Play Book Tag discussion

I am excited to share in the reading of Circe with all the interested members for November! I have tried and failed to organize a real life book club a few times, so this a great consolation.

Please join the discussion throughout the month regarding your thoughts on the book, the author, Greek mythology or anything else Circe relevant.

Since the discussion is open throughout the month and every reader has their own pace, be mindful of spoilers and utilize the spoiler function.

I read this book a couple of months ago so I will jump into the conversation too! I really liked this book and it is a strong contender for my Top 1- of 2018!

I started last week and so far I am enjoying it, but also relieved that no Greek mythology knowledge is really necessary to enjoy the story.

It took me a long time to read because I really like Greek mythology, so every time another god/goddess was mentioned or there was a story that was vaguely familiar, I was off to wikiresearch it! lol

Also, listening to this audio taught me the proper pronunciation of may gods' names, but none more so than Scylla.

I always said Sky-la. Turns out, it is Sill-a. The more you know.

Audio will be helpful... I might have to look up pronunciations.

I used to be so good about looking up things in books - words, references, etc - but lately I find it really hurts my reading momentum so I just burn through even if I am curious about something... usually.

Unfortunately I am still #2 on the wait list at my library. The bad patron who checked it out in early Oct is now 2 weeks over-due-I am going to search my local used book stores, fingers crossed.

I read it a number of months ago too, but I’m still e cited to discuss it.

Used bookstores were once my favourite pastime. Alas most of the ones I used to frequent have closed down.

Joanne wrote: "Unfortunately I am still #2 on the wait list at my library. The bad patron who checked it out in early Oct is now 2 weeks over-due-I am going to search my local used book stores, fingers crossed."

If you have a Half Priced Books they tend to have a lot of recent titles. Hadn't been to one in years and when I went recently they had so many new releases, I was surprised.

Meli! So excited to be doing this with you! Thanks for taking the helm and starting us off. I have it out from the library, but I’m reading another book 1st. I wanted to be right in the middle of when others were reading it. So I may be about a week behind.

Meli wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Unfortunately I am still #2 on the wait list at my library. The bad patron who checked it out in early Oct is now 2 weeks over-due-I am going to search my local used book stores, fin..."

I don't know of that one, but we do have a place called Second and Charles and they seem to have a lot of new releases-going to try to get over there next week-

And a shout out to Nicole R who offered to send me the ebook-unfortunately I do not e-read-but so generous of you Nicole to offer-This group is fabulous!

My library hold was still 6 weeks off, and the second hand shop didn’t have it. So my lovely independent book shop benefited after all! Looking forward to reading this one - I really enjoyed ‘Song of Achilles’ and Greek mythology gets me every time

Joanne, if your second hand store doesn’t have it, message me with your address and I will read the book quickly and post you my copy

KateNZ wrote: "Joanne, if your second hand store doesn’t have it, message me with your address and I will read the book quickly and post you my copy"

Kate you are too kind-don't rush on my account, we've a whole month and it sounds like the sort of book I would finish quickly-but I will keep this in mind❤

Yay so exited! I've had my copy for a couple weeks and it's been hard keeping myself from starting it.

I hope it's ok I asked someone I met in another group if they where interested in joining this buddy read and they said they where. I would've asked you guys first but I know what a welcoming group this is.

Hey! I’m new to this group but it sounds really fun and hope you don’t mind joining in to this buddy read.

Great to meet you, Nicolas! Jump right in to our other threads too - this is a super-friendly group. Beware, though - your TBR will expand like never before ...

Nicolas wrote: "Hey! I’m new to this group but it sounds really fun and hope you don’t mind joining in to this buddy read."

Welcome Nicholas, you are going to love it here!

Good news-I found a copy at another local library I am able to borrow from-it will take a week to get, but sounds like that will be fine! Happy reading!!

I've got it downloaded in ebook and plan to start it this weekend. Looking forward to the discussion!

It was my turn at the library and my mom picked it up while I was in FL... I just got back, so I have 9 days to read it before I have to return it since there are so many people waiting for it. I'm looking forward to joining in this month since last month didn't work out for me.

Charlotte, you are ever in my thoughts. Someday you should get back to the Weight of Ink.

I'm in! I won't be starting for a few days as I am reading The Huntress right now. But I should get to it by next Tuesday. So glad for all the people who are joining this buddy read. Welcome Nicolas!

I'll join in the buddy read, and welcome to you too, Nicolas! Nice to see newbies jumping right in.

The Huntress is on my TBR! Let me know if you love it! Would so adore a Rachel Recommendation. You’re a current book twin!

Wow, I am thrilled there are so many buddies reading Circe!

Thank you, Magdalena, for inviting more buddies and welcome Nicolas! The more the merrier :)

I had a friend visiting from out of town this weekend, so I wasn't able to get any reading done, but will play catchup today.

I am surprised there is such at long wait at many libraries since this has been out for several months... Good luck to everyone still looking for a copy!

Amy wrote: "The Huntress is on my TBR! Let me know if you love it! Would so adore a Rachel Recommendation. You’re a current book twin!"

Amy you are so sweet! I actually won this through a Harper Collins Instagram giveaway. I was so excited and so far I love it!

Meli wrote: "Wow, I am thrilled there are so many buddies reading Circe!

Thank you, Magdalena, for inviting more buddies and welcome Nicolas! The more the merrier :)

I had a friend visiting from out of town ..."
I'm not even going to start until Tuesday or Wednesday so you are doing well!! I am very excited about this Buddy read.

