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How Lucky
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
A fantastic novel. . . . You are going to like this a lot.Stephen King Whats more thrilling than a fictional character speaking to us in a voice we havent heard before, a voice so authentic and immediatethink Huck Finn, Holden Caulfield, Mattie Rossthat we suspect it mustve been there all along, that we somehow managed to miss it? Daniel, the protagonist of Will Leitchs smart, funny, heartbreaking new novel How Lucky, is just such a voice, and Im not sure it will ever completely leave my head, or that I want it to.Richard Russo For readers of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Nothing to See Here, a first novel as suspenseful and funny as it is moving, the unforgettable story of a fiercely resilient young man living with a physical disability, and his efforts to solve a mystery unfolding right outside his door. Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. Hes got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guydespite the fact that hes suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours hes not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day hes almost sure he sees her being kidnapped...
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LiteraryinPA
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

After a couple false starts with this book since buying it, I finished it today. It was solid! I actually liked the lead up and the writing style more than the outcome, but it‘s a clear Pick anyway. A very memorable protagonist!

HeatherBookNerd I really enjoyed this one 1y
80 likes1 comment
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LiteraryinPA
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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“How lucky” I feel to have this colorful stack of books ready to go for #14books14weeks ☺️. Going around my house and retrieving the books I‘ve been meaning to read was really therapeutic, actually. You‘ll notice that there are actually 15 in this stack; I always have trouble sticking to a set reading plan, so I‘m giving myself a little wiggle room. Some are shorter, some are longer, different genres… I‘m excited! Thanks @TheHeartlandBookFairy !

Ruthiella I used the same tactic by sticking in a 15th book in my stack! 👍 Just the tiniest bit of flexibility. 1y
TheHeartlandBookFairy Welcome and thank you for joining us. I love everything about this post. ❤️ Happy summer, happy Reading 📚😎 1y
Megabooks Looks like a great stack!! 🤩🤩 1y
108 likes4 comments
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IndoorDame
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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#TemptingTitles #WithLuck I‘ve heard fabulous things about this over the top, wacky, irreverent, mystery… but I‘ve also been super annoyed by any plot holes lately, and that description seems ripe for them, so I‘ve been holding off on reading it… @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs 💙🍀💚 2y
54 likes1 comment
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allureofbeauty
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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September was an awful month for me. I had a lot of maintenance stuff going on in my apartment so I had to do a lot of cleaning and barely got any sleep. It was an anxiety ridden month. I really hope the next month is better. I have some books to read next month that I‘m looking forward to at least.

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allureofbeauty
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

#justfinishedreading this one. I could have done without some of the football stuff but I enjoyed the story.

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EmilieGR
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I enjoyed the unusual narrator and the nostalgic setting (for me)! There were some elements of the ending that didn‘t quite ring true to me and there was a whole lot of apologetic football love talk, but Leitch dealt with his narrator‘s disability very deftly and I liked the cast of supporting characters.

Sparklemn Lovely view! What is the structure below you? 2y
EmilieGR Thank you @Sparklemn! It‘s a kind of cafe/ bathrooms/storage for the park 2y
11 likes2 comments
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DMC_run8
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It is narrated by Daniel, a 27 year old, who possibly witnesses a college student being kidnapped. He wants to contact the police but there is one problem: Daniel has spinal muscular atrophy and cannot speak. Aided by his best friend, Travis, and his caregiver, Marjani, he is determined to save this girl.
I really loved the representation in this book and despite one glaring plot hole I enjoyed the story overall. 4⭐️

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OriginalCyn620
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

Really great book! A mystery with a Rear Window vibe that ended up being not quite what I had expected, but in a good way! There‘s some humor and a cast of great characters, but it does get a bit dark, then has a feel-good ending. Totally recommend!

#bookspinbingo - free space

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
44 likes1 comment
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DavidDiamond
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

A modern update of “Rear Window”, a young man confined to a wheel chair due to having SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) witnesses a kidnapping and then engages in a cat and mouse game with the kidnapper.

Sadly, I can‘t remember that last time I read a book where the main protagonist is physically challenged. This was a refreshing and insightful look from the perspective of someone who overcomes great challenges with optimism, hope, courage and humor.

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Sargar114
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

Wow! What a surprise of a story; and I mean that in the best possible way. A sorta thriller but perspective on life kinda tale told from the POV from an unconventional narrator. I really enjoyed this one. #bookspin for January

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
24 likes1 comment
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Sargar114
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Starting my #bookspin for January today…and ugh do I know this feeling.

