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We Ride Upon Sticks
We Ride Upon Sticks: A Novel | Quan Barry
144 posts | 92 read | 1 reading | 110 to read
From the author of the widely acclaimed She Weeps Each Time You're Born comes a new novel, at once comic and moving. Set in the coastal town of Danvers, Massachusetts (which in 1692 was Salem Village, site of the origins of the Salem Witch Trials), it follows the Danvers High field hockey team as they discover that the dark impulses of their Salem forebears may be the key to a winning season. In this tour de female force, the 1989 Danvers Falcons are on an unaccountable winning streak. In chapters dense with '80s iconography--from Heathers to "big hair"--Quan Barry expertly weaves together the individual and collective journeys of this enchanted team as they storm their way to the state championship. Helmed by good-girl captain Abby Putnam (a descendant of the infamous Salem accuser Ann Putnam) and her co-captain Jen Fiorenza, whose bleached blond "Claw" sees and knows all, the DHS Falcons prove to be as wily and original as their North of Boston ancestors, flaunting society's stale notions of femininity in order to find their glorious true selves through the crucible of team sport.
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JacintaMCarter
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Pickpick

#2022Book129
I didn‘t know I needed a modern version of The Crucible centered around a 1980‘s girls‘ field hockey team, but it turns out I did. This book is funny, disturbing, thought-provoking, and has all the 80‘s music references anyone could want.

Itchyfeetreader Well this sounds interesting. Tagged 3mo
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BookNAround
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Trying to get another seasonal book in before Halloween while the hubby watches wall to wall football.

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LittlebearReads
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Pickpick

This was pretty fun, and not too culturally out-of-reach for a non-American β€˜90s kid with no field hockey experience!

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Beachesnbooks
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October TBR! Trying to stay on theme for spooky season with my reading this month.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

I'm slowly but surely building a collection of books that are MADE by their final chapters. For all that the pace seemed to drag towards the latter half, the time the author took to wrap things up made all the difference. I honestly thought this would be darker, but I love where it ended up. I think if I was a teenager, or felt that sisterhood in my identity I would resonate more strongly, but it was still a fun time with good discussions.

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Robotswithpersonality
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When chewed cantankerously just doesn't get the job done.

Today's favourite word:

"mandibularly"

Form of mandibular, relating to the lower jaw.

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michellelav
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Mehso-so

This book was alright, it was pretty slow but had some good moments! If you like field hockey you'll probably like this one πŸ‘πŸ₯…

This was also a #lmpbc pick πŸ₯°

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Tianarose
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Some immersive music for reading #lmpbc @DinoMom β€˜s pick

DinoMom Love it! 12mo
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nikirtehsuxlol

Hit the earth three times with your stick. Lift your eyes to the hole in the night. Remember that darkness simply requires another way of seeing. Be your own light. And just like that, you‘ll find yourself everywhere instantly. Field field field, one of us thinks. Hockey hockey hockey, we reply. There are so many things to say in the language of our kind, but really, nothing more needs to be said.

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nikirtehsuxlol
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Mehso-so

Life isn‘t about the spells we cast, but the friends we made along the way.

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MeganAnn
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Pickpick

Catching up on a few reviews starting with this #NYWD22 title which I finished last night.

I enjoyed the 80s references, the big hair with a mind of its own, the teenage girls finding out who they are, all intermixed with a little dabbling in witchcraft. I liked it, but didn‘t fall in love. I read a few pages here and there, but never got fully engrossed in the story. What I did really love was the ending β€” it was worth it for that ending. ⬇️

MeganAnn Part of it may have been timing as I‘ve very busy with work the last two weeks with less time for reading. Or it may have been that I am reading a few other things all at the same time & find myself less focused on one thing right now. Overall, I‘d recommend this for the ending alone, but probably wouldn‘t read it again myself. I do think it would make for a fun throwback movie like The Craft or Heathers. 3⭐️ for most of it, 4.5⭐️ for the ending 1y
monalyisha YES to all of this! 1y
JackOBotts I agree…could be fun to see this adapted onscreen. πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ 1y
53 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

This book was so much fun!

