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Glitter and Glue
Glitter and Glue: A Memoir | Kelly Corrigan
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Readers Circle for author chats and more. From the author of The Middle Place comes a new memoir that examines the bondsometimes nourishing, sometimes exasperating, occasionally divinebetween mothers and daughters. When Kelly Corrigan was in high school, her mother neatly summarized the family dynamic as Your fathers the glitter but Im the glue. This meant nothing to Kelly, who left childhood sure that her momwith her inviolable commandments and proud stoicismwould be nothing more than background chatter for the rest of Kellys life, which she was carefully orienting toward adventure. After college, armed with a backpack, her personal mission statement, and a wad of travelers checks, she took off for Australia to see things and do things and Become Interesting. But it didnt turn out the way she pictured it. In a matter of months, her savings shot, she had a choice: get a job or go home. Thats how Kelly met John Tanner, a newly widowed father of two looking for a live-in nanny. They chatted for an hour, discussed timing and pay, and a week later, Kelly moved in. And there, in that house in a suburb north of Sydney, 10,000 miles from the house where she was raised, her mothers voice was suddenly everywhere, nudging and advising, cautioning and directing, escorting her through a terrain as foreign as any she had ever trekked. Every day she spent with the Tanner kids was a day spent reconsidering her relationship with her mother, turning it over in her hands like a shell, straining to hear whatever messages might be trapped in its spiral. This is a book about the difference between travel and life experience, stepping out and stepping up, fathers and mothers. But mostly its about who you admire and why, and how that changes over time. Praise for Glitter and Glue I loved this book, I was moved by this book, and now I will share this book with my own motheralong with my renewed appreciation for certain debts of love that can never be repaid.Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love Kelly Corrigans thoughtful and beautifully rendered meditation invites readers to reflect on their own launchings and homecomings. I accepted the invitation and learned things about myself. You will, too. Isnt that why we read?Wally Lamb, New York Times bestselling author of We Are Water Kelly Corrigan is no stranger to mining the depths of her heart. . . . [In] Glitter and Glue,Corrigan turns the microscope on her relationship with her own mother. . . . Through her own experience of caring for children, she begins, for the first time, to appreciate the complex woman who raised her.O: The Oprah Magazine Corrigan [is] a lively, nimble cheerleader for the joys of family.People [A] funny, sparkling memoir.More Corrigan writes with warmth and delicate humor.The Washington Post [An] irresistible cocktail of lyrical writing and solid, useful insight.San Francisco Chronicle In this endearing, funny, and thought-provoking memoir, Kelly Corrigans memories of long-ago adventures illuminate the changing relationships between mothers and childrenas well as everything else that really matters.Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

It‘s been a long time since I read a book in one day, but this memoir was giving me all the mom feels and I just kept reading. I first read it in 2014, and it‘s such a different read now that my kids are older. #BookspinBingo #WinterGames2020 #ReadNoseReindeer #CrushTheRush #ReadYourWay #ItsColdOutside

TheNeverendingTBR I wants a cup like this ☕🐒 3y
Amiable I love Kelly Corrigan. 3y
TheSpineView ❤📖📚 3y
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
Bookgoil Love that title! 3y
Bookwormjillk @Amiable she‘s really good 3y
Reviewsbylola Apparently I‘ve already got this on my TBR. Sounds good! 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick 💚❤💚❤ 3y
50 likes1 stack add8 comments
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bookaholic1
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Bailedbailed

Just can't...is all I'm going to say

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Sapphire
Pickpick

The Modern Mrs. Darcy was right. This was a good read for a book club still getting to know it's neighbors. Was the first title for our new neighborhood book group I am hosting at my home. The group picked Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle for next quarter, so I guess they are up for more robust discussion!

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AileenRR
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Pickpick

I loved listening to Kelly gaining a new understanding and appreciation for her mother. Liked it so much I had to buy a paper copy for easy re-reading.

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Sapphire
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Her areas of expertise, which had often appeared piddling or immaterial, became disturbingly relevant.

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Sarahandhella
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Listening and reading along, and occasionally bawling. So much truth about mother/daughter relationships. Looking at my socks that will never look as cute on my actual feet, but I still love them.

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Pam.Kokomo
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Pickpick

My first time ever reading Kelly Corrigan! I will be back for more.

