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Boston Girl
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
117 posts | 136 read | 2 reading | 85 to read
"New York Times" bestseller! An unforgettable novel about a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston in the early twentieth century, told with humor and optimism through the eyes of an irresistible heroine ("People") from the acclaimed author of "The Red Tent." Anita Diamant s vivid, affectionate portrait of American womanhood ("Los Angeles Times"), follows the life of one woman, Addie Baum, through a period of dramatic change. Addie is The Boston Girl, the spirited daughter of an immigrant Jewish family, born in 1900 to parents who were unprepared for America and its effect on their three daughters. Growing up in the North End of Boston, then a teeming multicultural neighborhood, Addie s intelligence and curiosity take her to a world her parents can t imagine a world of short skirts, movies, celebrity culture, and new opportunities for women. Addie wants to finish high school and dreams of going to college. She wants a career and to find true love. From the one-room tenement apartment she shared with her parents and two sisters, to the library group for girls she joins at a neighborhood settlement house, to her first, disastrous love affair, to finding the love of her life, eighty-five-year-old Addie recounts her adventures with humor and compassion for the naive girl she once was. Written with the same attention to historical detail and emotional resonance that made Diamant s previous novels bestsellers, "The" "Boston Girl" is a moving portrait of one woman s complicated life in twentieth century America, and a fascinating look at a generation of women finding their places in a changing world. Diamant brings to life a piece of feminism s forgotten history ("Good Housekeeping") in this inspirational page-turning portrait of immigrant life in the early twentieth century ("Booklist")."
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Enjoying a little sunshine after William‘s PT today! We also stopped by the bookstore and amazingly I left empty handed 🤷🏻‍♀️

#Withatown
#TemptingTitles

Aims42 Good “shelf” control 😜 2y
IndoorDame Lovely photo ❤️ 2y
Eggs Love your attire, love the cardi ❤️🖤❤️ 2y
See All 14 Comments
TheBookgeekFrau I really liked The Boston Girl (wish I remembered it 😅) 2y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Fabulous photo, Misty. 💜 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs thank you 😊 2y
gossamerchild You look great, I love this! 2y
IuliaC Wonderful! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @IuliaC thank you! ❤️ 2y
95 likes1 stack add14 comments
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paisleyjess
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
Pickpick

I loved hearing the story of this woman's life as if it is being told to her grandchild. I actually wanted much much more of the story. It starts in two year segments and then jumps dozens of years and ends quickly.

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Jeg
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Mehso-so

This was lent to me by a friend. Not really my sort of read but interesting to get a look at life over a time from before WW1 to 1985. A Jewish grandmother talking to her granddaughter.

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AliD73
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

This novel is set in 1985 and depicts an 85-year-old woman telling her life story to her granddaughter. It is riveting and well written. I loved it. There is not one boring page in this book. Highly recommended. I met Anita Diamant several years ago at a book signing; she graciously agreed to sign two books for me and we ended up having a nice conversation as well. She is down to earth and likable in addition to being a talented writer.

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Lcsmcat
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

A quick light read for a hot weekend. (I started it yesterday and finished today.) More of a palate cleanser than anything.

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Sharpeipup
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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“How is it you get more tired from sitting and doing nothing than from running around doing too much?”

#summerfun #bingo #comingofagestory

Listening to this one & really enjoying Linda Lavin‘s narration.

23 likes2 stack adds
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mcctrish
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

This is the best audio book I have listened too yet❤️I want to sincerely thank all the Littens who talk about audio reading for giving me the push to keep trying. I‘ve gotten my audio groove on and I won‘t stop now. This one is so good! I love the story and I love the narration! I almost cried when it finished because I will be lost for awhile without it

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Ubookquitous
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

Another immersive trip into the past by Diamant, this time through the 20th century through one woman born to immigrant parents into a world rapidly changing, especially for women. Memorable voice of a woman who came into her own as she tells the story of 'how she became the woman she is to her granddaughter. 2019, no 6

Liatrek I just got this Audio book and can‘t wait to listen! 5y
Ubookquitous @Liatrek The audio is wonderful. Such an engaging story 5y
Cathythoughts This sounds very good !! Stacking 5y
12 likes3 comments
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mcctrish
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Next up in audio 🎉loving it right from the beginning and how awesome that Linda Lavin is reading it ❤️

Chelsea.Poole I loved this one! 5y
mcctrish @Chelsea.Poole it honestly had me from the first moment 5y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders OMG Linda Lavin MAKES this audiobook. I loved it so much!!! 5y
mcctrish @Penny_LiteraryHoarders she is so fantastic ❤️I never want to turn this book off 5y
29 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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MrBook
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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1/2 of the replenishments for my #NewEngland Display 😊!

