Dutton Books Archives - Dear Mr. Hemingway, LLC

Kelly’s Top 10 Books Of 2020

January 4, 2021 by Kelly Fredericks

January 4, 2021

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Happy New Year! We made it to 2021! Let‘s face it, 2020 was an absolute doozy! I personally had a difficult time focusing on reading and was in a perpetual state of ruffled feathers. This year, quality over quantity was the name of the game and I found myself way more picky with my book selections. If a book didn’t reel me in from page one or work with whatever my current mood was on that day (or hour 😂😂), I tossed it. Definitely a bit harsh for me, but I truly needed books that distracted me from my distractions and took me somewhere outside of my quarantined mind. Here are my Top 10 Books Of 2020 in random order! Whether I laughed out loud or was completely moved, each one of these books spoke to me in a unique way! Click on the book pictures for their full synopsis or to purchase from your local bookstore. Here we go….

His & Hers by Alice Feeney (Flatiron) ~ This book was sooooo good! I could not put this down. I listened to this on audio and the narration was incredible. This was the ultimate suspense/thriller. Click here to read my past review.

Admission by Julie Buxbaum (Delacorte Press) ~ Can you say, juicy tale? I really enjoyed this behind the scene look at what it takes to get into college and how far families will go to ensure their kids receive the creme de la creme education. Buxbaum explored issues of wealth, race, white privilege and more in her latest book. Though this is a work of fiction, it was inspired by the recent admission scandal this past year. I love how the teenager’s point of view is so prevalent in this story. Admission is an eye-opening read that will have you glued to your seat. It is the perfect book club pick. Discussions galore will come out of it.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle (The Dial Press) ~ This book was hands down, the equivalent to a perfect cup of tea! I am a huge Glennon fan and her book was the breath of fresh air I needed this year. Click here to read my past review.

Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey (Crown Publishing) ~ Such a fun read. Though Matthew’s life is most definitely different than mine, I strangely found comfort and could even relate to some of his words. I love how green lights, yellow lights, and even red lights are all opportunities to halt what you are doing or move ahead. It is like the universe is talking to us. Maybe some things do happen for a reason. Nevertheless, I got quite a few laughs from this charmer. Wait until you read about all of his “dreams”!!

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (William Morrow)~ Why all the fuss about this book???? In short, it is the story of a fifteen year old girl and her relationship with her 42 year old HIgh School teacher. It is a book that shines light on things that are strenuous to acknowledge. It is a book that is easier to just not read. It is a book that had my mind twisted every which way. It is a book that never left me, even when my reading time was through. It is a book that made me feel terribly uncomfortable yet completely captivated. It is a book that made my stomach turn and my mind wander. It is a book filled with power. It is a book that is so beautifully written, my heart ached.

The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare (Dutton)~ I do not think this book has a star rating less than 5+. Adunni absolutely stole my heart. I rooted for her with all my heart and soul throughout her journey. Dare’s book was powerful and complete perfection! If you have not read this yet, make it happen ASAP. You will have no regrets.

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby (Flatiron)~ I am so glad I squeezed this book in before 2020 ended. WOW……this was awesome! Robberies, car chases, drugs and family drama….this book was a 100 mph ride that kept my beating heart in business. Cosby’s writing was colorful, sharp and seriously captivating. Enjoy this high speed read!!

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (Forever Publishing)~ Oh La La. Sloan and Jason…need I say more. This was the super fun and steamy read I needed this 2020. I loved Jimenez’s last book The Friend Zone, and her follow up was equally as fabulous! Be prepared to swoon. Consider yourself warned!

Master Class by Christina Dalcher (Berkley) ~ I am obsessed with this book. Dalcher’s contemporary dystopian tale incorporates contentious issues from the past and present into a fictional world where the unimaginable may not be far from the truth. This was a 5 star read for me. Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood will be all over this one. Click here for my past review.

The Roxy Letters by Mary Pauline Lowry (Simon &Schuster) ~ Take it from me, The Roxy Letters is the PERFECT book to slip in your bag when heading to the beach (or pool, or lake, or front porch). With so many uncertainties in the world, why not escape for a few hours with some much needed laughter and a story that just makes you feel great. I spent so much of my time reading this book giggling, while my cheeks turned uber pink. With a heart of gold and a thirst for all things good, Roxy is one to root for. Click here for my past review.

Well my friend, that is a wrap! Look out for all my bookish love coming your way this 2021. Until next time…

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. Click here to read my last post in December. If you love a good domestic suspense novel, I have got you covered.

