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Hand That First Held Mine
Hand That First Held Mine | Maggie O'Farrell
From the best-selling author of "The Vanishing of Esme Lennox" comes a spellbinding novel that shows there are no accidents, in life and in love. Frustrated with her parents' genteel country life, Lexie Sinclair plans her escape to London. There, she takes up with Innes Kent, a magazine editor who introduces her to the thrilling, underground world of bohemian, postwar Soho. She learns to be a reporter, comes to know art and artists, and embraces her freedom fully. So when she finds herself pregnant, she doesn't hesitate to have the baby on her own. Later, in present-day London, a young painter named Elina dizzily navigates the first weeks of motherhood and finds she can't remember giving birth, while her boyfriend Ted is flooded with memories and images he cannot place. As their stories unfold moving in time and changing voice chapter by chapter a connection between the three of them takes shape that drives the novel towards a tremendous revelation. Praised by "The Washington Post" as a breathtaking, heart-breaking creation, "The Hand That First Held Mine" is a gorgeous and tenderly wrought story about the ways in which love and beauty bind us together."
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Gissy
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#12Booksof2023 Month: July @Andrew65

I didn‘t read much either that month but what I read was wonderful. I like Maggie O‘Farrel writing style and I just enjoy so much this book. I enjoyed also Instructions for A Heatwave.

But I have to mention Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix and The Spite House and TheHaunting of Leigh Harker. Sorry, they were great but if I have to choose one, then it was the tagged one ☝️ 🤗

I love my edition😍

Andrew65 I enjoyed the one Maggie O‘Farrell book I read in July, and am wanting to read more of her books. 3mo
Gissy @Andrew65 I have red 4 of her books and with the exception of Marriage Portrait, I loved them. That last one maybe I compared it with the previous books I read and didn‘t enjoy much. 3mo
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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LapReader
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In between BWF lectures on Saturday I went berserk at this op shop in beautiful Bangalow, where the books and magazines were only 50c each! The clothes were even a good price for nowadays ranging from $4-$8. I didn‘t have time to try them on unfortunately so the red flowery one doesn‘t fit 😭 You win some, you lose some. I left behind a bit of fabric I wish I didn‘t. I got some envelopes for #Litsylove I wear full pieces when I surf.

jdiehr So, is an op shop the same as a thrift store? I love seeing your found treasures, by the way 🙂 7mo
LapReader Sure is @jdiehr Ta 7mo
33 likes2 comments
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Gissy
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From yesterday #Two4Tuesday
🌳 tagged book
🌳Since I read Hamnet and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, I wanted to read more books by this author. I really like her writing style, her atmosphere descriptions and character development. Now thanks to #AuthorAMonth challenge, I read 3 more of her books last month. Trying to read as much as I can, books from my physical tbr during this challenge.

Thank you @TheSpineView 🥰♥️♥️♥️.

TheSpineView You're welcome and thanks for playing!🤩📖📚 8mo
31 likes1 comment
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Gissy
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Pickpick

After I read Hamnet and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, I wanted to read more books by this author. Someone from Litsy recommended me this one. Maybe is not the best story but the writing style create the atmosphere to love it. This is a character driven novel with slow pace. It was fascinating to me how well she described the characters, I felt I was in their heads specifically with Elina, Ted, Lexie. The story goes from past to present⬇️

Gissy (Cont) because there is something that unite them, something from the past. Ted is experiencing difficulties to remember some events from his past. And then, you will be connecting all these dots. But so well described. Loved it! And that cover? So pretty to me, this book is so heavy with high quality pages 4/4.5⭐️
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
Part of this book was read it during #JubilantJuly Readathon @Andrew65 but completed on 7/24.
8mo
Gissy July #BookSpinBingo (#4) I made a bingo with this book @TheAromaOfBookd

#ISpyBingo July cover you love @Clwojick @TheAromaOfBooks
(edited) 8mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 8mo
48 likes3 comments
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Texreader
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Pickpick

