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The Distant Hours
The Distant Hours: A Novel | Kate Morton
The #1 internationally bestselling author of The Forgotten Garden mesmerizes readers with this haunting tale of long-buried secrets and the twists of fate that can alter lives forever.It starts with a letter, lost for half a century and unexpectedly delivered to Edies mother on a Sunday afternoon. The letter leads Edie to Milderhurst Castle, where the eccentric Blythe spinsters live and where, she discovers, her mother was billeted during World War II. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives caring for their younger sister, Juniper, who hasnt been the same since her fianc jilted her in 1941. Inside the decaying castle, Edie searches for her mothers past but soon learns there are other secrets hidden in its walls. The truth of what happened in the distant hours has been waiting a long time for someone to find it. In this enthralling romantic thriller, Morton pays homage to the classics of gothic fiction, spinning a rich and intricate web of mystery, suspense, and lost love.
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NatalieR
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Mehso-so

I‘ve read a few books by Kate Morton, and The Distant Hours wasn‘t my favorite. I loved the historical fiction, dual timeline story, and setting of an old, European castle. But there were so many little things going on that made the story confusing at times.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/the-distant-hours

DogMomIrene I remember thinking the same thing about this one. I need to pick her up again, though, because I think she wrote something that people said was closer to the goodness of 1w
NatalieR @DogMomIrene I‘m not deterred from her work at all. I‘ll definitely keep reading her. 🙂 1w
73 likes2 comments
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candc320
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Pickpick

Kate Morton novels are stories to be savored. They are beautifully written and full of intriguing characters and gently twisting plots that keep you turning those many, many pages. I loved this story and the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 🌟 is just how loooonnnggg and somewhat draggy it felt at times. But it‘s still beautiful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Karisimo
The Distant Hours | Kate Morton
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Pickpick

I re-read this for #authoramonth because I‘d already read all of Kate Morton‘s works. Loved it just as much as the first time! The writing is so good! The atmosphere and mystery too!
@Soubhiville

Soubhiville Oh good! I‘m glad you like her so much. 12mo
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookzombie
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#aam #authoramonth

I feel like this book should be right up my alley, but I‘m just not feeling it at all. My Christmas gift to me is to bail. 😄 Maybe it‘s a timing thing.

@Soubhiville Thank you for hosting this no-pressure challenge each year!

Soubhiville You deserve to finish the year with a book you like! I say bail away! 12mo
Bookzombie @Soubhiville Thanks! I hope your travels have gone smoothly. 12mo
39 likes2 comments
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LapReader
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Yesterday my train was cancelled so I made good use of time (over half an hour) and kept warm by visiting the nearby Book Swap. Good way to fix a bad start to winter. May have got a bit grabby but how could I leave these behind. I promise to return them when I‘m finished.

TrishB My mind is boggling with the thought of how you got these on the train! 2y
LapReader I always carry a green bag for picking things up on my walks eg. Cuttings of plants, roadside junk to give a new life to or books of course. I‘m a real bag lady. I‘m often out and about with a granny trolley and I don‘t have an everyday hand bag. I‘m a back pack woman @TrishB Like a Girl Scout, I‘m always prepared! 2y
43 likes2 comments
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Jess861
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This was my Christmas book haul from family this year. Pretty good haul if I may say so myself. I usually only get books and a jigsaw puzzle as that's all I really want if they insist on getting me something. Hopefully I find the time to read some of them this year.

#ChristmasBookHaul #BookHaul #Presents #2022

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MaureenMc
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Pickpick

It had been a while since I had read Kate Morton. Her storytelling always sucks me in. This one is very gothic in its story, with its crumbling castle, inherited madness & secrets upon secrets. Loved it.

