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Story of Arthur Truluv
Story of Arthur Truluv | Elizabeth Berg
An emotionally powerful novel about three people who each lose the one they love most, only to find second chances where they least expect them"Fans of Meg Wolitzer, Emma Straub, or [Elizabeth] Berg's previous novels will appreciate the richly complex characters and clear prose. Redemptive without being maudlin, this story of two misfits lucky to have found one another will tug at readers' heartstrings."--Booklist For the past six months, Arthur Moses's days have looked the same: He tends to his rose garden and to Gordon, his cat, then rides the bus to the cemetery to visit his beloved late wife for lunch. Sometimes in the evening he'll take a walk and stop to chat with his nosy neighbor, Lucille. It's a quiet routine not entirely without its joys. The last thing Arthur would imagine is for one unlikely encounter to utterly transform his life. Eighteen-year-old Maddy Harris is an introspective girl who often comes to the cemetery to escape the other kids at school and a life of loss. She's seen Arthur sitting there alone, and one afternoon she joins him--a gesture that begins a surprising friendship between two lonely souls. Moved by Arthur's kindness and devotion, Maddy gives him the nickname "Truluv." As Arthur's neighbor Lucille moves into their orbit, the unlikely trio bands together, helping one another, through heartache and hardships, to rediscover their own potential to start anew. Wonderfully written and full of profound observations about life, The Story of Arthur Truluv is a beautiful and moving novel of compassion in the face of loss, of the small acts that turn friends into family, and of the possibilities to achieve happiness at any age. Advance praise for The Story of Arthur Truluv "Elizabeth Berg's characters jump right off the page and into your heart. I dare you to read this novel and not fall in love with Arthur Truluv. His story will make you laugh and cry, and will show you a love that never ends, and what it means to be truly human."--Fannie Flagg, author of The Whole Town's Talking "I don't know if I've ever read a more affecting book about the natural affinity between the young and the elderly than Elizabeth Berg's The Story of Arthur Truluv. It makes the rest of us--strivers and preeners and malcontents--seem almost irrelevant."--Richard Russo, author of Everybody's Fool "Elizabeth Berg reminds us of both the richness of any human life and the heart's needed resilience."--Jane Hirshfield, author of The Beauty: Poems
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intothehallofbooks
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Pickpick

So heartwarming! It‘s the story of an older gentleman, Arthur, after the loss of his wife and a young girl, Maddy, with a bad home life-how they befriend one another and create a found family along with Lucille, the lonely lady next door. It‘s a gentle story filled with kindness, acceptance, and positivity. I adore these characters and the way Arthur helped to make everyone‘s life more happy and wonderful just by loving them for who they are.

35 likes1 stack add
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NovelNancyM
Story of Arthur Truluv | Elizabeth Berg
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Pickpick

This was such a sweet book. A quick read and so heartwarming about three people who feel as if they are outsiders in society. They form an atypical community that works for them. Life really is about human connection!

MemoirsForMe I enjoyed this one too! 🙌🏻 2y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This was a sweet and heartwarming book. A good listen for a busy weekend. I will warn you though, if you‘re dealing with infertility there‘s a storyline in this book that will completely infuriate you, so maybe give this one a skip.

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sblbooks
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐🌠
This one gave me all the feels. A great sentimental audio book.

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lynneamch
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Won't need to #vote since I voted early, so plan to finish up my current tagged book and live by this philosophy expressed on a T-shirt in the current BasBleu catalog. Afraid this will indeed feel like #ForeverNovember for quite awhile. @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 Yes! Same here! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I was just gifted this T-shirt!!! ❤️❤️ 4y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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AmyK1
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Pickpick

This was a sweet, quick read about friendship, love and the family you choose. Loved Arthur, Lucille and Maddy.

#doublespin book for July and another spot for #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
27 likes1 comment
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anored
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Just on Chapter 2, but enjoying it so far. I love books by Elizabeth Berg. #elizabethberg

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Frecks-Booklover4life
Mehso-so

Just ok.

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CBee
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Pickpick

I LOVED THIS!!! There are these little book gems all around us, you know? And this is one of them. I am a better person for having read it ♥️♥️

ljuliel It was So Good ! There are 2 more parts if you liked this one ! 5y
CBee @ljuliel I put them on my never ending TBR 😂😂 5y
ljuliel Good luck, I‘m glad you liked this one so much. Beautiful story. 5y
CBee @ljuliel it was a nice cathartic book cry at the end. I really loved it. 5y
56 likes4 comments
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Hestapleton
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Pickpick