Two stories decades apart are told, one about Lexie becoming a modern woman in early-to-mid 20th century in London, the other about Elina, struggling with motherhood following a birth that nearly killed her and a less than sensitive husband. How these 2 stories intertwine is imaginative and well-told…except… I did not like how the author changed directions from Elina‘s tragic experience to her husband‘s crisis. I think it diminished the impact ⬇️

Texreader of both. It honestly felt like the author changed her mind about the direction of Elina‘s and her husband‘s story and rather than a rewrite, miraculously cured Elina so the focus could be on her husband. Still, it was a good story and a very interesting twist. #authoramonth (edited) 8mo
55 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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Pickpick

A slow-medium paced book that follows the stories of a woman and a couple. I found the different story lines each had strong sections and weaker sections where I wasn't as engaged - but they seemed to alternate. It was refreshing to not know exactly how the two different stories linked together for the majority of the book. The descriptions of Soho in the 50s really transported you to that time. Overall I enjoyed it.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

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Texreader
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My next audiobook. #authoramonth @Soubhiville

63 likes2 stack adds
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Jas16
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Mehso-so

I am so glad that #authoramonth is giving me a reason to delve into O‘Farrell‘s backlist although I didn‘t like this as much as her more recent works. Two storylines in two time periods about strong, unconventional women who become mothers. I O‘Farrell‘s writing but audio may have been a bad choice for this one because it all became rather monotonous.

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Jess861
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Sweater weather morning on the lake. The loons are out and enjoying the water. Hopefully it warms up so we can spend the day in the water. A cup of English Breakfast tea and a library book while the kids are still asleep.

#EnglishBreakfast #Tea #CottageReading #LibraryBook #Loons

CoffeeAndABook Sounds like a perfect morning and a fun day ahead 🙌🏼☀️ 9mo
Soubhiville That‘s my favorite time of day! 9mo
Jess861 @Soubhiville Completely agree - so peaceful! 9mo
BarbaraJean That looks glorious! 9mo
dabbe Lovely! 💜 💛 💜 9mo
53 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Jess861
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Finished my last read much quicker than expected so I'm diving into one of the library books even though we still have a bit before we go to the cottage. Overcast, dragonfruit tea, a book and the backyard deck - what more could I ask for?

#AuthorAMonth #DragonfruitTea #WeekendReading #DeckReading

slategreyskies That drink looks so good! 💕 9mo
Jess861 @slategreyskies - Starbucks - Dragonfruit Tea if you are interested! So delicious! 9mo
50 likes1 stack add2 comments
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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this, but not as much as the author‘s more recent works. In the 1950s, Lexie leaves her life in the country for the bright lights of London. In the present day Elina and Ted are struggling after the birth of their first child. I spent the first third of the book desperately trying to link the two timelines together. Once I relaxed into it and just went with the flow I enjoyed it a lot more.

#aam
#52books23 #scriptfontonthespine

Librarybelle I‘ve yet to read anything by O‘Farrell, but I have a couple of her books on my to read list! 9mo
Cinfhen I couldn‘t get through this book😯I MUCH prefer her HF as opposed to her earlier works 🤷🏼‍♀️ 9mo
Cathythoughts This is the first one of hers I read. I remember really enjoying it. 9mo
79 likes4 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Two storylines unravel side by side, following Lexie and Elina as they move through various major events in their lives. I thought I knew how the stories related, but I gradually understood it was different than I thought. After I got into both stories, I really enjoyed this.

