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A Thousand Acres
A Thousand Acres: A Novel | Jane Smiley
A successful Iowa farmer decides to divide his farm between his three daughters. When the youngest objects, she is cut out of his will. This sets off a chain of events that brings dark truths to light and explodes long-suppressed emotions. An ambitious reimagining of Shakespeares King Lear cast upon a typical American community in the late twentieth century, A Thousand Acres takes on themes of truth, justice, love, and pride, and reveals the beautiful yet treacherous topography of humanity.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Octoberwoman
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I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2024

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Judybskt
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Pickpick

Good one! I bought it a long time ago because I read some other books by this author that I enjoyed.

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Judybskt
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Lunch and a new book!

21 likes2 stack adds
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Chars
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Pickpick

Having the unimaginable done to you. Doing the unthinkable. That‘s what this book is about. It‘s about seeing your family members as they truly are. Yourself too for that matter. It takes looking at the past with eyes relaxed to a blur to see it, vague at first then shockingly clear. Set on a farm where you want bounty and nostalgia, you find only debt and darkness.

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Kristin_Reads
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Pickpick

📖 7-12-22 || I‘m late to the game with this one, but am slowly working my way through the Pulitzer winners. Read through the lens of King Lear, this is a literary masterpiece. The writing is evocative and absorbing. As a sensitive reader I chose to ignore the trigger warnings and this was definitely a difficult read for me.

52 likes2 stack adds
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Kristin_Reads
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I‘m having so much fun reading these two simultaneously. A Thousand Acres is a “reimagining”of King Lear and I‘ve always wanted to read both. It‘s been a while since I read Shakespeare (oof!) and though Lear isn‘t exactly a “summer read”, Thousand Acres is set in summer and the writing is perfection!

52 likes1 stack add
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katrrosee
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Mehso-so

2022 Read Harder Challenge
#20: Read an award-winning book from the year you were born
1992! 😅 I don‘t know if this book has aged amazingly well, but it pairs well with “Succession” on HBO 😂

47 likes3 stack adds
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Blaire
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Pickpick

A retelling of King Lear, I flew through this one. 3 daughters must deal with trauma and abuse and the closeness of a rural environment as they navigate their lives after their father, who is descending into senility, turns over ownership of the land to two of his daughters. Deep exploration of impact of trauma, the choices each character makes, and the intimacy of a small community. Great discussion for family book club.

JamieArc I think this was made into a film (maybe in the late 90s?). It was much darker than I anticipated. 5y
Cathythoughts I really loved this book. Jane Smiley can tell a great story, & I love family drama 5y
Crazeedi I think this is a trilogy? I read them , enjoyed 5y
See All 9 Comments
Blaire @JamieArc yes. It is quite dark. 5y
Blaire @Cathythoughts same. I loved it as well. She really pulls you into their lives. 5y
Blaire @Crazeedi this one isn‘t. I think you‘re thinking of Some Luck. I read and really liked it. Need to read the other 2. Thinking might make this a summer of reading Smiley. Her writing suits my mood right now. We‘ll see. I‘m terrible about planning my reading. (edited) 5y
Crazeedi @Blaire ok you are correct! I read them and this one too, sorry, I get confused!! 5y
kspenmoll Wonderful book. 5y
Blaire @kspenmoll yes. Felt like it hit that sweet spot of being a page-turner while still being incredibly well-written and complex. 5y
56 likes9 comments
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CarolynM
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Cathy, you are so lovely! Thank you for such a delightful parcel and your kind wishes. I agree Hugo Best looks like a perfect handbag book, and A Thousand Acres has been on my radar for years but I've never gotten around to it. Much love to you. Thank you again.😘

Cathythoughts You‘re so welcome Carolyn. ! I‘m glad it arrived safely .... I hope you‘ll like A Thousand Acres as much as I did , whenever you may get there. Cathy XXX ( does the handbag book idea have a hashtag yet ? It‘s your call 😁😘📚👜 5y
LeahBergen How nice! ❤️ 5y
CarolynM @Cathythoughts I never think of hashtags but yes, I think we should definitely see if we can get #handbagbook trending😂😂 5y
54 likes4 comments
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shaynarae
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Pickpick

This isn‘t an action-packed, plot-driven book by any means. But it is such a quietly good book that captured the feeling and darkness of farm life so well. #catsoflitsy

Crazeedi I liked this book, it is a series 6y
SW-T Liked it a lot. 6y
22 likes2 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

This Pulitzer-Prize-winning King Lear retelling, which is set in my home state (and mentions my relatively obscure home town a couple times), has been on my tbr for years. It's every bit as dark and twisty as you would expect of a book based on a Shakespeare tragedy. The characters are complex and rather unlikable, but the imagery and description are fantastic, and plot surprised me many times.

