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Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Only Love Can Break Your Heart | Ed Tarkington
101 posts | 71 read | 197 to read
"Love can make people do terrible things." Welcome to Spencerville, Virginia, 1977. Eight-year-old Rocky worships his older brother, Paul. Sixteen and full of rebel cool, Paul spends his days cruising in his Chevy Nova blasting Neil Young, cigarette dangling from his lips, arm slung around his beautiful, troubled girlfriend. Paul is happy to have his younger brother as his sidekick. Then one day, in an act of vengeance against their father, Paul picks up Rocky from school and nearly abandons him in the woods. Afterward, Paul disappears. Seven years later, Rocky is a teenager himself. He hasn't forgotten being abandoned by his boyhood hero, but he's getting over it, with the help of the wealthy neighbors' daughter, ten years his senior, who has taken him as her lover. Unbeknownst to both of them, their affair will set in motion a course of events that rains catastrophe on both their families. After a mysterious double murder brings terror and suspicion to their small town, Rocky and his family must reckon with the past and find out how much forgiveness their hearts can hold.
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TheLudicReader
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Pickpick

Reminiscent of My Sunshine Away and various books by Thomas H. Cook, this is the story of Rocky Askew looking back at the events of his life from ages 8-16. Takes place in the 70s and 80s and features Rocky's hero worship of his older brother Paul. It's a coming of age story, but also has a mystery. It's over stuffed, but still slow-moving, but it was well written and I enjoyed it.

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Sharpeipup
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A book in poor condition breaks my heart too🥲

MoonWitch94 😭😭😭😭 2y
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Panpan

I feel like I read a different book from all the glowing reviews. This is a coming of age story advanced by prurience and soaked in misogyny. If it had been a self-aware look at the misogyny of the 1970s, that would be great, but it‘s not. Plus, all the female characters are one-note caricatures. Deeply disappointing for a book published in 2016. 😫

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Kalalalatja
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Mehso-so

I‘m pretty sure most people will really like this book, but for me it was #MoreMehThanYeah. This felt like it followed a recipe for “how to write a good novel”, but it was just that - good. Compared to Tarkington‘s other book, The Fortunate Ones, this just doesn‘t measure up. I did like the characters, though, and it is clear that Tarkington‘s strength lies in his characters. Most of them felt developed and nuanced 👌

Cathythoughts Great review! I did love Fortunate Ones ... I won‘t be in a panic to get this one , but someday ... 👍🏻❤️ 3y
63 likes1 comment
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rsteve388
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So excited that I signed up for #Page1Books My selection came today! Very excited to read this in October.

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Megabooks
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These are two of my favorite books about #Brothers. Definitely check them out!

The episode Brothers is an interesting one on Star Trek. The terrific character actor Brent Spiner plays his usual character Data, plus Data‘s evil brother Lore, plus their creator Noonian Soong. (Data and Lore are androids.) It really shows a great depth of talent!

#StarTrekSummerMay

Cinfhen Loved the tagged book!!!! 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen One of my favorites of 2016! (edited) 5y
BarbaraBB I have the tagged book stacked, even though I can‘t remember why. Glad you think it‘s good! 5y
See All 8 Comments
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I don‘t usually like books by men written about men, but these two books are the exception. They both have depth of emotion and complexity that I would more expect from a matrilineal intergenerational book. Maybe try it from the library. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y
BarbaraBB That sounds so convincing, thanks! 5y
Kaye The tagged book was great. I really liked it. Another good one about brothers is 5y
Megabooks @Kaye I‘ve stacked that now. Thank you! 5y
Kaye You‘re welcome. Hope you like it. 5y
91 likes8 comments
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Cinfhen
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#AnglophileApril #DontGoBreakingMyHeart made me think of this book which I read and loved a few years back. It‘s the story of two siblings, coming of age, southern gothic, set in the 70‘s, illicit affairs, secrets and a double murder!!! And it‘s all done beautifully. Can‘t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommended 💕

vivastory Sold! 5y
TrishB I see I‘ve already stacked! 5y
Megabooks I loved this one! Made my best books of the year list! 5y
See All 9 Comments
Cinfhen It was really good @Megabooks I wish he‘d write a new book already!! I thought of you because I know how much you enjoy southern gothic 😊❤️Definitely check it out @vivastory @TrishB I think you guys will both enjoy this book 😉 5y
emilyhaldi Ooohhhh thanks for reminding me about this one!!! 5y
Kaye Excellent book. 5y
Mdargusch Stacking! 5y
Mdargusch Oops. Already stacked! 😂 5y
Reviewsbylola This was really good. I agree, I‘ll be on the lookout for this author. 5y
104 likes5 stack adds9 comments
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MrBook
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Part 2/10 of today‘s home-library tour! ☺️

Do you own, or have you read, any of these?

