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Midnight's Children
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all timeWinner of the Booker of BookersSaleem Sinai is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the very moment of Indias independence. Greeted by fireworks displays, cheering crowds, and Prime Minister Nehru himself, Saleem grows up to learn the ominous consequences of this coincidence. His every act is mirrored and magnified in events that sway the course of national affairs; his health and well-being are inextricably bound to those of his nation; his life is inseparable, at times indistinguishable, from the history of his country. Perhaps most remarkable are the telepathic powers linking him with Indias 1,000 other midnights children, all born in that initial hour and endowed with magical gifts.This novel is at once a fascinating family saga and an astonishing evocation of a vast land and its peoplea brilliant incarnation of the universal human comedy. Twenty-five years after its publication, Midnights Children stands apart as both an epochal work of fiction and a brilliant performance by one of the great literary voices of our time.
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review
LisaBam
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Pickpick

A book that took me for forever to finish (9 months) and that I initially loved and then fought with and then liked again. The reasons for all this: The unique way of story telling. And just because it‘s so special, I would also recommend it.

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Roary47
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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I listened and followed along for 2 hours. Sadly going to DNF. I can‘t figure out what‘s going on. I know this is a challenging and great book, but I just can‘t get into it. 😢 I‘m not going to review since I‘ll try again some other time.

Ruthiella I read this with a guide to explain all the things I was not getting. Definitely a challenging book. 5mo
dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 5mo
26 likes2 comments
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Karisimo
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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I read this last month and almost forgot to count it as a #chunkstermini ! #chunksterchallenge2023
@amiable

Amiable This totally counts! 👍🏼 1y
34 likes1 comment
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Christine
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Is my neighborhood Little Free Library trying to tell me something? Have not been keeping up with #AuthorAMonth very well lately, to my chagrin bc it‘s so fun. I‘ve wanted to read Rushdie for ages, too.

Soubhiville There you go! 1y
Ruthiella Yes it is! My FLL and/or library book sale acquisitions often seem like kismet too! 1y
Christine @Soubhiville Yes! Now to find the time to read it… 1y
Christine @Ruthiella Who are we to question book kismet? 1y
44 likes4 comments
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Karisimo
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Mehso-so

Honestly, I‘m so happy to be done with this one so I can move on. I had to read a chapter summary to help me in the beginning. The stories seemed so random and only loosely tied together. I was never sure if the narrator was reliable or not. It didn‘t make me want to pick up another book by this author.
#authoramonth
@Soubhiville

Texreader This month confirmed that this author is not for me either 1y
Soubhiville Kudos to you for pushing through! This author has been tough for most readers. 1y
30 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Going through my favorite books read in the last 23 years for #adventrecommends I feel like this is an obvious one. Everyone has read or heard of this one, right? But it was life altering for me and it was my first Rushdie. I read it back to back with Mistry‘s A fine Balance and Lahiri‘s The namesake as an introduction to Indian literature. What an intro that was! I highly recommend all three.

BkClubCare Hmmmm, I have never been able to get into Midnight‘s Children. A lot of why is because I own a very yellowed, very tiny print paperback. Do you think it might be good on audio? 2y
BkClubCare (And thank you for explaining this hashtag) 2y
Sapphire @BkClubCare #adventrecommenda is about recommending a book a day during the countdown to Christmas so that people have a fun boost to their new year TBR. @emilyrose_x hosts it. Her posts explain more. I just chose to look back at my lists to get there. 2y
Sapphire @BkClubCare Rushdie is a master of magic realism. People either adore or hate it. And his work is full of allusion and metaphor. So if you like Marquez, Allende or Murakami it‘s worth it. But if you really prefer a straight forward narrative then audio probably won‘t help. But I will admit I prefer lighter tales on audio anyway mysteries and anything “cozy”. The cat who series, the Mitford books. Gailbraith and Penny too. 2y
15 likes4 comments
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keithmalek
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie

Most of what matters in life takes place in our absence.

