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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell | Susanna Clarke
At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England-until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear."Time" Magazine #1 Book of the Year - Book Sense Book of the Year - "People" Top Ten Books of the Year - Winner of the Hugo Award - A "New York Times" Notable Book of the Year - Salon.com Top Ten of 2004 -Winner of the World Fantasy Award - Nancy Pearl's Top 12 Books of 2004 -" Washington Post Book World"'s Best of 2004 - "Christian Science Monitor" Best Fiction 2004 - "San Francisco Chronicle" Best Books of 2004 - Winner of the "Locus" Award for Best First Novel - "Chicago Tribune" Best of 2004 - "Seattle Times" 25 Best Books of 2004 - "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" Top 12 Books of 2004 - "Village Voice" "Top Shelf" - "Raleigh News & Observer" Best of 2004 - "Rocky Mountain News" critics' favorites of 2004 - "Kansas City Star" 100 Newsworthy Books of 2004 - "Fort Worth Star-Telegram" 10 Best Books of 2004 - "Hartford Courant" Best Books of 2004"
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
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Ruthiella
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Thanks for the tag @The_Penniless_Author 🙏

1. I think young me would have liked to be a flying horse.

2. The tagged book has fairies, which I don‘t want to be because they‘re kinda mean. 🧚

#Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView Great answers! Thanks for playing 1w
42 likes1 comment
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Elizabeth2
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#freebiefriday #litsylove

Favorite chunkster….I love a good chunkster! Favorites include the Outlander series, Paradise…probably my most recent favorite chunkster read was Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrel. It was about 1,000 pages, a book club pick, and I didn‘t expect to like it. I ended up loving it! ❤️📚

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I am so intimidated by chunksters!! 3w
Read4life I‘ve read the first 4 in the Outlander series and enjoyed them. 💙 3w
30 likes2 comments
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mjtwo
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Panpan

12-28 Feb 24 (audiobook)
Not for me. I battled my way through this for over two weeks and really not sure why I persisted. It seemed to go forever, made worse by the fact that I kept tuning out or falling asleep and having to rewind.
Whilst it was probably well-written, I have now concluded that Clarke‘s books are not for me.

dabbe I panned this, too! #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 3w
mjtwo @dabbe I really should have bailed! 3w
18 likes2 comments
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Fr3NcHtOaSt
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Fourth time attempting to read this and this time is the charm. I am finally engrossed in it at 100 pages in on kindle(not sure what this equates to in paper pages). Probably enjoying this more because I‘ve been reading a bunch of McCammon‘s Matthew Corbett series this year and I like the historical part of it, but this blends that with magic.

#JonathanStrangeandMrNorrell #SusannaClarke #ebook #kindle

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jenniferw88
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I tried to do a #bookerdozen @vivastory , but out of the ones I've read (18 + 2 bails), these 3 are the only ones that stood out. There's plenty more of them on the list that I want to read eventually, though 😂😂😂!

vivastory I was just looking at my copy of Jonathan Strange the other week thinking I should give it another shot after bailing on it a few years ago lol. 2mo
67 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It‘s written as if it were a biography of two magicians who restored English magic; it even has footnotes. I‘m tempted to say it‘s too long, but I was never bored, so it‘s probably just right. Neither Strange nor Norell are particularly nice people, but I don‘t need everyone to be likeable. I‘m really glad I finally read this book. #audiowalk

IndoorDame I felt exactly the same way about this one when I read it in January! 3mo
KathyWheeler @IndoorDame I had been putting it off forever because the print in my hardback copy is so tiny! It finally occurred to me to listen to it. 3mo
Ruthiella I think this book justifies its length. I loved it and loved getting lost in it. 😃 3mo
KathyWheeler @Ruthiella I agree. I was surprised that I was never ever bored — usually a book that long drags in a few places. This one doesn‘t. 3mo
33 likes4 comments
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KathyWheeler
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I‘ve got less than 2 hours left in this book, so I should be finished tomorrow. At 32 hours, it‘s the longest book I‘ve listened to or read in a while. The audiobook of Stephen King‘s Fairy Tale (which is the longest book I‘ve read this year) is 24 hours and 6 minutes. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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Finally got our Christmas tree today. Tomorrow we will decorate it. Christmas is in a week. Yikes! #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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I only have 8 hours and 50 minutes left in this 32 hr and 29 min audiobook! Yay! It‘s due back to the library in 6 days — I shouldn‘t have to renew it. Mr. Norell is an egotistical snake! #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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That Mr. Norell is a piece of work! I‘m feeling better after being sick from the vaccines, so I got in some walks today. #audiowalk

