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The Weekend
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
People went on about death bringing friends together, but it wasn't true. The graveyard, the stony dirt - that's what it was like now . . . Despite the three women knowing each other better than their own siblings, Sylvie's death had opened up strange caverns of distance between them. Four older women have a lifelong friendship of the best kind: loving, practical, frank and steadfast. But when Sylvie dies, the ground shifts dangerously for the remaining three. Can they survive together without her? They are Jude, a once-famous restaurateur, Wendy, an acclaimed public intellectual, and Adele, a renowned actress now mostly out of work. Struggling to recall exactly why they've remained close all these years, the grieving women gather for Christmas at Sylvie's old beach house - not for festivities, but to clean the place out before it is sold. Without Sylvie to maintain the group's delicate equilibrium, frustrations build and painful memories press in. Fraying tempers, an elderly dog, unwelcome guests and too much wine collide in a storm that brings long-buried hurts to the surface - and threatens to sweep away their friendship for good. The Weekend explores growing old and growing up, and what happens when we're forced to uncover the lies we tell ourselves. Sharply observed and excruciatingly funny, this is a jewel of a book: a celebration of tenderness and friendship that is nothing short of a masterpiece. 'A compelling and vivid look at the friendships we make as women. Honest, unsettling and, like all good literature, had me asking questions about life and myself.' Heather Rose, author of The Museum of Modern Love, winner of the 2017 Stella Prize
LibraryThing
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DHill
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Making another appearance is The Vaster Wilds in print. Just can‘t find much time to read, but I am starting a new audio.

#weekendreads
@rachelsbrittain

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Tamra
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Mehso-so

Nice to read older female protagonists! The element that troubled me is the women don‘t seem to actually like each other much, even before the death of one in their circle. I wouldn‘t spend my life with such “friends”, so it was a bit unrealistic for me. It kept pulling me out of the narrative.

Tamra It does take place over Xmas, but certainly is not festive or cheerful! 3mo
60 likes1 comment
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Kshakal
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

2 physical books: Montana Sky by:Nora Roberts and the suite spot by: Trish Doller
Audiobook: the daddy diaries by: Andy Cohen

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ShananigansReads
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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#WeekendReads

1. By the Book, Izzy Newton and A Grave Girls‘ Getaway
2. Audiobook (I only listen to one podcast)
3. Just finished The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich about 20 minutes ago.

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Centique
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

The premise of this book really appealed to me, 3 older women (around 70) meeting to pack up their deceased friend‘s beach house. We need a lot more books about the complex lives of older women! I enjoyed that these three women were angry and frustrated with each other, each with their own vulnerability and strength. It suited my mood to read something sharp and insightful, and I enjoyed seeing each character ⬇️

Centique through the others eyes. Definitely need to read more by Charlotte Wood. 2y
Centique PS my attempt at FridayFlowers from last week @Cinfhen but they shrivelled up in the heat very quickly! 2y
batsy Gorgeous colours 🧡 And the book sounds good. I've been meaning to read Charlotte Wood! 2y
See All 15 Comments
TrishB Lovely review though! 2y
LeahBergen Lovely flowers! 2y
Centique @batsy @TrishB @LeahBergen thank you ladies 😘😘😘 2y
Cinfhen OMG!!! I LOVE your flowers!!!! Gorgeous 2y
Cinfhen And book sounds good, too!!! 2y
Jeg Love your flowers and, being a woman in her 70s , I loved the book. Very relatable. One of my best reads. 2y
readordierachel Lovely review and photo! 2y
Centique @Cinfhen thank you so much Cindy! I hope you had (are having?) a safe trip home 💕💕 2y
Centique @Jeg I‘m so glad to hear that you liked it and that it rang true 💕 You have so many wonderful authors in Australia. 2y
Centique @readordierachel thanks Rachel 😘 2y
Cinfhen Im back! Landed last night 2y
Centique @Cinfhen yay! Glad you‘re safely home 💕 2y
79 likes3 stack adds15 comments
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DHill
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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1. Broken Harbor and Crying in H Mart

2. still reading but Broken Harbor. I think about it when I‘m not reading it.

3. Volleyball and laundry and reading in between

#WeekendReads
@rachelsbrittain

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DHill
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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🎧Unsheltered
📔Broken Harbor

Hoping to finish Unsheltered traveling to a volleyball tournament tomorrow.

