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Opposite of Everyone
Opposite of Everyone | Joshilyn Jackson
33 posts | 59 read | 58 to read
"A must-read." New York Times Book ReviewA fiercely independent divorce lawyer learns the power of family and connection when she receives a cryptic message from her estranged mother in this bittersweet, witty novel from the nationally bestselling author of Someone Else s Love Story and gods in Alabama an emotionally resonant tale about the endurance of love and the power of stories to shape and transform our lives.Born in Alabama, Paula Vauss spent the first decade of her life on the road with her free-spirited young mother, Kai, an itinerant storyteller who blended Hindu mythology with southern oral tradition to re-invent their history as they roved. But everything, including Paula s birth name Kali Jai, changed when she told a story of her own one that landed Kai in prison and Paula in foster care. Separated, each holding secrets of her own, the intense bond they once shared was fractured.These days, Paula has reincarnated herself as a tough-as-nails divorce attorney with a successful practice in Atlanta. While she hasn t seen Kai in fifteen years, she s still making payments on that Karmic debt until the day her last check is returned in the mail, along with a mysterious note: I am going on a journey, Kali. I am going back to my beginning; death is not the end. You will be the end. We will meet again, and there will be new stories. You know how Karma works. Then Kai s most treasured secret literally lands on Paula s doorstep, throwing her life into chaos and transforming her from only child to older sister. Desperate to find her mother before it s too late, Paula sets off on a journey of discovery that will take her back to the past and into the deepest recesses of her heart. With the help of her ex-lover Birdwine, an intrepid and emotionally volatile private eye who still carries a torch for her, this brilliant woman, an expert at wrecking families, now has to figure out how to put one back together her own.The Opposite of Everyone is a story about story itself, how the tales we tell connect us, break us, and define us, and how the endings and beginnings we choose can destroy us . . . and make us whole. Laced with sharp humor and poignant insight, it is beloved New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson at her very best."
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BennettBookworm
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GOLDEN! I loved Almost Sisters and I‘m so glad @LiteraryinLititz recommended this because it‘s equally fantastic!!!
Jackson writes characters who are so real and flawed and still likable. This one also had a poetic, mystic quality that I loved, creatively swirling between past and present. I laughed, I cried, I got chills...highly recommend!!
#ReadYourSign ~ blue cover; MC who‘s strong-willed, ambitious, and independent!

Clwojick I‘ll have to check this one out! I also loved The Almost Sisters 4y
38 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Came home to this surprise from the sweet @Crazeedi 🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊 Thank you Diane!! This one has been on my list for a while! She is a great author 📚❤️🥰

#LitsyLovesNurses

AmyG 💕 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG We will be mailing your order tomorrow!! She is so excited! We had ordered a stamper and they misspelled her name and that kinda bummed her out, but I told her that it‘s fine! Please let us know if they get there safely 💜💜 thank you so much!! 4y
Crazeedi 🥰🥰🥰 4y
AmyG I will let you know! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG thank you my friend ❤️ 4y
74 likes5 comments
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TamTracy
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I very much enjoyed this book. I love the part that the stories played and am a sucker for a happy ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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InnerSavvy
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Another good book by Josilyn Jackson. Her characters are always so lovable even though they start out not so lovable. You come to find out why they are and they grow and change.

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ItsAngel
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Listened to this on audio and it was perfect. I am becoming such a fan of Joshilyn Jackson.

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Jas16
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Not the book I intended to read next but I flipped to the first page, read a sentence, and just kept going. Paula is a no nonsense divorce lawyer who has been estranged from her vagabond mother for years. When she suddenly learns she is not an only child she has to come to come to terms with her past and figure out if the life she has carved for herself is enough. Paula is such a prickly and strong character. I loved reading about her #24in48

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LiteraryinPA
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Pick! This is my second book by Jackson and I liked both a lot. Although parts of it were far-fetched and I didn‘t 100% relate to the main character, I enjoyed reading about her present life as a badass divorce attorney and her past as a foster child while her mom was in prison. The book is about what it means to be a family and about the stories and myths we tell.

