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Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Thank you all so much for participating in this!
I love making up discussion questions. I absolutely love Sunday and discussion times. Highlight of my week. Whether the book is good or not! Ha.

Thanks to Misty who listens and reads my questions every week and splits up the book so I can take the book on fresh 💜 and catch any boo boos I make!

Next week is off.

Please join us next month for THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL.

AmyG Thank you always!!! I love my book club. ❤️ 4y

Prairiegirl_reading Thank you!!! 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Thank you for hosting. It was my first participation and really enjoyed the book 😉 and the discussion. You did a fantastic job, considering you threw the book 🤣 You deserve a 🏅 I will participate again. On a side note, I could do with a few less questions; it‘s time consuming 🤪 I get that I do not have to reply to all of them, but my interest & curiosity get the best of me 🙏🏻🧡 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗💗 I liked the cliched ending and loved her letter to him!! 4y

56 likes4 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Final Thoughts:

SO WHAT DID YOU THINK ...

GO..

also LOTS of birds used throughout this book and my DUH moment of not realising until the end that I was using a hummingBIRD bookmark the WHOLE TIME !

Anything I missed you want to discuss???

Librarybelle I enjoyed One Day in December more than this one. I can see why so many readers rave over the ending - it‘s sweet, charming, and romantic. Usually, I‘d be fully charmed too, but I just get past my mental block of Lydia and Jonah as a couple. Oh well! I was still engaged by the story and happy I read it. Thanks again. @TheBookHippie and @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ...looking forward to next month‘s selection! 4y

mollyrotondo I did not love or hate this book. I felt mostly indifferent the entire time. Mostly because I knew Jonah and Lydia were going to get together and I did not want that to happen. And the end felt disconnected from the beginning, especially when her family turned on her. But I loved reading it with everyone here! Can‘t wait for next month! 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I spent great moments with all of the characters. I found the Silver courageous to address mourning in a Chicklit formula. I accepted the unreal premise and followed Lydia & Jonah‘s transitions with interest; as they both made interesting revolutions, each in their own way. The end is cliché and it is not what I wanted, but the Silver brought it in with skill; I accepted it with a little Awww…. To read with the Beatles playing in the background! 4y

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Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira BUT...1 thing left me hanging, the bird references. I feel they were never addressed as meaningful icons. So, I guess it was as someone mentioned, just a resonance to her name, but then why bother. What am I missing, or did I miss?
1 thing bothered me. The letter was sent via mail, 3 weeks went by!?! I find it unreal that they would not have video chatted or texted, as it was their habit. I get Silver was going for time, but it‘s a fail for me.
(edited) 4y

TheBookHippie @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira exactly what was the bird thing ?!?!?! 4y

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle I couldn‘t get past the immaturity 🤣 oh well🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

ElizaMarie So .. I wasn‘t a huge fan but I enjoyed all our discussions and it made the book more tolerable. So ending yes... a little cliche but it helped me actually so-so enjoy it. Felt like at least there was something “good” to come out of it 4y

AmyG I am beyond thrilled no to have to discuss this anymore. I found this book to be a chore. 4y

Kimberlone I liked it but didn‘t love it 4y

Prairiegirl_reading I liked it. I have it a pick because it made me laugh and choked me up a few times. I didn‘t love the end (but it‘s rare that do with rom-com/romance)and I thought it dragged toward the end. I think I always want more for the women. I really wanted Lydia to leave her childhood friends behind and really move on, getting together with Jonah was kind of a cop out. 4y

TheBookHippie @ElizaMarie ❤️ 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG RIGHT?! 4y

vlwelser I'm ready for the next book. 4y

Mrs_B @ElizaMarie exactly! 4y

catebutler Not my favorite, I actually was hovering between a so-so and a pan. After a couple of days reflecting, I decided on a pan. 4y

Sargar114 I didn‘t like a good chunk of it but the last section was solid and brought it up to meh/so-so for me. It was an interesting premise, but didn‘t deliver for me. My favorite part of it was the discussion each week, it really led to some interesting topics. But I do wonder if it‘s a better read if you can read it quicker, but that‘s probably cause I liked the last section best. 4y

Sargar114 @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira good point about the videochatting, like, really?! Just radio silence? 4y

Sargar114 @TheBookHippie that‘s funny you were using a bird bookmark...is it a sign that we‘ll never get an explanation for??? 4y

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 The fact I didn‘t realize it cracks me up! I would have DNF this book. 🤣 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Sargar114 @ « is it a sign that we‘ll never get an explanation for??? » ??? 4y

ElizaMarie @Sargar114 yes! The discussion is the only reason why I didn't DNF this one. Some of my answers (though) I didn't think really add to the discussion but.. I loved reading others. Also maybe reading it faster would have helped but.. I kinda hated picking it up and kinda binged it the day before each discussion. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @mollyrotondo yes! That really pissed me off!!!! 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira the letter thing bothered me too! Why did it take so long and why did they go from talking everyday to Nada?! I loved the cliched ending 💗😂 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ElizaMarie I loved the letter to Jonah and the cliched ending! I needed a happy ending right now ❤️ 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kimberlone me too!! 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vlwelser me too!! Fingers crossed 🤞 4y

ElizaMarie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks yeah. I mean I normally wouldn‘t have liked this kind of ending. But... I feel like it was the only thing that “held” to together for me! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Overall this was so-so. The writing wasn't bad, but some of the plot points didn't feel cohesive as we've talked about. I think reading it over the course of the month gives me time to really think about the book, which might have made me enjoy it less. If it was straight through over a week, perhaps it wouldn't have felt like Lydia had the jumbo size sleeping pills. I would've liked the chance to get to know Freddie a bit before he died. ⬇️ 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick ⬆️And I really think Lydia needs a good girl friend. She mentioned having friends but were didn't meet them. @TheBookHippie Thanks for leading our discussions and not bailing on us. As for the rest of you, it's been a pleasure & I'm looking forward to reading with you in August @Librarybelle @mollyrotondo @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @ElizaMarie @AmyG @Kimberlone @Prairiegirl_reading @vlwelser @Mrs_B @catebutler @Sargar114 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I totally agree!!! 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick thank you. it was a pleasure reading your comments. Read you again in August 😊 4y

12 likes31 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #18

Small grey pebble ...
What did you think of Lydia‘s letter?
THEN
The kiss

THOUGHTS?