BookBabe It‘s been years since I read one of her novels, but I really enjoyed them! Also, she was very sweet when I met her at a book festival. ❤️ I‘ll check this out. #stacked! 3y
Kristin_Reads I loved this one! She is one of my auto-buy authors. (edited) 3y
MaureenMc @Kristin_Reads Yes! Isn‘t she due for a new novel?? 3y
See All 6 Comments
Kristin_Reads @MaureenMc I keep checking for something from her… it‘s been a few years since 3y
MaureenMc @Kristin_Reads I just saw Morton has a new book coming out in April! 2y
Kristin_Reads @MaureenMc I saw that 🤗 I went to find this thread too to tell you but couldn‘t find it! Can‘t wait! 2y
33 likes6 stack adds6 comments
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Emma_PK
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Enjoying this gorgeous novel while camping with my family.

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AmyK1
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Pickpick

I love how Kate Morton writes. Descriptive, mysterious and emotional. She keeps you guessing till the very end.

This is my November #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
And letter D for #litsyAtoZ

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
31 likes1 comment
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AmyK1
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It‘s #bookspin day! Tagged is my book spin and Me Before You is my #doublespin.

Thanks for doing this each month @TheAromaofBooks 😁

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Love the cover for The Distant Hours!! 4y
Sargar114 This is one of my favorites!!! 4y
23 likes2 comments
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RenePenn
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I have these gems in my #kindleapp just waiting TBR. I don‘t have enough time to read! 😩

samantharoberts I loved Evelyn Hugo! 4y
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Nute
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#WondrousWednesday
Thanks for the tag @Eggs and thanks for sharing this lovely picture!💕

1. Definitely choosing fall colors. The mixture of greens, oranges, reds, yellows, and gold on any palette is a lovely sight.

2. The Distant Hour by Kate Morton was wonderfully eerie and atmospheric. It‘s perfect for misty, foggy, rainy night reading.

3. I am not effectively reading anything right now. I have started so many books and completed none.👇🏽

Nute There are no words or at least not enough words. I can‘t explain!😕 4y
Nute Tag: Always wanting to hear what you have to say @batsy 4y
batsy That's so nice! Thank you for the tag 🙂 4y
Eggs Perfect 👌🏼Thanks for playing 🧡🍁🧡 4y
Nute @batsy💕 4y
82 likes5 comments
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Coleen
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Pickpick

I love everything that Kate Morton writes and this was no exception. Very atmospheric and I loved just being able to sink into this one. Some people think her books are a little too long, but I disagree. I didn‘t want it to end.

AvidReader25 Love her books! 4y
Crazeedi I definitely enjoyed this one! 4y
annahenke I love Kate Morton 4y
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Coleen
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Cool day for getting in the water, but great for reading. ☀️ 📚

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MandellaL
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed this, but found it a little difficult to really get into. Took me a long time to read it. It was a good story, but I expected the castle to have more life and the characters sometimes seemed flat. Could have just been my current mood. It was OK, but not a page-turned for me.

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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
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Pickpick

This one worked nicely to pull me out of a tiny slump I was feeling!

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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
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Have been feeling like I'm flopping around with my reading following the fantastic The Difference. Going to try one of my many unread Kate Morton's to see if she can work some magic on my reading.

34 likes1 stack add
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kplovesbooks
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I just bought my first Kate Morton novel!!!! 😀 I can't wait to dive into this!! ❤🌹

sprainedbrain I love every one of her novels! Hope you enjoy it. ❤️ 5y
kplovesbooks @sprainedbrain I am so looking forward to it! I've heard such great things about her writing!! 5y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TaciturnWhenReading
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Summer calls for #romantsy! Used my 15% off coupon from the Half price books warehouse sale today on this beach reads book haul! ❤️😍

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Califlamingo
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Pickpick

This book was full of family secrets and skeletons in closets. I loved how characters and storylines that are seemingly unrelated come together in the end. A great read.

MandellaL I'm currently reading the tagged book by same author and really liking it. Will have to add this one to my stack. 5y
Slajaunie This was my first Kate Morton and my favorite. 5y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Califlamingo

"Every wall of every room is lined with books: old books, new books, first editions, signed editions, twenty-third editions, stacked together on mismatched, improvised sets of shelves, in a glorious, healthy disregard for display."

