All The Light We Cannot See - Pre-Read

[Kaseadillla]

Hello all - starting up discussions for the JULY 2017 BOTMs. This discussion is for the group's poll selection for the MODERN CLASSICS/POPULAR READS category: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

This discussion will be SPOILER-FREE. If you have read the book and want to discuss, hop on over to the spoiler-filled discussion HERE .

Happy reading!
Kasey

[Roaa]

I started reading it yesterday, so far I'm enjoying it. Except for the zero chapter that one reminded me of horrible times.

[Dung]

Just purchased it today and can't wait to begin reading it!

[Ranmali]

I started reading this a little early, about two weeks ago. Making slow progress. I'm definitely enjoying the book!

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Really good book!

[Saar The Book owl]

I have this book on my to read - list. I'm curious on what you'll find of it.

[Laura H L]

I read this book and it is one of my favourites! I hope everyone appreciates it as much as I did. Happy reading!

[Marcos]

This time I'm in! :-)

[Sarah]

Yay Marcos!!! So glad to have you join us this time!

[Lisa]

Going to start reading this soon, I just have to pick up a copy at the library.

[Miko]

I'm going to try to start it tonight.

[Kenneth]

Okay, folks. New to the group and going to give this one a try on holiday. Happy reading!

[Marcela]

Hi. I'm new to the group. I read this book about a year ago and loved it. I hope I'll remember enough to be able to join the discussion

[Joanna Loves Reading]

I was able to get the audiobook from my library - I plan to start listening this week.

[Kaseadillla]

Welcome, Marcela!

I still need to get this. I'm behind still haven't read The Book Thief from last month, yikes

[Marcos]

I'm way behind as well! Started but haven't managed to continue reading, lots of other demands preventing it.

In the meantime, a new movie is being launched this month, dates vary according to country. That's "Dunkirk", about the rescue of over 300 thousand British and Allied troops from France in May 1940. Great operation or miracle, as it was called, it is a great story. Critics are saying it is a great movie too.

If anyone is interested, search for "Dunkirk" here at GR to find lots of books!
You might like these:

The Miracle of Dunkirk, by Walter Lord - a classic

The Miracle of Dunkirk: The History of the World War II Battle and Evacuation that Helped Save Britain from Nazi Germany - short, 70 page, good account, Kindle edition

The Sands of Dunkirk, by Richard Collier - good author on WW II themes

And, of course, the new movie tie-in book:

Dunkirk: The History Behind the Major Motion Picture, by Joshua Levine

[Kaseadillla]

Marcos wrote: ..."

MARCOS!! you have to read a book club book sometime!!!!! Right, Sarah?

[Marcos]

I know! You're both right! :-) I've been posting here more than reading! :-) So, keep the pressure!

[Marcos]

And... I think there's a chance I may try Harry Potter after all, next month! LOL

[Kaseadillla]

DO IT. One of my all-time favorites. I will admit that I was the same age or younger than Harry Potter when I read the books so I grew up with them... and became a superfan like everyone else my age. Sometimes if you didn't read them growing up and dreaming of going to Hogwarts people find them harder to get into, or don't get the hype. BUT they are incredibly quick, fun, easy reads so not a major time suck if you end up feeling that way. I don't think you will though.

[Marcos]

I have a niece about your age who read HP as she grew up just like you. One or two of her books were even a gift from me. Never read, but read all ABOUT it, so I think I'll like it.

[NancyJ]

May 2018 Who is planning to join this catch-up read?

I've been looking forward to reading this book for a long time.

I was about to read it last year, but I let my husband take both the book and the audio CD on a last minute business trip. I thought he might think it was too much of a women's book but he loved it. I had to return it before I read it myself. I read a lot of WWII books last year, so I was "full" for a while, but now I'm ready for this one.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

NancyJ wrote: "May 2018 Who is planning to join this catch-up read?"

I'm in.

[Heather]

I already read this book, so I'm happy to discuss when you are done!

[Debbie]

I plan to read this on the catch up.

[Tr1sha]

I’m in! If anyone wants to buy this book, the Kindle version is now on offer from Amazon UK at £2.99. Perhaps there’s a similar reduction in other countries too.

[Karen]

I read this book a year or two ago but loved it so I am considering a reread this month.

[Leesa]

Thanks for the tip Trisha! I’m in too 🙂

[Kerri]

I will finally be reading this one, as the majority of my family and my husband have all read it with differing opinions. But I will probably take on 1Q84 first since it is larger and I picked them both up today. It is incentive to read it faster I guess :)

[Aqsa]

I'll start it in a week!

