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Betty
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
A stunning, lyrical coming-of-age novel set in the rolling foothills of the Appalachians in which a young girl, with only the compass of her father's imagination, must navigate racism, sexism, and the dark secrets that will haunt her for the rest of her life. "A girl comes of age against the knife." So begins the story of Betty Carpenter. Born in a bathtub in Arkansas in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit is one of poverty, racism, abuse, and violence--both from outside the family, and also, devastatingly, from within. After years on the road, searching in vain for a better life, the Carpenters return to their hometown of Breathed, Ohio, in northern Appalachia. There, they move into a sprawling wreck of a farmhouse that local legend says is cursed. The townsfolk decide the Carpenters are cursed, too: "My mother gave birth to eight of us," Betty tells us in her frank, wry voice. "More than one would die for no good reason in the prizewinning years of their youth. Some blamed God for taking too few. Others accused the Devil of leaving too many." But Betty is resilient. Her father's inventive stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination and even in the face of tragedy and death, her creativity is irrepressible. Against overwhelming odds, she may be the first member of her family to break the cycle of abuse and trauma--and escape.
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Megabooks
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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My last #botm came, and it included my prize for this year, which I cut the cord off of and gave to Molly. She‘s not super destructive, so I expect it to last a bit. Looking forward to Unsettled and Betty plus having the other two in my permanent library. #ByeByeBlueBox

wanderinglynn Molly looks so happy with her new plushie! ❤️🐶 6mo
Gissy 🐶 🐾 🐾♥️♥️♥️ 6mo
Megabooks @wanderinglynn @Gissy she is the light of my life rn!! 🫶🏻💕 6mo
72 likes3 comments
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Victoriahoperose
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

This is a really dense and difficult book to get through. It was extremely well written. It focused on a girl and her growing up with her family amongst racism toward Native Americans and people of color and the things she went through with her family as a child. It‘s a tough book to read and a bit slow in some places but I thought the story was compelling and well composed.

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AmyG
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Finished this heartbreaking and beautiful book while working the gift shop. Not gonna lie, I am glad it was a quiet day here so I could read.

@CBee #TBRTarot

Chrissyreadit Where do you work? 1y
CBee I knew you‘d love it as much as I did!! ♥️ 1y
TrishB Amazing read 💔 1y
AmyG @Chrissyreadit I volunteer at the hospital gift shop. 1y
AmyG @TrishB yes…amazing. @CBee Ha, of course you did! 1y
80 likes5 comments
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AmyG
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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For my #TBRTarot read….another Tiffany McDaniel book!

@CBee Thanks for posting early. I needed a book and didn‘t want to start anything because Nov challenges.

CBee I am so glad that you‘re reading this and can‘t wait to hear your thoughts! It‘s a powerful book! @AmyG 1y
ncsufoxes Such a good book. Hard subject matters but I definitely cried a few times. The writing is so beautiful. 1y
AmyG @ncsufoxes @CBee McDaniel, I think, is becoming a new favorite author. 1y
53 likes3 comments
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Rachel.Rencher
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Cashing in my free BotM book since it's my birthday month. 🎉

Here's my referral link if you want to join: https://www.mybotm.com/qivod2fo7pq?show_box=true

🥰

51 likes1 stack add
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Teresereading
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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📚Tagged
🖋Lilian Beckwith
🎞 Back to the Future
🎸 Billy Joel
🎼 Badlands
#ManicMonday
#LetterB
@CBee

CBee Thanks for playing 😊😊 2y
11 likes1 comment
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CBee
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

This book ripped my heart out, put it back together, ripped it out again. Beautiful writing that draws from the author‘s own Cherokee heritage. Not a light read, and you‘ll feel like your heart might burst or that you need to step away to remember to breath. It‘s that good, and that powerful.
This was my #bookspin for May.
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y
64 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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MaggieCarr
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

Started reading and swapped to audio 1/3 in. While not full cast, the narrator's ability to give unique voices to this family of 10 deserves to be appreciated!

If you are seeking a light read, this is not it. A story with so much heart, these fictitious characters will last a very long time in my memory due to the emotions experienced while absorbing this coming-of-age story of Betty Carpenter, who seemed to have inherited the best from both...

