EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion
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Circe
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Circe - PRE-READ
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Karen
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May 31, 2019 08:22PM
I love Greek Mythology so I bought the audio book last summer but hadn't got around to it yet. Looking forward to it.
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I've heard so many good things about this book so decided to give it a try. And I'm glad I did. It's a really good book! Kept me up late last night.
I’m really excited about reading Circe this month! I’d never heard of the book until it popped up for voting, and after reading the description I knew this was for me! Can’t wait to dive in.
When I saw this book was selected, I was excited! I saw how popular it was getting, and I too am a huge sucker for greek mythology. I quickly finished the Handmaids Tale and ran to Barnes & Nobles to grab this lovely book. So far its soooo good! I haven't read a page turner in a while, but I can finally say, yep, this is one. I hope it keeps up the momentum. I've been dragging this book with me everywhere so I can get in a couple pages everywhere I go. Happy reading everyone!P.S-Has anyone had this book sitting near them in the dark? I happened to have it sitting on my couch, and I usually have my lights off aside from my T.V, so when I went to pick it up, all I could see were the eyes on the cover, frightened me when I turned to grab it! If you want a good spook, look at the cover when its darker in a room, or simply tilt the book down!
This is a page-turner of a book, for sure, Catherine. Karen, I also am interested in Greek mythology, but even if someone weren't, Miller gives just enough explanation about the tales to fulfil the needs of a novice and enough nuance to satisfy the well informed reader.
I never noticed that, Kayla! Which edition do you have?
Melinda wrote: "I’m really excited about reading Circe this month! I’d never heard of the book until it popped up for voting, and after reading the description I knew this was for me! Can’t wait to dive in."Thanks for the heads-up, Kayla! I’ll be sure to put the book face down so it doesn’t freak me out at night! 😂
Hey BETSY! I have the first edition of Circe :) The cover is pretty despite it scaring the crap out of me.
Strange, I have the first edition too (hardback - UK though) and it doesn't light up... I don't know why I want to be scared haha!
This is my first time reading this and after about 100 pages I’m hooked! I haven’t read a book that really sucked me in like this in a long time. I always loved Greek Mythology growing up and it’s fascinating to see things in first person from a females perspective. A lot of what I’ve read is all male. I grabbed the 1st edition(North American) last summer for the cover alone. It’s so gorgeous it drew my eye the second I walked into Chapters!
Going to start today, really hope it hooks me too
I’ve just started reading this book 😊 I love all of the Greek myths and therefore it already has me hooked - hopefully it carries on that way!
I hope to get to this before the discussion is finished!
I have about 100 pages left of this book and I love it! It's been a long time since I've read anything about / studied Greek mythology so it's been a big refresher for sure. I can't wait to finish it!
I really loved this book. I actually read it twice because I couldn't remember everything from the first reading. It works really well on Audio, though it takes longer to listen than to read it. This is a good book to listen to at bedtime when your eyes are tired but you're not ready to sleep. The language is so beautiful, it lulls you to sleep gently.
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I just started it today and so far so good.
I own this book, but haven't started reading it yet and this group read sounds like the perfect time to start Circe. Is anyone else out there just barely starting it too or am I far behind everyone else?
This the the first book I reading with the group. Been lurking for awhile but this book intrigued me. About 100 pages in and enjoying it, not yet keeping me up at night yet. I can feel it building.
Tito the Incognito wrote: "I own this book, but haven't started reading it yet and this group read sounds like the perfect time to start Circe. Is anyone else out there just barely starting it too or am I far behind everyone..."I bought the book but haven’t started it either, so you’re not too late 😀. I plan to start next weekend.
Sadly, the hold list for this is very very long, so I’ll be joining the discussion late.
No worries if you don't have the book yet because the discussion thread will always be open.
About to start this book. Having read the book description without prior knowledge of the book, the plot seems somewhat bland. However, a number of previous commenters have described this book as a page-turner, so I will keep this in mind as I read. I’m hoping this lives up to the hype!
Eunice wrote: "About to start this book. Having read the book description without prior knowledge of the book, the plot seems somewhat bland. However, a number of previous commenters have described this book as..."
I loved the book, but I wouldn't describe it as a fast page turner. If you're used to the pacing of mystery-thrillers, then you might not like this at all. This book is literary fiction, and I think it's more character driven than plot-driven. It's slower paced than some books, so it might not be for everyone. It's beautiful and evocative, and the writing is beautiful. I also liked the beautiful narration in the audio book.
NancyJ wrote: "I loved the book, but I wouldn't describe it as a fast page turner. If you're used to the pacing of mystery-thrillers, then you might not like this at all. This book is literary fiction, and I think it's more character driven than plot-driven. It's slower paced than some books, so it might not be for everyone. It's beautiful and evocative, and the writing is beautiful. I also liked the beautiful narration in the audio book"That’s really good to know going in, so I can adjust my expectations beforehand. Hmmm... now that you mention it, I do prefer the pacing of mystery-thrillers. However, I do also appreciate the occasional well-written character-driven novel too.
