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The Idiot
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
A portrait of the artist as a young woman. A novel about not just discovering but inventing oneself. The year is 1995, and email is new. Selin, the daughter of Turkish immigrants, arrives for her freshman year at Harvard. She signs up for classes in subjects she has never heard of, befriends her charismatic and worldly Serbian classmate, Svetlana, and, almost by accident, begins corresponding with Ivan, an older mathematics student from Hungary. Selin may have barely spoken to Ivan, but with each email they exchange, the act of writing seems to take on new and increasingly mysterious meanings. At the end of the school year, Ivan goes to Budapest for the summer, and Selin heads to the Hungarian countryside, to teach English in a program run by one of Ivan's friends. On the way, she spends two weeks visiting Paris with Svetlana. Selin's summer in Europe does not resonate with anything she has previously heard about the typical experiences of American college students, or indeed of any other kinds of people. For Selin, this is a journey further inside herself: a coming to grips with the ineffable and exhilarating confusion of first love, and with the growing consciousness that she is doomed to become a writer. With superlative emotional and intellectual sensitivity, mordant wit, and pitch-perfect style, Batuman dramatizes the uncertainty of life on the cusp of adulthood. Her prose is a rare and inimitable combination of tenderness and wisdom; its logic as natural and inscrutable as that of memory itself. The Idiot is a heroic yet self-effacing reckoning with the terror and joy of becoming a person in a world that is as intoxicating as it is disquieting. Batuman's fiction is unguarded against both life's affronts and its beauty--and has at its command the complete range of thinking and feeling which they entail.
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Gissy
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 6mo
Leftcoastzen I need to read this one 6mo
Gissy @Leftcoastzen Me too! Most of the books I‘m posting are from my forgotten tbr pile😳 6mo
36 likes3 comments
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BekaReid
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Starting tagged book on audio today as I head out on a work trip for the week. Packed the essentials:
snacks ✔️
books ✔️
phone charger ✔️

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Clem_Krucz
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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I think this book has the potential to be frustrating for a lot of people, but I'm halfway through and I'm loving it!

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LatrelWhite
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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The year is 1995, and email is new. Selin, the daughter of Turkish immigrants, arrives for her freshman year at Harvard. She signs up for classes in subjects she has never heard of, befriends her charismatic and worldly Serbian classmate, Svetlana, and, almost by accident, begins corresponding with Ivan, an older mathematics student from Hungary.

20 likes1 stack add
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KinaReads
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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last book of February 📚🎀

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guidosophia
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
Pickpick

I had wanted to read this for a while but I‘m glad I waited until I was in college, especially after my first year. It was so relatable to read a college story where the narrator felt like an imposter who didn‘t fit in. That‘s how college felt for me in the beginning so that was refreshing. I wasn‘t a super big fan of the end tho

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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

This took me ~100 pages to get into but BOY did I love it when I did!! Selin is all of us, we are all Selin

#JumpStart2023

That's a square ticked off for #bookspinbingo too!!😁

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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman

#JumpStart2023

I have 100 pages left of The Idiot and I'm so hoping to finish today! I have until end of day on the 4th to keep me on track for my 100 books in 2023 goal though!!

I'm back at work today after my Christmas break (booo!), but I should still be able to manage it💪

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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
Moll @TheAromaofBooks 😍😍😁 2y
17 likes2 comments
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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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The Idiot is really making me chuckle at the moment - Selin (main character) is so unintentionally funny bless her, I love her a lot

#WinterReadathonDailyChallenge #JumpStart2023

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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Okay but why does this paragraph give a real insight into the workings of my brain too😂

#JumpStart2023

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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman

'February rolled around. The philosophy professor's unwavering concern for Martians came to strike me as eccentric, even troubling. For the benefit of the Martians, we spent hours trying to put things like metaphor and malapropism into logic notation.'