MelissaSue81 Sooo I read this book and King Lear for a class in college and never once realized it was a retelling. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 6y
staci.reads @MelissaSue81 🤣🤣 I'm not super familiar with king Lear, so I found myself wondering how closely it parallels the play...clearly not very closely! 6y
MelissaSue81 @staci.reads - it was like 16- 18 years ago... so my memory of neither is very clear. I just remember them saying the stories were both about families. 6y
kspenmoll Read this years ago & loved it. 6y
62 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Cathythoughts
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#spotlightgiveaway @BarbaraBB congratulations Barbara & thankyou. I‘m spotlighting this tagged book. I read it recently... excellent!

BarbaraBB Wow, I like the comparison to King Lear. Stacking! Thanks for entering! 6y
49 likes1 comment
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perfectlywinged
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Pickpick

A friend recommended this king Lear retelling set on an Iowa farm in the 90‘s. We really get to focus on the two older sisters which was interesting

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Cathythoughts
Pickpick

I thought this an excellent book. Based on King Lear. Completely absorbing from start to finish.

Nute I forgot about wanting to read this, because of the ‘based on King Lear‘ description. Thanks for reminding me.👍🏽 (edited) 6y
Cathythoughts @Nute it‘s a great read & I found it to be a page turner 👍🏻❤️ 6y
CarolynM One of my book group friends is a big fan of Jane Smiley and particularly this book. I'll have to get around to it one day🙂 6y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM will look forward to your thoughts... I would highly recommend it! It‘s really engaging & never stalls ... 👍🏻 6y
39 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Cathythoughts
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I stared at him, the plain hopeful visage of a plain man. The other face was never out of my mind , leaner & more hawkish, more suspicious, less benign One face somehow met you , looked back at you , was the impenetrable & almost simple face of innocence. The other , the more you looked at it , the more it escaped you. It‘s very features seemed elusive , seemed to promise a meaning , or even a truth , that was more complex & interesting than 👇🏻

Cathythoughts 👇🏻... than anything you had ever before imagined.... But I was wondering whose face was truer .... “ really absorbing writing. I‘m loving this one 👍🏻 6y
ephemeralwaltz I really liked this one!! 6y
readordierachel That's lovely 6y
Cathythoughts @ephemeralwaltz yes so good to hear that. I really like it too. I‘m lost in it , I have no idea what page / or where I am in the book & I don‘t care. Just love reading it 👍🏻💫 6y
Cathythoughts @ReadOrDieRachel it‘s a very good book 6y
39 likes5 comments
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Cathythoughts
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This is a lovely space to be in. Excellent book, nice wine. A balmy evening sitting outside ....

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💗💗 6y
Cathythoughts @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thanks... it‘s years sinse we had a summer ! A real summer ... loving it 6y
TrishB Looks great 💕 6y
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Cathythoughts @TrishB I think I‘m starting to relax ... 💕 6y
TrishB I can see why! Could be on your holidays it looks that lovely 😊 6y
LeahBergen How lovely! 💕 6y
Centique Oh that looks so pretty! 6y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen we are blessed with fine weather this summer 👍🏻 6y
Cathythoughts @Centique 💕💕💕💕🌞what a difference the sun makes 6y
49 likes9 comments
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Cathythoughts
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This is the Jane Smiley I remember from The One Hundred Years Trilogy.
The story telling! The characters! The farm - the kingdom. Beginning at the farm ( I am a small town/city girl) So , I don‘t know why, but I love this farm talk ! Even the descriptions of tractors ... From the word go ,
the characters are strong , the story is strong. King Lear themes full on already.
I‘m in for a good weekend ❤️

