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Neale

Neale

Joined April 2018

Bibliophile, lover of books, especially signed first print, first editions. Oh, I also love literature. 😊
blurb
Neale
Vernon Subutex Two | Virginie Despentes
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I am sooooooooooooooooooo looking forward to this!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Redwritinghood Nice, but I still need to read the first one. I‘ve had a long week and not much time for reading. 6y
mklong Jealous! My copy has shipped but it isn‘t here yet. 6y
MeikeReads ...and there's a Hole CD!! :-) 6y
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Neale @MeikeReads Oh yes Meike I was one of the cool kids. 😎 6y
mklong @Neale Somehow you have disappeared from GoodReads. Is something glitchy going on with your account? 6y
ClairesReads Awesome!!!! 6y
Redwritinghood @mklong Yes, @Neale you seem to be gone from GoodReads entirely. Is something wrong with your account? 6y
Redheadrambles @Neale not sure if your still reading these posts but we hope that you are ok and that you may in time come back and join us, we would all love to have you back to discuss Vernon and all the other books we have lined up. If you would rather not then that is fine as well but please let us know you are ok if possible. 6y
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review
Neale
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Most of the others at #indiebuddyreads did not like this anywhere near as much as Song of Achilles, but I loved it. Once again an amazing ending. I know Miller has a lot on her plate but I hope she writes another book.

Redwritinghood Glad you liked it. I hope to finish it this weekend. 6y
15 likes1 comment
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Neale
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On the last couple of chapters of Circe and look what just turned up. 👏👏❤️❤️👏👏❤️❤️👏👏❤️❤️

9 likes1 stack add
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Neale
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@Redheadrambles I know you can just google but there‘s nothing like researching the old fashion way. These two books have made reading Circe much more enjoyable for me. #indiebuddyreads 😊

Redheadrambles @Neale oh great I was trying to find some books on Greek mythology preferably with cool illustrations:) as I am really really enjoying this one ( it might just be you me and Ace in this camp ? 😢) 6y
Redheadrambles @Neale oh the Minotaur birth scene 😮 so good ... 6y
Neale @Redheadrambles Oh yes, quite terrifying, and then comes the labyrinth. 😊 6y
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Neale
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@Redheadrambles and @ClairesReads have now started this for #indiebuddyreads so I may as well put King on hold and start as well. 😊

Redheadrambles @Neale great ! Looking forward to it 6y
ClairesReads Yay! Looking forward to discussing with y‘all! @Redheadrambles 6y
ClairesReads We are missing you on Goodreads my friend. I hope everything is okay with you. Xx 6y
9 likes3 comments
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Neale
Wolves of the Calla | Stephen King
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Now time to finish book five of The Dark Tower series before this month‘s #indiebuddyreads book Circe. 😊

Redheadrambles @Neale yes I need to get back into these as well. 6y
Neale This fifth book is really good. It has shades of The Magnificent Seven ( or The Seven Samurai) about it. Mind you I have only read the first four chapters. 😊 6y
Redheadrambles I am up to No. 3 - I really enjoyed No. 2 6y
Neale I am finding they get better as they progress. 😊 6y
6 likes4 comments
review
Neale
Oryx and Crake | Margaret Atwood
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars! What an amazing book. The question it poses is not if or when we will reach this level of gene technology, rather should we proceed through the many doors it opens.

ClairesReads So glad you loved this Neale 6y
Redheadrambles Haha is that the double helix in the background I like it ! 6y
MeikeReads Oh yes! cool pic!! 6y
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Neale Is that what that thing is? 😊 6y
Redheadrambles @Neale DNA my old friend it is partly why I love this book so much. Also Neale if you see this first I posted you a link in the Anticipated Reads folder I think you might like ! ( I hope ) No it‘s not a review of “ Robot Arms” ;) 6y
Neale Haha, I knew it was DNA , I don‘t have an IQ that is off the charts for nothing. 😉 I will check the link. We are watching When A Monster Calls. It‘s very good. Liam Neeson voicing the monster adds a lot of Gravitas. I may have to get the book. 6y
9 likes6 comments
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Neale
Vernon Subutex 1 | Virginie Despentes
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My three favourite books for the year so far! ❤️❤️❤️

