IndyPL_CarriG's Completed Shelf
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Added Feb 28, 2024
Added Feb 28, 2024
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A nail-biting thriller that examines the complications of responding to misogyny and toxic masculinity with anything other than empathy and understanding for the poor sad men who have had bad lives that force them to treat women so poorly. Gillian Flynn gave us the opportunity to have women be bad in her novels, and in this one, the women are not necessarily bad but are certainly complicated. I love that her imprint is putting out books that give women the opportunity to be more than just kind-hearted foils for the men and children in their lives.
The complex nature of relationships and consent is examined; as well as our culture's relationship with technology, social media, and art. An uncomfortable yet propulsive read that will keep you thinking long after you put it down.A nail-biting thriller that examines the complications of responding to misogyny and toxic masculinity with anything other than empathy and understanding for the poor sad men who have had bad lives that force them to treat women so poorly. Gillian…
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Added Nov 13, 2023
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An incredibly sweet and fun title from the legendary UK comedian Bob Mortimer. Gary is a bit of a lost soul, who is wandering through life letting things happen to him. He meets a woman in a pub one night who sparks his interest but she leaves before he can get her name. Gary decides he is going to take the bull by the horns and try to find her. This leads to many hilarious hijinks and a genuinely fun and tense mystery. Absolutely loved Mortimer's quirky humor and Gary's kind and gentle demeanor. Bonus if you listen to the audiobook: it is read by him and Sally Phillips.An incredibly sweet and fun title from the legendary UK comedian Bob Mortimer. Gary is a bit of a lost soul, who is wandering through life letting things happen to him. He meets a woman in a pub one night who sparks his interest but she leaves…
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added Nov 01, 2023
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A thoughtful and surprising novel about family bonds and trauma. Kim does an amazing job with character development and we really get to know the Parkson family, including their father, through the secrets they kept and those they told. So often in novels like these families turn on each other, or you find out a despicable secret, or something else awful, but Kim doesn't employ cheap tricks. Everyone is trying to do their best but no one is ever perfect, and this book celebrates those imperfections.A thoughtful and surprising novel about family bonds and trauma. Kim does an amazing job with character development and we really get to know the Parkson family, including their father, through the secrets they kept and those they told. So often in…
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added Oct 23, 2023
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An incredibly compelling contemporary mystery with relatable characters and relationships, from the author of the historical mystery Death at Greenaway. When Liss Kehoe's stepson Callan and his friends make a gruesome and heartbreaking discovery at the quarry on her and her nearly-ex-husband's property, Liss doesn't know where to turn. Her nearly ex-husband, who definitely has secrets to hide but she still wants to protect? The stepson she has raised as her own since his mother disappeared when he was an infant? The town marshall, who she had a brief fling with when her marriage first imploded? Definitely not her in-laws who seem to hold more sway over the town and their golden child son than is reasonable, and who aren't too keen on Liss since the separation. Liss lacks the bravado and self-assuredness that often emanates from mystery heroines. Indeed she acts often impulsively out of fear and desperation, and sometimes doesn't act when she should from fear or shame. Her relationships with the people in her life are complicated and messy. She is not sure if her real life has started yet and wonders when this became her life. All things that make her a sometimes unlikable but definitely relatable character. Her friends and family are the same - recognizable and flawed. I love to find that in a mystery novel as readable as this one. Read this if you are looking for a book that will keep you turning the pages well past bedtime, with characters who feel like people you know.An incredibly compelling contemporary mystery with relatable characters and relationships, from the author of the historical mystery Death at Greenaway. When Liss Kehoe's stepson Callan and his friends make a gruesome and heartbreaking discovery at…
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Added Oct 18, 2023
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Adichie fearlessly captures the helplessness and regret from the grief of losing a parent in this raw and aching memoir. When her father died unexpectedly halfway across the world during lockdown, Adichie had to process her feelings far away from her mother and siblings and with no real timeline for when they would be able to have the closure of a service. Short and brutally honest, Adichie has gift for describing difficult and complex emotions.Adichie fearlessly captures the helplessness and regret from the grief of losing a parent in this raw and aching memoir. When her father died unexpectedly halfway across the world during lockdown, Adichie had to process her feelings far away from…
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added Sep 28, 2023
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I adored watching Fern Brady on the UK comedy show Taskmaster, and so was excited when I saw that her autobiography was coming out and was expecting more quick-witted banter and almost surreal humor from what little I knew about her. Though I knew she was autistic, I did not know that she wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 30s, and I also did not know how painful and difficult her life was prior to getting treatment.
