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A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour
A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour | Hank Green
The Carls disappeared the same way they appeared, in an instant. While they were on Earth, they caused confusion and destruction without ever lifting a finger. Well, that's not exactly true. Part of their maelstrom was the sudden viral fame and untimely death of April May: a young woman who stumbled into Carl's path, giving them their name, becoming their advocate, and putting herself in the middle of an avalanche of conspiracy theories. Months later, the world is as confused as ever. Andy has picked up April's mantle of fame, speaking at conferences and online about the world post-Carl; Maya, ravaged by grief, begins to follow a string of mysteries that she is convinced will lead her to April; and Miranda infiltrates a new scientific operation . . . one that might have repercussions beyond anyone's comprehension. As they each get further down their own paths, a series of clues arrive -- mysterious books that seem to predict the future and control the actions of their readers; unexplained internet outages; and more -- which seem to suggest April may be very much alive. In the midst of the gang's possible reunion is a growing force, something that wants to capture our consciousness and even control our reality. A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour is the bold and brilliant follow-up to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. It's a fast-paced adventure that is also a biting social commentary, asking hard, urgent questions. How will we live online? What powers over our lives are we giving away for free? Who has the right to change the world forever? And how do we find comfort in an increasingly isolated world?
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Clwojick
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Not sure why all the non-Christmas books I‘ve “suggested” or had on hold for MONTHS are coming in this month, but none of my Christmas suggestions are coming in. Come on #CloudLibrary, don‘t you know it‘s the #WinterGames?! 🤣

I loved the first Carls book, so I can‘t wait to dig into this one! Thennnnnn hopefully I‘ll pop back over to my Christmas TBR. #TeamEvergreen

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Kboltz
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Pickpick

Book 2 in this duology. How did he know that most of what is in this book is or has taken place? Isn‘t Threads a thing now? People cannot stop going into the new online Altus which was designed by an alien force. The friends that keep believing in humanity make this book so worthwhile in this world of selfie takers/phone addicts. Live your life! Carl in monkey form is the BEST!✌🏼😜

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AshleyKorinE
Pickpick

Now I absolutely loved the first book in this series and the second one felt very unnecessary. I hate I didn‘t love it but April wasn‘t the main character for most of the book, the Carls played a more active roll and I felt the whole time it was going off the rails. I know that was the way you were supposed to feel based on how the story was going but still I didn‘t love the ending and it didn‘t help matters any. I overall gave it 3 stars.

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YaculpBay
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I think I liked this book even more than its predecessor. I like it so much because of how I feel it's relatable, with the VR headsets and whatnot.

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Bojo2006
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Pickpick

If you‘ve just finished An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and you‘re wondering if you should read this sequel, the answer is YES. The author wraps the story up in a compelling, suspenseful and thought provoking way. (The audio also includes a conversation with the author not found elsewhere, by the way) And if you haven‘t read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing yet, start there. Both books are unique and worthwhile.

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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

Easily one of my favorite books of the year so far. I love the mixed media elements, and the story is BONKERS, while still making total sense. A look at fame culture, human greed, and the positives and negatives related to the internet - all wrapped in an exciting scifi story featuring aliens and AI, and conspiracies to bring the downfall of humanity

GondorGirl I loved this duology so much! It was one of my top picks last year. 🧡🧡 2y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rjsthumbelina
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Interesting take. I love this character (Miranda). Which is funny, bc April was so damn annoying in the first book!

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GondorGirl
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Another exciting day of making buttons. Our only indoor show this year happens this weekend and I've been spending a lot of time listening to audiobooks and finishing up stock.

If any of you littens happen to be at Motor City Comic Con stop by and say hello.

#Studio42Books #MC3

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PickettT
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“You are a story that you tell yourself, and even if it is not always accurate, it is who you are, and that is very important to you.

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kathytrithardt
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This week's #WednesdayTradition features A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green and Yippee IPA from Picaroons, my "local" when I am in New Brunswick.⁣

#BookBathAndBeverage #LocalBeer #CanadianRoadTrip #SciFiSeptember #Demonathon

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limada
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Pickpick

What a wonderful follow-up to a first novel. I'm sure Hank always knew this was going to be two books but it couldn't have been a more satisfying and to a fabulous saga.

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Littlewolf1
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So frustrated… Been wanting to get A beautiful foolish endeavor for a minute, finally do for my birthday only to realize that it‘s book 2. Like, how did I not know that? Shouldn‘t it be the first thing we check? In the distance I can hear a bell chime followed by the echo of “shame“ being repeated over and over again.

