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Watership Down 40th Anniversary Edition
Watership Down 40th Anniversary Edition | Richard Adams
Watership Down by Richard Adams is a true classic. This stirring tale of courage and survival against the odds has become one of the best-loved animal adventures of all time. 'We've got to go away before it's too late.' Fiver could sense danger. Something terrible was going to happen to the warren - he felt sure of it. So did his brother Hazel, for Fiver's sixth sense was never wrong. They had to leave immediately, and they had to persuade the other rabbits to join them. And so begins a long and perilous journey of a small band of rabbits in search of a safe home. Fiver's vision finally leads them to Watership Down, but here they face their most difficult challenge of all . . . Watership Down is an epic journey, a stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival against the odds. First published in 1972, this paperback reissue with a stunning new cover celebrates its 40th anniversary. ***Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize*** 'A gripping story of rebellion in a rabbit warren and the subsequent adventures of the rebels. Adams has a poetic eye and a gift for storytelling which will speak to readers of all ages for many years to come' Sunday Times 'A masterpiece. The best story about wild animals since The Wind in the Willows. Very funny, exciting, often moving' Evening Standard 'A great book. A whole world is created, perfectly real in itself, yet constituting a deep incidental comment on human affairs' Guardian Richard Adams grew up in Berkshire, the son of a country doctor. After an education at Oxford, he spent six years in the army and then went into the Civil Service. He originally began telling the story of Watership Down to his two daughters and they insisted he publish it as a book. It quickly became a huge success with both children and adults, and won the Guardian Children's Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal in 1972. Richard Adams has written many novels and short stories, including Shardik and The Plague Dogs.
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trifleneurotic
Watership Down | Richard Adams

"You look hungry," said Hazel to the cat. "Rats getting too clever, I suppose?"

The cat made no reply...[it] crouched almost flat on the ground, thrusting its head forward between its front paws...[then it] began to lash its tail. Its hindquarters lifted & wagged from side to side in mounting excitement.

"Can you run?" said Hazel. "I think not. Why, you pop-eyed, back-door saucer-scraper--"

The cat flung itself across the yard...

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trifleneurotic
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Some authors make you feel you're in expert hands. Richard Adams is one of them. The lives of rabbits, the rhythm of the downs. As I read, it's amazing how I've come to view these "boring" things: with wonder & danger, as they do. It is their world. The characters betray relatable qualities like courage, ego & recklessness - but above all, the compulsion to keep moving, keep living. This is a novel full of life, and I'm moving forward with it.

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trifleneurotic
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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When we think of the downs, we think of the downs in daylight, as we think of a rabbit with its fur on...we take daylight for granted. But moonlight is another matter. It is inconstant...it serves no necessity...it transforms...and its low intensity...makes us conscious that it is something added to the down, to give it, for only a little time, a singular and marvelous quality that we should admire while we can, for soon it will be gone again.

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LatrelWhite
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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❤️❤️❤️

julieclair Yikes! 50 years? 😳 Guess it‘s time for a re-read. I loved this book. 8mo
LatrelWhite @Julieclair 1st time reading and loving it!🫶🏽 8mo
Cuilin I‘m reading the new Watership Down Graphic Novel and it‘s wonderful. 8mo
16 likes1 stack add3 comments
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WildAlaskaBibliophile
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Chrissyreadit i love this book too. 11mo
DebinHawaii A classic! 💙 11mo
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Karkar
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Pickpick

Reread this one for my family book club. I love these bunnies.

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Onioons
Watership Down: The Graphic Novel | Richard Adams, James (Adapter) Sturm, Joe (Illustrator) Sutphin
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Pickpick

Last book of the year and it is a thing of beauty 🐇

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MaleficentBookDragon
Watership Down: The Graphic Novel | Richard Adams, James (Adapter) Sturm, Joe (Illustrator) Sutphin
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I NEED this book. Watership Down is my favorite childhood book and I reread it every few years.

