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All at Sea
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
A beautifully written, breathtakingly honest, unsentimental, and profound memoir from one of the UKs most popular journalists. On a hot, still morning on a beautiful beach in Jamaica, Decca Aitkenheads life changed forever. Her four-year-old son was paddling peacefully at the waters edge when a wave pulled him out to sea. Her partner, Tony, swam out and saved their sons lifethen drowned before her eyes. When Decca and Tony first met, a decade earlier, she was a renowned Guardian journalist profiling leading politicians of the day; he was a dreadlocked criminal with a history of drug dealing and violence. No one thought the romance would last, but it diduntil the tide swept Tony away, plunging Decca into the dark chasm of random tragedy. Exploring race and redemption, privilege and prejudice, All at Sea is a remarkable story of love and loss, of how one couple changed each others life, and of what a sudden death can do to the people who survive. From the Hardcover edition.
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FelinesAndFelonies
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Panpan

I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. I know I don't like autobiographies or memoirs & yet, I still find myself trying to enjoy them. Then I feel bad for not liking them because I know it is someone else's story of survival, or true love, or whatever. This book, to me, should have remained a diary or something she published one copy of & kept for herself. It felt like a desperate attempt to justify missing her husband. ⭐⭐

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sarahlandis
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
Pickpick

Not just another memoir. This memoir had strong themes of loss, love, and family that were consistent throughout the entire book. It made me laugh and cry.

Cathythoughts I loved this book ❤️💔 4y
1 like1 comment
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Reviewsbylola
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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#cruel world springs to mind when thinking about this #botm memoir. Decca Aitkenhead and her partner Tony were on vacation with their two young sons when the unthinkable happened—their four year old son snuck in a swim in the ocean and Tony died saving his life. This is a memoir about love and grief. To add to the tragedy, Aitkenhead was diagnosed with cancer a short time later. #aprella

Kalalalatja Wow, this sounds heartbreaking! 7y
Cinfhen Still haven‘t gotten to this one...I miss the old days of #BOTM 😩 7y
emilyhaldi Wow this is a major throwback! I don't recall ever even seeing this before? 🤔 sounds like a rough read 💔💔💔 7y
See All 8 Comments
Mdargusch Omg! Cruel and heartbreaking! 7y
mrsamandahood Omg. What a unbelievably tragic story. I would read it if I thought I could handle it. 😭 7y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Yea. My problem was no nonfiction or memoirs. My favorites! @Reviewsbylola (edited) 7y
Meredith3 Omg I usually like sad and or dark stories but this sounds like too much to handle 😳 7y
BarbaraBB That book sounds a lot like my choice for this prompt. Same tragic storyline. I don‘t know if I can handle another though! 7y
114 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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ReadingEnvy
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Congrats to @Booksnchill who wins the last giveaway for the Reading Envy 100th episode celebration! Please send me your mailing address, my username at Gmail.

Booksnchill Wow- massively excited!!! Thanks so much❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍😍 7y
Booksnchill Email sent! 7y
Cathythoughts @Booksnchill congratulations 🎉 will be interested to hear what you think of -All At Sea. I loved it 💫 7y
See All 6 Comments
Booksnchill @Cathythoughts good to know! 7y
Cinfhen Congrats 🎉🎉🎉 @Booksnchill 7y
AmyG Yay! 🎉🎉🎉 7y
69 likes6 comments
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ReadingEnvy
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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This is the last #giveaway to celebrate Reading Envy's 100th episode! Included is one BOTM memoir, one ARC from a 2017 book, and a novel from the 60s.
To enter, tell me which 20th century book is a classic in your mind, and comment by midnight est Saturday. USA only!

54 likes1 stack add16 comments
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Cathythoughts
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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#firstsentence. There are so many good ones. I love this one too @Cinfhen & thanks again @BarbaraBB

Cinfhen Hooked! Stacked! 7y
Cathythoughts 😀thanks 😉💫💫 7y
BarbaraBB Stacked by me as well 🙌! 7y
Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB 👍it‘s really good 7y
28 likes4 comments
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kricheal
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Mehso-so

I've just finished this memoir on grief. I'm having a hard time rating it. The writing is good. It's just not a very enjoyable read though.

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ReadingEnvy
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

A backlist title from my #botm stash, this is book 4 of #24in48readathon and the first I read cover to cover. I know Tony and Decca aren't the most likeable characters but the capture of grief had me nodding my head a lot, particularly navigating the behaviors of other people surrounding the bereaved. It probably connects with me more now, the month after my father died, than it would have when I picked it for my monthly selection! #24in48 @24in48

nickimags Wow what an emotional read that must've been! 7y
ReadingEnvy @nickimags yes and no... For me finding shared experience is a huge balm. 7y
nickimags That's good then. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Reviewsbylola I had similar feelings. After I finished, I read that Decca had been diagnosed with cancer, which made me feel worse. 7y
ReadingEnvy Oh geez I hadn't heard that. Not surprising considering her mother died of it young, but ugh. At least, as is clear in this book, she actually has a fairly wide and active support network. 7y
ReadingEnvy @Reviewsbylola (forgot to add your name to response) ^^ 7y
66 likes6 comments
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Chelsea
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Now that it's spring break, I have more time to read! Finally catching up on my #tbr

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Krissajeldy
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Blue cover #17rainbowbooks This one's been in my TBR pile for several months now. Maybe it's time to dive in.

