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The Gypsy Moth Summer
The Gypsy Moth Summer: A Novel | Julia Fierro
30 posts | 10 read | 45 to read
NAMED MOST ANTICIPATED BY THE MILLIONS, NYLON MAGAZINE, AND HUFFINGTON POST "Fierro doesn't just observe, she knows. Like all great novelists, she gives us the world." - Amy Bloom, bestselling author of Away and Lucky Us It is the summer of 1992 and a gypsy moth invasion blankets Avalon Island. Ravenous caterpillars disrupt early summer serenity on Avalon, an islet off the coast of Long Island--dropping onto novels left open on picnic blankets, crawling across the T-shirts of children playing games of tag and capture the flag in the island's leafy woods. The caterpillars become a relentless topic of island conversation and the inescapable soundtrack of the season. It is also the summer Leslie Day Marshallonly daughter of Avalons most prominent familyreturns with her husband, a botanist, and their children to live in The Castle, the island's grandest estate. Leslies husband Jules is African-American, and their children bi-racial, and islanders from both sides of the tracks form fast and dangerous opinions about the new arrivals. Maddie Pencott LaRosa straddles those tracks: a teen queen with roots in the tony precincts of East Avalon and the crowded working class corner of West Avalon, home to Grudder Aviation factory, the island's bread-and-butter and birthplace of generations of bombers and war machines. Maddie falls in love with Brooks, Leslies and Jules son, and that love feels as urgent to Maddie as the questions about the new and deadly cancers showing up across the island. Could Grudder Aviation, the pride of the islandand its patriarch, the Colonelbe to blame? As the gypsy moths burst from cocoons in flocks that seem to eclipse the sun, Maddies and Brooks passion for each other grows and she begins planning a life for them off Avalon Island. Vivid with young lovers, gangs of anxious outsiders; a plotting aged matriarch and her husband, a demented military patriarch; and a troubled young boy, each seeking his or her own refuge, escape and revenge, The Gypsy Moth Summer is about love, gaps in understanding, and the struggle to connect: within families; among friends; between neighbors and entire generations.
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DebinHawaii
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#WanderingJune
As I learned from this novel, when there is a gypsy moth infestation, you have a #gypsyroad, gypsy backyard, gypsy trees, gypsy clothes, & a whole lot of gypsy moth caterpillar🐛 excrement. Interesting fact, the gypsy moths & all of the hassle & bad environmental impact they bring to the U.S. are the fault of one man, Leopold Trouvelot, who introduced them to Boston while trying to find a hardier moth to spin silk--it didn't work!

BarbaraBB Fascinating 🦋 5y
Cinfhen I read this book!! And I‘ve witnessed a Gypsy Moth infestation 🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛it‘s actually horrible 5y
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen It sounded pretty horrible in the book. You can blame Leopold. 😉 5y
Cinfhen It was EXACTLY how the book describes 😱😱😱😱maybe even a bit worse 5y
67 likes1 stack add4 comments
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monalyisha
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1. We save true “vacations” for escaping Winter in New England. Summer is glorious in RI (the Ocean State), so we mostly stick around here. We‘ll go camping a few times (usually in VT)!
2. Watermelon Sour Patch Kids. Smashmallows. S‘mores.*
3. Relaxing on the beach. Nature walks/hikes. Swimming in the ocean. Canoeing.
4. Lemonade. Coffee (hot & iced). Mojitos. Beer.
5. Sunglasses/block. Koozies!**
6. Park. Hammock. Beach.
#summersantagoespostal

monalyisha *One of my Summer snacking goals is to experiment with the traditional s‘mores recipe by trying different types of chocolate & marshmallows. 🍫🔥 6y
monalyisha **We have an extensive Koozie collection, organized in rainbow-order, & are always looking to add to it. I also love outrageous sunglasses. My favorite pair right now has skeleton hands on the arms. 😎🖤💀 (edited) 6y
monalyisha Thanks for organizing, @BookishMarginalia! And thanks for the survey, @hermyknee! I‘m hoping my match sees it, too. I can get creative, for sure, but a little more info never hurts. 🙌🏻 (edited) 6y
42 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
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#MusicalNewYear #SummerNights photo taken this past summer, caught a spectacular sunset💜Tagged book is a coming of age story set against the backdrop of class, wealth, prejudice, race and family secrets. 🎶 But uh, oh those summer nights 🎶

