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Last Chairlift
Last Chairlift | John Irving
John Irving, one of the world's greatest novelists, returns with his first novel in seven years--a ghost story, a love story, and a lifetime of sexual politics. In Aspen, Colorado, in 1941, Rachel Brewster is a slalom skier at the National Downhill and Slalom Championships. Little Ray, as she is called, finishes nowhere near the podium, but she manages to get pregnant. Back home, in New England, Little Ray becomes a ski instructor. Her son, Adam, grows up in a family that defies conventions and evades questions concerning the eventful past. Years later, looking for answers, Adam will go to Aspen. In the Hotel Jerome, where he was conceived, Adam will meet some ghosts; in The Last Chairlift, they aren't the first or the last ghosts he sees. John Irving has written some of the most acclaimed books of our time--among them, The World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules. A visionary voice on the subject of sexual tolerance, Irving is a bard of alternative families. In The Last Chairlift, readers will once more be in his thrall.
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Leftcoastzen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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#StorySettings #SkiResort oh yes, lots of ski related material in the most recent John Irving book.

Eggs Sounds compelling 👏🏻👏🏻 8mo
46 likes1 comment
review
andrew61
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Pickpick

A xmas chunkster from my favourite author + if this were his last novel it would represent many of the themes that have dominated john irving's past work. He expresses lgbtq voices in his work with warmth,+covers the US experience over his character, Adams 80 yrs incl Vietnam, Reagan/Aids, + trump. The bk feels very personal with a focus on child/single mother relationship. Loved it but at 890p a single read only. Happy reading in 2024 everyone

Ruthiella Happy New Year to you! 🥳 I really want to get back to reading Irving. 12mo
LeahBergen It feels like I haven‘t read an Irving for years. Happy New Year, Andrew! 12mo
andrew61 @LeahBergen @Ruthiella And to you both . Have a great 2024. 12mo
38 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Amiable
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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At the Santa Fe International Literary Festival to see John Irving! He spoke out against the troubling reversal of rights for women and the LGBTQ community, discussed his writing method (he always writes the last line of a book first) and the impact that his favorite novel (“Moby Dick”) had on him, and read a chapter from his current book-in-progress. What a fabulous 90 minutes! I could have listened to him speak for hours more.

Ruthiella Such a wonderful experience. I write this on every Litsy post that is about Irving, so I know that I sound like a broken record, but I really need to get back into reading his books. I was obsessed with him in the‘90s. 2y
Leftcoastzen Sigh , so jealous! A tidbit from the new novel👏enjoy Santa Fe 2y
Amiable @Leftcoastzen Yes! Working title now is “Honor‘s Child.” It returns to the orphanage in Maine and Dr. Larch —but years before the events of “Cider House Rules.” Sort of like a prequel, but with a different orphan. 2y
Amiable @Ruthiella That was the golden age of Irving, IMO. Some of his recent books haven‘t been as strong—but to me, even a so-so John Irving book is better than many others! 2y
Meshell1313 Awesome!!! 🤩🤩🤩 2y
56 likes5 comments
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JacqMac
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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I have had my eye on this one for awhile, but with the mixed reviews, I didn‘t want to pay full price. The ebook is on sale this weekend. Many great ebooks are on sale this weekend. I might have picked up five today. Oops

WorldsOkayestStepMom Instead of sleeping last night, I stayed up late buying books and browsing selections to buy... 2y
26 likes1 comment
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rebbyj
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
Pickpick

❤️Long. But beautiful. For Irving fans took me 84 days to read.

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Susanita
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Nope. I just can‘t anymore. I don‘t care what happens, and I don‘t really like any character. The thought of several hundred more pages of wink wink nudge nudge sex talk and how the main character (whose name I‘ve already forgotten) is such a misfit…just fills me with dread. When John Irving hits for me, he really hits. But not so with this. Is the empty chairlift some kind of metaphor?