Currently over 100 pages in to my first book of the year😊 Happy reading everyone🙌

#JumpStart2023

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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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@TheAromaofBooks #bookspin #bookspinbingo

My list for January 2023!! I can't remember if I'm on the list to be tagged in posts so please do add me if not😁😍

BkClubCare Oh wow, you have some excellent books on this list! Many favorites of mine. HNY 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
Moll @BkClubCare Eek this makes me more excited to read them!!😁 2y
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Moll @TheAromaofBooks 🙌🙌🙌🙌 2y
dabbe @TheAromaofBooks Is there a way to add me in for 2023? I'm rather new to Litsy and migrating around the site, so I hope you'll forgive my difficulties! I'll post my 2023 list today. Thanks for doing this! What fun but LOTS of work for you! #laboroflove 2y
TheAromaofBooks @dabbe - Absolutely!!! I would love to have you along!! I did write a long and rambly post about the challenge on my blog here - https://thearomaofbooks.wordpress.com/bookspin-bookspinbingo-litsy-challenge/ - just let me know if you have any questions!!! 2y
Moll @dabbe Great to see you joining!! Have fun😁 2y
dabbe @Moll Thanks! I'm ready to get some serious reading done this year. Serious as in, well, you know! 😃 2y
Moll @dabbe woo hoo!!💪🙌 2y
20 likes9 comments
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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman

#JumpStart2023

I have decided that my goodreads goal will be to read 100 books in 2023 - very bold given this year I was just short of 40 hahaha but it will be fun trying!! I'll need to read about 8 books in Jan to be on track😂

I am going to be posting my #bookspinbingo list soon & I'll also be taking part in #foodandlit in Jan (at least)😁

@Clwojick @Lizpixie

Clwojick You‘ve got this!! 🥳🤩🥳 2y
Moll @Clwojick 😍😍 ty!!! 2y
11 likes2 comments
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Moll
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Next up!

This will also likely be my last book of 2022 and my first of 2023!

#lastfirst @BookNAround

BookNAround I have this one sitting in my tbr shelf so I hope it‘s great. 😁 2y
Moll @BookNAround It's great so far!! 2y
20 likes2 comments
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yourfavouritemixtape
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Mehso-so

This was weird. Absolutely loved the first third, couldn‘t stop reading, but then suddenly lost interest. The rest was a bit a drag and I didn‘t know where the story was going and what its purpose was. Made me chuckle once, though, which is raee with books.

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perfectlywinged
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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More character and thought focused than plot focused. It‘s so easy to read even though I don‘t understand half of the philosophical ideas. It reminds so much of being a freshman, very young and inexperienced but dealing with these weighty ideas.

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ItsAnotherJen
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Mehso-so

This was hard to keep going back to. There is humor throughout, but a very dry kind. Like the paragraph up above (which did make me laugh).
The back of the book has a review that states "An addictive, sprawling epic; I wolfed it down."
This review mocked me every time I forced myself to pick it back up so I could finally finish it.
I'm done. I finished it. I feel tired now. ?

The last sentence of the book made me yell out loud..ugghhh ?‍♀️

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plemmdog
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SHADE OF PINK chosen for the cover of the paperback edition of this novel? It‘s UNNERVING. It still lingers, four days after finishing. Every time I completed a section, I would close the cover and just stare at it, contemplating why they chose such an unattractive hue. Then I realized it matches the exact shade of pink as Silly Putty. Which was genius, because Batuman‘s novel was Silly Putty for my BRAIN. Goofy and tactile.

Megabooks Great review!! 😂😂 2y
jlhammar Yes! Love this review. I really enjoyed this one and Either/Or. 2y
BarbaraBB Great pic and review 2y
21 likes4 comments
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Christine
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

Quite enjoyed this! Upon finishing, I added to Goodreads and the first review I saw was @ReadingEnvy ‘s. I miss her. Her review (link in comments) says much that I would re: why I enjoyed - the late 90s/early-email-era college experience, the navel-gazing aspect, and the author‘s audio narration. For me the Boston academia setting and Selin‘s naïveté also resonated. That I'm eager to jump right into Either/Or for #CampLitsy says a lot, I think!

