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Last Night at the Lobster
Last Night at the Lobster | Stewart O'Nan
32 posts | 46 read | 38 to read
A frank and funny yet emotionally resonant tale set within a vivid work day world Look out for "City of Secrets" coming from Viking on april 26, 2016 The Red Lobster perched in the far corner of a run-down New England mall hasn't been making its numbers and headquarters has pulled the plug. But manager Manny DeLeon still needs to navigate a tricky last shift with a near-mutinous staff. All the while, he's wondering how to handle the waitress he's still in love with, what to do about his pregnant girlfriend, and where to find the present that will make everything better. Stewart O'Nan has been called "the bard of the working class," and "Last Night at the Lobster" is one of his most acclaimed works.
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BoldCityBooks
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Pickpick

Incredibly good, sad, and real. Just a book about not much that gripped me.

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Mccall0113
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Another quick read to boot my totals for the year. Looking into the lives of others is fascinating.

36 likes2 stack adds
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bookandbedandtea
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Setting up for #audiopainting while listening to the tagged book. I love weekends 😊
(I love this mug too! I use it non-stop the week leading up to Thanksgiving then scarcely at all the rest of the year. 🥧)

Ruthiella Love your seasonal mug! 👍 13mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 13mo
bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella Thank you! 💜 13mo
30 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

O‘Nan is quickly becoming a favorite author - I love how authentic his characters are and his attention to detail is not overly written but so precise in the setting, mood and time.This is a short novella about a small crew of characters working the final shift ,just days before Xmas, in a mall located Red Lobster Diner. It‘s so pitch perfect in its simplicity, I just wish it would have been a longer story.

Cinfhen What should I read next @BarbaraBB ?? Thanks for posting & tagging me @Megabooks !!! 1y
Cinfhen I see now you recommend a book @BarbaraBB !!! Going to look for 1y
Megabooks You‘re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it too! 1y
61 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I picked this up last minute at a 2NC solely based on the fact that @BarbaraBB liked it. I had it in my head that it was about lobster fisherman. No. It‘s not. It‘s about the last night of a closing forever Red Lobster restaurant. Despite the surprise, I enjoyed these characters. Manny the manager questioning how it all went wrong. Roz the lifer. Ty the chef hoping to have a good last service with a small crew. And Manny‘s ex whom he still loves.

Megabooks Apparently I didn‘t look at the cover closely either because that‘s more a sea of parking spaces than the actual sea! Y‘all can laugh at me!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 1y
BarbaraBB Lol! Glad you enjoyed it!! 1y
Cinfhen Hahaha!!! Awesome review!!!! And I‘m SUPER INTRIGUED!!! I remember @BarbaraBB liked it too!!! I want to read more from O‘Nan 1y
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Cinfhen I can‘t believe you still have hydrangeas !!! 1y
Megabooks @Cinfhen let me put this in your Hanukkah package!! 💜 it was a bad year for colorful hydrangeas this year. I was shocked to see these at a friend‘s house! 1y
Cinfhen You‘re so sweet, Meg but I actually already started the O‘Nan on audio from the library 😁and I‘m LOVING it @BarbaraBB 1y
Megabooks @Cinfhen fantastic! I‘m glad you were able to find it! 💕 1y
Cinfhen I see my library has quite a few O‘Nan audios!!!! Very excited 😊 1y
BarbaraBB I am reading his backlist and he really is becoming a favorite author! @Cinfhen 1y
Cinfhen @BarbaraBB which would you suggest I read next??? 1y
BarbaraBB I loved this one. It‘s perfect for October too 😱 1y
Reggie I loved this book a lot. It was covered in this bittersweet melancholy that I love. 1y
85 likes5 stack adds13 comments
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Megabooks
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Recent library/Book Outlet/2NC haul! Five short story collections (bottom ones), which I‘m really pleased about. There are also a couple for author a month and then the tagged novella I remember @BarbaraBB enjoying. 👍🏻🤩💜

