From the Bookshelf of EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club…

Water for Elephants

Sara Gruen

Start date: March 1, 2022

Finish date: March 31, 2022

Discussion: MODERN / POPULAR READS

Why we're reading this: March 2022 - Modern Selection
[close] March 2022 - Modern Selection

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 228 topics — 6,116 comments total

MODERN / POPULAR READS

Girl with the Pearl Earring - SPOILER-FREE
By Renata · 17 posts · 69 views

last updated Sep 28, 2025 01:17PM

Girl with the Pearl Earring - *SPOILERS*
By spoko · 4 posts · 34 views

last updated Sep 23, 2025 12:19PM

showing 10 of 20 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Oct 10, 2017 Carrie rated it it was ok

Shelves: annoying-characters, historical-fiction, animals, male-pov, circus

So much of this book I did not like. The characters were not enjoyable. It had moments that got me, there where moments that I thought why am I reading this?. I enjoyed the older Jacob more then younger Jacob at times. But the whole 90 er 93 thing got OLD FAST!

The best part of the book was the end. The last say 15% or so of the novel was what made me give it not under 2 stars. It was for a challenge that me not DNF the book.

2.5 stars

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 19, 2011 Laurel Bradshaw rated it really liked it

Shelves: 20th-century, historical-fiction, animals, circuses, shamrocks-and-stones

A thoroughly delightful book. The book alternates between the 93 year-old Jacob in a nursing home and the 23 year-old Jacob who becomes the caretaker of a circus menagerie. The author poignantly portrays the elderly Jacob, frustrated at the limitations of old age and abandoned by his family, in stark contrast with his youth and his adventures with a circus where society's misfits survive because of their fierce loyalty to each other. The author has done her homework into the historical world of ...more

Like · see review

Jul 14, 2009 Raven Wylde-Griffin rated it it was amazing

one of my all time favorite books! i could not set it down the story takes you through a range of emotions. made me laugh and cry with desperation. this is an amazing hartfelt story of witch i suggest to everyone!

Like · see review

Sep 01, 2008 Kat (A Journey In Reading) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2009, owned-books, historical-fiction

I can say that this is one of the few books that I have ever given 5 stars to. When I see a book that catches my attention, I do look at the ratings, but take that with a grain of salt. Everyone has different tastes.

I loved this book because of Jacob. He was an great character, I loved going back to his 93 yr old self, or 90 yr old self, I can't remember.... his thoughts were so funny at times. And who couldn't love Rosie with her raiding the vegetable garden and her amber eyes. I do think that ...more

Like · see review

Jan 14, 2010 Amy Ellis rated it really liked it

Beautifully written story about circus trains in the early 1930s. Somewhat vulgar, though, and a little gruesome. Great narrative and also about to be made into a movie.

Like · see review