Reviewsbylola This is a quick read that will break your heart. 8y
Krissajeldy @Reviewsbylola I think that's why I've been holding off. 😢 8y
12 likes2 comments
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murflegirl
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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So today I got a ton of texts from the library. Apparently all of the books I had put on hold had come in at once 😂 don't even know where to start! #tbr #toberead

BooksTeasAndBookishThings All of these are #BOTM choices, too! Such great books for the ones I have read and I still have more to read! Never ending list 😆 Good luck on your stack lol 8y
Reviewsbylola Wow, you weren't kidding about this #libraryhaul 😍 You have convinced me to request Sleeping Giants. I have been waffling over it for months. 8y
Reviewsbylola The Fall Guy, Eligible, Circling the Sun, Behold the Dreamers, Dark Matter, and Siracusa were favorites of mine. So read those first. 😂 8y
See All 8 Comments
Reviewsbylola Oh, and I Let You Go!!! 8y
Reviewsbylola But you forgot (edited) 8y
murflegirl @Reviewsbylola oh I won't forget. I'm requesting every #BOTM from the library. Some have pretty long wait lists 😂 8y
Reviewsbylola Ok good, because I loved that one! You are very ambitious. 8y
Callemarie No one knows was great on audible as was modern lovers. Missing presumed took me awhile to get through but the ending was great. Dark matter was just awesome! 8y
12 likes8 comments
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kricheal
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻 8y
23 likes1 comment
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kiminreverse
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
Mehso-so

Decca Aitkenhead describes herself as the kind of person who has always controlled her feelings to the point where they're difficult to even find. I very much relate to that, but I suspect that may also be what my issue with this book was.

All at Sea is written in sentences that are beautiful at times, but the overall story isn't engaging or even interesting. I'm sorry for her loss, but her account of it missed the mark for me.

Cathythoughts Interesting, I found the writing to be more reporting & she is a journalist. Still , at the end , her learning : " it's part of life Dec" Made it for me. 7y
3 likes1 stack add1 comment
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keelymorgan
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Mehso-so

I am torn in my review for this, half of me loved it and another half was not engaged. Decca, or Dec as her charming kids call her, addresses her grief and loss beautifully. This was interesting, raw, and so clearly genuine. I would recommend this book to some and I am happy that I read it.

Lucylovesreading I was so so on this as well. I liked the part where she was retelling the tragedy not the other stuff so much. Like the bits about her and him I understand but the bits about her and her family I thought could of been left out. 8y
keelymorgan @Lucylovesreading I felt the same way! I'm glad I read it though! I just couldn't relate with her suppressed detachment, so that made it tough as a reader. 8y
29 likes2 comments
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keelymorgan
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Happy Friday everyone!!! What are you all reading this weekend? #weekendreads #listy #TGIF

mllemay Trying to finish 4 books that need to go back to the library - 3 non-fiction, 1 short story collection. We'll see how far I can get! 8y
Betty Reading this tonight so I can give it to a teacher-friend at lunch tomorrow for her classroom library. 8y
See All 14 Comments
TheCanuckReader Trying to get through The Sympathizer 8y
keelymorgan @mllemay so funny, that's exactly why I'm reading this one. I already finished the other 2 that are due on Friday but I gotta get em back before the holiday for sure! Good luck, where I live it's raining all weekend so I think I will be able to hammer out a few. 8y
keelymorgan @Betty well that is great motivation 😊 8y
keelymorgan @whatshesreadingnow that's on my #TBR pile (along with most people it seems like) - enjoy! 📚 8y
keelymorgan @TheCanuckReader good thing you have all weekend! 8y
mllemay @keelymorgan ha funny! Those library due dates have a way of creeping up on me! This weekend will be the last warm days before it finally gets cold and snowy here... good luck with your reading (and enjoy the rainy weather 😊) 8y
heatherspoetlife Gotta finish this one before its due back at the library 8y
keelymorgan @StoredFeminism sounds like there are a bunch of us with almost due books we are trying to finish off this weekend, good luck! 8y
megnews Trying to finish up News of the World and Georgia. 8y
Bostonmomx2 I'm just seeing this post and it's now Saturday buuuuut tonight I started "We Were Liars." ? 8y
50 likes1 stack add14 comments
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keelymorgan
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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The dedication in this book is heart wrenching. I've been under the weather all week and I am so thankful it's finally Friday so I can read, relax, and recover from this awful cold...

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meg_parm
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

ALL the tears

4 likes1 stack add
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kiminreverse
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Weekend plans!

Reviewsbylola Looks like a great weekend! All at Sea was great but very very sad. 8y
3 likes1 comment
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Kitta
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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October #bookstats! I can really recommend both All at Sea and By Grand Central. They are fantastic books. The 6:41 to Paris came in a close second for my favourites and is also worth checking out.

Note to self: read more books by women this month.

BookishFeminist I had a low women writer count this month too. I read so much horror in October that it's hard to stick to female writers. Next month! 8y
Kitta @BookishFeminist I had the same problem, too much Stephen King not enough diverse authors! I usually strive to have a much better balance. 8y
23 likes2 comments
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JacintaMCarter
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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#LibraryHaul Seriously, someone needs to stop me.

Sara_Planz Yes to Gentleman in Moscow. Love love love! 8y
BeththeBookDragon If it makes you feel any better, I currently have 3 of the exact same books checked out of two different libraries... 8y
24 likes2 comments
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whelanmaria
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

When the unimaginable becomes real life. Decca Aitkenhead, after losing her partner in a freak drowning accident, must carry on for the sake of her children and herself. In this powerful and gripping memoir, she walks us through her life and love with Tony, her life without him, and her growing strength as she learns how to push past her grief. A phenomenal book that is slow and hard at times but still worth the read.

21 likes4 stack adds
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whelanmaria
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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This book is so heartbreaking and real. The dedication tears at me every time.

BookBabe ❤️ 8y
Iamlisa22 That dedication gets me every time 💔 8y
28 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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whelanmaria
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead

In the dating game I was a stateless refugee.

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LadyBrik
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

It's amazing to me that I can read a 200 page book about a tragic loss and not ugly cry through the entire thing. What an honest and profound commentary on grief. It's written in a way that grabs its audience but doesn't overwhelm us with personal sentimentality. I'm so glad I read this. 💙 (Also that cover 😍) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars #BOTM

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LadyBrik
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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This memoir is killing me with feels. 😥😥😥 #BOTM

9 likes1 stack add
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DoubledayBooks
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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"A heart-wrenching tale of race, unlikely love, and how grief changes everything. It‘s unforgettable."
—People

15 likes2 stack adds
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arlenefinnigan
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

Really moving story, and unflinchingly honest.

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ampersunder
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
Pickpick

An honest, clear-eyed memoir of the intricacies of dealing with sudden loss. No sentimental heartstring-tugging here. Aitkenhead pays homage to the life of her partner and works through her grief in the nine months following his death.

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ampersunder
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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New day, new book. Twenty pages in and my heart is already breaking.

5 likes1 stack add
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arlenefinnigan
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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5 likes1 stack add
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Kitta
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

Great memoir about the death of her husband Tony, who drowns on a family holiday. She's an excellent writer (she's a journalist), and the language and style bring her grief to life in a very real and relatable way. Many of her descriptions of dealing with and reacting to the trauma are perfect descriptions of what it's like to live with PTSD. It's not all sad, don't be put off by my depressing description - it's definitely worth checking out #BOTM

Kitta If you enjoyed this, you should read ! 8y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BooksCatsMaine
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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I am super excited about the October choices tonight!!

Anyone who fancies giving #botm a go, here's the link and code for 50% off!
https://www.mybotm.com/1c1ecesgaatt9
FRIEND50

Enjoy!

read_diverse_books Is that code just for October? I already got my subscription with a coupon, and am SO READY to see what books are offered. 😁 8y
12 likes1 comment
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Kitta
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Can't wait another moment to get started on this after listing to excerpts from @BooksGirlsCats - today seems like the perfect day for it since it's 'curl up with a book' weather in NYC right now. #BOTM

ultrabookgeek Today is curl up with a book and hot drink day here in NYC indeed! 8y
16 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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BooksCatsMaine
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

I don't usually read memoirs, but this is an excellent read. About grief, racism, crime and family, and written in a very accessible yet moving voice. There are so many conflicting aspects to the story (avoiding spoilers) that make for a fascinating read but which pale compared to her love for, and loss of, Tony. An excellent read!
I cried a bit when I read the excerpt in the guardian years ago, and might yet cry again...

#botm

Reviewsbylola Such a tear jerker. 8y
23 likes1 comment
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Amjno
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

This story was almost too unbelievable to be true. I enjoyed Decca Aitkenhead's writing style and admired her courage to write this story.

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AbstractMonica
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
Pickpick

This was a beautiful memoir of the author retelling the tragic story of her husband's unexpected death. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Decca's experience, and applaud her for being so brave, honest and raw.

