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The Line
The Line: A Novel | Olga Grushin
12 posts | 1 read | 6 to read
Grushin's stunning debut drew praise that placed her in the top rank of young literary voices. Now she returns with that rarity: a second novel even more dazzling than her first. The line: the universal symbol of scarcity and bureaucracy that exists wherever petty officials are let loose to abuse their powers. The line begins to form on the whispered rumor that a famous exiled composer is returning to Moscow to conduct his last symphony. Tickets will be limited. Nameless faces join the line, jostling for preferred position. But as time passes and the seasons change and the ticket kiosk remains shuttered, these anonymous souls take on individual shape. Unlikely friendships are forged, long-buried memories spring to life, and a year-long wait is rewarded with unexpected acts of kindness that ease the bleakness of harshly lived lives. A disparate gaggle of strangers evolves into a community of friends united in their desire to experience music they have never been allowed to hear. The Line is a transformative novel that speaks to the endurance of the human spirit even as it explores the ways in which we love-and what we do for love.
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BookishTrish
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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Loving the view much more than the book - I loved Forty Rooms so hard that maybe disappointment was inevitable?

Dragon 😻 5y
59 likes1 comment
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BookishTrish
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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This is my July birthday book so I‘m hoping to finish it before the month ends (I get twelve books for my birthday each year - one for each month). Treated myself to a new ring today and am spending more time admiring the stone (Rosetta Jasper) than reading. #spoiled

KathyWheeler I love that ring! 5y
Kshakal That ring is beautiful!! 5y
Megabooks Cute 😍😍 5y
See All 8 Comments
ValerieAndBooks It‘s gorgeous!! 5y
Butterfinger Gorgeous 5y
Slajaunie Pretty! 5y
Ddzmini It‘s a distraction 🙌🏽 beautiful ring ... happy birthday 🎂🎉🎊🎁🎈 📖😋 5y
BookishTrish @Ddzmini Thanks! It‘s in December 😘 5y
68 likes8 comments
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BookishTrish
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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Dear book: I‘d love to stay in bed and read you but the long weekend is over 😭😭😭

cathysaid It does sound good! 5y
JazzFeathers Love that cover! 5y
53 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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BookishTrish
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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Canada Day evening reading view (Do you see a calf in the clouds too?)

suvata I see it 🐂 5y
Cathythoughts I can‘t see it 😬, but I‘m still looking 5y
56 likes2 comments
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madamereadsalot1
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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#LiveMusicLove @vivastory

And my last post! Top left, moving clockwise: Ani Difranco, The National, Death Cab for Cutie, & Vampire Weekend!

Y'all, if you ever have the chance to hear Matt Berninger of The National sing live in person, you best go do it! His voice is perfect. His band is pure talent. They actually sound better live than on album! So phenomenal! Ani was wonderful, interacting w/ the audience a ton, & the other two were solid!

vivastory When I was putting my list together I realized that I saw The National open for Arcade Fire in '07. I wish I could go back in time & smack myself upside the head & say, "Hey, pay attention, this will be one of your favorite bands in a few years." I'm starting to really appreciate Vampire Weekend more. Their new single reminds me a bit of Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeros. 6y
madamereadsalot1 @vivastory maybe you'll get the chance to see them again, they're touring now. This tour's tickets are almost double what I paid the last time they came through when High Violet was first released. And unfortunately I can't go buy concert tickets willey nilley now. Being a responsible adult is no fun. 😆 Vampire Weekend is a family favorite. Have you listened to Rostam's solo stuff since he left the band? It's pretty good, but it's lacking Ezra. 6y
vivastory @madamereadsalot1 I haven't heard it, I'll have to check it out! I've recently been loving the solo album by Jenny Lewis, of Rilo Kiley fame 6y
madamereadsalot1 @vivastory I love Jenny Lewis and Rilo Kiley! Portions for Foxes is probably my favorite song by Rilo. She has an amazing voice. She's also touring. She just came through Houston this week! 6y
19 likes4 comments
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madamereadsalot1
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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#LiveMusicLove @vivastory

