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stephhammer

stephhammer

Joined May 2016

Books take me places, & I take books places.
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Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King, Owen King
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stephhammer
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My aunt sent me this, and it arrived today. I‘m in tears as I flip through all the pictures and think of what an amazing role model this man continues to be and how we are in such a different place now as a country compared to when he and his family were in the White House. Just because he‘s not still president, it doesn‘t mean we can‘t be inspired by him. Go out and change the world, readers!

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stephhammer
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So hard to end my lunch break & head back to work after buying this and reading the first chapter.

JSW I just picked this one up. I never read the Dark Materials trilogy.... thoughts on whether I should read that first? 7y
stephhammer @JSW There are many little references to the original trilogy, but I‘m not yet sure if it‘s necessary to have read the original first. From my understanding, this trilogy can stand alone even though it‘s connected. 7y
JSW Thanks!! 7y
7 likes3 comments
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Catching up on my reading while I rest & get over a minor summer cold.

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I managed to stop myself at two books when I visited Grassroots Books in Reno, NV, but it was a challenge. Whenever I'm in Reno, I try to visit this bookstore. They have an excellent selection of new & used books at really good prices.

heikemarie I really liked listening to Robinson read You Can't Touch My Hair - would def recommend accompanying with the audiobook! 7y
SleepyDragon How often do you find yourself in Reno? 7y
SleepyDragon Btw, thanks for posting something here. It was beginning to feel a little like Google+. 7y
stephhammer @NeesyBeth I have friends in Reno. I'm here this time celebrating the 50th anniversary of some friends. I visit enough that I have favorite bookstores in this city. 7y
16 likes4 comments
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She Persisted | Chelsea Clinton
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Make book displays great again. 😉

Graciouswarriorprincess 👍🏻😍❤️ 7y
12 likes1 comment
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The Shining | Stephen King
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This book makes me want to throw out my to-do list & read until I finish. What are the books that make you want to ignore the rest of life & just read?

Leniverse Yes, all of them... 🙄 7y
12 likes1 comment
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Into the Wild | Jon Krakauer
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Rainy day reading

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The Shining | Stephen King
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Starting a Stephen King book late at night. Good idea, right?😉😱

8leagueboot Always 👻 7y
14 likes1 comment
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stephhammer
Pickpick

The small book packs in a lot of useful information on filmmaking. Each chapter also includes lists of resources in case you want to read more on a specific topic. As someone who has considered writing a screenplay, this book helped me to understand the full process of turning a script into a movie. This would be an excellent resource for a beginning filmmaker looking to start building their filmmaking library.

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Sense and Sensibilty | Jane Austen
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I like how books have a prominent place when the Dashwood ladies are unpacking at their new home. Everything else is just "other possessions." ?

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Some of my favorite books by & about women. #InternationalWomensDay #SheInspiresMe

16 likes1 stack add
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stephhammer
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Pickpick

This is a beautifully written book about an amazing life. Sally Ride is remarkable for her achievement of being the first American woman in space, but she did so much more than that. She was dedicated to inspiring girls to pursue the sciences, and her legacy lives on in Sally Ride Science & all the work she did during her lifetime.

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Farewell to Manzanar | Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, James D. Houston
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Sometimes a story jumps out of history & hits you at the right time. This is one such book. Given the world we live in right now & what's happened in the US in a few short weeks, it's more important than ever that we remember what happens when we unnecessarily fear those we deem outsiders. No one deserves to be treated the way this country treated Japanese Americans during WWII. I hope we can all learn from this dark chapter in American history.

SleepyDragon I think Mike has a copy of this somewhere ... 7y
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
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After reading Hidden Figures, I'm a bit obsessed with reading about the women of NASA. This biography of Sally Ride is fascinating and reads more like an engrossing novel than a dry biography. What a fascinating woman!

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When my mom was a student at UCLA in the '60s, she had wanted to major in engineering, but decided to switch to math when an engineering professor told her that no woman in his class would get more than a C because women weren't good at engineering. She went on to become a computer programmer for NASA & JPL. So proud of women like my mom & Sally Ride for proving that women can excel in STEM.

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Pickpick

This was a fascinating read, especially after binge watching Westworld. I've never watched Blade Runner, and I wonder if my fellow readers think it's a good idea to watch the movie after enjoying the book so much. I've heard the movie takes quite a few liberties with the book.

