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The Book of Polly
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
For readers of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Joshilyn Jackson, and Fannie Flagg, with a touch of Terms of Endearment A laugh-out-loud funny yet poignant novel about a daughter determined not only to keep her mother among the living but to find out the secrets of her long-buried past Willow Havens is ten years old and obsessed with the fear that her mother will die. Her mother, Polly, is a cantankerous, take-no-prisoners Southern woman who lives to shoot varmints, drink margaritas, and antagonize the neighbors--and she sticks out like a sore thumb among the young, modern mothers of their small conventional Texas town. She was in her late fifties when Willow was born, so Willow knows she's here by accident, a late-life afterthought. Willow's father died before she was born, her much older brother and sister are long grown and gone and failing elsewhere: it's just her and her bigger-than-life mom, Polly. Willow is desperately hungry for clues to the family life that preceded her, and Polly has her own secrets that she won't reveal. Why did she leave her hometown of Bethel, Louisiana, fifty years ago and vow never to return after a mysterious and terrible incident? Who is Garland Jones, her long-ago suitor who possibly killed a man? And will Polly be able to outrun The Bear, the illness that finally puts her on a collision course with her closely guarded past and a final trip back to Bethel that will end with them, like Huck Finn, riding a river raft back home? THE BOOK OF POLLY has a kick like the best hot sauce, and a great blend of humor and sadness, pathos and hilarity. This is a bittersweet novel about the grip of love in a truly quirky family and you'll come to know one of the most unforgettable mother-daughter duos you've ever met.
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Ericalambbrown
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

This was December‘s FOTL book club read. Entertaining and touching book. Polly is real character! A widow who found out she was pregnant at 58 after the death of her husband, Polly is brought to vivid life through the account of her youngest daughter, Willow, who tells the story. This gave me strong Fannie Flagg vibes, which isn‘t always my jam but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

TheBookgeekFrau Stacked bc Fannie Flagg is SO my jam! 😁 10mo
Ericalambbrown @TheBookgeekFrau then definitely give it go! This was a read some/listen some for me because the meeting is tomorrow and I got behind. The audiobook was fantastically performed! I wished I‘d listened to it all. Just fyi if you audiobook at all. (edited) 10mo
TheBookgeekFrau I don't audiobook, I tend to zone out 😵‍💫😂 10mo
Ericalambbrown @TheBookgeekFrau 😆that‘s fair! I listen while I‘m doing chores or driving. I had to start that as part of my “Let‘s get Erica off her arse” program. 10mo
TheBookgeekFrau @Ericalambbrown 🤣🤣 .... Good for you!! I wish I could audiobook bc of the number of books I could get to; but I can't even stay focused for a podcast 😬 10mo
46 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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JackOBotts
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
Pickpick

#Roll100 complete - enjoyed this mother-daughter duo. Polly is such a character. Would love to share a Margarita or two…or three with her.

PuddleJumper Yay! That's great! 2y
24 likes1 comment
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JackOBotts
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Starting my May #Roll100 today…I‘m digging the cute lil 🐿 squirrel on the cover of my edition (a gift from the wonderful @BekahPat 💜).

PuddleJumper The squirrel is super cute! 2y
JenReadsAlot Oh I adored that book! 2y
35 likes2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Megabooks I have Damnation Spring checked out from the library, but I‘m not sure whether I‘m in the mood for it. 👯‍♀️ 3y
Aims42 Confederacy of Dunces, YESSSSSSSS 🙌🏻 Such a random, fun read 😁 3y
Readerann Ah, Confederacy of Dunces. You either love it or hate it. I‘m with @Aims42 and think it‘s fun. I listened to the audiobook and years later still have “Oh, my GAWD!” ringing in my ears. 😂 3y
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Chelsea.Poole @Megabooks I think I‘m going to get the audiobook for Damnation Spring to read along with the print. Is yours a physical copy or do you have the audio? 3y
Chelsea.Poole @Aims42 @Readerann I‘ve heard so many things about Confederacy of Dunce over the years and I just need to read it for myself! 3y
Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole audiobook 👍🏻🎧 3y
94 likes6 comments
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BekahPat
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

“Sun is out and means business.” Polly captures Texas perfectly. 🌟🌟🌟 fun summer read

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paulareadsallthetime
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a good book told from the point of view of Willow who is 10 years old when the book begins. She tells us about her life while she tells the story of her Mom, Polly (Pauline). The book is very funny and has its sad moments as well.

