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Sapphire

Sapphire

Joined September 2016

My passions are books, travel, my dogs, theatre and fine dining.
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A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse
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The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears
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The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
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Sapphire
A Novel Bookstore | Laurence Cosse
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“Don‘t you think that in France, at every meal, in every restaurant, there is at least one table where people are talking about literature?” #europacollective

Dilara Ha - if only! 😂 😂 1d
Sapphire Maybe in 2004 when the character says it - before smart phones! But I remain hopeful. Look how many of us found Litsy! 16h
jlhammar Wow, looks like the perfect meal to accompany this book! 14h
Sapphire @jlhammar for as many restaurants they meet in, at least in the first half of there is very little description of the food. Much description of scenery. Interesting choices. I am loving this book. But yes, a French brasserie on my travels this week did seem appropriate to the quote. And the onion soup was very good. The book is better 😎 14h
13 likes4 comments
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Sapphire
A Novel Bookstore | Laurence Cosse
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Getting a jump on and digging in to my December read on my work trip to Philadelphia this week. #Europacollective

Tamra Such a prettier cover than mine! 4d
jlhammar Yay, so looking forward to this! Have a good trip! 4d
20 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
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Pickpick

Some books find you at the exact right moment. I have disliked everything by Cather I had ever attempted to read. I put this on my list because it met 1925 for my #192025 challenge. I loved it from the first beautiful phrase. It captures so much beauty and tragic heartache. In the landscape and in mankind. Nuance and realism. Truly a masterpiece. This will affect me for a long time.

Librarybelle Awesome! I need to read Cather. 4w
BarbaraBB Wow what a review! I‘ll check this out. I only read and enjoyed her 4w
TheAromaofBooks Lovely review!!! 4w
22 likes3 comments
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Sapphire
The Dream of Scipio | Iain Pears
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rwmg ❤ Iain Pears 1mo
15 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Untitled | Unknown
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I can‘t believe the summer go away from me so much. I had so many reading plans and goals. Met none of them. Inadvertently embarked on #serieslove23 as I primarily listened to two newfound series, the chronicles of St Mary‘s and the Claire Ferguson mysteries. Both great for light reading. #2023readingbracket

Andrew65 This year, and especially the Summer, has gone so fast! 2mo
23 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
The Anniversary | Stephanie Bishop
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Vacation reading is the best reading. Bookseller Lori Feathers does not disappoint with this recommendation

19 likes1 stack add
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Sapphire
The Wind Knows My Name | Isabel Allende
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Stopped in to a new indie bookstore in Keller Texas called A house with books, and met owner Hayley. It‘s a great store with a comfy vibe. So happy to have this store nearby. Bought a few titles, including this new Allende.

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Sapphire
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Pickpick

Picked up a new book to read the grandkids, but I think it‘s really for me and hubby. Love Mo Willems. Oscar just likes the basket of blankets. #dogsoflitsy

Gissy 🐶🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️ 5mo
Tamra We 💕💕 Mo Willems, especially Piggy & Gerald. I feel like they are friends. 5mo
LauraStamps Oscar is ADORABLE!! Chihuahuas are my favorite breed (as you can tell from my profile pic…lol!). I don‘t have a Chi at the moment. I have 4 young, energetic cats, who appear to be avid readers. There was a time when I would come downstairs in the morning and find 3-4 books knocked out of one of my bookshelves and scattered on the floor. Always different books. They seem to have eclectic taste. Lol!! How about Oscar? Is he a secret reader? 1mo
28 likes3 comments
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Sapphire
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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I am about halfway through and am surprised at how much I like this book. I thought Babel was brilliant, but the premise of this book didn‘t call to me the same way. It also seemed a very different type so quickly from this author so I was hesitant. But I can see similar themes. This book is more approachable but also more acerbic in its message. Her characters voices resonate. I‘m loving it. The irony of the difference in her works is not lost

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Sapphire
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We finally had our “blind date with a book” we purchased on vacation last month.

19 likes1 stack add
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Sapphire
Surprised by Joy | C.S. Lewis
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Mehso-so

The last 3 chapters were interesting. But this did not live up to 4 decades of being told this was a fabulous must read.