Redwritinghood I still need to read the top two. 6y
mklong I need to read the bottom two! 6y
ns510reads And I need to read the top and bottom! 😂 6y
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Redheadrambles @Neale I think your three favourite are also some of my top reads of the year as well ! 6y
Neale You have such good taste Trudie! 😁😁😁 @Redheadrambles 6y
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Neale
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Just arrived!!! 😊😊😊 Unfortunately didn‘t win the GB though. 🙁

ns510reads Oh it arrived! What a beaut! 😍 (and besides, the IBR HoF is the one that really counts! 😜) 6y
MeikeReads @Neale I couldn't agree more with @ns510reads ! :-) 6y
Redwritinghood Nice find! 6y
Redheadrambles That‘s so awesome Neale ! What a great addition to your collection. 6y
10 likes4 comments
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Neale
Oryx and Crake | Margaret Atwood
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I‘ve just realised with each Atwood book I read she grows closer and closer to becoming my favourite author. 😊

ClairesReads PREACH 6y
Redheadrambles It‘s a good trilogy for sure. I think I like it more than The Handmaids Tale 6y
Neale Think I will end up liking it more as well if it continues how it‘s going. 😊 6y
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review
Neale
Vernon Subutex 1 | Virginie Despentes
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Pickpick

Whenever I read a novel that has been translated from another language, I wonder if the translator has managed to capture the style, the skill, the “feel” of the book, that the original author has strived for. I can‘t read French so I will never know, what I do know is that this translation is cutting edge, contemporary fiction at it‘s best. 😊

ClairesReads My copy of this arrived right on the last day of term. I‘m super excited to read it. 6y
Neale @ClairesReads I hope you like it. I think I will get her autobiographical work. King Kong Theory, I think it‘s called. 6y
ClairesReads @Neale oh cool I didn‘t know she had an autobiographical one- I look forward to hearing about it 😊 6y
MeikeReads @Neale I'm so happy you liked it!!! 6y
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review
Neale
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars. Quite simply a masterpiece. The main protagonist Claudia, along with Jaxie from The Shepard‘s Hut, is my favourite character of the year. However Vernon Subutext is close. 😊 #indiebuddyreads

ClairesReads Finally on holiday and starting this tomorrow I hope! I can‘t wait! And my copy of Vernon arrived yesterday too! 6y
Neale OMG Claire, with those two and Winton you have three amazing books to read. 😊 6y
10 likes2 comments
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Neale
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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#indiebuddyreads This might help those who have not seen one. Interesting to see this one is called Earth Tiger.

Redwritinghood What is it? I haven‘t read the book yet. 6y
Neale @Redwritinghood It‘s a mozzie coil. You light it and the resulting smoke keeps the mozzies away. Ver y healthy! 😊 6y
Redheadrambles Ah interesting! Thanks Neale 6y
ns510reads All the nostalgia! Haven‘t seen one of these for ages lol 6y
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Neale
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A fellow GR reader‘s review reminded me of how much I loved this book. Hmmm, time for a reread I feel. 😊

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Neale
Vernon Subutex 1 | Virginie Despentes
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@MeikeReads @Redheadrambles This just arrived! Yabba Dabba Doo! 😊

Redheadrambles @Neale awesome ! I hope you love it. I need to get my own copy at some stage as well. 6y
MeikeReads @Neale Yayyyy!!!! I hope you'll love it as much as I did!! 6y
MeikeReads @Redheadrambles Haha, I also borrowed mine from a friend and then bought my own copy, because I just had to have it! 6y
mklong Cool. I left my copy in a bar a couple of weeks ago and finally had time to retrieve it yesterday. I hope to get back into it this weekend! 6y
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Neale
Census | Jesse Ball
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@MeikeReads Chloe took the news hard that Elvis can‘t make it. 😁😁😁😁

Redwritinghood Such a cutie! 6y
ClairesReads Cute! 6y
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Neale
There There: A novel | Tommy Orange
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@ClairesReads There here! 😄

ClairesReads YASSSSSS Neale you are the best! 6y
Neale Haha, no one is for Claire it is winging it‘s way to her right now. She will probably get it before Trudie and Meike get it. Ha. 😊 6y
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review
Neale
A Long Way From Home | Peter Carey
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 stars. Starts slow but stick with it. A brilliant book about identity, culture, racial hatred and discrimination.

RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) 6y
Neale Thanks. 😊 6y
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Neale
A Long Way From Home | Peter Carey
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THE STOLEN GENERATION. Wow, I really underestimated this book. #indiebuddyreads

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Neale
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Everybody at #indiebuddyreads is raving about this so if it turns out to be crap..... 😁

Redwritinghood I just ordered a copy yesterday, so we‘ll see. 😊 6y
Neale @Redwritinghood Read the first chapter and I can already feel I‘m going to love it. 😊 6y
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Neale
Census | Jesse Ball
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Mehso-so

Sorry to say that this book was really disappointing for me. 🙁

Redheadrambles Oh that‘s a shame ;( hopefully what you are reading now is great ? 6y
Neale @Redheadrambles Yes, A Long Way From Home is great so far. I‘m starting to think Carey was overlooked for the shortlist because he has won so many of them. 😊 6y
Redheadrambles @Neale maybe ? It seems they made some interesting decisions to go for less well known authors? 6y
4 likes3 comments
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Neale
A Long Way From Home | Peter Carey
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Signed, first print, first edition just arrives after not making the shortlist. 😊 Oh well I hope it‘s good. #indiebuddyreads

Redheadrambles Looks lovely! And I am sure it will be a great addition to the collection 6y
AceOnRoam I think @Marchpane is also reading this at the moment Neale. 6y
Neale Yes, I noticed that. I‘m really enjoying it so far. 😊 6y
Neale Whoops, forgot to tag again. 😊 @AceOnRoam 6y
12 likes4 comments
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Neale
Storyland | Catherine McKinnon
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@Redheadrambles Hey Storyland in real life! Beautiful. ❤️

Redheadrambles Lovely! 6y
MeikeReads Woooooow!!! 6y
ClairesReads So beautiful! 6y
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Redheadrambles @Neale so do we need to discuss some plot points ? Where and how to do that so as not to ruin others reading ... in the GR group behind a spoiler tag ? I should be finishing this up on Sat morning I think. 6y
Neale Yessss! In the Gr group behind a spoiler tag sounds good, that way others can add to it if they choose to read it. I think ns510 said she had it lined up. 😊 6y
Neale @Redheadrambles Dang it, I keep forgetting to add tags. 😊 6y
8 likes6 comments
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Neale
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This is really short, might just make it before the shortlist is announced. 😊

review
Neale
The Restorer | Michael Sala
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best book I have read this year! Incredibly powerful. A book that has made me think more about domestic violence than anything I have ever read. @Redheadrambles @ClairesReads @Redwritinghood

Redheadrambles @Neale wow what an endorsement! So this goes to the top of your MF list ? 6y
ClairesReads Ok I‘m literally buying this tomorrow? 6y
Neale Firstly, Ace and Meike, sorry. Meike, I forgot that you are now on Litsy, and Ace I put your tag as well, but I must have got it wrong and I had a taxi beeping its head off in the driveway. Claire, if you have the time please read it. That goes for all you guys obviously. Watch, now I have put the kiss of death on it, it won‘t even make the shortlist. 😰😰😰. 😄 6y
Redwritinghood Thanks! Added to stack! 6y
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Neale
The Restorer | Michael Sala
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Trying very hard to finish the MF long list before the shortlist is announced in a couple of days. With four books to go, I‘ve got Buckley‘s. 😊 Just started The Restorer and it has a great vibe about it. 👌

ClairesReads Awesome I‘m really keen to read this onw 6y
Neale @ClairesReads Only 20% in but it has a five star feel. Got glowing comments from Hannah Kent. 😊 6y
ClairesReads @Neale yasss always a good sign 6y
Redheadrambles @Neale go go Neale “Dare to Do” as they say in Storyland! 6y
Neale @Redheadrambles Hahaha as long as I don‘t get any rude pop ins today, I will finish it today. At the moment it‘s extremely good. Hope you are enjoying Storyland. 😊 6y
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Neale
The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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It‘s here! Yayyyyyyyy! Love these editions.❤️❤️❤️

Redwritinghood Finally! Yay! 6y
Neale Especially, now it has been moved up on the #indiebuddyreads list. 😊 6y
Redheadrambles @Neale yeah and also big time jealous as nothing for me yet :( 6y
Neale @Redheadrambles Don‘t worry can‘t be too far off. 🙂 6y
12 likes4 comments
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Neale
Cloud Atlas | David Mitchell
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David Mitchell Collection! Nearly every one is either a signed first edition, first print or a special limited edition. Some plain reading copies in there as well.

ClairesReads Omg these are to die for! 7y
Redwritinghood Impressive! 6y
SledgeReader Gulp! Lucky reader! 🍀 6y
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Neale
Storyland | Catherine McKinnon
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 stars. There is no doubt that McKinnon owes the structure and format of the book to David Mitchell, but she uses this format so well while adding little touches of her own. Like the way she will finish one storyline mid-sentence with the sentence continuing in the next storyline seamlessly. She tackles issues of global warming, domestic violence, and a multi-cultural society within an historically accurate narrative.

