Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

December Group Read discussion is open for The Starless Sea. There is no discussion leader for this month! Anyone who wishes to step up can take the reins, or you can just happily discuss amongst yourselves :-)

Please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot related surprises.

Posts here should only be about this book.

Have a couple of books I need to finish and return to the library. But picked up my copy of Starless Sea on the weekend!

I will be reading this in 2020 for the IRL book club I facilitate so won't participate in this one, but am anxious to see what everyone thinks of it!

Very keen! This will be my first Erin Morgenstern novel.

Read it. Loved it. Listening to it soon. I want to draw symbols on everything now.

I don't usually participate in these so I'm wondering how to talk about it without spoilers... I'm glad I knew so little before I read it and I don't want to take that experience away from anyone else. Hmmm...

I love the way Erin writes. It's my favorite thing about her books. It's descriptive, imaginative, amusing and kinda magic. I smiled a lot while reading. Sometimes I wondered what I looked like to others while reading this in public. Some lady smiling into a book.

It took me longer to read than I anticipated because I kept not getting enough time. I finished this in print a few days ago, and as soon as I'm done with my book club book, I'm going to listen to it on audio.

I now own four copies. Audio, US First Edition, UK First Edition, and signed US First Edition. I HAVE NO REGRETS!

So it will be 2020 before I get to this one. I ha e a hold at 2 libraries. The first days I am number 185 on hold for one of 40 copies and the other says there is a wait of 106 days. Unless I decide to buy it and I’m really trying to limit my purchases next year.

My local library hasn’t even got it in yet. I hope I get to read this in December, but I doubt it

I’m on a 6 month library hold for the ebook and the audiobook, so it will be a 2020 read for me.

My library doesn't tell me where I am in the hold queue. But there are 4 holds on 5 copies of the book, so I'm crossing my fingers that I'm high on the list and get the book soon.

OOOooooOOHHHHH! This is on my list of MUST READ BOOKS so I hope to snag a copy somewhere and join in! --Jen from Quebec :0)

I updated the opening post to let you all know that it’s mass anarchy for the December discussion! No leader!! LOL. I’m sure it all be fine. Everyone shout out questions and theories and favorite quotes!

You can also find some discussion questions here: http://knopfdoubleday.com/2019/11/05/...

Have fun :)

poshpenny wrote: "Read it. Loved it. Listening to it soon. I want to draw symbols on everything now.

I don't usually participate in these so I'm wondering how to talk about it without spoilers... I'm glad I knew s..."

This is amazing news, poshpenny! Thanks for sharing your reaction! And I am so jealous of the signed copy! :)

Spoilers can be formatted this way:
{spoiler}YOUR TEXT{/spoiler}
**PLEASE NOTE: replace the { above with <**

If you are using a desktop, you should be able to access instructions for some of these simplest formatting options under "(some html is ok)" above on the right. I don't believe that option exists on a phone (and perhaps other devices?).

You make me even more excited to begin!

Nadine wrote: "I updated the opening post to let you all know that it’s mass anarchy for the December discussion! No leader!! LOL. I’m sure it all be fine. Everyone shout out questions and theories and favorite q..."

Ahem! Attention all! I am an idiot! Admittedly, an old one, but still an idiot!

So I volunteered months ago to lead this discussion and then posted above that I was not going to be able to read this in December and then once I was alerted that I had volunteered to lead this discussion changed my mind and have a copy on hold at the bookstore which I will purchase and begin reading tonight. I will finish it over the weekend.

In the meantime, please do not allow this to discourage your participation in any way! The more comments, the better! Please do post any questions, theories, quotes, etc! The last time I tried this in the summer I was disappointed that very few people participated, so the more the merrier, I say! "Mass anarchy" shall reign!

The only thing I would suggest is the use of spoiler tags (as poshpenny had asked about above) for anything you think may ruin it for another reader who has not progressed as far as you have in the book. I always try to err on the cautious side with this. Just a reminder of that formatting:
{spoiler}......{/spoiler}
REPLACE THE {} WITH <>!

I am so excited to see so many already planning to participate! Welcome Katie, Tanvi, Pam, Heather, and Jen from Quebec :0)!
I see that not all of you have a copy and may not be able to obtain a copy in time to read this in December, but here's hopin' for the best for all of you! Let the reading and chaos begin!