#MrBooksBooks

Kaila-ann Secret Life of Bees ❤️ 5y
Leftcoastzen Read “bees” .on the TBR 5y
TheSpineView No😊 5y
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DivineDiana Read “News of the World” and loved it! 5y
rubyslippersreads ❤️ Laurie Colwin but haven't read that one. 5y
wordslinger42 I haven't read that particular book by Joanna Fluke, but I've read five in that series & am enjoying it so far! 5y
SW-T Read the Joanne Fluke and Sue Monk Kidd. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘ve read News of the World 5y
Bradleygirl News of the World 😍😍😍 5y
74 likes10 comments
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peacegypsy
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Picked as a favorite by my local librarian. It‘s a page-turner!

TheLibrarian Such a great book. Enjoy! 5y
36 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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RebelReader
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I got a wonderful surprise from @Jas16 in my mailbox!
Thank you so much! This #jb group is so generous and it‘s so much fun to share books with each other. I have a stack pulled and I need to stalk some TBR lists too! 😘 #bookitforward

Jas16 Yay! I am glad it arrived and hope you enjoy it! 6y
Sarah83 Awwwwww. This owl 💖 6y
82 likes2 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

Great book to get lost in on a lazy day. As an adoring younger sibling I instantly related to Rocky who is happy just following his older brother, Paul, around in the beginning of this coming of age story. Everything changes for Rocky when Paul suddenly leaves his family behind. Can you ever really know and understand someone regardless of how much you love them?

Megabooks I loved this! 6y
95 likes1 comment
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Mrs_Organized_Chaos
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So I may have lied about The Education of Dixie Dupree being my last read of May. I read it so quickly I have time to start another. We will see if I get through it before the day is over.....

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QueenBook
Mehso-so

Not at all what I expected

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Jas16
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Tonight‘s attempt at #spinepoetry:
Everything we left behind
Perfect little world
Firelight
Love poems
Ecstasy
Goodbye for now
Only love can break your heart
#riotgrams

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Eggs Love it 😍 6y
Kalalalatja Awesome! 6y
Lcsmcat Good one! 6y
81 likes4 comments
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Cinfhen
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#LoveTitles #AllYouNeedIsLove @TheKidUpstairs
Really liked these books a lot💜💛💙I would recommend them all!

Cinfhen My GoodReads listed 22 but I didn‘t really #LOVE the others....and I‘m sure there are more I forgot to add to GR over the years😜 6y
TheKidUpstairs My "love" stack is growing! I'm thinking for February I'll read only #LOVEtitles 6y
Cinfhen I ❤️that idea...💡💡💡I smell a challenge/buddyread 6y
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Cinfhen You HAVE to add 6y
TheKidUpstairs @Cinfhen I went to add it, and it's already on my list! And yes! to a buddy read for Feb/LOVE 6y
emilyhaldi I have had this book on my TBR for a while thanks to you! 😁 6y
JenReadsAlot ❤ Shotgun Lovesongs 6y
99 likes7 comments
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Judybskt
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Pickpick

Loved this! Perfect book. Could not put down!

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Judybskt
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PSU football and a good book on a Saturday night? Yes please!

Megabooks Such a good book! 7y
Judybskt Almost finished. I can't put it down. 7y
7 likes2 comments
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Cinfhen
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Read this beautiful coming of age novel last year, involving #siblings #brothers 💙 pictured are my two boys who happen to be great friends despite their age difference #proudmom #awesomeautumnbooks @Jess7

Ms_T Lovely picture! 7y
Reviewsbylola Very sweet! 7y
Suet624 💕💕💕 7y
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Bks4Wrms They look just like you! 💕 7y
BarbaraBB Cool guys! 7y
Leftcoastzen That's cool ! I know lots of sibs who dislike each other 7y
Lmstraubie Sweet 😍 7y
Cinfhen Thanks for the lovely comments @Lmstraubie @Leftcoastzen @BarbaraBB @Bks4Wrms @Suet624 @Reviewsbylola @Ms_T 😊I feel blessed that my kids all get along🙏🏻#family 7y
TrishB Aww lovely pic 💟 7y
LeahBergen 💕💕 7y
emilyhaldi So sweet!! 💙💙 7y
130 likes3 stack adds12 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Trying to clear some of my #BOTM backlog.

