Monthly Book Club discussion

This is where you can share your thoughts as you read the book, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and can talk to the other members about how they are enjoying the book :)

(There will be another thread to share your final thoughts on the book in)!

I just completed the book and to say that it was a quick and easy read would be a bit of an understatement. Before I get into the book itself I feel it should share my thoughts on novellas in general. I'm not really a fan of novellas as I feel that they are to short to establish any sort of connection with me before they are done. I'll admit I have read some interesting short stories in my time but they seem to be far and few between. This lack of connection is really my biggest issue with this particular book. I found it have an interesting concept for a story. It felt like you were looking at snapshots from his life as the story went along. It was a tragic tale for sure but I just didn't feel a connection, I didn't feel invested. You knew how it was going to end before you even read the book so it was merely following the story to it's inevitable conclusion. I really don't have a whole lot more to say than that to be honest. Interesting story idea but it was over to quick for my taste.

Dani, in thinking about it from our last conversation and beginning Ben Button, I have decided not to finish it. It is too sad for me at this time. On our book list for Feb, can we please go more for uplifting or more fun? If we choose whatever and it doesn't fit for me, it's ok, I will just pass it by.

Gordon - I think how you described the book being like snapshots of his life describes the book perfectly! I thought it was a bit too short too, I always thought the book was longer than 40 pages. Granted, we knew how it was going to end, I still found it sad and felt bad for him when he was going through what he went through when he was first born again when he was coming to the end of his life. I have always loved F. Scott Fitzgerald and for it only being 40 pages, I think he did an amazing job and made a very interesting story with giving you the lonely sad feeling that Benjamin was experiencing.... Definitely would have liked it being a bit longer though.

Alexis - that's more than fine! You never have to read the books if you don't want to. Of course, just make a suggestion of a book or books you'd like to see on the poll. I don't make the final decision - I add books that the members suggest on the suggestion thread for that month, ones that are popular during that time, and ones I receive in my messages from members - and then add up the votes and whichever ones have the most win. So just make sure to make suggestions (I will be making the February suggestion thread here in a few) and to vote on the poll :)

Thanks Dani, I did know that the suggestions came from others and I have been wracking my brain to make the kind of book suggestions that are positive. I will work some more on it.