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BarbaraBB
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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#AlphabetGame Letter M

I wanted to use Migrations but today‘s news changed that. Please be well Mr Salman Rushdie, and be able again to use your right of freedom of speech to keep writing some of the best books I ever read, like this one. 🙏

Graywacke I saw a story. Scary. 🤞❤️‍🩹 2y
Leftcoastzen 😢🙏🏻 2y
vivastory This is going to be my M as well. I was on a phone call when I saw the news & I was so stunned I literally hung up on the person. I'm hoping that he pulls through 2y
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BarbaraBB @vivastory I was stunned too. The man has been dealing with the fatwa and its aftermath for 30 years and now this? I so hope he‘ll make it. 2y
CarolynM 😢🤞❤️ 2y
TrishB Looks like he‘ll pull through but with life changing injuries 😢 it really is horrific. 2y
Sapphire My heart and prayers are with him. Midnights Children is also one of my all time favorites. I heard him speak at the National Cathedral in DC in 2019 at. pen/Faulkner event. He was amazing. Security was discreet but intense. I was surprised then at such a public gathering. 2y
batsy Just feeling so disturbed and sad thinking about it and hearing about the severity of his injuries. That he evaded threats for so long and at 75? So cruel. 2y
Onioons Great pick any day but very especially today 🧡 2y
Megabooks This was absolutely horrific. I haven‘t checked the news since last night, but I hope he pulls through. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This is awful 💔💔 2y
KT1432 I really hope he‘s going to be okay. 😞😞 2y
BookwormM Totally agree this is also my favourite Rushdie 2y
Suet624 I was rattled for days when this happened. Just horrible. 2y
71 likes15 comments
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KristiAhlers
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Pickpick

For the decade 1971-82 I selected this title for the #bigjubileereadinglist. This book represents England/India. Although this was hard to understand at times (writing style) it was still a solid read and I fully understand why it was included on this list. I‘m also glad I took the time to read it. #travelthroughbooks #india

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ONH
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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“It is the privilege and the curse of midnight‘s children to be both masters and victims of their times…”

Holy moly, THIS BOOK. One of my all-time favorites. It felt like Rushdie took a John Irving family saga plus mysticism and raised the bar. He intwined the protagonist‘s life and complicated relationships with the history of India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh in the 20th cen and added dense prose and powerful irony. *chef‘s kiss* 🤌🏼

KCofKaysville @ONH On my list 3y
7 likes1 comment
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Tamra
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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I love it when used books arrive with previous readers‘ bookmarks. It feels a bit like traveling. 😁

Mollyanna Agreed. Once I found a boarding pass the previous reader. It really felt like traveling. It‘s like a mini-treasure. 4y
cathysaid Me too! So fun. I found the top of a restaurant ticket someone used as a bookmark. Researched and it was a DisneyWorld restaurant from the 70‘s. 4y
Soubhiville Yes agreed! I live finding things in used books 😊 4y
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Suet624 I love that too. 4y
LeahBergen I remember The Book Company. 💖 4y
Tanisha_A Definitely! 4y
Cathythoughts Lovely 💫💫💫 4y
authorjthill Same! I also love finding notes of previous owners in used copies. There's a strange pleasure in used books like following the footsteps of another's journey. 4y
78 likes8 comments
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WormForWords
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Mehso-so

I struggled with this one. It is a longer read than you first expect due to small text. It is very slow, the narrator going back and forth so much I found myself getting frustrated. It is very detail heavy, which I usually don‘t mind, however, I didn‘t quite find that it worked in this novel for me. So much goes on in this book that it scattered my brain a bit. I have, however, only heard great things from others who read this book!

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TheEllieMo
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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1. Tagged.

2. Yes, though far too few!! Rushdie and Annapara this year, need to add a few more!

3. Yes, many times, I love Indian food. My Dad still likes to cook a curry, it reminds him of his childhood in India (he was born there and came to the UK aged 12 a year after Partition).

#IndianIndependenceDay @Blackink_WhitePaper

Blackink_WhitePaper Wow 🤩 great ... a big namaste 🙏 for your dad😊 thanks for playing 💐 4y
32 likes1 comment
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MoonWitch94
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Happy #IndianIndependenceDay India 🇮🇳

1. 📚 2. Yes, I have. I took an Indian Literature course in college & it‘s was my first exposure to Indian authors & history. I‘ve continued to read Indian authors ever since.
3. Oh my, yes! I adore Indian food! It‘s one of my favorite types of food. I‘m fortunate to live by several great places.

