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West with Giraffes
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes..." Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. It's 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world's first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes. Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it's too late.
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review
Loanne
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

Sweet, coming of age story about escorting two giraffes across the country during the Great Depression. Based on a true event, this book provides a small glimpse of life at that time and is a nice read for animal lovers.

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Writeme
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Such a sweet book! Inspired by news clipping from the 1930s, this is the fictional story of a 17 year old dust bowl refugee who ends up driving 2 giraffes from the east coast to the San Diego zoo. It‘s a little light in some aspects, with a lot of very convenient plot points, but super enjoyable and great characters.

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Itchyfeetreader
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Picked this for 30s dust bowl for #bookedintime and whilst starting and finishing late I LOVED this book. It‘s a story of an orphan on the bridge of adulthood who finds himself talking his way into driving 2 African giraffes across the states from New York to San Diego. A road trip in the best tradition of both adventures en route alongside a deeper story of growing self awareness and acceptance. and giraffes! ⬇️ @Cuilin

Itchyfeetreader I thought the developing father / son relationship between woody and mr smith was great and for a novel with a big time shift it covered that off wonderfully.

As for the period despite not all of the story happening in the dust bowl the dry, deadening heat and the fear are all too apparent.
4mo
Bookwormjillk I just got this in the latest audible sale. Glad to hear you liked it. 4mo
Cuilin ✅🎉 what a great read!!! 4mo
sblbooks This was my pick too. I loved it. 4mo
38 likes4 comments
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sblbooks
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

#BookedInTime 1930s Dust bowl June 2024
@cuilin @dabbe

I love all the different covers I found for this book.
#CoverLove
Based on true events...
1930s road trip with a couple of giraffes, a teenage boy (Woody) and a curmudgeon. (old man) I flew through this one.

Cuilin ✅🎉I wish I had a chosen that book. I DNF‘d mine I may try another. But yeah, definitely. #CoverLove. 5mo
sblbooks @Cuilin you have plenty of time. 5mo
dabbe On the spreadsheet! 🤩 5mo
34 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Judybskt
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Loved this! Beautiful story. 🦒🦒

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SailorJohn
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

A delightful story about 1930‘s America and a cross country trip with two giraffes. The vision of America in the 30‘s is quite depressing. But good story.

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Judybskt
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Coffee and a new book!

21 likes1 stack add
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Melkyl
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

My friend chose this for our book club this month. I had never heard of it and didn‘t know what to expect. I loved it so much! The story was beautiful and just made me feel good to read it. I am an animal lover, so the references in the book about the beauty and majesty of the giraffes really spoke to me. I enjoyed reading the transformation of the main character, Woody, and The Old Man and Red too. The Darlings were the real stars, though.

26 likes1 stack add
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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book

37 likes1 stack add
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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I've been wanting to read this book for quite some time 😁😁😁

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julieclair
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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My best book of April was West with Giraffes, which I read with my IRL book club. 🙂

#12Booksof2023 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds an interesting read. 11mo
AnnR I read West With the Giraffes on a whim a few years back and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not often impressed with the Kindle First Reads offerings but this was an exception. 📚 11mo
julieclair @AnnR I agree about First Reads. 11mo
27 likes3 comments
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Evita
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Mehso-so

3 out of 5

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BookishTrish
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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When you forget your commute book at home so have to pick up a new book

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katiekat311
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Giraffes are my favorite animal, so I couldn‘t WAIT to read this book. Look how pretty it is underneath the cover! What a great story; strong-willed, damaged characters coming together to triumph over a 3,200 mile journey. This was a fascinating piece of historical fiction.

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BookMaven9
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Road trippin giraffes meets Grapes of Wrath only more joyful.

A wonderful coming of age story about the long road trip from New York to San Diego carrying 2 giraffes to the zoo during the dust bowl era

Meet young Woody NIckel and his adventures across the states hitching a ride with to get 2 giraffes to the San Diego zoo. Such colorful characters and lovely life lessons and a fierce love of animals can get you through anything. 🦒🦒

marleed Great pic! 1y
15 likes1 comment
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Hilary427
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Mehso-so

This was really quite good, but was way too long. I had to skim often. The ending had me in tears, though!
⭐️: 3/5

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marleed
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I‘m a sucker for a Depression era coming-of-age story, throw in a couple giraffes traveling ocean-to-ocean across the Lee Highway riddled with history and I‘m a goner! I stacked of this book after piles of well-deserved Litsy love so it seemed a great choice for my May #BookSpin category: Litsy Stacked. I purchased the ebook on sale but as I walked by a LFL last week this physical copy was telling me to choose the giraffes for my BS read!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
90 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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julieclair
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

A well written story about an orphaned teenage boy who accompanies two giraffes on a cross country road trip during the 1930s. Based on true events. A strong sense of time and place, and an insightful look at depression-era culture and society.
#NoBuyReadingChallenge @PuddleJumper
#ReadYourTBR @melissajayne

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Sapphire
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I felt like I did a fair amount of reading in February, but I didn‘t finish a lot. I have better books still in process, but tagged title was the best of the ones I finished this month. It was a library book group discussion in Feb and is my neighborhood bookgroup title for March, so I guess that‘s fair.

