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Love and Other Consolation Prizes
Love and Other Consolation Prizes: A Novel | Jamie Ford
92 posts | 66 read | 100 to read
From the bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet comes a powerful novel, inspired by a true story, about a boy whose life is transformed at Seattles epic 1909 Worlds Fair. For twelve-year-old Ernest Young, a charity student at a boarding school, the chance to go to the Worlds Fair feels like a gift. But only once hes there, amid the exotic exhibits, fireworks, and Ferris wheels, does he discover that he is the one who is actually the prize. The half-Chinese orphan is astounded to learn he will be raffled offa healthy boy to a good home. The winning ticket belongs to the flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel, famous for educating her girls. There, Ernest becomes the new houseboy and befriends Maisie, the madams precocious daughter, and a bold scullery maid named Fahn. Their friendship and affection form the first real family Ernest has ever knownand against all odds, this new sporting life gives him the sense of home hes always desired. But as the grande dame succumbs to an occupational hazard and their world of finery begins to crumble, all three must grapple with hope, ambition, and first love. Fifty years later, in the shadow of Seattles second Worlds Fair, Ernest struggles to help his ailing wife reconcile who she once was with who she wanted to be, while trying to keep family secrets hidden from their grown-up daughters. Against a rich backdrop of post-Victorian vice, suffrage, and celebration, Love and Other Consolations is an enchanting tale about innocence and devotionin a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale. PRAISE FOR JAMIE FORD Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet A wartime-era Chinese-Japanese variation on Romeo and Juliet . . . The period detail [is] so revealing and so well rendered.The Seattle Times Mesmerizing and evocative . . . a tale of conflicted loyalties and timeless devotion.Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants A poignant story that transports the reader back in time . . . a satisfying and heart-wrenching tale.Deseret Morning News Songs of Willow Frost Arresting . . . [with] the kind of ending readers always hope for, but seldom get.The Dallas Morning News [A] poignant tale of lost and found love.Tampa Bay Times Remarkable . . . likely to appeal to readers who enjoy the multigenerational novels of Amy Tan.Bookreporter
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xicanti
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Another bright spot to today: my library finally restarted their discards sale! It hurts my heart to think of how many books they must‘ve just binned during their big lockdown collection purge. Going by the ones that still appear as Not Currently Available in the catalogue, I would‘ve loved the chance to buy a fair number of them. 😔

I didn‘t see anything I wanted to own today, but you can bet I‘ll check back every time I‘m there.

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MindyK59
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Pickpick

Jamie Ford writes beautiful stories. Ernest is a young boy who is raffled off at the Seattle World‘s Fair in 1909 to a woman who runs a high-class brothel. He connects with her daughter Maisie and a maid named Fahn. In a later timeline, Ernest is coping with his wife‘s poor health and his adult daughters during the 1962 Seattle World‘s Fair. I did enjoy the 2 timelines and how they came together at the end.

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Follow.my.read
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Oldies but goodies! Some of my favorite reads!

marleed The Last Bus to Wisdom! 2y
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Smrloomis
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Pickpick

This is a bad picture of a darn good book. A bit darker than his previous books (or what I can remember of the others I‘ve read) but still an interesting mix of race, Asian-American history, and historical fiction set in Seattle. Content warning for female infanticide and for sexual assault.

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Smrloomis
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“But fresh humanity, that is still the ultimate commodity.”

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AmyK1
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Mehso-so

I loved Ford‘s other two books and was looking forward to this one but I didn‘t really connect with it like the others. Taking place mostly in 1909 and 1962, both timelines centered around the 2 Seattle World‘s Fairs but the subject matter was pretty heavy. There was nothing wrong with the book-just not for me I guess.

SamAnne It was a so-so for me too. 3y
33 likes1 comment
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Smrloomis
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Finally starting this one …

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SamAnne
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Mehso-so

Loved the setting and point in history—Seattle from the early 1900s into the 60s—but just a so-so read.

49 likes1 stack add
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SamAnne
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A book club pick. I love the history setting. Seattle in 1909 and in 1960s…and the plot line of a Chinese immigrant boy who comes to America under difficult circumstances and gets auctioned off at the 1909 World‘s Fair. But some of the writing is not grabbing me…switching between print and audio. Oh, and the narrator is grating on me…she is trying too hard to mimic different character voices.

