Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Angie & Jenny
Challenge: Book Quest Adventures
Book: Familiaris by David Wroblewski

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

I have finally started this one!

I had just said that I wasn't liking it as much as Edgar's story, but it may have just turned the corner in Chapter 8!

I got through Part 1, and just into Part 2 today.
I agree that it started a bit slower, but once again, I am coming to care for these characters, especially Mary. The melon scene was epic.

I haven't done the math in my head. These would be Edgar's grandparents, right?

I think seeing how these guys cope with running a farm is going to be very entertaining. And probably sad, as this author isn't shy with the poignant moments.

Through part 2 today. Interesting. Walter and his "daughter" and their story is a lot. That fire in Chicago was horrific. Percy et al on the "ship" were a hoot.

I want to get back to the farm though. I didn't warm to this section as much as the first. The power that (bloody hell, is it Ida?) the daughter has is something that will come up more and more is my guess. Not sure how. I wonder if she is going to help Frank in some way. Or perhaps have something to do with how the family gets into dog breeding or something. Looking forward to reading more tomorrow.

Jenny wrote: "...I am coming to care for these characters, especially Mary. The melon scene was epic...."

It was pure genius!

Yep! I'm pretty sure it said in Edgar's book that his grandparents where John and Mary; it talked about them buying the farm from a man they never met and their dog Violet. Don't ask me how I remember that - it just popped into my head!

I'm not quite through Part 2. Since this book is set around 1919, I'm guessing that Chicago fire is the same as as the "Great Chicago Fire" in 1871....but then I googled it! The fire in the book is supposed to be Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 - which started the same day as the Chicago fire, but in Wisconsin. (supposed to be worse than the Chicago one.) This is according to Google but I can't find that name in the book. Regardless of where it was, you are right it was horrific.

I want to get back to the farm too and learn more about Walter's "daughter".

I wonder if I knew about that Wisconsin fire at some point in my life. I sure as hell don't remember it now. Bad Wisconsin girl. Bad.

The Chicago fire on the other hand was totally started by Mrs. O'Leary's cow. I am 100% sure of that. I used to know a poem or a song about that one.
I wonder if it was started by the cow, or if it is just urban legend.

How far have you read?

Have you read about the wolf, the goat and the lettuce? That was too funny!

How long did it take you to figure out who Walter's daughter was? I think you figured it out before me. I feel really dumb!

I think I have about 5 or 6 hours left on the audio. I should finish tomorrow.
I loved the wolf, the goat and the lettuce story. I also bloody loved the little aside we get about what Frank ended up doing (at least so far) and the name of his restaurant. I want to go to a place called "Shut Up and Eat."

I had been puzzled about Ida, and then I went back to the bit where she survives the fire, and then I looked up Nyx. I have a feeling that this book, and the Sawtelle book will be ones that I reread over the years to get bits that I missed the first time.
I was wondering why Wroblewski added a supernatural element to the story, and then I remembered the ghost of Gar in the first book.
He is not afraid to go a bit weird, and I like that.


How far are you? Did you finish?

I have about 6 hours left, I think. I'm in part 4. I should finish tomorrow too.

Yes, that is the best restaurant name ever!

I didn't look up but somewhere toward the end of part 3, there was a part that I read and it I was like, well hell! I will tell you exactly what it was after we both finish the book.

I am enjoying this book as much as the first, but in a different way.

Wroblewski is absolutely not afraid to go a little weird. And he is an excellent storyteller!

Was it when John went to visit Ida and ended up talking to the boy and the old man?
Yeah, that was weird. The part right after that about the first man who had a dog companion was beautiful, and I had to listen to it twice, as I had no bloody idea what was going on.

Yes! That was it. Wroblewski called her by her full name and said where she was sitting. It was like, how did I not see that from the very beginning!

These two books have been great reads.

I don't think we were meant to see it. When we are introduced to her at the grocery store, we, or at least I, thought she was a troubled child. He did drop a few hints and all, but really, who thinks there is an Ancient Greek god trapped in the body of a human that can't get out?
I wonder if she could get out, but chooses not to at this point?

I know! I thought the same thing and kept wondering how she tied into the family and Edgar and all! I still can't believe I didn't realize it when she was found in the ashes (view spoiler)[ of her mother. (hide spoiler)] SMH

Plus, (view spoiler)[I never tied her to the old woman who gave predictions in Edgar's Story, until that very minute! Even though we knew her name! (hide spoiler)]

Spoiler is just in case someone is reading this for fun. Don't want to spoil that little tidbit for them!

I forgot her name too. Brains.
I predict that we are going to find out why Claude is such an ass in the Sawtelle book. It will be interesting.

Yep, I think that will be in this next section!

I really don't like Claude....

Right? Dog fighting? What the hell?

I am almost done, and I kind of don't want it to end. I will be rereading this at some future challenge when a really long book is needed that's for sure.

I have a bit longer, since I read the other book today.

I was surprised when Frank bought the boarding house or the rooming house!

There are several surprising things toward the end.

I didn't love Frank at the beginning, but he really grew on me.

If you haven't gotten to the letters yet, get some Kleenex ready.

I've finished and yes, the letters were tear worthy!

I didn't like Frank at first either. All of the characters that I didn't care much for at the beginning grew on me, except for Claude.

I wonder if any dog breeders have read this book and tried the Sawtelle method of training. I'll bet there have been a few.

I bet you are correct!

I just realized that I keep mixing up Frank and Walter's names in my head.

Angie ☯ wrote: "I bet you are correct!

I just realized that I keep mixing up Frank and Walter's names in my head."

And clearly I didn't notice. Once again, brains!