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

webhau1 The Boston Girl is excellent. I listened to it on audio and it is read by Linda Lavin the actress and she does an awesome job. 5y
57 likes1 comment
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Samplergal
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

What a wonderful story. I listened to the book, which I highly recommend, being read by a great actress, Linda Lavin. The premise of the story is an 85 yr old grandmother being interviewed by her granddaughter. Beginning in the early 1900‘s, she relates her childhood, early adulthood and trying to craft a career in times when women were expected to marry and procreate only. Just a beautiful story. 5⭐️. #feminist #massachusetts

84 likes4 stack adds
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Samplergal
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Next up. A great audiobook so far. Read by Linda Lavin. ❤️❤️❤️ #women

JaclynW I liked this one! 5y
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crhealey
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

Cute and enjoyable, but easy enough to put down for weeks at a time (which I did as teacher life took over). First day of the year where it was warm enough to sit at the beach and read! Until now, you could only be at the beach if you were moving! Staying still was not an option! #weekendreads #spring

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crhealey
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Standardized testing means built in reading time! #nowreading

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mom2bugnbee
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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On a college tour trip with my oldest, and of course we had to visit Brattle Book Shop in downtown Boston! Katie found a Doctor Who novel published in 1983 and a copy of "The Death of Superman" comic book. ☺ #raisingreaders

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MissMaxWilder
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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4

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Librarybelle
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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The first book I saw on my shelves with “girl” in the title...

I picked this one up recently through Book Outlet. I loved The Last Days of Dogtown, so I admittedly have high expectations for this one! #ThatGirl #TimbitTunes

Cinfhen I had high hopes too!!! Red Tent 🙌🏻❤️but this book was really disappointing for me. It was very pedestrian ☹️ 6y
Crazeedi I liked it, it wasn't as good as red tent, but still with my time 6y
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ephemeralwaltz It was an OK read for me. Nothing extraordinary but still worth my time. 6y
TheKidUpstairs I loved The Red Tent, too @Cinfhen @Crazeedi but I haven't read this one! Maybe someday, I so love the image on the cover. 6y
BookClubMom I loved The Red Tent. I also thought this was an ok story but not as good as the Tent. Love the cover though! 6y
minkyb I will read anything she writes but it would be difficult to top 6y
117 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Lcsmcat
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Thrift store #bookhaul this morning. We had to get out to go somewhere warm and quiet while our HVAC was being replaced, right? #sorrynotsorry. Anyone read any of these?

merelybookish Great haul! I read Hotel New Hampshire years ago! 6y
Reviewsbylola Absolutely loved Loving Frank! 6y
Lcsmcat @merelybookish Did you like it? How does it compare to his other books? 6y
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Lcsmcat @Reviewsbylola That was totally a #blameitonLitsy purchase! 6y
kathleenaflynn Hotel New Hampshire was a strange one. I liked it at the time, but not sure how it will hold up 6y
merelybookish @Lcsmcat I don't remember that much about it now. 😬 But I liked it at the time. I think it's more quirky than some of his later books (Cider House Rules, Owen Meaney). 6y
64 likes6 comments
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wallacereads
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

Finished book 3 for the #24B42019 readathon. I love ‘looking back‘ stories...this one is told from perspective of a 85 year old widower raised in Boston.

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Harper! Thank you sooo much for for the Christmas gifts!! I opened the beautiful notebook first and thought that my daughter had ordered it on my amazon account 🤣 I can‘t wait to read the book too!! Thanks so much!! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas ❤️😘

CoffeeNBooks I'm glad they got there! That book looked really good! I'm glad our paths have crossed through Litsy- I appreciate your friendship! 💙 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @CoffeeNBooks I feel the same way about you!! Litsy has been such a blessing to my life bringing so many wonderful friends like you into my life ❤️ 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @BookNerd9906 yay!!! 📚🙌🏻 6y
Cinfhen Sweet 6y
108 likes5 comments
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Amiable
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Mehso-so

Addie Baum, 85, tells the story of her life to her 22-year-old granddaughter, who has asked her "How did you get to be the woman you are today?" The story begins in 1915 with Addie as a young girl in Boston, and continues with her life's journey. It was simply OK, mostly because there isn't really any plot. Addie grows up; life happens to her, her sisters and her friends; children are born; people die; and then the novel just kind of ends. 2 stars

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Blushoes13
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Made it to Brattle Book Shop! ❤️

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Jen_Reads
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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The sunset from the plane was beautiful. As much as it sucked to come home and leave my entire family it‘ll be nice to sleep in my own bed and love on my cat.
#nonbookishpost

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JoyBlue
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

An 85-year-old Jewish grandmother imparts wisdom upon her 20-something-year-old granddaughter. Linda Lavin narrated skillfully—I was thoroughly engaged throughout. Quotes of note included "Who ever heard of a pickle that was sweet and soft? Feh!" and "He and I had what you would call a mutual admiration society . . . " (something I shared with my own Jewish grandmother—she sang or referenced the old song to me frequently).