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JenReadsAlot
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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peaKnit Gosh, I remember how I loved Polly on audio every time I see it. ❤️ 4y
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚🎁 4y
KLyn1 I spy a book that I may have bought for you 😉 4y
25 likes3 comments
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Book_Fairy_Mary
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Gotta get my reading done for book club!

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Book_Fairy_Mary
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Next month's book club pick.

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TorieStorieS
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

I really loved this book! I have read a few of the author‘s previous books, but this touchingly comedic coming-of-age novel is by far my favorite! It‘s warm, hopeful and full of many memorable moments! Willow and Polly both have a lot of #Spirit and this audio version is impeccably performed! Great for #AudioColoring! #SoulSeptember

Eyelit That‘s just lovely! 5y
Eggs Beautiful 👏🏻🤗 5y
TorieStorieS @Eyelit @Eggs Thank you both so much!! I don‘t usually use colored pencils for coloring, but I was quite pleased with how this turned out! 😊 5y
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Wow - that‘s beautiful! 5y
TorieStorieS @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Thank you!!☺️☺️☺️ 5y
Crazeedi Beautiful!! 5y
TorieStorieS @Crazeedi Thanks!!! 🤗🤗🤗 5y
57 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Book_Fairy_Mary
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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This arrived in today's book mail ❤️📚 our book club will read The Book of Polly next month, so I thought I'd grab a cheap copy ahead of time.

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PurpleyPumpkin
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

What a great audiobook! I loved all the characters, even the annoying ones. I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by the talented Jenna Lamia. She really brought the characters to life. 4/5⭐️

Penny_LiteraryHoarders Jenna ltamia is so great! Thanks for letting me know she narrates this one! 5y
PurpleyPumpkin @Penny_LiteraryHoarders Which book(s) have you listened to that she narrated? Would love to listen to more by her. She was so good!👍🏽 5y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @PurpleyPumpkin okay I spelled Lamia right so I don't know what happened there! Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, Velva Jean Learns to Drive by Jennifer Niven and Malagash by Joey Comeau were the ones I listened to narrated by her. ☺️ 5y
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PurpleyPumpkin @Penny_LiteraryHoarders Excellent! I did a search on Overdrive and came across Invention of Wings. But thank you for mentioning the other books. Much appreciated!👍🏽 5y
MemoirsForMe This book description says “for readers of Fannie Flagg,” so it‘s on my TBR. 😁👍🏻 5y
PurpleyPumpkin @UwannaPublishme I haven‘t read Fanny Flagg, so I‘ll have to add her to my tbr! As for this book, I highly recommend the audio version. It‘s great!😉 (edited) 5y
PurpleyPumpkin @UwannaPublishme Ahhhhh, Fried Green Tomatoes!!!!! That‘s definitely on my tbr!!👌🏽 5y
MemoirsForMe I will definitely look for the audio version. 👍🏻 Fried Green Tomatoes is my favorite and I just listened to it again. I would also recommend Fannie‘s audiobooks since she always narrates in her wonderful Southern accent. 🙌🏻 5y
60 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Margot0817
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
Pickpick

This book made me laugh from beginning to end.

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JenReadsAlot
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

This was really good! @peaknit

peaKnit Just loved it so much! 5y
19 likes1 comment
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SilversReviews
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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#ReadingResolutions
@Jess7

Today‘s Prompt: Very Funny. 😂

This book was very funny. Polly was a great character.

https://silversolara.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-book-of-polly-by-kathy-hepinstall....

RadicalReader @SilversReviews love the sound of this novel can‘t wait to check it out for myself 6y
SilversReviews @RadicalReader It was funny...thanks for commenting. I hope you like the book. 6y
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Adelle1
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

One of my favorite “under the radar” books is The Book of Polly. You have Willow, a young girl who is always afraid that her mother will die. Then there‘s Polly, her mother, who is a spitfire and comes up with phrases that constantly make me laugh. Willow is curious about her mom‘s life before her, and the adventure goes from there. I had a hard time leaving these characters who got so close to my heart. #24in48 #hour30

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SinkLikeTheMoon
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

Well, what an interesting book! I really enjoyed following Willow's journey to discover her mother's secrets. I like all the unique, quirky characters. I recommend it!

