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Seating Arrangements
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
Maggie Shipsteads irresistible social satire, set on an exclusive New England island over a wedding weekend in June, provides a deliciously biting glimpse into the lives of the well-bred and ill-behaved. Winn Van Meter is heading for his familys retreat on the pristine New England island of Waskeke. Normally a haven of calm, for the next three days this sanctuary will be overrun by tipsy revelers as Winn prepares for the marriage of his daughter Daphne to the affable young scion Greyson Duff. Winns wife, Biddy, has planned the wedding with military precision, but arrangements are sideswept by a storm of salacious misbehavior and intractable lust: Daphnes sister, Livia, who has recently had her heart broken by Teddy Fenn, the son of her fathers oldest rival, is an eager target for the seductive wiles of Greysons best man; Winn, instead of reveling in his patriarchal duties, is tormented by his long-standing crush on Daphnes beguiling bridesmaid Agatha; and the bride and groom find themselves presiding over a spectacle of misplaced desire, marital infidelity, and monumental loss of faith in the rituals of American life. Hilarious, keenly intelligent, and commandingly well written, Shipsteads deceptively frothy first novel is a piercing rumination on desire, on love and its obligations, and on the dangers of leading an inauthentic life, heralding the debut of an exciting new literary voice.
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TheBookgeekFrau
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Looks good!! 2y
Trashcanman ❤️ 2y
TheBookgeekFrau @Trashcanman Hey George 😊 How's it going? 2y
Eggs Sounds amazing 😻 2y
33 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LeslieO
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Eggs 💙🤍🖤 2y
34 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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#Movie2BookRecs @klou
Prompt: National Lampoon's European Vacation

Klou I really love this cover. Beautifully subtle 2y
TheSpineView @Klou 😍📘 2y
48 likes2 comments
review
Litsi
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
Pickpick

This novel is a series of linked observations, like literary pointalism. The characters touch the bondaries of their bubble in society - prep school, college, clubs and wealty ennui but never burst it. The sole character of color is used to give a distanced & morally correct pov. I can‘t wait for the book that shows a black person happily drinking & swimming in the lemonade. If you liked The Nest, you‘ll like this, but there are no surprises.

3 likes1 stack add
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Amandajoy
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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I‘m posting one book a day from my extensive TBR pile. No description. No explanation. Some will be new. Some will be old. They all spoke to me at one time. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in on the fun if you want to.

Day 16 #tbrpile

janeycanuck I really enjoyed this one - pick it up next time you have a hankering for a “rich people problems” story! 4y
38 likes1 comment
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KarenUK
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Mehso-so

Just OK for me.... 🤷‍♀️
I thought I was going to love it, as these WASPy, summering on the island, lunch at the country-club, rich people problem novels are usually my perfect brain-candy! But this one just wasn‘t as much fun as I‘d wanted it to be. I found Winn too creepy, Livia almost insufferable, and many characters just so bland. Probably the point, but it made it much less fun. Less witty, more icky, than I‘d hoped.....

Cinfhen I liked it but I totally see what you‘re saying. @BarbaraBB felt similar to you 5y
KarenUK @Cinfhen I also think it could be a timing thing? It‘s a weird time to find the right book to suit my mood! 💕 5y
48 likes2 comments
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KarenUK
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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#weeklyforecast

- Halfway through the tagged book, a fun summery brain candy kind of read 🧠🍭
- Just starting Glass Hotel and have a feeling I‘m going to love it....
Both are for #bookspinbonanza books 3 & 4

- Up next..... the Emma Straub for B&N bookclub, Foreign Affairs for #bookspin #5 and Lolita for #booked2020 #bannedbook

Cinfhen You have LOTS of good ones 💚💙 5y
39 likes1 comment
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mrp27
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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#letstravelaugust

A #destinationwedding of sorts. I still need to read this one.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👰💍❤️ 5y
OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚👰🏻💍 5y
33 likes2 comments
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Sarz
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

3.5 ⭐
I've seen a lot of negative reviews about this one and although I didn't love it by any means, I did enjoy it for what it was - a bit of a laugh about the lives of rich people. The story is not great and I'm unlikely to remember it but I laughed out loud a few times. The characters are AWFUL - I especially hate Winn! But I like being made to feel strongly about something/someone even when the book is bad.

