Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel | Jonathan Safran Foer
Jonathan Safran Foer emerged as one of the most original writers of his generation with his best-selling debut novel, Everything Is Illuminated. Now, with humor, tenderness, and awe, he confronts the traumas of our recent history. What he discovers is solace in that most human quality, imagination. Meet Oskar Schell, an inventor, Francophile, tambourine player, Shakespearean actor, jeweler, pacifist, correspondent with Stephen Hawking and Ringo Starr. He is nine years old. And he is on an urgent, secret search through the five boroughs of New York. His mission is to find the lock that fits a mysterious key belonging to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. An inspired innocent, Oskar is alternately endearing, exasperating, and hilarious as he careens from Central Park to Coney Island to Harlem on his search. Along the way he is always dreaming up inventions to keep those he loves safe from harm. What about a birdseed shirt to let you fly away? What if you could actually hear everyone's heartbeat? His goal is hopeful, but the past speaks a loud warning in stories of those who've lost loved ones before. As Oskar roams New York, he encounters a motley assortment of humanity who are all survivors in their own way. He befriends a 103-year-old war reporter, a tour guide who never leaves the Empire State Building, and lovers enraptured or scorned. Ultimately, Oskar ends his journey where it began, at his father's grave. But now he is accompanied by the silent stranger who has been renting the spare room of his grandmother's apartment. They are there to dig up his father's empty coffin.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Astroneman
post image
Mehso-so

A particolar book.. When I read this book I tought the boy is a "special" boy because every adventures is a "special" adventure.

#book #books #bookopoly #bookworm #bookshelf #goodreads #litsy #litsybook #readingchallenge2023 #jonathansafranfoer #guanda #toread #leggere #libri

review
jack777
Pickpick

Picked up on a whim off a table in the library featuring books that had been banned at some point. The protagonist is so impactful and funny and heartbreaking. True reminder of how difficult childhood is, even without any major tragedy. P impressive how the author wove in the grandparents' history during WWII. The different manifestations of grief across characters were fascinating. So good.

review
Megzmarie5
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
Mehso-so

While this will never surf one of my top favorites lists, I am glad I took time to experience this book. I don‘t say read because it really does feel like an experience with the imagery throughout, bizarre and long-winded writing style, and emotionally evoking perspectives from different family members. A young boy loses his dad in 9/11 and his journey to seek comfort and his dad after death makes us realize how fragile and beautiful life is.

review
jackday
Pickpick

Picked up on a whim off a table in the library featuring books that had been banned at some point. The protagonist is so impactful and funny and heartbreaking. True reminder of how difficult childhood is, even without any major tragedy. P impressive how the author wove in the grandparents' history during WWII. The different manifestations of grief across characters were fascinating. So good.

quote
kaysworld1
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

#Alphabetgame
#LetterE

Extremely loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Saran Foer
The book and the film tore my heart.

Maria514626 That book! I want Oskar Schell to be my neighbor. ❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 2y
Allylu This was on my list of possibilities, too. 2y
33 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
zurazureen
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
Pickpick

Post 9/11 incident story from a victim‘s son perspective

review
5280reader
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
Mehso-so

Hard to read for content- one has to be in a place to receive this story. Organizationally I was unsettled between storylines and point of view. Worth a read, skip the audiobook as there are text features and graphics that you will miss. #julydoublespin #betterlatethannever

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3y
19 likes1 comment
blurb
Vanessa
post image

Picked these up at a library sale yesterday even though I have eleventy billion unread books at home. Why am I like this?

Megabooks You‘re in good company at least! 😉 3y
Leftcoastzen We are all like this !😄 3y
10 likes2 comments
review
sprainedbrain
post image
Pickpick

I‘m going to power through the rest of my September reviews before I sleep in prep for the big readathon tomorrow.🎉

I was skeptical about this one for years (golly the reviews are SO polarized), but I fell decidedly to the pick side. Heartbreaking while also heartwarming, Oskar‘s story of grief and healing is compelling, and the writing and narrative choices really worked for me.

Glad I chose for #RelatedTo911 prompt for #Booked2021.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Prairiegirl_reading I‘ve had this on my shelf for years. I fear I‘ll never be strong enough. 3y
sprainedbrain @Prairiegirl_reading it‘s rough…. Not gonna lie. 3y
BarbaraBB I loved this one too and was skeptical at forehand too because I didn‘t care much for 3y
sprainedbrain @BarbaraBB I actually haven‘t read that one… and I don‘t think I will. 😬 3y
77 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
GinaKButler
post image

I tried this on audio earlier this year, but it wasn‘t working for me. So glad I picked up the book to see all of the extra pictures included...it‘s adding to the reading experience! #bookspinbingo

18 likes1 stack add
review
marleed
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

