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The Cider House Rules
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
First published in 1985 by William Morrow, The Cider House Rules is John Irving's sixth novel. Set in rural Maine in the first half of the twentieth century, it tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larchsaint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Cloud's, ether addict and abortionist. It is also the story of Dr. Larch's favorite orphan, Homer Wells, who is never adopted.
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review
Lizwarnerpdx
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
Mehso-so

I‘m not even sure what to say about this book. It‘s too long. It‘s a novel, so it mostly depressing.

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Leftcoastzen
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#ItTakesAllKinds #WithPhysician Dr. Wilbur Larch , a great character in a book loaded with great characters! 🍎Tom Tom looks on #CatsOfLitsy

Ruthiella When I see an Irving cover, I know that it‘s probably a @Leftcoastzen post! 😃👍 9mo
Leftcoastzen @Ruthiella 😂👏📚 9mo
AmyG Such a good book. 9mo
See All 7 Comments
Eggs Great photo🖤😻❤️ 9mo
AnnCrystal 💕😻💝. 9mo
RaeLovesToRead Awww!!! Hello Tom Tom! 🥰🥰 9mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 9mo
49 likes7 comments
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Susanita
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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1. Civil War
2. The Next Person You Meet In Heaven (Albom)
3. Probably the tagged book (according to Goodreads)
#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Thanks for joining in🙏🏻🙏🏻 11mo
26 likes1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Happy #Caturday . I kept one of my foster kittens , this is Dusty. It was my first time fostering, I am sad and full of worries for her siblings now at the adoption center . 😢

batsy ❤️ 1y
MaureenMc 💗 1y
AmyG Awwwww. She is the sweetest ❤️ 1y
See All 9 Comments
Ruthiella Her siblings will surely also find good homes. ❤️ 1y
IndoorDame She is so sweet! Congrats on your newest little reading buddy and on your first time fostering! 1y
Bette 😊❤️🐱 1y
dabbe Hello, Darling Dusty! Hoping there are other excellent fosters for your sibs like the one you now have. 🖤🐾🖤 1y
Leftcoastzen Good news! All her siblings & one other kitten I fostered who was a single survivor got adopted today 1y
Suet624 Such a sweet kitty 1y
53 likes9 comments
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marleed
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Well, 20th Century books won this grid‘. Its truly a tie between these two books with no overall favorite. I tagged TCHR because Wilbur Larch is so relevant today.

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

Suet624 Wonderful selection of books! 2y
marleed @suet624 I get such a kick looking at my last set of books grouped together in a grid. It be never compared my grids against each other but I wonder if I might have a favorite grid of a quarter or a year! 2y
68 likes2 comments
review
marleed
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

I saw this movie years ago only remembering Michael Cane‘s line, ‘Goodnight you princes of Maine and kings of New England‘. I have a feeling when I saw the 1999 film based on a 1985 book speaking to a mindset in the 1920s thru 1950s, I thought it was a history to be considered (a woman‘s right to choose) but never again contested. It‘s scary this looks to be our future, as well. ↓

May #BookSpin 5 Category: Over 500 pages @TheAromaofBooks

marleed My mind game is working as I‘ve read a book over 500 pages from Jan-May. I‘m not sure that I‘ve ever accomplished this before because my goals were always book count. This year if I‘ve read 20 books in a month, I‘ve decided to read down a chunkster so going into the next month I have less than 300 pages left. I‘m thrilled! 2y
Leftcoastzen I just reread (actually listened to) that‘s why serious writers are worth reading , both Irving & Atwood in their different ways seem to see the writing on the wall. 2y
marleed @Leftcoastzen I agree, and I combined the audio with the print, too! Now I want to revisit the movie! It‘s chilling how relevant Wilbur Larch is to what‘s happening today. 2y
See All 9 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Great progress on checking off those chunksters!!! 2y
CoverToCoverGirl I haven‘t read this but your review has convinced me that I need too. 2y
marleed @CoverToCoverGirl I could have this 2 years ago and Wilbur would have been an interesting character representing a historical perspective. But to read it now is very powerful. I did have both audio and print and that was helpful too! 2y
marleed @TheAromaofBooks I‘m thinking I might actually get in a chunkster each month this year which is amazing because I‘m typically grateful to finish one in a year! Mind games at work! 2y
TheAromaofBooks I'm sometimes almost annoyed at how tricking my brain works so often 😂 2y
Amiable TCHR is tied with “A Prayer for Owen Meany” as my favorite books of all time. I adore John Irving! 2y
85 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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sisilia
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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The stack beside my reading chair 😅

