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See How Small
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
A riveting novel about the aftermath of a brutal murder of three teenage girls, written in incantatory prose "that's as fine as any being written by an American author today." (Ben Fountain) One late autumn evening in a Texas town, two strangers walk into an ice cream shop shortly before closing time. They bind up the three teenage girls who are working the counter, set fire to the shop, and disappear. SEE HOW SMALL tells the stories of the survivors--family, witnesses, and suspects--who must endure in the wake of atrocity. Justice remains elusive in their world, human connection tenuous. Hovering above the aftermath of their deaths are the three girls. They watch over the town and make occasional visitations, trying to connect with and prod to life those they left behind. "See how small a thing it is that keeps us apart," they say. A master of compression and lyrical precision, Scott Blackwood has surpassed himself with this haunting, beautiful, and enormously powerful new novel.
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review
TheLudicReader
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Bailedbailed

See How Small was my September #doublespin, and I got as far as 122/207. Tell the Wolves I‘m Home was my #bookspin and I didn‘t even crack the spine. Shuggie Bain is partly to blame; the start of the new school year also had something to do with it. *sigh*
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Some months are just that way!! If you end up reading Tell the Wolves later this year, you can still get “credit“ for September's BookSpin, though!! 2y
31 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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TheBookHippie 🤣🤣😂😂😭🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ 4y
CoffeeNBooks I agree! 4y
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Hooked_on_books Yup, awful. 4y
Eggs ♥️📖♥️ 4y
60 likes6 comments
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amiekreger
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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I‘ve heard mixed reviews on this one. Debating whether to bother or not.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 4y
17 likes1 comment
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD FINAL THOUGHTS..
Oh my word ...my gratitude for those who stuck with this...what a hot mess. The write up on BOTM so misleading !!!! Yikes. As always I did my best to thoroughly read and scope out questions for us to discuss and for me that was the joy of this read. The rest just no 🤷🏽‍♀️😳🙄🤦🏽‍♀️😭😭😭. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and I appreciate you all so much! ❤️

Macker11 You did amazing! I would try to figure out questions while I was reading and you did above and beyond ! 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 Awe. Thank you. This was a very interesting writing pattern. Unusual. 5y
Hooked_on_books You did a great job trying to carve questions out of an awful book. At least it was short! 😂 Frankly, I‘m glad I didn‘t pay money for it. What was BOTM thinking?!? 5y
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TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books I‘m just glad we made it through 🤣🤣🤣ack!! 5y
CoffeeNBooks I didn't like this book at all, for so many reasons. I thought so much of it was just completely random and didn't need to be included. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who didn't like it! 🤣 Thanks @TheBookHippie for coming up with the discussion questions! 5y
TheBookHippie @CoffeeNBooks at least I‘m loving the Shakespeare this go round!!!! 🤣🤣 5y
49 likes7 comments
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD
When Rosa is riding the L train in Chicago winding between buildings she thinks like so many other chance events in her life and the lives she writes about and cared for eventually these events the good and the bad seem inevitable...can all events be claimed to make us who were are? Especially the small things???

Macker11 Everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that. I think how each individual handles each situation,small or large, is how each person in the world has a different outlook on life in general. The person next to you might be going through the same event but they might handle it differently, which leads to a different outcome 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I think our handling of it is what makes us for sure. I don‘t subscribe to a reason as much as it just is. Our reactions are what make us individual in my opinion. It‘s all interesting though. What makes one able to cope and another not. 5y
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie I agree with you. I don‘t think things happen for a reason at all, but our response to things is everything. It decides our shape, direction, everything. 5y
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Cathyloves2read I do believe that everything happens for a reason, at least that is my life experience. But I also feel that reactions determine however big or small the impact. 5y
AmyG I thought the discussion was today. I apologize for not joining! With closing on our condo and moving to an interim condo.....I lost track of alot. And I didn‘t even finish the book. Anyway.....see you all at the Evelyn Hugo discussion next Sunday! 5y
TheBookHippie @AmyG no problem !!!!!! We took the holiday off 🤣🤣 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #8
A number of the stories in the novel don‘t have endings or resolutions as we normally think of them...Most of the characters lives go on as each is left wondering what to do next. Yet some stories in the novel do resolve. In looking back on your own life do you recognize these mixed resolutions?? Is this just life? Or is this book a far fetched synopsis?