Amy wrote: "Charlotte, you are ever in my thoughts. Someday you should get back to the Weight of Ink."

Aww... thanks :) !! Things are slowly getting back to normal. Long story short... it's been a crazy 20+ days... my mom is now living in a tiny home on our property, the moving truck with her stuff arrives on Tues, my husband is still lin FL putting the finishing touches on her house so we can put it on the market as early as next week. Fingers crossed it sells quickly!! I'm just thankful that she is healthy and seems much happier now even though it's 3300 miles from where she was born and lived most of her life.

I'll definitely get back to Weight of Ink, I'm hoping sooner rather than later. I'm stalking it on Amazon and keeping an eye out at my local used bookstore. If I get a gift certificate for Christmas, it'll probably be my Christmas gift to myself :)

I'm enjoying Circe so far although I'm distracted by all the stressful things going on in my life that it is slow going. I still have 6 days to read it and I'm 85 pages in.

A couple questions...

What is "draught"?
Is this a potion or something?
I googled it and was more confused so I thought someone here might know.

Also, Circe (and her mother and brother) are immortal but not Gods, is that correct?

Meli wrote: "A couple questions...

What is "draught"?
Is this a potion or something?
I googled it and was more confused so I thought someone here might know.

I am still waiting for my copy but I found this


From the oxford dictionary

A single act of drinking or inhaling.

‘she downed the remaining beer in one draught

Most uses seemed like a noun in context... like "his draughts." hmph.

My understanding is it is a drink of some kind... didn't our contemporary American 'draft' come from the word 'draught'? I was assuming it was the same and in that case it is a drink that comes from a cask or a keg.

A draught is also a term that means a single dose of liquid medicine. I don't think it is used much that way any more, but it was in the old timey days.

Charlotte wrote: "My understanding is it is a drink of some kind... didn't our contemporary American 'draft' come from the word 'draught'? I was assuming it was the same and in that case it is a drink that comes fro..."

That would make sense in the context it was used.

I hit page 125 last night and up until this point I thought this was a high brow literary fiction cleverly riffin on Greek mythology which it is buuuuuttt....

(view spoiler)[Circe's sister fucked a bull and had a monster baby.... WTF!? (hide spoiler)]

I just started last night and I'm up to chapter three (page 27). I really like it so far but it was a little difficult for me to keep track of all the characters. I'm sure once I settle in more it won't be so hard for me.

There is a cast of characters in the back if that’ll help you keep all the different characters and things straight.

That does help! Thanks for telling me. :)

:) I’m so glad! I’m about the same spot!! Just got to 137 and I’m definitely sucked in. Took a bit for me to get invested.

Charlotte wrote: ":) I’m so glad! I’m about the same spot!! Just got to 137 and I’m definitely sucked in. Took a bit for me to get invested."

This is where I am now also and events are really ramping up, although it starts out pretty eventful anyway. There is always something going on.

About page 125 was where I started hitting my stride with this story but I am not sure why... maybe because it has been so long since I have read any Greek mythology I was struggling to get good footing on the story. Once we got to the insanity in 125 I was all in :)

These are all good tip to know. I keep saying every day that today’s the day I’m going to finish the book I’m reading and start Circe. I’m 30 pages away. Just swamped at work. But I have Circe with me.

Amy wrote: "These are all good tip to know. I keep saying every day that today’s the day I’m going to finish the book I’m reading and start Circe. I’m 30 pages away. Just swamped at work. But I have Circe with..."

What are you currently reading?

The kings witch. So I have like 15 minutes left of this one hour today to be able to make phone calls and catch up on correspondence. And I happened to notice that the book is missing. So now I have to traipse around my office suite and downstairs looking for the damn thing.

I just finished The Huntress this morning and took Circe with me as well! This month has been crazy so far.

Found and finished the book. 4.5 stars. Starting Circe today...

Nicole R wrote: "I read this book a couple of months ago so I will jump into the conversation too! I really liked this book and it is a strong contender for my Top 1- of 2018!"

I think this is the best book I've read in 2018.

Meli wrote: "A couple questions...

What is "draught"?
Is this a potion or something?
I googled it and was more confused so I thought someone here might know.

Also, Circe (and her mother and brother) are i..."

I just started reading Circe and promptly came to the scene where Helios is 'playing draughts'. This is the British term for checkers. *snort* typical shallow god! He only likes to play draughts against himself, guaranteeing he always wins!

You encounter the game of draughts a lot in British mysteries that spend time in village pubs where the locals hang out drinking pints and playing either draughts or darts.

I'm on page 101 and have struggled to be sucked in. I am getting there, and there have been times I felt that way for a fleeting moment. There are SO MANY CHARACTERS. Too many but I had felt this way before with other books that I ended up loving.

Theresa - that was a definition that came up when I Googled, but I think it is used in at least 2 different ways in this book.
I did not realize he was playing against himself to ensure he always wins! There is probably much going over my head, but I am trying to stay the course.

Rachel - I felt similarly. Much is happening as soon as the book starts and Miller world builds while keeping the plot moving, but I think the first 100 pages or so can leave some readers feelin 'meh. The world building is important, and for me page 125 shit really hits the fan and now I am pretty well deep into the story.
Hang in there! Hopefully it gets better, like it did for me.

I think the difficulty with the number of characters is the names are so foreign. I struggle with this in fantasy books because typically their names are so different they are hard to keep track of or remember.