Devin’s Comments (group member since Sep 12, 2016)

Devin’s comments from the Are We Not Entertained? group.

Any suggestions for Februarys Pick??
or do you need recovery time after January Meyer? :p

Alright so I'm having a rough time getting through this book. The writing technically isn't as bad as I was expecting, but it's still a far cry from something I would compliment in an author. So at least there's that.

Lena made some comment on her descriptive choices, and I'd have to agree that some of them feel just poor.

For me though, I'm nearing the end of Chapter 9 and it's getting more and more difficult to not put this book down and just pick up Robert Ludlum. It's a lot like reading the Sword of Shannara instead of The Lord Of The Rings (Though no offense to Terry Brooks - because when the series got its own identity I'm told it's really good.)

(view spoiler)[Like seriously, the moment she started talking to Daniel with this "he's so innocent, he's not the person int he picture" " i need to get this other Daniel out from his subconsious".. I literally yelled at the page - please not twins please not twins...

This idea of the company formerly trying to kill her tapping her because they need her help... was probably one of the few things holding it together and now she's beginning to think the company was just playing her all along... I'm hoping in the upcoming chapters something else comes out plot wise to rekindle my interest, but if her former company ends up being the actual antagonist in this book... I'm gonna flip my lid. (hide spoiler)]

Hey Guys,
Sorry about my hiatus. I needed to get some distance from online during December - and a lot of things for that matter.
BUT... that's done now. I'm in the tail end of restructuring my responsibilities and we'll be back at it asap.

We're a week into January already so I wasn't going to put up a poll for a January Pick, because by the time we get the pick, track down the book, read it, and (in my case) get up a video.. it'll probably be mid Feb :P

So Jan can be a wildcard month if you'd like. Pick whatever book you like...
If you'd like to join me in what I'm doing..

I'm going to be reading "The Chemist " By Stephanie Meyer in January, and Im going to count that as my AWNE Read. :P

Let me know how you all feel, what you'd like to read. Or if you'd like to just make The Chemist be the official pick for the group.

:) Cheers.
~Indie

Truth be told, up until a few weeks back when I finally picked up and got through Call Of Cthulhu, I never actually read Lovecraft. I think when I tried to read it before I was too young, I mean he's the personification of the writer who uses the $5 word when a 0.25 one would do. heh it was always over my head.

But as I got older I immersed myself in the mythology and the lore, by basically reading all about it from third party sources. Things like FFG's Call of Cthulhu game or Arkham Horror.. wikipedia marathons of just clicking through until I found the HP Lovecraft Wiki, heh. So I'm really familiar with the work, but to say a favorite story I would be hard pressed since I didn't read them.

However, from what I know of the stories, I think it's a toss up between The Dunwich Horror, or Dagon.

:) How about yourself?

Elder Things?? G'damn Howard. Where the hell did you pull that shit?

*ahem*
Still reading. :P
How ya'll doing?

Mountains Of Madness isn't a long read, and more importantly because Lovecraft died in the mid 30's, his work is in the public domain so you should be able to track down a free copy of it somewhere online.
Also, there's an audiobook/reading version of it up on youtube as well if you like audiobook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2iSm...

How d'yall feel about just making an executive decision to pick Mountains Of Madness this month. heh its a short read, and if u havent read HP before lena, I think its a great choice.

Britt wrote: "Lena_makridina wrote: "Britt I know it's not the place but I liked your videos on The Raven Boys. I've put it on my TBR list:)"

I must have a super power that entices people to rea..."

it was rly big when I first started booktubing, I picked it up in the interest of reading something to "fit in" heh but never got around to it yet. My wife wasnt a big fan of the first book sonwe nevwr got much further thatln that.

Lena_makridina wrote: "OK:)"

my bad. Lena I didnt realized you tossed out that huge list. haha i thought that was Britts post.

lol so you are the genius. heh my apologies

I actually don't mind doing series, as long as it fits a certain criteria.
A.k.a - We use book One (like the case of the selection) I assure you well written Book One's do not end as abruptly as that one did lol. Sword of Shannara is a good example of that.

OR, it's a non-serialized series. For example, The Dresden Files, for the most part you can pick up any of the first 5-6 books, and you won't be lost. There is an underlying plot that goes through all the books telling an over-arching story, but Butcher does a great job quickly getting you up to speed on ONLY the details you need to know to get through the specific book your reading, and all of the books tell their own complete three act story.

:P
Now that being said, I've been pretty flustered this month (evident from my lack of videos I'm sure :P) I haven't put a lot of thought into next months pick, but Britt, you tossed out the idea of At The Mountain of Madness, and I love that idea.

I'm such a huge fan of Lovecraft's world and mythos, but haven't had the best experience trying to read his actual writing, so I'd be down for Mountains of Madness, (plus it's pretty short if I recall, Novella length.) - and if you know much about Lovecraft as a person one could understand why reading his work wouldn't be preferred, since he's been noted as terribly homophobic/sexist.

My interpretation from what I know is that it was moreso that he was just a terrified young man who was scared of anything he didn't understand, that's where his fiction came from. And living in a time where sexual orientation was very queer (by defintion) and the Women's Suffrage movement began and ramped up during his lifetime, so yeah, I think these negative views on him were due to his fear, not some deep seated hatred he bore. ... annnyway.. lol

Of course, I was always intending at some point in my life to getting back to sword of shannara, especially after finding tolkien as a kid and being told that it's basically the same story, heh I wanna see what kind of similarities/difference I can find.