On my tbr since it came out (because witches!), but I finally got to it thanks to the #NYWD22 list of @Amandajoy

Cleverly written (love the use of first person plural here), laugh out loud funny, and OMG the 80s culture. I‘m 5 years younger than the Lady Falcons and I could relate! πŸ˜‚ Definitely put me in mind of Hendrix‘s My Best Friend‘s Exorcism, but with a feminist tilt and WITCHES. πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ClairesReads I loved it too! 1y
Ruthiella I thought this book was a lot of fun. I especially loved The Claw! πŸ˜‚ 1y
sprainedbrain @Ruthiella I was dying at all of the hair stuff, but The Claw! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ 1y
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alisiakae
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I‘ve picked 4 books off of @mklong β€˜s fantastic #newyearwhodis list! So many interesting books to choose from!

I doubt I‘ll be able to read all of these in January, but if I read 2 on audio, I may be able to do it!

monalyisha @4thhouseontheleft That‘s how I‘m feeling with my list, too! There are so many good choices. But I‘m not an overly speedy reader. Unless it‘s a romance…they‘ve got their own set of rules. 😏 1y
monalyisha The Manningtree Witches looks incredible, btw. 1y
alisiakae @monalyisha yeah, my reading time has dropped dramatically this year. πŸ˜” 1y
See All 10 Comments
vivastory Hidden Valley Road is heartbreaking, but wonderful. I still think about it a yr and a half later 1y
monalyisha Well, @vivastory, with a rec like that, that‘s going right on my TBR… 1y
vivastory @monalyisha It's really special. It was one of my favorite nonfiction books of last year. 1y
Cinfhen This is a great list!!! Some of my favorites are there especially 1y
alisiakae @vivastory I‘ve seen so many good reviews! @Cinfhen did you listen to the audiobook? 1y
Cinfhen No, I actually read the print book @4thhouseontheleft and I highlighted a TON 1y
mklong Yay! I hope you love them all as much as I did! There are some heartbreakers on there for sure. 1y
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Clwojick
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As with my last post, I‘m sharing a collection of my favourite books of 2021 so far. Each month I chose a favourite cover of all the books I read in that month.

I was interested to see them all together to see if there‘s anything similar in them, as I almost always choose my books based on the covers or spines. I hardly ever read the description before buying. Looks like I have a thing for BOLD fonts.

Ruthiella I liked this one too! It was a fun but also eye-opening read because it really made me think about feminism in the β€˜80s and what was accepted as a teen in the world and now... 1y
68 likes1 comment
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akfreeborn
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Mehso-so

I wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the sports season framework and felt we got to know the characters. The plot was clever but didn‘t entirely work for me. Loved the 80s cultural references. This isn‘t a book you can skim and is very dense.Might have been the wrong book for right now for me.

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Christine
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Thank you so much for the incredibly thoughtful, fun, and generous #HHS box, @Nessavamusic !!! The books are perfection: the one that I wished for, a favorite author TBR title, and another that‘s new to me but sounds fascinating! And so many fun treats - the BEST book sleeve πŸ§™β€β™€οΈπŸ’œ; cutest socks, stickers, card, and coasters (how did you know I love coasters but didn‘t have Halloween ones??); the queen of all πŸŽƒπŸ«; and ⬇️

Christine a brilliant bookmark that makes me think Vanessa is a next-level stalker, given a comment I made on a recent post! 😁☠️ Thanks again, Vanessa, and to @wanderinglynn for such a spirit-brightening swap! πŸ§‘πŸ–€πŸ§‘πŸ–€πŸ§‘πŸ–€ #hauntedhollowswap (edited) 1y
DinoMom The tagged book sounds interesting, stacked! Great package! 1y
Nessavamusic @Christine You are so welcome! Enjoy & Happy Halloween! πŸŽƒβ˜ οΈπŸ‘» 1y
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wanderinglynn Great box! πŸŽƒπŸ§‘ 1y
Christine @DinoMom I‘ve heard so many good things about it! Can‘t wait to dive in. 1y
Christine @Nessavamusic Thanks again!! ❀️ 1y
BethM That book sleeve is amazing! 1y
BethM The tagged book sounds great too! 1y
Christine @BethM Right re: the sleeve?? And yes, I‘m really looking forward to starting the tagged. 1y
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Mdion1993
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Pickpick

How isn‘t this book more popular?! Combining witches, 80s culture, and field hockey, We Ride Upon Sticks is the coming of age story of eleven friends during the summer and fall of 89‘. After varsity goalie, Mel, convinces her teammates to bind their soul to the devil in order to make it to State, mischief ensues. Funny, with a well written cast of characters, We Ride Upon Sticks is a witchy take on John Hughes high school movies.

