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The Year of Magical Thinking
The Year of Magical Thinking | Joan Didion
From one of America's iconic writers, a portrait of a marriage and a life in good times and bad that will speak to anyone who has ever loved a husband or wife or child. A stunning book of electric honesty and passion. Several days before Christmas 2003, John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion saw their only daughter, Quintana, fall ill. At first they thought it was flu, then pneumonia, then complete sceptic shock. She was put into an induced coma and placed on life support. Days later the night before New Years Eve the Dunnes were just sitting down to dinner after visiting the hospital when John suffered a massive and fatal coronary. In a second, this close, symbiotic partnership of 40 years was over. Four weeks later, their daughter pulled through. Two months after that, arriving at LA airport, she collapsed and underwent six hours of brain surgery at UCLA Medical Centre to relieve a massive hematoma. This powerful book is Didions attempt to make sense of the weeks and then months that cut loose any fixed idea I ever had about death, about illness ... about marriage and children and memory ... about the shallowness of sanity, about life itself. The result is an exploration of an intensely personal yet universal experience: a portrait of a marriage, and a life, in good times and bad.
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DHill
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So, I don‘t know. Half-way in and I don‘t really know what this is about. There are a lot of tangents and a lot of quotes from other people.

37 likes1 stack add
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Kazzie
Pickpick

I liked her honesty and truth. Few books deal so rawly with grief. At times I found her a bit snobby however

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DieAReader
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Panpan

#Wardens2023 #JubilantJuly #WeekendReading #WeekendReads

This one, I gotta say, puts me right in line with the #UpopularOpinion side of the table. My first ‘Didion‘ book & thus, so far not enamoured at all or even interested in other reads. I‘ll re-visit that at a later time.

Andrew65 That;s not good 😩 8mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ 8mo
CoverToCoverGirl Moving right along! 👏👏 8mo
DieAReader @CoverToCoverGirl 👍🏻❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 8mo
36 likes4 comments
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IndoorDame
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#EdgeOfSeventeen is about the first major sudden losses that Stevie Nicks had to grieve, and the tagged book is about a slower type of grief later in life, but it was the first connection that came to mind. This photo is from the back jacket cover of the book. #VolumesAndVocals @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Great connection 👍🏼👍🏼 and amazing book 10mo
SamAnne I‘ve been trying to get to this one forever! 10mo
Cathythoughts I think I‘ll always remember this book. ❤️💔 10mo
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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charl08
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...The death of a parent, he wrote, "despite our preparation, indeed, despite our age, dislodges things deep in us, sets off reactions that surprise us and that may cut free memories and feelings that we had thought gone to ground long ago. We might, in that indeterminate period they call mourning, be in a submarine, silent on the ocean's bed, aware of the depth charges, now near and now far, buffeting us with recollections."

Suet624 Such a great description. 13mo
Cathythoughts That‘s great ❤️. I loved this book 13mo
batsy Wow. That's so true. I really need to read this. 13mo
64 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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mjtwo
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Pickpick

1-3 Feb 22 (audiobook)
A very raw account of the death of Didion‘s husband at a time when her daughter is battling unexplained and critical illness. Quite heartbreaking for one woman to experience such devastating loss. It does almost seem as though Didion herself is starting to unravel. The mind games she plays with herself recall my mindset in the wake of my mother‘s death - when you would do anything just to see them alive again.

IuliaC Great review! 14mo
charl08 This is on my list - thanks for the nudge to pick it up. 14mo
14 likes1 stack add2 comments
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anushareflects
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Pickpick

Incredibly heartbreaking. An autobiographical work after the abrupt deaths of Didion‘s husband and daughter, it reflects on grief and loss and the negotiations we make through magical thinking - thinking if I do this then this won‘t/ hasn‘t happened. Devastatingly beautiful

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guidosophia
Mehso-so

For some reason before I read this I thought it would be a self-help book. It is not. Anyways, I was not a super big fan of this. I think the writing style was tough because it made it hard for me to concentrate. I also think I‘m definitely too young for this book bc it didn‘t resonate with me. I recognize that it sounds like my mom could have written it, but I just didn‘t connect with it

CuriousG I'm with you on the lack of connection. I read this at a time that although young (at least I think 33 or 34 counts as young) I had many reasons to feel the connection and still didn't. A few years before my husband had an accident and would have died had he not had a life saving emergency craniotomy and removal of a hematoma, and to be honest the person I married did die in a way. (All good - I love the new him too)... 1y
CuriousG ...then my brother died suddenly, but he had also had brain surgery in the past and I had a close up view of my parents not knowing if their child would live. I had every reason to connect in at least some way to this and still it was just 'meh'. It's an unpopular opinion though. I've been lectured before on why I'm wrong 🙄 1y
2 likes2 comments
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Jeg
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Pickpick

There is a piece of paper in this book that tells me this book came into this house in 2006. Neither of us have read it until now. It has been sitting on my TBR shelf for some of those years. This week was the right time, the perfect time for me to read it. Magical thinking, I‘ve been doing a bit lately.
“Life changes fast.”
“Life changes in the instant “

So much grief in this book.
So much magical thinking.
Powerful.

