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sarahbarnes

sarahbarnes

Joined May 2018

“Books mean all possibilities.” - Ali Smith
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The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
review
sarahbarnes
Crooked Plow: A Novel | Itamar Vieira Junior
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Pickpick

I moved my copy of this book to the top of the pile when it made the Int‘l Booker long list. A powerful story of generations of a family enduring lives as tenant farmers in Brazil, with a bit of magical realism. I loved the complicated relationship between the two sisters and their quiet strength. And the relationship of the farmers to the land, that brings gifts and suffering. They appreciate and understand it so much more than the landowners.

batsy Nice review! I've been curious about this one and glad to see it's a pick for you. 2w
BarbaraBB Glad you liked it. I‘ve been curious about this one too. 2w
Cathythoughts Sounds good. Stacked. 2w
Reggie This sounds great. Stacked. 1w
sarahbarnes @batsy @BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts @reggie I‘ll be curious to hear what you think of it. I‘m not sure which other ones on the Booker long list I‘ll get to, but I did enjoy this one. 4d
37 likes4 stack adds5 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Hard Girls | J Robert Lennon
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Mehso-so

I love Lennon as a writer. I‘ve really enjoyed every book of his I‘ve read. But this one fell short for me. I wanted to like it much more than I did. Partly perhaps the genre, but it also felt so predictable compared to his other work. I‘ll still read whatever he writes next.

BarbaraBB I felt the same and I won‘t give up on him either. I have a few more books from his backlist on my shelves and am looking forward to them! 2w
Cathythoughts I‘m on my second of his now. I loved Broken River, and Subdivision is good so far. I‘ll try this one too and see what I think 👍🏻❤️ 2w
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB yes! I‘m happy to have a few on his backlist to read, too! 2w
See All 13 Comments
sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts I loved Broken River, too. I also liked Familiar and Let Me Think. 2w
Cathythoughts @sarahbarnes Thankyou! I have Familiar now on kindle 👍🏻 I‘m trying for Let Me Think. He‘s such an interesting writer, he certainly gets a strong emotional reaction from me. 2w
vivastory Since both you & @barbarabb gave this a less than glowing review, I'm going to make my way through some of his other works first I think 5d
BarbaraBB @vivastory That‘s wise I think. His earlier works are so good. I am about to start one of his short stories collections : 5d
vivastory @BarbaraBB I had missed that one somehow. Thanks for the recommendation! 5d
sarahbarnes Yes agree with @BarbaraBB that there are others of his books to prioritize @vivastory. I loved The Familiar and Broken River. And Subdivision. Also Let Me Think. 5d
vivastory @sarahbarnes Broken River & Subdivision are big favorites of mine. The Familiar is on my TBR. I haven't heard of Let Me Think though. Will def check it out! If you haven't read it, I really enjoyed 5d
sarahbarnes @vivastory I need to check that one out! Thank you! 5d
BarbaraBB @vivastory @sarahbarnes I need to check out Let me Think and The Funnies. I loved Subdividion, Broken River and The Familiar. This one‘s good too: (edited) 4d
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB yes! I have that one stacked from your review! 4d
34 likes13 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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Pickpick

I am so glad to have finally read this beautiful book. Such an expertly crafted story of public and private histories. The pieces of the story retold in succession from slightly different perspectives is genius. And the passages of Claudia‘s thoughts vs. what others in the room can see are sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes hilarious. And that ending. ♥️ Thank you so much @BarbaraBB for this lovely gift!

BarbaraBB Glad it was a pick for you 🩷 3w
CarolynM ❤️ 3w
Chelsea.Poole What a great cover on this edition! 2w
33 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Wellness | Nathan Hill
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Pickpick

I‘m still processing the layers of this story. It looks at relationships, marriage and parenting, but also at how what we believe can be so powerful. How things we believe our whole lives can shape us. How beliefs can set in, cult-like. And how our belief in something gives it its power - sometimes good, sometimes not. A great book! #LitsyTOB

squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 4w
batsy Nice review! 4w
BarbaraBB Great review Sarah! 4w
See All 6 Comments
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain @batsy @BarbaraBB thank you! 💙 I‘m glad the TOB put this one on my radar. I haven‘t read The Nix but now I‘m curious. 4w
Cathythoughts Inspiring review. I tried Nix , a good story but way too many words for me. I DNF ( yet anyway ). I‘m guessing this book is long too. Very popular writer 👍🏻❤️ (edited) 3w
sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts it is long indeed, and also quite verbose. Most of the time I liked the style - I think because I often identified with the characters‘ inner monologues. But there were a few times I found myself skimming. 3w
36 likes6 comments
blurb
sarahbarnes
The New Book | Allie Cresswell
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Well this is fun news! A new Sally Rooney novel coming out! 🤩

BarbaraBB Yay 🙌🏽 4w
Reggie Yayyyy! 4w
23 likes2 comments
review
sarahbarnes
The Amusements | Aingeala Flannery
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Pickpick

This is a first novel and at times it felt that way, but the writing is fantastic and overall I liked this story of loose connections between characters in a small town and the way pivotal experiences growing up get under your skin for life. I‘m excited to see where Flannery‘s writing goes and will definitely read her next book.