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behudd
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Bailedbailed

Ooh y‘all. There are so many good reviews for this book, but I just cannot read about abandoned children, a baby being buried alive, & a child literally being bought at a fair right now.
Even though I‘m sure there is redemption in the end & Ford is an amazing writer, I‘m just not willing to put myself through it. Maybe one day I‘ll come back to this one.
@TheAromaofBooks this was my October #bookspin book

TheAromaofBooks I'm with you, some material is just tooooo heavy right now! 3y
behudd @TheAromaofBooks that‘s why I‘ve been reading so many romances! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Same!! 😂 3y
19 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Desiree.Reads
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Pickpick

I was so thrilled when I received this book as I had recently read Jamie Ford‘s “Songs of Willow Frost”, which I had picked up at a local library used book sale, and absolutely loved it. So, chances were good that I would love this one too and it did not disappoint!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3544837152?book_show_action=false&from_rev...
#LoveAndOtherConsolationPrizes
#JamieFord
#BallantineBooks
#Seattle
#WorldsFair
#Adoption

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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Book One (!) for #15Books15Weeks (Better late than never!).

Ford has a wonderful way of conveying heartbreaking history into a lovely story, with likable characters. Ernest remembers his past living in Seattle‘s Red Light District in 1909, along with the two girls he loved. The dual timeline switches between 1909 and 1962 as Ernest reconstructs his past for his daughter. Though a few years old, this is a timely read.

#Vladimir #catsoflitsy

Librarybelle I also received an ARC of this through #NetGalley some time ago from the publisher, I‘m exchange for an honest review. Thank you! 4y
SheReadsAndWrites I love his books 🤓 4y
See All 8 Comments
Leftcoastzen 😻 4y
sharread Looks like my kitty. 😁❤ 4y
Librarybelle @sharread Vladimir has a tiny white mustache...he is very camera shy, so I don‘t have many of his face! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I enjoyed this book, too. 4y
80 likes1 stack add8 comments
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jnine13
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Happy Saturday 📚

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GinaKButler
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I‘m about to polish off my March #bookspin read. Talk about an interesting historical fiction book! Now that everything is cancelled for the rest of the month, I‘m rethinking my March TBR list...anyone else changing up their reading? @TheAromaofBooks Thank you for hosting and giving me a nudge to pluck this book off my shelves!

TheAromaofBooks Glad you enjoyed it!! If I'd known how much spare reading time people were going to end up with, I would have drawn more numbers 😂 4y
GinaKButler @TheAromaofBooks Isn‘t that the truth? But, I‘ll say with all of the uncertainty right now, I really wish my nightstand was full of light beach reads. Hoping to see how many books from my book spin list I can get through. They just cancelled school in Florida until April 15th (at the earliest!) 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yes, lots of weirdness around here as well. I told my sister yesterday that when I was in the grocery store there was just a tension everywhere - it feels like there is getting ready to be a huge test and everyone is cramming for it, except no one actually knows what subject the test is going to be on! It's a weird feeling. I'm definitely trending towards lighter reads right now myself! 4y
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GinaKButler
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Our bookclub was lucky enough to hear Jamie Ford speak last year...he was so charming! Finally cracking this one open for my March #bookspin selection! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Love it when books have stories attached to them!! 😊 4y
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GinaKButler
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My March TBR, including my #bookspin pick, Love and Other Consolation Prizes. The Awakening and The Tell-Tale Heart are for my Classics challenge and The Nickel Boys and Harry‘s Trees have been on my bedside table WAY too long. Excited for a great reading month! #theplanningbutlerreads

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I read Love and Other Consolation Prizes and really like it. I hope you enjoy it! 4y
GinaKButler @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I really enjoyed it! Talk about an interesting time in history...the author writes beautifully! 4y
19 likes2 comments
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ajewel7
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this beautiful story of love and healing from a traumatic childhood. I loved Earnest his strength and hope throughout this story was beautiful. I received this book in my once upon book club in the Advent calendar for December. I highly recommend it.

