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The Bazaar of Bad Dreams
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories | Stephen King
A master storyteller at his bestthe O. Henry Prize winner Stephen King delivers a generous collection of stories, several of them brand-new, featuring revelatory autobiographical comments on when, why, and how he came to write (or rewrite) each story.Since his first collection, Nightshift, published thirty-five years ago, Stephen King has dazzled readers with his genius as a writer of short fiction. In this new collection he assembles, for the first time, recent stories that have never been published in a book. He introduces each with a passage about its origins or his motivations for writing it. There are thrilling connections between stories; themes of morality, the afterlife, guilt, what we would do differently if we could see into the future or correct the mistakes of the past. Afterlife is about a man who died of colon cancer and keeps reliving the same life, repeating his mistakes over and over again. Several stories feature characters at the end of life, revisiting their crimes and misdemeanors. Other stories address what happens when someone discovers that he has supernatural powersthe columnist who kills people by writing their obituaries in Obits; the old judge in The Dune who, as a boy, canoed to a deserted island and saw names written in the sand, the names of people who then died in freak accidents. In Morality, King looks at how a marriage and two lives fall apart after the wife and husband enter into what seems, at first, a devils pact they can win. Magnificent, eerie, utterly compelling, these stories comprise one of Kings finest gifts to his constant readerI made them especially for you, says King. Feel free to examine them, but please be careful. The best of them have teeth.
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TheBookgeekFrau
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#AboutABook #BasedOnATrueStory

This SK short story is based on Diane Schuler's wrong-way accident on the Taconic Parkway in 2009. I found this story fascinating bc I used to travel the Taconic almost daily (~10 miles north of where the accident occurred). Before the story made huge news, my neighbor told us about the horrific scene as he was stuck in traffic for hours coming home from work. This story was as good a guess as any

Eggs Fascinating 👌🏼👏🏻 3mo
34 likes1 comment
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Hedon
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24 degrees Celsius aka reading weather. Another short story collection by Stephen King. It‘s good but I was connecting more to the‘You like it darker‘ stories

Hedon Finished the book. Loved the last 2 stories. Others weren‘t my cup of tea. Still happy to have read this. Now switching to something fluffier. Suggestions welcome. 6mo
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Pikathulhu
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Mehso-so

This was a surprise, and not a good one. This is King's worst collection thus far by a substantial margin. Fortunately, this mess of disjointed, mean-spirited, and unfun stories is made (surprisingly) enjoyable overall due to some absolute gems throughout. Standout stories that are this entry's saving grace include Mile 81, Batman and Robin Have an Altercation, Ur (always excellent), Blockade Billy, The Little Green God of Agony, and Obits. 3/5

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nikekay
Pickpick

Finished 21 January 2024.

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Gissy
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#NewTearNewBooks Day 27 #Dream

Love the cover😍

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 10mo
36 likes2 comments
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Karkar
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Pickpick

As with most short story collections, there are some really good ones and some that are okay. I did like how SK gave the background of the stories. I wish they always did that!

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PaperbackPirate
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Here‘s my ambitious #Scarathlon #tbr for October!

💫 Project Hail Mary for #LitsySciFiBookClub
🦋 The Bazaar of Bad Dreams for #MonthlyKeyWordgxo challenge
🪰 Maeve Fly and 💀 Strange Tricks for fun
🏳️‍🌈 All Boys Aren‘t Blue for Banned Books Week
🧜🏽‍♀️ Bitch for book club

#Scarathlon #TeamBOOkLovers #BOOkLovers
@Bookwormjillk

Bookwormjillk 🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻 14mo
TheSpineView ❤️🛸 14mo
42 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Welcome to the #LosersClub open discussion for #bazaarofbaddreams
 
Please be mindful of spoilers. We have new readers to King who haven‘t read all of his books. When referencing his other work, please keep this in mind for our new-to-King friends. Don‘t forget to tag each other in the comments so your friends can see your reply. Have fun!
#StephenKing #StephenKingInOrder #KingFromTheBeginning #ConstantReader #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #BookDiscussion

See All 6 Comments
Bklover I absolutely love his short stories! I love all the things: his introduction to the stories, which are fascinating; the fact that you know his characters as if they‘re friends; the stories are riveting; and they‘re short!! 14mo
Karkar I really enjoyed that he talked about the stories on the book. However as most short story collections go this one was hit or miss for me. 14mo
BarkingMadRead @Karkar me too, I love the insights. I definitely liked some of those more than others! 14mo
38 likes6 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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I just love this guy! #losersclub

