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Floresj

Floresj

Joined June 2016

mom, teacher, library lover, runner, outdoor enthusiast, self proclaimed nerd😊
blurb
Floresj
All Fours | Miranda July
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As a 49 yo woman, I felt that parts of this book were so well written and hilarious, and other parts were so “WTF?”. Like a raunchy comedian who is so funny…and then tells a joke that makes you think “ok, that‘s too far.” I‘m not sure who or if I‘d recommend this, but I flew through it in 24 hours, and am both confused by and understand completely what I just read.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Admittedly, I thought the title was a metaphor for other items, but was pleasantly surprised to read an entire book about TB- history, culture, treatments, research, patients. It‘s incredible, written by the wonderfully talented John Green. I like him more, and hope this book gives people pause who consider that medical research should be more than solely profit focused.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Part history, part memoir of the impact of the Indian boarding schools on individuals and their families. Great research on history and impact of generational trauma but, though completely related, it felt jarring bouncing between the two styles of writing. Good information.

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Floresj
Dream State | Eric Puchner
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Mehso-so

The strength of the storytelling in this novel is the last third of the book. I had a hard time believing the beginning of the book- not really likeable characters and events that seemed like they came from left field. The setting and writing were enjoyable, and I‘m glad I pushed through to the end, but wasn‘t one of my favorites this year.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Part memoir, part history tracing the kids whose parents advertised their children to be taken in by British households in 1938. They originated in Vienna, and each of the stories told had such different paths throughout their lives. It‘s heartbreaking, but the biggest impact is thinking of the parents who knew that sending their children to complete strangers in a different country was the best decision they could make to keep them safe.

11 likes2 stack adds
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Floresj
Time of the Child | Niall Williams
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Pickpick

I‘m a big fan of Williams- of how he describes daily life expertly and beautifully, and he does the same in this novel. I felt it moved too slow (even though I like that about his writing). The plot was interesting at times, but didn‘t hit with the same punch that others had. Good, but not great.

Tamra I‘m listening to the audio and it‘s simply gorgeous! 2w
8 likes1 comment
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Floresj
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Pickpick

I‘d give this a 4.5/5 stars. It was so interesting and informative- one of those books that make you see things just a little bit differently. The beginning and end of the book were fantastic about the science of airborne particles, but the middle dragged a bit. I understand that not everyone would find the physics of particulates intriguing, but how infectious diseases spread is. Maybe this one is for the science nonfiction nerds😜!

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Floresj
Tilt | Emma Pattee
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Pickpick

A quick read, as Annie, who is 37 weeks pregnant, walks to find her husband after a major earthquake hits Portland. I loved the alternating timelines that gave Annie‘s character depth, flaws, and likability. She‘s far from perfect, her choices are haphazard, which helps the pages turn. My only complaint is the ending- I like a bit of wondering, but some events were forced and other parts hanging. Overall, good book!

12 likes1 stack add
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Floresj
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Pickpick

I liked a lot of this book, and it‘s interesting reading about traveling in the 1970s. Steves chronicles the mishaps, learning and euphoria of traveling to lesser known places on the Hippie Trail. His learning that it‘s worth it to spend a little more for good sleep and good food is a precursor to his travel books.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

I devoured this, even with knowing the ending. It‘s been a long time since I‘ve read about the reaping, training, parade, trying to overthrow the Capital with disastrous results, and the arena where all things go to hell. This pairs fantastic with sitting poolside and is nostalgically wonderfully dramatic.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

This was riveting, and I‘ve read some tech memoirs. Maybe it‘s the story telling, the cultural pieces of issues different countries had with facebook, or the juicy bits of gossip of the upper echelons of FB. Whatever it was, this one is engrossing and I highly recommend.

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Floresj
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Mehso-so

This book has promise if you like philosophy. I, however, ended up taking a lot of naps when I started to read this. I don‘t think I‘m a philosophy student.

tpixie Naps are important 😂 1mo
11 likes1 comment
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Floresj
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Pickpick

It‘s definitely dystopian, no closure, depressing, not even sure I liked the main character, yet somehow, I loved it.

Soubhiville Yes! Same! 1mo
11 likes1 comment
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Floresj
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Pickpick

This is a repackaging of good advice to control what you can control. It‘s a good recentering, though I‘d like a little more information about parenting and this theory. The best part I thought was the section of adult friendships: why it‘s hard, what to do and what it takes to meet new friends and preserve old friendships. Overall, good reminder of how to not get engaged in the drama.

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Floresj
Fagin the Thief: A Novel | Allison Epstein
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Pickpick

It takes a creative and well written story to turn an unlikable character with questionable moral character to be likable.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

This is a creative, well written, 1/2 fiction, 1/2 sci-fi novel. I wanted more Wind, more Msizi chapters, less angry family, which shows the strengths of this evolving story telling strategy. With a novel inside a novel, this one jumps between two stories, and adds to the reader‘s understanding of the main character. Good read!

