September 2015 - Character name in the title

[Sarah]

If the two chosen group reads don't take your fancy, feel free to read a book of your choice which has one of the book characters in the title. It can be a first name, surame or a nickname. Please discuss your book in this thread.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have completed the book before or during September 2015.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock.
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

[Camilla]

I started the Ender Quintet earlier so I'll be continuing it and reading Ender in Exile

[Silver]

I have recently started reading Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

I am loving it already so far. I think it is laugh out loud funny, and I really like how edgy and at times slightly dark the humor is. And his generalizations about high school and various different cliques are so spot on true at points. It sounded like he could have been talking about my high school in many ways.

I also enjoy the unique narration style which brings in elements of film.

[Janice, Moderator]

Silver wrote: "I have recently started reading Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

I am loving it already so far. I think it is laugh out loud funny, and I really like how edgy and at times slightly..."

Sounds interesting! I had to add it. :)

[Sarah]

Some of us are going to be reading Ender's Game as a buddy read. I'm starting today.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm going to try to read Hello From the Gillespies for this challenge. I've already started it, but it is quite long and I'm reading it on my phone in spare moments. I may have to read it on my Kindle instead to make some progress. So far, it's cute. I'm not loving it, but I'm enjoying it well enough.

I also have The Rosie Effect ready to go, which would be a quicker read. I read The Rosie Project and thought it was cute. I didn't love it quite as much as others seemed to, but I thought it was fun and gave it 3 stars. I liked the characters for the most part and the writing was light enough. I figure I'll give the second a chance and see where the story takes us.

[Lanelle]

I read Miss Cayley's Adventures by Grant Allen. It was first published in 1899.

It was incredibly easy to read for how old it is. Lots of dialogue and description. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Lois Cayley has some characteristics that folks should emulate. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Sarah]

That was quick Lanelle. What adventures does she get up to?

[Lanelle]

Sarah wrote: "That was quick Lanelle. What adventures does she get up to?"

Lois had two pennies in her pocket when she found a job as a lady's maid, which took her to Germany. There she became a bicycle salesman. Then went to Florence, Italy and opened up a stenography business. From there Lois was hired as a journalist and went to Egypt, India and was on her way to Japan when she hears that her love has been framed for forgery. Lois hurries back and ...

You'll have to read it!

[Sarah]

Eventful! I heard the dreaded word "love" so I think I'll skip it Lanelle. I'm pleased you enjoyed it though. I am curious about the job she got as a ladies man. What is that exactly? I thought a ladies man was a man who was popular with the ladies.

[Canadian Dragon]

I am starting my book today we are doing a buddy read of Ender's Game

[Casceil]

Ladies' "maid," Sarah. I looked at this book, and I believe it was from around 1899, which would have been an interesting time for her to be a bicycle salesman.

[Lanelle]

Sorry about the typo. I guess I didn't fix it quick enough.

[Sarah]

I read Casceil's description then reread Lanelle's post and saw maid and thought i was going mad. Glad to see the typo explanation.

[Cherie]

I added your book to my TBR, Lanelle. I like old books like this. It says it is available for 0 cents on Kindle ebook. I will have to get Amy to find it for me.

[Lanelle]

Cherie wrote: "I added your book to my TBR, Lanelle. I like old books like this. It says it is available for 0 cents on Kindle ebook. I will have to get Amy to find it for me."

I love finding public domain books that are good reads.

[Tejas Janet]

I previously read and liked Mrs. Dalloway but that's been a while. A repeat read is probably due. Not sure if tjhat will happen this month or not.

I have two librarh books coming up that fit this challenge.

The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
And
Barbara the Slut and Other People

I may read both. They look very entertaining.

[Roz]

I recently read Defending Jacob. I think it was made into a movie, but I never saw it. I gave it 5 stars ( I don't give out many of those) because I just couldn't put it down. It was fascinating in a very disturbing way. It made one think about how far you would go to protect your child? For many, all the way and then some. Basically the book is about a 14 yr old (Jacob) who is accused of killing a schoolmate (Ben) and the trial that ensues. Jacob's father is the top Assistant DA at the beginning of the story sure that his son is innocent. But as the story progresses, the reader gets the feeling that something is a little off.
(view spoiler)[The story isn't really about the innocence or guilt of Jacob. You get a pretty good feeling about that not too far into the story. It's more about the total collapse of the family, how each member deals with the stress of the trial and just living in general. I found it very sad to read it. My ah ha moment came when I realized that the book starts with Andy Barber, the father, as a witness in a grand jury hearing and he's telling the whole story as a flashback. If Jacob's trial is over, who is this a grand jury hearing for? Who is the accused? And accused of what? The ending just blew me away. (hide spoiler)] I would recommend this book to anyone whe enjoys psychological thrillers.