Early Sunday evening I went to pull a book from my Bookspin stack, when this book stood out on my TBR. And I knew. I knew this was the book I‘d read next because 20 years ago this was the last Labor Day, the last day, before the worst day. It‘s a beautiful story.

steph_phanie One of my all-time favorite books! ❤ 3y
marleed @steph_phanie It was exactly the right read for this week. 3y
GinaKButler Curious...would this make a good book club pick? I‘m looking for an interesting discussion... 3y
marleed @GinaKButler I think it would. It‘s a very accessible book. I see it in the school reads section at the library. On Libby through my library both the ebook and audio are always available. It also correlates 9/11 to the bombings of England and Hiroshima - leading to an interesting discussion. …And the characters are lovely. 3y
GinaKButler @marleed Thank you! We have a very diverse group and I love our discussions. They don‘t seem to have this on their goodreads. 😊 3y
65 likes3 stack adds5 comments
quote
GatheringBooks
post image
Eggs Loved this book 3y
35 likes1 comment
review
rachelk
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

The backdrop for the story is 9/11 but it‘s really about a precocious boy embarking on an adventure through NYC while dealing with the aftermath of tragedy. It was at turns funny, sad and beautiful.

38 likes1 stack add
review
sarahljensen
post image
Pickpick

I really loved this book, especially the narrative choices. The grandmother's ending seemed off to me, but otherwise I loved it.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

BookishMarginalia What a cute kitty! 3y
DivineDiana Beautiful 😻 3y
Leftcoastzen Such a pretty kitty! 3y
32 likes3 comments
blurb
peanutnine
post image

Thanks @Mavey for the tag!

#CuriousCovers Day 2: Red and white ❤️🤍

This has been on my TBR and bookshelf for ages. Might have to get to it soon

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Cool cover! ❤️📚🤍 4y
Eggs It‘s so good ♥️⚪️♥️ 4y
35 likes2 comments
blurb
Leftcoastzen
post image

#OppositeDay #Quiet Still haven‘t read it.

AmyG It‘s such a good book. 4y
plemmdog I enjoyed it. I would probably have never read it, but my book club picked it, and I found the narrator‘s voice and LOV irresistible 4y
TheKidUpstairs I haven't either! 4y
47 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
Anoukeboek
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

I find it fascinating to dive into the heads of childeren. The story is heartbreaking at times, but also made me laugh extremely loud. The end made me sad, but overall the book is full of hope and adventure. Will read again!
(🎧 - audiobook)

review
Auntynanny
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

This was a very strange book, but I liked it. It reminded me of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.“ The story is also narrated by a child trying to sort out a mystery that he isn't able to fully understand.

Anoukeboek It reminded me of that book too! 4y
7 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
GinaKButler
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

Up next on audio. 🎧
#bookspinbingo

19 likes1 stack add
blurb
EadieB
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

Day 9 - #Incredible #WordsOfOctober
#ExtremelyLoudandIncrediblyClose #JonathanSafranFoer

I read this in Feb. It is an uplifting myth which was born of the sorrows of 9/11. Parts were hilarious but heartbreaking. I found it difficult to once again hear about people jumping from the World Trade Center unable to escape the roaring fire. It was great to hear how many families are moving forward. I found Foer to be wise & compassionate. Recommended.

OriginalCyn620 I‘ve been wanting to read this one! 4y
EadieB @OriginalCyn620 Now‘s the time! 4y
36 likes2 comments
blurb
Eggs
post image

The image of the man falling from the World Trade Center is probably the most troubling one that Oskar (and all of us) saw from the images of the 9/11 attacks. Oskar's terrified of the image but can't stop thinking about it. At the same time it gives him a strange comfort, because he thinks it could be his father and he believes that falling to your death is less painful than burning to death.
#senseoffalling #septembersenses

61 likes2 stack adds
blurb
amber_ldsmom
post image
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y
20 likes1 comment
review
Mellyhilly
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

My tenth book of #lockdown has been a good one. I really enjoyed this book although I did find it kind of hard to follow at time with the changing narrator but it was written so well and really makes you able to get inside of the mind of a grieving 9 year old. I watched the film a long time ago but found the book much more gripping

review
paisleyjess
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
Pickpick

It is an empirical but good read. Could be triggering in some cases but interesting to read about trauma of early 2000's in this different world.

quote
GatheringBooks
post image
quote
BittersweetBooks
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness💔🧳🔒

21 likes1 stack add
review
chlolovesbooks
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

blurb
Eggs
post image
74 likes5 stack adds3 comments
review
amber_ldsmom
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

I‘ve been wanting to read this one for a while, so I finally picked it up as my #tearjerker read. While I didn‘t actually cry, it was a painful book to read. That‘s the best way to describe it: achingly painful. But it‘s a kind of pain that promotes growth. #ReadWithMrBook