❤️😭❤️😭❤️😭
I think my soul needed this book. I need the story of complicated families and the families we make for ourselves. Of what it looks like to live a life well and to always be open to people in your path. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beatlefan129 I just read the sequel and highly recommend it 5y
ljuliel ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
rubyslippersreads I need to catch up; I believe there‘s a third book now. 😊 5y
89 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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mgdenmark
Story of Arthur Truluv | Elizabeth Berg
Mehso-so

I got the point...but the story (overall) just didn‘t do it for me. It was either too much or too little. It didn‘t flow very well imo

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theportablemagik
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Pickpick

Well, no kidding, but this book is full of sweetness (beware of getting a diabetes!) and sentimental values. It tells me that no matter how hard the world knocks you down, how painful it is when people disappoint you, how things don‘t go the way you want it to be, you can always create your happiness more than that second chance. Do it more than you are capable of to make yourself happy cause you deserve that. And everyone deserve that.

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Bookish_B
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Pickpick

This was the sweetest little story. It‘s about love, loss, family and friends that are just like family. It‘s a quick little read and you will definitely fall in love with Arthur Truluv ❤️

Hestapleton My book club is reading this for January! 5y
Eyelit I love everything about this photo (and that umbrella is especially fab!) 5y
Bookish_B @Hestapleton it‘s a short little book. Fast read. Enjoy! 5y
Bookish_B @Eyelit thank you! I actually got that umbrella a couple of years ago in Paris when it started raining on us. My husband thought it was too big and I should get something more practical because I wouldn‘t be able to bring it home but it was too cute and I made it work 😊 5y
27 likes4 comments
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Well_Read_Redhead
Pickpick

I loved this little book! It was 218 pages of love, smiles, and amazing quotes that I wish I had noted. This book was reminiscent of A Man Called Ove, which I also loved. At this moment (having just finished the book) I'm not sure which book I loved more. For those who have heard me gush over Ove, you know this is really saying something. I'll definitely be purchasing a copy (as I do with all my favorite books) so I can loan it to friends.

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Honeybeebooks
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Pickpick

This was a lovely novel. Although the character of Arthur is idealized he is the heart of the new family he welcomes into his home just over a year after his beloved wife dies. Maddy is the artistic young woman he meets at the cemetery and who desperately needs a friend. Lucille is the lonely neighbor, unlucky in love and looking to bake her way into your heart. They form an unlikely family that inspires us all to love and accept everyone.

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MichelleWhaling
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The kids have been busy in and out of the snow today and tomorrow is a SNOW DAY!! Perfect night to read more of The Story of Arthur Truluv

marleed Oh my goodness! 5y
2 likes1 comment
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Beatlefan129
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Pickpick

A very sweet story that reminds us that “real families come from choices we make about who we want to be bound to.” Three lonely people who appear to be very different on the surface manage to find each other and form a family. I loved how natural the relationship was between Maddy as a teenager and Arthur as an old man. There does not always have to be animosity between the young and the old.

Itchyfeetreader Oh this sounds lovely I adore novels with multi generational friendships in them 5y
Shamzi This is in my TBR, I'll have to read it soon after this review!! 5y
67 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Peaceful_Reader
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Pickpick

Sweet story of Arthur, Maddie, and Lucille all trying to make something of themselves after great loss. Really loved this quick read. #welllovedcopy

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Freddie4473
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Reading my bookclub book and watching Hallmark

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Kimbono
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Relaxing and celebrating the end of a week long vacation with extended family. Whew, it was more tiring than actually going to work.

17 likes1 stack add
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LoverofLit
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Pickpick

The main word I'd use to describe this book is compassion. The main characters each experience something heartbreaking, whether it is the loss inevitable with aging or the heartbreak of young love, and they treat each other's sorrows with understanding and compassion. Arthur was charming and lovely and I wanted to jump into the book to just squeeze him close in a hug. With just a touch of humor and quirk, reminiscent of Ove. Highly recommend.

LoverofLit #pop19 #popsugar2019 #popsugarreadingchallenge A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the front 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Excellent review. I SO loved this book. I want to read Night Of Miracles. It‘s a follow up! 6y
LoverofLit @JanuarieTimewalker13 I had no idea there was a follow-up! I'm definitely adding that to my TBR 😊 6y
40 likes4 comments
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JanuarieTimewalker13
Pickpick

What a sweet and touching story!!! I just finished bawling my eyes out. Loved this book!🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹what a wonderful trio of characters❤️#Missouri #bookmusic-I would pair with Kind and Generous by Natalie Merchant.