BarbaraBB I am glad you liked it. It‘s a shame Jenny can‘t join us for Either/Or 💔 2y
squirrelbrain Great review - looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Either / Or soon. 2y
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Christine @BarbaraBB Yes - I‘m sure she would have added something wonderful to the conversation, as usual. (edited) 2y
Christine @squirrelbrain I can‘t wait! I started it today and am already collecting favorite lines! 2y
batsy Lovely review! It makes me so sad to think about @ReadingEnvy. Such a loss 💔 2y
Christine @batsy Yes, a terrible loss. Amazing how many readers‘ (and others‘) lives she touched in her lifetime. 2y
39 likes7 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Bailedbailed

134 insufferable pages later, I‘m throwing in the towel.

Soubhiville It was worth a try, but yeah I‘m with you. 😞 2y
MicheleinPhilly @Soubhiville I‘m sorry you wasted money sending me Either/Or! To the LFL they go! 2y
Soubhiville No worries at all! Some people have said Either/Or is better, but I wasn‘t willing to try. I hope they get into the hands of someone who will like them. 2y
Megabooks Sorry this was a bust for you! 2y
Centique Late to the comments thread, but yes I had the same feelings. Pushed through to the end hoping for some big revelation and insight, but nope, didn‘t happen. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
53 likes5 comments
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Laughterhp
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Bailedbailed

#SorryNotSorry

Too many books and not enough time to read a book that isn‘t engaging me. 🤷🏻‍♀️Just have no interest in picking this book back up.

Sorry #CampLitsy, looks like I won‘t be reading Either/Or in August.

Chelsea.Poole I‘m with you on this one, I bailed. And I won‘t be able to participate in the discussion for Either/or 2y
Megabooks It seems the first book is already polarizing! Sorry you won‘t be joining us in August. 2y
41 likes2 comments
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britt_brooke
Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Panpan

⭐️⭐️ Neither Selin nor I learned a single damned thing.

That‘s all I‘ve got. 😅

Leftcoastzen This book seems to be a rave or a pan! 2y
britt_brooke @Leftcoastzen Agree! Have you read it? 2y
Leftcoastzen No ,still on TBR . But these rave/pans aren‘t helping.😂Actually, I know it‘s here can‘t find it , is the universe trying to tell me something? (edited) 2y
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britt_brooke @Leftcoastzen It‘s 100% a sign you should skip it. 🙈😂 2y
Cinfhen I BAILED by page 30 @Leftcoastzen 😁 2y
batsy As someone who gave it a pick, trust me you'll find it @Leftcoastzen 😂 2y
82 likes8 comments
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Blaire
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

I really liked this book though some part of it was nostalgia and familiarity. Her descriptions of Boston and particularly the Cambridge/Somerville area in the late 90s are spot on. I kept realizing, I‘ve ridden that bus, been to that restaurant, walked through that building. It felt both very specific to that time and place but also a great encapsulation of the feeling of being a college freshman.

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻♥️ 2y
Blaire @Cathythoughts thanks! I think it‘s a book that you either really feel or really hate. Its definitely a deep dive back into the emotional state of being in college. 2y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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batsy
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

This unexpectedly charmed me. It's too long, but that feels like a pointless quibble because I found myself chuckling often at how self-deprecating yet self-absorbed Selin is, like many bookish, awkward, uninitiated young people. It's a book where a lot happens, but comes off like nothing happens precisely because of how Selin perceives life: in single-minded devotion to her crush. Life feels like this: enchanting, silly, boring, banal, profound.

Leftcoastzen Love your review! It‘s been in my stash & on the TBR for a long time. I think I need to be in the right mood . 2y
squirrelbrain Wonderful review! Batuman is so good at portraying that late-teens self-absorption! 2y
Megabooks Great review!! 2y
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RidgewayGirl I loved this book so much, and the sequel is even better. Selin is a great character to spend time with. 2y
MicheleinPhilly Wonderful review! I‘m looking forward to this. 2y
batsy @Leftcoastzen Thanks! I think you'll enjoy this but yes, being in the right mood for something voice-driven and not plotty helps 🙂 2y
batsy @squirrelbrain Thank you! She does it so well and with such deadpan humour. 2y
batsy @Megabooks Thank you! 2y
batsy @RidgewayGirl Glad to hear that about the sequel! I enjoyed my time with Selin. 2y
batsy @MicheleinPhilly Thank you! It's a polarising book, I've noticed, but I hope you enjoy it! 2y
Cathythoughts Great review! I‘m a bit afraid of it , but your review is reassuring ❤️ 2y
batsy @Cathythoughts Thanks ❤️ 2y
96 likes1 stack add12 comments
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britt_brooke
Idiot | Elif Batuman
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🎧👟 I‘m gonna finally finish this book today. It‘s ungodly hot in TN, but my boys have run training, so here I am, walking on the greenway. Luckily for all of us there‘s lots of shade! They‘ll take extra water breaks and play in the creek. 🥵☀️ #audiowalk