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Cathythoughts
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My books arrived in the bookshop 💫. Have wanted to read A Thousand Acres for a long time now. Loosely based on King Lear.
Also this new thriller sounds good .... excited !! Having a double shot of coffee too 👍🏻

Billypar Jane Smiley is one of those authors I've always wanted to read but I can't quite decide which to read first. So if I see a positive review from you on this one, I'll take note 🙂 6y
Cathythoughts @Billypar She‘s a funny one. I loved her Hundred Years Trilogy , long family saga stuff 👍🏻 also Greenlanders meant to be good. She tries to write in all genres ... some other books of hers I tried & bailed in a hurry. I have high hopes for this one 🤞🏻 (edited) 6y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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youngreadrshelf
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Pickpick

Daughter remembers the path to familial implosion after Dad decides to step back from the family farm and leave the management to his two eldest daughters and their husbands, thereby cutting out the youngest daughter.

Trying to gauge my feelings about this story. I don't think I really liked anyone. Not even sure if I feel sorry for anyone of them. But I did want to see what happened.

ephemeralwaltz I enjoyed this one as I was reading after reading King Lear for a course I was taking on Shakespeare's tragedies! It was also my first Smiley. Great writing! 7y
youngreadrshelf @ephemeralwaltz the writing was great. Has to be to keep me reading about characters I‘m not sure I care for. 😉 7y
Lcsmcat Loved this one, and most of Smiley‘s work. 7y
youngreadrshelf @Lcsmcat this was the first one of hers I‘ve read, but I know I‘ll try more. 7y
52 likes4 comments
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Blaire
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So for #pennylane I thought of this article in Oprah magazine about books that evoke various regions. This pic is from the Midwest section. I love to read books about the places I travel. #heyjune

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youngreadrshelf
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Morning reading at the lake is not bad at all. #MountTBR

AmyG Oh, this is such a good book. 7y
youngreadrshelf @AmyG I‘ve been looking forward to it. 7y
dragondrool I should reread this one sometime. 7y
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Tanisha_A Pretty view! 7y
youngreadrshelf @dragondrool so it must have been good first time around. 7y
youngreadrshelf @Tanisha_A yes. Gorgeous and serene. 7y
dragondrool @youngreadrshelf Yep. I read it twice. I've also seen the movie twice. 7y
youngreadrshelf @dragondrool good to know. Enjoying it so far!! 7y
48 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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Liz_M
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A favorite #retelling of King Lear by my Midwestern homegirl Jane Smiley.

#maylovesclassics, @Sarah83, @Bambolina_81

Bambolina_81 I've never heard of this, sounds intriguing! 7y
15 likes1 comment
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BookBabe
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#BookNBrunch! Cheesy scrambled eggs, crispy corned beef hash, extra-crispy seasoned tater tots, and English Breakfast tea with milk & honey. Yum! 😋This has been another presentation of: #MrBookBookBabeKitchen. Happy reads & happy eats!

Gissy 😋 7y
92 likes2 comments
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rachelm
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☀️Genres: Lit fic, fantasy, sci fi
🌸Authors: Rowell, Atwood, Calvino
☀️Books: A 1000 Acres, Neverwhere, Bird by Bird
🌸Littens: of course my ladies at @LitsyFeministBookClub -- @BookishFeminist and @TheNextBook
☀️Bookstores and bookish things: Pageturners (Omaha) and almost any comic book store
🌸Fav bookish thing: 1984 shirt
☀️Place to read: hammock on the beach-- anyone have one handy?
🌸Season: Spring

#litsy321Favorites

Jess7 I really enjoyed reading this one by Rainbow Rowell and would highly recommend if you enjoy YA and Rowell 7y
rachelm @Jess7 loved that one! 7y
BookishFeminist ❤️❤️ 7y
39 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lcsmcat
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Two amazing #retelling(s) of Shakespeare's King Lear and The Tempest. #sizzlinsummerreads @Tiffy_Reads

