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House in the Cerulean Sea
House in the Cerulean Sea | Tj Klune
Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune's breakout contemporary fantasyAn Indie Next Pick!One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020"One of Book Riot's "20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies"Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place--and realizing that family is yours."1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." --Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless
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BookishBrunette1
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Pickpick

I‘m about 80 pages from the end of this book and this book hangover is already coming! I loved the review on the covered that described it as “like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket.” My birthday is on Tuesday and I‘m planning to celebrate by binge reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea. 🥰

Kenyazero Sounds like the best sort of birthday celebration! 1w
TieDyeDude Happy birthday and welcome to Litsy! 1w
BookishBrunette1 @TieDyeDude thank you! I used Litsy a lot during the pandemic and loved it. I thought I had seen something (probably gossip that I shouldn‘t have fallen for) that Litsy was going away so I begrudgingly closed my account. I‘m glad to see it‘s still here. ❤️ 1w
TieDyeDude @BookishBrunette1 Well, welcome back! The app isn't really supported anymore, but the site is still going! 1w
25 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BoleyBooks
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31 likes1 stack add
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aWiseWoz
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Pickpick

I think this book embodies the word "delightful". Easy read, good vibes, excellent characters and humor. There is no mystery about how this book will end, and no challenge to its imagery or message. But it is a great message, and a good story. Recommend.

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dabbe
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great choice 🌊 4mo
Eggs Beautiful 🌳 4mo
52 likes3 comments
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nanuska_153
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Pickpick

It took me a bit to warm up to this, the fear for the "Antichrist" seemed so unfounded when he's just a kid and the rest of the house didn't seem concerned at all about anyone's safety specially the kids. Just think that people who work with kids must be more used to how they act up, especially when scared. In the end I loved everyone, it is, as one of the critics said "like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket". Feel sad that I have to leave ⬇️

nanuska_153 leave this charming island full of fantastic creatures. I'll have to read the second... 4mo
42 likes1 comment
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behudd
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 5mo
20 likes1 comment
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rwmg
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Pickpick

Linus Baker, a DICMY (the Department In Charge of Magical Youth) inspector, comes to Marsyas Island to inspect the orphanage there.

There were times when I thought the AUTHOR'S MESSAGE was getting a bit heavy-handed, but the characters worm their way into your heart enough to overcome that and make this book a delight.

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Kshakal
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Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 5mo
26 likes1 comment
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melissajayne
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Pickpick

4⭐️ I felt that the book took a little bit to get into, but once I got to that special place in the book I really enjoyed it. #2024 #fiction #fantasy #youngadult #lgbtqia

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melissajayne
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My #weekendreads; I am taking a break from Homecoming for a few days because I have to get The House in the Cerulean Sea completed and reviewed by Wednesday afternoon for my Wednesday evening library #bookclub meeting.

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OriginalCyn620
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Got a #pantone2025 match for this recent read!
#viridiangreen

LoverOfLearning Oh love that! 7mo
35 likes1 comment
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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

Delightful! A wonderful story about acceptance and found family!

#bookspinbingo - free space
#pop25 - book about chosen family
#tbrtarot - written by an #lgbtq+ author
#LitsyAtoZ #LetterK

Texreader Keep up the good work!!! 7mo
CBee Yay! This book is everything - the 2nd one is maybe even better (if that‘s possible)! 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 7mo
aa_guer2021 Ugh. I have got to get to this one! 7mo
LoverOfLearning A great book! I read this once twice. I'm obsessed with these characters and of course Chauncey is my favorite 😍 7mo
50 likes5 comments
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Meshell1313
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Pickpick

#TBRtarot this month was a perfect fit to finally start reading TJ Klune. I know I‘m late to the party but this was soooo good! He‘s easily going to be an author who I read all of their books! Such a heartwarming story of magical children in an orphanage and the idea of found families. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBee You‘re also in for a treat if you continue with the 2nd book! So good!! 7mo
Meshell1313 @CBee just picked it up! Can‘t wait! I‘m hooked! 7mo
CBee @Meshell1313 yay!!! 7mo
51 likes3 comments
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Paus0312

“Hay misterios que tal vez nunca se resuelvan,… Y si pasamos demasiado tiempo tratando de resolverlos, podríamos perder lo que está Justo frente a nosotros”

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DebinHawaii
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Thanks for the #Two4Tuesdqy tag @TheSpineView 🤗 Sorry I‘m a bit late!

