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How to be both
How to be both: A novel | Ali Smith
SHORT-LISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZEPassionate, compassionate, vitally inventive and scrupulously playful, Ali Smiths novels are like nothing else. A true original, she is a one-of-a-kind literary sensation. Her novels consistently attract serious acclaim and discussionand have won her a dedicated readership who are drawn again and again to the warmth, humanity and humor of her voice. How to be bothis a novel all about arts versatility. Borrowing from paintings fresco technique to make an original literary double-take, its a fast-moving genre-bending conversation between forms, times, truths and fictions. Theres a Renaissance artist of the 1460s. Theres the child of a child of the 1960s. Two tales of love and injustice twist into a singular yarn where time gets timeless, structural gets playful, knowing gets mysterious, fictional gets realand all lifes givens get given a second chance.A NOTE TO THE READER:Who says stories reach everybody in the same order? This novel can be read in two ways, and the eBook provides you with both. You can choose which way to read the novel by simply clicking on one of two iconsCAMERA orEYES.The text is exactly the same in both versions; the narratives are just in a different order. The ebook is produced this way so that readers can randomly have different experiences reading the same text. So, depending on which icon you select, the book will read: EYES, CAMERA, or CAMERA, EYES. (Your friend may be reading it the other way around.) Enjoy the adventure. (Having both versions in the same file is intentional.)
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lil1inblue
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I hadn't read Ali Smith until this year, and I have to say I'm fascinated. I've read 3 by her so far, with 2 more on deck.
#aboutabook #newtoyouauthor

Kitta Oh I love Ali smith! 3mo
lil1inblue @Kitta Her writing is so poetic. She's one I'd like to meet. I'd love to know how her mind works. 3mo
Eggs I haven‘t read her yet…#somanybooks #toolittletime 3mo
34 likes3 comments
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rachaich
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Mehso-so

I don't think I'm clever enough for her writing! I like how she writes, and adored George's story, although it flipped about, but struggled with the 14th century half :/

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ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

I like the way Ali Smith plays with the novel form as a way to explore complex and emotional issues, and I very much enjoy what Smith does with time. Having the two sections readable in either order heightens the sense of history happening all at once, that past/present/future aren't as distinct as they often feel. There's also an almost matter-of-fact way of dealing with gender, and a real but not melodramatic handling of grief that I like.

jlhammar Great book! So smart. We had an excellent discussion for this one in my book club a few years ago. It was especially interesting to see which section/timeline people were most drawn to (it seemed most had a preference) and also to see how the reading experience differed based on which section you read first. 2y
39 likes1 comment
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andrew61
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#12booksof2021 #January @Andrew65
I plumped for a 2014 book for the Jan choice, although 'drive you plough....' was another highlight.
I had a bit of an ali smith splurge in 21 with finishing the seasonal quartet. It's strange as I rd Hotel World when it 1st came out then neglected Ali smith until recently and realised how much I love her writing style. I'm also conscious that many people aren't such fans. I'll try and get to feb later tonight.

jlhammar Love Ali Smith! Read this one with book club a couple of years ago and had a great discussion. 3y
Andrew65 Sounds good, 3y
42 likes2 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
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Mehso-so

How to be Both ebbed and flowed in terms of how interesting it was. Alternately sucking me in and leaving me hanging. Both stories had moments of sparkle and moments of meh. Both ultimately fizzled.

I give it 🌟🌟🌟 3 stars for its intriguing flow and excellent dialogue, but I suspect (as with There but for the) it will fade from my memory rather than scorching it's imprint there.

Tries too hard to be arty and clever with mixed success.

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RaeLovesToRead
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Apparently there are TWO versions of this book. There are two stories and you either get one or the other first. It's a clever idea because you'll get a different reading experience depending which way round you get the stories.

I've got the version with Franchesco first. I wasn't a fan to start off with but I'm warming to it.