Brooke_H Same! 12mo
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Lauredhel
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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And another fill this week - look at all the movement in that river!

#ISpyBingo @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oh, this is such a pretty cover!! 13mo
51 likes1 comment
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Susanita
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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1. Stuart Little
2. When I was in high school, my mom gave me a copy of the tagged book, just because.
3. Eating brunch at the Pump Room in Bath.
Thanks @Bklover for the tag! Cool picture @Eggs
#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Lovely ☺️ Thanks for joining in! 14mo
Bklover 🩷🩷 I love Stuart Little! 14mo
27 likes2 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Pickpick

Now I, too, have read this wonderful classic. This edition, which I got secondhand from someone, has a box it slots into, although even despite that the dust cover is terribly torn.

I became fully immersed and emotionally involved in this world and loved it.

MommyWantsToReadHerBook I didn't know that it contained stories about a trickster rabbit, which would unfortunately put Adams in the same camp of "uncle Remus" and Beatrice Potter - using stories from Africa and disguising them as European. However the one terribly dark story is perhaps quite unique? I don't know enough about the subject. 1y
Jeg I met him once when he came to Perth. He signed a book for me. Not this one . He was sitting in a little bookshop in a suburb here called Midland. No one there except him and the owner. I did talk with him but I can‘t remember what we spoke about. But I do remember he was a very gentle man and a gentleman. 1y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @Jeg that's a very cool story! 1y
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Blueberry @Jeg How cool! I wonder if he knew yet how loved and famous his book would be. 🩵 1y
Blueberry @MommyWantsToReadHerBook I wouldn't really call any of the characters 'a trickster rabbit'. Or that it's a story originating from African fables. Have you read it? It's a wonderful story. 1y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook The character of El-Ahairah (not Hazel or Blueberry or any of the characters in the real story) is a trickster 1y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @Blueberry these trickster rabbit stories came from West Africa with the slaves. And then some guy (I forget his name) wrote them up as "Uncle Remus" 1y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @Blueberry are you asking if I read Watership Down? That's why I posted this review..... 1y
jlhammar Lovely edition. I remember loving this when we read it in school. 1y
50 likes9 comments
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PageShifter
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Pickpick

Characters were brilliant: I loved how there were different characters in the group and how everyone found their place. I was afraid of starting this because I thought this would made me cry, and I was really concerned of everyone's wellbeing.

These rabbits had now and then really wise opinions to share with each other and had many dangers and adventures.

#SeriesLove23

TheSpineView Fantastic! 1y
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 1y
28 likes2 comments
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reading.rainb0w
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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No work today due to the rain, so I'm lazing in bed finishing up this huge project while listening to Watership Down. You won't hear any complaints about Monday from me today.

#LitsyCrafters #crossstitch #classics #rainydayreads

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reading.rainb0w
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Totally adding "hrududu" to my vocabulary.

Wanna go for a cruise in my hrududu? ....Um?.. ABSOLUTELY. ?

#hrududu #hurdydurdy #watershipdown #rabbitlingo

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Couldn‘t bring myself to pack this mug - so I‘ve taken it to work.

I work in a library, so it‘s fine…

(The rabbit is reading Watership Down - the angle makes it a bit hard to read)

Ruthiella 😂😂😂 2y
LoveToReadLiveToRead Haha, love it! 2y
Cinfhen Excellent mug!!!! 2y
SamAnne Oh I love that! 2y
CarolynM Great mug😆 2y
66 likes5 comments
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trifleneurotic
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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(Fiver had just helped save his companion Bigwig from a deadly snare even after Bigwig's open hostility toward him. Fiver finally convinces the others to move on.)

Fiver sank down into the grass. Bigwig, still trailing his horrible, smooth peg, staggered up to him and touched his nose with his own.

"I'm still alive, Fiver," he said. "So are all of us. You've bitten through a bigger peg than this one I'm dragging. Tell us what to do."

