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I have a copy of ‘The Space Between Us’!! Shall we read at (roughly) the same time?? I’m looking to tackle a lot of big books this summer - ‘The Bee Sting’, ‘Age of Vice’, ‘East of Eden’, 'Master and Margarita' and ‘All Of Our Yesterdays’! I also want to FINALLY read ‘Boulder’ after intending to read it for a whole year! I also want to dip my toe in Rachel Cusk who I’ve never read before but she gives me a summer vibe.

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Thanks, Martha! So many big titles here! I really enjoyed Master & Margarita, but haven't read the others on your list yet. Let me know if you get to Boulder and what you think. Which Cusk are you considering? Second Place, or the Outline trilogy? And it would be great to read The Space Between Us at the same time. Right now, I'm looking at it for my July 7 newsletter. Does that fit your schedule?

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You will be the first person to hear from me re my thoughts on Boulder. I was thinking the Outline trilogy because that’s what I’ve seen the most positive reviews on - which do you rather? 7th July newsletter absolutely fits the schedule - so you’ll be reading it (around) week of July?? I’ll aim for then

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Great! And if all goes to plan, I should start reading The Space the week of June 24. I'd say Outline is a good place to start. I read Second Place and didn't love it as much as others did, if I remember correctly.

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Ok noted!. I’ll take your word for it because I trust it! Perfect I’ll try read The Space around that time but just lmk when you do start.

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Martha! I misspoke when I said I was going to read The Space Between Us. I actually have The Secrets Between Us, which is the second book in the series. I didn't realize there were two different books by the same author with similar names!

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Oopsie! Are you going to read the second one or try and get your hands on the first one?

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Oooo, 'Master and Margarita.' I'm always curious about that one. Seems like I would like it, but also, I'm a little intimidated. But summer is a fun time to tackle big books because it feels like you can just really sink into them. —Mel

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Hi Mel! I remember feeling the same way when I started it, but it turned out to be weird and enjoyable. So many memorable characters and scenes. Definitely worth considering for a summer read!

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Ok! Moving up my list!

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I’ve been curious about it too! It’s been on my shelf for about a year and I’m finally going to commit. Exactly what you’ve said is the reason why I like to try and tackle big books in the summer - you really can sink your teeth into them! And more daylight hours = more time to read so big books seem much less intimidating! I’m planning to read it in July so I’ll let you know how I find it! I have high hopes x

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Master and Margarita is one of my all time faves!

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It's so good!

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I can’t wait to read it! I’ve got high hopes.

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I don’t have any big summer reading plans but two books that has been on the back burner that I’m hoping to finish: Angela Davis’s autobiography and The Women’s House of Detention by Hugh Ryan.

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Thanks, Laura! I have a whole pile of back-burner books that I'm hoping to make a dent in this summer. I hope you get to those titles soon, and that you enjoy them!

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Recently finished “The Ukraine” by Artem Chapeye, which I liked a lot. Was less fond of “Table for Two” by Amir Towles. I don’t have many new books teed up for summer, but am interested in maybe finally getting to “War and Peace” or “Anna Karenina”

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Thanks, friend! The Ukraine looks really interesting! I'll check that out. I read a Gentleman in Moscow and thought it was fine, but I haven't been keen to return to Towles work. He definitely seems to be a Big Summer author nowadays, with the show out and everything. Big Erik Larson energy there.

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Well, I had been making slow, steady progress on A Fire Upon The Deep--which held up astonishingly well for SciFi that's over three decades old--but shunted it aside when my turn at the library came up for The Hunter. What comes next will depend on the order in which the library manages to fill my hold requests or, if they don't come up in time, I may plug the gap with the next book in the Slough House series.

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Thanks, Daniel! I hadn't hard of A Fire Upon the Deep, but after reading this Wikipedia description, I'm sold: 'It is a space opera involving superhuman intelligences, aliens, variable physics, space battles, love, betrayal, genocide, and a communication medium resembling Usenet.' Let me know what you think of The Hunter (Tana French, right?). And I tried to watch the Slow Horses show, but struggled to get through the pilot. I've been thinking of picking it back up, but maybe I'll read a book from the series, first.

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The Hunter is slow-moving but builds pressure nicely. If you liked The Searcher, it's more of the same. I haven't seen Slow Horses the show but the books hit that weird British tone where you can't quite tell when they're being serious vs when you're supposed to laugh. It took my American sensibilities some adjustment.

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Ha! Based on that, the show is very similar!

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I’m in the process of picking out my George Eliot Novel of the Summer (GENotS). Think I’m going to go with Romola. It’s either that or Adam Bede. Decisions decisions! Also planning on reading Rachel Cusk’s Outline trilogy—@martha, birds of a feather!

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I love the GENotS concept! Ha! I have been meaning to come back to her after I did Middlemarch last year, maybe Daniel Deronda or The Mill on the Floss. I look forward to seeing what you choose, as well as your thoughts on Outline. I read it years ago and remember it being depressing, but also good. Also, somehow, I lost the first book in the series. Maybe I loaned it to someone. I don't want to get it again, but I hate having the second and third books on the shelf, incomplete. Ugh. Anyway, I hope you and Martha enjoy it!