BarbaraBB Sounds good. Should I read it? 1mo
sarahbarnes I think it might be worth a read for you @BarbaraBB. I would be happy to send you my copy! 1mo
BarbaraBB I‘d love that of course but please don‘t feel obliged!! 1mo
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sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB not at all - I would love to! Can you email me your address? 1mo
Reggie Small town you say? Stacked. I grew up in a town of 12000. I‘m a sucker for these stories. 1mo
BarbaraBB Thank you so much🤍, I will! 1mo
sarahbarnes @Reggie same! I‘m always drawn to them. I grew up in a town of 1200 actually - insane. 1mo
33 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this. McBride expertly portrayed the ways a community systematically cut off from resources, works around barriers to support one another. I loved the way he led us through various characters and stories to illustrate the creativity required to get things done. He succeeded at both showing the strength of the citizens of Chicken Hill while also not diminishing the racism they faced, at both individual and structural levels.

BarbaraBB Great review. Not surprisingly, I felt the same 😊 1mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I was glad you liked this one too! I was relieved after so many mixed reviews. 1mo
43 likes2 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Hello Beautiful | Ann Napolitano
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Pickpick

A very good story, as many others here have said. It was sweet and simple in some ways, but it had its sharp edges as well, and ended in a way that felt like the right way for it to end. #litsyTOB

review
sarahbarnes
The Morning Star | Karl Ove Knausgaard
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Pickpick

I have mixed feelings about this book. I found it so compelling and unsettling throughout that I was on pins and needles much of the time and couldn‘t put it down. And then, suddenly, it ended with so much left untold. I don‘t need stories to be fully resolved, but I did want more at the end of this one. Nevertheless, a pick because it was very good until the end. Thanks for putting this one on my radar @batsy !

batsy Nice review! I too wanted more, and to know and understand more. From what I understand, the next one (Wolves of Eternity) doesn't quite give answers but maybe more questions 😂 Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to it... 2mo
sarahbarnes @batsy I looked at the blurb for Wolves when I finished hoping for a sequel 😂 But yes I also still want to read it! I think he wanted to bring the theme of what we can know and what we can‘t know into all aspects of the novel, but I was still a bit frustrated by all the unfinished stories. (edited) 2mo
31 likes2 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Prophet Song | Paul Lynch
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Pickpick

It‘s hard to call this book dystopian since (as @TrishB said) this could happen anywhere in the world next week. And in reality people in some places are experiencing things along these lines right now. I loved this book even though it is painful to read. Lynch artfully crafted a story of a life moving from the mundane day to day to a fever dream of disbelief, to a nightmare. 💔

BarbaraBB Great review. 2mo
batsy Lovely review. I've got this on hold and am prepared for something bleak... 2mo
TrishB Great review. It will be a read that stays with me. 2mo
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sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB thank you 🩵 2mo
sarahbarnes @batsy it is quite bleak, but excellent and worth reading. I‘m looking forward to your thoughts on it. 2mo
sarahbarnes @TrishB same. I‘ve been thinking about it a lot since I finished it. 2mo
Reggie TrishB had me stack it and now you‘ve made me go put it on hold. fever dream into nightmare got me. Great review! 2mo
44 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Killing Commendatore | Haruki Murakami
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Pickpick

Classic Murakami in the best way. I love his quirky, slightly unsettling approach to storytelling. He keeps you on your toes and leaves you with some unresolved pieces to ponder. He‘s always a favorite of mine. I got this copy in Taipei - pictured here with the tea set I picked up there as well. 📖 🫖

