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Innocents and Others
Innocents and Others: A Novel | Dana Spiotta
From a major, unnervingly intelligent writer (Joy Williams)rich, funny, learned, and tonally fresh (Jeffrey Eugenides), comes a novel about aspiration, film, work, and love.Dana Spiottas new novel is about two women, best friends, who grow up in LA in the 80s and become filmmakers. Meadow and Carrie have everything in commonexcept their views on sex, power, movie-making, and morality. Their lives collide with Jelly, a loner whose most intimate experience is on the phone. Jelly is older, erotic, and mysterious. She cold calls powerful men and seduces them not through sex but through listening. She invites them to reveal themselves, and they do. Spiotta is a wonderfully gifted writer with an uncanny feel for the absurdities and sadnesses of contemporary life, and an unerring ear for how people talk and try to cope today (The New York Times). Innocents and Others is her greatest novelwise, artful, and beautiful.
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Pickpick

What a joy to reread this novel. Spiotta plays with style, including articles with comments, and transcribed films. The narrators are varying degrees of unreliable. Very character driven rather than plot driven with the overarching theme of what makes a person good? Motifs of film, time, and sound. Definitely not a book for everyone but gorgeously done.

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CollapsingLibrary
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I have to work this Labor Day so I‘m doing so with a good book! This is my #blindbook I titled blue samples on my bingo board this month and it feels very fitting for the book itself. I loved this book when I first read it 5-6 years ago so I‘m excited to read it again!

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Pickpick

⭐️4/5
This niche book(definitely not a popular masses novel) captivated me due to its uniqueness coming together well, even if it doesn‘t seem like it at the time. A disjointed, non linear time line that follows women working within or in spite of Hollywood. It asks big questions that leaves you feeling… almost floundering but in a good way. Definitely not for everyone though, I‘d say only a select audience will enjoy this as much as I did.

Taylor I loved this one. 5y
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Tex2Flo
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This one might be too smart or cool for me. It has a bit of a Jennifer Egan Welcome to the Goon Squad feel about it. Let me say that I like it so fa, but don‘t know why.

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BeckyK
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I‘ve found a local book club finally and this is the next read. I‘ve never heard of it, but it sounds interesting! Have any of you read this? Im wondering if its worthwhile to read for the club or go in for the next book :)

susanw I remember liking this one. Well written, female sort of friendship book, I think. 7y
L_auren I love Dana Spiotta‘s Books (including this one) but they don‘t seem to be popular or loved by most 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
BeckyK @susanw Ahhh good. I‘ve seen only good reviews but it‘s the first I‘ve heard of her! 7y
BeckyK @L_auren It‘s strange, I don‘t know if it‘s maybe because I‘m in the UK? There doesn‘t seem to be much awareness of her at all. I‘m quite pleasantly surprised this book group has chosen her! :) 7y
23 likes4 comments
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Asktheletters
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Novels about fictional filmmakers are 100% in my wheelhouse, so I really enjoyed this. Beyond the story itself, it's also an interesting exploration of what it means to be "authentic" (maybe, I think).

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Yellowpigeon
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Something I needed to hear

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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post! (I'm sorry I keep churning these posts out, but there's so darn many I want to share with you, my fellow bibliophiles! Hope you don't mind.) So, this story is about two girls who grew up together in 1980s LA and have gone on to become successful filmmakers. They have everything in common except certain views, like sex, power, & morality. They meet a loner who seduces powerful men via phone sex. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Alfoster Ooooh, looks like my kind of book! Thanks! 8y
Alfoster Dang it! I didn't need another book but you made me buy it! No tater tots for you!😳👏👏👏😍😂😂 8y
smh1111 Love your suggestions! Keep sharing! 8y
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BooksForEmpathy I have this sitting on my shelf! It's so intriguing... 8y
monkeygirlsmama Don't apologize! It's awesome and I find myself looking forward to what you will post next. 😏 8y
SaraFair I will be taking any and all recs/synopses! Keep them coming. 8y
LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 8y
86 likes8 stack adds8 comments
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shawnmooney
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How about this new hardcover edition of Spiotta's novel, coming out next week from Picador Books? Oh my God I want it so bad!

