You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Please read through the reporting thread carefully to ensure to report correctly to get your badge/s.

After you have read your chosen book(s) for this month's group theme read, please report in the thread below.

Please state what book you read (and link it), that you discussed it (and where), and briefly summarise what you thought of the book and/or link to your review if you have written one.

If you lead the discussion, please state this in your post.

Here is an example for how to report your read:

“I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and discussed it in the [Harry Potter/Buddy Read/Other books in theme] thread. I really enjoyed the book. I watched the film first so I already knew the story line but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book more as there was more detail involved. Plus I listened to the audio which was narrated by Stephen Fry who is a superb narrator. 4 stars.”

If you read more than one book which fits the theme, please report all your reads in the same post rather than in separate posts.

Please note, there are THREE different badges that can be obtained for group reads. Those reading and discussing one of the two chosen group reads will receive a colourful badge similar to those for previous group reads. Those reading and discussing any other book in the theme will receive a stamp. The discussion leader for the two chosen group reads will receive a badge stating they led the discussion. Maximum amount of badges you can receive for the group reads is TWO - one for the chosen group read/discussion leader and one for any other book in the theme.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book(s) before or during August 2017.
2. discussed it in the relevant thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in that thread.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread below, along with a brief summary of what you thought.

I will probably read Circling the Sun, but probably not until about the middle of the month. If anyone has any interest in a buddy read, please let me know.

I might, Casceil, if I can get a copy. I really want to read it.

I might too, as it also fits the challenge and it was one of my options for that. I'll see how I'm doing towards the middle of the month.

Might be worth mentioning it over in the "books in the theme" thread rather than in this thread as most people won't be checking this one until when they are reporting.

Sarah, I'm not sure which thread you mean. I looked at a couple of likely spots, but both had been closed to comments.

Or, you could put it in the buddy reads thread.

Here's the thread Sarah was referring to:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks, Janice.

Thanks Janice. Yes the thread where people discuss other books in the monthly theme.

I finished Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House. I discussed it in the thread.

I loved it! It is a stand-alone book but also sort of a sequel to a book I loved and I had high expectations and hoping it lived up to it. I'm glad it did :) I found it very hard to put down, but at the same time I wanted to take it slow. Always a difficult combination. The topic and setting of the book is something I always find interesting, the writing was engaging and drew me in from the start, and there were some great characters in the book. It's been quite some time since I read a book that wowed me so I feel very happy!

There were also a few little things that I questioned but they didn't bother me much as I was enjoying the story so.

I read Those Who Wish Me Dead for the themed read.
.

It fit the theme because of the forest fire on the cover. Things got pretty hot in the story too. I debated whether or not that was fire on the cover. There is lots of fire in the story, so the cover is representative of that.

It's been a while since I've read a book that I didn't want to end. The pace in this story kept me engaged throughout. The characters were likeable, and the villains chilling. There was a lot of information about survival skills and forest fire management that was integrated into the story without becoming an information dump.

Recommended to those who enjoy a fast paced action/thriller.

Looks like a fire to me :)

Before I read the book, it was debatable. But once I finished it, there was no longer any doubt. The forest fire is a big part of the story.

I read Hunter's Run and discussed it in the dedicated thread.

I really enjoyed this book, even though I thought I wouldn't. I was really put off initially by the first couple chapters and the main character, and considered finding another book in the theme to read, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I love good sci-fi, and this book had enough interesting philosophical quandaries to really make it different and enjoyable.

I read and discussed Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House and rated it 4.5 stars.

I enjoyed it as much as The Kitchen House, and the discussion was (it is still) very interesting. It is a time period and historical circumstances that I find highly interesting. I hope the author has another book in mind. I would try anything she writes next.

I read Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House and discussed it in the thread. I enjoyed The Kitchen House much more than this one. The storyline moved at a brisk pace and was easy to listen to, but there were too many coincidences and Jamie was frustrating at times. Besides, there was the glaring factual error that bugged me...I gave it 3 stars.

For the August themed read, I read Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House and participated in the group discussion.The story moved at a good pace, and I liked several aspects of the book. The use of multiple narrators worked well, and character development was good. I appreciated that violent episodes weren't described in vivid detail. I learned about the Great Dismal Swamp, which I previously was not aware of. However, reliance on a number of unlikely coincidences to move the story along seemed, to me, like laziness on the writer's part. The ending was a little too tidy, and read like the stage was being set for a third book. This was a three star read for me.

I also read Solar and commented in the appropriate thread. I've read several of Ian McEwan's novels, though this wasn't my favourite. The writing was good, and I enjoyed the climate change focus, considering the importance of the topic. The occasional slapstick scenes didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story, and are not my type of humour. I often enjoy an unlikeable main character, and there was definitely one here. I also enjoy ambiguous endings, and I found this here as well. This was another three star read for me.

I read Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House and participated in the group discussion. I am also the discussion leader.

I enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as The Kitchen House. I have to agree with others that I found the MC frustrating at times and I had a minor issue with the ending, which I discussed in the thread. Overall though, I thought it was a very enjoyable read and I was happy to touch base with some of the characters from TKH, as well as meeting some new characters. I gave it 4 stars.

I read Hunter's Run and discussed it in the relevant thread. I am not a huge sci-fi fan, but this book is so interesting that it grabbed my attention at the start and held it right through until the end. There were events that I didn't expect that made the book more exciting. Maneck is my favorite character because of his wit and determination. The scenes with Maneck were my favorite in the book, but I liked the new Ramon, too. I also think the ending was perfect. I love the novel and gave it five stars. So glad we read this one as a group.

I've read Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House and participated in the group discussion.

I didn't expected that I would enjoy reading the book. The only book that I've read about slavery was years ago, so this was a new theme for me.