LeahBergen I love your little Yixing tea set! 2mo
Suet624 You're so right about Murakami. 2mo
sarahbarnes @LeahBergen I love it too! 2mo
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emz711 Which book of his should I start on? 2mo
sarahbarnes @emz711 I would say this is a good one to start with 2mo
sarahbarnes @Suet624 it‘s his thing I think. 2mo
JuniperWilde I LOVED Wind Up Bird Chronicle 2mo
BarbaraBB I haven‘t read this one yet. Great review! And I loved Wind Up too! 2mo
batsy Love the tea set! 🤎 I waa just reading about the new Murakami coming out this year, which sounds fascinating. And was also taken aback about his age—he seems perennially 50 or so in my mind. 2mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB @juniperwilde it‘s still one of my favorites of his! 2mo
sarahbarnes @batsy thank you! And I hadn‘t heard about his new book so thank you for the heads up! It does sound fascinating and I‘ll be keeping an eye out for it. I know, it‘s crazy what a long time he‘s been writing. 🩵 2mo
vivastory I have loved every Murakami that I have read, esp. the stories! 2mo
sarahbarnes @vivastory I haven‘t read any of his stories yet, and really want to! 2mo
vivastory The two story collections that I have read are “After The Quake“ & “The Elephant Vanishes“ There are stories form both that I still think about, despite having read them years ago 2mo
sarahbarnes @vivastory I appreciate the recommendations! 2mo
vivastory @sarahbarnes I always meant to read the story collection that Drive My Car is Based on. I've heard great things about that movie! 2mo
sarahbarnes @vivastory yes! That film is on my list! 2mo
merelybookish You tea set is lovely! And I have never read any Murakamki. 😬🙈 2mo
sarahbarnes @merelybookish thank you! And I think that‘s okay! 😁 2mo
vivastory @sarahbarnes I love Murakami, but I don't know if you would. I would recommend sampling his stories if you are curious. I really loved this collection 2mo
39 likes20 comments
review
sarahbarnes
All the Little Bird-Hearts | Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
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Pickpick

This book. 💔 An exquisitely written, heart wrenching story of motherhood, cruelty and betrayal. The narcissistic Vita and cowardly Rolls. Beautiful Sunday. And young Dolly in the middle of it all. A powerful start to my reading year.

BarbaraBB I was pretty sure your reaction would be like mine yet I am glad it is. Such a powerful read. ❤️‍🩹 3mo
sarahbarnes @barbarabb I knew when I saw you loved it that I would, too. 🩵🩵 3mo
squirrelbrain This was one of my favourites of 2023. 💔 3mo
See All 6 Comments
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain it was just so devastatingly good. 3mo
Suet624 Truly was 💔 3mo
Rissreads Soooooo good! 😊 2mo
48 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Idlewild | James Frankie Thomas
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Pickpick

Last book of 2023. I really enjoyed this one. It had me laughing out loud at certain moments - Thomas captures the absurd world of teenagers so perfectly. At the same time Nell‘s and Faye‘s experiences into adulthood broke my heart. Thomas captures all of it so poignantly and the ending felt real in a way I appreciated. #LitsyTOB24

Megabooks Glad you enjoyed it! 3mo
BarbaraBB Great review, totally agree! 3mo
squirrelbrain I loved this one too. ❤️ 3mo
Reggie Happy New Year, Sarah! 3mo
sarahbarnes Happy New Year, @Reggie !! 3mo
29 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
sarahbarnes
2023: A Trilogy | The Justified Mu
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Here is my #top23of23! It was a great reading year. Love seeing everyone's lists so I can add to my TBR for 2024. 😁 📚

squirrelbrain A fair few of these will be on my list too! 3mo
AmyG Great books. 3mo
Deblovestoread Some fantastic books on here and some new to me to check out. 😀 3mo
See All 13 Comments
BarbaraBB Fantastic list. So many similar books. And Cassandra ❤️❤️. I want to read the ones I haven‘t read yet. What is the book second from left on the third row? 3mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB so many! ♥️ That one is Let Me Think by J Robert Lennon. You would like it I think! 3mo
BarbaraBB I mean the one below that. The Lennon sounds great indeed! 3mo
sarahbarnes Ohhh, the third row. 😂 That one is Self Help by Lorrie Moore! 3mo
batsy What a great list! So many to check out. 3mo
merelybookish Great list! Many I loved as well! (Had to screenshot it to read all the titles. 🧐👵). I have not read Foster but watched the movie based on it the other night and 😭😭😭😭 Called A QUiet Girl. 3mo
Reggie Cantoras!! ❤️❤️❤️ 3mo
sarahbarnes @merelybookish I didn‘t know they made it into film. I need to watch that at some point. The book is similarly 😭. 3mo
vivastory @merelybookish I heard very recently that there is going to be an adaptation coming out of Keegan's Small Things Like These w/ C. Murphy. I have a bit of adaptation fatigue, but as he was in my fave of 23 I cant complain 2mo
merelybookish @vivastory I have no interest in Oppenheimer but I do like Cillian Murphy. 😍 And I can see him in that role. 2mo
33 likes13 comments
review
sarahbarnes
The Rachel Incident: A novel | Caroline O'Donoghue
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Pickpick

I had high expectations going into this one given reviews here and I was not disappointed. What a great book. A perfectly crafted story and phenomenal characters. I loved the juxtaposition of Rachel‘s adult perspective as she tells the story from her youth; it felt authentic and without too much judgment of her younger self. A favorite of 2023!

squirrelbrain Glad you loved it too! ❤️ 3mo
BarbaraBB Relieved and happy you loved it too - with those high expectations ❤️ 3mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB it made my top reads in 2023! 3mo
42 likes3 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Death Valley | Melissa Broder
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Pickpick

