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Saint Mazie
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Meet Mazie Phillips: big-hearted and bawdy, she's the truth-telling proprietress of The Venice, the famed New York City movie theater. It's the Jazz Age, with romance and booze aplenty--even when Prohibition kicks in--and Mazie never turns down a night on the town. But her high spirits mask a childhood rooted in poverty, and her diary, always close at hand, holds her dearest secrets.When the Great Depression hits, Mazie's life is on the brink of transformation. Addicts and bums roam the Bowery; homelessness is rampant. If Mazie won't help them, then who? When she opens the doors of The Venice to those in need, this ticket taking, fun-time girl becomes the beating heart of the Lower East Side, and in defining one neighborhood helps define the city.Then, more than ninety years after Mazie began her diary, it's discovered by a documentarian in search of a good story. Who was Mazie Phillips, really? A chorus of voices from the past and present fill in some of the mysterious blanks of her adventurous life.Inspired by the life of a woman who was profiled in Joseph Mitchell's classic Up in the Old Hotel, SAINT MAZIE is infused with Jami Attenberg's signature wit, bravery, and heart. Mazie's rise to "sainthood"--and her irrepressible spirit--is unforgettable.
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review
Crazeedi
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

What a fabulous book! Based on a real person. Maizie was raised by her older sister in NYC. When her sister married a mob boss life became easier. Maizie rand the booth of the movie theater, and spent her nights walking the streets , helping the homeless of the city. Her friendship with a little nun was a beautiful part of her life. I highly recommend
#ReadAway2024 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 6mo
56 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Crazeedi
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
1 see above
2 I'm not sure yet! A visit to the library is coming. Ill be taking some books from my tbr stack at home on vacation

TheSpineView I need a trip to the library. 🌞 7mo
35 likes1 comment
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Crazeedi
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Reading tagged book at the moment. This paragraph struck me. Let's all try to be "real human beings" with each other. We are more alike than we are different
#litsylove ?❤️?⚘️ @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@TieDyeDude
#wearebettertogether

AmyG Agree. Some people seem to forget-we are all human. 8mo
kspenmoll Thanks for this necessary reminder Diane! 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 8mo
51 likes3 comments
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MicrobeMom
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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I really enjoyed this book back in the day! @Eggs #thankfulthoughts #sainta

Eggs Looks like a fun read snd great cover! 4y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LeafingThroughLife
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Here‘s my “list” for the February #bookspin challenge hosted by @TheAromaofBooks ! I‘m no stranger to “reading at random,” so I‘m happy to lazily narrow the field to this shelf of A authors and read at random in good company in February. 😀 Imagine numbers left to right - 1 is Say You‘re One of Them and 20 is The Blind Assassin. She‘s not drawing a number til the weekend, so still plenty of time to join in and tackle your TBR!

TheAromaofBooks Glad I'm not the only person who can literally just take a picture of a shelf and be ready! *facepalm* Thanks so much for joining, and I'll be sure to tag you with the winning number on Sunday!! 😁 5y
LeafingThroughLife @TheAromaofBooks The terrifying part is that I could probably do this with a different shelf every month of this year....without repeating. 😬 5y
TheAromaofBooks When I started book blogging circa 2012 I decided I was going to read every book that I own - I've picked up a LOT of books at book sales and off the library discard shelf and that sort of thing over the years, a sort of “who cares, it's a quarter, it's probably good“ attitude that has led to over a thousand books around here. Point is, now it's 2020 and I still have around 700 left! 😝 5y
26 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

If HF is your jam and you love reading about early 1900s NYC this book will definitely appeal to you. While I enjoyed the story, I never grew connected to Maize and this book always lingered at meh/ ok but never wow or great. I wonder if the mockumentary style hindered my attachment?! It was well done but had an air of disconnection. A pick but #MoreMehThanYeah

emilyhaldi I agree! This book has all the makings to be fabulous and yet I was left totally meh 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y
Cinfhen I was feeling generous so gave it a pick but it easily could have been a so-so @emilyhaldi my last round of reads have all been very bleh 5y
81 likes2 comments
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Cinfhen
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Based on some bookish love from @vivastory and the fact that I‘ve had this book on my shelf for ages, I picked it up yesterday. Halfway through, it doesn‘t feel like an Attenberg novel, I‘m getting more of an Alice Hoffman vibe 🤷🏼‍♀️And some Daisy Jones too😉

PatriciaU I stacked this one awhile ago and kind of forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me! It will make a good post-Christmas read.
5y
Cinfhen I agree @PatriciaU if you enjoy HF, especially early 1900s NYC, you‘re gonna love this book 5y
vivastory I hope you love it! And, yes, when I was reading DJ&6 I thought of Saint Mazie 👍that format is very rare 5y
78 likes3 comments
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Mdargusch
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

I loved the story of an unlikely hero, Saint Mazie, told through diary excerpts and interviews. She watched life pass her by as she worked in a ticket booth in NYC during the 20‘s and 30‘s. She found love in the most unlikely places but could never quite hold on to it. So she took the bums, the victims of the depression, under her wing and made them her passion.

