June 2021 - 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), how it fits the theme, 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 June 2021.
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

[Katrisa]

WoF Katrisa
I read Frenchman's Creek and am currently leading the discussion.
This book was quite different than I expected as I was thinking it would be more along the lines of Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel or Jamaica Inn. This was less gothic and more romantic, but just as well written. In my discussion post after I finished the book I summed it up as delightful.

[Sharon]

WoF SharonBiskit
I read The House in the Cerulean Sea.I discussed it in the thread throughout the book. I loved it so much that I am buying a hard copy which is rare as I only keep hard copies of books I want to read again and again. From time to time, we all need a lesson on how to be better human beings. I can’t imagine anyone reading this book and not benefitting from the beautiful examples inside.

[Janice, Moderator]

WoF Janice

I also read and discussed The House in the Cerulean Sea and loved it as well. It was a delightful tale full of remarkable children that show you that differences can be overcome. My favourite quote is "There is magic in the ordinary." I'm so glad this themed read presented a 5 star read. Had it not been chosen, I likely would have missed this gem.

[Marnie]

WoF Marnie

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea and have discussed it in the group read thread. I was smiling the entire time I was reading this book. It had equal parts charm and message and I will definitely recommend this book. The author had a great writing style- he showed us through his words and imagery instead of telling us about the magic.

[Amanda (Mandy)]

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea. I really loved this book. It was not what I expected and was very happy with the outcome. I love the portrayal of these remarkable children and how the author gave them such wonderful and unique personalities. I highly recommend this book.

[Ayacchi]

I read Our Castle by the Sea and discussed it. I learned some historical events from the story and the author's note (yes, I read it!) which is easier to understand than reading a textbook. It's not the kind ending I wish for but I'm satisfied with the outcome. 4 stars for me.

[Lilisa]

WoF - Lilisa

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea and discussed it in the group read thread. Overall it was a pleasant listen - I enjoyed the theme and the kids with their pure honesty and individual personalities - it was uplifting.

[Esther]

WOF: Esther

I read An Ocean of Minutes. I love the concept. Time travel to try resolving a pandemic. I like her idea of what it did to the future. But IMO it fell short. It lacked the worked building and the character building that would have made it a 5* for me.

[Ricardo]

I read Frenchman's Creek and discussed it in the group read thread.
Great book, looking forward to read the next one from the author, Rebecca most likely.

[Peggy]

WoF Peggy

I read and discussed A Long Petal of the Sea

2.5 stars

I really liked Victor and Roser and their story, and Isabel Allende can definitely write beautiful sentences. But, unfortunately, a lot of this book was very descriptive and felt like a dry history and politics lesson to me. I think it didn't help that over 60 years of recent Chilean history was crammed into 300 pages. All this made it feel like a 600 page book that took forever to finish. A shame, I really would have liked to like it more.

[Shirley]

WoF Shirley
I listened to The Lady in the Lake and discussed it in the thread.
4 stars

My review

[Kay]

WoF: Kay

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea and commented in the discussion thread. I was apprehensive about this book at first mainly because I was worried it would be some cheesy version of a Harry Potter type book. I am so happy to be very, very wrong. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is quirky, charming and full of good intent.

[Kristie, Moderator]

WoF: Kristie

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea and was the discussion leader in the group read thread. I really enjoyed this book. I agree with the others that it was charming and quirky with wonderful messages of acceptance.

[[deleted user]]

WoF: Lori W

I read Frenchman's Creek and discussed it in the thread. I really enjoyed the book. The descriptions of the Cornish countryside were sublime. I’m not a fan of romances but although the book was more romantic than the other du Maurier novels I’ve read it felt pretty realistic than many romance stories.

[Silver]

WoF: Silver

I read Frenchman's Creek and discussed it in the thread created for it.

I found it highly enjoyable. It was a great fun adventure story with a lot of witty dialogue. The prose was also beautiful with a lyrical quality that really brought the setting to life and created some wonderful sensory moments.

[Sheridan]

I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea. Not a book I would have selected for myself but was a very enjoyable read. I struggled to find a specific time to read each day, and ended up reading for a couple hours on random days because I couldn't put it down! I can say, I am a fan of supernatural type things, and this book did not disappoint. It felt so real.

[Ellie-May]

WoF: Ellie-May

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea and discussed it in the thread. It was a lovely, wholesome read which explored important themes such as discrimination and acceptance. The children in the book are delightful, they are quirky, resilient and witty - they were an absolute pleasure to read about! I would definitely recommend this book.

[Margo]

WoF margo

I read both group book in June and particitated in both discussions.

Frenchman's Creek was a beautifully written novel set in Cornwall. It had such a timeless sense of place with its nature writing which centered on wildlife, cliffs, the sea etc.

The story was an adventure romance which normally isn't my cup of tea at all but I get really swept up in it. It was close to being a 5 star read just missed out as I found the final action scenes rather clunky.

The House in the Cerulean Sea got 3 stars from me. I loved so much about it; its quirkiness, amazing characters and its message should have made it a 5 star read for me but I thought it lacked sublety and underestimated the intellience of its target audience which I would imagine was middle grade. But I'm willing to admit that I'm old and jaded so I could be wrong ;-)

[Peggy]

Badges have been posted!