🇮🇳 Wanna play @wanderinglynn @DebinHawaii @TheBookHippie @Librarybelle @Sharpeipup

wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag ☺️ 4y
Blackink_WhitePaper Wow 🤩 Your answer to 2 🙌🏻🙌🏻👍 thanks for playing 💐 4y
MoonWitch94 @Blackink_WhitePaper It was honestly one of my most favorite courses in college. My professor was fantastic & although it was a literature class, she also gave us a better understanding of India & it‘s many cultures. We joked she should rename her course “A Taste of India with Dr. Mitra” 😂 💜 4y
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MoonWitch94 @wanderinglynn Of course 😘 4y
Librarybelle Thanks for the tag! 4y
DebinHawaii I forgot to thank you for the tag here too! That class sounds like one I would love! 😍 4y
Blackink_WhitePaper @MoonWitch94 that‘s amazing 😊🥰 4y
MoonWitch94 @Librarybelle @DebinHawaii You‘re welcome 🖤 4y
42 likes8 comments
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Cenuel
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Pickpick

Finally got around to reading a book by Rushdie after years on my radar. The great fantastic awesome Saleem, who expects to be the most excellent individual of all time, is the twin of India... his problem is that his twin sister is bigger than he is. India calls the shots and Saleem is late to realize he is just a follower rather than leader of history. I loved his narrative tone, anticipating future events and wryly commenting on current ones.

Cenuel My edition‘s introduction notes that he removed one line which Gandhi felt was derogatory towards her. I would be very interested to know where the line was originally placed. 4y
3 likes1 comment
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Shaleen
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Pickpick

This book will take you on an arduous journey.Midnight‘s Children has an extremely dramatic plot nothing short of a Bollywood film but what makes it so special is that the story is a perfect blend of magic, history, humour and tragedy. It deals with very complex emotions & exposes the reader to various nuances of human behaviour.

P.S a heads up for everyone-this book will drain your life force. I am not kidding guys 🙈 it‘s an exhausting read.

BookwormM I loved it 5y
quietjenn I loved this book, but it's been ages since I read it. I should probably revisit. 5y
Shaleen @BookwormM Yeah me too😁 5y
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Shaleen @quietjenn I too loved it and I think it will get better with another read😊 5y
Cenuel I am 4/5ths through this book and find the narrator to be hilarious. 5y
Shaleen @Cenuel I agree. I would really like to know your views about the book once you are done. 5y
Cenuel @Shaleen will do! 5y
72 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Shaleen
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Currently reading this gem of magical realism. The tone of the book is self reflexive and the story is deeply connected to actual historical events of 20th century India. Midnight‘s Children is not exactly a tough read but just like One Hundred Years of Solitude it‘s a slow one.

BookwormM Loved this 5y
39 likes1 comment
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thevagabondlawyer
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Pickpick

I have mixed feelings towards this book: The obtuse, overly-descriptive writing style is cumbersome but the vastness of the story and the intricate multi-generational family saga paralleled to the infamous and turbulent modern history of India - - just unbelievable. Midnight's Children, whilst depicts a spectacle so immense, still resonates the basic values we have been fighting up to this day: optimism, freedom, hope, and self-determination. 👏

Desha I have this on my TBR...looking forward to reading it! 💛 5y
thevagabondlawyer @Desha book epic in scale 👏 5y
Desha Yes! I‘ve got an accompanying book analysis to go with it...I think it might help, especially with the magical realism. 💡👏🏻 5y
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thevagabondlawyer @Desha oh nice, where did you get a copy of that analysis? 5y
Desha It was actually on Amazon of all places! I also got an analysis of Infinite Jest on Amazon. 👍🏻 5y
thevagabondlawyer @Desha oh wow Infinite Jest, I have a copy but that book is really intimidating 😅 5y
Desha Lol yes I made it about 100 pages in...we had a buddy read here on Litsy a while ago. If you look down my feed a ways you can see all my preparations and the notes covering the pages. I had to have a companion journal to take notes in!! 😂 5y
37 likes1 stack add7 comments
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TheEllieMo
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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As seems to be the case with all Rushdie‘s novels (the ones I‘ve read anyway), this is a very long one with sections that make you think you should just give up and read something else, but then you come across a moment of brilliance and want to carry on.

