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Tell Me How to Be
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
29 posts | 15 read | 27 to read
26-year-old Akash Amin has everything he ever wanted, but as he tries to kickstart his songwriting career and commit to his boyfriend, he is haunted by the painful memories of the first boy he ever loved. When his mother tells him she is selling the family home, Akash returns to Illinois, hoping to finally move on. Renu Amin always seemed perfect: doting husband, beautiful house, healthy sons. But as the one-year anniversary of her husband's death approaches, Renu can't stop wondering if she chose the wrong life thirty-five years ago . Together, Renu and Akash pack up the house, retreating further into the secrets that stand between them. When their pasts catch up to them, Renu and Akash must decide between the lives they left behind and the ones they've since created. By turns irreverent and tender, filled with the beats of '90s R&B, Tell Me How to Be is about our earliest betrayals and the cost of reconciliation. But most of all, it is the love story of a mother and son each trying to figure out how to be in the world.
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xicanti
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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I made it through a goodly chunk of TELL ME HOW TO BE while I built this tiny crystal windmill. I can‘t say I dislike the book, but it feels very EXPECTED, with a fair few stereotypes in play and without enough of a spark to compensate for any of it. I‘m surprised, given how many Littens adored it. Sparkiness is subjective, though, and at least I can be glad it was there for them, even if it‘s not there for me. #audiopuzzling

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 7mo
34 likes1 comment
review
HeatherBookNerd
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

The book alternates between a mother and her adult son, both desperately wanting to be loved and accepted, but unable to disclose the secrets that keep them apart. A death in the family finally creates a moment where change might be possible. The story deals with the struggle to live an authentic life and the weight of holding up the expectations of others.

Cinfhen Loved this one. Audio narration was AMAZING 13mo
26 likes1 comment
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FashionableObserver
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
Pickpick

There are no words for how deeply moved I was by this book. I honestly expected a fluff read but found that it spoke to me. Beautifully. I‘ll update this review later…I‘m honestly too shook to think straight but wanted to post *something*. Wow. Just wow. Excellent.

LiteraryinPA Whoa, what an endorsement! 💗 2y
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bklover
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Here are my books for #bookspin and #doublespin this month! Sometimes I see what they are and think “oh, no” but this month I‘m looking forward to both of them!
#bookspin is a recommendation from @Cinfhen I think?! Doublespin was a #litsylove gift from @CBee ❤️❤️❤️. I hope you all got good picks!!👍

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
CBee Yay! Hope you enjoy it!! 😊 I also bought Tell Me How to Be a few months ago and look forward to reading it! (edited) 2y
Cinfhen Yes!!! I LOVED that book but I did audio which I think elevated my reading experience. Hopefully you‘ll love it in print - you too @CBee - BTW: I‘m still LOVING your teas 💕 2y
54 likes4 comments
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FashionableObserver
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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One great thing about The Kid‘s indoor baseball clinics is that they are too short for me to run errands (except for a quick Starbucks run), but just long enough to get into the book I‘ve been carrying around for over a week! A good book + good music + heated seats = me time! 🤓

TheBookHippie Heated seats are the best! 2y
FashionableObserver @TheBookHippie The. Best! I even use them in summer. I‘ll crank up the AC and turn the seats on. Heaven. 😂 2y
30 likes3 comments
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TrishB
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

Living with secrets always takes its toll! Really enjoyed this story of emotional reflections via mother/son on their lives.
Another one brought from Cindy‘s best ofs!

Cinfhen Yay!!! The audio narration raised this book to another level for me!! Im glad you enjoyed it. 😘 2y
Cinfhen Perfect for those doing #52Books23 #AboutSecrets 2y
Cathythoughts Great review… 👍🏻❤️ 2y
87 likes3 comments
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TrishB
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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#quicklunchtimeread time for a few Pringles and pages.
It‘s a good job I never make any healthy eating resolutions. Though I should.

tpixie Cocktail flavor? Interesting 🤔 2y
emz711 @tpixie that's what I was thinking 2y
TrishB @tpixie @emz711 I‘ve made that look way more interesting than normal everyday prawn cocktail 😁😁 I too think cocktail sounds good!! 2y
See All 9 Comments
tpixie @TrishB 💝😀💝 2y
tpixie @emz711 💝🤔💝 2y
batsy Pringles and pages—perfect, imo 😁 2y
squirrelbrain Mmm, now I want Pringles! 2y
Cathythoughts Pringles ❤️ 2y
TrishB @batsy @squirrelbrain @Cathythoughts why can you eat half a tube without noticing! 2y
101 likes9 comments
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CBee
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Bought the tagged because it looks right up my alley, and I‘ve been wanting the Mackesy book for ages! #bookhaul

