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Bright Lines
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
Short-listed for the 2015 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize A Brooklyn-by-way-of-Bangladesh Royal Tenenbaums.The Denver PostA vibrant debut novel, set in Brooklyn and Bangladesh, follows three young women and one family struggling to make peace with secrets and their past For as long as she can remember, Ella has longed to feel at home. Orphaned as a child after her parents murder, and afflicted with hallucinations at dusk, shes always felt more at ease in nature than with people. She traveled from Bangladesh to Brooklyn to live with the Saleems: her uncle Anwar, aunt Hashi, and their beautiful daughter, Charu, her complete opposite. One summer, when Ella returns home from college, she discovers Charus friend Mayaan Islamic clerics runaway daughterasleep in her bedroom. As the girls have a summer of clandestine adventure and sexual awakenings, Anwarowner of a popular botanical apothecaryhas his own secrets, threatening his thirty-year marriage. But when tragedy strikes, the Saleems find themselves blamed. To keep his family from unraveling, Anwar takes them on a fated trip to Bangladesh, to reckon with the past, their extended family, and each other.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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S3V3N
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

A great coming of age story. The characters are learning about finding themselves and their sexuality. The storyline drew me in and the characters were great, even those I didn‘t like, made the story great.

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mhillis
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Current reads: Akata Warrior, Slay, Finding Yvonne 📚
Rainbow cover: Bright Lines 🌈
Last lgbt book: Speak No Evil 🏳️‍🌈
#weekendreads

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callielafleur
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

I loved this story about a family from Bangladesh who lives in Brooklyn. It had everything- love, loss, happy times, bad times. The descriptions of Brooklyn and Bangladesh are artful, and the characters are wonderful. The culture was previously not well known to me, and I felt like I got a truthful look into the complexities of that experience. Anwar, Charu, El, Maya and all of the other characters will stay with me for a long time.

callielafleur I read the first 240 pages or so for #24in48, and also as part of the #MountTBR2019 challenge. 5y
64 likes1 stack add1 comment
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callielafleur
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Good morning to everyone, especially my fellow #24in48 readers! Enjoying breakfast and a new book, before I get kicked out of my Airbnb and have to head home

76 likes1 stack add
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Victoriahoperose
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

I had a hard time deciding what to read for the Underdog Hero challenge prompt so I went to some sources online and found this book. It was a unique take on this packed with diversity and young adult issues. I‘m glad that I took a step outside the box on this one and tried something new! #booked2018 #underdoghero

Cinfhen That‘s awesome!!! I love that you used the word “challenge” because that‘s the purpose of these reading prompts!!! #stacked 6y
Cinfhen Oops, it‘s already bee stacked!!!! Now I need to find it & read it 🤣 6y
27 likes2 comments
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Bookishgal71
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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What I love about Litsy is that it has opened my world to books I never would have tried. #groupq

TrishB Very true 👍🏻 6y
Ruthiella The cover colors make a perfect contrast to your pants! 6y
12 likes2 comments
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sweetpealsd
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Good book! It‘s on it‘s way to you @Bookishgal71 ! #lmpbc #groupq

JenlovesJT47 I‘ll have yours in the mail tomorrow! 7y
sweetpealsd @JenlovesJT47 take your time, mama! 💕 7y
Bookishgal71 Got it today! 7y
48 likes3 comments
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sweetpealsd
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Mehso-so

I liked this book. It is very rare that I like books with alternating p.o.v. but this is another book that challenged that dislike. I enjoyed reading about a culture that we don‘t have a lot of books about. My only regret is that while I enjoyed it I often forgot about it. It was a good book but nothing compelled me to want to pick it up. I probably would‘ve forgotten about it if there wasn‘t a timeline to read it.

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JenlovesJT47
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Mehso-so

I'm in the minority here, but I didn't love this book. It lacks cohesiveness and I felt that the characters weren't developed enough. But, that's just me! It has excellent reviews from everyone else on Litsy. This will be going in the mail to you tomorrow @sweetpealsd - I hope you like it!