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Vansa
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#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
Very late! But here goes
1. Both are fine!!
2. Tagged book, absolutely loved it. It's....witchy but not in the way you think! My review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3522711778

TheSpineView Sounds like a good book. Thanks for playing! 1y
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nikirtehsuxlol
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Starting this book. Should be a good October spooky read πŸ‘»

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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

I finished this early this week, and I loved it! It‘s perfect for this season, with some witchcraft/ possible demonology dabbling and a few creepy elements. But mostly this book is wonderful and funny and a pretty true to life look at the late 80‘s into the early 90‘s. I‘m just a little younger than these kids would be now, but every bit of pop culture rang my memory bell. This is the first book in a while that made me laugh on every page! πŸ‘πŸ‘

mcctrish I loved this book ❀️❀️❀️ 2y
Hooked_on_books Yes! I loved this one! I found it really special, and also connected with those pop culture references given my age. 1y
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Rachel725
Panpan

Could not stand this one. Truly didn‘t understand the point even at the end, only finished because it was a book club book, but it was brutal. Had to skim. Tough to read writing style, didn‘t care about the characters.

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Clwojick
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Here‘s some more book covers that I‘m considering making into press on nail sets for the Etsy shop. I‘m hoping to have some a less hectic work schedule in the next few month, so I‘ll be able to focus on this a little more.

I‘m open to suggestions, if you guys would like to see sets done with any specific book cover or bookish photo! 🀍

StayCurious What a neat idea!! 2y
73 likes1 comment
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AlaMich
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Current location β˜€οΈπŸ“–
I was a teenager of the 80s so all the references to that time are a lot of fun for me. 😊

#summerreading

Megabooks It is a fun book!! 2y
AlaMich @Megabooks The Claw!!🀣 2y
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Scochrane26
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1. Tagged. Set in 1989, when I was in middle school & my sister was in high school.
2. I like both settings. There‘s a lot to learn about different states, but I also love European settings. As long as it‘s a good story. #two4tuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 2y
17 likes1 comment
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Addison_Reads
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Mehso-so

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

At first, I was all wrapped up in the story and its delightful quirkiness, but I felt it was too long and became a bit repetitive towards the end. Had it not been for that this would have been a pick.

I loved the characters and how each chapter focused on someone different. Overall, the story is fun and Barry has a lot of various messages cleverly hidden in the writing.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
31 likes1 comment
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Tera66
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Pickpick

I really thought this was gonna be a cute YA book about a high school field hockey team using a little witchcraft to win. Nope! I would not call this YA at all, I wouldn't give this to a youth either! It was a much darker story, so much darker. Like, sign your name in the devil's book, DARK. Luckily, I happen to be cool with dark books. The writing is so clever! You have to pay attention, Quan Barry does not spell things out for you. ⬇️

Tera66 But the best part of this story for me was this takes place in 1989, and is full of 80's pop culture references! Five stars for me! 2y
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Fortifiedbybooks
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I haven't been able to move since around 11:30 pm thanks this dude, Dresden, who is determined to not let me do anything but read. I can't even fall asleep, though, to be fair, the book is too good to go to sleep now anyway. #Readathon

Scochrane26 My cat likes to lay down my legs, too. 😺 2y
16 likes1 comment
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Fortifiedbybooks
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Pizza seems like the perfect food to go with this book. If only I had a can of Mountain Dew to go with it πŸ˜‚ #Readathon

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Fortifiedbybooks
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"You can't have one without the other," she reasoned.

"Like chocolate and peanut butter," Julie said.

I'm looking forward to eating the chocolate peanut butter cups I got specifically for #readathon

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Macnjen

This book was not for me, and what's funny, is it's about my era growing up. Certain β€œcharactersβ€œ that develop in the book really threw me off and made me really dislike the book. Nothing really happens, and yes, it's a coming of age story, it's a slog. Many references were beyond me though I'm unsure why and the whole thing was just ridiculous. It's billed a comedy but I didn't crack a smile or laugh once.

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Ncostell
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Pickpick

As I played field hockey (albeit poorly) and was in the graduating class of 1990 I knew I just had to read this book. The Danvers, MA field hockey team tries to make it to the Regional Championship with a little hocus pocus while discovering their innate powers as individuals and as a team. The 80s references were fun and brought back many cringe worthy high school memories. Barry ties in the Salem Witch Trials as well. A definite pick from me.

kspenmoll Sounds interesting. Stacking. 2y
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Annie1215
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Pickpick

Just finished my April #bookspin πŸ˜ƒ

I needed to warm up to this one. At first I was burdened by the sports aspect of this but when I got into it I found the tone of the writing to be so funny and nostalgic.

