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Smell of Other People's Houses
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
127 posts | 131 read | 238 to read
In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn t like being a teenager anywhere else. This deeply moving and authentic debut is for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Benjamin Alire Saenz. Intertwining stories of love, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation on the edge of America s Last Frontier introduce a writer of rare talent. Ruth has a secret that she can t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she s always known on her family s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it s safer to run away than to stay home until one of them ends up in terrible danger. Four very different lives are about to become entangled. This unforgettable book is about people who try to save each other and how sometimes, when they least expect it, they succeed. Praise for "The Smell of Other People s Houses" The physical landscape of Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock s Alaska is beautiful and wholly unfamiliar, but the true wonder of this thrilling, arresting debut novel is that the emotional landscape feels just as powerful and just as untrammeled. Gayle Forman, "New York Times" bestselling author of "If I Stay" and "I Was Here" Hitchcock s debut resonates with the timeless quality of a classic. This is a fascinating character study a poetic interweaving of rural isolation and coming-of-age. John Corey Whaley, author of the Michael L. Printz Award winner "Where Things Come Back" An honest, gritty, and moving portrait of growing up in Alaska. Only someone who knows and loves this place through and through could tell this story. This book is Alaska. Eowyn Ivey, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "The Snow Child " As only a native of Alaska can, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock blends narratives of indigenous and non- into a buffet of pain and beauty. Highly recommended. Tim Tingle, author of the series How I Became a Ghost The untamed landscape is reflected in the wilderness of the human heart. Hitchcock shows us that it s possible to survive the crossings between wealthy and impoverished, indigenous and settler, proving that any line that divides can just as easily bind. Anne Keala Kelly (Kanaka iwi), filmmaker and journalist The Alaskan answer to "The House on Mango Street, " with full, round portraits presented with poetry, grace, and insight. David Cheezam, Fireside Books, Palmer, AK This is a novel of second chances, of teens being teens, and of what it meant to be the first generation of youth in Alaska to experience statehood. Truly universal. Kari Meutsch, Phoenix Books, Burlington and Essex, VT A thoughtful, realistic novel about community, both the one you are born into, and the one you can create. Erin Barker, Hooray for Books!, Alexandria, VA As Sherman Alexie and Louise Erdrich showed readers life on Native American reservations, now Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock shares the lives of native and white inhabitants of Alaska shortly after it became a state. Poignant and heart-wrenching. Danielle Borsch, Vroman s Bookstore, Pasadena, CA"
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review
linsperspective23
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Mehso-so

This book has been on my TBR for quite some time. It was a goal to read it before the end of this year and finally, I managed it.
Listened to the audiobook, which I quite enjoyed.
The story was interesting, I love Alaska even though I‘ve never been there, and appreciate the story setup. The characters were interesting with different backgrounds and life baggage- some heavier than others, but meaningful and impactful nonetheless.

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SarahBradley
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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“Sometimes you just have to hold on to whatever you can. “

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Joanne1
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved the heart in this book. Set in Alaska and focusing on an eclectic bunch of teenagers as their lives intersect, it was an absolute delight to read.

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JudeCC
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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20 likes1 stack add
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CrowCAH
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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#IfYouLikeThisMovie #AmericanBeauty

Then this book has some hints of midlife crises. But it focuses on four young adults in Alaska.

Klou Great pick!! 4y
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Caffeinated_Reader
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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#57 of my year. This ones been on my TBR list for a while so I‘m excited to see what it‘s about. I‘m just going to read a few chapters before bed because I am actually really tired but I have to at least take a peek 🙃

Caffeinated_Reader This book is a must read. I love it so much. From start to finish it pulled on my heart strings. Highly recommend. 5y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lalanicoler
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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It was a short read. It was a good read.

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imabusybee
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

Another great book. I love books set in Alaska 8/20 #BFC #bookfitnesschallenge #bfcr4 @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn That‘s an interesting title. Do we want to smell other people‘s houses? 🤔 5y
Addison_Reads I really enjoyed this one too. The different perspectives made it an interesting journey to the end. @wanderinglynn some people's houses I probably wouldn't want to smell. 😉 5y
imabusybee @wanderinglynn 😂 I thought that too but some smells remind you of home. 5y
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Maude
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

Listened to the audio while taking a day trip to Whittier, #Alaska. I enjoyed the different narrators and how they all connected with each other. #LetsTravelAugust

Hooked_on_books Beautiful pic! 5y
Maude Thank you, I've only been in Alaska a few weeks and I'm finding it so lovely that I want to take pictures everyday! 5y
74 likes2 comments
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CrowCAH
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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#AyUpAugust #EveryKindaPeople

This book has a lot of different types of people in it.

