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Memorial
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
120 posts | 92 read | 1 reading | 50 to read
"A rom-com novel about two young people at a crossroads in their relationship"--
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AmyG
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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1. When I was little, if I got sick and was home from school, my Mom would roll in the TV with the channel changer (this was the 60‘s) and let me watch in bed. I used to think she was the greatest Mom ever.
2. I‘d like to be remembered for just being nice and kind.
3. Memorial - Bryan Washington

@Eggs #WondrousWednesday

dabbe 💜🩶💜 2mo
marleed What a sweet memory💕 2mo
AmyG Thanks @marleed It‘s a really clear one, too. Ha….I could tell you the line-up in the morning and all the game shows. 🤣 2mo
Eggs @AmyG Oh I loved those game shows! There were so many- 2mo
47 likes4 comments
blurb
AmyG
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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I looked through Sharon‘s “books read” list and saw this one on there. The title seemed fitting. #sharreadathon

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes, it is ❤️ 2mo
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
CollapsingLibrary
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

I loved it. It‘s gorgeously written but definitely not for everyone. Reminiscent of Normal People x Hemingway because there is no quotation marks, limited dialogue tags with stifled conversation. But Washington trusts readers to make the jumps between the gaps he leaves rather than holding your hand the whole way. Which I love. The description here says rom-com but for me this is more of a character driven literary fiction with a romance angle.

BarbaraBB I loved this one too! 7mo
75 likes1 comment
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Nalbuque
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Lovely, slow fiction that could very well be real. Nice low key commentary on family, culture, queerness, and grief. I was a bit indifferent in the beginning but once you make it past half way the characters rly grow on you.

This was one of my gifts from @Chrissyreadit for the Black History Month Swap 2023 organized by @Chelleo 💗 thank you both 😘 if you haven‘t participated on this one yet, watch out for the next one! #BLITSY

Chrissyreadit ❤️❤️❤️ 10mo
17 likes1 comment
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Larkken
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

This year I discovered the bittersweet fiction by Bryan Washington, whose stories are filled with queer, diverse, and intensely human characters. They made me feel all the things - not least of which was how much I miss Houston, TX.

His books also fit the #booked2022 prompt: main character has AIDS. So, worth a consideration for any last-minute challenge scrambling!

#adventrecommends @emilyrose_x

BkClubCare This one was lovely 1y
29 likes1 comment
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ImperfectCJ
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Bailedbailed

Silo might look down on me for this, but I'm going to bail on this one. The characters are just so mean to each other, and I find it too unpleasant.

kspenmoll Good morning kitty! 1y
45 likes1 comment
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ImperfectCJ
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Do the characters treat each other as harshly throughout this novel as they do at the beginning? Because I'm about 40 pages in, and if this is how they're going to be the whole time, I might need to bail on this one.

Ruthiella Yes, pretty much. Some will tell you it‘s worth it by the end but for me it was too little, too late. 2y
BarbaraBB I think @Ruthiella is right. I loved this book but it‘s a sad one. 2y
Prairiegirl_reading It doesn‘t get better. If I could have a do over I would have bailed. 2y
Megabooks Agree with @Ruthiella as well 2y
52 likes4 comments
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LisaLovesToRead
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

After reading many nonfiction books, it was nice to listen to a novel. The story features two men trying to figure out where they are at and where their relationship is going. It was thought provoking & intense, but still a nice to shake things up.

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TracyReadsBooks
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Time to dive back into my stack of ARCs. Some of them—hi tagged book, I see you—have been languishing there for some time. 😬

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Kazzie
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
Pickpick

He is such a good writer! Interesting and different writing style, but such beautiful prose and this story of two men with complicated relationships with their families and each other was very well told. I hope they stay together!

review
Megabooks
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Mehso-so

This was slightly better the second time around (not a pan!) mainly because I sat back and enjoyed the secondary characters more. While I don‘t have to like characters, I need to understand them and Benson, Mike, and their relationship were opaque to me, but Mitsuko, Eija, Lydia, Ahmed, etc. were all way more vibrant. #LMPBC #GroupB

I definitely recommend his short story collection, Lot, over this.