I’m looking forward to reading this a lot more knowing this. Thanks Nancy :)
This book has been sitting in my Audible library for months, excited to be starting it today! I hope Audible has a PDF of the Cast of Characters I've seen mentioned, it's been a long time since I've dabbled in mythology.
I was half way through a loaned ebook when my loan ran out. So, I went to reborrow it and it's on a fairly long wait list! Aarrggh. Well, I was reading too slowly. I'll just have to come back later and check out the discussions.
I heard Madeline Miller read a passage of Circe out loud at a book fair and I immediately went out and bought both of her books. I read The Shield of Achilles and absolutely fell in love with it, but then I got really busy and didn't have the time I needed to really devote to Circe. Miller's books aren't really the kind where you can just pick it up whenever and start reading, they have so many layers, so I put it off. I'm really glad that we're reading it this month though, it gives me the push I needed to just start haha.
Jana, I see you've already finished the novel but I wanted to say that I don't think a cast of characters is necessary (neither is knowledge of the myths) because Miller weaves it all into a cohesive storyline. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Catherine! That's annoying. Were you enjoying it?
Catie, I think that's so true; the way she writes feels dense (I'm not surprised it took her 7 years). I'm glad this is giving you the push you need to begin.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Catherine! That's annoying. Were you enjoying it?I was enjoying it. I'd pick it up whenever I had a moment, usually right before I went to bed. I look forward to continuing to read it.
Am I ever feeling lucky! On a whim I checked out my local library and found an available copy of the book, picked it up on Saturday, and am close to finishing it!
Betsy, I think you're right, a cast of characters wasn't necessary, but I found audible did provide the PDF which had it, and I did refer to it from time to time. Since I read the book in an audio format, I liked checking out that PDF to see how names were spelled and in one or two instances to remind myself who a character was (with a hard copy book, it's much easier to flip back a few pages, lol!) Going to head over to the Spoilers thread now to share my thoughts on the book :)
I agree with you Jana about it being easier to leaf through the pages of a paper copy! That's the main reason I don't read e-books - I feel constrained in the format. Sometimes I like to read the blurb randomly, or look at the acknowledgements, or just flip through the pages to remind myself of something. All of this takes so long on an e-reader! Thanks for your thoughts on the Spoilers thread, it's been a really great month.
I can't wait to start this book y'all have me super excited about it! I have about 9 pages left in the book I'm reading now then I'll pick it up!
I absolutely love this book, I know you guys will adore it! If I may, I reccomend the audiobook narrated by Perdita Weeks. It is stunning.
I’ve not been reading it for long but I’m loving it! Already 38% through it 🙈
I started this one months and months ago but never finished. Didn't even get far in - just was in a slump. Liked what I read though so I'm excited to re-start it this month!
I had heard so much about this book, but was not convinced that I wanted to read it. So, it being one of this months’ reads has been the final motivator for me to get it. I am very excited to be reading it as soon as I finish my current read, hopefully wishing the next few days!
I've just ordered the audio book from the library.... it won't get here until the 9th... so will be a little bit until I get hold of it. Haven't read anything like this for a long time though so am looking forward to it!
Well, I'm one of those that think this book is overrated. Read it as part of a challenge and it was just tedious for me. But, I must say, if you enjoy languishing over a book with a glass of wine and lounging on your chaise, it's a book for you. I didn't hate it; but it was too slow of a read for my tastes.
I read this and loved it - not going to reread it but definitely will join in the spoiler thread.Claire, I can see it being slow and overly prosaic/descriptive so the wine+lounging makes a lot of sense haha :)
I got it bought the book new cuz I've been trying to support new/less popular/small-local authors with the Covid-19 stuff. Only read a little bit of it but I'm really into it.
Thank you EHRTB... I’m so glad you brought this book to my attention. I really enjoyed the story and particularly appreciated the female underdog-ish perspective. This is the first book related to Greek Mythology that I’ve read (unless I read something in school that I don’t remember) and it won’t be the last!I borrowed the book online through my library and it didn’t come with the cast of characters diagram but I found some on Google that were helpful.
My wife preordered this book and read it when it was first released. It's been on a bookshelf ever since. I recently decided to read it without realizing it was the catch-up book this month. I'm so glad the timing worked out, because I'm loving it so far and excited to discuss it with everyone.
I've never done one of the group reads before since the selection and timing have never quite lined up for me but I was excited to see this as the pick. Then while I was waiting for my turn from the library, I started waffling on if I was feeling it right now but the posts in here have me excited so I'm going to go for it!
I think I may start this tonight.
The narrator was EXCELLENT!Megan wrote: "I've just ordered the audio book from the library.... it won't get here until the 9th... so will be a little bit until I get hold of it. Haven't read anything like this for a long time though so am..."
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This is the Pre-Read thread for the May 2022 Bookshelf Catch-up selection. This month we will be re-reading Circe by Madeline Miller for the THIRD time.
Please note that this is a SPOILER FREE discussion.
Who's planning to join in on this read? Why did you choose this book? What are your expectations in reading this book?
Hi Renata. I'll be joining in. I've had the book open on scribd but got distracted so very glad it's been picked here
Hello :) I'll be joining as well. Got the book as a gift and I'm happy to read it now