This book is incredibly valuable for all adults to read. I started to say it's important for anyone who is autistic, then for people who also work with people who are autistic, then for people who have a friend or loved one who is autistic - but all of us interact with people who are autistic and knowing why someone might need their noise cancelling headphones in the office or realizing that not everyone understands your subtle turndown is incredibly important. The incredible amount of effort that Fern and people like her have put in to try to understand and be a valuable part of the world around them is jaw-dropping and devastating. We need to do better - and hopefully we are in some ways.
It was good to hear that Taskmaster was a pleasant show for her to work on and that she has a supportive and loving partner to help her now. Hopefully her life continues to improve post-diagnosis. This is not a fun and light-hearted comedian memoir so don't read this when you need that in your life- but do read this.I adored watching Fern Brady on the UK comedy show Taskmaster, and so was excited when I saw that her autobiography was coming out and was expecting more quick-witted banter and almost surreal humor from what little I knew about her. Though I knew…
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Added Sep 26, 2023
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What a delightful new entry from veteran science fiction writer John Scalzi. An evil-ish uncle suddenly dies and leaves his drifting yet loyal and kind nephew Charlie a truly momentous amount of resources - including a lair on a volcanic island. Talking cats are awesome, talking dolphins are jerks, and corporate bros are going to corporate bro in this lighthearted and fun take on moral shades of grey in late-stage capitalism. Read this if you enjoyed Scalzi's Kaiju Preservation Society or are looking for something worthwhile yet easy to sink your teeth into for a road trip or hammock time.What a delightful new entry from veteran science fiction writer John Scalzi. An evil-ish uncle suddenly dies and leaves his drifting yet loyal and kind nephew Charlie a truly momentous amount of resources - including a lair on a volcanic island.…
Fool Me OnceFool Me Once, BookScams, Stories, and Secrets From the Trillion-dollar Fraud Industry
by Pope, Kelly RichmondBook - 2023Book, 2023
Added Sep 18, 2023
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Really interesting read on financial fraud, con artists, and whistle blowers. Pope goes into the psychology of fraud perpetrators and separates the opportunists from the masterminds, and explains why some fraudsters feel like they are modern-day Robin Hoods. She goes very deep on whistle blowers and how they are often perceived as "snitches", despite often being the only thing that saves the livelihood, jobs, and sometimes lives of fraud victims. A fascinating read for anyone who has ever wondered, "How did they think they could get away with that?" Because they so often do.Really interesting read on financial fraud, con artists, and whistle blowers. Pope goes into the psychology of fraud perpetrators and separates the opportunists from the masterminds, and explains why some fraudsters feel like they are modern-day…
Added Aug 24, 2023
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This book went in all kinds of directions I wasn't expecting. Popular podcast host Alix Summer meets Josie Fair at a trendy restaurant while they are both out separately for their same day birthdays - and soon has a subject for a new podcast. Josie is excited to tell the story of her life and begin making dramatic positive change. Yet as fascinating as Josie's story is, Alix can't help but feel that something is a little off. And as for Josie, the more she tells Alix about her past, the more she is ready to be a new person.
This was a great fast read that kept me intrigued until the end. While the characters weren't completely likeable they were certainly well-drawn and interesting. A good choice for any thriller lover!This book went in all kinds of directions I wasn't expecting. Popular podcast host Alix Summer meets Josie Fair at a trendy restaurant while they are both out separately for their same day birthdays - and soon has a subject for a new podcast. Josie…
Added Aug 18, 2023
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A fun and creepy thriller - a good read if you like dark characters and bleak settings. Definitely a nice book for a rainy day. A former nurse reinvents herself as a library clerk after fleeing her previous positions, and the new librarian, a failed novelist, finds her absolutely fascinating. Irredeemable, awful people who are somehow still fun to read about.A fun and creepy thriller - a good read if you like dark characters and bleak settings. Definitely a nice book for a rainy day. A former nurse reinvents herself as a library clerk after fleeing her previous positions, and the new librarian, a failed…
Added Aug 10, 2023
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I loved this title about a near-future dystopia where the world is becoming uninhabitable through climate change and the working environment has been nearly completely taken over by one jungle-like company that starts with an A. Hart does a great job of examining what makes us tick - where we draw our ethical lines, what pushes us to make questionable decisions, how far a good person will go before standing up to power and risking...disapproval? Death? Being fired from the only job available and sent back out into a nearly impossible to live in world? Also a fun bit of corporate espionage.
