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The Burning Girl: A Novel
The Burning Girl: A Novel | Claire Messud
107 posts | 78 read | 4 reading | 112 to read
A bracing, hypnotic coming-of-age story about the bond of best friends, from the New York Times best-selling author of The Emperors Children. Julia and Cassie have been friends since nursery school. They have shared everything, including their desire to escape the stifling limitations of their birthplace, the quiet town of Royston, Massachusetts. But as the two girls enter adolescence, their paths diverge and Cassie sets out on a journey that will put her life in danger and shatter her oldest friendship. The Burning Girl is a complex examination of the stories we tell ourselves about youth and friendship, and straddles, expertly, childhoods imaginary worlds and painful adult realitycrafting a true, immediate portrait of female adolescence. Claire Messud, one of our finest novelists, is as accomplished at weaving a compelling fictional world as she is at asking the big questions: To what extent can we know ourselves and others? What are the stories we create to comprehend our lives and relationships? Brilliantly mixing fable and coming-of-age tale, The Burning Girl gets to the heart of these matters in an absolutely irresistible way.
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104_goodbuddyy
Mehso-so

It was pretty good, and I loved the way the author had it in the friend's perspective and how it smoothly transitioned from the past to the present. It got a little pretentious at times. Altogether I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.

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Megabooks
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Panpan

What was the point of this book? It‘s a dull look at two friends: One who becomes popular and troubled; the other is smart and annoying. Yawn!

Big bones to pick: the author made them 2010s teens, but they acted like it was the 90s. Why? 🤷🏻‍♀️ The author also perpetuated stereotypes about pit bulls and wrote about animal shelters when she obviously had no idea what she was talking about! Annoying. 🙄

The author has a strange signature!

Megabooks At least it‘s off the backlist. @Cinfhen agreed. Why did you pan? It was just really lazy to me. I hate lazy! 4y
Cinfhen Exactly like you said BIG YAWN!!! So bland, the whole story was WEAK ( and I agree LAZY) I HATED it, felt pointless and predictable/ at least it was short 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen totally agree!! 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ 4y
108 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Annashep
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I‘m really late to this book but can‘t wait to get started 📚📚😊😊

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Cinfhen
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Panpan

Another book I forgot to review. #ReadingUSA2020 #Massachusetts
A story of childhood friendship that derails between 2 young girls.
Bland and depressing
Disappointing

TrishB Not gonna stack that 😁 4y
Hooked_on_books I have a copy of this. You‘ve made me SUPER excited to read it! 😆 4y
Cinfhen Sorry @Hooked_on_books just sharing my thoughts xx It was BAD 😫 4y
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Cinfhen A safe pass @TrishB 😜 4y
Hooked_on_books I would always want you to share your thoughts, whatever they might be! I‘ll be probably be quicker to bail on this now if I‘m hating it. 4y
Reviewsbylola Two pans in a row?! 😣 4y
93 likes6 comments
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Cinfhen
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#SeptemberSins Yup, another book I own but haven‘t read yet 🙄 #GirlOnFire
Image from Google
And #BonusCoverCrush 🔥🔥🔥

Megabooks Same here. Own but haven‘t read. 5y
Cinfhen Maybe we‘ll do an impromptu buddy read @Megabooks 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Sounds good to me! 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
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Cinfhen Next week (Sept 29?) begins the Jewish New Year and I‘m having LOADS of company 😳so im not sure how much reading time I‘ll have but I‘ll keep u posted @Megabooks 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I have a medical procedure Tuesday October 1, so I was thinking after that. Does that work better for you? Next week starts on September 23. I could do it then, but the 1st and a couple of days after, I‘ll be tired. 5y
Cinfhen After October 1 will work better, but maybe like mid October!?! @Megabooks and good luck with your procedure 😘 (edited) 5y
98 likes1 stack add6 comments
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DimeryRene
Burning Girl | Claire Messud
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Hoping this lives up to my Messud hype! I have LOVED some of her other books. Litten, @Halecide47 made this candle!! Give her a follow on insta at afterlightcreations to order yourself one!!! 💗💗

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elisebarker
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Mehso-so

This was just okay. I own the Emperor‘s Children but have never read it. I just wanted more from the story of a childhood friendship that falls apart.