BarbaraTheBibliophage I need to get going on my pick for this prompt!! 5y
amber_ldsmom @BarbaraTheBibliophage Have you read Me Before You? That one made me cry like a baby! 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @amber_ldsmom Yes—it was intense. I‘m going for another backlist choice. 5y
19 likes4 comments
quote
amber_ldsmom
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Geenie 💕 5y
14 likes1 comment
blurb
amber_ldsmom
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Reviewsbylola I love Fitzgerald but haven‘t read that one. As for Les Mis, I bailed on it, but only because of the length. Maybe some day! 5y
MrBook Awesome!!!! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
22 likes2 comments
review
EadieB
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

Listened to this audio today & I wondered why I didn‘t do this sooner. It is an uplifting myth which was born of the sorrows of 9/11. Parts were hilarious yet very heartbreaking. I found it difficult to once again hear about people jumping from the World Trade Center unable to escape the roaring fire. It was great to hear how many families are moving forward. I found Foer to be wise & compassionate and look forward to reading another book by him.

fictionaddictbooks 9/11 is my birthday. But over the years I've found it difficult to celebrate. I'm not American, and I've never been to America. But thinking of all those who died in the attack on that day just always leads me to have a quiet day on my birthday every year. 5y
EadieB @fictionaddictbooks My Birthday is 9/10 and I was so glad it missed my birthday! So sorry you were not so lucky! 5y
69 likes3 stack adds5 comments
blurb
GatheringBooks
post image

#GratefulReads Day 27: Clearly, my #PreferredFormat is the physical version of the book, hardcover or paperback, doesn‘t really matter - so long as I can feel its heft and weight and pages in the palm of my hands. This is just one of the many bookstores I went to. Here‘s more from my book hunting expeditions in the Bay Area: https://wp.me/pDlzr-kIB

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re too cute!!!! 💗💗💗 5y
Velvetfur Such a cute photo! Love your big happy smile 😁 5y
OriginalCyn620 🙌🏻📚😊 5y
marleed Great pic! 5y
78 likes4 comments
blurb
KarenUK
post image

#Movember #future Love this book! 💕
As sad as this quote is, I love it. It hits home so much for me. It speaks to me deeply.
With my husband‘s condition, we are so mindful of always feeling like we‘re on borrowed time. So in response, we treasure every day. We feel so lucky to have had the happiest of marriages, we dont sweat the small stuff and we know we are lucky to have the time together that we do. Every day I get to keep him, is a gift.

Cinfhen All my love , Karen 💜💜💜 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage You‘re making me tear up over here ... 😢♥️ 5y
KarenUK @Cinfhen 😘his deterioration has been so dramatic this year. It‘s so tough to watch him struggle, and be afraid. I feel so useless.... 5y
See All 23 Comments
Cinfhen I wish I could be there in person, just to squeeze your hand and offer a hug. I‘ll keep you both in my prayers. I can‘t image what it must be like. 5y
KarenUK @cinfhen thank you sweet friend. That means so much 💕 5y
Crazeedi @KarenUK my heart holds you close, didnt realize your hubby sick. You are so right, every day is a gift and we need to be present in every moment and grateful for each minute with those we love, praying today for strength in the struggle, and hope in the promises 5y
julesG 😘 A virtual hug my friend. 5y
Leftcoastzen That‘s very inspirational.Hugs to you both . 5y
Jas16 Sending so much love ❤️ 5y
ValerieAndBooks Hugs. Something we should all be mindful of but so sorry your circumstances make it more so. Hugs again 💖 5y
BarbaraBB You‘re handling hard times so positive. It‘s an inspiration and I wish you both many many more days to cherish ❤️ 5y
KarenUK I never want to feel like I‘m fishing for sympathy so I try not to mention things too often, because I genuinely do feel lucky to have the loveliest man to share my life with. It‘s just been such a tough year, and I‘m always his cheerleader, and keep my chin up for him, I‘m just feeling a bit blue today. Your kind words are just another way that Littens are the kindest 💕 @valarieandbooks @barbarabb @jas16 @julesg @Leftcoastzen @Crazeedi @Cinfhen 5y
youneverarrived ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
JennyM Sending much love to you and hubby. Keeping you in my thoughts Karen ♥️♥️♥️ 5y
britt_brooke ((hugs)) 5y
MicheleinPhilly Keeping you in my thoughts and holding you both in my heart. ❤️ 5y
gradcat @KarenUK You‘re certainly NOT useless. I‘m sorry to say that I didn‘t know about your husband. I was looking for you only to ask about your TBR (is it up to date?) when I came upon this. I know this is going to sound empty, but if you need any kind of help...like virtual hand-holding or something, please ask. I‘m very sorry for you & your husband. I will be thinking about you, often, I‘m sure. ♥️♥️♥️ 5y
KarenUK @gradcat Thank you so much Minette... 😘💕 5y
KarenUK Oh and my goodreads is my up to date TBR... It‘s the one thing I can‘t get to grips with on Litsy! @gradcat https://www.goodreads.com/karenfoster 5y
gradcat @KarenUK Thanks so much for letting me know. I hope things are better with you. I read where your dad was visiting you—I‘m sure that helps—very nice for you. ♥️♥️♥️ (By the way, I just went to Goodreads...I think you have to accept me as a friend in order for me to view your TBR—Sorry!) (edited) 5y
KarenUK @gradcat I friended you back! 😘 Yep, my Dad arrived, which is lovely! and after an emergency cat scan they have pulled my husband off some medication and he‘s breathing a bit better already. It‘s gonna be tough for a while. He‘s so close to being on double lung transplant list but needs to get the tiniest bit sicker first, which seems mad! 5y
55 likes23 comments
blurb
AmyK1
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

