24 Comments
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Jam Canezal's avatar

COUNT ME IN. and that’s in all caps!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

YESSSS! I cannot wait.

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Amanda Vink's avatar

Oh, I'm in! I read the trilogy a few years back, but it's absolutely time for a re-read. What an awesome, community-building idea.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

I’m so glad you’re coming back for a re-read! As much as I adore Ferrante, I’ve actually never reread My Brilliant Friend so I’m really looking forward to it.

And yes to community building! Nothing better 🥹

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Deborah Craytor's avatar

I'm going to try to join in, although I'm so far behind on my other group reads, there's no telling how my August will shape up.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Understandable! Join if you can, and if not, the posts and discussions will be there for you when you’re ready 🤓

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Daniel Puzzo's avatar

I've honestly never really wanted to do something like this, and I've never been part of a book club, but what the hell, I'll happily join you! How's this for a sign? In the little book swap on the side of the road near my daughter's school, I picked up My Brilliant Friend a couple of weeks ago and since I live in Vienna, finding books in English is a rare treat. Excellent timing, I'd say!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Daniel! This makes me so happy. And based on the interactions we’ve had here, I’m guessing you will like this book, or at the very least appreciate the beauty and skill of it.

You’re the second person to say the timing is serendipitous. Excellent timing for sure!

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Rebecca's avatar

I'm in! You're finally getting me to commit to Ferrante. Now to decide to go for English or Italian ;)

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Fantastico! Which book do you think you’ll do? I’ll be amazed if you read it in Italian! I’ve been reading The Days of Abandonment in Italian for about a year lol. I read 1-2 pages a few nights a week. It’s great to see it in its original language, even if my comprehension isn’t as great.

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Rebecca's avatar

Haha I can relate. Going to do My Brilliant Friend!!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

GOOD CHOICE! Can’t wait.

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David Nash's avatar

I'm in. Days of Abandonment was one of my top 5 reads in 2024.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Fantastic! I’m so glad you’ll be joining and I can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts about The Days of Abandonment (or other Ferrante books!)

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Heather G.'s avatar

This is so fantastic! I love a read-along community! I'm in for reading Troubling Love. I announced my own reading journey earlier this week (reading a book from every year I've been alive leading up to my 40th birthday) and this one lines up perfectly with my timing for 1992.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

I'm so glad you're joining for Troubling Love! That's perfect! I am also obsessed with your reading journey idea. I turn 40 next year and for my 39th birthday next month I'm doing a post about the 39 most formative books of my 39 years. LOVE your idea and I can't wait to read about it and possibly do the same in 2026!

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Lydia Blundell's avatar

I’m in!! This has been patiently waiting on my shelf for far too long

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Amazing! So excited you’re joining us, Lydia!

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Peachy's avatar

I’ve started it but I am not too far in yet, so I’m joining in!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

YES! That’s perfect.

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Shruti Koti, MD's avatar

What great timing! I just read The Days of Abandonment and loved it. I had listened to My Brilliant Friend on audio a few years ago and thought it was just ok, but after loving Days of Abandonment I’m thinking it was just a problem with the medium - I now really want to read My Brilliant Friend in print

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

The Days of Abandonment is my favorite Ferrante book! Yes, I bet you’ll find it to be a totally different experience in print. Read it with us in August!!

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Jules | Friday Night Readers's avatar

Highly recommend pairing with the hbo series too!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Absolutely. It’s such a good adaptation! I might rewatch it in August just to go really hard 🤣

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