DimeryRene I started this morning. 40 6y
DimeryRene Wow. That sent before I was done. 40 pages in! I like it so far! 💕 6y
15 likes2 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Mehso-so

A little slow, gorgeous writing but not quite as bowled over as I thought I‘d be. The characters were a little underdeveloped for me. Or it may have been my mood. Some of the middle school feelings were definitely familiar, just not quite fleshed out.

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Julsmarshall
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Saw her a year ago at the #texasbookfestival Finally getting around to reading! #currentread

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TheWordJar
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@Valink Valerie! My #fffs package is 😍😍😍! Let‘s start with your tremendous crafting skills—the hat and scarf are amazing! They will truly come in handy soon. And I already know where I‘m going to hang your embroidery. You have no idea how happy you made my entire family—we all love TJ‘s maple cookies but we have no TJ‘s nearby. (I‘m hiding the chocolate!) And the books! My guess is bonfire theme—perfect for a fall evening! Thank you so much! 😘

TheWordJar @Valink Also, thanks for my first book sleeve! It‘s adorable! 6y
squirrelbrain Such thoughtful gifts! 🎁❤️ 6y
Valink Glad you like it!! I love Trader Joe‘s and all their seasonal items. I‘ve never had a book sleeve either, but my most recent paperback is getting ragged in my bag, so I may need to get one for myself. The pompom can be untied from the inside and taken off the hat if you want. I was excited to see I was matched with someone from a northern state so I could make something cozy for you! (edited) 6y
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Avanders ❤️🧡💛🎃🍁🍂😍 I love that hat!! 6y
TheWordJar @Valink The pompom is awesome! My son wants one on his hat now! 6y
TheWordJar @Avanders Thank you so much for organizing this! What a fun swap! 6y
Avanders @TheWordJar I'm glad you enjoyed it!! 😘😘 6y
70 likes7 comments
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TheNerdyProfessor
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Pickpick

This book was a quick read but that doesn't mean it lacked susbtance. As I read this, I was reliving my own teenage years - such an awkward, challenging time. While this book is one of friendship, I also was touched by the relationship between Julia and her mother. While growing up is hard for a kid, it's also hard on those who love them (and eventually let them go). A very touching book.

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MEGR
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Mixing it up mid week with a new find

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Cinfhen
Burning Girl | Claire Messud
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#HeatOfJuly squeezing this in a few minutes before midnight ~ two books on my #TBR with #Burn in the title🔥Has anyone read them???

Kalalalatja I haven‘t read them, but I have heard great things about 6y
TrishB Nope ! Great pic 👍🏻 (edited) 6y
KGlibrarian I loved Girls Burn Brighter—heavy topics but well written and moving. 6y
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Cinfhen I‘ve heard Girls Burn Brighter is a tough read but those tough ones are usually worth the investment @kalalalatja @kglibrarian 💕 6y
Redwritinghood Have read The Burning Girl and was so-so on it. 6y
Cinfhen I‘ve seen really meh reviews @redwritinghood 😿😿 (edited) 6y
120 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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keys_on_fire
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Came home to #bookmail from @bookriot
Thank you so much for the chance to win this, and I‘m looking forward to reading it, even if Silver doesn‘t look too impressed! 😂😂 #dogsofLitsy

ClairesReads It‘s so good! I hope you enjoy it 6y
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JenP
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Pickpick

3.5 stars. #friendship #booked2018 this is about the friendships and how they change over time. It reads like a thriller but it is squarely literary fiction with all its ambiguities. Julia and Cass were best friends when they were children but as they get older they start to drift apart as the differences between their families/upbringings become magnified. This novel explores how and why their friendship ends.

Cinfhen You‘re on a roll 🙌🏻‼️and great review as well 6y
JenP @Cinfhen I‘m determined to get them done in time! 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Nice review. Great job on checking prompts off! 6y
Louise Nice cover design! 6y
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JenP
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I‘m halfway done with #booked2018 season. Next up #friendship. Here‘s hoping o can finish these last three books before the end of June.

Any recommendations for #abouttheenvironment?

