Saving Hamlet by Molly Booth -- Starting October 17th 2016

[T.J.]

Emma Allen couldn't be more excited to start her sophomore year. Not only is she the assistant stage manager for the drama club's production of Hamlet, but her crush Brandon is directing, and she's rocking a new haircut that's sure to get his attention. But soon after school starts, everything goes haywire. Emma's promoted to stage manager with zero experience, her best friend Lulu stops talking to her, and Josh--the adorable soccer boy who's cast as the lead--turns out to be a disaster. It's up to Emma to fix it all, but she has no clue where to start.

One night after rehearsal, Emma stays behind to think through her life's latest crises and distractedly falls through the stage's trap door . . . landing in the basement of the Globe Theater.

It's London, 1601, and with her awesome new pixie cut, everyone thinks Emma's a boy--even Will Shakespeare himself. With no clue how to get home, Emma gamely plays her role as backstage assistant to the original production of Hamlet, learning a thing or two about the theater, and meeting an incredibly hot actor named Alex who finds Emma as intriguing as she finds him. But once Emma starts traveling back and forth through time, things get really confusing. Which boy is the one for her? In which reality does she belong? Will Lulu ever forgive her? And can she possibly save two disastrous productions of Hamlet before time runs out?

[T.J.]

Please join Elizabeth and me in this buddy read!

[Betwixt the]

SO excited!

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "SO excited!"
Me too! I've been looking for a buddy reader for this book for months! :D

[Betwixt the]

WHOOT! I'm settling in to get started reading!

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1%:

(view spoiler)[

I have a theory that the haircut started all of this.

I have a theory that this is possibly the MOST intriguing hook sentence I've read for a novel in a long time now--GREAT way to start off the read, by being sucked in!

What does the haircut look like? What is "all of this"? How could a haircut POSSIBLY start anything?!?! I MUST KNOW! (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

8%:

(view spoiler)[
Okay, the snark level in this book so far is EPIC. I'm loving Emma and her anxiety, I'm loving Lulu and her overdramatized everything, I even love Stanley so far and I don't know that much about him but HE'S THE ONE with the snark and I dig it. (hide spoiler)]

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15%:

(view spoiler)[
Calling it quits here for the night, to be picked up tomorrow when I get home from work.

So far, I'm SUPER intrigued and can't wait to see how this all plays out! I imagine that hole in the stage MIGHT cause a few issues sometime in the very near future. (hide spoiler)]

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62%

(view spoiler)[ LOLOLOLOLOLOL! Oh my penguins, I'm sorry, but her first kiss DEFINITELY didn't go anywhere near at all the way she thought it would...and didn't come from anyone close to who she thought it might! It's pretty hilarious, actually--I laughed out loud. Good thing I live alone, people might have thought me weird! (hide spoiler)]

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67%

(view spoiler)[Aw, jeez... Lulu's parents are some kind of ugly.

Also, Emma just said goodbye to her time-travelling gig....but....what about Cooke? What they had? Pretty sure that wasn't just a "fling." PRETTY sure he'll be showing up, or she'll be going back--one way or the other. I hope. (hide spoiler)]

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75%:

(view spoiler)[ HAH! I KNEW Cooke would show up, or she would go back.

I sort of expected the latter more than the former, though... THIS should prove an interesting situation. Let's see Emma wriggle an explanation for this one. (hide spoiler)]

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86%

(view spoiler)[ YAAAAAAAAS! Lulu as Hamlet, FOR THE WIN! Also, side note, I'm going to be super stoked if COOKE ends up playing Ophelia in modern-day because YAAAAAAS! (hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Sorry, got a late start. I'm still finishing and . But I'll multi-task... ;)

Chapter 1-2 (5%)
Elizabeth wrote: "1%:"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "1%:

I have a theory that the haircut started all of this.

I have a theory that this is possibly the MOST intriguing hook sentence I've read for a novel in a long time now--GREAT way to start off the read, by being sucked in!

What does the haircut look like? What is "all of this"? How could a haircut POSSIBLY start anything?!?! I MUST KNOW!"

