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Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. (International)
Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. (International) | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
From bestselling author Neal Stephenson and critically acclaimed historical and contemporary commercial novelist Nicole Galland comes a captivating and complex near-future thriller combining history, science, magic, mystery, intrigue, and adventure that questions the very foundations of the modern world.When Melisande Stokes, an expert in linguistics and languages, accidently meets military intelligence operator Tristan Lyons in a hallway at Harvard University, it is the beginning of a chain of events that will alter their lives and human history itself. The young man from a shadowy government entity approaches Mel, a low-level faculty member, with an incredible offer. The only condition: she must sign a nondisclosure agreement in return for the rather large sum of money. Tristan needs Mel to translate some very old documents, which, if authentic, are earth-shattering. They prove that magic actually existed and was practiced for centuries. But the arrival of the scientific revolution and the Age of Enlightenment weakened its power and endangered its practitioners. Magic stopped working altogether in 1851, at the time of the Great Exhibition at London's Crystal Palace--the world's fair celebrating the rise of industrial technology and commerce. Something about the modern world "jams" the "frequencies" used by magic, and it's up to Tristan to find out why.And so the Department of Diachronic Operations--D.O.D.O. --gets cracking on its real mission: to develop a device that can bring magic back, and send Diachronic Operatives back in time to keep it alive . . . and meddle with a little history at the same time. But while Tristan and his expanding operation master the science and build the technology, they overlook the mercurial--and treacherous--nature of the human heart.Written with the genius, complexity, and innovation that characterize all of Neal Stephenson's work and steeped with the down-to-earth warmth and humor of Nicole Galland's storytelling style, this exciting and vividly realized work of science fiction will make you believe in the impossible, and take you to places--and times--beyond imagining.
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review
TheAromaofBooks
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

Since I actually finished this 700pg book, you would think that I would have strong feelings about it. But I weirdly don't. There's a lot here that I enjoyed. It's a time-travel book, which isn't always my thing, but it's handled here in a way that actually did (mostly) make sense to me. I actually enjoyed the format, which is a mixture of journal entries from various characters, plus other documents, notes, transcripts, etc.

This book was ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) just tooooo long. There are a lot of sections where nothing is really happening. Part of this is kind of the point, how this little organization gets caught up in so much red tape and government bureaucracy/bloat, so I get it... but it still makes for some boring reading in various sections. There's a lot of action right at the end, which weirdly made this entire book feel like it was a big long prologue for book two. Like it doesn't ⬇ (edited) 5mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) end on a cliffhanger or anything, but it kind of felt like “we've got the band back together and now we're off to take on the world... and this book was all the story of how we got here.“

So a soft pick here, and the sheer length makes me hesitate to recommend it. I do have book 2 from the library and may get to it... someday haha

#Roll100 @PuddleJumper
#WickedWords - Shakespeare @AsYouWish
#ReadtheUSA - MA
#BookSpinBingo
5mo
53 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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AlaMich
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Thoroughly enjoying this wacky time-travel chunkster.

Gratuitous pic of #nelson with his lovey/pillow, Lambchop. 🐑 ❤️

TrishB Aww 🐶♥️ 3y
Leftcoastzen Aww so cute! 3y
LeahBergen Nelson, you handsome devil! ❤️❤️ 3y
EvieBee 😍😍 3y
36 likes4 comments
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AbbaZabba02
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
Pickpick

Book 102, audio

Ha! Look at me posting right when I finish. Take that the whole rest of this year. 😅

Anyway, this is a highly enjoyable book!
Magic stopped working in the 1800s because of quantum. A shadowy and secretive US Military department is doing its best to bring back magic.
Witches, time travel, bureaucracy, Vikings sacking Walmart, this has everything!

All around excellent. Highly recommend.

3 likes1 stack add
review
behudd
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫This book was a FEAT that I don‘t know how Stephenson & Galland pulled off. Essentially this is fantasy drenched in government bureaucracy-the story of how a govt agency, tasked with bringing magic back via time travel, came to be & what followed in the years to come. Told through journal entries, office memos, interview transcriptions, & even a section of verse by a bard, this was unlike anything I‘ve ever read, and I would recommend!

candority This has been sitting on my shelf forever, but I keep going back and forth on whether I want to read it. I'm not a big fantasy person, do you think I might still enjoy it? 4y
behudd @candority I get it. It had been on my TBR since it came out 3 years ago lol It‘s honestly more sci-fi than fantasy, I think. I think it‘s worth trying - once I got used to the style & just kind of pushed through the sections that seemed overdone, I really liked it. (edited) 4y
candority Good to know. Thank you! 4y
18 likes3 comments
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LittlePixels
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Why yes, my daughter is sniffing her new book. 😂 We just got a huge, fun shipment from Book Outlet. I haven't ordered from them since they were Book Closeouts. It felt like Christmas! #booksniffer #raisingreaders #bookhaul