You all know I‘m a sucker for all things Salem,MA, so I was in. After reading through some reviews I totally agree this has Now and Then vibes.

My attention span stopped me from picking up on the circular narration style which I regret

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I love this book, it‘s set in Danvers, Massachusetts in the 80‘s following a girls‘ high school field hockey team and their run for State. It has everything the 80‘s embraced, big hair, music, tv, movies. Key characters are descendants of 1692 Salem witch trials and connections are made between teen girls then and now. It‘s funny and beautiful as these bold, fierce girls come of age and embrace their true selves ❀️❀️❀️❀️❀️

Trashcanman Isn't that the girl from the Facts of Life? 2y
mcctrish @Trashcanman it totally is! When the hairstyles were described in this book β€œthe Claw” I thought of Blaire and stumbled across these pics 2y
Trashcanman @mcctrish I love the 80's 2y
mcctrish @Trashcanman me too!!! So much about this book made me so happy 2y
54 likes1 stack add4 comments
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mcctrish
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Happy Long Weekend Littens ❀️ I need to get off my phone ( except my audio book) and read. I hope everyone who celebrates has a Happy Easter, we all deserve some rebirth and renewal after the last year 😘stay safe and be well and eat chocolate, there are better days ahead

ShelleyBooksie Love the mug! 2y
46 likes2 comments
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Annie1215
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Here‘s my April bookspin bingo board!

My #bookspin is We Ride Upon Sticks
My #doublespin is The Family Upstairs

Ready to get reading!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
51 likes1 comment
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JackOBotts
Pickpick

80s nostalgia plus flashbacks to summer double practice days (best of both worlds?!). This was a delightfully entertaining read. If you could go back, how far would you go to take your team all the way?! There is a lot packed into its 360 pages.
πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

28 likes1 stack add
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mcctrish
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The big switch to cold brew has occurred πŸ˜‚

Soubhiville That pastry looks delish! 2y
DimeryRene πŸ§ŠπŸ§ŠπŸ§ŠπŸ§Šβ˜•οΈβ˜•οΈβ˜•οΈβ˜•οΈ 2y
mcctrish @Soubhiville it was ( a whole grain peach danish) yum πŸ˜‹ 2y
mcctrish @DimeryRene it‘s is officially 🧊 β˜•οΈ season βœ”οΈπŸ˜‚ 2y
54 likes1 stack add4 comments
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mcctrish
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Trying to eat healthy snacks instead of my default of chips or chips πŸ™„πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Cortg Looks yummy! 2y
mcctrish @Cortg it was but I want triple the serving 🀣🀣🀣 2y
Cortg I hear ya! 2y
britt_brooke πŸ˜‚ That does looks pretty tasty, though! 2y
mcctrish Thx @britt_brooke it was πŸ˜‹ 2y
56 likes5 comments
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JackOBotts
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Thanks for the tag, @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm πŸ€—πŸ’œ!

1. My SIL is visiting this weekend.
2. Science Fiction
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I would love to hear how Charlie is doing.

#MotivationalMonday ... on Tuesday. πŸ˜‰

Cupcake12 Thanks for playing x 2y
25 likes1 comment
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cariashley
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Pickpick

I absolutely *loved* this book and am shocked it‘s so under the radar. It‘s dense but readable, hilarious but heartfelt. I loved all of its ridiculousness, just such a smart book. I hope it goes farther in the #ToB21!

Ruthiella The Claw!!! 🀣 2y
cariashley @Ruthiella I will never forget The Claw... followed closely by le Splotch!! 🀣 2y
Professional_Book_Dragon It‘s super good so far! I‘m only half way through. πŸ€ͺ 2y
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Cathythoughts Sounds good. Maybe good for audio πŸ€” 2y
cariashley @Cathythoughts I think it could be great on audio with the right narrator! 2y
BkClubCare I listened to WRUS and thought it fine but not spectacular. Another person thought the narration screwed town name pronunciations but I didn‘t notice? I usually do hate an incorrect dialect for place so they must not have been too annoying! If you live north of Boston, you might consider yourself warnedπŸ˜‚ 2y
cariashley @BkClubCare that would definitely be annoying, I find it incredibly distracting when people mess up NY accents (ugh the later books of the Sleeping Giants trilogy), but probably wouldn‘t recognize a bad Boston area one. @Cathythoughts take note! 2y
Cathythoughts Thankyou ! I‘ve taken note 😁.. I‘m going to give the audio a go , but will probably be May by the time I get there 2y
63 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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BarbaraBB
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For the #LitsyToB21 this match was an easy one: Transcedent Kingdom is our big winner. The #ToB21 judgeshowever are in agreement with @cinfhen, @Hooked_on_Books and @Well_ReadNeck and voted for Sticks. Personally I hate to see my favorite leave the tournament (for now, maybe it‘ll return in The Zombie round) but I am excited we‘re taking a different path then the official tournament!

