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Unlikely Animals
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
A lost young woman returns to small-town New Hampshire under the strangest of circumstances in this one-of-a-kind novel of life, death, and whatever comes after from the acclaimed author of Rabbit Cake. It was a source of entertainment at Maple Street Cemetery. Both funny and sad, the kind of story we like best. Natural-born healer Emma Starling once had big plans for her life, but she's lost her way. A med school dropout, she's come back to small-town Everton, New Hampshire to care for her father, dying from a mysterious brain disease. Clive Starling has been hallucinating small animals, as well as visions of the ghost of a long-dead naturalist, Ernest Harold Baynes, once known for letting wild animals live in his house. This ghost has been giving Clive some ideas on how to spend his final days. Emma arrives home knowing she must face her dad's illness, her mom's judgement, and her younger brother's recent stint in rehab, but she's unprepared to find that her former best friend from high school is missing, with no one bothering to look for her. The police say they don't spend much time looking for drug addicts. Emma's dad is the only one convinced the young woman might still be alive, and Emma is hopeful he could be right. Someone should look for her, at least. Emma isn't really trying to be a hero--but somehow she and her father set in motion just the kind of miracle the town needs. Set against the backdrop of a small town in the throes of a very real opioid crisis, Unlikely Animals is a tragicomic novel about familial expectations, imperfect friendships, and the possibility of resurrecting that which had been thought irrevocably lost.
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review
Robotswithpersonality
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Mehso-so

I'm feeling a lot more charitable towards this book after reading the author's note. I now understand what the author was trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, the narrative itself didn't quite manage to accomplish in 340 pages what the author's note did in 4. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality As much as I signed on for a quirky/morbid book with the dead narrating and dipping into animal's perspectives, suspension of disbelief was not possible when confronted by a person with no training, experience or certification being hired as a long term substitute teacher, a senior in a retirement community having unrestricted access to a loaded gun, and a person doctor-recommended for full-time care, with no mention of financial barriers to such, REPEATEDLY being left alone. It might have been necessary for the plot, but alongside perfunctory prose and inconsistent characterization, I spent a lot of time feeling detached from the story. 2/? 3w
Robotswithpersonality It has its moments, and a heck of a twist, but whether it was emotional outbursts or big reveals, it never quite felt earned, like there was a steady build up that the reader could be invested in. The side effect of too many characters? Too many plotlines?
Turns out the passages I found the most charming were actually excerpts from another writer. 3/4
3w
Robotswithpersonality Personal thing, admittedly, but the whole 'domesticating wild animals' thing also really bugs me, though the last bear scene might be inferred as a powerful statement against such.
Safe to say, it wasn't for me.
⚠️ Infidelity, terminal illness, drug addiction 4/4
3w
7 likes3 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Under the heading of 'silly rules': No Evil-Doing. 🤨

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Robotswithpersonality
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Imagine, next level therapy dog: don't just spend time cuddling puppy, float gently in puppy's mind. 🐶

3 likes1 stack add
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rebbyj
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
Pickpick

Lovely lovely. A follow on the Our Town

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ATB
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Now reading in the MSU Library. Super excited, got a library card too.

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ATB
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Traveling, found a library with a fireplace and the digital book I am reading. So now sitting in front of the fire reading the physical copy.

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RJRobertson
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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carolcharityhome Hi you there 2mo
1 like1 comment
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AmyG
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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I listened to this one. Well read with multiple narrators. Decent book.

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick

Daisey I didn‘t love this book either, but I thought the audio was very well done. 2mo
AmyG @Daisey It wasn‘t a bad read but it was a little too “quirky” for me. (edited) 2mo
Soubhiville I liked this more because it took place in one of the places I lived growing up. My dad knew about the park they talk about, though he never went there and it‘s been shut down for quite a while. 2mo
AmyG @Soubhiville Ha…well, that helps! 2mo
61 likes4 comments
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TEArificbooks
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

I loved the characters, the ghosts, the town, the animals. It was just a bit busy for a novel. I definitely want there to be a sequel and revisit the characters. I think if you like The Book Thief then you will like this book.

47 likes1 stack add
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suvata
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

#MMD Pick for March 2023

#StoryGraph: fiction contemporary literary magical realism emotional reflective medium-paced
368 pages • first pub 2022

Please note, I am a big fan of magical realism and dark humor. If you like that kind of book this one will please you.