Cinfhen Well done!! I‘m curious about this one - I LOVE the cover 2y
BarbaraBB I did! The O‘Farrell is good too. Wasn‘t Cursed Bunny a ToB contender earlier? 2y
JamieArc Ooh I‘m curious about Wild Swims. 2y
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Readerann What a haul! I love Louise Erdrich. 2y
RebelReader Esme Lennox is still my favorite Maggie O‘Farrell book! 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I like the hardcover cover better than the paperback, but they‘re both great! 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I know it was on the international Booker list before, but maybe the 2022 tob longlist??? 🤔 2y
Megabooks @JamieArc that was a random book outlet find that sounded really good! 2y
Megabooks @Readerann same! I didn‘t pick the right first book from her, but when I picked up several more in January, I knew I‘d have to read her backlist!! 2y
Megabooks @RebelReader @youneverarrived @BarbaraBB such high praise for the O‘Farrell!! I can‘t wait for July! I plan to read that and this for sure. (edited) 2y
BarbaraBB Heatwave is very good as well! 2y
JamieArc I really liked Heatwave as well. 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB @JamieArc she‘s such a fantastic writer, one really can‘t go wrong! 2y
94 likes14 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#BookReport 05/23

Four books, all good. I finished two more for the #ToB23, one of O‘Nans backlist and the surprisingly good horror novel for #Roll100. A very satisfying reading week 👌🏽

squirrelbrain A fab week! 2y
Cinfhen Great!!! 2y
TrishB Great week 👍🏻 2y
76 likes3 comments
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squirrelbrain
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This is a total #blameitonbarbara purchase! @BarbaraBB

It‘s a bit scruffy but I only paid Q9.14 for it!

It‘s also travelled rather a long way so it‘s bound to be a bit battered; from Hillsdale Public Library in New Jersey to North Yorkshire in the UK!

LeahBergen I always love to see the markings that show how far a book has travelled! 2y
Librariana And I love to see how other libraries process materials since that's the department I work in! 😁 It gives us a sense of comfort when an item that is no longer part of the collection can find a good home 💕 2y
BarbaraBB That is a great find! I hope you‘ll enjoy it. I really did ❤️ 2y
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youneverarrived I love the cover! And a well travelled book 😍 2y
MicheleinPhilly I loved this one! 2y
Reggie Hope you like this one! 2y
62 likes6 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

Manny‘s restaurant The Lobster has to shut down. Today is the last day it‘s open. It‘s snowing hard and Manny wonders whether his staff will turn up. Or any customers, for that matter. Yet he still goes about his business like it‘s just another day at The Lobster. Very touching and so well-written.

#52Booksclub23 #SetInWorkplace #pop23 #TakesPlaceInOneDay

mcctrish I read this ages ago and I‘m so thrilled you enjoyed it ( I loved the title, that‘s why I bought it back in the day ) 🦞❤️ 2y
BarbaraBB @mcctrish I recently enjoyed this other book by him (tagged) and wanted to read his backlist. So glad I chose this one! 2y
squirrelbrain Sounds fab, and two great prompts too… I just bought a used copy for just over Q9. ? 2y
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BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain that‘s a very good price! You won‘t be disappointed! 2y
mcctrish Oh I want to read that one, thank you for reminding me about Lobster, I really should read more by him 2y
Librarybelle I need to read this! 2y
Suet624 Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to read more by him. I enjoy his writing. I read this one a number of years ago and liked it: 2y
Suet624 it's also funny because I rated Ocean State so-so, but I think I did that more because I thought it was too simple for TOB. It was a good story though and kept me reading and interested. 2y
LeahBergen What a gorgeous photo! 2y
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Thanks, I was thinking about which of his books to read next! And I felt the same about Ocean State and the ToB (edited) 2y
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen Thanks! A cozy Sunday ☺️ 2y
Cinfhen I definitely want to check out more O‘Nan 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I was thinking of you indeed since you liked Ocean State so much! 2y
KarenUK Sounds lovely. And great pic 💕 2y
sarahbarnes Looks like a great evening! 2y
Reggie I‘m so glad you liked this. 2y
BarbaraBB @Reggie Very much! 2y
DreesReads I‘m glad you liked it! The Odds is the only other one of his I have read—it is very different yet somehow also felt very original to me. Even if I did not enjoy it as much. This one felt much more relatable to me personally. 2y
BarbaraBB @DreesReads So good to see you here! I think I read this one because you just happened to mention it on your IG. I will read The Odds next. Have you read Ocean State? 2y
DreesReads I have not! He has soooo many books I really don‘t know where to go next lol 2y
BarbaraBB @DreesReads He‘s very productive indeed 😃. I‘m on the lookout for a cheap copy of The Odds and I can highly recommend Ocean State! 2y
90 likes6 stack adds21 comments
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LeslieO
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I love a book set in a restaurant and I love to post another Stewart O‘Nan title. #LetterL #AlphabetGame

