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House with a Clock in Its Walls
House with a Clock in Its Walls | John Bellairs
98 posts | 117 read | 87 to read
A haunting gothic tale by master mysery writer John Bellairs--soon to be a major motion picture starring Cate Blanchett and Jack Black! "The House With a Clock in Its Walls will cast its spell for a long time."--The New York Times Book Review When Lewis Barnavelt, an orphan. comes to stay with his uncle Jonathan, he expects to meet an ordinary person. But he is wrong. Uncle Jonathan and his next-door neighbor, Mrs. Zimmermann, are both witches! Lewis is thrilled. At first, watchng magic is enough. Then Lewis experiments with magic himself and unknowingly resurrects the former owner of the house: a woman named Serenna Izard. It seems that Serenna and her husband built a timepiece into the walls--a clock that could obliterate humankind. And only the Barnavelts can stop it!
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Charityann
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Currently reading this - death plays a part in this one. #autumnplease @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #scarathlon @Bookwormjillk

Eggs I read it too, then watched the movie 👏🏻👏🏻 14mo
35 likes1 comment
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Eggs
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Mehso-so

Started great! I lost focus during the last 1/3 of it. But I will try the film, and I still want to read the rest of the series.

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick
#SeriesLove2023
#SummerEndReadathon Day 27
#RushAThon

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 14mo
TheSpineView Great job!🤩📖📚 14mo
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 14mo
See All 6 Comments
Eggs @DieAReader 💜💜 14mo
Eggs @TheSpineView Thanks 🙏🏻 14mo
Eggs @Andrew65 🤗🥰 14mo
59 likes6 comments
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AshRaye
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Pickpick

I actually really enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect going into it, I had only heard a little bit about the story. I liked that there was a mystery/paranormal storyline. I now need to watch the movie. I think the movie adaptation would make it a little bit more interesting.

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CornerLibrarian

My #online #bookclub during COVID with 4th grade students have just finished reading this first in the series. Now, we watch the film and compare and contrast! Oooo...can't wait to hear what they think!

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wanderinglynn
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#thankfulthursday

Thanks for the tag @Coleen_Nieto 😘

📖➡️📽 Most recent, the tagged
📺 Lucifer 😈 & Netflix announced a final, final season 6! 🎉
🙏🏻 My mom 💜

Scochrane26 I love Lucifer so much! 4y
wanderinglynn @Scochrane26 me too! 🙌🏻 4y
Cosmos_Moon_River Ooo, I liked this movie when I watched it with my kids, but haven‘t read the book. Thanks for joining in! 4y
62 likes3 comments
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wanderinglynn
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Mehso-so

No #bookspin bingo, but another book finished for #readingrush 5/7!

The tagged was okay. I was a bit disappointed that the clock didn‘t really feature in the book until the last couple of chapters. The movie focused on the clock a lot more.

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I felt similarly about this, one of the few times I‘ve enjoyed a movie a little more than the book. 4y
ElizaMarie ooo congrats!!!
4y
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Astroneman
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Panpan
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IamIamIam
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Mehso-so

I can't believe I'd say this but the movie was so much better! Lol, the story got weird and convoluted at the end but it was a cute book. Bonus for illustrations by Edward Gorey! I got in 55 pages for the #JoysOfJune #Readathon. 👍 @Andrew65 #quarantinereads

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
Bookgirl Haha I read the book as a kid, over and over, so the movie was a little disappointing for me, but still fun! 4y
IamIamIam @Bookgirl I can totally see that. I felt like a lot of time was spent setting up a very quick ending. I think the movie had a great climax and I liked that Mrs. Zimmerman and Jonathan got a more solid background. 4y
39 likes3 comments
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IamIamIam
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I need a break from the Galvin family in Hidden Valley Road (tagged in comments) because I'm so stressed out about them, I can't sleep. 😴 A little middle grade for today should do the trick!! I loved this movie but never got around to the book.

34 likes1 comment
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Anna from Gustine
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Pickpick

I would have loved this as a kid! Even now, as an adult, I enjoyed it. It was simple and fun, with tense moments and a harsh lesson about childhood friends. There was a lot of goofiness that I would have loved as a kid. There's also a witch. YAY! Lewis is an orphaned 10-year-old who goes to live with his Uncle Jonathan in a house with a clock ticking in its walls. When Lewis raises the dead just to impress a friend...well, things start happening!

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CrowCAH
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#ItsASmallWorld Day 9: #HauntedMansion
#Disney

This is a photo of my sister and I on the Haunted Mansion ride; you can‘t really see us because of the ghost riding atop our cart. Or is it because we became ghosts? Not really sure. 👻

The book is about a haunted mansion, where a wizard lives. His nephew comes for a visit and learns all about magic! And there might be a ticking clock in the wall. But they solve the mystery!

