2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane.

Pages: 390 pages

Length: 1 Month (April)

Participants: Allie, kristinaaa, Ruthie, Trisha, Shareen

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

My library hold should come available sometime after April 4th!

Michigan libraries aren’t open amid the Coronavirus lockdown so I don’t think I’m getting to this in April :(

Ruthie wrote: "My library hold should come available sometime after April 4th!"

I have my copy already but will start only when one of you start as well. Last month, I read a few books before other members could get their hands on their copies, and as a result there was hardly any discussion happening in the thread.

Give me a shout, Ruthie, when you are ready to start! :)

Allie wrote: "Michigan libraries aren’t open amid the Coronavirus lockdown so I don’t think I’m getting to this in April :("

Oh dear! Did you look up for any digital libraries? There are sites that allow you to download free (non-pirated) copies too!

Allie maybe your library has a Libby account? It’s an app and you sign in with your library card for ebooks and audiobooks!

Ok Trisha I’ll let you know!

Ruthie wrote: "Allie maybe your library has a Libby account? It’s an app and you sign in with your library card for ebooks and audiobooks!"

Yup, I have a Libby account.
Both the ebook and audiobook are on hold now for at least 6 months wait. People want to be reading it while on quarantine looks like :(

I even use a different account under my mom’s library....all on hold. Although for not nearly as long a time, I still wouldn’t get it anytime soon. Which is fine, I have like 10 other buddy reads this month lol.

Aww! So sorry it didn’t work out! Glad you have other buddy reads this month though!

I read this from NetGalley before it was released and loved it!

The novel deals with many issues such as mental health issues and alcoholism, all of which are beautifully written and have obviously been researched vigorously by the author. I had read the blurb and seen this book several times as it has appeared on many upcoming and new releases book lists. It drew me in & I was highly intrigued to know what the tragedy was. It was a fascinating read that I couldn't put down. The ending, although not surprising or astounding, summed the story up perfectly.

Claire wrote: "I read this from NetGalley before it was released and loved it!

The novel deals with many issues such as mental health issues and alcoholism, all of which are beautifully written and have obviousl..."

Thanks for your input, Claire! I didn’t know there was a tragedy in it because I hadn’t gone through the blurb. I was reading it for it’s cover since it fits in for one of my monthly challenge’s prompts. So embarrassing to admit! Your feedback wants me to read it sooner than I planned.

Please add me to this! I am joining!

So happy to have you join us, Shareen!

THANK YOU! I think it arrives tomorrow, I will be on here once I get to it in a couple weeks!

Just started it today!

Ladies, I couldn’t wait any longer and started this book a little while ago. I’m finished with Part 1, which is 25% of the book, and so far, it’s okay! It had a slow start, but has gradually picked up pace. My mind is swarming with questions/thoughts (which I’m listing down below under spoiler), but I’m going to hold on further reading until tomorrow.

(view spoiler)[
Anne’s condition:
What’s going on with Anne? Initially I thought she was depressed because of her miscarriages, then by Peter’s description of her condition, I thought the symptoms were indicative of bipolar syndrome, but now it looks like something else - some kind of hysteria. I was wondering why Brian didn't make her see a Psychiatrist, but then I realised that the setting of the novel takes place in late 80s - early 90s, when talking about mental illness was still a taboo. It still is, actually!

Lena’s loneliness
I’m a bit upset that Lena’s loneliness has not been under the spotlight at all, after the first few hints at it. Loneliness is as much an issue to be dealt with, as any other mental illness. Or maybe she stopped being lonely once she had her girls. I also felt Francis wasn’t the caring type husband, he seemed to be singularly bothered about his own well-being than his wife’s. Am I thinking too much?

Peter & Kate’s love story
There was no gradual falling in love for these two, one moment they are shown as bus-buddies and next moment, they are having romanticism kicking inside them. The writer does give a background that they have been close friends since a young age, so maybe that’s it. (hide spoiler)]

Have not started, yet, but I am still on track for this month.

I'm on chapter 11. Finding it super sad and I don't really like sad books but I originally chose to read it because it was nominated for a goodreads award last year so I want to see why so I'll keep going. The writing is well done and makes the characters seem like real people.

Trisha, I totally agree with your perspective from the spoiler story items you shared.

This is definitely not my kind of book. I'm not just finding it sad, but boring too. There have been a few concrete events, but otherwise, the story is too slow for me, just crawling in the backdrop of the tragedy.

Ruthie, I totally agree that the characters seem real, they have been vividly written. But I can't say that I'm finding the writing particularly good. For me, the issue is with the structure and pace of the book. I'm in the last part now and will hopefully finish it off by EOD today. (view spoiler)[Desperately waiting for some closure on Anne's character - why she did what she did. There has to be a trigger behind the accident. A story from her childhood, perhaps. (hide spoiler)]

Latest update: Just finished chapter 15 and I finally have the closure I needed. (view spoiler)[I feel so sad for Anne; knowing her history has softened my feelings towards her. It also breaks my heart how she has been stalking her son for about a decade, almost planning to confront him but failing to collect her guts.