Publisher‘s blurb:
A lost young woman returns to small-town New Hampshire under the strangest of circumstances in this one-of-a-kind novel of life, death, and whatever comes after.

56 likes1 stack add
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dmanto00
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Mehso-so

⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

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readswellwithothers
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this!

All the stars for strong character building, sweet plot lines, and just the right dose of magical thinking.

Witty, smart, and adorable but not saccharine. I already wish I could read it again for the first time.

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TheKidUpstairs
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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@monalyisha your matching skills always impress me! I had a great list from @Chelsea.Poole to choose from for #AuldLangSpine and I was able to get to 6 of them in January! All were really good reads, Unlikely Animals and Rabbit Hutch were stand outs. I've got two more on the go (Lost and Found, and All That She Carried) and will continue to read more throughout the year!

Thanks Alyisha for another great year, & Chelsea for being a great partner!

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canbku
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

Really very charming! Gentle on the reader for some of the right parts. Id love to read this author again. The history and ghostly angle was great, too. They provided some levity and a funny Greek chorus

67 likes1 stack add
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bookishdawg
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

I picked this up based on a recommendation from Annie B. Jones at The Bookshelf… so glad I did. Quirky characters, family dynamics, and learning just how you fit in (and how much you are loved). ❤️

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TheKidUpstairs
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

I have no idea how this book escaped my attention before finding it on @Chelsea.Poole 's #auldlangspine list. It is 100% my kind of read. Delightfully quirky and heartfelt without being cheesy, light magical realism, a remarkable cast of characters surrounding a wonderfully dysfunctional family (who manage to function rather well despite it all). And it all comes together with the most madcap, bonkers, fantastic community theatre production. 👇

TheKidUpstairs I was actually laughing out loud reading about Opening Night. Not many books can do that. Absolutely delightful. 5mo
Megabooks Agreed! This was fantastic. Nice choice @Chelsea.Poole !! 5mo
See All 6 Comments
jlhammar Loved this book! So glad you enjoyed it. 5mo
Chelsea.Poole @TheKidUpstairs —yes! Quirky without the cheesy isn‘t always easy to come by. Glad it worked out for you! 5mo
71 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Laughterhp
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

Finished this earlier this week. So glad I finally picked it up. I don‘t know what originally put it on my TBR because it‘s not my typical read at all. But I loved it.

Emma goes back home to NH to help take care of her sick father. She becomes a substitute teacher and you get a lot of ghostly perspectives.

This book dealt with some heavy topics but in a lightish way.

So glad for #ALSpine for bumping this up my list!

#JumpStart2023

JenniferP I've been curious about this one - sounds good! 5mo
monalyisha I really enjoyed her debut, too! Haven‘t picked this one up yet because I‘ve read some similar-ish things recently (synopsis-wise) & am trying to space them out. But it looks great! 5mo
DebinHawaii I definitely would have this one in my top 10 of last year—it was so quirky & endearing. If you haven‘t read Rabbit Cake as @monalyisha mentioned it is delightful too. 🤗 5mo
66 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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canbku
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Starting a new and quirky one suggested as a best of 2022 and I hadn't heard of it and only one format is available in the library

59 likes2 stack adds
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TheKidUpstairs
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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I'm just starting the tagged, and I can't help but picture the ghosts from Ghosts as the cemetery chorus.

#AuldLangSpine @Chelsea.Poole @monalyisha

MoonWitch94 Ohhh the US version of Ghosts is one of my favorite shows! I heard the UK version is excellent, too. 5mo
TheKidUpstairs @MoonWitch94 I haven't watched the US version (I don't think it's available anywhere here), but I love the UK one! 5mo
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jlhammar
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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#12Booksof2022 🎶 On the fifth day of Christmas my true love read to me, a cemetery chorus! 🎶

For my twelve, I‘m highlighting my favorite audiobooks of the year. Great books that were all the more enjoyable thanks to outstanding narration &/or production.

Andrew65 Looks interesting. 5mo
55 likes1 comment
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TrishB
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

I did enjoy this one- just not as much as Rabbit Cake! Similar themes etc and maybe it was my frazzled, end of year mood. But a good read overall.

BarbaraBB Still haven‘t read Rabbit Cake 6mo
TrishB @BarbaraBB I‘ve been mulling over whether you‘ll like it! When you want something lighter maybe. 6mo
82 likes2 comments
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Maria514626
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

This may be one of my favorites of the year. The reader was excellent.

