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Dollbaby
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
30 posts | 51 read | 70 to read
A Top Ten Finalist for Best Historical Novel, Goodreads Choice Awards, and a LibraryReads and Okra Pick A big-hearted coming-of-age debut set in civil rights-era New Orleansa novel of Southern eccentricity and secrets When Ibby Bells father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her fathers urn for good measure. Fannies New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever beenand Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylumis like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannies black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets. For Fannies own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibbys arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbabys hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places. For fans of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Help, Dollbaby brings to life the charm and unrest of 1960s New Orleans through the eyes of a young girl learning to understand race for the first time. By turns uplifting and funny, poignant and full of verve, Dollbaby is a novel readers will take to their hearts.
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SilversReviews
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Thanks to these Litsy folks for today‘s prompt:

#MAYCHARACTERS
@Eggs
@AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks

Today‘s Prompt: MATRIARCH

The 1960's, New Orleans, a MATRIARCH, a girl without a daddy, housekeepers, families, and secrets.

DOLLBABY is an engaging, beautiful debut novel with amazing descriptions, terrific, authentic characters, and a true-to-life storyline.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/9zyjfx4c

Eggs Perfect choice 👏🏻📚👌🏼 4y
SilversReviews @Eggs Loved this book. 4y
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bookish_B
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Pickpick

I bought this in a bookstore in New Orleans a couple of years ago and I only just got to it. It was fine- touched on some big issues without getting too deep. I very much enjoyed that it was set in New Orleans. As for the cake, it was delicious 👌🏼

Smrloomis Oooh that cake 😍 4y
Bookish_B @Smrloomis it was really yummy 😋 😀 4y
35 likes2 comments
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Mtroiano
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Mtroiano
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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#24b4monday wrap up

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Mtroiano
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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I made it! #24b4monday

Looking forward to the #24b4extend

Andrew65 Brilliant, well done! 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌😍🍾🥂👍😊🌈 (edited) 5y
jb72 Fantastic! 5y
Suet624 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💕💕💕 5y
Lindy Congratulations! 5y
PaperbackPirate Hooray!! 👏 5y
40 likes5 comments
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Kappadeemom
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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I love this book set in #Neworleans #travelinjuly

A debut novel by McNeal that spans several generations.
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

36 likes2 comments
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tammysue
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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HeathHof 🤩🤩🤩 So pretty! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💛💛 6y
Christine Aww that clock!! ❤️ 6y
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Eggs Perfection! 6y
CoverToCoverGirl So pretty! 6y
batsy Great pic 🌞 6y
vkois88 So bright and lovely... much needed on a dreary day here 6y
73 likes7 comments
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SilversReviews
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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@CommasAndAmpersands

The characters in DOLLBABY were ones I fell in love with along with Ibby, whose real name was Liberty Bell.

Ibby was an understandably sad young lady for a TWELVE-year old with a heartbreaking story.

DOLLBABY is an engaging, beautiful debut novel with amazing description, terrific, authentic characters, and a true-to-life storyline. The cover itself will pull you in and will keep you reading.

https://bit.ly/2KWVDTA

48 likes4 stack adds
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mrp27
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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#readingresolutions

#yellow is such a happy color 🌻

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Clwojick
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Pickpick

This book was so so good! I absolutely loved all of the main characters and thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook version. ❤️❤️❤️ Will be recommending this! #audiobook

Reecaspieces I enjoyed this book too. Soooo good 7y
80 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Clwojick
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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After reading @HiddenGemBooks review a while back, I knew I wanted to get my hands on this book. Found it on Libby. About half way through, and really enjoying it so far. 💞

Cinfhen This was a surprisingly good book, I read it as an ARC a few years ago.... 7y
68 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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HiddenGemBooks
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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When Ibby‘s father dies in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father‘s urn for good measure. Fannie‘s New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been, and Fannie is like no one she‘s ever met. Fortunately, Fannie‘s black cook, Queenie, and her daughter, Dollbaby, initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.

LouLouLane This has been on my tbr list for way too long! Enjoy!!! 7y
HiddenGemBooks @LouLouLane it‘s actually still on my tbr. Just trying to acknowledge some great hidden gems 😉 that deserve more reads. I‘ll find the time to conquer it soon, I hope! 7y
40 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Pickpick

I finished this one this morning as I hold my own little dollbaby. He just turned 5 months old yesterday...but woke up sick with a runny nose in the middle of the night. 😢 Hate it when my boys are sick! The only good thing that comes of it is lots of snuggles and some reading time. A #bookclub pick (the meeting is tomorrow) that I think most in the group will enjoy. Race and what it means to be a family are the main themes explored.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope he feels better soon 💙 7y
Chelsea.Poole @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank you so much!! 😊 (edited) 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Chelsea.Poole you're welcome 😘 7y
80 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Chelsea.Poole
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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#bookclub happens Monday. Just starting the #audiobook. Hopefully I can get this one done asap!

Gulfsidemusing This is a favorite audiobook... excellent narration and story! 7y
Chelsea.Poole @Lakesidemusing glad to hear it! 7y
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TLVZ721
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Pickpick

It's a very rare occurrence that I give a book a five-star rating. But when you close the cover for the last time, feeling as though you are saying goodbye to a friend, you know the book you've just read is a true gem. I know these characters will stay with me for a long while and there are lessons to be learned from the indomitable Miss Fannie and her faithful tribe of amazing women. I would recommend this book to anyone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinfhen This was a great read! 7y
TLVZ721 @Cinfhen , it definitely surprised me. I couldn't put it down! So glad I came across it. 7y
SilversReviews Enjoyed this book. 7y
TLVZ721 @SilversReviews , it was surprisingly good, wasn‘t it? 7y
SilversReviews @TLVZ721 It was VERY good. 7y
6 likes5 comments
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TLVZ721
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Page 177: "Listen, honey." Fannie's eyes grew dim. "I've come to realize that you must be willing to live the life that is waiting for you. That life may not be the one you planned. You have to learn to let go."