P.S. I have no idea what Pickles is petitioning me for... she's gone to sulk in the long grass now!

dylanisreading Pickles is cute! And I like your mug. 3y
RaeLovesToRead @Bianca Aww thanks! 😊😸 3y
29 likes2 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
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Not got a Bingo yet but I have read my #bookspin and #doublespin books! There's still time...

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looking great!! 3y
19 likes1 comment
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RaeLovesToRead
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@TheAromaofBooks

Here is my #bookspinbingo for May!
I'm trying to choose books that I will give away once I've read them because I'm absolutely snowed under with books... some of these are books I have low expectations of, some I suspect won't be my cup of tea and some are non-fiction which I tend to pass on after reading.... there may be a diamond or two in the rough!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Love it!! 4y
Yuki_Onna There are some that look pretty interesting, though! Hope you will be pleasantly surprised by the #bookspin choices! 4y
RaeLovesToRead @Yuki_Onna I hope I don't like them all so much that I want to keep them all!!! 4y
Yuki_Onna @RaeLovesToRead 😈 The problems of true booklovers... 😆 4y
29 likes4 comments
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andrew61
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Pickpick

#booked2021 @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen Authors 1st name begins with A
Starting challenge with my 1st 5* bk of the yr.
2 narratives ,a 14th century fresco painter, and a 21st c teenage girl, both with connections incl loss of a mother and dealing with sexuality. I cd go on for pages abt how I enjyd George's voice but I love a bk that stretches my search engine incl pet shop boy lyrics, a 20c female painter + 14c frescoes

charl08 Such a great book - had a looong book group meeting about this, made for such rich chat. 4y
Cinfhen I think you just sold me on this book!!! #stacked 4y
Moray_Reads Probably my favourite living author. Just brilliant 4y
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BarbaraBB @Moray_Reads Wow. Really? What is your favorite book by her? 4y
Reviewsbylola This sounds fascinating. 4y
Moray_Reads @BarbaraBB it's very hard to pick. My top three would be There But for The, Hotel World or Artless. But How To Be Both was the first I read and I really should read it again 4y
youneverarrived I read this a few years ago but it‘s still quite memorable. Made me a fan of her writing. 4y
andrew61 @BarbaraBB I've only read autumn, winter, and a long time ago hotel world. I have to read more as I enjoy her writing style a lot Barbara, I liked autumn more than winter so will have to get on to the others. 4y
andrew61 @youneverarrived yes I had this sat on a shelf for a long time thinking it would be a demanding read but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down 🙂 4y
andrew61 @Moray_Reads I read hotel world years ago when it was on the baileys list , enjoyed it, but then neglected her until trying autumn and winter. Her writing style seems unique and I love the way she brings other art into the story. I will definitely try the other 2 you have recommended. 4y
andrew61 @Cinfhen its been in my stack of bks for ages looking at me and it was only when I realised that it fitted the challenge that I eventually picked it up 🙂 4y
CarolynM Loved this one. Winter was my least favourite of the seasonal quartet. I think you'll enjoy spring and Summer. 4y
BarbaraBB @Moray_Reads @andrew61 Thank you both for the suggestions 🤍 4y
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charl08
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Which ones have you read?

I've read Ali Smith, Andrea Levy, Linda Grant, Helen Dunmore, Marilynne Robinson, Anne Michaels (probably my favourite, I loved this book), Ann Patchett, Kamila Shamsie, Barbara Kingsolver, Naomi Alderman, Zadie Smith, Lisa Mcinerney (another one I loved), Valerie Martin, Kate Grenville, Carol Shields (my mum's book group read three of hers when I was a teenager, so I read them too) and Tea Obreht.

