April 2023 - Reporting

[Jayme, Moderator]

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 summarize 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 colorful 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 - Sandra
2. have read the book(s) before or during April 2023.
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 favorite 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.

[Fiona]

WoF Fiona

I read and discussed Birds in Flight in its thread. If I'm being honest, I wasn't excited at all about this choice but I really wanted to get this month's badge through reading one of the chosen books and I already read and hated Book of Night. The book took me by surprise though. I really enjoyed the book, how you could see the story unfold and how everything got resolved in the end. I listened to the audiobook and it was really well done with different accents and distinctions between normal conversations, phone calls etc. I gave the book 4.5 stars and will happily continue to discuss the book further.

[Casceil]

I have also read and discussed Birds in Flight I was surprised by how much I liked the book. I read it mostly in one day, and mostly without putting it down, because I was eager to know what would be revealed next. This made it a little difficult to discuss the book, however, because I had trouble commenting without spoilers. I still intend to discuss the book more once enough people have finished the whole book.

[Shirley]

WoF Shirley

I read Bone by Bone and discussed it in the thread.
I found it to be a well-paced psychological thriller, with a few plot holes that I could ignore. The writing suited the genre, with descriptions limited to mundane aspects eg what was being worn, what the surroundings were like. No long flowery descriptions full of unusual adjectives.
It was an easy read.

[Janice, Moderator]

WoF - Janice

I read Birds in Flight. I really liked this book and wanted to give it 5 stars. However, there were a couple of situations that had me scratching my head. The travelogue of their road trip in Australia was so interesting. It even mentioned The Big Banana, making me think of last year's road trip challenge. There was also some disturbing revelations, and an interesting comparison of communes and cults.

[Jayme, Moderator]

WoF Jayme

I read The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff.
What a funny, dark, sad, and thought-provoking story. This book takes on domestic violence, rape, and the caste system in modern day India and doesn't hold back. My takeaway: don't mess with middle aged housewives - they have had enough.
I gave the book 4 stars, but find that I am thinking about it a lot. I may go back and bump it up to 5 stars.

[Marnie]

WoF Marnie

I read and lead the discussion for Book of Night. It was my first Holly Black book and will probably be my last as well. I liked the story concept but never warmed up to the characters or the writing. I read and listened to this one and I enjoyed the audio version better than the written. Meh

[Pragya]

WoF Pragya

I read and discussed Birds in Flight in the group thread. I was not impressed with the book. It was a frustrating read with weird characters and writing. I just wanted to be done with it. The ending did bring closure to some aspects.

[Nistha]

WoF Nix

I read and discussed Book of Night. This book did not incite any reaction from me - average and safe. I was not a fan of the writing style but got used to it eventually. There were stakes missing. My full review here.

I also read and discussed Before the Coffee Gets Cold. I had the same issue with this book where a solid concept felt wasted in the plots it bore. I was harsher and more disappointmed by this book as I had a lot of expectations (probably my fault that the book was something I wanted it to be which it turned out to be not). My full review here.

[Katrisa]

WoF Katrisa
I read and discussed Birds in Flight. I really enjoyed the book. It was 4.5 stars for me though I rounded up to 5. There were lots of questions I had and things that didn't make sense at first, but I really liked the writing and the audio narrator so I just let myself be in that world - then as the plot unfolded many things that didn't make sense before absolutely made sense. I thought it was a great commentary on the stories that we tell ourselves about events that can change entirely when we get a different perspective.

[Kay]

WoF: Kay

I read and briefly discussed Book of Night. Despite the very imaginative idea of the book, I found the story poorly paced and the characters flat and difficult to invest in. I also think it wasn't very different from any YA fiction the author has previously written. I would give the book a rating of 2/5.

[Kristie, Moderator]

WoF: Kristie

I read Birds in Flight and discussed in the group discussion thread. I thought the book was engaging and interesting, even if not fully believable. I enjoy Taylor's writing and look forward to reading more by her. 4★

I also read Book Lovers and discussed it in the general theme thread. This was the perfect romcom for me. I found the dialogue to be witty and laughed out loud a few times. I also liked that the characters didn't fall into a lot of the typical tropes for contemporary romance. It was just what I was looking for. 5★

[Odette]

WoF - Odette

I read Birds in Flight and lead the discussion in the group thread.

Once I started this book had to keep reading on, and that is an indication of an enjoyable book for me. Developments occur quickly in the book with a lot of plot twists and surprises. The story told from the point of view of different characters and timelines drew me in as well.

However, there were some things that did not quite add up and the ending seemed a bit rushed. Despite this I liked this book, especially the suspense and the sytle of writing. It is a 4 star read for me.

[Vicki]

WoF Vicki

I read Book of Night. I wasn't all that intrigued by the magic of the world or the MC being a con artist that makes bad decisions; seemed kinda cliche. But I did still enjoy the story, I loved how everything turned out and I also found some things to be funny and clever in regard to "our world" but with this newly mainstream magic.

Also I'm annoyed this is now the first option for the book: Book of Night: The Number One Sunday Times Bestseller. This has to be a mistake right. I sure hope we don't have to see gross marketing like this from now on.

[Ayacchi]

WoF Aya

I read Bag of Bones and discussed it on the thread. It's not as I expected, slow start, not creepy enough and thrilling as his other books that I've read, but I enjoyed how complex the conflicts are. 4 stars, and will try to read his books more in the future!

[Laura (Lclwags)]

WoF Laura (Lclwags)

I read Book of Night and discussed it in the thread. There were some parts that felt a bit under developed to me, but overall I enjoyed the story. I gave it 3 stars. It seems like an interesting world and I will probably read the next book. I need to know what happens with Posey now!

[Lydia]

I read Be Still for the thread books beginning with the letter B. I discussed this in the thread and gave the book four stars. It was a really helpful guide to building meaningful quiet times by someone who wrote in a really accessible way. Lots of life story lessons and some good reflective summaries for each short chapter. Have been putting some of the ideas into practice such as journaling. Thanks ☺️

[Lydia]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... here is the link to the book! Thanks Jayme for the link to this thread.

[Margo]

WoF margo

I read two books of the April themed read.

Book of Night was really disappointed. I picked it up because I liked Holly Black Cruel Prince trilogy and also the cover is jaw droppingly gorgeous! But I guess I proved the old adage "never judge a book by its cover", as I found the characters unbelievable and the plot predictable.

I read Booth for my themed read and I liked it a lot . The amount of research that the author undertook for this novel just blew my mind. It is the story of the life of John Wilkes Booth written from the POV of his siblings. They were an extraordinary family and the book is well written although I did feel it sagged inthe middle. I discussed it appropriate thread.

[Jayme, Moderator]

Badges and stamps have been posted on walls. Everyone who reported should have one - let me know if I missed you :)