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KimM

KimM

Joined July 2016

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” ―Murakami
review
KimM
Catch and Kill | Ronan Farrow
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Pickpick

Ronan Farrow is impressive.

review
KimM
Permanent Record | Edward Snowden
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Pickpick

“Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say.”
― Edward Snowden

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KimM
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Book shops and beer joints. #Asheville

#Malaprops

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KimM
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Pickpick

I received this beautiful UK edition from @scripturient in a swap and I saved it to read this Halloween season. Excellent choice. Not only was this novel atmospheric and creepy, I learned a bunch about scent and the manufacturing of perfumes. Highly recommend. 4.5 💀s

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled That‘s a beautiful cover! Loved this book - so disturbing!! 1w
24 likes1 comment
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KimM
Carmilla | J Sheridan Lefanu
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Pickpick

I loved this Audible production of Carmilla. David Tennant and especially Rose Leslie were wonderful. Perfect gothic horror for October.

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KimM
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Pickpick

Great read for lovers of human biology. Bryson's style is easy and personable. Facts are peppered with fun anecdotes from history. As a pharmacist I enjoyed the excerpts on the history of medicine.

#NetGalley

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KimM
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Mehso-so

This was a perfect read for October and Halloween season. It was reminiscent of This Present Darkness by Frank Peritti. The creepiness was augmented by religious, particularly Catholic, references which are always scary to me. There was a degree of “yeah, that wouldn't happen“ that I was unable to overlook. Overall I thought the ending was very clever and satisfying and the writing was above par. #NetGalley

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KimM
Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo
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Mehso-so

So wanted to love this one and get hooked on a new fantasy series. But it was just so-so for me.

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KimM
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Pickpick

This is a huge book but compulsively readable. It's been on my TBR for awhile now and I'm glad i finally got to it for my Fall - Politics challenge. Very well-written and researched early history of AIDs in the US up to 1987.

18 likes1 stack add
review
KimM
Testaments | Margaret Atwood
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Pickpick

Parts I loved. Parts not so much. Kinda torn. However, It was great to revisit Gilead and Aunt Lydia. Atwood says that her books and the Hulu series do not feature anything that does not have a precedent in the real world. That said, check out this in today‘s news - pleasure marriage

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/iuKTEGjKgS/teenage_iraq_brides

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KimM
Waterstones | London, United Kingdom (Bookstore)
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KimM
Once Upon a River | Diane Setterfield
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UK cover as seen at Waterstones in Westminster

Well-ReadNeck I love this cover! 4w
26 likes1 comment
review
KimM
The Shadow of What Was Lost | James Islington
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Bailedbailed

Tried to get into this one twice. Finally bailed at 50%. It‘s a slow burn with a lot of characters so I tried to give it a chance but it never called me back.

review
KimM
The Deep | Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, Jonathan Snipes
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Mehso-so

This book is based on the Hugo-nominated song, “The Deep“ by Hip-Hop group Clipping. The premise is very interesting - a culture of mer-folk who are descendants of pregnant Africa slaves who were thrown overboard from slave ships. Out Nov 5th.

#NetGalley

ShyBookOwl Intrigued! 1mo
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
KimM
The Art of Taxidermy | Sharon Kernot
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Pickpick

This was my first verse novel, so I wasn't sure it I would take to it. I finished it in one sitting and it was glorious. It's the story of a young girl in Australia who, surrounded by death, tries in her own way to make death beautiful. I loved it. It's one of the most beautiful things I've read this year.

With this one, I've completed the NetGalley reviewathon and I'm now over 80% :)

#NetGalley
#Reviewathon

24 likes3 stack adds
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KimM
The World That We Knew | Alice Hoffman
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Mehso-so

This was a solid historical fiction read. I will probably look up the references in the back to learn more about the children's home that was raided and several other events in France during the Holocaust period. There is a bit of magical realism. The story, however, revolves around several young people and their struggle to survive as well as help others survive. The writing is a bit prosaic but I enjoyed it.

#NetGalley
#Reviewathon

22 likes1 stack add
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KimM
The Gray House | Mariam Petrosyan
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Pickpick

This reminded me a little of Lord of the Flies but with disabled kids. It‘s very long. The audio wouldn‘t hold my attention so I had to put it down. I chose it for “Women in Translation” so I may revisit it at a later date when I can focus better. The writing is excellent and I love stories where the house is a character.

