Buddy Read Discussion-The Library at Mount Char

[Joanne]

Joanne and Johanne will be reading The Library at Mount Char in February-Join us if you can😁

[Johanne]

yeah thanks for setting this up! I'm a bit behind on the reading of my other book, but I'll check in once I get started.

[Cora]

I read this one a while ago. It is very unique. I am looking forward to seeing what you two think about it.

[Johanne]

Just read the first page. This story dives straight into it, I like that. Probably won't be reading a lot today, since it's almost bedtime in my time zone.

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "Just read the first page. This story dives straight into it, I like that. Probably won't be reading a lot today, since it's almost bedtime in my time zone."

Ok, now that I know you have started it, I will set it on the nightstand-

[Joanne]

Well, Johanne...do not think I will be reading this before I fall asleep again...LoL! This is going to be fun...

[Johanne]

Will this be a sleepreading experience? I finished the first chapter before my eyelids got too heavy.

[Joanne]

I am afraid David is going to give me nightmares!

[Johanne]

Yup!

[Joanne]

Ok Johanne-this is reminding me of Every Heart a Doorway series-have you read that?

[Johanne]

Oh I haven't read those, just read the blurb, they sound good! Some of it reminds me of the movie 'The Ninth Gate'. It's also a book but I haven't read that. And also a splash of cool heisty stuff there. Really enjoying it. Bit over 100 pages along, I haven't had much reading time this week. How far along are you?

[Joanne]

I am on page 70, so you are a bit ahead me. But like you I have not had my normal reading in the afternoon because LIFE demanded my attention~ go figure? Should catch up to you on the week-end.

I have only read the first two of Every Door-when you pick those up and finish we could do this again!

[Joanne]

Ok, I finished the Barbecue and the Bull and I had to stop, I just had to stop and try to analyze WTF is going on! Father has me in a quandary. Is he a god? Or some kind of cult leader? Did I miss something of an explanation as to why these kids follow him?

This is getting pretty wild for only being 85 or so pages in. So yes, you are probably still ahead of me, but I will be reading it everyday. LoL-I have actually pegged this as my afternoon tea-time read, which is suppose to be the time I try to relax my back and muscles.... not such a good choice, eh?

[Johanne]

It gets weirder still :) I think Father is an ancient powerful being. You get hints about him here and there. The kids are orphans and are taken in by Father to be taught, but he's not a good samaritan... The story unravels beautifully and things are gradually explained I think. I am about halfway. I've been reading at night, and this is not the sort of thing you should read before bedtime!

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "It gets weirder still :) I think Father is an ancient powerful being. You get hints about him here and there. The kids are orphans and are taken in by Father to be taught, but he's not a good samar..."

Ok-but didn't father actually kill the parents? no need to answer that is it is a spoiler

[Johanne]

about father (view spoiler)[ I also gathered that, but it's not eksplicit yet. That's what I meant by not being a good samaritan... (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Ok-book is next to my area where I take tea in the afternoon...You need to read this on your lunch hour instead of before bed! 😁

[Johanne]

It's set close to where you live?!? Watch out for weird stuff!

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "It's set close to where you live?!? Watch out for weird stuff!"

Shut up! I thought it was California! I am already reading another book The Wishsong of Shannara that has gnomes in it-and I have a crazy fear of them...something happened in my childhood I think-gnomes( garden ornaments or any other kind) really scare me-no kidding

[Johanne]

muahaha I have an ocean between the Library and me (though I don't think that's an issue for those beings)

Gnomes/ pixies have a scary place in nordic folklore, so I get that fright... We actually put out porridge for them for Christmas, an old tradition, because you didn't want them to turn against you...

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "muahaha I have an ocean between the Library and me (though I don't think that's an issue for those beings)

Gnomes/ pixies have a scary place in nordic folklore, so I get that fright... We actually..."

It does not seem to be an issue-one minute they were in Virginia (or I at least I thought they were) the next thing I knew they are in Chicago....I have just left the lion pit-where are you at so I know when I have caught up with you

[Johanne]

I just finished chapter 10 Asuras. I have to take a break with this (even though I don't want to). I just got the Danish translation of the prequel to the Slated trilogy by Teri Terry for review (my side job) and I feel I should at least skim the trilogy first...

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "I just finished chapter 10 Asuras. I have to take a break with this (even though I don't want to). I just got the Danish translation of the prequel to the Slated trilogy by Teri Terry for review (m..."

Looks interesting-I will be catching up while you work😁

[Joanne]

Have you had time to read any Johanna? I am starting chapter 11 today-and should read quite a bit more as I am feeling crappy and plan to just make a bit of tea and curl up in my favorite chair in a little while.


I just love Steve and Erwin...

