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Little Children
Little Children: A Novel | Tom Perrotta
Tom Perrotta's thirty-ish parents of young children are a varied and surprising bunch. There's Todd, the handsome stay-at-home dad dubbed "The Prom King" by the moms of the playground; Sarah, a lapsed feminist with a bisexual past, who seems to have stumbled into a traditional marriage; Richard, Sarah's husband, who has found himself more and more involved with a fantasy life on the internet than with the flesh and blood in his own house; and Mary Ann, who thinks she has it all figured out, down to scheduling a weekly roll in the hay with her husband, every Tuesday at 9pm. They all raise their kids in the kind of sleepy American suburb where nothing ever seems to happen-at least until one eventful summer, when a convicted child molester moves back to town, and two restless parents begin an affair that goes further than either of them could have imagined. Unexpectedly suspenseful, but written with all the fluency and dark humor of Perrotta's previous novels, Little Children exposes the adult dramas unfolding amidst the swingsets and slides of an ordinary American playground.
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Lcsmcat
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Pickpick

Finished my September #doublespin. Not what I expected, but, despite the odd, awkward ending, a mild pick. @TheAromaofBooks
Pondering it more, one thing that sticks out is that none of the women seem to exist except in relation to men. Even the book club (which got dropped awkwardly) they were all about the men who were or weren‘t in their lives.

39 likes1 comment
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Lcsmcat
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This author has been to a Town Council meeting or two. 😂

SamAnne Hah! Yes. 1y
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Hilary427
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Pickpick

I‘ve only read a few of Perrotta‘s books, but he‘s great! I can connect with some of these characters, because I too am in my mid-thirties and somewhat bored. I like how everything got tied together.
⭐️: 4/5

Scochrane26 I think I read this one years ago. I remember the sex offender storyline a little bit. 4y
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Another fantastic #reread of Perrotta. Great company for the Big Covid Cleanup!

While the narrator was mediocre, as @Reggie put it so well, Perrotta is a master at morally ambiguous characters. This novel takes on sexuality and the boredom that can come in marriage as well as the disconnect one can feel from the identity of their youth in their 30s and 40s. (Don‘t I know re:identity!) Who are you? Who will you be? 4⭐️

Reggie 😊 I remember people were cheating, a husband was buying women‘s undergarments from a sex worker online, there was a sex offender that had moved back to the neighborhood and a wife who knew her husband was just having a fling for the summer. That‘s a lot for one neighborhood. Lol 4y
Megabooks @Reggie you remember really well!! 4y
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bmscott95
Pickpick

I really enjoyed the book up until the end. I felt like the ending was just slapped on as an afterthought and didnt really tie up loose ends. It's still a pick, because I couldn't put it down. Just wish it had a better ending.

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scowler1
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Pickpick

Second Perrotta I've read, the characters are brilliant. So distinct and interesting, it really feels like you know them.

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
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Thank You @DoonTheGoon for my #ReadTheMoviesSwap gifts!! 🖤 This picture doesn't do it justice, especially all the little stationary items. I love the slipper socks, I will get good use out of those! I'm particularly excited about 'Little Children' as I've never hear of either the book or the movie. ** side note. You're artwork & penmanship are enviable. ** Thanks again!! 🍿🎬🎥📖

DoonTheGoon Yay so excited!!! Enjoy! 🍿🎬🎥😀 6y
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kamoorephoto
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THANK YOU @DoonTheGoon - I couldn‘t wait any longer to open my #ReadTheMovies swap (and now you MUST open yours!
I have NOT read either book, and it‘s been terribly long time for ‘No Country for Old Men‘ (and don‘t remember it too well, love Coen Bros). There were soo many coincidences in this box, that I must tell you about (maybe in comments); it was so well thought about and put together, I wish I could give you a hug.
Thanks for doing this! 💓

DoonTheGoon Omg hooray I am SO GLAD you like everything!!! 😀🍿🎬🎥💜 I might be biased but I had SO MUCH FUN shopping for you! 6y
kamoorephoto @DoonTheGoon So Dana, I have worked with Jim Taylor, who collaborated with Tom Perrotta, to adapt the script for ‘Election‘; he was one of the scriptwriters (and has written multiple Hollywood scripts). I didn‘t recognize the name at first! Also, the little pop-open notes? I send those, but have never received one! Pocky? I love them. The gloves? I could‘ve used these exact ones on set. Also, I totally love washi tape... 💓💓💓 6y
DoonTheGoon @kamoorephoto Ahh that's so awesome! Perrotta lives pretty local to me and I love his work. Had to share. And I'm so glad so many of the items spoke to you. I couldn't resist! 6y
58 likes3 comments
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Judybskt
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Cute!!! 🖤🖤 6y
Judybskt @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Found it in Google. Wish I could say I drew it!! 😂 6y
vkois88 😂😂😂 6y
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emilyhaldi
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Pickpick