Also curious about what was there in Peter's psych report. As Anne thinks, the beginning matters - how one started in life and Peter has had a bad beginning too, so...well, let's see! (hide spoiler)]

This novel has been described as a “Domestic” novel. Do you feel that’s the right genre for this novel? Why or why not?

Claire wrote: "This novel has been described as a “Domestic” novel. Do you feel that’s the right genre for this novel? Why or why not?"

Honestly, I didn't know there was a genre classified as domestic fiction, so I had to look up on Google. The researches led me to the below definition -

Domestic Fiction

Going by the above definition, I'm not sure if this book falls under the domestic category.

This book does not have a primary woman protagonist. It's a story of two families, how their lives are entwined by a tragedy; how they deal with it and eventually get over it. This is as much the story of Brian, Francis, Peter, and George, as it is of Anne, Lena, and Kate.

Even though it does deal with sexual abuse and mental illness probably as a result of the abuse, and alcoholism, it is not particularly showcasing the reformation of men. I believe everyone in the book undergoes a transformation. And that was the beauty of the book - how each character got their own lessons during the course of their lives.

If domestic meant a story of a family, then yes, it is a domestic novel. But if it means what the Wikipedia says, then, it's not.

So I did finish the book last night (as planned), and it took me a while to absorb everything that has happened. It was a sad tale, but despite that, the author ended the book on a somewhat happy note. I continued to think about Peter and Anne, long after I had finished reading. So this book definitely leaves an impression.

My only qualms with the book are - it was too sad and I had a feeling that the plot was being dragged.

(view spoiler)[It was difficult for me to accept the fact that Anne stalked Peter's family for more than a decade, and not once Peter noticed her despite being a cop. If Kate could, why couldn't he? I think the author just stretched the plot to make us feel sadder, but weren't we already sad?

Peter who kept on visiting his mom for a few years even though she hardly spoke to him once, or twice, didn't feel the need to stay in constant contact once they had the reunion. For me, that part was absurd, because the Peter we knew had always wanted to be in contact with his mom, and understood what she did was a result of her then mental state.

Also, Brian not leaving behind a dime for his partner Suzie was kinda shocking! They had stayed with each other for 10 years, and she was his primary caretaker when he died. This part could have been skipped (not written), it doesn't add to the story at all. (hide spoiler)]

Having said the above, I did sympathize with the characters. But something about the plot or the writing, just didn't click with me.

Ok I DNFed it! Just couldn't continue with how sad I found it.

I stopped when...

spoiler

It's not letting me mark the spoiler correctly trying again

Ok the spoiler isn't working for some reason but I stopped during a part with Francis about halfway through

Uh oh, two frequent Buddy Readers of mine did not like it? I had better read the jacket again!

Shareen wrote: "Uh oh, two frequent Buddy Readers of mine did not like it? I had better read the jacket again!"

Too sad, and boring too! But I want someone to read - I wrote massive spoilers, you can't let that go in vain, right?

Just kidding! Read a few reviews before you jump into this one. Not just the positive ones, the negative ones too - like mine.

Ruthie wrote: "Ok I DNFed it! Just couldn't continue with how sad I found it.

I stopped when...

spoiler "

I can understand, Ruthie! :(

I am too curious, I am staying IN, lol

Trisha wrote: "Claire wrote: "This novel has been described as a “Domestic” novel. Do you feel that’s the right genre for this novel? Why or why not?"

Honestly, I didn't know there was a genre classified as dome..."

What a fantastic response. The definition you shared also states, 'Domestic realism normally refers to the genre of 19th-century novels popular with women readers.' This isn't a book from the 19th-century and I think it'd be popular with both genders. Fiction, contemporary & audiobook are the top 3 MPG listed on Goodreads.

Ask Again, Yes is told from the perspective of many different characters (Kate, Peter, Francis etc.). How do you think this adds to the development of the story?

Trisha I totally read your spoilers even though I DNFed the book so don't feel like you wrote them in vain!

I agree with the spoiler you wrote about Peter-that definitely doesn't seem in line with what his character would do.

I am wondering why it was nominated by so many people because of how sad it was and I need to check back to last years goodreads awards and see what else was nominated in that category and what actually won the award. Maybe we can check and compare and contrast. Not sure which category it was. I'm thinking it was like general adult fiction or something and I think Ask Again Yes was in the second or third place based on nominations.

I keep trying to push myself to other categories that I don't normally go for like classics or stories like this one but it just reinforces that those just aren't my genre. Not sure if I should keep trying to push myself or just keep with the favorite genres

Ruthie! Read what you love! You have such great taste, it is not like you are reading shallow caca.