#womenintranslation

Lcsmcat I tried this (twice) in print, not audio, and I couldn‘t stick with it. More power to you. 2mo
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KimM
The Wise Man's Fear | Patrick Rothfuss
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Well this one‘s going back. I don‘t know why I can‘t stand to listen to high fantasy read in an American accent. No offense to the narrator because he‘s doing a fine job. It‘s not you, it‘s me....😕.

Edit: I returned to it and I‘ve become accustomed to the young American narrator. 👍🏻

This is a very good fantasy novel. However, it‘s been 6 years or so and still no third book.

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KimM
Republic of Thieves | Scott Lynch
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Pickpick

Third book in the Gentleman Bastards series. Once again it‘s 2 stories in one intertwining the gang‘s present adventure with a past adventure. This time Sabetha joins the story. Her character needs a little more depth which I hope will be provided by Lynch in book 4. Still a fun read with the most creative swearing ever committed to paper. 🤣 4⭐️s

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KimM
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
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The Testaments is pre-ordered from my local bookshop. Can't wait. 😍

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/23/books/booker-longlist-margaret-atwood.html

Caroline2 I‘ve preordered it too! Exciting!! 👏 3mo
20 likes1 comment
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KimM
Klotsvog | Margarita Khemlin
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Pickpick

A raw look at life from the point of view of a young Jewish woman in the Ukraine in the post WWII 1950s and 1960s. I think when people have been forced to do and see unspeakable things to survive they are deeply and eternally affected and develop a lack of faith in humankind for the rest of their lives.

#NetGalley
#Reviewathon

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KimM
My Travels in Ding Yi | SHI. TIESHENG
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Panpan

Since I enjoyed books such as Reincarnation Blues by Poore, Ghostwritten and Cloud Atlas by Mitchell, and Life After Life by Atkinson, I thought I'd like this one. While I loved the whole concept, the rambling lack of cohesiveness annoyed me. The whole chapter dedicated to the synopsis of the film Sex, Lies and Videotapes, however, did inspire me to rewatch the movie. So there's that.

#NetGalley
#Reviewathon

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KimM
Pan's Labyrinth | Guillermo Del Toro
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Pickpick

For lovers of fairytales. This one was creepy good and very beautifully read by Thom Rivera. His accent was perfect.

18 likes2 stack adds
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KimM
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Pickpick

An easy to understand take on the low carb, sugar and gluten-free diet. Promotes organic, non-gmo foods, grassfed beef and poultry, wild caught fish, leafy green veggies and healthy fats. Easy to read “No“ and “Yes“ lists and a very nice list of what to stock your kitchen with. It's a nice, concise reference to have.

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KimM
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Pickpick

Love this series ❤ I'm rereading it on Audible and its just as fun as I remember. It's a series but each book can be a standalone as the guys get up to different adventures in each one. It sets the bar for creative cursing 😂

CrowCAH Aye, that‘s for sure about the curses! Just finished this one today! 3mo
17 likes1 comment
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KimM
The Warehouse | Rob Hart
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Pickpick

I'm a Sci-Fi and dystopian fiction fan and I thought this novel holds it's own against Handmaid's Tale, Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451 (which are all mentioned in this book). This novel as well as the newly released The Farm by Joanne Ramos shows us the not so distant future and its a bit unsettling. I highly recommend them both. #Reviewathon review #1

#NetGalley
#Thewarehouse

rretzler I love dystopian fiction too! 3mo
19 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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KimM
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This NetGalley Reviewathon is just the motivation I needed to request more books and do more reviews :)

#netgalley
#reviewathon

20 likes1 stack add
review
KimM
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Mehso-so

The murder mystery was not necessary to this novel and, in fact, that's where the flaws began. It's as if this was devised by the editor after the fact: “It's like a Kingsolver now throw in some Gillian Flynn so maybe someone will make it into a TV series.“ Many of the plot twists and discoveries at the end where just out-of-character and seemed rushed and disjointed.

I loved that there was a cat character named “Sunday Justice“.