Hooked_on_books I was annoyed by the lack of resolution in the book (which if done well can be really interesting), but I do think that‘s just life. Sometimes things don‘t get resolved and we just have to live with them. 5y
Cathyloves2read I wish there were a happily ever after. I was also frustrated by the lack of resolution, but agree that‘s part of life. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #7
The overcoat man. Who after the girls murders then worked in a hotel that two maids disappeared.. is this the murderer of the three girls and the two maids, is he a serial killer? Would that explain the deaths? Just randomness?

Hooked_on_books I thought it was just randomness and that he harassed the two women. If he was involved in our murders, I would have liked to have seen him show up a little sooner or more clearly. 5y
Cathyloves2read For some reason, I thought he was the killer. 5y
TheBookHippie @Cathyloves2read I think he was. 5y
4 likes3 comments
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #6
Katie.
Her and Jack?
Her ex? His decision to cheat impacted the murder how?
Has she lost her mind?
Will she ever recover?
Is it possible?
Is she just stuck in a forever loop of grief, anger and guilt???

Hooked_on_books I thought the affair with Jack was strange. It didn‘t make sense to me. Didn‘t she suspect him of being involved? So why would she start screwing him? Was this a strange way to try to feel close to her daughters if he did see them at the end? 5y
2 likes1 comment
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #5
Michael. What do you make of him???
Guilt for being the driver?
Guilt for his brothers death??
Was he a good dad?
Was it fair his daughter was taken?
Was his death justice?
Did the truth die with him?
Is there closure in his death?
Did he participate and forget?
Did his decision for drugs seal his fate?

Hooked_on_books No, his death wasn‘t justice at all, but some of the truth certainly died with him. I was annoyed by the child abduction plot line suddenly and bizarrely thrown in late in the book. And then suddenly she‘s back with her Grandmother? A stupid, pointless manipulation of the reader the author is lucky is even still there! 5y
Cathyloves2read I don‘t know how Michael could have lived as long as he did with the guilt of what he did. It certainly could not have been a happy life. 5y
2 likes2 comments
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #4
Memories of lost ones seem to be all jumbled in the minds of those grieving in this book altering their lives horrifically so, is this the case in murders only? Or is it worse when it‘s murder or unsolved?
Is grief grief? Are coping mechanisms unable to work in some tragedies ? Or is it guilt ?

Macker11 I think guilt plays a big role in the grieving process in this book. Their lives got turned upside down and with the murder being unsolved I think it‘s harder to have closure. Also, you don‘t know anything for certain which can cause a lot of pointed fingers. 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I think your mind would continue to cycle scenarios along with forever what ifs???? 5y
Macker11 @TheBookHippie right! You never would be able to stop, every small thing you would question “if” this is a clue or a hint? 5y
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TheBookHippie @Macker11 exactly!!! 5y
Hooked_on_books I think not knowing is always harder than knowing, so having murders unsolved would be unbearable and prevent closure. I once read a great book about a girl‘s disappearance that was never solved and the effects of the not knowing on her family were just chilling. 5y
Cathyloves2read Not knowing would make things so much worse. Always wondering and questioning everything. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #3

Rosa. Do you think the murders are affecting her life? Is she continually trying to solve the mystery? Was it necessary to know about her life? Does this affect her reporting or journalistic skills?? Is there an unbiased journalist ? She is a victim of abuse and stalking does this spur her on to put the girls to rest?

