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The Perpetual Page-Turner

The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

Home | Top Ten Tuesday | Top Ten Books Read In 2011 – Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Books Read In 2011 – Top Ten Tuesday

December 27, 2011 - Updated May 7, 2019 // 29 Comments

I basically gave a run down of my reading year in my End of Year book survey that I host every year (as in…last year and again this year haha) but here’s a comprehensive list of my top ten…in no order.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at my other blog — The Broke and the Bookish!

1. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys : I had to put this one first because I listened to it via audio on my holiday travels and, as probably my last read of the year, became one of my favorites…so much so that I have to amend my End of Year Book survey answers at some point. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. I honestly cannot wait to write my review this book…a feeling  I haven’t had in a while! Be on the lookout for that!

2. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty — My review was so spastic but seriously…this book is hilarious and wonderful and amazing. WHY DID I WAIT THIS LONG TO READ IT?!? Jessica Darling and I are very much kindred spirits…especially high school Jamie.

3. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins  — While I LOVED LOVED LOVED Anna and the French Kiss (obviously)..I was one of the people who declared Lola my favorite of the two books! I just adore Stephanie’s books!!

4. Where She Went by Gayle Forman — WHAT a fantastic follow up to If I Stay. I couldn’t have asked for it to be anymore perfect. I think this was my favorite out of the two!

5.  The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan — One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read EVER. I could have dog-eared every page honestly. If I were the sort to dog-ear šŸ˜›

6. The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasamussen — WOW. I needed a good literary fiction novel this year…and this one was a nice surprise. I didn’t know WHAT to expect of it..and it blew any expectations I had out of the water.

7. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready: I’m a picky paranormal reader and this one really became one of my favorite reads of 2011!

8. Fever by Lauren DeStefano: Be prepared, folks, for when this comes out in 2012. OH MY GOODNESS. If you haven’t read Wither and are into dystopians with achingly beautiful writing…GET TO IT! Then you can read this one šŸ™‚

9. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eager — I am so on board with Aussie lit after reading this. If you want some edgier YA with older protags…give this one a whirl. Also, if you are a beach bum and love surfing…you need to read it.

10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver — I wasn’t into it in the beginning and then suddenly…BLAM. I was done. I was crying. I was pining and drooling for Pandemonium.

This year was the year of YA for me…I was striking out on Adult books. I seemed to read mostly duds or just “meh” ones this year. Hopefully next year I’ll read some amazing Adult books. So, leave me a rec of an amazing adult fiction novel i MUST read for next year. Also, any of mine make it on your list??

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Filed Under: Top Ten Tuesday

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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  1. Alexa says

    December 27, 2011 at 5:13 am

    You have some great books on your list! A lot of them are on my TBR, but I have read one of the books – Lola & The Boy Next Door. I love, love, love that book, possibly more than Anna (although that's a tough call).

    Reply
  2. April (BooksandWine) says

    December 27, 2011 at 5:14 am

    AH! I can't believe I didn't put Between Shades Of Gray on my list. It's hard to narrow down, yo.
    I hope 2012 will be the year no slumps šŸ™‚

    Reply
  3. Allison says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:00 am

    I have a copy of Between Shades of Gray I REALLY need to pick up…also, off to look up The Bird Sisters…

    Reply
  4. Nikki says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:01 am

    I had the same reaction to Delirium. Kind of slow but then eek. Great list.

    ~Nikki
    Check out my Top ten. Plus my top two giveaway!

    Reply
  5. Jess (Gone with the Words) says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:10 am

    We have a few of the same books! The Lover's Dictionary was amazinnnnng! I have most of the book post-it noted, lol And I am DYING to read Fever!!! AAAAH! Awesome list! šŸ™‚

    Jess @ Gone with the Words
    My TTT post!

    Reply
  6. Jenny says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:20 am

    Shade made my list too. It was Amazing! I really need to get to Delirium and Lola and the Boy Next Door.

    Reply
  7. Anne Bennett says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:24 am

    I really like Shades of Gray and The Lover's Dictionary, too. They are both on my list. I'm eager to read several others on your list.

    Happy New Year

    Anne@Headfullofbooks

    Reply
  8. diaryofadomesticgoddess says

    December 27, 2011 at 8:31 am

    I'll have to check some of those out!
    Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday post. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  9. Kate @ Musings says

    December 27, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Maybe some of the books on my list might be good ones to try for adult books. I just finished Skipping a Beat and loved it!

    Reply
  10. Lori says

    December 27, 2011 at 11:38 am

    We have some in common! The Lover's Dictionary is on my list too! That book is incredible. Sloppy Firsts is also on mine!!

    My Top Ten Favorites

    Reply
  11. Mary-Sweet Bookshelf says

    December 27, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    My favorite Adult fiction book is These is My Words by Nancy Turner. OMG. Amazing beyond belief. Words can not express how much I love that book! I also love anything Sophie Kinsella. She writes chic lit, but it's THE BEST chic lit. No cheesiness. Promise.

    Reply
  12. Miss Anderson says

    December 27, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I must read Lover's Dictionary soon. And I've been seeing those Jessica Darling books everywhere lately, maybe it's a message from above that I need to read them? Delirium and Between Shades of Gray are definitely good picks (I just finished Between Shades of Gray yesterday, so I'm counting it as a 2012 read, since I'd written up my lists).