BarbaraBB Perfect picture! I can imagine how happy your daughter must be 💕 (edited) 4y
LittlePixels @BarbaraBB She really is! All evening she kept squealing "Eeeeeee! New books!" ? I love that we have that in common. ❤️ 4y
13 likes2 comments
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behudd
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
19 likes1 comment
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RamsFan1963
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description or reason for wanting to read the book. Some are old and some will be new. Don't judge me - I have a lot of books.
Day 20

#tbrpile #theTBRmountain

Lucy_Anywhere I enjoyed this! 4y
43 likes1 comment
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Oryx
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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#audiobaking since I'm not walking the dog this Sunday morning as usual (Mr Oryx is doing mornings, I'm doing afternoons, since we're only allowed out one each).

Making Delia's all-in-one sponge, which I've been making since my mum taught me to bake when I was little. It's easy and always seems to work!

TrishB Sansa‘s lucky she gets a walk with 4 of us individually! 5y
Oryx @TrishB it would be so hard if you were on your own with a dog - Daisy would be driving me crazy with only one walk a day 5y
TrishB I know, I worry about all those Doggos too. Sansa used to 2 or 3 walks a day, do actually getting more at the moment. 5y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Where do you live? I wish it was that strict here! They are not taking this as seriously as they should be! 😡 @thebookhippie (edited) 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Oryx USA they aren‘t enforcing shelter in place like they should and nonessential businesses are still open 😡😡 5y
69 likes6 comments
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Oryx
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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#lockdownexerciseaudiowalk

Listening to DODO with my dodo

RachelAmphlett Sooo cute 🐾 5y
Avanders Wow it looks amazing there (edited) 5y
Oryx @Avanders we had good weather today. Only allowed out once a day for exercise, so daisy was making the most of it. 5y
See All 11 Comments
Avanders Oh! Is that a state rule? Where are you? I‘m grateful to have some person outside space, but there isn‘t much grass 🤗 Glad you had good weather! 5y
Oryx @Avanders UK. One walk/run/cycle as long as you stay away from other people 5y
Oryx @RachelAmphlett she knows it! 5y
Avanders @Oryx ahhh. Yes. Strange times. Glad you can enjoy some fresh air and green grass! ♥️ 5y
TrishB Sansa gets 4 walks as we all go out separately! 5y
Oryx @TrishB she must be in heaven. Or just so so tired 😀 5y
TrishB I think both ♥️ 5y
charl08 Love this picture: super happy! 5y
65 likes1 stack add11 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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Early morning crafting session. Tried to make a chart for my son so he can keep track of his assignments from school. It's quite a lot he has to do, some post-its are stacked four on top of each other.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the quiet in the morning by listening to the DODO serialised sequels on the Bound App (highly recommend - Android beta: https://c0wh.test-app.link/4yCOHJDCZ4)

#KeepLitsyPositive

sheshedbooks Good luck with school work! 5y
Mitch Oh, I do love a chart! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 5y
squirrelbrain So do I @mitch! I should do one for myself.... 😁 5y
Texreader You‘re an awesome mom!!! Take care dear friend! 5y
Crazeedi Very cool idea, hope all is well with you today! Sending a big hug!❤🥰❤ 5y
93 likes5 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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1) guilty! I especially look at the size ratio between author's name and title of the book.
2) bought it for my kid, the German edition
3) online and I read the latest Economist over breakfast on Friday
4) I never hit snooze, I drag myself out of bed, out of sheer stubbornness
5) have you played yet? @robinb @jb72 @Crazeedi

#FriYayIntro @4thhouseontheleft @howjessreads

Deifio Oh yes author name and book name ratio is important. I hate it when the authors name is so huge! 5y
CaroPi I admire how you manage to drag yourself out of bed and not use the snooze bottom! I can't do it 5y
alisiakae The size ratio, you're the first person I've heard that does that. Way to be unique! 👏 😃 5y
Crazeedi I haven't played yet! Just now got here, thanks, will post!💖 5y
61 likes4 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Mehso-so

Actually finished this one late yesterday & must confess I didn‘t love it as much as I had hoped to. The book has an interesting premise—a secretive government organization believes magic is real & was in the world until it wasn‘t & wants to bring it back. Cool idea, right? Right. Parts of the book were interesting & funny & really enjoyable. Ultimately, however, the story dragged on & was much longer than it needed to be. Ok, not great.

21 likes1 stack add
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TracyReadsBooks
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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😂

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TracyReadsBooks
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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This weekend‘s reading...