BookaholicNatty I miss the amount of reading I used to do before school stole all my time but I have been vicariously living through the book reviews you have been posting 😁 You have been reading some true gems 6y
19 likes1 comment
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CarolynM
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Mehso-so

What a bunch of odious people! The writing was sharp and the author did a good job of skewering the pretentions and insecurities of people for whom social status is a defining issue, but a I would have liked a stronger story. Ultimately it was just a series of incidents that didn't signify much at all. Thanks for the buddy read ladies😘😘😘

Cinfhen Great review ~ I definitely recognize this book‘s shortcomings but I‘ve read much worse. 6y
thebluestocking I thought the writing, as far as observations and characters went, was outstanding. But I totally agree about the plot. 6y
BarbaraBB A series of incidents - 😂. You‘re right! Thanks for reading along 😘 6y
70 likes3 comments
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thebluestocking
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Mehso-so

Unfortunately, strong writing and a solid first half gave way to a somewhat sloppy second half. I think Maggie Shipstead is talented, and this book has many quotable lines and astute observations. But while I do occasionally like a good book about rich people problems, it turns out it wasn‘t much fun to watch a rich entitled white guy implode.

Thanks for the buddy read, @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @CarolynM! I enjoyed reading along with you.

BarbaraBB Great review. Spot on! Thanks for reading along ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen I agree the beginning of book was much stronger than the end. I thought some of the turns this book took were ridiculous but I still felt the writing saved this book from so-so to a pick. 6y
thebluestocking @BarbaraBB Thanks! I really enjoyed having a speedy buddy read. 😂 6y
thebluestocking @Cinfhen It was right on the bubble for me. I loved the writing too. I‘ll definitely read more of her stuff. 6y
61 likes4 comments
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BarbaraBB
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Mehso-so

What starts out as a slapstick (the days before a wedding when the family is preparing for the big day and the midlife crisis of the bride‘s father is reaching a height), first turns into a tragedy and then spins out of control - for me at least.
An amusing fluffy read but one to forget about quickly.

#Booked2019 #FoodOnCover
#ReadingUSA2019 #Massachussets

Librarybelle I read this one when it first came out...don‘t remember much about it, other than rich people problems and some odd humor! 6y
NatalieR I‘ve had this on my Overdrive wishlist forever. Still not in a hurry to read it. 😜 6y
NatalieR Love what I assume is your meditation cushion. 🧘🏻‍♀️ 6y
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jessinikkip I have heard mixed reviews about this. I hate when a book isnt really remarkable 6y
Trashcanman 🤗💖👁️👁️💖 6y
CarolynM I'm about half way through. I like Winn less and less as each page goes by😒 6y
Cinfhen I thought the writing was better than the standard fluff but I felt and I think I mentioned that certain plots boarded on absurdity. I still enjoyed it as I‘ve read some heavy books and I liked the lighter moments. I agree @CarolynM Winn is more of a caricature than a character (edited) 6y
BarbaraBB @CarolynM @Cinfhen The writing is good, definitely, and so are the dialogues. Maybe I shouldn‘t say ‘fluffy‘ but I felt it spun out of control (Winn, indeed, but also Agatha!) and I felt that some of the characters were not or not well worked out (Daphne, Bitty, all other brides maids). Only Livia and Dominique came to live. So unbalanced. Why?! (edited) 6y
BarbaraBB @NatalieR Thanks! It‘s my yoga stuff indeed 😀 6y
Cinfhen I agree, the writer‘s debut flaws were a little obvious but I still think what could have been utter rubbish was saved by insightful smart prose. But I hated certain parts, like the dog, whale and especially the end with Winn. Even the golf cart incident was a little too silly. 6y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen The whale and the Fenn‘s house made no sense. That‘s where I lost it. And yes that golf cart incident... 😂 6y
80 likes11 comments
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thebluestocking
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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This quote made me chuckle. Shipstead is constantly making astute observations in this book.

