Sunday, March 31, 2013

Alberto Manguel on...shelving issues

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Still Life (The Grey Fan) - Francis Cadell"Yet one fearful characteristic of the physical world tempers any optimism that a reader may feel in any ordered library: the constraints of space.  It has always been my experience that, whatever groupings I choose for my books, the space in which I plan to lodge them necessarily reshapes my choice and, more important, in no time proves too small for them and forces me to change my arrangement.  In a library, no empty shelf remains empty for long.  Like Nature, libraries abhor a vacuum, and the problem...
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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Happy Easter!

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He is risen indeed, hallelujah!Have a lovely Easter, wherever you are - and, those of you who can, could you spare a prayer for Our Vicar's Wife? (For those who are new to Stuck-in-a-Book, that's my Mum.)  She's ill at the moment - not life-threatening or anything, but still, health would be much appreciated all round...
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Little Poems About Authors

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I spent this evening at the Penguin Bloggers' Night, which I'll write about properly next week - lovely to see the old guard (as Kim described us on Twitter!) and to meet some new faces - and, of course, to hear the authors read extracts from their forthcoming books.  More on't that soon.The writers mural at Barter Books, AlnwickWhat I'm writing today, instead, is somewhat fanciful... on the train home, I started to craft little poems about authors.  Some sincere, but mostly frivolous.  I thought you might enjoy reading them - and that, hopefully,...
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Monday, March 25, 2013

Housekeeping - Marilynne Robinson

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I don't read many living authors, certainly not as a percentage of my overall reading, but I think there is only one whom I consider to be a 'great' - and that is Marilynne Robinson.  This opinion was formed on the basis of her novel Gilead, and has been strengthened by reading her first novel, Housekeeping (1980).  I don't think it is as good as Gilead, but it is still a strikingly beautiful example of how astonishingly an author can use prose.  The opening lines are surprisingly stark, given the writing that follows:My name is Ruth....
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Sunday, March 24, 2013

Maguel on... the printed page

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Last July I mentioned that I was starting an ongoing series on excerpts from Alberto Manguel's The Library At Night. Well, better late than never, here is the second instalment!  And it's a cheeky riposte to the rise of e-readers, which have (to my mind, rather inexplicably) exploded in popularity since this book was published in 2006.Restaurant Car (c.1935) by Leonard Campbell Taylor"Even the newer electronic technologies cannot approach the experience of handling an original publication.  As any reader knows, a printed page creates its own...
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Friday, March 22, 2013

Stuck-in-a-Book's Weekend Miscellany

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Hopefully I'm going to see some crocodiles this weekend... I'll keep you posted, either on here or, more likely, on Twitter - where I'm @stuck_inabook, donchaknow.  I'm afraid I'm just as likely to talk about Neighbours or cats as I am books, but...1.) The books - you know me, I love reprints - so it's always exciting to unwrap an unsolicited publisher package and discover that it's got reprints.  Even better, they're by an author I like, and they're books I don't own - soon I'll be trying The Boat and A Perfect Woman by L.P. Hartley...
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Going Underground

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Look what arrived in the post the other day!That was a very pleasant surprise - Penguin kindly sent me the Penguin Lines collection - a series of stories celebrating 150 years of the London Underground, each (as you see) the colour of a tube line.  The British Transport Museum, incidentally, offers milkshakes in every colour of the tube map - which sounds like a lovely idea until you realise that one of them will have to be grey. It's no secret here that I don't much like London, and I certainly don't any fondness for the Underground - but I *do*...
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Old and young writers

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photo sourceAfter reading The Easter Party by Vita Sackville-West (see previous post), which included a little section where Lady Quarles propounds her thoughts on philosophy and theology - a little overdramatic, and seemingly Vita's own views put into a character who, for a page or two, became a puppet - it got me thinking. It is a truism that the very young proclaim their beliefs most assertively, and that the old have been humbled by their experience of life into an unprovocative wisdom.  That isn't my experience of reading novels.  Yes,...
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Monday, March 18, 2013

The Easter Party - Vita Sackville-West

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Hayley has a good track record of giving me books that she hasn't hugely enjoyed, which I end up loving. First off was Marghanita Laski's Love on the Supertax (which remains my favourite of her novels, although I've only read three); now is Vita Sackville-West's The Easter Party (1953). I couldn't get a good photograph in the light, so I played around with the image instead.It certainly isn't an unflawed novel.  It is melodramatic and improbable.  But, with the odd reservation or two, I loved it.The Easter party in question is a gathering...
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Sunday, March 17, 2013