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bookish_wookish
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Once Upon A Book Club Advent Edition
Day #4

Its another book! 😍

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GinaKButler
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When Jamie Ford visits your local library, you grab your book club and go! #hotelonthecornerofbitterandsweet #jamieford #loveandotherconsolationprizes #lovelakeland #lknd #lakelandpubliclibrary

Smrloomis Cool! Did he talk or read? I haven‘t seen him in person but I have liked what I‘ve read from him. 5y
GinaKButler @Smrloomis He did both! He was very charming, and I loved his back story about a boyhood “love triangle” that inspired the characters in this book! 5y
Smrloomis @GinaKButler Nice! 😁 that sounds like fun 5y
2 likes3 comments
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rebbyj
Pickpick

Good book.

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Eggs
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3.65/5. HF from Jamie Ford. Setting is Washington State, the site of two Worlds Fairs—one in 1909 (Alaska-Yukon-Pacific) and one in 1962 (Century 21 Expo).

79 likes1 stack add
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Eggs
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💗 YA, HF, Memoir
💙 Kristin Hannah
💗 Elegance of the Hedgehog
💙 hardcore sci-fi and dystopian
💗 tagged, surprised to find on Libby!
#hellothursday @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 📚 5y
bookvixen 💖 Paranormal Romance , 💖 J.R.Ward, 💖 Winter Ghost by Katie Mosses, 💖 Non Fiction, #comesundownbynoraroberts 5y
tammysue Kristin Hannah 💗 5y
60 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

This was a solid three star read. I enjoyed it while I was reading it but probably won‘t think much more about it in the weeks to come. The first few opening chapters were really captivating and I enjoyed the 1902/1909 storyline much more than the 1962 storyline. It‘s the story of a young Chinese immigrant sold to a brothel as a houseboy. The 1909 Seattle World‘s Fair is the backdrop to the novel, which was really fascinating.

CarolynM Have you read the book of his that I'm tagging? I loved it 5y
jenreads7 Great review! I just saw this in my Kindle library. Thanks for bringing it to my attention again. 5y
Cinfhen I own it @CarolynM but haven‘t read it yet #SoManyBooksSoLittleTime 5y
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Cinfhen Let me know what you think after you read it @jenniferajanes 5y
jenreads7 @Cinfhen I will try to remember to do that. It may be a while! My TBR mountain is very tall. 😂 5y
Cinfhen Something I can relate too @jenniferajanes 😘😆 5y
jenreads7 @Cinfhen I figured! 🥰 5y
emilyhaldi Are you still enjoying vacay?!🤗 when are you back home??? Hope you have a great time! 5y
Cinfhen I fly back tomorrow night! It‘s always bittersweet but I feel rejuvenated and ready to go back @emilyhaldi How‘s the new job??? 5y
emilyhaldi @cinfhen I love when vacation is the perfect length that you feel refreshed and READY to go back home!!! Hope you fit in lots of family time ❤️ The new job is interesting... ha! I‘m still meeting people and taking everything in. Spent last week in NYC for meetings which was awesome (saw a lot of my bffs!!) I feel like I‘m still too fresh on the job to know wtf I‘m doing 😜 But it‘s definitely good to be back in the work force!!! (edited) 5y
Cinfhen Fun to be back in NYC for a brief time. And I‘m sure it feels good to be back in the game @emilyhaldi coffee dates, shopping and endless hours of reading is over rated 😉😛😘 5y
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Cinfhen
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#SundayReads I‘m liking this one 🤩 interesting history about the 1909 & 1962 Seattle World‘s Fair🎪I kind of wish I had the opportunity to attend a World‘s Fair ~ my parents told me they went on a date to the Flushing Meadow‘s World Fair in 1964❤️

Coleen_Nieto I went to a book signing with the author, loved the book! 5y
Cinfhen Still want to read this book @Coleen_Nieto Have you read it?? I own it, just haven‘t gotten to it yet 5y
Bklover Where are you??? It looks wonderful!! 5y
See All 11 Comments
Cathythoughts Great cover ♥️👍🏻 5y
Coleen_Nieto @Cinfhen hi! I gave read it and liked it a lot! Its one of those rare occasions that I actually read a book shortly after I bought it. I thought it was very interesting and also sad. 5y
Cinfhen I‘ve heard really good things about Hotel on the Corner @Coleen_Nieto I‘ll have to move it up my TBR!! I‘m in Florida visiting my parents @Bklover 🌴💜☀️ 5y
Coleen_Nieto @cinfhem and @Bklover ive read noel on n the cornet too seems really enjoyed it. @Bklover I got to visit Florida last year for work (Tampa) I could spend many many glorious days at the oxford exchange 5y
WanderingBookaneer @Cinfhen : Had I seen these posts earlier, @BookishMarginalia and I would have road tripped to met up with you! 5y
Cinfhen Really?????!? @WanderingBookaneer I‘m flattered and now pissed!! I would have LOVED to have met my FAVORITE Litsy couple 🙌🏻 next time I‘m headed to Florida I‘ll give u and @BookishMarginalia a heads up. Damn 😩 5y
WanderingBookaneer Really, you are one of our favorite Littens. Of course we would have! 5y
Cinfhen {{ awwwwww}} you‘re still my favorite Cupid Goes Postal valentine ever @WanderingBookaneer ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
107 likes3 stack adds11 comments
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BlueStockingReviews
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Pickpick