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Demon Copperhead: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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I can‘t believe half the year is over! I read 9 books in June and several were quite enjoyable but not outstanding or great literature. Picking Rovelli because it was the most intellectually stimulating as well as enjoyable. I had several outstanding books in earlier months that lost to fierce competition but would easily best these later picks. Not to impose on your generosity @chasjjlee but maybe next year a wild card spot? #2023readingbracket

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Elizabeth Finch: A novel | Julian Barnes
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First Line Friday: “She stood before us, without notes, books or nerves.”

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Swimmer in the Secret Sea | William Kotzwinkle
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Pickpick

Spare but emotional. A powerful treatise on grief and loss.

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Pickpick

A very enjoyable escapist read! 3/14 #14books14weeks2023 #serieslove23 #192025

Librarybelle Hooray!! I need to read this series! 5mo
Andrew65 This is next up for me in this series. Well done 👏👏👏 5mo
22 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
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Are we allowed to change our list once started #14books14weeks2023? Every time I pick up one of these Poldark novels I am reminded why they are beloved. Quality writing, likes le characters facing universal hardships with dignity, and a story that just Carrie‘s you 100 pages in a blink. Now I want to spend the rest of the list finishing this whole series and put off the little bit of this and that approach I started with! #serieslove23

PaperbackPirate I have the same question! 😅 5mo
18 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Birnam Wood | Eleanor Catton
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Mehso-so

I found the first half pretentious and annoying. I enjoyed the #camplitsy2023 discussion more than the book. The second half is more plot driven and less impressed with its own message, so more tolerable. Looking forward to the second half discussion which may improve my initial rating. I think I am behind in my #14books14weeks but with 10 days of full of friends travel and then finally succumbing to Covid at home I am giving myself grace.

BarbaraBB I hope (and expect) that the discussion will be as good! 5mo
Megabooks Looking forward to the discussion too! 5mo
squirrelbrain I hope the discussion does lift it a bit for you! 5mo
33 likes3 comments
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Sapphire
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Mehso-so

There were passages I found beautiful or profound and I enjoyed the unlike ability of all the characters in this older and therefore fresher way. But I didn‘t find the structure of the book graceful. I had a hard time caring each time there was a shift. Had I read it in 1987 when it came out, I might have felt differently because of the not yet overdone format and for who I was as an 18 year old. #192025

Librarybelle Great review! 5mo
rachelk I just gave this book a ‘pick‘ but I absolutely know what you mean. 3mo
25 likes2 comments
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Everyone Poops | Taro Gomi
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I love giving this book to kids. They always love it. Here my granddaughter is trying to repeat the reading to her dogs Luna and captain who seem equally enthralled. #dogsoflitsy

BkClubCare Oh Luna and Captain!! 5mo
29 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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The Order of Time | Carlo Rovelli

All the ambrosia and all the gaul of life.

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Walden | Henry David Thoreau
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What a great stop. Couldn‘t resist reading Thoreau aloud as we left.

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Bank Square Books | Mystic, CT (Bookstore)
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Stopped for Pizza in Mystic and found this great indie bookstore and this fun treasure.

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Sapphire
The Order of Time | Carlo Rovelli
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Listening to this mind bending book on our drive from DC to NY today. Reminds me of Dali‘s melting clocks. “The only time the arrow (directionality) of time appears is when there is heat”.

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The Order of Time | Carlo Rovelli
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Do we exist in time or does time exist in us?

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Winchester Book Gallery | Winchester, VA (Bookstore)
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Stopped for lunch today in Old Town Winchester. We always try to support local indies when we travel. This was a lovely bookstore. Hubby and I each selected a “blind date with a book” based solely on the first line. When we get home we will pick a night and pour a glass of wine and have our date on the back deck! Memories made and to make!

Ruthiella Let us know what books you got! 6mo
Sapphire @Ruthiella i definitely will! 6mo
23 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
R is for Ricochet | Sue Grafton
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The Grafton novels have long been my palate cleanser or “get out of a slump” books. But I wanted to make a little progress in all of my in progress series for #serieslove23 when I put together my #14boooks14weeks list. But digging into this one after it having been a few years since Q, I remember why I love them. Good character development, fas clear prose, and story lines that hook early and carry the reader along. #dogsoflitsy

TheHeartlandBookFairy Oohhh, I loved that series! 6mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 I haven‘t got past B yet. 6mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 6mo
TheSpineView Awesome! 6mo
28 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Sapphire
Demon Copperhead: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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Sapphire
Demon Copperhead: A Novel | Barbara Kingsolver
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Pickpick

This may end up being my favorite book of the year. Such strong character development and the intensity of emotion from the narrator was both engaging and heartbreaking. The depiction of modern Appalachia was powerful. It‘s an amazing achievement. No wonder it won the Pulitzer.