A lovely Penguiny find

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Despite having a whole weekend doing basically nothing, I have still failed to put together a review - or even read very much, actually - so instead I shall show off a recent find!  I don't think it's especially rare or anything, but I think it's a fantastic example of Penguin cover design in its heyday.  And it cost 30p.  I didn't know there were still places where you could get books for 30p! Turns out the charity shops of Headington are rather cheaper than the charity shops of Oxfo...
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Saturday, March 16, 2013

ᗘ Colin Self: Art in the Nuclear Age

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Reviews Colin Self: Art in the Nuclear AgeIf You Are Trying decide to purchase Colin Self: Art in the Nuclear Age then check out the latest price now. This is a Perfect Time! Do not waste your time more! To find the lower price Colin Self: Art in the Nuclear Age you should make a comparison at some online stores. We have found offers from many major retailers. We offer and recommend the best online shopping without a doubt. If you take this opportunity today you Save BIG ! and you will get good refund policy and best delivery. get the best one and enjoy Shopp...
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Friday, March 15, 2013

✌ The Fulcanelli Manuscript

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Reviews The Fulcanelli ManuscriptWhere you can purchase Affordable New The Fulcanelli Manuscript for sale. This is a Perfect Time! Do not Spend Your time more ! We Really Provide the best The Fulcanelli Manuscript deals priced with big saving. We have found offers from many major retailers. We recommend online shopping without a doubt.If you Shopping Online today you Save BIG ! Check today Special Offer before Price Up! You will get good refund policy and secure transaction here. Enjoy Shopp...
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Thursday, March 14, 2013

ᗘ Yorkshire Dales Relief Map: Dark Wood Frame (Raised Relief Maps Series)

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Reviews Yorkshire Dales Relief Map: Dark Wood Frame (Raised Relief Maps Series)If You Are Trying decide to purchase Yorkshire Dales Relief Map: Dark Wood Frame (Raised Relief Maps Series) then check out the latest price now. This is a Perfect Time! Do not waste your time more! To find the lower price Yorkshire Dales Relief Map: Dark Wood Frame (Raised Relief Maps Series) you should make a comparison at some online stores. We have found offers from many major retailers. We offer and recommend the best online shopping without a doubt. If you take this opportunity today you Save BIG ! and you will...
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Ella Minnow Pea - Mark Dunn (a blog post with a twist)

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About 15 months ago, I got a gift from a lady at my book group: Ella Minnow Pea (2001) by Mark Dunn. Fast forward a bit, and I finally got around to it, and found it a surprisingly brilliant small book.I did know Ella Minnow Pea's main, and most original, 'gimmick', if you will - that Mark Dunn gradually lost a, b, c, so on and so forth, throughout his book - and had thought that it was simply a witty structuring and a prolonging of a trick. It had a possibility of growing a touch dull or awkward (thought I) but was still worth trying out.And, it turns...
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

ᗘ Official Dealer McDope Dealing Game, The

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Reviews Official Dealer McDope Dealing Game, TheHi guys.., i have a good tips for you. Firstly, before you make a deal on Official Dealer McDope Dealing Game, The cheap, please see the best reviews from Official Dealer McDope Dealing Game, The features and its description to make a decision, you can make sure that this item has the best quality. So you will get the best choice and will not be dissappoin...
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Poorly Drawn Lines

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I have finished a couple of really good books this week, very different from each other, and I'll be getting to those soon - but for today I wanted to share a fun cartoon website I discovered a few days ago.  The webpage makes it clear that it's ok to reproduce his cartoons, so long as you link back to the page - so I have handpicked a few that I love.  The page is called Poorly Drawn Lines, and the cartoons are often a tiny bit dark or subversive, but in a funny, colourful, non-scary way.  Here are some of my favourites, from a recent scroll-through...
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

$$ Hops

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Reviews HopsHi guys.. good tips for you. Firstly, before you make a deal, You can see the best Hops reviews from its Features and its description. To know more about it, please See full reviews and latest price from Ama...
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Some photos from my week...

