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The Opposite of Loneliness
The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories | Marina Keegan
The instant New York Times bestseller and publishing phenomenon: Marina Keegans posthumous collection of award-winning essays and stories sparkles with talent, humanity, and youth (O, The Oprah Magazine). Marina Keegans star was on the rise when she graduated magna cum laude from Yale in May 2012. She had a play that was to be produced at the New York Fringe Festival and a job waiting for her at The New Yorker. Tragically, five days after graduation, Marina died in a car crash. Marina left behind a rich, deeply expansive trove of writing that, like her title essay, captures the hope, uncertainty, and possibility of her generation. Her short story Cold Pastoral was published on NewYorker.com. Her essay Even Artichokes Have Doubts was excerpted in the Financial Times, and her book was the focus of a Nicholas Kristof column in The New York Times. Millions of her contemporaries have responded to her work on social media. As Marina wrote: We can still do anything. We can change our minds. We can start overWere so young. We cant, we MUST not lose this sense of possibility because in the end, its all we have. The Opposite of Loneliness is an unforgettable collection of Marinas essays and stories that articulates the universal struggle all of us face as we figure out what we aspire to be and how we can harness our talents to impact the world. How do you mourn the loss of a fiery talent that was barely a tendril before it was snuffed out? Answer: Read this book. A clear-eyed observer of human nature, Keegan could take a clever idea...and make it something beautiful (People).
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HeatherBookNerd
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Pickpick

A very promising talent cut short by a tragically early death. These stories and essays are solid and compelling. If Keegan was producing this at 20, I can imagine she would have had a successful career ahead of her.

33 likes2 stack adds
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Sharpeipup
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Finally reading this one thanks to #celebritybc

22 likes1 stack add
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Tineke
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Mehso-so

I hate to review this book, because the author died so recently and this seems to have been the reason for publishing this book. I am going to do it anyway.
The book was okay. On the whole all the stories were average. If I hadn't read it, I don't think I would have missed anything. I think the popularity of this book is mostly due to her tragic death. The reader questions felt pretentious.
TBR since June 2022; 208 pages.

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BookmarkTavern
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These essays don‘t need MLA or APA citations. 😉

1. Done! I‘ve actually had a copy of this book for a while, and I really need to get to it.
2. It honestly depends. Both have strengths and weaknesses.
3. This one depends on 2 to be honest. I really love themed essay collections with multiple authors. But with a single author, I can enjoy either type of collection.

#SundayFunday Have a fantastic day, and don‘t forget to tag me!

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Hilary427
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Pickpick

This was pretty good! I don‘t usually read short stories/essays, but there were a few I wish had been full fledged novels. So sad that the author died so young and tragically.
⭐️: 3.5/5

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I really think she could‘ve been the American Sally Rooney. Her short stories have that same kind of sharp observation about her millennial peers. Or maybe not. Unfortunately, we‘ll never know.

Marina died shortly after her graduation from Yale in 2012. These posthumously published short stories and essays speak to what might have become an incredible voice.

Emily Woo Zeller deftly narrates the #audiobook. In the current 2 for 1 sale.

Cinfhen So sad 😞 not sure if this is a buy for me, though!?! I only have one credit left before my new year‘s worth of new credits arrive in mid August. 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen It‘s older. Maybe scribd has it? My library got rid of their copy or else I probably wouldn‘t have bought it. Plus I‘m going through a two-a-day audiobook phase! 😂😂 I‘ve read almost 200 books this year! 🥳🥳 (edited) 4y
Reviewsbylola Such a sad end to a promising life. 4y
95 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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sarahlandis
Pickpick

simply beautiful

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KendallHershey
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Pickpick

Marina was a bright young woman whose future could have been so full of it hadn‘t been for a tragic accident. Read her stories. They‘re full of wisdom far beyond her years.

S3V3N I love her last name, it's my son's first name. LOL Spelled the same way too. 5y
86 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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BethanKeane
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“Cold Pastoral” Chapter Pages 9- 31

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WhimsyandRigor
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Cry if you need to because this came from her posthumous collection of essays and stories.