Reviewsbylola I liked the format of this one! 5y
emilyhaldi I should have liked this one!! Love a retro NYC setting... unfortunately I listened on audio and it annoyed me 😕 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙💙💙 5y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Reviewsbylola @emilyhaldi I hope y‘all are doing great 💗💗 (edited) 5y
Mdargusch That makes me feel a little better @emilyhaldi since I was beginning to think we were polar opposites on books. 5y
emilyhaldi 😹😹😹 we have a lot of overlap!! Especially in the classics genre 🤓 5y
Cinfhen Reading this now/ reminds me of Daisy Jones but better writing. It doesn‘t feel like an Attenberg book, though. More Alice Hoffman vibes 5y
Mdargusch It is definitely different than her other books @Cinfhen I follow Jami on IG and she has an actual photo of the real life Maizie on her wall. 5y
Cinfhen That‘s cool! I ended up just feeling meh over this book. Something was off for me 5y
Mdargusch Oh well. I know you are a fan of hers so it‘s probably the historical fiction piece since her other books are so current. Time to move on. 😁 @Cinfhen (edited) 5y
76 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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CareBear
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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From last week‘s #CTlitsymeetup ...books bought, received in the gift swap, exchanged for free, and the lovely ladies I spent time with, some of whom I got to know better and others I met for the first time!

mrozzz ☺️♥️♥️♥️ it was fun, as always! 6y
92 likes1 comment
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LinusTheWonderPup
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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emtobiasz Oh, this cover is great! 6y
13 likes1 comment
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emilyhaldi
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Mehso-so

Gosh I wanted to love this one!!! I loved All Grown Up and The Middlesteins but this was a total bust. I request that Attenberg stick with modern day family issues bc this retro vibe just didn‘t work.

Susannah Oh, that‘s too bad! I have this one on my shelf, so far unread. 6y
emilyhaldi @Susannah several people I know loved this book!! So it might be a hit with you 🤗 6y
Susannah Thanks! I‘ve heard good things. I‘m just sorry that you were disappointed by the way she handled the period setting. It‘s not something every writer can do. 6y
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Megabooks That‘s disappointing. I have the audiobook but haven‘t read it. I enjoyed her other books too. 6y
Reviewsbylola This was a pick for me but barely. 6y
L_auren Oh no!!! I was obsessed with this book 6y
73 likes6 comments
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moarbookspleaze
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Three years ago I had an awesome day. I saw Jami Attenberg at my Alma Mater on her Saint Maize tour. I got to meet her IRL after following her on Tumblr for years. And after the reading I hung out with her at a bar!

2BR02B I have the same "read or die" shirt! 6y
38 likes1 comment
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MicrobeMom
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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S: Saint Mazie
T: The Bear and the Nightingale
A: Alias Grace
C: Carrie
E: Eleanor & Park
Y: Yes Please
@LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan 😁🤓👍🏻 6y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Amandajoy
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Looking for something light & fun this morning. Hoping this does the trick!

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OrangeMooseReads
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Had to be out of my house for a couple hours so they could do some routine preventative spraying. Stopped at the Dollar Tree to waste some time. So much for my book buying ban LOL 😆 the bottom 2 are true crime

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MKbookworm
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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My weekend plans...#readinginbed

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theresidentromantic
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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@Christine Thank you so much for my wonderful #cupidgoespostal package!! I loved every bit of it, ESPECIALLY my framed Reylo ❤❤ Thank you for making my first exchange something to remember!

Thank you @BookBabe @Avanders @MrBook for all your hard work in the #VBE!!