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Go with Daniel Deronda!!!! Middlemarch is def my favorite of hers but Daniel Deronda would be a verrrry close second!

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OK cool! Thanks for the rec!

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Omg I have vague recollections of having to read The Mill on the Floss in high school and hating it!!! I’m so curious and might try again!

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Snap! I look forward to reading it in (sort of) tandem with you! When are you planning on it? We could sync for fun xxx

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'A Month in the Country' keeps showing up on my various feeds, so I feel like the universe is telling me to read that book!

We're going on a summer holiday to Ljubljana, Slovenia; Trieste and Venice, Italy; and Croatia, so I've got books queued up to read from each of those places. Although, I'm always tempted to re-read The Historian when got on trips with multiple stops since that book romps all over Europe.

We're taking a night train from Venice to Prague, so my imagination is filled with the Orient Express. Has anyone read 'The Main Character' by Jaclyn Goldis? It's about a mystery author who goes on a revamped Orient Express and gets into hijinks. I'm also thinking about re-reading The Lady Vanishes on our many train rides.

I love Christine Mangan's books, but I was kind of meh about 'Palace of the Drowned' when it came out. I might give that one another go to see if it was just a me/timing thing because she's so good at settings, and it takes place in Venice. —Mel

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I will never argue against a Historian reread.

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I think you probably know that I'm a little obsessed with that book. On Friday, I was making dinner and thinking, 'But what if I did a slow read and just made notes of all the food they eat and then copies all their meals?' —Mel

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Thanks, Mel! It's funny you mention it because I picked up this book because I saw it on a bunch of feeds. Then, when I saw it in the local bookstore, the owner was like, 'Oh, this is a really good book.' So that clinched it for me.

Your upcoming travels sound amazing! I once took the overnight train from Venice to Munich, but it was not as glamorous as the Orient Express. My friend and I ended up sleeping on the floor since we did not have a berth lol! I was never so happy to drink a beer and eat a bratwurst as I was the following morning in the Munich station!

You also remind me that I was hoping to tackle Back Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West, which is about traveling through the Balkans. It's been on my list for a million years and maybe this is the year I get to it. I saw folks in my feeds having a readathon with it earlier this year, but I missed it. We'll see!

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HA! I suspect our overnight train will not be posh at all! But I'm excited anyway. We took an overnighter from Prague to Croatia a few years ago, and it was about as glamorous as a Greyhound bus. So we'll see.

I started Black Lamb and Grey Falcon a few years ago, and the writing is great. Thanks for the reminder that I should revisit that!

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I'm glad you got off to a good start with BLGF. I am really going to try my best to read it this year. It was one of those books that I spent years trying to find in second-hand book stores, but when I did (in 2011!) I didn't actually read it. Ridiculous!

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Yes, this. I think I bought it used online and it took ages to show up. And then it... sat on my bookshelf. Silly. —Mel

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I decided to treat myself to a Memorial Day reread of the fourth Bridgerton book. It's my favorite of the series and the one this season of the show is based on. I'm not a huge rereader anymore (I used to be? wondering what changed) but sitting next to the pool with that book yesterday was a joy!

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Thanks, friend! There are a few books that I would love to reread, especially those I read before the newsletter, but I never seem to get around to it. Atop that list is The Left Hand of Darkness, which is a book I'd really like to discuss in the newsletter as it's one of my all-time favorites. Ditto for The Count of Monte Cristo. At some point I'd like to reread the Fish Book and see if I still feel as strongly about it. But maybe our newsletters are to blame for why we don't reread? Since we always have to be onto the next thing? Hope you're enjoying the pool and the weekend!

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Right now I'm reading 2 books for book clubs next week, Girls and Their Horses and Your House Will Pay. After that, I'm looking forward to reading some of the "family drama" books from the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide.

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I really enjoyed Girls and Their Horses!

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Thanks, Gayla! Your House Will Pay has been on my list for a while. I think I actually have an electronic edition rattling around in my computer. Let me know what you think of it. Girls and Their Horses is new to me, I'll have to check it out!

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I’m getting a lot of good ideas here! I recently finished The Book Of The New Sun and even though it took a long time to get into and I barely knew what the heck was going on, I loved it! It seemed to be a new kind of pacing for fantasy/sci-fi (set in the distant future, maybe?) where you just barreled along like a runaway train! I’m trying to read The Invention Of Nature but it has been slow going. I would love a big fat space opera so maybe I will try The Fire On The Deep. Oh! I also read the new Murderbot Diaries ❤️ installment from Martha Wells. I saw they are making it into a TV show.

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Hi Amy! I feel like a good space opera would do me good as well. I will check out The Book of the New Sun and I am also going to keep an eye out for The Fire Upon the Deep. I have The Actual Star by Monica Byrne on my pile and was looking to maybe picking that up this season. I also have Foundation floating around.