TrishB I‘ve just brought this book today too- based on @Cinfhen recommendation! 2y
Cinfhen It was so powerful and emotional @CBee @TrishB please lmk what you think when you get to it!! 2y
CBee @TrishB great minds! Will do, @Cinfhen 😊 2y
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Cinfhen
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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#12BooksOf2022 - May @Andrew65

A tender hearted emotionally complex story of a mother and son burdened with hidden desires and long held secrets. Stunning writing and sharp observations raise the level from ordinary to extraordinary. I still can‘t believe this was a debut. It completely blew me away and the audio narration was outstanding.

TrishB This sounds good 👍🏻 2y
Cinfhen Another one I HIGHLY recommend @TrishB 2y
TrishB These best of‘s are killing me 😁 2y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen I know!!! @TrishB (edited) 2y
Andrew65 @TrishB And me 😂😂😂 2y
Andrew65 Another good choice. 2y
TrishB It was only 3.99 on kindle. Not quite 99p, but still in cheap range! 2y
Cinfhen Well worth it @TrishB I hope you‘ll love it as much as I did. 2y
Megabooks This was so good. I enjoyed his short story collection too. 2y
Cinfhen I‘m not great with short story collections @Megabooks but I may #BorrowNotBuy his collection 💜 2y
64 likes1 stack add10 comments
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BookNAround
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Today‘s book mail from Macmillan plus the cute bookmark I found on Etsy while I was shopping for my sailor son‘s Christmas stocking. He wouldn‘t use this but it was too perfect to pass up so I bought it for myself. 😂

Megabooks That‘s a fantastic book! 2y
monalyisha Heads-up that I'm still awaiting your #AuldLangSpine list! General registration goes live tomorrow (11/25) at 8pm; I want to make sure you sneak in before then to guarantee your spot. 💓 2y
BookNAround @monalyisha Thanks for the reminder! I woke up and realized I needed to do this asap. 2y
monalyisha @BookNAround Glad you remembered! 2y
63 likes4 comments
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calciumkels
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

Loved the dueling points-of-view, and the sharing of intimate secrets!

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BarbaraBB
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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#BookReport 23/22

A week filled with books I enjoyed but probably won‘t remember in the long run. My head so full with other thoughts. Anyhow, they have succeeded in distracting me when I needed it.

Cinfhen I‘m glad the books provided a much needed distraction for you ❤️ 2y
Megabooks 💜💜💜 thinking of you and praying for you. 2y
Graywacke A healthy distraction. I‘m also thinking of you. 2y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks @Graywacke Thank you dear friends ❤️ 2y
CarolynM 💕💕 2y
61 likes5 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

#RememberingJenny

This is a very sad book about a mother and her adult sons who come together a year after the father died. Their shared past is filled with lies and secrets, with misunderstandings and things unspoken.
He has died a year earlier but the invisible father still seems the only one to bring them back together.

#52BooksIn52weeks #RedoOneOfThisYearsPrompts

Cinfhen It was super sad but ultimately hopeful. I hope it wasn‘t too sad for you to read 😢 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Hopeful indeed! It was the right book again at the right time. Easy to read but with all the feelings 🤍 2y
Cinfhen Oh good 💕💕💕 2y
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Megabooks I‘m glad it worked well for you now. 💕💕💕 I‘d agree that it is both sad and hopeful. You know I saw more of the latter. 😉 2y
Centique Oh wow it sounds a bit too tough for me to read at the moment with my dad so frail, but I will definitely get to it! 2y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks I‘m sure you did! I tend towards sad, not always but in this particular book. I really didn‘t like Renu. 2y
64 likes6 comments
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Cinfhen
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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May was such a FANTASTIC reading month!! I had so many 4 and 5 star books to choose from but ultimately the tagged book is this month‘s winner #2022ChallengeBracket

BarbaraBB I am starting it right now! 2y
Cinfhen I hope you love it @BarbaraBB 💕💕the audio narration is definitely what put this book above the rest! I just saw your email 💔 my heart is with you 2y
51 likes2 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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#WeeklyForecast 22/22

Keeping it easy the upcoming week. I am reading Seven Days in June of course, for our #Summerheat weekend and next plan to read your highly recommended Tell Me How to Be, a 5⭐️ read for @ReadingEnvy too so I‘ll be #RememberingJenny with it. If I‘m in the mood I‘ll reread How High We Go in the Dark for #CampLitsy 🏕📚

squirrelbrain I think I need to add Seven Days to my reading list too…. Time is just flying by! 2y
Cinfhen I can‘t wait to hear your thoughts on both of these books! 2y
Megabooks Tell me is great! I think you‘ll enjoy it. 2y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Just read your review of it too. I can‘t wait now to start it! 2y
68 likes4 comments
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BarbaraBB
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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#bookhaul

Too many influencers here on Litsy - with #CampLitsy, #CampToB and #Booker22 yet to come 😳😳
But I really felt I need to read these!