1️⃣ Is it bad to say people if I‘m in HR?‘🤪 I think it‘s especially people who lack common sense and/or think it‘s all about them or that their actions don‘t have consequences or an impact on others. 🤷🏻‍♀️

2️⃣ I don‘t think Linus started out completely disliking his job but he was stuck in it & then began to dislike it.

Anyone not played yet & want to? You‘re tagged! 😉

TheSpineView Never too late to play! 7mo
53 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
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SpeculativeFemale Such a wonderful book ❤️ 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Loved this one! 8mo
Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 8mo
48 likes3 comments
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DavidDiamond
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Pickpick

I'm a bit late to the party on this one, but I held off so I can go right into the sequel which just came out. Another wonderful and imaginative LGBTQ themed story about acceptance and finding what is truly important in life.

LoverOfLearning Listened to the audiobook of this one twice! The characters are just so sweet. The 2nd book is good, but this one is definitely better. :) 7mo
38 likes1 comment
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dabbe
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#12BooksOf2024 @Andrew65

How did I get behind again? These days are messing with me! 😂

A fantasy story about six magical kids, their loving mentor, Arthur, and dear Linus, the hero of this novel. What didn't I love about this book? Nothing. I laughed, I cried, I got goosebumps in all the right places. 🩵

Andrew65 An author I am yet to read. 8mo
dabbe @Andrew65 Over 1,000 + Litten posts can't be wrong! 🤩 8mo
Andrew65 @dabbe Says it all! 8mo
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Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I love this book! 😍 I‘m holding back on reading the sequel. 8mo
dabbe @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage So am I! Why is that? 😂 8mo
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Lol.. anticipation? 8mo
dabbe @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Practicing patience? 😂 8mo
Cupcake12 I loved this book so much 💕 8mo
dabbe @Cupcake12 🩶🖤🩶 8mo
61 likes9 comments
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Read4life
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Thank you, @Catsandbooks for this lovely 2024 #BookBracket.

Myron & Win make me so happy (Think Twice) that I thought they‘d go the distance. But in the end, The House in the Cerulean Sea has stayed with me.

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Love this book. I‘m saving the sequel to read. ❤️ 8mo
lil1inblue I just finished a re-read of this! I love it so very much. Just started Somewhere Beyond the Sea. 😍 8mo
Read4life @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage @lil1inblue I have the sequel, too. Just not sure if I‘ll read it this month or next. 💙 8mo
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Booksblanketsandahotbeverage @lil1inblue @Read4life I convinced my mom @Pamgardens to read Cerulean Sea last year and she loved it too, so we‘re going to read the sequel together, probably next month ❤️ 8mo
Read4life @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I agree with @lil1inblue that it sounds like a lot of fun!! 8mo
Catsandbooks Wonderful! 🎉👏🏼💖 8mo
50 likes7 comments
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mjtwo
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Pickpick

26 Nov-14 Dec 24 (audiobook)
Dryly humourous, this is the story of Lionel Baker. Lionel lives a quiet, rule-abiding existence working for the Department of Magical Youth inspecting orphanages which home children with magical abilities until he is asked to inspect an orphanage housing six extraordinary children, including Luci, the actual antichrist.
Heartwarming and funny, Trixie and I enjoyed this audiobook.

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Gissy
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Pickpick

Book 4 September 2024

Unpopular opinion😬Liked it but not love it. I liked the premise and loved the characters, Lucy and the romance was cute. However, there were parts that I don‘t not know, for me, were disconnected, unnecessary. Pretty much like my experience with Guncle novel. This novel is so hipped that I expected too much I guess. I have that problem with hipped books🤷🏽‍♀️I still want to read book 2. 3⭐️

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Blueberry
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Andrew65 A popular choice last year, I still haven‘t read this. 8mo
45 likes1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
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Finally starting this one! I‘ve had it forever!

50 likes1 stack add
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Booksblanketsandahotbeverage
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It‘s Chauncy! I found him at BN but he‘s created by https://kingdomofthreads.com

It makes me ridiculously happy to find things inspired by this book.

