Mott, Jason ; The Wonder of All Things ; Informal Buddy Read ; Start Date 4 Feb 2015

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

What is a Buddy Read?

This is an "Informal Buddy Read"
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.

Book synopsis
From critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Jason Mott comes a spellbinding tale of love, sacrifice and the power of miracles.

On an ordinary day, at an air show like that in any small town across the country, a plane crashes into a crowd of spectators, killing and injuring dozens. But when the dust clears, a thirteen-year-old girl named Ava is found huddled beneath a pocket of rubble with her best friend, Wash. He is injured and bleeding, and when Ava places her hands over him, his wounds miraculously disappear. Ava has a unique gift: she can heal others of their physical ailments. Until the air show tragedy, her gift was a secret. But now the whole world knows, and suddenly Ava is thrust into the spotlight. People from all over the globe begin flocking to her small town, looking for healing and eager to glimpse the wonder of a miracle. But Ava's unusual ability comes at a great cost, her own health, and as she grows weaker with each healing, Ava begins searching for an escape. Wash agrees to help Ava, but little does she know he has his own secret he's been harboring, and soon Ava finds herself having to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to save the one she loves most.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

reserved

[Kristie]

I'm excited for this one. The premise sounds unique and interesting. I wish I had her power! However, I can see why you'd definitely have to keep it a secret, especially since it costs her her own health.

[Kristie]

Anyone still planning to read this one? I am, but I think I'm going to start on the 7th instead of the 4th, so I can use it for a read-a-thon. Does that work for anyone else?

[Laura]

I still want to read this. I thought I would have my library copy by now! I 'll check back here soon!

[Kristie]

Ok, Laura! Hope you get it soon! :)

[Laura]

Kristie wrote: "Ok, Laura! Hope you get it soon! :)"

me too! Inter- library loans are awesome but not convenient when you are doing scheduled buddy reads. ( I'm still waiting for Unwind!!)

[Kristie]

I started and I'm at 13% (view spoiler)[ I can't imagine being in Ava's situation. It must be so scary to have all those people around you and they all want something from you. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Kristie I was hoping my book would be in today but it isn't in. Hopefully Thursday!

[Kristie]

Ok, Laura! Just jump in when you get it. I'm hoping to finish Saturday for a read-a-thon I'm participating in, but I have a couple others going too, so we'll see. Either way, I'll still be here to discuss with you. :)

[Laura]

:)

[Snowtulip]

My hold just came in from the library, so I'm starting tonight!

[Kristie]

Excellent, Snowtulip! So glad you are joining. :)

[Snowtulip]

Kristie wrote: "I started and I'm at 13% [spoilers removed]"

I agree (view spoiler)[I'm also surprised hoe insensitive most people are being, especially the retired sheriff. Makes me kind of sad. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Yes, Snowtulip! (view spoiler)[ I was really upset with that retired sheriff. How selfish. I kept thinking, didn't Macon lose his wife too? Plus, his daughter is just getting out of the hospital. That was awful. It made me think that they can't trust anyone. (hide spoiler)]

24% (view spoiler)[ I was so mad that Wash's dad came back in the middle of all this. Then, he didn't even know how to talk to his kid or how to listen. Trying to give him advice and asking if he's a virgin after not seeing him for 6 years?? Another selfish person. Geez...

I kept thinking that Wash and Ava had quite a bit in common, both losing their mothers and watching their fathers mourn. Fortunately, Ava's father handled it better than Wash's did. (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Kristie wrote: "Yes, Snowtulip! [spoilers removed]



I know (view spoiler)[Wash's dad was unbelievable!

I didn't get to read during lunch today, so hoping to continue tonight :) (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

I haven't had a chance to get far on this one either. Between work and a longer commute (thanks to the snow mountains and some slick roads) I can only read it right before bed. I'm looking forward to a little book time tonight!

[Kristie]

39% (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure if that priest is going to be a good thing or not.... (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Kristie wrote: "39% [spoilers removed]"I'm thinking not.