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BookwormAHN
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Pickpick

This was a diverse group of short stories. I enjoyed most of them especially: Mile 81, Ur, Cookie Jar, and Summer Thunder.
#LosersClub @BarkingMadRead
#wickedwords #Beach @AsYouWish

BarkingMadRead I‘m on Ur right now! 1y
52 likes1 comment
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Bklover
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My ThriftBooks order just came in! Now I can start this for #LosersClub. I have a whole bookcase dedicated to SK so I can‘t imagine why I didn‘t have this one. 🤷‍♀️

BarkingMadRead Woohoo!! I still have a handful that I need to get, I‘m always amazed when I don‘t have one of them 🤣 1y
Hooked_on_books He has SO many books, it would be easy to miss one! 1y
Bklover @BarkingMadRead @Hooked_on_books It was kind of funny. I sat there staring at my bookcase for the longest time, thinking it has to be there. I felt a little betrayed by my bookcase!!😅 1y
BarkingMadRead @Bklover that has happened to me before! 1y
61 likes4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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This month‘s book is #TheBazaarOfBadDreams Grab your copy and check back at the end of the month for open discussion! Don‘t forget to tag me so I can see which version you have! #LosersClub #StephenKing #StephenKingInOrder #KingFromTheBeginning #ConstantReader #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #BookDiscussion

38 likes4 comments
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LitsyEvents
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Repost for @BarkingMadRead

Just a reminder that September‘s #LosersClub read is #BazaarofBadDreams Put your library holds in now, search your shelves, or buy a new copy, and check back on or about September 1st, when we begin reading this one. Discussion will be at the end of the month! #StephenKing #StephenKingInOrder #KingFromTheBeginning #ConstantReader #ReadAlong #BuddyRead

Original post - https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2625420

BarkingMadRead Thank you for sharing! 1y
41 likes1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
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Just a reminder that September‘s #LosersClub read is #BazaarofBadDreams Put your library holds in now, search your shelves, or buy a new copy, and check back on or about September 1st, when we begin reading this one. Discussion will be at the end of the month! #StephenKing #StephenKingInOrder #KingFromTheBeginning #ConstantReader #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #BookDiscussion

34 likes3 comments
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bthegood
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Goal for this month - finish the books I've started 👍

Looking forward to #LosersClub King book - I have not read this collection of short stories.
Hilderbrand is a new author to me - I know, I know!!
Gaffney is a memoir (horse trainer).
Tabitha King is also new to me (Candles Burning) .
So it will be a fun end of month exploring new authors and works.

Make a great day everyone - 🙂

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BarkingMadRead
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Hey #losersclub I messed up! I left the Bazaar of Bad Dreams, which actually comes next, off of the list! So the question is, do we read that next, or continue as planned? I will gladly make a new graphic for the rest of the year to show the change!

See All 11 Comments
Karkar I vote do it after end of watch but before Gwendy that way if people have holds or something already for end of watch they can keep them. 1y
BarkingMadRead @Karkar that‘s a great plan, I know how difficult it can be to get library holds on schedule! 1y
5feet.of.fury @Karkar I like that idea too! 1y
BookwormAHN @Karkar I like that plan too 1y
Bklover Sounds good. I don‘t have Bazaar of Bad Dreams yet! 1y
PaperbackPirate Can I join too? 14mo
BarkingMadRead @PaperbackPirate our October book is Gwendy‘s Button Box, I can add you to the tag list if you‘d like! 14mo
PaperbackPirate That would be great. Don‘t know if I can join this month but definitely would like to in the future. 14mo
32 likes11 comments
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noseinabookagain
Pickpick

I agree with other reviewers in that this collection of stories felt a lot like King having fun; playing with different genres. All stories had varying levels of classic King though.

I found all stories to be enjoyable. Some had more of a lasting impression than others; however, I think that‘s the case with short story collections.

More masterfully written tales from the King himself.

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NikkiM5
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Pickpick

BINGO!! First time in forever. #bookspin and #doublespin done. The tagged was great, I wish every King short story was turned into a movie lol.

I had a DNF. I could not get into Cipher; I stopped about 80 pages short of finishing but I did skip to the end 😬 such an interesting story but I kept wanting it to end.

