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#20best2016
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KVanRead
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Extra! Extra! I did it! Completed my first reading challenge of the year by reading all the books on this meta list of the #20Best2016. So many good books and some I definitely would've missed so glad I did this. Can't ever pick just one favorite so will post my shortlist in the comments.

38 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
KVanRead
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Pickpick

This is a brilliant, often heartbreaking but deeply insightful look at poverty in America and the impact of housing. So powerful. I wish everyone would read this one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #20Best2016 Challenge

ReadingEnvy So so good. 7y
EKonrad Just finished this one too. Agree it should be required reading for everyone! 7y
KVanRead @Ekonrad Yes, it really filled in so many gaps in my understanding 7y
45 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
KVanRead
The Mothers: A Novel | Brit Bennett
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Mehso-so

This was kinda meh for me. She's a fine writer and at times her prose really impressed, but the plot underwhelmed me. It felt a bit movie-of-the-week. I did like the ending though, where both women appear to be moving away from defining themselves by The Guy. #20Best2016 Challenge

Reviewsbylola I definitely think she has talent but at times I felt the book was lacking too. 7y
KVanRead @Reviewsbylola Agree. She's still one to watch. 7y
EvieBee I agree. It was a little too Tyler Perry for my liking, but the woman can write. 7y
KVanRead @EvieBee She really can. 7y
39 likes4 comments
review
KVanRead
Sweetbitter: A novel | Stephanie Danler
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Mehso-so

I really liked it at the start. I loved the behind the scenes resto stuff, the young in New York stuff, and the food writing. Then it all started to get both ridiculous and tedious. And I know I'm getting old, but Jake and Simone felt way too much like a fine dining Sam and Diane.😂 #20Best2016 Challenge

lynneamch You nailed it. I felt the same way. 7y
KVanRead @lynneamch Thx! Glad I'm not alone! 7y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
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KVanRead
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Panpan

I really didn't like this. His self-described amateur sociology leads to unhelpful oversimplifications about poverty. But he's not alone in his views so it does provide insight. I also bet he's laying groundwork for a political career, so we may be seeing more of him. This Salon piece sums it up for me. http://www.salon.com/2017/03/11/hillbilly-sellout-the-politics-of-j-d-vances-hil...

Notafraidofwords I'm glad I read it just so I can be informed and never ever ever vote for him 7y
KVanRead #20Best2016 Challenge 7y
35 likes1 stack add3 comments
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KVanRead
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Started the last book on the list for my #20Best2016 Challenge.

Reecaspieces I am listening to it as well. I am enjoying it. Being from rural Mississippi, I can relate to many of what this author talks about. 7y
KVanRead @Reecaspieces Yes it's very interesting so far. 7y
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
KVanRead
Swing Time | Zadie Smith
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Pickpick

This was very good. Didn't quite sustain my "love at first listen" for the overall plot all the way through, but the writing is exquisite, the audio narration gorgeous and I absolutely loved all the jazz and old film references, especially learning about the above pictured Jeni Le Gon. (Photo which I think is described in the book is from NYT obit In 2012...she lived to be 96!) #20Best2016

34 likes2 stack adds
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KVanRead
Swing Time | Zadie Smith
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I've barely started but this is love at first listen!!! So hope I feel this way all the way through! #20Best2016

30 likes2 stack adds
review
KVanRead
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Pickpick

This is an incredible book. I finished listening to the #audiobook a while ago but still think about it often and I'm sure it will stay with me. I had to take many breaks from listening to it because the cumulative weight of it all was sometimes more than I could bear, but I'm so glad I didn't bail. It is brilliant, sad, brutal, moving, heartbreaking, sometimes funny and often surprisingly beautiful. #20Best2016

30 likes1 stack add
review
KVanRead
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Mehso-so

I really wanted to like this one and stuck with it long past having lost interest because I so loved Rules of Civility, because so many people seemed to like this one, and because I'm a classic sufferer of the sunk cost fallacy - but fact is despite being well written this mostly bored and irritated me. Not a popular position but I found it just too gentle and too precious and the posh narrator didn't help. #audiobook #20Best2016

Mamashep I wonder if you'd have liked it more in print? 7y
KVanRead @Mamashep That's possible. The narrator did get on my nerves, but the story didn't do a whole lot for me. TBH, I found the count a bit smug 😬 7y
emilyhaldi Sorry this didn't work for you. It definitely was slow and a but dry in some parts but I found the count so charming 💕 7y
See All 9 Comments
KVanRead @emilyhaldi Yes, I'm definitely in the minority and I would still read Towles again, just couldn't get into this one... the Count just wasn't my type 😂 (edited) 7y
saresmoore I haven't tried this one yet, but I was underwhelmed by 7y
tracyrowanreads I had the exact opposite experience. Lived Gentleman, didn't like Rules. But that's the great thing about life. We're all different and it keeps things interesting. 7y
KVanRead @saresmoore They're quite different. @tracyrowanreads Absolutely! 7y
swishandflick This one didn't do it for me either - and I read it in print. I felt very alone in my bookclub, haha 7y
KVanRead @swishandflick Haha! Yup, we are definitely going against the tide on this one but glad to know I'm not totally alone.😊 7y
43 likes9 comments