Day 6 of #7days7covers #covercrush

@LiljaPleasant would you like to join in?

LiljaPleasant I'm not home atm... ^^ But I'd love to join on sunday ☺ 5y
16 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
TamTracy
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

#7covers7days #covercrush
Day 3

@Ruthiella Want to play? Post a cover for 7 days with no explanation and tag someone every day.

Ruthiella I‘m already playing and will tag you on my next post. The background combined with the cover is STUNNING! Well done!😍 5y
58 likes1 comment
review
kalinichta
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

I've never had a book pull on my heartstrings as frequently as this one. A meditation on love and death and war and all the horrible and wonderful things we humans do to each other. And while it got very heavy at times, requiring me to put it down for a bit to recover, it was a true pleasure to read.

blurb
kalinichta
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

This book is just about killing me right now.

quote
LiterRohde
post image

“In bed that night I invented a special drain that would be underneath every pillow in New York. Whenever people cried themselves to sleep, the tears would all go to the same place, and in the morning the weatherman could report if the water level of the Reservoir of Tears had gone up or down, and you could know if New York is in heavy boots.”

#30JuneBooks | 13: #MadeYouCry

📷: Made with Typorama

CafeMom I loved the uniqueness of this book. 6y
61 likes2 stack adds1 comment
quote
Allison.Elizabeth
post image

“She had fallen in love so many times that she began to suspect she was not falling in love at all, but doing something much more ordinary.”

2 likes1 stack add
blurb
Allison.Elizabeth
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

7 pages in and already madly in love. Thanks @bec1 for making me buy this!

2 likes1 stack add
review
ElizaMarie
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

This was great. I was able to be immersed in the audio book then go back and enjoy re-reading some passages in the physical book. I really enjoyed it :)

blurb
ElizaMarie
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

So I kinda feel like I‘m doing a disservice to myself by listening to the audiobook. I do read it when I have my lunch break but I am frequently interrupted so it kinda sucks with all that at times :/ anyway I can follow along a little and go back and look at all the cool stuff afterwards though

quote
ElizaMarie
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer

Been meaning to try this one. It‘s gonna be my next work read :) I‘m gonna do audio and physical

blurb
Samplergal
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

I‘ve never done one of these challenges, and so, have no idea what I‘m doing. But this is one that interests me. #closetome #anglophileapril

Cinfhen You‘re first challenge post is a success 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻well done ✅ (edited) 6y
pilardib I love this book! 6y
Reviewsbylola Thanks for joining in, great choice! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Leftcoastzen Great choice! 6y
Centique You‘re doing great! Perfect choice. 6y
Mdargusch Nice job! Glad you‘re joining in! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 6y
emilyhaldi Woohoo!!! Love that you‘re joining us 🤗 6y
82 likes7 comments
review
cherinium
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image
Pickpick

What a creative book! While there are certainly parts of this book that are confusing, the overall arc of the story is beautiful. The images that appear throughout the book are an effective method of evoking powerful emotions. Many times, I was left with a lump in my throat after reading powerful, heartbreaking words and turning the page to be sucker punched by an image.

Erofan Yeah, it's really a little scary!😨 6y
36 likes1 comment
blurb
Mccall0113
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

This word flow so easily! I feel like I‘m watching a movie. How did y‘all like it?

Mccall0113 These words* Apparently I have not mastered the English language. 6y
72 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Chrissyreadit
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close | Jonathan Safran Foer
post image

Takes place in NYC where everything is #everythingismovingsofast , and I am interested in reading this someday. #timbittunes

KatieDid927 I really liked this one. 6y
TheKidUpstairs I've never read any Foer! One of those literary blind spots for me 😁 6y
88 likes3 stack adds2 comments