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Jess_Franzino
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Pickpick

This was so much fun! The right amount of spooky and magic while being somewhat “cozy”. The narrator was really good, too. I‘m definitely interested in seeing the movie now.

Literary_Siren I loved the movie more than the book. That‘s not something I usually say. 5y
Jess_Franzino @Literary_Siren I just watched the movie tonight. Quite different than the book, but I can see how the book can be a bit of a let down if you saw the movie first. 5y
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Juliwyant
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Just finished this audio book. I loved the story! George Guidall is such a good narrator, too! I was pleasantly surprised to find out this is book 1 of a series! I will definitely be reading/listening to the rest! I haven't seen the movie yet....disc coming from Netflix. I hope it's good and follows the book.....

j.rye The movie was really good. My sons loved it! 5y
Chab256 My kids and I loved the movie! 5y
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JoyBlue
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Mehso-so

I prefer the movie in this case—almost never happens this way! I found the writing pretty flat, not rich and engaging.

CrowCAH I wasn‘t impressed with the book. The movie was more engaging. 5y
JoyBlue @CrowCAH I'm glad, in this case, that I saw the movie first. Had I read the book first, I wouldn't have bothered with the movie, which I actually enjoyed. 😊 5y
54 likes2 comments
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FantasyChick
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I don't think this counts as a Halloween-type movie but I think I'm going to add it in to my yearly watches anyway. It's got magic, necromancy and it's sort of creepy 🤷‍♀️

#scarathlon #teamslaughter @Clwojick

Clwojick 🎥 🎥 5y
LibrarianRyan Plus the pumpkin scene. ! 5y
26 likes2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Some books involving #clocks that I‘ve enjoyed.
#JulyColdPlay

batsy Love these covers! 5y
Eggs Perfect👏🏻🤗🎶 5y
76 likes2 comments
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EmilieGR
Mehso-so

Scary for kids

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Jody3
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Pickpick

Read this with my kids. This was such a surprisingly fun read! It‘s honestly one of those adventurous stories that warms your heart. It‘s full of magic and mystery and it‘s an all around good time. I‘m really curious to see the movie now.

Purrfectpages This cover takes me back! 6y
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GypsyKat
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Pickpick

This was such a fun, middle grade read! Full of magic and adventure, I‘m sure I would have absolutely loved this if I had read it as a kid. Definitely recommend to young readers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

MommyOfTwo I just read this to the kids a few months ago. We liked it, the movie is good too. 6y
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GypsyKat
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I didn‘t sleep much last night, and my eyes feel all weird and scratchy. So I don‘t feel like doing and regular reading right now. Audiobooks it is then!

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rather_be_reading
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Loved this movie!

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Regi_C
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Mehso-so

I wanted to read this before I watched the movie. The book definitely skews more juvenile, but it's a fun premise and a pretty short read! Basically, a recently orphaned Lewis is sent to live with his uncle, who he finds out is a warlock. The boy accidentally raises a bad warlock from the dead, and chaos ensues.

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jesseastin
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The snow is gorgeous, but not great for a slip-free work out, so I went to Gym “eau de feet” and did nearly 4 miles to get my steps. Listened to one of the spookiest books of my childhood. I haven‘t seen the movie, but the trailer looks NOTHING like I remember of this book, which my sisters and I reminisce as scaring the poop out of us. The original book with accompanying Edward Gorey illustrations is a wonderful creepy read. #LitsyWalkers

Bklover Pretty photo! Go #Litsywalkers !👏👍 6y
Kaye 👍🏼 6y
DarcysMom Smart choice! Sounds like you got plenty of walking in. 6y
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Pickpick

I picked this up because of the film adaptation that we wanted to watch. I‘ve not read John Bellairs and I dived in, not knowing what to expect. Kind of scary for a kid, I guess, but reading it as an adult, I wasn‘t excitedly impressed, or scared. It was fun, though, with its supernatural elements and oddball characters.

Tamra I couldn‘t convince my 11 yr old son to watch the movie after he saw the trailer. 😱 I don‘t think he‘ll want to read it now either. 😏 6y
readordierachel Love the illustration! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm @Tamra I saw the trailer too and they changed some things in the movie. I think the book is less scary. 6y
erzascarletbookgasm I just realised I can use this for #BookToMovie #Summer prompt #Booked2019 @Cinfhen . Can you please count this in? 6y
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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

Sometimes our childhood favorites don't hold up to the magical memories we have... but sometimes they do. I definitely want to continue my journey with Lewis Barnavelt!

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MidnightBookGirl
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Spent yesterday at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens with the Hubs and my sister-in-law and niece (my sis in law and I bought a Friends membership. It's right by my house, so I foresee a lot of garden reading in my future!