@Cinfhen @BarbaraBB @CarolynM

CarolynM Winn is just awful! 6y
thebluestocking @CarolynM Indeed, he is. Truly. 6y
Cinfhen She‘s very good with the zingers!!!!! I found myself highlighting A LOT of passages. 6y
thebluestocking @Cinfhen Me too. So many good lines. 6y
51 likes4 comments
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Cinfhen
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

If you hate reading about #RichPeopleProblems then skip this book, but if that‘s your jam then this book is going to be super satisfying. The writing was clever, witty and acerbic although at turns the book veered a little into absurdity. Winn Van Meter, father of the bride and a man so obsessed with status, appearances & pedigree is on the brink of a mid life crisis as he faces the nuptials of his pregnant daughter. Would make an excellent film❣️

Cinfhen I think you‘d love this one @KarenUK and I‘m using it for #pop19 #featuresawedding 💍 6y
Cinfhen And @BarbaraBB book cover features a lobster 🦞 so that‘s #booked2019 #foodorbeverageoncover @KarenUK 6y
Cinfhen Sorry I was a bad buddyreader @CarolynM @thebluestocking @BarbaraBB but once a book grabs hold of me, it‘s hard to put it down 🙈 6y
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LeeRHarry I‘ve read the tagged book of hers and really enjoyed it 😊 6y
CarolynM Don't apologise, I know how it is. I'm only about 5 chapters in but it has got me intrigued. By the way, I always thought Winnifred was a girl's name. Have you ever seen it used as a male name? 6y
BarbaraBB Great review! You read so fast! I hope to finish tonight. And @CarolynM I too only know it as a girl‘s name! 6y
KarenUK @Cinfhen ooh you know me so well! I was already planning on this one for that prompt too! 💕👍 6y
Cinfhen I‘ve seen Winn before for a male @BarbaraBB @CarolynM but I think the full name is Windsor 🤷🏼‍♀️ 6y
Cinfhen I totally want to read that one @LeeRHarry glad to hear it‘s good 6y
thebluestocking I‘m so glad you liked this one! I‘ve had my fingers crossed that it can stick the landing. While I don‘t love it all the time, I find an occasional #richpeopleproblems book can be a nice palate cleanser. 😉 6y
thebluestocking @Cinfhen I always do that with buddy reads, I can never slow down. Looks like this will be a super fast buddy read 6y
Reviewsbylola Sounds awesome! I live for rich people problems! 6y
131 likes12 stack adds12 comments
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Cinfhen
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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“but the weekend, now surveyed from its near edge, felt daunting, not a straightforward exercise in familial peacekeeping and obligatory cheer but a treacherous puzzle, full of opportunities for the wrong thing to be said or done.” Ummmm, hello foreshadowing!!!??!? This is from the father of the bride, who‘s hiding some sort of secret, as he approaches his daughter‘s wedding weekend😳

BarbaraBB He is at the top of his midlife crisis I think 😉. It‘s funny that this book has been written by a woman not even 30 at the time. She does a nice job imo! 6y
Cathythoughts Sounds interesting... 6y
Cinfhen I‘m loving this book so far @BarbaraBB Her writing is really acerbic , in a sharp biting manner. After some really heavy reads this is much needed @Cathythoughts (edited) 6y
thebluestocking I highlighted this passage too! I think the acerbic writing is great. ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen I‘ve been snorting, chuckling and highlighting SO MANY passages @thebluestocking I‘m really LOVING this #richpeopleproblem read 😍 6y
82 likes5 comments
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thebluestocking
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Seating Arrangements was available on Overdrive so I‘m crashing a buddy read! @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @CarolynM

I‘m really loving the descriptions in this so far. 💄

BarbaraBB Good to have you! This is a great quote indeed and quite descriptive 💄 6y
thebluestocking @BarbaraBB Thanks for posting about it. I‘m really enjoying it so far. (edited) 6y
BarbaraBB I am pleasantly surprised so far too. I have no idea where the story is leading towards yet! (Is that correct English... 🤷🏻‍♀️?!) 6y
57 likes3 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

A double 🤘🏽 review! Keeper of Keys is not yet in the catalog, but was a lovely novella

Seating Arrangements was hilarious and just the sort of thing I needed this busy week.