#ReadingWomen

TrishB I‘ve read 12 of these 😁👍🏻 5y
Cathythoughts I‘ve read 4 ! I‘ve taken a screenshot & will have a look at them all ❤️👍🏻 5y
Billypar I've also read 4- both Smith's, the Patchett, and my favorite, Obreht's The Tiger's Wife. 5y
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CarolynM I've read and enjoyed the Ali Smith, Andrea Levy, Madeleine Miller, Ann Patchett and Naomi Alderman books. I bailed on the Kate Grenville. I've read other books by Lionel Shriver and Carol Shields but not the ones here. 5y
squirrelbrain I‘ve read 12 too @TrishB ! I‘ve been trying to read this year‘s longlist but had only achieved 8 before the library closed. I‘m waiting to see what‘s on the shortlist next week and then I‘ll make sure I read all of that. 5y
charl08 @TrishB Impressive! Any favourites? 5y
charl08 @Cathythoughts hope you can get hold of them... 5y
charl08 @Billypar I was underwhelmed by Obrecht: but liked her new one much more. 5y
charl08 @CarolynM There are some great books on this list, I think. 5y
charl08 @squirrelbrain I just bought two in the audible sale as they'd not come into the library in time. Still only read 4 though- Woodson a stand out for me. 5y
TrishB From these The Lacuna is my fave ❤️ 5y
squirrelbrain I think I‘d agree with that @TrishB - my fave too! 5y
squirrelbrain I think The Dutch House has been my favourite so far @charl08, then there‘s 3 that I struggle to choose from (Red at the Bone, Dominicana and Girl, Woman, Other) 5y
BarbaraBB Are these all former winners? I‘ve read 14: the McBride (hated it), didn‘t much like the Alderman, Tremain and Shields, enjoyed the Levy, Jones, Robinson, Zadie Smith and Adiche, loved the Shriver, Dunmore and Miller. My favorite is either the Shamsie or the Michaels. 5y
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mklong
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Pickpick

I will not pretend that a lot of this didn‘t go over my head, but I loved it all the same. I love the way Smith leaves so much ambiguity, that you never get tired of turning it over and over in your mind afterward.

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JennyM
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Pickpick

#Booked2019 #GenreBusting

Within this book, a painting is used to tell two very different stories. As a reader, you are free to start with either George or Francescho, and I think who you get/choose makes for a very different reading experience. Luckily, I started with George.

Not my favourite from Smith, but she sure does push the envelope ✉️ 💥

Cinfhen Fantastic review and awesome pick ❣️ 6y
Cinfhen I think @CarolynM said the same about reading the George section first! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Intriguing 6y
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JennyM @Cinfhen @CarolynM I would have been very confused if I had Francescho first. But I did enjoy that story as well. It definitely fits the #genrebusting prompt. Her creativity is impressive 6y
CarolynM I agree totally. 6y
KatieMiller Interesting cover, probably interesting read..will check it out 6y
JennyM @KatieMiller it‘s different. And welcome to Litsy. I read it for a reading challenge #Booked2019 co-hosted by one of the loveliest littens -Cindy @cinfhen. It‘s a fun challenge - no stress and a great way to make friends 😊 6y
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CarolynM
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Pickpick

My copy has the George section first and I'm very glad it did because I am sure I wouldn't have known what was going on in the Francesco part otherwise. The George part is playful, funny sad and intriguing. The Francesco part has it's moments but mostly left me a bit cold. I'm not sorry I read this but I'm not at all sure what the point of it was either. A qualified pick.

Cathythoughts Great ! Interesting review... I loved Bel Canto , but I bailed on Commonwealth ... felt like they were written by two different writers. “ A qualified pick “ 🤔🤔I don‘t think I‘ll try this one ..... 6y
JennyM I just got this from the library. Can‘t wait to read 6y
juliannebenford I read this for my work book club and I started reading it in ebook which was the other way around. When we discussed it a few people said they wished they'd read Francesco first. I agree with your review, I liked it but didn't leave the book with a strong feeling. 6y
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Cathythoughts Oh dear , I just realized I thought this was Ann Patchetts book ... I think the cover reminded me of Commonwealth 🙈🙈🙈. I have the flu .... that‘s my excuse .... sorry for the confusion 6y
CarolynM @Cathythoughts The cover is very reminiscent of Commonwealth, isn't it? Hope you're feeling better.😘 6y
Cathythoughts Thanks Carolyn, I‘m much better 👍🏻😘 6y
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juliannebenford
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And this is my other book club book this month, also from the library. How to be Both is actually a really beat-up hardback but it looks deceptively good in this photo! I picked it up a couple of weeks ago and we had the book club meeting today. Most people liked it but didn't think it was particularly memorable.

