Archived: Tell the Wolves I'm Home

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

Wow... I actually don't have any AIDS related stories. I've never known anyone with it, that I know of.

This is going to sound a little silly but I always think of Life Goes On, lol. I think it's because when I was a kid it was my most favorite show and the ending ripped me apart. As a kid I had no experience with illness or death, at that time anyway, and I remember being young and watching the character sick and needing to be taken care of, (Jesse dying and Becca's heartbreak and the dream sequence and the future child she had named Jesse... did anyone else watch this show?), and even now years and years later it's something I'll never ever forget. And THAT was just a TV show, so I can't imagine what it must have been like to have a real life experience with someone sick with AIDS.

I still have only read the first chapter, though I'll be reading again here in a moment. Still, I see what you mean about a disconnect, I felt that too. I will say that her (view spoiler)[being afraid to kiss her uncle touched me. Loving him so much, but being so afraid of getting sick and going gray like him, that was sad (hide spoiler)].

[Kay]

I don't have any AIDS related stories either. For me, it was also TV that moved me in some ways when I was younger. I did watch Life Goes On for a few seasons and did really enjoy it. What did it for me was Pedro from Real World San Francisco. That my first glimpse into a life of a young gay man living with AIDS. When he died, it was right after the season ended and I was heartbroken.

As for Tell the Wolves, I'm at Chapter 11. I still haven't really connected with the main character yet. I'm still trying to figure out the people around her...especially her sister.

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

I'm bordering on really hating her sister.

[Leea, Escape Artist]

I've read up to Chap 10, 12%... I really like it so far. I like the way you see thru Junes eyes and how in her 15 year old brain she cannot really understand why her uncle is gone. She misses him so much. (view spoiler)[ Her sister has just invited her to a party. I'm also excited to meet Uncle Finn's boyfriend. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

I think that's where it's headed too.

Leea, you're exactly where I am, lol.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

I'm up through chapter 7 right now. I ended up leaving not long after my post this morning and we got home a little after 11:30 p.m. tonight. My feet hurt (yes, I'm whining), I had a long day with the family, and this anniversary party which was supposed to be small ended up blowing up out of control, so I can only imagine how hectic it's going to be tomorrow trying to get it all set up last minute with all of these added guests. Last minute food for so many people - boo.

I will probably not be reading again until tomorrow night, unfortunately. :(

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

I remember both Life Goes On and The Real World San Francisco. Pedro's story was heartbreaking.

[Regina]

Leea wrote: "I've read up to Chap 10, 12%... I really like it so far. I like the way you see thru Junes eyes and how in her 15 year old brain she cannot really understand why her uncle is gone. She misses him s..."

I am guessing you read past this now? That is where the story really takes off. I love how the groundwork is laid and then the story happens.

I also liked how we see the sister through the main character's eyes -- so what we get is very one dimensional. She only sees her as a younger sister would.

[Leea, Escape Artist]

June's heartache is killing me. I'm on the verge of tears... 31%

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

You're zooming past me, lol. I have so much going on this weekend.

[Leea, Escape Artist]

That was basically all the reading time i'll have today, so you'll catch up. Basically around 20% I couldn't stop :)

[Ian]

I really like the way that June's perspective isn't perfect. She doesn't really know why things are happening the way they are, but everything is there for a reason. Sorry for the ambiguity trying to avoid spoilers.

[Regina]

That is exactly what I was trying to say but I did it less eloquently. Yes me too.

[Kay]

I'm at 24% and she's hasn't decided if she's gonna meet (view spoiler)[her uncle's boyfriend or not (hide spoiler)].

I have no time to read at all. I'm in central cali with the hubby's fam for a party/baby shower. Hopefully, I can get some reading in when most of the people leave but it won't be until way late tonight.

[Ian]

@ Kay... Do what I do. Put your Kindle in the bathroom cabinet, then make frequent trips. Early on you can get away with being gone for 15 minutes, but the rule of diminishing returns applies. Each subsequent trip needs to be a little shorter....until late, then you can disappear for 15 minutes again.

