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The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies | Deesha Philyaw
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church's double standards and their own needs and passions. There is fourteen-year-old Jael, who has a crush on the preacher's wife. At forty-two, Lyra realizes that her discomfort with her own body stands between her and a new love. As Y2K looms, Caroletta's ""same time next year"" arrangement with her childhood best friend is tenuous. A serial mistress lays down the ground rules for her married lovers. In the dark shadows of a hospice parking lot, grieving strangers find comfort in each other. With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be, and as free as they deserve to be.
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BiblioBoyd
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“And you realize that if God were to welcome everyone into heaven, your mother would abandon Christianity immediately.”

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BiblioBoyd
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Pickpick

A collection of short stories, all of which made me think and reflect upon the struggles of reconciling faith and religion, and the roles they play when living out a life of love and passion.

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wanderinglynn
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Pickpick

Normally with a short story collection, I find at least 1 story that I don't like. Sometimes more than 1, and then there will be the ones that I'm meh about, & only one or two I really like. But this collection had no duds. While I liked some more than others, I found each story incredibly layered, thoughtful, and nuanced.

Book 2 for #20in4
Book 5 for #summerreadingchallenge (published by an indie/small press)

AshleyHoss820 Yes!! I am so glad to see others feel the way I felt about this! Absolutely solid collection! ☺️🧡 6mo
59 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Staci
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Pickpick

My favorites are Eula and Peach Cobbler.

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ncsufoxes
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Pickpick

Loved this collection of short stories. The audio narration was great. The nine stories cover stories about love, loss, relationships, sexuality, identity, expectations. I can see why it‘s been so highly praised. Happy that I finally took the time to listen. #bookspin

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 9mo
31 likes1 comment
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jen_hayes7
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Pickpick

Huey and I got through this book of short stories last night. Enjoyed feels like a weird word to use, but I will likely think about these stories for awhile. #huey #catsoflitsy

rubyslippersreads Great photo! 10mo
Leftcoastzen 😻👏 10mo
jen_hayes7 @rubyslippersreads Thanks so much!! 9mo
27 likes3 comments
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AshleyHoss820
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Pickpick

WHY AM I NOT SEEING THIS BOOK EVERYWHERE!? I could not put this collection down; I finished it in one setting. Never have I been so entirely enmeshed & absorbed in a book since J.D. Salinger‘s Nine Stories. The narrative voice diversity. 2nd person narratives done flawlessly. The absolute beautiful, mad humanity. If this book isn‘t being taught in creative writing classes, or literature courses, they‘re wrong. I will never shut up about this book

BarbaraBB Great review. I loved it too! 1y
AshleyHoss820 @BarbaraBB Yay!! Thank you! It was so, so good! ☺️ 1y
JamieArc I remember seeing it talked about a lot when it first came out. Unfortunately, I can‘t quite remember it. Maybe I should do a reread. 1y
See All 7 Comments
AshleyHoss820 @JamieArc That makes me happy! I just want it to get the recognition it deserves! 😄☺️ 1y
AshleyHoss820 This was my Double #BookSpin for April! 1y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 1y
AshleyHoss820 @TheAromaofBooks Slow and steady wins the race! ☺️😄 1y
45 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Pearrr
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April 2023 Wrap Up
- The Secret Lives of Church Ladies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
- The Starless Crown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Before I Let Go ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Antimatter Blues ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- Skeleton Song ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

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emmaturi
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved all the short stories in thus wonderful collection. I heard it's being into a TV show I think. Look forward to see it.

34 likes2 stack adds
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TheGothiqueLibrarian
Pickpick

Anthologies have been so hit or miss in the last few years, it was refreshing to read a set of stories with raw human experience and have the reader sympathize or relate to real characters. Highly recommend. 💜

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CaliforniaCay
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Pickpick

I loved this way more than I was expecting to. I found a lot more familiarity than I was expecting to. I laughed more than I expected to. These were the kind of stories I didn't know I needed, and depicted characters in a way I didn't realize was missing from other books. It felt both old school and modern day. It was funny and sad and romantic and black and proud. So much love for this book 🖤💜💙

KT1432 Yessss I love this review!! I haven‘t reviewed it yet but I read this last year and it was a 5 star read for me. So much familiarity! I want this collection to get more recognition. I LOVED it! 2y
CaliforniaCay @lele1432 Thank you so much for saying this because I finished this book a couple weeks ago and kept trying to type up reviews only to delete them. I felt like what I ended up writing didn't do it justice! 😭 definitely want more people to read this and talk about it. I'm glad you also loved it! 💜💜💜 2y
KT1432 Yesss I think that‘s exactly why I have yet to review it myself lol! 2y
66 likes1 stack add3 comments
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BBooks
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Great book, did the audio version and narrator was great. Only thing I would have like is a separation signal between stories.