MaggieCarr ... both her parents. Dad (Cherokee) was a storyteller, a mystic, who embraced Native American rituals, dogged by injustice and prejudice. Betty's mother (white) was likely bipolar before mental illness was diagnosed. At her best, Mom was caring and creative. Betty writes up a memory of a time she served her children an imaginary donuts when they had no food. Since Betty is half-Cherokee and dark-skinned like her father... 2y
MaggieCarr (the rest of the siblings are fair), she endures taunts from her fellow students, her teachers, and even her mother. But Betty endures. She is made of stern stuff. A child with whose community could care less of her family, whose grandparents refused access to their bi-racial grandchildren, survives. Resilient, despite the need to overcome again & again. 2y
Deblovestoread Great review 2y
Suet624 I had stacked this book already but your review makes me want to run to the library at lunchtime to look for it. 2y
34 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Reagan
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

Oh goodness. I read half of this book, returned it to the library, placed and hold and d read the rest. I would recommend this approach. This is capital Heavy. I don‘t know if I loved it but I liked it very much. I‘m not sure what to say about the plot, but it‘s inspired by the author‘s mother‘s childhood (I believe). It‘s heartbreaking with some really touching elements. A confrontation at the end had me teared up. Time well spent reading.

Amor4Libros One of my favorite books last year! 2y
53 likes1 comment
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Mitch
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

This is so very sad, tragic and maddening, I wept and felt all the feels on almost every page. A stunning novel that is at once poetic and grounded, beautiful and harrowing. Betty‘s Dads stories and ways of explaining the world are profoundly moving and all this set against the most vivid of landscapes. It was a true MasterClass in storytelling !
Note: trigger warnings for lots of things!

Mitch This was so fabulous. It broke my heart but I‘m so glad I read it! Thank you @Chelsea.Poole for directing me to this discovery. It will be on my top reads of the year list for 2022 I‘m sure. #newyearwhodis Another win for @monalyisha ! 2y
Cathythoughts Great review ❤️💔 2y
AmyG Wow. High praise. Stacked. 2y
See All 13 Comments
Chelsea.Poole You described it perfectly. 💔 some of those scenes, especially the ones featuring her father, are unforgettable. 2y
TrishB I finished this yesterday. Your review is wonderful ❤️ 2y
Suet624 If I hadn't already stacked this.... Great review. 2y
TheBookHippie I sobbed …. It‘s very very good. Lot of triggers for me so I went very slowly. It‘s written so well. 2y
Mitch @TheBookHippie me too. I just had to step away so many times and take some air. I‘m not sure a book has reached me do deeply for a while 2y
Mitch @Chelsea.Poole absolutely- thank you SO much for getting this book into my hands. It‘s amazing 2y
TheBookHippie @Mitch Agreed. I read the ARC fyi and I remember telling the bookstore I read them for to buy several copies. 2y
ncsufoxes Definitely one of my favorites. Even though there was a lot of tough subject matter the writing was so beautiful. It‘s a story that stays with you long after you‘ve finished it. 2y
Karons1 I bought this book 📖 yesterday from Waterstones in market Harborough uk 🇬🇧 it was one of their picks of the month and on offer , Iv just joined a new village bookclub do you think 🤔 it would make a good group read for discussion ? 😀 2y
Mitch @Karons1 it is an amazing book - with lots to talk about. But I‘d be mindful of trigger warnings for sexual abuse. 2y
87 likes8 stack adds13 comments
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TrishB
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

Oh jeez Betty, you‘ve broken my heart 💔
What a beautiful written, melancholy, sad book.
I lasted a long time until a tear.

TrishB Thanks Jess 😘 you should read!. @jhod 2y
jhod Oh wow! Maybe post January slump! So pleased you enjoyed it 😀 2y
Cathythoughts Nice review... I bailed on this , but I feel I didn‘t give it a proper chance ... I might try again 👍 2y
TrishB @Cathythoughts I found the first 50 pages hard going but then got into the writing. 2y
131 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Mitch
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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The writing is stunning - but it‘s wrecking my heart 😢😢😢😢

#newyearwhodis

vivastory I've been meaning to read this. I loved The Summer that Melted etc 2y
Mitch @vivastory her writing is beautiful she clearly deeply loves the land and I can picture every scene so vividly. Which then makes it hard when it takes dark and harrowing turns ☹️ 2y
vivastory I've heard nothing but great things about it, but I've also heard that it's heartbreaking. Will definitely prepare myself 2y
TrishB This is on my list for this week! 2y
Reggie I read The Summer that Melted Everything and it is one of the only books that has ever made me sob out loud. Hence my trepidation with this one. 2y
75 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Mitch
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Just starting this today - from @Chelsea.Poole #newyearwhodis list. I have a ritual before starting every new book - hunting for the perfect bookmark !