#MountTBR

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Well-ReadNeck
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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My oldest nephew is getting married this weekend and I thought it would be the perfect occasion to pull this off #MountTBR to read! 🥂

125 likes4 stack adds
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KarenUK
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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#abbainaugust #idoidoidoidoido These two have been hanging-out unread on my kindle for quite a while.... One day I‘ll get to them... maybe even soon! 🤦‍♀️

Cinfhen Ha! Both are hanging out on my TBR too 😂😂 6y
Meredith3 Beautiful dress! 👰🏻 6y
Lindy I remember finding Seating Arrangements quite funny. 6y
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Blaire @Lindy agree re seating arrangements. Tho my memory of it is foggy. 6y
KarenUK @Lindy @Blaire it‘s probably just the kind of thing I need right now for a fun, summer read... 👍 6y
emilyhaldi Maybe even soon!! Or maybe not... who can say!? 😆🤷🏻‍♀️ I know the feeling.. 6y
Mdargusch Love that dress! I‘m stacking this book because I love social satire! 6y
Reviewsbylola I loved The Engagements! 6y
73 likes1 stack add8 comments
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leslieseidel
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

I saw a recommendation for this book, realized I had a copy, and read it immediately. It takes place on a fictional island in New England, which sounds like Nantucket to me. A family gathers to celebrate a wedding and the author does a great job of deep diving into all of the drama that unfolds. There is an abundance of interesting and flawed characters. But what I liked most was the rich dialogue, both inner and between the characters.

CSeydel My sister in law recommended this but I still haven‘t gotten around to it! 6y
Soubhiville I liked her other- 6y
leslieseidel @CSeydel it was written in 2012 and It wasn't on my radar until now. @Soubhiville I want to read that one next. 6y
SledgeReader @leslieseidel @Soubhiville Putting this in the TBR that probably stretches to the moon by now! I love books set on an island. 6y
36 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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jessberk13
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
Mehso-so

It was okay. Sort of interesting. I categorize it as “rich people with rich people problems”. Eh. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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jessberk13
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Snow day morning reads ❄️

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MicrobeMom
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Mehso-so

Finally finished this one. I had a hard time getting into it mainly because I hated every character in this book. Bad review: privileged family wallows in self pity over situations that they have created themselves by their bad behavior. They are self-centered, selfish, and show no love or caring for one another. They almost ruin the wedding. The writing was good though!

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MicrobeMom
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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This father 5 yo daughter exchange made me both laugh and feel sad. Laugh because it quite funny and great dialogue. Sad because all she wants is to be a princess in his eyes even if she is not a real one. Yet he can‘t do that for her. Not sure what this means for the rest of the book. #fathersdaughters #nodaddyslittlegirl

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MicrobeMom
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Finally finished the knitted for my friends baby shower luncheon tomorrow! So I can finally start this one. #knitting #tbr

britt_brooke Aw, cute!! 7y
Cinfhen Exactly what @britt_brooke said 💞 7y
MicrobeMom @britt_brooke @Cinfhen @ForeverNerdy thanks! Makes me miss the time mine were little! 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Sometimes I miss it but only for a second & then I think about 8 hours of sleep! Then I don‘t miss it anymore 😂😂😂 7y
20 likes1 stack add5 comments
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KarenUK
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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@Cinfhen #Decdays #celebration I love a good wedding! These 2 are on my TBR for some fun reads next year....

Cinfhen I have one of those on my TBR too 7y
44 likes1 comment
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Natasha.C.Barnes
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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OH MY GOD there is this incredible short story by Maggie Shipstead about a horrible young male writer publishing a book wherein the protagonist is himself/has his name and if you've ever interacted with a young male writer you need to read this immediately - it is hilarious and horribly real.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/maggieshipstead/new-short-fiction-by-maggie-shipstead-a...

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jessberk13
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Question for @Liberty : I seem to remember you once (maybe many times?) raving about a book with this title. Is this it? I'm getting the feeling there are two authors who both have books by this name. 🤔🤔🤔

Liberty This is one of Rebecca's favorites. ☺️ 7y
jessberk13 @Liberty thank you! ☺️ 7y
janeycanuck I read this after hearing Rebecca rave about it several times. Did not disappoint! 7y
56 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Darth_Kaders
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Went to a wedding last night with my love. The goofy grin shows how much I love this guy!! ❤️❤️One of my favorite books at weddings is Seating Arrangements, what about you guys?