Megabooks Great book! 5y
tpixie Weird title! 5y
CrowCAH @Megabooks I agree! 5y
See All 14 Comments
CrowCAH @tpixie it is. But I know I have noted the different smells of people‘s houses. I guess you could call it a thing. 5y
merelybookish I really liked this one! 5y
CrowCAH @merelybookish I agree, the four POVs offered a unique peek into life in Alaska. 5y
merelybookish @CrowCAH Yes, and there was something gentle about it 5y
tpixie @CrowCAH lol yes! But to say it aloud! Lol 😂 5y
Cinfhen I‘m not sure why but I‘ve already stacked this one!!! Sounds good 5y
squirrelbrain Sounds great - stacked! 😁 5y
Cathythoughts Great title 5y
CrowCAH @Cinfhen It‘s not my typical read, but I read this for a book club. 5y
CrowCAH @squirrelbrain I think you‘ll enjoy it! 5y
CrowCAH @Cathythoughts I agree, definitely thought catching. 5y
61 likes3 stack adds14 comments
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Kimbono
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Saturday morning reading soundtrack #readingsoundtrack

LiterRohde This is nothing like the description of the book, but the title reminds me of the one thing I hate about living in an apartment building. The smells mixing from all the apartments. Sauerkraut mixed with burnt cheese mixed with cat urine mixed with potpourri. 6y
Kimbono @LiterRohde I remember that smell! My grandfather lived in a high rise apartment building in Philly with interior corridors. When we‘d visit him around dinner time...WHOA! 6y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Stephaniereads1
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Started these

55 likes1 stack add
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CrowCAH
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Halfway through this #audiobook and it‘s soo touching; love how all four main characters interact with each other, though, they at first were seemingly separate.

Eggs Loved this one 6y
Cathythoughts Interesting title 6y
68 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Amaryie
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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With 2 days left of n the month, I am officially booked out.

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Addison_Reads
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

"We don't have to be blood to be family."

I enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audio and really liked that with each new perspective, there was a different narrator.

Great YA book with a lot of heart. ? This is one of those I definitely recommend teachers of high school aged kids (or mature middle graders) have on their shelves.

This checks another off my journey through the states. #ReadingUSA2019 #Alaska @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Sounds like a good book! 6y
21 likes1 comment
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my.books.in.squares
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

“It's still there - my own heart, cobbled together and a little worse for wear - but it's definitely not all beat out.”

A short but sweet story told from the point of view of four children living in Alaska - Ruth, Dora, Alyse and Hank. The author has done a great job bringing all of the characters together and the ending was wonderfully poignant. The detail in such a short story was beautiful.

Slajaunie Welcome to Litsy!📖📚💚 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Hope you're enjoying it here so far 📖💙 6y
RadicalReader That really is a talent for an author to have a short story filled with such detail. Often times it feels lacking or the long books feel droning on and on 6y
41 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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my.books.in.squares
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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#schoolrunreading #currentreads

Does anyone else do the school run early so they can get in some reading time?

readinginthedark For pick-up? Yes, I do this sometimes! 6y
Betty_Boa I'll be doing that this Monday picking my kids up on first day of school😁 5y
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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my.books.in.squares
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Tagged by @wanderinglynn 🙂

1. Scotland, UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
2. Alaska - The Smell of Other People's Houses 🇺🇲
3. Favourite author? Ummmm how do I pick 😂
4. Somewhere sunny! ☀️

#HelloThursday

wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 🌎 6y
28 likes1 comment
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sahilbert
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Pickpick

A wonderful read. Reminiscent of The Lesser Blessed.

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Alexmac136
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Pickpick

Touching book about the lives of children living in hard Alaska, all different and beautifully written stories.

1 like1 stack add
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abbielistenstobooks
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

Short read, great story! When with the different narrators, I had trouble keeping the stories separate.

33 likes2 stack adds
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abbielistenstobooks
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Let's try this one!

28 likes1 stack add
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Eggs
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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77 likes1 stack add
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valeriegeary
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pressing on with my September goal of only reading books I own. This one I bought from the library bookstore a few months ago for a cool buck fifty because I loved the cover and it's set in Alaska. So far I'm loving it.

#readwhatyouown

LauraBeth I may try your September challenge in October 😀 6y
valeriegeary @LauraBeth I might extend it into October! 😄 6y
67 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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TheFunkyBookworm
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

I picked this one up on a whim from the library, but after finishing it, it seems more likely that this book picked me. Taking place in Alaska, this story is told from the perspectives of 4 characters whose lives intersect over the course of the plot. While sad and heavy at times, this is a quiet story of hope, family and courage. To me it felt like a cozy hug- just what I needed today 💜
5🌟

Eggs Loved this 6y
RebelReader Sounds like my kind of book and I love the title! Stacked! 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @RebelReader I know- the title and cover are what immediately attracted my attention! The inside is just as good as the outside!!! 6y
113 likes17 stack adds3 comments
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TheFunkyBookworm
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Day 4: Independence
This is my kind of Independence Day.... watching the Macy‘s 4th of July Spectacular on television! Best seat in the house and no crowds- plus a book in one hand and a cocktail in the other!

