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A Visit from the Goon Squad
A Visit from the Goon Squad | Jennifer Egan
NATIONAL BESTSELLERNational Book Critics Circle Award WinnerPEN/Faulkner Award FinalistA New York Times Book Review Best BookOne of the Best Books of the Year:Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, The Daily Beast, The Miami Herald, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Newsday, NPR's On Point, O, the Oprah Magazine, People, Publishers Weekly, Salon, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, Slate, Time, The Washington Post, and Village VoiceBennie is an aging former punk rocker and record executive.Sasha isthe passionate, troubled young woman he employs. Here Jennifer Egan brilliantly reveals their pasts, along with the inner lives of a host of other characters whose paths intersect with theirs. With music pulsing on every page, A Visit from the Goon Squad is astartling, exhilarating novel of self-destruction and redemption.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Megabooks
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It is a gorgeous day here with buds on the trees but hiding behind this springy exterior is WIND and 46 degree temps! I went to the used bookstore while Mom is at the dentist and sold some books. I wasn‘t going to buy any, but I couldn‘t help but look! F&F and Goon Squad are ones I love and wanted to own. The Uncoupling is new to me.

I keep thinking one day I will not feel like I‘m drowning and have more time for litsy. I miss y‘all! 💜💜

IuliaC What a beautiful, springish feeling this photo gives! 1w
Megabooks @IuliaC thanks! My eyes love it when the trees are budding, but my allergies don‘t lol! 1w
Bookwormjillk Some days you gotta just keep swimming. Hang in there.

(And we have the wind too. I hope it doesn't blow all the blossoms away before I can get out for a walk.)
1w
See All 8 Comments
BarbaraBB Missing you too. Beautiful photo and weather and books. Hopefully this will give you some joy and energy 🤞🏽🩷 1w
ShelleyBooksie You will never not be crazy busy with your profession but I do.wish you more time.to read as "you time" is so important ♡♡ 1w
Megabooks @Bookwormjillk thank you 💜💜💜 the spring winds can be brutal! 1w
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thank you! I got very lucky parking next to this tree! It was nice to take the time in the bookstore, and it wasn‘t busy, which was nice, too. 1w
Megabooks @ShelleyBooksie it is so important to take me time, and I‘m so bad about it!! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ thank you! 💜💜 1w
77 likes8 comments
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julieclair
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My favorite book of August was A Visit from the Goon Squad, which was recommended by my niece. 😀
#12Booksof2023 @Andrew65

AmyG That‘s a wonderful book. 3mo
35 likes1 comment
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julieclair
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Pickpick

Wow. I just finished reading this intricate, mesmerizing book, and feel I only barely scratched the surface of understanding its meaning and brilliance. The way Jennifer Egan weaves the characters‘ tangential yet interconnected lives through time and generations is masterful. A modern classic for sure, and worthy of many future rereads.
#Roll100 @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Amazing! 7mo
26 likes1 comment
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Nalbuque
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Bailedbailed

Maybe it gets better after I stopped (at 40%) but it wasn‘t doing it for me.

Soubhiville I know lots of people loved this book but I didn‘t. I don‘t blame you for bailing. 7mo
14 likes1 comment
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Deblovestoread
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Pickpick

#TitlesandTunes This novel was more like interconnected stories with some sections stronger than others. There were moments of #SexDrugsandRock&Roll 3.5 🌟

Also using for #Booked23 #Weird I didn‘t get the whole charts and graph section.

Cinfhen I bailed on this one years ago but I did read Candy House recently for IRL bookclub. #MoreMehThanYeah 8mo
BarbaraBB I liked this one less than I expected to. 8mo
53 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Deblovestoread
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This was my first pick for July‘s #TitlesandTunes book. In trying to decide which song to pair with it I ended up going down a punk rock rabbit hole. I almost changed it to Fallopian Rhapsody about the Lunachicks, a new to me band, who I‘ve been listening to today. My song choice is a favorite released the same year of the book. Just love everything about #T&T and can‘t wait for the playlist. You all have EXCELLENT taste.