BookishMarginalia It happens 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y
11 likes1 comment
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Fantastic sequel! It was a great balance of characterization, action, and relevant themes. I love where he took the story. I bailed on my #Bookspin after a few pages and read my #Doublespin instead this month. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
54 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
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#SpringSentiments @Eggs
Prompt: Fatuous

Velvetfur I don't know what fatuous means but I like that cover 😂 (I'm going to Google that word now 👍🏻) 3y
Eggs Well done 👍🏼 3y
TheSpineView @Velvetfur I am sure you have already looked it up but for those that haven't it means someone who acts foolishly. 3y
Velvetfur @TheSpineView yep, I did - thank you for introducing me to a new word! 😁 3y
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staci.reads
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My birthday book haul! Bought the top one for myself for #AuthorAMonth, and got the rest as gifts! Excited to dive in!

TheBookHippie I really enjoyed Swing Time I read it as an ARC. 3y
staci.reads @TheBookHippie Glad to hear it! It's been on my tbr for years. I was glad to see her name pop up on #AuthorAMonth 3y
61 likes2 comments
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ItsAnotherJen
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Pickpick

Not as good as the first for sure. 3/5
I'm glad I read it though.
I really wish there was absolutely no social media. That phones were once again only for making calls, texts, and emails.
That you could only access the internet through computers.
Could you imagine going back to zero social media platforms? I wonder what 2021 would be like in that world. What our kids would be like in that world. It would have to be better.

8little_paws I love this duology. He brought up so many interesting possibilities. I read somewhere the quote that young children today will view social media as toxic as smoking. My son is 1. I wonder if he'll end up agreeing to that.
3y
ItsAnotherJen @8little_paws It is toxic. Most people don't see it like that yet. I also believe that algorithms are already programming society. It's maddening to think of how easily we are manipulated. 3y
Vansa I wouldn't agree with that,a lot of mass movements are all coordinated through social media.One could argue that the Arab Spring was hugely helped by access to social media.Blaming algorithms completely absolves human beings of blame-theyre letting themselves be influenced.Blame the humans,not the medium! 3y
ItsAnotherJen @Vansa I see your point. Its a good point! There is good that comes from it. I still think the bad outweighs the good. Humans ARE to blame. Also, humans did create the algorithms. Most children are addicted to snapchat and insta and tiktok. Literally addicted..I work with teenagers. (And I have a teen and two in their 20s.) I worry about how society is and how divided we've become. These books bring to light how unwittingly controlled we may be 3y
ItsAnotherJen In the books - mass movement actually IS coordinated through social media platforms. A detrimental movement first, then a positive movement. It brings attention to how powerful social media is. At what cost? Still think we'd be better off without it. 3y
96 likes5 comments
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bouktique
Pickpick

464 pages. Not THAT breathtaking as the first part (after finishing the first one, my heart was pounding for half an hour more due to a massive cliff-hanger) but it was still a great story. A mash up of extraterrestrials, society behaviors and multi-billion $ companies' impact on our lives.
#hankgreen #carl #aprilmaybenot #abeautifullyfoolishendeavor

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Ghostnipps
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Pickpick

Excuse me while I become a Hank Green fangirl, because this book pulled me out of a reading slump, and was absolutely fantastic. If you haven‘t read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, you should! A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor is the sequel and wow, I‘m mind blown. It‘s great commentary on society and social media.

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JosipaH
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suvata
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Pickpick

Book Two of Two of the Carl Saga: In April‘s absence, her friends are trying to find their footing in a post-Carl world.

I really enjoyed the first book, in fact I rated it five stars. But somewhere between book one and book two the story lost its enchantment. Still an interesting book but I just preferred Book One.

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suvata
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All “A” titles rounding out my month ...
The last one may fall in to December.

36 likes1 stack add
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Allietaylor16
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I put my new library hold down to take a picture, then I walked away for a second. I guess someone decided it looked like a great spot for a nap. I almost don‘t want to move the book.

rubyslippersreads ❤️🐶❤️ 3y
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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

I loved everything about these books!
Green managed to be funny and smart and terrifying in a perfect balance.
I‘m not sure what to say, it would be so easy to accidentally drop spoilers... so I‘ll just say I thought this was a brilliant commentary on technology and social media, but in a fiction format with giant robots, lots of references to pop music, and an amazing virtual reality world.
If any of that appeals to you, please read these!

suvata Yep, pretty amazing books 3y
Hooked_on_books Yes! I loved them too! (I like his books much better than his brother‘s. 🤭) 3y
Soubhiville @Hooked_on_books I like his books better as well, but honestly YA has become a lot less relatable for me over the past few years. (I feel old 🤣👵🏽) 3y
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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Enjoyable (though not sure it should have been separated from the first book)

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PurpleTulipGirl
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“I‘ve decided to stop lying to you.”

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

ShyBookOwl Love the knitting project! 4y
22 likes1 comment
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

I had honesty forgotten a lot of what happened in the first book so this one took a little while to get into. But I liked the povs and how they intertwined and I liked how they moved the plot along from the last one.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This great follow up to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing picks up right where that book left off but goes in some unexpected directions. There is more commentary about the dangers of power and inequality and how social media can play on this. I thought the first book was a little better, but this is still really good. The audio has a brief dialogue between Hank and Cory Doctorow that I also enjoyed.