Tamra Love that needlework! 5y
TracyReadsBooks @Tamra I wish I could take credit it for it! Needlework, however, is not in my skill set. The needlework is actually on a pillow—which caught my eye for the same reason it caught yours—from IKEA. 5y
Tamra @TracyReadsBooks you have great taste. 😊 5y
18 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Congrats on such a huge achievement @GrilledCheeseSamurai

D.O.D.O. has by far become my favorite sci-fi after reading it this year and I‘ve actually gifted copies away to try and force my friends to read it!

Litsy is such an amazing community where I‘ve come to know so many people from all different areas and have broaden my reading tastes from seeing what people read all the time!

#sixdigitsamurai @CaitIsExtra #giveaway #mpls #twincities

GrilledCheeseSamurai Thanks for participating! I'ma stack your book. 👌 5y
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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I read a lot of series over the past year and I was trying hard to not repeat books from the same series for the prompts. That being said, I was able to read 27/50 prompts but could probably add more if I wanted to. The best part was finding some of my favorite books! Thanks to @julesG for being an amazing buddy for the challenge and reading DODO with me 😍

#sfftbrchallenge #fantasy #scifi #readingchallenge #buddyread #mpls #twincities

julesG It was a lot of fun! And I'll probably be rereading DODO one day. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa How‘d I miss this challenge? It sounds like a lot of fun! 5y
Schnoebs @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it started last July and was hosted by @DuckOfDoom It was a lot of fun and helped me get to some books I‘ve been meaning to read for a while 5y
See All 6 Comments
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Schnoebs That‘s wonderful! I‘m sorry I missed it! 5y
DuckOfDoom I spot some really good books in your stack! What are your favourites, apart from Dodo? 5y
Schnoebs @DuckOfDoom Acotar and Crooked Kingdom were some favorites but surprises for me are The Queen of Blood and also The Flintstones Vol 1 5y
31 likes6 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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#SFFTBRChallenge update Part 1

I pledged to read 15 books and have managed 32 (if I haven't made a mistake). A few more might be added to the list.

@DuckOfDoom @Schnoebs

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Nice work!! ☺️ 5y
60 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LibrarianRyan
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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@Cinfhen I have had to wait all day to open your awesome package. I promise to take a better picture tomorrow when I can lay it all out on the table away from the dogs.

Josh has already tried to steal the kinder eggs. He seemed surprised you could get them in the states. I thought they were a new thing? I‘ve never had them. And that color book!!!!!!!!!! Yeah I will have to do them all and hang them at work.

Dodo sounds interesting. Can‘t👇🏻

LibrarianRyan Wait to read it. All fun. We will have a snack trying party tomorrow. Some I have seen people raving about on Litsy. Some are gummies. After that I don‘t know what any of it is, but I love trying new things. 😁😁😁😁😁😁 5y
Cinfhen Im soooo happy it finally made it‘s way to you!! It‘s really hard to find “bookish” items here but I tried my best. I really just wanted you to have something fun to open. I‘ve SO enjoyed all your bookmail and letters. Thanks again ❤️ (edited) 5y
julesG It is so cute to see the LitsyLove! 5y
Schnoebs Enjoy DODO! Me and @julesG buddy read it and had a blast ☺️ 5y
julesG DODO is great. Actually, your post, Ryan, makes me want to reread it. @Schnoebs 5y
73 likes5 comments
review
tricours
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

This was a great book to listen to. Entertaining and creative. I do always tend to get a bit hesitant when people 1) translate dead languages on the fly and 2) converse in dead languages like Akkadian, because yeah right, but it was still great!

AlaMich This sounds good, and I wouldn‘t mind it on audio, but sometimes I have a hard time following audiobooks if they have a complex plot. What do you think? 6y
tricours @AlaMich I didn‘t find this difficult to follow at all, it‘s long but the plot is simple 6y
AlaMich @tricours Ok, I may give it a try. Thanks! 😊 6y
29 likes3 comments
review
PickwickPlockPlock
Der Aufstieg und Fall des D.O.D.O.: Roman | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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Pickpick

No real dodos in this book, but that's my only complaint 😉
An organisation wants to master time travel. There's the mixture of strange people and chaotic events that's typical for time travel books. A real chunkster, but not too long. Definitely worth a read if you like the subject.