squirrelbrain I do just the same with my bookmarks! The book is great, although also 😡😢 2y
monalyisha Love this! 2y
Mitch @squirrelbrain im steeling myself for heartache! 2y
See All 6 Comments
LeahBergen I have the bookmark ritual, too! @Mitch @squirrelbrain 2y
Mitch @LeahBergen 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 2y
Tera66 Me too! 2y
80 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Mitch
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Love that new book feeling-anticipation and excitement for what‘s to come and who we‘ll be meeting, predicting the tears and joy to be found within. My next #newyearwhodis book and I‘ve heard nothing but fabulous things. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

monalyisha Oh, wow! The writing - already! 😍 2y
66 likes1 comment
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jenniferw88
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick
slategreyskies Congrats!! ✨ 2y
TrishB Well done 👍🏻 2y
Cinfhen Woohoo!!! Such a compelling book ♥️ 2y
See All 9 Comments
jenniferw88 @Cinfhen yeah, it would have been 5 ⭐ if there hadn't been cat abuse, hence the .75 of a ⭐ 😂 2y
BookmarkTavern Yay! Congrats! 🎉🎉🎉 2y
Ladygodiva7 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2y
BarbaraBB Yay! Congratulations! On to the blank sheet of 2022! 2y
Clwojick Amazing! Way to go! 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Fabulous!! 2y
47 likes9 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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#12Booksof2021 March is Betty.

Cinfhen I loved this book too!! It was really heartbreaking 💔 2y
youneverarrived Really need to get to this one 2y
71 likes2 comments
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Reagan
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Halfway exactly! Was up really early so treated myself to some beautiful and tragic reading. Making steady progress of this, not too quick because I need time to process. Hoping to finish up this week though!

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Mitch
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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So this is going to be my January reading pile. Thank you SO much @Chelsea.Poole for giving me so much to choose from. Patrick Radden Keene was on my list last year and his new one looks fab, I listened to The Stacks interview Amanda Montell and she sounds very fab and Betty I know nothing about! Amazing list thank you Chelsea #newyearwhodis2022

Oryx Betty is really good 2y
ncsufoxes Loved Betty 2y
Scochrane26 I loved Empire of Pain but it will make you mad. 2y
See All 7 Comments
Mitch @Scochrane26 it might be my third book for January rather than my first! 2y
Mitch @Oryx @ncsufoxes It totally missed my radar so excited to have discovered it via @Chelsea.Poole 2y
Chelsea.Poole This makes me so happy! Those are three excellent books. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Agreed with @Scochrane26 Empire of Pain is maddening and really just so well done. 2y
Chelsea.Poole @Oryx @ncsufoxes some of the scenes in Betty feel like they‘ll be forever imprinted in my mind. Felt so vivid. 2y
71 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Reagan
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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This feels very much like that moment in The Office where they have the fire drill. 🚨 it‘s happening! It‘s happening 🚨

So far so good but with ominous undertones and despite my best efforts I saw a comparison to Bastard Out of Carolina which is like a combo of these emojis😭🤩 and filling me with a lot of dread.

Chelsea.Poole LOVE Betty but 😭 and your dish looks great! 2y
44 likes1 comment
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aperfectmjk
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

This was excellent. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a novel through and through. I highly recommend this one! 👏

#bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

ncsufoxes I read this book over the summer & loved it. Although there were difficult subjects, it was such a good book 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
38 likes2 comments
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jhod
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Thanks Emma @Oryx I bought this one for @TrishB for her birthday but don't have it myself so a great choice, many thanks!!! 😀

TrishB It‘s a great choice 😁 2y
48 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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MelKelsey
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

Book 124

I listened to Betty by Tiffany McDaniel. This book is a fictionalized-version of the author's life growing up in the 1960s with a Cherokee father and an Appalachian mother. I'm not a sensitive reader, but I had to take some breaks from the explicitly-written, depressing stories
Betty is a beautiful writer and all her family members are rich and compelling/abhorrent characters. The voice acting was notable. Well-done! A must-read author.

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jdiehr
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

There is such great beauty in this book.

The stories told by a Cherokee father are his way of saying, "I love you," to his kids.

The children listening and holding those stories in their hearts are them saying, "I love you, too."

There is such great sadness and evil in this book.

Child molestation, rape, incest, animal cruelty, suicide.

I would warn you not to get attached to any of the characters, but you won't be able to help it.

TrishB Lovely review ❤️ 3y
Chelsea.Poole So tragic but so wonderful! Great review 3y
36 likes2 comments
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Bookboss
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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I love book mail!