#WeekendReading

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Good luck for both. 2y
44 likes1 comment
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Scochrane26
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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1. Started Where I Come From (Rick Bragg) on audio today. Trying to finish The God of Lost Words this weekend.
2. As usual, read the books I own. Participating in my library‘s book challenge.
3. Taste (Stanley Tucci)
@rachelsbrittain #weekendreads

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DHill
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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☑️ The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

☑️ Post-surgery visit with our puppy at ISU Small Animal Hospital

☑️ Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I started it some time ago and it‘s going nowhere. I am anxious to finish it.

#weekendreads
@rachelsbrittain

rachelsbrittain Sending lots of well-wishes for your pup! 2y
DivineDiana I hope your puppy is doing well. ❤️ (edited) 2y
27 likes3 comments
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Lindy
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

The characters of 3 longtime friends, all in their 70s, are each so distinct & believable that I found it easy to follow the shifting viewpoints in this poignant Australian #audiobook read by Pauline Constantine. The women are grieving the death of a 4th friend who was the glue in their friendship. An elderly dog* is an important & fully realized character too. If you love character-based novels, this is exquisite.
#LGBTQ
*note: Dog does NOT die.

Desha Haha I HAVE to know that the dog doesn‘t die...if the dog dies I can‘t read it!! 😂 3y
Lindy @Desha 😇🐕💜 3y
Cathythoughts Love character based ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
45 likes3 comments
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Lindy
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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The 30s were the age you fell most dangerously in love, Adele had discovered, after the fact. Not with a man or a woman, but with your friends.

(Photo: taken when my sweetie grabbed my phone before the start of a Heather Bishop concert in 2017, is of me with a dear friend who I first got to know when we were in our 30s. I miss live performances and getting together with friends.)

Crazeedi Great photo, you look so happy!!! 3y
Lindy @Crazeedi Thanks! It was a memorable evening, surrounded by women I had known for decades. 3y
batsy ❤️ 3y
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Cathythoughts I‘m smiling too ... happy days ❤️ 3y
TheLudicReader That is a joy-filled picture. 3y
Lindy @Cathythoughts @batsy @TheLudicReader Thanks, friends! It feels good to spread some joy. 3y
sarahbarnes This made me smile! ☺️ 3y
Lindy @sarahbarnes 😊🥳 3y
Crazeedi @Lindy the best kind of friends 💗 3y
CarolynM What a fabulous photo😍 It lifts my heart❤️ 3y
49 likes11 comments
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Lindy
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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View from my front step as I set off on a trip to the dentist with Australian summer in my ears. #audiowalk

MrsMalaprop What a contrast! I love Charlotte Wood. My favourite is 3y
Lindy @MrsMalaprop I loved The Natural Way of Things. This one is so different, but I‘m 5 hours into it and loving it too. 3y
Cathythoughts Beautiful snow ❄️ 3y
Lindy @Cathythoughts It‘s the soft fluffy kind that‘s easy to shovel, which is a bonus. 😊 3y
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Dolly
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Mehso-so

Read it. Wish I hadn‘t. The story in my head surpassed what was on the page. Juxtaposition of sentences was odd. Disappointed.

greenhairdontcare I just started this & am finding the sentences so odd! I thought it was me & my tired brain. 😂 3y
42 likes2 comments
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La_Cori
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

▶️ "Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince" (I'm at the end, but I'm not ready for what is going to happen..) and "Le assaggiatrici" ("At the Wolf's Table).

▶️ I have a few memoirs on my TBR: "Born to Run" by Springsteen, "Scar Tissue" by Anthony Kiedis and "Cash" by Jhonny Cash

▶️ Reset Me by Nothing But Thieves https://open.spotify.com/track/03HKbFZUW8yi1FBRAN0XUV?si=j5mwuNcwS3OJTOIegTY5Lw&...

33 likes1 stack add
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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

So really a 3⭐⭐⭐ read. It was good but only that. It was the same story on page 10 as it was on page 150 and again on 210. Three friends come together to clean out the house of their friend Sylvie who has died. Turns out it was just Sylvie they each liked - they dont like each other at all. And that was pretty much on repeat throughout the book. We don't get too in depth about Sylvie at all either so overall, it was just okay.