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚🙌🏻❤️ 2y
26 likes1 comment
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LeslieO
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February has been such a good month for me. I loved everything I read. I guess I‘ll pick Finlay Donovan as my top because of the twisty fun. #FebruaryStats.

41 likes1 stack add
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LeslieO
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I love me some Stewart O‘Nan! Read this little gem today. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕💕

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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

If you‘ve ever worked a restaurant job, this is going to take you back! A short read about a Red Lobster closing down, and the strange and sad last shift.

#readtheusa2021 #Connecticut

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Catsandbooks
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Mehso-so

3/5 ⭐️ This was super realistic and made me feel like I was at a Red Lobster. Just kind of a mediocre story though. Really I just want some cheddar bay biscuits now 🧀

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Kimbono
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Saturday afternoon reading soundtrack #readingsoundtrack

Reggie I really liked this book. 4y
Reviewsbylola This book has been hanging out in my purse “just in case.” 😂 4y
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Kimbono @Reviewsbylola I have “just in case” books everywhere 🤣 4y
Kimbono @Reggie @TheNeverendingTBR It‘s such a great book. This is a reread for me 🇺🇸 4y
Kimbono @Reggie @TheNeverendingTBR that 🇺🇸should have been a ❤️ hahaha 4y
Reggie Given this week, it‘s understandable. Lol 4y
TheNeverendingTBR @Kimbono That ❤ was for Born to Run 😁 4y
Kimbono @TheNeverendingTBR Even better! 4y
20 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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ATB
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Book featured on a podcast I just started listening to called Strong Sense if Place. #stayhome24in48 #24in48

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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
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Mehso-so

Meh.
Novella (145 pages) about the final night of a closing Red Lobster. Considers staff problems, restaurant minutiae, manager‘s romantic entanglements.
Thought this would afford more character development and contemplation, but it was just boring and fell flat.

Megabooks That sounds kind of odd, tbh. 5y
45 likes1 comment
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ReadingRover
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@MommyOfTwo awesome package! Thank you for all the wonderful goodies. I love St Patrick‘s day too! I know you can‘t tell by his face but Dexter loves his new bandana! The Dewey cards are perfect b/c I already have the book & I need cards for the #jb group. Love the socks & is that an eye mask that can be heated or cooled. Did you make it? It‘s so cool 😎 I can‘t wait to try it! Chocolate gold coins not pictured. Dexter would‘ve nommed them! #sfmbc

MommyOfTwo Oh shoot I forgot to tell you what that was lol. It is a page weight and I did make it! 6y
Avanders 👏🏽👏🏽🌌 6y
ReadingRover @MommyOfTwo 😂 well when I get back from vacation I may try out both options because I think it might also work as a nice headache reliever 😝 it‘s super cute! Obviously another use is to hold dogs in place for photos!!! 6y
Chrissyreadit @ReadingRover Do you subscribe to audible? 6y
ReadingRover @Chrissyreadit Yes I do and I‘m totally addicted! 6y
38 likes5 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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And here is our Christmas haul. Mine is on the left, the girls‘ is on the right.