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one too 👍🏻❤️ 10mo
Deblovestoread Glad to see this as I have it earmarked for #AuthorAMonth in July 😊 10mo
TrishB I enjoyed this one 👍🏻 10mo
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB You really can‘t go wrong with her! 10mo
sarahbarnes I loved the books I've read by her and this one is on my list. Glad to see you enjoyed it! 10mo
Megabooks Exactly how I felt! 10mo
58 likes1 stack add6 comments
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lynneamch
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Such a clever cover. The jacket is translucent with a face and another face shows through from the hardcover underneath. Loved the story, too. #MagicMarch #Faceonthecover @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs How clever!! 12mo
39 likes1 comment
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LapReader
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Today I went to the book shop cause I needed it. This Xmas I‘m making it simple cause Covid says so so I‘m doing my best to embrace it. The bottom book is a guest book cause despite always complaining about visitors all summer long, I actually miss them. I‘ll try to rest up instead. I‘m a sucker for a book about France & that‘s exactly what the book 2nd from the bottom is about. The tagged author is a new fav of mine. Merry Xmas to me and you lot.

MrsMalaprop Love Maggie O‘Farrell. Merry Christmas 🎄. 2y
DivineDiana Merry Christmas to you! Books always help us feel better! 🎄📚🎁 2y
CarolynM Sounds like Newcastle is doing it tough this Christmas ☹ Hang in there! Sending love and hugs and hoping you have some Christmas cheer, even if its just you and your man💕💕 2y
46 likes3 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Pickpick

Unabashedly love Maggie O'Farrell.
Her writing is always beautiful, her characters complex. I wouldn't say this was my favorite of hers but I did enjoy it. I could see the intersection of storylines coming, like seeing a car crash that you cannot stop. The story of Lexi and her rise was more of a draw for me throughout the book, but both stories and the overlapping balance was well done.

Librariana I am not familiar with Maggie O'Farrell. What would you say is your favorite book by her? 3y
ChaoticMissAdventures @Librariana she has been winning some awards for her great Hamnet which is the fictionalized telling of the life of Shakespeare's son. But my favorite is her autobiography, it is a ride should come with lots of trigger warnings (rape, birth, abuse, drowning, a few more I cannot remember) but it is capital G Gorgeous and really interesting the situations she has lived through. 3y
19 likes2 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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“Listen. The trees in this story are stirring, trembling, readjusting themselves. A breeze is coming in gusts off the sea, and it is almost as if the trees know, in their restlessness, in their head-tossing impatience, that something is about to happen“

I am, as always, blown away by Maggie O'Farrell's writing. I do not normally read her genre of books but her writing is just too wonderful not to.

Cathythoughts Lovely book ❤️👍🏻 3y
8 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#Weeklyforcast
And oldie from the bookcase, my #bookspin, a Women's Prize #longlist and a #Booker long list. Getting things ✅

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#bookspinBingo tag book I already started. This month I am determined to get at least 2 bingos! It feels so good to get these books off my TBR.

Thanks @thearomaofbooks for all your hard work on this fun adventure.

#bookspin #tbrpine #mayreads

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Looks fantastic!!! 3y
11 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

It took me about 25% to get into this book, but once I did, I enjoyed it! I think Lexie is one of my favorite characters so far this year.

In one storyline, Lexie follows her dreams from rural Devon to London in the 1950s. The other storyline follows new parents Elina and Ted, as they cope with her near-death during their son‘s birth in 2010. While I figured out the twist, it still unfolded marvelously!

#bookspinBINGO number 2

Megabooks Thank you very much for this gift @BarbaraBB 🥰🥰 4y
Cinfhen Congrats 🎉🍾🎊 4y
Cathythoughts I loved this book too. I still havnt read another by her , must fix that 👍🏻❤️ 4y
See All 15 Comments
BarbaraBB I‘m glad you liked it! ❤️ 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay for another bingo!!!! 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks!! 🎉📚💙 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thank you dear friend!! 💜💜 4y
Megabooks @TheAromaofBooks woo hoo!! 🎉🥳 4y
TrishB I loved this one 👍🏻 4y
Megabooks @TrishB i really loved how the story unfolded! 4y
PaperbackPirate Congratulations! 4y
Megabooks @PaperbackPirate thanks!! 😊😊 4y
Reviewsbylola This sounds so interesting. I‘m intrigued. 4y
Megabooks @Reviewsbylola I think you‘d like it. 4y
100 likes2 stack adds15 comments
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Megabooks
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1. My goal is to finish four books this week. I‘m in the middle of the tagged, Fleishman is in trouble, catch and kill, and dear girls on audio. It would be great to finish all of them! The problem is I fall asleep constantly! 😴 #postsurgerylife