Reviewsbylola I‘ve always wanted to read more of her books ever since I read and loved The Red Tent years ago. 6y
73 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Kodak2057
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
Pickpick

This book finally broke me out of a months long slump. Anyone who knows me knows I normally read a book a week so not being able to get into any I‘ve started since around mid June was painful. I flew through this, it was exactly the right amount of easy read and engaging story to help me flip the switch.

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Well-ReadNeck
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

Listened to this one on audiobook. Narrated by Linda Lavin (from the TV Show, Alice, for those old enough to get that reference). Not so lot driven, this is a great character study of both the protagonist and the city of Boston. #audiobook

118 likes3 stack adds
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GripLitGrl
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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#AugustIsATrip #Boston @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88
Haven't read this one but found it on goodreads sounds like an interesting historical fiction read

vkois88 It does sound good! I like the map pic you shared too 😊 6y
BookNerd9906 I really enjoyed it! 6y
49 likes2 comments
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chrissy912
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
Pickpick

Okay, i admit it. I bought this on a discount rack because of the title.....my being from Boston and all. I loved it! Read it in a day. Fast-pasted, interesting story that keeps you turning the page....

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frenchywm
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
Pickpick

Perspective of a Jewish immigrant and it's culture in Boston. History told in the point of view of a grandmother. How women have evolved in American traditions.

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throwmeabook
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Next stop on the family vacation roadtrip...Boston! This beautiful city didn‘t disappoint with some great book sightings! #berkleebooks #littlefreelibrary #harvardbookstore

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TongueTiedSLP11
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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I just woke up from napping and now it‘s time for some Sunday afternoon reads with this lunatic cat 🐱 📚 #sundayreads

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musicandmain
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
Pickpick

Reading this book really felt like sitting with an old Jewish grandmother. Addie faces so many hardships but she comes out strong- it helps you believe in the resiliency of the human spirit. I couldn't put this book down and am currently crying through the end of it.

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alisahar
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Looking for Litsyers in #Boston! I was part of a themed book club in Paris and really want to bring the idea back to Boston. The concept: you pick a theme (like sci-fi, books by women, etc) and then everyone reads a book of their choice on that theme. Get together, drink 🍷 of course, and each person talks about the book they read. Really fun way to read what you want and get introduced to new books. Comment on this post if you‘re interested!

Colly_Beau I'm a few minutes south of Providence, but I would totally be interested in taking the short train ride to Boston for something like this! 6y
alisahar Awesome @Colly_Beau! I went ahead and started a Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/bostonbooks Feel free to invite anyone you think might be interested! 6y
tpixie Awesome idea! Have fun!!! ( from Kansas) (edited) 6y
danimgill This is such a cool idea! Definitely gonna join the facebook group 😊 6y
27 likes4 comments
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Deborah42
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

When Addie Baum‘s granddaughter asks her how she became the woman she is today, Addie recounts her life story. Raised in a tenement apartment in Boston with her parents and two sisters in the early 1900s, she fights for an education and gradually moves beyond the confines of her family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook and felt like I should call my grandma.

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TheBookWasBetter1983
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

1985. Ava is interviewing her grandmother about “how she became the woman she is today.” The American born daughter of Jewish Russian immigrants; the only daughter born in America. With interjections to remind us Addie is being interviewed by her granddaughter, it feels as if the reader is witnessing the interview. A historical fiction story of a woman fighting for all women when females we‘re quite so empowered and independent.

Chelster91 I adored that book! Such a quick read and so satisfying! 7y
TheBookWasBetter1983 Satisfying. I agree!!! 7y
56 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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susanw
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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They say don‘t judge a book by its cover, but this one reminds of the tagged book. I didn‘t really enjoy The Boston Girl so I have absolutely no desire to read the copycat cover book. I know there are more exact examples of copies but this is similar enough that it drives me crazy. I feel the look is close enough that you would assume it‘s the same author. There is so much they can do with covers, why are they making so many of them so similar?

