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

Please read the whole thread as we have made some amendments to what is required in order to obtain a badge.

If the two chosen books are not to your liking, you can read another book that fits this month's theme of 'day or night in title'.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during June 2020.
2. discussed it in this 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. Please elaborate on your thoughs on at least 5 of the following topics:
- Setting
- Characters
- Writing style
- Genre
- How the book made you feel
- Which parts stood out
- Did you/will you read more by the author
- Anything else related to the book you find worth mentioning

This can be done in one post after finishing the book, but preferably in a few posts while reading. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I am planning on reading The Night Watchman for the challenge and if I get to it might even fit in Night Boat to Tangier.
I have a goal to not buy any books in June and try and read what I have purchased during the quarantine. Now of course if bookbub has something that I must have well.... Please library open up soon!

I am planning on reading Night Watch which I'll start after the monthly challenge book. I am very much looking forward to the book. I've owned it for years and have been meaning to start the series but something else gets my interest instead. Perfect timing. And it also fits in twisted trivia too.

i am going to read Night Film in fact I have started it.

Marie (UK) wrote: "i am going to read Night Film in fact I have started it."

Ooh, I really liked that book. I found it a really interesting way of telling a story.

Sarah wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "i am going to read Night Film in fact I have started it."

Ooh, I really liked that book. I found it a really interesting way of telling a story."

Sarah i cannot say I am liking it that much at the moment I am finding it difficult to follow although the reviews are really good I feel like I am missing something

I am about half way through my book Night Film

Synopsis Scott McGrath is a disgraced investigative journalist who let his mouth run away with him when investigating Stanislav Cordova, a film producer and director of horror films so dark that his latest films are only available on the dark net / underground. Stanislav himself is a recluse very protective of his privacy. Now his daughter has been found dead - an apparent suicide and Scott is back on the case

Characters
There are lots of characters who are talked about but who we never see (at least in the first half) but two join Scott in his investigation
Nora Halliday is a wannabe actress,homeless coat check girl who saw Ashley cordova prior to her death. She insinuates herself into the investigation. I don't think she is exactly what she seems to be, she is hiding behind a facade.
Hopper - a drug addict who is apparently a "friend" perhaps acquaintance of Ashley cordova is pulled into the trio by Nora and appears to have access to information that cannot be explained.

Of the 3 Nora is my favourite character she is feisty and seems to have more investigative nonce than Scott. I cannot explain Hopper

Literary style
The book is really interesting in the way it is set out there is narrative mixed with emails/ newspaper articles/ police information / web searches. Reviews talk about having listened on audio - IMO this book has to be read in a hard copy format there are black pages photographs etc etc that carry meaning which simply cannot be portrayed in electronic or audio format.

What do i Think
I feel like I am missing something I don't get any tenor of "thrill" or "mystery" I don't get any building of suspense (as yet) other reviews suggest that I should but at tis point i feel like the narrative is like crazy paving that I am not sure how to put together. This is a LONG book - I bought it and so I am determined to finish it but either I am missing the point or it is dreadfully dull. Perhaps my views will change

Genre
It has MPGs of mystery thriller and horror OK it is a mystery both what happened to Ashley and the disappearance or reclusivity of Stanislas BUT I am not getting the horror. I often wonder how these genres are created. When i shelve books it is only according to when or why I have read them or where i got them from. I don't shelve genre. Do many of you shelve in genre?

For me Horror must get you by the seat of your pants. It must make you catch your breath / swallow the lump in your throat. If i was to pick great horror books i would go straight to The Wasp Factory or House of Leaves. Two very different books but definitely genre worthy

I have decided to read In Between Days by Andrew Porter

A part of me was drawn to this book because the cover made it look like a good summer read. While it does not seem like it is going to be a “light” read in the vein of many beach/summer reads it is one of those books about family and different peoples lives and how they intersect.

One of the things I do so far really enjoy about the book is the multiple point of view narration. I admit I am a sucker for mpv. It is one of those books where each new section is like another puzzle piece to slowly reveal the fuller picture.

While the book is not a mystery in the sense of solving a crime it is a mystery in the way in which it starts out with a fairly major event happening but at first we are only given a very vague idea of what happened. Each new chapter reveals a little more detail.