Macker11 I think Rosa is turned on to the case due to her own experiences in the past! She wants to find closure and find justice for all. I think Rosa puts forth 100% of her energy to solving this case and finding the murderer 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I think she‘s the only character I liked!!!! 5y
Macker11 Me too! I was like you go girl! 5y
Hooked_on_books I definitely think she‘s invested in the case and affected by the murders. The prior stalking/fire may certainly have something to do with it. I also think having her be from Chicago was a weird way to put both her and Michael there at the same time (which was weird and kinda pointless). 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #2

The girls “One of our mothers isn‘t sleeping..”
Are the girls trapped to be able to go on in the other world until their mothers set them free or have a type of closure??? Are they watching out or pulled back continually??? They seem to be at peace waiting to be set free...???

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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #1

Oy. Here we go ...

Was Hollis a witness to the events ..was the murderer trying to kill him by setting his car on fire??? Has the murders exacerbated his PTSD and mental health issues???? What do you make of Hollis? His making a memorial for the girls?

Macker11 I think that his PTSD was definitely triggered during these events and cause him to have more reoccurring issues mentally. I am not sure how I feel about Hollis, I believe he was a witness and this caused him more pain and mental issues. I don‘t think the fire was coincidence either (edited) 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I think he was targeted too. I also felt really bad he had more trauma to his affected brain. 5y
Macker11 Yes, he was put in a position that he couldn‘t ever escape from 5y
Hooked_on_books I agree, @Macker11 @TheBookHippie he saw/knows something. I felt badly for him—he seems like a bit of a mess. 5y
Cathyloves2read I definitely felt that he was targeted. I‘m sure the murderer believed he saw something incriminating. 5y
1 like5 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Panpan

Ug. Better title: What a Mess

Or, perhaps: Just Don‘t Bother

#botmbuddyread

Soubhiville Ah, bummer. 5y
Hooked_on_books @Soubhiville I‘m pretty sure everyone in the buddy read hated it. I have no idea what BOTM was thinking, picking this one. At least it‘s super short. 5y
50 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Final discussion tomorrow at 1pm CST!! Questions on @TheBookHippie page 🙌🏻📚🙌🏻📚

#BotmBuddyRead

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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD
Oy
Tomorrow is the finale discussion 🙄😳😳🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️
2 PM EST

Lizpixie I love the Litsy woodmark! Where did you get it? 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻📚 5y
TheBookHippie @Lizpixie ahhh it was mailed to me —-my old mind is blanking 🤣🙄🤷🏽‍♀️on who sent it!!! 5y
Hooked_on_books Great bookmarks! 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD Final discussion Sunday
2 PM EST
I promise to have good discussion questions
🤣🤣🤣😳❤️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤣🤣🤣 5y
TheBookHippie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ 5y
36 likes2 comments
review
Mdargusch
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Panpan

I finished this #botmbuddyread during #puppynaptime today.
This book has made my list of #toptenbooksihatethemost. It is very pretentious and disjointed and thankfully short.

mabell That‘s quite an “honor”! 😆 5y
TheBookHippie 😭😭😭🤷🏽‍♀️ 5y
Reviewsbylola But is it as bad as 5y
62 likes4 comments
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Eggs
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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This memorial plaque in the parking lot of the former I Can‘t Believe It‘s Yogurt (now Classy Nails) store in Austin commemorates the short lives of the four teen aged girls on which this book is based.

Texreader I remember this event like it was yesterday, right down the road from where I worked and where I hung out as a teenager. Didn‘t know there was a book. I couldn‘t do it. I remember too much. 😥 5y
AmyG Thank had no idea this book was based on a true event. 5y
Eggs @AmyG My daughter was a HS classmate of Eliza Thomas 5y
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AmyG How awful. 😪 5y
Texreader @Eggs It was just such a heinous crime. How horrid for your daughter. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Finale next week #BOTMBUDDYREAD!
Anyone who‘s read this welcome to discuss with us!!!