Have you borrowed any good library books recently?

RebL Mmm. They are all good. 6y
juliannebenford @RebL True! 😄 6y
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Graywacke
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Pickpick

What struck me, as a first impression, is that Smith is being clever, everywhere, always, and it gives the whole book a playful feel that makes it both very thought-provoking and very entertaining to read. That's good, because I never really got what she was doing here with the adolescent George who recently lost her mother and the 15th-century lost master painter from Ferrara, whom George‘s mother was a little obsessed with. I didn't mind though.

CarolynM Just finished the first half. Like you I'm enjoying it but I'm not really sure what she's trying to say. 6y
Graywacke @CarolynM Left me thinking. And every time I think about the book I wonder about it all over again. Which half did you have first? 6y
CarolynM My copy begins with George. There's enough story there to fuel a whole novel but I assume I'm going to be left with all the loose ends. 6y
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quietlycuriouskate
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Pickpick

I'm glad to say I enjoyed this much more than "Autumn". There's plenty to think about (art, time, grief, gender) and, while I was initially wary of the authorial firework display, it doesn't descend to heartless cleverness.
Reading this book recalled vividly to mind the experience of reading Peter Ackroyd novels during my A-levels (similar theme of reality and time being less solid and linear than we tend to perceive), so I got to "be both", too!

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quietlycuriouskate
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Song titles translated into Latin: be still, my geeking heart! (I got them all except Brown-eyed Girl 'cause I don't know that song.)

I made some non-dualistic muffins. Cranberry and Cheshire cheese. Neither/nor, both/and, sweet/savoury.

Cathythoughts I love Brown Eyed Girl ( Van Morrison, that‘s the one I‘m thinking of ) I would love those scones / muffins too 👍🏻 6y
gradcat I would love for you to listen to “Brown Eyed Girl”...it‘s a great song! @Cathythoughts That‘s the one I‘m thinking about—I love Van Morrison 👩🏼👍❤️ 6y
Nute Very cool post! 6y
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SilversReviews That butterfly button is so pretty...is it a bookmark? 6y
catebutler What a fun post! 6y
quietlycuriouskate @Nute @catebutler Thanks for telling me so! ❤ 6y
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quietlycuriouskate
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"Past or present? George says. Male or female? It can't be both. It must be one or the other."

It's not often that a novel's title is referenced so early on. This is page eight. Although, if my copy were to have the Francesco section first, this would be around halfway through, I suppose.

I'm intrigued as to why she released two versions of the book, and how this affects one's reading of it, depending on which version one has.

MrsMalaprop @Rissreads and I buddy-read this one, each of us with different versions 👏. 6y
emilyhaldi Oooohh I didn't know there were two versions!! So interesting. 6y
55 likes2 comments
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Graywacke
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Trying this one on audio. I‘ve wanted to read Ali Smith, so happy to finally start one of her books.

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Moray_Reads
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1. Sushi 🍣🍣
2. Terry Pratchett or Ali Smith
3. Robin Hood (Disney) and Flynn Rider (Tangled)
4. Early bird
#friyayintro @howjessreads

MirrorMask Robin was a very attractive fox 6y
FantasyChick Oh I loved Robin Hood so much. If any cartoon animal was ever crush worthy....it was him! 6y
BookmarkTavern I said Robin Hood too! 🦊 6y
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Jee_HookedOnBookz I lurrrrrve sushi. I put Japanese food as mine ahahaa 6y
Gezemice Terry Pratchett ❤️👍 6y
Nessavamusic ❤️Robin Hood! 6y
Moray_Reads @FantasyChick @blamethestardust @Nessavamusic He's a fox in every sense of the word 😉 6y
40 likes7 comments
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Rissreads
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Pickpick

