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This one was a bit muddled for me. I feel like it had too many subplots and the characterization of the main character was inconsistent. At times it felt like it wanted to be All Fours (no thanks!), but then would pull back on that. I think the topic of divorce in midlife, then exploring aspects of the self as a woman that felt suppressed by marriage is a good one. And I mostly enjoyed reading it. But not quite a pick. #TOBlonglist

This has such a compelling beginning, starting out in immigration court, which feels so topical (even though it‘s taking place in 2011). I really liked much of Peter‘s story, as he grapples with fighting the immigration system as a lawyer plus his ambivalence toward his sexuality. But his mother Ann‘s story fell completely flat for me and I ended up skimming her parts. Plus, the climax of his story ties in with hers, which didn‘t really work ⬇️

I listened to 2.5 hours of this 25.5 hour audiobook and it just wasn‘t doing anything for me. I hung onto it for a few days, but I have no interest in going back to try to keep going. Thanks to @Suet624 for helping me know bailing was the right choice for me! #TOBlonglist

A woman looks back at her life with the father she could never quite get a hold of. The simple prose allows a clear focusing in on their relationship and how his frequent physical and emotional absence impacted her. I really enjoyed this one. #TOBlonglist

This is a novel of class and gender in modern China, mainly following a nanny and her young charge with glimpses of the wealthy family sprinkled through. I found it really absorbing but thought the ending was a little lacking. #TOBlonglist

It's that time of my reading year when I try (valiantly?) to clean up outstanding challenges while simultaneously picking up random #ToBlonglist titles that strike me. This book is one of the latter and was definitely an all-vibes-great-cover-no-waitlist sort of choice 🤷🏻‍♀️
I really liked the acerbic commentary on social mobility and class, but the last 1/4th fell apart for me when it turned into an angsty Bonnie-&-Clyde romance #tob26longlist

It didn‘t make the shortlist, but this is a terrific book very much worth reading. It has complex, interesting, flawed characters sometimes making bad choices, but usually doing so because of life circumstances. It balances the darkness (and it is dark) with sprinkles of humor. I loved it and am so glad the TOB introduced me to it. #TOBlonglist

#TOBLonglist

I was going to start with the 4 I own but then library holds started popping up. I really enjoyed this story of a Nigerian family and the curse that rules the lives of the women. At times I did say “just talk about it” out loud but otherwise I was all in. 4 🌟

I completely re-did my December #BookspinBingo list once I saw the 2026 #TOBLonglist

I think I have it now. Books tagged in the comments.