2. We stopped celebrating as a large family about five years ago. Now, it‘s my dad‘s sweet potato casserole and roast chicken! Just the three of us - four if you count Henry! 🐩

#two4tuesday

britt_brooke Catch and Kill is 🔥 so far. I‘m at 45%, and keep looking for chores so I can justify listening while my whole family is home. 😆 I have quite a bit of cooking to do tomorrow so I might finish it. 🤞🏻 4y
Megabooks @britt_brooke I‘m so behind! I‘ve slept 14 of the last 24 hours! Sedating meds are getting to me!! I‘m usually not this susceptible, but I‘m down for the count. 😴😴😴 4y
britt_brooke @Megabooks I‘m only getting through it so quickly because it‘s audio. Enjoy that rest, if you can! I know sleepy meds don‘t always make people feel good. 4y
Megabooks @britt_brooke It would be nice if I could control when I‘m sleepy. Sometimes I just roll over and sleep for six hours!! I‘m just your average type A control freak! 😂😂 I‘m not listening to much audio because I‘m not allowed out of bed for more than 15 minutes at a time and can‘t do chores. I used to walk the dog, do the family laundry, cook, etc. and audiobooks usually put me to sleep in bed! Just two more weeks then I‘ll be more released. 🤞🏻 4y
britt_brooke @Megabooks Oh, no! 🤣 I hope these 2 weeks go quickly!! Audiobooks put me to sleep when I‘m not moving as well. 4y
69 likes5 comments
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Megabooks
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This lovely gift from @BarbaraBB looks great with my bookmark from @Crazeedi . 💕💕 Gosh I love this cover!

I thought this would be a better foil to Fleishman than Bunny. So far, I‘m right. Plus I just really like Maggie!

BarbaraBB I‘m glad you‘re liking it so far 🤞💕 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I‘m about 20% in and still loving it! I keep on falling asleep because of my medicine. I just randomly took a two hour nap. 4y
Reviewsbylola Such an awesome cover! 4y
See All 6 Comments
CarolynM Lovely book. 4y
Megabooks @Reviewsbylola I find I like a lot of the British/European covers better. 4y
Megabooks @CarolynM I‘m really enjoying it. Especially after reading about Maggie‘s real life birth experience in 4y
77 likes6 comments
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Megabooks
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I have never received mail from the Netherlands until today! That made me extra excited to get these books, postcard and bookmark from @BarbaraBB !

I have enjoyed other books by Maggie and John, but both of these are new to me. I can‘t wait to dive in!

I feel so spoiled and loved. 💕💕 Thank you for bringing joy to my recovery, Barbara!

CarolynM I loved The Hand that First Held Mine. Hope you like it.🙂 4y
Megabooks Maggie is becoming one of my favorite authors, so I‘m very excited about it 👍🏻 @CarolynM (edited) 4y
See All 19 Comments
BarbaraBB I am glad they arrived in time and I hope they help you pass time while recovering. They are both writers in whose books you can really lose yourself I think! 💕😘 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I completely agree! They both have beautiful, unique styles of prose. Thank you, again! 😘💕 4y
TrishB Great reads 👍🏻 4y
Megabooks @TrishB I‘m so excited about both! 4y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders The History of Loneliness is my absolutely favourite John Boyne book!! So so good! 4y
Megabooks @Penny_LiteraryHoarders I have seen so much buzz about it, so I‘m really excited to dive in! 4y
Cinfhen Book mail from @BarbaraBB us the BEST!!!! 4y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I sent you one too on the same day. I guess Israel takes a bit longer 😊 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen it really is!! 😊😊 Thank you again, @BarbaraBB ! 4y
Cinfhen Haha!! That‘s so sweet @BarbaraBB I sent u one for your birthday 🎂 💝🎉🎁Hope it gets there in time 😘 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen When‘s Barbara‘s birthday?? 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Also, Cindy, when‘s your birthday?? 4y
Cinfhen @BarbaraBB is celebrating on Wednesday 11/13 🥳🥳🥳my birthday isn‘t until June!!! 4y
85 likes19 comments
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LaraS
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“Not used in the 60s“

I know not everyone agrees, but I LOVE when people write in books. It's like sharing a moment across time with a total stranger.