DuckOfDoom I really liked it too, but was sad about the lack of real dodos. I wonder if the story will be continued... 6y
PickwickPlockPlock @DuckOfDoom I thought the story had gone full circle and stopped at the right place. I can't imagine what a sequel would have to offer... 6y
PickwickPlockPlock @DuckOfDoom Huh. Apparently there's an iOS app where you can read little sequel stories in that universe, but written by someone else (https://www.geekwire.com/2017/d-o-d-o-files-neal-stephensons-time-travel-novel-spawns-instant-spin-off/). 6y
DuckOfDoom Interesting! I hoped this would remain standalone, but these days, you never know :/ I hope my boyfriend will listen to the audiobook, and he is a bit sick of all the sequels ^^ 6y
48 likes1 stack add4 comments
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annahenke
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Schnoebs Enjoy!!!! I just finished this 6y
Macnjen I bailed but am glad you enjoyed it. 6y
83 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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DuckOfDoom
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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#litsymail @julesG
Thank you so much! I've had this book in my hand countless times, but somehow never bought it. The perfect gift!! 😍

julesG Perfect! They even got the cover/edition right. (it was shown with the Manila folder cover online) 6y
squirrelbrain How lovely @julesG ! ❤️ 6y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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#friyayintro @howjessreads

1) no, it's not observed here. We might still wear something green and go for a walk.
2) my kids
3) really couldn't put it down
4) Marie Curie (just one of many, though)
5) Aye!

Thanks for the tag @Cathythoughts

rockpools My finger‘s hovering over the Stack button. But 700 pages..... Hmm. Are you feeling any better? 6y
julesG @RachelO The 700+ pages fly by. Thanks to a combination of incident reports, emails, short messages, telephone calls,... I often combined audiobook and ebook for full immersion. Not feeling much better, sadly. Voice still hoarse, cough still on, nose clogged up. I'll try to see my GP Monday or Tuesday. 6y
rockpools That actually does make a difference. I‘ll give it a go sometime! (Random fact: I used to have a great-aunt called Dodo). Sorry to hear you‘re still poorly - wishing you a relaxing weekend, and a speedy recovery! 6y
See All 7 Comments
julesG @RachelO What was her given name? Dorothy? 6y
rockpools Right first time! 😄 6y
julesG @RachelO Dodo is better than Dotty. 6y
rockpools @julesG That is very true, and something I‘d never considered! 6y
67 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

4.5⭐️

This book is about what happens when a black ops agency of the US government decides that they need to use time travel to bring back magic for the benefit of the country. With our main characters of Mel (aka Stokes) and Tristian, you get to experience the authors' takes on a wide range of historical events, cultures, languages and more!

#sfftbrchallenge @julesG #longestbook #buddyread #dodo #scifi #timetravel #mpls #twincities

Schnoebs @julesG it literally took me twice as long to read the last 45 pages as it should have because I just kept rereading the scenes between Tristan and Stokes and how happy he was to have her back and I just could take it 😍😭🙈 (edited) 6y
Schnoebs @Birdsong28 I think I‘m going to use in #52booksin52 as an author you‘ve never heard of before 6y
Birdsong28 @Schnoebs Sounds good to me! 😁📚📖 6y
See All 21 Comments
julesG Mel could tell just how happy he was. That scene was sooo predictable and yet so cute. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG I knew it was coming but that didn‘t stop me from giggling like a school girl and reading over again because of how cute they are. I‘m pretty sure they are one of the most realistic couples I‘ve ever read about 6y
Schnoebs @julesG also, if you didn‘t read my review on goodreads, the authors put out a series of short entries on the Bound App (including the sexual harassment policy for DODO) 6y
julesG They are! No insta-love + my place, or yours. I really liked it. 6y
julesG I'm going to check Bound App. Also, the ending left the door slightly ajar, they could follow up with some stories. 6y
julesG Not an Android app yet. 😞 6y
Schnoebs @julesG so how did you feel about the Grainne becoming the bad guy even though she was really trying to just save magic? 6y
Schnoebs @julesG also if you‘re interested we could buddy read the book I just started. Up to you if you‘d like, no pressure 6y
julesG I had a feeling that Grainne would try something like this. She being a wender, I expected her to piece the bits of information together and use it to her advantage. I found the whole Magnus-Grainne thing funny and, I have to admit, I expected them to work together on a slightly different plan. I was astonished that G managed to get Erzebet to support her project, since both were wary of each other at first. 6y
julesG I was also astonished that Magnus caught on. Not being magical at all this was interesting. Erzebet made sense in the end, though. Given who cast the anti-aging spell. 6y
julesG How far into Lady Trent are you? I might be able to catch up. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG I‘m not too shocked about the Erzebet cooperation just because of how bad DODO was treating her for years. I couldn‘t believe how they just treated her like an object the entire time and wouldn‘t even call her by her name. One thing that I did wish happen was that Stokes would have talked to her about it after she got Homed and apologized for how things turned out 6y
julesG @Schnoebs you are right. They treated her poorly. Although Stokes and Rebecca tried their best. As for apology, Stokes still didn't know that it was E's mother who cast the spell. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG true but I was thinking more about how she saw her and realized how happy she used to be and how the time waiting for them in the 21st century really took a toll on her 6y
julesG Yeah! I was wondering whether Erzebet had wanted children and then decided against having any. I'd like to know more about her long life. How did she earn money? And who the heck is her lover??? 😁 I guess I'd resent Stokes and DODO just as much after all that happened. On the other hand, I wish I could live 200 years. I might actually get through my TBR pile. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG or your tbr just gets even longer lol 6y
Schnoebs @julesG also, I only just started to book yesterday at work, so I‘m only about 25 pages in 6y
julesG Challenge accepted. 😁 6y
34 likes21 comments
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Bklover
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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#WondrousWednesday
1. Cherries! 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
2. My current read, tagged, is 752 pages
3. Not sure- haven‘t read many
4. Maybe ready to relocate somewhere by that time. Maybe a move further north. Would love to see a lot more snow ❄️