The ending is ambiguous - don't read this if you need everything tied up in a neat bow. I LOVED how Hart made the truly evil characters almost likeable until you remembered what they were doing. And the characters who were going through just doing their best - could be kind of insufferable in their wishy-washyness. But that's real life, right? Only in fiction or only if you are completely nuts are people always completely sure of their decisions, especially when it comes to complex moral quandaries or life-altering changes. Read this if you love anti-heroes and if you are questioning our future reliance on mega corporations.I loved this title about a near-future dystopia where the world is becoming uninhabitable through climate change and the working environment has been nearly completely taken over by one jungle-like company that starts with an A. Hart does a great…
Added Aug 05, 2023
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A page-turner with the very fun premise of a potential collaboration between a software company and the United States government, where if Cy Baxter's predictive software is able to find these 10 people chosen to go on the run, his company will win billions in government funding. If any of those ten are able to stay hidden for 24 days then they win $3 million - but one of those ten people has a secret and has a lot more to lose than just the prize money.
Cy Baxter is instantly recognizable as being similar to some of the more childish and impulsive tech billionaires we see in the news, and it's very fun to see him outwitted throughout the novel. The ending was not as satisfying as I was hoping but it was well thought out. I have a feeling this is a set up for a series and I certainly hope so.A page-turner with the very fun premise of a potential collaboration between a software company and the United States government, where if Cy Baxter's predictive software is able to find these 10 people chosen to go on the run, his company will win…
Now Is Not the Time to PanicNow Is Not the Time to Panic, BookA Novel
by Wilson, KevinBook - 2022Book, 2022
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added Jul 25, 2023
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I just love pretty much everything about Kevin Wilson's books. He just gets being a weird kid in a small town. His characters are all so incredibly well-drawn and real and show not just an understanding of humans but a deep love for and empathy for people - you can picture all of the people he creates and imagine their thoughts and empathize with their feelings.
This story, about two kids who make a piece of art that terrorizes their town, is so poignant and real. Who else writes about those things that were such a huge part of our lives when we were young with such grace and respect? Who else even remembers what it felt like to discover new literature, or art, or music, when you were the weird kid in a small town and who else can delineate the difficulties so precisely?
I've never gone wrong reading or recommending Kevin Wilson and this is another gem.I just love pretty much everything about Kevin Wilson's books. He just gets being a weird kid in a small town. His characters are all so incredibly well-drawn and real and show not just an understanding of humans but a deep love for and empathy for…
Added Jul 16, 2023
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A witty and fun romp with unexpected depths and in an easy to read and digest package. Par for the course with Connie Willis. Francie is not impressed with her college roommate's fiancé, nor is she excited at the prospect of the wedding being during and a part of Roswell's UFO Festival. However she still dutifully is performing maid of honor duties in the lead up to the wedding, fully believing her friend will come to her senses before they actually tie the knot. Until Francie is abducted by an alien.
This is a first contact story that makes fun of true believers while acknowledging the possibilities. I love how Willis strides the line here, with a skeptical mind and tongue in cheek dialog. As silly as the premise is, it develops into a compelling read with themes of kindness, honor, and loyalty. An uplifting read that would be the perfect antidote for a day when the world seems like a dark place.A witty and fun romp with unexpected depths and in an easy to read and digest package. Par for the course with Connie Willis. Francie is not impressed with her college roommate's fiancé, nor is she excited at the prospect of the wedding being…
Added Jun 27, 2023
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A disturbing and introspective look at the person who goes too far. Kuang, known for her brilliant series The Poppy War, tackles privilege, social media, and the publishing industry in this novel about a woman whose casual racism will make your toes curl. Aspiring author June Hayward seizes a deal with the devil when her friend and much more successful writer Athena Liu dies in a grotesque and unexpected accident - she steals Athena's manuscript draft and claims it as her own. As Athena's work focuses heavily on her Chinese heritage June grapples with issues of identity and appropriation. The rest of the book is Hayward desperately trying to prove her talent as she deals with the consequences of her theft and her conscience. It's a satirical take on liberals being racist, a very stern look at the influence of social media with unlikeable characters, and a scathing critique of the publishing industry. I don't know how much of this work comes from Kuang's lived experiences - according to reviews on Goodreads apparently a lot of it - but you can definitely see the hand of experience in a lot of the prose.