“Ernest” Chitter-Chatter

January 8, 2021September 1, 2020 by Kelly Fredericks

September 1, 2020

Dear Beautiful Book Friends,

I can’t believe it is September! Where did summer go? Well, summer may be on its lasts legs, but we are still going strong over here on Dear Mr. Hemingway. I am happy to announce our September 2020 “Ernest”Chitter-Chatter Book Pick. This month, we will be reading and discussing Fiona Davis’ latest historical fiction book, The Lions of Fifth Avenue.

There are two ways to join in. The first is to participate in a private instagram chat (spoilers and all) with me and the book group after reading the book. The second option is to read the book, then join in on an EXCLUSIVE ZOOM with me and Fiona Davis! You can also participate in both options. Check out the details below….

Please Email me at dearmrhemingway@gmail.com or message me on Instagram @Dearmrhemingway to reserve your spot.

September 24, 2020~Instagram Private Chat

October 1, 2020 7PM EST~ Zoom with me, Fiona Davis and YOU!

The Lions of Fifth Avenue Synopsis

“It’s 1913, and on the surface, Laura Lyons couldn’t ask for more out of life—her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library, allowing their family to live in an apartment within the grand building, and they are blessed with two children. But headstrong, passionate Laura wants more, and when she takes a leap of faith and applies to the Columbia Journalism School, her world is cracked wide open. As her studies take her all over the city, she is drawn to Greenwich Village’s new bohemia, where she discovers the Heterodoxy Club—a radical, all-female group in which women are encouraged to loudly share their opinions on suffrage, birth control, and women’s rights. Soon, Laura finds herself questioning her traditional role as wife and mother. But when valuable books are stolen back at the library, threatening the home and institution she loves, she’s forced to confront her shifting priorities head on . . . and may just lose everything in the process. Eighty years later, in 1993, Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, the famous essayist Laura Lyons, especially after she’s wrangled her dream job as a curator at the New York Public Library. But the job quickly becomes a nightmare when rare manuscripts, notes, and books for the exhibit Sadie’s running begin disappearing from the library’s famous Berg Collection. Determined to save both the exhibit and her career, the typically risk-adverse Sadie teams up with a private security expert to uncover the culprit. However, things unexpectedly become personal when the investigation leads Sadie to some unwelcome truths about her own family heritage—truths that shed new light on the biggest tragedy in the library’s history.”

Can’t wait to chit-chat will all of you!

❤️❤️❤️

Kelly

P.S.

Here is what’s ahead!

Reserve your spot for future events!

Click on the book pic to purchase.

You Thrill Me Right Round Baby

January 8, 2021August 12, 2020 by Kelly Fredericks

In Case of Emergency and His and Hers Beauty Shot

In Case Of Emergency by E.G. Scott (Dutton)

His & Hers by Alice Feeney (Flatiron Books)

August 12, 2020

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Today I am writing to you about two books that literally thrilled me to death. Suspense and crime fiction have really added some zest to my summer days. I’m not going to lie though, you weren’t exactly Mr. Thriller back in the day. As you are aware from previous letters, I will always rely on your simple, yet zealous writing. But once again, I am leaving the thrills and chills to a few others. Let me introduce you to E.G. Scott and Alice Feeney. Even though these authors are relatively new to me as a reader, they have won me over with their recent books. I believe you would have enjoyed these two authors’ company (ok…technically there are three. See my postscript for the explanation). I can imagine you and E.G. Scott discussing writing techniques and the ever changing publishing industry, while you and Alice Feeney swap stories of your shared experiences as journalists. I am sure your conversations would be accompanied by some sort of fabulous drink. Perhaps a stiff, no nonsense alcoholic bevy or even a frothy cappuccino would do the trick. Anyway, I digress. Here is the scoop on today’s post. Feeney and Scott know how to write stories that bring on the goosebumps. I am talking heart pounding, quick shivers of mind bending crazy that run through your veins kind of writing. Let’s check out their latest creations.

First up, we have E.G. Scott’s, In Case of Emergency. When thirty something Charlotte’s career as a neurosurgeon abruptly ends, she takes on the world of acupuncture and holistic healing. Here is Charlotte in a nutshell. She is a member of an online support group for trauma survivors, she struggles to keep her new business afloat, and she believes her mysterious and secretive boyfriend, Peter, has gone missing. To add a shake of salt to her already open wounds, she is called in to help identify a dead (presumably murdered) woman in town. The crazy thing is, Charlotte has no idea who this woman is or why this “Jane-Doe” had Charlotte down as her “in case of emergency” contact. Here is where all of the questions come in. Why on earth is Charlotte being questioned by the police, who IS this mysterious dead woman, and where the hell is Peter? Throw in Charlotte’s ex-junkie best friend/co-worker, an officer and a gentleman, and a whole lot of acupuncture needles going every which way, and this book is crazy good! Scott’s fast paced story will have you effortlessly dipping in and out of chapters until the very end. Enjoy this summer treat!