SilversReviews Great photo!! 6y
Currey This Richard Powers book looks great but maybe too big a book for reading in June. Prodigal Summer is a possibility if you like Kingsolver. 6y
JenP @Currey ooh, that does sound good! 6y
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JenP @SilversReviews thank you! 6y
Cinfhen Agreeing with @SilversReviews awesome photo 💖it‘s about environment or story set outdoors if that helps! I read 6y
Cinfhen Use hashtag #setoutdoors or #environment to see what other Littens read❤️There‘s some good recommendations 6y
JenP @Cinfhen thanks! 6y
JenP @Cinfhen and I found my book. I‘m gonna Ng to steal @BarbaraBB book #booktwins because I already own it and it looks quick. And I‘ll stack the book @Currey mentioned bc it looks awesome 6y
Cinfhen Yes!! @BarbaraBB is a quick read and not half bad as far as mystery goes!! Good choice!! I don‘t remember what @Currey read...remind me😊 6y
JenP @Cinfhen she just recommended a book in this comment thread. See above 6y
Cinfhen Oh, that does sound good!! @Currey @JenP ❣️and I‘m also looking forward to reading 6y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @JenP What are you two talking about? I don‘t understand it?! 😘 6y
Cinfhen Haha! Sorry @BarbaraBB I suggested the book you read for #booked2018 #setoutdoors which was The Dry or the newer one, for @JenP to read 6y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Aha! Now I understand 😀! And yes, Jen, it is an easy read but not really special! 6y
45 likes14 comments
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Kristelh
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LauraJ
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Pickpick

This one hit close to home for me. Messud did a great job of capturing small town school relationships.

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Cinfhen
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Couldn‘t resist the $2 price tag for this book - taking a cue from @miralunasbooknook i made a charitable donation & received a book in return 😉💚I hope @Litsy can change the algorithm for the rating system because all the reviews on Litsy are positive yet it shows 58% rating. #BuyingBooksMakesMondaysBetter

laurieluna Yey! 🙌😂 I'm thinking the lower rating might be people who have marked it as read and given it a rating but not made a post about it. I've done that with the books I read before I started using Litsy! X 7y
Cinfhen Yes, I think that‘s what‘s happening @miralunasbooknook but u should be able to post about a book & not have it factor in towards a rating....Am I making sense?!?!??? 7y
laurieluna @Cinfhen I don't think blurbs and quotes do, just review posts or if you choose to go to the book profile and rate it that way? 7y
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Soubhiville @Cinfhen @miralunasbooknook I imagine the % rating is calculated by how many pick/so-so/pan/bail ratings a book gets. And I know I rate tons of books without actually writing a review, so I bet most folks do. It would be really interesting to know how this works though, @TimSpalding . Good conversation starter @Cinfhen ! 7y
laurieluna @Soubhiville yeah that's what I thought. It is confusing though so it would be great to be able to see a breakdown of the picks/so-so's/pans/bails, like when you can see how many people gave a book different star ratings on goodreads! 7y
Soubhiville @miralunasbooknook I love that idea too. 7y
BkClubCare I didn‘t even realize Litsy had ratings! I really don‘t have a clue how to fully use this app. Question, all the books that I have clicked “to read” - is there a place I can see that list?! (edited) 7y
Cinfhen Yes @BkClubCare if you click on the icon on the bottom right that looks like a person it takes you to your personal page. If you click on the icon that looks like an open book; that‘s your TO READ books, the closed book icon is books you‘ve rated 😊 7y
Kaye @BkClubCare Hope you guys don‘t mind if I interject here. To see the books on your tbr list, click on your name to take you to your home page area, then click on the little open book in the top middle. To see Read Books, click on the shut book to the right. 😊 7y
Kaye Whoops too late. Sorry, @cinfhen. You have a faster trigger finger than me 😁 7y
Cinfhen If you click on the book title @BkClubCare it takes you to the book profile and there you will see the Litsy rating 7y
Cinfhen No need to apologize @Kaye thanks for offering a Litsy tutorial 💕 7y
Reviewsbylola Yes I agree with @miralunasbooknook that they should show a break down because it definitely makes a difference. But I believe others are right that it only factors in the people that actually rated the book. I have rated tons of books on here without reviewing because I read them prior to being on Litsy. 7y
BkClubCare @Cinfhen @Kaye - thank you! @litsy is a lovely community 7y
120 likes2 stack adds14 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#GetMovin #JustLikeFire 🔥🎼This book's title and cover popped immediately into my mind for the song title prompt. About adolescence and friendship, it's on my #TBR list for May since I didn't get to it in April. 📚📚📚😬📚📚(Yay for library renewals that go through! 🎉)