review
julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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Pickpick

Linguistics + Science + Time Travel + Witches + History

I had a lot of fun reading and listening to this book. This was a 700+pages chunkster that just flew by.

#SFFTBRChallenge @DuckOfDoom
@Schnoebs - longest book

82 likes6 stack adds
review
Macnjen
Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson
Bailedbailed

Too silly, too unbelievable, and just plain ridiculous. There‘s just not must not be my thing. Plus the audiobook was 24 hours long and I was not ready to commit for that amount of time for something I wasn‘t really interested in listening to. Was reading for the #litsyAtoZ challenge but bailed. @BookishMarginalia

BookishMarginalia Good for you! 6y
Traci1 That was an odd...and hefty book. 6y
wordzie ❤ The review 6y
15 likes3 comments
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Going to an early allergy appointment and probably the only time I‘m going to have for some fun reading today 😭

@julesG I‘m at the point where the first couple of debriefing reports on the Constantinople DEDEs are coming in.

#buddyread #sfftbrchallenge #dodo #publictransit #mpls #twincities

julesG Good luck with the appointment. I finished the book this morning. Enjoy the Constantinople DEDEs 6y
Schnoebs @julesG omg Tristian accidentally became a canonized saint 😂😂😂 oh course this would happen 6y
julesG When Magnus mentioned the namesake I smelled the rat, but definitely didn't expect sainthood. I laughed so hard. 6y
36 likes3 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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Good Morning!

I'm still in bed, channelling my inner Severus Snape - not what you think, I'm snivelling. 😷

Caught up on a few hours of Litsy to avoid finishing my book. It's soooo good.

I'm sorry @Schnoebs, I'll finish today. But I'll write down all the things we might discuss.

Tanisha_A Oh this view. 😍 6y
GingerAntics They view is perfection. Did you get a cold over the weekend or just a throat thing? 6y
julesG @GingerAntics It's another cold. Probably due to the mix of my kids bringing home germs, having to talk all weekend and hay-fever. Anyway, this one is really clogging up my sinuses, for the first time in 16 years I cannot smell a thing. Normally I'm glad to have a cold to dampen the effects smells have on me, but this time it's all gone. 6y
See All 17 Comments
Moony Gute Besserung! 6y
julesG @Moony Danke! 6y
Texreader Yikes, feel better soon!! 6y
PickwickPlockPlock Gute Besserung! 6y
CoffeeAndABook Sorry you‘re not feeling well!! Well it‘s the perfect day to stay indoors, so hope you can snuggle up & recuperate, from the head cold as well as from having to talk all weekend 🍵🍋🍊 6y
Cathythoughts I hope you feel better soon Julia ♥️👍🏻 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Feel better! 💜 6y
julesG @Texreader @PickwickPlockPlock @CoffeeAndABook @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm Thanks! You're all so sweet. I have a physiotherapy session later, which I don't want to miss because all the sitting around is not good for my back. I'm taking a face-mask (like a surgeon) to keep my bugs to myself. 6y
squirrelbrain Get well soon! 💜 6y
Kaye Sorry to hear you‘ve caught another bug. Hope you‘re soon feeling well again. 6y
ScientistSam Get well soon! 6y
Schnoebs So I just saw this a little while ago and realized the notification never went through. Don‘t worry about finishing it! I‘m so happy you enjoyed and can‘t wait to discuss it with you. After my exams tomorrow I plan on really getting some good reading in. I should have it finished hopefully by Thursday night, if not sometime Friday 😍 and then we can discuss till our hearts desire lol 6y
julesG @Schnoebs Best of luck with your exams! 6y
86 likes17 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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What a weekend!!!

Survived 42 candidate pairs in 42 speaking exams on Saturday and Sunday. Read the rubrics, smiled, made small talk with colleagues,.... And must have swallowed a hedgehog family on Saturday afternoon. My voice is huskier than husky. Add a cough and clogged up sinuses. 😞

But, I did my taxes today.

My reward is sofa and tea and books now.