I don‘t know where to begin. It‘s like The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I just love the book and can‘t explain why.

The narrator was sublime. You find out very quickly who it is but I won‘t give it away. It makes the book magical.

5/5 🌟

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Branwen
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Eeeeeee! This absolutely made my day!

A few days ago, we (the library) posted a little video on IG featuring some of my favorite books/genres/authors of the year. My favorite book I read this year has been Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett and she actually commented on the post! 😱 So cool!

My little bookish heart is SO happy! 🥹💕📚

If you want to see the video, the library's IG is @farmlib ! Read more 👇

Branwen It's fairly impossible to narrow down my favorite books of the year in a 30 second video! So, in early January I plan on putting some videos together featuring my top 5 of 2022 in various categories: Top 5 fave literary fiction, top 5 favorite thrillers, top 5 favorite fantasy/scifi, etc! So stay tuned for those! 📚💕 6mo
vivastory That's awesome! She was on Litsy when Rabbit Cake first came out. I'm looking forward to your best of the year videos 📚📚 6mo
43 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Okay, I‘ve scrubbed through @DebinHawaii ‘s list! I‘ve read 6 of the books (which always a good sign honestly)! I might reread Cerulean Sea but we‘ll see. I have no idea what my library has yet either!

I‘m most excited for the top row of the books because they are definitely all in my wheelhouse. And I have never heard of a few.
The 2nd row is slightly out of my wheelhouse, but appeal to me.
The 3rd row will be a mix for me.

#AuldLangSpine

Laughterhp I‘m also interested in the Traveling Cat one, but all the reviews said it made them cry, so it might not be a January read, but a read for when I am okay to cry and read! 6mo
monalyisha I loved Deb‘s list! Glad you‘re excited about it, too. 😊 Left Coast Literary and the bottom 3 on the right-hand side really spoke to me. I always add so many books to my TBR when making these matches! 6mo
Laughterhp @monalyisha Those are all the ones my library doesn‘t have! Hard copies or digital! Which is very upsetting! 6mo
See All 9 Comments
TheKidUpstairs Empire of Wild is a great read! I love Cherie Dimaline so much. 6mo
monalyisha @Laughterhp Ugh, I hate that! Maybe if you put in purchase requests, they‘ll be speedy about it. 😉 Good luck! 6mo
DebinHawaii I am happy you found some books you are excited about on my list. Sorry you have read 6 already. I have only taken a look at your list as I have to finish a work project & I haven‘t read any of them however several I have already in my TBR stacks which is awesome as this will be the push I need. 🤣 I also am 2/3 of the way through this one & unless it ends badly, it would probably also be on this list: 6mo
Laughterhp @DebinHawaii Ohh that one is on my TBR as well! I‘m hoping I get that one for Christmas! 6mo
Scochrane26 I enjoyed Taste on audio 6mo
Laughterhp @Scochrane26 I‘m hoping to listen to that one on audio! 6mo
48 likes9 comments
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CBee
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

I loved Annie‘s book, Rabbit Cake, and I loved Unlikely Animals even more! I didn‘t even think of it being historical fiction until I read her note at the end. Loved the parts that were narrated by the (dead) folks in the cemetery. Loved the cast of flawed and eccentric characters! Dysfunctional family fiction at its best with ALLL the animals. Super duper good and I want more ♥️😊

CBee @AmyG you‘ve read this, right? It‘s right up your alley. We are the dysfunctional family fiction twins, after all 😂😂 7mo
Deblovestoread Loved this one so much it likely has a spot on my best of 2022 list. 7mo
CBee @Deblovestoread I agree with you! Absolutely a favorite of the year. 7mo
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jlhammar Yes! Such a wonderful, funny, heartwarming book. So glad you enjoyed it! 7mo
CBee @jlhammar 😊😊 7mo
AmyG Hahaha. I saw this and thought-another book I now need to read! Thank you! Stacked. 7mo
CBee @AmyG yes, yes you do. You will love it! 7mo
86 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Daisey
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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I started our next #LitsyBookClub pick yesterday and continued it this afternoon. It‘s piqued my interest with ghosts and animals and quite a collection of characters.

