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The Immortalists
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
It's 1969, and holed up in a grimy tenement building in New York's Lower East Side is a travelling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the date they will die. Four siblings, too young for what they are about to hear, sneak out to hear their fortunes. We then follow the intertwined paths the siblings take over the course of five decades and, in particular, how they choose to live with the supposed knowledge the fortune-teller gave them that day. This is a story about life, mortality and the choices we make: is it better to live a long and cautious life, or to burn brightly, but for the shortest time?
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review
Megzmarie5
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
Pickpick

A beautiful about four siblings who know their impending death dates thanks to a local fortune teller. Varys, the oldest, is driven to study longevity to try to defy death. Daniel is reliable until losing his job pushes him over the edge. Klara infuses inspiration through her magic& youngest Simon who lived life boldly as it was predicted to end by the age he was 21. Throughout are themes that really make you think about living with purpose.

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Decalino
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

I read this because it was mentioned in reviews for The Measure, but apart from the core idea (how would knowing the date of your death affect your life), it couldn't have been more different. It was more serious, more realistic and better written, yet I liked it less. The lives of four siblings take wildly different, but mostly tragic paths, with Daniel's the least convincing. A low pick because it is certainly thought-provoking, if not pleasant.

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Decalino
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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1. I loved the summer reading program for kids. Whoever read the most books won a prize--I still remember winning a dictionary and being absolutely thrilled. It was the '80s 🤷‍♀️

2. I get books mostly from the library, Goodwill, Half-Priced Books, bookshop.org, basically everywhere! Trying to avoid Amazon

3. The Immortalists, mainly because it was mentioned in a lot of reviews of The Measure, a recent book club book.

@Eggs #WondrousWednesday

Eggs Great memory! 7mo
17 likes1 comment
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Yenya1954
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
Pickpick

A very good historical fiction dealing with a family of 4 Jewish siblings. After their father died unexpectedly, the kids they went to see a woman who was known to foretell when a person would die. Two of them headed west. Three die tragically. The novel touches on topics of homosexuality, suicide, family traditions and mental illnesses. I really enjoyed the story and most of the characters.

8 likes1 stack add
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Soubhiville
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

I loved this! One of my bookclubs chose it for February and I‘m so glad!

4 young siblings visit a fortune teller who can predict the date of one‘s death. They each learn their dates, and decide to never discuss what they learned. Each is affected by the knowledge in a different way, and the author writes about each of them in turn.

An interesting view on mortality and morality and what might be the important things in a life. Loved it!

Soubhiville Lots of content warnings though! Look them up if you need them. 10mo
keithmalek Cute doggie! 10mo
AmyG This was a wonderful book. 10mo
See All 10 Comments
dabbe Sietje! 🖤🐾🖤 (I hope I spelled it correctly! 🤩) 10mo
Gissy Still in my tbr...waiting for me🙄
Sietje is so cute! 🐕 ❤️❤️❤️❤️
10mo
Soubhiville @dabbe yep, you nailed the spelling! Good job it‘s a tricky name! She wasn‘t thrilled I woke her for another book photo. “Aw mum, do you have to?” 10mo
Mimi28 Sounds interesting 🤔 Hi Sietje!! 10mo
Leftcoastzen I remember really liking it too!🐶 10mo
BennettBookworm I remember LOVING this, yes 10mo
MemoirsForMe Sietje looks so relaxed. I must follow her example 😊 10mo
101 likes1 stack add10 comments
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MindyK59
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Mehso-so

I read this book with my book club. I liked it but it was not a favorite. The basic premise is that if you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life. There were four siblings who each went to a fortune teller who predicted their date of death. Each section was about one of them and how they led their life until their eventual death. There didn‘t seem to be any real connection between each section.

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rachaich
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

Interesting premise, full of questions to mull over.
I liked the individual characters and how their stories were told. I particularly liked Klara.
I also felt moved by the final chapter, Varya's account and reminiscing.