Amiable Tagged is one of my all-time favorite books. 😍 2y
JenniferP Fantastic stack of books! 2y
sisilia @Amiable Ooohhh that‘s awesome 😍 I‘ve had this book sitting there for years! 2y
LeahBergen I spy the April #PersephoneClub book. 😄 2y
sisilia @LeahBergen Hehehe that‘s my next read 😃 2y
53 likes5 comments
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Leftcoastzen
Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#MarchMagic #SpecialEdition playing catch up! My signed limited edition of The Cider House Rules & one of those lovely Barnes & Noble leather editions .
3 in 1 Anne Rice!

Eggs Beautiful!!! 2y
Centique Those are gorgeous editions 😍 2y
54 likes2 comments
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Leftcoastzen
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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So , this was published in 1985, still seems relevant today.You know , I never had kids , I always felt if it happens, it happens, not pro or anti really.I had a couple of serious relationships with men who already had kids , didn‘t want more …but maybe….it‘s was this book!😄🍏🍎Note: book on tape!Moms car has a cassette deck & a CD player!👏🤷‍♀️ #retro

Megabooks Books on tape rocked! 2y
Leftcoastzen @Megabooks 😂glad you like them! I did too ! I found this at a big book sale a couple of years ago.I like Irving, & wanted a book on tape “specimen”in the collection. 2y
dabbe Those tapes = retro awesomeness. 🤓😎😊 2y
See All 9 Comments
Leftcoastzen @dabbe right?!?!👏 2y
marleed I have this book on my TBR - I‘m determined to read it this year! 2y
Tamra Oh my gosh - a tape! 😲 2y
BarbaraBB Wow!! That is fantastic 😍😍 2y
Hooked_on_books Oh man, look at that! An honest to goodness book on tape! You‘re making me nostalgic. 😍 2y
Leftcoastzen @Hooked_on_books I just hope they don‘t get caught in the player !😁The not so nice part about cassettes. 2y
63 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
WorldsOkayestStepMom
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

Fantastic novel, though the chapters are excessively long.

TheNeverendingTBR Oh god, long chapters 😒 2y
52 likes1 comment
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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I wanted to be done with this by tonight, but it is SO LONG! I didn't realize that it was a chunkster when I started. My Kindle estimates it takes me an hour and a half to read one chapter. Irving is very detailed in his writing.

Prairiegirl_reading Omg I can‘t handle chapters that long! 2y
WorldsOkayestStepMom @Prairiegirl_reading they are so long. I have to stop and take breaks, which I hate doing in the middle of a chapter. 2y
Leftcoastzen 💕 2y
37 likes3 comments
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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My #bookspin list for May. Very excited to see what this month‘s picks will be!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!!! 3y
18 likes1 comment
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aperfectmjk
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

Well, if you came here because of the movie, I'm sorry. The book is certainly different isn't it? Not bad, just different. Perhaps a bit long-winded. I can see why they left out quite a bit.

#bookspinbingo #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks #19822022 (1985) @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Good choice! This is on my to read list! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
36 likes2 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Cider House Rules | John Irving
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...falling asleep, he would follow the ghostly mothers who left St. Cloud's in the cover of darkness, and boarded the horse-drawn coach car, or, later, the bus which replaced the coach, and gave Homer Wells his first sensation of the passage of time, of progress. Soon after the bus replaced the coach, all bus service in St. Cloud's was discontinued. Thereafter the mothers walked; this gave Homer further understanding of progress.

Singout Loved this one! 3y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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The_Penniless_Author
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Her method was rigorous and messy. She presented great clumps of uncapitalized, misspelled, and unpunctuated words, and demanded that the clumps be put into proper sentences, meticulously punctuated and correctly spelled. She then corrected the corrections; the final document- she employed a system of different colored inks -resembled a much-revised treaty between two semiliterate countries at war.

Leftcoastzen 💕 3y
52 likes1 comment
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bio_chem06
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#Book2MovieRecs #charlizetheron 5. I can‘t get behind the boys club Hollywood that Tobey Maguire was part of in the 90s, but I do love Charlize. @Klou

Klou Brilliant! 3y
bio_chem06 @klou I have these hashtags all backwards 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 3y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TheSpineView
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: Natalie Portman

Cold Mountain, in which Portman plays Sara, reminds me a bit of The Cider House Rules. The character struggles though different in many ways between the two books were so real and thoughtful.