ephemeralwaltz Great photo! 7y
DebinHawaii @ephemeralwaltz Thank you! 😊 7y
Reviewsbylola Fantastic picture!! 7y
DebinHawaii @Reviewsbylola Mahalo! 🌺 7y
Cinfhen Great photo and it‘s on my list to, just not for May!! I‘m curious to hear your thouhts💥 7y
97 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Stopped by the library yesterday to return 2 books (that still need reviews😬) & to pick up my hold of A False Report-a #blameitonlitsy & @CaroPi whose comment about it on one of my posts pushed me to put it on hold. The Hunger is blame it on @BethFishReads because she sold me with 'Donner Party with a supernatural twist.' 😱The tagged book grabbed me in the new books section & I'm listening to Code Girls on audio but want to see photos.📚📚🐔📚😬

BethFishReads Hope you like it too 7y
DebinHawaii @BethFishReads I am sure I will! 👍 7y
BethFishReads 😊😊😊 7y
BookwormM I liked the Burning Girl 7y
CaroPi @DebinHawaii I hope that you "like it" I also read I will be gone in the dark. It seems I was in #truecrime mood. I should search something about rainbows and unicorns but instead I am in the middle of the most twisted book I have ever read.. (Name to be revealed when I finish) 7y
103 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Samplergal
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Thank you so much Nellie! @NCNY it‘s a beautiful book. I have about four (ty) to read before I get to this. Again thank you for the gift of a book! Karen

NCNY 🙂 7y
84 likes1 comment
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SheReadsAgain
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So hard to make progress on #theunreadshelfproject2018 when the new releases at the library are so tempting! I am working my way through a long audiobook left unfinished in 2017. Days in yet only 43% through. Remembering why it didn't get finished the first time around. 🤷‍♀️

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kspenmoll
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Pickpick

#girlhoodfriendship #transitiontoadolescence
Messud‘s novel is about, according to its introspective narrator, Julia, “What it means to be a girl growing up.” Beautifully rendered, it is a true to life, heartbreaking account of a sister-like girlhood friendship, and its fracture as the two friends transition into adolescence.Reminiscent of a similar friendship I had that naturally grew apart due to a move across town, different HS. 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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kspenmoll
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#gettingtoknowyou#
💕pale green, soft teals, aquas
💕Spring- love to watch tree leaves, green things sprout, after long cold winter. Renewal every year.
💕no favorite; enjoy many.
💕reading, gardening, walking, visiting historic sites, parks
💕🍫🍿🍎
💕☕️, water
💕bookmarks, totes, pins
💕late posting,so tagging anyone who has not seen this yet! 😉

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RidgewayGirl
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I‘ve been reading a lot of challenging books in preparation for The Morning News‘s Tournament of Books. This has been a welcome change — a coming of age story of a young teenager watching her former best friend drift away from her. Messud does a lovely job with the main character‘s voice, which reads like that of a teenage girl.

The cat joins me whenever I read. He knows how to get comfortable!

22 likes1 comment
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jhod
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Thanks for the tag @christine11! Happy Valentine's Day!
1. Can't think but there's a teenage one in my current (tagged) book - great read so far.
2. Some Like It Hot :-) "Well, nobody's perfect!"
3. Y tu mama tambien is sexy and I love it!
4. Nominating my lovely cupid today @LoveToReadLiveToRead

Thanks @JenlovesJT47

JenlovesJT47 Love Some Like It Hot! 7y
batsy Oooh, 3 is a good one! 7y
Cathythoughts Loved Some like it Hot ❤️❤️👍🏻 7y
77 likes3 comments
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bookish_wookish
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Ok so i definitely misjudged trying to read and focus on words while sick, so i switched over to an audio book. Im liking this one so far its just a straight narrative no character parts. #24in48

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Lauren.Archer
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Next up...grabbed this one from the library.