#Midnight #MagicalMay @Eggs

Eggs Sounds intriguing👏🏻👏🏻 5y
37 likes1 comment
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Messiejessie
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Mehso-so

This was hard work, but I DID IT! 🤟 I feel like I‘ve run a marathon 😅

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Readerann
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Pickpick

This one took me a while, but it was totally worth it. Rushdie is a master at his craft. #1001books

LauraBrook Hi friend! Are you doing Dewey‘s tomorrow? 5y
Readerann @LauraBrook Absolutely! So happy to see you are as well! ❤️ 5y
19 likes2 comments
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mklong
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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#7Days7Books

Day 2: My first Rushdie and still my favorite. He was the first Serious Author who I loved

vivastory Excellent choice 👍 5y
LeahBergen My favourite of his, as well! 5y
52 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Billypar
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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#7days7books
Day 5
Seven books that made a deep impression and changed me.

@merelybookish feel like joining in?

Heideschrampf Looks like you made an impression on that editon too 🙈😂 5y
LeahBergen One of my favourites, too! 5y
Billypar @Heideschrampf A deep and lasting impression, yes 😁 5y
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Billypar @LeahBergen Yeah, I love it: it's such a head trip! 5y
Lizstarks A great book to leave a lasting impression; each time you read it, it says something new 5y
merelybookish Sure thanks for the tag! And Midnight Children kind of blew my mind when I read it. 🤯 5y
Billypar @Croissonter I wish I reread books more often, but if I did, this one would be high on my list: so much to appreciate on every page. 5y
Billypar @merelybookish Yeah, that was my reaction as well! 5y
vivastory Great minds 😉 5y
48 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Readerann
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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It‘s 11:30 a.m and I haven‘t bothered to get dressed yet - just enjoying being lazy with my book. 12-hour check-in for #StayHome24in48: 2 hrs, 10 min

BookwormM I loved this book 5y
Readerann @BookwormM It‘s very good, but maybe not the best choice for a readathon. I‘m not exactly flying through it! 5y
24 likes2 comments
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Readerann
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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“...we must live like those Britishers? You‘ve looked in the bathrooms? No water near the pot. I never believed, but it‘s true, my God, they wipe their bottoms with paper only!”
Wait! You mean toilet paper isn‘t one of the essential ingredients of life? Like...food, water, and air?!

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WriterAtHeart
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Pickpick

The Booker of Bookers Awards, "Midnight's Children" was an interesting postcolonial tale about the life of India after the British left and the children born on the midnight hour of that fateful day. Though I read this for my current grad. class, I am glad to have gotten a chance to read this novel and reccommend it to others.

NeedsMoreBooks This is one of my favorites 💖 5y
47 likes1 comment
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WriterAtHeart
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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BeansPage I like Jennifer Donnelly so I'm going to go with These Shallow Graves 5y
Melismatic Ooh I haven‘t read anything by any of these authors so I‘m of no help! Lol - is go Graves or Beastkeeper but any sounds great! (edited) 5y
bibliobard Trevor Noah or Midnight Children 5y
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blank I almost picked Born A Crime for my choice, so I vote that one! 5y
Julie548 Born a Crime or These Shallow Graves - both are on my TBR list. (edited) 5y
jessinikkip These shallow Graves 5y
45 likes6 comments
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Debdeb
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
Bailedbailed

Really struggled with this, listening on audible and couldn‘t keep track of what was going on, have been advised due to the complicated story it‘s best to read in paper-form so will do that another time ... story sounds intriguing

BookNAround I really liked this one but I did read a physical copy. 5y
TheEllieMo I read a physical copy along with the audio, definitely made it easier to follow. I‘m glad I read it but I do always feel like Rushdie is trying to flaunt what he perceives as a superior intellect! 5y
30 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Rouge
Les enfants de minuit | Salman Rushdie
Pickpick

Un bijoux! A lire et à relire...

LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Here are links to #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU. There‘s lots of fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! #litsywelcomewagon 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🌺 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Hello & Welcome 🎃📚🎃 5y
4 likes3 comments
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TheEllieMo
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Mehso-so

There is a Goodreads review of this book that compares reading it to walking through molasses - sometimes you stop to reflect on the sweetness of the language or phrasing, but mostly it‘s hard work. And that‘s a good summary. There is an excellent 350-page book here. Unfortunately, it‘s published at 647 pages. Still, I timed it nicely (though accidentally) to coincide with a talk at Gloucester History Festival on Partition.

