October Group Read #2: The First Days

[Jim]

this is a place holder. Group read starts 16 Oct

[Teresa]

If anyone has this for the Kindle that they would be so kind to lend me, I'd appreciate it. Just PM me, and we'll go from there...Thanks!!!

[Jim]

Moderator's Note: We are still looking for a moderator for this group read. If you are interested, let me know.

[Tammy K.]

Did anyone at all agree to lead this one?
I would step up and meet the challenge but it's a busy weekend for me, as it's my twin's 46th birthday Saturday.
I'm expecting company.

[Teresa]

Ahh...your twin's birthday, huh? Wouldn't that make it YOUR birthday, too? ;-) Anyway, from what I understand, if no one steps up like ASAP, its kinda just gonna be a free-for-all. I would lead, but I've never read it, and have never been a mod before. Is it long? I don't even have a copy to look through to try and break it up into sections. But I'd LOVE to have a good discussion like we'd been having. I'm at a crossroads whether or not to jump in completely blind and offer to be mod or not...I will if you'll try and help me come up with some good questions since you've already read it...
By the by...hope you have an absolutely wonderful weekend! :-)

[Tammy K.]

Teresa wrote: "Ahh...your twin's birthday, huh? Wouldn't that make it YOUR birthday, too? ;-) Anyway, from what I understand, if no one steps up like ASAP, its kinda just gonna be a free-for-all. I would lead, bu..."

If I was still celebrating my birthday, than I'd be 46 on Saturday. However, I came to the conclusion that every birthday made me look older than the last.
If I still celebrate Timmy's birthday than I still get cake, ice cream, family dinner and some "pity" cards (my siblings are too cheap to buy presents, cards are the most we give each other).
So it's a win-win. :-)
As for the book, I haven't read it either.
I was only planning on "watching" this BOTM.
The book description had not appealed to me.

I did look this book up and it is in my local public library in paper back format.
I could check it out.

But have no desire to lead this BOTM

[Jim]

Moderator's Note: We do have a volunteer who has stepped up to lead this discussion. If he doesn't post a schedule in the next day or so, we may have to try something else though.

[Teresa]

Tammy, you never cease to make me laugh! I guess your logic IS pretty damn flawless! I'm sorry...I thought you had read this one already. It was the book you'd nominated for November that you've already read; I see that now. I'm not sure how appealing this one is to me, either, but I'm going to try and read all the group reads from here on out. Hopefully, we'll see a schedule REAL soon.

Have a splendid, cake-eating, card-receiving NOT-birthday! ;-)

[Teresa]

Are we still doing this one? Just curious...its on hold at the library, but I'll release the hold if no one is reading it...

[Tammy K.]

Teresa wrote: "Are we still doing this one? Just curious...its on hold at the library, but I'll release the hold if no one is reading it..."

I'm in the same boat. I put it on hold, just in case you all got reading and it sounded good.
But it's 3 days into the read and no assignments yet.

[Teresa]

I know...not quite sure what to do. I enjoy the schedule and discussion (well...I guess the GROUP read, 'cause that's what a group read consists of), but nothing's happening, and I don't particularly want to read it by myself. I ESPECIALLY don't wanna read it by myself, and then have an online discussion with myself about the damn thing and look like even MORE of a kook than I already am! LOL :-P

[Tammy K.]

Teresa wrote: "I know...not quite sure what to do. I enjoy the schedule and discussion (well...I guess the GROUP read, 'cause that's what a group read consists of), but nothing's happening, and I don't particular..."

It might look a little odd, I will give you that.

Where are all the members who voted for this book as the BOTM? Surely at least one will step into the conversation?
I see that Jim read it maybe he might feel overwhelmed by a sense of .. whatever it is that overwhelms us to do these BOTM.. and talk with you about the book?

[Jim]

Okay, since it appears our volunteer hasn't gotten to a schedule yet, I'll post one. Note, I don't have a copy of the book with me so I'll break the reading into page groups but if someone can tell me the closet ending chapter to the page number, I can modify the schedule so you're not ending in the middle of a chapter. I'll try and post some questions if the volunteer doesn't. Page numbers are based off the paperback listing on the goodreads page.

Schedule:

18-22 Oct: Chapter 1-7
23-27 Oct: Chapter 8-15
28-31 Oct: Chapter 16-end

Let the reading begin.