LisaJo I sincerely enjoyed this book so much. I hope you do also. It was an @Liberty recommendation and just so good. 7y
MicheleinPhilly @LisaJo Loved it. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy. 7y
LisaJo Yay - so glad you liked it. I enjoy a good coming-of-age story and I thought this one was pretty good. 7y
76 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Laalaleighh
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Anyone else heartbroken by the news about Chester Bennington today? 💔

I said I was going to read but all I've done is listen to Linkin Park songs with the bf and 😭.

Bambolina_81 Such terribly sad news 💔 7y
daena Incredibly sad. 7y
bobregina I just want to cry 😩💔 7y
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batsy Really sad. 7y
Amanda23 Very sad. 7y
Theresa Yes! 7y
Born.A.Reader 😢😢💔💔 7y
ReadingEnvy Awful, heartbreaking. 7y
62 likes9 comments
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Gayan
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Pickpick

This book grabbed me from the first page and I must have loved it because it broke my heart a little bit. Read it, you won't be sorry.

Josie Okay I finally read the description and this sounds SO GOOD 7y
Gayan @Josie You will love it! 7y
66 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Gayan
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This is next up on the Kindle. It seems that a lot of my current TBRs are Liberty picks.

Cinfhen This book was really good!!! 7y
Hollie You can't go wrong with Liberty picks! 7y
51 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Eggs
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"Every soul is itself."

10 likes1 stack add
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Bookish_B
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Pickpick

Sometimes all I can say about a book is that I enjoyed it. Like, it didn't knock my sox off and I didn't hate it. It was fine. Enjoyable. Is that just me? 😳

Notafraidofwords I felt so meh about this one. 7y
54 likes1 comment
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ErinGoBragh1011
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So I was extremely apprehensive about getting another Kindle because nothing will ever replace the sent, smell, look and feel of an actual book, but I caves. I caved because as much as I still love the library it's just a little ways out from me in a direction I don't go in too often. I was constantly paying late fees and now I can check out books without having to worry about it. Also, this book is too good to put down!

Leftcoastzen It's ok ! Any way to get your read on is great! Love the mug! 7y
3 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ErinGoBragh1011
Pickpick

I can't put this book down its so good! I just started reading it late yesterday afternoon and I am more than halfway through

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Cinfhen
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##17BookLove #HeartinTitle The three on top are sitting in my #TBR ~ bottom three I read. Was not a fan of Girl with a Clock for a Heart but did like the other two very much. (Sorry for constantly posting same titles numerous times🙈) It's the last weekend of February, which means #BOTM selections are only days away!!! How the hell did that happen already?!? Happy guessing & weekend Ya'll 🌸🌺🌸🌺

RadicalReader @Cinfhen the girl with a clock for a heart looks like a wonderful book. Beautiful color cover and amazing title 7y
Cinfhen I feel for the title of that one @RadicalReader but the book was long and very odd😬 I had trouble with it 7y
91 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BzerkMcD
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Well, Valentines Day is this week after all. Looking forward to this one. Time to dig in.

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TheLibrarian
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My only book that I could find that had #loveinthetitle. It's a great book so maybe I should buy more books with love in the title. Any suggestions? #17booklove

TheLibrarian @Reviewsbylola @LauraJ Thanks for the recommendations. I'll have to check them out. 7y
58 likes3 comments
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specklife
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2017 Love of Reading Challenge with @jess.how
Day 4 (belated): Love in the title
Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington
#17booklove

MrBook A #BOTM pick of mine 😁👏🏻! 7y
specklife So good!! ❤️📚📚 7y
11 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
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#bestdebutsof2016 #feistyfeb I think these are all debuts! I'm not good at keeping track of that. 😉😉

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Angeleeka29

"Or maybe Leigh and Paul were star-crossed from the beginning, and she was doomed to love him, come what may."

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amandacc
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Pickpick

This book was a perfect combination of a coming of age tale and a southern gothic. I enjoyed every page and now I am sad it's over. The author and his style favored Pat Conroy.

13 likes1 stack add
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SoMuchBooks
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Pickpick

Didn't know what to expect from this story. Received as a Christmas gift subscription. Immediately fell for the authentic relationship between Rocky and Paul. Authors annotations were an added bonus.

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Artsywink
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New Year's Day 🎉 read. About 100 pages into this book so far it's amazing.

Hoopiefoot Such a good book! 7y
6 likes1 comment
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McFarchie
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Pickpick

This is a lovely coming if age story. The plot steadily builds as each layer is added. I'm really glad I took the time to read it.