AmyG Yep :( 3y
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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abookishbutterfly
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
Pickpick

How Lucky is a story with heart; one that makes the reader think about how we respond to people with visible disabilities. Without making it feel like an info dump, Leitch successfully educated readers about spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). He gave us an unlikely hero and we need more of that in our stories.

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JenReadsAlot
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick
26 likes1 comment
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Victoriahoperose
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

This was definitely different than what I expected. I think the idea was really unique and it hooked me early on when the characters begin to develop. It‘s not quite just a mystery about a missing girl, but the story about the man who finds her and how he does so while also fighting with a disability. I liked how the author really made the characters come to life in this book and the story had me on the edge of my seat and made me think.

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keys_on_fire
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

This struck me as a mixture of a cozy mystery, a thriller and a Lisa Genova book. The way the MC communicates with the reader is so fresh, and it really drew me in. The last hour really moved quickly!
#bookspin for July 2021

206 pts for #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames2021
#WGWordSearch @Clwojick
#wrapitupreadathon
#wintercosyreadathon @PuddleJumper
#averymerryreadathon @TheSpineView
#adventathon @ozma.of.oz
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheSpineView Great job! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BittersweetBooks
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Real life, mercifully isn‘t a thriller. My life is nothing but small moments, and so is yours. We don‘t live in a series of plot points. We should be thankful for that. We should realize how lucky we are 🏡💻🧑‍🦼

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bookandbedandtea
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Mehso-so

I loved the character of Daniel (I loved Travis and Marjani, too) but I didn't love the story.

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bthegood
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

Loved this - MC with spinal muscular atrophy - unique approach and I learned a lot about SMA -

thanks again @AprilMae for sending this to me as part of #FFFS

Can't count it for #Scarathlon2021 (finished it last night)
Make a great day everyone -

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bthegood
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes!! ❤️❤️ 3y
22 likes1 comment
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Mdion1993
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

Funny, quick, and surprisingly dark, How Lucky is the story of a young man named Daniel who witnesses a kidnapping one morning outside his home. The twist - Daniel has SMA and people can‘t seem to take him seriously. Under the guise of a sarcastic and funny narrator, HL puts fringe characters front and center, considering themes like isolation, human connection, and the consequences of ignoring what (or who) is right in front of us.

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Amiable
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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@magyklyXdelish ! What a fabulous treat box for #FallingForFallSwap #FFFS ! No tricks here. 😀 I love everything—especially the leaves! It was like opening a box full of autumn. Thank you so much!

And thank you for organizing this swap again, @Avanders

magyklyXdelish Yay I‘m glad you liked it! I was worried I may have gone overboard on the leaves. I ordered a package of 300 and didn‘t realize how much that actually was 🤣🤣🤣 3y
Amiable @magyklyXdelish I thought they were real at first and was like, wow, where does she live that autumn is here already! Lol 3y
magyklyXdelish @Amiable lol I still have so many left over haha 3y
Avanders 😍😍🍁🍂🧡 (and love the leaves 😁) 3y
71 likes4 comments
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bthegood
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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#FallingForFallSwap #fffs - thank you @AprilMae - how wonderful - love everything - you made my first swap perfect 💝

thank you @Avanders for hosting -

Make a great opening day everyone -

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Ooohhhh unicorn 🦄 marshmallows!! 3y
bthegood @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks right?? had some this morning!! 3y
Avanders Oh my gosh - I have to find that cocoa!! 😍😍🍁🍂🧡 3y
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bthegood @Avanders I love it💜 3y
AprilMae So glad you liked it!!! 3y
bthegood @AprilMae it made my heart smile, thank you🥰 3y
43 likes6 comments
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Gissy
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I really appreciate all the information the author provide about SMA, very sensitive, realistic, necessary. I love Daniel, Travis and Marjani and how their relationship. The story was good and funny but it was so repetitive in some parts until almost the end when the suspense kept my attention and I was so worried about Daniel. As the author indicates through Daniel‘s voice, a person with SMA “...can do so much”. 3.75/3.8⭐️

57 likes2 comments
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LeslieO
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Looking forward to September! #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
30 likes1 comment
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ICantImReading
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is more about its distinctive and charming characters than the mystery. Daniel has a unique voice and I appreciated his wit, resilience, optimism, and insight. Sometimes it felt a little heavy with information on SMA instead of the story, although I‘m glad I learned more about this disease. 🎧

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Annie1215
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I loved this book! The characters were great and Daniel was so warm and funny. I really appreciated the representation of a character with a disability done so well.