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I don't take that many photos nowadays - in 2011 I took a photo everyday, and it was a really fun way to document the year, but I think maybe I reached saturation point. Still, I should take more... and in the spirit of that, here are a few I've taken on a couple of recent occasions:Although I'm still working the odd Saturday at the Bodleian, my job at OUP means that I've now finished my regular evening shifts (and casual daytime hours) there - quite a moving goodbye to people I've worked with, on and off, for five and a half years.  Most Reader Services...
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Monday, March 11, 2013

=>> The Assyrians and the Babylonians (History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization)

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Reviews The Assyrians and the Babylonians (History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization)Where you can purchase Affordable New The Assyrians and the Babylonians (History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization) for sale. This is a Perfect Time! Do not Spend Your time more ! We Really Provide the best The Assyrians and the Babylonians (History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization) deals priced with big saving. We have found offers from many major retailers. We recommend online shopping without a doubt.If you Shopping Online today you Save BIG ! Check today Special Offer before Price Up!...
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Sunday, March 10, 2013

⤗ Why is there only one word for Thesaurus? being the Memoirs of David Watkin

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Reviews Why is there only one word for Thesaurus? being the Memoirs of David WatkinHi Readers..welcome to this site. You can see the best Why is there only one word for Thesaurus? being the Memoirs of David Watkin reviews from its Features and consumer reports. To know more about it, please See full reviews and latest price from Ama...
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Room at the Top (a pleasant surprise)

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If you read my recent appearance on Danielle's blog, taking you on a tour around my bookshelves, you might have noticed this picture:Being observant people, you will have spotted all sorts of things.  Half the Queen's head, on my breakfast tea mug, perhaps.  David's eye (David being the teddy bear), maybe?  A little bit of Caitlin Moran's How To Be A Woman, if you're very astute.  But what you won't have missed is that book slap-bang in the front of the photo - one which scarcely seems to accord with my reading tastes.  It was, in...
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Saturday, March 9, 2013

> Fireworks: The Art, Science, and Technique

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Reviews Fireworks: The Art, Science, and TechniqueBest opportunity for you that can help you save big. Do you want to order Fireworks: The Art, Science, and Technique best buy or searching information about it? You come to the right site. Don't miss a special offer on Fireworks: The Art, Science, and Technique today. You can take advantage of Free super saver delivery as your shipping speed. Add this item to your cart and enjoy shopp...
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Song for a Sunday

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I've been discovering Joni Mitchell properly over the past couple of days - better late than never, eh? - and wondered which songs y'all might suggest...This one is justifiably famous, and completely beautiful: Both Sides N...
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Friday, March 8, 2013

➳ Pollution at Sea: Law and Liability (Maritime and Transport Law Library)

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Reviews Pollution at Sea: Law and Liability (Maritime and Transport Law Library)Hi guys.., i have a good tips for you. Firstly, before you make a deal on Pollution at Sea: Law and Liability (Maritime and Transport Law Library) cheap, please see the best reviews from Pollution at Sea: Law and Liability (Maritime and Transport Law Library) features and its description to make a decision, you can make sure that this item has the best quality. So you will get the best choice and will not be dissappoin...
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Thursday, March 7, 2013

#! Physics Now! 11-14: Teacher's Book

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Reviews Physics Now! 11-14: Teacher's BookIf you’re looking for top recommended Physics Now! 11-14: Teacher's Book, then Physics Now! 11-14: Teacher's Book is our suggestion. Many good reviews already proving the quality of this product. The Physics Now! 11-14: Teacher's Book completed with a lot of capabilities which makes it great product. If you wish to know further of this item, just read its main featu...
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How The Heather Looks

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This delightful book was part of my Reading Presently project, where I read books I've been given as presents, but... nobody knows who gave this to me!  I was sure it was my friend Clare, but she denies all knowledge... I know it was *somebody*, because it appears in my birthday present post here... so, if it was you, let me know!  Because I've read it now, and I love it.The full title, which does the job of summarising the book for me, is How The Heather Looks: A Joyous Journey to the British Sources of Children's Books (1965) by Joan Bodger. ...
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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

> Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar

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Reviews Build Your Own Acoustic GuitarBest occasion for you that can help you save more. Do you wish to get Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar best price or searching information about this item? Don't miss a best offer this time. You can take advantage of super saver shipping and get good refund policy. In addition, I have made a research about the best reviews on this i...
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World Book Day!