I'm not sure I want to catch up on the #marchintothe70s, I'll just continue tomorrow. 😉

Kalalalatja Phew! Feel better soon 🤞 6y
Redwritinghood Wow! You deserve a rest. Hope you feel better soon. 6y
GingerAntics Sheesh. It‘s a miracle you‘re still standing. 6y
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BiblioLitten That‘s a rough week! Feel better soon. 😊 6y
Dragon Feel better soon 💐 6y
Pricel101 Feel better and enjoy the sofa time 🤗 6y
squirrelbrain Sooo busy, no wonder you feel rough... get better soon ❤️ 6y
Schnoebs Nothing like our #buddyread book to make you feel better. Hoping to get some more stuff done today before picking it up tonight 😍 6y
Andrew65 Hope feeling better soon. 👍 6y
cobwebmoth Feel better soon!❤ 6y
gradcat Take good care of yourself! What a lot of stuff you‘ve accomplished—you deserve some TLC! 🥰 6y
74 likes11 comments
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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@julesG so I might have gone into the second half of part 2 with having drank way too much caffeinated tea. The additional Adrenalin from events did not help my nerves lol

#buddyread #mpls #twincities

julesG Well, erm,... 😅 I read into Part 4 last night. And I would like to talk about a few things. BTW, I had too much coffee yesterday, so that's what kept me powered until the small hours. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG I wish I could have gotten to more this weekend but work was swamped and now I have 2 midterms on Wednesday. So hopefully I don‘t fall too far behind you. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG I‘m just at the point where they finished the Committee hearing on approving the new budget for DODO and Erzsebet called out their complete lack of respect for her which I absolutely loved! 6y
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julesG Best of luck for the midterms. 6y
julesG Erszebet is awesome! Calls them out on their BS! Here's what I didn't quite catch, where's her szamallogeb? (wrong spelling, I know, I'm channelling Les here) Les had a shipping receipt and told them they could call the number and get it back, so why didn't that happen? I fear the audiobook is "redacted". 6y
julesG I have to do my tax paperwork today. 😐 So I might not read very much. But it's tempting me. The ebook says, 6 hours to the end of the book. - - - The authors must have had a field day with all the acronyms. Some are hilarious. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG my understanding is that he was the only one who could call and option the location. I think it requires a security clearance procedure and once he died and the bureaucracy took over it was misplaced. But I‘m really interested now in this electronic format and how that is playing out. I understand the purpose of it but idk if I fully believe it‘ll lead to “safer” DEDEs 6y
julesG Not going to say anything about this 6y
Schnoebs @julesG you tease me 😂 I guess that forces my hand. I must keep reading lol 6y
Schnoebs @julesG also, I‘m seriously trying to figure this out. Would this be fantasy or sci-fi or a mix? I‘m kind of leaning to sci-fi because of the ability to somewhat scientifically explain the magic 6y
julesG I had a really hard time putting the kindle away yesterday. This hasn't happened in a long time 6y
Schnoebs @julesG I didn‘t expect to have as much fun with this as I‘m having. It‘s such a blast to read and I‘m connecting so much with the author‘s humor. 6y
julesG I explained it as Sci-fi yesterday. It is relying heavily on science to explain magic and the ODEC. Also, Crichton's Timeline was Sci-fi, so this is, too. 6y
julesG It is hilarious at some points. I've done a bit of immersion reading, audiobook + book, and Erszebet's part gives me the giggles every damn time. Also, they really worked on Mel's scratching out, you hear a scratching on paper noise and she repeats the last bit in the new version. 6y
julesG I'm wondering which #SFFTBRChallenge prompt to file it under. Maybe #5, strong female lead & passes Bechdel test? 6y
julesG Or longest book. 6y
Schnoebs @JulesG I was actually gifted this in a Litsy swap so I think I might use it at that prompt or I might for the longest book on my tbr 6y
julesG I'll probably go for longest. I can't think of a longer one on my TBR. 6y
jenniferw88 @julesG Goodreads will tell you longest book! I've just looked for you on your want to read shelf - the longest is a collection of stories by different authors (9 by night) so I've tagged your longest science fiction/fantasy book instead! 6y
julesG @jenniferw88 😘😘😘 Thanks! 6y
46 likes20 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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I'm enjoying some reading time before I have to go and get through another day of speaking exams.

I guess I'll catch up with Litsy later.

@Schnoebs - I'm in part 2, want to strangle Les, wondering who the guy with the red plume is, Erzebet is great!
BTW, the audiobook is wonderful, too. The narrators do an excellent job.