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OneCent76
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Mehso-so

I picked this book because it is set in southern Ohio. This is a very hard book to read. There is 1 scene with kittens that was so horrible I almost stopped reading. So much sadness that happened with this family.

jenniferw88 I just got past *that* kitten scene - 😭😭😭. Luckily my cat was next to me! 2y
OneCent76 Yes that was SO hard to read! 2y
32 likes2 comments
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jenniferw88
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Do I need more books? No.
Am I going to take advantage of Buy One Get One Half Price? Yes!

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EatSleepRead
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Mehso-so

This is beautifully written but really heavy stuff here. If you are looking for a happy/light read, this isn't it.

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Amor4Libros
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

Only words I have to describe this book: Beautiful and heartbreaking.

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britt_brooke
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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March: 19
YTD: 63

Top row were all ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, Betty being my overall favorite. Honorable mention goes to A Good Girl‘s Guide to Murder (books 1 & 2). It was a pretty fantastic month!

#marchreads #marchwrapup

MsMelissa Are you on track for a record reading year? 63 books so far is impressive 👏🏻 3y
britt_brooke @MsMelissa Thanks, friend! 🥰 I‘m way ahead of my goal, and at this pace, it‘ll be a record year. Every year since I joined Litsy has been a record year, though. 😂 We‘ll see! 3y
Gissy Impressive!!! 📚📚📚📚📚👏👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 3y
britt_brooke @Gissy 🥰🤗🥰 3y
102 likes4 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

All the stars for Betty. I loved this novel set in Appalachia, southern Ohio to be exact — which is exactly where I am. Betty is a young girl who “comes of age against the knife” suffering racism, trauma (often secondary but no less horrific), and learning how to fit into her world alongside her family. Betty‘s father is her sun, and the source of hope for her. Sections featuring her father feel like magical realism but actually aren‘t. Cont ⬇️

Chelsea.Poole Also, I read this over several weeks. Normally I fly through audiobooks, but I‘m glad I took the time to slowly digest the print version of Betty. This one felt similar to books published decades ago that I have fond memories of, in a style I don‘t encounter often these days namely 3y
93 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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britt_brooke
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Oh, Betty girl, you‘ve had such a sorrow-filled existence. This is more than a coming of age, it‘s the character study of a poverty-stricken Appalachian family. McDaniels renders life to these bodies with lush, poetic, truly beautiful writing. You experience every single line. You feel this family‘s suffering; HER family‘s suffering. But there‘s deep, abiding love, too. Easily one of my top reads of the year. Chills.

Cinfhen Beautiful review!! This book broke me 💔 And knowing Betty is the author‘s mom 😭😭😭 3y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Thank you! 💚 I‘m still emotionally recovering. Holy hangover. It‘s absolutely devastating to know it‘s rooted in truth. I read how supportive her family was, even allowing the use of real names. I hope this brought some peace to those still around. 3y
Cinfhen Tagging @Chelsea.Poole who just finished this book as well 😥 3y
Chelsea.Poole @Cinfhen thank you! I haven‘t done much reading on the real family but to know so much of this was inspired by truth just makes it that much more painful 😣 3y
102 likes1 stack add4 comments
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britt_brooke
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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🎧🧩 Just wrapped up this super fun 90s puzzle! Totally bought it for Beavis and Butthead. Lots of faces + nonstandard pieces made this much tougher than I originally expected. 😅

Enjoying the tagged book so far, but damn, is it sad.

#audiopuzzling

vivastory Nirvana 🤘 3y
britt_brooke @vivastory Cobain and Tupac being next to each other hurt my little heart. #RIP (edited) 3y
vivastory That is def. rough. I was listening to Tupac last week. 3y
See All 11 Comments
CBee The 90s - my decade 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
mommyincolortv Where did you get it? I MUST have it!!! 3y
britt_brooke @CBee The best! 3y
britt_brooke @mommyincolor I found it at Hobby Lobby for $18. It was a totally random find. Amazon has it for like twice that. (edited) 3y
booksbrewsandbooze That‘s awesome! 3y
bookaholic1 I love the puzzle 3y
britt_brooke @booksbrewsandbooze Thanks! 💚💚 3y
britt_brooke @bookaholic1 Thanks - it was such a fun one! 3y
107 likes11 comments
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Cathythoughts
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Bailedbailed

I‘m on Chapter 19 ... my current Audible walking book
And I do love the connection to nature & Betty‘s Dad‘s wisdom... but something isn‘t clicking for me with this one. The narrator isn‘t helping , but it‘s more than that , I‘m not connecting with the characters .... I‘m calling it a day #unpopularopinion ... I do wish Betty all the best in the future & I‘m a little curious about how her life pans out , but not enough to read on.