Librarybelle I knew this was coming; I‘m disappointed with the ending, but it makes for a good movie! Haha! I really wanted to see Lydia with someone else, someone who didn‘t have the shadow of Freddie. Maybe both Lydia and Jonah need each other for that reason, the old Freddie connection. 4y

mollyrotondo Just annoying. Too mushy for what I wanted from this story. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira At that point I was in for the ride toward the Lydia❤️Jonah finish line. I enjoyed the letter very much, very agile autor idea. I‘m especially fond of « there can be more than one happy ending ». I like that Lydia suggested it, opening the space to Jonah. I especially liked that, the author framed the kiss as being « adult », giving me a sense of it‘s about now, not their teenage past. 4y

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Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I think the pebble was a reminder of THEIR own anchor, that THEY were, before Freddie. 4y

AmyG Cheesy. 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG 🤣🤣🤣👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y

AmyG Ha! @TheBookHippie I am glad I could make you laugh today! Ugh, I just found this Book insufferable. 🤣 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG my other thing is I don‘t think the author has suffered grief in a close way and if she has it isn‘t written well or seem to be a true picture... 🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

Kimberlone I liked the ending, it was classic rom com stuff, but I just never felt like the romance between Lydia and Jonah was fully developed. For a good part of the book I even thought the reveal was going to be that Jonah was in love with Freddie. 4y

Prairiegirl_reading When I think about my childhood friends and the possibility of never having moved on from them and grown into my own person it‘s gives me the willies so I really wanted Lydia to truly move on. 4y

TheBookHippie @Prairiegirl_reading SAME! 4y

catebutler For some odd reason I didn't really care about them falling in love, especially since it seemed obvious that they'd fall in love once Freddie was out of the picture. Maybe I'm jaded,but it didn't make my little heart squeeze. 😂 4y

Sargar114 @Kimberlone Now THAT would have been interesting! 4y

Sargar114 I was pretty meh by the time they got to the kiss. It was fine, like @Librarybelle said, it felt like a movie ending. I would have been much more satisfied with it ending with Lydia coming to terms with her new self even if there was the allusion to a relationship with Jonah 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG awwww Amy 🤣🤣 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kimberlone I hadn‘t thought of that 😳 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved her letter and the cliched ending 💗💗💗 4y

TheBookHippie @Kimberlone I had that thought at the beginning which I would hand preferred as a story line! 4y

TheBookHippie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Bless your sweet heart 💜💜💜💜 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick On it's own, the letter was sweet and I'd be rooting for the couple but knowing what we know about them, I just didn't love it. I wish the author realized there could be more than one ending. Maybe in a film undeniable chemistry could sway my opinion. @Kimberlone THAT would've been fantastic! @Librarybelle @mollyrotondo @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @AmyG @Prairiegirl_reading @catebutler @Sargar114 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👊🏻🥰 @Kimberlone 😮😅 it never crossed my mind! (edited) 4y

11 likes21 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #17

Lydia‘s new job. Good to get her creative part work ? Change in general healthy for her?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I really liked that twist! Life responding to her need to reinvent herself. I really enjoyed that she went in with an open mind and gave new breath to the library. I‘m bias though, because I could enjoy her job. Books, people, and events, pretty great 🥰 4y

TheBookHippie @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira this job seemed to fit her! She seems so happy in it. 4y

Librarybelle As a librarian, I can attest to how great of a job it is, and how rewarding it can be... 4y

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mollyrotondo Yes definitely think this new job came at the right time for her reinvention. 4y

Karisa I liked it and how she got to merge her skills in event planning at the end to bring more of the community in. 4y

vlwelser It seems like a better fit. Or maybe it's just a more interesting job. 4y

ElizaMarie Although changes (any kind) can be difficult I think they are so important to occur when one is grieving. So I think this new job is perfect! 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa 👊🏻🥰 4y

Mrs_B I liked it was giving Lydia a chance to change - flex her new personality changes! I feel like the Freddie-Lydia would not have enjoyed this job as much. 4y

Sargar114 Definitely good for her. I felt meh since she basically blew off her job, she was lucky they had something for her. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ElizaMarie I agree and I‘m not one for change!! 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Librarybelle I want to be a librarian!! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Good change. Luckily the opportunity was there at the right time! I did think it was cute that Ryan occasionally came down at lunch to visit. The new coworkers seem like a hoot, too! @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Librarybelle @mollyrotondo @Karisa @vlwelser @ElizaMarie @Mrs_B @Sargar114 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

9 likes13 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #16

Jonah singing Lydia to sleep. What do you think of their relationship?
When he comes home she sleeps when he holds her on the couch. Peace? Soulmate ?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Bonding, setting their « intimate » routine. I felt that Jonah telling her that he‘s got her was heart warming. Offering her a safe « place » was major. 4y

Librarybelle It was a touching moment, but I‘m not a fan of the relationship, as discussed in prior questions. 4y

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle at what point does she say I was an idiot I picked the wrong one ?! 🤣🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️🙄😬 Will they live under Freddie‘s shadow?! I don‘t think Freddie is the better man. 4y

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mollyrotondo Eh it was fine. I would have liked it better if Freddie was never in the picture. And I agree @TheBookHippie Freddie was such a jerk. I had this feeling very early on but wasn‘t sure if it was just me. And then it was finally confirmed near the end. I really don‘t like him 4y

Karisa It was sweet. The author did leave her quite alone at that point. It forced the need for someone on her side. Dream Freddie was a jerk, but we don't really know how Lydia/Frecdie would have turned out. Is that problematic that his memory is tarnished by her dream world projections? How accurate are they? 4y

AmyG I always wondered if Jonah didn‘t always wish he was with her. I think over time they will realize that it should have probably been the two of them...always. 4y

ElizaMarie Jonah was/is a sense or comfort for her. I think it is sweet 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa I don‘t think her life memory of Freddie are tainted by the dreams one, but the hard dream episodes helped her to let go. 4y

Sargar114 Yeah...it pretty much forced the point that they would be getting together at the end. It was a nice scene...but like others said meh. I think it‘s hard to have an accurate picture of Freddie because we only really see him through Lydia‘s dream. 4y

Sargar114 @Karisa @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira I think she was starting to see that dream Freddie was staying to affect her memories of him which was a big reason for her to stop taking the pills. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved it!! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I was glad they only literally slept together here. I was nervous. I already liked Jonah so I thought it was sweet that he sang to her & provided comfort. But since I'm a broken record, I didn't want them together. @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Librarybelle @mollyrotondo @Karisa @AmyG @ElizaMarie @Sargar114 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick me too!!! 4y

10 likes13 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #15

Charlotte and the caterpillar book. Becoming a butterfly and the baby smiling .
Do you think Elle had a right to be mad at all and hold a grudge for Lydia being gone.. ?!