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MrBook
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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#TBRtemptation post 11! #PhillyMeetUp #bookswap edition! Proudly displayed by @MicheleinPhilly ! A coming-of-age debut novel set in civil rights-era New Orleans. When Ibby's father unexpectedly dies, her mother leaves her with her eccentric grandmother, Fannie, and her father's urn. Queenie, Frannie's cook, looks after Ibby, who begins unraveling her family's history. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

MicheleinPhilly Really dude! Really? I hate you. 7y
merelybookish @MicheleinPhilly It's cute! You look so happy! ☺️ 7y
MicheleinPhilly @merelybookish MY EYES ARE CLOSED! 7y
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MrBook Aww, you do look cute! I love it! I'm sorry though. Want me to change out the photo? 7y
MicheleinPhilly Oh goodness, no. I hate ALL photos of myself usually. I hate you is just my typical #PhillyStyle term of endearment. 😜 7y
MrBook @MicheleinPhilly 😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 You're the best!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🍻 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Love this book - got to meet the author too! 7y
LeahBergen Aww! I love it! @MicheleinPhilly 7y
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MicheleinPhilly
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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AND my #BookExchange #BookSwap pick from @Cinfhen and GORGEOUS art from @BookBabe

I still have the biggest smile on my face from our #PhillyMeetup. AND IT'S MONDAY MORNING. It may snow or something.

Soubhiville Beautiful!! 7y
Cinfhen Gorgeous photo💚hilarious 😂I'm ready for the next meet up! 7y
MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen Me too! ❤️ 7y
ValerieAndBooks Yes! I'm still smiling too 😊😊😊!! 7y
66 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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CleverGirl
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
Mehso-so

This didn't do much for me. Fans of The Help will probably enjoy it.

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CleverGirl
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal

So far, this reminds me of The Help. It's a superficial treatment of a heavy subject, and it's a fast read. The characters - from the Eccentric Old Southern White Lady to every Black character - are broad caricatures. Also, I grew up in the area and instead of being delighted by careful local references, I feel like I'm being beat over the head with them. If there's not a jazz funeral, I'll be overcome by the vapors.

Pelican71 😂 7y
CleverGirl No vapors for me. This lady hasn't missed a trick, right down to Plum St. Snowballs. 7y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Liberty
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Day 9 of the #Riotgrams challenge: author or character who shares your name. It doesn't happen often, but very occasionally I encounter a Liberty. My most recent sighting was in this book. My name is on ALL the US currency, though. Not many people can say that. 🤑📚🤘🏻

BethFishReads This was a terrific audiobook! 8y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders Doll baby was great!! 8y
TrulyBookish If anyone can point me in the direction of a "Gail", I'd be amazed! None spring to mind, either as a character or a writer? 8y
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Liberty @TrulyBookish Gail Godwin and Gail Carriger! 8y
TrulyBookish Never heard of either. Any good? @Liberty 8y
MamaGina Started a new book today and there's a male forensic scientist named Liberty🤓 8y
Liberty @MamaGina THANK YOU. I read that two years ago and was trying to remember what it was! I love that series. 8y
168 likes12 stack adds7 comments
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LisaJo
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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#ReadJanuary #InspiredByMartinLutherKingJr This is a coming of age story in New Orleans in the 1960's. It deals with many issues of that time including racial issues. Maybe not the first book you think of for this topic, but it definitely reflects Dr. King.

35 likes1 stack add
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Qemorio
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Our bookshop owner introducing Cassandra King, Katherine Clark and Laura Lane McNeal during tonight's tribute to Pat Conroy.

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LisaJo
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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I was hand sold this book at Fiction Addition in Greenville South Carolina. It was their staff pick and the owner of the bookstore recommended it to me when I asked for books about the South. It was a really delightful read about coming of age in 60's New Orleans. I was then lucky enough to hear the author speak at Southern Voices in Hoover, AL. #augustphotochallenge #underhypedbook

Penny_LiteraryHoarders I loved this book!! So, so good! Great choice!! 8y
24 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Bookartbookmarks
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
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Kids are in by 8:30. Time for mama to get her relax on!

RealLifeReading Woohoo! 8y
Victoriahoperose This book is so good! I could not put it down. Hope you enjoy it!!! Also if you like this and haven't read Orphan Train, I highly recommend it 😊 8y
Bookartbookmarks I have read Orphan Train and loved it! Thanks for the recommendation tho. Anymore let me know! Have you read The Kitchen House ? 8y
Bookartbookmarks @Victoriahoperose ^ (sorry forgot to tag it) 8y
Victoriahoperose @Babiesandbooks I have not read that one yet. I'm going to have to pick it up on my next library trip! 8y
19 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Victoriahoperose
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal
Pickpick

I loved everything about this book. The characters just draw you in. It is a page turner in an unconventional sense in a world of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. Everyone should read this book.

LeahBergen I have this one on my shelf and you've made me move it up the TBR pile. 😀 8y
Victoriahoperose It is wonderful. Seriously, you won't regret it. You can get it on amazon used for .01 and 3.99 shipping. Worth every penny. I loved it!!! 8y
2 likes2 comments
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Victoriahoperose
Dollbaby: A Novel | Laura Lane McNeal

This book was so awesome. I read it in a day and I loved it. Everyone should read this book!! I can't express how awesome it is!