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West with Giraffes
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes..." Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. It's 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world's first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes. Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it's too late.
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marleed
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I‘m a sucker for a Depression era coming-of-age story, throw in a couple giraffes traveling ocean-to-ocean across the Lee Highway riddled with history and I‘m a goner! I stacked of this book after piles of well-deserved Litsy love so it seemed a great choice for my May #BookSpin category: Litsy Stacked. I purchased the ebook on sale but as I walked by a LFL last week this physical copy was telling me to choose the giraffes for my BS read!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
87 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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julieclair
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

A well written story about an orphaned teenage boy who accompanies two giraffes on a cross country road trip during the 1930s. Based on true events. A strong sense of time and place, and an insightful look at depression-era culture and society.
#NoBuyReadingChallenge @PuddleJumper
#ReadYourTBR @melissajayne

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Sapphire
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I felt like I did a fair amount of reading in February, but I didn‘t finish a lot. I have better books still in process, but tagged title was the best of the ones I finished this month. It was a library book group discussion in Feb and is my neighborhood bookgroup title for March, so I guess that‘s fair.

BarbaraBB Nothing beats Fresh Water 😉 3mo
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Macnjen
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

Go on a great adventure transporting giraffes across the country and you won‘t regret it. Wonderful story I highly recommend.

15 likes1 stack add
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Sapphire
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Hoping to read this over the weekend so I can tag along with hubby to his library bookgroup on Thursday. Our neighborhood bookgroup just selected this for the March discussion, so it will be worth the push (while doing laundry and packing!) #weekendgoals

Sapphire Had a good discussion at the library book group tonight! 4mo
25 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JenniferP
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Bailedbailed

Number 83 for #roll100 got this book off my kindle TBR pile. I read the first 50 pages and just didn‘t find it worth my reading time. Cute premise and I know a lot of people liked it, but too many other books out there!

BarbaraBB Good you joined #Roll100 to get it out of the way! 4mo
BarbaraBB Tagging @PuddleJumper so she can add you next month! 4mo
23 likes2 comments
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actualdisneyprincess
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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My mom‘s best friend (affectionately known as Mom2) has been on me to read this since probably last summer. 😂 I‘m finally listening. It‘s sweet so far, I love Woodrow. 🥹🥰 #westwithgiraffes #lyndarutledge #historicalfiction

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BookNAround
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Today‘s book on the couch with Gatsby.

dabbe Too sweet! ❣️🐾❣️ 4mo
peaknit How is Gatsby feeling? ❤️ (edited) 4mo
BookNAround @peaknit She‘s still holding steady. The vet follow up today showed no improvement in her lung X-rays but her blood work came back as okay so she can continue on the medication that is proven to work best for this. 🤷‍♀️ 4mo
82 likes3 comments
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tpixie
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I‘m reading & listening to this book for my IRL bookclub, and I realized my chairs look like giraffes!!! 🦒 🪑 🦒
#FriendsWithBooks

IndoorDame Love those moments of synchronicity! 4mo
tpixie @IndoorDame lol yes! 4mo
BookNAround I need to start this one for my IRL book club too. (It‘s on Thursday so I really should start asap!) 4mo
tpixie @BookNAround I started yesterday- my bookclub is Thursday also!! I‘m doing book and audio to try to get it done faster… luckily my library had both! 4mo
69 likes4 comments
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Jenken1998
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

A story told by a 100 year old man about his depression era adventure druving giraffes across the United States. Sweet coming of age story with memorable characters. 5 🌟

Lollymya So good 5mo
62 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Teresereading
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Miracle Giraffes Ride Hurricane at Sea
#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

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SerenaCrawford
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Starting today…..