Prairiegirl_reading Well that‘s disappointing. I had this on my wish list. 😕 4y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Prairiegirl_reading yes I went into this one with high hopes! 😔 I'm bummed out ! 4y
Tamra I just listened to it and your observation is a good one. 3mo
40 likes3 comments
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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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😉😊 My Friday night. 💖

wanderinglynn 👍🏻 Me too. And Saturday morning, and Saturday night. 😂 4y
See All 8 Comments
AnnaDesourdy Same. At home reading with my dog and a beer and so freakin happy about it 💁🏼‍♀️ 4y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @AnnaDesourdy yes! The glass of wine is here too! Happy Friday!! 4y
Hooked_on_books Yes! All except the second line. I‘m not sorry at all. 😂 4y
29 likes8 comments
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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Three women in their seventies reunite for one last weekend at the cottage of their late friend. 👍

34 likes1 stack add
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CarolynM
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

I started off loving this but by the end I was lukewarm. It is great to find a story about older women and interesting to explore how the dynamics of friendship groups of change over the years, particularly following a member's death. The characters are well drawn and the tensions and irritations between them are very convincing, but I was less convinced about why they were friends in the first place. And a bit too much happened at the very end👇

CarolynM Between a pick and a so-so. #ozfiction #bookspinbingo 4y
JennyM I felt exactly the same and gave this a so-so, too. Just didn‘t quite work for me. (edited) 4y
JennyM And hi to your beautiful friend 🐈 4y
See All 16 Comments
merelybookish The premise of long time, aging friends is so intriguing. Bummer it didn't hold up. 4y
Freespirit I liked it but didn't love it either 4y
Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I agree with @merelybookish that the premise is so very interesting. I do not think much has been written on the subject; I haven‘t read any. I might give it a go anyhow. I‘ve been warned 🚧⚠️🙂 4y
CarolynM @merelybookish @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira I don't think it's a bad book, there is a lot to like about it, but for me it was a bit lacking. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Centique Great review Carolyn - and I love the floof! 💜🐱💜 4y
Jeg Being an older person😊, I saw myself and could pick similar friends so for me a thought provoking read and I really liked it. It felt very real to me. Right now my true close friends I can count on one hand, all very different . Nice to pick up a book and find people you know. 😊. 4y
Jeg Had another thought about this book. Put it away with a note on it “ read again when I‘m 70! “ 4y
CarolynM @Centique Thanks lovely😘 4y
CarolynM @Jeg Lots of it was really good, I liked the way she portrayed the psychology of aging, my main problem was what I saw as the thinness of the group backstory. I didn't feel there was enough to show us why they had a bond between them that kept them together even though they irritated each other so much. It would be interesting to read in again at 70. I might have to follow your lead🙂 4y
Tamra That was exactly my impression! 3mo
CarolynM @Tamra Charlotte Wood is very well regarded and this go5 a lot of praise, but I was a bit disappointed. 3mo
77 likes2 stack adds16 comments
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Cathy_J
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Mehso-so

This was very well written and I enjoyed reading it but now I'm trying to convince myself of a positive/uplifting message. I guess there doesn't have to be one. The characters are all unique and well defined and it was interesting, I just think it wasn't for me.

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suzie.reads
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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1. Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs & The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
2. Little Boy Blue by M J Arlidge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. I don't like books with hardly any chapters, I like to be able to stop at the end of a chapter, it's my ocd 🤣 Also don't like the plastic sleeves on library books, I know they protect the book but they are annoying 🤔
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

TrishB Same with the chapters! 4y
suzie.reads @TrishB funny isn't it? These Kathy Reich books are annoying in that way. 36 chapters in over 400 pages 🙃 4y
TrishB And the James Paterson ones are tiny! I hate it when chapters are 40 pages or so...or no chapters 😱 4y
suzie.reads @TrishB yeah it is annoying. I like the Helen Grace series for the short chapters 4y
rachelsbrittain I've learned that I really appreciate chapter breaks too. I think it helps my brain to have those section breaks as I divvy up my reading 4y
54 likes5 comments
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Rissreads
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

Gotta love it when your nail polish matches your book!
#Ozfiction
This was a gift from the lovely @JennyM Thank you my friend ❤️
I liked a lot about this book. I liked the old dog ‘Finn‘ even though it made me think of my dog Rocky who passed recently. I liked the fact that this book was about older women for once and I liked that they were all imperfect but very real.