KarenUK It definitely does... it's a great movie as a stand alone piece, visually stunning, but very different from the book I think... 7y
TrishB Just think of them as 2 separate things. Both good, film very loosely based on book only. 7y
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Pickpick

This is an excellent read that covers both the history of black women who worked as human computers who worked for the NACA (which later became NASA) and the civil rights era in the US. Shetterly brings the stories of these amazing women to life in this fascinating & engaging read. I'm glad these women are finally getting the book & movie they deserve.

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stephhammer
Pickpick

I got this book so I could read the short story Arrival was based on before seeing the movie. That was enough to hook me on Chiang's writing, & I have been slowly devouring the other stories in this collection. I just finished the last one. Chiang's stories are the kind of stories it's best to read with little knowledge of what they're about. The writing is beautiful, & sometimes I just had to pause & take in the magnitude of it. Simply exquisite.

Betty Reading this now. Oh my word! At one point I thought of ASL---a few pages later the author mentions ASL 🖐🏻 7y
14 likes1 comment
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This book is amazing so far. I can't believe that it has taken this long for this history to be written. I'm looking forward to reading Rise of the Rocket Girls next because it's about the women computers who worked at JPL--the place my parents were working at as computer programmers when they met.

Suzze I just put it on hold at the library and I'm next! 7y
mom2bugnbee Saw the trailer during previews at the theater this evening. It ended & my 14yo leaned to me & said "Okay, now I want to see that." It looks amazing. 7y
stephhammer @mom2bugnbee I'm not ashamed to admit that I teared up a bit the first time I saw the preview. I get really excited when movies highlight the stories of women that have been hidden from history. It's great that girls like your daughter are also excited about this important part of American history. 7y
mom2bugnbee @stephhammer Exactly. Got the same reaction from Kiera Knightley's character in The Imitation Game, which made me happy. 7y
19 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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I just started Hidden Figures, and I already love this book. My mom was a computer programmer for NASA & JPL, starting in the 1960s & up until I was born in the mid-'70s. She met my dad while they both worked at JPL, so the space program has always been near & dear to my heart. I'm happy that the women who have been instrumental in the space program are finally getting their story told. Looking forward to all three of these books.

Zelma Very, very cool!!!! I grew up in Orlando and have very fond memories of the shuttle program. Random factoid, I once did a sock puppet presentation on Sally Ride in elementary school. 😋 7y
stephhammer @Zelma, I was fortunate to get to meet Sally Ride when she was the keynote speaker at an event I organized in grad school back in 2001. She was friendly & so low key considering all the amazing things she had done. She did so much to encourage girls in science. We lost her way too soon. (edited) 7y
Zelma @stephhammer ok, that is amazing that you got to meet her. 😍😍 I'm sure that is a great memory. 7y
27 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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One of the things I love most about used books is finding the stories that their previous owners left behind. I recently picked up this book at the Napa Bookmine in beautiful Napa, CA, and I discovered this inscription. I don't know who Claire, Vaughn & Marshall are, but I like to think this was purchased during a trip that was nice enough to be commemorated by this wonderful book.

Leniverse I have a book on the evolution of physics by Einstein and Infeld. The inscription says it was bought as a Christmas present from a father to his daughter in 1939! I've often wondered how old the daughter was, if she went on to study physics, and how great it is that she had a father who encouraged that interest. I mean, back in 1939! 7y
25 likes1 stack add1 comment
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I visit Napa regularly, but this is the first time I've visited this cool, little bookstore. I can't believe it took me this long to find this place. Picked up a copy of Like Water for Chocolate.

LilMamaMastro Oh, Napa! One of my vacation spots I wouldn't mind doing again. Loved it there! Maybe this bookstore is added incentive...... ❤️ 7y
stephhammer @LilMamaMastro There are several good bookstores in this area. Next time you visit, try Copperfield's in Napa & Calistoga and Main Street Books in St. Helena. Books pair well with wine. 📚🍷 7y
24 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Different Seasons | Stephen King
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So, I'm about to make my first attempt at reading a book on an ereader. As I posted before, I'm devoted to my paper books, but a friend gave me her old Kindle when she got a new one, so I'm finally going to give it a try. After two good paper reads so far today, it feels a little weird to be picking up an electronic device to read on. #readathon

BookishMarginalia It takes a while to get used to it. While I do prefer paper, i enjoy ebooks for these reasons: immediate gratification, great storage capacity, change in fonts, and the ability to highlight and look up words. 8y
Zelma I definitely prefer paper books but my ereader is useful for really cheap book sales and for reading In bed (very subtle lighting). Or if I want a bunch of books and can't carry me with me for some reason. 8y
Bkwurm They'll never replace paper books, IMO, but you can't beat the convenience. And the e-ink readers are much. Icee on the eyes than an iPad or phone. 8y
21 likes1 stack add3 comments
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It's so nice to be back in this world with Lyra & Pan. #readathon