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I miss you!! I wish we could text!!! 💗😘 6y
nelehelen Beautiful!! 6y
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TrishB Gorgeous ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen It was one of those magical moments @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @nelehelen @TrishB 🧡 Miss you too, Misty!!!! We need #GirlsTime 6y
Kalalalatja 😍😍😍 6y
BarbaraBB Gorgeous! Summer days drifting away 🎶 6y
Cathythoughts Beautiful sunset 😍♥️♥️ 6y
BethM Beautiful! 6y
Pricel101 Freezing cold here so thanks for the warm thoughts ☀️ 6y
Cinfhen Happy to share @Pricel101 and I‘m wishing for some Summer Lovin‘ 🏖 @BethM @Cathythoughts @Kalalalatja @BarbaraBB 6y
Tanisha_A Gorgeous! I love sunsets. 🌅 Where was this picture taken? 6y
youneverarrived Beautiful 😍😍 6y
Redwritinghood So pretty and peaceful! 😍😍 6y
Cinfhen This was taken at my local beach, @Tanisha_A it‘s in the next town over called Hertzilia 💙I love living near the sea @youneverarrived @Redwritinghood 6y
vivastory That's a spectacular view, Cindy! 6y
118 likes17 comments
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auntie_jenn
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today was a yellow day 💛📒🤓

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💛💛💛 7y
minkyb Lovely! 7y
26 likes1 stack add2 comments
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monalyisha
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1. On a mini-vacation in the Green Mountains, recuperating after a "light" dinner of Chicken Pot Pie Mac & Cheese (it was as amazing as it sounds).
2. Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia
3. Gypsy Moth Summer by Julia Fierro (& Paper Girls: Vol. 1). Assassination Vacation on audio.
4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
5. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (Stockard Channing is my #soulwitch).
6. All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

Kimbono Bellweather Rhapsody is such a fun book. I loved it. 7y
monalyisha @Kimbono I agree! A ton of fun and well-written to boot! 7y
30 likes4 comments
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MimiLovesToRead
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I just got some new books on my Kindle!!

5 likes1 stack add
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Bluzygrl
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Summer reading by the lake. #lakelife #summerreading

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yvo_about_books
Mehso-so

I really wanted to enjoy this story and I still think the plot itself is both rich, provoking and fascinating, but unfortunately The Gypsy Moth Summer ended up being one of those titles that just isn‘t for me. I just couldn‘t ignore the chaotic feel of the storytelling, my lack of connection to the characters, certain elements that bothered me or the fact I couldn‘t warm up to the writing style...

2,5/5 stars

#bookreview #bookblogger #arc

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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

Well written with a cast of characters from a small island community who all are hiding something about themselves or their dysfunctional families. It taught me more about the eating & bathroom habits of the gypsy moth than I cared to know 😬but it kept me turning the pages. Not a light summer read--thought provoking & covers a lot of social issues. With Shrimp Cocktail w/Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette recipe & book GIVEAWAY on my review post-link👇🏻

DebinHawaii Link to book tour review, recipe & giveaway (U.S. & Canada addresses) here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-book-tour-stops-here-review-of_21... 7y
Mel The shrimp and vinaigrette look delightful! 7y
DebinHawaii @Mel Thank you! There were a couple of mentions of shrimp/shrimp cocktail in the book & it made me want some. 😋🍴 7y
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Mel We are in a heatwave here (Northern CA) and this looks a fab dinner option for this weekend. 😊 7y
BethFishReads Oh this looks goooood 7y
celtichik That does look yummy! 7y
102 likes6 stack adds6 comments
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jlondon1963
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#bookmail #cozyreaderclub I love it when I get a book that is on my TBR list in my surprise book mail subscriptions. I love the thought that goes into the added goodies included in the box like Strawberries & Cream Salt Water Taffy.

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DebinHawaii
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Today's (vegan) soup perfectly hit the spot, my version of Heidi Swanson's Thai Green Curry Zucchini (& Noodle) Soup, w/ toppings on the blog today for #soupersundays It's pictured with the #ARC I'm reading today for review this week though I probably should have shown Kindred since I finished it #audiocooking today. 👍👍Review coming. Link to the soup recipe in case you want it is👇🏻 Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday. 🍲📚💚#litsycooks

100 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bluzygrl
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Summer is made for reading. This is the beginning of my summer reading list. I'm headed to a bookstore tonight for an author event so I'll be adding more to the pile.