Cinfhen So glad you‘re as pumped about this “challenge” as we are😎 fabulous choices🤘🏼🩷 9mo
BarbaraBB Such cool choices!! I am going to create the playlist right now and will share it soon! 9mo
54 likes2 comments
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Augustdana
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I also celebrated #indiebookstoreday yesterday by going to my favourite local shop and picking up these three used books. I‘ve had two of these on my tbr for a while. #independentbookstoreday

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Tonton
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traa
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TheSpineView
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#Movie2BookRecs @klou
Prompt: Quartet

Klou Great choice! 1y
57 likes2 comments
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MelKelsey
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Mehso-so

Book 140

Book 140 I listened to A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, a story about music with a plethora of intersecting, presumptuous characters. I understand it won a pulitzer because of it's formatting, so I need to see the book. There was a random chapter near the end with a lot of rewinding noises. Odd. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

24 likes1 stack add
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ManyWordsLater
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Suddenly, it was the moment to read this book that‘s been on my shelf for 3 years.

I‘m really enjoying it.

Graywacke A good moment, hopefully 2y
akfreeborn Loved this book! 2y
76 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Kimberlone
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Pickpick

I had a library loan coming in for The Candy House, so that prompted me to finally read A Visit from the Goon Squad, which I have had a worn down copy on my shelf to read for upwards of a decade.

Really loved this inventive, sprawling, interconnected web of a novel. Certain narratives were more compelling than others, but I loved how each new piece of the puzzle revealed new sides to previous characters and stories.

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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

This was such a brilliantly crafted novel. I loved how it read almost like closely connected short stories instead of a novel. The music theme resonating through each individual person's story came together for a cohesive and satisfying ending.

I'm excited for The Candy House now.

Graywacke Your post brings back a little why I liked this so much. I‘ve been thinking about her new book. 2y
49 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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mollyrotondo
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I read this to prep for Candy House which we are reading for book club. I enjoyed this one very much. I liked reading about how different people were connected to one another and how some characters evolved as the years went by. It was very well written. I‘m hoping I enjoy Candy House just as much.

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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This is very good. My secondary irl book club (who doesn't have one of those?) picked this for July and The Candy House for August. Not sure how I feel about reading a second one though...

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
mollyrotondo Oh one of my irl book clubs is reading Candy House this month. So I just finished this one to prep myself for it 😆 2y
vlwelser @mollyrotondo it's very good. But not totally sure I'm ready for the next one yet. 2y
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mollyrotondo @vlwelser I‘ve heard not great things from my book club friends but they hadn‘t read this one so we will see. I‘m still waiting for my library hold to come through lol 2y
vlwelser @mollyrotondo someone just posted that it's confusing. I feel like that meets current expectations. 2y
mollyrotondo @vlwelser yeah that basically is what I‘ve heard too 😬 2y
41 likes6 comments
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vlwelser
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#BookSpin #DoubleSpin #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I have way too many books in my possession and some are partially started. So this is my feeble clean up attempt...

vlwelser @WorldsOkayestStepMom It's in a stack of books I need to return to my book squad. I've wanted to read it for a while. 2y
julieclair Good luck! I feel your pain! 😂 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
26 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Freespirit
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Pickpick

Wow I am so behind with reviews and catching up with what everyone is reading!! Hi to all my reading friends! In the past month I‘ve read 4 good books…all different..all well written..top marks for Good Squad and Absolution by Murder and the others not far behind. Hope your all enjoying a good book😘😘
#fiction #literature #reading

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BekaReid
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Pickpick

The book provided an interesting exploration of the passage of time, the effects of aging on individual lives, and the longing for the past through memory. It read like an interconnected book of stories. The plots and characters revolve around Bennie and Sasha, who remain on the periphery through much of the book just out of focus. I would have loved to view more from Sasha's voice as I found her the most complicated and interesting of the group.

Caroline2 I really liked this book. ❤️ 2y
15 likes1 comment
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ktmccann
Pickpick

X

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BekaReid
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And my solo vacation begins. Excited to start this one on my flight

LiteraryinLawrence Have a lovely time! 2y
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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

Still so great even ten years after I first read it. Egan has found the sweet spot between a novel and interlinked short stories. Pitch perfect prose, incisive in its observations of human interaction, immensely affecting and thoughtful. Goon Squad remains a worthy fave.