If you are participating, just drop a post in the thread so we know you're out there. thanks.

[Teresa]

Chapters 1-7 put us at 35%, chapters 8-15 puts us at 70%, and then chapters 16-epilogue put us...well...at the end! :-P Maybe that would be better? I dunno, cause I don't have a hard copy either. I went ahead and purchased it for my Kindle since I won't be able to go to my library before work. If anyone DOES get a hold of a paper copy, maybe you can check if those'll be decent stopping places. So...needless to say, I guess this is me saying YAY! I'm gonna participate in this one! ;-)

[Jim]

I'm good with Teresa's plan. See the revised schedule above. I'm also good with Teresa stepping up to moderate.

[Teresa]

Okay, well I guess that settles it then! Say hello to your new mod! Now get busy reading! Don't make me send you to detention!!! ;-)
Seriously, though...we will have a good time. Feel free to post any thoughts or questions as they come up, even if it is NOT on a 'discussion date' (i.e., at the end of a reading section). However, and this is a BIG however, please either use the HTML to hide and spoilers or make a note something like this: *****SPOILER ALERT***** at the beginning of your post so anyone that may not be caught up won't have any surprises ruined for them.
Finally, one last thing. I would love it if anyone that plans on participating will either PM me or post here letting me know. I don't wanna be all alone here, guys! I know a lot of people voted for this one, so please, come read with us!
Thanks, everyone, and happy reading, all!
~Teresa~

[[deleted user]]

I just started chapter 9...starts everyone thinking so far?

[[deleted user]]

okay that was supposed to say WHAT'S everyone thinking so far. lol, stupid auto correct

[Teresa]

No kidding, Heather! I've sent some CRAZY nonsense because of auto-correct lol. I will honestly admit that I am still just starting...not even through Chapter 1 yet (I just bought the e-book this morning because I wasn't even sure if there WAS going to be a group read cause of the lack of a mod). Anyway, I am at work, so I don't really anticipate getting a whole awful lot read tonite, but plan on finishing up the first section (ch. 1-7) tomorrow. Then, I will post some questions & discussion points on the morning of the 22nd. Its completely up to you whether you want to keep reading and get ahead of the schedule, but if you do, please mark any spoilers so anyone that isn't as far into the book as you won't have any surprises, well, spoiled for them ;-). Hopefully we will have a lively discussion about this book, and hopefully we will gather up a few more participants. I read some of the reviews and many people seem to like it quite a bit, so hopefully we will too!
Overall, are you enjoying the book so far?
Happy reading, folks!

[[deleted user]]

I think it's great! I must admit to having read it already though :-)

[Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books)]

I pretty much have this book memorized I've read it through so many times lol.

[Teresa]

Great! Glad to hear you gals like it so much. I'm still stuck at work, and therefore, at the very beginning, but perhaps I can pipe up a little more tomorrow afternoon once I've rested up and read the first chunk. I'm liking it so far, but I'm barely started, so that doesn't say much. But it DOES seem interesting. I'll post some initial thoughts tomorrow. 'Til then, happy reading, all! :-)

[Tammy K.]

Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books) wrote: "I pretty much have this book memorized I've read it through so many times lol."

I've often wondered how your reading preferences would line up with mine.
I'll be watching your comments with interest.

[Tammy K.]

Heather wrote: "I think it's great! I must admit to having read it already though :-)"

Heather,
This is me eating crow, and saying, "You are Right! This is a good book! Quite possibly a great book."

I was very reluctant to join this group read but when the library called today to remind me that I had the book on hold, I thought, "Eh, why not?"

I sat down to begin reading the assignment 2 hours ago.
I got up two times, once to pee, once to get something to get something to drink.

I am done with the assignment now, and the desire to read on is going to tempt me all night long.

[[deleted user]]

Yay Tammy!! I'm super glad you like it! The First time I read it, I couldn't get the image of tiny fingers out of my head!

[Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books)]

Tammy K. wrote: "Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books) wrote: "I pretty much have this book memorized I've read it through so many times lol."

I've often wondered how your reading preferences would line up with mine.
I'..."

Oh really? Neat! Glad to hear your liking it so far.