Reviewsbylola Good luck with your speaking exam! 6y
Bklover I just started this book Not what I expected at all so far! 6y
julesG @Reviewsbylola Thanks! Luckily I'm examining. I would not want to be a candidate. I'd need rhino tranquilizers. 😁 6y
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julesG @Bklover Do you like it? 6y
Bklover Yes! I‘m not very far into it but It‘s making me laugh. What do you think? I‘m hoping it stays as good as it is so far! 6y
julesG @Bklover I enjoy it very much! 6y
Schnoebs @Bklover don‘t worry, the humor seems to stay through the entire thing so far! 6y
Schnoebs I‘m pretty sure I‘m some where around 250 so maybe like half way through part 2. I tried not to read it to much the past couple of days so that I wouldn‘t get too far ahead! I‘m loving it. There are so many one liners in this that I absolutely love. Mel is intriguing me more and more and I‘m happy to finally get more Tristian but without everyone else. 6y
julesG @Schnoebs Yes, I like seeing more of Tristan. 6y
julesG @Schnoebs Just checked. I'm at page 316 of my ebook version. And I might not be able to put the book away tonight since it's really good. 6y
Schnoebs Awesome!!!!! Now I just need to catch up lol 6y
julesG @Schnoebs It's easy to read. And I'm glad you invited me to join you for a readalong. 6y
95 likes1 stack add12 comments
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Macnjen
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Meh. I‘m about 1/3 thru this audiobook and am struggling to finish listening. Maybe it‘s the realization that I don‘t like completely implausible and ridiculous stories. If I can‘t buy the premise then I can‘t buy the bit. I‘ll try to stick with it because it‘s part of my #litsyAtoZ challenge but I‘m not loving this.

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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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Truly enjoying this book at the moment. @Schnoebs

It's combining linguistics, natural sciences and history. It's as if this was made for me. 😁

#SFFTBRChallenge @DuckOfDoom

JazzFeathers I'd buy it just for the cover. 6y
Sarah83 @JazzFeathers I made the same choice 😍👍 6y
julesG @JazzFeathers @Sarah83 - I'm still considering getting the physical copy just for the cover. 6y
Sarah83 I know what you mean. 😘 6y
75 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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julesG
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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#KAL

After not having room on my lap for 2.5 hours, because of my #audiomending endeavours, she has reclaimed her favourite napping spot. Can't show you the mended sweater, my son took it with him as soon as I was finished with it.

My kindle is felt miles away. 😸 And, of course, my tea mug is empty, but my bladder is full. 😵

#SFFTBRChallenge @Schnoebs

Schnoebs I‘ve been making some good progress too! I‘ve officially started part 2 😍 6y
julesG @Schnoebs Stopped at the chapter where Rebecca has her first entry. 6y
Schnoebs I love how she includes to temperature and current status of the garden 6y
julesG @Schnoebs At first I thought this was odd, but as Oda said, she's the gardener in the family. 😉 Just checked, I'm on page 57 in my edition. 6y
Dolly I have the exact same view of my cat at the moment 😻 6y
96 likes5 comments
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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@julesG are you enjoying these dodo guesses as much as I am?

😂😂😂

#dodo #buddyread #mpls #twincities

julesG Started reading last night. Was so tired, didn't make it past page 10.😑 6y
Schnoebs @julesG that was me two nights ago 😂 the struggle is really especially for me when I‘m tired but this book is the size of my head! 6y
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Macnjen
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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When adulting is coming home from your evening class to your new book, microwave Mac n cheese and one of your favorite beers 👍

#adulting #beer #gradlife #mpls #twincities

45 likes1 stack add
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Schnoebs
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Just started this chunkster last night but because I was so tired I barely got 20 pages in. If anyone has this on their shelves for a while and want to read it with me let me know! I‘m already excited to get further into this 😍

#buddyread #dodo #hufflepuff #morning #coffee #mpls #twincities

julesG Me! Me! I have the audiobook and the ebook. Immersion reading here I come! 6y
Schnoebs @julesG yes!!!! I can‘t wait for this book. Don‘t know how quickly I‘ll read it but man I‘m excited. Hopefully school won‘t keep me too busy lol 6y
julesG Hopefully my kids let me read. This week seems to be crazy. First my son had two days off, tomorrow my daughter has a day off school. I have to fight for some reading time. Also, will answer your email. Friday is my big "no appointments" day. 6y
Schnoebs @julesG no rush lol. Life is life and doesn‘t allow us to have all the free time we want lol 😂 6y
33 likes4 comments
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danibolahood
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

Done finally!!! This book is huge and at least 25% of it is unnecessary and mostly boring info dumps but the other 75%?!?! So. Much. Fun. I skipped back and forth between the regular book and audio book but I'm really wishing I'd started the audio book sooner. It is SO well done. I've never really enjoyed audio books before but this one was amazing. Also it let me get 6 more flowers sewn on to my pathetically slow moving quilt project.