If I would have know I had time to finish this book today I wouldn't have written a blurb earlier. 😋

KateFulfordAuthor If you like this style.... If you need another recommendation, may I point you to my People‘s Book Prize nominated debut? Sassy female narrative, laugh out dialogue and a pacy plot. Check the link in the bio for 2 free chapters, reviews and more. 6y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SinkLikeTheMoon
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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This book is taking me longer to read than I would like to admit, but not because of the book itself. So far, excellent read.

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Crinoline_Laphroaig
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

Perfect light fun read for road trip thru Kansas/Nebraska Prairie. I sure Polly would have loved the sherbet colored display at Nebraska Prairie Museum. #fiestyfemales

Eggs Oh love this ❣️❣️ 6y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @Eggs I was gobsmacked by all the stuff at Nebraska Prairie Museum. Vintage clothing was my favorite. 6y
44 likes2 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall

"It's not give-a-shitable. It means nothing to me, and nothing in the grand scheme of things." ?

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kyraleseberg
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

I honestly can't find the words to describe this book. I laughed out loud at the antics of Polly, my heart ached for Willow, and I read as fast as I could to find out the secret Polly has hidden for over 50 years. Well written with oddball (but not over the top) characters. The oddballs are always my favorite!

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smh1111
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

This book was laugh out loud funny❤️ Highly recommend

Mdargusch Sounds great. Stacking! 7y
smh1111 Polly is a spit fire. She's a great character. 7y
6 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LauraBeth
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Library holds came in for the long weekend 😀

Redwritinghood Perfect timing. I've read the top two and they are both great. Enjoy! 7y
LauraBeth @Redwritinghood it was your review that made me want to read The Bright Hour! 7y
Redwritinghood @LauraBeth Yay! I thought it was really beautiful. Hope you like it, too. 7y
LeahBergen Woo hoo! 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
britt_brooke I loved Goodbye, Vitamin - quirky! 7y
120 likes5 comments
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JoeStalksBeck
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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This audiobook is absolutely brilliant. The narrator is amazing. The book is touching and laugh out loud hilarious. ❤️❤️❤️ I'll listen while I clean 🏡 house #backtoreading #audiobooksonthego

SilversReviews Loved this book. I laughed out loud too. 7y
JoeStalksBeck @SilversReviews omg this book is amazing!!! Everyone should listen to the audiobook' 7y
SilversReviews @JoeStalksBeck I bet the audio is great. 7y
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JoeStalksBeck @SilversReviews oh the narrator is perfect! 7y
JoeStalksBeck @SilversReviews guess what?! Polly is real and lives in Houston still! How awesome is that?! 7y
SilversReviews That is BEYOND Awesome. How did you find out? That is cool!! 7y
JoeStalksBeck @SilversReviews the author told me on Twitter 7y
SilversReviews FUN!! I wish I were better on Twitter. I never can do it right. THANKS, JoeStalksBeck. (edited) 7y
99 likes9 stack adds9 comments
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LitHousewife
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Jenna Lamia was expertly cast. This story was funny and touching. Polly was a fun character and I was very much touched by her love for Willow. I'm so glad I picked this one up on a whim.

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LitHousewife
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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When it gets hot outside, I seem to turn to Southern Fiction. My next audiobook is The Book of Polly narrated by the fabtabulous Jenna Lamia. She's the one of my favorite narrators.

36 likes3 stack adds
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Gayan
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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I ❤️ Amazon!

Cspen113 Me too! My second favorite to strolling through a bookstore. They make it so easy! 7y
Gayan @Cspen113 I totally agree. 7y
SilversReviews The Book of Polly is awesome. A delightful read. 7y
SilversReviews I love that book haul graphic. So cute. 7y
51 likes4 comments
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specklife
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

10-year-old Willow's 68-year-old mom, Polly, is a force to be reckoned with. Willow's no slouch, either. Enjoyed this one quite a bit!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️

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SilversReviews
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

A delightful, change of pace book. Loved the characters. 5/5 rating. Review on my blog. http://silversolara.blogspot.com

SilversReviews I loved this book. 7y
charissharpe This sounds great, added to my list! 7y
SilversReviews It was a delight. Let me know what you think. My review is on my blog if you want to check it out. http://silversolara.blogspot.com 7y
11 likes3 comments
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peaKnit
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Doing week 4 of couch to 5k and this audio book is making me giggle, southern twang is ??. "Scandal must be an antihistamine" ?