[Lana]

Just wanted to pop in to say I'll be taking part in this one too. I've read this one before and loved it, but there has been so many others since that I really want to read it again. It was the second book in the zombie sub-genre written by a woman that I found, and that grabbed my interest right away because I loved the woman's viewpoint from the first one (Sue Edge's Dead Tropics). I was not disappointed. I love the first three sentences, that has to be one of the best openings of any horror book.

[Tammy K.]

Teresa
Are you posting discussion questions on Tuesday or Wednesday?

[Teresa]

I was planning on posting them as early as humanly possible on the morning of the 22nd...which I guess would make it Tuesday morn then. Heck...if I'm up at midnite on Monday the 21st, I may just post them then. If its just us few ladies participating, and we want to go faster, we can talk about that possibility along with the first set of questions. We'll see what happens. But yes, expect some questions when you wake up Tuesday morning. Better do your homework, girl! ;-)

[Teresa]

How is everyone getting along in this book? I, for one, am absolutely LOVING it! One of you ladies made a reference to this being the first book you'd read about zoms that had been written by a woman. Well, I've read several zombie shorts by women, and Zombies, Inc. was the first full length book I have read by a woman (Aug. 2nd BOTM). But THIS BOOK...WOW! This zombie book HAS to be the first I've read with really good, fully fleshed out female characters. Maybe that's why we don't have any gentlemen joining us? ;-) Hopefully we will by discussion time tomorrow; I'd love to hear a guy's opinion on this one! Anyway, I still have a chapter left in the assignment, but I've been highlighting stuff left and right, and have some questions ready already. I'm just floored by how descriptive and beautiful the prose is. There are several passages that stood out to me so strongly, and several times I caught myself holding my breath, waiting on what was coming next. DEFINITELY a very engaging book so far...plus, it kinda helps that there's a sequel cause I know at least one of our protagonists make it. THAT will be a little 'tide-over' question for today:
How does this book being the first in a series make you feel about the story? Do you feel happy to know that there is still enough of a story remaining at the end of this book for our author to have written a sequel (then yet another after that)? Does this detract from the story? In general, how do you feel about the series so far?<\b>

As always, folks, happy reading!!! I'll chat with you all later on (hopefully), and will post questions tomorrow morning or around midnite tonite. Have fun, guys!
~Teresa~

[Lana]

Personally, when I find a story this good I am very happy that there is a sequel waiting. It turns out that I actually didn't read this book, as I thought I had, but listened to the Audible version, so I'm really enjoying being able to savor the details as I'm reading. I'm now psyched to actually read the two sequels (since I listened to them on Audible too). It was so long ago that I didn't realize that I'd only listened until I discovered I didn't have it in either my Kindle or Nook libraries.

[Tammy K.]

I have no feelings one way or the other about the fact that this story has more books, to it at this time.
I've only read the first seven chapters. So far it's been an action packed ride.
I like the psychological exploration of the characters as the story has progressed, as I feel it's help explain the characters actions and their motivations.
See spoiler for example
(view spoiler)[ Explaining that Jenni was an abused wife. That she married quite young and had children before she really had a chance to understand herself.
Explaining that Katie as a prosecutor is prone to be a "fixer" aka co-dependent, and that she's in automatic "protection mode".
The same goes with the old couple. The wives history, their late marriage all give definition and a sense of realism and believability to their unique perspective on killing the town members off and being prepared for the events of the zombie apocalypse.
Even the characters who are little more than zombie food (the father, mother and son at the camping site) have a "real" feel to their actions/motivations because of the time spent developing their crisis and choices. (hide spoiler)]
I best save some thoughts for tomorrow's discussion.

[Elizabeth, Zombies! Mod]

*peek*

I'm watching with interest, though I'm not reading along. I can't find my copy right now :(

*sneaks off*

[Tammy K.]

Elizabeth wrote: "*peek*

I'm watching with interest, though I'm not reading along. I can't find my copy right now :(

*sneaks off*"

I'm glad I used a spoiler to keep you from cheating :-)

[Elizabeth, Zombies! Mod]

Tee hee - I don't want my name on the chalkboard!

Actually, I've read it already, so I'm intrigued by the little bit of discussion so far. I really wish I could find mine. I wonder if I read a library copy?

[Tammy K.]

Elizabeth wrote: "Tee hee - I don't want my name on the chalkboard!