TrishB I really enjoyed this one 🤷‍♀️ 2y
Megabooks @TrishB that‘s why I reread it because so many people enjoyed it, but it‘s just not for me I guess. 2y
See All 11 Comments
JamieArc I totally agree with you the secondary characters. And I‘m so embarrassed I didn‘t figure out what the cover was until your comment! I could NOT figure it out! 2y
Ruthiella I didn‘t quite understand the relationship between Benson and Mike either. 😕 (edited) 2y
Megabooks @JamieArc it took me a minute, but with all that food, it makes sense. I would‘ve loved some of those meals! 2y
Megabooks @Ruthiella yeah, I don‘t even get why they were together. 2y
CarolynM One of the things I liked about it was the way Benson and Mike were trying to connect/reconnect but couldn't quite do it. I found that really moving. 2y
Cinfhen I didn‘t realize there were chopsticks either @JamieArc 🤭 and I agree, secondary characters were more engaging! I remember you panning this book originally but I gave it a so-so. Not sure id want to re-read so credit to you!! I did enjoy 2y
Centique @TrishB @CarolynM I really loved this one too. I felt like we were at a certain point in the relationship where the main characters were very distinct and seperate, whatever had brought them together initially (shared interests and affection etc) hadn‘t been enough to bridge their unexpressed differences and now separateness was the prominent state. But yes the secondary characters are great @Megabooks 2y
Centique @Megabooks and I‘m always glad we have diversity of taste and opinion on Litsy! My old book club all liked the same books and it was BORING 😂😂 2y
90 likes11 comments
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JamieArc
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Mehso-so

If not for #LMPBC, I probably would not have left a review, because my thoughts are all over the place and I‘m not sure how to review it. It felt like there were walls to Benson, and I had a hard time finding any depth to his relationship with Mike. Cooking with Mitsuko was a welcomed reprieve, and I was much more interested in Mike‘s life in Japan. I found myself saying, “Ugh” a lot. Glad to have this one off my shelf.

JamieArc @Megabooks You should receive this tomorrow! 2y
JamieArc Also - rom-com? This is not a rom-com. 2y
Megabooks @JamieArc no, rom-com was a misnomer. I‘m excited to get another crack at it because I know what more to expect. I look forward to getting it and your notes! 2y
CarolynM So not a rom-com💔 2y
51 likes4 comments
blurb
Gissy
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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At 2:00 pm central time (here is 4:00 pm) a candle was lighted in memory of Sharon, to our Litsy friend Sharon.
🕯 ❤️😔

#rememberSharon @sharread

@TheBookHippie
@alwaysbeenaliverofbooks

TheBookHippie ♥️ 2y
Wife ❤️ 2y
Nute Beautiful🤍 2y
See All 6 Comments
Suet624 ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
58 likes6 comments
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TrishB
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Rom-com? More crappy marketing. It‘s definitely not a rom-com. I really enjoyed this, great flawed characters, messy relationships and messy families. Mitsuko is a great character, I felt she was one of those mums who could convey a feeling with a raised eyebrow.

vivastory I loved this one. 2y
rwmg I've got it on my treebook shelf and was wondering whether it would fit a read a rom-com challenge, especially as my previous attempt had good rom elements but unsupported by com. 2y
Cathythoughts Nice review ! 2y
Reggie I loved this one but it left me crying for 20 minutes afterwards. 2y
TrishB @Reggie it was a sad ending wasn‘t it ☹️ 2y
96 likes5 comments
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NovelNancyM
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

While not the best book I've ever read, the plot is compelling and the characters are flawed humans much as we all are. I imagine I'll think about this book for a long while. It's a good reminder of how much privilege cis white people have.

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AlizaApp
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Loved the writing in this novel about a gay couple in Houston trying to figure out if they still love each other and if they should stay together. Mike is going home to Japan to see his father, who is dying, at the same time his mother comes to visit. Benson spends time alone with Mike‘s mother, trying to figure out what he wants.