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Happy World Book Day everyone!  We don't need much encouragement to celebrate books, but it's nice that the rest of the world has hopped on board too.  Before I hand you over to the company guest-posting for World Book Day, don't forget to go to the Book Aid International website and see how World Book Day is benefiting people in sub-Saharan African, sending over 500,000 new books to 2,000 libraries.I don't normally do guest posts from companies, but a mixture of my busyness and their bookish enthusiasm means that today I'm handing over All Fancy...
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

♕ Haute Couture: The Polaroids of Cathleen Naundorf

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Reviews Haute Couture: The Polaroids of Cathleen NaundorfIn my opinion there are many people are looking for best price Haute Couture: The Polaroids of Cathleen Naundorf reviews before they pick up one. I think that's a nice idea to make a good Haute Couture: The Polaroids of Cathleen Naundorf deal. It's better for readers to read its specifications and its details to make a compari...
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Monday, March 4, 2013

=> Design Anthropology: Object Culture in the 21st Century (Edition Angewandte)

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Reviews Design Anthropology: Object Culture in the 21st Century (Edition Angewandte)Hi guys.. good tips for you. Firstly, before you make a deal, You can see the best Design Anthropology: Object Culture in the 21st Century (Edition Angewandte) reviews from its Features and its description. To know more about it, please See full reviews and latest price from Ama...
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D-Day : Mollie Panter-Downes

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Here is the rather stunning column that Mollie Panter-Downes wrote in London War Notes 1939-1945 about D Day:(image source)For the English, D Day might well have stood for Dunkirk Day.  The tremendous news that British soldiers were back on French soil seemed suddenly to reveal exactly how much it had rankled when they were beaten off it four years ago.  As the great fleets of planes roared toward the coast all day long, people glancing up at them said, "Now they'll know how our boys felt on the beaches of Dunkirk."  And as the people...
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Sunday, March 3, 2013

$$ AJ: The Life of Alfred Munnings, 1878-1959

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Reviews AJ: The Life of Alfred Munnings, 1878-1959Welcome to this site, today I would like to introduce AJ: The Life of Alfred Munnings, 1878-1959 best buy in UK. There are many readers are searching the best review AJ: The Life of Alfred Munnings, 1878-1959 before they purchase one. I think its a good step to get the best choice. You can see from its description and features to know that this item has good qual...
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London War Notes - Mollie Panter-Downes

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I've already teased you with one excerpt from Mollie Panter-Downes' London War Notes 1939-1945 (collected together in 1972) and now I'm going to do a terrible thing.  I'm going to tell you how wonderful this book is.  I'm going to throw around the word 'essential'.  And... it's pretty much impossible to buy, unless you have a fair bit of money to spend.  I don't even have a copy myself, mine's from the library in Oxford.  But someone (are you listening?) needs to reprint this.  It's the most useful book about the war that I've...
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Slightly Foxed : 11 March : Launch Party

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Is anybody else going to the subscribers' and friends' launch party of The Real Mrs. Miniver by Ysenda Maxtone Graham?  It's the latest Slightly Foxed Edition - the series of memoirs that never put a foot wrong - and I'll be going!  It would be wonderful to see anybody I knew (or to meet any SIAB-readers I've yet to meet.) It's 11th March, 6-8pm.  More info here...
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Saturday, March 2, 2013

=>> Russian Painting (Temporis Collection)

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Reviews Russian Painting (Temporis Collection)Welcome to this site, today I would like to introduce Russian Painting (Temporis Collection) best buy in UK. There are many readers are searching the best review Russian Painting (Temporis Collection) before they purchase one. I think its a good step to get the best choice. You can see from its description and features to know that this item has good qual...
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Song for a Sunday

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I spent a few days trying to remember any tiny snatch of this song, so I could work out what it was, and find it on Youtube.  And I couldn't remember the tune or the lyrics.  And then it came to me!  (That's not a great story, is it?  Well, enjoy the song... '74-'75 by The Connell...
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Friday, March 1, 2013

>> Croatia Cruising Companion (Wiley Nautical)

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Reviews Croatia Cruising Companion (Wiley Nautical)Best opportunity for you that can help you save big. Do you want to order Croatia Cruising Companion (Wiley Nautical) best buy or searching information about it? You come to the right site. Don't miss a special offer on Croatia Cruising Companion (Wiley Nautical) today. You can take advantage of Free super saver delivery as your shipping speed. Add this item to your cart and enjoy shopp...
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Stuck-in-a-Book's Weekend Miscellany

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Ok, I lied last week.  I said I'd sneak my OxfordWords highlights in after the book, link, and blog post - but this week I can't resist devoting the post to two pieces over there which I think are really fantastic.  And one of them is partly by me, so I'm being a little bit egotistical...1.) Baby Names Generator - go and find out what your baby should be called!  My colleague Rachel wrote great copy for it, but I mostly love it for the adorable pictures of babies...2.) Dr. Seuss meet Dr. Murray - my colleague Malie and I wrote a poem about...
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