Caroline2 I really liked this one too. 👍 2y
merelybookish I loved it when it came out but have shied away from re-reading it. I'm glad to hear it holds up! 2y
ManyWordsLater Insist heard her speak about her new book (tagged) very interesting woman. 2y
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ClairesReads @Caroline2 it‘s excellent isn‘t it 2y
ClairesReads @merelybookish it really does! 2y
ClairesReads @ManyWordsLater I‘m just starting Candy House tonight 😊 2y
50 likes6 stack adds6 comments
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Freespirit
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Wow I‘ve had a fabulous week in Melbourne! I‘ve visited all the book shops..Hill of Content, The Paperback Bookshop, The Basement and Dymocks😊 I‘ve been to the Opera, the Symphony, Hamlet, The Van Gogh Display, the museum to see Triceratops and the fabulous botanical gardens. I‘m exhausted but happy❤️ and a box of books is on its way home!!
#bookshops #travel #melbourne

LeeRHarry Glad you have had a fab time in my fair city! 💕😊 2y
CarolynM Glad you enjoyed your visit. Pity it was so cold and wet. 2y
Freespirit @CarolynM @LeeRHarry love your city..weather was great as I got to wear a coat and scarf!! Could have easily stayed another week. Xxx 2y
Jeg Envious. Can‘t wait to get across. 2y
Freespirit @Jeg Joy it is a fabulous city ❤️ 2y
46 likes5 comments
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Gleefulreader
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I read this 10 years ago and cannot remember a lot about it, so decided a refresh was in order before jumping into Candy House.

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GarethSouthwell
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Pickpick

Most of the characters are in some way connected to the music industry, but the real theme is time: “Time is a goon“, a heavy-booted thug who's happy to leave the fragile hopes and dreams of youth bleeding in the gutter of middle-aged regret. Each chapter takes a different viewpoint and we get multiple perspectives on the same characters at different times, often in an innovative way. One chapter is a Powerpoint! Sad, funny, clever, interesting.

43 likes3 stack adds
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Kristin_Reads
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Mehso-so

📖 4-25-22 || Pulitzer | Interior | Angst
Uses different styles and techniques (article excerpts, Power Point slides, etc) to explore different eras and characters. There were some very moving sections that will stick with me for a while, however I got lost in the switching back-and-forth from different characters and time periods.

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eeclayton
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Panpan

This was an interesting read which I didn't enjoy very much. Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of a different character, using different narrative techniques (one chapter is a PowerPoint presentation!), jumping back and forth in time. It is well-written, but I feel like the author was going for producing a well-written book more than for telling a good story.

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Karkar
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I am struggling with this …. Does it get better after the first 1/4 of the book??? Cause right now I could careless about any of these characters.

Graywacke Trying to remember. I don‘t think it changes that much. (Although I liked it. ☺️) 3y
BarbaraBB Trying to remember too. I wasn‘t blown away by this one. 3y
Hooked_on_books It doesn‘t. I didn‘t think it was bad, but I wasn‘t impressed. 3y
Karkar @Graywacke @BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books thank you! I think I am DNF for now. Maybe some day….. (edited) 3y
48 likes4 comments
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Karkar
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Starting this one tonight. Finally getting close to finishing the Super Rooster list that I started a long time ago. 😂📚

GondorGirl Puppers! 😍 3y
ladym30 What a sweet face!❤️ 3y
Asthecroweflies Schnauzer baby! I have 2. 3y
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Karkar @GondorGirl and @ladym30 Zelda says thank you 3y
Karkar @Asthecroweflies they are the best! I love my two. 3y
BookNAround ❤️Zelda! Gatsby sends an enthusiastic bark or ten her way. 3y
42 likes1 stack add6 comments
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bpeters
Mehso-so


I really wanted to focus on Sasha's story arc, but the book would not comply. I enjoyed the other stories, but those stories, along with the characters, bored me a bit. I just wanted to get back to hers. The stories all meet in the end, but it was not nearly as satisfying as I had hoped. I enjoyed Jennifer's writing and will definitely read another one of hers

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Karmapen
Pickpick

Oh how I loved this. The short stories joined together by a thread that was sometimes inscrutable and sometimes blindingly obvious. Some of them took my breath away. The last story was the least satisfying IMHO, but I appreciated the fullness if the world the Egan constructed for her characters. I gasped out loud several times reading it.

