Jan 2014 BOTM: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

[Cheer]

Jan 2014 BOTM is not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis. The reviews are really great for this book and author Mindy McGinnis has just recently joined our group which will be fun for those who participate in the group discussion. Right now this book is on sale for $1.99 on amazon for kindle, but you better hurry because this sale won't last.

[Kristina]

I love this book. One of my favorite reads last year. This book has it all for me. Humor, excitement, suspense, and even a little romance. I connected with all the characters and story.

Can't wait to hear what others think.

[Cheer]

I just finished Not a Drop to Drink and I really liked it. I'm not including my review due to spoilers, but I can't wait to see what you all think!

[David]

I just bought it! Hoping I'll have time to read it this month :)

[Kelly]

I loved this book too.

[Michaela]

I just finished it this morning and i really liked it :) It was thrilling, sad, funny and gave you a lot to think about, how anyone would handle such a situation, such a world...

[Kelly]

Yes, I loved her flaw too. You don't see that very often.

[Michaela]

Yeah, also (view spoiler)[ i really liked how the love story wasn't really in the center of attention and didn't end well, i loved to see her at the end happy even though she had no man at her side. Because she never needed one :) (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Michaela wrote: "Yeah, also [spoilers removed]"

I loved that too. I remember thinking the same thing!

[Michaela]

Kelly wrote: "Michaela wrote: "Yeah, also [spoilers removed]"

I loved that too. I remember thinking the same thing!"

:)

[Kristina]

Michaela wrote: "Yeah, also [spoilers removed]"

Indeed!

[Cheer]

Michaela wrote: "Yeah, also [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I liked Eli and I think he awakened some feelings for Lynn, but the love story was not the focus and so the ending felt right.

[Cheer]

Kelly wrote: "Yes, I loved her flaw too. You don't see that very often."

So Kelly tell me your analysis of her flaw!

[Julie]

I just finished it, very good!

[Cheer]

So was there anything that bugged you about Not a Drop to Drink or burning questions the ending didn't quite answer? I'd love to hear them!

[Melissa]

Cheer wrote: "So was there anything that bugged you about Not a Drop to Drink or burning questions the ending didn't quite answer? I'd love to hear them!"

Is it ok to post spoilers? Just in case...

(view spoiler)[ I had an issue with Lynns non reaction to Elis death. I was dissapointed with his death but because it wasn't the focus of the book it didn't ruin it for me. The issue was it happened so fast and without ceremony. I would have liked a little more emotion from her. Particularly since her learning empathy and love was a huge part of the story. I aldo honestly thought Stebbs was going to be her father, even more so after he told her the story about her father. The fact that he wasn't and sometimes else was was fantastic. Not so predictable. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I loved it. It had been in my to-read shelf and recommendations forever but I kept putting it off. I'm so glad it was chosen hereand I finally read it. Actually I listened to 90% of it. I'm says driving and listening to audible. Thr performance was fantastic. Some of the narrators are awful but this one was really well done.

I cannot wait for the new one to come out!

[Cheer]

I'm not worried about spoilers right now...this is the forum to discuss the book. I like your take on things Meeks. It never occurred to me that Stebbs could have been Lynn's father. As far as Eli's death and Lynn's reaction to it, Lynn had a flat reaction to her own mother's death and in both cases she didn't want those she loved to suffer during their deaths...she showed mercy. With her father, well that was unmerciful and felt right, BUT I wanted a little more drama during that confrontation.

[Kelly]

Cheer wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Yes, I loved her flaw too. You don't see that very often."

So Kelly tell me your analysis of her flaw!"

Well, it's probably really simple. I saw it as she was sort of almost like anti-"girl" with how cold she was an uncaring. By the end, she had learned what it was like to be human.

[Cheer]

Kelly wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Yes, I loved her flaw too. You don't see that very often."

So Kelly tell me your analysis of her flaw!"

Well, it's probably really simple. I saw it as she was sort of ..."

Yes, I saw her as protected by one tough, emotional vacant shell, but that started to crack with Stebbs and then of course with Lucy. I think when she lost Eli, it was okay because she had been emotionally reborn. Besides, I love the fact that her existence, her continuance in living, wasn't dependent on a boy (so different from stinking Bella Swan).

[Melissa]

Cheer wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Cheer wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Yes, I loved her flaw too. You don't see that very often."

So Kelly tell me your analysis of her flaw!"

Well, it's probably really simple. I saw it as sh..."

Lynn the Anti-Bella. Love it.

[Jane]

I finished this last night, and I have to say I didn't think I'd like it in the beginning. The characters were just too cold and WHY was that damn pond worth killing over? But after Mother's death I really started to get into the book, and it just flowed for me. I loved the unfolding of human emotion and compassion in Lynn. And I LOVE that teen love was NOT a major plot point, just a sweet addition. The ending, where they go and take out the bad guys, seemed pretty real to me. So often it's too unbelievable - hero main character saves the day. This seems plausible. Eli's death was shocking, but believable - again, to make it real, one of the three was probably not coming home. Lynn didn't allow herself to feel the pain of his death until after her mission was accomplished. At his grave she allowed those feelings to come out. The epilog is years later, when those wounds have healed. Lynn is happy, and living in a community of sorts. What a huge journey she made emotionally from the start of the novel!

