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Ani 🌸's avatar

Wow I read Ali and Nino maaany years ago, I can't remember anything sadly 😔

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Jam Canezal's avatar

did you remember loving it back then?

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Ani 🌸's avatar

Yesss

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Barb Natividad 🇵🇭🇺🇸's avatar

I liked The Eyes Are the Best Part.

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Jam Canezal's avatar

so satisfying!

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Martha's avatar

I laughed at your 'this book is for keeps' about the Charco - they do have the BEST books. I am convinced there is some psychology behind enjoying a book even more because the cover and paper is of such a premium quality! There is something about those flaps - they are the best.

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Jam Canezal's avatar

mygod I keep running my hands over the paper!! plus the book was really enjoyable. I had the best experience. Chilco has a thinner paper than China Iron but mygod can you see the art and feel the smoothness behind the French flaps? I’m being such a paper nerd.

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Daniel Puzzo's avatar

That's such a cool story with Yvette Tan!

As for fish eyes, that was also a big thing when I lived in Nigeria. My friends or colleagues would always ask if they could my eyes (not me, my fish's 😂) and fight over them.

Really glad to hear you enjoyed Ali and Nino, and I had no idea there was a film. I've seen that sculpture in Batumi a couple of times, btw, I'll have to dig up a picture to share with you.

If you're interested more about Lev Nussbaum, then check out Tom Reiss's book, The Orientalist, it's excellent.

I want to revisit Greek Lessons one of these days too. I was enjoying it but it wasn't the right time over Christmas, I was getting distracted by family all the time.

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Jam Canezal's avatar

oh Nigeria as well? Glad to know eating fish eyes is shared across continents! Did you ever try one?

That’s so cool of you getting to see the Ali and Nino IRL. And yes there’s a film. Try watching it and let me know if it lives up to your expectations hehe.

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Daniel Puzzo's avatar

I tried a few fish eyes, I can’t remember anything distinctive or exceptionally yummy about them.

I’ll try to track down the film, but there’s sometimes a risk involved. I’m worried it might tarnish my impressions of the book. This is what happened to me with The Sheltering Sky. Even though a friend told me not to watch the film, I foolishly did and since then, I can’t read the book in the same way again. I’ve read it 4 or 5 times and it’s been a while since I last read it.

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Jam Canezal's avatar

yeah they’re not exceptionally tasty. The texture is what makes it distinct.

I see what you mean about the film haha. Although it didn’t veer away much from the book, it had minor differences. But like what I said in the review, it didn’t quite capture what I loved about the book. But that’s just me.

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Brittany Lloyd's avatar

I read The Besieged City by Clarice Lispector a few years ago, and I found it difficult to get through. It was not a book that I was able to connect with, unfortunately, so I haven't attempted to read anything else of hers.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say about My Cousin Rachel. I've really enjoyed all of the du Maurier books I've read to date, but Rebecca is still my favorite (with My Cousin Rachel as a close second).

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Jam Canezal's avatar

I’ll have to take a break from Lispector at the moment but I hope I will like her in the future.

Thanks, Brittany. I am really looking forward to reading My Cousin Rachel! I will respond back here when I get the chance to finish it. I loved Rebecca so much I plan to read it again. I’m just really distracted by my other books right now.

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Natalie McGlocklin's avatar

Insect Hag is going on my spooky TBR immediately! Also I’ve read exactly one Lispector and that might be alll I ever read

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Jam Canezal's avatar

Hope you get to read Insect Hag and lmk of you like it. haha what Lispector book did you try?

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Fatima Mohammed's avatar

All the books you read in May seem intriguing to me in different ways. Thank you for supplying more books for my TBR pile!

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Jam Canezal's avatar

You’re welcome, Fatima. and thanks for reading!

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Emma's avatar

The eyes are the best part has gone straight to my TBR

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Jam Canezal's avatar

I hope you’ll like it!

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