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Julsmarshall
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Wow! This novel was unexpected and fresh, full of flawed characters and tricky situations. I loved the Houston setting and the examination of a gay relationship and the interplay between family and lovers. While I own this book, I listened to the #audiobook (read by the author) and recommend it. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #pride #ownvoices

TheBookHippie I loved both his books. So good. 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3y
65 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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sharread
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Excellent writing style. Many personal topics are discussed with strong emotion. I didn't care for the profane language but the context used it to make an emotional point. #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
45 likes1 comment
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Suet624
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

It‘s been said before, but I‘ll say it again: this is not a rom-com. It‘s taken me some time to write a review because I found I had more feelings after finishing than I did while I was reading it. Like the two main characters, the novel felt a bit standoffish. It was only when I was done that I realized how sad it was. Two men, together for four years, work through the dissolution of their relationship. Family traumas, secrets, and hidden love 🔽

Suet624 ... from parents and children bring the story to life. (edited) 3y
Lindy @Suet624 I agree: not a rom-com. I love this book. 3y
vivastory Definitely not a rom-com. My feelings changed about a few books I read last yr, as months went by my enthusiasm for them waned a bit. Memorial is def not one of them. 3y
See All 9 Comments
Suet624 @vivastory yes, I can see this one sticking around in my mind. 3y
vivastory @Suet624 Didn't you say you loved his collection of stories? 3y
Suet624 Nope, this was my first by Washington. 3y
BarbaraBB I loved this one too. So sad. And It felt so genuine. 3y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB it sure did. 3y
Reggie I cried baby for 20 minutes after this. Glad you liked it, Sue. 3y
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FelinesAndFelonies
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

I'm so torn on how to review this book! I loved the focus on a homosexual, interracial relationship that did not include a white man. But the level of toxicity in the relationship between Mike & Ben was disturbing. Viewing their relationship in terms of their personal experiences revealed the lacking growth of both men.

As for the writing style, I can't decide if I liked the lack of quotes in the dialogue.

The ambiguous ending was perfect.

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Pinta
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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^^Mitsuko p 297: “The point is that this is how you came to be, she says. One thing happened, and then another thing happened. We didn‘t think about whether it would work or not. We just did it.”

Sons trying to piece together family histories, trying to understand their own story as a couple. Mom busts in & after a margarita or three, reminds them that the stories we tell ourselves about our lives happen AFTER. Now, it‘s just “something happens.”

review
Pinta
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Ben & Mike: a breakup romance. Evocative of Houston, lots of food passages. Odd roommates, food as peacemaker.

Abandonment, finding family, estranged parents & children, roles & responsibilities. Identity.

Clever, quippy dialogue—loving portraits that make for emotional involvement. Yes, there‘s a sappy factor. A lot can be solved by just acknowledging love. Sentimental? That‘s the point. Breakups (with lovers, with fam) can be hard to do. 2020

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canbku
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Nap time!

51 likes1 stack add
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Flaneurette
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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1. I recently read the tagged book along with the audio because I was on a long car ride and it was so noisy I couldn‘t concentrate on the book otherwise. My noise canceling earbuds don‘t work very well to filter out talking or music unfortunately. First time #immersionreading for me, it did help but had to speed up audio.
2. I really don‘t do well with audio but I wish I did- any tips appreciated!
#two4tuesday

TheSpineView Thanks for playing and happy Tuesday! 💜📖📚 3y
Prairiegirl_reading I love a narrator with an accent. I don‘t know why but I get more involved. 3y
Flaneurette @Prairiegirl_reading yep me too, I really liked Milkman on audio 3y
Suet624 I only enjoy nonfiction on audio. 3y
23 likes4 comments
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Centique
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

I‘m trying to decide what I liked so much about this book that has inspired such varied responses. Maybe it‘s having to figure out a complex character like Benson, seeing the problems he‘s having in his relationship, his work, his family. He‘s private, even on the page, and getting to know him was like a very slow unfolding. There is Mike‘s perspective too, which gives another side to the story - ⬇️