Next up is His & Hers by Alice Fenney. This book is ridiculously incredible on audio. I repeat, this book is ridiculously incredible on audio. So, I guess the saying goes…there are two sides to every story, right? Well… in Alice Feeney’s latest thriller, there may be yet another side. The story starts with Anna Andrews, a temporary TV Presenter on BBC (filling in for Cat Jones on a never ending maternity leave). When her dreamy presenter job is jeopardized, she is asked to cover a murder in Blackdown, Surrey. It turns out that the woman murdered was a childhood friend of hers. Anna’s ex-husband, Jack Harper, is a detective at the scene of the murder and may be a suspect in this horrid crime. Shortly after this woman’s body is discovered, a string of murders occur nearby, thickening the plot of this already juicy mystery. His & Hers is told from alternating POVs… Anna and Jack’s. Feeney’s story moves quickly and is gushing with unimaginable twists and turns. She meticulously exposes her characters’ pasts and closely guarded secrets every step of the way. I mentioned two sides of every story, but sometimes…there is a possible third 😯! Feeney offers up the POV of the “killer” for an extra layer of creepy. Be prepared to be sucked into this very dark read from page one. Fans of true crime stories who just adore the craftiness of a well mannered serial killer will drool over this book! Enjoy your pounding pulse everyone!

That is a wrap my friend!

Until next time!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. Did you know that E.G. Scott is the pseudonym for two writers…Elizabeth Keenan and Greg Wands. These two authors have been friends for over 20 years. How fun is that? Also, rumor has it that His & Hers was picked up for TV…WOW! I know I will be watching.

Click on the book pics below to purchase!

“Ernest”Chitter Chatter

January 8, 2021July 10, 2020 by Kelly Fredericks

The Dear Mr. Hemingway Book Discussion Group You All Have Been Waiting For…

July 10, 2020

Dear Lovely Readers,

I am excited to announce The Dear Mr. Hemingway Book Discussion Group….”Ernest” Chitter-Chatter With Kelly & Friends. My goal is to connect all of my readers (and me too) with a wide variety of fabulous books and incredible authors. Not only will you have the chance to discuss a monthly book with other book lovers from around the world, but you also will have the opportunity to connect with the author as well. All your burning questions can finally be answered by authors you know and love. Not too shabby.

As of right now, there are two parts to this group. You can choose to be in one or both parts. Part one is a private group chat on instagram with our DMH community on a specific date about one of the monthly book choices. The second part is a ZOOM with you, me and the author. Talk about fun!!!!!

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥⁣:

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 (Still time to join for final conversation and ZOOM)⁣

𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘔𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 by Abdi Nor Iftin⁣

Private Instagram Chat on July 9th & July 23rd⁣

ZOOM~End of July…TBA⁣

𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎⁣

𝘛𝘪𝘯𝘺 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans⁣

Private Instagram Chat on August 20th⁣

ZOOM~ 7pm August 24th⁣

⁣

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎⁣

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦 by Fiona Davis⁣

Private Instagram Chat September 24th⁣

ZOOM~End of September TBA⁣

⁣

𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎⁣

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘒𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘔𝘶𝘤𝘩 by Michele Campbell⁣

Private Instagram Chat October 22nd⁣

ZOOM~End of October TBA⁣

⁣

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐒

👇👇👇👇👇

dearmrhemingway@gmail.com⁣

or DM me on Instagram @dearmrhemingway

Look forward to chatting with all of you

Kelly

P.S.

There is still time to join in on our July book pick. It is an awesome read with so much to talk about! Join in the fun!

Click the book pics below to purchase

Round and Round They Go

January 8, 2021March 26, 2020 by Kelly Fredericks

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel (Dutton)

March 26, 2020

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

Ok…this past year, I have really been craving books that offer me a thrill, a few chills, and a suspenseful mystery to be solved. When I was offered up an early look at Amy Engel’s new murder mystery, The Familiar Dark, I gobbled it right up. I went into this book predicting murder, investigations, ever-changing suspects, and some twists and turns along the way. While my predictions were on par, I was pleasantly surprised by how much more this book had to offer. Playing out more like a small-town drama with a side dish of murder, The Familiar Dark is perfect for crime mystery and drama lovers alike. Let’s see why….