102 likes3 stack adds
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McFarchie
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What better way to spend a humid summer afternoon 📚

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McFarchie
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Starting this 💔

Sweettartlaura 😍❤️😍❤️. One of my 2016 faves❤️ 7y
Cinfhen Really liked this one, too 😍 7y
My_novel_obsession Loved this one! 7y
See All 10 Comments
RiotMom This is on my A-Z list and I just got it for Christmas. Can't wait to start it! 7y
Reviewsbylola Great read. 7y
LisaJo Really loved this book. It fit all my kryptonites including coming-of-age. ❤❤❤ 7y
8little_paws This was great! Read it back in February/March but still remember it well. 7y
Megabooks One of my favorites this year! 7y
Bookish_B I just ordered this from bookoutlet.com! (Along with 15 other books 😳) 7y
LitHousewife This was one of my favorites this year. Great minds, @Ebooksandcooks ! 7y
117 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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Pickpick

I read this because Liberty mentioned it as one of her top 125 books of the year. At least I think she did. It ended up on my TBR somehow. 🤔 I love a good coming of age story, and the fact that this one took place in the 70s and 80s was an added bonus. At some points I felt like I hadn't really connected with the characters, but it was an interesting story and I enjoyed the ride.

LauraBeth Oohhh - abandonment, set in the south in the 70 and 80s, double murder, an affair with the neighbor - sign me UP! 7y
NerdyRev I really loved this one. It is so subtle, but so good. 7y
Megabooks I loved this one too! Nice pick @Liberty ! 😃😃 7y
See All 6 Comments
Litlady Bumping this one up in ye olde TBR .. STAT! 📚👍🎄❣ 7y
TheLibrarian Such a wonderful book. Glad you enjoyed it! 7y
CoffeeK8 I love the title! 7y
106 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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Seriously, one of the best parts of 2016 for me was discovering #botm. And this email I just got was the icing on the cake. 😍😍😍

KarenUK I just got this email too! I'm so happy 😍📚 7y
Ashley_Nicoletto This thrilled me this morning! Love #botm! 7y
ReadingEnvy that's two credits this month since my December book was so popular it had to be backordered!! 7y
Reviewsbylola Book credits are the best! @ReadingEnvy 7y
peaKnit I just saw this and realized I got one too❤️ 7y
100 likes5 comments
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Books_Wine_Repeat
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Pickpick

An interesting story about the coming of age of Rocky in a small southern town. This is one I wished I had read instead of listening to the audiobook. The narrator sounded like the guy that does the movie promos. Narration aside, the story keeps you entertained and wondering what will happen next with Rocky, his family and their town. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

70 likes3 stack adds
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TheLibrarian
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Pickpick

Set in 1977, this story follows the life of Rocky and is spread throughout a large timeline. It's a coming of age story, that includes a dysfunctional family, a love story, and a murder. 4/5

Reviewsbylola I recently added this to my TBR. 7y
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Chassie
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Pickpick

Finished this one up during my #lunchbreakreading time. This story occasionally broke my brain. I wasn't prepared for the expanse of time covered, nor the full breadth of the action. It was a great surprise, and ended up being an unexpected page turner for me.

jessberk13 This was definitely an unexpectedly great read! 7y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Books_Wine_Repeat
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When @Liberty releases her Best of 2016 list and you add 90% of it to your OverDrive wishlist. #sorrynotsorry #blameLiberty #blameLitsy

Cinfhen Your library rocks🤘🏻I'm only allowed 10 holds and 12 book recommendations 😡😡😡 7y
Books_Wine_Repeat My holds were maxed at 25, so everything else went to my wishlist. I'm not sure about my recommendations limit but I've exceeded that as well. 🙃Whatever I couldn't add to my recommendations was added onto Goodreads. I've got TBR lists all over the place. 📝📝📝 @Cinfhen 7y
Cinfhen Oh that's a good idea 💡adding all my books to GoodReads #booknerdproblems 7y
See All 7 Comments
andreadmw I also moved my TBR list to Goodreads so I could have some organization there. It took a lot of time but I am glad I did it. It's not just a list anymore but categorized 7y
Librariana I need to do that! Because my Litsy TBR and the one over at Goodreads are starting to look veeeery different and they need to be twinsies! @andreadmw @Cinfhen 7y
Librariana Also... Diana? You're my shero! 😍 7y
Books_Wine_Repeat @librariana Ditto, Anita! 😘❤️❤️ 7y
102 likes7 comments