3 likes1 stack add
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KarenUK
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#AyUpAugust #Babies
Oh how I love Maggie O‘Farrell!
The writing is beautiful, and the intertwining stories kept me enthralled until the last page. I love how she plays with time, slipping between the two narratives seamlessly, even seeing some scenes play backwards, slowly slipping from our grasp.
Motherhood is one of many themes, and although I don‘t have children, the experiences were captured in such a way, I could feel every joy and struggle.

Cinfhen Love that picture on the right 💕💕💕💕And I know I NEED to read this book, as @TrishB Loves it too!!! 5y
Cathythoughts I loved this one & still havnt read another by her ... must do 5y
squirrelbrain Oh dear, another one added to the TBR, if @TrishB and @KarenUK love it! 5y
TrishB This is a lovely read 👍🏻 @Cinfhen @Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain 💕 5y
42 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Madison91
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Mehso-so

I get why people like this book, it just really isn‘t my style, it‘s a beautiful book and easy to read but just not for me

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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

In one timeline, Lexie is living the life in post-war Soho, London, with charismatic editor Innes. In the other timeline Elina and Ted are dealing with the changes a firstborn brings.
It‘s not immediately clear how the storylines relate but I loved them both, I loved the female mc‘s, I loved their thoughts on motherhood. Maggie O‘Farrell now definitely is a favorite author of mine.

#ATY2019 A book with a dual timeline
#Booked2019 Irish author

KarenUK Oh me too! I‘m becoming a complete fan girl! I just love her writing.... 💕 5y
JennyM I loved this ❤️ 5y
Rachel_nyc Thanks for the reminder. Definitely looking forward to reading more from her. 5y
See All 15 Comments
ephemeralwaltz Yes!! This was so good😍 I fell in love with her storytelling. 5y
CarolynM I loved this one too❤️ 5y
hilded Oh, this sounds really good 🤩 #stacked 5y
Cathythoughts I loved this one too 👍🏻♥️ 5y
Cinfhen I know @KarenUK and @TrishB love Maggie O but she doesn‘t do it for me 🙈I‘m glad u enjoyed 5y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I can‘t imagine she‘s not for you. I‘m almost sure you‘d love this one. Which one have you read? 5y
Cinfhen I‘ve read three: her memoir, My Lover‘s Lover & 5y
Cinfhen 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ 5y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I can‘t say you haven‘t tried 😂😘 5y
BarbaraBB @hilded It is! 5y
TrishB I think 3 is enough! I normally give authors 2, sometimes it‘s just not to be 🤷‍♀️ 5y
Megabooks Thank you for the rec! #stacked 5y
91 likes5 stack adds15 comments
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KarenUK
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#januarywrapup
A good month of reading with no bails and only a couple of so-so books...

Favorite books - ‘Conversations with Friends‘ and ‘The Hand that first held mine‘ - Irish ladies rock! 🍀

Honorable non-fiction mentions - ‘The Novel Cure‘ was so much fun, the ‘London Letters‘ are beautiful, and Jamie‘s new book, one of his most usable.