Well-ReadNeck πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ™ŒπŸΌπŸ‘ŠπŸΌ 2y
Well-ReadNeck Transcendent Kingdom does feel ripe for the zombie round 2y
sarahbarnes Wow, really? I didn‘t read Sticks but it seemed like TK would be a sure winner. 2y
See All 34 Comments
Cinfhen Wow!!! I didn‘t see the judges going our way @Hooked_on_books @Well-ReadNeck what a delightful surprise πŸ’—I know TK was well loved on Litsy but i thought it lacked originality whereas WRUS was such a FUN reading experience 2y
vivastory I just can't. Not only was TK my favorite of the #tob21 but it was one of my favorite books of 2020 & I was hoping it'd get it's long overdue recognition by advancing. I did like We Ride, but it was too long. At least 70 pages could have been cut & honestly?! At times I felt like I was reading another Grady Hendrix book 2y
BarbaraBB @vivastory I am really disappointed too. It now MUST win the Women‘s Prize for Fiction!! 2y
vivastory @BarbaraBB Exactly!! I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that it'll return in the zombie round, although I'm not sure I'm emotionally prepared. I have bubble wrap that I keep in my office that I pop when I'm stressed/upset. I just popped some. πŸ˜‚ 2y
Cinfhen Don‘t worry @vivastory TK will be in the zombie round and it will go far, I think. I‘m not sure WRUS will go any further 2y
vivastory @Cinfhen I think you're right that TK will reappear in the Zombie. If Luster wins tomorrow (I really hope it doesn't) & they are matched against one another I could see WRUS winning against Luster. I'd def be rooting for WRUS to win in that match. Luster is the one book I read that I lowered in my rankings recently. When I first read it I thought it was ok There were aspects I liked, but I've honestly forgotten a lot the more distance there's been 2y
Cinfhen Agreed!! Luster is my LEAST favorite book on the list! I don‘t think it deserved to make the sweet 16 @vivastory but it‘s garnished TONS of praise & accolades so who knows πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ 2y
emilyhaldi Well this is a surprise!! I still don‘t regret my choice to skip Sticks πŸ™ƒ 2y
BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi Neither do I! 2y
Ruthiella @vivastory @Cinfhen I loved Luster! It‘s in my top four! Different strokes. πŸ˜ƒ 2y
Cinfhen Wow!! @Ruthiella so funny πŸ˜† 2y
Kalalalatja You got to be kidding me!?! I loved TK. Fingers crossed it will come back in the zombie round! 🀞 2y
Hooked_on_books Hooray for Sticks! I responded so strongly to that book, but thought that might be a niche preference of mine. I loved Gyasi‘s Homegoing so much that absolutely nothing could measure up thereafter, so while I liked TK, it was also a mild disappointment. Sticks for the win! @Cinfhen 2y
BkClubCare @Ruthiella - I ranked Luster high, too. Tomorrow discussion will be so good! The ToB is such fun. (edited) 2y
BkClubCare I thought TK would run away with this due to the β€œserious” factor, but I liked both. Or, rather I really like WRUS for making me laugh but I thought it had flaws. I recognized qualities of TK but can‘t say I was β€œloving” it. So, I didn‘t care which would be declared the winner this round. The judgment was lovely! 2y
BkClubCare @Cinfhen - wow! Least favorite? Isn‘t it fascinating how tastes vary? 😊 2y