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira She‘s allowed her own hurt. I can relate how she could feel abandon and how Lydia could also be rejecting her baby. Hard feelings to cope with for an exhausted, overwhelmed new mother. 4y

Librarybelle I got so excited when Lydia talked about the caterpillar book - I adore Eric Carle‘s books for kids! I‘m sure Elle felt she deserved to be mad for Lydia leaving, but I don‘t 100% agree with her grudge holding. 4y

mollyrotondo She had no right to hold a grudge. Seems petty to me. I can understand feeling a little upset but not enough to hold a grudge. 4y

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Karisa @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira I agree. New motherhood is a tough time too. If Lydia is allowed to grieve in her own way, her sister is allowed to feel overwhelmed and alone too. 4y

Karisa @Librarybelle I loved the mention of that book too. I read it so many times to my babies flapping the covers/wings of the butterfly at the end everytime. I think her niece will still love her just the same. 4y

AmyG The symbolism of this book didn‘t escape me. As for Elle‘s grudge...I understood it. She had always believed her sister would be there. And she wasn‘t. Add hormones and post partum depression. (edited) 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG I found her immature the entire pregnancy and new motherhood but maybe it was she just couldn‘t cope. She seemed about 15 years old to me 😬. Hormones and shifting chemicals can do odd things she seemed to just be overwhelmed and unprepared which creates anger. She wanted someone to fix it I think. Which isn‘t Lydia‘s job, as it wasn‘t Elles job to fix Lydia. 4y

AmyG @TheBookHippie I agree. I was just trying to understand why she would think this way. I, too, found her very immature and self-centered. 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG So bizarre to write this like this 🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

AmyG I felt like this....🤷🏼‍♀️....throughout the book. 4y

vlwelser I think I'd be annoyed if my sister were this selfish. Lydia. Not Elle. The grudge holding seems a bit immature. This whole book is meh. Like she's pulling teeth to create plot lines. 👎 4y

ElizaMarie So with this I am or 2 minds. I don‘t have kids so I don‘t know what being a new mom is like, but. Also it‘s not fair to expect someone to drop everything for you when you have your own life going on. Lydia needs to heal. This takes time. Also it‘s not always done in a way others understand. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @AmyG I agree, as sisters they probably talk for months about how it was going to be when the baby was going to be born. Lydia was probably going to be very present, and then NOT 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y

Sargar114 Like @AmyG said, I attributed Elle‘s anger to postpartum depression. I didn‘t hold her anger against her cause hormones can be a bitch and really do make you act irrationally. I think that‘s why she was the one to forgive her sister a little quicker. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I want to drop everything and do the same thing!! Ughh so stressed!!! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I blamed this extreme reaction on the post-pregnancy hormones but I don't have kids so I can't speak from experience. Maybe I was just trying to justify it because early on Elle seemed pretty likeable. 4y

10 likes16 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #14

You don‘t get over someone you love. You have to carryon not thinking everything is second best. Truth ?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Yes, wise words. Comparisons and expectations are fatal to the spirit of relationships. 4y

Librarybelle You never do get over someone you lose, and I don‘t think it‘s fair to compare a lost loved one with someone new. 4y

mollyrotondo Yes I agree. It‘s hard to fully get over someone. And you can not compare everyone and everything to that past relationship. Every relationship is always different. 4y

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AmyG It‘s hard not to compare. I think the more time away from the loved one- the leas you compare. Maybe. 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG I worry he‘ll be a measuring stick never obtainable to be like 🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ however Lydia seems to have admitted his flaws. 4y

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle Me either. I think some people are able to, and some not perhaps. Which is probably true if the new partner as well🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

ElizaMarie I think partially this is true but. Since she had dream jerk Freddie then he isn‘t this super high standard to compare others to anymore 4y

Sargar114 I think it‘s human nature to compare. It would be unfair of someone to not expect her to do it, however I agree if it‘s a constant thing then it would be an issue. She will understandably always have a place in her heart for Freddie, as long as he‘s not the only one to have it and she‘s able to love herself and others. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Librarybelle agreed 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick It's difficult not to compare but at some point I think most people realize that different can be good. Guy #1 might pack your lunch but watches too much sports. Guy #2 might not pack your lunch & leave the toilet seat up (guy 1would NEVER!) but takes you to brunch on Sundays and reads quietly with you. @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @AmyG @Sargar114 @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick 😅 great way to put it 👍🏻 4y

6 likes11 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #13

Lydia saying goodbye
Thoughts on the goodbye over iPad?
ALSO SHE HAD 11 pills LEFT?!

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Necessary step, closure on her own time and way. She only took 19 pills over 2 years, that is 0,02% sleeping aid. 4y

Librarybelle It was good closure for her. 4y

mollyrotondo Yeah how did she still have 11 pills left? It felt like she took bottles and bottles of pills to escape into that dream world. I‘m surprised she never refilled that prescription. And the iPad goodbye was depressing. I know she needed to finally say goodbye since she wasn‘t able to in real life. But it was eye rolly since it‘s an iPad goodbye. 4y

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Karisa How did I not catch the iPad goodbye? I guess the pills distracted me. I was glad she finally let the dream go. Shows healing. I don't think we normally allow people to grieve for that long irl. I think they still often do, but rest of world forgets that the grieving process is still going. 4y

AmyG I missed this as I did alot of skimming. 4y

TheBookHippie @AmyG 🤣🤣🤣 4y

Kimberlone It needed to happen. I was glad when she finally made the decision to stop escaping into her dream world 4y

vlwelser Finally. 4y

ElizaMarie At this point any goodbye is a good one 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @mollyrotondo she has 19 « Asleep » episodes in a little under 2 years. I counted. The math works will a bottle of 30, which equals a month‘s worth if use daily. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa I agree, as if after the first year of firsts, all was checked ✅ A lot of later healing is done alone, as she did in Croatia. 4y

Mrs_B I was grateful to see the end of the “asleep” scenes - felt like Lydia was finally having some closure and moving forward. 4y

Sargar114 I was happy when these scenes were over. The iPad goodbye was meh, but it was fine. I was happy she got her closure and it seemed like she expected it to happen that way. Also I‘m guessing if she said goodbye “in person” she might not have dumped the pills 4y

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 oh good call. It was easier to dump the pills! 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It needed to happen.. not sure I could have done it though. 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Yes girl, finally! The iPad goodbye was definitely depressing. I read all this for THAT send off?! I was singing 🎵Wash those pills right down the drain, down the drain, down the drain🎵At this point I think I was just ready for this to be over because I knew what was coming. @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @AmyG @vlwelser @Sargar114 @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Mrs_B @ElizaMarie @Kimberlone @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

10 likes16 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #12

What did you think of her cutting and donating her hair ?
BRAVE
adding to the words that describe my life right now.