I know how to use spoiler tags, it's just that this book is told in such a way that so many things can possibly be spoilers. Maybe not plot-wise, (Or are they? *side-eye*) Part of the fun was discovering... everything! Each time a new something-or-other was introduced I was all "Oh! How delightful! How mysterious!"

Sometimes the form a story takes is as much (or sometimes more) fun than the story itself.

OK here is a nice one

“Reading a book four times in one day is perfectly normal behavior.”

poshpenny wrote: "I know how to use spoiler tags, it's just that this book is told in such a way that so many things can possibly be spoilers. Maybe not plot-wise, (Or are they? *side-eye*) Part of the fun was disco..."
Oops! I evidently misunderstood! Sorry about that...

I can only imagine how difficult this book may prove to be regarding spoilers. I am only about 10 pages in. Just follow your instinct, I would say. I probably hide more in spoilers than I perhaps need to at times.

I just entered this on my 2020 plan for #3.

That first line! "There is a pirate in the basement."

I am so anxious to just sit and read this over the weekend!

poshpenny wrote: "OK here is a nice one

“Reading a book four times in one day is perfectly normal behavior.”"

Ah, if only I could do so! ;)

I am rather fascinated that this is "a book about books"!

I expect a totally unique reading experience if The Night Circus was any indication of her imagination!

Definitely a unique reading experience. Especially if you are a lover of stories and the variety of ways you can experience them.

I took a look at it's goodreads page, and it seems some people found it confusing. I didn't at all, so I think it was perhaps how they tried to read it. so, I have a tip.

This is a book about stories. It even begins with them. Just enjoy them and go with it. Don't try to force anything into a box or make things fit into a simple shape. Just sit back with some cocoa, or a craft cocktail, let Erin paint pretty pictures in your head and see where it leads you.

poshpenny wrote: "Definitely a unique reading experience. Especially if you are a lover of stories and the variety of ways you can experience them.

I took a look at it's goodreads page, and it seems some people fo..."

I appreciate that advice. That typically is my approach to any book..."let the author take me where they wish me to go..."

I just finished this book today and I loved it, but I feel I'm going to need a 2nd or 3rd read to fully comprehend what was going on. I finished kinda confused as to what happened. Erin Morgenstern has become one my favorite authors. I read Night Circus last year and loved that one also.

I'm about two-thirds of the way through this, and I'm really enjoying it. I like the way the stories start to fit together like puzzle pieces and nest into the main narrative.

John wrote: "I just finished this book today and I loved it, but I feel I'm going to need a 2nd or 3rd read to fully comprehend what was going on. I finished kinda confused as to what happened. [author:Erin Mor..."

I made a conscientious decision to wait until Saturday morning to begin reading this since reading several people's comments regarding the nature of the book's organization, etc. I assume that I will probably be better off reading in long uninterrupted stretches rather than just 10-15 minutes here and there until the weekend. So excited to get started!

I'm going to post the discussion questions from the link Nadine graciously posted. I'll post one question per comment so we can more easily keep them separate. (At least I think that will help me...) :)

1. The books in The Starless Sea are:
“Sweet Sorrows”
“Fortunes and Fables”
“The Ballad of Simon and Eleanor”
“Written in the Stars”
“The Owl King”
“The Secret Diary of Katrina Hawkins”

How do they differ from one another, in particular book six from the first five?

Now my interest is really and truly piqued! :) I love to compare/contrast!

2. A single book takes Zachary on an adventure. What book that you’ve read would you want to take you on an adventure?

3. The Starless Sea is composed of six books:
“Sweet Sorrows”
“Fortunes and Fables”
“The Ballad of Simon and Eleanor”
“Written in the Stars”
“The Owl King”
“The Secret Diary of Katrina Hawkins”

Who is the main character or narrator for each book?

Or…is it the same (main character or narrator) for each of the six books?

4. How do the stories all intersect in The Starless Sea?

5. What metaphors are represented by the pirate and the girl for you?

(As my reading buddies will tell you, I typically love metaphors!) :)

6. Why didn’t Zachary open the door when he was younger?

Why do you think he found “Sweet Sorrows” in the library years later?

7. Why does Allegra want to destroy the doors?

8. What do you think Katrina finds at the end of the book when she opens the door with a crown, a feather, and a heart?

9. What Goodreads rating did you list for this book?
(# stars/5 stars)

Why did you give it that rating?