15 likes2 stack adds
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EmilieGR
Mehso-so

Overwritten but passes the time

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Christyco125
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Pickpick

I usually try to get to the end of every book as quickly as possible so I can start the next one. However, I enjoyed taking my time with this book. The Sisters Blythe were quirky and relatable. Edith and her mom also were great in how they demonstrated how the ripples of a tragedy could effect more than just the immediate players.

#theunreadshelf #christyread2019 #ontothenext

31 likes1 stack add
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Quirkybookworm
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Migraines hit me hard on my way home from work. Was out until now. Going to chill before going to my overnight shift.

Prairiegirl_reading I hope you fell better soon. Migraines are the worst! 6y
wordslinger42 Hope you feel better! 6y
Kshakal I hope you feel better!!! Migraines are no fun whatsoever! 6y
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ReadZenRites Gah! Migraines are the worst. Hope you‘re better soon 💕🌸💕 6y
tracey38 I'm so sorry about your migraine. I get them too and they're the worst. Hope you feel better tonight. 6y
Richryan52 Let me know if you enjoy Druid. I hope you do! 6y
Avanders Hope you feel better soon! 🤕🤗 6y
SandraG Feel better! I get them too!😖🤕 6y
Quirkybookworm Thank you @Prairiegirl_reading @wordslinger42 @Kshakal @ReadZenRites @tracey38 @Avanders @SandraG . I used to get them everyday. But now I‘m seeing a dr who‘s really helping me and I might just be on the road on being free of them again. I started getting them this yr and they scare me! It was a struggle during my shift tonight but I survived! Ty again for your kind words!❤️❤️ 6y
Quirkybookworm @Richryan52 I haven‘t gotten the book yet but I‘ll be sure to let you know. Ty 😊 6y
Prairiegirl_reading I used to get them all the time too and Acupunture helped me a lot. 6y
107 likes1 stack add11 comments
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miz
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Starting this beauty today!

Jess7 How do you like this one so far? I have it but I haven‘t read it yet. 6y
miz @Jess7 I like the setting and the atmospheric writing, but I feel the novel could easily be 250 pages shorter without suffering too much. Lots of background detail and very little plot. It's what I needed at this time, though, so I'm quite happy :) have you read any other novel by the same author? 6y
3 likes2 comments
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Lynnsoprano
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Pickpick

Darker and more Gothic than what I usually read, but an interesting story. Lots of twists and turns and very creepy at times. Because the castle garden is important to the story, I chose a picture from the Lucy Barton house from our trip to England last year.

Mdargusch Beautiful and perfect! 👌🏼 6y
85 likes1 comment
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Lynnsoprano
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Ah, to have our internet connection again! I‘m still not happy with UVerse, since there‘s still a problem with our tv service, but internet and phone are back. And I‘m back to this #chunkster which was my vacation read. I put it down to do my LibraryThing early reviewer book, but anxious now to finish this.

SilversReviews LOVE her books. 6y
68 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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cinann
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My dad loved woodworking and one Christmas all of us kids got a clock that he made.
#readingresolutions @Jess7

Jess7 Love it! 6y
SilversReviews LOVE Kate Morton. 6y
SilversReviews Beautiful clock. 6y
cinann @SilversReviews Kate Morton is one of those authors I hear great things about, but haven't read yet. 🤦‍♀️ My dad did good work. 6y
12 likes4 comments
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Lynnsoprano
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Packing this into my backpack for my vacation read. I always like a #chunkster for airports and planes. Leaving here tomorrow to spend the night with our son and flying out of Orlando (much cheaper fares) to Boston on Thursday. I‘m hoping that Friday‘s activities will include visits to Walden Pond and the Alcott‘s Orchard House.

erzascarletbookgasm Have a good trip! 7y
ValerieAndBooks Have fun in Boston! Those two places are still to-visit for me, in spite of son being inBoston for the last four years!! 7y
megt Hooray for some time in Boston! I hope you enjoy your trip! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Lynnsoprano @erzascarletbookgasm Thanks! @ValerieAndBooks @megt We aren‘t staying in Boston. We‘re spending two nights at a B&B in Westford near Concord. Then my brother and SIL are flying in from CA and we are driving to Kennebunkport, where we‘ve rented a cottage for a week. 7y
ValerieAndBooks Ooh, that does look like fun! Enjoy your time up there. 7y
megt Even better! Kennebunkport is such a beautiful area. My family will be staying near there for a week later this summer and I‘m already counting the days until we hit the road. 7y
76 likes6 comments
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lucylovestoread
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Pickpick

I loved this book so much. I am grumpy that I've finished it and that nothing else will be good enough to follow it. These are some not real problems.