12/100 #goodreads
5/6 #booked2019 #winter
8/40 #pop19

Cinfhen 🙌🏻 Woohoo 🎉 🎉 🎉 great month 5y
Crazeedi I like these, I will have to check a couple out! 5y
Kalalalatja Well done! 5y
JennyM Great start to the year 👏🏼 5y
63 likes4 comments
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KarenUK
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Pickpick

Two intertwining stories of Lexie and Elina, 60‘s and present day London, and truly beautiful writing.
I love how Maggie plays with time, back and forth between the stories as seamlessly as a gentle tide. And even within each story, we see some scenes backwards, characters slowly slipping from our grasp.
Motherhood is a major theme, and although I‘m not a mum, the experiences were captured in such a skillful way, I felt every joy and struggle.💕

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 I really enjoyed this one too. 5y
JillR I love Maggie O‘Farrell so much. I read this a long time ago and keep meaning to reread 💕 5y
KarenUK @JillR I‘ve read 3 now, and been blown away be all of them... she‘s so great! 😍 (edited) 5y
See All 6 Comments
JillR Agreed @KarenUK - she lost me a bit with Instructions for a Heatwave, but won me back with This Must be the Place, which I loved :) 5y
Cathythoughts Yes ! I too loved this one. It‘s the only one of hers I‘ve read ♥️👍🏻 5y
CarolynM @Cathythoughts Ditto, but I plan to read some more 5y
75 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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KarenUK
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💕..... One paragraph in, and already Maggie‘s writing has me hooked...

JennyM I‘ll always remember this book. It was my first O‘Farrell and started my love for her writing. Enjoy 😊 5y
BarbaraBB Looking forward to that one💕 5y
TrishB Enjoy ❤️ 5y
62 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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KarenUK
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#nextup on kindle....
To say I have high expectations for this one is an understatement!
I read two Maggie O‘Farrell books last year, and both were 5⭐️ reads for me, and I hear this is one of her best...... so 🤞
#booked2019 #irishauthor

Cinfhen I know my reading bestie @TrishB LOVES Maggie 💚💚💚 5y
KarenUK Have you read this one @TrishB ? 5y
TrishB This is a great read ❤️ hope you like it as much as I did. @Cinfhen 😘 5y
See All 7 Comments
CarolynM I really enjoyed this one❤️ 5y
BarbaraBB Which other two did you read Karen? 5y
KarenUK @BarbaraBB This must be the place & I am I am I am .... 5y
BarbaraBB Ah! Then I have to read I am I am I am soon! 5y
68 likes1 stack add7 comments
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lynneamch
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Some time in the past, Lexie arrives in London, arranges the few books she brought from home & ignores her mother's advice to always wear a girdle. In present day London, Elina is #inthekitchen puzzled by an "uhHggg" noise. (It's her newborn baby she doesn't remember having ?) The #bookjacket is translucent, so you can see the reverse image inside (Lexie?). The #hardcover is printed with a different image (Elina?). #FallintoReading @vkois88

lynneamch Maggie O'Farrell always intrigues me and never disappoints. Fascinating stories and now a fascinating #cover, too. @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 5y
vkois88 That's really intriguing! 5y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Tanisha_A
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My #usedbooks stack, which came in today's mail. I have read only A Thousand Splendid Suns out of these. Looking forward to the rest. #Bookmail 😀

TrishB Enjoyed The Hand that First Held Mine 👍🏻 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Great titles! 👍 6y
Cathythoughts I loved The Hand That First Held Mine. It‘s the only OFarrel I‘ve read. Must read more !! 6y
See All 11 Comments
Tanisha_A @Cathythoughts @TrishB Picking it up right after my current read. Thanks ladies! ❤ 6y
Tanisha_A @erzascarletbookgasm Thank you! Let's see when I get to them! 😆 6y
BiblioLitten The Miniaturist looks promising! 6y
Crazeedi @BiblioLitten it was different, I liked it, the ending was not what I expected 6y
batsy Atonement ❤️ 6y
Tanisha_A @batsy I bought it after I saw your review. ❤ Thanks to you! 6y
batsy Look forward to your thoughts when you get around to it ☺️💕 6y
53 likes11 comments
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TrishB
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#iwanttoholdyourhand #heyjune
Loved this one 💕