What can I say, I love me some Tom Perrotta. His observations of middle aged suburban stereotypes are on the nose and written with the perfect tone of satire. Goldfish also just happen to be my snack for #24in48 📖

Daisey Great photo! 6y
Reviewsbylola Surprised you guys had goldfish crackers laying around. 😂 6y
Mdargusch Great photo! 6y
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Pamwurtzler That looks good - stacked! 6y
KarenUK This photo is awesome! (edited) 6y
Reggie This book, everyone was crazy, and the part where the wife was like, eh, it‘s just a summer fling, that will end. Idk. It had me all over the place. 6y
RohitSawant Awesome picture! 6y
britt_brooke I‘m reading my first Perrotta now and loving it so far! 6y
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emilyhaldi
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Taking a break from Crimson Petal (I don‘t want it to end!) to start this fun read with my reading partner, Willa 🖤 #24in48

Bookzombie 💕🐱 6y
Texreader 😻😻 6y
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saresmoore Aww, what a pretty kitty! 6y
LeahBergen Oh, I‘m glad you‘re loving Crimson Petal! 👏🏻 6y
mabell 😻😻😻 6y
Reviewsbylola Funny how you‘re own cats have forsaken you. I bet they‘re thrilled that Willa took their place. 😂 6y
Reviewsbylola Also TOLD YOU you‘d love Crimson!! 6y
L_auren What did you think of this one?? 6y
batsy 😻 6y
Mdargusch Hi Willa 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼 6y
112 likes11 comments
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mscheynj
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Pickpick

This is the only Tom Perrotta book I had not read. He is one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend all of his books. This one is no exception and enjoyable and moving from start to finish.

DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚🎉Hope you enjoy it here! 6y
2 likes1 comment
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Austen_Nerd
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@collegecatlady I got your package today for the #LMPBC for June

wellreadredhead Awesome, that was fast! 7y
Austen_Nerd @collegecatlady They delivered it this morning!!! 7y
57 likes2 comments
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wellreadredhead
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@Austen_Nerd the next #lmpbc is on its way to you! I know it‘s soon but I‘ll be out of town for the rest of May so I‘m getting it out now. Hope you enjoy it!

Samplergal I loved this book. The movie was great as well. 7y
tpixie Have a great trip!! 7y
Austen_Nerd Thank you, Have a great trip!!! ❤️😊 7y
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wellreadredhead
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Pickpick

I read this all in one sitting and I loved this book. Perrotta merges satire with commentary on the human condition. The characters are unlikeable because we all have it in us. If we choose to let parts of us out, we become unlikeable ourselves. It is all about the choices we make and how we approach life. The author makes us confront parts of ourselves that we may not want to. #lmpbc #groupm

OwenBanner I loved The Leftovers for that reason 7y
CSeydel Great review! I‘m glad you loved it. 7y
pilardib I just started the Leftovers and based on your review I think I will enjoy this one too! 7y
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Ubookquitous I have a love/hate relationship with Perotta 😂 7y
Suetara I read it in one sitting, too. Could not put it down. 7y
ManyWordsLater My husband was working on the movie when we met. I‘ll always have a place for this story. 7y
Alfoster Nice review! And @Ubookquitous I totally agree! I love some and am like...really? On the others😳! 7y
Victoriahoperose There was a movie and it was extremely well done. Definitely watch it if you liked the book! 7y
tpixie Great review! 7y
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the-flashley
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Mehso-so

This novel was just okay for me. I found it a little depressing, as Perrotta‘s take on suburban adulthood is bleak at the best of times. His whole perspective is very negative, though I believe he was simply trying to be realistic. Fortunately, not everything in life is shrouded in dishonesty and disappointment, so I had a bit of difficulty connecting with the story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

KathyWheeler Perrotta is always like that for me — every book of his, no matter how great the premise, always falls flat. (edited) 7y
the-flashley @KathyWheeler This was my first of his novels, so it‘s good to know that the others are similar. I‘m not sure whether or not I‘ll pick up any of his others in the future. 7y
CSeydel I totally agree. I just wanted these characters to wake up and take control of themselves. 7y
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the-flashley
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Came home to find my next read waiting for me! That bookmark is super cute, and I can‘t wait to get started reading! 📚😄❤️ #lmpbc

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CSeydel
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Just a reminder for #LPMBC group M — it‘s almost mailing day! If you haven‘t mailed your book yet (🙋🏻‍♀️) please send it by tomorrow. I‘ve been meaning to get to the post office all week! Today I think I‘ll manage it.