KathyWheeler I‘m in SC right now and what got me on my walk this morning was the humidity! Mobile is humid, but it might be even more humid here! Pretty walk you‘re on though, even if it is unbearably hot. 2y
MallenNC It‘s so hot here in North Carolina too! I‘m impressed you‘re walking. It was above 90 here until well after dark yesterday so I‘m indoor exercise only for the foreseeable. 2y
ElizaMarie It looks absolutely beautiful though. I hope you can brave the heat and enjoy yourself :) 2y
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britt_brooke @KathyWheeler Similar here as in SC - the humidity and dew point have been just horrific in conjunction with the high temps the last few days. 2y
britt_brooke @MallenNC My biggest problem with the heat right now is timing. We workout in our garage gym at home, but it gets hot even with fans and the door open. If I could get up and going by 7am, I‘d be good, but the kids being out of school is cramping my style! (edited) 2y
britt_brooke @ElizaMarie We are very fortunate to have this beautiful greenway nearby. I got 3 miles in and survived! 😂🥵 2y
MicheleinPhilly I‘ve said it before and I will say it again - Humidity is the devil‘s moisturizer! 🤬 2y
76 likes8 comments
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Laughterhp
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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I am so bored. Does this get better? Does something happen? I‘m 100 pages in and I have no idea how I‘m going to go 300 more pages and read the sequel for #CampLitsy

I was interested in the story at first and read through it pretty quickly, but it‘s just so slow or something. I don‘t read a lot of character driven novels, I need action. 🤷🏻‍♀️

cariashley I remember feeling the same way… I stuck it out and did find the last third to be pretty funny actually, and overall I liked it, but it was definitely a slog at times. 2y
violabrain If you like plot driven novels, I would say this is definitely not the book for you. Nothing really “happens” in the entire book. It‘s much more of a quirky, in-depth character study. 2y
Addison_Reads I bailed at about 100 pages. I just couldn't get into it. 2y
BarbaraBB I ended up enjoying it 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
Megabooks It turned right around then for me and ended up a a strong pick. 2y
57 likes5 comments
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AnneCecilie
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

It‘s 1995 and Selin is entering her first year at Harvard. We follow her to classes, as she gets to know her roommates and make friends.

This book focuses on the everyday and is a reminder that it‘s the normal things that makes a life.

Can‘t wait to meet Selin again.

#CampLitsy

BarbaraBB I am looking forward too to meeting her again! (edited) 2y
Megabooks I‘m excited to spend more time with her as well. 2y
MrsV I just finished this one too. Even though I didn‘t go to Harvard, I started college around the same time as Selin. So I identified quite a bit with her. Looking forward to reading Either/Or next month! 2y
squirrelbrain I‘m also looking forward to Either / Or! 2y
BkClubCare Yay! 2y
65 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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MrsV
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

Thanks to #camplitsy finally read this one off the never ending TBR. Can‘t wait to read the sequel next month!

BarbaraBB Happy you enjoyed it! 2y
squirrelbrain I too just read this thanks to #camplitsy! 2y
18 likes2 comments
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AnneCecilie
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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#BookReport

Finished The Storm of Echoes.
Currently reading The Idiot and How High We Go in the Dark

Cinfhen I didn‘t get on with The Idiot 🙄curious to see how you like it. 2y
AnneCecilie @Cinfhen I‘m loving it so far and I‘ve made it to spring. I‘ve loved it since the first page. 2y
Cinfhen Ahhh, I couldn‘t connect from page one 😉😂😂glad you‘re enjoying it 2y
53 likes3 comments
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squirrelbrain
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

I read this ahead of Either / Or, ready for #camplitsy. Like a few of us, I think, I found it boring to start with but then started to get involved in Selin‘s life.