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Untitled | Unknown
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1. Central California mid 1980s 2. Cold remote Islands or ocean settings (Copenhagen, Norway, Cornwall, Nova Scotia). 3. Magical bookstores, libraries or secret book caverns.

Librarybelle Thanks for the tag! 7mo
See All 11 Comments
Soubhiville Thanks for tagging me! My current book is in a fantastic world with floating islands: The Bone Shard War. I love reading fantasy, but for real world settings Vermont and the Applachias- places I miss living. 7mo
BarbaraBB Thanks for the tag 🩵 7mo
LeahBergen Thanks for the tag! ❤️ 7mo
BookmarkTavern Thanks for tagging me! 7mo
vivastory Thanks for the tag! A secret book cavern sounds ideal right now 7mo
Andrew65 Been a bit absent recently, but thanks for the tag. 😍 6mo
Andrew65 I like books set in remote islands or the islands of Scotland. (edited) 6mo
21 likes11 comments
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Sapphire
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DMA does a series of author talks each year through their “Arts and Letters Live”. We have seen Tracy Chevelier, Ken Follet, and Annie Leibowitz among others. Tonight was Bonnie Gamus promoting her book “Lessons in Chemistry”.

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Summer reading (in print anyway) set with #14books14weeks. Looking forward to this boost in my #serieslove as well. I decided to primarily finish the titles I own for Copenhagen and Frensh countryside with a little Cornwall& California thrown in for variety and mood. Also some London and NYRB recently recommended by Amor Towles twitter. #14books14weeks2023

TheHeartlandBookFairy Nice stack, thanks for joining us!Happy summer, happy reading 📚😎👍 7mo
jlhammar I‘m really looking forward to reading Birnam Wood next month. Hopefully I‘ll be able to get to Once Upon a Tome soon! 7mo
Andrew65 Best of luck 😁 7mo
33 likes3 comments
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Sapphire
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Pickpick

My Jack is as smart as six thirty. Now that is stated, we can discuss the book. It wasn‘t on my radar at all until I received it on my #auldlangspine list. By the time I got to it, it‘s everywhere. I enjoyed the first half and it‘s quick pace. Humor despite the tragedy. Plucky. But I wasn‘t seeing all the hype. By the end I was in love. I still have more to enjoy. Gamus is speaking in Dallas tomorrow and I have tickets, then book club #dogsoflitsy

monalyisha So fun that you‘re seeing the author speak! 7mo
CBee Hi Jack!! He‘s so handsome! Very happy you‘re seeing the author, you‘ll have to let us know how that goes 💚💚 7mo
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sapphire
Train Dreams: A Novella | Denis Johnson
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Pickpick

I have been reading my way through the character Tookie‘s list of “short perfect novels” listed in Louise Erdrich The Sentence. This has the same ethos. A simple hard life well lived against an ethical standard with human imperfection. Glad I read it. The prose is effective in creating the mood. #192025

Librarybelle What a great idea! I like reading books that are mentioned in other books! 7mo
Aimeesue Ha! I screenshot that list when reading the Erdritch, but have yet to get back to it. I really should! 7mo
Sapphire @Aimeesue I am struggling with Mrs Dalloway, but I am glad for each I have read so far. About halfway there. Many of them also work for #192025 and I am hoping to hit 25% complete on that challenge soon! 7mo
18 likes3 comments
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Sapphire
The Resistance Man | Martin Walker
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Should I spend my summer in Cornwall, Copenhagen, California, or the French Countryside? I am feeling excited about #14books14weeks2023 and getting some traction on #serieslove23 at the same time. It‘s going to be a good good Summer!