Cinfhen Awww, that‘s a shame, Cathy. It‘s a hard read and honestly it gets BLEAKER!!!!! I was really invested but I read this one, so maybe print was a better option 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y
Cathythoughts @Cinfhen I think print might have worked better for me ... although I thought I‘d get over the narrator if I got involved enough in the story ... alas , it just didn‘t work ... 3y
Cinfhen Unto the next .... 💗🎧 3y
Cathythoughts @MsMelissa Yes! 😂 this is the one ! I bailed... relief at last #Teambail 3y
66 likes5 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Sometimes it can take me WEEKS to read a print book. Audiobooks so perfectly fit into my busy work and home life that I always end up neglecting REAL books. Makes me sad, but I do try to carve out time on the weekends to dedicate to reading print titles. Lemon muffins with black tea and Betty ☕️♥️🍋🌞

Kappadeemom Lemon muffins 😋 3y
92 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Failed miserably at the #buddyread timeline; so many forces working against me! But I‘ve finally found some quiet time to get with Betty, alongside sourdough biscuits with honey, lemon drop tea and the snow falling outside. ♥️❄️🍯🍞🍋 ☕️

93 likes2 stack adds
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Reviewsbylola
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

I‘m pretty sure this book broke me. I feel emotionally wrung out. I need to look up some interviews with the author now, a la @Cinfhen , to see how much is rooted in fact. Betty feels absolutely real to me, which seems to be McDaniel‘s intent with the tribute to her mother in the beginning of the book.

I‘m ready to kick off the discussion whenever everyone else is! @Squirrel @Chelsea.Poole

emilyhaldi Damn you‘re so fast!! Will I like this one? 3y
Reviewsbylola Yes I think so! @emilyhaldi (edited) 3y
Chelsea.Poole I need to prioritize Betty over all others!! Gonna start a fire under my own butt 🔥 to get going with this! 3y
112 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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squirrelbrain
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

Daisy Johnson‘s blurb on the front of this book says she was ‘consumed‘ by it, and that‘s exactly how I felt. It is a heartbreaking tale of growing up in a broken, dysfunctional family; very difficult to read but equally as difficult to put down.

Whilst ostensibly a tale about the titular Betty, it reads as a love story to her father Landon. Spoilers below for my fellow #buddyreaders who haven‘t finished yet.

#booked2021 #appalachiannoir

squirrelbrain @cinfhen commented early on that this read like a memoir and, whilst billed as a novel, I would say from the bonus content at the end that 90% of it must be true. Makes it even more heartbreaking. 💔 (edited) 3y
Cinfhen I agree, Helen!!! Wonderful review 3y
See All 12 Comments
Cinfhen Right, Betty gets in the car with Fielding Bliss at the end of the novel?!?? 3y
squirrelbrain No I haven‘t read that one @Cinfhen - it‘s definitely on my list now though. Yep, that‘s the end of the novel and then there‘s a section called ‘Behind Betty‘. 3y
Caroline2 Great review. Stacked. 😉 3y
Reviewsbylola Hoping to finish by tomorrow. I‘m about half way through! 3y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 3y
Cinfhen So I don‘t have Behind Betty in my #BOTM copy 3y
Oryx It's really immersive, isn't it? And you just get so attached to the family. 3y
squirrelbrain Completely @Oryx - I was rooting for them, but knowing that nothing would end well. 3y
Cathythoughts Nice review! I‘m looking forward to it 👍🏻❤️ 3y
86 likes1 stack add12 comments
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Cinfhen
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

If you‘re looking for an action packed book/ skip this one. But, if family drama, magnificent prose and heartache is your thing, this book DELIVERS. I haven‘t read McDaniel‘s debut The Summer That Melted Everything but I have a feeling it‘s loosely connected to this story. Either way, I can‘t wait to find out. Thanks for the mini #BuddyRead @Reviewsbylola @squirrelbrain @Chelsea.Poole tag me when you‘re done reading, so we can DISCUSS 💔💔💔

