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A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding
A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding: A Novel | Jackie Copleton
28 posts | 20 read | 29 to read
In the tradition of Memoirs of a Geisha and The Piano Teacher, a heart-wrenching debut novel of family, forgiveness, and the exquisite pain of love When Amaterasu Takahashi opens the door of her Philadelphia home to a badly scarred man claiming to be her grandson, she doesnt believe him. Her grandson and her daughter, Yuko, perished nearly forty years ago during the bombing of Nagasaki. But the man carries with him a collection of sealed private letters that open a Pandoras Box of family secrets Ama had sworn to leave behind when she fled Japan. She is forced to confront her memories of the years before the war: of the daughter she tried too hard to protect and the love affair that would drive them apart, and even further back, to the long, sake-pouring nights at a hostess bar where Ama first learned that a soft heart was a dangerous thing. Will Ama allow herself to believe in a miracle?
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JacintaMCarter
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Pickpick

#2022Book22
For the most part, I enjoyed this book and was glad to get more insight into parts of history that we usually just see from an American perspective. However, I definitely should have read it instead of listening to the audiobook, because there were way too many parts (especially the characters' names) that didn't stick with me as well because I was only hearing them instead of seeing them.

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kwmg40
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Pickpick

This was a #BookCrossing book sent to me by a fellow BookCrosser. The story revolves around survivors of the Nagasaki bombing, and I appreciated learning more of the historical details.

#WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers #AVeryMerryReadathon #BookSpinBingo
@StayCurious @TheSpineView @TheAromaofBooks

TheSpineView Awesome! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
28 likes2 comments
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JessNevertheless
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Actually back now from a long school-induced hiatus with a Masters and tons of books to read! Starting off with this one for book club tonight which is timely given the 75th anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing yesterday. So far, sad but interesting.

27 likes2 comments
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Jerdencon
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Pool side on a gorgeous day starting this one

51 likes1 stack add
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BrownGirlReading
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Pickpick

This was the last book for my book club this school year. What a well written and researched book on what happened before and after the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. It‘s a melancholic read that explores Japanese culture very well. Check it out!

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Kshakal
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Enjoying a nice glass of wine and a good book discussion with some of my favorite ladies!!!

DivineDiana I enjoyed this book. Did you and your group? 7y
Kshakal @DivineDiana we did very much so... it was a take on world war 2 you don't hear much about 7y
DivineDiana Yes, I love when I learn new information! 7y
35 likes3 comments
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Kshakal
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Pickpick

I really wanted to love this book and it was just ok for me. However, I think that has more to do with timing than the actual book (to much going on in my life to really immerse myself in it). It was beautifully written and I may do a reread when life slows down a bit!

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Kshakal
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Getting some r & r after a busy weekend and before an even busier week!

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GirlWellRead
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This incredibly moving page-turner set in present day and 1945, was one I couldn't easily put down. Described as being in the same vein as Memoirs of a Geisha and The Piano, this debut novel is a heart-wrenching story of love, loss, hope and forgiveness, against a historical backstory equally as heartbreaking.

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DivineDiana
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When Ameratsu Takahashi opens the door of her Philadelphia home to a badly scarred man claiming to be her grandson, she doesn't believe him. Her grandson and her daughter perished nearly forty years ago during the bombing of Nagasaki. But the man carries with him a box of sealed private letters that reveal family secrets. #scars #junetunz

Cinfhen I read this book last year ~ it was excellent and I totally forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder 💕💕 7y
64 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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shuva
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Pickpick

Really liked this. Loved the way the chapters started.

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Suzze
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I did it! I actually made a TBR for February and read them all! I am so excited! I read 13 books total. Now, I'm off to make a March TBR. I can do it! 🤓🤓🤓

Desha ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
DGRachel Congrats! 🎉🎉🎊🎉🎉 7y
Donna_sBookMinute 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. Great job! 7y
See All 7 Comments
Aseleener Awesome! 7y
Reviewsbylola That's awesome! I read the three books I had planned to read for Black History Month so I was excited about that but I only read 2/6 BOTM choices. 7y
LazyOwl Well done 😄 7y
DebinHawaii Amazing! I don't think I have ever read my whole planned TBR! 🎉📚🎉 7y
93 likes7 comments
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ReadingEnvy
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This is a reread in preparation for book club but one thing I really like about this novel are the Japanese terms that begin every chapter. #litsypartyofone @Ambrosnazzy

Laalaleighh 📚 7y
58 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Suzze
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Best snack ever! My favorite snack (potato chips) in my favorite flavor (lemon/lime). Great for #LitsyPartyofOne
Another reason to love Aldi. ❤