Leftcoastzen Woo Hoo! 6y
GrilledCheeseSamurai I want that Roald Dahl boxset! ❤️😍❤️ 6y
LeahBergen I spy an Elizabeth Taylor! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
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MicheleinPhilly I covet their Roald Dahl set! 😍 6y
Reviewsbylola That was a gift from @Mdargusch 😁 @LeahBergen 6y
Reviewsbylola That was any amazing Costco score that I couldn‘t pass up! @MicheleinPhilly @GrilledCheeseSamurai 6y
Mdargusch Good stuff! 6y
JustJill1963 I enjoyed The Bishop‘s Pawn. (edited) 6y
Cinfhen Nice!!! Don‘t forget we have a buddy read for 6y
125 likes10 comments
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Reggie
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#WinterWonderland #December1963 (Oh, what a night) What a sad, sad, night. Right before Christmas, this Red Lobster is closing for good and as we follow manager Manny, we come to realize, besides the restaurant, many things are ending. So good and melancholic.

Cinfhen Now this sounds like an @Reggie book!!! @Reviewsbylola 😂😂😂 6y
TrishB Love melancholy books! Have downloaded as only Qa on kindle - despite the fact it‘s less than 200 pages.....it can be a bus ride read! 6y
Reggie I hope you like it @TrishB!! 6y
Cinfhen I need to see the Kindle US price @TrishB I‘m good for $1.99 6y
Reviewsbylola I actually have this on my TBR and I think I bought it. @reggie @Cinfhen 6y
65 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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Octoberwoman
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Mehso-so

Overall this was a bit depressing, but I did appreciate the author's talent for imagery, especially in the outdoor scenes with the snow storm. When I walked out of my house I was momentarily surprised that the air was hot and humid instead of freezing cold.

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BlameJennyJane
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Pickpick

This was a quick read... fiction... but it reminds me of a micro-history. It‘s a snapshot of a day, the last day, in the life of a Red Lobster. I wish I hadn‘t read the reviews prior to reading. It raised my hopes to astronomical heights, convincing me it was one of the finest pieces of literature ever constructed. Nope. But the author is clearly brilliant and has a knack for capturing characters without caricature. I‘ll read more of his work.

Reggie Oh, I liked this one, I was left nostalgic for my waiting on table days and it also made me somber because of all the endings that were portrayed in this story. 6y
BlameJennyJane That‘s a great way of capturing the feel of this read for me as well- nostalgic. 6y
38 likes2 comments
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LeahBergen
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Here‘s a book post for you, @callielafleur ! 😂

Congrats on your milestone and thanks for doing this wonderful giveaway. ❤️❤️

#LitsyIsTheBestINT

JoScho but why!?! I wanted cheddar bay biscuits too!!!😂😂😂 7y
CouronneDhiver My perm wanted some lunch too... 😹😹😹 7y
readordierachel 😂😂😂 7y
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Leftcoastzen God ,that perm!! 7y
Mdargusch I had that perm! 7y
callielafleur 😂🤣😂 This is hysterical! 7y
AlaMich Is that for real?? They actually titled the book like that? 😂🙄 (edited) 7y
LeahBergen @AlaMich No, it‘s from a funny site called paperback-paradise.com . They take old paperback covers and give them “new” titles. 😂 7y
SandyW Ah... I was thinking it was clever marketing. 😃 7y
AlaMich @LeahBergen Well, color me gullible! 😂 7y
batsy Paperback Paradise is the absolute best 😂 7y
Chrissyreadit !!!! Sweet Valley High!!!! 7y
DebinHawaii 🤣🤣🤣 7y
vivastory Leah! I am commenting on your post that is several years old bc I just finished the O'Nan book & was looking through the Litsy feed & when I got to this pic I literally almost spit out my drink 😂 😂 2y
LeahBergen @vivastory 😆😆 I forgot about this! 2y
100 likes15 comments
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Reggie
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Pickpick

This short book was a the perfect, bittersweet, valentine to the food service industry taking place on the last night of a Red Lobster before it closes for good. Through Manager Manny‘s eyes, you see the culture that exists in many restaurants. How everyone is connected to each other, the host, the servers, the cooks, even the regulars. The whole story is lightly blanketed in a sadness for the ending of things, many things. A great read.