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Floresj
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Pickpick

This isn‘t an easy read and it pairs well with “Everyone who is Gone is Here”. Following the human smugglers who are the guides or coyotes for people who are leaving Central America and migrating to Mexico or the US. It‘s intense, complicated, and told with humanity. Excellent!

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Floresj
The Magnificent Ruins | Nayantara Roy
Mehso-so

Good family drama book. I just felt that the love triangle was over dramatized. Lots of characters and back stories to keep the plot moving, but some parts didn‘t hit perfectly for me. Loved the setting, vibrancy of Kolkata.

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Floresj
We Do Not Part | Han Kang
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Pickpick

Creative and artsy way of chronicling stories of survivors of the Jeju Island Massacre.

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Floresj
The Grace Year | Kim Liggett
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Pickpick

There‘s a lot to like in this fast paced thriller- Handmaids Tale, Lord of the Flies, Hunger Games rolled into one dystopia. It‘s engaging and great beach read. I felt the middle romance was not needed and forced, but did like the ending. Flawed characters with hidden agendas make this one a good page turner.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

This is the best book I‘ve read this year. It‘s imperfect, heartbreaking, challenging and cutting of every hypocrisy the West has in reference to the war in Gaza. The topic is the killing of innocent people in Gaza, but his points are far ranging and covers more ground than this one war. It‘s superb- as is leaves very few innocent other than the Gaza children.

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Floresj
Orbital | Samantha Harvey
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Pickpick

I might be biased, but I read this the week I visited NASA with students. Whereas most of the ISS books I‘ve read focused on the science and engineering, this told the emotional and mental side of orbiting the earth- seeing it from afar- the beauty, your family continuing, its fragility, your “home”, while doing a job only a few can understand. The writing is exquisite- I simply loved it.

Tamra Me too. 💙 (edited) 3mo
19 likes1 comment
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Floresj
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Pickpick

I feel like these books are superhero books written for women

oddandbookish Well said! 3mo
13 likes1 comment
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Floresj
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Pickpick

The ego is the source a lot of anger, heartache and anxiety for many of us. Definitely a new age, philosophy take on how to let things go so that your ego doesn‘t consume your life. Some good parenting tips, but it was repetitive in its advice and anecdotes.

Suet624 That darn ego! 3mo
12 likes1 comment
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Floresj
Three Days in June | Anne Tyler
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Pickpick

This reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant and I loved it. Predictable, yes, but still lovely.

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Floresj
We Were the Lucky Ones | Georgia Hunter
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Pickpick

Good WWII novel about a family in Poland. The book follows the parents and children in their quest for survival and staying together. Truly heartbreaking, and they were very lucky, most of the situations were believable (except for a few). Overall, the book showcases what one does for the family they love and to survive.

18 likes1 stack add
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Floresj
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Pickpick

Good overview of the data bias of gender. It covers many areas of life that women‘s data has been overlooked. This book was definitely preaching to the choir, and I was curious about some more science and explanation of why women are so different. I fear that this problem will extrapolate in the next few years.

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Floresj
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Mehso-so

Well, my 17 year old daughter suggested this one to me as “a crazy book that you have to read!!!!” So, it does fit crazy, and with my life experiences I saw a number of things coming that I‘m not sure my daughter did. I might use this one as a teachable moment and go through the meaning, again, of what constitutes a red flag.

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Floresj
Gliff: A Novel | Ali Smith
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Pickpick

Good dystopian book and I‘m curious about book #2. Lots of connections, innuendos, and main characters were believable and engaging. Good twists and turns, some felt overdone. Overall, good quick read.

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Floresj
Memorial Days: A Memoir | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Though this book is centered on Brooks‘s processing the death of her husband, the aftermath and trying to grieve, she really gives the reader a guide of how to enjoy and savor the moments that one has now as we really don‘t know how long we all have to enjoy our relationships which make our lives worth living. I loved this.

13 likes1 stack add
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Floresj
Us Fools | Nora Lange
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Mehso-so

The time period, Midwest farm culture references and growing up poor were spot on. I felt as if I was in a teenage brain who lived in a highly dysfunctional family.

I just didn‘t always like being in a teenage brain in a dysfunctional family.

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Floresj
Patriot | Alexei Navalny
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Pickpick

I was hesitant about this one- i assumed it would be riddled with accounts of physical abuse. It‘s not. In fact, I finished with really liking and respecting Navalny as the positive, intelligent, curious, leader with integrity that he was. It was a life story and a love letter to the Russian people and his hope for a better world for his family. I loved it. Highly recommend!

TheBookHippie I second the highly recommended!! 4mo
Chelsea.Poole Me too!! 4mo
17 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Floresj
The Silence of the Choir | Mohamed Mbougar Sarr
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Pickpick

This book was both some of the best writing I‘ve read in a very long time and a let down in the final few chapters. Characters were interesting, well developed and wonderful turns of phrase were rampant. The final few plot twists took away from the themes and development of this story. Overall, very good, just on the precipice of exceptional.