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Branwen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Pickpick

I absolutely adored this book! 💕📚 It's not a perfect book by any means, and it's certainly not for everyone. It's very long (just about 900 pages) and it does meander on a bit. The criticism against it is fair, in my opinion! But I laughed out loud during so many parts, and cried during many others. The characters are some of the best I've ever read! And I am desperately sad that my time with them has drawn to a close!

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 almost convinced me! 2y
Ruthiella Glad to hear this! I want to kick start my Irving obsession! I stopped reading him in the‘90s for whatever reason…. 2y
Branwen @TrishB 😂🤣 @Ruthiella This was the first one I've read by him in awhile too! Now I want to go back and read more of his books! 2y
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Branwen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Just when I thought Irving couldn't surprise me with any new quirkiness in this book...he gives me a chapter with this title! 😂🤣

CoffeeAndABook 😂😂😂 2y
Leftcoastzen 😁It was long , but I was into it!😄The book I mean!😁 (edited) 2y
CoverToCoverGirl I literally spit my tea out (snort) when I read the chapter title. He wins hands down with that one. 😲🤭🤣 2y
Branwen @CoffeeAndABook 😁 @Leftcoastzen Ahahaha! 🤣🤣🤣 @CoverToCoverGirl Right!? I had to do a double take when I saw that! 🤣 2y
42 likes4 comments
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LinesUponAPage
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Winter is starting to wear on me as we‘ve had so much snow in the last few months. However, reading a good dark movie type Noir.

I‘ve heard John Irving‘s The Last Chairlift isn‘t a fluff book, it‘s meaty, and might not be for everyone, but I hope at least it will challenge my mind into taking a plunge out of the snow, and into a place that‘s filled with its foibles and good storytelling.

Leftcoastzen I loved it , but I‘m an Irving fan. 2y
LinesUponAPage @Leftcoastzen i am enjoying it so far as well! 2y
49 likes2 comments
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Branwen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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There was a big ice storm here a few days ago...and we have been without power ever since! It's been...a bit chilly, to say the least! 🥶🥶🥶 Been huddling under blankets alot with the kitties, trying to stay warm that way! Despite all this however, I am falling steadily in love with this book! It's been a while since I've read an Irving book - was he always this funny?! I laughed out loud SO HARD this morning I almost peed the bed! 😂💕📚

Suet624 It stinks to be cold for a long time. I‘m sorry. 2y
DaveGreen7777 Yikes! 🥶 Hope your power gets restored soon! 2y
Ruthiella Good thing you have snuggly kitties to help you stay warm! Yes! Irving is funny. Totally agree and one of the things I love about his books. 2y
Branwen @DaveGreen7777 Thank you so much! I will keep you updated! ❤️ @Suet624 Thank you so much ❤️ I'm trying to make the best of it! It's 46° right now in our apt! 🥶🥶🥶 @Ruthiella They are definitely helping us to keep warm! We're all warming up each other! 💕 Irving has really had me rolling with this book so far! There's a wedding scene pretty early on in the story and the shenanigans that occur are truly hilarious! 2y
45 likes4 comments
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britt_brooke
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thematically similar to the other Irvings I‘ve read, in the best way! Funny, dark, and thoughtful. Adam, the Snow Shoer, and Little Ray were so well-fleshed. If this story had wrapped after a certain pivotal moment, I‘d have given a solid five stars. It went on too long. Additionally, the screen play dialogue, though clever, could‘ve been left out. In an already lengthy book, it was just repetitive. Edit that shit down, my friend!

marleed Great review! 2y
britt_brooke @marleed Thanks! 🤍✨ 2y
73 likes3 comments
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ChrisBohjalian
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Bedtime reading. Good-night.