Lcsmcat 🤣 love this review! 5y
CarolynM Totally agree with you about this one. 5y
30 likes2 comments
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TheEllieMo
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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1. Midnight‘s Children by Salman Rushdie. First time of reading anything by him; I was looking for books about Partition

2. Chastise: The Dambusters Story 1943 by Max Hastings, looks like a good balance of celebration of what the aircrews‘ bravery against recognition of the immense human cost.

3. It‘s been sunny and mild but turned chilly now the sun has gone down.

#WeekendReads @rachelsbrittain

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jen_the_scribe
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Bailedbailed

I really wanted to like this one, an award winning novel. But I just could not get into it. I got almost halfway and it became a painstaking read, to be honest. I found most of the characters unlikable and couldn't relate to any of them. And despite how far I got, I'm not sure what the plot was aiming for. Plus, I did not like the way he put several words together like "whatsitsname," and that's just one example.

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mydearwatson
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚 5y
29 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚 5y
69 likes1 comment
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jen_the_scribe

...desperate for affection, deprived of it by my overpowering shadow, she had a tendency to turn upon anyone who gave her what she wanted, as if defending herself against the possibility of being tricked.

13 likes1 stack add
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jen_the_scribe
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Has anyone heard of Book Beau? These are sleeves to protect your books inside your bags/purses. They have so many cute designs and several sizes. I think I'll eventually get one in every size. This is the indie size and seemed the most practical for my first one.

Schnoebs I have 4 in their xl large size and I use them all the time!!! 5y
jen_the_scribe @Schnoebs Ooo! That's awesome, I can't wait to get more lol 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I‘m a little obsessed with these! 5y
jen_the_scribe @erzascarletbookgasm I love mine so far! 5y
26 likes4 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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Lazy Sunday with my sweet girl, Luna, and the tagged book. My kind of Sunday. 😊 #dogsoflitsy

Spillmrj A book and a dog - all you need to relax 5y
jen_the_scribe @Spillmrj The perfect setup! 5y
25 likes2 comments
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jen_the_scribe

If I seem a little bizarre, remember the wild profusion of my inheritance... perhaps, if one wishes to remain an individual in the midst of the teeming multitudes, one must make oneself grotesque.

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jen_the_scribe

To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world.

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jen_the_scribe
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A breakfast smoothie and some Midnight's Children for today in #BFCr2 I feel like I'm making up for the slow start earlier in the week. I'm feeling good. #FitWizards

@wanderinglynn @Clwojick @Lova @Peddler410 @RainyDayReading @Mynameisacolour @audraelizabeth @thereadingunicorn

wanderinglynn You‘re doing great! 🙌🏻 5y
Emilymdxn Great pic and great book! 5y
audraelizabeth Love your bookmark 5y
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jen_the_scribe @audraelizabeth Thanks! I got it at Barnes & Noble 😊 5y
Clwojick Way to go! 💪🏻 5y
jen_the_scribe @Clwojick Thanks captain! 😉 lol 5y
21 likes7 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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I'm having a bit of a slow start for #BFCR2 because my family and best friend are in town. At least I got to do some reading on the beach as a result. They leave tomorrow and then it's time to really get serious. #FitWizards

RainyDayReading I‘ve had a slow start too. Family events and such just throw everything off haha. Hoping to truly “start” and get on track tomorrow. Good thing this challenge is pretty low key! 5y
jen_the_scribe @RainyDayReading Lol yep family events do throw everything off. I'm not feeling pressured but actually excited to get started though 😊 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 💖📖💖 5y
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Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🤗🎉 5y
jen_the_scribe @Eggs Thank you! 5y
JohannaRose Welcome to Litsy! 😊 5y
20 likes8 comments
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jen_the_scribe
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My kids are at day camp, and it's the perfect opportunity for some coffee and reading in a cozy little coffee shop. 😋☕📚❤

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jen_the_scribe

At times pretentious and other times grotesque, this is unlike anything I've ever read before. It flashes backwards and to the present setting many times, which would normally unsettle me, but so far it is pleasant and entertaining. The transitions flow smoothly and I'm excited to read more.

3 likes1 stack add
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nehawadhwa
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Shopping days!!📚
Who loves the clearance section at Half Price Books? 🙋 🐷

Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🌸 6y
56 likes1 comment
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IuliaC
Midnight's Children | Salman Rushdie
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Not really my style, but nevertheless original and ludic manner of telling the story