Centique and other difficult characters where again, you get insights, but no one is ever totally understandable. I loved Eiju and how he can be both terrible & wonderful, hero & villain. Mostly I enjoyed Washington‘s writing - it‘s very straight forward and easy to read but it does capture all these little events.⬇️ 3y
Centique It feels like you‘re living it in real time in some ways. And then so much food in this book - love and sustenance. Not sure how much of the story will stick with me but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 3y
Trashcanman 😘🤗😘❤ 3y
See All 16 Comments
Centique @Trashcanman hey George 💕😘💕back at you! 3y
BarbaraBB Wonderful review! I felt the same. 3y
rockpools Gorgeous review! 3y
andrew61 Great review, it a book I really want to read especially after I heard Jenny's interview and now your recommendation. 3y
Centique @BarbaraBB @rockpools thank you so much 😘 3y
Centique @andrew61 I hope you like it too! I knew I was on hold for the book so I was waiting to get it and finish it - now I‘ll go listen to Jenny‘s interview! 3y
Cathythoughts ‘He is private, even on the page‘ I like this description 👍🏻I have this one on kindle to read 3y
Reggie I loved this book. I‘m glad you liked it, too. I want to say I don‘t know why I was so devastated at the end but I do. They were over. The mother knew it. We knew it. After all that time. 3 years in the gay world, that‘s not nothing. That‘s several lifetimes. 3y
Centique @Cathythoughts thank you Cathy. I hope you like it. You can psycho analyse Benson for me! 3y
Centique @Reggie I thought there was maybe a tiny crack in the door that might mean they could come back together in the future. But gosh it was bittersweet. I think Benson ends up valuing what they had. Mitsuko seems to be saying you have to commit and fight for it. It can be broken but fixable if you just say you want it. But I don‘t think Benson should/would go to Japan. So that might be insurmountable 🥲🥲 I haven‘t listened to the interview yet tho! 3y
Reggie @Centique the moment Benson introduced the side guy I was like that‘s it, that‘s the end. And he wasn‘t even doing it in the name of trying to make Mike jealous. It was more like, you left and I found someone else. Also, Mitsuko was right. They were so passive and didn‘t know how to fight for what they wanted. And speaking of Mitsuko what about that bombshell. They were supposed to meet the dad back in Tokyo when Mike was small. Anyways, I didnt 3y
Reggie see the crack of light you did but I‘m glad you did. 3y
Centique @Reggie oh my gosh that bombshell. I had struggled to understand how Eiju had left them and then that was like BOOM, a clap of thunder. The way she explained it though. Wow, it stunned me how quickly she turned that story around. I loved Mitsuko, she was both so brutal and yet perceptive and loving. 3y
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kwmg40
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

This book from the #TournamentOfBooks shortlist is a quiet and touching exploration of family relationships, forgiveness and reconciliation. #tob21

Current totals for the #20in4 readathon: 6 hours and 10 minutes. @Andrew65

BarbaraBB Glad you liked it! 3y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 (edited) 3y
37 likes2 comments
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squirrelbrain
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

I can see why this polarises opinion with some loving it and some hating it.

I liked it but didn‘t love it although I think if I‘d read it rather than listening I might have bailed. It‘s one of those books that looks at the minutiae of life which I always think works better on audio.

None of the characters were particularly likeable or memorable and, in fact, I don‘t think that this book will stick with me for long.

Not bad, not great!

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BarbaraBB
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Two more excellent books in the #ToB21 if you ask me. Today's judge chose for Memorial. With a majority of just 8 over 7 we voted for Memorial too in the #LitsyToB21. We'll see it back in the Quarter Finals against DKK.