BookishTrish Me too 8y
33 likes1 comment
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KatG
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My #Topreadsof2016. Happy New Year, Everyone! #Seasonsreadings2016

Reviewsbylola Looking forward to News of the World and Another Brooklyn. 8y
KatG @Reviewsbylola News of the World is one I would likely never have read without the many recommendations here on Litsy. A fun discovery! 8y
24 likes2 comments
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bouquinista
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I'm having a really hard time getting into this, which surprises me b/c it's got a lot of things I normally love - smart/artistic female characters, meandering reflections on the nature of art, etc. But something about it is just rubbing me the wrong way. Might have to take a break and come back to it.

CAGirlReading It took me a few chapters to get into it as well but it does pick up as you go on😄 8y
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

A deep dive into female friendship and how it can grow and change as people do.

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Taylor
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Pickpick

Sometimes it was as introspective as a classic Russian novel, like a Tolstoy. This blew me away. And now I am going to read another Spiotta book, as I haven't read any others.

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Taylor

This novel makes me want to watch movies all day.

CAGirlReading Me too!😃 8y
Taylor @CAGirlReading I'm still near the beginning, but so far it's intensely good. 8y
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CAGirlReading
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Pickpick

#recommendsday This book for me is an example of why I shouldn't judge a book by its cover (or its description). I was not looking forward to reading this but I was very pleasantly surprised. Spiotta did an excellent job developing her characters and weaving together the stories and struggles of three very different women. 💯

Matilda I loved this one! 8y
jennifersmeth Glad to see this bc I've avoided it bc of the cover 8y
raelaschoenherr What made you read it? Glad it exceeded expectations! 8y
CAGirlReading @raelaschoenherr I was going to hear her speak with another author I really like so I wanted to read a book of hers before it but then I wasn't able to go so it ended up at the bottom of my TBR pile📚📚 8y
raelaschoenherr Interesting! I'm always intrigued when people read a book with a cover they hate since it's more often the reason people pick up a book. 8y
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Lupita.Reads
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this novel. The complexity of humanity it is able to capture truly inspired me and moved me. Definitely one to read slow and spend some time understanding the depth of each character that Spiotta is able to build. Adding it to my favorites of 2016.

MrBook What pairing have you presented us with this evening? 😋 8y
Matilda Yes. Yes. Yes. 8y
susanw I also loved this one! 8y
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Lupita.Reads

"In the years after he had left her, Jelly would trace the way they unraveled in her mind. She thought if she could figure out the place they came apart, she could fix it and he would return to her. Being left was bottomless. Not only in the moment, but the way it gave the lie to all the moments that preceded it. Is that true? Is love real and true only if it continues? Was it revealed to be "not love" when it unraveled?"

jessicarenee 💜📖 8y
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CAGirlReading
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Officially signed up for 24in48! This will likely be my reading selections unless I decide to deviate from my TBR...decisions decisions...

Melkyl Go with Sedaris and Obama's Dreams from my Father. Both are very good reads. 8y
Howseldomtheydo ❤️ Sedaris 8y
SharonGoforth Great stack! Loved Did You Ever Have A Family. 8y
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Megabooks Sedaris! I thought Innocents and Others was just okay. If you really like film, you will enjoy it more. 8y
MrsV I have to agree with everyone on the Sedaris. 8y
Caryl I like @Melwilk 's plan. Alternate between those two! 8y
MrBook You can do it! I'm keeping the faith for you, even in the face of indecision and exasperation. 8y
Carol Yay readathon! Can't wait. 8y
Suzze I have no plan. I'll read what calls me at the time. 😀 8y
ReviewsandReadathons I have a strategy. And lots of options. Will likely post my own TBR mid-week. 8y
SaraFair The stacks are making me crazy! Love it. 8y
LeeRHarry I have the Fish Ladder quite high up on my TBR pile, be interested to see what you think 😊 8y
127 likes12 comments
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Alena
Pickpick

"Can an image convey something unnameable, impossible, invisible?" That's the central idea of Spiotta's smart, complicated novel. This wasn't an easy read, especially the references to obscure films, but it made me question the stories we tell, ourselves and others.

