spoko’s Comments (group member since Mar 05, 2021)

spoko’s comments from the EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club group.

I second Jude the Obscure.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: “I’m almost ashamed to admit that I was completely unaware that this British Island was occupied by the Nazi’s during WWII.”

To be fair, Guernsey isn’t technically British. It’s defended by the UK, but isn’t actually part of it. Also, it’s not hard to see why it was able to be occupied by the Nazis—it is much closer to mainland France than to Britain. Calais & Dunkirk are closer to Britain than Guernsey is.

I second Night.

I second The Frozen River.

This begins our group discussion of our Modern book selection, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer, nominated by Kristen.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

Did you enjoy the book? What stood out to you? Did you think the epistolary style worked for this story? Did you find the book’s ending satisfying? What questions were you left with?

This begins our group discussion of our Classics book selection, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, nominated by Theresa.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

Did you enjoy the book? What stood out to you? Which story left you with the biggest impression, and why? Did you find yourself identifying more with the colonists, or the Martians—and did that change as you progressed through the book? What questions were you left with?

Northanger Abbey has been selected as the Catch-Up title for July 2025. Please feel free to continue with points from previous discussion, or bring up something new!

Do remember that this is the SPOILER thread, in case you would prefer to finish reading before proceeding here.

I nominate The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (110 p., pub. 1984).

I second The Goldfinch.

Thanks everyone—nominations are now closed, and the polls are open! Help us pick the next Catch-Up read by casting your vote here.

Thanks everyone—nominations are now closed, and the polls are open! Help us pick the next Classic read by casting your vote here.

Thanks everyone—nominations are now closed, and the polls are open! Help us pick the next Modern read by casting your vote here.

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: “Acorn TV did a series version, 2015, it is available on the Hoopla app if you have a library card. Three episodes, all star cast including Charles Dance, Aiden Turner, Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson.”

I’ll second this recommendation. It’s three one-hour episodes, well made and well acted. One of my favorite screen depictions of Christie, actually.

I nominate On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. Pub. 2019, 246 p.

I nominate Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin. Pub. 1953, 256 p.

I second The Color Purple.

This begins our group discussion of our Modern book selection, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, nominated by Renata.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

Did you enjoy the book? What stood out to you? Did Didion’s brutal honesty resonate with you? Did you find yourself connecting with her experience, or find it too uncomfortable? Are you aware of engaging in any “magical thinking” as you read through her experience? What questions were you left with?

This begins our group discussion of our Classics book selection, Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, nominated by Adrienne.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

Did you enjoy the book? What stood out to you? What aspects of this classic adventure resonated most with you—the daring journey itself, the scientific discoveries, the suspenseful moments, or something else entirely? Did any moments have you on the edge of your seat? What questions were you left with?

And Then There Were None has been selected as the Catch-Up title for June 2025. Please feel free to continue with points from previous discussion, or bring up something new!

Do remember that this is the SPOILER thread, in case you would prefer to finish reading before proceeding here.

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: “I was absolutely surprised to learn this novel is a postmodern satire. I had assumed from the title it was another fairy tale source for a Disney movie. Instead it is a tongue-in-cheek joke about t...”

I haven’t read the book, but I’ve seen the movie a number of times. It’s one of those movies that is both reveling in the genre, and parodying it a bit at the same time. Much the way you’re describing the book. But certainly the movie is more celebratory of the genre than mocking.