Bostonmomx2 Have you noticed this happens a LOT? It seems there are always lots of books with very similar covers, sometimes even coming out at similar times so sometimes it coinkidink but others can‘t be. It‘s kinda erie. 7y
ephemeralwaltz Wow!!! 7y
68 likes2 comments
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DimeryRene
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Love the smell of new audio books in the afternoon. 💗🌸👄🐽🌷🎀💖

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Pam.Kokomo
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

This book reminded me so much of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The narrator was great too.

3 likes1 comment
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ATB
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Easy read... probably people don't like it but I did.

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goodbyefrancie
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
Pickpick

Finished this one this morning and I really enjoyed it. It reminds me a little of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Great storytelling. This was my first Anita Diamant book, but won't be my last.

MelissaS You must read The Red Tent by her. Fantastic! 7y
71 likes2 comments
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goodbyefrancie
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Enjoying this one so far!

MelissaS Ooh! That‘s a good one! 7y
67 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Captivatedbybooks
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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I received my wager box from @JenP i laughed when i saw the funko pop. He‘s currently now chilling near my Dak 😂😂😂 thank you for all the goodies! I wouldnt have watched the game if it wasnt for this bet LOL super excited to try the jam.

JenP 😂😂 I laughed when I was putting it in the box. 7y
AmyG That Patriots Tom Brady is awesome!!!! 7y
britt_brooke This is awesome @JenP 😆👏🏻 7y
See All 8 Comments
JenP @britt_brooke ha ha! I really wanted to send this: https://www.hy-vee.com/resources/performance-inspired.aspx but I couldn‘t bring myself to waste the money 😂😂 7y
Captivatedbybooks @JenP my mom was funny cause she looks over my shoulder and goes “thats a funny looking cowboy why is he dressed like that” 😂😂😂 7y
britt_brooke @JenP 😆😆😆 7y
LeahBergen Love it! 😆😆 7y
60 likes8 comments
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Aswenson
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Late with my January reads list. #swensonreads #swensonreads2018

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
41 likes1 comment
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kendrastephaniekaryn
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Here they are....my top 17 reads this year! I also read a few excellent graphic novels, but I restricted this list to full-length fiction and non-fiction. I'm really happy with the variety of books I read this year. #17in2017

Tamra A Monster Calls 😭 I‘m very glad I didn‘t try to read this with my kids. 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes I looooved Shrill! 7y
47 likes2 comments
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Bostonmomx2
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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@thequeerspiderwoman here are my babies for you to virtually snuggle with. #elvistheboston is the brown and #harlietheboston is the gray.

Hope your weekend is better than your week!

queerbookreader Hello puppies!!!! Thank you very much 7y
Bookzombie 💕🐶🐶 7y
britt_brooke Love them so much!! 7y
BookMaven407 Soooooo sweet! 7y
TheLibrarian Soo cute!!! 7y
74 likes1 stack add5 comments
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CathyJ
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Love this!

RaimeyGallant Nice! 7y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CathyJ
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Starting this read now. I've been reading and listening to a lot of sad stories lately. I'm hoping this will be a happy heartwarming story.

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tpixie
Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Part 6 Loved these kids Books 📚 at The COOP at Harvard!! #Boston #Harvard

Blaire Love Boston and Harvard (my law school alma mater). 😍😍😍 7y
tpixie @Blaire awesome! The Harvard Law School was celebrating its 200 Anniversary yesterday!! 7y
102 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
The Boston Girl | Anita Diamant
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Pickpick

My #audiowalk partner, baby Max. 6 months old tomorrow!! Baby times certainly fly by!
Anyway, excellent book — loved the #audiobook. I found it on #hoopla. The Boston Girl is the #bookclub choice for the meeting tomorrow. I‘m hoping everyone loved it as much as I did. This is certainly a character-driven novel. It is truly like a conversation with your grandma. Highly recommended 🌟

stacybmartin What a cutie! 💙 7y
MallenNC He's so cute! Great audiowalk partner. 7y
suvata Awwww. So adorable! 7y
See All 11 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww so cute!!! 💙 7y
Kaye What a sweetheart. I just love to see babies with big grins like that. 😃 (edited) 7y
LeeRHarry So so adorable 💕 7y
Avanders So cute!! 😍😍 7y
erzascarletbookgasm That smile 💗 7y
MicheleinPhilly Those cheeks! ❤️ 7y
Chelsea.Poole @Kaye @erzascarletbookgasm @MicheleinPhilly thank you all! This is the happiest little baby, truly! Always has a smile ready 👶🏻💙 7y
134 likes1 stack add11 comments