Immersive and beautifully detailed with a rich plot that jumps around timelines. This book grabbed me and wouldn't let me go.

KateFulfordAuthor If you need another recommendation, may I point you to my People‘s Book Prize nominated debut? Sassy female narrative, laugh out dialogue and a pacy plot. Check the link in the bio for 2 free chapters, reviews and more. 7y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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laurenlovesliterature
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Ok ok....I've got problems....not!!!

blondie Ahhh, Jodi Picoult 🖤🖤 Good finds :) 7y
tessavi The problem of what to read next? 😉 7y
laurenlovesliterature Thanks @blondie I do enjoy what I've read from Jodi Picoult! @tessavi I can never figure it out...so I do a book lottery! 7y
8 likes3 comments
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lucylovestoread
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Not a bad moment in time ♥️
Not pictured: my 10 month old brunch companion who makes reading more complicated!

vkois88 I feel you! Every time I pick up a book is when my 9 month old wants snuggles and she's so big, I can't juggle her AND a book lol... your brunch looks yummy though! Enjoy ❤ 😊 7y
21 likes1 comment
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HeatherBookNerd
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New post up today on @bookriot featuring 12 fantastic literary mysteries for those of you who like a little more heft in your mystery reading.

https://bookriot.com/2018/05/22/best-literary-mystery-books/

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Lots of these look good!!! 7y
HeatherBookNerd @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks some of my favorites! 7y
33 likes2 comments
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wallacereads
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After finishing a particularly uninspiring read, I was excited to find this on my mother-in-law‘s bookshelf. #8intwo.

43 likes1 stack add
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

I just love Kate Morton! Her audiobooks read by Caroline Lee are fantastic and this one is no exception.

The writing is beautiful, the time period and places are enchanting... and now I‘ve read the last one. Thank goodness she has a new book out this fall!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kammbia1 What do you like about her work? I just got an advance readers copy of her new novel coming in October. Want to get an idea of her work? 7y
LitsyOwl This looks go good! 📚🦉 7y
SledgeReader Another go to author every time! 7y
See All 11 Comments
sprainedbrain @Kammbia1 first, I am soooo jealous of your ARC. She writes historical fiction, and her books tend to jump around in time. There‘s always a little bit of a love story, but it‘s not central, and the stories are told from multiple viewpoints. I just get lost in her stories. 7y
Bakingbookworm She‘s one of my favs. She has a new book coming out October 9th (here in Canada)! The Clockmaker‘s Daughter! 7y
SilversReviews LOVE Kate Morton‘s books. 7y
SilversReviews @Bakingbookworm Oh yes....can‘t wait. Her books are always so good. 7y
SilversReviews @Kammbia1 Oooo...I‘m jealous. The Forgotten Garden got me hooked. Her books just have wonderful story lines. 7y
Kammbia1 @sprainedbrain @SilversReviews It is the eBook Advance Readers Copy. Not the physical book. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. Looking forward to reading it. (edited) 7y
sprainedbrain @Kammbia1 I can‘t wait to hear what you think of it! 7y
RaimeyGallant Good to know! 7y
108 likes2 stack adds11 comments
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sprainedbrain
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I decided to finally take my slightly-sore ankle and my moderately-puffy foot back out for an #audiowalk today.

I‘ve been saving this audiobook for a while now... it‘s the only Kate Morton I haven‘t read yet, and listening to her books read by the amazing Caroline Lee is always a treat.

