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2016-19 Activities & Challenges
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Buddy Read for Map of Salt and Stars
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Amy
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Jun 30, 2019 06:07PM
This is the Buddy Read for PBT Horizons - July; Syria, for the Map of Salt and Stars. Lets feel free to discuss it together as we are reading and enjoying it, being careful of spoilers, for those who are not in the same place. Maybe its smart to figure out who is reading this together. Me; Amy, and I will probably start it in the next day or two, or three. I am traveling, so getting through my Trim book really quick;y.
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I am in as soon as it comes through my inter-library-will pipe in when I get it
I plan to start soon so I'll pipe in once I start.
I’m in!!! Picking it up at the library tomorrow!
I have the audiobook queued up, but I have others ahead of it. Will get to it next week.
That's at least ten of us so far, including Nancy J and KSZR. I just finished my Trim book (review to come later) and am starting MoSaS right now. Headed to the pool, having just emerged straight from New York City. July is usually a huge reading month for me - and I expect this one to top the charts. My kids are away for five weeks, and I have very infrequent work. Watch out - here we come. The goal is to get like ten off my TBR and a few from the secret phone list onto the TBR, and still stay under 400 or 398. Let the fake progress continue! Excited to be reading this with you all.
Amy, it sounds like you'll be enjoying your free time.I've ordered the book from the library and am hoping it will come in soon. I'd love to be able to read the book along with all of you.
Holly, As I keep saying, we are clearly Easy book twins, so I hope it comes in for you soon.Here is what I can so far report on MoSaS:
50 lengths, 25 laps, then 10% in!
This is spectacularly and beautifully written. I am deeply enjoying myself already, I’m calling this to emerge as a five star read, Within the first few pages. And once again I’m so grateful to PT, who forces that invites me to read things I just never would’ve picked up. This is something that I might’ve got to but just might have easily not. It may have been years to never. It’s because of this group but I get to read such spectacular reads, and get introduced to such wonderful authors and new genres. I think we’re all in for a great ride. I’m almost sorry that I’m reading it first, but I’m going to Revel in the pleasure of that with all of you. Also, my reviews never contain spoilers of any kind, so don’t be worried. I tend to be pretty good about being more of an atmospheric reviewer than anything else. Lots of personal connection and experience, certainly over spoilers. Mostly because I want people to experience a book for them selves. I find too much detail ruins the story to experience. I will comment that there is a main character with Synthesia, which is always beautiful to read about and unusual. But what’s incredible and unusual to me, is that this is the second in my last three books, where are young girl has this particular experience of the world. I reviewed the Lost Family recently, and few people I think saw the review because I posted it in the last hours of June 30th, but these are never main themes in the story, but enriched the experience.
I’m so glad you are loving it. I will start in a few days. Im not familiar with synthesia. I’ll have to look it up. Sounds like it’s going to be an awesome read.
I’m in. I have the book but need to finish a couple of ARCs first. I’m really looking forward to the buddy read.
I hope to get to this as well this month, but I have a few library audiobooks in deck before then, so I won’t get to it til closer to the end of the month!
My copy just came in, but appointments today, holiday tomorrow another doc appt Friday...so won't be getting it until Saturday. Although I have a pile already on my nightstand, this will be added to go in the nightly rotation.Synthesia has always fascinated me, so I look forward to learning more about it.
Just started this one and I'm loving it already.
Sue, there is something. Absolutely breathtaking about it.
I'm about 25% in and finding it really interesting. I like that we are following the romantic/heroic journey of Rawiya and the terrifying/dangerous journey of Nour. The places they go seem to be the same, just in different contexts and time periods.
I just hit 50% and its true the journeys are parallel in many ways. Its actually beautiful. I'm savoring the writing as well as the story.
Picking it up today-can't wait to join in!
I've never managed to join in a buddy read on here, but have just noticed that this book seems to be available at some branches of our library - I've just put in a hold request and will keep my fingers crossed that it gets to me in time to jump in here :-)
Would be so fun to have you Nikki! Looks like this is going to be a good one. We have like 15 people, and the book was amazing! I haven’t reviewed it yet, but it’s going to be top 10.
Well, after the first 20 pages, I can understand the love. I think I read the intro prose 4 times before I for started in on the actual book. I am anticipating moving ahead today, but I have my London book and Trim book that both came in at the same time as this one....And geez-looking at the calendar and the new tag vote is only 8 days away!!!
Where I am it’s only July 6. However, I have already finished horizons and trim!
Amy wrote: "Where I am it’s only July 6. However, I have already finished horizons and trim!"Ok 9 days....🙄 and good for you, you childless, sunbathing beauty
You just made me smile! Fell asleep in our hotel room reading the Royal Secret. When does that ever get to happen?
Number one to finish and review. What a beautiful book and i so look forward to sharing it with all of you and hearing your thoughts.Beautifully and exceptionally written, it draws you in from the first sentence. The story is a marriage between maps and storytelling. At the heart of it is Nour, our 12 year old heroine, and Raiwiya, a similarly aged heroine of ancient Syrian tales her father told her before passing. The tales are journeys are interwoven, as each lives out the others story in ways, coming to similar experiences, thoughts, and conclusions. Each is the "daughter" of a mapmaker, on a journey to find themselves and find home.
Easily, 5 shining stars and 5 hearts for this beautifully written book, and easy in my top ten for the year!
Loved this book - I’m so glad you’re all sharing it :) The way the stories are woven together is fascinating and each is so interesting. I loved the historical background too - reading up on al Idrisi was great. I knew nothing about him before - remarkable man.
