What an incredible story! And hilarious too. Simply unbelievable. Was it a heavy book?

Oh, I'm not familiar with him but I'm reading his biography right now and seems interesting. So my understanding is you never went drinking that day? Was there any of his books you liked the most?

Ah, I definitely know what you mean. Something similar like that happened to me. One of my first assignments in school was to write a poem. I didn't want to write a poem so I tried to fake it, but then eventually I ended up really enjoying writing poetry for real. Anyway, that sounds like such a memorable experience.

I love this book. I am not usually a book buyer but my library doesn't have this one so I bought two copies. One to keep and one to lend out to friends so they can also love it.

I understand that feeling. It kind of happened to me with Being and Nothingness, it felt so special how I found it that I suppose I may have put it on a pedestal a bit, and still preparing to read it. But yes, magic, that seems like a possible explanation!

That's definitely unexpected. A bit dramatic, but I suppose that could potentially make someone's day if you ever manage to pass a book along to someone else like that. Made me laugh, thanks.

Oh yes, I've heard that helps, keeping it under something heavy. A few years ago I got stuck in a rain storm and I had a book of poetry with me, I tried to dry it out as best as I could without really knowing what I was doing. Unfortunately the pages have a rippled texture now. Anyway, such a great story how you found that book.

I've only ever watched the movies. Well, thanks for your story.

I see, I think I understand what you're saying.

Please don't bother, they're massively overrated. There's much better "magical boarding school" fantasy out there. The world-building and writing in HP are really shoddy. A lot of the characters represent unexamined stereotypes about Jewish people, POC, and fat people. Not to mention the author is a virulent transphobe who is using her wealth and power to actively lobby for harmful policies. If you missed the Harry Potter nostalgia train, don't buy a ticket now.

My library system has a Charing Cross branch and its the only one that has it in stock. And by in stock, I mean always in use. One of these days I’ll put a hold on it but I keep meaning to visit every library branch and I thought it would make the best of reasons to make that trip if I could just get the book on the shelf when I go.

Can someone spoil White Oleander for me?

I started out really interested in the story and where it was going, but I am really struggling with Astrid and Ray's relationship. As it was happening it was completely romanticized but I figured the author would circle back and show the wrongness of it. So far that hasn't happened and it has made me totally uncomfortable with the book. Does the author address this at any point?

The poster had clarified that they were talking about Scotland as the place where child abuse by teachers and parents and apparently, many people were too poor to buy burgers and pizza for their kids lasted even into the 1970's.

Yes, there was a recession in the 70's, as well as an Energy Crisis and a gas shortage. But compared to today, with homeless camps parked on the sidewalks of every major city, those were the good times. My personal recollection was that we always had food, and burger, or family Sunday night out at a restaurant was still a thing. Buying class rings, or going on major field trips (hundreds of miles away) that cost out-of-pocket were out of the question though.

So how was your 70's life experience?

One of my first date question is “what is your favorite book” and this guy did such a horrible job explaining it I had to read it for myself just so I summarize it better.

It was the Dresden Files. I love the whole series

This is one of my all-time favorite books.

I read this last week! I found it mentioned on a Facebook reading group. I really loved it. I prefer character driven books and this did not disappoint. Have requested the sequel and am looking forward to reading it.

A must-read for book lovers.

The post-war baby boom was primarily in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Right after WW2, hence the name, although technically it lasted until the early 60's.

There was very famously a major economic recession starting in 1973 that lasted years and affected a huge number of people. The 70's in general was absolutely not a time of prosperity, it was a time of economic hardship for much of the country and is quite famous for that downturn.

Great for you that no one you knew couldn't afford to go out to eat, but yes it was absolutely a time when a ton of people had to scrimp and save.

Is there a 1-step way to add/rate/date a book on Goodreads (desktop)?

Goodreads recently changed, and the functionality now seems to be way worse than it used to be.

I used to be able to type in an ISBN and it would pull up the book I wanted, and right there, I could put in my rating of the book and the date that I finished it.

Now I can't figure out how to do this without going to multiple pages, and it's a big hassle to find what I need.

Please help! Thanks.

Yes.

Children basically were considered “chattel” who had no rights that adults were bound to respect.

Familial love (if they were lucky enough to have it!) was the only thing protecting children from being enslaved, beaten, submitted to sex work, and murdered in the street.

And children still don’t have many rights, to this day.

Look at the fact that only in the last 40 years has child abuse and neglect become an actual crime people can be charged with.

Look at the fact that in many cultures, it’s still considered perfectly acceptable for parents to beat their children as a form of discipline.

And look at the fact that in many cultures, it’s still considered perfectly normal to mutilate children, as part of “religious observances.”

This is my go-to recommendation for people in reading slumps.

I requested a book that was easy to consume/somewhat fast and purely lighthearted and positive in the suggest me a book sub and someone suggested this. It's the one I chose due to being readily available and on audiobook (so I can do chores and such while I listen) and it did NOT disappoint.

I absolutely adored it. It was funny without being overly comedic and forced. It was overall just pleasant and heartwarming. It made me laugh, it made me cry, I learned some things, I have possibly no complaints.

As someone who works completely remote it even really resonated that they were so far apart and had such a close relationship within the context of their interactions without having met in person.

I feel like the book is a love letter to reading. The book is about all the little joys (and frustration) that come with being a reader. I think we all (fans of the book) secretly wish we had a personal relationship that strongly with a bookshop.

"Isn't it pretty to think so?"

Oh I love this book so much. I have read it several times. It is very short and pleasant. If you are stressed out it will mellow you out.