It really felt like the author understood and was able to portray that slightly angsty teenager who‘s not sure of her place in the world and doesn‘t yet know her own mind.

It ended up a good pick for me and now I‘m looking forward to the next book.

Henry is chilling in the shade.

rockpools I confess to returning my copy to the library 😹. Glad it picked up for you - and that looks like a lovely spot! 2y
TrishB Do you have to read this first? Looks lovely where you are 😁 2y
squirrelbrain I‘m not sure @TrishB - I haven‘t got to book 2 yet, but I think they do follow on from each other. @BarbaraBB @Megabooks - I can‘t remember if either of you has read both yet? 2y
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squirrelbrain @rockpools @TrishB - it is lovely (Cotswolds) but rather warm, especially for black pups. An excuse to do nothing but read though! 2y
BarbaraBB It looks lovely indeed! I enjoyed The Idiot too but haven‘t read Either/Or yet @TrishB 2y
LeahBergen Hello, camping Henry! 2y
squirrelbrain Hello! @LeahBergen 🐾 I‘m a bit warm… but I‘m reading in the shade with Mummy! 2y
TrishB @BarbaraBB thanks both! I‘m not feeling either at the moment but that may change in the blink of an eye! 2y
Oryx I'm finding it okish so far- I'm at 43% and it can be a bit boring. I think I'll finish it though, it's easy enough to dip into. 2y
squirrelbrain It got better the further it went on @Oryx 2y
87 likes10 comments
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jlhammar
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

So glad #CampLitsy prompted me to finally read this! Really liked it. Very much my kind of humor. Look forward to spending more time with Selin in Either/Or.

Megabooks I‘m looking forward to Either/Or too! 2y
merelybookish If you liked this one you'll probably enjoy Either/Or 2y
BarbaraBB Happy you‘ll be there in August to discuss the book! 2y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Emilymdxn
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

I never normally reread modern books but starting Either/Or made me realise how desperate I was to reread The Idiot. I loved this just as much as I did the first time and I can imagine myself rereading it many more times. I might even have loved it more. The humour and poignancy and how unpretentious it managed to be was jus magic

Graywacke Inspiring comment. Could I read this before Dostoyevsky‘s novel? 2y
Emilymdxn @Graywacke for sure, it has a lot of material on her reading, her thoughts on it and her relationship with Russian but very little on the idiot specifically 2y
Graywacke @Emilymdxn hmm. Thanks! 2y
Ruthiella Excellent! I loved The Idiot too but haven‘t re-read it. Good to know it‘s just as good the second time around. 2y
48 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Centique
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Mehso-so

I really liked Batuman‘s writing and many of the protagonist Selin‘s reflections on the world, and the way she articulated her awkwardness or lack of fit with it. I also liked the absurdist feel to much of this (and isn‘t life truly absurd?!) However the amount of time spent on the obsession element of the novel just made me feel tired! It felt repetitive and maybe that was the intention. A so-so but I‘m still interested in this author

Centique Photo taken at the art gallery inside Te Papa Museum, Wellington NZ. 2y
batsy The photo 😍 2y
Cathythoughts Beautiful photo 💫 2y
Centique @batsy @Cathythoughts I love that they displayed the art on a red wall! And there are touchscreens by the seats where you can read the notes for each piece, rather than using space on the wall. 2y
LeahBergen Gorgeous photo! 😮 2y
61 likes5 comments
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Teresereading
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Day 11 DNF - a holiday read from a book exchange that I never really got into
#bookmoods
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Sounds intriguing 🖤❤️🖤 2y
15 likes1 comment
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Oryx
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Daisy needs a rest on the walk - I get to read ❤️

Soubhiville Looking freshly groomed and fancy today Daisy! 2y
Oryx @Soubhiville Bikini ready 🐩 2y
Soubhiville 😆 2y
61 likes3 comments
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Oryx
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Seaside reading. Starting The Idiot, so I'm ready for #camplitsy and Either/Or

Cathythoughts Nice picture 👌🏻 2y
squirrelbrain Lovely! I just started The Idiot too… 2y
TrishB Gorgeous pic ♥️ 2y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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jlhammar
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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“I didn‘t know what email was until I got to college.”