BookaholicNatty I have heard great things about this book!!! 6y
8 likes1 comment
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LauraBeth
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Pickpick

I LOVED this book! I actually ended up listening to the audio even though I have a hard copy of it. I listened to this while walking Bitsy and I had to stop a few times because it made me ugly cry in public. 😭

“You‘ll never come home,” she said.
“Yes, I will—“
“No. If I‘d seen this place when I was young, I‘d have stayed forever.”

I never did come home to her, but I came around to her. It took ten years, two babies, and a tumor.

Stacy_31 Oooh darn. I picked this up in the bookstore the other day but ended up not getting it. Maybe I‘ll have to go back and see if it‘s still there. Good excuse to make another trip. 6y
Reviewsbylola ♥️♥️♥️ 6y
104 likes11 stack adds2 comments
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BornReadChicago
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Pickpick

So late to this party, but, I LOVED THIS BOOK ❤️ There are the right books at the right time, and I can‘t imagine reading this before becoming a mother. This memoir of Kelly‘s experience nannying for a widow, while on her post college Australia trip hit me on many levels: as a mom, as a genX-er and, like Millie, someone who lost a parent at age 7. Though I‘d recommend it to EVERYONE, as it gives such a great insight to anyone who has a mother!

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LauraBeth
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LauraBeth
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Be careful with what you wish for, Bitsy. 🤣

AmyG Ha! 6y
Trashcanman Lmao quite the before and after! 6y
saresmoore 😂 Look at you go! I‘d look like Bitsy after that kind of run. 6y
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Ashley_Nicoletto ??? Great work! "I only wanted to go on a short jaunt." - Bitsy (edited) 6y
Soubhiville Nice! She looks tired. 6y
LeahBergen 😂😂 6y
kspenmoll Absolutely love how you & Bitsy make me laugh!!! 😂😂😂 6y
LauraBeth @AmyG she was the one who wanted to go! 😀 6y
LauraBeth @Trashcanman nothing like going for a walk when it‘s like 90 degrees at 11 am! 6y
LauraBeth @saresmoore I looked worse than Bitsy 😂 6y
Trashcanman Wow, are in in Arizona? 6y
LauraBeth @Ashley_Nicoletto 😂 Bitsy‘s like, “Can we go over our definition of what I think a walk is vs what you think one is...” (edited) 6y
LauraBeth @Soubhiville she was worn out! 6y
LauraBeth @LeahBergen she probably regretted that 😂 6y
LauraBeth @Trashcanman HOTlanta ☀️ 6y
peaKnit I think I just found you in the Aaptiv group on FB, I recognized your dog! 😂 6y
LauraBeth She gets around @peaknit! 😀 I LOVE Aaptiv! 6y
peaKnit I love Aaptiv too! It is the only thing that kept me going through our long cold winter in WI! It‘s so motivating! 6y
LauraBeth @peaknit who is your favorite trainer? 6y
peaKnit I haven‘t tried everyone but I think Ackeem is my favorite. I am more of an advanced beginner, his attitude is so fun! You? 6y
LauraBeth @peaknit I haven‘t tried Ackeem yet 🙀 I may give him a go tomorrow! I lean towards Kelly and Megan a lot 6y
peaKnit I tried Ben today, the workout was good, his voice is a little squeaky 😂 6y
LauraBeth @peaknit sometimes he can be a bit much. “Just calm down with your peppiness, Ben!” Did you download the new update? 6y
peaKnit I haven‘t downloaded it yet, but will try to do that! Sounds like exciting change ahead, 6y
peaKnit Have you? What do you think? 6y
LauraBeth @peaknit I‘ve downloaded it - I like the new update! Lots more confetti! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 (edited) 6y
121 likes27 comments
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MissAimz_55
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Pickpick

This was a quick and nice memoir. 3.5/5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this memoir especially reading about Kelly nannying in Australia. It was interesting to see her coming of age and also an insight into mother-daughter relationships #glitterandglue #popsugarreadingchallenge #favcolor #bookquotes

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shahn77
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Mehso-so

This memoir tells the story of a girl who becomes a live-in Nanny for 2 kids in Australia that lost their mom to cancer. It is also about her learning to appreciate her mom. This book started out strong, but as she spoke about the kids and the family, she seemed more detached. There didn't seem to be much heart in this story. It wasn't bad, but I probably wouldn't recommend it. There are much better memoirs out there.

