October 2019 - Reporting

[Peggy]

Please read through the reporting thread carefully to ensure to report correctly to get your badge/s.

After you have read your chosen book(s) for this month's group theme read, please report in the thread below.

Please state what book you read (and link it), that you discussed it (and where), and briefly summarise what you thought of the book and/or link to your review if you have written one.

If you lead the discussion, please state this in your post.

Here is an example for how to report your read:

“I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and discussed it in the [Harry Potter/Buddy Read/Other books in theme] thread. I really enjoyed the book. I watched the film first so I already knew the story line but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book more as there was more detail involved. Plus I listened to the audio which was narrated by Stephen Fry who is a superb narrator. 4 stars.”

If you read more than one book which fits the theme, please report all your reads in the same post rather than in separate posts.

Please note, there are THREE different badges that can be obtained for group reads. Those reading and discussing one of the two chosen group reads will receive a colourful badge similar to those for previous group reads. Those reading and discussing any other book in the theme will receive a stamp. The discussion leader for the two chosen group reads will receive a badge stating they led the discussion. Maximum amount of badges you can receive for the group reads is TWO - one for the chosen group read/discussion leader and one for any other book in the theme.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. put your Wall of Fame Name at the beginning of your post as follows: WoF Name - Peggy
2. have read the book(s) before or during September 2019.
3. discussed it in the relevant thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in that thread.
4. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread below, along with a brief summary of what you thought.

[Lori]

Name Lori Glitzyrebel

I read A Gentleman in Moscow 11 months ago. It was one of those books in which the characters are endearing. The closer I got to the end, the slower I read because I didn't want it to end. It's also one of those books where the characters appear to live on beyond the last page. I especially enjoyed the way in which Sofia introduced the Count to a completely different perspective of the hotel. I have made a couple of comments in the appropriate thread and look forward to following the discussion and enjoying this book again through others experience. A great read!!!

[Janice, Moderator]

WoF - Janice

I read and discussed A Study in Charlotte in the thread provided. I am also the discussion leader.

I rather enjoyed this retelling of some of the original Sherlock Holmes stories. This Watson and Holmes team are direct descendants of the original. Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes meet at prep school and put their inherited talents to the test. I thought it was a fun adventure with lots of nods to the original stories. I enjoyed trying to sleuth along with them.

[Lucy]

WOF Name - Lucy (probably worth noting it's in the inactive section, I believe)

I listened to Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster and it was very good. My review can be found here and discussion can be found here.

I really enjoyed this one, it offered many different perspectives on the disaster, from the the everyday citizens that lived near by or helped clean up the plant, to the scientists and members of the military and government. I especially enjoyed the vivid pictures the descriptions planted in my head.

[Janice, Moderator]

Lucy wrote: "WOF Name - Lucy (probably worth noting it's in the inactive section, I believe)"

I returned it to the active wall of fame folder. Welcome back Lucy. :)

[Lucy]

Thanks Janice!

[Jenn]

WoF - Jenn
I read A Study in Charlotte, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and have been discussing in its thread. I loved all of the nods to the original pair, while dealing with the all new (and not so new) problems facing this new pair. The Holmes have an amazing knack for not just seeing, but playing, the long game. May even try to seek out the rest of the series.

[Canadian Dragon]

WoF Tasha (Canada)

I read Five Days in Paris, I discussed this book in Books with Cities in the Title. I didn't enjoy this one very much. It was about love at first site and how Paris can change their life. I liked that it was wrote in a male's point of view for the most of it, but I guessed the books ending early, and was bored by the middle.
I wouldn't recommend this book, I think there are better out there.

[Renee]

WOF Renee

I read and discussed a Gentleman in Moscow. It was a beautiful story. It was the story about a mans character. The count was placed under house arrest. The book showed how he was able to find happiness and family in just one building.

[Jayme, Moderator]

WoF Jayme

I read A Gentleman in Moscow in Oct 2016 (just checked my shelf) and am currently discussing it in the thread. It is a favorite of mine due to its readability and the character development of the count. I also liked the detail of the hotel and spent sometime on google researching the history of the hotel (It is now on my bucket list of hotels). Highly Recommend.

[Cherie]

WoF Cherie

I read A Study in Charlotte and participated in the discussion thread. I had looked forward to reading the story for a long time. Although I was disappointed at first for the YA feel to the new Holmes and Watson saga (the emotions), I ended up thoroughly enjoying the story and I have added the series to my series list. It was a great twist on the Doyle cannon, and I am always looking to see how new authors treat the great names and characters. Not only were they teenagers at a prep school, but boy and girl. Woot!

10/30. I am still reading and discussing A Gentleman in Moscow in the book thread.

[Peggy]

WoF Peggy

I read The Cellist of Sarajevo and was very impressed by it. I gave it 5 stars.

I'll just copy my review:
A small book in size, but definitely not in impact. The book follows 3 people during a few weeks in the Bosnian civil war in the 90s, when a cellist played outside his building in remembrance of 22 people who got killed in an attack while waiting in line for bread.