#FirstLineFridays

Graywacke Well, I relate to that 1st line 100% 2y
jlhammar @Graywacke Ha, me too! I'm pretty sure I got my first email account when I started college Fall 1997, and even then hardly used it. I was definitely still sending and receiving letters via snail mail regularly my freshman and sophomore years. 2y
Graywacke @jlhammar we used had some kind of telnet thing - around 1994/5 - the year I graduated - of course, on a desk top and only on university computers - which were actually connected to something. 🙂 2y
42 likes3 comments
review
Megabooks
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

I disliked the first 100 pages of this novel and would‘ve bailed if its sequel (Either/Or) had not been chosen for #CampLitsy. However Batuman‘s *very* dry humor grew on me, and I loved the last 300 pages. I even laughed a few times. Selin is interesting.

Not much plot. Virtually 💯 a character study. You follow Selin through her freshman year at Harvard and a summer abroad in Hungary. She has a complicated relationship with a senior, Ivan.

Megabooks We didn‘t fertilizer the Mona Lisa lilies in time plus we‘ve dug them up twice since last summer, so they‘re small but still beautiful! 2y
Susanita Do you think it‘s necessary to read this before reading Either/Or? 2y
Megabooks @Susanita I really don‘t know. I know the book furthers Selin‘s story. I think a couple of people from camp have already posted reviews of Either/Or, so you may want to ask them. 2y
See All 17 Comments
Soubhiville Thanks for reviewing. I‘m still not sure if I‘ll finish it. I‘m at just over 100 pages, and I have mixed feelings. Beautiful lilies! 2y
Cinfhen I‘m glad you ended up enjoying 💖agree with @Soubhiville gorgeous lilies 2y
Megabooks @Soubhiville that was right about where it turned for me. Her travels in Hungary were really enjoyable! 2y
Cathythoughts Nice review! This is the only one that I have resistance to… I‘ll give it a go soon. 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen @Soubhiville thank you both for the compliments on my lilies! 2y
Megabooks @Cathythoughts good luck! Maybe it will click more quickly for you. 🤞🏻 2y
Hooked_on_books @Susanita I think you‘ll fare much better with Either/Or if you read this first. 2y
Hooked_on_books I loved this book. It sat in my shelf for quite a while before I read it, so I had some kind of resistance to it, but it really won me over. I do see why it wouldn‘t work for everyone, though. I think you‘ll like the next one if you like Selin‘s voice. 2y
Ruthiella Yeah, it took a while to click for me too, but when it did, I was laughing out loud! 😂 2y
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books I‘m very excited for it now. She really grew on me but I think part of the point is to be uncomfortable in the beginning. The tone mirrors Selin‘s own awkwardness. 2y
Megabooks @Ruthiella there were a couple of true lols for me! 2y
Centique I‘ve just started this! I‘m quite liking it (just 50 pages in) so 🤞🤞 2y
Megabooks @Centique I‘m excited for Either/Or. I‘m glad you‘re enjoying this! 2y
Desha @Megabooks Thank you for directing me to your review here! It helps…I‘m actually about 100 pages in so your review gives me hope!! 😊😂 2y
78 likes17 comments
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Cinfhen
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Sorry camp counselors but this book is NOT for me so ill be passing on Either/Or 🤪Hope it‘s ok if I‘ll just skip that activity and write letters home from my bunk instead xxx