    My List!

    Reply
  13. Anna says

    December 27, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    EEEEK I can't wait to read Fever! Love the JD love, and Where She Went and Lola and Shade….oooh soo many good ones.

    Reply
  14. gautami tripathy says

    December 27, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Great choices. I am gonna add to my already LONG tbr pile!! Come check mine too:

    Here is my Top Ten post!

    Reply
  15. Li @ rulethewaves.net says

    December 27, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Interesting list! I recognise some of the books on your list but I've never checked them out; Delirium in particular has been getting some really stellar reviews.

    Here's my Top Ten list!

    Reply
  16. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz says

    December 27, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Lover's Dictionary was wonderful. I should put that on my list of books to reread!

    Here's my Top Ten Favorite Books I Read in 2011.

    Reply
  17. Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) says

    December 27, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Oh my goodness, The Lover's Dictionary! If I could, I'd push that book on everyone. But then again, I don't think everyone would appreciate its beauty. I love it so, so, so much.

    And The Bird Sisters is on my list…seeing it on your list makes me wonder if I should move it up closer to the top?? I do love adult fiction and sometimes get drowned in the YA with reviews and stuff. It seems like a really great book.

    Reply
  18. Jenni Elyse says

    December 27, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    I'm still in the middle of reading Lola, but I'll finish it today. I love it so far so I mentioned it as an honorable mention since I haven't finished it yet.

    Reply
  19. Mary @ BookSwarm says

    December 27, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    LOLA was on my list, too. So many great books this year — I was surprised by how many were YA, too.

    Reply
  20. Marce says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    I have heard of all your choices. I'm not a YA fan. I would recommend Kristin Hannah and Lisa Genova to you. Night Road and Left Neglected but Still Alice is my ultimate favorite.

    Reply
  21. LBC says

    December 28, 2011 at 12:18 am

    I love numbers 1, 2 and 5 on your list. I thought about including Between Shades of Grey in my honorable mentions. It was hard to narrow it down this year.

    Reply
  22. Megan Swicegood says

    December 28, 2011 at 2:09 am

    I loved the Lover's Dictionary too! And I can't wait for Fever – Wither was great. I also really enjoyed Delirium, so I can't wait to read the follow up next year! So hard to pick this year!
    Megan @ Read It, See It

    Reply
  23. Christina @ booktasty says

    December 28, 2011 at 2:29 am

    So if I loved Anna and the French Kiss, I'm going to ADORE Lola? I got it from my secret Santa and can't wait to read it! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  24. Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields says

    December 28, 2011 at 5:08 am

    I loved The Lover's Dictionary and Lola too!!!

    If you haven't read Sarah's Key yet, you should! It's so so so good!

    Reply
  25. Monaliz says

    December 28, 2011 at 6:24 am

    I've only read Delirium and it was amazing! Thanks for sharing šŸ™‚

    I'm a new follower, and here's my Top Ten Tuesday!

    Reply
  26. Liz says

    December 30, 2011 at 3:29 am

    Wonderful picks! I also agree that Where She Went was better than If I Stay. Plus I met Gayle Forman and she is incredibly sweet and wonderful. And YESSSSS Lola šŸ˜€

    I am a little jealous that you got to read an ARC of Fever.

    Here are my top ten picks of 2011.
    http://consumedbybooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-ten-books-of-2011.html

    Reply
  27. joanna says

    December 30, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Reading your post made me add 8 books to my wishlist. I love end of the year favorites lists!

    Reply
  28. The Broken Shelf says

    June 30, 2013 at 6:16 am

    I need to read Delirium by Lauren Oliver SO bad. The book is screaming at me.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Book Review: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys says:
    September 23, 2013 at 11:59 am

    […] I had really wanted to read since it came out and I saw great reviews for it. As I mentioned in my top ten books of 2011 post, this ended up being one of my favorite reads this year and it was really a great pick for my […]

    Reply

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Elder millennial. Cries a lot, always down a rabbit hole.
Blogger since 2010šŸ‘‡

A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🄹🄹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like ā€œoofā€ when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just ā€œoh that must be scary!ā€. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being m The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said ā€œit’s a book account stop talking about politics etcā€. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader
I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first try when trying to satisfy a super specific reading mood - Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time definitely nailed what I wanted. Time travel but didn’t really want too time travely…just more of a vibe or catalyst for some fun. If you love a good mystery, some time travel shenanigans and a great cast of characters, I highly recommend this book. #bookrec #bookrecommendation #bookreview #mysterybooks #historicalmystery #kelleyarmstrong
🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸 🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸

Beyond excited for a new Kate Clayborn, Kasie west, rainbow Rowell, Jenn Bennett and Beth O’Leary - I’ve enjoyed these authors in the past.

My historical loving heart is most excited for The Duke and How To Fake It In Society.

I love an emotional romance so The Art of Loving You is high on my list plus I’ve heard great things about this author.

I’m intrigued by Fast Lane especially since it’s being adapted for a tv series. I’m seeing comparisons to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series which I did love!

Which new romance books are piquing your interest or are on your TBR? #romancebooks #newbooks #romancebooktok #romancereader
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Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🄹🄹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like ā€œoofā€ when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just ā€œoh that must be scary!ā€. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being m The theme of Q1 was ā€œjust go with itā€ — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said ā€œit’s a book account stop talking about politics etcā€. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader

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