While I listened to the #audiobook I made peanut butter pumpkin puppy treats for Luthien. We‘ve been going through lots of training treats, so I figured this was a more cost effective option. #DogsOfLitsy

Smrloomis That puppy is so adorable! 😍 What a cutie! 7mo
Ruthiella He‘s a good boy! 🐶❤️ 7mo
Daisey @Smrloomis @Ruthiella Thank you! She‘s been a great puppy so far, and I‘m enjoying spoiling her a bit. 7mo
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BookNAround So precious! 7mo
Daisey @BookNAround Absolutely! 7mo
CBee @Daisey I love your puppy! So I actually just finished Unlikely Animals and would love to participate in the #litsybookclub discussion! Has that already happened, or do you know who runs it? Thanks - it was SUCH great read!! 7mo
Daisey @CBee I think we decided on this Sunday 11/6 at 2pm Eastern. I‘ll tag you again when I get the link. @Graciouswarriorprincess sets up our discussions. 7mo
CBee @Daisey thank you!! 7mo
Graciouswarriorprincess @CBee Are you on Facebook? We have a Litsy book group there and it‘s where we will be doing the meeting today at 2 pm EST. 7mo
CBee @Graciouswarriorprincess I don‘t really use FB 🤷‍♀️ It‘s all good! 7mo
Graciouswarriorprincess @CBee We used to Zoom when it was free. We are trying this to see if it works. If not, we‘ll go back to Zoom. 7mo
CBee @Graciouswarriorprincess ohhh I didn‘t know Zoom was charging a fee now 🤨 7mo
55 likes12 comments
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Tonton
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

First encounter with magical realism was with Marquez, Allende, moving on to Toni Morrison, Murakami and Carpentier. Reviews noted magical realism elements in this story of a young woman escaping a small New Hampshire town to go to medical school but who never went to classes and returned home as her professor father was hallucinating animals and palled around wait a ghost. Emma was regarded as a healer but has lost her touch, unable to save her..

Tonton ..father or her brother recovering from opioid and heroin addiction. There‘s a Greek chorus of ghosts in the nearby cemetery, a dog named Moses , and her childhood best friend who has been missing for months. Book is magic realism lite, very cozy, and cute which is not a bad thing, just unexpected. Very funny in parts, and volumes to say on believing in people. Moses the dog does his doggy best, but who I loved most out of all the among the quirky 8mo
Tonton characters is Rasputin, the fox Emma‘s father bought for $18,000 from a fox farm in Russia. Only a few scenes but his thinking and point of view is clear and direct😂🌟💕 (edited) 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great review!! 8mo
29 likes3 comments
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MegCaldwell
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

I have loved Annie Hartnett since her first book Rabbit Cake. And this book her second book was no different, I adored it.

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litsybookclub
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Our October book. Please join us in reading this month. A meeting time to discuss the book will be posted later this month.

Questions? Ask @Graciouswarriorprincess

CBee I just finished this and would LOVE to participate in the discussion! @litsybookclub @Graciouswarriorprincess 7mo
48 likes1 comment
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tpixie
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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A little audio walking today. Reading our October book for #LitsyBookClub It‘s 77deg and lovely in the shade. 🦊 🍁

56 likes1 stack add
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Reynosa8701
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Sent the book out today should be there Tuesday! Will be starting the other book today! #lmpbc15

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ruthemmielang
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Went to the library today and picked up these beauties 📚✨ Now I just have to decide which one to read first 😬

#amreading #currentlyreading #TBR

BookBosomed1 I loooooved Once There Were Wolves. I wish I could read it for the first time again. It does contain heavy issues, so reader be aware. (edited) 9mo
Chelsea.Poole I‘m with @BookBosomed1 — LOVED Wolves, and also really enjoyed Unlikely Animals…haven‘t read the other. But nice stack! 😊 9mo
48 likes2 comments
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Allylu
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

Finished this audiobook this morning. I enjoyed it as it went along. There were amusing things happening…lalala…then there was the wrap-up. It wasn‘t the end, but close to the end, and it was hilarious. So glad I listened to this one. #88 #BookSpin #BFC22

wanderinglynn 🙌🏻 9mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 9mo
19 likes2 comments
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Kboltz
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

Loved this book in every aspect from start to finish. Set in a small New Hampshire town, Emma reluctantly comes home to help with her ailing father. Opioids, animals in a protected area, ghosts that watch all that goes on, lost friends, and a quirky family. Loved everything in this book. Fun and loving. Your first love is your family and those first best friends.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Allylu
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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#LittensWantToKnow @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #CurrentlyReading Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett on audio and La Cuentista by Donna Barbra Higuera a hardcover from the library. I also picked up True Biz by Sara Novic - the library is undergoing some renovations and I was worried I wouldn‘t be able to get books. And, my hold on The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley came in! So much for reading 2 books at a time.