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira 💜💙💚💛🧡❤️ 4y

mollyrotondo Sure. I know some people need to change their appearance, usually their hair, in order to really feel like they are a new person. I‘m not one of those people because I know I‘d look horrible with short hair. My head is way too small for short hair. I‘d look like I had a pea on top of my shoulders 😂 I‘m more of a new wardrobe person haha 4y

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo I look like a QTIP with short hair 🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

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mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie 😂 I get it. I‘d love to dye it an interesting color but I‘m afraid to show up at my office with color in my hair. Another fear of mine to harken another question of yours 😂 4y

Librarybelle It was a giant step. I usually have shoulder length to longer hair and have on occasion decided to chop it off into a chin length bob or something. I hadn‘t really thought of bravery, but it really was a big step to do something that she knew Freddie would not like. A good moment where she did something for herself. 4y

Karisa I liked it and thought it worked for the character. Sometimes you need an outward change to signal an inward change. 4y

AmyG I‘ve done this. To me it was symbolic, a new start. A new me. 4y

Kimberlone I‘ve had every length of hair, including a pixie cut. In fact, my shortest hair cut has always been my favorite. I now have shoulder length hair again, but I hate that cutting your hair in books/movies always has to be this big deal. Can‘t a girl just want to try out a different style without it being some giant milestone or response to trauma?! 4y

TheBookHippie @Kimberlone HA RIGHT? Why is it always HAIR LENGTH ? 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick This felt so cliché to me I rolled my eyes and startled the dog when I hit the book and yelled "of course she did!" ? Is this the international hairdo of the Single & Ready to Mingle demographic? Maybe I'm not brave enough but I can't imagine ever needing to cut my hair to a pixie length. Chin length is the shortest I go. @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @AmyG @Kimberlone 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa it makes people look at you differently, they pay more attention for a while. Lydia needed that from others and from herself. @Kimberlone I totally agree 👊🏻 I change often & Pixie is my favorite. Silver Pixie at the moment and totally enjoying it 😁 4y

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Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #11

And all this time I‘ve been trying to pull her back ...

Grief is different for people
Is Lydia facing hers now or was she all this time just in a different way ?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I feel she was all this time. One step at a time in her own way, which is the only way anyway. 4y

mollyrotondo She was in her own way. But she was trying to grieve for a person at the start. And then she realized that she needed to grieve for her old self and become a new person. That‘s when she was finally able to move on properly. 4y

Librarybelle Lydia faced her grief in different ways, I think. So much to mourn and to move on from, that she had stages of sorts. 4y

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Karisa @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira I agree. The dreams were her way of dealing with the grief. Maybe it was easier for her to think of Freddie leaving in a different way than death? Maybe it was easier to feel mad/sad at him for choosing work over her than him leaving her by dying? Or her way of making sense of the anger that often comes with grief. 4y

AmyG We all face grief differenly. Lydia was doing it her way. 4y

ElizaMarie Lydia (I think) delays some of the grief by living in the dream world. Although I don‘t agree with it that was her process :( 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @mollyrotondo I like how you highlight, the grieving of who she was. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa interesting, maybe she needed to feel he was somehow choosing to leave, instead of being taken away from her. Also that part of Freddie choosing work over her, gave her an outlet to feel anger, which is part of the grieving stage; and had not been yet. 4y

Sargar114 I preface this with I‘ve never really had to deal with this level of grief. That being said, I get like she was avoiding her grief by going into the dreamworld. I think that‘s why she really started her healing/grieving when she was in Croatia. She only went to that word a couple of times and got to finally say goodbye to Frieddie 4y

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 So I have dealt with grief of this level- more than once -and my question is has the author really ? Maybe she has but it didn‘t come through authentic for me. Taking in everyone grieves differently. Me personally I need to be alone in the process. More people around or trying to help aggravated me . Everyone grieves differently of course it just didn‘t ring true here it was more like a break up vibe for me. Not grief. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick She dealt with it in her own way. It might not have been my way, but she was working through it. I've only lost my grandfather and he was sick. I felt sad, but I had lost him before his actual death to Alzheimer's & dementia. @Karisa I like your point that perhaps she needed him to leave another way, this her dreams. 4y

8 likes11 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #10

ASLEEP. Again. I couldn‘t believe it. She gets home and goes back. Freddie and her relationship was reliant on being in person. Odd? Normal ?
Match this with the non in person relationship that she has with Jonah now that is comforting. ...

mollyrotondo Yeah why go back? He was a jerk and that honeymoon was her moment to realize she didn‘t need that life anymore. She goes back to sit in an empty house while he stays in California for weeks on end? Uh we needed to move on from the dream world by that point in the story. And yes this shows us too that Jonah and her are much better for each other. We get it 🙄 4y

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 4y

mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie 😂😂😂😂 4y

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Librarybelle Do you think she wanted some closure in the sleep world? I know she wanted to see what happened after the honeymoon, and personally, seeing that Freddie was still away, on a beach, for work, was just crazy. I wasn‘t convinced with the final goodbye and both acknowledging it was hard to be apart. I still don‘t like Freddie. 4y

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle I don‘t like Freddie. I don‘t think he truly loved her. I think he‘s the boy in middle school you learn what not to date after being with him 🤣 4y

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie Oh! I like that! 4y

Karisa 🤔 I hadn't thought about that parallel. Both her guys are so far away. Good catch. Do you think there are couples in real life that live like (dream) Freddie and Lydia with one just leaving the other behind? 4y

TheBookHippie @Karisa Yes. Absolutely. 4y

AmyG I hated the sleep part. I understand it‘s use but not for me. @TheBookHippie I didn‘t like him either. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Librarybelle I agree, closure. 4y

Sargar114 I‘m guessing she went back after the honeymoon to try to have a more positive experience. Then clearly realized he would be absent there and that may be more unbearable than his actual absence. I‘m glad she got to “say goodbye” even though it was cheesy. Good point @TheBookHippie about Freddie‘s physical presence being a big deal versus her bonding with Jonah being a world away. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I think I‘m the only one who liked the sleep parts!! I love sleep and when I‘m depressed it‘s what I do. Is that good? No... but if I could spend time with my loved ones who have passed I would definitely want to... (I‘ve never lost a significant other so that‘s different!) 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I expected she'd need to say goodbye to dream Freddie. Weird that he was still in Brazil weeks later wooing a client. I know there are couples who are apart often and if it's legit business (not shady adultery trips) & the SO left behind has family/ friends/ hobbies, it's not bad. Hell I wish my guy would get sent on a trip for a week! 🤣@mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @amyg @Sargar114 @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I really enjoyed the sleep parts! I‘m glad you did also. I tend to sleep also when I‘m not 100% aligned with life. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick 😂 As much as I line time with, I enjoy time apart from time to time. I especially enjoy time ALONE. I have to admit we get each our share of being away on recreation activities. 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira yay!! Glad I‘m not the only one!! 4y

9 likes16 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #9

Ellie‘s reaction to Lydia being gone ? Selfish? Is that really Lydia‘s job?
You can hardly compare losing someone to gaining someone, agree with Lydia?
Honestly folks that made me so angry. What a comparison. Just wow. Childish was my thought, you?

Lydia‘s mom reacting when she got home. Is it just me or are these people unreasonable ?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I think Elle and her mom felt abandon by Lydia, at a time they did not expect, especially after both having been there so much for her. Even though I enjoyed that Lydia left, her going away was really out of nowhere and for a long time. I can feel their pain. 4y

TheBookHippie @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira I don‘t think Lydia would have healed -she needed to be gone. Them thinking only about themselves to me was horrifically selfish. If they gave to her only to receive back from her they really didn‘t give in the first place. If you give with expectation you aren‘t giving. The answer was inside Lydia. Whatever it took her to find it I think is permissible. If your relationship is what do you give me, it‘s wrong. 4y

TheBookHippie @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira I think part of their pain was for self only. Also they didn‘t get to say. Maybe they aren‘t use to Lydia being so independent. 🤷🏽‍♀️ hurt she didn‘t tell them I can understand but she wouldn‘t have been able to leave then. Grief is crazy. All kinds of emotions come to surface. 4y

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mollyrotondo This all annoyed me too. It‘s like when you treat someone like a doormat. They wanted Lydia to be there from them (after she was there to deliver the baby into the world btw) when it isn‘t Lydia‘s responsibility to help them take care of their baby. It is true that someone grieving needs support more than a husband and wife who choose to have a baby. It doesn‘t become a family project. It‘s their baby. Why are you mad that your sister isn‘t ⬇️ 4y

mollyrotondo there to help you take care of your child? When she is trying to find herself again? If they weren‘t used to her being so independent and they got mad at her for trying to finally be independent, then they are very selfish people. I didn‘t like this part because it felt like such a switch from what we had already read of these people. 4y

Librarybelle I guess I could see Elle and her mom‘s side of things, but I also don‘t think Lydia was selfish for leaving. Sure, it was rash and she could have maybe said something on her way out the door, but she needed this. Losing someone and gaining a new life are different things. Both emotionally charged, for sure, but the emotions are so different. Admittedly, I was irritated with Elle and her mom. Lydia has done some odd things, but didn‘t deserve this. 4y

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo THREW THE BOOK HERE 4y

mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie oh I wondered which part made you throw the book. Yup definitely agree. This was frustrating. 4y

Karisa Elle/Mom did annoy me at that part. However, when I thought about it more, I appreciated it. Life is not always perfect. It's messy. Their reactions seemed more authentic. Big choices and growth sometimes come with some tough consequences too. Everyone is the "main character" of their own life story. 4y

Karisa @TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo 🧱 📖💨 Sometimes a book is just asking for it. Sometimes situations in real life too. 😆 4y

AmyG Lydia delivered the damn baby, what more do they want? FFS on that part. 😳 Their reaction seemed normal to me. Lydia had never behaved this way- always did the right thing. So they were kind of shocked. And who lnows how much Lydia expressed to them so maybe they didn‘t know how much she was hurting. But- most people think of themselves. (edited) 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @TheBookHippie I get what you mean, and even though I fully support Lydia in her journey, I can resonnate with the fact that family dynamics around death and birth can be link to the need of presence, to get through the overwhelming transition. Lydia got support for 2 years, and she fled to another country on the day of her sister brings life into the world. I get Elle‘s take on the situation. I get both. ⏬ 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira ⏫ Life is often about choosing between hard choices. In those cases, what ever we chose, there is be consequences to deal with. Communication & time heal. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @TheBookHippie 🤣 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa 👊🏻 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I don‘t think Elle expected Lydia to take care of Charlotte. I feel she was upset about not sharing the ⬆️⬇️ of this new situation with her sister. They were always a team (mother included) and suddenly NOT 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y

Sargar114 I didn‘t quite understand their anger at her. I attributed Elle‘s to postpartum depression. Her mom just looking out for Elle since she was the daughter there 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y

Sargar114 @TheBookHippie 😂🤣😂🤣 4y

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 I thought it was ridiculous!!! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick At first I was shocked - how dare they be mad at her for going away?! Maybe a little miffed she gave zero notice, but something to get over. Then I thought about it deeper. They were there for her in her time of need and now she was gone, abruptly now that baby is here. My SIL just had a baby & the father isn't really involved. She needed a support system the first couple of weeks. If Elle's husband couldn't have time off to help much, ⬇️ 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick ⬆️ I get that perhaps Elle & mum were hoping/anticipating Lydia would be around at first to help the new family get their bearings. I think the anger would've made more sense if it was in regards to the ever-expanding time she was gone as opposed to her actually leaving. @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @AmyG @Sargar114 @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira 4y

5 likes21 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #8

What would you do if you aren‘t afraid ?

Have you ever thought about this seriously?
Do you have an answer?
(You don‘t have to say what it is)
Did you pause and think about it?

Did Lydia?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira It is part of my spiritual questioning. I love that she cut her hair. It is an action that I do from time to time, when I need to change things. Shaved my head last April; took out the color dye. I‘m also a new me, healing from my own stuff, following the death of a dream I was invested in for the past 3 years. Maybe that is why I enjoyed that story more than most. I could relate to Lydia‘s need to sleep and take things at her own rythm. 4y

mollyrotondo If I wasn‘t afraid, I would drop everything and move and get a new job. But big life decisions are very scary. It‘s hard not to think so hard about big life choices. That‘s why it‘s better to start small and slowly work our way to the larger changes we want to see in ourselves. 4y

Librarybelle Maybe be more spontaneous? I would probably walk away from difficult situations and worry about consequences later. I‘ve not really thought too much about this... 4y

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Karisa I think there was a few times over the years that I would have found a new job or even line of work. I have made many pros/cons lists over the years. Glad for the stability right now though. I think Lydia just started doing this with the Criatia trip. It wasn't very intentional though. I could not just take off like that. My jumps need lots of thinking. 😉 4y

ElizaMarie So. When I started travel nursing it was partly to reinvent myself and live for me (I had recently gotten divorced, my father had just died and I was just tired of always being the caregiver — funny as I am a nurse) anyway I think now. (Remarried) if I wasn‘t afraid I would move without having all the contingencies planned out. There is always a reason this isn‘t the “right time” 4y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I would have an “Eat, Pray, Love” experience!! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'd probably try living in another country but many factors keep me right here. Job, location, family, etc all things to consider and maybe a little less fear but the unknown. Lots of work involved to do so. Overall I'm happy but I think it could be a life changing experience. @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ElizaMarie @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Karisa @Librarybelle @mollyrotondo 4y

ElizaMarie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick do you have a country in mind? 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I loved London, England when I was there and the prospect of being closer to the rest of Europe is appealing. Canada could be interesting as most of the big cities seem similar. If I was of the same mind when I was young I'd have studied more languages and places. 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @ElizaMarie I forgot to tag you in my reply. 😁⬆️ 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🥰 4y

ElizaMarie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Remind me again where you are from? I would love to move to the Caymen Islands. But actually am more than willing to stay in the US just want to get into a different location! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @ElizaMarie I am from NJ, not too far from New York City. I haven't been to the islands other than Puerto Rico in 1997. I don't know how I'd fare with the heat. I like history and exploring so being in Europe ("where the history comes from") could be good. Where are you from? Would the Cayman Islands be a huge change for you? 4y

ElizaMarie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I‘m from south Texas . High heat! Near the Gulf of Mexico .. but I‘m a travel nurse so I‘ve been to both coasts. I am currently in VT. I can‘t do snow though! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @ElizaMarie So the islands might be a slight change for you but nothing like VT! Will you get out before winter? It can be brutal. My parents lived in NH for 20 years and finally escaped to PA two years ago. My dad had to shovel their roof! 4y

ElizaMarie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick So. Right now my contract ends the end of September. But I might stay till the end of November (because I want to see the leaves change) .. I know I am risking a bit of winter but .. people assure me it doesn't get “that bad“ till late December/early January. Its not a for sure thing yet. I didn't resign the contract. 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @ElizaMarie New England is nice for the fall and the snow isn't bad if you know you aren't putting up with it forever. 4y

ElizaMarie @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I‘ll keep you posted! I‘m looking forward to colors!!! 4y

11 likes18 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #7

“Jonah he‘s my oldest friend his name on my phone lifts my heart ...”

At this moment reading what were your thoughts ?

mollyrotondo I mean sure it‘s great that an old friend can make you feel such warmth and comfort. And I was hoping that this was only friendship, but I knew where this was heading. It‘s just so cliche. 4y

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo can‘t even scream how much this bothered me 😬🙄 4y

mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie it really bothered me too. I mean it just felt like such a set back. She saw what she could find after meeting that guy at the silent dating night (I forget his name). So why couldn‘t she move forward and meet new people. Jonah is a comfort like a teddy bear but he‘s not a new life for Lydia. 4y

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Librarybelle @mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie Yes! I think your heart can soar when you see a friend‘s name pop up, as I mean, I think we all like talking to our friends. Cliched is the best word for the situation, I think. I‘m also a bit jaded. 😂 4y

mollyrotondo @Librarybelle well totally on the same page as you on the jaded part 😂😂😂😂 4y

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle @mollyrotondo the jaded club when shall we meet?!? 🤷🏽‍♀️😬🙄🤣 4y

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo 😂 4y

Karisa I was like, "yep, the author is going the predictable route on this one." Also, does this mean that if Freddie had lived, Jonah would've always been secretly pining for his bf's wife? It's just kinda ew. Jonah as a character deserved more than being a second choice settle. 4y

mollyrotondo @Karisa yes I thought about that too! Was Jonah always going to be looking at them from the sidelines resenting their relationship. No thank you. 4y

AmyG This bothered me, too. I saw this coming. Yes....too cliche. I wished they just became friends. Because, again, they are the only two who have lived this closeness with Freddie. Nothing to explain. 4y

Kimberlone It seemed weird considering Lydia spent so much time avoiding Jonah and not wanting to have any hard discussions with him about their mutual loss. Lydia was frequently selfish in her grief, she never really wanted to be there for Jonah who had an equally traumatic loss of his best friend. 4y

vlwelser She's so selfish. I think Jonah deserves better. 4y

ElizaMarie @vlwelser I really liked Jonah‘s character way more! 4y

Sargar114 @Karisa I think you hit the nail on the head for me about what bothers me about it! I don‘t like the fact that he claims to have always been secretly pining for her. I think it would have been better if he had always considered her a friend, then saw her in a new light through their mutual grief. I actually rolled my eyes when I read that part of his script. 4y

TheBookHippie @Sargar114 Right?! Middle school ... 🤣🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y

TheBookHippie @vlwelser I liked Jonah! I agree. 4y

TheBookHippie @ElizaMarie also a Jonah fan! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Add me to the clichéd & jaded evite! The MOMENT I read Jonah's name, I knew where this was headed. Yes, I enjoy seeing an old friends name pop up, but they're friends. You can go through a rough situation and not feel horny for each other. Trust me, it's possible. Did every beta-reader of this book love this romance? Frankly, Jonah could do better. If there was a way to convey that Jonah is seeing a new side to Lydia and vice versa then ⬇️ 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I might have found them developing a romantic relationship as believable. Alas, I'm left to believe he'd be pining for Lydia in a corner, developing an alcohol problem. @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @AmyG @vlwelser @Sargar114 @ElizaMarie @Kimberlone 4y

7 likes19 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #6

“I need to walk in a straight line. “Lydia says
Has she arrived in this moment ?

mollyrotondo Well I think she‘s going to start walking in a straight line in most situations now, but I still stand by my opinion on Jonah. Her being in a relationship with Jonah is clinging to the past. I don‘t know. I could be wrong. It‘s not moving forward if you start a relationship with your dead fiancée‘s best friend. It just makes a stagnant story for me. 4y

Librarybelle Agreed, @mollyrotondo ! I‘m so glad I‘m not the only one who felt a little off by the more than friends thing with Jonah. 4y

mollyrotondo @Librarybelle I‘m glad I‘m not the only one either! Why can‘t they just be friends?! 4y

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Karisa @mollyrotondo @LibraryBelle Yes! The romance between those two felt forced. What's wrong with being old friends who've gone through so much? 4y

Librarybelle @Karisa @mollyrotondo Yes!! 4y

AmyG When you lose anyone important to you, your reality changes. You immediately are changed. I thhave nk Lydia had to become comfortable with her new reality, her new self. I agree that her relationship with Jonah keeps a foot in the past for both of them. But I could see his coming a mile away. 4y

Sargar114 I don‘t hate the Jonah thing as much, I feel kinda meh about it. But given where they both live it doesn‘t feel sustainable. Like is he gonna drop everything and move back, or is she??? Really?! (edited) 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I thinks so, for the most part. If this ended with Lydia & Jonah being friends but a hint of a future romance, I'd like it better. I don't think this is the right time for them to begin a relationship. Will his career take off? Will she move to LA or would he decline to remain a teacher in their village? So much growth then this feels like a regression. @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @AmyG @Sargar114 4y

10 likes8 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #5

Shrine of Vepric
I feel a Tideswell inside me this sense of myself as a whole loved person as owner of my own heart a whisper and then a roar ME ME ME!
I‘M STILL HERE!
What do you think of our Lydia here?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I truly enjoyed this awakening scene. Felt true to me, as I‘m a spiritually engaged person out of religion who has epiphanies of that sort. I felt it was her most powerful intimate connection to self and Life, she ever felt. Major healing through the power of Life itself. 💗 4y

mollyrotondo After confirming that Freddie was a jerk, I was happy that she finally sees that it is okay to live for herself now. We can‘t always be living for another person and feel guilty when we try to move on. She needed this moment to happen. 4y

Librarybelle She needed this, and I thought this was a powerful moment. 4y

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AmyG Was Lydia codependent? I guess she learned she wasn‘t anymore because there isn‘t Freddie around. I was happy she had this moment. She would have had trouble movig in if she didn‘t. 4y

ElizaMarie @mollyrotondo yes! Living for herself is so important. I‘m glad she “grew” out of his shadow 4y

Sargar114 I really liked this part. There are a couple of moments where I felt that the story could have ended and I would have been content. This was one of them. 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'm glad she got here. It was necessary to prove she's through living life as "Freddie's lady" and that she is living for herself. 4y

8 likes7 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #4

At Croatia
What did you think of Lydia‘s new routine and her talking to Jonah nightly ..when reading it ...

What do you think of vita ?

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira I really enjoyed that part, having the opportunity to take a step back, lay the burden of one‘s history, the latitude to reset one‘s frame of mind, reinvent one‘s reality into something simpler, less pressure. Healing. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Taking into account, that I had accepted that the author was spiraling-in Lydia and Jonah, I though it was a smart way to get them to engage with each other again. Both of them discovering safely their healed « after Freddie » beings. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Enjoyed Vita. I always enjoy wise non-judgemental people. She reminded me of my mother. Taking life and people as they are and where they are, respectful of one‘s journey. 4y

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mollyrotondo I agree @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira that having Lydia and Jonah talk on the phone while both of them are spending time away from everyone else was the best way for them to build a bond again. And Lydia was very lucky to have met Vita (too lucky 🙄). But I like Vita because we all need an outsider to give us wise advice sometimes. 4y

Librarybelle It was a good connection for Jonah and Lydia during this time, the frequent chats. They both acknowledge that they had to “get away” to move on, and the communication helped rebuild their friendship. I liked Vita - very wise! 4y

Karisa @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Librarybelle I liked Vita too. She was like a breath of fresh air for Lydia's life. 4y

AmyG Vita seemed lovely and caring. As for her and Jonah- only those two could know what they were going through. 4y

Kimberlone I think she needed the time in Croatia to figure herself out, but it did feel like just another escape from real life, just like her dream reunions with Freddie. 4y

vlwelser Vita was what she needed right then. She's kind of a jerk about her job though. She's very self absorbed. Maybe that's why the fam was so annoyed. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @mollyrotondo @Karisa 👊🏻 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @vlwelser I agree about jerking her job. They appreciate her a lot; giving her another position no e the less. It might be the small town effect. It all worked out though. 4y

ElizaMarie I liked this trip for her. Vita is a wise influence in her life and I think it was important to have that person or type of person in her life (as her mom isn‘t too supportive). Talking to Jonah each night also formed a different type of relationship for them (which I think was also important... helps her heal) 4y

Mrs_B @vlwelser and @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira completely agree about the job! 4y

Sargar114 The Croatia trip was my favorite part of the story. It‘s where she truly healed. Jonah was the only person from her previous life who didn‘t judge her for her decision to go there, so their nightly phone calls felt natural and a good progression for the endgame. 4y

Mrs_B So both Lydia and Jonah needed to take journeys to a different country to help their healing process. And actually that act brought them closer together. 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Mrs_B enlighten perspective 💚 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Like @Sargar114 this was my favorite part of the book. At home she was surrounded by reminders of her life with Freddie & needed a chance of pace. I didn't like that her plan was to go there to dream of Freddie, but ultimately it allowed her to think, reflect, and gain perspective. I liked Vita & Petar, too. Her chats with Jonah were a good way to mend their broken friendship. She was rather shitty to her colleagues during away for so long. 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick ⬆️ @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @AmyG @vlwelser @Josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira @Mrs_B @ElizaMarie @Kimberlone 4y

10 likes18 comments

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #3

I can‘t shake the fact that I‘m the girl now that knows it would be wrong to let Freddie leave.
Do you think eventually had he lived she would have figured this out down the line?

mollyrotondo She would have figured this out eventually, but I don‘t know if she would have said something. And if she did eventually say something it would have been more out of anger. It might have been more difficult to make him understand. 4y

Librarybelle Maybe. It‘s kind of hard to guess, for me, since it took her to live through one of the hardest things ever to recognize that maybe things were not perfect. She might have realized eventually, but like @mollyrotondo said, would she really say something to Freddie? 4y

mollyrotondo @Librarybelle yeah I just don‘t think in real life living with him every day that she would have rocked the boat. She‘s a different person now after the loss. She would have been the same complacent person if she was married to him. It would have taken a lot for her to change in her marriage. 4y

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TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle I think everyone was use to her being complacent ..her Freddie, her mom, her sister everyone... which is why they all balk at her just leaving for Croatia. She became herself and not a carpet. AKA she grew up. 4y

mollyrotondo @TheBookHippie and that to me is extremely Brave. She is finally growing as a person which we all need to do from time to time. 4y

TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo I agree. 4y

Karisa @TheBookHippie @mollyrotondo I agree. They were all so irritated at her for that Croatia trip, but it was really where she did the most growth. If Freddie had lived, I think she would have just kept letting him call the shots. She probably would've been fine with it for quite a while. 4y

AmyG I think that she only wanted to see the good in Freddie (after he died). Or that she could only see the good. Ha...maybe there is a medical term for this. But the more time passed, the more she could see the truth. Yes @TheBookHippie she grew up. 4y

vlwelser It seems like maybe they wouldn't be together forever. Maybe that's part of what she was meant to realize. 4y

ElizaMarie I think Freddie would have turned out to be a jerk. I mean if he is a jerk in her dreams doesn‘t it show some deep resentment she might have lingering there? 4y

Sargar114 @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @TheBookHippie @Karisa I agree with you all. The only reason she came to this realization is because she absolutely knew the worst possible thing that could happen. If Freddie was alive, I don‘t know if she ever calls him out on his bs, or by the time she realizes it, it‘s much further into their relationship 4y

Mrs_B It‘s interesting to watch how the loss is actually making her stronger - how she is morphing into a different Lydia who is more in tune with what she needs from other people. Which mind-bendingly includes Freddie... 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick We know next to nothing about their relationship. When I was a manager at a hotel, I had to cancel plans due to work as coverage for sick employees, but luckily it was never a major trip or event. If frequent, it can take a toll on a significant other. I don't know if this was a common occurrence by Freddie, to leave Lydia behind, or if it was her imagination creating the separation in her dreams. @mollyrotondo @Librarybelle @Karisa @amyg 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick ⬆️@vlwelser @Sargar114 @Mrs_B @ElizaMarie 4y

Sargar114 @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick that‘s an interesting point, I wonder! 4y

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Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD #2

Making new memories means trampling the old precious ones. When you lose someone you lose all future memories and expectations. Why wouldn‘t Lydia hold past memories as sacred. Why would it be trying to make new ones, do what Freddie obviously won‘t be alive for ? Also I don‘t think people grasp the future memories you post you grieve. What do you think ?

mollyrotondo I don‘t understand why she thinks she needs to trample the past memories. It is harder to let go of the past when you know you don‘t have a future with that same person. You want something to hold onto. But to make new memories does not mean the old get destroyed. It‘s an odd thing for her think. 4y

Librarybelle It seems like her grief makes her conflicted in that somehow she‘s combined the past memories with the need to make new ones in the sleep world. I do think she realizes in the end how creating these false memories dims the old memories. 4y

Karisa Yes, being grateful for memories is important. I think I understood Lydia's sentiment though. Especially since Freddie died so young and when they were in a looking forward mode of starting marriage. When my mother-in-law died suddenly at 50, I remember being sad that she would never see her grandkids and that they would never get to have her around. 4y

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AmyG I don‘t like or really understand the awake part. Who the hell knows why. 😳 (edited) 4y

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira @Karisa 👊🏻 4y

Sargar114 @Librarybelle that is what I gathered from this sentiment. Making these “new” memories with Freddie was diminishing her old but real memories with him. And after that honeymoon, almost tainting those memories. 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick We rarely see Lydia reminiscing about her and Freddie as a couple. It almost always included Jonah. I totally get daydreaming about the what-ifs: wedding, honeymoon, kids. However, 25 years from now, is she going to make a comment about her & Freddie's trip to NYC and her mum is like, “What are you talking about? You never went to NYC!“ @mollyrotondo @librarybelle @karisa @amyg @sargar114 @josee.a.lu.lit.et.lira 4y

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Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

This post contains spoilers

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

Here we go last set of questions 😬

Anyone else notice it‘s travel first, then Freddie? Paris then Freddie, NYC and all she wants to do and then Freddie? Maybe it‘s just me 🤣😳

TheBookHippie, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

mollyrotondo She is very selfish on those dream vacations. I guess that is another way to show how she has changed and she not only needs to take care of herself now but she deep down wants to think about herself now. And I guess too in our dreams we always want all of our needs met 4y

Librarybelle Honestly, I hadn‘t really thought about that. But, good point! Maybe Lydia, in her sleep world, kind of assumed Freddie would be there, or that she knew he would be there. 4y

Karisa I was getting the sense that Lydia didn't trust Freddie to include what she wanted to do. She seemed like she had a list of things to do in each. I'm glad she had a chance to see such a beautiful place as Croatia. Kinda ironic that when there she mostly just wanted to lay on the beach and work. 4y

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AmyG I didn‘t notice. But travelling allows her to use her imagination to create hee fantasy time with him. If she didn‘t go there with him, she can imagine whatever she wants. 4y

vlwelser I missed that. You're totally right. She's more excited about NY than seeing Freddie. Hopefully Jonah will take her to MoMA in "real life." 4y

Sargar114 I totally noticed!!! At one point on their honeymoon she says “I guess it‘s his honeymoon too.” My note was...um yeah you selfish so and so!!! 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I was a little put off by her thought that Freddie might have things he wants to do. REALLY?! You don't say! She's changing, yes. But I almost wonder if she's ready for another relationship. I think she really needs to be single and discover the world as Lydia, a grown-ass woman, and not as Freddie's fiance. I think Croatia was good for her, but not enough. @mollyrotondo @LibraryBelle @karisa @AmyG @vlwesler @sargar114 4y

Sargar114 @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I agree, I would have liked it better if it ended with her self realization and becoming more comfortable being by herself. I‘d even be okay with a nod towards a relationship. 4y

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mollyrotondo

Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

so-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This one was okay. I didn‘t love it but I didn‘t hate it. I thought it was a good book about grief but Lydia relying on sleeping pills in order to escape into the dream world with Freddie was distressing. And there were choices made by certain characters that didn‘t always make sense. But I enjoyed participating in the discussion with #sundaybuddyread because we could all vent about the parts that frustrated all of us!

kspenmoll Agree with you about the discussions! 4y

mollyrotondo @kspenmoll they really make some of these books so much more enjoyable! 4y

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Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver

#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD

FINAL DISCUSSION SUNDAY

Anyone welcome who has read the book!
No spoilers please🧡