As always thanks for reading with us ❤️

Hooked_on_books Thanks for your great questions today. You‘re really good at this! 5y
TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
KarouBlue Ugh this is one of those stories that is beyond heartbreaking. 5y
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JaclynW Hey ladies. I'm sorry I haven't gotten to this discussion. My intentions were good, my reading was done. Then school started and became overwhelming, then Thursday my 8 year old daughter had a friend get hit by a car and he died. I know the boy well also since he's been in my daughter's class since Kindergarten and I worked with him frequently. Our hearts are breaking. I've been trying to help where I can. @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @thebookhippie 5y
TheBookHippie @JaclynW ohhh sweetheart. I am sorry. Sending you so much light and love. Join us when you can I think the next book will be fun. I so value you your contributions. ❤️ 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @JaclynW I am so sorry 💔💔 sending much love to you and your daughter and everyone... 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Final Thoughts #BOTMBUDDYREAD
Do you like the read? Anything we missed?

Mdargusch No. I‘m not a fan of this book. Thank goodness it‘s short because I do want to finish it. I will definitely read the true crime version of this next. I‘m just not a fan of this writing style as it makes me feel dumb - like I‘m not smart enough to follow the author‘s vision. 5y
TheBookHippie @Mdargusch I said to @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It had such promise 🤪🤷🏽‍♀️🙄 I‘m with you -glad it‘s short! It has stretched my reading genre ..so there‘s that🤣. I love discussing any book. Thankfully! 5y
AmyG Yeah, I don‘t hate this book but don‘t love it. Hopefully the second half is better? 🤞🏻I might have liked it if it were more linear. 5y
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Hooked_on_books I‘m not a fan. I would have bailed fairly early if not for this buddy read. The description of the book makes it sound great, but it‘s not at all what I expected. I don‘t care for the scattered writing style as it gives you nothing to grab onto. 5y
Macker11 I agree with @Mdargusch I feel like I‘m dumb and can‘t follow 😂😂 definitely will finish though, haven‘t bailed on a book yet 5y
Macker11 I agree with @Mdargusch I feel like I‘m dumb and can‘t follow 😂😂 definitely will finish though, haven‘t bailed on a book yet 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I‘m too stubborn to quit usually. 🤣 5y
TheBookHippie @Hooked_on_books the description was so good... oy 5y
Mdargusch I‘m glad I‘m not alone! @TheBookHippie 5y
Mdargusch I agree @Hooked_on_books - I thought the description sounded great too. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Mdargusch me too! We will get through it!!! 💪🏻💕 5y
7 likes11 comments
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #14
There are subtle religious references throughout the read
Made in the palm of his hand
Denied three times
Judas story reversed
Why is this you think??

Cathyloves2read Perhaps to balance the content? Good vs. evil. 5y
Mdargusch That makes sense @Cathyloves2read 5y
AmyG And....I missed all those references. 😳 5y
Hooked_on_books @AmyG I missed them, too! Plus the whole concept of an afterlife is religious as well, and clearly the girls are in an afterlife since they‘re still narrating at times. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #13
Do the girls seem to have aged? Are they happy in their world? What do you make of it?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks No, to me they seem the same age and seem happy... 5y
TheBookHippie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I think they return to the age they were when people remember ...otherwise I think they are aging -as they talk about having a retainer back etc, was that a clue???? Oy, but they do seem ok wherever they are... 5y
Cathyloves2read They seem to me to be the same age. I also feel that they seem happy where they are. It was a comfort for me to realize this. I hope their parents also realized they were ok so that they could find some peace. 5y
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Mdargusch They definitely seem happy. 5y
TheBookHippie @Cathyloves2read yes I hope the parents gain some peace. 5y
AmyG I would love to think they haven‘t aged...and are happy. 5y
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TheBookHippie
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #12
We learn there is video of the day of the murders right before, and possibly the murderers, what do you make of that?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope that we learn the truth... 5y
Macker11 I want the videos to show the real truth and possibly lead the solution beyond the murders. Who it was, the reasoning behind it. 5y
kspenmoll Me too. I wonder if we will find out the truth. 5y
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Mdargusch I want to know the truth ASAP. I hope we find out. 5y
AmyG Yes, I‘d like to read that this video reveals what happenned. 5y
Hooked_on_books I hope we learn more. But I wonder. It‘s 5 years later, right? Is there really video no one found or revealed in all that time? We shall see. 5y
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TheBookHippie
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #11
The essay Michael stole about the plane crash the writer Videsh says in reply to someone asking had he come to terms with the loss of his wife. “ I am always coming to terms, it does not end” what do you think of this statement ? How does it relate to the girls?