Happy 4th, Littens and a big thank you to any military Littens for your service in protecting our wonderful country! 🇺🇸
#ReadingResolutions @Jess7

Eggs Loved this book 💜 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @Eggs oh good! I picked it up from the library on a whim but saw it got great reviews! 6y
130 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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KristinaRay
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Mehso-so

This book had a lot of great elements, but it left me wanting in certain areas. I enjoyed the historical perspective, having very little knowledge of the politics in that area during that time.
#coverlove #ya

rather_be_reading welcome to litsy!! 📚🎉📚 @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
KristinaRay Thanks for the warm welcome. I‘m excited to discover the Litsy world! 6y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. #LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
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RaimeyGallant Welcome! 6y
KristinaRay Thanks for the links! @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
DivaDiane Welcome to Litsy!! 6y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻🌸 6y
KristinaRay @Eggs @DivaDiane @RaimeyGallant Thanks for the warm welcomes! 6y
Jess7 This is on my TBR! 6y
PurpleyPumpkin Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a great community and I hope you enjoy it here. Your posts have been great!👍🏽 6y
KristinaRay @PurpleyPumpkin Thank you!🙂 6y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚🎉Hope you are enjoying it here! 6y
KristinaRay @DebinHawaii Thank you! I am! 6y
Purrfectpages Welcome to Litsy! 6y
DebReads4fun Welcome to Litsy! 6y
14 likes1 stack add17 comments
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TheFunkyBookworm
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Whyyyyyyyyyy do I do this to myself?!?! There is so much stress associated with a big ol‘ library stack like this 😱📚

Lauram You can do it!!! 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @Lauram 💪🏼📚 6y
Bostonmomx2 Right? I‘ve still got 7 here and one to pick up. 3 are going back today so that relieves some stress. 6y
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dylanisreading I do this to myself constantly. I always have various library books laying around the house, not to mention what's on my kindle. I need to finish Truly Devious. 6y
ravenlee Well, you don't actually need to eat, sleep, do chores, bathe....right? 6y
2BR02B I finally have my library stack down to a relatively manageable number (six books.) In the past I've had 30-40 out at once, and the pressure is unbearable! 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @Bostonmomx2 lol I‘m constantly juggling all my checkouts too! 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @Bianca sigh- there will NEVER be enough time to read it all!!! 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @ravenlee actually I only REALLY need to eat- and I can read while I do that 😂 6y
TheFunkyBookworm @2BR02B OMG 30-40!!?! I gasped out loud when I read that!!!! The thought alone increases my heart rate 😂 6y
BittersweetBooks Stress AND excitement 6y
Michollio I work at a library, so I often snag books other people are returning and end up with a big stack 📚😆 6y
125 likes13 comments
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Dearlynoted
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

From front to back! This is a wonderfully written novel. I normally don't read books like this one some would call it a feel good with a bit of drama but this novel was very relatable in many aspects. it wasn't rushed you were able to get to know each character. It gave me all the feels 🤗 makes you wonder if it's really a small world after all.

TheBookKeepers Perfect review! I enjoyed this read too!! 6y
Dearlynoted @TheBookKeepers the imagery made me want to visit Alaska even more. 6y
TheBookKeepers Me too! I don‘t like cold weather BUT I still wouldn‘t mind visiting Alaska at least once! 6y
Dearlynoted @TheBookKeepers I don't either lol 6y
4 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Rachiiebookdragon
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Pickpick

Beautiful book and intermixed storylines. I highly recommend! 5/5

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Dearlynoted
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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I'm loving this book! It's amazing how the universe works. So many families living their lives not knowing they all have a purpose in each other's lives ❤️. Normally I don't read books of this nature but this one may change my tune for genre picks....

3 likes2 stack adds
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GirlNamedJesse
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

Beautifully interwoven stories take the reader all over Alaska and back home again. 🏠🏠🏠🏠🏠

9 likes1 stack add
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Bookish_B
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

I loved this book. I felt like the author only scratched the surface on these characters and their stories but it was still really moving and lovely. A quick read!

