#libraryhaul ..but first time to catch up on #hpchapteraday

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kerry
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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but which do I read next?? #audiobooks #litsyrecommends #help

MicheleinPhilly I loved The Middlesteins and am currently loving Hidden Figures. 7y
ReadingEnvy I'd go with Hidden Figures too. 7y
theshrinkette Brain on Fire is a quick and fascinating read. 7y
20 likes3 comments
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CleverGirl
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Pickpick

I'm glad I circled back around to this one! I like books about families written from more than one perspective so that appealed to me immediately. Attenberg makes her characters human - unreasonable, anxious, angry, sad, funny, kind, sympathetic. It's hard not to relate to each of them.

Reviewsbylola I got her newest book from BOTM and it will be my first time reading anything by her. 7y
CleverGirl I will be adding that to my list! 7y
8 likes2 comments
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CleverGirl
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg

I think I'm going to like this book, but it's not working for me as a beach read. I'll give it another try at home.

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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My husband is way more minimalist than me. WAY more. And he keeps an eagle eye on me when we're at the book store together so that I don't buy too many books. Well, when I go to the book store alone, I leave my purchases in the trunk of my car and slowly bring them in and add them to my shelves book by book so he won't notice. Don't tell on me. #riotgrams #bookishconfession

BookishMarginalia 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 7y
CuriousG I totally do the same thing!!! 7y
BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @CuriousG What else can we do? 7y
11 likes4 comments
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Sarahj87
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Pickpick

Overall a pick but near the end a couple new narrators were introduced which I thought took away from the rest of the book.

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Sarahj87
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg

Listening to this book while exercising is kind of a weird experience. The matriarch of this book is food obsessed and the descriptions about what she eats both motivates me to keep running while also making me hungry.

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emilygatlin
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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2012 was a big fuzzy career-shifting year for me, so I'm catching up on what I missed.

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JenFischS
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Lunch break!

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katcanwrite
The Middlesteins: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Pickpick

This book is SO utterly absorbing. I was right there with this story of kids trying to help the matriarch and not knowing quite how to do it. LOVE!