Reading Notes

[Tina]

I am opening up our reading notes for my early birds.

This is where you log in once a week (or whenever you feel inspired) and comment on where you are in your read and how you are feeling about it--good, bad, or indifferent. This is also where you can present questions to the group.

[Rachel]

So I'm supposed to be leading this discussion but I have a couple of September reads to finish up first - so I guess I'll start in a few days. Meanwhile I hope anyone who's getting a head-start will drop in and let us know how it's going (but please mark spoilers!)

[Tina]

It looks like this book does not officially publish in the US until November. US readers can read this one via kindle/download and if you follow the good reads links on the book 'get a copy' you can also get this one online via UK sellers.

No worries. The Smart Chicks are going into open reading in Nov, Dec, and Jan--so anyone can catch up on previous group reads then and leave comments on the discussion board.

[Tina]

I just downloaded this one onto my kindle.

[Rachel]

I've read the first third, and it's just switched back to 'present day'. Not quite sure what to make of it yet... it's a quick read, and I'm intrigued by the characters, but I'm wondering where it's going next.

[Tina]

This does appear to be a character driven story rather than a plot driven one (as far as I can tell this early) although the sunny Italian setting is a pretty big draw here.

It leads me to this question for the group. "Do you prefer a fast plot driven story that takes you from one scene to the next, or do you like to slow down and get inside of your characters' heads?"

[Rachel]

Tina wrote: "Do you prefer a fast plot driven story that takes you from one scene to the next, or do you like to slow down and get inside of your characters' heads?"

I like a bit of both, but I do have a general preference for fast-paced books. I don't want to feel like I'm wading through treacle. But even though this one does seem quite character-focused, I'm still finding it pretty fast. Lots of "stuff" is happening (at least in the 70s part) but it's just not clear to me what the significance of it all will be.

[Rachel]

I finished it! I really enjoyed it, though the structure surprised me a little - most other books that I've read with present/past storylines have switched between them, whereas (with the exception of the prologue) this one just had one section in each time period. But I really liked Allie's story, and the way it all came together in the end.

How's everyone else getting along...?

[Tina]

I am about halfway through this book and I am struggling with it. While I adore all of the beautiful descriptions of Italy I felt like the first half dragged. While the plot is itself interesting I am not feeling so invested in these characters.

Things are picking up in the second half now that we have moved on to a different section in the timeline. I remain (cautiously) optimistic.

[Rachel]

Tina wrote: "I am about halfway through this book and I am struggling with it. While I adore all of the beautiful descriptions of Italy I felt like the first half dragged. While the plot is itself interesting I..."

I know what you mean. I found the characters much more interesting in the present-day section.