BookwormM 🤣🤣I know which one you are blaming on me 3y
BookwormM Booker 22 is scaring me I have so many books to read 3y
Cinfhen I‘m 💯 sure you‘re gonna love this one….but I was blown away by the audio!!! Awesome #BookHaul 3y
See All 20 Comments
vivastory These all sound great! 3y
TrishB What a lovely pile 😁 3y
squirrelbrain I quite fancy this one, based on @TrishB ‘s review! 3y
BarbaraBB @BookwormM I know! And yet I can‘t control myself 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I hope to read it very soon! 3y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Yes, @TrishB is to blame for that one 😀 3y
Megabooks I‘m excited for the Kawakami but holding off until we know whether it‘s in #CampLitsy. I loved how to be as well!! 3y
Megabooks And I‘ve thought about getting Faraz Ali several times. 👍🏻👍🏻 3y
Cinfhen Me too @squirrelbrain that one from @TrishB caught my eye last week 👀 3y
squirrelbrain I‘ve requested the Kawakami on #NetGalley @Megabooks , just in case! Just my luck it‘ll be one of those I don‘t get granted. 🤷‍♀️ 3y
LMJenkins What's #Booker22? 3y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks I know you and @cinfhen loved it so my expectations are sky high 😂. I read a great review of Faraz in a local newspaper and then @BookwormM recommended it as well. 3y
BarbaraBB @LMJenkins BookerPrize. I didn‘t use the right hashtag I think. 3y
Graywacke Great stack. You should try that little one in the middle. 🙂 3y
BarbaraBB @Graywacke I thought you‘d say so 😀 and I will. Soon! (edited) 3y
LeahBergen Nice! 3y
TrishB I hope you enjoy it ♥️🤞🏻 3y
67 likes20 comments
review
Cinfhen
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

Without a doubt the best book/audiobook I‘ve read in 2022. A tender hearted emotionally complex story of a mother and son burdened with hidden desires and long held secrets. Stunning writing and sharp observations raise the level from ordinary to extraordinary. I still can‘t believe this was a debut. It completely blew me away and the narration was outstanding.

merelybookish You've convinced me! 🙂 3y
squirrelbrain Wow…stacked! 3y
See All 9 Comments
BarbaraBB Ordered it… my tbr is exploding at the moment 😳🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y
cariashley This book is so underread/underrated!! I LOVED it. 3y
Cinfhen I can‘t wait to see all your #BookMail @BarbaraBB but this one is DEFINITELY a winner!! I‘m so glad you feel the same way @cariashley 3y
Megabooks So glad you loved this too! 3y
Centique Well that‘s high praise! My TBR has so many Cindy reccs and I love it 🥰 3y
Cinfhen This one was heartbreaking @Centique and narration was Excellent!!!!! I‘m so glad I can inspire your bookshelf xxxx 3y
75 likes5 stack adds9 comments
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Cinfhen
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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This book is breaking my heart 😭😭

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Cinfhen
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Simply amazing…audio is perfection ♥️tender hearted family drama
Mother & son, each holding unto deep-held secrets

BarbaraBB Should be nominated for #CampLitsy as well! 3y
Cinfhen I think this might be my favorite read this year @BarbaraBB but I think it‘s from 2021 / 3y
BarbaraBB Wow what a recommendation. Stacked! 3y
Cinfhen Just finished @BarbaraBB AMAZING!!! And I think you‘d be fine with the audio which was OUTSTANDING 3y
BarbaraBB Okay. I‘ll get to it! Sounds great! 3y
60 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Flaneurette
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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I am LOVING this audiobook! Such a great story and the narrator(Vikas Adam) is so so great- he has made these characters come alive. I am so glad I decided to do audio after I saw some posts here on Litsy extolling it‘s virtues. The puzzle I‘m not so sure about #audiopuzzling

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cariashley
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved everything about this book - first 5 star read of the year for me. Alternating between the mother and son as main characters with parallel but unique journeys worked so well. And I loved all the 90s/00s R&B references! Patel is an incredible writer and I hope this one gets more attention.