Texreader Glad you‘re feeling better! 3mo
KathyWheeler @Texreader Thanks! Me too. 3mo
16 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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Busy day today — doctor‘s appointment, 4 vaccines, some shopping, and the museum of art‘s reception downtown which featured 3 of my daughter‘s pieces. I‘m surprised I was able to fit in a walk. I‘m so tired now & don‘t know if it‘s from the busy day, the vaccines, or both. This is a long book but it looks like I‘m about halfway through. #audiowalk

Texreader Great reminder. I‘m due for a vaccine. Hope you recover soon!! 4mo
KathyWheeler @Texreader Thanks. Normally I don‘t react to vaccines, but maybe 4 at once was bit much. 😊 4mo
34 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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I‘m really liking the writing and the world building in this book. I do wish there was a little more explanation of how the magic works; I seem to remember it being more specific in the show. That‘s a minor issue though. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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Finally, Jonathan Strange shows up somewhere besides the footnotes! Almost 8 hours in. That live oak at the bottom is Duffie Oak in Mobile; it‘s supposed to be one of the oldest trees in the US. It was almost cut down years ago for an apartment complex, but neighbors protested and it was saved. #audiowalk

Reggie Yayyyy for the saved tree! 4mo
Bookwormjillk Thank goodness they saved that beautiful tree! 4mo
KathyWheeler @Bookwormjillk @Reggie Yes! I was surprised anyone was even considering cutting it down. 4mo
29 likes3 comments
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KathyWheeler
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This feels like what a fantasy novel written by Dickens would be like. I really like it so far. I‘m glad I finally chose to listen to it. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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I‘ve always wanted to read this, but the print in my hardback copy is so tiny that I was intimidated. Audio seems the way to go. So far, I really like it, but I expected to because I loved the tv series. #audiowalk

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AllDebooks
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Pickpick

A reread comfort read that I adored even more than the first time. It's such an engaging story with a wonderful, eccentric cast of characters. Equal parts are gothic, creepy and hilarious. Mr Norrell is one of my all-time favourite characters. 5⭐️

#20in4 #RushReadathon @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏, I keep meaning to read this - not got there yet. 4mo
AllDebooks @Andrew65 it is a commitment at over 1000 pages 😅 4mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 4mo
See All 8 Comments
KathyWheeler I loved the tv show, but I haven‘t read the book. The print on my copy is so tiny! 4mo
Andrew65 @AllDebooks Next year I‘m hoping will be the year of big books, got so many to get to! 4mo
AllDebooks @KathyWheeler the tv show is so good too 4mo
AllDebooks @Andrew65 I like big books and I cannot lie... 4mo
Andrew65 @AllDebooks Always great to get lost in one. 4mo
51 likes1 stack add8 comments
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AllDebooks
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#NovelNovember readathon roundup.

📖 Bailed on Pym. I love her writing but didn't take to the characters.
📖 Kept up with #NaturaLitsy reading of The Secret Garden.
📖 750 pages of J S & Mr Norrell. Hope to finish this today as I can not stop reading it.
📖 Starting The glass blowers and Our darkest night after Norrell.
📖 I got distracted by Bret Easton Ellis's collection of essays White and History Hit's series on Napolean.
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Excellent, thanks for playing along 👏👏👏🍾🥂🎉🎊 4mo
AllDebooks Listen to 1. Napoleon: The Early Years by Dan Snow's History Hit on Audible. https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0CNP4M9X3?source_code=ASSOR150021221000K 4mo
AllDebooks @Andrew65 😊 Thanks for hosting x 4mo
47 likes3 comments
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AllDebooks
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This guy and his books. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Bluebird 🤣😂😲 4mo
46 likes1 comment
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AllDebooks
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I'm thoroughly enjoying revisiting this old favourite. I had forgotten how funny it is.

Mr Norrell has to be one of the best characters in English literature imo. Eddie Marsan did a magnificent job bringing him to life in the BBC adaptation.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jonathan-Strange-Mr-Norrell/dp/B00Y1PPAHIhickleberrypun...