#buddyread @MrsMalaprop
My book 1st half George, 2nd half Francesco.
I loved the story of George and could have read more about her. Francescho‘s story was interesting but harder to follow. The story crosses over time throughout which is confusing in parts. Regardless I still enjoyed it.
I loved that it introduced me to an artwork I had never heard of before! (Thanks google)
This is my first Ali Smith book. I will definitely read more from her.

MrsMalaprop Yay! Thanks for organising our little #buddyread 😊. Ali Smith is definitely worth reading more of. I have Autumn if you‘d like to borrow it. 6y
vivastory I love Ali Smith, especially Artful & 6y
Rissreads @MrsMalaprop thanks for indulging me! 6y
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Jeg I guess I need to try her again! Perhaps 3rd time lucky. 6y
Rissreads @Jeg If you do read this book I suggest reading my version of George‘s story first. I can give my copy to @MrsMalaprop if you like? No rush to return it. 6y
Jeg Thank you @Rissreads , It‘s one of the ones I‘ve tried. I‘ll check out the library. I did have Autumn but I think I might have given it away. You seem to be having a relaxing , reading time. 😊📚 6y
Rissreads @keg yes very relaxing but I didn‘t read as much as I would have liked! Too busy walking, swimming, watching whales, drinking, eating and sleeping! 6y
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MrsMalaprop
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Pickpick

Finished our #buddyread @Rissreads 📚👏. Ali Smith is just so clever and inventive, playing around with time, gender and language. Very entertaining and thought provoking.

My version of the book started with Francescho & finished with George. My friend @Rissreads has George then Francescho. I found 15th century Francescho harder to follow & I wonder whether reading George first might‘ve made the book more accessible 🤔.

Still, a great read 😊.

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Rissreads
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What a beautiful spot to read! I‘m soooo lucky!
Bunker Bay, Margaret River. 😊

thegreensofa I love Margaret River! 😍 6y
Alpaca_My_Book Wow!!!! 6y
JennyM Beautiful 6y
Jeg Lucky you.😊😊😊 6y
MrsMalaprop Squeee! Enjoy 📚📚📚👓👓👓😍 6y
22 likes5 comments
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MrsMalaprop
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@Rissreads #buddyread
Finished Francescho. That was a trip😳🤔.
Now onto George.

#31bookpics @howjessreads #currentlyreading

Rissreads 👏🏻 6y
50 likes1 comment
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MrsMalaprop
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Starting this #buddyread with @Rissreads . Join us if you dare 🤗. It‘s written in two parts from the perspective of two narrators. Half the published books have George‘s 1960s story first & half have Francesco‘s 1460s. I have Francesco first & @Rissreads has George first. WTF? Mind blowing?!
Am so far reminded of Lincoln in the Bardo. Something about the poetic other worldly writing, & the struggling to figure out what the hell is going on 🤔😆.

Moray_Reads I heard Ali Smith talk about this in August. Her publisher wasn't keen but she insisted 50% have George first and 50% Francesco. Everyone I know had George first though! 6y
jhod I never knew this! 6y
Rissreads God this is sooooooo much fun! (No, I don‘t get out much......) 6y
MrsMalaprop Interesting @Moray_Reads 👍. 6y
48 likes1 stack add5 comments
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MrsMalaprop
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Repost from @Rissreads
If anyone has this book on their imminent #tbr and wants to join in let us know. 👏😁📚 #buddyread