10 likes2 stack adds
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jlhammar
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Pickpick

Fresh and bold collection of stories that give voice to women often overlooked. Women who carry so much on their shoulders, who are the backbones of their communities. I‘ll be thinking about these flawed and complex ladies for some time to come. Overall this was just a like, not a love for me, but still glad I read it. Dear Sister and Snowfall were my favs. I think my IRL book club will have lots to discuss when we meet next week!

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bekakins
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Pickpick

LOVED. THIS. Really great collection of short stories, some super funny, some really sad, all thought provoking. Would definitely recommend.

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she.hearts.horror
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Pickpick

The title doesn‘t tell the full story: this is a love letter to Blackness and Black Women. 🖤

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charl08
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Mama would ask me if I wanted to get him something too. No, ma'am. That's just what I told her. No, ma'am.

So Tasheta and me, we fell in line somewhere in the space between Kimba and Renee. Like a daughter purgatory where you don't expect him to get you anything for your birthday or Christmas, ever, but it still hurts like hell every time he doesn't.

58 likes1 stack add
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AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

I liked this, but didn‘t love it as everyone else seems to do.

A short story collection focusing on women and mostly the quest to find love or being in a relationship with the wrong one.

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behudd
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I generally don‘t seek out short story collections, but the title & Janina Edwards as audiobook narrator both interested me enough that I tried this one. As the title implies, these are the stories of the lives “behind closed doors” and look at how people are rarely how they present themselves. At times hopeful & heartbreaking, the writing was engaging and I would be interested to read more of Philyaw‘s work.

Suet624 The narrator was excellent! 3y
behudd @Suet624 agree! She narrates all of Jasmine Guillory‘s books, too :) 3y
39 likes2 comments
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rmaclean4
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Pickpick

4.5 🌟 the writing in these stories just flows. There is an ease and grace in these realistic and gritty stories. Highly recommend. I know I am late to this party, but I am so glad I read this collection finally. Thank you @TheAromaofBooks #DoubleSpin

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

Loved, loved, loved these short stories - thanks for sending it to me for Christmas @BarbaraBB ! ?

It‘s difficult to pick a favourite but I think I liked ‘Peach Cobbler‘.

It must be only just be being published or (re-published) in the UK as it was reviewed in The Times last weekend - they loved it too!

I ❤️ the original cover, but the new one is fun too - perhaps a bit suggestive / risqué?! ?

mcctrish One of my favourite short story collections of all time 3y
Cathythoughts Great review! Stacked 👍🏻❤️ 3y
MicheleinPhilly I loved this book so so much! And agree with @mcctrish. 3y
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squirrelbrain Yes, I‘m not usually a huge fan of short stories, but these were fabulous! @mcctrish @MicheleinPhilly These would be right up your street @Cathythoughts ! 3y
BarbaraBB I‘m so happy you loved it. I did too. I am not a huge fan of short stories per se either but this definitely made it to my favorites, along with 3y
squirrelbrain Ooh, I‘ll stack that one too! @BarbaraBB 3y
82 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

I don‘t often like short story collections but Litsy did not steer me wrong with this one. Each story gives us a glimpse at what lies beneath the polite facade we show others- desire, guilt, shame, a yearning for freedom. I really enjoyed the audio version.

62 likes3 stack adds
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Erinreadsthebooks
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When the #BOTM box, latest #LMPBC book, and Target deals all arrive on the same day 🤩🤓🤩🥳

CoverToCoverGirl Lovely 😊 3y
56 likes1 comment
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Evita
Pickpick

3.5 out of 5

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MallenNC
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Pickpick

This was the last book I was able to finish from my #NYWD list in January. I don‘t normally like short stories but this is a strong collection. Some work better than others, but I loved Dear Sister, Snowfall, and Peach Cobbler, which seems to be the standout for a lot of readers. I related when one of the characters talked about watching Young & the Restless with their grandma. I will definitely read more of this author.

Cinfhen I‘m not a fan of short stories either but this collection was really solid. And it was GREAT on audio 3y
MallenNC @Cinfhen I normally don‘t like short stories bc I feel like I don‘t have time to “get” the characters but these didn‘t have that problem. I liked the narrator on these too. 3y
36 likes2 comments
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Samary
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Pickpick

Great range of feelings and emotions. Some triggers for SA and the audio narration was wonderful.

Sophronisba I really need to read this one. 3y
Samary @Sophronisba a lot it people love Peach Cobbler, but my fave story was Dear Sister. I hope you like it!! 3y
11 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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Secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs…

#secret #beginswith @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Leftcoastzen I loved this one! 3y
vlwelser 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 3y
64 likes4 comments
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bookandbedandtea
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Here are my July through December picks for #12BooksOf2021. It's been a good reading year @Andrew65

Andrew65 Some great choices. 3y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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squirrelbrain
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What a lovely surprise Barbara! This book has so many fabulous reviews here on Litsy, and I just adore the cover and the soap smells delicious!