ClairesReads Ooooo I loved this! 7y
BookwormM I enjoyed this one 7y
92 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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mookierose
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Pickpick

Just finished this one while relaxing at my local coffee shop, and I absolutely loved it! Beautiful language and descriptions. The book really makes you think and has a really wonderful coming-of-age story. Definitely a book I‘ll read again at some point 💕☕️

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AngieAvers
Panpan

Review
Teenage angst is the central theme of this. There was great potential for a story in here somewhere.

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LazyLibrary
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The forever-fiancé didn't even make it to 10:00. His loss ??‍♀️ Happy New Year Litsy! Here's to another year of books and adventures! #HappyNewYear #newyearseve #books #happyreading #balldrop

Owlizabeth Happy New Year!! 💞 7y
Texreader Happy New Year! 🎆🎊🎈 7y
Coco Happy new year! 7y
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JessClark78 Happy New Year! 7y
BeansPage OMG those look so yummy! 🍓🍫🍓 7y
Dragon Happy New Year 🎉 7y
30 likes6 comments
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jveezer
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Pickpick

Wow. That was marvelously written, nostalgic, and haunting. Here's to that troubled(?) friend you've never figured out how you lost. Here's to the mysteries of people and relationships.

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JoeStalksBeck
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JoeStalksBeck
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Chelsibeau I LOVED this one 7y
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MicheleinPhilly
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PTO days are the best days.

Ashley_Nicoletto Pickles. ❤️ They really are. Enjoy! 7y
Kendra.Diane They are the perfect days 7y
LeahBergen Did you take Pickles to the post office with you? She looks exhausted. 😉 7y
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MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen That‘s because she had a party at the park with her friends this morning. My little cheetah in a pup suit. 7y
LeahBergen 😂 7y
Bookladylinda I just picked this one up on audio, how is it??? 7y
MicheleinPhilly @Bookladylinda So far, so good. But I am an unabashed Claire Messud fangirl. I know she can really be hit or miss for some people. 7y
batsy Aww Pickles 😀 Her paw's all healed? 7y
MicheleinPhilly @batsy Yep! She‘s good as new! ☺️ 7y
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MyNamesParadise
Pickpick

I absolutely loved this novel! I related to Julia so much and I enjoyed the flow of storytelling. I thought Messud did a phenomenal job of realistically portraying troubles in a long-term friendship and all that goes unsaid when friendships don‘t turn out the way you expect. At times thriller-esque, I definitely remember this one!

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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

Messud's novel is thematically coherent and effectively structured. In the words of Messud's narrator Julia this novel is about "what it means to be a girl growing up." The 3 part narrative allows Messud to explore this theme through one adolescent friendship; seeing Cassie and Julia from girlhood to adulthood. The transition depicted is an introspective and messy one, but elements of it remain recognisable to us all. It really nailed it for me.

cariashley I really want to read this! Love Claire Messud. 7y
ClairesReads @cariashley I thought it was fab!! I hope you get to read it soon 7y
53 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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ClairesReads
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#indiebuddyreads part 3 update spoilers ahead!!

ClairesReads Ultimately this is a satisfying end to the novel- I guess I knew all along that things were going to get significantly worse for Cassie- that she would reach some kind of breaking point. I appreciated that Messud didn't turn this into a happy ending, or a magical fix for Julia and Cassie's friendship, or Cassie's family, or even for Cassie's mental health. 7y
ClairesReads I thought stylistically this was the weakest section of the novel though- perhaps because the narrative recount made it more plot focused. I thought Messud brought it together again in the final 10-15 pages though, where she returned to meditations on what it means to "be a girl growing up" and discussion of our separation from our parents as we become adults ourselves. 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads Yes, I agree with you there is a section in there where she dropped the ball I would say, and for me it was the repetitive recounting of Cassie story in a “she said, he said, she said way” which bogged it down for me. I like the symmetry of the start and end of the novel with it playing out back in the woman‘s mental hospital and the caretaker guy to the rescue. 7y
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ClairesReads @Redheadrambles yes it was definitely the recounting nature of that section where it made me...I guess step out or backwards from the narrative which I had until then been quite immersed in. It lost atmosphere a bit. I did think she brought it back at the end though...like you I enjoyed the symmetry of it too...quite clever 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads I thought at some point this was going down an abuse type path with the mother‘s boyfriend or something other explicitly sinister but I like it didn‘t do that - it left it deliberately open and essentially unresolved like life really - a dwindling away of friendship 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles yes I thought too for a minute we were going somewhere like that where it would have lost impact I think. The openness of it makes it a much more universal narrative- allowing us as readers to see ourselves in it much more 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads this has been like an awesome weekend bookclub ! I am really glad we read this similarly and I had hoped you would like it since like me you liked “The Girls”. I am pretty keen to try out more from Messud in 2018. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles it was a great first pick! I am also keen to read more Messud- she's been on my radar for ages! I'm glad I finally got to her. 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads I guess technically it was not my pick. I actually wasn‘t that excited when I saw it was in my Indiespensable box 📦 but sometimes this is the bonus in letting someone choose a book for you ;) 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles yes that's true- sometimes that is the best way to find an unexpected gem like this. 7y
28 likes10 comments
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ClairesReads
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This is it- this is what this book is #indiebuddyread