My husband was shaking his head in pity at me because I got excited about an item on the news last night about a reconstruction of al Idrisi’s silver map disc. They’ve just about finished it and are about to put it on display. Stunningly beautiful and so detailed. (Typically, the news angle was ‘it doesn’t have Australia or New Zealand on it - we sit in the bit of the world nobody knew anything about’. Well, duh 🙄).
I also started researching him as I am reading...God I love Google!His maps are so lovely
Starting this today. I’m so excited after reading your comments.
Mine is now showing as 'in transit' so I'm optimistic I might get it tomorrow. I just picked up my next London-tagged read and am amused to see that I hadn't noticed the link - it's The Ghost Map - I'm quite tickled by the idea of reading 2 map-themed books at the same time.
Kate - That is so interesting! So glad you are sharing this book with us.
KSZR is second to finish and review it. I’m excited to see how many of us participate.
ok-I thought I was going crazy. I love a good map, and I was trying to figure out why I was having such a hard time with this map...nothing made sense to me (view spoiler)Edit: In case your copy does not have it-the inside cover of mine has a map
Edit 2: I did some research and I am not going crazy
Loving this so far. The writing is so lyrical. Sometimes it’s like reading a painting, sometimes poetry, sometimes prose. Every character has their own unique narrative voice. Love the spinning game. Just finished chapter 2.
I finished the book a few days ago and really enjoyed it. The writing was great and so were the charaters. My only disappointment is that I came away without really knowing anything more about Syria than what I knew going in. When I chose it, I thought more of the story would actually take place inside Syria. Nevertheless, that doesn't take anything away from the wonderful story, especially the parts about Rawiya.
And Olivermagnus makes number 3. This book seems to be mostly a hit with everyone.
I have it! (Just as everyone else is finishing...)I've only read the first chapter but am loving it so far, it's so poetic (especially with so many synesthesia-influenced descriptions).
After reading Olivermagnus's comment above about wanting to know more about Syria, I'm glad that I'm reading this in parallel with the memoir The Home That Was Our Country, which is far less impressive as a piece of literature, but does do a great job of explaining the background and chronology step by step.
I’m just starting part 2 so I’m not that much further forwards. I think that there is a lot of Syrian culture inherent in the up to date story, the way the family relates to each other etc. Maybe less about the actual country. Sometimes it’s good to understand the people on the street before you try to get into the country, its history and current politics. I’m really loving the characters of Nour and her family.
Nikki wrote: "I have it! (Just as everyone else is finishing...)I've only read the first chapter but am loving it so far, it's so poetic (especially with so many synesthesia-influenced descriptions).
After re..."
I am only 3 chapters in Nikki
Plenty of folks haven’t even picked it up yet!
Amy wrote: "Plenty of folks haven’t even picked it up yet!"We are not all on vacation.....lol
Got further into the book today. I am really enjoying Nour's synesthesia-is that PC to say??? The descriptions though are so vivid. I absolutely loved how Clorax was described-it is so exact in my mind! We must have a conversation about this when everyone is done!
I’m 50% through now. Getting through some tough stuff st the moment. Im really enjoying how that the emotional experience of both main female characters are reflective of each other as are the places they visit.
Joanne wrote: "Got further into the book today. I am really enjoying Nour's synesthesia-is that PC to say??? The descriptions though are so vivid. I absolutely loved how Clorax was described-it is so exact in my ..."I agree! The Clorox description stood out as particularly vivid to me, too, as did her reaction to the word 'shrapnel'. I think her synesthesia adds to the sense of the writing being poetic - the multi-sensory descriptions remind me of how poems often use words in unexpected ways.
Just finished. I haven’t been able to put the book down all. Day. The kids are hungry, the house is a mess and I have to get clothes washed dried and packed before we go overseas on Sunday. Still it was worth finishing before my hubby got home and demanded my attention to other things outside of Nour’s world. I have no words right now that wouldn’t be massive spoilers. So many feels. A solid 5 stars.
Safe Travels Jemima! Hope you are off to somewhere fun. @Nikki-I am glad someone else feels this way, I really did feel Un-PC about it-and you are so right that it adds to the writing feeling poetic with the descriptions-Can't wait to discuss this aspect of the book further!
And Jemima makes Four! Jamina, no one knows crazy mother, as well as the parallel of being lost in a book, better than I do. This is indeed a book that stays with you, so you’ll get to your review when you do. In the meantime, I wanted to wish you a fantastic trip. Where are you headed overseas?
Hi Amy. We’re going to Vanuatu. We go a couple of times a year to work with the communities on different islands. Sometimes very remote. This time we will be on one of the main islands supporting the main Pastor who goes out and cares for the different groups throughout the year. His family and mine have grown up together over the years and they are like family. His wife Maila is like the sister I never had and I miss them terribly when I’m in AUS.
Jemima wrote: "Just finished. I haven’t been able to put the book down all. Day. The kids are hungry, the house is a mess and I have to get clothes washed dried and packed before we go overseas on Sunday. Still i..."I finished it too, by similar means (luckily mine have been proving the truth of the saying that if you let your children get bored they'll start being creative, and they were designing their own board games this morning!) It'll be a while before I get my thoughts in line to write a review, but I just wondered - am I alone in preferring the modern story (Nour's) to the older tale? I think I've read a couple of reviews saying the opposite, but I found the modern plot so nail-biting (and therefore captivating) and I found the contemporary characters much more realistic and relatable...
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
The Map of Salt and Stars (other topics)The Home That Was Our Country: A Memoir of Syria (other topics)
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic—and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World (other topics)
One Thousand and One Nights (other topics)