BarbaraBB Nothing beats Fresh Water 😉 2y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Macnjen
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

Go on a great adventure transporting giraffes across the country and you won‘t regret it. Wonderful story I highly recommend.

15 likes1 stack add
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Sapphire
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Hoping to read this over the weekend so I can tag along with hubby to his library bookgroup on Thursday. Our neighborhood bookgroup just selected this for the March discussion, so it will be worth the push (while doing laundry and packing!) #weekendgoals

Sapphire Had a good discussion at the library book group tonight! 2y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JenniferP
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Bailedbailed

Number 83 for #roll100 got this book off my kindle TBR pile. I read the first 50 pages and just didn‘t find it worth my reading time. Cute premise and I know a lot of people liked it, but too many other books out there!

BarbaraBB Good you joined #Roll100 to get it out of the way! 2y
BarbaraBB Tagging @PuddleJumper so she can add you next month! 2y
23 likes2 comments
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actualdisneyprincess
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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My mom‘s best friend (affectionately known as Mom2) has been on me to read this since probably last summer. 😂 I‘m finally listening. It‘s sweet so far, I love Woodrow. 🥹🥰 #westwithgiraffes #lyndarutledge #historicalfiction

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BookNAround
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Today‘s book on the couch with Gatsby.

dabbe Too sweet! ❣️🐾❣️ 2y
peaKnit How is Gatsby feeling? ❤️ (edited) 2y
BookNAround @peaknit She‘s still holding steady. The vet follow up today showed no improvement in her lung X-rays but her blood work came back as okay so she can continue on the medication that is proven to work best for this. 🤷‍♀️ 2y
83 likes3 comments
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tpixie
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I‘m reading & listening to this book for my IRL bookclub, and I realized my chairs look like giraffes!!! 🦒 🪑 🦒
#FriendsWithBooks

IndoorDame Love those moments of synchronicity! 2y
tpixie @IndoorDame lol yes! 2y
BookNAround I need to start this one for my IRL book club too. (It‘s on Thursday so I really should start asap!) 2y
tpixie @BookNAround I started yesterday- my bookclub is Thursday also!! I‘m doing book and audio to try to get it done faster… luckily my library had both! 2y
69 likes4 comments
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Jenken1998
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

A story told by a 100 year old man about his depression era adventure druving giraffes across the United States. Sweet coming of age story with memorable characters. 5 🌟

Lollymya So good 2y
62 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Teresereading
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Miracle Giraffes Ride Hurricane at Sea
#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

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SerenaCrawford
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Starting today…..

SerenaCrawford Anyone interested to read along with me? Let me know 🦒🦒 2y
Wesleypaker Hello 👋 there 2y
56 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this story of a young Depression era kid, Woody, who falls into a job driving giraffes from New York to California. Woody‘s relationship with those giraffes was sweet and touching. Riley Jones and Augusta Red were also good characters. At first I was a little puzzled as to why the narrator of the audiobook sounded so old; then I realized that Woody was over 100 when he was telling this story, so the narrator was perfect. #audiobook

KathyWheeler I finished West With Giraffes in the middle of my walk, so I started 2y
tpixie Lol thanks!!! I googled a photo of the near raider and I thought he shouldn‘t sound that old!!!! it‘s because WOODY is old!!!! Whew 😅 mystery solved!!! 2y
KathyWheeler @tpixie I thought the same thing at first! 2y
tpixie @KathyWheeler 😀 I was just talking to my sister about it. I‘ll have to tell her! 2y
30 likes4 comments
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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I‘ve got about 3 hours left in this book, so I should be finished soon. I love the characters. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Whenever I have to take my husband or daughter to the doctor, it exhausts me. I don‘t know why. Sometimes I‘ll go to bed right when we get home. Today, though, I went for a couple of walks instead. I‘m glad I did. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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West with Giraffes is my new walking book. So far, I really like it. The basketball statue by the fountain was actually not on my walk; it‘s right in front of the building where I swim. #audiowalk

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bookandbedandtea
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I couldn't decide between these so I have 2 #LetterW books today #Alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

AnnR I was surprised by West With Giraffes. It was quite good. 👍 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 🙌🏻📚 2y
bookandbedandtea @Ann_Reads I was a little hesitant going in but I ended up loving it! 2y
24 likes3 comments
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peaKnit
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Enjoying a new book at a sweet little Airbnb in the Upper Pennisula.