Actually, I've read it already, so I'm intrigued by the little bit of discussion so far. I really wish I could find mine. I wonder if I read a l..."

Well you could always check to see if they have it in your local public library. :-)

[Lana]

If it helps, Elizabeth, when I checked your rating for this book, its tagged as "borrowed" on your bookshelf :)

[Elizabeth, Zombies! Mod]

Bless you, Lana. Why didn't I think of that? It's been a long day :)

[Teresa]

Geez Louise....its ALWAYS something! I just lost my entire post! I HATE using this dag-gone phone app! Anyway, the gist of it was A.) Elizabeth: I have a copy of the book for the Kindle if you'd like to borrow it. I've never lent, nor borrowed a Kindle book, but I'm SURE we can figure it out!
B.) I am EAGERLY looking forward to the discussion tomorrow! I'm 'finalizing' the questions, and I'll post them first thing tomorrow A.M. and hope they will spark some lively responses. I AM nervous that they won't be 'good enough,' but I'm sure they'll be fine... just take it easy on me. This IS my first turn as mod, after all!"t4

[Teresa]

Arg! Cut off again!!! Have no fears, guys, I WILL use my laptop to post the questions in the A.M I don't even know WHY I mess around with this app. The questions should be up by 11:30 EST due to the fact that I sleep in, I need coffee before I can form a coherent sentence, & I type slow as Moses. I'm trying to have them up before then, and if I can't sleep, I'll end up posting them sometime throughout the night. But be looking for them, people! I don't wanna have to write any names on the chalkboard!!! ;-)
~Teresa~

[Tammy K.]

Teresa,
Loaning a kindle book is easy if you get Elizabeth's email addy first.
Then it's a matter of going to the Amazon website, sign in.
At the top right hand side select "my account"
from there select "digital content"
and now select "manage my kindle"
"re-enter" your password.
When the page reloads you'll be looking at "your kindle library".
Pause here and scream loudly "WTF!"
Now, do as search for the title (if you have almost 4,000 books like I do, use the search option rather than clicking through the pages).
Once you've located the problem title, look to the far right column where you will see the word "action" click it to reveal the drop screen options.

This next step is very important! Growl really loudly to frighten off the gremlins that maybe lingering in the internet just waiting for their moment to pounce.

Ok? Here is where you select "loan this book"
When it reloads it will have a form for you to add Elizabeth's email and a personal note :)

From there click the orange-yellow button that says "send now"
But wait!!! You need to make sure that your fingers are crossed and that you are repeating the words "There is no place like home, there's no place like home..."
If you did the steps correctly, than Amazon will send Elizabeth an email with the loan offer.
She has three days to comply .... er a ... download the book.
She will get exactly two weeks with the book from the very minute that you sent her the loan.
Then the almighty hand of Amazon will snatch the book right off her kindle and return it into your library (marking it "never able to be loaned again" or previously loaned?).

It is that easy to loan a Kindle book!!!
I don't know why more people don't loan them :-)


Or
(view spoiler)[ Go to the books Amazon page
http://www.amazon.com/First-Days-Worl...
(Make sure you are signed in to Amazon)
In the middle of the page, at the top, you will see the link "loan this title" Click it.
Now fill out the form with Elizabeth's email address and any personal note you want to add.
Click the Orange-yellow button labeled "send now"
The rest of the information above remains the same.
(hide spoiler)]

[Tammy K.]

Is it me or is Goodreads website screwing up BIG TIME?

[Teresa]

Okay folks! Happy Tuesday morning! Time for some questions now...I expect to have a lively discussion because this book is so complex. Here we go...

#1.For starters, who do you identify with most in this book so far and why? Katie, the 'hero'? Jenni, 'the compassionate follower'? Nerit, the 'out of place survivor'? Ralph, the 'man's man that has a plan for everything'? Or Jason, the 'innocent that got caught up in the whirlwind of it all'? (I know this is a tough one...if you feel like you are a 'combination', tell us who and why).

#2. I feel as though this is a very accurate portrayal of how things may actually unfold in the event of a zombie apocalypse. Do you feel the same depth of reality? If so, what situations and passages make this seem like such a believable situation to you?

#3. How do you feel Jenni and Katie's lifestyles prepare them for what's happening? (i.e., Jenni being the submissive, battered wife & Katie being a homosexual who is used to having the deck stacked against her)

#4. Do you think the fact that this book was written by a woman makes a difference to how fully fleshed out the women are? Why?