Kalalalatja Definitely happy Memorial made it through, but both of these were kind of meh for me. 🤷‍♀️ 3y
Ruthiella @Kalalalatja I didn‘t like either book, so I didn‘t care which advanced today. 3y
Cinfhen I didn‘t have a strong reaction to either book @Ruthiella @Kalalalatja and I‘d like to see DKK beat out Memorial 3y
See All 13 Comments
vivastory Despite warming up to CB upon reflection, I *really* couldn't be happier with today's decision! Memorial remains in my top 5 & I wholeheartedly agree with the judge's praise for it. 3y
Megabooks Nooooo!!! I did not like Memorial at all, and ACB has really stuck with me. Darn it!! 3y
BarbaraBB I am surprised you all didn‘t care much about Memorial except @vivastory. It is in my top 5 too and I hope it‘ll beat DKK! @Ruthiella @Megabooks @Cinfhen @Kalalalatja (edited) 3y
Cinfhen Definitely NOT in my TOP 5 .... @vivastory @BarbaraBB Im with @Megabooks on this one!! 3y
Well-ReadNeck I chose Memorial, too! I didn‘t love ACB. In part because I thought there were other climate change themed books last year that I liked better. Like Greenwood and Migrations. (edited) 3y
Hooked_on_books I quite liked Memorial, so I‘m glad to see it get the win both here and at the official ToB. But no way should it beat DKK! 😉 3y
Readerann Thank goodness for The New Yorker. I read a short story there based on (or excerpted from) Memorial. I liked it enough to give Memorial the nod over the reviews I‘d read of CB. So far, so good with my bracket! 3y
emilyhaldi I really enjoyed Memorial 💙 Very happy it won over CB!!! 3y
kwmg40 I really liked CB so I'm a bit disappointed it lost, but Memorial is one of the ones I've not read yet, so I can't compare. 3y
sarahbarnes I almost picked up a copy of Memorial recently - I will have to check it out now that I know you and @vivastory give it high marks! 😁 3y
60 likes13 comments
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PNWBookseller85
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Well I loved this book. Particularly the section that takes place in Osaka. Ultimately, it‘s a book about healing family relationships. It‘s really beautiful. Can‘t wait to read more from Bryan Washington.

83 likes1 stack add
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TiminCalifornia
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

A seemingly simple story that has more layers than appear on the surface. I wish I'd felt more connection with either Ben or Mike. Unusual for a modern novel, Washington did away with quotation marks. Great choice. The page felt less cluttered. The writing style made dialogue easy to follow. The lack of punctuation made pages visually crisp, subtly sharpening the reader's focus. Looking forward to more from this young author.
#ownvoices
#lgbtq

Suet624 I agree on all counts. 3y
36 likes1 comment
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TiminCalifornia
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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“They were chasing this cat and the cat was letting them. They‘d named him Bruno, but also Gabriel, Victor Hugo, and Senor Gato. When their father, a heavy dude, came outside for a smoke, he called the cat over. It sat on its ass while he rubbed its belly. Once the cat looked my way, so did everyone else.”

#catsoflitsy

Love Your Pet Day!

BookishMarginalia Awwwwwww! 3y
37 likes1 comment
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TiminCalifornia
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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“Mike‘s taking off for Osaka, but his mother‘s flying in to Houston.” #firstlinefridays

review
Cinfhen
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Mehso-so

Mixed feelings ~ truly bittersweet. Two men in the process of uncoupling. Mike & Benson can‘t even remember what brought them together until Mike‘s mom comes for a visit, just as Mike is preparing to leave. I‘m glad I listened to the audio, I‘m pretty sure I would have bailed in print. This book was slow, lots of dialogue but buried in the words was some very heartbreaking storytelling. I just don‘t think this book will stay with me. #ToB21 👇🏼