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Reader651
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Mehso-so

The Book of Polly is really her late-in-life daughter Willow's coming-of-age story. Willow lives in constant fear of losing her older mother. When cancer strikes, she'll do anything to save her mother, including demanding a trip to Polly's hometown in Louisiana--one she left 50 years ago under mysterious circumstances and never returned--to visit a faith healer.

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brookeblogs
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Rain delay at the track meet means more reading time! This book is cracking me up. #readathon

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brookeblogs
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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"Old enough to shoot the bird, old enough to be shot by the bird," she answered grimly.

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brookeblogs
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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And I had told some lies--and even worse, some truths--about my mother to my classmates. In my defense, she was great fodder, and this was years before she killed our neighbor. #readathon #deweys

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brookeblogs
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Track meet reading + breakfast #readathon #deweys

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NovelVisits
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Mehso-so

The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall is the story of Polly, a cantankerous Southern woman, who has a daughter at 58. It's the story of Willow who lives in fear of losing her mom. The first half was great, laugh-out-loud funny. The second half was still fun, but took a more serious turn. I listened to it on audio and the narrator, Jenna Lamia, was excellent. See full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/audio-reviews-all-grown-up-book-polly/

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Books88
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

Alright, first of all, whoever marketed this as a "laugh out loud hilarious book" is a dirty rotten liar.
That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story of Polly and Willow, even with someone using "alternative facts" to describe this book.
If you liked Lillian Boxfish, you will probably enjoy this as well. It's also rare to find a book that can appeal to both adult and young adult fiction readers. 4/5 stars

86 likes3 stack adds
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Books88
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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I hate when my babies don't feel well. It's been quite a day between snow and rain showers not being able to make up their mind. Rain? Snow. Rain? Snow. All my kiddos are sick and cranky. Thank God for The Book of Polly.

CocoReads Snow on the ground when I got up this morning. Rain by the time I left to go shopping (shudder) but much success as I bought the second dress I tried on. Hope your kiddos feel better soon. This weather is nuts. 8y
Books88 @CocoReads thank you! And yay to a new dress! This weather is nuts! I drove through a road lake to grab my coffee and by the time I was driving back it was snowing. 8y
CocoReads And at least for us it's supposed to be 70 on Sunday. Totally nuts! (edited) 8y
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Suet624 😩😩😩 this weather!!!! Ugh. 8y
Notafraidofwords Sick kids many me so sad. It's so hard for them to deal with it. 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess So sorry, hugs! Yes, crazy weather!! 8y
moranadatter I hope they feel better soon! 8y
Sungirl79 Hope they feel better soon! 😢 8y
Books88 @Notafraidofwords I know!! Breaks my heart. 8y
77 likes10 comments
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Librarylady
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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As if I need to add more books to my TBR!?! I picked up these two this weekend while I was shopping.

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Books88
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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I typed in "Bear Town" and this came up instead and now I have another hold at the library all because of this description!?

“Delightful. . . funny and poignant.” --People

With a kick like the best hot sauce, this is the laugh-out-loud story of a girl determined to keep up with her aging, crazy-as-a-fox mother

Bette Ha, books leading to books. 😂👍❤📚 8y
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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B.Reader
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Pickpick

First 5-star read of the month. Loved this one with a passion. The two protagonists were hilarious, wise, fire-cracker women I am dying to meet in real life. Funny read that still managed some serious poignancy. I can't recommend this one highly enough. #basadswomen #booklove 💕📚💕

christineandbooks That sounds great! 8y
27 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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B.Reader
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
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Loving this book. I cackled out loud three times during the introduction. Almost 100 pages in and it is still hysterical. 💕📚💕

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johnnie_cakes
The Book of Polly: A Novel | Kathy Hepinstall
Pickpick

Fantastic! This has all the charm, humor, and heart of a Fannie Flagg novel.

16 likes1 stack add