Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune --Restarting February 17th 2022

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy with TJ Klune's signature "quirk and charm" (PW) about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo's help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune's signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

I am really enjoying this so far, more thoughts to come

[Dannii]

I'm hoping to start this one tomorrow. My kindle died and I was out all day so was unable to start it before now. Glad to hear you're loving it so far :)

[Dannii]

Just starting :)

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[Wallace proved himself an unsensetive, mean, and shallow man which meant the reader cared little for him when he died a page later.

This is very much giving me 'It's a Wonderful Life' vibes. That's one of my favourite films but I'm not sure I like reading about it quite as much.

The book is interesting so far but I'm not sure it's really my style of book yet. I'm not appreciating the humorous tone of it so much. (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

Dannii wrote: ""

(view spoiler)[I was getting A Christmas carol vibes from the book.

I love Hugo's grandad Nelson and he has to be my favorite character. (hide spoiler)]

I am about to start chapter 16 and (view spoiler)[I am loving the growth of Wallace. I still have a lot of questions about the manger and why they are scared of him. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Hugo might just be an actual angel! He is just too kind and pure! The Manager is an intimidating character and we haven't even glimpsed him yet.

It was sweet to witness Wallace and Mei grow closer after she revealed more of her past. I'm loving seeing Hugo and Wallace grow closer more though.

This quote really stuck out to me:

“We live and we breathe. We die, and we still feel like breathing. It’s not always the big deaths either. There are little deaths, because that’s what grief is. I died a little death, and the Manager showed me a way to cross beyond it. He didn’t try and take it from me because he knew it was mine and mine alone. Whatever else he is, whether or not I agree with some of the choices he makes, I remember that. You think I’m a prisoner here. That I’m trapped, that you’re trapped. And in a way, maybe we are. But I can’t quite call it a prison when there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) wrote: "Dannii wrote: ""

I was getting A Christmas carol vibes from the book.

I love Hugo's grandad Nelson and he has to be my favorite character.

I am about to start chapter 16 and [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes, I totally agree with the Christmas Carol comparison. It seems obvious that this is going to go in the direction of altering Wallace's character but I'm enjoying the journey to get there. Pure, wholesome vibes! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Ugh, Desdemona was pretty vile. They scared her out of the teashop but scenes like this one, were humour is more present, don't really appeal to me. There's something quite playful about them and I prefer the more wholesome scenes, present elsewhere.

I'm eager to learn what is in Wallace's file.

Alan's arrival was pretty traumatic, especially after it was revealed that he was murdered. He also confronted Wallace with a mirror for his own actions and reactions.

We finally met the manager and he gave Wallace seven more days before he had to enter through the door and move on. (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I loved this book and I gave it 5 stars. It made me cry like a little baby but I needed a good cry. The losing of Apollo again made me cry even more because I just lost one of my dogs on Sunday. It made me feel like he wasn't really gone and I needed that. I think this is a good book for people who are dealing with death of a loved one. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Another favourite quote:

"Grief, Wallace knew, had the power to consume, to eat away until there was nothing left but hollowed-out bones. Oh, the shape of the person remained as it was, even if the cheeks turned sallow, and dark circles formed under the eyes. Hollowed out and left raw, they were still recognizably human. It came in stages, some smaller than others, but undeniable."

I thought an interesting conversation was started about the stages of grief, following this and as we witnessed Wallace attempt to fight against or come to terms with his predicament.

All they did for Nancy was very sweet and helped her to heal from the death of her daughter, even if it meant revealing a little of Hugo's abilities asides from running a tea shop.

I'm glad there was some sort of reconciliation and apology granted to Naomi, through Hugo, too.

Damn, and Cameron's story followed. Three scenes that really got me in my feels, right after each other!

I was already feeling too much but absolutely lost it when Apollo went through the door with Nelson. Dogs in books always get me and this one was already dead!!

I might not have had the fondest thoughts towards this book at the start but it really won me over by the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

We finished at almost the same time! (view spoiler)[I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how painful that scene must have been to read. It made me sob too. I really thought this was going to be a two or three star read for me, from the first quarter, but I ended up loving it! (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

Dannii wrote: " ."

(view spoiler)[ Desdemona was the worst and how the scared her was the best. That part has one of the best lines that made me laugh loud almost waking up my dog.

the planchette moved again "Sorry," Thin Man read as he wrote down the new message. "Stupid autocorrect. I meant liver."

I loved how Wallace was growing to care for everyone and I truly hate the manger. (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

Dannii wrote: "Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

We finished at almost the same time! [spoilers removed]"

I think I needed this book to help me grieve

[Dannii]

Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

We finished at almost the same time! [spoilers removed]"

I think I needed this book to help me grieve"

It came to you exactly when you needed it <3

[Maddie]

Thanks! I really hope I love this book!

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting November 23rd 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

Super excited for this :D I might also jump in on the Cerulean Sea one as well

[Andrea]

A bit behind, should start this over the weekend 😊

[Maddie]

Nice! I'll be a few days behind you haha

[Andrea]

Chapter 4
Enjoying the humour so far.
(view spoiler)[Charon Crossing actually sounds wonderful! Makes me want to visit a cosy tea shop now (alive, though!).
Lol, Nelson, that was mean! But Wallace had it coming... (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Oh nice! Yeah I've got a lot of books I need to finish up first

[Andrea]

@Maddie - No rush 😊

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[OMG, I laughed so much! 😂 The autocorrect part was hysterical! I am a bit surprised that I found it so funny, actually. It's very cartoonish humour, but I guess I was in the right mood for it.

I am not wow-ed overall, but I'm enjoying it. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[Okay, I get that this whole story is a sort of metaphor, but the literal part should still make sense, and right now I'm not sure I get it.

What's the purpose of Charon's Crossing? Wouldn't it be easier to come to terms with death in an environment that's not the world of the living?

I don't dislike the book, but I'm not sure the whole concept works for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

It's annoying because I want to get this before my anticipation dies but I'm not sure!

[Maddie]

Haha funny that I'm reading it now! ADORING IT!

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting January 11th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

Thanks!

[Maddie]

P6/373 (view spoiler)[Wow he's harsh! It's true she's annoying but wow. I like him haha no bs kinda guy (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P13/373 (view spoiler)[Thank gosh this is what he's seeing because he is an ass! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P43/373 (view spoiler)[Cerulean Sea mention! Apparently there's other easter eggs in here too but I haven't read any of his other books (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P50/373 (view spoiler)[DAMN I LOVE THIS OLD GUY HE'S HILARIOUS (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P122 (view spoiler)[Nelson is still bringing this comedy (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P182 (view spoiler)[Lea! I love learning the back stories to these characters, my heart breaks for Nancy :( (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P231 (view spoiler)[That huuug <3 SO CUTE (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P233 (view spoiler)[YES YOU SHOW ALAN NELSON! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

p236 (view spoiler)[I need them together, I'm so glad he heard! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

P277 (view spoiler)[Well that was an intense chapter! Knew that was the Manager, wonder how it's going to play out! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[OKAY THAT GOT ME I CRIED. I was waiting for something like that to happen, but it hit me at an unexpected time until I couldn't see the words on the page. I'm told there are even worse bits to come, but my God. This is something. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Finished! I'm so glad I adored this one as much as I did. I was worried it was too intimidating, but I got so sucked in. Definitely one I'll re-read many times!

[Brigia]

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Date changed. Restarting February 17th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Brigia]

I finished this in one sitting and didn't have any time to comment in between :-) I loved it and would love to discuss it, if you're still reading it.