I hope you‘re having a lovely break… we‘re having a relaxing time, going nowhere and doing nothing. (Other than puppy-managing!)

charl08 Sounds like a perfect break to me. And a lovely fire! 3y
julesG Lovely gift. The book is on #MountTBR. I love the green soap. Good choice, @BarbaraBB. 3y
BarbaraBB Glad it finally arrived. It‘s a great read I thought! 😘 3y
Cathythoughts Looks good 👍 3y
Suet624 It's a wonderful book. Enjoy! 3y
57 likes5 comments
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rsteve388
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#Top21Of21 The Secret Lives of Church Ladies was my favorite book that I read this year. But I thoroughly loved all of the books on this list. Looking forward to what 2022 has in store for me!

Deblovestoread Fantastic list! 3y
Ruthiella We both have Gideon the Ninth on our 2021 list! ❤️ 3y
Bookwormjillk Great list! I had The Guide too. 3y
See All 7 Comments
rsteve388 @Ruthiella I lived that snarky sarcastic duel sword welding character. I was here for that. 3y
rsteve388 @Bookwormjillk I found the river to have a weird Candace and so I loved the Guide on audio, Peter Heller is an audiobook author for me going forward. 3y
BarbaraBB Great choices. I loved Church Ladies too. (edited) 3y
Cinfhen All kinds of fabulous here!! I‘ve tagged for #FurtherInspiration 😍🤓🤩 3y
49 likes1 stack add7 comments
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

I liked this a lot. It was really hard not to devour this book in one sitting. I made myself just listen to 1 at a time. I love this cover. The look on her face is awesome.

This was the bonus December book for my IRL book club. I picked this and feedback from the guys isn't exactly positive. But the girls seem to love it.

Leftcoastzen I really enjoyed this book as well . Wonderful writing! 3y
37 likes1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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MrsMalaprop Intriguing 🤔 3y
BarbaraBB Shouldn‘t this one have been longlisted for #ToB22?! 3y
Well-ReadNeck @BarbaraBB Yes!!! They had several story collections. I was surprised this wasn‘t one. 3y
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Moray_Reads
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Pickpick

Her stories centre on a variety of Black women and their relationships to both the Church and marriage. Their strengths are invisible or taken for granted and Philyaw lays bare the abuse and exploitation they suffer as a result of their colour, their gender and their sexuality.
Each story is a microcosm of heartbreak but because the women are both ordinary and remarkable the vital sparks of hope, intimacy and love are what really shine through.

42 likes1 stack add
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BarbaraBB
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#BookReport 42/21

I managed to finish a few books that had taken me wat too long. This weeks absolute favorite is the tagged one!

Cinfhen I really LOVED Church Ladies too!!! It was FABULOUS on audio 🥰Great reading week xx 3y
TrishB You had a good week 😁 3y
tricours What did you think of Fatland‘s book? 3y
See All 10 Comments
BarbaraBB @tricours I learned a lot about countries I have always been fascinated by and I enjoyed Erika Fatland‘s writing style and attitude. Very down to earth and not overly dramatic. A pick for me! What did you think? 3y
squirrelbrain I need to get to Church Ladies sometime soon…. 3y
TrishB Thank you for the parcel that arrived today 😁😘 I‘m saving it until Tuesday! 3y
Megabooks Great week!! Sovietstan was so interesting. I didn‘t love Church Ladies as much as most people did. (edited) 3y
BarbaraBB @TrishB I‘m happy it arrived in time. I hope you‘ll have a wonderful birthday with lots of love and books ❤️❤️ 3y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks You didn‘t? I‘m surprised. It seems so in your wheelhouse ❤️ 3y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I hope you will. I‘m sure you‘ll love it too 😘 3y
71 likes10 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

There's so much more than the church in the lives of the women in the nine stories that form this little gem of a book. I enjoyed all nine of them and felt strangely proud of these women, their strength, their choices, their fears and their passion. A great read!

Graywacke I‘m intrigued, but also love how you just quietly give us this beautiful background in your photo. 3y
vlwelser We're reading this for my IRL book club in December. I'm definitely looking forward to it. I also love your picture. 3y
BarbaraBB @Graywacke @vlwelser Thank you. It‘s a book worth reading. The backdrop is a canal I walk by on my way to work. It‘s a beauty, no?! 3y
MicheleinPhilly I loved this book oh so much. 3y
BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly It is fantastic. A tribute to women 💪🏽 3y
86 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Bookboss
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Pickpick

I had a grand time listening to this collection of short stories. I expected it to deal with hypocrisy in the church, but the stories had a much broader reach. They delved into all of the important relationships: romance, friendship, and family. The narrator is excellent!