Megabooks 💯💯💯 3y
BarbaraBB Wow what a review! 3y
47 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

Another read from my NetGalley backlog! I really like the first cover because it reflects the alternating povs between a recent widow who is moving back to London after a lifetime in Chicago, and her son who is a bit estranged after ruining his brother's wedding.

But the truth is not as it appears. ...↘️

ReadingEnvy The characters appear as Indian American but the Mom (Renu) actually grew up in Tanzania, where she fell in love with a Muslim man who was forbidden but never forgotten. Her son Akash has been pursuing a music career in Los Angeles, but he's in the closet, barely getting by, and (not effectively) hiding his problems with alcohol.↘️ 3y
ReadingEnvy Both are keeping secrets from the other, and first they are revealed to the reader and then they are revealed to the characters - this happened a bit slowly for my tastes but other readers did not find it so. ↘️ 3y
ReadingEnvy It's not that I didn't find the characters engaging, though, just found the pacing slow. I appreciated the nuance and contrast in each character and the hypocrisy of pursuing drama in what is consumed but not wanting it in ones actual life. ↘️ 3y
ReadingEnvy Since the story revolves around the puja marking the one-year anniversary of the father's passing, both characters are reflecting on their lives and identities in ways I found to be authentic, particularly in their ultimate decisions and conclusions, which are best discovered by the reader. 3y
43 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Megabooks
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Pickpick

I LOVED this book, and narrator Vikas Adam truly brought these characters to life. Akash is a closeted gay Indian-American young man who has returned to help his mother, Renu, move out of his childhood home. Each is holding a candle for a man from their past. As story alternates between mother and son, they address complicated feelings for their beloveds as well as brother/other son and recently dead father/husband. Just fantastic! #audiobook

Cinfhen Awesome review!!! Lucky 500 🥰I‘m gonna go audio on this one, for sure!!! 3y
BarbaraBB What a book to finish your #DriveTo500 with! 3y
Chelsea.Poole I‘m convinced, stacked! Also, congratulations on 500, you absolute legend! 🏆 3y
See All 10 Comments
Megabooks @Cinfhen I think you‘d enjoy this! 3y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB for sure! 3y
Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole it‘s a great book. I think you‘d enjoy it, too. Thank you!! 3y
Cinfhen Of course now it‘s not available to me until January 4 via #Scribd but it‘s ok- I‘ll have something to look forward to. Will it fit for any challenge prompts?? 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I have no idea. I haven‘t looked at any of the prompts seriously. 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen scribd has been really great for you!! 3y
Cinfhen Yes!!! It really has😁definitely worth the $8 a month / My library is nowhere as awesome as yours!! 3y
72 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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Megabooks
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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The #DriveTo500 is complete!! I finished reading books 499 and 500 of the year today!! So pleased that Neel‘s book was 500 because it was fantastic. Reviews of these two coming this weekend. Party time!! 🥳📚🥳📚🥳

I never thought I could do this!!