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trifleneurotic
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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New novel reading has commenced!

What will happen? Where will this journey take them? Will they make it to their new home? How will the journey test & change them all?

So begins the story of the 11 rabbits who left Sandleford Warren: Hazel, Fiver, Blackberry, Dandelion, Pipkin, Hawkbit, Bigwig, Buckthorn, Speedwell, Acorn & Silver.

As a reader I'm anxious along with them. But what would you do if you no longer had a home?

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OriginalCyn620
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Pickpick

I‘ve never read this before, and I‘m glad I have now. There‘s some wonderful storytelling here, though it is long. I can see why it‘s a classic! The ending was sad but beautiful, and satisfying.

#bookspinbingo - got a bingo!
#marchmadness
#pop23 - book with a rabbit on the cover
#booked2023 - title starts with V or W

TheAromaofBooks I'm not sure I can explain why, but I really love this book, and have read it several times. 2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
Andrew65 Excellent, a real classic 👏👏👏 2y
SamAnne A favorite from my childhood. 2y
Cinfhen I‘ve always meant to read this but still haven‘t… thanks for the extra push / reminder 2y
46 likes5 comments
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Roary47
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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The animation is not the greatest, but it hits the mark on the feel you should get based on the book. You can watch the episodes on Netflix. 🐰🐇💛

Erinsuereads Oh god I still have trauma from the animated version I had to watch in eighth grade😬😬😬😬 2y
Roary47 @ErinSueMreads oh no! It is rough, but I never even heard of this one until I recently read it. 2y
14 likes2 comments
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ellie_ember
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Chipping away at this book. It is nothing short of amazing. Skillful storytelling, powerful moments, and subtle, deep messages that leave you thinking for days...and yes, it's a book about rabbits 😅🙃

#ya #fantasy

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JacintaMCarter
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Panpan

#2022Book94
I know this is a classic, but I would have been fine skipping it. I‘m sure it‘s an important allegory that should be taught to students everywhere, but if I had to drag myself through it, I can only imagine trying to force teenagers to read it.

BarbaraBB I didn‘t like it much either. The movie is better! 2y
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ellie_ember
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Why did I never hear of this book when I was a kid? It's wonderful! #homeschoolbook #chapterbook #recommendbook

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Roary47
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Mehso-so

3 ✨I can see why this book is a suggested read on several platforms. I have also noted books inspired by it titles I have already read. We have a group of rabbits who follow the lead of Fiver who has a gift of prophecy. They leave their home because danger is foretold. They find other rabbits who are strange so they leave this home too. When they find their home in Watership down they realize that they need females if they hope to survive.

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Bookworm04
Watership Down | Richard Adams

Changed mind wanted to read it. Library was very good she gave me access to kindle version winner !!!! Didn‘t want to give up on it just cuz of the font in paper back. Now can read it.

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OrangeMooseReads
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Pickpick

I had never read this and was not aware that is was a middle grade book. Learn something new everyday.
I liked this. It was well thought out and developed. I love the rabbits. The story is good. That Adams didn‘t make the rabbits do things that rabbits wouldn‘t do with the exception of speaking, is fantastic in an anthropomorphic story.
Worth the time. I see why it is a classic.

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Bookworm04
Watership Down | Richard Adams

Good so far 30 pages in

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Bookworm04
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Picked up from library yesterday. Remember it as child but didn‘t read it or remember it so going to give it a read. Was last borrowed august 2018 l will get it a new stamp !!!