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Hi, all! Loved A Month in the Country and think you will too. We are moving from Florida to Idaho in a few days and I have downloaded The Nix. Looks like a big sprawling story that will last 2308 miles!

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Hi Melinda! Wow! That's a big move! And it does seem like The Nix is appropriately long for that many miles lol! Let us know how you like it. So many people have said positive things about A Month in the Country. I'm really excited to read it It's coming up next.

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Inspired by the BoG review, I think it’s finally time for me to read Middlemarch!

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YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!! I'm so excited for this!

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The answer is, I don’t know 😫 I have too many choices that I made for myself. I might dig into the Bee Sting this weekend since it’s gloomy, then East of Eden for a little read along, then when the weather warms up something very trashy like Magnolia Parks or this one set during the 90s satanic panic lol

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Oh man, I hear you about having too many choices. Sometimes I'm paralyzed by indecision! But whatever you choose, it will be the right choice. What's the satanic panic book?

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It’s called Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash!

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Cool! I'll check that out.

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I’m reading Paradais, and 👀👀👀 what on earth am I reading?! Also started This Is Our Story, an older Ashley Elston book, and it’s started off very well!

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Ooof, Paradais is so intense! Have you read Hurricane Season? I love Melchor and want to read everything she writes. I've got This is Not Miami on the pile, and am waiting for the right time to read it.

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I have not but those two are on my list as well! It's a short book, but one I'm reading slowly because I think my brain needs a break from the prose and what all is about to happen . . .

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Yes, good plan.

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Loved A Month in the Country. I am reading Small Mercies and The Turner House for my book club this summer. For me, Fellowship Point and then either Age of Vice or The Covenant of Water. Also want to complete the Thomas Cromwell trilogy by Hilary Mantel, reading The

Mirror and the Light. I skew much more commercial than you do. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, hi to Donna!!

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Thanks, Kate! Happy summer and hope it’s filled with books you enjoy!

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Thanks, Kate! I read the first two books in the Cromwell trilogy, but haven't yet circled back to The Mirror and the Light. I'm really looking forward to A Month in the Country. As Donna said, I hope you have a great summer and enjoy all the books!

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My main reading plans include chipping away at my unread library. I’ll gravitate toward romance (of course), probably Lucy Score and maybe finally Colleen Hoover, who I haven’t read yet! And I want to read some of the classics I’ve never gotten to—Virginia Woolf, Zora Neale Hurston, Gabriel Garcia Marquez—to round it out.

Happy summer reading to you and Donna!

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Thanks, Ashley! I'm also looking forward to chipping away at the pile. Even so, it never seems to get any smaller! lol! Which Zora are you reading? Love her work. Happy reading!

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Every time I get rid of one, more appear… oops! lol. Their Eyes Were Watching God is the one I have, but I’m intrigued by the rest of her work, too!

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That's a great one! And her other work is definitely worth checking out. I'm a fan!

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Every summer I go through my shelves and make stacks of all my travel and hot weather reads, basically anything, fiction or non, that is set in hot temps. This year, the stacks include 'Cold in July' by Joe R. Lansdale, 'The Plant Messiah' by Carlos Magdalena, 'The Big Year' by Mark Obmasick and 'The Devil's Teeth' by Susan Casey. Of course, my murder mysteries and horror will be mixed in.

My current read is 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed. Nope, never read it.

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Hi Jennifer! How are you liking Wild so far? I read it before the newsletter and thought it was good. I need to work a murder mystery into my list. And maybe horror, too. So long as it's not too scary, lol! Enjoy!

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I'm still early in her hiking. Boy, the death of her mother and the aftermath was a punch to the gut!

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Oh, I adore all of Sloane's books, and that is a special one.

I'm currently reading Rebecca as research for an upcoming post (my book rec newsletter: https://therollingladder.substack.com ) and have plans across many genres for The Wedding People by Alison Espach, Bright Sword by Lev Grossman, The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn, The Book of George by Kate Greathead and The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams.

Highly highly recommend Margo's Got Money Troubles and I Hope this Finds You Well to all!

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Hi Abigail! Rebecca is one of my all-time favorites! I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for sharing these titles and your newsletter! I'll definitely check it out!

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sooo atmospheric.

thanks for checking it out!

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I'm finally getting around to starting the Moosepath League series by Van Reid, after it sat dusty on my shelf for too many years. It's set around the 4th of July holiday in the late 1890s in Maine. It feels like the perfect summer book.

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Hi David! That sounds great! Yes, it seems that series is great for summer. Enjoy!

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Roma Sub Rosa series by Steven Saylor 🏛️📚 It's not easy to get these books here in Poland. I had lots of fun searching on auctions, bookstores, and antique shops for the past few days 🕵️‍♀️

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Thanks, Stygi! I'm glad you were able to find them, and that the search was fun. I always have a short list in my head of books I'm looking for just in case I wander past a book store, especially a used on. Enjoy!

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