[Snowtulip]

43% (view spoiler)[I feel so bad for Ava, everyone wants something from her, even Carmen (although it's sad that she's lost a baby before). And now to find out Wash has cancer!! (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

67% (view spoiler)[this book is making me sad. I can't believe Macon let himself be bullied into that congregation and won't open his eyes to what's happening with Eva. It breaks my heart to see Wash hurt by his dad again (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Snowtulip wrote: "43% [spoilers removed]"

48% I know! (view spoiler)[ I was so sad to see that he had cancer. I certainly hope they don't ask or allow Ava to try to help him! Clearly it takes a lot of her. Now with the blindness...even though it was temporary, it was still scary. I was mad that his grandmother wasn't doing something about the cancer right away. I get that she wants him to have a little more time with his childhood, but your risking his life! If the option is grow up to soon or not grow up at all, the choice should be pretty clear no matter what you want. (hide spoiler)]

I haven't made it to 67% yet. I was too tired last night to keep reading! I'll read more tonight though. Can't wait to read the spoiler.

[Snowtulip]

Kristie wrote: "Snowtulip wrote: "43% [spoilers removed]"

48% I know! [spoilers removed]

I haven't made it to 67% yet. I was too tired last night to keep reading! I'll read more tonight though. Can't wait to rea..."

I know!!(view spoiler)[Wash's grandmas decision completely baffled me! (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Finished (view spoiler)[I absolutely loved Wash in this story! However, this was to disjointed for me. There were unresolved stories, emotions, relationships...I guess I needed more out of this story. In the end, I just feel bad for how everyone, including family didn't really pay attention to what was happening to Eva (except Wash) (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

I can't quite read your spoilers yet, only made it to 60% tonight, but (view spoiler)[ I'm disgusted with Ava's dad. Her stepmom was telling him to just say no and he couldn't do it. He is so wishy-washy. I feel like a sheriff wouldn't be that much of a pushover. It really bothers me that the characters in this book don't seem to be able to make decisions on their children's behalf. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Planning to finish today or tomorrow. More likely tomorrow.

Laura - Were you able to get a copy of the book? There was someone else in the buddy request thread that said they wanted to join, but couldn't start until now too.

[Kristie]

71% and could finally read your spoiler! lol (view spoiler)[ I was so disappointed in Wash's dad, but that's probably more realistic that he would hurt him again.

I'm still disappointed in Macon. That man was in his daughter's bedroom! He has gone after her twice. Granted he doesn't want to hurt her, but he doesn't seem to know better.

I am concerned about the priest and the congregation. Macon seems to be such a pushover around them. I'm afraid that he's going to let something bad happen to Ava. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

Snowtulip wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I finished too and I agree. I thought it was a good story, but it there was potential for it to be better, I think.

[Snowtulip]

(view spoiler)[I think Macon really broke the story for me, I just couldn't comprehend. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie]

(view spoiler)[ Macon being unable to do anything for his daughter was awful. Plus, I don't understand how money came into play? He was poor, so he thought he'd get something out of it, but he never actually tried to get something out of it?

Also, not doing anything about Wash's cancer? That didn't make sense either. The kids seemed to be the smartest of the bunch.

I also felt like you saw it coming. You knew she was going to help the baby and Wash. You even knew, pretty much, that she would die. I didn't find it surprising at all.

And I agree that the story was a bit disjointed at times. Oh, and why is it that she slipped into a coma immediately after each healing except for the end? She healed Wash, then continued to walk to the house? That made no sense.

Still enjoyed the story enough overall though. 3*
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Kristie wrote: "Planning to finish today or tomorrow. More likely tomorrow.

Laura - Were you able to get a copy of the book? There was someone else in the buddy request thread that said they wanted to join, but ..."

Not yet and my library was closed because of the holiday yesterday so hopefully Thursday!

[Snowtulip]

(view spoiler)[I hadn't even connected her walking home after Wash (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

still waiting for my inter library loan to come in

[Kristie]

Wow, Laura! That's taking quite a while. I'll check in to chat when you're ready though.