KimM Edit: Now that I think about it, I believe there was some foreshadowing in the mating rituals of certain insects. Since Kya was raised by the marsh the ending makes more sense.... (edited) 3mo
hermyknee @KimM do you know how to add a spoiler tag to your comments? It‘s the little crossbones dude that comes up when you write the comment - you might want to add one to your “Edit” comment because it gives away the ending. That being said, my book club talked a lot about the ending and the connection to the lightning bug rituals. I still don‘t know how I feel about it! 3mo
Addison_Reads I agree with your review. This one was only a pick for me because I loved her writing about the marsh so much that I was able to overlook what felt like a rushed murder mystery plot. 3mo
30 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
KimM
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Pickpick

A fun revisit with an old favorite. If you love high fantasy and great world-building, Scott Lynch, IMO, is a better writer than Martin of Rothfuss. And the good thing about his Gentleman Bastards series is that they can serve as stand-alones so you don't have to wait for freaking years to find out what happens (I'm talking to you, GRRM...and Rothfuss) .

Image courtesy: https://camorr.fandom.com/wiki/Locke_Lamora

sprainedbrain Haha! So accurate. 😃 3mo
vivastory I love these books, I still need to read the third one 3mo
KimM @vivastory Sabitha is finally in the 3rd one :) I think the 4th book, The Thorn of Emberlain, will be coming out soonish. 3mo
See All 6 Comments
BookishJess Oh good to know! I‘ve been putting this one off because it‘s the first in a series. If it can be read as a stand alone I‘m totally in! 3mo
KimM @BookishJess Yep, the Gentleman Bastards get up to different adventures in each book. 3mo
Puredragonstar Awesome thanks for letting us know. I hate starting new series for this very reason. 😠 This one has been on my TBR forever, now it‘s moving up on my list. 😆 3mo
20 likes1 stack add6 comments
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KimM
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Pickpick

“It appears that nutrient exchange and helping neighbors in times of need is the rule, and this leads to the conclusion that forests are superorganisms with interconnections much like ant colonies.”
― Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World

2019 Reading Challenge: Science

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KimM
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
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Heideschrampf ❤️❤️ 3mo
Bookzombie This is cool! 3mo
Birdsong28 This is cool and at my local cinema!!! 📚📖 3mo
16 likes1 stack add3 comments
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KimM
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Vacation read ☀️ Lake Como, Italy

AmyG Beautiful. Enjoy! 4mo
Tamra Such a great novel! 4mo
WriterReaderTrainer I want to hear about your trip! 3mo
34 likes3 comments
review
KimM
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Pickpick

Poetic, so poetic, yet sci-fi. A little reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. It makes you want to take a class to study the symbolism and meaning. It won't be for everyone, but I highly recommend it. One of the most unique books I've ever read. Thanks to NetGalley and Saga for the ARC.

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Can‘t wait to start this! My ARC is on the way. Glad to hear you liked it. (edited) 4mo
27 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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KimM
Wilder Girls | Rory Power
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Bailedbailed

I think this one will be a hit with the Hunger Games/Divergent crowd but I just did not find it believable and had to put it down after 100 pages. I‘ll make sure it gets into the hands of someone who can enjoy it without tripping over things like stitching an unclean wound. 🤢 Btw, I did not get a Lord of the Flies vibe as promoted. Thanks to #BookishFirst and #Underlined for the ARC.

Reagan-reads Hmm I loved The Hunger Games, did not enjoy or finish the Divergent series AND just took this out from the library. I‘m excited to get started and see. 4mo
KimM Let me know what you think about this one! @Reagan-reads 4mo
Megabooks Great review! 4mo
Kristy_K I didn‘t get the Lord of the Flies vibe either! 4mo
22 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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KimM
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Pickpick

Samantha Shannon is a young women who writes adult epic fantasy as good as, if not better than, her older male fantasy counterparts (Rothfuss, GRRM, etc). Excellent world-building, unique and diverse characters, back-stabbing political intrigue and ....dragons. I look forward to reading more of her books. (Read this one on Kindle because I was afraid I couldn't lift the hardcopy :P)

19 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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KimM
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Panpan

This book is what happens when you borrow someone else‘s creative ideas but you do not have any creativity yourself. Potentially “Cormoran Strike meets Harry Potter” but it misses its mark. Lackluster writing and tired cliches. 2⭐️s

#BookishFirst

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KimM
Kushiel's Chosen: A Novel | Jacqueline Carey
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Mehso-so

Epic fantasy set in a fictional version of medieval Europe and thick (900 pages or so) with political intrigue. I love Carey's world-building that reads a bit like historical fiction., but there are too many asides describing the “specialness“ of Phedre. Not erotica but it does contain some heavy BDSM-type imagery related to Phedre's religion. All in all it's a nice escape. 3.5 stars.