RaimeyGallant Beautiful. 6y
tjwill Gorgeous! 6y
TNbookworm How beautiful! 6y
76 likes3 comments
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Literary_Siren
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Pickpick

This book was great! Even though it took me longer than it should have to finish it. (Work always seems to get in the way of my reading.😒)

I loved the movie and the book!

Linda_Bloodworth_Author The movie wasn't bad. I'm sure the book is better. 6y
Literary_Siren @Linda_Bloodworth_Author if I had to pick between the two...I‘d pick the movie. 6y
Linda_Bloodworth_Author @Literary_Siren is that right? Why's that? 6y
See All 7 Comments
Literary_Siren @Linda_Bloodworth_Author I just liked the way it translated to the screen. Even though there were some differences. (When are there not?) The movie just brought it more to life for me. 6y
Linda_Bloodworth_Author @Literary_Siren Ah. So, good to hear that. It's not often the case! Have you ever read A scanner darkly? The movie was spot on. 6y
Literary_Siren @Linda_Bloodworth_Author I have not. I‘ll have to check that out. 6y
Linda_Bloodworth_Author @Literary_Siren It was written by my favorite dead author, Philp K Dick. He also did, Do Androids dream of electric sheep which became Blade Runner, Minority Report which is that Tom Cruise movie, and a few others. 6y
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MidnightBookGirl
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It's been a long time since I read this series, but this book was one of my early childhood favorites. I still love the magic and mystery, and how Louis is not your average hero.

readingjedi Is that Jack Black? I think I low-key fancy Jack Black .... 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ 6y
Palimpsest I loved this book when I was young, but scarcely remembered the story. I rented this movie last weekend and thought it was pretty good. I may have to track down a copy of the book. I did find at a library book sale a few years ago and I‘m glad I snatched it up. 6y
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erzascarletbookgasm
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#anewchapter
My #newestbook (s). Totally #blameitonlitsy and blame it on @batsy 😉 Wish my copy of the tagged book is not the MTI version, though.

Reecaspieces Night film is fantastic 6y
Cinfhen I‘m looking forward to Night film too!!! 6y
batsy Oh yay! I hope you enjoy 💜 Clock in its Walls is such a quick, fun read. 6y
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erzascarletbookgasm The book has since disappeared into my daughter‘s room after this photo session @batsy . I hope she likes it! 6y
batsy 😆 I hope she does! Have you all watched the movie? 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻❤️📚 6y
Lizpixie Both of these are on my wishlist too. I loved Marisha Pessl other book 6y
erzascarletbookgasm @batsy Not yet. Gotta read the book first! 6y
batsy Yep, it's enshrined in the reader's code of conduct! 😁 I enjoyed the movie; different feel from the book, but good fun 👍🏽 6y
vkois88 I want to read The House! 6y
90 likes10 comments
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GypsyKat
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For $1.95? Sure! Why not! 😊 #AudibleDailyDeal

Literary_Siren I‘m reading this now. I love it! And I loved the movie! 6y
GypsyKat @Literary_Siren I didn‘t see the movie, but I love Jack Black, so I‘ll definitely see it after I read the book! 6y
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Bradleygirl
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#NewYearsEve reading. Everybody stay safe & go with God into the new year, la Chaim, et cetera!
#readinthenewyear #currentlyreading

GondorGirl Ooo- you have an older copy with the Edward Gorey illustrations! 😍 6y
BookBabe Edward Gorey is awesome! I have a little book of his illustrations somewhere. 6y
29 likes2 comments
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batsy
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Pickpick

A fun middle-grade magical Gothic mystery. I've heard a lot about this but it didn't quite blow me away. It's probably one of those children's classics that would have made an impression if I read it at the right age. I've always thought that magic is more trouble than its worth, but if one is gifted a small orb that depicts past historical events or what's going on in other planets, then sign me up! This made me wish I had a wizard uncle 🧙🏽‍♂️

erzascarletbookgasm Sounds good and I like the cover! 💙 6y
saresmoore I‘ve never stopped wishing for a wizard uncle. 6y
twohectobooks I felt very similar about this one. Love this cover, though! 6y
See All 10 Comments
Cathythoughts Loving the cover ♥️ 6y
batsy @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts @twohectobooks I was so pleased to find it because I hadn't seen this edition before 🙂 6y
batsy @saresmoore Every family should have at least one, to be fair 😌 6y
Tamra Love that cover! 6y
batsy @Tamra Lovely illustrations inside, too 💙 6y
rubyslippersreads So much cuter than the movie tie-in cover. 😊 6y
batsy @rubyslippersreads Yes, for such a fun kids' book they dropped the ball with that movie tie-in cover 😬 6y
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PickwickPlockPlock
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Pickpick

I watched the movie before I read the book and now I'm a bit baffled why they changed so much, especially at the end (Jack Black was the perfect choice for uncle Jonathan, though).
The book is just the right amount of scary for a children's book and I only wish that I had read it as a child. Nevertheless it's an enjoyable read for an adult too.
For the #SFFTBRChallenge prompt children's book.