Linsy Love your username! 5y
WhimsyandRigor Thanks! It‘s my teacher IG name because it describes the spirit of my English classroom! 5y
5 likes2 comments
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aperl18
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“I read somewhere that radio waves just keep traveling outward, flying into the universe with eternal vibrations. Sometime before I die I think I'll find a microphone and climb to the top of a radio tower. I'll take a deep breath and close my eyes because it will start to rain right when I reach the top. Hello, I'll say to outer space, this is my card.“

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Gabymulberry1
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Pickpick

I love this book so much. This is my second time reading it and it was even better than the first time.

44 likes1 stack add
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sammisho
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Yellow books!! these are all wonderful picks and I cannot wait to dig in! I have already read The Unhoneymooners but wanted a physical copy so I can reread so that is perfect!

@Gissy @Mommamanzi #colormereadswap

Gissy That's wonderful that you liked them. I'm reading right now The Unhoneymooners and is hilarious at least of what I have read! 5y
Gissy Let me know how is Rebel! 5y
marleed Well more than half of my full price new purchases are because I loved a library copy and want the physical version on my shelves! 5y
sammisho @Gissy I am going to start it soon! 5y
46 likes5 comments
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wellreadredhead
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Thinking of using this one as a supplemental text for my first year students. I think Keegan‘s ability to write an essay would be perfect and relatable for them!

Cathythoughts I love the title 👍🏻♥️ 5y
Suet624 I really liked this book. 5y
84 likes1 stack add2 comments
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dariazeoli
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The good news is I got in my thirty minutes or more walk and the weather is gorgeous today!

The bad news is my coolatta isn‘t vegan. A total oops on my part; even after almost ten years I apparently need a reminder to check the ingredients! The lesson here is that veganism, much like fitness, cannot be about perfection.

At least I have the walk home to finish my 2nd #BFC audiobook. Here‘s hoping I don‘t have an adverse reaction to dairy.

Cathythoughts I think that‘s a lesson for us all 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
wanderinglynn Sounds like a lovely walk. Of course, I‘m for any walk that ends with donuts. 😉 And great lesson for all of us. It‘s not about perfection. 👍🏻 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Omg, that is tough for a Vegan...I get it...well, it was unintentional, you‘re heart is in the right place, that‘s for sure! Does DD have coconut milk option? Because I don‘t like soy milk...not in coffee, only cereal. 5y
BookwormAHN Oh well, lovely walk though 🍀 5y
59 likes4 comments
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dariazeoli
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This #bookfitnesschallenge is harder when it rains! Monday was my third half hour walk of the week, so week one goals have been achieved! Working from home yesterday was (literally) a cold, rainy wash🙄

The sun is back out today, so I‘m looking forward to listening to more of the tagged book.

#bfc

julesG It's not a competition. You've got this! 5y
Kaye You can do it, Daria ✨✨✨ 5y
alisiakae You met your goal, which is fantastic! 5y
See All 6 Comments
BookwormAHN You did it, be proud 👏🏻 5y
Clwojick Way to go! It‘s great that you‘re still planning on getting out today, even though your weekly goals have been met. You‘re amazing! ♥️ 5y
Ash.on.the.line Way to go, even when the weather tries to keep you down! 😊 5y
56 likes1 stack add6 comments
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JacintaMCarter
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Pickpick
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Stephaniereads1
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Starting this today.

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DMC_run8
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Pickpick

Such a talented young writer whose life was tragically cut short. I really enjoyed this one!

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Sweettartlaura
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Pickpick

First, Keegan was good.
Second, she was prolific.
Then, there is what haunts you.
Her essay on not going into investment banking feels like a call to passion: go make your passion your reality.
Maybe 22 years is all the time Keegan got to do it, but dammit, she did it. With so many of us getting so much more time, her book, her life, her death all sound a plaintive cry to her readers: you should be doing this, too.

Cinfhen Beautiful review 💚 6y
49 likes1 comment
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IzzyRoseHardy
Pickpick

👏👏👏👌

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Shemac77
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Pickpick

Fantastic. Beautiful voice.

Reviewsbylola Ugh the story behind this book is so tragic. 6y
Kristy_K @Reviewsbylola Agree. (edited) 6y
65 likes3 comments
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Shemac77
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Trying to gear up to work out but a little too much tequila last night might mean coffee and reading instead.

