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God Help the Child
God Help the Child: A novel | Toni Morrison
Spare and unsparing, God Help the Childthe first novel by Toni Morrison to be set in our current momentweaves a tale about the way the sufferings of childhood can shape, and misshape, the life of the adult. At the center: a young woman who calls herself Bride, whose stunning blue-black skin is only one element of her beauty, her boldness and confidence, her success in life, but which caused her light-skinned mother to deny her even the simplest forms of love. There is Booker, the man Bride loves, and loses to anger. Rain, the mysterious white child with whom she crosses paths. And finally, Brides mother herself, Sweetness, who takes a lifetime to come to understand that what you do to children matters. And they might never forget.A fierce and provocative novel that adds a new dimension to the matchless oeuvre of Toni Morrison.
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actualdisneyprincess
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This is my first Toni Morrison, and just…wow. What a gift she had. (And my GOD, this is shattering.) #godhelpthechild #tonimorrison #bnbookchallenge #byapocauthor

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NikkiM5
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Pickpick

#bookspinbingo #doublespin has me flying through books this month. It also helps the books have been awesome; Morrison‘s tagged was another great. I didn‘t cry on this one (almost lol) but it shows when you learn someone‘s story, they become more innocent. And how deeply the past (if allowed) controls one‘s future. Too many relatable notes and quotes from this book, but my Fav line: (about racism) Those who practice it would be nothing without it.

S3V3N I loved this book. 4y
12 likes1 comment
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cslavick1221
Pickpick

Poetic articulation of how past experiences shape future relationships and actions.

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Melismatic
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Pickpick

Morrison‘s final novel is rooted in false appearances, the danger of snap judgements, and the importance of communication. Some elements felt a little unnecessary but overall, you were given insight to multiple POVs and could relate to all of them - the power of a great writer.

#BookSpin for January 2021 complete! 💪🏻

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
20 likes1 comment
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Skygoddess1
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Mehso-so

As with all of Morrison‘s work, the story was well written, for me though it was an ok story. I did find myself feeling sorry for Bride and the treatment she experienced with her mother. Maybe if I go back and read the physical book I‘ll enjoy the story more. #AuthorAMonth #AAMTM

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ErikasMindfulShelf
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Pickpick

Couldn‘t stop reading this one 4 ⭐️

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Texreader
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Pickpick

This is the story of Bride, a child scorned by her light-skinned Black mother for her dark blue-black skin, and the people in Bride‘s life & those who cross her path. Every character is touched in some way by (trigger warning) child sexual abuse, so this can be a difficult read. But it is a powerful brilliantly written story describing how those experiences deeply affect them as adults. I read it in one sitting. #authoramonth

75 likes1 stack add
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Ismellpages
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“What you do to children matters. And they might never forget.”

These two sentences sum up a lot of my childhood.

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NeedsMoreBooks
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Pickpick

This novel follows Lula Ann Bridewell, who calls herself Bride. She has blue-black skin and is shunned by her mother. She builds a cosmetics empire but cannot escape her childhood demons. Booker has a relationship with her but can‘t escape the death of his brother, when they were kids. Apart from racism, this book also shows cultural appropriation, childhood trauma, and human relationships.TW- sexual abuse and pedophilia#AuthorAMonth

50 likes1 stack add
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Bookwormjillk
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Mehso-so

This was well written, but I couldn‘t really get into it. #AuthorAMonth2020

Cinfhen I bailed 😣it was SO DARK & DEPRESSING 4y
Bookwormjillk @Cinfhen agree. I don't mind dark and depressing if there's a reason, but this just seemed to be dark and depressing for the sake of it. 4y
Cinfhen Yes, I was getting that sense @Bookwormjillk I‘m glad I didn‘t stick with it 4y
38 likes3 comments
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Eggs
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Mehso-so

What did I just read...at 192 pages it‘s a small investment of time but not my cup of tea. Glad I borrowed not bought. 1 ⭐️ for effort

#authoramonth2020 @Soubhiville
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

MsLeah8417 Was this your first time reading Morrison? 4y
Eggs No, I have read Home and Beloved @MsLeah8417 4y
MsLeah8417 I highly recommend The Bluest Eye; Jazz; and Sula 4y
Eggs Thanks ❣️ @MsLeah8417 4y
63 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Cinfhen
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Nope, I‘m done. I feel like I‘m torturing myself. It‘s not even 8am. I don‘t think I can stand a whole morning of this tragic-porn. I‘m sure Toni Morrison was a brilliant writer but this book isn‘t for me 😞