I have finished my book Night Film and I have to say I am disappointed

How it all is worked into a narrative
there are a lot of different aspects of the narrative It is drowning in description and it is quite difficult to pull out the important parts.
-there is the lure of a mystery in the famous director who does everything to maintain privacy for him and his family.
- there is paganism, witchcraft, black magic accusations of vampiric properties.
- there is an element of money can talk and buy anything
For around 400 pages of the book Scott, Nora and Hopper go along following the various narrative lines and then suddenly everything changes and what you have read before seems to be immaterial.
One section identifies 9 cat names and their influence on the investigation leading to our truly dreadful ending
(view spoiler)[ Nora and Hopper have accepted that Ashley committed suicide - there are not really clear why but Hopper "feels' Ashley's presence and Nora seems to just decide there is nowhere left to go. Scott has an Aha moment and visit the man who lectures on Cordova's films and their symbolism - lo we land in a virtual escape room synopsis Pfttttt (hide spoiler)]


I have picked out two quotes from the book which really say it all

"they see the film four times with me but the underlying meaning is lost" ? Cordova's ad man
I could read this book four times and still wouldn't be able to tell you what it mean

Nora tells Scott " for someone who investigates you are blind" he so is

I would have given this book a one star rating but I did like the interweaving or police notes/ news stories etc so I upped this to 2 stars.

I'm sorry you didn't like the book more, Marie. I don't remember all that much about it, but I do recall that I enjoyed it.

I never heard of your book Marie and it doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but sorry to read you didn't like it. Especially since it's so long! I get it though, when you spent money on it you want to finish it.

I do shelve my read books by genre but I'm not sure why I ever started it. It comes in handy now and then and divides my read books in manageable categories.

Marie (UK) wrote: "I have finished my book Night Film and I have to say I am disappointed"

I have that one on my TBR still. My friend reviews are all over the place with this one.

I'm not sure if I'm going to have time to read a book for the theme this month. I've been really struggling with getting my reading done for a while now. However, if I can fit in a shorter book, then I'm going to read Death on a Summer Night.

I remember all of the hype when Night Film came out - some really liked it and some really did not. My library did not have a copy yet, so I never put it on my TBR list. I haven't missed it yet.

Kristie wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "I have finished my book Night Film and I have to say I am disappointed"

I have that one on my TBR still. My friend reviews are all over the place with this one."

I think it is a marmite book either you love it or hate it -
I wanted to read some longer books this season and thought it was a good time with lockdown on

I shelve my books by Size /hardback/ paperback etc - i have to some of the shelves are smaller than others and the entire Encyclopaedia Brittanica takes up the first 3

I just started The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich and I am really enjoying it. Erdrich's writing is precise and compassionate, but distant at the same time. She is telling you the story and letting the characters' actions, feelings, and thoughts move you - not the narrator's opinion. Which I think was probably very difficult for her to do. The main character Thomas Wazhashk is based on Erdrich's grandfather Patrick Gourneau who was the chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Advisory Committee in the 1950's. In the story he is working to try to stop the "Termination Bill" (all factual) that is going through Congress. This bill would end the reservations and take away the last land that belongs to the American Indians.
The story is part biography part fiction. There is Thomas's story which is woven into the fiction narrative of Pixie an American Indian girl who would like to escape the reservation. Next post spoiler. The story is captivating.

Jayme wrote: "I just started The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich and I am really enjoying it. Edrich's writing is precise and compassionate, but distant at the same time. She is te..."

I want to read that book. I like Erdich's writing, and that this is part biographical intrigues me.

I'm on page 150/453 of The Night Watchman and the story is so good. The plot is building kind of like fishtailing up a mountain and the tension is mounting.
Thomas the MC reminds me of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mocking Bird. He has a calm intelligence and you feel safe around him and hope that everything works out OK. Pixie/Patrice (view spoiler)[has headed to Minneapolis to find her sister Vera who has disappeared. Another thread in the theme of this story is what happens to young people who leave the reservation and head to the city. It doesn't look good for Vera. She has discovered that there is a baby. Patrice has run into some bad characters, but I think she can hold her own. Crossing my fingers. (hide spoiler)]
Something else I like about this story - actually in all of Erdrich's writings - is that you have your MCs, but circling around them are 4 or 5 characters that you also get to know and mostly really like. They play a key role in the story (you think), but even if they don't they add this extra layer of richness describing life on the reservation.

I like this book so much that I have gone back and put her books that I haven't read on my TBR and have moved them up to read sooner than later.

I have added your book to my TBR also, Jayme. I live her writing style too. All of her books that I have read were very good reads for me.

I finished The Night Watchman and there is so much to love. I had no idea that even in the 1950's there were powerful Senators who were trying to take the reservation land and (view spoiler)[ succeeded. It shouldn't surprise me so much since it is still going on today (hide spoiler)] I always love it when I learn something new.