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KimM
MIRROR AND THE LIGHT. | HILARY. MANTEL
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Yes! Long time inhabitant of my Waiting-To-Be-Released TBR list.

DrexEdit I am REALLY REALLY REALLY looking forward to this book! 😊 💜 📖 5mo
gossamerchild 😯😮😲 5mo
21 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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KimM
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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bookandbedandtea Beautiful picture! 5mo
15 likes1 comment
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KimM
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Mehso-so

This was a short (single afternoon) and amusing read.

#NetGalley
#Southernladycode
#Doubleday

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KimM
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Mehso-so

Haze writes about life as it is - the good, the bad and the ugly. There is definitely a liberal, feminist slant to her writing and the book in general. I would recommend this book to history lovers, feminists and people who enjoy baking.

#bookishfirsts
#chroniclesofaradicalhag

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KimM
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Words of wisdom from Matt Haig.

Bookgirl This is great. Stacked! 6mo
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KimM
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Indie Bookstore Day 2019. (Thanks for the freebies) @Sudalu91 @Sudalu #Page158Books Wake Forest, NC.

18 likes1 stack add
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KimM
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Pickpick

I read this slowly over several months so I could attempt to assimilate the massive amount of information and science Bredesen presents. Sadly there is no cure for Alzheimer‘s. While the drug companies etc try to find a magic pill, Bredesen has scientific data backing up a multi step program called RECODE with positive clinical results. It‘s not simple. It‘s not easy. It‘s not popping a pill. (Which is why it won‘t sell). Contd in comments.

KimM However, if you are serious about becoming proactive about potential or early stage disease or helping a loved one, this book is here for you. Pictured with a copy of some of the trial data. 6mo
20 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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KimM
The Bean Trees | Barbara Kingsolver
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Pickpick

Kingsolver addresses the struggles that indigenous people and immigrants around the world face on a daily basis. Written in 1988, this book, sadly, remains topical.

Btw, this one was not narrated by the author. I didn‘t notice that when I bought it. The narration was sub par so I‘d recommend the physical book.

17 likes1 stack add
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KimM
Contact | Carl Sagan
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Pickpick

My biggest take-away from this book published in 1985 (1 year before Challenger blew up) is that we thought we‘d be much more advanced in space travel by the millennium. Read for 2019 Yearly Challenge - Science.

14 likes1 stack add
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KimM
Light from Other Stars | Erika Swyler
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Pickpick

If you were ever a little girl who loved science you will love this book. Science fiction with a dose of horror that Stephen King would approve of. 4⭐️s

#lightfromotherstars
#netgalley
#bloomsbury

21 likes2 stack adds
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KimM
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | George R. R. Martin
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Pickpick

Just finished rewatching the whole series in prep for this weekend 🐉 🔥 ❄️ 🐺 Cannot wait. This book is a nice venture into Westeros 100 years prior to Thrones. It‘s actually 3 novellas about a hedge night and his squire, Egg. All true fans know who Egg really is which makes this book special.

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KimM
Farm | Joanne Ramos
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Pickpick

I can‘t stop thinking about this one. Imagine you are an uber wealthy woman at the helm of your company. Pregnancy, labor & delivery, maternity leave, these are things that will slow you down in a highly competitive world in which men don‘t have to consider these things. Why not source it out? And as the “Farm”, why not make a huge profit using mostly immigrant women who could not make this kind of money otherwise?

#thefarm
#netgalley

CouronneDhiver I‘m intrigued. In a cringey kind of way, of course. 7mo
sprainedbrain Oh that sounds interesting! 6mo
13 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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KimM
Transcription | Kate Atkinson
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Pickpick

I don‘t see why this book‘s ratings are not higher. This was a brilliant novel. Atkinson‘s writing shines as usual. She writes women so well. I found Juliet infinitely Interesting, curiously flawed and strong in that ballsy WWII era women way. Yes, it‘s another British WWII novel. But it‘s a fresh take and has a twist that will blindside you. Read it. 5 ⭐️s

17 likes1 stack add
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