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The Shipping News
The Shipping News: A Novel | Annie Proulx
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Annie Proulxs The Shipping News is a vigorous, darkly comic, and at times magical portrait of the contemporary North American family.Quoyle, a third-rate newspaper hack, with a head shaped like a crenshaw, no neck, reddish hair...features as bunched as kissed fingertips, is wrenched violently out of his workaday life when his two-timing wife meets her just desserts. An aunt convinces Quoyle and his two emotionally disturbed daughters to return with her to the starkly beautiful coastal landscape of their ancestral home in Newfoundland. Here, on desolate Quoyles Point, in a house empty except for a few mementos of the familys unsavory past, the battered members of three generations try to cobble up new lives. Newfoundland is a country of coast and cove where the mercury rarely rises above seventy degrees, the local culinary delicacy is cod cheeks, and its easier to travel by boat and snowmobile than on anything with wheels. In this harsh place of cruel storms, a collapsing fishery, and chronic unemployment, the aunt sets up as a yacht upholsterer in nearby Killick-Claw, and Quoyle finds a job reporting the shipping news for the local weekly, the Gammy Bird (a paper that specializes in sexual-abuse stories and grisly photos of car accidents). As the long winter closes its jaws of ice, each of the Quoyles confronts private demons, reels from catastrophe to minor triumphin the company of the obsequious Mavis Bangs; Diddy Shovel the strongman; drowned Herald Prowse; cane-twirling Beety; Nutbeem, who steals foreign news from the radio; a demented cousin the aunt refuses to recognize; the much-zippered Alvin Yark; silent Wavey; and old Billy Pretty, with his bag of secrets. By the time of the spring storms Quoyle has learned how to gut cod, to escape from a pickle jar, and to tie a true lovers knot.
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lil1inblue
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One of my mom's favorite authors (this one is still on my tbr)

#springskies #setinsnoworice

Eggs Wow pretty 🩵 🧊 🩵 7mo
21 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Such an interesting read! Proulx‘s style had me re-reading sentences, googling definitions but then laughing out loud. This is one of those books that I am glad I‘ve read but also had such a hard time picking it up, as it wasn‘t a crackling page turner. I feel like some of the symbolism was lost on me, though the story is not one I‘ll soon forget. Full of quirky characters and tragic stories but hilarious moments, set in Newfoundland.

Suet624 I read this so many years ago I only remember a few things about it but I remember really liking it. I‘m glad folks are still reading it. 8mo
yourfavouritemixtape Oh I loved this so much that I started re-reading it right after I finished. 8mo
101 likes2 comments
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Ladygodiva7
The Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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Started this book today and I‘m 42 pages in. I am hooked!
#1001

Tamra This one has terrific atmosphere! 12mo
KadaGul @Ladygodiva7 I picked up this book 📚 from Library book 📚 sale 💰 but it was around the time ⏰ Kevin Spacey's Sexual Assault was published and that left a bad taste in my mouth and never got the courage to pick it up again. 11mo
Ladygodiva7 @KadaGul I got this at a library book sale too but I didn‘t know there was a movie. So I was safe lol 11mo
59 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Octoberwoman
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I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2023

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StayCurious
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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BookNAround I checked on yours yesterday Renee and it said it had left Detroit heading to Canada. Of course, first it went from me to Florida so in the wrong direction to start with. At least Detroit has it moving in the correct direction. 😂 2y
38 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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Pickpick

Proulx is a masterful writer & her story about three generations of a family returning to their ancestral home in Newfoundland as they work to rebuild their lives & perhaps even find happiness makes for a page-turning, vividly rendered portrait of a remarkable region & its people. If at the beginning of the story Quoyle, the main character, is rather unremarkable, he soon becomes more…& maybe even worms his way into your heart. A good read.

27 likes1 stack add
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TracyReadsBooks
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Now reading…

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violabrain
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Pickpick

I really loved this book. It‘s very hard to describe. The writing style is incredibly unique. The story is both quiet and gentle but also hilarious at times. I was incredibly distracted by other things the whole time I was reading it, so the fact that I felt such an investment in the characters throughout really says something.

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Dilara
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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That book took a good old battering from the grandbaby! I‘m not sure where I stand with it. The plot was a bit too pat and ”feel-good” for my liking, but I feel bad criticizing it...

27 likes1 stack add
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Dilara
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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Next read: The Shipping News.