This is my first book by Broder and reading it felt like the earth shifting under my feet a bit. She takes you outside the realms of reality just enough to have no idea what will happen next. I loved the main character in the story and her narrative voice was perfect. A fun and unexpected pick. Thanks for the tip @Megabooks !

merelybookish Merry Christmas!! 3mo
Megabooks Yay! Glad you enjoyed it! 3mo
sarahbarnes Merry Christmas @merelybookish!! 🎄♥️ 3mo
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BarbaraBB Wow this sounds great. I see I had it stacked already. Probably thanks to @Megabooks too! 3mo
batsy Oh, great! I have this on hold. Really need to read her other books too. 3mo
Reggie Yeah, her books sound like they‘re up my alley and then I never get around to them. Great review. 3mo
34 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Life After Life: A Novel | Kate Atkinson
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Pickpick

A great story to accompany me on my trip. This was my first Atkinson and a book I had on my shelf for awhile. I‘m so glad I finally read it. And then I left it in the Taipei airport for another reader to find. 😊 I‘ll be reading more of her for sure.

TrishB Love this author, but this is my least favourite by her 🤷‍♀️ 3mo
sarahbarnes @trishb what‘s your favorite? 3mo
TrishB The follow up to this one - A God in Ruins I loved and all the Jackson Brodie series. 3mo
sarahbarnes @TrishB 👍👍 3mo
merelybookish I'm so glad you enjoyed it! She's such a brave storyteller! 3mo
44 likes5 comments
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sarahbarnes
Eslite | Taipei, Taiwan (Bookstore)
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Such beautiful editions of Murakami, in English and in Chinese. 🩵

Ruthiella Really pretty! 😍 3mo
BarbaraBB 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
37 likes2 comments
blurb
sarahbarnes
Eslite | Taipei, Taiwan (Bookstore)
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We visited this enormous bookstore in Taipei, which is open 24 hours. Such a brilliant idea! It came in very handy when recovering from jet lag - I was here at 5am. 😝

wanderinglynn A 24hr bookstore?!? 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
LeahBergen How wonderful! 3mo
vivastory This is the dream!! 3mo
See All 13 Comments
BarbaraBB You are in Taipei, wow! How long will you be staying there? 3mo
sarahbarnes @barbarabb I am here until Monday. It‘s beautiful! 3mo
batsy That is so awesome! An Eslite branch recently opened here but I haven't checked it out properly yet (sadly not 24 hours 😆) Enjoy your trip! 3mo
BarbaraBB So cool! Enjoy! 3mo
sarahbarnes @batsy so cool! I was really impressed by their inventory - so many great books. Maybe they‘ll decide to start staying open 24 hours at some point? You could make the suggestion. 😆 3mo
Reggie Very cool. 3mo
batsy @sarahbarnes *cracks knuckles, gets ready to type suggestion email* 😂 3mo
sarahbarnes @batsy ✊✊😂😂 3mo
35 likes13 comments
review
sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

An unpopular opinion based on other Litsy reviews, but I enjoyed most of these stories. I loved their strangeness and occasional creepiness. A couple were a miss for me, but I loved The White Cat‘s Divorce, Prince Hat, The White Road and Skinner‘s Veil. Finished these while at a conference in Atlanta.

Billypar I haven't read this yet, but I'm a huge fan based on the two collections I have read. Strange about the tepid Litsy reviews because it's got the highest avg GR rating so far compared to her others. But the Litsy reviews are only a handful, so it's a small sample I guess. 4mo
sarahbarnes @Billypar that is interesting. I will say that I am going to immediately track down her other collections after reading these. Good to know that you‘re a fan based on what you‘ve read! 4mo
Hooked_on_books This didn‘t work for me, but not because I thought it was a bad book by any means. It‘s good to find a writer that hits your kind of weird! 4mo
sarahbarnes @Hooked_on_books I wholeheartedly agree! 4mo
39 likes4 comments
review
sarahbarnes
The House of Doors | Tan Twan Eng
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this slowly unfolding story of love, loyalty, art and politics set in 1920s Malaysia. I was drawn in by the beautiful descriptions of setting and the dreamlike pace of the story. It makes me want to read his other books.

batsy I must check this out! 4mo
sarahbarnes @batsy he doesn‘t shy away from the racism, colonialism and homophobia that were present there (as everywhere else), but it is a beautiful story. 4mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB adding that one to my list now! 4mo
34 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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sarahbarnes
Kairos: Roman | Jenny Erpenbeck
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Pickpick

A story of a troubling relationship between a young girl and older man with lasting impacts. I think Erpenbeck is a brilliant writer and loved the structure of this book as told through a series of boxes of documents. Also the parallels between their relationship and the context of East/West Berlin and the Soviet Union when the story takes place are very powerful. Unsettling and moving.