[Ian]

Unless it's a baby shower / party for you...then you might need to rethink the disappearing thing....although the minute morning sickness is said, you can get away with anything.

[Regina]

Lol.

[Ian]

I was a groomsman at a wedding many years ago....on grand final day. A TV was set up in the men's toilet and there must have been 20 men in there at any one time.

[Kay]

I wish I could just disappear but I have to watch my almost 2 year old too. I do have Tell the Wolves loaded on my phone too but it's been hard to concentrate.

[Leea, Escape Artist]

I've read a lot today and hope to finish later. 71% (view spoiler)[ I hate Greta... I cannot believe she took June's special items from Finn and thew them in the trash. Ohhh I was seeing Red. The emotions that this book evokes for me are almost hard to describe. My great uncle died of AIDS my older brother is gay. The hidden relationship that Toby and Finn shared at times is almost too much for me to take. I'm just riddled with his heavy heart thinking that they had to hide their love. It's just so very sad. (hide spoiler)]

How far is everyone else getting?

[Ian]

Leea wrote: "How far is everyone else getting?"

A question for when you finish...do not look at this until then!

(view spoiler)[What do you think of Greta now? I was the same...didn't like her until I understood her. I loved that proxy communication they had through the painiting.

What about Toby? I think that one of the more Shakespearean ironies of this story is that he took on all the blame for Finn's death on top of the grieving and his own illness when he contracted the virus through him.

I love that the Finn June knew was actually an amalgam of Finn and Toby. (hide spoiler)]

[Regina]

Ian, I agree (don't read if you are not done yet):

(view spoiler)[ We as readers see Greta through a very not objective younger sister perspective of June. I found this book to put my faith back into sibling relationships. Such a beautiful thing.

It was heartbreaking about Toby. And such a reverse in terms of how Finn's sister blamed him. Finn couldn't fully see or know Finn because she had such a sheltered view of him -- first sheltered by her mother and then her view of him was filtered through Toby. (hide spoiler)]

[Leea, Escape Artist]

Ahhhhh!! I ran into a road block - laundry... I'm folding as fast as I can :)

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

I haven't had any time to read this weekend. We've pretty much been gone all day and well into the night, to the point where when we're getting home, I'm burned out. The party in the hospital came off fine but we ended up feeding close to 40 people (many of them added at the last minute, so we were up most of the night still prepping).

Sorry. I might put this on hold for a few days so I can get my last 2 galleys started tomorrow. But I'll come back and post my thoughts when I pick this up again.

Headed back out in a few. Hope everyone's having a good weekend. :)

[Ian]

Stacia ~ Vixen of Variety wrote: "The party in the hospital came off fine but we ended up feeding close to 40 peopl"

Wow. Did they have a room where you could accommodate 40 people in the hospital. My pop's nursing home had two rooms available for things like parties but good luck getting more than 15 in there.

I never really get parties. It gets to a point when they become these really stressful monsters yet we keep doing them.

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

I agree about the Parties, it's someone stressful and fun at the same time. I'm usually eager to get them over with.

I'm not any further either, 12%. We've been cleaning our house like mad and we've had family reunions and a friend in town who moved to California about 3 years ago. So no reading time for me, lol.

I'll get back to it tomorrow.

[Leea, Escape Artist]

Finished and I loved it! I cried so hard at the end it was exhausting. lol!!

(view spoiler)[ I agree with what you said Ian. I like Greta now that I understand what they we're both doing with the painting. In the end when they "fixed" it, I really didn't like that. Toby broke my heart. There just isn't any other way to say it. I can't believe all he went thru. (hide spoiler)]

Stacia, wow that's a lot of people. I'm sure you're exhausted from the party and I hope your mom is doing better. Thinking about you :)

[Regina]

I am glad the author didn't sugar coat it. And force it to be a pretty and happy ending for him. It wouldn't have been during that time frame.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

At first it was going to be in a conference room, but then we ended up having the party out in a big hallway/room area (sort of like a glorified waiting room but without all of the chairs) and we fed everyone at the party, plus several staff members. Troy had fired up the smokers the night before and smoked two pork butts plus a ton of sausage and we had potato salad, baked beans, other side, etc. and my sister-in-law did a table full of appetizers, so we had a ton of food. We ended up going overboard with decorating and everything, then were still cleaning up/taking everything down well into the night. But it was their 50th anniversary, so that's kind of a biggie.