A good mix of mystery, heart and humor

#bookspinbingo

OriginalCyn620 You sold me! Stacked! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
ICantImReading I‘m listening to this now! 🙂 3y
69 likes3 comments
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marleed
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I thought this was a great book. It‘s much more a story about friends than it is a thriller. But the thrills were a great way to demonstrate friendships. Oh and Danny with SMA Type 2 - I just never knew.

kspenmoll Beautiful colors in your photo! 3y
marleed @kspenmoll oh thank you! I love the colors on this cover. Makes me wonder why my house has none of these colors on the walls! 3y
71 likes2 comments
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Neniacorcoran
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this funny, quick read. It was a learning experience, and it was very entertaining.

Mrs_B Welcome to Litsy!!! Hope you enjoy it on here!!! 3y
4 likes1 comment
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keys_on_fire
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Hahaha! I love this…ahhhh wishful thinking!

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Cinfhen
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Mehso-so

I guess you could call this a “feel good” read, although a story about a kidnapping and a guy, the prime witness who is bound to a wheelchair and unable to verbally speak, doesn‘t sound much like a lighthearted story. Daniel suffers from SMA, a genetic disease which makes him a unique hero. I wanted to like this more than I did, but certain actions were so difficult to believe & the author took me out of the story too many times👇🏽

Cinfhen

Often I felt like I was listening to a PSA about SMA or a documentary about the history of Athens, Georgia. Plus the humor sometimes felt forced.
Narration was wonderful. A definite #BorrowNotBuy for me 🤓
(edited) 3y
DivineDiana Thank you for the update! It sounds like a strange one! 🤔 3y
Cinfhen Author was trying to do too many things I think. Not a bad book but definitely a library copy @DivineDiana xx 3y
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Amiable Sounds like a library book to me! Thanks for the update. (edited) 3y
Megabooks Interesting…I get where you‘re coming from, but I don‘t agree. I am glad my library had a copy, as I probably won‘t reread. 💜 3y
Cinfhen I don‘t regret my time with the book but it isn‘t amongst my favorites this year @Megabooks xxx 3y
79 likes6 comments
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Cinfhen
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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I‘ve been curious about this book since @Megabooks reviewed it a few weeks ago!! It appeared on my #Scribd feed this morning so I felt like it was a sign from the #AudioGods 🎧

Megabooks Enjoy! Really a feel good mystery. I think you‘ll like it! 3y
Cinfhen I‘m only about a half hour in but I love it!! It‘s giving me Owen Meany feels, with some Guncle and Curious Incident vibes all rolled up 🥰 @Megabooks and the narration is FANTASTIC 3y
Megabooks I thought this would be in your wheelhouse!! 😁😁 3y
See All 6 Comments
Amiable Anything that gives an Owen Meany vibe is going on my TBR…ASAP! Stacking! 3y
DivineDiana @Amiable Agree! Stacked! 3y
Cinfhen So I may have been too quick to express Owen Meany vibes @Amiable @DivineDiana while I am enjoying this book I feel like the author is overselling his MC - does that make sense?? Also at times this book feels like a PSA for SMA @Megabooks is that a terrible thing to say 😬 3y
77 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Megabooks
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I never thought I‘d describe a mystery as feel-good, but this novel is that. Daniel, an adult living with SMA, sees a woman disappear in a car one morning. When the possible kidnapper begins a correspondence with him, Daniel has to decide how to help. It shows the ways disabled people are underestimated in intelligence and power. It also shows how disabled people can work and have meaningful relationships. All w/o being too saccharine Great book!

Megabooks TBH, growing up with a pretty disabled mother, I always worry about whether disability will be used as a plot device. But this was really authentic and empowering, at least IMO. The #audiobook narration is great! 3y
sherri Glad to see your review and the comment from @Megabooks. Have this on my shelf. You two just bumped it up my list. 3y
Megabooks @sherri Both the review and comment are mine. (No space for a ⬇️ unfortunately.) I hope you enjoy it. I held back getting it from #botm and waited for a library copy because so often disabled characters are one-dimensional, but Will writes Daniel really robustly. A very pleasant surprise! 3y
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sherri Ahh! Didn't realize that you also wrote the post. Haha! I got my copy from #botm but haven't started it yet. So happy to hear the character is well done. 3y
Cinfhen Good to know!!! Wonderful review ♥️ 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks friend!! 3y
98 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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swishandflick
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this! It's also not quite what I was expecting, as the mystery of the missing girl takes a bit of a backseat to Daniel's inspiring story of resilience and his experience with SMA. But that's definitely not a bad thing because Daniel is the real MVP!

I borrowed from the library but would certainly not have been disappointed if it had been my #BOTM pick!