Avanders 🌸💖💋 7y
theresidentromantic @Christine I have also never been to an Ikea so I'm extremely excited for those cookies 😍😍 7y
Christine Aww yay, so glad you liked everything!! ❤️ (I have not tried the cookies so I hope they are good, but I love IKEA - the plush heart, frame, wrapping paper are from there too. 😛) And fun that we are in a swap circle with @Lynnsoprano - you gave her such a great package, and she has sent one to me which I can‘t wait to open after I take my kids to school!! 7y
theresidentromantic @Christine That's great! I can't wait to see it! I was so sad that I had to leave everything to go to work, but it'll be waiting for me at home lol Thank you again!! 7y
Lynnsoprano @Christine @theresidentromantic This is so much fun. I haven‘t seen this happen before 😄 7y
74 likes5 comments
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Christine
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Mazie is such a great character: bold, passionate, independent, charitable, vulnerable, resilient, kindhearted, complicated - an early 20th century feminist heroine whose story is still (far too 😕) resonant in our cultural moment. Perfect book to finish on Women‘s March day. 🙂💪✊

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Reviewsbylola
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

I read this based on @L_auren ‘s review. I can see why she loved it so much. Mazie is a very relatable character despite, or maybe because of, her flaws. The diary format worked well and I liked the interjections from others that broke it up a bit. The “historian” researching Mazie‘s life was so obscure though, and I couldn‘t tell if she was just a plot device to tell the story or if she meant more. Also thanks to @Mdargusch for the bookmark!

L_auren I‘m honored you took my suggestion and so glad you liked it!!! 7y
emilyhaldi Nice review. Do you think this would have worked well as a book club choice? 7y
Reviewsbylola Yes definitely! @emilyhaldi 7y
Reviewsbylola It was great! Thank you! 😃😃 @L_auren 7y
116 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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DogEaredBooks
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Look at all this swag for #halloweengoespostal from @rustoryhuf ! Thank you thank you! I especially love the bookmarks and the books and the pumpkin. Oh just all of it 😆

emilyhaldi 🖤🎃 7y
rustoryhuf I‘m so glad you liked your goodies! 7y
emtobiasz Saint Mazie is a good one! 7y
74 likes1 stack add3 comments
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PatienceFortitude
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Mehso-so

I was interested in seeing New York evolving through the characters' eyes... that's why I decided to read this. But I didn't enjoy the piecemeal way the story was told in fragments.

ReadingSusan Agree 100% 7y
12 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Brie
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

A compulsively readable historical fiction book based on the life of a real woman, Mazie Gordon-Phillips. I was enthralled with the character of Mazie and the NYC setting from the start. Mazie is tough but kindhearted as she manages a movie theater and the homeless of the depression. I liked how the narrative wasn't straightforward. It includes excerpts from Mazie's diary and a frame story involving interviews in a pseudo-documentary style.

Suzze Loved this! 7y
L_auren One of my favorite reads this year!! 7y
RealBooks4ever Great book! 💜 7y
68 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Brie
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Seizing the day right: a new read and a cat 📚😺
#carpediem #fallintobooks #catsoflitsy

MinDea What a cute fur face! 7y
imabusybee 😻 7y
vivastory I loved that book 7y
See All 10 Comments
Brie @vivastory I'm really liking it so far. I love the setting and Mazie as a character. 7y
vivastory She's great. One of my favorite characters I've read in the past few months. 7y
vivastory Plus, I worked in a movie theater for 3 years, so I experienced a lot of nostalgia while reading it 7y
Bookzombie Such a cute face! 💕🐱 7y
RealBooks4ever What a sweetie! The book is good too! 😻😻😻 7y
diovival Boop! 😻 7y
Sace I want to seize that feline cutie! 7y
65 likes10 comments
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Bookish_B
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

This story is told through Mazie's diary & interviews of the people who knew her. I'm not normally a fan of that format but in this case it really worked for me. Admittedly, about 200 pages in I was liking the book just fine but that's it. The last 130 pages or so made me love it though. The end left me feeling melancholy but in a good way, if that's possible? I think this one will stick with me for a bit. (I also really love the cover!).

HardcoverHearts I loved this book. I was less compelled by her newest and that made me sad. 7y
charl08 Another fan here. It came highly recommended and I was so glad I listened! 7y
Reggie Yes, the tagged book, I kinda started out okay whatever, and then it got good in the middle and then by the end I felt my soul had become entangled and my heart broke a little and then I felt a longing for it to continue as I reached the last page. They sneak up on you sometimes. 7y
See All 7 Comments
Bookish_B @HardcoverHearts it's funny, I didn't realize she was the same author of All Grown Up until I was listening to an old All the Books podcast and they were talking about that book and the name just clicked into place. I have seen quite mixed reviews about that one 😳 7y
Bookish_B @charl08 👍🏼😊 7y
Bookish_B @Reggie they really do! 7y
emilyesears This sounds really good! 7y
28 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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MPL
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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One of our picks for summer reading! Mazie definitely inspires us to #buildabetterworld.