22 likes1 stack add
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Just.Linds
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

This book was such a unique piece of history I am glad I was able to experience. The store she wove using this crazy story is beautiful, tragic and heartwarming. Reminds me of a Disney movie, truly. Will say it took a bit to pick up and start really going but definitely glad I read!

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wisherwishinguponastar
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Thank you so much! I can‘t wait to dig in to the book and start using the stationery! I made an excited squeal when I saw the washi tape. #litsylovesummerswap #litsylove
@Kdgordon88
@rsteve388

Deblovestoread 💜💜💜 2y
Bookwormjillk Enjoy! 2y
15 likes2 comments
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

5 star book for me! I loved the storytelling and the characters!

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Starting this novel while waiting for my MIL to get finished up with a procedure in the hospital.

Prairiegirl_reading If you haven‘t already, Google the image of the truck they actually used to transport the giraffes. It really helped me because I was having trouble picturing what it looked like. Enjoy! And I hope everything goes well for your MIL. 😄 3y
44 likes2 comments
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DLQBOOKNERD
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Started slow, but kept me interested about halfway through. I like historical fiction and this was filled with it. Ended up being a nice read.

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Just.Linds
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge

“I could spend what I feel in my bones is my life‘s last clear hours to tell you of the dust bowl. Or the war. Or the French peonies. Or my wives, so many wives. Or the graves so many graves. Or the goodbyes. So many goodbyes”
-3

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BookBosomed1
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Mehso-so

This book is about the resilience of beings, the power of stories, and how relationships with humans and animals impact our journey. If you enjoy historical fiction, animals, and are looking for a quirky escape, you‘ll likely find enjoyment in this book. Overall, it is a cute and charming tale. I appreciated that it provided a look into a historical moment that was previously unknown. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56449476

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BookBosomed1
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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@kellyann28 I‘ll finish the book this weekend and send it back to you beginning of next week. I haven‘t forgotten!

kellyann28 Thank you! 3y
BookBosomed1 @ncsufoxes I received my and card. I totally get it! I‘ve also been in grad school while moving. I did not have to do all that with kids, however. Wow! I am hoping your move goes/went well. 3y
13 likes2 comments
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BilboBookends
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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“For a mile, the Old Man and I rode in blessed silence, the giraffes looking back like they‘d acquired a taste for gospel singing, with the windshield wipers slapping time.”

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coffeebooksandchaos
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I picked up West with Giraffes not knowing really anything about it and found it very enjoyable. I felt connected to Boy and Girl and invested in their journey. Woody, Red and the Old Man each gave an insight into the human condition. I read this on the heels of The Four Winds, which gave an in-depth look at the Dust Bowl. That detail made this story even richer. A truly unique journey to learn about!

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BookBosomed1
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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@ncsufoxes The book arrived yesterday (thank you for the VDay card). I started reading the book last night, and I‘m loving it. @kellyann28 I‘m sending the other book your way today. My apologies for the delay; Work has been hectic. @Laughterhp #lmpbc

kellyann28 Thanks for letting me know! 3y
BookBosomed1 @kellyann28 I sent the book yesterday! I wrote you a note about the state of the book‘s cover thinking it was your book. When I got home, I remembered it was the book chosen by @Laughterhp. @Laughterhp the book cover ripped; I tried to repair it as best as I could. 3y
Laughterhp Oh, thanks for letting me know! I never expect the books to come back in the same condition they left in but thanks for trying to fix it. 3y
25 likes3 comments
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Allthebookclubs
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

This was a very interesting story, a likely fictional account of a fact based event that happened in the 1938 and told by a old man in present day who‘s over 100. I‘m an animal lover, like Jones and Woody I don‘t have much respect for people who treat them poorly. Book #9 in 2022

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Allthebookclubs
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

This was a very interesting story, a likely fictional account of a fact based event that happened in the 1938 and told by a old man in present day who‘s over 100. I‘m an animal lover, like Jones and Woody I don‘t have much respect for people who treat them poorly. Book #9 in 2022

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smalldogs_bigbooks2419
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I don‘t use my Amazon Prime account very often (or choose a #firstread) but I‘ve been wanting to read this one for a while. Getting it for free was a deal I couldn‘t pass up. 🦒 🦒 ❤️❤️📖📖

rachaich I read this and thought it was ace! 3y
33 likes1 comment