CarolynM I loved it too 6y
Cinfhen Still need to read this author! You sent me two titles 💕 6y
Sweettartlaura @Cinfhen She‘s amazing 😍. I haven‘t read this one yet (it‘s on my shelf), but every one I have read has been a pleasure. Get on it 😜 6y
See All 8 Comments
Cathythoughts Oh great choice Trish !! I loved this one & only Maggie OFarell I‘ve read ( must read more of her .... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Sweettartlaura @Cinfhen I sure do 😩 6y
JennyM Oh me, too. This was the first O‘Farrell I read. 6y
ephemeralwaltz @JennyM mine too! I loved this! 6y
137 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Read66
Pickpick

I have always been a fan of this author - found this novel a bit slow at the start but ultimately it evolved into a lovely story of mothers and family ties. An enjoyable read.

CarolynM This is the only one of her novels I have read and I liked it a lot. I want to try another one, which would you recommend? 6y
Read66 I really enjoyed The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox 6y
2 likes2 comments
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ephemeralwaltz
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Books in Barcelona🌹📚😍

Cathythoughts The only Maggie Ofarrell I‘ve read & loved it ( tagged book) 6y
Kalalalatja 😍😍 6y
ephemeralwaltz @Cathythoughts Me too!! (It's the closest book you can see in the photo - just released in Spain!) 6y
Cathythoughts Oh ! Very good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Sophoclessweetheart This looks so wonderful! 6y
85 likes5 comments
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ephemeralwaltz
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Pickpick

Another great read I managed to finish today! I fell in love with O'Farrell's writing and then with these characters. I love novels that follow various characters in different time periods. This story coming together at the end blew me away, very enjoyable. This was my first O'Farrell but won't be my last. A story about art, loss, motherhood, ambitions, and secrets kept for years...

⭐⭐⭐⭐

TrishB I enjoyed this one 👍🏻 6y
RealLifeReading I loved this one! 6y
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ephemeralwaltz
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I‘m just the girl on the train #currentlyreading

SilversReviews Love the train and your photo. 6y
ReadZenRites I‘m really glad though that you‘re not THAT girl on the train 😬😉 6y
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ephemeralwaltz @ReadZenRites hahaha me too... I disliked that book - I just love using the title. 6y
SilversReviews @ephemeralwaltz I started it and NEVER finished it. I liked your comment about the girl on the train. Clever. I am the girl on the train a lot. 😍😍😍 I always take The Pennsylvanian from Pittsburgh to New York City to see my son. Easier than driving. :) Train is always pleasant for me. @ReadZenRites 6y
ephemeralwaltz @SilversReviews It was so overhyped... that sounds like a gorgeous trip! 😍Train rides are so peaceful and such a great way to get some extra reading time if you don‘t have a group of talkers around you...😂😂 6y
ReadZenRites I‘d agree with you both @ephemeralwaltz & @SilversReviews about the book! ❤️it in the caption, though!😊 I spent many pleasant hours on the the LIRR myself years ago. Cleary it‘s the reading that distinguishes us from that character! 😂😂😂 (edited) 6y
ephemeralwaltz @ReadZenRites 😂😘😘😘 6y
SilversReviews @ReadZenRites @ephemeralwaltz It is a peaceful trip. I got an entire book read on the way back last week. It is an eight-hour trip with lovely views. It goes the entire way across Pennsylvania. I did find a few women reading books, and of course I had to stop and chat. 😍😍😍 Many people liked the book and many didn‘t. 😍😍😍 6y
ephemeralwaltz @SilversReviews what book was it?? It‘s so nice to chat with other readers :) I never approach readers on public transportation but I should! 6y
Cathythoughts I really loved The Hand That First Held Mine .... and the ending ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Cathythoughts I love being on a 🚂 train too ! Chooo chooo 😊reading & chugging along 6y
ephemeralwaltz @Cathythoughts that‘s great to hear, I‘m about 50% in and am loving it! ❤️❤️ it‘s my first by her 6y
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LisaCarey
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I've decided to get an imaginary Maggie O'Farrell PhD with a minor in Hilary Mantel. #authorobsession