P.S. I really like the cover, so pretty! 🌈

#LMPBC
#GroupQ

sweetpealsd Looking forward to it!🤗 7y
82 likes1 comment
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JenlovesJT47
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Received my #bookmail package from @mklong last night! Can't wait for round two of #LMPBC - Bright Lines looks really interesting and the cover is so pretty! I'm glad everyone enjoyed my pick for round one. ☺️

#bookclub
#GroupQ

🌈💚💕🌈💚💕🌈💚💕🌈💚💕🌈💚💕🌈💚

JenlovesJT47 @mklong there was a slight rip on the cover of Bright Lines when I opened it. Not sure if it was already there or if it happened in transit. Will put a piece of tape on it, it's not too bad. Just wanted to let you know! ☺️ 7y
mklong Thanks so much for letting me know they arrived! And thanks for taping up that tear. Hopefully now it will survive its trip. 7y
83 likes2 comments
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ju.ca.no
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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This book does not only have a #colorful cover but also deals with very important topics. #readingresolutions @Jess7

minkyb Yes it does. This book should have gotten more attention! 7y
74 likes1 stack add1 comment
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8little_paws
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

Snow day! So I finished this book this morning since I don't have to go in to work. If you like multi generational family sagas, this is a pretty good one. Sometimes I thought maybe the author was trying to do too much, but I still enjoyed this book.

50 likes1 stack add
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

Why did I let this book languish on my shelf for two years before I read it? Why? Now I will say it was before I figured out that multigenerational sagas about immigrants was my jam, but still.

Bright Lines is the beautiful story of a family that seems completely broken and disjointed. But they don‘t give up on each other. They dig deep. They reach out. They miss the mark and hurt each other more. Then they get it right. Love prevails.

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian This has been languishing on my shelves too! 7y
WhatDeeReads @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian Casey, this is your book. You should definitely get to it as soon as possible. 7y
WhatDeeReads @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian make sure to tag me in your glowing review. I know it‘s coming. 7y
42 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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I‘m used to a little fictional incest.

#BeenThere #GRRMruinedUs

cocomass Hahaha my last book did that too. I was like... gross, but not a dealbreaker 😂 7y
WhatDeeReads @ReviewsbytheMrs 🤷🏾‍♀️ 7y
WhatDeeReads @cocomass after the wonder twins, nothing is a dealbreaker. They‘re murderers and adulterers in the first 50 pages. 7y
38 likes5 comments
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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🎶I‘m so glad we had this time together.

Enjoyed this round of 24in48 so much. Love seeing the posts of all the people who made it to 24 hours! Congratulations! I made it to 11 hours. We should all be proud.

Until next time!

#24in48

Eyelit Excellent!! 7y
mhillis Congrats!! 7y
Eggs 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
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WhatDeeReads @mhillis Thank you! 7y
WhatDeeReads @Eggs 💪🏾 7y
Bookzombie 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️ 7y
44 likes7 comments
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Whew, ain‘t that the truth!

Quasifesto I feel the same way when someone says, “I think I might have food poisoning.” If you‘re not sure, then you don‘t. 😜 7y
WhatDeeReads @Quasifesto 🤣 I would guess this rule applies to many things. 7y
25 likes2 comments
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Had a fantastic brunch date with my best friend this morning. Set my attitude back right after the atrocities of yesterday. Back in bed now with a blueberry fritter and my book.

Respect your friends‘ boundaries fellow Littens. Seriously.

#Happiness #PlightOfIntroverts #24in48

CouronneDhiver Plight of Introverts, indeed. I don‘t keep very many real-life friends for that exact reason... 7y
WhatDeeReads @CouronneDhiver It‘s incredibly hard to make people understand. I simply will adjust my expectations. 7y
40 likes2 comments
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam

I am really fed up and exhausted. I‘ve said I‘m fed up and exhausted. No one is respecting my boundaries. I‘m about to throw the biggest tantrum.

WhatDeeReads I am so furious. I could have gotten so much reading done. 7y
Rachellynnwright I‘m sorry 😐 it is so frustrating when people don‘t respect your boundaries, I wouldn‘t blame you for throwing a tantrum! I hope your day is more peaceful tomorrow ❤️ 7y
CouronneDhiver 😤 that‘s the worst 7y
WhatDeeReads @Rachellynnwright Thank you. Today has been wonderful. 7y
WhatDeeReads @CouronneDhiver It really is. That friend and I are now on a little break until we can communicate effectively. 7y
22 likes5 comments
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WhatDeeReads
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Such a pretty cover design. Praying that my friend forgets we have dinner plans so I can keep reading tonight. 🤞🏾

Readathoners: how are we doing? Here‘s your reminder to stop and drink some water.

