Michelle’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

Michelle’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "A sixteen-year-old single father tells his story in this brief novella by Angela Johnson. The young narrator successfully conveys the reality of trying to care for a young infant w..."

I guess it is an adult theme Ioana, but it was handled well, and I felt high schoolers and probably mature middle schoolers could handle it. It was certainly better than a lot of what they see on TV. It did not sugar coat the situation, but it was not crude either. Like you said, it actually seemed like a good way to open a conversation with young people. I should say that there might have been some objectionable language. If there was it was not gratuitous but authentic to the story.

Lea wrote: "Good to see that you enjoyed The God of the Woods. I'm hoping to read that too this year. Mrs. Plansky sounds fun. I didn't have that one on my list."

Mrs. Plansky was a hoot! TGOTW was good but I'm not sure it was everything it was hyped up to be. It was a well written complicated story but I wasn't on the edge of my seat and I felt that the resolution was a little bland. Later in the year and farther away from the hype will probably make it better.

First banned book of the year complete! The First Part Last

A sixteen-year-old single father tells his story in this brief novella by Angela Johnson. The young narrator successfully conveys the reality of trying to care for a young infant while still a youth. He also gives a true picture of a young man who made poor choices trying to do the right thing.

I listened to the audiobook and, while it was brief, it was well done. The reader was compelling in this role as a young father. I understand that this book was banned due to the subject matter. Did it deserve to be? Personally, I would say no. I think it went to great pains to point out the consequences of the young couples' decisions. It ended on a hopeful note but did not glorify the situation. I would say rather it should be one that parents talk to their kids about.

3 poor choices require painful decision making.

“If the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last. They'd be all knowing in the beginning and innocent in the end...”
― Angela Johnson, The First Part Last

“which makes her scream and I look around my room and miss me.”
― Angela Johnson, The First Part Last

“And then I know I'm being a man, not just some kid who's upset and wants it his way.”
― Angela Johnson, The First Part Last

First book of the list completed. The God of the Woods
is a miss for me but just barely.

A very complicated plot but to condense it down to the basics. Two siblings go missing from a family run summer camp 15 years apart. The first case is closed but locals believe the conclusion was a miscarriage of justice. A young investigator believes that solving the first case will give answers to the second but she learns that old secrets are deeply buried and new ones might not need to be brought to light.

I want to be clear that I enjoyed this book. It was well written, and I was eager to see both mysteries solved. Why a miss then? I put this one on the list because it was one that was being hyped at the time I made the list. It was a good book but I'm not sure it lives up to the hype. I was not on pins and needles, and I grew a little tired of the characters. Every character had their deep psychological issues and it just got to be a little much.

4 overbearing men, decadent wealth and neglected children stars.

“Panic,' said T.J. But no one raised a hand.
She explained. It came from the Greek god Pan: the god of the woods. He liked to trick people, to confuse and disorient them until they lost their bearings, and their minds.”
― Liz Moore, The God of the Woods

“Her voice, it seemed, had been continuously decrescendoing since birth, so that by age twelve, she could scarcely be heard.”
― Liz Moore, The God of the Woods

“Her father once told her casually that she was built like a plum on toothpicks, and the phrase was at once so cruel and so poetic that it clicked into place around her like a harness.”
― Liz Moore, The God of the Woods

“To be a human is complex, and often painful; to be an animal is comfortingly simple and good.”
― Liz Moore, The God of the Woods

“I’m just saying—when you hear hoofbeats, don’t look for a zebra.”
― Liz Moore, The God of the Woods

3 books
15 pages

3 audiobooks
0 print

#1 Mrs. Plansky's Revenge A fun start to the year. Mrs. Plansky receives a phone call in the middle of the night and inadvertently falls victim of a scam. After the scammer wipes out her entire fortune, the FBI says she won't get her money back and she is forced to admit to her family what happened, she sets off to Romania to bring the scammer to justice. 4 don't mess with old ladies stars. Contemporary Fiction.

#2 The God of the Woods Siblings go missing from a summer camp 15 years apart. A young investigator believes that finding some answers to the first disappearance will solve the second. 4 what happened in the woods stars. Mystery.

#3 The First Part Last A sixteen-year-old Dad tells his story. 3 life gets real stars. Contemporary Fiction/Banned.

Currently Reading:
The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory
The Lost Bookshop
The Lost Story

“Being humorless, she thought, was even worse than being dumb.”
― Liz Moore, The God of the Woods

Kicking off the year with:

11. A book about revenge. Mrs. Plansky's Revenge

So here at the beginning of what appears to be my fourth year on this challenge, I'm just going to post a reminder for the states I have left. Hopefully I can get around to all of these in 2025. Challenges like this would be much easier if I could count Jupiter or Narnia.

4. Arkansas
8. Delaware
16. Kansas
18. Louisiana
24. Mississippi
36. Oklahoma
39. Rhode Island
41. South Dakota
44. Utah
48. West Virginia

Michelle wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'm kicking off this list with The God of the Woods. I feel like this is one of the most recent "everyone has to read this" books. We'll see if it's ..."

I'm glad there are some 5 stars in my future Denise. Let's hope Seven Husbands lives up to the hype for both our sakes.

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'm kicking off this list with The God of the Woods. I feel like this is one of the most recent "everyone has to read this" books. We'll see if it's a hit or a mis..."

I'm actually reading it first because when I first put it on hold there was a 20 something week wait list. Suddenly it popped up as available yesterday. Go figure!

Lea wrote: "Happy reading, Michelle! I always enjoy your reviews too."

Thanks Lea!

I'm kicking off this list with The God of the Woods. I feel like this is one of the most recent "everyone has to read this" books. We'll see if it's a hit or a miss for me.

Ioana wrote: "I always enjoy your reviews, the quotes and the stars! I can't wait to see what you read in 2025, happy reading!!"

Thanks Ioana! I look forward to you checking in now and then throughout the year.

I'm so impressed Brittany! Congratulations!

I would say Verity is Colleen Hoover's worst book Ioana but I think I'm in a minority. As far as I'm concerned 1.5 stars is about right. I have enjoyed other books by her.

Thanks Alondra. I feel like I'm off to a good start.

Thanks Alondra. Happy New Year!

A finish is a finish Denise. Congratulations!

Great year Bill! I love your top 10 list. I’ve only read two of them so you’re adding to my TBR as usual. Have a wonderful 2025!

Thanks Bill! I’ll be turning the page now. On to the next challenge.

Congrats Anne! What a great way to finish up the year!