BarbaraBB Wonderful review. I‘ll be reading this soon too, thanks for the heads up (edited) 4mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I‘ll be really interested to hear your thoughts! 4mo
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

I liked this! I read it based on so many positive Litsy reviews and I wasn‘t disappointed. I really liked the incorporation of the script format throughout the story. The metaphor of animal mutations works surprisingly well. I will say I liked the last part of the novel less than the first two parts.

squirrelbrain I really need to get to this one - so many great reviews from Littens! 4mo
BarbaraBB I feel the same @squirrelbrain 4mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB I‘ll be very interested to hear your thoughts on it! 4mo
47 likes3 comments
review
sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

This story felt (sadly) less dystopian and more a story about a likely series of events as the impact of climate change becomes more severe. It started out a bit slow but then picked up and I was hooked and couldn‘t look away. I‘m not sure I would describe the book as “fun” like some reviews; I found it very sad most of the time. But the descriptions of food, love and intimacy were exquisite. Overall a pick.

BarbaraBB I bailed on this one but now I feel I should have tried harder. Maybe I‘ll give it another try. 4mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I did feel like it took me a bit to get into the story at the beginning. 4mo
squirrelbrain It was a slow start, wasn‘t it, but it did pick up later on. Having said that, I can‘t remember much about it a few weeks later! 🤷‍♀️ 4mo
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
sarahbarnes
Moon Tiger | Penelope Lively
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What a wonderful surprise to come home to on a Monday @BarbaraBB!! Thank you so much for all of the lovely gifts! I‘m so excited to have these books from my TBR. ♥️ I love Atwood and have been wanting to read Lively for a long time. And thank you for the fun treats and socks - so perfect for this time of year! Thank you so much, friend! 😊 #BBgiveaway

LeahBergen How lovely! 🥰 5mo
Aimeesue Wow! Those are both such great books! And pretty, too. 5mo
squirrelbrain Lovely! ❤️ 5mo
BarbaraBB Glad they arrived safely and rather soon! I hope yours will arrive one of these days too @LeahBergen but my tracking information is a bit vague 🤞🏽 5mo
LeahBergen @BarbaraBB No worries! Canada Post is notoriously slow. 😆 5mo
29 likes5 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Pet | Catherine Chidgey
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Pickpick

This book was a page turner from start to finish. I was sucked into the story and couldn‘t put it down; I definitely stayed up too late a couple of nights this week to finish it. I really, really disliked Mrs. Price - a sign of excellent character development on Chidgey‘s part. I am really a fan of her writing.

LeahBergen Oh, good to hear! I‘m looking forward to this one. 5mo
AnneCecilie I loved this as well, the tension was amazing. 5mo
sarahbarnes @LeahBergen I hope you like it! 5mo
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sarahbarnes @AnneCecilie it was incredible that it lasted throughout the book! 5mo
BarbaraBB Stacking immediately 🤍 5mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I think you‘ll really like it! 5mo
37 likes3 stack adds6 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Notes of a Crocodile | Qiu Miaojin
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Mehso-so

I‘m traveling to Taiwan in December and so I‘m reading some fiction by Taiwanese writers. This was my first, and I‘ll admit I wasn‘t as able to connect with it as much as I‘d hoped. I liked the crocodile in human suits metaphor a lot, though. Any recommendations for books to read, please send them my way. 😁

batsy How exciting! I'm not well-versed in Taiwanese literature, and I think I enjoyed this more than most. It's a bit of an odd book, so I get it 😁 5mo
BarbaraBB Exciting indeed! I was there for work twice and Taipei is amazing! And I agree on the book. It was a so-so for me too. 5mo
Reggie I liked this book but it got under my skin. I hope you have great travels! 5mo
34 likes3 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Dept. of Speculation | Jenny Offill
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Pickpick

So glad I finally got to this book on my shelf. I love the way Offill uses short paragraphs and sparse writing to explore such deeply human experiences - relationships, parenting, pain and loss, love. I think I liked this one even better than Weather, and now may have to pick up Last Things because I love her writing.

Liz_M I also liked this more than weather. 5mo
BarbaraBB Like @Liz_M I thought this was better than Weather. Much better even! 5mo
SamAnne I just convinced my IRL book club to read this for November. I absolutely loved Weather. Looking forward to this one! 5mo
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Billypar Great review! I read this in September and loved it as well. I kept procrastinating on my Litsy review though. Maybe I'll still get to it? 🤔 5mo
sarahbarnes @barbarabb @Liz_M I read Weather quite a while ago and don‘t remember it very well. But glad to know we are in agreement! 5mo
sarahbarnes @SamAnne great choice! I hope you enjoy it! 5mo
BarbaraBB Of course we are 👯‍♀️ 5mo
sarahbarnes @Billypar so glad you also loved it! I‘d love to hear your thoughts on it. 😊 5mo
sarahbarnes @barbarabb 👯‍♀️ indeed! ♥️ 5mo
41 likes2 stack adds9 comments
review
sarahbarnes
The Road to Dalton | Shannon Bowring
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Pickpick

A story of interconnected characters and events in a small Maine town. The kind of book I really enjoy and I did enjoy this one, a portrait of the daily, imperfect lives of people, private and yet never really private in a town this size.