Top to bottom: Cursive, Two Gallants, The Get Up Kids

All three of these are some of my favorite bands and they put on some of my favorite shows! They all happened to be at smaller venues, so I had the opportunity to meet them all, except for Cursive(though I did meet their openers, Beach Slang, which is an absolutely wonderful pop punky type band!)

vivastory The Get Up Kids are from here. One of my first jobs was at Camelot music & a mom of one of the band members used to come into our store & convince us to sell their albums, even though we already we're because they were starting to get some national buzz. It was touching, she was so proud of her son. 6y
madamereadsalot1 @vivastory that is so sweet and cool! They've been one of my favorites since the 90's. I still stand firm that their album, Something to Write Home About, is one of the best albums of all time. I never get sick of it. 6y
16 likes2 comments
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madamereadsalot1
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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#LiveMusicLove @vivastory

Left to right: G-Dragon, Elton John, & Childish Gambino!

G is a Korean rapper that I love. It was one of the most dynamic shows I've ever been too! Total shock he came to Houston! Elton was a last minute invite from a friend. The show was phenomenal, I absolutely cried! One of the best gifts ever! Gambino is a hands down fave. He is an incredible performer! I took my son with me as his high school graduation gift!

vivastory Elton John must have been phenomenal! That's a show you'll remember forever. I really like the few Childish Gambino songs I've heard & I've been meaning to check out more of his work. 6y
madamereadsalot1 @vivastory it was amazing! His farewell tour is absolutely a piece of music history, and I got to experience it! You should DEFINITELY look more into Gambino. I listen to him ALMOST more than any other artist. Almost. He's definitely in my top 3 favorite artists. 6y
17 likes2 comments
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madamereadsalot1
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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My first #LiveMusicLove post includes, from top to bottom: L7, Mephiskapheles, & The Wombats.

I never got to see L7 as a teen, but about 2 years ago they came into town & I got to fulfill one of my teenage dreams! Mephiskapheles is a satanic ska band I loved & saw live as a teen. For their first show back to Houston in nearly 20 years, I sure as hell made sure I was there! The Wombats was a gift. Their performance was stellar.

 @vivastory

vivastory I love L7 & I've heard of The Wombats, but I've never listened to them. I'll definitely have to check them out. I used to listen to a lot of ska music in my teenage years. 6y
madamereadsalot1 @vivastory The Wombats are super poppy. I wasn't hugely familiar with them when the tickets were given to me, but after their show I became a fan. The only reason I went was because someone I know bought tickets for him and the girl he was dating at the time. Last minute she flaked on him so he decided he didn't want to go at all, and gave me the tickets. Since it was about 2 hours before the show I just went alone! 6y
13 likes2 comments
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madamereadsalot1
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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Play along with @vivastory and me! We'll be sharing a series of some of our favorite concerts we've attended! Share some of your favorites too. I know we're not the only bookworms who are passionate about music! #LiveMusicLove

I helped cull my list by only sharing shows that I've personally taken pictures at. Otherwise, my series would be WAY too long!

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Sarah83
The Concert Ticket | Olga Grushin
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It was a great evening. Such a nice atmosphere and really great music 😍💕

Buechersuechtling So nice to hear you say so, as as far as I remember it was the concert you were unsure about, wasn‘t it❓ 6y
Sarah83 @Buechersuechtling you are right. 😘 6y
56 likes2 comments
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DoonTheGoon
The Line: A Novel | Olga Grushin
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New additions to the TBR. I promised myself that these are the last books I will buy for myself this year. I've got an addiction!!!

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DennisJacobRosenfeld
Line | Olga Grushin
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When he came home that night, pale squares of windows swam through the darkness; the sky was already holding its frosted breath in anticipation of a new day.

5 likes1 stack add