Cathythoughts Great book 👍🏻♥️ 1y
Rissreads I‘m still to read this one too! 1y
22 likes2 comments
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MrsMalaprop
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Pickpick

Finished this morning. A memoir about grief. My first Joan Didion. Should I read more? And if so, which one JD fans? 🤗🙏

Ruthiella This was my first Didion too. I‘ve only since read an article essay collection and also loved it 1y
CarolynM The first one I read too. I‘ve also read Slouching Towards Bethlehem (an interesting collection of essays largely about California that left me feeling somewhat ambivalent about her attitudes) and the novels Play It As It Lays and Democracy both of which I enjoyed. 1y
42 likes3 comments
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LatrelWhite
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥹Achingly beautiful a masterpiece and a tribute to an extraordinary marriage.
August book club pick for #feedyourmind Instagram book club.

19 likes1 stack add
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Mdion1993
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Mehso-so

A personal account from author Joan Didion following the year after her husband‘s sudden death.

Grief ✨ Stream of Consciousness ✨ Retrospective

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LatrelWhite
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Started this⬆️❤️

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Shaaaannnn
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I understand that Didion is like a huge deal. This is my first read by her and I just want to know why I‘m disliking her so much. I‘m only 70 pages in but it‘s truly screaming rich white lady to me 😩 I‘m sorry I had to say it. Maybe my mind will change.

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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

A friend came to the Library Book Sale to find this book. Alas,no copy to be had. I said,”I have a copy that I can lend you”. Since it was #TBR on my shelves, I decided to read it first. I am glad that I did. The writing pulled me in, and did not let go. My plan had been to read a book by her to honor her recent death. My friend‘s request made it happen. #weremember #2005 #192025

Librarybelle Lovely flowers! 2y
DivineDiana @Librarybelle Thank you! 💐 2y
71 likes2 comments
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DivineDiana
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New read. Audio/physical book combo. #mttbr

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Melkyl
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I haven‘t posted for a long time. My life has been quite a journey for the past few years. In 2018, my husband of 27 years died. It took me a while to find myself after that. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I started dating and met the man who would save me. In 2021, I learned my son was ill. In November of 2021, I was married on a Saturday and my son would pass five days later. This beautiful life is not for the weak.

Readergrrl You are so correct about that. Always looking forward. 2y
Chrissyreadit ❤️ 2y
peaKnit What a roller coaster, and handled with such grace. Take care ❤️ 2y
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AmyG Oh my. Life and be so joyful and so painful. None of us are immune. Sending a hug from one human to another. Glad you are still here. 2y
sprainedbrain ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
LeahBergen ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
quietjenn ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
JessClark78 ❤️❤️ 2y
Leelee.reads ❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts 💔❤️ 2y
Kimzey I‘m terribly sorry for your losses. And glad you have found new love amidst the sorrow. ❤️ 2y
fredamans You are a strong woman. (((BIG HUGS))) 2y
Megabooks 💜💜💜 2y
DivineDiana Wishing you the peace and love that you deserve. ❤️ 2y
22 likes14 comments
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Cathyloves2read
Mehso-so

I did the audio version of this book. I found it to be very sad. Basically, this book tells the true story of a woman who unexpectedly lost her husband. It outlines how she‘s dealt with that loss over the course of a year. Her daughter also spends most of the story in the hospital, very I‘ll. It wasn‘t a bad book, just very depressing.

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Kayla.Adriena
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From the kitchen of Joan Didion how awesome! Can't wait to try it! Thank you Thank you @TheBookHippie for the recipe and the fantastic book 🥰. Apologies again for the late post ! #RecipeSwap @BennettBookworm

TheBookHippie ❤️ I hope you enjoy it! 2y
BennettBookworm How cool!! 2y
24 likes2 comments
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Kshakal
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 2y
Eggs 💔😔👍🏼 2y
27 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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My first Didion book, about the passing of her husband John Dunne. I had just lost my own husband. It was an impressive book, so I read several more of her books