Karisimo You saved it! At most libraries 5 years without a circ means it gets weeded! 2y
Bookworm04 Ohhh wow really :) so what happens. I always had a library card but struggled to get them back on time it all changed now so can re book it if not finished it in time. Loads better. I my mums main career now when I off work or free time so I got her reading to keep her occupied when I working Love of books is defo differnt now using library proper as I use my books at home or kindle or borrow from friends now got library books I love it 2y
Bookworm04 I got 5 out Monday read orange tree all day and just switched to this. Mum getting through good 4 books a week as she reads if she can‘t sleep or when she over thinking. I can read 1 a week if mind is in it. But my first one was last week with my mum a ration book wedding read that in a week maybe 5 days. Now got more as liking meeting deadlines And reserving ones I been after while which ones reading now in my other posts @Karisimo :) 2y
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BookwormM Have the tissues ready 2y
Bookworm04 Aww yes I bet everyone telling me supposed to be sad I on page 18. 2y
OrangeMooseReads I just started this one today 😊 2y
Bookworm04 @OrangeMooseReads I like it so far. Wish could remember it as child but I have memories of it so thought read it see if jogs memory. The library slips just working it out as one book has day month year and rest just have month and day I do post now see if anyone can fill me in 2y
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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Mehso-so

I did it I finally managed to finish this and it was my March #BookSpin if that gives you an idea of how long I've been at it. It was good but took me too long to actually become invested in the characters and the world. I liked the non-human perspective it took but oof it was slow to start for me.
#BuriedAliveChallenge

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kwmg40
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Pickpick

Loved this story! It's much darker and more intense than I'd expected. Peter Capaldi's audiobook narration brought out the rabbits' personalities.

This is my #1972 entry for the #192025 challenge. @Librarybelle

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Librarybelle Good to know about this audio version! 2y
rabbitprincess Yeeeeahhhh Peter Capaldi 😍 2y
kwmg40 @Librarybelle There's also a version by the late Ralph Cosham, whose narration of the Louise Penny books I liked a lot.

@rabbitprincess I didn't know that he had done audiobooks too!
2y
See All 7 Comments
Librarybelle Good to know!! 2y
rabbitprincess @kwmg40 Haha he was the reason I picked up this audio! He also does a voice in the Netflix adaptation if I remember correctly. Dandelion, maybe? 2y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 2y
kwmg40 @rabbitprincess I'll have to watch the Netflix adaptation now! 2y
41 likes7 comments
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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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A rare sighting of a feline reading buddy. Now that we have a dog that is very jealous of my attention I get less. Callie is brave enough to try and stake a claim. #CatsOfLitsy

Catsandbooks Gorgeous kitty! ❤️ 2y
CoverToCoverGirl She‘s my Callie‘s twin. Beautiful, such a brave girl!🧡 2y
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Because I‘m having such a hard time connecting with this one but bailing is not an option I decided to set some mini goals for myself before each reading session. This is where I‘m starting from and where I‘m hoping to finish today.

kwmg40 Do you have access to the audiobook version? I'm also currently reading this for a book club, and I'm listening to it while doing chores. That's helping me stick with it and Peter Capaldi's narration helps define each rabbit's personality. 2y
HeyT @kwmg40 It might be available on Hoopla? I'll have to check my library extension to be sure though. 2y
16 likes2 comments
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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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I‘m starting to feel like my avoidance of my March BookSpin may be heading into @RaeLovesToRead #PicklesChallenge territory. I‘d bail but I‘m trying to 100% another challenge that requires this book. Rolo is also not impressed lol. #DogsOfLitsy

RaeLovesToRead If you complete it, tag me and I'll do you a post 🥰 2y
RaeLovesToRead Good luck!!! 2y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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I‘ve consolidated my new and backlog titles for #BookSpin day to make one giant #AugustTBR. Six are very close to or over 500 pages long. (Thanks chunkster curse!) I‘m determined to make a dent this month. Just need to stop mood reading lol.

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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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#BookReport
I didn't manage to finish anything this week but I made good progress on the two books I'm currently reading. I was kind of facing a wall when it came to the tagged but I think it may be getting more compelling.

#WeeklyForecast
My goal for this week is to finish at least on of the two books I'm reading and see if I can't start into something else.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Panpan

Maybe it's me. Books this week have not been hitting right. I honestly skimmed the last 200 pages of this. Going to place this in the same category as The Hobbit and Golden Compass. I think if I had read this as a teen it might have made an impact & been beloved but reading it now I found the pacing all off and was frankly bored.