I know @collegecatlady got hers sent out already, but i included the rotation diagram as a friendly reminder for the rest of us.

@Austen_Nerd @the-flashley

CSeydel Wait or is it #LMPBC — I always flub the hashtag 7y
the-flashley This is awesome, thank you! I keep forgetting to make a post about it, but I‘ve been in a really bad reading slump lately (I‘ve literally finished one book over the past two months 😢😬), and I don‘t think I‘m going to make it through Alias Grace. Atwood‘s writing is so dense that it just isn‘t holding my attention right now, and I know I‘m not going to finish it in time. So that said, I‘ve decided to change my book to Red Rising. (edited) 7y
the-flashley I‘ve already started it, and it‘s more like my usual reads, so I think I‘ll have an easier time getting through it. I‘m so sorry for the short notice, I was just really struggling with my first choice. I talked to @collegecatlady about it already, and I‘m actually going to see her in person this weekend and pass the book onto her then. I hope you guys are still okay with this choice! @Austen_Nerd 7y
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CSeydel @the-flashley Totally! Sounds like you guys have it worked out, and I‘m fine with anything. 👌🏼 7y
Austen_Nerd @CSeydel I mailed mine this morning!! @the-flashley sounds good to me!!! 7y
CSeydel @Austen_Nerd yay! We are a smoothly functioning group. I love it 😍 7y
Austen_Nerd @CSeydel lol, I am so not!!! lol 7y
64 likes7 comments
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CSeydel
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Mehso-so

I don‘t want to post a detailed review here yet, since the book is about to go out to Group M of the #LMPBC. You guys can make up your own minds about it.

I may have chosen poorly because the book was written around 2000, so there are many details that will feel weird and dated to you guys (I think I‘m the only one in the group over 30?) Plus, it just wasn‘t as intellectually engaging as I‘d hoped. Still ... there are ideas worth contemplating.

GingerAntics Oh my, what happened? 7y
CSeydel @GingerAntics I updated my post so it wouldn‘t be so annoyingly cryptic 😉 Mainly, the book just wasn‘t as enjoyable as I‘d hoped, and now I‘m sending it out to my LMPBC group! 7y
CouronneDhiver It‘s got pretty decent reviews on Goodreads... try not to worry. This is part of the fun with book clubs... some winners, some not-so-great... and everyone exposed to something they might not have chosen for themselves. 7y
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GingerAntics Oh that sucks. I hate when books don‘t live up to expectations. I‘m sure it will be okay. 7y
jillannjohn I‘m sorry it wasn‘t for you. I saw the movie and it was really creepy. Now you have me curious about the book. Lol. 7y
CSeydel @CouronneDhiver you‘re right, of course 😊 I just hoped there‘d be more *there*. It reminded me of Colson Whitehead‘s quip about how everybody else writes books about upper middle class white people who feel sad sometimes. (I‘m paraphrasing.) But yeah even as a fellow upper middle class white person, I couldn‘t quite relate to these characters. I finished it and just sat there thinking ... that‘s it? 7y
CSeydel @GingerAntics Yeah, you never know till you read it. In retrospect, I don‘t know what I expected. It was exactly as described. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
CSeydel @jillannjohn Well now that is interesting! I‘m curious about the movie now. The book was really not creepy at all. Sad, mostly. 7y
GingerAntics Well, in the end it just wasn‘t for you. Eh. It happens. Oh well. On to the next book. Do you have to power through it for the LMPBC group? 7y
CSeydel @GingerAntics No, you have a month to read it, and this one goes pretty quick. It wasn‘t bad — I was never tempted to bail. Mailing day is March 30 and I finished it this morning, so plenty of time. 7y
GingerAntics Oh good. 7y
Reggie This for me was all that glitters in the suburbs is not gold. They were all crazy. 7y
CSeydel @Reggie yeah, definitely. It almost felt like a sort of “jealousy-porn,” in the sense of the author introducing all these different “types” and then showing why they were unsatisfied and unhappy in their lives. 7y
CSeydel Oh I forgot this also counts for #mountTBRchallenge since it‘s been sitting on my shelf for like ... ten years? I got it from SwapTree so yeah. 7y
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emilyhaldi
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Looking forward to more Tom Perrotta 🤗 Who's read this one??
#green
#readingresolutions