[Camilla]

I've read four chapters of Ender in Exile and whilst not as good as the first book in the series, I'm quite enjoying it.

[Lori]

Camilla wrote: "I've read four chapters of Ender in Exile and whilst not as good as the first book in the series, I'm quite enjoying it."

I started Ender in Exile last night after I saw your first comment. I didn't even know this book existed. I have read Speaker for the Dead because it was the 2nd book in the series. There is a HUGE gap between Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. I'm looking forward to reading the middle part!!!

[Sarah]

Do you think it best to read Ender in Exile as book 2 in the series or Speaker for the Dead as it was originally published ?

[Bella]

I'm reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I tried to read it earlier in the year, but then I got to the part where (view spoiler)[ you learn he's going to commit suicide. This, of course, was right around the anniversary of when my niece killed herself. So, I put the book aside. (hide spoiler)]

[Roz]

I edited my comment in message 18.

[Silver]

I thought this was kind of amusing. I was reading Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and the narrator Greg mentions living in Pittsburgh (of which naturally I presumed to be Pennsylvania) but then on the same page he talks about meeting someone in Oakland (the only Oakland I was aware of is is the one in California) and as it so happens there is a city Pittsburg in Ca that is close to Oakland, but spelled without the h as the one in PA.

So after that I was confused about the location setting for the book, I did some research online and found out that there is an Oakland in PA as well.

Being that I live close to Pittsburg, CA it almost feels as if the characters in the book are in some sort of parallel universe to me.

Especially since there is much in the experiences within the book that I can relate to.

Greg talking about playing video games for the first time with his friend Earl reminded me of when I first discovered the game Mortal Combat at my friends house, which I thought was the coolest thing ever.

[jaxnsmom]

Silver, I love it when I can relate in some personal way to a book, especially the setting. It's so much fun when you recognize places and experiences.

[Sandra, Moderator]

@Silver, What a mess!

[Silver]

Sandra wrote: "@Silver, What a mess!"

LOL yeah, I know a lot of states have cities with the same or similar names, but I was rather surprised that both PA and CA had a Pittsburg(h) and an Oakland.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Bella wrote: "I'm reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I tried to read it earlier in the year, but then I got to the part where [spoilers removed]"

Sorry to hear that, Bella. I'm sure I would have put it aside then too.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm about 27% into Hello From the Gillespies. It's pretty good so far.

There is only one issue that I keep struggling with. There is older children in the book that act significantly younger. I always have issues when there are 20-somethings in a book that act like teenagers or 30-somethings that act like they're in their young 20's. In this case, there is a late 20s daughter (I believe it said 29) that keeps whining at her mother and acts maybe 16. There are two older twin sisters (I think 31) that give off the feel of mid-twenties, but that isn't bothering me quite as much. I understand that people mature and develop at different ages, but I don't like when the characters feel so off.

[Camilla]

Sarah wrote: "Do you think it best to read Ender in Exile as book 2 in the series or Speaker for the Dead as it was originally published ?"

I would say yes to reading Ender in Exile as the second book, at least based on what I've read of it so far. I currently also have Speaker for the Dead from the library waiting to be read, but AFAIK it is set further in the future, whereas Ender in Exile starts immediately where Ender's Game ended.

[Sarah]

Thanks Camilla. It is frustrating when an author goes back and writes a book to fill in gaps - I never know at what point to read that book. I like to read things in order so I think I'll read Ender in Exile next as you suggest.

[Esther]

Well, I would love to read Marina but i have no reading time lately so reading in Spanish takes too me long for now.

I had put 2 ebooks on hold at the library. Dexter Is Dead and Maisie Dobbs. Dexter is now available so I guess that is what i'll read.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Odd re: Ender in Exile. I tend to read things in publication order though, of which it's 11. Glad you're enjoying it though Camilla!