Macker11 The feelings of these girls being gone will never fully be erased and you might feel like you have closure at times, but the memories and images will always appear 5y
kspenmoll Tragedy/ loss becomes a part of you- “ before” & “ after” demarcations. We all experience that I think. I have before/after car accident, etc. 5y
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TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I agree. I have several. 5y
Mdargusch I think the image of a scar is a good one. The wound might be covered over with a scar but it‘s still there. 5y
TheBookHippie @Mdargusch I remember years ago reading this and thinking that is it! That‘s how it feels. 5y
Cathyloves2read Time does heal, but not completely. The lives of those closest to the girls will never be the same. Thus, the dreams. I still dream about those who have passed many years ago 5y
kspenmoll @Mdargusch I agree. 5y
AmyG It‘s a wound. It changes you...as you have a scar (the reminder). But you are still the same person, just “altered”. (edited) 5y
Hooked_on_books I love the Kennedy quote. I think it describes things so well. Kate will certainly never heal entirely from her loss. But she‘ll move forward in life with her scar and her feelings will evolve over time. Which is totally normal. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #10
While we‘re reading all these details do you feel overwhelmed or lost? Is it intended this way so we feel how it would feel trying to piece this tragedy together?
All people‘s selves and inclinations are involved when trying to solve a murder, even the investigators wouldn‘t you think?

Macker11 I do feel confused at times and lost in what‘s going on. As I kept reading it got better but I had to take notes at certain points to keep my head straight! 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I rechecked my notes a few times!!! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I felt confused 🤣🤣 5y
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kspenmoll I was confused & did not finish the whole section. Plan to though. 5y
TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I‘m wondering if it‘s one of those books you have to read twice to get it 🤣 5y
Mdargusch I think the author is pretentious in the writing style and it just causes confusion. 5y
Cathyloves2read Yes, I did feel Confused at times. It is interesting to realize that the book may have been written that way on purpose. I suppose it makes sense, because that is what happens in real life. 5y
kspenmoll @TheBookHippie That could be! I want to go to beginning then catch up to you all. 5y
AmyG I got confused with everyone. I understand that this tragedy affects the people involved differently. 5y
Hooked_on_books I actually got more frustrated than confused. I think I understand the dream-like writing choice, but there‘s too many characters. The problem with not being able to grab onto any one character is the loss of reader investment in the book. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Mdargusch I won‘t be reading anymore of his books 🤣🤣 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #9
“See how a small thing keeps us apart” says one of the girls watching Kate match socks. What do you think this has to do with the title ? All the small things in the novel we are reading ? The themes of all these little things , how could death be a small thing? Or is it all the small things? See how small a thing it is that changes everything ?

Cathyloves2read I think that for means that even after something so horrific, life goes on. Even the small, mundane things. 5y
Macker11 @Cathyloves2read I agree with you completely. Even though everyone is directly or indirectly dealing with the murders of these girls, life still goes on and everyone has to continue 5y
kspenmoll Yes, life goes on. It‘s so hard after a loss to reconcile your grief world & the “real” world of day to day living. 5y
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Mdargusch I agree with the above. ⬆️ 5y
TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I agree, it‘s like an ocean waves hot you time to time. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #8
Shakespeare is quoted at the beginning of the book It shall be called “Bottoms Dream” because it has no bottom. The play is about transformation a bottomless dream where anything is possible. Why do you think there are so many dreams in this book? Do we sometimes have moments where we are walking in a dreamlike state in life?