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rachaich
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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It's been on my list for ages and picked up a copy a few weeks ago. Just in time for my choice at book club :)

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TLuvs
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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TLuvs If you're a fan of Fiction with a strong character development driven plot then this book is for you. For my liking, a 4 🌟 for characters but a 3 🌟 for interest. Final 3.5 🌟, just meh. 1y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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kera_11
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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I was very intrigued by the idea of this book & the potentials of fate vs agency/choice in your life/decisions. If you thought you‘d die young would you act more recklessly & make it so? If you‘re told you‘ll die old, are you overly cautious? Which of the 2 people really lived in this comparison? So intriguing. That said, I have SO. MANY. issues with this book. She played into so many negative stereotypes, the characters are boring & they suck

12 likes1 stack add
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BookMaven9
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t love it I didn‘t hate it. However I will@soon forget these characters who were not the least bit memorable.

marleed Yeah, I agree on the meh characters. As a book about knowing your mortality I‘d pick the tagged over this one. 2y
27 likes1 comment
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vlwelser
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

I have no idea why I was dragging my heels on reading this one. It's lovely. 4 siblings go to a fortune teller who gives them their death dates. Would you want to know exactly when you were going to die? Me neither.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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peaKnit
Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Only 1.99 today!

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jessinikkip
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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I'm about half through with my book for #LitsyLoveWritesNBooks and I'm enjoying it. It's different than I expected. I also have left an envelope with a note about me and some extra pages for my fellow team mates to tell me about them or whatever they want to share as well, so the letters can stay with the book when I get it back. So excited for all of this😀 @RinaBrahmbhattBarot @iread2much @HeathHof

HeathHof That's a good idea! 2y
iread2much That‘s a very sweet idea! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome idea!!! 2y
27 likes3 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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I liked this book, but didn‘t love it… would you want to know the date of your death?? I wouldn‘t! 😱

#AlphabetGame #Letteri

“If consciousness survives the death of the body, then everything she‘s been told about death isn‘t true. And if everything she‘s been told about death isn‘t true, maybe death is not death at all.”

What is your choice for a book beginning with i? Play-tag friends-tag me!

Cinfhen I was in the minority because I really liked this book 😄 2y
Cinfhen Thanks for the tag 😘 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen have you noticed through the tears that we are totally opposite on books?! Lol 😂 2y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Hahaha ….no!! But I‘ll have to start paying better attention 💜💜💜 2y
TrishB I‘m still thinking! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen I meant years lol 😂 2y
58 likes1 stack add7 comments
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jdiehr
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

When 4 siblings go visit a fortune teller as kids, what they are told affects the rest of their lives.

The Immortalists is divided into 4 parts - one for each of the main characters.

I nearly bailed during Simon's story but am glad I stuck with it because this ended up being a pretty good book.

If you could know the date of your death, would you want that information?? Not me.

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KristiAhlers
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

A friend was on vacation and ran out of books (I know I didn‘t know that was a thing!) and picked this one up at a second hand bookstore. She loved it and wanted me to read it. Totally love this family saga. The characters were so different but at the same time so engaging. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ my only complaint would be at times the pacing seemed to slow.

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Andrea4
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Bailedbailed

This is the second time I've tried with this book. The first time I gave up faster. This time, well I just don't want to pick it back up. I don't know if anyone else felt this way but the sibling who's focused on for the first bit at least, Simon, just irritates the hell out of me. I'm sure the focus will change but I guess my brain isn't willing to sit through it.

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tarrynporter22
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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"Thoughts have wings."

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Judybskt
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

Loved this more than I expected! Looking forward to our discussion at book club in January.

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IselaKay
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Mehso-so

The story is about 4 siblings who visit a psychic as children so they can learn the day of each of their deaths and how their lives are affected by the fortunes. It‘s a decent story, but it‘s a bit predictable and leaves you wanting more and feeling like better questions could have been asked about determinism and free will.

BarbaraBB I felt the same 3y
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Judybskt
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Up next!

Jensol77 You‘re going to love it 😍😍 3y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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I hate Daylight Savings time! 🙃

1. Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a fun little book set in a bakery in a small town.
2. Literally everything, cooler temperatures, leaves changing color, sweaters, hot chocolate, using the fireplace. 🍁🍂🍁
3. Love the minimalist leaves on this cover.

#SundayFunday Have a great day, and don‘t forget to tag me so I can see your posts!

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Sresendez12
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

Finished this one with my drink in hand before kicking off football season tonight! This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I went from loving it, to hating it and back and forth so many times. It was honestly hard to get through some parts. However, I feel good about the ending and would recommend to someone if they are looking for a book that challenges you to think about your choices. #litsyatoz #i

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Sresendez12
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Trying to soak up as much summer as we can! This is my book club pick and I‘m a little nervous about how my other members will react to at least this first section of the book.

Lcsmcat It should generate some good discussions. 3y
36 likes1 comment
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Gracelovesreading
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

Loved this book! Such an interesting and mystical concept. Seeing how the siblings futures unfold had me full of suspense. Intriguing read.