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NerdyBibliophile
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I can't wait to sink into this book! I have heard nothing but rave reviews! #newbook #newjourney #janesmiley #athousandacres #startingnow #butfirstlitsy Has anybody here read it? If so please comment and let me know what you think. But please, no spoilers.😉

Brenda It's been a long time since I read it,but I loved it 🤓 7y
7 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DivineDiana
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I love the cover photo! Still on my #tbr #mrbluesky #junetunz

Cinfhen This book is meant to be amazing and that cover 👌🏽 8y
Cathythoughts I would love to read this. But it's not on kindle. I'll keep checking, hopefully it goes up. I loved her Hundred years trilogy 👍 7y
DivineDiana @Cathythoughts I had not heard of Hundred Years Trilogy. Need to investigate! 7y
Cathythoughts Yes. Some Luck. Early Warning. Golden Age. The three books. I loved them. I still remember the characters ( there were lots, I had to keep a family tree) beautiful writing. I believe she tries to write in all genres. I didn't like her attempt at a hot California novel, I ditched it pretty fast. This trilogy is all I can vouch for. It was brilliant! I believe Greenlanders is good too. But not on kindle. 7y
DivineDiana @Cathythoughts Thank you! 📚 7y
68 likes5 comments
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rachelm
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Jane Smiley is a #localauthor in more ways than one. All of the books featured, and more than half a dozen not, take place less than a hundred miles from where I drank my coffee this morning. Smiley likes to say that she never writes the same kind of book twice, so her work has a lot of range. If you've never read her, start with A Thousand Acres, a retelling of King Lear in Iowa. #aprilbookshowers

Reviewsbylola I've never read her but I have Some Luck! 8y
Lindy ❤️Jane Smiley. 8y
lynneamch Good one! Also from Iowa (Cedar Falls) is 8y
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lynneamch And, of course, this one who taught guitar lessons to a friend of mine 8y
lynneamch And, from Janesville, IA 8y
rachelm @lynneamch I count Ben Percy, too since he was at ISU for a while :) 8y
rachelm Wait a minute, @theladygreer I didn't know you were an Iowan too. Fabulous! 8y
theladygreer I don't get back often, but I was just in Decorah last week on #booktour! Iowans unite! 8y
lynneamch I've never read Ben Percy. What do you recommend? We could add Johnston who taught Iowa Writers Workshop. I heard him speak and LOVE him 8y
52 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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Lcsmcat
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#Marchintoreading #autobuyauthors Clockwise from top, but not in order of favoritism, Billy Collins, Jane Smiley, Margaret Atwood, and Ann Patchett.

22 likes2 stack adds
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BookishTrish
Thousand Acres | Jane Smiley
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Hello, old friends #springcleaning

71 likes3 stack adds
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shawnmooney
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USED BOOKSTORE HAUL

I held my nose and bought this for four dollars today - I hate movie tie-in editions - anyway, I've wanted to read this farm novel for a long time.

BookishMarginalia I hate movie tie-in editions too 8y
saresmoore Yay for farm novels! But you're right to be disgusted by that cover. Yeesh. 8y
TrishB Me too!! 8y
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8little_paws Agreed on the hatred of movie tie in editions! 8y
Lindy Wrap this outstanding novel in paper. Then you will be happier to start reading it. 😎 8y
LeahBergen I liked this one (but UGH. Movie tie-in covers make me wanna barf). 8y
34 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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LoverofLit
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Sneak reading while at work because I don't feel like working on the reconcilations due next week!

7 likes1 stack add
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ephemeralwaltz
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Pickpick

Okay this was really good. I finished it yesterday night and have been thinking about it since then non-stop. It's an tragic novel about family, loss, rivalry, abuse, society, honesty.. Smiley transposes the Shakespearian King Lear tragedy to a modern-day farm in a subtle but striking manner. This isn't a fast-paced novel but it certainly raises questions about human relationships and personal conflicts. 4/5 ⭐️
Cool stickers, @Litsy !

