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I‘ve read Anne Tyler years ago and I think I liked her books back then. This book just sort of meandered along at a slow and easy pace. A bit like it‘s main character. Maybe that was the point.

Shopping the audible sale reminded me of this. My library had it, which was good because I didn‘t enjoy it that much. I‘m surprised it was longlisted for the Booker. 🤨 Macleod Andrews is a favorite narrator, but even he couldn‘t make me love this novella about an awkward, fussy introvert.

Micah is the Tech Hermit repairman and lives a fastidious life that barely leaves room for his girlfriend. When an ex‘s son shows up, he reevaluates his life.

A great Sunday read. A gentle well written story of a 40 something man. Perfect.

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Book 108

I love Anne Tyler's characters! They are so everyday realistic and very dimensional. I was transported into Mortimer's everyday, overly organized life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“But somehow, at the end of an entire day of doing everything he was supposed to he just runs out of enthusiasm.” I loved this short, sweet story. I fell for main character Micah, and *may* have had a little cry at the end. Anne Tyler writes characters so well, and tells such gentle stories, they get me every time.

This is a short read by an award winning author. I would only recommend this book if you enjoy character study because there isn‘t much actually happening in terms of plot. A older man who has had a series of failed relationships gets a surprise visit from a former girlfriend‘s son. The intrusion of strangers and disruption in his daily routine causes him to briefly ponder his choices in life.

This was a strange one for me. It felt like we just plopped down for a short visit with someone we sort of know and then just picked up and left again when our required visiting time was over. I didn‘t have enough time to really get to know or care for the characters, although I do feel like I would have with more time. The narrator was great, however! 🌟🌟🌟

Brilliant!
My only criticism would be that it ended too soon, almost abruptly.
Love how she writes, snapshots of lives, bits of back story.
😽😺👧

An easy 5 ⭐. Even though this was short, I grew to care a lot about the main character. Drew me into his everyday life. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this while driving to and from work listened via #libby

Reading my way through the Women's Prize long list and I am frankly shocked this book is on here. It could be a charming book about a man with very particular ideas and a lack of awareness. But nothing about this book comes anywhere close to the craft and beauty that many of the others on the list have.
Overall it is just fine. This will be tied for last place with Fleishmans in Trouble on my personal ranking of the list.

I‘ve been reading Anne Tyler for a long time and have to say it was great to be back in her world again. This one is about Micah, a forty something guy who goes to people‘s home to give tech service. Like the characters in the Accidental Tourist, his life is extremely structured. He has a funny way of speaking with a French accent to himself when he does certain tasks. Didn‘t know it was the last page and was sad it ended.

A quirky story—classic Anne Tyler, I think. NPR says of the title, “a lovely metaphor for the protagonist's inability to see clearly, which causes him to misread the relationships in his life.” Her characters aggravate me (their narrow choices, their mostly uninteresting lives) but somehow the storyline feels compelling (really because Tyler writes with such empathy for her characters).

Micah grew up in a chaotic, loud, messy family so as a single man in his forties, he prefers to control his life as much as possible. However, two events out of his control occur on the same day. Tyler‘s characters are so real and her books don‘t end with everything tied up neatly. Life is messy and Tyler‘s flawed characters remind us that it‘s not only okay to make mistakes, but that is what makes us human.

Still beautifully written but as the book was quite short I didn't feel there was much plot. That's normal for Tyler I feel but it seemed to be more of a problem this time.

A new Anne Tyler!!! Happy days! Shall start while I wait for banana bread to bake 🍰 📚 #booksandbakes