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Victoriahoperose
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Pickpick

This was very well written and full of feeling. The author really did a great job of telling her story through experience and keeping interest.

17 likes2 stack adds
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MEGR
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But now I see there's no such thing as "a" woman, one woman. There are dozens inside everyone of them. I probably should have figured this out sooner, but what child can see the women inside her mo, with all that Motherness blocking out everything else? --Kelly Corrigan

JSW So true. 6y
AileenRR I‘m am such a fan of Kelly Corrigan ❤️ 5y
8 likes2 comments
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Ajbsimpson
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Pickpick

21 likes1 stack add
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forrestlaur
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Day 24 - Rainbow Book stack 🌈 #riotgrams #bookstagram #riotgram

RachaelViolet This photo makes me so happy! 📚❤ 7y
7 likes1 comment
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rekahlee
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I finished the last disc on my way home tonight. While this book is advertised as a journey of a young girl in a foreign country, who takes a job as a nanny to two motherless children, this is above all a story about mothers. Mothers who are loving, who are harsh, who are firm, gentle, fair or unfair. Mothers who seem to hate us when they really love us. One mother destroyed by cancer and another who survived it.

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rekahlee
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This book has been so hard because I had no idea how much she would talk about cancer. These kids lost their mom and it keeps reminding me that I lost mine too

syasutake Hugs and thanks for the heads up. I think it would be hard for me too. 7y
3 likes1 comment
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rekahlee
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I've never been able to do #audiobooks but I'm starting 2017 by giving it another shot! Here is my first foray - currently on disc 2 and I've actually been enjoying my commute every day #memoir #nonfiction

TheDaysGoBy I've only done one audio book, but it was pretty good - as far as I could tell given my lack of experience lol 7y
rekahlee @TheDaysGoBy I think I always struggle when the reader does character voices because they have to be really good for me to not get kind of annoyed. Which is why I'm doing NF instead of a novel. Less dialogue lol 7y
TheDaysGoBy @RekahLee I've never tried listening to fiction. The one I did was Quiet by Susan Cain. But I can total understand what you're saying 7y
MrBook It took me awhile to enjoy audiobooks as well. I prefer long non-fiction books to listen to. 7y
5 likes4 comments
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Part two of this year's memoirs - the audio reading version. Not all read by the author, but all with large impact in their own individual ways. #booktober #memorablememoirs #memorablememoir

kspenmoll Want to read Amanda palmer- 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @kspenmoll It is most wonderful. She narrates the audio, and that added a lot to the memoir! 7y
kspenmoll Will get audio then- new for me! 7y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage @kspenmoll I hope you love it as much as I did! 7y
DivineDiana I did love Amanda Palmer's book! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @DivineDiana Wasn't it fabulous?!? 7y
76 likes1 stack add6 comments
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AileenRR
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"Some families are at their best camping, others making lasagna or playing charades...For the Tanners...it's managing illness...They know how to take care, and in taking care they are able to do things they otherwise can't: touch, collaborate, indulge."

1 like1 stack add
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bermudaonion
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Pickpick

Corrigan's father was the "glitter" of her family while her mother was the "glue." As a child, she preferred the sparkle of the glitter and, as an adult, she came to admire the strength of the glue. This is a thoughtful memoir.

Rhondareads I really liked this thought it was honest emotional. 8y
12 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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So many great quotes about parenting!

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

Corrigan tells her experiences as a mother and daughter through three events. First, as a nanny for a family whose mother has died. Second, seeing her mother become ill. And third, contemplating what her family would do without her. She has wry humor and pithy insight in this coming of age story.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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And it occurs to me that maybe the reason my mother was exhausted all the time wasn't because she was doing so much, but because she was feeling so much.

28 likes1 stack add
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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New audiobook starting today. Memoirs go perfectly with driving.

BellaBookNook Let me know what you think. I think I have this somewhere on my TBR list. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @BellaBookNook I'll definitely post my thoughts as I go. 8y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Mimisie
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Let's get this party started. #readathon2016

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jenniferdoyle
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Truth.

7 likes2 stack adds
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jenniferdoyle
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I'm only about 60 pages in and if it weren't my bookclub's pick, I'd probably stop reading. Fingers crossed that it gets better.