29 likes1 stack add
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LoverofLit
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lover.of.the.classics Oh! I like that! 6y
30 likes1 comment
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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Loving this book!! And this vegan quesadilla from #KayasKitchen, Belmar is my jam. Followed by vegan chocolate cannoli from #VeganTreats. It may be cloudy outside, but my heart and tummy are sunny🌻

TrishB Looks lovely 👍🏻 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @TrishB thank you🌸 6y
Chelsea.Poole Looks amazing 😋 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @Chelsea.Poole I just had some of the leftovers....unbelievable!! They have my fave quesadillas and I get it with buffalo Tempeh inside. It‘s about a 45 minute ride for me along Ocean Ave, through Asbury Park and such, but this is what I love about the shore region. We have some really great Vegan eats!! 6y
48 likes4 comments
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LoverofLit
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marleed This was my IRL book club book last month. I enjoyed the book and the discussion. We also compared it to A Man Called Ove. 6y
31 likes1 comment
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LoverofLit
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ambam1987
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Pickpick

“I‘ll love you forever in darkness and sun, I‘ll love you past when my whole sweet life is done.”

This is one of those books that should come with a forewarning that tissues will be needed 😭

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krissylovesbooks75
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Pickpick

This book was simply...wonderful. Arthur is a widower who meets Maddy, an almost 18-year old girl, in the cemetery where he visits his wife's grave. They develop a friendship that surpasses age and their differences. It was heartwarming and sweet, and I can't wait to move on to Night of Miracles by #ElizabethBerg.

JanuarieTimewalker13 Perfectly said!! Great review! I just finished the book and loved it so much! 6y
32 likes1 comment
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MemoirsForMe
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Pickpick

Oh, if only we could all have an Arthur Truluv in our lives! This sweet man who continually reminds us of the joys of simpler times and the little gifts in life we are often too busy to notice. Elizabeth Berg brilliantly brings him the perfect pair of misfits: troubled 17-year-old Maddie and his wacky eccentric neighbor Lucille. They all have valuable lessons to teach each other about love, loss, growing older & the true value of friendship.

PurpleyPumpkin Sounds like a lovely book. Stacked!📚 6y
MemoirsForMe @PurpleyPumpkin You‘re gonna love it! 🙌🏻 6y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Blueberry
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Pickpick

The latest read for my f2f bookclub. I would give it a 3.5 which could change to 4 after the bookclub's discussion. I wanted just a little more depth. Just a little. It was close to being chick lit. But regardless a good story and I did have a moment of tears at the end.

53 likes1 stack add
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MelissaSue81
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1. I don‘t have many food pics, but I had saved this meme to send to my daughter.
2. This is the first one that wasn‘t a free ebook.
3. I think 15 if just being in an airport counts. Otherwise 14.
4. Not really.
5. Maybe to Toronto, not sure yet.
#humpdaypost @MinDea

TheKidUpstairs Yay, Toronto!!! 6y
67 likes1 comment
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SitsWithaBook
Bailedbailed

A trusted reading buddy thought this was charming. I couldn't get into it. #2018

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JulAnna
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Pickpick

Gentle, sweet story to start the new year!

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LWagoner
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Pickpick

3.5⭐️ A very sweet story about the power of connection and care and what a family truly is.

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mom2bugnbee
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Pickpick

Sweet, if predictable. If you liked Ove & A.J., you'll like Arthur.

⭐⭐⭐ /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

On to Pachinko! ☺

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Nebklvr
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Mehso-so

The female characters in this book seemed real. Unfortunately, Arthur did not. Sentimental schlop. I am all for sentimental but this was out there.

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Mandigolightly
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And this one for the library‘s book club!

75 likes1 stack add
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Eeb
Pickpick

What a delightful read - my first Elizabeth Berg book in a while. The characters were so endearing, especially Arthur of course, and the story delightful. Unexpected and perfectly-timed friendships are a beautiful thing. 💜

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LauraBytheBook
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Pickpick

Finished this delightful book this morning. This is a story of an elderly widower, a troubled eighteen-year-old, and a lonely spinster all struggling with life‘s disappointments and finding happiness where they didn‘t expect it. It gave me the warm fuzzies. 😊

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GirlWellRead
Pickpick

This delightful read is about 3 people whose lives intersect because of loss. Arthur is a widow that visits his wife's grave every day to have lunch with her; here he meets Maddy, a teenager who is avoiding school. Although they are an odd pairing, Berg's character creates a beautiful friendship. Lucille is Arthur's neighbour who is incredibly forward but totally endearing. Fresh from a loss of her own, she becomes part of their makeshift family.

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SolitaryBookLover
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I‘m only 50 pages in and this book has me deep.
The feels are real. 😭

1 like1 stack add
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SolitaryBookLover
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I‘m only 50 pages in and this book has me deep.
This is exactly how I feel about London

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EmilyChristine
Story of Arthur Truluv | Elizabeth Berg
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Pickpick

Well, I finished this book. I haven‘t started and finished a book in one day for awhile.

This one reminded me a bit of A Man Called Ove. Really lovely and heartwarming.

19 likes1 stack add