Rissreads Fantastic idea! Thanks for indulging me! 😘 (edited) 6y
ClairesReads Such a great read 6y
CarolynM Love this idea! Almost wish I was home so I could join in because this one is high on my TBR. 6y
MrsMalaprop Oh shame @CarolynM we would‘ve loved to have you join us. Hope your trip is going well. 6y
38 likes4 comments
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Rissreads
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Next book and buddy reading it with @MrsMalaprop as we seem to enjoy the same books. This book is based on 2 characters telling 2 stories. Half of the novels printed start with the story of a child in the 1960‘s (my copy) and half of the novels printed start with a renaissance artist from the 1460‘s (Serena‘s copy).I wanted to read it with someone to see if it makes a difference reading it in an alternate order. An experiment 😊 #buddyread

WhereTheBooksGo One of my all-time favourites! 6y
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quietlycuriouskate
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I may have got a bit carried away! Last time I checked out the charity shops I came away empty-handed. Not today, my friends!

Here is Volume 1 of the bumper charity shop #bookhaul

BiblioLitten Great haul...both stacks❤ 6y
Zelma Just finished Dark Matter and really enjoyed it! 6y
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Reviewsbylola Dark Matter and The Help are fantastic. I‘ve been wanting to try Ali Smith. 6y
Caroline2 Ohhh The Help is one of my all time favourite books!! 😍 6y
youneverarrived Great haul! 6y
64 likes6 comments
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scripturient
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So here is a picture of the Ali Smith event at #edbookfest yesterday. I loved seeing actors perform her novel and to listen to her reactions to it. 😍

Clare_Riley @scripturient I‘m very jealous - she‘s one of my favourite authors!! 6y
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niluferplum
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It's been a journey. The first 150 pages were a battle of wills between the book and me. I took it to Turkey and New Zealand without managing to read a page. But then it opened itself up like a flower in spring, and it spoke to me. It connected to my own loss and my personal view on history and time. By the end of it, I was hailing Ali Smith as a genius. I am grateful to the friend who made me read this.
#AliSmith #HowToBeBoth

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scripturient
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This is the event I was talking about on your post, @Heideschrampf Sounds interesting and I absolutely adore Ali Smith! @Moray_Reads

Moray_Reads I am so there. It sounds great 6y
Heideschrampf Sounds great! I will only be arriving in town at about 2pm, so i guess it‘ll be a bit much for me and the family. But we‘ll meet at amanda‘s. She usually does 2hrs at least, often longer, but i figure the venue will be more restrictive during the festival! 6y
scripturient @Heideschrampf Okay. 👍🏻 Well, it says ‚doors 19:00‘ on the tickets so I guess the concert starts at 8. Oh well, if all else fails I‘ll simply grab a taxi at half past ten, even if I have to leave a tad early then. 😁 6y
scripturient @Moray_Reads Yay! Wanna meet up for a coffee before? 6y
66 likes1 stack add4 comments
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maximoffs
Bailedbailed

Just didn‘t hold my attention at all

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maximoffs

Has anyone read this? Is it worth it? It doesn't have my interest so far AT ALL

emilyhaldi It‘s been sitting in my tbr stack forever but I don‘t know much about it! I love everything I have read by her so far except this one 6y
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plemmdog
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plemmdog

It is a feeling thing, to be a painter of things : cause every thing, even an imagined or gone thing or creature or person has essence : paint a rose or a coin or a duck or a brick and you‘ll feel it as sure as if a coin had a mouth...as if a duck told you about the combined wet and underdry of its feathers, a brick about the rough kiss of its skin.

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CariadLlyfr
Pickpick

4🌟

I really enjoyed this book despite being hesitant when I first started it. Brillliant characterisation and topics that will no doubt keep me thinking for a very long time.

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CariadLlyfr
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2018 for me is all about perspective, looking at things differently and in a new way because, usually, things aren't as bad as they first appear and it makes things much more interesting and unique.
These 5 sentences gave a perspective of time; 500 years is a very long time but, in conjunction with the age of the earth itself, it is nothing. It made me feel insignificant, my 80+ years (hopefully!) is nothing but a breath in the earth's timeline.