SerenaCrawford Anyone interested to read along with me? Let me know 🦒🦒 6mo
Wesleypaker Hello 👋 there 6mo
56 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this story of a young Depression era kid, Woody, who falls into a job driving giraffes from New York to California. Woody‘s relationship with those giraffes was sweet and touching. Riley Jones and Augusta Red were also good characters. At first I was a little puzzled as to why the narrator of the audiobook sounded so old; then I realized that Woody was over 100 when he was telling this story, so the narrator was perfect. #audiobook

KathyWheeler I finished West With Giraffes in the middle of my walk, so I started 8mo
tpixie Lol thanks!!! I googled a photo of the near raider and I thought he shouldn‘t sound that old!!!! it‘s because WOODY is old!!!! Whew 😅 mystery solved!!! 4mo
KathyWheeler @tpixie I thought the same thing at first! 4mo
tpixie @KathyWheeler 😀 I was just talking to my sister about it. I‘ll have to tell her! 4mo
30 likes4 comments
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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I‘ve got about 3 hours left in this book, so I should be finished soon. I love the characters. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Whenever I have to take my husband or daughter to the doctor, it exhausts me. I don‘t know why. Sometimes I‘ll go to bed right when we get home. Today, though, I went for a couple of walks instead. I‘m glad I did. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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West with Giraffes is my new walking book. So far, I really like it. The basketball statue by the fountain was actually not on my walk; it‘s right in front of the building where I swim. #audiowalk

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bookandbedandtea
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I couldn't decide between these so I have 2 #LetterW books today #Alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Ann_Reads I was surprised by West With Giraffes. It was quite good. 👍 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 🙌🏻📚 9mo
bookandbedandtea @Ann_Reads I was a little hesitant going in but I ended up loving it! 9mo
24 likes3 comments
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peaknit
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Enjoying a new book at a sweet little Airbnb in the Upper Pennisula.

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Just.Linds
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

This book was such a unique piece of history I am glad I was able to experience. The store she wove using this crazy story is beautiful, tragic and heartwarming. Reminds me of a Disney movie, truly. Will say it took a bit to pick up and start really going but definitely glad I read!

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wisherwishinguponastar
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Thank you so much! I can‘t wait to dig in to the book and start using the stationery! I made an excited squeal when I saw the washi tape. #litsylovesummerswap #litsylove
@Kdgordon88
@rsteve388

Deblovestoread 💜💜💜 11mo
Bookwormjillk Enjoy! 11mo
15 likes2 comments
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

5 star book for me! I loved the storytelling and the characters!

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Starting this novel while waiting for my MIL to get finished up with a procedure in the hospital.

Prairiegirl_reading If you haven‘t already, Google the image of the truck they actually used to transport the giraffes. It really helped me because I was having trouble picturing what it looked like. Enjoy! And I hope everything goes well for your MIL. 😄 13mo
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DLQBOOKNERD
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Started slow, but kept me interested about halfway through. I like historical fiction and this was filled with it. Ended up being a nice read.

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Just.Linds
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge

“I could spend what I feel in my bones is my life‘s last clear hours to tell you of the dust bowl. Or the war. Or the French peonies. Or my wives, so many wives. Or the graves so many graves. Or the goodbyes. So many goodbyes”
-3

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BookBosomed1
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Mehso-so

This book is about the resilience of beings, the power of stories, and how relationships with humans and animals impact our journey. If you enjoy historical fiction, animals, and are looking for a quirky escape, you‘ll likely find enjoyment in this book. Overall, it is a cute and charming tale. I appreciated that it provided a look into a historical moment that was previously unknown. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56449476

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BookBosomed1
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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@kellyann28 I‘ll finish the book this weekend and send it back to you beginning of next week. I haven‘t forgotten!

kellyann28 Thank you! 1y
BookBosomed1 @ncsufoxes I received my and card. I totally get it! I‘ve also been in grad school while moving. I did not have to do all that with kids, however. Wow! I am hoping your move goes/went well. 1y
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BilboBookends
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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“For a mile, the Old Man and I rode in blessed silence, the giraffes looking back like they‘d acquired a taste for gospel singing, with the windshield wipers slapping time.”

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coffeebooksandchaos
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

I picked up West with Giraffes not knowing really anything about it and found it very enjoyable. I felt connected to Boy and Girl and invested in their journey. Woody, Red and the Old Man each gave an insight into the human condition. I read this on the heels of The Four Winds, which gave an in-depth look at the Dust Bowl. That detail made this story even richer. A truly unique journey to learn about!