Readerann That‘s what I get for picking a book I haven‘t read! I actually just picked up TK from my bookstore. They were out and had to order a copy for me. It will be interesting to see if anyone ends up with a perfect bracket! I love reading all your comments and that opinions are so diverse. I had not planned to read them all, but I may have to now! 2y
kwmg40 I voted for TK but I'm not terribly disappointed by the ToB judgement, as I liked Sticks almost as much. 2y
Cinfhen Sticks definitely had its flaws @BkClubCare (mostly too long - needed some serious editing) but I agree with you @Hooked_on_books TK didn‘t measure up to Homegoing & therefore I was slightly disappointed. Doubt sticks will go any further but I‘m glad it got it‘s due. As far as Luster, I‘ll be REALLY DISAPPOINTED if that book keeps advancing - I HATED the writing/ tone & the storytelling felt so juvenile ( sorry @Ruthiella ) felt unpolished 2y
Ruthiella @Cinfhen I‘m not offended!πŸ˜‚ I feel that way about Memorial. I don‘t see/feel what other readers championed about it. But Luster struck a chord with me. I like those novels about 20 something women making terrible decisions. I need to read Moshfegh‘s My Year of Rest and Relaxation. I think it‘ll be right up my street! 2y
Cinfhen So funny @Ruthiella how we each react to a book so differently / I actually enjoyed 2y
Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen I will also be disappointed if Luster advances. Who knows, it may be a wonderful book, but I have zero interest in reading it. πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ 2y
Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen I just peeked at the ToB website and saw Luster is up against Interior Chinatown. If Luster wins, I‘ll be pissed! IC is so good, so clever, such a great book! 2y
Cinfhen I didn‘t love IC BUT it‘s cleverness DEFINITELY outweighs Luster @Hooked_on_books / it‘s interesting to see how the match-ups (as random as they are) outweigh how the winner will be determined 2y
Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen So true! Those matchups are everything! We‘ve definitely seen strong books go down and weaker ones advance in the past because of their particular matchups. 2y
Cinfhen YUP!!! @Hooked_on_books (edited) 2y
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Like @Cinfhen I wasn‘t a fan of Luster but loved My Year of Rest and Relaxation. 2y
BarbaraBB @Readerann I feel that way too. I am even tempted to pick up Sticks again πŸ˜‰ 2y
cariashley Wow! I‘m a day behind and haven‘t even read the judgment yet, but I‘m surprised. I thought I voted for WRUS but realize I may have submitted after the deadline. I have 50 pages left in it but felt strongly enough about how much I loved it to give it the edge over TK, which I also really liked. 2y
BarbaraBB @cariashley I may have missed your update, for which I am sorry 😞. Fortunately it wouldn‘t have changed our outcome. TK would still have been the winner. 2y
cariashley @BarbaraBB no worries at all, seriously! It wouldn‘t have mattered anyway like you said! 2y
61 likes34 comments
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cariashley
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If I don‘t count the play-in round, this is my last #TOB21 read!! I just started it so have a lot to get through this weekend (plus I have my work book club book to read by Thursday 😬). I‘ve been working crazy hours and it‘s really hampered me in the final stretch. I‘ll try to read the play-in round winner if I can - I think that bracket is first. #catsoflitsy #sullivancat

