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Small Admissions
Small Admissions: A Novel | Amy Poeppel
36 posts | 47 read | 22 to read
For fans of The Nanny Diaries and Sophie Kinsella comes a whip-smart and deliciously funny debut novel about Kate, a young woman unexpectedly thrust into the cutthroat world of New York City private school admissions as she attempts to understand city life, human nature, and falling in love. Despite her innate ambition and Summa Cum Laude smarts, Kate Pearson has turned into a major slacker. After being unceremoniously dumped by her handsome, French almost fianc, she abandons her grad school plans and instead spends her days lolling on the couch, watching reruns of Sex and the City, and leaving her apartment only when a dog-walking gig demands it. Her friends dont know what to do other than pass tissues and hope for a comeback, while her practical sister, Angela, pushes every remedy she can think of, from trapeze class to therapy to job interviews. Miraculously, and for reasons no one (least of all Kate) understands, she manages to land a job in the admissions department at the prestigious Hudson Day School. In her new position, Kate learns theres no time for self-pity or nonsense during the height of the admissions season, or what her colleagues refer to as the dark time. As the process revs up, Kate meets smart kids who are unlikable, likeable kids who arent very smart, and Park Avenue parents who refuse to take no for an answer. Meanwhile, Kates sister and her closest friends find themselves keeping secrets, hiding boyfriends, dropping bombshells, and fighting each other on how to keep Kate on her feet. On top of it all, her cranky, oddly charming, and irritatingly handsome downstairs neighbor is more than he seems. Through every dishy, page-turning twist, it seems that one persons happiness leads to anothers misfortune, and suddenly everyone, including Kate, is looking for a way to turn rejection on its head, using any means necessaryincluding the truly unexpected.
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LeslieO
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Looking forward to both of these books! #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo

26 likes1 stack add
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booksaremyfavorite
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Mehso-so

Another so-so book for me.

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HappilyEverKrafter
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“Happiness is not a zero-sum game. It‘s the only case in which the resources are limitless, and in which the rich can get richer at no expense to anyone else.”

tpixie Great quote! 4y
32 likes1 comment
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jillrhudy
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I had already decided this book was pretty mediocre. Then I misplaced it. I had decided NOT to take it back to the library but to finish it in order to learn what became of one particular character. I looked for it all over my house for 20 minutes. Then I found it in my bag of library returns. Being a woman in your early 50s is nonstop fun. 🙄

Scochrane26 😂😂 5y
flying_monkeys If it makes you feel any better (or at least not alone in the journey) I spent 30 minutes searching for a library return when I looked in my left hand and saw the second of two books I was carrying was the one I had been looking for 🙃 Laughed at myself/ about it for a good 15 minutes 🤣 5y
jillrhudy @flying_monkeys that‘s truly terrific. 5y
Aimeesue 😂😂😂 5y
38 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Egleason
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1.(apart from working) 1-2
2. 11 from 2 libraries
3. 6 nonfiction, 1 tv show, 2 chick lit, 1 literary fiction, 1 YA
4. Nope I have anxiety about that (even though my job gives me fine free privileges)
5. None trying to tackle my books I own and using Hoopla with no wait time
6. One I‘m hoping will just magically be available is Angie Thomas‘s On the Come Up

Current read is tagged :)

#librarylove @monalyisha

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anhistorianabouttown
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Enjoying Small Admissions thus far! #fiction #Kobo #Saturdayreading

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Audrey
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Pickpick

When I first started this book, I wasn't sure where it was going. It had too many shifting parts. But, it all came together effortlessly. I liked how most of the men were supportive and good partners. I also liked how it showed how friends in college can easily drift and not be friends anymore. I do wish there was better development as to why the they were friends to begin with but overall, I liked this book more then I thought I would.

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ReadingSusan
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Mehso-so

I saw some great reviews of this book before I read it but I found it mostly disappointing. #boutofbooks

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ShellBell1021
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Next up from my library stack!