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BookBosomed1
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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@ncsufoxes The book arrived yesterday (thank you for the VDay card). I started reading the book last night, and I‘m loving it. @kellyann28 I‘m sending the other book your way today. My apologies for the delay; Work has been hectic. @Laughterhp #lmpbc

kellyann28 Thanks for letting me know! 1y
BookBosomed1 @kellyann28 I sent the book yesterday! I wrote you a note about the state of the book‘s cover thinking it was your book. When I got home, I remembered it was the book chosen by @Laughterhp. @Laughterhp the book cover ripped; I tried to repair it as best as I could. 1y
Laughterhp Oh, thanks for letting me know! I never expect the books to come back in the same condition they left in but thanks for trying to fix it. 1y
25 likes3 comments
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Allthebookclubs
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

This was a very interesting story, a likely fictional account of a fact based event that happened in the 1938 and told by a old man in present day who‘s over 100. I‘m an animal lover, like Jones and Woody I don‘t have much respect for people who treat them poorly. Book #9 in 2022

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Allthebookclubs
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

This was a very interesting story, a likely fictional account of a fact based event that happened in the 1938 and told by a old man in present day who‘s over 100. I‘m an animal lover, like Jones and Woody I don‘t have much respect for people who treat them poorly. Book #9 in 2022

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smalldogs_bigbooks2419
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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I don‘t use my Amazon Prime account very often (or choose a #firstread) but I‘ve been wanting to read this one for a while. Getting it for free was a deal I couldn‘t pass up. 🦒 🦒 ❤️❤️📖📖

rachaich I read this and thought it was ace! 1y
33 likes1 comment
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ncsufoxes
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Finished this #LMBPC book today during lunch. It was such a sweet story with many adventures along the way. I forget how much change was happening in the US during the 1930s. I loved the connection between the giraffes with the people they trusted as they traveled to the San Diego zoo. We love the SD zoo & all their work & conservation of so many animals. It‘s definitely a wonderful place to visit & you forget you are in downtown SD.

ncsufoxes This also gives me bingo for the month, #bookspinbingo 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
kellyann28 I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🥰 1y
21 likes3 comments
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ncsufoxes
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Trying to finish the tagged book so I can get it mailed out next week for #LMBPC. As you can see we love giraffes, this was at the San Diego zoo. On the weekends if you get there at just the right time you can buy biscuits & get to feed the giraffes. My son loved it, one of the best experiences. We have been zoo pass holder on & off over the last 10 years we‘ve lived in San Diego. We‘ve been lucky to live so close to such a great zoo &safari park.

mandarchy Have you read the book Neck and neck by Elise Parsley? Everything she writes is so funny. 1y
kellyann28 Oh that is very cool! I've feed big lettuce leaves to the Giraffes at the Memphis Zoo, it is so special! 1y
17 likes2 comments
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LoverOfLearning
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Found this gem on Amazon Kindle for free!!

Not sure why it says I borrowed it.... but heck yeah! If I love it I'm definitely buying it because I know the design under the book jacket on the hard cover is stunning.

Giraffes are definitely my favorite animal 🦒🦒

TrishB You get access to some free kindle books with your prime membership- but you only borrow them. You can borrow up to 10- if you go over that you have to ‘return‘ some. 1y
LoverOfLearning @TrishB oooh! Okay great! Is there a time limit? I couldn't find that. Also I cancelled my prime and I don't remember when my membership officially ends 🙃 🤣 1y
TrishB No time limit- but I‘m guessing when your prime ends 😁 you can check this in your account I think. 1y
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LoverOfLearning @TrishB haha can you tell why I cancelled it 🤣 never used the dang thing. Lmao. Thanks for you help! 1y
eeclayton Amazon keeps recommending this book to me for some reason. Looking forward to your review! 1y
tokorowilliamwallace Yeah I have my full 10 borrow books for Prime Reading and I haven't finished any of them yet, so I can't get new ones each month yet. Bad habits. 14mo
36 likes6 comments
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Sharpeipup
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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The book jacket is hiding such a cool cover!

LoverOfLearning Ohhhh I love giraffes. That cover is gorgeous! 1y
LoverOfLearning Are you enjoying the book?! 1y
Sharpeipup @loveroflearning Yes! Halfway through and enjoying it so far. 1y
35 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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ncsufoxes
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Good mail week, #LMPBC book arrived (I‘m hopeful that I can get it done by the end of the month). @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks your lovely gift arrived, thank you! 😊

Laughterhp Glad it got there. Sorry for the delay! 1y
ncsufoxes @Laughterhp no problem, I just mailed out the one before the other day. It‘s perfect timing because I just finished a book a day or two ago & needed something to read 1y
kellyann28 Yay! 🎉 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re very welcome!! 🧡 1y
24 likes4 comments
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bookandbedandtea
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Last one, I swear! But I can't believe I left this out of my 2021 runners up post. This was fantastic. 🦒🦒

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Laughterhp
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Finished this one tonight. This was such a lovely story. Quite the road-trip, action and adventure. Don‘t want to say too much because it‘s our #LMPBC pick!
This was a great pick though!

