Stiefvater, Maggie ; All the Crooked Saints ; Informal Buddy Read; Starts 14 June 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Synopsis
From bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater, a gripping tale of darkness, miracles, and family. Saints. Miracles. Family. Romance. Death. Redemption.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Tina ❣]

Whoop! Thank you mods!

- Team Tonks

[Lexi]

I'm in too. Just requested from the library. (Team Lupin)

[Tina ❣]

Lexi! Do you think you'll be starting this soon? How many other buddy reads are you doing?

[Lexi]

Just finished other buddy read so starting today.

[Tina ❣]

Awesome! I'll start within the hour

[Tina ❣]

Chapter 1 - 2

So far I'm liking. I stopped as I'm getting drowsy. We're still getting to know the characters at this point so I can't say much about them.

(Team Tonks)

[Lexi]

I love the authors way with words. There are some quotes and ideas that really just stick. My favorite are that owls are attracted to miracles, and the idea of yet being on the dogs faces. I am now over half way
(view spoiler)[ I really like the different characters and the way that they us the radio to reach out to the pilgrims. The idea of the two miracles is fascinating and how it is physically manifested. (hide spoiler)]

[Ingrid]

I'm in!! I love Maggie Stiefvater!

[Ingrid]

Tina wrote: "Chapter 1 - 2

So far I'm liking. I stopped as I'm getting drowsy. We're still getting to know the characters at this point so I can't say much about them."

The first few chapters I was still a little confused and trying to get my bearings as to what is going on. So far I like it and can't wait to see what happens.

[Erin]

I'm starting this later today!

[Lexi]

I finished. I really enjoyed it. It wasn't the overall plot but the individual people and their stories, as well as how clever it was written. I also loved the owls.

[Ingrid]

I just finished it. I was expecting something different but I did enjoy it. I loved how the stories worked together. I really liked the owls!

[Tina ❣]

I'm still struggling to get into this! I'm only on page 74...

[Laura]

I wanted to read this and just couldn't fit it in; too many buddy reads not enough time. Why, why does work need to cut into reading time ?

[Erin]

Finally getting into this- I'm really liking it. I love the casual magic/supernatural elements. I'm a fan of Stiefvater so I was expecting to like the book, but I'm actually liking this one more than some of her others. I'm not very far into it yet though.

Up through chapter 3 now- I'm loving the different characters, and the way everyone is introduced. You get a hint of who everyone is, and then it's fleshed out bit by bit.

[Tina ❣]

I finally finished it this morning. What was bothering me the most was the use of 'miracle' throughout the book.
(view spoiler)[I couldn't understand why 'miracles' were being used and it just defeated the purpose of me enjoying the book. But at the end of the book, I realised that they are basically just counselors/psychologists helping 'pilgrims' deal with a problem.

I did like it in the end. I gave it 3 stars (hide spoiler)]

[Ingrid]

Tina- It took me a while to get into it too. There were so many characters, which caused so much backstory and not enough real story, in my opinion.

(view spoiler)[I agree with the 'miracles'. The word throws you off and makes you think of other stuff. I really liked the book too but I think the end could have been different. Not a big fan of Pete just rolling back in because of the desert. (hide spoiler)]

[Tina ❣]

I agree Ingrid! This book put me in a slump for a week. I just wanted to finish it to read my other books for B.R. but it was so hard to get in to! I think I only really got into it 2/3 in the book

I don't think I kept track of all the family members let alone 'pilgrims', or gave them much thought.

Reading this felt a bit like the tone in the Raven Cycle series.

But, I also felt like it was trying to hard.

[Apoorv]

Team Gilderoy Lockhart

Okay, I am lost!
I am up to Chapter 4, and I am surely lost as to what is happening and more importantly 'why'?

I loved how the book started with the three cousins out in the desert, and I was certainly hoping something less phantasmagorical and more emotive with fantasy sprinkled around. I guess, that is what is ruining the experience for me at this stage. I need a reset!

I am not the biggest fan of books with loads of characters. It takes away from the fun of enjoying a character's journey, because the author can't effectively carve a path for everyone in the 300 odd pages they have. This seems to be suffering from that same issue. Although, I am barely 30% in, and I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but I seriously need this book to give me a big boost, right about now!

[Erin]

Finally got around to finishing this one- got sidetracked by a bunch of other books.

I think I might be the odd one out here, because I actually liked the big cast of characters. I liked seeing how their miracles relate to their problems, and how they get tied to the other problems circling the area.

(view spoiler)[ I also really enjoyed how one character solving their miracle leads to realizations that solve other problems. And poor Pete, dealing with all these people and their secrets and going, "Maybe you should talk about what your feeling, maybe? (hide spoiler)]

[Erin]

Tina wrote: "I finally finished it this morning. What was bothering me the most was the use of 'miracle' throughout the book.
I couldn't understand why 'miracles' were being used and it just defeated the purpo..."

It actually reminded me of Greek myths where people are saved by being turned into trees or flowers- or stuff like that. Maybe it's jsut another idea of what a miracle is, or could be.

[Erin]

Apoorv wrote: "Team Gilderoy Lockhart

Okay, I am lost!
I am up to Chapter 4, and I am surely lost as to what is happening and more importantly 'why'?."

It took me awhile to get into the books too, but about halfway through I got hooked. So it's worth sticking with it