The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the The Luminous Dead Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on November 22nd and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 11/22
November 22: Chapters 1-6
November 23: Chapters 7-12
November 24: Chapters 13-18
November 25: Chapters 19-24
November 26: Chapters 25-30
November 27: Chapters 31-36
November 28: catch-up day

Week of 11/29
November 29: we are all behind so we need it 😂
November 30: we are all behind so we need it 😂

PARTICIPANTS
~ Dine
~ Mina
~

hi! I would like to join too :)

Elysian wrote: "hi! I would like to join too :)"

I think you might like it.

Ok, 5 chapters in and (view spoiler)[holy moly! When Em locked Gyre's suit! it's a one thing to be at the mercy of nature and completely another to be at the mercy of a power-tripping individual. The latter is far scarier for me. (hide spoiler)]

Done with the first 4 chapters.

I had some things do to yesterday so I'm behind, but will catch-up probably (hopefully) after tomorrow.

The whole cave thing is making me a bit claustrophobic...even if I'm sitting in a more open space while listening to it.. and the locking the suit.. yeah major panic attack.
I'm intrigued.. what is Em looking for, it must be something really important since she has sent so many expeditions.

I haven't read today, hopefully I'll be able to catch up tomorrow.

Ch 5.. (view spoiler)[ I cannot relate with the caves being a safe place, especially caves deep underground.. claustrophobic is more the word I'll use.. but great for Gyre that she enjoys it.
Knowing that so many have failed before her must be discouraging. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 6.. (view spoiler)[ :O Is there someone else in the caves? I am intrigued. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 11, and stopping for today. (view spoiler)[
At first when hearing Em's reason for the expedition I was meh, I get it on one level, but wasn't attached to it.. but now after the videos Gyre has watched... I'm curious what happened. What's the sound they kept hearing, and the vibrations.
(hide spoiler)]

Lol. I just realised how far behind I am from the reading schedule.

Anyways, can I say how much I appreciate the extremely unique character dynamics. It is basically about two people with mommy- issues hating each other's guts.

Also I am positively surprised. Picked this up on a whim. I did not read the synopsis. The only thing that motivated me to read it is that it is a SCI-FI story with LGBT characters AND the cover.

Elysian wrote: "Lol. I just realised how far behind I am from the reading schedule.

Anyways, can I say how much I appreciate the extremely unique character dynamics. It is basically about two people with mommy- i..."

😂 you are not the only one that's behind the schedule.. maybe Dine is following it.. I forgot that I have this BR 😅 well I knew the date, but I kinda blacked out dates of this week so I had no idea I was supposed to start it.

mina wrote: "Elysian wrote: "Lol. I just realised how far behind I am from the reading schedule.

Anyways, can I say how much I appreciate the extremely unique character dynamics. It is basically about two peop..."

Nope. I am totally behind lol. Maybe we should just stretch to the end of the month? It's only two extra days but hey it's still less pressure

😂 so everyone is behind.. at least we are doing it all together.
Okay, I'll add 2 more days to the schedule.

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Gyre is being an idiot. Okay, she can't sit in one place especially because she's paranoid someone is in the caves with her.. but she started going towards Camp 6 without Em to help her or to at least know she started the move. (hide spoiler)]

mina wrote: "Chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

Ch 12 too. I have a theory that (view spoiler)[these spores play a role in her perception. She heard and then saw Isolde after she drank the water that contained them. (hide spoiler)]

Diné *The Lazy Kitsune* wrote: "mina wrote: "Chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

Ch 12 too. I have a theory that [spoilers removed]"

Hmmm, could be. but then it would mean she had some contact earlier because she became paranoid for the spoiler thingy.

Edit: what chapter are you on?

mina wrote: "Diné *The Lazy Kitsune* wrote: "mina wrote: "Chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

Ch 12 too. I have a theory that [spoilers removed]"

Hmmm, could be. but then it would mean she had some contact earlier..."

Oh no, I don't blame paranoid behavior on spoiler thingy. Just spoiler thingy on spoiler thingy.
I'm on ch. 14. How's your progress?

I finished chapter 13.. and fell asleep. so I decided to drop it for today.. and I started The Love Hypothesis.. hoping that something light will get my mood up a bit because my teeth are killing me and I have no will to do anything.. but hey.. at least that's 4 more points for our team.

mina wrote: "I finished chapter 13.. and fell asleep. so I decided to drop it for today.. and I started The Love Hypothesis.. hoping that something light will get my mood up a bit because my teeth are killing m..."

Oh no I hope you feel better soon! LH is definitely a lighter read. I really enjoyed it

Diné *The Lazy Kitsune* wrote: "mina wrote: "Diné *The Lazy Kitsune* wrote: "mina wrote: "Chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

Ch 12 too. I have a theory that [spoilers removed]"

Hmmm, could be. but then it would mean she had some co..."

Hope you are better soon! :)

I currently stopped at chapter 13 too. As much as I like the story I think it could be a lil bit shorter. Also I am sick rn and in a reading slump. I won't be able to finish this one today.

Thanks guys..
Hope you feel better too Elysian.

I like the story so far, but I guess there's something that doesn't pull at me as much to pick it up.. one of these days I'll just binge it.

I am already feeling better! Thank you! (Being sick at least gives me the excuse to try a Pokemon Nutzlocke)

I mean I really like the story. It actually feels like watching a cave exploration documentary. My only issue is I am not very interested in documentaries.