#24in48

2BR02B I'm hoping my boyfriend forgets I promised to come over! Somehow reading silently in one another's company for hours on end is not his preferred form of social interaction. 7y
tif @2BR02B he sounds lame 😂😂 7y
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WhatDeeReads @2BR02B JK, but I hope you do get some reading time in. My friend didn‘t forget either, so we‘re in the same boat. 7y
2BR02B @tif @WhatDeeReads I know, right?? 😆 7y
Mixedreader This is a great book 7y
WhatDeeReads @Mixedreader I‘m trying to hang in there. The introduction of these characters is a little strange. 7y
43 likes7 comments
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Loreen
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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This stack includes two books for the #bookriotreadharderchallenge and some books from book boxes. And one from a series that I don't want to end. #bookwormproblems #septembermostanticipated #fallintobooks

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CAGirlReading
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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I couldn't find a book with a shape in the title but lines are close enough, right?😄 #Junebookbugs #ashapeinthetitle

RealLifeReading Loved this one 7y
93 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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RealLifeReading
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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When your salad matches the cover of your book #asianlitbingo

SaturnDoo I want some salad 😆It looks delicious. What is in it? 7y
Sace That looks so good! 7y
I-read-and-eat Food looks good! 😀 7y
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RealLifeReading @SaturnDoo Persian cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, lots of fresh basil, some cheese I can't remember the name of, olive oil and lemon juice 😀 7y
Lcsmcat Yum! 7y
SaturnDoo @RealLifeReading thanks for sharing. Screens shot so I can attempt to make some. So yummy 😍😍😘😘 7y
RealLifeReading @SaturnDoo no problem! It would work so great with some fresh mozzarella! And sometimes I replace the basil with cilantro. 7y
RealLifeReading Thanks @Sace @I-read-and-eat @Lcsmcat 😀 7y
SaturnDoo @RealLifeReading I was thinking cilantro when I replied earlier I ❤❤❤❤ cilantro 😂 7y
BethFishReads But of course! 7y
136 likes1 stack add10 comments
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DimeryRene
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

Wonderful family story. Happy times. Sad times. Miscommunication. Parents v children. Sibling v sibling. Secrets. Touch of something magical. So well-rounded. I loved this book.

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DimeryRene
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Shaping up to be my favorite book of the year.

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Mindyrecycles
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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I love bright colors and I love riding my bike!

#JudgedByItsCover #MarchIntoReading

Cinfhen 💜💜 8y
Lacythebookworm And bonus it's a great story! 😊🙌 8y
minkyb Absolutely agree @Lacythebookworm ! 8y
Mindyrecycles @Lacythebookworm Great to know, thanks. It's been on my tbr awhile and I'm determined to get it read soon. 8y
LauraBrook Just saw this in my shelf yesterday and it reminded me that it was still unread! Must try to fix that soon... 8y
98 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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forrestlaur
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Day 21 - the coolest spines on my bookshelf 📚 #riotgrams #riotgram #bookstagram

6 likes1 stack add
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szainabwilliams
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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My #RiotGrams #shelfie is my reminder to buy more bookshelves (and find room for them).

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skrishna
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Today on Bustle, I'm recommending essential reads by Muslim women. Because I'm feeling helpless, and this is part of my activism. https://www.bustle.com/p/11-books-by-muslim-women-that-show-the-many-facets-of-i...

Matilda I love these posts you've been doing on Bustle 💙 8y
rachelm Bookmarking! 8y
Qemorio I read this book because I heard about it on the @bookriot podcast and then she did a signing at the bookshop where I work and I was thrilled to meet and talk to her. I LOVE it and recommend it all the time. 8y
DanaStaves You just built up my TBR list in a beautiful way! Thanks! 8y
balletbookworm ❤❤❤ (I had not heard of Madras on Rainy Days! Sounds excellent!) (edited) 8y
77 likes7 stack adds5 comments
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dylanisreading
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Switching to an audiobook because I was trudging through the book I was trying to read and I have some errands to run. #24in48