The first thing that struck me about this book was that although I obviously know about that war, I never really knew about that war. I knew it happened and when and of course because it's war you know it must have been awful, but at that time I was 8-10 years old so still to young to watch the news and understand what it all really means. (view spoiler)[ But this book really gives an insight in the life of the innocent citizens of Sarajevo, and the dangers they were in simply to get water or crossing a street. I can't imagine what it must be like to wonder if a sniper has you in their vision and knowing that basically with every step you take, there's a chance you'll get killed. Shot by a sniper from the hills, who used to be your fellow-citizen. (hide spoiler)]

Second, there's beauty in this book. (view spoiler)[ All characters stand up for what they believe, and they refuse to live in a Sarajevo that is not the Sarajevo they remember, and is not a Sarajevo worth fighting for. Even if doing what's right, doing what you believe in, doing what makes the city a better place despite the war, means getting yourself killed. (hide spoiler)]

Highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Steven Galloway's books.

[Fiona]

WoF Fiona

I have read A Gentleman in Moscow and I really liked it. I gave it 4 stars.

I liked the characters very much, especially the count, and I loved the story. It was beautiful, well written and funny, even though I do think the story couldn't have happened in real life. I would like to re-read it when I find a physical copy, as I listened to it and sometimes was a little distracted.

[Kristie, Moderator]

WoF Kristie

I read and discussed A Gentleman in Moscow in the group read thread. I am the discussion leader.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a slow, meandering story with great descriptions and character development. I found the Count to be ab interesting fellow and enjoyed reading about his live within the confines of the hotel.

[Tricia]

WoF Tricia

I read A Study in Charlotte and discussed it in its designated thread. I have yet to find a spin-off of the original Holmes stories that I don't like, and this one was no exception. The beginning was a little tough to get into, but I really liked the Holmes and Watson characters being brought up to modern times in a clever way. I still maintain that the YA genre is not a great fit for this one though. Some of the themes are not what I would consider YA appropriate, but that's probably just me being picky. Overall, it was a fun read, and I will probably continue with the series at some point.

[Cherie]

Tricia wrote: "WoF Tricia

I read A Study in Charlotte and discussed it in its designated thread. Overall, it was a fun read, and I will probably continue with the series at some point..."

That is my plan too, Tricia. Maybe we can plan to read them together. We can complain to each other, at least. :o)

[Clive]

WoF - Clive

I read A Gentleman in Moscow and discussed the book in the relevant thread.

Overall I enjoyed the book in particular I thought the writing was incredible with some absolutely gorgeous phrases and sentences. The story itself I did struggle with slightly more because I found it difficult to suspend my thoughts on the likelihood / reality of the premise and some of the situations that the Count found himself in or remembered and was retelling. The fact that there were so many of these also felt a bit forced. This feeling was probably more about my expectations of the book rather than any real flaws in the book itself so I did still rate it 4 stars.

[Ayacchi]

WoF - Aya

I read A Gentleman in Moscow during October this year and discussed it in the relevant thread.

To be put in a house arrest could be boring in a long run, but we are talking about Rostov so I guess he was doing fine, and turned out to be so lucky. It was kinda difficult to read since I had no idea about Russian's history, but it was enjoyable at the end. It reminds me of Anna Karenina, despite of the main character's life, it also talked about the others, and most importantly, it talked about revolution and what happened in Russia most of the time. Just like how in book 1 of Anna Karenina the author focussed on Levin and the agricultural development and such rather than talking about Anna, as her name was in the title.

I haven't rate the book yet, still wavering between 3 or 4 stars because the first half and the second had a quite different impression. But overall, it was a good reading and I'm glad I could join the discussion because everyone were so eager and helpful!

[Laura (Lclwags)]

I read A Gentleman in Moscow and discussed it in the thread. I really enjoyed the book and gave it 5 stars. There are so many characters and scenes to discuss! The details made it feel like I was there in Moscow, eating in the Boyarsky and meeting these new friends right along with the count. I'm not sure a novel has ever made me hungry before, but this one did with it's descriptions of the wonder meals Chef Emile prepared!

[Almeta]

WoF Almeta

I read A Study in Charlotte and discussed it in the designated thread.

Author Brittany Cavallaro's juxtaposition of the original Holmes and Watson with the modern pair was interesting to read. I thought that their personalities were basically the same, but their motives were different. Difficult to live up to the family legacy and still discover your own place.

References throughout the book reflected bits and pieces of the "Case files of Sherlock Holmes, written by John Watson. It was fun to recognize them and I'm sure I missed plenty of them completely.

[Sandra, Moderator]

WoF: Sandra from PA

I read A Gentleman in Moscow and discussed it in its thread.

I rated this book 4 stars. I found, first of all, that the writing was beautiful. Wonderful descriptions, but not dense. I also liked the characters in general, and specially Count Rostov. I liked the way he faced a life situation he wasn't able to change. He was a smart person, and also funny in his own way. I also enjoyed learning more about one of the consequences of the revolution in Russia. Inadvertently you read about the culture of the moment, the food, the clothes, the customs.

[Peggy]

Badges have been posted. Let me know if I missed you.