One of the main themes is the idea of staying or leaving the reservation. Erdrich does an excellent job of describing the deep poverty found on the reservations, but also the obstacles American Indians face when tying to relocate off the reservation. For all the problems of the reservation it is still the last of their land and it is what brings many home.

I also really like Erdrich's writing style. She doesn't just present 2 MC's and a couple of plot lines. There are always many characters with mini stories woven through out. Some stories relate to the plot while others give richness to the essence of the story in general. Kind of like life. You aren't just a big event - like planning a wedding. You still have to go to work, get your teeth cleaned, send off a birthday card, meet friends for happy hour etc etc.

But my favorite thing about the book is the quiet dignity and honor that is given the Chippewa culture and religion. Erdrich has masterfully shown in this book that this is who they are at a molecular level not just an aspect of them - the essence.
5 star read for me.

Jayme wrote: "I finished The Night Watchman and there is so much to love. I had no idea that even in the 1950''s."

I will give The Night Watchman more priority after reading your comments. Did you listen on audiobook or read a print edition?

Janice wrote: "Jayme wrote: "I finished The Night Watchman and there is so much to love. I had no idea that even in the 1950''s."

I will give The Night Watchman more priority after reading your c..."
I read the print version.

Sounds good Jamie. I've enjoyed all the books I've read by her.

Just an aside - I really miss discussing the book with other people. I can now return library books, but they need to open up the hold section soon so that I can get the monthly book!

The chosen books throughout lockdown have not had the usual amount of people discussing them as they have not been able to access the books so readily. We all seem to be reading the books we already own. Hopefully as the libraries start to open up, that will change.

I started Night Watch. I've not read the synopsis of the book since I bought the book a few years back. I do this often. I knew it was about vampires but for some reason expected it to be from the vampire POV. Which it isn't. Although it is from the POW of someone who keeps the vampires in check. At first glimpse, it seems like they are enforcers of magical beings, like the police to some degrees. In addition to vampires, there is magic too. Still early days but so far has a slightly different take on the vampire trope so I'm looking forward to seeing how that unfolds.

Oh, thanks for your comments on Night Watch, Sarah. I hesitated between the two group read books and I am happy with listening to The House at the Edge of Night (because I could not get the Sarah Waters book) ,but I really like stories about vampires, especially if they have a "different take on the vampire trope".

I've not read a vampire story for a while. I too enjoy them. I'm liking thjs one so far.

Sarah wrote: "I started Night Watch. I've not read the synopsis of the book since I bought the book a few years back. I do this often. I knew it was about vampires but for some reason expected it t..."

Do you get a feel for Moscow as a setting?

Not really at the moment Janice. There is mention of snow, vodka, obviously Russian street names etc but that's it. I would say it's more chracter/plot driven. There were times that I had forgotten it was set in Moscow until one of the Russian street names or areas of the city were mentioned then I as like 'oh yeah!'. That might change though as the story vets going.

Sarah wrote: "Not really at the moment Janice. There is mention of snow, vodka, obviously Russian street names etc but that's it. I would say it's more chracter/plot driven. There were times that I had forgotten..."

So more just a backdrop then.

I have just realised that the book I'm reading is actually four stories with the same main character in the same world rather than one continuous story. I've just reached the end of 'story 1'. It was a great story to introduce the world, the characters, and the Others, Night Watch and Day Watch. It really sucked me in. For a while, I wasn't sure where the book was going to go. The story seemed to be coming to an end but there was still 300 pages left so I was starting to think it would go downhill soon. But no, an end to one great story and now to move onto the next. I am curious if all of the books in the series are written like this.

In Between Days is a very character driven book which I enjoy. I really like all the intricacies woven into the story and the different glimpses we see of each of these characters and their lives as events slowly unfold. While it is one of those books where none of the characters are necessarily likeable I still find them compelling. I cannot wait for the final truth of what happened to be revealed.

I picked up Death on a Summer Night for this theme because it was rated highly and I also need a book with "summer" in the title for another challenge. It is #12 (of 12) in a series of which I have not read any of the previous books. (oops lol) I've been looking at the reviews and it looks like the series has the same two main characters/investigators, but a different case in each or at least this one was called 'different'. I'm just going to go for it and hope that it makes sense and I'm not missing too much background. Good luck to me.

I've made it about 40% through Death on a Summer Night. I'm pretty impressed with the writing and development for a short story. You know pretty quickly some of what happened, but there's still enough that you are waiting to find out about too. I'm enjoying the story so far.