Cinfhen It‘s very good @Simona @Cathythoughts but MUST HAVE TISSUES 3y
squirrelbrain I honestly just finished this 10 minutes ago too! Will post my review in a bit..... 3y
Cathythoughts Great review! I just got it on kindle 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
See All 23 Comments
Cinfhen Stephanie called the twist about LeLand on page 189 @squirrelbrain - how much of this book do u think was true!?!!?? 3y
Cinfhen Keep me posted @Cathythoughts 🤞🏽🤞🏽 3y
Kalalalatja Stacked! 3y
squirrelbrain I saw that ‘twist‘ very early on @Cinfhen 😟 My copy has ‘bonus content‘ which is the author describing her family. Does yours not have that? Betty was / is the author‘s Mum. There are photos of Betty, her sisters, Alka, Landon and Lint. The only ‘character‘ not mentioned is Leland. The rape of Alka by her Dad is not fiction. If you haven‘t got that bonus content I‘ll think of a way to get you a copy.... 3y
Crazeedi A book set in Appalachia? Yes, I'm definitely interested 3y
Cinfhen I don‘t have that info @squirrelbrain ☹️my copy was from BOTM / I knew Betty is the author‘s mum and her sisters and grandparents were all real. Was her brother Trustin real? Did they all die? I saw a photo of Lint as a youngster on her website but not of Trustin. It‘s such a sad story. Landon was my favorite 🙌🏻❤️ 3y
Cinfhen It‘s very sad @Crazeedi but I think you‘ll appreciate the author‘s writing 3y
squirrelbrain Hmmm, there‘s about 25 pages of it @cinfhen so I can‘t really photograph and post on here. I‘ll see if I can photograph it and email to you.... It doesn‘t mention Trustin either. 3y
Cinfhen Don‘t worry about it @squirrelbrain im sure I can Google and find all the info xxx 3y
squirrelbrain I just did some Googling and found out she was 17 when she wrote this book - amazing! 3y
Reviewsbylola Just got to the part where Alka killed all of the cats. What the FUCK?!? 😭😭😭 3y
Cinfhen I know!!! That‘s when I wrote you that she is definitely UNHINGED @Reviewsbylola 😿😿😿😿😿😿 3y
Cinfhen @squirrelbrain she‘s super talented as was/ is Betty and Landon too with all of his storytelling 3y
Megabooks I just checked the audiobook out of the library. Excited to read the spoiler comments eventually. 3y
Cinfhen Ohhh, your library is AMAZING @Megabooks I bet the audio is going to be fabulous (edited) 3y
squirrelbrain I know @Reviewsbylola - that was really disturbing wasn‘t it? (edited) 3y
emilyhaldi I think I need to read this based on your review + @Reviewsbylola. I loved this one! 3y
Cinfhen I can‘t wait to read Summer @emilyhaldi but my heart needs to heal a bit 💔💔 3y
Chelsea.Poole You guys, I have FINALLY finished Betty and MY HEART! 😭 3y
Cinfhen Im so glad you made it to the end @Chelsea.Poole 3y
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Cinfhen
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pg 345 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭reading through tears 💔 this book is sadder than Shuggie Bain
I wasn‘t expecting such a tear-jerker @Reviewsbylola @squirrelbrain @Chelsea.Poole

squirrelbrain Oh no, I‘m on 310.... preparing myself.... 3y
Cathythoughts ❤️ 3y
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Cinfhen I think you‘re gonna like this one @Cathythoughts even though very little actually happens / it‘s just these people start to become cherished 3y
Reviewsbylola You‘re way ahead of me! I think I‘m around 250. We‘re heading home early from our trip though (big snowstorm hitting tonight 😭) so my goal is to have it finished by tomorrow! 3y
Cinfhen Drive safe @Reviewsbylola xxx 3y
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Chelsea.Poole
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Finally getting a chance to sit down with Betty with breakfast this morning! I‘ve only made it to chapter two, but so far I‘m finding it lyrical and very familiar. I‘m from southern Ohio, where this is set 🌳 ♥️

Cinfhen Your avo toast looks DELISH 💚but be prepared for this book to slay you 💔💔💔 3y
squirrelbrain What @Cinfhen said! Yummy looking toast, but this book is a toughie. 😟 3y
Cathythoughts Stacked ! 3y
87 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Between Shuggie, Betty and Phuc Tran I‘m beginning to wonder how so many kids can endure family traumas??!! My heart hurts💔 😿😿😿

TrishB Three in a row!! You definitely need some recovery time. Fully recommend a serial killer novel 😁 3y
Cinfhen Hahaha @TrishB Nothing like a good serial killer to make me feel better 😘 3y
squirrelbrain Maybe something fluffy next time, or yes a serial killer might lighten the mood a bit @TrishB ! 🤣 3y
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AmyG I had just read Good Mrning, Monster about 5 people who survive horrible childhood trauma. Go read a cozy mystery....worked for me. 🙌🏻 (edited) 3y
Cinfhen My next audio is meant to be this one @squirrelbrain @AmyG which I think is a lighter read 3y
AmyG That looks like a fun read. 3y
Cinfhen My hopes are high @AmyG witches, LX and the 80‘s!!!! Sounds fabulous 🙌🏻 3y
Reviewsbylola Ugh, I used to work with kids in the court system. Many of their stories were too tragic to even imagine. 3y
Chelsea.Poole @AmyG I read Good Morning Monster and ugh!!! So heartbreaking. Those stories will definitely stay with me. 3y
97 likes9 comments
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Cinfhen
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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I‘ve already been down the Google rabbit hole @Reviewsbylola @Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain I needed to know more about this family. This reads more like a memoir than a novel. I‘m hooked and I‘m only on page 70.