AlaMich I love when cats cover their faces like that. So cute! 3y
93 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Traci1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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#littenlisten Wrap-up:
🔸️Float Plan: 7 hours + 10 #bookspin + 10 World Ocean Day
🔸️How Lucky: 7 hours + 10 #bookspin + 50 bookspin bingo
🔸️Night Shift: 11 hours + 10 #bookspin

Total Hours: 25
Bonus Points: 90
Game Points: 140 (I had 14 that I think were correct anagram guesses)
Total Points for this week: 255
@aperfectmjk

SeaToSkyes The Midnight Texas trilogy is one of my favorites!! 3y
Traci1 @SeaToSkyes I wish there were more books in the series. I loved the characters. 3y
SeaToSkyes @Traci1 I hope she decides to write more of them one day ❤️ 3y
48 likes3 comments
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Traci1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a good book, somewhat lighthearted considering the subject matter. It was more about Daniel and his day to day dealing with his illness. I really liked Daniel and his group of caretakers. The "mystery" was sort of secondary to their interactions.

#littenlisten: 7 hours + 10 #bookspin + 50 #bookspin audio bingo @aperfectmjk

45 likes1 stack add
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WanderingBookaneer
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I really liked this one. A bit violent at the end, but very good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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ckittle019
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An amazingly likable main character! If you like psychological thrillers this is one you should definitely check out. So different, but in a good way, since I usually don‘t smile much when I read a twisty thriller- this one made me 😃

4 likes1 stack add
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HeatherBookNerd
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

Daniel lives a pretty great life in Athens, GA despite the complications of living with a progressively debilitating illness. He has a devoted best friend, a trusty tank of a wheelchair, and feels lucky to work online from home. It‘s a good, quiet life, until Daniel witnesses an incident that disrupts his routine and turns his world upside down. How Lucky is a slowly building thriller with a delightfully amusing hero at its center. Enjoyed it!

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Rissa1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Mehso-so

It took me about 100 pages to start liking what I was reading. I liked Daniel and I loved Travis.

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Rissa1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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So much truth.

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Reviewsbylola
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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May was a whirlwind month for me. I felt exhausted and like I was constantly in motion, but apparently that didn‘t affect my reading, as I finished 20 books and one literary mag.

8 audiobooks
12 physical books

I‘ll be curious to see if I manage to read even more over summer break. Onward June!

vivastory Did you like the Elizabeth Taylor? 3y
Reviewsbylola @vivastory LOVED. I gave it five stars. May be my favorite book of hers I‘ve read so far! 3y
vivastory Well, stacked! I've been wanting to read more of her work ever since we read Game of Hide & Seek last yr for NYRB, I just wasn't sure where to begin 3y
See All 7 Comments
vivastory Looking online just now Angel also sounds really interesting 3y
LeahBergen @vivastory I was contemplating choosing Angel as one of my picks for our #NYRBBookClub. 😊 3y
LeahBergen @Reviewsbylola You‘re a reading machine. 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
vivastory @LeahBergen You should! It'll be your turn before you know it 🙂 3y
94 likes7 comments
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Reviewsbylola
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Monday morning reading buddy. ♥️

LeahBergen Yoyo! ❤️❤️ 3y
Tera66 Cute puppy😍 3y
83 likes2 comments
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Reviewsbylola
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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How lucky are we that the pools are opening. 😎

Tamra I had my fingers crossed when I looked up ours and woot! It opens next month. 😊 3y
91 likes1 comment
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TorieStorieS
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed my May #BOTM pick! I was expecting more of a Rear Window vibe but I enjoyed the narrative and the insight into SMA even more! I‘m not sure that a 26 year old would have these references but otherwise, it‘s a fast paced and hard to put down read! I‘m looking forward to reading more from the author!

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brittanyreads
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Mehso-so

"The world is different because I was in it. This is what we should all want"

3/5⭐
I liked but didn't love this. The mystery of the girl's disapearence kept me intrigued as did Daniel's personality. Learning all about SMA was eye opening. The overall message I feel the book was trying to convey is a good one and the humor had me giggling out loud. I'm sure this story will stick with me for some time.

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Rissa1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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I cannot quit thinking about this line.

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Traci1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Some of the audios I'm planning on listening to next month for the #littenlisten readathon.
@aperfectmjk

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Traci1
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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Well, this is my tentative #bookspin list for June. I may alter it some depending on June's #botm selections and other factors. But I'm pretty excited about lots of these and hopefully will get to them next month.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Very colorful! 🤩 3y
64 likes1 stack add2 comments
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NikkiCureton
How Lucky: A Novel | Will Leitch
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NikkiCureton Not my cup of tea. Well received by many, but I just did not enjoy this one. 3y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment