Megan’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2013)

Megan’s comments from the Reading Buddy Style group.

Burial Rites

A brilliant literary debut, inspired by a true story: the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.

Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.

Horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids Agnes. Only Tóti, a priest Agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. But as Agnes's death looms, the farmer's wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they've heard.

Riveting and rich with lyricism, BURIAL RITES evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?

The Kitchen House

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.

Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

I know this books may seem intimidating with its size, but it goes fast. I loved this book and the rest in the series. It does seem to be one of those love/hate books. Anyone who has read it either loves it or hates it. Hope some of you enjoy it!

I read this about 20 years ago in high school and I did not care for it. I found it very dry and depressing. I have considered maybe rereading it as an adult, but there are so many other books I want to read that I can't get the motivation..

I really enjoyed this book and it was definitely worth the wait! I was drawn into the story immediately and found it difficult to put down.

1. Winter solstice-The Golem and the Jinni 1/15/14

2. Christmas-Till We Have Faces 2/1/14

3. New Year's-Equal of the Sun 3/5/14

4. Sci Fi-Stardust 3/18/14

5. Black History-The Kitchen House 1/24/14

6. Library Lovers-The Chaperone 2/11/14

7. Valentine's Day-Me Before You 3/17/14

8. Women's History-Year of Wonders 2/19/14

9. Celebrate your name-Sarah's Key 2/8/14

10. St. Patrick's Day-Room 3/11/14

All books for this challenge must be read between December 22 and March 19. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

1. December 22nd is the winter solstice- read a book with any word associated with winter (cold, snow, ice, frozen, etc.) in the title or a book with a wintery cover.

2. December 25th is Christmas- read a book that is about or takes place during the Christmas holiday, or a book with a Christian theme or author.

3. January 1st is New Year's Day-read a book about something inspiring or with a character overcoming a challenge.

4. January 2nd is National Science Fiction Day-read a book in the science fiction genre: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/scie...

5. February is National Black History month-read a book with a black main character or by a black author.

6. February is Library Lovers month-read any book of your choice lended from your library.

7. February 14th is Valentine's Day-read a romance, love story, a book with a red cover or heart on the cover, or a book with a word like love, kiss in the title.

8. March is Women's History month-read a book with an historical female character (fiction or nonfiction).

9. March 2-8 is Celebrate Your Name week-read a book with a person's name (first or last) in the title.

10. March 17th is St. Patrick's Day-read a book that takes place in Ireland, has an Irish character, or has a green cover.

Kate chose The Chaperone for me and I chose The Secret Life of Bees for her.

Just finished this. I liked the story line, writing style, and it definitely kept me in suspense but I found it dragged a bit, and I was bored with the characters.

An old favorite of mine.

Partners will be randomly assigned. Each partner will chose a book from their partner's to-read shelf (or any other shelf you choose, such as "owned", "ebooks", etc.,) to read for the month.

If you wish to participate for February, please comment below. Partners will be announced on or around January 20.

Please add nominations for the March group read.

Books can be any genre, you may nominate as many books as you wish, or second (or third, etc) any nominations.

Please check the group's bookshelf to make sure you are not nominating a book that has been a previous group read.

Please post your chosen books and how you like them on this discussion.

Partners are:
Karin, Hassam, and Arena
Kate and Megan

Outlander

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Howl's Moving Castle

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

1984

Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell's chilling prophecy about the future. And while the year 1984 has come and gone, Orwell's narrative is timelier than ever. 1984 presents a startling and haunting vision of the world, so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the power of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions. A legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time.

An enjoyable read!

Me too! I've had this book on hold at the library and I'm really hoping I can get to it this month!

My favorites this year so far:

The Distant Hours and The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton, one of my favorite authors.

The Help

Life of Pi

Catching Fire

and Jane Eyre