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AllDebooks
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Oh, hello, old friend 😍
I have a stinking cold and feeling sorry for myself. So, a day of comfort, it is.
Favourite book ✔️
Cat ✔️
Herbal tea ✔️
Blankets✔️

Have a great Saturday x

LeeRHarry Feel better soon! Looks like you have all the ingredients there to do so 😊 4mo
quietlycuriouskate Hope you enjoy a cosy day despite your cold. I'm thinking I'll follow your lead. I've got "the Novembers" today: nothing really wrong, just low mood and no energy. 4mo
AllDebooks @LeeRHarry hopefully 😊 4mo
See All 23 Comments
AllDebooks @quietlycuriouskate oh no, not the "Novs". Do it, a day of self care doing what you enjoy most will perk you up x 4mo
Bookwomble I hope you're feeling better soon 💖📖🍵🐈‍⬛ 4mo
Bookwormjillk Hope you feel better soon 4mo
Librarybelle Hope you feel better soon! 4mo
julieclair Feel better soon! I love your cozy comfort plan for the day. 4mo
TheLudicReader Hope you feel better soon. 4mo
jlhammar Glad you are taking a day of comfort. Hope you're feeling better soon. 4mo
AllDebooks @Bookwomble thank you 😊 4mo
AllDebooks @Bookwormjillk thank you 😊 4mo
AllDebooks @Librarybelle thank you 😊 4mo
AllDebooks @julieclair thank you 😊 4mo
AllDebooks @TheLudicReader thank you 😊 4mo
AllDebooks @jlhammar it's much needed. Thank you x 4mo
dabbe Feel better! 🧡🖤💜 4mo
AnnCrystal May your day of rest and favorites help you feel better soon. 4mo
Bluebird Hope you are feeling better! 4mo
AllDebooks Thank you all, I do feel so much better after a day resting x 4mo
50 likes23 comments
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Cazxxx
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Pickpick

‘I have been many things since last we met. I have been trees and rivers and hills and stones. I have spoken to stars and earth and wind. One cannot be the conduit through which all English magic flows and still be oneself.‘

5 ⭐️

AllDebooks This book 😍 maybe time for a revisit 6mo
Cazxxx @AllDebooks It was so good! 6mo
gossamerchild This was one of those books that I despised the first read through and then adored it on my second read through. Might have to read it again :-D 6mo
See All 6 Comments
Cazxxx @gossamerchild I think you should 😄 6mo
perfectsinner Wow, that's great. I got about 60% through it and bailed. Nothing ever seemed to happen and I was way too bored. 6mo
Cazxxx @perfectsinner I can totally understand that it wouldn‘t be for everyone 6mo
49 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
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Panpan

While there are aspects of this novel that make it an impressive accomplishment, it's not for me. I remain grateful to any work that helps me fine tune my reading tastes. Not only do I have it further confirmed that books which are either set in a historical time period or written in a style of a novel from an earlier time are rarely hits for me, I've got fresh evidence that I don't really enjoy books focused on the learning & practice of magic.

Robotswithpersonality There are tropes of historical novels which I can pluck out as exhausting to me: focus on etiquette/manners, tragedy striking love affairs, a war going on in the background, the women (and other minorities!) more often victims and plot devices than characters of import - though the way this book ended, a case could be made that basically everybody was being used! 6mo
Robotswithpersonality Not necessarily only historical book issue, this book also had more not-favoured features of long books: the slow unwinding of dastardly calculations from obviously despicable characters, and likewise those who might have been allies slowly making a mess of things, the folly of arrogance, the slow seeping poison of selfish insecurity... finding out it was 'all the part of the plan' really doesn't make up for getting us invested and then frustrated by characters for hundreds of pages. Fae are terrible, magic is dangerous, and after all that, even if it ended happily (up for debate), the reader's left with a lesson that in no way relates to their life. To me that can't help but be dissatisfying. Now I know! 🤷🏼‍♂️ 6mo
Robotswithpersonality ⚠️Outdated/offensive language for black person, period typical racism, antisemitism 6mo
16 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
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Cats: judging you for your own good.😆😾🐈‍⬛

Bklover A bit of truth to that! 6mo
12 likes1 comment
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Robotswithpersonality
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Self burn? ?
"... novelists were quite another..." ??

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Robotswithpersonality
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Painful authenticity added by mentioning the version where it's a group of persecuted women who leave the traditional domestic sphere is the less popular version of the story. 😑

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Robotswithpersonality
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Getting some real Gollum/Bilbo with the One Ring vibes here...my precious...📚

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Robotswithpersonality
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Don't mess with a French figurehead! 😄

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IndoorDame
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Keeping with my theme from last week‘s #weirdwordwednesday I love this one too! though it might be a tad too pretentious sounding to actually use, even in writing, (kinda a thing with this book if I remember 😆) #weirdwords @CBee

dabbe 💙🖤🩵 7mo
DaveGreen7777 As an aside, I do love the band Lacuna Coil! 😁🤘🎶 7mo
48 likes2 comments
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mspixieears
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Less than a month ago, had to get my cat bestie put to sleep, and given that she was excellent company and motivation to read (in order to provide her with a warm lap to sit on!), it‘s been hard to jump back on the bookworm bandwagon.

