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An American Childhood
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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BekaReid
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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“I began reading books, reading books to delirium. I began by vanishing from the known world into the passive abyss of reading, but soon found myself engaged with surprising vigor because the things in the books, or even the things surrounding the books roused me from my stupor.“

review
DivineDiana
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick

This was my #doublespin book for #bookspinbingo. It is credited with launching the popularity of the memoir. It takes place in Pittsburgh. Since I do reside in Pennsylvania, I was interested in the setting. The writing was beautiful, and I loved the many references to books and the love of reading. However, at times, I was just not interested, particularly when baseball was the topic. It was between a pick and a so-so for me. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DivineDiana
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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“So God must sit in heaven, at a card table, fingering a heap of stripes- hairlines, jawlines, brows- and joining them at whim to people a world. I began wondering if the stock of individual faces on earth through all of time is infinite. “

Ruthiella My mom got us kids one these for long car trips along with an etcha-sketch. Much harder to play with than it looks as I recall! 3y
DivineDiana @Ruthiella Great memory! ❤️ 3y
44 likes2 comments
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DivineDiana
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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“She drew plans for an over-the-finger toothbrush for babies, an oven rack that slid up and down, and -the family favorite- Lendalarm. Lendalarm was a beeper you attached to books(or tools) you loaned friends. After ten days,the beeper sounded. Only the rightful owner could silence it.”

eeclayton Genius! 😂 3y
DivineDiana @eeclayton I thought so too! 🤣 3y
SilversReviews Love the photo!! 3y
44 likes4 comments
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DivineDiana
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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“”When you open a book,” the sentimental library posters said, “anything can happen.” This was so. “

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DivineDiana
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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A fellow Friends of the Library volunteer pushed this in my hand with a “you have to read this one”. I couldn‘t be rude, but so far, I am not sure about”having to read this”. 🤔
#currentread #bookspinbingo

Amiable I was “meh” about this book, too. You aren‘t alone. 3y
DivineDiana @Amiable Thank you. Just read a bit more, and the writing was beautiful. Will remain hopeful for the time being. 🙂 3y
45 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
DivineDiana
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Here they are! Both are on my MtTBR. Determined to make it happen this month!
@TheAromaofBooks #bookspin #doublespin
#bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
mavey RWRB is so good!!💞 3y
DivineDiana @Mavey That‘s what I‘ve heard! Should read this month. 🤞🏻 3y
mavey @DivineDiana Happy Reading!! You'll enjoy it!💕 3y
39 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
mandarchy
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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1. I love reading memoirs and biographies, especially Beverly Cleary's, Lois Lowry's and Annie Dillard's.
2. Probably realistic fiction or historic fiction. I can never choose one. DiCamillo, Williams-Garcia, Woodson, Hesse
3. Joseph Campbell
#wondrouswednesdays
Thanks for the tag @DarkMina @Eggs
Play along! @Kristinreads @Prairiegirl_reading @AutumnRLS

Eggs Thanks for the thoughtful responses-#2-I Love all of those! Thanks for joining in 👏🏻 3y
DarkMina You‘re welcome! 3y
40 likes2 comments
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GatheringBooks
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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mandarchy I loved this book! ❤one of my favorite authors. 3y
47 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
The_Penniless_Author
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick

First read this as part of an Intro to Nonfiction course my freshman year of college. Dillard reflects on her childhood in Pittsburgh, PA in the 1950s and 60s. I might be biased since I too grew up in western PA and even lived for a time in the exact neighborhood (Squirrel Hill) that Dillard grew up in, but I found this book enchanting. Dillard's narration has a sort-of abstract, meandering quality that perfectly captures the mindset of a 👇

The_Penniless_Author (in succession) five-year-old, ten-year-old, and fifteen-year-old that conveys better than any other writer I've encountered the process of "growing up". 3y
FelinesAndFelonies @The_Penniless_Author I grew up in Western PA too. My grandmother lived in Punxsutawney. 3y
The_Penniless_Author @FelinesAndFelonies No way! I grew up in Ridgway. I've been to Punxsy tons of times 😀 3y
FelinesAndFelonies @The_Penniless_Author I was born in Indiana, PA. My sister earned her Ph.D at Penn State. Small world. 🌎 3y
The_Penniless_Author @FelinesAndFelonies I know quite a few people who went to IUP, and even more who went to Penn State. Small world indeed! :) 3y
35 likes5 comments
blurb
Nessavamusic
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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1. Strawberry Shortcake & My Little Pony
2. Yes!
3. Smurfs
4. Cheese and crackers
5. No, I always brought lunch
6. I walked all the way until high school
#YourStory @nu-bibliophile

Nu-Bibliophile I remember all that walking. It was pretty much my exercise for the day. 4y
30 likes1 comment
review
squirrelbrain
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t love this book. It‘s a series of dreamlike vignettes that lend a more novelistic feel than non-fiction. Indeed, one of the reviews on the back described it as a ‘metaphysical memoir‘ - I prefer a more straightforward autobiographical style.