5feet.of.fury Absolutely amazing! Congrats! 🍾 3y
sarahbellum Woohoo! Amazing! 🥳 3y
Singout Wow! Good for you! 3y
See All 41 Comments
Ruthiella Congratulations! What a feat! 🥳❤️ 📚 3y
Bookzombie Congratulations!! 🥳👏🏻👏🏻 3y
DrexEdit That is amazing! Congrats! 🎉🎉🥳 3y
MaureenMc 🥳 3y
Bookwormjillk Nicely done 🎉🎉🎉 3y
Librarybelle That is incredible…congratulations! 3y
Crazeedi Wow, what an amazing accomplishment, congrats Meg! 3y
vivastory Congrats 👏🎉🎉 You need to celebrate with music & peppermint ice cream! 3y
Cinfhen Woohoo !!! AMAZING 🤩 and with more than 2 weeks to spare!!!! Can‘t wait to see your #Top21of21 💕💕💕 3y
mrp27 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 3y
BarbaraBB I‘ve enjoyed so much to ride along ❤️500 books is amazing! Do celebrate 🎈💃 3y
youneverarrived That‘s amazing! 🤩🤩 3y
Cathythoughts You are brilliant 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
ShelleyBooksie Lily Singh just named Patel's book as her first ever "Lilys Library" pick. 3y
Megabooks @ShelleyBooksie really? It‘s truly fantastic! A great choice. 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen 21 may not be enough!! 😂😂 3y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB i just sent you an email. I can‘t believe our tornado made the Dutch news! I‘ve been having friends check in on me this morning, so I guess the news is everywhere. I feel very lucky! 3y
Megabooks @vivastory thank you! The storms were too bad for ice cream last night, but I just got this from the library and started reading it this morning. Really enjoying it! 3y
Flaneurette Yay! That is just amazing 🤩! 3y
Cinfhen Was just watching the English news channel here and they reported about the tornado in Kentucky 😱so glad to know you‘re all ok. Hope there was no damage to your home. Thinking of you xx 3y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I emailed Meg with the same message Kentucky made the news here too! 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen fortunately it was west and south of here. We had (and continue to have) high winds, but no destruction like was seen there. It is simply shocking! 3y
Megabooks @Flaneurette thank you!! 3y
Chelsea.Poole Amazing!!! 🤩 📚 🎉 3y
Chelsea.Poole Also, v glad you avoided the horrible weather 3y
Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole same for sure. Such a sad day here in Kentucky. But thank you very much!! It‘s been fun reading a lot of the same books this year! 3y
Centique I didn‘t realise you live in Kentucky Meg. I‘m so glad you‘re okay. It was the top item on our news here tonight - feel very sad for everyone who lost someone or their home. Love to Kentucky 💕 3y
Crazeedi @Megabooks so glad to hear you're ok, I thought of you in my prayers when I heard. Much love❣ 3y
Scochrane26 @Megabooks I thought of you today & didn‘t know if you were safe after the tornado. Hadn‘t scrolled Litsy much this weekend. Glad to see this post! 3y
Megabooks @Centique wow! I can‘t believe how global this story is. It is easy to feel isolated in rural Kentucky. Thank you for checking in! 💕 3y
Megabooks @Crazeedi thank you very much Diane! 💕 3y
Megabooks @Scochrane26 I‘ve been slow about scrolling this weekend, too. Just very shocking. Thanks for checking in! I‘m glad it avoided me, but just feel for all the people it affected. Funny thing: we were watching CNN last night and they referred to Dawson Springs as a “resort town”. We damn near died laughing. The misnomer provided some much needed levity. 3y
Scochrane26 @Megabooks that‘s hilarious about Dawson Springs. I‘ve been there—def not a resort town. 3y
Scochrane26 I had no idea this story was so global either, until seeing this post. Didn‘t do much damage here in central Ky. 3y
Megabooks @Scochrane26 @BarbaraBB sent me an email of a Dutch article about it early Saturday. Still working on my Dutch 😉 but it looked like a translation of a cnn article. I just don‘t expect anything here, other than the derby, to make international news! 3y
Nute Wow! Amazing! You rock! Just following through on the thread, Meg, I am so happy to know that you are safe in your location. The storms were devastating. My heart aches. Many prayers for Kentucky and all the other states impacted.💕 3y
Megabooks @Nute thank you so much!! It was an exciting reading year. Thank you for your prayers as well. Just terrible devastation. 3y
85 likes41 comments
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Megabooks
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Two audiobooks from audible this #NewReleaseTuesday!

I really enjoyed Neel‘s debut short story collection, so I had to snap up his first novel. Tagged ⬆️

Subdivision is a new-to-audio release that is on the #ToBshortlist. I started it this morning, and so far it is odd but enjoyable. We shall see… tagged ⬇️

Have a good day y‘all!

Cinfhen Tell me is available on #Scribd so im waiting to see what you say!!! 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I should get to it before the end of the year! 👍🏻 3y
alisiakae Let me know how you like the audiobook, I have a few Audible credits to spare! 3y
Megabooks @4thhouseontheleft I very much liked the audiobook! I tagged you in my review. Interesting book that ended up a solid pick. 3y
61 likes5 comments
review
JoyBlue
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
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Mehso-so

A widowed mother and her younger son are dissatisfied with their lives, keeping big secrets, and wondering what to do next in this family drama coming out on December 7. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#tell-me-how-to-be

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #FlatironBooks #TellMeHowToBe

review
Cathyloves2read
Tell Me How to Be | NEEL. PATEL
Pickpick

I really liked this story once I got into it. It‘s told from 2 perspectives, a mother and her sons. They both long for love, but in very different ways. The story also tells of life‘s evils that haunt them both. I wish both of their stories would have ended a little differently, but that isn‘t how life goes sometimes. Thank you, good reads, for the ARC. This book is due out in December 2021, and I recommend it.