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Branwen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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First brand new book of the brand new year! 🎉💕📚

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Branwen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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My second Barnes and Noble gift card purchase arrived today! 💕📚💕 Instead of just waiting until I received all the gift cards and making one big order I placed separate orders as soon as each gift card arrived, like a crazy person with no patience! 😂 Though to be fair, shipping is free so it wasn't a big deal! The Last Chairlift is MASSIVE! I didn't realize what a chunkster it is! A whopping 889 pages! 😱

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ClairesReads
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Pickpick

Yeah, yeah it could have done with a tighter edit, but who really cares? Compelling, immersive storytelling from Irving in this novel. It feels like coming home to immerse yourself in a sprawling story of a complex family. As always, Irving‘s characters have such heart. This is a novel about how family matters, and how being true to yourself matters. In the end, like Moby-Dick, it‘s actually about how everything matters.

Ruthiella Great review! I really want to get back into reading Irving. 2y
britt_brooke Just started this! Great review! 2y
ClairesReads @Ruthiella he‘s such a great writer. It‘s been years since I have read one of his books and I loved reading his writing again 2y
ClairesReads @britt_brooke thanks! Hope you enjoy it 😊 2y
britt_brooke @ClairesReads Thanks! 🤍 2y
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ClairesReads
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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deeannloso
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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“John Irving, one of the world‘s greatest novelists, returns with his first novel in seven years—a ghost story, a love story, and a lifetime of sexual politics.”

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NovelNancyM
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Pickpick

Several times early on in this tome I thought about bailing. It has magical realism with ghosts and is so long! However, I'm glad I stuck with it and once again Irving did not disappoint. He spins cultural sexual norms on its head, comments on the politics of the U.S. and simultaneously gives us hope. This novel is a commitment, but if you're willing to make an investment I recommend it.

Wesleypaker Hello how are you doing today? 2y
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Leftcoastzen
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Pickpick

So looks like I‘m in the minority but there was enough of this book like the old Irving to make me happy. Did it need some editing, sure. I was often so drawn into the characters in this book .Irving was always a champion of exploring the family we are born into & the families we make , ones that are not always conventional.The references to Reagan,a bad sign of things to come, didn‘t take AIDS seriously, ratted out his colleagues to McCarthy etc.

Leftcoastzen I could go on & on. Maybe I should move to Canada. 2y
Ruthiella Your review makes me happy! I don‘t know when I‘ll get around to reading it, but look forward to it! Of all the books he‘s published in this century, do you have a favorite? I want to read him again and have not read any since (edited) 2y
Leftcoastzen @Ruthiella I still consider Garp , Hotel New Hampshire, and Cider House my 3 favorites .I read Owen Meany for the first time recently, though I liked it , it didn‘t dislodge the 3 .probably of the later ones( I haven‘t read them all ) I liked this one the most 2y
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Leftcoastzen @Ruthiella Garp always Garp! 😁 2y
Ruthiella Thanks! I‘ve read most of his 20th century stuff already. My favorites are Owen Meany and Cider House. 2y
Amiable I‘m so glad to hear that you liked it! I have it on my nightstand waiting to go. 2y
Amiable @Ruthiella My favorites are also Owen Meany, Cider House and Garp. Also loved Widow and Twisted River. Have you read “A Son of the Circus” yet? I really liked that one, too. 2y
arubabookwoman Well I think I'll go ahead and try it. I was a bit ambivalent. 2y
Ruthiella @Amiable I have read Son of the Circus. I read Irving regularly in the ‘90s. But the internet blew up my reading habits in this century and I‘ve not found my way back to him! 2y
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Leftcoastzen
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Cooked a lot yesterday, enjoyed the festive Thanksgiving day.I am so tired, declaring a
#blackfridayreadathon that just might turn into a #blackfridaysleepathon 😂🥱😴

TheSpineView A nap sounds lovely 2y
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Karisimo
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Bailedbailed

Five hours in I stopped to read more reviews and concluded it‘s not going to get any better 😔 Sorry, JI, I tried.