Reggie Thanks @Jas16 for putting this on my radar. Made me nostalgic for my waiting table days. And funny story, I base my happiness in a job on whether if I won the lottery would I take care of my coworkers. My restaurant I worked at we all agreed to take of each other, and I would have taken care of them. The job I‘m at, I‘d never think twice about just leaving, maybe throwing the peace sign or maybe the middle finger, depends who‘s working that day. 7y
Mitch Ohhh this is on my shelf - gonna bring it forward on my TBR! 7y
LauraBeth Dammit @reggie! 📚 7y
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Reggie @Mitch @LauraBeth it‘s such a short read. Ya‘ll could knock it out in an hour or 2. 7y
Jas16 I am so glad that you liked it (especially since you bought it right away. I would have felt guilty if you hated it). Great review 7y
Suet624 Some of my favorite memories come from my time working in restaurants. 💕 7y
Reviewsbylola I‘ve heard good things about this one! 7y
Centique This sounds so good! Also damn shame about the place you‘re working now ☹️ I had a great team a few years ago, would have done anything for them too. 💕 7y
62 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

Today‘s read along with my new bookmark from @BarbaraTheBibliophage I liked this brief book about the last night at a Red Lobster before it is permanently closed. Such a quick read but O‘Nan really manages to write with such detail I felt as if I knew the staff and restaurant as if I had been a regular there for years.

BarbaraTheBibliophage That book sounds pretty interesting. And pairing it with the bookmark is a great idea! 7y
Reggie I worked as a waiter for most of my 20‘s and I think this would speak to me. 7y
Jas16 @Reggie I would be happy to send you my copy if you would like. Just email me you address: himynameisjen@hotmail.com 7y
Reggie Thanks for the sweet and kind offer but as soon as I finished Catalina, I bought this kindle. 7y
91 likes7 stack adds4 comments
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emilycr2
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Bailedbailed

I read this in grad school and also taught it at least three times! A fascinating examination of the human condition.

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ericarobynreads
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Mehso-so

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan is an interesting look into the lives of the manager and his employees working the very last night before their location is shut down.

I've never been to a Red Lobster because I don't eat seafood, but I was still interested to check this one out when I first heard about it.

My full review here: http://www.ericarobynreads.com/2018/01/book-review-last-night-at-lobster.html

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ju.ca.no
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One reason why Vienna is one of the best citys to live in is the "One City. One Book" initiative! Each year the city decides on one book and hands out a 100.00 free copys all over the city! Today is the day and I just got mine and @taza_de_te 's copy! I'm very much looking foward to reading it, lasr years' book was really good! ?

AlaMich My city, Chicago, also has a similar One Book One City sort of program. But I don't believe they hand out free copies. I think the city libraries might stock up on extra copies, though. 7y
ju.ca.no @AlaMich I've heard that there are similar projects, for example in NY, but actually I think Vienna is the only city that hands them out for free 😊 7y
kspenmoll We have some in neighboring town to me, Bloomfield( Boys in the Boat this year) but also no free books but library stocks up & sponsors activities like documentary, crewing experience on CT River etc. It was a book club book for me 😊📚❤️ 7y
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minkyb Love this! 7y
ju.ca.no @kspenmoll still cool though! Everything that promotes reading is great! 😄 7y
taza_de_te @ju.ca.no Thank you! 💜 I am already looking forward to reading the book 😊 7y
33 likes6 comments
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Howardsimmons
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Pickpick

We listened to this tender, interior story while driving to visit family. Commemorated its bittersweet ending with a visit to the Lobster.