Lynn the Anti-Bella - love it too. Girl power!

[Cheer]

Jane wrote: "I finished this last night, and I have to say I didn't think I'd like it in the beginning. The characters were just too cold and WHY was that damn pond worth killing over? But after Mother's deat..."

I agree 100% with you Jane about every one of your opinions. I was thinking at the end, "PLEASE don't let Stebbs die," because that is what I expected to happen. I also expected Eli, the love interest, to survive. Although Eli's death wasn't anticipated, it just seemed right for the story.

[Jane]

Cheer wrote: "Jane wrote: "I finished this last night, and I have to say I didn't think I'd like it in the beginning. The characters were just too cold and WHY was that damn pond worth killing over? But after ..."

Yes, I was sure it was Stebbs that was going to die, and I was hoping against it too! I was shocked at Eli's death - so sudden- but it felt right that she would put an end to his pain. And it DID just feel right for the story.

[David]

I'm 18% in and really enjoying it!! (view spoiler)[ I was pretty shocked both that and how her mother died. I thought she'd likely die at some point, but I didn't expect it so soon and HOW THE HECK DID SHE SHOOT HER OWN MOTHER!!! In any case, she's got a touch road ahead. (hide spoiler)]

[Cheer]

Oh boy David! That's just the beginning...

[David]

LOL oh boy, that scares me!

[Jane]

David wrote: "I'm 18% in and really enjoying it!! d[spoilers removed]"

David, I have to say I agree with you (view spoiler)[ I felt from the start that Mother was going to end up dead - but no way did I think it would be that early in the book. I wasn't surprised that it was Lynn that shot her - that gives us built in guilt for the rest of the book. (hide spoiler)] Hope you enjoy the rest of the book - let us know what you think!

[David]

Thanks Jane!! I'm 30% in now and it's a great read :)

[Marianne]

David wrote: "I'm 18% in and really enjoying it!! [spoilers removed]"

I know, right? (view spoiler)[I kind of knew from the description that she would die, but I did not expect Lynn to be the one who fired the shot! I was actually surprised that she was still alive when the book began. For some reason, I had gotten the impression that Lynn would be alone at the beginning of hte story, even though she obviously must have been taken care of up to a certain point. (hide spoiler)]

[David]

Ahhh, I didn't realize the description gave away (view spoiler)[ her mother's death. (hide spoiler)] That's why I try to avoid reading synopses and just go off of my friends' recommendations :)

[Cheer]

David wrote: "Ahhh, I didn't realize the description gave away [spoilers removed] That's why I try to avoid reading synopses and just go off of my friends' recommendations :)"

First Lynn kills her mother and then her...

[David]

OK 48% now!! Two things I really love about this book:

1) the realistic feel to it. It reminds me of Mike Mullin's Ashfall in that way :)

2) the complete lack of plot devices so far. I don't feel like the author is creating problems and drama just for the sake of it; rather she's bringing in problems when it feels like they would really happen. It's very refreshing in that way!

[Cheer]

David wrote: "OK 48% now!! Two things I really love about this book:

1) the realistic feel to it. It reminds me of Mike Mullin's Ashfall in that way :)

2) the complete lack of plot devices so far. I don't feel..."

I agree David, it does remind me of Ashfall a bit. I had a difficult time sticking with this book, especially in the middle...I wanted more action, until I realized that the story is more important than the plot. It bugged me at first, but I stuck it out and I'm glad I did. By the end, I understood what McGinnis wanted the reader to gleen and it was more meaningful.

[Jane]

David wrote: "OK 48% now!! Two things I really love about this book:

1) the realistic feel to it. It reminds me of Mike Mullin's Ashfall in that way :)

2) the complete lack of plot devices so far. I don't feel..."

I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it - but yes, it did remind me of Ashfall.

[David]

Yay, I'm glad I wasn't crazy in thinking that!

[Mindy]

Hi Group -

I wanted to let you know that I started a separate thread where you can feel free to talk to me about the book, my process, what-have-you. Hope that's OK!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Karen’s Library]

I read this book quickly once I started. I liked the realistic feel which made it so darn scary! I buddy read this one with a few of my GR friends and we all really loved it. Stebbs was my favorite character. And I didn't see it coming that (view spoiler)[Lynn's father was the leader of the town. Nice twist. (hide spoiler)]

Lynn reminded me a bit of Ruby from Cold Mountain. And also a bit of Darla in Ashfall. I agree with you David, that it had an Ashfall feel to it, another scary realistic book!

[David]

Mindy wrote: "Hi Group -

I wanted to let you know that I started a separate thread where you can feel free to talk to me about the book, my process, what-have-you. Hope that's OK!

https://www.goodreads.com/to..."

Thanks Mindy! That's more than OK, that's awesome :)

[Cheer]

Did you guys hear that Not a Drop to Drink is going to be made into a movie produced by Stephenie Meyer and by MTV Studios? Mindy McGinnis is this true? Please say it is!

[David]

Yes! Just heard that, so cool!!

[Jane]

Cheer wrote: "Did you guys hear that Not a Drop to Drink is going to be made into a movie produced by Stephenie Meyer and by MTV Studios? Mindy McGinnis is this true? Please say..."

Excellent! Great news.

[Jane]

The next book is coming out in Sept. and is available for pre-order. YAY!