This book is not always a comfortable read and those who like characters they can root for will be disappointed. There is little redeeming in the main character and there really aren't any other characters who are drawn out enough to get to know. However, this book is a strong and well-written look at how one ill-intentioned act leads to another, and how self-justification works even in people who believe they are good.A disturbing and introspective look at the person who goes too far. Kuang, known for her brilliant series The Poppy War, tackles privilege, social media, and the publishing industry in this novel about a woman whose casual racism will make your toes…
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Added Jun 10, 2023
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I was really excited to read this new Ruth Ware title and it did not disappoint. First, I love pen tester stories - I can't get enough of hearing about them in podcasts and online - but for some reason, there haven't been many novels on the subject despite how exciting and fun it is. I love the idea of scamming for a good cause, of people turning their worst impulses into a force for good. Jack and her husband make a great team, with her slipping into businesses and trying to get access to their computers and data, and him hacking his way in once she's established a connection. It all goes terribly wrong when she is caught one night by a uninformed security team and when she returns home much later than she expects she finds her husband brutally murdered. The police aren't buying her story, and she is desperate with grief and fury. This novel is action-packed and tense but not so tense that it's uncomfortable - just tense enough to keep turning the page. Read this if you love tough women who don't back down, scammers who are good guys, and satisfying endings.I was really excited to read this new Ruth Ware title and it did not disappoint. First, I love pen tester stories - I can't get enough of hearing about them in podcasts and online - but for some reason, there haven't been many novels on the subject…
Added Jun 05, 2023
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A very interesting gothic tale with the requisite old house and lots of twists and turns. Sager does a great job updating the gothic for the modern world, with disgraced women and untrustworthy men, and narrators you aren't quite sure about. Sometimes the dual narrative got a little confusing but that may have been me not the author. Sager did a great job making the house just as much of a creepy character as everyone else. And I did not see the ending coming!A very interesting gothic tale with the requisite old house and lots of twists and turns. Sager does a great job updating the gothic for the modern world, with disgraced women and untrustworthy men, and narrators you aren't quite sure about.…
Added May 18, 2023
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What does the end of the world look like? Gladstone's novel ruminates on our collective idea of civilization in this dark, and at times difficult novel. Probably a lot of us have thought about what the end times might look like in the last few years and Gladstone gives us not one but many versions of how the world ends. While in college, Zelda and her friends find a way to travel to alternate worlds - and they are all terrible. Extraordinary adventures are hinted at...but we come across the group after they have failed to save the world and split apart, and right before they must reunite to try again but in a more desperate circumstance. This novel examines privilege, fear, assumptions, and urges us to rethink our perceptions and reexamine our bias'. A challenging novel for challenging times.What does the end of the world look like? Gladstone's novel ruminates on our collective idea of civilization in this dark, and at times difficult novel. Probably a lot of us have thought about what the end times might look like in the last few years…
Added May 13, 2023
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An excellent mystery with well-drawn protagonists and a plot that will keep you guessing. Loved learning about all the main characters, even if they are a bit Dudley Do Right, sometimes that's what you want in your crime-solving professionals. I'm excited to see where Rose goes with this series and it's gotten me to delve into her back catalog.
Psychologist Sam Reeves works with patients who have been court-ordered to receive therapy, and when one of his compulsive liar patients says something that makes him suspect he may have taken part in the murder of a young girl he tries to let the police know in a way that preserves his professional integrity. Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick is quick to see past Reeves' anonymous calls and soon Sam has unfortunately found himself a suspect in the murder he was trying to help police solve. Read this book if you like a tightly plotted mystery that takes time to explore the characters, and a little bit of tension but not so much you are racing through the book.An excellent mystery with well-drawn protagonists and a plot that will keep you guessing. Loved learning about all the main characters, even if they are a bit Dudley Do Right, sometimes that's what you want in your crime-solving professionals. I'm…
The Longest RaceThe Longest Race, BookInside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team
by Goucher, KaraBook - 2023Book, 2023
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added May 09, 2023
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A chilling and eye-opening memoir that made me very glad Brooks is my running shoe of choice and that my husband had recently traded his Nikes in for Hokas. Kara Goucher describes the escalating abuse she received at the hands of elite running coach for Nike Alberto Salazar - from damaging comments about her weight and abilities to outright sexual assault. I kept hoping desperately for Kara to stand up for herself, but I understood as another nice midwestern lady how difficult that can be for women of our generation - thank goodness things are changing.
Kara did finally stand up for herself once she realized she didn't want to raise her son in a toxic environment and once she realized that Salazar was inviting more and younger women to the team. It was frustrating to see Kara getting better and better and smashing records only for Salazar to tell her she wasn't good enough and to question her abilities. It was heartbreaking to see him try to isolate her from her husband, family, and friends saying that she should focus only on running and that the support of her close and loving family was a distraction. Kara's level of self-reflection is impressive.