Megabooks I‘m going to try this one. It seemed the least sad of my library options 4y
Cinfhen Let me know @Megabooks I‘d like to try another book 4y
KathyWheeler I don‘t think this is one of her better books. 4y
See All 9 Comments
ravenlee I felt the same way about The Bluest Eye. It just felt awful to read it, and I got nothing from the experience to justify it. I‘ve never felt the urge to try her again. 4y
Cinfhen Maybe I won‘t try another so quickly @ravenlee I‘ve seen mixed reviews on this one @KathyWheeler 😕 (edited) 4y
jenniferw88 I really enjoyed The Bluest Eye @ravenlee ! If you can tolerate some magical realism I can recommend 4y
Centique @jenniferw88 I loved The Bluest Eye too. For me, Toni Morrison is one of the authors that I‘m prepared to be completely devastated. I trust her to show me the truth of something terrible - but it‘s not an experience I can do often. Whereas I can‘t bear to read books that treat terrible things lightly if that makes sense? I feel if you‘re taking me into this subject make it raw and real. BUT I haven‘t read this tagged one yet so don‘t know🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y
Centique @Cinfhen I reckon I‘d wait a while before trying her again if this one felt like too much tragedy. You have to be in the right head space. Although I remember loving her book Jazz which isn‘t brutal (I don‘t think?) but it was very literary, beautiful writing rather than plot. 4y
ravenlee Thanks @jenniferw88 but magical realism is a hard pass genre for me. 4y
79 likes9 comments
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Cinfhen
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I‘m enjoying the audio narration read by the author but the story is brutal. I‘m not really liking the book at all!! Thank goodness it‘s short...This is my first Toni Morrison ☹️#AuthorAMonth I know others picked up this book, I‘ll be curious to hear your thoughts

Kangaj1 I've read just about all of her books and they are difficult in subject and writing style, but so worth it. I would suggest The Bluest Eye as another way in to her work. Also, in general, slow and steady with her work is better. 4y
Caroline2 I started Beloved and it was too brutal for me and I didn‘t finish it in the end. 😔 4y
Soubhiville I‘m sorry it‘s tough going. I believe all of her subject matter is kind of difficult. (Still looking forward to it! Also I believe they‘re all pretty short.) 4y
See All 11 Comments
Cinfhen I‘m going to persevere but I wasn‘t prepared for the heaviness/ bleakness @Kangaj1 @Caroline2 @Soubhiville 😭 4y
Kalalalatja I have only read The Bluest Eye (in High School) and Beloved, but both were amazing, imo, though VERY tough and bleak. 💔 4y
TrishB I‘m not sure they are for me at the moment! 4y
Emily92Bibliophile Yeah I had to take a break from this one a couple months ago😢. I LOVED Beloved, but it was a very hard and brutal book. I‘m hoping to read more of hers this year 💔 4y
Cinfhen I think I‘ll try Beloved or the Bluest Eyes because I‘m not sure this particular book is her finest @TrishB @Emily92Bibliophile @Kalalalatja (edited) 4y
Eggs I agree with you @Cinfhen 😞 4y
Cinfhen I bailed @eggs it was too disturbing and I didn‘t feel like the reward of finishing the book was gong to be worth the pain of getting through it 4y
TheBookHippie The bluest eye is my favorite 4y
67 likes11 comments
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Texreader
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A great deal on this ebook today if you‘re doing #authoramonth in August when Toni Morrison is our designated author. Available on all major platforms.

Soubhiville I hope you don‘t mind as I tag the participants in your post 🤗 thanks for sharing this! 4y
See All 12 Comments
Texreader @Soubhiville Of course!! Please share the news! Even though I already have one lined up, I went ahead and bought this one, too 4y
AmyG Thanks!!! 4y
Cinfhen Thanks for the heads up/ bought! 4y
Andrew65 Thanks for the tag 😍👍 @Soubhiville (edited) 4y
MoonWitch94 Ohhh good find! 👍🏻 4y
phatsallylee Thank you! Snatched it up and canceled my 10 week hold at the library! 4y
Eggs Got it!! Thanks @Soubhiville 4y
AmyG I just picked it up! Great find. 4y
69 likes12 comments
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megnews
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Toni Morrison Book Riot Kindle deal today!