Klou Great choices!! 3y
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
DrLReads
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
Pickpick

A re-read however, just as compelling and moving the second time around.

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MilicaS
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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7/53

😭❤
All recommendations, great book.

Leftcoastzen Glad you like it! It‘s great to see your edition! 4y
MilicaS @Leftcoastzen Thank you veeeery much☺☺🥰 4y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
britt_brooke
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ At St. Cloud‘s, they perform both the “lord‘s work” and the “devil‘s work. A Bildungsroman of epic proportions emerges. Homer Wells, the ever-returning orphan, studies under Dr. Larch. They treat women with unwanted pregnancies in a tender, professional manner. This was written a few years after Roe v Wade, but is set in pre- and post-WWII America when/where women had certain expectations. Dark, bold, thought-provoking. A clash of morals.

Amiable One of my all-time favorites! 🥰 4y
britt_brooke @Amiable I can see why! 💚 4y
Suet624 I am wracking my brains trying to remember the name of the book I just read about a woman who had been orphaned and, as an adult, kept imagining that she had lived at St. Cloud's. Anyway.... I loved this book. The movie is great too. 4y
See All 8 Comments
britt_brooke @Suet624 I haven‘t seen the movie yet, but plan to watch it soon. I love when books reference other books, if it comes to you, let me know! 🙂 4y
Suet624 Oh, you MUST find the movie. It's wonderful. And knowing me I'll remember the book but forget who I wanted to give the name of the book to. 😄 4y
Cinfhen I‘ve wanted to read this FOREVER!!! #PageCountPhobia 🙄 4y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Yeah, chunksters intimidate me, too. 🙈 Usually I end up loving them, it seems, but cracking them open is the hardest part! 4y
105 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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britt_brooke
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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I read and LOVED Owen Meany - my first Irving - last year and vowed to read more of his work in 2021. Bold and fascinating story so far ...

CBee This one is excellent! Nothing beats Owen though! I loved The World According to Garp as well ♥️ 4y
Ruthiella This one and Owen Meany are my favorites. 😀 4y
britt_brooke @CBee Planning to read Garp soon! Owen earned a spot among my all-time favorites. Such a clever, touching story. 💚 (edited) 4y
See All 9 Comments
britt_brooke @Ruthiella Owen Meany earned a spot in my all-time favorites! Enjoying this so far, too. 💚💚 4y
CuriousG Garp was a tough one for me the first 100 pages, but glad I kept reading because I ended up really liking it 4y
britt_brooke @CuriousG That‘s good to know - thanks! 4y
CBee @britt_brooke I haven‘t read it in years and keep meaning to reread it! But it‘s stuck with me all this time ♥️ 4y
BarbaraBB I loved both Owen and this one. Oh and Garp! My three favorite Irvings. 4y
81 likes9 comments
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Amiable
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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1. Connecticut, United States
2. “The Cider House Rules” and “A Prayer for Owen Meany” (I ❤️ John Irving.)
3. Louise Penny‘s Three Pines mysteries
4. “Field of Dreams” —and it‘s based on a book!
5. All things HGTV
6. Billy Joel
7. Green
8. Narrative nonfiction
9. I do marketing communications for a health system with five hospitals
10. A black cat named Cleopatra (Cleo)

#MeetTheLittens

Bits Your username is awesome! 4y
Amiable @Bits Thanks! It‘s an old nickname my friends used to call me because there were too many Amys in our high school class. 😀 4y
Areader2 I love reading these, I didn‘t fill one out but I am also from Ct and A prayer for Owen Meany is also a favorite, as are so many of John Irving‘s books! 😃 4y
See All 8 Comments
Amiable @Areader2 Always a thrill to meet fellow Irving fans! Where in Connecticut are you from? I grew up in North Haven but now live in East Lyme. 4y
Areader2 @Amiable oh I love that area, love Book Barn in Niantic ,I am north in Enfield 4y
Amiable @Areader2 The Book Barn is a national treasure! Or at least it should be. 🙂 4y
TiminCalifornia All things HGTV! I could have gone with that! 4y
Amiable @TiminCalifornia It‘s been my comfort TV all year —I‘ve been trying to avoid the news! 😬 4y
59 likes8 comments
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Jerdencon
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Thanks for the tag @veritysalter
Since I‘m doing winter games this year I actually have a fun of books picked out which never happens!
Dinner is kielbasa, with pasta and broccoli in a cream sauce
My Cousin Vinny always cracks me up!
#thoughtfulthursday
@Coleen_Nieto @Bookwormjillk @robinb if you havent played yet

