A Curious Beginning/The Invisible Library

[Malaraa]

January's Forum pick, moved up to a solo pick because of the Day-be. :)

[Malaraa]

I read this one a while back, if I can turn it up at the library again I'll re-read, but I might not get it, someone else has it out. I did like it though. It was the best of her books that I've tried. (All have been with VF).

Silent in the Grave I thought was OK, it just didn't stand out much for me. A Spear of Summer Grass, I thought the language was pretty, but didn't really like the people or plot.

This one was fun, the people appealed to me more, and interesting things happened.

[Kris]

Hi girls.
I just wanted to apologise I was out lately. It started with me having "little" meltdown and I ended up on pills till the end of a year. I am recovering so I promise I will try my best to be here. Thank you for understanding :)

[Malaraa]

Welcome back, Kris, and don't worry if you need time, we'll be here when and as you're ready. Hope things start going better for you. :)

[Jennifer]

Glad you're feeling better, Kris. :)

[Malaraa]

Hey Ladies! When do we want to meet next? I know things have started off crazy for everyone this year, do we want to pick a time after the March Anniversary hangout, and just gab about the hangout and the poll results and that sorta stuff? That way no-one has to worry about whether they got through all the hiatus books or not. :)

Or maybe folks are excited to discuss them which is awesome too! Just tossing it out there because we're coming up on the end of February soon.

[Jennifer]

I'm good pretty much whenever, as usual. Except March 23rd. :)

[Kris]

So I finished the Invisible library and have to say I don't feel like reading other "victorian england" kinda book soon. Don't get me wrong, the book was fine but I do not know if it is bcs in my country we were never expected to read f.e. Jane Austen's books but all the stiffness is actually killing me. Is the second book better/worse/same???

[Malaraa]

The awkward conversations were one of the weakest parts of Invisible Library, I confess there were one or two where I know my brain just said "OK they blah blah blah and yes! Finally some action again!" Not a fan of the speaking styles or the way they often were just repeating things they already knew as if it was an exciting discovery. If you're going to stop all the action to talk, we need to hear something new we didn't just already hear. A little dose of author growing pains I think, I'm hoping she improves on that as the series goes. The idea of the library was awesome, and I wanted to know more about the dragons, but while I liked it OK and it was fun in the moment, I wasn't as satisfied as I'd hoped to be.

A Curious Beginning has smoother dialog, but it is still pretty historical. They don't stand still and talk in a circle about things they already knew, but I'm thinking still probably a little bit too Victorian for your taste. You might like it somewhat, but I don't think you'll love it.

I'd say instead pick up either Pets In Space, which so far is some cuteness, some eye-rolling, or better yet, Written in Red, which I'm hoping makes it to the April alt! Modern talk, modern attitudes, and Anne Bishop's best series so far, at least in my opinion. :D

[Kris]

Sanasai wrote: "The awkward conversations were one of the weakest parts of Invisible Library....."
I have to say you were right and now it is easier for me to read Curious Beginning. I still want to scream at them when they start speaking in "victorian manners" when they are in bed together (in same bed sleeping not having sex) but that is still my 21st century mind. So I hope I will get over this and I am looking forward sharing my opinions with you girls during hangout ;)

[Kris]

Polls invites send so I hope to see you soon ladies.

[Elif]

Hi ladies.
There is not a result of the pool. won't we do hangout this month?

[Malaraa]

I'm still up for it tomorrow or Sunday, or even next week tuesday. Work has been keeping me really late 3 days a week lately, so I can't do 7 pm Fridays or Mondays though, I'm just leaving at that time.

Honestly, as long as you and Kris can make it the same day, Jennifer and I can both usually make it there, I'd just have to be a half hour late if it was Friday or Monday. We haven't heard from anyone else lately, I'm hoping they'll be back soon, but I don't think it'll be this month.

[Kris]

Well I don't mind having the hangout later. I mean the hours. Also if you wish to make it in the beginning of the April. Whatever suits the most people best. We can also make it after official hangout to talk about hangout itself.

[Elif]

After the official Hangout sounds good.
Next week I have another hangout on Friday. But if it is okay for you too, Thursday about 19:00-20:00 GMT is okay for me.

[Jennifer]

Yeah, I'm good pretty much when ever, like I said. The only thing I have going on right now is Mass Effect:Andromeda. :)