SRWCF Looks like the perfect setting to read that book in! I loved the movie. 2y
Dilara @SRWCF I didn‘t know there was a movie. I hope it‘s good! 2y
SRWCF @Dilara Yes! It's was released in 2001. 2y
Dilara @SRWCF So I‘m just 21 years late 😄 2y
SRWCF @Dilara hahaha, yep! 2y
26 likes5 comments
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Dilara
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That‘s the pile of books I picked at the English-language library sale. 1 euro each. Bargain!

merelybookish Great stack! 3y
Dilara @merelybookish Thanks! 😁 3y
31 likes2 comments
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Astridoodle
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“And it may be that sometimes love occurs without pain or misery.” 😏

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DoubleI
Pickpick

I loved this book. The characters were quirky, weird and fun. The theme of community and second chances resonated. The writing was so beautiful.

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Chrissyreadit
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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https://support.pirateship.com/en/articles/5705290-2021-holiday-shipping-deadlin...

Thanks @wanderinglynn for sharing this shipping dates resource - I‘m happy to share this for anyone engaging in swaps, gift giving and exchanges of any kind- on or off Litsy! ❤️

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LibrarianRyan
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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I for to take the pic so here is prof that I have mailed #LMPBS both groups and #fallingforfallswap. @Avanders

BRW @WanderingBookaneer how dare you pick the perfect book club book. How dare. It‘s so good I‘m mad I didn‘t know about it before.

WanderingBookaneer Your book should get to you tomorrow. I forgot to post too! 3y
Avanders Woo hoo! 👏🏽👏🏽🧡🍂🍁🧡🍂🍁 Also, please tag me in response to @WanderingBookaneer ‘s confirmation 👆🏽😁 3y
See All 6 Comments
Avanders @WanderingBookaneer sweet - thanks! Onto the tbr it goes… 😁 3y
LibrarianRyan @Avanders Yep. I;ll get my actual review poster later today I think. 3y
43 likes6 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Outside the usual subject matter of #integrateyourshelf but my all time favourite novel by a woman can only ever be the shipping news (maybe tied with some Austen? I tried to pick one!). I read it when I was 18 and I remember I could barely get through a page without staring into space and thinking how perfect it was, it was the book that first made me go wow language can do THAT. Annie Proulx is the virtuoso crafter of sentences

@ChasingOm

Apostcardlife The Color Purple by Alice Walker 💓💓💓 4y
59 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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TheAromaofBooks
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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Not really book related, but we've had so many posts about sending books to one another that when I saw this by jamlefevre on tumblr, I had to share 😂 His caption was, “I'd ship us,“ which makes it even more perfect.

#LitsyHumor

DogMomIrene This is my husband with his tracker apps!🤣🤣🤣 4y
rsteve388 This is me with page one books! I do it every month. 4y
81 likes2 comments
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GatheringBooks
The Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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EadieB Interesting quote! 4y
39 likes1 comment
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JenDR
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More book shopping. I miss living in Jakarta but I am enjoying the cheap second hand books, from charity shops that are re-opening. I have so many back list titles added to my TBR over the past few weeks.

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JennyM
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Pickpick

This has been sitting on my TBR for years. Although I enjoyed the sarcasm and the quirky depiction of Newfoundland (I‘m chilly just thinking about it ❄️ ) I never really settled into the style of writing. Between a pick and a so-so.

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Really enjoyed this one - the atmosphere and quiet, unsettling characters. This book jump started my “I‘ll read any book set in New Foundland” penchant. 4y
JennyM @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I wish it had captured me more - probably me and not the book. I can definitely understand it starting your Newfoundland penchant - it made me want to know more about the people and the place. And doubly so after reading 4y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Oh! I‘ve heard of this! Definitely adding to my wishlist. Thanks! Someday will visit Newfoundland for sure 🤞 4y
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JennyM @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I‘ll come too! 😊 4y
BiblioLitten Me too! I had a student from Newfoundland and he speaks so fondly of it. I have wanted to go ever since. 💚 4y
JennyM @BiblioLitten Oh that‘s awesome. The people just seem so genuine and kind. A litsy meet-up there would be fun! 😆 4y
BiblioLitten Oh absolutely!😃 4y
Libby1 I bailed on this a number of years ago. I couldn‘t really get into it. 4y
JennyM @Libby1 I wished I‘d enjoyed it more but I did struggle a bit with the writing style - I nearly bailed, too. 4y
Rissreads I tried to read this about 5 years ago and bailed, I think I found it boring? 4y
JennyM @Rissreads it was very nearly a bail for me, too. It was a struggle at times to keep on with it. X 4y
63 likes1 stack add11 comments
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JennyM
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Hanging with the old guy 🐶 ❤️