#TeamGameSleigher #TBRRead +16pts
#AVeryMerryReadathon
#WinterCosy
#WrapitupReadathon
#ChristmasMyWay
#BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
kellyann28 Glad you liked it! 1y
60 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Laughterhp
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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#BookMail - Received my #BOTM and #LMPBC books in the mail yesterday!

Also, got my socks and some stickers. Now let‘s get to reading!

kellyann28 Hooray! Sorry mine took its sweet time 😂 1y
52 likes1 comment
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MelissaSue81
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Why did no one tell me about this book sooner? Why does my public library system only own a couple of copies? This book had it all for me. All the feels plus some adventure and suspense and a cross country voyage. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nutmegnc Great title! 2y
55 likes1 stack add1 comment
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kellyann28
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Finished! This was a nice historical fiction and one that will leave you with the warm and fuzzies ❤
I will be putting this in the mail to the next destination next week! #LMPBC

@Laughterhp @ncsufoxes @BookBosomed1

Laughterhp Can‘t wait to read this one! 2y
Laughterhp Hey, did you ever mail this? Just checking because I haven‘t gotten it yet. 1y
kellyann28 @Laughterhp oh no. Yes I mailed it two weeks ago. Let me see if PayPal kept the tracking 1y
kellyann28 @Laughterhp I sent you an email with the tracking number. It must have gotten held up in Memphis, which I'm not surprised 😂 it is in your state as of today, though! 1y
Laughterhp Oh good, thanks! I‘m glad it didn‘t get lost. 1y
27 likes1 stack add5 comments
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kellyann28
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Starting my #LMPBC pick for this fresh round! ❤
@BookBosomed1 @ncsufoxes @Laughterhp

BookBosomed1 Love this pic. I started mine a few days ago. Trying to read at least a chapter a day. I keep forgetting to write stuff. 🤣 2y
kellyann28 @BookBosomed1 Is this your first LMPBC? 2y
kellyann28 @BookBosomed1 It feels a little sacrilegious at first but you'll get used to it! ❤ 2y
33 likes4 comments
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kellyann28
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Hello #LMPBC #GroupJ 💜 I'm excited to read some historical fiction with you all this round! Here are my choices that I've been debating. Have you read any previously? Any that stand out to you?
@Laughterhp @ncsufoxes @BookBosomed1

Laughterhp West With Giraffes would be my top choice because it‘s on my TBR. But they all sound good and I haven‘t read any of them! 2y
BookBosomed1 I like them all! I haven‘t read any of those books. The Girls in the Stilt House and The World That We Knew are all on my TBR. (edited) 2y
BookBosomed1 I just read the description for West with Giraffes and I‘m excited about that one. 2y
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ncsufoxes I haven‘t read any of them, they all sound interesting. 2y
kellyann28 Thanks all! I'm going to go with West with Giraffes then for my pick! @Laughterhp @BookBosomed1 @ncsufoxes 2y
Laughterhp Yay!! 2y
30 likes7 comments
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KristiAhlers
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

This was a genuinely entertaining read. Fast paced with a great cast of characters. Was an online book club read and as such I found it to be a good choice. Great escape.

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Nessavamusic
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Pickpick

Read this for one of my book clubs. A sweet depression era story of a roadtrip across country with two giraffes. Though a tad slow at times, it includes a bit of action, a bit of a love story (not a romance though) and adorable giraffes. A easy read that I give 3.5⭐️
My first #bookspinbingo too!

TheAromaofBooks Yay bingo!!! 2y
36 likes1 comment
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rachaich
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
Pickpick

Nice read, quite a feel good story but element of the suffering of the depression era and movement.
I liked the characters and that the tale kept moving along.

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rachaich
West with Giraffes | Lynda Rutledge
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Book club for August.
I've had to download it as it wasn't available at all through the county library 🤔😱