BarbaraBB I love the cover! 😍 5mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB me too - the cover was definitely one of the things that caught my eye! 5mo
Suet624 Oh, that cover! I love it too. Stacked! 5mo
35 likes4 stack adds3 comments
review
sarahbarnes
The Trio | Johanna Hedman
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book, which reminded me a little of Sally Rooney (but no one can quite write these types of stories like she does). Wonderful character development and I loved how the story progressed as told from three different perspectives until the end. A portrait of the small ways we make decisions in our lives that don‘t always make sense.

BarbaraBB Such a coincidence, I just bought this one! 5mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB ah, such a coincidence! 😊 I think you‘ll like it! 5mo
33 likes2 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Weasels in the Attic | Hiroko Oyamada
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Pickpick

This book embodies the weirdness I love in Japanese fiction. Oyamada‘s books are full of unsettling strange events and bizarre dialogue between characters. Along with detailed food descriptions I can‘t get enough of. The three long chapters in the book look at relationships and children in some very interesting ways.

batsy I really want to read this! Glad to see it was a pick for you. 6mo
sarahbarnes @batsy I think you‘ll like it! I really enjoyed her other two books and this one is just as good. 6mo
BarbaraBB This looks so good! Like @batsy I really want to read it. I haven‘t read her before, any suggestions where to start? 5mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I definitely think you would love her! I really liked The Hole, maybe I would start there? 5mo
BarbaraBB Thanks, will try that one first! I‘ll probably love her if you say so! 5mo
42 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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sarahbarnes
Our Fathers | Rebecca Wait
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Pickpick

What a book. Such beautiful writing and descriptions in the midst of unimaginable horror. The character development is impeccable. I was sad when it ended and will be thinking about Tommy and his family for a long time. I‘m officially a Rebecca Wait fan after this one.

@BarbaraBB

squirrelbrain So good! ❤️ 6mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain truly! ♥️ 6mo
Aimeesue Such great writing in this one! 6mo
BarbaraBB I am a Wait fan too now! 6mo
jlhammar What a book, indeed! Great review. I'm so glad we chose this for #EuropaCollective. I'll definitely be reading more Wait. 6mo
43 likes5 comments
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sarahbarnes
Self Help | Lorrie Moore
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Pickpick

I picked up this short story collection on a whim, having never read Moore before. These are fantastic. So dry and witty and all within the theme of self-help, interpreted in many ways. I‘ll be reading more of her short stories for sure.

37 likes4 stack adds
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sarahbarnes
Rouge | Mona Awad
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Pickpick

I really like the way Awad‘s books comment on social pressures faced by (mostly) women by depicting them through dark humor, horror and the supernatural. Her latest is no exception and I loved it. Perhaps the most sinister of her books I‘ve read. 🌹

Megabooks Agree! Great review! 6mo
39 likes1 comment
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sarahbarnes
Come and Get It | Kiley Reid
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Congrats @BarbaraBB on your amazing milestone! I‘m so glad to have met you here and your bookish and travel posts help make Litsy the wonderful place it is! Thank you for hosting the #BBgiveaway. I‘m looking forward to the tagged book in 2024. Thanks for the tag @merelybookish ! I tag @andrew61 and @Suet624 .

BarbaraBB Coming from you I‘ll stack the book immediately! Thanks for entering the giveaway ❤️ 6mo
squirrelbrain Ha - I was going to post this book too! 6mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB thank you for hosting it! ♥️ 6mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain I‘m interested to read it! I thought Such a Fun Age was very good. 6mo
22 likes4 comments
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sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

A book for book lovers, library lovers, and Japanese fiction - a perfect read. 🥰 So sweet and heartwarming. I loved the descriptions of the characters‘ interactions with the books, and the subtle connections between the lives of the characters. Centered around the lovely library and librarian in the story.

Megabooks Stacked! Great review! 6mo
sarahbarnes @megabooks I really hope you like it too! 6mo
Reggie I will save this for when I need that balm of a book when the tornado of life hits. 6mo
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sarahbarnes @reggie it will be perfect for that. 6mo
batsy Sounds lovely! And yes to what @Reggie said. 6mo
sarahbarnes @batsy 🩵🩵 6mo
Suet624 What @Reggie said. 5mo
42 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

A lovely work of Japanese fiction - just what I needed! A beautiful story about music and a piano competition. It was enthralling to read about the rounds of the competition as they unfolded and to be inside the characters‘ minds as they thought about music.

@BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB So glad (and a bit relieved) that you enjoyed it! 6mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I really did! It was so unique and lovely. 6mo
BarbaraBB 😅 Love your photo by the way! 6mo
40 likes3 comments
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sarahbarnes
My Husband: A Novel | Maud Ventura
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Pickpick

Ventura did a good job of taking recognizable anxieties in relationships to the extreme, distorting them to an almost horrifying degree. I enjoyed the narrative style that slowly let me in on the extent of the narrator‘s neurosis. I don‘t think the epilogue added much and could‘ve done without it, but I enjoyed this one otherwise.

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sarahbarnes
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This one from the Booker list just came in at the library - I didn‘t know it was so long! 😮‍💨

BarbaraBB I‘m listening to it on audio. Not sure what to think after 25% 7mo
sarahbarnes @barbarabb I started it and read about 40 pages. It‘s interesting but not sure yet, either. 7mo
TrishB Good luck! I bailed. 7mo
sarahbarnes @TrishB oof, I just read your review. I‘m not clicking with much on the Booker list so far this year. 7mo
38 likes4 comments
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sarahbarnes
Emergency: Stories | Kathleen Alcott
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Pickpick

This is a phenomenal collection of stories. Each with a female main character, they cut to the bone in various ways and there really wasn‘t a single story I didn‘t love. I haven‘t read any of the author‘s novels, but may need to check them out now because this collection is stunning.

32 likes2 stack adds
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sarahbarnes
BIRTHDAY PARTY. | LAURENT. MAUVIGNIER
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I can‘t find the time to make a collage of my favorite summer reads @Cinfhen but here is a list! My favorite is tagged along with one of my favorite photos of the summer. 😊

The Birthday Party - Mauvignier
Cassandra at the Wedding - Baker
Malice - Higashino
Mrs. S - Patrick
Yellowface - Kuang
August Blue - Levy

Cathythoughts I forgot to put Yellowface on my list ! Another favorite of the last few months 7mo
Megabooks Great photo! I‘m glad you enjoyed Yellowface, and I can‘t wait to get to August Blue. 👍🏻😁 7mo
Suet624 Every time I see Cassandra mentioned I get a bit of a thrill. Such a good book. 7mo
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Cinfhen Oh wow! That photo is GORGEOUS 😍thanks for sharing your favorite reads 😄 7mo
squirrelbrain Gorgeous photo! I need to try The Birthday Party again…. I didn‘t get past the first page or two.☺️ 7mo
batsy Love the photo 😍 So happy to see Cassandra on your list. I read Yellowface but the other 4 are all on my TBR! 7mo
Liz_M I ❤ and 💔 Cassandra! 7mo
BarbaraBB I loved Malice, Birthday Party and of course Cassandra too. Mrs S and August Blue are now must reads for me! (edited) 7mo
TrishB Cool 👍🏻 7mo
34 likes9 comments
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sarahbarnes
Big Swiss: A Novel | Jen Beagin
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Pickpick

At times this book was hilarious and at times heartbreaking. I loved the method of using the transcripts throughout the book to tell parts of the story. I thought the story ended just as it should. I will say the insect situation in the house terrified me. But I really liked this!

Lindy The bees! That aspect was surreal. 7mo
batsy Really enjoyed this! Glad you liked it. Agreed about the insects 😵 You're right @Lindy it had surreal moments. 7mo
sarahbarnes @Lindy @batsy yes, surreal indeed! I couldn‘t even imagine myself in that situation - my brain couldn‘t fully comprehend it. 7mo
40 likes3 comments
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sarahbarnes
Tomb of Sand | Geetanjali Shree
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this epic novel. Despite its length, it was very readable, and is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. The last part of the book was so compelling and turned everything in the story on its head for me. A story about borders and rules and prejudice, and one woman who refuses all of it in the end. I won‘t forget Ma for a long time.

Aimeesue Reading this one now. I agree, It‘s fantastic. (edited) 7mo
sarahbarnes @Aimeesue I love that you‘re reading this right now, too! Glad you‘re enjoying it. 7mo
BarbaraBB I still need to read this and your review is so tempting! 7mo
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Deblovestoread I second @BarbaraBB . On my shelf need to move it up. 7mo
batsy So glad you like it! It was one of my favourites when I read it last year. 7mo
sarahbarnes @Barbarabb @Deblovestoread I‘m excited to hear what you think when you get to it! 7mo
sarahbarnes @batsy I loved her narrative and writing style so much, and she told the history and politics of the story in such a creative way. I also loved learning in the translator‘s note that Shree intentionally chose to write the book in Hindi. 🤍 7mo
39 likes7 comments
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sarahbarnes
August Blue: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

I love Levy‘s writing and storytelling style and this was no exception. Her dry humor and stripped down prose always resonate with me. And her stories and characters pack a punch. I loved this story of a woman coming to terms with her past and learning to define herself rather than live by the terms others set for her.

batsy Sounds great! This cover is fab ❤️ 7mo
sarahbarnes @batsy I know! 😍😍 7mo
37 likes1 stack add2 comments
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sarahbarnes
Old God's Time: A Novel | Sebastian Barry
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Pickpick

