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This 2018 contemporary fiction is set in the latter half of 2016 Manhattan so 2016 Trump plays heavy to the story. I don‘t know - maybe I would appreciate this as historical fiction more in say 3.5 years but not today. …Also, until the epilogue I was uncomfortable with the way autism was represented. I did like the ending though so I‘m glad I stuck it out. …I pulled the book out because the cover looked 4th of July‘ish, so there is that🤣

I‘ve read all of Shteyngart‘s work except his memoir, Little Failure, and to me this ranks somewhere in the middle. Absurdistan and Super Sad True Love Story are much funnier. LS follows the lives of a Jewish hedge fund manager husband, his wife of Indian descent and their autistic child. After separating, the wife has an affair and the husband journeys by bus to Texas to reconnect with an ex-girlfriend. Trump gets elected in the background.

Given the daily assault we've been living through since the start of the 2016 US presidential campaign, I don't need the insanity of either our temporary employee in the White House's or the 1%'s shenanigans in my fiction. If I choose to read nonfiction about the atrocities, that's on me; but, I need fun fiction to get through each and every day now. It's too soon to find humor in this bullshit.

Started something new today. Not sure how to feel about it just yet. Any of you read LAKE SUCCESS?

I enjoyed Shteyngart's novel (flawed, often unlikable characters I found oddly endearing, interesting commentary about luck, privilege, and how some people have a safety net that can't seem to be destroyed while others have no safety net at all), but I wasn't sure Lake Success was an actual place until I read the side of the chick broth box.

Really enjoyed it, mainly because it felt like such a reflection of current times.

I sort of hated everyone in this book. But it speaks to the writing and plot that I kept on reading.

Sunday morning book & breakfast. I think someone was doing a six hour reading challenge today? If it involves reading whatever strikes me throughout the day — I‘m in! Let hour one begin! 😊📚🍀

This is the thing about America. You can never guess who‘s going to turn out to be a nice person 🚌🗺

A bit bloated and overripe, but I suppose that‘s in keeping with the MC. Mix The Corrections with The Hearts of Men and The Financial Lives of the Poets and you get this meandering work that has moments of brilliance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loving this novel. Loving. It.

‘When things are tough with my family, I like to watch Trump because he just takes my mind off stuff. No matter what happens personally, there‘s this much greater disaster taking place.‘ 🤔

Enter to win everything you need to start a book club in 2019, including 20 copies of Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart. https://www.strandbooks.com/strand-giveaways/

I had mixed feelings about this one. I'm a big fan of the author and this book was funny and well written, but the main character was so narcissistic it was hard to take his story seriously. A watch-obsessed hedge fund millionaire fleeing possible indictment, his failing marriage, and an autistic son, Barry takes a spontaneous Greyhound bus journey to...enlightenment? Not exactly. Ultimately, Lake Success felt as self-indulgent as its protagonist.

This is a surprise hit for me. I don‘t really like the characters, but they‘re likably unlikable. And the storyline is interesting.

Making good progress on #24b4Monday #readathon

1 finished
1 started
1 bailed
1 continued

I was initially a little unsure of this one. Once Barry hits the road, the book really opens up and completely won me over.

I'm not sure what my takeaway is, but it was certainly an enjoyable book. It's one of the few to have made me laugh out loud. The characters are so well developed and their perspective so foreign to me, it was fascinating to see how they navigate the world.

Yeah so this book is really funny 😂

Let's give this a shot. Don't really know anything about it. Saw it at work and it caught my eye.

#SisforSeptember Day 16: #Succes

My goals when joining Litsy were: finding new reading inspiration and motivation to read outside my comfort zone. Only some 3 weeks in and I consider it a #succes!!

Thank you Littens, for giving me my ‘reading groove‘ back!! And for being just awesome!!!😁😁

For me, it is definitely Shteyngart.

New book by Gary Shteyngart makes for a great morning. Opening lines hooked me instantly so now I‘ll be drinking coffee and reading.

This video is a perfect example of Gary Shteyngart‘s humor. If you‘re amused, definitely check out the book! And yeah, that‘s Ben Stiller 😆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPwrEPvSjm0

I am really happy to have won this book in a giveaway. I was not into it when I started but grew to really like the story. I didn't and still don't like Barry, but am completely drawn to Shiva. #24in48 #giveawaywinner #ARC

Had a birthday celebration today, meaning I didn't get nearly enough reading in. Still trying to get a bit more in before bed. #24in48

This author definitely has a way with words. I felt like I was dealing with a creep by reading this. #24in48

1. You Guys
2. 3
3. Litsy, Goodreads, Overdrive, Libby, Kindle
4. Recovery from my night alone. Too much Strawberry Mango Margarita Moonshine was involved.
5. @kymmiesreads 🙋‍♀️
@jesshowbooks #FriyayIntro

Here we go. #ARC #giveawaywinner

His books often feature some sort of doofus in an absurd situation. The doofus is this one is Barry, who has no idea just how racist, sexist and privileged he is. After his marriage ends and his company fails, he takes a road trip via Greyhound to find his college girlfriend. Many awkward encounters ensue. Out in September.