41 likes3 stack adds
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GypsyKat
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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And finally (last book haul picture today, I promise!) five hardcover books!!! This was actually my first time ordering from BookOutlet and it definitely won‘t be my last! ❤️ #BookHaul #BookOutlet

TheBookKeepers Ooh I've read two of those 😍 7y
GypsyKat @TheBookKeepers In that case your choice of emoji is very encouraging. 😊 7y
Leftcoastzen Nice! 7y
See All 8 Comments
ephemeralwaltz Omg it‘s been so long since I‘ve bought a hardcover! Bliss 7y
GypsyKat @ephemeralwaltz Have you ever bought from Book Outlet? These were all so cheap! 7y
GypsyKat @Leftcoastzen It was the most fun I‘ve had opening a package in a long time! 📦 7y
Leftcoastzen Yay!I have been trying not to look at Book Outlet! 7y
GypsyKat @Leftcoastzen Do it! I have no regrets! 7y
98 likes8 comments
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litmuggle1
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this story far more than I thought I would. Four different stories from different teens going through truly ruff times in Alaska and Canada in the 70s. A great story about the way things use to be and how much different things where handled. Quick read with very good narrator's although I would suggest the book instead if you have trouble with different pov because almost mixed up the girls a time or two.

Eggs Loved this 7y
asiriusreader Welcome to Litsy! 7y
29 likes2 comments
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TheTallented
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Doing a Ready Player One reading challenge with my bookclub in anticipation of the movie coming out later this month. There are three categories in each gate complete with prizes and a golden egg for the first one to finish. So excited!!! Just finished reading The Smell of Other People‘s Houses and it was so heartwarming.

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chlolovesbooks
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5

20 likes1 stack add
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hes7
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Happy Wednesday! #HumpDayPost

1. I have no pics of my roommate's dog, so here are a couple cute baby polar bears. #LetsMakeTricksySmile
2. iPhone.
3. No nuts, for sure.
4. I just started listening to The Smell of Other People's Houses, and it's about four teenagers growing up in Alaska—so far, so good.
5. Bowling. 🎳

TricksyTails Aww so adorable!! Thank you! 🤗 7y
95 likes1 comment
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Chessa
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Purple was weirdly hard for my unpacked books? Day 4 #riotgrams #purplebooks

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hes7
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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I'm so looking forward to every book in this stack. #FebruaryTBR #Shelfie #ReadingResolutions #Riotgrams

BookishMe Will stay tuned to know how you find ;)) 7y
tarabu42 I LOVED 'The Smell of Other Peoples Houses' and am delighted to see it getting some love! I feel it is both a good book and an important one, two things that don't often come together outside of high literary fiction. 7y
Jess7 Yay! I hope you will be joining our #litsybuddyread of The Women in the Castle !! Also Little Fires Everywhere is excellent 7y
130 likes3 comments
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vkois88
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Mehso-so

I listened to this on #Libby while working. I feel like I probably would have liked it more if it were something I'd read in physical form. As it was, it jumped back and forth between POV and got kind of hard to keep track of. When I was able to keep up with who was who, I enjoyed it. It followed the lives of four teens and how they become inextricably entwined in one anothers' lives during the 60s and 70s. 3.5🌟

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ancientdaisy_xx3
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Mehso-so

❤️❤️💔

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Coco
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the full cast of narrators. I typically don't enjoy books with so many different perspectives and ones that lack a central climax, but this book surprised me! It takes place in 1970s Alaska, and tells the stories of local youth and their lives. Overall I found it to be a refreshing read. #historicalfiction #prettycovers #winterreads #audiobook

75 likes7 stack adds
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Saknicole
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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#river #alaska #ya #bobalaska #battleofthebooks #teachersoflitsy Finally checking off a battle book! I need to catch up with the kids!

Bookartbookmarks Looks like peace! 7y
11 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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GondorGirl
Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

I wasn't expecting to make this my first book of the year, but once I started the audio book at work I couldn't turn it off. It was fascinating to see the way all of the characters developed, and how the stories of these teenagers in Alaska in the 1970s became interwoven. The audio book was brilliantly performed, and the book was a huge pick for me. What a great way to start of the new year. 💙

Jen_Reads I‘m very drawn to that cover 😻 7y
GondorGirl @Jen_Reads That's why I originally picked up the book. The cover is lovely and really fits the book. 7y
GondorGirl Ooo! And this works for 'S' in my #LitsyAtoZ challenge! 7y
64 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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Coco
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Just started this audiobook today! First off, I love the cover!! 😍 I‘m pretty excited to hear an audio with a full cast too! This story is set in Alaska which is a new culture I haven‘t dived into yet! #prettycovers #audiobook #fiction #booklover

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eloreads
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Pickpick

3.5/5
While I enjoyed this book I think four point of views was too much, especially since I was only invested in one character and the chapters from the other characters were just boring.

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kite81
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Pickpick

What an interesting read. 1960s Alaska was still dealing with what it meant to gain statehood, and this novel gives a look into the lives of some families that got tangled in that strife for various reasons. Historical fiction, still recent enough for the teens to be relatable, and a powerful reminder of the power of change.

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eloreads
The Smell of Other People's Houses | Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
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Quick break from studying for finals #college #collegelife #finals #currentlyreading

6 likes1 stack add