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allison_tx
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Pickpick

Really liked this one. Just exuberantly creative and deeply compassionate.

TricksyTails Welcome to Litsy! 👏😁📚🎉📚 #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
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shawnmooney
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Mehso-so

The modern story about the British teenager was as moving as Smith‘s more recent novel Autumn; the other half, the story of the Renaissance painter, involved way too much intellectual heavy lifting for my tastes, and by the end I absolutely hated it.

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shawnmooney
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shawnmooney
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shawnmooney
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ClairesReads This book 👌🏻 7y
saresmoore Oof! 7y
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shawnmooney
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shawnmooney
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OhNoMersault Grrrowl 7y
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shawnmooney
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emilyhaldi 🙌🏻 7y
LeahBergen 👍🏻 7y
batsy He said, sheepishly (sorry 😂) 7y
shawnmooney @batsy 😂😂 Have you always been punny, or have you been hanging around me too long? 😍 7y
batsy @shawnmooney It's the punny Shawn effect, for sure 😘 7y
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shawnmooney
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shawnmooney
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Suet624 I can't imagine middle school now with phones and Facebook. I wouldn't have survived. 7y
saresmoore @Suet624 Agreed! Ugh. 7y
TrishB My daughter showed me something horrible like this from a party she'd been - a drunken girl on the toliet. It was awful 💔 @saresmoore @Suet624 7y
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DrexEdit So glad I grew up before cell phones. This reminds me of Judy Blume's Blubber. In some ways only the technology has changed. 7y
bedandabook I'm dreading my daughter going to high school because of this sort of thing. There is a special sort of cruelty certain types of girls are capable of at that age when they get together. 7y
Suet624 @bedandabook there is a way, and I'm not exactly sure how it's done, but there is a way for this not to happen to your daughter. None of my four children ever experienced this personally. They created great friendships that included a "no drama" rule. They maneuvered through the complicated chaos and created wonderful groups of friends. That ended up changing the climate of their graduating class. 7y
Vansa I loved this book. 7y
bedandabook How wonderful, @Suet624. You must have done some first class parenting. At 9, my daughter is not one of the 'cool' gang who end up perpetrating that sort of thing. She surrounds herself with similar girls to her who are kind, so I have some hope and your story gives me more. 7y
Suet624 @bedandabook Oh! 9! You've still got plenty of time. Keep supporting that kindness. My kids had more issues with nasty teachers frankly. I was dogged and eventually, again I don't know how I did this, got one of them fired. 7y
shawnmooney @Suet624 @saresmoore @TrishB @DrexEdit @bedandabook Interesting discussion, people! 😍 I was horribly bullied in school, about 800 years ago now, and certainly bullied a few lower down on tthe peckingorder as well. Bullying is a huge problem here in Japan as well. This passage really struck me. 7y
bedandabook You're in Japan? Gosh, interesting place to live! I can remember this passage striking me when I read this book, which I loved, too. We've only got a year before we have to have decided on a high school, @Suet624, so not long to go. Sounds like you've really supported your kids ❤️. 7y
Suet624 @bedandabook wow! A year? That's wild. My best wishes to you with all of this. 💕💕 7y
Suet624 Shawn, I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. Japan and bullying reminded me of Ruth Ozeki's book. I think you read it, didn't you? 7y
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review
kdwinchester
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Pickpick

I read AUTUMN earlier this year and knew I had to pick up HOW TO BE BOTH. My friend @mcorneli insisted I would love it. Of course she was right. 😄
HOW TO BE BOTH is split into two sections. In some editions, the sections are swapped in order, so each reader might have a different experience depending on what edition they picked up. I love how playful this novel is, and how both sections ask questions about the duality of one‘s nature.

Nat_Reads Sounds excellent! 7y
monalyisha Cool! 7y
bedandabook This book remains seared in my memory, even though I read it some time ago now. I just loved it. 7y
DebinHawaii So interesting! Stacking it! 📚👍 7y
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