Jamie’s Comments (group member since Feb 01, 2013)

Jamie’s comments from the 2013 Hub Reading Challenge group.

I loved this book. I was really impressed with Barnaby's writing too. There were several passages that I thought were just beautiful. Definitely a new favorite. I reviewed it on my blog too: http://jplusya.tumblr.com/post/472949.... :)

Karl, I started out comparing it to The Night Circus too, but I had to put that out of my mind. It's definitely a different world from that. Once I got past that, I fell in love.

I loved it too. I thought it was very scary, but I'm a big chicken. I loved all of the different characters and can't wait to see where all of the story lines go. Memphis was my favorite, followed by Theta (so what happened there made me especially happy).

Brooke, it was definitely long, but I didn't think it was too much. It took me an extra long time to read, but I've been in the process of moving and I couldn't read it too late at night - my typical reading time - because, like I said, I'm just a big chicken.

Skout wrote: "I just finished this myself. I loved the illustrations as well as the story. I felt it could continue...like there was something missing. I suppose that's the point-nothing in life is clean and ..."

I completely agree. After I finished, I had to look it up to see if it was just the first in the series. I'd definitely like more! Definitely relatable and the artwork was great. It reminded me of Anya's Ghost (anyone else?), but it has been a while since I read that one, so now I want to reread it.

I just finished this book a few days ago and I really liked it. When this challenge is over I plan to read the next in the series. I hope it is as good as the first. Has anyone else read this (or book 2)?

Brooke wrote: "I did really like this book, but I did have some concerns about the character of Chris and his treatment of Amelia. I know that his actions are sort of explained, but I think Amelia's acceptance of..."

I can understand where you're coming from Brooke. It definitely bothered me when Amelia said "I'd have sex with you!" when she was trying to convince him they could be together, but I think that's another example of smart people making not-so-great decisions. He wasn't a perfect guy, even though he seemed like it to her at the time, regardless of what he did or how he treated her. I've definitely looked back on some crushes and wondered what I was thinking.

Yes, Allison (#1), I really liked the feminism discussion in the book! I definitely liked the book and I agree, Alison (#2), that they both made some dumb choices. I liked that Chris wasn't perfect and he didn't pretend to be. He didn't make excuses for his dumb decisions/actions. And I really liked that he did the "right" thing in the end. I also adored Penny - especially in the last scene!

The only thing that I thought was odd in the book, was some of the language used. Not the cursing, but some of the phrases Amelia uses. And I don't think it was a case of just a difference between US and Australian slang. I wanted to see what others thought. Two things that stuck out to me were when Amelia says "willikers!" and "hip to their jive." I tried to tell myself that it was just Amelia's sense of humor to use those phrases, that she wasn't using them seriously, but it still seemed a little odd to me and it took me out of the story for a minute. Am I the only one?

Gayle wrote: "Can't figure out how to get my name off the group list; so guess I'll just look like I'm in the group. Sorry."

Hi Gayle. You're welcome to stay and discuss with us whatever books you are able to get. No pressure.

But, if you do want to remove yourself, go to the main page of the group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/9.... At the top of the page there is a brief description of the group and below it should say "You are a member." Next to that, click on the "edit" link. From there you can click "Leave this group." It will ask you to confirm that you want to leave, so make sure you finish.

I hope that helps.

I just finished Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo. Is anyone else reading this or has read it already? I'd love to talk about it.

Karl wrote: "This is my first year doing the challenge. How have people used Goodreads to do it in the past? Will there be a public list of the titles? Do you set up special shelves?"

Great question (and thank you for posting this group to the listserv)! A few friends and I decided to start the group and I didn't participate last year, so I thought we'd figure it out as we went. If anyone else has done this challenge with Goodreads before, feel free to guide us!