LOL! So true! That must have been some haircut! And she asked to look like a fairy?! Ha! Apparently the hair stylist knew what a fairy looks like... :D

I have all kinds of questions after the first 2 chapters: Why did Emma quit soccer? What happened at the horrible party? What was the Fog Machine Incident?

The story is intriguing so far.
I like Lou Lou -- I like that she is auditioning for the part of Hamlet. I like Josh, too. I hope he gets a part in the play. Emma is fun and her thought process is fun to follow.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 3 (11%)
(view spoiler)[
Quirky, interesting characters! I love Stanley!
I'm bummed that Lulu didn't get the role of Hamlet. I thought that would be an interesting new twist. Orphelia could have been a man. It does seem sexist that the best actor didn't get the role. On the other hand, Josh may bring some fresh air into the theater. He's modest and honestly interested in the play. He's proven through his goalie function that he is concentrated, dedicated, and can handle pressure. It might be a nice contrast between Lu Lu's eccentric drama queen personality and Josh's more subtle, shy style.

Emma's still shy and insecure, but I find that endearing. I hope she'll get a chance to come out of her shell. I'm thinking Josh as her love interest rather than Brandon.

(hide spoiler)]

I'm definitely interested and want to learn more.

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "8%:"
(view spoiler)[

Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, the snark level in this book so far is EPIC. I'm loving Emma and her anxiety, I'm loving Lulu and her overdramatized everything, I even love Stanley so far and I don't know that much about him but HE'S THE ONE with the snark and I dig it."

Ha! Precisely! You took the words write out of my mouth -- or at least the thoughts; I don't think I could have said it so concisely!

I didn't get very far these past few days because life is getting in the way, not because I am not enjoying the book -- because I am!
(hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Sorry, got a late start. I'm still finishing and . But I'll multi-task... ;)

Chapter 1-2 (5%)
Elizabeth wrote: "1%:"
Elizabeth w..."

Haha, no worries at all! I know how it goes. :D

Also, ALLLLLLL your questions shall be answered in time!

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TJ wrote: "Chapter 3 (11%)

Quirky, interesting characters! I love Stanley!
I'm bummed that Lulu didn't get the role of Hamlet. I thought that would be an interesting new twist. Orphelia could have been a ma..."

Hahahaha I'm loving reading your comments now, having finished the book myself and knowing where the story leads. ;)

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "8%:"
Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, the snark level in this book so far is EPIC. I'm loving Emma and her anxiety, I'm loving Lulu and her overdramatized everything, I even love Stanley s..."

No worries at all, hon--real life happens to us all. I just read SUPREMELY fast, so. XD

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "No worries at all, hon--real life happens to us all. I just read SUPREMELY fast, so. XD"

Thanks! I read SUPREMELY slowly! lol! (I also read too many books at one time! There's just so much to read, so little time... :D ).

Elizabeth wrote: "Hahahaha I'm loving reading your comments now, having finished the book myself and knowing where the story leads. ;)

Yay! I see you gave the book four stars -- that's good to see! (It's hard to get invested in a book when my buddy gives it the ole one or two star rating... ;) ).

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "No worries at all, hon--real life happens to us all. I just read SUPREMELY fast, so. XD"

Thanks! I read SUPREMELY slowly! lol! (I also read too many books at one time! There's ju..."

I gave it 4.75 total, actually! Silly goodreads and their whole star ratings, I always round down

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "15%:"
(view spoiler)[
Elizabeth wrote: "So far, I'm SUPER intrigued and can't wait to see how this all plays out! I imagine that hole in the stage MIGHT cause a few issues sometime in the very near future."

Ha! Good call! ;)
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 11 (26%)

Okay. That was fun!
(view spoiler)[
I was kind of hoping Emma would tell Stanley. Stanley seems eccentric enough to buy into a trap door to the past scenario. I also soooo curious to discover whether or not this is all in Emma's head. Another witness could verify... I'm hoping she'll take Josh along on her next time travel adventure. Josh and Stanley could get a lot out of learning from the Bard himself. Of course Brandon too. I know Emma has a mega-crush on Brandon, but I'm still rooting for Josh as her love interest.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 12 (31%)
(view spoiler)[
I told you Lulu was a drama queen! An immature one at that.