Agree with many others here that this is a heavy, but beautifully written book. The content was heart wrenching, but the writing so exquisite. The story has a quiet beauty to it despite the very painful subject. A solid Booker list book. #Booker23

squirrelbrain Yes, it‘s definitely a ‘Booker book‘. 7mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain ha! Exactly! 7mo
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BarbaraBB Glad you “enjoyed” it too. Are you reading the whole longlist? 7mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I can‘t get all of the books in the US from the library, so I might wait for the shortlist and buy at that point. Are you? 7mo
BarbaraBB I try to. They are all available in Europe but some are very expensive and not in the library yet 7mo
37 likes1 stack add6 comments
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sarahbarnes
A Death in Tokyo: A Mystery | Keigo Higashino
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Pickpick

Another great book from this author! I loved these three books about the genius of Detective Kaga. Despite my best attempts, he was always a step ahead of me and I was always surprised by the ending. I‘m definitely going to read more by Higashino!

@BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB Ow I need this! I haven‘t read this one yet! 8mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB it‘s so fun! Lots of twists and turns as always, and Kaga works with another detective in this one. Thank you for putting him on my radar! 8mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Stacking! 7mo
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
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sarahbarnes
Tomb of Sand | Geetanjali Shree
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This book has been a great companion on my vacation this week! Long enough that I only had to bring one book with me, but very entertaining and readable. I‘ve wanted to read it since it won the Booker last year and I‘m so glad I finally am. It‘s wonderful.

BarbaraBB Good to know. I still need to read it! 8mo
batsy I loved it! It flows so well despite its length. 8mo
Suet624 I forgot I wanted to read this. So glad to hear you‘re enjoying it. 7mo
32 likes1 stack add3 comments
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sarahbarnes
Bart's Books | Ojai, CA (Bookstore)
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I‘m so glad I finally got to visit this amazing bookstore. Built into an outdoor bookstore in a beautiful residential neighborhood in Ojai, CA. With an outstanding selection of used books. I limited myself to these three. The Nicola Barker is a signed copy. 😍

Suet624 Do you live in Ojai or are you visiting? 8mo
sarahbarnes @Suet624 I‘m visiting! Although I sort of wish I lived here. ☺️ 8mo
Ruthiella Awesome! I live about two hours away and thanks to Litsy found out about it and am planning to visit! We‘ll make a day trip out of it. 8mo
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sarahbarnes @Ruthiella that‘s so awesome! I think it‘s definitely worth the trip! 8mo
Suet624 I dropped away with Covid after I asked that question. I was in Ojai with bro and sis 50 years ago camping in the mountains while waiting for a friend to have a baby in Monte Rio. We had a Chrysler Chevy, 3 adults, 1 dog, and a pregnant cat who had 4 kittens in my sleeping bag one night. It was cold, not tourist season. No one around. We thought you pronounced the town O-Jay. Stunning place. 7mo
sarahbarnes @Suet624 hope you‘re fully recovered. What a great story - thanks for sharing it. It really was a magical place. I hope I get to return one day. 7mo
Suet624 Did you see there was a 5.0 earthquake in ojai yesterday? 7mo
sarahbarnes @suet624 Wow, I hadn‘t heard about this until I saw your post and looked it up. That is crazy. And the hurricane. (edited) 7mo
37 likes8 comments
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sarahbarnes
Lone Women: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Pickpick

Somewhere between a pick and a so-so for me. At times I couldn‘t put it down, and at times it felt too plotty and the events a bit too orchestrated. But thumbs up for creativity and a very surprising reading experience! So, overall a soft pick. #campTOB

squirrelbrain Hello pup! 👋🐕 I started this on audio a while back but got pulled away by library audios…. I *will* go back to it soon. 8mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain he says hello! His name is Kane - we got him in the spring and although I‘ve never been a big dog person, he‘s definitely stolen my heart at this point. 8mo
SamAnne I really enjoyed this one, esp. the creativity. And love the dog. 8mo
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Leftcoastzen Beautiful pup! 8mo
dabbe Hello, Kute Kane! 🐾🖤🐾 8mo
BarbaraBB Intriguing! I am going to read it soon too. 8mo
Reggie I got this one yesterday. Looking forward to it. 8mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB @Reggie I‘ll be very interested to hear what you think! 8mo
39 likes1 stack add9 comments
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sarahbarnes
Mrs. S | K. Patrick
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Pickpick

This book was a slow burn in more ways than one. Both the build up between the MC and Mrs. S and the somewhat inevitable ending. I also loved how Patrick wrote the nuance in the relationships the MC has in book with other characters as they navigate queerness, and they also captured the subtle discrimination the MC experienced in a perfect way, putting you inside the MC‘s body and mind. A great debut novel - excited to see what they write next.