L Y N N’s
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(group member since Nov 10, 2018)
L Y N N’s
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from the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge group.
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Nadine in NY wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Seasonal Viewing:I finished season one of Angel and started season two. The problem with watching this series after Buffy instead of concurrently as viewers would have when they ...
A few years back, I set up a whole spreadsheet of which episodes to watch after which, we jumped back and forth between BtVS s4 & AtS s1. I am a big Bangel shipper so AtS s1 episode 8 "I Will Remember You" is peak viewing for me. That episode just kills me. Right through the heart"
Oh. My. God. You always make me laugh, Nadine, but I swear it was all I could do not to roll on the floor laughing at this! OF COURSE YOU HAVE A SPREADSHEET for that! LOL What don't you have a spreadsheet for, m'dear? ;) I love it!
HAPPY THURSDAY! Autumn has established itself here. Cooler temperatures and leaves turning and falling. My body always goes through an adjustment period with my allergy symptoms heightened and my spinal alignment messed up. So more decongestant and more frequent chiropractic adjustments for a bit. That seems to have evened out now, so that’s always a relief to me! :)
I forget where, but I discovered the following link. I believe it was sent via email from the publisher: https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/au...
It is an event featuring John Irving and Jason Reynolds (Wikpedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_R...). I don’t know much of anything about Irving other than I have read a few of his books and he tends to be a “hit and miss” author for me. But I idolize Jason Reynolds! He is amazing, IMO! Not only do I love each and every book of his I read, but I so admire his dedication to working with children and teens and the programs in which he is involved. He was named as the Library of Congress’ National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in January 2020. I heard an interview with him on NPR and it is amazing all that he is doing and has done with children’s literature and reading programs! I just received a confirmation email message about this program scheduled for 7PM ET--6PM CT--5PM MT--4PM PT this evening. It includes the link, etc. It does include a note that the event is near capacity and that it is being recorded so that those unable to attend in real time can listen later. The link to that recording will be emailed to those who registered. I’ll post that whenever it arrives just in case some of you are interested. I am very curious as to what these two very different men, in ethnicity and age, will discuss!
And next Thursday I will be attending an author event in Carmel, Indiana, The Guilded Leaf. Not sure what to expect. It has been designed similarly to the Christamore House Guild Indy Book Author event I attend every April in Indianapolis. The main difference is that the CHG event benefits a lower SES community by supporting their local community center and its many programs as well as providing scholarships to local students. However, this event will benefit the Carmel Clay Public Library, which, in all reality has much support just from the tax base since Carmel is a much higher SES community. It will be interesting to me to attend and see what programs they are supporting, etc. Meeting authors is always so exciting to me! I love to hear their comments about their own work and writing process.
The IRL book club I facilitate is due to meet on October 23! I can’t tell you how excited I am to start discussing books with them again!
So much to be excited about! So glad I’m alive and healthy enough to participate in events!
ADMIN STUFF:
Thank you to Sherri for being the “knowledgeable navigator” leading the October Monthly Group Read discussion of The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling! She started the discussion with a self-proclaimed “easy” activity that I found darned near impossible to complete! I love it when I’m stumped! :) That book was selected to satisfy prompt #16 A book about witches for “Spooktober”/Halloween! That discussion is HERE. The thread to post the book you have read to satisfy prompt #16 is HERE. Thank you, Sherri!
Thank you to JessicaMHR for volunteering to facilitate the discussion for
December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.
Also, just a reminder that every single past 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion and “I Finished!” thread is open and available to all in the 2022 Monthly Group Reads folder HERE.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
If you could meet any author face-to-face and have a discussion with them, who would you select? What might you ask them?
This is almost impossible for me to answer since I have a whole list of authors I would like to meet. (As you might imagine, since, as you all know, I adore lists! LOL)
I have had the privilege of meeting many authors and was only disappointed once, so there is that!
Uhm. I guess if I had to select just one at this point in time it would be Alexander McCall Smith. I am absolutely fascinated by his vast breadth and depth of knowledge in so many areas as well as his phenomenal (IMO) writing skill. I would want to know why he turned to writing fiction after all the other prestigious accomplishments in his life. Does he find it to be more fulfilling than his past accomplishments?
How about you?
