Week Three Discussion

[Debbie]

Well that was quite a road trip and guess what the best part is it's not over, Lisa is continuing the series with Senseless Acts of Beauty to be released in March of 15


So lets talk about the last leg of our lady's journey- and as always please put your own questions in too!

Have you changed your minds about any of the characters?

Favorite quotes?

How do you think Lisa wrapped up the novel?

Final Thoughts

[Edie]

I was absolutely surprised that the new girls--Maya,et al--had already shaved their heads in "solidarity" when the three travelers arrived at the rafting site. I wasn't quite sure I believed women who hadn't really kept in touch since high school would go to that extreme. But their (and Lisa's) motive--to make chemo easier for Claire--and their interactions (Lisa's wonderfully realistic description of their days together)made me forget my disbelief and just enjoy the story. And the ending? I loved it! No one got that "happily ever after" fairy tale ending, but everyone had grown so much; and we leave them growing, the best possible ending.

[Karen]

I enjoyed how the book found its closures fore each of our main characters. But my favorite closure was for Jenna. I felt like her world that had unraveled so horridky and so quickly was going to right itself and find a new path.

[Ang from OZ]

I was happy how the story ended especially for Jenna. I think she really found herself with the road trip the girls took.

Fav Quote "What we fear Claire, is mostly in our minds"

And thinking on that quote isn't that true. When faced with any situation our minds often run away with themselves and make up all sorts of scenario's that will never come to pass.

I think all the other girls shaving their heads was a beautiful thing to do to support Claire. I also like Edie's observation that no one got the classic "HEA" I find the ending more realistic though and that sits well with me. I think all the characters grew and learnt new things from each other. Looking forward to book two, pity we have to wait till next year!

[April]

The more I read about Jenna, Claire and Nicole, the more I fell in love with each of them. They all had grown during their trip and I could see how much stronger they all were because of it. I was so proud of these women for facing their fears.

I love how Lisa ended the book. I was glad she let us in on where Jenna, Claire and Nicole were in their lives. Things were looking up for everyone and while everything still wasn't quite perfect, they seemed happy with where they were. The last line of book with Jenna phoning Claire made for a great ending. It left us wondering what Claire's answer would be and has me looking forward to the next book in the series.

[April]

Here are some of my favorite quotes from this week's reading:

"Another thought arose, an ugly thought, like a troll waddling from under a dank bridge." (pg. 204)

"Anger is like a hot coal, Zoe. If you hang on to it for too long, then you're the one who'll get burned." (pg. 207)

"We thought about dying our hair pink again, just like in high school. But then we remembered, heck, you lopped off your boobs. We can lose a little hair." (pg. 221)

"Maybe, after you've thrown enough good Karma into the universe, it gathers and boomerangs back." (pg. 258)

[April]

Ang from OZ wrote: "I was happy how the story ended especially for Jenna. I think she really found herself with the road trip the girls took.

Fav Quote "What we fear Claire, is mostly in our minds"

And thinking on ..."

Great quote Ang! I love how you described it.

[Elaine]

I'm sorry, I've been an absentee member of this club and I'm just now able to catch up with things. After all day meetings last week, I couldn't even keep up with the reading. That said, I'm about at the end of the book, and I thought I'd just check in and add my 1 cent's worth (I can't even claim 2 cents ;-) )

Anyway, after reading through the comments, I have to say I agree with all the great observations about the ladies, and I think they're headed down the right paths. My thoughts are wandering towards Nate at this point. I think he's an idiot - and I'm sure we're meant to feel that way! I have to say that his character, even though we don't get a lot of exposure to him directly, is very much in line with other men I've known in the real world who left their wives, thinking they were headed to Nirvana of a sort. Only to find themselves back in a replay of diapers and kids and the same old things they thought they were leaving behind. More than one has looked back, wishing he hadn't left. So while we don't get a good look at his path, I like to think his future is one of regrets. Not that I normally wish ill will on anyone, but I think Jenna is such a strong, supportive person and deserves so much better than that man!

I do wish we had a better look at Lars, and we know very little about Claire's sisters. From Claire's point of view, they seemed controlling, but I would bet that there are some warm, caring hearts there.

I really enjoyed this book, Deb and Lisa, and am looking forward to next March and the next book!
Elaine

[Karen]

Here, here,Elaine. You might be late but your thoughts are spot on. Personally, I think Lars is a rare jewel.

[Elaine]

I agree about Lars, Karen. I just wish we could have gotten a better look at him!

[Ang from OZ]

Great to hear your thoughts Elaine!!

[Edie]

I really liked Lars, too. Lisa, is he modeled after someone you know? If so, does that someone have any brothers who are similar in personality, single and in the 55-65 age range? LOL

[[deleted user]]

I was extremely happy with the ending. It may not be an easy road for any of the three main characters, but because of their journey together, they each now seem to be headed in the right direction with their own life journey.