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Allietaylor16
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Starting this reread while in the dealership waiting room!

23 likes1 stack add
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audraelizabeth
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Panpan

#booked2021 musical instrument on cover @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage
This was a so so for me until chapter 9 and then for me it took a turn. The characters for me didnt have any redeeming qualities and thats never good.
#marvelousmarch @Andrew65 first book 4 hours 50 minutes in
@TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

Cinfhen I bailed on this one!! And that was probably wayyyy before chapter 9😉 3y
audraelizabeth @Cinfhen I think the only reason I stuck it out was because I was listening to it. The section in chapter 9 made me go nope not how you handle that. Im done. 3y
Cinfhen Ugh!! Hate when that happens!! 3y
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audraelizabeth @Cinfhen Yea, disgusting. 3y
Cinfhen Well you got the prompt knocked off 🤗🤗🤗 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
Andrew65 Shame it wasn‘t better. 3y
19 likes10 comments
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ItsAnotherJen
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Mehso-so

The chapter made up of the slide show journal that 12 yr. old Alison made is pure genius. That chapter is 5 stars. The rest was between 2-3 stars because they are each like disjointed short stories. With a character or three that somehow intertwines with another character or three in a different chapter. You flip back and forth in time. In this chapter they are a child, in that one they are a father of three. One of his kids is in another chapter.

ItsAnotherJen It's simply confusing. By the time you figure out how the person connects to the other people and you get a feel of their life, the chapter is over and you are shoved in another timeline. 3y
88 likes1 comment
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Caroline2
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Pickpick

What a powerhouse of a book! Each chapter reads like a short story but all the characters are interconnected by a delicate web of a plot that spans decades! It‘s furious pacing suited my goldfish attention span at the mo. I got completely lost in the beautiful writing and characters. I loved this! 😀

Caroline2 I think we defo prefer different writing styles Trish! 😆 4y
Cinfhen I think I might need to revisit this book!!! I bailed years ago but interconnected stories are my NEWEST FAVORITE JAM (edited) 4y
Caroline2 @Cinfhen Yes! I‘m really enjoying interconnected stories too lately. But I should warn you, this book does toe the line of threatening to be a pretentious Iowa Writers MFA Book! 😆It‘s a close call at times.....! 😬 4y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Ha!!! Maybe that‘s why I bailed the first time😜 4y
TrishB @Cinfhen I bailed at 20% 😐 4y
TrishB I think we do too! Short stories are probably my least fave genre! I‘m glad you called the pretentiousness out though it was making my eyes roll. 😁 4y
Caroline2 @TrishB @Cinfhen Yeah I found it a bit pretentious at times but then some of the middle chapters are absolute corkers that I can‘t stop thinking about. I can see why it‘s a love it/hate it book. 👍 4y
96 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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TrishB
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Been reading these yesterday/today and I‘m bailing on both ☹️ neither of them are entertaining me at all.
Sorry @Caroline2 I‘m the usual rubbish buddy read!!
Need to find a good book!

rockpools Oh no! 🤞for the next one. (Failing that, I recommend Quick Quack Quentin!) 4y
MicheleinPhilly 2020 will go down as a strange one for lots of reasons. One of those reasons seeing you bail on more books in the past 5 months than I‘ve seen you do in the past 4 years! 4y
Caroline2 Ah never mind Trish! I hope you find a good book soon! 🤞 have you read The Mercies yet? Prob my fav book of the year so far. 👍 4y
See All 8 Comments
TrishB @rockpools 😁 it may just have to be that one! 4y
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly it saddens me ☹️ but corona brain always wins! 4y
TrishB @Caroline2 just went to check out The Mercies on Amazon and it‘s 99p today on kindle 😁 so I‘ve brought it of course! 4y
Kalalalatja Corona brain is too real... hope you‘ll find a book to keep your attention soon 🤞 4y
TrishB @Kalalalatja just slows you down so much! 4y
72 likes1 stack add8 comments
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TrishB
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Help Caroline! Struggling...... I‘m not into the writing style at all, the multiple POVs....will do a bit more but not really into it!
You?
Did say I‘m a rubbish buddy read.