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Kimberlone
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Pickpick

This book was the perfect palate cleanser for me (I'm still stuck on Wolf Hall). It was a quick read, but also funny and surprisingly heartfelt. Plus, I related to a lot of the student/parent humor.

Chelsibeau I liked this one a lot. So much fun. 7y
Kimberlone @Chelsibeau I agree! Definitely exceeded expectations for me. 7y
18 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

This is on the lower end of the pick scale. I liked the main character but hated some of her friends. Other characters were so thinly drawn that I couldn't tell them apart. The ending was satisfying though.

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KatyAliceReads
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Getting my holiday weekend read on... Check out those greeeeeeeeeeeeeeen books.

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LaLove
Pickpick

I loved it. Super fun beach read.

2 likes1 stack add
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mcipher
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Messy photo but this is SO ME. I wonder if this would work - I get so sick of looking on the dark side and being in defense mode! Maybe it's a mom thing. Or just personality? But it's annoying!

saresmoore Ah! Yes! 7y
LauraBrook I'm the same way. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
Librariana I have heard that the dark side has cookies... but don't quote me on this! 😉 I think it's most definitely worthwhile to shift perspective... to bring things to the light... to the positive. I have faith in your ability to do this! 7y
minkyb A worthy goal. I am guilty of this as well. Maybe bringing it into my consciousness will help! 7y
Lmstraubie You are not alone. Every day is a new day to try again. 7y
53 likes5 comments
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mcipher
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Waiting at CVS because 1)I'm getting (a more painful version of) LASIK tomorrow and 2)someone rear-ended my poor husband and he's needing some pain meds. It's going to be a rough weekend at my house, wish us luck!

SaraFair Do NOT try to be tough and not take the pain meds after your lasik. Not worth it! Best to sleep it off and keep your eyes closed. Its much better the next day. 8y
saresmoore Ugh. So sorry! 🙏♥️ 8y
[DELETED] 206653737 Oh gosh good luck! 8y
See All 13 Comments
CherylDeFranceschi Poor you guys! Hope tomorrow is pain-free for you both! 8y
Jas16 Yikes. Keeping you both in my thoughts 8y
Lmstraubie Sending healing thoughts your way 💗 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Take it easy! Sounds like rest and audiobooks for you. 💕💕 8y
LeahBergen Oh dear! 💗 8y
rubyslippersreads @BarbaraTheBibliophage That's exactly the advice I was going to give. 😀 8y
Reviewsbylola Oh no, swift recoveries all around! 8y
Bklover Healing thoughts your way! 🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸 8y
minkyb Good luck! 8y
Bookchipmunk Sending thoughts of speedy healing! 8y
62 likes1 stack add13 comments
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Madeline
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Sometimes people ask me how I find time to read. Well, there are lots of slow parts in softball games, so there's one example!

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Madeline
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I have a soft spot for any book about a school. I blame it on Harry Potter. Just starting this one!

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BookofWords
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Pickpick

This book is great. It's light reading but deeply interesting as you follow the lives of three friends. The book is about friends, parenting, school and every thing in between. #catsoflitsy

Justacatandabook I really enjoyed this one! 8y
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BookofWords
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I have a problem...I just keep acquiring books. #blamelitsy

Cinfhen That is a gorgeous stack of books 📚 #bookenvy 8y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I relate so much. I found myself frantically throwing books in a storage container not meant for books last night in a half hearted attempt to seem like a vaguely normal human for the real estate agent who did my rental inspection today (not sure I succeeded 🤔) 8y
32 likes1 stack add2 comments
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k.bryns
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Pickpick

LOVED this book--I have trouble describing the plot without making it sound trite, but seriously, read this book. It's fresh, smart, funny, and quirky without ever feeling like it's trying too hard. I read this right after My Not So Perfect Life, and I think there needs to be a genre of books about 20-somethings who are making their way as adults--Bildungsroman for the new adult set.

mcipher This sounds wonderful - I can't wait to read it! 8y
bibliobets I love the sub genre you're describing and I second your call!! 8y
4 likes2 comments
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CotziasReads
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Pickpick

This a nice light read. Taught lesson of things are not always what you want them to be, sometimes people just need to figure shit out for themselves and you can't fix or change others.