@DuckOfDoom

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CrowCAH
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Getting in some pages read before my starting my edits for the night!

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CrowCAH
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Starting this book tonight!

The weather in Michigan has lent itself to eerie tales as the leaves are plucked from their branches and go skittering across the yellowing lawn, while the wind tries to catch its gusts, causing all to burrow in their coats.

PickwickPlockPlock I started it a few days ago, so far it's good! 6y
CrowCAH @PickwickPlockPlock oh neat; great minds think alike! 6y
67 likes2 comments
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ferskner
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Pickpick

I've been a bit stressed this week because Richard jumped from a good height and injured his legs. I've been worried about his lethargy, but today he seems more like himself. Also good: I got to see tiny tiny hamster x-rays - which they take with dental equipment!!! - and I really loved this Gothic perfection of a book. #hamstersoflitsy #pop18 #childhoodclassicyouneverread #booked2018 #spookyread @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Get well soon Richard 💕 6y
Bloomingjen Glad Richard is doing better 6y
Lreads Aww, poor Richard! I hope he feels better soon. 💕🐹 6y
See All 12 Comments
LeahBergen Be careful, Richard! 😩 6y
Cinfhen Awwww, sweet little Richard ~ glad he‘s doing ok and nice job on the prompts 😁 6y
Libby1 ❤️Richard❤️ 6y
Sace Aww! I'm glad he's on the mend! 6y
Clare-Dragonfly Aww, hammy! I‘m glad he‘s doing better! 6y
VeganCleopatra ❤️ adorable 6y
alisiakae Aww... he‘s so cute! Hope he‘s better soon! 6y
CouronneDhiver Poor little guy ... 🖤 6y
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Shaneyney
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Pickpick

When I saw the preview for the movie, I knew I must have this book. I got it and was not disappointed so I ordered several more books from the same author.
It‘s a very well written magical mystery meant for younger readers. The movie (in case you were wondering) was very well done.

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Autumnscribe
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Pickpick

I bought this one for the kids, in preparation for going to see the new movie. (Yeah, that‘s my story...lol). It was actually really good. I don‘t know how I managed to have not read as a kid, as it was very much my alley... I even owned it at one time. Anyhow, it was well paced and well written. I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to giving it to the kids. Also, for what it is worth, I can TOTALLY see why they cast Jack Black in the role...

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booklover3258
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Pickpick

When ive seen the trailer for this movie I was curious. I thought the story was great. Its about an orphaned boy living with his wizard uncle and fighting against evil. I give it 3 stars.

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Q84
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Pickpick

☆☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed reading this! The ending was so simple though but great book!

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HeatherBlue
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Loved this 🖤

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Q84
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64 likes1 stack add
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Q84
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1. Houston(ish), Texas
2. That I haven't started yet... The House with a Clock in it's Walls OR The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children
3. Dorritos
4. I told the hubby and kiddos to fend for themselves today cuz mama's gonna be reading for the readathon!
5. I didn't participate in the last read-a-thon but I did one a few years back! I think I'm better prepared with food.
#Deweys24hrreadathon #deweys24hourreadathon #readathon @DeweysReadathon

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emilyrose_x

I went to see the film adaptation of The House With a Clock in its Walls today and loved it. It had lots of unexpected scares and had me on the edge of my seat throughout! Would highly recommend it.

I rarely see the movie before reading the book, however I have added it to my everlasting TBR 😂

kristincatastrophic The book was good, cute and spooky. I actually liked some of the changes they made for the movie though. 6y
43 likes1 comment
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HeatherBlue
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Somehow I missed reading this when I was younger. Seems like a fitting October read 🖤

mom2bugnbee I did, too, & the movie looks excellent! Must read before seeing! 6y
jb72 This is on my TBR list. I really hope to get to it soon. 6y
52 likes2 comments
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Autumnscribe
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Started this today at game store while the husband was shopping for miniatures to use in our Dungeons and Dragons game with the kids. Never read it as a kid but really liking it so far.

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Karen3
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Pickpick

I‘m the type that has to read the book before seeing the movie. I really enjoyed this one. A quick one sitting read. Now to see the movie. 4🌟

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Anytime there is a movie coming out I want to see, I check if it was originally a book. Then read the book before seeing the movie. My TBR is always getting updated. 📖➡️🎬 6y
39 likes1 comment
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EH2018
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Looking forward to the read! Pretty quick #screamathon #Hallowreads

kristincatastrophic I read this last week, cute and spooky. I really liked it. 6y
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