Also want to tell you that I doubt there is anyone else who would have read this book with me and liked it too (Except Mark over in EpicF, he has read it and loved it too).So glad you came to PBT

[Johanne]

Yes I love Steve and Erwin too! Hilarious characterisations in it in general.
I haven't had a chance to read further, and tomorrow it's my youngest son's 11th birthday and saturday we're having guests, so not much reading time for me...
Come monday I have some days off and I'll pick it up again and probably read it rather quickly.

[Johanne]

And thanks I enjoy reading it with you too :)

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "Yes I love Steve and Erwin too! Hilarious characterisations in it in general.
I haven't had a chance to read further, and tomorrow it's my youngest son's 11th birthday and saturday we're having gu..."

Ok! I won't feel so bad then if I devout a little time to other's crowding my night stand.

[Johanne]

You do that! I'm mostly annoyed that I have to read other things for review first (I know, luxury problem. I'm even paid for those reviews plus it enhances my book knowledge I use in my regular job so I won't complain too loudly).

I'll let you know when I pick it back up :)

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "You do that! I'm mostly annoyed that I have to read other things for review first (I know, luxury problem. I'm even paid for those reviews plus it enhances my book knowledge I use in my regular job..."

Let me know how you like Starless Sea-Could have been y mood, but I just could not get into so returned it as a 10 other people were waiting on it

[Johanne]

I like it so far. I only listen on my commute (25 min each way) so it comes along slowly and I'm not far in it, like a 1/4. I think the audio format really works for this book.

[Johanne]

Finished my review book, and tomorrow I'll continue reading about Carolyn, Steve, Erwin and the rest of the crazy bunch.

[Joanne]

Johanne wrote: "Finished my review book, and tomorrow I'll continue reading about Carolyn, Steve, Erwin and the rest of the crazy bunch."

And crazy they are -I am picking up at Chapter 12 tomorrow, so we should be in sync this week

[Johanne]

I'm to chapter 13.
....holy macarony...

[Joanne]

got half through 13 last night-off to the doctor where I will have some time (frickin doctors!) to read while I wait, and wait and wait....

[Johanne]

Hope all goes well at the doctor.

[Johanne]

Finished! Ready to discuss all the crazy when you are :)

[Joanne]

I should be done tomorrow, I got a lot of reading done while waiting....and waiting-holy shit, this is so good and so weird at the same time-I have no idea how this going to end, but looking forward to finishing it! I see you are on Holiday! How nice-enjoy~

[Johanne]

Thanks :)

[Joanne]

What? There is no book # 2? I am crushed! I want more.....What a ride. At first I did not think I was going to be able to stay with it-that did not last too long. What a trove of characters, and the world building. Wow, this dude has an imagination. I was not happy to see poor Steve(view spoiler)[ have to become the sun (hide spoiler)]-and then I was afraid of what was going to (or had become of) Erwin. Well now that I know that turned out ok-I want a sequel~~I have no idea how to review this book without giving anything away. I have to get it up because it is counting towards Poll Tally Challenge-I will be back after you check in-Again, it was so great to have someone else reading this with me that can appreciate the intricacies it takes to write Fantasy. In fact, I would not even call this fantasy-more like Alternative Universe, eh?

[Johanne]

It's late here I've been off grid this evening.

Yes it's not fantasy in a normal sense. I don't know what I would call it, it's not really magical realism either.
But either way it really works!
I agree with your review that it's the characters and the world building that carries this story. I also think the pacing is brilliant - something to do with the mystery and heist qualities and how everything is revealed during the story with several surprises and yet it flows along nicely and you're never really confused (which could easily have happened with this type of story).

[Johanne]

 (view spoiler)[I was like what, no! at first regarding Steve and the sun, but then I sort of accepted that he would probably be okay with that (she should have asked, but that's not one of Carolyn's strong traits). I'm glad anout the ending with Erwin and Michael, especially because at one point it seemed veryyyy dark for Carolyn, so I'm glad she had someone else (also you know if she was left to her own misery who knows what the world would end up like?) (hide spoiler)]

Overall I really enjoyed this rollercoaster, but I also agree it's not for everyone. But for someone who ever enjoyed weird, alternate universes, old and magnificent powers, this book is for you.

[Joanne]

I changed my comment about Steve, above, to be a spoiler-should have thought that others may read this-duh! Anyway, now that I read your comments and thought about it overnight, I see your point. Steve would have been happy taking care of business.

I had noticed Cora's comment above, but wanted to wait to read her review until we were finished. I had no idea where she fell on this one-And was really happy to see that she loved it as much as we did. In her review she brings up the clothes David wore. Something I forgot to mention-her description is priceless. I chuckled every time his (view spoiler)[tutu (hide spoiler)] was mentioned. And Carolyn's (view spoiler)[ leggings and ugly Christmas sweater (hide spoiler)] well, that just brought back bad '80's memories for me.

[Johanne]

I loved the clothes details as well. :) I was a teenager in the late 80's so I have some trauma there...

[Johanne]

...and at the moment I read about Steve I was upset, but then I let it sink in.