Elysian wrote: "I am already feeling better! Thank you! (Being sick at least gives me the excuse to try a Pokemon Nutzlocke)

I mean I really like the story. It actually feels like watching a cave exploration docu..."

Yay, I'm glad you're feeling better! It is, I think, one of the books that lend itself to a slower pace. I enjoy it so far but it is definitely not a page-turner.

Ch.19 (view spoiler)[omg Gyre smashed the last battery! What. What. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, I finished it yesterday, and I can't say I was disappointed by the story but I also wasn't thrilled. It was too long and repetitive for my liking, and (view spoiler)[more about two main characters and their emotional journey than about the cave on another planet. I wanted to know more about the environment, about the fungi and the tunnelers. I guess I expected more extraterrestrial creepiness from this book. (hide spoiler)]

Now that you finished it I have a bit more motivation to finish it.. The not thrilled part is what is killing me, the story looks interesting and the writing is good... but boooy, the last two-three times I tried listening to it I fell asleep

Honestly, jokes on me. I am literally listening to it so I go to sleep.

Elysian wrote: "Honestly, jokes on me. I am literally listening to it so I go to sleep."

😂 is it working for you?
I'm listening to it atm, it's warm in the room, I'm on the bed... and I'm starting to feel sleepy.

I have to say I'm a tad disappointed. This book was on my want to read list.. well it could be from last year...

mina wrote: "Elysian wrote: "Honestly, jokes on me. I am literally listening to it so I go to sleep."

😂 is it working for you?
I'm listening to it atm, it's warm in the room, I'm on the bed... and I'm starting..."

How do you guys manage to listen to that?? I tried the audiobook 3 times and I couldn't even discern Em and Gyre's voices. And Gyre voice so baaad, all high and breathy, so unlike her character.

Diné *The Lazy Kitsune* wrote: "mina wrote: "Elysian wrote: "Honestly, jokes on me. I am literally listening to it so I go to sleep."

😂 is it working for you?
I'm listening to it atm, it's warm in the room, I'm on the bed... and..."

I read along my audiobooks, and that helps a lot since I listen to 2x or faster.. If I'm annoyed and want to be over with a book I go up to 3x.. guess what speed I'm listening to this one? 🙃

Ch 16. Reading this for a longer time than planned, and not feeling like picking it up makes me feel irritated by the book. Gyre is mad at Em that she "broke" the promise not to drug her... when she gave her meds to stop panicking and helped her, and still helps her to get her out.. and Gyre is just accusing her that she doesn't care. Accusing her that she "put her in it" when Gyre was the one that wanted the expedition, the one that lied to get the job...

Barely managed to finish chapter 18... because I started drifting to sleep. So if I was still in the "i care what happen's to characters" I would give a fuck that Gyre is paranoid and scared, and maybe I too would feel scared with her.. but.. I don't care.. which takes a bit of the enjoyment.. that isn't that big to begin with.

Started chapter 19 and ooookay intrigued. Is her smashing the battery someone controlling the suit which is possible, or is she just out of it that she did it herself and can't believe it.

ch. 20 if the recording doesn't end up showing things Gyre saw happening.. I'll be disappointed

ch 30 (view spoiler)[ jeez, my heart started beating fast for a second. when they discovered Jennie over Gyre. I was what the hell, how did she get there..but it's a suit. I guess this is the most thrill the book gave me. (hide spoiler)]

I finished it, and I'm disappointed..very. If I had been scared and trapped I would've enjoyed it much more, but I felt most of the time indifferent to the things happening.

mina wrote: "Started chapter 19 and ooookay intrigued. Is her smashing the battery someone controlling the suit which is possible, or is she just out of it that she did it herself and can't believe it.

ch. 20..."

That was my problem with the book as well. I was waiting for something scary to happen the whole time.

Ok. Finally have a free day and will update on my "I finished the book" message.


Idk why, but I expected the book to have zombies, wendigos or something like that and I am kinda disappointed. I mean, it would be ok if it was all just part of the hallucination or an allegory with how Gyre felt, but no. Did not like the lack of spooky creatures. Like the book had like maybe 2 kinda spooky moments and that's it? Somehow I wished for Gyre to die to make her constant fear of death justified.


I actually was interested and cared about Gyre and Em. A bit. I felt like it was a very unique character relationship and the book had SO LONG TIME to explore the exact relationship and I am so disappointed there wasn't more done to explain/ explore it. Literally, I get both sides. I am totally on board with Gyre not trusting Em one bit, but at the same time gurl- you are unreasonable. With Em I am like: YOU REALLY SHOULD TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHY. U are so mysterious it makes you suspicious. So stop lying.

I still do not know what to think about the twist - Em doing this for her mother etc. I feel like it is a great similarity to Gyre, but at the same point I am like "Are u serious?!"


The ending was... something.

Diné *The Lazy Kitsune* wrote: "mina wrote: "Elysian wrote: "Honestly, jokes on me. I am literally listening to it so I go to sleep."

😂 is it working for you?
I'm listening to it atm, it's warm in the room, I'm on the bed... and..."

I honestly, do not think the audio book is bad. Maybe we are listening to two different versions?

I am very often listening to audiobooks, else I would not get through most books that are 300+ pages. I am a rather slow reader and long chapters discourage me.

(also I am usually always listening to a book or a podcast while falling asleep bc else I have difficulty sleeping. But being honest, I usually use books that I don't like as much for this bc else I stay awake listening.)