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The Boy with a Bird in His Chest
The Boy with a Bird in His Chest: A Novel | Emme Lund
11 posts | 7 read | 7 to read
A modern coming-of-age full of love, desperation, heartache, and magic (Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prizewinning author) about the ways in which family, grief, love, queerness, and vulnerability all intersect (Kristen Arnett, New York Times bestselling author). Perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Thirty Names of Night. Though Owen Tanner has never met anyone else who has a chatty bird in their chest, medical forums would call him a Terror. From the moment Gail emerged between Owens ribs, his mother knew that she had to hide him away from the world. After a decade spent in hiding, Owen takes a brazen trip outdoors in the middle of a forest fire, and his life is upended forever. Suddenly, Owen is forced to flee the home that had once felt so confining and hide in plain sight with his uncle and cousin in Washington. There, he feels the joy of finding a family among friends; of sharing the bird in his chest and being embraced fully; of falling in love and feeling the devastating heartbreak of rejection before finding a spark of happiness in the most unexpected place; of living his truth regardless of how hard the thieves of joy may try to tear him down. But the threat of the Army of Acronyms is a constant, looming presence, making Owen wonder if hell ever find a way out of the cycle of fear. A heartbreaking yet hopeful novel about the things that make us unique and lovable, The Boy with a Bird in His Chest grapples with the fear, depression, and feelings of isolation that come with believing that we will never be loved, let alone accepted, for who we truly are, and learning to live fully and openly regardless.
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review
Kenyazero
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Pickpick

A thoroughly unsettling, intriguing read. Definitely an intense metaphor and illustration of trans experiences. Definitely want to check out the content warnings before you dive in. #LGBTQ #MagicalRealism

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AllDebooks
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Ooooh, my reading goals are working. Had a very relaxing 2 days, reading some incredible books. Instead of tackling 1 book at a time, I've got several on the go for mood reading and it is working a treat.

#EasterOMC challenge 9 - 1st sentence of the tagged book......

"A Java sparrow lives inside of Owen's chest."

A recommendation for #Naturalitsybingo2023

@Clwojick @LadyKatrina

Clwojick Sometimes multiple books work better than one at a time! 😉 2y
27 likes1 comment
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AllDebooks
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#EasterOMC #AwesomeApril Readathon

Eurrrgh, I've been in such a funk lately with irl issues. I'm experiencing such a reading slump. Here's hoping these two amazing events help me find my mojo. Certainly put a smile on my face, sitting in the sun, dozing, planning, reading and more dozing. This is gonna be a weekend of complete self care. Let the R & R commence.

Happy Easter, Litsyfam xxx 🐣🐰😍😴🍫📚

@Clwojick @LadyKatrina @Andrew65

AllDebooks I don't wish to set predetermined reads. I'm very much going with mood reads this time and getting thru some ARCs. I definitely want to finish the marvellous The boy with a bird in his chest. Also hoping to have my slump lifted by 2y
IndoorDame Perfect goals! Happy Easter 💐 2y
Dragon Happy Easter 🐣 💚🐉 2y
See All 9 Comments
Clwojick You‘ve got this girl! Read on! 2y
Andrew65 Best of luck, can relate as been in a bit if a slump during February and March. 2y
AllDebooks @IndoorDame @Dragon thanks, wishing you both a great Easter weekend x 😊 2y
AllDebooks @Clwojick thanks for the encouragement x 🙌😍😅 2y
AllDebooks @Andrew65 thanksx It's not nice is it, esp when reading is your go to when stressed!!! Hope you have a great readathon too. X 2y
Andrew65 @AllDebooks Thanks, and no not good as you say, because it is reading that helps keep us balanced and as stress free as possible. 2y
34 likes9 comments
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Kenyazero
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In celebration of the #TransRightsReadathon, I'm highlighting openly trans and nonbinary authors this week. In Emme Lund's debut book you'll find a thought-provoking magical realism narrative examining what makes us each unique and learning to love these parts of us.

Please consider donating to organizations that support our trans and nonbinary communities, such as the National Center for Trans Equality at https://transequality.org/

25 likes4 stack adds
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

This was for one of my book groups, recommended by a member. I was a little wary of it, but ended up loving it! It‘s a magical coming of age story of Owen, mostly hidden away his entire life because he has a literal bird in his chest. It‘s not perfect, and there are a few plot holes.. but if you lean into the magic, it can be really quite charming.

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tessavi
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Mehso-so

I am not sure how I feel about this book. It wasn't bad but only just kept my interest enough to finish.

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tessavi
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Me time!

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Lauren890
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this book about a boy who‘s a “Terror” because he‘s born with a bird in his chest so he needs to keep it hidden. This was a good coming of age novel - it kind of gave me Perks of Being a Wallflower vibes but for me, this was better.
This was a #gettbr recommendation

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GerardtheBookworm
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Pickpick

A strange anomaly occurs when Owen Turner is born with a live bird inside his chest. As his mother tries to shield him from the world, Owen somehow navigates through life discovering heartache, family, and love in this coming of age LGBT+ quirky read that is metaphor for accepting oneself and self discovery.

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Erinreadsthebooks
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Bailedbailed

Surely it‘s just me. The premise of this book is a really interesting concept, but something is off. Eighty-four pages in and I‘m not invested. Is the book super great? Absolutely not, but is it better than a DNF? Probably, but not for me at this moment. Moving on ✌️

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Erinreadsthebooks
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I heard about this one from a podcast and saw it in a bookstore that had a sign saying you could get an ARC with purchase. I was most definitely game for that. Excited about this one 🤩