ChasingOm 🙋🏻‍♀️ I love his books. 7y
CSeydel I‘m just about to start it! It‘s my #LMPBC book for March. 7y
RedbagReadbooks @emilyhaldi I read this one a few years ago. It is one of the three Tom Perrotta books that I have read. I have read Election, this book, and Mrs Fletcher. I liked this one better then Mrs Fletcher but not as much as Election. Enjoy 😊 7y
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Mdargusch Cute. 🐦 7y
tammysue Terrific photo!😊 7y
erzascarletbookgasm Great pic 💚 7y
saresmoore I love this picture! 7y
MissAimz_55 Love the cover! 7y
swishandflick 🙋🏽‍♀️ I enjoyed this one! 7y
GripLitGrl Great 📷💚 7y
Kalalalatja That‘s a pretty great cover! 7y
Reviewsbylola Me 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️ 7y
EvieBee I have and I loved it!! 7y
Reggie I have, and liked it. Crazy suburban drama. 7y
Megabooks Loved it! 7y
L_auren Me! Didn‘t love it. But I like him in genera! 7y
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CSeydel
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#LMPBC @the-flashley @Austen_Nerd @collegecatlady

Hey Group M :) This is the book I‘m planning for the Markup book club. Just thought I‘d check whether any of you have already read it, or has major objections. I‘m trying to pick something that will generate lots of comments. Plus, it‘s been on my TBR for a good five years now!

the-flashley This sounds interesting! I haven‘t actually even heard of it before, so all good there! I honestly have no idea what I‘m going to send, yet. 😬 But probably something of of my tbr also. 😁 7y
wellreadredhead I‘ve also had this on my TBR for forever so it sounds great to me. I haven‘t decided on my pick yet but hopefully I can figure that out in the next couple of days! 7y
CSeydel Perfect! 🤜🏼 7y
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Austen_Nerd I have no clue what to pick??? Can or do we read the same book?? or do we each have another book??? please, give me some guidance I do need help!!! 🤪 7y
CSeydel @Austen_Nerd it‘s my first time too! I think we each choose a different book, because all of us end up reading all four books. The idea seems to be that we note our thoughts in the book, and then by the time you get your original book back, you have everyone‘s notes... @suvata is that right?? 7y
suvata @CSeydel You are correct on all points. 7y
Austen_Nerd @CSeydel Thank you, I guess I am nervous, I am afraid to mess up!! I have a few books on my tbr shelf to choose from. I can‘t wait, to read and gleam from y‘alls insight. 7y
CSeydel @Austen_Nerd Same! I keep thinking, but what am I supposed to *write*? LOL! Just keep in mind, it‘s all for fun. 👌🏼 7y
Austen_Nerd 👌💕📖 7y
28 likes9 comments
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swishandflick
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Pickpick

Total brain candy. I inhaled it 😂

everlocalwest This movie messed me up, man! Jackie Earle Haley was just too real. 7y
swishandflick @everlocalwest I'd never even heard of the movie! I did just look up the trailer though and feel crazy for never having heard of it considering it's got Kate Winslet 😱 7y
emilyhaldi Ooohh cant wait to read this! 7y
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swishandflick
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😂😂😂

Reviewsbylola Lolol. I‘m guilty of this. Five minutes of talking about the book is plenty for me. 🤣🤣 7y
swishandflick @Reviewsbylola Haha! I'm cool with not talking about the book the whole time, but my biggest book club pet peeve is when 5 people don't read the book and then bar you from mentioning "spoilers". And I'm like - it's book club!! We're supposed to talk about what happened in the book!? (edited) 7y
Reviewsbylola Oh I TOTALLY agree!! In my last book club, if you hadn‘t finished by the meeting, chances are you weren‘t going to ever finish. 😂 7y
RachLovesTV The rule at my book club is you don't have to read the book to come, but your attendance means you're agreeing to be spoiled! 7y
119 likes4 comments
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LauraAmalia
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Mini book haul from a recently discovered used bookstore 😊