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rather_be_reading
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Mehso-so

Stayed up late last night to finish this one. I have mixed feelings. It was good but not great and I hated how unnecessary vulgar some of the scenes in Simon's story were. Idk I just thought it would be better and have a cool reason for the title. It had a great premise- what do you do with your life if you knew the date you would die.

50 likes1 stack add
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rather_be_reading
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Devouring this book. Why does my lunch always feel so short!?

64 likes2 stack adds
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rather_be_reading
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Fitting in some reading time while drying off

BennettBookworm Epic book 3y
DivineDiana Looks like you are enjoying your day! 3y
85 likes2 comments
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rather_be_reading
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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And now back to my regular scheduled program

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The_Literary_Jedi
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

This novel starts with four siblings as children receiving prophetic fortunes and progresses through each of their lives as they move to whatever the fortune teller told them. It begs the question do “thoughts have wings” enough to make a human take risks or pull back in order to fulfill something bigger than themselves…or is it all bullshit? 📚📚📚📚

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DrexEdit
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

I didn't NOT like this book, but I didn't absolutely love it either. It was a very interesting premise, but sometimes it felt like the characters were just pieces moving around the board. I could almost feel the author behind the writing making the stuff she wanted to happen, happen. But it is a compelling story nonetheless that I enjoyed & read quickly. I still love the cover.
This was my #doublespin #bookspin for June. Woot! @TheAromaofBooks

Ruthiella I agree with your take. It was fine but didn‘t deliver the way I hoped it would. 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 3y
43 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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rather_be_reading
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Book 114

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sprainedbrain
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

The Immortalists is not at all what I was expecting—it‘s sad, dark, and deals with a whole lot—but I enjoyed it very much. The writing is incredible and the characters are so vivid and distinct. I really couldn‘t stand Daniel or his part of the story, but the stories of his three siblings were great. Still, I could have done without some of the tropey stuff in Simon‘s story and the way the Romani characters were handled.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

sprainedbrain @Bits I will get this book in the mail to you this week! Great choice for #LMPBC 🥰 @suvata @HOTPock3tt 3y
97 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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peanutnine
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Panpan

This was a major struggle to get through. Four sibling children learn from a fortune teller the date of their deaths and knowing this affects the way they live their lives. This book was very dark and hit on some depressing themes. It follows each sibling on their chosen path until their death and poses the question of whether something is destined to be or a self-fulfilling prophecy. Good concept, I just didn't like the story. #unpopularopinion

DrexEdit I had some of these same thoughts about this book. Beautifully written though. 3y
cariashley I also found this book to be a shocking drag. Looking back, I‘m mad I even finished it! 3y
47 likes2 comments
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roseread
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
Mehso-so

Kinda became a bummer that I wasnt anticipating, but I still enjoyed it

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suvata
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks I loved this book!! 4y
Bits Hey @suvata just wanted to let you know I'm running a tad behind, but I'll get your next book out to you asap! 😁 April kicked my butt! 🙄 4y
47 likes3 comments
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lovelybookshelf
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Mehso-so

The virtual book club I'm in recently discussed Chloe Benjamin's THE IMMORTALISTS. My full review is up on the blog (link in profile), but I had some mixed feelings: gay rep was trope-y and too obviously straight-gazed, Romani rep was offensive, writing style was dazzling, overall story was completely absorbing. 3.5 stars out of 5. 💫

Reggie Yes, thank you. I stopped reading after the first sibling. A young gay man who moves to the city, becomes a gogo dancer, and the dies of AIDS. Gee golly, I don‘t think I‘ve ever read that story before. It made me kind of angry that she had no imagination. 4y
roseread This put into words so well what my issue was. The idea of the story was great but the characters were so flat and one dimensional 3y
22 likes2 comments
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Magpiegem
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Booked 2021 Winter - 6 prompts completed... but 😬 I‘m all over the seasons!!
#mustacheoncover Dead in the Garden- Dahlia Donovan
#AuthorsfirstnamestartswithABorC The Immortalists- Chloe Benjamin
#Titleincludeslibraryorlibrarian The Library Book- Susan Orlean
#translatedintomyfirstlanguage A Nearly Normal Family- M T Edvardsson
#Hear/Here The Postscript Murder - Elly Griffiths
#hiddengem The Marlow Murder Club - Robert Thorogood