LisaCarey One of the most accurate portrayals I have ever read of the strange and beautiful limbo of mothering an infant. 6y
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Happy day! Happy 💃🏻 because it‘s #bookmail day! Wonderful gifts from lovely @Cathythoughts ! I have not read the books and I look forward to reading them. Love the vintage-looking journal/notebook, it is truly beautiful with gold-printed motif sprayed on the edges. Thank you, Cathy, I love everything! ❤️😙💝

#Litsylove

ju.ca.no The Bell Jar💜💜💜 6y
Nikki15 Such a pretty journal 🧡 6y
Cathythoughts So glad this got to you. There was a. 6y
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youneverarrived That journal is lovely! ❤️❤️ 6y
Cathythoughts Went to soon ....,, there was a Maggie O F on your TBR but I couldn‘t find it. So took a chance on this one , it‘s the only one I‘ve read , I hope you like it as much as I did. So relieved you havnt read them ! Whew ! Enjoy my friend, I‘m happy that you are pleased ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts 💕. 🤞your package arrives soon. It‘s been so long! 6y
Cathythoughts It definitely will !! I‘ll post straight away 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 6y
erzascarletbookgasm @Nikki15 @youneverarrived It is beautiful, I‘m afraid to write in it! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks That journal is gorgeous ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen Lovely💕💕💕 6y
batsy The Bell Jar ❤️ And that beautiful journal 😍 6y
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Coleen
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Mehso-so

Last official read of 2017, read on audio. Wavering between a pick and a so-so. While the writing was good, I just found myself having trouble connecting with the characters.

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TrishB
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Pickpick

Another awesome read from O'Farrell. Quite sad at the end. Family lives and lies and the outcomes of these. She writes amazing characters.

KarenUK I absolutely loved ‘This must be the place‘.... moving this one up the TBR on your recommendation 👍💕 6y
Cathythoughts I loved this too ! To the very end 💫💫💫❤️ 6y
Blaire Ooh - a new author to try. 6y
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TrishB @KarenUK it's a lovely read 👍 6y
TrishB @Cathythoughts the ending was so bittersweet 💔 I loved Lexie, a great character. 6y
TrishB @Blaire I only found her a few months ago and am working my way through her past books. 6y
umbrellagirl #addtocart I loved her Esme Lennox 6y
Oryx I need to read some more of her. Read This Must Be The Place recently, after Marion Keyes mentioned how awesome she was when she spoke at Waterstones. I thought it was great. 6y
TrishB @Oryx the others are as good 👍 6y
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TrishB
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TrishB
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This made me chuckle 😀
This is another great read from O'Farrell.

CarolynM Great quote from a lovely novel 6y
Cathythoughts This is the only I‘ve read so far. ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
candc320 I love her novels! 6y
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TrishB @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @candc320 she writes so beautifully ❤ 6y
BookNAround I just discovered Maggie O‘Farrell, and by discovered I mean finally pulled one of her books (and there are several) off my tbr piles and read it. 😂 I really liked it so I guess it‘s good I already own more! 6y
TrishB @BookNAround cool 👍which one have you started? 6y
BookNAround I read This Must Be the Place this summer. I think I have two (maybe three others in my stacks though). 6y
TrishB @BookNAround I enjoyed that one 👍 6y
minkyb Hilariously true. 6y
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Julielovesbooks

Finished this book just now. Really liked it, very well written and an unusual story line. I will definitely read more by this author.

Cathythoughts I loved it too 👍❤️❤️ 6y
Julielovesbooks Really enjoyed this one! 6y
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Julielovesbooks

So, I am getting into this book, intriguing characters but so far I cannot see any connection between them. This makes me want to sit down and read a great big chunk of it!

Cathythoughts Yes, it takes awhile for the stories to connect. I thought the writing was beautiful 💕I know a big chunk of time is what I‘m looking for too 🙄👍 (edited) 6y
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