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angrylilasian
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I think summer is finally here to stay! I am in desperate need for some reading and relaxing.

britt_brooke Enjoy! ☀️ 7y
RealLifeReading Oh nice! Wish I had a pool to lounge by! 7y
54 likes2 comments
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Woohoo 🎉I was able to re-download my ARC & finish this biting coming of age story. If you love dysfunctional families, stories about class and privilege & reading about effed up teenagers then you will fly throughJulia Fierro's newest novel. It's summer 1992 and a Gypsy Moth infestation is spreading over the well manicured homes and lawns of East Avalon Island, NY. Trouble & fear is in the air & it's not from the creepy caterpillars 🐛 🐛 🐛🐛

Cinfhen @MrsAHintz did you finish this one??? 7y
Hollie Moths creep me out so much! 7y
Aleida Hahamy daughter placed a bunch in a tank and now we have a bunch of moths. 7y
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Cinfhen I think I would freak out! Your a much nicer mom than I am @Aleida 7y
Aleida She's loved bugs since she was tiny. She's eaten crickets, grown praying mantises, collects toads. It's fun. 7y
MrsAHintz @Cinfhen Oh my gosh! I haven't 🙈 I got so sidetracked with other books 🙈 7y
Reviewsbylola This actually sounds pretty good! 7y
Cinfhen It was really twisted @Reviewsbylola definitely worth a library request 7y
99 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Cinfhen
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Because I'm a terrible slow reader when it comes to reading on my IPad , my ARC for this awesome book expired😬😫😤I still had another 100 pages or so to go but from what I read this book is going to be a summer smash! It's a coming of age/ race relations/ family drama that is so well written. Julia Fierro is definitely an author to watch for. I've put this book on my library request list, so now I need to wait to see how it ends😠#Insects

Cinfhen Did you ever finish this one @MrsAHintz ?!? I'm so pissed my digital ARC expired!!!! 7y
readinginthedark I'm such a slow reader, too! This happens to me with almost every ARC I get. 😕The Kindle versions don't expire if you can get those on your computer or something instead. I just don't like reading on a bright screen that much. 7y
Cinfhen That's good to know, but I probably would never read on computer screen @readinginthedark I'm such an outdoor or mobile reader😉 7y
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batsy @Cinfhen I'm a slow reader too. Would you be able to use the Kindle app on your iPad? I use it on my (Android) tablet and once the ARC is saved to the device it never expires. 7y
Cinfhen Hmmmm...thanks @batsy I need to look into that!!! Seems like a simple solution 😁 7y
DebinHawaii I am about to start reading my print #ARC for this one for a book tour later in the month. If you don't get access to another copy, let me know and I can send it to you when I'm done. 👍📚 7y
Cinfhen Thanks so much @DebinHawaii 😘😘hoping my arrival in the states will coincide with the timing of my library request🤞🏼 7y
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen Well if it doesn't, let me know & I'll get it to you. 👍📚 7y
97 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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brendanmleonard
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Had a pretty great day so I was going to reward myself with one book...but it just so happened that there was a half off sale! Two are recent reccomendations, one is one I've wanted to read for a while, and one is a new discovery. Onto the sagging shelf they go!

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rachellayown
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Pickpick

The digital galley I read was super messed up formatting-wise, so reading wasn't easy, but I still enjoyed this novel. It's well-written, smart, funny, and deeply tragic. I'm officially a Julia Fierro fan.

EvieBee Stacking! 7y
rachellayown I hope you like it @EvieBee84! I'm a big fan of family dramas and love books dealing with race, so this one was right up my alley! 7y
57 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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BookNAround
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This was the final book I started on my marathon travel day yesterday. I haven't been able to pick it up again today though because my house was gross. My boys are on my bad list for sure!

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MrsAHintz
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This #ARC is releasing soon, and I keep hearing great things about it. Let's hope the hype is real, and let's see if I can finish it before its release date.

Cinfhen I just started this one today! I like it so far 😍 8y
MrsAHintz @Cinfhen So far so good on this end too! :) How far into it are you? :) 8y
Cinfhen I only read first two chapters, how about you?!? 8y
MrsAHintz @Cinfhen So far only about 15 pages in! Unfortunately, I haven't had much actual reading time yet today. 8y
29 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Cinfhen
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Next up! Another ARC from my TBR compliments of St. Martin's Press 🦋🦋🦋This one sounds promising!!!!