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Amanda91
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Inspired by a real life woman in New York City, Saint Maizie is a story about triumphing over tough circumstances. Normally I dislike stories told through interviews or diary entries, but Attenberg's deft characterization and pacing went straight to my heart, catching me off guard. What an empowering journey! 5/5 stars.

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NerdyRev
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Trying this one after reading All Grown Up. I kind of love Saint Maize so far. Halfway done and am enjoying the contrast between those who travel and find life there vs Maize who is trapped, yet finds life where she is. Really liking the diary style. Bonus points for it being based on a real person. Double bonus points- you can eat at Saint Maize's in Brooklyn.

Reviewsbylola I'm really looking forward to this one. I didn't love All Grown Up but this seems more up my alley. 8y
NerdyRev @Reviewsbylola I wasn't thrilled with All Grown Up either, but am enjoying this a lot more. Maize is a pistol who makes mistakes, but works through them 8y
29 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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rebeccagent
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Waited awhile to read this one after loving The Middlesteins so much. It was worth the wait to meet feisty and fierce Mazie and her ticket booth on the Bowery during the Depression (pictured here with Buster Keaton)

Reviewsbylola Looking forward to this one! 8y
2 likes1 comment
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thebookmagpie
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Who lives?
Who dies?
Who tells your story?

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mswriterlygirl
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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"The younger ones still have a chance to change their lives, and I'll lend them a hand if they like. But too many of the older men, they've been on the road so long they wouldn't know what to do with a proper home if they had one. The concrete feels right under their bodies. Their discomfort has become their comfort. "

1 like1 stack add
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thebookmagpie
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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This book is killing me with how good it is 💕

Reviewsbylola I want to read this! Ive never seen this cover, I love it! 8y
L_auren One of my favorite books I've read this year!! 8y
thebookmagpie @L_auren it's amazing so far! When Maizie's baby died and Louis was talking about it it feeling anything I was in BITS. 8y
thebookmagpie @Reviewsbylola it's definitely worth checking out! Think this is the "normal" UK cover ? 8y
53 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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Madeline
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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My view for reading for the next couple days! It's hard to pay attention to the book....

LauraAndTaraAndBooks 😍😍😍 8y
Merethebookgal Wow! How lovely 😍 8y
LauraBeth Gorgeous 8y
22 likes3 comments
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BookishShelly
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
Pickpick

5 ⭐️ read. I love this book.

suvata Was a very good book, I agree. 8y
37 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Ange44
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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I'm enjoying this book so far and I just want to give a shout out to the beautiful cover. It's so pretty!

Suzze I loved it. The characters are so interesting. 8y
27 likes1 comment
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LivingReflections
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Be like Mazie... be yourself and be good to others.

5 likes1 stack add
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Ange44
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Getting in some reading time before work starts!

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tysephine
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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In honor of #internationalwomensday, this #recommendsday I am recommending Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg. This was the first Attenberg I read and it pulled my heartstrings so hard I thought I would never recover.

Reviewsbylola I can't wait to try her out. I just got All Grown Up from BOTM. 8y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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E-book
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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I don't have a problem, YOU have a problem. #shopindie #hudsonoh #thelearnedowl

LaurenEH57 Do they have this bag in T-shirt, tote bag or neck tattoo format? 8y
E-book @LaurenEH57 I can hook you up with a good artist for a neck tat 8y
12 likes2 comments
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RealBooks4ever
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Started this audiobook today.

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tracyramone
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Pickpick

Loving this story so much it makes me mad I've scrolled past it on my Kindle for so long!

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Sweettartlaura
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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melbeautyandbooks You are making a serious dent in this challenge. Nice! 8y
Sweettartlaura @melbeautyandbooks Thanks! This, along with Mount TBR, my birthday challenge, &192019, are my true goals. If I can polish off Read Harder or the Litsy Reading Challenge while I'm at it, great. 8y
47 likes2 comments
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Ange44
Saint Mazie: A Novel | Jami Attenberg
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Today's thrift store haul!

Suzze Loved Saint Mazie! 8y
Zelma Great choices! Case Histories is fantastic and I recommend it all the time. 8y
23 likes2 comments