Aims42 Love this!!! 10mo
julesG Love it. The little bellhop hat is so cute. 10mo
27 likes2 comments
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SarahBookInterrupted
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Pickpick

I almost bailed in the beginning, because Linus‘s life working for the Department in charge of Magical Youth was super sad & boring. I‘m glad I stuck with it because his life is supposed to be that way for contrast and makes the ending more delightful. The magical children at the orphanage were hilarious and endearing. This is where the story really starts. Arthur was my favourite character and as the book evolves he only gets even more lovable.

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Same! I put it down for a long time before i picked it up again and raced through it 10mo
SarahBookInterrupted @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Exactly, once he got to the island I devoured it. I belong to StoryGraph and one of the questions it asks when reviewing is the pace of the book. I put medium because it was very slow, then fast. 🤣 10mo
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Ha! I have the same username on storygraph if you want to follow each other/be friends there 🙂 (edited) 10mo
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SarahBookInterrupted @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage yes, I‘ll look for you now. 10mo
SarahBookInterrupted @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage mine is SarahfromBookInterrupted 10mo
54 likes1 stack add6 comments
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wanderinglynn
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#two4tuesday

1. It‘s hard to have a fave because I love fruit. But I‘ll pick raspberries because they‘re delicious by themselves, in desserts, and in chocolate.

2. Tagged

TheSpineView Raspberries and chocolate are divine! Thanks for playing! 10mo
Susanita Raspberries right off the bush and warm from the sun. 😋 10mo
wanderinglynn @Susanita yes! 😋 10mo
45 likes3 comments
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Mpcacher
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Pickpick

I was offered (and took) an ARC of the sequel to this, and since this one was very popular I figured it was time to read it. I am glad I did. This is a wonderful story about people who do not fit in, filled with morality messages. It nicely teaches lessons on all types of prejudices and the lessons seem particular apt these days. I really enjoyed all the characters, both the children and the adults. 4.5/5 stars!

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Jari-chan
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Pickpick

This was a reread before starting the second book, and I loved it all over again. It just hit me again, like the first time I read it. The kids went straight to my heart, again. And I went all Awwww, again. All the ❤❤❤❤

LiteraryinPA 💗💗💗💗💗 11mo
38 likes1 comment
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Read4life
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Still playing catch up. Bracket by @Catsandbooks

Tagged 💙💙💙

Catsandbooks Yay!! 🩵🩵 11mo
45 likes1 comment
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Jari-chan
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And my monthly wrap-up for September. One of the 17 books was a manga (loved it!) and one was a really good short story.

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Jari-chan
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And it's my #bookofthemonth once again. Who would've guessed? 😄

#botm

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vonnie862
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Finally got to read this one and it was cute!
I loved the character development of the MC and I really enjoyed the children. There were some parts that I thought were cheesy, but hey it was still heartwarming. 4 ⭐️

#authoramonth2024 @Soubhiville

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Read4life
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#BookBracket @CSeydel

Tagged with a bonus pick of The Spellshop.

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LeafingThroughLife
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Pickpick

What a sweet story about hapless, rule-abiding Linus Baker who gets sent on a four week assignment by the Department in Charge of Magical Youth to an island with a most unusual orphanage. As he observes and engages with the island‘s unique denizens he finds unexpected joy, acceptance, and himself. The messaging is heavy handed at times, but I fell in love with the characters and this feel-good story of found family and choosing the life you want.

19 likes1 comment
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Texreader
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Seven books read in September. I finished the #LitsyAtoZ challenge this month with the #letterU! Two books read for #authoramonth, 3 for #foodandlit #Malaysia, 2 for #readingOceania #Australia and #Samoa. @Soubhiville @Catsandbooks @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Catsandbooks Awesome! I keep forgetting that Storygraph does these graphics! 11mo
GingerAntics I think I‘m going to have to start tracking my reading in storygraph. I keep hearing so many good things. 11mo
Librarybelle Hooray! A good reading month! 11mo
45 likes3 comments
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dabbe
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#bookbracket #bookbracket24 #bookbracket2024 @CSeydel

August: THE GOD IN THE WOODS
September: THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA

I've decided for the rest of the year that I'm not going to include rereads (so no Shardlake or Sherlock) in order to give the other books a chance. 😂

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dabbe
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#bookbracket #bookbracket24 #bookbracket2024 @Catsandbooks

August: THE GOD IN THE WOODS
September: THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA

I've decided for the rest of the year that I'm not going to include rereads (so no Shardlake or Sherlock) in order to give the other books a chance. 😂

Catsandbooks Gotta give the other books a fair shot 😂 11mo
dabbe @Catsandbooks IKR? Otherwise, it\'s THE HOUND OF THE BASERKVILLES across the board! 🤩😂🤗 11mo
45 likes2 comments
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Texreader
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Pickpick

What a charmer! Linus Baker, a government flunky, is tasked with determining whether an orphanage for the scariest of magical children (one is the son of Satan)is safe, or if harmful should be closed. Linus‘s gray world becomes so colorful when he learns and grows to love the children and their island, which is magical in different ways. The nearby town is antagonistic to these scary kids. Linus has many life decisions to make. A fantastic story.

Estherhasredhair One of my favorite books! I‘m so glad you liked it! 11mo
LiteraryinPA This is one of my favorites too! I just started the recently released sequel. 💗 11mo
CoffeeNBooks I loved this book! 11mo
GingerAntics Absolutely a favourite of mine. Such a feel good story. 11mo
67 likes5 comments
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Texreader
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I love when cats get the zoomies!!

Such a good book so far!

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville I love Zoomies too! 12mo
54 likes1 comment
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IndoorDame
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Pickpick

#AAM I needed a distraction today and couldn‘t settle on anything, so in the end I decided I‘d revisit this before picking up the sequel. I found reading it a second time around a less all consuming experience that I got swept up in, and a more analytical one that had me noticing new details. But it was just as funny, charming, and heartwarming as I remember it. @Soubhiville

BkClubCare Nice 12mo
58 likes1 comment
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
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I love this 🫶.

37 likes1 stack add
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
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Pickpick

Is there anything better than slipping back into the pages of a Klune book? Whenever I'm wary or simply downcast, I find myself re-reading this book; my little refuge. The experience was made all the better knowing that the sequel was finally in my possession. This was delightful, as always. These characters never fail to feel like long-lost friends. The pages always feel like home. Klune is my safety blanket whenever I need a comfortable read.

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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
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This 🫶.

lil1inblue 💛 💖 💛 12mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love this book! 12mo
kspenmoll ❤️🩷💙 12mo
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CBee This is one of my favorite quotes, probably ever ♥️ 12mo
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @CBee I agree 🫶. Klune's quotes are always beautiful 🩷. 12mo
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It's absolutely delightful 🩷. I'm about to start the sequel. I'm so excited 🫶. 12mo
45 likes6 comments
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
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Texreader
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“Ornery” is one of my favorite words. But I‘m wondering how y‘all pronounce it. I‘ve always pronounced it “awn-ree” but assumed I was saying it wrong. So I just looked it up and apparently I‘m not alone. How do you pronounce “ornery”?

#authoramonth @Soubhiville

Deblovestoread I think I‘m more on-ree. I think my on is harder than your awn maybe. (edited) 12mo
TobeyTheScavengerMonk 3 syllables for me, or-nuh-ree 12mo
TheBookgeekFrau I pronounce it both awn- ree and or-nuh-ree. Awn-ree when referring to critters (I think I picked it up at the barn in my childhood) and or-nuh-re when referring to people 12mo
See All 10 Comments
rubyslippersreads Orn-ree. 12mo
KathyWheeler Apparently, I use the Mississippi pronunciation. 12mo
Karisa I love this word too! Awn-ree for me. Since I‘m a sixth grade teacher, mother, pet owner— it gets used often. 😅 12mo
BarbaraJean Somewhere between orn-ree and orn-er-ree. Kind of two-and-a-half syllables! 12mo
kspenmoll Orn-er-ree here in CT at least Hartford area. (edited) 12mo
Soubhiville 3 syllables for me, I grew up in New England. But actually never heard it used except by Yosemite Sam from Looney Toons, and he said it with 2. 12mo
Librarybelle I‘m with @BarbaraJean …it‘s some odd combination of two syllables and three. If I‘m speaking formally, I make sure it‘s orn-er-ree. This may be my south central PA way of speaking. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 12mo
43 likes10 comments
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Texreader
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My next book for #authoramontb @Soubhiville even though I‘m only halfway through Wolfsong. My library hold for the ebook came in so I‘m starting it.