JennyM So glad you enjoyed it lovely. And I agree...we need more books with older female characters. 4y
CarolynM I keep hearing good things about this. Stacked🙂 4y
Jeg One of my favourite reads for this year so far. I know all those women! 😊😊 4y
47 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Rissreads
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Thanks @JennyM enjoying this book so far. 😊❤️
#Ozfiction

MrsMalaprop Ha! I read this section out to Brett when I was reading this book. 4y
JennyM Ooo, I‘ll be interested to hear your thoughts. I just read it too 4y
Rissreads @MrsMalaprop this made me think of my boys and a lot of men I know. It‘s sad really. 4y
MrsMalaprop Brett loves reading fiction, but predominantly written by men 🤔. 4y
36 likes4 comments
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Joanne1
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Mehso-so

I have mixed feelings about this one. Wood is a wonderful writer which is clear here and in her previous book. Her characters are interesting and it‘s not often you find a book populated by almost entirely female characters in their 70s. But I found all three central characters intolerant, miserable, selfish and unkind humans. Why?! This is not the book I wanted and hoped it would be. But it‘s still extremely readable.

40 likes1 stack add
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Joanne1
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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We‘ve brought the kids to the waterpark in lieu of our burnt out beach holiday. It‘s not really my thing so I‘ve rented a little hut with a sun lounger and am enjoying my version of a fun day... good book and lots of cherries. Everyone‘s happy!

MariettaSG Curious to know what you think, I eventually enjoyed TNWOT but haven‘t read this one. 4y
Joanne1 @MariettaSG this is a much more straightforward storyline but I had issues with the characters. I preferred TNWOT. 4y
36 likes2 comments
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Freespirit
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

I liked this a lot. 3 lifelong friends get together for a Christmas weekend to clean the house of their dead friend. It tenderly touches on grieving, ageing, friendship, and the secrets we keep. I loved the story of Finn the failing elderly dog that was woven into it. From the author of The Natural Way of Things. #australianliterature #fiction

TrishB Stacked - this looks good 👍🏻 4y
35 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Freespirit
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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🎄Our tree with decorations dating back to the 80‘s
🎄Rarely shop on line...always leave it too late..love browsing the shops at Christmas
🎄We always opened one gift on Xmas Eve because our boys were busting to open something and we often used to play cards🤪
🎄Merry Christmas from me here in Australia😘😘
Thank you for the tag @CarolynM and @Eggs
🎄#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Beautiful 🎄💗!! Merry Christmas ❣️ 4y
CarolynM Lovely😍 4y
Cathythoughts I love it 👍🏻🎄❤️ 4y
Freespirit Thank you @Eggs @CarolynM @Cathythoughts Hope you have a lovely Christmas xxxx 4y
31 likes4 comments
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Rissreads
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Wow! Litsy people are the best people! Look what I came home to today. Thanks @JennyM for this book and card. It is very kind of you. I have had a terrible week but this has put a spring in my step and a smile on my face. I shall enjoy it over my summer holidays. And keeping with our little tradition I shall forward it to another Litten who would like to read it when I'm finished.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
😊🧡💚❤
#travellingbooks

Crazeedi Thanks so special! You deserve it, hope all is well my friend💖 4y
Bookwormjillk That is such a cute card! 4y
Rissreads Isn't it @bookwormjil. And very apt at the moment with the devasting fires we have had in Australia and all the beautiful Koalas we have lost ☹ 4y
See All 7 Comments
Rissreads @Crazeedi I'm so grateful to have you and so many other beautiful Littens in my life. ❤ 4y
JennyM I‘m glad it‘s arrived just when you need it ♥️ Hang in there lovely, the weekend is just around the corner xxx 4y
MrsMalaprop @JennyM So lovely 🤗😊❤️. 4y
36 likes7 comments
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MrsMalaprop
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

Charlotte Wood writes confronting fiction. This novel starts out feeling like a bit of a departure in that it‘s a about a group of Australian women in their 70‘s clearing out their deceased friend‘s holiday home.

But of course Wood explores their lives, thoughts and friendships with searing honesty. The characters come to life. The tension builds...