Eve, a single mom, was born and raised in the small town of Barron Springs, Missouri, where poverty and vengeance are the driving force in this ever so bleak town. While working her shift at the local diner, Eve is interrupted by her police officer brother with news that her twelve-year-old daughter and her best friend were found murdered on the town playground. Life for Eve is put on hold until she finds out who did this to her only child. While the town police (including her brother Cal) investigate these murders, Eve takes it upon herself to dig around her crumbling town for some answers. It’s seeing her drug-ladened mother and revisiting her abusive past that helps put the pieces of this mysterious puzzle together.

The most difficult part of The Familiar Dark for me was the opening scene. The story begins with a well written and emotionally charged murder of two pre-teen girls. Though it is not super gory, the intensity of this scene was the ultimate punch in the gut (especially being a parent). I’m not going to lie, it did make me pause and wonder if I could go on reading (it is only 2 pages). Well, I am so glad I pressed on. So many murder mysteries are driven by the actual crime itself. Not so much with Engel’s harrowing tale. Instead, it’s her characters and the town they live in that moved this story forward. The town of Barron Springs is so well illustrated. There is a hardness to this seedy town that reeks of impossibility and despair. Engel truly exposed damaged and raw to the bone characters. She captures Eve’s utter grief and fury while exposing the ugly spirits and dirty souls of the people around her. Socio-economic status and poverty is an intricate maze with no end in sight. While Eve’s character has an overflowing urge to break free from her past life and reach the end of this never-ending path, others in this story continue on this endless journey with breathtaking hopelessness.

The Familiar Dark is a soul-stirring mystery that I couldn’t put down. While the grim atmosphere sucked me into its bottomless pit, the desperate characters kept me wanting more of their stories. Engel kept me guessing throughout her story. She had me fascinated by Eve’s cruel family and the vicious life cycle it fueled. This story has it all…love, loss, grief, and secrets GALORE. I highly recommend this book to those reluctant to read murder mysteries and to the die-hard suspense seekers. The Familiar Dark has something powerful to offer all readers. Above all, this book is a wicked fast read. A quality I do so admire!

Happy Reading My Friends!

Talk to you soon Mr. H!!!!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. Thank you to Dutton Books and Netgalley for the advance reader copy of The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel. What a treat to read and write about!

Support your local bookstore during this unbelievable time! So many local bookstores are still delivering and/or have the curbside pick up. Choose your personal store and make it happen. Click on the book pic below to get started on purchasing a copy of The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel.

Guest Writer~Fiona Davis

January 8, 2021January 29, 2020 by Kelly Fredericks

Author Edition

February 29, 2020

Dear lovely readers,

Today is another fabulous day on the blog. It is the fourth week of the Dear Mr. Hemingway Guest Writer~Author Edition series. I am so thrilled to tell you about today’s author, Fiona Davis. Let me first start off by saying that Fiona is the National Best Selling author of The Dollhouse (Dutton), The Address (Dutton), The Masterpiece (Dutton), and most recently, The Chelsea Girls (Dutton). Whether she takes you through Grand Central Terminal, the Chelsea Hotel, a famous New York residence, or the glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women, New York City is the heartbeat of her stories. Her books are filled to the brim with vibrant characters, stunning time periods, and very satisfying storylines. With sprinkles of glamour, hints of mystery, and a dollop of dazzle, Fiona’s books will not disappoint you. Be on the lookout for her upcoming historical fiction novel staring the iconic New York Public Library. The Lion’s of Fifth Avenue (Dutton) hits book stores in July 2020 🤗🤗🤗.

Before you read what Fiona has written to Mr. H., I want to thank her for participating in this project. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that she took time out of her very busy schedule to contribute to this Blog. I personally enjoy getting to know my favorite authors and what books they enjoy when they are not writing their own. Who doesn’t love a great book recommendation from a magnificent author!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy Fiona’s letter. It is a good one!

Happy Reading Friends,

Kelly

P.S. Did you know that before Fiona Davis began her writing career, she was an actress off-Broadway, in regional theaters, and on BROADWAY 😮😮😮!!! The cool factor here is pretty high.

________________________

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

What if you learned as a child that you were descended from a long line of witches, and had powers to envision the future? That’s how Augusten Burroughs’s memoir begins when as a young boy on a school bus he experiences a dark premonition about his grandmother. He arrives home just as his mother is getting the news that the grandmother has been in a car accident (luckily, she recovers). Augusten has a gift, explains his mother, just as she does, and as did many of their ancestors.