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CotziasReads

Happiness is not a zero-sum game. It's the only case in which the resources are limitless, and in which the rich can get richer at no expense to anyone else.

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CotziasReads
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Keeping warm in Sweatpants, my #Bookriot Hoodie while reading Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel for my #LitsyPartyOfOne. @bookriot

Paula3 I love my Book Riot sweater ❤ so comfy 8y
12 likes1 comment
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CotziasReads
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Current read. Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel

6 likes1 stack add
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bookishkai
Pickpick

Once I skipped past all the relationship stuff, I enjoyed it enough to give it a pick. I loved the school side of the stories, and would have rather seen more of that than get bogged down in the side story. Initially I hated all the characters; as a Seven Sisters alum, I felt mildly insulted at all the ways Kate and her friends seemed like shallow idiots, but then the school year started and Kate came into her own, and I devoured the rest.

64 likes1 stack add
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Sfox414
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#riotgrams #WhereIRead

I do a lot of my best reading in my blue chair in the living room.

Joybishoptx Nice chair! 8y
Pruzy 🍸Very Nice! 8y
CouronneDhiver Lovely living room. 👍🏽 8y
30 likes4 comments
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CrystalLKing
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Pickpick

Small Admissions is a story of the cutthroat world of private school admissions in NYC but the true heart of this tale are the 4 women who are connected by blood, friendship and one bad boy (ex) boyfriend. Amy Poeppel has an incredible wit and she brings each character to life in a picture-perfect way. I found myself chuckling and cheering all the way through the book. Small Admissions is a fun and funny read which I greatly enjoyed.

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bookchickdi
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Today I'm halfway through Amy Poeppel's Small Admissions and Amy Schumer's The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo. Both are terrific, funny and honest and set in NYC.

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bookishkai
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Starting this since I forgot Finding Fraser at home after cleaning out my work bag. I've read mixed reviews, but since I used to read these kinds of books like candy, I figured I'd give it a try.

81 likes2 stack adds
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Eugeniavb
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Pickpick

This book was the perfect antidote to my end of vacation blues. Funny and entertaining without being afraid of dealing with serious topics such as our real life callings or accepting our loved one's differences (without being corny or cutesy). Fun ride!

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Eugeniavb
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"His teacher wrote in the report you will receive that she also heard expletives and insults, but it is hard for me to believe any young boy would use phrases like "vicious thug", "two-bit whore", and "dim-witted troglodyte." ??

tpixie Yum 👅 8y
18 likes1 comment
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Eugeniavb
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Not my usual read but I'm having so much fun with this one. There's a couples counseling scene that's just hilarious. And the portrayals of swanky Manhattanites! Fun fun fun.

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Eugeniavb
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"For one whole year, we worried about Kate. We worried to her face and worried behind her back, credited her with being tough, while judging her for being pathetic..." #firstlines

Kindredanne This book is coming as part of an order I placed with a B&N gift card I got for Christmas.... excited to read it!! 8y
19 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Stacy
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The_Real_Nani
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed this book in the way I enjoy a good beach read. Overly descriptive prose replaces true character development, the book has a couple of twists, nothing too surprising and everything is wrapped up with a nice bow at the end. The italics used to represent Chloe's storytelling are distracting and makes me think Amy Poeppel has watched too much chick lit. Worth a Kindle download but not space on your actual bookshelf.

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ReadThisBookYall
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Pickpick

As an English teacher, I love books that use the inner workings of schools as a backdrop. Our heroine, Kate, takes an admissions job at a swanky NYC prep school while she recovers from heartbreak. This is the book Sophie Kinsella would have written if her American boyfriend had dumped her at LaGuardia and she had gone home to work at Eton. If you're on Netgalley, go request it now!

18 likes6 stack adds