ClairesReads @Redheadrambles this is the quote of the novel for me- this is what it's really about 🔥 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads your so good at pulling out these great quotes - this book in particular I thought had these just moments of complete incisiveness. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles thanks! It is a good old English teacher skill 🙏🏻 7y
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ClairesReads
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#indiebuddyreads Part 2 update: still loving this- although the tone has definitely changed from part 1. This part is much more transitional- Julia and Cassie are on that painful border between childhood and adulthood. Messud is doing an excellent job and capturing how isolating and confusing this time of life is...relationships are fracturing and power is shifting...intrigued to see where this will go in Part 3.

Redheadrambles @ClairesReads your burning through this ! Yeah somewhere the author wrote she thought of this middle section similarly to “Time passing” from , which feels about right to me in a less postmodernist way maybe 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles yes! I agree totally- it's inspiring me a bit to reread that one. Love a bit of Woolf. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles ps I totally intend to finish tonight. 7y
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Redheadrambles @ClairesReads your scaring me with how fast you read as I average about 50pgs/day, so will have to start a few days before my own scheduled discussion weekend- Although one could argue I spent plenty of reading time today following your updates .... haha 😂 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads will check in late this evening see what you make of Pt3 which we might need behind spoiler tags ? 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles definitely going to need spoiler tags for part 3 I feel! 7y
bookloo Oh no! I didn‘t know this #buddyread was already happening. 😩 Happy to see you‘re enjoying it! 💞 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles re reading speed- I'm definitely quick when I have good, undistracted time... 7y
ClairesReads @bookloo no worries! It's only really happening for me right now- @Redheadrambles finished this ages ago- feel free to join in and add your thoughts anytime 😊 7y
bookloo Oh wow thanks @ClairesReads !! Will do. I don‘t know if I‘ll get the chance this month, but whenever I do, is it alright if I tag you? ☺️ 7y
ClairesReads @bookloo definitely do! Love chatting about books and this one is definitely going to stay with me! 7y
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ClairesReads
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Growing up #indiebuddyread

ClairesReads This section, about what it's like to be not quite a child but not quite an adult is full of moments like this...they distill this moment in time so clearly. 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads such great quotes !! I should do this as well next time we Buddy Read. There was so much in this I thought quote worthy. I pulled out one I liked in my GR review about growing up as a girl is about learning to be afraid ... it‘s so on point I think. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles matching! I loved that one too! Pulling out quotes would be fun- I love trawling through and comparing what other people have quoted after I've read something...they're often such good discussion points too. 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads I should so be doing that for Winter ... 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles oh I bet that one is infinitely quotable 7y
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ClairesReads
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This book! #indiebuddyread

Redheadrambles @ClairesReads oh oops and there it is the exact one ☝🏻 7y
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ClairesReads
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ClairesReads
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Oh yes this is quite fabulous #indiebuddyread

Redheadrambles I loved the name she gives to Cassie‘s new friend - “The Evil Morsel” I am so using this in real life 😂🤣 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles haha it's so great right?? 7y
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blurb
ClairesReads
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Part One down and I am just loving this. What I've read so far is very elegiac. I get the sense this won't really be a plot driven novel. So far it's been an almost languid meditation on girlhood. Messud uses the timelessness of an adolescent summer to really capture how young girls can be so consumed in their lives and relationships with each other that it is impossible to imagine things any other way.