❤️

LiteraryinPA Hope your limbs feel better soon! 7y
mabell Glad to hear you're back in the proverbial saddle 😁 7y
Jennie748 Love her books!! 7y
105 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Embellembell
Las horas distantes | Kate Morton
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My evening reading tonight is masquerading as some Spanish revision - having a great book is definitely motivating me keep learning! Side note: for any contemporary classical music fans out there, is Einaudi‘s piece “Primavera” the greatest piece of music of all time? It even made me put down my book for a bit! #eveningsorted #howiread #thejoysoflanguage

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MayJasper
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The house in this story is called a castle. But as the proverb says "an Englishman's home is castle"
#aprella photo challenge today is #englishhouse

Mdargusch Great choice! 7y
Reviewsbylola Love her. 😍 7y
91 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BarbaraJean
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A friend lent me The Distant Hours after she read The Thirteenth Tale on my recommendation—she told me she wanted me to see how similar they were. She was absolutely right! An outsider is invited into an old family house, unearthing family secrets and tragedies of the past... both books even have a mysterious set of twins. I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale more, but that might be because I read it first! #similarbooks #readingresolutions

45 likes2 stack adds
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Bibliogeekery
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Beside table of a book lover #bookshelftourism #visitingbooklovers

Mdargusch Love! ❤️ 7y
readordierachel Pretty! 7y
Tamra 😍 7y
73 likes3 comments
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Booklovinmuggle
Pickpick

This book was wonderful! Initially I had a bit of trouble keeping up with everything but once I got into it I loved it and couldn‘t wait to figure everything out. Never saw the twist at the end coming until it slapped me in the face.

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Katiesbookishlife
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Hmmm 🤔 I think I may have just slightly picked too many books to bring on my vacation. My THREE DAY Vacation. Oh well #options #pickyreader #eighteenisnttoomany #someareatillhiddeninmybag 🤷‍♀️

ju.ca.no In case of emergency it is better to have too many than not enough😉 7y
Bklover Doesn‘t look like too many! Who knows what you‘ll be in the mood for! 7y
margreads Possibly one too many. Two max 7y
Katiesbookishlife @ju.ca.no exactly my thoughts. 7y
Katiesbookishlife @Bklover that‘s right ! Always good to have options. 7y
33 likes5 comments
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Texreader
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#momreviews are back!

ElishaLovesBooks Your mom sounds awesome!!! #readatyourownrisk 😂😂 (edited) 7y
mariaku21 That's awesome! I love her review 7y
Mdargusch Love it! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Bookzombie 😂 This is great! 7y
Bookworm83 Yes!! Love the Mom reviews! 7y
rather_be_reading mom reviews 😂😂 7y
103 likes6 comments
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Lwiesman
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Pickpick

My last read of 2017. What an amazing story. I love Kate Morton‘s writing. This was the first book I have read of hers and it will not be the last.

PenguinInFlight I LOVE her. I‘ve read all her books to date and they are amazing. 7y
annahenke Love her! They‘re all good! 7y
Andrew65 I recommend my favourite of hers, 7y
Lwiesman @Andrew65 I have that one and The Lake House. They are on my tbr! 7y
69 likes4 comments
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Skeebies05
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Amaretto Hot Chocolate and a new - to me - book. Im a bout to take a break from reading and go back to binge watching Mad Men- again. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 everyone!

22 likes1 stack add
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Lwiesman
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Now on to one of my secret Santa books from October.

PenguinInFlight I love Kate Morton SO MUCH. 😍😍 7y
BookBabe Ditto what @PenguinInFlight said! 😍❤️ 7y
92 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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#time
Yet another on my tbr shelf!!

#Noteworthynovember

Jess7 Have you read Kate Morton before? I absolutely loved The Lake House. This one is on my #TBR too. I love her writing style! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Jess7 no... 😣 I‘ve got to make time for this one!!! I‘ll add The Lake House to my list!! So little time!! 7y
Reecaspieces Love Kate Morton!! 7y
102 likes2 stack adds3 comments