Tanisha_A So beautiful 😍 4y
JennyM @Tanisha_A he‘s very old now at 16 ❤️ 4y
Tanisha_A His eyes 😍! What's his name? 4y
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JennyM @Tanisha_A Charlie - he was my first baby 4y
Freespirit Wow lovely doggy Jen. I haven't read this book but it's been on my book shelf for years! 4y
KarenUK Awwww Charlie is lovely! I have an old man too... (15).... they‘re just the best 😍🐶💕 4y
JennyM @Freespirit @karenuk he‘s getting rather doddery but is my best reading companion🐶 It was first published in 1993 @Freespirit 😳 so I‘m a little late in getting to it 😂 Started a bit slow but I‘m settling into it now 4y
Tanisha_A He has the sweetest face, and I am sure he's been a good friend ❤️ 4y
Bette Love the old guys 🐶❤️ 4y
JennyM @Bette they are the best! 😊 4y
66 likes1 stack add10 comments
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mkinney10
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Enjoying this audiobook on a sunny morning!

Lcsmcat Such a good book! Who‘s the narrator? 5y
mkinney10 @Lcsmcat Paul Hecth! I had to look it up. I should probably be better about researching narrators before I junp into each audiobook. TBH I've only had a few in several years of listening today I didn't like the narrator and DNFed! 4y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MariettaSG
Pickpick

A fabulously told narrative about a man with low self esteem who returns to the small, wild, coastal place of his ancestors in Newfoundland discovering new qualities of himself and life. The setting developed both through place and people is half the story. Love a good story!

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Nessavamusic
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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My #BlitsyHistoryMonth package is shipping out today! Coming to @j9brown this week!
Thanks @Chelleo for organizing. #BHMswap

Chrissyreadit I love your wrapping paper! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Great wrapping paper! 👍 5y
j9brown Can't wait! I'll be watching my mailbox 😁 Very pretty wrapping paper 😊 5y
See All 8 Comments
Chelleo That wrapping paper is a m a z i n g !!! Thanks for the update! 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Love that paper! 👌🏼 5y
Chelleo Hi...have you received your BHMSwap package? 5y
Nessavamusic @Chelleo I have not 🤨 5y
Chelleo @Nessavamusic ok. I‘ll check in. 5y
50 likes8 comments
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Lcsmcat
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I remember much of this having #snow/ice setting. #deardecember @Eggs

Eggs Great choice 👏🏻👏🏻 5y
ljuliel Excellent book 5y
45 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Emilymdxn
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#friyayintro @howjessreads

1. One of the best novels ever written imho

2. Healing powers always, been my answer for years

3. Pisces with Leo ascendant apparently but idk exactly what that means

4. Dinner for my dads birthday at a Thai restaurant I‘ve been trying to get him to go to for ages!

5. Shall do 💖💖💖

OnlyYoo Lol the star, sun and moon signs always confuse me 5y
51 likes1 comment
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post 2! Quoyle‘s two-timing wife meets her untimely end. With that, he heads back to his roots with his 2 daughters. Along Newfoundland‘s coast, family and a rich cast of locals help him and his girls to come to terms with and reclaim their lives. The possibility of love without pain and misery begins to emerge in sometimes comical ways. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

ljuliel One of my all time favorites. I believe I read this a lifetime ago....or at least it seems so. 5y
dragondrool I love this book, and the movie was pretty great, too! The soundtrack is great background music for futzing around to.
5y
62 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Samplergal
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LibrarianRyan
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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My #basicwitchswap has been shipped. Half of my #nightmareswap has shipped (I needed a bigger box for the other half).

sprainedbrain Woohoo!! 5y
46 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
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#friyayintro @howjessreads

1. Canada is one of my favourite places in the world!

2. It was a lovely crisp autumn day, medium cold and bright really perfect exactly what you picture from September.

3. I went on one where the other person‘s mum came by mistake and then we ran into our school librarian :/

4. Neither but I‘d love to get a pet!!

5. Will do!

LeahBergen 🇨🇦👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
53 likes1 comment
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Lcsmcat
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Pickpick

I went into this knowing nothing, except that I like Proulx‘s writing. It took a few chapters to get into the style, but what a journey! It was delightful, and by the end I‘d fallen in love with the inhabitants of Killick-Claw and environs. Highly recommended.