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8little_paws
Pickpick

Totally recommend this sci fi duology!! The first book leaves a lot unanswered, but the second fills a lot of the holes. It's well paced with interesting characters and lots to say on our society. Frankly: i prefer these 2 books to ther writings I've read from Hank's more famous brother.

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Victoria6
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Book #38: A sequel I‘ve waited years for! Having followed Hank‘s videos for over a decade now, it‘s so fascinating to see his worldview translated into fiction once again!

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LaraS
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“Your life is written on this body, and I love every piece of it.“ 💝

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LaraS
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Pickpick

I loved this book as much as the first. The characters are relatable and flawed. I laughed (literally), I cried (literally), I felt that empty hole of happiness when the book ended.

Easily my favourite duology I've read.

Beautiful artwork from here:
https://twitter.com/hankgreen/status/1044656557609426945

More of the artist's work here:
https://www.samanthamash.com

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jackilynn
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Pickpick
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jackilynn
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Good thing I got all my lawn work done earlier. Now I can relax on my back deck with my book and listen to the rain fall. My deck has a roof so I can enjoy my favorite kind of weather without getting soaked. 😍🌧

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rjsthumbelina
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My #bookspinbingo list for August contains mostly books from readathons for the month - that's how I'm going to fit in trying it out! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Great list!! 4y
23 likes1 comment
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jackilynn
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I really want to kick back and disappear further into these (both have started to get really interesting) but I have lots of other things that need to get done today 😩😩

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LaraS
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“...something can be great while also needing a great deal of work.“

This book is so good, even the acknowledgements have beautiful writing.

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kathytrithardt
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I loved this book.

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Sasstronaut
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Pickpick

An excellent follow-up to the first and another favorite.

Pic is one of my favorite Star Trek earrings, given as a gift. Special Edition celebrating, I think, the 50th anniversary. @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Those are so awesome! I can see why they‘re your fave accessory. 😍😍😍 4y
8 likes1 comment
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Gryffleclaw95
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)

I didn‘t think it was possible, but this book managed to be even better than its predecessor. The concept of humanity is heavily emphasized in this novel, and the impact of Atlus on the world is well-written and needed in times like these. While Andy‘s character became a bit unlikeable in this one, I did enjoy the character arcs throughout and understanding Carl and his mission. Overall, this was a great sequel and book.

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lesliemarie
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It is my 40th birthday today!
These are all the books I got as gifts!

Chelsea.Poole Happy birthday! 📚🥳 4y
Susanita Yay! Happy birthday! 4y
Jas16 Happy Birthday 🎉🎂🎈🎁🥳 4y
See All 8 Comments
xicanti Happy birthday! Those are some mighty nice gifts. 4y
JessClark78 Happy Birthday! 🎊🎂🎉 4y
CarolynM Happy birthday 🎂🎈🎉 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Happy Birthday 🎉🎈🎊🎁🎂 4y
Clwojick Ahhhhhhh! Happy birthday! I hope you love the Wayward Children series. They were one of my favourite reads on the year. 4y
41 likes8 comments
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Sasstronaut
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It finally came! Reading as much as I can until my toddler wakes up.

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LaraS
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I am bonkers excited for this sequel, and it‘s finally in at my library! Curb side pickup starts this week and lucky me gets to pick this up!

Robots and aliens and puzzles, oh my! 🤖👽🧩

I also came across this delightfully well done recap of the first book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. 100% spoilers of the first book, y‘all! Do not click if you intend on reading the first book! Here be monsters!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtP3FHjtwTE

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Graciouswarriorprincess
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New book day for me and a signed copy!

JillsBookshelf That‘s awesome! 👏 I‘ve been meaning to read Hank Green‘s books for forever. 4y
Graciouswarriorprincess @jillsbookshelf The first one was so good! This is the second one in a trilogy! Happy reading! 4y
45 likes2 comments
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nitalibrarian
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Another Tuesday, another Pub day! Here's what I'm cataloging today. Mostly fiction, with a few paperbacks and a graphic novel.

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Soubhiville
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I just got my “new releases in July” newsletter from Goodreads. Wow, July! Way to release tons of books I want to read all at once!

Is there anything you‘re really excited for releasing this month? (Not necessarily pictured here...)

AmyG Definitely Josh M‘s book. And I do like Emma D. 4y
KatieDid927 Me too! And I was all, how did I not know the new Hank Green was out next week?! 4y
bookishkai The Emma Donoghue, Fast Girls about the 1936 women‘s Olympic track team, and The Bright Lands by John Fram. (edited) 4y
57 likes3 comments