LiteraryinPA I‘m having the same problem. Nothing I‘m reading is holding my interest. 2y
ChaoticMissAdventures @LiteraryinLawrence seasonal reading slump maybe? I finally found this one that I am loving 2y
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ChaoticMissAdventures
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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"However they are not romantic and it came naturally to Hazel and Holly to consider the Nuthanger does simply as breeding stock for the warren"

I hate to be "that feminist" but listening to the congressional hearing on abortion and then picking up this book where the female rabbits are only good for breeding is.... Yucky.
Wouldn't give this to any young girls.

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RamsFan1963
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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1. Not often, but every now and then.
2. I first read this when I was around 14, and its stayed with me ever since.
Thank you @TheSpineView for the tag.
#Two4Tuesday
I'm late with this, so I'll tag everyone who hasn't played yet.

TheSpineView I remember that book in high school. So good! Thanks for playing! 2y
51 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Garysgirl7
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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First time reading this. Suggested and bought at a library sale by my boyfriend. So far so good 🙌🏻

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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Starting a new book with my buddy Sierra at my side. Although I think she‘s more into kneading the blanket than keeping me company.
#CatsOfLitsy

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ImperfectCJ
Watership Down (Reissue) | Richard Adams
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Every time I read this book, I marvel at how intense this little story about rabbits is. The way the details unfold and the meaning becomes clear is something I savor. Such a treat to be reading this again with my son, especially as a break from move-prep chaos.

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HeyT
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Happy #BookSpin Day to all who celebrate! Apparently my chunkster curse is back as the tagged is my BookSpin and Wizard‘s First Rule is my double. The rest are my tentative tbr for March. Not pictured is my book club pick The Actual Star from my kobo.

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keepingupwiththepenguins
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Mehso-so

Just as you think the rabbits are safe and happy, a new danger arises that looks set to doom them, only they overcome it by working together and appreciating each other‘s strengths. As an armchair editor, I would‘ve suggested splitting the story in two, and made the whole Efrafra business a sequel (or, at least, a second volume – Watership Down 2: Back In The Warren). Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/watership-down-richard-adams/

Oryx Watership Down: 2 Fast 2 Furry-ous 3y
Bookwomble @Oryx 😂👏👏😂 3y
Ruthiella @Oryx 🤣🤣🤣 3y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Deblovestoread
Watership Down (Reissue) | Richard Adams
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Last time I‘ll tag Watership Down. I remembered very little but loved it then and love it now.

#WeeklyForecast

Hoping to finish my 3 current books and Cassandra at the Wedding this week plus Razorblade Tears on audio for the readathon for #Sharread. Also need to get caught up on my buddy reads. I changed my mind but didn‘t change my collage when choosing Razorblade from Sharon‘s TBR.

49 likes1 stack add
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Deblovestoread
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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#BookReport

Finished both #Roll100 books:

The Wife Upstairs 2🌟 I think this was suppose to be a thriller but there was no tension or suspense.
Whereabouts 3.5🌟 Lovely writing about a single women‘s desire for connection, at least I think that was the point🤷🏻‍♀️

She Became the Sun 4 🌟 A young girl‘s desire to be great and her journey to that end. Another great #NYWD pick.

Murder on Astor Place 4.5🌟 Great start on a new to me series

PuddleJumper That's awesome! 3y
Cinfhen Nice 👍🏽 I really enjoyed Whereabouts once I realized it was fiction and not an actual memoir 😉😅 3y
54 likes2 comments
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Deblovestoread
Watership Down | Richard Adams
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Weekend plans. Top of the list is to finish WaterShip Down. Decided to hold off on Fresh Water for Flowers until I can immerse myself more fully in my reading. Too many distractions currently.

Andrew65 Hope you had a good weekend of reading. 3y
43 likes1 comment