Britt, I like your idea of checking out "Worst of the year" lists though, that's genuis. I'll definitely be doing that to come up with some nominations in Dec. :)

So I'm thinking a toss up between
Mountains Of Madness
Sword Of Shannara
for me.

Any suggestion folks?

Lena_makridina wrote: "
Yes, I see what you mean. It pains me a little to mention Tolkien and The Selection in one sentence but I have the same idea that it’s a wrong spot to end a book. I wanted to read the second book ..."

I don't know if I can read the whole thing Lol. I didn't mind the story, it was pretty adequate. Fairly easy to consume. With pretty predictable beats that go through a bit of a cliched plot. I suspect if it was one large tomb (Since the second book is called "the Elite" and the third is "The One" - I'm assuming this whole process isn't finished until the third book) that it may be a competent story, but I don't know if I wanna take that ride.

(view spoiler)[ You're right about the triangle. Aspen should've been introduced at LEAST two or three chapters earlier and developed a lot more if that's the road they wanted to take with this. Also, he really isn't written to be a very likable character, I know I'm not the target demographic, but I feel very little desire to see her end up with him.

Reading the first few chapters from book two sounds like a good idea, but I don't know if I'll get around to it Lol.

I also found there really isn't ever a whole lot of tension whatsoever in this book. Maybe that's why this Act One fell short for me. There isn't a moment when I felt as though America was in any danger of going home, making an enemy, getting caught, etc etc, other than a few minor stumbles she's on top of her game for the entire book. If this is indeed just act one it makes sense, so book two SHOULD have a ratcheting up of the tension.. but it circles back to the primary problem... this is sold as a complete first book.

I respect Cass had the whole story mapped out in her mind, but in my view, even in a series a story needs it's beginning middle and end. There needs to be a resolution, and there really wasn't any in this. I can't imagine reading this when published, enjoying the hell out of it, and then getting to this ending without the second book being available. - This is the kind of thing that not only turns me off from a series, but from an author in general. (hide spoiler)]

Ackkkkk, Okay, I'm finished. Good god.
*sigh* I'm about to talk about the ending here.

(view spoiler)[This isn't a book, this is like Act one of a story. I get it, I understand cliffhangers can be great tools but this ending doesn't even have a cliff, it's just a stop sign. A Cliffhanger is supposed to still involve resolving a story arch, but leaving an aspect of it in the air in order to get the reader invested in seeing the rest...

This book Tolkien's itself.. it doesn't have a cliff hanger the story just abruptly stops with no rhyme or reason other than "if you want to see more, get book two!" This isn't a cliffhanger, this is the equivalent of when you use a payphone and after a while that voice cuts you off with "if you would like to continue your call, please deposit another quarter"..
So frustrating.. lol (hide spoiler)]

I got other thoughts, but this is the main thing I feel at the moment. Lol
What ya'll thinking?

We're halfway through the month, how's everyone doing with it?
Anyone DNF it yet? Love it?
I got a bit sidelined by the trip to PEI, but I'll have it done this week.
How y'all finding it?

Well, The poll has ended and The Selection was an clear decisive winner. Britt, my misery for the month is all on you ma'am. ;)

I've started it and got a few chapters in. It feels like it's going to be a pretty quick read, so that's good right?? The Selection

I imagine some of you probably already read it, also maybe some of you are not going to heh So, Use this as a discussion thread where we can just talk about the story. Throughout the month.

The sentiment of this group is to read outside of your comfort zone and maybe learn something new, or find something interesting in what would not be a normal book you would read.

(view spoiler)[ Please use the spoiler tag ( < spoiler > & < / spoiler > )for Spoiler conversations, just in case, when appropriate. (hide spoiler)]

I'll put up some thoughts tomorrow. since I intend to get this out of the way as early as I can ;) heh.
Cheers,

The poll runs to the end of September. :) Looking forward to seeing what you guys pick, from my view they are great choices for what we're looking for.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...

I haven't heard of Halo and Beautiful Disaster, lol but I'm down.
So far, we have in contention

50 Shades
Twilight,
The Selection
The Sword Of Shannara
Halo,
& Beautiful Disaster

*is already regretting suggesting this group lol*
I'll throw up a poll like on Friday with these and any other suggestions you guys want.

Britt wrote: "I heard "The Selection" by Keira Cass is pretty awful."

That's definitely one I wouldn't pick up to read for myself, from what I've seen it's one of those books where there's not a lot of middle ground. I've seen people who hated it, and others who binged the whole series. :P I'd definitely consider it a contender for this though.

Lol no kidding Britt. I figured it was inevitable with this group but prayed it wasnt right out the gate! haha

Theres gotta be some other suggestions, dont be shy folks

Alright so I've been mulling this over a bit. Coming up with names is basically the bane of my writing experience so I'm pretty sure these will sound as cheesy to you guys as they do to me. So pony up some suggestions you can come up with.

I was thinking something along the lines of
"Last Choice Bookclub"
or the "Meh, Why Not Bookclub"

:P What d'ya think?