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 summarize 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 colorful 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 - Sandra
2. have read the book(s) before or during April 2024.
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 favorite 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 Marnie

I read and discussed The Scent of Rain and Lightning. I read and listened to this and thought the written form was the stronger of the two. It was a fine but not great read for me. 3.5 stars

WoF SharonBiskit

I read and discussed The Scent of Rain and Lightning. I gave the book 4 stars. I enjoyed the storyline and all the red herrings and twists and turns. I liked the MC, Jody, but never liked Belle. I didn’t see the ending coming. It did seem to happen quickly. All in all, I enjoyed the read!

WoF Jayme

I read and am the discussion leader for The Scent of Rain and Lightning. I thought it was a good book overall. It was full of twists and turns and kept me guessing. I was really surprised on who ended up being the murderer - not who I guessed at all. I gave it 4 stars and would read more from this author.

WoF Sandra from PA

I read Murder by the Book: The Crime That Shocked Dickens's London and commented about it on the general theme thread. Its cover shows a rainy night and people using umbrellas, which resembles the weather here in central PA right now. We've had 8 rainy days in these 10 days of April!
I liked the book and rated it 3 stars. It was a little dry at moments, but in general the discussion about what and how much violence was acceptable in literature, and all the gossip about writers in Victorian London was interesting. I learned a couple of things about Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray that I didn't know.

WoF Cherie

I listened to the audiobook version for The Scent of Rain and Lightning and discussed the book in the discussion thread.

I really liked the story. It was a surprise at the ending and I never saw it coming. I enjoyed the family loyalty of the hard working parents and how they always tried to help people, even when it backfired on them. I will read more from this author in the future although I am not ready to add a new series. She did a nice job putting the story lines together.

WoF Janice

I read and discussed A Girl Called Samson. Amy Harmon can be a hit or a miss for me. This book started out slow, but it picked up when Deborah ran away and enlisted so that she could fight in the American Revolution as a man. The author's notes described that Deborah was a real person and did indeed fight in the war. 4 stars.

WoF Katrisa
I read and discussed A Girl Called Samson. I agree with Janice that it started out slow, but got much better as the story went on and she was in the War. I think it adds to my enjoyment of the story that it is based on a true story. For a minute I was afraid that i wasn't going to like the ending, but that ended up being fine. I gave the book 4 stars,

WoF Nix

I was the discussion leader for A Girl Called Samson. I quite liked the book and like Janice and Katrisa, this being a true story, made it more impactful. The elements of war, interpersonal relationships and how a woman set out to achieve more than what the society was designed to was very impressive.

WoF: Kristie

I read The Scent of Rain and Lightning and discussed it in the group thread. I thought it was an enjoyable read. I liked the reveal of what happened, but I didn't like how the reveal was done. It was a little too quick. I ended up giving it 4 stars.

WOF Ammee R.

I read both The Scent of Rain and Lightning and A Girl Called Samson. I discussed it in the group disscussion. I liked the scent of rain and lighting a bit more but thought both were great books.

I also read The Next Thing You Know for the group discussion challenge. In Texas April this month was pretty clear skis at night and sunny during the day and I felt this book captured that on the cover. I thought I knew what the book was about and knew it was going to be a bit sad. However this book had me bawling in a good way. It gave it four stars and out recommend others to read it

I read A Girl Called Samson and discussed it in the thread. Enjoyed this read.

WOF Tammy's wall

Badges have been posted. Let me know if I missed anyone.