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Alena
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This is the thing about films. They don't change. You change. The immutability of the film (or a book or a painting or a piece of music) is something to measure yourself against. That is one of the things a great work of art does. It stays there waiting for you to come back to it...

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Alena
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Today's library haul. Really excited to read Dana Spiotta's newest.

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veracollective
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Literally waited by the mailbox for this one. Worth it.

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Giantsizegeek
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Attended the Bay Area Book Festival this weekend in Berkeley Ca, saw Jonathan Lethem in conversation with Dana Spiotta & afterward bought her book which has a very interesting first chapter!

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jessicarenee
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L_auren Loved this book!! I've been working my way through her others because of it 8y
jessicarenee I'm going to have to do the same. This is the best book I've read in awhile! 8y
Taylor How are her others? 8y
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jessicarenee @Taylor I haven't read anything else of hers yet! But I need to. This one was great 8y
Taylor Yeah. I'm curious to know if the others are close to as good. Do you think? 8y
jessicarenee @Taylor I'm not sure. The descriptions of her others don't grab me quite as much as this one. And my library doesn't have any of her others. So who knows when I'll actually get around to them! 8y
Taylor Same with me with the descriptions. That's why I'm a little skeptical. If I read one I'll let you know. 8y
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jessicarenee
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A blurb on the back of this says Spiotta seems to channel Jean-Luc Godard. Well that's all I need to hear. I'm sold.

Matilda I loved this one. If you like it I recommend Paulina & Fran / and The Life and Death of Sophie Stark. 8y
Deserthorror This book is so good. Just finishing now. Easily top 10 of the year so far. 8y
jessicarenee I finished it this weekend and I loved it too! I will definitely check out those others. Thanks for the recommendation! :) 8y
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RickMoody
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One of my favorite living stylists.

jessicarenee I just started this one! 8y
Mystic.Archives.Of.Dantalian What is it about? The topic sounds interesting 😮 8y
RickMoody So far @The Mystic Archives Of Dantalian it seems to be about a young woman having an affair with an Orson Welles type of guy. The writing is great. 8y
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ChrisStingray
Pickpick

Dana Spiotta is to books what Kubrick is to movies.

CAGirlReading This is on my TBR, can't wait to read it! 8y
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ChrisStingray
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This book is amazing so far. Just the way Spiotta is able to convey art is amazing.

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ChrisStingray
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Lauren.Archer
Mehso-so

The story was ok. There was focus on three different women but it really felt like one main character and supporting stories.

LauraJ Agree with you! 8y
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Lauren.Archer
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Keeping my fingers crossed this is good.

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Deserthorror
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If George Saunders says it's a "thrill ride" I'm in.

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Matilda
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Another awesome $2.99 Amazon/B&N deal! I really enjoyed this one bc I love the "unlikeable" female characters plus it has catfishing before the Internet. If you liked The Life and Death of Sophie Stark I very much recommend.

Neverlistless Thanks for the rec! I've never read anything by her, but just listened to the New Yorker Fiction podcast and she was reading a short story by Joy Williams that was so much fun! 9y
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Megabooks
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Mehso-so

3.5🌟 It took me awhile to figure out how I felt about this book. It could've been so much better if there were an extra 100 pages devoted to Carrie. Her character was so interesting but underdeveloped. It made the whole book disappointing.

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LauraJ
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Mehso-so


This is billed as story about a long friendship between two women, but it's really Meadow's story. She is self-indulgent and so were her sections in the book. I wanted more Carrie, more Jelly. This could have been so much more.