OutAndAbout I loved My Cousin Vinny. My husband is always saying “yutes” whenever we talk about the younger generation. 4y
30 likes1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#wordsofoctober #apple I use this book a bunch in posts , it‘s an all time favorite.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome 🍎📚 4y
OriginalCyn620 You‘re the first to use it today, which surprises me! I thought it‘d be a popular choice. 4y
49 likes2 comments
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RamsFan1963
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Onceuponatime That‘s a great total! 4y
37 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

🍁🍂 Cooler weather and the fall colors.
📚 Tagged
📚 The Name of All Things and The Space Between Worlds

I'm late, have you played? @klou @ozma.of.oz @4thhouseontheleft @Texreader

BookmarkTavern Thanks for the tag! That artwork looks gorgeous! 4y
TheSpineView @ozma.of.oz IKR! Puts you in the mood for fall! 4y
BookmarkTavern I‘m always in the mood for fall! 😂😂 4y
See All 8 Comments
TheSpineView @ozma.of.oz 👍 4y
Eggs Thanks so much for playing 🍁🧡🍁 4y
Klou Thank you for tagging me! I just posted mine before seeing this. 4y
43 likes8 comments
review
Revenge4bess
Cider House Rules | John Irving
Mehso-so

I think this might be one of the few times that I‘ve enjoyed the movie more

5 likes2 stack adds
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Leftcoastzen
Cider House Rules | John Irving
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#BoundTogetherJune #FruitOnTheCover A favorite and yes , that is a book on cassettes . 😀

OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚🍎 5y
Hooked_on_books Books on tape! It took my mom the longest time to start calling them audiobooks instead of BOT. 5y
Leftcoastzen @Hooked_on_books Yep ! 👏Good old books on tape!😂 5y
57 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
SaniyyahK
Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

I LOVED this book! So happy I took a chance on this new author (to me) and glad I did. The book was hilarious, I never knew an author to write out a scene where everyone took the meaning a different way. I laughed out loud on several occasions. Definitely recommend!

LitHappens I would also highly recommend A Prayer for Owen Meany and Hotel New Hampshire. Irving‘s such an amazing writer!! 5y
BarbaraBB My favorite Irving! I loved Owen and Garp too. 5y
SaniyyahK @LitHappens thank you for the recommendations! Does Owen Meany have anything to do with Meany Hide from Cider House?! 5y
LitHappens @SaniyyahK it‘s been a while since I‘ve read them, so not that I remember. But the characters are just as weird and endearing. 5y
16 likes4 comments
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SaniyyahK
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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I love reading books that are completely new to me! I‘ve never heard of the movie or book and was gifted this by a secret santa. It is such a page turner! I can‘t stop thinking about the story and the characters. I‘m only on page 60/600 and am already so into the plot! 🥰

BookwormM Great book 5y
13 likes1 comment
review
Rachel.Rencher
Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

Oh man, this book has started a lot of conversations. I've been subbing for English teachers quite a bit over the last couple weeks, and they have some pretty polarizing opinions about Irving and his writing.

I loved it. I think this books needs to be looked at as a whole. There's Larch who is referred to as a saint but is highly immoral and he basically pulls the strings for Homer's entire life. It's so messed up, but its executed so well.

Cortg I have a copy of this on my kindle and a physical copy on my bookshelf. I really need to pick it up and read it! 5y
Chab256 I haven't read this one, but A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my all-time favorite books! 5y
Leftcoastzen I love it . 5y
See All 7 Comments
sprainedbrain Love this book. 5y
Tamra I remember really liking it. 5y
BookwormM Fantastic book 5y
Blaire Interesting that there‘s a split in opinion. I loved this one...as well as many others, especially Owen meany. 5y
129 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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Rachel.Rencher
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Okay, I remember why I thought Irving could be a bit hard to get through.

I've spent about 80 pages reading in-depth descriptions of medical procedures for gonorrhea, abortion, and births. I'm a squeamish person....like so bad that I won't read the grizzly Stephen Kings anymore (Misery rings a bell 🤢).