TheAromaofBooks Yay bingo!!!! 3y
10 likes1 comment
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Shemac77
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Pickpick

I‘m not usually a fan of short stories but these were great. The man can just write. Finished at work so hopefully there‘s another in my bag….

30 likes1 stack add
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Shemac77
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Morning reading with blueberry pancakes and coffee

29 likes1 stack add
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jouleian
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This is actually my very FIRST #StephenKing #novel. I mean I‘ve seen the movies but never in my 30...(mumble mumble) years have I ever read/purchased one and I‘m even more surprised no one just handed me one and said “Here, just read this.” #BookVirgin #Litsy 📚📚📚

CaffeineAndCandy 💜💜💜 4y
12 likes1 comment
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Bookish.SAM
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Mehso-so

While I generally enjoyed the stories in this collection, I don‘t think they‘ll have a lasting effect. I‘ve just finished and already can‘t really recall specifics.
I read this for ‘Ur‘ for its relationship to the Dark Tower and my #expandeddt journey.

Other SK collections have left a stronger impression, but this one was ok.

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Bookish.SAM
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LOVING the warmer weather and finally getting to read outside again!!!
☀️📚❤️

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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/DH9vESL1-xs

Enjoy!

46 likes2 stack adds
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booklover3258
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Mr. King giving a shout out to his son's comic book.

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Mistermandolin
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Pickpick

Although he‘d been around for donkey‘s years when it came out this still seemed to me like King‘s ‘coming of age‘ book. It‘s what I‘d call ‘mature King‘, with all of the stories slow burns and the horror (mostly) understated, yet the whole package seems better for that. Made me feel pleased that I‘d stuck with him since nineteen seventy God-knows-when. I love these hardback editions, too. They feel good in the hand and not too heavy.

53 likes3 stack adds
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DHill
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Mehso-so

So-so. The stories were ok, some I really liked, but overall it felt unfinished. Instead of short stories these read like excerpts to me.

AuthorAMonth
@Soubhiville

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DHill
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Starting book 2 for #AuthorAMonth. I love King‘s short stories and I‘m excited to read these.

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cleoh
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“Except... we‘ve known each other for a very long time, and I suspect you know that‘s not entirely true. Is it?”

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Mccall0113
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All packed for camping!

tracey38 Have fun! 4y
Curiouser_and_curiouser Gorgeous bag!! 4y
62 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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My #bookspin #Doublespin is done and I‘m 9 hours into the 25 hour goal for the #Booklyreadathon #stayathomereadathon

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BarkingMadRead
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52 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Starting my #doublespin today!

37 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Mccall0113
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She entertains herself well. And she‘s always in pj‘s. Lol staying in on this winters day and reading as much as I want!

Johanna414 We all stayed in our pjs all day today too! 5y
LiterRohde Very good collection of stories. 5y
81 likes1 stack add2 comments
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alanacristin
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The kid fell asleep early and I have a new library book and a kouign-amann weeeeee 🎉 #librarylove #mommyreads #booksandcoffee

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tessavi
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#Day6 #7Days7Covers #CoverLove

If you fancy playing along all you have to do is post a picture of a book cover you love with no explanation.

48 likes1 stack add
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Karkar
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#7covers7days #coverlove Day 3

Post a cover you love every day for seven days, no explanations. Tag a new person to play every day.

 @Annl do you want to play?

sudi Pennywise looking good there 😆 5y
Karkar @sudi he felt the need to be included 😆 5y
Ddzmini That‘s a great cover 💁🏼‍♀️ 5y
50 likes3 comments
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SmartBookaholicsIncBookstore
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Have you read this? What did you think!

BoleyBooks I am a big King fan. Some of these short stories are better than others. I laughed harder than I should have during “Drunken Fireworks”. 5y
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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larah17
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This cracked me up. 😂

Amiable Ha! 😀 5y
78 likes1 comment
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Reita325

This is a great collection of Stephen King horror stories. I liked them all except for the very last which is more of a personal dislike of mine (dystopian) than a negative about the writing. The thing about King which is true about his writing, regardless of the length or genre, is that he manages to suck me in within the first couple of pages. The best thing about Mr. King is whenever I pick up a new book, I know I am in for a good time!