Knowing that Salazar is no longer allowed to coach is a relief, but Nike's defense of the man and his methods, and their treatment of their pregnant athletes, is a complete disgrace. I know that they have talked about reforming in recent years but they have a long way to go to regain the trust of their athletes and the running community.A chilling and eye-opening memoir that made me very glad Brooks is my running shoe of choice and that my husband had recently traded his Nikes in for Hokas. Kara Goucher describes the escalating abuse she received at the hands of elite running coach…
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Added May 08, 2023
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A beautifully told modern and poignant version of the Baba Yaga tale that is all too timely in a world where Russia and Ukraine are battling and hate has been weaponized by politicians and click-bait schemers. When Isaac and Bellatine Yaga are told that they jointly inherited a house, Isaac agrees to give it free and clear to Bella, if she recreates their childhood life of performance for one last puppet show with him and goes on tour for a year. Isaac will be able to pay his debts and finally be free and clear for the first time in his life - and Bella will finally have a home she feels safe in. However of course things aren't that easy, as Baba Yaga's hut comes with a past of its own. Vivid and at times disturbing, with well-drawn flawed characters, battling siblings, mythical retellings and a climactic battle against evil.A beautifully told modern and poignant version of the Baba Yaga tale that is all too timely in a world where Russia and Ukraine are battling and hate has been weaponized by politicians and click-bait schemers. When Isaac and Bellatine Yaga are told…
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Added May 03, 2023
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A lovely and nostalgic look at how relationships change as we age and how we change as we age and as our lives change. There are a few stories that are outside of these narratives but that still kind of challenge the way we view ourselves and our culture. Impatient griselda - where aliens are telling some abductees a story to try to keep them calm maybe? is a gem among these, as is a short science fiction exercise freeforall, in which a sexually transmitted infection has changed the landscape of the world drastically.
Tig and Nell are two characters woven throughout the book at different periods in their lives. Atwood does a skillful job at ruminating on the things we leave behind, and what they say about us. A wonderful collection that is insightful and cozy, and sometimes laugh out loud funny, and sometimes very sad.A lovely and nostalgic look at how relationships change as we age and how we change as we age and as our lives change. There are a few stories that are outside of these narratives but that still kind of challenge the way we view ourselves and our…
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added May 03, 2023
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A fun and fast reading novel with sincere characters and good character development that highlights themes of trust, trauma, and friendship. If you are looking for something to keep your attention, that has characters who are unpredictable and snarky but still likeable and kind this is a great pick. College student Amber can't believe her bad luck when she is picked up as the latest victim of the Pokemon killer - yes the Pokemon killer. Her life is not quite over yet, as something even more unexpected happens, leading to a cascading series of events that send her to Las Vegas. Not a cozy for the faint-hearted but not a dark noir-style thriller either - this is the type of twisty mystery that is a fun read for those who appreciate protagonists who flirt with the dark side.A fun and fast reading novel with sincere characters and good character development that highlights themes of trust, trauma, and friendship. If you are looking for something to keep your attention, that has characters who are unpredictable and…
IndyPL_CarriG's rating:
Added May 03, 2023
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I felt completely seen while reading this novel about a woman in the liminal space where she's left job and philandering husband behind and is trying to navigate her way through caring-taking for cantankerous relatives, pacifying and avoiding successful ones, and making new friends in the awkward way you do when you're not sure what you have to offer. Penny is not someone who makes great decisions - so if that bothers you, this might not be the novel you want to read. However her decisions (or lack thereof) do make a sort of sense if you look at the world from the perspective of someone who has never fit in and who has not always had people in her life to look out for her. She gravitates to kindness and hides from vulnerability - choosing to spend her time with those who need her desperately even if they pretend they don't. Her criminal hoarder retired doctor of a grandmother, whose questionably qualified accountant loans Penny the use of his rust-bucket of a van, is one of the stand-out characters for sure. The mystery of her parent's disappearance and her and her grandfather's Australian adventure remind us that Penny has a lot to live for and a family that loves her - and her choice to sleep in the rusty van of an old and sick accountant is just that. Funny and wise, with annoyingly accurate insights about people and relationships - this is a lovely read that encourages opening yourself up to new experiences - albeit hopefully in more sensible ways.I felt completely seen while reading this novel about a woman in the liminal space where she's left job and philandering husband behind and is trying to navigate her way through caring-taking for cantankerous relatives, pacifying and avoiding…
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