Librarybelle Lots of great options! 7mo
TheHeartlandBookFairy Decisions, decisions 😁 7mo
14 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
Train Dreams: A Novella | Denis Johnson
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Heading into travel status for work this week armed with an enjoyable audiobook and two great kindle books in progress. I got halfway through Lessons in Chemistry this weekend but leaving that hardcover at home so hubby can catch up before we see the author speak next weekend.

Sparklemn Jealous about next weekend. Make sure to post some pictures! 7mo
Sapphire @Sparklemn will do! We are so lucky in Dallas. The DMA has great authors every year. 7mo
18 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Untitled | Untitled
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I only finished 5 books in April. I also really enjoyed Violin Conspiracies. I DNF several good books to no fault of their own; just mood and library due dates. I will come back to them when the time is right.

CBee This looks so similar to mine at the same time last year 💚 7mo
Sapphire @CBee I just started Lessons in Chemistry and can‘t put it down. I have tickets to her author talk for DMA later this month. 7mo
CBee @Sapphire so jealous! That‘s exciting 😊😊👏🏻👏🏻 7mo
21 likes3 comments
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Fault Lines | Emily Itami
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Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Fault Lines | Emily Itami
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Japanese legend says that earthquakes are caused by Namazu the giant catfish who lives under the earth and is only kept from thrashing and wriggling by the god Kashima who sits on his tail to keep him under control. Woe betide Kashima getting tired or distracted . . . A brilliant legend for a hard working nation, really - take your eye off the ball at your own potentially fatal risk. No wonder we never relax.

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Fault Lines | Emily Itami
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I have no idea why this slender volume is taking me so long to get through. But I have to finish this weekend. Neighborhood book group is next week. Lovely evening on the back porch though

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Fault Lines | Emily Itami
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But for sheer size and it‘s ability to put you in your place, even New York can‘t compare with Tokyo.

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Sapphire
The Violin Conspiracy | Brendan Slocumb
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Pickpick

This story drew me in and carried along at a good clip. Multiple threads make it widely appealing. It‘s not beautiful prose but at the same time, I read half in one sitting. The author, a career musician, has a second book out this month and I plan to read it based on enjoying this one and the opening paragraph teaser at the end of the kindle version.

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Sapphire
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Pickpick

I didn‘t love this as much as everyone else seemed to rave. I lived Hamnet but the blurbs about this one didn‘t call to me. I gave in on maybe the 7th time a person recommended it. It‘s a soft pick for me. Interesting but not fabulous in prose, character development, or plot.

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Sapphire
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I don‘t get to recommend books much as it seems most people in my real life have such different tastes than I do. But I remember how fun this book felt reading it. The most “fun” since the er welt Harry Potter though very different of course. #EasterOMC #most-recommended

Clwojick I enjoyed this one! ❤️ 8mo
30 likes1 comment
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Sapphire
Hippity, Hoppity, Little Bunny | Cottage Door Press
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My favorite thing about Easter THIS YEAR is that my daughter drove all the way to Texas so I could see my granddaughters. Hippity Hoppity was a big hit. #easteromc

Desha So adorable! Happy Easter! 🌸 8mo
BarbaraBB How wonderful! 8mo
Clwojick Oh! How wonderful for you! 🐇🌸☀️ 8mo
See All 8 Comments
Dragon She‘s a cutie! Happy Easter 🐣 8mo
Sapphire @Desha happy Easter 8mo
Sapphire Thanks! 8mo
LeahBergen Aww! 🥰🥰 8mo
DivineDiana Love. ❤️📚❤️ 7mo
31 likes8 comments
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The wind came into the house from the Sound, and it blew Daisy and me around her East Egg mansion like puffs of dandelion seeds, like foam, like a pair of young women in white dresses who had no cares to weigh them down. #easteromc #litsypets #firstlines This is the first line of my current ebook and my daughters dog Luna because she is chosen and beautiful and white like the dresses in the first line.

kspenmoll Beautiful first line; beautiful is Daisy! 8mo
Clwojick What a peach! Hi Daisy! ❤️❤️❤️ 8mo
29 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
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The recliner in my bedroom is my favorite place for reading print books, but an audiobook while crocheting will also find me here. Todays snacks for #EasterOMC are on their beat up but very helpful tbr pile table. #booksandbeverage

Clwojick 💚💚💚💚 8mo
21 likes1 comment