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LiterRohde
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Pickpick

Since this is a collection of short stories, I thought I would set myself a challenge to “review” each story in one sentence, whether I liked the story or not. Some of them may be a bit spoilery as with many I am just giving a first impression of the story and making associations, but I‘m really not trying to ruin any of the stories for y‘all. I will mark my favorites thusly: 🤡....👇

#Booked2019 | #NightOrientedTitle

📷: Libby

LiterRohde Introduction: For each story, King introduced his thoughts and inspirations and I enjoyed this immensely.

Mile 81 🤡: If there were ever a reason not to be a Good Samaritan, this is it!

Premium Harmony 🤡: Left me with an impression of “A Good Man is Hard to Find”.

Batman and Robin Have an Altercation 🤡: Parents, children, grief, The Persistence of Memory - and super heroes....👇
(edited) 6y
LiterRohde The Dune: “Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin.”

Daniel 5:25

Bad Little Kid 🤡: The Green Mile + Dennis the Menace + Chucky.

A Death: Perry Mason/Hitchcock Presents in the Wild West.

The Bone Church: PTSD.

Morality 🤡: Indecent Proposal.

Afterlife 🤡: “‘Meaningless! Meaningless‘ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.‘”

Ecclesiastes 1:2....👇
(edited) 6y
LiterRohde Ur 🤡: Reading transcends the fabric of the universe and leads to The Dark Tower.

Herman Wouk is Still Alive: TWD; zombies of hopelessness.

Under the Weather: If Norman Bates were an ad man.

Blockade Billy: The rally in the bottom of the 9th was not really worth the other 8 and a half innings.

Mister Yummy: What is your avatar of death?...👇
(edited) 6y
See All 8 Comments
LiterRohde Tommy: A personal reminiscing about an old friend and I really didn‘t get the point.

The Little Green God of Agony: Pain kills, literally.

Cookie Jar: When what seems fantastic manifests in reality.

That Bus is Another World: Ever wonder about the lives of people you meet on the street - be careful what you wish for....👇
(edited) 6y
LiterRohde Obits 🤡: The power of the written word.

Drunken Fireworks: Keeping up with the Joneses is not always the best thing.

Summer Thunder 🤡: Man‘s best friend is definitely not man, or, This is how the world ends, not with a bang but a rumble.
(edited) 6y
Cinfhen Love your review 🙌🏻 missing your daily challenge posts ( no pressure) 😜 6y
LiterRohde @Cinfhen Thanks. I‘ve been feeling really overwhelmed lately. It‘s all I can do to go to work, come home, maybe eat a little, and go to bed. It sucks. I just feel so weighed down and I‘m not sure how to get back. I‘m slowly trying to do more - like this review. This sounds so absurd and whiny even as I write it....Anyway, TMI. Thanks for thinking of me. (edited) 6y
Cinfhen I‘m sorry you‘re going through a rough patch. Life can get overwhelming and it really sucks. Take your time and slowly find your way back. Use weekends to carve out a little time for yourself. Litsy is always here. 6y
72 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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Victoriahoperose
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this collection. I am a bigger fan of King‘s full length books than his short stories. Sometimes I feel like they get disjointed. But this had a good variety of stories and some really good creepy ones!

31 likes1 stack add
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LiterRohde
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“She had grown up knowing you cared for the one who had fallen and couldn‘t get up. She had also grown up knowing you ate no shit - not about your hosses, your size, your line of work, or your sexual preferences. Once you started eating shit, it had a way of becoming your regular diet.”

#QuotsyFeb19 | 8: #Penalty

📷: Made with Typorama

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LiterRohde
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“She was my heart, and I guard what's there. Nobody takes it away from me.”

#QuotsyFeb19 | 7: #Safe

📷: Made with Typorama

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Moony
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A little #bookhaul. The prize was sooo small. 😄😅 And Mojo lobes the book, too. 😂 #catsoflitsy #horror

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DarcysMom
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
#audiobook
#overdrive

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DarcysMom
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rockpools I‘m currently aiming for a 30 mile December, which doesn‘t have quite the same ring to it!! Love seeing your miles build up 😊 6y
LauraBeth Love seeing your mileage! 💃💃 6y
DarcysMom @RachelO A 30 mile month is awesome! 👟👟👟 6y
DarcysMom @LauraBeth Thank you! 🤩 6y
50 likes5 comments
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DarcysMom
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