The staff there was super-supportive and let us pretty much have free reign, which was nice. Although, she's staying on the top floor extended-stay part of the hospital, so it's not the same as being on one of the main patient floors of the hospital.

We had another late night tonight too, although this night was a bit more relaxing. We were drinking and dining at a German restaurant with just my brother and his wife.

Sounds like you've been busy too, Wendy.

[Ian]

Stacia ~ Vixen of Variety wrote: "We had another late night tonight too, although this night was a bit more relaxing. We were drinking and dining at a German restaurant with just my brother and his wife. "

German food...it's no wonder Germans have no sense of humor...a three foot long sausage smothered in sauerkraut is no laughing matter. But they make half way decent beer.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

My beer was so good. Actually, my food was quite delicious as well.

Headed to bed, at least going to try (you know I fail at falling asleep). Early morning again tomorrow. :(

[Leea, Escape Artist]

That sounds fantastic!! Any time Troy lights up the smoker i'm so jealous :)

German food is just not my favorite, it's too heavy for me. My hubby and his brother are always dragging us to a Brewfest, but I love the beer.

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

I'm finally to about 25%, whoo hoo, lmao!

I'll raed more tonight, but so far it's good. Not 5 stars, but good.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

I will probably get back to this tomorrow if I can get some reading in before we leave for Denver.

Leea, I'm not the biggest fan of German food either but this particular restaurant we went to is fabulous. I'm not sure why I love their food when I don't like it other places but it's super yummy there. Even the stuff that they use oil with tastes like it's not greasy.

[Ian]

Leea wrote: "German food is just not my favorite, it's too heavy for me. My hubby and his brother are always dragging us to a Brewfest, but I love the beer.
"

German food needs to be eaten with beer. It's like kebabs...without beer = gross....with beer = manna from heaven.

I've eaten some totally disgusting things....alcohol usually makes them better.

[Kay]

I finished last night. (view spoiler)[I am glad the people that pissed me off (the mom & sister) turned around at the end. The ending was so sad. June is such a brave young girl and to bring Toby home from the hospital was so courageous of her. I also loved how the jewelry was still on the painting after it was replenished. I am at loss of words right now...I'm just so sad :( (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

I'm at 65%, I'll finish tonight.

At this point (view spoiler)[I hate her mother, and I'm not very fond of Greta. I can at least see where I think Greta is coming from, but I have a really hard time with selfish love (hide spoiler)].

[Leea, Escape Artist]

We all had the same reaction Wendy... Keep reading :)

[Ian]

I kind of think it was a happy ending. (view spoiler)[Toby died on his own terms with kind eyes watching over him...I kind of hope when I go it's like that...or getting hit by a bus, a bus would be good. (hide spoiler)]

[Leea, Escape Artist]

I agree Ian. I'd pick the bus or maybe in my sleep. Lol.

[Gwennie, Mrs. Bookworm]

Finished.... my heart was broken at multiple places through the book. Mostly (view spoiler)[for Toby and Finn. Finn feeling like he has to choose, I'm not sure I can forgive her mom for that. It was so tragic. And Toby, well for all the reasons we read... all of them. His story was the most tragic of all. And I knew the whole time that Finn was the one who gave AIDS to Toby. I just got that sense (hide spoiler)].

Very very good.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

We had 2 extra buddy read topics in addition to the upcoming Angelfall buddy topic in the group read folder (which was getting a little cluttered), so I'm going to archive one of the topics and we can change the title of the Viking thread if we want to do another buddy read. Or we can move the Viking topic to historical if we specifically want a dedicated Viking topic. If so, then one of the mods can pull this back out of the archives for a buddy read topic.