[Sarah]

Let's hope the Dexter book is better than the last one Esther!

[jaxnsmom]

Peggy and I are starting The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow and I've set up a buddy read thread if anyone wants to join us.

[Tammy]

I finished Ruth's Journey: The Authorized Novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. I can't say I really liked it. The language is great, just how a mammy would talk. I thought the book lacked rhythm and the style was difficult to follow. I think so much could have been pulled out of it to make it better. Gave it 2 ⭐️⭐️. Anyone else read it, what did you think? Will post in reporting thread.

I also listened to Anne of Green Gables. It's a reread for me, that never gets old. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm still making my way through Hello From the Gillespies. I am liking it more now, but there are still a few parts that aren't really needed in the story. Also, some of it is cliche and you can see some of the story line coming. However, it is not the story I expected based on the blurb. I was wondering where it was going because the blurb was done halfway through the book. I'm curious to see where it goes, though I have the ending for each character already planned in my head. It will be interesting to see how many I'm right about.

[Ariane]

I started Breakfast at Tiffany's and it's ok so far. I didn't actually know that it is a collection of short stories.

[Tejas Janet]

I can pick up The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood tomorrow at my public library branch :)

[jaxnsmom]

What's in a name? I'm reading The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow. Dancy didn't know why she picked that name, but Bonaventure's paternal grandmother, Letice, researched Saint Bonaventure, and the info she found led her to believe that Bonaventure was born for a great purpose. St. B was healed by the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, and later joined the Franciscan order. He was conferred the title Seraphic Doctor, and had a great love of learning and philosophy.

[Sarah]

Just realised that the graphic novels Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft and Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games which I've been reading qualify for this month's theme - Locke is the surname of the family in the book. I have read all of the author's books (except the short stories) and think he's a talented author so I was looking forward to checking these graphic novels out. I think I said somewhere that they are the first graphic novels that I've read but I now recall that I've read a number of the Futurama ones. Anyway, I am really liking these. Great artwork. Dark and creepy story line. Interesting characters. I'm trying not to devour this second one because I don't have anymore of them. I think I need to put in some reservations for the other ones when I get back our cruise-about.

[Canadian Dragon]

Sarah wrote: "Just realised that the graphic novels Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft and Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games which I've been reading qualify for this month's th..."

Each book gets better and better I have the last one in my library bag for tomorrow to read. I am working nights tonight so I cant read it tonight

[Cherie]

Every time I look through my book list I see books with a name in the title. I think I could do a year long challenge with this as the theme. I cannot believe how many I have.

[Janice, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "Every time I look through my book list I see books with a name in the title. I think I could do a year long challenge with this as the theme. I cannot believe how many I have."

I wonder how the graphic novels will translate to the audiobook that I pre-ordered. Audible was offering it for free.

[Mariab]

I read Penelope, a light (a little to light) historical romance, which just felt like a chick-lit. Nothing to treasure, that's for sure.

[Travis]

Janice wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Every time I look through my book list I see books with a name in the title. I think I could do a year long challenge with this as the theme. I cannot believe how many I have."

I..."


Although I am reading the grapgic novels rught now and will read all of them before listening to the audible version myself, there is an ibtroduction to the first book by Robert Crais. He read them still rough without any graphics and he loved the story.

[Lynn]

I honestly didn't know what to expect from the book as while I know there's a lot of hype around the book and it's just come out in the cinema, I hadn't actually heard much about the storyline. I suppose I went into it think it will be another The Fault in Our Stars

I wrong I was. The title does give away a major plot line so I was expecting some kind of heart-wrenching-sob-fest but what I got was laugh-out-loud-so-much-you-can't-breath story. The main character and storyteller was so bloody funny. You do still get touching, thoughtful moments but the main reason I loved this book was the humour.
5 Stars.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Great for you, Lynn. It great to be surprised by a book this way.

[Ariane]

I read The Picture of Dorian Gray and I absolutely loved it. The writing is beautiful ans the story, even if it is short, is very original (well had to be at the time). I saw the movie right after finishing it and also loved it.

[Janice, Moderator]

Ariane wrote: "I read The Picture of Dorian Gray and I absolutely loved it. The writing is beautiful ans the story, even if it is short, is very original (well had to be at the time). I saw the movie ..."

I think it wasn't just original in it's time, but scandalous as well.