BarbaraBB What happened to our syncing 👯‍♀️😉? It WILL make our own little #ToB quite interesting though 😘 3y
Cinfhen What book is Memorial up against @BarbaraBB ??? Now I need to read Telephone 3y
See All 13 Comments
Cinfhen Hmmmm, it‘s up against Children‘s Bible... I‘m not sure which way to vote🤔 I didn‘t love Bible but it was shorter and more memorable for me @BarbaraBB 3y
Megabooks Yes, I think it was a bad choice to read this in print, but to me it was a disappointment. 3y
Cinfhen The audio wasn‘t really that much more engaging @Megabooks it just freed up my time, in that I could do other things while listening 👂🏼 😜Meanwhile I just read the first chapter of Telephone and I‘m hooked @BarbaraBB Have you read this one, Meg 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen yes, I have read it. I didn‘t like it as much as Barbara, but it‘s definitely a thought-provoking read. 👍🏻 3y
Reggie I liked it not only because it was a book about a gay relationship which we don‘t read enough about but it‘s not all rainbows and butterflies. And sometimes there‘s big suitcases of baggage we bring to them. Sometimes we can overcome it sometimes we can‘t. I loved this book even though it made me cry for 30 minutes afterwards. And as clever as I think Children‘s Bible is I hope this one beats it. 3y
Cinfhen I understand your POV @Reggie I did appreciate that Memorial really was a story about a relationship, but the two people involved were both males. It didn‘t feel like a “forced” set-up. Bryan Washington writes what he knows and it felt real. (edited) 3y
Kalalalatja I really liked Benson‘s pov, and could have read a book all about him, but it fell flat for me with Mike, and in the end I lost my engagement in the story. I still liked this more than Children‘s Bible, though 😅 3y
Librarybelle Great review! It does sound like a bittersweet book. 3y
BarbaraBB @Kalalalatja @Reggie @Cinfhen I loved how Washington played with me as a reader because during the first half of the book I blamed Mike and was sure he must be an asshole but then we met Mike and I shouldn‘t have trusted Benson completely because Mike turned out to be so human too. That‘s why I loved it so much. 3y
Cinfhen I see that @BarbaraBB they were both flawed 3y
98 likes13 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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#AudioWalk #HeartSpotting Another book that seems to be 90% dialogue #ToB21 I listened to Bryan Washington narrate his short story collection and I found his voice very robotic and now once again I‘m disappointed by his lack of emotion 😕

BarbaraBB Oh I love that detached voice. Gives me the possibility to add emotions myself 😀 3y
Megabooks Interested to read your final thoughts! 3y
Cinfhen I‘m ambivalent at the moment @Megabooks it‘s not a pan but Im not LOVING it. I‘m midway through Mike‘s narrative. I think I have 3 hours of audio left 3y
See All 6 Comments
Cathythoughts I‘m looking at your shoes ...they look nice 💫... love shoes 3y
Cinfhen Thanks @Cathythoughts they‘re my old ratty sneakers ☺️ but they are so comfy 3y
Cathythoughts The best shoes of all ❤️❤️❤️the old ones we love 3y
92 likes6 comments
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Cinfhen
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Lots of mixed opinions on this one ☝️ #ToB21 Curious to see where I‘ll land and hoping I can use this for #ReadingAsia21 #Japan

Reggie Lol 🤞🏼☘️ 3y
Cinfhen I‘m remembering now that im NOT a fan of Bryan Washington‘s narration/ his voice is SO FLAT and robotic @Reggie 3y
Abailliekaras I loved it! 3y
See All 8 Comments
BarbaraBB You can definitely use it for Japan. I loved this book but it‘s no rom-com at all as the blurb states 3y
Cinfhen Oh good @BarbaraBB #Japan 💓💓💓 3y
Cinfhen Good to hear @Abailliekaras 😁we generally have similar taste in books 3y
Librarybelle Hooray for another #ReadingAsia2021 read! 3y
Cinfhen I know @Librarybelle 🥳❤️ 3y
95 likes8 comments
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ClairesReads
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Mehso-so

This is a story about relationships that aren‘t going very well for a whole range of reasons. Because of this, much of the action involves people feeling awful, and being relatively awful to each other in a range of ways. What I liked about it, was the eye Washington has for small moments of real human connection. In the end it felt like there was too much void of connection, in this novel whose message seemed to be “only connect”.

BarbaraBB I loved those connection! 3y
ClairesReads @BarbaraBB it‘s definitely a polarising one. I agree, there were some especially well-painted moments of connection here. Just wasn‘t quite enough to bring it together for me. 3y
BarbaraBB Reviews are very mixed indeed. 3y
38 likes3 comments
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cariashley
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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I don‘t know when this trend of authors‘ initials on the fronts of hardbacks started, but I like it. 5 and a half hours in and enjoying my second read of #24in48, 10th of #TOB21!