Redheadrambles @neale Awww I am sooo getting my hands on this one it sounds perfect 👌. I love these photos of your books with Atwood peeking out. One day you need to do a wide shot of these bookshelves 😀 (edited) 7y
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Neale
The Book of Dirt | Bram Presser
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A strong debut from Presser that deserves the awards it has achieved. Presser bases the main character on his Grandfather and builds an intriguing story around him. The mixture between the narrative and history works well, with Presser using photos, lists, documents, and emails to add authenticity to his tale.

Redheadrambles @Neale OMG is that dirt on a book ! That‘s worse than me putting them near the bath ;) 7y
Neale Hahaha. I searched around downstairs for an old book. I would never do that to one in the collection. What would have happened if your stack of books fell in the water? Hmmmm! haha 😊😊😊 7y
Redheadrambles @Neale Ah I see a sort of stunt double book. My books probably looked more precarious than they were ... 7y
Neale 😄😄😄👏👏 Stunt double, hahahaha. Good one. 😀 @Redheadrambles 7y
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Neale
Storyland | Catherine McKinnon
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#indiebuddyreads I really hope this lives up to expectations. 😊

Redheadrambles @Neale your the advanced guard ! 7y
Neale Haha I feel like I‘m expecting too much from this book because of the interwoven stories and Mitchell comparisons. Oh well bout to find out. 😊 7y
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Neale
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#indiebuddyreads I knew I had this book. Took me about an hour to find, I thought I was going crazy. Interested in it because the MF long list comes out today. 😊

Redheadrambles @Neale oh yes I have this one as well and shamefully I have yet to read it 7y
Neale Hey @Redheadrambles the MF long list is up. We (well you guy did all the work) only got one book right. Winton did not make it. 😰 7y
Redheadrambles @Neale I think @AceOnRoam got one right so jointly that‘s two but yeah ...... not great guessing from us. However I think there are some cool titles on their ... 7y
Neale @AceOnRoam I‘m the same Ace. I can remember enjoying it, but can‘t remember details. 😊 7y
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Neale
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Dedicated to our beautiful Shepard “SHAQ” who had epilepsy and never granted the time with us he deserved. ❤️

Redwritinghood 💕💕 7y
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Neale
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A brilliant example of NZ literature. 😊 @Redheadrambles @ClairesReads @Redwritinghood

Redheadrambles @Neale yep going to have to tackle it one day for sure 7y
Redwritinghood Oh - looks interesting! 7y
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review
Neale
Cloudstreet | Tim Winton
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If, like me you are a Winton fan and have not read this. 1.You should be ashamed of yourself. 2. Drop everything and read it. The strength of the book lies in the characters. The resolve, determination and humour they find in the face of heartbreak, loss, poverty, is inspiring. I love the way he constructs words to capture the heavy Aussie slang more effectively. This truly is a Classic.

Redheadrambles Great review!! 7y
Neale Thanks Trudie, after The Shepard‘s hut it‘s my fav read this year. 😊 7y
Curiouser_and_curiouser I've just finished Cloudstreet and am near the end of Shepherd's Hut. Love Tim Winton. 4y
8 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Neale
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Magnificent edition of a magnificent book. 😊 @AceOnRoam you have got me wanting to read this again now dang it! 🙂

Neale @AceOnRoam I‘m trying to get to Oryx and Crake. Too many books ahhhhhhh. 😄 7y
Neale I must admit that I have fallen in love with Atwood. Then after reading David‘s review I knew it was a must read for me. 😍 @AceOnRoam 7y
Neale I loved The Blind Assassin. I hope you like O an C better. 😊 7y
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Neale
Cloudstreet | Tim Winton
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I love Tim Winton. 😊

Redheadrambles These illustrations! 👌 7y
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Neale
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An amazing novel inspired by Homer‘s epic poem. Narrated by Patroclus, Achille‘s friend and lover. Simply yet beautifully written. Miller has a wonderful ability to drag you in emotionally and you can feel the intense, passionate love that Patroclus feels for Achilles. The burning desire Achilles has to obtain the glory he deserves and the only form of immortality available for a mortal. His name never to be forgotten. #indiebuddyreads

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Neale
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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The tragic Hero. 😊