But Toil & Trouble is more than a witching tale, it’s also a love story about the relationship between Augusten and his agent/husband Christopher, as they move out of the city and settle in an ancient house where Augusten is certain that the towering maple tree in the front yard is out to get him (he’s not wrong). It’s a beautiful story of two men maneuvering through sickness and health, all while raising a trio of oversized dogs and putting down roots in the community. It’s about Eddie – a handyman who is as personally offensive as he is good as his job – and who winds up unexpectedly becoming one of Augusten’s favorite people.

One of the reasons I connected so strongly with this book was that I’d recently made a similar purchase, and was struck by the ways a house becomes almost like another member of the family. My home also has its own special quirks and demands and every so often groans like the Dowager from Downton Abbey after she’s had too much sherry. Is it a ghost from its past life as a farmhouse? Or just normal settling? Either way, I’m not going anywhere.

Toil & Trouble reminded me to listen to my intuition and made me laugh out loud with Burroughs’s twisted turns of phrase. The ending is astonishing, wrapping up the themes and plotlines with breathless abandon. This memoir won’t disappoint.

Yours in spirit,

Fiona

P.S. To find out why I have such an affinity with buildings, check out my latest novel, The Chelsea Girls, which is set in New York’s iconic Chelsea Hotel.

Click here to purchase Toil & Trouble by Augusten Burroughs

A Book & A Pairing ~ Splurge Edition

January 8, 2021July 30, 2019 by Kelly Fredericks

Give My Regards To Broadway

The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

July 30, 2019

Dear Mr. Hemingway,

I love reading books that take place in the city that never sleeps. Whether the story takes place in the present or during a different time period, New York City never disappoints. The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis is no exception. This historical fiction novel is centered around the famous Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan during the McCarthy era. It follows two friends on their way to stardom during a very turbulent time in our American history. Get ready to go on a historical journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the darkest of secrets. Pull out your Playbill and get comfy in your seat…let’s give our full attention to Broadway!

Hazel Ripley and Maxine Meade met in Italy while performing in plays for the soldiers during the USO Tour at the tail end of World War Two. After their tour was complete, the two friends went their separate ways. Hazel put her acting aside and became a playwright for Broadway, while Maxine went on to become a famous American actress. Their paths cross again in NYC at the Chelsea Hotel in the early 1950s. Together they worked on Hazel’s debut Broadway play with Maxine in the lead role. While the ladies and the rest of the cast and crew were hard at work, tension began to rise all around them. The McCarthy era was officially upon them and Americans (especially in the entertainment industry) were falsely accused of being Communists or Communist sympathizers. With people being questioned all around them and spies lingering in the background, no one felt safe in Hazel’s production, including Hazel. As opening night approaches, Hazel’s precious play is about to be derailed. Who can she trust? Who is talking to whom? How will this impact her play? Readers will be held in suspense throughout this novel. The pages of Davis’ book will quickly be turning as you lounge in your beach chair waiting to find out what happens next.

As a fan of Fiona Davis’ previous books, The Chelsea Girls did not disappoint. Readers will quickly be immersed in a story with an atmosphere rich in history and filled with colorful characters. Davis’ beautifully crafted story captures the glamour, drama and paranoia of the time. With New York City shining in the background, Davis brings to life a time period I have not personally experienced reading in a work of fiction (I found that refreshing). I feel confident saying that readers will be captivated by Hazel and Maxine’s story. Another A+ for Fiona Davis.

Until next time Mr. H. I’m heading on a two-week vacation very soon. Don’t miss me too much!!!!!!! I will write to you when I return!!!!!

Your Biggest Fan,

Kelly

P.S. In my opinion, this glamorous book deserves to be paired with something stunning!. Check out this scarf by Aggro Jo. The Gray Fox and Raspberry Trim compliment the cover of this bookmaking this a WINNING COMBINATION! Her line of scarves is flirty, classy, and gorgeous. These lightweight beauties are a joy to wear. I would be thrilled if someone gave me a copy of The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis paired with this awesome scarf. Ummmmmmmmmm, wouldn’t you!!!!!!!

Click here to purchase The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

Click here to check out The Gray Fox & Raspberry Trim Scarf mentioned above.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue Synopsis

In Case Of Emergency by E.G. Scott (Dutton)

His & Hers by Alice Feeney (Flatiron Books)

Click on the book pics below to purchase!

The Dear Mr. Hemingway Book Discussion Group You All Have Been Waiting For…

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel (Dutton)

Author Edition

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