PenguinInFlight Your cat is SO adorable. 😻❤️ 6y
mom2bugnbee I love Joshilyn Jackson, & I think her latest (tagged) may be her best. But I haven't read this one! Stacked! 6y
LiteraryinPA @mom2bugnbee I read The Almost Sisters first and that‘s what made me look at her past books. I think I still loved that one the most, but this one was very enjoyable! 6y
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BookishMarginalia
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CaraLiane
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This book was so good! I‘ve read a few of Joshilyn Jackson‘s books and this one is easily my favorite.

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ContraryMary
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Book 96. When I finished this I immediately thought that it was the best of Joshilyn Jacksons books that I had read. After a few days mulling it over I think I like them all about equally. Maybe Someone Else just a little less than the others. I can't wait to read more of her stuff though. Just terrific.
"A long time ago, right now" ?

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LaLove
Opposite of Everyone | Joshilyn Jackson
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Easy read but not fluffy.

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Josie
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The best part about having a bookish soulmate is discovering new authors! I had never even heard of Joshilyn Jackson until @Gayan was all "WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE READ THEM ALL." So, I started with this one and LOVED IT. Part chick lit, part mystery, lots of funnies. I wanted a little more from the ending, but I still enjoyed the journey.

Kimmykay I love her books! Gods in Alabama is my fav. 7y
christineandbooks I just discovered Joshilyn Jackson recently too and love her books so far! I've read this and a few others including her new one which was fantastic. I happened across her description of her writing in thanks section of her website and it's perfectly, hilariously true! 7y
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christineandbooks Also if you like audio books give her a try that way. She narrates them herself and they are so good. She has a background in voice acting. 7y
Josie @Kimmykay before I even finished this one, I went out and bought Gods in Alabama because it had a huge hold list at the library! 7y
Josie @christineandbooks I didn't know that! I will definitely check one out 7y
BookNotes Love her books. 7y
Gayan I knew you would live her, she's just so much fun. 7y
81 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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KathyWheeler
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My star rating for this is between 3 and 4. I liked the story well enough, but it had a few issues. I put it close to 4 because I like the author as the narrator.

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christineandbooks
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Second Joshilyn Jackson book in a week, this one on audio read by the author (excellent narration). This one took longer to grow on me as the main character has had a rough life and is not super likeable at first. Ended up loving the book as I learned more of Paula's story. Also a little surprised to find out that this main character is one of the side characters in the other JJ book I just finished. Planning to read more by the author.

Aseleener Paula was my least favorite character in the first book, so I have been reluctant to check this one out. I agree with you about the author's narration, though. 👍 7y
christineandbooks @Aseleener I was really uncertain if I was going to keep listening at about 2 chapters in. You get to see a lot more of Paula's rough exterior in this but she really grew on me. 7y
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
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crhealey
Opposite of Everyone | Joshilyn Jackson
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Virtual #shelfie for Day 1 of #Riotgrams, since I am away from my physical shelves. My #TBR is out of control!

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valeriegeary
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Apple cider fritter don't mind if I do.

Alfoster Drooling now😂! 8y
KellyK Looks extremely yummy! 😋 8y
DebinHawaii Yum! 😋👍 8y
SaraFair Haven't had an apple fritter in a long time! Got kind of obsessed with them at one time and had to stop... 8y
51 likes1 stack add4 comments
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RiotMom
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I love the way Jackson writes relatable and imperfect characters. Her stories are like sitting down with a good friend. This one is no exception. Fantastic tale about learning what family is and can be. Weaves seamlessly between the past and present. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reecaspieces Love this book! Heck love all her books! 8y
Gayan I love all of her books. 💓 8y
britt_brooke Love your bookmark! 8y
66 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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RiotMom
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Tucked in under my electric blanket with a fresh book while the kiddo naps and the husband plays Xbox. Best way to spend a snowy afternoon.

TheWordJar Is that a pug I spy on the background?? 😍If so, I'll bet it was a struggle to get him/her to nap with you! 😂🐶 8y
RiotMom @TheWordJar it is! That's Dug and he is a snuggle pug! A snorty, snoring snuggle pug. 8y
TheWordJar Snuggle pugs are the best! 8y
Julsmarshall @RiotMom I'm a little in ❤ with Dug! 8y
65 likes4 comments
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kiminreverse
Opposite of Everyone | Joshilyn Jackson
Mehso-so

This was my second Joshilyn Jackson book on audio. I preferred Someone Else's Love Story, but Opposite of Everyone is good as well. This one is about foster children, unconventional childhoods, and creating family as an adult. The narration makes these books for me, so I recommend checking out the audiobook.