Allylu And yes, I am enjoying them all! 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 📚🙌🏻 9mo
12 likes2 comments
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HeatherBookNerd
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

This was delightfully odd and thoroughly enjoyable. A warm-hearted story about a messy family finding their way to each other in strange ways. It has a sort of barely contained wackiness to it that really is rather charming.

tpixie Oh good! We will be reading it for @litsybookclub for our October book!! Loved her other book 9mo
HeatherBookNerd @tpixie it has that same appealing quirkiness as Rabbit Cake. Really enjoyed it! 9mo
tpixie @HeatherBookNerd awesomeness 9mo
38 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

An utter delight! I loved this quirky (but not too saccharine) novel filled with creatures and the opinions of ghosts, featuring a homecoming; it‘s silly and sweet, but also full of sad and meaningful moments. Why did I wait so long to read this? This is a book right up my alley and I will be recommending it to many! 🦊
Side note: it‘s soccer season! Love watching my boys play! ⚽️ ♥️

Megabooks Great review! 💯 agree! 9mo
BiblioLitten Have you read Rabbit Cake by the same author? 9mo
jlhammar Loved this one! An utter delight indeed! 9mo
Kboltz Loved it! 9mo
91 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Augustdana
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Finishing this tonight! Love it.

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Deblovestoread
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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jlhammar Agreed! Loved it. 9mo
30 likes1 comment
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LeslieO
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s. #LetterT #LetterU #AlphabetGame

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Allylu
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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So, I haven‘t read this book yet, but it‘s next in my audiobook queue and I‘m looking forward to it. I have heard very good things about it. #LetterU #AlphabetGame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Cinfhen Great choice!!! This was really quirky but really sweet 9mo
Cinfhen How are you feeling??? 9mo
Allylu @Cinfhen I‘m better but there‘s still “stuff” in my chest that makes me cough occasionally. My energy is good. 9mo
See All 6 Comments
Eggs 💙💛💙 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚 9mo
Andrew65 Good to hear you are improving 9mo
26 likes6 comments
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Reynosa8701
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett

Started this book today finally sent out The Invite! It should be there by Monday!

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Erinreadsthebooks
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

A book that you want to hug when you finish. Fun. Thoughtful. Interesting. Quirky. Everything about it is just right. The animals, connections to people and events in history, the collective “we” of those buried in the cemetery. It‘s all perfectly aligned with more serious topics, and I really love when the author‘s note is equally as interesting to read. An absolute pick! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Allyneedsbooks Can‘t wait 🥰 10mo
27 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Erinreadsthebooks
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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“That‘s why we like living with animals so much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive.”

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Erinreadsthebooks
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Would you look at this smaller font for Zoe F.‘s tiny voice?! Loveeee 🤩😍🙌

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Erinreadsthebooks
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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jlhammar I adored this book! So funny and heartwarming. 10mo
29 likes1 comment
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wellreadredhead
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett

@Reynosa8701 @Marmie7 I‘m running a bit behind on my book club pick but I promise I will get it in the mail as soon as I can to you Reyna! We should be okay to still finish on time since we are down a fourth member and have extra time to send our books around. Hope all is well with you two! #lmpbc

Reynosa8701 I‘m slacking as well I‘ll be sending mine out tomorrow 10mo
20 likes1 comment
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Susanita
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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1. Laura Lippman
2. I just finished the tagged book last night. It‘s quirky and enjoyable!
3. New and old friends at the community center.
#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Thank you 💗🙏🏻📚 11mo
27 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
Unlikely Animals | Annie Hartnett
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Pickpick

In lesser hands, a book like this—narrated by a Greek chorus of the dead in the local cemetery, featuring hallucinations of animals and a person who can heal with her hands—would drown in quirk or just be silly. But Annie Hartnett instead makes the story delightful. When she seems to be headed hard into sentimentality, she quickly swings it around with humor. Just fabulous.

shanaqui Interesting! And I love the drawings on the cover, too; that's what first caught my eye. 11mo
54 likes1 stack add1 comment