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LondElle89
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Pickpick

My firat Toni Morrison book and I enjoyed it. I can see why she is such a influential writer of her time. She writes beautifully, she has powerful and poignant narratives, and she just knows how to write a good story. I can't qait to explore more of Toni Morrison's weitings...I just wish I read her sooner.

9 likes1 stack add
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Peaceful_Reader
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Pickpick

Quick delightful story about Lula Ann and her quest for self - assurance.

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amma-keep-reading
Pickpick

Did an immersion reading (kindle with audiobook). Now that I know that Toni Morrison reads all of her audiobooks, I'll experience all of her books this way.

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staci.reads
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#bookhaulchallenge This was my first #bookhaul post. It was from about a year and a half ago, a few months after I joined Litsy. I have read all of them except In the Garden of Beasts, so 7/8. It was a great haul because I absolutely love 6 of the 7 I read. This was a great idea @Lcsmcat ! I love seeing everyone's hauls!

Lcsmcat Good job! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
67 likes1 comment
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msmckinney
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In honor of the incredible, late Toni Morrison ✨ I‘ve read more than half of this book in less than a day! That says more about her as an author than me.

MrBook 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
24 likes1 comment
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MoniqueChristine
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Pickpick

Morrison‘s empathy and wisdom are etched into ever drop of ink. This is a book about breaking cycles of abuse and finding the courage to love yourself, to love others. But it‘s also a commentary of the destruction childhood trauma can cause. One of the best books I‘ve ever read. I would absolutely recommend to everyone —except— for the fact that I must issue a TRIGGER WARNING: descriptions of childhood rape and abuse. proceed with caution.

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MoniqueChristine
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Morrison is a master of her craft. Her writing is beautiful, powerful—I‘m in love with this woman‘s words.

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MoniqueChristine
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I have never read a book that was so brutal and so beautiful. It makes my heart ache—but with what I‘m not sure. Sadness? Love? Maybe both. It‘s a woven tapestry of shit and sunshine. One of the most powerful books I‘ve ever read and I‘m only 2/3 through.

staci.reads Toni Morrison will do that every time 🙂 5y
MoniqueChristine @staci.reads if that‘s the case then I‘m going to need to read all her work because this book is sweeping me away—right into emotion I have no way of describing. I‘m in love with this woman‘s mind. 5y
Bibliogeekery Shit and sunshine. Perfect description! 5y
8 likes3 comments
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jmofo
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Pickpick

This was my first Toni Morrison book. I enjoyed it, an escape read, not my usual but I was happy to just go along with what she wanted to tell.
I was not feeling humanity and someone suggested I read her but when I was at the library this was the only one that looked like I might not get annihilated reading it in my roughed over state.
I‘m definitely going to read more of her books.
The book felt sparse and a thing or two was left unresolved.

Andrew65 Fantastic time! Well done. 👍🙌😊👏 6y
43 likes2 comments
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ABitLit
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Pickpick

Can we really run from our past?

I love this.

89 likes2 stack adds
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parttimedomestic
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Here‘s a look at my mostly finished greenhouse! There‘s still a lot of work to do inside, but I hope to have many hours of #audiogardening in here this spring!

I read two Toni Morrison novels last year, after years of being intimidated by her writing, and she has become one of my favorite authors. The audio is read by the author, and while it is hard to stomach the subject matter, it is beautifully written and performed.

jb72 What a wonderful greenhouse! 6y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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quietlycuriouskate
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Mehso-so

My first Toni Morrison and I'm ambivalent.
There were lines and paragraphs I loved. It was an emotional gut-punch yet the characters don't really come alive. (Yes, I get that they're damaged by the abuse - told retrospectively - they met with as kids.) I don't know why Brooklyn and Sofia each have a brief stint as narrator only to be dropped. Structurally it feels disjointed and even unfinished and I cannot persuade myself that's deliberate. 😐

Notafraidofwords Yeah, this isn‘t my favorite of hers. I suggest Home. 6y
quietlycuriouskate @Notafraidofwords Thanks. I'd like to read more of her because I figure there must be a reason she's held in high regard and I can't believe it's on account of books such as this. 😩 6y
ephemeralwaltz This is also her most recent novel so I suggest you try others by her as well. Sula is amazing!! I still haven't tackled Beloved but I'm on a Morrison binge this year! 6y
Cathythoughts I agree with @ephemeralwaltz ... I havnt read this one. But I would give Beloved a try & see what you think. 6y
KristinaRay This the only Morrison I‘ve read as well. I had very similar feelings about the book when I read it, but I liked it enough that I want to try Sula at some point. 6y
61 likes1 stack add5 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

There is no going wrong with a Toni Morrison creation. This one felt different than her others...a bit less lyrical, maybe more straight-forward; however, it's still a beautiful book. As always, she packs an emotional punch.