Also, now I need a new #snowysetting for #autumnbingo2022

Soubhiville First snowy setting Book that comes to mind for me is a dystopian by indigenous author novella that I loved- 2y
squirrelbrain I foolishly read to the bitter end…(I struggle to bail!) and it really doesn‘t get any better! 2y
Karisimo @squirrelbrain quitting is hard/new for me too! It feels like failure. But I‘m learning! Thanks for your confirmation! 2y
Karisimo Thanks, @Soubhiville I‘ll check it out! 2y
21 likes4 comments
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bibliobliss
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Peep that sexy guy right there. My favorite author!! Anyone read the tagged book yet? I love when he releases a new book; it doesn‘t happen often.

Ruthiella I still have to first read everything after 2y
ImperfectCJ He used to be my favorite author, but his novels started feeling repetitive after A Widow for One Year. I've read all but three of them (Twisted River, Until I Find You, and Chairlift), so it would probably make sense just to read those, too, but I'm a little worried that if I read them and don't love them, it will color how I feel about my favorites of his. 2y
Leftcoastzen I‘m loving Chairlift so far , my progress is slow , not because of the book. Life issues taking up all my time. 2y
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bibliobliss @ImperfectCJ That makes sense. But aren‘t you curious about those books?! 😉 2y
38 likes6 comments
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squirrelbrain
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Panpan

I very rarely pan a book and it makes me sad to do so with this one. It may have been a so-so had it only been half of its 900pages. Honestly, I don‘t do myself any favours by struggling to bail. I think I (quite) enjoyed from about page 200 to 500 and by then I was too far in to give up.

I was going to say it contains the usual sexual and scatological humour, but I think a lot of what was missing in this book was the humour ⬇️

squirrelbrain …and yes there was a lot of sex but it was oddly skirted around and puritanical which just didn‘t work; another failed attempt at humour perhaps? There was also a lot of repetition and, as many reviews have said, the book needed a lot of editing. Oh, and the MC‘s first sexual experience was his Mum kissing him with tongues 😱 so that really set the tone for the book. 2y
Cinfhen Ugh!!! Awkward sex scenes in literature are so cringy!!!!! And 900 pages is wayyyyyy too long. #HardPass 2y
batsy "that really set the tone for the book"... oh dear ?? 2y
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TrishB I think I may avoid, seen a lot of really bad reviews and if anything you are very positive Helen! 2y
Oryx Hmmm. I'll probably give it a miss. Thanks for reading it, so we don't have to😁 2y
MicheleinPhilly Ugh! He used to be such a favorite of mine but his last few books have been real stinkers. I was so hoping this was a return to form. 😕 2y
squirrelbrain You‘re welcome! @Oryx 2y
squirrelbrain Definitely not a return to form! @MicheleinPhilly 2y
squirrelbrain Yes, I‘d definitely avoid @TrishB 2y
marleed Oh I was wondering if I should add this too my huge pile of chunkster TBRs. You‘ve helped me decide that pile is tall enough already, thank you very much! 2y
Megabooks Major cringe, but I admire you for sticking with it (my crazy friend 😉😅)!! I will definitely be skipping!! 2y
Caroline2 It is hard to bail but at the end of each year I look back at books I‘ve read and books I‘ve struggled with. It‘s such a waste of time to read books that feel like a chore!! 😆 2y
72 likes12 comments
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Leftcoastzen
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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What makes Irving, Irving .🙂

AmyG There are alot of these throughout the book. The wedding-pure Irving. 2y
Leftcoastzen @AmyG awww yes! Just finished wedding part.Loved it! 2y
36 likes2 comments
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SheReadsAndWrites
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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I was pretty excited to find John Irving's new book. 😃 Had a lovely time book shopping with my kids then sushi for lunch. 🍣 #perfectsaturday #bookstorebooty

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Leftcoastzen
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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I‘m less than 100 pages in .So busy my reading time is so limited.But I must say it‘s wonderful to be reading a book by a “real writer “.😄Loving all the ski knowledge in this new one!⛷🎿 #quotes