Tamra I love her writing too! 5y
Centique I loved this one too - so atmospheric. 😍 5y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lcsmcat
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“One of the tragedies of real life is that there is no background music.” I‘ve often thought that. 😀

RaimeyGallant Lovely. 5y
ravenlee That‘s why there is a constant stream of music inside my head. 5y
57 likes2 comments
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Lcsmcat
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Not much in the world is better than starting a new book with my reading buddy in my lap. #100essentialnovels #littenkitten

ValerieAndBooks I need to re-read this -- I loved it when it first came out (25 years ago or so?) but don't remember too much of it. 5y
Lcsmcat @ValerieAndBooks Hard to believe, but it was 1993. I missed it then and kept thinking one “one day.” I love her short stories so I‘m expecting to like this. 5y
Catsandbooks Very cute reading buddy! 😍 5y
See All 6 Comments
ValerieAndBooks 1993! I knew it was before kids (my oldest is almost 24). I still have my copy! 5y
Lcsmcat @ValerieAndBooks My youngest is 25, which is probably why I didn‘t read it then. 😆 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Lcsmcat absolutely!! There was a period of about ten years in which all I could manage reading were parenting books and mags with the occasional actual book thrown in 😂 5y
53 likes6 comments
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kevkuhn45@gmail.com
Pickpick

I finished “The Shipping News” feeling that Proulx is a better writer than character builder and story teller. But I still believe she‘s a talent and this is an important work. The desolate location, angry ocean, and gritty town feel like the best, most recognizable character in the book, if that makes sense. An artistic tale of small triumphs and personal growth perched in the richly layered backdrop of a seaside northern town.

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Emilymdxn
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#friyayintro @howjessreads

1. One of my faves ever
2. They do not sell these in England but wotsits are better anyway don‘t @ me
3. Sunrise, the few times I‘ve been awake to see one have been incredible
4. First class train and boat tickets to Absolutely Everywhere, hotels when I get there, gifts for my mum dad bf and bffs, and greenpeace can have the rest 💖
5. Probably Year 6, I liked feeling grown up

kezzlou85 Agree on the wotsits. They're my late night guilty pleasure. 5y
Susannah I didn‘t even think about travel for the $5000, but YES! 5y
Emilymdxn @kezzlou85 wotsits 4 life 5y
Emilymdxn @Susannah I spend most of my days dreaming about travel so it was the first thing in my head lol! 5y
kezzlou85 @Emilymdxn whole heartedly agree. 5y
52 likes5 comments
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KellyHunsakerReads
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This book is one of my favorites. Celebrating Canada Day with my neighbors to the north.

#LetsTravelJuly

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 👌🏻🇨🇦😊 5y
23 likes1 comment
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Tonton

Tomorrow is early start so will be more on Litsy in a day or so. Here we go, link title very clear on what is listed! Tagged book on the list: https://lithub.com/ahead-of-their-time-a-reading-list-of-nonconformist-women/

DivineDiana Love this! ❤️ 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Great link 👍 6y
Chrissyreadit This is a spectacular link!!! Now I want a seperate TBR dedicated just to the books on this list. 6y
Weaponxgirl Thanks for the list 6y
35 likes4 comments
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BlueMonday42
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Pickpick

My last book of the year, my wife recommended this to me. It‘s a great story of love, learning, growth, family, and trying again after tragedy strikes.

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KellyHunsakerReads
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Today‘s #audiobook is this #Pulitzer winner, set in #Newfoundland, #Canada. #ReadingTheWorld

Leniverse Haven't tried the audio, but the book itself is excellent. 😃 6y
Emilymdxn This is in my top five or so novels of all time!!! One of my absolute faves, I love it 6y
KellyHunsakerReads @Emilymdxn that makes me even more excited about it! 6y
KellyHunsakerReads @Leniverse great to know! 6y
24 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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JessNevertheless
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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I'm so sad, my original #botm November package, and its replacement seem to be lost in the mail. ? My first shipment got lost while out for delivery, and the replacement has been "on it's way to USPS" for 5 days. I just want to read ??

DGRachel That stinks! I hope it shows up soon! 6y
Valink That‘s so frustrating!! I hope it turns up soon 6y
JessNevertheless Thanks @DGRachel and @Valink I hope so too! Hopefully one of them will show up before I pick Dec books 🤞🏻 6y
JeaMar82 I've run into that problem with a lot of packages lately. I think it took 5 days for USPS to get my BOTM box. Then it took like another 2-3 to be delivered to me. 6y
51 likes4 comments
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Valink
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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My last item arrived yesterday, so this package is going out today! I didn‘t have a box at home that fit everything so I brought one home from work. This looks like it‘s been around the block a few times so I heavily reinforced it with packing tape 😳 I promise it‘s nicer on the inside than the outside! #FallingForFallSwap #FFFS @Avanders