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BritanyA
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Narrated by the very talented author on audio- highly recommend. Ass kicking divorce attorney who grew up with a Hindu obsessed mother that ended up in prison left Kali Jai aka Paula figuring out her future. Just really ate this one up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #JoshilynJackson #SouthernLit

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kiminreverse
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Next up on audio! I really liked listening to Someone Else's Love Story so I figured I would try another one of Joshilyn Jackson's books.

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Well-ReadNeck
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Listened on audiobook. Enjoyed this lovely book. The narration (by the author) was fabulous. If you have ever seen JJ speak, you'll understand.

BethFishReads She's one of the few author narrators I like 8y
valeriegeary Can't wait to read this one! 8y
RiotMom I've loved her previous books. Putting this one on the tbr! 8y
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BibliOphelia She's such an entertaining speaker - never thought about listening to her narrate one of her books, but now I think I must give it a try! 8y
Tav @BibliOphelia @RiotMom @valeriegeary @BethFishReads Joshilyn did a Facebook Live on Book Club Girl's Facebook page a couple of weeks ago that truly was so interesting. She talks about how she commissions a piece of art to go along with each of her books - like a statuette, a quilt, etc. 8y
BibliOphelia @Tav I'd heard that before and think it's so cool. How better to symbolize and honor one piece of art than with another?! 8y
BethFishReads Wow. How cool. 8y
85 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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WilliamMorrowBooks
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Book clubs! Enter for a chance to win an awesome prize for your club: 12 paperback copies of THE OPPOSITE OF EVERYONE by Joshilyn Jackson, a Skype with the author, and a $100 gift card towards book club meeting catering. It's a party! 🎉🎈enter here: https://a.pgtb.me/FPnNtX

valeriegeary I'm a little in love with this cover. 8y
33 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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WilliamMorrowBooks
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One of our favorites - THE OPPOSITE OF EVERYONE is a thought provoking novel that's perfect for summer.

bermudaonion I love Joshilyn Jackson! 8y
15 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Bethanychaseauthor
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Joshilyn Jackson is one of my favorite authors, and books like this are why. It grabbed me from the first words and did not let go once. The voice is SO strong and the writing is SO good... just go read it!

Tav Check out the book club sweepstakes on Joshilyn's Facebook page! 8y
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peaKnit
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Mehso-so

I just don't think I enjoy this author. There was potential but the characters were are pretty unlikable to me.

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zendenise
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"A long time ago, this happened, and it's happening now." That's how Paula's long-estranged mother, Kai, began the stories that wove through her unstable childhood. Now a loner and tough as nails divorce lawyer, Paula must rethink her self-image as Kali the destroyer and learn to open her heart.

CleverGirl I bailed on this book after about fifty pages. I just found it awkward to read, like the words didn't want to come together. Clunky, maybe? Should I give it another chance? 8y
Tav @CleverGirl I loved this book. Once I was about 50 pages in I couldn't stop - I had to know what would happen with her family and with the detective. 8y
2 likes2 comments
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missfarin
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Yayyyy! Love me some JJ.

squibblesreads I've always wanted to pick up this one! the cover is beautiful 😍 9y
missfarin @squibblesreads Do it! I actually recommend reading all of Joshilyn Jackson's books – she's one of my all-time favorites. 9y
Bethanychaseauthor One of my very favorite writers too. 9y
11 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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BookishPelican
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I've been in audiobook purgatory for over a month while I finished the final book in a trilogy. So I decided to treat myself with Joshilyn Jackson's new book for a palate cleanser. She's one of my favorite narrators. Loved this one--actually got choked up, which rarely happens when I read.

LitHousewife I loved this one in print. She's one of the few authors who shine as narrator, too. 9y
Tav I got choked up when I read this book, too! 8y
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BeckyLeJ
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Jackson's characters are always so genuine! It's easy to slip inside inside their world and lose yourself in their stories.

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LitHousewife
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This book was so good it sent me into a book funk. Besides Gods in Alabama, this is my favorite of her novels. I loved the broken and funny characters.

Tav One of my all time fave books ever 8y
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