Megabooks I can see what you mean. I finished it last night. My feelings about it are oscillating right now. Not ready to write a review. 9y
LauraJ @Ebooksandcooks It started out strong. 9y
Megabooks Yes, I would agree. I liked the first 75% more than the last 25%. 9y
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Megabooks
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This is why I set aside six weeks a year to re-read my favorite books. I get something new each time.

LitHousewife Love! 9y
Notafraidofwords Is this book good? I'm thinking of getting it? 9y
Megabooks @Ryanira9 I'm very much enjoying the plot and characters. It goes deep into filmmaking and classic films, which I'm not very familiar with, but not so much that it interferes with my enjoyment of the book. I hope that helps! 9y
Notafraidofwords It totally helps! Thanks! 9y
29 likes4 comments
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Megabooks
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I am falling in love with this book! This quote speaks to a number of times in my life.

BibliophileBytheSea That quote sounds familiar like I read it in a diff book recently.😜 9y
15 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
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So I recommended that the library purchase this book, and it came in! I read the reviews on here and they're 100% positive, which makes me very excited. I love stories about women's friendships, and I love stories with intrigue.

LauraJ I'm reading this now too! 9y
Megabooks @LauraJ I can't wait to read your review. 😃 9y
ReadingMusing Ooooh! This sounds good! 9y
Megabooks @ReadingMusing 👍🏻 I'll let you know how it goes. It will probably be middle of next week before I finish it bc I've got 2 in front. 9y
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Matilda
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I suspect me and this book are going to get along smashingly.

BookishClaire I have this on my ereader and I'm hoping to fit it in soon!! 9y
susanw I loved this book. I didn't want it to end. Enjoy! 9y
Matilda I loved it! If you haven't read them I recommend Paulina & Fran and The Life and Death of Sophie Stark. @susanw 9y
susanw @Matilda thanks for the recs, I have Paulina & Fran on my ereader, Good to know it's a winner. 9y
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Robspillman
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"What machines of comforting delusions we humans are."

BookishClaire I need to read this so soon! 9y
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Maris
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"They don't change. You change."

Robspillman So love this novel 9y
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cari_luna
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Perfect Saturday morning

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Maris
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Oops. I forgot I ordered one, so I bought another from Word today. Classic mistake.

Tyler This is actually good. You will want to read it twice! 9y
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susanw
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Pickpick

WOW! Go read this now! Well, on the 8th when it is released. If you like a book about best friends, films and film making, and what makes a person who they are, this checks all your boxes. So very good.

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Tyler
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Pickpick

I'm almost glad I've never read Dana Spiotta before because apparently she is the best and now I have more good books to read. This was GREAT.

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largeheartedboy
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Just started: Dana Spiotta's new novel Innocents and Others.

Robspillman So so excited to interview Spiotta at the Brooklyn Library March 19 9y
totesmarisa 😍 Seriously can't wait for this one! 9y
12 likes2 comments
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Will
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Pickpick

Absolutely, 100% engrossing. A story about friendship, purpose, and the peaks and pitfalls of ambition, "I&O" unspools multiple threads from its central subject, the lifelong friendship of two acclaimed filmmakers. Perfection.

totesmarisa 😍 9y
LauraJ This is my book club's selection for next month. Looking forward to it. 9y
stephopitz So incredible. I loved it. 9y
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Kenny You're making me want to read this but I can't handle any more books. William. 9y
Will I could not put it down. Easily a 24-hr read. I wish I could read it for the first time AGAIN. 9y
stephopitz @Will completely will you. One can, and will want to, read in a day. 9y
RickMoody Among my very favorite contemporary authors. 9y
tgwood I loved STONE ARABIA. 9y
Bridget1 Dana is wonderful! My daughter used to babysit for her and my ex husband played in a band her husband 8y
31 likes35 stack adds9 comments