15 likes2 stack adds
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Floresj
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Pickpick

A well done, investigative reporting in Appalachia of a community before and after a white nationalist march in Pikeville, KY. Interviews with residents give shape to the frustrations of loss, shame, and poverty though they work hard yet can‘t get ahead. It‘s a great book, but it didn‘t make me feel better.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

I loved this book. Moss interviews a wide range of artists: directors, painters, sculptors, writers, directors, crossword puzzle makers, chefs, fashion, etc to delve into how they create something unique and beautiful from nothing. There are themes of tenacity, editing, and pure dedication yet each interview shows a different way of creating a different art form. Enjoyable!

14 likes1 stack add
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Floresj
This Is Happiness | Niall Williams
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Pickpick

Such beautiful writing about Ireland, life, and love. I read this slow as to savor exquisite sentences embedded in a slow telling of a story. Worth every minute.

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Floresj
A Court of Mist and Fury | Perfection Learning Corporation
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Pickpick

This book is fun escapism. The banter is more enjoyable and the characters likeable and the plot moves quickly. Some obvious plot events and other twists keep the pages turning. I may not be a better person after reading it, but it‘s a great way to unwind and lose yourself in the Night Court for a few hours.

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Floresj
The Mighty Red: A Novel | Louise Erdrich
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Bailedbailed

I read 1/2 of this. It‘s good writing, but I didn‘t like the characters and I stopped wanting to read- which is uncommon for me. I anticipate that the second half is better, but life is short and my books to read pile is tall. Moving on.

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Floresj
The Anthropologists | Aysegl Savas
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Pickpick

I loved this free flowing, daily observations about a couple‘s life after college- the mundane, the social life, apartment search, and trying to envision the life ahead. It‘s not plot driven, but I enjoyed every minute.

Anna40 Did she just publish this? I‘ve never heard of this book 5mo
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Floresj
Beautiful Days: Stories | Zach Williams
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Pickpick

This was on Obama‘s picks of the year, and while these short stories are well written, they are odd, off kilter enough that I couldn‘t truly get into them. If you like the eerie, this might be a good choice for you.

14 likes1 stack add
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Floresj
From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir | Lisa Marie Presley, Riley Keough
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Pickpick

There is a lot to unpack in this one. I really liked the biography being told in two voices- Lisa Marie and Riley (her daughter). It‘s really hard to look away from the trauma, addictions, love, permission = love, celebrities, wealth, familial drama. If you want engaging, this is it, and it is a perfect book club book, as there is quite a bit to talk about!

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Finishing his account of his childhood in Plains on the day of his funeral, it is clear that Carter had an unique understanding of work, race, land and humility that impacted his values. We lost a great one.

JanuarieTimewalker13 Yes, I agree. Thank you for posting this!! I wasn‘t aware of this book! 6mo
TheBookHippie We surely did. I loved him so. 6mo
18 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Floresj
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Pickpick

There‘s some really wonderful moments, lines and writing in Haig‘s novel. It‘s enjoyable and has some fun twists and turns. It has flaws, some rambling and, even with magical realism its genre, a few too many leaps to make this one perfection. It would be a perfect beach book!

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Floresj
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Mehso-so

Told be a comedian, this book tells Kasher‘s addiction at 13, his life as a middle school dropout and “right turn”. I‘d like about 50 less pages of his debauchery (we got it) and 50 more pages of his evolution to recovery. Entertaining, and funny at times.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

oved this! Honest, vulnerable, funny and exposing her hard work ethic, it was both inspiring and entertaining. Loved reading about her approach to good food and living. Her genuine authenticity was clear through this quick book!

13 likes1 stack add
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Floresj
Hum | Helen Phillips
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Pickpick

This little dystopian novel was the best kind of dystopia- just a little bit beyond normal, so you can envision the plot occurring but with other jumps that makes it feel “not yet”. Flawed characters, weird interactions make it quick and engaging.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Beautiful manifesto

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Floresj
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Mehso-so

I do love a good time traveler book, and this had a slight spy/military edge. It was good, but the ending was a bit forced for me. The second part had a quicker pace, which it did need. Overall, good but not great.

LiteraryinPA I agree. This was a highly anticipated release that fell well short for me. Cool idea though! 6mo
15 likes1 comment
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Floresj
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Pickpick

Harari consistently writes thought provoking, historical, interesting books about our species, intelligence and information. This doesn‘t disappoint and gives perspective about information now is different than other advances in technology. It‘s fantastic and terrifying.

Tamra I‘m glad you like it! I got this for my husband for Xmas. 🎅🏾 6mo
SqueakyChu I had to bail on this book because it was due back at the library with no renewal. Bummer. 😢 5mo
SqueakyChu @Tamra I love reading books by this author. They are so immensely thought-provoking. 5mo
11 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Floresj
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Pickpick

This book that chronicles the siege of Leningrad through the work of the Plant Institute is fascinating. Not only does it depict life in Leningrad during the siege, WWII military strategy, how the body succumbs to starvation, how to preserve seeds, but also the dedication to the future that the scientists who worked to preserve and cultivate seeds to bring back life to Leningrad and beyond. Fascinating.