You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Group Themed Reads: Discussions
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January 2022 - Reporting
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I read Such a Fun Age and have added a few thoughts to the theme thread. This was quite a debut book, what an entrance. It was an interesting look at many levels of discrimination, and bias, and also the help and/or hinderence that social media is taking in these issues.
Excellent read, and a great start to the year.
I also read Piranesi, and have added posts to it's thread as well.
I loved the writing, and the use of a journal as the transportation through this story. What an amazing story about the survival instincts, and how far a person can go to protect themselves from, well, anything. Will definitely need to do a reread at some point.
WoF MarnieI read Piranesi and have discussed it in the group thread. This was a four star read for me. The writing was wonderful. In the beginning of the book I had no idea what was going on but I was drawn in anyways. It was one of those books where you just hang on and trust that the author won’t leave you hanging. Think this book might be even better on rereading.
WoF: KristieI read Malibu Rising and discussed in the assigned group thread. I thought it was a really good story. Taylor Jenkins Reid did an excellent job building up the characters and the relationships. I really enjoy her writing.
WoF: Sandra from PAI read and discussed Malibu Rising. I really enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars. I like this author's writing, so fluid, effortless. It makes her books page turners, even there is not suspense in them. It is easy to get engage in her stories. This book was full of characters you are willing to spend time with.
I also plan to read Piranesi. Starting it today.
WoF PeggyI read and discussed Malibu Rising and am also discussion leader.
I loved it and rated it 5 stars. Taylor Jenkins Reid has a way to make you feel like you're reading a true story, or perhaps even actually being there to witness it. This book transported me to another world and I completely forgot about the real one, and that hasn't happened to me often lately. I found it very hard to put down and cared a lot for all the characters.
WoF SharonBiskitI read The Last Thing He Told Me which is the Goodreads Choice 2021 Winner for Mystery and Thrill Award. I gave the book 3.5 stars. It came together in the end, but it seemed to take awhile to get there. I did enjoy the ending which did not take the easy way out. There were certainly some choices that Hannah made that were difficult and had me considering how I would react in that situation. Some of the decisions were heartbreaking: loss, sacrifice, fear and courage. All in all, I am quite glad I read it.
WoF Elinaly (I´m in "the inactive wall" department :) )
I read and discussed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and am also discussion leader.
I absolutely loved the book and gave it 5* (and tagged it as "favourite" - which I lately hardly do with the books I read).
It was strange, amazing, hypnotic and such a beautiful story which I loved and enjoyed from the very beginning until the last word! I loved how the story was uncovered slowly layer by layer, the descriptions of the world are so enjoyable. The story also has a great amount of mystery, keeps you on your toes until the end.
The thought that is going to stay with me (quote):
(view spoiler)
Wof Anna MI read & discussed Malibu Rising and liked it a lot. The story about the Rivas siblings and their parents was interesting and characters came to life. But what I enjoyed the most was the author's writing style. I would definitely read more books by Jenkins Reid.
WoF:AshleyI read and discussed Malibu Rising. I liked the book. I gave it 4 stars. I enjoyed the dual storyline and found the book really flowed well making it easy to read. I’ve also read Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and found that book also really easy to get drawn into the story.
Wof Anna MI read & discussed Clarke's Piranesi. I thought that the book is very well written and definitely a page turner. However (view spoiler) bothered me and because of that I liked the book less.
WoF - JaniceI opted to read a book in the theme, and I read Project Hail Mary which won the Goodreads Choice Award in 2021 for Science Fiction.
There was a huge information dump about science and math in this book. While it didn't bother me in The Martian, I got tired of it in this book. Other than that, it was a fun story with a perfect ending.
wof margoI reread Piranesi, the 2021 winner of the womans prize.
Still 5 stars on the reread. As i was less concerned with plot details this time, I had a greater appreciation for the beauty of the story telling and the ideas hinted at that set my mind off in a whirl. Jan 22
I loved this story!
Piranesi wanders the halls of his house by the sea. He loves the beauty of his house, its statues and the birds. He understands the tides. This is where we start the tale and I can't say any more without spoiling it.
This book is not for action fans. It studies the main character in depth and moves slowly. It is very different from the authors previous work, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell but it is magical.
The narrator by Chiwetel Ejiofor was ideal
WoF AyaI read Piranesi and discussed it on the thread. I gave it 3 stars, it was a so-so for me. My brain is set for thriller and isn't used to fantasy, so it's kinda hard to follow the story if there were no discussion for it. It's fun to guess what might happen and what actually happen, to read others interpretation of the book, and to know what ending the MC facing. But that's all. If it not for the help of the discussion, I don't think I could finish it in a month, or might not finish it at all.
I also read The House in the Cerulean Sea which won GCA 2021. I gave it 4 stars. It's a heartwarming story, and I loved the children. Though I found some things bothering, overall it's a great book. I may try read his other work, hopefully this year.
WoF KatrisaI read and discussed Piranesi. I loved this magical book. You kinda just have to let go and trust the book without trying too hard to pin it down. I loved the main character and it was my favorite thing to watch him evolve throughout the story. 5 stars
I read Malibu Rising and discussed it in the appropriate thread. I gave it four stars. I thought it was a bit slow to get started, but I really ended up enjoying the story. For a book that took place over one day, there was a lot of character development.
WoF name: FayeI have read Piranesi for the month of January and discussed it in the group thread for this book.