Ruthie wrote: "Trisha I totally read your spoilers even though I DNFed the book so don't feel like you wrote them in vain!

I agree with the spoiler you wrote about Peter-that definitely doesn't seem in line with..."

I was thinking on the same lines, why was this book nominated for the GoodReads choice awards? It did get a good majority of votes.

I also try pushing myself to try genres I don't usually enjoy. But this book belonged to my usual favourite fiction category, although I never read the blurb to foresee all the sadness packed in this one book.

It's okay to read something distasteful once in a while. I guess that's how you know that you have a distinguishing choice, a taste unique to you. :)

I like your point: even “caca” reading is reading =).

Shareen wrote: "I like your point: even “caca” reading is reading =)."

Haha! Shareen, your comments crack me up every single time!

Phew, cus I would be so bummed if I offended anyone!

Thanks Shareen! lol

IDK some people might think what I like it caca :( lol I recommended Gideon the Ninth to a friend and it was a 5 star read for me and she only rated it 2 stars and HATED it! lol

But that's ok we all like different things!

Ok so I checked and Ask Again Yes was nominated under the general adult Fiction category. The book that won was The Testaments which I'm interested in reading but I have to read The Handmaid's Tale first so I'd be interested in doing a buddy read for both of those but I don't have any spots for holds right now with my library so it would prob have to be in the fall to read those.

The second place was Normal People which I already requested as a buddy read and it's confirmed for next month.

The third place was Where the Forest Meets the Stars which I'd also be interested in maybe in a few months

Ask again yes was fourth place so not quite as high as I thought but still pretty high considering 20 were nominated in that category. Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...

We definitely all have our unique tastes, I just happen to share yours. I love the complexity and depth of the fantasy novels. I LOVED Handmaid and Testaments. Definitely recommend those, and reading Handmaid FIRST, as it should be, but Barnes & Noble did a book club on Testaments, with most of our group not having read Handmaid!

Ruthie wrote: "Thanks Shareen! lol

IDK some people might think what I like it caca :( lol I recommended..."

Ruthie, I have suggested a buddy read for Where the Forest Meets the Stars in July. So if you're willing to read along, I can move it to a month of your choice. I own a copy so I do not have a problem with postponing.

Shareen wrote: "We definitely all have our unique tastes, I just happen to share yours. I love the complexity and depth of the fantasy novels. I LOVED Handmaid and Testaments..."

I absolutely loved The Handmaid's Tale, although yet to read The Testaments. Having read about the second book, I feel it's definitely better to read the first one first, also not to forget, The Handmaid's Tale is one of the best books ever written.

On a side note, did you get your hands on Borne (we're supposed to be reading it next month)? I'm afraid I may have to withdraw my participation, can't get a copy of it anywhere and I'm definitely not buying any books in 2020. Own so many unread books that I can open a library!

I do have Borne, as well as the two books that follow it. If we need to postpone, not a problem, I will just shuffle it over in my book box! And yes, cheers on Handmaid’s.

Shareen wrote: "I do have Borne, as well as the two books that follow it. If we need to postpone, not a problem, I will just shuffle it over in my book box! And yes, cheers on Handmaid’s."

Oh no, definitely not postponing it. So many folks have agreed to reading it. I’ll try as hard as I can to get a copy, if not, there is always a ‘next time’! 😊

Where the Forest Meets the Stars is not on any of my library apps but I can get it on audible or get a paper copy of the book if the libraries open back up by July. Yes we can keep it at July!

When some of my holds come through and I have spots for new holds I'll be able to suggest The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments for buddy reads.

Trisha wrote: "Shareen wrote: "I do have Borne, as well as the two books that follow it. If we need to postpone, not a problem, I will just shuffle it over in my book box! And yes, cheers on Handmaid’s."

Oh no, ..."
I could not remember if we had a group going on that, so I will stay put, then!

Ruthie wrote: "Where the Forest Meets the Stars is not on any of my library apps but I can get it on audible or get a paper copy of the book if the libraries open back up by July. Yes we can keep ..."

Great! Could you just drop a one-liner in the buddy read sign up thread saying you'd read the Where the Forest Meets the Stars in July? We are supposed to have a record of everything there!

I so much wanted to read that book! Yayy!!

Yes I will! :)

Trisha wrote: "Ladies, I couldn’t wait any longer and started this book a little while ago. I’m finished with Part 1, which is 25% of the book, and so far, it’s okay! It had a slow start, but has gradually picked..."
(view spoiler)[ Finally getting traction. I am thinking Anne has paranoid schizophrenia, along with the manic-depressive issue. I think that Lena's loneliness was abated by having her girls, but that self-absorbed husband is not helping! (hide spoiler)]