Popsugar: 46/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24
FINISHED:
*Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (Wrexford and Sloane #6) by Andrea Penrose (10 STARS) was another outstanding mystery! On its own as well as a part of this amazing series! Each new book is just as good and even a little bit better than the last, IMO! I just cannot adequately describe in words how enjoyable these books are for me! Though I rarely reread I do plan to read all 6 installments prior to book number 7’s release. Not that we know when that might happen, but I’m already planning on it!
POPSUGAR: #1, #9, #25, #40-2015: prompt #17 Recommended by a friend, #47, #48
ATY: #1-Tyler, #3, #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet , #6, #7, #11, #14-446 ratings, #21-a battleship, #29, #33, #36-Harper, #40-The Emporer, The Chariot, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #46-Harper, #50-Alison, #51
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #7 A historical fiction novel not set in WW II
*The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling (4 STARS) was just a bit too romance-y for me, as I feared it might be. Too many sexual details to suit me. Though the story was rather enjoyable.
POPSUGAR: #5, #12, #16, #20- Read immediately after Murder on the Serpentine Bridge, #25, #38, #40-2021: prompt #27 A book about do-overs or fresh starts, #46, #48
ATY: #4-A book written by an author younger than you, #6, #34, #36-A talking cat!, #40-The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #43, #44, #46, #49
RHC: #24-2021: A book you’ve been intimidated to read-I feared it would be too romance-y for me, and it was…
*The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa (10 STARS) was a phenomenal read, IMO! Nana, the cat, tells us his story of life with Satoru. It is an amazing read. Very poignant and yet very hopeful. I was reminded of one of my all-time favorite reads The Art of Racing in the Rain in the way it made me feel.
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #36, #40-2015: prompt #38 A book that made you cry, #47
ATY: #3, #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet, #7, #15, #19, #31-2012, #35-purple and yellow flowers, #36-Nana, Calico, the other cats and dog, #40-The Chariot, Strength, Death, The World, #46, #48
RHC: #24-2017: prompt #11 A book that is set more than 5000 miles from your location
CONTINUING:
*Big Sky (Jackson Brodie #5) by Kate Atkinson
*The Perfectionist by Lane Kauffmann for a Read Harder prompt.
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed This is scheduled for this weekend! :)
PLANNED:
*Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
*If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
*The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
*Blue Lightning (Shetland Island #4) by Ann Cleeves
*Strange Sight (Essex Museum Witch Mystery #2) by Syd Moore
*The Winners (Beartown #3) by Fredrik Backman
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
Chapters 1-71. Did you think it was original the way Vivi was conjuring Rhys Penhallow's cologne & image after the breakup?
I thought it was realistic. Since I don't read much romance, perhaps it was more original?
2. If you had the power would you curse someone after a breakup?
OMG! Such an excellent question! My mind immediately goes to my ex-husband. It's been 24 years and I still hope he never steps out in front of my car! The temptation might prove too powerful to resist! LOL I would be sorely tempted and though I might hope I would not do so...who knows? Just glad I've never had that ability...that I know of, anyway! LOL Probably best if I don't investigate to see... :)
3. What is the difference between a betrothed and an engagement?
So now you have hit on one of my two main complaints about this book. Unless I missed it, (view spoiler) I gather a betrothal is an agreement between parents/families that the children will be married as adults? Whereas I think of an engagement as an agreement to marry each other made by two adults. I still wanted (view spoiler)
4. Did you get the impression Rhys was coming back after the betrothed was broken?
I guess so. Else, why would he even try to have a relationship with Vivi again?
5. Are you finding the book predictable? If so is the predictability ruining your enjoying the book?
I thought there was a fair amount of tension and unpredictability, but I'm not typically much of a romance reader...
6. Why did Simon not believe there was a chance Rhys was cursed.
(view spoiler)
Uh-hmmmm... *clears throat* You call this "easy"? LOL 1. What book is referenced during the first few chapters?
I do not recall a title being mentioned so I cheated and Googled. Are you perhaps referring to (view spoiler)
2. What movie does the book remind you of?
I am at a total loss here. Don't watch TV and rarely watch movies.
3. What are Ley Lines?
They (view spoiler)
4. What other book features a witch raised by a powerful aunt?
I have no clue...