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danibolahood
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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This book is taking me soooooooo long to get through. I like it and want to finish but man it bogs down sometimes and it takes me a couple days to pick it back to again. So I'm going to try switching over to audio book so I can listen while quilting and hopefully get through it a bit faster.

Knightingale I loved this one. I think it‘s Stephenson going back to having fun again. But I think it‘s more fun for those who have worked for the government. 6y
danibolahood @Knightingale the government stuff is my favorite part. I'm find the science and history parts a little more tedious. I'm just like omg can we leave constanople already?? I want to know what's going on at the office lol 6y
37 likes2 comments
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danibolahood
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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So an hour and almost an entire bucket of sour keys later I've finally decided to read the tagged book and for the 3rd time since new years eve I've opted not to read the V.E. Schwab book even though I'm dying to read it. Why? Why am I like this? It's almost like I'm afraid to pick up the books I'm most excited to read.

GrilledCheeseSamurai I just finished Darker shade of Magic yesterday and I thought it was pretty darn good! I'm onto the 2nd book now! I started it this afternoon. 👍 6y
BarbaraBB I can‘t answer your question but I recognize the situation 😃 6y
Nute Gosh, I‘ve been there and it is unexplainable. 6y
BookishTrish The Scwab is so good. 6y
46 likes4 comments
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dizie_lizie
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Starting off 2019 with the clunker - 742 pages. This one has been on my tbr for a while, but I‘ve been putting it off because of just how big it is and the fact I‘ve never read anything from either of these authors. With the excitement of starting a new Goodreads challenge comes the determination to knock off a tome like this right out of the gate!💪🏻

Schnoebs Can‘t wait for the review! I‘m planning on hopefully picking this up in February 😍 6y
Bradleygirl Ooo, must quietly recommend the best of Stephenson I've read 6y
dizie_lizie @Bradleygirl I‘ll check it out! I have to admit, although I‘m enjoying the read when I pick it up I have no problem leaving the book for days at a time. I‘m not even quite half way through atm, and find myself easily distracted. Still want to finish is but this one is definitely not an easy read for me. 6y
danibolahood I'm finding myself with the same problem. I'm enjoying it but once I put it down I find a million other things I'd rather do then pick it up again. 6y
32 likes1 stack add4 comments
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quietjenn
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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That's a wrap!

Redwritinghood 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
SaturnDoo WTG ❤ 6y
DivineDiana 👏🏻📚❤️😲📚 6y
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
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sprainedbrain
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Look at the surprise that came in the mail today!

Damn it, Karen... nobody told me that our gloriously failed, completely hilarious LMPBC was sending Christmas gifts?!? 😂

Thank you for this, though! I‘ve read two Neal Stephenson books and loved them both (Seveneves is one of my all-time faves). So, I can‘t wait to read this one. You‘re awesome! 😚❤️

Chili @sprainedbrain Surprise!! 😘 I love Stephenson. I loved Seveneves too. 6y
sprainedbrain @Chili Did I mention you‘re awesome? I‘m definitely not sending this to Kerri, though. 😂 6y
Chili @sprainedbrain I wouldn‘t send it to Kerri either. 🤣 6y
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sprainedbrain @Chili Haha! The card came today... you crack me up! You‘re doing better than me considering I haven‘t sent a single Christmas card this year. Maybe next year?!? Thank you again! 😚 6y
Chili @sprainedbrain 🤣who would have thought media mail would be faster. Gotta love the post office. 6y
sprainedbrain @Chili you just never know! Lol 6y
114 likes6 comments
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ElectricKatyLand
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
Pickpick

Long but very entertaining. A send up of bureaucracy and the military industrial complex, centered on the weaponization of time travel. Fantastically researched, frequently hilarious caper.

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Giabow
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

I had a quiet moment during my dinner break between shows yesterday to start this new book. I‘m loving it so far!

13 likes1 stack add
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TheRomantiCate
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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I am so so excited!! I found D.O.D.O. at my local used book store (shout out to Bubba‘s!!) for just $2!! I‘ve been looking for this book for like 2 years and I almost walked right by it!! 🤩🤩🤩 plus Shanghai Girls was only a QUARTER!! 🤓🤓🤓

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TheFaeWays
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Gallan
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Pickpick

The book is genuinely lit. Such a good read, the audiobook version is just wonderful.

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Maewyn
Dodo | Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
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Mehso-so

This is a book about Shadowy Government Organizations and magic. It wasn't bad. I wished there was more action and it was too long for the lack of content. The story could have been told in half the pages.

https://bitsofdaydreams.wordpress.com/2018/07/20/dodo/

Andydear I really love this cover design 6y
Maewyn @Andydear Thank you. This is my art journal page for the book. 6y
Andydear @maewyn really??? Thats so cool!!! Wahhh!! 6y
Maewyn @Andydear Thanks!🐼 6y
12 likes4 comments