Bloody excellent writing. Wow. Just wow 👏😍👍. #ozfiction

Jeg It‘s going to be my next read. Giving a copy to a friend for Xmas. Will be interesting. 4y
MrsMalaprop @jeg You had better not get my book for our Secret Santa tomorrow then 😂🤭. 4y
LiteraryinLawrence Great review! I hadn‘t heard of this before but I‘m adding it to my TBR. Thanks! 4y
See All 7 Comments
Jeg Funny that. I almost thought of giving a copy too. Now wouldn‘t that have been interesting! I‘m fighting something so hoping I‘m ok for tomorrow. 4y
MrsMalaprop @Jeg Oh ☹️, I hope you‘re well enough to make it tomorrow 🤞. 4y
twohectobooks Um, sold! This sounds great 4y
Rissreads I loved The natural way of things so I will add this one to the pile 🤣 4y
54 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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MrsMalaprop
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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#booknlunch Thursday. Leftover cornflake chicken, slaw & sweet potato 😋. And some new #ozfiction. #currentlyreading

Nute I‘m curious about cornflake chicken. 4y
MrsMalaprop @Nute It‘s chicken breast coated in egg & crushed cornflakes, then pan-fried. Like schnitzel but crunchier 😊. 4y
Freespirit How's the book? I have it in my pile 4y
JennyM I‘m hearing good things about this one. And like, @freespirit it‘s on the pile 📚 (edited) 4y
MrsMalaprop @JennyM & @Freespirit So far so good 👍🤞. 4y
54 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Abailliekaras
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

3 women go to a beach town near Sydney to clear out the house of their friend who‘s died. I liked this. I appreciate Charlotte Wood‘s prose: grown-up, direct & unflinching. She gives you the truth even if it‘s not pretty- she doesn‘t fudge it. The characters are complex & real - aged 70, facing their mortality, regrets & what lies ahead. Honest re being a woman w precarious health & finances. The dog was off-putting & the ending a little flat.

BarbaraBB Sounds real good. I hadn‘t heard of it. 4y
Abailliekaras @BarbaraBB I‘ll be interested to hear your thoughts if you read it! 4y
BarbaraBB Have you read and if so what did you think of 4y
Abailliekaras @BarbaraBB a bit harrowing for me but a strong book and well-written. 4y
36 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Emilymdxn
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Im excited for this weekend! I love big Litsy events like this and will read my heart out in honour of the occasion! Well done @MrBook #mrbook1inamillion #litsypartyofone #24b4monday

I‘m at my parents for the weekend but have nothing on Friday night so I‘ll try to fit as much as I can in particularly while travelling!

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Lauredhel
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Turns out I will even throw a Charlotte Wood book at the wall. #fuckableism

ValerieAndBooks Ugh, I don‘t blame you! Being Deaf myself, I totally understand that hashtag. 4y
Prairiegirl_reading I‘m having a hard time with Maya Angelou‘s I know why the caged bird sings with so much of the word crippled. In the historical context I get it but it makes me shudder. The r word is worse for me. Also Margaret Atwood used it in the testaments and I almost stopped. She used it in the context of someone who was an asshole saying something rude so it made sense but still! Pick a different word!!! 😡😡😡 4y
Lauredhel @Prairiegirl_reading yes - old books are one thing, but it's 2019 and there's been no indication that this character is so terrible that they'd even use this language in tight third. 4y
KarynGood I have a daughter with special needs and every time I see or hear this word it breaks my heart. 4y
48 likes5 comments
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Lauredhel
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Top : just finished (and whoa, it's as amazing as you might expect from Tillie Walden). Bottom : about to start. The Natural Way of Things was incredible, so I hope I'm not going in with too- high expectations.

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keepingupwiththepenguins
The Weekend | Charlotte Wood
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Pickpick

How wonderful to see the complex interior worlds of older women represented in fiction, their lives shown as being something other than “over“! Set in the quintessentially Australian setting at the intersection of beach and bush, three friends come together over one Christmas weekend to clean out the holiday house of their friend who has passed away. Full review available to subscribers at http://www.keepingupwiththepenguins.com/new-releases/

jb72 I‘ve added it to my TBR. It‘s refreshing to find books about older women. 4y
LeeRHarry I really want to read this - nice review 😊 4y
Reggie Have you read The Lager Queen of Minnesota, because sometimes I don‘t think I‘ll live past 60 and there are women in there who are in their 70‘s thinking they got a good 20 years left and it shocked and excited me. It‘s a great book. 4y
See All 7 Comments
Reggie Also- stacked, lol. 4y
keepingupwiththepenguins @jb72 Right?? You'll love this one! Enjoy! 4y
keepingupwiththepenguins @Reggie Oooh, no I haven't, but that sounds great! Thanks for the rec! 😉 4y
32 likes4 stack adds7 comments