[Jessica]

I listened to the audio book last week and I think it definitely added a lot to the story. There were many French and German pronunciations that I definitely would have butchered. I highly recommend listening and it was such a great true account of the war told by different sides. Truly touching, human piece :)

[Marcos]

Another of my funny stories here in the group! I suggested, voted, campaigned, renominated, etc. "for All the Light". When it won, I couldn't read it! :-)) As you can see in comments above! :-)

I'll try it this time. And it's going to be very nice to have the company of all of you, especially those with whom I have interacted more frequently like NancyJ, Leesa and Kerri!

So, this time I'm in!! (Same I said last time, hahaha!)

[Ella]

I had NO intentions of buying or reading this book. I successfully removed it from my basket at several bookstores... until this week, when I "splurged" and got myself a beat-up "discount" copy. So I'm in, because now that I own it, I MUST read it.

[[deleted user]]

I’ve started reading this. I’m making slow progress as I’ve not had much time for reading but it so far seems a fantastic read. I’m hoping it’ll turn into one of my new faves :)

[KP]

Great story. It builds slowly at first and then you’re hooked. I recommend it for anyone.

[NancyJ]

Marcos wrote: "Another of my funny stories here in the group! I suggested, voted, campaigned, renominated, etc. "for All the Light". When it won, I couldn't read it! :-)) As you can see in comments above! :-)

I'..."

Marcos, have you started it yet? I just started it today.

[Marcos]

Not yet. Planning to this weekend, Nancy.

[Tr1sha]

At last - I’m starting to read this today!

[vrenzy]

its so slow.. i read and im like sure i must be halfway ow but man i am waiting for the book to pick up and hoook me in!

[Catherine]

I've put it down for a bit because I found other books more interesting. I may pick it up later, but I'm not going to count on it.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Welcome everyone to our November 2020 Bookshelf Catch Up; this this is the third time this book has been featured as a group read.

Friendly reminder that this is our spoiler-free thread. If you're ready to talk spoilers, feel free to head on over to the spoilers thread.

Who is joining in this read? Will it be your first time reading or is this a reread? What do you hope to gain by reading this book?

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

Fr Joanna Loves Reading: "...what do you hope to gain by reading this book?"

Honestly?
Really honestly?
I hope to FINALLY just read the damn thing and get it over with in a way, since it seems that EVERY OTHER MONTH this book is nominated and/or selected as a GROUP READ in about 84% of the groups I belong to here on Goodreads!! Back when it first came out, it was selected over and over, but I can never afford books when they're brand new, so I could never participate....then, as the YEARS went by, the nominations of it continued regularly and STILL it keeps winning poll after poll. Craziness...This book is probably a Group Read more than any other I have ever seen, even 3 years on. For a while, I refused to read it out of spite, basically!
NOW, I am FINALLY with the right group at the right time (even though I would have also been here the other 2 times, lol). This book has won, again. But THIS time, I have an extra Audible credit. SO. The time has come (the walrus said) for me to READ. THIS. BOOK....FINALLY. ---Jen from Quebec :0)

[Samantha]

I am excited to finally read this! It has been on my radar but I have never committed it to my tbr haha. Excited!

[Rachel]

It's been on my list for awhile. As long as I get the book from the library on time I will be joining in.

[Animish]

I have purchased the book and it has arrived! So I will reading this as the inaugural book for this group. Wish me luck!

[Tr1sha]

Jen from Quebec :0) wrote: "Fr Joanna Loves Reading: "...what do you hope to gain by reading this book?"

Honestly?
Really honestly?
I hope to FINALLY just read the damn thing and get it over with in a way, since it seems tha..."

Your comment made me laugh as I feel the same about a number of books! It’s strange how much hype there is about some books. I read this one before & gave it 3 stars, so for me it was ok but nothing special. On my first attempt to read it I abandoned it, but later read it again & completed it. I don’t really want to read it again but may change my mind once I have completed some other group reads.

[Georgie’s]

Already had this sitting on my bookshelf so can't wait to start this tomorrow 🙌

[France-Andrée]

I bought this as an ebook when it was a recent publishing, it’s been languishing on my TBR since then. I hope to join you, but depends on how much time I’ll have to read this month.

[Ashley]

My first time reading this. I will admit I’m nervous because it seems really sad. Still going to try it though 💪

[Lina]

I’m joining in on reading this month! It’s been on my TBR for awhile and am feeling a bit nervous and am also nervous about it being sad. But, it’s work an additional .5 points in the house cup challenge so here we go! 😊