10. What did you specifically enjoy most about this book?

11. What did you appreciate the least about this book? Or what would you have preferred to have been done differently?

I finished the book today. I didn't really feel a strong attachment to any of the characters (except (view spoiler)[Eleanor, the forgotten bunny girl (hide spoiler)]). I had the same experience when I read The Night Circus-- the characters and events of the story took a backseat for me. My love of these books comes from being immersed in the wonderful worlds and Morgenstern's beautiful descriptions. It was very hard to (view spoiler)[ experience the destruction of the world of the Starless Sea (hide spoiler)].

I am on page 74...and is this it? Will Zachary (view spoiler)[finally enter the Starless Sea (hide spoiler)]? I don't know, but I am anxious to find out!

Suki wrote: "I finished the book today. I didn't really feel a strong attachment to any of the characters (except [spoilers removed]). I had the same experience when I read The Night Circus-- the..."

Although I felt I connected with the characters, I do agree with you regarding her ability to create worlds!

I finished this book recently (it wasn't for a challenge, I just read it). I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! I also read The Night Circus and liked this one more.

(view spoiler)[Anyone else get all the Legend of Zelda references? Loved it. I actually took the last bit with the heart as a nod to Legend of Zelda because Dorian is essentially reviving Zachary with a heart as if he were Link.

What do people think the Owl King represents? I thought he was meant to represent wisdom and tradition, but I'm curious what other people think.

One of the things I loved about this book was all the little touches. The cats everywhere. The kitchen and the dumbwaiter. The stars that were nightmares that Elenor had. I really liked the Elenor/Lenore character.

I don't know why Erin Morgenstern decided to use so much bees and honey imagery, but I did read that in Greek mythology, honey is the food of the Gods. I'd like to think that's why she chose honey, and it makes sense, to me. (hide spoiler)]

Lynn wrote: "8. What do you think Katrina finds at the end of the book when she opens the door with a crown, a feather, and a heart?"

(view spoiler)[ I think she finds that they started the library again, but it's now in Mississauga, Ontario because why not. :) (she makes reference to the spot being in "missi-something" and she's near Toronto at the time. (hide spoiler)]

I had 6 weeks left on my e-book hold, but today when I was picking up physical books I spied a hardback copy on the "Lucky Day" shelf! I probably won't start it till the weekend though - need to get caught up on my AtY challenge.

Is anyone else have trouble getting into this book?

I’m a big fan of magical realism and I feel like this book ticks a lot of my interest boxes, but I’m about a quarter through now (after two weeks! usually I can finish a book in 4-5 days or less) and I’m finding that I have to force myself to keep reading.

I have back-to-back book club meetings on Saturday and Sunday of this upcoming weekend but am hopeful I can finish this book Sunday night. In the meantime, I’ll wait to read spoilers since I don’t want to “spoil” it for myself! Happy reading to all!!

@Jenny
I have not had that happen to me. It is a compelling read for me. I’m sorry if it’s not grabbing your attention! Two weeks is a long time!

Chrissy wrote: "I had 6 weeks left on my e-book hold, but today when I was picking up physical books I spied a hardback copy on the "Lucky Day" shelf! I probably won't start it till the weekend though - need to ge..."

I would say it was your "lucky day" indeed!

First Erin Morgenstern book for me. I love a book written by a story teller but I usually like a solid plot, so this was hard for me to just "read" and let the author take me on a journey. At the end of the book I had 3 different reactions- 1. I wish I could of read this in a cabin by a fire over a whole weekend, just immerse myself 2. Allegra's plot/purpose for closing the doors really resonated with me and finally I am glad that I took this Dec challenge because the book did take me on a great journey that I did not expect. Will read the Night Circus now that I finished this one.

susan howard wrote: "I wish I could of read this in a cabin by a fire over a whole weekend, just immerse myself "

THIS. With cocoa/tea/cocktail. Many times while reading this I just wanted to be curled up by a fire. Alas, I haven't one.

It looks like my library hold will not come in time for me to read this with the group, but your comments have me very excited to read this next year!

I'm here! Finished my IRL December book club yesterday (I finished the book 3 minutes before we started!)

Will curl up with this one on the weekend!