#5. On page 28, there is a passage: "That easy. That simple. The tiny difference between life and death." How much do you think simple luck would play into the zombie apocalypse? Why & How? Then, on page 94, there is a passage that says "Now it would be keeping their wits about them in situations...that would dictate if they survived or not." Why the change?

#6. We are shown a several VERY strong women. Nerit, holocaust survivor; Katie, 'stereotyped' lesbian (on pg. 88, Jenni thinks her mistake was in "thinking that just because Katie was a lesbian, she was merely a man in a woman's skin" WTF????); and Jenni, abused and used housewife struggling to please everyone. Do you feel as though the psychological development of these women adds or detracts from the story? How and why?

#7. At the very end of our first assignment, there seems to be a little unspoken bonding between Katie and Jason. Anyone want to hazard any guesses as to what this means?

#8. Overall, are you enjoying the book so far? Why? What are some of your favorite passages? Any favorite scenes? Anything you think very important that I missed that you want to touch on?

I KNOW these are some tough, and very in-depth questions. My attempt here is to get us REALLY discussing the book, not just answering 'yes' or 'no' questions. Feel free to answer one, all, or just the questions that appeal to you. Feel free to ADD questions that you feel are important...I want to have some good, detailed answers that will keep us talking throughout the next assignment. If the questions are too detailed, let me know, and I'll tone them down. I just feel like there is soooo much going on, I'd love to see how differently or similarly we feel about certain situations and passages. What can I say..I have a B.A. in English and am used to essay style questions. Go into as much or as little detail as you see fit. I'm completely new to being on the asking end of the questions, so please, let me know if you would prefer simpler questions. Thanks, everyone! I look forward to the discussion!
~Teresa~

Oh, and one last thing...to answer my own question from yesterday, I am stoked that there is a sequel...that means that when this book is over, I can still read about this wonderful world Frater is creating!!! YAAAAY!

[Tammy K.]

Keep in mind that I have ONLY read the assignment to-date.
#1Who do you identify with most in this book so far and why?
A mix of Jenni and Katie? For me, each character is representing a different (extreme) aspects of the survivor response.
I’d like to believe that (Katie’s) assertiveness would kick in as my automatic response, but given my losses at the time, (Jenni’s) Shell-shock might end up being a more honest answer.

I’ll come back to question two if I have the time, I have to leave for work in an hour so I might only get part of these answered.

#3. How do you feel Jenni and Katie's lifestyles prepare them for what's happening?
"lifestyle"
I’ve always gotten a kick out of hearing homosexuality called a lifestyle. Yeah moving right along.
OK, how has either Katie’s homosexuality or Jenni’s state as an abused wife prepared them for a zombie apocalypse. … I can’t get my mind to work like that, I am just going to have to say that they are both survivors, doing the best that they can.

#4. Do you think the fact that this book was written by a woman makes a difference to how fully fleshed out the women are? Why?
No. I have seen male authors fully flesh out their female main characters. I have seen female authors who stick to the genre’s stereotype (with each genre having their own stereotype).
I do strongly believe that you write what you know, if you are writing women only as a weak counter part to the male characters, then that is your core belief on women.
It’s like a psychological peek into the authors subconscious mind, a Freudian slip so to speak. No matter how hard they try, if an author has ‘issues’ with women (or men) it will show in their characters/work.
For that matter, (in my view) how and what an author writes speaks in general about their personality and personal hang ups.
Just as this reader/reviewer comments reflect upon my own personality/personal hang ups.
I’ve read a fair amount of authors with "daddy" issues, and several with "religious" insecurities ("my God has a bigger.. (insert something here)… than yours" nonsense or "There is no God. I know because I know everything like a God and I know of no God. Therefore I can say with complete authority that there is no God", and so on).
I can honestly say that some authors truly repel me by the characters/world view that they write/hold.
On some level reader and author alike are looking for the "comfort of familiarity" that will reinforce their core beliefs through the books/characters they read/create.

Wow that answer took up a lot of time.