Yep! Another super-late posting from me for this week, but this Thursday mine should be the first posting! LOLI found this article in The Guardian to be quite interesting and added some books to my TBR: Top 10 Books About Women Written Out of History by Janina Ramirez
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
Note: The third book’s title is misspelled. It should be Medieval Woman: Village Life in the Middle Ages. I mention this because I was unable to pull it up in Goodreads using Women…
I’m trying to calmly convince myself we are entering the fourth and final quarter of 2022! Yikes! And that inevitably makes me wonder when the 2023 Popsugar prompts will be announced. I know…I should learn to be patient about such things…but… :)
ADMIN STUFF:
The September Monthly Group Read was Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and you will find that discussion as well as the thread to post the book you have read to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This prompt was selected for September to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 in the US. Nadine has graciously posted a discussion thread for Hispanic Heritage Month reading HERE. I FINALLY posted some final questions/comments today and will keep this in the Current Monthly Group Read folder for a few days, just in case some of you are still interested. As usual, I learned much from others’ reactions and comments!
I have moved the October Monthly Group Read discussion posts to the Currently Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This month’s book is The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling to satisfy prompt #16 A book about witches. In celebration of “Spooktober”/Halloween! Sherri is the "knowledgeable navigator" who will lead this month's discussion! Thank you, Sherri! I am expecting a relatively light-hearted entertaining read.
We currently have JUST ONE Monthly Group Reads still needing a discussion leader for 2022:
December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!
November: Jennifer W. is the “official organizer” who has graciously volunteered to facilitate the discussion of The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. I am anxious to reread this one and then read his newest release Under the Whispering Door as well!
The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.
And just a reminder that every single past 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion and “I Finished!” thread is open and available to all in the 2022 Monthly Group Reads folder HERE.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
How many challenge categories do you have left to fill this year? Do you know what you will read for each of them, or would you like some help thinking of a book?
What a timely question! Every day I keep reminding myself that I do NOT intend to finish at 11:59PM on December 31st this year!! LOL
I have 4 prompts left:
1) #8 A book with a protagonist who uses a mobility aid
The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike #1) by Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling
2) #10 An Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner
Recognizes books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and human diversity.
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
In progress! I plan to finish this month. It is fascinating!
3) #17 A book becoming a TV series or movie in 2022
Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink
4) #35 A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
(Yep! I’m interpreting this prompt quite literally. Mainly because I keep looking at this book and wanting to read it…so…)
I also have a listing of about 6 books that I had originally planned for specific prompts that I still would like to read before year’s end… But who knows if I’ll get to those or not. (I already have a couple tentatively slotted for 2023 ATY prompts, just in case! LOL)
Popsugar: 46/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24
FINISHED:
*Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope #6) by Ann Cleeves (5 STARS) was actually a Buddy Read for September! But at least I am caught up with it now. This was a good one. Cleeves is now one of my favorites. But these characters! Ugh. This installment felt a bit noir-ish to me, but no overly so…One of my favorite aspects of this series is being privy to the inner dialogues of both Vera and Joe. Priceless!
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #40-2019: prompt #37 A book with a two-word title, #46, #47
ATY: #1-Alice, #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Good fit, #5-Alice, #7, #19, #29, #31-2010, #32, #33, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, The Fool, #43, #44, #49
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3: A mystery where the victim is not a woman (2 victims-one female and one male)
CONTINUING:
*The Perfectionist by Lane Kauffmann for a Read Harder prompt.
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
PLANNED:
*The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
*Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
*Big Sky (Jackson Brodie #5) by Kate Atkinson
*If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
*The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
*The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
*The Winners (Beartown #3) by Fredrik Backman
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
Nadine in NY wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I haven't even begun drafting my posting for this week! My good friend with all the heart trouble and surgery and hospitalizations every few weeks since the TAVR procedure was in the h...you are an absolute blessing for this woman"
Or a curse! LOL
Okay, folks! Way late and I apologize for that! But here are some final thoughts. And please feel free to ask your own questions or offer up your own specific comments! I am waiting to post my own answers, hoping others will do so first. :)
Here are some quotes that were posted in Goodreads:
1) Quote: “You ready?" Julian asked, a curious look on his devastatingly handsome face.
"No," Yadriel confessed, his voice tight.
Julian grinned. "Do it anyways.”
I particularly appreciated this. There is some value to being able to risk taking action before you may feel as if you are ready to do it--spontaneity, in other words. Though I admit to not remembering exactly where this was in the story. Is this when they were going to steal the car? If so, I'm not sure I would agree with Julian...that was a rather "dastardly deed", IMO. Your thoughts?