Redwritinghood Great drawings! 7y
Neale Hahaha, don‘t take his side. ;) 7y
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Neale
Cloudstreet | Tim Winton
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Love the illustrations in this Cloud Street edition. They have a comic book style. 😊

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Neale
Oryx and Crake | Margaret Atwood
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Yayyyyy! Just arrived. Canadian first edition,first print and signed. Just as I started reading Cloud Street, dang it. Terrible timing. 😊 I know nothing about this book apart from David‘s magnificent review. @Redheadrambles @ClairesReads @Redwritinghood @AceOnRoam @mklong

mklong Awesome! Looking forward to your review! 7y
Redwritinghood Very nice! 7y
Redheadrambles That‘s a cover I have not seen before - this is a great trilogy your in for a treat. 7y
Neale Sweet! With David‘s review and you saying that, I‘m excited for this. Loving Cloud Street in the mean time. 😊 @Redheadrambles 7y
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Neale
Cloudstreet | Tim Winton
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Seems almost sacrilegious to be such a Winton fan and not to have read this. 😊

Redheadrambles Oh I love this one so much 7y
Neale @Redheadrambles I can‘t believe I haven‘t read it yet. It‘s like a Christmas present you forgot to open from years ago. I was putting another book back and then, Hang on a minute, WHAT‘S THAT? 😄😄😄 7y
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Neale
The War at Troy | Lindsay Clarke
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Trying to find the right balance between reading and sketching. 😊😊😊

Redheadrambles Oh that‘s fantastic Neale 7y
Neale Thanks Trudie, when I‘m reading my hands itch to sketch and when I‘m sketching my mind keeps wandering to the latest book I‘m reading. Hehehe 😊 @Redheadrambles 7y
Linsy AMAZING!! 7y
Neale Thanks kindly Linsy. 😊 7y
5 likes4 comments
review
Neale
The Song of Troy | Colleen McCullough
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Seriously, I had forgotten just how good this book is. If you love the Iliad or Greek Mythology or Colleen McCullough, why even if you don‘t, READ THIS! ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕😍😍

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Neale
The Illiad | Homer
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❤️📖❤️

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Neale
The Song of Troy | Colleen McCullough
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A re-read in preparation for the #indiebuddyread #indiebuddyreads Madeline Miller month. I‘s a fantastic book. I actually like it better than Song of Achilles, but then along with David Mitchell, McCullough is my favourite author. 😊

review
Neale
See What I Have Done | Sarah Schmidt
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Stars. A very solid debut, with some skilful writing and an eerie claustrophobic setting maintained throughout the whole novel. “Booo, boooo, hisss!!!” Don‘t mind that, that‘s just the other members of #indiebuddyread who disagree. 😂😂😂🤣

Redheadrambles Lol ohhhhh 😢 I don‘t think the entire jury on this one is in yet ? We do have some strident dislike and I actually think that could be where I end up but I don‘t think you will be alone .... is this our first major disagreement?? 7y
Redwritinghood @Redheadrambles I‘m on @Neale ‘s side with this one. The writing was great and the feel of the book was so uncomfortable, which really brought you into the story. 7y
Neale Nice @Redwritinghood, I thought I was going to be in the corner on my own. 😊 7y
Neale Everybody was going on about being disgusted and listing disgusting sentences when that is the whole point, the reader is meant to feel disgusted and not in a comfortable place. I‘m so glad you got that. @Redwritinghood @Redheadrambles 7y
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Neale
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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@Redheadrambles @ClairesReads Coffee and the Trojan War! 😊

Redheadrambles Goodness that‘s some serious reading! I feel I am going to be woefully unprepared for these books (edited) 7y
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Neale
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I feel that to give this collection anything less than 5 stars would be a grave injustice to Carter‘s Superb, exquisite writing. Some of the passages are so beautiful they flow like poetry. Brilliant.

Neale @Redwritinghood I loved it! 😄 7y
Redwritinghood @Neale Excellent! 👍🏻👍🏻 7y
Redheadrambles @Neale these illustrations are so great 7y
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Neale @Redheadrambles They really suit the book. Very dark and gothic. They were done by Igor Karash. 😊 7y
Redheadrambles @Neale a Folio edition ? 7y
Neale @Redheadrambles Yes indeed. 😊 7y
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Neale
The Bone Clocks: A Novel | David Mitchell
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@Redheadrambles All the way from Boston, it‘s here! 😊😊😊

Redheadrambles Woohooo well done you - it is lovely 7y
3 likes1 comment