[DELETED] 3803335244 I love this pic! And the background is so pretty!!!! Great moment 7y
BarbaraBB Great happy pic! 7y
chael0910 Loving this pic👍 7y
22 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AvidReader25
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Only halfway through this one, but so far it's a lot of unlikeable wasps complaining about first world problems. Hoping for a little more depth as it moves forward.

17 likes2 stack adds
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Pagesflutter
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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This book is about a summer weekend vacation/wedding celebration, and I remember reading it during a heat wave, so it seemed like my best possible entry for the #SWEETSUMMERSTACK contest. Thanks @Liberty for the prompt! I haven't thought about this book in a long time.

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Well-ReadNeck
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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#RockinMay #WhiteWedding #MountTBR

I've got this one on ebook as part of my TBR mountain. I am thinking I may try for June for this one!! 👰🏽

Skeebies05 Very rich people problems but very funny. Pretty sure I read it last June 😊 8y
Well-ReadNeck @Skeebies05 Funny you should say that. Rich people problems is why I haven't picked it up before now. Hoping to make it a breezy summer afternoon read. 8y
Cinfhen I'm curious about this one...I may need to add it back on my TBR... 8y
95 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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mrp27
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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JodyS
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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My reading partner is feeling a bit under the weather today. Poor baby 🐶

Suzze Hope he feels better! Poor baby. 8y
LeahBergen Oh no. 🙁 8y
TheBookAddict 💕💕💕 8y
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Linda906 😒😒 8y
DebinHawaii Hope he feels better soon! 🐶❤️ 8y
stacybmartin Sending 💜and healing thoughts for your sick baby! 8y
SusanInTiburon Precious! 8y
Bookchipmunk Hoping for speedy healing! 8y
TheCanuckReader Ear scratches! 8y
KendallMorganHall What a cutie! 8y
105 likes10 comments
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RebeccaH
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

I love a good book about ridiculous, unlikeable people.

Simona Me too! 8y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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RebeccaH
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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I was hunting around for the perfect follow-up to RICH AND PRETTY and settled on this one, which, it turns out, was the perfect choice. So good so far.

Lindy Some parts are totally hilarious. 👍 8y
46 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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KilgoreTrout
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Today's book haul from an awesome little used bookstore run by my local library. All paperbacks for $1 and hardcovers for $2!

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catieohjoy
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Maggie Shipstead's hilarious, satirical novel about drunken, repressed New Englanders is definitely #underhyped. A large cast of characters assembles for a wedding on Waskeke, the ritzy New England island where the rival Van Meter and Fenn families own second homes. This is a perfect read to close out the summer! #augustofpages

Well-ReadNeck Yay! I just picked this up on ebook for cheap! 8y
itsbrb Just got this for the Kindle for $1.99! Glad to hear you liked it! 8y
catieohjoy @Well-ReadNeck @itsbrb Awesome! I hope it doesn't disappoint! :) 8y
mllemay I really enjoyed this one! 8y
44 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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cathy6098
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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What am I missing?? I don't want to bail, but I am having a hard time getting attached.😴Think I will revisit in a few days...☺️

6 likes1 stack add
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Linds
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
Pickpick

Good summer read. Not sure when I'll get tired of reading stories about wealthy families in the northeast, but apparently not yet. Shipstead laces this one with plenty of exploration of the disappointments of wealth and obligation.

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Linds
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Linds
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Valpwhite
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

There were parts of this book that were really funny!!! I laughed out loud when the whale exploded all over Livia and when Winn was hit with the golf cart (especially since he was a creepy old man in my opinion). I can't say it's one of my favorite books, but it was definitely worth reading.

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Moonpa
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

Finally reading this - rich people problems - perfect beach read. Now if only I was on a beach.

2 likes1 stack add
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giveitupforlentmom
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
Pickpick

This went so quick! It was a great vacation read! Light, funny, ridiculous!

12 likes2 stack adds
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giveitupforlentmom
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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I'm gonna miss this porch when I'm gone!!! Vacations have to end!!!

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giveitupforlentmom
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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She had never chosen where to live.
This is a sad line.

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Ashley_Nicoletto
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Friday night reads.

15 likes4 stack adds
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mllemay
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead
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Pickpick

WASPy ridiculousness off the coast of New England. Books like this are a license to judge as harshly as you want, since all the characters are terrible but also fictional. Rage-inducing in the best way 👌🏻

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