#5 How much do you think simple luck would play into the zombie apocalypse? Why & How?….
Why the change?
I don’t have time to look up the exact pages but as I recall, Katie was reflecting (wondering) about how much simple luck had played in their fate.
I think that "luck" (being at the right time and place) is not random. I think it is often a matter of habit, and conditioning that brings about opportunities that are often fated as "luck"
Katie slipping out of that coat. That’s not a difficult or impossible feat. I assume that having a cop as a dad, she had some defense training instilled in her during her youth?
Jenni sleeping upstairs while her husband slept on the couch was, according to Jenni, normal (habitual).
Jenni’s son getting bitten because he was protecting Jenni,. Again likely normal for the son to step in, but if not normal than certainly predictable.
So far all of the "main" survivors have been prepared and conditioned to survive.

I need to get ready for work now. I will be back later tonight. If possible, I will sneak on at work but I make no promises.

[Teresa]

Tammy: I want to clarify that IN NO WAY do I think that homosexuality is (and I HATE to even type these words) 'a lifestyle choice.' Because let's face it- it is not a choice, it is who you are; it is how you were born. Believe me, I am no homophobe; I deal with people every single day that are homosexual or bisexual and see absolutely no problem with it whatsoever. I believe in marriage equality for everyone. Yes, I'm that 'other' L word: LIBERAL! I should have clarified that I meant in question 3 that 'lifestyle' was more for Jenni, but that Katie seems to keep referring to Lydia as 'the strong one.' But Katie seems INCREDIBLY tough and 'strong' to me. Also, their (Lydia and Katie's) habits of jogging, and their seemingly simple way of life, enjoying dinner together, etc. (even though they must have boatloads of money, the way their house and cars were described). I guess I mean to say that Lydia and Jenni HAD a 'perfect' seeming marriage, compared with Jenni's wreck of a marriage. I tried to be as un-offensive as possible, and I am deeply sorry if I offended you. I DO NOT want to have to tip-toe around the fact that Katie IS a lesbian, though. So now that I've spewed my political views, I hope no one will misunderstand me for being some bigot that thinks people 'chose' to be gay, or that gay people should be sent to those f&*king INSANE 'rehabilitation' camps, or some equal nonsense. So just read that question as their 'adversities' maybe? rather than 'lifestyles.' But even adversities isn't the correct word, because being gay ISN'T an adversity to some, to others, it is (because of family disowning them, people that ARE homophobes, etc.). I just wanted to highlight the fact that neither of these women have had easy lives; Katie even says her mother went to the grave hating her sexual preference. BUT...to be perfectly clear, even Katie herself refers to being gay as 'her lifestyle' on page 21. I want to be as sensitive as possible when it comes to this topic, so if there are any offensive words you'd like the BOTM participants to steer clear of, Tammy, PLEASE, let us know. Also, if there is a better word than 'lifestyle' or 'sexual preference' that is more sensitive, please let us know that, too. I'd truly appreciate it. I KNEW this subject would come up, so I'm glad we can get it out of the way early on. Katie even lies to Ralph about Lydia, not sure of how he'd take it. Unfortunately, I don't even think their marriage would have been legally recognized in Texas. There is a girl I work with that is married to another woman, but their marriage is not recognized in WV (big surprise there, huh?), but it IS recognized in Maryland. Shameful that we seem to still be living in the dark ages. Anyway, this turned into a loooong 'rant,' but I just want no misunderstandings when it comes to my stance on homosexuality. So, once again, I want to clarify that I mean no offense to ANYONE. AND, if I DO hear (or read, I should say) ANY homophobic, anti-gay slurs, the comments WILL be deleted, right after I alert the group mod to the ignorant, bigoted comments!
I hope this clarifies everything!
~Teresa~

[Tammy K.]

Teresa in no way shape or form was I personally offended by the wording that you selected. It is a common saying.
My comment was more inline with the term "lifestyle" in general.
As for the other l word, I am not what my peers would call liberal. I run right down the middle of the political spectrum, dancing a little to the left here and there and back over the line to the right now and then.
I believe that this book has (at least so far) chosen the issue of same sex relationship to stimulate a healthy discussion on what it means to have LGBT and straight characters working side by side. It's intentionally included uncomfortable moments that lend a awkwardness for the characters (and reader) to workout.
Because let's face it, having straight friends is a bit awkward at times. :)
If we are to have a serious book discussion about these characters, then we cannot shy away from the topic of human sexuality.
Please feel free to use the terms you best understand and trust that I'll speak up if I feel there is a reason too.
Honestly of all my personal characteristics my sexual orientation is the last thing someone can offend me on.
I am who I am, and I'm not embarrassed nor offended by it.
I've just gotten too old to care about what others make of that aspects of myself.
Now this is not the case with my faith. I am still fighting on both sides of that battle but that is not on topic and not relevant to this discussion.