2) Quote: “There's no way y'all have been around for thousands of years without there being one person not fitting into the 'men are this, women are that' bullshit." Julian sounded so convinced, so sure. His obsidian eyes locked onto Yadriel's. "Maybe they hid it, or ran away, or I dunno, something else, but there's no way you're the first, Yads.”
This really hit home for me. I never realized until in the past 5-10 years that ancient civilizations also had non-hetero folks within their populations. I don't know why I believed that was an aspect of only "modern" society, but it certainly was not limited to "now". I keep wondering if it has truly taken eons for humanity to advance to beginning to accept others as they are. Your thoughts?
3) Quote #1: "But belonging meant denying who he was. Living as something he wasn't had nearly torn him part from the inside out. But he also loved his family, and his community. It was bad enough being an outsider; what would happen if they just couldn't--or wouldn't--accept him for who he was?”<.i>
This just reminded me of the cruelty involved in not accepting others as they are...
Quote #2: “My son.
A brujo.
How long had he been waiting to hear those words? Having them said aloud, to a room full of brujx, made Yadriel's legs feel weak. It was like a dream, but so much better.”
Do you believe this community will now truly and genuinely accept Yads for who he is?
4) Quote: “We talked it over and came to a compromise," Maritza said.
"She threatened to put a curse on me," Julian supplied.”
Maritza is one spunky female! And definitely a very loyal and supportive BFF to Yadriel. Why do you think it seemed more difficult for her to trust Julian?
5) Quote #1: “My singing voice is too sexy," Julian said with a solemn shake of his head. "You'd fall in love with me, like, immediately.”
Quote #2: “It's a doggy-dog world out there," Julian sighed.
The corner of Yadriel's mouth twitched. "Dog-eat-dog."
"Whatever.”
I didn't quite realize just how much of the humor in this novel came from Julian's character until I read some of these quotations. Why do you think that is?
6) Quote: “I implore you to be more open minded, hermano. If we close ourselves off to the possibilities that lie outside of what tradition has dictated, we are destined for extinction.”
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
7) Quote: “Yadriel'd once asked his mom why they didn't just take all of someone's pain when they were sad. She had explained it was important to let people feel grief and mourn the loss of a loved one.”
This reminded me of the old adage that we must have some rain to appreciate the sunshine. Do you agree?
8) Lastly, how do you feel about the ability to speak with your dead relatives/community members once a year? Do you believe that is a good idea? Or not? Why?
Teri wrote: "I haven't been able to participate in here as life has been difficult for the past few weeks. However, I did finish the book and am really glad I read it. I enjoyed learning more about the Day of the Dead from something other than the movie Coco.The ending was great. Now that I'm finished, I should have figured out what was going to happen, but I was surprised and actually shocked. Love it when that happens. It meant I was so caught up in the story that I didn't try to move ahead.
Looking forward to the sequel. I hope it focuses even more on Maritiza. She's awesome!"
I'm grateful to you for letting me know I am not alone in being surprised and even shocked by the ending! :)
You are not alone in mentioning that you would like to learn more about Martiza. I don't think I had even considered that, but I agree I would be interested in that as well!
Lynn wrote: "Just to let you all know I’ve been at the hospital all day with a friend. Will try to complete this tonight oe tomorrow!"Or...on the 11th! YIKES!
Sherri wrote: "Lynn wrote, Mandy wrote: "1) Why do you think that is such a valid distinction to Yadriel? I couldn't find the beginning of this question so I'm not sure what the question is asking."Well, that's weird. It was posted in message #6, here it is:
1) I found it interesting that both Maritza and Yadriel are not part of the brujx. I can see where that created a strong bond between the two of them. However, as Yadriel notes, he was prevented from becoming a brujo, whereas, it was Maritza's choice not to belong. Why do you think that is such a valid distinction to Yadriel?
"2) Do you think you would be able to recognize and/or advocate for Yadriel as a boy and brujo if you were a fellow member of his family? Yes I feel like I could recognize and/or advocate for Yadriel as a boy and brujo."
Great!
""3 What was your reaction to that revelation? Why do you believe his being queer was easier for others to accept than the fact that he was transgender. I'm not sure why the community had a hard time accepting Yadriel. Since his father & grandmother were important figures in the community & not accepting his gender the rest of the community didn't try."
That is so true! This community had a definite hierarchy and none would defy the leaders...
Kendra wrote: "1) What was your reaction to the ending?I was "Noooo. It's over."😔 I had called most of what happened. (view spoiler) but having a surprise at the end wasn't the point for me. I just loved the story and I really loved the 'last night on earth' date Yads and Julian had."