Avanders 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💛🧡🎃🍁🍂🎃🧡💛 6y
37 likes1 comment
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LMJenkins
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1. I am a New Yorker so it‘s “you guys” for me. But I live in the south now and I do say “you all.” Never “y‘all.”
2. The town next to my hometown is Carmel, and I sometimes pronounce car-a-Mel that way.
3. Litsy, Goodreads, Audible, Libby, Bluefire Reader, iBooks, Kindle Store and Kindle reader. And magazines apps. But I never read on my phone. 😳
4. Going to The Avett Brothers! 🎶
5. @Jmrose
#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

alisiakae I‘m the same for No. 1 - moved to the South 7 years ago, but just can‘t bring myself to say y‘all. Just sounds weird and unnatural coming out of my mouth. 6y
Judybskt My daughter has been in Mississippi for 3 years. She says y‘all and I catch myself saying it. We‘re from PA. 6y
DebbieGrillo I've seen the Avett Brothers twice! Such a good show! 6y
Jmrose 1. Definitely You guys! 2. That would be a 2 syllable word. 3. Litsy, goodreads, audible, kindle. 4. Staying at a Mt. Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mts. 5. @lizpr_28 #friyayintro @jessshowbooks 6y
31 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Keliz
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I forgot to do my #bookhaul from last week‘s giant book sale

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Samplergal
Shipping News | Annie Proulx
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One of my favorites. ❤️❤️

Swe_Eva Great choice! 7y
86 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Caksf
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Pickpick

Place, generations, love and loss- this is not the kind of book I usually gravitate toward. Luckily I hopped out of my box for “The Shipping News”. I really enjoyed this book and was blown away by the author‘s clever writing style. Her use of “inner voice” perspective delivers insightful revelations. She‘s able to conveys tremendous amounts of detail and feeling with perfectly chosen, succinct phrases. Yea, I wish I could write like this! 5/5

17 likes1 stack add
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mauveandrosysky
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Mehso-so

Annie Proulx is a fine writer, but this book is boring as hell. It shouldn‘t have been. It didn‘t have to be. And that makes it all the more disappointing. Quoyle is a strong protagonist. He‘s ugly and pathetic and good-intentioned. There are strong glimmers of beauty, but the content didn‘t reach the same level as Proulx‘s prose and I couldn‘t wait for it to be over.

Notafraidofwords That‘s the worst. Hate that feeling. 7y
BooksForEmpathy Awww man. I have this on my shelf... btw how are youuu? Happy Saturday! (edited) 7y
31 likes2 comments
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Mitch
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So... at our #londonlittens meetup we did a blind date book swap. Miraculously we all got something we liked and hadn‘t read! I got a perfect book. Next week I‘m off to The Shetland Islands, what better book to take than one that involves the billowing waves and bracing winds of the Atlantic ( all be it from the other side!). Thanks Emily

twohectobooks Ooh, how did you handle the blind date book swap? I‘m thinking of trying something similar with my book club. 7y
Cinfhen Looks like you had a lovely day📚 7y
Mitch It was super easy & fun @twohectobooks We each brought a wrapped book & on the wrapping we wrote clues to what the book might be. We then drew numbered tickets and went in order to pick a wrapped book. We decided we could the swap around if we‘d read the one we‘d picked, but we didn‘t need to. 7y
See All 9 Comments
julesG Wow! You are travelling quite a lot. Hope your going to post a few pictures of the Shetlands. 7y
Mitch I will @julesG Hopefully some moody sea & sky - with the occasional Puffin! 7y
Tamra I really enjoy Proulx! I hope you do - it‘s fun to read place appropriate books on vacation! 7y
Kalalalatja Sounds like a great day and an exciting trip! 7y
julesG You could throw in a Shetland pony for my daughter, now and then. 😜 7y
LeahBergen This is a wonderful read! 7y
96 likes1 stack add9 comments
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shendrix413
Shipping News | Annie Proulx

Finally got some stuff in the mail! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #theLiteraryLadies package is coming your way with Turtles and Immortalists! And for #feedareader @TheKidUpstairs and @Sills your packages are coming as well!
@TricksyTails @MinDea @Tiffy_Reads @PandaPanda

TheKidUpstairs So exciting! Thank you! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Woohoo 🙌🏻🎊☺️🙌🏻👏🏻💕📚 7y
BibliophileMomma Did my books make it to you? 7y
See All 6 Comments
TricksyTails Yay! 👏😁 7y
shendrix413 @Tiffy_Reads Yes ma'am! ❤️ 7y
Sills Looking forward to it! Thank you:)#Feedateader 7y
46 likes1 stack add6 comments