Cinfhen No worries!! Jump all you like ?? don‘t forget ...You have until midnight, April 3 to fill out the first quarter form to be entered in our drawing ?
https://bit.ly/3b7rK1E
4y
22 likes1 comment
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mollyrotondo
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a quick read! This was really beautifully written. I like the question, “How would you live your life if you knew the date of your death?” This book really took four different paths these siblings choose for their lives and made me think about how I live my life each day. I enjoyed it a lot. Recommend. This was my #bookspinbingo No 15 pick and my first #tbrdeckofcards selection!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! And I love that cover!! 4y
mollyrotondo I realized I didn‘t say what the 5♠️ prompt is on my #tbrdeckofcards list 🤦🏻‍♀️ 5♠️ is a book about siblings! 4y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
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chlolovesbooks
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

25 likes1 stack add
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suvata
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Litsy Markup Postal Book Club

#LMPBC Round 11 - #GroupS
@suvata @HOTPock3tt @sprainedbrain @Bits

Group S is ready to go!

Bookwormjillk Pretty covers! 4y
suvata @Bookwormjillk Yeah, I hope the books are as good as they are pretty 4y
37 likes3 comments
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Bits
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Sorry to be the slacker! Long, long day of work!
I have next to zero hope that you guys haven't already read these, but here we go! 😂🤪🤞 If none of these work I'll steal one of the suggestions you guys made that wasn't selected. They all sound good! 😁
@suvata @HOTPock3tt @sprainedbrain

sprainedbrain I haven‘t read The Immortalists! I have read the others though. 😂 4y
Bits @sprainedbrain I figured as much! Another option I forgot is The Ten Thousand Doors of January...? 4y
sprainedbrain I would love either the immortalists or ten thousand doors! 4y
See All 8 Comments
BennettBookworm Immortalists is so good!! 4y
suvata I‘m in for The Immortalists or Ten Thousand Doors as well 4y
Bits Does The Immortalists work for you, @HOTPock3tt? 4y
HOTPock3tt I have not read any of them so anything works for me! Lol☺️ @Bits (edited) 4y
Bits @HOTPock3tt Sweet! Immortalists it is 😁! 4y
39 likes8 comments
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Magpiegem
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
Mehso-so

2021 no. 4 - I find it hard to know what to say about this book. I didn‘t enjoy reading it, I found it difficult, but I think that has more to do with my current state of mind. It made me feel quite hopeless. But it will stay with me and I can see why others like it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #booked2021 (author with first name starting with C)

Cinfhen Some of the siblings stories were more fleshed and better written but I really loved this one. Sorry it was only meh for you (edited) 4y
Magpiegem @Cinfhen I have a feeling, a different year, a different season it might not have been Meh for me either. I thought it was a really interesting premise but I kinda dreaded having to listen to each of their stories. 4y
Cinfhen Understandable!!! 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Sorry it was a rough book in a rough time. 🤓📚 4y
15 likes4 comments
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Magpiegem
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin

I‘m enjoying The Immortalists but it‘s really depressing me. I think I should of gone for something more cheery this gloomy week with depressing news and endless homeschooling. 🌧☔️⛈

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Magpiegem
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Next up for the #booked2021 challenge I‘ve started listening to this one whilst bathing two of my little mad things. Prompt- Authors first name starts with an A,B or C.

Cinfhen Adorable 😊 and the book is wonderful- 4y
24 likes1 comment
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EadieB
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

#TheImmortalists #ChloeBenjamin

If you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life? Family love story about destiny and choice of this world or the next. This book makes you think as it is a testimony of love. Unexpected twists makes it a hard to put down book. Excellent writing makes me want to read author‘s other book, The Anatomy of Dreams. Recommended for those who like to read books about siblings.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Andrew65 Great. 4y
See All 6 Comments
EadieB @Andrew65 Thanks! 4y
Elizabeth2 Your review intrigued me. Stacked! #blamelitsy 4y
EadieB @Elizabeth2 Warning: Explicit sex in some parts. 4y
68 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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mollyrotondo
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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#TBRdeckofcards

My first pick is the 5♠️
Prompt: Book about siblings

The tagged book is the one I had in mind when I came up with this prompt. It‘s been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years now so it‘s time I read this well received book. I also already put this on my February #bookspin list so more motivation to read this one finally. Can‘t wait!

DimeryRene Where did these cards come from?! 4y
mollyrotondo @DimeryRene I found them on the Out of Print website. They have a pack of the Comedies as well. I got that pack too 😂 4y
37 likes2 comments
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Crysboehne
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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Pickpick

Despite the mixed reviews, I enjoyed this novel immensely. Benjamin did an excellent job building the characters and teaching me to love each and every one of them even when I wasn‘t prepared to. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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