Well, you and Mandy are definitely much more perceptive than I! Perhaps that's why I enjoy mysteries so much. I am rarely able to guess the perpetrator(s)! :) Yes, that "last night on earth" adventure was special... Though I couldn't quite imagine just how angry his brother would be regarding the car...
"2) What do you think the second installment in this new series, planned for a 2024 release, might be about? Where might Thomas go from here?
Well now they can do it from Julian POV and he is a real outsider so that will be interesting. I just hope Thomas doesn't have a big relationship drama as the center point in the story. I want my HEA to stay happy. Having fights and a few relationship growing pains, fine. But don't split them up just to have a big reunion at the end. And don't introduce a love triangle just because it's YA. PLEASE"
All valid points!
Erin wrote: "Very late updat- through chapter 7:"Not as late as I am in finishing up this discussion! :(
"1) I think it’s an important distinction because Maritza could always change her mind and be accepted by her family. But Yad doesn’t have that chance- it’s not his choice."
I love the fact that they have both completed the (view spoiler)
Mandy "1) I was like "i had a feeling that was it." (view spoiler) hindsight is always great."Well, you are definitely much more perceptive than I! Good for you!
"the ending was killer. (view spoiler) dude, I was all stoked and uber sad at the same time. (view spoiler) I was 'you go, girl!'"
Yes! (view spoiler)
You know, I had kinda overlooked the fact that (view spoiler)
"As for the bad guy, (view spoiler) but it didn't hinder my reading one bit.
i was chomping at the bit wanting to know when the grand reveal was and anticipating (just had rocky horror pop into my head just now) , which i figured would be at the end."
Well, being naive about the whole thing, I was shocked! :)
"As for the sequel. I read what there was on the goodreads page. monster creating malignos in Julian's pov. and that's all the info there was so that's all i know about it."
Not much info then. That's okay. I'll be surprised! LOL
"i hope they explore Maritza as well. I want to know more from that bombshell blast at the end."
Good point!
Jessica wrote: "Introductory questions:1) Were you planning to read this anyway, or only since it was selected as a monthly group read?
It has caught my attention before, so it's likely I would have picked it up on my own eventually."
Same here. Just perhaps not this soon. :)
"2) Do you have any expectations for this book?
Well, I expected to enjoy it but that was about it. It came recommended by a coworker and a volunteer I worked with this summer."
I love getting personal reading recommendations from those I know!
3) According to Wikipedia and Goodreads, this book has been honored with these accolades:
Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel nominee 2020, etc.
Does this alter your expectations at all?
Not really."
:)
"4) Aiden Thomas identifies as queer, trans, and LatinX. Does that alter your expectations?
A little. I do expect that Own Voices books offer a more accurate portrayal of underrepresented groups, and as a cis white hetero female I do expect that an own voices book like this will give me a good lens into experiences that are not my own."
Could not have said it better myself! Totally agree. I am also cis white hetero...
"1) I found it interesting that both Maritza and Yadriel are not part of the brujx. I can see where that created a strong bond between the two of them. However, as Yadriel notes, he was prevented from becoming a brujo, whereas, it was Maritza's choice not to belong. Why do you think that is such a valid distinction to Yadriel?
He has such a desire to be a brujo but is not accepted into this piece of their culture, however Maritza has been offered a place in their culture and has rejected it herself. She can change her circumstances, he cannot as he is not accepted as he is."
Yes. Poor Yadriel! :(
"2) It is very unfortunate that Yadriel's mother died as it appears she was the only true advocate for Yadriel to be recognized as a boy and brujo. Do you think you would be able to recognize and/or advocate for Yadriel as a boy and brujo if you were a fellow member of his family/extended family/culture? Have you ever personally encountered a similar situation among family or friends?
I hope I would be able to. To me it seemed the distinction better the to was the abilities a brujo was given vs. a bruja. Yadriel has already shown his lack of talent with healing abilities of a bruja (poor kitty, haha), so why not let him give the brujo abilities a try."
Agreed!
"3) I found it interesting that the others in Yadriel's life were better able to accept his being gay since that meant he was still attracted to males (as he would have been as a cis female), but unable to process or recognize his gender as 'male'. What was your reaction to that revelation? Why do you believe his being queer was easier for others to accept than the fact that he was transgender?