#WeRemember #JoanDidion @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

DivineDiana I am just reading this post. Sending ❤️ 2y
Eggs Thank you Diane ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
66 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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GatheringBooks
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#WeRemember Day 14: #JoanDidion‘s book is one of the few I hand-carried with me when my family and I moved from Singapore here to the UAE nearly 3 years ago. Here are the other titles I hand-carried with me along with photos of the 20-foot container holding all our belongings: https://wp.me/pDlzr-kTV

Eggs 💜📚🙌🏻 2y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CaitlinByTheBook
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Pickpick

Sad and beautiful. A few parts were too literary for me with obscure references. But, I don‘t think people talk about the reality of death and grief enough. This book explores it deeply and superficially. Feelings and day to day life. Recommend, 4⭐️

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KT1432
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Pickpick

Really glad I read this through the #Literati book club. A sobering work that addresses how we define a good life, and how we process a sudden death. Despite fame, success, and access to resources most don‘t have, nothing can prepare someone for tragedy at the dinner table. I‘m sure I‘ll come back to this one to help me through grief at some point. 4⭐️s

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KT1432
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“Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it.” 😔

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KT1432
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It‘s been a busy weekend so I‘m just now able to join in on the #FabulousFebruary #readathon. Starting this one today for one of the #Literati book clubs. I love the relatable way Didion wrote. Over the past few years, especially the past 2, I‘ve heard and experienced so many of these life-changing moments, making this a particularly relevant read.

Cathythoughts So good 💫 2y
Andrew65 Good luck 😊👍 2y
21 likes2 comments
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sophies_little_library
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Each time we did it I was afraid of missing the swell, hanging back, timing it wrong. John never was. You had to feel the swell change. You had to go with the change. He told me that. No eye is on the sparrow but he did tell me that.

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RebL
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I waver between being envious & impatient with people who mourn. It feels like an indulgence not available to me. What Didion captured in this book that does resonate with me is how absurd it seems to attend to the mundane when a loved one lies dead in the dining room.

23 likes2 stack adds
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Simona
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Pickpick

Deep sadness and grief are familiar to everyone, the feelings that everyone has experienced, but yet these are the same emotions that isolate us from others. Sad, intimate story about loss and isolation …
#nonfiction2022 #unplanned
#19822022 #2005
#booked2022 #writtenByJournalist

Cinfhen Wonderful choice 😍 beautiful review 2y
Simona @Cinfhen Thanks 😊 I think so too - that this was a great choice for the first book of the year. 2y
Ruthiella I love Didion‘s writing. ❤️ 2y
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Simona @Ruthiella My first book by her, but definitely not the last. 2y
Librarybelle Such a great choice! 2y
Simona @Librarybelle Thank you, I‘m pleased with my choice too 😘 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage This book addresses such a difficult topic and Didion does a beautiful job. I pick a copy up to share every time I see one in a used book shop. Sadly, there are always people who can relate. 2y
Simona @BarbaraTheBibliophage Sadly, yes … and I can see how comforting this book could be. 2y
65 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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CBee
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What a woman. What a writer. What a loss.

AmyG This one hurts. 😪 2y
Julsmarshall Such a loss. 2y
Kimberlone The coolness exuding from the photo 💯 2y
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CBee @AmyG it does 😕♥️ 2y
CBee @Julsmarshall tremendous loss 😕 2y
CBee @Kimberlone every photo I‘ve ever seen of her, she just radiates that. Even as she aged. Just a beautiful woman, in this natural unaffected sort of way ♥️ 2y
Crazeedi I didn't know! So sad💔 2y
64 likes7 comments
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Elias1
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Pickpick

Probably the best book I have ever read.
#rip Joan Didion

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Leftcoastzen
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#wishesandblessings #magic
“A single person is missing for you, and the whole world is empty.”-Joan Didion
While trying to process illness & death in her own family, she wrote a powerful book that has lessons for us all on this topic.I love Didions writing , a tough but worthwhile read.

Eggs I read this after my husband passed❤️‍🩹- it is profound 2y
Leftcoastzen @Eggs I‘m glad it was some comfort? I hope . I passed it on to someone who needed it. 2y
59 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Pickpick

Ended up loving this! It was totally not what I thought it was going to be about.