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Moving on to a graphic novel. I love the original version of this story, so I'm looking forward to experiencing it in this format. #readathon

kspenmoll Like ti try that! 8y
19 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Pickpick

This was a "Blind Date with a Book" that I picked up a couple months ago based on a really short, vague description. The book was wrapped, so I had no idea what was waiting for me when I unwrapped it at 5 a.m. this morning. This was a really good read & beautifully written. I've never been disappointed by an Alice Walker book, and this book was no exception. #readathon

[DELETED] 3206156174 And such a gorgeous cover! 8y
18 likes1 comment
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Unwrapped this blind date with a book to find "By the Light of My Father's Smile" by Alice Walker. Off to a good start in the #readathon.

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The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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I know I won't be able to get through all of these during the #readathon, but I like to have options when I'm ready for a new book. I'm excited to get started & wish tomorrow was Saturday.

CareBear Is is in my stack for this weekend too! 8y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Different Seasons | Stephen King
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My friend gave me her old Kindle earlier this year when she got a new one. I've been reluctant to use it because I'm devoted to my paper books. To give it a fair chance, I've downloaded a Stephen King book that I'm sure I'll like. I'll be breaking it in on Saturday during @DeweysReadathon . I can feel my paper books judging me. 🤓😜📚 #readathon

Boghunden Ah. Brave new world 😉 8y
NadiaBatista I was also very reluctant to start reading e-books, but I tried once, almost two years ago, and to this day I don't regret. I never stopped reading and loving my paper books ☺ 8y
LittleWonder Same here! It was the convenience for travel that sold me on my Nook. I use both - like elevators and stairs - we will always have both. ☺ 8y
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quirkyreader One of the positives of an ereader is that you can get out of copyright out of print books that would cost a bazillion dollars to buy. 8y
cmckinnon It toile me a bit to warm up to my Kindle but I wouldn't be without one now. That said, there are still some books that I have to own in paper editions just because of cool typography or artwork. 8y
Gayan I love my Kindle but have never forsaken my paper books. Kindles are perfect for when space is tight and you need at least 300 books with you. 😉 8y
23 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Blindness | Jos Saramago
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A bit of wine & Saturday night reading 🍷📚

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stephhammer
Pickpick

My only complaint about this book is that I wanted it to be longer. And now that more than two decades have passed since Orenstein published her books, I wonder how the girls she profiled have done now that they're adults, and I also wonder what this book would like like if Orenstein observed girls in 2016 & with things like social media. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

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Meridian | Alice Walker
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Just sorting through some of the selections from my to-be-read shelves to get ready for @DeweysReadathon #Readathon

26 likes1 stack add
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It was a long line to meet Carli Lloyd, but it was worth the wait to get my book signed. It's exciting to see how popular women's soccer is becoming. I'm looking forward to reading the book. ⚽️📚

Texreader Awesome for you!!! 8y
Bkwurm Great moment! 8y
SqueakyChu Lucky you! 6y
25 likes3 comments
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Anyone who doubts the popularity of women's soccer needs to see how long the line is at Carli Lloyd's book signing at Vroman's in Pasadena, CA.

Texreader Yahoo!! She rocks! 8y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
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The Gunslinger | Stephen King
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I've been reading a lot of King lately, so I'll have to go with the Man in Black & his many variations throughout King's work. #FaveVillian

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stephhammer
'Salem's Lot | Stephen King
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Pickpick

This has quickly become one of my favorite King books. The beauty of this book is in how King slowly builds the fear & tension as events unfold in this small Maine town. Several people have mentioned to me that this in a regular reread, and I can see why. I will definitely revisit the town of 'Salem's Lot in the future. What is your favorite King book? #FavoriteStephenKingBook

8leagueboot I love his books of short stories; I think that is sometimes overlooked as a medium in which he is a complete mastermind. I'm going to read Salem's Lot (and the Historian) for Halloween this year! 8y
MrBook Great on audio as well 😊👍🏻. 8y
Gayan I've read it at least 30 times. I think it's time, Fall. 8y
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Gayan @MrBook I love the audio. 8y
MrBook 😎👌🏻🙌🏻 8y
QueenAnne I'm really liking this stack! 😍😍😍 SK lovers unite 💪🏼 8y
TheBookbabeblog84 I adored this book....so creepy 8y
25 likes7 comments
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stephhammer
Panpan

I found this book to be slow in many places and hard to follow in others. Many of Nafisi's students blended into each other to the point where they became indistinguishable, which left me feeling disconnected from their stories. To be fair, this may have been more of a case of me reading this book at the wrong time as I've been more drawn to lighter reading lately. I put it down & picked it up after a break quite a few times.