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 2y
Ruthiella Well done πŸ‘! 2y
64 likes2 comments
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BarbaraBB
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I have read only a few pages in as many days and that‘s the point. I don‘t want to read that little but this book doesn‘t appeal at all - despite the good things I heard about it and the fact I used to be a field hockey player myself.
Since it is up against Transcedent Kingdom in the #ToB21 and I root for that one, I‘m going to pass on it for now. Maybe some other time.

vivastory I'm going to be so mad if this advances over Transcendent Kingdom πŸ˜‚ 2y
Cinfhen I‘m not surprised that you aren‘t loving this one, although the 80‘s references are fabulous πŸ¦ΉπŸ½β€β™€οΈπŸ¦ΉπŸ»πŸ¦ΉπŸ½β€β™€οΈπŸ¦ΉπŸΌβ€β™‚οΈπŸ¦ΉπŸ» I‘d be shocked if this advances in either tournament ( ours or the official) but for me,there was something fun & memorable in these pages. Totally campy 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I haven‘t even gotten that far πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈ. It is just me not being in the mood for it! 2y
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BarbaraBB @vivastory It won‘t! 🀞🏽 2y
BkClubCare That‘s OK, I often get a taste of a TOB book and find I don‘t miss a beat in the discussions without reading every page - you get a sense of style and know of the plot, why torture yourself at the expense of a better (for you) book? 2y
BkClubCare I really enjoyed most of WRUS but it was too long and got tedious, imo. 2y
Megabooks This started out strong for me, but by the end I wasn‘t very invested. If you don‘t like the beginning, it probably isn‘t for you. 2y
Cinfhen It was UNNECESSARILY long @BkClubCare @Megabooks but the ending was silly & satisfying \ I think when you‘re in the mood for something light, you might return to this book & discover you like it, Barbara🧑However, you‘re not missing out on something special & I think I mentioned this book felt VERY USA centered. It didn‘t read as universal to me πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ 2y
emilyhaldi Just seeing this!! The only thing that slightly motivated me to read this was that I was also a field hockey player πŸ‘ but I just know it‘s not for me. We align once again! 2y
BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi I‘m glad we do πŸ‘―β€β™€οΈ Funny you were a field hockey player too! 2y
vivastory @emilyhaldi @BarbaraBB I thought that Resisters was a much better book involving a lot of discussion of sports. 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I definitely agree that it is very American AND it could‘ve been about 50 pages shorter. 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @Megabooks I wonder why you both emphasize that it‘s very American and what you mean by this? A warning? A trigger? I agree that some books are too American to my taste but you two being American I wonder what you mean? 2y
BarbaraBB @vivastory @emilyhaldi I hope that one will win the play-in round! Then I‘ll get a copy! (edited) 2y
Megabooks what I mean: so I know there‘s a certain amount of American that almost everyone in the world gets because of Hollywood, magazines, (and now the internet), but one of the things I loved about this book was the minute details of teenage American life like the exact flavors of kool-aid that one of the characters used to dye her hair. I don‘t know if those details would be as humorous/interesting, even as a consumer of general US culture. Make sense? (edited) 2y
Megabooks I hope I‘m being clear!! 2y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Yes!! It does make sense! I wasn‘t sure if it was a positive judgment but now I know. And you‘re right as well. I don‘t even know what kool-aid is 🀫 though I have come across it in many books and probably movies 2y
Megabooks Kool-aid is a flavored drink mix. You add the packet, sugar, & water to make a not-so-great-for-you but kid friendly drink. Now I think it‘s just cherry, grape, & orange, but in the 80s & 90s there were a bunch of cleverly named flavors. Kids in the late 80s/early 90s would use the drink mix without sugar as a temporary hair dye. I will admit to doing this! One of the characters dyes her hair with a different flavor each week! Throwback! πŸ˜‚ 2y
BarbaraBB Wow! I had no idea! I can imagine it‘s a great throwback. Thanks ❀️❀️ 2y
Cinfhen You nailed it @Megabooks Certain brands or stores were named dropped or a radio station that just felt personal if you grew up as a kid in the States in the 80‘s @BarbaraBB @Megabooks it added to the fun for me but would probably have no impact for you Barbara. My friend from Canada read this and she also didn‘t relate to a lot of the cultural references/ fads. She did like the book for the general themes and 80‘s nostalgia, though 2y
Megabooks No problem, Barbara! I‘ve loved our cultural exchanges through email and here!! 😘 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen yes, I think some things, like having a crush on Emilio/80s hair in general, would be understood internationally, but part of the fun was the deep American details that weren‘t part of the broader narrative generally accessible abroad. 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Thank you! I do like 80s nostalgia and will read it one day 🀍 (edited) 2y
71 likes23 comments
review
MelindaOtt
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Pickpick

Field hockey! Witchcraft! Emilio Estevez! This book has it all and is one of the best books I‘ve read so far this year.

review
Cinfhen
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Pickpick

If Libba Bray‘s Beauty Queens and Grady Hendrix‘s The Southern Book Club‘s Guide to Slaying Vampires hooked up, they would have created this story of Chicks With Sticks. We Ride Upon Sticks is an 80‘s spoof of girls field hockey, Emilio Estévez, Burn Books, witches, prom, and basic teenage debauchary. This book was REALLY FUN but it felt unnecessarily long. LOVED the 80‘s musical references and cultural highlights ???❀️#ToB21