DebbieGrillo Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
RaimeyGallant Welcome from me too. :) 7y
LauraAmalia Thank you!! :) (edited) 7y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 👋😀 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉🎊📚 7y
10 likes5 comments
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AtwoodLover
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Just finished this and The Abstinence Teacher - hmmmm. I loved The Leftovers and the show on HBO is maybe one of my all-time favorites. But, his characters lead depressing lives and, by depressing I mean depressing in a 21st century, the grass is always greener somewhere else kind of way. Sidenote - can someone help me understand 1) how to keep up with the challenges? Do I make a spreadsheet? 2) how do I participate in the postal book clubs? Thx

AtwoodLover @BookishMarginalia I hope you don't mind if I tagged you - I'm a teacher too :). I don't think I'm the most savvy with hashtags and tagging so I need a bit of a tutorial sesh. Thanks for a heads - up if you have a few minutes. Thanks - Jenn 7y
TheAnitaAlvarez I want to read The Leftovers and his latest book too, they sound great 7y
JillPill I have a spreadsheet that I use to keep track of my reading challenges. But Amazon has a bunch of really cool reading journals that you could use too. I just ordered one and it should be here tomorrow 7y
heikemarie For the swaps and such, mostly it‘s just following folks and seeing what they post about. @LitsyHappenings reposts different swaps and challenges to help highlight what‘s going on around Litsy so I would follow that account! 7y
Tameeka Totally agree that the characters depressed the heck out of me. 7y
25 likes5 comments
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Jas16
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mrp27
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#autumnreads #bookombre

In addition to a lot of blues on my shelves, I have lots of green as well. 🍃🌿🌱🌵🌴

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Reagan

I'm overcome with NetGalleys right now, so obviously I'm reading off my TBR shelf. There are not enough hours in the day for my recreational reading. Off to sort books at the library.

Reviewsbylola I keep taking breaks from Netgalley for the same reason. 7y
40 likes1 comment
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Jas16
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After this edition the goldfish crackers were replaced with tiny chocolate chip cookies because Pepperidge Farm did not want to be associated with these #naughtyneigbors #splashintosummerreads

Reggie I didn't see the movie but this book, all is never well in suburbia. 8y
Allkat Haha! About Pepperidge farm and this book. 7y
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BeckyRoy
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My library sale haul from yesterday. $3.00. I love Justin Cronin's trilogy, so was excited to score City of Mirrors. An eclectic blend just like I like!

ReadingEnvy Great finds!! 8y
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brendanmleonard
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A couple of last minute #bookishfriendships for the #augustphotochallenge - and look, ma - real books! 😉😂 I love the way friendships are presented in these books - dark, messy, complicated, but ever evolving, and ever with genuine care and affection at their center. Marriage Plot in particular is just stunning, and I adore the book and film of Little Children.

BooksTeasAndBookishThings I never knew this was a book, but I loved the movie! Winslet is always awe-inspiring 😊 8y
Megabooks Love Little Children! 8y
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Yournewfriendsam
Pickpick

4 Stars: I really liked this book and the only reason I don't give it five stars is that, all-in-all, it's pretty sensational and fluffy in nature. The stories of an affair, a few fetishes and a midlife crisis intertwine to make a very scandalous read. I love the way Perrotta writes and while his characters aren't always the most believable, you end up rooting for them throughout the whole ride.

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Yournewfriendsam
Pickpick

4 Stars: I really liked this book and the only reason why I don't give it five stars is that in the end it's pretty sensational and fluffy in nature. The stories of an affair, a few fetishes and a midlife crisis intertwine to make a pretty scandalous read. I love the way Perrotta writes and while his characters aren't always the most believable, they're ones that evoke interest and emotion.

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Yournewfriendsam
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Picking this one up after having read most of it a few months ago. I'm a big fan of Perrotta's easy reading and juicy plot lines. Seems perfect for a sunny day in PDX.

EliseWhitmore Shout out to PDX! Where we always have perfect reading weather 😀 8y
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ej0728
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Pickpick

A brilliant depiction of suburban malaise. The book is a tad polarizing but I loved it. The characters were sad and despicable but completely relatable. You can't help but feel for them and wonder if the truth of their lives hits a little too close to home.

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ryanmlowery
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Months ago, I found a first edition of "Little Children" in this fantastic store in Las Vegas, NM. Yesterday, I walked in to find boxes and boxes of books for a buck each!