Cathythoughts It‘s all good ..... 👍🏻♥️ 6y
Shemac77 Thanks girl! The tequila always gets away from me... @Cathythoughts 6y
Kaye Cool tights or pants or whatever you call them. 6y
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Shemac77 Thanks! @kaye 6y
Kaye PS - if I were as skinny as you, I‘d skip the gym and get a bowl of Tin Roof Ice Cream. 6y
Shemac77 I‘m one of those with a naturally high metabolism and I also work out. But I pay zero attention to what I eat as long as it‘s healthy. I refuse to give up junk food or track what I eat. Life is about enjoyment! @kaye 6y
Kaye Good for you 👍🏼 6y
britt_brooke You have the best leggings! 6y
Shemac77 Thanks love! I figure if I‘m going to work out, I get to have fun leggings to do it in. @britt_brooke 6y
64 likes9 comments
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Shemac77
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Evening reading. Excited for this one.

LauraBeth I loved this book 💕 6y
Shemac77 It‘s amazing! What a bright voice. @LauraBeth 6y
53 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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StephanieGeiser
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Pickpick

I finished this one on the train home tonight. I enjoyed her non-fiction writing a lot more than her fictional stories but worth the read nonetheless. It‘s a shame the world lost such talent so young.

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StephanieGeiser

“‘I‘m trying to figure out of I love art enough to be poor.‘”

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Well-ReadNeck
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#MonthOfMemoirs

This book is a half cheat for the month of memoirs. 😜 Half personal essays + half stories = All good!!!

https://wellreadneck.wordpress.com/2018/08/26/the-opposite-of-loneliness-marina-...

Megara Ohh. I remember when that book was published. I never got around to reading it. Stacking it now! 😊 6y
102 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Melmar
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Im back! I‘ve been struggling to manage a career change, and going back to school at the start of the year. It‘s been hard to get back into a reading for joy routine.

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Kyrab
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

Essays and short fiction published posthumously written by a Yale graduate killed in a car crash. She was working for the New Yorker when she passed. These were written mostly during college and a couple in HS. As with many collections, some better than others, but the good ones here hit it out of the park. Must reads: the title piece; Hail, Full of Grace; Stability in Motion; and Against the Grain.

146 likes15 stack adds
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StephanieGeiser
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Ok, #lmpbc #round3 #groupr ... Here are my picks for my contribution to our book club. What looks good to you?

emilyjwhit9 These are all awesome picks! I vote for 6y
Wife I‘m intrigued by all of these. Any one you choose will be fine! 🌹 6y
StephanieGeiser @lauraj What do you think? Any preference? 6y
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LauraJ No preference. I could make a good case for choosing any of them. 6y
StephanieGeiser I‘m looking forward to this round! We‘ve got a good lineup of books so far! Since it was a point of discussion in the last round I participated in, I just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page with the mailing order. On the last day of each month, you will mail to the next person in line based on the list sent to us earlier today. So... @wife > me > @lauraj > @emilyjwhit9 > @wife Yes? 6y
emilyjwhit9 That sounds right! Thank you for posting this, @StephanieGeiser 6y
LauraJ @StephanieGeiser Yes, ma‘am! I‘m still looking for books that are less than 400 pages that @wife hasn‘t already read 🤪. 6y
StephanieGeiser @LauraJ 🤣😂🤣😂 6y
40 likes8 comments
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AvaRaddatz
Pickpick

10/10

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8little_paws
Mehso-so

Her enthusiasm for writing is clear on every page, and it's tragic she passed away at such a young age.....but this is a collection of very good writing by a very young and very privileged person. It would have been interesting to have been able to see how her writing matured over time and experience.

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lizsassymolassy
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"I closed my eyes and saw stars but the jellyfish never came."

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lizsassymolassy
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Forever adding books to my "currently reading" pile.

18 likes1 stack add
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Lydiamansel
Pickpick

Leaves you wanting more

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Librariana
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Pickpick

????/5

Posthumously published, Marina Keegan's book is comprised of both imaginative short stories and nonfiction essays, among which "Stability in Motion", "Why We Care about Whales", and "Song for the Special" were personal favorites.