“There are people in our lives whom we love, and lose, and forever long for. They orbit our hearts like Halley‘s Comet, crossing into our universe only once, or if we are lucky twice in a lifetime. And when the do, they affect our gravity.” Read the review...Love and Other Consolation Prizes. https://www.bluestockingreviews.com/blog/love-and-other-consolation-prizes

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anneofgreentables
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Pickpick

I love Jamie Ford‘s books. They‘re always such a perfect balance of bitter and sweet; light and dark. This story follows Ernest Young, a Chinese-American who is raffled off at the 1909 world fair to the owner of Seattle‘s most famous brothel. Now, many years later at the 1962 World Fair, Ernest and his wife must reconcile their past with the present. Certainly worth the read.

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anneofgreentables
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Isn‘t this a lovely turn of phrase? “...loitering in the shadow of the future.” I‘m in love with this book already.

If anyone‘s wondering why I‘m posting all of a sudden, it‘s because I‘m on winter break from school, and actually have time to read things now 😅
#vacationreads

LiteraryinLawrence Welcome to your break! 5y
anneofgreentables @LiteraryinLititz Thanks! I‘m enjoying it 😊 5y
8 likes2 comments
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Booksniffer
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Pickpick

This ebook is on sale for $2.99 today on Kindle. It is absolutely fabulous and one of the best books I read this year. I rate it up there with The Alice Network. Get it if this is your genre or you are looking for something new

Eggs ❤️❤️❤️Ford 5y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Insightsintobooks
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#kindledeal #kindledeals #ebooksale

I liked the cover with the ferris wheel better, wish they hadn't changed it.

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krissylovesbooks75
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Pickpick

This book was just so good. A young boy is raffled off at the World Fair and ends up growing up in a house of prostitutes. In present time, he is also dealing with his wife not being able to remember her past. It's heartbreaking and intriguing.

40 likes2 stack adds
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La_Cori
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Love can be found in many unusual places and in different ways..
This is the story of Ernest, in his youth with Masie and Fahn, and fifty years later with his wife Gracie. It's a story about overcoming struggles and what it feels like to finally have control on your own destiny.

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La_Cori
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I'm driving around my father for some errands.. and now I've been waiting for more than 1 hour!
Thank God, I always have my ereader with me 😉 #alwaysreading

DivineDiana Be prepared! 😉📚👍🏻 6y
62 likes1 comment
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La_Cori
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next up ? book 3 for #MakeMeReadIt

I'm reading the italian edition, with a title translated as "the secret aroma/flavour of tea" ???
(the cover is beautiful!! ❤)

@TheReadingMermaid

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knp4597
Pickpick

I was expecting something nauseating a lá Nicholas Sparks however this historical fiction is the perfect mix of heartache and happiness (minus excess syrupy sweetness) to make it a really great read.

3 likes1 stack add
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knp4597
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“I wonder if the best thing any of us can hope for in life is a soft place to land.”

😭❣️😭

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Bibliosmiast
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Pickpick

What a beautifully written historical novel based on a true story! An intriguing storyline, captivating characters, emotional nostalgia, and sweet romance enveloped me from the start and pulled me in. Ford created his characters in such a talented way that it was easy to feel the emotion and yearn to read on. This is definitely a story that will stay with me and I highly recommend it.

