Buddy Read for A Town Called Solace

[Jen K]

Welcome to the Buddy Read for A Town Called Solace! This is the Trim pick of the month for a few of us. I'm looking forward to discussing the book with everyone.

[Booknblues]

I'm in but I don't expect to start before Feb. 1. I need to finish Harlem Shuffle, which of course matches Authors of Color, but also matches historical mystery.

[Amy]

I have two books in between the one I’m reading now for a town called Solace. Maybe start it next Monday?

[Diana]

I plan to start reading it net week. Looking forward to the discussion!

[Jen K]

The first 100 pages initial thoughts.

(view spoiler)[ All three POVs are struggling with a type of loss and are both really unsettled and allow in their grief. I think it is interesting that the author has the each timeline slightly off to create that same unsettled feeling in me as a reader. I'm dying for the timelines to match up and for Clara and Liam to match up to not be so alone (I hope). I also wonder about the hinted scandal in Mrs Orchard's past and I assume it has something to do with Liam and his family. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying the writing and find it a quick read. Also Moses the cat is the best!!

[Jen K]

I'm really enjoying getting to know the 3 main characters especially Liam. Excited for others to start reading.

[Amy]

Starting it tonight, Jen friend. Just wrote on the TT thread as well. We are very parallel tonight.

[Booknblues]

Hope to start it in the next day or so.

[Jen K]

Excellent! Just a warning, that it isn't exactly a happy book but the writing is lovely. I really appreciate when the author can have me feel for the characters but NOT cry.

I also now want to move to Solace!! and eat at the Hot Potato!

[Amy]

5 stars (for the third time in a row!). I adored this book. It was charming and moving and heartfelt. I now understand why my beloved friend Samantha recommended it to me. Small town feel, with richly developed characters who discover themselves as they go. Three narrators, each at a different stage and life place, who are intricately and unusually connected. And a cat.

My favorite character, although I loved them all, was a real side piece, minor character, but it happened to be Sargeant Karl Barnes. I just loved him, and I could see him in mind and through my heart. He came to life for me, as did all the other characters. Each of them swept in and stayed there, much like a cat will curl up and form a relationship with you, even if its momentary and you just kind of half imagined it. I loved the small town feel, and how people in the book were each finding their way to various kinds of healing. Every character in one way or another. And that ending? The one in the last pages that you are desperately longing for? Well it was just perfect.

[Amy]

I actually would not want to eat at the Hot Potato. And was literally troubled by how hard it was to get into the ice cream. I think I really enjoy reading about the feel and community of a close knit small town, but I humbly and embarassedly admit to being quite urban. I would last in a small town exactly as long as my books to read lasted. The day I closed the last book, would be the day I drove away. True story. But that's the thing about reading. It does transport you.

[Jen K]

Ha ha, the pie sounds good at least. The ice cream scares me. Texture is a key factor for ice cream.

My hometown was about 6,000 people so not large but also considered the "big" town for the area. I wondered as well if I could manage in Solace.

I need to write my review but agree that the side characters were great, Karl and Joe both did some magical connecting and providing Liam what he needed.

[Amy]

Oh Joe was also amazing, and the transition they were having with their college son was for me fitting right into everything. So many different life transitions and life stages going on.

I just goodreads emailed you back!

[Jen K]

Yes, I loved Joe and his struggles with Cal going away for college.

[Amy]

That was a really interesting element of the story. About the struggle between returning to small towns, and what you find there, versus leaving them, and how that all works and the contrast between the rest of the world and then what happens in this community. That struggle, especially given all the themes around parenting, and letting go of children just fit right and so perfectly. Everyone was so richly developed. Yes there was sadness and hardship and that was part were heartbreaking, but they just fit right in and such a heart warming way. It’s funny because I’ve been talking about lately for myself about this idea of blend. And wanting my life to feel like it blends like a novel. And I felt like this book did just that. Took the painful moments and the difficult ones and blended them in with the beautiful and the sacred ordinary. That’s what I’m going for in 2024. And I feel like this book did that perfectly.

[Booknblues]

I've finished and will be back to discuss.
Just wanted to say that home made ice cream is generally harder than store bought. Adding just a tiny bit of alcohol can make it a little softer, but not all flavors work for that.

[Sallys]

I'm skimming through all of your comments for now because I'm still waiting for my copy to come into the library.

[Amy]

Not for nothing, but that’s a third T for our team!!!!