#wil I learned a lot about rocks, birds and the polio vaccine... and also a new word, sempiternal, meaning everlasting.

#nfnov
#readingtheUSA2019
#pennsylvania

Blaire I felt the same about this one. Had seen it recommended a lot and just didn‘t capture me the way it had others. 4y
Librarybelle Good review! 4y
rsteve388 9 pts I see you learned something. Finished this and made a post! Please use the hashtag so I know for sure next time. 4y
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squirrelbrain Apologies - Which hashtag did I miss @rsteve388 ? I used #nfnov and #wil - is there another one I should be using? 4y
squirrelbrain I‘m glad it wasn‘t just me @Blaire ! 4y
Caroline2 Oh that is a good word!! 😯 4y
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blurb
squirrelbrain
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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#weeklyforecast

You can see from the sticky-out bookmark that I‘m getting there with Ducks..... 700 pages in. Managed to renew it again at the library, which I didn‘t think I would be able to, but I still want to get through it soon.

Just started An American Childhood for #nfnov and #readingtheUSA2019, and the other two books also fit both prompts.

Will also try to start The Romanovs on Kindle for #nfnov and a #buddyread with @Caroline2

Cinfhen Woohoo 🥳 🦆🦆🦆🦆 4y
Cathythoughts Are you liking Ducks ??? Is it worth the time .... ? ( sorry for all the questions .... 4y
rockpools Wow! That‘s some chunkster! 4y
See All 11 Comments
youneverarrived Almost there! I was going to ask the same as @Cathythoughts 4y
squirrelbrain @RachelO - it‘s the one with no paragraphs and about 7 full stops.... 😬 4y
squirrelbrain @Cathythoughts @youneverarrived - I am enjoying it but I think it‘s getting a little bit samey now. It‘s also not one you could read in one go - I‘ve been reading it for a month now in between other books. It also depends if you relate to the MC - I think I do as she‘s rather anxious, has weird dreams and the whole book is her talking to herself, trying to convince herself everything is fine. I know some people have found her really irritating 😁 4y
Caroline2 It‘s exciting this #nfnov lark isn‘t it! I‘m loving it so far but I‘m already feeling the pressure to read all my non fiction books right now!!! 😆 I have 3 on the go at the mo and I‘m starting to feel like I have ADHD as I flit between them! 4y
youneverarrived Sounds like my type of MC actually.. thanks Helen I think I‘ll definitely give it a go now 👍 4y
squirrelbrain I know @Caroline2 - it‘s a great push to make us read books that have been languishing for a while... although I seem to be mainly going for the newer ones.... 🤔 4y
Caroline2 I know what you mean, I am desperately trying to read my older books but the new ones are soooo tempting!!! 😆 4y
rsteve388 1 pt 4y
72 likes11 comments
quote
hwestfall
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard

"Those of us who read carried around with us like martyrs a secret knowledge, a secret joy, and a secret hope: There is a life worth living where history is still taking place; there are ideas worth dying for, and circumstances where courage is still prized."

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hwestfall
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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"Whole stacks at the library held books devoted to things you knew nothing about. The boundary of knowledge receded, as you poked about in books, like Lake Erie‘s rim as you climbed its cliffs. And each area of knowledge disclosed another, and another. Knowledge wasn‘t a body, or a tree, but instead air, or space, or being—whatever pervaded, whatever never ended and fitted into the smallest cracks and the widest space between stars."

BookishMarginalia What a lovely quote! 5y
Bradleygirl Beautiful. 5y
9 likes2 comments
review
Pam.Kokomo
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick

“I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 1950‘s, in a house full of comedians, reading books.” To be honest, I loved this book and was disinterested in it by turns. Still trying to figure out why.

review
Lauram
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Bailedbailed

This is my book club‘s selection for the month. It‘s just not for me.

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review
Beck9lol
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick

I listened to this book for a challenge I‘m doing. The criteria was a book that takes place in your hometown (or close enough for me). The beginning was slow and at points I wondered if people who were not familiar with Pittsburgh would still enjoy this. The author had a good number of funny and/or insightful comments sprinkled throughout, which I think makes it worth the read. I‘ll give it 3 1/2 ⭐️s

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Lissa00
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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It made it to four different states and back home again! @Beckys_Books @DarcysMom @slategreyskies

#lmpbc was fun, thanks all!

slategreyskies 🦄🦕🦋💕 6y
slategreyskies It was a really cool experience!! I‘m glad I got to be a part of it. :) 6y
83 likes2 comments
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Chrissyreadit
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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1.Little Women and Nancy Drew 2. Books, always had a book in my hand 3. Kraft Mac and Cheese 4. Rainbow cookies. (I need a vegan recipe)

JoScho Rainbow 🌈 cookies! 6y
64 likes1 comment
review
Beckys_Books
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
Pickpick

Such a great read to finish #LMPBC #GroupC and with that it's on its way back to @Lissa00

Thank you @slategreyskies and @DarcysMom and @Lissa00 for selecting such memorable reads!