This is a book who gives a look into slavery. I expected details about abuse, bad treatments, but thankfully, there wasn't such thing. I enjoyed reading the book. It was good found to let the maincharacters have their own chapters. There was one thing that annoyed me about James Burton that I discussed in the thread.

At the end it's a beautiful book teaching us that we're all equal.

I read Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House and I discussed it here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... message 126. I really enjoyed the book. The writing was very well done. I was very emotionally invested in the characters. I enjoyed seeing how similar experiences shaped the characters in different ways.

I read The Stars Are Fire. I discussed it in the appropriate thread (I think). I did not really enjoy it. There were parts that were better than others but overall I found it predictable. I found myself not caring what happened to the characters. I read another book by this author and liked it (not loved it), but this left me flat. Maybe it was the narrator (I listened to the audiobook). I saw that it received many 4 - 5 star review, but just not for me.

I read Hunter's Run and discussed it in the in the thread.

I really liked this book. It was a grittier, more "earth" bound story then a some swash-buckling, planet-hopping space opera, but it did have enough of an exotic off-world local and bizarre creatures to be good sci fi. I gave it 4 stars. (I reserve 5 stars for those most rare soul-shaking books.)

One of the aspects that kept me thinking well after putting down the book was the (view spoiler)[ingenious way the authors allowed the main character to externalize himself and critically watch himself and to some extent reform himself. The cloned Ramon was able (perhaps with the help of a little alien alteration in the growth tank? It was never super clear) see his humanity from a different perspective and see aspects of himself and his unconcious way of living that he never would have noticed otherwise. I think we all "watch" ourselves in our heads and replay our days over in our mind's eye, but we can really shake our preconceptions like Ramon 2 could, and then really do something about it. (hide spoiler)]

I read and joined in the buddy read discussion.

I really enjoyed listening to the story of Beryl Markams life. She was an incredible woman; first woman to fly solo (East to west) across the Atlantic and first woman horse trainer in Kenya. She had so much determination and strength in her business pursuits yet her personal life, in the period covered by the book anyway, was a disaster.

Beryl had a rare affinity for animals, especially horses, but seemed unable to cope with human relationships. This probably stemmed from her abandonment by her mother at an early age. Motherhood is a strong theme in this book as is breeding - both of horses and humans!

The descriptions of Kenya are vivid and colourful, as are the characters. You get a real feel of the colonial, ex-pat community were the super-rich idle away there days with alcohol, drugs and too much sex, and the less well off, but still aristocratic, white settlers farm. This is in stack contrast to the simple, earthy lives of the natives. Kenyan land is sold to British subjects for a pittance allowing second-sons to buy huge plantations for a song.

I'm not usually a fan of stories based on "real" people, either fictional of non-fictional, but this book may converted me!

I read Glory Over Everything and discussed it in the appropriate thread. I liked the topic and thought the book was well written and an interesting look at the slavery topic.

I read Natchez Burning on 4 Aug.

Greg Iles books always keep me interested in the historical setting and especially the "HOW in the Hell are these characters going to get out of this mess?"

Almeta wrote: "I read Natchez Burning on 4 Aug.

Greg Iles books always keep me interested in the historical setting and especially the "HOW in the Hell are these characters going to get out of th..."

I want to read this, but it is Soooo Long!

I read Crazy Hot for Hot in the title theme. It was a romantic suspense novel with a flimsy plot and interesting supporting characters. It was fast paced with lots of action and fun to read.

I read for an alternate read this month. It is a fantasy, fairytale remix, and historical fiction story all rolled into one short novella that feels much longer than it is because the story is so well written and intriguing. I think I bought the book for the cover, more than anything, but I am so glad that I did!

I read Hunter's Run and discussed some of it with other members. I still have more notes to add.

This was an excellent, 5-star book, that always kept me thinking and surprised! Highly recommended.

I read The Hot Zone and reported in the themed read thread. This was a reread for me. The author is a comfort read for me, which is great as she has written many books. While that helps keep rereads fresh, she does tend to recycle certain tropes and plot elements. That can either be comfortingly familiar or disappointing in its lack of novelty. Usually I find it comforting. This book was part of a series that the author wrote under her own and two pen names.

I read Hunter's Run and discussed it within its respected thread.

I enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I enjoyed the Oveture. Then, it lost a bit of life for me when the main character was introduced Ramon Espejo. However, when the story unfolded and the 'Alien' race was introduced the story began to change and brought you into a world of questions and shattering lines in this book that made you think and discuss. There are a lot of lines from this book that will resonate with me and I'm glad I jotted them down. Below I've added more detail about how I felt and why.

Overall:(view spoiler)[I was pleased I really enjoyed the Overture and the journey Ramon #2 and Maneck shared. (In the Author Q&A from what I understand Gardner and George wrote those parts).The ending was clean and like I said came full circle. My only hiccup was the slow river journey between the Ramon's. Overall I rated this a 4 star it was a good sci-fi, creative descriptive aliens and concepts. The Q & A with the authors helped bring some clarity to their views and thoughts as well. (hide spoiler)]

Disccused Here: Hunter's Run Discussion

Badges have been posted. Let me know if I missed you.

Perfect badge, Peggy. Thank you!

OK - embarrassing newbie question: What is a badge and how do I see it? I'm quite intrigued! :)

Steve wrote: "OK - embarrassing newbie question: What is a badge and how do I see it? I'm quite intrigued! :)"

Your reward for YLTO! monthly group read discussions, group challenge completions, reading competitions, etc.

Here's your link to YOUR "Wall of Fame" .

To see various previous badges and stamps, here's a link to MINE: Almeta's Wall of Fame.☻

Thanks Almeta!

Looking forward to seeing your wall grow Steve :)