Not sure if starting a 1000-page novel was the best thing, but thought it might be motivating to do manicures based on the cover art of what I‘m reading. Most editions for this are dark-cool; love this cover.

Deblovestoread Sorry for your loss! It is never easy. 💜 9mo
mspixieears @Deblovestoread thank you 🐈💜 8mo
13 likes2 comments
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mspixieears

Such instructions and prohibitions, the magicians knew from the fairy-tales, are usually a little queer, but not very difficult to conform to - or so it seems at first sight. They generally follow the style of: (…) “Do not beat your wife with a stick made from wormwood.” (p37)

Please folks, do not be beating anyone with any sticks?!?! Unless it‘s a matter of survival?!?! (seriously)

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mspixieears
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My favourite book-reading companion had to be put to sleep over the weekend. This is the first book I‘ll be tackling without her snuggling on my lap, sniffing my hot drinks, and giving me affectionate wet-nose kisses as I wrestle with turning pages of books.

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perfectsinner

Abandoned halfway through.

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perfectsinner
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I was going to check this out from my library because I had it tagged in Libby as a potential read but when I saw it was almost 900 pages, I went with the kindle version instead to save my hands
I'm no stranger to big books and I love them, but my arthritic hands do not any more.. so kindle version won out this time.

14 likes1 stack add
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Ladygodiva7
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I was told by a online stranger that this is a REALLY good book, so here we are.

#bigbook #npr100sff

Bookwomble It is really good! Another Online Stranger recommendation! 😄 11mo
70 likes1 stack add1 comment
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IndoorDame
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Pickpick

I‘m left with mixed feelings. I‘ve tried & failed to read both the print & audio versions before, but the combo worked. All the complaints I usually hear about this are completely true, but they‘re also integral to the tone and atmosphere the author is trying to convey. Anything singular always pleases me, so this is a pick, but I couldn‘t decide if I wanted it to meander along forever or hurry up & get to the point. #Booked2023 #GaslampFantasy

BkClubCare Agreed; I ended up giving it a so-so, but I am very glad that I read it. 14mo
Cinfhen Excellent review 🖤🤍 14mo
Knitmaths This is next on my list to read having had it highly recommended by the husband! 14mo
See All 6 Comments
IndoorDame @Knitmaths I hope you enjoy it! 14mo
Ruthiella I loved this, but agree it is singular. I also read it quite a few years ago when I was better able to luxuriate with just one book at a time. 14mo
IndoorDame @Ruthiella I miss having the focus to read one book at a time 14mo
66 likes1 stack add6 comments
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IndoorDame
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So not the book I thought I‘d learn useful facts from! I remember hearing this term for the first time when I was around 8 years old and desperately wondering what it had to do with 🦍. But I wasn‘t the type of child who asked my parents stuff and this was before the internet, so until I got to this footnote today it never occurred to me to look it up 😂

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thepostman96
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Panpan

This was not worth the 1000 pages and 2 months it took me to read this. I wanted so desperately to like this book, but neither the plot nor the characters were at all appealing enough to keep me. Clarke mimicked 19th century style writing (which she did well) and it‘s a very “tell not show” style with flat characters. It can work for a shorter book, but it‘s a slog for 1000 pages. I would have DNFed this, but, of course, book club 😕

mcctrish 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done ( and thx cuz I‘m taking it off my TBR 🤣) 1y
IndoorDame I‘ve tried the audio version twice and never gotten very far, but I may give it another go next year cause it fits one of my challenge prompts and I‘m trying to read more of the books I own, plus I have so many friends who love it 1y
emz711 Aw such a slow burn, but for you to put down if you're not into it. You can try the miniseries on bbc! 1y
See All 8 Comments
emz711 I would also suggest her much shorter story. It's incredible! 1y
thepostman96 @emz711 I read Piranesi about a year ago and enjoyed it. That‘s one of the reasons why I was expecting to like this one. I think they‘re quite different, stylistically. 1y
thepostman96 @IndoorDame It picked up a little the last 100 pages, but in my opinion, 100 pages isn‘t worth the 900 it takes to get there. But a lot of people really like this book and I can see why. I needed either some more dynamic and developed characters or a quicker plot. 1y
thepostman96 @mcctrish happy to help 😆 1y
IndoorDame @reclusivepigeon good to know. Thanks! 1y
9 likes8 comments
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Magpiegem
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Well I‘m feeling rather pleased with myself. I am planning to read mainly from shelf/kindle next year. This is my #booked2023 physical TBR - I had so many that fit the brief! And I also have a couple on my kindle. I‘m just filling out my StoryGraph prompts so I don‘t forget what‘s what! Very excited to get going but first I need to finish up #booked2022 😂