GatheringBooks i‘ve only read one annie dillard book - and trying to find another title from her collection, this just may be it. :) 6y
49 likes1 comment
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Beckys_Books
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Started my last #LMPBC #GroupC book today. Not making much progress since it's DAYTONA RACE DAY!! Have my fantasy team selected, and the wreck at the end of Stage 1 caused me to bring in my garage driver.

review
DarcysMom
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick
73 likes1 stack add
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DarcysMom
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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I am about 10% in and don't want to put it down!
#LMBPC #GroupC

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review
slategreyskies
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this memoir! I don‘t generally reach for memoirs, and it was nice to get out of my comfort zone and try something different. It was also really cool to read @Lissa00 ‘s marginalia as I went through the book! Yay for #LMPBC!! This is fun! I‘m excited to start next month‘s selection!! :)

#GroupC

slategreyskies @DarcysMom I mailed this off to you this morning. Tracking says it should be delivered on Tuesday!! :) 6y
DarcysMom Awesome! I look forward to it. 😃 6y
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blurb
slategreyskies
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Up next for the #LMPBC !! Thanks for the cute card and bookmark, @Lissa00 ! I‘m excited about this book and also about reading your highlighting and notes! :)

#GroupC

Lissa00 It‘s a contemplative read so I‘m curious to see what others think😄 6y
52 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lissa00
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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@slategreyskies I wanted to get this out before the craziness of the holiday so it is going in the mail today! #lmpbc #groupc

slategreyskies Brilliant idea!! I need to get mine sent out too. The end of the month is coming up fast!! :) 6y
slategreyskies I got it a couple of days ago, but I haven‘t been allowing myself to enjoy it yet, since I‘m still working through my #LMPBC selection! 😬 6y
Lissa00 @slategreyskies I‘m glad you got it ok! It definitely not a hurry, you have a long time to read. I just got it out early because I did some traveling around Thanksgiving:) 6y
80 likes3 comments
blurb
Lissa00
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Serious reading is just so hard sometimes #catsoflitsy😹😹

Bookzombie 💕🐱 6y
Tanzy13 🐱 6y
GondorGirl What an adorable monster! #KAL 6y
See All 10 Comments
Texreader 😍😍😍 6y
Ms_T 😻 6y
sparklemotion What a cutie 😍 6y
suomi 😍 6y
Lmstraubie Definitely with all that cuteness around 😻 6y
Serotonin Aww, what a cute kitty 🐱 ❤️ 6y
kspenmoll 😻😻 6y
142 likes10 comments
blurb
Lissa00
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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It‘s November 1 and I am officially starting my #lmpbc book! Excited to see how this works😁 @DarcysMom @slategreyskies @Beckys_Books

Beckys_Books I'm out of town for work and forgot to pack my choice! I'll start it Saturday when I get home. 6y
Libby1 @Lissa00 - what is lmpbc? 6y
Lissa00 @Libby1 it‘s the Litsy Markup Postal Bkclub, organized by @suvata. We are divided into groups of 4 and pick a book to read, markup and pass on to the next person. In the end you receive your book annotated by three other people. It‘s too late to get in on this round, but there may be future ones:) 6y
Libby1 @Lissa00 - that sounds great! We‘re doing something similar in the UK with #whodunituk . It‘s great fun. Enjoy! 6y
Lissa00 @Beckys_Books I only read 10 pages😂. It going to take me longer than normal, because I don‘t usually make notes. 6y
98 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
VioletBramble
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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I am presently at a reunion of Coast Guard Brats on Governors Island. The house they are letting us use as a base camp is, on every other weekend, the Book House. It has a table with bookmarks and bookish pins, author photos on the walls and this interesting poster.

Reviewsbylola That's pretty cool! 7y
rwmg And are they still expecting you to join in ghe reunion activities? Or is reading one of the major activities planned? 7y
VioletBramble @rwmg Sadly, I was expected to be at least semi-social all day. No reading. Kevin Fitzpatrick, author of Explorer's Guide: Governors Island, had a table set up in the house, with his book for sale. We did all talk about the book. Our reunion was listed in the weekend Book Events as "Governors Island History". Next weekend the house hosts The Center for Mark Twain Studies. 7y
21 likes3 comments
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oliviasmathers
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard

"Consciousness converges with the child as a landing tern touches the outspread feet of its shadow on the sand: precisely, toe hits toe." (11)

DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy! 🎉📚👍😀Hope you enjoy it here! 7y
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Nittnut
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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The pain of awareness - I have only rarely felt it - that desire to live the moment so fully that it becomes a permanent part of you.

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Nittnut
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Nittnut My feelings so exactly. 7y
1 like1 comment
review
ELil
An American Childhood | Annie Dillard
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Pickpick

This book, autobiographical about the author's childhood growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1950's, is gorgeous. The vignettes she writes of, in essay form, and her amazing gift for descriptive language make this one of the books that has stayed with me most throughout my life. Perfection.