LornaDH Dude, I promise I'm not a book stalker, but this book sounds soo good. Some of my favourite things in one book! 8y
Cinfhen I'll let you know, but high hopes @LornaDH 💓💓💓 8y
JazzFeathers Love the title 8y
DebinHawaii I have this one too. Looking forward to it. 👍📚 8y
117 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Rhondareads

A fantastic read multi layered gorgeous writing highly recommend.

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Well-ReadNeck
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Looking forward to reading in May. I have several ARCs that come out in June that I want to get to this month! Can't wait to see what the rest of you are reading!

Cinfhen Me too, including the one you tagged!!! 8y
127 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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I am sure that some less healthy choices will be made later in the day, but it's nice to grab a fresh juice & put some healthy local greens, kambocha, flax, turmeric & other good things into my body this Saturday morning. It also looks good on the lawn with this #ARC for a June book tour review I received yesterday. I love the colors of this cover & the story sounds good too. 💛💚💛#bookmail #forreview #saturdaymorning #earthday

Dolly That's sounds like a great drink. I need to not be so lazy and make that😉 8y
DebinHawaii @Dolly Full disclosure I was lazy & bought mine! 💚😆 8y
90 likes2 comments
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kerry
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If you had to pick just 3 of these 5, which would they be? (Trying to narrow down the June review copies!)

14 likes6 comments
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Liberty
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It's a rainy, gray day in Maine, but I ain't mad. 🦋 📚🥄

HollyB3 Ben & Jerry's 😍 8y
Suet624 You're in Maine?? Now that's a surprise. I always envisioned you in New York City. 8y
Liberty @Suet624 Born and raised in the 207, and here I still be. 😊 8y
GypsyKat Now I want Ice cream! 😭 8y
Suet624 That news shifted my world a little bit for some strange reason. 8y
161 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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Cinfhen
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Received this ARC yesterday and of course I dropped everything else I was reading to start this new novel. I'm hooked! I loved Julia Fierro's debut CUTTING TEETH and so far Gypsy Moth is proving to be equally biting 🐛🦋Thank you St. Martin's Press

107 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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Matilda
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When your scarf keeps grazing the kindle and waking the font ghost!

RadicalReader @Matilda so surprising to see such a large font 8y
Haweller Or the size font you need when you have misplaced your reading glasses. 8y
67 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Carolineleavitt

Gorgeous masterwork. Ambitious and smart and moving!

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MrsAHintz
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After a really difficult start to the week (received the horrible news that my host dad passed away over the weekend), I'm thankful for a close and supportive family, lifelong friends who feel like family, books that make you bawl, the news that my first #botm shipped, and winning my very first #GoodreadsGiveaway. This week has been a reminder to appreciate the good things in my life - big and small - because life is too short.

sprainedbrain Woohoo! 🎉 8y
TrishTheBibliophile I'm so sorry that you've had a rough start but happy you won a book! 8y
Suzze Sorry about your sad news. Hugs. Nice win! Always lifts the spirits. 8y
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TrishB Aww, glad for the good news 💗 8y
Bookladylinda Congrats on the book win!!! Sorry for the bad news..... 8y
CrowCAH Awesome! 👏🏻👏🏻 I've never won any giveaways. 8y
MrsAHintz @TrishTheBibliophile @Bookladylinda @Suzze Thank you all! The bad news definitely makes you appreciate the good news more. This bit of good news came just in time! :) 8y
MrsAHintz @sprainedbrain @CrowCAH Thank you! :) My friend and I were just talking about how she wins a Goodreads giveaway almost every week! I told her that I had never won one, and she told me to enter for anything and everything - advice worked! :) 8y
Bookladylinda @MrsAHintz maybe I should do that I can't remember the last time I won a book from Goodreads!! 8y
ValerieAndBooks So sorry about your loss. Happy that you won a book! 8y
27 likes10 comments
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Rhondareads

From one of my favorite authors her highly anticipated new novelThe Gypsy Moth Summer.A special touch her Dad sketched the moth in the book.So looking forward to reading this.Goodreads has a giveaway on right now.Coming out June6,2017💕