I liked the mystery behind the entire story and the parallels that could be applied to our own world. I haven't reviewed it officially because I'm still thinking it through to understand it a bit better.
WoF Ellie-MayI read Piranesi and discussed it in the relevant thread. I loved it! It was a five star read for me, it was a whimsical puzzle box that I had lots of fun deciphering. There were also many parallels in the book to my real life which I found very cool.
I also read Malibu Rising and discussed it in the thread. This was another amazing book this month. Taylor Jenkins Reid made me fall in love with the Riva siblings, she really has a gift for creating well rounded characters and interweaving heartfelt believable relationships between them.
WoF lusieI read Malibu Rising and discussed it in the thread. I gave it 3 stars. This book is difficult to rate. I liked part 1, but part 2 not so much. I love how close Nina and her siblings are. They all seem to struggle with some kind of problem, which made the book feel realistic. There really is a lot of drama going on. The second part had too many point of views which made it chaotic. The ending was unsatisfying. Overall I did like the book, but it had several things I didn't like.
WoF OdetteI read Piranesi and discussed it in the thread.
It was a 5 star read for me. I enjoyed the style of writing especially the description of the world. It was so vivid, I could hear the rising of the tides. Also the mystery, which engaged me from the beginning trying the work out what is going on. There are so many different ways to interpret this book, which made this book so fascinating.
WoF: LinkinnI read Piranesi and discussed in the appropriate thread.
Did enjoy this one, was 5 stars to me, the mystery and environment was great, was a great page turner. I did in times get a bit lost in the story, but did get right up to speed with the development of the story itself. Hope to read more books like this in the future.
WOF - Marie ClaudeI read Piranesi and added my thought in the appropriate thread.
I loved this book. Even if not perfect, I enjoyed the ride without trying to analyse and understand what was going on. Loved the format, but most of all, loved Piranesi himself.
I read Malibu Rising and discussed it in the appropriate thread. I really loved this book and gave it 5 stars. The authors style of writing is very fluid and easy to follow. I really enjoyed the relationships between the siblings. I also started Piranesi which I am enjoying, but I don't think I will finish it before the month is up.
WoF Name - ShirleyI have read Song of the Crocodile during January 2022.
I have discussed it in the relevant thread.
This book won the Australian Literary Society Gold Medal 2021, and the Queensland Literary Award for Fiction 2021.
I really liked this book. At first I was a bit put off by the stories of ancestral spirits woven throughout the book, but I eventually found that these stories are an integral part of the book, it was a very sad story, but true to historical events. The characters rang true, and the setting was easy to visualise.
WoF Name - CasceilI read Malibu Rising and discussed it in the discussion thread. I loved the book, and gave it five stars. I was delighted to find a new (to me) author I like this much.
I liked the structure of the book, the way it operates at two levels. The top level spans the course of a day, from 7 am. To 7 pm. At a different level, the book covers a lifetime, interspersing the 24 hour story with action that takes place over the course of June and Nina’s lives.
The main characters are Mick, a singer who gains worldwide fame, his first wife June, and their oldest child, Nina. Their other three children are also major players in the story, and are well-developed as characters. Each sibling is a distinct individual. Mick is fickle, and when he changes direction, the other characters in his family must scramble to stay on their feet. The author balances all of these stories well, keeping all of the balls in the air at all times.
WoF VickiI read Piranesi and discussed it with the group
I think I projected a lot of expectations onto the book and kept thinking it would be something that it wasn't. Despite that, I still enjoyed it and found it beautiful. It was very alluring and mysterious which kept me reading and trying to guess what was going on.
I took it down a star because I think Ana made a very good point about an unfortunate trope that was used.
Badges have been posted! Please let me know if I missed anyone. A couple of notes:
Elinaly - I have moved your wall back into the active wall of fame area.
Amanda & Amanda (Mandy) - You both forgot to add your WoF names when you reported. I think I have you both correct, but let me know if not - Amanda (lily) and Amanda (Mandy).
Shirley - Could you add a couple of thoughts about your book? It is part of the reporting requirements and I'd love to know what you thought.
**Faye - I do not see a wall of fame for "Faye". Have you already requested one? If not, please do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... and I'll be happy to add your badge. If you already have a wall, please let me know and I'll look again.
Faye wrote: "WoF name: FayeI have read Piranesi for the month of January and discussed it in the group thread for this book.
I liked the mystery behind the entire story and the parallels that..."
I was able to create a Faye Wall. Congrats on your first badge! Your wall is here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Kristie wrote: "Badges have been posted! Please let me know if I missed anyone. A couple of notes:
Elinaly - I have moved your wall back into the active wall of fame area.
Amanda & Amanda (Mandy) - You both ..."Sorry Kristie. I’ve edited the comment now. And thanks for the badge.
Kristie wrote: "Badges have been posted! Please let me know if I missed anyone. A couple of notes:
Elinaly - I have moved your wall back into the active wall of fame area.
Amanda & Amanda (Mandy) - You both ..."
Sorry about that. You got it correct though.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Piranesi (other topics)Piranesi (other topics)
Malibu Rising (other topics)
Song of the Crocodile (other topics)
Malibu Rising (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Taylor Jenkins Reid (other topics)Susanna Clarke (other topics)
Taylor Jenkins Reid (other topics)
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.
**If your book was not one of the two chosen group reads, please state which award it won in 2021 when you 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.
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