Cathyloves2read I think the dreams were a way of showing how the tragedy impacted the various players. They all reacted differently. 5y
kspenmoll Agree with @Cathyloves2read . People do escape into their own world while awake at times, whether it‘s dreamlike or lost in a place. 5y
Mdargusch This aspect of the book definitely makes it difficult for me to follow at times. 5y
AmyG Much of life seems dreamlike. Many dreams seem lifelike. The fuzzy lines between the two, waking and dreaming...and what @kspenmoll said about escaping into their own worlds....daydreaming. (edited) 5y
Hooked_on_books I mentioned this is a previous comment—I think the author is trying to make the whole book dream-like. Perhaps because it‘s such an unreal thing to live through? 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #7

Hollis “sees” the girls, and the girls see Hollis “You have carved us on the palm of your hand”
Is he dreaming or having a vision?

Cathyloves2read It seems to me he was having a vision. Aka a flash back. He probably had a lot of those, after having seen something so horrific. 5y
TheBookHippie @Cathyloves2read I assume so too. 5y
kspenmoll Yes, he certainly had visions. PSTD right? 5y
Mdargusch I agree @kspenmoll - PTSD would cause some issues. 5y
AmyG Agreed 5y
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TheBookHippie
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #6 What do you think of Katie dreaming of the girls? Isn‘t this normal ? Has it happened to you?

Macker11 I think Katie has some impactful dreams which happens to most people after a tragic event happens to them. You start to see the thing or person everywhere. Everything reminds you of them. 5y
Cathyloves2read Yes, I feel it is normal and happens to most after her horrific experience. 5y
kspenmoll It is totally normal. Happens to people after a loss- this is such evil. 5y
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Mdargusch It definitely feels normal to me. I would think it would be hard not to dream about it. 5y
Hooked_on_books Totally normal. Meredith‘s dad was doing it, too. I do like how the girls were then performing the activities or the dream as though forced. That was clever. I think the author may have been trying for dreamlike prose to make the whole book feel dreamlike, though for me he‘s not getting there. 5y
AmyG Isn‘t it said....the dead visit you in your dreams. How could one not dream of the girls? 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #5 What do you think of them destroying the ice cream shop? Is it any kind of closure? Is it a protest? Is it taking down a constant reminder? Tearing down the evil??

Macker11 I think it‘s a closure, not having to see it and relive the scene and memories 5y
Cathyloves2read You‘d almost have to destroy it. Too many reminders. I can‘t image they‘d have many customers had they remained open. Not the type of customers they‘d want anyhow. 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I would want it flattened I would think. Such evil. 5y
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kspenmoll I agree with everyone. Such evil needed to be destroyed. 5y
Mdargusch People probably wouldn‘t want to go there if they rebuilt it so getting rid of it would take away that constant reminder. 5y
Hooked_on_books I agree that few people would go there so there‘s not much alternative. My main concern was the possible loss of evidence. Although 5 years later there may not be much, once you have a suspect they might point you to something that was missed. 5y
AmyG I agree....destroy this reminder of evil. 5y
CoffeeNBooks I agree, I think destroying it was probably important for the families and the community. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #4 Katie‘s plan for when she can read her victim impact statement ?? Thoughts??? What would you do?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks That would be the most difficult thing I could ever imagine doing... 5y
Cathyloves2read I don‘t think I could read it. 5y
kspenmoll It‘s very very difficult. My husband‘s brother was killed by a driver in a stolen car while police were chasing him. He had a 4 yr old & 2 week old baby. His two sisters, my husband, his wife & his father all read such statements. They felt compelled, but it was excruciating . 5y
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Mdargusch How tragic @kspenmoll - so awful. I couldn‘t read it because I wouldn‘t be able to get the words out. 5y
TheBookHippie @kspenmoll ugh I am so sorry. How awful. I would make myself do it I think. 5y
kspenmoll @Mdargusch @TheBookHippie It was awful but they all wanted to do it for a multitude of reasons. He was my husband‘d little brother& they spoke every week. I always knew when they were talking because my husband would revert to his southern drawl.my husband‘s sibs grew up in Florida, mom from Louisiana. My husband moved north after attending college there. The rest if family stayed in FL. 5y
Hooked_on_books I don‘t know that any of us know what we would do in this kind of situation. I understood her desire to lash out at him, but I was disappointed at her targeting of this family members. I guess I understand blaming parents for raising someone who would commit such an act, but overall I found it unfair of her. Though again, understandable, as she lost both her kids in an unimaginable way. 5y
AmyG @kspenmoll I am so sorry to read this. 😪 5y
AmyG I am with @Hooked_on_books in that I don‘t know what I would do. Everyone deals with tragedy in different ways...and does what they feel they must do. It‘s very personal. 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #3
Have you bonded with any of the characters? Are you trying to solve it as you read??