Leftcoastzen An amazing book! 3y
Cathythoughts I loved this one ❤️ 3y
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Book 80

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Eggs
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Pickpick

Still writing at 87, and as eloquent as always. Magical Thinking has a #mournful tone but in a different way than you‘ve ever imagined. So elegant. Written after her husband‘s death in 2003, but before her only child-her daughter-died a year later #springsentiments

Crazeedi I've seen this book, but never read 3y
Eggs @Crazeedi Highly recommend! 3y
Leftcoastzen Great Book! 3y
See All 6 Comments
emmaturi I definitely want to pick up some of her books! 3y
Cathythoughts Such a good book ❤️ 3y
Eggs Time for a rereading for me-it‘s universally authentic 😥 @Leftcoastzen @emmaturi @Cathythoughts 3y
78 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Eggs
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#brokenheart #loveprevails 💔

Losing one‘s spouse is a special kind of broken-heartedness

TheSpineView Yes it is!💔 3y
Elizabeth2 💗Sending hugs your way! 3y
Eggs @TheSpineView @elizabeth2 🥰 ❤️😘 (edited) 3y
71 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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WhiskeyMistress
Pickpick

Diving into 2021 with a bulky January total of 23 books. Ready to see where this year is going to take me. The tagged book was one of my Jan reads and I highly recommend. Fingers crossed I have time to mini review the books I go through for February!

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TheSpineView
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TheKidUpstairs This one has been sitting on my shelf for a long time. Must get to it! 3y
TheSpineView @TheKidUpstairs 😊📚📚📚 3y
71 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Esin
Pickpick

This book felt meditative to read and cathartic to finish... (Mason rec)

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Eggs
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An eloquent portrait of a life with, and the loss of — a #spouse 😔
#thankfulthoughts @Eggs

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mrroysanchez
Pickpick

A great expression and explanation of mourning that describes how we make things make sense after losing loved ones. “Time is the school in which we learn” how to come to terms with what‘s left in life after death of family and loved ones. An instantly meaningful read for anyone alive.

Cathythoughts Great book ❤️💔 3y
5 likes1 comment
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Eggs
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🌿 Always! We must use our Constitutional voices-we have control over so little else...
🙏🏻 the health and physical ability to travel so I can be with my daughters, sons in laws, and grands 💗

#thankfulthursday @Cosmos_Moon

Klou Thanks for tagging me! 3y
Cosmos_Moon Glad you will see your family 🥰 3y
Eggs @Kshakal 💖 3y
See All 7 Comments
Eggs @Cosmos_Moon Thanks 🙏🏻 3y
Eggs @Klou 😉🤗 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🇺🇸 3y
UwannaPublishme 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 3y
50 likes1 stack add7 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Mehso-so

Joan Didion makes me want to smoke & drink a glass of expensive whiskey. She is a mood.
I enjoyed the mixture of biography, medical explanations, & thoughts on grief. But something about this just didn't work for me. Normally I don't mind name dropping or disconnectedness from wealthy people (we lost $50k because we bought a house before knowing we could sale one if our other houses so we ran away to Hawaii to regroup?) I found it annoying here.

ChaoticMissAdventures Starting to put together my October #bookspin and realized I forget to tag @TheAromaofBooks when I finished this September"s #bookspin ? 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
25 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Eggs
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“Life changes fast.Life changes in the instant.You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends.”

#mortality #septembersenses

sarahljensen I loved this book! 4y
Reviewsbylola So scary. 4y
73 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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AmyG
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Tagged Book
Richard YATES
Young Frankenstein
YES
You Turn Me on I‘m a Radio - Joni Mithell

#ManicMonday #LetterY @JoScho

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Texreader
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Pickpick

#Litsyatoz #letterY

I urge you not to read or listen to this memoir if you‘re struggling w/ tragedy or depression, the opposite of what I expected from the title (I got it because of the title). This is about the deaths of the author‘s husband & only daughter close in time to one another, & how she dealt with it. She accurately describes how we (or at least I) tend to magically think that if we just do something, a different result will occur. ⬇️

Texreader It can be quite superstitious but don‘t you do it, too? For example, she decides if she refuses to throw out her husband‘s shoes, then he‘ll come back. Or if she‘d only done something differently, her daughter would have lived, or could she go back and “fix” it? A good but agonizing tale. I was grateful it was short. Vanessa Redgrave nailed the narration. 4y
Megabooks Thank you. I downloaded this as well and don‘t think is the right time to listen to it for me. 4y
Heideschrampf I read it as a memoir, why does it say PLAY on the cover? Has it been adapted for stage? 😮 4y
Texreader @Heideschrampf Hmmm, I don‘t know. I downloaded the audible version but I can‘t tell if it is from a play or done especially for the audiobook 4y
Texreader @Megabooks Yea, I would have waited. Maybe I should have read the blurb about it first. Oops 4y
65 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Insightsintobooks
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Cathythoughts Such a good book ✨ 4y
wanderinglynn Totally agree with @Cathythoughts 👍🏻 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Ooh, tempting. I've been slowly reading through Didion's work and haven't read this one yet. 4y
Insightsintobooks @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick it's beautiful! You should get it. 4y
41 likes2 stack adds4 comments