It's possible that since Yadriel didn't have a boyfriend it wasn't easier to pretend the gay aspect of his identity didn't exist and might go away one day and the transgender aspect couldn't be ignored."
Very perceptive insights. I had not thought of it in quite that way. Thank you!
"4) I was impressed with Chapter 7's depiction of gossip fueled by prejudice and discrimination as applied to Julian and his family/friends. Did that surprise you? Have you personally encountered any such assumptions made by others in your personal life? Whether about yourself or someone else?
It didn't surprise me, I have definitely seen this happen."
It is very unfortunate and yet it still occurs.
"5) Poor Julian. I was initially put off by his tough guy act, and yet, by the end of Chapter 7, I was feeling much sympathy and empathy toward him. What do you think will be discovered when these three finally encounter his friends and brother? Do you believe him to be as unfeeling as he has seemed up until now? Or do you believe that in reality he has strong interpersonal relationships with at least some of them? (Is he truly a 'bad boy' or is there some good in him?)
Julian is certainly a lot to handle, but I fully expect some past trauma lead him to be the more volatile bad boy type. I do think he has some strong relationships with his friends at least seeing how adamant he is about making sure they are ok."
That is probably true about something in his past perhaps prompting this behavior. I appreciated his insistence to check on his friends.
Sherri wrote: "I read Cemetery Boys for banned book week. Since I read it I thought I'd join the discussion.Introductory questions:
1) Were you planning to read this anyway, or only since it was selected as a monthly group read? I read Olga Dies Dreaming for the monthly group read. I read this for banned book week. It wasn't a planned read."
A good one for banned book week, IMO!
"2) Do you have any expectations for this book? No
3) According to Wikipedia and Goodreads, this book has been honored with these accolades:
Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel nominee 2020, etc.
Does this alter your expectations at all? No"
I think it is a good thing to not be swayed much by information about a book before reading it.
"4) Aiden Thomas identifies as queer, trans, and LatinX. Does that alter your expectations? Yes. I expected the story to reflect all those experiences which it does."
I always feel as if the story may be a bit more authentic, knowing the author has experienced/experiences much the same life situations.
Teri wrote: "Responses to Introductory Questions"1. Yes, I was planning to read this anyway. I'm not using for the prompt for this Monthly Read as I have already filled it. I'm using it for #39 SFF own voices."
As much as I always match each book I've read to each prompt for which I would count it, I totally overlooked this one until it was mentioned! Thank you! :)
"2. Other than I know other people like it, I haven't known much about it. I'm taking other people's word that it will fit my prompt for SFF own voices."
I think it is a perfect fit.
"3. It must be a really good novel to have such a list of nominations and recommendations. I am expecting to really like the book. I've read Chapter 1 now and enjoy the premise so far. I'm learning Spanish on Duolingo currently and enjoy both seeing what Spanish words I know and then guessing the meaning of the ones I don't and seeing if I'm close when I look them up."
Hooray for you! Being bilingual/multilingual!
"4. The author's identity makes it obvious that he will understand the main character for sure."
I always feel a bit more confident about a book when I know the author has experienced the same or at least similar life situations.
Kendra wrote: "I finished a few days ago, but I've been having technical difficulties, a busy real life and the ATY read-a-thon, so I haven't posted.First off, thankyou so much for making me read this! I loved it."
Uhm...while I'm thrilled you also enjoyed it, as did I, I doubt anyone can take credit for "making" you read it! LOL :)
"1) Because it means that while the community rejected Yadriel, it was Maritza who rejected the community, and she could therefor control whether or not she stayed an outcast."
Exactly... so sad for Yads.
"2) I had a friend who transitioned about 5 years ago. I just did my best to make sure he knew he had my full support."
How exciting! I am always thrilled to learn of someone who has realized their need to transition and hope they can/do/did complete that successfully!
"3) I know from experience that people seem to have an easier time accepting someone who is gay vs someone who is trans or Nonbinary so it doesn't surprise me because as Yadriel says in the book, it allows his family to pretend that his gender identity is 'just a phase' or something like that. But (view spoiler)"
It is interesting to witness how society changes... Ah, yes, "just a phase" is such a dismissive attitude... I agree with you. At least Yadriel's family retained him as a member and still loved him, whereas some children might be kicked out of the house and family...