BarbaraBB Such a good book! 3y
46 likes1 comment
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Redwritinghood
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Mehso-so

This started strong, but quickly lost momentum. It is a story about romantic relationships centered around the relationship of Benson and Mike, but it‘s also about the relationships of others in their lives (parents, co-workers). We don‘t get that much insight into the actual relationship of the two narrators so much as we do their individual hang ups. Overall, everyone seems pretty miserable and we get to find out what everyone is eating (?).

BarbaraBB I loved this one but I see what you mean. I‘m a sucker for Japanese food too 😉 3y
Ruthiella Yes! I wish he had written about why Mike and Ben came together in the first place with the same details he gave to the food. It all came at the end which was too late for me. 😬 3y
Trashcanman ❤❤😃🤗🤗 3y
47 likes3 comments
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Tonton
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Cathythoughts Exciting... must have a look 3y
Soubhiville That picture is hilarious! 3y
batsy 😆🐶 3y
LeahBergen I love this photo! 😆 3y
34 likes4 comments
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Victoria6
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Book #3: Another Christmas present from the fiancee! Loved this writing style

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Reviewsbylola
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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A stack of books finished in January.

Overall I read 21.5. Not only is that an amazing number for me, but I also had two substantial bails this month. The .5 is for one of the bails, Fingerpost, since I got 400 pages in before throwing in the towel. 😂 After 5 days, I couldn‘t allow it to count for nothing.

12.5 physical books
1 ebook
8 audiobooks

Top books of the month: Transcendent Kingdom, Memorial, and The Sisters Brothers.

vivastory I think I read 22 this month 😂 Also, your top picks of the month are *chef's kiss* 3y
Kalalalatja Transcendent Kingdom is so good! 3y
Reggie That‘s quite the stack! 3y
Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
85 likes4 comments
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lauraisntwilder
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

I don't remember the last time a book made me cry this much. This one was on all the Best of 2020 lists and deserved to be. It made me homesick for Houston.

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rsteve388
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
Pickpick

This was a beautiful story. It was written in such a way that at some points throughout, it felt like a poem and at other times it felt like a novel. It explored, love, family and the importance of relationships.

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Abailliekaras
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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New episode of Books on The Go is up! Memorial by Bryan Washington. We loved this book! 🎧💕

BarbaraBB Me too! 3y
j.rye I just got this one! 3y
Abailliekaras @BarbaraBB glad you enjoyed it! @j.rye Yay! Hope you like it. 3y
33 likes1 stack add3 comments
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rsteve388
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Up Next:
1.) Physical Book: Memorial By Bryan Washington
2.) Audiobook: Leave The World Behind by Rumaan Alam

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Decalino
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

Ben has to cope when his boyfriend Mike unexpectedly leaves for Japan to spend time with his dying father; meanwhile, Mike's mother has arrived for a visit, just as her son is leaving. Told from alternating perspectives, Memorial quietly explores the relationship between two men with difficult fathers, and their legacies of poor communication, anger, rejection and abandonment.

18 likes1 stack add
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Reviewsbylola
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Bryan Washington‘s in the house! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Even on zoom, I get overwhelmed by the celebrity of authors like this. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I‘m starstruck!

britt_brooke 🤩 3y
BarbaraBB How cool you‘re in a zoom with him! 3y
97 likes2 comments
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Reviewsbylola
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Pickpick

#bookspinbingo update, halfway through the month. This book also counts toward #booked2021 #authorsfirstnamestartswithABorC

I will be thinking about this one for a long time. Washington‘s previous success with short stories shines through in the style of this book. It was so insightful and packed a punch, but to the extent that I feel ill need to read it multiple times to get the true impact. #botm #botmbacklogchallenge