Caroline2 😂 how funny!!! No worries at all Trish if ya wanna bail. 😉 I‘m enjoying it but I know what you mean, it‘s almost like each chapter is its own short story. 4y
TrishB Which is probably my least favourite genre.... 4y
kyraleseberg Ooh I struggled with this one. It's definitely a book that I know people love and I feel like I must be missing something. 4y
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melissajayne I read it when it first came out; bailed on it. 4y
TrishB @kyraleseberg yes so many people love it I definitely fell like I‘m missing something! 4y
TrishB @melissajayne I‘m heading that way. 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I struggled with her book Manhattan Beach. 4y
TrishB @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I have that one too but not got to it! 4y
Oryx This one did nothing for me at all. So don't blame you. 4y
TrishB @Oryx side eying it now, usually a sign it‘s done! 4y
CarolynM I couldn't get into this either. I've always meant to try again but never quite got there. 4y
TrishB @CarolynM phew....thought it was me! 4y
79 likes12 comments
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TrishB
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Starting this one today for a tip toe quiet buddy read....with Caroline 😁

Caroline2 Ohhhhh yeahhhh! I started last night. I‘m loving it so far....! 👍 4y
Lindy One of my all time favourites. 😍 4y
Balibee146 Enjoy.... Great read! 😘😘😘😘 4y
TrishB @Caroline2 @Lindy @Balibee146 looking forward to getting into it! 4y
90 likes5 comments
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Creadnorthey
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Pickpick

Excellent and distracting read- love the jump through time and characters weaving a full story that lucky for this reader comes to a satisfying end. Summer reading cocktail: one part “High Fidelity”, 2 parts “Fleishman is in Trouble”, a generous splash of anything Irvine Welsh- stir vigorously and garnish with a wit of time. Enjoy!

KVanRead Nice! Loved this one as well. Cheers!🍸 4y
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Mitch
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This is one of those books I feel I should have read but haven‘t..... evidently there‘s a companion volume combining out soon to celebrate 10 years. Maybe I should get around to reading it!

https://ew.com/books/jennifer-egan-visit-from-the-goon-squad-10th-anniversary/

rachelm It‘s good! A variety of forms and narrators 4y
TrishB Been on my kindle for a long time! 4y
callielafleur I reread this every couple of years. I am super excited for a companion edition! 4y
Mitch @callielafleur That‘s high praise 👍🏼 4y
62 likes1 stack add4 comments
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librarygoddess619
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Panpan

Ugh. I want the hours it took to read this book back! I don't see what the hype about it is all about. It's gimmicky and I didn't give a hoot about any of the characters. I'm so mad I read this whole book instead of putting it down halfway through.

LoveToReadLiveToRead Yeah, I‘m with you. I‘d been recommended by someone who had said it was one of the beat books they‘d read but it just didn‘t do it for me at all. 🤷‍♀️ 4y
librarygoddess619 @LoveToReadLiveToRead I just don't see it. I guess everyone has different tastes though! 4y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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Book 67 done. #bookly

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Qpri
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Bookish breakfast! And looking forward to weekend reading 🙌

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ladygrey
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I started this my junior year of college but never finished it. Now's our time ~

Update: It appears I am not the biggest fan of Jennifer Egan's writing. I like The Keep okay but her others I've struggled to enjoy. It's probably just all going over my head 🤯

7 likes1 stack add
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WhiskeyMistress
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Pickpick

I liked this book overall. The different time periods and narrators made for an entertaining read. The one part I disliked was the last portion. It irritates me when authors attempt to predict the near future, as it invariably seems dated. NO ONE TEXTS LIKE THAT 😂💁‍♀️
#awardwinning #readingfromquarantine

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Peaslady
Pickpick

The goon squad refers to the passage of time and its effect on us all. I wanted and expected to return to the early characters, but once I settled into the short stories connected by threads style I enjoyed it a lot. Things got very weird at the end - a PowerPoint chapter??! - and I'm not sure the author should take up sci fi as a genre. But even despite these oddities I would still recommend it. Good for a book club read!