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OffTheBeatenShelf.com
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Books, cats, and bae. Three of my favorite things in one picture, and how I'm spending my New Year's Eve. He's healing up nicely from his surgery and she's been the best little kitty nurse keeping him company. The downtime has meant both of us have done a lot of reading this week (and I guess the cats, too, by extension). ❤📚💜📚❤

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susanw
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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And another great book sitting unread on my shelf. #silhouettesoncovers #seasonsreadings2016 @RealLifeReading

RealLifeReading I've heard it's a really good read! 8y
[DELETED] 1250735911 I've read this and it's very good! 8y
Suzze Oh, I have that unread too. I didn't notice it when I was choosing silhouette books. 8y
77 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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youngreadrshelf
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

The story of immigrants living in Brooklyn.
There is Charu, biological daughter of Hari and Anwar; Ella, adopted daughter of Hari and Anwar; and Maya, who is Charu's friend. The story has us dip into these 5 lives telling a story that ranges from Bangladesh to Brooklyn. The reader sees the prejudices against immigrants, lesbians, women, and it's not just white Americans.
It is a story about finding your place and being happy with your choice.

Lacythebookworm I really enjoyed this one! ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️ 8y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CuriousG
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

Really struggled to get going with this book, but so glad that I trusted the recommendations and kept reading. ALL the feels with this one! ❤❤❤

#hellooctober #brightlines #familysecrets #dysfunctionismywheelhouse #bookhangoverbegins

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CuriousG
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Settling in for a bit of reading while beauty is 'in process'. #hellooctober

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CuriousG
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Salt lamps and a few spare minutes to read make me happy 😊

Still chipping away at this book - the craziness of teaching both co-op and student re-engagement in September is eliminating almost all of my reading time!

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bookandcat
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Last week I reviewed one of the opening rounds for alt.TOB (alternate Tournament of Books, a spinoff of my fave March Madness for books). I was opening round no. 7, Bright Lines vs What is Not Yours, Is Not Yours! It's on the Goodreads discussion group if you'd like to check out the full judgment. http://bit.ly/2dlOAT2

5 likes1 stack add
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CuriousG
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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"It was interesting to him that her never thought of his wife as a scientist...her chosen path, beauty an cosmetics were experimentations in uncovering a person's true nature."

LOVE how this moment in the book represents both the awkwardness of someone trying to understand a concept that is foreign to them, at the exact time that it makes varying self-identifications seem like the totally natural thing it is.

CuriousG Not to mention, a man suddenly seeing the value in what he had previously thought as 'just a job' for his wife 8y
8 likes1 comment
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CuriousG
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Starting the day with some reading, a coffee and #RheoThompson #mintsmoothie #chocolate. #breakfastofchampions

For anyone even remotely close to Stratford Ontario, it is worth the drive for the chocolate alone!

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CuriousG
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Love me some 'misfits against the world' stories ❤

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Qemorio
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Pickpick

I really loved this book. It wasn't always what I was expecting but I liked the turns it took. I stayed up till 2am the day before I met the author and it was worth every minute of lost sleep.

Gleefulreader I love the cover on this one! 8y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Qemorio
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
Pickpick

I really loved this book. It wasn't always what I was expecting but I liked the turns it took. I stayed up till 2am the day before I met the author and it was worth every minute of lost sleep.

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AVChrista
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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Recovering from ACL surgery- let's see how this goes!

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Suzze
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
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I have a "rule" that, when I have to put books sideways on the TBR shelf, I have to find some books I may never get to, and donate them. I am about 22 books past the donating point and I can't bring myself to do it! Oh, and these shelves have double rows of books.

MrBook Love it! 😊 8y
LauraBeth That's a good rule 😀 8y
RealLifeReading Good rule! 8y
See All 8 Comments
Hugoreads Ah yes...the double rows! Hidden treasures. 8y
Coleen The obvious cute would be to buy another bookshelf. 😉 8y
Coleen Cure 8y
Suzze @Coleen Did I mention the overflow bookshelf in my bedroom? Full. 8y
Suzze @Hugoreads Makes looking for a book you know you have an adventure! 8y
54 likes1 stack add8 comments
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kconjerti
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
Mehso-so

This wasn't what I was expecting. A slow burn. But interesting and something that I think will stay with me for awhile.

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AKinderman
Bright Lines: A Novel | Tanwi Nandini Islam
Mehso-so

I love that the book is really diverse and inclusive but I found it hard to follow and get into.