"4) People always gossip, and high school girls are the worst. (view spoiler)"
I believe females overall tend to be a bit more inclined to "gossip," but we also tend to pay closer attention to others' feelings, etc. Though I know some men who are just as bad, if not worse. I have a friend who sometimes will say, "Don't tell me something if you don't want me to tell someone else." He knows he is a terrible gossip and refuses to reform! :) As you mention, sometimes there is a basis for gossip in fact, but I still feel as if it can be more harmful than good...
"5) He is clearly a kid who has survived a tough childhood and also probably has problems with ADHD/ impulse control issues that haven't been addressed so he acts out and has a bad rep because of it. But he's clearly very caring."
Ooohhh...I totally agree with your analysis!
Space wrote: "1) Why distinction to Yadriel?Yadriel wants to fit in but innately can't whereas Maritza choses to rebel against the family values. While it is hard for Maritza to be surrounded by the killing of animals its not at all on the same level as the misgendering from Yadriel's family and not being able to participate in celebrations that he wishes to be a part of."
Yes. Poor Yadriel!
"2) Would I be able to advocate for Yadriel?
I think it depends on my position within a family. If I am the parents age I would advocate for Yadriel due to my position in the family but if I was Yadriel's age or younger while I would support Yadriel due to the dynamics often present in POC families I would not be able to stand up to the adults. Unfortunately the atmosphere is too negative in my family for these issues to be brought up."
Sounds as if your family may resemble Yadriel's family. It would probably be very difficult as a younger person to advocate for Yadriel in most families. I guess I am the type person who risks angering people in hopes of getting them to at least consider others' lives more respectfully... I am not afraid of conflict though I feel it is wise to try to avoid it as much as possible.
"3) Easier to accept sexuality over gender
Firstly if they don't respect Yadriel's gender identity, the idea that he wants to be with a man makes him straight in their eyes and therefore a non-issue. Also being queer is much more socially acceptable in today's society than being trans which means its likely that family members know happy queer families whereas in more conservative households the idea of being trans is still a foreign concept. However this is not the case for everyone. I went to school with people who were accepting of the trans identity understanding transitioning as 'a cure for gender dysphoria' whereas they saw being gay as being inherently more sexual than being straight."
It is very interesting to witness how society changes--the stages of change, etc. Your observations are insightful.
"4) I think this is very common. I'm not sure what the race demographics are at the school but as someone who went to majority white school there were a lot of stereotypes - especially when I was the only brown person in my classes. I think I was surprised how open these people were about their prejudice especially when talking with a group of other Latinx people - I'm not sure about stereotypes however for specific nationalities like due Cubans get different stereotypes to Mexicans"
I have a good friend who taught in a school that was majority brown students, but a mixture of ethnicities. She was very bothered by the prejudice and discrimination that existed between the various groups of darker-skinned students, much as any prejudice/discrimination upsets her. It was eye-opening to her, as a self-identified "white" person to witness this. No prejudice or discrimination is good, IMO. I believe it is all negative and harmful.
"5) Finding friends?
I think it has to be related to Miguel - maybe Miguel had a friendship with the others that Julian didn't know about - Julian's death may have been a wrong place wrong time thing"
Excellent predictions!
Space wrote: "1) Were you planning to read this anyway?It has been on my tbr for a long time but wouldn't have picked to read it had I not seen there would be a discussion group"
Excellent!
"2) Any expectations?
Magic + Cemetery + romance"
All good guesses! :)
"3) Awards alter expectations?
Not really but I guess being nominated for lots of awards gets a book out there so is probably why I'd heard about it in the first place."
That could be...
"4) Aiden Thomas identifies as queer trans and Latinx - alter expectations?
I actually knew this already so I guess not"
You are well-informed!
Katrina wrote: "1) Were you planning to read this anyway, or only since it was selected as a monthly group read?I had no plans on reading this book. I know that it is popular with my students, so I took this opportunity to see what they are reading."
What an excellent teaching strategy and way to connect with your students!
"2) Do you have any expectations for this book?
I didn't have any expectations when I started this book."
I prefer to go into a book without much information or many expectations...
"3) Does this alter your expectations at all?
No. I thought it was probably a good read but my students like it."
Sounds as if all these accolades confirm your students' reactions!
"4) Aiden Thomas identifies as queer, trans, and LatinX. Does that alter your expectations?
No, but so far, I am not sure it adds to the story. So far, it is not an element that gives any substance. May the reasoning becomes more clear.."
I hope you felt as if that improved as you read through the book...