I was looking at your series, Kristie. It looks like this series was adapted from a TV series, so maybe it is not too risky to start with a title at the end of the list. I like the covers on the ebooks. :o)

Cherie wrote: "I was looking at your series, Kristie. It looks like this series was adapted from a TV series, so maybe it is not too risky to start with a title at the end of the list. I like the covers on the eb..."

Yes, the cover is pretty quaint. I didn't realize it was adapted from a tv show. Clearly I didn't look into it very much before I decided to read it. lol

So far, there hasn't been anything that would indicate I'm missing background except for the fact that the two MCs have a relationship so I'm sure there's some history there. It isn't the type of relationship where I feel like I'm missing something though, just like if you started any other book with partners or co-workers, friends, etc. in it. You know they've worked together before and know each other well, but it's ok that I don't know the details.

I finished Death on a Summer Night. I thought it was really good for being a short book. I'd like to read a longer novel by this author and I think I may read this series from the beginning.

I thought the author did a nice job of introducing people and giving us options of what happened to the missing girl in a short time. But,(view spoiler)[ I thought the detectives were able to wrap things up awfully quickly. I mean, the police looked into this disappearance and ended up convicting someone, but it only took these two detectives two days to figure it all out and find evidence? (hide spoiler)]

I am hopeful that the libraries in Leeds, UK will open mid July but i have a feeling it will be for reservations only and those will be slow coming in. I am lucky i can afford to buy books but i do begrudge it a little when i know i could get it in the library

I finished Night Watch. The individual stories worked really well. They all had some kind of link too. I thoroughly enjoyed the world, the characters and the whole premise of the book. I did feel that the stories were a little bit samey in that (view spoiler)[the boss would send them on a mission, omitting information, testing them out, and it was never quite how it seemed on first glance. (hide spoiler)] Not necessarily a bad thing though. The big boss, who works for the good guys, is not a boss I would want that's for sure. I found the blurring of lines between good and evil quite interesting and the truce between the two sides. I will definitely continue the series.

I read Set the Night on Fire. Its a part of Cottonbloom Series and all the books are feel good in this series. Mack and his brothers own a garage and he does not like the fact that his elder brother Ford has sold his part it to an outsider Ella. Ella is out of a bad marriage and wants to find a place of belonging and thinks the garage will give her a purpose. The sparks fly; banter and passion was great; the humour was good. Ella was a strong character and I liked her a lot. Her relationship and scenes with her ex-husband's new wife was funny. It was an enjoyable read.

I read The Night Circus
What a lovely and tragic story of forbidden love, power, interconnectedness, and isolation. I really liked the circus and all that was happening in plain view, and how easy it could be to set aside disbelief and just believe if the setting is right. Very enjoyable.

I read The Night Tiger during the toppler. I listened to it on audible. It is not one of my usual reads, but was a recommended on Reese Witherspoon's book club list on audible so I thought I would give it a try.

The story is set in 1930's Malyasia around 2 main characters, but there are several other characters that become very important throughout the story.
Ji Lin: She is an apprentice dressmaker (which she hates), but has taken a 2nd job in a dancehall to pay off her mother's Mahjong debts. Her stepfather is difficult to live with and abusive so her mother is hiding the debts. Ji Lin is helping her pay them off, but her mother doesn't know about her working in the dancehall. During one of her encounters at the dancehall something falls out of one of the patrons pockets (view spoiler)[(a severed, preserved finger) (hide spoiler)] which leads her down a complicated path.

Ren: Ren is a 13 yo houseboy for a British doctor serving in Malaysia. (view spoiler)[Right before his master dies, he asks Ren to find his missing finger that was removed many years prior and return it to his body so his body will be whole after death. He has 45 days to accomplish this while his master's soul wanders. Ren is sent to serve a colleague of his master's who is the last person known to have possessed the finger. This causes him to cross paths with Ji Lin. (hide spoiler)]

Opinions: This is an engaging story that draws you in quickly. I have never read a book set in this country. It centers around fate vs coincidence and how people are interconnected in strange ways. It delves into lots of beliefs around death, where the soul goes after death, the living's relationship with the dead, etc. It does include many superstitions such as lucky numbers. Ji Lin doesn't fit or want to follow the expectations or limitations set on her for being a female. She pushes against these expectations and questions beliefs about what is proper for women vs men in her culture. This book is hard to describe because the story is so complex with many different aspects interwoven.

I would read another book by this author. I really did enjoy a book that I'm not sure I would have picked out on my own.

Sounds like a good story, Amanda.
You convinced me to add it to my TBR list and see if I have a spot for it on my yearly challenge.