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Leftcoastzen
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Yes , it‘s a good Sunday Morning! Great Irving interview.I love that the new novel has a grandma that keeps Moby Dick at hand & reads it to her grandson. https://youtu.be/NcinEm8bRh0

AmyG I am reading this now and enjoying it. 2y
lynneamch Great interview. Thanks for posting. 2y
Leftcoastzen @AmyG I‘m only on page 22 .😁 2y
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Leftcoastzen @lynneamch you‘re welcome! 2y
AmyG I am not that much ahead. Very John Irving. And I love all the skiing references….ha, I live in CO near all the resorts. 2y
Leftcoastzen @AmyG do you ski? I‘m terrible at it . Every time I‘d go beyond beginners slopes , I‘d injure myself & have to go back to the lodge to read .🤔😄 2y
AmyG I used to ski. I blew out my knee in 1998? Got a new ACL and never skied again. As I tell my husband…”I have never hurt myself reading”. 🤣 2y
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Leftcoastzen
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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You are old,the author is old,& we no longer care!
I was disappointed my local indie only had copies of the new Irving either paid for or reserved,none to buy on Tuesday (release day) they had 7 at the Tempe location, unfortunately, that is the opposite direction of my moms place.🙄The next day I did find it at Barnes & Noble , at the back of the new release table ,only 4 copies total. I am a reader for life, but Garp reignited my interest JIT.⬇️

Leftcoastzen Just in time & because of that , I am fiercely loyal. But damn , the 80 year old wrote a 889 page book!😳 2y
Soubhiville Wow that‘s an impressive page count at any age! 2y
Leftcoastzen @Soubhiville right?!?😂 2y
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Cinfhen That is super sad - not to stock a book by John Irving. Can‘t wait to hear your thoughts….the page count actually has me hesitating #PageCountPhobia 2y
squirrelbrain I have an ARC and haven‘t got very far yet…. 2y
sdbruening Love that owl art 😃 2y
Leftcoastzen @sdbruening thanks ! I treated myself to some Halloween decor!🦉 2y
58 likes7 comments
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BoleyBooks
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Susanita
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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📘Inheritance
🖊️John Irving
📽️Inside Out
🎤Imagine Dragons
🎶If I Fell (Beatles)
#manicmonday #letteri

CBee Thanks for playing! 2y
32 likes1 comment
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Amiable
The/Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Oh my god, this sounds amazing! And I‘m upset that I will miss it because my husband and I will be traveling out of the country that week. 😕

For those who can attend the virtual event, here‘s the sign up: https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/authorfest

And please let me know how it is!

Amiable @Leftcoastzen —possible for you? 2y
MemoirsForMe Cool! Thx for the heads up! 2y
Amiable @UwannaPublishme It‘s going to be so good! 2y
Leftcoastzen @Amiable thanks for tag! Probably! 2y
42 likes4 comments
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Leftcoastzen
The Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Fingers crossed it‘s a winner from one of my favorite authors.

Amiable All my fingers and toes are crossed, too! I‘m still going to read it no matter what, though. 😬 2y
AmyG Me, too. I read it will be his last book (?) (edited) 2y
Sophronisba I think I read it was his last “big“ book, leaving the door open for shorter ones, I guess. But also he's eighty. 2y
BookwormM Ohhh excited 2y
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everlocalwest
Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Whelp, it finally happened. John tested positive for COVID. Thus begins our quarantine. Luckily, I got this baby in last week. He's totally fine, by the way, and I'm still testing negative so at this point it's really best case scenario except we had several import work-related appointments this week. C'est la vie.

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BoleyBooks
Last Chairlift | John Irving
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Leftcoastzen 😱 2y
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Leftcoastzen
Last Chairlift | John Irving
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MicheleinPhilly 😮 Here‘s hoping it‘s a return to form for him. His last good book was 3y
AmyG Agreed @MicheleinPhilly 🤞🏻 3y
Ruthiella I need to get back to reading Irving. I‘ve not read him since 3y
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