ClairesReads I'm finding the power relationship between Julia and Cassie quite interesting too- I sense this is going somewhere in Part 2. 7y
Cinfhen Sounds great 7y
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batsy Sounds lovely. I've been meaning to read The Woman Upstairs... 7y
ClairesReads @batsy this is my first foray into Messud but she's been on my radar for aaaaaaaaages! 7y
MariettaSG Would it suit a 13 yo? 7y
ClairesReads @MariettaSG I'm not far enough in to know yet unfortunately- but I sense there's something coming that might make it not so much...I'll update you tomorrow though 😊 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads Oh, I am relieved I didn‘t over sell this book. Part One just rang so true for me about girls that age and the intensity of friendships and the incremental changes that occur until you realise your not really friends anymore... 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads The scenes that stayed with me from early in the book was their exploration of the abandoned hospital- it has this feeling of dread hanging over it but then it turns into a place where they play these great games of make believe.... and it feels so innocent and you kind of realise it‘s your adult self worrying for them. I thought that was so well done. And the scene with the dog ! 7y
kspenmoll Nice review so far! 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles oooo not at all an oversell so far- I'm loving it...part one was great...it reminded me a bit of 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles omg the scene with the dog was soooo intense! I think both those scenes you mentioned are so charged- they're so deeply immersed in their own minds and games and relationships that they become completely detached from the sense of safety. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles I also thought it was really interesting how The my jostle for power in the relationship- and that power usually comes from doing something daring, or unsafe. 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads I am really digging this virtual book club chat while in my PJs - haha 😂. Yes, I absolutely thought it had similar traits to “The Girls” - a kind of languidness but without the cult aspect obviously. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles I'm totally loving it too- still in bed haha! It definitely has a similar atmosphere to The Girls so far... 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles I'm looking forward to keeping this up! 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads yes, your right about the power dynamics- it‘s really interesting and I recall moments like that at that age. When the caretaker drove up near the end there I was so concerned for them. Messud kind of hangs darkness and danger over this entire book but where other novels would play it out in expected ways she never does (or rather it is up to you to fill in the blanks .....to be discussed!) 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles yes that exactly the feeling I get- that something awful is around every corner- but so far apart from the dog nothing has played out in the typical way you'd expect... 7y
Redheadrambles Sorry, new hashtag as I was getting frustrated with my spellcheck haha #indiebuddyread 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles no hate sounds good!! 7y
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review
NerdyRev
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Mehso-so

What is worse than buying a book twice? Buying a book you have not read twice and only moderately like it once you‘ve read it. This is a coming of age, best friend girls separate as they grow older, perhaps sexual abuse plays a part, and a boy is involved book. There are sentences that knocked my socks off and were just beautiful. The problem is this type of story has been told so many times.

Debiw781 Ugh I've done that 😖 7y
MariettaSG Thanks for a useful review, I will not bother to read it and I appreciate knowing that. 7y
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ClairesReads
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Very excited about my weekend read! Reading this for #indiebuddyread with my friend @Redheadrambles who gave it 5 ⭐️(or close to it) 🤓

mrozzz THIS COVER!!! 🔥😮😍 7y
ClairesReads @mrozzz it's divine right?! It's the UK/South Pacific one 7y
mrozzz I'm in love! Gotta look for this on Book Depository! 7y
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ClairesReads @mrozzz do it! So gorgeous 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads haha ! Thanks for the buddyread shoutout Hopefully next time we can co-ordinate it more or less in sync ;) . That is a cool cover - hope your enjoying it. My god Claire I think your going to love “Winter” !! 7y
Redheadrambles @ClairesReads Pondering 🤔 this #buddyread thing. I like the idea of making it over a weekend like this where we can post wee notes as we read ? Even if we finish it over a longer time it would be nice to have discussion on a set weekend? Shall we pencil in one for Dec ? Hopefully, attract other readers if we have a specific date at least to start ..... 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles I've only read a wee bit so far but I think it's wonderful! So well written. I am soooooo pumped for 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles I like your ideas about a set discussion weekend- that sounds cool- and you're right even if it takes a bit longer at least we have an end date for discussion in mind 👌🏻 7y
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LauraBytheBook
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I love this quote about being in middle school. The image it provokes is perfect.