BarbaraBB I haven‘t read either of the books you compare this one with but it seems a fun read! 2y
BarbaraBB Have you finished the #ToB21 list now? (edited) 2y
Cinfhen No, I still have a few left @BarbaraBB and there are the play-ins ...but I‘m not sure I‘ll be reading those 3. I tried samples of 2 of them and I wasn‘t feeling them. I have Telephone and this one left 2y
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BarbaraBB I won‘t read the play-ins either. I‘ll try to read the winner though if I can get hold of a copy. I liked both Memorial and Telephone a lot! 2y
Cinfhen I read Vanishing Half and liked it a lot @BarbaraBB I can‘t imagine liking one of the play-ins more but I‘ll try reading the winner too πŸ’š 2y
BkClubCare Agreed - fun, but too long. 2y
BkClubCare @Cinfhen - I will be reading Telephone as soon as I finish Interior Chinatown. Finished Shuggie Bain yesterday and will start Breast‘s and Eggs audiobook as soon as warm enough to get outside ❄️ 2y
Kalalalatja Great review! Definitely still interested πŸ™Œ 2y
Cinfhen Did you see the fun β€œgame” @BarbaraBB is running @BkClubCare for the #ToB21 ??? Do you have a favorite book so far?? 2y
BarbaraBB @BkClubCare is joining us Cindy! We are with 13 now! Excited to see which book will be our winner! 2y
BkClubCare @BarbaraBB - am I supposed to do something yet? I need to submit a bracket somewhere? My fave is Deacon King Kong but I doubt it wins. I like Luster for its grit and comedy/tragedy and Piranesi was a delight I didn‘t expect. 2y
Cinfhen I thought DKK was very entertaining but it felt too long and too much dialogue for me. My favorite is this one @BkClubCare 2y
BarbaraBB @BkClubCare You van submit until March 8. I made a Google form which you have to use. You want the link again? 2y
BkClubCare @BarbaraBB - I found it and submitted my selections 😊 2y
emilyhaldi I‘ve been dreading this one a bit πŸ˜… but your review has me hopeful! 2y
109 likes15 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
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Still fun but itβ€˜s too long/ Iβ€˜m ready for this book to wrap it up but I still have 3.5 hours left πŸ™„#AudioBaking #ToB21 https://open.spotify.com/user/mkniebur/playlist/7hWBvREnbqB8W1MTcMNigs?si=3szUmD...

Cinfhen Found the playlist πŸ₯β™₯️🎢 2y
BarbaraBB That playlist is great! 2y
LeahBergen This is probably when it‘s better to read a physical copy. It‘s easier to speed read and still get the drift! πŸ˜† 2y
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Cinfhen Exactly @LeahBergen and I know @BarbaraBB SO MUCH 80‘s GOODNESS πŸŽΆπŸ’œπŸ˜ 2y
TrishB Wow 😳 great playlist- a right mix! 2y
Cinfhen Definitely the BEST part of this book is ALL the 80‘s music references @TrishB πŸ’— 2y
Kalalalatja That cake looks delicious, though, so some good has come out of listening to it 😍 2y
Cinfhen Banana chocolate chip / you can never go wrong @Kalalalatja 😁 2y
vivastory I agree that this book was too long. 2y
90 likes9 comments
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Cinfhen
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Amongst the hilarity this book does tackle racism, sexism & female empowerment. #AudioWalk 🎧Thanks for the gentle nudge @trishb @squirrelbrain @Barbarabb ❀️also #HeartSpotting #ValentinesDay #ToB21

Cathythoughts Nice heart spotting πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ» 2y
TrishB Enjoy πŸ’œ 2y
Cinfhen My #HeartSpotting has been slow so I was excited for today‘s #SignFromAbove @Cathythoughts @TrishB 2y
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squirrelbrain Well done on the walk! Lovely πŸ’™! 2y
Cinfhen @squirrelbrain πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™ 2y
BarbaraBB Walking! So good! 2y
MicheleinPhilly Philly is a skating rink today so I‘ll be walking up and down the stairs instead. 2y
Cinfhen Stairs are good @MicheleinPhilly stay safe and warm 😘 2y
LeahBergen Another heart! πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™ 2y
Cinfhen Right @LeahBergen it‘s a good one πŸ₯°πŸ₯° 2y
71 likes1 stack add10 comments
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SincerelyWinona
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Finished #24in48 despite a weekend full of mechanical issues with my car. Was not the quiet relaxing weekend that I hoped for, but I managed to finish three books! Still working on the one tagged.

Linsy Very nice! πŸŽ‰πŸ₯³ 2y
Soubhiville Woohoo! πŸ“šπŸ“šπŸ“š 2y
19 likes2 comments
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LeslieO
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I‘m really loving this one! From #Jolabokaflodswap @EmilyM

LeahBergen What a pretty photo! 2y
LeslieO @LeahBergen πŸ™‚ 2y
EmilyM So glad you like it!πŸ€— 2y
39 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
MsLeah8417

TBR ☺️