GingerAntics Go girl, go! Enjoy Marsyas Island! 12mo
Texreader @GingerAntics Have you read Wolfsong by Klune? It‘s so good 12mo
See All 11 Comments
CatLass007 I love this book! Of all the new-to-me authors I‘ve read this year with #AuthorAMonth, TJ Klune is my favorite. 12mo
GingerAntics @Texreader not yet. I think that might have to be a thing one of these days. The one I‘m listening to right now is absolutely NOT the Cerulean Chronicles. 😂🤣😂 I‘m not sure what it is, but it‘s not going to be for everyone. 12mo
Estherhasredhair One of my faves!!!! I hope you enjoy it! 12mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It‘s so good!! 💫💛 12mo
Scochrane26 @gingerantics He has written some dark books from what he said at the signing I went to. I haven‘t ventured into his backlog yet but was looking at his list yesterday. He‘s a prolific writer & likes horror. I assume you‘re reading one of those. (edited) 12mo
GingerAntics @Scochrane26 nope, I was reading Fairytales from Verania. It‘s not dark, but it is a trip. 12mo
Scochrane26 @GingerAntics I saw that series listed, may check it out someday. I have Wolfsong as my next one of his to read. 12mo
GingerAntics @Scochrane26 I‘ve been hearing good things about that one. I think I‘m going to have to read that one along with Verania. 12mo
58 likes2 stack adds11 comments
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dabbe
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#weeklyfavorites
@Read4Life

I think quite a few of us chose this one this week. 🧡🩶🧡

AmyG Such a heartwarming book. 12mo
dabbe @AmyG IKR? 🩶🧡🩶 12mo
Read4life It was my pick! Definitely a favorite of many. 💙💙💙 12mo
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dabbe @Read4life 🧡🩶🧡 12mo
SilversReviews This is a cute idea. So you post your favorite book of the week? 12mo
dabbe @SilversReviews Yep! And it was all @Read4Life's idea! 🤩 12mo
Read4life Thanks, @dabbe 💙💙💙 @SilversReviews I post a new graphic each month & we use the #WeeklyFavorites tag. You can find the graphic on my post and I‘d be happy to add you to the tag list if you‘d like. 💙 12mo
48 likes7 comments
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Deblovestoread
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#WeeklyFavorites

The only book I finished this last week but that doesn‘t mean it isn‘t a gem.

@Read4life

Read4life It was my pick, too. 💙 12mo
42 likes1 comment
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dabbe
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Pickpick

#readtheceruleansea @CBee

What don't I love about this book? Nothing. I laughed, I cried, I got goosebumps in all the right places. Then I read a bit more about the background, and it was partially inspired by the Sixties Scoop, where the Canadian government removed Indigenous children from their homes and placed them with unrelated white, middle-class families. What they endured was beyond horrific, so perhaps Klune felt the need to show ⬇️

dabbe the positive effect of what can happen when children are given a loving, nurturing environment in which to embrace their differences. Some reviews I read lambasted Klune for writing such a feel-good story when the origin of it was so abominable, but I choose to see the story for what it is: a fantasy story about six magical kids, their loving mentor, Arthur, and dear Linus, the hero of this novel. I can't wait to read the sequel! Thanks CBee! 12mo
BkClubCare And there are plenty of pie mentions! ❤️ 12mo
dabbe @BkClubCare 🤩😂🤗 12mo
See All 14 Comments
Texreader What a marvelous review. I hope I‘m able to get to it this month! I‘m currently reading his Wolfsong and it‘s so good. 12mo
CBee @dabbe I had no idea about the background! Thank you for posting about it ♥️ 12mo
CatLass007 @dabbe I loved this book too! Thanks for the info about the partial basis for the story. It‘s horrific but it‘s something that needs to be known and never forgotten. 12mo
CoffeeNBooks I loved this book! 12mo
AnnCrystal 📚 Did you make the model? 🤩👍💝. 12mo
dabbe @Texreader 🤩🤗😘 12mo
dabbe @CBee 🤩🤗😘 12mo
dabbe @CatLass007 Agree 💯. 🤩🤗😘 12mo
dabbe @CoffeeNBooks 🎯 🤩🤗😘 12mo
dabbe @AnnCrystal I wish! I stole the image from good ol' Google! 🤩🤗😘 12mo
AnnCrystal @dabbe ☺️😎👍💝. 12mo
76 likes2 stack adds14 comments