Bkwurm You can't like them all. I've had my criticisms of this book as well, but find the subject matter compelling enough to overcome them. 8y
13 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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stephhammer
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Over the weekend I wrote a post on my book blog on a few of my favorite fictional bookstores--Flourish & Blotts, for example. I know it's not a stretch to assume all of you love bookstores & fictional places. What are some fictional bookstores you would love to visit?

Here's my post if you want to see a few of my favorites from books & TV: https://stephaniehammerwold.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/fictional-bookstores-i-want...

brendanmleonard I would love to visit Ray's occult bookstore from Ghostbusters II, and also the Magic Shop from Buffy. 8y
Yournewfriendsams Not entirely a book store but, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium! 8y
26 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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I'm lucky to live somewhere with many cool hiking trails. I hopped off the trail and found my way to a nice break with an iced latte & reading. Nice way to spend a holiday!

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'Salem's Lot | Stephen King
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Sundays are meant for reading & being lazy

Jhullie It's Monday morning for me. Boo hiss! 😕 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess I agree!👍😃 8y
Bkwurm I'm doing the same thing. Still in my PJs at 3:30. Just finished a book. Feels great! 8y
23 likes3 comments
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'Salem's Lot | Stephen King
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"Only library books speak with such wordless eloquence of the power good stories hold over us; how good stories abide, unchanged and mutely wise, while we poor humans grow older and slower."

Wise words from Stephen King?

Minimalgrl Salem's Lot-one of my favorite Stephen King books 🤓 8y
16 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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'Salem's Lot | Stephen King
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Trying to pick my next read from these finalists. Any recommendations on which one I should pick?

Gayan I have read 'Salem's Lot at least 30 times. I try to read it every year in the Fall. I love it! 8y
brendanmleonard I recommend Salem's lot! 8y
Joriebooks I love A Walk in the Woods. It's funny. I have it on audiobook and listen on long car trips. 8y
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MMenefee Of your stack, I've read Salem's Lot, A Walk in The Woods, and Swamplandia! and they're all excellent. 8y
librariankris A Walk in the Woods is 😂. 8y
stephhammer Thanks for the comments. I think I'm going to go with 'Salem's Lot. Although I'm sure I'll get to all the others soon. 8y
23 likes6 comments
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stephhammer
The Running Man | Stephen King, Richard Bachman
Pickpick

If you're in the mood for a fast-paced read with nonstop action & tension, this is your book. I stayed up late last night to finish it, and I have no regrets even though I am tired today. Now I'm trying to decide what Stephen King book to pick up next.

MrBook 😊👍🏻. Have you read 11/22/63? 8y
stephhammer Yes, I loved that book. I enjoyed all the time travel, and I especially liked the visit with some of the characters from IT. 8y
Gayan My vote is for either 'Salem's Lot or The Dead Zone. I ❤️ King! 8y
15 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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The Running Man | Stephen King, Richard Bachman
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Hike. Read. Repeat.

QueenAnne Love this book! Classic case of "don't judge a book by its movie" 8y
stephhammer I haven't seen the movie & probably won't. I love the pace of the book. It's hard to put down--might have to stay up late to finish it. 8y
23 likes2 comments
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Mehso-so

I'm still intrigued enough to pick up the next book, but this one didn't hold my attention quite as well as the first one. It felt like a lot of unnecessary running around that could have been condensed. That being said, I did enjoy getting to know the main characters better.

13 likes1 stack add
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Decided that my to-do list can wait. Today is a day made for reading.

ReadosaurusText ^Yes! Cross stitch that on a pillow. #mynewmotto 8y
MrBook Excellent decision! 😎👏🏻👍🏻 8y
10 likes2 comments
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Not a bad way to spend a Sunday

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Visited the Mark Twain boyhood home & museum as well as other sites in Hannibal, MO yesterday & this quote from the real life Tom Sawyer stood out to me. Awesome place to visit if your travels take you through the area.

MrBook Nice!!! 😁👏🏻👍🏻 8y
Hugoreads I love visiting author homes. I am lucky to live near many ..Alcott, Hawthorne, Thoreau... 8y
11 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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On a long road trip & brought this along for my reading enjoyment. I like it so far. Looking forward to the rest of the book.

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Getting ready to dive into this book. Looking forward to it.

Bkwurm Just posted about this myself. 🤓 Can't wait to discuss it! 8y
5 likes3 stack adds1 comment