[Teresa]

Good for you, Tammy! I'm glad you feel good enough in your own skin to say 'Screw what everyone else thinks!' Unfortunately, too many people in the LGBT community face discrimination by their families, friends, and society in general. I honestly cannot believe it is such a big deal to so many people! My late mother used to always say 'It takes all kinds to make the world go round,' and even though she passed when I was 5, she instilled many values in me that I think make me a very tolerant and open minded person. Like you, I am also conservative on certain things (like guns), but this discussion is better with politics left out, I think! ;-) You know how those discussions go! Totally nutty, that's how! LOL...and I'm glad to hear that you weren't offended and was more chuckling to yourself about the goofy things us straight people say :-) I think it will be very beneficial to have someone from the LGBT community here in this discussion. And I completely agree that it IS a sensitive topic that the author has illustrated well, including the uncomfortable bits where Jenni tries to console Katie the only way she thinks appropriate- by kissing her! And, of course, Jason saying 'Oh! I saw a movie with lesbians once!' with Katie's response being 'Oh, I'm sure you have!' LOL...anywho, glad we got that straightened out.
And I WOULD put your name on the blackboard for sneaking on Goodreads while you're at work, but I'm doing the same thing myself! SHHHH!!! Don't tell!! ;-)

[Tammy K.]

Back to the questions

Question 2..... Do you feel the same depth of reality?....
I'd say yes the story has a 'realistic' feel to it.
I find myself seeing the story through the eyes of the characters.

Question 6 Do you feel as though the psychological development of these women adds or detracts from the story? How and why?

Adds.
No two people are the same in life and so should not be in fiction.
Each of the characters that you have named, have their own (well-defined) identity.
Jennis motivation for doing or not doing something is not the same as Katies or Nerit.
As you have commented, each of the women have different marriages and roles within those marriages.
As I have said before, I prefer my characters to be unique, original, flawed but growing. So far so good.
#7. there seems to be a little unspoken bonding between Katie and Jason. Anyone want to hazard any guesses as to what this means? I must have missed that.
#8 Overall, are you enjoying the book so far? Why? What are some of your favorite passages? Any favorite scenes? Anything you think very important that I missed that you want to touch on?
Yes.
Favorite scenes, I felt that the addition of Jack was touching and helped Jenni come out of her shell.
I felt most comfortable with Jenni and Katie at Ralph and Nerit's shop, because they could have their emotional break downs and we the reader finally got to see inside Katie's head/heart.
At the end of the assignment, I found the community of Ashley Oaks to be interesting.
But if I had to choose my favorite scene so far, it would be the opening pages.

[Tammy K.]

When I was in my younger years, I used to get caught up in the whole drama.
This so isnt the place to say this, but you know me and that I am gonna say it anyways...
I still laugh when I get that question, So which one of you are the guy?
My response is, if there was a "guy" then it would not be called a lesbian couple, Eh?
As for Jason's comment to Katie, I have heard the question from many of straight male friends, "Can I watch?"
The only way to handle that one is to laugh in their face. It might seem cruel, but it ends the discussion quickly.
I live in Washington state. Gay Marriage is legal for about a year now, before that we had civil unions.
However even if it wasn't, a little thing like "legality" does not stop a union of two individuals. I was 17 when I attended my first gay marriage ceremony. It's pretty much the same, save a bit of paperwork (which comes later at the separation/divorces).
The exact same things that happen in straight marriages happen in same-sex marriages, including domestic abuse.
I bring that up to reflect that Katie's happy marriage and Jenni's unhappy marriages could just as easily been reversed.

As for being at work, Tuesdays are only half shift. Although I worked an hour later today because Linda called in sick.
I am at home now, eating a ham sandwich on potato bread.

[[deleted user]]

Hey ladies! Just wanted to let you all know that I probably won't get to the questions until this weekend some time. I have plumbers and a sick kiddo to deal with right now :-) If I get time, I will post something before then :-)