[DELETED] 206653737 Yay for Aldi's 7y
Mimi28 Aldi rocks!! 7y
Suzze @bookish22 @Mimi28 I know! I feel like it is the best kept secret. 7y
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ReadingEnvy I used to make $1 chili from Aldi when we were super poor! 29 cent cans of beans, corn, and tomatoes. 💃 7y
Suzze @ReadingEnvy You sure can't beat their prices, and now they are carrying a lot of organic foods! 7y
ReadingEnvy @Suzze I don't even know if we have one in my town. I should check! Are lemon lime chips sweet? 7y
ReadingEnvy P.s. this is the book I just finished! 7y
ReadingSusan Yummy! We just got an Aldi. I may have to check it out. 7y
Suzze @ReadingEnvy Not sweet at all. Just salty and lime. ❤ I am really liking the book. Reading it for book group next week. I read Nagasaki last year and was so completely moved and scared! 7y
Suzze @ReadingSusan Don't be snooty about the non-name brands. They all seem to be just like the best name-brands. The only thing I haven't liked was the coffee k-cups. Everything else is great! 7y
ReadingEnvy @Suzze are you in my book group?!? 7y
Suzze @ReadingEnvy Not in any online book groups. Just a reality one. 😜 7y
ReadingEnvy @Suzze yes my in person book club meets Monday to discuss this book. I'm leading the discussion! 7y
Suzze @ReadingEnvy Mine is Wednesday night. Quite a coincidence! 7y
ReadingEnvy @Suzze that's amazing! Please say hi to your group from mine in Greenville, SC. 7y
Suzze @ReadingEnvy Canton, Michigan here! 7y
josie281 I miss Aldi 7y
Librariana Ooooo!!! Limón chips!! So yummy! 7y
114 likes18 comments
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Suzze
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As usual, I'm reading two books. This one is for lunch. Don't want to drip on my iPad. #LitsyPartyofOne @Ambrosnazzy

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ReadingEnvy
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This is a reread for book club on Monday, and the reason I've read so much about Nagasaki this year. I nominated it for my group after really enjoying it last year, so this story about Amaterasu and the man claiming to be the grandson she thought died in the atomic bomb of Nagasaki is my #recommendsday

DivineDiana This was a compelling read. 7y
HardcoverHearts I enjoyed this one. It was surprisingly touching. 7y
ReadingEnvy @HardcoverHearts @DivineDiana I think the way it stuck with me made me like it even more. For my book club though, we've had some tough reads. Last month was Armenian genocide and now it's atomic bombs! I still have heard they are liking it. 7y
DivineDiana I know how vulnerable you feel when your recommendation is Book Club's choice. Homegoing was mine. Some liked it and others not so much. But I'm glad that I introduced it as should you. 😀👏🏻📚 7y
60 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Suzze
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Here's my second try at a monthly TBR list. This time I only chose 5 books, knowing I will fill in with lots of others. #fiestyfeb #tbr Note the sun shining on the top right. The first sun we have seen since before January 20th. Really!

LitHousewife I'm about 150 pages into A Twist in Time. If you loved the first book, you'll be happy. 7y
DebinHawaii Nice! 📚🌞👍 7y
jessdean Love it👌🏽📚 7y
94 likes4 comments
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RunGillyRun
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Pickpick

Book No. 1 for 2017 and what a lovely one to start the year with. This story is beautifully told, and the overlapping plots were wonderfully interlinked and resolved by the end of the book. I would highly recommend - once read never forgotten.

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Annashep
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Pickpick

Started this book yesterday on a short train journey from Newcastle to York and completely gripped about a quarter of the way into it ... the characters are you so whole and the descriptions after the atomic bomb on Nagasaki are so well written and the reader understands the horror and life changing world changing aftermath .... definitely read this book .. when I first got the book from book group I was unsure but it's a must read

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elliemcc11
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Another free book from the community book swap ☺📖

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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

These #BookishOlympics are demanding & grueling 😜I'm exhausted from lack of sleep and squinty eyes...#GoingForGold🎽This last book was beautiful! The writing and storytelling was compelling and heart felt! Book 4 done!!!

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Cinfhen
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Darn, real life got in the way of Litsy life😬 only read 33 pages (so far )today😡but I'm totally enjoying the read #BookishOlympics #GoingForGold

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Cinfhen
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#GoingForGold #BookishOlympics starting book 3...a bit wiser, this one only has 292 pages and the print is large👍🏻😉❣

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Cinfhen
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#BookishOlympics just so you all understand how "dedicated" I am, I just returned from a ReCon mission to the library. My objective: to find books that were between 220 - 299 pages!!! #EyeOfTheTiger #GoingForGold?I actually have no idea what any of these books are about, just that they meet my page requirements ?

MrBook 😂😂😂👍🏻 I like your posts. Other 🤓's like me out there. 8y
Cinfhen Thanks @Mrbook honored to be included in your esteemed company😉 8y
BookMusings My kinda thinking!! 😂😂 8y
14 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DivineDiana
Pickpick

One night, a stranger knocks on the door and the past returns. A story of the destruction to a Japanese family by the explosion of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki. Particularly those that survived. What will a mother do to protect her only child? Secrets are revealed,and thankfully healing comes.

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DivineDiana
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Reading for Book Club #2! Off on a new journey!

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HardcoverHearts
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Pickpick

This was a lovely meditation on life, loves, disappointment and regrets of two families from Nagasaki before and after the dropping of the nuclear bomb. The writing was beautiful and the story compelling without being maudlin. The audiobook was a lovely way to experience the book.

DivineDiana Just starting this book. 8y
HardcoverHearts @DivineDiana : let me know what you think after! 8y
DivineDiana Will do! 8y
DivineDiana Finished the book! Repulsed by Sato but happy that Amaterasu finds peace. Beautiful imagery! 8y
HardcoverHearts @DivineDiana - exactly what I thought as well! 8y
4 likes2 stack adds5 comments