I agree with all the comments about Lars. And I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Lisa]

HA! You guys are a riot! Yes, Lars is a rare jewel and just what the high-strung Nicole needs. I can't say he's modeled after anyone *specifically* but ~ahem~ I do have a very good marriage! ;) Sorry, Edie, I think Claire has already called dibs on any of Lars' single brothers....

So, you guys have been wonderfully forthright over these weeks, and I've been gobbling it all up, so I'm going to pose a question to you -- an issue that has raised some concerns about what I may write in the future. A subset of my dedicated readers (folks who are familiar with my previous novels) have told me that this book was a turn in a different direction -- in fact, some thought was a little too "dark" for them, the issues too heavy. What did you guys think? Knowing the subject matter of the novel, would you have chosen the book if it hadn't been chosen for you by the club?

[[deleted user]]

I didn't think the issues were too heavy, just very realistic. I think all of us have been affected in some way by things like cancer and divorce, if not personally, at least through friends and loved ones. I think you took "dark" issues and put a lighter spin on them through great storytelling and humor.

I am now reading "The Proper Care & Maintenance of Friendship" and though it is shaping up differently, I wouldn't label it as a real major contrast. I find them both appealing.

[Debbie]

Everyone has some great comments and quotes in this last section and Lisa I'm so grateful to your participation.

I'm one of the readers you're mentioning :)
The first thing I have to say is that when I found out this was a debut in a series I look at those differently than stand a lones I know that I will not get all my questions answered and I know that the characters will continue to develop that new crisis and developments will occur, in a nutshell it's not the complete story. I in fact sometimes wait until book two of a series comes out before I read book one, but in your case I was asked to review it for RT Magazine.

Now for this novel in particular I thought it was you to a tee. I saw a lot of hints of old friends from this trio plus Lars and all the other co-stars also were reminiscent of past players in your previous novels. I don't think it was dark, you've dealt with darker situations before and I don't see it being in a different direction.
I can't wait for book three and he he he I'll be seeing it in December :)

[Elaine]

Lisa, this book seemed right in line with your other books that I've read. I definitely would have picked it up with or without this group, but having a group read was a nice way to do it. It seems to me that, in a general sense, all of your books involve women with difficult problems, either in their inner life or in their marriage/relationships. This seems no darker to me than the others, maybe there's just more development of some of the issues here. I personally don't care for books that give reality a brush off, so please don't change course on us!

[April]

Lars is one of the good ones. Not many men would take over all the household responsibility at the drop of a hat. I thought it was great that Nicole was able to let go a little by the end of the book and let Noah confide in Lars if there was a problem. Being used to controlling most situations, this was a big step for her to trust that if there was a situation they needed to be aware of that Lars would be able to get to the bottom of it. Not only is Lars a great husband, but also a great father.

[April]

Lisa, I didn't feel the issues in the book were too heavy. If anything they were true to life and I enjoyed the way you handled the tough situations these women faced. I've had this book in my tbr pile since it came out and when it was chosen for discussion it moved to the top of the list. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Ang from OZ]

Lisa I agree with April, I don't think the issues were too heavy. Really this is what goes on in everyday life. And I guess some readers want the fantasy of HEA's, and of characters with flawless lives and perfect husbands and children. I am looking forward to the next book in the series as well!

[Edie]

My response is a bit convoluted: the issues are heavy, but your treatment of them is not that heavy. So in a sense, the book does have a somewhat fairy tale quality. Having read you before, I did not expect heavy, literary fiction. As with TPC&MOF, I enjoyed the reading and would have read it on my own for pleasure.

If, on the other hand, you had tackled all these characters' problems in a heavy, serious manner, I'm not sure I would have continued on my own. Lisa, you seem to have found that happy medium, creating mostly realistic characters who deal with serious problems in a narrative that can be read for pleasure by a wide audience. IOW-- you hit a grand slam!

[Debbie]

Be sure and post all your week three comments here people but this isn't the end come back next week for a special thank you thread and Lisa also has something very special she wants to do. So stay tuned and come back on Monday for our final thread for this read. Those of you who have been keeping up will know that we also have an in between read of Lisa's novel The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship, those of you who read and discussed this on my B&N forum be sure and stop by to comment too, you hat ladies know who you are :)

[Lisa]

Great comments! And thank you all for your honesty -- one of the hardest things (to me as a writer) is getting a fresh perspective on a story, so it's an incredibly gift to hear what you all have to think. What great brains -- and big hearts -- you all have!

[Debbie]

Now it's time for me to answer

I felt more empathetic toward Nicole although I still think she tended to be too intrusive. I also can't wait to see where Lisa takes her in the series

I loved how Lisa wound up the story with enough closure and just a hint of what may be around the corner.

My final thought is I can't wait to read the next one.

Thank you all for your generous participation you've made this debut discussion a fantastic success!

Stay tuned like I said for next week's post :)
Have a great weekend!