Mdargusch No bonding here. 🙁 5y
TheBookHippie @Mdargusch me either.... 5y
Hooked_on_books The book is so all over the place that I don‘t really think it‘s possible to bond with any of the characters. 5y
AmyG I agree with all of you. Maybe a little with the mother....and Michael (not bonding, but he is a character I am interested in). 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD #2
What did you think of the first chapter? Did you catch who was narrating ? Do you like this story style?

kspenmoll I did not finish whole section. 🙁 But the first chapter for me, slammed my gut. I wasn‘t expecting the book opening with the crime. Not sure who was narrating. Seemed like one of them after death? 5y
kspenmoll I do like the different voices/perspectives of everyone involved/family, fireman, community people, etc. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I was mostly confused as to who was narrating... 5y
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TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I think it gives us a picture of the town. 5y
Macker11 I was confused as well but I do like the different narration and the intensity that it opened up with. I was wondering how such a heavy topic got discussed in a book this size. Once I read the first chapter I understood 😂 5y
TheBookHippie @Macker11 I wondered too!!! 5y
Cathyloves2read I think it was one of the dead girls narrating. It was a shocker, the way it opened. 5y
TheBookHippie @Cathyloves2read I assumed the same. One of the girls. 5y
Mdargusch I was surprised by the opening. I‘m not feeling this writing style. I‘m listening to it for the most part and I‘m having trouble keeping track of the characters. 5y
Hooked_on_books I‘m glad it opened the way it did, even though it was brutal. It really set the stage. I don‘t like how scattered it‘s been since that first chapter. 5y
AmyG I also assumed it was one of the girls. I liked the beginning... but then there were the sections with others speaking. I got a bit confused. I am not oving this book, but not disliking it either. (edited) 5y
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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On Dec. 6, 1991, the event that inspired the novel occurred. There were four girls, actually, who were killed at an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop. The girls were 13 to 17.

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/kvue-crime-files-investigating-the-1991-yogurt...

#BOTMBUDDYREAD #1 What do you think of real murders being made into a similar fictional novel?

Mdargusch It‘s an interesting concept, however this book wanders so much that it feels like there‘s really not much basis to the real story. 5y
TheBookHippie @Mdargusch I‘m so hopping it ties up OR there is a point to it all! 5y
kspenmoll Thanks for posting this. 5y
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kspenmoll @Mdargusch I think that is why I had a hard time reading it. Not sure what the point was. 5y
Hooked_on_books I think plenty of books take inspiration from real events. It‘s probably good in a case like this not to hew too close to reality to protect surviving family and friends. 5y
AmyG I had no idea this was based on a true story. I have no problem with authors using news to create fiction. I, too, felt it was a bit “wandering”. I got confused with different people. 5y
CoffeeNBooks I'm also trying to figure out where the story is going, and why there are so many people included in the story. 5y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Discussion tomorrow at 1pm CST!! Christine has some awesome, very thought provoking questions ready!! All are welcome!!! Go to her page for questions @TheBookHippie 📚📚📚

#BotmBuddyRead

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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Questions ready!
See you tomorrow #BOTMBUDDYREAD
2 PM EST
Everyone welcome
No spoilers please

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I want the waffles!!! 5y
ladym30 That looks so good!😍 5y
BookBabe Looks like an excellent start to the day! ☺️ 5y
51 likes3 comments
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD THIS SUNDAY
Questions posted here!
2 PM EST
Everyone welcome

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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First discussion on Sunday at 1pm CST!! Questions on @TheBookHippie page!! Hope to see you there!!

