All the Light We Cannot See

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

Pages: 531 pages

Length: 1 Month (April)

Participants: Ruthie, Shareen, Sara, Joan, Isabelle, Yana, Nori

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

[Ruthie]

Hey Shareen! My library hold for this should come available sometime after April 7th.

[Sara]

I would like to join for this if that's okay. I've tried reading this book a few times and I want to love it so bad but for some reason, I have yet to get into it. I've heard it's absolutely amazing though. Maybe with the lovely company, I can fall in love with it like I totally should and know I will!

[Joan]

I would like to join for this one as well. I have it and have been meaning to read it for awhile

[Ruthie]

Welcome! Glad to have y’all here!

[Sara]

I will likely be joining later on in the month as I'm having trouble finding my copy and the library ebook is checked out. However, as soon as I've got it I shall join you all on here!

[L Y N N]

This is one of my absolute favorite of all time reads. Anxious to see what you-all think! :)

[izzy]

hi! can i still join?

[Yana]

I would like to join as well

[L Y N N]

I first read this book twice in 2017! One of my absolute all-time favorite reads! I plan to lurk a bit to see what you-all think of it.

[Nóri]

I read this about halfway through when it was a group read last year, and would still like to finish it, so I'm in :)

[Jill | BookitBean]

This book has been in my TBR for a long time. May I join in?

[Ruthie]

Yes please! Anyone is welcome.

[Shareen]

YAY!

[Lysandra]

Hi friends! I'd like to join. I realize I'm a bit late but better late than never!

[Shareen]

I am barely started, welcome!

[Ruthie]

No worries Lysandra! I haven't even started this book yet.

[Lysandra]

Hey fellow readers :)! I'm here to share my thoughts on the first 100 pages.

First of all, I typically don't read historical fiction, like, ever. The authors writing style is up my alley. I really enjoy the short chapters. (At page 107 is where Part 3 begins which is where I'm currently at!). The short chapters makes this hefty novel feel shorter and definitely keeps my attention span. Doer does an excellent job at descriptions, especially when it comes to Marie-Laure who is (view spoiler)[ blind. Being blind adds a unique layer to the narrative and I can imagine that it must have been a bit of a challenge for Doer to write her side of the story without vision. I admire him for this. (hide spoiler)]

So far I am enjoying this book a lot. I feel hooked to our main characters, Werner and Marie-Laure. Both of them are interesting characters and I look forward to where the end up at the end of the novel. Werner makes me want to shut off my bedroom lights, and lay on my bed and listen to the radio, which I just might try out. I really enjoy the radioman's pieces each night, it is thought provoking. I even tabbed it with a sticky note.

I am almost envious of Marie-Laure and her fathers relationship. It is wholesome and simple. I am curious to know what happens to her father, if anything.

For my last thought, I found it quite interesting to read about 'Hitlers Youth' and saying 'heir hitler' as a way of greeting. We all studied WWII in high school, but for me, it brings a stronger understanding or desire to learn (?I dont know if this is right phase I'm looking for) more about Hitlers Germany. These smalls things add more layers to the narrative. To sum up what I am trying to explain is that it is much more insightful to read about these interesting facts about WWII in a fiction novel than in a textbook, it makes it more real to me.

I believe I am done reading for the night as I have assignments to do. My next thoughts will be tomorrow night and I will mark the pages I am discussing at the start of every new comment. :)

I'd love to hear anyones else's thoughts!

[Shareen]

I like this description, I felt the same way about the short chapters when originally starting it.

[Skumaskot]

Hi! I would really like to join as well, I'd start reading it today or tomorrow...would that be ok? I realize I'm a bit late...

[Shareen]

I still am where I left off months ago (towards the beginning). Welcome!

[Skumaskot]

:D Good to know (for me, I mean!)
Thank you for having me!

[Ruthie]

No worries, anyone can join at any time as long as it is this month! Haven't started this one yet-sorry!

[Shareen]

Fatima, you can join on a book that someone suggests, or propose one yourself, and someone could then end up joining you (a Buddy).

[Harjas]

Hey guys,
I am a little late to the party, but can I join? This book has been in my TBR list for a long time.

[Lysandra]

Everyone is welcome to join! Does not matter if you join late :)

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I read this book a couple years ago and loved it! I envy you all for getting to enjoy it for the first time. The prose is just so beautiful.

If you like to read with music as an accompaniment, I would suggest Debussy's Clare de Lune, which I believe plays a small part in the book.

Have fun and enjoy!

[Shareen]

LOVE Debussy, doing that when I get back to it!

[Lysandra]

I’m on page 349... I’m gonna finish this book tonight/tomorrow morning !

[Skumaskot]

I don't know if I'll actually be able to read this...I ordered it but due to the global emergency delivery is delayed :( I thought I was going to get it days ago!
For some reason I really don't feel like reading this as an ebook or an audiobook, so I'll just wait for the physical copy, but I might not get it in time.

[Ruthie]

Just started today! Like the writing style and short chapters.

[Lysandra]

Just finished this book and I've hugged it tight to my chest for a solid 10 minutes.

[Ruthie]

Almost done! Man this is good! I want to read 20,000 leagues under the sea now!

[Shareen]

I really like it, too, it feels like such a refreshing break from what I have been reading (which I also super enjoy).

[Shareen]

I thought that about 20,000 Leagues as well. Looking it up, and I took the advice of a reader on here, and have been playing Clare de Lune!

[Ruthie]

I finished it and wow! This is a great book!

[Shareen]

I am really enjoying it, so happy to see this, Ruthie!

[Shareen]

I am going to once again attempt to post by trying the Spoiler protocol. I just cannot get it right!

(view spoiler)[ I am on page 191. 1. Did Great Uncle Etienne not know that they were removing all of his radios, or are we never sure? 2. Why could they not just remove the guy who camped up in the Assistant Director's office (museum)? Have him ejected during their silent standoff? I was cringing! Thanks! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

I totally know what you mean Shareen! Sometimes the spoiler thing works and other times it doesn't lol.


(view spoiler)[ <1. He must not have known, I'm not sure. 2. Yes that part was so cringy. I think they were afraid to show him out because he was a german army officer right?? >

> (hide spoiler)]

[Shareen]

Ruthie wrote: "I totally know what you mean Shareen! Sometimes the spoiler thing works and other times it doesn't lol.
Thanks for this! Yeah, must be on item 1, love him, and YES on item 2, heavens, I had not thought of that, no fair! Great word, cringey.



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