Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries (December 2023) Group Read Discussion

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

This is the group thread for Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries!

This thread is open for discussion beginning December 1st! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.

The Group Read Discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 12/01
December 01: Pagers 1-16
December 02: Pages 17-32
December 03: Pages 33-48

Week of 12/04
December 04: Pages 49-64
December 05: Pages 65-80
December 06: Pages 81-96
December 07: Pages 97-112
December 08: Pages 113-128
December 09: Pages 129-144
December 10: Pages 145-160

Week of 12/11
December 11: Pages 161-176
December 12: Pages 177-192
December 13: Pages 193-208
December 14: Pages 208-224
December 15: Pages 225-240
December 16: Pages 241-256
December 17: Pages 257-272

Week of 12/18
December 18: Pages 273-288
December 19: Pages 289-304
December 20: Pages 305-end


You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.

[Katie]

I'm about on track with the schedule so far. I wasn't expecting the writing to feel SO historical. I knew that's what this book was but I'm shocked at how "of the time" the writing style feels. It's both a pro and a con. Pro: feels very realistic. Con: hard to get used to the writing style, especially as someone who doesn't often read historical fiction or classics. I'm hoping as I continue I will get used to the style more.

I anticipate the dynamic with Bambleby will be "man is hopelessly obsessed with woman" and I'm HERE FOR IT!!!

[Dia]

@Katie I'm sorry the writing is hard to get used to for you. Perhaps it'll get better as you read further. I know how writing styles can impact your reading so I hope it'll still be an enjoyable read for you.

I love the writing and prose, it is my kind of book. I also find the structure intriguing, with the footnotes, as though I am reading an academic journal. I'm very intrigued by the premise of it all, how Fae/Folk are common in this world and you even have dedicated experts for it!

My ebook doesn't have page numbers but I figured it's about 8/9 pages per chapter.
Chp 3 - (view spoiler)[ It wouls truly be interesting if Bambleby is one of the Folk as Emily thinks (hide spoiler)]
Chp 6 - (view spoiler)[ oooh we've got a sighting of a faerie. Wasn't expecting to be introduced to one so soon. it's really interesting that they're capable of speech and bargaining (hide spoiler)]
Chp 9 - (view spoiler)[ It is interesting how Fawcett used lore of changelings here, and aging the child so that she could talk to it too. I knew Bambleby was dodgy!! Emily's reaction was surprising though. I would think that this discovery would make her excited as it could contribute to her research in a way (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Now that the plot has started going and we're into The Story and not just Descriptions of People and Things, I'm having an easier time with the language! I am starting to feel excited about where this is going to go. Emily is so prickly, she cracks me up.

[Dia]

15th November - all the things that has occurred till this day has been fascinating. (view spoiler)[ finally, i guess it is true that Bambleby is Folk. It is also interesting that he is unable to tell Emily about it, I guess that's part of his curse whatever it is. i wonder if we will see more of this Folk King who has been imprisoned. (hide spoiler)]

19th Nov - (view spoiler)[ I am sorry that the town has lost the 2 girls. And I hope Emily and Bambleby are successful. The band around Emily's finger is ominous. I wonder if the imprisoned king had taken a liking to her and bound himself to her?? It is also fascinating to read of Emily's other encounters in her pursuit for words of power. and oh Bambleby is furious that Emily was hurt but the faeries. it never occurred to me that he could kill like so, and perhaps that's why Emily was a little rattled as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Dia]

-? November (Chp between 19th & 20th November) (view spoiler)[ I thought Emily is foolish going by herself looking for the Folk world but I also understand her not wanting to offend the tall ones in this place because of Bambleby. She's just trying to get the 2 girls back. I enjoy the descriptions of this world, and how one can't truly see the Folk, it is what I've always thought of them as well. I am curious about Shadow now, he's obviously not an ordinary dog and I'm glad she has some protection from the Folk. I'm also glad she found the girls. (hide spoiler)]

20th November (view spoiler)[ OH is this Bambleby writing in her journal? That's interesting that we'll see things from his POV. I guess he found them. Oh wow Shadow is a Grim? Guess that answers my question about him (hide spoiler)]

26th Nov Late (view spoiler)[ SQUEALS. I am here for Emily and Bambleby romance. She picked such great gifts for him. Oh dear, something is wrong in the house with the changeling. and i feel bad for the changeling too, like it isn't his fault, i don't think he asked to be swapped. oh it has something to do with the imprisoned king! OMG what an end to the chapter. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I loooooooooooooooove this!!!!!

Last minute contender for favorite book of the year! The sheer euphoria is mind-boggling.

[Jen K]

Started this one. I haven't read much but very interested and entranced so far. Emily is my kind of quirky character.

[Jen K]

I'm about a third of the way in, through October?, and quite enjoying. I'm intrigued of what will come from Bambleby. He definitely livened up the field visit.

[✨ Brianna Raquel ✨, New Procrastinator]

I'm not really a slow burn fan, but I thought this was a cute book. I'm surprised it was a 3 star for me (because of the slow burn). I enjoyed it more than I thought. I probably won't be revisiting this book, but I could see myself recommending it to someone.

[Jen K]

I quite enjoyed this one and also enjoyed more than I expected. I didn't mind the slow burn and am so ready for the next one!

[LiteraryCryptid]

Okay, I'm almost done, hoping to speed through the last third before the end of the month.
I love how the romance is there but not the main focus. Emily feels so relatable for me (minus the lovely Shadow lol) that this is quickly becoming one of my favourites of the year.

[LiteraryCryptid]

Okay, I am sleep deprived, having stayed up until 3am to finish this book before work today - Spent the last 3rd of this book giggling, squealing, and absolutely falling in love with Bambleby. He is such an adorable cinnamon roll golden retriever, but also blended beautifully with the "touch her and I'll kill you" protectiveness.

Emily is such a relatable character that I could absolutely follow her reasoning along her decisions throughout. I'm so happy I finally took this one off my TBR list, and can't wait for the sequel to come out.