Megabooks I‘m undecided about it. At times I‘m loving it and at others it‘s frustrating. Of course I‘ll finish both, but I‘m just really not sure. 🤔🤔 2y
Megabooks And do I spy a baby Herzy in the picture?? 😁😁 2y
Cinfhen Yes!!!! Good eyes 👀, especially since it‘s the middle of the night for you @Megabooks xx I really wanted to like this book but after about 50 pages I quit 2y
See All 26 Comments
squirrelbrain Oh dear! I‘m about to start this one this week, be interesting to see what I think, if you dislike it and @megabooks isn‘t sure… 🤔 And we might make you do all of the washing up for a week if you‘re not participating in one of the activities! 🤣 2y
Cathythoughts I‘ve been feeling a bit iffy about this book, not sure why though. . So this is interesting, I‘ll see how I get on with it. Lovely picture 💫 2y
BarbaraBB I can see why it won‘t work. It‘s slow and sometimes frustrating intellectual (as in over the top). So you are forgiven 😉. I liked it though! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 2y
BarbaraBB I can see why it won‘t work. It‘s slow and sometimes frustrating intellectual (as in over the top). So you are forgiven 😉. I liked it though! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 2y
TrishB I haven‘t brought either/or yet 🤔 and haven‘t ever attempted this one! 2y
rockpools Oooh, interesting 🤨 . I‘ve been putting off reading Batumen for years. This is now sat under my bedside table. #maybemaybenot 2y
britt_brooke I can‘t say I‘m surprised by this, @Cinfhen! I very rarely bail and I‘m even contemplating it. 😂 My hope is to get the audio from my library 🤞🏼 and power through. Print is not holding my attention at the moment. 2y
Soubhiville I‘m reading this too and wondering, what‘s the point? It hasn‘t really got a plot, just a description of Selim going through college? How far did you make it? I‘m about a quarter of the way through. I‘ll keep going for now, but not sure I‘ll finish it. 2y
Soubhiville Now I‘ve read the comments and see you made it 50 pages. Anyway glad to hear it‘s not just me having a hard time with it. 2y
AmyG I bailed on this one, too. You are in good company. 🤣 2y
BarbaraBB I can see why it won‘t work. It‘s slow and sometimes frustrating intellectual (as in over the top). So you are forgiven 😉. I liked it though! @Megabooks @squirrelbrain 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I haven‘t given up yet! 2y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks I am curious to see what you think 2y
Ruthiella Maybe you can make something out of yarn and popsicle sticks in the arts and craft cabin? 😂 2y
Cinfhen I would LOVE THAT @Ruthiella 🧶🧵✂️ 2y
Cinfhen I think I tried this on audio when it first came out and it wasn‘t working for me then @britt_brooke so I thought I‘d try print 🙄guess it‘s not meant to be!! Glad I‘m in such good company @AmyG @Soubhiville 2y
Cinfhen I‘m happy to mail you my copy @TrishB 2y
Cinfhen I don‘t mean to create drama in the cabin @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @rockpools but …. 🫢🫣😜 2y
Hooked_on_books I love this one, but I definitely see that it‘s not for every reader. Smart to bail out and write letters instead! 😉 2y
Cinfhen Thanks @Hooked_on_books I might go to crafts instead 😘 2y
Chelsea.Poole I tried this on audio when it first came out. I rarely bail but it was a no from me. I checked it out in print after Either/Or was a #camplitsy pick. I am guessing it‘s still not going to work for me though, based on this post. 😬 Glad I‘m not the only one! 2y
Cinfhen LMK how it goes @Chelsea.Poole I bailed on audio too 🫢 2y
TrishB Realised forgot to answer! I have this one on kindle. Just not got to - haven‘t brought the one for #litsycamp yet. 2y
65 likes26 comments
review
sullengirl
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

Batuman captures the monotony and agony of the first year of college — one of the darkest times of my life — with both dry wit and deeply poignant and philosophical prose. As an academic, I deeply appreciated Batuman‘s assumption that her readers are learned and capable of drawing their own conclusions, as opposed to many modern novelists that insult the intelligence of their audience. I cannot wait to read the next one.

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Megabooks
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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I sent this to my best friend from college. We took the newspaper VERY seriously ourselves, and she was editor-in-chief whereas I helmed the Arts and Entertainment section.

Enjoying this one!