#BotmBuddyRead

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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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TheBookHippie
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BOTMBUDDYREAD YAY WE ARE BACK THIS SUNDAY!!!!!
2 PM EST
Questions posted here!

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Join us for discussion on chapters 1-28 on August 18th at 1pm CST!!!

#BotmBuddRead

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Who‘s reading tonight and what are you reading?! 📚📚

Happy Friday everyone!!

#FridayNightBookClub

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @SW-T 📚👍🏻📚 5y
KatieDid927 🙋🏻‍♀️ 5y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @KatieDid927 I almost ordered that for #BOTM!! Let me know how it is!! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Laughterhp I got this for my #BOTM 📚 5y
Laughterhp Me too! 😊 5y
sprainedbrain Me! Working on some netgalleys and 5y
Chili Just started 5y
CarolynM Saturday morning here, I'm reading on the couch 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @CarolynM happy Saturday 📚❤️📚 5y
sprainedbrain @Chili love that book! 😊 5y
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Mdargusch
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Today‘s puppy nap time agenda -
See How Small for #botmbuddyread and This is Going to Hurt for #darguschfamilymarkupbookclub.

Now I need to get off Litsy before they wake up. 😆

monalyisha SO FREAKIN' SWEET. 5y
daena Those ears! 💜 5y
LiteraryinLawrence What a smiley face! 5y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
LibrarianRyan baby!!!!! 5y
Crazeedi So adorable!! 🐶❤ 5y
ladym30 Such a cutie!❤️ 5y
Reviewsbylola Wow they‘re both exhausted!! 5y
kspenmoll Adorable!!!💚 5y
85 likes9 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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First discussion on Sunday, August 18th at 1pm CST!!!

#BotmBuddyRead

Macker11 Yay! My first discussion! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Macker11 yay!!!! 🙌🏻📚 5y
57 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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We hope you can join us!!! 📚📚📚

#BotmBuddyRead

Mdargusch I just saw this - I‘m in! 🙋🏼‍♀️ 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Mdargusch yay!!! 💗💗💗 5y
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NeedsMoreBooks
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Mehso-so

I read this as a part of the August #BotmBuddyRead organized by @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks hoping to get an early start but ended up completing it.
The story is based on a real life incident in Austin and deals with how life continues in the aftermath of a horrific tragedy. It reminded me of The Virgin Suicides and The Lovely Bones. I thought there were too many characters and it seemed to ramble. This novel might be great for others, though.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks We hope you will still join us for discussion!! 5y
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LitsyHappenings
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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Repost for @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks :
#BOTMBUDDYREAD AUGUST!!!
Short one this month!!!
Hope you can join in! See you on the 18th for our first discussion of this old BOOK OF THE MONTH selection!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you!!! 5y
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kspenmoll
See How Small: A Novel | Scott Blackwood
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#BotmBuddyRead #LiteraryCrew
Two buddy reads this month. See How Small (#botm) & The Summer Country (#LC). Started both but decided to concentrate on one at a time!
The mug is my husband‘s fav. I dropped it & it chipped in several places. He got it last year for donating to #NPR #WFCR‑FM. It is a special artist mug, panels of the season. I called asking to buy one & they were so nice & are mailing me one for free. We live #NPR! #HappyHusband💚💛

Librarybelle Looks like a lovely reading area! 5y
kspenmoll @Librarybelle Best room in the house! Cool most mornings! (edited) 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty!!! 💗💗 5y
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OriginalCyn620 Pretty spot! ❤️ 5y
Crazeedi Started summer country too!!😉❣ 5y
kspenmoll @Crazeedi Glad you are joining in!!! 5y
57 likes6 comments