19 likes1 stack add
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Iamlisa22
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
Mehso-so

Memoirs are usually not my thing which is why I give a so-so. This one hits you in the feels right away but I'm not sure if I felt that way through the whole story. Props to anyone who can take an honest look at their life and make it into a well written book. RIP Tony

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Twocougs
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Mehso-so

Lots of good about this book but for some reason, it just didn't connect with me.

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Reviewsbylola
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

This was a punch to the gut. A memoir of grieving, Aitkenhead relates her struggle during the nine months following her partner's accidental drowning. She had a lot of great insight into grief and I loved how unflinchingly honest she was.

morgan_krahn @Reviewsbylola this was one of my #BOTM selections for September as well :) 8y
Reviewsbylola I kind of added it to my box on a whim. I hadn't heard of it prior and I couldn't find any reviews on it but I'm glad I took a chance on it! @morgan_krahn 8y
morgan_krahn @Reviewsbylola same here. It wasn't on my radar at all, and I'm not normally a fan of memoirs but there was just something that drew me to it. I'm glad I added it in and got to experience it. 8y
63 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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BookishFeminist
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Book mail is the best mail! 📬 Sherlock had to help me unpack my #BOTM too. With the enticement of a chicken treat of course so he would let me take a picture.

You'd never know by the way he's licking his lips! 😅🐻🐾 #TheBookishFerrets

#TongueOutTuesday 😝

Hooked_on_books That's hilarious. I have to bribe my dogs to get good pictures, too. 8y
BookishMarginalia 💜💜💜 8y
MrBook 😻 8y
See All 14 Comments
CherylDeFranceschi ❤️❤️❤️❤️ 8y
[DELETED] 3323341091 so sweet 😍 8y
LauraBeth ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
Baileeandme ❤️Sherlock 8y
angrylilasian Oh I love that his name is Sherlock! 8y
Alicia 💙💙💙 what a cutie 8y
sparklemotion Sherlock is soo cute 💕 8y
DebinHawaii He is adorable! ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
BookishFeminist @Hooked_on_books Pets always need some encouragement 😏 8y
BookishFeminist @angrylilasian hahaha yep, and it couldn't be farther from the truth sadly 😂 he's a bit of a derp, but a very lovable one. 8y
128 likes1 stack add14 comments
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Reviewsbylola
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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This book hasn't even begun yet and it's already sad af. 😢

Texreader 😰 8y
CaitlinSiem Holy gut punch. 8y
BookMusings Wow 😰 8y
78 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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AbstractMonica
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead

"He often said that he would sue the Beach Boys for misleading him about the nature of California girls." As a California girl, I'm not sure how to feel about this ?

Texreader 😂😂😂 8y
10 likes1 comment
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AbstractMonica
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Quiet time❤️

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morgan_krahn
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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When your husband is at a bachelor party and you're waiting up for him...you grab a blanket and enjoy some quiet late night (or early morning, if you prefer to look at it in that light) reading.

Cinfhen I almost added this to my BOTM but I was feeling guilty about other purchases 💸💸 now I'm having regrets😥 8y
morgan_krahn @Cinfhen I don't normally choose memoirs, but there was just something compelling about this story, and I'm happy I added or to my #BOTM box this month :) 8y
Cinfhen Let me know how it goes...maybe I will add it next month 8y
35 likes3 comments
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catiewithac
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Pickpick

Raw, honest, powerful.

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AbstractMonica
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Oh my gosh. This already has me all choked up.

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AbstractMonica
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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💙📖🌊 I can't wait to read this.. I'm sure I'll be crying my eyes out by the end of it 😭👀💧💧

14 likes1 stack add
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morgan_krahn
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Who else adores these notes from the #BOTM judges as much as I do?! Makes the selections feel so personal!!

Reviewsbylola This was one of my choices too! 8y
ErinC Me! I'm trying to keep them all in the books but just loaned out a couple so we'll see 8y
morgan_krahn @ErinC I keep all of mine in the books they came with as well! And I take them out before I loan my books out lol 8y
31 likes1 stack add3 comments
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catiewithac
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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I am compelled to read my #BOTM selection as soon as it arrives. Every time!

Reviewsbylola I chose this too! 8y
18 likes1 comment
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BooksCatsMaine
All at Sea: A Memoir | Decca Aitkenhead
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Can you tell I'm excited for the next box? I read an excerpt of "All at Sea" in the Guardian ages ago and nearly cried, so I have high hopes for the book!

I am allowing myself one extra book per month, starting with "The Witches"! I'm excited to compare& contrast with "The Girls"...

#botm #bookofthemonth

Julsmarshall Ooh, great idea-1 extra per month! 8y
JPrecht Ooooh... Love "The Witches" to compare to "The Girls!" Great idea! 8y
17 likes2 comments