Cathythoughts Sounds good .. looking forward to your review 👍🏻❤️ lovely picture 💕 3y
Cinfhen Have you read Glass Castle @Cathythoughts because that‘s the vibes this book is sending....would you agree @squirrelbrain @Chelsea.Poole @Reviewsbylola ??!??? 3y
Cathythoughts I havnt read Glass Castle! I will look it up .... 👍🏻 3y
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squirrelbrain I got up to page 67 last night before bed - how funny is that?! And I completely agree that it reads like a memoir, and it has definite Glass Castle vibes. 3y
Chelsea.Poole Ugh! I was going to start Betty when I got off work yesterday but my son had a small accident and totally derailed all plans 😔 Hoping to start this morning! 3y
Cinfhen Hope he‘s ok @Chelsea.Poole BTW: Book is SO SAD 😭 3y
Reviewsbylola Yes, I was wondering how much is fact vs fiction! I‘m on page 125 but going out of town until Monday so my reading will probably slow! 3y
Reviewsbylola And yes, it has vibes of The Glass castle. Spoiler for chapter 9 below. ⬇️ 3y
Reviewsbylola Wtf is up with the mother?!? Writing hag on Betty‘s face really upset me. Like the poor kid didn‘t have enough against her already. I get that mother is clearly depressed/unhappy. I‘m wondering if she takes it out on Betty because Betty has such a close relationship with Landon. It‘s clear mother is neglectful but I would be curious to know if she bears that type of resentment toward her other kids or if Betty bears the brunt of it. 3y
Cinfhen The mom is legit unhinged @Reviewsbylola and I have a horrible suspicion that 99% of this book is fact 😭😭It keeps getting darker and darker 3y
Reviewsbylola Spoiler for content on p. 189 ⬇️ 3y
Reviewsbylola Do you think Leland was actually fathered by Alka‘s father?!? The way he looks exactly like him makes me wonder. I know the rest of the kids have a lighter complexion than Betty, but the fact that Leland is blonde seems like the theory is highly probable. Alka knew she was pregnant, which is why she was so forward the day she met Landon. And now Leland is a pedo too. 🤮 3y
Cinfhen Ohhhhhh, that‘s a great theory!! I mean it‘s sick AF but Yesssss!! That seems to fit @Reviewsbylola good call ☎️ 📞 3y
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squirrelbrain
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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OK, you convinced me Cindy @Cinfhen .... I‘m going in! Didn‘t take much persuading did I?

I love the cover of this book, but had forgotten I snagged a signed copy, so thought I‘d show that instead!

Cathythoughts Sounds good... I‘ll be looking out for your review 3y
Chelsea.Poole Maybe I should join you all! I‘ve been meaning to get to this for awhile! 3y
Reviewsbylola Yay! Glad you‘re joining us! @Chelsea.Poole do it!! 3y
squirrelbrain Yay! Do join in @Chelsea.Poole - I‘ve only just started but loving it so far! 3y
Cinfhen Yay!! It‘s a mini #buddyread / I didn‘t get to far last night but I‘m loving what I read so far @Chelsea @Reviewsbylola @squirrelbrain 3y
69 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Great dedication 🥰and notice the #BookishCoincidence ( the date Feb 12) I think im gonna like this book @squirrelbrain @Reviewsbylola

squirrelbrain Ooh that‘s a bit spooky! 3y
Reviewsbylola 😱 omg I didn‘t even notice! I loved that she gave this tribute to her mom. 3y
LeahBergen So cool! 3y
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Cinfhen
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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I‘m thinking of starting this one later tonight/ feel like joining me @Reviewsbylola ???
#Booked21 #AppalachianNoir

squirrelbrain Ooh I‘ve just bought this too.... 3y
Reviewsbylola I‘m down! I just started a new book this morning but what the hell, I‘ll put it aside. 3y
Cinfhen Do u want to join us @squirrelbrain ?!? Im about to pick it up @Reviewsbylola after I clear the dinner dishes 🤪 3y
squirrelbrain Hmmm, I‘m already on with 4 books but it is rather tempting.... 🤔 3y
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ClairesReads
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick

In spite of the fact it needs trigger warnings for basically everything, the horrifying things that happen in this novel never felt gratuitous, dramatic, or sensationalised. It‘s a story of complex and broken families, and the cruelties of human existence. McDaniel‘s skill is in the strong evocation of place, and her interrogation of the ripples left by trauma by exploring the worst experiences in the the same thoughtful manner as the everyday.

britt_brooke Excellent review! I‘m reading this now and am completely immersed. 3y
ClairesReads @britt_brooke thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy it 😊 3y
britt_brooke @ClairesReads I loved it. Five stars! I just read her first book, too, five stars as well. Definitely a must-read author for me going forward! 3y
ClairesReads @britt_brooke oh excellent I picked up a copy of her first book too- I‘m even more excited to read it now 3y
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Bindrosbookshelf
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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‘A girl comes of age against the knife‘ is this book in a nutshell. There are a lot of trigger warnings for this one but Betty and her resilience and love for her family pulls you through. The last chunk or so broke my heart in so many pieces. A tough but worth it read for me. I gave this one 5 stars

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TheNerdyProfessor
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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Pickpick


Hands down, Betty is the most beautiful, devastating book I have ever read. It literally broke my heart. And yet, the ending was so graceful and poignant. This one won't be easy to let go of as it follows the main character Betty through her coming-of-age in applachian Ohio. As much about family and identity as it is about the violence women are born into and often unable to escape. There are a lot of TW, so take heart when reading ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

LadyCait84 Just received this in the mail today...looking forward to being emotionally destroyed by it! 3y
squirrelbrain I just received it in the mail too @LadyCait84 - I‘ve heard such good things! 3y
Godpants This book broke my heart. I‘m glad you liked it too! 3y
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LiteraryinLawrence What a review! 3y
Addison_Reads Great review! 3y
Jenni3014 I have this on my shelf but it‘s very intimidating after reading such intense reviews of it. I‘m not sure I can handle having my heart shattered just yet. 3y
TheNerdyProfessor @Jenni3014 I actually read other books while reading Betty to give my heart a break. usually I only read one at time but this one I wanted to savor as well as digest slowly (it's a lot to take in at once) 3y
Jenni3014 That‘s really great advice! Thank you! I think I can manage it that way. 3y
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squirrelbrain
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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#bookmail! Last year I bought hardly any new books, and I hardly ever buy hardbacks so I‘m inordinately excited by today‘s parcel. ** happy dance ** The top and bottom books are signed copies too!

These are definitely all #blameitonlitsy purchases, or maybe I should blame certain specific Littens..... you know who you are... @Oryx @TrishB 😁

But now I have the dilemma of where to start.....

BarbaraBB Lovely! And we‘ll deserved. 3y
TrishB A lovely treat for yourself and great choices 😁 😘 3y
Kalalalatja I didn‘t really buy books last year, either, and I‘m really starting to feel the NEED to buy new books, even though I don‘t really read print books at the moment 😅 3y
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squirrelbrain Exactly @Kalalalatja - I have around 200 unread books on the TBR shelves so didn‘t need any more.... but it‘s so nice to treat ourselves once in a while - go for it! 😁 3y
Oryx That's a good stack. And I'm currently reading the Jane Harper one on audio too. 3y
eraderneely Gorgeous! I‘m leaning back into hardbacks right now too. 3y
squirrelbrain How funny @Oryx - I was going to listen to the Harper on audio but then I needed to spend Qb more for free delivery so I spent another (cc on that book! 3y
Oryx @squirrelbrain I've currently got £24.00 worth of books sitting in my waterstones basket. Waiting for my next 'must have' to get over that £25 mark... 3y
squirrelbrain Can you not add a bookmark or similar @Oryx ?! 🤣 3y
Oryx @squirrelbrain I do need to get a birthday card... Hmmm 3y
Megabooks Yay, Helen!! Enjoy!! 😃😃 3y
Caroline2 Good stack! I just got the signed edition of Harper too! you know what that means.... BUDDY READ!!! 😀 3y
squirrelbrain I just emailed you about that @Caroline2 ! 😘 3y
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FelinesAndFelonies
Betty: A novel | Tiffany McDaniel
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For his birthday, my husband bought me a new bookshelf for my BOTM books. We already had the cat but Hallow likes to feel important. #catsoflitsy #teamblackcat #prettykitty #catsy

CoverToCoverGirl He looks like my Shady. 3y
FelinesAndFelonies @CoverToCoverGirl I just love black cats! Hal is the second coolest cat in our house. 3y
35 likes3 comments