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SilversReviews
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#READINGRESOLUTIONS
@Jess7

🌸🌸🌸HAPPY MOTHER‘S DAY!!🌸🌸🌸

Leaving your mother at age five, going with a stranger, and living in the bowels of a boat to America was not something anyone would wish for a child.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSOLATION PRIZES is another marvelous, stunning, beautifully told story by Jamie Ford with characters that will steal your heart.

https://silversolara.blogspot.com/2017/09/love-and-other-consolation-prizes-by.h...

asiriusreader Thank you so much! Happy Mother‘s Day! 6y
SilversReviews @asiriusreader Happy Mother‘s Day!! Thanks for commenting. 6y
72 likes2 comments
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Alicia
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This was amazing!!!! All these authors were fantastic. I wasn‘t familiar with Jaime Ford and he was BOMB! Absolutely hilarious. Each one of them was fascinating and I just want to read or re-read all their books. #tfob2018

hermyknee 😍🙌🏽🎉 6y
JamieArc I have to put this on my calendar for next year! So bummed I can‘t be there. Have fun! 6y
Alicia @JamieArc yes!! It‘s so good! 6y
94 likes3 comments
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peacegypsy
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Most excited to visit the 1909 World‘s Fair with Jamie Ford. Her Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was a top-notch read for me. I hope this is the same! And I‘d love to toast Friday with my fellow Litsy friends! Cheers to all! 🍻🥂😃

Reviewsbylola Sounds like a very interesting story! 6y
lynneamch Ooh, I didn't realize he had a new one. will definitely stack. 6y
Songbird72 I finished this a couple of weeks ago. I really liked it! 6y
peacegypsy @Songbird72 Good to hear! Thanks! ❤️ 6y
34 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Songbird72
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Pickpick

Another great read from Jamie Ford. I love when writers take actual events and base characters and stories on them. He does this so well. His characters are well-written and relatable. I look forward to reading more of his work.

Cinfhen Sounds really good #stacked 6y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
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suvata
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Mehso-so

I had high expectations for this book because I enjoyed The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet so much. Unfortunately, this book did not hold my attention as well as the former. 3/5 stars

Kaye The cover is really pretty at least. 6y
60 likes1 comment
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suvata
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mdemanatee
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Mehso-so

I wanted to love this because the setting and content was right up my alley and people seem to really love this author. While it was fine, it just didn‘t resonate as much as I wanted.

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nelehelen
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Pickpick

3/5
It was a sweet and sad with historical references and history that I enjoyed. But, I didn‘t connect to it as emotionally as I thought I would (since orphans, hard immigrant stories usually leave me in tears). Overall, it was a little better than “okay” so I would recommend it to the right person, but honestly I was expecting more...

SilversReviews I really enjoyed this book. Sorry it was only a 3 for you. 6y
nelehelen @SilversReviews Me too :( I really wanted to love it 6y
21 likes2 comments
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Valink
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Snow day reading and watching snow coverage (and my daughter eating breakfast in the background!). Maybe I‘ll actually finish this book one day!! I don‘t actually get a “snow day” but I chose to stay home instead of risking an accident. Snow is coming down so fast that as soon as I finished shoveling I needed to do it again. Everyone in the path of snow: Stay safe and warm!

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Valink
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I sense an owl theme today! I was able to get a little reading in yesterday, and hopefully will get a little more in today.

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Valink
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❤️❤️

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Valink
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I‘m starting to think I‘ll never be able to read again. I‘ve been dragging this book around with me for a month and I‘m only on page 41!

398.2 Is it because you don‘t have time or it‘s not grabbing your attention? 6y
Valink @398.2 -just busy! The topic is definitely grabbing my attention, but I don‘t seem to be able to find more than 3 mins at a time to read. 6y
398.2 That‘s always the worst. Happy Reading! 6y
9 likes3 comments
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Valink
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Now that the chaos of Christmas is mostly behind us (Christmas with my parents and sister is happening on the 29th) I may actually get some reading and knitting time in again! I‘ve had this book out from the library forever. I would like to read it before I need to renew it again!

Avanders Beautiful! 6y
Valink Thank you @Avanders ! These were supposed to be a Christmas gift for my husband but that didn‘t happen. Good thing his birthday is coming up! 6y
Avanders Perfect! 👏🏽👏🏽 6y
cathysaid Gorgeous! 6y
11 likes4 comments
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Jerdencon
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What I needed after a very long week... a so-far great book, some Christmas spirit and a Fishers Island Lemonade (or two!😉)! Happy Friday!

minkyb Cheers! 6y
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