56 likes3 stack adds
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ephemeralwaltz
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Getting some reading done while listening to Ramin Djawadi's stunning music for season 1 of Westworld!😍🎶

Liatrek He is a great composer! Love his soundtracks for Game of thrones 😊 8y
jesslovestype Been listening to it non stop since it came out! Inspiring for both work and procrastination. Scrolling thru Litsy has never felt so epic. 😀 8y
43 likes2 comments
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ephemeralwaltz
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Aw cute! Caught this just in time 🎉🎉🔥❤😍 Thanka for the pretty number guys!😜

britt_brooke 🙌🏻🙌🏻 8y
Megabooks Fun!! 🎉🎉🍾🍾 8y
DebinHawaii Congratulations!!! 🎉👍🎉😀 8y
See All 14 Comments
Graciouswarriorprincess Congratulations!🎊🍾🎈🎉 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Congrats! 🎉📚🎉 8y
moranadatter Yay!🎉🙌🏻 8y
Eyelit 🎉👏📚👍 8y
LeahBergen Yay!! 🎉🎉🎉 8y
Foxyfictionista Woo! I'll be coming up to this number soonish. 3 is my favourite number! 8y
LisaJo I'm a little OCD, or as my friends would say a lot OCD, so I love the fact that your numbers are all perfect. 8y
megt Congrats! 8y
ephemeralwaltz @megt thank you!!😊 8y
58 likes14 comments
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ephemeralwaltz
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#photoadaynov16 #currentlyreading ... Although I'm technically reading about 4 books atm this is the one I'm going to indulge in the most for the next few days; started it this morning 🤘📚 (I desperately need to catch up with my GR reading challenge!)

cathysaid This is my favorite Smiley book. Enjoy! 8y
41 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Amandajoy
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A friend gave me this because she thought it was dull. Then I picked it up & found it full of lies, deceit, & murder! Still don't understand how she found it dull. A great #awardwinning book. #booktober

AvidReader25 I was surprised to find out it was a retelling of King Lear! 8y
28 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Ubookquitous
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Although today is the end of banned books, continue to support creative freedom and the 1st Amendment -Read banned books, Celebrate Diversity, fREADom!! #bannedbooksweek

3 likes1 stack add
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Purplerosiepage
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Not my best reading month, but 5 books isn't too bad at all.

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Booktrovert
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Jane Smiley, #BOTD in 1949.

RealLifeReading Great quote! Also love your username 8y
Booktrovert Heh; thanks @RealLifeReading ! 😀📚📚📚 8y
11 likes2 comments
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MLRio
This post contains spoilers
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Well that came out of f#!king nowhere.

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MLRio
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This book is good but MAN is it heavy. Might need a palate cleanser after this.

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MLRio
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Entertaining myself while my friend gets her hair chopped off.

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MLRio
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Currently reading!

LeaningTowerofLisa Heard this book on Chapter a Day years ago. First book I ever "read" that was said to be based on the plot of Lear. 8y
9 likes1 comment
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HardcoverHarlot
Pickpick

This book! It's funny and it's sad, it's dense but it's quick, it's plodding yet it's sudden. I loved it! King Lear set on an Iowa farm. Highly recommend!

shawnmooney Your posts have totally sold me on it! 8y
LeahBergen It's a good one, @shawnmooney ; you'll like it! 😃 8y
MrBook You just haaaad to make the Shakespeare reference 😜, lol. You've talked me into it. 8y
ReadingRailroader She was an Iowa State University professor! (Just saying lol) 8y
83 likes10 stack adds4 comments
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HardcoverHarlot
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You guys...this book...it's crazy! I don't see these twists and turns coming!!!

[DELETED] 2232195534 Wasn't this a surprising book? Read it years ago and still remember it. Ought to read it again. Enjoy! 8y
ValerieAndBooks I have this in my TBR pile...moving it up now! 8y
syasutake It's been so long since I read it, but I remember loving it. Maybe I should read it again. 8y
See All 9 Comments
Gayan Sounds interesting. 8y
littlelibrarian Loved this! I read it for a class on King Lear. 8y
Tndimatteo Love it. I teach it parallel to Lear and love talking about the effect of point of view (dramatic vs 1st person). The way Smiley morphs the Shakespearean plot twists is pretty amazing! 8y
Megabooks Such a fun picture! 😉 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Ive had this in my TBR for a while - movin' on up! 8y
MrBook 😂👍🏻 8y
102 likes10 stack adds9 comments