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Transcendent Kingdom
Transcendent Kingdom | Yaa Gyasi
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review
JacintaMCarter
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Pickpick

#2023Book52
I love Gyasi‘s writing. The characters were well-developed and realistic and while everything they went through was heartbreaking, the story still held onto a hopeful tone.

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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KathyWheeler I loved this book. 12mo
61 likes1 comment
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QuitaBanana
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Finally getting around to finishing this gem. (Ahem, months later) I need to stick to reading one book at a time

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IzzyLikeASundayMorning
Pickpick

I‘m a fan of Gyasi‘s work for sure. Coming from the perspective of an ex-Catholic pursuing a career in stem, I found myself relating to Gifty in a profound way. Typically I don‘t read books with religious themes because they often trigger me in certain ways, but I picked this up because I loved her book Homegoing. I think this book was beautifully written. It definitely brought my trauma to the surface though, so overal 4.8/5⭐️

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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

Gyasi pulls the curtains back to expose addiction and depression. She welcomes us to a first row seat to the numbing pain and smothering despair of surviving but not living. Be in a good place mentally before picking this one up.

58 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Santie
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Mehso-so

Gifty was raised to be a good Christian girl. To believe that God will always protect her. However, when her brother dies and mother succumbs to depression, she finds that religious piety isn‘t enough to console her. Thus she turns to science in search of the answers and meaning. She interweaves both to create an extensive acceptance of the world. Beautifully told and simply written, this is a novel about unlearning the shame of your existence

7 likes1 stack add
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

A lot has been said about this book so I won‘t add my clumsy synopsis, but I will say that I really loved it. I put off reading it for so long because I didn‘t think it would hold up to Homegoing. It was different but still just as heart wrenching in all the best ways.

#ReadingAfrica Ghana

Prairiegirl_reading Both five star reads just in a different way. Totally agree. 2y
CuriousG Agree 100%! Very different books, but both fantastic. 2y
Librarybelle I have this on my shelf…I need to move this up my list! 2y
BarbaraBB I loved this one even more than Homegoing! 2y
59 likes4 comments
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Scochrane26
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I read a lot of books last March, but my favorite was the tagged. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks a good choice, I enjoyed 2y
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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violabrain
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Pickpick

Her first book remains one of the best books I‘ve ever read, and this one joins that distinction. Outstanding in every possible way. As someone with a background in neuroscience, I loved the neuroscience stuff in here. A fun note: the protagonist‘s research is so similar to the research being done in Karl Deisseroth‘s lab at Stanford that I figured she must have talked to someone in the lab. Turns out I was right! :)

violabrain Karl Deisseroth‘s book on his research was one of the most poetic science books I‘ve ever read! 2y
13 likes1 comment
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bibliobliss
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Can an animal restrain itself from pursuing a reward, especially when there is risk involved?

There are some interesting scientific considerations in this book!

#currentlyreading #bookblurbs

KathyWheeler There are! I think this is the book that talked about a study on the visions schizophrenics had in other countries vs the visions they have in the US. I looked up the study; it was fascinating. 3y
bibliobliss @KathyWheeler 🤔👍🏼 so interesting 3y
KathyWheeler @bibliobliss It was in this book. (I found my old post about it.) Here‘s the study if you‘re interested: https://dci.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/12/Luhrmann.bjp-print.p... 3y
bibliobliss @KathyWheeler Awesome. Thanks for sharing! 3y
36 likes4 comments
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bibliobliss
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Cortg
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Pickpick

I feel like it‘s been a while since I‘ve finished a book 🤔 This one was good, very different from Homegoing which I like in authors. This book was about growing up with immigrant parents, addiction, mental health and more or less finding yourself and where you fit in, in the world. It was enjoyable and I liked how the narrator compares her work and her life throughout the story but not a favorite.

39 likes1 stack add
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bibliobliss

“What‘s the point of all of this?” is a question that separates humans from other animals. Our curiosity around this issue has sparked everything from science to literature to philosophy to religion. When the answer to this question is “Because God deemed it so,” we might feel comforted. But what if the answer to this question is “I don‘t know,” or worse still, “Nothing”?

#currentlyreading #bookblurbs #life

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bibliobliss

Now, I said, “Most people‘s immune systems are highly capable and efficient. Overprescription is a huge problem in this country, and if we don‘t take charge of our own health, we‘re susceptible to all kinds of manipulation from pharmaceutical companies who profit off of keeping us ill and—“

YES, thank you!! My thoughts exactly about Big Pharma

#currentlyreading #bookblurbs

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Currey
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Pickpick

I loved this multi-layered story about a brilliant young girl, Gifty, born in Ghana and raised in Alabama. It is a story about addiction, grief, loneliness and mental illness but the writing is so pure and clear that I did not get tangled in the horrors but rather fully engaged in Gifty‘s life and her search for answers from both God and Science. I thought at first the ending was too pat but upon reflection it was the perfect ray of light.

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behudd
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I have been singing Gyasi‘s praises since Homegoing came out in 2016,& I have been anticipating her next work since.This is not as intensely, immediately striking as Homegoing, but it is a deep, relatable story impeccably told.The tug between science &religion, the difficulty in relationships, the own voices represented in the first generation American - it‘s all written with care,talent &strength. I will always read anything she writes.

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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

A novel that oozes pain and sadness. The whole family feels it. It‘s not without love and hope though. It‘s about the choices we make, addiction, depression, how we cope with it and who is there to help, but so much more than that too. Beautifully told and I loved the way she wrote about religion and science. I could see parts of myself in Gifty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

HeathHof That cover 🤩 3y
squirrelbrain Great review! 3y
youneverarrived @Mynameisacolour it‘s lovely isn‘t it 💚 3y
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Megabooks Fantastic review!! 💕💕 3y
BarbaraBB Wonderful review. Glad you loved it! 3y
youneverarrived @Megabooks thank you! 😘 it really hit me this one. 3y
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB thank you! I liked her debut but loved this 🤍 3y
BarbaraBB I felt the same! 3y
BiblioLitten Beautiful cover and great review! ♥️ 2y
youneverarrived @BiblioLitten thank you 😘 2y
71 likes1 stack add11 comments
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Hestapleton
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Took a mental health day and I‘m curling up with this book for #lmpbc and I can‘t wait to share it with you ladies! I love it more than Homegoing!

staci.reads @ hestapleton It arrived yesterday! I'll make it my first read of August! I loved Homegoing, so I'm looking forward to this one! @LiteraryinLawrence @Mynameisacolour 3y
Hestapleton @staci.reads yay glad it came! I loved it so much more than Homegoing so I hope you like it! 3y
72 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Honeybeebooks
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Pickpick

I was skeptical of this sophomore work by the author as I was unable to finish her debut. This was a welcome change in tone, setting and plot. Raised Pentecostal in AL, Gifty faces racism, an absent father and terrible loss. Her beloved brother dies due to addiction and her stalwart mother succumbs to catatonic depression. Gifty is driven to study and cure addiction and to reconcile her faith in both science and God. A poignant novel. 4⭐️s

6 likes1 stack add
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Honeybeebooks
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“But this tension, this idea that one must necessarily choose between science and religion, is false. “ p. 198

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bibliobliss

"The truth is we don't know what we don't know. We don't even know the questions we need to ask in order to find out, but when we learn one tiny little thing, a dim light comes on in a dark hallway, and suddenly a new question appears. We spend decades, centuries, millenia, trying to answer that one question so that another dim light will come on. That's science, but that's also everything else, isn't it? Try. Experiment. Ask a ton of questions."

CaffeineAndCandy ♥️♥️♥️ 3y
43 likes1 comment
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bibliobliss
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Only 29 pages in, very different from Homegoing but I am glad the author can write in such different ways. I am starting this while I wait for a library copy of Homegoing to come back in; then I will continue with that one and see which book holds my attention the most! 😝 I'll probably still finish them both. I look forward to whatever Gyasi publishes. Good night!!

#currentlyreading #fiction #novels #librarylends #Africanvoices #diversereads

48 likes1 stack add
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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

This book had moments that hit me emotionally.Gifty is a neuroscientist studying behaviors related to addiction and depression.The book goes back and forth between the present and her past.She grew up in Alabama, the daughter to immigrants from Ghana. She saw her mother work long hours, her father leave and her beloved brother become addicted to opiates. It was beautiful and painful the way her history tied in with what she‘s doing professionally.

Meghan1 I really enjoyed this book, even though it wasn‘t something I would normally pick! 3y
52 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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bibliobliss
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Tell me all about this one. I am also currently reading "Homegoing" by the same author. Her writing is beautiful.

#currentlyreading #fiction #novels #librarylends #hardcovers

50 likes1 stack add
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Simona
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It was good reading month, some very good stories, some not so good ... and I can‘t remember when I DNF for the last time, but I put aside the book this month. Transcendent Kingdom was my favourite, and Bellini and the Sphinx by T.Bellotto was my DNF book.
#bookspinbingo

#bookspin
https://litsy.com/p/UjFaSkw1SHR6

#doublespin
https://litsy.com/p/T3Zwd2U2VjRm

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Great month!!! 3y
39 likes1 comment
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mollyrotondo
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What an excellent second novel from Gyasi. I loved everything about this book. The discussions and struggles of faith, the very realistic hardship and hurt felt by a family who loses a loved one to drugs, the need to find a solution through science, and the dynamic between mother and daughter. Everything was so honest and realistic. Recommend! This was my #bookspin No 2 pick and my #tbrdeckofcards 8♣️ a book with Kingdom in title.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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EH2018
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#librarian #libraries 💕💕📚💕💕

Erinreadsthebooks Love this book and libraries! Win win! 🤩 3y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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charl08
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She would see me, my worry and fear and embarrassment and anger, and she would say, "There will come a time when you will need someone to wipe your ass for you," and that would be that.

Liz_M That's a pretty cover. 3y
Cathythoughts Lovely picture 💫💫💫 3y
charl08 @Liz_M @Cathythoughts I only spotted the poppy heads after I finished - clever design. 3y
53 likes1 stack add3 comments
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thewallflower0707
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Mehso-so

Meh. I didn‘t really like all the religious talking. I also wasn‘t happy with the multiple mentions of parents punishing their children by beating them.

#YaaGyasi #novel #kindle #transcendentkingdom #womensprize

canbku Agreed 3y
20 likes1 comment
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Scochrane26
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My #bookspinbingo board for March. My favorite book is tagged. I got 2 bingos—a rare occurrence. @TheAromaofBooks Excited to make a new board tomorrow!

Annie1215 New board day is my favorite! I look forward to it first thing on the opening lol 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Fabulous month!! 3y
32 likes2 comments
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rjsthumbelina
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Bailedbailed

Unpopular opinion: I listened to the first 10 or so chapters and didn't want to continue. #triggerwarning I think it was related to all the bad stuff happening to animals. The main character experiments on mice and does brain surgery on them, the mice get in a fight and one is basically left to die, her mother killed a baby bird that she and her brother saved, and someone threatens a dog with a rifle 👇

rjsthumbelina I don't actually know how the scene with the dog ends - I turned it off before finding out. Disappointing, bc I liked the other elements of the story. But this one just wasn't for me 3y
29 likes1 comment
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mklong
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Pickpick

What an exquisite novel. I couldn‘t possibly put into words how profoundly and in how many different ways this novel affected me. My Women‘s Prize reading is off to a flying start. 4/16

staci.reads That wallpaper is stunning! 3y
mklong @staci.reads Thank you! 3y
53 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Nalbuque
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Pickpick

Total binge listen. So many relatable moments as far as being raised by a non American family, growing up religious and finding solace in science. Such a solid book, kinda sad but also inspiring, but not in a condescending way... I dno, this is different than other stuff I‘ve read before. Def recommend if you want a beautifully written memoir

#2021 #BlackAuthors #WomenAuthors #WomenInScience #Memoir

🎨 ig @ khari.raheem

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Twocougs
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Pickpick

Trust me...just read the damn book.

Megabooks 🙌🏻🙌🏻 3y
BarbaraBB You‘re so right! 3y
31 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Mitch
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It‘s cold and wet outside - so it didn‘t take much convincing Woodford that sofa cuddles and a few chapters was the way to go! 👍🏼

AmyG ❤️ 3y
AmyL What a cute reading buddy!! 3y
Mitch @AmyL he loves a nice snuggle! 3y
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iread2much Such a cutie! 3y
Gissy ❤️❤️🐶❤️❤️ 3y
laurenbooks Cute dog!!! 3y
109 likes1 stack add6 comments
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mcctrish
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Saturday mornings are the best

Soubhiville I can‘t wait for this book! My hold on the audio should come up in April. Enjoy! 3y
mcctrish @Soubhiville I hope the readers before you listen fast 🙏🏻 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I agree!! What is on your donut?! 🍩 3y
See All 8 Comments
mariaku21 Omg that mug! It's so freakin adorable 3y
mcctrish @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it‘s a pistachio doughnut and it was delicious 3y
mcctrish @mariaku21 I bought that at Homesense or Winners or Marshall‘s when I was supposed to be buying something else 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 in the early days of The Mandalorian when there wasn‘t much Baby Yoda stuff out there to buy and I almost screamed in the store I was so excited 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @mcctrish I‘ve never heard of that!! 3y
61 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Awomanwithabook
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Pickpick

It‘s only February and I‘ve already picked this as a favorite of 2021. Beautiful writing and a lonely, touching story that I devoured in four days. Absolute must read. 5/5.

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Moray_Reads
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Pickpick

What. A. Book. It's a simpler narrative than Homegoing but it's just as powerful. The ideas are deep and the interplay of faith, religion and science fascinating but Gyasi's strength is in her wonderful characters and her graceful, emotionally resonant writing. My first new 5⭐ read of 2021 #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

Freespirit Sounds great! 3y
Kalalalatja Couldn‘t agree more! 3y
Butterfinger Great review. 3y
See All 7 Comments
Moray_Reads @Kalalalatja it was so good! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
Julsmarshall I need to move this one up on my pile! 3y
BarbaraBB Can‘t wait to read it! 3y
51 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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vivastory
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What a brilliant idea @andrew65 In the spirit of the holidays I am including three books for #Day1 I thought I would begin with my faves from the #ToB shortlist which undoubtedly rank among the more moving & memorable books I have read this year. #12Booksof2020

Andrew65 Look great choices. 😊 3y
BarbaraBB I am happy I have these three to look forward to! 3y
Cathythoughts I‘m looking forward to Shuggie Bain 👍🏻❤️ 3y
See All 6 Comments
vivastory @BarbaraBB I hope that you love them as well. They're all special for different reasons 3y
vivastory @Cathythoughts I am really pleased that it won the Booker. Looking forward to your review! 3y
readordierachel Looking forward to all of these! 3y
76 likes6 comments
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CandiReadsBooks
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Pickpick

Nicely written novel detailing a mother–daughter relationship torn apart by the death of a son|brother. Gifty‘s mother falls apart after the death of her son from an overdose. The death of Nana sends Gifty‘s mom into a deep seemingly everlasting depression and Gifty into a whirlwind of scientific discovery to determine why her brother just couldn‘t end his drug addiction.

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LatrelWhite
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Waiting for these babies to arrive Sunday!!!

14 likes1 stack add
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ImmaEdeli
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I'm considering buying Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi because I loved Homegoing so much. But is is a little pricy so I was wondering if anyone had read it yet and what your thoughts were.

Nute I picked it up immediately because of the love for Homegoing. I haven‘t read it yet, but the reviews seems very favorable. 3y
5 likes1 comment
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Reviewsbylola
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#botm arrived today! The candle smells great. Kind of strong on first sniff, but I think it will be beautiful burning. And I love that TK has the gold foil. 🥰

Librariana Excellent selections! 😊 4y
Jemgirl2014 Nice! How'd you get a candle? So cool. 😀 4y
Megabooks Mine have started going from PA to IL to OH to IN and then to KY (hopefully tomorrow). But I‘m glad you have yours! The candle is really cute, isn‘t it?? 4y
Reviewsbylola There‘s a 2020 reading challenge on the app (when you click on your shelf.) Once you complete the challenge, you win a candle! @Jemgirl2014 4y
Jemgirl2014 @Reviewsbylola Thank you! I've been rating and reviewing on the app so I'm on my way! I have to read some debuts though. I'm 0 out of 3. Luckily, I still have Cassidy Jones on my shelf. Will be reading that one soon. 😊 4y
90 likes5 comments
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Beachesnbooks
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Was super surprised that #botm had 3 of my most anticipated September releases! Esp considering how popular Yaa Gyasi and Susanna Clarke are, I had convinced myself that none of these would be options. I rarely end up picking 3, but I had to this time. Really excited! 📚