Cinfhen The amazing “ A “ 🧡 2y
sarahbarnes I loved this book! Just started Either/Or last night and so far it‘s fabulous, too. 2y
Cinfhen This is going on my #WeeklyForecast but im super curious to see how @britt_brooke is getting along with it!?? 2y
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Megabooks @Cinfhen she has Covid right now! 👎🏻👎🏻 feels really bad but nothing serious/life threatening. I‘m also curious about what @britt_brooke thinks. I got 25% in today. So far running around 4⭐️. 2y
Megabooks @sarahbarnes I‘m so excited to read it in August! 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Not making much progress right now; only 15% in. We‘re in Kentucky visiting family so not much time to read. That said, I‘m in no real hurry to pick it up either. 😅 (edited) 2y
66 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
Soubhiville
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Surprise day off! I‘m going to run a couple of errands, then guess what I‘m doing! 📚❤️

BarbaraBB Great plans! 2y
Hooked_on_books Sounds like a great day! I loved The Idiot—hope you like it, too! 2y
Soubhiville @Hooked_on_books it‘s fun so far! I‘m loving the discussions about different languages and their little quirks. 2y
58 likes1 stack add3 comments
quote
britt_brooke
Idiot | Elif Batuman
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I‘m all for weird and quirky, but this line is fucked up.

Cinfhen Oy 🥺 (edited) 2y
KathyWheeler Yeah — I get what they‘re saying but there‘s so much messed up about that line. 2y
See All 14 Comments
Ruthiella Weird. Why not just say the size of a tombstone? 2y
Suet624 Wow. Not cool. 2y
Megabooks It is. 2y
Cathythoughts That‘s awful. 2y
janeycanuck Uhhh… I think that‘s a line that would have been better uncrossed. The author couldn‘t think of anything else that size?! 2y
Kangaj1 I wanted to love this book, but I abandoned it after 50 pages. 2y
Tamra What? 🫤 2y
britt_brooke @5feet.of.fury Exactly! Too far. 2y
britt_brooke @Ruthiella Agree. I would‘ve still slightly cringed, but not have been full-on disgusted. 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen @KathyWheeler @Suet624 @Megabooks @Cathythoughts @janeycanuck @Tamra Right. Just too far. Like @Ruthiella said, just saying “tombstone” would‘ve been much better. 2y
britt_brooke @Kangaj1 I‘m not very far in, but it‘s def not grabbing me. 2y
81 likes1 stack add14 comments
review
Sydx01
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

Trying my first review!
I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was weird and unusual but entirely relatable and also Hilarious! It made me laugh a lot because it was so ridiculous and absurd as Selin tries to navigate not only her freshmen year of college, but the intimidating process of communicating with language. The writing is amazing and I probably didn‘t understand all of the philosophy but I loved the heart of this book. BWWAY is next!

BarbaraBB Did you know there will be a sequel? 2y
11 likes1 comment
review
Havinghope10
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Pickpick

10 // 2021: “It can be really exasperating to look back at your past. What‘s the matter with you? I want to ask her, my younger self, shaking her shoulder. If I did that, she would probably cry. Maybe I would cry, too.”

Started as a vacation read, technically finished as a COVIDmas isolation station read.
Introspective and lovely, can‘t wait to read her newest book!

18 likes1 stack add
review
Samreamer
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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Mehso-so

I tried y‘all, I really did. It took me SO long to read this because I just couldn‘t get into it! My partner (who never reads fiction) got this and loved it, so I read it for him. And his whole family also loved it. And it‘s won a bunch of awards! What‘s wrong with me?! I had a difficult time keeping up with the disjointed writing style, and the author over explained when I didn‘t want it and didn‘t explain enough when I needed it. 5/10

BoleyBooks I find it hard to give up too. I fight my way through hoping it will improve. 😊 3y
19 likes1 comment
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monalyisha
The Idiot | Elif Batuman
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I finished my romance novel quicker than I planning & now I‘m at a loss for what I feel like reading next. STACKS ON STACKS.

brittanyreads I really enjoyed 4y
Magpiegem I‘m drawn to solutions and other problems... I don‘t know why I think I just like the name! 4y
73 likes2 comments