Her talent and potential, along with her own acknowledgement of the room she had to develop and grow as a writer, echo from these pages and are evident in her youthful observations, speculations, and insight.

44 likes2 stack adds
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whatthelog
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Just showing off some of my bookmarks and one of my newest purchases!

WhatDeeReads This has been in my TBR for a very long time. 7y
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BookMama789
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Loving this book so far. Marina Keegan had such a strong voice that came through her writing. What is everyone else reading for task 1 this year?

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you're interested. :) 7y
BookMama789 @RaimeyGallant Thank you! (edited) 7y
9 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AWahle
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Pickpick

Some of the stories and essays were better than others, but Marina Keegan definitely had talent. It would have been interesting to see what she could have done. Not sure this is really a Pick, but it is better than So-So. #ReadHarder2018 #PublishedPosthumously #LitsyAtoZ #LetterO #ReadingWomen #EssayCollection

DivaDiane Sad to have lost this talent. 7y
AWahle @DivaDiane It really is. I especially enjoyed the story "Challenger Deep." 7y
BookMama789 This was my pick for Task 1 as well. I really enjoyed it. 7y
40 likes3 comments
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BookEmDana
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Bookmarkie
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Pickpick

This is a little book of mostly short stories and a few essays from a life cut tragically too short. I'm a big fan a short stories and was thrilled to discover that they comprised a greater scope of this collection. This young writer had talent. She makes me want to be young again, with all of youth's uncertainties.

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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this series of essays and stories written by a very talented college student. Her writing was funny, entertaining and while very well written had wonderful bits that reminded you she was only in her early 20s. So sad that she passed so young. #readharder2018 #publishedposthumously

HeatherBookNerd I may do this one for #readharder2018. Glad to hear about it. 7y
Suet624 I appreciated her work and was so sad to hear she had died. 7y
BookMama789 I just finished this as my pick for task 1 in Read Harder Challenge. I really enjoyed it. Sad when you think about the author though. 7y
89 likes8 stack adds3 comments
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kamoorephoto
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Thank you, thank you, @blondie 😻💓 The book got all the way out here to #Seattle safe and sound!!!! Thank you for your sweet message and the bookmark too 😽
I never did tell you that a good friend of mine spent a good deal of time in Minot, ND, some time ago, working on an independent film, and that always sticks out in my mind when I see that town name. It sounds so different from here...!
💓💓

bookloo I loved this book! ♥️ 7y
blondie I'm so glad it made it! And that's awesome! :D 7y
58 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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eloreads
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TBR for the letters O to Z for the 2018 #litsyatoz
#abecedariantbr
#tbr

KellyK I ❤️❤️❤️ The Book Thief! 7y
eloreads @KellyK I‘ve been meaning to read it for a long time but keep putting it off, hopefully 2018 will be the year I do!! 7y
4 likes2 comments
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cleoh
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I finally have a minute to read something that‘s not for my classes (really I‘m just procrastinating the next novel I have to read for my satire class)! #blameitonlitsy #blameMrBook

81 likes2 stack adds
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the-flashley
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These all belong to @collegecatlady .... I promise I'm going to read them and give them back! 😅😁 #someoneelsesbooks #riotgrams

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ChicaReads
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bookloo I really loved this book. 💛 7y
ChicaReads I'm getting ready to start it. 7y
23 likes2 comments
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Nic_butler
Pickpick

I truly loved this read. I felt a personal connection to the author. Reading her stories made me reflect upon my own hopes & dreams, my own writing & stories. Her writing was beautiful, written in a way I could put myself into her stories & made me think. I wish the world could be privileged with more of her work, watch her grow as a writer. Marina's death has inspired me to stop waiting. To share my stories. She is a true inspiration for me.

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LauraBeth
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Pickpick

"For most of us, however, we‘re somewhat lost in this sea of liberal arts. Not quite sure what road we‘re on and whether we should have taken it."

SarahRotenberry This has been on my tbr list for YEARS! I had almost forgotten about it 7y
Kristy_K I really enjoyed this book! 7y
Suet624 I liked this book too. 7y
120 likes8 stack adds3 comments