Okay, that was not nice, fair, or accurate for Emma to question Lulu's ability to pull off Hamlet -- I'm sure Lulu could have done it, and done it well. On the other hand, who knows if that would have been better than Josh's rendition? I still think Josh can breathe some fresh air into Hamlet. He just needs to learn, practice, and gather some confidence.

I do agree with Emma that Lulu's request that Emma not see Brandon is immature, selfish, petty, and not the act of a true friend.

I don't even think it's a date with Brandon, though. I'm still rooting for Josh! :D
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 13 (34%)
(view spoiler)[
Well, if I like Josh before, I really like him now! I appreciate his sincerity, honesty, and genuineness.

I also like and can identify with Emma. She's not very confident in her surroundings and in her actions at present, but she is totally secure in who she is (or at least who she wants to be). I had a similar experience as a sophomore in high school and I have no doubt that she has enough confidence (and family support -- her mom is great!) to bloom.

Stanley has also gotten some plus points in my book and Lulu still has minus points. I'm still unsure about Brandon -- I agree with Stanley that Brandon has something going on. What remains to be seen. I think Brandon may be in over his head directing this play.

I still want to know what happened at that awful Halloween party and why Emma quit soccer. I hope Emma will be able to play soccer again.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 21 (54%)
(view spoiler)[
I don't think Brandon was being disrespecful -- he just wanted Emma's help and he had every reason to believe that Emma wanted more input. He was also willing to give her an assistant director position. What he failed to do was ask.

On the other hand, I'm glad that Emma stood her ground and left what was for her a bad situation.
(hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

TJ wrote: "Chapter 11 (26%)

Okay. That was fun!

I was kind of hoping Emma would tell Stanley. Stanley seems eccentric enough to buy into a trap door to the past scenario. I also soooo curious to discover w..."

HAHAHA right?! JOSH IS BAE! I love him lol

[T.J.]

Elizabeth wrote: "HAHAHA right?! JOSH IS BAE! I love him lol"

Yes!!! <3

[T.J.]

Chapter 23 (63%)
Great story!
(view spoiler)[
I was hoping Emma would get out and see London! How often does that opportunity arise? The bar scene reminded me of the first time I, as an American, went down into a smokey cellar bar in Germany. Sights and sounds pretty much the same! (Okay, not pee bucket, but... ;) ).

Again, I applaud Emma's ability to get up and leave -- grant it she is on another continent, in another century, but that never stopped me from dashing off when I was Emma's age. ;) Much better than hanging around and letting yourself be abused by peer pressure like at that awful Halloween party. If she had been able to just get up and leave earlier, she wouldn't have crashed so hard. Although it's good she had the opportunity to recognize those so-called "friends" (Ashley, Ashlee, and Jennifer) for what they are -- i.e. not friends at all. Lulu fits that category as well, I'm afraid.

I love it that Shakespeare is writing away as Emma leaves -- I hope he is including her in his story. Wasn't there a Shakespeare play about a woman dressed as a man? As You Like It? (Man, I haven't read As You Like It since I was in the 6th grade and that was a few years back... just a few... ;) ).
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 29 (77%)
(view spoiler)[
Yay! Stanley is going to the Globe! I knew he was eccentric enough to buy into time travel!
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 33 (87%)
omg! omg! omg!
(view spoiler)[
I'd been hoping for a while now that Brandon would just get out of the way and let Emma do her thing, but this is too great!

I mean, I'm sorry Josh has a case of the nerves (I would expect more from a stress experienced goalie), but as he was "puking" (Shakespearean English, mind you), I was thinking that Cooke could certainly jump in... At the same time that Josh suggested that there was another person who could play Hamlet, I was coming to the realization of how great it would be if Lulu played Hamlet and Cooke Orphelia! I'm pretty sure that's what Emma is going to do. And I certainly hope that Brandon remains a no-show -- he would only get in the way.

Emma can pull this off like she did at the Globe. Let's do this thing!
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Finished
Fantastico! Brava! Bravo! Encore! Zugaben! ...and all that good stuff!

I really loved this story! What a fun idea! Vibrant, vivid and diverse characters whom I really felt I got a chance to know (view spoiler)[...except maybe with the exception of Shakespeare (hide spoiler)]. Character development! Lots of fun surprises! Super!