I also know Irving makes the trudge through details worth it, so I'm going to stick with it and maybe get a ginger ale.

Reviewsbylola Hmmmm I‘m intrigued by all the medical stuff. The gorier the better for me. 🤣 5y
Emilymdxn Im with you on finding bloody or icky stuff difficult, I struggle so much with violence but sometimes make myself power through 5y
sprainedbrain Oh I loved that book. Hope it gets better for you! 5y
See All 8 Comments
Rachel.Rencher @sprainedbrain I love the story, which is why I'm powering through...just couldn't take anymore pus for a bit 😂🤢 5y
Reviewsbylola I‘ve read that—loved it! 5y
Lreads Oh, wow! I wouldn‘t make it. I have to pay close attention to my mental health. 5y
BarbaraBB I loved this one but it was years ago that I read it. 5y
105 likes8 comments
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Rachel.Rencher
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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2nd book of 2020 is The Cider House Rules!

I absolutely fell in love with Irving's writing when I read Owen Meany, which is funny because I'd previously bailed on Garp. I have high hopes for this one. 🤞

Freespirit I loved Owen Meany also❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Cortg I have both Cidar House and Owen sitting on my bookshelf in my bedroom. I loved Hotel New Hampshire, so quirky! I need to get to the ones on my shelf! 5y
Amiable I love this book so much. 🥰❤️ 5y
See All 6 Comments
AshleyHoss820 I freaking LOVED this book!! Enjoy!! 5y
JenReadsAlot I loved Owen Meany! 5y
Reviewsbylola Garp May have been the one I bailed on this past year too. Either that or this one. 😬 5y
98 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
Lauren.Archer
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
Pickpick

I am not sure why it took me so long to read this. This was amazing, so much better than the movie.

Leftcoastzen 👏❤️ 5y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Susanita
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Cider is a #favoritefalltreat whether it‘s fermented or unfermented. Maybe I‘ll check out one of these places on a road trip this season. Meanwhile, the tagged book is a thought provoking story for this “first Monday in October,” and that‘s all Imma say about that.
#fallisbooked

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🍁 🍎 🍂 5y
OriginalCyn620 👌🏻🧡🍁🍂🍎 5y
32 likes2 comments
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Landslide
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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TheSpineView
Cider House Rules | John Irving
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OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚💔 5y
72 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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I have finished my selections for Spring for #Booked2019. 😃

I enjoyed all of these books. Three of them (the Kingsolver, the Irving, and the Erdrich) were 5-star reads, but I think the tagged book was my favorite.

Cinfhen You had some great titles!!! I want to read a bunch of your picks!!!! Including the tagged one 6y
BarbaraBB Great choices! 6y
Macnjen Loved “Queen” 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Fantastic reading season! 👏🏻👏🏻📚📚♥️♥️ 6y
105 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
sprainedbrain
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Pickpick

I loved this book from start to finish.

I adore all of these characters, especially Homer and Dr. Larch. I love the story, the message, the writing style; I laughed, smiled, cried, and did not want this book to end.

It also felt very timely, at this scary point in US politics, to be reading about a good doctor delivering babies and delivering mothers. 💔

‘Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.‘ 💕

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#1001books

sprainedbrain This was also my #booked2019 pick for ‘food or beverage on the cover.‘ 😃 @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen 6y
Suet624 Oh, you‘re so right. A great book to read now. 6y
BarbaraBB A very relevant read today indeed, as @Suet624 says! And I loved it too! 6y
See All 9 Comments
FeministBookClub I remember seeing this movie when it came out. May have to revisit it in our current sociopolitical climate. 6y
Cinfhen This is on my TBR!!! I‘ve been meaning to read more Irving since I read and loved 6y
Leftcoastzen I‘m so glad you like it! It‘s one of my all time favorites. 6y
Freespirit I loved A Prayer for Owen Meany. I should read this. Thank you 6y
BookwormM I loved this one 6y
sprainedbrain @Cinfhen I LOVE Owen Meany so much. I‘m not sure which of these books I loved more. 😍 6y
109 likes12 stack adds9 comments
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JoScho
The Cider House Rules | John Irving
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Leftcoastzen 👏👍 6y
JoScho @Leftcoastzen 🖤😊 6y
99 likes2 comments