59 likes1 stack add
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ephemeralwaltz
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#TBR 😍

Weaponxgirl I concur 😍 6y
GatheringBooks been meaning to get my hands on this one. 6y
60 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Brie
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Pickpick

Fairly accessible for a Toni Morrison novel, it tackles how racism, colorism, child abuse, and fraught family relationships impact Bride, the beautiful dark skinned black woman at the center of this book. Difficult subject matter but slightly uplifting by the end.

64 likes2 stack adds
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staci.reads
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Went to Half -Price Books to get books for classroom libraries but came out with my own stack, too. 🤗 So much for my resolution to read through the ones I already own before buying any more. 😕

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kid-cop
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“So this is what insanity is. Not loopy behavior, but a sudden change in the world you used to know.” Loving this audiobook so far! Definitely not my favorite by Toni Morrison, but a great book nonetheless.

2 likes1 stack add
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TheBookkeepersApprentice
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I‘m going to be starting this as soon as I finish the book I‘m currently reading 😊 #litsypartyofone

JazzFeathers Never heard of this one 🤔 7y
TheBookkeepersApprentice @JazzFeathers I found it at a book fair, I hadn‘t heard of it before either, but I love Toni Morrison 7y
11 likes2 comments
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Bookish.SAM
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Pickpick

My first Toni Morrison and it was perfect. Some disturbing moments but so beautifully written. And to listen to the #audiobook read by Ms. Morrison herself may have put it over the edge for me. She has a wonderful voice to listen to.

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Bookish.SAM
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#audioknitting my last few Christmas gifts.

I can‘t believe this is my first Toni Morrison !?!? I‘m only about 1/3 through but have already experienced some serious punch you in the gut content. Just whoa (so far... and I hope that feeling sticks)
#knittersoflitsy

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Kathrin
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Pickpick

Interesting story told out of multiple perspectives. All characters have witnessed or have been exposed to different levels of child abuse. While the narrative often feels all over the place, I do think that in the end Morrison brought it together nicely.

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Kristelh
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Pickpick

A book about racism, even racism within the black community. Mother daughter relationships. A pretty up lifting story all in all. #deweysreadathon #2017, #readathon.

17 likes1 stack add
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Kristelh
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First hour, I listened to 30% of God Help the Child audio and got a walk in. #readathon

16 likes1 stack add
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Pearrr
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Day One 📚

wistfulthinking I loved reading this novel! 7y
Pearrr @wistfulthinking It was a great read ! I wanted more from the ending but that‘s any book 😂 7y
wistfulthinking @Pearrr Same! I was hoping for a part two 😂 7y
6 likes1 stack add3 comments
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EllieDottie
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I going through some big changes in 2017 and have already put a lot of my possessions in storage and will be moving in a few months so I don't have a bookshelf to put my books on right now so I am using my dining room table and floor... Because who needs to eat anyway right? 😂 #shelfie #riotgrams

Tamra Food for the mind. 🤗 7y
Zelma You can always eat on your lap. 7y
BookishTrish What table wouldn't rather be a shelf 7y
See All 10 Comments
tpixie @Tamra yes! 7y
MemoirsForMe 😂😂😂 7y
Suet624 Definitely. Who needs a table... 7y
EllieDottie @Tamra exactly!! 7y
MyNamesParadise Perfect book to tag to describe this situation!! My bedroom floor is covered with library books and books still in Barnes & Noble bags!! 🙈 7y
76 likes10 comments
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lauralovesbooks1
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Pickpick

Not quite as strong as some of her earlier work, but still good with some sections of absolute brilliance. I thought that this was the most accessible of her works that I have read so far. (I'm making my way through of her works)

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volatilestatic
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this; Morrison's novels are always so emotional and enlightening. Probably the last book for this #readathon.

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EllieDottie
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So I am traveling and have very little room to pack more books... And I'm suppose to be in a March book buying ban however I saw this in a book store and was forced to buy it.... I mean a signed Toni Morrison, of course I had to pick it up!

LiteraryinPA Perfectly understandable. 😉 8y
59 likes1 comment