Cinfhen So now you‘re on the pick team too!!!! Hmmmm, I may need to pick up the audio 3y
Cinfhen Have you read this @britt_brooke ?!?? @Megabooks was NOT a fan but Steph, @BarbaraBB @CarolynM @KarenUK @Reggie loved it!!! 3y
Megabooks Maybe I‘m wrong. Idk. I was just so disappointed because I loved his short stories so much, and I really didn‘t like this at all. Maybe I‘ll reread it someday. @Cinfhen 3y
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Cinfhen I feel like you probably WILL reread one day....you‘re good that way. I‘m pretty much #OneAndDone 😹 @Megabooks (edited) 3y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen No, I haven‘t. I‘ve been on the fence ... maybe I‘ll wait and see what you think. 😉 3y
Cinfhen Ha @britt_brooke 💚💚💚 3y
Reviewsbylola I would be so curious to see what you think of this one. @cinfhen I‘m slightly more confident that @britt_brooke would like it! 3y
Reviewsbylola And tbh I‘m a little surprised #megabooks didn‘t like it! 3y
britt_brooke @Reviewsbylola Hmm, all right, I think I‘ll stack it. 😊 3y
Reviewsbylola I‘m getting nervous now. 😅 @britt_brooke 3y
86 likes11 comments
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TrishB
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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Bargain U.K./Irish friends 😁😁

CarolynM Absolutely worth 99p🙂 3y
Cathythoughts I‘ll definitely takes chance ... 👍🏻💕 3y
Cathythoughts Not on sale here 🤷🏼‍♀️😡 3y
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Cinfhen Awesome deal.... 3y
TrishB @Cathythoughts oh no! U.K. and Ireland used to be the same. Maybe Brexit effect.... 3y
Cathythoughts I know that‘s what I‘m thinking.... I hope not , we‘ll soon see 3y
Cathythoughts I checked again yesterday... still not on sale. Then checked today & 99p 👍🏻😁got it 3y
TrishB @Cathythoughts yay 👍🏻 that‘s cool. Maybe a time lag now? Always worth checking though. 3y
Cathythoughts I‘m glad , I think it‘s going to be good 👍🏻😁 3y
jhod Oooh fantastic! I missed this, I don't think it was in the daily deals! Thanks for sharing 😃 3y
TrishB @jhod it wasn‘t in daily deals, I only looked at it because of reviews on here and was so surprised it was on offer! Enjoy 👍🏻 3y
85 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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Reviewsbylola
Memorial: A Novel | Bryan Washington
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I get to hear this author speak on zoom tomorrow! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

That said, reviews on this one had me scurred. Now that I‘m a good chunk into it, I can totally see why it has its detractors. I‘m not sure it will end up being love for me, but I am enjoying it. Also, is is just me or is Mike a huge douche? #botm #bathandbook

Ruthiella I had a hard time understanding what Benson and Mike saw in each other. Both of their behavior is highly questionable at times. When you get to the end, however, I think there‘s more understanding for why they act out as they do. 3y
Prairiegirl_reading I was definitely not a fan of this one. 😕 3y
Hooked_on_books Mike definitely comes across as a huge douche initially. But I felt he gained some nuance through the book. Or maybe the reader gains some understanding of how he ended up the way he is. 3y
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Cinfhen I‘m curious where I will fall..... 3y
BarbaraBB I thought so too about Mike until the second half! 3y
CarolynM Leaving straight after his mother arrived seemed like a rotten thing to do, but by the end I got it. 3y
Reggie Yeah, when you get to Japan in the book, you‘ll understand Mike more. 3y
Reviewsbylola I‘m on Mike‘s part now and it‘s funny how my feelings toward him have completely changed. I‘m conflicted. 😅 @Ruthiella @Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB @CarolynM @Reggie 3y
BarbaraBB I loved that, how he as a writer is able to take us with him wherever he wants! I actually ended up liking Mike better! 3y
emilyhaldi Oh! I am way down on the holds list for this at the library... maybe I‘ll just borrow yours when you‘re finished 😄 3y
Reviewsbylola I was literally just thinking about offering you my copy. I think you‘ll like it! You should get a ticket for the zoom tonight. I think they‘re only $5 and Gramercy does a great job with their zoom author events. This is the third one I‘m doing. @emilyhaldi 3y
8little_paws I really want to reread it this year actually. The characters are MESSY. They are nuanced though. I think I will reread both his books actually.
3y
Reviewsbylola I was just thinking that I‘ll definitely hold on to this one! I donate the majority of my books when I‘m done with them but I could see myself revisiting this one. @8little_paws 3y
97 likes13 comments