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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Downright spectacular. Do you ever read fiction and just know particular scenes are going to stick with you? This book is full of these! Peach cobbler will never be the same! 😂😢🍑
Full of heartache but also love and even a bit of humor sprinkled throughout. Perspectives of black women who are impacted by church in some way. I‘ve read such great things about this and happy to say they are all true. Listen to the audiobook if you get the chance.

Bookboss Just downloaded the audiobook from my library! 3y
Chelsea.Poole @Bookboss hope you love it! 3y
84 likes2 comments
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underground_bks
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Pickpick

After being enthralled by this book cover for months, I‘m glad I finally listened to this beautifully narrated audiobook edition of Deesha Philyaw‘s short story collection. These nine stories span four generations, focusing on the vulnerability, sexuality, secrets, religious constraints of the Black women at the center of each story. These stories display such range, alternatingly funny, shocking, tender, and wise, each, above all, achingly human.

Trashcanman What a great review 👍 3y
underground_bks @Trashcanman thank you so much! 3y
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kyraleseberg
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Excited to devour this entire issue of Oxford American but I may have to jump immediately to the new Deesha Philyaw story.
(I'm still recovering from being knocked out by the tagged book!)

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Kaarin
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Pickpick

Collection of short stories. The author creates specific, visceral interactions between characters.

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mrp27
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July #Wrapup

July was a whirlwind so I‘m surprised I read this much. Fangs was disappointing but I enjoyed all the rest. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies was a standout and as always Dolly was a delight.

paperwitchs One day I really wanna go to Dollywood and see her 😭 3y
mrp27 @paperwitchs That would be fun to do! 3y
27 likes2 comments
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

Beautiful collection of short stories. ? Deesha Philyaw is an incredible writer. I'm in awe of her talent after finishing this book. Each story is different and yet the themes of women seeking freedom and identity from the constraints placed on them by society to be "good" makes this an impressively cohesive collection.

I would love to read more by this author. I'm a big fan now.

alisiakae I‘ve heard good things about this! 3y
CollapsingLibrary I read it as an audiobook and LOVED it! I‘m not typically a fan of audiobooks but the voice actor did an amazing job brining these gorgeous stories to life! 3y
44 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

Since I‘m driving again to & from work, I‘m listening to books again.
I liked Shit, Actually, but it‘s a soft pick for me. Some essays I enjoyed more than others.
The tagged took me awhile to get into, but there were several stories that I really loved.

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Mitch
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Pickpick

I don't usually gravitate towards short stories - but these were amazing. Philyaw writes real women, she write women who love, who bleed, who hurt and desire. I saw bits of me in her women and my heart felt for them all. Her writing is amazing - she creates place and nostalgia, character and history without anything crowing the page. Loved these!

81 likes3 stack adds
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Mitch
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Grabbing a quiet hour - I‘m nearing the end of this short collection and feeling good about finishing a book ( slump over!)

Cupcake12 Love Woodford in the background 🤣❤️🐶🐾 3y
Mitch @Cupcake12 He has some amazing sleeping poses! 3y
AmyG Well, Woodford is happy! 🙌🏻❤️ 3y
See All 6 Comments
Mitch @AmyG He seems to take change in his stride! 🤣 3y
CBee @Mitch hi friend! Glad the move went well, the new place looks lovely ♥️ 3y
AlaMich I love it when dogs do that! 3y
76 likes6 comments
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Mitch
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Suffice it to say I will never enjoy Peach Cobbler again!

Erinsuereads 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 3y
81 likes1 comment
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Mitch
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Trying to get back into a reading rhythm- because I think I‘ve realised that it‘s that rhythm that makes everything else in life fall into place. So a short story before bed ( I usually do not go for shorts - but think something contained will kick start the ‘reading focus‘ gene!)

BookishMarginalia 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 3y
Soubhiville This book was really good! I hope you‘ll like it. 3y
AmyG I am off kilter when I don‘t read. 3y
See All 7 Comments
Lreads I like the idea of a personal reading rhythm being grounding. ☺️📚 3y
Mitch @QuietlyLaura it most definitely is for me - it gives me structure and depth I think - hard emotions to put words to 🙏 3y
Mitch @AmyG most definitely 3y
Mitch @Soubhiville just finished the one focused around the Peach Cobbler - sooo good! 3y
77 likes7 comments
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rsteve388
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Pickpick

What an amazing collection of short stories. I just flew through this book. It was heart breaking at points and funny in others. Excellent, Loved the Narration.

Mitch I‘ve just started this. I have zero concentration at the moment so though shorts was the way to go! 3y
30 likes1 comment
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rsteve388
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This is such an excellent book on Audio! Janina Edwards is an excellent Narrator and does all of Jasmine Guillory's Books. What a fun weekend read! Loving it!

32 likes1 stack add