Cinfhen Yay!!!!! That‘s awesome!!! Isn‘t it great when you already have a stack to choose from??!!? 😁 1y
39 likes1 comment
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Lizpixie
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#OminousOctober #Day16 #Wizards This novel is about two wizards, Mr Norrell who is a classically trained wizard, wowing audiences in London until another young wizard, Jonathan Strange comes & challenges his ways. A great read. #Scarathlon #TeamSlaughter 6pts

Emilymdxn I love this book SO MUCH 1y
Linsy Great cover! 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 💫🖤 1y
Eggs 🧡🖤🧡 1y
36 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Ast_Arslan
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#manicmonday #LetterJ @CBee

📚 Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (not my fav but I haven't read many books starting with J)
👤 Shirley Jackson
🎬 Jack
👨‍🎤 Elton John
🎤 Janie's got a gun - Aerosmith

fredamans Pretty sure it's Benny and The Jets though.... 😂 1y
Ast_Arslan @fredamans oh God! You're right 😂😂 1y
CBee @Ast_Arslan I can totally see how someone could think it was Jenny 😂😂😂 1y
See All 6 Comments
fredamans I will never sing Benny again though... I friggin' love it! 😍 😂 1y
Ast_Arslan @CBee I was struggling to find a song with J and my brain did the rest 😂 1y
Ast_Arslan @fredamans 😂😂❤️ 1y
23 likes6 comments
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AmandaBlaze
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Bookworm54
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It has been several years since I read this (as I finished it just as we moved into the house 4.5 years ago!) but it is full of #Magic

It is also now apparently a board game for 2-4 players… unsure how exciting it would be but I am intrigued 😂

#ScarathlonDailyPrompts #Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash

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PuddleJumper
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AllDebooks
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#alphabetgame #letterJ

My most favourite novel of all time

Also Jane Eyre, Jamaica Inn and Jamragh's menagerie

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing! 2y
25 likes1 comment
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TheRiehlDeal
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#AlphabetGame
#LetterJ

I would‘ve went with Junk Raft, but it‘s not a book I would scream from the rooftops for people to read it.
So for this prompt, I‘m going to go with a book on my TBR.

Elizabeth2 Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is such a good book! My book club read it and I didn‘t expect to like it, then ended up loving it. ❤️📚 2y
batsy Good pick! I was also thinking about this one. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing! 2y
23 likes3 comments
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SayersLover
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Pickpick

Whew! 😛 I finally finished! 🥳

This was quite challenging, reading it was like reading textbook of sorts. Clarke has a fascinating sense of humor and satire abounds. Thank goodness the pace actually advances somewhat during the last 100 pages or I don‘t know if I could have got through it.

Anyone who finishes this is to be commended. Overall, I‘d say it was worth the journey for me.

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SayersLover
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Still working my way through this chunkster, I finally made it to the third section yesterday 😮

It still reads a little like a history book, but I‘m gonna keep trying to finish.

Also please welcome my delightful co-worker who just joined Litsy and give her a follow @Sunspeckled

#welcome #LitsyWelcomeWagon

Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🥳 @Sunspeckled 2y
20 likes2 comments
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TheSpineView
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Eggs 🖤🤍🖤 2y
JazzFeathers It's been on my TBR for ages. I need to get to it. 2y
63 likes1 stack add3 comments
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andrew61
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#bookmoods #600+pages
I had a look at my litsy photos to find the last biggie I read and noticed it was in that great time for reading between Christmas and New year. I'd had this on my shelf for a while and as ever when I put it down wondered why it had taken me so long to get to it.

youneverarrived I always seem to be in the mood to read a chunkster around that time of year too. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 🤩 2y
sarahbarnes I‘ve had this one on my list to read for awhile. 2y
DivineDiana This is waiting on my shelves for the right time. Maybe this holiday season. 🤔 2y
41 likes1 stack add4 comments
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SayersLover
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1. Knitting and watching movies, I often do both. 😁

2. I mostly just skim reviews. I write them for Litsy and staff picks.

3. Anywhere in the sunshine ☀️😎

#wondrouswednesday
@Eggs

Eggs Lovely 🥰 2y
17 likes1 comment