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), how it fits the theme, 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. put your Wall of Fame Name at the beginning of your post as follows: WoF Name - Peggy
2. have read the book(s) before or during October 2021.
3. 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.
4. Report that you have read AND discussed the book

WoF: Kristie

I read Under the Whispering Door and am the discussion leader in the group read thread.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't initially like the MC, but you're not supposed to. I loved seeing him learn and grow as a person and watching his relationships develop.

This is the second book I've read by Klune and though he's a bit heavy-handed with his beliefs, I enjoy his writing style a lot and look forward to reading more of his work.

I also read The Orphan Witch and discussed in the theme thread. I did not care for this one. The storytelling just didn't work for me and I found it a bit of a slog to get through. I was surprised by this because the blurb sounded so good, but it wasn't what I was expecting. The "orphan" was an adult and there was too much telling about her lessons. I'm sure it will work for plenty of other people, but I thought it was boring.

WoF - Janice


I also read Under the Whispering Door and discussed in the discussion thread.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It had some quirky, but great characters and some very funny moments. I also found it a bit difficult to read because the theme of death and grieving hit a bit close to home for me.

WoF : SharonBiskit

I read Under the Whispering Door and discussed it in the discussion thread.

I am still thinking about this book as it tends to serious issues that need some contemplation. Wallace’s arc was huge and I very much liked watching the development. The characters were mostly endearing and admirable. The “manager” was another story.

I agree with Kirstie that Klune can be a little heavy handed with his beliefs. There were funny moments which were definitely needed as there were some hard topics to digest. I was not overly fond of the ending. In my opinion, I thought it negated the heart of the book. Then again, I’m not the author.

I enjoyed this book. It is the second one I have read by this author. I did prefer The House in the Cerulean Sea. Then again, they were about two very different things.

WoF: Sandra from PA

I read The Silent Companions and discussed it at the discussion thread.

I liked the book very much. The atmosphere was what I was looking for, the writing was engaging, the characters not particularly relatable, but interesting.
The story was told in three time lines which were perfectly weaved. That is not always the case.
There was also some historical things to learn in it, and I had fun googling what the silent companions were, because they actually existed and were as creepy as in the story.
After 6 weeks of only 2 and 3 stars books, this one was very welcome.

WoF - Linkinn

Read the Under the Whispering Door and discussed it at the discussion thread.

I did really enjoyed the book, hope to see more from the author in the near future. This one was full of emotions, a bit hard sometimes, and I can only guess that is not for everyone, specially if the person in question is grieving or depressed. Or it can help, it's a bit of a shot in the dark. It reminds a bit of the The Midnight Library, this second one I do think it's not so hard.

Wof- Christina

I read The Silent Companions and discussed it in the theme read thread.

This book was really creepy and the atmosphere was setup brilliantly. I enjoyed the three time lines, but I wasn't expecting them and I had to jump back to the beginning of one chapter to see we had jumped back in time 200 years. It had went from the 1800's to the 1600's. I would highly recommend for someone wanting to read something eerie.

WoF:Ashley

I read The Silent Companions and discussed it in the discussion thread. I liked the book, it was a good creepy book for Halloween. I will definitely keep participating in the discussion thread, I want to see what everyone thought of the ending.

I read Under the Whispering Door and discussed it in the thread. I loved this one. I agree that the themes can be hard if you are not in the right mindset. I have several books I have been unwilling to attempt because I don't think my grieving heart could handle it right now, but this one was good for me. I knew there would be a redemptive quality and there was. I am not sure whether I liked The House in the Cerulean Sea better or not. My first reaction was that I did like it better, but then I went back and thought of some of the wonderful parts of this books and then I wasn't sure. It is hard to compare them because the subject matter is definitely more weighty in this one. But I love them both!

WoF name - Amanda(Lily)

I read Under the Whispering Door and discussed it in the appropriate thread.

I didn't really care for this one. It may be where I am in my life at the moment, but I found it bleak and hopeless. The love story was nice, but some of the implications of the world set up in the story were not. I liked The House in the Cerulean Sea much better.

I read and led the discussion for The Silent Companions as the group read.

I also read Wild Country as a buddy read and this too had a paranormal theme.

The Silent Companions is the most seriously creepy book I've read in a long time. The MC is recently widowed and inherits an old house in country that belonged to her husbands family. Needless to it is full of secrets and mysteries. A reall gothic tale in with the reader must question everything. Very well written and with multi-layered characters.

Wild Country is a much lighter read with wonderful narration by Alexandra Harris. It is a continuation of The Others series, this book is set in Bennett, a small town in the middle of The Wild Country. The others are the paranormal species that were the original inhabitants of this land, then the humans came and trouble began!

This story was of a small town trying to rebuild after near annihilation. The characters were interesting and the plot gentle and enjoyable.

WoF: Lori W

I read House of Hollow and discussed it in the paranormal discussion thread. Sadly, I was not a fan of the book. The writing wasn’t great. It wasn’t until the end anything was really revealed and quite a bit I had already guessed. Many of the more interesting questions surrounding the big reveal were not answered and although it’s supposed to be a stand alone novel we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger.

WoF: Abby

I read Under the Whispering Door and discussed it in the discussion thread.

Part of me forgot that when days pass, that means something so I'm a little late to the party. Either way, I'm here!

I liked this book. My favorite character by far was Mai with Hugo as a runner up. T.J. Klune is one of my favorite authors and the master of a slow burn. I was set on Hugo and Wallace's relationship from day one and cried my eyes out for the last 100 pages.

WoF Laura (Lclwags)
I read Under the Whispering Door and discussed it in the group thread.
I was unhappy with the way it ended, but I did enjoy reading the book. It made me laugh out loud several times and shed a few tears. I loved the characters. Chapter 11 was my favorite because I laughed so hard at the shenanigan's of Wallace and Nelson.

WoF Aya

I read The Silent Companions and discussed it in the thread. The story drawn me since the very beginning. It's so creepy and atmospheric. The author did a great job on making people assume and interpret the story. Great ending as well. The discussion thread helped me widening my view. I don't think I could get it without the help from the others. I gave it 5 stars and want to tru read her other books.

WoF - Jenn, and if I am too late, don't worry :)

I read Under the Whispering Door, and added a couple of thoughts in its thread. I really enjoyed this one, I am finding that I like T.J. Klune's writing and will probably be seeking out some more. I am finding a lot of similarities between the MCs in this book and in The House in the Cerulean Sea, and if that continues it may get old?
As a tea drinker, I really connected with that aspect of the story. And, am intrigued by the possible origin story for (view spoiler)[zombies (hide spoiler)]

I also read Death Overdue for the theme of Paranormal. It is a cozy mystery set in a small town library, complete with a library cat and a library ghost. It was a light, fluffy, entertaining way to spend Halloween evening while waiting for trick or treaters.

Badges have been posted :)

yay thanks